Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maurice FitzGerald
Statue of Maurice Fitzgerald inside Desmond Castle, Kinsale
Died	1520
Resting place	Tralee
Title	Earl of Desmond
Tenure	1487–1520
Other names	Vehiculus, Bellicosus
Nationality	Hiberno-Norman
Spouse(s)	Ellen Roche Honora Fitzgibbon
Issue	Thomas FitzMaurice FitzGerald James FitzMaurice FitzGerald Joan FitzGerald Ellis FitzGerald
Parents	Thomas FitzJames FitzGerald Ellice de Barry
← Predecessor Thomas FitzJames FitzGerald Successor James FitzMaurice FitzGerald →

Maurice FitzGerald, who passed away in 1520, was an important leader in Ireland during the late 1400s and early 1500s. He became the 9th Earl of Desmond and was known for his bravery and for rebuilding Desmond Castle. He was the brother of James FitzGerald, the 8th Earl of Desmond.

Becoming Earl of Desmond

Maurice became the 9th Earl of Desmond in 1487. This happened after his brother, James FitzThomas FitzGerald, the 8th Earl, was killed. Maurice was sometimes called "Baccagh," which means "The Lame," because he had a limp.

During his time, the country faced tough challenges. In 1489, a serious illness called a plague spread across Ireland. A few years later, in 1497, there was a famine, which means many people didn't have enough food. Both of these events caused many deaths.

Maurice was also known by other names. Because he was lame and often carried in a special horse-drawn litter, some people called him "Vehiculus." Others called him "Bellicosus" because he was very brave in battles.

Supporting Perkin Warbeck

In 1495, Maurice FitzGerald supported a man named Perkin Warbeck. Warbeck pretended to be a prince and claimed he should be the King of England. Maurice helped Warbeck in his attempt to take over the city of Waterford and in other fights.

Even though Maurice had supported Warbeck, King Henry VII of England later forgave him. On August 26, 1497, the King not only pardoned Maurice but also showed him favor. He gave Maurice special rights, including control over taxes and goods coming into important port cities like Limerick, Cork, Kingsale, Baltimore, and Youghal.

Desmond Castle

Around the year 1500, Maurice FitzGerald decided to rebuild Desmond Castle in the town of Kinsale. This castle was a tall, three-story tower house. He rebuilt it to be used as a Customs House, a place where taxes were collected on goods like wine and gunpowder.

Maurice was a strong leader. He made his power and lands even bigger. He was known for being tough on the Irish people who often rebelled against the English crown. He even captured his enemy, MacCarthy Mor, who was the Lord of Muskerry. Maurice was a powerful and respected Earl for about 30 years. He passed away in 1520 and was buried in Tralee.

Family Life

Maurice FitzGerald was married twice.

His first wife was Ellen. She was the daughter of Maurice Roche, who was the 2nd Lord of Fermoy. Maurice and Ellen had four children:

• Thomas FitzMaurice, who died before his father. Thomas had one daughter.
• James FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Desmond
• Joan, who married Cormac Óg MacCarthy.
• Ellis, who married Connor O'Brien, King of Thomond.

Maurice's second wife was Honora. She was the daughter of a nobleman known as the White Knight.

Images for kids

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  A map of Ireland in 1450, showing the Earldom of Desmond, where Maurice FitzGerald ruled.

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  The cannons of Reginald's Tower helped protect Waterford from attacks by Perkin Warbeck and Maurice FitzGerald in 1495.