BUTLER. 277 of defence, and therefore was not likely to maintain, much less enlarge, the king's possessions in Ireland" he was dismissed, though most of the barons and clergy of Ireland joined in a full testimonial of his services. In the follow- ing year he was accused of high treason by the Earl of Shrewsbury, then lord-lieutenant, before the Duke of Norfolk, in the Marshal's Court. The king, however, in- fluenced by the above testimonial, put a stop to proceed- ings; and examining the cause himself, was so fully con- vinced of the maliciousness of its origin, that he declared by patent,"That the Earl of Ormonde was faithful in his allegiance; meritorious in his services, and untainted in his fame; that no one should dare, on pain of his indig nation, to revive the accusation, or reproach his conduct; and that his accusers were men of no credit, nor should their testimony be admitted in any case." A writ, reciting which, signed by his mortal enemy, Richard, archbishop of Dublin, deputy to his brother Shrewsbury, was sent to the magistrates of Limerick and other towns, to cause proclamation thereof to be made throughout the kingdom. After so signal a victory over the malice of his accusers, he appears to have retired entirely from public life until 1452, when he undertook an expedition against Connor O'Mulrian; on his return from which, on 23rd August, he died at Ardee, and was buried in St. Mary's Abbey, near Dublin. He was celebrated as a great lover of antiqui ties, and during his residence in France, Henry V. at his recommendation, first created a king of arms in Ireland, to which office he appointed John Kiteley, herald in Eng- land, by the title of Ireland king of arms. He also gave lands to the College of Heralds, for which, till the Refor- mation, he was prayed for in all their public meetings; and has since been constantly remembered as a special benefactor.
