Michael Jones | |
|---|---|
&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:St._Mary%27s_Collegiate_College_Church,_Youghal,_Co._Cork.JPG) St Mary's, Youghal, where Jones was buried | |
| Governor of Dublin | |
| In office 1647–1649 | |
| Governor of Chester | |
| In office 1646–1647 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1606 to 1610 Ardagh, County Longford |
| Died | 10 December 1649 (aged 42–43) Dungarven, County Wexford |
| Spouse | Mary Culme (1646–his death) |
| Relations | Lewis Jones, Bishop of Killaloe (1560–1646) |
| Military service | |
| Years of service | 1641–1649 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General |
| Battles/wars | |
Michael Jones (c. 1606 to 10 December 1649) was an Irish-born Protestant soldier of Welsh descent who fought in the War of the Three Kingdoms, primarily in Ireland. Third son of Lewis Jones, Bishop of Killaloe, his brothers Henry and Ambrose were also bishops in the Church of Ireland.
After the outbreak of the Irish Rebellion of 1641, he served in the army raised by Charles I of England against the Catholic Confederacy. The First English Civil War began in August 1642, and in September 1643 Charles agreed a truce with the Confederacy. Intended to allow the transfer of Irish Royalist troops to England, like many Protestants Jones objected to the deal. Sent to England in 1644 as part of a delegation to argue their case, when Charles refused to change he joined Parliamentarian forces in Cheshire.
In June 1647, Parliament appointed him governor of Dublin, and military commander in Leinster. He won significant victories over Royalist/Confederate armies at Dungan's Hill and Rathmines, and after Oliver Cromwell arrived in August 1649, served under him at Drogheda and Wexford. The Commonwealth army then besieged Waterford, but suffered severely from sickness, and was forced to retreat. Jones died of fever on 10 December 1649.