William Sarsfield (died 1675) facts for kids

William Sarsfield was an important Irish landowner in the 1600s. He was the older brother of Patrick Sarsfield, a famous soldier who supported King James II.

William came from a mix of Irish backgrounds. His family, the Sarsfields, were "Old English." This means they came to Ireland from England during the Norman conquest in the 1100s. They became important people in an area called The Pale, which was controlled by the English. William's family was also partly Gaelic Irish, as his grandmother was Rory O'Moore's daughter. Like most Old English families, the Sarsfields were Roman Catholic.

Family History and Land

William's great-great-grandfather, Sir William Sarsfield, was once the Mayor of Dublin. He bought a large estate called Lucan Manor.

William's father, Patrick Sarsfield senior, was involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. Even so, he stayed loyal to King Charles I. He helped the king's army fight against English republicans during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. Because of this, he lost his family's lands.

Getting Lands Back

After King Charles II returned to power in Ireland, the Sarsfield family tried to get their lands back. A special court decided that William's father had been involved in the 1641 rebellion. However, this did not stop William and his brothers from inheriting their family's rights.

As the oldest son, William Sarsfield took over the Tully Castle estate in County Kildare. King Charles II also stepped in to help. It was agreed that William would inherit Lucan Manor after its current owner, Theophilus Jones, passed away. However, Jones lived ten years longer than William.

William's Marriage and Children

William Sarsfield married Mary Crofts. Mary's mother, Lucy Walter, had a connection with King Charles II when he was younger. Many people believed that Mary was King Charles II's daughter. Mary's older brother was James Scott, Duke of Monmouth. He also looked after her after their mother died.

William and Mary had three children: Charles, Charlotte, and William. The first two children, Charles and Charlotte, were named after King Charles II. Mary believed that King Charles II was their grandfather.

Later Life and Royal Connections

William Sarsfield died in 1675 from smallpox. After he died, there was a big disagreement about his will. His wife, Mary, said that the Sarsfield family had changed the will to benefit themselves.

After many years, Lucan Manor eventually went to his daughter, Charlotte Sarsfield. Charlotte married Agmondisham Vesey. Their grandson became Charles Bingham, 1st Earl of Lucan.

A Link to Royalty

Charles Bingham's daughter, Lavinia Bingham, married George Spencer, the 2nd Earl Spencer, in 1781. A direct descendant from this marriage was Lady Diana Spencer, who later became Diana, Princess of Wales.

Because of this, William Sarsfield is a direct ancestor of the current British royal family. After Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022, William Sarsfield became an ancestor of the first seven people in line to the British throne. This includes his eight times great-grandson, Prince William of Wales.