Richard Boyle, 2nd Viscount Shannon
The Viscount Shannon | |
|---|---|
 Unfinished portrait by Sir Godfrey Kneller (circa 1710) | |
| Born | 1675 Westminster, England |
| Died | 20 December 1740 (aged 65) Ashley Park, Walton-on-Thames |
| Buried | St Mary's Parish Church, Walton-on-Thames |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of England Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Service/ | English Army British Army |
| Years of service | 1690–1740 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Commands held | Commander-in-Chief, Ireland |
| Battles/wars | Williamite War in Ireland Nine Years' War War of the Spanish Succession |
Military career
Early career
Born the son of Richard Boyle (born circa 1640) and Elizabeth Boyle (née Ponsonby, daughter of Sir John Ponsonby of Bessborough), Boyle was educated at the University of Oxford.[1] He started his military career as a volunteer in the service of the Duke of Ormonde at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690 during the Williamite War in Ireland.[2] He also fought, being wounded and becoming a prisoner of war, at the Battle of Landen in July 1693 during the Nine Years' War.[2] He was commissioned as a junior officer in Ormonde's Troop of Horse Guards and cornet in the Army on 16 February 1694 and was promoted to cornet in his regiment and major in the Army in 1697.[2]
Boyle succeeded his paternal grandfather as 2nd Viscount Shannon of the
Promoted to
Promoted to lieutenant general in 1709, Boyle became Deputy Governor of Dover Castle later that year and was then given command of a secret but abortive expedition to attack New France in 1710.[5] As the Earl of Scarborough was no longer in a position to nominate both members for Arundel, Boyle changed constituency to Hythe for which seat he was nominated by Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset, in 1710.[2] In Parliament, in accordance with Whig party policy, he voted for the impeachment of Henry Sacheverell, a clergyman who had criticised the party, in March 1710.[5]
Later career
Boyle became colonel of the Viscount Shannon's Regiment of Foot in January 1715 and changed constituency again to East Grinstead later that year.[2] He joined the army staff in Ireland in 1716.[6]
Boyle became
Boyle became colonel of the
Boyle died at his home, Ashley Park at Walton-on-Thames, on 20 December 1740,[10] and was buried at St Mary's Parish Church in Walton-on-Thames.[3] There is a monument to him in the church.[11]
Family
On 6 June 1704, Boyle married Mary Sackville, illegitimate daughter of Charles Sackville, 6th Earl of Dorset and widow of Lionel Boyle, 3rd Earl of Orrery, who died twelve years later, bearing no children.[3] In January 1720, Boyle remarried, this time to Grace Senhouse, daughter of John Senhouse of Netherhall in Cumbria; they had one child, Grace Sackville, Countess of Middlesex.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Cruickshanks, p. 305
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Heathcote, p. 52
- ^ a b c d "Boyle Family Genealogical Entry". Archived from the original on 14 August 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2003.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Budgell, p. 258
- ^ a b c d Cruickshanks, p. 306
- ^ a b "Richard Boyle, 2nd Viscount Shannon". History of Parliament. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ Barnard, p. 185
- ^ "No. 7464". The London Gazette. 16 December 1735. p. 1.
- ^ "No. 7823". The London Gazette. 14 July 1739. p. 1.
- ^ Heathcote, p. 53
- ^ "Parishes: Walton on Thames, A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 3". 1911. pp. 467–475. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
Sources
- Barnard, Toby (2004). A New Anatomy of Ireland: The Irish Protestants, 1649–1770. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0300101140.
- Budgell, Eustace (1732). Memoirs of the Life and Character of the Earl of Orrery and of the Family of the Boyles. London.
- Cruickshanks, Eveline (2002). The House of Commons, 1690–1715, Volume 2. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521772211.
- Heathcote, Tony (1999). The British Field Marshals 1736–1997. Pen & Sword Books Ltd. ISBN 0-85052-696-5.
