THE EARLS OF KILDARE, THEIR ANCESTORS. .^'^' THE EARLS OF KILDARE, THEIR ANCESTORS: FROM 1057 TO 1773. BY THE MARQUIS OF KILDARE. jfourt^ Sbitxon. DUBLIN : HODGES, SMITH, & CO., 104, GRAFTON-STREET, ^ublisljn's to iht Inibtrsttg. 1864, BOSTON ^^';, ^1X.L, MASS' cuv^s y^\j'^ DUBMN: 7, Grrat Brunswick-stukkt. PEEFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. The following Notices of the Fitz Geralds of Kilclare, having been collected from the Historical Works in the Libraries at Carton and Kilkea, were printed for private circulation in 1857. The favourable opinions expressed by friends, who have read that work, have induced me to publish it. JJ KiLDARE. June, 1858. 1573 CONTENTS Otho, . flourished i.D. 1057, 1 Walter Fitz Otho, . 1078, 2 Gerald Fitz Walter, 1094-1116, 3 Maurice Fitz Gerald, . died 1177, 5 Gerald Fitz Maurice, 1st Baron of Offaly, )) 1205, 10 Maurice Fitz Gerald, 2nd Baron, . ,, 1257, 11 Maurice Fitz Maurice >, 3rd Baron, . II 1277, 15 Gerald Fitz Maurice, 4th Baron, . ,, 1287, 18 Gerald Fitz Maurice, . ,, 1277, 18 Maurice Fitz Gerald, 5th Baron, 5, 19 Thomas Fitz Maurice , . „ 1260, 19 John Fitz Thomas, 1st Earl of Kildare, ,, 1316, 22 Thomas, 2nd Earl, . )J 1328, 28 Eichard, 3rd Earl, ,, 1329, 31 Maurice, 4th Earl, ,, 1390, 31 Gerald, 5th Earl, ,, 1410, 35 John, 6th Earl, ,, 1427, 37 Thomas, 7th Earl, ,, 1477, 38 Gerald, 8th Earl, . ,, 1513, 43 Gerald, 9th Earl, . ,, 1534, 79 Thomas, 10 th Earl, ,, 1537, 129 Gerald, 11th Earl, ,, 1585, 179 Gerald, Lord Offaly, ,, 1580, 226 Henry, 12lh Earl, ,, 1597, 233 William, 13th Earl, M 1599, 236 Edward Fitz Gerald, M .. 237 Gerald, 14th Earl, ,. 1612, 238 Gerald, 15th Earl, • 1620, 242 Thomas Fitz Gerald, .. .. 242 CONTENTS. l-AGE George, 16th Earl, .... died 1660, . 244 Wentworth, I7th Earl, .... „ 1664, . 261 John, 18th Earl, „ 1707, . 264 Robert Eitz Gerald, .... „ 1697, . 267 Robert, 19th Earl, .... „ 1744, . 276 James, 1st Duke of Leinster, . . . ,, 1773, . 282 Appendix I. — Patent of the Earldom of Kildare, . . . 305 Appendix II. — Act to Abolish " Cromaboo," &c., . . . 307 Appendix III. — Excommunication of the 10th Earl, . . 308 Appendix IV. — Act of Attainder, 312 Appendix V. — Act for restoring the 11th Earl to his Blood, . 324 Appendix VI, — Catalogue of the Earl of Kildare's Librarj', 1526, 327 EAELS OF KILDAEE. Ye Gcraldines ! ye GeraWines ! how royally ye reigned O'er Desmond broad, and rich Kildare, and English arts disdained: Your sword made knights, your banner waved, free was your bugle call. By Glyn's green slopes, and Dingle's tide, from Barrow's banks to Youghal. "What gorgeous shrines, what Brehon lore, what minstrel feasts there were In and around Maynooth's strong keep and palace-filled Adare ! But not for rite or feast ye stayed, when friend or kin were pressed ; And foemen tied, when " Crom a boo" bespoke your lance in rest. Thomas Davis. OTHO. The Fitz Geralds, or Geriildines, are descended from "Dominiis Otlio," or Other, who, in 1057 (16th Edward the Confessor), was an honorary Baron of England.* He is said to have been one of the family of the Gherardini of Florence,! and to have passed into * Sir William Dugdale. t The Gherardini were one of the Baronial families, before Florence became a Republic. Their possessions -were chiefly in the Val d'Elsa, where there are still the ruins of several of their castles. Among the families of that name still existing in Tuscany and Lombardy, is that of the Marchese Gherardini. Gammurini thus traces their descent : — Eainerio, a.d. 910. Rambuto, „ 950. Eainerio, „ 990. (Otho may have been a son of) Q^erardo, this Gherardo.) ) 1020. Cece, or Cajsar, „ 1050. &c. 2 EARLS OF KILDARE. Normandy, and thence into England.* He was so powerful at tliat period, that it is probable that he was one of the foreigners who came to England with King Edward, and whom he favoured so much as to excite the jealousy of the native nobles. f It is also remarkable that Otho's son, Walter, was treated as a fellow-countryman by the Xormans after the Conquest. The Latin form of the name of his descendants, " Geraldini," being the same as that of Gherardini, also indicates that he was of that family. Otho possessed three lordships in Surrey, three in Buckinghamshire, two in Berkshire, four in Middlesex, nine in Wiltshire, ten in Hampshire, three in Dorsetshire, and one in Somerset- shire. WALTER FITZ OTHO. In 1078, Walter Fitz Otho is mentioned in '• Domes- day Book," as being in possession of his father's estates. He was Castellan of Windsor and Warden of the forests of Berkshire. He married Gladys, daughter of Ehiwallon ap Cynvyn, Prince of Xorth Wales, and had three sons : — Gerald Fitz Walter. Robert, surnamed " de Windsor," Baron of Eston, in Essex. He had no male issue. William, also named " de Windsor," ancestor of the family of Windsor (extinct in the male line).+ * Gherardiui Papers, MS. j Hume's England. J Arms, gii. a saltier ar. between welve crosslets or. EARLS OF KILDARE. GERALD FITZ WALTER. Gerald Fitz "Walter was appointed by Henry I. Con- stable of Pembroke Castle, and was sent in command of the English forces against the Welsh. He was after- wards made President of the County of Pembroke. He married Nesta, the daughter of Pvhys ap GrufFydh ap Tudor Mawr, Prince of South Wales. This beautiful princess had been mistress of Henry I., and was mother by him of the celebrated Robert of Gloucester, and of Meyler Fitz Henry. She afterwards married Stephen, Constable of Cardigan, by whom she had one son, Robert Fitz Stephen. After the death of her first husband she married Gerald Fitz "Walter. In 1094, the Welsh laid siege to the Castle of Pembroke, which had lately been built by Arnulph de Montgomery, and which was gallantly defended by Gerald, who baffled all their efforts to take it. At Christmas, 1108, Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, Prince of Cardigan, having invited the neighbouring chieftains to a feast at Dyvet, it was mentioned, in the course of the entertainment, that Nesta was the most beautifid woman in Wales. This excited the curiosity of Owen, the son of CadAvgan, who resolved to see her. Under the pretence of a friendly visit (she being his cousin), he obtained admittance with his attendants into Pembroke Castle. Finding her more beautiful than he expected, he became deeply enamoured, and determined to carry her off. In the middle of the night he set fire to the Castle, and with his followers surrounded the room ■where Gerald and Nesta were. Gerald, awakened by the noise, was about to ascertain the cause, when his 4 EARLS OF KILDARE. wife, suspecting some treason, persuaded him to make his escape by letting himself down by a rope. Owen soon broke open the door ; and not finding Gerald, seized his wife and two of his sons, and carried them off into Powys, leaving the Castle in flames. Whether Nesta yielded to him from choice or force is uncertain, but at her request he soon after sent back the boys to G-erald. Fearing, how- ever, punishment for this outrage, he fled into Ireland. In 1116, Henry I. ordered Ow^en ap Cadwgan, who had returned to Wales, to apprehend Gruffydh, son of Rhys ap Tudor. He at once set out to join the forces of Eobert of Gloucester, whom the King, his father, had sent against his uncle. On his march through a wood, he had seized on some cattle, the owners of Avhich, as they fled, met Gerald, Constable of Pembroke, who was also on his way to join the royal troops, and implored his assistance to recover their property. He at once availed himself of the opportunity of revenge for the insult his honour had received, and entered the wood in pursuit of Owen, who, in the skirmish that ensued, was slain, an arrow having pierced his heart.* Gerald had, by Nesta, three sons and one daughter : — Maurice. William, ancestor of the families of Carew.f Grace,t Fitz Maurice, and Gerard. || David, consecrated in 1147 Bishop of St. David's. He died in 1176. Angareth, wife of William de Barry, and mother of the historian, Giraldus Cambrensis. * Yv'aningtoii's Hist, of Wales, j Arms, or, three lyoiicellcs in pale sa. J Arms, gu. a lion rampant per fess ar. and or. § Arms, ai*. a saltier gu., a cheif erm. |i Arms, ar. a saltier gu. EARLS OF KILDARE. MAURICE FITZ GERALD. In 1168, Dermod Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, having persuaded Richard de Chare, Earl of Pembroke, siirnamed Stronghow, to assist him in recovering his kingdom, from which he had been driven by Roderick O'Connor, King of IreLand, was returning to Ireland, when, having reached St. David's, he was hospitably re- ceived by David Fitz Gerald, Bishop of St. David's, who proposed to Dermot that his brother Maurice, and his half- brother, Robert Fitz Stephen, should join him with a body of troops in the spring, while Strongbow was preparing his larger armament. Dermot accepted this offer, and promised to grant to them the town of Wexford and two cantreds of land, or baronies, in its neighbourhood.* Some time before this, Fitz Stephen had been thrown into prison by his cousin, Rhys ap Gruffydh, but now, at the request of Dermot, was liberated, to enable him to prepare for the expedition. In May, 1169, he landed in Ireland at the head of 400 men, and marched against Wexford, which he took by assault. Soon after, Maurice Fitz Gerald arrived at Wexford with two ships, having on board ten knights, thirty men- at-arms, and about a hundred archers. Dermot having invested his two allies with the lordship of Wexford, marched, accompanied by Maurice, to attack the Ostmen of Dublin, while Fitz Stephen remained to build a castle at Carrig, near Wexford, on the cantred which had been granted to him. After taking Dublin, Dermot, thinking * Giraklus Cambreusis. — Conquest of Ireland, B. I. cap. 2. b EAULS OF KILDARE. that Strongbovv had given up his projected expedition, offered his daughter Eva in marriage to Fitz Gerald or Fitz Stephen, if they would bring over a force sufficient to conquer the island ; but they being already married, declined the offer.* In a short time Strongbow arrived with a large force, and took Waterford by assault ; and within a few days his marriage with the Irish Princess was celebrated in that city, Dermot having arrived from Dublin, with his daughter, and accompanied by Fitz Gerald and Fitz Stephen. In 1171, Maurice and Strongbow were in Dublin when it vfas besieged by King Roderick O'Connor at the head of 30,000 men, and blockaded by sea by the Manx fleet of thirty vessels. Fitz Stephen was at the same time besieged by the Irish in Carrig Castle. Not having been able to obtain fair terms of surrender, Strongbow held a council of war, in which Maurice made the following speech : — " We have not come so far, comrades, for pleasure and rest, but to try the chances of fortune, and under peril of our heads to meet the forces of the enemy. For such is the mutability of human affairs, that as the setting of the sun follows its rising, and then the light in the East dispels the darkness in the West, so we, on whom fortune has hitherto conferred glory and plenty, are now^ beleaguered by land and sea, and are even in want of provisions ; for neither the sea brings succour, nor would the hostile fleets permit it to reach us. Fitz Stephen, also, whose courage and noble daring opened to us the way into this island, is now with his small force besieged by a hostile nation. What should we, * Giialdus Cambrensis, B. I. c. 12. EARLS OF KILDARE. 7 therefore, wait for ? Though English to the Irish, we are as Irish to the English ; for this island does not show us greater hatred than that. So away with delay and inactivity. For fortune favours the bold, and the fear of scarcity will give strength to our men. Let us attack the enemy manfully ; though few in number, we are brave, well-armed, and accustomed to hardship and to victory, and will terrify the ill-armed and unwarlike multitude !"* This advice was adopted, though their whole force did not exceed 600 men. Raymond le Gros, nephew to Maurice, commanded the first division, Milo de Cogan the centre, and Strongbow and Maurice the last and most numei'ous. They sallied forth at day-break and attacked Finglas, the head-quarters of King Roderick. The enemy was taken by surprise, and fled, their great numbers only adding to the confusion, and the monarch, who Avas at the time bathing, with difficulty effected his escape. So great was the ardour of Gerald and Alexander, Maurice's sons, in the pursuit, that though their station was with their father in the rear, they were soon with the foremost.t After this victory they marched to relieve Fitz Stephen, but on their way they heard that he was already a prisoner, having been obliged to surrender his castle. He was in the following October given up to King Henry, soon after he landed in Ireland. In April, 1172, Henry II., on his departure for England, appointed Maurice and Fitz Stephen Wardens of Dublin, under Hugh de Lacy, Chief Governor of Ireland. In the same year a conference was held between de Lacy * Giraldus Cambreusis, B. I. c. 23. t Ibid. c. 24. 8 EARLS OF KTLDARE. and Tiernan O'Kuarc, Chief of BrefFiiy, and husband of Devorgilla, whose flight with Mac Murrogh had been one of the original causes of the invasion, on Tlacta, now the Hill of Ward, near Athboy, in the County of Meath. On the preceding night, Gryffyth, son of William Fitz Gerald, and nephew of Maurice, had dreamt that he saw a herd of wild boars rushing against de Lacy and his uncle Maurice, and that one more fierce than the rest was about to kill them, when he saved them by slaying the monster. In consequence of this dream, Gryffyth, with seven young knights, who, under his command, formed de Lacy's guard, wheeled round the spot where the chieftains stood, tilting at each other, but prepared for action. Maurice, also, who accompanied de Lacy, watched the movements of the Irish Chief, who, in the course of the interview, became angry, and, having made a signal to his followers to approach, advanced, with his axe uplifted, towards de Lacy. Maurice, drawing his sword, and calling on de Lacy to defend himself, rushed forward, and succeeded in saving him, but not before he had fallen twice. At the first alarm, Gryffyth galloped to the spot, and with his lance killed O'Ruarc as he was mounting his horse.* On the recall of de Lacy in 1173, Maurice retired into Wales, in consequence of the jealousy shown by Strongbow towards him. In 1176, however, finding that he could not maintain his position without the aid of the Geraldines, Strongbow recalled Maurice, and made to him a grant of the barony * Giraldus Cambrcnsis, B. I. c. 40. EARLS OF KILDARE. 9 of Oflfaly, in which was Rathangan, but from which Kilclare was excepted, and the territory of OflPelan,* in which were Maynooth and Naas. At the same time Maurice obtained a grant of the Castle of Wick]ow,t in lieu of his share of Wexford, which the King had, together with other towns, claimed and appropriated to himself. Maurice at that time built the Castle of Maynooth as a defence for his property. About the 1st of September, 1177, he died at Wex- ford, and was buried in the Abbey of Grey Friars, without the walls of that town. Of this Abbey no re- mains now exist. His death was "not without much sorrow of all his friends, and much harm and loss to the English interest in Ireland. He was a man witty and manfull ; a truer man, 'nor steadfaster, for constancy, fidelity, and love, left he none in Ireland." t " Maurice was indeed an honourable and modest man ; with a face sun-burnt and well-looking, of middle height; a man well modelled in mind and body ; a man of innate goodness ; desiring rather to be than to seem good. A man of few words, but full of weight, having more of the heart than of the mouth, more of reason than of volubility, more wisdom than eloquence ; and yet, when it was required, earnest to the purpose. In military affairs valiant, and second to few in activity ; neither impetuous nor rash, but circumspect in attack, and resolute in defence ; a sober, modest, and chaste man ; constant, trusty, and faithful ; a man not altogether without fault, yet not spotted with any notorious or great crime. "§ He married Alice de Montgomery, || daughter of * Giraklus Cambrensis, B. II. c. 5. f I^'*^'- + Ibid. c. 15. § Ibid. II Dr. Mackenzie's Genealogy of the Fitz Geralds and I\Iackenzies. MS. 10 EARLS OF KILDARE. Arnulph, fourth son of Rogei de Montgomery, who was nearly related to William the Conqueror, and who led the centre of the Norman army at the battle of Hastings, and of Lafeacoth, daughter of Murtough O'Brien, King of Ireland. By this marriage Maurice had five sons and one daughter : — Gerald, first Baron of Ofi'aly. William, Baron of Naas,* to whom his father left the lordship of Naas. He married Alicia, or Basilia, sister of Strongbow. His descendants in the male line are extinct. Thomas, surnamed " the Great." He married Ellinor, daughter of Sir William Morrie, and with her obtained extensive property in Munster. He was ancestor of the Earls of Desmond,t the White Knight, the Knight of Glyn, the Knight of Kerry, and the Mackenzies. He died inl213.t Alexander, 1 ,. . .^- . V died without issue. Maurice, J Nesta, married, in 1175, Hervey de Clare de Monte- maresco, uncle of Strongbow. GEEALD, FIRST BARON OF OFFALY. Gerald Fitz Maurice was with his father in Dublin in 1171, during the siege, and distinguished himself by his bravery in the sortie. Soon after his father's death, he was induced by * Liber Munerum Hibernise, i. 35. t Extinct in the male line. Arms, erm. a saltier gii. X Lyncli's Feudal Dignities. EARLS OF KILDARE. U William Fitz Adelin to exchange the Castle of Wicklow for that of Ferns in Wexford, which, being surrounded by the territories of the Irish, was much exposed to their attacks. In 1205, he sat in the Parliament as Baron of OfFaly, having been summoned, as holding that barony, in the County of Kildare. He is said to have been Lord Justice of Ireland. He died in 1205. Though short in stature, he was a man of great prudence and worth,* having married Catherine, daughter of Hamo de Valois, a gentleman of Suffolk, Avho was Lord Justice of Ireland in 1197. They had two sons : — Maurice, second Baron. Gerald, who died without issue. MAUEICE, SECOND BAROX. Maurice Fitz Gerald, second Baron of Offaly, appears to have been very young at the time of his father's death, in 1205, as he was only in 1216 put in possession of Maynooth and all the other lands of his father, by a man- datory letter of Henry III. From this it seems that he had then lately attained his majority. In 1216 (17 John), he received from the King a grant of the Castle of Croora and of Dungarvan in Oglassin.t After his death, Dungarvan was resumed by the Crown, and granted, in 1260, to John Fitz Thomas, ancestor to the Earls of Desmond. In 1215, he introduced into Ireland the Order of the Franciscans, and in 1216 that of the Dominicans.! * Giraldus Cambreusis, B. IT. c. 20. t Earl of KiUlaie's Red Book, MS., and Lib. Mini. Hib. pt. iii. p. 30. I Lodge. 12 EARLS OF KILDARE. In 1229, he was appointed Lord Justice of Ireland. In 1232, he built the Franciscan Abbey of Youghal. Of its origin there is the following tradition : — On the eve of some festival, the workmen, who were digging the foundation of a castle which the Baron was about to build, asked him for money to drink his health. He desired his son to give it to them : but instead of doing so, he re- proved them. The Baron was so grieved when he heard of it, that, on the spot where the castle was to have been built, he erected the monastery. It was afterwards called the " South Abbey," but there are now no traces of it remaining. Having gone in command of a large force that year to aid the King beyond the sea, he was, on the 23rd September, re-appointed Lord Justice on his return, and continued so till 1245. In 1233, letters under the King's seal, supposed to have been fraudulently obtained by the Bishop of Winchester, were sent to the Lord Justice and other Barons, to arrest Richard Earl Marshall for conspiracy against the Crown, and to send him alive or dead to England. They accord- ingly, at a conference on the Curragh of Kildare, on the 1st April, 1234, endeavoured to persuade him to surrender; but he charged into the midst of his enemies, and in the melee he was unhorsed, and stabbed in the back. Being conveyed to one of his castles, which had fallen into the hands of the Justiciary, he died there within a short time.* The Baron of Offaly, fearing the resentment of the Earl's brother and successor, soon after repaired to London, and, in the presence of the King, Henry III., and his principal * Roger of Weuclover. EARLS OF KILDAllE. 13 nobles, took a solemn oath that he was innocent of all participation in the death of the Earl ; and, as a further act of conciliation, he, in 1236, founded the Dominican Abbey at Sligo, the fine ruins of which still exist, and of which the monks were to offer up prayers for the soul of the murdered Earl. In 1234, the King issued a writ, directing him to pro- claim free trade between his subjects of England and Ireland.* In 1235, he marched at the head of a large force into Connaught. Having crossed the Shannon, he took Cormac M'Art O'Melaghlin prisoner at Athlone, burnt Roscommon and Elphin, and reduced the whole province to submission. In 1236, he built the Castle of Armagh, of which there are now no remains. In 1240, he received the King's letter, ordering the union of the Sees of Armagh and Clogher, on account of their poverty. It did not, however, then take place. In that year, the Baron being in England, Felim O'Con- nor, Prince of Connaught, having complained that de Burgh had invaded and wasted his country, the King immediately ordered the Baron " to root out that barren tree planted in Connaught by Hubert de Burgh in the madness of his power, and not to suffer it to shoot forth. "t In 1242, he built the Castle of Sligo. Of this also there are now no traces. t In 1245, being summoned to aid the King in Wales with his Irish forces,§ he was for some time delayed ; but * Lib. Mun. Hib. iv. 24. f Grace's Annals. I Grace's Annals. § Lib. Muu. Hib. iv. 71. 14 EARLS OF RILDARE. at length, with Felim O'Connor of Connanght, presented' himself before the King, who was, however, displeased at the tardiness of the Lord Justice.* Among other rights, the Irish Barons claimed exemption of attending the Sovereign beyond the realm, and on this occasion the writs were accompanied by a declaration that their attendence should not be considered as a precedent. In November, Henry III. dismissed the Baron from his office. (Mauritium Hiberniee Justiciarum, eo quod ficte et tarde auxiliura ab Hibernia Domino Eegi duxerat periclitanti, a Justiciaria deposuit.)t In 1246, he advanced with a large army into Tyrcon- nell, and reduced its chief, O'Donnell, to submission ; and in 1248, he marched into Tyrone, forced O'Neill to give hostages, and returned with great booty .t In 1248, at his request, the Archbishop of Dublin erected the chapel of Maynooth, which was attached to the Castle, into a prebend of the Cathedral of St. Patrick. The nomination to this prebend is still in the gift of his descendant, the Duke of Leinster.§ He also, in 1240, granted to the monastery of All Saints, or All Hallows, near Dublin, the " church of Tachtodh," or Taghadoe, for the good of his soul, and the souls of his wife Juliana, and of his predecessors and successors.il The advowson of this church, inter alia, was, on the suppression of the monas- tery, in 1539, granted by Henry YIIL, as a reward for the loyalty of the citizens during the Eebellion of " Silken * Ware's Annals. f Borlace, Red. of Ire. p. 22. :|: Grace's Annals. § Fasti Ecclesiaj Hibcrii. vol. ii. p. 165. II Reg. of All Hallows, pp. 13 and 16. EARLS or KILDARE. 15 Thomas," to the Corporation of Dublin, from whom it was purchased by the Duke of Leinster in 1842. In 1257, a battle was fought between the Baron and Godfrey O'Donnell, Chief of Tyrconnell, at the Rosses, to the north of Sligo, in which the latter had the advantage. They met in single combat, and wounded each other severely.* The Baron soon after retired into the Franciscan Monastery at Toughal, founded by him in 1232, where, having assumed the habit of the Order, he died on the 20th May, 1257.t Besides the two monasteries already mentioned, he founded a Preceptory of the Order of St. John of Jeru- salem at Kilteel, in the County Kildare.t " He was a valiant knight, a very pleasant man, infe- rior to none in the kingdom, having lived all the days of his life with commendation." (Miles strenuus et facetus, nulli secundus.)§ He married Juliana, daughter of John de Cogan, who was Lord Justice in 1247, and had three sons: — Maurice, third Baron, died 1287. Gerald, ftither of Maurice, fifth Baron, died 1277. Thomas, father of John, first Earl of Kildare, died 1260. MAURICE, THIRD BARON. Maurice Fitz Maurice, third Baron of Ofialy, succeeded his father in 1257. In 1264, there was a feud between the Geraldines * Auuals of the Four Masters. t Clyn's Annals. t Ware. § Mathew Paris. 16 EARLS OF KILDARE. and the de Burghs, which rose to such a height, that at a meeting held at Castledermot, the Baron and his nephew, John Fitz Thomas, who must have been then very young, seized Richard de Burgh, heir of the Earl of Ulster, together with his allies, the Lord Justice, Richard de Capella, Theobald, Butler, and John Cogan, and imprisoned them in the Castles of Lea and Duna- mase.* In June, 1272, Sir James de Audley, the Lord Jus- tice, having been killed by a fall from his horse, the Baron was elected by the Council as his successor.! On the accession of Edward L, in November, he was con- tinued in that office ; and in December, a writ was addressed to him and others, to receive the oaths of allegiance of all the nobility, gentry, and commonalty of Ireland. In 1273, having marched into Offaly (King's County), he was betrayed by his own people into the hands of the O'Connors, and detained prisoner by them, until, having given hostages, he was released. In consequence of his imprisonment, he was, in October, succeeded as Lord Justice by Sir Geoffrey de Geneville, whose daughter was married to his brother Gerald. He then retired to his lands in Munster, and with Theobald Butler, without consulting the Council, invaded Thomond, and forced the O'Briens to give hostages. t In 1277, he again, with his son-in-law, Thomas de Clare, invaded Thomond, in consequence of renewed out- rages. They took prisoner Brian O'Brien Roe, Chief of * Clyu's Annals. f Grace's Annals. X Ware's Aunals. EARLS OF KILDARE. 17 Thomoncl, and beheaded him ; but having, with part of their forces, been led into a pass in the Slieve-Bloom mountains, they were surrounded, and being reduced to eat horse-flesh, they were forced not only to give hostages, bnt to surrender to the Irish the Castle of Roscommon, in satisfaction for O'Brien's death.* The Baron soon after died at Ross, in 1277. He followed his father's example in granting to the Priory of All Hallows the Parish of Rath, in Imokilly, in the County of Cork.t He married Emelina de Longespee, heiress of the ter- ritory of O'Murthy, in which were Kilkea and Castle- dermot, and daughter of Sir Stephen de Longespee, by his marriage with Emelina, only daughter and heiress of Walter de Riddlesford, Baron of Bray, to whom O'Murthy had been granted by King John. Stephen was grandson of the Fair Rosamond Clifford, and had been Lord Justice of Ireland for one year, when he died in 1260. By Emelina, who died in 1291, the Baron had one son and two daughters : — Gerald, fourth Baron. Mabel, or Amabilia,who died unmarried, having settled her property on her cousin John, afterwards first Earl of Kildare. Juliana, who in 1276 married Thomas de Clare, son of Richard, Earl of Gloucester. They had two daughters, Margaret, married to Bartholomew, Lord Baddlesmere, and Maud, married to Robert, Lord de Clifford. * Cox. f Register of All Hallows, pp. xiii. and xvii. 18 EARLS OF KILDARE. GERALD, FOURTH BARON. Sir Gerald Fitz Maurice, fourth Baron of Offaly, in 1260, completed the Franciscan or Grey Abbey at Kil- dare, which had been commenced by William do Vesci ; and in 1271, he founded the Franciscan Abbey at Clane. He succeeded his father in his barony in 1277. In 1285, the lands of Theobald de Verdon, in Meath, having been plundered by O'Connor Faly, the Baron in revenge invaded Offaly, but in the battle that ensued was taken prisoner.* In 1287, being at war with Turlough O'Brien, he was wounded in a battle in Thomond, when his brother-in-law, Thomas de Clare, Eichard Taaife, Richard Deviter, and Nicholas Teeling, were slain.t He soon after died at Eathmore, and was buried at Kildare. He had some time before his death settled Offaly and the manor of Maynooth on his cousin, John Fitz Thomas, afterwards Earl of Kildare. GERALD FITZ MAURICE. Gerald Fitz Maurice, second son of the second Baron, married Johanna, daughter of Sir Geoffrey de Geneville, Lord of Trim,t and of Maud, co-heiress of Walter de Lacy. In 1277, he was drowned in passing from Eng- land to Ireland. He had one son and one daughter : — Maurice, fifth Baron. * Annals of Innisfallen. f Clyn's Annals. X Liber Munerum Hiberniai, i. 35. EARLS OF KILDARE. 19 Juliana married John de Cogan, by whom she had a son, John. She granted to her cousin, John Fitz Thomas, the manors of Crom, Adare, Castlerobert, and Geashill, to which she succeeded as heiress of her brother, on con- dition that she should have the manor of Maynooth for her life, and the dower to which she was entitled on the death of her sister-in-law, Agnes de Valence, and her mother, Johanna de Geneville.* MAURICE, FIFTH BARON. Maurice appears to have succeeded as fifth Baron of Offaly. He married Agnes de Valence, daughter of William, Earl of Pembroke, and great grand-daughter of Eva, daughter of Dermot M'Murough ; but died with- out issue. THOMAS FITZ MAURICE. Thomas Fitz Maurice, third son of the second Baron, founded the Franciscan Abbey at Castledermot, the ruins of which still remain, and also the Trinitarian Abbey at Adare, for the redemption of Christian captives from the Moors ; the monks of which wore red and blue crosses on their breasts. The Baron was persuaded to build this Abbey by Dunbar, Earl of March, a Scottish nobleman, who was a patron of this order, which had redeemed two of his servants from captivity.! The Abbey is now the Roman Catholic chapel of Adare. * Earl of Kildare's Red Book. f Lopez Hist, de) Orden. 20 EARLS OF KILDAKE. Thomas Fitz Maurice is called by the annalist O'Clery,* Baron of Offaly, and Baron of Geashill, having built the Castle of Geashill. He died 6th May, 1260.1 He married, first, Rohesia, or Rose, daughter of Richard de St. Michael, Lord of Rheban,:}: and heiress of Athy and Woodstock ; they had one son, John, his successor. Secondly, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Lord Mande- ville. And thirdly, Mary, daughter of Theobald Walter, or Butler. The ancient war-cry of the Geraldines of Kildare was " Crom-a-boo," and that of the Desmond branch " Shanet- a-boo." " Abu," or " Abo," an exclamation of defiance,^ was the usual termination of the war-cries in Ireland, and was added to the distinctive watchword of each tribe. Crom (Groom) and Shanet (Shanid) were two castles, about sixteen miles apart, in the County Limerick, the ruins of which still remain. They belonged to the two principal branches of the Geraldines, and being on the borders of the O'Briens' country and the constant object of attack, " Crom-a-boo," or " Shanet-a-boo," was shouted in opposition to the " Lamhlaider-a-boo," " the strong hand to victory," of the O'Briens. In 1495, the Act of 10 Henry VII. c. 20, was passed, "to abolish the words Crom-a-boo and Butler-a-boo." The following are traditions in connexion with the origin of the monkey being the crest of the Offaly Geraldines : — " John Fitz Thomas, afterwards Earl of Kildare, then an infant, was in the Castle of Woodstock, near Athy, * Genealogy. f Clyn. I Liber Muii. Hib. i. 34. § O'Donovan's Ir. Gram. p. 327. EARLS OF KILDARE. 21 when there was an alarm of fire. In the confusion that ensued the children was forgotten, and when the servants returned to search for him, the room in which he lay was found in ruins. Soon after a strange noise was heard on one of the towers, and on looking up they saw an ape, which was usually kept chained, carefully holding the child in his arms. The Earl afterwards, in gratitude for his preservation, adopted a monkey for his crest and supporters, and some of his descendants, in memory of it, took the additional motto of ' Non immemor beneficii.' " The other tradition is, that Thomas Fitz Maurice was only nine months old when his father and grandfather were slain at the battle of Callan, in 1261. The child was at Tralee, and on his attendants rushing out alarmed at the intelligence, he was left alone in his cradle, when a tame baboon or ape took him up in his arms, and ran with him to the top of the tower of the neighbouring Abbey. After carrying him round the battlements, and exhibiting him to the frightened spectators, he brought the infant back to its cradle in safety. Thomas was, in consequence, surnamed " An Appagh" (in Irish), " Simi- acus" or " the Ape."* He, however, was ancestor to the Earls of Desmond. When Dean Swift was writing "Gulliver's Travels," he had quarrelled with the Earl of Kildare, and in order to vex him, introduced into his story the part in which his hero is carried off and fed by the Brobdinagian ape. * O'Daly's Geraldines, p. 33. 22 EARLS OF KILDARE. JOHN, FIRST EARL OF KILDARE. John Fitz Thomas Fitz Gerald, Baron of OfFaly, was the only surviving male descendant of the first Baron. In 1264, he was at the meeting at Castledermot, when his uncle, the third Baron, seized and impri- soned the Lord Justice, Richard de Capella, and other Barons.* About the year 1293, he was at variance with William de Vesci, Lord of Kildare, a Baron much esteemed by the King, Edward I. Their disputes appear to have arisen in consequence of the contiguity of their estates in Kildare. De Vesci, being Lord Justice of Ireland, stated openly that John Fitz Thomas was the cause of the existing disturbances, and that he was "in private quarrels as fierce as a lyon, but in publicke injuries as meeke as a lambe."t This having been reported to the Baron, he, in the presence of the Lords of the Council, replied : " You would gladly charge me with treason, that by shedding my bloud, and by catching my lands into your douches, that but so neere upon your lands of Kyldare, you might make your sonne a proper gentle- man." " A gentleman," quoth the Lord Justice ; " thou bold Baron, I tell thee, the Vescis were gentlemen before the Geraldines were Barons of Offaly, yea, and before that Welsh bankrupt, thyne ancestour (he meant Sir Maurice Fitz Giralde), fethered his nest in Leinster;" and then accused him of being " a supporter of thieves * Camden's An. t Campion. EARLS OF KILDARE. 23 and upholder of traytours." " As for my ancestor," re- plied the Baron, " whom you terme a bankrupt, how riche or how poore he was upon his repayre to Ireland, I pur- pose not at this time to debate, yet this much I may boldly say, that he came hither as a buyer, not a beggar. He bought his enemie's land by spending his bloud. But you, lurking like a spider in his copwed to entrappe flies, endeavour to beg subjects livings wrongfully by despoyling them of their lives. I, John Fitz Thomas, Baron of Offaly, doe tell thee, William Vesci, that I am noe traytor, noe felon, but that thou art the only battress by which the King's enemies are supported." He then appealed to the King, who summoned them both to England (some say they went of their own accord). When they were in the King's presence, de Vesci commenced by accusing the Baron of encouraging rebellion against his authority, and Offaly having, in return, accused the Justiciary of corrup- tion, saying, that while the nobility were excluded from his presence, " an Irish cow could at all times have access to him," and that a cow, a horse, a hawk, a silver-bell, were the real causes of the disturbances, ended thus : — ■ " But so much as our mutual complaints stand upon the one his Yea, and the other his Nay, and that you would be taken for a champion, and I am known to be no coward, let us, in God's name, leave lieing for varlets, bearding for ruffians, facing for crakers, chatting for twattlers, scolding for callets, booking for scriveners, pleading for lawyers, and let us try with the dint of swords, as become martial men to do, our mutual quarrels. Wherefore, to justify that I am a true subject, and that thou, Vesci, art 24 EARLS OF KILDARE. an arch-traitor to God and to my King, here, in the pre- sence of his Highness, and in the hearing of this honour- able assembly, I challenge the combat." The audience applauded, and the challenge having been accepted by de Vesci, the King fixed the day for the combat ; but de Vesci, having before the appointed time fled to France, the King declared Offaly innocent, and added : " Albeit de Vesci conveyed his person into France, yet he left his lands behind him in Ireland;" and he granted them to the Baron.* Another version of this transaction is, that during his sojourn in Dublin, de Vesci was accused in open court, in the presence of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, and others, of felony, and challenged to the combat by John Fitz Thomas. He subsequently instituted a suit before the Chief Justice in Dublin against the said Fitz Thomas for defamation, in saying' that he, de Vesci, had solicited him to a conspiracy against the King. Fitz Thomas, denying this charge, delivered into court a schedule containing the words which he acknowledged. He was then defied to the combat by William, and ac- cepted the challenge. But the King being apprised of the proceedings, by a writ, dated 21st of April, 1294, prohibited the battle, and ordered both to appear before him at Westminster.! To this place de Vesci came, mounted on his war-horse, covered, and armed with lance, dagger, and coat-of-raail, and proffered himself to fight. But Fitz Thomas, though called, did not appear. This affair was afterwards brought before Parliament, but * Holinshed. | Lib. Man. Hib. iv. 3. EARLS OF KILDARE. 25 dismissed.* In 1297, de Vesci made a surrender of the lands in Ireland to which he had succeeded as heir of his mother, Agnes de Ferrers ; and the manor and town of Kildare were afterwards granted to Fitz Thomas. In 1294, Richard de Burgh, the " Red Earl" of Ulster, who, after the death of Gerald, fourth Baron of Oflfaly, and his brother-in-law, Thomas de Clare, in 1286, had attained great power, claimed the lauds of Theobald de Verdon in Meath, and took forcible possession of them. The Baron of Offaly, however, went to the assistance of de Verdon, and having taken the Earl and his brother, William de Burgh, prisoners in Meath, on the 6th December, confined them in his Castle of Ley. They were, on the 12th March, 1295, liberated by order of the Par- liament, held at Kilkenny, on giving as hostages the Earl's two sons ;t and a truce for two years was con- cluded. In 1294, the Baron marched against and defeated the Irish of Offaly, who, under Calvagh, brother of O'Connor Faly, had invaded the Pale in great force, seized the Castle of Kildare, and burnt the rolls and tallies relating to the records and accounts of the county. He then invaded and ravaged Connaught.t In 1295, his name appears third in the list of a Par- liament held in that year, 23 Ed. III., by the Lord Justice, Sir John Wogan, following those of Richard, Earl of Ulster, and Geoffrey de Geneville.§ In 1296, he and the " Red Earl" went with their forces * Burke's Extinct Peerage. f Auiials of Inuisfallen. j Annals of the Four Masters. § Lib. Man. Hib. i. 35. 26 EARLS OF KILDARE. to Scotland to assist the King, Edward L, who enter- tained them sumptuously in Roxburgh Castle. In that year King John Baliol was taken prisoner by Edward I., and Sir William Wallace then undertook the deliverance of Scotland. In 1298, the disputes between the Geraldines and de Burghs were finally settled, through the interference of Sir John Wogan, the Lord Justice. It Avas then agreed that the Earl of Ulster should give his daughter in mar- riage to Thomas Fitz Gerald, the Baron's son, and that Lord Offaly should give the Earl 3,000 marks as indem- nity for all losses, to be discharged as follows : Sligo and its appurtenances to be assigned for 1,000 ; his silver plate for 1,000 ; and 1,000 to be retained as the portion of the Earl's daughter.* The marriage did not take place until 1312. In 1299, the Baron was again summoned to attend the King, " with horse and arms, in his best array, for war ao-ainst the Scots," and to meet him at Withwelaun on the 1st March. In 1301, he went a third time to Scotland, and re- mained there from a fortnight before Lammas to the 1st November, when he returned to Ireland. In 1307, he and his son-in-law, Sir Edmund Butler, afterwards Earl of Carrick, marched into Connaught and then into Ofilily, where they relieved Ley Castle, which was besieged by the Irish, who had razed Geashill Castle. In 1312, he went in command of the forces which were * Lodge. t Grace's Aunals. EARLS OF KILDARE. 27 sent into Munster, and at Adare knighted Nicholas Fitz Maurice, third Lord of Kerry, and Robert Clonkull, for their good services. In 1315, Edward Bruce having invaded Ireland, the King, Edward II., required the " Magnates Hibernise" to sign a " letter of allegiance," and to give hostages, to be kept in Dublin Castle. At the head of the subscribers to this letter is " Johan le Fuiz Thomas Seigneur Doffaly.* Bruce, with his army, having advanced into Kildare as far as the Moat of ArdscuU, was there opposed by the Lord Justice, Sir Edmund Butler, the Baron of Offaly, and other lords of Leinster and Munster. A skirmish ensued, in which several Scottish knights and officers fell, who were buried in the church of the Dominican Monas- tery at Athy.f But in consequence of feuds among its leaders, the Anglo-Irish army retreated from the field of battle, and the Lord Justice was afterwards so occupied in repelling the attacks of the Irish, that he was unable to march against the Scots again that year. In 1315, the Baron built and endowed the Augustinian Abbey at Adare, the ruins of which are in the demesne of Adare Manor. On the 14th May, 1316, Edward II. created him Earl of Kildare, by a patent dated at Westminster, and granted to him, " for his good service," the castle and town of Kildare. (Appendix I.) He survived his elevation but a short time, dying at Maynooth, or Laraghbryan, on the 10th September, 1316, and was buried in the Grey Abbey at Kildare. * Liber Muucium Hibernia, iv. 6. f Grace's Annals. 28 EARLS OF KILDAKE. Muireadach O'Daly wrote thus of the Earl in 1601 : — " John the redoubtable, Than whom no poet was more learned. The first Leiuster Earl without reproach, The high-minded, man to his engagements true. " It is from John, then, the noble man. That they the heroes of Leinster descend ; Men whose valour never fails When the shafts of spears are in battle bent."* The Earl married Blanche Roche, daughter of John, Baron of Fermoy. They had two sons and two daughters : — Gerald, who died young in 1303. Thomas, second Earl of Kildare. Joan, married in 1302 to Sir Edmund Butler, created Earl of Carrick, ancestor of the Marquis of Ormonde. Elizabeth, married to Sir Nicholas Netterville, ancestor of the Viscounts Netterville. THOMAS, SECOND EAEL. Thomas, second Earl of Kildare, is described as being "a prudent and wise man."t On the 16th August, 1312, he married at Green Castle, on Carlingford Bay, in the County of Down, Lady Joan de Burgh, third daughter of the "Red Earl" of Ulster, and sister of Ellen, wife of King Robert Bruce, and of Margaret, Countess of Desmond. * Translated from the Irish, by Eugene Curry, t Grace's Annals. EARLS OF KILDARE. 29 • He succeeded his father in 1316 ; and at the end of the same year he was appointed by the King to the command of an army of, it is said, 30,000 men, raised to oppose the Scots. On the 28th March, 1317, the army was quartered in Kilkenny. In April, Roger Mortimer, having been appointed Justiciary, landed in Ireland, and sent letters, ordering that no attack should be made on the Scots until he should arrive. But, owing to the indecision of the Parliament sitting in Dublin, the Earl received no orders until 1318, when he was commanded to march against Edward Bruce, who, retreating towards the north, was defeated and slain near Dundalk by Sir John Bermingham.* In 1317, the office of Sheriff of Kildare, which had been reserved in the patent of the Earldom, was granted to the Earl and his heirs male,-f and was still possessed by Gerald, ninth Earl, in the reign of Henry VIII. In 1319, the Earls of Kildare and Louth, Arnold le Poer, and Sir John Wogan, were appointed Commis- sioners to inquire into all treasons committed in Ireland during Bruce's invasion.! In 1320, the Earl was appointed Lord Justice of Ireland, when he received a patent enabling him "to subject such of his Irish tenants to the laws of England as chose to be governed by them." He only held that office for a year. In December, 1322, he was summoned to meet the King at Carlisle, on the 1st June, with 300 men-at-arms, 1,000 hobellers (light cavalry), and 6,000 infantry. * Grace's Annals. [ Red Book. J Rymor. so EARLS OF KILDARE. But he subsequently received notice that his services' would not be required, in consequence of a truce with the Scots.* In February, 1326, on the accession of Edward III., he was re-appointed as Lord Justice, and held that office until his death. Under his administration a feud broke out between the Geraldines of Desmond, aided by the Butlers and Berrainghams on the one side, and the Poers and de Burghs on the other, in consequence of Arnold le Poer having called Maurice Fitz Gerald, afterwards created Earl of Desmond, " a Pthymer." The Earl of Kildare, anxious to reconcile them, ordered Fitz Gerald, Le Poer, and their adherents, to appear before the Council. Instead of obeying, Le Poer fled to England, and Fitz Gerald invaded and plundered his lands. The Earl, determined to suppress these disorders, raised troops, strengthened the garrisons, and sent messengers to the King, who issued a mandate ordering them to submit themselves to his Deputy. They then agreed to appear before the Council at Kilkenny, and sued for a charter of pardon. t This Earl introduced the old Irish exaction of "bonaght," called by the English "coin and livery," i. e., money and food for man and horse, without payment, into Kildare, as did the Earls of Ormonde and Desmond into their territories, to enable them to maintain their forces against the Scots. t * Lib. Mun. Hib. iv. 80. f Grace's Annals. 'I Ware's Antiquities. EARLS OF KILDARE. 31 He added the chapel of St. Mary to the church of the Franciscan Monastery at Castledermot, which his grand- father had founded.* He died at Maynooth, on the 9th of April, 1328, being at the time Lord Justice, and was buried before the altar of the chapel of Gur Lady, in the Grey Abbey at Kildare. He married, in 1312, Lady Joan de Burgh, daughter of Richard, Earl of Ulster. She re-married, on the 3rd July, 1329, at Maynooth, Sir John Darcy, who was that year appointed Lord Justice,! by whom she had a son, William, born at Maynooth, in 1330. She died on the 23rd April, 1359, and was buried at Kildare, beside the Earl, by whom she had three sons : John, born in 1314, and died in 1323, in his ninth year. Richard, third Earl. Maurice, fourth Earl. RICHARD, THIRD EARL. Richard, third Earl of Kildare, was born in 1317. He only survived his father a little more than a year, dying at Rathangan, on the 7th July, 1329, at the age of twelve years, and was buried on the right hand of his father, in the Grey Abbey at Kildare. MAURICE, FOURTH EARL. Maurice, fourth Earl of Kildare, was born in 1318. Being under age when he succeeded his brother in 1329, * Grose's Ant. of Ireland. t Ware's Annals. 32 EARLS OF KILDARE. the King, Edward III., as his guardian, granted the lands of Kildare, Maynooth, Crom, Adare, and Estgrene, to Sir John Darcy, the Earl's step-father, during his minority. In 1339, having just come of age, he marched against the O'Dempseys, who had invaded Kildare, pursued them so closely that many of them were drowned in the River Barrow, and brought back to Dublin the greatest booty ever taken at that time in Ireland. In 1342, Edward III., having directed the Lord Justice, Sir John Darcy, by an ordinance, to permit Englishmen alone to hold office in Ireland, great dissensions arose between the " English by blood " and the " English by birth." The Lord Justice, in October, summoned a Parliament to meet in Dublin, but the Earl of Kildare and the other Anglo-Irish lords, called, at the same time, a General Assembly at Kilkenny, which resolved to present a petition to the King, who received the re- monstrance with deference, and returned an answer calculated to allay the discontent. In 1345, the Lord Justice, Sir Ralph Ufford, deter- mined to curb the rapidly increasing power of the Earl. Under pretence of raising forces to serve under the King in France, he sent Sir William Burton to the Earl, with two writs, one containing the royal summons, the other a secret power to arrest him. So soon, however, on the proclamation of the royal order, did the Earl's followers assemble, that he was unable to execute the second writ. The Earl was then summoned to Dublin to attend the Council, and while in the Council Chamber EARLS OF KILDARE. 33 in the Court of Exchequer, he was arrested by Sir W. Burton, and imprisoned in Dublin Castle.* On the 23rd of May, 1346, he was released on the recognizances of twenty-four lords and gentlemen ; and in November, he, with the Lord Justice Bermingham, invaded the territory of Leix, and forced O'More to give hostages. On the 26th January, 1347, the Earl was summoned to be ready in London, by the next Easter, to go abroad with the King, with thirty men-at-arms and forty hobellers ; and the Treasurer of Ireland was directed to pay for their passage and their reasonable expenses.! The Earl, in consequence, accompanied the King to France, and was present at the siege of Calais, which was taken on the 4th June, and where, for his gallant conduct as leader of the Irish division, he was knighted by Edward III. He thei^e married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Bartholomew Burghersh.t In 1356, he was commanded by the King to "strengthen and maintain his castles at Kilkea, Eath- more, and Ballymore, under pain of forfeiting the same."§ In that year, and again in 1357, he was appointed Justiciary of Ireland. II In 1358, it having been ordered that no person, ex- cept merchants, should leave Ir^^land without the King's license, the Earl was, in consequence, prohibited from doing so.^ In the same year certain forces having been assigned * Grace's Annals. f Lib. Mim. Hib. iv. 85. J Grace's Annals. § Rot. in Can. Hib. || Lib. Mun. Hib. iv, 18 & 20 % Ibid. 21. D 34 EARLS OF KILDARE. for the defence of the County of Kildare, the Earl was, on the 14th September, appointed supervisor of the four Commissioners for collecting their pay by a cess of 40d. on every carucate of tilled land, and 40d. on chattels of the value of £6 ; the carucate consisted of 140 acres. The Earl and the County of Kildare supplied the pay for twenty -four men-at-arms and horses at 8d., 200 hobellers at 4d., and 400 foot at IJd. per diem, for a fortnight, or so long as the war should last.* The Earl in that year received from the County of Carlow 60s., for preventing the O'Mores from burning the town of Killaban.t On the 30th March, 1360, he was appointed Lord Justice, with the usual salary of £500 per annum, out of which he was obliged to maintain twenty men and horses, constantly in arius.l: On the 22nd March, 1371, he was appointed Lord Deputy and Gustos of the realm. On the 27th March, 1372, being at Naas, he issued mandates to the Earl of Desmond and others, to meet him with all their men-at-arms, hobellers, and archers, horse and foot, in the Co. Limerick, to defend it against O'Brien of Thomond. On the 10th February, 1375, and again in 1377, he was appointed Lord Deputy. In 1378, he presented a petition to the King, stating that having accompanied the Lord Justice, the Earl of Ormonde, " in a certain great hosting upon the O'Mor- choes of Slewmargy," he had lost six men and four * Rot. cl. 32 Ed. III. t Il>>d- X Borlase's Reduc. of Ir., p. 53. EARLS OF KILDARE. 35 coats of mail, and other armour, and asking for compen- sation. He accordingly received a grant of £10 out of the Exchequer. On the 29th May, 1390, a writ was issued to him to remove Connor, son of Donough O'Dempsey, " the King's Irish enemy," from the Castle of Kildare to Dublin Castle, for safer custody.* He was a great benefactor to the Priory of Saint Wolstans. He died on the 25th August, 1390, and was buried in the Church of the Holy Trinity, now Christ Church Cathedral, in Dublin. He was a person of great piety. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Bartholomew Burghersh, Knight of the Garter, and with her obtained some lands in Meath. They had four sons, besides daughters : — Gerald, fifth Earl. John, Richard, I ^'"'^ y^'^'^S- Thomas, who was Sheriflf of Limerick in 1403, and who left no issue. GERALD, FIFTH EARL. Gerald, fifth Earl of Kildare, succeeded his father in 1390. In 1398, he was taken prisoner by Calvagh, son of Murrogh O'Connor Faly, and delivered up to his father, the Chief, who appears to have liberated him on paying ransom soon after.t * Pat. Roll. 13 Richard IF. f Annals of the Foiir Masters. 36 EARLS OF KILDARE. In June, 1400, he was, with Patrick Fox and Walter Fitz Gerald, appointed Keeper and Supervisor of the Peace, in the Counties of Cork, Limerick, and Kerry. On the 7th September, 1405, he was made Lord Deputy to Thomas of Lancaster, son of Henry IV., afterwards created Duke of Gloucester, the Lord Lieu- tenant. He held that office until October, 1406. In 1407, he assisted his successor. Sir Stephen Scroop, in subduing Art M'Murrogh, and other Irish chiefs ; and in a battle at Callan, in Kilkenny, he defeated O'Carrol, who was slain with 800 of his men. In 1408, he built the White Castle at New Leighlin. Of this Castle there are no remains. In August, when Thomas of Lancaster, the Lord Lieutenant, landed at Carlingford, the Earl went to meet him, but was, with three of his family, suddenly arrested, and sent prisoner to Dublin Castle, and all his goods plundered by the servants of the Lord Lieutenant. He was afterwards liberated on paying a fine of 300 marks.* The cause of this arrest is doubtful, but is supposed to have been, " because he and Adam O'Nolan refused to state the reason why they would not permit the King to present a fit person to the Prebend of Maynooth," which, though in the gift of the Earl, appears to have been claimed by the Crown. He died in 1410, and was buried in the Grey Abbey, at Kildare. He married Margaret, daughter and heiress of Sir John Rochfort. She had been granted in ward to his * Marleburrongh. EARLS OF KILDARE. 37 father by Eichard II., in 1381, and was only fourteen years of age when he married her. They had two sons and one daughter : — John, sixth Earl. Thomas, who died without issue. Lady Joan, married first to Jenico Gray, by whom she had no issue ; and secondly, to James, fourth Earl of Ormonde. JOHN, SIXTH EARL. John, sixth Earl of Kildare, was surnamed " Crouch back," and " Shane Cam" by the Irish.* In 1410, he succeeded his father. In 1418, he was arrested at Clane, in Kildare, and imprisoned in the Castle of Trim, " for having communi- cated with the Prior of Kilmainham."t It is not known Avhat was the Prior's otfence. In October, 1420, he received twenty marks, to defray the expenses which he had incurred "in resisting the Irish enemies and English rebels on the frontiers of the Pale." He strengthened and enlarged the Castles of Maynooth and Kilkea. The former had then been for more than a century the principal residence of the Earls, and was " one of the largest and richest Earl's houses in Ireland." He died on the 17th of October, 1427, and was buried in the Monastery of All Saints, or All Hallows,! on the site of which is Trinity College, in Dublin. * Annals of the Four Masters. f Marleburroiigh. J Grace's Annals. 38 EARLS OF KILDARE. He married Margaret de la Heme, and had an only- son : — Thomas, seventh Earl. THOMAS, SEVENTH EAPwL. Thomas, seventh Earl of Kildare, succeeded his father in 1427. In 1454, he was appointed Lord Deputy to Eichard Plantagenet, Duke of York, father of Edward IV. In 1456, he was re-appointed to that office, which he held until 1459. During that period he held several Parliaments in Dublin and at Naas. In 1459, the Four Masters relate in their Annals: "A great defeat given by the Earl of Kildare to O'Connor Faly." In 14G0, he was again appointed Lord Deputy by the Duke of York, who wisely divided his confidence between the Earl of Kildare, a Yorkist, and the Earl of Ormonde, a Lancastrian, confiding the sword of office to each in turn. When he fell at the battle of Wakefield, there were slain under his banner several members of both families.* On the death of the Duke, in 1460, the Earl of Kildare was elected by the Council Lord Justice. In 1461, he was, on the accession of Edward IV., re-appointed Lord Justice, and took the oaths in Christ Church, Dublin, before the Parliament and Council. Richard, Duke of York, father of Edward IV., having granted to the Earl the manor of Moylagh, in the County of Meath, without having obtained the license of * Moore's Irelaud. EARLS OF KILDARE. 