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 contending factions. The Earl introduced into his territories the Irish exaction of "bonaght," or "coigne and livery" — money and food for man and horse without payment, as did the Earls of Ormond and Desmond into their palatinates. He died at Maynooth, 9th April 1328, and was buried in the Grey Abbey at Kildare. 202

FitzGerald, Richard, 3rd Earl of Kildare, was born in 1317. He died at Rathangan, 7th July 1329, and was buried beside his father. 202

FitzGerald, Maurice, 4th Earl of Kildare, brother of preceding. In 1345 he was imprisoned in Dublin Castle by the King's order, but released the next year on the recognizances of twenty-four lords and gentlemen. In 1347 he attended Edward III. to Calais with thirty men-at-arms and forty hobellers, and for his bravery was knighted by the King. In 1378 we find him granted ₤10 from the Exchequer as compensation for his loss of six men, four coats of mail, and other armour, "in a certain great hosting upon the O'Morchoes of Sliewmargy." He died on 25th August 1390, and was buried in Christ Church, Dublin. 202

FitzGerald, Gerald, 5th Earl of Kildare, succeeded his father. In 1398 he was taken prisoner by Calvagh O'Conor Faly, and was not released until he had paid heavy ransom. In 1407 he defeated O'Carrol at Kilkenny, slaying him and 800 of his men. In 1408 he was sent prisoner to Dublin Castle, and all his goods plundered by the servants of the Lord-Lieutenant, for disrespect to the Viceregal authority. He was afterwards liberated on paying a fine of 300 marks. He died in 1410, and was buried in the Grey Abbey at Kildare. He acted as Lord-Deputy in 1405. 202

FitzGerald, John, 6th Earl of Kildare, succeeded his father in 1410. He was known, as "Crouchback," or "Shane Cam" by the Irish. He strengthened and enlarged the castles of Maynooth and Kilkea; the former had then been for more than a century the principal residence of the Earls of Kildare. He died 17th October 1427, and was buried at All Hallows, the site of Trinity College, Dublin. 202

FitzGerald, Thomas, 7th Earl of Kildare, succeeded his father in 1427. He more than once acted as Lord-Deputy to the Duke of York, who as far as possible divided his favours between the FitzGeralds and the Butlers. When the Duke fell at the battle of Wakefield, several members of both families were slain under his banners. As Deputy the Earl held several parliaments, at Naas, Drogheda, and elsewhere; he also acted as Lord-Chancellor. In 1467 he and his brother-in-law the Earl of Desmond were attainted "for alliance, fosterage, and alterage with the King's Irish enemies." Desmond was beheaded; but Kildare pleaded his own cause before the King, had the attainder reversed, and the same year was appointed Lord-Justice. He established the "Brothers of St. George," the only standing army of the Pale, consisting of 120 mounted archers, 40 horsemen, and 40 pages; the archers received sixpence, the horsemen fivepence, per diem. The object of the fraternity was to resist the "Irish enemies and English rebels." The Earl died 25th March 1477, and was buried beside his father. 202

FitzGerald, Gerald, 8th Earl of Kildare, called the "Great Earl," succeeded his father in 1477. He was appointed Lord-Deputy to the young Duke of York; but was shortly dismissed, and Lord Grey appointed in his place, on the plea that an Englishman was more suited to the office. This roused the indignation of the lords of the Pale, who, declaring that Lord Grey's patent was informal, opened a parliament of their own, under the presidency of Kildare. On appeal, Edward IV. believing it his best policy to govern Ireland through the Geraldine faction, recalled Lord Grey and appointed the Earl. Kildare displayed great vigour in the government, and continued in his post undisturbed by the accession of Richard III. On the accession of Henry VII. it was a matter of surprise that he for a time permitted the Earl, a known Yorkist, to continue in office. The Earl was summoned to London, but made sundry excuses for non-compliance, with which Henry had to content himself at the time. Kildare's adhesion to the cause of Simnel afforded clear evidence of his insincerity, and Henry, still unable to dispense with his services, sent over Sir Richard Edgecomb to exact the most binding oaths possible from him and the other men of mark who had espoused Simnel's cause and invaded England. It was considered necessary that Sir Richard should have the Host upon which these oaths were taken prepared by his own chaplain. FitzGerald continued to exhibit ability in the government. Lodge mentions that he received a present from Germany of six muskets, then a great novelty, with which he armed his guard at Thomascourt. After some time Kildare found it necessary to go over to London to answer complaints of the Archbishop of Armagh. The decision was in his favour, and he and his friends were entertained at a banquet, where it is

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