George FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare facts for kids

George FitzGerald (born January 23, 1612 – died May 29, 1660) was the 16th Earl of Kildare. People sometimes called him the "Fairy Earl." This nickname probably came from a small painting of him that still exists today.

Early Life and Education

George FitzGerald was the son of Thomas FitzGerald and Frances Randolph. His grandfather was William FitzGerald, the 13th Earl of Kildare.

In 1620, when George was just nine years old, he became the Earl of Kildare. This happened after the 15th Earl, Gerald FitzGerald, passed away at a very young age.

Because George was so young, the king placed him under the care of a guardian. This was called "wardship." First, he was cared for by Ludovic Stewart, the Duke of Lennox. After the Duke died, his wife transferred George's care and his family's lands to Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork.

George FitzGerald studied for a time at Christ Church, a college at Oxford University.

Marriage and Family Life

When he was eighteen, George FitzGerald married Joan Boyle. She was the fourth daughter of Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork. It seems that Earl George was often guided by his father-in-law, Lord Cork. However, they sometimes had disagreements. When this happened, the Lord Deputy, Thomas Wentworth, would help them sort things out.

Interests and Activities

A painting of Earl George from 1632 still exists today at Carton. Carton is the home of the Duke of Leinster. The painting shows him as being quite small.

Also at Carton, there is a copy of an old book. This book is known as the "Red Book of the Earls of Kildare." Earl George had this copy made for himself in 1633.

With money borrowed from Lord Cork, Earl George rebuilt his family's old castle. This castle was in Maynooth, in County Kildare.

An English writer named James Shirley visited Dublin in 1637–1638. Earl George became friends with him. Shirley even dedicated his play, 'The Royal Master,' to Earl George. This play was performed at the castle and a theater in Dublin in 1638.

Around that time, Earl George was put in prison. This happened because he did not follow an order from the Lord Deputy. The order was about handing over documents for a legal case with Lord Digby.

Role in Irish Politics

In 1641, Earl George was made the governor of County Kildare. Later, he joined with Protestant leaders in Ireland. They worked to oppose the Irish Catholics. The Catholics were trying to get their complaints addressed by King Charles I.

Letters between Earl George and the Duke of Ormonde, the viceroy, from 1644 can be found in historical books.

In January 1646, Earl George and the Marquess of Clanricarde helped a person named Edward Somerset, Earl of Glamorgan. They each promised £10,000 to help him get out of prison in Dublin.

In 1647, Earl George served as governor of Dublin. He worked under a Parliamentarian colonel named Michael Jones. In 1649, he started receiving a weekly payment from the government.

Later, Earl George wrote a request to the chief justice of Munster. He explained that for eleven years, he and his family had faced many difficulties. They had suffered a lot in England and Ireland. This was because he had always supported the English Parliament. He also said that he was then in London because of debt. He had sent his wife and some servants to Ireland. He hoped they could raise money from his lands to help him get out of debt and support his family.

Earl George passed away in early 1660. He was buried in Kildare. His second son, Wentworth, became the 17th Earl of Kildare after him.

Family

George FitzGerald married Lady Joan Boyle on August 15, 1630. She was the daughter of Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork. George and Joan had three sons and six daughters. One son and two daughters died when they were young. Another daughter, Catherine, never married.

• Wentworth FitzGerald, 17th Earl of Kildare (1632 – March 5, 1664) married Lady Elizabeth Holles.
• Lady Eleanor Fitzgerald (born May 18, 1634 – August 3, 1681) married Sir Walter Borrowes, 2nd Baronet.
• Robert Fitzgerald (born 1638) married Mary Clotworthy. He was the father of Robert FitzGerald, 19th Earl of Kildare.
• Lady Elizabeth Fitzgerald (1642 – around 1697/98) married Callaghan MacCarty, 3rd Earl of Clancarty. She later married Sir William Davys, who was a chief judge in Ireland.
• Frances married Sir James Shaen, 1st Baronet.