Walter Butler, 11th Earl of Ormond facts for kids

Sir Walter Butler, also known as the 11th Earl of Ormond and 4th Earl of Ossory (born 1559, died 1633), became the Earl in 1614. He took over from his uncle, the 10th Earl. People called him "Walter of the Beads" because he was a very religious Catholic. His uncle, however, was Protestant.

King James I stepped in and decided that half of the family's wealth should go to his uncle's Protestant daughter, Elizabeth. Walter disagreed with the King's decision. Because he argued, he was held in the Fleet Prison from 1619 until 1625. He was only released when he finally agreed to the King's rule. Later, Walter found a clever way to bring the family's lands back together. He arranged for his grandson, James, to marry Elizabeth's only daughter. James had been raised as a Protestant.

Early Life and Family Roots

Walter Butler was born in 1559. He was the second son of John Butler of Kilcash and Katherine MacCarthy. His father was a younger son of James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond. Walter's father's family, the Butler Dynasty, were known as "Old English." They came from Theobald Walter. He was made the chief butler of Ireland by King Henry II in 1177.

Walter's mother, Katherine MacCarthy, was the daughter of Cormac na Haoine MacCarthy Reagh. Her family was Gaelic Irish. Both of Walter's parents were Catholic. Walter had three other siblings.

Walter was raised as a very religious Catholic. He was known as "Walter of the Beads" (in Irish: "Váitéar an Phaidrín").

His father, John of Kilcash, passed away on May 10, 1570. Walter was about eleven years old then. His older brother, James, inherited the family lands but died without marrying before September 1576. This meant Walter then became the owner of the land around Kilcash Castle. This land had been given to his father.

Walter worked closely with his uncle, the Earl of Ormond. For his good service in the army, he was made a knight in 1598.

Marriage and Children

Around 1584, Walter married his second cousin, Helen Butler. She was also known as Ellen. Helen was the oldest daughter of Edmund Butler, 2nd Viscount Mountgarret. Her mother was Grizel FitzPatrick. Walter and Helen shared a great-grandfather, Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond.

Walter and Helen had two sons:

• Thomas Butler, Viscount Thurles (1594–1619). He married Elizabeth, who was the daughter of Sir John Pointz. They had children, including James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond.
• James, who died young in France.

They also had nine daughters:

• Margaret, who married Barnaby Fitzpatrick, 5th Baron Upper Ossory.
• Catherine, who married Piers Power of Monalargie.
• Ellen (died 1663), who married Pierce Butler, 1st Viscount Ikerrin.
• Helena, who married James Butler of Grellagh.
• Joan, who married three times.
• Mary, who married George Hamilton of Greenlaw and Roscrea.
• Elizabeth, who married two times.
• Eleanor (died 1633), who never married.
• Ellis Butler (died 1625), who married Sir Terence O'Brien-Arragh.

Becoming the 11th Earl

In 1613, the only Irish parliament during the rule of King James I was called. On April 13, 1613, Walter Butler was chosen as a member of the Irish House of Commons for County Tipperary. He was part of a group that opposed new laws against Catholics.

His uncle, the 10th Earl, passed away on November 22, 1614. He had only one daughter, Elizabeth. She had married Richard Preston, 1st Earl of Desmond. Walter, as his nephew, became the 11th Earl of Ormond. He expected to inherit all the family's lands.

However, Richard Preston, Elizabeth's husband, challenged Walter's claim to the estates. King James I stepped in to settle the disagreement. The King decided that most of the land, including Kilkenny Castle, should go to Preston. Walter spent a lot of time and money fighting the King's decision in court.

Because he kept arguing, Walter was sent to the Fleet prison in 1617. He stayed there for eight years. During this time, he had very little money because he couldn't get any income from his lands. The King also questioned Walter's right to own the county palatine of Tipperary. This county had been owned by the head of the Butler family for almost 400 years. So, it should not have belonged to Elizabeth. The King took control of County Tipperary.

Walter was finally set free in 1625. Large parts of his lands were given back to him. For a while, he lived in London with his grandson, James. James later became the Duke of Ormond. In 1629, King Charles I of England helped Walter. He allowed Walter to arrange the marriage of his grandson James to Elizabeth Preston, who was Preston's only child. This was a way to bring the lands back into the Butler family. After the marriage, on October 9, 1630, Walter was officially recognized as the rightful heir to the lands of his uncle, Earl Thomas, and his father, Sir John Butler of Kilcash.

Walter also faced challenges within his own family. His son, Thomas, who was known as Viscount Thurles, married the daughter of Sir John Poyntz against Walter's wishes. Years later, Thomas accidentally drowned at The Skerries, Isle of Anglesey. This happened at the beginning of Walter's long time in the Fleet Prison. Viscount Thurles was a well-known Catholic. When he died, he was being sent to England because he was accused of having soldiers in Kilkenny.

Death and Important Dates

Walter Butler died at Carrick-on-Suir on February 24, 1633. He was buried in St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny, on June 18, 1633. Since his oldest son had died before him, Walter's grandson, James Butler, became the next Earl. James later became the 1st Duke of Ormond.