Godert de Ginkell, 1st Earl of Athlone
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Godert de Ginkell, 1st Earl of Athlone, or in his own country of the Netherlands
born Baron Godard van Reede (Amerongen, 1644 – February 11, 1703, Utrecht
) was a Dutch general in the service of England
.
He came of a noble family, and bore the title of Baron van Reede, being the eldest son of Godard Adrian van Reede, Baron van Amerongen. In his youth he entered the Dutch cavalry as an officer, receiving his first commission at age 12. In 1688, he accompanied William, Prince of Orange
, in his expedition to England — the "Glorious Revolution
" which deposed James II
. The following year, Ginkell distinguished himself by a memorable exploit -- the pursuit, defeat and capture of a Scottish
regiment
that had mutinied for James at Ipswich
, and was marching northward across the fen
s. It was the alarm excited by this mutiny that facilitated the passing of the first Mutiny Act. In 1690, Ginkell accompanied William III
to Ireland to take on the Franco-Irish Jacobites
, and commanded a body of Dutch cavalry
at the Battle of the Boyne
. On the King's return to England, General Ginkell was entrusted with the conduct of the war in Ireland. (See also Williamite war in Ireland
).
He took command in Ireland in the spring of 1691, and established his headquarters at Mullingar
. Among those who held a command under him was the Marquis of Ruvigny, the recognized chief of the Huguenot
refugees. Early in June, Ginkell took the fortress of Ballymore
, capturing the whole garrison of 1,000 men. The English lost only eight men. After reconstructing the fortifications of Ballymore, the army marched to Athlone, then one of the most important of the fortified towns of Ireland and key to the Jacobite defensive position, as it bridged the River Shannon
. The Irish defenders of the place were commanded by a distinguished French general, the Marquis de St Ruth
. The firing began on June 19, and on June 30 the town was stormed, the Irish army retreating towards Galway
, and took up their next defensive position at Aughrim
. Having strengthened the fortifications of Athlone and having left a garrison
there, Ginkell led the English combined forces, on 8 July, westward in pursuit of the retreating army and met the Franco-Irish in formal battle on 12 July 1691 at Aughrim.
The subsequent Battle of Aughrim
all but decided the war in the Williamites' favour. An immediate attack was resolved on, and, after a severe and at one time doubtful contest, the crisis was precipitated by the fall of the Franco-Irish leader, the French General Charles Chalmont, Marquis de St Ruth
, after which his disorganized forces fled in the ensuing darkness of the early-morning of July 13. A stunning defeat of the fleeing Franco-Irish followed in the confusion and darkness, with some 4000 corpses were left on the field.
Galway next capitulated, its garrison being permitted to retire to Limerick
. There the viceroy Tyrconnell was in command of a large force, but his sudden death early in August left the command in the hands of Lord Lucan, General Patrick Sarsfield and the Frenchman d'Usson. Led by Ginkell, the English came in sight of the town on the day of Tyrconnell's death, and the bombardment and siege
were immediately begun. Ginkell, by a bold device, crossed the River Shannon
and captured the camp of the Irish cavalry
. A few days later he stormed the fort on Thomond Bridge, and after difficult negotiations a capitulation
was signed — the Treaty of Limerick
, the terms of which were divided into a civil and a military treaty.
Thus was completed the conquest or pacification of Ireland, and the services of the Dutch general were amply recognized and rewarded. Ginkell received the formal thanks of the House of Commons
, and was created by the king 1st earl of Athlone and baron of Aughrim. The immense forfeited estates of the Earl of Limerick
were given to him, but the grant was a few years later revoked by the English parliament.
The Earl continued to serve in the English army, and accompanied the King to the continent in 1693. He fought at the sieges of Namur in 1695
and the Battle of Neerwinden, and assisted in destroying the French magazine
at Givet
. In the War of Spanish Succession Ginkell succeeded the Prince of Nassau-Usingen in 1702 as first Field Marshal of the Dutch States Army
under the supreme command of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
, as Captain-General of the Anglo-Dutch forces.
