Gerait Og, “Gerald the Younger,” the 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