Biography of Thomas "Silken" Fitzgerald 10th Earl of Kildare 1513-1537

Thomas "Silken" Fitzgerald 10th Earl of Kildare and Frances Fortescue Countess Kildare were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. He the son of Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare.

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

In 1513 Thomas "Silken" Fitzgerald 10th Earl of Kildare was born to [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare [aged 26] and [his mother] Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare in London.

On 3rd September 1513 [his grandfather] Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare [aged 57] died. His son [his father] Gerald [aged 26] succeeded 9th Earl Kildare.

On 6th October 1517 [his mother] Elizabeth Zouche Countess Kildare died.

Around 1522 [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare [aged 35] and [his step-mother] Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. She the daughter of Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset and Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset [aged 61]. He the son of [his grandfather] Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare and [his grandmother] Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. September 1534. This yeare allso the [his father] Lord Kildaye [aged 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 sonne [aged 21]^h made an insurrection in Irelande, and there the Bishoppe of Divelyn [aged 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, 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, afterwards tenth Earl of Kildare.

Note a. John Allen, LLD, Archbishop of Dublin.

On 12th December 1534, some sources say the 13th, [his father] Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare [aged 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 Thomas [aged 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 Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 21st May 1535. Add. MS. 28,587, f. 304. B. M. 746. Dr. Ortiz to the Empress.

Lately there came hither a servant of the Earl of Kildare [aged 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.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. August 1535. Allso this yeare, in August, the Lord Thomas Gerard [aged 22],^e sonne to the Earle of Kildaye, was taken in Irelande by the Lord Leonard Marques [aged 56],^f and sent into England to the King to Winchester, but the King sent him to prison to the Tower of London shortlye after.

Note e. Lord Thomas Fitzgerald, who sncceeded to the title of Kildare on the death of his father in the Tower of London abont 1634, headed the rebellion of the Fitzgeralds, but, being made prisoner, was sent into England and beheaded in 1637.

Note f. Lord Leonard Grey, fourth son of Thomas Marquis of Dorset For this service he was created Viscount Graney, and in the year following (1536) made Lord Justice and Lord Deputy of Ireland.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 13th September 1535. 358. Has been lately informed that Thomas FitzGarrald [aged 22] is taken, but the fame is that he has submitted on condition of coming to the King free. Does not believe the Council would take such an appointment with so arrant a traitor. If he is to have mercy, marvels that some of the Council should have told the King that there would never be peace till the blood of the Garroldes was extinct. It was also said that the Irishmen were not diligent in persecuting him because they heard he would be pardoned, and would then revenge, and now they would procure him mercy. Does not think he should be allowed to come to the King's sight, for the evil example and encouragement it would give to traitors. The very good way were to send him to the Tower. Though his treasons were done in Ireland, he can be indicted by the new statute in any shire, and the indictment sent to the King's Bench. This way he may be shortly sped after his deserts, which would be a good example, unless by his keeping alive there should grow any knowledge of treasons.

In October 1535 Thomas "Silken" Fitzgerald 10th Earl of Kildare [aged 22] was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 24th October 1535. 681. Is much grieved to hear that the Earl of Kildare [aged 22] has been deserted by his confederates, and persuaded by an uncle of his in England to go thither with a promise of pardon. Hostages have been left in his country, but that is of little importance. It is evident that he will be either martyred or perverted.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 22nd November 1535. 873. After the Earl of Kildare [aged 22] had been hunting for a fortnight with the King, he was put into the Tower, where his father died, and whence no one comes out except to execution.

The French king has sent to England, in addition to the Ambassador now there, a relative of the Grand Master, called the bailiff of Troyes. He visited Anne Boleyn's daughter as if she were princess, and told the French ambassador afterwards that he did it to comply with her mother's request. The king of England has sent the bishop of "Excestre" to France. Formerly he was counted among the good, who disapproved of the King's deeds, but now he is one of the worst.