Nicholas Malby facts for kids
Sir Nicholas Malby (born around 1530 – died 1584) was an English soldier. He played an important role in Ireland during the 1500s. From 1579 to 1581, he held the title of Lord President of Connaught, which meant he was a key leader in that part of Ireland.
Sir Nicholas Malby's Life and Early Career
Nicholas Malby was likely born around 1530. In 1556, his name appeared on a list of people ready to help settle new English communities in Leix, Ireland.
Later, in 1562, he faced a serious legal issue. However, he was given a chance to avoid punishment by agreeing to serve in the army in France. He worked under Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick. By April 1563, he was described as Warwick's secretary, showing he was an educated man.
In 1565, Malby traveled to Spain. The English minister there praised his sensible actions. After returning to England, he was sent to Ireland. Soon after, Sir Henry Sidney appointed him as a sergeant-major in the army.
After the death of Shane O'Neill in 1567, Malby was stationed at Carrickfergus. His job was to help keep peace with the Scottish groups in the area. He faced challenges, like having to pay for his soldiers himself. But he managed to handle difficult situations well, especially with Sorley Boy MacDonnell. Sir Henry Sidney was pleased with his work in the north of Ireland in 1568.
In July 1569, Malby helped Sir Peter Carew against the Butler family. He was injured during a fight near Carlow. Sir William Fitzwilliam and Sir Edward Fitton highly praised him. In March 1571, he was given the job of collecting customs taxes in several Irish towns, including Strangford and Ardglass.
In 1571, he visited England. He suggested that more English people should settle in northern Ireland. This would help prevent Scottish power from growing there. In October 1571, he received land in what is now County Down. He had to settle it with loyal English subjects by 1579. On his way back to Ireland in February 1572, he captured a Spanish ship.
Malby tried to establish English settlements in Ireland. He managed to get Sir Brian O'Neill to submit for a short time in October 1572. He also captured O'Neill's youngest daughter. However, his plans for permanent settlement did not fully succeed.
In December 1574, Malby reported to the Queen's special council about the situation in the north. He returned to Ireland in May 1575. He had special instructions for the Earl of Essex and was allowed to join the privy council. Important figures like Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester and Francis Walsingham thought highly of him. They suggested he should govern Connacht.
During the summer of 1575, he joined Essex's military trip against Sorley Boy MacDonnell. He might have been present during a sad event where many MacDonnells were killed on Rathlin island.
Leading Connacht: Lord President
In September 1576, Sir Nicholas Malby went with Sir Henry Sidney to Connacht. On October 7, he was made a knight. He was then appointed as the military governor of the province, which the English called Connaught.
Malby then took action against John and Ulick Burke, sons of the Earl of Clanricarde. He caused a lot of trouble in their lands. In October 1577, he helped settle a disagreement between two Irish leaders. At the request of O Connor Sligo, he attacked Bundrowes castle. He captured it from O'Donnell and gave it back to O'Conor Sligo. However, he didn't fully trust O'Conor Sligo. So, he appointed Richard MacSwine as the High Sheriff of Sligo.
Soon after, O'Donnell invaded the county, killed the sheriff, and surrounded Bundrowes. This forced Malby to return. He drove O'Donnell out of the county but couldn't catch him. In Sligo, on his way back to Roscommon, he made an agreement with Brian O'Rourke. But this agreement didn't last long because O'Rourke refused to remove some people who were making fake coins. In April 1578, Malby invaded O'Rourke's territory. He captured O'Rourke's main castle and killed all the soldiers inside.
In late 1578, Malby went to England. He returned to Ireland in May 1579 with an even higher title: President of Connacht. His earlier land grant had been taken back. But in April 1579, he received the manor and lordship of Roscommon. He also got an annual payment from the O'Farrells and some land in Longford.
