may be found in the Abbe MacGeoghegan's _History of
Ireland_, p. 323, and in Plowden's _Historical Review_. We append one
clause, in which these writers complain of the corruption of manners
produced by intercourse with the English settlers: "Quod sancta et
columbina ejus simplicitas, ex eorum cohabitatione et exemplo reprobo,
in serpentinam calliditatem mirabiliter est mutata."

[346] _Effect_.--See Theiner, _Vet. Man. Hiber. et Scot._ p. 188, for
the efforts made by the Holy See to procure peace. The Pope's letter to
Edward III. will be found at p. 206. It is dated _Avinione, iii. Kal.
Junii, Pontificatus nostri anno secundo._

[347] _Prisoners_.--Gilbert's _Viceroys_, p. 138.

[348] _Subject.--History of Dundalk_, pp. 46-58.

CHAPTER XXII.

The Butlers--Quarrels of the Anglo-Norman Nobles--Treachery and its
Consequences--The Burkes proclaim themselves Irish--Opposition
Parliaments--The Statute of Kilkenny and its Effects--Mistakes of
English Writers--Social Life in Ireland described by a French
Knight--"Banishment" to Ireland--Richard II. visits Ireland.

[A.D. 1326-1402.]

Richard de Burgo, the Red Earl, died in 1326. He took leave of the
nobles after a magnificent banquet at Kilkenny. When he had resigned his
possessions to his grandson, William, he retired into the Monastery of
Athassel, where he expired soon after. In the same year Edward II.
attempted to take refuge in Ireland, from the vengeance of his people
and his false Queen, the "she-wolf of France." He failed in his attempt,
and was murdered soon after--A.D. 1327.

The Butler family now appear prominently in Irish history for the first
time. It would appear from Carte[349] that the name was originally
Walter, Butler being an addition distinctive of office. The family was
established in Ireland by Theobald Walter (Gaultier), an Anglo-Norman of
high rank, who received extensive grants of land from Henry II.,
together with the hereditary office of "Pincerna," Boteler, or Butler,
in Ireland, to the Kings of England. In this capacity he and his
successors were to attend these monarchs at their coronation, and
present them, with the first cup of wine. In return they obtained many
privileges. On account of the quarrels between this family and the De
Burgos, De Berminghams, Le Poers, and the southern Geraldines, royal
letters were issued, commanding them, under pain of forfeiture, to
desist from warring on each other. The result was a meeting of