Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/305

 noble English families in Ireland, which heere ensue with their surnames as they stand at this present.

Gerald Fitz Gerald Earle of Kildare, this house was of the nobilitie of Florence, came thence to Normandie, and so with earle Strangbow his kinsman, (whose Armes hee giveth) into Wales, neere of bloud to Rice ap Griffin Prince of Wales, by Vesta the mother of Morice Fitz Gerald, and Robert Fitz Stephens: with the said Earle it removed into Ireland, one of the speciall conquerours thereof. One record that I have seene, nameth a Geraldine the first Earle of Kildare, in anno 1289. But another saith, there dyed a Geraldine the fourth Earle of Kildare in anno 1316. the family is touched in the sonnet of Surrey, made upon Kildares sister, now Lady Clinton.

From Tuscane came my Ladyes worthy race, Faire Florence was sometime her ancient seate, The western Isle whose pleasant shore doth face,

Wilde Cambres cliffes did give her lively heate.

His eldest sonne Lord Gerald, Baron of Ophalye, I reade the Geraldine Lord of Ophalye, in anno 1270.

Sir Thomas Butler, Earle of Ormond and Ossorye: the Butlers were ancient English Gentlemen, preferred to the Earldome of Ormond in the first of Edward the 3. Anno 1327. which fell upon heires generall, lastly upon Sir Thomas Butler Earle of Wilshire, after