Biography of Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare 1487-1534

Paternal Family Tree: Fitzgerald

Maternal Family Tree: Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare 1495

On 25 Mar 1478 [his grandfather] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare (age 57) died. His son [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 22) succeeded 8th Earl Kildare.

Before 1487 [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 30) and [his mother] Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare.

In 1487 Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 30) and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

In 1495 [his mother] Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare died.

In May 1501 Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford (age 13) and [his future sister-in-law] Mary Grey Baroness Ferrers Chartley (age 10) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset (age 46) and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset (age 40). They were second cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Death of Prince Arthur

On 25 Apr 1502 Prince Arthur Tudor (deceased) was buried in the Chantry Chapel of Prince Arthur in Worcester Cathedral [Map].

Bishop William Smyth (age 42), Bishop of Lincoln and Lord President of the Council of Wales and the Marches, presided.

George Grey 2nd Earl Kent (age 48) and George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 34) received Arthur's Coat of Arms, Richard Grey 3rd Earl Kent (age 21) received Arthur's shield, John Grey 2nd Baron Grey of Powis (age 17) received Arthur's sword, pommel forwards. Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth (age 24) carried Prince Arthur's banner.

Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 15) rode Arthur's courser as the Man at Arms, in Arthur's full armour, carrying Arthur's poleaxe, pointed down, through the Nave to the Altar where he was stripped of Arthur's (deceased) clothes.

The Chapel is to the right of the High Altar in the Chancel. It is decorated with heraldic carvings symbolising the houses of York, Lancaster, Beaufort and Catherine of Aragon's Pomegranate. His Purbeck marble tomb chest is decorated with the arms of England. He is buried beneath the cathedral's floor several feet away from the tomb that visitors can see.

In 1503 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.

Around 1509 Robert Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby 10th Baron Latimer (age 37) and [his future sister-in-law] Dorothy Grey Baroness Mountjoy, Willoughby and Latimer (age 29) were married. She by marriage Baroness Willoughby Broke, Baroness Latimer of Corby. She the daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset (age 48). They were half fourth cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

In 1513 [his son] Thomas "Silken" Fitzgerald 10th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 26) and [his wife] Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare in London.

After 1513 [his brother-in-law] John Zouche (age 83) died.

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

On 06 Oct 1517 [his wife] Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare died.

After 10 Aug 1518 [his future brother-in-law] John Grey and Anne Barley were married. He the son of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset (age 58). He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Around 1522 Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 35) and 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.

After 03 Mar 1523 [his brother-in-law] John Grey died.

On 29 Jul 1523 William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy (age 45) and [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Grey Baroness Mountjoy, Willoughby and Latimer (age 43) were married. She by marriage Baroness Mountjoy. She the daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset (age 63). He the son of John Blount 3rd Baron Mountjoy and Lora Berkeley Countess Ormonde. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Before 1525 John Dudley 3rd Baron Dudley (age 31) and [his sister-in-law] Cecily Grey Baroness Dudley were married. She the daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset (age 64). They were fourth cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

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

After 15 Mar 1526 [his brother-in-law] Leonard Grey 1st Viscount Grane (age 47) and Eleanor Dudley Countess Somerset (deceased) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Grane. He the son of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset (age 65). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England.

In 1527 [his daughter] Elizabeth "The Fair Geraldine" Fitzgerald Countess Lincoln was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 40) and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 30).

In 1531 [his son-in-law] Jenico Preston 3rd Viscount Gormanston (age 29) and [his daughter] Catherine Fitzgerald Viscountess Gormanston were married. She by marriage Viscountess Gormanston. She the daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 44) and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare (age 34). She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1530-1539. Sep 1534. This yeare allso the Lord Kildaye (age 47)g of Ireland was putt in prison in the Tower of London [Map], and there died in prison in the moneth of Septembre, and his [his son] sonne (age 21)h made an insurrection in Irelande, and there the Bishoppe of Divelyn (age 58)a was slayne. It was reported that he was upon the coste [coast] of Englande comminge out of Irelande, and then the winde turned, and so was dryven backe agayne to Irelande, where he was taken by the Lord Kildayes sonne and his head stricken of from the bodie, and after his bodie cutt in peeces, and as many as were with him that would not tume to the Lord Kildayes partie were slayne and his goodes taken and spoyled; his name was Doctor Aleyne.

