William Piers (constable) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Piers
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| Born | c. 1510 York, England |
| Died | 1603 |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | England |
| Rank | Captain |
William Piers (born around 1510 – died 1603) was an English soldier and leader. He spent most of his life in Ireland. He is known as the first mayor and a key founder of Carrickfergus. Piers worked hard to remove the Scots from Ulster. He also tried to make local Irish chiefs stronger. For his military service, he received Tristernagh Abbey. This became his family home from the late 1560s until he died in 1603.
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William Piers's Early Life
William Piers came from a family in York, England. His family home was called Piers Hall. His father was Richard Piers. Not much is known about his schooling.
In 1555, a court document described him. It said he was a "tall, strong man with a big, brown beard." At that time, he was a captain of a ship. The ship was given to him by James Fitzgerald, who was the 13th Earl of Desmond.
William Piers was asked to join a naval trip. This trip was against the Scots in the North Channel and the Hebrides. Thomas Radcliffe, Lord Fitzwalter, who was in charge of Ireland, recruited him.
Piers and his partners also had a contract to fish in the River Bann. This might have been a secret way to have ships in the area. In 1558, Piers took part in another sea attack. This attack was against the MacDonalds. They were moving to Ulster.
In 1562, Piers met with James MacDonald in Kintyre. They started to have friendly talks. Piers stayed in touch with the MacDonalds for a few years. But soon, he would try his best to limit their power.
William Piers's Career in Ireland
Becoming Governor of Carrickfergus
William Piers helped Princess Elizabeth during a difficult time. He helped her escape from her sister, Queen Mary. When Elizabeth became Queen, she favored Piers. In the 1560s, he gained an important military rank. Queen Elizabeth chose him to go to Ireland in 1566.
For his work there, he received a large amount of land. This included Tristernagh Abbey, which became his family home.
In 1567, Piers received a reward of 1000 marks. He brought the head of Shane O'Neill to Sir Henry Sidney. Shane O'Neill was a powerful Irish chief. Piers displayed the head on the gates of Dublin Castle. Some reports say Piers dug up Shane O'Neill's body to do this. In 1568, Piers was made governor of Carrickfergus. He also became the Seneschal (a royal officer) of County Antrim.
After Shane O'Neill died, Piers continued to try and stop Scottish groups from coming into the northeast. In 1569, he was defeated by 400 Scots in Clandeboye. Soon after, he became Seneschal of Clandeboye. In this role, he represented the Queen. He also helped connect the government with local Irish leaders. He used his position to help Carrickfergus grow in trade. From 1572 to 1573, he was the city's mayor. Important local chiefs, like Sir Brian McPhelim O'Neill, supported him strongly.
In 1574, Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex arrested Piers. Essex accused Piers of sharing military secrets with Sir Brian McPhelim O'Neill. Piers was held in Carrickfergus Castle in December. But Piers was later set free. He was given back his role as constable of Carrickfergus in 1575. Sir Brian McPhelim O'Neill, however, was executed by Essex.
Later Years and Retirement
In the 1570s, Piers became interested in new settlement projects in the northeast. In 1578, he sent ideas to the government in London. He wanted to develop the Ards peninsula. He also wanted to create a company to control trade along the coast. This company would lease land to local chiefs. This plan aimed to remove the Scots from Ulster.
His business ideas did not work out. His political efforts also failed. He tried to make a deal with Turlough Luineach O'Neill to remove the Scots from Ulster in 1580. The Queen and her council supported him. But Piers faced strong opposition from Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton. Grey stopped Piers's plans from being approved. This was a big setback for Piers. It marked the end of his power in Clandeboye.
He retired to Tristernagh in 1582. His health slowly got worse. By 1593, he had trouble moving his legs. However, he did visit England in 1591. Even after retiring, he still cared about removing the Scots from Ulster. He suggested ways to weaken Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone. He also tried to make lesser local chiefs more powerful. But again, his ideas were rejected.
William Piers's Family Life
William Piers married Ann Holt. She was from Holt Castle in County of Chester. They had one son, Henry. They also had two daughters, Mary and Anne. His nephew, also named William Piers, later became a mayor of Carrickfergus.
One of his great-grandsons was Sir Henry Piers, 1st Baronet (born around 1628 – died 1691). He started the Piers Baronets family line at Tristernagh Abbey in 1661. This family line still exists today.
William Piers died in 1603. He was buried in Carrickfergus.
Images for kids
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Tristernagh Abbey, William Piers's family home.
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Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex tried to arrest Piers in 1574.
