James FitzGerald, de jure 12th Earl of Desmond

James FitzGerald
Earl of Desmond
Tenure	1534-1540
Predecessor	Thomas, 11th Earl of Desmond
Successor	James, 13th Earl of Desmond
Other names	Court Page
Died	19 March 1540 Leacan Sgail, County Kerry
Cause of death	murdered
Spouse(s)	Mary MacCarthy
Father	Maurice FitzGerald
Mother	Joan FitzGibbon

James FitzGerald, de jure 12th Earl of Desmond (died 1540) was called Court Page because he grew up as a hostage at the English court. He should have de jure succeeded Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond in 1534 but was rejected by the Irish who preferred John FitzGerald, de facto 12th Earl of Desmond. When John died in 1536, James became earl but was murdered by Maurice an Totane in 1540 and succeeded by James, 13th Earl of Desmond.

Birth and origins[]

James was born the eldest son of Maurice FitzThomas FitzGerald and his wife Joan FitzGibbon. His father was the son of Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Desmond but predeceased him.^[1] His father's family, the FitzGeralds of Desmond, were a cadet branch of the Old English Geraldines, of which the FitzGeralds of Kildare were the senior branch.

James's mother was a daughter of John FitzGarret FitzGibbon the white knight.^[2]

Ireland in 1450, showing the Earldom of Desmond

Henry VIII playing his harp beside his jester, Will Somers, in an illustration from Henry's psalter. James FitzGerald, the "Court Page," grew up a hostage in Henry's court.

Life[]

Upon Thomas's death, James inherited the earldom.^[3] However, James's title was disputed by his granduncle John FitzGerald, de facto 12th Earl of Desmond.^[4] John died in 1536.^[4] Although James lived until 1540, he was succeeded by John's son James FitzGerald, 13th Earl of Desmond.

Alfred Webb tells us of this earl that he was "called the 'Court Page,' having been hostage for his grandfather at the court of Windsor. On the earldom becoming vacant in 1534, 'the King loaded him with honours, and fitted out ships to accompany him to the Irish shores, and provided him with a number of men who were ready to stand by him against those who were inclined to dispute his title to the patrimonial honours and inheritance.' His title to the earldom was disputed by his grand-uncle, Sir John, who being supported by a large faction, was de facto [12th] Earl. This Sir John died about Christmas 1536. The 'Court Page' did not long enjoy his honours, for he was murdered at Leacan Sgail in County Kerry, by his cousin, Maurice an Totane, son of his late opponent, 19th March 1540. He married a daughter of his grand-uncle, Cormac Oge MacCarthy."

Marriage[]

James FitzMaurice FitzGerald wed Mary, daughter of Cormac Óg MacCarthy, and left no issue.^[3]

Notes, citations, and sources[]

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