Thomas FitzJames FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Desmond (died 1467/68), called 'Thomas of Drogheda', not to be confused with his cousin, Thomas FitzGerald (1421-1477) Lord Justice of Ireland also known as the Great Earl. Thomas FitzJames FitzGerald was the son of James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond and Mary de Burgh.
Desmond was Lord Deputy of Ireland under the Lieutenancy of the Duke of Clarence from 1463 to his death, and in 1464 founded the College of Youghal. His plan to found a University at Drogheda failed due to his judicial assassination.
Contents
Political career
Upon the death of his father, James FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Desmond, in 1462, Thomas FitzJames FitzGerald became the 7th Earl of Desmond. That same year Desmond, having sided, as had his father, with the House of York, put down a Lancastrian invasion of Ireland by John and Thomas Butler, brothers of the Earl of Ormond. Local memory claims that the Battle of Piltown was so violent that the local river ran red with blood, hence the names Pill River and Piltown (Baile an Phuill – Town of the blood). Piltown was the only battle of the Wars of the Roses fought in Ireland.
In appreciation, the following year King Edward IV appointed Desmond Lord-Deputy under the King's brother, George Plantagenet, 1st Duke of Clarence. Desmond built castles around the Pale and continued the hereditary FitzGerald feud with the Butlers. In 1464 he founded the collegiate church at Youghal.
Downfall and death
In 1466 Desmond was badly defeated in an expedition to Offaly, which permanently weakened the defence of the Pale. He was well-liked in Ireland for his defence of them against the difficulties of English law. The parliament in the Dublin Pale had a negative view of the Gaels, descendants of the original inhabitants, and passed an act in 1465 that every Irishman dwelling in the Pale was to dress and shave like the English and take an English surname such as the name of a town, or of a colour such as Black, Brown, Green or White, or of a trade such as Smith, Carpenter, Thatcher, or forfeit his goods. Another measure forbade ships from fishing in the seas off Ireland because the dues went to make the Irish people prosperous. Another provided that it was lawful to decapitate 'thieves' found robbing "or going or coming anywhere" unless they had an Englishman in their company. On bringing the head to the mayor of the nearest town, 'head money' was paid.
Desmond was the main defender of the Irish against such exactions. Following his assassination, in 1468 Edward IV replaced Desmond as Lord Deputy with John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester, a Crown servant notorious for his cruelty and ruthlessness, who was nicknamed "the Butcher of England".
Accused by his political enemies of treason, for aiding the Irish against the King's subjects, as well as extortion, Desmond attended a Parliament held in Drogheda. Along with his cousin, Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare, he was attainted for treason on 4 February 1468, convicted in a show trial, and beheaded on 15 February. The fact that Desmond had been seized in a priory, in breach of the right of sanctuary, caused particular indignation. Although Desmond was beheaded, Kildare managed to escape to England to plead his case before the King. Desmond was buried at St. Peter's Church, Drogheda, then afterwards his remains were removed to Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.
Desmond's death shocked the nation: "slain by the swords of the wicked, or may I say a martyr" wrote one chronicler. Some accounts claim that Tiptoft also murdered two of Desmond's young sons, who were attending school in Drogheda.
The Munster Geraldines invaded the Pale. Not wishing to see a similar uprising in Leinster, Edward revoked the attainder against both Kildare and Desmond. Although Desmond's heir was allowed to succeed to his father's lands and title, relations between the Crown and the Desmonds were strained for decades.
Reputation
Desmond has been praised by modern historians as a versatile and attractive figure. He was handsome, affable, hospitable and learned: "a Renaissance magnate with an Irish tinge".
Marriage and issue
On 22 August 1455, Thomas married Ellice de Barry, daughter of William Barry, 8th Baron Barry, and Ellen de la Roche, and they had seven sons and two daughters:
James FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Desmond.
Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond.
Lady Katherine Fitzgerald, married Finghin MacCarthy Reagh, 8th Prince of Carbery
Thomas Fitzgerald, 11th Earl of Desmond.
Unnamed boy #1, who was murdered by John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester.
Unnamed boy #2, who was murdered by John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester.
John FitzGerald, de facto 12th Earl of Desmond.
Ellen Fitzgerald, married 1) Thomas Butler of Caher, 2) Turlogh Mac I Brien Ara, of Duharra, Bishop of Killaloe.
Gerald Oge Fitzgerald of Macollop, c.1464 whose male descendants became extinct in 1743.
