Gerald Fitzgerald, Lord of Offaly
Encyclopedia
Gerald Fitzgerald, Lord of Offaly (died 1204), was the son of Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
. Both took part in the Norman invasion of Ireland
(1169-71).
Though the Geraldines had already become a well-known family, Gerald is more often called Fitzmaurice than Fitzgerald. Accompanying his father from Wales to Ireland, he and his brother Alexander showed great valour in the battle against Roderick O'Conor outside the walls of Dublin in 1171. After his father's death William Fitzaldhelm deprived him and his brothers of their stronghold of Wicklow
, though after a time compelled to give them Ferns
in exchange. He had already received from Strongbow
Naas
and other districts in what became County Kildare
, and had erected Maynooth
Castle.
In 1199, though receiving King John's letters of protection, he was ordered to "do right" to Maurice Fitzphilip for the lands of 'Gessil and Lega' (possibly Geashill
; maybe 'Lega' is in County Laois
), that he had taken from Maurice. On his death Gerald was still in possession of those estates. He is often described as 'Baron Offaly
,' the middle cantred
of which had been among his father's possessions. He died before 15 January 1204, though generally is said to have died in 1205.
He married Catherine, daughter of Hamon of Valognes, Justiciar of Ireland between 1197 and 1199. He left by her two sons. one of whom, his successor, was Maurice Fitzgerald, lord of Offaly. Gerald is described by his cousin, Giraldus Cambrensis
, as small in stature, but distinguished for prudence and honesty. He was the patrilineal ancestor of the earls of Kildare.
Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Maynooth, Naas, and Llanstephan) was a major figure in the Norman invasion of Ireland....
. Both took part in the Norman invasion of Ireland
Norman Invasion of Ireland
The Norman invasion of Ireland was a two-stage process, which began on 1 May 1169 when a force of loosely associated Norman knights landed near Bannow, County Wexford...
(1169-71).
Though the Geraldines had already become a well-known family, Gerald is more often called Fitzmaurice than Fitzgerald. Accompanying his father from Wales to Ireland, he and his brother Alexander showed great valour in the battle against Roderick O'Conor outside the walls of Dublin in 1171. After his father's death William Fitzaldhelm deprived him and his brothers of their stronghold of Wicklow
Wicklow
Wicklow) is the county town of County Wicklow in Ireland. Located south of Dublin on the east coast of the island, it has a population of 10,070 according to the 2006 census. The town is situated to the east of the N11 route between Dublin and Wexford. Wicklow is also connected to the rail...
, though after a time compelled to give them Ferns
Ferns
Ferns can refer to:* Fern, any of many groups of Pteridophyta in the plant kingdom* Ferns, County Wexford, a small historic town in north County Wexford, Ireland* The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ferns* The Bishop of Ferns and Leighlin...
in exchange. He had already received from Strongbow
Strongbow
The term Strongbow may refer to:*Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, a Norman earl also known by the nickname "Strongbow"*Strongbow Cider*Beleg Cúthalion , a character in JRR Tolkien's Quenta Silmarillion...
Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
and other districts in what became County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and had erected Maynooth
Maynooth
Maynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
Castle.
In 1199, though receiving King John's letters of protection, he was ordered to "do right" to Maurice Fitzphilip for the lands of 'Gessil and Lega' (possibly Geashill
Geashill
Geashill is a village in County Offaly, Ireland. It is situated between the towns of Tullamore and Portarlington on the R420 regional road. Geashill has a Church of Ireland church, a shop, a petrol station, post office, primary school, a Gaelic Athletic Association and two pubs, .-History:The...
; maybe 'Lega' is in County Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
), that he had taken from Maurice. On his death Gerald was still in possession of those estates. He is often described as 'Baron Offaly
Baron Offaly
There have been two creations of the title Baron Offaly, both in the Peerage of Ireland.Two earlier medieval creations as Baron of Offaly existed; for an earlier FitzGerald, who owned land in County Kildare, including what was then "Offelan", a word that derived from the Gaelic "Uí Faelain" and not...
,' the middle cantred
Cantred
Cantred can mean:* a cantref, an obsolete administrative subdivision of Wales* one of the Baronies of Ireland, an obsolete administrative subdivision of Ireland...
of which had been among his father's possessions. He died before 15 January 1204, though generally is said to have died in 1205.
He married Catherine, daughter of Hamon of Valognes, Justiciar of Ireland between 1197 and 1199. He left by her two sons. one of whom, his successor, was Maurice Fitzgerald, lord of Offaly. Gerald is described by his cousin, Giraldus Cambrensis
Giraldus Cambrensis
Gerald of Wales , also known as Gerallt Gymro in Welsh or Giraldus Cambrensis in Latin, archdeacon of Brecon, was a medieval clergyman and chronicler of his times...
, as small in stature, but distinguished for prudence and honesty. He was the patrilineal ancestor of the earls of Kildare.