Richard Boyle

I, Sir Richard Boyle, Knight, Lord Boyle, baron of Youghal, viscount Dungarvan, earl of Cork, lord high treasurer of Ireland, one of his Majesty's honourable privy council, and one of the two lords justices for the government of this kingdom, do commend these remembrances to posterity this 23rd day of June, anno Domini 1632, having lived in this kingdom of Ireland full forty-four years, and so long after as it shall please almighty God.

My father, Mr Roger Boyle, was born in Herefordshire. My mother Joan Naylor, daughter to Robert Naylor of Canterbury in the county of Kent, esquire, was born the 15th of October in the 21st year of King Henry VIII and my said father and mother were married in Canterbury the 16th of October in the 8th year of Queen Elizabeth. My father died at Preston near Faversham in Kent the 24th of March 1576. My mother never married again, but lived ten years a widow, and then departed this life at Faversham aforesaid, the 20th of March 1586. And they both are buried in one grave in the upper end of the chancel of the parish church of Preston, in memory of which my deceased and worthy parents, I, their second son, have in Anno Domini 1629 erected a fair alabaster tomb over the place where they are buried, with an iron gate before it for the better preservation thereof.

Sir Robert Boyle, now earl of Cork, the second son of Roger Boyle, esquire, was born in the city of Canterbury, as I find it written in my father's own hand, the 3rd of October 1566.

After the decease of my father and mother, I being the second son of a younger brother, having been a scholar in Bennet College Cambridge, a student in the Middle Temple, London, finding my means unable to support me to study the laws in the Inns of Court, put myself into the service of Sir Richard Manwood, knight, lord chief baron of her majesty's court of Exchequer, whom I served as one of his clerks; and perceiving that the employment would not raise a fortune, I resolved to travel into foreign kingdoms, and to gain learning and knowledge and experience abroad in the world. And it pleased the Almighty by his divine providence to take me, I may say justly, as it were, by the hand, and lead me into Ireland, where I happily arrived at Dublin on the midsummer-eve, the 23rd of June 1588. I was married at Limerick to Mrs Joan Apsley, one of the two daughters and co-heirs of William Apsley, esquire, the 6th of November 1595, who brought me in £500 lands per year, which I still enjoy. It being the beginning and foundation of my fortune; and she died at Mallow, the 14th of December 1599, in travail of her first child, who was born a dead son, and both of them buried together in Buttevant Church.

When first I arrived at Dublin in Ireland, the 23rd of June 1588, all my wealth then was twenty-seven pounds three shillings in money, and two tokens, which my mother had given me, viz. a diamond ring, which I have ever since and still do wear, and a bracelet of gold worth about 10 ten pounds; a taffeta doublet cut with and upon taffeta, two cloaks, competent linen and necessaries, with my rapier and dagger. And since, the blessing of God, whose heavenly providence guided me hither, hath enriched my weak estate in beginning with such a fortune, as I need not envy any of my neighbours, and added no care or burthen of my conscience thereunto. And the 23rd of June 1632, I have served my God, Queen Elizabeth, King James, and King Charles, full forty-four years, and so long after, as it shall pleased God to enable me.

When God had blessed me with a reasonable fortune and estate, Sir Henry Wallop, [Treasurer] of wars, Sir Robert Gardiner, chief justice of the king's Bench, Sir Robert Dillon, chief justice of the Common Pleas, and Sir Richard Bingham, chief commissioner of Connaught, being displeased for some purchases I had made in the province, they all joined together, by their lies complaining against me to Queen Elizabeth, expressing, that I came over a young man, without any estate or fortune, and that I had made so many purchases, as it was not possible to do without it without some foreign prince's purse to supply me with money; that I had acquired divers castles and abbeys upon the seaside fit to receive and entertain Spaniards; that I kept in my abbeys fraternities and convents of friars in their habits, who said mass continually; and that I was suspected in my religion, with divers other malicious suggestions, whereof having some secret notice, I resolved to go into Munster and so into England to justify myself. But before I could take shipping, the general rebellion in Munster broke out; all my lands were wasted, as I could say, that I had not one penny of certain revenue left me, to the unspeakable danger and hazard of my life. Yet God preserved me, as I recovered Dingle, and got shipping there, which transported me to Bristol, from whence I travelled to London, and betook myself to my former chamber in the Middle Temple, intending to renew my studies in the law, till the rebellion was past over.