39 Henry VI. for alienating it, a parJon for that offence was granted by Edward IV. to the Earl soon after his accession, on the 5th July, 1461, with a confirmation of the conveyance. In January, 1463, he was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland for life, with a fee of £40 per annum, and 10s. per diem. This appointment was confirmed by the Act, 12th Edward IV. In 1464, he and his wife, Lady Joan Fitz Gerald, founded and endowed the Franciscan Abbey at Adare.* They built the church, and gave it two chalices of silver, and the great bell, which cost £10. The chapel of this Abbey is now the parish church of Adare. In 1467, he, his brother-in-law, the Earl of Desmond, and Edward Plunkett, were attainted by the Act, 6th Edward IV., passed in a Parliament, held at Drogheda, " for alliance, fosterage, and alterage, with the King's Irish enemies." They were arrested, and Desmond, who had opposed the King's marriage with Lady Elizabeth Woodeville, widow of Sir John Grey, was beheaded. Kildare having made his escape from prison, repaired to England, where he pleaded his cause so well before the King, that the Act of Attainder was repealed by the same Parliament, and he was in the same year appointed Lord Justice. Holinshed relates the following anecdote of this Earl : " 1470. — Within a mile of Castledermott, is there a l)lace marked with two hillocks, which is named ' the Geialdine, his throw or cast,' the length of which in verie * Annals of the Four Masters. 40 EARLS OF KILDARE. deed is woondeifull. The occasion proceeded of this. One of the Giraldins, preded an enemie of his. The Earle of Eyldare having intelligence thereof, suppressing affection of kindred, and moved by zeal of justice, pur- sued him with a great troope of horsemen, as the other was bringing of the prede homeward. The Giraldine having notice given him that the Earle was in hotte pursute, being nettled that his kinsman woulde seeme to rescue the prede of his deadlie fo ; as he was in such fretting wise, frieing in his grease, he brake out in these cholericke words : ' And death my cousin Kildare pursue me indeed ? Now, in good faith, whereas he seemeth to be a suppressor of his kindred, and an up- holder of my mortall enemie, I would wish him no more harme than that this dart were as far in his bodie, as it shall sticke forthwithe in the ground.' And therewithal giving the spurres to his horse, he hurled his dart so farre, as he abashed, with the length thereof, as well his companie as his posteritie. The Giraldine was not very farre from thense, when the Earle with his band made hot foot after, and dogging still the tracke of the predours, he came to the place where the darte was hurled, where one pickthanke or other let the Earle to understand of the Giraldine his wilde speeches there delivered. And to enhanse the offence, he showed him how flirre he hurled his dart, when he wished it to be pitched in his Lordship's bodie. The Earl, astonied thereof, said : ' Now, in good sooth, my cousine, in behaving so coura- giouslie, is worthy to have the prede shot free. And for my part, I purpose not so much to stomack his chole- rick wish, as to embrace his valiant prowess.' And EARLS OF KILDARE. 41 therewithal commanded the retreat to be blowne, and reculed backe."* In 1471, the Earl of Kildare and people of Meath made an incursion into Farney (County of Monaghan), and committed great depredation on McMahon.j In that year (1471), he was appointed Lord Deputy, having been Lord Justice since 1467. The Earl held two Parliaments at Drogheda, and in 1472 one at Naas, in which an Act was passed to com- pel merchants to import from England bows and arrows to the value of 20s. for every £20 of other goods. In 1473 was passed the Act confirming his appoint- ment as Lord Chancellor for life. In 1475, the Earl was dismissed from his office of Lord Deputy, and his inveterate enemy, William Sher- wood, Bishop of Meath, appointed as his successor, under whom the dissensions between the Geraldines and Butlers became A^ery formidable. This Earl established the Order of the " Brothers of St. George," consisting of thirteen persons of the highest rank and most approved loyalty, belonging to the Coun- ties of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, and Louth ; 120 mounted archers and 40 horsemen, attended by 40 pages. The archers received six pence per diem, and the horsemen five pence for themselves, with four marks per diem. The object of the fraternity was to resist the Irish enemies and English rebels. The officers assembled annually in Dublin on St. George's Day to elect their captain. These 13 officers and 200 men then composed *' Ilolinslied Dcs. of Ir. p. 17. f Aunals of the Four Masters. 42 EARLS OF KILDARE. the whole standing army supported by the government in Ireland. The Earl's son, Gerald, was the first knight elected, and was appointed captain. The fraternity was dissolved by Act of Parliament in 1494. The Earl died on the 25th March, 1477, and was buried beside his father in the Monastery of All Hallows, near Dublin. He married Lady Joan Fitz Gerald, daughter of James, seventh Earl of Desmond. She died in 1486, and was buried in the monastery at Adare, which she and her husband had founded. They had four sons and two daughters : — 1. Gerald, eighth Earl. 2. Sir Thomas of Laccagh, appointed in 1484 Lord Chancellor of Ireland for life. He was slain in the battle of Stoke, fighting for Lambert Simnel, in 1487. 3. James. 4. Maurice. The descendants of the three younger sons are extinct in the male line. 1. Lady Eleanor, married to Henry M'Owen O'Neill, chief of his clan. Her son, Con More, married his cousin. Lady Alice, daughter of the eighth Earl. She died on the 14th November, 1497.* 2. Lady Anne. * Aiinals of the Four blasters. EARLS OF KILDARE. 43 GEEALD, EIGHTH EARL. Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare, called by the Irish " Geroit More," or the Great, succeeded his father in 1477. In 1478, in consequence of the feuds between the Geraldines and Butlers, the Bishop of Meath was deputed by the Parliament to inform the King, Edward IV., as to the state of the country. The Bishop being very inimical to the Geraldines, the Earl sent some of his friends to state his case to the King, and was so successful that he was in that year appointed Lord Deputy. This appointment was soon after cancelled, as the King wished to set aside both the rival factions, and Henry Lord Grey, of Codnor, was sent over as Lord Deputy, with a guard of 300 men-at-arms and a company of archers. The letters, dismissing the Earl from his office, being sealed with the King's private seal, he refused to obey them, and summoned a Parliament at Naas, on the Friday after the feast of St. Petronilla the Virgin, in which an Act was passed, authorizing " the Lord Justice Gerol, Earl of Kildare, to adjourn and prorogue Parlia- ment at pleasure, while necessarily employed against the insurgents."* He prorogued this Parliament several times. At the same time Lord Portlester, father-in-law to the Earl, carried off the great seal, -and Keating, Prior of Kilmainham, the Constable of Dublin Castle, refused to deliver up that fortress to the new Deputy. * Liber Muuerum Hibernije, pt, vi. p. 2, 44 EARLS OF KILDARE. Lord Grey then called a Parliament in Dublin, declared the great seal cancelled, and summoned the Constable to surrender the Castle. In the midst of these contentions the death of the Duke of Clarence, the Lord Lieutenant, caused a vacancy in the office of Lord Deputy. When the intelligence of his death reached Ireland, the Council assembled and elected the Earl Lord Justice ; but in the meanwhile the King sent a new commission to Lord Grey. Soon after the King summoned both the Earl and Lord Grey to appear before him, when the latter, tired of these proceedings, resigned his office, and the Earl was appointed Lord Deputy to Richard, Duke of Gloucester, by a commission, which was 'to last for four years, dated 5th May, 1480, and issued under the Duke's patent and sealed with the King's privy seal. The Earl covenanted by indenture to keep the realm safely, and for that purpose was to have £600 per annum to maintain eighty mounted archers, and forty mounted spearmen. He held a Parliament in Dublin soon after, in which the export of hawks from Ireland was prohibited, except on the payment of a high duty. It was also enacted about that time, that there should be no correspondence between the inhabitants of the Pale and the Irish ; and at the same time an Act was passed to naturalize " the O'Neill," who had married the Earl's sister. The Earl, as Lord Deputy, was distinguished by the vigour of his administration, but, at the same time, as one of the most powerful chiefs without the Pale, he took part in the dissensions among the Irish. EARLS OF KILDARE. 45 In this year, 1480, he, in consequence of the depre- dations of the O'Mores, made a " hosting" into their country of Leix, attended by the Mayor, Bailiffs, and many of the citizens of Dublin ; and soon after in- vaded Tyrone, in support of his nephew and son-in-law, Con O'Neill, heir apparent to the chieftaincy, whose claims were opposed by another branch of the O'Neills. He, however, returned without having accomplished his object. In 1483, on the accession of Richard III., he was continued as Lord Deputy. In 1484, his brother, Thomas, was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland for life. In the same year the Earl received from Parliament a subsidy of los. 4d. out of every ploughland, towards defraying the charges incurred in serving against the Irish, And an Act was passed establishing free warren in the manor of IMaynooth for the Earl.* In 1485, the Earl gave his daughter. Lady Margaret, in marriage to Pierce Butler, heir presumptive to the Earldom of Ormonde, and afterwards eighth Earl. In that year, on the accession of Henry VII., the Earl, though a firm adherent to the House of York, was continued in his office of Lord Deputy, and held a Par- liament at Trim. At that time Sir James of Ormonde, who was illegiti- mate son of James, the fifth Earl of Ormonde, and who acted as Chief of the Butlers, as his uncle, Thomas, the seventh Earl, resided chiefly in England, and had * D'Alton, MS. 46 EARLS OF KILDARE. committed the custody of his castles and estates to him, was at feud with Sir Pierce Butler. The Earl of Kil- dare, who naturally supported his son-in-law, in con- sequence addressed, in 1486, the following letter, which is preserved in the Tower of London, to the Earl of Ormonde : — " My Right Wurshipful Cosyn, " I recommaund me unto you. It iss that your cousyn, James Ormond, doth publysh in all places that he hath your interest and title in all your lands here, by reason whereof he hath brought into the Counties of Kilkenny and Tipperary the O'Brenes, with diverse others Irishe enemys, and theretwo destroyed the Kyng's subjetts, and spareth no churches ne religious places, but hath spoyled them. And because he groundeth hym on the Kyng's auctoritie, and your likewise, I suffre hym theryn so to do for fei'e of the Kyng's displees. And what your mynd and enterest is or shalbe, in this matter, yif it like you to certifie me thereof, I will do what I kan for the reformation of the same. "Geven under my signet at Kilmaynham, the 16th day of January. " Your Cosyn, " Gerald, Erle of Kyldare. " To my Right Worshipful Cousyn, Thomas, Erie of Ormond.''* On the 2nd of February, 1486, the Earl was at Mass in Christ Church Cathedral, when he received the * Hist, of St. Cauice Cathedral, p. 192, EARLS OF KILDARE. 47 announcement of the King's marriage with Elizabeth of York. He at once communicated it to the Archbishop of Dublin, and made the Prior say another Mass for the King and Queen. In May, the King suspecting that the Earl was engaged in a plot against him, Avrote to command his attendance in England. The Earl, however, summoned a Parliament, and induced the Lords, on the 4th June, 1486, to send letters to the King, representing that in the affairs about to be discussed, the Lord Deputy's pre- sence was absolutely required.* At that time Edward, Earl of Warwick, son of George, Duke of Clarence, and the last male Plantagenet, was a prisoner in the Tower of London. Early in 1486, a report was spread that he had made his escape. In 1487, Lambert Simnel, who represented himself to be the young Prince, landed in Dublin with several English noblemen, and a force of 2,000 German troops, sent by the Duchess of Burgundy. The Earl of Kildare at once acknowledged him as the real heir to the throne, and his example was followed by almost the whole of the Pale. It is remarkable, that the Irish annalists also have always considered him as the true Earl of Warwick. He was proclaimed King by the title of Edward YL, and on AVhitsunday was taken to the Cathedral of Christ Church, where, in the presence of the Lord Deputy, the Chancellor, and many nobles and chiefs of the realm, after his title had been set forth in a sermon preached by the Bishop of Meath, the ceremony of coronation was performed * Ware's Annals. 48 EAllLS OF KILDARE. with much solemnity, a crown borrowed from the statue of the Virgin, in St. Mary's Church, near " Dame Gate," being placed on his head. He was then carried from the Cathedral to the Castle, on the shoulders of a gigantic man, called " Great Darcy of Flatten." A Parliament was then summoned, which passed several Acts ; and the invasion of England being resolved on, the Earl of Kildare and other great lords raised a large force of Irish and Anglo-Irish, which, with the Germans, was placed under the command of the Earl of Lincoln, the son of John de la Pole, Duke of Suffolk. The Chancellor, Thomas Fitz Gerald, resigned his office, in order to accompany the expedition. They sailed from Dublin in June, 1487, and landing at Foudrey, in Lancashire, marched into Yorkshire, and thence to Stoke, in Nottinghamshire, where, meeting King Henry's forces, a battle ensued, in which they were defeated, the Earl of Lincoln and Thomas Fitz Gerald being slain, and Simnel taken prisoner.* The Earl of Kildare, called by the King " our rebel," was so powerful in Ireland, that he did not even then despair of regaining the royal favour. He and the other lords of the Pale sent letters to the King acknowledging their crime, and imploring pardon. Henry, aware of the Earl's influence over both the lords of the Pale and the Irish chiefs, not only thought it advisable to pardon him, but retained him in his office of Chief Governor of Ireland. In 1488, the King sent over the comptroller of his household. Sir Richard Edgecomb, with a guard of 500 * Hume's Hist, of Eng. EARLS OF KILDARE. 49 men, to receive the oaths of allegiance of his Irish sub- jects. Sir Richard first landed at Waterford, when the citizens, hearing that he had brought the royal pardon for the Earl of Kildare, prayed that they might be exempt from his jurisdiction as Lord Deputy, as they feared that he would otherwise take vengeance for their refusal to join in the rebellion.* Having re-embarked, Sir Richard landed at Malahide, and reached Dublin on the 5th July, and was met at the gate of the Monastery of Black Friars, where he was to reside, by the Mayor and citizens. The Earl was then absent on a pilgri- mage, and only returned, accompanied by 200 cavalry, seven days after, on the 12th. He immediately sent the Bishop of Meath to the Commissioner to announce his arrival, and to invite him to his house. As Lord Deputy, he lived in St. Thomas' Abbey, commonly called Thomas Court. Sir Richard was there received by the Earl and other lords who had supported Simnel, in the great chamber of the abbey, and delivered to the Earl the King's letters " without reverence or courtesy," and made a short speech " not without some bitterness." The Earl replied coldly ; and as some of the lords of the Council were absent, further business was deferred. The Earl then went to Maynooth, and Sir Richard returned to his lodgings. The next day being Sunday, Sir Richard went to Christ Church Cathedral, where a sermon was preached by the Bishop of Meath, who had in the same place preached Simnel's coronation sermon. On Monday, the 14th July, Sir Richard, at the Earl's "especial entreaty," *' Harris's Hibernica, p. 61, 50 EARLS OF KILDARE. Avent to Maynooth Castle, and, remaining there three days, " had right good cheer ;" the Earl promising that he would conform himself in all things to the King's plea- sure. On the 15th, Sir Richard " had great cheer of the Earl." Many of the chief lords and others of the Council came to Maynooth, and " had great communica- tions amongst themselves," but nothing further was done. On the 16th, the Earl and his Council still delaying, Sir Richard was much displeased, and " told them right plainly and sharply of their unfitting demeaning." In the evening they returned to Dublin. On the 17th, the Earl and other lords " kept great council at Thomas Court, and there agreed to become the King's true sub- jects," and offered "to be bound in as good surety as could be devised by the laws ;" but would not agree to the bond proposed by Sir Richard, which declared their estates forfeited, unless they continued faithful to the King. On the 18th, as they all declared that " they would become Irish every of them," rather than sign the bond. Sir Richard at last consented to allow them instead to be sworn on the sacrament to bear true alle- giance. On the 19th, he sent them the form of oath, to which, on Sunday the 20th, they agreed. On the 21st, the Commissioner met the lords, assembled in Council, in the great chamber of Thomas Court, called the " King's Chamber," where the Earl did homage, when Sir Richard placed round his neck a gold chain, " the Collar of the King's Livery," which the King had sent as a token of his entire reconciliation. The other lords did homage also. They then repaired to another chamber, where, while Mass was said, the Earl was EARLS OF KILDARE. 51 delivered from the excommunication. Pie then took the oath of allegiance, holding his hand over the host, divided into three parts on the patten, and which Sir Richard had been careful to have consecrated by his own chap- lain. They went thence into the church of the monas- tery, where " the Archbishop of Dublin began a Te Deum, and the choir with the organs sung it up solemnly, and at that time all the bells of the church rang." The Earl and the other lords afterwards dined with Sir Richard at the Black Friars, the Earl wearing the chain both going and returning through the city. On the 23rd, Sir Richard having held communication with the Earl and Council in the Monastery of All-Hallows, rode to Drogheda. On the 28th, he was again in Dublin, expect- ing letters from the Council, and the Earl's certificate of allegiance. On the 29th, the Earl returned to the Priory of All-Hallows, and on the 30th delivered to Sir Richard, in the church of " Our Lady of the Dames," his certificate on oath, sealed with his arms, and Sir Richard gave him in return the King's pardon under the great seal. Sir Richard departed on the same day, but was detained more than a week at Dalkey before he could put to sea.* In the same year, 1488, the Earl led an army into the territory of Moy-cashel, in Westmeath, " and he de- molished the castle of Bille-ratha (Balrath) upon the sons of Murtragh Macgeoghegan, after having brought ordnance against it."t This is the first mention of the use of cannon in Ireland. * Sir Richard Edgecomb's Voyage in Harris's Hibernica. t Annals of the Four i\Iasters. 52 EARLS OF KILDARE. " In this year, for a great rarity, were sent to the Earl of Kildare six hand guns (muskets) out of Germany, which his guard, during the time they stood sentry, bore before his habitation, standing in the great hall at the entrance to his house, or quarters, at Thomas Court.* In 1489, the opponents of the Earl having petitioned the King to grant them preferment, in order to counter- balance his influence, he sent his friend, the Bishop of Meath, to England to plead his cause. The King in consequence summoned all the lords of Ireland to his court at Greenwich, where they observed the following precedence : — the Earls of Kildare and Ormonde, the Viscounts of Buttevant, Fermuy, and Gormanston, and the Lords Birmingham of Athenry, Courcy of Kinsale, Nugent of Delvin, Fleming of Slane, Plunket of Killeen, St. Lawrence of Howth, Barnewall of Trimleston, and Plunket of Dunsany. The Earl of Desmond and Lord Kerry were not present. The King received them very graciously, and, among other things, said to those lords who had supported Simnel, that " they would at last crown apes, should he be long absent." He then con- firmed to them his full pardon, and went, accompanied by them, in solemn procession to the church, after which he entertained them at a splendid banquet, where he caused Simnel to wait upon them as butler, and at last dismissed them with marks of favour and confidence.t In 1491, "a great war between Con O'Neill and * Ware's Annals. t Ibid. EARLS OF KILDAUE. 53 Hugh Roe O'Donnell, and they went to the Lord Justice, the Earl of Kildare, but they returned without peace."* This feud arose in consequence of O'Neill's demand, " Send me tribute, or else — ," and O'Donnell's answer, "I owe you no tribute, and if — ." In November, the Earl held a Parliament at Trim.t In 1492, " Con M'Art O'Connor was slain by the people of the Earl of Kildare, for having in jest thrown a pole at the Earl."+ They appear to have mistaken Con's intention. In that year the Earl was removed from his office of Lord Deputy, being suspected of plotting against the King. Soon after, Calvagh, son of O'Connor Faly, having been killed by a follower of the Earl of Ormonde, called " Master Gart," the latter was imprisoned by the Earl of Kildare. This act appears to have renewed the feud between the Geraldines and Butlers. In that year (1492), the Earl of Kildare, thinking that the people of Dublin Avere too much under the influence of the Lord Treasurer, Sir James of Ormonde, induced them to meet him on Oxmantown Green. In the course of the discussion a dispute arose, and several citizens were slain. The Earl then sent part of his cavalry over the river, to enter the city by St. James's Gate, but some of the citizens, seeing them approach, shut the gates. It appears, however, that Ship-street, which was outside the wall of the city, was burnt.§ The Earl then marched through the Pale, destroying the property * Annals of the Four Masters. f Ware's Annals. I Annals of the Four Masters. § Ibid. 5^1 EARLS OF KILDAHE. of the Butlers and their supporters. In revenge, Sir James of Ormonde, with the O'Briens and other allies, plundered and burnt the county and town of Kildare, and encamped in the wood of Thomas Court, on the south side of Dublin. The Earl and Sir James then agreed to have a conference, which is thus described by Stani- hurst : — * " Kildare appoynted the meeting to bee at St. Patrick, his Churche ; where as they were rij^ping up one to the other their mutual quarrels, rather resenting the damage they sustained, than acknowledging the injuries they offered, the citizens and Ormonde his army fell at some Jarre, for the oppression and exaction with whiche the souldiers surcharged them. With whom, as part of the citizens bickered, so a round knot of archers rusht into the church, meaning to have murthered Ormond, a,s the captain and belweather of al these lawlesse rabble. The Earl of Ormond (Sir James) suspecting that he had been betrayed, fled to the chapitre house, put too the dore, sparring it with might and mayne. The citizens in their rage, imagining that every post in the churche had been one of the souldiers, shot habbe or nabbe at random up to the roode-loft and to the chancell, leaving some of their arroAvs sticking in the iu:iage. Kildare pursuing Ormond to the chapitre house dore, undertooke, on his honour, that he should receive no villanie. Where- upon the recluse craving his lordship's hand to assure him his life, there was a clift in the chapitre house dore pierced in a trice, to the end both the Earls should have *■ Holiushed's History of Ireland, iii. p. 77. EARLS OF KILDARE. 55 shaken hands and bee reconciled. But Ormonde sur- mising that this drift was intended for some further treacherie, that if he would stretche out his hand it had been per case chopt off, refused that proffer, nntill Kil- dare stretched in his hand to him, and so the dore was opened, they both embraced, the storme appeased, and all their quarrells for the presente rather discontinued than ended." In consequence of the outrage committed by the citi- zens, in shooting their arrows in the church, a Legate was sent from Rome, who only absolved them from the sentence of excommunication, which had been pronounced against them, on condition that in future " the Maior of Dublin should go barefoot through the citie, in open procession before the Sacrament, on Corpus Christi day, which penitente satisfaction was after, in every such procession, duly accomplished." The door in which the hole was cut on this occasion, is still preserved in St. Patrick's Cathedral. In 1493, it having been reported that Perkin War- beck was in correspondence with the Earls of Kildare and Desmond, the former Earl hastened to England to rebut the charge. The King, in reply, merely said that he was about to send over Sir Edward Poynings as Lord Deputy. He also informed the King of France that the Earl of Kildare and other lords, having come over to consult with him on the state of the kingdom, he had determined " to set his country of Ireland in order."* In September, 1494, Sir Edward arrived in Dublin. * Moore's Hist, of Ir. 5G EARLS OF KILDARE. The Earl, wishing to remove any suspicion against him, accompanied the Deputy against the northern Irish, who supported Warbeck's claims. The Deputy, however, was informed of a conspiracy between the Earl and O'Hanlon, chief of the territory in which they then Avere, to assas- sinate him, and being confirmed in his suspicions by the intelligence that the Earl's brother, James Fitz Gerald, had risen in rebellion, and had seized the Castle of Carlow, returned from the North, and laying siege to the castle, took it at the end of a week. He then determined to act vigorously against the Geraldines, and summoned a Pai-liament at Drogheda, in which were passed an Act attainting the Earl and his adherents, and another, 10 Henry VH. c. 20, to abolish his war-cry and motto, " Crom-a-boo," with those of other great families. (Appendix II.) After the attainder, the Earl's power was much re- duced. Being at feud with Plunket of Rathmore, he was defeated by him in several skirmishes, and at last could not show himself in Meath, nor remain more than three nights together in any part of Kildare. Having at length, with twelve horsemen, encountered Plunket with twenty, he fought so resolutely that the latter, with most of his men, fell. " After that he was followed by numbers."* The Earl was also at enmity with his former friend, the Bishop of Meath ; and one day chased him into a church, to which he had fled for sanctuary. The Earl ordered him to come out, and on his refusal, entered * Lodge. EAELS OF KILDAllE. 57 sword in hand, and going to where he was kneeling in the chancel, swore " By St. Bride (his nsiial oath), were it not he knew his prince would be offended Avith him, he could find it in his heart to lay his sword on his shaven crown." And carrying him off, kept him prisoner, until the Lord Deputy demanded his release. Having been promised a pardon for these and other offences, the Earl went to Dublin, but was arrested in the evening, and sent in a bark, which had been kept in readiness, to England, the Deputy not wishing to pass judgment upon him. He was detained for two years in the Tower of London, within which time his Countess, Alison, daughter of Sir Rowland Eustace, of Harristown, created Baron of Port- lester, died of grief, on the 22nd November, 1494, and was buried in the Grey Abbey at Kilcullen, which her father had founded. The Earl was at length brought before the Council, and being accused, among other acts of violence, of having forced the Bishop of Meath from the sanctuary, he said, " He was not sufficiently learned to make answer to such weighty matters. The Bishop was a learned man, and so was not he, and therefore might easily outdo him in argu- ment." The King then said, " He might choose a coun- sellor." The Earl replied ; " I doubt I shall not have that good fellow that I would choose." The King as- sured him he should, and added, that " It concerned to get counsell that was very good, as he doubted his cause was very bad." The Earl replied : " I will choose the best in England." " And who is that ?" asked the King. " Marry, the King himself," quoth the Earl, " and by 58 EARLS OF KILDARE. St. Bride, I will choose no other." At this the King laughed, and turning to the Council, said, " A wiser man might have chosen worse." The Earl was then accused of having burnt the Cathedral of Cashel, in consequence of a feud with the Archbishop, and many witnesses were present to prove the fact ; but contrary to their expec- tation, he not only confessed it, but exclaimed : " By my troth, I would never have done it, but I thought the Bishop was in it." The Archbishop being present, and one of the busiest of the accusers, the King laughed heartily, and was so favourably impressed by the blunt- ness and frankness of the Earl, that on the Bishop of Meath exclaiming, "All Ireland cannot rule this man," he at once replied : " Then he shall rule all Ireland."* O'HanloD, with whom the Earl was accused of con- spiracy to assassinate Sir E. Poynings, was also present, and cleared him on oath from the charge. The Earl was restored to his honors and estates, and appointed Lord Deputy, by letters patent, dated the 6th August, 1496. The King, however, retained his eldest son Gerald as a hostage. In 1496, the Earl married his second wife, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Oliver St. John, of Lydiard-Tregoze, and cousin to Henry Vll.t Immediately after his return to Ireland, he held a Parliament at Castledermot. He soon after marched against the O'Briens of Thomond, and took by assault * Cox. t Sir Oliver St. John=Margaret Beauchamp= John Duke of Somerset. I I Oliver St. John. Margaret Beaufort =Edmuncl Earl of RichmoiKl. Gerald, Stli Earl of Kildare= Elizabeth. Henry VII. - EARLS OF KILDARE. 59 the Castles of Feyback, in County Clare, belonging to the MacNamaras, and Ballynetty, in County Limerick. While in Limerick, he, on the 26th August, by the King's orders, pardoned Maurice, Earl of Desmond, for all offences against the crown. On his return to Dublin, he was reconciled to the Archbishop of Armagh. He also, about that time, restored the church at Cashel, which he had burnt. In that year, 1496, died Lord Portlester, and was buried in the Abbey at Kilcullen, which he had founded. His manor of Portlester passed to his son-in-laAv, the Earl of Kildare, who soon after embellished the church of the neighbouring Abbey of Bective, and paved it with encaustic tiles, on some of which are his arms and motto, " Si Dieu plet, Crom a bo." In 1497, Perkin Warbeck, having been obliged to leave Scotland, landed at Cork, where he and his Irish allies were opposed by the Earls of Kildare and Desmond, and he narrowly escaped being taken prisoner by them. The King, Henry VIE, in a letter to Sir Gilbert Talbot, dated at Woodstock, writes, " that Perkin Warbeck, after landing in Ireland, had been taken by his cousins, the Earls of Kildare and Desmond, if he and his wife had not secretly stolen away."* In consequence of this, the Earl received from the King a grant, dated 25th August, 1497, of the manors of Dunchurch, Avon-basset, Kingston alias Kingsford, Ullenhall, and several others in the County Warwick, and of the manor and advoAvson of the church of Skennington, in the County Gloucester, to him and Elizabeth St. John, * Ansth' Register of the Garter, vol. ii. p. 215. 60 EARLS OF KILDARE. his wife, and to their heirs male. These lands devolved on their son, Sir James Fitz Gerald, of Leixlip, but on his attainder, in 1536, reverted to the crown. In 1537, a private Act was passed, whereby certain letters patent granting the manor of Leixlip to the Earl, his Countess Elizabeth St. John, and their heirs male, was revoked, and all interest in the same vested in the crown.* In 1498, the Earl marched into Ulster, to assist his grandson, Turlogh O'Neill, and his ally, Hugh O'Donnell. He took Dungannon " with great guns," and Omagh.t On his return from the North, he went to Cork, whose inhabitants had favoured Warbeck, and placed strong garrisons there and at Kinsale. In March, 1499, he invaded Connaught, and reduced the Castles of Athleague, Roscommon, Tulsk, and Castle- reagh.t In that year, Hugh Roe O'Donnell went into the Pale on a visit to the Lord Deputy, and returned with the Earl's son Henry in fosterage. § On the 26th August, the Earl held a Parliament at Castledermot. In 1500, he seized the Castle of Kinard, in the County Tyrone, and appointed Turlogh O'Neill governor of it.ll In that year it was proposed to unite further the houses of Kildare and Ormonde, by a marriage between Lady Eleanor Fitz Gerald and George St. Leger, grandson and heir general of Thomas, seventh Earl of Ormonde. This probably fell to the ground, when Kildare ascertained that the Irish title and estates were entailed on Sir Pierce Butler, the heir male. This fact appears from a Latin document preserved in Kilkenny Castle, dated 29th * D' Alton's Kildare, MS. f Annals of the Four Masters. X AVare's Annals. § Ibid. || Ibid. EARLS OF KILDARE. 61 November, 1516, recording at the request of Piers, Earl of Ormonde, and Margaret his wife, the testimony of Master James White, prebendary of " Maynott," and vicar of Ardee, who deposed that " about sixteen years before, or more, he was sent by Gerald, of good memory, Earl of Kildare, to the King of England, about certain matters, when he met Thomas, of similar good memory. Earl of Ormonde, at his mansion in London, when they treated of a marriage between George Sayntleger and Elenor, the daughter of the said Gerald ; the deponent then asked the said Thomas who should be Earl of Ormonde, after his death ; and Thomas said Sir Piers Butler, knight, then dwelling in Ireland, should be Earl, because that dignity and Earldom was entailed on heirs male after his death. And he said that he could not with a safe conscience do otherwise, or ever break or change that entail."* In May, 1503, he went to England to give the King an account of the affairs of Ireland, and returned in August (" magno cum honore et novis instructionibus "), bringing with him his son Gerald and his bride, Eliza- beth, daughter of Sir John Zouche and Elizabeth, co- heiress of Lord Grey of Codnor, and was received in Ireland with great congratulations of the people. He then made another expedition into Ulster, where he took and destroyed the Castle of Belfast, and placed a garri- son in Carrickfergus Castle, and appointed Staunton governor."! In that year (1503), the volume called " The Earl of Kildare's Bed Book" was compiled for the Earl. It *' Hist, of St. Canice, p. 205. | Ware. 62 EARLS OF KILDARE. contains copies of grants, title-deeds, and other documents belonging to him, and is now in the possession of the Duke of Leinster. On the 28th February, 1504, his eldest son, Gerald, was appointed High Treasurer of Ireland, and was on that day sworn in Dublin before the Deputy and the Council, to administer his office well and faithfully. In 1504, Ulick McWilliam Burke, Lord of Clanricarde, who had married Lady Eustacia, daughter of the Earl of Kildare, but who had treated her with such neglect as to cause bitter animosity between himself and the Earl, formed a confederacy with several Irish Chiefs to oppose the authority of the King. The Earl in conse- quence assembled a large force, and in August marched into Connaught. With Clanricarde were O'Brien of Thomond, MacNamara, O'Carroll, and O'Connor of Con- naught. With the Earl were the Earl of Desmond, Vis- count Gormanston, and Lords Slane, Delvin, Killeen, Howth, Trimleston, and Dunsany, John Blake, Mayor of Dublin, O'Donnell of Tyrconnell, Art O'Neill,* M'Dermot of Moylurg, Magennis, O'Ferrall, Bishop of Ardagh, O'Connor Faly, M,Mahon, O'Hanlon, O'ReiHy, O'Kelly, and even the Burkes of Mayo. On the 19th August, the Earl's army came in sight of the enemy, whose whole force was drawn up on Cnock-Tuagh (Hill of Axes), now Knockdoe, about seven miles from Gal way. Some of the lords of the Pale, alarmed at the number of the enemy, who, it is said, had the largest army ever assembled since the invasion of 1169,. urged the * Grandson to tlie Earl. EARLS OF KILDARE. 63 Earl to oflfer terms of peace. He, however, refused, and having drawn up his array in order of battle, he encouraged his men, telling them that the honor of their sovereign, as well as their own safety, depended upon that day's service, as they were in a country unknown to most of them. The first attack was made by the forces of Clanricarde, who, rushing furiously forward, were received with a volley of arrows by the men of Leinster, who used their bows with terrible effect. As the assail- ants fell back in confusion, the Earl ordered his van- guard to advance. His son Gerald, who commanded the reserve, seeing the main body engaged, did not wait for orders, but charged at the head of his men " in such a brave and resolute manner as no man could behave better than he did." However, by so doing, he left the baggage unprotected, and it was taken by the Irish Horse, and some gentlemen were made prisoners. The following is a description of this battle by the Irish Annalists: — " Far away from the troops were heard the violent onset of the martial chiefs, the vehement efforts of the cham- pions, the charge of the royal heroes, the noise of the lords, the clamour of the troops Avhen endangered, the shouts and exultations of the youths, the sound made by the falling of brave men, and the triumphing of nobles over plebeians." They say it was " a fierce battle, such as has not been known in latter times." " Of the nine battalions (Clanricarde's) which were in solid array, there survived only one broken battalion. A countless number of the Lord Justice's forces were also slain, though they routed the others before them."* The result of the * Annals of the Four Masters. 64 EARLS OF KILDARE. attack was to drive the enemy from the field with im- mense slaughter, the number of the slain having been estimated from 4,000 to 9,000. This is probably an exaggeration, but the battle of Cnock-Tuagh certainly broke the strength of the Western and Southern septs. O'Brien fell, and two sons and a daughter of Clanricarde were taken prisoners. It is said that Lord Gormanston, elated with success, turning to the Earl of Kildare, said, " We have, for the most number, killed our enemies ; and if we do the like with all the Irish that we have with us, it were a good deed."* The Earl proposed to O'Donnell to march immediately upon the town of Galway, but that chief advised him to encamp upon Knockdoe till the following day, to attend to the wounded and dead, and to collect their men who were scattered in the pursuit. On the next day they advanced to Galway, which sur- rendered without resistance. After remaining there some days to rest the army, they marched to Athenry, which also surrendered. The invading forces then separated, O'Donnell going to the North, and the Earl retiring with his army to the Pale, " where he bestowed thirty tuns of wine upon his soldiers. "f The Earl, on arriving in Dublin, sent the xVrchbishop of Dublin to give an account of this battle, and other public afflxirs, to the King, who was so well pleased with the success of the Earl, that he created him a Knight of the Garter. He was installed at Windsor on the 4th May, in the following year, 1505, by his proxy, Sir John Williams, who was very liberal to the officers. " Therll of Kyldare was installed by Sir John Williams, knyght * Book of Howth. t Cos. EARLS OF KILDARE. 65 hys Procurer at High Masse tyme, wicbe gave to the officiers of Arms 5 marks and his gown to Garter (King at Arms)."* The Earl at that time built several castles to strengthen the possessions of the crown ; among others those of Athy, Castledermot, Eathvilly, and Lincarrig. On the 1st of November, 1506, he made an offering to the Cathedral of Christ Church of " two vestments of cloth of gold tissued."! Among the Gherardini papers is the following letter, written by the Earl, in May, 1507 : — " To be given to all the family of the Gherardini, noble in fame and virtue, dwelling in Florence, our beloved brethren in Florence. Gerald, Earl of Kildare, Lord Deputy of the Kingdom of Ireland, sends greeting to all the family of Gherardini dwelling in Florence. " Most grateful to us have been your letters to us, most illustrious men. From them we have learned to know the fervour of the fraternal love that you bare to your own blood. But in order to increase your joy still more, I will briefly inform you of the state of your relations in these parts. Know, then, that my prede- cessors and ancestors passed from France into England, and having remained there for some time, they, in the year 1140 (1170), arrived in this island of Ireland, and by their swords obtained great possessions, and achieved great feats of arms ; and up to the present day have increased and multiplied into many branches and * Anstis' Register of the Garter, vol. ii. p. 243. t Obits of Christ Church, p. 48. QQ EARLS OF KILDARE. families, insomuch that I, by the grace of God, possess by hereditary right the earldom, and am Earl of Kildare, holding diverse castles and manors, and by the liberality of our Most Serene Lord the King of England, I am now his Deputy in the whole of Ireland, during the pleasure of his Majesty, an honour frequently obtained heretofore by my father and my predecessors. There is also a relation of ours in these parts called the Earl of Desmond, under whose lordship there are 100 miles, in length, of country. Our house has increased beyond measure, in a multitude of barons, knights, and noble persons, holding many possessions, and having under their command many persons. We are most desirous to know the deeds of our ancestors, so that if you have in your possession any history, we request you to communicate it to us. We wish to know the origin of our house, and their numbers, and the names of your ancestors ; whether there are any of them settled in France, and Avho of our family inhabit the Roman territory. I also wish to know the transactions of the present time, for it gives me great joy always to hear news of our house. If there is anything that we can procure for you through our labour and industry, or anything that you have not got, such as hawks, falcons, horses, or dogs for the chase, I beg you will inform me of it, as I shall, in every possible way, endeavour to obey your wishes. God be with you, and do you love us in return. From our Castle of Castledermot, 27th day of May, 1507. " Gerald, '' Chief in Ireland of the Family of the Geraldines, Earl of Kildare, Lord Deputy of the Most Serene King of England, in Ireland." EARLS OF KILDAHE. 67 It is remarkable that about that time, Lodovico Ariosto, in his " Orlando Furioso," made mention of the Earls of Kildare and Desmond, as follows : — " Or guarda gl'Ibernesi appreso il piano : Sono due squadre ; e il conte dl Childera Meua la prima ; e il conte di Desmonda Da fieri monti ha tratta la seconda. Nello stendardo, il primo ha un piuo ardente ; L'altro nel bianco una vermiglia banda." Canto X. stanza 86. In 1508, the Earl convoked a Parliament in Dublin, in which a subsidy was granted to him to be levied on both clergy and laity.* On some of the coins, "groats and half-groats, issued during the last five years of the reign of Edward IV., and also on some groats of Henry VII., there is on each side of the shield, containing the royal arms, a smaller shield bearing a Saltire, the arms of the Earl of Kildare, then Lord Deputy.t Henry VIII., on his accession, in April, 1509, sent letters patent to the Earl re-appointing him Lord Justice. On the receipt of these, the Earl assembled the Council, and having summoned the Mayor and Aldermen, pro- ceeded with them through the principal streets, pro- claiming the King's accession with sound of trumpets, ringing of bells, and bonfires.? In that year he advanced with his forces into Ulster, to the assistance of his grandsons, Art and Con Bacagh, * Ware's Annals. t Trans, of the Royal Irish Academy, vol. xix. Ant, p. 31, X Ware's Annals. 68 EARLS OF KILDARE. the sons of Con O'Neill, -^vho was slain in 1493, and took and razed the Castle of Omagh. In 1510, he was appointed Lord Deputy. He then undertook an expedition into Munster with a large army, raised in the Pale, and accompanied by Hugh O'Donnell of Tyrconnell. Having built a fort on the rock of Carrigkettle, in the County of Limerick, he entered Desmond, and having been joined by his cousin James, eldest son of the Earl of Desmond, with the Geraldines of Munster, and his son-in-law, McCarthy Eeagh, he took the Castles of Kanturk in Cork, Pailis, near Killarney, and Castlemaine in Kerry. On his return, however, he was met at Monabraher, near Limerick, by Turlogh O'Brien of Thomond, and ^IcWilliam Burke of Clanricarde, and their forces. In the engagement that ensued many fell on both sides, but the Lord Deputy's army being laden with spoil, and tired with a long march, suffered most. The conflict lasted till night. On the next morning he held a council of war, in which a retreat was resolved on, and accomplished in good order.* In 1512, he again took and destroyed the Castle of Belfast, which had been rebuilt after its destruction in 1503, and distributed the spoils among his soldiers. In that year he built St. Mary's Chapel, in the Choir of Christ Church, in Dublin. In 1513, he marched against Lemyvannan, or O'Carroll's Castle, now Leap Castle, in the King's County; but as he was watering his horse in the Eiver Greese, at Kilkea, he was shot by one of the O'Mores of Leix. In * Ware's Annals, and Annals of the Four Masters. EARLS OF KILDARE. 69 consequence of this wound he moved slowly by Athy to Kildare, where, after lingering for a few days, he died on the 3rd September. His body was carried to Dublin, and buried on the 16th October, before the high altar in his own chapel at Christ Church ; where his arms within the Garter, and those of his wife, with the arms of many of his predecessors and successors, were placed, until they were defaced by William Moreton, Bishop of Kildare, and Dean of Christ Church, when he repaired the church between 1677 and 1705. The site of St. Mary's Chapel is now occupied by buildings connected with the cathedral. This Earl, called by the Irish " the Great Earl," was " of tall stature and goodly presence ; very liberal and merciful ; of strict piety ; mild in his government ; pas- sionate, but easily appeased." The Irish annalists describe him as " a knight in valour, and princely and religious in his word and judgments."* His name alone awed his enemies more than an army. He not only built castles but planted colonies in various places, and rebuilt ruined towns. He had been altogether thirty-three years Chief Governor of Ireland. t Stanihurst says he was " a mightie man of stature, full of honoure and courage, who had bin Lord Deputie and Lord Justice of Ireland three-and-tbirtie yeares. Kil- dare was in government milde, to his enemies sterna. He was open and playne, hardly able to rule himself when he was moved ; in anger not so sharp as short, being easily displeased and sooner appeased. Being in * Auuals of the Four Masters. f Canuleu. 70 EARLS OF KILDARE. a rage with certayne of his servants for faults they committed, one of his horsemen offered Maister Boyce (a gentleman that reteyned to him) an Irish hobby (horse), on condition that he would plucke an heare from the Earle hys berde. Boyce, taking the proffer at rebound, stept to the Earle (with whose good nature hee was thoroughly acquainted), parching in the heate of his choler, and sayd : ' So it is, and if it like youre good Lordeshippe, one of your horsemen promised me a choyce horse, if I snippe one heare from your berde.' ' Well,' quote the Earle, ' I agree thereto ; but if thou plucke anye more than one, I promise thee to bring my fyst from thine eare.' This olde Earle, being soone hotte, and soone cold, was of the Englishe well beloved ; a good Justicier, a suppressor of the rebels, a warrioure incomparable ; towards the nobles, that he fansyed not, somewhat headlong and unruly. Notwithstanding hys simplicitie in peace, he was of that valoure and policie in warre, as his name bred a greater terrour to the Irish than other mens armyes. In hys warres hee used for policie, a retchlesse kynde of diligence, or a headye carelessnesse, to the end hys souldyers should not faynte in theyr attempts, were the enemie never of so greate powr. Beying Generall on the field of Knocktoe, where, in effect, all the Irish rebelles of Ireland were gathered againste the Englishe Pale, one of the Earle hys captaines presented him a bande of kearnes (Irish infantry), even as they were ready to joyne battayle, and withall demanded of the Earle in what service he would have them employed ? ' Marry (quoth he), let them stande by and gyve us the gaze.' Such was his courage that, EAULS OF KILDARE. 71 notwithstanding his enemies were two to one, yet would hee sette so good a face on the matter, as his souldyers shoulde not once suspect that he needed or longed for any further help."* By his will he bequeathed his best gown of cloth of gold purpurated to make sacerdotal vestments, and he bestowed the town of "Great Coporan," for the mainte- nance of the canon who should celebrate masses for his soul.t His first wife, Alice, or Alison Eustace, who died 22nd November, 1495, was buried in the New Abbey at Kil- cullen. She was daughter and co-heiress of Eowland, Baron of Portlester, by Maud, daughter of Jenico d'Artois. She brought into the family the manor of Portlester, in the County of Meath. By her he left one son, Gerald, his successor, and six daughters. 1st. Lady Eleanor, married first to Donnell M'Carthy Eeagh, Chief of Carbery, County of Cork, by whom she had four sons. After his death, in 1531, Calvagh O'Donnell, Chief of Tyrconnell, demanded her in marriage, but she declined his offer. In 1536, however, when her nephew, Gerald, eleventh Earl of Kildare, required pro- tection, she consented to become O'Donnell's wife, on condition that he should give shelter to the boy. She then took her nephew with her to Donegal, where she was married. After a year. Lady Eleanor, suspecting that her husband intended to surrender Gerald to the English government, " being a wary and prudent woman," sent him away with his tutor to France, and then, refusing ^' Holiushed's Hist, of Ir. iii, 78. t Obits of Christ Church, p. 39. 72 EARLS OF KILDARE. to remain with O'Donnell after his treacherous conduct, returned to her son's country in the County of Cork, On the 4th May, 1545, she wrote to the King the fol- lowing letter : — " My mooste humble and lowly duetie premised. It may pleas youe, mooste dradd Sovereign Lord, to be advertized that, wheare I acknowledge my selfe highly to have ofFendid your Princely Magnificence and, rather by ignorauncie then presumption, also com- mitted the thinge that stode not with the duetie of myne allegiaunce ; yet, considering youre mooste kingly clemencye extended to all soortes, and such especially as with incorrupte harte submytte themselves unto youre accustomed mercie, I, your Grace's humble oratrix and subjecte, mooste lowly beseche youre Highnes, in the honoure of God, to remitt my seid offences ; and, having respecte to my present unfayned repentaunce, to graunte me, poor gentlewoman, youre Majesty's mooste gracious pardone and forgivenes, which, for the better obteyning of the same, I have, thies twoo yeares past, continually made dill i gent sute and request to youre Grace's Deputie and Counsaill here, to be peticioners to youre Majestie in my behalfe ; yet for that thei have taken me to be an offendres, as my selfFe confesse the same, and to have continued in the ferre parties of this youre Realme, amonges the M'Charties, thei have refused to write unto youre Highnes in my behalfe, and yet, in hoope bothe of youre princelye mercie, and my unfayned reconciliation, have graunted me saulfe-conduyte to repaier into youre Majestie's Englisshe Pale, and there to remeyne at a place by them assigned, till youre Majestie's determynate EARLS OF KILDAPvE. 73 pleasure be furder signified herein. It may, therefore, pleas youre mooste kingly goodnes, in graunting this my humble sute, as well as to consigne my warraunte sent herewith, with youre Majestie's mooste graciouse hande, as to signifie also youre high pleasure unto youre seid Deputie and Counsaill concerning the same ; whereby I may not onely stonde in the assueraunce of youre mooste graciouse pardone and remission for myne offences, but also freely reasorte within the bodye of youre seid Realme, that tbe^'cby I might at lest avoide thoften suspecte, causeles conceived against me by continual! demoringe in th extreme confynes of this youre lande. That knoweth Almightie God, Avho long preserve youre mooste Noble Grace in all honour and felicite to raign. " From Malahide besides Dublyn, the 4th of May. " Your Majestie's mooste humble subjecte and Beades- woman, " Alaynor Fytz Gerald.* " To the Kinges Mosie Excellente Majestie." In a letter from the Lord Deputy and Council of Ireland to the Council in England, dated two days after, 6th May, 1545, is the following recommendation : — " It may also pleas youre noble Lordeshipes that the late Earl of Kildare's syster, M'Chartie Reagh's moder, whiche, for displeasure of her brethren and fimylies juste ponnyshement, hathe ben taken to be a practyser and procurer of dyscentions and warres here, having made ofte suete unto us for her pardon, at this preasent upon * State Papers, Temp. Henry VIII. voL iii. p. 516. 74 EARLS OF KILDARE. our salve conducte (wliiche we grauuted her, in respecte of the tyme, to allure her from any practyse in the south parties, wheare greate brute ys of the arryvall of the Frenchemen), we shall beseeche youre most honor- able good Lordeshipes that, accordingly considering she ys but a woman, and yet we, having regarde to her parentele, wolde not condescende to pardon her here, to move the Kinge's Majestic for his most gracious pardon to her, whereby she may repose herselffe, and so be putt out of feare, and thereby have occasion to relinquyshe her olde fantazies."* To this letter the Council in England replied on the 4th June, 1545 : — " His Highnes is also pleased to pardon the Lord of Kyldare's suster." She accordingly received a formal pardon for all offences committed by her against the crown. Lady Eleanor's son by her first marriage, succeeded his father as M'Carthy Reagh, and having married the daughter of M'Carthy More, succeeded him in his chieftaincy. Stanihurst says of Lady Eleanor : " This noble woman was alwayes knowne and accounted of eche man, that was acquainted with hir conversation of life, for a paragon of liberalitie and kindnesse ; in all hir actions, vertuous, and godley, and also in a good quarrel rather stout and stiffe." 2nd. Lady Margaret, married in 1485 to Pierce, eighth Earl of Ormonde, by whom she was mother of James, ninth Earl, and of Richard, first Viscount Mount- garret. Of this lady Stanihurst says : " The Earle of Kildare, of good meaning to unite the houses in friend- * State Papers, vol. iii. p. 519. f Ibid. 524. EARLS OF KILDARE. 75 ship, matched his sister, Margaret Fitz Giralde, with Pierce Butler, Earle of Osserie,* whom he also help to recover the Erldome of Ormond, into which, after the decease of Earle James, a bastarde Butler had by abate- ment intruded. Great and manifold were the miseries the Lady Margaret susteyned, hir husband Pierce Butler being so eagerly pursued by the usurper, as hee durst not beare up head, but was forced to hover and lurke in wooddes and forrests. The noble woman being great with childe, and uppon necessitee constreyned to use a spare dyet (for hir onely sustenance was milke), she longed for wine, and calling hir Lord and a trusty ser- vante of his, James White, to hir, she requested them both to help hir to some wyne, for she was not able any longer to endure so strieght a life. ' Truly Margaret,' quoth the Earle of Osserie, ' thou shalt have store of wyne within thys foure-and-twentie houres, or else thou shalt feed alone on milke for me.' The nexte daye fol- lowing, Pierce having intelligence that hys enemie, the base Butler, would have travayled from Donmore to Kilkennie, notwithstanding hee were accompanied with sixe horsemenne, yet Pierce, havying none but his lackey, did forstalle hym in the way, and, with a coura- gious charge, gored the basterd through with his speare. Thys prosperous calm, succeeding the former boisterous storme, the Lady Margaret began to take hearte, his natural stoutnesse floted, as well by the remembrance of * He surrendered the title of Ormonde at the King's request, and was created Earl of Ossory, but resumed afterwards the former title. 76 EARLS OF KILDARE. his noble birth, as by the intelligence of his honourable match."