Hugh Albert O'Donnell

General Hugh Albert O'Donnell, 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell ( October 1606 – 1 July 1642), was an Irish-Spanish nobleman, descended from the O'Donnell clan of Tyrconnell, who served in the Spanish military. The only son of Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, he was eleven months old when he participated in the Flight of the Earls, leaving Ireland never to return. He was naturalised as a Spanish subject in 1633 and fought in the Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659).

After his extended family settled in Catholic Europe, O'Donnell was raised at St Anthony's College in the Spanish Netherlands. He assumed the name Albert for his confirmation in honour of the Archduke of Austria, and was a page to the Infanta Isabella. As O'Donnell matured, he took on a leadership role amongst his family of refugees. He began a military career and in 1625 he was made a captain of a company of Spanish cavalry. O'Donnell was a key supporter of a proposed Spanish invasion of Ireland in 1627, but the invasion plans fell apart. His duties to Spain also prevented him from participating in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. He died in July 1642 when his ship, the ''Magdalena'', was attacked and sunk by French forces off the coast of Barcelona.

In addition to the earldom, O'Donnell held the title Baron of Donegal from birth. Both titles were attainted in 1614 but he continued to use them throughout his life. O'Donnell was a nephew of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, the last undisputed chief of the O'Donnell clan.

Family background

The only son of Rory, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, and his wife Bridget FitzGerald, Hugh O'Donnell was born in his mother's home at Maynooth around October 1606. His paternal grandparents were Sir Hugh McManus O'Donnell, a Gaelic Irish chieftain in Ulster, and Scottish noblewoman Fiona "Iníon Dubh" MacDonald of Clan MacDonald of Dunnyveg. His maternal grandparents were Henry FitzGerald, 12th Earl of Kildare, an Irish peer of Hiberno-Norman descent, and English noblewoman Frances Howard.

His father's paternal family were the Gaelic Irish O'Donnell clan of Tyrconnell, who claimed descent, via Conall Gulban of the Cenél Conaill, from High King Niall of the Nine Hostages. His father's branch of the O'Donnell clan had ruled Tyrconnell since 1566. Rory fought against the English Crown during the Nine Years' War (1593–1603). He surrendered in 1603 and managed to secure favour with King James I, though he was required to renounce his Gaelic titles. On 27 September 1603, Rory was created Baron of Donegal. " orywas created created 27 September, 1603, ''Baron of Donegal'', and EARL OF TYRCONNELL, and to his heirs male, with remainder to his brother Geoffry ''alias'' Caffrie O'Donnell, and his heirs male with the title of Baron of Donegal to his heir apparent." and 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, with the title Baron of Donegal to his heirs apparent. Thus, his son Hugh O'Donnell became Baron of Donegal upon his birth.

Hugh O'Donnell was fostered by the O'Gallagher family in his youth. Specifically, his foster-parents were his wet nurse Caecilia O'Gallagher and her husband Hugh, who were clients of the O'Donnell clan. The O'Gallaghers fostered O'Donnell for at least a year prior to the Flight of the Earls.

Upbringing and education

Flight of the Earls

On 14 September 1607, due to increasing hostility from the government, Rory and his wartime ally Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, fled from Ireland along with about ninety of their followers. O'Donnell, aged eleven months, accompanied his father on the flight. He was accompanied by Caecilia and two criadas. Additionally, O'Donnell's uncle Cathbarr and aunt Rosa were on the flight, with their son named Hugh O'Donnell. In the haste to leave, O'Donnell's mother Bridget was left behind in Maynooth. Bridget was pregnant at the time; a few months after the flight, she gave birth to O'Donnell's younger sister Mary Stuart O'Donnell.

The refugees hoped to reached Spain, but were turned away due to Philip III's fears of violating the Treaty of London. Thus the refugees spent the winter in Leuven in the Spanish Netherlands. Arrangements were made for the lodging and safe-keeping of O'Donnell, his cousin Hugh, and the O'Gallaghers' son. The O'Gallaghers had "lost all their possessions to come o Flanders, and they maintained O'Donnell for "a full year and six months" at their own expense.

Fosterage in Leuven

Rory was clearly concerned for his son's safety, as he gave Fr. Donagh Mooney (Superior of the Irish Franciscans in Leuven) a commission to exercise supervision over young O'Donnell. Dr. Fienus (First Professor of Medicine at the College) suggested nurse Anna ny Madden as a replacement for Caecilia. With Rory's approval, Anna ny Madden supplanted Caecilia in February 1608, and O'Donnell was given to the Convent of the Dames Blanches in Leuven. This was after Rory and Tyrone left Leuven to continue their journey to Rome. O'Donnell's cousin Hugh, and Tyrone's sons Shane and Brian were also left in Leuven.

