Sir Thomas FitzGerald of Laccagh (c.1458-1487 ), younger son of the 7th Earl of Kildare, was Lord Chancellor of Ireland

Lord Chancellor of Ireland

The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...

 under 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...

 and Henry VII

Henry VII

Henry VII may refer to:* Henry VII, Duke of Bavaria * Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor * Henry VII of England * Henry II of Sicily sometimes described as Henry of Germany...

, but rebelled against Henry and was killed at the Battle of Stoke.

He was born about 1458, second son of 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:...

 and Joan FitzGerald, daughter 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...

. He married Elisabeth Preston, daughter of Robert Preston, 1st Viscount Gormanston

Viscount Gormanston

Viscount Gormanston is a title in the Peerage of Ireland held by the head of the Preston family. It was created in 1478. The holder is the senior Viscount of Ireland, as well as the bearer of the oldest vicomital title in either Britain or Ireland. The Preston family descends from Sir Robert...

 .Through his daughter Margaret, who married Garrett Wellesley, he was an ancestor of the Duke of Wellington

Duke of Wellington

The Dukedom of Wellington, derived from Wellington in Somerset, is a hereditary title in the senior rank of the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The first holder of the title was Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington , the noted Irish-born career British Army officer and statesman, and...

. He resided at Laccagh in County Kildare, and despite his rebellion against the Crown his descendants retained the lands.

He became Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1483 and on the change of dynasty the new Government confirmed him in office. In 1487 the impostor Lambert Simnel

Lambert Simnel

Lambert Simnel was a pretender to the throne of England. His claim to be the Earl of Warwick in 1487 threatened the newly established reign of King Henry VII .-Early life:...

, claiming to be the Earl of Warwick

Earl of Warwick

Earl of Warwick is a title that has been created four times in British history and is one of the most prestigious titles in the peerages of the British Isles.-1088 creation:...

, rightful heir 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...

, appeared in Ireland. Thomas and his brother Gerald, 8th Earl of Kildare, were among his strongest supporters and were present at his coronation in Dublin. Thomas resigned the Chancellorship and led his troops to England; but the rebellion was crushed at Stoke and Thomas was killed.