William de Burgh
Encyclopedia
William de Burgh, founder of the de Burgh
/Burke/Bourke
family of Ireland
, d. 1206.
King Henry II of England
appointed him Governor of Limerick and granted him vast estates in Leinster
and Munster
. De Burgh's castles at Tibberaghny (co Kilkenny) Kilsheelan, Ardpatrick and Kilfeacle were used to protect King John's northern borders of Waterford and Lismore and his castles at Carrigogunnell and Castelconnell were used to protect Limerick. He was Seneschal of Munster (Royal Governor) from 1201 to 1203.
, King of Thomond (died 1194) or his son Murtogh, and married one of his daughters. This alliance probably took place during the reign of Murtough, as up to the time of his death Donal had being at war with the Normans. At any rate no more wars are recorded between the two sides for the rest of the decade. According to the Annals of Inisfallen
, in 1201 William and the sons of Domnall Mór led a major joint military expedition into Desmond, slaying Amlaíb Ua Donnabáin among others.
From 1199 to 1202 de Burgh led military campaigns in Desmond with the aid of the Ó Briain. Success in the west and south allowed de Burgh to conquer the Kingdom of Connacht, which although he had been granted probably before 1195, he had never occupied. Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht, fought a successful counter-attack against the Anglo-Norman castles in Munster, including de Burgh's castle of Castleconnell. Further fighting led to loss of three castles and property, all of which was eventually retrieved with the exception of much of Connacht.
, to the son of Mac Carthy and William de Burgh to solicit their aid." This marked the start of de Burgh's interest in the province. King Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair (reigned 1190–1224) faced much opposition, mainly from within his own family and wished to engage de Burgh's aid to help secure his position. The following year William and Ua Conchobair led an army from Limerick to Tuam
and finally to Boyle
. Ua Conchobair's rival, Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair
marched at the head of his army to give them battle but was killed in a combined Burke/Ua Conchobair onslaught after a week of skirmishing between the two sides.
William and Ua Conchobair then travelled to Iar Connacht
and stayed at Cong
for Easter
. Here, William and the sons of Rory O'Flaherty conspired to kill Ua Conchobair but the plot was foiled, apparently by holy oath
s they were made to swear by the local Coarb family. However, when de Burgh demanded payment for himself and his retinue, battle finally broke out with over seven hundred of de Burgh's followers said to have been killed. William, however, managed to return to Limerick.
The following year in 1202, William returned and took revenge for his army that was destroyed a year early. He took the title “Lord of Connacht” in 1203.
, Golden, County Tipperary
, Munster
, Ireland
, which he had founded.
The Annals of the Four Masters
recorded his passing thus:
"William Burke plundered Connacht, as well churches as territories; but God
and the saint
s took vengeance on him for that; for he died of a singular disease, too shameful to be described."
and Clanricarde
from their son Richard. A book of genealogies recorded in the 15th century by Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh
, one of the Four Masters (published in Annalecta Hibernica 18), indicates that the mother of Richard Mor de Burgh
, William's son and successor, was the "daughter of the Saxon [English] king", an illegitimate daughter of Henry II of England
or perhaps Richard I of England
. Such a connection would explain the use of the term consanguineus kinsman
by Edward I of England
to describe Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster
.
William had three known children (with the spelling Connaught being used in titles of English nobility):
, Norfolk
.
=Alice
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William de Burgh, died 1205. Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent
, d. 1243. Geoffrey de Burgh, d. 1228. Thomas de Burgh
| (issue; John and Hubert)
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Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Baron of Connaught Hubert de Burgh, Bishop of Limerick
, d. 1250. Richard Óge de Burgh
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de Burgh Earl of Ulster
, | | |
Burke of Castleconnell
, County Limerick
| | |
Mac William Iochtar
Bourke of County Mayo
. Hubert William Richard
| | |
| | |_________________
Clan Mac Hubert? Richard an Fhorbhair | |
| | |
_______________________________________________________________| Sir David Donn Sir William Ruad
| | | | d.1327.
| | | Clan Mac David
Ulick Burke of Annaghkeen, d. 1343. Raymond Walter Óge
|
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Richard Óg Burke
, d. 1387.
|
|
Burke of Clanricarde
De Burgh
de Burgh is a surname, and may refer to:* Chris de Burgh , musician and songwriter* Edmond Albanach de Burgh , Lord of Connaught* Elizabeth de Burgh , Scottish royal consort...
/Burke/Bourke
Bourke
Bourke may refer to:* Bourke, New South Wales* Bourke engine* Bourke Street, Melbourne, a street in Melbourne, Australia-People with the surname:* Jamie Bourke, Australian ice hockey player...
family of Ireland
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...
, d. 1206.
In Ireland
He arrived in Ireland in 1185 and was closely associated with Prince John.King Henry II of England
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
appointed him Governor of Limerick and granted him vast estates in Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
and 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...
