Ormond to Sir Thomas Boleyn, who was desirous of the honour. In its stead, the Earldom of Ossory was conferred upon him by the King, in great state, at Windsor, 23rd February 5527-'8. After Sir T. Boleyn's death. Pierce was restored to his ancient honour of Ormond. By this deference to Henry VIII.'s wishes he acquired large additions to his estates in various parts of Leinster. Lord Thomas FitzGerald endeavoured to induce the Earl to join him in insurrection–offering to divide the Kingdom of Ireland with his son James. The Earl declined in a spirited letter, in which he wrote; "You are so liberal in parting stakes with me, that a man would weene you had no right to the game; and so importunate for my company, as if you would perswade me to hang with you for good fellowship. And think you that James is so mad as to gape for gudgeons, or so ungrateful as to sell his truth and loyalty for a piece of Ireland." Nettled by this reply, FitzGerald, with O'Neill and other Irish chieftains, ravaged the County of Kilkenny, and in an engagement near Jerpoint wounded and nearly took prisoner James, the Earl's son. Ormond was foremost in suppressing the insurrection, and upon the death of Kildare and the execution of his uncles in 1537, was, as a reward, further enriched by the Crown: he then turned his arms against the Earl of Desmond, who submitted, and took an oath of loyalty. He and his countess brought workmen from Flanders, and enriched Kilkenny Castle with tapestry, diapers, Turkey carpets, and cushions. The latter part of the Earl's life was spent in prayer, contemplation, and alms-giving. He died 26th August 1539, and was buried in St. Canice's, Kilkenny. He is described as "a man of great honour and sincerity, infinitely good-natured, plain, kind, loving, familiar, and liberal to his friends and followers;but an enemy and severe scourge to all bad people." His second son was created Viscount Mountgarret, and his illegitimate son Edmund, Archbishop of Cashel. 271
Butler, James, 9th Earl of Ormond, Earl of Ossory, succeeded on the death of his father in 1539. Seven years before, he had been made Lord-Treasurer, to balance the power of the Earl of Kildare, then Lord-Deputy. In 1534 he had been entrusted with the custody of all the ports of Ireland, as Admiral of the kingdom; and was afterwards created Viscount Thurles, and specially commissioned to proceed against Irish insurgents and take them into protection where desirable. The period of the Reformation is marked by his engaging "to resist the usurpations of the Bishop of Rome." Henry VIII. granted him additional estates in various parts of the country. In 1545 he headed a body of Irish troops in the King's service in Scotland. Upon his return in 1546, a dispute with the Earl of Lennox necessitated reference to the King in London. On 17th October he attended a feast at Ely House, Holborn. By some means the viands were poisoned. Seventeen of his servants died, and he succumbed eleven days afterwards, 28th October, 1546. He was interred in London, amongst some of his ancestors, in the church of "St. Thomas d'Acres," but his heart, according to his desire, was deposited in St. Canice's, Kilkenny. He had a numerous family by his wife Joan, a daughter of James Earl of Desmond. 271
Butler, Thomas, 10th Earl of Ormond, Earl of Ossory, surnamed the "Black Earl," born about 1532, was but fourteen at his father's death. He was brought up at the English court with Edward VI. who took delight in his company. Serving as a volunteer under the Duke of Somerset in Scotland, he distinguished himself by his bravery at the battle of Musselborough. In Queen Mary's reign he was made captain of a troop of horse, and gave distinguished proofs of fidelity and courage in the suppression of Wyatt's rebellion. In 1554 he entered into possession of his estates; and within the next three years more than once marched under the Lord-Lieutenant against the Scots in Ulster. Soon afterwards he relieved the Earl of Thomond, besieged by the native septs at Bunratty. He stood high in the good graces of Queen Elizabeth, who made him Lord-Treasurer, and added to his estates out of the confiscated church lands. In 1564 and 1565 Munster was wasted in conflicts between him and the Earl of Desmond. Ultimately Desmond and Sir John of Desmond were sent over to London and imprisoned; whereupon several of the southern chieftains, aided by the Earl of Ormond's brothers, Sir Edmund and Sir Pierce Butler, took the field against the Government. Ormond, in England at the time, was sent over to help to quell the insurrection. He landed at Waterford, 14th August 1569, and hastened to join the Lord-Deputy at Limerick. There his two brothers submitted and were pardoned. In consequence of the Desmond insurrection, he was, in 1578, made governor of Munster; and in 1580, in conjunction with Lord-Justice Pelham, made an expedition into Desmond. Carrigfoyle, Askeaton, and other fortresses were taken, and their garrisons put to the sword. In 1581 the Baron
