Sir Christopher Aylmer, 1st Baronet facts for kids
Sir Christopher Aylmer, 1st Baronet (born around 1620, died 1671) was an important landowner in Ireland. A landowner is someone who owns a lot of land, often with farms and homes on it.
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Who Was Sir Christopher Aylmer?
Sir Christopher Aylmer was the first person in his family to be given the title of Baronet. A Baronet is a special title given by the King or Queen, which is passed down through the family. It's like being a knight, but the title stays in the family for generations.
Family Background and Land
Christopher Aylmer was the son of Gerald Aylmer. His family belonged to a group called the Old English. These were families who came to Ireland from England many centuries ago. They lived in an area known as The Pale, which was a part of Ireland controlled by the English government. Most of these families, including the Aylmers, remained Roman Catholic.
Losing and Regaining Land
During a time called the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the Aylmer family lost their lands. This was a period when Oliver Cromwell and his army took control of Ireland. Many Irish families, especially Catholics, had their lands taken away.
However, things changed during the Restoration. This was when the King of England returned to power after Cromwell's rule. Because of this, the Aylmer family got their lands back. In 1662, Christopher Aylmer was given the title of Baronet.
His Family and Legacy
Sir Christopher Aylmer married Margaret Plunkett. Her father was Matthew Plunkett, who was the 5th Baron Louth.
Sir Christopher had two sons who became important naval officers. One son, Matthew Aylmer, became a very famous Admiral in the navy. An Admiral is a very high-ranking officer in the navy.
His other son, George Aylmer, also became a Captain in the navy. Sadly, George was killed in 1689 during a battle called the Battle of Bantry Bay.
Through his son Matthew, Sir Christopher Aylmer is an ancestor of the later Aylmer Barons. An ancestor is someone from whom you are descended. Sir Christopher's oldest son, Sir Gerald Aylmer, 2nd Baronet, took over his father's title when Sir Christopher died.
