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ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA

FITZGERALD, LORD THOMAS- d 1537

. vice deputy of ireland for his father, gerald, 9th earl of kildare, during henryVIII,  w/ w/ father to london early 1534 on occasion of the 3rd summons of the earl to answer grave charges of  maladministration as lord deputy, but after the earl sent to the tower he was sent back to ireland to take the place of vice-deputy in his father's place w/ secret instructions to raise a rebellion against the british govt. he was barely of age + his amiable manners + accomplishments had procured him the appellation "silken thomas". he was of high spirit + fiery temper, fiercely resented brit rule. as soon as he arrived, he cleared the way by surrendering his office + sword of states + then openly proclaimed a rebellion. he obtained possession of dublin city before  the end of july, + formed the siege of the castle, into which the english  gov. had withdrawn archbishop allen, the primate appt by henry VIII to watch over kildare + report, left + sailed for england, but ship ran aground + he was seized by thomas + killed. this murder reported by special messenger from fitz to the pope + the emperor, asking for absolution + assistance. sentence of excommunication. in aug, fitz was forced to relinquish the siege of dublin castle, + hasten to defend or recover his own domains w/ the earl of ormand had invaded. he tried in vain to persuade ormand to switch sides, but obtained a trace, of which he took treacherous advantage  to attack ormand. in oct, in consequence of ormand's invasion of kildare, he was compelled to raise the siege. 3 days later, brit army arrived in dublin + welcomed. f withdraws to the country, but took advantage of the new deputy + advanced on dublin + burned 2 'suburbs'. the old earl had been attained + died in the tower soon after he heard what jr had done. march 1535 new deputy attacked T's strong spot of the "geraldines". fitz retreats to thousand to sail to spain. wandered for months + surrendered to lord leonard grey + taken to london.. committed to the tower w/ 5 uncles. hung as traitors 2/1536. a bill of attainder, but restored by edward VI + repealed by eliz I.