James FitzThomas FitzGerald
Encyclopedia
James FitzThomas FitzGerald, the Súgán Earl of Desmond
(d. 1608), was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Fitzgerald
, commonly called "Thomas Roe," "Tomás Ruadh," or "Red Thomas."
, was bastardised and disinherited by his father, James FitzJohn FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond. Tomás Ruadh and Ellice le Poer had at least two other children, John Fitzthomas, and a daughter, who married Donald Pipi MacCarthy Reagh. Inclined to dispute the claim of his younger, legitimate brother Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond
, the current of politics proved too strong against James Fitzthomas. Toward the end of his short life, the putative earl of Desmond eventually sank into obscurity.
, the White Knight, but had no issue.
, Munster
, in the words of the Irish annalists, again became "a trembling sod." James Fitzthomas assumed the title of Earl of Desmond, and before long found himself at the head of eight thousand clansmen. On 12 October, 1598, realizing that he would obtain little if any justice, "to maintain his right, trusting in the Almighty to further the same," James Fitzthomas stated both his grievances and intentions in response to the expostulations of the Earl of Ormonde.
The younger FitzGerald's struggle lasted three years. In October 1600, while withdrawing his forces from the open into the woods of Aharlow, he was surprised by Captain Greame and the garrison of Kilmallock
. From that day the Geraldines never rallied again to any purpose. Dismissing his followers, the earl took to the woods for safety, where, in May 1601, Sir George Carew
was informed that he was living "in the habit of a priest," but determined "to die rather than to depart the province, retaining still his traitorly hopes to be relieved out of Ulster or out of Spain." Carew made several attempts to procure his capture or death, but without success, for "such is the superstitious folly of these people, as for no price he may be had, holding the same to be so heinous as no priest will give them absolution." Eventually, on 29 May 1601, he was captured by Edmund FitzGibbon FitzGerald
, the White Knight, while hiding in "an obscure cave many fathoms underground" in the neighborhood of Mitchelstown
. FitzGerald was placed in irons to prevent a rescue, "so exceedingly beloved of all sorts" was he, and conveyed to Shandon Castle, where he was immediately arraigned and adjudged guilty of treason.
For a time Carew hoped to make use of James FitzThomas against a still greater rebel, Hugh O'Neill. However, on 13 August, finding FitzGerald to be after all but a "dull-spirited traitor," Carew handed him over to Sir Anthony Cooke
, who conveyed FitzGerald to England, where, on his arrival, he was placed in the Tower of London
.
, Lieutenant of Her Majesty's Tower of London, for one quarter of a year, from St. Michael's day 1602 till the feast of our Lord God next. For James M'Thomas. Sayd tyme at 3l. per week, physicke, sourgeon, and watcher with him in his Lunacy." Historians conjecture that FitzGerald died sometime in 1608, and was buried in the chapel of the Tower.
After FitzGerald's capture, his brother John Fitzthomas, who had shared with him in the vicissitudes of the rebellion, and who indeed seems to have been the prime instigator of it, escaped with his wife, the daughter of Richard Comerford of Dangenmore, Kilkenny
, into Spain
, where he died a few years afterwards in Barcelona
. His son Gerald, known as the Conde de Desmond, entered the service of the Emperor Ferdinand
, and was killed in 1632. As he left no issue, with him ended the male heirs of the four eldest sons of Thomas FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Desmond.
Earl 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....
(d. 1608), was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Fitzgerald
Thomas Fitzgerald
Thomas Fitzgerald was an American politician who served as a judge and state legislator in both Indiana and Michigan, and as a United States Senator from Michigan....
, commonly called "Thomas Roe," "Tomás Ruadh," or "Red Thomas."
Life
James Fitzthomas FitzGerald was the son of Tomás Ruadh and Ellice le Poer, daughter of Richard, Baron le Poer. Tomás RuadhThomas Fitzgerald
Thomas Fitzgerald was an American politician who served as a judge and state legislator in both Indiana and Michigan, and as a United States Senator from Michigan....
, was bastardised and disinherited by his father, James FitzJohn FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond. Tomás Ruadh and Ellice le Poer had at least two other children, John Fitzthomas, and a daughter, who married Donald Pipi MacCarthy Reagh. Inclined to dispute the claim of his younger, legitimate brother 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:...
, the current of politics proved too strong against James Fitzthomas. Toward the end of his short life, the putative earl of Desmond eventually sank into obscurity.
Marriage and children
James Fitzthomas FitzGerald married Ellen, widow of Maurice FitzGibbon, elder brother of Edmund FitzGibbon FitzGeraldEdmund FitzGibbon
Edmund Fitzgibbon was an Irish nobleman of the FitzGerald dynasty, who inherited the Anglo-Norman title of the White Knight and struggled to maintain his loyalty to the crown during the reign of Queen Elizabeth of England....
, the White Knight, but had no issue.
