Toby Bourke (Jacobite) facts for kids

Theobald Bourke (born 1675, died May 12, 1742) was an important Irish figure known by many names, including Toby Bourke and Tobias du Bourk. He worked as a courtier, agent, and diplomat for the Jacobites. The Jacobites were supporters of the Stuart royal family, who had been removed from the throne of Great Britain and Ireland.

Early Life and Education

Theobald Bourke was born in Shanid, a place in County Limerick, Ireland. His parents were Richard Bourke and Silena O'Brien. His family was Roman Catholic. In 1688, when he was about 13, he was sent to study at the Irish College in Bordeaux, France. This college was a place where Irish Catholic students could get an education.

After a war in Ireland called the Williamite War in Ireland ended, Bourke moved to France. He joined the Stuart royal family, who were living in exile at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Military Service and Early Career

Bourke joined the Irish Brigade, which was a group of Irish soldiers fighting for France. He fought in a major conflict known as the Nine Years' War. After his time as a soldier, he found work in the household of Cardinal de Bouillon. The Cardinal was the French ambassador to Rome, which meant he was France's top representative in Rome.

Working for the Jacobite Cause

In 1702, Theobald Bourke received a special honor. He was knighted and made a baronet by James Francis Edward Stuart. James Stuart was known as the "Old Pretender" and was the Jacobite claimant to the British throne. In January 1704, James Stuart appointed Bourke as a gentleman of his privy chamber, a trusted position in his royal household.

In 1705, Mary of Modena, who was the Jacobite Queen Regent (meaning she ruled for her son, James Stuart), gave Bourke another important role. She made him the Jacobite ambassador to Philip V of Spain. This meant he was the Jacobite representative in Spain.

Jacobite Activities in Spain

While in Madrid, Spain, Theobald Bourke became the main person in charge of Jacobite activities there. He helped Irish people who had moved or were exiled to Spain. For example, he assisted important figures like James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde. Bourke also helped men join the Regiment of Hibernia, an Irish military unit in the Spanish army.

In 1705, Bourke also started working as an informant for a French diplomat named the Marquess of Torcy. Bourke sent detailed reports to Torcy twice a year. In return, he received 6,000 francs annually from King Louis XIV of France.

Later Life and Challenges

In 1713, a peace treaty called the Peace of Utrecht was signed. This treaty caused relations between the Jacobite court and the Spanish court to become difficult. Despite this, Bourke continued to live in Spain.

In 1715, a Spanish diplomat named Giulio Alberoni asked Bourke to go on a special mission to Charles XII of Sweden. However, this mission was later canceled. The Spanish government refused to pay Bourke back for the costs of this trip. To make matters worse, his wife and children were captured by the British admiral George Byng while they were sailing to Sweden.

After these difficulties, Theobald Bourke joined the exiled Stuart court in Rome. In February 1727, he was given another high honor. He was made a peer in the Jacobite peerage as Baron Bourke. He returned to Spain by 1739 and passed away there in 1742.