Sir Thomas Lee remarked, “You are told by Harbord that the king has had Marshal Schomberg under his consideration. I am surprised that the motion was not earlier. I remember when there were great commendations of General Monk here for what he had done; then the methods were these, the king gave him rewards and lands, and the parliament confirmed them afterwards. I would have it from the hand it ought, and I hope the crown will be maintained always in that plenty as to be able to do it. It will be best for the Marshal and the best for you.” Sir Christopher Musgrave interposed, “I have a great honour for Marshal Schomberg, but you are out of the way, if you put the question that we take upon us to recompense him for his service. That is a prerogative of the king only. We are only to enable the king to gratify such persons. I move for the order of the day.”
Sir Henry Goodricke observed, “This house is possessed of the great merit of this gentleman as all the Protestants of Europe are; but to lay this debate aside now, I am against it. I would have it in your books to acknowledge this gentleman’s great service to the king, and to enable the king to settle a grateful acknowledgment on this great man.”
Mr. Hampden, junr., concurred, adding, “Ireland is not to be reduced without a general; and this is the greatest general in Europe; he is used to conquer kingdoms. Portugal by him was restored to the rightful owner. You will use him for Ireland.” The debate was adjourned.
Lord Macaulay translates into his own pictorial language the testimonies of that summer. “Schomberg had wonderfully succeeded in obtaining the affection and esteem of the English nation. He was regarded by all Protestants as a confessor, who had endured everything short of martyrdom for the truth. The preference given to him, over English captains, was justly ascribed to his virtues and his abilities. He was a citizen of the world, had travelled over all Europe, had commanded armies on the Meuse, on the Ebro, on the Tagus, had shone in the splendid circles of Versailles, and had been in high favour at the court of Berlin. He had often been taken by French noblemen for a French nobleman. He had passed some time in England, spoke English remarkably well, accommodated himself easily to English manners, and was often seen walking in the Park with English companions. At fo urscore he retained a strong relish for innocent pleasures; he conversed with great courtesy and sprightliness; nothing could be in better taste than his equipages and his table; and every cornet of cavalry envied the grace and dignity with which the veteran appeared in Hyde Park on his charger at the head of his regiment.” [It has been ascertained that he was in his seventy-fourth year.]
The Duke was Colonel of the First or Royal Regiment of Foot. But he raised a cavalry regiment composed of French Refugee gentlemen,[1] which was peculiarly his regiment. The aged Marquis de Ruvigny co-operated with him, and also raised three infantry regiments of Huguenot refugees for the campaign in Ireland.
Leinster, Munster, and Connaught still acknowledged James as their king. Ulster was for William and Mary, but was unable to contend with the other provinces, who introduced Popish garrisons into many of its fortresses. Derry shut its gates against the Jacobites, and became the Thermopylae of the North of Ireland. One of the first acts of Schomberg as Commander-in-chief was to send to that glorious town relief under the command of Major-General Kirke.
At length Schomberg himself was appointed to take the command in Ireland. And about the 15th of July (1689) he paid a memorable visit to the English House of Commons.
Sir Henry Capel acquainted the House “that the Duke of Schomberg desired to have the honour to wait upon the House, he being just going in the service of the crown on the Expedition to Ireland. His merit was great, and the king had rewarded it like a king.”
I he Duke of Schomberg, being then introduced, sat down, covered, in a chair placed for him towards the middle of the House, where having continued some time (the serjeant-at-arms with the mace standing at his right hand), he rose, and uncovered, made a brief speech:— “Mr. Speaker, I have desired this honour to make my just acknowledgment for the great favours I have received from this House, and doubt not but to find the effects of it in His Majesty’s grace and favour. I also would take my leave of this honourable House, being now going to Ireland, where I shall freely expose my life in the king’s service and yours.”
- ↑ The received opinion has been that all the privates in Schomberg’s Horse were gentlemen. But the lists in the British Museum establish this fact only, that some gentlemen served as privates in it, as was the case in each of the other French Refugee regiments.
