The Upstart Earl: A Study of the Social and Mental World of Richard Boyle, First Earl of Cork, 1566-1643

Nicholas Canny

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511897252

Richard Boyle (1566–1643) is recognised more for the achievements of his children than for his own accomplishments. But in his own lifetime his advancement from an obscure Kentish background to become the wealthiest English landowner of his generation was a matter of the greatest interest and curiosity; all the more so because Boyle matched his economic success with the attainment of an Irish peerage, membership of the English privy council and marriage alliances with some of the more notable families in England and Ireland. This book explains how this phenomenal social feat was achieved, discusses how English society responded to Boyle's advancement and details how Boyle rationalised his elevation to himself, to his children and to the world at large. Richard Boyle was also the father of an extraordinarily large and extremely talented family, and a close study of his diary and voluminous correspondence has shed considerable light on the rearing and education of his children.

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The Upstart Earl

A Study of the Social and Mental World of Richard Boyle, First Earl of Cork, 1566-1643

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi

Contents
pp vii-vii

List of tables
pp viii-viii

Preface
pp ix-xii

1 - The enigmatic career of Richard Boyle, 1566–1643
pp 1-8

2 - The hostile witness: Boyle's career through the eyes of his enemies
pp 9-18

3 - The mental world of Richard Boyle
pp 19-40

4 - Social ascent and social adjustments in the career of Richard Boyle
pp 41-76

5 - The family life of Richard Boyle
pp 77-123

6 - Richard Boyle: Anglo-Irishman
pp 124-138

7 - Conclusion: the Boyles, Ireland and the ‘New Science’
pp 139-150

Notes
pp 151-203

Index
pp 204-211

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The Upstart Earl

A Study of the Social and Mental World of Richard Boyle, First Earl of Cork, 1566-1643

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