Robert Emmet was born March 24, 1778 in Dublin. Would he survive or
would he die young like many of his siblings, gone before him?
Fortunately Robert would survive and become a quiet lad. He keeps his
thoughts hidden, but he quite agrees with the ideas of Wolfe Tone, that
the Protestants and Catholics need to unite to put Irish grievances
forward to London.
Later his older brother, Thomas, is arrested for being part of a group,
known as United Irishmen, wanting autonomy for the Irish. Shortly after
that, Robert was expelled from Trinity because he refused to swear
allegiance to George III. Martial law was also declared in Ireland.
Shortly afterwards, the leader of the group, Lord Fitzgerald was
arrested and jailed. Will the fight go out of the Irish now?
Fitzgerald's death in 1798 led to open and widespread rebellion. The
British sent in the army to quell the rebellion, and quell it they did,
leaving over 30 000 dead. A short time later, Wolfe Tone was captured.
Following a court martial, he committed suicide. Having been named as a
member of the United Irishmen, Robert must now go into exile.
Later an amnesty is granted to those in exile and Robert is able to
return. Although the fires have been suppressed, they still smoulder.
Robert begins to scheme and organise. He sets himself up in a house as
Mr. Ellis and engages Anne devil to be his housekeeper. Robert sets
about getting all of Ireland onside for his planned rebellion.
At the last minute the plans go awry. Had somebody sabotaged them? Was
there a spy in their midst? Brutality ensues as the authorities impose
martial law. Rewards are offered for the main conspirators. Before
long many of the conspirators are in custody, including Robert Emmet.
Author Gretta Curran Browne has been brutally descriptive in her
recounting of the life, times and death of the Irish rebels and their
English overlords of this time. An excellent read for fans of
historical fiction.
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