Luke Plunket, 1st Earl of Fingall facts for kids
Lucas More Plunket (born before 1602 – died March 29, 1637) was an important Irish leader. He was known as Lucas Môr and was the tenth lord of Killeen in County Meath. In 1628, he was given the special title of Earl of Fingall.
Who Was Lucas More Plunket?
Lucas Plunket was the older son of Christopher Plunket. Christopher was the 9th Baron Killeen. His mother was Jenet, whose father was a judge named Sir Lucas Dillon. Lucas Plunket became the Baron of Killeen in January 1613.
Becoming an Earl
King Charles I made Lucas Plunket the Earl of Fingall on September 26, 1628. The King gave him this title because he heard good things about Plunket's "honour and virtue." The King wanted to encourage him to keep doing good things. As an Earl, Plunket was also given a large area of land in County Cavan. He was one of the people who helped start the town of Virginia, County Cavan.
Working for His People
Lucas Plunket was a member of the Irish House of Lords. This was like a parliament or a group of important leaders in Ireland. He was part of a special committee there in 1634 and 1635. Plunket was a strong Roman Catholic. He worked hard to get "The Graces" approved. These were promises from the English King to give more rights and religious freedom to Catholics in Ireland.
However, these promises were never fully kept. This led to disagreements with the main English leader in Ireland. This leader was Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford. Wentworth was very powerful and did not want to agree to "The Graces."
His Family Life
Lucas Plunket was married four times. His first wife was Elizabeth FitzGerald. She passed away in 1611.
His second wife was Susannah Brabazon. They had two sons. Their first son, Christopher, became the 2nd Earl after his father. Their second son, George, had children who later became Earls of Fingall. Lucas and Susannah also had a daughter named Eleanor.
Plunket's third wife was Eleanor Bagenal. She passed away in 1632. His fourth wife was Margaret St Lawrence.
