When Thomas, Earl of Kildare (page 182) died (1477), he was succeeded by his son, Garrett or Gerald as 8th Earl. The Irish Council elected Garrett as Lord Deputy, but the English King (Edward IV) refused to recognise him, and sent over Lord Grey in his stead. But the King’s nominee was refused admittance to Dublin Castle by the doughty Keating (page 183), and the Lord Chancellor refused to deliver him up the Great Seal.

Grey called a Parliament in Trim, but Kildare and the Chancellor (his father-in-law, Fitz-Eustace, Lord Portlester) immediately called a rival Parliament at Naas. During two years the contest went on until finally Kildare won, and was appointed Lord Deputy with increased powers, which left him practically independent. For the next 35 years (1478-1513) the Great Earl was the most powerful man in Ireland, and with the exception of one break of four years (1492-6) he was all that time Lord Deputy under the Yorkist Kings, Edward IV and Richard III, until 1485, and then under the Tudor King, Henry VII.

In 1485 the House of York fell at the battle of Bosworth, and Henry Tudor became King of England as Henry VII. The Wars of the Roses had ended, and new conditions prevailed jti England which were to have a profound influence on Irish affairs. The wars had destroyed the old feudal nobility of England, and for many years to come that country was to be ruled by sovereigns whose power was arbitrary. Untroubled by powerful nobles, the Tudors were able to direct the policy of England with a single mind. 

Above : Picture Of King Henry VII, The Tudor