Skip to content

Questions about James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond born?

James Butler entered the world around 1496 in Ireland. He was the eldest son of Piers Butler and Margaret FitzGerald.

Why did people call James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond the Lame or Bocach?

During the siege of Thérouanne in 1513, he suffered a wound to his leg that earned him the sobriquet known as the Lame or Bocach in Irish. This physical mark followed him through life and defined how contemporaries viewed his military capabilities.

On what date did James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond die?

He died eleven days later on the 28th of October 1546 after being poisoned along with his steward James Whyte and sixteen other members of his household. No proper investigation into his death was carried out despite his high social standing.

Who were the parents of James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond?

His father was Piers Butler, the 8th Earl of Ormond, and his mother was Margaret FitzGerald, daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, the 8th Earl of Kildare. His parents married in 1485, uniting two great houses.

How many sons did James Butler, 9th Earl of Ormond have with Joan Fitzgerald?

The couple produced seven sons who would carry forward the dynasty. Their eldest son Thomas became the 10th Earl of Ormond and lived from 1531 to 1614.