. De Burgh's castles at Tibberaghny (co Kilkenny) Kilsheelan, Ardpatrick and Kilfeacle were used to protect King John's northern borders of Waterford and Lismore and his castles at Carrigogunnell and Castelconnell were used to protect Limerick. He was Seneschal of Munster (Royal Governor) from 1201 to 1203.
Marriage and Alliance
Sometime in the 1190s, William allied with the King of Thomond, either Domnall Mór Ua BriainDomnall Mór Ua Briain
Domnall Mór Ua Briain, or Domnall Mór mac Toirrdelbach Ua Briain, was King of Thomond in Ireland from 1168 to 1194, and a claimant to the title King of Munster...
, King of Thomond (died 1194) or his son Murtogh, and married one of his daughters. This alliance probably took place during the reign of Murtough, as up to the time of his death Donal had being at war with the Normans. At any rate no more wars are recorded between the two sides for the rest of the decade. According to the Annals of Inisfallen
Annals of Inisfallen
The Annals of Inisfallen are a chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland. There are more than 2,500 entries spanning the years between AD 433 and AD 1450, but it is believed to have been written between the 12th and 15th centuries...
, in 1201 William and the sons of Domnall Mór led a major joint military expedition into Desmond, slaying Amlaíb Ua Donnabáin among others.
From 1199 to 1202 de Burgh led military campaigns in Desmond with the aid of the Ó Briain. Success in the west and south allowed de Burgh to conquer the Kingdom of Connacht, which although he had been granted probably before 1195, he had never occupied. Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair, King of Connacht, fought a successful counter-attack against the Anglo-Norman castles in Munster, including de Burgh's castle of Castleconnell. Further fighting led to loss of three castles and property, all of which was eventually retrieved with the exception of much of Connacht.
Connacht
In 1200, "Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair went into MunsterMunster
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...
, to the son of Mac Carthy and William de Burgh to solicit their aid." This marked the start of de Burgh's interest in the province. King Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair (reigned 1190–1224) faced much opposition, mainly from within his own family and wished to engage de Burgh's aid to help secure his position. The following year William and Ua Conchobair led an army from Limerick to Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
and finally to Boyle
Boyle, County Roscommon
Boyle is a town in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located at the foot of the Curlew Mountains near Lough Key in the north of the county. Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery, the Drumanone Dolmen and the popular fishing lakes of Lough Arrow and Lough Gara are also close by...
. Ua Conchobair's rival, Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair
Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair
Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair was King of Connacht from 1189 to 1202.One of the seven sons of King Conchobar Maenmaige Ua Conchobair, his nickname carragh indicates that he suffered from some form of skin complaint. The identities of his mother and wife are unknown...
marched at the head of his army to give them battle but was killed in a combined Burke/Ua Conchobair onslaught after a week of skirmishing between the two sides.
William and Ua Conchobair then travelled to Iar Connacht
Iar Connacht
Iar Chonnachta , was a region covering all of County Galway west of the river Corrib and Lough Corrib; Maigh Seola; and part of the barony of Ross in County Mayo.-Description:The area of Co...
and stayed at Cong
Cong, County Mayo
Cong is a village straddling the borders of County Galway and County Mayo, in Ireland. Cong is situated on an island formed by a number of streams that surround it on all sides...
for Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
. Here, William and the sons of Rory O'Flaherty conspired to kill Ua Conchobair but the plot was foiled, apparently by holy oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
s they were made to swear by the local Coarb family. However, when de Burgh demanded payment for himself and his retinue, battle finally broke out with over seven hundred of de Burgh's followers said to have been killed. William, however, managed to return to Limerick.
The following year in 1202, William returned and took revenge for his army that was destroyed a year early. He took the title “Lord of Connacht” in 1203.
Death
He died in 1206 and was interred at the Augustinian Priory of Athassell AbbeyAbbey
An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...
, Golden, County Tipperary
Tipperary
Tipperary is a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 4,415 at the 2006 census. It is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is in the historical barony of Clanwilliam....
, 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...
, Ireland
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...
, which he had founded.
The Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
recorded his passing thus:
"William Burke plundered Connacht, as well churches as territories; but God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and the saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s took vengeance on him for that; for he died of a singular disease, too shameful to be described."
Family
The identity of William's wife is uncertain. A late medieval genealogy records his marriage to an unnamed daughter of Donmal Mor mac Turlough O'Brien, and the descent of the Earls of UlsterEarl of Ulster
The title of Earl of Ulster has been created several times in the Peerage of Ireland and Peerage of the United Kingdom. Currently, the title is a subsidiary title of the Duke of Gloucester, and is used as a courtesy title by the Duke's son, Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster...
and Clanricarde
Clanricarde
Clanricarde was a term meaning both a territory and a title in Ireland between the 13th and early 20th centuries.-Territory:The territory, in what is now County Galway, Ireland, stretched from the barony of County Clare in the north-west along the borders of County Mayo, to the River Shannon in the...
from their son Richard. A book of genealogies recorded in the 15th century by Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh
Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh
Cú Choigcríche Ó Cléirigh was an Irish historian and genealogist, known in English as Peregrine O'Clery.-Life and work:Ó Cléirigh was a son of Diarmaid Ó Cléirigh, and thus a third-cousin once removed to Brother Mícheál Ó Cléirigh, whom he assisted in compiling the Annals of the Four...
