Chancing Your Arm

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Where does the phrase ‘Chancing Your Arm’ come from? Some say it originated from a famous incident during a feud between two prominent Irish families, the Ormonds and the Kildares, in 1492.

It is said that during the feud Sir James Butler, the Earl of Ormond, took refuge with his followers in the chapter house of St Patrick’s cathedral in Dublin. The Earl of Kildare, realising that the feud was pointless tried to make peace. To prove his honest intent and that his desire for reconciliation was genuine, he cut a hole in the door and thrust his arm through. Of course he was placing himself at the mercy of those inside, who could easily have cut it off. However, his hand was grasped by Butler and his peace overtures were accepted

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