Bladens in Ireland

Bladens arrived in Dublin, from South Derbyshire, in the mid 1620s and quickly established themselves, and their business, amongst the mainly English Protestant settlers based in the city. For many years they were the sole book-sellers and held the monopoly on official printing. William Bladen also held office as an Alderman and Mayor and, from his business premises in Castle Street, was well placed to seek sanctuary for his family inside Dublin Castle walls when Rebellion broke out in 1641. This book is a collection of notes and records of those early Bladens and describes their journey from Derbyshire to Dublin and William’s letters from 1641-42 describe life for the family under siege.