Thomas Dillon, 4th Viscount Dillon

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Thomas Dillon, 4th Viscount Dillon PC (Ire) (March 1615 – 1673) held his title for 42 years that saw Strafford's administration, the Irish Rebellion of 1641, the Irish Confederate Wars and the Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland. He was a royalist and supported Strafford and Ormond. He sided with the Confederates for a while but was a moderate who opposed Rinuccini, the papal nuncio.

Lord Dillon fled the field at the Battle of Dungan's Hill (1647) and did not rescue Ormond at the Battle of Rathmines (1649). However, he defended Athlone successfully against Ireton in 1650.

Birth and origins

Family tree
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Thomas was born in March 1615Template:Efn in Ireland. He was the second son of Christopher Dillon and his wife Jane Dillon. His father was the eldest son and heir apparent of Theobald Dillon, 1st Viscount Dillon. Christopher predeceased his father and therefore never succeeded as viscount. He was a member of the landed gentry and known as Christopher Dillon of Ballylaghan in County Mayo.

Thomas's mother was the eldest daughter of James Dillon, 1st Earl of Roscommon. His father's and his mother's family were branches of the same widespread Old English family, established in Ireland in 1185 when Sir Henry Dillon accompanied Prince John to Ireland.Template:Sfn His parents married in 1604 and had seven sons and five daughters.Template:Sfn

Thomas listed among his brothers
He appears below among his brothers as the second son:
  1. Lucas (1610–1629), who was the 2nd Viscount DillonTemplate:Sfn
  2. Thomas (1615–1673)
  3. Theobald, the father of the 6th ViscountTemplate:Sfn
  4. James, never marriedTemplate:Sfn
  5. John, married Bingham's widowTemplate:Sfn
  6. Christopher, died youngTemplate:Sfn
  7. Francis, who died young[1]
Thomas's sisters
  1. Joan, married John O'Madden, chief of his sept in the barony of Longford, Count GalwayTemplate:Sfn
  2. Elizabeth, became a nun in the Order of St. ClareTemplate:Sfn
  3. Mary, became a nun in the Order of St. Clare[2]
  4. Eleanora, died youngTemplate:Sfn
  5. Mary, died young[3]

Viscount

His father died on 28 February 1624 when Thomas was eight years old.Template:Sfn His grandfather, the 1st Viscount, followed him into the grave two weeks later on 15 March 1624.Template:Sfn His elder brother Lucas succeeded his grandfather as the 2nd Viscount Dillon. This Lucas stayed viscount for about five years and died in 1629,Template:Sfn leaving a three months old child, Theobald,Template:Sfn who became the 3rd Viscount and a ward of the King but lasted only about a year dying on 13 May 1630 in his infancy.Template:Sfn Thomas, being his uncle, succeeded as the 4th Viscount Dillon of Costello-Gallen. As he was 15 at the time, he became a ward and the estate was seized by the King, who sold the wardship to Thomas's uncle Lucas Dillon of Loughglynn.Template:Sfn (see Family tree) and to Charles Wilmot, 1st Viscount Wilmot.Template:Sfn Lord Dillon, as he was now, in that same year converted to Protestantism and was received into the Church of Ireland.Template:Sfn

Marriage and children

In 1635 Lord Dillon, aged about 20, married Frances White, daughter of Nicholas White, esquire, of Leixlip, a Protestant,Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn and granddaughter of Garret Moore, 1st Viscount Moore by her mother Ursula Moore.Template:Sfn She brought him a dowry of £3000 (about £Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[". in Template:Inflation/year[4]). Her sister Mary married Theobald Taaffe, the 2nd Viscount Taaffe (later 1st Earl of Carlingford), who thus became his brother-in-law.Template:Sfn

Script error: No such module "anchor". Lucas and Frances had six sons and several daughters, who seem not to be known by name. The sons were:

  1. Charles (born 1636), became a general in French and Spanish service;Template:Sfn
  2. Christopher (died 1663), never married;Template:Sfn
  3. Rupert, died while being a page to Charles II, during his exile;Template:Sfn
  4. Thomas (died 1674), became the 5th Viscount;Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
  5. Ormond, died young;Template:Sfn
  6. Nicholas, died young.[5]

Strafford's administration

Thomas Wentworth, Viscount Wentworth, later the 1st Earl of Strafford, was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland by Charles I on 12 April 1632.Template:Sfn About 1636 Wentworth's sister Elizabeth married James Dillon, 3rd Earl of Roscommon, a first cousin on his mother's side.Template:Sfn In January 1640 Wentworth was raised to Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.Template:Sfn On 12 January 1640 Wentworth was created 1st Earl of Strafford.Template:Sfn

Lord Strafford, as he now was, summoned an Irish Parliament in 1640. This was the second Irish parliament of King Charles I. On 16 March of that year, Lord Dillon took his seat in the House of Lords,Template:Sfn which comprised all Irish peers and had a Catholic majority. The purpose of the parliament was to raise subsidies for an Irish army of 9000Template:Sfn for Charles I to fight the Scots in the Bishops' Wars. The Parliament unanimously voted four subsidies of £45,000.Template:Sfn On 31 March 1640 parliament was prorogued until the first week of June.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

