Sir Richard 'The Rich' Boyle, 2nd Earl of Cork (20th October 1612 - 13 Jan 1697-8)

See Earls of Cork

Full title:

2nd Earl of Cork, 1st Earl of Burlington, Lord high treasurer of the kingdom of Ireland, Viscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky, Baron of Bandon Bridge, 1st Baron Clifford of Lanesborough in the county of York.

Richard Boyle was the second son and sixth child of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork and the Great Earl's second wife, Catherine Fenton.

He was born at The College in Youghal.

At the age of 22 he married the 21 year old Lady Elizabeth Clifford, daughter of Henry Clifford, 5th Earl of Cumberland, on the 5th of July 1635 in Skipton Castle, Skipton, Yorkshire, England.

He received his knighthood on the 13th of August 1624 at the Great Earl's house in Youghal, from Lord Falkland, who was the Deputy General of Ireland.

Upon the death of his brother Lewis Boyle on on the 2nd of September 1642, Richard acceded to the titles of Viscount Boyle of Kinalmeaky and Baron of Bandon Bridge.

Richard held principal command at the Battle of Liscarrol on the 3rd of September 1642.

The title of Earl of Cork became his upon the death of his father on the 15th of September 1643.

King Charles I of England created Richard 'First Baron Clifford of Lanesborough in the county of York' on the 4th of November 1644.

Richard was constituted the Lord High Treasurer of the Kingdom of Ireland on the 16th of November 1660.

King Charles II of England created Richard the First Earl of Burlington on the 20th of March 1664.

In 1689 he was 'attainted' (this word is defined variously as meaning indicted, accused, convicted, often of treason) by the Irish parliament which had been assembled by King James II of England.

The children of the 2nd Earl

The first of the six children of Richard and Lady Elizabeth was Charles Boyle (1639-1694) who was known by the title of Viscount Dungarvan, Lord Clifford of Lanesborough and was born in Youghal on the 12th of September 1639.

It was Charles's son (also called Charles Boyle) who acceded to the 2nd Earl of Cork's title upon Richard's death (see below) rather than any of the Earl's own children, because the 2nd Earl outlived his sons.

The second of the Earl's two sons was yet another (untitled?) Richard Boyle (birth date unknown?) who died on the 3rd of June 1665 at the battle of Solebay.

Richard and Lady Elizabeth had four daughters, Frances, Elizabeth, Mary Anne and Henrietta.

When the 2nd Earl died, on the 6th of January, 1698 neither of his two sons were still alive, so he was succeeded by his grandson Charles Boyle Viscount Dungarvan, Lord Clifford of Lanesborough, who became the 3rd Earl of Cork.

The 2nd Earl was buried on the 3rd of February 1697-8 in Londesborough, Yorkshire, England.

Preceded by:
Richard Boyle
Earl of Cork Followed by:
Charles Boyle