in the yeere 432 and lyeth buried at Loghry in Ormund where there is a Church dedicated to his name and he is numbred among the Confessors of Ireland And to second this fable with two precedent lies the which I should haue begun withall in the front of this History as all Irish Antiquaries doe but that I would not abuse the reader being purposed beginning and ending to deliuer the truth I read as followeth Whereas in the yeere of the world 1525 Noah began to admonish the people of vengeance to come by a generall deluge for the wickednesse and detestable sinne of man and continued his admonition 120 yeeres building an Arke for the safegard of himselfe and his family one Cesara say they according vnto others Cesarea a Neece of Noah when others seemed to neglect this forewarning rigging a navy committed her selfe with her adherents to the seas to seeke adventures and to avoid the plagues that were to fall there arrived in Ireland with her three men Bithi Laigria and Fintan and fifty women within forty dayes after her arrivall the universall flood came upon them and those parts as well as upon the rest of the world and drowned them all in which perplexity of minde and imminent danger beholding the waves overwhelming all things before their eyes Fintan is said to have beene transformed into a Salmon and to have swoome all the time of the deluge about Vlster and after the fall of the water recovering his former shape to have lived longer then Adam and to have delivered strange things to the posterity so that of him the common speech riseth If I had lived Fintans yeeres I could say much But to let these fables passe The next plantation after Bartholanus as it is recorded amongst the collections of Irish antiquities is this in effect that Magog the sonne of Iaphet planted Colonies in Scythia neere the river of Tanais from whence about the yeere of the world two thousand three hundred and seventeene one Nemedus with his foure sonnes Starius Garbaneles Anvinus and Fergusius Captains over great companies of armed men were sent into this Island now called Ireland And passing by Graecia tooke with them such voluntaries as were willing to adventure with them they landed inhabited the Country and multiplied exceedingly although not without continuall warres which they held with the Giants of Chams posterity for the space of two hundred yeeres and odde In the end the Giants prevailing chased them out of the land so that they retired into Scythia and some to Greece This was about the yeere after the creation 2333 from which time the Giants kept possession of the land without forraigne invasion for many yeeres but yet in all that space their mindes not being set upon any goodnesse but altogether upon mischiefe they made no good lawes framed no common wealth they obeyed no Magistrate but fell at variance amongst themselues measuring all things by might and seditiously vexed each other In the yeere of the world 2416 and after the universall flood 750 yeeres as the Scottish History declareth one Gathelus the sonne of Nealus a Grecian upon displeasure for sundry rodes made into Macedonia and Achaia being exiled and banished his countrey with a great number of his adherents and complices went into Aegypt in the dayes of Moses where he found favour in the sight of King Pharaoh insomuch that he married with Scota his daughter continued there about 93 yeeres and multiplied exceedingly Iohannes Major Scotus calleth the verity of this History in question de hac prima profectione de Graecia Aegypto figmentum reor I am of opinion saith hee that this first going out of Greece and Aegypt is but fayned yet let us goe forward When Gathelus understood that the land was shortly for the wickednesse of the people to suffer great plagues he prepared a fleet shipped Grecians and Aegyptians hoised up saile and came upon the coast of Numidia now called Barbary thence they were put back to sea they went and came to the coast of Spaine now called Portingall as they say since that time of him called Port-gathell The inhabitants of the place resisted them gave them a sore battell and in the end after parlie Gathelus was intreated and by them directed to take his voyage into Galitia which eftsoones he did There in a short time they waxed so populous that the countrey could not sustaine them whereupon Gathelus called a Councell and being resolved what to doe tooke a great number of them with him to sea and arrived in Ireland and there grew into such estimation with the barbarous people that for knowledge especially in all languages having travelled many Countreys as is afore mentioned he was highly honoured For he not only enriched and beautified the Irish tongue but also as is said taught them letters sought up their antiquities and trained their youth in warlike exercises after the manner of the Grecians and Aegyptians from whence he descended Note here gentle reader