Charles Wilmot, 1st Viscount Wilmot
Encyclopedia
Charles Wilmot, 1st Viscount Wilmot of Athlone (c. 1572 – 1644) was an English soldier active in Ireland.
(otherwise of Newent, Gloucestershire and Witney, Oxfordshire) and Elizabeth Stafford. On 6 July 1587 he matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford
, aged 16, but left the university without a degree, and took service in the Irish wars, perhaps in attendance on his neighbour, Sir Thomas Norris
, who was also a member of Magdalen College. In 1592 he became a captain, and early in 1595 he was sent to Newry
; in the same year he was also in command of sixty foot at Carrickfergus
. In 1597 Norris, now President of Munster, made Wilmot sergeant-major of the forces in that province; he was promoted colonel in 1598. He was knighted by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
at Dublin on 5 August 1599, and on the 16th was sent with instructions to the council of Munster for its government during Norris's illness. On 23 June 1600 Charles Blount, 8th Baron Mountjoy directed George Carew
to swear in Wilmot as a member of the Munster council, and during the next two years he took a prominent part in the closing stages of the Nine Years' War
.
In July 1600 Wilmot was left by Carew in command of Carrigafoyle Castle
on the River Shannon
; shortly afterwards he was given command of a force of 1,050 foot and fifty horse, with which in October he defeated Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Baron Kerry
, and in November captured Listowel Castle after sixteen days' siege. Florence Maccarthy Reagh is said to have urged Wilmot's assassination at this time, but he was warned by Florence's wife. On 8 December he was granted the office of constable of Castlemaine Castle, and in July 1601 was appointed governor of Cork
. A year later Carew left Munster, suggesting Wilmot's appointment as vice-president; Robert Cecil
, however, wrote that the queen would not ‘accept Wilmot or any such’, but Wilmot became commander-in-chief of the forces during Carew's absence, and in September 1602 was made governor of Kerry; in the same month he captured ‘Mocrumpe,’ and throughout the winter was engaged in clearing Kerry of the rebels. In the last week of December and first week of January 1602–3 he inflicted a series of reverses on the Irish in Beare
and Bantry
, completely overrunning the country. In February he turned north-west, again captured Lixnaw
, and subdued the Dingle peninsula
, effecting a junction with Carew over the Mangerton pass.
In the following March Wilmot was associated with Sir George Thornton in the government of Munster during Carew's absence. Cork, however, refused to acknowledge his authority and proclaim James I, and shut its gates against him. Wilmot sat down before it, and turned his guns on the inhabitants to prevent their demolishing the forts erected against the Spanish. He refused, however, to attack the city, and waited till Carew's return, when its submission was arranged. Wilmot now settled down as governor of Kerry. In 1606 he was again acting with Thornton as joint-commissioner for the government of Munster, and in November 1607 was granted a pension and sworn of the Irish privy council. On 20 May 1811 he was granted in reversion the marshalship of Ireland, but surrendered it on 24 August 1617. He sat in the English House of Commons for Launceston
from 5 April to 17 June 1614. On 3 June 1616 he was appointed President of Connaught, the seat of his government being Athlone; and on 4 January 1621 he was created Viscount Wilmot of Athlone in the peerage of Ireland. Among the rewards for his services were grants of the monastery of Ballinglass and abbey of Carrickfergus in 1614.
While president of Connaught Wilmot embarked on a scheme for rebuilding Athlone; and in 1621 Sir Charles Coote accused him of leasing and alienating crown lands and reserving the profits to himself; these charges were referred to commissioners, but Wilmot's defence was accepted for the time being, and on 7 November 1625 he received a pardon. Charles I also renewed his appointment as president of Connaught, and in October 1627 selected him as commander of a relief expedition to be sent to the Isle of Rhé. His fleet was, however, delayed at Plymouth
, first by want of supplies, and then by storms, which damaged the ships and drove them back into port. Meanwhile the English at La Rochelle
had been compelled to retreat, and Wilmot returned to Ireland, where he was appointed on 6 November 1629 general and commander-in-chief of the forces. On 11 September 1630 Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh
was associated with him in the presidency of Connaught, and on 6 August 1631 he was one of the commissioners appointed to govern Dublin and Leinster
during the absence of the lords justices.
