Benjamin Lee Guinness’s death is the catalyst for Netflix’s House of Guinness, leading to questions about how the incident transpired. Much like Succession or The Godfather, the new historical drama examines the fate of a wealthy family surrounding the death of its renowned patriarch. Unlike the Corleones or the Roys, however, the Guinness family is very real.
The history of the Guinness family and the famous brewing company dates back to the 1700s, but the show picks up events in 1868 after Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness passes away. At the time of his death, he was 69 years old, was the first Lord Mayor of Dublin, and the wealthiest man in the country, with an estate valued beyond anything banks had ever seen.
Benjamin Lee Guinness Died Suddenly Of Unknown Causes In 1868
All of this information makes Benjamin Lee Guinness’s death an extremely prominent moment in time, as the passing of such an unprecedented amount of wealth can have drastic consequences on the country’s social and political standing. This is the show’s focus, but the series skips over the details of his actual death.
In truth, it’s not exactly known how Benjamin Lee Guinness died. His death was a sudden occasion, and this era didn’t have many of the modern medicine advantages current society offers. By modern standards, 69 might not seem too old, but this was actually quite the lengthy life in the 1800s, when the average Irish lifespan was under 40.
This was a century riddled by the Great Famine in the 1840s and mass emigration to the United States, which had drastic effects on Ireland’s lower class. As we see with the town of Cloonboo, times are extremely difficult, which has led to much of the anger and restlessness from political groups like the Fenians, who blame English Unionism and pro-unionist families like the Guinnesses for the suffering.
Benjamin Lee Guinness’s grandfather who founded the Guinness brewery, Arthur Guinness, lived an even longer life, dying at the age of 77 in 1803.
Were There Really Riots During Benjamin Lee Guinness’ Funeral?
James Norton standing over chained men from House of GuinnessCredit: Netflix / Ben Blackall
While the riots surrounding Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness’s funeral were one of House of Guinness’s numerous historical fabrications, there is some narrative justification when taking into account his age of death. At 69, Benjamin Lee Guinness’s wealth and resources allowed him an extraordinary lifespan that many would be deeply resentful and envious of during this period.
In real life, the Fenians might have had a more complicated view of the Guinness family. Although they were generally supportive of English Unionism, the link the Fenians sought to break in hopes of Irish independence, the Guinness family was also supportive of Irish Catholicism, rather than British Protestantism.
While the show’s opening rights likely didn’t happen, just like how there was no foreman named Sean Rafferty to return order to the streets, the Fenians and general Irish population likely did have mixed feelings about the family. It’s these complexities that House of Guinness looks to explore, through fact and fiction.
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