before I wade further into this History three contrary opinions of this Gathelus the sonne of Nealus The Scottish Historiographers say it was 750 yeeres after the flood Thomas Walsingham Monke of S. Albons writeth it was 1000 yeeres and odde after the delivery of the children of Israel out of Aegypt which must be anno mundi 3455 to wit one 1000 yeeres after the former computation calling him a noble man of Scythia whom the Aegyptians banished out of Aegypt Iohn Harding a great Antiquary that knew best in his time the state of Scotland delivereth that Gathelus and Scota came to these parts after the birth of Christ in anno 75. This I give as a caveat referring unto the discreet reader the dissonance that I finde in the observation of times to bee considered of promising to lay downe faithfully euery thing as I finde the same as shall appeare in that which followeth And now to the history where we left It is said that this Gathelus of his wife Scota commanded that his followers Grecians and Aegyptians should be called Scoti that is Scottishmen And Hector Boëtius in the History of Scotland sticketh not to write that upon his marriage with Scota the foresaid commandement was published and that his followers in Aegypt Barbary Portingall Galitia and over Spaine were called Scoti But how true that is it may appeare by the Roman Histories which haue noted the accidents of those times in all which there is no mention of the Scots before the time of Constantius the Emperour which was about the yeere of Christ 310 who lyeth buried at York and was father to Constantine the great Paulus lovius writeth Scotland tooke that name upon the comming of a forraine and no great ancient nation No Latine writer before Marcellinus in Iulian the Emperours time which was about the yeere 362 remembreth the Scots neither doth it well appeare out of what Country the Scots first came into Albion when as by the Annals not only
doubt not but it fared the better in many respects for that holy mans prayer yet had it this condition notified hundred of yeares ere he was borne CAP. IIII. Of the Irish tongue and the name Hibernia Ireland I Finde it solemnely avouched in some of their pamphlets that Gathelus and after him Simon Brecke divised their language out of all other tongues then extant in the world But considering the course of enterchanging and blending speeches together not by invention of Arte but by use of talke I am rather led to beleeve seeing Ireland was inhabited within one yeare after the devision of the tongues that Bastolenus a braunch of Iapheth who first seased upon Ireland brought hither the same kinde of Speech some one of the seventie two Languages that to his family befell at the dissolution of Babell unto whom succeeded the Scithians Grecians Aegyptians Spaniards Danes of all which this tongue must needes have borrowed part but specially retaining the steps of Spanish then spoken in Granado as from their mightiest auncestors Since then to Henry Fitz Empresse the Conquerour no such invasion happened them as whereby they might be driven to infect their native language untouched in manner for the space of 1700. yeares after the arrivall of Hiberius The tongue is sharpe and sententious offereth great occasion to quicke apothegmes and proper allusions wherefore their common Iesters Bards and Rymers are said to delight passingly those that conceive the grace and propriety of the tongue But the true Irish indeede differeth somuch from that they commonly speake that scarce one among five score can either write read or understand it Therefore it is prescribed among certaine their Poets and other Students of Antiquitie Touching the name Ibernia the learned are not yet agreed Some write it Hibernia and suppose that the strangers finding it in an odde end of the world wet and frosty tooke it at the first for a very cold country and accordingly named it as to say the winter land Another bringeth a guesse of Irlamal of whom because I read nothing I neither build upon that conjecture nor controll it Thirdly they fetch it from Hiberus the Spaniard Most credibly it is held that the Spaniards their founders for devotion toward Spaine called then Iberia and the rather for that themselves had dwelled besides the famous river Iberus named this land Iberia for so Iohn Leland and many forraine Chroniclers write it or Ibernia adding the letter n. for difference sake there being a rich Citty which Ptolome recounteth called then Ibernis from Ibernia proceedeth Iberland or Iuerland from Iuerland by contraction Ireland for so much as in corruption of common talke wee finde that v with his vowell are easily lost and suppressed So wee say ere for ever ore for over ene for even nere for never shoole for shovell dile for divell At the same time it was also named Scotia in reverence of Scota the wife of Gathelus auncient Capitaine of those Iberians that flitted from