FitzGerald, Mairead

M A I R E A D F I T Z G E R A L D



* Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I loved
I'll take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And break away .

HEY THERE. THE NAME IS LANIE, AND I AM 25.
I'VE BEEN ROLEPLAYING FOR ABOUT AS LONG AS THE DINOSAURS ROAMED THE EARTH...THAT'S A LONG TIME
AND MY OTHER CHARACTERS WOULD BE LC, BLONDIE AND OH YEAH THE KING OF ENGLAND. I FOUND FKAC AT LITTLE BIRDIES TOLD ME. OH, BY THE WAY, I READ THE RULES. WANT PROOF?
THE CODE WORD IS JOHN GATES IS AN INSPIRATION BECAUSE HE DIDN'T SAY TOOKED AND HE GOT BEHEADED FOR HIS LUV FOR JDUDS <3 THAT'S BROMANCE
WANT TO REACH ME? HERE'S MY IM: ASK PLZ

The youngest child of Gearoid (Gerald) Mór FitzGerald, 8th Earl of Kildare, and his wife Alice FitzEustane, little Mairead grew up fairly spoiled in Kildare Castle. Her father, a strict, hard man, known for instigating rebellion when he was replaced as Lord Deputy of Ireland by an Englishman, was at heart a family man who spent much time with his children: Gearoid, Eleanor, Alice, Eustacia, and Mairead. She was, like most girls, educated by a governess and a slew of tutors who wanted to make sure the FitzGerald children were as well-educated as their counterparts in England, being children of Irish-Norman nobility who would often be sent off to England for further education, not simply in books, but of courtier skills in general. So, from a young age, she was taught not only Irish but English as well as Latin, though of course the most important skills she learned were in relation to managing a household and women's skills like sewing and dancing.

One by one when her siblings were married off, her father presiding effectively as sole ruler of Ireland almost independent from English rule, doing what he wanted when he wanted (supporting Yorkist pretenders to the throne, but getting away with it because he was the only man who could take care of his people with his intelligence and stubbornness), Mairead languished at Kildare with her mother. As the years passed she grew into a loyal young woman with a propensity for daydreaming who enjoyed writing on any scrap of paper she could find. Poetry, her thoughts, little stories, things she would playfully perform growing up for her family, nagging her siblings to be involved when she was a girl; nagging servants when she was older. She had a charm about her that no one could particularly resist, asking sweetly even as she nagged, all in innocence and fun. No one tried to curb her sweetness or her hobby of writing, for it gave her something to do. Truthfully her upbringing was quiet, but happy, with friends from other families visiting often...except one.

The Butlers, another Irish noble family, hated the FitzGeralds and vice-versa. The Geraldines were the Lord Deputy, not the Butlers, who wished the power for themselves. As Mairead grew up she found the family feud rather silly, but understood why: it was based upon power. Who had power ruled Ireland and had influence; who did not had nothing. And her family, the Geraldines, were those with the power. Everyone wanted to take it away from them, even though her father's iron fist was ruled by permission from the English government. She wasn't surprised when at the age of sixteen she was betrothed to Piers Butler, for her mother explained it succintly to the girl: "It is to heal the wounds between our families." Mairead understood entirely. She would do it, if only to help her family, for she loved them above all. The young woman had no delusions about marriage. She expected no happiness, only to do what she was asked as a loyal child to her parents who she loved.

Whilst waiting for the marriage to happen, Mairead diligently put herself to the task of learning more about the rift between their families, though still it made little sense to her. If her political marriage could help things, she was keen to do so. That was why she was rather irritated when suddenly the Butlers withdrew the offer, the negotiations breaking down when her father requested more and more although it was he who would need to provide a handsome dowry for his youngest. She had no delusions about love, that being one of the only matters she is practical about; she wanted to help her family, so there would be no more fighting, no more killing of each other for petty debts and generations of hatred. Now she would never get that chance, due to the inconstancy of those horrid promise-breakers. Far from finding the family feud ridiculous, now Mairead felt it was indeed a bit personal: the Butlers spurned her. By then, she was seventeen, of an age to marry and yet... there was nothing.

No man came to claim the youngest FitzGerald daughter's hand. Whether because they were not interested in her or simply because they were afraid of her father, she didn't know. Disappointed that she was unmarried, spending time with her mother and father when they were about, Mairead waited and waited to hear of her parents' planes for her like any obedient daughter. She was shocked when she heard, at the age of eighteen, she was to go with her brother Gerald to England. Perhaps, her parents suggested, she could find a husband amongst the English nobility as she had been spurned by the Irish. As the youngest daughter of an earl, she was reminded that she had a decent enough dowry, although she was but an Irish girl and not English, going to another country where she knew no one except her brother, someone she knew she would cling to as her only friend amongst strangers. At least she has him.

I kept writing Gerard instead of Gerald and of course when it came talking about her betrothal to Gerard Piers Butler, I still couldn't get the names right. I guess I subconsciously want Mairead to be immortal so she can marry a Scottish actor in the 21st century... Anyway, Cam is going to take her brother at some point, which is why I mentioned him and her following him to England. YAY.

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THIS TEMPLATE WAS MADE BY THATSNOTMYNAME ! @ CAUTION EDITED BY LANIE OF FKAC

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