Joan Fitzgerald, Countess of Ormond
Encyclopedia
Joan Fitzgerald, Countess of Ormond, Countess of Desmond (ca. 1509 or ca. 1514 – 2 January 1565) was a Norman-Irish noblewoman and heiress, a member of the Fitzgerald family, who were also known as the "Geraldines". She married three times. Her first husband was James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond, who had been proposed as a bridegroom for Anne Boleyn
in 1522 to settle a dispute over the title and estates of the Earldom of Ormond. Her second husband was courtier Sir Francis Bryan
. Her third marriage to Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
brought peace to Ireland for a few years until he broke his truce with her eldest son Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond and warfare broke out between the rival Butler and Fitzgerald clans, who had been hereditary enemies for many generations. Joan carried on an amicable correspondence with Queen Elizabeth I of England
who recognised Joan's skill in diplomacy, and relied upon her to restore and keep the precarious peace in Munster
.
, Kinsale
, County Cork
, Ireland in about 1509 or 1514, the daughter and heiress-general of James Fitzgerald, 10th Earl of Desmond and Amy O'Brien
. She had a younger sister, Lady Honora Fitzgerald (died 1577), who later married Pierce Butler.
, eldest daughter of the 7th earl of Ormond. For reasons unknown, the marriage negotiations came to a halt and Anne later became the second wife of King Henry VIII of England
.
Together James and Joan had seven sons:
On 17 October 1546, James went to dine at Ely House in Holborn, London. He fell victim of a mass poisoning along with his steward and 16 of his servants. He eventually died on 28 October, leaving Joan a widow in her thirties. As a widow, she could legally act independently and she regained control of her dowry
. She also sought the help of influential people at Court in order to protect her children's inheritance.
She had desired to marry as her second husband, her cousin, Gerald FitzGerald
, heir to the earldom of Desmond and many years her junior; however, she was persuaded to marry the English courtier and diplomat Sir Francis Bryan in August 1548. He was appointed Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
and the couple returned to Ireland in November 1548, where she had a son Sir Francis and a daughter, Elizabeth. Due to his reputation of being a rake and libertine at the English court, Sir Francis Bryan earned the nickname "Vicar of Hell". While he lay dying at Clonmel
, Joan was allegedly out on a hunting expedition with her cousin, Gerald. He died on 2 February 1550, and she married Gerald in 1551. Their marriage brought about a temporary peace in Ireland between the rival families of Butler and FitzGerald. Gerald succeeded to the earldom in 1558, making Joan the Countess of Desmond. She used her considerable talent for diplomacy to act as a "peacemaker" between her eldest son and third husband.
. Joan worked hard attempting to persuade Queen Elizabeth to release him. She was eventually successful in 1564; however, she herself died shortly afterward on 2 January 1565. She was buried at the Friary of Askeaton
in Limerick
.
Following her death, open warfare broke out between the Butlers and Fitzgeralds, with her son emerging the victor after the Battle of Affane
in 1565.
Joan, in her various roles as landowner, household manager, and parent, wielded a powerful influence upon the lives of her tenants, retainers, and children. As a countess-albeit by marriage, she participated significantly in the world of Irish politics and the royal Tudor court.
Anne Boleyn
Anne Boleyn ;c.1501/1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England and Marquess of Pembroke in her own right. Henry's marriage to Anne, and her subsequent execution, made her a key figure in the political and religious upheaval that was the...
in 1522 to settle a dispute over the title and estates of the Earldom of Ormond. Her second husband was courtier Sir Francis Bryan
Francis Bryan
Sir Francis Bryan was an English courtier and diplomat during the reign of Henry VIII. He was Chief Gentleman of the Privy chamber and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Bryan always retained Henry's favour, achieving this by altering his opinions to conform to the...
. Her third marriage to Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond was an Irish nobleman and leader of the Desmond Rebellions of 1579.-Life:...
brought peace to Ireland for a few years until he broke his truce with her eldest son Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond and warfare broke out between the rival Butler and Fitzgerald clans, who had been hereditary enemies for many generations. Joan carried on an amicable correspondence with Queen Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
who recognised Joan's skill in diplomacy, and relied upon her to restore and keep the precarious peace in Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
.
Family
Lady Joan was born in Desmond CastleDesmond Castle
Desmond Castle is a tower house located in the town of Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland.- History :The castle was built as the Customs House for Kinsale about the year 1500 by Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond, following the grant of the customs of the port of Kinsale to the Earls of Desmond...
, Kinsale
Kinsale
Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland in about 1509 or 1514, the daughter and heiress-general of James Fitzgerald, 10th Earl of Desmond and Amy O'Brien
O'Brien
The O'Brien dynasty are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland...
. She had a younger sister, Lady Honora Fitzgerald (died 1577), who later married Pierce Butler.
Marriages and issue
Sometime before 21 December 1532, she married her first husband James Butler, who succeeded as 9th Earl of Ormond on 26 August 1539. James had been proposed as a bridegroom to his cousin Anne Boleyn in 1522 in an attempt to settle a dispute over the title and estates of the earldom of Ormond to which Anne's father, Sir Thomas Boleyn had a claim as his mother had been Lady Margaret ButlerLady Margaret Butler
Lady Margaret Butler was an Irish noblewoman, the daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormond. She married Sir William Boleyn and through her eldest son Sir Thomas Boleyn, was the paternal grandmother of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII of England.-Family and...