Spaine into Ireland And the said Scota was olde grandame to Hiberus and Hirimon after the Scottish Chronicles who in any wise will have their Countrymen derived from the Irish and not from the Brittaines CAP. V. Dispositions of the People THE People are thus inclined religious franke amorous irefull sufferable of paines infinite very glorious many sorcerers excellent horsemen delighted with Warres great almes-givers passing in hospitalitie the lewder sort both Clarkes and Lay-men are sensuall and loose to leachery above measure The same being vertuously bred up or reformed are such mirrours of holinesse and austeritie that other Nations retaine but a shewe or shadow of devotion in comparison of them As for abstinence and fasting which these dayes make so dangerous this is to them a familiar kinde of chastisement In which vertue and diverse other how farre the best excell so farre in gluttonie and other hatefull crimes the vitious they are worse then too badde They follow the dead corpes to the grave with howlings and barbarous out-cryes pittyfull in apparance whereof grew as I suppose the Proverbe to weepe Irish. The uplandish are lightly abused to believe and avouche idle miracles and revelations vaine and childish greedy of prayse they bee and fearefull of dishonour And to this end they esteeme their Poets who write Irish learnedly and penne their sonnetts heroicall for the which they are bountifully rewarded But if they send out libells in disprayse thereof the Gentlemen especially the meere Irish stand in great awe They love tenderly their foster children and bequeathe to them a childes portion whereby they nourish sure friendshippe so beneficiall every way that commonly five hundreth kyne and better are given in reward to winne a noble mans childe to foster They are sharpe-witted lovers of learning capable of any studie whereunto they bend themselves constant in travaile adventerous intractable kinde-hearted secret in displeasure Hitherto the Irish of both sortes meere and English are affected much indifferently saving that in these by good order and breaking the same vertues are farre more pregnant In those others by licentious and evill custome the same faults are more extreame and odious I say by licentious and evill custome for that there is daylie tryall of good natures among them How soone they bee reclaymed and to what rare gifts of grace and wisedome they doe and have aspired Againe the very English of birth conversant with the brutish sort of that people become degenerate in short space and are quite altered into the worst ranke of Irish Rogues such a force hath education to make or marre It is further to bee knowne that the simple Irish are utterly another people then our Englishe in Ireland whome they call despitefully boddai Sassoni's and boddai Ghalt that is English and Saxon churles because of their English auncestors planted heere with the Conquest and sithence with descent hath lasted now 400. yeares Of this people therefore severally by themselves I must intreate Yet none otherwise then as they stand unfiled and serve their accustomed humours with whom I joyne all such as either by living neere them or by liking their trade are transformed into them CAP. VI. Of the meere Irish. TOuching the meere Irish I am to advertise my Reader that hee impute not to them the faults of their Auncestors which heere I have noted for two causes First that when the same are reade in Cambrensis Solinus or others he confounds not the times but may be able distinctly to consider their manners then different from these dayes Secondly that it may appeare how much Ireland is beholding to God for suffering them to be conquered whereby many of these enormities were cured and more might be would themselves be plyable In some corners of the land they used a damnable superstition leaving the right armes of their Infants males unchristened as they tearmed it to the intent it might give a more ungracious
for Fintan the Abbot and received at his hands the blessed Sacrament and so departed the fift of the Ides of October In remembrance of this Cannicus there is now a famous towne in Leinster called Kilkenny parted into the English and Irish towne with a small fresh or brooke that falleth into the Nure the chiefe Lord under the King is the Earle of Ormond and Ossorie the English towne is governed by a Soveraigne Bayliffes and Burgesses the Irish towne is governed by the Bishop of Ossorie and his officers and the Bishopricke of Ossorie whose principall see was first in Ely and called Sire Keran as formerly I have written in the life of Keranus afterward translated to Achadbo is now setled in Kilkenny The first founder of Saint Kennies Church there was Hugh Mapilton the fift Bishop of that See after the conquest about the yeer 1240. There was also about the same time a Church builded over against the towne upon the East side of the