Then Robert earl of Essex was designed for the government of this kingdom, into whose service I was recommended by Mr Anthony Bacon. Whereupon his lordship very nobly received me, and used me with favour and grace, in employing me in the issuing out his patent and commissions for the government of Ireland, whereof Sir Henry Wallop, treasurer, having notice, and being conscious in his own heart, that I had sundry papers and collections of Michael Kettlewell's, his late under-treasurer, which might discover a great deal of wrong and abuse done to the queen in his late accounts; and suspecting, if I were countenanced by the earl of Essex, that I would bring those things to light, which might much prejudice or ruin his reputation or estate, although I vow to God, until I was provoked, I had no thought of it; yet he, utterly to suppress me, renewed his former complaints against me to the Queen's Majesty. Whereupon, by her Majesty's special directions, I was suddenly attached and conveyed close prisoner to the Gatehouse; all my papers seized and searched; and although nothing could appear to my prejudice, yet my close restraint continued till the earl of Essex was gone into Ireland, and two months afterwards; at which time, with much suit, I obtained the favour of her sacred Majesty to be present at my answers, where I so fully answered and cleared all their objections, and delivered such full and evident justifications for my own acquittal, as it pleased the Queen to use these words, viz. “By God's death, these are but inventions against this young man; and all his sufferings are for being able to do us service, and those complaints urged to forestall him therein. But we find him to be a man fit to be employed by ourselves; and we will employ him in our service; and Wallop and his adherents shall know, that it shall not be in the power of any of them to wrong him; neither shall Wallop be our treasurer any longer”. Thereupon she directed her speech to her lords in her council there present, and commanded them presently to give her the names of six men, out of which she might choose one to be treasurer of Ireland, her election upon Sir George Carey of Cookingham. And then the Queen arose from council, and gave orders, not only for my present enlargement, but also discharging all my charges and fees during my restraint, and gave me her royal hand to kiss, which I did heartily, humbly thanking God for that deliverance. Being commanded by her Majesty, to attend at court, it was not many days before her Highness was pleased to bestow upon me the office of clerk of the council of Munster, and to recommend me over to Sir George Carew, after earl of Totnes, then lord president of Munster. Whereupon I bought of Sir Walter Raleigh, his ship called the Pilgrim, into which I took a freight of ammunition and victuals, and came in her myself by long seas, and arrived at Carrigafoyle Kerry, where the lord president and army were at the siege of that castle, which when he had taken, I was there sworn clerk of the council of Munster, and presently after made a justice and quorum throughout all that province. And this was the second rise that God gave to my fortune.

Then, as clerk of the council, I attended the lord president in all his employments, and waited upon him all the whole siege of Kinsale, and was employed by his lordship to her majesty, with the news of that happy victory, in which employment I made a speedy expedition to the court, for I left my lord president at Shandon castle near Cork on the Monday morning about two of the clock, and the next day being Tuesday, I delivered my packet and supped with Sir Robert Cecil, being then principal secretary of state, at his house in the strand; who after supper held me in discourse till two of the clock in the morning and by seven that morning called upon me to attend him to the court, where he presented me to her Majesty in her bedchamber, who remembered me, calling me by name, and giving me her hand to kiss, telling me that she was glad, that I was the happy man to bring the first news of that glorious victory. And after her majesty had interrogated with me upon sundry questions very punctually, and that therein I had given her full satisfaction in every particular, she again gave me her hand to kiss, and recommended my dispatch for Ireland, and so dismissed me with grace and favour.