* " The Countess of Osserie, Kildare's sister, a rare wo- man, and able for wisdome to rule a realm, had not her stomache over-ruled herselfe. Through the singular wisdom of this Countesse a lady of suche port, that all the estates of the realme couched to her, so politeque that nothing was thought substantially debated without her advice ; man-like, tall of stature, very rich and bountiful, a bitter enemy, the only meane, at those dayes, whereby hir husband's country was reclaymed from the sluttish and unclean Irish custome to the English habits, bedding, house-keeping and civilitie. But to these virtues was yoked such a selfe-liking and such a majesty above the tenure of a subject, that for insurance thereof she sticked not to abuse her husband's honour against her brother's follye. Notwithstanding, I learn not that she practised his undoing (which en- sued, and was to her undoubtedly a great haevinesse, as upon whom both the blemish thereof and the suste- nance of that whole family depended after) ; but that she, by indirect meanes, wrougt her brother out of credite to advance her husband, the common voyce and the thing itselfe speaketh."t She is called " the Great Coun- tess of Ormonde." She survived her husband, who died in 1539, three years, and " led a most exemplary life for charity and devotion." Stanihurst says, " she was a seure friend ; a bitter enemy ; hardly disliking where she fancied, not easily fancying where she disliked." And * Holiiished, Hist, of Ir. iii. 79. f Ibid. 81. EARLS OF KTLDAPvE. 77 a modern author thus describes her : — " Margaret, Coun- tess of Ormonde and Ossory, ' the fairest daughter ' of the Earl of Kildare, was, unquestionably, one of the most remarkable women of her age and country Large as is the place filled by the ' Red Earl ' in the history of Ireland, it is a singular fact, that in the traditions of the peasantry of Kilkenny, his existence is utterly forgotten, whilst his consort stands vividly forth as ' the Countess,' or oftener as plain ' Mairgread Gearoid,' forming with ' Cromwell ' and the ' Danes,' a triad to whom almost everything marvellous, cunning, or cruel is attributed. She is the traditional ' builder,' as Cromwell is the tra- ditional ' destroyer,' of nearly every castle in the district ; and by the peasant's fireside, numberless are the tales told of her power, her wisdom, and — truth compels us to say — her oppressions."* 3rd. Lady Elizabeth, who married Christopher Fleming, Lord Slane. Her son James, Lord Slane, married his cousin, Lady Alice Fitz Gerald. 4th. Lady Alice, who married her cousin, Con More O'Neill, who, in 1480, was naturalized by Act of Parlia- ment. She was mother of Turlogh, and of Art and Con Bacagh, successively " the O'Neill." She also obtained a pardon from the King. 5th. Lady Eustacia. She married Ulick McWilliam Burke, Lord of Clanricarde. 6th. Lady Joan. The Earl's second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Oliver St. John, of Lydiard-Tregoze, ancestor of Viscount * Hist, of St. Canice Cath. p. 248. 78 EARLS OF KILDATIK. ]io]inbrokc. She dier] 28i]i Juno, I.OIG.* By hor the Earl had seven sons. 1st, Henry, and 2n(l, Thomas ; hotli (lied Ijef'ore they were of age. 3rd. Sir Jtirnes of Leixlij). lie W!is a Knight of Rhodes, or St. .lolm oi' Jci-iisahjni. On the death of his fatlier, in l.Ol.'i, he suceeeded to the estates in England, which had been gninted to the Ksirl in HO?. In 1.026, he was a[)f)ointed de[)uty to his l)iv>ther, the Lord Deputy. In a re[)ort (hy whom not known) of" the state of Ireland, to be laid befon; Henry VIII., is as follows : — "The tyme til ICrle of Kihhii'is brodcr'ne, and othei's of the; Gcral- dynes, O'Neyle and O'Chonour, with all ther frindis, were ap})ointed to invade and subdue the Kingis domynion, tliois of til Ei'le of Kyldiuis rriv;i,y Coiinsaile, which wen; assignelin, Meatl), Loutli, WexConl, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, and Limerick. And lie will cause the inha- bitants oC " the four shires" to wear English apparel, and to shave their " upper berdcs."* The Galloglasses, mentioned in the indenture, were infantry armed with shirts of mail and axes ; each galloghiss had an attendant boy bearing three darts. The Kern were light-armed infantry, with lances ; each two kern having a boy to carry tlieir mantles, weapons, and victuals. In May, 1525, the Earl held a Parliament in Dublin. ITe, in the same year, condemned Maurice Kavanagh, Archdeacon of Leighlin, to be hung on a gibbet on the high road near Glenreynold, for having murdered his kinsman, Maurice Doran, Bishop of Leighlin, who had threatened him with punishment for his crimes. On the 20th May, 1525, the King sent the following letter to the Eail : — " Right trusty and right welbiloved Cousin, We grete you well. Significng unto you that comjilaint hath been made unto Us, on the behalf of our i-ight trusty and right w(;ll)ilov(;d Cousin, th Erl of Ormond, that where as, at our Commissionei-s being there, they awarded unto the said Erh; the oon half of our subsedie there, and other parcelles of our revenues there due, unto hym, which sub.sedie, and other revenues, our said, Commissioners auctorised you to levie and receive to the use of the said Erie, and to have made full payment of the same unto hym, at the Fest of Saint Michell th * Stale; I'iipci-M, vol. ii. p. 1 11 EARLS OF KILDAKE. 99 Archaiingell last past, as by th indentures thereupon made betwixt you, in that partie, playner it doth appear; Ye, not regarding our said Commissioners awarde in that behalf, do still reteigne and kepe in your handcs the said subsidie, and other revenues, of the somme of £800 or thereabouts, as We bee informed. Wherefore, We woll, and natheless commaunde you, that within twentie dayes next after the sight herof, ye make full delivery and payment of the said subsedie, and other revenues unto the said Erie, according to the purport of our said Com- mysioners awarde, without any stoppell or further delaye, as ye tender our pleasure. " Yeven under our Signet, at our Manour of Grene- wiche, the 20th daye of Maye."* To this letter the Earl returned the following answer on the 17th August : — " After my most humble recommendation, Please it your Grace to bee advertised, where as by your moost drad letters, dated the 20th day of May last passed, it pleased the same to commaunde me to delivere and make payement unto th Erl of Ormond, within twentie dayes after the sight of your said letters, the halfyndele of your subsidie, and other parcelles of your revenues, to the somme of £800, unto the said Erie due, which your Commyssioners, at there being here, willed me to levye ; so it is, I did not receive the said letters, till on this last Saint Lawrence is even, before the receipt whereof the said Erie was clierly paid of the said subsidie, and of all other your revenues unto hym due, and received by me, * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 120. 100 EAELS OF KILDARE. which amounted not to the said somme, as shall appere by the accompt of your Under Treasourer here. In my most humble maner besechyng your Grace not to regarde suche untrue surmyses of myne adversaries, till the trouthe bee tryed, trusting and knowing right well, that I never did, ne thought, anything, whereby I shuld deserve your moost drad displesure : whereunto I was not oonly bounde by my dutie of allegiaunce, but also for that I was brought up in your service ; and when I came to discresion, hit pleased you to make me your Treasourer, and consequently your Deputie, and gave me landes to the yerely value of 100 markes. My first wife* was your pore kynneswoman, and my wife noAvt in like maner. And in all my troubles before this, by untrue surmyses against me. Ye were good and gracious unto me, which ouglit inogh suffice to bynde to owe unto your Grace my true and faithfull service. And though there were no suche cause, yet cowd I fynde in my hart to serve your Grace before all the Princes in the world, as well for the grete noblenes, valiaunt proweys, and equitie, which I ever noted in your most noble personne, as also for the vertuous qwalities wherin ye excelle all other Princes. And besides that, I do knowe right wele, if I did the contrary, it shuld bee the destrucction of me, and my sequele, for ever. As knowith Almighty God, who ever have you in his tender tuicion. From my manour of Maynoth, the 17 daye of August."} * Elizabeth Zoache. See p. 81. f Lady Elizabeth Grey. See p. 81. X State Papers, vol. ii. p. 125. EARLS OF KILDARE. 101 About the same time the Earl transmitted to the King, through his brother-in-law, Lord Leonard Grey, a document containing a series of accusations against the Earl of Ormonde ; among others, that when the Lord Deputy was at. war with O'Carroll (in 1516), Ormonde had sent "four gunners with gunnes and powder" to defend the Castle of Lemyvannan ; that when the Bishop of Leighlin was murdered, three of Ormonde's servants were present, whom he had not punished ; that the fol- lowers of Ormonde had plundered and burned a town belonging to Kildare, called " Lyvetiston" (Levitstown), and murdered seventeen men and women, and " oon of theym that fled out of the fire to the churche was slayne on the high auter ;" that the Council having ordered Ormonde to pay two hundred marks as a compensation to Kildare — he had not done so ; and that Ormonde had sent to London one Robert Cowley, having his signet, " to indite complaints against Kildare."* In that year, 1525, the King sent letters to the Earl, or- dering him to arrest the Earl of Desmond, who was accused of high treason. He accordingly assembled a large force, and marched into Munster. But the Earl of Desmond (by, it is said, the advice of the Earl of Kildare) avoided any meeting, alleging his privilege to absent himself from Parliament and walled towns.t He next invaded Tyrcon- nell with Con Bacagh O'Neill. They proceeded as far as Portnatrynod, near Lifford, where they encamped within some strong entrenchments, which had been thrown up some time before by O'Donnell. The latter had col- lected a large force, which had been reinforced by a body * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 120. f Ware. 102 EARLS OF KILDARE. of Scots, and was encamped at Drumleen, the two armies being separated by the River Foyle. Manus O'Donnell wished to attack the Earl at once, but was deterred by his father, who feared the ordnance which strengthened the defences of the Earl. Next morning,. Kildare having intelligence that Hugh O'Neill, Con's rival, was in arms in Tyrone, sent messengers to O'Donnell to treat for peace, which was at length concluded, and the Earl became surety between the two chiefs. He then turned his whole force against Hugh O'Neill, and defeated him in an engagement, in which he was slain.* In the beginning of Spring, 1526, Cgn O'Neill and Manus, eldest son of Hugh O'Donnell, Dynast of Tyr- connell, went to the Earl of Kildare, in order that he might arbitrate between them, and, if possible, make peace. After much altercation, however, they returned without having settled their differences. t In 1526, the Earl of Ossory (who had surrendered the Earldom of Ormonde to the King) accused Kildare of having engaged the O'Byrnes to assist the Earl of Des- mond (who was engaged in a plot with Charles V. to land a Spanish army in Ireland), of having armed the Irish against his own authority, and of having put to death good subjects, because they were adherents of the Butlers. The Earl was ordered to go to England to answer this impeachment. He left his brother. Sir James Fitz Gerald of Leixlip, as Vice-Deputy, On his arrival in London he was committed to the Tower. When the Earl appeared before the Council, Cardinal Wolsey is said by Stanihurst to have made a violent speech against him, * Anuals of the Four Masters. f Ibid. EARLS OF KILDARE. 103 and, among other accusations, to have charged him with taking no steps to arrest the Earl of Desmond, " while, had you lost a cow or a horse of your owne, two hun- dred of your reteyners would have come at your whistle to rescue the prey from the uttermost edge of Ulster. The Earl ! nay, the King of Kildare ! — for when you are disposed, you reigne more like than rule the land." While the Cardinal was speaking, the Earl showed signs of impatience, and at last interrupted him thus : — " My Lord Chancellor, I beseech you pardon me, I am short witted, and you, I believe, intend a long tale. If you proceed in this order, halfe of my purgation will be lost for lacke of carriage. I have no schoole trickes, nor art of memory, except you heare me, while I remember your words, your second process will hammer out the former." The Lords of the Council thought this request reason- able, and asked the Cardinal to allow the Earl to answer the first accusation. He assented, and the Earl con- tinued : — " It is good reason that your Grace beare the mouth of this boarde. But, my Lord, those mouths that put these things in your mouth are very wyde mouths, such, indeed, as have gaped long for my wrack, and now, at length, for want of better stuffe, are fain to fill their mouths with smoke. What my cousin Desmond hath compassed, as I know not, so I beshrew his naked heart for holding out so long. If hee can be taken by my agents that presently wait for him, then have my adver- saryes betrayed their malice, and this heape of haynous words shall resemble a scarecrow or a man of strawe, that seemeth at a blush to carry some proportion, but Avhen 104 EARLS OF KILDARE, it is felt and poysed, discoveretli a vanity, serving onely to fear crowes, and I verily trust your Honours will see the proofe by the thing itselfe within these few duyes. But to go too, suppose hee never bee hadde, what is Kildare to blame for it more than my good brother of Ossorie, notwithstanding his high promises, having also the King his power, is yet content to bring him in at leysure. Cannot the Earl of Desmond sheft, but I must be of counsel ? Cannot hee bee hyden, except I winke ? If hee bee close, am I his mate ? If hee bee friended, am I a traytour ? This is a doughty kind of accusation, which they urge agaynst me. When was the Earle within my viewe and who stoode by when I let him slip ? But I sent him worde to beware of me. Who Avho was the messenger ? where are the letters ? Of my cousin Desmond, they may lie, since no man more can well contrarie them. Touching rayselfe, I never acted in theym eyther so much wit or so fast fayth, that I would have gaged upon their silence the life of a goode hounde much lesse mine owne. It grieveth me that your good Grace, Avhom I take to be wise and sharpe, should be so farre gone in creditting these corrupt in- formers. Little know you, my Lord, how necessarie it is not onely for the governour, but also for every noble- man in Irelande, to hamper his uncivel neighbours at discretion, wherein if they waited for processe of lawe, and had not those lyves and landes within their reach, they might happe to lose their owne lives and landes without lawe. Touching my kingdome, I know not what your Lordship should meane thereby. If your Grace imagin that a kingdom consisteth in serving God, in EARLS OF KILDARE. 105 obeying the prince, in governing with love the Common wealth, in shouldering subjects, in suppressing rebelles, in executing justice, in brideling blind affections, I would be willing to be invested with so vertuous and royall a name. But if, therefore, you terme me a king, in that you are persuaded that I repine at the government of my soveraigne, or winke at malefactors, or oppress civil livers, I utterly disclayme in that odious tearme, marveyling greatly that one of your Grace his profound wisdome shoulde seerae to appropriate so sacred a name to so wicked a thing. But, however it be, my Lorde I woulde you and I had changed kingdoms but for one moneth, I woulde trust to gather up more crummes in tliat space than twice the revenues of my poor Earldom. But you are well and warme, and so holde you and upbrayde not me with such an odious terme. I slumber in a hard cabyn, when you sleepe in a soft bed of downe. I serve under the King his cope of heaven, when you are served under a canapie. I drinke water out of my skull, when you drinke wine out of golden cuppes. My courser is trayned to the field, when your genet is taught to amble. When you are begraced and beloved, and crouched and kneeled unto, then find I small grace with our Irish borderers, excepte I cut them off by the knees." Stanihurst continues : — The Cardinal " perceiving that Kildare was no babe, rose in a fume from the counsayle-table, and commytted the Earle, and deferred the matter till more direct probations came out of Irelande. There he was heartily beloved of the Lieutenant, pittied in all the Court, and, standing in so harde a case, altered little his accustomed hue, comforted 106 EARLS OF KILDARE. other noblemen prisoners with him, disembling his owne sorrow. One night, when the Lieutenant and he for their disport were playing at slide-grote or shuffle-boorde, sodainely cometh from the Cardinall a mandatum to execute Kyldare on the morrow. The Earle, marking the Lieutenant's deep sigh, ' By St. Bride, Lieutenant,' quoth he, ' there is some madde game in that scrole; but, fall how it will, this throw is for an huddle.' When the worst was tolde him, ' Nowe I pray thee,' quoth he, ' doe no more, but learne assuredly from the King his owne mouth, whether his Highness be witting thereto or not.' Sore doubted the Lieutenant to displease the Cardinall, yet of verrie pure love to his friend he posteth to the King at midnight and delivered his errand (for att all houres of the night the Lieutenant hath access to the Prince upon occasions).* The King controlling the sauciness of the Priest (for those were his termes), delivered to the Lieutenant his signet in token of coun- termande, which, when the Cardinall had seen, he be- ganne to brake into unseasoned language, which the Lieutenant was loath to hear. Thus broke up the storm for that time."!' It, however, appears in a State Paper, dated July, 1528, that, notwithstanding the enmity which Wolsey is represented to have borne to the Earl, the Cardinal was of opinion that it would be inexpedient to remove him from his office of Lord Deputy, for the following reasons :— 1st, because the Earl of Ossory was too old, * The Lieutenant of the Tower has still the privilege of communi- cating personally with the Sovereign, t Holinshed, Hist of Ir. iii. 83. EARLS OF KILDARE. 107 and his son, Lord Butler, too young, to restrain the Irish septs ; 2nd, the troops were short of provisions, and as the harvest was then at hand, they would not be able to prevent it being cut by the Earl's Irish allies, unless they were restrained by the expectation of his return ; and Srdly, his kinsmen and friends, as long as he was Deputy, were afraid lest any damage done by them should be laid to his charge.* The King, who was opposed to the Lord Deputy's return, retained him, therefore, at his court, and oppointed the Earl of Ossory to govern as Vice-Deputy. The Duke of Norfolk, who, as Lord Surrey, had been Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, now offered to become security for the Earl, who was liberated on the bail of the Dowager Marchioness of Dorset, the Marquis of Dorset, Lord Fitzwalter, Lord Mountjoy, the Bishop of St. Asaph, Lords Richard, John, and Leonard Gray, Sir Henry Guilford, Sir John Zouche, and the Abbot of Vale Eoyal. He then resided in the Duke's house at Newington, in Middlesex.! The Earl, dissatisfied with his position, and wishing to make his presence in Ireland necessary, sent, in July, 1528, his daughter. Lady Slane, to urge his nephew. Con O'Neill, and his son-in-law, O'Connor, to invade the Pale. In consequence of this he was again committed to the Tower, and deprived of his office of Lord Deputy, which was conferred on the Earl of Ossory. In a document, entitled " Instruccions to be showed unto the Kynge's Highnes, my Lord Cardynall is Grace and the Kynge's Counsayll in Ingland," from the Deputy * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 136. t Ware. 108 EARLS OF KILDARE. and Council in Ireland, it is stated that the Earl of Kildare's brethren and kinsmen, having a great retinue of " men of war," and strong garrisons and abundance of ordnance, and knowledge of the country, may cause more damage than three times as many in any other part of the land. They ask that the King should direct Sir Walter Delahide, " Styuard to the Earl of Kyldare," to deliver up all the ordnance which the Earl and his father had, as Deputies, for the defence of the King's subjects. They state that the Earl's brothers and allies will not be at peace with the Deputy, unless they obtain a pardon for themselves and adherents ; and that the Earl's daughter, Lady Slane, had had a secret conference with O'Connor, after which he "made invasions, roodes and hostilities."* In March, 1529, Sir Gerald M'Shane, having been sworn upon the " great relike of Erlonde, called Baculum Christi," declared that it was arranged between the Earl and Melour Fay, that if the former could not come to Ireland, he would send his " daughter Ellys " as a token of his detention.! The Earl was, however, soon after released from the Tower. In 1530, his portrait, which is at Carton, was painted by Holbein. He was one of the Peers who, on the 30th of July in that year, signed the letter to the Pope, relating to the divorce of the King from Queen Catherine. In August, he accompanied Sir William Skeffington, the Lord Deputy, to Ireland. On their arrival in Dublin, * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 145. t Ibid. p. 146. EARLS OF KILDARE. 109 they were met on the Green of St. Mary's Abbey by the Mayor and citizens in procession ; and the Recorder, Thomas Fitz Simons, congratulated them " in a pithie oration." The Lord Deputy replied : " Maister Mayor and Maister Recorder, — You have at length the noble- man here present, for whom you sore longed whylest he was absent. And after many storms by him sustayned, he hathe nowe to the comfort of his friends and to the con- fusion of his foes, subdued violence with patience, injuries with sufferance, and malice with obedience. And such butchers as of hatred thyrsted after his bloud, are nowe taken for outcaste mastives littered in currish bloud. How well my maister the King hath been of his gracious inclination affected to the Earle of Kildare (his backe friend being, by his just desert from his Majestic, weeded), the credit wherein this nobleman at this present resteth, manifestly declareth. Wherefore it resteth that you thank God and the King for his safe arrival. As for his welcome, Maister Recorder, his curteous discourse, your great assemblies, your cheerful countenance, your willing meetings, your solemne processions, do so farre showe it, as you minister mee occasion on hys lordship his behalf, rather to thanke you for your courtesy than to exhort you to any further ceremonie."* During his absence in England, the O'Tooles having plundered his tenants, the Earl determined to punish them, and soon after his arrival invaded their country, assisted by two hundred archers of the City of Dublin Bands. In 1531, he accompanied the Lord Deputy into Ulster, * Holiushed, Hist, of Ir. iii. p. 84. 110 EARLS OF KILDARE. where, having taken the Castle of Kinard, in the County of Tyrone, they compelled Hugh O'Donnell to submit to the King's authority.* The friendship between the Earl and the Deputy did not last long; and they sent letters and messengers to the King mutually accusing each other. In January, 1532, Ossory also complains that while he was absent in the North with the Deputy, the Earl of Kildare " dysplayed his standard," and collecting all his forces attacked and plundered his country.! About Easter the Earl went to England, where he exculpated himself so well before the King, that on the 5th July he was appointed to succeed Sir W. Skeffington as Deputy to Henry Duke of Richmond. He returned to Ireland at Lammas (August), 1532, and landing in Dub- lin, was received with great acclamation of the people.t The Earl, on attaining power, appears to have resolved to punish all his adversaries. On the day he landed he removed from the office of Chancellor, John Allen, Archbishop of Dublin (who had been chaplain to Cardinal Wolsey), and nominated in his place George Cromer, Archbishop of Armagh ; and Stanihurst says : " Kildare having received the sworde, woulde permit Skeffington, who was late Governoure, to dance attendance among the other suitors in his house at Dublyn, named the Carbry."§ He also committed several acts, which were quoted in the act of attainder afterwards passed against him, viz. : Instead of opposing O'Neill when he invaded Uriel (Louth), he countenanced his acts by ordering his brother, ^ Ware. f State Papers, vol. ii. p. 156. I Ware. § Holinshefl, Hist, of Ir. p. 58. EARLS OF KILDARE. Ill Sir John Fitz Gerald, to accompany him ; he invaded Kilkenny, and burned and destroyed the property of the Earl of Ossory and his adherents (though Lord Butler, the Earl's son, was Lord Treasurer) ; he allowed his followers to plunder the King's subjects, who had resorted to the fair of Castledermot, of their goods in his presence, and to murder some of them most cruelly ; and, in order to strengthen his influence with the Irish Chiefs, he married his daughters. Lady Mary, to Brian O'Connor, of Offaly, and Lady to Ferganainm O'Carroll, of Elye O'Carroll. Towards the end of 1532, he, at the persuasion of his son-in-law, O'Carroll, marched against the sons of the late O'Carroll, who attempted to keep possession of the territory. The Four Masters, in their Annals, relate : — " They (the Earl and O'Carroll) afterwards sat round Birr ; and a fight was continued between them and the owners of the castle, until a ball, fired from the castle, entered the side of the Earl, but this was kept secret until the castle was taken. The Earl returned home, and the ball remained in him till the following spring, when it came out at his other side." When he was wounded, he groaned, which a soldier that Avas by, observing, said, " My Lord, why do you groan ? as I myself have been shot three times, and yet have recovered." To this the Earl replied, " Would to God thou hadst also received the fourth shott in my stead."* Li consequence of this wound he partially lost the use of his limbs and his speech. * Ware's Annals. 112 EARLS OF KILDARE. On the 21st Dec, 1532, Walter Cowley, Principal Solicitor of Ireland, wrote to Thomas Cromwell, Secre- tary of State : " My Lord of Kildare, for the mayntenauns of his son-in-lawe, Fergenanym O'Karroll, besedged a castell which appertaynid to th adversaries of his said son-in-lawe, with whom they were in striff for the name and Lordship of O'Karroll ; and that there then my said Lord of Kildare was shott with a hand gon thorow the syde, under the ribbes, and so lyeth in great daunger."* His proceedings now afforded his adversaries oppor- tunities of censuring his administration. Among his chief accusers were John Allen, Archbishop of Dublin, John Allen, Master of the Rolls, Thomas Canon, Secre- tary to Sir W. Skeffington when Lord Deputy, and Robert Cowley, Bailiff of Dublin, formerly servant to the Countess of Ormonde, and afterwards Master of the Rolls. These persons were selected by a portion of the Council to go to England, to lay their complaints before the King. In 1533, the Council report that there is such a rooted dissension between the Earls of Kildare and Ossory, that it is not likely they can be reconciled as long as either of them is Deputy.! And in another report to Cromwell, on the state of the country, to be laid before the King, it is stated that the Irish were commit- ting many outrages ; among others, had killed the son of the Earl of Ossory. " Not longe after, th Erie of Kildare was shot through with a gonne, and hardly escapid the deth. His three bretherne also, James, Richarde, and Waltier, being in the marches, in one house, parte of the * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 161. f Ibid. p. 165. EARLS OF KILDARE. 113 Tooles, iu the night, burnyd it ; and James did escape by swyftness of his horse, his men slayne, and both his other bretherne escapid in the clothing of women. Soon after, John, brother to th Erie of Kildare, made a roode upon the M'Mahons, Avhere he was met, and him- silf woundid and chased six myles, and thirty of his men slayne. Thomas, son and heire to th Erie of Kildare, made another roode upon O'Reyly, where he was encountrid also withall, and fliyne to recule with moche reaproache."* In another report to Cromwell, it is said : " The Counsaile here," " are partely corruptid with affection towarde th Erie of Kildare, and partely in soche dreade of him, that either they will not, or dare not, do anything that shuld be displesante to him."t In consequence of these complaints, the Earl was sum- moned to England. He immediately sent over his Countess to intercede for the recall of this order, but in vain. The order was repeated, allowing him to name any person, for whom he would be responsible, as Deputy during his absence. The King's letters, with one from the Countess, were conveyed to him by " Robert Relye," who was in his service, and afterwards in that of his son. Reilly accompanied him to England, and remained with him till the following May. On the 3rd September, 1533, Deytheyke, a priest, wrote : " Sins the sight of the Kynges letters, the De- putie hath conveyed all the Kynges ordynaunce owte of * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 168. f Ibid. p. 179. I 114 EARLS OF KILDARE. the Castell (of Dublin) into his owne countre, and fortifyeth his castells and fastnes with theyme."* On the 25th October, Skeffington writes from " Skef- fyngton" to Cromwell : " I have leyde such wayte for th Erie of Kildare, that he shall not pas thorowe this country; that I doubt not but I will be at London as sone as he, or afore hym. And I have noo feare trewly to justyfy all I have sayde and wretton of hym." And again, on the 4th November : " The Lady of Kildaris servauntes were at Bewe Maris on Sent Symond and Judis day, with the Kinges letters, making no maner of exspedicion nor hast with the same ; and sethen that day the wynde hath not servid to them."t It appears that the King's letters were not delivered to the Earl until late in 1533. He at once nominated his son Thomas, Lord Offaly, who was then only twenty years of age, and of a " hot and active temper," Vice-Deputy, and held several communications with him and all his brothers. When his preparations Avere made, he, in February, 1534, held a council at Drogheda, where, in the presence of the Lords, he, as Stanihurst relates, thus ad- dressed his son : — " Sonne Thomas, I doubt not but you know that my soveraigne Lord, the King, hath sent for me to Englande, and what shall betyde me, God knoweth, for I know not. But howsoever it falleth, both you and I know, that I am well stept in yeares ; and as I may shortly die, for that I am mortal, so must I in haste decease, bicause I am olde. * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 180. f Ibid. pp. 181 & 182. EARLS OF KILDARE. 115 Wherefore, in so much as my wynter is well neare ended, and the spring of your age now buddeth, my will is, that you behave yourselfe so wisely in these your greene yeares, as that to the comfort of your friendes, you may enjoy the pleasure of sommer, gleane and reape the fruit of your harvest, that with honour you may growe to the catching of that hoarie winter, on which you see me, your father, fast pricking. And whereas it pleaseth the King, his Majestic, that upon my departure here hence, I shoulde substitute in my rowme such one, for whose government I would answere ; albeit I knowe that your yeares are tender, your wit not settled, your judgment not fully rectified, and therefore I myght bee with good cause re- claymed from putting a naked sworde in a young man's hande, yet notwithstanding, for as much as I am your father, and you my sonne, I am well assured to beare that stroke with you in steering your ship, as that upon any information I may commande you as your father, and correct you as my sonne, for the wrong handling of your helme. There be here that set at this bourd far more sufiicient personages for so great a charge than you are. But what then ? If I shoulde cast this burthen on their shoulders, it might bee that hereafter they woulde be so farre with envie caryed, as they would percase hazard the losse of one of their owne eyes, to be assured that I should be deprived of both mine eyes. But forasmuch as the case toucheth your skinne as neare as mine, and in one respect nigher than mine, bycause (as I sayde be- fore) I rest in the winter, and you in the spring of your yeares ; and nowe I am resolved, day by day, to learne rather howe to die in the feare of God, than to live in the 116 EARLS OF KILDARE, pompe of the worlJe, I tliinke you will not be so brain- sicke as to stabbe yourselfe through the body, only to skarifie my skinne with the poynt of your blade. Where- fore, my Sonne, consider that it is easie to raze, harde to buylde, and in all your aifayres be schooled by this boorde, that for wisdom is able, and for the entier affection it beareth your house, will be founde willing to lesson you with sounde and sage advice. For albeit in authoritie you rule them, yet in counsaile they must rule you. My Sonne, you know that my late maimes stifleth my talke, otherwise I would have grated longer on this matter, for a good tale may be twice tolde, and a sounde advice, eft- soones itterated, taketh the deeper impression in the attentive hearer his minde. But although my fatherly affection requireth my discourse to be longer, yet I trust that your good inclination asketh it to be shorter, and upon that assurance, here, in the presence of this honour- able assembly, I delyver you thys sworde."* He then embraced his son and the Lords of the Council, and immediately after embarked. He was no sooner gone than his enemies misconstrued his speech, saying that his intention was that it should be reported to the King as a proof of his loyalty. In a report on the state of Ireland, forwarded to the King at that time, it is stated that the Earl held many royal castles and manors, including, among others, those of Powerscourt, Leixlip, and Castledermot, with the walled town of that name. That the Earl of Desmond and other lords will not attend Parliament * Holinshed, iii. 89. EARLS OF KILDARE. 117 nor the Council, nor aid the Deputy, unless the Earl of Kildare holds that office. That Kildare and his kinsmen have the counties of Kildare and Carlow, as far as the bridge of Leighlin, and that within this territory he exacts coin and livery. " Item, the said Erld, haiv met and drinke within the said two shyrs, yerly for as many speyr men as he haiv waything un him, and for their horses and kepers, and also for as many horsis as my lady his wifF, his sonys, his doghtirs, and all their servauntes haiv, and a keper to every hors found upon your subjectes without any peny paing therfor, and 8 score fotmen, callyd kern, 10 scor spearys, called Gallaghloghis, which 10 scor sparris amountith to 20 score men, and none of thes to be at your comaundment, but when it shall please the said Erld, notwithstanding thei haiv no fynding but of your subjects." And also, " The Erles of Desmond, Kildar, and Ossery, their wiffis, childryne, and servauntes, do use, afFtyr the custumbe and usage off wyld Iryshmen, to cum with a gret multi- tude of peple to monasteries and gentylmen ys howsis, and ther to contynu 2 dais and 2 nightes, taking met and drink at ther plesurs, and their horssis and kepers to be sheiffted or dyvydyt un the pore fermors, next to that place adjoynyn, paing nothing therfor, so as they be found in thys maner, in other men is howsis moo then halff the yere, by this wild Irish custume of extorcion, and spare ther own howsis." That the laws have not been executed in the County of Kildare for twenty-eight years by the judges, but by seneschals of the Earl, who grant pardons for felonies under his seal, claiming tlie right granted by Edward I. to deVesci, which had been withdrawn 118 EARLS OF KILDARE. by Edward II., but which had been exercised by the late Earl in the 20 Henry VII. That in consequence of this the Lords and Gentlemen of Kildare and Carlow, instead of obeying the writ of the King's sheriff, will only answer the]_°summons of the Earl.* That the Earl had built many castles on his own estates, but had neglected to repair the royal castles. That the Earl had given his daughters in marriage to Irish chiefs, contrary to the statute, and had^ sent his children to be nursed in their families, and thereby formed alliances with them. That it is expedient to withdraw the royal castles and manors from the custodie of the Earl, and that he should be made to account for the tribute which he received from the Irish chiefs.! Soon after his arrival in London, the Earl was exa- mined before the Council on various charges. Being accused of fortifying his castles with artillery and stores belonging to the crown, he replied that he had done so to defend the borders of the Pale against the inroads of the Irish, and that if he had meditated treason he would not have been so weak as to fortify his castles, and yet, trust his person into their hands. The hesitation in his speech, caused by the wound which he had received at Birr, being attributed to a sense of guilt, he was committed to the Tower. This became known in Ireland, and a false report was then spread that the " Earl had been beheaded, and that the same fate was intended for his son and his brothers." Lord Offaly at once resigned the office of * The office of Hereditary Sheriff of Kildare was granted to Thomas, second Earl, in 1317. ] State Papers, vol. ii. p. 182. EARLS OF KILDARE. 119 Vice-Deputy, and assembled his followers in order to drive the English out of Ireland. The Earl, hearing in the Tower of his son's rebel- lion, and having been shown by the Lieutenant of the Tower a copy of the excommunication* of Lord OflPaly, which had been transmitted to him for the purpose of being shown to the Earl, died of grief on the 12th December, 1534, and was buried in St. Peter's Church in the Tower. The following inscription was found in 1580 on a chest under the earth, at the burial of Ralph Hopton, " a follower of the Earl of Oxford," and son of Sir Owen Hopton, Lieutenant of the Tower : — " Here lieth the corpes of the L. Gerald Fitz Gerald, Earle of Kyldare, who deceased the 12th December, in the year of Our Lord MCCCCCXXXIIIL, on whose sole Jesu have mercey."t Stanihurst describes the Earl as follows : — " This noble man being valiant and well spoken, was nothing inferior to hys father in martiall prowesse." And again : " He was a wise and prudent man in warre, valyant without rashnesse, and politique wythoute treacherie ; such an suppressour of rebelles, in his government, as they durst not beare armour to the annoyance of any subject ; whereby he heaped no small revenues to the crowne ; enryched the King his treasure ; garded with securitie the Pale ; continued the honour of his house, and pur- chased envy unto his person." " His great hospitalitie is to this day rather of eche man commendedj that of any one followed. He was so religious addicted to the * This copy is still preserved among the State Papers. (App. 3.) t Lodge. 120 EARLS OF KILDARE. serving of God, as what tyme soever he travayled to any part of the countrey, such as were of his chapell should be sure to accompanie him." Being once informed that it was intended by John O'Lurchan, with certain desperat varlets, to attack him on his way from Dublin to May- nooth, he sent one of his servants, named James Grant, who resembled him, in his riding dress, with a scarlet cloak which he used to wear. Grant, in this attier, rode with six of the Earl's servants attending him on the beaten road to Maynooth. Near Lucan the conspirators lay in wait, and thinking it was the Earl, rushed upon him ; but Grant, amazed, called out that they were mis- taken, as the Earl had gone to Maynooth on the other side of the Liffey. The robbers then fled, but were soon apprehended and punished by the Earl.* He appears to have been much beloved by his friends and dependents, and even his enemies confessed that he improved his property, as in a letter from Lord Ossory and other Lords of the Council to Cromwell, the Secretary of State, dated 2nd January, 1536, it is mentioned that the Earl of Kildare " was the gretest improver of his landis in this land."! The volume called " The Earl of Kildare's Rental," dated 1518, and containing the rental of his estates, a list of his plate, books, horses, &c., is now in the British Museum. For him was made the stone table which is at Carton, and on which is inscribed, "Geraldus Comes Kildarie Filius Geraldi, A.D.N. MCCCCCXXXIIL, si Dieu Plet. Crom A Bo." His portrait by Holbein is also at Carton, and has the fol- * Holinshed, iii. 105. f State Papers, vol. ii. p. 300. EARLS OF KILDARE. 121 lowing superscription : " Geraldus Filius Geraldi Comes Kildarie. ^tatis 43, A. Dni, 1530." In order to defend the Pale, this Earl settled soldiers on all the marches,* strengthening and garrisoning his castles of Eathangan, Eheban, Kildare, Woodstock, and that of the " Bridge of Athy," Kilkea, Castledermot, and Carlow. He had great influence over the native chiefs, many of whom were under tribute to him. In a " Memorial for the winning of Leinster,"t it is stated that " the Geraldines preserved the most of them for skurges too the Kingis subjectes, at souche tyme as thei wolde be in displeasur, for the refraynyng of their appetites, and for other causes." And J. Allen, Master of the Eolls, wrote, in 1537, to Sir Anthony St. Ledger, the Lord Deputy, and the other Eoyal Commissioners : — " I have byn of this opinion or nowe, that Irishmen were more confyrm- able to goode ordre then diverse of the King's subjects and kept ther trowethes better, which in the Earl of Kyldare's tyme was proveid true." t The Eoyal Commissioners, in their report on the state of Ireland in October, 1537, § with reference to the custom of exacting coin and livery, state that Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare, quartered 24 Galloglasses on the County of Kildare, and afterwards increased them to 120 spears, but that his son Gerald relieved the county from this charge, and assessed it upon the Irish. That the two Earls, being Deputies, took no coin from the Pale, except * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 431. f Ibid. p. 409. t Ibid. p. 491. §Ibid. p. 511. 122 EARLS OF KILDARE. in passing through it, for one night and a day, or at most two. That Lady Kildare, however, not only required coin and livery for her own horses and attendants, but also for those of all her guests, English or Irish, particularly when she kept Easter and Christmas. That the Earl required them for the keeper of his stud, and when he had not his Galloglasses at home, he assessed his kern and boys on the country. That he also required from every ploughland, and from every three cottages, a workman for a week in the year to cast ditches and fast- nesses on the borders, and an axeman for one, or some- times two days, to cut passages through the forests. And that when he hunted, his dogs were to be supplied with bread and milk or butter. The Earl married first Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Zouche, and of Elizabeth, co-heiress of Lord Grey of Codnor. She died suddenly at Lucan on the 6th October, 1517, and was buried in the Abbey of Kilcullen. She had one son and four daughters : — Thomas, tenth Earl. 1. Lady Catherine, who married Jenico, Viscount Gormanston. 2. Lady Alice, who married her cousin James, Lord Slane. 3. Lady Mary, who married Brien O'Connor Faly, Chief of Oflfaly. 4. Lady , who married Ferganainm O'Carroll, Chief of Ely O'Carroll. The Earl married secondly, in 1519, Lady Elizabeth Grey, daughter of Thomas, Marquis of Dorset, son of EARLS OF KILDARE. 123 Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of Edward IV. During the Earl's imprisonment she was constantly with him. After his death she lived at Beaumanoir in Leicestershire, the residence of her brother, Lord Leonard Grey. On the 10th September, 1535, Sir William Brabazon, in a letter to Thomas Cromwell, Secretary of State, says : — " As I am enformed, my Ladie of Kildare hath a booke of the landes latelie th Erie of Kildares. If she have eny suche, it were requisite your Maistership had the same, to thentent it might be sent hither."* The book here alluded to is probably the " Earl of Kildare's Rental.*' On the 16th July, 1536, the Countess wrote the follow- ing letter to the Secretary of State : — "Please it youer good Lordschep to be advertysyd, that at my commyng to Beaumanour, the 14 day of this present monthe, I found ther my son, Edward Yyze- garet, of the age of eight years, whose bryngers thether be of non acquantans, nor no knowledge to non of myne, nor browght word wo sent hym, nor lefte tokyn, nor letter, wo he shuld be usyd. Wherefore, I besyche youer good Lordshep that I may know the pleasure of the Kynges Heynes, by youer good Lordsheps advyce, wo he should be ordyryd ; and, if I durst be so bolde, I wolde desyer the custody of hym, becawse he is an inasent, to se hym browght up in vertu ; and, as it please youer good Lordshep to send me word, by youer wrytyng, by this berar, howe ye wyl have hym ordyryd ; youer pleasor knowen, it shal be done with all the dylygence * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 280. 124 EARLS OF KTLDARE. that I may. As knowyth God, wo preserve you in long lyffe, with great incresse in honor. " Writtyn at Beaw Manowere, the 16 day of July. " Be your Oratrice, " Elizabeth Kyldare. " To the honorable Loixl, My Lord Prevy Scelle this he gyvyn''* The Countess was permitted to keep her son Edward. Her eldest son, Gerald, was sick in Ireland at the time of his father's death, and was under the care of his aunt. Lady Eleanor M'Carthy, until he was sent to France, in 1539. Stanihurst relates the following anecdote : " This Earle (of Ormonde),t one of so noble a disposi- tion, as he woulde sooner countenaunce and support his poore well-wilier in his adversitie, than hee wolde make or fawne upon his wealthie friend in prosperitie. Having bid, at London (not long before his death), the ladie Gray, Countesse of Kildare, to dinner, it happened that a souldier, surnamed Powre, who latelie returned fresh from the Eraperour his warres, came to take his repast with the Earle before the messenger. When the Erie and the Countess were set, this roysting rutterkin wholie then standing on the soldado hoigh, placed himself right over against the Countess of Kildare, hard at the Earle of Ormond his elbow, as though he were haile fellow well met. The noble man, appalled at the impudent sauci- nesse of the malapert souldiour (who, notwithstanding, * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 344. t James, ninth Earl, who died in 1546. EARLS OF KILDARE. 125 might be borne withall, bycause an unbidden ghest knoweth not where to set), besought him courteously to give place. The Earle, when the other arose, taking uppon him the office of a gentleman usher, placed in Powre his seate his cousine Edward Fitzgiralde, now Lieutenant of hir Majesties Pencioners, who, at that time, being a young stripling, attended upon his mother, the countesse, and so, in order, he set every gentleman in his degree, to the number of fifteene or sixteene ; and last of all the companie he licenced Power if he woulde to sit at the lower ende of the table, where hee had scantlie elbow rowme. The Countesse of Kildare, perceiving the noble man greatlie to stomacke the souldiour his presumptuous boldnesse, nipt him at the elbow, and whispering softlie, besought his lordship not to take the matter so hot, by- cause the gentleman (she meant Power) knewe that the house of Kildare was of late attainted, and that hir children were not in this their calamitie in suche wise to be regarded. ' No, ladie,' quoth the Earle, with a loud voyce, and the teares trickling downe his leeres, ' saye not so, I trust to see the daye, when my young cousin Edwarde and the remnant of your children (as little reckoning as hee maketh of them) shall disdaine the companie of anie such skipjacke.' Which prophecie fell out as trulie as he foretold it, onlye saving that it stoode with God his pleasure to call him to his mercie before he could see that daye, after which, doubtlesse, he longed and looked, I meane the restitution of the house of Kildare."* Stanihurst also says : " This noble man was so well affected to his wife, the Ladie Gray, as he woulde not, at * Holinshed, iii. 114. 126 EARLS OF KILDARE. any time, buy a sute of apparell for himselfe, but hee would sute her with the same stuffe. Whiche gentlenesse she recompenced with equal kindnesse ; for, after that he deceassed in the Tower, she did not only, ever after, live as a chast and honourable Widue, but also nightly, before sliee went to bed, she would resort to his picture, and there, with a solemn congee, she would bid her lorde good night. Whereby may bee gathered with howe great love shee affected his person that had in such price his bare picture."* By his marriage with Lady E. Grey, the Earl had two sons and three daughters : — 1. Gerald, eleventh Earl, born 25th February, 1525. 2. Edward, father of Gerald, fourteenth Earl, born 17th January, 1528. 1. Lady Margaret, born deaf and dumb, and died un- married. 2. Lady Elizabeth, called from her beauty, " the Fair Geraldine." She was born in Ireland about the year 1527, and was still an infant when she was taken to England. She was educated at Hunsdon, the seat of the Lady (afterwards Queen) Mary, and, about 1542, was appointed one of her maids of honour. At this time, Henry, Earl of Surrey, appears to have been struck with her beauty, and wrote the following sonnet on her : — DESCRIPTION AND PRAISE OF GERALDINE. " From Tuscaiie came my lady's worthy race ; Fair Florence was sometime her ancient seat. The western isle, whose pleasant shoi'e doth face Wild Camber's cliflFs, did give her lively heat. * Holiushed, iii. 105. EARLS OF KILDARE. 127 Fostered she was with milk of Irish breast ; Her sire an Earl ; her dame of Priuces' blood. From tender years in Britain doth she rest, With Kinges child ; where she tasteth costly food. Hunsdon did first present her to miue eyen ; Bright is her hne and Geraldine she hight. Hampton me taught to wish her first for mine, And Windsor, alas ! doth chase me from her sight. Her beauty of kind; her virtues from above ; Happy is he that can attain her love." It is said that Lord Surrey, at a tournament at Florence, defied all the world to produce such beauty as hers, and was victorious. He is also said to have visited, at that time, Cornelius Agrippa, the celebrated alchymist, who revealed to him, in a magic mirror, the form of the fair Geraldine lying on a couch, reading one of his sonnets by the light of a taper. This incident has been introduced by Sir W. Scott in his ' Lay of the Last MinstreF : — " 'Twas All souls' Eve, and Surrey's heart beat high ; He heard the midnight bell with anxious start, Which told the mystic hour approaching nigh, When wise Cornelius promised, by his art, To show to him the lady of his heart ; Albeit, betwixt them roared the ocean grim ; Yet so the sage had hight to play his part, That he should see her form in life and limb. And mark, if still she loved, and still she thought of liim. Dark was the vaulted room of Gramarye, To which the wizard led the gallant knight, Save that before a mirror large and high, A hallow' d taper shed a glimmering light On mystic implements of magic might ; On cross, and character, and talisman. And almagest, and altar, nothing bright ; For fitful was the lustre, pale and wan. As watchlight by the bed of some departing man. 128 EAP.LS OF KILDARE. But soon, within that mirror, huge and high, Was seen a self-emitted light to gleam. And forms upon its breast the Earl 'gan spy, Cloudy and indistinct, as feverish dream ; Till slowly arranging, and defined, they seem To form a lordly and a lofty room, Part lighted by a lamp with silver beam, Placed by a couch of Agra's silken loom, And part by moonshine pale, and part was hid in gloom. Fair was the pageant — but how passing fair The slender form, which lay on couch of Ind ! O'er her white bosom strayed her hazel hair, Pale her dear cheek, as if for love she pined ; All in her night-robe loose she lay reclined, And, pensive, read from tablet eburnine, Some strain that seemed her inmost soul to find : — That favour'd strain was Surrey's raptur'd line, That fair and lovely form, the Lady Geraldine. Slow roll'd the clouds upon the lovely form, And swept the goodly vision all away — So royal envy roU'd the murky storm O'er my beloved master's glorious day. Thou jealous, ruthless tyrant. Heaven repay On thee, and on thy children's latest line, The wild caprice of thy despotic sway. The gory bridal-bed, the plundered shrine, The murdered Surrey's blood — the tears of Geraldine !" In 1543, she married Sir Anthony Brown, K.G., who was then sixty years of age. He was father, by his first marriage with Alice, daughter of Sir John Gage, K.G., of Mabel, wife of Gerald, the eleventh Earl. After his death, which happened in 1548, she became the third wife of Edward, first Earl of Lincoln, who died without issue by her, in January, 1583. The administration of his will was granted to her as his executrix. She erected a monument to his memory in St. George's EARLS OF KILDARE. 129 Chapel, at Windsor, on which he lies in armour ^Yith his lady by him. She died in March, 1589. 3. Lady Cecily. On the 7th April, 1547, Edward VI., in a letter to Sir A. St. Leger, the Lord Deputy, wrote: "And whereas the Lady Sycile, daughter of the late Earl of Kildare, hath certain plate in her hands, late belonging to her said father ; we are contented and pleased that she shall enjoy the same to her use, as of our free gift." THOMAS, TENTH EARL. Thomas, tenth Earl of Kildare, was born in England in 1513, the same year that his grandfather died. In February, 1534, his father, having been summoned to appear before the King in England, and having been directed to appoint, as Vice-Deputy, some person for whom he would be responsible, nominated his son " Thomas, Lord Oflfaly," then twenty years of age, to that office. He advised him to be ruled by the counsel of Sir James Fitz Gerald, his uncle, Sir Thomas Eustace, his cousin, Sir Walter Delahide, and his wife. Lady Janet Eustace,* aunt to the Earl, and James, son of Sir Walter.! The young man was brave, open, and generous, but wilful and wanting in discretion. Soon after his appointment, he gave a banquet to the Lords of the Council and Chief Officers of State. The conversation having turned upon heraldry, John Allen, Master of the Rolls, said to * Lady Delahide was aimt to Thomas Eustace, and mother to James, John, and Edward Delahide. I State Papers, vol. ii. p. 183. K 130 EAKLS OF KILDARE. Lord OfFaly : " My Lorde, your house giveth the marmoset, whose propertie is to eate his own tayle," alluding to the Fitz Gerald supporters. The Deputy replied that " he had been fedde by his tayle, and should take care that his tayle did not eate him."* Another day he kept the Council, then assembled at Drogheda, waiting some hours, when John Allen, Arch- bishop of Dublin, exclaimed : " My Lords, is it not a prettie matter that all wee should stay thus long for a boy ?" The Deputy, who was at the time coming up stairs, overheard this, and as soon as he entered the room, said : " My Lordes, I am heartily sorry that you stayed thus long for a boy."t This put the Archbishop out of countenance. Both the Aliens, who were enemies of the Geraldines, were much irritated by these taunts. Soon after the Earl arrived in London, he was com- mitted to the Tower. Eobert Reilly, who remained with him till May, when he entered the service of Lord Offtily, having, in 1536, surrendered himself to the government as prisoner, said in his examination, that in June, an Irishman of Kilcullen, who was on business in London, came to Lord Offaly with a recommendation from the Earl, and delivered to him a little heart of silver, gilt, and a pair of black dice, and said to him in Irish, " that he should play the gentlest part, and not trust to the King's Council there, for, if he did, he should be brought perforce into England, and there should lose his life ; and that he should keep himself out of the way as much as he might. "t He also informed his friends, that * Cox, i. 237. t Holinshcfl. + State Papers, vol. ii. p. 228. EARLS OF KILDARE. 