The O'Gallaghers were devastated by this development, reminding officials that they were O'Donnell's legal fosterers. They condemned Madden for her "slovenness and unpleasantness," and accused her for only caring about the well-being of her own child and her spouse Dennis O'Kelly. Hugh O'Gallagher questioned how a stranger could teach O'Donnell the Irish language ("his mother tongue") and he asserted that Caecilia should remain with O'Donnell at the convent as his rightful nurse. The O'Gallaghers bemoaned that they had "no other consolation except this child, or means of support, or income", and lamented to the Archduke that they "had nothing to eat except what your Highness with your wanted kindness is pleased to grant". These desperate solicitations and pleas only alienated their correspondents.

O'Donnell became 2nd Earl of Tyrconnell after his father's death in Rome from a fever on 28 July 1608. His uncle Cathbarr similarly died of fever in September. Following Rory and Cathbarr's deaths, Tyrone unsuccessfully petitioned for Nuala (Rory's sister) and Rosa to be relocated back to the Spanish Netherlands to allow them to look after the O'Donnell cousins. For the next two years, Rosa and Nuala repeatedly petitioned the Spanish government to allow them to reunite with their nephews in Flanders.

In December 1608, O'Donnell was placed under the care of nuns and received into the monastery. On 25 January 1610, the Prioress of the Dames Blanches asked Archduke Albert VII for O'Donnell's pension to be increased. This request was granted. The Prioress wrote to Lodewijk Verreycken on 20 February, referencing complaints made to Isabella Clara Eugenia about the way O'Donnell, his cousin Hugh and Caecilia's son were dressed: "Sir, we are very much surprised at certain complaints which have been made to Her Highness, that we do not dress these young Princes as their state demands. As we dress them in ermine and velvet, it seems to us that this should be quite satisfactory". Around this time, both O'Donnell cousins suffered from a serious illness, which required one of them to be operated on. Fr. Hugh MacCaughwell and Colonel Henry O'Neill attempted to have the O'Gallaghers reinstated as O'Donnell's foster-parents, but this was blocked by the nuns.

St Anthony's College

The two boys remained in the care of their nurses at the convent until 8 October 1610, when O'Donnell and his cousin Hugh (along with Shane and Brian) were ordered by the Archduke to be given over to MacCaughwell, who was the Franciscan superior of St Anthony's College. On 12 October, MacCaughwell reported that the nuns refused to hand the children over. The nuns complained that the Irish College was "the most unhealthy in Leuven", and they wrote that the four-year-old O'Donnell screamed and bled from the nose when told that he had to leave them. On 15 October, peremptory orders were sent to forthwith send O'Donnell to St. Anthony's College. The four young nobles (O'Donnell, cousin Hugh, Shane and Brian) were raised and educated at the college. O'Donnell received a monthly grant of 1000 crowns from the government.

On 26 August 1610, Philip III finally granted Nuala permission to go to Leuven. She arrived in the Lowlands in mid-December 1611. On 20 June 1612, ambassador Castro informed Philip III that he could not dissuade Rosa and that she too was travelling to the Low Countries. After Nuala and Rosa were reunited with their nephews, they settled at Leuven and oversaw the upbringing of the O'Donnell cousins.

Around 1614, Nuala secretly met with English ambassador William Trumbull. Nuala pledged her loyalty to James I and offered to withdraw O'Donnell from Flanders, if James I would pardon the refugees and return Tyrconnell's lands to O'Donnell. Trumbull gave no guarantee of the king's favour and suggested Nuala and O'Donnell travel to England to plead the king in person. Unfortunately for Nuala, she could not be granted safe passage back to the British Isles, thus her proposals were in vain. Trumbull apparently attempted to bring O'Donnell back to Ireland, to be educated in the English manner, but this was blocked by Nuala. During this time, the Crown was sending the sons of Gaelic Irish lords to Dublin or England to be re-educated as English gentlemen. The title Earl of Tyrconnell was attainted by the Irish Parliament in 1614.

At the royal court

From 1615, O'Donnell and his cousin Hugh were in the receipt of a modest pension from the Archduke. As both boys were called Hugh, O'Donnell assumed the name Albert for his confirmation, in honour of the Archduke, who was in all likelihood O'Donnell's godfather.. Hugh Albert O'Donnell was attached to the court of the Infanta Isabella as a page, and it was during this time that his portrait was painted, by either Peter Paul Rubens or his workshop. This portrait is the only authentic and contemporary portrait of the last regnant O'Donnell dynasty of Tyrconnell.

