Roger Boyle
Roger Boyle was a prominent seventeenth-century Irish politician and military leader, best known as the Baron Broghill and the first Earl of Orrey. Born in Waterford, he was the son of Richard Boyle, the first Earl of Cork, and received a comprehensive education at Trinity College, Dublin, and Oxford. His early life included a three-year tour of Europe, after which he became involved in significant military conflicts, including the Bishops Wars in Scotland and the Irish rebellion of 1641. Initially a Royalist commander, Boyle shifted allegiance to the Parliamentarian cause during the English Civil War, fighting under English commanders against Irish forces.
Throughout his career, he served Oliver Cromwell in various roles, including as a member of Parliament and president of the Scottish Council. Following Cromwell's death, Boyle realigned with the monarchy, aiding in the restoration of Charles II and earning the title of Earl of Orrey for his loyalty. In addition to his military and political activities, Boyle was also an accomplished writer, known for his poetry, historical plays, and his significant work, "A Treatise on the Art of War." He had a family with Lady Margaret Howard, with whom he had seven children, reflecting a life intertwined with both public service and personal commitments.
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Roger Boyle
Statesman
- Born: April 21, 1621
- Birthplace: Lismore Castle, Waterford, Ireland
- Died: October 16, 1679
- Place of death: Castlemartyr, Ireland
Biography
Roger Boyle, a seventeenth century Irish politician, held the title of Baron Broghill, the first earl of Orrey. Born in Waterford as the son of Richard Boyle, first earl of Cork, Roger Boyle studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and at Oxford. He also made a three-year grand tour of the Continent in his youth. After this education, Boyle immersed himself in the struggles of his time, at first participating as a soldier in the Bishops Wars in Scotland, and then returning to his native Ireland to join the suppression of the 1641 rebellion. Boyle’s service against the Irish rebels also embroiled him in the controversies of the English Civil War; at first he took orders from the marquis of Ormond, a Royalist, but eventually he came to fight for the Parliamentarian side instead. In both cases, he fought against the Irish in the name of English commanders.
Boyle enjoyed a brief retirement from military service, and toyed with promoting the cause of royal Restoration. He was dissuaded from his plans by Oliver Cromwell himself, and was given a new command in Ireland in return for his acquiescence. Boyle proved himself an able commander in Cromwell’s campaigns against the Irish confederates and played a key role in several decisive battles. During this time, he forged a strong loyalty to Cromwell’s cause and eventually took a seat in Parliament as the representative of County Cork in 1654. Boyle continued to serve Cromwell’s government in a number of capacities: as a member of parliament from Edinburgh, as president as the Scottish Council, and finally as a member of the House of Lords.
While Boyle was quite loyal to Cromwell, even backing his accession to the kingship, after Cromwell’s death, he read the circumstances and chose to serve the cause of Charles I, and again played a key role in maintaining control of Ireland. He served once more in parliament and was named earl of Orrey in gratitude for his service to the Restored Crown.
In addition to the intrigues of his political and military careers, Boyle gained some notoriety for his forays into literature. He was the author of poems, historical plays, several historical accounts, and one novel. His novel, Parthenissa (1651-1669), was a chivalric romance in six volumes. His A Treatise on the Art of War (1677) is considered his most significant work. Boyle was married to Lady Margaret Howard, with whom he had seven children.