Nure in the honour of Saint Maula the mother of Saint Kenny whose memory is continued in that towne by her plague that fell among them and thus it was There was a great plague in that towne and such as died thereof being bound with Wythes upon the Beere were buried in Saint Maulas Churchyard after that the infection ceased women and maides went thither to dance and in stead of handkerchiefes and napkins to keepe them together in their round it is said they tooke those Wythes to serve their purpose It is generally received take it gentle reader as cheape as you finde it that Maula was angry for prophaning her Church-yard and with the Wythes infected the dancers so that shortly after in Kilkenny there died of the sicknesse man woman and childe Aedanus divers times before spoken of was of honourable parentage borne in Connaght his father hight Sothna his mother Ethne of the sept of Amluygh his companions were Molassus alias Lazerianus and Airedus also he conversed much with Saint David Bishop of Menevia now called Saint Davids and is there called Moedock this David was his master The martyrologe of Sarum calleth him Maeldock my Author yeeldeth the reason writing how that his mother conceiving with childe of him his father dreamed that he saw a starre fall from heaven upon his wife the mother of this Aedanus and therefore when he was borne he was called in Latine filius stellae in Irish Moedog that is the sonne of the starre Master Fox writeth that hee builded the Monasterie of Maibrose by the floud of Twide David the holy man advised him to repaire to his native soile for the good of his country after that hee had for a good space followed the Christian Britaines against the faithlesse Saxons He came to Ireland to Anmyre King of Connaght from thence to Leinster and builded Monasteries in Kinselach and Cluayn More what time Edus or Edanus the sonne of Anmyre King of Connaght levied warre against Brandub King of Leinster in which battaile Edus and all his Nobilitie of Connaght were slaine and Brandub became Monarch of Ireland After this he went to the North of England and was made Bishop of Lyndsey Lyndesfernensis Capgrave maketh two of one Aedanus the one an Abbot the other a Bishop and to reconcile the dissonance he was first an Abbot afterwards a Bishop so writeth Bale Beda delivereth singular commendations of him the which to avoid prolixitie I omit After all this hee returned to Leinster to Brandub the Monarch who upon speciall liking of his vertues gave him a parcell of land where he builded a Monasterie the place is called Ferna now Fernes where both Church and Monasterie are patronized as they write by Saint Moedog where afterwards both Brandub and Moedog were buried whereof the words in the life of Aedanus alias Moedog are these Magnas dedit rex oblationes Sancto Moedog agrum in quo vir Dei construxit monasterium quod dicitur Ferna in quo Sanctus Moedog sepultus est rex Brandub genus ejus post eum ibi semper sepelitur Et magna civitas in honore sancti Moedog ibi crevit quae eodem nomine vocatur Ferna Deinde facta Synodo magnatum in terra Laginensium decrevit Rex Brandub tam Laici quam Clerici ut Archiepiscopatus omnium Laginensium semper esset in sede cathedra sancti Moedog tunc sanctus Moedog a multis catholicis consecratus est Archiepiscopus The King gave many gifts to Saint Moedog and a parcell of ground where the man of God builded a Monasterie called Ferna where Saint Moedog is buried and King Brandub and his posteritie after him is there continually buried And a great Citie in the honour of Saint Moedog is there risen the which by the same name is called Ferna Afterwards a Synode or Parliament of the Nobilitie of Leinster being called together King Brandub decreed together with the Laitie and Clergie that the Archbishopricke of all Leinster should alwaies be in the seate and chayre of Saint Moedog and then Saint Moedog by many Catholikes was consecrated Archbishop According to which indeed in the Legend of Saint Molva he is called Archiepiscopus Laginensium David of Menevia being of great yeeres desired to see him before his death Moedog visited him and returned into Ireland in a troublesome time namely when all Leinster was in Armes to revenge upon Saran a Nobleman of Leinster the death of King Brandub whom he had traiterously murthered This Brandub the sonne of Eatach of the progenie or sept of Enna of whom Censelach hath originall had a most honourable funerall and was greatly lamented and intombed in the Church-yard of Saint Moedog in his Citie Ferna where his progenie the royall bloud of the Kings of Leinster is interred after his death Earle Saran so mine Author calleth him being tormented in conscience came to the Kings tombe lamented the horrible treason he had committed and could finde no rest to his dying day In the time of this Moedog the three Kings of Tuomond Connaght and Vlster with an Armie of