Sir Thomas Norris
Encyclopedia
Sir Thomas Norris (1556–1599) was an English soldier, made Lord President of Munster
in Ireland.
of Rycote, and matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford
, in 1571, aged 15, graduating B.A. on 6 April 1576. Sir John Norris
, and Sir Edward Norris
were his brothers.
In December 1579 he became, through the death of his eldest brother William and the influence of Sir William Pelham, captain of a troop of horse in Ireland. He took an active part in the following year in the campaign against Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
; but during the absence of Sir Nicholas Malby, President of Connaught, in the winter of 1580-1, he acted as governor of that province, and pursued the Burkes and other disturbers of the peace. In 1581-2 he was occupied, apparently between Clonmel
and Kilmallock
, in watching the movements of the Earl of Desmond, and on the retirement, of Captain John Zouche in August 1582, on account of ill-health, he became colonel of the forces in Munster. He compelled the Earl of Desmond to abandon the siege of Dingle
, but he lacked the resources to do more. In consequence of the appointment of Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond as governor of Munster, Norris was able, early in 1583, to pay a brief visit to England. On his return he found employment in Ulster
in settling a dispute between Hugh Oge O'Neill and Shane MacBrian O'Neill as to the possession of the castle of Edendougher (Shane's Castle
), which he handed over to the latter as captain of Lower Clandeboye. He was commended by Lords-justices Adam Loftus
and Henry Wallop
. In the autumn of 1584 he took part in Sir John Perrot's expedition against the Scots in Antrim
, and in scouring the woods of Glenconkein in search of Sorley Boy MacDonnell
he was wounded in the knee with an arrow.
He returned to Munster, and in 1585-6 represented Limerick
in parliament. In December 1585 he was appointed vice-president of Munster during the absence in the Low Countries of his brother John. It was a precarious situation. Under instructions from England, Norris, in March 1587, arrested James Fitzedmund Fitzgerald
, seneschal of Imokilly, Patrick Condon
, and others, whose loyalty was at least doubtful. The marriage of Ellen, daughter and sole heiress of the Earl of Clancar, was sensitive, and Norris himself rejected her as bride. In June 1588 the matter became serious, when Florence MacCarthy
married her and so united in himself the two main branches of the clan Carthy. Norris arrested Florence, but was induced to believe that he had acted innocently. In December he was knighted by Sir William Fitzwilliam
; and Sir John Popham having consented to resign his seignory in the plantation of Munster, Norris obtained a grant of six thousand acres (24 km²) in and about Mallow
. The Spanish Armada
was over but the air was still full of rumours of invasion, and in 1589-90 Norris was engaged with Edmund Yorke, an engineer who had been sent over from England expressly for the purpose, in strengthening the fortifications of Limerick, Waterford
, and Duncannon
. He lacked cash, and a detachment at Limerick in May 1590 mutinied,and marched to Dublin. The ringleaders were punished by Sir William Fitzwilliam.
Norris was in the winter of 1592-3 in England to report on the Munster plantation; he returned to Ireland about May 1593. With the exception of disturbances over the summer by Donnogh MacCarthy, the Earl of Clancar's bastard son, the province was peaceful. On 10 August 1594 Norris went to Dublin to meet the new lord-deputy, Sir William Russell
, whom he attended in his progress through Ulster. In the following year he served under his brother, Sir John Norris, against the Earl of Tyrone
, and was wounded in the thigh in the engagement that took place halfway between Newry
and Armagh
on 4 September. He assisted Sir John Norris as commissioner for the pacification of Connaught in June 1596; but in August he was engaged in repelling an incursion of the MacSheehys and O'Briens into Munster. He hanged ninety of them within ten days; but they proved tenacious. He again in September accompanied Sir John Norris into Connaught. Sir Richard Bingham's disgrace had temporarily deprived the province of its governor, and he was appointed by his brother provisional president of Connaught, on Sir Geoffrey Fenton
's. The arrival shortly afterwards of the new president, Sir Conyers Clifford, saw him return to Munster, and in June 1597 he had pacified it. On the death of Sir John Norris in that year he succeeded him on 20 September as President of Munster. Thomas Burgh, 3rd Baron Burgh died also, and Norris was on 29 October elected by the council, as lord justice of Ireland. The election was not confirmed by Elizabeth, on the ground that his presence was specially required in Munster. Accordingly, Loftus and Gardiner having been appointed lords justices, Norris returned to Munster on 29 November.
