in their hands comming to the Court were not suffered to enter within the gates but were kept backe by the Porters and others of which injury when hee complained the King made him an overthwart answer Whereupon the Earle not well pleased therewith estranged himselfe from the Court and went into the North country so that thenceforth he and his brother Walter gave small attendance upon the King and to end with this Earle Gilbert it fell out on a time in a Turnay which hee had attempted without the Citie of Hereford contrary to the Kings pleasure that his unruly horse cast him so that of the hurt which he tooke with the fall he shortly after departed this life in the yeere 1241. and was buried in the new temple Church at London hee had married the Lady Margaret the sister of Alexander King of Scots who by her had no issue she also dyed Anno 1245. Walter Marshall succeeded Gilbert in all the former honours and possessions both in England and Ireland who because he had procured the turnament wherein his brother was slaine hardly obtained of the king the same He departed this life at Godrike Castle by Monmouth and was buried at Tintern Anno 1245. leaving no issue behind him Anselme Marshall the fift sonne of William Earle Marshall succeded Walter hee was the last of the Maxfields and died without issue Hee had married Mathildis or Mawd daughter of the Earle of Hereford anc because hee had entred without doing of homage unto the King his wife after his decease could have no dowry wherof among the statutes of England I find the cause by especial words thus overruled· When any dyeth and his heire entreth into the Land that his Ancesters held of the King the day that he died before he hath done homage to the King and received seisin of the King hee shall give no free hold thereby and if hee dyed seised during that time his wife shall not be indowed of the same land as came late in urc by Mawd the daughter of the Earle of Hereford wife of Anselme the Marshal Who after the death of Walter Marshall of England his brother tooke his seisin of the Castle and mannor of Strogill and died in the same Castle before hee had entred by the King and before hee had done homage unto him whereupon it was agreed that his wife should not be indowed because that her husband had not entred by the King but rather by trusion This Anselme died in England and was buried at Tinterne After the death of these five brethren Florilegus writeth thus All the sonnes of William the great Marshall it is not knowne what sinne required the same according to the Prophecy of the Countesse their mother without issue left behind them as shadowes departed out of this world yet all successively became Earles even as their mother by a Propheticall spirit foreshewed and so the Noble sheild or buckler of the Marshalls dreadful to so many and so great enemies of England vanished away Mathew Paris wrote the story at large The aforesaid William as Warlike and stout called Marshall as if hee had beene Mars his Seneschall while in Ireland hee gave himselfe to slaughter and burning and got to himselfe large possessions he tooke away by strong hand and injuriously from an holy Bishop two mannors or Lordships belonging to his Church and presumptuously usurped them as though he might by just title possesse them as if he had wonne them with the sword The Bishop after many admonitions and receiving many froward answers thundred against him and not without cause the sentence of Excommunication the which the Earle despised and pleaded for excuse the warlike season keeping injuries upon injuries Whereupon not without advisement one Maister Gervasius de Melckeria framed of him this distinction and shrowded himselfe in his person Sum quem Saturnum sibi sensit Hibernia Solem Anglia Mercurium Normania Gallia Martem Iam whom Ireland Saturne hight and England Sol me cals Amids the Normans Mercury and Mars among the Gauls The meaning in a word is how that he in his time had tamed the wild Irish and had beene the shining beame of honour unto the English as an Ambassadour to pacifie the Normans and an invincible Knight among the French nation but forwards with Paris the aforesaid Earle held those mannors all his life time and annexed them unto his dominions Within a few yeeres after the Earle ended the way of all flesh and was buried in the new Temple at London the Bishop hearing of this for he was the Bishop of Fernes a Cistertian Monke by birth Irish and famous for Sanctity not without great paine in travaile he went unto the King who then was in London exhibited a grievous complaint of the injury done unto him and how that hee had justly excommunicated the Earle and humbly besought the King that by his soveraigne authority and Princely mandat and also for the good of the said Earle Williams soule he would see his mannors restored unto him that in so doing though he were dead yet might reape the benefit of absolution The King with this was moved and willed the Bishop to repaire to the Earles grave and absolve him and he would diligently labour for his satisfaction the Bishop together with the King went to his Tombe and in the hearing of al that were present as if they had been both alive said O William that here lyest interred and wrapped in the bonds of Excommunication if the thing which thou hast injuriously taken away from my Church bee restored by the king or by thine heire or by some one of thy kindred or friends with competent satisfaction I absolve thee o her wise I doe ratifie the said sentence that thou being ever wrapped in thy sinnes maiest remaine damned in hell The King hearing this was moved and sharply rebuked the immoderat rigour of the Pontificall Prelate To whom the Bishop replied my Lord ann dread soveraigne marvaile not though I be out of patience for he hath spoiled my Church to his great commoditie The King then secretly conferring with William the eldest sonne of this Earle and heire to the whole and now invested in the inheritance and Earledome and certaine others his brethren besought them by the restoring the mannors unjustly taken away mercifully to deliver their fathers soule To whom William the heir made answer I doe not beleeve neither is to be credited that my father tooke them injuriously for that which is gotten by the sword may lawfully be enjoyed for if that old and doting Bishop hath given a wrong sentence let the curse light upon his owne pate I will not weaken my estate nor diminish the inheritance wherein I am invested my father dyed seized thereof and I have rightly entred Vnto these words all the brethren yeelded their consents The King being then of tender yeeres and under Tutor would not give cause of heavinesse unto so great and Noble a personage when the Bishop
having beene once so low brought and thoroughly subjected they afterwards lifted up themselves so strongly againe and sithence doe stand so stiffely against all rule and government Iren. They say that they continued in that lowlinesse untill the time that the division between the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke arose for the Crowne of England at which time all the great English Lords and Gentlemen which had great possessions in Ireland repaired over hither into England some to succour their Friends here and to strengthen their partie for to obtaine the Crowne others to defend their lands and possessions here against such as hovered after the same upon hope of the alteration of the kingdome and successe of that side which they favoured and affected Then the Irish whom before they had banished into the mountaines where they lived onely upon whitt meates as it is recorded seeing now their lands so dispeopled and weakened came downe into all the plaines adjoyning and thence expelling those few English that remained repossessed them againe since which they have remained in them and growing greater have brought under them many of the English which were before their Lords This was one of the occasions by which all those Countreyes which lying neere unto any Mountaines or Irish desarts had beene planted with English were shortly displanted and lost As namely in Mounster all the lands adjoyning unto Slewlogher Arlo and the bog of Allon In Connaght all the Countries bordering upon the Curlues Mointerolis and Orourkes Countrey In Leinster all the lands bordering unto the Mountaines of Glanmalour unto Shillelah unto the Brackenah and Polmonte In Vlster all the Countreyes neere unto Tirconnel Tyrone and the Scottes Eudox. Surely this was a great violence but yet by your speach it seemeth that onely the Countreyes and valleyes neere adjoyning unto those mountaines and desarts were thus recovered by the Irish but how comes it now that we see almost all that Realme repossessed of them was there any more such evill occasions growing by the troubles of England Or did the Irish out of those places so by them gotten breake further and stretch themselves out thorough the whole land for now for ought that I can understand there is no part but the bare English Pale in which the Irish have not the greatest footing Iren. But out of these small beginings by them gotten neare to the mountaines did they spread themselves into the Inland and also to their further advantage there did other like unhappy accidents happen out of England which gave heart and good opportunity to them to regaine their old possessions For in the raigne of King Edward the fourth things remained yet in the same state that they were after the late breaking out of the Irish which I spake of and that noble Prince began to cast an Eye unto Ireland and to minde the reformation of things there runne amisse for he sent over his brother the worthy Duke of Clarence who having married the heire of the Earle of Vlster and by her having all the Earledome of Vlster and much in Meath and in Mounster very carefully went about the redressing of all those late evills and though he could not beate out the Irish againe by reason of his short continuance yet hee did shut them up within those narrow corners and glynnes under the mountaines foote in which they lurked and so kept them from breaking any further by building strong holdes upon every border and fortifying all passages Amongst the which hee repaired the Castle of Clare in Thomond of which Countrey he had the inheritance and of Mortimers lands adjoyning which is now by the Irish called Killaloe But the times of that good King growing also troublesome did lett the thorough reformation of all things And thereunto soone after was added another fatall mischeife which wrought a greater calamity then all the former For the said Duke of Clarence then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was by practise of evill persons about the King his brother called thence away and soone after by sinister meanes was cleane made away Presently after whose death all the North revolting did set up Oneale for their Captaine being before that of small power and regard and there arose in that part of Thomond one of the O-Briens called Murrogh en-Ranagh that is Morrice of the Ferne or wast wilde places who gathering unto him all the reliques of the discontented Irish eftsoones surprised the said Castle of Clare burnt and spoyled all the English there dwelling and in short space possessed all that countrey beyond the River of Shanan and neere adjoyning Whence shortly breaking forth like a suddaine tempest he over-ran all Mounster and Connaght breaking downe all the holds and fortresses of the English defacing and utterly subverting all corporate Townes that were not strongly walled for those he had no meanes nor Engines to overthrow neither indeed would hee stay at all about them but speedily ran forward counting his suddennesse his most advantage that he might overtake the English before they could fortifie or gather themselves together So in short space hee cleane wyped out many great Townes as first Inchequin then Killalow before called Clariford also Thurles Mourne Buttevant and many others whose names I cannot remember and of some of which there is now no memory nor signe remaining Vpon report whereof there flocked unto him all the scumme of the Irish out of all places that ere long he had a mighty Army and thence marched foorth into Leinster where he wrought great out-rages wasting all the Countrey where he went for it was his policie to leave no hold behinde him but to make all plaine and waste In the which he soone after created himselfe King and was called King of all Ireland which before him I doe not reade that any did so generally but onely Edward le Bruce Eudox. What was there ever any generall King of all Ireland I never heard it before but that it was alwayes whilst it was under the Irish divided into foure and sometimes into five kingdomes or dominions But this Edward le Bruce what was hee that could make himselfe King of all Ireland Iren. I would tell you in case you would not challenge me anon for forgetting the matter which I had in hand that is the inconvenience and unfitnesse which I supposed to be in the lawes of the Land Eudox. No surely I have no cause for neither is this impertinent thereunto for sithence you did set your course as I remember in your first part to treate of the evils which hindered the peace and good ordering of that Land amongst which that of the inconvenience in the lawes was the first which you had in hand this discourse of the over-running wasting of the Realme is very materiall thereunto for that it was the begining of al the other evils which sithence have afflicted that land opened a way unto the Irish to recover their possession to beat out the English which had
