Osborne Ichyngham facts for kids
Sir Osborne Ichyngham (died 1546) was an important English official and landowner in Ireland. He was known for being a trusted messenger for King Henry VIII and for receiving large areas of land in Ireland.
Early Life and Royal Service
Osborne Ichyngham was likely the son of Sir Edward Echyngham from Barsham, Suffolk, England. He was knighted in 1529.
By 1515, Osborne became a trusted helper and messenger for Sir Thomas Spinelly. Spinelly was the English Ambassador in the Netherlands. Osborne carried secret messages for him. For example, in 1515, Spinelly asked for Osborne's presence in Antwerp. He had news about a possible marriage between Charles Brandon and Queen Mary, King Henry VIII's sister.
After Spinelly died in 1522, King Henry VIII chose Osborne for important tasks. In 1526, he rode quickly with secret papers to and from Valladolid in Spain. In 1530, the King sent him as an envoy, or representative, to the King of Hungary.
Life in Ireland
Osborne Ichyngham later moved to Ireland. By 1540, he became the provost marshal. This was a military role, like a chief of military police. He still kept his connections to Barsham in England.
In 1542, he was part of an important agreement. This was between Lord Deputy St Leger and Irish chieftains. After the dissolution of the Irish monasteries, many church lands became available. In 1543, Osborne was given the Cistercian monastery of Monasteranenagh Abbey in County Limerick. He also received all its lands and possessions.
In 1545, Osborne asked the King for more land. He was granted the former Dunbrody Abbey in County Wexford, Ireland. This included all its manors, lands, churches, and chapels. In return, he gave up a manor called Netherhall in Hickling, Norfolk, England.
The Dunbrody lands were described as "waste" or unused. However, they were very important strategically. They controlled the outflow of the Three Sisters rivers. They also controlled the eastern shore of Waterford Harbour. This area stretched from Ballyhack down to Duncannon. It also crossed the Hook Peninsula to other areas like Coole and Tinnock. It was hoped these lands would help control the Cavanaghs. The Cavanaghs were historic rulers of the Kingdom of Leinster. Osborne Ichyngham died in 1546. He asked for his heart to be buried in Barsham.
Family and Descendants
Osborne Ichyngham was married twice. His first wife was Katherine, who was buried at Barsham. By 1529, he married his second wife, Mary. She was buried at Barsham in 1584. With Mary, he had three children:
- Edward Echingham inherited the Dunbrody estate from his father. He died without having any children.
- Charles Echingham was the next in line after his brother Edward. He or his children inherited Dunbrody. Charles was the father of:
- John Echingham (died 1616). John married Margaret Whittie. John's son and heir was a younger Osborn Echingham (died 1635). This Osborn helped clear his father's debts related to the land. Osborn's son, Sir John Itchingham, later made sure his estate would pass to his daughter, Jane Ichyngham. She married Arthur Chichester, 2nd Earl of Donegall. Their descendants, the Marquesses of Donegall, still show the Echyngham family symbol on their coat of arms.
- George Echingham received a manor called Rothenhall from his father. This was in Kessingland and Pakefield, Suffolk. Another manor, Echinghams, also in Kessingland, stayed in the family.