On the general insurrection of the Irish after the battle of the Yellow Ford
, on 14 August 1598, and the irruption into Munster of the Leinster
Irish, under Owny MacRory O'More, Norris concentrated his forces in the neighbourhood of Mallow; but, not feeling sufficiently strong to encounter Owny MacRory, he withdrew to Cork. He was blamed for his retreat, for example in a letter of John Chamberlain
on 22 November 1598. His situation deteriorated, but towards the end of December, he managed, though fiercely attacked by William Burke, to relieve Kilmallock. But a second expedition on 27 March 1599 only resulted in the capture of Carriglea Castle, and on 4 April he returned to Cork, skirmishing with the Irish all the way. The arrival of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
afforded him a breathing space. He went to Kilkenny
to meet the lord-lieutenant, and, returning to Munster, was on his way from Buttevant
to Limerick on 30 May, when encountered Irish troops under Thomas Burke. In the skirmish he was wounded by a pike in the neck. The Burkes were routed, and Norris reached Limerick apparently on 4 June. Having revictualled Askeaton
, he joined Essex at Kilmallock, and attended him in his progress through the province till his departure on 20 June. But his wound became worse. He was taken to his house at Mallow, and, after lingering for some time in great pain, he died there on 20 August 1599.
Norris is mentioned by Lodowick Bryskett as one of the company to whom Edmund Spenser
on a well-known occasion unfolded his project of the The Faerie Queen. He married Bridget, daughter of Sir William Kingsmill of Sydmonton
, Hampshire
, by whom he had one daughter, Elizabeth, his sole heiress, who married Sir John Jephson of Froyle
in Hampshire. Their son William Jephson
was in the Long Parliament
.
Lord President of Munster
The post of Lord President of Munster was the most important office in the English government of the Irish province of Munster from its introduction in the Elizabethan era for a century, to 1672, a period including the Desmond Rebellions in Munster, the Nine Years' War, and the Irish Rebellion of...
in Ireland.
Life
He was the fifth son of Henry Norris, 1st Baron NorreysHenry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys
Henry Norris , Baron Norris belonged to an old Berkshire family, many members of which had held positions at the English court. He was the son of Sir Henry Norreys, who was beheaded for his supposed adultery with Queen Anne Boleyn, and Mary Fiennes Henry Norris (or Norreys), Baron Norris (15257...
of Rycote, and 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...
, in 1571, aged 15, graduating B.A. on 6 April 1576. Sir John Norris
John Norreys
Sir John Norreys , also frequently spelt John Norris, was an English soldier of a Berkshire family of court gentry, the son of Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys a lifelong friend of Queen Elizabeth....
, and Sir Edward Norris
Edward Norreys
Sir Edward Norreys was a 16th century Governor of Ostend and English Member of Parliament.Norreys was the third son of Henry Norris, 1st Baron Norreys and his wife, Lady Margery Williams, then of Wytham in Berkshire . He was elected as Member of Parliament for Abingdon in the Parliaments of...
were his brothers.
In December 1579 he became, through the death of his eldest brother William and the influence of Sir William Pelham, captain of a troop of horse in Ireland. He took an active part in the following year in the campaign against Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond was an Irish nobleman and leader of the Desmond Rebellions of 1579.-Life:...
; but during the absence of Sir Nicholas Malby, President of Connaught, in the winter of 1580-1, he acted as governor of that province, and pursued the Burkes and other disturbers of the peace. In 1581-2 he was occupied, apparently between Clonmel
Clonmel
Clonmel is the county town of South Tipperary in Ireland. It is the largest town in the county. While the borough had a population of 15,482 in 2006, another 17,008 people were in the rural hinterland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian army which sacked both...
and Kilmallock
Kilmallock
Kilmallock or Kilmalloc is a town in south County Limerick, Ireland, near the border with County Cork. There is a Dominican Priory in the town and King's Castle . The remains of medieval walls which encircled the settlement are still visible. The Dublin–Cork railway line passes by the town,...
, in watching the movements of the Earl of Desmond, and on the retirement, of Captain John Zouche in August 1582, on account of ill-health, he became colonel of the forces in Munster. He compelled the Earl of Desmond to abandon the siege of Dingle
Dingle
Dingle is a town in County Kerry, Ireland. The only town on the Dingle Peninsula, it sits on the Atlantic coast, about 49 kilometres southwest of Tralee and 71 kilometres northwest of Killarney....
, but he lacked the resources to do more. In consequence of the appointment of Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond as governor of Munster, Norris was able, early in 1583, to pay a brief visit to England. On his return he found employment in Ulster
Ulster
Ulster is one of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the north of the island. In ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial...
in settling a dispute between Hugh Oge O'Neill and Shane MacBrian O'Neill as to the possession of the castle of Edendougher (Shane's Castle
Shane's Castle
Shane's Castle is a ruined castle near Randalstown in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The castle is on the north-east shores of Lough Neagh. Built in 1345 by a member of the O'Neill dynasty, it was originally called Eden-duff-carrick...
), which he handed over to the latter as captain of Lower Clandeboye. He was commended by Lords-justices Adam Loftus
Adam Loftus (Archbishop)
thumb|right|200px|Archbishop Adam LoftusAdam Loftus was Archbishop of Armagh, and later Dublin, and Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1581. He was also the first Provost of Trinity College, Dublin.-Early life:...
and Henry Wallop
Henry Wallop
Sir Henry Wallop was an English statesman.He was the eldest son of Sir Oliver Wallop of Farleigh Wallop in Hampshire. Having inherited the estates of his father and of his uncle, Sir John Wallop, he was knighted in 1569 and was chosen member of parliament for Southampton in 1572...
. In the autumn of 1584 he took part in Sir John Perrot's expedition against the Scots in Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, and in scouring the woods of Glenconkein in search of Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill , Scoto-Irish prince or flaith and chief, was the son of Alexander MacDonnell, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan...
he was wounded in the knee with an arrow.
He returned to Munster, and in 1585-6 represented Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
in parliament. In December 1585 he was appointed vice-president of Munster during the absence in the Low Countries of his brother John. It was a precarious situation. Under instructions from England, Norris, in March 1587, arrested James Fitzedmund Fitzgerald
James Fitzedmund Fitzgerald
John Fitzedmund Fitzgerald was the hereditary Seneschal of Imokilly, an Irish nobleman of the Welsh-Norman FitzGerald dynasty in the province of Munster, who rebelled against the crown during the reign of Queen Elizabeth of England....
, seneschal of Imokilly, Patrick Condon
Patrick Condon
Patrick Condon holds the James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Livable Environments at the University of British Columbia...
, and others, whose loyalty was at least doubtful. The marriage of Ellen, daughter and sole heiress of the Earl of Clancar, was sensitive, and Norris himself rejected her as bride. In June 1588 the matter became serious, when Florence MacCarthy
Florence MacCarthy
Finnian or Fínghin mac Donnchadh Mac Cárthaigh , known to the English as Florence MacCarthy, was an Irish prince of the late 16th century and the last credible claimant to the MacCarthy Mór title before its suppression by English authority...
married her and so united in himself the two main branches of the clan Carthy. Norris arrested Florence, but was induced to believe that he had acted innocently. In December he was knighted by Sir William Fitzwilliam
William Fitzwilliam (Lord Deputy)
- Early life :FitzWilliam was born at Milton, Northamptonshire, the eldest son of Sir William and grandson of William Fitzwilliam , alderman and sheriff of London, who had been treasurer and chamberlain to Cardinal Wolsey and who purchased Milton in 1506...
; and Sir John Popham having consented to resign his seignory in the plantation of Munster, Norris obtained a grant of six thousand acres (24 km²) in and about Mallow
Mallow, County Cork
Mallow is the "Crossroads of Munster" and the administrative capital of north County Cork, in Ireland. The Northern Divisional Offices of Cork County Council are located in the town....
. The Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
was over but the air was still full of rumours of invasion, and in 1589-90 Norris was engaged with Edmund Yorke, an engineer who had been sent over from England expressly for the purpose, in strengthening the fortifications of Limerick, Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, and Duncannon
Duncannon
Duncannon is a village in southwest County Wexford, Ireland. Bordered to the west by Waterford harbour and sitting on a rocky promontory jutting into the channel is the strategically prominent Duncannon Fort which dominates the village.Primarily a fishing village, Duncannon also relies heavily on...
. He lacked cash, and a detachment at Limerick in May 1590 mutinied,and marched to Dublin. The ringleaders were punished by Sir William Fitzwilliam.
Norris was in the winter of 1592-3 in England to report on the Munster plantation; he returned to Ireland about May 1593. With the exception of disturbances over the summer by Donnogh MacCarthy, the Earl of Clancar's bastard son, the province was peaceful. On 10 August 1594 Norris went to Dublin to meet the new lord-deputy, Sir William Russell
William Russell, 1st Baron Russell of Thornhaugh
William Russell, 1st Baron Russell of Thornhaugh was a younger son of Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford. His birthdate is uncertain, with some records showing that he was born as early as 1553, some as late as 1563...
, whom he attended in his progress through Ulster. In the following year he served under his brother, Sir John Norris, against the Earl of Tyrone
Earl of Tyrone
The Earl of Tyrone is a title created three times in the Peerage of Ireland.It was first created as part of the Tudor attempt to establish a uniform social structure in Ireland by converting the Gaelic kings and chiefs into hereditary nobles of the Kingdom of Ireland...
