White Knight Fitzgibbon
Encyclopedia
The Pedigree of The White Knight was one of three hereditary knighthoods within Ireland
dating from the Medieval period. It was held by the Fitzgibbon family, and has since become dormant. The others are Fitzgerald: Knight of Glin
(also called the Black Knight) and Fitzgerald: Knight of Kerry
(also called the Green Knight).
The first White Knight was Maurice FitzGibbon, son of Sir Gilbert fitz John, eldest illegitimate son of John FitzGerald, 1st Baron Desmond
. A kinsman, the Earl of Desmond
, acting as Count Palatine
, is said to have conferred the title of 'White Knight' on Gilbert as well as the titles of Knight of Glin (or Glynn), Knight of Kerry and Knight of the Valley on two of Gilbert's brothers.
One notable White Knight was Edmund Fitzgibbon
.
"This Gilbert was of fair hair and complexion, and, being knighted, was called "The White Knight"; and by the Irish Ryther-u-fin. His eldest male descendent were constantly denominated by that title until the time of Queen Elizabeth, when John Og FitzGibbon, the then White Knight, who had taken an active part in the Desmond Rebellions of his kinsman The Earl of Desmond, was attained by act of parliament, after his death, by the name of John Fitzgerald, The White Knight, or John Og FitzJohn, Knight, FitzGibbon.
Margaret (1602-1666), daughter of the 10th Knight and heiress of Mitchelstown Castle
, married Sir William Fenton. Their children included a son Maurice, created in 1661 a Baronet
, of Mitchelstown, and a daughter Catherine, who married John King, first Baron Kingston
. Through her Mitchelstown passed to the King family, later Earls of Kingston
.
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...
dating from the Medieval period. It was held by the Fitzgibbon family, and has since become dormant. The others are Fitzgerald: Knight of Glin
Knight of Glin
The Knight of Glin, also called the Black Knight, was a hereditary title in the Fitzgeralds of Limerick, Ireland since the early 14th century. The family was a branch of the FitzGerald dynasty or Geraldines, related to the Earls of Desmond , who were granted extensive lands in County Limerick by...
(also called the Black Knight) and Fitzgerald: Knight of Kerry
Knight of Kerry
Knight of Kerry, also called the Green Knight, is one of three Anglo-Irish hereditary knighthoods, all of which existed in Ireland since feudal times. The others are the White Knight and the Knight of Glin...
(also called the Green Knight).
The first White Knight was Maurice FitzGibbon, son of Sir Gilbert fitz John, eldest illegitimate son of John FitzGerald, 1st Baron Desmond
John FitzGerald, 1st Baron Desmond
John FitzThomas FitzGerald, 1st Baron Desmond was the grandson of Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan. He was the founder of the Desmond line of the FitzGerald dynasty and ancestor of the powerful Earls of Desmond , as well as other dynasties, including the modern Knights of Kerry and Knights...
. A kinsman, the 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....
, acting as Count Palatine
Count palatine
Count palatine is a high noble title, used to render several comital styles, in some cases also shortened to Palatine, which can have other meanings as well.-Comes palatinus:...
, is said to have conferred the title of 'White Knight' on Gilbert as well as the titles of Knight of Glin (or Glynn), Knight of Kerry and Knight of the Valley on two of Gilbert's brothers.
One notable White Knight was Edmund Fitzgibbon
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....
.
"This Gilbert was of fair hair and complexion, and, being knighted, was called "The White Knight"; and by the Irish Ryther-u-fin. His eldest male descendent were constantly denominated by that title until the time of Queen Elizabeth, when John Og FitzGibbon, the then White Knight, who had taken an active part in the Desmond Rebellions of his kinsman The Earl of Desmond, was attained by act of parliament, after his death, by the name of John Fitzgerald, The White Knight, or John Og FitzJohn, Knight, FitzGibbon.
The White Knight
The title passed from father to son for nearly three hundred years.- Maurice Fitzgibbon, 1st White Knight (d. 1357)
- David Fitzgibbon, 2nd White Knight
- John Fitzgibbon, 3rd White Knight
- Maurice Fitzgibbon, 4th White Knight (d. 1419)
- John Fitzgibbon, 5th White Knight
- Maurice Mor Fitzgibbon, 6th White Knight(d. 1496)
- Maurice Oge Fitzgibbon, 7th White Knight(d. 1530)
- Maurice Fitzgibbon, 8th White Knight (d. 1543)
- John Fitzgibbon, 9th White Knight (d. 1569)
- John Oge Fitzgibbon, 10th White Knight (d. 1569)
- Edmond Fitzjohn Fitzgibbon, 11th White KnightEdmund FitzGibbonEdmund 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....
(d. 1608) - Maurice Oge Fitzgibbon, 12th White Knight (d. 1611)
Margaret (1602-1666), daughter of the 10th Knight and heiress of Mitchelstown Castle
Mitchelstown Castle
Mitchelstown Castle, the former home of the Irish Earls of Kingston, was located in the north County Cork town of Mitchelstown in Ireland.-15th to 18th century:...
, married Sir William Fenton. Their children included a son Maurice, created in 1661 a Baronet
Fenton Baronets
The Fenton Baronetcy, of Mitchelstown in the County of Cork, was a title in the Baronetage of Ireland. It was created on 22 July 1661 for Maurice Fenton. He was married to Elizabeth Waller, who after Fenton's death married as her second husband Sir William Petty and was created Baroness Shelburne...
, of Mitchelstown, and a daughter Catherine, who married John King, first Baron Kingston
Baron Kingston
Baron Kingston is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland. The first creation came in 1660 when the military commander Sir John King was made Baron Kingston, of Kingston in the County of Dublin. He was the elder brother of Sir Robert King, 1st Baronet, of Boyle Abbey...
. Through her Mitchelstown passed to the King family, later Earls of Kingston
Earl of Kingston
Earl of Kingston is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1768 for Edward King, 1st Viscount Kingston. He had already succeeded his father as fifth Baronet of Boyle Abbey and been created Baron Kingston, of Rockingham in the County of Roscommon in 1764 and Viscount Kingston in 1766,...
.