131 he perceived that it was intended to remove him from- the government. In the beginning of June, 1534, a rumour was spread that " the Earle was to be beheaded, and that Lord Offaly and his uncles were to be apprehended." Stani- hurst relates that this report w^as further confirmed by Thomas Cannon, and other servants of Sir W. Skeffington, who wrote, as it were, secret letters to their friends, informing them " howe the Earl of Kildare was already cut shorter, as his issue presently should bee." One of these letters fell into the hands of a priest, who threw it among other papers, meaning to peruse it at leisure. That night, a gentleman, a retainer of Lord Offaly, lodged with the priest, and "sought in the morning, when he rose, for some paper to draw on his stray te stockings, and as the divell would, he hit upon the letter, bare it away in the heele of his stocke." At night he found the paper, and on reading it, saw that it announced the Earl's death. He immediately mounted his horse, and took the letter to James Delahide, one of Lord Offaly's principal counsellors, who showed it to Lord Oifaly, and, without further inquiry, advised him to rebel openly against the King, as the only means of avenging his father and saving himself. Lord Offaly being " rash and headlong, and assuryng himselfe that the knot of all Irelande was twisted under his girdle," consulted O'Neill, O'Connor, and other friends of his father, who confirmed what Delahide had said, and in order that he might prosecute the war, delivered to him his father's " manors, castles, garrisons, goodes, and substances," of which they had charge, together with a lo2 EARLS OF KILDARE. large amount of the King's ordnance and artillery, that were in the castles. Their advice was, however, opposed by his father's oldest and best friends, Thomas, twelfth Earl of Desmond,* Sir Thomas Eustace, afterwards created Viscount Baltinglass, Edmund Lord Kerry, James Lord Slane, the Lord Chancellor Cromer, and others, who, with earnest entreaties, endeavoured to dissuade him from his mad enterprise. He was, however, not to be turned from his purpose. On St. Barnabas' day, 11th June, 1534, he rode through the city, attended by a guard of 140 horsemen in coats of mail, with silken fringes on their helmets, on which account he became generally known as " Silken Thomas," and passing through Dame's Gate, crossed the river at the ford, and rode to St. Mary's Abbey, where he had summoned the Council to meet. As soon as he was seated at the head of the Council table, his followers rushed in completely armed, to the amaze- ment of those Councillors who were not aware of his intention. Having commanded silence, he spoke thus : " Howsoever injuriously wee be handled, and forced to defend ourselves in armes, when neither our service nor our good meaning towardes our Prince's crowne avayleth, yet say not hereafter, but that in this open hostilitie which we here professe, and proclayme, we have showed ourselves no villayns, nor churles, but warriours and gentlemen. The sworde of estate is yours, and not mine. I received it with an othe, and have used it- to your benefite. I should desteyne mine honour, if I turned the same to your annoyance. Nowe have I neede of mine * He was husband of Catherine Fitz Gerald, the " old Countess of Desmond." EARLS OF KILDARE. 133 owne sword, which I dare trust. As for the common sword, it flattereth me with a painted scabberde, but hath indeed a pestilent edge, already bathed in the Giraldines bloud, and now is newly whetted in hope of a further destruction. Therefore, save yourselves from us as from open enemies. I am none of Henrie his Deputie, I am his fo. I have more mind to conquer than to governe ; to meete him in the field, than to serve him in office. If all the hearts of England and Ireland, that have cause thereto, would joine in this quarrel (as I hope they wil), then should he soone aby (as I trust he shall) for his crueltie and tyranny, for which the age to come may lawfully score him up among the auncient tyrants of most abhominable and hateful memorie."* He then wished to surrender the sword of state to the Chancellor, but he, a learned and mild Prelate, and a well-wisher of the Geraldines, besought him, in a long speech and with tears in his eyes, not to commit so rash and so wicked an act. As he concluded, some of the horsemen, who did not understand English, were surmising what he had said, when Nelan, an Irish bard, commenced to recite in Irish a heroic poem in honour of " Silken Thomas," and ended by telling him that " hee lingred there over long." Eoused by this, Lord Offaly, turning to the Chancellor said : " My Lord Chauncellour, I came not hither to take advice what I shoulde doe but to give you to understande what I mind to doe. It is easie for the sounde to counsaile the sicke ; but if the sore had smarted you as much as it festereth me, you would bee * Holinshed, iii. 91. 134 EARLS OF KILDAKE. percase as impatient as I am. As you woulde wishe me to honor my Prince, so dutie willeth mee to reverence my father. Wherefore, he that will, wy th such tyrannic, execute mine innocent parent, and withal threaten my destruction, I may not, nor will not, hold him for my King. And yet, in truth, he never yet was our King, but our Lord, as his progenitours have been before him. But if it bee my hap to miscarrie, as you seeme to prognos- ticate, catche that catche maye ; I will take the market as it ryseth, and will choose rather to die with valiant- nesse and libertie, than to live under King Henrie in bondage and villanie."* At these words he threw down the sword and rushed out, accompanied by his followers. The Council sent, without delay, to the Mayor, ordering him to arrest Lord Offaly and his confederates, if possi- ble ; but the city had so suffered from the plague that he had not sufficient force to do so. Lord Offaly then rejoined his forces, which were sta- tioned on Oxmantown Green ; while Archbishop Allen and Chief Baron Finglas took refuge in the Castle, of which John White, afterwards knighted for his services on this occasion, was constable. Lord Offaly then declared all goods and chattels, belonging to the King's subjects, forfeited, and announced his intention to exile or put to death all in Ireland who had been born in England. Foreseeing that the greatest obstacle to his success would be the opposition of the Earl of Ossory, he sent messengers to his cousin and friend. Lord But- ler, son of the Earl, offering to divide the kingdom with •«■ Holinshed. EARLS OF KILPARE. 135 liim if he would join him, but Butler indignantly refused. Lord Oflfaly, however, induced many nobles and chiefs to swear fidelity to him, and sent such as refused prisoners to the Castle of Maynooth. He then collected the Irish Septs of the Pale, in order to carry on the siege of the Castle of Dublin ; from which, in the meanwhile, Finglas wrote to Cromwell, the Secretary of State, urging him to send succours without delay.* Lord Ofialy, having assembled his forces, sent messengers to the citizens of Dublin, proposing to spare the city if they would allow him to enter and lay siege to the Castle. They com- municated this message to the Governor, who agreed to the terms, on condition that they should first provide him with provisions and men to strengthen his garrison. Some of the members of the Government, who were most obnoxious to the rebels, having sought refuge in England, Archbishop Allen, who was in the Castle, wished to follow their example. He consulted Bartho- lomew Fitzgerald, who, though a Geraldine, was his most confidential servant, on the means of escape. This man undertook to be his guide, until he was beyond the bar at the mouth of the river, and provided a small vessel, in which the Archbishop embarked near Dame's Gate, on the evening of the 27th of July. The wind, however, being contrary, the vessel ran aground on the sands near Clontarf, and the Archbishop and his followers landed and took refuge in the house of a Mr. Hothe at Artaine, a neighbouring village, intending to remain concealed until the wind should be favourable. He had, however, been but six hours there, when Lord Oifaly * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 200. 136 EARLS OF KILDARE. having been informed of his flight and retreat, ordered him to be kept in custody. Accompanied by James Delahide, his uncles, Sir James and Oliver Fitz Gerald, and about forty of his adherents, Lord Offaly went early on the morning of the 28th July to Artaine, and having placed his men round the house, he ordered " two yeomen of Dublin," John Teeling and Nicholas Wafer, to bring out the Archbishop. They entered the house, and, dragging him out of bed, brought him in his shirt to Lord Offaly. As soon as the Archbishop saw him he fell on his knees, and " besought him not to remember former injuries, but to consider his present calamity, and whatever malice he might bear to his person, to respect his calling." Lord OflPaly, struck with compassion, though still enraged^ turned his horse, saying, "beir naim an bodach," " take the churl away from me," meaning, as he afterwards de- clared, that the Archbishop should be taken away a pri- soner. But his followers, mistaking his words, dashed out his brains.* Stanihurst says, " the place is ever since hedged and embayed on every side, overgrowen and un- frequented for detestation of this fact." Robert Reilly, who was present, does not say in his confession whether Lord Offaly actually ordered the murder or not ; but on the same day he sent him (Reilly) to Maynooth, with a casket which he had taken from the Archbishop.f How- ever, the Prior of Kilmainham, Sir J. Rawson, wrote to the King on the 7th August : — " The Archebushop of Dublyn, being in shyppe, to departe towardes Ingland, Tohraas, * Holioslmi. f State Paper?, vol. ii. p. 201. EARLS OF KILDAUE. 137 son to the Erie of Kylldare, causyd hym to be takyn and browght before hym, and there, in hys syght, by hys commaundement, was cruelly and shamefully raurderyd, and other dyvers of hys chapelayns and servantes that wer in hys cumpane."* After this murder, Lord Offaly and his followers pro- ceeded to Howth, where they seized on Lord Howth, and on their return apprehended Chief Justice Luttrell, and detained them prisoners. In July, there came to Lord Offaly, from the Earl his father. Dr. Hickey, Edmund Nele, Catherine Fitz Gerald, and Rose Eustace.t The latter had been an attendant of Lady Kildare, and they were all probably retainers whom the Earl was obliged to dismiss. In the meanwhile the citizens of Dublin having sent provisions by night into the Castle, informed Lord Offaly that they would admit his troops. He accordingly, on the 27th July, sent 100 men under James Field, of Lusk, Nicholas Wafer, Tohn Teling, Edward Roukes, Erode, and Purcell (the three latter " pirates ^vho infested the coast"), who acted as his captains, to invest the Castle. They planted two or three "falcons," and en- trenched themselves so strongly as to be protected from the ordnance of the Castle. They also informed the Constable, thiit if he fired they would place the youth of the city on the top of their earthenworks. Lord Offiily then sent his chaplain, Cahir M'Ranell, or Charles Reynolds, Archdeacon of Kells, to the Pope, Paul III., craving absolution for the sacrilege ; and Dominick Power, with presents, consisting of " twelve * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 201. f Ibid. p. 228. 138 EARLS OF KTLDARE. great hawkes, and fourteen fair hobbies," to the Emperor Charles V., to ask for aid for the conquest of Ireland. In the beginning of August, 1534, the Earl of Ossory having assembled all his forces, invaded Car- low and Kildare, and carried off a great number of cattle. In revenge for this. Lord Offaly, O'Neill, O'Connor Faly, O'Moore, James and John Delahide, Edward Fitz Gerald,* Sir Richard AYalsh, "Parson of Loughswedy,"t John Burnell,t of Balgriffen, Co. Dublin, and their adherents, laid siege to the Castle of Tullow, which they took after five days. They then invaded Kil- kenny, with banners displayed, and plundered the lands of the Earl of Ossory, and encamped in an island in the River Barrow, near Thomastown. After some skirmish- ing, " the traietor Thomas sent to th Erie of Ossorie, how that yf he wold withdraw his dutie from the King, he wold departe, and devyde all Irlande with him, and accept him as his father, offering to make particion of his own enheritaunce with him. Whereunto he aun- swerid, that yf his cuntrey had bene wastid, his castels wonne, or prostrate, and himself exiled, yet wold he never shrynke to persevere in his duetie to the King, to the dethe."§ On the next night. Lord Ossory intended to surprise them, but was himself entrapped. As Lord Butler advanced with a portion of their forces, towards the enemy, he was on a sudden attacked by a strong body of cavalry, his men overpowered and * Son of Sir John Fitz Gerald. f Now Ballymore Louglisewdy, in Westmeath. X Half brother to Edward Fitz Gerald. § State Papers, vol. ii. p. 250. EARLS OF KILDARE. 1,39 dispersed, and being himself badly wounded by O'More's son, whom he also wounded, rode from the field to Dunmore, near Kilkenny, where he remained till his wounds were healed.* The next day Lord Offaly being informed that, owing to an alleged infraction of faith on the part of his forces, the citizens of Dublin had withdrawn their permission to besiege the Castle, and had closed their gates, and taken prisoners all his adherents that were within the walls, offered to make a truce, which being accepted by Lord Ossory, who had to defend Tipperary against the Earl of Desmond, he marched on Dublin. On his way he seized a number of the children of the citizens, who had been sent away on account of the plague.' When in September, he approached Dublin, he sent Dr. Travers,t Peter Lynch of the Knock, and Oliver Grace, to demand the restora- tion of his men, and on their refusal to deliver them to him, he burnt some vessels and endeavoured to stop the springs that supplied the town with water. He then made an assault upon the Castle from Ship- street, but was repulsed, the Constable having set fire to the thatched houses on each side of the street. On the next day he assembled the rebel forces at Thomas Court, and having cut through the partitions between the houses on each side of Thomas-street, so as to form covered galleries, they advanced through them, protected from shot, to the New Gate, which they endeavoured to burn. There were, however, in the rebel army many inhabitants of the Pale, who had been compelled against their will to join it. The citizens * Carte's Life of Onnoude. t Chancellor of St. Patrick's. 140 EARLS OF KILDARE. soon discovered this, as many of the arrows that were shot over the walls were headless, and some even conveyed letters, giving information of the besiegers' designs. Encouraged by this and by the news of the approach of succours from England, they made a brave sally, drove back the assailants, took a piece of artillery, slew one hundred galloglasses, and compelled Lord OfFaly to conceal himself in the Abbey of Grey Friars in Francis-street, whence he stole out at night and reached his quarters.* On receiving intelligence of this rebellion, the King ordered a force to be sent to suppress it, and appointed Sir William Skeffington Lord Deputy. On the 4th of October, the Master of the Rolls wrote to Cromwell that " as yit the Deputie is in Bewmares" with his troops, though the wind had been fair for twenty days, and that the horses had been on board twelve days, and implores that aid may be at once sent to Dublin, " for the los of that citie, and the castel, were a playne subversion of the lande. Also the rebell, which chieflie trusteth in his ordinaunce, which he hath of the Kinges, hath in effecte consumed all his shoote ; and excepte he wynneth the castell of Dublyn, he is destitute of shoote, which is a great cumforte and advantage for the Kinges army."t Lord OfFaly, discouraged by the last failure, and hearing of the approach of the English fleet, and having received no succour from the Emperor, sent his cousin, James Delahide, Peter Lynch of the Knock, William Bathe of Dollardstown, who had been Vice-Treasurer in 1533, Dr. Travers, Chancellor of St. Patrick's, and * Holiushed. f State Papers, vol. ii. p. 202. EARLS OF KILDARE. 141 Thomas Field of Painstown, to treat with the citizens for a truce, which was agreed to for six weeks, on the following terms : 1st, That Lord Offaly's imprisoned soldiers should be released, in exchange for the children of the citizens. 2nd, That the citizens should intercede for the pardon of himself and his followers. The siege having been raised on the 14th October, he then ordered his army to march to Howth, while he went to Maynooth, to place the castle in a state of defence. He was at that time in possession of the castles of Maynooth, Portlester, Rathangan, Lea, Athy, Kilkea, Castledermot, and Carlow, all strongly fortified and garrisoned. He had manned and armed several vessels, ■which he had placed under the command of Edward Roukes, Erode, Purcell, and Captain James Field. His chief allies were his cousin. Con Bacagh O'Neill of Tyrone, his brother-in-law, O'Connor Faly, O'More, O'Byrne, M'Murrough, O'Brien of Thomond, and most of the gentlemen of Kildare. But at that time the Earl of Ossory was on the borders of Kildare with a large force, and accompanied by a brother of O'Connor and a son* of O'Brien. Hearing that a division of the English army, under one of the Musgraves, had landed at Howth, and was marching on Dublin, Lord Offaly, with 200 horses, met it at Clontarf, and in a skirmish that ensued, defeated it, and sent all who were not killed prisoners to May- nooth. Among the slain was Musgrave, a cousin of Lord Offaly, who, himself wounded in the forehead, deeply lamented his death. t He then went on to * Donough, son-in-law to the Earl of Ossory. f Holinshed. 142 EARLS OF KILDARE. Howth to oppose the landing of the remainder of the English troops. In the meanwhile Roukes had been scouring the coasts, and had taken several transports, and among them one laden with fine geldings, which he sent to Lord Offaly, but was unable to prevent the arrival of the fleet under Sir William Brereton. Sir William Skeffington, the Lord Deputy, who was much reduced in energy by age and sickness, was detained by ill-health at Beaumaris in Wales for several weeks, and when he sailed on the 14th October, the weather had broken, and the fleet was driven by a storm to Lambay Island, under Avhich it lay for shelter. It being reported next morning that Dublin had fallen, the Deputy held a Council, in which it was resolved that he should sail for Waterford, while a portion of the fleet, under Sir William Brereton and John Salisbury, should endeavour to enter Dublin Harbour. These landed there on the 17th, to the great joy of the citizens. Lord Offaly, as soon as he heard that succours had arrived, broke the truce, by burning the corn of the Prior of Kilmainham, and then retreated to Maynooth. In the meantime the Deputy being detained at Lambay for a week, by contrary winds, " the pirate Brode " appeared cruizing oflp the island, but was chased by two of the Deputy's vessels into Drogheda, where he ran his vessel aground and escaped to land ; but, by the order of the Deputy, he and nine of his mariners were taken by the inhabitants and ioiprisoned. On hearing of this, Lord Offaly threatened to take the town unless they were liberated; but Brereton and Salisbury marching there with their forces, and proclniming him a traitor at EARLS OF KILDARE. 143 the high cross, on market day, he was unable to do so.* He, therefore, joined O'More, O'Connor Faly, O'Byrne, and M'Murrough, who occupied his castles of Carlow, Castledermot, Kilkea, and Athy.t Among " ordinances for the government of Ireland," issued at that time, are the following : " Item, that the pretended lybertie of Kyldare shal cesse from hensforth, and that the inhabitants of the countie of Kyldare obey the Kynges lawes before the Kynge's justices. Item, th Erie of Kildare's londes to be cessed with men of warre, and other charges, as other lords and gentlemens landes be in the same shires where his ben."t This liberty had been created when Thomas, second Earl of Kildare^ received a grant of the office of Sheriff for himself and his heirs male from Edward 11. in 1317. In September, the Earl of Ossory invaded and ravaged Carlow and Kildare, and having taken the Castle of Kilkea, made an appointment in November with Sir "W. Skeffington to meet him there with his forces, in order to carry on the war in the heart of the enemy's country. The Deputy, however, failed to do so, being ill in Dublin. Ossory then took Athy, and soon after suc- ceeded in detaching M'Murrough from the rebel force. He then marched into Tipperary.§ In November, the weather being stormy and wet, the Deputy determined not to take active measures until Spring. In that month (November, 1534), Sir Thomas Eustace and forty gentlemen of his kin submitted themselves to Lord Ossory, and gave hostages for their future loyalty. * State Papers, vol ii. p. 206. f Ibid. p. 251. + Ibid. p. 210. § Ibid. p. 251. 144 EARLS OF KILDARE. Eustace, who was nephew to the late Lord Portlester, distinguished himself by the active part taken by him from that time against his cousin, Lord Offaly, and was, as a reward, created, in 1541, Lord Kilcullen. The patent, however, had been prepared in September, 1535.* He was,in 1542, advanced to the Viscountcy of Balti'nglass. Lord Offaly, encouraged by the inactivity of his ene- mies, approached Dublin, at the head of a body of horse. Being met, however, near Trim, by Sir W. Brereton, a skirmish ensued, in which from 140 to 160 of his men were slain, and 100 horses taken. On the 1st of December, Kildare was taken by the Lord Deputy and Brereton, but was retaken by Lord Offaly six days after. He then went to Trim, which he retook by assault in two hours. f About that time was issued the sentence of excom- munication against Lord Offaly and others, who were concerned in the murder of the Archbishop of Dublin (Appendix III.). The copy of this document, still pre- served among the State Papers, is addressed " To Mr. Lyveutennaunt at tht Kynges Tower of London," and is supposed to have been transmitted to him for the purpose of being shown to the Earl of Kildare, who, in consequence, died broken-hearted on the 12th December, 1534, and his son Thomas succeeded as tenth Earl of Kildare ; though he does not appear to have assumed the title, nor is it alluded to, except in the English Act of Attainder, 28 Henry VIII. c. 18. Towards the end of December, 1534, the Master of the Rolls informed Cromwell, Secretary of State, that all * State Pajers, vol. i. p. 445. f Ibid. vol. ii. p. 220. EARLS OF KILDARE. 145 the country round Dublin was plundered by the " trai- detour ;" that unless he was vigorously opposed, he would burn all the towns in Kildare and Meath ; that he was accompanied by 100 horsemen and 300 galloglasses, with about ten muskets, but no artillery ; that he boasted that he expected an army from Spain ; that he had sent the Official of Meath with much of his Other's treasures to embark at Sligo in a Spanish vessel for Spain, and thence to go to Rome, taking with him "diverse oold munyments and presidents, which should prove that the Kinge holde this land of the See of Rome ;" and that Edward Fitz Gerald, " after James Delahide, the chief capitayne in this traterie," had been taken prisoner, and he recommended that he and Erode should be executed as well as Eoukes, who had been taken, as he was landing at Wexford, with his ship and ordnance, " whereof part was the Kinges own ;" he continued, that the Deputy w^as old and sick, and not able to prosecute the war with vigour, and he hoped that the Commons of Eng- land will grant £100,000 " for subduing of this fals traitor."* According to the wish of the Earl, a truce was agreed on, between him and the Deputy, to last from the 19th December to the 7th January ; but during that time Edward Fitz Gerald, his cousin, and one of his captains, was taken and imprisoned in Dublin Castle. In January, 1535, the English forces, under Brereton, Salisbury, Dacres, Musgrave, and Aylmer, marched into Kildare. The Earl, with O'More and Cahir O'Connor, feigned an attack on them, but did not abide battle. * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 223. 146 EARLS OF KILDARE. The English forces then marched to Maynooth and burnt the town, but after a skirmish, in which thirteen of the rebels were slain, they retreated with small loss, having burnt five or six villages. On the 15th February, Sir William Brabazon, Trea- surer of War of Ireland, wrote to Cromwell, that the Deputy had been "verie sore sicke," but was then better, and intended " to ley seege to Mynouth" on the second Tuesday in Lent ; that though the captains, who had been sent into Eildare, were doing their duty well, " the traytour, with a small cumpany, dailie doeth much harme in burnyng and robbyng ;" and that as O'Connor and O'lveilly had withdrawn from him, he had only some kerne and a few horsemen ;* and on the 16th the Master of the Rolls informed Cromwell that there was a lack of money and weapons in the royal army ; that " this terme Broode, the traditours admirall, with certen of his felaws, and oon Purcell, which stale the ship ought of the Tamyse, and was now a gret capitaine under this traditour, wer arrayned in the Kinges Benche, and attainte of high treason, and adjudged to be hange, drawn, and quar- tered, and had execution accordinglie.t But at leisure ther must be some of the gret cobbes served likewise, and the King to have ther landes, as, God willing, he shall have the Erl of Kildares in possession, or somer passe. We have in warde in the Castell of Dublyn * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 224. f Dr. Travers, who had been left as a hostage with the citizens of Dublin, was by them delivered to the Deputy, and was executed with Koukes at the gallows on Oxmantown Green. — Holinshed. EARLS OF KILDARE. 147 Dam Jenet Eustace, Sir Walter de la Hides wif, which was th Erie of Kildares aunt, and most of secretes with him ; and by all probable conjectur, she was the chief counsailour and stirrer of this inordinate rebel- lion. She is the traditours foster moder ; and by the Delahides, her, her 2 sonnes, James and John, Thomas Ewstace, which is her nephew, the same was begonne, and hitherto is maynteyned and upholden ; and the tyme that this army scomfited the traditour, and had him in chase, for his socour he fled, with him self and a boy, to her, into Delahides castle of Balyna, and ther was rescued. Also we have in warde in the said Castell Roose Ewstace, which waited on my Ladie of Kildar, untill th Erie of Kildare was committed to the Towre ; and after, as ye know, with the said Erles dough ter, privailie stale hither, and put this mater forwarde. Also we have in warde, likewise, the Redd Bath, that fals traditour."* He also informed him that " John Teling, which toke my Lorde of Dublyn, and brought him to the place wher he was killed, is dead in Maynooth ; and before he died he was stricken with most fowle leprie ;" " and Waffer,t his other companyon, is stricken with the French pockes and the fallen evell."! On the 12th March, James Boys, or Boyce, who had been Governor of Maynooth Castle, under the Earl, wrote the following letter to Cromwell : — § " Aftir moste humble recommendacion. It may pleas your honorable Mastership to be advertiside, that the 8th day of Marche last past, I recevid your honorable letter, * William Bathe of Dollardstowu. f Wafer also died at ]\rayuootli. + State Papers, vol. ii. p. 22G. § Ibid. p. 231. 148 EARLS OF KILDARE. dated at London, the IGtli day of January next preced- ing, whereby I perceve the Kinges Graces pleasure is that I shuld not onely delyver unto the Countas of Kil- dare, or to Thomas Houthe, hir attorney, all such hir ai^paryll and rayment, as remayned in my custodie, but also to have certified His Highness and his counsaill what other goods and catels I had in my keping, that apperteyned to the late Erie of Kildare. I certifie your Mastership that immediately after the rebellion of Thomas Fitz Gerald, I surrendrid myn office of the Constable- ship of Maynothe, and utterly refused the same Thomas is service ; who, in September last past, conveyed thens unto a castell in the Irishry, called the Castell of Ley, as well all the said Countasis apparayll and rayment, as all the substance in effecte, belonging unto the said Erie, so as at the receipte of your letter, remayned no- thing of the premisses in my custodie ; and if ther had, I wold not have failed, to the uttermost of my litle power, to a fulfilled the tenour of your letter. As knowithe God, who have your most honorable Mastership in his custodie. Writtin at the Citie of Dublin, the 12th day of Marche. " Your humble servant, " at all commaundement, "Jamys Boys. " To the Right Honorable, and my singuler good Maister, Maister Secretarie unto the Kinges Highness. '^ A servant of James Dehihide, having been' taken at Drogheda, in his examination enumerated the several EARLS OF KILDARE. 149 articles of plate delivered by the Earl to " Meloiir Fay," and to the White Friars of Kildare, besides a large quan- tity Avhich he left in the charge of O'Brien of Thomond. He also deposed that the Earl had given to his sister, Lady Cecily, all the hangings of Maynooth, and the late Earl's parliamentary robes. There were also other articles left with O'Brien, consisting of apparel of the late Earl, of his Countess, and of the then Earl.* The Earl, at that time, had with him 120 horse, 240 galloglasses, and 500 kerne. He had also fortified Maynooth Castle so strongly, that it was supposed that it could resist any attempts of the Deputy to take it, and had appointed his foster-brother, Chris- topher Parese, in whom he placed great confidence, as Governor. He then went into Ofi'aly to raise additional forces. It had long been evident, that in order to suppress this rebellion it Avould be necessary to take Maynooth Castle. The Deputy, therefore, having collected the whole of his forces, marched against it, and commenced the siege on the 14th March, 1535. Having planted his artillery on the north side, beyond the river, he opened fire on that day, and continued to batter it with little effect, except destroying the battlements, and dismounting some of the cannon on the walls, until the 23rd. In the meanwhile he entered into communication with Parese, who, con- senting to betray his trust, allowed the outer defences to be taken without resistance ; after which the keep was carried by assault, with little loss to the assailants. * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 317. 150 EARLS OF KILDARE. In it were taken the Dean of Kildare, Sir Simon Walsh, a priest, Nicholas Wafer, Donough O'Dogan, who had command of the artillery, and thirty-five gunners and archers. Of these twenty-five were beheaded, and one hung, as it was thought dangerous to spare the skilled soldiers. Among those who were executed were the Dean* and Parese. The following is the account of the siege as related by Stanihurst : — " Thomas Fitz-Giralde, having intelligence that the whole army was arrived, warded the Castel of Maynoth so strongly, as he tooke it to be impregnable. And to the ende he mighte gyve the Gouvernoure battayle, he rode towards Connaght to levie all such power of the Irish as either for wages or for good- will he could winne to assist him. The Lord Deputie, forwarned of his drift, marched with the Englishe army, and the power of the Pale, to Maynoth, and layde seige to the Castell on the north side, towardes the Parke. But before any peece was discharged. Sir William Brereton, by the Deputie his appoyntment, did summone the Castell, offering suche as kepte it to depart with their bagge and baggage, and besides their pardon, to bee liberally rewarded for their good and loyall service. But such as warded the Castell, scornefully scoffing the knight his offer, gave him heartie thankes for his kind- ness, which .they sayd proceeded rather of his gentle- nesse than of their deserving, wishing him to keepe in store such liberall offers for a deere yeare, and to write * Sir J. Ware. EARLS OF KILDARE. 151 his commendations home to his friends, and withal to keepe his head warme, for that at their hands he was like to have but a colde suite ; finally, to take suche keepe of their safetie in that they were assured that he and his fellows shoulde bee sooner from the seige raised, than they from the holde removed. Upon this round aunswere, the ordinances were planted on the north side of the Castell, whiche made no great batterie for the space of a fortnight, yet the Castell so warely of each side envired as the rebelles were imbard from al egresse and regresse. Christopher Parese, foster-brother to Thomas Fitz-Giralde, to whome of especial trust the charge of the Castell was chiefely committed, proffering his voluntarie service (which for the most part is so thankelesse and unsavory as it stinketh), determined to goe an ase beyond his fellowes in betraying the Castell to the Governoure. In this resolution he shot out a letter endorsed to the Lorde Deputie, the effect whereof was, that hee woulde devise the meanes that the Castell should be taken, so that he myghte have a summe of money for hys paynes, and a competent stay during his life. This motion, by letters to and fro, agreed upon, Parese caused such as kept the warde to swill and boll so much, as they snorted al the night like grunting hogges, little mis-deeming that whilest they slept, anye Judas had bin waking within the Castell. The occasion of the extraordinary exceeding was couloured, for snatching into the Castell a field peece the day before from the army, for whiche they kept such pot revels and triumphant carousing, as none of them coukle discerne his beddes head from the beddes feete. Parese, taking 152 EARLS OF KILDARE. his tide and time, made signe to the army, betwene twilight and dawning of the day, who, having skaling ladders in readinesse, wolde not overslip the opportunitie offered. Holland, petite captaine to Salisbury, was one of the forwardest in this exploite, who, leaping downe from the wall, fell by mishap into a pipe of feathers, where he was up to the arme-pittes, so stiffely sticking therein, and also so unwieldye in his armour, as he coulde not helpe himself neither in or out. Sir William Brereton and his bande having skaled the walles, cried on a sodaine, St. George, St. George. Three drunken swaddes that kepte the Castell, thought that this shoute was noughte else but a dreame, til the time they espied the walles full of men, and one of them Avithal per- ceyvynge Holland thus entangled in the pype, bestowed an arrow upon him, which by good hap did misse him. Holland, forthwith rescued by his fellows, shot at the other, and strake him so full under the skull as he left him sprauling. The resistance was faint when the souldyers entred, some yeelding themselves, others that withstood, slayne. Sir William Brereton ranne up to the highest turret of the Castel, and advaunced his standerd on the top thereof, notifying to the Deputie that the fort was wonne. Great and rich was the spoile ; such store of beddes, so many goodly hangings, so rich a wardrob, suche brave furniture, as truly it was accompted, for householde stuff and utensiles, one of the richest earle his houses under the crowne of Eng- lande. The Lord Deputy entered the Castell in the afternoone, upon whose repaire James Delahyde and Hay ward, two singing men of the Earle his chappell, EARLS OF KILDARE. 153 that were taken prisoners, prostrated themselves on the ground, pittifuUy warbling a song named 'Dulcis Amica.' The Governour, ravished with the sweete and delicate voyces, at the instaunce of Girald Aylemer, Chiefe Justice, and others of the Counsell, pardoned them. Christopher Parese, not misdoubting that he should have bin dubd knight for his service done that day, pre- sented himself before the Governoure, with a cheerefull and familiar countenance, as who should say, ' Heere he is that did that deede.' The Deputie very coldly and halfe sternely casting an eye towards him, said, ' Parese, I am to thank thee on my master the Kynge his behalfe, for this thy profered service, which I must acknowledge to have bin a sparing of greate charges, and a saving of many valiant souldyers lives to his Ilighnesse ; and when his Majestic shall be thereof advertised, I dare be bolde to say, that hee will not see thee lacke during thy life. And by cause I may be the better instructed how to reward thee during my governement, I would gladly learne what thy lorde and maister bestowed on thee.' Parese, set agogge with these milde speeches, and supposing that the more hee recited, the better hee shoulde bee rewarded, lefte not uutolJe the meanest good turne that ever he receyved at his lords hands. ' Why, Parese,' quoth the Deputie, ' couldest thou finde in thine hearte to betray his Castell who hath bin so good lord unto thee ? Truly thou that art so hollow to him, wilt never be true to us.' And therewith turning his talke to his officers, he gave them commaundment to delyver Parese the summe of money that was promised to him upon the surrender of the Castell, and after to 154 EARLS OF KILDARE. choppe off his lieade. Parese, at this colde salutation of ' farewell and be hangd,' turning his simpring to wimpring, said, ' My Lord, had I wist you would have dealte so straitely with me, your lordship should not have wonne this fort with as little bloudshed as you dyd.' Whereat M. Boice,* a gentleman of worship, and one that reteyned to that olde Earle of Kildare, standing in the preasse, saide in Irishe, 'Antragh,' which is as much as in Englishe as ' Too late.' Whereof grewe the Irish proverbe, to thys day in that language used : ' Too late, quoth Boice ;' as we say, ' Beware of had I wist ;' or, ' After meate mustard ;' or, ' You came a day after the faire ;' or, ' Better done than sayde.' The Deputie demaunded of them that stoode by, what was that he spake. M. Boice, willing to expounde his owne wordes, stept forth and answered : ' My Lorde, I said nothing but that Parese is seized of a towne neere the water syde, named Baltra, and I woulde gladly know how he wil dispose it before hee bee executed.' The Governoure, not mistrusting that M. Boice had glossed (for if he had understood that true signification of the tearme, it was very like that ' too late' had not bin so sharpe to Parese, but ' too soone' had been a soure to him), willed the money to bee tolde to Parese, and presently caused him to be cut shorter by the head, declaring thereby, that although for the time he embraced the benefyte of the treason, yet after he coulde not digest the treacherie of the traytor. The Deputie, having left a garrison in the Castell, returned with the army triumphantly to Dublin." * He had formerly been Governor of the Castle of Majnooth, EARLS OF KILDARE. 155 Among the State Papers is the following account of the siege, in a letter written on the 26th March by the Lord Deputy, Sir William Skeffington, and the Council of Ireland, to the King : " May it please your Moost Excellent Highnes to be advertised that I, your Deputie, with your armye in thes parties, the 14th day of Marche last past, beseaged the Castell of Maynuth, which by your traitor and rebell, Thomas Fiz-Gerolde, was so stronglie fortified boothe with men and ordnaunce, as the liek hath not been seen in Irlonde, syns anny of your moost nobell progenitors had furst domynion in the lande. Ther was within the same above 100 habill men, whereof wer above 60 gon- ners. The 16th day of the said monith, your ordenaunce was bent to the north west side of the dungen of the said Castell, which ded baitter the tope therof on that wise, as ther ordenaunce within that parte was dampned ; which doone, your ordenaunce was bent upon the northe side of the base corte of the said Castell, at the north east ende whereof ther was new made a very strong and fast bulwark, well garnisshed with men and ordenaunce, which the 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd dayes of the said monithe, ded beat the same, by night and daye, on that wise, that a great batery and a large enteric was made ther ; whereupon the 23rd daye, being the Tews- daye next before Eister Day, there was a galiarde assaulte gyven betwixt fower and fyve of the clocke in the mor- nyng, and the base corte entered. At which entery, ther was slayne of the warde of the Castell about 60, and of your Graces armye no more but John Griffen, yeman 156 EAKLS OF KILDARE. of your moost honorable Guarde, and sex other, which wer killed with ordenaiince of the Castell at the entree. Howbeit, if it had not pleased God to preserve us, it wer to be merveled that we had no more slayne. After the base corte was thus wonne, we assaulted the great Cas- tell, which within awhile yelded ; wherein was the Dean of Kildare, Cristofer Parys, capitayne of the garysone, Donough O'Dogan, maister of th ordenaunce, Sir Symon Walshe, priste, and Nicholas Wafer, which tooke the Archbussop of Dublin, with dyvers others, gunners and archers, to the number of 37 ; which w^er al taken pry- soners, and ther lifes preserved by appoyntment untill they shulde be presented to me, your Deputie, and then to be orderid as I and your Counsaill thought good. And considering the high enterprise and presumption attempted by them ayenst your Graces crowne and Majestic, and also that if by anny meane they shulde escape, the moost of theym beyng gunners, at some other tyme woldc semblablie elliswhear, aide your traitors, and be example and meane to others to doo lykewise, we all thought ex- pedient and requisite that they should be putte to execu- tion, for the dread and example of others. According wherunto, the Thursday following in the mornyng, they wer examyned, and ther depositions written ; and after none the same daye arrayned before the Provust Marshall and capitannes, and ther, upon ther awne confessions adjudjed to die, and ymmediately 25 of them before the gate of the Castell heeded and oon hanged. Dy verse of the heedes of the principalles incontynentlie were put upon the turrets of the Castell. We send your Highnes EARLS OF KILDARE. 157 hereincloosed theffect of ther depositions, amonges which ther is a priste which was privay with the traitor, deposith that the Emperor promised to sende hether agaynst your Grace 10,000 men by the first day of Maye ; and the Kinge of Scottes to yeve aid to your rebell lykewise. We doo advertise your Highnes therof, in discharge of our duties, to thintent serche may be made of the furder circumstance therof; not doubting but if any soche thinge be intendid by th Emperor or Kinge of Scottes, your Highnes hath some intelligence therof, and will provide for it accordingly ; for, onles aide be sent hither from owtward parties, this traitor shalbe pursued to his adnoyaunce and distruc- tion, to the best of our powers, we trust to your Graces honor. Albeit thenhabitauntes of this lande have an imagination and doubt, that he shulde hereafter obteyne your Graces pardone, as his antecessors dyverse tymes in lyke caases ded, which if, at anny tyme, he shulde, wer ther undoying, as they say. The same causeth dyverse of thaym to adhere to hym, and others not to doo soche service as they ells wolde."* The Earl had, in the meanwhile, succeeded in raising 7,000 men in Offaly and Connaught, and was on his way to relieve the Castle, when he heard of its fall. At the news of the " Pardon of Maynooth,"t as it is termed in the State Papers, the greater part of his forces dispersed and returned to their homes. With such, how- ever, as remained, he advanced to Clane, where he was met by the Deputy and the royal forces. The cavalry * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 236. t Ibid. p. 440. 158 EARLS OF KILDARE. could act on neither side, as a bog lay between them. The Deputy, however, brought two or three field-pieces to bear on the enemy, whom he thus dispersed, and took prisoners 140 galloglasses, all of whom he, on being threatened with an attack, put to death, except one Avho made his escape.* After this defeat, the Earl took refuge with sixteen gentlemen and priests in Thomond, intending to sail from thence to Spain. He, however, changed his mind, and instead of making the voyage himself, he sent his cousin, James Delahide, and Sir E. Walsh, " the Parson," to the Emperor Charles V, to treat for succours. Among the State Papers is a letter from John Cheryton, dated at Cadiz, 16th July, 1535, in which is the following passage : " My Lorde, for to certify your Lorshippe of the nwis that is here, the 14 day of June, ther come to Cadix for Inbaxador, a man of Erlonde hois name is Sir Jamys de la Hyde, and has brought letters to the Emperor from Thomas Fegarit, wher in his petision is that the Emperor will give hym aid with men, and ordinanse."t Delahide and Walsh joined Power, who had been sent before, and after many delays, were received by the Emperor, who told them that it was then too late, as their master and his five uncles had been executed in London. Charles V. afterwards procured from Henry VIIL a pardon for Power, and granted him a pension of a ducat a day. But not wishing to return to Ireland, he remained at Lisbon, and died there. James Delahide, who had been " chief councillor " to the Earl, and in * Holinshed. f State Papers, vol. ii. p. 247. EARLS OF KILDARE. 159 consequence included in the Act of Attainder, after assisting his cousin, Gerald, to escape, took refuge in Scotland, where he died. The Irish chiefs now gradually submitted to the Deputy. In May, the Earl of Ossory brought M'Mur- rough and O'More to Maynooth, and induced them to join the royal cause. All the Earl of Kildare's castles were taken in succession, except those of Crom and Adare, in the County of Limerick.* After Whitsuntide, the Earl returned to Kildare, leaving his plate in the care of O'Brien. In July, aided by O'Connor Faly, he assaulted and took the Castle of Eathangan. Sir William Brabazon, ancestor to the Earl of Meath, then laid siege to it, and was in hopes to have taken the Earl in it, but he made his escape at night. The Earl now harassed the garrison which the enemy had placed in his castles. One morning he caused a herd of cattle to be driven near Eathangan, and when a portion of the troops came out to take the booty, he attacked and cut them off. Another day he set fire to a village, and caused some of his men, who spoke English, to ride in haste to Trim with the infor- mation; and when the garrison sallied forth, he attacked them and slew several, and forced the rest to take refuge in a church.f In July, 1535, Chief Baron Aylmer, and the Master of the Eolls, Allen, wrote to Cromwell from Beaumaris that the remissness of the captains, and shameful disorder of the soldiers, were * State Papers, vol, ii. p. 254. f Holinshed, iii. 99. 160 EARLS OF KILDARE. the causes of the destruction of the land ; that Kildare and many other towns were burnt ; that if the Trea- surer, Brabazon, had not been at Naas, that town and the country, to the gates of Dublin, would have also suffered ; and that as carts with provisions were on their way from Naas to Eathangan, Thomas Fitz Gerald, aided by O'Connor, had tried to intercept them, but the Treasurer, with an inferior force, had repulsed them, killing sixteen of his horsemen and the captain of the galloglasses.*' These continued attacks caused so much alarm, that no Englishman would take command of Eathangan Castle, which had twice been taken by assault. At length, at the Treasurer's request. Sir James Fitz- Gerald, the Earl's uncle, consented to be appointed Governor, and kept it safely.j The Treasurer, intending to march into Allen, where the Earl and his followers had entrenched themselves, ordered O'More and his followers to join the royal forces, with whom were Sir James Fitz Gerald and his brother Walter, and other gentlemen of the County of Kildare. On the 3rd August, 1535, after having entered Allen, and burned and plundered the country around, the English troops, at the suggestion of O'JMore, retreated, but in reality only so as to occupy the various passes. O'More then sent some of his kernes to skir- mish with the rebels, and draw them into the plain, while he, with his galloglasses, got between them and their fastnesses, so that they, to the num])er of between 400 and 500, were surrounded, and would have been all * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 260. f Ibid. p. 264. EARLS OF KILDARE. 161 slain or taken prisoners if some of the English soldiers, making off with their booty, had not left a gap, through which most of them escaped. Sir James and AY alter Fitz Gerald, and the Geraldines also, suffered them to pass. O'More's men, too, would not strike Lord Kil- dare's men, but many of the O'Connors were slain by them, though mostly by the troops of the Treasurer. Some prisoners, among whom, it is said, was the Earl himself, were taken, but let go again by the Geraldines and O'Dempseys. Burnell of BalgriSin, Felim Boy O'Connor, and AVilliam Keating, " Captain of the Keatings," were, however, made prisoners. The former was sent to London, imprisoned in the Tower, and at length executed at Tyburn at the same time as the Earl. The two latter were liberated on giving hostages for their future good behaviour. Keating undertook to drive the Earl out of the fastnesses of Kildare, and allured from him most of the Keating kerne, in whom consisted his chief strength, owing to their numbers and knowledge of the country.* Soon after. Lord Leonard Grey, who had arrived from England to take command as Marshall of the army, Avent to Rathangan, where the Earl had, in a wood near the bog, a " stronge house, made all of erthe, and so ditched, watered, and of soche force, as men of experience said, that being manned, ordenaunced, and vitteled, it had not been pregnable." This he burnt and destroyed.! After the liberation of Keating, the Earl could no longer remain in Kildare, and was forced to retire into Offaly. On the 18th of August, Sir W. Skeffington, * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 266. j Ibid. p. 266. M 162 EARLS OF KILDAPvE. who had been lying ill at Maynooth, but who had reco- vered sufficiently to venture on an expedition, assembled his forces, and with Lord L. Grey and Lord Butler advanced to the borders of Offaly. Upon this, O'Connor seeing no alternative to save himself from ruin, sent in his submission to the Deputy. Deprived of his last ally, the Earl wrote to Lord L. Grey the following letter, which is now in the State Paper office, and is wholly in his handwriting : — " Affter all dw recummendations, I hartely recummend me unto your Lordshyp, sertyfiyng you, that whereas I have done any thyng contrary agaynst my Sovyryng Lorde the Kynges Grace ys mynd, came nothyng of my owne mere mosyon, butt onely by your cownsayll, the which bene in your Lordshypys cumpany now, as ben Thomas Ewstas and Gerald Gerott, Shane ys son, with dyvers othyrs, by the which I was gowernyd att that tyme, and dyd nothyng butt aifter their mynd ; the which I reportt me to all the Lordes of the Englys pale. Wherefore I hartely desyre your Lordshyp to be inters- sessor betwyx my sayd Ys Grase and me, that I may have my pardon for me, and myn lyff and landes, the which shall nott be ondyservyd to the uttermost of my power ; and yff I cannott optayne ray forsayd pardon, I hawe no nothyr to do, butt shyfte for my sylfF, the best that I can ; trustyng in God, who preserv your Lordshyp. " By your lovyn Frend, " T. Fytz Geralde. *' To the Rygtht Worsypfull^ Lord Leynard Gray^ " delyver this with spede.''* * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 273. EARLS OF KILDARE. 163 The Earl was accordingly admitted to a conference. On the 18th August, Lord L. Grey rode from Maynooth into Offaly (King's Co.), where, on the border of the bog of Allen, the Earl met him, and surrendered himself to him and Lord Butler, to be disposed of according to the royal pleasure. Stanihurst asserts that he asked for a parley, and that Grey having sent hostages to his camp, he, at the con- ference, submitted himself to the King's mercy, on the promise that he should be pardoned as soon as he should arrive in England ; and that, in order that there should be no treachery, they both received the Sacrament openly in the camp. However this may be, Sir W. Skeffington, in a letter to the King, dated " from the Campe at Castel Iredayne, the 24th day of August, 1535," wrote : — " Yt may please your most excellent Highnes to be advertized, that wher as by my rude letters sent to Your Grace, that I, by th advise of your Counsall, with your army, was determined to march forth ward, and hostinges, the 18 day of this pre- sent month of August, uppon O'Chonor, and the traditour Thomas Fitz Gerald, with others that be succored with him in Ofaileigh ; I have accordingly ther unto advanced your said army, as well with the power of your Graces band of the worth of this land, as otherwise enterd into the borders of the said O'Chonors countree ; who per- sevinge that there was noe waye els, but his utter dis- traction and banishment, came in and yielded him selfFe unto me. Your Graces Deputie, and Counsaill, and offered to put in his pledges into ray handes, to habide and performe, the sayeinge of 4 indifferent personns, in all 164 EARLS OF KILDARE. thinge, to the contentation and accomplishment of your Graces pleasour. And all soe the saide traditour, Thomas Fitz Gerolde, with divers others his complices there beinge with him (consideringe that he could not be succored furder by the said O'Chonor, and that his band and strength was by pollicie alured from him), hath, in like manner, submitted and yealded hiraselfe to Your Highnes mercy and pitty without condition, either of pardon, lyfe, landes, or goodes, but only submittinge him selfe to Your Grace ; soe that his desier is, now that he is brought to uttermost extremitie, to be conducted to Your Highnes by the Lord Leonard Gray."* The Council also, in a letter to the King, dated from the camp, 27th August, report — " The seid Thomas Fytz Gerald, by suche meanes and policies as was used (in the presence of Sir Rice Maunsfell, John Salisburye, and William Sentlowe), fynally confessyng his abhomynable offences towerdes Your Highnes, yelded hym self into the handes of the seid Lord Leonerd, to be presented to Your Grace by the seid Lord Leonerd, and me, the seid James Butler ; to be ordered concernying his lyf or otherwise, as shuld please Your Highnes. According whereunto, the seid Lord Leonerd repayryth, at this season, to your Majestic for that purpose, bringing with hym the same Thomas ; beseching Your Highnes, moost humbly, that according the comfort of our wordes spoken to the same Thomas to allure hym to yelde hym, ye wold be mercy-full to the seid Thomas, especially con- cerning his lyf." They also recommended Lord L. Grey to the King's notice, for his eminent service, "for no * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 273. EARLS OF KILDARE. 165 cloubte the seid Thomas wold yelde hym self to noon other, but onely to hym."* From these extracts it would appear that some pro- mises had been made to him "to allure hym to yelde hym," and the King also, however glad to have him in his power, expresses his displeasure at the conditions, what- ever they were, in a letter written to Sir W. Skeffington, in Oct., 1535: — "Eight trustie and wel-belovid. We great you well. And have as well perceyved by the tenor of your letters, as by th advertisementes from our Counsuill, the maner of the apprehension of Thomas Fitz Gerald, in your last jorney intended agaynst hym and O'Chonor; the doyng wherof, albeit We accepte it thankfully, yet if he had beene apprehended after suche sorte as was convenable to his deservynges, the same had been moche more thankfull and better to our con- tentacion. Nevertheles, for your Industrie, paynes, and deligens used therein, We give you our harty thankes, assuryng you that We accepte and esteme that and other your good service, mynystred unto Us ther and elles wher, in suche sort, as besides the laude and prayse worthie thereunto, moche to your fame and commendacion. We well have the same in our remembraunce, to your comfort and condigne reward and advauncement."t At the end of August, the Earl was sent prisoner to England ; and so great was the importance attached to his security, that Lord Leonard Grey was appointed to accompany him. Stanihurst relates, that as they were on their way to Windsor, where the King then * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 275. f Ibid. p. 280. 166 EARLS OF KILDARE. was, Henry sent an order for bis imprisonment forthwith in the Tower of London. It is probable that the King was undecided how to act with regard to the Earl, and that the opinions of leading statesmen were consulted, as the Duke of Norfolk,* in a letter to Cromwell, dated 9th September, wrote as follows : — " As concernyng the traytour's takyng, I am sory, as ye be, that it had not be of a nother. But yet thanked be God it is thus ; for by the same His Highnes shall not only eschewe gret charges, but also the knowledge therof shall highlie redownde to his honour in all countrees, no thyng to the plesure of his enemys. I dowte not ye woll streitle examyn hym, of all suche as hath confederate with hym, and most specyally what answers he hath had of th Emperour and the Kyng of Skottes. And, accordyng to my accostomed facion, playnle to show myn opynion in all thynges concernyng His Highnes affaires, I am of the mynd, as yet, and shalbe unto I shall here better reason to the contrary, that in no wise he shuld be as yet put to execusion; quod defertur, non aufertur. And these be part of the reasons to lede me theronto. One is, that concernyng the fiicion of his submyssion, my Lord Leonard, and my Lord Buttler, shuld for ever lose their credight in Irlond; which were pite, for they may do gode service. Another is, that sewerly the Irishe men shall never after put them selffes in to none Inglishe man his handes ; wiche if they do not (consideryng that dayle, for dy vers caiisis, many of them shall offend). His Grace shalbe inforced incontynent to precede to the generall conquest of the * ELe had been Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. EARLS OF KILDARE. 