Christopher St Lawrence, 10th Baron Howth

Christopher St Lawrence, 10th Baron Howth (c1568-1619 ) was an Anglo-Irish statesman and soldier of the late Elizabethan and Jacobean era. His personal charm made him a favourite of successive monarchs and he was also a soldier of some repute who fought with Essex and Mountjoy. However his bitter quarrels with the Lord Deputy of Ireland, his feuds with other leading families of the Pale, and his suspected involvement in the conspiracy which led to the Flight of the Earls, damaged his reputation. He is best remembered for the legend that he was kidnapped by Granuaile as a small boy.

Early life

He was born about 1568, eldest son of Nicholas St. Lawrence, 9th Baron Howth, and his first wife Margaret Barnewall.^[1] According to the Granuaile story he spent his childhood at Howth Castle, although his father lived for some years at Platten in Meath.

Granuaile

According to a celebrated legend, which may have a slight basis in fact, about 1576 Granuaile, the so-called Pirate Queen of Galway, arrived unannounced at Howth Castle at dinner-time, only to find the gates barred. Annoyed at the discourtesy, she took young Christopher hostage until his family apologised. To make amends, the Howth family pledged that in future the gates would always be open at dinner-time and an extra place set at table for unexpected guests.^[2]

Soldier

Christopher acquired a considerable reputation as a soldier. In 1595 he accompanied his father on an expedition against the O'Byrnes of Wicklow, and showed boldness in capturing two men. Subsequently he spent two years in England where he appears to have been knighted. He returned to Ireland with Sir Conyers Clifford in 1597, and was given a company of horse. He spent much time in Offaly keeping the O'Connor clan in check, and was appointed commander of the garrison of Cavan, with power to execute martial law, and his good services there were praised.^[3]

Earl of Essex

When Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, arrived in Ireland, Christopher served with him and became a friend. He distinguished himself at Athy by swimming the river Barrow to retrieve some stolen horses, and returned with the horses and the heads of two thieves. He was present at the siege of Cahir Castle, and again distinguished himself by repelling a sortie by the garrison. He also accompanied Essex on his ill-fated expedition to Ulster. Essex wrote of him as a " dear and worthy friend " and chose him as one of his few companions on his disastrous return to Court.^[4]

Christopher had already gained a reputation for being quarrelsome and hot-tempered : in 1598 he was rumoured to have murdered Sir Samuel Bagenal over a trifling insult, though the story is probably untrue^[5]. It is likely that he did offer to fight Essex's opponents, Sir Robert Cecil and Lord Grey de Wilton, and publicly pledged Essex's health. Summoned before the Privy Council on the charge of having threatened Cecil, he denied it and was let off with an order to return to Ireland. Elizabeth I, however, consented to receive him, and though she scolded him for his "scornful journey ", he made a good impression. She granted his request to postpone his return, ordered payment of his arrears of wages, and on his return to Ireland she wrote that he was one who was " well deserved in her service". He was also reconciled with Robert Cecil.

Service with Mountjoy

In 1600 he was sent to assist Sir George Carew in Connaught. His reputation as a soldier grew but also his reputation for violence: he was said to have engaged in a brawl with the Earl of Ormond and the Earl of Thomond; it was said the cause was that Christopher was over-friendly with Ormond's wife.

When Charles Blount, 8th Baron Mountjoy arrived in Ireland Christopher accompanied him on an expedition against the O'Mores of Laois. In October he fought at the Battle of Moyry Pass and was wounded.^[6] He was considered Mountjoy's right-hand man in central Ireland during the following months, although he complained that his services were ill-rewarded.In August 1601 he was in Ulster; when the news came of the Spanish landing he was sent to intercept Hugh O'Donnell, but failed. At the Battle of Kinsale he was entrusted with preventing the Irish and Spanish armies from joining.

He is next heard of in Dublin, then briefly became governor of Monaghan. On the submission of the Earl of Tyrone his garrison was reduced. It appears that that he was accused of treasonable correspondence with Tyrone, and wrote to Cecil asking to come to London to clear his name.

Meeting no response either to his demands to be allowed to clear his name or for a sign of Royal favour, he decided to seek employment abroad. The new Deputy, Sir Arthur Chichester, was moved to plead on his behalf to Cecil urging he be given employment in Ireland, but northing was done and he entered the service of the Archduke in the Spanish Netherlands. Chichester was concerned that other young nobles would follow his example, but in the event his service was cut short by his father's death in May 1607.