While he was in England, his officers and soldiers in Connacht behaved poorly. But the region remained peaceful. In July, when James Fitzmaurice started the Second Desmond Rebellion, Malby marched to Limerick. He had 600 soldiers to help the lord justice, Sir William Drury. Because Drury was ill, Malby largely took charge of stopping the rebellion. On October 3, he defeated Sir John and Sir James of Desmond in County Limerick.
Malby suspected the Earl of Desmond was not loyal. After trying to get his help without success, Malby treated him as a rebel. Desmond, however, complained that Malby's harshness was a main reason for his rebellion.
When the Earl of Ormonde arrived in November to lead the army in Munster, Malby went back to Connacht. Malby did not get along with Ormonde. He later accused Ormonde of misrepresenting his actions and causing trouble in Connacht.
Most of the Connacht chiefs did not actively support the Munster rebels. One exception was Richard Burke, also known as Iron Dick. In February 1580, Malby invaded his territory. He forced Richard to hide among the islands in Clew Bay. After suffering greatly, Richard of the Iron surrendered.
During the siege of Carrigafoyle, Malby helped the lord justice, Sir William Pelham, by providing supplies from Connacht. In August, O'Rourke rebelled, hoping for foreign help. He also damaged the castle of Leitrim. Malby immediately went to fight him. He repaired and put soldiers in the castle, and defeated the rebels. Then, he quickly went to Dublin to help the lord deputy, Arthur, Lord Grey of Wilton. He witnessed the English forces' defeat at the battle of Glenmalure.
O'Rourke rebelled again, and Malby returned to Connacht. O'Rourke fled when Malby approached. But John and Ulick Burke, encouraged by the Catholic bishop of Kilmacduagh, had declared a religious war. They tried to help the Spanish forces at Smerwick. Even after Smerwick was captured, Grey sent more soldiers. By the end of January 1581, Malby announced success against the rebels.
O'Rourke took advantage of the situation and invaded Roscommon. But Malby sent Captain Brabazon against him, and O'Rourke then asked for peace. In late February, 600 Scottish soldiers invaded the province to help the Burkes. But Malby knew they were coming and drove them across the Moy River. At Strade Abbey in County Mayo, he settled a dispute between Richard of the Iron Burke and Richard MacOliver. He allowed Richard of the Iron to use the title of MacWilliam and made Richard MacOliver the sheriff of Mayo.
In May, he agreed to a short peace with the Burkes. He planned to visit the Queen's court. But in July, fighting broke out between Turlough Luineach O'Neill and Hugh O'Donnell. Malby was ordered to help O'Donnell. He marched to Lifford, destroyed the town, and joined the lord deputy. In late November, he went to England to report on the situation in Ireland.
However, his visit was not successful for him personally. Some people made serious complaints about his leadership. They accused him of being harsh and unfair in his role. Queen Elizabeth seemed to listen to these complaints. He returned to Ireland on May 21, 1582. In early July, Con O'Donnell, encouraged by Turlough Luineach, invaded Sligo. Malby complained that he couldn't raise enough men to deal with this danger. But O'Conor Sligo acted well, and O'Donnell quickly crossed the Erne River when Malby approached.
After this, nothing happened during his lifetime to disturb the peace of his government. Sir Nicholas Malby died on March 4, 1584, in Athlone. He felt that the Queen had not appreciated his efforts. The Annals of the Four Masters, a historical record, described him as "a man learned in the languages and tongues of the islands of the west of Europe, a brave and victorious man in battles."
Sir Nicholas Malby's Family
Sir Nicholas Malby married Thomasine, who was the daughter of Robert Lamb. They had a son named Henry, who took over after his father. Henry married Elizabeth, the granddaughter of Sir Francis Jobson. Henry was likely killed in November 1602 while serving in Connacht.
Sir Nicholas and Thomasine also had a daughter named Ursula. She first married Anthony Brabazon and later married Sir Thomas Burke. Lady Malby (Thomasine) later married a man named George Rawe.
