Walter Butler’s devotion to the Catholic faith earned him the nickname “Walter of the Beads.”
Walter Butler (1559-1633) became the 11th Earl of Ormond and the 4th Earl of Ossory after his uncle Thomas (“Black Tom”) Butler died in 1614. Unlike his protestant uncle, Walter was a devout Catholic and was known as “Walter of the Beads.”
Dispute with Richard Preston, 1st Earl of Desmond
In addition to his earldoms, Walter had expected to inherit Black Tom’s estates. Unfortunately, Richard Preston, 1st Earl of Desmond, thought the estates should be passed down to him and his wife Elizabeth, who was Black Tom’s only daughter.
The dispute between Walter and Richard was ultimately settled by King James I, a protestant who happened to have a close relationship with Richard. Even though Walter seemed to have a better legal case, King James awarded most of Black Tom’s estates, including Kilkenny Castle, to Richard and Elizabeth.
Walter Butler Loses the Palantine of Tipperary
Walter voiced so much opposition to the decision that King James committed him to Fleet Prison in Londfor the next eight years. To add insult to injury, the king brought a quo warranto writ against Walter that challenged his hereditary right to the palatine of Tipperary.
Because he was in prison, Walter was unable to respond to the writ. This allowed King James to take back the palatine that had belonged to the Butler family for almost 400 years.
Unfortunately for Walter, his troubles didn’t end there. While he was in prison, his son and heir, Thomas (1594-1619), Viscount Thurles, drowned in a shipwreck.
James Butler Reunites the Ormond Estates
Ultimately, Walter agreed to submit to King James’ original ruling and was released from prison in 1625. For a while, he lived in Drury Lane, London, with his grandson, James Butler (1610-1688). In 1629, this grandson married Elizabeth Preston, his cousin and the daughter of Richard Preston. The same Richard Preston that he had fought with over his inheritance.
Any residual animosity that may have existed within the family was diluted by the fact that both Richard Preston and his wife had died the previous year. More importantly, the marriage brought the family and the Ormonde estates, including Kilkenny Castle, back together.
Walter died at Carrick-on-Suir in 1633 and was buried at St. Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny. Because his son and heir predeceased him, the Earldom of Ormonde passed to his grandson, James, who would become the 1st Duke of Ormonde and one of the most important figures of his time.
Primary Sources:
- Dictionary of national biography: Stephen, Leslie, Sir, 1832-1904 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet
- Carte, T. (2009). The Life of James, Duke of Ormond.
- James Butler, Duke of Ormond & family | Westminster Abbey.