In 1631, when it was resolved to supersede the lords justices of Ireland by the nomination of a lord deputy, Wilmot had hopes of being selected for the post. Thomas Wentworth
's appointment he resented as a slight, and the new lord-deputy's inquisition into financial abuses soon brought him into collision with Wilmot. In September 1634 proceedings at Athlone were again called in question; a commission of inquiry was issued early in 1635, and the Irish law officers instituted suits against Wilmot before the castle chamber on the ground of misdemeanour and in the court of exchequer for recovery of the crown lands he had alienated. Wilmot, in revenge, abetted Barr's petition against Wentworth, but on 3 October 1635 was forced to submit, and on 13 July 1636 sought the lord-deputy's favour. Wentworth insisted on restitution of the crown lands, but ineffectively, before his recall from Ireland. Wilmot's age prevented his serving against the Irish Rebellion of 1641
, but he retained his joint-presidency of Connaught till his death, probably in the early part of 1644. He was alive on 29 June 1643, but dead before April 1644, when his son Henry and Sir Charles Coote were appointed joint-presidents of Connaught. His will dated 21 May 1643 refers to a house near Charing Cross
adjoining Scotland Yard
.
Wilmot married, secondly, Mary, daughter of Sir Henry Colley of Castle Carberry and widow of Gerard Moore, 1st Viscount Moore, who died in 1627; she survived till 3 June 1654, being buried on 3 July with her first husband in St. Peter's, Drogheda; her correspondence with the parliamentarians during the Irish wars gave Ormonde some trouble. There were no children born from the marriage.
Life
He was the son of Edward Wilmot of CulhamCulham
Culham is a village and civil parish on the north bank of the River Thames, just over south of Abingdon in Oxfordshire.-Manor:The toponym comes from the Old English Cula's hamm, referring to the village's position in a bend of the Thames...
(otherwise of Newent, Gloucestershire and Witney, Oxfordshire) and Elizabeth Stafford. On 6 July 1587 he matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
, aged 16, but left the university without a degree, and took service in the Irish wars, perhaps in attendance on his neighbour, Sir Thomas Norris
Sir Thomas Norris
Sir Thomas Norris was an English soldier, made Lord President of Munster in Ireland.-Life:He was the fifth son of Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys of Rycote, and matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1571, aged 15, graduating B.A. on 6 April 1576...
, who was also a member of Magdalen College. In 1592 he became a captain, and early in 1595 he was sent to Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
; in the same year he was also in command of sixty foot at Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
. In 1597 Norris, now President of Munster, made Wilmot sergeant-major of the forces in that province; he was promoted colonel in 1598. He was knighted by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, KG was an English nobleman and a favourite of Elizabeth I. Politically ambitious, and a committed general, he was placed under house arrest following a poor campaign in Ireland during the Nine Years' War in 1599...
at Dublin on 5 August 1599, and on the 16th was sent with instructions to the council of Munster for its government during Norris's illness. On 23 June 1600 Charles Blount, 8th Baron Mountjoy directed George Carew
George Carew, 1st Earl of Totnes
George Carew, 1st Earl of Totnes , known as Sir George Carew between 1586 and 1605 and as The Lord Carew between 1605 and 1626, served under Queen Elizabeth I during the Tudor conquest of Ireland and was appointed President of Munster. -Early career:Carew was the son of Dr...
to swear in Wilmot as a member of the Munster council, and during the next two years he took a prominent part in the closing stages of the Nine Years' War
Nine Years' War (Ireland)
The Nine Years' War or Tyrone's Rebellion took place in Ireland from 1594 to 1603. It was fought between the forces of Gaelic Irish chieftains Hugh O'Neill of Tír Eoghain, Hugh Roe O'Donnell of Tír Chonaill and their allies, against English rule in Ireland. The war was fought in all parts of the...
.
