Sir Richard Belling

Belling, Sir Richard, was born at Belinstown, County of Dublin, in 1613. Having been educated in Ireland, he entered at Lincoln's Inn, and studied law for some years. While there he wrote a sixth book to the Arcadia of Sir Philip Sidney. He entered with enthusiasm into the War of 1641-'52, and rapidly rose to high rank in the army of the Confederates. He was defeated by Lord Broghill before the castle of Lismore; was a leading member of the Supreme Council of the Confederated Catholics at Kilkenny, and was sent as ambassador to the European princes. He induced the Pope to commission Rinuccini as Nuncio. Eventually he broke with the Old Irish party, joined the Marquis of Ormond, and was employed by that nobleman in several important negotiations He is mentioned by Clarendon as one of the Commissioners of Trust at the conference with the Catholic Bishops of 5th November 1650. Upon Cromwell's Irish successes, he retired to France, where he wrote Vindiciae Catholicorum Hiberniae, and other works. After the Restoration, he returned home, and through Ormond's influence recovered possession of his estates. He died in Dublin, in September 1677, and was buried at Malahide. Lowndes says:— "Belling's account of the transactions in Ireland during the period of the rebellion is esteemed more worthy of credit than any written by the Romish party."

Sources

16. Authors, Dictionary of British and American: S. Austin Allibone. 3 vols. Philadelphia, 1859-'71.

80. Clarendon, Earl of: History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars. 8 vols. Oxford,1826.

219. Lowndes' Bibliographer's Manual of English Literature. 11 parts. Henry G. Bohn. London, 1857-'64.

339. Ware, Sir James, Works: Walter Harris. 2 vols. Dublin, 1764.