A Bishop of Ossory

David Rothe (1573 – 1650) was “raised by the Pope to the dignity of Prothonotary Apostolic”.

If you don’t know what that means read yesterday’s post; or if you are in a hurry be aware it is a mark of distinction. But you want to know why this title was conferred on him and there is no better guide than Miss M Sparks who writes about his life in an article (The Rothes of Kilkenny) for the Kilkenny Archeological Society. She has a nice turn of phrase, by the way.

“The family of Rothe was one of the most remarkable of those ten families who had an almost exclusive enjoyment of municipal offices in the City of Kilkenny from the commencement of the 15th to the end of the 17th century, and whose names have been grouped together in the well-known lines: ‘Archedekin, Archer, Cowley, Langton, Lee,/ Knaresborough, Lawless, Raggett, Rothe and Shee’. …

David … was an outstanding member of the Rothe family, born in the city of Kilkenny in the year 1573. His father, John Rothe Fitzrobert, a citizen of wealth and distinction, was son of Robert Rothe Fitzdavid by his wife, Ellen Butler of Paulstown, who was a first cousin of Pierce the Red, eighth Earl of Ormond, and a lineal descendant of King Edward I. His mother was Lettice, only daughter of John Rothe Fitzpeter of New Ross. …

He received his early education in his native town and studied Classics and Philosophy in the Irish College of Douay (sic) He read a brilliant course of Theology in the University of Salamanca, where he was ordained priest after being promoted to the Degree of Doctor in Civil and Canon Law. In or before 1602 he went to Rome, as appears from an old volume in the library of the Irish College there, which bears the following on the title page: ‘David Rothe, his booke, Rome, 1602’.

For the next seven or eight years he remained in Rome, discharging the duties of Professor of Theology and, at the same time, of secretary to the exiled Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev. Peter Lombard. Feeling that Ireland should be the scene of his labours, he resolved, as soon as circumstances permitted, to return to his native land to minister there to the spiritual needs of his co-religionists. Accordingly, having been raised by the Pope to the dignity of Prothonotary Apostolic, and received the permission and blessing of Archbishop Lombard, he at length set out on his homeward journey in the year 1609. Dr Lombard, knowing well his great zeal, prudence and ability, imposed upon him before departure from Rome the full charge of his Archdiocese of Armagh, in the capacity of Guardian and Vicar-General. Dr Rothe returned to Ireland without much delay and in the Government list of Kilkenny priests, in the year 1610 or 1611, he is mentioned as then resident, partly in Kilkenny City with his brother, Edward, and partly at Balleen with (his cousin), Richard, 3rd Lord Viscount (sic) Mountgarret.

Dr Rothe was the friend, encourager, or correspondent of many of his contemporary workers in the field of Irish history and antiquities. Of Michael O’Clery, the Chief of the Four Masters, he writes thus in the year 1628: ‘I gave him the few lives (of the Irish Saints) I had collected and I sent him to Ormond, part of my Diocese, to transcribe there for a while, from whence he promised to come to Thomond, where I undertook to get many things for him, but he came not since; soon I expect him to come again and he shall be welcome truly to me.’

But though ardently devoted to the study of Irish history and hagiology, Dr Rothe never forgot the obligations of his high office, and never failed to discharge them. On his return from Paris to this country, most probably in 1623, he may with truth be said to have taken upon himself ‘the solicitude of the churches’; for, not only had he taken charge of Ossory, his own diocese, and Armagh, of which he was now become Vice-Primate, but being the only bishop in Ireland his pastoral vigilance extended to every part of the country. Archdeacon Lynch pays special tribute to his zeal in administering the Sacrament of Confirmation, the grace of which was so much needed at this time by the sorely-tried children of the Gael. ‘As he lay concealed in the recesses of the woods or journeyed (which was mostly by night) along the highways or took refuge in the dwellings of the faithful, the children were brought to him, not only by one, but in crowds from all the surrounding districts in order that they might be strengthened by the Sacramnent of Confirmation, so that he bore indeed the burden of the day and the heat.”

Towards the close of this year a great plague, which first made its appearance at Galway, swept over Ireland half depopulating the cities and towns. To add to Dr Rothe’s many troubles the plague spread to Kilkenny and began to work fearful havoc among the inhabitants. On learning this he arose from his bed of sickness and his feebleness not withstanding, took measures for the spiritual and temporal consolation of his flock. ‘He caused himself to be carried in a litter from door to door, in order that he might have the satisfaction of ministering with his own hands relief to those who were victims of the plague.’

Cromwell appeared before Kilkenny, March 22nd, and on the 27th of the same month the city was surrendered to him. According to the terms of the surrender all the inhabitants, none excepted, were allowed to make their departure from the city with their goods and go whether they would. Availing himself of this saving clause, Dr Rothe left Kilkenny, with the remnant of the garrison, on the morning of March 28th. ‘He (Dr Rothe) remained in the city with his flock to the last. When, at length, the city almost stripped by the plague fell into the hands of the enemy, March 27th 1650, it was stipulated that the citizens should have their lives and property, on payment of an indemnity, and that the soldiers should be allowed to march out with their arms and goods. Borne in his carriage, Dr Rothe accompanied the retiring garrison which was allowed to march only about two miles from the city. When its rearguard was attacked and plundered by a detachment of the enemy. In the same attack a charge was made on the Bishop’s carriage, during which he himself was robbed of £100, all that he then possessed. By Cromwell’s permission he was allowed back into the city. He died there on the 20th of the following April, at the age of 77 years. He was buried in the tomb of his ancestors, which they had erected in St Mary’s Church, his obsequies being duly performed by his friends according to the Catholic rite, with torches burning around his bier throughout the whole night that preceded his interment.’ “

*****

Rose Rothe, great grand-niece of David, Bishop Rothe, married James Bryan of Jenkinstown, Kilkenny. Their nephew and heir, George Bryan, is my great, great, great, great grandfather.