James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond

Portrait study by Hans Holbein the Younger, c. 1533. This image is disputed; while it is traditionally held to be a likeness of Thomas Boleyn, historian David Starkey believes it may actually be that of his cousin, James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond.^[1]

James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond and 2nd Earl of Ossory (1496 – 28 October 1546) was the son of Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond and Lady Margaret Fitzgerald. He was created, in 1535, Viscount Thurles, and was confirmed by Act of Parliament, 6 November 1541, in the Earldom of Ormond, as 9th Earl with the pre-eminence of the original earls.

Marriage and issue

In early 1522, it was proposed by King Henry VIII that he marry his cousin Anne Boleyn, who was the great-granddaughter of Thomas Butler, 7th Earl of Ormond. This was to resolve a dispute her father Thomas Boleyn had with James' father Piers over the Ormond inheritance and title. The marriage negotiations, however, came to a halt, for unknown reasons.^[2] He subsequently married Lady Joan Fitzgerald some time before 21 December 1532. Lady Joan was the daughter and heiress of the 10th Earl of Desmond, by his wife, Amy O'Brien. Together James and Joan had seven sons:

• Thomas Dubh Butler (c.1532- 22 November 1614)
• Sir Edmund Butler of Cloughgrenan (1534–1602)
• John Butler of Kilcash (b. b 1546- died 10 May 1570) who married Katherine MacCartie, with issue.
• Hon. Edward Butler of Ballinahinch, married Mary Bourke who was the daughter of Richard Burke, 4th Earl of Clanricarde and Frances Walsingham. They had a son, James Butler.
• Walter Butler of Nodstown
• James Butler of Duiske
• Piers Butler of Grantstown

Poisoning

On 17 October 1546, James went to dine at Ely House in Holborn, London. He fell victim of a mass poisoning along with his steward and 16 of his servants.^[3] He eventually died on 28 October, leaving Joan a widow in her thirties.

See also

• Butler dynasty
• Hore Abbey
• Kells Priory which came into the Earl's possession in March 1540 following the Dissolution of the monasteries.

References

1. ^ David Starkey, Holbein's Irish Sitter, The Burlington Magazine, May 1981
2. ^ Antonia Fraser, The Wives of Henry VIII, pgs.121- 124
3. ^ Emerson

1. Antonia Fraser, The Wives of Henry VIII, pages 121- 124

Peerage of Ireland
Preceded by Piers Butler	Earl of Ormond 1539–1546	Succeeded by Thomas Butler