Charles O'Brien, 8th Earl of Thomond facts for kids
Charles O'Brien (born March 17, 1699, died September 9, 1761) was an important Irish soldier. He served in the French army and became a very high-ranking officer called a Marshal of France. People often knew him as the Maréchal de Thomond. He was also known as the 6th Viscount Clare and later the 8th Earl of Thomond.
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Who Was Charles O'Brien?
Charles O'Brien was born into a noble family. His father was Charles O'Brien, the 5th Viscount Clare. His mother was Charlotte Bulkeley. Charles's aunt, Anne, was married to another famous French general, James FitzJames, the 1st Duke of Berwick. This family connection helped Charles start his military career.
A Life in the Army
Charles O'Brien began fighting for France at a young age. In 1718, he was a colonel in his father's army group. He fought against Spain. Later, he took part in the War of the Polish Succession. During this war, he fought in the siege of Philippsburg in June 1734. He was wounded during this battle.
By 1735, Charles O'Brien had become a Maréchal de Camp. This was a high rank in the King's Armies. He continued to fight in important battles. He was at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743. He also fought in the famous Battle of Fontenoy in 1745.
Family and Inheritance
Charles O'Brien had a cousin named Henry O'Brien, who was the 8th Earl of Thomond. Henry offered Charles the family lands, called the Thomond estates. However, there was a condition: Charles had to change his religion to Protestantism. Charles refused to do this.
Because he refused, Henry O'Brien decided to give the estates to someone else. He left them to Murrough, the young son of William O'Brien, the 4th Earl of Inchiquin. Sadly, Murrough died in 1741. This meant the estates then went to Percy Wyndham, and they left the O'Brien family's direct control.
Achievements and Later Life
Charles O'Brien received many honors for his service. On February 2, 1746, he was made a Knight of L'Ordre du Saint-Esprit. This was a very important French award. The ceremony took place at the chapel of Versailles in France.
He also held important government jobs. He was the Governor of Neuf-Brisach in Alsace. He was also the Commander-in-Chief of the province of Languedoc. In 1757, he reached the highest point of his military career when he was made a Marshal of France. Charles O'Brien died on September 9, 1761, in Montpellier, France. He was 62 years old.
Charles O'Brien's Family
In 1755, Charles O'Brien married Marie Genevieve Louise Gautier. She was the daughter of François Gautier, marquis de Chiffreville. Charles and Marie had three children:
- Charles O'Brien, 9th Earl of Thomond (1757–1774), who took over his father's title.
- Antoinette O'Brien (1759–1808), who married Antoine-César de Choiseul-Praslin.
- Marie O'Brien (1760–1786).
