Charles Blount, 1st Earl of Devonshire
Charles Blount, 1st Earl of Devonshire and 8th Baron Mountjoy KG (* 1563 ; † April 3, 1606 in London ) was an English statesman and Viceroy of Ireland from 1600 to 1606.
Life
He was the second son of James Blount, 6th Baron Mountjoy . With the childless death of his older brother William Blount, 7th Baron Mountjoy , he inherited the title of baron in 1594.
Blount was the first rival of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex for the favor of Queen Elizabeth I Tudor , but later became his friend and brother-in-law. He went with Essex (1597) on the unfortunate expedition to the Azores and followed him in 1600 as Governor of Ireland . Blount had completely crushed the Spanish- backed rebellion under Hugh O'Neill in Ireland by 1602 ( Battle of the Moyry Pass ). He kept his office under King James I , who made him Earl of Devonshire in 1603.
Charles Blount was married to Lady Penelope (1562-1607), daughter of Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex , and Lettice Knollys . His wife was a cousin (second degree) of Queen Elizabeth I Tudor on his mother's side.
He had several illegitimate children, but did not leave a legitimate heir, so that his hereditary titles of nobility expired with his death in 1606.
Web links
| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| New title created |
Earl of Devonshire 1603-1606 |
Title expired |
| William Blount |
Baron Mountjoy 1594-1606 |
Title expired |
| Lords Justices |
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1603–1604 (Lord Deputy since 1600) |
George Carey |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Blount, Charles, 1st Earl of Devonshire |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Charles Blount, 1st Earl of Devonshire and 8th Baron Mountjoy |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | English Viceroy of Ireland |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1563 |
| DATE OF DEATH | April 3, 1606 |
| Place of death | London |