Richard Boyle and the making of an Irish fortune, 1588—1614

Abstract

This paper deals with the obscure adventures of a minor official and petty landowner of unremarkable birth and little influence. The details of these adventures, which have for so long been forgotten, and which were once so assiduously concealed, may seem hardly worth the labour of investigation. And yet many statesmen of the seventeenth century attempted such an investigation, including Wentworth himself. Indeed it is no overstatement to say that this examination was a major pre-occupation of the great deputy in the first two years of his appointment.By Wentworth’s time, Richard Boyle, the minor official in question, had become earl of Cork and lord treasurer of Ireland. He had been one of the lords justices who ruled Ireland before Wentworth’s arrival and had come close to achieving the deputyship itself. He was also the leader of the planter party and enjoyed a rent-roll of £20,000 a year to give reality to his authority. In short he towered over his rivals and enjoyed an influence, founded on both position and wealth, which permeated every part of Irish society.