Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh facts for kids

Sir Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh (born before 1589 – died 1643) was an important leader in Ireland. He shared the role of Lord President of Connaught with Charles Wilmot, 1st Viscount Wilmot. During the Irish Rebellion of 1641 and the start of the Irish Confederate Wars, he led the government's soldiers in Connaught. He defended the town of Athlone against James Dillon until February 1643.

Who Was Roger Jones?

His Family and Early Life

Roger Jones was born in Ireland before the year 1589. He was the only son of Thomas Jones and Margaret Purdon. His father was an Anglican minister, which means he was a priest in the Church of Ireland. In 1584, his father became the Bishop of Meath. Later, in 1605, he became the Archbishop of Dublin and also the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. This was a very important job, like being the chief judge and a top government official. Roger's father's family came from Lancashire in England. His mother, Margaret, was the daughter of Adam Purdon from County Louth.

Roger had two sisters, but we don't know if they were older or younger than him:

• Margaret, who married Gilbert Domvile. Their son, William Domville, became the Attorney General for Ireland, a top legal job.
• Jane, who married Henry Piers.

Becoming a Knight

In October 1605, Roger's father became the Lord Chancellor of Ireland and the Archbishop of Dublin. This was a big step for the family. On March 26, 1607, Roger was made a knight in Drogheda. From then on, he was known as Sir Roger Jones.

His Marriages and Children

First Marriage

In 1609, Sir Roger Jones married Frances Moore. Her father was Sir Garret Moore, 1st Viscount Moore, a powerful man from Drogheda.

Roger and Frances had four children: two boys and two girls:

• Arthur, who would take over his father's title. He married Lady Catherine Boyle, who was the sister of Robert Boyle, a famous scientist, and Mary Rich, Countess of Warwick, a well-known writer.
• Margaret, who married John Clotworthy, 1st Viscount Massereene.
• Mary, who married twice. Her first husband was John Chichester. Their son, Arthur Chichester, 2nd Earl of Donegall, later inherited a high title. Mary also had a daughter named Elizabeth. After her first husband died, Mary married Christopher Copley.
• Thomas, whose family would later become Viscounts Ranelagh again in 1759.

Second Marriage

Sadly, Roger's first wife, Frances, died on November 23, 1620. A few years later, around 1625, Roger married his second wife, Catherine Longueville. Her father was Sir Henry Longueville. Catherine's aunt was the sister of Henry Cary, 1st Viscount Falkland, who was the Lord Deputy of Ireland (like a governor) from 1622 to 1629.

Roger and Catherine had one daughter:

• Elizabeth, who married Colonel Robert Sandys.

His second wife died in November 1627.

Important Roles and Challenges

Member of Parliament and Viscount

From 1613 to 1615, Sir Roger Jones was a member of the Parliament of Ireland. He represented the town of Trim in County Meath.

On April 10, 1619, his father, the Archbishop, passed away. A few months later, on August 20, 1619, Roger became a member of the Privy Council of Ireland. This was a group of trusted advisors to the King's representative in Ireland.

On August 25, 1628, King Charles I gave Sir Roger a special honor. He was made the 1st Viscount Ranelagh and also Baron Jones of Navan. This meant he was now a "peer," a member of the nobility.

President of Connaught

On September 11, 1630, Viscount Ranelagh was given a very important job: he became the joint President of Connaught. This meant he was in charge of the government and military in the western part of Ireland. He shared this role with Charles Wilmot, 1st Viscount Wilmot. Ranelagh moved to Athlone and took command of the soldiers and forts there.

During a Parliament meeting between 1640 and 1649, some Catholic members tried to remove Ranelagh from his position. However, Protestant members stopped this from happening.

The Irish Rebellion and His Death

When the Irish Rebellion of 1641 began, Ranelagh was in charge of defending Athlone. He held the town against Irish rebel forces led by James Dillon throughout 1642.

In January 1643, the top government officials in Ireland, called the Lord Justices, sent Sir Richard Grenville to Athlone with supplies. Ranelagh decided to leave Athlone and return to Dublin with Grenville and his soldiers. On their way back, they fought a battle against rebel forces at Battle of Rathconnell on February 7, 1643, which Grenville won.

Back in Dublin, Ranelagh was accused of not doing his job well as President of Connaught. A long list of complaints was sent to the King. At first, Ranelagh was not allowed to leave Ireland, but the King later let him travel to Oxford, England, to explain himself.

In 1643, Viscount Ranelagh died in Oxford while he was with King Charles I. His son, Arthur, became the 2nd Viscount Ranelagh.

Timeline of Roger Jones's Life

• Before 1589: Born.
• 1605: His father became Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Archbishop of Dublin.
• 1607: Knighted at Drogheda.
• 1609: Married his first wife, Frances Moore.
• 1619: His father died.
• 1620: His first wife died.
• Around 1625: Married his second wife, Catherine Longueville.
• 1627: His second wife died.
• 1628: Became Viscount Ranelagh.
• 1630: Appointed joint President of Connaught.
• 1643: Present at the Battle of Rathconnell.
• 1643: Died in Oxford. His son Arthur became the 2nd Viscount.