Richard Nugent, 1st Earl of Westmeath
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Richard Nugent, 1st Earl of Westmeath (1583–1642) was an Irish nobleman and politician of the early seventeenth century. Imprisoned for plotting against the Crown in 1607, he soon obtained a pardon and thereafter was regarded as a reliable supporter of the Government. His death resulted from his refusal to join the Irish Rebellion of 1641
.
, sixth Baron Delvin, and Lady Mary FitzGerald, daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare
. He succeeded his father as seventh Baron Delvin in 1602.
in 1603. The Crown's suspicion was justified: Delvin was implicated in the conspiracy which led to the Flight of the Earls
in 1607 and was imprisoned in Dublin Castle
.Through lax security a servant was able to smuggle in a rope, with which he escaped through the window and fled for safety to Cloughoughter Castle
, a lake fortress in County Cavan
.
. Delvin was pardoned and restored to favour.
, near the older Nugent Castle. He took his seat in the Irish House of Lords
in the Parliaments of 1613-15 and 1634, and was appointed a royal commissioner for the redress of grievances in 1633. He accompanied the Duke of Buckingham
, the prime royal favourite, to the ill-fated Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré in 1627. He was created Earl of Westmeath
in 1621.
and the Earl captured. He was rescued but attacked again near Trim
. He was seriously injured in the second attack and being nearly sixty, blind and afflicted with "palsy",died from his injuries.
.They had five sons Christopher, Francis, John, Lawrence and Ignatius. Christopher, Lord Delvin pre-decesed his father leaving an only son Richard, who succeeded as second Earl of Westmeath
.
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...
.
Early life
He was the eldest son of Christopher NugentChristopher Nugent
Sir Christopher Nugent, 6th Baron Delvin was an Irish nobleman and writer. He was arrested on suspicion of treason against Queen Elizabeth I of England, and died while in confinement before his trial had taken place....
, sixth Baron Delvin, and Lady Mary FitzGerald, daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare
Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare
Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare , also known as the "Wizard Earl" , was an Irish peer....
. He succeeded his father as seventh Baron Delvin in 1602.
Imprisonment
It is not surprising that the Crown regarded him with suspicion: when he was born his father was in prison on charges of treason, and nineteen years later his father died in prison once more suspected of plotting treason. Initially he seems to have acted cautiously and was knighted at Christ Church CathedralChrist Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is the name of many Anglican cathedrals around the world, and may refer to:-Canada:*Christ Church Cathedral , New Brunswick*Christ Church Cathedral , Quebec*Christ Church Cathedral , Ontario...
in 1603. The Crown's suspicion was justified: Delvin was implicated in the conspiracy which led to the Flight of the Earls
Flight of the Earls
The Flight of the Earls took place on 14 September 1607, when Hugh Ó Neill of Tír Eóghain, Rory Ó Donnell of Tír Chonaill and about ninety followers left Ireland for mainland Europe.-Background to the exile:...
in 1607 and was imprisoned in Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle off Dame Street, Dublin, Ireland, was until 1922 the fortified seat of British rule in Ireland, and is now a major Irish government complex. Most of it dates from the 18th century, though a castle has stood on the site since the days of King John, the first Lord of Ireland...
.Through lax security a servant was able to smuggle in a rope, with which he escaped through the window and fled for safety to Cloughoughter Castle
Cloughoughter Castle
Cloughoughter Castle is a ruined circular castle, situated on a small island in Lough Oughter, 4 kilometres east of the town of Killeshandra in County Cavan, Ireland.-History:...
, a lake fortress in County Cavan
County Cavan
County Cavan is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Cavan. Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Pardon
In 1608 he appeared at Court and asked for a pardon. He seems to have been a young man of charm and good looks, which was always a path to favour with King James IJames I
James I may refer to:* King James I of Aragon * King James I of Sicily , also King James II of Aragon* James I, Count of La Marche , Count of Ponthieu...
. Delvin was pardoned and restored to favour.
Political career
Thereafter his career until 1641 was one of almost uniform success. He received grants of land in several counties in 1611, and was able to build a new dwelling, Clonyn CastleClonyn Castle
Clonyn Castle also known as Delvin Castle, is situated in Delvin, County Westmeath some 18 km from Mullingar, in Ireland along the N52. The first castle is believed to have been built in 1181 by Hugh de Lacy the Norman, Lord of Meath for his brother-in-law, Sir Gilbert de Nugent...
, near the older Nugent Castle. He took his seat in the Irish House of Lords
Irish House of Lords
The Irish House of Lords was the upper house of the Parliament of Ireland that existed from mediaeval times until 1800. It was abolished along with the Irish House of Commons by the Act of Union.-Function:...
in the Parliaments of 1613-15 and 1634, and was appointed a royal commissioner for the redress of grievances in 1633. He accompanied the Duke of Buckingham
Duke of Buckingham
The titles Marquess and Duke of Buckingham, referring to Buckingham, have been created several times in the peerages of England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom. There have also been Earls of Buckingham.-1444 creation:...
, the prime royal favourite, to the ill-fated Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré in 1627. He was created Earl of Westmeath
Earl of Westmeath
Earl of Westmeath is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1621 for Richard Nugent, Baron Delvin. During the Tudor era the loyalty of the Nugent family was often in question, and Richard's father, the sixth baron, died in prison while awaiting trial for treason...
in 1621.
Death
On the outbreak of the Irish Rebellion of 1641 the Earl unlike many of the Anglo-Irish nobility, remained loyal to the Crown. Concerned that he was isolated at Clonyn, the Government sent a party to accompany him to Dublin.The party was ambushed at AthboyAthboy
Athboy , is a small agricultural town in County Meath in Ireland. It is located on the junction of the N51 and R154 roads. The town is located on the Yellow Ford River, in wooded country near the County Westmeath border.-History:...
and the Earl captured. He was rescued but attacked again near Trim
Trim
Trim may refer to:* Cutting small pieces off something** Book trimming, a stage of the publishing process** Editing*** Editing a posting style in online discourse** Pruning, trimming as a form of pruning often used on trees-Places:...
. He was seriously injured in the second attack and being nearly sixty, blind and afflicted with "palsy",died from his injuries.
Family
Richard Nugent married Jenet Plunkett, daughter of Christopher PLunkett, 9th Baron Killeen and sister of Luke Plunkett, 1st Earl of FingallLuke Plunkett, 1st Earl of Fingall
Lucas More Plunkett of Killeen, County Meath married first Elizabeth, daughter of Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell. Married second Susannah, daughter of Edward Brabazon, 2nd Earl of Meath. Married third Eleanor, daughter of Dudley Bagenal...
.They had five sons Christopher, Francis, John, Lawrence and Ignatius. Christopher, Lord Delvin pre-decesed his father leaving an only son Richard, who succeeded as second Earl of Westmeath
Earl of Westmeath
Earl of Westmeath is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1621 for Richard Nugent, Baron Delvin. During the Tudor era the loyalty of the Nugent family was often in question, and Richard's father, the sixth baron, died in prison while awaiting trial for treason...
.
Further reading
- Extensive primary and secondary sources related to Richard Nugent can be found in the Nugent of Farren Connell Papers, a collection of the Public Record Office of Northern IrelandPublic Record Office of Northern IrelandThe Public Record Office of Northern Ireland is situated in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is a division within the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure ....
with the id D3535. See the introduction.