On 3 April 1640 Strafford left Ireland,Template:Sfn called elsewhere by the King, having appointed Christopher Wandesford as Lord Deputy.Template:Efn Wandesford opened the second parliamentary session on 1 June 1640.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn News from England was that the Short Parliament had refused subsidies to the King.Template:Sfn The Irish MPs regretted having voted for subsidies and wanted to change how they would be evaluated and collected.Template:Sfn After two weeks of inconclusive discussions, Wandesford prorogued parliament on 17 June.Template:Sfn

When Parliament met again on 1 October, its mood had turned entirely against Strafford. The Commons sent a committee to England with a remonstrance that listed Strafford's excesses. Dillon together with Gormanston, Kilmallock and Muskerry were sent to London by the House of Lords to report grievances.Template:Sfn Sometime in 1640 before the 23 October Lord Dillon was appointed a member of the Irish Privy council.Template:Sfn Wandesford died on 3 December 1640 and was succeeded by Lord Leicester with the title of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Lord Leicester, however, never set foot on Irish soil.Template:Sfn

Irish wars

In October 1641 the Irish Rebellion broke out. In February 1642, the Irish Parliament sent Lord Dillon and his brother-in-law Lord Taaffe to England to submit grievances to Charles I. However, they were intercepted at Ware by order of the English House of Commons.Template:Sfn They escaped a few months later and met the King at York.Template:Sfn Upon Lord Dillon's return to Ireland, he was promoted Lieutenant-General.Template:Sfn

On 15 September 1643 the Cessation, a ceasefire for one year was signed between the royalists and the Confederation.Template:Sfn This cessation was renewed in September 1644.

In 1644 Lord Dillon was appointed joint President of Connaught together with Henry Wilmot, 2nd Viscount Wilmot,Template:Sfn who had inherited his half of the presidency from his father, Charles Wilmot, 1st Viscount Wilmot in April 1644.Template:Sfn Dillon replaced Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh, who had died in 1643.Template:Sfn

With the arrival of the papal nuncio, Giovanni Battista Rinuccini, in Ireland on 21 October 1645Template:Sfn Lord Dillon's Protestant religion caused him problems. He decided to convert back to Catholicism and on 6 December 1646 Lord Dillon was received back into the Roman Catholic Church by the Nuncio at St Mary's Church,Template:Efn Kilkenny.Template:Sfn He had left Athlone under the command of Captain MacGawly, who betrayed him and handed the town over to Owen Roe O'Neill. After his conversion, the Confederate Council ordered O'Neill to give the town back to Lord Dillon, but O'Neill refused.Template:Sfn

In August 1647, the Confederate Leinster army under Thomas Preston was severely beaten in the Battle of Dungan's Hill by Parliamentarian troops under Michael Jones. On this occasion Lord Dillon commanded the Confederate cavalry, which fled in the early stages of the battle.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Lord Dillon is mentioned several times in the Peace Treaty of 17 January 1649 between the Irish Confederates and Ormond, acting for Charles I, as "Thomas lord viscount Dillon of Costologh" (i.e. Costello-Gallen)". John Milton called him an "archrebel".Template:Sfn He was one of the 12 commissioners of trust.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

In 1649 Lord Dillon took part in Ormond's unsuccessful Siege of Dublin. He blockaded the Northside of the town with 2500 menTemplate:Sfn and did not intervene, when General Michael Jones sallied in the south-east side of the town and defeated Ormond in the Battle of Rathmines on 2 August 1649.Template:Sfn After the battle Ormond and Dillon retreated northwards to Trim.Template:Sfn Some of his troops went to reinforce the garrison of Drogheda and were caught in the ensuing Siege of Drogheda by Cromwell, 3–11 September 1649.Template:Sfn

In 1650 Lord Dillon successfully defended Athlone against a Parliamentarian army under Henry Ireton, skilfully holding him off by protracted parleys until Ireton decided to leave and rather reinforce Hardress Waller at the siege of Limerick. However, too much time had been lost and the parliamentarians took neither of these towns in the campaign of 1650.Template:Sfn On 18 June 1651 Lord Dillon surrendered Athlone to Coote.Template:Sfn

Lord Dillon's estates were confiscated by the Cromwellian Settlement of 1652, and he and his family lived in exile on the continent until the Restoration.Template:Sfn

Restoration, later life, death, and timeline

In 1662 he resigned the presidency of Connaught to Charles II for a payment of money.Template:Sfn In 1663 most of his extensive lands were restored by the Act of Settlement 1662, and several high offices in the state were conferred upon him, including that of Custos Rotulorum of Westmeath. However, Dubhaltach Caoch Mac Coisdealbhaigh, who was descended from a family of the Gaelic nobility of Ireland that had been cheated out of their land by the 1st Viscount, resisted by organising rapparee actions. He was eventually shot in a skirmish in eastern County Mayo in 1667.Template:Sfn

