Henry Dillon, 11th Viscount Dillon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Dillon
Viscount Dillon
Tenure	1741–1787
Predecessor	Charles, 10th Viscount Dillon
Successor	Charles, 12th Viscount Dillon
Born	1705
Died	3 November 1787
Spouse(s)	Charlotte Lee
Issue Detail	Charles, Arthur, & others
Father	Arthur Dillon, Count Dillon
Mother	Christina Sheldon

Henry Dillon, 11th Viscount Dillon (1705–1787) was an important Irish nobleman and a soldier who served France. He was in charge of a special Irish army group called Dillon's Regiment. He led this group from 1741 to 1744 and again from 1747 to 1767.

Henry Dillon fought in several big wars. In the War of the Polish Succession (1733–1735), he was part of attacks on cities like Kehl and Philippsburg. Later, in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748), he was at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743. It was interesting because he fought for France, while King George II of Britain was on the other side!

After his first time leading the regiment, Henry left France. He married a very rich English lady named Charlotte Lee. She was the daughter of George Lee, 2nd Earl of Lichfield. This marriage helped him get more land in England, adding to his lands in Ireland. During his second time leading the regiment, he was not actually there. Other hired soldiers led the group for him.

Henry Dillon's Family and Early Life

Henry Dillon was born in 1705, probably in France at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. This castle was where the Jacobite court lived. The Jacobites were supporters of the old King James II and his family, who had lost the throne of Britain.

His Parents and Irish Roots

Henry's father was Arthur Dillon, Count Dillon. His mother was Christina Sheldon. Arthur Dillon was born in Ireland in 1670. He was a younger son of the 7th Viscount Dillon.

Henry's father, Arthur, fought for the Jacobites in the Williamite War in Ireland. In 1690, he went to France with his Irish soldiers. These soldiers were part of the Irish Brigade. Henry's family, the Dillons, were an old English family who came to Ireland with Prince John way back in 1185.

Henry's mother, Christina Sheldon, was from an English Catholic family. Her uncle was a famous Jacobite general. She also worked for Queen Mary of Modena, who was King James II's second wife. So, both of Henry's parents were Jacobites and Catholics. Henry had four brothers and three sisters. His older brother, Charles, was very important in Henry's life. Charles would become the Viscount and lead Dillon's Regiment before Henry.

Growing Up in Exile

When Henry was a child, he lived with his mother at the court of James Francis Edward. This was the son of King James II, also known as the "Old Pretender." They lived in the Château-Vieux de Saint-Germain-en-Laye in France.

King Louis XIV of France supported James Francis Edward. He believed James should be the rightful king of England, Ireland, and Scotland. Henry's father's regiment, Dillon's Regiment, fought for France in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714).

However, in 1713, France signed a peace treaty called the Peace of Utrecht. This treaty meant France stopped supporting the Jacobites. James Francis Edward had to leave France. But his mother, the dowager queen, stayed at Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Henry and his parents were also allowed to stay in the castle.

In 1716, when Henry was 11, he became an ensign in his father's regiment. This was an early step in his military career.

Family Titles and Military Steps

In 1730, Henry's older brother Charles took over as the leader (colonel) of Dillon's Regiment. Their father retired. Henry, who was 25, was promoted to captain. In 1733, his father died. Charles then inherited his father's titles, becoming the 2nd Count Dillon in France.

Henry fought under his brother Charles in the War of the Polish Succession (1733–1735). Their regiment was part of the French army. They fought in the attacks on Kehl in 1733 and Philippsburg in 1734.

In 1737, Henry's uncle, the 9th Viscount, died in Ireland. Charles, Henry's brother, then became the 10th Viscount in Ireland.

Henry Becomes Viscount and Colonel

This is a flag (colour) of Dillon's Regiment. You can see the Irish harp in the middle.

On October 24, 1741, Henry's older brother Charles died in London. Charles was the 10th Viscount and the colonel of Dillon's Regiment. He did not have any children who lived.

Because of this, Henry became the 11th Viscount Dillon. He also took over his brother's French titles and became the new colonel of Dillon's Regiment.

Fighting in the War of the Austrian Succession

In the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748), France challenged who would become the ruler of the Habsburg monarchy. Lord Dillon, as Henry was now called, fought in the Battle of Dettingen on June 27, 1743.

Since he was an Irish nobleman, Dillon decided to leave France in 1744. He gave up his role as colonel to his younger brother, James. This was because England was preparing a law to stop its citizens from fighting for other countries.

Henry's Marriage and Children

On October 26, 1744, Henry Dillon, who was 39, married Charlotte Lee. She was the second daughter of George Lee, 2nd Earl of Lichfield. They had a Catholic wedding in London. Charlotte was about 19 years old at the time. Her father had died in 1742, and her brother had become the 3rd Earl. Charlotte was also a great-granddaughter of King Charles II of England!

Henry and Charlotte had at least seven children:

• Charles (1745–1813), who became the 12th Viscount Dillon after his father.
• Frances (1747–1825).
• Arthur (1750–1794), who later became the colonel of Dillon's Regiment. He was sadly executed after the French Revolution.
• Catherine (1752–1797).
• Laura (born 1754).
• Charlotte (1755–1782).
• Henry (1759–1837), who became the last colonel of Dillon's Regiment.

Second Time as Colonel

Henry's brother James led Dillon's Regiment from 1744 to 1745. He was killed in the Battle of Fontenoy while fighting for France against the English. Then, their fourth brother, Edward, took over as colonel.

Edward also fought with the regiment against the English. But in 1747, he was hurt in the Battle of Lauffeld, captured, and died.

It was hard to find a new colonel for Dillon's Regiment. Four of the Dillon brothers had already led it. The fifth brother was a priest. Henry's own son, Charles, was only 18 months old and was meant to be the next Viscount, not a colonel.

So, King Louis XV of France allowed Henry Dillon to lead the regiment again. This was special because Henry was not even in France at the time! This second time as colonel lasted 20 years, from 1747 to 1767. During these years, the regiment fought in the Seven Years' War (1756–1763) with other commanders leading them on the ground.

During this time, another son was born to Henry and grew up. This was Arthur, born in 1750. He became the owner and colonel of Dillon's Regiment on August 25, 1767, when he was only 16! Arthur went to France and later fought in America during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) against the English.

Inheriting Lichfield Estate

Henry's wife, Charlotte, turned out to be a very rich heiress. Her father, the 2nd Earl of Lichfield, had died two years before she married Henry. Charlotte's only surviving brother, the 3rd Earl, had no children. When he died in 1772, their uncle became the 4th Earl. He also had no children.

When the uncle, the 4th Earl, died on November 4, 1776, the title of Earl of Lichfield ended. Charlotte, being the oldest surviving sister of the 2nd Earl, was the closest relative. She inherited the large Lichfield estate. However, Henry and Charlotte never lived at Ditchley House, which was part of the estate. The last Earl's widow probably lived there until 1784.

Death and Succession

Henry Dillon died on September 15, 1787, in London. He was buried in St. Pancras churchyard. His oldest son, Charles, became the 12th Viscount after him.

Timeline of Henry Dillon's Life