The next danger that menaced the English power in the land came from a new quarter, and it was by far the most formidable that it had ever encountered since Strongbow and his Norman adventurers crossed St. George's Channel. For the first time, a National Irish champion endeavoured to organise a National Irish resistance to the power of the stranger. Above: Portrait of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone.—When Brian, the eldest son of Matthew O'Neill, was slain in 1562 ... Read More

Of the family of Garrett, only two male representatives survived; Thomas' little half-brothers, Gerald and Edward, aged respectively twelve and nine. Of these, the younger was in England in King Henry's power, but the elder and more important remained in Ireland. Henry earnestly desired to obtain possession of him, and the boy's own uncle, Lord Leonard Grey, tried all manner of shifts to fulfil his master's wishes in this respect, but the young Geraldine had relatives of a different stamp and plenty ... Read More