foure and twenty thousand men came to Leinster to revenge the death of Edus before spoken of The King of Leinster called Moedog and the Clergie and commanded them all to pray while he fought and saith the storie God gave the Leinster men the victory and their enemies were overthrowne It is remembred of this Aedanus how that one comming unto him and desiring him to assigne him a Confessor his answer was Thou needst no Confessor but God who knoweth the secrets of thy heart but if thou wilt have a witnesse of thy doings goe to one Molva a learned man who shall direct thee in thy course And yet gentle reader I may not overslip one thing the which Capgrave reporteth in the life of Aedanus or Aidanus or Moedog namely how that for all the sanctitie of the Prelates in those
685. was Cadwallader crowned King of Britaines that Ireland was subiect unto him Harding testifieth his words are Cadwaladrus after him gan succeed Both young and faire in florishing invent That Cadwallader was called as I reade Who of Britaine had all the Soveraigntie Of English and Saxons in each country Of Pightes Irish and Scots his under regence As Soveraigne Lord and most of excellence For other things that concerne him I referre the reader to the historie of England He had two nephewes his daughters sonnes named Ivâ—r and Heuyr who fled into Ireland saith Powell and when they saw their time came with forces against the Saxons gave them three battailes with many skirmishes and inrodes yet in the end were foiled as in the proper historie more at large appeareth And here ended the rule of the Britaines which had long continued I must now acquaint the reader with such as for learning and sanctitie were of note during this age beginning at the yeere 600. Zacharias Lippeloo out of Petrus Cameracensis writeth that about this yeere 600. there was an heathenish and idolatrous King in Ireland who had one Dympna to his daughter who secretly was baptized by one Gerebernus a Priest that travailed the land for such purposes The daughter being sole heire and her mother being now dead the father was very carefull to see her well matched according to his degree and accordingly acquainted his dearest friends and counsellers with his intent and purpose who likewise travailed carefully in the cause but could not speed to the fathers contentment As shee grew in yeeres so she excelled in beautie and the father being as wicked as she was good and faire became enamoured of his owne daughter and importunately offered her marriage Shee at the first being amazed at the motion yet at length gathering spirit desired respite for forty dayes and withall desired that it would please him to adorne her with such attire jewels and ornaments as became a Kings daughter to weare all which being granted she privately sent for Gerebernus the Priest and acquainted him with all the circumstances The Priest advised her that the safest way for her to avoid the incestuous King was to avoid the land shee immediately with the Priest together with her fathers Iester and his wife tooke shipping and arrived at Antverp When they had rested there a while and recreated themselves they of devotion saith mine Author sought out among woods and desarts a solitarie place to remaine in this resolution they came to a poore village called Ghele Gela saith Molanus and from thence they went to a thicket called Zammale where they rid some small quantity of ground made a Caban to hold them all foure where they continued well some three moneths praying and fasting In the meane while the Irish King missing his daughter Dympna lamented greatly made great inquirie and offered great rewards to know what became of her and having gotten inkling of her course hoised up saile after her and landed at Antverp immediately hee made search and sent messengers with large offers about if haply they might heare of her At the length by the coyne which they offered for reward she was found out for they said there was a faire young woman remaining in a solitary place which had sent for reliefe for her selfe and three persons more with the like coyne The messengers were brought to the place who knowing her ranne forthwith with newes to the King and he with much ioy made haste to the Caban and when he saw her said O my onely daughter Dympna my love my delight and the ioy of my heart what constrained thee to despise a regall dignity to forsake thy native soile to forget the naturall affection of a Childe toward her Parent to flee from thy father a King and to follow as a childe this old decrepit bald Priest and so willingly to condescend to his unsavorie injunctions hearken to mine advice returne with me into Ireland yeeld to thy fathers desire and I will advance thee above all the Ladies in Ireland Gerebernus the Priest preventing the young Gentlewoman turned him to the Irish King and rebuked him sharpely denouncing him for a most wicked