Biography of Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare 1525-1585

Paternal Family Tree: Fitzgerald

Maternal Family Tree: Aoife NI Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham 1145-1188

In 1503 [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 16) and Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 46) and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

On 03 Sep 1513 [his grandfather] Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 57) died. His son [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 26) succeeded 9th Earl Kildare.

Around 1522 [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 35) and [his mother] Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. She the daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset (age 61). He the son of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1525 Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 38) and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 28).

On 12 Dec 1534, some sources say the 13th, [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 47) died whilst imprisoned at the Tower of London [Map]. He was buried at the St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map]. His son [his half-brother] Thomas "Silken" Fitzgerald 10th Earl of Kildare (age 21) succeeded 10th Earl Kildare. His son, and five of his brothers were executed just over two years later - see Execution of the Fitzgeralds.

1541 Executions

Letters and Papers 1541. 02 Jul 1541. 954. Chapuys (age 51) to the Queen of Hungary.

Almost immediately after Chapuys's return the King (age 50) gave the people of Dunkirk permission to buy here a quantity of wood for their own use for curing herrings, and he has frequently reminded Chapuys of the favor, saying he was surprised that the town had not sent a deputation to say how much wood they required. The deputation has arrived, and now, after being kept 13 days without an answer, they have been told that it is mere loss of time to solicit such things till the Queen has promised to release the harness, copper, and war ammunition purchased by the King some time ago at Antwerp.

On St. Peter's eve [his uncle] lord Leonard (deceased), uncle of the Marquis of Osceter (age 24) (Dorset) and of the Chancellor's (age 53) wife, was beheaded in front of the Tower [Map]. Hears he was accused of letting his nephew (age 16), the young Earl of Kildare, escape to France and thence to Liege.

That afternoon two gentlemen were hung, one of whom had an income of over 12,000 ducats a year, and was the handsomest and best bred man in England [Note. Not clear as to who this is? If anyone has information on the identity of this person I'd be grateful if they would email Christopher Smith.], only 25 years old and married to a niece of the Duke of Norfolk (age 68). He was sentenced for having belonged to a set of eight rakish youths, one of whom had killed a poor old man in an unpremeditated fray. For the same cause lord Dacres (deceased) also, son1 of the Duke of Norfolk's (age 68) sister, and cousin of this Queen (age 18), 23 years old and possessing a property of about 5,000 ducats a year, was hung from the most ignominious gibbet, and for greater shame dragged through the streets to the place of execution, to the great pity of many people, and even of his very judges, who wept when they sentenced him, and in a body asked his pardon of the King. But the thing which astonished people most was, that, the same day lord Dacres was hung, another young man (age 28), son of the Treasurer of the Royal household (age 56), who was one of those present at the old man's death, was freely pardoned, though he had been already tried for some like misdemeanour.

At the same time in the North, Sir John Neville (deceased) and about 60 more, among whom at least 25 were ecclesiastics, were executed for the conspiracy of which Chapuys wrote some time ago. Has just heard of the arrival of a Polish gentleman with eight or ten servants. Will endeavour to discover who he is and what he comes for. London, 2 July 1541. Original at Vienna.

Note 1. Thomas Fiennes 9th Baron Dacre Gilsland (deceased), Lord Dacre, was the grandson of Anne Bourchier Baroness Dacre Gilsland who was the maternal half-sister of Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 68); Anne and Thomas' mother was Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey.

After 1548 [his mother] Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 51) died.

Before 22 Jul 1552 [his future brother-in-law] Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu (age 23) and Jane Radclyffe were married. She the daughter of Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex and Margaret Stanley Countess Sussex. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Before 10 Dec 1553 [his future brother-in-law] Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu (age 25) and Magdalen Dacre Viscountess Montague (age 15) were married. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 14 May 1554. The xiiij day of May was creatyd my lord Garrett (age 29) the yerle of Kyldare. [Note. This was a restoration rather than creation.]