Ginkell was succeeded in 1703, by his eldest son the 2nd earl (1668–1719), a distinguished soldier in the reigns of William III and Queen Anne
.
On the death of the 10th Earl of Athlone without issue in 1844, however, the title expired.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
born Baron Godard van Reede (Amerongen, 1644 – February 11, 1703, Utrecht
Utrecht (city)
Utrecht city and municipality is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the eastern corner of the Randstad conurbation, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands with a population of 312,634 on 1 Jan 2011.Utrecht's ancient city centre features...
) was a Dutch general in the service of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
He came of a noble family, and bore the title of Baron van Reede, being the eldest son of Godard Adrian van Reede, Baron van Amerongen. In his youth he entered the Dutch cavalry as an officer, receiving his first commission at age 12. In 1688, he accompanied William, Prince of Orange
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
, in his expedition to England — the "Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
" which deposed James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
. The following year, Ginkell distinguished himself by a memorable exploit -- the pursuit, defeat and capture of a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
that had mutinied for James at Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
, and was marching northward across the fen
Fen
A fen is a type of wetland fed by mineral-rich surface water or groundwater. Fens are characterised by their water chemistry, which is neutral or alkaline, with relatively high dissolved mineral levels but few other plant nutrients...
s. It was the alarm excited by this mutiny that facilitated the passing of the first Mutiny Act. In 1690, Ginkell accompanied William III
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
to Ireland to take on the Franco-Irish Jacobites
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
, and commanded a body of Dutch cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
at the Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne was fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish and Irish thronesthe Catholic King James and the Protestant King William across the River Boyne near Drogheda on the east coast of Ireland...
. On the King's return to England, General Ginkell was entrusted with the conduct of the war in Ireland. (See also Williamite war in Ireland
Williamite war in Ireland
The Williamite War in Ireland—also called the Jacobite War in Ireland, the Williamite-Jacobite War in Ireland and in Irish as Cogadh an Dá Rí —was a conflict between Catholic King James II and Protestant King William of Orange over who would be King of England, Scotland and Ireland...
).
He took command in Ireland in the spring of 1691, and established his headquarters at Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
. Among those who held a command under him was the Marquis of Ruvigny, the recognized chief of the Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
refugees. Early in June, Ginkell took the fortress of Ballymore
Ballymore
Ballymore may refer to:*Ballymore , an Irish property company*Ballymore, County Cork, village on Great Island, Cork Harbour, Ireland*Ballymore, County Donegal, Ireland*Ballymore, County Westmeath, Ireland*Ballymore, County Wexford, Ireland...
, capturing the whole garrison of 1,000 men. The English lost only eight men. After reconstructing the fortifications of Ballymore, the army marched to Athlone, then one of the most important of the fortified towns of Ireland and key to the Jacobite defensive position, as it bridged the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
. The Irish defenders of the place were commanded by a distinguished French general, the Marquis de St Ruth
Marquis de St Ruth
Charles Chalmont Marquis of St Ruth was a French general. Early in his military career, he fought against Protestants in France...
. The firing began on June 19, and on June 30 the town was stormed, the Irish army retreating towards Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
, and took up their next defensive position at Aughrim
Aughrim, County Galway
Aughrim is a small village in County Galway, Ireland. It is located in the west of Ireland, between the towns of Loughrea and Ballinasloe, along the N6 national primary road that connects Galway and Dublin....
. Having strengthened the fortifications of Athlone and having left a garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
there, Ginkell led the English combined forces, on 8 July, westward in pursuit of the retreating army and met the Franco-Irish in formal battle on 12 July 1691 at Aughrim.
The subsequent Battle of Aughrim
Battle of Aughrim
The Battle of Aughrim was the decisive battle of the Williamite War in Ireland. It was fought between the Jacobites and the forces of William III on 12 July 1691 , near the village of Aughrim in County Galway....
all but decided the war in the Williamites' favour. An immediate attack was resolved on, and, after a severe and at one time doubtful contest, the crisis was precipitated by the fall of the Franco-Irish leader, the French General Charles Chalmont, Marquis de St Ruth
Marquis de St Ruth
Charles Chalmont Marquis of St Ruth was a French general. Early in his military career, he fought against Protestants in France...
, after which his disorganized forces fled in the ensuing darkness of the early-morning of July 13. A stunning defeat of the fleeing Franco-Irish followed in the confusion and darkness, with some 4000 corpses were left on the field.
Galway next capitulated, its garrison being permitted to retire to Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
. There the viceroy Tyrconnell was in command of a large force, but his sudden death early in August left the command in the hands of Lord Lucan, General Patrick Sarsfield and the Frenchman d'Usson. Led by Ginkell, the English came in sight of the town on the day of Tyrconnell's death, and the bombardment and siege
Siege of Limerick (1691)
Limerick in western Ireland was besieged twice during the Williamite War in Ireland . The city, held by Jacobite forces was able to beat off a Williamite assault in 1690. However, after a second siege in August-October 1691, it surrendered on terms....
were immediately begun. Ginkell, by a bold device, crossed the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
and captured the camp of the Irish cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
. A few days later he stormed the fort on Thomond Bridge, and after difficult negotiations a capitulation
Capitulation (surrender)
Capitulation , an agreement in time of war for the surrender to a hostile armed force of a particular body of troops, a town or a territory....
was signed — the Treaty of Limerick
Treaty of Limerick
The Treaty of Limerick ended the Williamite war in Ireland between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange. It concluded the Siege of Limerick. The treaty really consisted of two treaties which were signed on 3 October 1691. Reputedly they were signed on the Treaty Stone, an...
, the terms of which were divided into a civil and a military treaty.
Thus was completed the conquest or pacification of Ireland, and the services of the Dutch general were amply recognized and rewarded. Ginkell received the formal thanks of the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, and was created by the king 1st earl of Athlone and baron of Aughrim. The immense forfeited estates of the Earl of Limerick
Earl of Limerick
Earl of Limerick is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland. The earldom was created for the first time in 1686 for Sir William Dongan, 4th Baronet, with remainder, failing male issue of his own, to his brothers Robert, Michael and Thomas and the heirs male of their bodies...
were given to him, but the grant was a few years later revoked by the English parliament.
The Earl continued to serve in the English army, and accompanied the King to the continent in 1693. He fought at the sieges of Namur in 1695
Siege of Namur (1695)
The Siege of Namur, 2 July–1 September 1695, was the second siege of the city of Namur in the Nine Years' War. The Allied forces of the Grand Alliance retook the city from the French, who had captured it in the first siege in 1692...
and the Battle of Neerwinden, and assisted in destroying the French magazine
Magazine (artillery)
Magazine is the name for an item or place within which ammunition is stored. It is taken from the Arabic word "makahazin" meaning "warehouse".-Ammunition storage areas:...
at Givet
Givet
Givet is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France very close to the Belgian border. It lies on the river Meuse where Emperor Charles V built the fortress of Charlemont....
. In the War of Spanish Succession Ginkell succeeded the Prince of Nassau-Usingen in 1702 as first Field Marshal of the Dutch States Army
Dutch States Army
The Dutch States Army was the army of the Dutch Republic. It was usually called this, because it was formally the army of the States-General of the Netherlands, the sovereign power of that federal republic...
under the supreme command of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Prince of Mindelheim, KG, PC , was an English soldier and statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs through the late 17th and early 18th centuries...
, as Captain-General of the Anglo-Dutch forces.
Ginkell was succeeded in 1703, by his eldest son the 2nd earl (1668–1719), a distinguished soldier in the reigns of William III and Queen Anne
Anne of Great Britain
Anne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during the...
.
On the death of the 10th Earl of Athlone without issue in 1844, however, the title expired.