Chapter 57: Kill Dare
September, 1456
It had taken months, but they’d finally managed to get to this point. Thomas FitzGerald, Earl of Kildare and trusted confidant to the Duke of York was sat inside a rather large tent, awaiting the Earl of Ormond so that they might discuss bringing an end their feud. The Duke of York was visiting his estates in Ulster, and Ormond had refused to come to Dublin, so instead they’d chosen a midway point. The Forest of Dempsey, which straddled their two Earldoms and was protected by hills on either side. The perfect place for a secure meeting for or someone to wait in ambush if they were so inclined.
Thomas pushed that thought to one side, and looked up as the tent flap opened. “He’s here, my lord.” Thomas’ cousin William said.
“Show him in.” Thomas commanded, standing up.
William nodded and disappeared, a few moments later, William reappeared and announced. “His Lordship the Earl of Ormond.” William then stepped to one side and allowed James Butler, Earl of Ormond and a prominent supporter of the Duke of Somerset to enter. Butler was tall and fair, he was handsome of that there was no doubt, and he was arrogant. The way his shoulders bunched together suggested as much.
“James.” Thomas said extending a hand as Butler came to stand before him.
“Thomas.” Butler replied taking his hand and shaking it.
Thomas watched as the servants brought a chair and placed it behind Butler. “Please, have a seat.” Thomas said. Butler obliged and sat down. “Wine?” Thomas asked.
“Please.” Butler answered, Thomas looked at William who nodded and muttered something to one of the servants. A few moments passed and then a table was brought and placed before them with two cups of wine placed on it shortly after.
A beat passed, Thomas watched as Butler picked up the cup, smelt it and then drank. Thomas placed his lips to his own cup, and had a small sip. He bit back a wince. He disliked wine. Always had. Thomas put his cup back down on the table and waited for Butler to finish drinking, once the man was done, he spoke. “Thank you for coming, James, I know that things are getting quite busy in your Earldom, what with the clan raids and all.” Raids which York had authorised to force Butler to come here.
“It is nothing, you said you wished to discuss something, so here I am.” Butler answered.
At least he’s gotten right to the point. Thomas thought to himself, that was good, it would enable them to get this over with sooner. “Very well, I want to discuss ending the feud between your family and mine.”
Butler leaned forward. “I am listening.”
Thomas nodded and continued. “I know that fault lies on both sides, but on my part I wish to apologise for the conduct of various members of my family. We crossed a line and I acknowledge that.” He didn’t think what his uncle John had done was wrong per say, but he knew that those were the words that he had to say.
“I thank you for that acknowledgement.” Butler said. “And I also recognise that my own family have strayed into error on occasion.”
Thomas repressed a snort, Butler’s brother and cousins had burned parts of the southern farmlands on Thomas’ estates, he could hardly consider an error. “Thank you.” Thomas said.
“SO, are we just going to be exchanging pleasantries or actually doing something substantive about this?” Butler asked.
Thomas bit back the retort that was at the tip of his tongue, he knew he needed to play nice, so as not to arouse Butler’s suspicion. “I propose we sign an agreement, which will stipulate that we end all hostilities between our two families for a period of five years. We shall return to fair trade and acknowledgement of Dublin’s control over us. Should either of us break the terms of this agreement we shall face judgement from Dublin.”
Butler’s eyes widened slightly and his tone was suspicious when he asked. “Is this what York has proposed?”
No. “Yes.” Thomas lied.
Butler leaned back in his chair and snorted. “Very well, I shall agree to this. But there’s something else I want.”
Thomas refused to roll his eyes, of course Butler would want something more. “And what is that?”
“Your daughter’s hand in marriage for my brother.” Butler said.
Thomas wanted to swear, his daughter Eleanor had only just turned ten, she was far too young to marry someone such as Butler’s brother, but he supposed the marriage need not go through given what was about to happen to Butler. “Very well, I agree.”
Butler smiled. “Excellent.” The man extended his hand and Thomas extended his and they shook there and then.
“Would you care to stay for a while?” Thomas asked, after they’d removed their hands from one another’s grasp.
Butler shook his head. “I cannot, I have a young wife waiting for me.”
“Ah, of course.” Thomas said. “Then I shall not keep you.” Butler stood up, prompting Thomas to do the same, they walked to the tent’s entrance, shook hands and then Butler departed. Thomas stood there, watching the man mount his horse and then disappear accompanied by his guard, and then he walked back inside.
After what seemed like an age, the tent opened again and William walked in. “He’s gone.”
“Good.” Thomas said, rising. “I want this tent brought down and I want the men ready to ride.”
“My lord.” William replied, bowing once before turning and leaving the tent. Thomas stood where he was for a moment and then followed his cousin out. He was greeted by the sight of his cousin barking orders, servants hurried past him to dismantle the tent, and Thomas walked to where his horse had been kept. The animal was munching on some grass and raised its head at his approach.
Thomas whistled and one of the servants appeared to hold the horse’s reins. Thomas then got onto the saddle and nodded his thanks to the servant. He then moved the horse forward so that it was in the centre of the camp. As loudly as he could he said. “We shall ride for nearest hill. Those dismantling the tent, burn what is left of it, and meet us there.” With that he urged his horse forward and rode, a few moments passed and then he heard other horses’ hooves indicating his men had followed.
They continued to ride for perhaps twenty minutes until he held up a hand and stopped the procession. They had come to the nearest hill’s base. They would wait here until one of Leinster’s men appeared to give them the news. If all went well, then that should be soon enough. Butler would fall and everything would begin to be put into place.
Butler was arrogant, his brother was empty headed. The dynasty would fall and everything would improve, rather drastically, that was a good thing as far as Thomas was concerned, especially if the Duke of York gave him the Earldom of Ormond, which would enable him to build the block linking Kildare with Desmond. A solid block in the south and then they could work their way through the rest of Ireland.
“My lord?” Someone’s voice interrupted his musings.
Thomas blinked and saw William standing before him. “What is it?”
“A messenger from Leinster, my lord.” William replied.
“Show him here.” Thomas commanded, William bowed and hurried away, appearing a few moments later with a short red headed man who bowed and then in the thick Gaelic said.
“It is done, Ormond is dead as are his guards.”
“Nobody was left alive?” Thomas replied in slightly accented Gaelic.
“No one.” The man said.
“Good.” Thomas replied. The man bowed and then turned and walked away. Thomas watched him go before looking at his men and saying. “We ride for Kildare.”