Claims to the earldom
When of an age to understand his position as heir to a contested title, James Fitzthomas repaired to court to petition Elizabeth for a restoration of his rights. At first, his petition was regarded with favor. The crown offered slight encouragement and promised him a yearly allowance. Consequently, during the rebellion of his uncle Gerald, both he and his father remained staunch allies of the English crown. After the death of the earl and the suppression of the rebellion in 1583, James FitzThomas and his father looked for their restoration to the earldom. Their petitions however, no longer found favor at Elizabeth's court, for Munster was to be denuded of its native population, "planted" with Englishmen, and reestablished as a settlement colony of England.Attempts to secure the earldom
In 1598, instigated by his brother John Fitzthomas, and by Hugh O'Neill, Earl of TyroneEarl of Tyrone
The Earl of Tyrone is a title created three times in the Peerage of Ireland.It was first created as part of the Tudor attempt to establish a uniform social structure in Ireland by converting the Gaelic kings and chiefs into hereditary nobles of the Kingdom of Ireland...
, 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...
, in the words of the Irish annalists, again became "a trembling sod." James Fitzthomas assumed the title of Earl of Desmond, and before long found himself at the head of eight thousand clansmen. On 12 October, 1598, realizing that he would obtain little if any justice, "to maintain his right, trusting in the Almighty to further the same," James Fitzthomas stated both his grievances and intentions in response to the expostulations of the Earl of Ormonde.
The younger FitzGerald's struggle lasted three years. In October 1600, while withdrawing his forces from the open into the woods of Aharlow, he was surprised by Captain Greame and the garrison of Kilmallock
Kilmallock
Kilmallock or Kilmalloc is a town in south County Limerick, Ireland, near the border with County Cork. There is a Dominican Priory in the town and King's Castle . The remains of medieval walls which encircled the settlement are still visible. The Dublin–Cork railway line passes by the town,...
. From that day the Geraldines never rallied again to any purpose. Dismissing his followers, the earl took to the woods for safety, where, in May 1601, Sir George Carew
George Carew
George Carew was an English diplomat and historian.-Life:He was the second son of Thomas Carew of Antony and brother of Richard Carew. He was educated at Oxford and entered the Inns of Court before travelling abroad. At the recommendation of Queen Elizabeth I, who conferred on him the honour of a...
was informed that he was living "in the habit of a priest," but determined "to die rather than to depart the province, retaining still his traitorly hopes to be relieved out of Ulster or out of Spain." Carew made several attempts to procure his capture or death, but without success, for "such is the superstitious folly of these people, as for no price he may be had, holding the same to be so heinous as no priest will give them absolution." Eventually, on 29 May 1601, he was captured by Edmund FitzGibbon FitzGerald
Edmund FitzGibbon
Edmund Fitzgibbon was an Irish nobleman of the FitzGerald dynasty, who inherited the Anglo-Norman title of the White Knight and struggled to maintain his loyalty to the crown during the reign of Queen Elizabeth of England....
, the White Knight, while hiding in "an obscure cave many fathoms underground" in the neighborhood of Mitchelstown
Mitchelstown
Mitchelstown is a town in County Cork, Ireland with a population of approximately 3300. Mitchelstown is situated in the valley to the south of the Galtee Mountains close to the Mitchelstown Caves and is 28 km from Cahir, 50 km from Cork and 59 km from Limerick...
. FitzGerald was placed in irons to prevent a rescue, "so exceedingly beloved of all sorts" was he, and conveyed to Shandon Castle, where he was immediately arraigned and adjudged guilty of treason.
For a time Carew hoped to make use of James FitzThomas against a still greater rebel, Hugh O'Neill. However, on 13 August, finding FitzGerald to be after all but a "dull-spirited traitor," Carew handed him over to Sir Anthony Cooke
Anthony Cooke
Sir Anthony Cooke was an eminent English humanist, scholar and tutor to Edward VI, England's first ruler to be raised as a Protestant.-Background:...
, who conveyed FitzGerald to England, where, on his arrival, he was placed in the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
.
Later life and death
Of his life in prison there remains only the following pathetic notice: "The demands of Sir John PeytonJohn Peyton
John Peyton may refer to:*John Peyton, Baron Peyton of Yeovil, , British politician who served as Minister for Transport*John Peyton John Peyton may refer to:*John Peyton, Baron Peyton of Yeovil, (1919–2006), British politician who served as Minister for Transport*John Peyton John Peyton may refer...
, Lieutenant of Her Majesty's Tower of London, for one quarter of a year, from St. Michael's day 1602 till the feast of our Lord God next. For James M'Thomas. Sayd tyme at 3l. per week, physicke, sourgeon, and watcher with him in his Lunacy." Historians conjecture that FitzGerald died sometime in 1608, and was buried in the chapel of the Tower.
After FitzGerald's capture, his brother John Fitzthomas, who had shared with him in the vicissitudes of the rebellion, and who indeed seems to have been the prime instigator of it, escaped with his wife, the daughter of Richard Comerford of Dangenmore, Kilkenny
Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city and is the county town of the eponymous County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is situated on both banks of the River Nore in the province of Leinster, in the south-east of Ireland...
, into Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, where he died a few years afterwards in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
. His son Gerald, known as the Conde de Desmond, entered the service of the Emperor Ferdinand
Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor
Ferdinand II , a member of the House of Habsburg, was Holy Roman Emperor , King of Bohemia , and King of Hungary . His rule coincided with the Thirty Years' War.- Life :...
, and was killed in 1632. As he left no issue, with him ended the male heirs of the four eldest sons of Thomas FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Desmond.