James fitz Maurice FitzGerald (died 1579), called "fitz Maurice", was captain-general of Desmond while Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond, was detained in England by Queen Elizabeth after the Battle of Affane in 1565. He led the first Desmond Rebellion in 1569 and was sometimes called the "Archtraitor" by the English. He surrendered in 1573, prostrating himself in Kilmallock church before John Perrot, president of Munster. In 1575, when the earl returned to Ireland, fitz Maurice went into exile on the continent. In July 1579 he invaded Ireland with a small force, landing at Dingle and then sailing around the tip of the Dingle peninsula into Smerwick Bay and occupying Dún an Óir (Fort of Gold). He died in a skirmish on 18 August. Birth and origins James fitz Maurice was born early in the 16th century, the second son of Maurice fitz John FitzGerald and his wife Julia O'Mulryan. His father, called Totane, was a younger brother of James FitzGerald, 13th Earl of Desmond. Totane had been granted the barony of Kerricurrihy in southern County Cork, but Gerald fell out with Totane and wars were fought between the families. His mother was the second daughter of Dermot O'Mulryan, chief of Owny, from Sulloghade in County Tipperary. Early life Some time in his youth, Fitz Maurice married Katherine, daughter of William Burke of Muskerry. James and Katherine had three children: Maurice, who died in 1588 Gerald, who died in 1588 Alice, married Niall, son of Aodh (or Hugh) mac Felim O'Neill of Clandeboye (d. c. 1600), and whose son Niall Óg O'Neill of Killyleagh, Antrim (d. 1628) married Sarah MacDonnell, daughter of Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim. His father (i.e. Totane) killed James FitzGerald, the de jure 12th Earl of Desmond, called "Court Page", on 15 March 1540. This changed the status of Totane's elder brother from James FitzGerald, de facto 13th Earl of Desmond, to James FitzGerald, de jure 13th Earl of Desmond. The 13th Earl died in 1558 and was succeeded by his eldest son of his 2nd marriage, Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond. The 13th Earl's first marriage had been annulled for consanguinity. Totane died in 1564. Captain of Desmond In 1565 Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond, was defeated by the Butlers in the private Battle of Affane. In 1567 the 14th Earl and his brother, John of Desmond, were detained and sent to