Crawley’s Basel Return
Archived: 20 October 2026
In 1438 Ireland remained divided among Gaelic lordships, Anglo-Irish communities and ecclesiastical jurisdictions, with power shaped by kinship, warfare and office. Archbishop Thomas Crawley died in England returning from the Council of Basel, linking Dublin to Church conflict, while Lionel, Lord Welles, became royal lieutenant. O’Conor Faly fought Meath’s English yet made peace with his brother. Captures, killings and depositions affected Maguires, O’Dowdas, O’Donnells and O’Briens. Deaths of bishops, clerics and heirs from disease disrupted institutions. Prominent jurists, historians and poets also died, demonstrating learned patronage’s continuing public importance. Annals record these crises unevenly rather than a unified national narrative.