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Why did Silken Thomas revolt in 1534?
His predeccessor Gerald Fitzgerald, 9th Earl of Kildare, appointed him provisional governor of Ireland in his stead as he went to London to meet with Henry VIII on charges Kil…dare, the elder was conspiring with Yorkist pretenders to England's throne.The English sent a rumor to Ireland that Gerald had been killed, when in fact he had not. Thomas, then only 21 and hotheaded rode with his forces to Dublin and very dramatically - tossing a sword down in front of the Irish council - declared he was no longer Henry's man. He then later had a cleric, a Father Alan, killed, attacked Dublin and began attempting to round up a force of men to open revolt. (MORE)
