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as his father he was also a very learned man who was deeply attached to the language and culture of the Gaedhil. At one time his power was such that, according to several authorities, he might have deied Henry and rid Ireland of all English inluence, but he was satisied to rule the country as the King’s loyal representative. His loyalty was ill-repaid, however, as Henry allowed himself to be inluenced against his Viceroy by Gearóid’s enemies, most especially, the House of Ormond, the traditional rival of the House of Kildare. Many ac- cusations were made against him, and, in 1520, he was called to London, relieved of oice and replaced by Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey. This nobleman held the position only for a year, after which Piers Butler, the ‘Red’Earl of Ormond, was appointed.
Henry V111, c. 1531.
In the meantime, Gearóid of Kildare had married Lady Elizabeth Grey, a near relative of Henry V111, and was allowed to return to Ireland, and Butler’s government not being a success, in 1524 Kildare was re-appointed to ill the diicult position of deputy. But the powerful Ormond’s were formidable and untiring in their eforts against him, and in this they had the full support of one of King Henry’s chief advisors, the inluential and cunning Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and three years after his restoration to power, Gearóid was again summoned to England, and was this time thrown into the Tower. Among the many charges