and become meere Irish against whom his auncestors served valiantly in An. 1300. Sir Richard Bermingham was Lord of Athenrye 1316. Iohn Bermingham Baron de Atrio dei Anno 1318. Mac Morice alias Fitz Gerald Baron of Kerye Lord Courcye a poore man not very Irish the auncient descent of the Courcyes planted in Ireland with the Conquest Lord Flemmynge Baron of Slane Simon Flemmynge was Baron of Slane in Anno 1370. Plonket Baron of Killyne this family came in with the Danes whereof they have as yet speciall monuments Nugent Baron of Delvin Saint Laurence Baron of Hothe Plonket Baron of Doonesawny Barnewall Baron of Trimleston they came from little Brittaine where they are at this day a great surname upon their first arrivall they wonne great possessions at Beirnhaven where at length by conspiracie of the Irish they were all slaine except one yong man who then studied the common Lawes in England who returning dwelt at Dromnaghe besides Divelin and his heires are there at this day from thence a second brother remooved to Sirestone and so to Trimlestone and married the Lady Bruns who caused him to be made Baron This writeth the Lord of Donsany Edward Butler Baron of Donboyne given to Edmund Butler esquire and his heires males An. 33. H. 8. Fitz Patricke Baron of upper Ossory given to Barnabie Mac Gilpatricke and his heires males An. 33. H. 8. Donnate Clonnaghe Mac Gilpatricke was a peerelesse warriour in Anno 1219. Plonket Baron of Louthe to Sir Christopher Plonket and his heires males An. 33. H. 8. This Barony was an Earledome in An. 1316. appertaining to Bermingham Oneale Baron of Dongannon to whom the Earledome of Terone was entayled by gift of H. 8. Powere Baron of Curraghmore Mac Suretan Lord Deseret whom Sir Henry Sidney called Iordan de Exeter This was Lord in the time of Lionell Duke of Clarence An. 1361. now very wilde Irish. Murroghe Obrene Baron of Insickeyne to him and his heires males An. 35. H. 8. Mac Costilaghe L Nangle whom Sir Henry Sidney called de Angulo now very Irish. Mac William Burcke Lord of eighter Connaght now very Irish. Seintleger Baronet of Slemarge meere Irish. Den Baronet of Pormanston waxing Irish. Fitz Gerald Baronet of Burnchurch Welleslye Baronet of Narraghe Husee Baronet of Galtrim S. Michell Baronet of Reban Marwarde Baronet of Scryne Nangle Baronet of the Navan English gentlemen of longest continuance in Ireland are the race of those which at this day either in great povertie or perill doe keepe the properties of their auncestors lands in Vlster being then companions to Courcy the conquerour and Earle of that part These are the Savages Iordanes Fitz Symonds Chamberlaines Russels Bensons Audleyes Whites Fitz Vrsulyes now degenerate called in Irish Mac Mahon the Beares sonne CAP. III. Nature of the soyle and other incidents THe soyle is low and waterish includeth diverse little Ilands invironed with bogges and marishes Highest hilles have standing pooles in their toppe Inhabitants especially new come are subiect to distillations rhumes and flixes for remedy whereof they use an ordinary drinke of Aqua-vitae so qualified in the making that it dryeth more and inflameth lesse then other hote confections The aire is wholsome not altogether so cleare and subtle as ours of England Of Bees good store no vineyards contrary to the opinion of some writers who both in this and other errours touching the land may easily be excused as those that wrote of hearesay Cambrensis in his time complaineth that Ireland had excesse of wood and very little champaigne ground but now the English pale is too naked Turffe and Sea-coales is their most fuell it is stored of kyne of excellent horses hawkes of fish and fowle They are not without wolves and grey-hounds to hunt them bigger of bone and limme then a colt Their kyne as also their cattle and commonly what els soever the Countrey ingendreth except man is much lesse in quantity then ours of England Sheepe few and those bearing course fleeces whereof they spinne notable rugge mantle The country is very fruitefull both of corne and grasse the grasse for default of Husbandrie not for the cause alleaged in Polychronicon groweth so ranke in the north parts that oft times it rotteth their Kyne Eagles are well knowne to breed heere but neither so bigge nor so many as Bookes tell Cambrensis reporteth of his owne knowledge and I heare it averred by credible persons that Barnacles thousands at once are noted along the shoares to hang by the beakes about the edges of putrified timber shippes oares anchor-holdes and such like which in processe taking lively heate of the Sunne become water-foules and at their time of ripenesse either fall into the sea or fly abroad into the ayre Aeneas Sylvius that after was Pope Pius the second writeth himselfe to have perceaved the like experiment in Scotland where he learned the truth hereof to be found in the Ilands Orchades Horses they have of pace easie in running wonderfull swift Therefore they make of them great store as wherein at times of need they repose a great peice of safetie This broode Raphael Volateranus saith to have come at first from Arturia the country of Spaine betweene Gallicea and Portugall whereof they were called Asturcones a name now properly applyed to the Spanish Iennet I heard it verified by Honourable to Honourable that a Nobleman offered and was refused for one such horse an hundred kyne five pound Lands an Airy of Hawks yearely during seven yeares In the plaine of Kildare stood that monstrous heape of stones brought thither by Gyants from Affrique and removed thence to the plaine of Sarisbury at the instance of Aurel. Ambrose King of Brittaine No venemous creping beast is brought forth or nourished or can live here being sent in and therefore the spider of Ireland is well knowne not to be venemous Onely because a frogge was found living in the Meadowes of Waterford somewhat before the conquest they construed it to import their overthrowe S. Bede writeth that Serpents conveyed hither did presently die being touched with smell of the land and that whatsoever came hence was then of Soveraigne vertue against poyson He exemplifieth in certaine men stung with Adders who dranke in water the scrapings of Bookes that had beene of Ireland and were cured Generally it is observed the further West the lesse annoyance of pestilent creatures The want whereof is to Ireland so peculiar that whereas it lay long in question to whether Realme Brittaine or Ireland the I le of Man should pertaine the said controversie was decided that forsomuch as venemous beasts were knowne to breed therein it could not be counted a naturall peice of Ireland Neither is this propertie to be ascribed to S. Patrickes blessing as they commonly hold but to the originall blessing of God who gave such nature to the situation and soyle from the beginning And though I
assistance of Rodericke Oconor King of Connaght at that season the generall Monarch of all Ireland The subjects of Leinster detesting the quarrell and long ere this time hating their Prince left him desolate in his greatest neede so as with much difficulty he caught his boate and fled over for succour to Henry the 2. King of England then warring upon the Frenchmen within his Dukedome of Aquitaine Somewhat before this season sate in the See of Rome Adrianus 4. an English man borne who having in his youth taken a painefull pilgrimage into Norway and reduced the whole Iland unto Christianity learned distinctly the state of Ireland and how their countrymen which dayly repaired thither being themselves the most part infidels meeting with a people there wilde and furious were like very shortly but if God found remedy to deface religion for though Christ were beleeved and taught yet the multitude eft soone grew to a shamelesse kinde of liberty making no more of necessary points of Doctrine then served their loose humour Besides these occasions Henry the 2. builded upon the Popes favour his borne subject had sent Ambassadours to Rome in the first yeare of his raigne asking leaue to attempt the conquest of Ireland Adrian trusting and requiring a diligent reformation of the premisses graunted his Bull which Alexander his Successour confirmed and ratified upon the same conditions Now when Dermot was come in the very necke of these consultations and put up his complaint wherein he preferred the interest of his Crowne and craved a restitution of some peece of his lands the matter did seeme not all untowardly broached Henry having his hands full with the French because Mac Murrough urged all possible haste could not personaly intend that offer but sent him honourably garded into England with letters patents bearing this Tenour HENRY the second King of England Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine Earle of Angiow To all our true subjects English Normans Welchmen Scotts and to all nations within our Dominions whatsoever Greeting Witt yee that the Bearer hereof Dermot Mac Murrough King of Leinster we have received into the soveraigne protection of our Grace and bounty wherefore who so of you all our loving subjects will extend towards him your ayde for his restoring as to our trusty and welbeloved know yee that he is thereto authorized by these presents and shall deserve at our hands high favour in so doing With these letters and many gay additions of his owne he arrived at Bristow where he fell at conference with Richard Strongbow Earle of Pembroke with whom he covenanted the delivery of his onely daughter and heire unto marriage and so the remainder of his Kingdome If the said Earle would recover him his home That day were planted in Wales two gentlemen Robert Fitz Stephens and Maurice Fitz Gerald brethren of a Mother allyed to Rice ap Griffin then Prince of Wales whose Grand-father was surnamed Rice the great Fitz Stephens had beene high Constable there under the King and for executing rigour upon the Princes servants was with him detained prisoner three yeares ne would in any wise pay ransome or accept the liberty promised him but if the conditions were loyall to the Crowne and to his person no dis-worship Lastly by the mediation of David Bishop of S. Davids the third brother and of Fitz Gerald and at the instance of Mac Murrough whom the Prince entertained in that distresse Fitz Stephens was conditionaly delivered that he and his brother Maurice should the next spring while Strongbow provided his army assist the Irish out-cast who in consideration thereof assured them an estate for ever in the towne of Weixford and two Cantreds adjoyning Thus much firmely concluded on all sides the King stale secretly home and wintered closely among the Cleargie of Fernes According to covenant came Fitz Stephens with 30. Knights of his blood 60. Squiers 300. footemen Archers to whom at his landing Dermot sent in aid his base sonne Duvelnaldus and five hundred speares The towne and suburbes of Weixford marched forth against him But when they saw Souldiours in array diversly dighted and weaponed furnished with artillery barbed horses and harnesse they retyred to their walles and strengthned them burning the villages thereabouts and all the provision they could not carry The assault lasted 3. dayes in the 4. certaine Bishops resciant there tooke up the variance pacified the Townesmen to their King and procured the rendring of the Towne Dermot having tryed the valiantnes of the Welchmen immeadiately kept his touch and gave possession of Weixford with the appurtenances aforesaid to Fitz Stephens and his brother After successe of these matters they leavyed to the number of 3000. Souldiours and devised to vexe the Lords of Vpper Ossory who had beene to the King of all other most cruell and injurious Them they compelled to deliver Trewage and sweare fealty Rodericke the monarch appalled at these newes reared up all the Kings in defence of the land verily supposing that all would to wrecke were it not prevented And first they directed courteous messages and gifts to Fitz Stephens moving him to depart the land quietly and not to molest them without cause To whom he answered that much he wondred at the folly of those Princes who to satisfie their choller had opened such a gappe to their owne prejudice as though the subjects whom they had schooled to breake allyance towards the King of Leinster would not be as ready by this example to learne to withstand the King of Connaght for his owne part though hee might with better reason invade strangers then they could expell their neighbours and their peere yet would they suffer the King to reenter his right they should not finde him stiffe nor untractable otherwise they should well feele that the Bryttons wanted neither abilitie nor truth to maintaine their word Rodericke perceived it was no boote to spurne and therefore bethought himselfe of composition upon agreement they resolved thus Inprimis that Mac Murrough swearing afresh his obedience to the Monarch should quietly repossesse the parts of Leinster which Rodericke with-held by suspensation Secondly that for ensurance thereof he should pledge his dearest base sonne Cnothurn to whom Rodericke promised his daughter if this peace were found effectuall Thirdly that being rested in his kingdome he should discharge the Welch army nor should henceforwards call them over in defence About this time Donatus the good King of Ergall founded the Abbey of Mellyfont which is the eldest that I finde recorded since the Danes arrivall except S. Mary Abbey besides Divelin erected in an 948. The meane while was landed at Weixford Maurice Fitz Gerald with his provision ten Knights thirty Squiers and an hundred Bowmen hereupon Dermot and the two Brethren set their force against Divelin which being the cheife Citty of his Realme refused to yeeld when Divelin and the country about it vvas recover'd there befell hostility between Rodericke and
the inhabitants of the county towne of Corke being tyred with perpetuall oppressions of their Irish borderers complained themselves in a generall writing directed to the Lord of Rutheland and Corke the Kings Deputy and to the Councell of the Realme then assembled at Divelin which Letter because it openeth the decay of those partes and the state of the Realme in times past I have thought good to enter here as it was delivered me by Francis Agard Esquire one of her Majesties privy Councell in Ireland It may please your wisedomes to have pittie of us the Kings poore subjects within the county of Corke or else we be cast away for ever for where there was in this countie these Lords by name besides Knights Esquiers Gentlemen and Yeoman to a great number that might dispend yearelie 800. pounds 600. pounds 400. pounds 200. pounds 100. pounds 100. markes 20. pounds 20. markes 10. pounds some more some lesse to a great number besides these Lords following First the Lord Marquesse Caro his yearely revenues was besides Dorzey Hauen and other Creekes 2200. pounds sterling The Lord Barnevale of Bearehaven his yearely revenues was beside Bearehaven and other Creekes 1600. pounds sterling The Lord Vggan of the great Castle his yearely revenues was besides havens and creekes 1300. pounds sterling The Lord Balram of Emforte his yearely revenues was besides havens and creekes 1300. pounds sterling The Lord Courcy of Kilbretton his yearely revenues besides havens and creekes 1500. pounds sterling The Lord Mandevil of Barrenstelly his yearely revenues besides havens and creekes 1200. pounds sterling The Lord Arundell of the strand his yearely revenues besides havens and creekes 1500. pounds sterling The Lord Baron of the Guard his yearely revenues besides havens and creekes 1100. pounds sterling The Lord Sleynie of Baltimore his yearely revenue besides havens and creekes 800 pounds sterling The Lord Roche of Poole-castle his yearely revenue besides havens and creekes 1000. pounds sterling The Kings Majesty hath the Lands of the late young Barry by forfeiture the yearely revenue whereof besides two rivers and creekes and all other casualties is 1800. pounds sterling And at the end of this Parliament Your Lordship with the Kings most noble Councell may come to Corke and call before you all these Lords and other Irish men and binde them in paine of losse of life lands and goods that never any of them doe make warre upon another without licence or cōmandement of you my Lord Deputy the Kings Councell for the utter destruction of these parts is that onely cause and once all the Irish men and the Kings enemies were driven into a great valley called Glanehought betwixt two great mountaines called Maccorte or the leprous Iland and their they lived long and many yeares with their white meat till at the last these English Lords fell at variance among themselves and then the weakest part tooke certaine Irish men to take his part and so vanquished his enemy and thus fell the English Lords at variance among themselves till the Irish men were stronger then they and drave them away and now have the whole country under them but that the Lord Roche the Lord Courcy and the Lord Barry onely remaine with the least part of their auncestors possessions and young Barry is there upon the Kings portion paying his Grace never a penny Rent Wherefore we the Kings poore subjects of the Citty of Corke Kinsale and Yowghall desire your Lordship to send hither two good Iustices to see this matter ordered and some English Captaines with twenty English men that may be Captaines over us all and we will rise with them to redresse these enormities all at our owne costs And if you doe not we be all cast away and then farewell Mounster for ever And if you will not come nor send we will send over to our Liege Lord the King and complaine on you all Thus farre the letter And at this day the Citty of Corke is so encumbred with unquiet neighbours of great power that they are forced to watch their gates continually to keepe them shut at service times at meales from sunne set to sunne arising nor suffer any stranger to enter there with his weapon but to leave the same at a lodge appointed They walke out for recreation at seasons with strength of men furnished they match in wedlocke among themselves so that welnigh the whole citty is allyed together It is to be hoped