167 lond; for onles they do parle for attemptates done, eyther the Deputie most precede to a war with all suche per- sonnys, or suffer the Kynges trew subjectes to be des- troyed. One other cause, what th oppynions of many may be, that be disposed rather to speke ill, then will, if he shuld, upon his suche subrayssion, be shortly put to deth, I report me to your high wisdome. And, as I thynk, ther is but one of these 3 ways to be taken; eyther execusion shortly, or pardon of lyff, or commyttyng to sewer pryson for a tyme. To the furst I have showed myn oppinion. To the second I thynk in no wise to be done; for it wer the worst insample that ever was, and specially for these ongracious people of Irlond. To the 3th I have in like wise before shewde my poure opinion."* The advice of the Duke to keep " the tray tor" in prison, and to execute him, should it seem good at a future time, was followed. On the 13th September, the Lord Chancellor of Eng- land, Thomas Audley, wrote as follows to Cromwell : — " I have be lately enfourmed that the erraunt false treytour, Thomas Fitz Garrald, is taken ; but the fame runneth, that he shold submyt himself, uppon certayne condicions and appoyntementes, that he shold comme unto the Kinges presence fre out of warde ; which I, being a man of very little experience, and lesse witt, beleve not that the Counsaile of Irian d, or any other, wold take any such appoyntenient Avith so erraunt and cankrid a traytour, and specially that he shoulde comme * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 276. 168 EARLS OF KILDARE. in the Kinges sight, fre and out of Avarde. If this be intended, that he shold have mercye, I mervel moch, that dyverse of the Kinges Counsaile in Irland have soo largely told the King, afore this tyme, that ther shold never be good peax and ordre in Irland, till the bludde of the Garroldes were holy extinct. And it was also saide, that the Irisshemen spared theire efFectuall dili- gence in the persecucion of him, bycause they herd he shold have pardon, and then he wolde revenge ; and now it semeth, they wold procure hira mercy. They be people of a strange nature and moche inconstancy. The Kingis Ilighnes may do his pleasure; but my pore advise shold be, that the saide false treytour shold never come to His Graces sight, for the evill exsample may groue of hit, to corage traytors. The verey good waye Avere to send hira to the Tower. And albeit his tresons Ave re done in Irland, out of this realme, yet, by the newe statute made for treasons,* he may be indicted in any shere of this realme wher it shall pleas the King, byfore such Commissioners as his Grace woll apoynt by his Great Seale ; and when he is indicted, the indicte- ment to be sent to the Kinges Bench and there let him appere. And thus, fiat justicia. This waye he maye be shortly spede, after his desertes ; and therby shall grow good example and drede to such traitours, except it may appere, that by his keeping alive, ther shold growe any knowlegge of treasons, or other commoditie to the Kinges Grace. What so ever I wright in this behalf, I praye you take it in good part, for it is but * 26 Ilemy VIIL c 13. EARLS OF KILDARE. 169 my pore conceyt ; not doubting, but that the Kinges Highnes, with your advise, and other of his Counsell nowe present with his Grace, will order this mattier better, than my wit can devise."* Immediately after the apprehension of tlie Earl, 500 men were discharged from the royal army.t This was a necessary act, as it is stated that this Geraldine rebel- lion had cost the King £40,000. t Lord Leonard Grey received £316 for his expenses in taking the Earl to England, and for the reward of his services. § Besides this, for that time, heavy expenditure, the country had suffered terribly. It is stated tliat the Lordship of Maynooth, which had been worth 400 marks per annum, was completely devastated ; that six out of the eight baronies of the County of Kildare had been burnt ; that the O'Tooles had taken Powerscourt Castle, one of the fairest garrisons in the country, which had cost the Earl of Kildare and the inhabitants of the County Dublin between 400 and 500 marks ; and that the people on the lands, which had belonged to the late Earl of Kildare, were slow in taking the farms. II For the last grievance, the remedy suggested was to pass an act of forfeiture. The Irish Government were not satisfied with the capture of the Earl alone. On the 10th September, Sir William Brabazon writes to Cromwell : " Seth the departure of the rebell, Thomas Fitz Gerald, owte of this the Kinges roialme, all his folowers and adherentes be * State Papers, vol. i. p. 445. f Ibid. vol. ii. p. 427. + Ibid. p. 331. § Ibid. p. 422. Ii Ibid p. 263. 170 EAllLS OF KILDARE. repaired into their owne dwelljng places, and so be all his unclez ; who I wold were in England, for as long as thei here remayn, thei will never be obedient. There hertes be so sturdie, if ever the seid traytor doo repayre hereunto any more, the Kinges Grace haith waisted all this labor and coste. My poor advise shal be to dis- charge this land of all the secte of them ; then shall this cuntrey be in quietnes, or elles not. Examinacion wold be had of the seid traytor, wher his evidences and bookes doo remeyn, so that they might be had."* It was at length determined that the five uncles of the Earl, and Gerald, his half-brother, should be arrested. Accordingly, in February, 1536, the Deputy, Lord L. Grey, who had succeeded on the death of Sir W. Skef- fington, on the 31st December, 1535, invited Sir James, Walter, and Richard Fitz Gerald, to a banquet at Kil- mainham. These three had been opposed to the rebellion of their nephew ;t and not suspecting any treachery accepted the invitation. In the middle of the feasting they were seized and manacled. The other two, Oliver and John, were also apprehended before they heard of their brothers' capture ; and all five were then lodged in Dublin Castle. Their nephew, Gerald, was saved by being carried off by his tutor, Thomas Leverous.t The three brothers, who were first arrested, had little cause to expect that the Deputy entertained designs against them, for on the 13th of March, 1535, he wrote : " llichard Fittz Gerold, which is common into the Kinges * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 278. f Ware's Annals. I Holinshed, iii. 1 00. EARLS OF KILDARE. 171 Grace service, and have no doubt but that he will con- tynue truely, as hitherto it has proved." And again, of Sir James, to whom he had given the command of Tal- laght : " The saide Sir James, is, in lyke case, commen to the Kinges service and shewith him self lyke a true man."* " Eeilly," in his examination, said that James Delahide and Sir John Fitz Gerald were the Earl's chief advisers, and that he took advice of all his uncles, though Richard never " bare him good heart and favour."! James, Walter, and Richard, are not included in the Act of Attainder. On the 14th February, 1536, the Council of Ireland, in a letter to Cromwell, wrote : " Please it you to be advertised that th Erie of Kildaris five bretherne, by the Lord Leonardo, High Justice and Governour of this your lande, being apprehendid, he and we have sent to the Kingis Majestic, at this tyme, by the Maister of his Gracis Rolles, and Chief Justice ; which, in oure opinion, is the best dede that ever was doon for the weale of the Kingis pore subjectes of this lande ; assuring your Mais- tershipp that the said Lorde Justice, the Thesaurer of the Kingis Warris, and suche others as his Grace put in truste in this behalf, have highly deserved his moste gracious thankes for the pollitique and secrete conveing of this matier, which was noo les beyonde th expectacion of all men here, than it was joyfull to all the Kingis subjectis to see the same brought to suche perfeccion. And, noo doubte, thei be noo more glad and comfortable thereof, than they wolde be in despaire, if either Thomas * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 234. t Ibid. p. 252. 172 EARLS OF KILDARE. Fitz Geralde, or any of them, shulde reasorte hither agayne, after any other sorte, than to receyve according to their demerities."* So important was considered the capture of the five Geraldines, that they were accompanied to Enghind by the Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls. Stanihurst relates, that as the brothers were sailing for England, Richard, who was " more bookish than the rest, and much given to the studies of antiquitie," amused his brothers " sometime with singing, sometime with grave and pithie apophthegmes," Happening to ask the cap- tain the name of the vessel, he was told that it was the " Cow." Dismayed at this, he said, " Now good brethren, I am in utter despaire of our return to Ireland, for I beare in mynd an olde prophecie that five Earles brethren should be caryed in a Cowes belly to England, and from thence never to returne. Whereat the rest began afresh to houle and lament, which, doubtlesse, was pitifull t( behold five valiant gentlemen, that durst meete in the fielde five as sturdie champions as coulde bee picked out in a realme, to bee so sodainly terrified with the bare name of a woodden Cow." They were also imprisoned in the Tower of London. In a document, still extant, it is recorded that the allowance to Thomas, Earl of Kildare, as state prisoner, for board and bedding, during sixteen months (the duration of his imprisonment), was 20s. per week. To Sir James and Sir John Fitz Gerald, Knights, for eleven months, each 10s. To Walter, Richard, and Oliver Fitz * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 304. EARLS OF KILDARE. 173 Gerald, for eleven month?, 6s. 8d., and for " Burnell, the Irishman," for eleven months, 6s. 8d.* The arrest of the five Geraldines caused a general panic in the Pale, as many of the gentry had been con- cerned in the rebellion, and they thought that their turn to be arrested would soon come. The following is an extract from a letter from Sir Francis Herbert, alderman of Dublin (who had been knighted for his gallant be- haviour during the siege of Dublin), to Cromwell, dated 21st March, 1536: — "Allso and pies your Maistersep, the gentyllraen of the counte of Kyldare ar the most sorryst afrayyt men in the world ; for thei thynkkes that thei shalbe taken, on after a nother of them, as Sir Jamys Fis Gerrot was, and hes brethyrn."t On the 1st May, 1536, the first Act passed in the Irish Parliament, Avhich commenced sitting on that day, was for the attainder of Gerald, Earl of Kildare, Thomas Fitz Gerald, his son and heir. Sir John and Oliver Fitz Gerald, James, John, and Edward Delahyde, John Burnell, Sir R. Walsh, " Parson of Loughsewdie," Piers, Eobert, and Maurice Walsh, Chale McGravyll, otherwise Charles Reynolds, Archdeacon of Kells, James Gernon, Christopher Parese, and Edward Roukes. (Appendix IV.) An English Act, 28 Henry VIII. c. 18,t was passed in same year, for the attainder of Thomas, ^'■Earl of Kildare, his five uncles, and their accessaries. "§ On the 1st June, 1536, the Deputy and Council wrote to Cromwell that most of the inhabitants of the four * D' Alton's Kildare, MS. f State Papers, vol. ii. p. 308. :|: Or cap. 2 of the Private Acts. § State Papers, vol. ii. p. 323. 174 EARLS OF KILDAllE. sliires had joined in the rebellion, and were consequently included in the Act of Attainder ; that hence, the King's manors, which had belonged to the late Earl of Kildare, remained uncultivated ; and they recommend that as Lord Kildare and his uncles were in the Tower, and others had been executed, a commission should be issued to grant pardons ; but that the Geraldines should on no account be suffered to return to Ireland. On the 9th August, the Council wrote to Cromwell (who had been created, in July, Lord Cromwell, and appointed Lord Privy Seal): " O'Breen, havyng a gret part of the Erie of Kildares plate and goods, woll neyther delyver the same, ne yet put from hym the Erie of Kildares sonne,* ne his servauntes." Again, on the 22nd August : As long as Desmond and O'Brien have power, " neyther shall His Grace recover to his possession suche landes in thois parties, which appertayned to th Erie of Kildare, being goodly castels, manors, and countres."t In August, Eobert Cowley also, in a paper written for Lord Cromw^ell, advised that : " Item, where the pretensid Erie of Dessmond hath lately, as a conqueror, enterid into all the Kinges castelles, garysons, manours, and landes in the countie of Lymerik, which apper- teyned to the late Erie of Kildare and accrued unto the Kinges Highnes by the atteynder of the said late Erie of Kildare," the Lord Deputy should " recover the said landes and garj^sons to the Kynges possession. ''J The following is among " Articles concerning Ii-eland," drawn up by Cromwell : — " Item, that the said Trea- * Gerald. f State Papers, vol. ii. p. 364. ^ Ibitl. p. 366. EARLS OF KILDARE. 175 sourer may knowe the Kinges pleasure howe he shall order Sir James Fitz Gerald and Eychardes landes as wel that they have in their own right, as in their wives right ; and that knowen, it shalbe necessary that the acts of theyr atteynder be certified into Ireland, &c."* In October, 1536, the Master of the Rolls, J. Allen, writes to the King : — " I am sure th Erie of Kildares landes been wors by 300 markes at the least, by the yeere, than they were Avhen Maynoth was wonne." The prisoners in the Tower seem to have received little indulgence. Towards the end of 1536, Lord Kil- dare wrote to one of his followers, John liothe, the following letter : — " Jhs, " My trusty servant, I hartely commend me unto you. I pray you that you woU delyver thys othyr letter unto Obryen. I have sent to hym for £20 starlyng, the which yflF he take you (as I trust he woll) than I woll that you com over, and bryng ytt onto my Lord Crum- well, that I may so have ytt. I never had eny mony syns I cam in to pryson, but a nobull, nor I have had nothyr hosyn, dublet, nor shoys, nor shyrt but on ; nor eny othyr garment, but a syngyll fryse gowne, for a velve furryd with bowge,t and so I have gone wolward, and barefote and barelegyd, dy verse tymes (whan ytt hath not ben very warme) ; and so I shuld have don styll, and now, but that pore prysoners, of their gentylnes, bathe sumtyme gevyn me old hosyn, and shoys, and * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 369. f Budge, lamb's fur. 176 EARLS OF KILDARE. old shyrtcs. This I wiyt unto you, not as complaynyng on my fryndes, but for to show yow the trewth of my gret nede, that you shuld be the more dylygent in goyng onto bryen, and in bryngyng me the before sayd 20£, wherby I myght the soner have here money to by me clothys, and also to amend my sclender comyns and fare, and for other necessaryes. I vvoU you take owte of that you bryng me, for your costes and labur. I pray you have me commendyd onto all my lovers and frendes, and show them that I am gude helthe. " By me, " Thomas Fytz Gerald. " To my trusty and welhelovyd " servant, John Rothes Enclosed in this letter was the following : — " Jhesus, " My specyall and welbelovyd frynd, I hartely com- mend me onto you. And I beseke and pray you to delyver and send me by thys berer, my trusty servant, John Rothe, 20£ sterlyng, upon the plate that you have in custody of myn. And in so doyng you shall show me very gret kyndnes and plesure, for I have now very gret nede. Also, I beseke you, that you do not breke nor square with the Deputye, but rather agre with hym. And also,*"! beseke you, to helpe and ayde hym in the Kyngys besynes, yf he have nede ; and so shall you do the Kynges Grace plesure, the which you EARLS OF KILDARE. 177 may be sewer Hys Grace woll bothe remembur and re- ward, and in so doyng you shall also bynd me to do for you eny thyng that shall ly in my power. " By your lovyng frynd, " Thoms Fytz Gerald. " To my trusty and welbelovyd frynd ^ Bryen.'^* The Earl appears to have amused himself, like many other prisoners, by engraving his name on a stone in the wall of the " State Prison," where may still be seen, "THOMAS FITZ G." It was never completed, probably in consequence of his death. At length, on the 3rd February, 1537, the Earl, after an imprisonment of sixteen months, and his five uncles, of eleven months, were executed as traitors at Tyburn, being drawn, hung, and quartered. So great was the influence of the Geraidines in Ireland, that even in February a report of their return caused much commotion in the Irish Parliament.t The death of the six Geraidines is thus noticed in the Annals of the Four Masters : — " 1537, Thomas, the sou of the Earl of Kildare, the best man of the English of Ireland of his time, and his father's five brothers, whom we have already mentioned, namely, James Meirgeach, Oliver, John, Walter, and Richard, were put to death in England, on the 3rd nones of February ; and all the Geraidines of Leinster were exiled and banished. The * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 402. f Ibid. p. 407. N 178 EARLS OF KILDARE. Earldom of Kildare was vested in the King ; and every one of the family who was apprehended, whether lay or ecclesiastical, was tortured or put to death. These were great losses, and the cause of lamentation throughout Ireland." Stanihurst thus describes the tenth Earl : — " Thomas Fitz Giralde, upon whom nature poured beautie, and fortune by byrth bestowed nobilitie, which had it been well employed, and were it not that his rare gyftes had bene blemished by his later evill qualities, hee would have proved a ympe worthie to bee engrafte in so honourable a stocke. Hee was of stature tall and personable ; in countenance amicable ; a white face, and withall some- what ruddie, delicately in eche lymme featured ; a rolling tongue, and a rich utterance ; of nature flexible and kinde ; verie soon caryed where hee fansied ; easily with submission appeased, hardly with stubbornnesse weyed : in matters of importance an headlong hotespurre, yet nathelesse taken for a yong man not devoyde of witte, were it not, as it fell out in the ende, that a foole had the keeping thereof." He married Frances, youngest daughter of Sir Adrian Fortescue, Knight, who was beheaded in 1540, and had no issue. On the 24th May, 1535, Thomas Agard wrote from Dublin to Cromwell : " I thinke Mr. Pawlett will cumme with the nexte wynde, and with him, Thomas the traytors wyffe. He lovys hir well (a prima facie). Howbeit I can not perceyve that sche favors him soo tenderlye."* * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 244. EARLS OF KILDARE. 179 GERALD, ELEVENTH EARL. Gerald, eleventh Earl of Kildare, was born on the 25th February, 1525. He was ten years of age at the time of his brother's arrest, and was then lying ill of the small- pox at Donore, in the Co. Kildare. His nurse imme- diately committed him to the care of his tutor, Thomas Leverous, a priest and foster-brother of his father, who carefully conveyed him in a large basket into Offaly, to his sister. Lady Mary O'Connor. There he remained until he had perfectly recovered, when he was removed first to " O'Dunn's country," and after three months to Thomond,* where he was under the care of his cousin, James Delahide, eldest son of Sir Walter Delahide, of Moyglare, Co. Meath. The misfortunes of his family had excited great sympathy for the boy over the whole of Ireland. This made the Government anxious to have him in their power ; and they endeavoured accordingly to induce O'Brien to surrender him to them. On the 22nd August, 1536, six months after the apprehension of the five Geraldines, his uncles, the Council in Ireland wrote as follows to Lord Cromwell, the Lord Privy Seal : " And as to Brene, notwithstanding his letters and promises of subjection and obedyens to the Kinges Highnes, we coulde neyther gett hym to condescend to anny confor- myte according the same, ne yet to delyver th Erie of *■ Holinshed. 180 EARLS OF KILDARE. Kyldares plate and goodes ;* but having the same, and th Erie of Kildares seconde sone, with dyverse traditors of the servauntes of the said Erie and Thomas Fitz- gerolde, and reteyning thaym, as it wer, under his pro- tection, booth therein, and otherwise in his commynica- tion and deades, usith himself after that sorte, as he thinckith it not to be his duty to recognise the Kinges Majestic, "t In the same month, Robert Cowley, in a paper written for Cromwell, advised : " Item, that the Deputie and Counsail practise and devise pollytikely, with all dili- gence, to have this yonge Gerot, James Delahide, and their complyces apprehendid, for they sease not to worke myschief."$ After remaining about six months in Thomond, Dela- hide and Leverous took Gerald, who but for the attainder would have been Earl of Kildare, as his brother had just been executed on the 3rd February, 1537, to his aunt, Lady Eleanor M'Carthy, the widow of the late and mother of the then M'Carthy Reagh.§ She resided at Kilbriton in the Co. Cork, in the territory of her son. M'Carthy was at that time in alliance with and tributary to the Earl of Desmond. || The Government, therefore, endea- voured to persuade the latter to give up Gerald. On the * These had been entrusted to him by Lord Thomas, and were, on the 2ud September, 1542, granted to him by the King. State Papers, vol. iii. p. 419. t Ibid. vol. ii. p. 3G3. i Ibid. p. 367. § He married the daughter of M'Carthy More, and succeeded him, on his death, in his chieftaincy. II James, fifteenth Earl. EARLS OF KILDARE. 181 9tli August, 1537, Cromwell wrote as follows to Sir Anthony St. Ledger : " The Kinges Majeste hathe sertein knolege, that the same Jamys of Desmonde hath in his countre Jamys de la Hyde, on called Parson Walsche, two most detestable traytors, and the sonne of the late Erie off Kyldare, whiche he may delyver at his wyll. Wherefore his Gracys pleasur is, that at your furst conferens with hym, and in your practyse for the same, if you shall think it convenyent, you shall declare that it is come to your knoledge, that he hathe in his countre the sayd persons and lyke men, that semyd of your selfys to favor hym, and wold be glad to have hym do that thing, that might for his ownebenefyt, be acceptable to His Majeste ; you shall bothe demaunde the said 3 persons, and advyse hym the best you can, for an doubted argument of his treuthe, whiche in wordes and wryting he sewith, to delyver the same to the Depute. And if you shall not induce hym thereunto, you shall yet assay by all meanes to you possible, whow to gett into your handes the said persons, eyther with his wyll, or agenst his wyll, fur I ensure you the Kinges Highnes hathe the same moche to hart, woll accept your service to be don therein most thankfully."* In October, the Earl of Desmond agreed, on obtaining a lease of " Crome, Adare, and other the late Erie of Kildares landes in the countie of Lymeric, to pay the rents thereof to the Kings officers." The object of this arrangement on the part of Desmond appears to have been to enable Gerald to obtain possession of his * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 467. 182 FARLS OF KILDARE. father's castles anrl manors, as on the 30th Decemher, Sir W. Brahazon wrote to Cromwell as follows: — " And to advertize youre Lordship of young Garret, who, as I am informed, lieth about Crome and Adare, my Lord Deputie, not onelie hy sendyng of letters, but also by privey raessyngers doeth and hath done the best he can to atteym hym."* In order to carry on negotiations with the Earl of Desmond, Royal Commissioners were appointed, and a conference was held between them and William Walsh, Mayor of Youghal, and Patrick Gold, of Kilmallock, Secretary to the Earl of Desmond, on the 10th December, 1537. The following are among the articles delivered by the Commissioners : — " Item, where as the yonge Gerald Fitz Gerald, second sonne to the late Erie of Kil- dare, hath withdrawen hyraself from the Kinges Magesty without grounde or cause. His Grace, nothing myndyng to the said Gerald Fitz Gerald, but honor and welthe, and to have cherisshed liym as his kynsman, in like sorte as his other brother is cherisshed with his motlier in the roialme of England, we require the said Lord James of Desmond to writ unto the said Gerald Fitz Gerald, advising hym in like sortes as his uncle, the Lord Deputie, hath doon, to submittehymself to the Kinge, his Sovraign Lord, and if he will not so doo at his gentyll monicion, then to procede ayenst hym, and his complices, as ayenst the Kinges rebelles and disobaysauntes. Item, if the said Gerald Fitz Gerald doo, at the monicion of the said Lord James of Desmond, submitte hymself, and * State rnpcrs, vol. ii. p. 528. EARLS OF KILDARE. 183 comme to the said Lord Jumes of Desmond, upon certificat thcrof to us the said Commissioners made, we the same Commissioners coneede, that the said Gerald Fitz Gerald shall have the Kinges most gracious pardon for his said absentyng, and for all other offences doon to our said Sovraign Lord, and to be from thensforth taken as the Kinges true and loving subject."* These terms were evaded by the Earl, who was aware tluit the cause of Gerald, now the chief of the Geraldines, would soon become the rallying point of a confederacy of the Irish Chiefs. A negotiation had for some time been carried on for a marriage between Manus O'Donnell of Tyrconnell and Lady Eleanor M'Carthy. She at last consented to it, at the urgent desire of lier kindred, who lioped thus to secure an asylum for Gerald, and to form an alliance which should eventually lead to his restoration. Li May, 1538, messengers having been sent to her by O'Donnell, 0'Neill,t and the Earl of Desmond, Lady Eleanor, with her nephew Gerald, accompanied by James Delahide, Sir liichard Walsh, (who had bc(!n chaplain to the late Earl, and had returned from his fruitless mission to the Em- peror,) Thomas Leverous, and a slight escort, went into Thomond, where she was hospitably received by O'Brien. Thence they proceeded into Galway, to Ulick de Burgh, afterwards Earl of Clanricarde, who escorted them to the northern M'William Burke, of Sligo, and from thence * State Papers, vol. ii. p. 537. i Coil liacagh, first cousin to Gerald, and younger brother and suc- cessor of Turlogh and Art O'Neill. 184 EARLS OF KILDARE. they passed into Tyrconnell or Donegal, without having experienced any obstruction. This journey from the south to the north of Irehmd is remarkable as showing the sympathy of the Irish popula- tion and the want of information on the part of the Government, who, notwithstanding the anxiety of the King to obtain possession of Gerald, were only informed of his departure and of the marriage of Lady Eleanor with O'Donnell by common report after both events had taken place. On tiie 5th June, 1538, the Treasurer, Sir William Brabazon, wrote to the Chief Justice, Aylmer, and the Master of the Rolls, Allen : — " The late Erie of Kildare his suster is gon to be maried to Manus Donell, with whom is gon yong Gerrot, Delahides, and others, which I like not."* And on the same day. Justice Luttrel wrote to Aylmer : — " Elyenour Fitz Gerrot, lat wyff to Mac Carty Ryagh, is past throw Tomownd and so throw Conaght to Ulster, to Manus Downyll to mary with hym ; and with hir is gon Gerrot, son to the lat Erie of Kildar. We doubt part of his goyng ther, lest his trust scholdbe, by the aide of the North and Scotland, to mak werre. But O'Neyl saith he wyll kep good peace."f On the 10th June, the Council of Ireland, in a letter to Cromwell, stated: — "Furthermore, one Alienor Fitz Gerald, sister to the late Erie of Kildare, late wiflp of a grete capiteyn of Mounestre, named McCarte Riaghe, who hathe bene the principale refuge and succor of the yonge Gerald Fitz Gerald, and sithen his departure out * State Papers, vol. iii. p. 18. f Ibid. p. 19. EARLS OF KILDARE. 185 of the Eiiglishry is nowe, withe the same Gerald, two of James Fitz Geraldes sonnys, and other his adherentes, departed out of ]\Iounestre, throwe Brenes countre and Connaght, to Donyll, to thentent the said Alienor shuld be to Donyll maried ; so as the combynacion of Neill,* being nere of kyn to the said Alienor and Gerald, with Donyll, and them unto whome, Irishe Scottes oft tyraes resortithe, and in a maner are at ther draght and pleasure, is moche to be doubted."! On the 28th June, the Earl of Ormonde wrote as follows to the Council of Ireland : " Pleasid your Wisedomes to be advertysid, that nowe is come to me Teige Mc Cormoke, the laste Cormoke Oges sonn, and hath advertysid me that my Lady Ellenor Fitz Gerald, th Erie of Kildares suster, Avhich was Mc Artte Reaghes wife, and the yonge Gerald, the said Erles sonn, be departid and gone from Monyster to Donyll is centre ; and, as the saide Teige saith, he, ne his wife, the said Ellenors doghter, was not previe to hir departing, with the said yonge Gerald; and Mc Artte Reagh, that now is, hir Sonne, went with him to James of Desmond, where they did mete Donyll and Neiles messingers, that came against the said yonge Gerald; and there, togethers with the messingers, the said Ellener and Gerald toke their jornay to Brene, and therhense to Mc Willam, and from thense to the other Mc Willam is centre, and so forth thrughe the Irishrie, till they came within 7 myle to Donyll is centre, where oon Ee Mc Cragbe, a * Son of Lady Alice Fitz Gerald, sister of Lady Eleanor, f State Papers, vol. iii. p. 28. 186 EARLS OF KILDARE. rymor, which dwellith in the contre of Tiperarie, then being in that parte at lernyng, duel mete with them, and kepte company togethers, till they came to Donills house ; and after ther comyng thether, the said Donyll hath sent for Neill, the yonge Geraldes nighe kynnys- man, who glad came to them, and there, by the procure- ment of the said Ellenor, the said Donyll and ONeile were bounde and sworne togethers to take oon parte with the said Gerald against the Englishrie, and have fond suerties, otherwise callid slanteghe, the oon of them upon the other, according ther olde use and custome, for the due performans of the same. The said rymor, then being present, have seyn and harde ther combynacion after that sorte as they ar fully determynid to take oon parte with the said yonge Gerald against th Inglishrie ; and hath appointid 24 horsmen, well apparaillid, to wayte upon the said Gerald, at his pleasure. This rymor telte me that the comen reaporte was, thrughe Donyll is contre, that the Scottish King have sent to Donill that he shuld fynde the meanes to send the said Gerald to him to Scotland ymediately after his comyng to Donill ; to what purpose or intente I can not tell ; but I do think perfectly that the sendinge of this yonge boy to Donyll and Neille was partely practisid and devisid by James of Desmond, O'Brene, and other Iryshmen of Monnyster of the Geraldyns secte. And if any stirring be, I insure you, that Fargananym Karroll will be oon of the principall and chief capitains of the same, what so evyr shall be said or reaportid to the contrary."* And again, on the * State Papers, vol. iii, p. 4t. EARLS OF KILDARE. 187 20tli July, in a letter to R. Cowley, the Earl wrote : " Sethens my last writting both to my Lord Previe Seale and you, I have had witting out of Ullestere, that ODonell and Tiege Mc Kahili Oge, nowe called O'Connor Connaght, who were hitherto mortall enemyes togethers for the castell of Slygoo, are brought nowe to be frendes, and determynid to take oon parte with the yonge Gerald against the King, by the meanes of my Lady Ellianor Fitz Gerald, the Erie of Kildares susther, who have practised many others in Connaght and Ullester to be of the same mynde .... The Bishop O'Donyll,* James Delahide, Maister Lurons, and Robert Walshe, ar gone as messingers from O'Donill, O'Neill, and the yonge Gerald, th Erie of Kildares sonn, to Scotland, to praye ayde of the Scottishe King ; and befor ther going all the gentilmen of Ullester, for the more parte promeysid to reteyne as many Scottes as they had broght with them, at ther owne costes and charges during ther being in the countre."t On the 12th December, 1538, in a letter from the Council to Cromwell, it is stated that it is reported that Gerald had made his escape to Scotland ; and that having examined James Bathe, one of the " Deputies counsaille," whether he had any knowledge of it, he declared that about twenty days before. Prior Walshe had written from Ulster to the Deputy, saying that in three or four days Gerald intended to sail over the sea.$ In May, 1539, Lord L. Grey wrote to the King that O'Neill and O'Donnell had agreed to meet him at Carryc * Bishop of Deny. t State Papers, vol. iii. p. 52. J Ibid, p. 110. 188 EARLS OF KILDARE. Bradagh, near Dundalk, on the 30tli April, and had promised to bring Gerald to the Lord Deputy ; that neither appearing, he had marched into Armagh; but that being impeded by heavy rains, he had concluded peace with O'Neill* On the 31st October, 1539, Lord L. Grey wrote from *' the Kinges Castell of Maynuth," to Cromwell : — " At thys tyme I thowght that Neyll and I showide have mett, and the sayd Geralde wolde have come with hym ; and yf the caes had soo chaunsed, I wolde surelye have takyn him ; and yf not, by the othe that I have made to my soveraign Lorde and Master, I wolde have taken the sayd Neyll and a kept him, tyll he had causyd the sayd Geralde to have byn delyvered to my handes."t On the 26th May, 1539, Sir William Brabazon Avrote to Crom^Yell as follows : — " It is good your Lordship move the Kinges Majestic, that by sum raaner of meanes this boy might be had, thogh he shuld be bought of sum of the traytors aboute hym, and thei to have their pardons, wlioez power after his taking is nothing. "t On the 10th July, J. Allen, in a letter to Cromwell, advises that five or six ships and 700 or 800 men, with artillery, should be sent to the coast of O'Donnell's country, while all the troops in the country should march there by land, to force O'Donnell to submission, for " as long as this yong traytor Gerald, and his cumpany, be abrode, we shall never be in securitie here ;"§ and he encloses the "confession of Connor More O'Chonnour, * State Papers, vol iii. p. 126. f Ibid. p. 156. + Ibid. p. 133. § Ibid. p. 137. EARLS OF KILDARE. 189 servaiint and messenger to yong Geralde, son of the late Erie of Kiklare," made before the Chancellor and others on the 17th April, 1539, in which he states that he was a servant of the Deputy, and had been sent two years before to Gerald, with whom he had remained ; that, by the advice of O'Neill and O'Donnell, he was sent by Gerald to the O'Tooles of Wicklow, to inquire what aid they would give him ; that they had replied that they would assist him, and that the Earl of Desmond, the Byrnes, and the Kavanaghs would do the same; that Gerald would have come to the Deputy, but that O'Neill would not allow him ; and that Art Oge O'Toole had sent to Gerald before Christmas " a safErn slierte dressed with silke, and a mantell of Inglish cloth fringed with silke, and certen money."* On the 8th September, 1539, Eobert Cowley, in a letter to Cromwel], wrote : " By the pestiferous workyng of this 0'Do\Ynylles wife, th Erie of Kyldares syster, they, whoos auncestors were ever at discencyon, bee made oon, and their powers concurring have practysid to allure to theyra, many capeteyns of Irishmen, which never be- fore was towardes any of theym, as Clane e Boy, O'Eoryk, M'Coglyn, Cahan, Magwyre, Nele Conelagh, McDermot, and many moo ; so that there never was seen in Irland so great a boost of Irishmen, and Scottes, bothe of the oute Yles, and of the mayne land of Scotland ; and on the other syde the pretendid Erie of Dessmond hath all the strength of the West."t He continues that the Lord Deputy had, however, so discomfited * State Paper?, vol. Hi. p. 139. | Ibid. p. 145. 190 EARLS OF KILDAKE. the Northerns, as to have prevented their junction with Desmond, and that the cause of this confedera- tion Avas that they considered the King to be a heretic. Further on he says : "I ensuere your Lordship that this English Pale, except the townes, and very few of the possessioners, bee soo affectionat to the Geraldynes, that for kynrede, maryage, fostering, and adhering as fol- lowers, they coveite more to see a Geraldyn to reigne and triumphe, then to see God come emonges theym ; and yf they might see this yong Gerotes baner displayed, if they should lose half their substance, they wold reyoise more at the same, than otherwise to gayne great goodcs."* In the beginning of 1540, the Irish confederacy was still in existence. On the 18th January, the Lord Deputy (Grey) and the Council informed the King that " the detestable traictors, yonge Geralde, Nele, Donyll, the pretendid Erie of Desmonde, Brene, Connor, and Mulmoy," continued to destroy the property of His Majesty's subjects, to subdue the whole land to the supremacy of the Pope, and to elevate the Geraldines. About the middle of March, 1540, Lady Eleanor O'Donnell, suspecting that it was the intention of her husband to surrender Gerald to the English Government, resolved to send him away. She engaged a merchant vessel of St. Malo, which happened to be in Donegal Bay, to convey a small party to the coast of Brittany. She then gave 140 gold Portugueses to Gerald, and sent him * State Papers, vol. iii. p. 148. EARLS OF KILDARE. 191 with his tutor, Leverous, and Robert Walsh, a faithful servant of his father, on board in a small boat. He was dressed in a saffron-coloured shirt like one of the natives. The vessel immediately set sail, and arrived safely at St. Malo, where Gerald was hospitably received by the Governor, Mons. de Chateaubriand.* Bartholomew Warner, an agent of the English Govern- ment, who sent an account of this transaction to Sir John Wallop, the English Ambassador in France, says that it was arranged by O'Dounell himself; but Stani- hurst, who had conversed with Gerald after his resto- ration to the earldom, on this subject, says that it was Lady Eleanor who planned the escape, and that having secured the safety of her nephew, she reproached O'Don- nell for his treachery, and telling him that the only inducement to marry him no longer existing, she would not remain with a ti*aitor, " and trussing up bag and baggage, she forsoke Doneyle, and returned to hir country." On the 17th March, 1540, Grey w^ rote as follows to Cromwell : — " Yt was bruted that yong Geralde went in to Fraunce, wich thing then I thought best shuld not abyn noysed, till surer knoledge had byn thereof; sertefieng your Lordshipp that syns Orayle, Sir Gerald Fitz Gerald, Knight, th Abbot of Clonard, hath sent me sure word that the said Geralde ys departid into Fraunce, for every of them sent spyes at my commaundement to know the trouthe, who hath brought them sur woorde of his departur, as thei have advertised me. I doubt not * Holinslied, iii. 102. 192 EARLS OF KILDARE. your Lordship will work herin for his apprehension, as ye shall thinke good. Wold God he wer ons in holt, or ryde owt of the worde. It shuld be mych for the quyetnes of the Kynge's poor subjectes here.'"* The following account of Gerald's escape is contained in a letter, signed " Barthilmew Warner," and addressed : *' A Monseigneur, Monseigner I'Ambassadeur d'Angleterre, estant a present a la Court de Fiance. A la Court," and dated, "Eennes, 22nd May, 1540." " Pleasythe hit your Lordeship to uuderstonde, that at my cummyng hither, I have (according as I am bownde chefely to Gode and to my Prince, as also to fullfyll your Lordeships commaundement) enquiryde, as diligently as I cowlde, bothe oflf Yngleshmen and other, and sent also one, which is my solicytor in this towne, to St. Malo, purposely to lerne the maner how the brother of Thomas Fylzgarethe was convayed owt of Irland, and of hys aryvyng in thes partis. "Wher he was instruct, on the maner folowing, of the selfe parsone which brought him over, whose name is Allen Governors, dwelling in St. Malo, that he, being with his shipe on marchandyse in Yrlande, ner unto thos parties wher great Adonels abyding is, ther came unto him the sayde Adonel, with certeyne other (as men callytbe them) religiouse par- sones, or men of the Churche, the which intreatyd with him to bring over the sayde Fylzgarethe ; the which thing was agreyd, and an acte passyd between them, sygned by a notary. The name of the p»lace wher yt was made, nor off the notary, my sayde solicitor cowlde * State Papers, vol. iii. p. 193. EARLS OF KILDARE. 193 not tell me. In the which acte he was bownde to render him saffe alande at St. Malo, and the other that shuld pase lykewjse with him, and a certeyne number of silver vessell also. The sayd Fylzgarathe was convayde aborde the ship in the nyght in a small cocke, havyng on but a saffronyd shurtt, and barheaddyd, lyke one of the wyllde Yreshe, and with him 3 persons. The one was a prest, his name they know not, but they say he is his scole master,* and hathe governyd him ever sins the deathe of his father, the which they say also kepythe him so under, that, and yfF he rebuke him never so little, he treamblythe for fear. The secondes name they heard say is Robert,! his surname they knew not. And the other he herde not callyde by his name, wherefore he cowlde give me no knowledge therof. After ther departing from Yrlande they arryA'd at Murles,t wher as he was well receyvyd of the captayne, whiche leadde him throughe the towne by the hande ; wher he taryed 3 or 4 days, and strayghtwayes the captayne sent word to Monsieur de Chaterbriande off ther arrivyng there. And a yong man of AVaterforde, which is her in sewt, as I ame, tolde me that he herde of a marchant of Merles, that ther wer certeyne Yngleshe marchantes, that went to se him, and to speake with him ; but thorough the meanes of the prest, as we suppose, the captayne wold not suffer them to ciirame ner him. And frome thens they came in the sayde shippe to Saynt Malo, where he was also well rescyvyd of them of the town, and specially of Jacques Quartier, the pilott, whiche your Lordeship spake * Leverous. f Robert Walsh. + Morlaix. 194 EAELS OF KILDABE. off at my being at Eoune.* who leadde him to the captavns deputre of the towne. which welcomyd him according to his powr. And ther he taryed 5 or 6 dayes, lodegyd at the aforenamyd Alen Governors howse, wheras the most parte of Ynglese raarchantes ar lodegyd when they comme thether ; and ther Monsieur de Chaterbriands post met him, whiche. as I c onjectur, ledde thether horse for him, for he brought non owt of Trlande with him, nor yet great store of money, for he was fayne to geve of his silver vessell for his passage. And on Ester Tewsday at nyght, ryding one his jomey towardes Shaterbriand, he aryved in this towne acompanyd with sayd post, and with him also Jacques Quartier, Alen Governor, with divers others of St, Malo. And her he made the sayd Alen Governor aquitanse for that he was bownd in Trland, as well for his parson, as for his plate, and the other that camme with him. And in all this cowntre, wher he passyd, he was, and is to this day, namyd to be King off Yrland, and that the King our Master hathe disheretyd him of hys ryght. The which thing I think to prosede sonner of them of St. Malo, than of the sayd Garethe or of eny of his, for they say that they cowlde speake scant a word of Frenshe. And the next day in the mornyng, which was Wedens- day, the proquror for the burgoys of this towne went to his lodegyng and welcomyd him, desyring him to tary all that day to se the towne, and the comnKylites thereof ; the which Monsieur Chaterbriands post refusyd by cause he was commaundyd to bring him stray ght thether ; * Bonen. EARLS OF KILPARE. 195 wher he was well resseyvyd, and servyd lyke as shiild apparteyne to a man of great estat. And frome thens, as one Monsieur Chaterbriands servantes tolde me, that he departyd towarde the Cowrt ; and, as yt is sayd, he goythe thether to presente himselfe to the Dolfine, to desire him of ayde. And summe agayne saythe, that he goythe to desyr him to bring him into his Princis grace. I trust your Lordsliip knowythe the trowthe long or this time, for I marvel that he was not aryvyd at the Cowrt, before your Lordships departing from Eoune, except he hathe left that purpose, and is gone to the Bishoppe of Rome, fearing the treatis of peace, which is betwen the King our Master and the Frcnshe King ; which thing they of St. Malo, and specyally thos that brought hym over, dothe fear lykewyse, lest they shulde be punyshed for ther bryngyng hether of him. Hit is pitic that he hathe hade so yll cownsell, to use him self in mauer agaynst his Lorde and Prince, for they say that he is a propre yong gentilman."* In August, 1540, O'Donnell, having made his sub- mission, received a letter of forgiveness. t It is remark- able that his wife. Lady Eleanor, did not sue for pardon until 15 15. O'Neill, t also, and O'Connor Faly, having submitted, were pardoned, the former in September, and the latter in November. The Earl of Desmond was acknowledged as Earl in February, 1541, and O'Brien's § adhesion was given in the November following. In that year also a pardon Avas granted to " Owen Keynan, of Capper varget, near Rathangan, Harper, otherwise * State Paper?, vol. iii p. 21 1. f Ibul. p. 231. X Created Karl of Tyrone, in 1 512. § Created Earl of Tlioniond, in 1543. 196 EARLS OF KILDAIiE. Owen Keynan, servant of Gerald, late Earl of Kildare, otherwise Owen Rymour, otherwise Keynan, the Poet, otherwise Owen Keynan Keyege, Bard," and to Cornelius Keynan, his son.* For some years previously complaints had been sent to England of the conduct of Lord Leonard Grey,t in favouring Brian O'Connor Faly, Fcrganainm O'Carroll, Murrough O'Brien, and other friends of the Geraldines. On the 28th March, 1538, James White wrote to Crom- well of Lord Leonard : " His inventions and proced- inges is supposid to be such, conforming him selfe moche to the counsaile of thos, that wer great about th Erie of Kildare and his suster, that he hath in maner alyenatid from him the appetittis of the Kinges most treu and faithfuU subgietes ;"| and on the 26th April, 1538, Matthew King also, in a letter to Cromwell : " O'Conour ys lyke to do well, for as yet he is abedient. He hath ben all this Ester with my Lorde Deputie at Maynowth, and 10 of his horsemen with him." On the 20th June, Lord Butler, in a letter to A. Cowley, says : " My Lord Deputie is the Erie of Kildare newly borne againe, not oonly in distruying of thoos that alway hav servid the Kinges Majestic, but also in mayntenyng the hole secte, band and aliaunce of the said Erie, after so vehement and cruell a sorte, as the like hath not been seen, to be bydden by. O'Connour, that evyr hath been the oonly scourge of the English Pale, who hath maried th Erie of Kildares doghter, is his right hand; and who but * Dalton's Kildare, MS. f He was uncle to Gerald. X State Papers, vol. ii. p. 562. EARLS OF KILDARE. 197 he? Karroll, no we Fargannanym, that hath married the said Erles other doghter, and was alway the conductoiir of the traictour Thomas Fitz Gerakl to the Irishrie, is now in favour with him, noo man like, next to O'Connour. In so mouche that he hath lately sent his household servauntes and his awne company, with the said Ferga- nanym, to besiege the castel of Byrr ; whiche, as you knowe, is my Lord my Fathers inheritans ; like as the Erie of Kildare dud at the beginyng of his rebellion, &c. .... Neile, th Erie of Kildares kynnysman and cheife band, who alway, as well in my Lord of Northfolkes tyme, being the Kinges Lieutenaunt, as also in Sir Wil- liam Skeffington is tyme being His Graces Deputie, was the scourge that the said Erie had uppon the bordores of Mith and Uriell, when the said Erie wolde procure him to styrre, is now mouche made of by my said Lord Deputie ; in so mouche that he doth promeys to bringe him to Dublin to here the swerde afore him, as he dud before the Erie of Kildare."* Among Aylmer and Allen's accusations against Lord L. Grey in June, 1538, are the following : " Oon Thomas Albanagh, late messenger to th Erie of Kildare, a false traitor, and nowe in grat truste with my saide Lorde ;"t and " where yong Gerot, son to the late Erie of Kildare, being tiie said Lorde Deputies susters son, was not oonlie at the said Lorde Deputies commaundement, and in his custodie, long before the apprehensyon of the Geraldynes ; but also, being and contynuyng within 3 myles of Maynothe, * State Papers, vol. iii. p. 32. j I^'i^- P- ^8. 198 EARLS OF KILDARE. a good space after their apprehension, the same Geralde departid out of the countrey peaeiblye to the Kinges ennemy's and rebelles wlicr he now is."* Of St. Lcger, however, Thomas Agard wrote, on the 4th April, 1.038 : "As for Irand, excepte it be a verrey fi^w, whicli owe tlier hertes to tlie Garrohlyns, and are bronde at the liertes with a ' G.' for the same, I thinke, the will sey ther never cam man of his degree lyke in favor thorrow tlie lande, as he is."t In September, 1540, the King wrote to St. Leger, ordering articles of accusation to be prepared against Lord Leonard Grey, who had been created Viscount Graney. These articles were forwarded by the Council in October, 1540."! Among them are the following : — That being Deputy, he had formed a private council of friends of the Geraldines, viz.. Justice Ths. Ilowth, .James Bathe, Sir Gerjild Fitz Gerald, Walter Golding, of the Grange, and John Field. § That though Gerald was long in Kildare with his tutor Leverous, he had suffered them to depart. That he corresponded with Gerald, while the latter was in an Abbey on the borders of Westmeath. That he had a servant called Robert Walsh, brother of Prior Walsh, and son of William Walsh, stan- dard-bearer to the late Earl of Kildare, which liobert, having been standard-bearer to Thomas Lord Offaly, on the committal of the latter to the Tower, had taken his jewels to Lord L. Grey, who concealed them, and only surrendered a portion of them on its becoming known * State Papers, vol. iii. p. 39. t I1>'<1- ^ol. ii. p. 567. X Ibid. vol. iii. p. 248. § Ibid. p. 209. EARLS OF KILDARK. 199 that they were in his possession ; that he had appointed R. Walsh keeper of his chamber-door, and of the door of the Council chamber and Parliament House ; and that Walsh, having left his service, had entered into that of Gerald, and had accompanied him into Munster. The Lord L. Grey had so much confidence in O'Con- nor, as to pass through his country with a very small retinue into O'Carroll's country, of which Ferganainm was chief, who was foster-son and son-in-law to the Earl of Kildare, and who had been the King's open enemy in the late rebellion ; that he then passed into Desmond, where he met the Earl ; that in Tliomoud he had formed a friendship with O'Brien's wife, who was sister to the Earl of Desmond, and who had been " an entier fi-end to the traitor Thomas Fitz Gerald ;" that he then passed into Connaught, having as safe conduct only one of O'Brien's galloglasscs, bearing an axe before him ; and that he had then deposed the M'William from his seig- nory of Clanricarde, and appointed to it Ulick de Burgh. That in consequence of his connexion with the Gcral- dines, he was opposed to the Butlers, and persecuted their friends. That he was god-father to O'Neill's son, who was nephew to the Earl of Kildare. And that he had promised a pardon to Gerald and Leverous if they would surrender themselves, and had repeatedly sent Prior Walsh to Gerald in Tyrconnell.* ' These and other charges not only led to Lord Graney's recall in 1540, but to his conviction for high treason, and to his execution on Tower Hill on the 28th June, 1541. * State Tapers, vol. iii. p. 248. 200 EARLS OF KILDARE. The Earl of Kildare, many years subsequently, being asked if it was true or false that Lord L. Grey had corresponded with him, and had assisted him in his escape, replied that "he never spake with the Lorde Gray, never sent messenger to him, nor receyved messen- ger or letter from him."* Gerald remained a month with Monsieur de Chateau- briand, who sent a messenger announcing his arrival to Francis I. The King sent for him to Paris, and placed him with the young Dauphin, afterwards Henry II. As soon as it was known that he was in France, the English Ambassador, Sir John Wallop, made a formal demand that the terms of the treaty, by which each of the two Sovereigns was bound not to harbour any sub- ject of the other when called upon to deliver him up, should be fulfilled in this case, and added that the boy was the brother of a notorious traitor, who had been executed in London. Francis evaded this demand, requiring a special commission to that effect from his sovereign. Wallop then despatched a messenger to England for furthur instructions. On the 6th September, 1541, Thomas Barnaby wrote to Henry VIII. from Rouen, that he had been sent a short time before, by Sir John Wallop, to the French Court, to procure letters to various parts of France, and particularly to the " Lieutenante Creminell of Paris, for the taking of Garret Fiz Garret, with those that were with him." That he had long sought for them in vain, but had at last arrested a " Breteyn, named Vyncent * Hoiinshed, iii. 109. EARLS OF KILDARE. 201 Noblet," who had been Gerald's guide, by order of the Commandant of Morlaix, and with him one Darby, and had seized " such stuffe and money" as Gerald had in his lodging, but could not find the boy himself. That, on the 26th January, 1541, on his way from Paris to Rouen, he had met Noblet, who was going to the fair of Eouen, and had invited him to dinner ; and, having become very intimate with him, had asked him where Gerald was. He at first denied all know- ledge of him ; but when he said that he would be well rewarded if he would cause the child to be delivered up, and that it would be a meritorious act, as the boy would hereafter curse the time he first knew those who had led him into rebellion against his Prince, he replied that he would not for £20,000 have him given up, except under a promise of pardon ; that " he loved the child above all men, and wished in God the Kinges Majestye knewe his vertuous and gentill condicions that war in him ;" that he had heard him often say " that he wold to God that he Avere in the Kinges favor, and with his mother in England ;" that Walsh and Leverous, as soon as they could get money, intended to go to Cardinal Pole ; that Walsh was " a stubborne kankerde-harted fellowe," and kept the child in great awe, and beat him naked if he spoke to any one he did not like, but that Leverous was a right sober man, who wished " the child had his pardon."* To relieve the King of France from farther embar- rassment, Gerald was privately sent with Leverous to * State Papers, vol. iii. p. 281. 202 EARLS OF KILDARE. Valenciennes, in Flanders, then part of the dominions of the Emperor Charles V. The English Ambassador, however, sent one of his suite, James Sherlock, to Valenciennes, as a spy upon their movements. Leverous discovered this, and gave information of it to the Spanish Governor, who sent for Sherlock, and under pretence that, on examination, he could not give a satisfactory account of himself, threw him into prison. He then sent Gerald to Brussels, where the Emperor held his Court. Charles V. was willing to protect Gerald, but as the English Ambassador, Dr. Gates, had been instructed to demand his surrender, he was sent privately to the Bishop of Liege, the Emperor allowing him a hundred crowns a month. The Bishop treated him very honour- ably, and placing him in a monastery at Liege, watched over his safety. After he had been there six months, his kinsman. Cardinal Reginal Pole, who had in the mean- while received intelligence of his place of retreat, invited him to go to Italy. Gerald, before his departure, resigned his pension to the Emperor, and the Cardinal, on his arrival at Eome, settled upon him an annuity of 300 crowns, and treated him with the greatest affection. He placed him successively with the Bishop of Verona, the Cardinal of Mantua, and the Duke of Mantua,* in order that he might be fully instructed as a scholar and an accomplished gentleman. The Duke added a pension of 300 crowns to that which he already received from the Cardinal. His tutor, Leverous, who had watched * Frederick III. Gonzaga. EARLS OF KILDARE. 203 with SO much fidelity over his safety, was at the same time, through the interest of Cardinal Pole, admitted into the English monastery at Rome, called St. Thomas' Hospital ; and Robert Walsh returned to Ireland.* In the years 1544 and 1545, it w^as rumoured in Ireland that the King of France Avas preparing to land a strong force to accompany Gerald to that country. On the 20th May, 1544, Sir William Brabazon, who held the ofl&ce of Lord Justice in the absence of the Lord Deputy, and the Council of Ireland, wrote to Henry VIII. that the Mayor and citizens of Wexford, had informed them that " by suche espyall as they have from parties beyonde the sea, yong Geralde, th Erie of Kyldares sonne, late being in Italy, ys come into Brytayne, to the town of Nantes ; at what place ther ys, by appoyntement of the Frenche Kyng, a navy prepared to sett the sayde Geralde, with an armye, into this your Realm," and that the inhabitants of Waterford, hearing that they intended to lay siege to the city, were making preparations to resist the invaders. They therefore advised that the Royal forces should be increased, as they suspected that the McCarthys and O'Connors Faly would be ready to join the enemy.t Again, on the 13th June, they stated that they were informed that a force of 15,000 men was assembled at Brest.t And the 14th April, 1545, Sir A. St. Leger wrote to the Privy Council that he was informed that in the beginning of summer there would be sent to the North of Ireland a " certeyn capteyn of the wylde Scottes, and * Holiushed, iii. 102. f State Papers, vol. iii.p. 501. J Ibid. p. 504. 