Note. P. 63. Lord Garrett created earl of Kildare. Gerald Fitzgerald, reckoned as the eleventh earl in succession of his family. His father [Note. brother?] Thomas was executed at Tyburn, together with his five uncles, on the 2d Feb. 1535; his grandfather [Note. father?] Gerald the ninth earl having died a prisoner in the Tower of London on the 12th Dec. preceding; and was subsequently pronounced attainted by an act of Parliament in Ireland passed in May 1536. The young lord Garrett, or FitzGerald, having been educated abroad, is said to have been introduced to the court of king Edward the Sixth, and knighted by him in 1552 (Lodge's Peerage of Ireland, by Archdall, vol. i. p. 94); but we have seen (p. 334) that the latter statement is erroneous, and it is more probable that he did not return before his kinsman and patron cardinal Pole and other eminent members of the old communion. His patent of restoration was dated May 13, 1554, (Lodge,) and in the following November he returned to Ireland. He was now thirty years of age, and he died in London, Nov. 16, 1585.

On 14 May 1554 Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare (age 29) was restored 11th Earl Kildare.

On 28 May 1554 Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare (age 29) and Mabel Browne Countess Kildare (age 18) were married at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 06 Sep 1554 [his brother-in-law] Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu (age 25) was created 1st Viscount Montagu. Magdalen Dacre Viscountess Montague (age 16) by marriage Viscountess Montagu.

In or before 1557 Thomas Roper (age 25) and [his sister-in-law] Lucy Browne (age 18) were married. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 28 Dec 1559 [his son] Gerald Fitzgerald Baron Offaly was born to Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare (age 34) and [his wife] Mabel Browne Countess Kildare (age 23).

In 1562 [his son] Henry Fitzgerald 12th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare (age 37) and [his wife] Mabel Browne Countess Kildare (age 26).

Henry Machyn's Diary. 04 Jan 1562. The iiij day of January cam to the c[ourt the] yerle of Kyldare (age 37), and browth the grett O'Nelle (age 32) of Yrland, for he had the charge of hym [to bring] hym to the quen.

Note. P. 274. The great O'Neill of Ireland. This person, whom our Diarist in the next page takes the liberty to call "the wild Irishman," was John or Shane O'Neill, eldest son of Connac O'Neill, created earl of Tyrone by Henry VIII. in 1542. After a career the turbulence of which fully justifies Machyn's epithet, he was slain in the year 1567, by Alexander Oge MacConnell.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 01 Jul 1562. The furst day of July was the Marchand-tayllers' fest, and dynyd my lord mare (age 66), the yerle of Sussex (age 37), the yerle of Kyldare (age 37), ser (blank) Stanley, and ser Thomas Whytt, ser Thomas Offeley (age 62) and master Ro .., ser Wyllyam Huett, ser Marten Bowes (age 65), master Cowper, master Allen, master Gyl[bert,] master Chamburlayn altherman, master Champyon, master Avenon, master Malere, and master Baskerfeld, and the master and the iiij wardens and the clarkes and the bedyll of the Skynnars, and mony worshephull men, and mony lades and gentyllwomen, and they had agaynst the dynner iijxx and (blank) bukes [bucks] and iiij stages; and master Wylliam Allen (age 47) electyd shreyff for the quen, and master Whettelle the master, and master Raff Whytt hed warden and master Mar .. and master serjant Halle and master Browne wardens; and master Garter (age 52) and master Clarenshux (age 52) dynyd there.

Note. P. 287. The Skinners attend the Merchant-taylors' feast. In the 1st Rich. III. a dispute for precedency between the Skinners and Merchant-taylors was determined by agreement that either should take precedence in alternate years, and that the master and wardens of each should dine with the other company on their respective feasts of Corpus Christi and the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. See the ordinance effecting this arrangement in Herbert's Twelve City Companies, vol. ii. p. 319; and see remarks by the present writer in Archæologia, vol. xxx. p. 500.

After 09 Mar 1572 Henry Capell (age 46) and [his sister-in-law] Mary Browne (age 45) were married. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In Oct 1578 [his son] Gerald Fitzgerald Baron Offaly (age 18) and [his daughter-in-law] Catherine Knollys Baroness Offaly (age 18) were married. She by marriage Baroness Offaly. He the son of Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare (age 53) and Mabel Browne Countess Kildare (age 42).

