Background
Molyneux was born in Calais, which was then the last English possession in France.
statesman chief Chancellor of Prisoner
Molyneux was born in Calais, which was then the last English possession in France.
He founded a dynasty which produced several men of distinction, and his descendants acquired the title Molyneux baronets of Castle Dillon, County Armagh. When the French seized Calais in January 1558, he was taken prisoner, but freed after he paid a ransom of 500 crowns (the size of the ransom suggests that his family were wealthy). In 1568, after the outbreak of the Dutch Revolt made life in Bruges increasingly hazardous for foreigners, Molyneux moved his family to England, and gained the favour of Queen Elizabeth I. In 1576 he moved to Ireland.
He received a grant of land at Swords, County Dublin.
He was appointed Chief Victualler to the Irish Army and Receiver of customs on the import of wine. In 1590 he was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ireland.
He contributed £40 (then a very substantial sum) towards the foundation of Trinity College, Dublin. In 1594 his qualifications to hold office were questioned: it seems that his French birth and his years in Bruges had raised suspicions that he was a Roman Catholic, and as such ineligible for public office.
He died just after New Year 1597, and was buried in Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin.
His widow died the following year.