John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond 1468-1536

John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond was born to Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and 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 brother] James Fitzgerald 8th Earl Desmond [aged 9] succeeded 8th 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.

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.

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

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

On 8th June 1529 [his nephew] James Fitzgerald 10th Earl Desmond [aged 34] died at Dingle. He was buried at Tralee. His uncle [his brother] Thomas [aged 75] succeeded 11th Earl Desmond.

Before 1531 James Fitzgerald 13th Earl Desmond and Joan Roche were married. The date speculative. He the son of John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond and Móre O'Brien. They were great uncle and niece.

Before 1532 James Fitzgerald 13th Earl Desmond and Joan Roche marriage annulled. The date speculative. as is the reason; probably consangunity given that she was his great niece. In addition to repusiating his wife he also bastardised their son Thomas Ruadh FitzGerald of Conna whose grandson would claim the Earldom.

In or before 1533 James Fitzgerald 13th Earl Desmond and More O'Carroll were married. He the son of John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond and Móre O'Brien.

In 1534 Thomas Fitzgerald 11th Earl Desmond [aged 80] died. His brother John succeeded 12th Earl Desmond.

Before December 1536 John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond and Móre O'Brien were married. He the son of Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and Ellice Barry Countess Desmond.

In December 1536 John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond died. His son James succeeded 13th Earl Desmond.

[his son] Maurice Fitzgerald was born to John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond and Móre O'Brien.

[his son] James Fitzgerald 13th Earl Desmond was born to John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond and Móre O'Brien. He married 1. before 1531 his great niece Joan Roche and had issue 2. in or before 1533 More O'Carroll and had issue 3. in or after 1548 his half fourth cousin once removed Catherine Butler, daughter of Piers "Red" Butler 8th Earl Ormonde 1st Earl Ossory and Margaret Fitzgerald Countess Ormonde and Ossory 4. after 17th March 1553 Evelyn MacCarthy Mor.

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.