Robert FitzEustace
Encyclopedia
Sir Robert FitzEustace was an Irish landowner and politician.
He was born at Coghlanstown, County Kildare
, son of Sir Richard FitzEustace
, briefly Lord Chancellor of Ireland
, and Katherine Preston. Rowland FitzEustace, 1st Baron Portlester
was a cousin; he has been called the dominant Irish statesman of his time and Robert seems to have been a consistently loyal supporter of Portlester and his son-in-law, the "Great" Earl of Kildare.
The office of constable of Ballymore Eustace
castle was in effect hereditary in the FitzEustace family; Robert was appointed constable on his father's death in 1445, but was dismissed for a time due to his refusal to live in the castle. LIke his father he was also High Sheriiff of Kildare on several occasions, and one of the original Brothers of the Order of Saint George. At his death in 1486 he was one of the largest landowners in Kildare ( despite having been imprisoned for debt in the 1450s)
An Act of Parliament of 1472 conferred the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland on Robert FitzEustace and John Taxton jointly. O'Flanagan states that nothing is known of either man. Since Robert of Coghlanstown was the son of a Lord Chancellor , and it was not unusual for members of the same family to hold office, he may well be the Robert referred to; equally Robert may be a slip for his cousin Rowland FitzEustace who certainly held the office two years later.
Robert had three surviving children: his heir Sir Maurice FitzEustace, John and Margaret.
He was born at Coghlanstown, County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, son of Sir Richard FitzEustace
Richard FitzEustace
Sir Richard FitzEustace was an Irish statesman who briefly held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland.- Family background :...
, briefly 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:...
, and Katherine Preston. Rowland FitzEustace, 1st 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...
was a cousin; he has been called the dominant Irish statesman of his time and Robert seems to have been a consistently loyal supporter of Portlester and his son-in-law, the "Great" Earl of Kildare.
The office of constable of Ballymore Eustace
Ballymore Eustace
Ballymore Eustace is a small town situated in County Kildare in Ireland, although until 1836 it lay within a "pocket" of County Dublin...
castle was in effect hereditary in the FitzEustace family; Robert was appointed constable on his father's death in 1445, but was dismissed for a time due to his refusal to live in the castle. LIke his father he was also High Sheriiff of Kildare on several occasions, and one of the original Brothers of the Order of Saint George. At his death in 1486 he was one of the largest landowners in Kildare ( despite having been imprisoned for debt in the 1450s)
An Act of Parliament of 1472 conferred the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland on Robert FitzEustace and John Taxton jointly. O'Flanagan states that nothing is known of either man. Since Robert of Coghlanstown was the son of a Lord Chancellor , and it was not unusual for members of the same family to hold office, he may well be the Robert referred to; equally Robert may be a slip for his cousin Rowland FitzEustace who certainly held the office two years later.
Robert had three surviving children: his heir Sir Maurice FitzEustace, John and Margaret.