Flight of the Earls

In the events leading to the Flight of the Earls, the new Lord Howth certainly played a part, though what precisely it was remains mysterious. Even before is return to Ireland he was aware of a conspiracy involving the Earl of Tyrone, the Earl of Tyrconnell and Lord Delvin. Passing through England, he revealed part of the conspiracy to the Council, who informed Chichester that he should examine an individual called A.B.

On learning that A.B. was Howth, Chichester who had developed a very low opinion of him, was inclined to regard his story as an invention, until the actual flight of Tyrone and Tyrconnell confirmed part of Howth's story. Since he was clearly involved, he was arrested questioned further ( Chichester called his account "half-witted"} and sent to London. Howth, who had considerable charm and eloquence, convinced the Privy Council of his innocence, and returned to Ireland in March 1608.^[7]

Feuds

He found his reputation in ruins and proceeded to quarrel with several other notables of the Pale. Sir Garrett Moore, later Viscount Moore of Drogheda was a close connection by marriage and had previously been friendly, but Moore now turned against him, calling him a coward, a braggart and a liar.^[8] Howth in turn accused Moore of treason and, bizarrely, of trying to raise the Devil. Although Moore had been friendly with the Earl of Tyrone, Howth was quite unable to prove the charge: Chichester said that no-one would condemn a horse-boy on such evidence. Howth was however allowed to go to England, and again his personal charm won him the goodwill of James I

Th feud extended to Moore's father-in-law Thomas Jones, Archbishop of Dublin and his son Roger Jones, 1st Viscount Ranelagh. Roger's description of Howth as a brave man among cowards provoked a violent affray in a tennis court in Thomas St. in Dublin in May 1609, in which a Mr. Barnewall was killed. Howth claimed that Barnewall, a relative of Howth's mother, was killed defending him: Roger Jones claimed that the dead man had intervened to rsetore order and was killed by Howth's side. Chichester on hearing of the affair, took Jones' side and had Howth arrested. The inquest found a verdict of manslaughter: Howth examined by the Council, claimed to be the victim of a conspiracy including Chichester, Moore and the Jones family. The Council found that Howth had no basis for his charges other than his unpopularity with his fellow nobles, and ordered him to remain at home and mind his behaviour.^[9] He was strictly forbidden to go to London, but did so, and after a brief spell in the Fleet Prison obtained a royal audience and yet again gained the King's favour. Chichester was reprimanded, and thereafter showed at least outward friendship to Howth.

Last years and death

Howth sat in the Irish Parliament of 1612. Relations with Archbishop Jones improved and in 1614 they worked together to raise a free gift in Dublin for the King, Howth as a good example contributing £100. He died on October 24 1619, but for some reason was not buried until late January 1620

Family

His married life was unhappy although unlike his grandfather he was not accused of ill-treating his wife. She was Elizabeth Wentworth, daughter of John Wentworth of Great Horksley in Essex. It was not an especially advantageous marriage and may well have been a love affair. Probably the failure was due to a similarity of temperament, since Elizabeth was also quarrelsome, referring in her will to a long dispute with he elder son.^[10] The couple married about 1595 but separated by 1605. Howth was ordered to pay his wife £100; the amount was later reduced but placed a heavy burden on him and caused much contention and ill-feeling. They had three children:

• Nicholas St Lawrence, 11th Baron Howth
• Thomas who settled in Suffolk
• Margaret, who married firstly William FitzWilliam and secondly Michael Berford.

Character

Those who knew Howth well, like Chichester and Moore, often judged him most harshly, calling him foolish, treacherous, violent and irresponsible. Clearly he lacked the political skills of his father and grandfather. On the other hand his courage and military skill were never seriously disputed: and a man who gained the friendship and goodwill of Elizabeth I, James I. Robert Cecil, Essex and Mountjoy cannot have lacked good qualities.

References

1. ^ Dunlop, Robert "Christopher St. Lawence " Dictionary of National Biography Volume 50 p.160
2. ^ Ball, F. Elrington History of Dublin Volume 5 Alexander Thom and Co Dublin 1917 p.68
3. ^ Ball p.81
4. ^ Ball p.82
5. ^ Dunlop p.160
6. ^ Dunlop p.160
7. ^ Ball p.96
8. ^ Ball p.97
9. ^ Dunlop p.162
10. ^ Ball p.107