Richard Molyneux, 2nd Viscount Molyneux facts for kids

Richard Molyneux, 2nd Viscount Molyneux of Maryborough (born around 1617, died 1654) was an important officer for the King's side, known as the Royalists, during the English Civil War. He inherited his title from his father and played a key role in several battles and events during this period of English history.

Who Was Richard Molyneux?

Richard Molyneux was the son of Richard Molyneux, 1st Viscount Molyneux and Mary Caryll. He was born around 1617. When his father passed away in 1636, Richard inherited the title of Viscount Molyneux. He married Lady Frances Seymour, but they did not have any children.

Joining the Royalist Cause

In 1642, as tensions grew before the English Civil War, Richard Molyneux was involved in gathering support for King Charles I. On June 20, 1642, he helped with a special meeting called a "commission of array" on Preston Moor. He also helped take control of a weapons storage area, called a magazine, in Preston.

When the Civil War officially began, Molyneux quickly raised two groups of soldiers for the King. One group was cavalry (soldiers on horseback), and the other was infantry (soldiers on foot). Many of these soldiers were Roman Catholics. These forces became part of the Lancashire army, led by James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby.

Battles and Escapes

Richard Molyneux was involved in several important events during the war:

• Siege of Manchester (September 1642): He was present when the Royalist forces tried to capture the city of Manchester.
• Defeat at Whalley (April 1643): On April 20, 1643, his forces were defeated by Captain Ashton at Whalley.
• Capture of Wakefield (May 1643): After the city of Wakefield was surprisingly captured by Parliament's forces on May 21, 1643, Molyneux was ordered to lead the Lancashire soldiers to York, where Queen Henrietta Maria was at the time.
• Battle of Ormskirk (August 1644): On August 20, 1644, he faced another defeat at the battle of Ormskirk against Major-General Sir John Meldrum. He barely avoided being captured by hiding in a field of corn!

End of the War and Later Life

Molyneux was in Oxford on June 24, 1646, when the city surrendered to the Parliament's army. After the war, on June 30, 1648, an order was issued for his arrest because he had come too close to London, which was against Parliament's rules. He was thought to be involved in a Royalist uprising in Kingston on July 5, but just four days later, he was ordered to be released.

Richard Molyneux later joined King Charles II on his journey to Worcester. After the Battle of Worcester on September 3, 1651, where the Royalists were defeated, Molyneux managed to escape. He passed away a few years later, likely in 1654. His brother, Caryll Molyneux, 3rd Viscount Molyneux (1621–1699), took over his title and also played an active part on the Royalist side during the Civil War.

Family Life

Richard Molyneux married Frances, who was the eldest daughter of William, Marquis of Hertford. They did not have any children.