that the late sent over Lord President of Mounster Sir Iohn Parrot who hath chosen the same place to abide in as having greatest neede of a Governour resident would ease the inhabitants of this feare and scourge the Irish Outlawes that annoy the whole region of Mounster Henry the 4. in the 10. yeare of his raigne gave the Sword to the Citty of Divelin which Citty was first governed as appeareth by their auncient seale called Signum propositurae by a Provost and in the 14. yeare of H. the 3. by a Major two Bayliffes which Bayliffes were changed into Sheriffes by Charter of Edward the 6. an 1547. This Majorality both for state and charge of that office and for the bountifull hospitality exceedeth any Citty in England except London While Henry the 5. reigned I finde lieutenants and deputyes of Ireland specially remembred Iohn Talbott of Hollamshire Lord of Furnyvall Thomas de Lancaster Senischa of England and Stephen le Scroope his Deputy Iohn Duke of Bedford then also Lord Keeper of England and the noble Earle of Ormond Sir Iames Butler whose grandsire was Iames surnamed the chast for that of all vices hee most abhorred the sinne of the flesh and in subduing of the same gave notable example In the red Moore of Athye the sun almost lodged in the West and miraculously standing still in his epicycle the space of three houres till the feat was accomplished and no pit in that bogge annoying either horse or man on his part he vanquished Omore and his terrible Army with a few of his owne and with the like number Arthur Mac Murrough at whose might and puissance all Leinster trembled To the imitation of this mans worthinesse the compiler of certaine precepts touching the rule of a Common-wealth exciteth his Lord the said Earle in diverse places of that Worke incidently eftsoones putting him in minde that the Irish beene false by kinde that it were expedient and a worke of Charity to execute upon them willfull and malicious transgressours the Kings Lawes somewhat sharpely That Odempsye being winked at a while abused that small time of sufferance to the injury of the Earle of Kildare intruding unjustly upon the Castle of Ley from whence the said Deputy had justly expelled him and put the Earle in possession thereof that notvvithstanding their oathes and pledges yet they are no longer true then they feele themselves the vveaker This Deputye tamed the Obriens the Burckes Mac-banons Ogaghnraghte Manus Mac
Mahowne all the Captaines of Thomond and all this in three moneths The Cleargye of Divelin tvvice every vveeke in solemne procession praying for his good successe against these disordered persons vvhich novv in every quarter of Ireland had degenerated to their olde trade of life and repyned at the English Lieutenants to Henry the sixt over the Realme of Ireland were Edmund Earle of Marche and Iames Earle of Ormond his Deputy Iohn Sutton Knight Lord Dudley and Sir Thomas Strange his Deputy Sir Thomas Standley and Sir Christopher Plonket his Deputy Lyon Lord Welles and the Earle of Ormond his Deputy Iames Earle of Ormond the Kings Lieutenant by himselfe Iohn Earle of Shrewesbury and the Archbishop of Divelin Lord Iustice in his absence Richard Plantaginet Duke of Yorke father of Edward the fourth and Earle of Vlster had the office of Lieutenant by letters Patents during the space of ten yeares who deputed under him at severall times the Baron of Delvin Roland Fitz Eustace knight Iames Earle of Ormond and Thomas Fitz Morrice Earle of Kildare To this Richard then resciant in Divelin was borne within the castle there his second son George Duke of Clarence afterwards drowned in a butt of Malmsey his god fathers at the font were the Earles of Ormond and Desmond Whether the commotion of Iacke Cade an Irish-man borne naming himselfe Mortimer and so clayming cousinage to diverse noble houses proceeded from this crew it is uncertaine surely the Duke was thereof vehemently mistrusted immediatly began his tumults which because our English histories discourse at large I omit as impertinent Those broyles being couched for a time Richard held himselfe in Ireland being lately by Parliament ordained Protector of the Realme of England leaving his agent in the Court his brother the Earle of Salisbury Lord Chauncellour to whom he declared by letters the trouble then toward in Ireland which letter exemplified by Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy a great searcher and preserver of Antiquities as it came to my hands I thinke it convenient here to set downe To the right worshipfull and with all my heart entirely beloved brother the Earle of Shrewesbury RIght worshipfull and with all my heart entirely beloved Brother I commend mee unto you as heartily as I can And like it you to wit that sith I wrote last unto the King our soveraigne Lord his Highnes the Irish enemy that is to say Magoghigan and with him three or foure Irish Captaines associate with a great fellowship of English rebells notwithstanding that they were within the King our Soveraigne Lord his power of great malice and against all truth have maligned against their legiance and vengeably have brent a great towne of mine inheritance in Meth called Ramore and other villages thereabouts and murdered and brent both men women and children without mercy The which enemies be yet assembled in woods and forts wayting to doe the hurt and grievance to the Kings subjects that they can thinke or imagine for which cause I write at this time unto the Kings Highnes and beseech his good grace for to hasten my payment for this land according to his letters of vvarrant novv late directed unto the Treasurer of England to the intent I may vvage men in sufficient number for to resist the malice of the same enemyes and punish them in such vvyse that other vvhich vvould doe the same for lacke of resistance in time may take example for doubtlesse but if my payment bee had in all haste for to have men of vvarre in defence and safeguard of this Land my povver cannot stretch to keepe it in the Kings obeysance And very necessity vvill compell mee to come into England to live there upon my poore livelode for I had lever bee dead then any inconvenience should fall thereunto in my default for it shall never bee chronicled nor remaine in scripture by the grace of God that Ireland vvas lost by my negligence And therefore I beseech you right vvorshipfull brother that you will hold to your hands instantly that my payment may bee had at this time in eschuing all inconveniences for I have example in other places more pitty it is for to dread shame and for to acquite my truth unto the Kings Highnes as my dutie is And this I pray and exhort you good brother to shew unto his good grace and that you will be so good that this language may be enacted at this present Parliament for my excuse in time to come and that you will bee good to my servant Roger Roe the bearer hereof and to mine other servants in such things as they shall pursue unto the kings Highnes And to give full faith and credence unto the report of the said Roger touching the said maters Right worshipfull and with all my heart entirely beloved brother our blessed Lord God preserve and keepe you in all honour prosperous estate and felicity and graunt you right good life and long Written at Divelin the 15. of Iune Your faithfull true brother Richard Yorke Of such power was Magoghigan in those dayes who as he wan and kept it by the sword so now he liveth but a meane Captaine yeelding his winnings to the stronger This is the misery of lawlesse people resembling the wydenesse of the rude vvorld vvherein every man vvas richer or poorer then other as he vvas in might and violence more or lesse enabled Heere beganne factions of the nobility in Ireland favouring diverse sides that strived for the Crovvne of England for Richard in those tenne yeares of government exceedingly tyed unto him the hearts of the noblemen and gentlemen in this land vvhereof diverse vvere scattered and slaine vvith him at Waterford as the contrary part vvas also the next yeare by Edward Earle of Marche the Dukes brother at Mortimers crosse in Wales in vvhich meane time the Irish vvaxed hardye and usurped the English Countreyes insufficiently defended as they had done by like oportunity in the latter end of Richard the second These two seasons did set them so a-floate that henceforwards they could never be cast out from their forcible possessions holding by plaine wrong all Vlster and by certaine Irish Tenures no little portions of Mounster and Connaght left in Meth and Leinster where the civill subjects of English bloud did ever most prevaile CAP. VIII Edward the fourth and Edward his sonne Richard the third Henry the seventh THomas Fitz Morice Earle of Kildare Lord Iustice untill the third yeare of Edward the fourth since which time the Duke of Clarence aforesaid brother to the King had the office of Lieutenant while he lived and made his Deputies in sundry courses Thomas Earle of Desmond Iohn Tiptoft Earle of Worcester the Kings cozen Thomas Earle of Kildare Henry Lord Graye Great was the credit of the Geraldines ever when the house of Yorke prospered and likewise the Butlers thryved under the bloud of Lancaster for
Pyrate prevailed for the time and that the Princes of the land not being able then to withstand his forces yeelded unto the iniquitie of the time and wincked at his rash enterprises And whereas he gave forth his stile King of England they laughed at it and he perceiving the wilinesse and ingeniositie of the people and having small stomacke to continue among them by reason of many mishaps which befell him left the land and went for France to seeke adventures where he ended his dayes Further they write that he had a sonne called Barchard alias Burchared Mac Gurmond whom his father made Duke of Leinster and Baron of Margee He was commonly called O Gormagheyn Hee builded Gurmund grange in Monte Margeo with other memorable things for him and his posterity hee is said to have beene the founder of the mother Church or priorie of old Leighlin but I rather beleeve hee was a Benefactor or endower thereof in the time of Saint Eubanus the originall Patron and that one Lazerianus a Bishop and Confessor Anno 651. procured the perfection of the whole as in the Leighlin records more at large doth appeare Againe it is recorded that Duke Burchard lyeth buried on the North side of the Chancell of that Cathedrall Church over against the Treasurers stall under a marble stone as it was found for certaine Anno 1589. by Thadie Dowlinge Chancellour and others with this Epitaph Hic jacet humatus Dux fundator Leniae i. Leighlenie En Gormondi Burchardus vir gratus Ecclesiae Here lyeth interred Duke Burchard the sonne of Gurmond founder of Leighlin and a gratefull man to the Church There are saith mine Author other remembrances of this in those parts as Gurmunds-grove and Gurmunds-foord the which I overpasse Mons Margeus in Irish Sliewe Marrig or Sliew Marighagha which is the mountaine reaching along by Leighlin to Butlers wood wherin as before I have touched Gurmunds-grange standeth was as I haue learned of old granted to one called de Sancto Leodegario by the name and honour of Baron de Marrighagha but time and place have brought the name to degenerate and turne from English to Irish. Of late yeeres a Gentleman of the name dwelling at Dunganstowne neere Catherlagh affirming himselfe to be lineally descended from Baron Sentleger made claime unto the same but the successe I hearken not after as impertinent to my purpose About the yeere 587. Athelfrid the Saxon King of Northumbers so tyrannized over the Britaines that they were faine to take Ireland for their refuge and Atdan King of Scots pittying their state raised forces to defend them but could not prevaile so great was the miserie of the Britaines Anno Dom. 635. was Cadwallin crowned King of Britaine Caxton and Florilegus write of cruell warres betweene Edwin sonne unto Athelfrid King of Northumbers and Cadwallin how that Edwin made him flee into Ireland destroyed his land cast downe his Castles burnt his Mannors and divided his land among his friends and lastly how that in a good while after Cadwallin came upon him with forces out of Ireland slue Edwin and recovered all his possessions In the dayes of this Cadwallin Kenevalcus otherwise called Cewalch King of West Saxons builded the Church of Winchester made it a Bishops See and the first Bishop he placed there was one Agilbertus who came out of Ireland who in a short time after was deposed say some Grafton with other writers record not the cause but Beda writeth that he was offended for that Kenelwalkus divided the Province into two that he left the See went into France became Bishop of Paris and there ended his dayes and how that Kenelwalkus sent for him againe and againe but his flat answer was for that he had dealt with him so unkindely he would never returne I must here insert that which Cambrensis writeth of the antiquities of Brechinia or Breknoke in this sort there was of old of that country which now is called Brecheinoc a governour that was a man both mighty and Noble whose name was Brachanus of whom the country of Brecheinoc Brecknokshire is so called of whom one thing came unto me worthy the noting the histories of Britaine doe testifie that he had foure and twenty daughters that were all from their childhood brought up in the service of God and happily ended their dayes in the holy purpose they tooke upon them Doctor Powell the great Antiquarie of Britaine in his learned annotations upon him explaineth the same thus This Brachanus saith he was the sonne of one Haulaph King of Ireland his mother was one Mercella the daughter of Theoderike the sonne of Tethphalt a petite King of Garthmarthrin to wit of the country which tooke the name of this Brachanus and at this day is called Brechonia or Brechinia in British Brechinoc in English Breknok This Brachanus had to his daughter one Tydvaell the wife of Congenus the sonne of Cadell a petit King of Powis and the mother of Brochmael surnamed Scithroc who slue Athelfred alias Ethelfred King of Northumberland at the river of Deva called of the Britaines Doverdwy and foyled his armie about the yeere of our Lord 603. Here Breknoktowne and Breknokshire have cause to glorie of Ireland that gave them the name and honour which they hold to this day and Ireland to glory of them that gave their Kings sonne Marcella their Lady and all that country in her right Also I cannot omit another thing of that age the which Grafton reporteth of the Clergie and I finde in Beda more reverently delivered for that I have formerly spoken much of them and shall have occasion to speake something hereafter especially seeing Bedaes words are generall to be understood as well of the one land as of the other if not rather of Ireland considering what hath beene delivered heretofore In those dayes saith Grafton the Monkes and Clergie set all their mindes to serve God and not the world and were wholly given to devotion and not to filling of the panch and pampering of the body wherefore they were then had in great reverence and honour so that they were then received with all worship And as they went by the streetes and wayes men that saw them would runne to them and desire their blessings and well was him then that might give unto them possessions and to build them houses and Churches But as they increased in riches of worldly treasure so they decreased in heauenly treasure as in the dayes of Aluredus some deale began and sithen that time hath sprung not all to the pleasure of God Then they applyed nothing that was worldly but gave themselves to preaching and teaching of the word of our Saviour Iesus Christ and followed in life the doctrine that they preached giving good example to all men And beside that they were utterly void of covetousnesse and received no possessions gladly but were enforced thereunto So farre Grafton Anno Dom.
