Francis Palmes

Lieutenant-General Francis Palmes MP (died 1719) was a noted favourite general of the Duke of Marlborough.

Early life
Palmes was the second son of Francis Palmes of Carcraig and Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Thomas Taylor of Ballyport, County Limerick. The Palmes family of Carcraig was a cadet branch of the Palmes family of Naburn.

Military career
Palmes began a lengthy military career shortly after the Revolution, being granted a captain’s commission in the regiment of the eldest son of the Earl of Devonshire in 1688. He served in Ireland through the 1690s and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He saw service during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Battle of Blenheim
Palmes assumed command of his regiment at the Battle of Blenheim. Reports from the battle state that 'hardly anyone was more instrumental to the success of that day' than Palmes, and his endeavours appear to have attracted the attention of the Duke of Marlborough.

The Duke of Marlborough recommended Palmes for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. In August he was promoted to this rank and commissioned as brevet colonel of horse. Marlborough’s patronage of a similar note was also received by two other Irishmen, the Earl of Cardogan and Thomas Meredyth in the mid-1700s. Palmes was closely associated with the two. The Duke of Marlborough was accused as having Brigadier Cadogan, Brigadier Palmes and Brigadier Meredith as his favourites. A poem from 1707 recognised this close relationship between Palmes and the Duke of Marlborough and states that 'Palmes was to marry Marlborough’s illegitimate daughter and receive a portion of £10,000'. He was promoted to major-general in 1707.

Political positions
Palmes stood at the by-election on 23 January 1707 for West Looe and was successful. He did not stand for re-election in 1708.

Diplomatic missions
From February 1708 Palmes travelled extensively, undertaking mission to the United Provinces, Hanover, Prussia, Vienna and Savoy in order to concert measures with the allies. He was promoted to lieutenant-general in the Army in 1709 and became envoy to Poland in 1718.