Jenet Sarsfield facts for kids
Jenet Sarsfield, Baroness Dunsany (around 1528–1598), was an important woman from Ireland who lived in Dublin during the Tudor era. This was a time when the Tudor family ruled England and Ireland. Jenet is especially remembered because she married six different husbands!
Contents
Early Life and First Two Marriages
Jenet was born in County Meath, Ireland, around 1528. Her father, John Sarsfield, was a merchant. We don't know much about her mother. Jenet also had a brother named William, who was an important official in Dublin.
Jenet's first husband was Robert Shilyngford. He was the Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1534–1535. They had a daughter named Katherine. Katherine is thought to be the only one of Jenet's children who lived to be an adult. Katherine later married Thomas Talbot and had children of her own.
After Robert died, Jenet married James Luttrell. He was the son of a famous judge, Sir Thomas Luttrell. James was the High Sheriff of County Dublin in 1556. He died in 1557. Jenet was expecting a child when he died, but their baby sadly did not live long after birth.
Lady Dunsany
After James Luttrell passed away, Jenet married Robert Plunkett, 5th Baron of Dunsany. This was his second marriage. Their marriage was short. They had two sons, but they likely died when they were very young. Even after marrying more times, Jenet was often called the Dowager Lady Dunsany in her later years. This title means she was the widow of a Baron.
Lady Cusack
Lord Dunsany died in 1559. Jenet soon married again, this time to Sir Thomas Cusack. He had been the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, a very high legal position. Sir Thomas was much older than Jenet, born in 1490. He was a very respected public figure.
Sir Thomas had been married before to Maud Darcy. He had been very happy with Maud. There is no sign that Jenet and Sir Thomas were unhappy together. However, Jenet did have big disagreements with Sir Thomas's son from his previous marriage, Edward Cusack. Sir Thomas was in debt, so Jenet's wealth was likely helpful when they married.
After Sir Thomas Cusack's Death
Sir Thomas Cusack died in 1571. In those days, a widow in Ireland usually received one-third of her husband's property. But Jenet was a very smart businesswoman. She inherited much more! Sir Thomas left her most of his personal belongings and the Abbey of Lismullen. He had gained this Abbey when many monasteries were closed down by the King.
These arrangements led to many years of legal disagreements between Jenet and her stepson Edward Cusack. Edward felt that Jenet was like a "wicked stepmother." Jenet took Edward to court, saying he had taken things from Lismullen and tried to destroy his father's will. Edward claimed that Jenet had kept his mother's jewels unfairly. These court cases went on for many years.
Edward even asked a powerful English leader, Lord Burghley, for help. He said that he was at a disadvantage because Jenet, through her many marriages, was connected to many important families in the Pale (the part of Ireland controlled by the English). Jenet eventually left Lismullen, though Edward claimed she took many valuable items. Edward was actually a very rich landowner and had a lot of political power. He even received a special pardon from the King when he faced serious accusations in 1582. Edward died in 1596, two years before Jenet.
Court Cases
Like many important people in Ireland at that time, Jenet was often involved in court cases. Her legal battles were not just with her family. In 1572, one of the first cases heard by the Court of Castle Chamber (an important court in Ireland) was brought by Jenet. She sued Margaret Howth and others for a serious incident. The records from this court are not very detailed, but Margaret Howth was found guilty. Jenet was known for being strong and determined in legal matters.
Lady Plunket
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Jenet's fifth husband was another respected elderly judge, Sir John Plunket. He was the Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, the highest judge in the country. This was his third marriage. He was a few years younger than Sir Thomas Cusack, but still over seventy when he married Jenet.
Their marriage seemed to be happy. They mainly lived at Dunsoghly Castle near Finglas, which you can still see today. Inside the castle's chapel, there is a special stone tablet with the initials of Plunket and Jenet, showing their happy marriage. Sir John died in 1582. In his will, he listed many valuable things but said that his marriage to Jenet had not made him richer.
Last Marriage and Death
Jenet married a sixth time to John Bellew, who lived longer than she did. In her final years, she lived at Dardistown Castle. She added many new parts to the castle. After she died, the castle went to her son-in-law, Thomas Talbot.
Jenet Sarsfield died in 1598, when she was about seventy years old. She chose not to be buried with any of her husbands. Instead, she was buried in her own tomb at Moorchurch, near Julianstown in County Meath. Her tomb still exists today. She was buried under the title Lady Dunsany. Her choice to use this title, even long after Lord Dunsany's death, shows that she was a very independent and strong woman.
Images for kids
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Dunsoghly Castle, which has a memorial to Jenet and her fifth husband, Sir John Plunket.
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Dardistown Castle, where Jenet lived in old age.