and abhominable person then he turned him to the Gentlewoman and charged her never to give eare to so lewd a man With this the King and his company being mightily moved commanded the Priest to be taken aside and his head to be taken off his shoulders Afterward the father turned him to his daughter O daughter saith he why sufferest thou mee thy father to bee thus vexed why contemnest thou my love towards thee yeeld and thou shalt want nothing Shee with a sterne countenance made answer Thou infortunate tyrant why goest thou about with deceitfull promises to withdraw me from my setled purpose of shamefastnesse I defie thee and all thine Thou cruell tyrant why hast thou slaine the Lords Priest shalt thou escape thinkest thou the iudgement of the Almighty what torture thou wilt lay upon me I weigh not with this the father being furiously moved commanded his souldiers to cut off her head and they being loath to doe it he tooke the sword that hung by his side and with his own hands strucke off her head and with expedition returned into Ireland Thus the Priest and Dympna died of the Iester and his wife I reade nothing belike they returned home againe Molanus writeth that many yeeres after the bodies of Dympna and Gerebernus were sought ouâ— taken up and solemnly enterred The Irish in the County of Louth doe honour her belike her father dwelt there Saint Bertwin an Irish man was brought up in the Monasterie of Othbell in England from thence he went to Rome where hee led a solitarie life the space of two yeeres in his returne he came to the Forrest of Marlignia in Flanders where he builded a Chappell lastly he was made Bishop of Molania where he ended his dayes Sigebert ad an 651. writeth Many out of Eng or Scot. he knew not well the countries as strangers travailing in France preached the word of God and did much good to wit Etto Bertwinus Eloquius This Bertwin lyeth buried nigh Namurcum saith Molanus of old called Namur novus murus but now Namurra so writeth Hubertus Thomas Leodius Livinus borne in Ireland and brought up in Scotland and England under Benignus the Priest and Augustine the first Bishop of the Saxons by whom he was made Archbishop saith Molanus of the Scots saith Christianus Massaeus of Ireland saith Bale Silvestris Scotiae of the Ilanders and Red-shanckes the which charge after certaine yeeres he committed to Sylvanus his Arch-deacon and gave himselfe to travaile and tooke with him his three disciples Saint Foillanus Helias and Kilian and came to Gandavum Of him Christianus Massaeus writeth thus In the yeere of our Lord 631. Saint Livinus by nation a Scot Archbishop of Ireland came to Gandavum with three disciples and remained
Cadogan after hee had done great mischiefe and spoile upon the English Normans Flemings and Welsh men fled into Ireland to King Morogh who joyfully received him for he had beene there before returned to Wales and fled thither the second time and in like sort the third time Anno 1113. or thereabout Griffith the sonne of Rees ap Twyder Prince of South-Wales who for feare of the King had beene of a childe brought up in Ireland came to Gerald Steward of Pembroke his brother in law and others of his friends to recover his country whom the King by secret policies and practises pursued so that hee was forced to flee againe In the time of King Henry the first I finde that there was great stirre betweene Murchard or Morogh King of Leynster and the Citizens of Dublin for it seemeth that hee used grievous exactions and tyrannies over them so that the Dublinians in revenge of him sent for Godred King of Man and the Ilands so writeth Camden and made him their King Morogh mustereth his country gathereth forces procureth aide marcheth against his enemies pitcheth his campe at the towne of Coridelis sent his brother by the mother side Osibell with three thousand horse well appointed to Dublin where hee was slaine by Godred and by the men of Dublin and the rest discomfited and put to flight Godred found himselfe well satisfied with spoiles and returned to Man they of Dublin likewise thought themselves in some sort reasonably well revenged of their King quitted themselves for a while and by mediation and intercession after many Presents and Gifts were reconciled There was great banquetting and feasting and ioy outward of all sides but inward lay venome and treason like sparkles of fire covered with ashes which broke forth not long after as I am readie to deliver Stanihurst Grace and Dowlinge doe write that the Councell of the Citie determining to establish and decree many good lawes and orders for the publike weale of the towne and commons of the same appointed a solemne day of meeting sent for Morogh their King humbly craving with all loyall circumstances his presence counsaile and assistance among them at the day appointed the which hee granted when the day came and that they had debated many matters the King