Battle of Piltown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Piltown
Part of Wars of the Roses
Date Summer 1462 Location Piltown, Ireland Result Yorkist (FitzGerald) victory
Belligerents
House of York	House of Lancaster
Commanders and leaders
Earl of Desmond	Earl of Ormond
Strength
unknown	unknown
Casualties and losses
unknown	1,000+

The Battle of Piltown was a big fight that happened in the summer of 1462. It took place near Piltown in County Kilkenny, Ireland. This battle was part of a much larger conflict called the Wars of the Roses in England. In Ireland, the battle was fought between two powerful families: the FitzGeralds and the Butlers. The FitzGeralds supported the Yorkist side, and the Butlers supported the Lancastrian side. The FitzGeralds won a major victory, which helped their family stay in control for a long time.

What Was the Battle of Piltown?

The Battle of Piltown was the only major battle fought in Ireland during the Wars of the Roses. It was a clash between two important Irish families, the FitzGeralds and the Butlers. These families had been rivals for many years. The battle showed which side would have more power in Ireland during this time of conflict.

Why Did the Battle Happen?

The Battle of Piltown was a mix of two different conflicts. First, it was part of the Wars of the Roses. This was a series of civil wars in England fought between two royal families, the House of York (who used a white rose as their symbol) and the House of Lancaster (who used a red rose). Both families wanted to control the English throne.

The Main Players: Yorkists vs. Lancastrians

In Ireland, powerful leaders chose sides in the Wars of the Roses. Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Desmond was a strong supporter of the Yorkist cause. He was also in charge of the government in Dublin, the capital of the Lordship of Ireland. On the other side, John Butler, 6th Earl of Ormond, backed the Lancastrian cause. These two leaders led their armies into battle.

A Long-Standing Rivalry: FitzGeralds and Butlers

Besides the English wars, the Battle of Piltown was also part of a very old rivalry. The FitzGerald dynasty and the Butler dynasty were two of the most powerful families in Ireland. They often fought over land, power, and influence. This battle was another chapter in their long history of conflict.

What Happened During the Battle?

The battle took place in the summer of 1462. We don't know exactly how many soldiers each side had. However, the fight was fierce. The Yorkist forces, led by the Earl of Desmond, fought against the Lancastrian army of the Earl of Ormond. The battle was a decisive victory for Desmond's Yorkist army.

What Was the Outcome?

The Battle of Piltown was a huge win for the FitzGeralds and the Yorkist side. Ormond's army suffered a terrible defeat, with over a thousand soldiers killed. This loss effectively ended any hope for the Lancastrians to gain control in Ireland.

The Earl of Ormond and his family had to leave Ireland and go into exile. However, they were later pardoned by Edward IV of England, who was the Yorkist king. The victory at Piltown made the FitzGerald family much stronger in Ireland. They kept their power for about 50 more years.

Why Was This Battle Important?

The Battle of Piltown was important for several reasons. It was the only major battle of the Wars of the Roses fought in Ireland. It also showed how the larger English conflict affected Ireland. Most importantly, it cemented the power of the FitzGerald family in Ireland for a long time, shaping Irish history.