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 ... Read More

Above : Earl Of Desmond Use To Lived In These Place Thomas, Earl of Desmond, the victor of Piltown, was next year appointed Lord Deputy (1463). He enjoyed at once the confidence of all sections amongst the Irish and Anglo-Irish and the favour of the King. The latter conferred much power upon him, and he became so influential that he is called the "Great Earl of Desmond." He was a man of much learning and many accomplishments, and a great patron of Gaelic ... Read More