Henry Luttrell: A Life of Command and Controversy
An examination of the military career, political influence, and controversial legacy of the 2nd Earl of Carhampton.
Begin Exploration ๐ Political Stance ๐๏ธDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Early Life and Military Beginnings
Ancestral Roots
Henry Lawes Luttrell, the 2nd Earl of Carhampton, hailed from a distinguished Anglo-Irish lineage with roots tracing back to Sir Geoffrey de Luterel, who established Luttrellstown Castle in County Dublin during the early 13th century. His paternal grandfather, Henry Luttrell, was a pardoned Jacobite commander who met a violent end in Dublin. His father, Simon Luttrell, accumulated titles, becoming Baron Irnham, Viscount Carhampton, and ultimately Earl Carhampton in the Irish peerage. His mother, Maria, was the daughter of Sir Nicholas Lawes, a significant figure in Jamaican colonial administration, and the eventual heiress to a slave plantation on the island.
Education and Commission
Luttrell received his formative education at Westminster School and subsequently matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford. His military career commenced in 1757 when he was commissioned into the 48th Regiment of Foot. By 1759, he had advanced to the rank of lieutenant in the 34th Regiment of Foot.
Early Military Service
Described as physically robust, Luttrell earned a reputation for bravery during the Seven Years' War. His service included a significant role as Deputy Adjutant-General of the British Forces in Portugal. This early military experience laid the foundation for his subsequent career in command.
Political Ascent and the Wilkes Affair
Parliamentary Entry
In 1768, Luttrell entered the political arena as a Tory Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bossiney in Cornwall. His political trajectory was significantly shaped by his alignment with the ruling Grafton ministry and the Court.
The Middlesex Election Controversy
A pivotal and deeply controversial moment in Luttrell's career occurred in 1769 during the Middlesex election. He stood against the popular radical John Wilkes, who had been elected three times but barred from taking his seat. Despite losing the popular vote decisively (1,143 votes to 269), Luttrell was controversially seated in Parliament by the House of Commons. This action, perceived by many as an underhanded maneuver to deny Wilkes his rightful seat, rendered Luttrell "the most unpopular man in the House of Commons" for a considerable period.
Irish Appointments
In recognition of his service to the government, Luttrell was appointed Adjutant General for Ireland in 1770. He continued to serve in the Commons, articulating strong opposition to the Whigs' stance on the American War, which he characterized as supporting "treason and rebellion."
Personal Conduct and Public Accusations
Familial Discord
Luttrell's relationship with his father was notably strained, characterized by mutual animosity. Accounts suggest that both father and son were known for their "notorious womanizing." This familial tension reportedly led to his father challenging him to a duel, which Henry declined, deeming his father "not a gentleman."
The Mary Neal Case
In 1788, Luttrell faced a severe public accusation in Dublin of raping a twelve-year-old girl named Mary Neal. The case involved allegations of assault within a brothel, with the keeper, Maria Llewellyn, implicated. The affair gained significant public attention, partly due to the intervention of Archibald Hamilton Rowan. Despite the gravity of the charges and the public outcry, Luttrell was never formally prosecuted for the alleged rape.
Military Command in Ireland
Suppression of Insurgency
In 1796, Luttrell assumed overall command of the Crown forces in Ireland amidst escalating tensions leading to the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He was entrusted with the task of disarming agrarian groups and suppressing dissent. His tenure was marked by a ruthless approach to pacification.
Methods and Criticism
Luttrell's command was criticized for its severity, including tactics such as "picketings, the free quarters, half hangings, flogging and pitch-cappings." Critics argued that these methods exacerbated rather than quelled the "flame of disaffection." His successor, Sir Ralph Abercromby, notably described the army under Luttrell's command as being "in a state of licentiousness, which must render it formidable to every one but the enemy."
Lord Carhampton's Bloodhounds
During the suppression efforts in 1798, Luttrell employed "bloodhounds" as part of his forces, a tactic that drew particular attention and criticism for its perceived barbarity, especially against the civilian population.
Opposition to Reform and Shifting Alliances
Anti-Reform Stance
Throughout his political career, Luttrell was a staunch opponent of significant reforms. He actively voted against bills aimed at abolishing the slave trade, expressing prejudiced views about enslaved people. He also opposed lifting civil disabilities on Roman Catholics and spoke critically of parliamentary reform, aligning himself with conservative elements of the establishment.
Later Political Career
After selling his Irish estates in 1799, Luttrell withdrew from active political engagement for a period. However, he re-entered Parliament in 1817, representing Ludgershall. In his final years, he notably shifted his allegiance, voting with the opposition against the government of Lord Liverpool on several occasions. Paradoxically, following the Peterloo Massacre, he supported the government's use of force against perceived radicals, demonstrating a complex and sometimes contradictory political stance.
Family and Succession
Marriages
Luttrell's first marriage to Elizabeth Mullen in 1759 was brief and later annulled. They had one daughter, Harriet Luttrell. His second marriage in June 1776 was to Jane Boyd, daughter of George Boyd. This union, however, produced no children.
Illegitimate Son
Henry Luttrell fathered an illegitimate son, also named Henry Luttrell (1765โ1851). This son became known as a wit and a frequent companion of the poet Thomas Moore, diverging significantly in his social circles and associations from his father's more conservative and controversial path.
Succession
As Henry Luttrell, the 2nd Earl of Carhampton, had no legitimate heirs, the earldom passed to his brother, John Luttrell-Olmius, upon his death.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Henry Luttrell 2nd Earl Of Carhampton" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs
- Irish Marriages: Being an Index to the Marriages in Walker's Hibernian Magazine, 1771 to 1812, Page 277.
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes exclusively. The content is derived from a snapshot of publicly available data and may not be entirely comprehensive, current, or without factual nuance.
This is not professional advice. The information presented herein is not a substitute for expert historical, political, or military analysis. Readers are encouraged to consult primary sources and scholarly works for deeper understanding. The creators of this page assume no liability for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.