Walter Fitzsimon
Encyclopedia
Walter Fitzsimon was a statesman and cleric in Ireland
in the reign of Henry VII
, who held the offices of Archbishop of Dublin
and Lord Chancellor of Ireland
.
of St Patrick's Cathedral in 1476, and consecrated Archbishop of Dublin
in 1484. He was Lord Deputy of Ireland
1492-1494 and Lord Chancellor of Ireland
1496-1498. He died at Finglas
in 1511.
to the English throne, and was present at his coronation in Dublin. After the Battle of Stoke he was pardoned and played a prominent part in the ceremony by which the Irish nobles expiated their treason. Soon afterwards he quarreled with the Earl of Kildare and was afterwards considered a reliable supporter of the Tudor dynasty
. It may well have been his influence which prevented Perkin Warbeck
from gaining any significant support in Ireland. In 1492 he became Deputy and convened a Parliament at Dublin which was largely devoted to annulling measures taken against him by Baron Portlester
. He saw himself as something of a social reformer, and urged the King to take stern action against beggars, most of whom in his view were perfectly well able to work but preferred to live off the land. On the other hand he urged that the younger sons of the nobility should be encouraged to learn a useful trade rather than live off their families.
He was Lord Chancellor of Ireland
from 1496–1498; there is some doubt as to whether he resumed the office at a later date. O'Flanagan states that he was a diligent Chancellor, while not neglecting his duties as Archbishop: he held a synod in Dublin in 1494 and in 1497 granted the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral licence to build a hospital at Kevin St. for the poor.
He was much at Court and despite the Simnel episode seems to have had the complete trust of the King. O'Flanagan tells the story that the King asked Fitzsimon what he thought of a recent sermon: the Archbishop said it was unduly flattering of the King. The King, highly amused, replied that this was his opinion also.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in the reign of Henry VII
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
, who held the offices of Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin
The Archbishop of Dublin may refer to:* Archbishop of Dublin – an article which lists of pre- and post-Reformation archbishops.* Archbishop of Dublin – the title of the senior cleric who presides over the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin....
and 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:...
.
Biography
He was born in Dublin, son of Robert Fitzsimon and Janet Cusack. He was precentorPrecentor
A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" ....
of St Patrick's Cathedral in 1476, and consecrated Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin
The Archbishop of Dublin may refer to:* Archbishop of Dublin – an article which lists of pre- and post-Reformation archbishops.* Archbishop of Dublin – the title of the senior cleric who presides over the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin....
in 1484. 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...
1492-1494 and 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:...
1496-1498. He died at Finglas
Finglas
-See also:* List of towns and villages in Ireland* List of abbeys and priories in Ireland...
in 1511.
Career
Like most of the Anglo-Irish nobility, he made the mistake of supporting the claim of Lambert SimnelLambert 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:...
to the English throne, and was present at his coronation in Dublin. After the Battle of Stoke he was pardoned and played a prominent part in the ceremony by which the Irish nobles expiated their treason. Soon afterwards he quarreled with the Earl of Kildare and was afterwards considered a reliable supporter of the Tudor dynasty
Tudor dynasty
The Tudor dynasty or House of Tudor was a European royal house of Welsh origin that ruled the Kingdom of England and its realms, including the Lordship of Ireland, later the Kingdom of Ireland, from 1485 until 1603. Its first monarch was Henry Tudor, a descendant through his mother of a legitimised...
. It may well have been his influence which prevented Perkin Warbeck
Perkin Warbeck
Perkin Warbeck was a pretender to the English throne during the reign of King Henry VII of England. By claiming to be Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, the younger son of King Edward IV, one of the Princes in the Tower, Warbeck was a significant threat to the newly established Tudor Dynasty,...
from gaining any significant support in Ireland. In 1492 he became Deputy and convened a Parliament at Dublin which was largely devoted to annulling measures taken against him by Baron Portlester
Rowland FitzEustace, 1st Baron Portlester
Rowland FitzEustace, 1st Baron Portlester was an Irish peer and judge.FitzEustace was the son of Sir Edward FitzEustace of Castlemartin, Lord Deputy of Ireland. He was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Lord Treasurer of Ireland by Henry VI of England in 1474 and was elevated to the Irish...
. He saw himself as something of a social reformer, and urged the King to take stern action against beggars, most of whom in his view were perfectly well able to work but preferred to live off the land. On the other hand he urged that the younger sons of the nobility should be encouraged to learn a useful trade rather than live off their families.
He 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:...
from 1496–1498; there is some doubt as to whether he resumed the office at a later date. O'Flanagan states that he was a diligent Chancellor, while not neglecting his duties as Archbishop: he held a synod in Dublin in 1494 and in 1497 granted the Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral licence to build a hospital at Kevin St. for the poor.
He was much at Court and despite the Simnel episode seems to have had the complete trust of the King. O'Flanagan tells the story that the King asked Fitzsimon what he thought of a recent sermon: the Archbishop said it was unduly flattering of the King. The King, highly amused, replied that this was his opinion also.