The title of Earl of Desmond has been held historically by lords in Ireland, first as a title outside of the peerage system and later as part of the English-controlled Peerage of Ireland.

The original Earldom of Desmond, based on land holdings in Munster belonged the Anglo-Norman Fitzgerald family, which was founded by Maurice Fitzgerald de Windsor, a key supporter of Strongbow in his invasion of Ireland. The title Earl of Desmond was first claimed by another Maurice Fitzgerald in approximately 1329[1] (http://www.compapp.dcu.ie/~humphrys/FamTree/Fitzgerald/1st.earl.desmond.html). Over time, according to English sources, the Fitzgerald family became highly assimilated to the local Irish culture.

The final Fitzgerald Earl of Desmond was Gerald Fitzgerald, the 15th (or, by some counts, the 16th) Earl. The Fitzgeralds had resisted the Reformation of King Henry VIII and, after a series of rebellions, Gerald Fitzgerald was defeated and killed on November 11, 1583. His title, along with the enormous estates of his family, were forfeit to the English crown. Gerald's nephew, James Fitzgerald attempted to regain control of both, but he was captured by the English and executed in 1603.

In 1675, the King of England created a new Earldom of Desmond as part of the Peerage of Ireland. The title was granted to the Earl of Denbigh, whose family continues to jointly hold both titles. The current holder is Alexander Stephen Rudolph Feilding, 12th Earl of Denbigh, 11th Earl of Desmond.

External links

• A website (http://www.obrienclan.com/pedigree/territories-7.htm) with more detailed information on the Fitzgerald family history
• Information on the Fitzgerald Earls of Desmond (http://www.compapp.dcu.ie/~humphrys/FamTree/Fitzgerald/1st.earl.desmond.html)