Henry Piers, Esq (1568–1623), also spelt Henry Pierce or Perse, was an Anglo-Irish landowner and Member of Parliament who owned the estate of Tristernagh Abbey in the early 17th century.
Henry Piers converted to Catholicism in his late 20s, after "conversing with many of the Romish church" according to a family memoir (which also claimed he did so "against the advice of his wife").[1] Piers was particularly influenced by his strong friendship with neighbouring "Old English" families who had retained the Catholic faith. He subsequently travelled on the Continent for some 8 years and on his return converted a number of his children, one of whom, Thomas Piers, was said to have become a Franciscan friar.[3] He also wrote a book describing his travels,[4] the manuscript of which eventually came to Sir James Ware, whose sister married into the Piers family. The manuscript was recently rediscovered and has proved an important source of information on the Irish laity in Europe during the time of the Nine Years' War.
Henry Piers was buried in a tomb in the now-ruined chapel of Templecross, which stands at the gates to Tristernagh demesne. An altar monument bearing the Piers arms and a Latin inscription still exists in the ruins; the inscription commemorates Henry Piers as a "hospitable native" of "renowned piety" who repaired Tristernagh Abbey.[5] A translation and drawing of the inscription are given in James Woods' Annals of Westmeath.
Familyedit
Piers was succeeded in his estates by his eldest son, who was later knighted, becoming Sir William Piers. Henry's grandson Sir Henry Piers, a soldier and notable antiquarian, was created a baronet in 1661, founding the Piers baronets of Tristernagh. One of his descendants was Sir John Piers, who was involved in a notorious adultery case in 1807, and was the subject of a poem by John Betjeman.
henry, piers, anglo, irish, landowner, soldier, antiquarian, baronet, 1568, 1623, also, spelt, henry, pierce, perse, anglo, irish, landowner, member, parliament, owned, estate, tristernagh, abbey, early, 17th, century, life, edithe, only, william, piers, yorks. For the Anglo Irish landowner soldier and antiquarian see Sir Henry Piers 1st Baronet Henry Piers Esq 1568 1623 also spelt Henry Pierce or Perse was an Anglo Irish landowner and Member of Parliament who owned the estate of Tristernagh Abbey in the early 17th century Life editHe was the only son of William Piers a Yorkshireman who had been granted land in Ireland by Elizabeth I in return for military and other services His mother was Ann Holt of Holt Castle Wrexham on the north Welsh borders Henry married Jane Jones daughter of Thomas Jones Archbishop of Dublin and Margaret Purdon and had eight children 1 He served as the secretary to Lord Deputy Chichester and represented the potwalloper constituency of Baltimore in the 1613 Irish Parliament 2 In addition to his father s estates at Tristernagh he also acquired plantation land in Cavan Henry Piers converted to Catholicism in his late 20s after conversing with many of the Romish church according to a family memoir which also claimed he did so against the advice of his wife 1 Piers was particularly influenced by his strong friendship with neighbouring Old English families who had retained the Catholic faith He subsequently travelled on the Continent for some 8 years and on his return converted a number of his children one of whom Thomas Piers was said to have become a Franciscan friar 3 He also wrote a book describing his travels 4 the manuscript of which eventually came to Sir James Ware whose sister married into the Piers family The manuscript was recently rediscovered and has proved an important source of information on the Irish laity in Europe during the time of the Nine Years War Henry Piers was buried in a tomb in the now ruined chapel of Templecross which stands at the gates to Tristernagh demesne An altar monument bearing the Piers arms and a Latin inscription still exists in the ruins the inscription commemorates Henry Piers as a hospitable native of renowned piety who repaired Tristernagh Abbey 5 A translation and drawing of the inscription are given in James Woods Annals of Westmeath Family editPiers was succeeded in his estates by his eldest son who was later knighted becoming Sir William Piers Henry s grandson Sir Henry Piers a soldier and notable antiquarian was created a baronet in 1661 founding the Piers baronets of Tristernagh One of his descendants was Sir John Piers who was involved in a notorious adultery case in 1807 and was the subject of a poem by John Betjeman References edit a b The Peerage of Ireland v2 1789 p 201 Clarke A Prelude to Restoration in Ireland CUP 1999 p 191 Micheal o Cleirigh Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland v5 1856 p 1620 Brewer J N The Beauties of Ireland v2 1826 p 239 Woods J Annals of Westmeath Sealy Bryers and Walker 1907 p 307 Political officesPreceded byJohn Bingley Chief Secretary for Ireland1605 1616 Succeeded byHenry Holcroft Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Henry Piers amp oldid 1165333728, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
