on many occasions, remained on his charger outside the church, to welcome his visitors as they arrived.  The second entertainment was given on the Feast of the Assumption, in the same year, and was intended to include all who had not been able to accept the first invitation.  The chronicler concludes his account with a blessing on Lady Margaret, and a curse on the disease which deprived the world of so noble an example:  “God’s blessing, the blessing of all the saints, and every blessing, be upon her going to heaven; and blessed be he that will hear and read this, for blessing her soul."[366] It is recorded of her also, that she was indefatigable in building churches, erecting bridges, preparing highways, and providing mass-books.  It is a bright picture on a dark page; and though there may not have been many ladies so liberal or so devoted to learning at that period in Ireland, still the general state of female education could not have been neglected, or such an example could not have been found or appreciated.  Felim O’Connor, her son, died in the same year as his mother; he is described as “a man of great fame and renown.”  He had been ill of decline for a long time, and only one night intervened between the death of the mother and the son, A.D. 1451.  Calvagh died in 1458, and was succeeded by his son, Con, who was not unworthy of his noble ancestry.

In 1449 the Duke of York was sent to undertake the Viceregal dignity and cares.  His appointment is attributed to the all-powerful influence of Queen Margaret.  The immortal Shakspeare, whose consummate art makes us read history in drama, and drama in history,[367] has commemorated this event, though not with his usual ability.  The object of sending him to Ireland was to deprive the Yorkists of his powerful support and influence, and place the affairs of France, which he had managed with considerable ability, in other hands.  In fact, the appointment was intended as an honorable exile.  The Irish, with that natural veneration for lawful authority which is so eminently characteristic of the Celtic race, were ever ready to welcome a prince of the blood, each time hoping against hope that something like ordinary justice should be meted out from the fountain-head.  For once, at least, they were not disappointed; and “noble York” is represented, by an English writer of the sixteenth century, as consoling himself “for every kinde of smart,” with the recollection of the faithful love and devotion of the Irish people.[368]

The royal Duke arrived in Ireland on the 6th of July, 1447.  He was accompanied by his wife, famous for her beauty, which had obtained her the appellation of the “Rose of Raby,” and famous also as the mother of two English kings, Edward IV. and Richard III.  This lady was the daughter of Neville, Earl of Westmoreland, whose rather numerous family, consisting of twenty-two children, had all married amongst the highest families.  The Duke was Earl of Ulster in right of Duke Lionel, from whom he was