O'Donnell had probably already left the college by the start of 1617. He petitioned the Archduke for an increase in pension, asking that it should be made the same as his late father's pension. An increase of fifty crowns monthly was granted on 24 August 1618. He also petitioned Isabella that he might be transferred to the service of the Prince in Spain, but by May 1619 this had not been granted. The Archduke brought this matter to Philip III but it was ignored. In autumn 1621, O'Donnell was enrolled as a student at St Anthony's College.

Philip III died in March 1621 and was succeeded by his son Philip IV. O'Donnell once again petitioned for a further increase in his pension so that his pay would be equal to Shane's pay. On 8 November 1622, the Archduke recommended to the king that O'Donnell's monthly pension should be increased by 50 crowns, also in view of the services of O'Donnell's late father. O'Donnell was thereafter attached to the Archduke's court at Brussels. In 1623, O'Donnell wrote: "...I do not consider myself inferior in rank, services and obligations to the Counts of Tiron... and only His Majesty is powerful enough to overshadow my house and no one lower than a king in Ireland, Scotland or England..."

Career

Rise in influence

On 26 June 1623, O'Donnell was granted permission to travel to Spain for six months "on business of great importance". Although no documentation exists of his visit, it is assumed he spent this time in Spain. On 6 August, this grant was renewed for three more years. O'Donnell's cousin Hugh joined the first Irish regiment in the Spanish army—which was then coloneled by Shane—as a captain. He died in early 1625 in the Siege of Breda.

As O'Donnell matured, he took over the role of leader of the O'Donnell exiles from his aunt Nuala. She eventually became O'Donnell's dependent and needed his consent for her monthly pension's distribution. O'Donnell's importance as head of the O'Donnell refugees meant that he did not serve in the Irish regiment. Philip IV proposed to Isabella the formation of a second Irish regiment, to be commanded by O'Donnell, which could be formed by disbanding the English and Scottish soldiers in Spanish service. Isabella remarked that it was difficult enough to recruit sufficient Irish soldiers for one recruitment. The king insisted that, even if a regiment could not be raised for O'Donnell, his pension should at least be paid promptly, "as there are many reasons why this gentlemen should be kept occupied and satisfied". O'Donnell left the royal court in September 1625.

The same year, O'Donnell was made a Knight Commander of the Order of Alcántara. In November he was made captain of a company of Spanish Mounted Cuirassiers. He would retain his pension in addition to his pay as captain. On 8 September 1626, Philip IV instructed that O'Donnell was to be given a company of Irish infantry. Isabella objected, citing O'Donnell's lack of experience and inability to command two companies; Philip IV ultimately agreed.

O'Donnell took the title of earl, or count, on the continent, and was in favour at the Spanish court. In adult life, O'Donnell styled himself Earl of Tyrconnell and Donegal, Baron of Lifford, Lord of Sligo and Lower Connaught. These titles are recorded in a document dated 3 November 1626. Had the earldom of Tyrconnell not been attainted, O'Donnell's title would have had an annual value of 600,000 gold florins.

O'Donnell's company of Horse was ordered into garrison at Sichem, where it seemingly stayed until April 1630. Many of O'Donnell's junior officers resented his presence and raised difficulties about obeying him, possibly because he was a foreigner commanding a Spanish company. On 31 October 1630, orders were issued that all Cavalry Captains of the Light Horse, regardless of birth, nation, or condition, were to respect O'Donnell's rights of precedence.

Planned Armada and Mary Stuart O'Donnell

In summer 1626, O'Donnell's younger sister Mary Stuart O'Donnell broke into a London prison and freed two Irishmen. She subsequently fled from the British Isles. In 1627, Mary arrived in Brussels and met O'Donnell there for the first time. Through his influence, she was received by Isabella's court.

In 1627, rumours abounded of another Spanish Armada, with Hugh O'Donnell to play a major role in leading the Irish. Archbishop Florence Conry had a scheme to take Ireland back. It was suggested that O'Donnell should lead the invasion. The proposed point of invasion was Killybegs. Conry arranged for Mary to be married to Shane. The Spanish supported this marriage to strengthen the alliance between the noble houses of Tyrconnell and Tyrone in preparation for the invasion of Ireland, for which eleven ships had been readied by March 1627. It was suggested that, to prevent disagreements between O'Donnell and Shane, the Irish regiment could be divided into two, and O'Donnell and Shane would be made general of the separate divisions. Although O'Donnell was seven years younger than Shane, O'Donnell maintained that he was just as entitled to command an Irish regiment as the Earl of Tyrone.

The relations between the O'Neills and the O'Donnells had become strained after the war's end, and Conry hoped a unifying marriage would allay hostilities between the noble families. However, Mary was secretly in a relationship with an Irish captain named Dudley O'Gallagher, who had accompanied her to the Continent. Mary rejected the marriage.

