- Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
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Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Maynooth, Naas, and Llanstephan)[1] (c. 1105 – 1 September 1176) was a major figure in the Norman invasion of Ireland. He assisted his younger half-brother Robert Fitz-Stephen in the Siege of Wexford (1169).
Maurice was the second son of Gerald de Windsor, Constable of Pembroke Castle by his wife, Nest ferch Rhys, a Welsh princess. He fought under Robert FitzMartin at the Battle of Crug Mawr in 1136. Diarmait Mac Murchada (Dermot MacMurrough), the deposed King of Leinster, who had been exiled by the High King of Ireland, sought FitzGerald's assistance to regain his throne.
Family
Maurice and his brother William FitzGerald of Carew married two sisters. They were the daughters of Arnulf de Montgomery by his wife Lavacroth, the daughter of the Irish king Muircheartach Ua Briain. Maurice married Alice de Montgomery, while William married, Marie de Montgomery. Maurice's children by his wife were:
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- Gerald, Lord of Offaly (b. c. 1150, d. before 15 Jan 1204)
- Alexander
- William, Lord of Naas (d. c.1199)
- Maurice, Lord of Kiltrany
- Thomas (d. c.1213)
- Robert
- Nest (m. Hervey de Montmorenci, Constable of England)
Through his oldest son, Sir Gerald FitzMaurice, 1st Lord of Offaly (c.1150–1204), Maurice was the ancestor of the Fitzgerald Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster.
The original Earldom of Desmond in the province of Munster was based on land holdings belonging to the descendants of Maurice's son Thomas. Thomas's son John FitzGerald, who was killed in the Battle of Callann, became the first Baron Desmond. Of this line are also the Knights of Kerry.
References
Categories:- 1176 deaths
- Anglo-Normans
- Anglo-Normans in Ireland
- Anglo-Normans in Wales
- People from Pembrokeshire
- FitzGerald dynasty
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