Christopher Nugent facts for kids
Sir Christopher Nugent, 6th Baron Delvin (1544–1602) was an Irish nobleman and writer. He lived during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. He was suspected of treason (being disloyal to the Queen) and was arrested. He died while he was still in prison, before his trial could happen.
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Family and Early Life
Christopher was the oldest son of Richard, the 5th Baron Delvin. When his father died in 1559, Christopher became the new Baron Delvin. Because he was still young, he was looked after by Thomas Ratcliffe, the Earl of Sussex. Christopher became good friends with him.
In 1563, Christopher went to Clare Hall at Cambridge University. He was introduced to Queen Elizabeth when she visited the university in 1564. When he turned 21, around 1565, he returned to Ireland. The Queen gave him special letters that helped him get land, including the abbey of All Saints.
He also received land in County Laois and County Offaly in 1564. This land had been taken from Garret FitzGerald. The next year, he showed bravery fighting against Shane O'Neill. He was knighted (made a knight) by Sir Henry Sidney in Drogheda. In 1567, he received more land, including the abbey of Inchmore and the abbey of Fore.
Troubles with the Queen
Christopher Nugent often faced suspicion from the English government. In 1574, he and his cousin, Viscount Gormanston, refused to sign a statement against the Earl of Desmond. This made the government wonder about their loyalty, especially because the Pope had recently issued a strong statement against Queen Elizabeth. Christopher said he refused because he wasn't a special advisor to the Queen and didn't know the reasons for the statement.
The English Privy Council (the Queen's advisors) thought he was being stubborn. They ordered him to obey. After more letters, he and Gormanston were held back in May 1575. They eventually admitted their "fault." It seemed Christopher got back into the government's good graces for a while.
However, a big argument started about a tax called "cess." This was a payment that people in the Pale (the part of Ireland controlled by the English) had to make to support the army. People felt this tax was unfair. In 1576, Christopher Nugent led a group of noblemen who said the tax was against the law. They sent three lawyers to tell the Queen their complaints.
Queen Elizabeth was very angry that her authority was questioned. She scolded the lawyers and sent them to prison. In Ireland, Christopher and others were put in Dublin Castle in May 1577. After some weeks, they were released when they said they were sorry. But Queen Elizabeth wanted Christopher to stay in prison longer because she saw him as the main leader of the protest. Eventually, the government and the noblemen of the Pale reached an agreement.
In 1579, Christopher was put in charge of the forces in the Pale. He was praised for defending the northern borders against Turlough Luineach O'Neill. But his strong Catholic faith made the government suspicious. In December 1580, he was arrested again and sent to Dublin Castle. He was suspected of being involved in a rebellion led by Viscount Baltinglas.
Even though high-ranking officials believed he was disloyal, they couldn't prove it. After 18 months in prison, he was sent to England. Meanwhile, his family faced problems in Ireland. His uncle, Nicholas Nugent, a judge, was accused of treason and died. Christopher's younger brother, William Nugent, was forced into rebellion but later received a pardon.
In 1585, Christopher was back in Ireland, serving in Parliament. He then went to England again. After the death of his father-in-law, the Earl of Kildare, he was allowed to return to Ireland to manage his lands. The Queen even renewed his land leases.
However, he faced many legal problems with his lands because of his enemies, especially Sir Robert Dillon and Sir Lucas Dillon. He returned to England in 1587 and gained the support of William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, a powerful advisor to the Queen. In 1588, he was allowed to go back to Ireland.
The new Lord Deputy, Sir William Fitzwilliam, hoped Christopher would prove his loyalty. Christopher himself wrote to Burghley, saying he was loyal and would rather live in poverty in England than have the Queen doubt him. He said he lived a quiet life, avoiding troublemakers, working on his land lawsuits, and serving the Queen in his local area. The rest of his time, he spent reading and building.
His strong dislike for Chief Justice Dillon made his enemies call him a troublemaker. But in 1593, he was made leader of the forces of Westmeath. He was very active in defending the Pale during the time before Hugh O'Neill's rebellion. Sir John Norris praised his efforts.
In 1597, he got permission to visit England. Because of his brave service, he was promised more land, though he never received it during his lifetime. In 1598, he was given the power to deliver prisoners from Mullingar jail by martial law, because the jail was overcrowded and trials couldn't happen normally. In 1599, he was given guardianship of his grandson, Christopher Chevers, with the condition that his grandson be raised in the English religion and educated at Trinity College in Dublin.
When O'Neill's rebellion began, Christopher's lands were badly affected. This led him to submit to O'Neill. Even though he didn't actively help O'Neill, he was arrested again by the Lord Deputy, Mountjoy, and imprisoned in Dublin Castle. He died in the castle before his trial, likely on August 17, 1602. He was buried at Castle Delvin.
Family and Children
Christopher Nugent married Lady Mary FitzGerald, who was the daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, the 11th Earl of Kildare. Mary died in 1610.
Christopher and Mary had many children:
- Richard Nugent, 1st Earl of Westmeath (1583–1642)
- Christopher of Corbetstown
- Gerald
- Thomas
- Gilbert
- William
- Mabel, who married Murrough McDermot O'Brien, 3rd Baron Inchiquin and then John Fitzpatrick
- Elizabeth, who married Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Kildare
- Mary, who married Anthony O'Dempsey
- Eleanor, who married Christopher Chevers
- Margaret, who married a Fitzgerald
- Juliana, who married Sir Gerald Aylmer
His Writings
Christopher Nugent was also a writer. He wrote two important works:
1. A Primer of the Irish Language: He created this book at the request of Queen Elizabeth herself! It was a small, beautifully written book. It included a message to the Queen in English, an introduction in Latin, and then the Irish alphabet. It also had Irish words and phrases with their Latin and English meanings. This helped the Queen learn some Irish.
2. A Plot for the Reformation of Ireland: This short writing shared his ideas for improving Ireland. He believed that the Queen's representative (the viceroy) had too much power. He also thought that justice was not fair and that soldiers were causing problems. He felt that promises made by the government were often broken. Most importantly, he believed there was no good way for young noblemen to get an education, which he saw as a major cause of trouble in the country.
Images for kids
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Irish-Latin-English phrase book compiled by Sir Christopher Nugent for Elizabeth I of England.
