Margaret Ball
From The Catholic Guide
Born as Margaret Birmingham in 1515, near Skryne, in County Meath. Died in 1584 of deprivation in the dungeons of Dublin Castle. At any stage she would have been released and returned to a privileged life by ‘taking the Oath’. She was Mayoress of Dublin 1553-1554. Generations of her descendants competed for the office of Mayor of Dublin. She established schools. She was beatified on September 27 1992. She is usually associated with Mayor Francis Taylor 1595, although it is unlikely that they ever met. He married her granddaughter.
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Early Life
Her father, Nicholas Birmingham, (who was from Birmingham) left England following his opposition to the religious reforms of King Henry VIII. He purchased land, and farmed, in Corballis, County Meath. Her mother, Catherine was the daughter of Richard de la Hide of Drogheda (Richard Hyde). The family was politically active. Her brother, William Birmingham, travelled to London to protest against the actions of Thomas Radclyffe, Earl of Sussex on behalf of the Palesmen. (The Earl was imposing the reformation on behalf of the boy-king Edward VI. Edward died and was succeeded by his sister Queen Mary Tudor, so the Earl then reversed his previous policy).
Marriage
At the age of 15, Margaret married Alderman Bartholomew Ball of Ballrothery. His family were wealthy; they operated a bridge over the River Dodder, still known as Ballsbridge. She had ten children, only five survived to adulthood. Bartholomew Ball was elected Mayor of Dublin in 1553, so Margaret was Mayoress. He died in December 1567. She had a comfortable life with a large household and many servants. She organised classes for the children of local families in her own home
Arrest
Queen Elizabeth I (Bloody Bess) reversed the policy of her sister Queen Mary Tudor and imposed her Religious Settlement. Margaret’s eldest son, Walter Ball, embraced the ‘new religion’ and was appointed Commissioner for Ecclesiastical Causes in 1577. Margaret was disappointed with her son's change of faith. She often tried to change his mind. She continued to invite him to dinner in the family home. By now Margaret was crippled with arthritis and could not walk. On one occasion, she told him that she had a 'special friend' for him to meet. Walter arrived early, with a company of soldiers, he surrounded the family home. Inside, the 'special friend', Dermot OHurley Archbishop of Cashel was celebrating Mass. Walter had his own mother arrested and brought, through the streets, to the dungeons of Dublin Castle on a hurdle (a cart with a high fence on it, normally used to convey prisoners to their execution).
Family reaction
This caused some upset in the family. Walter explained that the hurdle was because his mother had arthritis and couldn't walk. He said that she should have been executed, but he had spared her. She could go free if she 'Took the Oath' (probably the Oath of Supremacy).
Her second son, Nicholas, who supported her, stood for, and was elected Mayor in 1582. However, Walter was still Commissioner for Ecclesiastical Causes, this was a crown appointment. Nicholas, even though he was Mayor, was unable to secure the release his mother. He visited her daily, bringing her food, clothing, and candles.
Death
In 1584, aged 69 (which was a good age then) crippled with arthritis, with no natural light; she died in that cold, damp dungeon. Although she could have altered her will, she still bequeathed her lands at Ballygall to Walter.
(Her 'special friend', OHurley had been beheaded in 1583)
After her death, her sons Nicholas and Thomas seem to have withdrawn from public life. Margaret had two daughters, Katherine who married Thomas Shelton and Eleanor who married Walter Seagrave. Her daughters' families continued 'political activity', as did the family of her reformed son, Walter Ball.
Mayors of Dublin
From the list of Mayors of Dublin, we can see that the divide in the family continued, until it was required to ‘take the Oath’ before standing for election. An incomplete list:
- Walter Seagrave (married to Eleanor – Margaret’s youngest daughter) 1588-1589
- Francis Taylor (married to Gennet, daughter of Katherine and grand-daughter of Margaret) 1595-1596
- Robert Ball (protestant - Walter's eldest son) 1604-1605 and 1609-1610
- John Shelton (Katherine's son and grandson of Margaret) was elected Mayor, by now the law was changed, requiring the Mayor to 'take the Oath' after election. John refused.
- Edward Ball (protestant - Walter's son) 1621-1622
Children
Margaret had five children (who survived to adulthood)
- Walter, who implemented the Reformation. Father of Robert and Edward – both mayors)
- Nicholas, who opposed Walter.
- Thomas, of whom we know little
- Katherine, married Thomas Shelton. Their son, John, was Mayor for two months. Their daughter, Gennet, married Francis Taylor, also a Mayor, who is usually associated with Margaret.
- Eleanor, married Walter Seagrave, another Mayor, who was involved in the Baltinglass revolt
Martyrdom
Margaret had survived for nearly three years, in a dark, damp and cold dungeon. At any stage she could have returned to a life of comfort by ‘taking the Oath’. Two generations later this pattern was repeated. Francis Taylor exposed a fraud in the parliamentary elections to the Irish House of Commons. However, as a result, he was ‘required’ to ‘take the Oath’. He refused and also ended his days in the dungeons of Dublin Castle. He survived there for seven years. He died January 29 1621
Beatification
They were beatified, along with Dermot OHurley (the beheaded Archbishop) on September 27, 1992. The sculpture shown was erected to mark the millennium. Francis Taylor may be the only politician who became a saint (if we limit ‘politician’ to those who held elected office and regard ‘blessed’ as saints). The cause for the beatification of Katherine (grand-daughter of Margaret and wife of Francis) is currently being investigated, as is the cause for the sanctity of Margaret Ball. The Church of Adam and Eve now stands where a warehouse owned by Francis Taylor once stood. The Church of Our Mother of Divine Grace, three schools, and a home for the sick elderly now stand on the lands bequeathed by Margaret to Walter – suggesting that a descendant reverted to Catholicism.
Reference
December 2004 - Corish and Millett - "The Irish Martyrs" isbn 1851828583 [1]