After 1669 Lord Dillon inherited an estate of Script error: No such module "convert". in County Mayo and County Roscommon from his uncle, Sir James Dillon, youngest son of the 1st Viscount.Template:Sfn

Lord Dillon died in 1673Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn and was succeeded by Thomas, his only surviving son, as the 5th Viscount.[6] When the 5th Viscount died childless, the title passed to his first cousin Lucas, the 6th Viscount, and thereafter to the Loughglynn branch of the family, which descended from the 1st Viscount through his second son, Lucas Dillon of Loughglynn.Template:Sfn

Most likely, Frances, his wife, outlived him and died in 1674, being buried in St. Mary's Chapel in Christ Church Cathedral.Template:Sfn However, John Lodge thought that Frances was the Lady Dillon who has been recorded as dying in 1664 in Dillon's house in Winetavern Street, Dublin, and was buried at St James's.Template:Sfn

Timeline
Age Date Event
0 1615, Mar Born[7]
Script error: No such module "age". 1624, 28 Feb Father, Christopher Dillon, died.[8]
Script error: No such module "age". 1624, 15 Mar Grandfather, Theobald Dillon, the 1st Viscount, died[9] and was succeeded by his eldest son, Lucas Dillon.
Script error: No such module "age". 1625, 27 Mar Accession of King Charles I, succeeding King James ITemplate:Sfn
Script error: No such module "age". 1629, 13 Apr Eldest brother, Lucas, the 2nd Viscount, died and was succeeded by his posthumous infant son Theobald.[10]
Script error: No such module "age". 1630, 13 May Succeeded as the 4th Viscount Dillon' as his nephew Theobald, the 3rd Viscount, died[11]
Script error: No such module "age". 1630, about Became a Protestant[12]
Script error: No such module "age". 1630, 8 Dec Wardship bought by his uncle Lucas Dillon of LoughglynnTemplate:Sfn
Script error: No such module "age". 1632, 12 Jan Wentworth (later Lord Strafford) appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland.[13]
Script error: No such module "age". 1635 Married Frances White[14][15]
Script error: No such module "age". 1636 Eldest son, Charles, born.[16]
Script error: No such module "age". 1640, 16 Mar Took his seat in the House of Lords of the Irish Parliament[17]
Script error: No such module "age". 1641, 12 May Strafford beheadedTemplate:Sfn
Script error: No such module "age". 1641, 23 Oct Outbreak of the RebellionTemplate:Sfn
Script error: No such module "age". 1642, Feb Sent with Taaffe by the Irish Parliament to England to submit grievances to Charles I[18]
Script error: No such module "age". 1643, Sep Loses Athlone to William Dillon and James Dillon
Script error: No such module "age". 1643, 15 Sep Ormond's CessationTemplate:Sfn
Script error: No such module "age". 1643, 13 Nov James Butler, 1st Marquess of Ormond appointed Lord Lieutenant of IrelandTemplate:Sfn
Script error: No such module "age". 1646, 6 Dec Converted back to Catholicism[19]
Script error: No such module "age". 1647, Aug Commanded the Confederate cavalry at the Battle of Dungan's Hill[20]
Script error: No such module "age". 1649, 30 Jan King Charles I beheadedTemplate:Sfn
Script error: No such module "age". 1649, Aug Blockaded the northern side of the Liffey during Ormond's Siege of Dublin[21]
Script error: No such module "age". 1650 Defended Athlone successfully against a parliamentarian army under Henry Ireton
Script error: No such module "age". 1651, 18 Jun Surrendered Athlone to Coote[22]
Script error: No such module "age". 1652 Estates confiscated by the Cromwellian Settlement Act
Script error: No such module "age". 1660, 29 May Restoration of King Charles IITemplate:Sfn
Script error: No such module "age". 1662 Resigned the presidency of Connaught
Script error: No such module "age". 1663 Recovered his lands by the Act of Settlement
Script error: No such module "age". 1667, 3 May Rapparee Dudley Costello, his enemy, shot dead in Coolcarney[23]
Script error: No such module "age". 1673, about Died[24][25] and was succeeded by his son, also called Thomas Dillon, as the 5th Viscount

Notes and references

Notes

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Citations

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  4. ↑ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  6. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  7. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  8. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  9. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  10. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  11. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  12. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  13. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  14. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  15. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  16. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  17. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  18. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  19. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  20. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  21. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  22. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  23. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  24. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  25. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".

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Sources

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  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – 1603 to 1642
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – 1642 to 1660 (for Scarrisholis and Charlemont)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (for Strafford)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (for Dillon)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – 1660 to 1688 (for Dudley Costellogh)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – S to T
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – Canonteign to Cutts (for Carlingford)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – Dacre to Dysart (for Dillon)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – N to R (for Ranelagh)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – 1649 to 1782
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – Scotland and Ireland
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – (for timeline)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – 1639 to 1641
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – 1649 to 1653
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (for the Battle of Rathmines)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – Earls (for Drogheda)
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – Viscounts (for Dillon)
  • Template:Cite EB1911
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  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". – 1643 to 1660 and index
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Peerage of Ireland
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check Viscount Dillon
1630–1673 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Template:Authority control

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