Queene you my Lord discover it not I. Gormo dyed for sorrow and Thira lamented in one day the departure of her Lord and husband the King the death of her sonne and her owne dolefull widdowhood Anno 939. so writeth Caradoc Abloic a most worthy Prince and Monarch of Ireland deceased Anno 940. after the death of Athelstane his brother Edmund raigned over Britaine He subdued the Danes that remained in Northumberland together with others that came out of Ireland to invade the land with Anlaffe their Captaine saith Fabian he slue some and banished the rest so writeth Cooper Anno 948. the Abbey of the blessed Virgin Mary by Dublin was founded by the Danes Molanus writeth of one Columbanus an Abbot of Irish birth that became a recluse or an anachorist Anno 957. in the Church yard of the Monasterie of Gandavum where he kept the space of two yeeres and there ended his dayes This yeere saith Caradoc Congelach King of Ireland was slaine but he sheweth not where nor how Anno 959. Edgar the sonne of Edmund beganne his raigne over England he reduced all into one Monarchie Camden found in a Charter where Edgar delivered of himselfe that it pleased God of his mercy to grant unto him together with the command of England to subdue all the Ilandish kingdomes of the Ocean together with their fierce and mighty Kings as farre as Norwey and the greatest part of Ireland with Dublin the most noble Citie thereof unto the kingdome of England Anno 966. Rodericke the sonne of Edwall Voell Prince of Wales was slaine by Irish men that landed there for a prey spoyled the country and destroyed Aberfraw Caradoc so complaineth of them Molanus writeth of one Forananus a Bishop which flourished Anno 980. he termeth him Bishop of Domenormor and Metropolitane of Ireland and Scotland where he mightily erred in the name of the place of the person and his stile For hee was Bishop of Dromore in Ireland and no Metropolitane at all but to his purpose hee findeth him among his Saints of Flanders and saith that he was warned in a vision to travaile so that he with a company of Irish Priests arrived in France and came to Rome in the time of Benedict 7. from thence he came backe to the Monasterie of Walciodorum where hee and his Priests became professed Monkes of the order of Saint Benedict for the space of twelve yeeres and there ended their dayes The Monkes there saith he were wont among other Saints at Easter yeerely to call upon him Sancte Foranane ora pro nobis untill that the reformers of Bursfeld wiped him out of the Catalogue of Saints for that he was not canonized by the Church of Rome Anno 988. as I finde in the British Chronicle Elwmaen the sonne of Abloic King of Ireland was slaine and a great number of people dyed with famine that is alwaies the end of civill warres and rebellion in Ireland Anno 1004. the Scots I know not the cause entred Ireland and after their manner as also the Danes did then in England preyed burned and destroyed they tooke Gulfath and Vbiad Irish Lords and put out their eyes they ransacked also the Citie of Dublin Anno 1012. Grace and Dowlinge the Irish Antiquaries doe concurre the English Writers are silent and deliver how that Bernaidus commonly called Brian Bowrow Monarch of Ireland and his sonne Murcath alias Murchardus Mac Brian with other Kings of the land subiect unto him gathered great power and met at Clantarfe nigh Dublin and gave a sore battaile unto Sutraic alias Sutric the sonne of Abloic King of Dublin and unto Moilmordha King of Leinster This Sutric to withstand the Monarch had hired to his aide all manner of strangers he could get by sea or by land as Danes Norwegians Scots Britaines Pirates and sea rovers The fight was desperate the field all bloud a horse they say was sometime to his belly in bloud There were slaine that day of the one side Brian the Monarch and his sonne Murchard of the other side Moilmordha King of Leinster Rodericke the Arch-Pirate and Captaine of the strangers with others of both sides innumerable Sutrick was sore wounded was brought to Dublin and shortly after died of his wound I pray thee gentle Reader who got by the bargaine As farre as ever I could learne a woman set them together by the eares The Booke of Houth after the Irish observation delivereth the story thus There was a Merchant in Dublin commonly called the white Merchant a Dane the fourth sonne of the King of Denmarke who had a faire wife of Irish birth and he being full of iealousie and ready to travaile for merchandize into farre countries desired of Brian Borow Monarch of Ireland that his wife untill his returne might waite upon his Lady soiourne in his house for the safeguard of her person credit and honestie the which was granted and the King undertooke it This Merchant made as speedy a returne as he could and being landed early in a morning with a privy key entred the chamber where his wife lay and found Morogh Mac Brian the Kings sonne in bed with his wife hee wheeled about devising what was best to be done at length resolving himselfe to depart for that time tooke Moroghs sword and put it into his owne scabbard and his into Moroghs scabbard Hee went to the King and complained of the abuse here spoken of the King answered He is my sonne give thou iudgement upon him saith the Merchant let him keepe the whore still I will be revenged upon him and his partakers in the field as soone as possibly may be and I doubt not but all Ireland shall rue the day of this villanie Immediately he went to Denmarke brought over to his aide thirty thousand Danes and Norwegians landed at Clantarfe whereof the field was called the field of Clantarfe hee summoned Morogh and his favourites to fight and thought at the first to have taken Dublin Brian Borow fearing this made more haste then good speed tarried not for the forces of the land that were comming with his sonne Donogh to his aide but rashly with his sonne Morogh the Author of all this mischiefe gave them battaile The which battaile all the forenoone being cruelly fought seemed all to leane on the Irish side but in the afternoone the Danes that were in the rere and yet fresh for any fight they had were directed to wheele about and to take the voward unknowne unto the Irish which fiercely fought and encountred with the wearie and wounded Irish and wonne the field Here was Brian Borow and his sonne Morogh and eleven thousand of the Irish slaine One thing further gentle reader note there was a Priests sonne accounted a tall man of armes who in the beginning of the battaile fled away fearing the hardinesse of the Danes and Norwegians and went to Donogh Mac Brian the brother of Morogh who was comming with forces to the
is that say they the stones of your two foster brethren with that she cast up a wilde look and never beheld him cheerefully againe Ororic her Lord and husband being in pursuit of kerne theeves and outlawes that had mightily annoyed his people in the furthest part of his country she with all celerity supposing it a fit time sent for her lover Dermotte the message was no sooner delivered but hee was a horse backe posting to the Harlot to be short he tooke her away with him at which time O false heart she strugled she cryed as though she were unwilling and that hee forced her Ororic immediately heard of it gathered his forces together mustred his people craved ayde and among others wrote unto Roderick Monarch of Ireland as followeth Though I am not ignorant most renowned Prince that humane causes are to be weighed in the balance of patience and that a man endued with vertue will not effeminate himselfe by reason of the unconstant and mutable minde of a Harlot yet in so much this horrible crime whereof I am fully perswaded came to your eares before my messenger could deliver his letters a thing heretofore not heard of as farre as I remember not practised against any King of Ireland severity causeth me to call for justice when charity admonisheth me not to seeke revengement If thou behold the shame I confesse it redoundeth to me alone if you weigh the cause it is common to us both what confidence shall we repose in our subjects that are bound unto us in regard of our Princely command if this effeminate adulterer or rather queller of chastity shall escape unpunished for so abhominable a fact for the unchastised offences of Princes notoriously committed in the sight of al men breed a most pernitious imitation as precedents unto the people in summe you have sufficient experience of my good will and affection towards you you see mee wounded with the cruell darts of fortune vexed with infinite discommodities and now extremely driven to my utter shifts It remaines seeing I am wholly yours that not onely with counsell being requested but with armes being urged you revenge my quarrell this when you will and as you will not onely I aske but require at your hands Farewell The Monarch for some former quarrell against Dermot was all on fire and joyning forces with Ororic entred Leinster with fire and sword the people cry woe and alacke O bone in Irish now are wee punished for the lewdnesse of our Prince Dermot lulling himselfe in his lovers armes heareth the newes starteth upon a sodaine beholdeth his Lady hath no power to speake runneth forth calleth his men cryeth for aid throughout his country none gave â—are unto him the country thought now whereas they could not that God will be revenged on him for his exactions cruelty tyranny and all other villanies practised upon his subjects and especially for deflouring another mans wife when he saw himselfe quite forsaken voyd and destitute of all ayde he betooke himselfe to the sea and fled for England but what became of the Harlot I cannot learne belike shee hanged her selfe when she had set all the country in uprore Anno 1169. Iohn Clin and Iohn Stow are mine Authors now that Dermot is fled I am to insert a story out of the British Chronicles of Conwey and Strotflur Abbeyes afore I discourse of him which was in the same yeere that he tooke the sea how that Owen Gwyneth Prince of North-Wales had a sonne called Ryryd who in the right of his wife as it seemeth was Lord of Clochran in Ireland and another sonne begotten vpon an Irish woman called Howell and a third sonne called Madoc This Madoc finding his country in great contention and his brethren at civill warres prepared certaine ships with men and munition out of Wales and Ireland and sought adventures by seas he sailed west from the coast of Ireland so farre north that hee came to a land unknowne where he saw many strange things This land in the opinion of Humphrey Lloyde the great Antiquary of Britaine must needs be some part of that country of which the Spaniards affirme themselves to be the first discoverers since Hannos time For by reason and order of cosmographie this land to the which Madoc came must needs be sonne part of Nova-hispania or Florida whereupon it is manifest that the same country was long before discovered by Britaines and Irish men afore either Columbus or Americus Vespatius led any Spaniards thither Of the voyage and returne of this Madoc there be many fables the which I will not report He prepared ships for a second voyage and tooke with him men and women to inhabit that land therefore it is to be presupposed that he and his people inhabited part of those countries for it appeareth by Francis Loves that in Acusanus and other places the people honoured the Crosse whereby it may be gathered that Christians had been there before the comming of the Spaniards but because this people were not many they followed the manners of the land and used their language I am of opinion with others that the land whereunto Madoc came was some part of Mexico first of all for that the inhabitants of that land report their Rulers to have descended from a strange nation that came from a far country which thing is confessed by Mutesuma King of that country in his orations made for quieting of his people at his submission to the King of Castile Hernando Curtecius being then present which is laid downe in the Spanish Chronicles of the conquest of the West-Indies secondly the british words and names of places used in that country to this day doe argue the same as when they talke together they say Gwrando which is hearken or listen in British Also if you peruse Sir Humphrey Gilberts discovery they have a Bird which they call Pengwin in Brittish and Cornish a white-head but the Iland of Corroeso the Cape of Britaine the river of Gwyndoor and the white rocke of Pengwyn be British or Welch words whereby it appeareth that it was that country which Madoc and his people inhabited now remembring my selfe that my pen hath not carryed me so far unto forraigne countries by sea but that I expect Dermots returne by sea and by land into Ireland Dermot Mac Morogh came to Henry 2. in Normandie made his moane as formerly in substance is delivered craved aide for his restitution into his country being a King exiled although distressed and void of comfort unlesse hee might obtaine it at his Majesties hands the Kings hands being full of warres he granted him his favourable letters as followeth Henry King of England Duke of Normandie and Aquitaine Earle of Anjow c. unto all his subiects English Normans Welch and Scots and to all nations and people being his subiects greeting whereas Dermot Prince of Leinster most wrongfully as he enformeth banished out of his owne country hath craved our ayde therefore for
the same Sixtly that all and every good Christian being sicke and weake shall before the Priest and his neighbours make his last Will and Testament and his debts and servants wages being paid all his moveables to be divided if he have any children into three parts whereof one part to be to the Children another to his Wife and the third part to be for the performing of his Will and if so be that hee have no children then the goods to be divided into two parts whereof the one moytie to be to his Wife and the other to the performance of his Will and Testament And if he have no Wife but onely Children then likewise the goods to be divided into two parts whereof the one to himselfe and the other to his children Seventhly that every Christian dying in the Catholike faith shall be reverently brought to the Church and to bee buried as appertaineth Eightly and lastly that all the divine Service in the Church of Ireland shall be kept used and observed in the like order and manner as it is in the Church of England for it is meet and right that as by Gods providence and appointment Ireland is become now subject and under the King of England so the same should take from thence the order and rule and manner how to reforme themselves and to live in better sort Gelasius Primate of Armagh was not at this Synod but at his comming to Dublin hee concurred with his Collegues and confirmed the premises He was a man of great learning godly life and great age when by reason of age sight and strength and stomacke failed him as he travailed he had with him alwaies a white Cow that gave him milke and was his onely sustentation Gilbert succeeded this Gelasius in that See The Antiquaries of that time have recorded that the winter during the Kings abode in Ireland there rose such stormes and tempest by sea and by land that no newes could be heard either out of England or Normandie neither Shippe or Barke crosse the seas untill mid-Lent at what time with an easterly winde there came out of England and Aquitaine in France newes unto the King how that there came into Normandy in France two Cardinals from Alexander the third to wit Albertus and Theodinus to enquire of the death of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury Whereupon the King sent in post before him to signifie that he was returning with all speede and that he would conferre with them in Normandie And leaving Ireland hee was very sorry that time and leisure served not to lay things in better order for the stay of the land And also suspecting the greatnesse of Richard Earle Strangbow whom at that time he tooke with him into England hee appointed to governe Dublin Hugh de Lacy to whom he had given in Fee the territorie of Meth with twenty Gentlemen to his Guard Robert Fitz Stephens and Morice Fitz Girald with twenty others to attend their persons Likewise he left Governours over Waterford Humfrey de Bohune Robert Fitz Bernard and Hugh de Graunt devil with forty persons to their guard Lastly hee assigned over Wexford William Fitz Adelme Philip de Bruesa and Philip de Hastings with twenty to their guard and tooke shipping at Wexford Munday in Easter weeke by sixe a clocke in the morning with full saile and landed the same day about noone at Saint Davids in Wales so writeth Cambrensis in his vaticinall historie and in his Itinerarie of Cambria What time the King was in Ireland there fell a great plague in his army which was some cause of his departure from Dublin to Wexford Cambrensis out of the mouth of the common people attributeth it unto certaine Archers cessed at Finglas that cut downe the trees of the Church-yard and therefore were they iustly punished and left their bones there every one but the British Chronicle and Holinshed also more likely to be true affirmeth that there fell a plague among the Kings souldiers in Ireland by reason of the change of the ayre and victuals and concourse of people corrupting the same The names of the men of account orderly as they came to the conquest of Ireland Dermot Mac Morogh Prince of Leinster after his returne out of England