Sir James Butler
d. 1487
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Sir James Butler of Polestown was Lord Deputy of Ireland and head of the cadet branch of the Ormond family that would eventually inherit the earldom itself when the senior line failed.
Research notes
✓ DOCUMENTED (Wikipedia 'Piers Butler, 8th Earl of Ormond' (citing Cokayne Complete Peerage VI, Lodge, DIB, Dunboyne Butler Family History); read 23 Jul 2026.): SIR JAMES BUTLER OF POLESTOWN (d.1487), Lord Deputy of Ireland, Lord of the manor & advowson of Callan; head of the POLESTOWN CADET BRANCH of the Butlers; laid claim to the Ormond lands in the earls' absence. m. SABH (Sadhbh) KAVANAGH. Father of Piers, 8th Earl of Ormond (our line). *** THE EDWARD I DESCENT RUNS THROUGH HIS PATERNAL BUTLER LINE: Sir James <- [Polestown generations] <- SIR RICHARD BUTLER OF POLESTOWN (2nd son of James Butler, 3RD EARL OF ORMOND) <- 2nd Earl <- JAMES BUTLER 1ST EARL OF ORMOND x ELEANOR DE BOHUN (granddau. of EDWARD I). The intermediate Polestown generations (Sir Richard -> Sir James) need Cokayne's Complete Peerage vol. VI (Ormond) to wire - FLAGGED. Direct ancestor. Added 23 Jul 2026.