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:  serfs and peasants in France

Such legislation was obviously inspired by a spirit of malevolence too strong to listen to reason. Its folly was only equalled by its futility. It applied only to what was claimed to be ” English land,” and even in such districts as could possibly be so entitled there were many Irish clans who were unconscious of its threats. It did not affect the Irish who occupied the great part of the island, and who it seemed would soon occupy it all.

Above : Logo Of Lionel “Duke Of Clarence”