wintred at Fernes expecting the comming of these Conquerours Robert Fitz Stephens the Kings Constable at Abertivy David Barry Hervie de Monte Marisco married Nesta daughter to Maurice Fitz Girald Williâ— Nott. Maurice Prendregast Meilerus Maurice Fitz Girald Reimond le Grosse nephew to Robert Fitz Stephens married with Basilia the sister of Earle Strangbow William Ferrand Richard Strangbow Earle of Penbroke Miles Cogan brethren nephewes to Robert Fitz Stephens and Maurice Fitz Girald Richard Cogan brethren nephewes to Robert Fitz Stephens and Maurice Fitz Girald Henry 2. King of England c. Hugh de Lacy. William Fitz Adelme Raffe Abbot of Bulldewa in Normandie Raffe Archdeacon of Landaff Nicholas the Kings Chaplaine Humphrey de Bohune Robert Fitz Bernard Hugh de Grandevilla Philip de Brensa Philip de Hastings Silvester Giraldus Barry Cambrensis Iohn Ridensford Girald the two sonnes of Maurice Fitz Girald Alexander the two sonnes of Maurice Fitz Girald William Makrell Philip Mercrâ—s William Morice Fitz Girald his eldest sonne married with Elen sister to Earle Strangbow Griffin the sonne of William Fitz Girald the elder brother Philip Welsh Adam Herford brethren ...... Herford brethren ...... Purcell Lievetenant of the Army slaine by the Waterfordians Nich. Wallingford a Prior afterwards Abbot of Malmesburie David Welsh nephew to Reimund Ieffrey Welsh Reimund of Kantan Reimund Fitz Hugh Milo of Saint David Robert Poer Osbert of Hertford Willin Bendâ—ger Adam of Gernemie Hugh Tirell Iohn de Courcey Hugh Cantwell Redmond Cantimore Alliance of the chiefe Conquerours of Ireland Nesta the daughter of Rees ap Tuyder Prince of South-Wales Loved Henry the first King of England father to Henry father to Henry Fitz Henry Meiler Fitz Henry Robert Fitz Henry was maried twice 1 Steven Custos castri Abertivi Robert Fitz SteveÌ„ Rafe Meredâ—calâ—as Meredith Milo 2 Gerald of Windsor WilliaÌ„ Fitz Girald who had issue Reimund le Grosse who married Basilia Strangbowes Sister Griffeth Maurice Fitz Girald William married Ellen Sister to Strangbow Camb. or by others Alma Daughter of Strangbow Girald Alexander Nesta married to Hervie de monte Marisco Milo or Miles David Bishop of Saint Davids Not long after the Kings departure out of Ireland Ororic of Meth craved a parlee with Hughe Delacy pretending reformation of abuses and establishing of perfect love and amity but meant nothing else saving falshood treason and villany the place being appointed Cambrensis calleth it Ororics Hill I take it to be the Hill of Taragh and oathes taken of each side with conditions that all armes should be laid aside and few persons approach to the place Ororic contrary to the covenants laid an ambush that upon a signe or token given by him they should forth
are manie we are but few in comparison of their number afore we give battaile there are 3. things as I take it requisite to be considered the cause wherefore we fight the number of both sides that they be somewhat equally matched and the place where both joyne battaile together I would not have any of my speeches drawn to discourage or dismay any valiāt mind To the first our parentage is knowne we are no base people our valour is tryed our enemy hath the proofe thereof we come not to steale but to be revenged of the theeves that murthered our men robbed us of our necessary provision Secondly where we find our company small and our side weake and the ground not fitting us for any advantage where force cannot further let policie take place my advice is that a begger or a Frier shall goe from us to the Irish campe and informe them that Sir Hugh Delacy came yesternight with a great force to Drogheda and that he saw two miles off a great army of horse and foot somewhat westerly of him which he supposeth to bee the English Army that marched all night from Tradaf towards Dundalke in the meane while my sonne Nico with twenty choice horsemen together with our lackies and horseboies for the greater shew upon our hackneis and garrans shall wheele Westwards on the right hand that it may concurre with the Fryers tale and give us a signe what we shall doe and we will march after to see the event when the enemy hath discried us we shall perceive by his stirring what he meanes to doe if they turne face to us and offer fight our foot shall recouer Dondalke afore theirs and with our horses wee will so handle the matter that we shall sustaine no great losse if they fly and take the river the sea comes in we shall overtake them afore halfe passe over All were well pleased with his device and followed the direction Nico. Saint Laurence with his company wheeles before Sir Iohn de Courcy a loofe followeth after Sir Roger Poer takes the rereward the enemy having discried them takes the river Sir Nico. gave the signe whereupon the English Army give a great shout and followeth their heeles the Irish breake their araie they tumble one upon another in the water the cariage drowns some the sea and the swiftnesse of the tyde take others away such as would not venter the water were slaine by the English Othanlan and his company that had passed the water seeing the slaughter of his men could not come to the rescues by reason of the salt water the Englishmen having quitted that place were directed by the Fryer to a foord on the left hand where they passed over and pursued the rest The Horsemen overtooke the Foot of the Irish and skirmished with them untill Sir Iohn de Courcy came by that time the sea likewise had stopped the Irish from flying at a great water a mile from the Lurgan on the Southside of Dundalk The Irish seeing themselves in this strait turne their faces choose rather to dye with the sword like men then to be drowned in the seas like beasts There were in that place some 6000. Irish and about 1000. English there was no advantage of ground it booted not to fly on any side the coward must in that case try himselfe a man the fight was sore no mercy but dead blowes The foot of the English drew backe Sir Iohn de Courcy their leader was left in the midst of his enemies with a twohanded sword washing and lashing on both sides like a Lion among sheepe saith my Author Nicolas posteth to his father Amoric that was in chase of ths scattred horsemen of the Irish and cried alas father mine uncle Sir Iohn is left alone in the midst of his enemies and the foot have forsaken him with that Sir Amoric lighted killed his horse and said here my sonne take charge of these horsemen and I will lead on the foot company to the rescue of my brother Courcy come on fellow souldiers saith he let us live and dye together He gave the on-set upon the foot of the Irish rescued Sir Iohn Courcy that was sore wounded and with cruell fight in manner out of breath with the sight of him the souldiers take hart and drive the Irish to retreit the slaughter on both sides was great few of the Irish and fewer of the English were left alive The Irish got them to the Fewes and the English to Dundalke but who got the best there is no boast made Not long after Sir Iohn de Courcy went into England where the King in regard of his good service made him Lord of Conoght and Earle of Vlster upon his returne saith Stanihurst which was in the Canicular daies he fought at the Bridge of Ivora a cruell battaile and prostrated his enemies with great honour and for that I find litle written thereof I thought good thus lightly to passe it over as others before me have done After this he builded many Castles in Vlster made bridges mended high wayes repaired Churches and governed the Country in great peace untill the dayes of King Iohn where I shall have further cause to discourse of him Amids these tumults in the North Miles Cogan bestirred himselfe in the West he passed the Shannon into Conoght with 540. men where saith mine Author never Englishman entred before whereupon the Conoght men drove before them all their cattle into the fastnesses carried with thē as much as they could fired the rest with their Townes Villages Houses and Cottages Milo marched as far as Tuam where he rested 8. dayes and finding man and beast fled and the Country barren of victualls he returned towards the Shannon and by the way met with Roderic the Monarch which lay in ambush with three Companies waiting his comming At their meeting they skirmished a long while and fought a cruell fight where the enemy lost many and Milo but three men then hee passed the river and came safely to Dublin Anno William Fitz Adelme the Kings Lievtenant is called into England Hee was a man that did no honour to the King neither good to the Country whom every good man in his life time detested and all Irish Chronicles after his death have defamed In his roome the King appointed Hugh Delacy Deputy of Ireland and joyned in Commission with him Robert Poer Seneschal of Wexford and Waterford Not long after the King sent into Ireland Miles Cogan and Robert Fitz Stephens with others and gave them in regard of their service all South Mounster to with the Kingdome of Corke in Fee for ever to be equally divided betweene them except the City of Corke and one Cantred thereunto adjoyning also he gave unto Philippe de Bruse all North Mounster to wit the Kingdome of Lymerick After they had pacified Dermot Mac Carty Prince of Desmond quieted the Country and divided their territories they conducted Philippe de Bruse to Lymerick to
Robin Hood that he was an Earle and after outrages by him committed he kept the woods his company was of some hundred persons all chosen and picked Archers of singular strength to handle their weapons and such as durst encounter with 400. others they robbed none but the rich as Tanners and Grasiers and Vsurers and Bishops Priests and fat Abbots they shed no bloud they killed no man releeved themselves and the poore also with their spoyles Robin Hood after many theevish feats fell sicke went into a Nunnery in Scotland to be let bloud where he was betrayed and bled to death wherupon the company brake and the crue dispersed themselves every man to shift for himselfe little Iohn came to Ireland with many of his confederates and found in the woods enough to fit his humour and fell so much to his old occupation that he was faine to flye the land In the end he went to Scotland and there died There are memorable acts reported of him which I hold not for truth that he would shoot an arrow a mile off and a great deale more but them I leave among the lyes of the land Anno 1191. the Monasterie de iugo Dei was founded Anno 1193. King Richard after many most valiant exploits in the Holy Land the which I hold not so necessary for this place after the drowning of Fredericke the Emperour and after the sudden and envious departure of Philippe King of France hearing the conspiracy of the said Philippe and the treason of his brother Iohn aspiring to the Crowne of England made peace with the Saladine for three yeres and with a small company returning homewards was taken prisoner by Leopold Duke of Austria who brought him to Henry the Emperour and there kept him in prison a yeere and 5. months untill he had paid his ransome which was Anno 1194. Hee was received into England with the joy and applause of all true harts and having setled the affaires of the Realme in due sort he went into France where he had much a doe with the French King the which for brevities sake I doe omit and yet one memorable act of his I may not omit and thus it was There came unto him one Fulco a Priest who with great courage and boldnesse said Thou hast O Mighty King three daughters very vicious and of evill disposition take good heed of them and betimes provide them good husbands to whom the King in rage answered thâ—u errant lyar and shamelesse hypocrit thou knowest not where thou art nor what thou sayest I weene thou art not well in thy wits for I have never a daughter as the world will beare me witnesse get thee out of our presence To whom Fulco replyed If it like your Grace I lye not but say truth for you have three daughters which continually frequent your Court and more is the pitty wholly possesse your person I meane Pride Covetousnesse and Leachery The King thereat smiled and called his Lords and Barons unto him and related what Fulco had delivered unto him and thereupon gave his resolution Here before you all I doe presently bestow my three daughters First I give my daughter swelling Pride to the proud Templars my greedy daughter Avarice to the covetous Order of the Cistercian Monkes and my daughter Leachery to the wanton Prelats of the Church This noble King went to besiege a Town called Chalus Cheverell in Poitou in the confines of Britaine where unlooked for from the wall of the Towne he was wounded with a venomed arrow out of a Crosbow whereof shortly after hee died afore his death hee sent for him that was the cause of his death forgave him yea gave him money in his purse but after his death he was apprehended and cut off with cruell tortures Lastly King Richard tooke order for his buriall thus he bequeathed his body to Fount Ebrad there to lye at his fathers feet whom in his life time he had offended his heart to Roan that had alwayes been true unto him and his bowels to Chalus Cheverell where he tooke his death for that filth was fit for them that had beene unto him both false and rebellious Mathew Paris hath is Epitaph thus Ad Chalus cecidit Rex regni cardo Richardus His ferus his humilis his agnus his Leopardus Casus erat lucis Chalus Per secula nomen Non intellectum fuerat sed nominis omen Non patuit res clausa fuit sed luce cadente Prodiit in lucem pro casu lucis ademptae Againe of his legacie Pictavus exta ducis sepelit tellusque Chalutis Corpus dat claudi sub marmore fontis Ebrandi Neustria tuque tegis cor inexpugnabile Regis Sic loca per trina se sparsit tanta ruina Nec fuit hoc funus cui sufficeret locus unus Iohn the fift sonne of Henry the second Earle Morton alias Mortaigne and Lord of Ireland as formerly hath beene delivered by the gift of his brother King Richard the first Earle of Cornwall Dorset Sommerset Nottingham Darby Lancaster and in the right of his marriage Earle of Glocester was Crowned at Westminster King of England Anno 1199. Hee was first married to Isabell whom the Britaines called Hawise and the Cornish Avis daughter to Robert Earle of Glocester who for that they were found within the third degree were divorced so that King Iohn left both the Lady Isabell and the Earledome of Glocester whereupon by the advice of Philip King of France he matched in holy wedlocke with Isabell daughter to Amerie Earle of Angolesme This Isabell if not married had beene affianced to Hugh Brune Earle of March a Noble man of Aquitaine who gave battaile in that quarell to King Iohn and was discomfitted yet after the death of King Iohn hee had her to wife Immediatly upon the Coronation of Henry the third who succeeded him broyles beganne in England France and Ireland which had every way a tragicall end Bruse in England Arthure in France and Courcy in Ireland are testimonies thereof But orderly of these as the Nature of the Historie requires Arthure the sonne of Ieffry Plantagenet nephew to King Iohn lived when his uncle Iohn aspired to the Crowne being 16 yeeres of age he was affianced to a daughter of Philippe the French King the said Philippe Knighted him in the field he was Duke of Britain Earle of Anjou Poitiers Maine and Turrow of Normandy He did homage unto his uncle for some and to Philippe for the rest his uncle had him in Iealousie first lest that in processe of time he would make claime to the Crowne secondly for that he adhered too much to the French and the young Prince upon conference with bold spirit told him that he did him wrong and that hee was bound in honour to deliver unto him the Crowne of England with all that thereunto appertained Shortly after it fell out that King Iohn took this Arthure confederate against him with William de
