Nicholas White
Encyclopedia
Sir Nicholas White (or Whyte) was an Irish
lawyer and government official during the reign of Elizabeth I
.
. His father, who was the steward of the earl of Ormond
, had been poisoned while in London with the earl in 1546. Nicholas owed his early advancement to Ormond's influence: in recognition of James's loyalty, the earl left £10 for the boy's education at the Inns of Court
. White entered Lincoln's Inn
in 1552, and he was called to the bar in 1558; during the course of his studies he was a tutor to the children of Sir William Cecil, later Lord Burghley
. He then returned to Ireland and was elected a member of the Irish Parliament
for County Kilkenny
in 1559. He was justice of the peace for Co. Kilkenny in 1563 and in the following year was named recorder of Waterford
. In 1567 he bought Leixlip Castle as his base near Dublin.
He had stayed in correspondence with Cecil, and became an important confidant of his and thus an influential commentator on Irish affairs. In 1568 he was given the right to travel to England and had a notable interview with Mary, Queen of Scots, at Tutbury
in February 1569. White may have published an English translation of the Argonautica in the 1560s, but no copy has survived.
On 4 November 1568 Elizabeth appointed him seneschal of Wexford
and constable of Leighlin and Ferns, replacing the disgraced adventurer Thomas Stukley
. He retained the office until 1572, concluding his tenure with the pursuit of the rebels, led by Fiach McHugh O'Byrne
, who had murdered his son-in-law Robert Browne.
White established his estate at White's Hall, near Knocktopher
, co. Kilkenny, and also acquired Dunbrody Abbey
, co. Wexford, and the Castle and St Catherine's Priory at Leixlip
, County Kildare
.
, William Fitzwilliam
, White was appointed Master of the Rolls in Ireland
on 14 July 1572. Despite these marks of royal favour, White was viewed by fellow privy councillors in Ireland as suspiciously partisan and often took independent positions in opposition to the dominant English-born faction on the council. Sir Henry Sidney distrusted him as a client of the Earl of Ormonde, and he was suspended from office for alleged misfeasance from August to September 1578. He also quarrelled bitterly with the Attorney General for Ireland, Thomas Snagge
, who accuse him of gross inefficiency. Snagge went so far as to lay information against him with the Council, though little seems to have come of this.
White worked closely with the English political leadership as a veteran official with long experience in Munster. Nonetheless, he was now under suspicion as one who consistently favoured the interests of the Old English, and was blamed for failing to apprehend the rebels in Wicklow during the rebellion. However, he continued to demonstrate his valuable insights to Burghley in regular correspondence throughout the period, including letters sent in December 1581 on the miseries of war, the need for temperate government, and his fear that the wild Irish were glad to see the weakness of English blood in Ireland. His usefulness as an Irish speaker and a nominal Protestant made him an essential privy councillor for two decades.
, White was knighted. He worked with Perrot to establish an effective administration of the common law
. Later that year 48 of the 181 prisoners in the Leinster circuit were put to death. On 29 November 1586 White wrote to Burghley describing the continual bickering in council between the chief governor and the lord chancellor, Loftus
. By the end of Perrot's regime White was viewed as a minion of the lord deputy who was primarily responsible for a policy of favouritism toward Irish-born servitors. On the return in 1588 of the former lord deputy, Sir William Fitzwilliam, White became a focus of resentment from the English at the council board.
in March 1591, White appealed to the privy council for a servant to attend him, owing to his age and infirmity; but he died there at some time in 1592. On 12 February 1593 the privy council authorized White's son to bring his body back to Ireland for burial.
White and his second wife had two sons. Thomas, the elder, was educated at Cambridge University and died by his own hand in November 1586 after taking a strong purgative. The younger son, Andrew, succeeded to White's estates after completing his education at Cambridge. White also had two daughters, one of whom married Robert Browne of Mulcranan County Wexford, who was murdered by rebels in 1572: the other, Mary , was the second wife of Nicholas St Lawrence, 9th Baron Howth, by whom she had six children
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
lawyer and government official during the reign of Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
.
