William Fitzwilliam
William Fitzwilliam,
born est c.1325,
of
Moreton, near
Swords, N Co.Dublin.
A prominent
defender of
The Pale
against the native Irish.
In 1348 he was pardoned by
Edward III
of
"all transgressions and murders
he had or might have committed"
in the exercise of Martial Law
upon the Irish who bordered on
The Pale.
He
fought at
Saggard
against the
O'Byrnes
and O'Tooles,
local Irish enemies of The Pale.
(His family would still be fighting the O'Byrnes
200 years later.)
In 1365 he was granted
Dundrum Castle and lands, Co.Dublin.
Excavations at Dundrum revealed a moat filled with 14th century rubbish
including French pottery.
See
[Harbison, 1998].
The Fitzwilliams of Dundrum came into possession of
the lands of Mount Merrion
(where they would later have their seat)
about the same time as Dundrum Castle,
"probably under the name of Owenstown"
[Ball, vol.2, 1903].
He re-built
Wicklow Castle
(a frontier castle of The Pale).
Constable of Wicklow.
Appointed Chief Commander and Governor of that part of the country in 1375.
From 1379 to 1400 he occupied
Baggotrath Castle, Co.Dublin.
Appointed one of the Guardians of the Peace in the County of Dublin
in 1389
[Mount Merrion 300].
He was made sole Guardian of the Peace in Co.Dublin in 1391
[Mount Merrion 300].
[Ball, vol.2, 1903]
says he was Sheriff of Co.Dublin and Co.Meath.
He
had issue:
John Fitzwilliam.
He had issue:
-
William Fitzwilliam.
The line of
Richard - William - John -
William.
Shown in
DUNDRUM in
[Ball, vol.2, 1903].
Sources yet to be consulted
