Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare 1456-1513

Around January 1456 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare was born to Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare [aged 35].

In 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and [his father] 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.

On 25th March 1478 [his father] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare [aged 57] died. His succeeded son Gerald [aged 22] succeeded 8th Earl Kildare.

In 1485 [his son-in-law] Piers "Red" Butler 8th Earl Ormonde 1st Earl Ossory [aged 18] and Margaret Fitzgerald Countess Ormonde and Ossory were married. She the daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 28] and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. They were half third cousin twice removed.

Before 1487 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 30] and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare.

In 1487 [his son] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 30] and [his wife] Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. He married (1) before 8th July 1503 Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare and had issue (2) 1522 Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare, daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset, and had issue.

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

In or after 1496 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 39] and Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare [aged 36] were married. Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare.

After 1496 [his son] James Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 39] and [his wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare [aged 36] at Leixlip, County Kildare.

After 1496 [his son] Walter Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 39] and [his wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare [aged 36] at County Kildare.

After 1496 [his son] Oliver Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 39] and [his wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare [aged 36].

Before 8th July 1503, the date Mrgrate Tudor left on her journet to Scotland, Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare [aged 16] and Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare were married at Collyweston Palace [Map]. Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 47] and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

Around 1504 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 47] was appointed 258th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 46].

In 1513 John Wallop [aged 23] and [his wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare [aged 53] were married. The difference in their ages was 30 years; she, unusually, being older than him.

On 3rd September 1513 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 57] died. His succeeded son Gerald [aged 26] succeeded 9th Earl Kildare.

On 28th June 1516 [his former wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare [aged 56] died.

[his son] John Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare.

[his daughter] Margaret Fitzgerald Countess Ormonde and Ossory was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. She married 1485 her half third cousin twice removed Piers "Red" Butler 8th Earl Ormonde 1st Earl Ossory and had issue.

[his daughter] Alice Fitzgerald Countess Tyrone was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. She married in or before 1530 Conn O'Neill 1st Earl Tyrone.

[his daughter] Eleanor Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

[his daughter] Ellis Fitzgerald Baroness Slane was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. She married Christopher Fleming 8th Baron Slane, son of James Fleming 7th Baron Slane and Elizabeth Welles Countess Kildare, and had issue.