Clotworthy Skeffington, 2nd Earl of Massereene, Is Born in Co. Antrim

Clotworthy Skeffington, 2nd Earl of Massereene, (28 January 1742 – 28 February 1805) was an Irish peer born in the 18th century and he was a member of a prominent family in County Antrim, Ireland. He was an Anglo-Irish peer who was imprisoned in France for almost twenty years.

Family Background

Clotworthy Skeffington was born into the Skeffington family, an influential Anglo-Irish family in County Antrim. He was the son of Clotworthy Skeffington, 1st Earl of Massereene, and his wife, Anne.

Title

Upon the death of his father in 1738, Clotworthy Skeffington inherited the title of 2nd Earl of Massereene. The title “Earl of Massereene” was created in the Peerage of Ireland in 1756, initially for his father.

Role and Influence

As an Earl in 18th-century Ireland, Clotworthy Skeffington would have been a significant figure in the local and national aristocracy, involved in the social, political, and economic affairs of the time. Members of the peerage often played roles in the Irish House of Lords and were influential landowners.

Personal Life

Information about his personal life, including his activities and interests, might be less well-documented in historical records, as is often the case with figures who were not prominent in national politics or other high-profile public arenas.

Legacy

The Skeffington family, including the Earls of Massereene, were part of the Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland – the political, economic, and social domination of Ireland by a minority of landowners, Anglican clergy, and professionals, most of whom were English or Anglo-Irish.

Historical Context

The 18th century was a period of significant change and development in Ireland, marked by issues related to land ownership, religious rights, and the relationship with Great Britain. The Skeffington family and their peers would have been deeply involved in these matters.

Death

Clotworthy Skeffington, 2nd Earl of Massereene, died on January 14, 1757. The title passed on to his descendants.

As with many historical figures of the aristocracy,

the specific actions and contributions of Clotworthy Skeffington, 2nd Earl of Massereene, may not be as widely recorded as those of more prominent public figures of the time. However, his role as an Earl in 18th-century Ireland placed him within the context of significant socio-political changes during a period marked by the complexities of land ownership, religious rights, and the governance of Ireland under British rule. The Skeffington family, as part of the Protestant Ascendancy, would have played a role in these historical developments, influencing the cultural and political landscape of Ireland during that era.