, eldest daughter of the 7th earl of Ormond. For reasons unknown, the marriage negotiations came to a halt and Anne later became the second wife of King Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
.
Together James and Joan had seven sons:
- Thomas Butler, 10th Earl of Ormond (c.1532- 22 November 1614), married firstly Elizabeth Berkeley; secondly, Elizabeth Sheffield, by whom he had issue; thirdly, Helen Barry
- John Butler of KilcashJohn Butler of KilcashJohn Butler of Kilcash was the third son of James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond and Lady Joan Fitzgerald.-Marriage and issue:...
(died 10 May 1570), married Katherine MacCartie, by whom he had a son, Walter Butler, 11th Earl of Ormond. - Hon. Edward Butler, married Mary Bourke, by whom he had issue.
- Walter Butler, married and had one daughter.
- Sir Edmund ButlerSir Edmund ButlerSir Edmund Butler of Cloughgrenan , was the second son of James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond and Lady Joan Fitzgerald. He was a Tudor rebel and scion of the noble House of Ormond.-Life and career:...
(1534–1602), married Hon. Eleanor Eustace, by whom he had issue. - James Butler of DuiskeJames Butler of DuiskeJames Butler of Duiske was a younger son of James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond and Lady Joan Fitzgerald. In 1576, Queen Elizabeth I of England awarded him the lands of Duiske Abbey which had been confiscated by the Crown.-Marriage and issue:...
- Piers Butler
On 17 October 1546, James went to dine at Ely House in Holborn, London. He fell victim of a mass poisoning along with his steward and 16 of his servants. He eventually died on 28 October, leaving Joan a widow in her thirties. As a widow, she could legally act independently and she regained control of her dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
. She also sought the help of influential people at Court in order to protect her children's inheritance.
She had desired to marry as her second husband, her cousin, Gerald FitzGerald
Gerald Fitzgerald
Gerald FitzGerald may refer to:*Gerald Fitzgerald, Lord of Offaly * Gerald FitzGerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond * Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald, 5th Earl of Kildare * Gerald FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare...
, heir to the earldom of Desmond and many years her junior; however, she was persuaded to marry the English courtier and diplomat Sir Francis Bryan in August 1548. He was appointed Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
Lord Chief Justice of Ireland
thumb|200px|The Four CourtsThe headquarters of the Irish judicial system since 1804. The Court of King's Bench was one of the original four courts that sat there....
and the couple returned to Ireland in November 1548, where she had a son Sir Francis and a daughter, Elizabeth. Due to his reputation of being a rake and libertine at the English court, Sir Francis Bryan earned the nickname "Vicar of Hell". While he lay dying at Clonmel
Clonmel
Clonmel is the county town of South Tipperary in Ireland. It is the largest town in the county. While the borough had a population of 15,482 in 2006, another 17,008 people were in the rural hinterland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian army which sacked both...
, Joan was allegedly out on a hunting expedition with her cousin, Gerald. He died on 2 February 1550, and she married Gerald in 1551. Their marriage brought about a temporary peace in Ireland between the rival families of Butler and FitzGerald. Gerald succeeded to the earldom in 1558, making Joan the Countess of Desmond. She used her considerable talent for diplomacy to act as a "peacemaker" between her eldest son and third husband.
Faction fighting between the Butlers and Fitzgeralds
Joan maintained a friendly correspondence with Queen Elizabeth I, who recognised her ability, and relied on her to restore and keep the precarious peace in Munster after her husband, allegedly tired of Joan's domination over him, broke the truce with her eldest son, Thomas, who had succeeded his father as Earl of Ormond. After the two factions began making raids against one another, Joan spent nearly two weeks journeying back and forth on horseback between the two hostile camps, before a fragile peace was finally restored. In 1562, her husband was sent to the Tower of London for his insolent behaviour before the Privy CouncilPrivy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
. Joan worked hard attempting to persuade Queen Elizabeth to release him. She was eventually successful in 1564; however, she herself died shortly afterward on 2 January 1565. She was buried at the Friary of Askeaton
Askeaton
Askeaton is a town in County Limerick, Ireland. Located on the N69, the town is built on the banks of the River Deel some 3 km upstream from the estuary of the River Shannon. There is also a secondary school in Askeaton...
in 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...
.
Following her death, open warfare broke out between the Butlers and Fitzgeralds, with her son emerging the victor after the Battle of Affane
Battle of Affane
The Battle of Affane was fought in county Waterford, in south-eastern Ireland, in 1565, between the forces of the Fitzgerald Earl of Desmond and the Butler Earl of Ormond. The battle ended in the rout of the Desmond forces...
in 1565.
Joan, in her various roles as landowner, household manager, and parent, wielded a powerful influence upon the lives of her tenants, retainers, and children. As a countess-albeit by marriage, she participated significantly in the world of Irish politics and the royal Tudor court.