Monastery of Grenard was founded by Richard Tute who shortly after miscarried at Athlone by the fall of a Turret and was buried in the same Monastery About the same time in the yeere 1209. the Monastery of Forte was founded by Walter Lacy Lord of Meth. Anno 1210. and the twelfth yeere of his raigne King Iohn came into Ireland and landed at Waterford with an huge army marvellous well appointed to pacifie that rebellious people that were universally revolted burning spoyling preying and massacring the English Fabian and Graffton alleage the cause that moved the Irishmen to this rebellion to have been for that the King endevord to lay grievous taxes upon them towards his aide in the warres against the French King which they could not brooke and therefore rose in armes against their Soveraigne When hee came to Dublin the whole Countrey fearing his puissance craved peace and flocked unto him along the sea cost the Champian Countries and remote places receiving an oath to bee true and faithfull unto him There were 20. Reguli of the chiefest rulers within Ireland which came to the King to Dublin and there did him homage and fealty as appertained Harding nameth them Lord O Neale and many more Walsingham remembreth Catelus King of Conaght it forceth it not though they misse the right names of place and person it is a fault in manner common to all foraigne writers After this hee marched forwards into the land and tooke into his hands divers Fortresses and strong Holds of his enemies that fled before him for feare to be apprehended as William le Bruse Mathilda his wife William their sonne with their traine of whom I spake before also Walter de Lacy Lord of Meath and Hugh de Lacy Earle of Vlster and Lord Iustice of Ireland fearing his presence fled into France their exaction oppression and tyranny was intolerable Likewise they doubted how to answer the death of Sir Iohn de Courcy Lord of Ratheny and Kilbarrock within 5. miles of Dublin whom they had murthered of especiall malice and deadly hatred First for that he was of the house of Sir Iohn de Courcy Earle of Vlster whom the Lacies alwaies maligned Secondly for that he had made grievous complaints of them in England to King Iohn the tryall whereof they could not abide Vpon the sight of the Lacies King Iohn made Iohn Gray Bishop of Norwich his deputy Of these Lacies it is further remembred in the Booke of Houth and other antiquities how that in France they obscured themselves in the Abbey of S. Taurin and gave themselves to manuall labour as digging delving gardening planting and greffing for daily wages the space of 2. or 3. yeares the Abbot was well pleased with their service and upon a day whether it were by reason of some inkling or secret intelligence given him or otherwise demaunded of them of what birth and parentage they were and what Country they came from when they had acquainted him with the whole hee bemoned their case and undertooke to become a suiter unto the King for them in a word hee obtained the Kings favour for them thus farre that they were put to their fyne and restored to their fromer possessions so that Walter de Lacy paid for the Lordship of Meath 2500. Markes and Hugh his brother for Vlster and Conaght a greater summe Hugh de Lacy in remembrance of this kindnesse which the Abbot shewed them tooke his nephew his brothers sonne with them into Ireland one Alured whom he Knighted and made Lord of the Dengle The Monkes also which out of that Monastery hee had brought with him into Ireland hee honoured greatly and gave them entertainment in Four the which Walter De Lacy had formerly builded King Iohn having pacified the land ordained that the English Lawes should bee used in Ireland appointed 12. English shires with Sheriffes and other Officers to rule the same according unto the English Ordinances hee reformed the Coine and made it uniforme some say it was Gray his Deputy of like weight and finenes and made it currant as well in England as in Ireland When hee had disposed of his affaires and ordred all things at his pleasure he tooke the sea againe with much triumph and landed in England the 30. day of August Anno 1213. When the French King by instigation of Innocentius 3. Bishop of Rome prepared to invade England King Iohn eftsoone understanding thereof made provision accordingly to answer his enterprise and among others the cause why the story is here inserted Holinshed writeth how that to his aid the Bishop of Norwich the Kings Deputy of Ireland levied an Army of 300. foot well appointed beside horsemen which arrived in England to the encouragement of the whole Campe. And as the French was frustrate of his purpose so they shortly returned with great joy to their native Country In the same yeere Viz. 1213. Iohn Comin Archbishop of Dublin departed this life and was buried in the Quire of Christ-Church whom Henry Loudres succeeded in the dayes of this King Iohn This Henry builded the Castle of Dublin and was made Lord Iustice of Ireland His tenants nic-named him Schorchbill or Schorcvillen upon this occasion Hee being peaceably stalled in his Bishopprike summoned all his tennants and farmers at a certain day appointed to make their personall appearance before him and to bring with them such evidences and writings as they enjoyed their holds by the tenants of the day appointed appeared shewed their evidences to their Landlord mistrusting nothing hee had no sooner received them but afore their faces upon a suddain cast them all into a fire secretly provided for the purpose this fact amazed some that they became silent moved others to a stirring choller and furious rage that they regarded neither place nor person but brake into irreverent speeches Thou an Archbishop nay thou art a Schorcvillen an other drew his weapon and said as good for me kill as be killed for when my evidences are burned and my living taken away from me I am killed The Bishop being thus tumult and the imminent danger whipt out at a backe doore His Chaplains Registers and Summoners were well knockt and some of them left for dead They threatned to fire the house over the Bishops head some meane was made for the present time to pacifie their outrage with faire promises that all hereafter should be to their owne content upon this they departed the intent of the promises I cannot learne othersome inveigh against it but in fine complaint thereof being made to Henry 3. the King thought so hardly of the course that he removed him from his Iusticeship and placed in his roome Maurice Fitz Girald of whom hereafter This Loudreds was buried in Christ Church In the same yeere also King Iohn being mightily distressed through the practises of hir Archbishops Bishops Abbots Monkes Priests of his dominions and the Barons of his Kingdome revolting and the inward hatred of the
calmenesse Anno 1327. Donald sonne to Art Mac Morch and Sir Henry Traharne were taken prisoners Anno 1328. Deceased the Lord Thomas Fitz Iohn Earle of Kildare and the Lord Arnold Power and William Earle of Vlster came into Ireland Anno 1329. Iohn Brimingham Earle of Lowth and Peter his brother with many other were slaine on Whitsun even at Balibragan by the men of the Country Also the Lord Thomas Butler and divers other Noble men were slaine by Macgohegan and other Irishmen neere to Molingar Anno 1330. There died Sir Richard Deicetir Also the Earle of Vlster went with a great Army into Mounster upon Obren Also the Prior of the Hospitall then Lord Iustice put the Lord Maurice Fitz Thomas Earle of Desmond into the custody of the Marshall out of the which hee freely escaped And Sir Hugh de Lacy returned into Ireland and obteined peace of the King Anno 1331. The Earle of Vlster went into England and great slaugher was made upon the Irish in O kenslie also the Castle of Arclow was taken by the Irish and great slaughter made of the English ni the Cowlagh by Otothell where Sir Philip Bryt and many others were slaine and the Lord Anthony Lacy came over Lord Iustice of Ireland and great slaugter was made of the Irish at Thurles by the men of the Country and at Finnath in Meath there were many of them slaine by the English also the Castle of Fernis was taken and burned by the Irish also Maurice Fitz Thomas Earle of Desmond was apprehended at Limerick by the Lord Iustice upon the day of the Assumption and sent unto the Castle of Dublin Moreover the Lord Iustice tooke Sir William Birmingham and Walter his sonne at Clomell by a wile whilest hee was sick in his bed and sent them likewise unto the Castle of Dublin on the 19. day of Aprill Anno 1332. Sir William Birmingham was hanged at Dublin but Walter his sonne was delivered by reason hee was within orders Also the Castle of Clonmore was taken by the English and the Castle of Bonrath was destroyed by the Irish of Thomond also Henry Mandevill was sent prisoner to Dublin likewise Walter Burgh with two of his brethren were taken in Conaght by the Earle of Vlster and sent to the Castle of Norburgh also the said Lord Iustice was deposed by the King and went into England with his wife and children and Iohn Darcy was made Lord Iustice and great slaughter was made upon Bren Obren and Mac Carthy in Munster by the English of that Country Anno 1333. The Earle of Desmond by the Parliament held at Dublin was sent over into England unto the King and VVilliam Earle of Vlster in going toward Knock fergus upon the seventh day of Iune was treacherously slaine neere to the foords in Vlster by his owne people but his wife with his daughter and heire escaped into England which daughter was married unto the Lord Lionell the Kings sonne and afterward died at Dublin and had a daughter and heire which was afterward married unto Roger Mortimer Earle of March and Lord of Trim And to revenge the death of the said Earle the Lord Iustice of Ireland with a great Army went into Vlster But before that hee came thither the men of that Country had done the revenge and the Lord Iustice with his Army went into Scotland to the King of England because at that time hee was there in warre and hee left the Lord Thomas Burgh his Lievtenant in Ireland also on Saint Margarets Eve great slaughter was made in Scotland by the Irish and so what by the King in one part and the Lord Iustice in another Scotland was Conquered and Edward Balioll was established King of Scotland and Iohn Darcy came back Lord Iustice of Ireland and delivered VValter Birmingham out of the Castle of Dublin Anno 1336. On Saint Laurence day the Irish of Conaght were discomfited and put to flight by the English of the Country there and there were slaine tenne thousand and one Englishman Anno 1342. And in the sixteenth of King Edward the 3. Pope Benedict deceased Clement the sixth succeeded a man truly of great learning but exceeding prodigall so that hee would bestow upon his Cardinals Church livings in England when they were vacant and would goe about to impose new titles for them For which cause the King of England about the yeere 1344. disannulled the provisions so made by the Pope interdicting upon paine of imprisonment and death that none should bring any of them Anno 1348. There was great mortality in all places especially in and about the Court of Rome Avinion and about the sea coastes of England and Ireland Anno 1349. Deceased Alexander Bignor upon the foureteenth day of Iuly and the same yeere was Iohn de Saint Paul consecrated Archbishop of Dublin Anno 1355. Died Maurice Fitz Thomas Earle of Desmond L. Iustice of Ireland Anno 1356. Deceased the Lord Thomas de Rokesbie L. Iustice of Ireland Anno 1357. Began great variance betwixt Master Richard Fitz Ralphe Primat of Ardmagh and the foure Orders of begging Fryers Anno 1360. Deceaded Richard Archbishop of Ardmagh upon the seventeenth day of the Kalends of December in the Popes Court and Richard Kilminton dyed in England therefore the controversie ceased betwixt the Clergie and the orders of begging Fryers Anno 1361 and in the thirty fourth yeere of K. Edward the third about Easter began a great mortalitie of men consuming many men but few women in England and Ireland Also the same yeere the Lord Lionell Sonne to King Edward the third Duke of Clarence came over the Kings lievetenant into Ireland Anno 1362. deceased Iohn de Saint Paule Archbishop of Dublin on the fift day before the Ides of September Anno 1363. Thomas Minot was consecrated Archbishop of Dublin Anno 1369. the Lord William Windsor came over the Kings Lievetenant in Ireland Anno 1370. there was a third great Pestilence in Ireland And the Lord Gerald Fitz Maurice Earle of Desmond and the Lord Iohn Fitz Richard and the Lord Iohn Fitz Iohn and many other Noble men were taken prisoners and many others were slaine by Obren and Maccoinnard of Thomond in the moneth of Iuly Anno 1372 Sir Robert Asheton came over Lord Iustice of Ireland Anno 1373. there was great warre betwixt the English of Meth and Offerolle in which warre many upon both sides were slaine Anno 1375. Thomas Archbishop of Dublin departed this life and the same yeere was Richard de Wikeford consecrated Archbishop there Anno 1381 Edmund Mortimer the Kings Lievetenant in Ireland Earle of March and Vlster dyet at Coâ—ke Anno 1383. the fourth great Pestilence was in Ireland Anno 1385. Dublin Bridge fell Anno 1387. about Martilmas the Peeres of England rose against those that were of the side of King Richard the second but Robert Veer Duke of Ireland came over to Chester and got together many men and put them in array to march backe toward the
King whom the said Peeres met at Rotcotebridge and slue Thomas Molleners and spoyled the rest neverthelesse the Duke of Ireland escaped But in the same yeere on the morrow after Candlemas day a Parliament beganne at London in which were adjudged the Archbishop of Yorke the Duke of Ireland the Earle of Suffolke c. Anno 1388. foure Lord Iustices of England were banished into Ireland by a decree of the Parliament and it was not lawfull for them either to make lawes or to give counsell upon paine of the sentence of death Anno 1390. Robert de Wikeford Archbishop of Dublin departed this life and the same yeere was Robert Waldebie translated unto the Archbishopricke of Dublin being an Augustine Fryer Anno 1394. and in the seaventeenth yeere of King Richard the second died Anne Queene of England and the same yeere about Michaelmas the King crossed the seas over into Ireland and landed at Waterford the second day of the moneth of October and went back about Shrovetide Anno 1397. Fryer Richard de Northalis of the order of the Carmelites was translated to the Archbishopricke of Dublin and died the same yeere Also the same yeere Thomas de Craulie was consecrated Archbishop of Dublin And Sir Thomas Burgh and Sir Walter Birningham slue sixe hundred Irish men with their Captaine Macdowne Moreover Edmund Earle of March Lord lievetenant of Ireland with the aide of the Earle of Ormond wasted Obren's country and at the winning of his chiefe house hee made seaven Knights to wit Sir Christopher Preston Sir Iohn Bedlow Sir Edmund Loundres Sir Iohn Loundres Sir William Nugent Walter de la Hide and Robert Cadell Anno 1398. and in the two and twentieth of King Richard the second on Ascention day the Tothillis slue forty English men Among whom these were accounted as principall Iohn Fitz Williams Thomas Talbot and Thomas Comyn The same yeere upon Saint Margarets day Edmund Earle of March the Kings lievetenant was slaine with divers other by Obren and other Irishmen of Leinster at Kenlis in Leinster Then was Roger Greye elected Lord Iustice of Ireland The same yeere on the feast day of Saint Marke the Pope and Confessor came to Dublin the Noble Duke of Surrey the Kings lievetenant in Ireland and with him came Thomas Crauly Archbishop of Dublin Anno 1399. and of King Richard the three and twentieth on Sunday being the morrow after Saint Petronilla the Virgins day the illustrious King Richard landed at Waterford with two hundred shippes and the Friday after at Ford in Kenlis in the Countie of Kildare there were slaine two hundred Irish men by Ienicho and other English men and the morrow after the Citizens of Dublin brake into Obrens country slue three and thirty of the Irish and tooke fourescore men women and children The same yeere King Richard came to Dublin upon the fourth Kalends of Iuly where hee was advertized of the comming of Henry Duke of Lancaster into England whereupon he also speedily went over into England and a little while after the same King was taken prisoner by the said Henry and brought to London and there a Parliament was holden the morrow after Michaelmas day in which King Richard was deposed from his kingdome and the said Henry Duke of Lancaster was crowned King of England on the feast day of Saint Edward the Confessor Anno 1400. and in the first yeere of the raigne of King Henry the fourth at Whitsontide the Constable of Dublin Castle and divers others at Stranford in Vlster fought at Sea with the Scots where many Englishmen were slaine and drowned The same yeere on the feast of the Assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary King Henry with a great army entred Scotland and there he was advertized that Owen Glendor with the Welsh men had taken armes against him for which cause he hastened his iourney into Wales Anno 1401. in the second yeere of King Henry the fourth Sir Iohn Stanley the kings Lievetenant in the moneth of May went over into England leaving in his roome Sir William Stanley The same yeere on Bartholomew Eeven arrived in Ireland Stephen Scroope Lievetenant unto the Lord Thomas of Lancaster the kings Lievetenant of Ireland The same yeere on Saint Brices day the Lord Thomas of Lancaster the kings Sonne and Lord Lievetenant of Ireland arrived at Dublin Anno 1402. on the fift Ides of Iuly was the dedication of the Church of the Fryers Preachers in Dublin by the Archbishop of Dublin And the same day the Maior of Dublin namely Iohn Drake with the citizens and townesmen neere to Bre slue of the Irish foure hundred ninety three being all men of warre The same yeere in September a Parliament was held at Dublin during the which in Vrgile Sir Bartholomew Verdon knight Iames White Stephen Gernond and their complies slue Iohn Dowdall Sheriffe of Lowth Anno 1403. in the fourth yeere of king Henry in the moneth of May Sir Walter Betterley Steward of Vlster a right valiant knight was slaine and to the number of thirty other with him The same yeere on Saint Maâ—dlins Eeven neere unto Shrewesbury a battell was fought betweene king Henry and Henry Percy and Thomas Percy then Earle of Worcester which Percyes were slaine and on both sides there were sixe thousand and more slaine in the battaile The same yeere about Martlemas the Lord Thomas of Lancaster the kings Sonne went over into England leaving Stephen Scroope his Deputy there who also in the beginning of Lent sayled over into England and then the Lords of the land chose the Earle of Ormond to be Lord Iustice of Ireland Anno 1404. in the fift yeere of king Henry Iohn Colton Archbishop of Armagh departed this life upon the fift of May unto whom Nicholas Flemming succeeded The same yeere on the day of Saint Vitall the Martyr the Parliament began at Dublin before the Earle of Ormond then Lord Iustice of Ireland where the Statutes of Kilkenny and Dublin were confirmed and likewise the Charter of Ireland The same yeere Patricke Savage was treacherously slaine in Vlster by Mac Kilmori and his brother Richard was given for a pledge who was murthered in the prison after hee had paid two thousand markes The same yeere upon Martilmas day deceased Nicholas Houth Lord of Houth a man of singular honesty Anno 1405. in the sixt yeere of King Henry in the moneth of May three Scottish Barkes were taken two at Greenecastle and one at Dalkay with Captaine Thomas Macgolagh The same yeere the Merchants of Droghedah entred Scotland and tooke pledges and preyes The same yeere on the Eeven of the feast day of the seaven brethren Oghgard was burnt by the Irish. The same yeere in the moneth of Iune Stephen Scroope crossed the seas over into England leaving the Earle of Ormond Lord Iustice of Ireland The same yeere in the moneth of Iune they of Dublin entred Scotland at Saint Ninian and valiantly behaved themselves and afterward they entred Wales and there did much
