Richard Preston, 1st Earl of Desmond facts for kids

Sir Richard Preston, 1st Earl of Desmond (died 1628) was a very close friend and trusted helper of King James VI and I of Scotland and England. King James liked him so much that he gave him important titles and helped him marry a wealthy heiress. Richard Preston became a powerful person in the king's court.

Early Life and Family Background

Richard Preston was born in Midlothian, Scotland, near Edinburgh. He was the third son of Richard Preston of Whitehill. His family was important in the Edinburgh area and even owned Craigmillar Castle for a while.

A King's Special Friend

Richard Preston started his career as a page at the King's court in Edinburgh around 1591. A page was like an assistant or servant to the King.

King James often had special friends or "favourites" at his court. These were people he trusted a lot and gave important jobs and titles to. One of the first was Esmé Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox. After Lennox left Scotland, Richard Preston became one of King James's most trusted companions.

When King James became King of England in 1603, Richard went with him to London. He was made a knight at the King's coronation ceremony on July 25, 1603. This was a very old and fancy ceremony! After that, he became a "groom of the privy chamber," which meant he had a close role in the King's personal staff.

In 1607, Richard was put in charge of Dingwall Castle in Scotland. He also bought the land around Dingwall. On June 8, 1609, the King made him a lord, giving him the title Lord Dingwall. Later, another person named Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset became a favourite of the King, and he seemed to take over some of Lord Dingwall's special role.

In 1609, Lord Dingwall took part in a special event called the Accession Day tournament. He even presented a show with a huge artificial elephant, which was designed by a famous artist named Inigo Jones.

Marriage and Family Life

In 1614, King James arranged for Lord Dingwall to marry a very rich young woman named Lady Elizabeth Butler. She was the only daughter of a powerful Irish nobleman, Thomas Butler, also known as "Black Tom." Elizabeth was also a widow; her first husband had died without children.

Black Tom, Elizabeth's father, wasn't happy about this marriage because he didn't want the King's favourite as his son-in-law. But he couldn't say no to the King! Black Tom died soon after the wedding, in November 1614.

Richard and Elizabeth had one child:

• Elizabeth (1615–1684). She grew up to marry James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond and became the Duchess of Ormond.

Becoming an Earl and Later Years

On July 19, 1619, Lord Dingwall received an even higher title: the 1st Earl of Desmond. This title had been used before by other powerful families in Ireland, but it was given to Richard Preston by the King.

In 1623, King James I made the young James Butler (who would later marry Richard's daughter) a ward of Lord Desmond. This meant Lord Desmond was responsible for James's care and education. James was sent to live in London with George Abbot, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be raised as a Protestant.

Richard's wife, Elizabeth Butler, passed away on October 10, 1628, in Wales. Just a few weeks later, on October 28, 1628, Lord Desmond himself drowned while traveling by ship between Dublin, Ireland, and Holyhead, Wales. After his death, the title of Earl of Desmond that he held ended.

Timeline of Key Events