as he sate merrily in his chaire sporting himselfe and reporting some pleasant historie one suddenly stept unto him and tooke away his weapon the rest came upon him and stabbed him to the death they were not content with this but they cast him into a base grave and in further contempt and dispute of his person they threw a dogge upon him and earth upon them both the which Dermotte his sonne revenged afterwards as shall appeare in processe of the historie About the yeere 1134. after Functius his computation one Harold borne in Ireland so writeth Saxo gathered forces and became the terrour of Norway affirming withall that he was the sonne of Magnus the Dane that invaded Ireland and for truth thereof he would declare it by fire When the time and place was appointed with his bare feet he trode upon a fierie plate and felt no hurt the Norwegians admired and would make him their King which was the roote of many mischiefes in Norway He was a man faire spoken strong hardy and swift of foot and it seemeth after the manner of Ireland that he went much bare so that the soles of his feet were as hard as horne and could not easily take harme by fire by which meanes he deceived the Norwegians Nicholaus King of Denmarke corrupted Magnus of Norway by secret meanes to cut him off Magnus practised with Ericus a Danish Captaine to dispatch him immediately after his Coronation To bee short Ericus came with great forces to Scypetors a Village where Herald was in the night time laid siege to his Pallace and by the breake of day pulled him and his sonnes forth by the head and shoulders and put them to death In the time of Henry 1. King of England flourished Celsus Bishop of Armagh and ended his dayes with the entrance of King Stephen to the Crowne He descended of Noble Parentage in Ireland whom Saint Bernard with others for divers rare and singular gifts highly commendeth he had beene brought up in the Vniversitie of Oxenford where in the liberall sciences and profound literature he excelled others of his time when he perceived by the infirmities of his body that age hastened to an end and that his naturall course was in short time to be finished he desired of them that were present their favours and prayed them to use meanes unto others that were absent and especially unto the two Kings of Mounster so Bernard writeth that Malachias might succeed him in the Bishopricke of Armagh He was a married man and died of great age and lyeth buried with his wife and children in the said Church Malachias in the time of King Stephen succeeded Celsus in the Bishopricke of Armagh whose life Saint Bernard Abbot of Clarevallis Capgrave and Conganus an Abbot of Ireland have written at large He was borne in Ireland amongst barbarous people saith Bernard yet in his birth and native soile hee sucked of them no more barbarousnesse then the Sea fish take of the salt water His Parents for wealth and might were in great account in those dayes he was brought up at Armagh under Imarius the Anachorite where Celsus made him both Deacon and Priest at the age of 25. yeeres from thence with licence of Imarius and of Celsus he went to Malchus Bishop of Lismore in Mounster a man of Irish birth that had beene a Monke sometimes in the Abbey of Winchester in England and from thence advanced to the Bishopricke of Lismore And to make the historie plaine there was at that time great warres betweene Cormacke King of Mounster and his brother for the Soveraignty the brother prevaileth Cormacke fleeth to the Bishop of Lismore and in his distressed estate tooke a Monkes Cell and led a private life Malachias was appointed his Tutor where Cormacke continued untill that a King there adjoyning pittying his miserie gathered forces and restored him to his kingdome Immediately after this Letters came for Malachias in most earnest sort that he should come to Armagh where not farre off an Vncle of his a man of great command a Lord of a country rich and potent that held in his hands all the wasted Monasterie of Benchâ—r alias Bengor dwelled of which Monasterie I have spoken before in the raigne of King Arthure Malachias upon his comming restored these possessions and reedifieth the old Monasterie and appointed one Malchus brother to Christianus Abbot of Melâ—efont governour of the place when Malachius was thirty yeeres of age he was made Bishop of Conor Conorets saith Bernard where hee met by his owne report more then I am willing to lay downe in writing so rude and barbarous a people as worse could not be found upon the face of the earth yet
