Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/287

276 BUTLER. continued in the government until the arrival of Edmond Mortimer, Earl of March, who, in 1424, appointed him his deputy. In 1426 he was knighted, together with the young king, Henry VI. by the Duke of Bedford, the King's unele, who was then regent. In the following year he attacked Gerald O'Cavenagh, who had collected a number of forces for the purpose of invading the Pale, and caused bim to forego his intention. In 1440 he was again appointed lord-lieutenant, and afterwards lord deputy, and obtained a grant, for ten years, of the temporalities of the arch- bishopric of Cashel. In. 1444 he assembled at Drogheda many of the privy council and nobility of the Pale, and in- formed them, that having filled the office of chief governor, r upwards of three years, the king had commanded him to repair immediately to England without delay or excuse; he therefore requested of them, that they would declare iu the presence of the king's messenger, whether he had committed, during his government, any extortion contrary to the laws, or been remiss in their execution. After a full consideration of his conduct, Sir James Allen declared, that no one could complain of him, but all were thankful to him for his good and gracious government ; for the pains he had taken in defence of the land, in which he had undergone great and continual labours; and had also, in addition to the allowance of the government, expeaded much of his private property in the execution of bis daties It was thereupon agreed, that if he were then to leave the country, his life would be exposed to great danger; and they therefore dispatched a messenger to the king, request- ing a safe conduct for him, and representing that there was an extensive confederacy to destroy his loyal sub- jects, and that it would be a great comfort to them, and confusion to their enemies, if his majesty should not insist on the Earl of Ormonde's attendance at court until after the harvest. On this representation the king dispensed with his attendance in England; but two years afterwards, on a petition of several lords, stating " that he was old and feeble, and had lost many of his old castles for want