Background and early career
White was descended from a noted family of The PaleThe Pale
The Pale or the English Pale , was the part of Ireland that was directly under the control of the English government in the late Middle Ages. It had reduced by the late 15th century to an area along the east coast stretching from Dalkey, south of Dublin, to the garrison town of Dundalk...
. His father, who was the steward of the earl of Ormond
James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormonde
James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond and 2nd Earl of Ossory was the son of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond and Lady Margaret Fitzgerald...
, had been poisoned while in London with the earl in 1546. Nicholas owed his early advancement to Ormond's influence: in recognition of James's loyalty, the earl left £10 for the boy's education at the Inns of Court
Inns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
. White entered Lincoln's Inn
Lincoln's Inn
The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. Although Lincoln's Inn is able to trace its official records beyond...
in 1552, and he was called to the bar in 1558; during the course of his studies he was a tutor to the children of Sir William Cecil, later Lord Burghley
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
. He then returned to Ireland and was elected a member of the Irish Parliament
Irish House of Commons
The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...
for County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
in 1559. He was justice of the peace for Co. Kilkenny in 1563 and in the following year was named recorder of Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
. In 1567 he bought Leixlip Castle as his base near Dublin.
He had stayed in correspondence with Cecil, and became an important confidant of his and thus an influential commentator on Irish affairs. In 1568 he was given the right to travel to England and had a notable interview with Mary, Queen of Scots, at Tutbury
Tutbury
Tutbury is a large village and civil parish of about 3,000 residents in the English county of Staffordshire.It is surrounded by the agricultural countryside of both Staffordshire and Derbyshire. The site has been inhabited for over 3000 years, with Iron Age defensive ditches encircling the main...
in February 1569. White may have published an English translation of the Argonautica in the 1560s, but no copy has survived.
On 4 November 1568 Elizabeth appointed him seneschal of Wexford
County Wexford
County Wexford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wexford. In pre-Norman times it was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, whose capital was at Ferns. Wexford County Council is the local...
and constable of Leighlin and Ferns, replacing the disgraced adventurer Thomas Stukley
Thomas Stukley
Thomas Stukley was an English mercenary who served in combat in France, Ireland, and at the Battle of Lepanto, before his death at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir. It was alleged that he was an illegitimate son of Henry VIII of England...
. He retained the office until 1572, concluding his tenure with the pursuit of the rebels, led by Fiach McHugh O'Byrne
Fiach McHugh O'Byrne
Fiach mac Aodh Ó Broin was Lord of Ranelagh and sometime leader of the Clann Uí Bhroin, or the O'Byrne clan, during the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland.-Background:...
, who had murdered his son-in-law Robert Browne.
White established his estate at White's Hall, near Knocktopher
Knocktopher
Knocktopher is a village in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is situated on the M9 between the villages of Stoneyford to the north, and Ballyhale to the south....
, co. Kilkenny, and also acquired Dunbrody Abbey
Dunbrody Abbey
Dunbrody Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery in County Wexford, Ireland. The cross-shaped church was built in the 13th century, and the tower was added in the 15th century. With a length of 59m the church is one of the longest in Ireland...
, co. Wexford, and the Castle and St Catherine's Priory at Leixlip
Leixlip
-Politics:Since 1988 Leixlip has had a nine member Town Council , headed by a Cathaoirleach , which has control over many local matters, although it is limited in that it is not also a planning authority...
, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Master of the rolls in Ireland
On the recommendation of the lord deputyLord Deputy of Ireland
The Lord Deputy was the King's representative and head of the Irish executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and later the Kingdom of Ireland...