204 EAllLS OF KILDARE. that tlie French King wolde sende yonge G-erralde, with some power with hym, to joyne with the said Scottes;"* and again, on the 6th of May, he wrote, that in case of invasion, he had caused beacons to be erected round the coasts.t In June, 1545, however. Lady Eleanor O'Donnell having received the royal pardon, all fears of invasion appear to have subsided. When Gerald had been at Mantua eighteen months. Cardinal Pole recalled him to Rome, and continued to overlook his education, " ordering his masters to correct his faults, but himself not appearing to be aware of them.'t In 1544, when he was eighteen years of age, the Cardinal consulted him as to whether he wished to continue his studies, or to travel to foreign courts, and thus become acquainted with the world. He chose the latter, and proceeded, with letters of introduction from the Cardinal, to Naples, where he became acquainted with some Knights of St. John, and accompanied them to Malta. Two of his uncles had belonged to that Order, which, probably, led to his acquaintance with the Knights. He soon after sailed to Tripoli, which was at that time a fort of the Knights on the coast of Barbary, and served for six weeks under Montbrison, the commander of the garrison, against the Turks and Moors. During the time he was with the Knights, they took and plun- dered some rich towns and villages near the coast. He consequently returned to Malta with honour and a large amount of booty. * State Papers, vol. iii. p. 514. j Ibid. p. 517. X Holiushed, iii. 103. EARLS OF KILDARE. 205 At the end of about a year, in 1545, he returned to Rome, where he was joyfully received by the Cardinal, who increased his pension from 300 crowns to £300, and introduced him to the service of Cosmo de Medici, Duke of Florence. Cosmo appointed him Master of his Horse, with a pension of 300 ducats per annum, in addition to the £300 which he received from the Cardinal, and the 300 crowns from the Duke of Mantua. This pension Avas for his life, or until his Irish estates should be restored to him. He remained at the Court of Cosmo for three years. The following adventure, which happened to him at that time, is related by Stanihurst, who had conversed with the Earl, and to whom he probably related it : — Having " travelled to Rome a-shroving of set purpose to be merry," he was one day hunting with the nephew of the Pope, Cardinal Farnese, when, in the eagerness of the pursuit of a buck, he became separated from his company, and being unacquainted with the locality, fell into a deep pit. His horse was killed by the fall, but grasping some roots at the side of the pit, he clung for some time to them, and when he could hold no longer, slid down upon the body of his horse, and stood upon it for three hours over his ankles in water. "When his favourite Irish greyhound, named " Grif hound," missed his master, he followed his track, and stood at the edge of the pit, howling. Cardinal Farnese and his train, having meanwhile sought for him in vain, were at length guided to the pit by the barking of the dog ; and having procured ropes in a neighbouring village. 206 EARLS OF KILDARE. they succeeded in rescuing him " to the singular gratu- lation of the Cardinal and all his friends."* It is mentioned in the " Gherardini Papers," that Gerald was about this time staying on a visit at Padua and Venice, with Monsignor Piero Camesecchi, and with him visited Florence, where he, probably, made acquaintance with the members of the Gherardini family. It is also mentioned that some Florentine merchants, having visited England in 1550, had brought back some dogs as presents from the Earl of Kildare, and that in 1566, Monsignor Girolano Fortini, having announced his marriage with a daughter of Piero Gherardini, to his brother Pagalo, in London, received soon after a letter from him, in which he said that he had met the Earl of Kildare, who had given him several kinds of dogs, which he had forwarded to his brother at Florence. Gerald remained abroad until after the death of Henry VIII., which happened in 1547. Pie then went to London with some foreign ambassadors, accompanied by his old friend, Thomas Leverous. He was considered one of the handsomest young men of his time. At a masque given by Edward VL, he met Mabel, daughter of Sir Anthony Brown, K.G., Master of the Horse to the King, and step-daughter of his sister. Lady Elizabeth. She fell in love with him, and they were soon after married. Through the influence of his father-in-law, he was received into favour by the King, who knighted him, and restored to him his Irish estates by letters patent, dated at Westminster, on the 25th April, 1552. * Holinshed, lii. 104. EAKLS OF EILDARE. 207 On the Uth November, 1551, Sir James Croft, Lord Deputy of Ireland, wrote the following letter to the Duke of Northumberland : — *' Yt male please your Grace to be advertised, that wheare sondrie Busshoppricks in this land be voyde, as Armagh, Cassell, and Osserie, to which chardge I knowe of no men yet nomynated, but do day ly looke the Counsells pleasurs therein, and specially Armagh, at wiche place, yf some discrete man war appoynted, and chefely suche a man as had lyvyng in England to mayntayne hymself, that thereby he mought be able to take chardge as a Commyssioner in those parties, Avithout which ordre taken there, and in other places, it is not possyble that the varyance and questions, which shall dayly ryse can be decydyd. And for thother Busshoppricks, beyng nere at hand in the more quyeter countrey, we have not here any for suche a chardge, saving one Leverosse, that was skoole master to the Lorde Garrett, who for lernyng discrescon and (in outwarde apparaunce) for good lyvyng, is the metyst man in this Realme and best able to preache both in the Englishe and the Iryshe tonge. Nevertheles forasmuche as he was thought an offendor, for conveying the said L. Garrett out of the Realme, and notwith- standing syns had his pardon, I dare not become a suter for hym : albeit, as I have said, I knowe no man so mete. I hard hym preache suche a sarmon, as, in my symple opyneon, I hard not in meny yeares. I have alredy wrytten in favor of the Busshopp of Kyldare for the Busshopprick of Osserie, doubting lest my sute for this man wolde not take place, howbeit yf your Grace think 208 EARLS OF KILDARE. good upon this comendacon to preferr tlie man, I shalbe hable to avouche asmuche as I have said. Kyhnanam, the 11th of Novembre, 1551. " Your graces evermore bounden " at commaundementj " James Croft.* " To the Diik of JSforthumberlandes grace" It is remarkable that Leverous was thus recommended in the reign of Edward VI. as the fittest man to be called to the Episcopal Bench, to which he was after- wards raised by Queen Mary, when, on the 1st March, 1554, he was appointed Bishop of Kildare, in succession to Thomas Lancaster, who was deprived for having con- tracted marriage, and also Dean of St. Patrick's, being the first after the restoration of the cathedral, Avhich had been suppressed in 1547. In January, 1559, the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Essex, held a Parliament for the introduction of the reformed religion, when Leverous and Walsh, Bishops of Kildare and Meath, alone of all the Prelates, refused to sanction the innovation, and were deprived of their sees. Leverous was also deprived of the Deanery for refusing to take the oath of supremacy. He afterwards kept a school at Adare, near Limerick, and, about 1577, died in the eightieth year of his age at Naas, and was buried there in the parish church of St. David. He was a native of the County of Kildare. * Shirley's Original Letters relative to the Irish Church, p. 61. EARLS OF KILDARE. 209 In 1553, Cardinal Pole was appointed to the Arch- bishopric of Canterbury, and died in 1558, at the age of fifty-eight. In the beginning of 1554, Gerald served with distinc- tion against the insurgents under Sir Thomas Wyat. On the 23rd April, a commission was directed to him and others to inquire concerning all murders and other offences committed within the Counties of Kildare and Carlow. On the 1st May, he received from Queen Mary a grant of all such honours, castles, manors, lordships, lands, tenements, rents, reversions, advowsons, and other here- ditaments whatsoever, within the realm of Ireland, as came into possession of Henry VIII. by the attainder of his father; and on the 13th of May he was restored to the titles of Earl of Kildare and Baron of Ofialy by letters patent, dated at the manor of St. James, with a creation fee of £20, to be received by him and his heirs male out of the customs of the port of Dublin. The attainder, hoAvever, was not reversed until 1569. In November, the Earl returned to Ireland, where he was received with great congratulations and rejoicings of the people. The Four Masters, in their Annals, in the year 1553, relate : " The daughter of O'Connor Faly, Margaret, went to England, relying on the number of her friends and relatives there, and on her knowledge of the English language, to request Queen Mary to restore her father to her ; and, on appealing to her mercy, she obtained her father, and brought him home to Ireland. . . . The sons of the Earl of Kildare, Garrett Oge and Edward, came p 210 EARLS OF KILDARE. to Ireland, after having been an exile for a period of sixteen years in Rome, Italy, and France, and obtained from the Queen the restoration of their patrimonial in- heritance and the Earldom. The son of the Earl of Ossory, James, son of Pierce Butler, also returned, and succeeded as Earl in place of his father. The heir of M'Gilla- patrick, Brian Oge,* the son of Brian, came along with the sons of the Earl of Kildare and the Earl of Ossory. There was great rejoicing throughout the greater part of Leath-Mhogha because of their arrival ; for it was thought that not one of the descendants of the Earls of Kildare, or of the O'Connors Faly, would ever come to Ireland." Soon after his arrival, the Earl was engaged in an expedition, thus described in the Annals of the Four Masters : — " A great hosting was made by the Earl of Kildare and the Baron of Delvin, and a great number of the Irish, into Ulster, against Felim Roe O'Neill,! son of Hugh O'Neill, at the instance of Shane Doughaileach, the son of 0'Neill4 They committed great depredation, and lost more than fifty of their people on that expedi- tion." On the 31st May, 1555, and again on the 3rd July, the Earl was nominated, with others, on a Commission for carrying on the Government during the absence of the Lord Deputy. In 1556, the Four Masters relate: — " Donough, the * Son of the Baron of Upper Ossory, and bosom friend of Edward VI. t Of Clandeboyo. \ Conn Bacagh, who had "been created Earl of Tyrone in 1542. EARLS OF KILDARE. 211 son of O'Conor Faly (Brien), was taken prisoner by the Lord Justice at Druin-damhaighe (Drumcaw, in the King's County), while he was under the safe-protection and guarantee of the Earl of Kildare. The Lord Justice and the Earl each sent a messenger to the Queen to learn Avhat should be done with those hostages ; for the Lord Justice had O'Conor and Donough, as well as other hostages, in his custody. O'JMore and Donough O'Conor were afterwards set at liberty, on account of their guarantees, namely, the Earl of Kildare and the Earl of Ormonde. This had not been expected." In 1557, in the Act for converting the territories of Oflfaly and Leix into the King's and Queen's Counties, it was provided that nothing therein should prejudice the rights of the Earl. On the 10th August, 1557, the Earl accompanied the Lord Deputy, the Earl of Sussex, when he marched his forces into Ulster against M'Conell, the Scot. The Scots, having been deprived of their booty, declined battle, and hid themselves in the woods ; and their chief soon afterwards surrendered himself, and was made a knight. This expedition lasted six weeks.* On the 28th October, 1558 (5 Phil. & Mary), a patent was passed, granting to the Earl and his Coun- tess Mabel, and their heirs male, the demesnes of the late Priory of Inch, the Monastery of Down, the Priory of St. John, that of St. John and St. Thomas of Down, and the Monastery of Saul, all in the County of Down. The rectories and tithes belonging to them were assigned * Ware's Annals. 212 EARLS OF KILDARE. to Cardinal Pole. The lands reverted to the Crown on the death of the Countess in 1610.* In 1617, they were granted to Thomas Cromwell, created Lord Lecale. On the 13th February, 1559, the lands which formerly belonged to the College of Maynooth were granted to the Earl by Queen Elizabeth. In 1560, in consequence of a meeting in Limerick between the Earls of Kildare and Desmond, the Govern- ment became alarmed, and orders were sent in May to summon the Earl of Kildare to England ; or, in case of his refusal to go, to place him under arrest. It appears that some writings or books, condemnatory of the Government, had been circulated in Ireland, of which the Earl was suspected of being the author. He went to England, where he soon after cleared himself from the charges against him.t In September, articles were agreed on and delivered to the Earl, who was to repair to Ireland to receive the oath of allegiance of Shane O'Neill.:!: He was, however, detained until the following year. In October, 1561, he returned to Ireland to assist the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Sussex, in carrying on the war in the north. Sussex was also accompanied in this expedition by the Earls of Ormonde, Desmond, Thomond, and Clanricarde. Having marched through Tyrone, as far as Lough Foyle, without opposition, the Earl of Kildare, relying on his relationship with 0'Neill,§ offered to become the bearer of an invitation to him from Queen Elizabeth, to repair to her Court in England. * Patent Kolls of James T. vol. i. pp. 22-Gl. t Moore, vol. iv. p. 2G. t State Tapers. § He was first cousin, once removed, to the Earl. EARLS OF KILDARE. 213 O'Neill, flattered by this mark of conciliation, was induced by the persuasions of his cousin to make his submission, and agreed to articles of peace, which were signed by him and the Earl in the presence of Viscount Baltinglass and Lord Slane. The Lord Lieutenant then marched into Tyrconnell, and, having restored Calvagh O'Donnell to the chieftaincy, returned to Dublin. In January, 1562, the Earl accompanied O'Neill to England, where they were received by Cecil and some of the principal members of the Privy Council. The Irish chieftain appeared in London, attended everywhere by a guard of galloglasses, armed with axes, bareheaded, their hair falling in curls, yellow shirts, dyed with saffron, long sleeves, short coats, and hairy mantles. He marched in this order to the Palace, and was presented to the Queen, when he threw himself on his face before her, confessing his rebellion " with howling." The courtiers, amused by his haughtiness to them, and his professed friendship for the Queen, called him " O'Neill the Great, cousin to St. Patrick, friend to Queen Eliza- beth, and enemy to all the world besides."* The Queen granted him full pardon, and advanced him a loan of £300 for the expenses of his return. He arrived in Ireland on the 26th May. On the 13th April, 1563, the Earl was joined in a commission with Lord Baltinglass and others for the government of Kildare ; and on the 17th April, he and the Archbishop of Dublin were appointed Commissioners * Camden, Hist, of Elizabeth ; and Campion, p. 187. 214 EARLS OF KILDARE. in the Counties of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, Louth, Carlow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and King and Queen's Counties, during the absence of the Lord Lieutenant in the north, on another expedition against O'Neill ; and " in case a necessity for raising the sub- jects for the defence of the country, the Earl was appointed Captain-General, to array and conduct the people so assembled in army."* On the 6th October, he was appointed a " Commissioner for causes ecclesi- astical."t In that year, the Earls of Kildare and Sussex addressed a joint letter to O'Neill, urging him to meet them at Dundalk, and to conclude a truce with the chiefs with whom he was at war. He, however, refused. But Kildare having sent Melchior Hussey to advise him to submit, he consented, and again went under the Earl's protection to England.t On the 20th March, 1564, the Earl, with the Earl of Ormonde and Sir Henry Radcliffe, were appointed Com- missioners to parley with the O'Mores. On the 26th July, he and the Earl of Ormonde received instructions to confer with O'Neill. Accord- ingly, a parley was held between them on the 30th July, but it had no result, in consequence of the extravagant demands of the chief On the 4th August, the Earl was ordered to levy his power against the O'Connors and O'Mores. On the 6th October, he was appointed on a commission, with others, to inquire into all offences against Acts of Parliament. * Lodge. t MS. Book of C. Prayer, Tr, p. xvii. t Ware. EARLS OF KILDARE. 215 In the " Earl of Kildare's Rental" is the following entry : — " Granted the last of Novembre, anno 15G4, Cor- moke O'Malon, of Clonneknosky, and Edward Malon of the same, bathe promest Gerald Erie of Kildare, yerly for ther defens a Gosshawke or Tarsell, whether of them shall best chawnce to groo in the Erre ; and the yere that the Hawke chawnce not they to pay. . . . XL.s." Campion says, that at this time, " when Sir Nicholas Arnold was Lord Justice, he, for the better success in go- vernment, linked himself entirely with Gerald, Earl of Kildare, who likewise endeavoured to support the same with diligence, being authorized to straine the rebels at his discretion ; whereupon bee disposed himselfe to serve, and presented the Government many times with a number of principall outlawes heades." On the 22nd June, 1565, he received the Queen's thanks for his services against the O'Connors and O'Mores. In December, however, articles against him were forwarded by Oliver Sutton to the Government, and the Deputy was ordered to examine them ; but with what result does not appear. In March, 1566, the Deputy wrote that the Earl had taken a notable rebel, Captain Tyrrel, and recommended that he might be "encouraged by comfortable letters." O'Neill having seized the strong Castle of Dundrum, in the County of Down, belonging to the Earl, and declaring that he would keep it,* the Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sydney, tliought it necessary to make a demonstration against him. Accordingly, in September, * Hooker. 216 EARLS OF KILDARE. accompanied by the Earl and other Lords of the Council, he marched from Drogheda, through Tyrone and Tyrconnell, into Connaught, and reached Athlone in October, when the army was dissolved. During this expedition, which occupied six weeks, O'Neill never seriously opposed the Deputy, to whom most of the castles on his route were surrendered without resistance, and who restored Con O'Donnell to the chieftaincy of Tyrconnell. O'Neill was murdered in the next year, 1567. At that time was finally abolished the old Irish ex- action of coyne and livery, which had been introduced by the Earls of Kildare, Ormonde, and Desmond, about the year 1320. On the 23rd February, 1569, an Act (11 Eliz. sess. 4, c. 20) was passed to repeal the Statute of Attainder of the Earl of Kildare, &c. (28 Henry VIII. c. 1) (Ap- pendix y.) In 1573, the Earl appears to have repaired the Castle of Kilkea, and to have placed in the dining-hall a chimney- piece, of which a portion remains, bearing his crest, the monkey, with the inscription : — SI DIV PLET CROMABO 1573, and also an eagle, the crest of the Countess' father, Sir A. Brown. In June, 1574, the Earl of Desmond,* alarmed by the preparations made against him by the Lord Deputy, Sir * Gerald, IGth Earl. EARLS OF KILDARE. 217 William Fitzwilliam, solicited an interview with the Earl of Essex, the Governor of Ulster, offering to go to him if he had authority to do so. In July, Essex wrote the following letter to the Privy Council in England : — " It may please your Lordships, " Since the writing of my last letters, I have been at Waterford, and, according to a commission granted to me by the Lord Deputy and Council, have dealt with the Earl of Desmond as followeth. I was accompanied with my Lord of Kildare, and setting forward from hence, the 28th day of June, we came to Waterford the last of that month. The same night a messenger came unto us from the Earl, declaring that he was at Kilmacthomas, twelve miles from the city, and was desirous to under- stand what I would have him to do. We returned answer, that, because the place was far off, we required that he would draw near unto us, to a bridge three miles from Waterford. Upon the receipt of our letter, he marched immediately thither, and desired to know when he should repair unto me. Whereupon I required my Lord of Kildare to repair unto him, and to carry him unto me to a heath not far from the city ; which he did without any stay, accompanied with the Lord Fitz- Morrice and others, to the number of 60 horse. At his comingj he said that he was fearful of the Lord Deputy's friendship, which made him doubtful to receive protec- tion, saving that he trusted upon the honour of my word, and the Earl of Kildare's, that he should be in safety. I did then, before his company, assure him that 218 EARLS OF KILDARE. he (lid the Lord Deputy wrong, and that he meant well towards him, so far as he should show himself a good suhject ; and after a few words, I demanded of him whether he would go with me to Duhlin to answer to such things as should be objected unto him by the Council ; he said he would willingly, if his country and followers might be protected in his absence. I did hereupon deliver unto him tlie protection granted here under the seal, containing safety for himself and them for tiventy days, and he delivered the same to one of his men, and rode presently with me to Waterford. Within two hours after, the Countess, his wife, who was in the camp, came to the town, and seemed in words to me very desirous of his obedience and conformity ; and, finding her so well inclined, I called the Earl of Desmond unto me, into my chamber, avoiding all save the Countess and the Earl of Kildare, and there I told him of his mis- demeanours, and required him to be plain with me, and to declare what course he meant to take ; whether he would conform himself to all things that was meet for a subject to do to his sovereign ; otherwise, as he had performed well his promise in coming unto me, so T would never trouble him in going farther ; but while his strength was at hand, I would deliver him again in safety to his people. His answer was, that he would do any- thing that could be required of any nobleman of England or Ireland. With this answer I was satisfied, and so within three days we came to Dublin, the Earl having in his company but only four of his houseliold and John Fitz Edmonds At my return hither, the Council did assemble, and a EARLS OF KILDARE. 219 time was appointed for the Earl to come before them ; at which time the Earl, upon his knees, made his submis- sion, the copy whereof I send unto your Lordships, together with such articles as the Lord Deputy and Council did the next day following deliver unto him, and his answers unto the same I am bound with the Earl of KildarC; by our words and honours, to safe conduct Desmond to the confines of Munstet, and to deliver him to his country in safety, which journey I begin this afternoon Also, that your Lordships will take in good part the travail of my Lord of Kildare with Desmond, who hath dealt honourably and plainly with the said Earl.* . . ." In 1577, the Lord Deputy proposed the imposition of a permanent tax, instead of the subsidy levied for the maintenance of the royal garrisons and of the household of the Deputy. The tax was sanctioned by the Council, but was resisted by the principal lords and their depen- dents. On this affair being referred to the Council in England, four Irish peers, who happened to be in London, the Earls of Kildare and Ormonde, and Lords Gormanston and Dunsany, were summoned to attend, and to give their opinions upon the question. They allowed that the assessment had been customary, but humbly pleaded the grievances of the impost. The Queen listened with apparent interest, but would not give up the tax, until, alarmed at the danger of alienating her best subjects in Ireland, she consented to * Lives of the Earls of E.ssex, vol. i. p. 70. 220 EARLS OF KILDARE. allow the Deputy and Council to arrange a composition for seven years, with the consent of the lords and gentlemen of the Pale. The Earl returned to Ireland at Christmas, 1578.* In 1579, he and the Lords Mountgarret, Upper Ossory, and Dunboyne, with a reinforcement of 200 horse, besides kerns, or foot soldiers, attended the Lord Justice, Sir William Drury, on an expedition into Munster against James Fitz Maurice, who had landed at Smerwick harbour, in Kerry, with a small force of Spaniards. They encamped near Kilmallock, where the Earl of Desmond met them, and assured them that he had taken no part in the invasion.! The death of Sir W. Drury, on the 30th September, put a stop to the expedition ; and the Earl returned to Dublin. In October, Sir William Pelham, Sir William's successor, committed the custody of the Northern portion of the Pale to him, with an allowance of 100 horsemen in pay, and the command of 500 more raised in the Pale. He accompanied the Deputy as far as Adare, which had been occupied by the enemy, and having placed garrisons there and in other castles, they returned to Dublin. On the 25th August, 1580, the Lord Deputy, Lord Grey de Wilton, at the head of a large force, and accom- panied by the Earl, entered the defiles of Wicklow, which were occupied by the rebels, under the command of Viscount Baltinglass, the Chief of the O'Byrnes, and Captain Fitz Gerald, a kinsman of the Earl. The latter had joined the rebels with a body of troops, which had been * Annals of the Four Masters. f Ibid. EARLS OF KILDARE. 221 placed under his command by the Earl for the defence of the Pale. The Deputy and the Earl remained with one division of the array on the wooded hill at the entrance of Glenmalure, the other divisions entered the glen, when a heavy fire from the insurgents, who were concealed among the trees and underwood on the sides of the mountains, compelled them to retreat. Many of the officers were slain, and the rest of the army retired to Dublin. The Lord Deputy soon after marched against the Spanish invaders, and defeated them. On his return to Dublin he was infoi'med of a conspiracy to seize his person, and obtain possession of Dublin Castle. At the same time Robert Dillon, of Tara, Eichard Gerrott, and Allen of St. Wolstans, charged the Earl, and his son-in- law. Lord Delvin, with plotting against the Crown. The details of this conspiracy are wrapped in great mystery, but the Earl and the Baron were placed under arrest, and committed to the custody of James Wingfield, the Master of the Ordnance. The Earl's son, Henry, Lord Offaly, then eighteen years of age, alarmed by the imprisonment of his father, and persuaded by his Lish foster-father, O'Connor, and other followers of his family, fled into Offaly, where he was concealed and protected by the O'Connor's, who were ready to rise in arms in his favour. The Deputy directed the Earl to send for his son, but the messenger returned with the answer, " that the young Lord was willing to come, but could not be permitted, unless good assurance was given for his safe return." The Deputy then sent the Earl of Ormonde, Sir Nicholas White, Master of the Rolls, and divers 222 EARLS OF KILDARE. captains and gentry, to treat for his release, but inef- fectually. After some time, however, the O'Connors, fearing lest his detention might be prejudicial to his father, sent him to the Earl of Ormonde, who delivered him to the Deputy in Dublin. He was then confined in the Castle with his father, his younger brother, and Lord Delvin. They were soon after sent to England, when the Earl and Lord Delvin were committed to the Tower of London, and Lord Offaly to the custody of the Earl of Bedford. After a careful examination before the Queen and Council into the charges against them, they were acquitted, and the Earl's lands and goods, which had been seized on his apprehension, were restored to him. Some of the Earl's enemies having said that he was able, but not willing, to benefit his country, the following distich was at that time composed : — " Quid possim, jactant ; quid velim, scire recusant ; Utraque RegiD£e siut, rogo, nota mese."* In July, 1581, the Earl went with 200 horse and 700 foot to parley with Viscount Baltinglass, who was in arms against the Government, but without result. He was in that year appointed, with the Chancellor, governor of the Pale, during the absence of the Deputy. In 1583, the insurrection, called "the Great Geraldine Rebellion," terminated on the death of the 16th Earl of Desmond, who was slain on the 11th November. On the 26th April, 1585, the Earl of Kildare was present in the Parliament held by Sir John Perrot. * Holinshed. EARLS OF KILDAHE. 223 He died in London on tlie 16tli November of that year (1585), and his body was brought to Ireland, and interred at Kildare on the 13th February, 1586. He was of low stature and slender figure, and was re- puted to have been the best horseman of his day.* " With many good qualities, honourable, courteous, valiant, affable, and having all the qualifications belonging to a gentle- man, he was passionate and covetous." He conformed to the Protestant religion in the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. A few days before his death, the Earl made the follow- ing will : — " In the name of God, amen. The sixte daye of November, in the yeare of our Lord God, 1585, &c., I, Gerald, Earl of Kildare, being sycke in bodie, and (thankes be to God) well and perfecte of memorie, doe make and ordayne this my laste will and testament. Firste, I be- quethe my sowle to Almighty God, my bowels to be buried heere in Englande, and my bodie to be conveide into Ire- land, and there buried in St. Bryde's Church in Kildare in such due ordere as appertaynethe to one of my vocation, where I wyll and bequethe £100 sterling to be bestowed,', for the making of a monument in the said church over my grave. Item, I wyll that there be £100 bestowed upon some jewel or token to be given to her Majestic fron- „ me as a token of ray humble and dutiful loyaltie to her Highnesse. Item, I wyll and bequethe to my wyffe, as a token of good will and remembrance, a jewel called an aggat, which I bough te latelie and a pece of black tufte taffatye containing thirteen yards. Item, I wyll and bequethe unto my brother, Edwarde Fitz Gerald, mybeste * Campion, p. 180. 224 EARLS or KILDARE. neste of gilte and graven bolls with a cover. Item, I wyll and bequethe unto my sonne and heire, Lord Henry Fitz Gerald, all my golde buttons, hatt, and capp bands of golde, silvere, and pearle, with all my foot cloths and horse furniture, and alsoe my gilt rapiers and daggers, with their girdells and hangers, and all my shirte-bodies. Item, I wyll and bequethe unto my said sonne and heire all such shirtes of maile, armours, and artillerie, and other warlike weapons, together with three of the best suyts of hanging of tapestrie or cloth of arras that I have in Englande or in Irelande, the same suyts to remayne in my house. Item, I wyll and bequethe unto my sonne ' and heire all my stoodes, savinge and exceptinge such as I bequethe by legacie unto my second sonne, William Fitz Gerald, and my servante Gerald Delahide. Item, I wyll and bequethe unto my daughter, the Ladie of Delvin, the fourthe best suyt of hangings of tapestrie or arras nexte to those I left to my saide sonne and heire. Item, I wyll and bequethe unto my seconde daughter, the Ladie Elizabeth, over and above the £1,000 which I ensured unto her upon my landes, the summe of £500 for her portion of goodes and prefermeute to marriage. Item, I wyll and bequethe unto my second sonne, William Fitz Gerald, the number of three score stood-mares for his portion of goodes. Item, I wyll and bequethe that my deceased sonne, the Lord Garrat's daughter, named Latice Fitz Gerald, shall have as helpe towards her marriage, when she is married, £300 sterling ; and more I would have left her, were it not that my sonne and heire is overcharged by meanes of my debts and other legacies." He then bequeaths EARLS OF KILDARE. 225 legacies to his natural children, consisting of four sons and three daughters, and Avills that his Countess should take care of all his old servants, for some of wlioni he made liberal provision, and constitutes liis son Henry and his son-in-law. Lord Delvin, his executors. The Earl had, in 1566, settled upon the Countess the manors of jMaynooth and Graney ; and upon each of his younger children £1,000. He had also entailed his estates upon his sons and their heirs male, with remainder to his brother and to his cousins, Thomas and Gerald, sons of his uncle Oliver, Sir Maurice, son of Thomas, of Laccagh, and William, son of Sir James Fitz Gerald, and their heirs male. By inquisition taken after the Earl's death in the several counties where his estates lay, it appears that he possessed the manors and advowsons of the rectories and vicarages of " JMaynooth, Kildare, Rathangan, Athj, Woodstock, Kilkea, Castledermot, and Graney, in the Co. Kildare ; Portlester, Ballyboggan, Newtown de Moyagher, Moylagh, and Kildalkie, in Meath ; Geashill, in King's County ; Ard glass and Strangford, in Down ; Crom and Adare, in Limerick ; and many other lands." The Earl married, in 1552, JMabel, second daughter of Sir Anthony Brown, Knight of the Garter, and Master of the Horse to Edward VL, by Alice, daughter of Sir John Gage, K.G., and sister to Viscount Montacute. She was "a lady of great Avorth and virtue." After the Earl's death she had the manors of Maynooth and Graney as her dower, and resided " in the faire house of Maynooth." In 1606, Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, Q 226 EARLS OF KILDARE. and Rory O'Donnell, Earl ofTyrconnell, who had married the Countess's grand-daughter, Lady Bridget Fitz Gerald, concerted their plans for a general insurrection, in Maynooth Castle, unknown to the Countess ; and in the castle garden proposed to Richard Lord Delvin, grandson to the Countess, to take a part in their designs. She, in a letter to Lord Salisbury, some time after, expressed her sorrow " that the late treasons should have been plotted at Maynooth," and strongly asserted her own innocence.* She died on the 25th August, 1610, and was buried beside the Earl at Kildare. The Earl and Countess had three sons and two daugh- ters : — Gerald, Lord OfFaly. Henry, twelfth Earl. William, thirteenth Earl. Lady Mary, born the 13th September, 1556, and married, in 1584, to Christopher Nugent, ninth Baron of Delvin. She died on the 1st of October, 1610. Lady Elizabeth, second wife of Donough O'Brien, fourth Earl of Thomond. GERALD, LORD OFFALY. Gerald, Lord Offaly, was born at Maynooth, the 28th December, 1559. The following verses were addressed to him : — *' Te pulchrum natura fecit, fortuna potentem, Te faciat Christi norma, Giralde, bonum."t * Moore's L-, vol. iv. p. 154. j- Holinshed. EARLS OF KILDARE. 227 He died before his father in England, and was buried on the 30th June, 1580, in the Abbey of St. Alban's in Hertfordshire. He married Catherine, daughter of Sir Francis Knoll js, K.G., Treasurer of the Household to Queen Elizabeth, and sister of the Earl of Banbury. She married, secondly. Sir Philip Butler, of Walton-Woodhall, in Herefordshire. The Earl of Kildare, her father-in-law, settled £200 upon her, and she held the manors of Portlester in Meath, and of Athy and Woodstock in Kildare, as her dower. She died in December, 1632. Lord Offaly had an only child, Lettice, who married Sir Robert Digby, of Cole's Hill, in Warwickshire, who, in 1596, was knighted in Dublin by the Earl of Essex, and in 1613 was returned to Parliament as Member for Athy. He died in 1618. Lady Digby laid claim to the Barony of Oflfaly, and the estates of her grandfather, the eleventh Earl, as heir-general, but the cause was decided against her, and in order to settle the differ- ences, James I. created her Baroness of Offaly, for life, and awarded to her and her heirs, under the Great Seal of England, on the 11th July, 1619, the manor of Geashill, and the lands of the monastery of Killeigh, comprising the whole Barony of Geashill, in the King's County. In 1641, on the breaking out of the insurrec- tion, she was residing in her Castle of Geashill, and was besieged in it by the forces of the Catholics, in April, 1642. The castle was very difficult of access, being surrounded by bogs and woods. Before making an assault, Henry Dempsie, brother of Lord Clanmalier, and other leaders, sent to her the following sum- mons : — 228 EAKLS OF KILDARE. " Honourable, " We, His Majesty's loyal subjects, at the present em- ployed in his Highness' service, for the sacking of this your castle, you are, therefore, to deliver unto us the free possession of your said castle, promising faithfully, that your Ladyship, together Avith the rest within your said castle, ' resiant,' shall have a reasonable composition ; otherwise, upon the non-yielding of the castle, we do assure you that we will burn the whole town, kill all the Protestants, and spare neither man, woman, nor child, upon the taking of the castle by compulsion. Consider, madam, of this our offer, and impute not the blame of your own folly unto ns. Think not that we brag. Your Ladyship, upon submission, shall have a safe convoy to secure you from the hands of your enemies, and to lead you whither you please. A speedy reply is desired, with all expedition, and thus we surcease. " Henry Dempsie, Charles Dempsie, "Andrew FitzPatrick, Conn Dempsie, " Phelim Dempsie, James M'Donnell. " John Vicars, " To the Honourable and thrice virtuous Lady^ the Lady Diyby^ these give." To this summons Lady Offaly returned the following answer : — " I received your letter, wherein you threaten to sack this my castle, by his Majesty's authority. I have ever been a loyal subject and a good neiglibour among you, and therefore cannot but wonder at such an assault. EARLS OF KILDARE. 229 I thank you for your oflfer of a convoy, wherein I hold little safety ; and therefore my resolution is, that, being free from offending his Majesty, or doing wrong to any of you, I will live and die innocently, and will do the best to defend my own, leaving the issue to God. And though I have been and still am desirous to avoid the shedding of Christian blood, yet, being provoked, your threats shall no wit dismay me. " Lettice Offalt. " To my cousin^ Henry Dempsie, and the rest.'' Not being able to take the Castle by assault, they re- tired. They then collected, it is said, 140 pots and pans, which an Irishman from Athboy made into a cannon, having cast it three times before lie succeeded in bringing it to perfection. After two montlis, Lord Clanmalier brought this great gun to Geashill, and then sent the following summons to Lady Offaly : — " Noble Madam, " It was never my intention to offer you any injury before you were pleased to begin with me, for it is well- known, if I were so disposed, you had not been by this time at Geashill ; so as I find you are not sensible of the courtesies I always expressed unto you, since tlie begin- ning of this commotion. However, I did not thirst after revenge, but out of my loving and wonted respect still towards you, I am pleased and desirous to give you fair quarter, if you please to accept thereof, both for yourself, children, and grand-children, and likewise for your goods. And I will undertake to send a safe convoy with you and them, either to Dublin, or to any otlier of the next adjoining garrisons, either of which to be at your 230 EARLS OF KILDARE. own election. And if you be not pleased to accept of this offer, I hope you will not impute the blame unto me, if you be not fairly dealt withal, for I expect to have the command of your house, before I stir from hence. And if you please to send any of your gentlemen of your house to me, I am desirous to confer thereof at large. And so expecting your speedy answer, I rest your loving cousin, " Lewis Glanmaleroe.* "P.S. — Madam, — There are other gentlemen now in this town whose names are hereunto subscribed, who do join and unite themselves in this mine offer unto you. " Lewis Glanmaleroe, Art Molloy, Henry Dempsie, Edward Connor, Charles Connor, Daniel Doyne, John M'William." To this letter she sent the following answer : — " My Lord, "I little expected such a salute from a kinsman, whom I have ever respected, you being not ignorant of the great damages I have received from your followers of Glanmaleroe, so as you can't but know in your own conscience, that I am innocent of doing you any injury, unless you count it an injury for my people to bring back a small quantity of my own goods, when they found them, and with them some others of such men as have done me all the injury they can devise, as may appear by their own letter. I was offered a convoy by those that formerly besieged me, and 1 hope you have more honour * Gerald, lltli Earl of Kildare. Gerald, Lord Offaly. Lady Mary=Charles, Lord Delvin. Lettice, Lady Offaly. Mary=Sir Terence O'Dempsie, I 1st Visct. Clanmalier. Lewis, 2ud Visct. Clanmalier. EAELS OF KILDARE. 231 than to follow their example, by seeking her ruin, who never wronged you. However, I am still of the same mind, and can think no place safer than my own house, wherein if I perish by your means, the guilt will light on you, and I doubt not, but I shall receive a crown of martyrdom, dying innocently. God, I trust, will take a poor widow into his protection from all those which, without cause, are risen up against me. " Your poor kinswoman, " Lettice Oefalt. " P.S. — If the conference you desire do but concern the contents of this letter, I think this answer will give you full satisfaction, and I hope you will withdraw your hand, and show your power in more noble actions." On receiving this answer. Lord Clanmalier discharged the cannon against the castle, but at the first shot it burst. His men, however, continued the attack with their muskets until evening. As the Baroness was looking out of a window, a shot happening to strike the wall beside her, she immediately, with her handkerchief, wiped the spot, showing how little she cared for the attempts of the assailants. As soon as it was dark the besiegers retreated, carrying off their burst gun. Before his departure, Lord Clanmalier wrote the following letter : — " Madam, " I received your letter, and am still tender of your good and welfare, though you give no credit thereunto. And whereas you do understand by relation, that my piece of ordnance did not prosper ; I believe you will be 232 EARLS OF KILDARE. sensible of the loss and hazard you are like to sustain thereby, unless you will be better advised to accept the kind offer, Avliicli I mentioned in my last letter unto you in the morning; if not, expect no furtlier favour at my hands, and so I rest your Ladyship's loving cousin, " Lewis Glanmaleroe. " To my noble cousin^ the Lady Lettice, Baroness of Offaly."" To this letter she returned answer by one of her men, who was kept as a prisoner by the enemy : — " My Lord, " Your second summons I have received, and shall be glad to find you tender of my good. For the piece of ordnance I never disputed how it prospered, presuming you would rather make use of it for your own defence or against enemies, than to try your strength against a poor widow of your own blood. But since you have bent it against me, let the blood which shall be shed be required at their hands that seek it. For my part, my conscience tells me that I am innocent ; and wishing you so too, I rest your cousin, " Lettice Oefaly."* At that time Philip Sydney Viscount Lisle, Lieute- nant-General of the Horse in Ireland, and son of the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Leicester, landed in Ire- land, and hearing that Lady Offaly Avas besieged, under- took to relieve her. He was accompanied by Sir * Borlace's Hist, p, 102. EARLS OF KILDARE. 233 Charles Coote, with 120 foot and 300 horse. He accomplished the relief without much difficulty, the enemy not daring to oppose their approach in force, and only skirmishing from the bogs as they advanced. The castle being supplied with provisions and ammuni- tion, the lady chose to remain in it.* Being, iiowever, further menaced by Charles Dempsie, she was relieved by Sir Richard Greenville, in October, 1642 ; after which she retired to Cole's Hill, where she died on 1st December, 1658, and was buried in the church there. She left seven sons and three daugliters. Her eldest son, Robert, was created Lord Digby of Geashill. He married Lady Sarah Boyle, daughter of the first Earl of Cork, and sister to Lady Joan, wife of the sixteenth Earl of Kildare. HENRY, TWELFTH EARL. Henry, twelfth Earl of Kildare, was born in 1562. He was called by tlie Irish " Henri na Tuagh," or Henry of the Battleaxes.t In 1580, being eighteen years of age, his father having been accused of treason and imprisoned, he took refuge with his foster-father, O'Connor Faly, and remained there for some time, until, fearing that his absence might be prejudicial to his father, he surrendered himself to the Lord Deputy, and was confined in Dublin Castle. Being sent soon after to England, he was committed to the custody of the Earl of Bedford, while • Warner's Hist, of Jr. vol. ii. p. 203. t O'Clery. 234 EARLS OF KILDARE. his father and his brother-in-law, Lord Delvin, were sent to the Tower. He was twenty-three years of age at the time of his father's death, in 1585. On the 24th September, 1593, the Earl brought eight horsemen to the hoisting appointed to meet on the Hill of Tara. Early in 1597, Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, having captured the fort of Blackwater, between the Counties Armagh and Tyrone, wrote to the Earl to induce him to renounce his allegiance to the crown of England, but he refused, and accompanied the Lord Deputy, Lord Borough, on the 1st July, at the head of a troop of horse, into Tyrone. Having retaken the fort of Black- water, the Deputy passed over the river on the 20th July, in order to erect a fort on the other bank. Tyrone who, with his forces, occupied the adjacent forest, endeavoured to interrupt the works, and in the skirmish that ensued the Deputy was mortally wounded, and having been carried to Newry, died there a few days after. The Earl, on whom the command of the army devolved, drove back the assailants, but was also wounded, and twice thrown from his horse ; and his two foster-brothers, sons of O'Connor Faly, were slain while assisting him to remount. He was so grieved by their death that he left the army broken-spirited, and as he was on his journey home, he was obliged to rest at Drogheda, where he died from grief and fever resulting from his wound, on the 30th September, 1597.* His * Mac Geoghegan's Hist, of Ir. vol. iii. p. 231 ; and Annals of the Four Masters. EARLS OF KILDARE. 235 body was carried to Kildarc, and buried in St. Bridget's Cathedral. lie married Lady Frances Howard, second daughter of Charles Earl of Nottinghani, and first cousin, once removed, to his brother Lord Oflflily's wife. After the Earl's death she married Henry Broke, Lord Cobhani, and died witliout issue by him in 1G28. The Earl had two daughters : — 1. Lady Bridget, married Eory O'Donnell, Earl of Tyr- connell, who was implicated in a conspiracy, and obliged to take refuge abroad. He died at Rome in 1617. On the forfeiture of her husband's estates in IGIG, a pension of £300 per annum was granted to her by the croAvn. She married, 2ndly, Nicholas Viscount Kingsland, by whom she was motlier of the second Viscount. By the Earl of Tyrconnell she had a son, Hugh Earl of Tyrcon- nell, and a daughter, Mary, of whom there is the following account : — " When Tyrconnell was obliged to leave his country in 1612, the Countess was in a state of preg- nancy. She wished to accompany her husband, but was arrested and sent under a guard to England, when she gave birth to a daughter, who was named ]\[ary. The King took the child under his protection, and commanded that she should be called Mary Stuart, instead of Mary O'Donnell. Her father having died at Home, her mother obtained permission to return to Ireland. Wlien Mary was twelve years old, she was invited to England by her grandmother, the Countess of Kildare, who presented her to the King. The monarch gave her a large sum as a marriage portion, and the Countess of Kildare, who was very rich, made her heiress to her fortune. Among 236 EARLS OF KILDARE. several suitors for her hand, one had applied to her grandmother, who gave her consent to tlie marriage ; but Mary had so great an objection to him, because he was of the Reformed Religion, that she determined to escape to Flanders, to her brother, the young Earl of Tyrconnell. Slie persuaded a young Catholic, who was her attendant, to accompany her. Having dressed themselves as men, the two girls assumed the names of Rodolph Huntly and Robert Hues. Accompanied by a servant, they rode to Bristol, Avhence they sailed, and, after a long and dangerous voyage, arrived at La Rochelle. They then rode through Paris to Brussels, where Mary found her brotlier. The report of her intrepidity liaving spread through Europe, the Pope sent her a letter, dated the 13th February, 1627, and addressed, "Urban VIII. to our dear daughter in Christ, Mary Stuart, Countess of Tyrconnell, greeting, health and apostolical benediction." In it he highly commends her courage and fidelity.* 2. Lady Elizabetli, first wife of the Honourable Luke Plunkett, created Earl of Fingall. She was married in 1608, and died soon after in London. WILLIAM, THIRTEENTH EARL. William, thirteenth Earl of Kildare, was born in 1572. In 1580, he was imprisoned with his elder brother in Dublin Castle. He succeeded him as Earl in 1597. *" Mac Geoghegan, Hist, of Ir. vol. iii. p. 36L EARLS OF KILDARE. 237 In the spring of 1598 he went to England,* and in March, 1599, prepared to accompany the Earl of Essex, who was going to Ireland, to carry on the war against the Earl of Tyrone. The Earl and some gallant gentle- men embarked in April in a small barque, built for speed, and followed Essex's ship, but the weather being very tempestuous, the barque foundered, and they were all lost. This disaster is thus related by the Four INIasters, in their Annals : — " The Earl of Kildare, whom we have spoken of in the last year as having gone to England, namely, William, son of Garret, son of Garret, prepared to return to Ireland in the spring of this year. He went into a ship with eighteen of the chiefs of Meath and Fingall, and after they had sailed till out of sight at sea, none of them was seen alive ever since ; and it was from other countries, in two months afterwards, that an account of the certainty of their deaths arrived in England and Ireland." This Earl was the last male descendant of Gerald, the eleventh Earl. EDWARD FITZ GERALD. Edward Fitz Gerald, second son of the ninth Earl and his Countess, Lady Elizabeth Grey, was born on the 17th January, 1528. At the time of his father's death in December, 1534, he was with his mother in England. In July, 1536, he appears to have been at Beaumanoir, in Leicestershire, when his mother came to reside • Annals of the Four iMasters. 238 EARLS OF KILDARE. there.* Fearing that he would be taken from her, she applied to Cromwell, the Secretary of State, for the King's permission to keep him with her, and to educate him. This was granted, and in December, 1537, he was said to be " cherished with his mother" by the King.t As soon as he was of sufficient age, he was appointed by the King Lieutenant of the Gentlemen Pensioners. In 1569, the Act, attaining him, his brother and sisters, was repealed. He died in the lifetime of his nephew, Henry, 12th Earl. He married Agnes, daughter and heiress of Sir John Leigh, and widow of Sir Thomas Paston, of Norfolk. She succeeded to her father's estates of Helston, Abbotsbury, Abbotstoke, Aller, and Ansty, in Dorsetshire, which were inherited by her son, the fourteenth Earl, and were after- Vv'ards sold.t They had two sons and three daughters : — Gerald, fourteenth Earl. Thomas, father of George, sixteenth Earl. Elizabeth, Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth, and afterwards married to Sir John Hill. Lettice, married to Sir Ambrose Coppinger, and secondly to Sir John Pointz. Douglas, married to Sir Francis Aungier, Master of the Rolls, and created Lord Aungier. GERALD, FOURTEENTH EARL. Gerald, the fourteenth Earl of Kildare, commanded a regiment of infantry in the war against the Earl of Tyrone. * State Papers, \o\. ii. p. 280. f Ibid. p. 536. "[ Hutchings' Hist, of Dorset. EARLS OF KILDARE. 239 He succeeded to the earldom on the death of his cousin, in April, 1599. In September of that year, when the Earl of Essex departed from Ireland, he was appointed to the command of the district about Naas, having a force of 50 horse and 150 foot. In 1599, when Sir George Carew was appointed President of Munster, among the members of his Council were the Earls of Kildare, Ormonde, and Thomond.* In the beginning of 1600, the Earl's Castles of Crom and Adare were occupied by the Sugan Earl of Desmond, then in rebellion, but were recovered in May by the Lord President. Crom was again occupied by Hugh Roe O'Donnell, in October, but soon abandoned by him.t In that year the Four Masters relate : — " The Earl of Ormonde, i.e. Thomas, son of Pierce, son of Pierce Butler ; the Earl of Kildare, i.e. Garret, the son of Edward, the son of Garret ; and the Baron of Delvin, i.e. Chris- topher, the son of Richard, son of Christopher, with all those who were in the service of, or in obedience to the Queen, from thence (Tipperary) to Dublin, threatened every night to attack and assault O'Neill ; but though they meditated doing so, they did not accomplish it." On the 31st August, 1600, the Earl was appointed by the Queen, under letters patent, dated at Oatlands, Governor of Offaly, with the pay of a mark per diem. On the 7th July, 1601, the Lord Deputy ordered * Mac Geoghcgan, vol. iii. p. 261. f Pacata Hibeniia, pp. 109, 123, and 377. 240 EARLS OF KILDARK. that tlie forces of Kildure, wliich were under the Earl's comiuaiid, sliould be quartered at Athy, or elsewliere, at his discretion, and that the SherilT sliould be second in comniaud. On tlie death of Queen Elizabeth, he was one of the Council who, on the 28t]i March, 1603, signed the letter notifying that event to Lord Eure, and the other Com- missioners for negotiating the treaty of Breme, and the league witli Scotland.* On the 1st September, 1604, he was appointed one of the Commissioners for the Civil Government of Connaught.t The Earl, during the Queen's reign, received a pension of 10s. per diem. After tlie accession of James I., he pre- sented to him a memorial, offering to surrender such stipends as he had from the crown, on receiving lands at the yearly value of £100. Tlie King, accordingly, ordered the Lord Deputy, Sir Arthur Chichester, by a letter, dated at Theobalds, the 26th July, 1606, to make grants to the Earl of lands in various counties to that amount.^ At that time Lady Digby had been prosecuting her claim to the Barony of Offaly, the estates of her grandfather, the eleventh Earl. In 1607, Sir Anthony St. Leger, Master of the llolls, went to England with instructions to pray that the King would be pleased to decide the controversy between the Earl and Sir K. Digby. § On tlie death of Mabel, Countess of Kildare, in 1610, * Rymcr's Foedcra. xvi. 493. f Patent llolls, James I. p. 156. t Ibid. p. 289. § State Papers. EARLS OF KILDARE. 241 the Earl came into possession of Maynooth Castle, where he had one of the two deer parks then existing in Ireland; the other belonging to the Earl of Ormonde. Moryson says : " At the time of the war I did not see any venison served at table, but only at the houses of the said Earls and of the English commanders."* The Earl died on the 11th February, 1612. His obsequies were solemnized at Maynooth. His body, however, was not taken to Kildare until the 15th November, when it was interred in the choir of the Cathedral. He married, by dispensation of the Pope, Elizabeth Nugent, daughter of Christopher Lord Delvin and Lady Mary Fitz Gerald, daughter of his uncle, the eleventh Earl. The Countess, having no dower or jointure, petitioned the King on behalf of herself and her infant son, who was his ward. James I,, in July, 1612, authorized the Deputy, Lord Chichester, to make a grant to her of all her late husband's lands, &c., until her son should come of age ; a third of the revenues to be for her jointure, a third for the maintenance of her son and for the payment of the late Earl's debts, and the remaining third to be paid into the King's treasury. She was to act as guardian until the boy was five years old, and then the Earl of Thoraond and Sir Francis Aungier were to have the care of his education. The young Earl's death, in 1621, having deprived his mother of her jointure, the King assigned to her, during the minority of the sixteenth Earl, the manors of Kilkea * Moryson's In vol. ii. p. 367. 242 EARLS OF KILDARE. and Graney, and certain lands in Down, including Strangford and Ardglass, and in Westmeath ; and also the manors of Woodstock and Athy, after the death of the Dowager Lady Oifaly. On the 8th July, 1615, she was rated £50 to the subsidy granted to the King. In 1634, she demised Kilkea Castle to the Jesuits, who retained possession of it till 1646. She was concerned in the rebellion of 1641, and was, the year after, outlawed for high treason. The Earl had an only son, Gerald, his successor. GERALD, FIFTEENTH EARL.. Gerald, fifteenth Earl of Kildare, was born on the 26th December, 1611, and was only seven weeks old at the time of his father's death. On the 21st October, 1618, he was, by the King's letter, given in ward to Esme Stewart, Earl of March, afterwards Duke of Lennox, with an order from the King that he should be given in marriage to one of the daughters of Lord Aubigny, second son of the Earl of March. . The Earl, however, died at Maynooth on the 11th November, 1620, being only eight years and ten months old, and was buried at Kildare. He was succeeded in the earldom by his cousin, George Fitz Gerald. THOMAS FITZ GERALD. Thomas Fitz Gerald, son of Edward, the third son of the ninth Earl of Kildare, married Frances, eldest EARLS OF KILDARE. 