James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond
Encyclopedia
James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond (died 1463), called 'the Usurper', was the youngest son of Gerald FitzGerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond
, and Lady Eleanor, daughter of James Butler, 2nd Earl of Ormond. The younger brother of John FitzGerald, 4th Earl of Desmond
, James was uncle to the 4th Earl's only son Thomas FitzGerald, 5th Earl of Desmond, whom he was able to deprive of his earldom and dispossess in 1418 for marrying far below his station.
Although not acknowledged until 1422, he was in 1420 made Seneschal of Imokilly, Inchiquin, and the town of Youghal
, by James Butler, 4th Earl of Ormond. In 1423 he was made Constable of Limerick
for life. In 1445 he was excused attendance at Parliament.
Along with his son-in-law Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare
, James was a prominent Irish supporter of the House of York
.
He was also godfather to George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence
.
Dying in 1462 or 1463, Desmond is buried in Youghal.
, and they had issue two sons:
and two daughters:
Gerald FitzGerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond
Gerald fitzMaurice FitzGerald, also known by the Irish Gaelic "Gearóid Iarla" , was the 3rd Earl of Desmond, in southwestern Ireland, under the first creation of that title, and a member of the Hiberno-Norman dynasty of the FitzGeralds, or Geraldines...
, and Lady Eleanor, daughter of James Butler, 2nd Earl of Ormond. The younger brother of John FitzGerald, 4th Earl of Desmond
John FitzGerald, 4th Earl of Desmond
John FitzGerald FitzGerald, 4th Earl of Desmond was the son of Gerald FitzGerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond. He married and had one son who succeeded him as earl of Desmond; Thomas FitzGerald, 5th Earl of Desmond....
, James was uncle to the 4th Earl's only son Thomas FitzGerald, 5th Earl of Desmond, whom he was able to deprive of his earldom and dispossess in 1418 for marrying far below his station.
Although not acknowledged until 1422, he was in 1420 made Seneschal of Imokilly, Inchiquin, and the town of Youghal
Youghal
Youghal is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout...
, by James Butler, 4th Earl of Ormond. In 1423 he was made Constable of Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
for life. In 1445 he was excused attendance at Parliament.
Along with his son-in-law Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare
Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare
Thomas FitzMaurice FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare , was an Irish peer and Lord Chancellor of Ireland.-Background:Kildare was the son of John FitzGerald, de jure 6th Earl of Kildare, and Rose Basset.-Career:...
, James was a prominent Irish supporter of the House of York
House of York
The House of York was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet, three members of which became English kings in the late 15th century. The House of York was descended in the paternal line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, the fourth surviving son of Edward III, but also represented...
.
He was also godfather to George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence
George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence
George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence, 1st Earl of Salisbury, 1st Earl of Warwick, KG was the third son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York, and Cecily Neville, and the brother of kings Edward IV and Richard III. He played an important role in the dynastic struggle known as the Wars of the...
.
Dying in 1462 or 1463, Desmond is buried in Youghal.
Marriage and issue
James married Mary, daughter of either Ulick or William de BurghDe Burgh
de Burgh is a surname, and may refer to:* Chris de Burgh , musician and songwriter* Edmond Albanach de Burgh , Lord of Connaught* Elizabeth de Burgh , Scottish royal consort...
, and they had issue two sons:
- Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of DesmondThomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of DesmondThomas FitzJames FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Desmond , called 'Thomas of Drogheda', was the son of James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond and Mary de Burgh....
- Sir Gerald Mor FitzGerald, ancestor of the FitzGerald Lords of Decies of County WaterfordCounty Waterford*Abbeyside, Affane, Aglish, Annestown, An Rinn, Ardmore*Ballinacourty, Ballinameela, Ballinamult, Ballinroad, Ballybeg, Ballybricken, Ballyduff Lower, Ballyduff Upper, Ballydurn, Ballygunner, Ballylaneen, Ballymacarbry, Ballymacart, Ballynaneashagh, Ballysaggart, Ballytruckle, Bilberry, Bunmahon,...
and two daughters:
- Honor, married Thomas FitzPatrick, Lord of Kerry
- Joan, married Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of KildareThomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of KildareThomas FitzMaurice FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare , was an Irish peer and Lord Chancellor of Ireland.-Background:Kildare was the son of John FitzGerald, de jure 6th Earl of Kildare, and Rose Basset.-Career:...