where their Norman fathers had established themselves, and where their descendants for the most part may be found still.  The house of Kildare had grown in strength during the temporary collapse of its rival, and from this out for nearly a century towers high over every other Irish house.  The Duke of York was the last royal viceroy who actually held the sword.  Others, though nominated, never came over, and in their absence the Kildares remained omnipotent, generally as deputies, and even when that office was for a while confided to other hands, their power was hardly diminished.  Only the barren title of Lord-Lieutenant was withheld, and was as a rule bestowed upon some royal personage, several times upon children, once in the case of Edward IV.’s son upon an actual infant in arms.

In 1480, Gerald, eighth Earl of Kildare, called by his own following, Geroit Mor, or Gerald the Great, became deputy, and, from that time forward under five successive kings, and during a period of 33 years, he “reigned” with hardly an interval until his death in 1513.

Geroit Mor is perhaps the most important chief governor who ruled Ireland upon thorough-going Irish principles.  “A mighty man of stature, full of honour and courage.”  Stanihurst describes him as being “A knight in valour;” and “princely and religious in his words and judgments” is the flattering report of the “Annals of the Four Masters.”  “His name awed his enemies more than his army,” says Camden.  “The olde earle being soone hotte and soone cold was of the Englishe well beloved,” is another report.  “In hys warres hee used a retchlesse (reckless) kynde of diligence, or headye carelessnesse,” is a less strong commendation, but probably not less true.

He was a gallant man unquestionably, and as far as can be seen an honest and a well-intentioned one, but his policy was a purely personal, or at most a provincial, one.  As for the interests of the country at large they seem hardly to have come within his ken.  That fashion of looking at the matter had now so long been the established rule that it had probably ceased indeed to be regarded as a failing.

[Illustration:  FIGURES ON KILCARN FONT, MEATH.]

XIX.

THE KILDARES IN THE ASCENDANT,

When the Battle of Bosworth brought the adherents of the Red Rose back to triumph, Gerald Mor was still Lord-deputy.  He was not deposed, however, on that account, although the Butlers were at once reinstated in their own property, and Sir Thomas Butler was created Earl of Ormond.  According to a precedent now prevailing for several reigns, the Lord-Lieutenancy was conferred upon the Duke of Bedford, the king’s uncle, Kildare continuing, however, practically to exercise all the functions of government as his deputy.

A dangerous plot, started by the discomfited Yorkist faction, broke out in Ireland in 1487.  An impostor, named Lambert Simnel, was sent by the Duchess of Burgundy, and trained to simulate the son of Clarence who, it will be remembered, had been born in Ireland, and whose son was therefore supposed to have a special claim on that country.  Two thousand German mercenaries were sent with him to support his pretensions.