Mabel Bagenal facts for kids

Mabel Bagenal (born around 1571 – died December 1595) was an important noblewoman from Anglo-Irish family. She became the Countess of Tyrone through her marriage. People sometimes called her the "Helen of the Elizabethan Wars" because of her famous marriage.

Mabel Bagenal's Early Life

Mabel Bagenal was born around 1571 in Newry, a town in Ireland. She was the youngest child of Sir Nicholas Bagenal. Her father was a well-known soldier from Staffordshire, England. Her mother was Eleanor Griffith, from Penrhyn, Wales.

When her father passed away in 1590, he asked his son, Henry, to make sure Mabel married someone suitable.

A Special Marriage

A powerful Irish leader, Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, fell in love with Mabel. He had recently lost his first wife and wanted to marry Mabel. However, Mabel's family, the Bagenals, did not approve of this marriage.

Mabel was sent to live with her sister, Lady Mary Barnewall, at Turvey House in County Dublin. Her brother, Henry, even asked the Queen and her advisors in England for their opinion. He said his sister was not ready to live in what he called a "Gaelic" (Irish) household.

Some important officials, like Archbishop Loftus, thought the marriage could actually be good for the country. But Mabel and Hugh O'Neill didn't wait for a decision. When Hugh visited Mabel in Turvey in July, they promised to marry each other. Soon after, they eloped, which means they ran away to get married.

They were married in a special Anglican ceremony on July 3, 1591. Bishop Thomas Jones performed the wedding after making sure Mabel truly wanted to marry Hugh.

Life as Countess of Tyrone

Mabel's brother, Henry, was still very much against the marriage. He felt that his family's history of fighting against rebellious Irish groups should not mix with Hugh O'Neill's family. He also questioned if Hugh's previous divorce was real. Because of his disapproval, Henry held back Mabel's dowry, which was a large sum of £1,000.

Hugh O'Neill wanted his new wife to make his castle at Dungannon a beautiful home. He hoped she would bring a sense of culture and style to the castle. Mabel bought lovely tapestries and paintings in London. She decorated the castle with an English style from the Elizabethan era. We don't know much about how she settled into her new life.

In May 1593, Mabel and Hugh had a disagreement. It was said that Mabel was very upset about something that happened, and Hugh spoke to her strongly in English.

Mabel Bagenal's Death

Mabel Bagenal O'Neill passed away in December 1595. She died either in Dungannon or Newry. It is thought that she might have left Hugh O'Neill before her death.

In 2011, during an archaeological dig, a skeleton was found. Some people suggested that this skeleton might have been the remains of Lady O'Neill.