Dead Interesting

REGULAR readers of Northside People will know that historian and author, Shane MacThomáis, sadly died suddenly on March 20th.

Shane was a regular contributor to the paper and his Dead Interesting columns were a popular feature, often commented on and complimented by readers.

The columns formed the basis of Shane’s second book, Dead Interesting, which was a best seller on launch and is still available for sale at Glasnevin Cemetery Museum.

Shane was in the process of writing a third book and begun submitting articles to Northside People earlier this year.

The paper was in contact with Shane on the day he died to discuss his latest article. He gave no indication he was anything other than his normal self and expressed satisfaction that his latest article was to be published.

Shane loved sharing his knowledge with readers and we’re now publishing his final article this week in memory of a true friend of the paper and one of Dublin’s most popular characters.

The Duke of Schomberg

NOW if you have to get someone to write your epitaph there can be nobody better than Dean Jonathon Swift.

Of course the bould Dean couldn’t resist having a dig at his superiors, even on another man’s grave. Such is the case with the Duke of Schomberg, who is buried in the North Choir Aisle of St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Fredrich Herman, Duke of Schomberg, was born in Heidelberg (Germany) in 1610 and had an illustrious career in the French Army of Louis XIV where he gained the highest rank with his appointment as a Marshal of France.

However, the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which provided for the persecution of his fellow Protestants, led him to resign his post rather than betray his faith.

He moved to become an officer in the Army of the Elector of Brandenburg but quickly recognised William, Prince of Orange, as the Protestant champion and offered his services to him.

Schomberg landed in England in November 1688 with William and the following year was sent as head of the Williamite Army to Ireland. He landed at Groomsport and quickly secured Ulster for William cementing the successes of Londonderry and Enniskillen.

The winter of 1689 was, however, a period of stalemate as the two armies failed to fight a conclusive battle.

In June 1690 William himself landed in Ulster and took personal control of the Army with Schomberg as his second in command.

At the battle of the Boyne, July 1st, 1690, Schomberg passed the river and immediately rallied and encouraged the French Protestants, who had been left exposed by the death of their commander, with this short harangue:

“Aliens, messieurs, voila vos persecuteurs,

? pointing to the French Papists in the enemy’s army.

But these words were scarcely uttered, when a few of king James’s guards fell furiously upon the duke, and wounded him on the head, but the injuries were not mortal.

Upon this, the French regiment began firing rashly on the enemy; they shot the Duke through the neck, from which wound he instantly died.

The duke’s body was brought to St Patrick’s Cathedral 11 days later, but it was to take a further 41 years before Dean Swift erected a monument to Schomberg out of his own expense and wrote the epitaph in Latin. The following is the translation:

‘Beneath this stone lies the body of Frederick, Duke of Schomberg, who was killed at the Boyne AD 1690. The Dean and Chapter earnestly and repeatedly requested the Duke’s heirs to undertake the erection of a monument in memory of their father. Long and often they pressed the request by letter and through friends. It was of no avail. At long last they set up this stone, in order that the visitor loaded with indignation may know that the ashes of so great a leader are concealed in a little room. The renown of his valour had greater power among strangers than had the ties of blood among his kith and kin. AD 1731.’

Even in Death Schomberg continued to act in William’s favour. His prominence in Ireland was so great that some suggested changing Ireland’s name to Scrombergshire, which surely would have enraged the locals. Well this one anyway!