purchase great Lands and build faire Castles upon the same Of which abuse if any question be moved they have a very seemely colour and excuse that they have no worthy Ministers to bestow them upon but keepe them so bestowed for any such sufficient person as any shall bring unto them Eudox. But is there no law nor ordinance to meet with this mischiefe nor hath it never before beene looked into Iren. Yes it seemes it hath for there is a Statute there enacted in Ireland which seemes to have beene grounded upon a good meaning That whatsoever Englishman of good conversation and sufficiencie shall bee brought unto any of the Bishoppes and nominated unto any living within their Diocesse that is presently voyde that he shall without contradiction be admitted thereunto before any Irish. Eudox. This is surely a very good Law and well provided for this evill whereof you speake but why is not the same observed Iren. I think it is well observed and that none of the Bishops transgresse the same but yet it worketh no reformation thereof for many defects First there are no such sufficient English Ministers sent over as might be presented to anâ— Bishop for any living but the most part of such English as come over thither of themselves are either unlearned or men of some bad note for which they have forsaken England So as the Bishop to whom they shal be presented may justly reject them as incapable and insufficient Secondly the Bishop himselfe is perhappes an Irish man who being made Iudge by that Law of the sufficiencie of the Ministers may at his owne will dislike of the Englishman as unworthy in his opinion and admit of any Irish whom hee shall thinke more for his turne And if hee shall at the instance of any Englishman of countenance there whom hee will not displease accept of any such English Minister as shall bee â—endered unto him yet hee will under hand carry such a hard hand over him or by his Officers wring him so sore that hee will soone make him weary of his poore living Lastly the Benefices themselves are so meane and of so small profite in those Irish Countreyes thorough the ill husbandrie of the Irish people which doe inhabite them that they will not yeelde any competent maintainance for any honest Minister to live upon scarcely to buy him a gowne And were all this redressed as happily it might bee yet what good should any English Minister doe amongst them by teaching or preaching to them which either cannot understand him or will not heare him Or what comfort of life shall he have where his Parishioners are so insatiable so intractable so ill affected to him as they usuall bee to all the English or finally how dare almost any honest Minister that are peaceable civile men commit his safetie to the handes of such Neighbours as the boldest Captaines dare scarcely dwell by Eudox. Little good then I see was by that Statute wrought how ever well intended but the reformation therof must grow higher and be brought from a stronger ordinance then the commaundement or penaltie of a Law which none dare informe or complain of when it is broken but have you any more of those abuses in the Clergy Iren. I would perhappes reckon more but I perceive my speech to grow too long and these may suffise to judge of the generall disorders which raigne amongst them as for the particulars they are too many to be reckoned For the Clergy there excepting the grave Fathers which are in high place about the State and some few others which are lately planted in their new Colledge are generally bad licentious and most disordered Eudox. You have then as I suppose gone thorough those three first parts which you proposed unto your selfe to wit The Inconveniences which you observed in the lawes in the customes and in the Religion of that land The which me thinkes you have so thoroughly touched as that nothing more remaineth to â—e spoken thereof Iren. Not so thoroughly as you suppose that nothing can remaine but so generally as I purposed that is to lay open the generall evills of that Realme which doe hinder the good reformation thereof for to count the particular faults of private men should be a worke too infinite yet some there be of that nature that though they be in private men yet their evill reacheth to a generall hurt as the extortion of Sheriffs and their Sub-sheriffs Bayliffes the corruption of Victuallers Cessors and Purveyors the disorders of Seneschalls Captaines and their Souldiers and many such like All which I will onely name here that their reformation may bee mended in place where it most concerneth But there is one very foule abuse which by the way I may not omit and that is in Captaines who notwithstanding that they are specially imployed to make peace thorough strong execution of warre yet they doe so dandle their doings dallie in the service to them committed as if they would not have the enemy subdued or utterly beaten downe for feare lest afterwardes they should need imployment so be discharged of pay For which cause some of them that are layde in garrison doe so handle the matter that they will doe no great hurt to the enemyes yet for colour sake some men they will kill even halfe with the consent of the enemy being persons either of base regard or enemies to the enemy whose heads eftsoones they send to the Governor for a commendation of their great indevour telling how weighty a service they performed by cutting off such and such dangerous Rebells Eudox. Truely this is a prettie mockerie and not to be permitted by the Governours Iren. But how can the Govrrnour know readily what persons those were what the purpose of their killing was yea what will you say if the Captaines doe iustifie this their course by ensample of some of their Governours which under Benedicite I doe tell it to you doe practise the like sleight in their governments Eudox. Is it possible take heed what you say Irenaeus Iren. To you onely Eudoxus I doe tell it and that even with great hearts griefe and inward trouble of mind to see her Majestie so much abused by some who are put in speciall trust of those great affaires Of which some being martiall men will not doe alwayes what they may for quieting of things but will rather winke at some faults and suffer them unpunished lest they having put all things in that assurance of peace that they might they should seeme afterwards not to be needed nor continued in their governments with so great a charge to her Maiestie And therefore they doe cunningly carry their course of government and from one hand to another doe bandie the service like a Tennis-Ball which they will never strike quite away for feare lest afterwards they should want Eudox. Doe you speake of under Magistrates Irenaeus or principall Governours Iren. I doe speake of no
Brachanus sonne of Haulaph King of Ireland Beda eccles hist. lib. 3. cap. 26. Grafton Priests of former ages Saint Dympna the Virgin Saint Bertwin Hub Tho Comment de Tungris Eburonibus Livinus Molanus nat Sanctori Belgij Chron lib. 13. Arbogastus Anno 646. Fortanus Vltanus Egbertus Wicbertus Willibrodus Saint Switberd Werda given to Saint Switbert Beda lib. 5. cap. 10. Willibrode Switbert Fursaeus Foilanus Vltanus Many other learned men of Irish birth contemporane with Fursaeus Foilanus Fredegand Mombolus Eloquius Saint Autbert Saint Chilian Saint Fiacre Saint Cataldus Saint Finan Saint Sacodine King Indrake Dominica Muriardachus Monarch of Ireland Saint Cuthbert Meldan and Eatan Bishops sonnes to the Monarch of Ireland Anno 684. Saxons in Ireland Beda eccles hist. lib. 4. cap 26. Anno 701. Adamannus his life Gualafer Bishop Saint Rumold Zachar. Lip de vitis Sanct. tom 3. Io. Molanus nat Scotorum Belgiâ— ex Martyrologo Mechlin Virgilius solivagus· Invasions of Norwegianâ— and Danes Anno 799. Turgesius came to Ireland Anno 832. Turgesius slaine Iacob Grace Thad Douling Amelanus Sitaracus and Ivorus Patricke the Abbot Saint Patricks Purgatory Albertus Krantz Dan. lib. 2. Ant. chron p 2. tit 11. cap. 1â— Evill Ficus Modwen Anno 877. Brian and Cornelius Scots at the Band overthrow the Irish. Dublin receive the Scots Cormack Bishop of Dublin Anno 899. Strange wormes Anno Dom. 900. Danes in Ireland Anglesey spoyled by them of Dublin Hawlaffe King of Ireland Bromford saith Grafton Saint Maries Abbey founded by Dublin Forananus his life Scots in Ireland Battaile of Clantarfe Briâ—n Boroave The cause of the field of Clantarfe out of the booke of Houth Saint Pappan Or Midleton Or Llechryd Saint Michan lived Anno 1095. Samuel Bishop of Dublin Malchus first Bishop of Waterford Celsus Bishop of Armagh Malachias Bishop of Armagh The battaile of Monad more Henry 2 was crowned King of England 1154. Anno 1170. Anno 1172. A Charter of agreement betweene Henry 2. Kâ—ng of England and Roderic King of Connoght Castles builded by Sir H de Lacy. Sir H de Lacy. the yonger L. Iustice of lie Oconnor K. of Conaght with 20000. men The conceit is that Chalus was casus lucis A rebellion in Thurles Blacke Monday King Iohn in Ireland Iohn Graye B. of Norwich L. Deputy Castle of Dublin buildeth Schorchbill Maurice Fitz Girald Lord Iustice. Petrus de Supino Petrus Rubeus Pope Gregories agents in Ireland and Scotland were rifled of all they had by the Emperour Andelmus Primate of Armagh The Castle of Sligoe builded Girald Fitz Maurice Ricardus de Burgo in Gascoigne Iohn Fitz Ieffery Lord Iustice Anno 1245. A great Earthquake The Irish comming to aid Ed. Earle of Chester were slaine and their ships suncke The life of Ioannes de Sacro Bosco The Epitaph of Iohannes de Sacro Bosco Stepham Espee Lord Iustice of Ireland The battell of Downe S. Willi. Denne Lord Iustice Anno 1260. Richardus de Chappella Lord Iustice of Ireland Anno 1261. David Barry Lord Iustice Anno 1207. The Fryers Preachers and Minors came to Ireland Maurice Fitz Girald Earle of Desmond drowned Robert Vfford Lord Iustice Anno 1268. The Castle of Roscommon Ric. de Exester Lord Iustice Anno 1269. Othobone the Popes Legat. Iames L. Audley Lord Iustice Anno 1270. The Irish rebels Maurice Fitz Maurice Lord Iustice Anno 1272. called Rochfallath Walter Lord Genevill Lord Iustice Anno 1273. Robert Vfford Lord Iustice Anno 1277. Robert Vfford going into England substituted Fulborne Bishop of Waterford The groats pence halfe pence and farthings were made Waterford burned Robert Fulborne Lord Iustice of Ireland Anno 1281. Dublin burned Galfridus de sancto Leodegario a a Annal. râ—r Anglic. Hibern pag. 729 edit 1625. b b Ex Bibliothecâ Remi in Christo patris D. Iacobi Vsserij Archiep Armachani c c Vid. lib. Status Hiborn edit Dubl an 1621. pag. 427. d d Floruit subinitium reg Edw. 4 e e Floruit sub Hen. 8. * * The originall of the very name of Scythians seemeth to come from shooting vide Selden annot in Poly. olb ex Gorop Becan â—eccesel et Aluvedi lâ—g pag. 122. * * Not he but Herodotus in the life of Homer ** ** These families of Mac-mahones and Mac-swines are by others held to be of the ancient Irish. * * vide annoâ— pag. praeced * * Others hould that he was beheaded at Tredagh 15. Febr. 146â— by the command of Iohn Tipâ—ofâ— Earle of Worcester then Lo Deputy of Ireland for exacting of Coyne and Livery vid. Caâ—den Britan. pag. 738 edit 〈◊〉 an 1607 * * The like reason may be given for the making of such Rathes in Ireland by the Danes or Norwegians vid. Gir. Cambr. topâ—g Hâ—b distinct 3. cap. 37. * * Trinity Colledge by Dublin which was founded by Queene Eliz 3 Martij 159â— The 13. of the same moneth its first stone was laide by Thomas Smyth then Mayor of Dublin and the 9. of Ian 1593. it first admitted Students * * Consulat sâ— placeâ— Camden annal rerum Anglic Hiber ad an 1520. * * The causes of these feares have been amputated since the happy union of England and Scotland established by his late Majesty * * vide â—ed Eccles Hist. lib. 1. cap. 1. * * In Richard Creagh's booke de lingua Hibernica there is a very plentifull collection of Irish words derived from the Brittish or Welch tongue which doth much strengthen the Authors opinion in houlding that the Bâ—rnes Tooles and Cavenaghs with other the ancient inhabitants of the easterne parts were originally Brittish Colonyes vid pag. 32 33. * * Dermot Mac Murrogh King of Leinster who was surnamed also ni-Gall as being a friend to the English and a cheife instrument in inciting them to the conquest of Ireland oâ— O-Birnâ— * * vide Camdeni annales sub senem anni 1594. * * This carrieth no fit proportion for the transplantation intended by the Author considering the large extent of Vlster and the narrow bounds heere limited * * This is now part of the Countie of London-derry * * The County of Clare was anciently accounted part of the Province of Mounster whence it hath the name of Tuadmuan or Thomond which signifieth north Mounster and hath at this day its peculiar Governour as being exempted from the Presidencies of Mounster and Connaght * * This is part of the county of Wexford * * De bis qui plura scire avet consulat D. Hen Spelmanni eq aur Archaeologum in Borsholder Hundred * * Livie speaking of Romulus hath it thus PopuluÌ„ in curias 30. divisit c. Eodem tempore centuriae tres equitum conscriptae sunt And so we have it in Sextus Aurel. Victor's booke de viris illustribus urbis Romae Tres equitum centurias instituit saith he Plebem in triginta curias distribuit * * Richard â—he 2. * * This
which cause the Earle of Desmond remained many yeares Deputy to George Duke of Clarence his god-brother but when he had spoken certaine disdainfull words against the late marryage of King Edward with the Lady Elizabeth Gray the said Lady being now Queene caused his trade of life after the Irish manner contrary to sundry old statutes enacted in that behalfe to be sifted examined by Iohn Earle of Worcester his successour Of which treasons he was attaint and condemned and for the same beheaded at Droghedah Iames the father of this Thomas of Desmond being suffered and not controuled during the government of Richard Duke of Yorke his godsip and of Thomas Earle of Kildare his kinsman put upon the Kings subjects within the Countyes of Waterford Corke Kerry and Limericke the Irish impositions of Coyne and Lyverie Cartings carriages loadings cosherings bonnaght and such like which customes are the very nurse and teat of all Irish enormities and extort from the poore tennants everlasting Sesse allowance of meate and money their bodies and goods in service so that their horses and their Galloglashes lye still upon the Farmers eate them out begger the Countrey foster a sort of idle vagabonds ready to rebell if their Lord commaund them ever nusseled in stealth and robberyes These evill presidents given by the Father the sonne did exercise being Lord Deputy to whome the reformation of that disorder especially belonged notwithstanding the same fault being winked at in others and with such rigour avenged in him it was manifestly taken for a quarrell sought and picked Two yeares after the said Earle of Worcester lost his head while Henry the 6. taken out of the towre was set up againe and King Edward proclaymed Vsurper and then was Kildare enlarged whom being likewise attainte they thought also to have ridde and shortly both the Earles of Kildare and Desmond were restored to their bloud by Parliament Sir Rowland Eustace Knight sometimes Treasurer and Lord Chauncellour and lastly Lord Deputye of Ireland founded Saint Frauncis Abbey besides Kilkullen bridge Edward a yeare before his death honoured his yonger son Richard the infant Duke of Yorke with the title of Lieutenant over this Land But his unnaturall Vnkle Richard the Third when hee had murdered the childe and the elder brother called Edward the 5. He then preferred to that Office his ovvne sonne Edward vvhose Deputy was Gerald Earle of Kildare and bare that office a vvhile in Henry the 7. his dayes To whom came the vvylie Priest Sir Richard Symonds presented a lad his scholler named Lambert vvhom he fained to be the son of George Duke of Clarence lately escaped the tovvre of Londō And the child could his pedegree so readily and had learned of the Priest such princely behaviour that he lightly moved the said Earle and many Nobles of Ireland tendering the Seed Royall of Richard Plantagenet and George his sonne as also maligning the advancement of the house of Lancaster in Henry the seventh either to thinke or make the world weene they thought