The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

ON THE, IRISH COINS OF RICHARD III. 325
King and some of the nobles for his security while in
England." On another occasion when " Henry summoned
him to England, he took no notice of the letter for
ten months, and at last sent an excuse backed by the
lords of the Irish Parliament, stating that his presence
was so essential to the peace of the country that he could
not be spared."
" The story, whether true or not, of his
burning Cashel Cathedral, and pleading, when called to
answer before the Council, that he had only done it
because the archbishop was inside, gives us a notion of
utter irresponsibility, which is borne out by the most
authentic documents." 13
The Lord Deputy from time to time was invested with
authority over the mint in Ireland. In 1467, when the
double groats were coined, it was enacted " that the half-
pence and farthings may be alloyed
at the discretion of
the Lord Lieutenant or Lord Deputy." 14 In 1477 Edward
granted at Westminster to Henry, Lord Grey, Lord
Deputy, " the offices of seneschal and treasurer of Heath,
during the life of the said Henry, which was confirmed
by the Irish Act, 18 Edward IV. By this Act the said
Henry, by himself or his officers, may for the future strike
and coin all manner of coins of silver within the Castle
of Trym, according to such fineness and alloy, as in the
Statute for that purpose is provided." 15
In 1479, Gerald, Earl of Kildare, succeeded Henry,
Lord Grey, as Lord Deputy, and that he exercised autho-
rity over the mint is evident by the small shield bearing
a saltire, the arms of the Earl, at each side of the large
13 Letters and Papers of the Reigus of Richard III. and Henry
VII., vol. i., 8vo, Preface, pp. 81, 82.
14 Smith, " Coins of Edward IV.," p. 16.
15
Simon, Appendix, No. xvi.