At my return into Ireland, I found my lord president ready to march with the army to the siege of Berehaven Castle, then fortified and possessed by the Spaniards and some Irish rebels, which after battering we had made assaultable, we entered and put all to the sword. His lordship fell then to reducing those western rebels of the province to subjection and obedience to her Majesty's laws; and having placed garrisons and wards in all places of importance, made his return to Cork, and in his way homewards acquainted me with his resolution; it being presently to employ me into England to obtain licence from her Majesty for his repair to her royal presence; at which time he propounded unto me the purchase of all Sir Walter Raleigh's lands in Munster, offering me his best assistance for the compassing thereof; which he really performed. For, upon my departure for England, he wrote by me two effectual letters, one to Sir Robert Cecil, wherein he was pleased to magnify my service and abilities, and concluding with a request that he would make intercession with Sir Walter Raleigh to sell me all his lands in Ireland, that were then altogether wasted and desolate. To Sir Walter Raleigh he also wrote, advising him to sell me all his lands in Ireland, then untenanted, and of no value to him, mentioning withal, that in his lordship's knowledge, his estate in Ireland never yielded him any benefit, but contrariwise stood him in two hundred pounds yearly for the maintenance and support of his titles. Whereupon there was a meeting between Sir Robert Cecil, Sir Walter Raleigh and myself, where Sir Robert Cecil mediated and concluded the purchase between us. Accordingly my assurances were perfected, and this was a third addition and rise to my estate.

Then I returned to Ireland with my lord president's licence to repair to court, where in his way to Dublin (where he proposed to embark) he dealt very nobly and fatherlike by me, in persuading me, it was high time for me to take a wife, in hopes of posterity to inherit my lands, advising me to make choice of Sir Geoffrey Fenton's daughter, and that if I could affect her, he would treat with her parents to have the match between us; wherein he prevailed so far, as the 9th of March 1602, I was, in his lordship's presence, contracted to her in her father's house in Dublin.

The 25th of July 1603 I was married to my second wife, Mrs Catharine Fenton, the only daughter of Sir Geoffrey Fenton, principal secretary of state, and privy councillor in Ireland, with whom I never demanded any marriage portion, neither promise of any, it not being in my consideration; yet her father, after my marriage, give me one thousand pounds in gold with her. But that gift of his daughter unto me I must ever thankfully acknowledge as the crown of all my blessings; for she was a most religious, virtuous, loving and obedient wife unto me all the days of her life, and the happy mother of all my hopeful children, whom with their posterity, I beseech God to bless. The 10th of July 1620, my eldest brother, Dr John Boyle, lord bishop of Cork and Ross, departed this life at Bishop's Court, near Cork, and on the 12th of that month was buried in my new tomb, erected in the chapel, which I re-edified at Youghal. After whose death I obtained those bishoprics from his Majesty for my uncle Michael Boyle's son, Richard Boyle, for whom I formerly obtained the deanery of Waterford, who now succeeds my brother in those bishoprics.

I Richard, earl of Cork, was knighted by Sir George Cary, lord deputy of Ireland, at St Mary's abbey, near Dublin, the 25th of July 1603, being St James's day, and the very day that I was married to my second wife, Mrs Catharine Fenton. I was sworn a privy councillor to King James for the province of Munster at the council table at Dublin by the Lord Chichester, then lord deputy of Ireland, the 12th of March 1606, with commandment from the lord deputy and council to Henry Brouncker, then lord president of Munster, to admit me into that council; who, upon former direction from this state, had refused to swear or admit me a councillor of that province.

I was sworn a privy councillor of state of the kingdom of Ireland by the lord Chichester, then lord deputy, at Chichester House, the 15th of February, being the day I arrived out of England at Dublin, 1612.

I was created Lord Boyle, baron of Youghal, on Michelmas day, the 29th of September, 1616.

I was created lord viscount of Youghal and earl of Cork, the 26th of October, 1620.

Adam, Lord Loftus of Ely, and lord chancellor of Ireland, and I, Richard, earl of Cork, were sworn lords justices for the joint government of this kingdom of Ireland, the 26th of October, 1629, with the entertainment of one hundred pounds sterling per month to each of us.

