Robert Hovenden (Ireland) facts for kids
Robert Hovenden was an Irish person who took part in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. He was the half-brother of Sir Phelim O'Neill, a main leader of the rebellion, which mostly happened in Ulster. Even though Robert Hovenden came from a family of New English settlers, he was a Roman Catholic. Many other Hovenden family members in Ireland were also Catholic.
Who Was Robert Hovenden?
Robert Hovenden's father, also named Robert Hovenden, married the widow of Turlough Og O'Neill in 1613. Turlough Og O'Neill had died while fighting for the Crown during O'Doherty's Rebellion. This marriage connected the Hovenden family to the powerful O'Neill family.
The Hovenden family gained land in Kinard, which is in County Tyrone. Some of this land belonged to Robert Hovenden. However, Sir Phelim O'Neill, as the main heir, was the most important person in that area. Sir Phelim was also a member of the Irish Parliament for Dungannon.
The Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 was a major uprising in Ireland. It involved Irish Catholics who were unhappy with the way they were treated by the English government and Protestant settlers. They wanted more rights and to protect their land and religion. This rebellion led to many years of conflict in Ireland.
Hovenden's Role in the Rebellion
Robert Hovenden likely knew about the Irish Rebellion before it started. This was because his half-brother, Sir Phelim O'Neill, was a key leader in planning the uprising. Hovenden joined the rebellion, fighting alongside other Irish Catholics. His involvement shows how families could be divided or united by the conflicts of the time.
