Gerald, the eighth Earl of Kildare (1477-1513),
was called in Ireland “Gerait Mor”—Gerald the Great. He had the
fine stature, the manly beauty and goodly presence of his race; his
liberality and his merciful deeds passed current as household words. He
was a man of strict piety. His mild just government drew the hearts of
his people to him in passionate devotedness. During the fifty year which
preceded the Reformation, the office of Lord Deputy of Ireland, was
filled, with a few broken intervals, by this Gerald the Great and by his
son, Gerald the Younger. They pursued a National policy and so incurred
the hatred of the permanent English officials.
By liens
of blood-relationship he obtained great influence amongst the great
Irish houses, Old and New. So powerful had he become that he retained
the deputy-governorship of Ireland in despite of King Edward IV and his
nominee.
He ruled
it wisely and justly. A knight he was in valour—princely and religious
in his word and judgments. He married Alison Eustace, daughter of Roland
FitzEsutace, Lord Portlester and his wife Margaret d’Artois. His
daughters, Eleanor and Margaret, were unquestionably two of the most
remarkable women of their age and country. In vain endeavour to join in
amity the rival houses of Kildare and Ormond (Geraldine and Butler) the
Earl married Margaret to Piers Butler, Earl of Ormond. She founded the
famous school of Kilkenny. Ormond was ably seconded by her in his
efforts to promote more advanced methods of agriculture. Whilst Sir
Piers is forgotten, ‘‘Magheen” or ‘Little Margaret” Fitzgerald’s deeds
are recounted beside the fire of many a peasant’s cot in the Kilkenny of
today.
Gerait Og, “Gerald
the Younger,” ninth Earl of Kildare (1487- 1534), although educated
in England was even more Irish than his father. He continued the policy
of intermarriage with the Irish, and so consolidated the power of his
house. Maynooth under him, was one of the richest earls’ houses of that
time. ‘His whole policy was union in his county, and Ireland for the
Irish.’ He was first appointed Lord Deputy by his cousin, Henry VIII, in
1513. After seven years’ rule he was removed, charged by the English
with ‘‘seditious practices, conspiracies, and subtle drifts. The people
were gladdened when a few years later he reassumed the post.
His cousin, the Earl of
Desmond, had entered into a solemn league and covenant with Francis I,
King of France (1523), to drive the English out of Ireland, whilst
Scotland was to render assistance to the cause by invading England. But
the heart 0 the leader of the Scottish army, the Duke of Albany, failed
him at last moment and the gallant Scots dejectedly turned homeward
(20th May, 1525). All Ireland’s hopes were again shattered
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These pages © Ronald Eustice, 2007
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