Honora Burke facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Honora Burke
Duchess of Berwick
Born	c. 1675 Portumna Castle
Died	16 January 1698 Pézenas, Languedoc, France
Spouse(s)	Patrick Sarsfield, 1st Earl of Lucan James, 1st Duke of Berwick
Issue Detail	James Sarsfield; James, 2nd Duke of Berwick
Father	William, 7th Earl of Clanricarde
Mother	Helen MacCarty

Honora Burke (around 1675 – 1698) was an important Irish lady who became the Duchess of Berwick. She first married Patrick Sarsfield, a famous Irish soldier. After he died in battle, she moved to France and later married James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick, who was the son of King James II. Honora is even thought to have brought the "country dance" (a type of English dance) to the French royal court!

Honora's Early Life

Honora was born around 1675 at Portumna Castle in County Galway, Ireland. She was the youngest child of William Burke and his second wife, Helen MacCarty.

Her father, William Burke, belonged to the Burke family, an old English family that had lived in Connacht for a long time. Her mother, Helen MacCarty, came from the MacCarthy of Muskerry family, a native Irish family with roots going back to the kings of Desmond. Honora grew up as a Roman Catholic.

Honora had several brothers and sisters. Her full siblings included:

• Ulick (1670–1691), who became Viscount of Galway. He died fighting for King James II at the Battle of Aughrim.
• Margaret (1673–1744), who married twice.
• William, who died in France without children.
• Honora (c. 1675 – 1698), the subject of this article.

She also had half-brothers from her father's first marriage:

• Richard, who became the 8th Earl of Clanricarde.
• John, who became the 9th Earl of Clanricarde.
• Thomas, who died in battle in Hungary.

Honora's father passed away in 1687. She inherited a good amount of money, about £3,500.

First Marriage to Patrick Sarsfield

On January 9, 1689, when Honora was about 15, she married Patrick Sarsfield, who was around 24. Their wedding took place at Portumna Abbey. The couple then moved to Sarsfield's home near Dublin.

Patrick Sarsfield was a skilled soldier. He fought for King James II during the Williamite War in Ireland. Sarsfield quickly became a leader in the Jacobite movement in Ireland. He was especially famous for his surprise attack, known as the Ballyneety Raid, where he destroyed King William's cannons.

Because of his brave actions, King James II made Sarsfield the 1st Earl of Lucan in January 1691. This meant Honora became the Countess of Lucan. After the war ended in Ireland, Sarsfield led many Irish soldiers to France to continue serving King James II, who was living in exile. This event is known as the Flight of the Wild Geese.

Honora had likely already gone to France a year earlier with other ladies who supported King James. In France, people admired her beauty. It's said that she introduced "les contredanses anglaises" (English country dances) to the French royal court.

In April 1693, Honora and Patrick had one son:

• James Francis Edward (1693–1719). He became the 2nd Earl of Lucan. He was named after James Francis Edward Stuart, who was the son of King James II.

Sadly, Patrick Sarsfield was badly wounded in the Battle of Landen on July 29, 1693, and died soon after.

After her husband's death, Honora joined the court of King James II, who was living in exile at Saint-Germain-en-Laye near Paris. She tried to help the Irish people living there, many of whom were very poor, but she didn't have much money herself.

An English portrait of Honora de Burke.

Second Marriage to James FitzJames

At Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Honora met James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick. James was the son of King James II and had a very successful military career. He had even fought alongside Honora's first husband, Patrick Sarsfield, in Ireland.

Honora and James married on March 26, 1695, in the chapel of the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. This made her the Duchess of Berwick. King James II wasn't completely happy about the marriage. He had hoped his son would marry someone who could bring more power or money to help the Jacobite cause.

In the same year, James FitzJames lost his English title officially because of his support for King James II. However, he and Honora continued to use the titles Duke and Duchess of Berwick, and people generally called them that.

Honora and James had one son:

• James (1696–1738). He served in the Spanish Army and started a family line in Spain.

Death and Important Dates

Honora died on January 16, 1698, from an illness called consumption. Her husband was very sad after her death. She was buried in a convent in Pontoise, France. Many important Jacobite figures attended her burial.

Three years later, her husband James married Anne Bulkeley.

Images for kids

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  An English portrait of Honora de Burke.