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Revision as of 12:56, 8 September 2006 by 205.158.76.102 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)William FitzAdelm de Burgh (1157-1198) was born in the village of Burgh Castle, Norfolk, East Anglia, Kingdom of England and died at Athassell Abbey, Golden, County Tipperary, Munster, Ireland.
Early life
William took his surname from the village of Burgh Castle, Norfolk, England. Very little can be ascertained about his background other than his families were minor gentry, and that his probable younger brother was Hubert de Burgh, and Reyner de Burgo.
Early career
William apparently arrived in Ireland in 1171. The Irish would later call him the conqueror of Ireland. He came along with Henry II King of England.
Sometime in the 1170s, William married a daughter of Donal Mor mac Turlough O’Brian; King of Thomond (died 1194). This alliance probably took place during the reign of his son, Murtough, as up to the time of his death Donal had being at war with the Normans. At any rate, no more wars are recorded between the two sides for the rest of the decade. He then married the daught of High King Rory O'Connor of Ireland, and thats how he was able to become the first Lord of Connaught.
Alliance with Connacht
In 5, "Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair went into Munster, to the son of Mac Carthy and William Burke to solicit their aid." This marked the start of de Burgh's interest in the province. Though King of Connacht Cathal Crobderg Ua Conchobair (reigned 1190 - 1224) faced much opposition, mainly from within his own family and wished to engage Burke's aid to help secure his position. The following year William and Ua Conchobair led an army from Limerick to Tuam and finally to Boyle. Ua Conchobair's rival, Cathal Carragh Ua Conchobair marched at the head of his army to give them battle but was killed in a combined Burke/Ua Conchobair onslaught after a week of skirmishing between the two sides.
William and Ua Conchobair then travelled to Iar Connacht and stayed at Cong for Easter. Here, William and the sons of Rory O'Flaherty conspired to kill Ua Conchobair but the plot was foiled, apparently by holy oaths they were made to swear by the local Coarb family. However, when de Burgh demanded payment for himself and his retinue, battle finally broke out with over seven hundred of de Burgh's followers said to have being killed. William, however, managed to return to Limerick.
Death
The Annals of the Four Masters recorded his passing in 1198: "William Burke plundered Connaught; as well churches as territories; but God and the saints took vengeance on him for that; for he died of a singular disease, too shameful to be described."
Descendants
He was survived by his sons William de Burgh second Lord of Connaught, Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent, Geoffrey de Burgh Bishop of Ely, Thomas de Burgh Castellan of Norwich, Walter de Burgh, Richard de Burgh.