Christopher Plunket, 2nd Earl of Fingall facts for kids

Christopher Plunket, 2nd Earl of Fingall (died 1649) was an important Irish leader and soldier. He was also known as the 11th Baron Killeen. In 1641, he worked with a group called the Old English of the Pale. He encouraged them to join the rebellion against the government. He fought in battles like the siege of Drogheda and Dungan's Hill. Later, he joined the Confederates. He was hurt and captured at the Battle of Rathmines and died soon after.

Early Life and Family

Christopher Plunket was likely born in the late 1610s in County Meath, Ireland. He was the oldest son of Lucas Plunket and his second wife, Susanna Brabazon. His father became the 10th Baron Killeen in 1613. In 1628, his father was given the special title of Earl of Fingall. Christopher's family, the Plunkets, are believed to have come from Norman people who settled in Ireland a long time ago.

His mother, Susanna, was the fifth daughter of Edward Brabazon, 1st Baron Ardee. Her family had important roles in Ireland. Christopher's parents got married in 1611.

Brothers

Christopher was the oldest of at least four brothers. We know about two of them:

• Christopher (died 1649)
• George, who was the fourth son. He married Cicely Hill. George was a captain during the siege of Drogheda. He also led a group of soldiers in the Confederate army.

Childhood and Faith

Christopher's mother passed away in 1623. She was a Protestant. After her death, his father made sure that Christopher was raised as a Catholic.

Marriage and Children

In January 1636, Christopher married Mabel Barnewall. She was the daughter of Nicholas Barnewall, 1st Viscount Kingsland. Mabel lived for 50 years after Christopher died. In 1653, she married Colonel James Barnewall.

Christopher and Mabel had five sons and one daughter:

• Luke (1639–1684) was their oldest son. He became the next Earl of Fingall and got the family's land and title back in 1662.
• Nicholas married Anne Taaffe.
• Another son died in 1664.
• Patrick (died 1666).
• Another son from County Monaghan.
• Mary, their daughter, married Walter Butler of Garryricken. Walter was the nephew of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde. Mary and Walter were the great-grandparents of John Butler, 15th Earl of Ormonde.

Becoming Earl of Fingall

In 1637, Christopher became the 2nd Earl of Fingall after his father passed away. He also inherited large areas of land in County Meath and County Cavan. He helped develop the town of Virginia, County Cavan.

On March 16, 1639, Lord Fingall took his place in the Irish House of Lords. This was part of the Irish Parliament. He was involved in several groups that looked into special rights and complaints.

Role in the Irish Wars

When the Rebellion started on October 23, 1641, Lord Fingall tried to stay neutral. Many nobles and landowners in the Pale (an area around Dublin) also tried to stay out of the conflict. On November 16, he was asked to talk with the rebels. The goal was to stop the fighting and stealing until the country was safer.

However, the government did not trust him. On November 17, he was declared an outlaw, meaning he had lost legal protection. After this, he played a big part in bringing together the rebels from Ulster and the nobles from the Pale. He attended important meetings at the Hill of Crofty and the Hill of Tara. At Tara, he was made the general of the horse soldiers for County Meath. He led the rebel horsemen during the siege of Drogheda.

Lord Fingall's name is on important papers written by the Irish Confederates. These papers explained why they were fighting. He was also a member of the main meeting of the Confederation. In June 1648, he showed his loyalty to the original goals of the Confederates.

Death in Battle

On August 2, 1649, Lord Fingall fought under James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond at the Battle of Rathmines. He was wounded in this battle and captured by the Parliamentarians. He died from his injuries about two weeks later while being held prisoner in Dublin Castle. He was buried on August 18 at St Catherine's Church.

The Parliamentarians accused him of serious disloyalty. His lands were taken by the English Commonwealth in 1652. One of his properties, Beaulieu, was given to Sir Henry Tichborne. By 1677, Lord Fingall's son was able to get back much of the family's property, but Beaulieu was lost forever.