Walter de Cusack facts for kids

Walter de Cusack (around 1270 – 1334) was an important person in Ireland during the 1300s. He was a judge, a powerful leader, and a military commander. He came from an Anglo-Irish family, meaning they were of English descent but lived in Ireland.

Walter's Family and Early Life

Walter de Cusack was born around 1270. His father was Sir Andrew Cusack, who lived in Gerrardstown, County Meath. The Cusack family was a well-known Anglo-Irish family. They moved to Ireland after the Normans invaded in the late 1100s. They mostly settled in County Meath. Walter's family was connected to important people, like Nicholas Cusack, who was a bishop.

Serving the King and Country

Walter de Cusack was called to serve King Edward I in wars against Scotland in 1303 and 1307. He likely served in other wars too. He also took part in the Irish Parliament in 1310.

He became a top judge in 1308. This job meant he traveled around to hear legal cases. He was reappointed as a traveling judge in 1310, but only for County Dublin. At one point, he and other judges were told to use Irish law for land cases, not English law. This shows that the two legal systems were different back then.

Walter was a close friend and supporter of Roger Mortimer, a powerful leader in Ireland, from 1316 to 1318. Walter even managed Mortimer's lands in Ireland. Because of this friendship, some people wondered if Walter was loyal to King Edward II. The King was later removed from power. Walter was accused of plotting against the King, but these accusations did not lead to any punishment.

Walter might have fought in the Scottish invasion of Ireland between 1315 and 1318. His son, John, definitely did. After the invasion ended, John asked the King's advisors for money because of losses he and his father had suffered while serving the King. The advisors noted that John was at the Battle of Faughart in 1318, where the Scottish leader was killed. They decided to give John some money for his service.

Walter's Family and Lasting Impact

Walter de Cusack married twice. His first wife was Matilda Pylate. She was an heiress, meaning she would inherit property. His second wife, after 1310, was Amicia. She was a widow. Through this second marriage, Walter gained Knocktopher Castle in County Kilkenny. Amicia and her first husband had bought the castle in 1309. After Walter died, the castle went to the Butler family.

It was a rule that widows needed the King's permission to remarry. Walter did not get this permission for his marriage to Amicia. However, he easily received a pardon for this, so it was not a big problem.

Walter de Cusack passed away in 1334. He had children from his first marriage, including Simon Cusack and John Cusack. His family later became known for living in Cushinstown in County Meath. A famous descendant was Sir Thomas Cusack, who became a very important judge in Ireland in the 1500s.

Images for kids

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  Dangan Castle in the 1800s