243 daughter of Sir Thomas Randolph,* Master of Posts and Chamberlain of the Exchequer, under Queen Elizabeth, and of Ursula Coppinger.t She was born on the 19th November, 1576. They were both buried in the church of Walton-upon- Thames, in which, on a blue marble slab, on the south side of the chanceljt is the following inscription : — " Hie jacet Thomas vir, qui de stirpe Giraldi Kiklarie Comitis, nobilis ortus erat. Hie jacet et Francisea, uxor, Randolphea pi'oles, Antiquo armigerum stemmate qute orta fuit. Lajtus uterque satis nulli lugendus amico ; Quern vere coluit, spectat uterque Deum." And on a black marble monument, over the entrance to the chancel, is engraved : — " In farther memory of the same Thomas Fitz Gerald, Esq., and Frances, the eldest daughter of Thomas Randolph, Esq., Postmaster of England. " Stay, gentle reader, stay and read in ill-formed lynes, The lyfe and death of two well-suited myndes ; To poore they gave, of rich they did not borrow ; To all they lent, where want expressed sorrow ; To foe a friend, to friend their faith approv'd ; Of foe, of friend, of both they were belov'd. Their earth was heaven, where blessed angels sing. Their Church was Christ, whose death sure life us brings. In fine, so liv'd, so lov'd, so dy'd, and rest As friends, as doves, as saints, and so are blest. Pass on this way, thus live, thus dye ; whicli done, Two lives thou gain'st, when others have but one. Though future times, you malice will not credit. Present truth subscribes to, such was their great merit. "1619." * Born in ]o23, and died in 1590. He was ambassador to Scotland France, and Fiussia. t She was probably related to his brother-in law. Sir Ambrose Coppinger. X Now covered by a pew. '2i4 KARL8 OF KILDARK. Tlicy had three sons and lour daughters : — Gerahl, 1 ,. , \ died you^^^ George, sixteenth Karl. Anne, married Thomas Gilhert, Esq., of West Beer, County of Kent. Lettiee, married John Morris, Esq., of Tsleworth, County of Middlesex. Aphora, Eliz! hora, \ y , , , > died youniiT. za])eth, J ^ *" OmilGK, SIX'I'I'IENTII KARL. George, sixteenth Earl of Kildare, ealled the "Fairy Earl," was born in .January, 1012, and was baptized on the 2.'>rd of the siune niontli. lb; was only eight years and nine months old when he sueeeeded to the title in 1(520. Jieing an Earl, he was a ward of the Crown. In the year 1620, the following letter, contained in a collection of letters to George, Earl of Kildanj, concerning " the writings ])elonging to the; Earle of Kildare," was s(!nt to the Lords Justices of Ireland : — " Charles I«*. " liight trusty, &c., Whereas, wcc arc informed that all tin; evidences and writings Ix'longinge to our right trusty, (^.c., Georg(!, Earl ol" Kildare, now our ward, have for diverse years past been and yet arc under the; cluirge of r/hrstr)pher Eitz Gerald (sometym(!S servant undiir (iiirrett, lat(! ICarle of Kildare), who being growne v(;i'y weake by reason of old age and other in- lirinilies ; it was, therefore, limnbly desired, on the behalfe of our s:iyd wai-d, that the cuslo died 3'oung. EARLS OF KILDARE. 261 They had three sons and six daughters : — Eichard, Lord OfFaly, baptized in St. Werburgh's Church the 4th February, 1633 ; died an infant. Went worth, seventeenth Earl. Robert, father of Robert, the nineteenth Earl. Lady Elizabeth, born 1631, Lady Joan, Lady Eleanor, twin with Lady Joan, born in 1634. She was married, in 1656, before Ridgeway Hatfield, Mayor of Dublin, to Sir Walter Borrowes, Bart., of Grangemellon, and died in 1681. Lady Catherine, "a lady of great piety and virtue," died, unmarried, in 1714, at a great age. She left all her personal property to her nephew, Robert, nineteenth Earl of Kildare. Lady Frances, married, in 1656, before Benjamin Worseley, Esq., J.P., to Sir James Shaen, Bart. Lady Elizabeth, married, first, Callaghan M'Carthy, second Earl of Clancarty ; and, secondly, Sir William Davies, Chief Justice of the King's Bench. She died in 1698. WENTWORTH, SEVENTEENTH EARL. Wentworth, seventeenth Earl of Kildare, was born in 1634, and was named after the Earl of StraiFord. On the 11th February, 1661, soon after his accession to the title, he was made a Privy Councillor, and was appointed Captain of a troop of horse, a post at that time held by persons of the highest rank. His brother Robert was, at the same time, sworn of the Privy 262 EARLS OF KILDARE. Council, and also received a troop. On the 27th March, he was appointed Governor of the County of Kildare, and of King and Queen's Counties. On the 8th May, he took his seat in the House of Lords, in the first Parliament held after the Restoration of Charles II., when he was the first of the Peers who delivered their writs.* On that occasion the Lords Justices having ascended the chairs set under the cloth of state, the robe was laid on the table before them, Lord Baltinglass carried the sword, Viscount Montgomery the cap, and the Earl of Kildare the robe.t On the same day he was named on the Committee of Privileges. On the 25th May, he, with Lords Montgomery, Santry, and Ranelagh, was appointed by the. House to search among the records for any reflections that had been cast on the honour of the Earl of Strafford by the Irish House of Lords, and in consequence of their report, parts of the records for the years 1640 and '41 were expunged on the 30th July. On the 20th June, the two Houses of Parliament having agreed to send Commissioners to England to make arrangements concerning the Act of Settlement, the Earl, with the Bishop of Elphin, Viscount Montgo- mery, and Lord Kingston, were selected by the Lords to accompany certain members of the House of Commons to England, " for the service of his Majesty, the good of the Church, and the settlements of the kingdom."! On the 31st July, " Mr. J. Darcy was appointed Clerk to the * Lords' Journals, vol. i. p. 231. t Liber Man. Hib. pt. vi. p. 11. I Lords' Journals, vol. i. p. 254. EARLS OF KILDARE. 263 Commissioners, on the Lord of Kildare engaging for his honesty ;" on the 21st Jannary, 1662, the allowance to each of the Commissioners was fixed at £200, and the salary of the Clerk at £50 ; on the 4th March it was ordered by the House of Lords, " that the Earl of Kildare, having brought a seasonable and satisfactory return of the instructions from the House of Lords to their Commis- sioners, have the thanks of this House ;"* and on the 9 th April, 1663, he received £800 for his allowance and expenses as Commissioner. On the 23rd July, 1661, the Earl held the Duke of Ormonde's proxy in the House of Lords. The customs of the ports of Strangford and Ardglass, which had been granted by Henry VIIL, in 1515, to the ninth Earl, having been confiscated to the Crown, through the negligence of Valentine Payne, agent to the sixteenth Earl, Charles II. deemed it advisable, instead of restoring them to the Earl, to redeem them. He, accordingly, by a letter dated at Whitehall, on the 22nd April, 1662, ordered the Duke of Ormonde, the Lord Lieutenant, to cause a sum not exceeding £10,000 to be paid to trustees, to be disposed of by them in the discharge of the Earl's sisters' portions, and his other debts and engagements. The sum actually paid was £8,000, of which £1,500 was assigned to his brother Robert. On the SOth May, 1662, the Earl was present at the passing of the Act of Settlement by the House of Lords. On the 14th April, 1663, the Lord Lieutenant was * Lords' Journals, vol. i. p. 290. 264 EARLS OF KILDARE. authorized to grant letters patent to the Earl " for the pardon of all treason, and other crimes and offences what- soever, committed by him against the Crown during the late troubles." This grant was made on the 22nd July. The Earl resided at Kilkea Castle, not being able, in consequence of losses suffered during the rebellion, to restore Maynooth Castle. He died of fever on the 5th March, 1664, universally lamented, being only 30 years of age ; and was buried on the next day in Christ Church Cathedral, in Dublin. He married Lady Elizabeth Holies, second of the thir- teen daughters of John, second Earl of Clare. He received with her £6,000 as her fortune. During her widowhood, she resided at Kilkea Castle. She died on the 30th June, 1666, and was buried beside her husband. TJiey had one son and three daughters : — John, eighteenth Earl. Lady Mary, died an infant. Lady Anne. She had a fortune of £6,000, and mar- ried, first, Hugh Boscawen, of Tregothnan; and secondly, the Hon. Francis Robartes, M.P., and Vice-President of the Royal Society. Their son succeeded as fourth Earl of Radnor. She died on the 4th May, 1715, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Lady Eleanor, died young. JOHN, EIGHTEENTH EARL. John, eighteenth Earl of Kildare, was born in 1661, and being only three years of age at the time of his father's death, was left under the guardianship of his EARLS OF KILDARE. 265 mother. At her decease in 1666, he was committed to the care of his grandmother, the Countess Dowager of Clare, daughter and co-heiress of the celebrated Lord Vere, of Tilbury. Under the Act of Settlement of 1662, it was enacted, that the Earl of Kildare should have the pre-emption of any forfeited lands, which were held by any tenure under George or Wentworth, Earls of Kildare, and also of any lands surrounded by, or intermixed with his estates. This provision being thought to obstruct the settlement of the country, was repealed by the Act of Explanation, when it was enacted that the Commissioners for the execution of the Act were " to set out unto John, Earl of Kildare, as much undisposed forfeited lands as would amount to the yearly value of £500, which lands were to be contiguous to his lordship of Kilkea." This provision being unfulfilled, a petition was presented to the King on the part of the Earl, stating that he was under age, and praying that lands to the stated amount might be settled upon him. Accordingly, by a letter, dated the 18th November, 1670, a commission was or- dered to be issued to inquire into his Majesty's title to certain lands in various counties, which, to the aforesaid amount, should be settled on him and his heirs of entail. Whether any, or what lands were thus acquired, does not appear. In 1672, the Earl received from the King a grant for a weekly market at Rathangan ; in 1674, another for a weekly market and two yearly fairs at Castledermot ; and in 1678, a third for a weekly market and two yearly fairs at Maynooth. 266 EARLS OF KILDARE. On the 8th August, 1674, he was appointed joint Governor of the County of Kildare, with his uncle Robert Fitz Gerald ; the duties to be performed by the latter until the Earl was of age, and then by the Earl alone, or by the survivor of them. In 1683, soon after he came of age, he accompanied James, Duke of York, the Duchess, and their daughter, Lady Anne, to Oxford, where the degree of D.C.L. was conferred upon him. After the accession of James XL, the Earl suffered the same hardships as other Protestants. In 1689, his estates in Ireland of the annual value of £6,800, were sequestered by the Parliament held in Dublin, and £200 a year in England. In 1692, the Earl not appearing in the Irish House of Lords, on being called a second time a writ or summons was issued to him, among others, to attend on the 21st November, or otherwise to be fined £300.* About the year 1692, an Act was passed enabling the Earl to sell his estates in the County of Limerick, in order to pay incumbrances amounting to £9,300, and the rest of the purchase-money, except £2,000 for the Earl's private use, to be invested in land in England. The estates were sold in 1721, when Adare was pur- chased by the ancestor of the Earl of Dunraven, and Croom by Mr. Croker, of Ballynagarde. The Earl appears to have resided constantly in Eng- land, at Cavershara in Oxfordshire. He died there on the 9th November, 1 707, at the age * Lords' Journals in Lib. Mun. Hib. EARLS OF KILDARE. 267 of forty-six, and was buried in the Duke of Richmond's vault, in Henry VIII. 's chapel, in Westminster Abbey. By his will, dated 19th March, 1704, he left the purchase-money of his Limerick estates to the Duke of Eichmond, but the estates not having been sold at the time of his death, the Duke succeeded to them, and disposed of them soon after. The Earl also left £100 a year to his aunt. Lady Catherine Fitz Gerald, ten shillings to his sister. Lady Anne Robartes, and £200 to the poor of Caversham. He married, first, the Hon. Mary O'Brien, eldest daughter of Henry, Lord Ibrackan, and grand-daughter of the seventh Earl of Thomond. They had a son, James, Lord Offaly, who died young. And, secondly, in June, 1684, Lady Elizabeth Jones, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Richard, Earl of Ranelagh. She was born in 1664, and died on the 10th April, 1757, aged 93. She had a fortune of £10,000. They had no issue. Pictures of the Earl and his second Countess, by Wissing, are at Carton. The Earl was succeeded by his cousin, Robert, son of his uncle, Robert Fitz Gerald. ROBERT FITZ GERALD. The Hon. Robert Fitz Gerald, second son of George, sixteenth Earl of Kildare, was born in August, 1637, and was baptized on the 17th of that month, in Saint Werburgh's Church. He was "a young man of great energy and spirit," 268 EARLS OF KILDARE. and was an active promoter of the Restoration of Charles II. On the 1st February, 1661, the King, "in considera- tion of the many faithful and eminent services done unto him, in the late transactions of his happy and memorable restoration," granted to him the lands of Tymoge, &c., in the Queen's County (which had been demised by the eleventh Earl of Kildare to his natural son, Gerald, for 101 years, and had been forfeited by the rebellion of Gerald Fitz Gerald in 1641), for the remainder of the unexpired term of the lease. On the 11th February, he was, with his brother, the Earl, sworn as one of the Privy Council, and also re- ceived a commission as Captain of a troop of horse, the army being then not regimented. On the 15th April, he was appointed Comptroller of the Musters and Cheques of the army in Ireland, with a fee of 20s. per diem, and on 17th April he was elected to represent the County of Kildare, in the House of Commons. He at that time resided at Grangemellon, near Athy, of which place he obtained from his brother-in-law, Sir Walter Borrowes, in 1674, a lease for 999 years, to commence at the expiration of a former lease to his brother, the Earl, for 61 years, from 1661. Of the house, a gateway, flanked by two towers, alone remains. On the 4th August, 1663, he married Mary, daughter and heiress of Colonel James Clotworthy, of Monnimore, in the County of Londonderry, brother of Viscount Mas- sarene. On the 8th August, 1674, he was appointed joint Governor, with his nephew, the Earl of Kildare, of the EARLS OF KILDARE. 269 County of Kildare, and was to exercise the duties of that office until the latter attained his majority in 1682. On the 6th August, 1677, he received the degree of LL.D. at Oxford, from the Duke of Ormonde, Chancellor of the University. On the 1st May, 1680, he was made Custos Rotulorum of the County of Kildare. In February, 1685, three weeks after the accession of James II., he was deprived of all his offices, and of his troop, for which he had paid £2,000. The King and his minister, Eichard Talbot, Earl of Tyrconnell, had endeavoured to induce him, by offers of advancement, to join their cause, but having been educated in England, in the Protestant faith, he refused, and they were heard to exclaim, that "that gentleman would force them to ruin him, which they were sorry for." Soon after Lord Tyrconnell had assumed the govern- ment of Ireland in 1686, Fitz Gerald was arrested, and taken in an insolent manner through the streets of Dublin, to the house of the Chief Justice Nugent, by whom he was committed to Newgate prison, and confined in a common cell. It having been represented to the Government that his health, and that of others, would suffer in that prison, the reply was, " It is good enough for them." At the end of twenty-one weeks, in consequence of frequent applications on his behalf, he obtained an order of Council for his release on bail, and was permitted to live in his own house ; but five months after, on a suspicion that he was in correspondence with the disaffected citizens, a regiment of infantry was quartered in the three neighbouring houses to watch 270 EARLS OF KILDARE. him. For two years he was deprived of his estates and employments to the value of £3,300 per annum, but during that time he was constantly supplied with every requisite by unknown persons. On the landing of William III. in Ireland, in June, 1690, though he had permission to remain under a guard, in his own house, he was taken, at a moment's notice, by an officer of militia and seven men, to the Castle, in the guard-room of which he met Drs. King and Foy, afterwards Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Waterford ; and after some deliberation, he was sent to Trinity College, and confined there with about fifty other prisoners of distinction. On the 2nd July, 1690, when the news of the Battle of the Boyne reached Dublin, the city was in great confusion. At the first alarm, Fitz Gerald sent Sir Robert Gore, with some servants, to the Castle, with a letter, requiring Mr. Spike, the Governor, to surrender it to Sir Robert. He then, with the Bishop of Limerick, Dean Burke,* and eight or nine gentlemen, proceeded from the College towards the city. Near Lord Charlemont's house they were stopped by a sentinel, who threatened to fire upon them, but Captain Reynolds seized his musket, while Fitz Gerald, taking his sword, advanced with it in his hand to the city, where he was no sooner seen, than the inhabitants, throwing open the doors and windows, cried, " Here is Captain Fitz Gerald, now we are safe." Leaving a guard at the Custom House (now Wellington-quay), he went to the Castle, * Dean of Emly, and afterwards Bishop of Ardagh. EARLS OF KILDARE. 271 which he found in the custody of Sir R. Gore. There, having been informed that a crowd had assembled with the intention of plundering the houses of the Catholics, he went among them and dissuaded them from their pur- pose. He then proceeded to the Tholsel (the site of which is now Christ Church-place), where he was informed that Colonel Luttrel, the Governor of the city and garrison of Dublin, had departed on horseback, saying that " Mr. Fitz Gerald would soon be in his place." In Skinners'-row (Christ Church-place), a crowd of armed citizens had assembled, at whose head was a gentleman with the city keys in his hands. Fitz Gerald went to him and demanded " By what authority he had those keys ?" And on the reply of " By a better authority than yours," he took them from the gentleman, who, on being informed that it was Fitz Gerald, begged his pardon, and said that he and his party were seeking for him, in order to present the keys to him. About a hundred of the Protestant inhabitants having assembled, he sent sixty to the different gates of the city, and ten to the Mint Office. He then went to the main guard, where the officer of militia, who was on duty with about thirty men, their arms loaded and matches lighted, threatened to fire on him ; but who, after much expostulation, being told that " King William was at hand, and that he could have no hopes of mercy but in immediate surrender," gave up his pike, and ordered his men to lay down their arms, which Fitz Gerald placed in the hands of Protestants: He then returned to the Castle, and having placed all the guards, and ordered all the rounds, went, at twelve o'clock at night, to a 272 EARLS OF KILDARE. friend's house in the city, from which, with the Bishop of Limerick, Dean Burke, and other gentlemen, he sent a letter to King William, giving him an account of these transactions, assuring him that the city and Castle of Dublin were at his command, and requesting assistance to maintain order. At about four o'clock on the morning of the 3rd July, being informed that some of King James's army had returned, and were setting fire to part of the city, he called out the guard, consisting of thirty men, and went to where the danger was greatest. The plunderers fled, but he seized one man in the act of setting fire to some thatched houses in Kevin-street. As he was a French soldier, acting under the orders of his Major, he released him after two days' confinement. About daybreak a mob again assembled with the intention of burning the houses of the Catholics. These he addressed, asking them if they had forgotten how he had disarmed the guard, when they, the Protestants, had no arms to defend themselves. This pacified some, but others having broken into Colonel Sarsfield's house while he was speaking, he enforced order among them with his sword and cane. He was thus in constant danger from four to seven o'clock, but through his exertions not one life was lost in the city, and by his discretion and decision he saved the magazines and the property of both the Protestants and Catholics. At seven o'clock he sent letters and messengers to all the former Privy Councillors, to the Protestant Town-Councillors, and to some eminent clergymen, requesting them to meet him ; and when they had assembled, he made a short speech EARLS OF KILDARE. 273 upon the state of affairs. After they had thanked him, they appointed a Committee of five to manage the affairs of the city. This number was afterwards increased to nine. At eight o'clock, on an ahirm that the French troops were returning to Dublin, he assembled a considerable body of men under arms, and having sent out horsemen as scouts, he wrote the following letter, addressed — " To the Chief Officer commanding any body of their Majesties' horse, foot, or dragoons, on their march to Dublin. Haste, Haste, Haste, for his Majesty's service. " Sir, " This town is now at His Majesty's service, only the rabble is very numerous, and we are afraid will be dis- orderly; and 'tis feared that some parties of King James's forces, who are within six miles, will return and rifle the town. We therefore intreat you to come or send some party of the forces under your command, to relieve and assist us, with all expedition, and secure his Majesty's subjects from any further inconveniences. " R. FiTz Gerald. " Duhlin, July Zrd, at Noon, 1690." This letter reached the King sooner than those which were sent eight hours before. He received the news of the city being in his hands with great satisfaction, and said : " I see I have some good friends at Dublin, and am much obliged to Mr. Fitz Gerald. Pray tell him (being on horseback) I can't now write to him, but will take care to send him some horse as soon as I can, and T 274 EARLS OF KILDARE. desire he will go on with taking care of the place as he has done." In the meanwhile, the Committee of nine selected Fitz Gerald as Governor of the City and Castle of Dublin ; and delivered to him the following document : — " Whereas the City and Castle of Dublin have been deserted by the late Governors appointed by King James; and it is necessary that some care be taken to supply that office, we therefore desire that the Honourable Robert Fitz Gerald would take upon him and execute the office of Governor of the said City and Castle, till his Majesty's pleasure be known." On the 4th July, at about ten o'clock. Sir Robert Southwell arrived with a message from the King, to inform them that before dinner two regiments of horse would arrive. He then took Fitz Gerald aside, and said many kind things to him from the King, and concluded with these words : " His Majesty bids me assure you he is your true friend by this token ;" he then took out of his pocket a small silver medal, which Fitz Gerald had sent to the King, in order that he might rely upon any intelligence which might be brought by the bearer of the token. Within an hour after, a body of horse arrived, and on the next day the blue Dutch guards marched in, to whom Fitz Gerald surrendered the town guard and Castle. He had not slept three hours on the preceding night. On the next day, Sunday, 6th July, when the King went from the camp to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Fitz Gerald presented to him the keys of the City and Castle. The King at once returned them to him, saying : " Sir, they EARLS OF EILDARE. 275 are in good hands ; you deserve them well, and may keep them." However, about a week after, Colonel Floyd assumed the command of the Castle.* On the 9th July, the King appointed Fitz Gerald and others Commissioners to take charge of all forfeited goods. On the 1st December, he was appointed a member of the Privy Council, and on the next day he signed the first proclamation, which prohibited any of the King's subjects of Ireland to trade with France, or to correspond with the French King, or his subjects. On the 22nd September, 1692, and again on the 13th August, 1695, he and his son George were elected Mem- bers for the County of Kiklare.t He was the author of two pamphlets, " Salt Water Sweetened ; or a true account of the great advantage of this new invention both by sea and land," dedicated to King Charles II., London, 1683, 4to., and "A full and true account of the late Revolution in Dublin, and of what happened there from the time of the defeat of King James's army at the Boyne, the 1st July, 1690, till King William's entry there. In a letter from a gentleman who was then prisoner in the College of Dublin, to another in London, dated August 15th, 1690." London, 1690. Folio.t He died on the 31st January, 1697. He married, 4th Aug., 1663, Mary Clotworthy, daughter and heiress of Colonel James Clotworthy, of Monnimore, * Lodge. t Liber Mun. Hib. } Ware's Writers of Leland, B. 1, p. 207. 276 EARLS OF KILDARE. County of Londonderry. She died on the 31st March, 1713. Thfey had four sons and six daughters. James, died young. George, was a member of the House of Commons and succeeded his father. He died unmarried at the age of twenty- six years. Robert, nineteenth Earl. James, died young. Mary, married, in 1684, John, first Viscount Allen. She died in 1692. Elizabeth, married Henry Sandford, of Castlereagh, Member of Parliament for the County of Roscommon. Her son, Robert, married Lady Henrietta O'Brien, sister to the Countess of Kildare. She died in 1734. Frances, married Michael Tisdal, of Martray, or Mount Tisdal, in Meath. Catherine, married, in 1712, Dive Downes, Bishop of Cork. Anne, died unmarried in 1709. Margaret, married, in 1707, Tobias Hall, of Mount Hall, on the Narrow Water, County of Down. ROBERT, NINETEENTH EARL. Robert, nineteenth Earl of Kildare, was born in May, 1675. He succeeded his cousin, John, eighteenth Earl, in 1707. On the 7th March, 1709, he married Lady Mary O'Brien, eldest daughter of William, third Earl of Inchiquin. On the 5th May, he took his seat in the House of EARLS OF KILDARE. 277 Lords. On the 6th, he was appointed, with others, to draw up an address of condolence to Queen Anne on the death of her consort. Prince George of Denmark, and also of congratulation on the success of her array ; and on the following day he waited on the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Wharton, with the address, to which the Queen returned a gracious answer, on the 23rd. In that, and several succeeding sessions of Parliament, he was a member of the standing Committees of the House of Lords. In May, 1710, he was made one of the Privy Council. On the 25th May, it was ordered by the House of Lords, " that the Earl of Kildare have the leave of the House to waive his privilege in a cause pending between his lordship and the Lady Catherine Fitz Gerald." On the 28th November, the custody of the Great Seal, on the death of the Chancellor, was committed to the Earl, the Archbishop of Dublin, and Thomas Keightly, Esq. The Earl, on that occasion, wrote the following letter to the Duke of Ormonde, the Lord Lieutenant : — " 9""' f 2Sth,from Dublin, 1710. " My Lord, "Yesterday's expresse brought me y^ favour of y" Graces, and am extr^^.mly oblig'd to you for y® honour you have done me, in thinking of me ; besides y' Graces recommendation to her Majesty, and shall endever faithfully to execute y® trust reposs'd in me, and all 278 EARLS OF KILDARE. Other things in my power for her Majesty's service, as well as y"" Graces commands, y* I shall always be proud of obaying. The L*^ Justaces, Commissioners, and Judges ware y'day sworn, but hope y* wont continue long ; but will all be suppersed'd soon by y"" Graces coming over, w'^ I am shure must be much desir'd by all, but espessially by y'^ y* has y^ honour to know you. Y^ place is so dull for want of you, I hant a word of news to send y'' Grace, but must bege leave to give you my humble thanks, and asshure you none is more y° I, " My Lord, " y Excellancys " Most obedant and most faithfull, humble Servant, " KiLDARE."* On the 9th September, 1714, after the accession of George L, he was appointed one of the Lords Justices, and on the 9th October was sworn as one of the Privy Council. In the first Parliament of George L, which met on the 12th November, 1715, the Earl presented to the House of Lords a Bill, entitled, " An Act for recognizing His Majesty's title to the throne of Great Britain, France, and Ireland ;" and on the 14th he was appointed one of a Committee which was to prepare the address of congra- tulation to the King. In 1727, on the accession of George IL, he was again sworn as one of the Privy Council. In October, 1733, he was constituted, by the charter, a member of the Incorporated Society for promoting • MS. EARLS OF KILDARE. 279 Protestant schools in Ireland. He had, in February, given £500 for the school in Castledermot, which was opened in May, 1734, and was the first working charter school. In October, 1739, he was, under the King's letter, ap- pointed one of the Incorporated Company for carrying on the cambric manufacture in Ireland, to which he gave £500. It was the wish of the Earl to have restored Maynooth Castle, but on examination it was found to be too much dilapidated ; he in consequence determined to make Car- ton his residence. In the ^beginning of the seventeenth century, a lease of the townland of Carton, consisting of 403a. 1r. ]6p. Irish, had been made by Gerald, fourteenth Earl, to William Talbot, grandson of Sir 'Thomas Talbot, of Malabide. He built there a house, which is the nucleus of the present mansion. He was elected Member for the County of Kildare in 1613, was created a baronet in 1622, and died in 1633. The estate passed eventually to his grandson, Eichard, created Earl of Tyrcounell in 1685, and Duke in 1689. On his attainder, in 1691, this property was forfeited to the crown, and was sold, subject to the head-rent of £10, payable to the Earl of Kildare, for £1,840, to Major- General Eichard Ingoldsby, who was Master of the Ordnance, and one of the Lords Justices of Ireland at the time of his death, in 1711.* From his descendant, Thomas Ingoldsby, of Waldridge, the Earl repurchased the lease for £8,000, on the 27th January, 1738-9, and * Book of Forfeited Estates, temp. William III. 280 EARLS OF RILDARE. at once commenced to enlarge the house. He appears to have resided until then in Kilkea Castle, of which a lease was made to Thomas Dixon, Esq., in 1741. He died at Carton on the 20th February, 1744, at the age of sixty-eight, much lamented, having always been a true patriot, extensive in his charity, and truly ex- emplary in all stations of life.* He is said "to have been one of the most pious noblemen of the age," but "ex- tremely formal and delicate, insomuch, that when he was married to Lady Mary O'Brien, one of the most shining beauties then in the world, he would not take his wedding gloves oflf to embrace her." The following lines are by a contemporary writer : — Kildare's a precedent for lords To keep their honour and their words, Since all our peers to him give place, His fair examples let them trace, Whose virtues claim precedence here, Even abstracted from the peer His morals make him still more great, And to his titles and estate. Add such a lustre and a grace, As suits his ancient noble race, Surrounding him with all their rays Above the compass of our lays. Instead of duns to crowd his door, It is surrounded by the poor, My lord takes care to see them serv'd, And saves some thousands from being starved, Nor does he think himself too great Each morning on the poor to wait ; And as his Charity ne'er ceases. His fortune ev'ry day increases, Has many thousands at command, A large estate and liberal hand.f * Lodge. f Whyte's Essay on Dunning, 1740. EARLS OF KILDARE. 281 He was buried, privately, at Christ Church, Dublin, where his Countess erected a very fine monument to his memory, on the north side of the Communion Table. By his will he left to his Countess £1,200 a year, to be paid out of the Kildare estates ; his estates in the County of Down ; Carton and his house in Dublin, and all their furniture, recommending her to leave them to their son ; his plate and jewels, and all the residue of his personal property, desiring her, out of it, to finish the house and offices at Carton, according to the plan thereof. To his daughter. Lady Margaret, he left £20,000. He entailed his estates upon his son an" his heirs, with remainder to his daughter and her heirs, remainder to his sisters and their heirs, who were to assume the name of Fitz Gerald. He also left £500 to each of the charter schools of Castledermot, Maynooth, and Strangford; £200 for rebuilding the church at Eathangan, and £50 to the poor of each of the towns of Maynooth, Kildare, Athy, and Castledermot. He married, in 1708, Lady Mary O'Brien, daughter of William, third Earl of Inchiquin. She survived him many years, dying at the age of 87, in 1780. She was also buried in Christ Church. They had four sons and eight daughters, all of whom died young, except James, Lord Oflfaly, and Lady Margaret. William, Lord Offiily, born 24th July, 1714. Lady Mary, born 24th December, 1715. Lady Elizabeth, born Uth May, 1717. Lady Henrietta, born 11th June, 1719. George, born 11th October, 1720. 282 EARLS OF KILDARE. James, Lord Offaly, born 29th May, 1722 ; the twen- tieth Earl. Lady Catherine, born 2nd October, 1723. Charles, born 16th December, 1724, Lady Anne, born 31st December, 1726. Lady Frances, born January, 1728. Lady Margaret, born 2nd July, 1729 ; Countess of Hillsborough. Lady Charlotte, born 3rd April, 1734. JAMES, TWENTIETH EARL. James, the twentieth Earl of Kildare, was born on the 29th May, 1722. From the 20th February, 1737, to the 5th September, 1739, he travelled on the Continent. On the 17th October, J741, "James, Lord Offaly, of Carton," being then only nineteen years of age, was returned to Parliament as member for the borough of Athy * He continued to sit in the House of Commons until his accession to the earldom in 1744. After his father's death, he was the only male repre- sentative of the Kildare branch of the Gepaldines. The family residence was at that time in Suffolk- street. The Earl, soon after his accession, wished to build a large house on the south side of the city ; but failing to get a site there, he selected one on " Moles- worth Fields," then unoccupied, and the foundation of * Liber Muu. Hib. pt. ii. p. 19. EARLS OF KILDARE. 283 " Kildare House," afterwards called " Leinster House," was laid there in 1745. The Earl is said to have replied to a person, who observed that " it was an unfashionable part of the town," " They will follow me wherever I go." In 1745, when it was expected that Prince Henry, second son of the Pretender, was about to invade Ireland at the head of the " Irish Brigade," the Earl offered to raise and equip a regiment at his sole expense, but received from the government the answer that "the King had no occasion for his regiment."* On the 15th April, 1746, the Hon. Horace Walpole, afterwards Earl of Orford, writes to Sir Horace Mann: — "The same Duke of Richmond has refused his beautiful Lady Emily to Lord Kildare, the richest and first peer of Ireland, on a ridiculous notion of the King's evil being in the family: but sure that ought to be no objection; a very little grain more of pride and Stuartisni might persuade all the royal bastards that they have a faculty of curing that distemper."! In April, 1746, the Earl was appointed one of the Privy Council. On the 1st February, 1747, the Earl was created a peer of Great Britain, by the title of Viscount Leinster of Taplow, County of Buckingham. It being at that time necessary that the title of a British peerage should be taken from some place in England, the Earl having no property there, took his title from Taplow, which then belonged to his uncle, the fourth Earl of Inchiquin. * Pictorial History of England. t Walpole's Letters, vol. ii. p. 113. 284 EARLS OF KILDARE. On the 7th February, he married Lady Emily Mary Lennox, second daughter of Charles, second Duke of Richmond, and sister of Lady Holland, Lady Louisa Conolly, and Lady Sarah Napier. On the 23rd February, IL Walpole writes : — " Lord Kildare is married to the charming Lady Emily Lennox, who went the very next day to see her sister. Lady Caroline Fr'X, to the great mortification of the haughty Duchess-mother. They have not given her a shilling, but the King endows her, by making Lord Kildare a Viscount sterling ; and they talk of giving him a pinch- beck dukedom, too, to keep him always first peer of Ireland."^' In 1749, when William, Earl of Harrington, was Lord Lieutenant, a question arose as to the right of the House of Commons to vote the application of any part of the unappropriated revenue without the previous consent of the Crown. The leaders of the popular party were the Earl of Kildare, in the House of Lords, and the Speaker Boyle, in the House of Commons ; and of the Court party the Primate, George Stone, then one of the Lords Justices, was the chief. This question re- mained undecided until, in June, 1753, under the Lord Lieutenancy of the Duke of Dorset, during whose absence from Ireland the Primate was again Lord Justice, the Earl of Kildare, indignant at the conduct of the Irish Government, presented to the King, with his own hand, the following Memorial : — * Walpole's Letters, vol. ii. p. 1 78. EARLS OF KILDARE. 285 " To His Most Serene and August Majesty^ King George IL, of Great Britain^ France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and soforth. " The most humble memorial of James Fitz Gerald, Earl of Kildare, Baron of Offaly, Lord Leinster in Eng- land, &c., and one of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council of the Kingdom of Ireland, " Most humbly representeth : — That your memorialist is the eldest peer of the realm, by descent, as lineally sprung from the ancient and august blood of the noble Earl of Kildare, who came over under the invincible b .nner of your august predecessor, Henry II., when his arms conquered the Kingdom of Ireland. That your memorialist, on this foundation, has the greater pre- sumption to address your august Majesty, as his ancestors have ever proved themselves steady adherents to the conquest of that kingdom, and were greatly instrumental in the reduction thereof by their money, interest, and forces. That though they were first sent over with letters patent under Henry II.'s banner to conquer this kingdom, yet by the inheritance of lands, by inter- marriages with princesses of the kingdom, they became powerful, and might have conquered for themselves, notwithstanding which, their allegiance was such as that, on their Sovereign's mandates to stop the pro- gress of war, we obeyed, and relinquished our title of conquest, laid down our arms, and received that monarch Avith due homage and allegiance, resigning our conquests as became subjects, and also prevailed with sovereign princes, bishops, nobles, clergy, and gentry 286 EARLS OF KILDARE. to acknowledge him lawful sovereign of Ireland, and of the seas, seaports, and other domains of the kingdom. " That, on this presumption, your memorialist has in the most humble manner, at the request of the natives of Ireland, your Majesty's true liege subjects, not only the aborigines thereof, but the English Colonies, sent over by Henry II., Richard II., Elizabeth, Charles, Cromwell the Usurper, William III., of glorious memory, and other Kings, your Majesty's predecessors, and the conquerors of Ireland, made bold to lay before your Majesty the true state of their several and respective grievances, a burden now become too heavy to bear. And your memorialist was rather induced to lay this memorial at your august Majesty's feet, as it was on good presumption surmised that all access to your royal ear was shut up, and your liege subjects debarred the liberty of complaining, a right ever allowed to your Majesty's liege subjects, of what degree or condition soever. That no notice being taken of several remon- strances heretofore made by your Majesty's liege subjects, it was humbly presumed that such remon- strances had been stopped and debarred in their progress to your royal ear. That your memorialist, at the request of several thousands of your liege subjects, as well the nobles as the clergy, the gentry, and commonalty of the Kingdom, has ventured on this bold step, for which he humbly craves your Majesty's pardon, as nothing but the distress of his countrymen, your most loyal subjects, could have drawn him to this presumption. " That, in general, the face of your loyal kingdom EARLS OF KILDARE. 287 wears discontent, a discontent not coloured from caprice or faction, but purely founded on ministerial raisapplica- tion. That, though several persons, particularly Nevil,* Avere called to account for the public money which they had drawn out of the Treasury and deposited in the banks, yet this inquisition came to nothing by the mediation of party and the interposition of power. That the Duke of Dorset's son. Lord George, though in high and lucrative employments already, not satisfied therewith, has rest- lessly grasped at power, insatiable in his acquisitions. That the Primate, who is now on the pinnacle of honour, connected with the same noble Lord, has made use of his influence to invest himself of temporal power, and like a greedy churchman, affects to be a second Wolsey in the senate. That influences being so predominant, corruption is so formidable, and election so controlled by the mighty power of these two statesmen, your loyal kingdom of Ireland feels the sad effects of it, and dreads the Duumvirate, as much as England did that of the Earl of Strafford and Archbishop Laud. That your other ministers, ofiicers, subjects, and servants being cut out of dignity and power, by this formidable monopoly, can scarce perform the proper functions of their ministry, as all measures are determined by fatal and influenced majorities in the Houses. That the citizens of Dublin have for a long time laboured under an unprecedented slavery, in subjection to the bankers of administration, who act in a despotic manner, raising and disposing the public revenues of the City, just as to * He had embezzled money intended for the erection of barracks. 288 EARLS OF KILDARE. them seems fitting. That your Majesty's interest in the heart of your loyal subjects is likely to be affected by these arbitrary measures, as the landed interest is very much injured thereby, and as few care to represent their country in Parliaments, where a junta of two or three men disconcert every measure taken for the good of the subject, or the cause of common liberty. " That your memorialist has nothing to ask of your Majesty, neither place, civil or military, neither prefer- ment for himself or friends, and that nothing but his duty to your Majesty, and his natural hatred to such detes- table monopoly, could have induced your memorialist to this presumption. " Who is, in all respects, " Your most loyal and dutiful subject, " J. FiTZ Gerald." This remonstrance gave great offence to the Cabinet. In a letter written by the Lord Lieutenant to the Pri- mate, is the following passage : " Touching the Earl of Kildare's memorial presented to the King my master, it has neither served him nor injured us. It is looked upon, as it justly deserves to be, an act of presumption, and a step of faction. In a less mild administration, and under a reign less merciful, it would have proved an act full of danger." And the Earl of Holderness, in a letter to the Chancellor of Ireland, wrote : " I am not a little concerned that the noble Earl of Kildare should take so bold a step as he may repent hereafter, and do assure you I think he has not shown himself a person of discretion, be the act never so popular. EARLS OF KILDATIE, 289 He was but ill received, and very coolly dismissed, as indeed the presumption well merited ; for why should his Majesty receive any remonstrance concerning his kingdom or government, but from the proper ministers, or through the usual channel, viz., both Houses of Parliament ?"* In Ireland, the Earl was so popular, that on the 16th November he was an entire hour passing through the crowd from the Parliament House to Kildare House ; and a medal was struck to commemorate the memorial, representing the Earl, sword in hand, guarding a heap of money on a table from a hand which attempted to take it, with the motto, " Touch not, says Kildare." The disregard shown by the Government to the memo- rial so increased the public discontent, that in 1755 the ministry recalled the Duke of Dorset ; the Primate's name, by the King's command, was struck off the list of Privy Councillors, and, through the influence of the Secretary of State, Mr. Fox (afterwards Lord Holland), the Lord Lieutenancy was given to Lord Harrington, afterwards Duke of Devonshire, an intimate friend of the Earl of Kildare, who induced the Earl of Besborough, the Speaker, and Mr. Malonet to give him their support. On the 11th May, 1756, on the departure of the Lord Lieutenant (the Duke of Devonshire) for England, the Earl was nominated one of the Lords Justices. On the 16th June, 1757, John, Duke of Bedford, the Secretary of State, wrote a letter to the Earl, who was * Plowden's Ir. vol. i. p. 313. I Soon after appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. U 290 EARLS OF KILDARE. still Lord Justice, in which he says, " that he is concerned to find that the Lords Justices were uneasy, because the King's letter, relative to the admission of corn into Ire- land, not having been sent to the Treasury, was mentioned in a second letter ; and that he did not think it advisable to adopt the Earl's proposal, that the two letters should be withdrawn, and a third issued."* And on the 2nd July, Mr. Rigby, Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, wrote to the Duke : " I am very glad to find by your Grace's letter that Lord Kildare has acted so sensibly with relation to the King's letter. "t In September, 1757, the Duke of Bedford arrived in Ireland as Lord Lieutenant, and in October went on a visit to the Earl at Carton. There were at that time three parties, viz., those of the Earl of Kildare, the Primate, Stone, and the Speaker, Ponsonby. The Duke, on beginning his administration, endeavoured to reconcile these discordant factions. In a letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt, dated 5th December, 1757, he wrote : " I shall, with great willingness, undertake the task, however difficult it may be, which his Majesty has prescribed to me, of using my utmost en- deavours to conciliate and unite those two at present very disunited parties — I mean the Kildares and Ponsonby s. This is the only step at conciliation that seems to me to be in any degree practicable."! These attempts, however, failed. * Correspondence of John, Duke of Bedford, vol. ii. p. 247. t Ibid. 261. I Bedford Correspondence, vol. ii. p. 311. EARLS OF KILDARE. 291 In February, 1758, the Duke wrote the following letter to Mr. Secretary Pitt: — " (Most secret.) '^Dublin Castle^ February 13, 1758. " Sir, " There being no packet boat on this side, occasioned by the tempestuous w^eather and contrary winds, I have not yet ventured to send back Collins, the messenger, with my despatches, and I am by that means enabled to give you an account of what passed between the Earl of Kildare and me this morning, to whom I had, by means of a very private communication, given an intimation of the overture made to me by the Primate a few days ago. I am sorry to be obliged to inform you, that I found his Lordship, notwithstanding I made use of every argument that occurred to me, founded upon public and private advantage, and upon the great honour he should acquire to himself, by putting an end to party and faction, which had almost ruined all government in this country, very firm, not to say obstinate, in adhering to his former resolutions, of never coming in to any terms with the Primate, and this to such a degree, that I found all I could say was lost upon him, which forced me to be content in insisting on his taking some time to consider of it, and to consult those grave and serious friends, of whose judgment and integrity, I believe, he has a good opinion. It would be useless and tiresome to you to enter into a detail of all the arguments I made use of ; it will suffice to tell you that they were the best my judgment, and the knowledge I had of his Lordship's turn of mind, could suggest to me ; and that I endeavoured 292 EARLS OF KILDARE. to show him that his firmness might prevent me from being of that utility to him, and those of his connexion, which otherwise I might be capable of, and that I feared this obstinacy would be the cause of putting him and his party more into the power of his adversaries, than a coalition with them could possibly do, which was the thing he seemed very apprehensive of, as I myself, whilst in the Government, should be the middle man betwixt both parties, and should have it in my power to check any superiority either might attempt to gain on the other, which, if authorized by his Majesty, as I made no doubt of being, I did most faithfully promise him to do. In this situation do affairs stand at present ; if anything new shall arise I will not fail to acquaint you forthwith with it."* In March, 1758, when the Lord Lieutenant intended to leave Ireland for a time, he endeavoured to persuade the Earl to allow himself to be nominated Lord Justice with the Primate, but without success. The following is a note from the Duke's Diary : — " March 6. Lord Longfield was with me by appointment, and I desired him to lay before the Earl of Kildare my reasons for desiring him to act in government in my absence with the Primate, the Earl of Shannon, and the Speaker of the House of Commons. March 7. Lord Longfield brought me the Earl of Kildare's answer, that he could not with truth to the King, consistent with the good of Ireland, nor the restoring government under any administration to its true vigour, act jointly with the * Bedford Corresp. vol. ii. p. 327. EARLS OF KILDARE. 293 Primate's government ; but that he was perfectly well disposed, as a private man, to promote peace, and a due subserviency to the government, under my adminis- tration."* On the 18th October, 1758, the Earl was appointed Master-General of the Ordnance in Ireland, " the King being well satisfied of his loyalty, integrity, and his fitness to execute and discharge that office.''! In March, 1760, having raised the Royal Eegiment of Irish Artillery, he was appointed its Colonel. In a letter from Mr. Rigby to the Duke of Bedford, dated St. James's place, 22nd December, 1760, is as follows : — " I have seen a letter from Lord Kildare, which says that he shall be for transmitting a money- bill, and would have signed the letter from the Privy Council here, had he been a member of it. He adds, that he thinks the present Government not proper to appease the heats of the country. "$ And on the 30th December, the Right Hon. Harry Fox writes to the Duke : — " My dear Lord, I send your Grace those letters, received by post last night, from the Lord Kildare ; and I trouble you Avith the whole of them, as I think an abstract would not so well enable your Grace to make a judgment of the state of things in Ireland. It appears that Lord Kildare acts from principle honestly and fairly, yet with great candour and firmness towards those whom he opposes. "§ On the 19th January, 1761, soon after the accession * Bedford Corresp. vol. ii. p. 329, f Liber Mun. pt. ii. p. 103. X Bedford Corresp. vol. ii. p. 427. § Ibid. p. 428. 294 EARLS OF KILDARE. of George III., the Earl was continued in his office of Master-General of the Ordnance. In February, the Duke of Bedford wrote the following letter : — " Tuesday^ 2^th February^ 1761. "Give me leave to congratulate you on his Majesty having been graciously pleased to signify to me this mor- ning, the intention of creating you a Marquis of Ireland, with the promise that you shall be created a Duke, when- ever lie shall think proper to make one of that degree either in England or Ireland, exclusive of any of his own family. This mark of the King's entire approbation of your conduct during the late disputes in Ireland, gives me infinite satisfaction, especially as I have been entrusted by your Lordship in the conducting of this affair, as there is no one has your Lordship's interest more zealously at heart than myself. " I am, &c., " Bedford."* The Earl was created Marquis of Kildare and Earl of Offaly, under the Privy Seal, on the 27th February, 1761, and by patent, dated the 19th March. On the 11th November, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General. On the 10th December, he took his seat in the House of Lords under his new title. On the 14th March, 1763, the patent appointing him Master-General of the Ordnance was revoked, and a new *• Bedford Correspondence, vol. iii. p. 5. EARLS OF KILDARE. 295 one issued, appointing bim " Master-General as well of the Ordnance as of his Majesty's arms, armouries, and other habiliments of war in Ireland," with a salary of £1,500 a year.* This patent was revoked on the 8th February, 1766.t On the 12th November, 1766, he was further created Duke of Leiuster, by Privy Seal, and by patent on the 26th of that month, in the same year as the creation of the Dukedom of Northumberland, in consequence of the promise made through the Duke of Bedford, that he should " be created a Duke, whenever he (the King) shall think proper to make one of that degree in England or Ireland." He took his seat as Duke in the House of Lords on the 27th January, 1768. On the 30th March, 1770, he was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-General. In 1771, he, with several other Peers, signed a suc- cession of protests against the acts of the House of Lords,t in voting an address, thanking the King for continuing Lord Townshend as Chief Governor, and another address to the Lord Lieutenant, and he and Lord Charlemont in vain endeavoured to dissuade Mr. Ponsonby from resigning the Chair of the House of Commons, in consequence of a similar vote in the House of Commons. § On the 19th November, 1773, he died in Leinster House, in Dublin, at the age of fifty-one, and was buried in Christ Church. * Liber Mun. pt. ii. p. 103. f Ibid. t Ibid. pt. vii. p. 37. § Hardy's Life of Charlemont, vol. i. p. 292. 296 EARLS OF KILDARE. The character of the Duke has been thus drawn* : — " He had great weight and authority in the House of Lords, not merely from his rank, considerable as it was, but from the honourable and generous part which he always took in the affairs of Ireland. He seldom, if ever, spoke in public. Excepting some occasional visits to England, where he was as highly respected as illustriously allied, Lord Kildare resided in Ireland almost constantly. He not only supported liis senatorial character with uniform independence, but, as a private nobleman, was truly excellent, living either in Dublin or among his numerous tenantry, whom he encouraged and protected. In every situation he was of the most unequivocal utility to his country : at Carton, in the Irish House of Lords, or in that of England, or speaking in the language of truth and justice in the closet of his Sovereign. No man ever understood his part in society better than he did : he was conscious of his rank, and upheld it to the utmost ; but let it be added, that he was remarkable for the dignified, attractive politeness, or what the French call nobleness, of his manners. So admirable was he in this respect, that when he entertained the Lord Lieutenant, the general declaration on leaving the room was, that from the peculiar grace of his behaviour, he appeared to be more the viceroy than they did." It was his wish to manage his property according to the then English manner, and he expended a large amount in consolidating farms, and building houses for the tenants. He considerably extended the demesne at * Hardy's Life of Charlemont, vol. i. p. 167. EARLS OF KILDARE. 