Biography of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare 1456-1513

Paternal Family Tree: Fitzgerald

Around January 1456 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare was born to [his father] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare (age 35).

In 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and [his father] Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare (age 47) attended Parliament in Drogheda [Map] to answer charges of treason. Both were found guilty and attainted. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond sought sanctuary in Drogheda Priory [Map] where he was captured by John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester (age 40). On 14th February 1468 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond was summarily beheaded. He was buried initially in St Peter's Church Drogheda [Map] then Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map]. Some accounts claim John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester also murdered two of his young sons. Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare escaped and was subsequently pardoned and attainder reversed when King Edward IV found Ireland was ungovernable without him. In 1470 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland under George York 1st Duke of Clarence (age 18) which position he held until the Duke's death in 1478.

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

In 1485 [his son-in-law] Piers "Red" Butler 8th Earl Ormonde 1st Earl Ossory (age 18) and Margaret Fitzgerald Countess Ormonde and Ossory were married. She the daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 28) and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. They were half third cousin twice removed.

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

In 1487 [his son] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 30) and [his wife] Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. He married (1) before 8th July 1503 Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare and had issue (2) 1522 Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare, daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset, and had issue.

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

In or after 1496 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 39) and Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare (age 36) were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare.

After 1496 [his son] James Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 39) and [his wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare (age 36) at Leixlip, County Kildare.

After 1496 [his son] Walter Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 39) and [his wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare (age 36) at County Kildare.

Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough

A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'

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After 1496 [his son] Oliver Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 39) and [his wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare (age 36).

Before 8th July 1503, the date Mrgrate Tudor left on her journet to Scotland, Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare (age 16) and Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare were married at Collyweston Palace [Map]. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 47) and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

Around 1504 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 47) was appointed 258th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VII of England and Ireland (age 46).

In 1513 John Wallop (age 23) and [his wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare (age 53) were married. The difference in their ages was 30 years; she, unusually, being older than him.

On 3rd September 1513 Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare (age 57) died. His son Gerald (age 26) succeeded 9th Earl Kildare.

On 28th June 1516 [his former wife] Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare (age 56) died.

[his son] John Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth St John Countess Kildare.

[his daughter] Margaret Fitzgerald Countess Ormonde and Ossory was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. She married 1485 her half third cousin twice removed Piers "Red" Butler 8th Earl Ormonde 1st Earl Ossory and had issue.

[his daughter] Alice Fitzgerald Countess Tyrone was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. She married in or before 1530 Conn O'Neill 1st Earl Tyrone.

[his daughter] Eleanor Fitzgerald was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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[his daughter] Ellis Fitzgerald Baroness Slane was born to Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare. She married Christopher Fleming 8th Baron Slane, son of James Fleming 7th Baron Slane and Elizabeth Welles Countess Kildare, and had issue.