, William Fitzwilliam
William Fitzwilliam (Lord Deputy)
- Early life :FitzWilliam was born at Milton, Northamptonshire, the eldest son of Sir William and grandson of William Fitzwilliam , alderman and sheriff of London, who had been treasurer and chamberlain to Cardinal Wolsey and who purchased Milton in 1506...
, White was appointed Master of the Rolls in Ireland
Master of the Rolls in Ireland
The office of Master of the Rolls in Ireland originated in the office of the keeper of the Rolls in the Irish Chancery and became an office granted by letters patent in 1333. It was abolished in 1924....
on 14 July 1572. Despite these marks of royal favour, White was viewed by fellow privy councillors in Ireland as suspiciously partisan and often took independent positions in opposition to the dominant English-born faction on the council. Sir Henry Sidney distrusted him as a client of the Earl of Ormonde, and he was suspended from office for alleged misfeasance from August to September 1578. He also quarrelled bitterly with the Attorney General for Ireland, Thomas Snagge
Thomas Snagge
Sir Thomas Snagge was an M.P., lawyer and wealthy landowner who served as Speaker of the English House of Commons, Attorney General for Ireland and as the Queen's Sergeant.-Life:...
, who accuse him of gross inefficiency. Snagge went so far as to lay information against him with the Council, though little seems to have come of this.
Desmond rebellion
During the Second Desmond RebellionSecond Desmond Rebellion
The Second Desmond rebellion was the more widespread and bloody of the two Desmond Rebellions launched by the FitzGerald dynasty of Desmond in Munster, Ireland, against English rule in Ireland...
White worked closely with the English political leadership as a veteran official with long experience in Munster. Nonetheless, he was now under suspicion as one who consistently favoured the interests of the Old English, and was blamed for failing to apprehend the rebels in Wicklow during the rebellion. However, he continued to demonstrate his valuable insights to Burghley in regular correspondence throughout the period, including letters sent in December 1581 on the miseries of war, the need for temperate government, and his fear that the wild Irish were glad to see the weakness of English blood in Ireland. His usefulness as an Irish speaker and a nominal Protestant made him an essential privy councillor for two decades.
Later career
On the arrival in 1584 of the ambitious new lord deputy, Sir John PerrotJohn Perrot
Sir John Perrot served as Lord Deputy of Ireland under Queen Elizabeth I of England during the Tudor conquest of Ireland...
, White was knighted. He worked with Perrot to establish an effective administration of the common law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
. Later that year 48 of the 181 prisoners in the Leinster circuit were put to death. On 29 November 1586 White wrote to Burghley describing the continual bickering in council between the chief governor and the lord chancellor, Loftus
Adam Loftus (Archbishop)
thumb|right|200px|Archbishop Adam LoftusAdam Loftus was Archbishop of Armagh, and later Dublin, and Lord Chancellor of Ireland from 1581. He was also the first Provost of Trinity College, Dublin.-Early life:...
. By the end of Perrot's regime White was viewed as a minion of the lord deputy who was primarily responsible for a policy of favouritism toward Irish-born servitors. On the return in 1588 of the former lord deputy, Sir William Fitzwilliam, White became a focus of resentment from the English at the council board.
Arrest and death
White was implicated in the allegations of treason made against Perrot by a former priest, Dennis O'Roghan, in 1589; despite illness, he was arrested in June 1590, and sent to England two months later. Placed in the Tower of LondonTower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
in March 1591, White appealed to the privy council for a servant to attend him, owing to his age and infirmity; but he died there at some time in 1592. On 12 February 1593 the privy council authorized White's son to bring his body back to Ireland for burial.
White and his second wife had two sons. Thomas, the elder, was educated at Cambridge University and died by his own hand in November 1586 after taking a strong purgative. The younger son, Andrew, succeeded to White's estates after completing his education at Cambridge. White also had two daughters, one of whom married Robert Browne of Mulcranan County Wexford, who was murdered by rebels in 1572: the other, Mary , was the second wife of Nicholas St Lawrence, 9th Baron Howth, by whom she had six children