Kildare suffered a temporary eclipse. This was due in some measure to his hereditary rivals, the Butlers. Henry had restored their possessions to the Earls of Ormonde, who, however, continued to reside in England, and two rival members of the Butlers contested the leadership of the family in Ireland. One, Piers Butler (Piaras ” Ruadh “), was married to a daughter of Kildare, and the Deputy supported him; the other, Sir James Butler of Ormonde, had, however, the favour of the King.
fierce struggle took place between the rivals, stories were conveyed to England, and Kildare and the Geraldine officials were dismissed, Sir James Butler being appointed Treasurer (1492). (Sir James— who is also sometimes called Sir James Ormonde—was soon afterwards killed by Piers Ruadh, who figures prominently in later events as Earl of Ossory and Earl of Ormonde.)

It is evident that Henry had at length resolved to test the strength of the Geraldines, and if possible to curb their power. Kildare was the most powerful subject of the King, and his influence was even greater than that of a mere subject.
The absence of the Earl of Ormonde, and the dissensions of the Butlers, together with the absorption of the Earl of Desmond at the time in his own remote territories, had left him, without question, the most prominent of all the Irish of Norman descent.

He was steadily cultivating the friendship of the great chiefs, and his sister was married to an O’Neill (as his relative, the Earl of Desmond, was married to an O’Brien) in breach of the ” Statute of Kilkenny.” His great estates lay within easy distance of Dublin, and formed a barrier against the clans of the midlands. He, and not the Crown, was the protector of Dublin and the Pale.

 Above:  Map of Kilkenny

The provisions of this malicious statute extended even into the Church. It has been observed that from the time of the invasion there were in the same Church two sets of clergy—Irish in the unconquered lands, Norman in the settlements.

The play of the English factions, however, soon brought the Geraldines into official favour. The struggle between the Houses of York and Lancaster was beginning, and the first effect of it in Ireland was the arrival of Richard, Duke of York as Lord Lieutenant with unlimited powers (1449).

He was the grandson of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March {page 170), and, therefore, descended from Lionel, Duke of Clarence. His policy was to win over the Irish chiefs, and to placate the Irish Normans. He gained the adhesion of both branches of the Geraldines, but although he bestowed offices upon Ormonde, the Butlers remained steadfast adherents of the Lancastrians.

A new element was introduced by English politics into the ancient rivalry. During the Wars of the Roses (1455-85) many of the Anglo-Irish fought on both sides in the numerous battles in England. The Butlers were almost the only supporters of the House of Lancaster in Ireland, and when the Yorkists were for a time defeated, and the Duke of York fled to Ireland (of which he still claimed to be Lord Lieutenant) he was warmly received and supported (1459).