verily this childe to bee Edward Earle of Warwicke the Duke of Clarences lawfull Sonne And although King Henry more then halfe marred their sport in shewing the right Earle through all the streetes of London yet the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Burgoine sister to Edward the fourth Iohn de la Poole her Nephew the Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Broughton Knight and diverse other Captaines of this conspiracy devised to abuse the colour of this young Earles name for preferring their purpose which if it came to good they agreed to depose Lambert and to erect the very Earle indeed now prisoner in the towre for whose quarrell had they pretended to fight they deemed it likely hee should have beene made away Wherefore it was blazed in Ireland that the King to mocke his subjects had schooled a Boy to take upon him the Earle of Warwickes name and had shewed him about London to blinde the eyes of simple folkes and to defeate the lawfull Inheritour of the good Duke of Clarence their countryman and Protectour during his life to whose linage they also derived a title of the Crowne In all haste they assembled at Divelin and there in Christ-Church they Crowned this Idoll honouring him with titles imperiall feasting and triumphing rearing mighty shoutes and cryes carrying him from thence to the Kings Castle upon tall mens shoulders that he might be seene and noted as he was surely an honourable Boy to looke upon Thereupon ensued the Battle of Stoke wherein Lambert and his Master were taken but never executed the Earle of Lincolne the Lord Lovel Martine Swarte the Almaigne Captaine and Morice Fitz Thomas Captaine of the Irish were slaine and all their power discomfited Iasper Duke of Bedford and Earle of Penbroke Lieutenant and VValter Archbishop of Divelin his Deputy In this time befell another like illusion of Ireland procured from the Dutchesse aforesaid and certaine Nobles of England whereby was exalted as rightfull King of England and undoubted Earle of Vlster the counterfeit Richard Duke of Yorke preserved from King Richards cruelty as his adherents faced the matter downe and with this maygame lord named indeede Peter in scorne Perkin VVarbecke flattered themselves many yeares Then was Sir Edward Poynings Knight sent over Lord Deputy with commission to apprehend his principall partners in Ireland amongst whom was named Gerald Fitz Gerald Earle of Kildare whose purgation the King notwithstanding diverse avouching the contrary did accept After much adoe Perkin taken confessed under his owne hand-writing the course of all his proceedings whereof so much as concerneth Ireland I have heere borrowed out of Halles Chronicles I being borne in Flaunders in the towne of Turney put my selfe in service with a Britton called Pregent Meno the which brought me with him into Ireland and when wee were there arrived in the towne of Corke they of the towne because I was arrayed with some cloathes of silke of my said Masters threeped upon me that I should be the Duke of Clarences sonne that was before time at Divelin and forasmuch as I denyed it there was brought unto me the Holy Evangelists and the Crosse by the Major of the towne called Iohn Lewellin and there I tooke my oath that I was not the said Dukes sonne nor none of his blood After this came to me an English man whose name was Stephen Poytowe vvith one Iohn VValter and svvare to me that they knevv well that I vvas King Richards Bastard sonne to whom I answered vvith like oathes that I vvas not And then they advised me not to be affraide but that I should take it upon me boldly And if I vvould so doe they vvould assist me with all their povver against the King of England and not onely they but they vvere assured that the Earles of Desmond and Kildare should doe the same for they passed not vvhat part they tooke so they might be avenged
extortion cruelty tyranny and other damnable offences iustly exiled now sheweth no Princely stomacke but a base Wolvish minde for when 300. of the Ossory mens heads were throwne at his feete alas they had not offended hee viewed them all and finding one whom he knew and mortally hated he held him by the head and eares and most brutishly with his teeth bit the nose and lips of the dead whom without the ayde of the Britaines hee durst not behold in the face In this bloudy course Dermot directed these worthy warriours they more affecting the prey for their present maintenance then the bloud of any person to spoyle burne waste the country and murther the poore and seely people which God wot meant no harme whereupon Donald Prince of Ossory despising Dermot Mac Morogh by the advice of his Councell and friends sent to Robert Fitz Stephens in writing as followeth Sir Knight of Noble race renowned for martiall prowesse Donald Prince of Ossory sendeth greeting Dermot that damnable adulterer in his owne person with the King of Meths wife and in his sonnes person with my wife have drawne thee and those Gallants most worthy Knights into this poore country and naked people I will yeeld my selfe it is for the good of my poore followers into thy hands peace I crave and peace let me have Robert Fitz Stephens acquainted Dermot Mac Morogh with the premises of all sides the Irish dissembled as hereafter shall further appeare peace they granted and they acknowledged Dermot for their Lord and Soveraigne In all this service I may not conceale what Cambrensis delivereth David Barry and Meilerius effected singular exployts and deserved no lesse commendations As soone as the good successe of Dermot and the strangers lately arrived was spread abroad Rory Oconochor alias Rodericke King of Connaught Monarch of Ireland called the Princes and Nobles of the land together and layeth before them the dangerous estate and imminent perill of the whole land how Dermot guilefully had trayned in strangers how hee and the strangers were like to ouer-runne all unlesse with all expedition this mischiefe were prevented in summe they concluded that every man shall to his Armes and make ready horse and foot and set upon these invaders Dermot Mac Morogh having certaine knowledge of this great separation and mischiefe intended and his false harted subjects that lately fawned vpon him were fled to the enemies fearing the puisance of the Monarch and the forces of the whole land called Robert Fits Stephens and said vnto him Fortune is fickle our state is an ague that commeth by fits my friends fleet away and argue false hearts no marvaile though I bee disquieted if you stick not to mee I am undone Robert Fitz Stephens replied Wee have left behind us our deare friends and our native soyle wee have fired all our shippes not upon intent to runne away wee haue already in armes ingaged our lives fall out as fall out may wee will live and dye together bee you true to us wee will not bee false to you Dermot hereupon gathering his spirits together got him and his followers to a certaine fastenesse not farre from Fernes where hee intrenched and plashed himselfe being invironed with woods hils rockes bogges and waters a place to mans seeming inaccessible and invincible to endure for a while wandring clowds and threatning stormes of his adversaries to vanish and bee caried away with waving winds of fortune and unfortunate warres Whose foresight and ready wit Robert Fitz Stephens highly commended Immediatly there came a Messenger from Roderic the Monarch unto Robert Fitz Stephens with this message The Britans may not by the Lawes of Armes display their Banners and Ensignes in forreine possessions and dispose the lawfull heires of their inheritance but they are with licence of the Irish to pack home whence they came It is a blemish for the Brittish nation iniuriously to giue aide to a shamefull fact neither may the lechery of Dermot be mantled under British cloaks wherefore depart and forsake him that is forsaken of God and man And here by my messenger receive to defray your charges and transport you to your native soyle Robert Fitz Stephens answereth your present I will not accept faith and troth I have pawned to my friend Dermot I will not breake hee forsakes not me I will not forsake him neither leave him distressed you speake of lechery what is that among martiall men I heare you have Bastards your selfe to what end is your embassie If Roderick give councell we need it not if he Prophecie we credit not his oracle if he command as a Prince we obey not his autority if hee threaten as an enemie a figge for his Monarchy The messenger returned with small welcome going and comming Roderic bethought himselfe againe and sent letters to Dermot perswading him to be at peace with his country people and to banish the strangers out of the Land he rejected his councell and despiseth the messenger Roderic seeing that his private practises tooke small effect put himselfe in armes assembleth his forces and delivereth unto them these speeches You right worthy and valiant defenders of your Country and liberty Consider with what people and for what cause wee are now to fight and wage battell the enemy of his owne Country the tyrant over his owne people the exile fugitive behold hee is returned backed with strangers and purposeth to destroy us and the whole Nation hee being an enemy hath brought in those enemies which have beene ever hatefull unto us all and are most greedy to have the Soveraignty and Dominion over us all protesting openly and firmely avouching that by fatall destiny they are to bee Commanders over this land And so farre hath he poured out his venome that there is no favour nor mercy to be looked for at his hands O cruell beast yea more cruell then ever was beast who lately bit with his owne teeth the nose and lips of the dead he to satisfie his insatiable malice and bloudy minde spareth neither man woman nor childe he deserveth well to be hated of all that opposeth himselfe an enemy to all wherefore my loving and deere country men be well advised looke about you and consider advisedly how by the like meanes I meane civill warres all Realmes and nations for the most part have beene overthrowne and brought to utter ruine Iulius Caesar attempted the invasion of Britaine was twice foyled and indured the repulse but when Androgeus Duke of London fell at variance with the King to be revenged sent for Iulius who thereupon returning subdued the land The Britaines being at discord and hating their vicious King Careticus the Saxons finding opportunitie to over-runne all sent for Gurmundus the arch-Pirate and terror of the Ocean seas who ioyning forces together foyled the Britaines and banished their King not long after Isembert aspiring to the Crowne of France procured the said Gurmund to his ayde behold the end Gurmund was slaine Isembert overthrowne
and his whole practise came to nought Wherefore let us with one minde like those valiant Frenchmen in our rightfull cause in the defence of our country and safeguard of the lives of our wives and children couragiously give the onset upon our enemies And whiles these strangers are but few in number let us stoutly issue out upon them The fire while it is but in embers and sparkles may easily be covered with ashes but if it breake into flames it is hard to be quenched wherefore it is expedient we stoppe beginnings and prevent sicknesse when it creepeth least when it takes roote it will hardly be cured wherefore cheere my hearts wee fight for our country and liberty let us leave unto our posterity an immortall fame let us march on and lustily assault them that the overthrow of a few may be a terrour to many and that it may be a president unto all forraigne Potentates never to attempt the like againe Dermot Mac Morogh and his men receive intelligence of this march and the approach of the enemy and beholding his men somewhat dismaid turned him to them with loving countenance yee men of Leynster my naturall subjects of my flesh and bloud whom loyalty truth and kindred hath hitherto lincked together let us live together and dye together in the defence of our persons and country you see how that wicked and ambitious minded Rodericke the Author of many mischiefes not contented with his owne country and kingdome seeketh now the soveraignty and dominion over the whole land the which I hope God will not permit You see his glory his pride and audacious attempts how he lifteth up his head and looketh aloft he trusteth to his multitude doubt you not but that God is on our side and the rightfull cause ours though wee of country birth to you Leinster men I speake bee not so many as they are neither so well appointed it forceth not for victory is not measured by multitude but by valour and courage and oftentimes wee know that a few stout and hardy men have foiled troupes of sluggards dastards and white liverd Souldiers If you mistrust any defect in your selves behold a present supply at your back and elbow Doe not you see these Worthy Knights these Valiant Warriers these Noble gallants the flowre of Brittaine their valour in part you have sufficiently tryed their furniture excelleth their order and aray is most comely they have forsaken their native soyle their friends and kindred and all for our sakes will they fly no they have burned their Ships the Land will yeeld them neither succour nor refuge neither will the bloody tyrant Roderic shew any mercy wee are sworne the one to the other while breath lasteth and life endureth If the enemy pretend with the sword to chastise us for our sinnes as it appeareth by their slaunderous shamelesse reports alas what have you done God knoweth your consciences are cleare your cause honest to take Armes in defence of your Prince and Countrey Why doe they not behold the blemishes nay the hainous enormities and villanies that raigne among them Their carrows their kerne their theeves their murders their swearing their lying their drunkennesse their whordome and bloody minds who reformeth The Tyrant Roderic hath murdered his owne naturall brother hee hath three wives alive he hath eleven bastards by severall women O villaine to behold a mote in our eye and cannot see a beame in his owne If the tyrant make challenge and pretend title to Leinster because the same hath sometimes beene tributarie to some one King of Connoght by the same reason also may wee demand and challenge all Connoght for our ancestors have beene sole Governours of both and Monarchs of all Ireland The Lawes of all Nations doe permit and allow to resist and withstand force and injury with force and strength Let us be of good courage wee stand vpon a good ground our seat is naturally very strong of it selfe now by our industry made more defensive feare nothing quit your selves like men When Dermot had made an end of his Irish Oration Robert Fitz Stephens in the Brittish tongue turneth him to the Brittaines You my companions in martiall affaires you lusty young gallants that have endured with me many perils yet still retaine your noble and valiant courage consider whence wee came what wee are and the cause we have in hand we are lineally descended from Troy whose fame hath filled the whole earth and now lately some of us out of Normandy have seated our selves in Brittaine and have to our wives children and kindred of the ancient and noble Brittish race of the one we cary our valiant and noble mind of the other wee learned the experience in feates of Armes wee are not come hither as pirats and theeves to robbe and spoile as it is well knowne unto you wee had our native soile to inhabit wee had our kindred about us and the countenance of great persons wee came after the course of the World as Marshall men but in an honest cause to take our adventures Heere wee are our friends are with us our foes are in armes against us wee are well appointed the enemy is but a wilde naked rasâ—all and savage people feare nothing our cause is good Dermot sought us we sought not him hee loveth our nation and our friends in former times have found friendship in his Countrey hee is a Prince lately exiled whose fall is more to be pittied then envied we are to comfort him to aide him and to restore him to his Kingdome It is more honorable to make then to be a King and to restore then to exile he is a Prince of a bountifull mind hee hath promised large for us and our heires after us hee hath in part already most faithfully performed his yeeres are many and his daies are but few after him wee shall enjoie his and if we overcome the enemy wee shall possesse all feare not death it is but a short delay betweene transitory and eternall life it is but a short passage from vaine and temporall delights to certaine and perpetuall joies if we conquer here wee shall inherit here and purchase unto us immortall fame if we misse here we are sure of a Kingdome in another world Roderic considering with himselfe the events of warres how doubtfull and uncertaine they are wrought all meanes to intreat for peace being timerous to adventure battaile with strangers whose force hee mightily feared and whose puissance and valour being renowned he was loth to encounter withall he sent messengers unto Dermot Mac Morogh promising him that hee and his heires should in peace and quietnesse enjoy all Leinster and acknowledge him for his chiefe King and Monarch and to yeeld unto him the service and homage that to that belonged and that he should deliver him his sonne Cunthurus Cnothurinus saith Stanyhurst for pledge and hostage And if the peace were truly kept and performed Roderic promised to give him his