Piers Crosby facts for kids

Sir Piers Crosby (born 1590, died 1646) was an Irish soldier and a leader in politics. He owned many lands across Ireland. Sir Piers was known for being strong-willed and clever. He even helped bring down a very powerful leader in Ireland, the Earl of Stafford, in the 1630s.

Piers Crosby's Family History

Piers Crosby came from an old Gaelic Irish family. His father, Padraig Mac an Chrosáin, worked for the English government from 1588. He helped move families from Laois to County Kerry. Even though he was a Roman Catholic, he changed his name to Patrick Crosby.

Piers's younger brother, John Crosbie, became a Protestant and was a Bishop of Ardfert and Aghadoe. He is an ancestor of the Crosbie family who later became baronets. Patrick Crosby married Catherine. Her niece, Joan Moore, is mentioned in his will, which suggests Catherine might have been an O'More.

Early Life and Career

Sir Piers Crosby led an Irish army group in 1627. This was during the Duke of Buckingham's attempt to help La Rochelle, which was not successful. Crosby bravely commanded the rearguard during their retreat.

The Duke of Buckingham was a close friend of King Charles I. He thought highly of Crosby and helped him in his career. After Buckingham was killed in 1628, Crosby was still important. He was appointed to both the English and Irish Privy Councils. These councils were groups of important advisors to the King. Crosby became a well-known courtier, meaning he spent a lot of time at the royal court. He was especially close to Queen Henrietta Maria.

Crosby married Sarah Barnewall first. She passed away before 1618, leaving one daughter, Elizabeth, who died young. He then married Elizabeth Noel. She was the widow of George Tuchet, 1st Earl of Castlehaven. This made Crosby the stepfather of Mervyn Tuchet, 2nd Earl of Castlehaven. Through Elizabeth, Crosby was able to gain lands in County Armagh and County Tyrone.

Conflict with Thomas Wentworth

Crosby became a strong opponent of Thomas Wentworth. Wentworth was the most powerful person in Irish politics in the 1630s, serving as the Lord Deputy of Ireland. Wentworth did not like Crosby at all. He called him "the tawny ribbon," perhaps because Crosby liked fancy clothes.

In 1634, Crosby was elected to the Irish House of Commons as a Member of Parliament for Queen's County. He voted against a new law that Wentworth wanted. Crosby also criticized Wentworth for not keeping promises made to Catholics, known as "the Graces."

Even though Crosby was still on the Privy Council of Ireland, Wentworth took an unusual step in 1634. He convinced the council to stop Crosby from attending meetings. This was because Crosby had voted against Wentworth's laws. In 1639, Crosby faced legal trouble in the Star Chamber court. He was accused of making false claims about Wentworth. At the same time, Crosby's friend, the Earl of Holland, who also disliked Wentworth, spread rumors that Wentworth was not well.

Crosby and other Irish enemies of Wentworth provided evidence when Wentworth was put on trial in 1641. This trial by the English Parliament led to Wentworth's execution. During his defense, Wentworth mentioned the old accusation against Crosby. He jokingly said he was amazed by Crosby's memory of a conversation that Wentworth claimed never happened.

Crosby was also a political friend of the powerful Earl of Cork. The Earl of Cork was another strong enemy of Wentworth. During this time, Crosby often offered to raise Irish soldiers for the King or other countries. He even offered his help to the King during the Scottish Crisis. The plan was for an Irish Army to land on the Scottish coast.

Later Life and Death

When the Irish Rebellion began in 1641, Crosby first stayed neutral. Later, he joined the Irish Confederates, a group of Irish Catholics. He also spent some time living abroad. In 1643, he came back to Ireland from France.

Crosby was part of a group that wanted to make peace quickly with King Charles I. Their goal was to send an Irish army to fight against their shared enemies, the English Parliamentarians.

Sir Piers Crosby died in 1646. He had been put in prison by another group within the Irish Confederacy. He had no children who survived from either of his marriages. His lands then went to his cousin, Sir Walter Crosbie. Sir Walter was the first of the Crosbie baronets and a son of Bishop Crosbie. Crosby's second wife, Elizabeth, was still alive in 1644, but her exact death date is not known.