Thomas Molyneux

Thomas Molyneux, or Molinel (1531–1597) was a French-born English statesman, who held high office in Ireland during the Elizabethan era. He founded a dynasty which produced several distinguished members, and became the Molyneux baronets of Castle Dillon, County Armagh. Life Molyneux was born in Calais, which was the last English possession in France until the French seized it in 1558. His father was William Molyneux, or Molinel. Both his parents died when he was very young. An only child, he was raised by John Biskin or Brishin, an alderman of the town. When the French seized Calais in January 1558, he was taken prisoner, but freed after he paid a ransom of 500 crowns (the size of the ransom suggests that he had wealthy relatives). He moved to Bruges and there married Catherine Stabeort (or Salaboethe), daughter of Lodowick Stabeort, a wealthy burgomaster of the town. In 1568, after the outbreak of the Dutch Revolt made life in Bruges increasingly hazardous for foreigners, Molyneux moved with his family to England, and gained the favour of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1576 he moved to Ireland. He received a grant of land at Swords, County Dublin, where there was a small colony of refugees from the Low Countries. He enjoyed the patronage of Adam Loftus, Archbishop of Dublin. He was appointed Chief Victualler to the Irish Army and Receiver of customs on the import of wine. In 1590 he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland. He contributed £40 (then a very substantial sum) towards the foundation of Trinity College, Dublin (1592).