Katherine FitzGerald, Countess of Desmond
Encyclopedia
Katherine FitzGerald, Countess of Desmond (died 1604) was a noblewoman of the Anglo-Norman FitzGerald
dynasty in Ireland. English writers of the Tudor period
, including Sir Walter Raleigh
, helped popularize "the old Countess of Desmond" as a nickname for her. One estimate placed her age at death in excess of 120 years. Another ranged as high as 140.
(1454-1534), "her cousin german once removed."
In later life, Desmond was party to a property dispute typical of late-Tudor Ireland (1485-1603). Her husband had granted her a life tenancy in Inchiquin Castle, a few miles southwest of the town of Youghal
, in Munster
. The remainder interest was to revert to the line of the Earls of Desmond, upon Countess Desmond's death. In 1575, she passed title to the castle and lands in trust, by deed, to the incumbent earl, Gerald FitzGerald
, who then passed it in trust to his servants.
Following the earl's attainder
in 1582, whereby his estate fell to the Crown after the Desmond Rebellions
, Inchiquin Castle and its lands were granted to New England
colonist Sir Walter Raleigh. He proceeded to lease certain of the lands, always preserving the life interest of the Countess. He assumed that she would soon die of old age.
She survived beyond Raleigh's expectation. Sir Richard Boyle
, later 1st Earl of Cork, purchased Raleigh's colonial possessions in Ireland, including the title to the castle. Boyle instituted eviction proceedings. To protect her interests, the impoverished "old Countess" set out from Cork
in 1604. After sailing to Bristol, she walked the road to London. Unproven, and unlikely, legend claims she made the trip accompanied by an invalid 90-year-old daughter, the daughter trailing behind in a small cart.
In London, her petition was presented to King James I
. She returned to Inchiquin and died later the same year.
There are two portraits of Lady Desmond whose provenance is confirmed and a third whose authenticity is less well-settled.
(1461 - 1483), making her at least 135 years old at the time of her death. She was said to have danced with King Richard III
. The tradition that she died at age 140 was recounted in Fynes Morison's Itinerary and Sir Francis Bacon
's History of Life. Harington
, writing in 1605, referred to a man who lived longer than 140 years, and to a woman, "and she a countess," who lived longer than 120. If Katherine FitzGerald married in her early twenties, this latter description would match her.
FitzGerald
The surname FitzGerald is a translation of the French-Norman fils de Gérald, or son of Gerald . Variant spellings include Fitz-Gerald and the modern Fitzgerald. The name can also be used as two separate words Fitz Gerald...
dynasty in Ireland. English writers of the Tudor period
Tudor period
The Tudor period usually refers to the period between 1485 and 1603, specifically in relation to the history of England. This coincides with the rule of the Tudor dynasty in England whose first monarch was Henry VII...
, including Sir Walter Raleigh
Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England....
, helped popularize "the old Countess of Desmond" as a nickname for her. One estimate placed her age at death in excess of 120 years. Another ranged as high as 140.
Life
Katherine FitzGerald was the daughter of Sir John FitzGerald, second Lord of Decies in Waterford, and Ellen Fitzgibbon. She was probably born at Dromana, in County Waterford. In 1529, she married, becoming the second wife of Thomas FitzGerald, 12th Earl of DesmondEarl of Desmond
The title of Earl of Desmond has been held historically by lords in Ireland, first as a title outside of the peerage system and later as part of the Peerage of Ireland....
(1454-1534), "her cousin german once removed."
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...
, 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...
. The remainder interest was to revert to the line of the Earls of Desmond, upon Countess Desmond's death. In 1575, she passed title to the castle and lands in trust, by deed, to the incumbent earl, Gerald FitzGerald
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:...
, who then passed it in trust to his servants.
Attainder
In English criminal law, attainder or attinctura is the metaphorical 'stain' or 'corruption of blood' which arises from being condemned for a serious capital crime . It entails losing not only one's property and hereditary titles, but typically also the right to pass them on to one's heirs...
in 1582, whereby his estate fell to the Crown after the Desmond Rebellions
Desmond Rebellions
The Desmond Rebellions occurred in 1569-1573 and 1579-1583 in the Irish province of Munster.They were rebellions by the Earl of Desmond – head of the FitzGerald dynasty in Munster – and his followers, the Geraldines and their allies against the threat of the extension of Elizabethan English...
, Inchiquin Castle and its lands were granted to New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
colonist Sir Walter Raleigh. He proceeded to lease certain of the lands, always preserving the life interest of the Countess. He assumed that she would soon die of old age.
She survived beyond Raleigh's expectation. Sir Richard Boyle
Richard Boyle
Richard Boyle may refer to:*Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork , Lord High Treasurer of Ireland*Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Burlington and 2nd earl of Cork , Lord High Treasurer of Ireland and a cavalier...
, later 1st Earl of Cork, purchased Raleigh's colonial possessions in Ireland, including the title to the castle. Boyle instituted eviction proceedings. To protect her interests, the impoverished "old Countess" set out from Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
in 1604. After sailing to Bristol, she walked the road to London. Unproven, and unlikely, legend claims she made the trip accompanied by an invalid 90-year-old daughter, the daughter trailing behind in a small cart.
In London, her petition was presented to King James I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
. She returned to Inchiquin and died later the same year.
Death
Lady Desmond reportedly walked every week to her local market town, a distance of 4–5 miles, even after her return from London in 1604. It was said that all her teeth had been renewed just a few years earlier. She died after falling from a tree. Historians of the time disagreed as to the type of tree: Robert Sidney stated it was a nut tree, and that she fell, hurt her thigh, contracted fever and died. Another attributed her death to have been caused by a fall from a cherry tree she was picking. She is believed to be buried, with her husband, in a Franciscan Friary at Youghal.There are two portraits of Lady Desmond whose provenance is confirmed and a third whose authenticity is less well-settled.
Age
Raleigh, in his History of the World, maintained that Lady Desmond married in the time of King Edward IVEdward IV of England
Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
(1461 - 1483), making her at least 135 years old at the time of her death. She was said to have danced with King Richard III
Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
. The tradition that she died at age 140 was recounted in Fynes Morison's Itinerary and Sir Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans, KC was an English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He served both as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England...
's History of Life. Harington
John Harington
John Harington , of Kelston, was a courtier, author and master of art. He became a prominent member of Queen Elizabeth I's court, and was known as her 'saucy Godson'...
, writing in 1605, referred to a man who lived longer than 140 years, and to a woman, "and she a countess," who lived longer than 120. If Katherine FitzGerald married in her early twenties, this latter description would match her.
External links
- The Countess of Desmond article in the Dublin Review pp.51ff.