297 Carton ; and, at one time, intended to have rebuilt the house. On one occasion, being informed in Dublin that " Carton was on fire," he replied, " Let it burn." The fire was, however, extinguished without having caused much damage. There are pictures of the Duke and Duchess, by Kamsay, at Carton. He married, on the 7th February, 1746, Lady Emily Mary Lennox, second daughter of Charles, second Duke of Kichmond, She was born on the 6th October, 1731, and Avas god-daughter to George IL, who gave her a silver christening cup, which is now at Carton. She survived the Duke many years, and re-married William Ogilvy, Esq., by whom she had two daughters — Cecilia Margaret, married to Charles Locke, Esq., and Emily Charlotte, married to Charles Beauclerc, Esq. She died on the 27th March, 1814. The Duke had nine sons and ten daughtei'S. 1. George, Earl of Oflfaly, born on the 15th January, 1748. He was god-son to George IL, for whom the Earl of Harrington, then Lord Lieutenant, stood at the christening. On the 22nd January, 1761, Horace Walpole wrote : " I Avas excessively amused on Tuesday night : There was a play at Holland House, acted by children — not all children — for Lady Sarah Lennox, and Lady Susan Strangways played the women. It was Jane Shore ; Mr. Price, Lord Barrington's nephew, was Gloster, and acted better than three parts of the come- dians. Charles Fox, Hastings ; a little Nicholas, who spoke well, Belmour ; Lord Oflfaly,* Lord Ashbroke, and * He was then 13 years old. 298 EARLS OF KILDARE. other boys did the rest ; but the two girls were delight- ful, and acted with so much nature and simplicity, that they appeared the very things they represented."* Lord Offaly died at Eichmond House, on the 26th September, 1765, and was buried in the Church of St. Martin in the Fields, London. 2, William Iiobert, second Duke, born in Arlington- place, London, 2nd March, 1749. On the death of his elder brother, in 1765, he became Earl of Offaly, and when his father was created Duke, in 1766, Marquis of Kildare. On the 28th November, 1767, being only eighteen years of age, he was elected Member for the City of Dublin, in the place of Eecorder Grattan, deceased. The other candidate was John La Touche, Esq., Banker, and the polling lasted eighteen days, the numbers at the close being : — Marquis of Kildare, . . . 1707 La Touche, 1570 137 The Marquis being at the time on the Continent, John St. Leger, Esq., was chaired in his stead.t On the 7th July, 1768, he was elected Member of Parliament for the Borough of Kildare, and on the 23rd for the City of Dublin, and made his election for the latter.t He continued to be a Member of the House of Commons until his father's death, in 1773. On the 24th January, 1772, he was appointed High Sheriff for the County of Kildare. § In November, 1773, he succeeded * Walpole's Letters, vol. iv. p. 118. t Tablet of Memory. X Liber Muii. pt. ii. p. 15. § Ibid. pt. iii. p. 147. EARLS OF KILDARE. 299 liis father as Duke of Leinster. On the 22ncl, lie was appointed Governor of the County of Kildare, and took his seat in the House of Lords on the 30th. On the 4th November, 1775, he married the Honourable Emilia Olivia St. George, only daughter and heiress of Lord St. George. In 1779, on the formation of the Volunteers of Ireland, he was chosen one of the Generals, and was Colonel of the 1st Dublin Regiment. In 1783, on the institution of the Order of St. Patrick, he was the first of the original knights. In that year he sat in the Privy Council. In June, 1788, he was appointed Master of the Rolls.* On the 23rd February, 1798, he was appointed Custos Rotulorum of the County of Kildare. f In 1800, he received, as compensation for the disfranchisement of the Borough of Kildare, £15,000, and for Athy, £13,800, and Lord Ennismore, £1,200. The Duke died on the 20th of October, 1804, the Duchess having predeceased him on the 23rd June, 1798. They had five sons and eight daughters. 3. Lady Caroline Elizabeth Mabel, born 21st June, 1750, died 20th October, 1754. 4. Lady Emily Marie Margaretta, Countess of Bella- mont, born 15th March, 1752, died 8th April, 1818. 5. Lady Henrietta Katherine, born 8th December, 1753, died 10th September, 1763. 6. Lady Caroline, born at Holland House, 6th April, and died in May, 1755. 7. Lord Charles James, born at Carton, 20th June, 1756. He entered the royal navy. On the death of his father, he succeeded to the estate of Ardglass, in the * Liber Man. pt. ii. f Ibid. p. 145. 300 EARLS OF KILDARE. County of Down. In 1776, and again in 1783, he was elected M.P. for the County of Kildare. In 1780, he attained the rank of Captain, and on the 1st March, 1792, was appointed Muster-Master General. In 1795, he was Captain of the Brunswick, one of the five ships that, on the 16th June, engaged the French fleet, con- sisting of 13 sail of the line, 14 frigates, 2 brigs, and a cutter. " Lord Charles Fitz Gerald, in the Brunswick, also kept up a very good fire from his aftermost guns ; but that ship, from bad sailing, was forced to carry every sail." ..." This action is commonly known by the name of Cornwallis' retreat, and was justly considered as one of the finest displays of united courage and coolness to be found in the naval history : the thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted to the Admiral and his brave followers."* On the 14th February, 1799, he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. In June, 1800, he was elected M.P. for Ardfert, when he voted for the Union. In October he was created Baron Lecale. He died on the 18th February, 1810, when his title became extinct. 8. Lady Charlotte Mary Gertrude, born 29th May, 1758. She married, on the 23rd February, 1789, Joseph Holding Strutt, Esq., M.P. for Maiden in Essex. In 1821, she was created Baroness liayleigh. She died on the 12th September, 1836. 9. Lady Louisa Bridget, born 8th June, 1760, and died in January, 1765. 10. Lord Henry, born 30th July, 1761. He succeeded to the estate of Strangford, in the County of Down. In * Brenton's Naval History, vol. i. p. 374. EARLS OF KILDARE. 301 1776, he was elected M.P. for the Borough of Kildare, and in 1790, for Athy and the City of Dublin, and made his election for the latter. In 1808, and again in 1811, he was elected M.P. for Kildare in the Imperial Parliament. On the 4th August, 1791, he married Charlotte Baroness de Eos, and had six sons and six daughters. He died on the 8th July, 1829. 11. Lady Sophia Mary, horn 26th September, 1762, and died on the 21st March, 1845. 12. Lord Edward, born 15th October, 1763. He succeeded to the estate of Kilrush in the County of Kildare. He entered the army in 1780, and served with distinction in America. In 1783, he was elected M.P. for Athy, and in 1790, for the County of Kildare. In that year, refusing to support the Government measures, he was informed that he would not be permitted to have the rank of Lieut.-Colonel ; on this he took the cockade from his hat, and dashing it on the"* ground, trampled upon it. In 1792, he went to France, where, in December, he married Pamela Sims, said to be daughter of Madame de Genlis. Whilst there, he was dismissed from the army. In 1796, he joined the United Irishmen, and having been arrested on the 19th May, 1798, he died of his wounds in Newgate prison on the 4th June. He had one son and two daughters. After his death he was attainted by Act of Parliament, 58 Geo, III. c. 11, and his estate forfeited and sold. This Act was repealed by a private Act in 1819. 13. Lord Robert Stephen, born 15th January, 1765. He succeeded to the estate of Cappagh, in the County of Kildare. He entered the Diplomatic service, and was 302 EARLS OF KILDARE. secretary to the Ambassador in Paris, Earl Gower, afterwards Duke of Sutherland, in 1790, during the commencement of the Eevolution. He was afterwards Minister in Switzerland, Denmark, and Portugal. In 1798, being at Copenhagen, he offered an asylum to his brother, Lord Edward, in the English embassy ; but at the same time sent in his resignation, which, how- ever, George TIL, on hearing the cause, refused to accept, saying, that " a good brother could not be a bad minister." In 1804, he was elected M.P. for Kildare. After the death of his brother, the Duke, in that year, he was, on the 20th December, appointed Governor of the County of Kildare. He married Sophia, daughter of Captain Charles Fielding, E.N., and had three sons and five daughters. He died on the 22nd January, 1833. 14. Lord Gerald, born 15th March, 1766. He en- tered th6 royal navy, and was lost at sea, in a frigate, in the Gulf of Florida, in January, 1788. 15. Lord Augustus Joseph, born 8th December, 1767, and died in 1771. 16. Lady Fanny Charlotte Elizabeth, born 28th January, 1770, and died in 1775. 17. Lady Lucy Anne, born 5th February, 1771 ; married in 1802, Admiral Sir Thomas Foley ; and died 20th January, 1851. 18. Lady Louisa, born and died 19th January, 1772. 19. Lord George Simon, born 16th April, 1773, and died in 1783. EARLS OF KILDARE. 303 Of the Geraldines, Giraldus Cambrensis wrote, in 1186, as follows : — " Qui sunt qui penetrant hostis penetralia ? Giraldidce. Qui sunt qui patriam conservant ? Giraldidfe. Qui sunt quos hostes formidant ? Giraldidfe. Qui sunt quos livor detractet ? Giraldidas." Thus translated by Holinshed, in 1570 : — " Who penetrated the strongholds of the enemy in that laud ? The Geraldines. Who preserved the country ? The Geraldines. Who made their enemies tremble ? The Geraldines. Who be they who, for their good deserts, are most maligned and envied at ? The Geraldines." There is a tradition that at the end of every seven years the Earl of Kildare may be seen riding across the Curragh on a white charger, shod with silver, and holding a cup in his hand ; and that when he shall appear without the cup his race will become extinct. But according to another legend, when his horse's shoes are worn off, he will return to destroy the enemies of Ireland. Who killed Kildare ? Who dared Kildare to kill ? Death killed Kildare, Who dare kill whom he will. APPENDIX I. PAGE 27. PATENT OF THE EARLDOM OF KILDARE. "Edwahdus, Die gratia, Eex Anglise, Doaiinus Hibernias, Dux Aquitaniae, Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comi- tibus, Baronibus, Justitiariis, Yice-Comitibus, Prsepositis, Ministris, et omnibus Ballivis et Fidelibus suis, salutem. Sciatis quod nos pro bono et laudibili servitio, quod dilectus et fidelis noster Johannes Filius Thoma3 de Hibernia, Celebris memorise Domino Edwardo quondam regi Angliae, patri nostro, et nobis hactenus impendit, et nobis impendet in futurum, dedisse, concessisse, et hac charta nostra confirmasse eidem Johanni, castrum et villam de Kildare, ipsumque proefecisse in Comitatem ejusdem loci: Habendum et tenendum eidem Johanni, et hseredibus suis masculis de corpora suo legitime procreatis, una cum foeodis militum, advocatibus ecclesia- rum, abbatiarum, prioratuum, hospitalium, et aliarum domorum religiosarum in comitatu de Kildare, homagiis, servitiis libere tenentium, firmariorum et betagiorum, wardis, maritagiis, releviis escaetis, molendinis, stagnis, vivariis, aquis, ripariis, piscariis, boscis, moris, mariscis, prutis, pascuis, pasturis, libertatibus, liberis, consue- tudinibus, et omnibus aliis ad prcedicta castrum et villa pertinen- tibus ; excepto officio Vicecomitis Cumitatus de Kildare, et his qu£e ad officium Vicecomitis ibidem pertinent, quae nobis et hseredibus nostris volumus remanere ; de nobis et hteredibus nostris per servi- tium duorum foeodorum militum in perpetuum. Et si idem Johannia obierit sine haerede masculo de corpore suo legitime procreato, tunc praedicta castrum et villa cum terris, redditibus, foeodis militum, advocationibus ecclesiarum, abbatiarum, prioratuum, hospitalium, et aliarum domorum rengiosarum, homagiis, servitiis libere tenentium, firmariorum et betagiorum, wardis, maritagiis, releviis, escaetis, molendinis, stagnis, vivariis, aquis, ripariis, piscariis, boscis, moris, X 306 APPENDIX. mariscis, pratis, pascuis, pasturis, libertatibus, et liberis consuetu- dinibus, et omnibus aliis ad prsedicta castrum et villam, pertinenti- bus, ad nos et haeredes nostros integre revertantur. Quare volumus et firmiter prsecipimus pro nobis et baeredibus uostris quod praedictus Jobannes babeat et teneat sibi, et haeredibus suis masculis de corpora BUG legitime procreatis, praedicta castrum et villa cum terris reddi- tibus, et aliis pertinentiis suis, sub bonore et nomine Comitis de Kildare, simul cum fceodis militum, advocationibus ecclesiarum, etc. (ut supra), et omnibus aliis ad praedicta castrum et villam pertiuen- tibus, quoque modo, excepto officio Vicecomitis comitatus de Kildare, et his quae ad officium Vicecomitis ibidem pertinent, quae nobis et haeredibus nostris volumus remanere, de nobis et haeredibus nostris per servitium duorum fceodorum militum in perpetuum. Et si idem Johannes obierit sine haerede masculo de corpore suo legitime procreato, tunc praedicta castrum et villa, cum terris redditibus, etc. ad nos et haeredes nostros integre revertantur, sicut praedictum est. " His testibus, Venerabilibus Patribus W. Cantuar., Arcbiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primate ; J. Norwicensi et W. Exoni, Episcopis ; Johanne de Britannia, Comiti Eichmond; Hugone le Despencer, Seniore ; Rogero de Mortuo Mari de Wigmore ; Hugo le Despencer, Juniore ; Rogero de Mortuo Mari de Chirk ; Johanne de Cromwell Senescallo Hospitii nostri, et aliis. Datum per manum nostram, apud Westmonaster, 14° Die Maii, 1316. " Per ipsum Regem."* * Seklen, in his " Titles of Honour," says, this " is the most ancient form of creation he had seen." APPENDIX II AN ACT TO ABOLISH THE WORDS "CROMABO" AND "BUTLERABO."— 10 Henry VII. c. 20. Item prayen the Commons in the present Parliament assembled, that forasmuch as there hath been great variances, malices, debates, and comparisons between diverse lords and gentlemen of this land, which hath daily increased by seditious means of diverse idle and ill-disposed persons, utterly taking upon them to be servants to such lords and gentlemen, for that they would be borne in such idleness, and their other unlawful demeaning, and nothing for any favour or entirely good love or will they bear to such lords and gentlemen. Therefore, be it enacted and established by the same authority, that no person ne persons of whatsoever, estate, condition, or degree he or they may be of, take part with any lord or gentleman, or uphold any such variances or comparisons in word or deed, as in using these words Cromabo and Butlerabo, or other words like, or contrary to the King's laws, his crown, and dignitj', and peace, but to call only on St. George, or the name of his Sovereign Lord the King of England, for the time being. And if any person or persons of whatsoever estate, condition, or degree, he or they may be of, do contrary, so offending in the premises or any of them, be taken and committed to ward, there to remain without bail or mainprise, till he or they have made fine after the discretion of the King's Deputy in Ireland, and the King's Counsail of the same, for the time being. APPENDIX III THE COPIE OF THE CURSE GEVEN THuMAS FITZ GARALD AND OTHERS FOR KYLLYING OF THE ARCHBUSSHOP OF DUBLIN. In the name of God. Amen. By thauctorite of the Fader, the Sone, and tHoly Goost, and of the blissed Apostels Peter and Paule, saynt Patric th Apostell, and Patrone of Irlonde, all other the Apostels, and company of Heven, and by thauctorite of our Mother Holy Churche, and the kepers of the spirituall jurisdiccion of the Metropolitan See of Dublin, the same Sea beyng voyde. Whear as Thomas Fitz (lerold, eldist sone to Gerold, late Erie of Kildare, of malyce preteused, not oonlie procured John Telyng and Nicholas "Wafer to put violent handes upon the most reverend Father in God, Lorde John A!en, of good memorie, late Archbusshop of the said Sea of Dublin, Prymat of Irlond, takyng him prysoner at Houth, within the dioces of Dublin, and from thens conveying hym to Tartayne, in the same diocesse ; but also, in the same, he, the said Thomas accompaned with John Fitz Gerold, Edwarde Eookes, and dyverse other evyll-disposed persones, moost shamefuUie, tyrannyusly, and cruellie murdred and put to death the said Archbusshop ; for which execrable, abhomynable, detestable, and dampnable acte, accordyug to the prescriptes and ordynannce of Holy Churche, we publishe and declare the said Thomas Fitz- Gerold, John Fitz Gerold, Olyver Fitz Gerold, James Delahide, Edwarde Eookes, John Telyng, Nicholas Wafer, and all other, ^vhich gave commandment, counsaill, favor, helpe, ayde, assistaunce, comeforte, or coufentid to the same, or after thacte commytted, ded ratifie, accept, approve, or wilfullie defende it, or socor, or receyve any suche saide personnes, to be excommunicate, accursed, and anathemazate. And to thentent all Cristen people may the rather take knowlege thereof, and avoyde and eschue the daunger of the same, we invocate and call in vengaunce against the said Thomas, and every of the persones aforesaid, the AITENDIX. 309 celestiall place of Ileven, with all the multitude of angels, that they be accursed before them, and in their sight, as spirittes condempned; and the devell to stand and be in all their doinges, on ther right hand, and all ther actes to be synfull, and not acceptable before God. Been they, and every of thaym, cast out from the company of Cristen people, as dampned creaturs, and all that they shall doo, to be done in ther dampnable offence and syne. Lett thaym be put out of ther howses and mansyons, which oder men may take, and put to decay and ruyne ; ther labors to be frustrat from all goodnes. Lett no man be to thaym mercifull, and ther memorie for ever in the erth to be forgotten. God Almighty may rayne upon thaym the flames of fyer and sulfure, to ther eternal vengeaunce, and that they may cloth thaym selfs with the malediction and high curse, as they daily cloth them with ther garmentes ; the water of vengeaunce may in the inner partes of ther bodies, as the mary is their bonnes. Been they, and every of thaym, gyrded with the gyrdels of maledic- tion and curses. Been they, and every of thaym, parte takers with the wycked Pharoo, and Nero, Herode, and Jude, the proditors of Jhesu Crist, and with Daron and Abyron, whoom the erthe swalowed qwyck, so may they disend into hell qwyck, good Lorde ! send to thaym, and every of thaym, hunger and thyrst, and stryke thaym and every of thaym, with pestilens, till they, and every of thaym be consumed, and ther generation clene radycat and delytit of this worlde, that ther be no memorie of thaym, stryke thaym, and every of thaym, also, with suche lepre, that from the hiest parte of the heed to the sole of ther fote, ther be no hole place. Stryke them also with madnes, blyndnes, and woodnes of mynde, that they may palpe and clayme, also handle as blynde men dothe in darknes. And furder been they cursed, and put from the company of all Cristen people, for they cannot have paynes according ther deservyng. And by thauctorite aforsaid, we do declare interdict the place, wher the same Arch- busshop was killed ; which interdiction we will to be observed accordyng thordynaunce of Holy Church in this behalf; and lykewise do interdict all cities, landes, townes, castels, willages, all manner of chapels, and all other places, wherein the said cursed person been, or anny of thaym be, or at anny tyme hereafter shalbe. 310 APPENDIX. come, or resorte unto ; willing and commandyng all spirituall persons of this dioces and provynce of Dublin, upon payne of the lawe, to cease from administration of all devyne service, as long as the said Thomas Fitz Gerold, John Fitz Gerold, Olyver Fitz Gerold, James Delahyde, John Telyng, Nicholas "Wafer, Edward Rookes, or anny other of the said cursed persons, or anny of thaym, shalbe present, and so contynue thre days after ther departure. And also by the same auctorite, decre them, and every of thaym, to be deprived of all spirituall honors, dygnites, offices, benyfyces, and all other ecclesiastycall profightes and commodites, what so ever they bee, which they now possesse ; and inhabill thaym, and every of thaym, to recey v or accept any other lyke, in tyme to come. Furder, by the same autorite, we excommunicate and curse all persones, thoos, and in the cases which the law permittith, except which, after due knowlege, thexecutyon of this sentence of the great curse ; and specially the servauntes and famyliers, of the said cursed persones, that from hensforth shall do anny service, kepe cumpany, famyliarity, talke, comon, speke, ayde, eomforte, or socor the said Thomas Fitz Gerold, John, Olyver Fitz Gerald, James, John, Nycholas, or Edward, or any other present at the kylleng of the said Archbusshop, gyveng commandment, counsayleng, favoryng, helpyng, aydeng, assystyng, comfortyng, or consentyng to the said murder ; and either afterward ratifieng, approvyng, or wilfully defendyng the same acte, and all thoys which shall mynister, or gyve unto thaym, or any of thaym, meate, drynke, water, fyer, dresse ther sustenance, or gyve anny of thaym anny maner of eomforte or helpe. And to the terror and feare of the said damp- nable persons, in signe and fygure, that they be accursed of God, and ther bodies gyven and commytted into thands of Satan and Lueyfer, we have ronge thes belles, erecte this cross with the fygure of Crist, &c. And as ye see thes candelles light taken from the crosse, and the light quenched, so be the said cursed murderers and rebellyous persons agaynst the lawes of God, and our Moder Holy Churche, excluded and separated from the light of Heaven, the feleship of angels, and all Cristen people, and shalbe sent to the low derknes of fendes, and dampned creaturs, among whom ever- lastyng paynes dooth indure. And thes thre stones, which we cast ArPENDIX. 311 towardes ther inhabitacions, is done to the terror of thaym, that they may the sooner come to grace, in token of the vengaunce which God toke agaynst lyke cursed persones called Dathon and Abyron, being so detestable in the sight of God, that the erth opened and swalowed them qwyck into Hell. Yet trustyng that Our Salvycr, Jhesu Crist, of His infynite mercye, may call them to grace of repentaunce, and araendesment of this ther execrable offence, ye shall devotlie pray with us. " Eevelabunt Cell iniquitatcm," &c. cum spalmo " Deus laudem." Fiat. Fiat. Amen. To Mr. Lyventennaunt at the Kt/nges Tower of London.'^'' * State Papers, temp. Henry VIII. vol. ii. p. 217. Tliis copy must have been transmitted to the Lieutenant of the Tower for the purpose of being communicated to the Earl of Kildare, who was his prisoner. APPENDIX lY AN ACT FOR THE ATTAINDER OF THE EARL OF KILDARE AND OTHERS— 28th Henry VIII. c. 1. pRAYETH the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, that forasmuch as Gerald fitz-Gerald, late Earle of Kyldare, amongst manifold and diverse enormities, abuses, and offences, contrary to his naturall duty of allegeance, attempted and committed against the crown, right, majesty, and dignity of our natural and most dread sovereign lord Henry the eight, by the grace of God, King of England and France, defender of the faith, and lord of Ireland, and in earth, supreme head of the Church of England, the xvi. yeare of his most noble reign, confedred and assented to, and with one James late earle of Desmond, being openly proclaimed and published rebell and traytor against our said soveraigne lord, for that he the said James should send to the French King then enemy unto his grace, and at open war with him and his dominions, to excite, provoke, and stur the same French King to send into this land of Ireland an army, for the taking of the same land out of our said soveraign lords possession ; and notwithstanding that his traiterous entent would not take effect, by reason of a peace that then immediately was concluded betwixt our said soveraigne lord and the French King, he sent unto the Emperour, provoking and intising him to send an army into this said land for the purpose aforesaid. Our soveraign lord the King having privie intelligence thereof, willed secretly the said earle of Kyldare, then being his graces deputy of his land of Ireland, to apprehend and take the said James earle of Desmond, the same earle of Kyldare, falsely and trayterously admonished the said James thereof, willing him to come no place where he the same earle of Kyldare should be or have any power upon him. And being of this and diverse other offences, remitted and pardoned by our said AlTExXDIX. 313 soveraigu lord the King, afterward, sojourning at Newington in the county of Middlesex, within the realm of England, the eight day of July, in the twentieth yeare of the raign of our said soveraign lord, willed and commanded his daughter Elice Fitz Gerald, wife to the Earon of Slane, to repaire into this the Kings land of Ireland, and in his name to will all his brethren, Neyel, Conor, and all other his friends, servants and alies, to levy, erect, stir and rear war against our said soveraign lords deputy and subjects, falsely and trayterously against his duty of allegiance, which shee accomplished accordingly ; by occasion whereof, the persons aforenamed falsely and trayterously made insurrection against our said soveraign lord and his deputy, by invasion, and burning, killing, murdring, and robing his true obedient subjects, not desisting from the same their trayterous acts until they were by force repressed by the puisance and power of our said soveraign lord. And notwithstanding his grace of mercy and pity remitted and pardoned, the said earle of Kyldare that his trayterous conspiracies and oflfences, the same earle the xxiii. year of our said soveraign lord, falsly and trayterouslj^, contrary to the lawes and statutes of this land of Ireland and his allegeance, not onely permitted and suffered Neyle the Kings Irish enemie, to invade and destroy the county of Uriell within the said land, without any resistance made therein by himselfe being the Kings deputie, having the governance, custodie and charge of the same, or any other for him, but having his brother Sir John in company with the said Neyle, by his coramandement to succur and guide, ayde and conduct the said ITeyle in that his. trayterous enterprise, but also in his owne proper person invaded the county of Kylkenny, there burning and destroying the same, ryfling and robbing the kings subjects aswell there as at the fair of Tristel- dermot, crying havocke upon the Kings subjects which thither were resorted, caused them in his own presence to be spoiled and robbed of their goods, and divers of them murdred most cruelly and trayterously. Our said soveraign lord having notice of this and other his treasons, haynous offences, murders and exortations by him committed, and willing the reformation of the said land, and the relief and comfort of his subjects there, addressed his most gracious letters to the said earle of Kyldare, then being deputie 314 APPENDIX. lieutenant of his said land, commanding him by the same, to repayr to his highnesse presence into his realm of England, leavyeing such a person for the furniture of his realm, and governance of the said land in his absence, for whose doings he would answer. That notwithstanding at his said departure into England, he admitted and instituted in his place for the governance of the Kings said land and subjects, as vice-deputy, not onely his son and heyre, named Thomas fitz-Gerald, but also, contrary to the Kings express commandment, declared unto the said earle by John Alen master of the rolls, and one of the Kings most honourable counsail, in the presence of the bishop of Mieth, and the prior of St. Johns Jerusalem in Ireland, he conveyed out of the Kings Castell of Dublin all his graces gunnes, ponder, shot, bowes, arrowes, caltrops, bills, and all other the Kings artillerie and munitions of war, garnishing and furnishing his own castles and fortresses with the same, and delivering part therof to wilde Irish men, being the Kings mortall enemies. After whose departure into England, he at his thither coming, perceiving upon the manifestation of his offences, that the Kings majestie entended to remove him from the governance of the said land, such persons as were known to be chief of counsail with the said earl, and under him had not onely the governance of his said son, servants and people, with the custodie of his substance and goods, but also of all his lands, manors, castles, and garisons, aswell counsailed the said Thomas fitz-Gerald to rebell against our said soveraign lord, as for the maintenance of him therein, delivered unto him the said earls goods, substance, manors, lands, castles, and garisons, together with the Kings said ordnance and artillerie. Whereupon the said Thomas fitz-Gerald immediately, being assisted and ayded by his fathers brethren, kinsemen, servants, and followers, falsly and trayterously rebelled against our said soveraign lord, refusing and disobeying all commandments of his grace and his counsail, concluded and determined most cruelly to murder, put to death, and exile all those that were resiant within the land, being born within the realm of England, and to conquer and take the same from the possession of our soveraign lord and his heyres, reviling his grace with most shamefull and detestable infamies, and for the accomplishment of his trayterous purpose, did send his letters APPENDIX. 315 addressed aswell to the bishop of Eome, as the emperour, by one Cale mac Grauyll, otherwise called Charles llaynolde, archdeacon of Kelles, for to hare their ayd against our said soveraign lord and his heyres, for the winning of the said land of Ireland out of their possession, and he to hold the same'of them for ever. And among other his most detestable abominations, he procured and commaunded John Teling, and Nicholas Waffer of Dublin yeomen, servants to the said earl of Kyldare, to apprehend and take the most reverend father in God John Allen, archbishop of Dublin, and primate of Ireland, and one of the Kings most honourable counsail, and him to keep in prison at Tartayne within the county of Dublin, and the said Thomas fitz Gerald, the xxviii. day of July,, in the xxvi. year of the raigne of our said soveraign lord King Henry the eight, accompanied with the most false disloyall traytour James Delahyde, Sir John fitz Gerald, Oliver fitz Gerald, brethren to the said earl, and divers other of the said earles servants, caused the same archbishop to be drawn out of his bed and brought before him. And the same archbishop kneeling in his shirt bare footed and bare headed before him, asking of him mercy, immediately without any respite, most shamefully and trayterously murdred and killed out of hand, and also caused the said archbishops servants, and as many other Englishmen as he could find within the land, to be murdred. And after this, accompanied with the said James Delahyde, being principal counsailor to him in all his doings, John Delahyde, Edward fitz- Gerald, Sir Eichard "Walsh, parson of Loughsewdie, John Burnel of Balgriff'en, Edward Rowks, James Field, servants, alies and diverse others his fautours and adherents, too long here to be expressed, with weapons invasive after the maner of war arrayed, and with banners displayed, falsly and trayterously invaded the Kings dominion, encamping themselves wuthin the same, there robbing, rifling, murdring, and destroying diverse the Kings subjects, constrayning all men to give an oath of obedience unto him, and to take his part against the King and his heyres, in his said false, trayterous and disloyal purposes and intents, and not herewith contented, but accompanied, with Neiyle, diverse Scots, the persons aforesaid, and many others, invaded, brent, and destroyed the lands of the earle of Ossorie, and the lord Butteler 316 ArrENDJX. his Sonne, and of others the Kings subjects within the county of Kilkenny, murdred diverse of the Kings subjects there, for that the said earle and his son tooke the Kings part against him, who offered unto them to divide and give to them half the land of Ireland, to " refuse the King, trusting by such his cruel persecutions, to constrain them to incline to his purpose. And further, amongst other his most false trayterous acts, accompanied with Conor, William Bathe of DuUardeston, Christopher Eustace of Ballycutlane, and divers others besieged the Kings citie and castle of Dublin, intending to take the same, out of the Kings possession, and to murder the Kings subjects within the same, and thereof to disinherite our said Boveraign lord and his heyres for ever. And semblably not only fortified and manned divers ships at sea, for keeping and letting, destroying and taking the Kings deputie,'.army and subjects, that they should not land within the said land, but also at the arrivall of the said army, the same Thomas, accompanied with the said carles brethren, his uncles, servants, and adherents, followers, James Delahyde, John Delahyde, John Burnell of Balgriffen, with diverse others, too long here to be expressed, falsly and trayterously assembled themselves together upon the sea coast for the keeping and resisting of the Kings deputie and army, and destroying of them, And. the same time, they shamefully murdred divers of the said army coming to land. And Edward Rowke?, pyrate at the sea, captain to said Thomas and James Field, destroyed and took many of them. II. In consideration whereof, and other abominable treasons, and offences committed against our said sovereign lord, his right, crown, and majestie, and dignitie, by the said Gerald earle of Kildare, Thomas fitz Gerald, James Delahyde, and other their aydors, comforters, counsaillers and maintainers, and in detestation of their abomination, tyrannie, falshood and crueltie : Be it enacted, ordained and established, by the King our soveraign lord, the lords spiritual and temporal, and the commons in this present parliament assembled, and by authority of the same, That the same Gerald fitz Gerald, earl of Kyldare, late deceased, from the eight day of July, in the twentieth year of our soveraign lord the King that now is, be deemed, reputed, convicted, adjudged and attainted traytour of high APPENDIX. 317 treason, and that he and his heyres shall lose and forfeit the title, stile, and name of earl of Kyldare, and shall also forfeit to our said soveraign lord and his heyres for ever, all honors, castles, manors, .lordships, leetes, franchises, hundreds, liberties, priviledges, advow- sons, nominations, foundations, presentations, patronages, knights fees, lands, tenements, rents, services, reversions, remainders, portions, annuities, pensions, offices, and all other hereditaments, and profiles whatsover they be, whereof he the said Gerald earle by himself, or joyntly with any other, or any other or others to his use and behoof were seised the said eight day of July, or any time after, within the land of Ireland, in fee symple or in fee tayle, or in which the said Gerald late earle of Xyldaie, or any other to his use, had the said eight day of July, or at any time after, lawful cause of entre within the land of Ireland. And over that the said earle lose and forfeit to the King our soveraign lord, aswell all manner of such estates of freehold in use or in possession to his use, and interest, for years, of all manors, castles, honors, lauds, tenements, tythes, oblations, aud all other proiites, as all other his goods, catties, debts, dueties, wards, marriages, reliefes, and all other profiles whatsoever they be, whereof the said earle or any other or others to his use or behoof, were seised or possessed the xsvi. day of June, in the xxvi. year of the reign of our sovereign lordf or any time sithence, of which goods, catties, debts aud duties, any sale, gift or payment without any fraud, deceipt or collusion have not been made to or by the said earl. III. Provided alway, and also be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, that all such person or persons which have been farmers, occupiers, tenants, receivors, bayliflfs, stewards, servants, and all other ofS.cers of the said earl, of the said honors, castles, manors, lordships, lands, tenements, and all other the premisses, and every parcel thereof at any time sithence the eighth day of July in the twentieth year of our said sovereign lord, unto the first day of February in the xxv. year of his graces reign, shall be discharged and acquitted against the King our said sovereign lord, his heyrs and successors, of and for all such rents, issues, revenues, and all other profits of the said manors, honors, castles, and all other the premisses, or any part or parcel thereof, which they or any of them 318 APPENDIX. have payed or delivered, or caused to be payed or delivered unto the said earl of Kyldare, or any other or others by his assignment or commandment at any time before the said first day of February. IV. And semblably, be it established, ordeyned and enacted by authority aforesaid, that the said Thomas fitz Gerald, son and heyr of the said earl, sir John fitz Gerald, Oliver fitz Gerald, uncles to the said Thomas, James Delahyde, son and heyr of Sir Walter Delahyde of Moyclare, knight, John Delahyde, Edward Delahyde, parson of Kilbery, sons to the said sir Walter, John Burnel of Balgrifi"en, esq ; sir Eichard Walsh, parson of Loughsewdie, Chale macGrauyll, otherwise called Charles Eeynold, clerk, late archdeacon of Kells, James Gernon, son and heyr of Patrick Gernon of Gernonston, Christopher Parese, son and heyr to William Parese of Agher, Piers Walsh, son to Walter Walsh, Eobert Walsh and Maurice Walsh, sons to William Walsh late of Tiecroghan, Edward Eowks, yeoman, and every of them, be deemed, reputed, convicted, adjudged, and attainted traytors of high treason, and that the said Thomas, James Delahyde, John Delahyde, Edward Delahyde, John Burnell, Eichard Charles, James Gernon, Piers, Eobert Maurice, and Edward Eowkes, shall sufiler such execution and pains of death, as in cases of high treason hath been accustomed. And that they, and also thetsaid Christopher Parese, John in Gilsenan late of Ballymon, which are dead, and every of them, forfeit to our sovereign lord the King, his heyrs and successors, for ever, all honors, caslles, manors, lordships, hundreds, leetes, franchises, liberties, priviledges, advow- Bons, foundations, nominations, patronages, presentations, knights fees, lands, tenements, rents, services, reversions, remainders, por- tions, annuities, pensions, offices, and ail other hereditaments and profits whatsoever they be, whereof they or any of them, or any other or others, to their use and behalf, or to the use and behoof of any of them were seised the xxv. day of July, in the xxvi. year of the reign of our said sovereign lord King Henry the eighth, or any time after within the land of Ireland in fee simple or fee tail, or into ■which any of them had then or any time after lawful cause of entre within the land of Ireland. And over that, they and every of them do forfeit and lose to our said sovereign lord the King, aswell all maner such estates of freehold and interest for years of lands, APPENDIX. 319 tenements, tythes, oblations, and all other profits, as all goods, cattels, debts, duties, wards, marriages, and reliefs, and all other profits whatsoever they be, whereof they or any of them, or any other or others to their use and behoof, or to the use and behoof of any of them, were seised or possessed the said xxv. day of July, the said xxvi. year or any time sithence, whereof any sale, gift or payment without any fraud, deceit or collusion, have not be made to or by them or any of them. Y. And over that, be it enacted, authorized and established by authority aforesaid, that after the death of the auncestours of any of the said persons, or any other by whom immediately they or any of them mought have had, any uses, lands, tenements, and other here- ditaments in use by discent, remainder or reverter or otherwise, the first day of April in the xxv. year of our said sovereign lords reign, all honours, castles, manors, lordships, uses, hundreds, fraunchises, liberties, priviledges, advowsons, nominations, presentations, knights fees, lands, tenements, rents, services, reversions, remainders, portions, annuities, pensions, offices, possessions, hereditaments, and all other profits whatsoever they be, that they or any of them mought have had immediately in use, by discent, remainder, reverter, entre, lawful or otherwise, in fee simple, or in fee tail, the said first day of April, in the said xxv. year, if their auncestours or the auncestours of any of them, or any other, by whom they or any of them might have had in use by discent, remainder, reverter, entre, lawful, or otherwise the premisses, or any part thereof, then had departed this present transitory life, be forfeit to our said sovereign lord, his heirs and successors for ever. And that our sovereign lord the King, his heyrs and successors, immediately after the death of the said auncestours or any of them, or any other by whom immediately they mought have any uses, lands, tenements, and other hereditaments, in manor and form as is aforesaid, shall enter and enjoy all the said honors, castles, manors, lordships, lands, tenements, and all other the premisses, to have and to hold to our said sovereign lord, his heyrs and successors for ever. YI. And be it further enacted by authority aforesaid, that aswell all such persons, which sithence the feast of All Saints in the year of our lord God a thousand five hundred thirty four by the course of 320 APPENDIX. the Kings laws within this land have been within this land convicted attainted of treason, as all others which at any time hereafter shak chaunce within the same to be convicted or attainted of high treason within the space of three yeares next following the first day of this present parliament, forfeit and lose to onr said sovereign lord the King and his heyres all honours, castles, manors, lordships, leetes, hundreds, franchises, liberties, priviledgea, advowsons, nominations, foundations, patronages, presentations, knights fees, lands, tenements, rents, services, reversions, remainders, pro- portions, annuities, pensions, offices, and all other hereditaments, profits whatsoever they be, that they or any of them, or any other or others to their use and behoof, or to the use and behoof of any of them, were seised the several dayes of their several treasons, off'ences, and trespasses by them committed and done, or any time after to be committed and done, within the land of Ireland, in fee simple or in fee tayl, or into which any of them had then or any time after lawful cause of entre within this land of Ireland, and also lose, and forfeit to our said sovereign lord as well all such estates of freehold and interest for years, of lands, tenements, tithes, oblations, and other profits, as all goods, cattels, debts, wards, and all other profits whatsoever they be, whereof they or any of them, or any other or others to their use, or to the use of any of them, were seised or possessed at any time of conviction or attainder of any such off'ences, whereof any sale, gift, or payment without any fraud, deceipt, or collusion had not been made to or by them or any of them. Saving always to every person or persons and bodies politique, their heyrs, assignes, and successors, and every of them, other than such persons, their heyrs, successors, feoff'ees, recoverers, conusees, and assignes, and the heirs, successors, feoffees, recoverers, conusees, and assignes of every of them, which by this present act be attainted, or sithence, the feast of All Saints the year of our Lord God, 1534, have bin attainted, or hereafter within the said three years shall be attainted, and their heyrs and successors, and all other claiming to their uses, or to the use of any of them, all such conditions, rents, commons, which they or any of them shall happen to have in or upon any such manors, lands, tenements, and any other hereditaments, that hath been or bo shall happen to be lost APPENDIX. 321 or forfait by reason of this act, or by reason of attainder of any of the persons by the same attainted, sithence the feast of All Saints, the year of our Lord God, 1534, have been attainted for any treason or other offence, at any time before the said treasons and offences committed. And also saving alwayes to every person and persons, their heyrs, assigns, and successors, and every of them, other then such persons, their heyrs, successors, and assigns, and the heyrs, successors, and assigns of every of them, which by this present act be attainted, or sithence the feast of All Saints the year of our Lord God, 1534, have been attainted, or hereafter within the said three j-ears shall be attainted, and their heyrs and successors, and all other claiming to their uses, or to the use of any of them, all such right, title, use, interest, possession, condition, rents, charges, fees, offices, annuities, commons, which they or any of them shall happen to have, in, to, and upon any such manors, lands, tenements, and any other hereditaments, that so shall happen to be lost, and forfeited, by reason of the attainder of any person or persons, at any time after the twentieth day of June, the xxvii. year of the reign of our said sovereign lord the King, within the said three years, other then such persons, their heyrs, successors, and assignes, and the heyrs, successors, and assignes of every of them, which by this present act be or shall be attainted, shall chaunce or fortune to be attainted for any treason or other offence at any time before the said treasons and offences committed. VII. Provided also, and be it enacted by authority aforesaid. That if the said persons, or any of them, which by this present act be attainted, or sithence the said feast of All Saints before specified have been attainted, or that hereafter within the said three years shall chance to be attainted of high treason, or within the said three years chaunce to be sole seysed or possessed, or joyntly seised or possessed with any other or others, to the use of any other person or persons, body or bodies politike, other then any such person or persons that by this present act be attainted, or sithence the feast of All Saints before specified have been attainted, or that hereafter within the said three years chance to be attainted of any manors, messuages, lands, tenements, and all other hereditaments, that the said manors, messuages, landes, tenements, and other hereditaments, Y l^ESBH. 1 an otfaa- haeaizi^--rs, - -raaggaiaae:::: :r -: :«rf Af - ^^_ V. 3 _.^ _ r'.AMu. Ik it ^nHeil sad osc^tlt rjr f< 4e ^ircs of any of &e Ei i;ed »d nkaUed, ai ere iisaB, AT at ai^ time Le : -.-3a,be pattaexBeatkL -riT €Z!Joj, bare, ind jiuuhju' J *. crasjaf iliiji nfflwii tre: t: APPENDIX. 323 or consent of any of their said husbands sithence or after the day of their several treasons done or to be done, and that during the said estate, be not feisible ne seised by this act into the Kings handes, nor the Xing to be answered of any issues or profiles of any part thereof, after the deaths of their said several husbands, the said estate during. And that it be lawful to every of the said wives and women, and every of their heyres not convicted, ne attainted, nor at any time hereafter shall be convicted or attainted and unhabled by this act, and to everie other person or persons seised to the use of the said women, and their husbands, and their heirs, to enter into the said castles, manors, lordships, and other the premises, and everie of them, into whose possession soever they be seised or come, as well upon the possession of the King, or upon the possession of every other person or persons, by this act not attainted nor unhabled, and them and every of them, hold and enjoy to her and her heirs not attainted nor convicted, nor at any time hereafter shall be convicted or attainted, ne unhabled by this act, according to her or their title, right, and interest in the same, in such form and condition as if this said attainder had never been had. IX. And be it further enacted by authority aforesaid, that no manors, meases, lands, tenements, rents, reversions, services, ne any other hereditaments, whereof any person or persons, bodie or bodies politique or incorporate was disseised or expulsed of at any time by any of the aforesaid traytours, or any other person or persons what- soever he or they be, sithence the first day of February, the year of our Lord God 1534, shall be forfeited unto our said sovereign lord the King, his heyres or successors, ne seised or seisible in his or their hands, ne that this act, nor anything therein contained, in any wise be prejudicial or hurtful to any such person or persons, body or bodies politique or incorporate, so disseised or expulsed, ne this same act, or anything therein contained, extend to any such manors, messuages, lands, tenements, rents, reversions, services, or other hereditaments so had by disseissen or expulsement sithence the said first dav of Februarv. APPENDIX Y AN ACT FOR EESTORING THE EARL OF KILDARE, HIS BROTHER AND SISTERS, TO THEIR BLOUD.— 11th Eliz. sks. 4, cap. 2. In humble wise sheweth unto your Highnesse, your faithfull and humble subjects, Gerald Fitz Gerald, now earl of Kildare, Edward Fitz Gerald, brother to the said earl, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Cicile, sisters to the said earl, whereas at a parliament holden at Dublin, the eight and twentieth year of the reigne of your noble father, King Henry the eighth, before the lord Leonard Gray, then lord deputie of this realm, it was enacted, " That Gerald Fitz Gerald, deceased, late earl of Kildare, father to your suppliants, and Thomas Fitz Gerald, son and heir unto the said earl, and elder brother to your suppliants, should be deemed, reputed, convicted, adjudged, and attainted traytors of high treason, and should forfeit and lose the title, stile, and name of honour of earl of Kyldare, together with all the lands and hereditaments belonging unto them," by force of which act your suppliants doe stand, and are persons corrupted in their blond and lynage, and thereby disabled to take or claime any thing by discent from their said father or brother, or from or by any other collaterall auncestour or cousen, or to make his or their pedegree by or through the said Gerald, late earl, or the said Thomas, late lord Thomas, and after the said attainder, most excellent Soveraign, your suppliant the now earl, being an infant and put in fear, travayled in the countries of straunge and forrein potentates, contrary to his naturall inclination, till he was called home by the clemencie of that most famous prince. King Edward the sixth, your Graces most noble brother, who not onely made him his servant, and received him to his favour, but also most bountifully restored him to the greatest part and portion of the lands belonging to his late father, and after your Graces sister. Queen Mary, did give your suppliant the name APPENDIX. 325 and title of honour of earl of Kyldare, with the same prehemi- nences, place and degree, that any of his auncestors earls had and held the same, together with all the lands belonging to the said earl, father to your complayuants, which he had at any time during his life, other than such lands that were given away or granted by your noble father or brother, and of late your Highnesse, of your princely motion, have restored your supplyant to a portion of his living, which hitherto was thought to hang in some doubt ; and forasmuch as your suppliant is not onely restored to the state of earl, but also considered with livings for the better maintenance of the same, and yet findeth in himself a great defect, for that he is not restored to his bloud : Hee most humbly beseecheth your Majestic, that it may be enacted, and bee it enacted by your Highnesse with the assent of the Lords spirituall and temporall and the commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by authority of the same. That your said subjects and supplyants, the said now earl, his brother, and sisters, and his and their heirs, from henceforth shall be and be by authoritie of this act restored to his and their auncient blood and lynage, cnhabled to make his and their conveighaunce, pedegree, and title by discent lyneall or collaterall, from and by his and their said father and brother, and all other his and their auncestors, whosoever they be, in such manner and sort as though the said attainder or attain- ders, corruption of blood, or any other impediments to the contrarie had never been ; any law, statute, record, provision, conviction, judgmeute, cause, or matter whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding. II. Provided alway, and be it enacted by authoritie aforesaid. That this act, nor any thing therein conteyned, shall not extend to make voyd and frustrate any gift, grant, lease for life or years, or any other estate of freehold or inheritance, passed and granted by your Highnesse father, King Henry the eighth of famous memorie, your brother King Edward the sixth, your sister Queen Mary, Kynge Phillippe and Queen Marie, your Highnesse, or the said Geralde, now earl, and his feoffees, or the said earle, or any his feoffees, or any of them : but that all such grants, gifts, leases, and every estate of freehold and inheritance so given or made, and every of them, shall be and remain of such force and effect in law, as 326 APPENDIX. they bee and were before this act, and in such force and effect to all intents, purposes, and constructions, as if this act had never been had ne made ; this act or anything therein conteyned to the con- trarie in any wise notwithstanding. III. Provided always, and be it enacted by authoritie, aforesaid, That this act, nor anything therein contained, be prejudicial unto her highness, or in any wise to the disadvantage or advantage of the forsaid Geralde, now earl of Kildare, his brother and sisters, other than restitution of their blood and lynage, and such things as be incident and appertayning to their blood. APPENDIX YI CATALOGUE OF THE EARL OF KILDARE'S LIBRARY IX 1526, FROM "THE EARL OF KILDARE'S RENTAL" IX THE BRITISH MUSEUM.— Harl. 3756. Bok^ remayning in The L3'berary of Geralde Ffitz Geralde, Erie of Kyldare, the xr. day of ffebruarii, a° Henrici viij. xvij°. Ffukst Latin Bokys. In primis Hugo de Yianna sup libra Mathei, Biblia. Hugo de Vienna sup Spalteriu, Cronica. Tria volumina opis Scti Anthonii cu tabula, Cronicorum. Tria volumina Cronice Anthonini. Q.uatuo'' volumina de Lira. Diallog° Scti Grigorii. « Tabula Ytilissima sup Liram. Wirgilius cu glosa. Jacobi Locher Philomusi poeta Epigram matta. Opus Cornelii Yitelii poete. Vocabula Juris, Juvenalis cu glosa. Theodotus cu commento. Boaecius de Cosolatione Phylosophye. Ortus Sanitat^ Therencius. Efaciculus Tempore. De div"sitate Avium. Liber Cronice in Pgamene. Liber Alixandre Magne. Ordinale. Suma Angelica, 328 APPENDIX. Caliopin''. Ortus Vocabulor^ & Medulla Gramatici. Comentaria Scsaris. Ythopia Mori. Hytnpni Andree poete. Novum Testamentum. Cambrene de Topografia. Laurencius Yalla. Ffrench Bok". Scala Cronica, in Kyldare. Ffrossart, iiij. volumis. Anguiran, ij. volumis. Le Zillustracions de Gaule & Singularites de Troy, Launcelott du Lake, iij. volumis. De Lattere Sauncte. Ogiez le Danois. Larbre des Bataillis. Vn Autre Libre en Ffrancois en pcherayn. Vng-ptie de la Bible. Leis Cronikes de Ffrence. Mandevile. Lalace damore de Vine, "j Le Brevier des Nobles, >■ en ung volume. Le Catir Chosis, J Le Triumph des Dames. Ung Liber de Ffarsis. Le Legent de tout*^ Saunct*. Les Triomphis de Petrake. Le Geardyn de Plesance. Le Eomant de la Eoise et Malhiolus. Ung Abreviacion de la Bible. Le Soonge du Virgine. Ercules. EncberidioD. Vincent Istoriace, v. volumis. APPENDIX. 329 La i. volume de la Bible. Saynt Austen de Civitate Dei, ij. volumis. Polipomenon Saint Jerome en Parchement. Les Croniques de la grand et petit Bretaine. Lemethamorphoze. Josaphuk^ le la bataille Judik. Oraste le ij. volume. Le graunte Boece. Le ij. & iij. Decade de Titus Livius. 1 Cronique de Ffraunce en Parchemyn. Les Commentaris de Sesar. Englysh Bok". Ffurst Polycronicon. Bockas. Arthur, The Sege of Thebes. The Croniklis of England. Cristian de Pise. Camberens. The Distruccion of Troy. The Sege of Jerusalem. The Enaydos. Charlamayn. The Shepdes Calender. Gesta Romanor''. Troillus. Caton de Senectute & de Amicisia. The Ordre of the Gart^ The King of Englonde is ansre to Lutter. The Sege of the Eoodis. Llittilton is Tenores. S' Thomas More is Booke agaynes Newe opinions that hold agaynes pilgrimag^ Eegimine Sanitatt^. A nolde Booke of the Croneklys of Englond. z 330 APPENDIX. Ikish BoE:^ Saltir Cashill. Saint Beraghan's Boke. Anothir Boke wherein is the begynn5^ng of the Cronicles of Ireland. The Birth of Criste. Saint That yus lyf. Saint Jacob is passion. The Spech of Oyncheagis. Saint Ffeg hyn is lif. Saint Ffynyan is lif. Bryslagh Mymoregh. Concullyns Act^ TheMonk^ ofEgiptMif. Ffoilfylmy The vij. Sag^ The Declaracon of Gospellis. Saint Bernard'' Passion. The History of Clane Lyre. The Leching of Khene is legg. Cambens. "Stanihurst relates that Philip Flattisbury flourished in the year 1517, and writ diverse chronicles at the instance of Gerald Earl of Kildare ; and Flattisbury, in the beginning of those annals, ■which are still extant in MS. under his name, speaks thus of him- self and his performances — ' Here follow divers Chronicles written at the instance of the Noble and Magnanimous Lord, Girald Fitz Girald, Lord Deputy of Ireland, by Philip Flattisbury of Johns- town, near Naas, a.d. 1517, and in the ninth year of King Henry Ylllth.' . . . But it is evident that he was only a verbal transcriber of them, and not the author, a very small addition only excepted." — Ware's Writers of Ireland. THE END. "1^ =*,.<> BOSTON COLLEGE 3 9031 01213052 2 /^73 BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. Books may be kept for two weeks unless other- wise specified by the Librarian. Two cents a day is charged for each book kept overtime. 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