William Darcy (died 1540)

Sir William Darcy (c.1460–1540) was a leading Anglo-Irish statesman of the Pale in the early sixteenth century; for many years he held the office of Vice-Treasurer of Ireland. He wrote an influential treatise, The Decay of Ireland, which led to his being called "the father of the movement for political reformation in Ireland".[1] He was a colourful and flamboyant character, whose exceptional height gave rise to his nickname "Great Darcy".[2]

  1. ^ Lennon, Colm Sixteenth-century Ireland-the Incomplete Conquest Gill and Macmillan Dublin 1994 p.79
  2. ^ Ellis, Stephen G. "Darcy, Sir William" Dictionary of Irish Biography Cambridge University Press