Biography of Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond -1520

Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond was born to [his father] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and [his mother] Ellice Barry Countess Desmond.

On 22nd August 1455 [his father] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and [his mother] Ellice Barry Countess Desmond [aged 35] were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond. He the son of [his grandfather] James Fitzgerald 6th Earl Desmond.

In 1462 [his father] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond succeeded 7th Earl Desmond.

In 1468 [his father] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare [aged 47] attended Parliament in Drogheda [Map] to answer charges of treason. Both were found guilty and attainted. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond sought sanctuary in Drogheda Priory [Map] where he was captured by John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester [aged 40]. On 14th February 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond was summarily beheaded. He was buried initially in St Peter's Church Drogheda [Map] then Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map]. Some accounts claim John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester also murdered two of his young sons. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare escaped and was subsequently pardoned and attainder reversed when King Edward IV found Ireland was ungovernable without him. In 1470 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland under George York 1st Duke of Clarence [aged 18] which position he held until the Duke's death in 1478.

In 1468 Maurice Fitzgibbon 6th White Knight [aged 38] and [his mother] Ellice Barry Countess Desmond [aged 48] were married.

In 1468 [his brother] James Fitzgerald 8th Earl Desmond [aged 9] succeeded 8th Earl Desmond.

After 1470 [his mother] Ellice Barry Countess Desmond [deceased] died.

On 7th December 1487 James Fitzgerald 8th Earl Desmond [aged 28] was murdered by John Murtagh at the instigation of his brother John at Rathkeale, County Limerick. His brother Maurice succeeded 9th Earl Desmond.

Annals of Ireland. 1488. John Mantach, the principal agent in the death of the earl of Desmond, was put to death by Maurice, the son¹ of the earl, and Maurice, the son of the earl, was nominated earl.

Note 1. A mistake for brother.

Around 1495 [his son] James Fitzgerald 10th Earl Desmond was born to Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond and [his future wife] Ellen Roche Countess Desmond [aged 29]. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%.

In or before 1498 Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond and Ellen Roche Countess Desmond [aged 32] were married. He the son of Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and Ellice Barry Countess Desmond. They were great uncle and niece. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England.

Around 1498 [his son] Thomas Fitzgerald was born to Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond and [his wife] Ellen Roche Countess Desmond [aged 32]. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%.

In 1520 Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond died. His son James [aged 25] succeeded 10th Earl Desmond.

Around 1535 [his former wife] Ellen Roche Countess Desmond [aged 69] died.

[his daughter] Ellis Fitzgerald was born to Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond and Ellen Roche Countess Desmond. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%.

[his daughter] Joan Fitzgerald was born to Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond and Ellen Roche Countess Desmond. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%.

Annals of Ireland. The earl of Desmond (James Fitzgerald), was treacherously killed by his own people at Rath Gaola (Rathkeale, county of Limerick), at the instigation of his brother John; but John and all the murderers were expelled by Maurice¹, the son of the earl.

Note 1. A mistake for brother.