, and was wounded in the thigh in the engagement that took place halfway between 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...
and Armagh
Armagh
Armagh is a large settlement in Northern Ireland, and the county town of County Armagh. It is a site of historical importance for both Celtic paganism and Christianity and is the seat, for both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, of the Archbishop of Armagh...
on 4 September. He assisted Sir John Norris as commissioner for the pacification of Connaught in June 1596; but in August he was engaged in repelling an incursion of the MacSheehys and O'Briens into Munster. He hanged ninety of them within ten days; but they proved tenacious. He again in September accompanied Sir John Norris into Connaught. Sir Richard Bingham's disgrace had temporarily deprived the province of its governor, and he was appointed by his brother provisional president of Connaught, on Sir Geoffrey Fenton
Geoffrey Fenton
Sir Geoffrey Fenton was an English writer, Privy Councillor, and Principal Secretary of State in Ireland.-Early literary years:...
's. The arrival shortly afterwards of the new president, Sir Conyers Clifford, saw him return to Munster, and in June 1597 he had pacified it. On the death of Sir John Norris in that year he succeeded him on 20 September as President of Munster. Thomas Burgh, 3rd Baron Burgh died also, and Norris was on 29 October elected by the council, as lord justice of Ireland. The election was not confirmed by Elizabeth, on the ground that his presence was specially required in Munster. Accordingly, Loftus and Gardiner having been appointed lords justices, Norris returned to Munster on 29 November.
On the general insurrection of the Irish after the battle of the Yellow Ford
Battle of the Yellow Ford
The Battle of the Yellow Ford was fought in western County Armagh, Ulster, in Ireland, near the river Blackwater on 14 August 1598, during the Nine Years War ....
, on 14 August 1598, and the irruption into Munster of the 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...
Irish, under Owny MacRory O'More, Norris concentrated his forces in the neighbourhood of Mallow; but, not feeling sufficiently strong to encounter Owny MacRory, he withdrew to Cork. He was blamed for his retreat, for example in a letter of John Chamberlain
John Chamberlain (letter writer)
John Chamberlain was the author of a series of letters written in England from 1597 to 1626, notable for their historical value and their literary qualities. In the view of historian Wallace Notestein, Chamberlain's letters "constitute the first considerable body of letters in English history and...
on 22 November 1598. His situation deteriorated, but towards the end of December, he managed, though fiercely attacked by William Burke, to relieve Kilmallock. But a second expedition on 27 March 1599 only resulted in the capture of Carriglea Castle, and on 4 April he returned to Cork, skirmishing with the Irish all the way. The arrival of 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...
afforded him a breathing space. He went to Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
to meet the lord-lieutenant, and, returning to Munster, was on his way from Buttevant
Buttevant
Buttevant is a medieval market town, incorporated by charter of Edward III, situated in North County Cork, Ireland.While there may be reason to suggest that the town may occupy the site of an earlier settlement of the Donegans, Carrig Donegan, the origins of the present town are clearly and...
to Limerick on 30 May, when encountered Irish troops under Thomas Burke. In the skirmish he was wounded by a pike in the neck. The Burkes were routed, and Norris reached Limerick apparently on 4 June. Having revictualled Askeaton
Askeaton
Askeaton is a town in County Limerick, Ireland. Located on the N69, the town is built on the banks of the River Deel some 3 km upstream from the estuary of the River Shannon. There is also a secondary school in Askeaton...
, he joined Essex at Kilmallock, and attended him in his progress through the province till his departure on 20 June. But his wound became worse. He was taken to his house at Mallow, and, after lingering for some time in great pain, he died there on 20 August 1599.
Norris is mentioned by Lodowick Bryskett as one of the company to whom Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser was an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene, an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I. He is recognised as one of the premier craftsmen of Modern English verse in its infancy, and one of the greatest poets in the English...
on a well-known occasion unfolded his project of the The Faerie Queen. He married Bridget, daughter of Sir William Kingsmill of Sydmonton
Sydmonton
Sydmonton is a small village and estate in the Basingstoke and Deane district of Hampshire, England. Its nearest town is Newbury, which lies approximately north-west from the village.-Governance:...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, by whom he had one daughter, Elizabeth, his sole heiress, who married Sir John Jephson of Froyle
Froyle
Froyle, or to be more accurate, Upper and Lower Froyle, is a village and civil parish in the East Hampshire district of Hampshire, England...
in Hampshire. Their son William Jephson
William Jephson
William Vincent Jephson was an English cricketer. Jephson was a right-handed batsman who played occasionally as a wicketkeeper....
was in the Long Parliament
Long Parliament
The Long Parliament was made on 3 November 1640, following the Bishops' Wars. It received its name from the fact that through an Act of Parliament, it could only be dissolved with the agreement of the members, and those members did not agree to its dissolution until after the English Civil War and...
.