Humphrey Willis facts for kids

Captain Humphrey Willis was an English soldier who lived in Ireland in the 1500s. He was a brave captain who spoke Irish well. A powerful leader called the Lord Deputy made him a Sheriff in two areas: County Donegal and County Fermanagh. A Sheriff was like a local governor or police chief. Captain Willis used soldiers from the Irish Army to help him keep order.

Captain Willis and the Irish Leaders

When Captain Willis became Sheriff in Donegal, it made some local Irish leaders, like the O'Donnells, very unhappy. The O'Donnells had always worked closely with the English Crown.

Trouble in Donegal

A young O'Donnell leader named Hugh Roe O'Donnell had been held prisoner in Dublin Castle. After he escaped, he quickly drove Captain Willis out of Donegal. This event was one of the first signs of a big conflict coming, known as Tyrone's Rebellion.

Trouble in Fermanagh

In 1593, Captain Willis got a new job as Sheriff of Fermanagh. But again, he faced problems with a local Irish leader, Hugh Maguire. Maguire also forced Willis out of his area. Maguire then started an open rebellion against the English Crown. In 1594, he attacked Enniskillen Castle, trying to take it back. This fighting led to a major conflict called the Nine Years' War in Ireland. This war ended with many Irish leaders leaving the country in 1607.

Willis's Final Years

Captain Willis continued to play an important role. In 1600, he helped organize an expedition to Derry led by Sir Henry Docwra. Willis worked with Irish leaders who wanted to join forces with the Crown against Hugh Roe O'Donnell and his ally, Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone.

Sadly, Captain Humphrey Willis was killed in battle in Ulster in 1602. He died during a military campaign led by Lord Mountjoy against Hugh O'Neill.

A Descendant

Later, a man named George Willis of Aghatirourke, who discovered the famous Florencecourt Yew tree, was a descendant of Captain Humphrey Willis.