Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Óg de Burgh
|
|
|---|---|
Arms of de Burgh: Or, a cross gules.
|
|
| Born | 1240 Ireland |
| Died | 29 July 1326 (aged 85–86) Athassel Priory, near Cashel, Ireland |
| Title | 2nd Earl of Ulster |
| Tenure | 1271–1326 |
| Other titles | 3rd Baron of Connaught |
| Spouse(s) | Margarite |
| Issue | 10, including: Elizabeth, Queen of Scotland John de Burgh Edmond de Burgh |
| Parents | Walter de Burgh Aveline FitzJohn |
|
|
|
Richard Óg de Burgh (born 1240, died 1326) was a very powerful Irish noble. He was known as the Red Earl. He lived in the late 1200s and early 1300s. Richard was the 2nd Earl of Ulster and the 3rd Baron of Connaught. His daughter, Elizabeth, became the wife of Robert the Bruce, who was the King of Scotland.
Contents
Who Was Richard Óg?
Richard's father was Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster. His mother was Aveline FitzJohn. The name "Richard Óg" means "Richard the Young". This might have been because he was young when he became an earl in 1271. It also helped tell him apart from his grandfather, Richard Mór.
A Powerful Leader
Richard Óg became the Earl of Ulster and Lord of Connacht in 1280. He was the most powerful of the de Burgh earls. He was a good friend of King Edward I of England. King Edward often asked Richard to help him in wars against Scotland. Richard was considered the most important earl in Ireland. He married Margaret, who was his cousin.
Conflicts and Challenges
Richard wanted to make his lands bigger and stronger. This often caused problems with other powerful Norman lords in Ireland. One of his biggest rivals was John FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Kildare. In 1294, Kildare even captured Richard and held him prisoner for several months! This caused a lot of trouble across the land.
The Irish Parliament eventually helped Richard get free. After this, things got better between Richard and Kildare. Richard's daughter, Joan, even married Kildare's son. Kildare had to give up some of his lands to Richard. This meant Richard could continue to expand his power.
Fighting in Scotland
Richard's daughter, Elizabeth, married Robert the Bruce, the King of Scotland. Even though his daughter was Queen of Scotland, Richard still supported England's King Edward I. He led his forces from Ireland to help Edward in his wars against Scotland.
In 1306, King Edward captured Elizabeth. But to keep Richard's support, Edward only put Elizabeth under house arrest.
Later, in 1315, Edward Bruce (Robert the Bruce's brother) invaded Ulster. Richard led his army against him but was defeated. This invasion, along with an uprising by Felim McHugh O'Connor in Connacht, made it hard for Richard to control his lands. However, O'Connor was killed in 1316. After Edward Bruce was defeated, Richard was able to get his lands in Ulster back.
Richard Óg de Burgh passed away on July 29, 1326. He died at Athassel Priory, near Cashel in County Tipperary.
Family Life
Richard Óg de Burgh had many children. His most famous child was Elizabeth, who became the Queen of Scotland when she married King Robert the Bruce.
- Elizabeth de Burgh (born around 1284, died 1327), became the Queen of Scotland.
- John de Burgh (born around 1286, died 1313)
- Edmond de Burgh (born around 1298)
- Joan de Burgh (born around 1300, died 1359), married Thomas FitzGerald, 2nd Earl of Kildare.
Images for kids
-
Lea Castle, where Richard Óg was held prisoner.
-
Athassel Priory, where Richard Óg died.
.jpg)
See also
- House of Burgh, a powerful family in Ireland.
- Lord of Connaught
