John FitzGerald, de facto 12th Earl of Desmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John FitzGerald
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| Earl of Desmond | |
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| Tenure | 1534-1536 |
| Predecessor | Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond |
| Successor | James FitzGerald, de jure 12th Earl of Desmond |
| Died | December 1536 |
| Spouse(s) | Móre O'Brien |
| Issue Detail |
James FitzGerald, 13th Earl of Desmond & others |
| Father | Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Desmond |
| Mother | Ellice de Barry |
John FitzGerald was an important figure in Irish history. He was known as the de facto 12th Earl of Desmond. This means he acted as the Earl, even though his claim to the title was disputed. He was the brother of Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond.
John FitzGerald: A Powerful Earl
John FitzGerald became a powerful leader in Ireland. He was part of the famous FitzGerald family. This family was very influential in the region of Desmond. They held a lot of land and power for many years.
Family and Title Disputes
When his brother, Thomas FitzGerald, passed away in 1534, John wanted to become the next Earl. However, his brother's grandson, James FitzGerald, de jure 12th Earl of Desmond, also had a claim. This led to a disagreement over who should be the rightful Earl. John had many supporters, which made him a strong contender for the title.
John's father was Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Desmond. His mother was Ellice de Barry. He had an older brother named James FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Desmond. John was involved in some family conflicts earlier in his life. He was even expelled by his brother, Maurice FitzGerald, who was the 9th Earl of Desmond.
His Time as Earl
John FitzGerald acted as the Earl of Desmond from 1534 until his death. He was a very active leader during this time. Many people supported his claim to the earldom. He was known as the de facto Earl because he held the power.
John FitzGerald passed away in December 1536. After his death, the dispute over the earldom continued. His grandnephew, James FitzGerald, who was the de jure (rightful) Earl, died a few years later in 1540. Then, John's own son, James FitzGerald, 13th Earl of Desmond, officially became the Earl.
