Rowland Eustace, 2nd Viscount Baltinglass facts for kids

Roland Eustace, the 2nd Viscount Baltinglass, was an important figure in Irish history. He was born in 1505 in Harristown, County Kildare, Ireland, and passed away in 1578. His father was Sir Thomas Eustace, the 1st Viscount Baltinglass, and his mother was Margaret Talbot.

Early Life and Beliefs

Roland Eustace spent his early years living in a place called Blackrath. He became the Viscount Baltinglass and took over the family estate at Harristown in 1549, after his father passed away. His family, the Eustaces, were strong followers of the Catholic faith. This was during a time called the English Reformation, when many people in England and Ireland were changing their religious beliefs.

Roland's father had helped build a church called New Abbey near Kilcullen. However, King Henry VIII closed down this abbey in 1539.

Roland Eustace in Parliament

In 1558, Roland Eustace became a member of the first Irish Parliament under Queen Elizabeth I. He strongly disagreed with Queen Elizabeth's Act of Uniformity. This law tried to make everyone follow the same religious practices.

Because he opposed this law and took other actions, an order was given in 1567 for his arrest. The plan was to send him to London, but this order was never carried out. Before this, in 1561, he had even been appointed as a Justice of the Peace for County Kildare. This meant he helped keep law and order in the area.

Roland Eustace's Family

Roland Eustace married Joan Butler around 1528. They had eight children together: six sons and two daughters.

His Daughters

• Joan: She married Sir Barnaby Fitzpatrick, 2nd Baron Upper Ossory.
• Eleanor: She married Sir Edmund Butler. Eleanor was the mother of Catherine, who later married William Eustace of Castlemartin.

His Sons

• James Eustace, 3rd Viscount Baltinglass: He was born in 1530 and died in 1585. He later became the 3rd Viscount Baltinglass.
• Edmund: He married Frances Pipho and later Joan Walsh. Edmund was involved in a conflict with his brothers known as the Baltinglass Rebellion. He went to Scotland in 1583 and then to Spain. He served in the Spanish Armada in 1588. He passed away in Portugal in 1597.
• Thomas: He was involved in the Baltinglass Rebellion and died in 1582.
• William: It was believed he was killed in a battle in 1581. However, this might not have been true, as a part of the Eustace family later tried to claim the Baltinglass title.
• Walter Eustace: He was captured in 1583 and died.
• Richard Eustace: He was in Paris during the rebellion, helping to get supplies for his brothers. He later became a priest in Rome.