The Earl at once collected his followers and adherents in Drogheda, where they declared, in the presence of the King’s messenger, as in duty bound, that their lord had never been guilty of the treasons and extortions with which he was charged, and that they were all thankful for “his good and gracious government:”  furthermore, they hint that he had expended his means in defending the King’s possessions.  However, the Earl was obliged to clear himself personally of these charges in London, where he was acquitted with honour by his royal master.[364]

His enemy, Sir John Talbot, known better in English history as the Earl of Shrewsbury, succeeded him, in 1446.  This nobleman had been justly famous for his valour in the wars with France, and it is said that even mothers frightened their children with his name.  His success in Ireland was not at all commensurate with his fame in foreign warfare, for he only succeeded so far with the native princes as to compel O’Connor Faly to make peace with the English Government, to ransom his sons, and to supply some beeves for the King’s kitchen.  Talbot held a Parliament at Trim, in which, for the first time, an enactment was made about personal appearance, which widened the fatal breach still more between England and Ireland.  This law declared that every man who did not shave[365] his upper lip, should be treated as an “Irish enemy;” and the said shaving was to be performed once, at least, in every two weeks.

In the year 1447 Ireland was desolated by a fearful plague, in which seven hundred priests are said to have fallen victims, probably from their devoted attendance on the sufferers.  In the same year Felim O’Reilly was taken prisoner treacherously by the Lord Deputy; and Finola, the daughter of Calvagh O’Connor Faly, and wife of Hugh Boy O’Neill, “the most beautiful and stately, the most renowned and illustrious woman of all her time in Ireland, her own mother only excepted, retired from this transitory world, to prepare for eternal life, and assumed the yoke of piety and devotion in the Monastery of Cill-Achaidh.”

This lady’s mother, Margaret O’Connor, was the daughter of O’Carroll, King of Ely, and well deserved the commendation bestowed on her.  She was the great patroness of the literati of Ireland, whom she entertained at two memorable feasts.  The first festival was held at Killeigh, in the King’s county, on the Feast-day of Da Sinchell (St. Seanchan, March 26).  All the chiefs, brehons, and bards of Ireland and Scotland were invited, and 2,700 guests are said to have answered the summons.  The Lady Margaret received them clothed in cloth of gold, and seated in queenly state.  She opened the “congress” by presenting two massive chalices of gold on the high altar of the church—­an act of duty towards God; and then took two orphan children to rear and nurse—­an act of charity to her neighbour.  Her noble husband, who had already distinguished himself in the field