Nicholas Netterville, 1st Viscount Netterville facts for kids

Nicholas Netterville was born in 1581 in Dowth, County Meath, Ireland. He took over his family's estate on September 20, 1601, after his father, John Netterville, passed away. Even though some people said his family wasn't very important, the Nettervilles had actually been in Ireland since before 1280 and lived in Dowth for many centuries. They were connected to many important families in an area called The Pale, including the Earl of Kildare and Lord Howth. Nicholas's grandfather, Luke Netterville, was a judge, and his uncle, Richard Netterville, was a leading lawyer and statesman.

Because he was seen as "a person of many good qualities," Nicholas was given the title of Viscount Netterville of Dowth on April 3, 1622. He took his place in the government on July 14, 1634. He passed away in 1654 and was buried in Mountown, County Dublin.

Role in the 1641 Rebellion

Even though the King's government had respected him, people started to doubt Nicholas Netterville's loyalty during the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and the English Civil War that followed. His oldest son, John, strongly supported allowing Roman Catholics to practice their religion freely. Nicholas also let two of his younger sons become Jesuits, which showed where his own religious feelings lay.

Because of this, Nicholas and his oldest son seemed to play a tricky game during the Rebellion. They told the King they were loyal, but secretly helped the rebels. It was also remembered that Nicholas's family had acted in a confusing way during earlier Irish rebellions in the 1580s, where two of his uncles were killed. His second son, Luke, openly joined the rebels in 1641 and was killed fighting for them.

Joining the Irish Confederacy

On July 26, 1644, Nicholas Netterville joined the Irish Confederacy, a group of Irish Catholics who fought for their rights. He was one of three people chosen to go with the Pope's special messenger, Giovanni Battista Rinuccini, to Kilkenny. In 1647, he promised that the Church should be returned to how it was before the Reformation. However, he later disagreed with the Pope's messenger in 1648 and then joined forces with Ormonde, a loyal supporter of the King.

Later Life and Family

After the wars, a law called the Act for the Settlement of Ireland 1652 meant that Lord Netterville and his oldest son would not be forgiven for their actions or get their lands back. However, he didn't seem to be treated too badly. It's not clear if this was because he was very old or if John's wife, who was the daughter of an important English statesman, used her influence to help them.

Marriages and Children

Viscount Netterville married his first wife, Eleanor, who was the daughter of Sir John Bathe. They had eight sons and five daughters:

• John Netterville, 2nd Viscount Netterville
• Luke, who lived in Corballis, County Meath. He was wealthy but his wife, Margaret, became very poor during the troubles of the 1640s.
• Patrick, from Lecarrow, County Roscommon.
• Robert, from Cruicerath, County Meath.
• Richard
• Christopher
• Thomas
• Nicholas

Their daughters were:

• Mary, who married Sir Luke FitzGerald.
• Margaret, who married Piers Butler. He was killed after giving up to a force loyal to Oliver Cromwell.
• Alison, who married Walter Chevers.
• Ellen, who married Thomas Fleming.
• Jane, who married Matthias Barnewall, the 8th Lord Trimleston.

Four of Nicholas's sons—Luke, Patrick, Richard, and Thomas—took part in the 1641 Rebellion. Luke was killed during the fighting. Christopher and Nicholas became Jesuits, who are members of a Catholic religious order. Patrick and Robert started new branches of the family, and later Viscounts came from their lines.

Eleanor, Nicholas's first wife, passed away in 1634. Nicholas then married Mary, who was the daughter of Alderman Brice from Drogheda. This was her third marriage, and they did not have any children together.

See also

Butler dynasty