John Caryll (senior) facts for kids

John Caryll (1625–1711) was an important English writer and diplomat. He wrote poems and plays. He also served kings and queens as a diplomat. He was given the title of the first Baron Caryll of Durford. He is not to be confused with his nephew, John Caryll the younger, who was a friend of the famous poet Alexander Pope. Pope even dedicated his poem The ... the Lock to this nephew.

Life of John Caryll

John Caryll was born in West Harting, England, in 1625. His family was very old and important. They were also Catholic and supported the King (they were called Royalists). John's father was also named John. His mother was the daughter of William, second Baron Petre.

Early Education and Writings

John Caryll studied at two special colleges. One was the English College of St. Omer in France. The other was the Venerable English College in Rome. When Charles II of England was king, Caryll wrote many plays and poems.

One of his main poems was a translation of a story by Ovid. It was called Epistle of Briseïs to Achilles. This poem first appeared in 1680. He also translated a poem by Virgil in 1683.

Plays and Political Troubles

Caryll wrote two plays that were shown at the Duke of York's Theatre.

• The English Princess was a serious play written in 1666. It was about the death of King Richard III.
• Sir Solomon Single, or the Cautious Coxcomb was a funny play from 1671. It was based on a play by the French writer Molière.

In 1679, there was a time of fear called the "Popish Plot". Because Caryll was a well-known Catholic, he was put in the Tower of London. But he was soon allowed to leave on bail.

Diplomat and Exile

When James II of England became king in 1685, he sent Caryll to be his representative. Caryll went to meet with Pope Innocent XI. A few months later, another person took over this job.

Caryll then became a secretary for Mary of Modena. She was the queen of James II. In 1688, there was a big change in England called the Glorious Revolution. King James II lost his throne. Caryll stayed loyal to the royal family. He followed them when they went to live in France, at the Saint-Germain.

Loss of Property and New Titles

Even though Caryll left England, his property was not taken away right away. But in 1696, he was involved in a plan to bring King William III down. He had given money for this plan. Because of this, his family home in West Harting was taken by the government. However, his nephew bought it back for £6,000.

While in France, the exiled King James II gave Caryll a new title. He became Baron Caryll of Durford. He was also made a Secretary of State for the exiled king from 1694 to 1696.

Later Life and Legacy

After James II died, his son, James Francis Edward Stuart, took over as the exiled king. He was known as the "Old Pretender" by some. He re-appointed Caryll as one of his Secretaries of State. Caryll held this important job until he died.

In 1700, Caryll published another book. It was a translation of The Psalmes of David. He died on September 4, 1711. He was buried in Paris at the Scots College. He had helped this college a lot, and they put up a special stone to remember him.

John Caryll had married Margaret Drummond. She died in 1656. They did not have any children. So, his nephew, also named John Caryll, inherited his title. One of John Caryll's sisters, Mary, became the first leader of English nuns in Dunkirk. Later, a grandson of his nephew became a secretary for Charles Edward Stuart, known as "the Young Pretender."