In July 1600 Wilmot was left by Carew in command of Carrigafoyle Castle
Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle
The Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle took place at Easter in 1580 near modern-day Ballylongford, County Kerry, Ireland on the southern shores of the River Shannon. The engagement was part of the English crown's campaign against the forces of Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl of Desmond during the Second...
on the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
; shortly afterwards he was given command of a force of 1,050 foot and fifty horse, with which in October he defeated Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Baron Kerry
Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Baron Kerry
Thomas Fitzmaurice, 18th Baron Kerry and Baron Lixnaw was an Irish military leader in the Nine Years' War.-Life:He was son of Patrick Fitzmaurice, 17th Baron Kerry, whom he followed into rebellion in 1598...
, and in November captured Listowel Castle after sixteen days' siege. Florence Maccarthy Reagh is said to have urged Wilmot's assassination at this time, but he was warned by Florence's wife. On 8 December he was granted the office of constable of Castlemaine Castle, and in July 1601 was appointed governor of Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
. A year later Carew left Munster, suggesting Wilmot's appointment as vice-president; Robert Cecil
Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury
Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, KG, PC was an English administrator and politician.-Life:He was the son of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley and Mildred Cooke...
, however, wrote that the queen would not ‘accept Wilmot or any such’, but Wilmot became commander-in-chief of the forces during Carew's absence, and in September 1602 was made governor of Kerry; in the same month he captured ‘Mocrumpe,’ and throughout the winter was engaged in clearing Kerry of the rebels. In the last week of December and first week of January 1602–3 he inflicted a series of reverses on the Irish in Beare
Beare
Beare is a village in Devon, England....
and Bantry
Bantry
Bantry is a town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland. It lies on the N71 national secondary road at the head of Bantry Bay, a deep-water gulf extending for 30 km to the west...
, completely overrunning the country. In February he turned north-west, again captured Lixnaw
Lixnaw
Lixnaw is a village in North County Kerry, Ireland. It is located near the River Brick SW of Listowel and NE of Tralee.- History :Lixnaw was once the seat of the Earls of Kerry. In 1320 Nicolas, the third baron of Lixnaw, erected the Castle of Lixnaw, built the old bridge, and improved the...
, and subdued the Dingle peninsula
Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is the northernmost of the major peninsulae in County Kerry. Its ends beyond the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland.-Name:...
, effecting a junction with Carew over the Mangerton pass.
In the following March Wilmot was associated with Sir George Thornton in the government of Munster during Carew's absence. Cork, however, refused to acknowledge his authority and proclaim James I, and shut its gates against him. Wilmot sat down before it, and turned his guns on the inhabitants to prevent their demolishing the forts erected against the Spanish. He refused, however, to attack the city, and waited till Carew's return, when its submission was arranged. Wilmot now settled down as governor of Kerry. In 1606 he was again acting with Thornton as joint-commissioner for the government of Munster, and in November 1607 was granted a pension and sworn of the Irish privy council. On 20 May 1811 he was granted in reversion the marshalship of Ireland, but surrendered it on 24 August 1617. He sat in the English House of Commons for Launceston
Launceston (UK Parliament constituency)
Launceston, also known at some periods as Dunheved, was a parliamentary constituency in Cornwall which returned two Members of Parliament to the British House of Commons from 1295 until 1832, and one member from 1832 until 1918...
from 5 April to 17 June 1614. On 3 June 1616 he was appointed President of Connaught, the seat of his government being Athlone; and on 4 January 1621 he was created Viscount Wilmot of Athlone in the peerage of Ireland. Among the rewards for his services were grants of the monastery of Ballinglass and abbey of Carrickfergus in 1614.
