Richard Nagle facts for kids

Sir Richard Nagle (1636 – 6 April 1699) was an important Irish politician and lawyer. He supported King James II, who was removed from the throne. Richard Nagle held several big jobs for the King. These included being the main legal advisor (called Attorney-General for Ireland). He also led meetings in the Irish Parliament as Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. Later, he became a Lord Justice of Ireland and a top government official (called Secretary of State and War for Ireland).

After King James II lost power in Ireland, Sir Richard Nagle moved to France in 1691. He joined King James II in a place called Saint-Germain-en-Laye. There, he continued to work for the King.

Early Life and Career

Richard Nagle was born in 1636 at Carrigacunna Castle in County Cork, Ireland. His family was known as "Old English," meaning they were English families who had lived in Ireland for a long time. His father was James Nagle, and his mother was Honora Nugent. Carrigacunna Castle was his family's main home. His brother, Pierce, later became a sheriff for County Cork.

Richard first thought about becoming a priest. However, he decided to study law instead. He went to a famous law school called Gray's Inn in England. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer in Dublin. He was known for being very "active and skilful" in his work. This helped him have a successful career.

In 1685, a powerful leader named the Earl of Tyrconnell took Richard Nagle to England. There, Nagle met King James II. The King was impressed. In 1686, King James II made Richard Nagle the main legal advisor for Ireland. He also made him a knight, so he was called "Sir Richard." The King also added him to his special group of advisors, the Privy Council of Ireland.

Leading the Irish Parliament

In 1689, Richard Nagle was chosen to represent Cork in the Irish Parliament. The members of the Irish Parliament then elected him as their Speaker. This meant he was in charge of leading all the meetings. This Parliament is often called the "Patriot Parliament."

This Parliament did not agree with the "Glorious Revolution" that had happened in England. In England, King James II had been replaced by William of Orange. The Irish Parliament, led by Nagle, believed that King James II had a special right from God to be the King of Ireland. They did not accept William as their king.

William, who was now King of England, wanted to take control of Ireland from James. This led to a big conflict called the Williamite War.

Richard Nagle strongly disagreed with a law called the Act of Settlement 1662. This law had punished people who supported the King and Roman Catholics during the Civil Wars. Nagle even wrote a paper called A Letter from Coventry against this law. He tried to get the Parliament to cancel the law, but he was not successful.

Life in Exile

In 1690, King James's army was defeated by William's army at the Battle of the Boyne. After this loss, King James went back to Dublin. He held a meeting with his advisors, and Richard Nagle was one of them. They advised the King to leave Ireland and go to France. They thought he might be captured if he stayed. King James followed their advice and left.

Later that year, Nagle and the Earl of Tyrconnell visited King James at his new home in France, Saint-Germain. While Nagle was away, another person, Thomas Nugent, 1st Baron Nugent of Riverston, took over his duties as Secretary of State.

After the Earl of Tyrconnell passed away, Sir Richard Nagle became one of the Lord Justices of Ireland. The other two were Francis Plowden and Baron Fitton of Gawsworth. These three men were in charge of the parts of Ireland that still supported King James. However, they did not lead the army.

Family Life

Sir Richard Nagle married Jane (also known as Joan) O'Kearney on September 19, 1669. Their wedding took place in Clonbrogan, Ireland. Jane's sister, Mary O'Kearney, married Sir Richard's brother, Pierce Nagle. Pierce was the high sheriff of County Cork in 1689.