Katherine FitzGerald, Countess of Desmond facts for kids
Katherine FitzGerald, also known as the Countess of Desmond, was an important noblewoman from an Anglo-Norman family in Ireland. She lived a very long life, which made her famous. English writers from the Tudor period, like Sir Walter Raleigh, often called her "the old Countess of Desmond" because of how long she lived. Some people thought she lived to be over 120 years old, or even 140! Most likely, she lived to be around 100 years old. A recent book about her suggests she was at least 90 when she passed away.
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Her Early Life and Family
Katherine FitzGerald was the daughter of Sir John FitzGerald and Ellen Fitzgibbon. She was probably born in a place called Dromana in County Waterford, Ireland, around 1504.
In 1529, she got married. She became the second wife of Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond. He was much older than her, about 50 years older. They had one daughter, who was also named Katherine. After her husband died in 1534, Katherine remained a widow.
The Castle and the Dispute
Later in her life, Katherine was involved in a disagreement over property. This was common in Ireland during the late Tudor period (1485-1603). Her husband had given her the right to live in Inchiquin Castle for the rest of her life. This castle was about 5 miles southwest of Youghal in Munster. After Katherine died, the castle was supposed to go back to the Earls of Desmond family.
In 1575, she gave the castle and its lands to the current earl, Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond. He then gave it to others to look after. The Earl was rebelling against the King and Queen of England. He wanted to make sure his lands wouldn't be taken by the Crown.
The Inchiquin estate was described as "the castle and town of Inchiquaine, with farming land, meadows, pastures, woods, and places for mills with their water." It also included rivers, streams, and fishing spots.
Losing the Castle and Her Journey
In 1582, the Earl of Desmond lost his lands to the Crown because of his rebellion. Inchiquin Castle was then given to Sir Walter Raleigh, a famous English explorer. Raleigh rented out some of the land but allowed Katherine to continue living in the castle for her lifetime. She lived much longer than Raleigh expected!
Later, Sir Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, bought Raleigh's lands in Ireland, including the castle. Some stories say that Boyle tried to make the old Countess leave, but this isn't certain.
A popular story says that to protect her right to the castle, the "old Countess" left Cork in 1604. She sailed to Bristol, England. Then, she supposedly walked all the way to London, pulling her 90-year-old daughter in a cart. However, historians believe this story might be mixed up with another Countess of Desmond, Elenor, who traveled to London to ask Queen Elizabeth I for help.
Her Final Years
Many legends surround Katherine's last years, but there isn't much proof for them. It was said that she walked to her local market town every week, which was 4 to 5 miles away, even after returning from London in 1604. Some stories claim all her teeth grew back just a few years before she died.
The most famous legend says she died after falling from a tree when she was about 100 years old. Historians at the time disagreed about the type of tree. One said it was a nut tree, and she hurt her leg, got a fever, and died. Another story says she fell while picking cherries.
Katherine is believed to be buried with her husband at a former Franciscan Friary in Youghal. Many members of the FitzGerald family were buried there. The monastery was later destroyed, so there are no monuments left.
Some historians, like Clodagh Tait, have questioned the exact year of her death, though they agree she didn't die as early as 1575.
How Old Was She?
Sir Walter Raleigh, in his book History of the World, wrote that Katherine married during the time of King Edward IV of England (1461–1483). If this were true, she would have been at least 135 years old when she died. He even said she danced with King Richard III of England!
However, she couldn't have married before 1505. Her husband's first wife was still alive then. The story that she died at 140 years old was told by writers like Fynes Moryson and Sir Francis Bacon.
Another writer, John Harington, mentioned in 1605 a woman, "and she a countess," who lived longer than 120 years. If Katherine married in her early twenties, this description would fit her. Historian Ian Mortimer believes she was about 100 years old when she died. This would make her a very rare, but not unique, person to live to 100 during the Elizabethan age. Both Raleigh and Moryson wrote about her as someone who had already passed away.
Her Portraits
There are two portraits of Katherine FitzGerald that are likely real. A third one is less certain.
The words under a picture made by Nathaniel Grogan in 1806, based on a portrait owned by Lord Kerry, say:
- Catherine Fitz-Gerald (the long lived) Countess of Desmond
- From an original family picture of the same size
- Painted on Board in the Possession of The Right Honourable Maurice Fitz-Gerald, Knight of Kerry &c. &c. &c.
- To whom this plate is most respectfully dedicated by his very obedient and much obliged humble servant Henry Pelham
- This famous Lady was born around 1464. She was married when Edward IV was King. She lived through the reigns of Edward V, Richard III, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth. She died at the end of King James I's reign or the start of King Charles I's reign, at the great age (as most people think) of 162 years.
- Published as the act directs at Bear Island 4 June 1806 by Henry Pelham Esq.
On the back of what is said to be the original painting, which was supposedly made during her last visit to London, it says:
- Catherine, Countess of Desmond, as she appeared at ye court of our Sovereign Lord, King James, in this present year, A.D. 1614,
- and in ye 140th yeare of her age. Thither she came from Bristol, to seek relief, ye house of Desmond having been ruined by attainder.
- She was married in ye reigne of King Edward IV., and in ye course of her long pilgrimage, renewed her teeth liuice. Her principal residence is at Inchiquin, in Munster, whither she undauntedlie proposeth (her purpose accomplished) incontinentlie to return. Laus Deo.
