Francis Roe facts for kids

Sir Francis Roe (around 1570-1620) was an English army officer. He served in Ireland during a big conflict called the Nine Years' War. Later, he received land during the Plantation of Ulster, became a member of the Irish Parliament, and was the mayor of Drogheda.

Early Life and Family

We don't know exactly when Francis Roe was born, but he was likely born around 1570. Records from 1611 show he was the son of John and Mary Roe. His family was important and well-off in England. His grandmother was a Vernon, and his family seemed to have good connections with the Manners family, who owned the famous Haddon Hall.

Military Career in Ireland

By 1598, Francis Roe was an experienced officer. He was a Captain and commanded 950 new soldiers. These soldiers were sent to Ireland to help Queen Elizabeth I keep control. They were first meant to go to Lough Foyle. But after the English army lost the Battle of the Yellow Ford, they were sent to Leinster instead. This was to strengthen control over central Ireland.

Serving Under Different Leaders

In 1599, Captain Roe was stationed at Ardee, County Louth. He commanded a company of 100 foot soldiers. These soldiers were part of Sir Charles Percy's regiment. Later, in 1600, Lord Mountjoy became the new leader in Ireland. Percy returned to England.

In May 1601, Roe and his men were moved to Armagh. They served under Sir Henry Danvers. That autumn, Lord Mountjoy ordered Danvers' group to Kinsale, County Cork. There, Roe's company grew to 150 men. He was made lieutenant-colonel in Sir Oliver St John's regiment.

The Siege of Kinsale

A Spanish army had taken the town of Kinsale to help the Irish rebels led by Hugh O'Neill. The Spanish also held a fort at Rincurran, which guarded the entrance to Kinsale harbour. The English army began to surround Kinsale.

On October 31, 1601, Roe was ordered to stop the Spanish from helping their soldiers in Rincurran. Roe and 100 men fought a Spanish force twice their size. Sir Oliver St John saw the danger and brought 30 more soldiers to help Roe. Together, they forced the Spanish to retreat. Roe was also involved in more heavy fighting on December 2.

Battle of Kinsale: A Major Victory

On December 23, the Irish rebels and their Spanish allies attacked the English, but failed. On Christmas Eve, Lord Mountjoy prepared his army for a big battle. On Christmas morning, the Irish army was ready in three groups.

When the English cavalry attacked, the main Irish group led by O'Neill was defeated. Richard Tyrrell tried to save them. Mountjoy quickly ordered Roe to attack Tyrrell's group with 515 men from St John's regiment. This attack caused Tyrrell's group to fall apart. The Irish army then broke up, and the Spanish went back into Kinsale town. About 1,200 Irish soldiers died. Soon after, the Spanish surrendered and were sent home.

Building Mountjoy Castle

In April 1602, Roe and his 150 men joined an expedition. Lord Mountjoy led this group north to defeat O'Neill's forces in County Tyrone. Mountjoy wanted to build strong forts in O'Neill's territory. A fort was built near Dungannon, overlooking Lough Neagh. This fort could hold 1,100 soldiers. In June 1602, it was named Mountjoy Castle, and Francis Roe was made its Governor.

Becoming a Knight and Keeping the Peace

In April 1603, the Treaty of Mellifont ended the Nine Years' War. Lord Mountjoy was replaced by Sir George Carew. On September 29, Carew made Francis Roe a knight at Dublin Castle. He also knighted Rory O'Donnell, who became the Earl of Tyrconnell.

After the Flight of the Earls

In September 1607, Hugh O'Neill and Rory O'Donnell left Ireland in what is known as the Flight of the Earls. In response, Sir Arthur Chichester, the new leader in Ireland, appointed 17 commissioners. Their job was to keep justice and peace in Tyrone, Tyrconnell (now Donegal), and Armagh. Sir Francis Roe was one of these commissioners. In January 1608, he and Sir Toby Caulfeild were given control over parts of County Tyrone and all of County Armagh.

Some other commissioners were Sir Cahir O'Doherty and Sir George Paulet. In April 1608, O'Doherty rebelled, burned the town of Derry, and was killed. After the war, Roe's fort at Mountjoy had fewer soldiers. But in July 1608, 50 more men were added. In October, he received money for repairs at Mountjoy Fort.

Land Grants in Ulster

The Flight of the Earls and O'Doherty's rebellion sped up plans for the Plantation of Ulster. This was a plan to give land in Ulster to different groups of people. One group was called "servitors," which included military veterans. Sir Francis Roe was a good candidate because he was capable and already had a base near Mountjoy Fort.

On June 19, 1610, King James I officially granted Roe "the castle, or fort, and town of Mountjoy with 300 acres of land." This was for 21 years. Then, on February 28, 1611, Roe was given 1,000 acres of land forever in the parish of Desertcreat. This land became known as the "manor of Roe." In the same year, Roe and his family lived at Mountjoy in a "fair castle" made of stone and brick. It was inside a strong wall (bawn) with a deep ditch around it. Seventeen houses for British settlers were nearby.

Serving in Parliament and as Mayor

In 1612, there were plans for Mountjoy to become a borough. This would allow it to elect a Member of the Irish Parliament. This plan wasn't fully carried out. However, on April 23, 1613, Roe was elected to the Dublin Parliament as a representative for County Tyrone.

In 1615, he and his wife bought more land in Desertcreat. They also leased church lands there. In 1616, they transferred their Desertcreat property to Sir Garret Moore and others. This was to hold the land in trust for the Roes during their lives. After that, it would go to Moore's son, Thomas, after payments to Sir Francis's siblings.

Roe likely moved to Drogheda soon after 1616. He was the mayor of Drogheda in 1620. As mayor, he had a lot of power. In 1620, a man named Christopher Draycott behaved very badly towards him and Lady Roe. Draycott was then called before a special court.

Death and Family Legacy

Sir Francis Roe died on June 26, 1620, while he was still mayor. He was buried with great honour in St Peter's church in Drogheda on July 13. A figure of him wearing his mayor's red robe is shown on his tomb.

His wife, Margery, was the daughter of Sir Nicholas Bagenal. She was also the half-sister of Mabel Bagenal, who was briefly married to the rebel leader Hugh O'Neill.

Roe did not have any children. By August 22, 1622, his widow had married George Downham, who was the Bishop of Derry. In 1631, she gave the Desertcreat property she had bought with Roe to one of her Downham stepsons. When she died in 1656, she left her leased land to another stepson, James Downhame.