James fitz Maurice FitzGerald, called "fitz Maurice", was an Irish
Occupation
military leader
Citizenship
Kingdom of England
Born
1600
Died
1579
Overview
James fitz Maurice FitzGerald (died 1579), called "fitz Maurice", was a native Irish and Anglo-Norman captain-general of Desmond while Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond, was detained in England by Queen Elizabeth after the Battle of Affane in 1565. He led the first Desmond Rebellion in 1569 and was sometimes called the "Archtraitor" by the English. He surrendered in 1573, prostrating himself in Kilmallock church before John Perrot, president of Munster.
In 1575, when the earl returned to Ireland, fitz Maurice went into exile on the continent. In July 1579 he invaded Ireland with a small force, landing at Dingle and then sailing around the tip of the Dingle peninsula into Smerwick Bay and occupying Dún an Óir (Fort of Gold). He died in a skirmish on 18 August.
Birth and origins
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His mother was the second daughter of Dermot O'Mulryan, chief of Owny, from Sulloghade in County Tipperary.
Early life
Some time in his youth, Fitz Maurice married Katherine, daughter of William Burke of Muskerry.