George Lane, 1st Viscount Lanesborough facts for kids

George Lane (born around 1620, died December 11, 1683) was an important Irish politician. He became the 1st Viscount Lanesborough. His father was Sir Richard Lane, a Baronet from Tulsk.

George Lane's Early Career and Royal Service

George Lane worked for King Charles II when the King was living in exile. The King even made him a knight in 1657. This honor was important, but at the time, George Lane and many others who stayed loyal to the King were very poor. He once said it was "torment" because he couldn't get money for his sick wife and children.

Life After the King's Return

After King Charles II returned to power in England (this event is called the Restoration), George Lane gained a lot of influence. A famous diarist named Samuel Pepys mentioned in 1663 that Lane was "the man below stairs at Court." This meant he had a lot of connections and power behind the scenes.

Political Roles and Titles

From 1662 to 1666, George Lane was a Member of Parliament for County Roscommon. In November 1664, he joined the Privy Council of Ireland, which was a group of important advisors to the King in Ireland.

On October 5, 1668, he became the second Baronet after his father passed away. A Baronet is a special title, like a hereditary knighthood. Then, on July 31, 1676, he was given an even higher title: Viscount Lanesborough in the Peerage of Ireland. A Viscount is a noble rank, just below an Earl.

George Lane also served as the Secretary of State (Ireland) from 1665 until his death. This was a very important government job. Samuel Pepys noted that Lane was known for "selling offices." This might sound bad, but it's important to remember that George Lane and his family had been very poor just a few years earlier. He might have felt it was necessary to secure their future.

George Lane's Family Life

George Lane was married three times and had several children.

First Marriage and Children

His first wife was Dorcas Brabazon. She was the daughter of Sir Anthony Brabazon. With Dorcas, George Lane had one son who survived, named James. He also had two daughters, Mary and Charlotte. Sadly, several other sons died when they were young. James later became the second and last Viscount Lanesborough after his father.

Second Marriage

His second wife was Susannah Nicholas. She was the daughter of a well-known statesman, Sir Edward Nicholas. George and Susannah had three children together, but all of them died young. Susannah passed away in 1671.

Third Marriage and Descendants

His third wife was Frances Sackville. She was the daughter of Richard Sackville, the 5th Earl of Dorset. With Frances, George Lane had another daughter, also named Frances. This daughter, Frances, married Ulick Burke, 1st Viscount Galway. He was a Colonel in the Irish Army and supported the Jacobite cause. He was killed in battle in 1691 at the Battle of Aughrim.

Frances later married Henry Fox. They had a son named George Fox-Lane, 1st Baron Bingley. He eventually inherited the Lanesborough family estates. Lady Frances, George Lane's third wife, bought land in Cobham, Surrey, in 1708 and 1720. She died in January 1721 or 1722.

Mentions in Samuel Pepys's Diary

George Lane is mentioned several times in the famous Diary of Samuel Pepys. Pepys wrote about Lane's influence at Court, as well as his role in the Irish government. He also mentioned a legal dispute George Lane had over property with a historian named Philip Hore. Philip Hore is mostly remembered today for his history of County Wexford.