Thomas FitzMaurice, Lord of Kerry

FitzMaurice, Thomas, Lord of Kerry, was, according to Lodge, "born in 1502, and being bred a soldier in Milan, in Italy, under the Emperors of Germany, for many years before the honour accrued to him, was then in that country; whereupon one Gerald FitzMaurice, the next heir male apparent, entered upon Lixnaw, and possessed it about a year, when Joan Harman, who had been nurse to the Lord Thomas (being then very old), accompanied by her daughter, went in search of him, and taking ship at Dingle, landed in France, proceeded to Milan, and having acquainted him with her errand, died on her return home." After considerable difficulty he obtained possession of the family lands and title. He was in favour with Edward VI. and Queen Mary, having several estates granted or confirmed to him, and he sat in several parliaments.

In 1581, however,he rose in rebellion, and took Adare and Lisconnell castles. Zouche, the Governor of Cork, marched against him, and defeated him at the wood of Lisconnell, whereupon he escaped into the Galtee mountains, was reduced to great distress, and besought pardon. This was granted through the intercession of the Earl of Ormond, and he was received into favour and knighted by Sir H. Sidney. He died at Lixnaw, 16th December 1590, aged about 88, and was buried in Bishop Stack's tomb in the Cathedral of Ardfert. He is said to have been handsome and athletic. A correspondent writing to Walsingham, in 1581, describes him as dressed in a russet mantle, hat, leathern jerkin, pair of hose, and a pair of brogues, the whole "not worth a noble."

Sources

140. Froude, James A.: History of England, from the Fall of Wolsey to the death of Elizabeth. 12 vols. London, 1862-'70.

216. Lodge's Peerage of Ireland, Revised and Enlarged by Mervyn Archdall. 7 vols. Dublin, 1789.