The Fall and Death Silken Thomas

However, Skeffington’s fit of activity was transient, and he  attempted, for the present, nothing more. In July Lord Leonard Grey, who had been appointed Marshal of the Forces, arrived in Ireland.

His arrival at once changed the aspect of affairs. He marched against the rebels, whom he reduced to such straits that his few remaining allies were compelled to desert Kildare, and in August (1535) he himself submitted and was sent a prisoner to England.    Whether his surrender was unconditional or not is somewhat uncertain.

The evidence that terms  of some kind were guaranteed to him, though very strong, is not absolutely conclusive. At anyrate.it was deemed inexpedient to execute him at once, and he was lodged in the Tower.   Here he remained for sixteen months, bare¬footed and shivering in the winter cold, and indebted for even the few rags he wore to the kindness of some fellow captives. 

 His five uncles, treacherously captured by Grey, occupied the same dreary lodging. Only two of them had joined in the rebellion, and two had even been active on the side of the Government.   Nevertheless, they all shared their nephew’s fate.   On February 3rd, 1537, the entire six were conveyed to Tybum and there hanged.