John FitzGerald 1st Earl of Kildare

John FitzGerald, first Earl of Kildare, was as an infant snatched from a fire at Woodstock Castle - by a pet monkey, the family always said, which is why a monkey stands as the FitzGerald crest to this day. Created Earl in 1316 for service to Edward I in the Scottish wars, he formalised what his family had long been in practice: the first power of the English of Ireland. He died the same year, and the earldom he founded ran unbroken to the Wizard Earl and Silken Thomas.

Research notes

✓ DOCUMENTED (Wikipedia/CP; web-confirmed 25 Jul 2026): JOHN FITZGERALD (FitzThomas), 1ST EARL OF KILDARE and 4th Lord of Offaly (1250-1316); created Earl 1316, rewarded for service to Edward I in Scotland; the 'monkey earl' rescued as a baby from a fire at Woodstock Castle (whence the FitzGerald monkey crest). Son of Thomas FitzMaurice by Rohesia de St Michel. Father of the 2nd Earl (our line). Direct ancestor. Added 25 Jul 2026. ||UPGRADED ✓ 6 Aug 2026 (CP Kildare p.368 read)|| CP confirms the whole head of the line as wired: son of Thomas Fitz Maurice of Geashill by Rohesia de St Michael; b. c.1250; suc. 1287; cr. Earl at Westm. 14 May 1316; m. BLANCHE, da. of JOHN ROCHE of Fermoy by ELEANOR, da. of the 2nd BARON OF KERRY AND LIXNAW (her parents now wired, F99987); d. Maynooth 10 Sep 1316, months after his elevation, bur. Grey Abbey Kildare. CP's preface note traces the honour of Kildare's devolution from DERMOT McMOROUGH through Marshal and Ferrers to Vesci - Diarmait's shadow even here.

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