Born a.d. 1528

CERALD, the ninth Earl of Kildare, seems to have been singularly fortunate in the choice of his two wives. He was first married to Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Louche, of Codnor, who is described as being “a woman of rare probity of mind, and every way commendable.” She bore him four daughters and one son, and then died suddenly at Lucan, county of Louth, a.d. 1517, and was buried with great solemnity near the Earl's mother, in the monastery of Friars Observants, at Killucan.

The Earl of Kildare was too great a power in the land not to have many enemies; and the year following the death of his wife, he was falsely accused of maladministration. He wrote to the king (Henry VIII.) in his own defence, and at length went over to England to answer, in person, the charges made against him.

Whilst staying in London, waiting for the inquiry into his conduct, he married his second wife, Lady Elizabeth Grey, fourth daughter of Thomas, Marquis of Dorset, and granddaughter of Elizabeth Woodville, Queen of Edward IV. By this marriage he gained much influence at Court, as the countess was first cousin to Henry VIII. This marriage was a very happy one.