Thomas Lee (army captain) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Thomas Lee
Thomas Lee in an English interpretation of Irish dress by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, 1594
Born	March 1553 Bygging Hall, Nr Grandborough, Buckinghamshire, England
Died	14 February 1601 (aged 49–50) Tyburn
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Peppard Kinborough Valentine
Issue	Henry Lee<
Father	Benedict Lee
Mother	Margaret Pakington

Thomas Lee (born around 1551 or 1552 – died 14 February 1601) was an English army captain. He worked for Queen Elizabeth I for most of his life. Captain Lee spent much of his career in Ireland during a time when England was trying to take control there. He was an important figure during the Nine Years' War (1595–1603). Sadly, he was put to death for being involved with the Earl of Essex's actions against the Queen.

Early Life and Family Connections

Thomas Lee was part of a well-known family. His parents were Benedict Lee and Margaret Pakington. Thomas was also a cousin to Sir Henry Lee. Sir Henry Lee was a famous person at Queen Elizabeth's court. He was known as the Queen's champion.

Starting His Military Career

Thomas Lee began his military career in Ireland. He likely arrived there around 1574. He was part of a plan to settle English people in eastern Ulster. By 1576, he was working as a constable in Carrickfergus. A constable is like a police officer or a military leader.

In 1578, Thomas Lee married Elizabeth Peppard. She was an Irish Catholic widow. Through this marriage, he gained a lot of land. This included Castlemartin in County Kildare. He also bought other properties later, like Castle Reban.

Dealing with Rebellions in Ireland

In 1581, Thomas Lee was helping the English government. He worked to stop a rebellion led by the Eustace family. This rebellion was happening in an area called the Pale. The Pale was a small part of Ireland controlled by the English. Lee was successful in capturing a rebel leader, Thomas Eustace.

However, Lee sometimes upset other English leaders. The Earl of Ormond did not like Lee's actions. He called Lee "this railing fellow." In 1583, Lee's group of soldiers was disbanded. But he was praised by important officials like Archbishop Adam Loftus. They said he was a good soldier.

Working for Lord Deputy Perrot

In 1584, Thomas Lee went to England. When he returned, he worked for the new leader in Ireland, John Perrot. Lee helped fight against a rebel named Cahir Oge Kavanagh. During one fight, Lee and his 60 men were outnumbered. But they still managed to capture the sheriff and defeat some of his men. This event made the Earl of Ormond even more angry with Lee.

Lee tried to capture another rebel leader, Walter Reagh. But his plan was discovered. Lee and his wife separated in 1587. Around this time, Lee also had problems with Lord Deputy Perrot. He was even put in Dublin Castle for eight weeks.

In 1591, Lee's home, Castlemartin, caught fire. He lost a lot of money and belongings. He believed that Nicholas White was responsible for the fire.

Service in Ulster and Negotiations

In 1593, Lee joined a military trip against Hugh Maguire. He was praised for his bravery in battle. He was the first to cross a river during the fight.

Lee became close with Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone. O'Neill was a powerful Irish leader. Lee helped the English government talk with O'Neill in 1594. This was before the Nine Years' War began.

Lee traveled to England to help with talks. He also had his portrait painted by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. In his writings, Lee suggested that the war could have been avoided. He believed the English had pushed too far into O'Neill's lands. However, Lord Deputy FitzWilliam did not agree. He called Lee "indigent and desperate."

Lee returned to Ireland in 1595. He was involved in a fight where Kedagh MacPhelim Reagh was killed. Lee was again put in Dublin Castle. In 1596, Lee helped capture Cloghan Castle. The soldiers inside refused to surrender. Lee's men set the castle on fire, and many died.

Lee continued to advise the Queen's secretary, Lord Burghley. He suggested a peaceful approach with O'Neill. But Lee soon realized that O'Neill was too confident in his own power. He thought O'Neill would only be defeated by force.

Pursuing Fiach McHugh O'Byrne

Lee felt he was not being rewarded enough for his service. He complained that Fiach McHugh O'Byrne, another Irish leader, was causing trouble. He also claimed that the Butler family had taken his cattle and burned his towns.

In 1596, Lee was praised for capturing and killing seventeen rebels. In 1597, he asked for permission to capture or kill O'Byrne. Lee was promoted to a new role in Connacht. The next month, he led the group that killed O'Byrne. He was praised for this action.

Lee received some of O'Byrne's lands from the government. He also gained power to enforce martial law in south Leinster. Lee accused the sheriff of Kilkenny of helping rebels. He also faced accusations himself. People said he had harmed Art O'Toole and forced his brother, Rowny, into rebellion.

Challenges During the War

In 1598, O'Neill defeated the English at the Battle of the Yellow Ford. After this, Lee was put in prison in Dublin for twenty weeks. He was accused of treason. This was because he had tried to get O'Neill appointed as a leader in Ulster.

Lee was eventually released. He then went with the Earl of Ormond to fight a rebellion in Munster. A month later, Lee was back in prison. He had claimed that Ormond was secretly helping the rebels.

Working with the Earl of Essex

In 1599, Lee's friend, William FitzGerald, 13th Earl of Kildare, died. This happened while Kildare was traveling to join Essex in Ireland. Essex was leading a costly and unsuccessful campaign against O'Neill.

After his release, Lee secretly visited O'Neill in 1599. It was rumored that they planned to harm Ormond. But Essex forgave Lee for his unauthorized meetings. Lee visited O'Neill again. He found O'Neill to be very proud and arrogant. Lee cursed him and left.

Lee went to England in late 1599. He was under house arrest with Essex. Lee was accused of treason by Miler Magrath, the archbishop of Cashel. Lee asked for a chance to defend himself.

In 1600, Lee asked to return to Ireland. He wrote a document called Discovery. In it, he suggested ways to take back control of Leinster. He also proposed an alliance with Irish chiefs in Connacht. The Queen agreed to most of his ideas, but not to appointing Lee to a high position.

On 12 February 1601, Lee tried to help Essex. Essex had been arrested for treason. Lee planned to surprise the Queen and make her sign a document to free Essex. However, one of his helpers told the authorities. Lee was arrested while preparing for his plan.

Lee was tried on 13 February. He spoke bravely in defense of Essex. He admitted that he often spoke too freely. He said he had lived a difficult life and did not care to live anymore. He claimed he only wanted to "vex her for half an hour." Lee was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was put to death at Tyburn on 14 February 1601. Essex was executed eleven days later.

Family Life

Thomas Lee married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Peppard. They had a son and a daughter:

• Henry Lee (born around 1585 – died 9 October 1657). He was knighted in 1618. He died unmarried.
• Margaret Lee, who married Sir Charles Manners.

His second wife was Kinborough Valentine. They married in 1595. Kinborough had three children in Ireland: William (born 1593), Martha (born 1591), and Mary (born 1592).

Thomas Lee's Writings

Thomas Lee wrote two important documents:

• A brief declaration of the government of Ireland (around 1594)
• The discovery and recovery of Ireland with the author's apology (around 1599)

His Famous Portrait

Thomas Lee's portrait was painted in 1594. He was 43 years old at the time. The artist was Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger from Flanders. His cousin, Sir Henry Lee, probably asked for the painting. The portrait shows Thomas Lee dressed as a captain of the royal kerne. He is shown with bare legs and feet, which was common for fighting in Irish bogs. He is also armed with a shield, sword, helmet, pike, and a horse pistol.

Images for kids

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  Thomas Lee in an English interpretation of Irish dress by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, 1594