The Splendour of Silken Thomas

Silken Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Vice-Deputy

Henry, highly incensed, ordered Kildare to come at once to London to answer these charges, but gave him permission to himself nominate a substitute to fulfil hi» duties during his absence. Kildare’s choice fell on his eldest son, Thomas, a dashing, valiant youth, not yet twenty-one years of age, so famed for the splendour of his dress that  he  had   gained  the  name of ” Silken Thomas.”

 The post which he was to hold would have tried the capacity and prudence of a far more experienced man. Not only were his enemies on the Council many and powerful, but he became the centre, probably without his own knowledge, of intrigues extending beyond Ireland or even England.

The insurrections of Lambert Simnel, and of Perkin Warbeck, in the preceding reign, seem to have directed the attention of the Continental sovereigns to the use that could be made of Ireland for the purpose of attacking England. We know that, at the time of Kildare’s departure for England, the Emperor Charles V had an agent in Ireland closely watching the young Vice-Deputy, and reporting to his master as to the means by which he could be utilised.

Soon after Kildare’s arrival in England, it was known in Dublin that he had been imprisoned in the Tower. Early in June it was contrived that a letter, falsely implying that he had been executed, should fall into his son’s hands.

This letter had almost certainly been prepared by Thomas’enemies on the Council. Without waiting for any confirmation, the rash youth resolved, by immediate rebellion, to avenge, as he thought, his father’s death.