William St Lawrence, 12th Baron Howth facts for kids

William St Lawrence, the 12th Baron Howth (born 1628, died 1671), was an important Irish nobleman during a time called the Restoration. This was when King Charles II returned to the throne in England and Ireland. William was known for being smart and well-liked. Many believed he would have become a very important leader in Irish politics, but he sadly passed away too soon.

Early Life and Family

William St Lawrence was born in 1628, probably in a town called Colchester in England. He was the only son of Nicholas St Lawrence, 11th Baron Howth and Jane Montgomery. His mother, Jane, was the daughter of George Montgomery, who was a bishop in Derry, Ireland.

William's family, the St Lawrences, owned land near Colchester. This is likely why he went to school there. He started at Colchester Grammar School in 1639.

A Time of Change

William's father passed away during the English Civil War. This was a big conflict in England, and William's father was a strong supporter of the King (a Royalist). Because of this, his family's property was damaged by the King's opponents.

After his father died, William was mostly left in peace. He even served briefly with the Royalist forces. In 1660, he used his influence to help bring King Charles II back to power. This event is known as the Restoration of Charles II. A powerful leader named James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde even suggested William to the King as a good military commander.

Public Service and Influence

In 1661, William was given an important job as Custos Rotulorum for Dublin. This meant he was in charge of keeping the county's records. He also became a member of the Irish House of Lords, which was like a parliament. There, he worked on several important groups, including one that looked into people's complaints.

By 1665, William was helping with legal matters at general meetings in Kilmainham. He also had a good relationship with John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor, who took over from Ormond as the King's main representative in Ireland. William even welcomed him to Howth Castle in 1669.

Later Life and Legacy

William became ill in 1671 and passed away in June of that year. His will, which is a legal document about his wishes, showed that he had many talented friends. These friends included Thomas Butler, 6th Earl of Ossory, who became the guardian for William's children. Another friend was John Keating, who later became a very important judge in Ireland. William was also friends with a leading doctor named Nicholas Henshaw.

William asked to be buried in a new vault at St. Mary's Church in Howth.

Family

William St Lawrence married his cousin, Elizabeth St Lawrence. She was the widow of Colonel Fitzwilliam. They had several children:

• Thomas St Lawrence, 13th Baron Howth
• Charles
• Mary, who married Henry Montgomery, the 3rd Earl of Mount Alexander
• Sarah, who married Thomas Stepney
• Martha, who married Hugh O'Neill, who later became a judge.