 He took part in the rebellion of the Leinster Geraldines, but submitted to Lord Leonard Grey in 1538.He renewed his submission to Sir Anthony St. Leger in November 1540, and preferred a request to be allowed to hold his land in feudal tenure.He was anxious, he declared, to imitate his ancestor, Diarmait Mac Murchada, king of Leinster, who had introduced the English into Ireland, and by adopting English customs to assist in the re-establishment of the English authority in the island.