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FITZ GERALD Maurice
Birth: 1194 Ireland
Death: 20 May 1257 Youghal Monastery, Ireland
Burial: Youghal Monastery, Ireland
Notes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_FitzGerald,_2nd_Lord_of_Offaly
Maurice FitzGerald I, 2nd Lord of Offaly (1194 – 20 May 1257) was a Norman-Irish
peer, soldier, and Justiciar of Ireland from 1232 to 1245. He mustered many armies
against the Irish, and due to his harsh methods as Justiciar, he received criticism from
King Henry III of England. He was succeeded as Lord of Offaly by his son, Maurice
FitzGerald, 3rd Lord of Offaly.
Career[edit]
He was born in Ireland in 1194, the son of Gerald FitzMaurice, 1st Lord of Offaly and
Eve de Bermingham (died between June 1223/December 1226). He succeeded to the
title of Lord of Offaly on 15 January 1204, and was invested as a knight in July 1217,
at the age of 23. In 1224 he founded South Abbey, Youghal, the proto-friary of the
Irish Province of the Observant Franciscans,[1] dedicated to St. Nicholas. Maurice
was summoned to London to accompany King Henry III of England to Poitou and
Gascony in October 1229. He was appointed Justiciar of Ireland in September 1232
and held the post until 1245. His reputation was marred by rumours that he had
contrived the death of Richard Marshal, 3rd Earl of Pembroke in 1234.[2] FitzGerald
met Marshal at the Battle of the Curragh on 1 April, where Marshal was wounded and
died shortly after. It was rumoured that Marshal had been betrayed.[3] In February
1235, the King criticised him for his proceedings in office, and described him as "little
pleasant, nay, beyond measure harsh in executing the King's mandates".[2] The same
year, he took part in the subjugation of Connacht. In the years 1241 and 1242, and
later in 1246, 1247, and 1248 he mustered armies against the Irish.
In 1247, Maurice invaded Tír Chonaill, and fought the combined forces of Cineál
Chonaill and Cineál Eoghain at the Battle of Ballyshannon. According to various Irish
annals, three eminent lords fell in battle against him: Maol Seachlainn Ó Domhnaill,
King of Tír Chonaill, An Giolla Muinealach Ó Baoighill, and Mac Somhairle, King of
Argyll (a man seemingly identical to Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill).[4]
In 1245, Maurice was dismissed from his post as Justiciar as a result of tardiness in
sending the King assistance in the latter's military campaigns in Wales. His successor
was John FitzGeoffrey. That same year he laid the foundations for Sligo Castle. In
1250, he held both the office of Member of the Council of Ireland, and Commissioner
of the Treasury. He also founded the Franciscan Friary at Youghal and the Dominican
Friary at Sligo; hence his nickname of an Brathair, which is Irish for The Friar.[5] He
was at the English royal court in January 1252, and received an urgent summons from
King Henry in January 1254.
Marriage and issue[edit]
He married Juliana de Cogan, daughter of Sir William de Cogan and by her, they had
four sons:
Gerald FitzMaurice FitzGerald (died 1243), married a woman whose name is not
recorded by whom he had a son, Maurice (died July 1268), and a daughter, Juliana
(died after 1309), wife of Sir John de Cogan, by whom she had issue.
Maurice FitzGerald, 3rd Lord of Offaly (1238- before 10 November 1286), married
firstly, Maud de Prendergast, by whom he had two daughters; he married secondly,
Emmeline Longespee.
David FitzMaurice FitzGerald, died childless
Thomas FitzMaurice FitzGerald (died 1271 Lough Mask), married Rohesia de St.
Michael, by whom he had issue including John FitzGerald, 1st Earl of Kildare, 4th Lord
of Offaly
Death[edit]
In 1257, Maurice and his Norman army engaged the forces led by Gofraidh Ó
Domhnaill, King of Tír Chonaill at the Battle of Credan, in the north of what is now
County Sligo. The two men fought each other in single combat and both were gravely
wounded. Maurice died of his injuries at Youghal Monastery, wearing the habit of the
Franciscans, on 20 May 1257, aged 63 years. In the Annals of the Four Masters, 1257
his death is described thus: "Maurice FitzGerald for some time Lord Justice of Ireland
and the destroyer of the Irish, died." (In Irish this reads as: "Muiris macGerailt lustis
Ereann re h-edh diosccaoilteach Gaoidheal d'écc".)
He was succeeded as Lord of Offaly by his son, Maurice FitzGerald, 3rd Lord of
Offaly, rather than the rightful successor, his grandson, Maurice, son of his eldest son,
Gerald.
Parents
FITZ MAURICE Gerald (1150 - 15 Jan 1204)
DE BERMINGHAM Eva (ABT 1150 - BEF Dec 1226)
Siblings
FITZ GERALD Maurice (1194 - 20 May 1257)
Marriage To DE COGAN Johanna or Juliana (1190 - )
m.
Notes
Parents
DE COGAN William (ABT 1150 - )
DE PRINDERGAST Marie (ABT 1154 - )
Children by DE COGAN Johanna or Juliana 1190 -
FITZ GERALD Maurice (1238 - BEF 10 Nov 1286)
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