Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fitzmaurice, Thomas (1574-1630)
FITZMAURICE, THOMAS, eighteenth Lord Kerry and Baron Lixnaw (1574–1630), was son of Patrick, seventeenth lord Kerry [q. v.], whom he followed into rebellion in 1598. After the death of his father and the
capture of Listowel Castle by Sir Charles Wilmot in November 1600, finding himself excluded by name from all pardons offered to the rebels (Cal. Carew MSS. iii. 488, 499), he repaired into the north, where he was soon busily negotiating for aid with Tyrone and O'Donnell (ib. iv. 10). Finding that he was ‘like to save his head a great while,’ the queen expressed her willingness that he should be dealt with for pardon of his life only (ib. p. 15). But by that time he had managed to raise twelve galleys, and felt no inclination to submit (ib. p. 60). After the repulse of the northern army from Thomond in November 1601, he was driven ‘to seek safety in every bush’ (ib. p. 405). In February 1603 an attempt was made to entrap him by Captain Boys, but without success (Russell and Prendergast, Cal. i. 5–6). On 26 Oct. 1603 Sir Robert Boyle, afterwards Earl of Cork, wrote that ‘none in Munster are in action saving MacMorris, whose force is but seven horse and twelve foot, and they have fed on garrans' flesh these eight days. He is creeping out of his den to implore mercy from the lord deputy in that he saith he never offended the king’ (ib. p. 22). His application was more than successful, for he obtained a regrant of all the lands possessed by his father (king's letter, 26 Oct. 1603; ib. p. 98; cf. Erck's Cal. p. 101). His son and heir, however, was taken away from him and brought up with the Earl of Thomond as a protestant. He sat in the parliament of 1615, when a quarrel arose between him and Lords Slane and Courcy over a question of precedency (ib. v. 25), which was ultimately decided in his favour (Cal. Carew MSS. v. 313, 320). Between the father, a catholic and an ex-rebel, and the son, a protestant and ‘a gentleman of very good hope,’ there was little sympathy. The former had promised to assure to the latter a competent jointure at his marriage, but either from inability or unwillingness refused to fulfil his promise. The son complained, and the father was arrested and clapped in the Fleet (Russell and Prendergast, Cal. v. 289, 361, 392). After a short period of restraint he appears to have agreed to fulfil his contract, and was allowed to return home. Again disdaining to acknowledge the bond, and falling under suspicion of treason, he was rearrested and conveyed to London (ib. pp. 530, 535, 547). This time, we may presume, surety for his good faith was taken, for he was allowed to return to Ireland, dying at Drogheda on 3 June 1630. He was buried at Cashel, in the chapel and tomb of St. Cormac. He married, first, Honora, daughter of Conor, third earl of Thomond, by whom he had Patrick, his heir, Gerald, and Joan; secondly, Gyles, daughter of Richard, lord Power of Curraghmore, by whom he had five sons and three daughters (Lodge (Archdall), vol. ii.).
[Authorities as given in text.]