I was made lord high treasurer of Ireland, and sworn the 9th of November 1631.

The several days of the births of all the children, that God hath blessed me withal, with the places they were born, and the names of their godfathers and godmothers.

1. My first son Roger, born at Youghal the 1st of August 1606. Sir Allen Apsley, Sir Thomas Brown godfathers and Lady Alice Fenton godmother. He died at Deptford in Kent, the 10th of October 1615, and was buried there.
2. My first daughter, Alice Boyle, born at Youghal, the 20th of March 1607; Sir Robert Tynte godfather, Lady Fenton and Mrs Bernard godmothers.
3. My second daughter, Sarah Boyle, born at Dublin, the 29th of March, 1609; Sir William Ussher godfather, Lady Winch and Lady Ely godmothers. She was married to Sir Thomas Moore first, and then to Lord Robert Digby, the 15th of December 1626.
4. My third daughter, Lettice, born the 25th of April 1610; earl of Thomond godfather, lady Chichester and Lady Moore godmothers.
5. My fourth daughter, Joan, born the 14th of June 1611; Sir William Fenton godfather and [ ] Brown and Lady Fenton godmothers. She was married to the earl of Kildare, August 15 1628, and had two children, Richard and Elizabeth.
6. My second son, Richard, was born at the College of Youghal, the 20th of October 1612; earl of Thomond, Sir Richard Aldworth and Mr Thomas Hall of London, godfathers, and Lady Ann Parsons godmother. God grant he may serve and fear him religiously, and be a faithful subject and servant to the King's Majesty and his heirs, and live many years full of good works and of virtuous children, and be a worthy pillar and patriot in this kingdom. He being viscount of Dungarvan, was knighted in my house of Youghal the 13th of August 1624 by the Lord Falkland, lord deputy general of Ireland; and my said son, departed Dublin, to begin his travels into foreign kingdoms, the 4th of June 1632, I allowing him one thousand pounds a year in his travels.
7. My daughter Catharine, born the 22nd of March 1614; Sir Robert Bolton godfather, Lady Fenton and Lady Harris godmothers.
8. My son Jeoffry, born at Youghal the 10th of April 1616. He died.
9. My daughter Dorothy, born the 31st of December 1617. She was married to Lord Loftus.
10. My son Lewis, born the 23rd of May 1619, and in the year 1628 he was created baron of Bandonbridge and lord Viscount Boyle of Kenelmeaky.
11. My son Roger, born the 25th of April 1621. He was created Lord Boyle, baron of Broghill, 1628.
12. My son Francis, born the 25th of June 1623.
13. My daughter Mary, born the 11th of November 1624.
14. My seventh son, Robert, born the 25th of January 1626.
15. My eighth and last daughter Margaret, born in Channel Row in Westminister, the 30th of April 1629.

My dear wife, the crown of all my happiness, and mother of all my children, Catharine countess of Cork, was translated at Dublin from this life into a better the 16th of February 1629, and was the 17th privately buried in the night in the upper end of the choir of St Patrick's Church in Dublin, in the grave or vault, wherein Dr Weston, her grandfather, and good lord chancellor of Ireland, and Sir Geoffry Fenton, his majesty's principal secretary of state for this realm, were entombed. Her funerals were honourably solemnized in public the 11th of March Anno Domini 1629. In the perpetual memory of which my virtuous and religiously deceased wife, and of her predecessors and posterity, I have caused a very fair tomb to be erected, with a cave or cellar of hewed stone underneath it.

I have purchased from the dean and chapter of St Patrick's Church the inheritance of the upper part of the chancel, wherein the cave or cellar underground is made, and wherein the tomb is built, to be a burying place for me and my posterity and their children.

@book{E630002,
  title 	 = {Sir Richard Boyle knight, earl of Cork, his true remembrances},
  author 	 = {Richard Boyle},
  edition 	 = {0},
  note 	 = {4600 words},
  publisher 	 = {CELT Corpus of Electronic Texts},
  address 	 = {Cork},
  date 	 = {2024}
}
 E630002.bib