Margaret Butler, Countess of Ormond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Margaret Butler
Countess of Ormond & Countess of Ossory
Her effigy in St Canice
Born	c. 1473
Died	9 August 1542 Kilkenny, Ireland
Buried	St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny
Spouse(s)	Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond
Issue Detail	James, Richard, & others
Father	Gerald, 8th Earl of Kildaare
Mother	Alison FitzEustace

Margaret Butler (born FitzGerald) was a very important Irish noblewoman. She lived from about 1473 to 1542. She was part of the powerful FitzGerald dynasty, also known as "The Geraldines". Margaret married Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond. They had three sons and six daughters together.

Margaret was known for her many achievements. In 1501, she rebuilt Gowran Castle. She also helped decorate St. Mary's Collegiate Church Gowran in 1502. This church was where her husband's ancestors were buried. Margaret supported schools and skilled workers. She also helped manage the family's lands and legal matters. People sometimes called her the Great Countess of Ormond. Her Irish name was Mairgread Gerroid. Historians like James Graves said she was "unquestionably one of the most remarkable women of her age and country".

Margaret's Early Life and Family

Margaret FitzGerald was born in Ireland around 1473. Her father was Gearóid Mór FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare. He was a very powerful nobleman in Ireland. He served as the Lord Deputy of Ireland. This meant he was like a governor for the English kings. These kings included Henry VII and Henry VIII.

Margaret's mother was Alison FitzEustace. Margaret had one brother, Gerald FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare. She also had three sisters. Later, her father remarried and had five more children. Margaret had a famous nephew named Thomas FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Kildare. He was known as "Silken Thomas". Her niece, the Countess of Lincoln, was called the "Fair Geraldine". Margaret was also known by her Irish name, Mairgread Gerroid. Sometimes, people playfully called her Magheen, or "Little Margaret". This was a funny nickname because she was actually very tall!

Marriage and Children

In 1485, Margaret married Piers Ruadh Butler. Their marriage was arranged for political reasons. It was meant to end a long-standing rivalry between their families. In the early years, Margaret and Piers faced hard times. They lost much of their wealth. Piers later killed a man named James Dubh Butler in 1497. He received a pardon for this act.

Piers had a claim to the title of Earl of Ormond. In 1515, he became the 8th Earl of Ormond. Years before, in 1498, Margaret and Piers had taken over Kilkenny Castle. They made it their main home. Margaret worked hard to make the castle a much better place to live.

In 1528, Piers gave up his Ormond title for a short time. This was to help Thomas Boleyn, whose daughter Anne Boleyn was marrying King Henry VIII. Piers was given a new title instead: 1st Earl of Ossory. In 1535, their eldest son, James, became Viscount Thurles.

Margaret and Piers had three sons:

• James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond, Viscount Thurles (1496–1546). He married Lady Joan Fitzgerald and had children.
• Richard Butler, 1st Viscount Mountgarret (1500–1571). He married Eleanor Butler and had children.
• Thomas Butler (died 1532). He was killed in a fight.

They also had six daughters:

• Margaret Butler. She married three times and had children.
• Catherine Butler (died 1553). She married twice and had children.
• Joan Butler. She married James Butler of Dunboyne and had children.
• Ellice (1481–1530). She married twice.
• Eleanor Butler (died after 1550). She married Thomas Butler, 1st Baron Cahir, and had children.
• Helen Butler (died 1597). She married Donough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Thomond, and had children.

The Great Countess of Ormond

Piers got his Earldom of Ormond back in 1538. This happened after Thomas Boleyn died. Margaret and Piers had continued to use the title of Earl and Countess of Ormond even when it was officially taken away.

Margaret was often called the "Great Countess of Ormond". She signed her name as "Margaret Fitzgerald of the Geraldines". She was very involved in managing her family's lands. She worked with Piers to improve their estates. They expanded and rebuilt many manor houses. Margaret also started the Kilkenny Grammar School. She encouraged Piers to bring skilled weavers from Flanders. She helped create industries for making carpets and other fabrics. Margaret and Piers also added important parts to Granagh and Ormond castles. They rebuilt Gowran Castle, which was first built in 1385.

People described Margaret as a strong and generous woman. Richard Stanihurst said she was "manlike and tall of stature, liberal and bountiful". He also said she was "a sure friend and a bitter enemy". He believed she greatly improved life in Kilkenny. Reverend James Graves called her "one of the most remarkable women of her age". He also said she was the "traditional builder of nearly every castle in the district". Other writers said she was wise enough to rule a kingdom.

Margaret also managed her own lands. These lands later went to her younger son, Richard. Her husband Piers died in 1539. Margaret was in charge of carrying out his will. Margaret herself died on 9 August 1542. She was buried next to Piers in St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny. Their statues are on their tomb.