Earl of Kildare

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Earl of Kildare is a title in the Peerage of Ireland.

John FitzThomas FitzGerald, the eldest son of Thomas, Lord Offaly, was created Earl of Kildare by Letters Patent by King Edward II on May 14, 1316.

The tenth Earl was attainted and his honours were forfeit in 1537. In 1554, the claimant who would have been the next earl but for the attainder was created Earl of Kildare. He was subsequently restored to the original Patent in 1569 (as 11th earl).

The second (1554-created) earldom became extinct in 1599, although the original earldom survived. The twentieth Earl was created Marquess of Kildare in 1761, and Duke of Leinster in 1766.

[edit] Earls of Kildare