Dominic Sheldon facts for kids
Dominic Sheldon, sometimes called Dominick Sheldon, was an English soldier. He was a strong supporter of King James II. He fought in James II's Irish Army during a war in Ireland from 1689 to 1691. He was known as a good cavalry leader. He fought in important battles like the Battle of the Boyne and the Battle of Aughrim. After the war, he went to France. There, he became a high-ranking general in the French Army. He also stayed close to the exiled King James's court in Saint Germain.
Starting as a Soldier
Sheldon was a Roman Catholic from Warwickshire, England. He supported King James II and his political party, the Tories. His brother, Ralph Sheldon, worked directly for the King.
In the 1670s, Dominic Sheldon fought with an English group in the French Army. After 1678, he didn't have a job for seven years.
In 1685, he joined the Royal Irish Army. This was part of a plan to replace Protestant soldiers with Catholic ones who supported the King. Sheldon became a captain in the Irish Foot Guards.
After the Glorious Revolution in 1688, King James II lost his throne in England. Sheldon continued to serve with the Catholic forces in Ireland who were still loyal to James. At this time, he was a lieutenant colonel.
Fighting in Ireland
In 1689, Sheldon joined Richard Hamilton on a march through Ulster. During this march, the Protestant Army of the North was defeated. Sheldon was also at the Siege of Derry that same year, which was not successful for King James's forces.
He was involved in heavy fighting at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690. It was said that two horses were shot from under him during this battle. He went with the Irish Army as they retreated to Limerick. There, they won a surprising victory during the First Siege of Limerick.
After more defeats for King James's side at the Battle of Aughrim and the Second Siege of Limerick, a peace agreement was made. Sheldon then took part in the Flight of the Wild Geese. This was when many Irish soldiers left Ireland to serve King James II and his French allies. Sheldon was in charge of sending the Irish Army to France.
Service in France
In France, Sheldon became a colonel in the French Army. He led a group of Irish soldiers who had left Ireland. In 1702, he was promoted to lieutenant general. He showed great skill during the War of the Spanish Succession.
Sheldon was an important person at the exiled Stuart court in St Germain. This was where King James II and his family lived after leaving England. Along with his old friend from the Irish Army, Richard Hamilton, Sheldon helped teach military skills to the young James Francis Edward Stuart. Many people who supported King James II saw this young man as the rightful King James III. Sheldon also kept in touch with James's mother, Mary of Modena.
In 1708, Sheldon went with James on a French trip. They planned to land in Scotland, but the plan was stopped before they could land.
In June 1718, Sheldon and other important Jacobites brought news of Mary of Modena's death to her son. He was at his court in Urbino at the time.
