Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Maynooth ★

1100s–1150s

Born around 1105 at Carew, Pembrokeshire, son of Gerald de Windsor and Nest ferch Rhys. As Marcher lord of Llanstephan he fought at Crug Mawr in 1136 and held Llanstephan Castle against Welsh attacks. Married Alice de Montgomery, daughter of Arnulf de Montgomery.

1160s–1170s

Joined his half-brother Robert FitzStephen at the siege of Wexford in 1169, part of the Norman invasion of Ireland. Died at Wexford on 1 September 1176.

Family Background

Maurice FitzGerald was born around 1105 at Carew, Pembrokeshire, son of Gerald de Windsor, Constable of Pembroke Castle, and Nest ferch Rhys, a Welsh princess of the House of Dinefwr and daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr, King of Deheubarth — a mixed heritage that made Maurice a Cambro-Norman baron straddling both cultures from birth.

Early Welsh Career

As Marcher lord of Llanstephan, Maurice fought at the Battle of Crug Mawr in 1136 alongside his brothers William and Robert FitzStephen, and spent years defending Llanstephan Castle against Welsh attack, including its capture by Maredudd ap Gruffydd in 1146 and eventual Norman recovery by 1158.

The Norman Invasion of Ireland

Maurice's most consequential role came when Diarmait Mac Murchada, the exiled King of Leinster, sought Cambro-Norman military help to reclaim his throne. Maurice joined his younger half-brother Robert FitzStephen at the 1169 siege of Wexford, helping establish the Norman foothold in Ireland that would reshape the island's political landscape for centuries.

Marriage, Death, and Legacy

Maurice married Alice de Montgomery, daughter of Arnulf de Montgomery. He died in September 1176 at Wexford, Ireland, leaving sons who built lasting Norman dynasties across Ireland: his son Gerald FitzMaurice founded the Kildare FitzGeralds, later Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster, while his son Thomas founded the Desmond line, ancestors of the Earls of Desmond and the Knights of Glin and Kerry.