While president of Connaught Wilmot embarked on a scheme for rebuilding Athlone; and in 1621 Sir Charles Coote accused him of leasing and alienating crown lands and reserving the profits to himself; these charges were referred to commissioners, but Wilmot's defence was accepted for the time being, and on 7 November 1625 he received a pardon. Charles I also renewed his appointment as president of Connaught, and in October 1627 selected him as commander of a relief expedition to be sent to the Isle of Rhé. His fleet was, however, delayed at Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, first by want of supplies, and then by storms, which damaged the ships and drove them back into port. Meanwhile the English at La Rochelle
La Rochelle
La Rochelle is a city in western France and a seaport on the Bay of Biscay, a part of the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the Charente-Maritime department.The city is connected to the Île de Ré by a bridge completed on 19 May 1988...
had been compelled to retreat, and Wilmot returned to Ireland, where he was appointed on 6 November 1629 general and commander-in-chief of the forces. On 11 September 1630 Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh
Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh
Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh PC was a member of the Peerage of Ireland and lord president of Connaught. He was Chief Leader of the Army and Forces of Connaught during the early years of the Irish Confederate Wars...
was associated with him in the presidency of Connaught, and on 6 August 1631 he was one of the commissioners appointed to govern Dublin and Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
during the absence of the lords justices.
In 1631, when it was resolved to supersede the lords justices of Ireland by the nomination of a lord deputy, Wilmot had hopes of being selected for the post. Thomas Wentworth
Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford
Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford was an English statesman and a major figure in the period leading up to the English Civil War. He served in Parliament and was a supporter of King Charles I. From 1632 to 1639 he instituted a harsh rule as Lord Deputy of Ireland...
's appointment he resented as a slight, and the new lord-deputy's inquisition into financial abuses soon brought him into collision with Wilmot. In September 1634 proceedings at Athlone were again called in question; a commission of inquiry was issued early in 1635, and the Irish law officers instituted suits against Wilmot before the castle chamber on the ground of misdemeanour and in the court of exchequer for recovery of the crown lands he had alienated. Wilmot, in revenge, abetted Barr's petition against Wentworth, but on 3 October 1635 was forced to submit, and on 13 July 1636 sought the lord-deputy's favour. Wentworth insisted on restitution of the crown lands, but ineffectively, before his recall from Ireland. Wilmot's age prevented his serving against the Irish Rebellion of 1641
Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
, but he retained his joint-presidency of Connaught till his death, probably in the early part of 1644. He was alive on 29 June 1643, but dead before April 1644, when his son Henry and Sir Charles Coote were appointed joint-presidents of Connaught. His will dated 21 May 1643 refers to a house near Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
adjoining Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard
Scotland Yard is a metonym for the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service of London, UK. It derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. The Scotland Yard entrance became...
.
Family
Wilmot married, first, about 1605, Sarah, fourth daughter of Sir Henry Anderson, sheriff of London in 1601–2; by her, buried on 8 December 1615, he had issue three sons. Their children were:- Arthur Wilmot (born before 1610, died 31 October/1 November 1632); married Penelope, daughter of Sir Moyses Hill of HillsboroughHillsborough, County DownHillsborough is a village and townland in County Down, Northern Ireland, situated from the city of Belfast. It is within the Lisburn City Council area....
, Provost Marshall of Ulster. - Charles Wilmot (baptised 3 March 1610/1, and died unmarried, before 21 August 1633).
- Elizabeth Wilmot (baptised 25 May 1612), but probably died young.
- Henry Wilmot, 1st Earl of RochesterHenry Wilmot, 1st Earl of RochesterLieutenant-General Henry Wilmot, 1st Earl of Rochester , known as The Lord Wilmot between 1643 and 1644 and as The Viscount Wilmot between 1644 and 1652, was an English Cavalier who fought for the Royalist cause during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.-Early life:Wilmot's family was descended from...
(baptised 26 October 1613 – 24 February 1658) married first on 28 August 1633 to Frances Morton daughter of Sir George Morton of Milborne St. Andrews, and second to Anne St John, daughter of Sir John St John, 1st Baronet.
Wilmot married, secondly, Mary, daughter of Sir Henry Colley of Castle Carberry and widow of Gerard Moore, 1st Viscount Moore, who died in 1627; she survived till 3 June 1654, being buried on 3 July with her first husband in St. Peter's, Drogheda; her correspondence with the parliamentarians during the Irish wars gave Ormonde some trouble. There were no children born from the marriage.