Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery facts for kids

Roger Boyle was an important Anglo-Irish soldier and politician who lived from 1621 to 1679. He was known as Lord Broghill for most of his life, until 1660. Boyle fought in the Irish Confederate Wars and was known for his strong views on Irish politics. He was also a talented writer and playwright, and he wrote about warfare in the 1600s. He served in the English Parliament at different times between 1654 and 1679.

Roger Boyle: A Key Figure in Irish History

Early Life and Education

Roger Boyle was born on April 25, 1621. He was the third son of Richard Boyle, who was the 1st Earl of Cork, and his second wife, Catherine Fenton. Roger was named after his older brother who had passed away.

When he was almost seven years old, in 1628, he was given the title Baron of Broghill in Ireland. He went to Trinity College, Dublin in 1630 and later studied at Gray's Inn in 1636. From 1636 to 1639, he traveled across Europe, visiting France, Switzerland, and Italy. After returning home, he took part in the Bishops Wars against the Scots.

Fighting in the Wars

The Irish Rebellion and Civil War

Roger Boyle returned to Ireland when a rebellion started in 1641. He fought alongside his brothers against the Irish rebels at the Battle of Liscarroll in September 1642. The English in Ireland, including Boyle, became vulnerable when the English Civil War began in England.

At first, Boyle served under the Royalist Marquis of Ormonde. However, he later agreed to serve with the Parliamentarian leaders in Cork against the Irish Confederates. Boyle fought with the Parliamentarians until King Charles I was executed. After this, he stopped his public work and moved to Marston in Somerset, England.

Working with Oliver Cromwell

Later, Roger Boyle started a plan to bring King Charles II back to the throne. But before he could meet the King, Oliver Cromwell visited him in London. Cromwell told him that his plans were known and warned him to stop. Cromwell then offered him a command in Ireland to fight the rebels, which Boyle accepted.

Boyle's help in Ireland was very important during Cromwell's conquest of the country. He became the master of the ordnance, which meant he was in charge of weapons and supplies. He quickly gathered soldiers and drove the rebels into Kilkenny, where they surrendered. He also convinced the Royalist soldiers in Cork to switch sides and join the Parliamentarians.

On May 10, 1650, he completely defeated an Irish force at the Battle of Macroom. When Cromwell left for Scotland, Boyle worked with Henry Ireton and joined him at the siege of Limerick. In 1651, he defeated an Irish force marching to help Limerick at the Battle of Knocknaclashy. This was the last battle of the Irish Confederate Wars, and it led to Limerick being captured.

By this time, Boyle had become a close friend and supporter of Cromwell. He liked Cromwell's strong actions in Ireland and his support for the English and Protestants. Boyle was elected to Parliament for County Cork in 1654 and again in 1656. He also chose to represent Edinburgh in Scotland. In 1656, he served as the Lord President of the Council in Scotland and became very popular there. He stayed at Old Moray House in Edinburgh. When he returned to England, he joined Cromwell's inner council. In 1657, he was made a member of the new House of Lords. He was one of the strongest supporters of Cromwell becoming king. He even suggested that Cromwell's daughter Frances marry Charles II.

The Restoration and Later Life

After Oliver Cromwell died, Boyle supported his son, Richard Cromwell. But when it became clear that Richard's government could not last, Boyle went to Ireland. He took command in Munster and helped secure Ireland for King Charles II. He even invited the King to land at Cork, before Monk's famous actions.

In 1660, Boyle was elected to Parliament for Arundel, even though he was busy in Ireland. On September 5, 1660, he was given the title Earl of Orrery. In the same year, he became one of the three Lord Justices of Ireland and helped create the Act of Settlement 1662. In 1661, he was re-elected to Parliament for Arundel. He also founded the town of Charleville, County Cork, near his home. Sadly, his mansion house in Broghill was burned down by Irish forces later.

He continued to serve as the lord-president of Munster until 1668. He resigned because of disagreements with the Duke of Ormonde, who was the lord-lieutenant of Ireland. On November 25, he faced accusations from the House of Commons for "raising money by his own authority." However, the King stopped Parliament, and the accusations were not continued. In 1673, he was appointed Custos Rotulorum of County Limerick, a position he held until his death.

Roger Boyle's Writings

Besides his work as a politician and leader, Lord Orrery was also known as a writer and playwright. Here are some of his works:

• An Answer to a Scandalous Letter ... A Full Discovery of the Treachery of the Irish Rebels (1662)
• Parthenissa, a novel (published in parts from 1651 to 1669)
• English-Adventures by a Person of Honor (1676), a story that inspired another play.
• A Treatise of the Art of War (1677), an important book about warfare in his time.

He also wrote some poems, including:

• On His Majesty's Happy Restoration
• On the Death of Abraham Cowley (1677)
• The Dream
• Poems on most of the Festivals of the Church (1681)

He wrote plays in verse, which were good for reading but less for acting:

• Henry V (1664), a heroic drama.
• The Generall (1664), a tragi-comedy. Samuel Pepys, a famous diarist, called it "the worst I ever saw or heard."
• Mustapha (1665), a tragedy.
• Tryphon : a tragedy (acted 1668, printed 1669).
• The Black Prince (acted 1667; printed 1669), a heroic drama.
• Herod the Great (published 1694 but not acted), a tragedy.
• Altemira (1702), a tragedy.
• Guzman (1669), a comedy.
• Mr. Anthony (1690), a comedy.

A collection of his works was published in 1737.

His Family

Roger Boyle was the brother of Robert Boyle, a famous scientist.

Roger Boyle married Lady Margaret Howard. She was the third daughter of Theophilus, 2nd Earl of Suffolk. A poet named John Suckling wrote about her beauty in his poem "The Bride." Roger and Margaret had five daughters and two sons. Their oldest son, Roger (1646–1681/1682), became the 2nd Earl of Orrery after his father. Their daughter Elizabeth married Folliott Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt. Two other children, Henry and Margaret, married children of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin. Henry was the father of Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon.