Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
Maurice FitzGerald († September 1, 1176 in Wexford ) was a Cambro -Norman nobleman and one of the leaders of the first Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland.
He was a son of Gerald of Windsor, the Constable of Pembroke, and the Welsh prince's daughter Nest ferch Rhys. Through his mother he had numerous half-brothers, including Robert Fitzhenry, Henry Fitzhenry and Robert Fitzstephen.
In 1136 he was one of the leaders in the battle of Crug Mawr, whose output to the loss of Anglo-Norman rule led across Ceredigion. In 1146 he was Lord of Emlyn and Constable of Llansteffan Castle. When the castle was conquered in 1146 by the Welsh under Cadell ap Gruffydd and Hywel from Owain, he made a futile attempt to recapture.
Diarmuid Mac Murchadha 1167 sought Caomhanach, the King of Leinster, who was driven into exile by the then High King of Connacht, Ruaidrí Conchobair Ua Ua Ruairc and his allies Tigernán in August 1166 from his kingdom, support the English King Henry II. , Henry II Diarmuid was, however, no concrete commitments, so that it went to Wales, where he won Maurice FitzGerald for his request. Maurice should support him with a force in retaking of Leinster, in return offered Diarmuid dominion over Wexford. Maurice agreed with Rhys ap Gruffydd, the Welsh Princes of Deheubarth, that his half-brother Robert Fitzstephen is released from its captivity, if he were participating in a campaign to Ireland. In May 1169 Maurice left with Robert Fitzstephen and with his brother David FitzGerald, Bishop of St David's, his nephew Meiler Fitzhenry and Miles of St David's and an army of nearly 400 men Milford and landed in Bannow Bay on the south coast of Wexford. Thus, their force was the first Anglo-Norman army landed in Ireland. On the following day they received support from Maurice Prendergast, who also ended up with about 300 men in the bay. Together with Diarmuid's Irish warriors they could conquer Wexford. In a subsequent campaign they marched to Osraige where they Ua Conchobair Ruaidrí attack with his army. The Anglo-Normans were able to repel the attack and eventually negotiated a contract under which Diarmuid Ruaidrí recognized as High King and Diarmudi ruler of Leinster remained, while the Anglo-Normans Wexford retained. Then Maurice led a first foray towards Dublin.
On August 23, 1170 Richard Strongbow landed with another Anglo-Norman army in Ireland. Maurice came with his troops to him and supported him in the capture of Waterford, which was captured on August 25th. Then succeeded Strongbow, to conquer Dublin on 21 September. After Diarmuid had died in the spring of 1171, Strongbow, who had become Diarmuid's son tried to be his successor. However, this led to a rebellion of the Irish, in consequence of which the Anglo-Normans in Dublin were besieged by a nephew Diarmuid and Ruaidrí. Maurice was with his nephew Raymond FitzGerald to the defenders, after a two month siege finally took a loss from the city and the Irish hit on the run.
In October 1171, Henry II landed in Ireland. He determined to Wexford royal property and thus ignored the claims FitzGerald, but he gave up the management of the Cantred Uí Fáeláin and Naas. As Ua Ruairc was Tigernán king of Brefni 1172 during the negotiations with the royal deputy Hugh de Lacy on the hill of Tlachtga killed in Meath, he was present. FitzGerald returned to Wales, but Strongbow asked him in 1173 to Ireland. Maurice had the management of Uí Fáeláin passed to Strongbow, but received a fief of Strongbow in Wicklow between Bray and Arklow. To secure his tenure he built The Black Castle at Wicklow.
Family and descendants
He was married to Alice, daughter of Arnulf de Montgomery. They had the following children:
- Hervey de Montmorency nest ∞
- William ( † 1199 ) ∞ Alina, a daughter of Strongbow
- Gerald († 1204) ∞ Eve of Bermingham
Maurice heir was his son William. The wife of his son Gerald was heir to the rule Offaly, their offspring were raised in 1316 to the Earl of Kildare. Thomas fitz Maurice FitzGerald became the progenitor of the Earls of Desmond.