Edward Brabazon, 4th Earl of Meath facts for kids

Edward Brabazon, 4th Earl of Meath (born around 1638 – died 22 February 1707) was an important Anglo-Irish person who was a politician, a nobleman (called a peer), and a soldier. He lived during a time of big changes in Ireland and England.

Who Was Edward Brabazon?

Edward Brabazon was the son of Edward Brabazon, 2nd Earl of Meath. His mother was Mary Chambré. He grew up to become a significant figure in Irish society.

Early Life and Political Start

Edward Brabazon started his career as a soldier. In 1661, he was a captain in a group of soldiers called a regiment of foot. This meant he led a company of infantry soldiers.

He also got involved in politics. For a short time in 1666, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) for County Wicklow in the Irish House of Commons. This was like being an elected representative for his area.

Later, in 1675, he was given an important job: he became the Ranger of all the Royal Parks in Ireland. This meant he was in charge of looking after the King's parks. In 1679, he joined the Privy Council of Ireland. This was a group of trusted advisors to the King in Ireland.

A Soldier and Supporter of William III

In 1684, Edward Brabazon became the Earl of Meath after his brother passed away. This was a very important noble title. The next year, in 1685, he was made the Custos Rotulorum for County Dublin and County Kildare. This role meant he was the chief keeper of the county's records and a senior justice of the peace.

A major event called the Glorious Revolution happened in England, which changed who was King. Edward Brabazon chose to support William III of England. In 1689, he became a colonel, leading a regiment of foot soldiers in William III's army in Ireland.

During this time, James II's Parliament in Dublin declared him a rebel while he was away. This was called being attainted in absentia. Even so, Edward Brabazon continued to fight for William III. He took part in several important battles and sieges:

• The Siege of Carrickfergus
• The famous Battle of the Boyne
• The Siege of Limerick, where he was wounded.

After these conflicts, in 1690, his position as a Privy Counsellor was confirmed again.

Important Roles and Later Life

Edward Brabazon continued to hold important positions. In 1692, he was the Governor of the Company of the Royal Fishery of Ireland. This company was involved in fishing. He also served as a Commissioner of the Great Seal of Ireland in 1693, 1697, and 1702. This role meant he was involved in using the official seal for important government documents.

Edward Brabazon was married twice, but he did not have any children. When he died in 1707, his younger brother, Chambré Brabazon, became the next Earl of Meath.