Kildare’s Return To Power

Above : Painting Of James Butler

The attempt to govern Ireland without Kildare was a failure. When he had been dismissed from office, the Geraldine had withdrawn his protection from the Pale, with the result that the Irish continually raided the settlers in Meath. Kildare’s brother had attacked the English at Carlow, and when the Earl was arrested his sons attacked those in Kildare. Sir James Butler attacked the rival Butlers, harassed the friends of the Geraldines and exacted ” coyne and livery.” Poynings and the ” English by birth ” were unable to keep order. Besides, Warbeck was being strongly supported, and the King of Scotland was intriguing with O’Donnell. While he was in England the Great Earl married, as his second wife, a cousin of the King. When he was eventually brought to trial he won over Henry. The King’s point of view is summarised in his reply to the Bishop of Meath, Kildare’s accuser : ” All Ireland could not rule this man,” said the Bishop. ” Then let this man rule all Ireland,” was the King’s reply. In this spirit was the Great Earl sent back to Ireland and reinstated as Lord Deputy (1496), greater in power than ever. His son Garrett, however, was detained for seven years at the English Court, where he married an English lady.

Until his death in 1513 Garrett M6r was virtual ruler of Ireland, first under Henry VII and from 1509 under Henry VIII. He professed to act in the King’s name, but this did not prevent him from such illegal acts as making alliances with the Irish by marriages and fosterage, and taking part with them in their quarrels. O’Neill Mac Carthy, O’Toole, O’Connor of Ui Failghe, Mac William Uachtar, and Piers Butler all became closely related by Geraldine marriages, while Kildare’s son was fostered with O’Donnell. He preserved order within the Pale, but, on the other hand, exacted ” coyne and livery.” In the frequent quarrels amongst lords and chiefs he frequently took part, generally on behalf of his own relatives and adherents. North, south and west he fought on behalf of his allies, establishing them against their rivals, and handing over to them the castles he had captured. His power in Ireland remained unchecked (except at Monabrahir) until his death in 1513.

Below : Painting Of Henry VIII

The Great Earl was succeeded as ninth Earl by his son Garrett Og (ge^poro 0S), who was also appointed to succeed him as Ueputy. The new Earl was as vigorous as his father, and quickly suppressed a movement that the border clans had made. He also continued an attempt, which his father had begun, to re-establish the old settlement Lecale (which they claimed through a grant of Richard II), ana in pursuance of it, captured Dundrum Castle (Co. Down). For seven years hls power was as great as had been his father’s. Garrett Og, however, was soon to over that his position was anomalous, and that the Geraldines could not continue indefinitely to be virtual rulers of Ireland and also subjects of the King of England. Again did the hostility of the Butlers manifest itself. The absentee Earl of Ormonde was now dead, and Piers Ruadh had succeeded to his title and Irish possessions. Piers had been an ally of the Great Earl, and for some time co-operated with his son. But with the acquisition of his new possessions he developed an enmity to Kildare. In this, strangely, he was encouraged by his wife, a restless and ambitious woman, who although a sister of Kildare, became more determined in her hostility to the Geraldines than any Butler had ever been. Ormonde secured the friendship of Cardinal Wolsey, the powerful Chancellor of the King, and the two united in hostility to Kildare. At length the latter was summoned to England on a charge of forming alliances with ” divers Irish enemies ” (1519).

The following year the Earl of Surrey came to Ireland as Lord Lieutenant. He was a friend of Piers Ruadh and was related to him (by marriage) through Sir Thomas Boleyn, a grandson of the previous Earl of Ormonde. At first he displayed much activity against various clans who had risen when Kildare was called away, but he soon tired of a warfare that he deemed to be unending, and he left after one year’s stay. Ormonde was then appointed Lord Deputy (1521).