In Jun 1580 [his son] Gerald Fitzgerald Baron Offaly (age 20) died.

After 06 Nov 1585 [his son-in-law] Donogh O'Brien 4th Earl Thomond and [his daughter] Elizabeth Fitzgerald Countess Thomond were married. She by marriage Countess Thomond. She the daughter of Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare (age 60) and Mabel Browne Countess Kildare (age 49). They were second cousin once removed.

On 16 Nov 1585 Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare (age 60) died. His son [his son] Henry Fitzgerald 12th Earl of Kildare (age 23) succeeded 12th Earl Kildare.

On 12 Jan 1617 [his former wife] Mabel Browne Countess Kildare (age 81) died.

[his son] William Fitzgerald 13th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare and Mabel Browne Countess Kildare.

John Grey and Mary Browne were married. He the son of Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset and Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

[his son] Gerald Fitzgerald Baron Offaly was created 1st Baron Offaly.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Fitzgerald Countess Thomond was born to Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare and Mabel Browne Countess Kildare.

Hall's Chronicle 1540. In this yere the lord [his uncle] Leonard Gray, brother to [his uncle] Thomas lord Marques Dorset, being the King’s Lieutenant in Ireland, practised sundry feats for his profit, as in delivering traitors being hostages, and especially his nephew Fitzgerald, brother to Thomas Fitzgerald before executed, and also caused such of the Irishe men, as he had intelligence with all, to invade such of the King’s friends, which he favoured not. Wherefore the king sent for him, and he mistrusting and seeing no refuge wrote to the King’s enemies, to invade the English pale after his departure. And also he kept the King’s treasure, to his own use, without retaining soldiers, according to his commission whereupon, when he came to London, he was sent to the Tower [Map].

[his daughter] Mary Fitzgerald was born to Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare and Mabel Browne Countess Kildare.

Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare 1525-1585 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 1364-1425

Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440

Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 1407-1462

Richard Neville Earl Salisbury 1400-1460

Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 1415-1472

Royal Ancestors of Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare 1525-1585

Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 11 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 15 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 12 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Son of William "Lion" I King Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 11 Grand Son of Louis VII King Franks

Kings France: Great x 7 Grand Son of Philip "The Fair" IV King France

Ancestors of Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare 1525-1585

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzgerald 1st Earl of Kildare

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Fitzgerald 2nd Earl of Kildare

Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche La Roche Countess Kildare

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Fitzgerald 6th Earl of Kildare

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Burgh Countess Kildare

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Burgh Countess Ulster

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Herne Countess Kildare

GrandFather: Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare

Father: Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roland FitzEustace

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward FitzEustace of Castlemartin in County Kildare

Great x 1 Grandfather: Rowland Fitzeustace 1st Baron Portlester

GrandMother: Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare

Gerald "Wizard Earl" Fitzgerald 11th Earl of Kildare 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald Grey 2nd Baron Grey Ruthyn 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Reginald Grey 3rd Baron Grey Ruthyn 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alianore Strange Baroness Grey Ruthyn 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Grey Baron Ferrers of Groby 6 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Astley 4th Baron Astley 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Astley Baroness Grey Ruthyn 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Willoughby Baroness Astley 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ferrers 5th Baron Ferrers of Groby 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Ferrers 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Clifford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers 6th Baroness Ferrers Groby 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Mowbray Baroness Berkeley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

GrandFather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Woodville

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Woodville

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Bittelsgate

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Bittelsgate

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beauchamp

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Luxemburg Count St Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Brienne

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Francesco Baux 1st Duke Andria

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margherita Baux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sueva Orsini 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Mother: Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bonville

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzroger 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Bonville 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald Grey 3rd Baron Grey Ruthyn 5 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Grey 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Ros Baroness Grey Ruthyn 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Bonville 6th Baron Harington 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Harrington 3rd Baron Harington

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Harrington 5th Baron Harington

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Loring Baroness Harington

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington

GrandMother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Roet Duchess Lancaster

Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Montagu 3rd Earl Salisbury 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Francis Countess of Salisbury

Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent Great Grand Son of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Holland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Longshanks" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England