Note g. Gerald Fitzgerald (age 47), ninth Earl of Kildare. After having thrice filled the office of Lord Deputy, he was accused of maladministration in 1533, and committed to the Tower of London, where he died of grief and confinement.

Note h. Lord Thomas Fitzgerald (age 21), afterwards tenth Earl of Kildare.

Note a. John Allen (age 58), LLD, Archbishop of Dublin.

On 12 Dec 1534, some sources say the 13th, 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 son] 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.

Letters and Papers 1535. 21 May 1535. Add. MS. 28,587, f. 304. B. M. 746. Dr. Ortiz to the Empress.

Lately there came hither a servant of the [his son] Earl of Kildare (age 22), who has lately taken from the king of England all the land he had in Ireland, except a city called Dubilia (Dublin), on the plea that as the King does not obey the Holy See, he ought not to be obeyed. Previously, the King put to death (avie muerto) the Earl's father in a tower, because he favoured the Queen.

After giving the Earl's letter to the Pope, the messenger said the Earl had sent him to say, on behalf of himself, the lords of his party in Ireland, and their confederates in England, that they were astonished at his Holiness's negligence in permitting so many souls to perish, and not concluding the process against so wicked a King by declaring him deprived of his kingdom, and his subjects absolved from their obedience and oath of fidelity, since he persecutes the Catholics, favours heretics, exacts an oath from every one not to obey the Holy See, and allows no one to pray to God for the Pope. The people were indignant with the King, and much inclined to punish him. The messenger gave the Pope a printed copy of the heresies which are being sown in England against the Pope, and a writing about the acknowledgment of the Pope's supremacy by king John, and his payment of £1,000 sterling annually. The Earl asked also for absolution for killing the archbp. of Dublin, who favored the king of England, had caused his father's death, and was compassing his own. The Pope expressed pleasure at what had been said, excused his delay in the past from his anxiety to see whether the King would acknowledge his error, and as to the future he would do his duty. He absolved the Earl.

Letters and Papers 1535. 13 Sep 1535. Vienna Archives. 357. Chapuys to [Granvelle].

Remarks on the Emperor's military achievements. The English are much pleased at his victory, in accordance with the incredible affection which they almost all bear to him; except the King, the concubine, Cromwell, and some of their adherents, who, as a man whom he sent to the Court reports, are astounded at the good news, like dogs falling out of a window. Cromwell could hardly speak.

It is commonly reported that the Earl of Kildare has been taken by the [his former brother-in-law] brother (age 56) of his [his former wife] belle mere (age 38)1, whom the King had sent into Ireland as captain-general. Is surprised that Cromwell has said nothing of it, unless it be that he is ashamed of the way he was taken, as the other had given him a safe-conduct to come and parley. Refers him to his letters to the Emperor, and asks him, when at Naples, to remember his affairs. London, 13 Sept.

A book against images has lately been printed with royal licence. It also is directed against mass and canonical hours. There is a report that the King intends the religious of all orders to be free to leave their habits and marry, and that if they will stay in their houses they must live in poverty. He intends to take the rest of the revenue, and will do stranger things still.

Fr., from a modern copy, pp. 2.

Note 1. That is to say, by Lord Leonard Grey (age 56), who was brother of Elizabeth (age 38), widow of Gerald.

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

John Zouche and Elizabeth St John were married.

[his daughter] Margaret Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare.

[his daughter] Anne Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare.

[his daughter] Catherine Fitzgerald Viscountess Gormanston was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare.

[his son] Edward Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare.

John Grey and Elizabeth Catesby were married. He the son of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Royal Ancestors of Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare 1487-1534

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 14 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 12 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Franks: Great x 20 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Ancestors of Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare 1487-1534

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Fitzgerald

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Fitzgerald 1st Earl of Kildare

Great x 4 Grandmother: Rohesia de St Michael St Michael

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

Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche La Roche Countess Kildare

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Fitzgerald 6th Earl of Kildare

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Burgh 1st Earl Ulster

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard "Red Earl" Burgh 2nd Earl Ulster

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Burgh Countess Kildare

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Burgh

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Burgh Countess Ulster

GrandFather: Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Herne Countess Kildare

Father: Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare

Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare

Great x 2 Grandfather: Roland FitzEustace

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward FitzEustace of Castlemartin in County Kildare

GrandFather: Rowland Fitzeustace 1st Baron Portlester

Mother: Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare