Richard Townsend (soldier) facts for kids
Richard Townesend was an English soldier and politician. He was born around 1618 or 1619. Not much is known about his early life before 1643.
In 1643, Richard became a captain in Colonel Ceely's Regiment. This group was formed to protect Lyme Regis. Richard fought in several small battles. One important fight was on March 3, 1643, when he surprised and defeated 150 Royalist horsemen at Bridport.
Later, he helped defend Lyme Regis during a siege from April to June 1644. He showed great bravery and was promoted to Major. He even got shot in the head but survived! In 1645, he took charge of Colonel Ceely's Regiment. This happened when Colonel Ceely became a Member of Parliament for Bridport.
Richard also took part in the siege of Pendennis Castle in August 1646. After this, he wrote a letter to Colonel Ceely. He asked for new orders and what to expect for the regiment's future. This letter is still kept safe in the Bodleian Library in Oxford. After the siege, Richard became a Colonel. He led a regiment of 1000 men who were going to serve in Ireland. They stayed near Bath until June 19, 1647. Then, Parliament ordered them to go to Ireland. They joined the Parliamentary Army there, led by Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin.
Serving in Ireland
On November 13, 1647, Richard led the main group of foot soldiers. This was at the Battle of Knocknanauss, near Mallow. They fought under Lord Inchiquin against the Irish army. The Irish army was led by Theobald Taaffe, 1st Earl of Carlingford.
After this battle, Richard and other officers needed new supplies. They joined Lord Inchiquin in sending a complaint to Parliament in early 1648. Soon after, Lord Inchiquin stopped supporting the English Parliament. He joined forces with Lord Taaff. Richard and some other officers did not agree with this decision. There was a confusing time when people changed sides between Parliament and the Royalists.
When King Charles I was executed on January 30, 1649, all groups in Ireland united against Cromwell. But Richard and other officers in Inchiquin's army did not want to fight against their own countrymen. They decided to support Cromwell. Cromwell had put down rebellions in England and Scotland. Now he was in Ireland and moving towards Munster.
As Richard and the other Colonels were getting Youghal ready for Cromwell, they were betrayed. Lord Inchiquin arrested them and put them in prison in Cork. They were set free when the soldiers in Cork supported Cromwell on October 16, 1649. Later that month, the 'Protestant Army of Munster' in Cork wrote a statement. They said they had been forced to serve the Irish cause by Lord Inchiquin. Richard's name was the first one on this statement. On November 14, 1649, Cromwell wrote to Speaker Lenthall. He said that Colonel Townesend had been very helpful in getting Cork and Youghal to support Cromwell.
Life After the Army
Richard left the army sometime before 1654. He bought a lot of land, about 8,000 acres (32 km2). When King Charles II returned to power in 1666, Richard was pardoned. This meant he did not lose his land, unlike many other soldiers who had supported Cromwell. His land purchases were officially approved by the king in 1666, 1668, and 1680.
He lived for a while at Kilbrittain Castle, near Courtmacsherry. Around 1665, he finally settled at Castletown. This place later became known as Castle Townsend. From about 1870, it was called Castletownshend.
Richard was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Baltimore in the Irish Parliament in 1661. He did not attend Parliament very often and was fined for missing meetings.
In 1666, there was a threat of invasion by the French. The Duke of Ormonde, at the request of the Earl of Orrery, made Richard the Commander of the local army in County Cork. Later, he was made High Sheriff of County Cork on March 12, 1671. He also became the leader of Clonakilty on October 18, 1685.
From the time he moved to Castletownshend until he died, Richard tried to manage his lands. He wanted to live a quiet life as a landowner. However, these were difficult times, especially after King James II came to power in 1685. Richard often had to fight in small battles against Irish rebels. In 1690, rebels led by Colonel O'Driscol tried to attack Castletownshend but failed. Soon after, about 500 rebels led by MacFineen O'Driscoll attacked again. Richard was forced to give up. He later received £40,000 as payment for the damage to his home.
Richard signed his will on June 21, 1692. He said he was sick but still thinking clearly. He died on September 26, 1692. He was buried in the old churchyard at Castlehaven. His tomb is in the old church and has a stone slab that says, 'This is the burial place of the Townesends'.
It is believed that Richard's first wife, Hildegardis Hyde, was a relative of Lord Clarendon. If this is true, it might explain why Richard's life and lands were safe during these difficult times. Many of his friends lost a lot. The last name of Richard's second wife is not certain. However, it is thought to be Kingston because the Kingston family lived near Bandon, and Richard named his fifth son Kingston.
Richard had a large family with seven sons who lived. Only through his son, Colonel Bryan Townsend, do male descendants of Richard exist today.
