James FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Desmond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James FitzGerald
Earl of Desmond
Tenure	1520–1529
Predecessor	Maurice, 9th Earl
Successor	Thomas, 11th Earl
Died	18 June 1529 Dingle
Buried	Tralee
Spouse(s)	Amy Mac-i-Brien Ara
Issue Detail	Joan (Amy)
Father	Maurice, 9th Earl
Mother	Ellen Roche

James FitzGerald was an important Irish leader known as the 10th Earl of Desmond. He lived in the 1500s and was involved in big political plans. He secretly worked against King Henry VIII of England. First, he teamed up with King Francis I of France in 1523. Later, he made an alliance with Emperor Charles V in 1528 and 1529.

Early Life and Family

James FitzGerald was born around 1490 in Munster, Ireland. He was the only son of Maurice FitzGerald and his first wife, Ellen Roche. His father was the 9th Earl of Desmond, also known as "the Lame."

His family, the FitzGeralds of Desmond, were an important noble family in Ireland. They were part of the larger FitzGerald dynasty, also called the Geraldines. This family came from the "Old English" settlers who arrived in Ireland with Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Llanstephan in 1169.

James's mother, Ellen Roche, was the daughter of Maurice Roche, 2nd Lord of Fermoy. Her family, the Roches, also came from the "Old English" settlers.

James had an older brother named Thomas, but Thomas died before their father. James also had several sisters.

Marriage and Children

James FitzGerald married a woman named Amy. She was the daughter of Turlough O'Brien, who was a bishop. Amy's family, the O'Briens of Ara, were a branch of the O'Briens, who were once kings of Thomond.

James and Amy had one daughter:

• Joan (Amy) (born around 1509 or 1514 – died 1565). She married three times. Her first husband was James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond. Her third husband was Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond.

James also had two half-sisters from his father:

• Honora (died 1577)
• Ellice

Becoming Earl and Local Conflicts

James's father seemed to rely on him to help manage the earldom in his later years. In 1520, James's father passed away and was buried in a church in Tralee. This church was founded by one of their ancestors in 1243. James then became the Earl of Desmond, known as the 10th or 11th earl.

In the 1520s, Earl Desmond had many conflicts with his neighbors. He fought against the lords of Muskerry in County Cork and the earls of Ormond in eastern Munster. He also had disagreements with his uncle, Thomas fitz Thomas FitzGerald, who was called "the Bald." His uncle even joined forces with Desmond's enemies.

In September 1521, Desmond was defeated in a battle near Mallow, County Cork. He lost to the combined armies of Cormac Laidir MacCarthy, 9th Lord of Muskerry and his uncle, Thomas the Bald. Later that year, in December, his enemies surrounded him in Dungarvan.

Plans with France and the Holy Roman Empire

During a war between England and France (1521–1526), Desmond made secret plans with King Francis I of France. He was working against his own king, Henry VIII of England. Desmond even talked about recognizing Richard de la Pole as the new king of England and a possible French invasion of Ireland. Because of these actions, a law was proposed in 1522 to punish Desmond for treason, but it was never passed.

In 1525, King Henry VIII sent Gerald FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare, the Lord Deputy of Ireland, with an army to arrest Desmond. However, Desmond managed to escape capture.

His enemy Henry VIII and his ally Charles V with Pope Leo X de' Medici

After 1525, the alliances in Europe changed. King Henry VIII made peace with France and then became allies with France against Emperor Charles V. Desmond also changed his alliances. He teamed up with Emperor Charles V in 1528 and 1529. The Emperor sent his chaplain, Gonzalo Fernandez, to meet Desmond in Dingle. The chaplain reported that the Earl was between 30 and 40 years old at the time.

Death and Legacy

Earl Desmond died unexpectedly on June 18, 1529. He passed away either in Rathkeale or Dingle. He was buried next to his father in Tralee.

Because he died without a son, there was a problem with who would become the next Earl. His daughter was his legal heir, but his uncle, Thomas "the Bald," became the 11th Earl of Desmond instead. James's wife later remarried and died in 1537.

Timeline

Images for kids

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  The coat of arms for the FitzGerald family.