Robert St Lawrence, 3rd Baron Howth
Encyclopedia
Robert St.Lawrence, 3rd Baron Howth (born c.1435-died before 1488 ) was a leading statesman in 15th-century Ireland who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland
, and had through marriage a close connection of the Tudor dynasty
.
against Irish invasion and keeping the peace. In 1483 Richard III chose him to be Lord Chancellor of Ireland
, despite opposition from the powerful Earl of Kildare.His continued employment by the Yorkist kings after 1478 is perhaps surprising given that his second wife was a close relative of Henry Tudor
who was to overthrow the House of York
in 1485.In any event his tenure as Lord Chancellor wa short, ending either with his removal or his death later in 1483, although some sources place his death as late as 1487.
, and through marriage acquired the manor of Killester. In 1478 he made a second and politically significant marriage to Joan Beaufort, daughter of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. Beaufort's seemingly feeble claim to the English Crown as heir of John of Gaunt was vindicated by his cousin Margaret's son Henry VII
. The St. Lawrence family, unlike most of the Anglo-Irish nobility, were reliable supporters of Henry's dynasty.By his first wife he had six children;
Lord Chancellor of Ireland
The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...
, and had through marriage a close connection of the Tudor dynasty
Tudor dynasty
The Tudor dynasty or House of Tudor was a European royal house of Welsh origin that ruled the Kingdom of England and its realms, including the Lordship of Ireland, later the Kingdom of Ireland, from 1485 until 1603. Its first monarch was Henry Tudor, a descendant through his mother of a legitimised...
.
Background
He was born about 1435, eldest son of Christopher St Lawrence, 2nd Baron Howth. There is some dispute about the identity of his mother: some sources name her as Anne Plunkett, others as Elizabeth Bermingham. He succeeded to the title in 1464 or 1465.Career
O'Flanagan calls him "a nobleman of considerable abilities who filled several offices connected with the Government of Ireland." He was Sheriff of Dublin in 1456, Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland 1478 and Clerk of the Common Pleas. In 1474 he was chosen one of the thirteen Knights of the Brotherhood of St. George, charged with defending the PaleThe Pale
The Pale or the English Pale , was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had reduced by the late 15th century to an area along the east coast stretching from Dalkey, south of Dublin, to the garrison town of Dundalk...
against Irish invasion and keeping the peace. In 1483 Richard III chose him to be Lord Chancellor of Ireland
Lord Chancellor of Ireland
The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...
, despite opposition from the powerful Earl of Kildare.His continued employment by the Yorkist kings after 1478 is perhaps surprising given that his second wife was a close relative of Henry Tudor
Henry Tudor
Henry Tudor may refer to:* Henry VII of England, d.1509* Henry VIII of England, d.1547* Henry, Duke of Cornwall, son of Henry VIII, d.1511* Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset, son of Henry VIII and his mistress Elizabeth Blount...
who was to overthrow the House of York
House of York
The House of York was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet, three members of which became English kings in the late 15th century. The House of York was descended in the paternal line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, the fourth surviving son of Edward III, but also represented...
in 1485.In any event his tenure as Lord Chancellor wa short, ending either with his removal or his death later in 1483, although some sources place his death as late as 1487.
Family
Robert married firstly Alice White, daughter of Nicholas White of KillesterKillester
Killester is a small, largely residential suburb of Dublin and lies on the Northside of the city.-Location and access:Killester is located between Clontarf, Donnycarney, Raheny and Artane, and it falls within the postal districts of Dublin 3 or 5. St. Anne's Park lies just beyond Killester on the...
, and through marriage acquired the manor of Killester. In 1478 he made a second and politically significant marriage to Joan Beaufort, daughter of Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. Beaufort's seemingly feeble claim to the English Crown as heir of John of Gaunt was vindicated by his cousin Margaret's son Henry VII
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
. The St. Lawrence family, unlike most of the Anglo-Irish nobility, were reliable supporters of Henry's dynasty.By his first wife he had six children;
- Nicholas St Lawrence, 4th Baron HowthNicholas St Lawrence, 4th Baron HowthNicholas St Lawrence, 4th Baron Howth was a leading Irish soldier and statesman of the early Tudor period.-Early life:He was born about 1460, eldest son of Robert St Lawrence, 3rd Baron Howth and his first wife Alice White. His stepmother Joan Beaufort was a cousin of Henry VII to whom Nicholas...
- Thomas, who became Attorney General for Ireland
- two other sons Walter and Christopher, and two daughters, Genet and Anne.