Thomas FitzJames FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Desmond (d. 1467/68), called 'Thomas of Drogheda', was the son of James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond

James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond

James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond , 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...

 and Mary de Burgh

De 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...

.
He was Lord Deputy of Ireland

Lord Deputy of Ireland

The Lord Deputy was the King's representative and head of the Irish executive under English rule, during the Lordship of Ireland and later the Kingdom of Ireland...

  for the Duke of Clarence

Duke of Clarence

Duke of Clarence is a title which has been traditionally awarded to junior members of the English and British Royal families. The first three creations were in the Peerage of England, the fourth in the Peerage of Great Britain, and the fifth in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.The title was first...

 from 1462 to his death, and in 1464 founded the College of Youghal.

In 1462 Desmond was also victorious in the Battle of Piltown

Piltown

Piltown, historically known as Ballypoyle , is a small village in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It lies on the R698 regional road, which was the N24 national primary road before the locality was bypassed in 2002....

, having sided with 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...

, against the Butlers

Butler dynasty

Butler dynasty refers to the several branches of the Butler family that has its origins in the Cambro-Norman family that participated in the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. Variant spellings include le Boteler and le Botiller. The surname has its origins in the hereditary office of...

, who were for the House of Lancaster

House of Lancaster

The House of Lancaster was a branch of the royal House of Plantagenet. It was one of the opposing factions involved in the Wars of the Roses, an intermittent civil war which affected England and Wales during the 15th century...

.

Accused by his political enemies of treason, for aiding the Irish against the King's subjects, as well as extortion, he attended a Parliament held in Drogheda

Drogheda

Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....

, and was beheaded there. Desmond was buried at St. Peter's Church, then afterwards removed to Christ Church, Dublin.

Marriage and issue

Thomas married Ellice de Barry, daughter of William Barry, 8th Baron Barry, and Ellen de la Roche, and they had issue five sons:

1. James FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Desmond
2. Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond
3. Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond
4. John FitzGerald, father of John FitzGerald, 13th Earl of Desmond?
5. Sir Gerald FitzThomas of Macollop

and two daughters:

1. Lady Joan (Catherine), married Finghin MacCarthy Reagh, 8th Prince of Carbery
   Finghin MacCarthy Reagh, 8th Prince of Carbery
   Finghin MacCarthy Reagh was the 8th Prince of Carbery from 1477 to his death in 1505. He belonged to the MacCarthy Reagh dynasty, and was the eldest son of Dermod an Duna MacCarthy Reagh, 7th Prince of Carbery...
   
   
2. Lady Ellen, married 1) Thomas Butler of Caher, 2) Turlogh Mac I Brien Ara, of Duharra, Bishop of Killaloe