Biography of Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare 1487-1534

Before 1487 [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 30) and [his mother] Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of [his grandfather] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare.

In 1487 Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 30) and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

In 1495 [his mother] Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare died.

In 1503 Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 16) and Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 46) and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

In 1513 [his son] Thomas "Silken" Fitzgerald 10th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 26) and [his wife] Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare in London.

On 3rd September 1513 [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 57) died. His son Gerald (age 26) succeeded 9th Earl Kildare.

On 6th October 1517 [his wife] Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare died.

Around 1522 Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 35) and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. She the daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset (age 61). He the son of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

After 1523 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset (age 45) was appointed Privy Council.

In 1525 [his son] Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 38) and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 28).

In 1527 [his daughter] Elizabeth "The Fair Geraldine" Fitzgerald Countess Lincoln was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 40) and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 30).

On 10th October 1530 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset (age 53) died. His son Henry (age 13) succeeded 3rd Marquess Dorset, 3rd Earl Huntingdon, 9th Baron Ferrers of Groby, 9th Baron Harington, 4th Baron Bonville.

In 1531 [his son-in-law] Jenico Preston 3rd Viscount Gormanston (age 29) and [his daughter] Catherine Fitzgerald Viscountess Gormanston were married. She by marriage Viscountess Gormanston. She the daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 44) and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 34).

Wriothesley's Chronicle. September 1534. This yeare allso the Lord Kildaye (age 47)^g of Ireland was putt in prison in the Tower of London [Map], and there died in prison in the moneth of Septembre, and his [his son] sonne (age 21)^h made an insurrection in Irelande, and there the Bishoppe of Divelyn (age 58)^a was slayne. It was reported that he was upon the coste [coast] of Englande comminge out of Irelande, and then the winde turned, and so was dryven backe agayne to Irelande, where he was taken by the Lord Kildayes sonne and his head stricken of from the bodie, and after his bodie cutt in peeces, and as many as were with him that would not tume to the Lord Kildayes partie were slayne and his goodes taken and spoyled; his name was Doctor Aleyne.

Note g. Gerald Fitzgerald, ninth Earl of Kildare. After having thrice filled the office of Lord Deputy, he was accused of maladministration in 1533, and committed to the Tower of London, where he died of grief and confinement.

Note h. Lord Thomas Fitzgerald, afterwards tenth Earl of Kildare.

Note a. John Allen, LLD, Archbishop of Dublin.

On 12th December 1534, some sources say the 13th, Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 47) died whilst imprisoned at the Tower of London [Map]. He was buried at the St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map]. His son [his son] Thomas (age 21) succeeded 10th Earl Kildare. His son, and five of his brothers were executed just over two years later - see Execution of the Fitzgeralds.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 21st May 1535. Add. MS. 28,587, f. 304. B. M. 746. Dr. Ortiz to the Empress.

Lately there came hither a servant of the [his son] Earl of Kildare (age 22), who has lately taken from the king of England all the land he had in Ireland, except a city called Dubilia (Dublin), on the plea that as the King does not obey the Holy See, he ought not to be obeyed. Previously, the King put to death (avie muerto) the Earl's father in a tower, because he favoured the Queen.

After giving the Earl's letter to the Pope, the messenger said the Earl had sent him to say, on behalf of himself, the lords of his party in Ireland, and their confederates in England, that they were astonished at his Holiness's negligence in permitting so many souls to perish, and not concluding the process against so wicked a King by declaring him deprived of his kingdom, and his subjects absolved from their obedience and oath of fidelity, since he persecutes the Catholics, favours heretics, exacts an oath from every one not to obey the Holy See, and allows no one to pray to God for the Pope. The people were indignant with the King, and much inclined to punish him. The messenger gave the Pope a printed copy of the heresies which are being sown in England against the Pope, and a writing about the acknowledgment of the Pope's supremacy by king John, and his payment of £1,000 sterling annually. The Earl asked also for absolution for killing the archbp. of Dublin, who favored the king of England, had caused his father's death, and was compassing his own. The Pope expressed pleasure at what had been said, excused his delay in the past from his anxiety to see whether the King would acknowledge his error, and as to the future he would do his duty. He absolved the Earl.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 13th September 1535. Vienna Archives. 357. Chapuys to [Granvelle].

Remarks on the Emperor's military achievements. The English are much pleased at his victory, in accordance with the incredible affection which they almost all bear to him; except the King, the concubine, Cromwell, and some of their adherents, who, as a man whom he sent to the Court reports, are astounded at the good news, like dogs falling out of a window. Cromwell could hardly speak.

It is commonly reported that the Earl of Kildare has been taken by the [his former brother-in-law] brother (age 56) of his [his former wife] belle mere (age 38)¹, whom the King had sent into Ireland as captain-general. Is surprised that Cromwell has said nothing of it, unless it be that he is ashamed of the way he was taken, as the other had given him a safe-conduct to come and parley. Refers him to his letters to the Emperor, and asks him, when at Naples, to remember his affairs. London, 13 Sept.

A book against images has lately been printed with royal licence. It also is directed against mass and canonical hours. There is a report that the King intends the religious of all orders to be free to leave their habits and marry, and that if they will stay in their houses they must live in poverty. He intends to take the rest of the revenue, and will do stranger things still.

Fr., from a modern copy, pp. 2.

Note 1. That is to say, by Lord Leonard Grey, who was brother of Elizabeth, widow of Gerald.

After 1548 [his former wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (deceased) died.

[his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of [his grandfather] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare.

[his daughter] Catherine Fitzgerald Viscountess Gormanston was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare.

[his daughter] Anne Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare.

[his son] Edward Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare.

[his daughter] Margaret Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare.