ABSTRACT
The appointment in July 1447 of Richard, duke of York, as lieutenant of Ireland marked an important departure in Anglo-Irish relations during Henry VI's disastrous reign. York's appointment seemed to transform the lordship's prospects in another way too, in that he retained the earls of Ormond and Waterford in his service. York never contemplated the long-term investment in time and resources needed to resolve the intractable difficulties souring Anglo-Gaelic relations in Ireland. The newly reconciled earl of Desmond and the earl of Ormond were co-sponsors at the baptism of York's son, George, the future duke of Clarence; and another disruptive influence on the lordship's political community had disappeared with the death in August of Archbishop Richard Talbot. After the death of Archbishop Talbot, 'the English ground' was held by absentee lords, leaving the Englishry destitute of good captains, and precipitating a crisis of lordship. York was capitalizing on the good lordship he had exercised as lieutenant.
