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 conversational powers were of the highest order. William H. Curran writes of him: "His imposing figure and deportment; his graceful, persuasive gestures; his manly, pliant features, so easily seduced from their habitual dignity by a love of gentlemanly fun; his fine, sonorous voice; his genial laughter—such were some, though not all, of the ingredients in that combination which made Bushe the most fascinating of companions."

Butler, 1st Theobald Walter, a descendant of one of the companions of the Conqueror, attended Henry II. to France in 1170, and accompanied him in his Irish expedition next year. On account of his services, large possessions were conferred upon him. He was, in 1177, as a mark of royal favour, made Chief-Butler of Ireland, with a perquisite of two tuns of wine out of every cargo of eighteen tuns or upwards breaking bulk in Ireland. [This right of prisage, as it was termed, was repurchased from the Butler family by the Government in 1810, for £216,000.] Carte cites some interesting charters from his hand. Besides Irish property, he possessed large estates in Norfolk and Suffolk. He founded abbeys and churches in several parts of Ireland and England. He died in 1206, and was buried at "Witheney," in the County of Limerick. 

Butler, 2nd Theobald, son of, was born about 1200. When he came of age he was put in possession of his father's estates. He was Lord-Justice in 1247, and died in the year following. 

Butler, 3rd Theobald, was very young when his died. He married a daughter of Richard De Burgh, and thereby considerably increased the family estates. In 1264, he was, with Richard de Capella, Lord-Justice, and other knights, taken prisoner at Castledermot by the Lord of Desmond. He died, and was buried in the Convent of Friars Preachers at Arklow. 

Butler, 4th Theobald, succeeded his. By his marriage with a daughter of the Earl of Essex, he acquired considerable estates in Buckinghamshire. He died 26th September 1285, leaving eight children. He also was buried at Arklow. Carte considers it most probable that the 3rd and 4th Theobalds were one and the same person, who married twice. 

Butler, 5th Theobald, succeeded his in 1285, and at a Parliament of the great Lords of Ireland, held in 1295, stood fifth on the roll. He attended Edward I. in his Scottish wars, and gained great reputation by his valour. He died unmarried, 14th May 1299. 

Butler, Edmund, Earl of Carrick, upon his brother's death, succeeded. In 1303 he was appointed Custos Hibernie, and in 1309 was knighted by Edward II. in London. In 1312 he defeated the O'Byrnes and O'Tooles in Glenmalure. In 1315 he appears to have been created Earl of Carrick. He distinguished himself in an engagement with Bruce. He died in London, 13th September 1321, but was buried at Gowran, County of Kilkenny. By his wife Joan, daughter of the 1st Earl of Kildare, he had several children, the eldest of whom succeeded. 

Butler, James, 1st Earl of Ormond, was a minor at his father's death. He married Eleanor de Bohun, grand-daughter of Edward I., was created Earl of Ormond, and had a grant made him of the annual rent of the City of Waterford. This marriage ultimately procured him still more considerable advantages–particularly the grant of the "Regalities and Liberties of Tipperary," and the rights of a palatine in that county. As soon as he was of age (about 1327) he engaged on the side of his cousin, the Earl of Kildare, in his wars with the De Burghs and Le Poers. In 1329 and 1330 he was at war with the O'Nolans and MacGeoghegans. He founded, in 1336, the Friary of Little Carrick, in the County of Waterford, and dying, 6th January 1337-'8, was buried at Gowran. 

Butler, James, 2nd Earl of Ormond, was born at Kilkenny, 4th October 1331, and was consequently but six years of age at his father's decease. He was given in ward to the Earl of Desmond, and afterwards to Sir John d'Arcy, whose daughter he married during his minority. He is often spoken of as the "Noble Earl." Edward III., his cousin, granted him an annuity of about £40, besides some additional estates. In 1359 he was Lord-Justice, with a salary of £500. He attended Lionel, Duke of Clarence in his Irish wars, and was for a time, during the Duke's absence in England, Lord-Deputy. In 1362 he defeated MacMurrough in the County of Kildare, and slew 600 of his men. In 1372 he was created Constable of Dublin Castle. In 1378 he surrendered the sword of Lord-Justice to Alexander Balscot, Bishop of Ossory. The Earl died at Knocktopher, 18th October 1382, aged 51, and was buried in St. Canice's, Kilkenny. <section end="Butler, James, 2nd Earl of Ormond"/>

<section begin="Butler, James, 3rd Earl of Ormond"/>Butler, James, 3rd Earl of Ormond, son of preceding, styled "Earl of Gowran," from having built Gowran Castle. In 1391 he purchased the estate of Kilkenny Castle, thenceforth the seat of <section end="Butler, James, 3rd Earl of Ormond"/> 52