Page:A Compendium of Irish Biography.djvu/77

 the Butlers. He filled several important offices connected with the government of Ireland; "being a mighty strong man, he is styled in some annals, the head of the chivalry of Ireland, which kingdom he governed to the content of the King and his good subjects." He was not only successful in many of his incursions against the native chieftains, but checked the depredations of Scotch and Welsh pirates upon the Irish coasts. He died at Gowran, 7th September 1405. 

Butler, James, 4th Earl of Ormond, known as the "White Earl," was, like many of his predecessors, a minor when his died. He received an education in advance of most young Irish lords of his time. Before he was of age he distinguished himself in the field against the Irish, was made Lord-Deputy, and held a Parliament in Dublin about 1408. He travelled in France with Thomas of Lancaster in 1412. In 1420 he attended Henry V. in his French wars, and ingratiated himself so much with that monarch that he returned to Ireland as Lord-Lieutenant. He headed expeditions against the native septs into Ulster and other parts of the country. A few months after Henry V.'s death he was replaced in the government of Ireland by Edmund Mortimer. The Earl held the office of Lord-Deputy in 1425 and 1440, and was Lord-Lieutenant in 1443. A violent feud arose between the Butlers and Talbots; and members of the latter family used every endeavour, but without success, to lessen the esteem in which he was held by Henry VI. He died at Ardee, 23rd August 1452, and was buried at St. Mary's Abbey, Dublin. His first wife was a daughter of the Earl of Kildare, his second the widow of Earl Grey. The White Earl was esteemed a deep student of history and antiquities, and a proficient in the laws of arms and matters of honour. He endowed the College of Heralds with lands, and advanced the study and culture of Irish heraldry. 

Butler, James, 5th Earl of Ormond, born 24th November 1420, was almost the first after the settlement of his family in Ireland that was not left a minor on the death of his. When young he was knighted by Henry VI. and he accompanied Richard, Duke of York, to France. In 1449 he was created Earl of Wiltshire, and was for a time Governor of Calais. In 1451 he was Lord-Deputy; and next year, upon his father's death, was appointed Lord-Lieutenant. In 1452, with other great lords, he undertook the guarding of the British seas for three years. He was present at the battle of St. Albans; at Wakefield, in conjunction with the Earl of Pembroke, he commanded one wing of the Lancastrian army; and at Mortimer's Cross, leading a body of Welsh and Irish against the Earl of March, he was defeated with heavy loss. Shortly afterwards (29th March 1461) he was taken prisoner at the battle of Towton in Yorkshire, and beheaded at Newcastle on 1st May following, aged 40. He was thrice married; his third marriage, with Eleanor, sister of the Duke of Somerset, engaging him in the Lancastrian cause. 

Butler, James, 6th Earl of Ormond, being present with his, at the battle of Towton in 1461, was likewise attainted. He was afterwards, by Edward IV., restored in blood and to most of his estates. The king used to say of him "that he was the goodliest knight he ever beheld, and the finest gentleman in Christendom; and that if good breeding, nurture, and liberal qualities were lost in the world, they might all be found in the Earl of Ormond." He was accounted master of all the European languages, and there was scarce a court to which Edward IV. did not send him as ambassador. He died in the Holy Land, on his way to Jerusalem, 1478. 

Butler, Thomas, 7th Earl of Ormond, succeeded his in 1478. He also had been attainted by Edward IV. and the attainder was revoked, as in the case of his predecessor. By Henry VII. he was made a Privy-Councillor, and was in 1492 and 1497 sent on diplomatic missions to France. He was reputed one of the richest British subjects. He died in London, 3rd August 1515. His daughter Margaret married Sir William Boleyn, and was mother of Anne Boleyn. 

Butler, Pierce, 8th Earl of Ormond, Earl of Ossory, succeeded his in 1515. He had already distinguished himself in the service of the Crown, and had been successful in suppressing the insurrections of the native Irish. In 1521 he was appointed Lord-Deputy. His marriage with a sister of the Earl of Kildare did not extinguish the feud between the Butlers and FitzGeralds. On account of the murder of his friend, Richard Talbot, by James FitzGerald, he impeached the Earl of Kildare. The matter ended by FitzGerald being obliged to walk through London candle in hand, and a halter round his neck; on the other hand, Ormond was replaced in the office of Deputy by Kildare. At one time it is stated negotiations were set on foot for the marriage of his son to his cousin, Anne Boleyn. Henry VIII. coerced Pierce to resign his title of Earl of 53