William FitzWilliam, 3rd Viscount FitzWilliam
William FitzWilliam, 3rd Viscount FitzWilliam (c.1610-1670) was an Irish nobleman.
Background
He was born at Merrion Castle, in present day Mount Merrion, Dublin, youngest son of Thomas FitzWilliam, 1st Viscount FitzWilliam and Margaret Plunkett, daughter of Baron Louth.[1] The FitzWilliam family are recorded in Ireland from about 1210 and had become one of the largest landowners in Dublin. They had a record of loyalty to the English Crown, and the title was conferred in 1629 by Charles I in recognition of their service and loyalty. The title did not come cheaply since the Crown expected financial help in return, and the estates were mortgaged in the 1630s to cover the costs.[2]
Civil War and Restoration
In early adult life William appears to have been in the shadow of his brother Oliver FitzWilliam, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell. When Oliver became a Colonel in the French Army, William was his lieutenant. Both gained the trust of Charles I, and while Oliver returned to fight in Ireland, William became Governor of Whitchurch and Lieutenant General for Shropshire.[3]
When the Royalist cause became hopeless, Oliver and William both made their peace with Oliver Cromwell; in 1655 after the deaths of their father and eldest brother, a portion of the family lands were restored. Before the fighting became serious, William and his family had lived at Dundrum Castle, but they were driven out in 1642, returning again in 1646. After his marraige to Mary Luttrell, the Fitzwilliams left by 1652 and did not live there again. His later home was Simmonscourt Castle, where he was living shortly after the Restoration of Charles II[4]
In 1667 on Oliver's death William became 3rd Viscount, the Earldom dying with Oliver;[5] but he enjoyed the title for only a few years. He seems to have preferred Dublin City to Merrion, which was then some distance from the city, and died at a house in the parish of St. Nicholas Within, near Christ Church Cathedral.[6]
Religion
Encouraged perhaps by Charles II's known leanings, William, despite the Penal Laws, openly practiced his Roman Catholic faith. At his death it is known he was attended by several Catholic priests, and though like Oliver he was buried in Donnybrook Church it appears to have been a Catholic service. His son and heir Thomas was also an open Catholic, while his daughters married into untitled Catholic families rather than the Protestant nobility.[7]
Family
William married Mary Luttrell, daughter of Thomas Luttrell of Luttrellstown. They had six children[8]
- Thomas FitzWilliam, 4th Viscount FitzWilliam
- Mary, who married John Browne
- Rose, who married Christopher Malpas
- Margaret, who married James Crawley
- Catherine, who married Nicholas Netterville
- Dorothy, who married Thomas Meagher.