, one of the Four Masters (published in Annalecta Hibernica 18), indicates that the mother of Richard Mor de Burgh
Richard Mor de Burgh
Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Lord of Connaught , Justiciar of Ireland.-Background:De Burgh was the eldest son of William de Burgh and a daughter of Domnall Mór Ua Briain, King of Thomond. His principal estate was in the barony of Loughrea where he built a castle in 1236 and a town was founded. He also...
, William's son and successor, was the "daughter of the Saxon [English] king", an illegitimate daughter of Henry II of England
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
or perhaps Richard I of England
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
. Such a connection would explain the use of the term consanguineus kinsman
Kinsman
A kinsman is a male relative . The term Kinsman may also refer to:-Places in the United States:*Kinsman, Illinois*Kinsman, Ohio*Kinsman Township, Trumbull County, Ohio...
by Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
to describe Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster
Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster
Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster and 3rd Baron of Connaught , called The Red Earl, was one of the most powerful Irish nobles of the late 13th and early 14th centuries.-Early life:...
.
William had three known children (with the spelling Connaught being used in titles of English nobility):
- Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Baron of Connaught, Lord of Connaught.
- Hubert de Burgh, Bishop of Limerick.
- Richard Óge de BurghRichard Óge de BurghRichard Óge de Burgh, Anglo-Irish noble and soldier, ancestor of Burke of Clanricarde, fl. early-to-mid 13th century.-Background:De Burgh was a younger, illegitimate son, of William de Burgh...
, (illegitimate), SheriffSheriffA sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Connaught.
Family tree
Walter de Burgh of Burgh CastleBurgh Castle
Burgh Castle is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated on the east bank of the River Waveney, near Great Yarmouth, some 6 km west of Great Yarmouth and within the Broads National Park.-Roman Fort:...
, Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
.
=Alice
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William de Burgh, died 1205. Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent
Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent
Hubert de Burgh, 1st Earl of Kent was Earl of Kent, Justiciar of England and Ireland, and one of the most influential men in England during the reigns of John and Henry III.-Birth and family:...
, d. 1243. Geoffrey de Burgh, d. 1228. Thomas de Burgh
| (issue; John and Hubert)
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Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Baron of Connaught Hubert de Burgh, Bishop of Limerick
Bishop of Limerick
The Bishop of Limerick is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Limerick in the Province of Munster, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it still continues as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with other bishoprics.-History:The diocese of...
, d. 1250. Richard Óge de Burgh
Richard Óge de Burgh
Richard Óge de Burgh, Anglo-Irish noble and soldier, ancestor of Burke of Clanricarde, fl. early-to-mid 13th century.-Background:De Burgh was a younger, illegitimate son, of William de Burgh...
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de Burgh Earl of Ulster
Earl of Ulster
The title of Earl of Ulster has been created several times in the Peerage of Ireland and Peerage of the United Kingdom. Currently, the title is a subsidiary title of the Duke of Gloucester, and is used as a courtesy title by the Duke's son, Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster...
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Burke of Castleconnell
Castleconnell
Castleconnell is a scenic village on the banks of the River Shannon, some from Limerick city and within a few minutes walk of the boundaries with counties Clare and Tipperary....
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
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Mac William Iochtar
Mac William Íochtar
Mac William Íochtar was a term meaning both a territory and a title in Ireland. The territory covered much of the northern part of the province of Connacht. The Mac William Íochtar functioned as a regional king and received the White Rod...
Bourke of County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
. Hubert William Richard
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Clan Mac Hubert? Richard an Fhorbhair | |
| | |
_______________________________________________________________| Sir David Donn Sir William Ruad
| | | | d.1327.
| | | Clan Mac David
Ulick Burke of Annaghkeen, d. 1343. Raymond Walter Óge
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Richard Óg Burke
Richard Og Burke
Richard Og Burke was an Irish nobleman, the son of Sir Ulick Burke, and the second Mac William Uachtar, head of Clanricarde.He married a daughter of O'Madden of Síol Anmchadha....
, d. 1387.
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Burke of Clanricarde
Clanricarde
Clanricarde was a term meaning both a territory and a title in Ireland between the 13th and early 20th centuries.-Territory:The territory, in what is now County Galway, Ireland, stretched from the barony of County Clare in the north-west along the borders of County Mayo, to the River Shannon in the...