John Netterville, 2nd Viscount Netterville facts for kids

John Netterville, 2nd Viscount Netterville (around 1603-1659) was an important Irish nobleman, soldier, and leader in the 1600s. He was known for being a very religious Roman Catholic and strongly supported the Catholic cause in Ireland. This led him to try to work with both the King's side and the Irish rebels during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and the wars that followed. Because of this, neither side fully trusted him. The government of King Charles I accused him of serious disloyalty, and his lands were later taken by Oliver Cromwell. He died peacefully while living away from Ireland.

Early Life and Family Connections

John Netterville was born in a place called Dowth in Meath, Ireland. He was the oldest son of Nicholas Netterville, 1st Viscount Netterville and his first wife, Eleanor Bathe. His father, Nicholas, was a favorite of King James I, who made him a nobleman in 1622. Nicholas was also later accused of not being loyal to the English King, just like his son John. Both father and son seemed to want to bring back the Roman Catholic faith in Ireland. In fact, two of John's younger brothers became Jesuits, who are Catholic priests.

In 1623, John married Lady Elizabeth Weston. Her father was Richard Weston, 1st Earl of Portland, who later became a very important government official called the Lord Treasurer. This marriage helped John gain influence at the English Royal Court. It also gave him a useful friend in his efforts to gain more freedom for Catholics, as Portland himself had become a Catholic.

In November 1632, John and other leading Catholics asked Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, who was the King's main representative in Ireland (the Lord Deputy of Ireland), not to enforce strict laws against Irish Catholics. These laws were known as the Penal Laws.

Challenges During the Irish Rebellion

When the Irish Rebellion of 1641 began, John Netterville was sent with 100 soldiers to help Viscount Moore protect the town of Drogheda. However, people suspected him of encouraging others to join the rebellion. Because of these suspicions, he had to leave Drogheda and return to his own home.

For the next few months, John and his father tried to appear loyal to the King while secretly helping the rebels. John's next brother, Luke, openly fought for the rebels and was killed. In February 1642, the Irish Parliament ordered that John be removed from leading his troops.

John wanted to make peace with his opponents. He approached the Marquess of Ormonde, a powerful leader on the King's side. Ormonde arrested John and sent him to Dublin. Legal experts for the King believed there was strong evidence that John had committed serious disloyalty. However, they thought a jury in Meath would not find him guilty. So, they hoped he could be tried in Dublin.

His trial finally began in February 1643. But by this time, the King and Ormonde hoped John would support them. So, the trial did not continue, and John was released in April.

Right after his release, John joined the army of the Irish Confederacy, which was a group of Irish Catholics who had formed their own government and army. He served under Thomas Preston. John was still fighting in 1650, though by then he had only about six men left.

Later Years and Passing

After the wars, a law called the Act for the Settlement of Ireland 1652 was passed. This law meant that John and his father were not allowed to be pardoned for their actions or keep their lands. However, they did not seem to suffer any harsh treatment.

John moved to England. His wife, Elizabeth Weston, successfully argued that because she was English, she had the right to keep some of the Netterville family's property. It seems there was enough money for John to live on, even after his wife passed away in 1656. Although he was said to be living in some hardship.

John became the 2nd Viscount Netterville in 1654, after his father died. He was still in England when he passed away in September 1659. He was buried next to his wife in a church called St Giles in the Fields.

Family Life

John and Elizabeth Netterville had eleven children:

• Nicholas Netterville, 3rd Viscount Netterville
• Jerome, who became a priest
• James, who was an army officer
• Richard
• Lucas
• Patrick
• Robert
• Mary, who married Henry Barnewall, the 2nd Viscount Barnewall
• Margaret, who married William Archbold
• Frances
• Eleanor