In 1626, Conry and Owen Roe O'Neill went to Madrid to discuss the invasion plans with Philip IV. It was agreed to make both Shane and O'Donnell generals of the invasion to avoid jealousy and tension. The plans were abandoned—the Spanish Council of State announced that Philip IV wished "only to preserve what he has" rather than acquiring more territory in Ireland. Conry died in Madrid in 1629. The prepared ships were brought to Dunkirk, but the predicted war between England and Spain did not break out.

Around 1629, Mary became pregnant, and her relationship with O'Gallagher was exposed. The disgraced couple fled from Brussels to Italy. O'Donnell was upset and claimed that Mary was an imposter pretending to be his sister and attempting to defame his family.

Military experience

In January 1632, O'Donnell was commissioned colonel of an Irish ''tercio''. This slighted Shane. O'Donnell's regiment was to consist of fifteen banners, and would have equal footing with the Spanish regiments. In his commission, dated 13 January, his qualifications are referenced; he was Captain of Spanish Lancers for five years and distinguished himself during the campaign for the relief of Bois-le-Duc and for the entry into Veluwe. Additionally, the previous year he had repelled the Prince of Orange's forces near Bruges.

By 1632, O'Donnell's annual pension was 1,800 crowns. As a Knight of Alcántara he had 3,000 crowns yearly. Additionally was his pay as a colonel.

O'Donnell was granted naturalisation as a Spanish subject in 1633. He lived at the Spanish court.

In January 1635, rumours reached Philip IV that the French were attempting to lure O'Donnell and Shane to work for their own military. On 7 April 1635, O'Donnell complained that 26,280 crowns were owed to him.

In April 1638, O'Donnell and his regiment were sent to Spain. O'Donnell rose to be a general in the Spanish service, distinguishing himself at the relief of Fuenterrabia in September 1638.

It was expected that O'Donnell would assist in the Irish Rebellion of 1641. His military rank and experience, coupled with his claim as a descendant of the Gaelic nobility and his association with Celtic prophecies, contributed to expectations that O'Donnell would have the potential to retake Ireland from English rule. O'Donnell requested permission from the Spanish court to be placed in service of Ireland. However, this was refused as he was required to fight for the Spanish against France.

O'Donnell fought at the Naval Battle of Tarragona.

Marriage

On 20 March 1632, O'Donnell entered into a marriage agreement with noblewoman Anna-Margaret of Henin-Lietard. She was the eldest daughter of Maximilien II de Hénin, 5th Count of Bossu, and his wife Alexandrine Françoise de Gavre. Anna-Margaret died in 1634. Ultimately O'Donnell had no children or heirs.

Maximilien II de Hénin (died 8 December 1625) was a Knight of the Golden Fleece. Alexandrine Françoise de Gavre was a near kinswoman of the last eccentric Charles, Duke of Guise. Anna-Margaret's eldest brother was Albert Maximilian de Hennin, who was an ally to Owen Roe O'Neill. Her family had a chateau in what is modern-day Belgium, though their noble house (the House of Hénin of the Belgian nobility) is now extinct.

Death and legacy

In 1642, O'Donnell's ship, the ''Magdalena'', was involved in a naval engagement against French forces off Barcelona.. fn. xxi. "He died, aged 36, without offspring, on 1 July 1642, in an engagement off Barcelona when his ship, the ''Magdalena'', caught fire..." The ''Magdalena'' caught fire, and O'Donnell drowned along thirty of his men on 1 July 1642. His death was announced by his aunt Rosa in an Irish letter written at Leuven dated 16 September 1642.

Shane had died the previous year in the Battle of Montjuïc. Their consecutive deaths were a major blow to Irish expectations that the two men would lead an Irish rebellion. The contemporary source ''Commentariiu Rinuccinianus'' described O'Donnell and Shane thus: "Tyrconnell, an accomplished courtier, expert in matters of war, of the greatest courage, but less prudent than Tyrone, a man of singular judgement". O'Donnell was outlived by his mother Bridget, who died in 1682 at the age of ninety.

According to the patent of the earldom of Tyrconnell, the title (were it not attainted in 1614) would have passed to Donal Oge O'Donnell, who was the son of Rory's late elder half-brother Donal. In O'Donnell's will, he appointed Hugh Balldearg O'Donnell, a soldier in the Spanish army, as his heir, thus restoring the chieftainship to the elder branch of the family.

As of 2018, two portraits, one of O'Donnell and the other of his wife Anna-Margaret, are held at Kiplin Hall in Yorkshire.

Ancestry

Source

References

Notes

Citations

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tyrconnell, Hugh O'Donnell, 2nd Earl of
1606 births
1642 deaths
Flight of the Earls
Kings of Tír Chonaill
Earls of Tyrconnell
Irish chiefs of the name