Peerage of England (Volume 6); Genealogical, Biographical, and Historical. Greatly Augmented and Continued to the Present Time (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1812. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... FITZ-GERALD, VISCOUNT LEINSTER. Having, in the third volume;, under the title of Windsor, Earl of Plymouth, treated of the original of the family of Fitz-Gerald j and therein shewn the pedigree of Maurice Fitz-Gerald," ancestor to the present Duke of Leinster, Viscount Leinster, &c. I shall now observe that the said Maurice Fitz-Gerald (who besides the town of Wexford, had also the barony of OfFaley and Wykenlooe, now Wicklow, and was one of the governors of Ireland in 1172, in which year he slew O'Rourk, Prince of Meath, then in rebellion against the English government, ) died full of honour, b at Wexford, on the kalends (i. e. the 1st) of September, 1177, and was buried under a monument in the monastery of the Grey Friars, without the walls of that town; greatly regretted by his friends for his many excellent qualities, and his death esteemed a real loss to the English interest in that country. A truer man, or steadfaster, for fidelity and love, there was not in Ireland, as says Giraldus Combrensisc (his cotemporary and relation) who wrote the conquest of Ireland, which he dedicated to King John. > In the Windsor pedigree it is asserted, that Maurice was younger brother of William, ancestor to the Carews and Gerards. But it is contended by Lodge and Archdall, that he was tlitr brother. They were sons of Gerard, turnamed Fitz-Walter, one of the sons of Walter F ix.-0ibcr. s Ex Evident. Famil. c For Giraldus Cambrensis, see Tanner's Bibl. p. 323. He was born 1146, and dying at upwards of seventy years of age, was buried in the cathedral of St David's, of which he was bishop. See also Sir Richard Hoarc's ifte Translation of Geraldus's Itinerary in Wales, with a life of the bishop prefixed. He must not be confounded with his predecessor, David FitzGerald, of thi...