Richard FitzEustace

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Arms of Sir Richard FitzEustace: Quarterly or and gules

Sir Richard FitzEustace (c.1380–1445) was an Irish statesman who briefly held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland.

Family background[]

He was born about 1380 in Coghlanstown, County Kildare. His father was Sir Maurice FitzEustace, High Sheriff of Kildare;[1] his mother was Joan, widow of Sir James Delahyde, who sat as one of the two knights of the shire for Meath in the Irish House of Commons in the Parliament of 1370.[2]Another branch of the Eustace or FitzEustace family later acquired the titles Baron Portlester and Viscount Baltinglass.

Career[]

He was appointed Justice of the Peace in 1408, and High Sheriff of Kildare and Constable of Ballymore Eustace in 1414.[3] He was Member of the Irish House of Commons for Kildare in the Parliament of 1429 and on at least two occasions was entrusted with the task of maintaining good relations with the English Crown, having the title "Messenger to the King". He was knighted before 1421. He held the manor of Newcastle Lyons, Saggart and Esker, all in County Dublin; after his death these passed to the Portlester branch of the family.

He was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1426 but held office for only three months;[4] however he appears to have acted as Deputy Lord Chancellor for the next ten years, and may briefly have held office again in 1436. He served as Commissioner for the Muster in the same year.

He died in 1445.

Family[]

Around 1417, he married Katherine Preston, widow of William Lawless.[5] Since Katherine, being a widow, was a Royal ward Richard was obliged to obtain a royal pardon for marrying her without the Crown's consent; at the same time he was forgiven certain debts due to the Crown.[6] Their son Sir Robert FitzEustace was High Sheriff of Kildare in his turn, and may also have served briefly as Lord Chancellor.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Ball, F. Elrington The Judges in Ireland 1221-1921, Vol. I p.175 John Murray London 1926
  2. ^ O'Hart, John "Irish Pedigrees; or the Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation" 5th edition Vol. 2 (1892)
  3. ^ Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society Volume VII ( 1912-14)
  4. ^ O'Flanagan, J. Roderick The Lives of the Lord Chancellors of Ireland 2 Volumes 1870
  5. ^ Ball Judges in Ireland
  6. ^ Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society
  7. ^ O'Flanagan Lives of the Chancellors
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