understood this hee was more waspish and moved with the countenance of the sonnes then with the former iniury of the father and turning him to the King spake aloud what I have said I have said what I have written I have written never to be blotted out To be short the Bishop with great sorrow departed and in bitternesse prophecied of the ill successe of the children who dyed and lived in great honour all the dayes of their lives but these matters we are to referre to the secret iudgement of God After the decease of these five brethren five Earles and five Princes of Leinster leaving no issue behinde them the five daughters their sisters Ioane Mathilda Isabell Sibilla and Eva being honourably matched had their fathers and brethrens possessions and territories in Ireland orderly divided amongst them Ioane the eldest daughter of William Earle Marshall and eldest sister of the five brethren before spoken of was married to Warren de Mountchensen who in right of her had allotted unto him the County of Wexford they had issue one daughter Ioane that was married Anno 1247. to William de Valence a Norman the sonne of Hugh Brune Earle of March and Turryn Vicount of Curce c. hee was halfe brother to King Henry the third by Queene Isabell daughter and heire of Amerie Earle of Angolesm the widdow of King Iohn This William in the right of his wife was Earle of Penbroke and Lord of Wexford and died Anno 1296. he had issue two sonnes and two daughters William de Valence Owdomare alias Aimer de Valence Isabell and Ioane William succeeded his father in the Earldome of Penbroke and Lordship of Wexford and died without issue Aymer his brother after him was Earle of Penbroke and Lord of Wexford and died without issue whereupon the inheritance fell to the two sisters Isabell and Ioane Isabell was married to Iohn Hastings Lord Hastings of Abergevenny who in the right of his wife had one halfe of the county of Wexford allotted unto him and had issue Elizabeth which married Reynold Lord Gray of Ruthin Ioane the second sister was married to Iohn Lord Comyn who in her right had the other halfe of Wexford and he had issue two daughters Elizabeth and Ioane Elizabeth married Richard Lord Talbot and Ioane was married to David Earle of Atholl in Scotland and thus the County of Wexford was divided Mathilda or Mawde the second daughter of William Earle Marshall of England had the county of Cattelough alias Carlogh assigned unto her she was married to Hugh Bigod Earle of Norfolke father of Ralph Bigod whose daughter and heire Isabell was married to Sir Gilbert Lacy who had issue Margery and Mawd Margery was married to Iohn Lord Verdon of whom the Earle of Shrewesbury and the Earle of Essex are descended Mawd married Ieffery Genivill father to Peter Genivill whose daughter and heire was married to Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore and the first Earle of March Isabell the third daughter of William Earle Marshall of England had to her portion the county of Kilkenny She was married to Sir Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester and Herford whose discent is before spoken of Hee was slaine by the Scots in King Edward the seconds time and died without issue I have seene a Charter granted by him to the towne of Kilkenny Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester and Herford to our Seneshall of Kilkenny and to our treasurer of the same greeting know you that we for the common profit of the towne of Kilkenny of our especiall favour have granted to our loving Burgesses of the same towne c. the whole in substance is that none shall sell victuals there but it shall be prized by the officers of our towne After the decease of Sir Gilbert Clare then the Earledomes of Glocester and Herford and the County of Kilkenny fell betweene his three sisters begotten upon Isabell aforesaid to wit Elenor Margaret and Elizabeth Elenor was married to Hugh Spencer the younger Margaret was married to Peter Gaveston and after his death to Hugh Lord Audely Elizabeth was married first to William Lord Burgh Earle of Vlster the second time to Ralph Roch Baron of Farmoy thirdly to Theobald Lord Verdon and lastly to Roger Damary and had issue by every one of them Sibilla the fourth daughter of William Earle Marshall had to her part the Countie of Kildare and was married to William Ferers Earle of Ferers and Darby who had issue Agnes Isabell Mathilda Sibilla Cecilia and a second Sibill Agnes was married to VVilliam de Vescy who had issue Iohn de Vescy who had issue VVilliam de Vescy that died without issue in his fathers life time Lastly this County of Kildare was given by the King unto Iohn Fitz Thomas the first Earle of Kildare as hereafter in more convenient place shall appeare Eva the first daughter of VVilliam Earle Marshall had to her portion the Mannor of Dounmas in Leix and was married to VVilliam Bruse Lord Bruse of Gower who had issue Mathilda Elenor and Eva. Mathilda was married to Roger Mortimer Elenor was married to Humphery de Bohun Earle of Herford and Eva to Cantilupe alias VVilliam de Canlow Of the line of these Maxfields I meane of VVilliam Earle Marshall of England the pedigree discent of this Noble familie the properties and purports holds of the daughters I have seene sundry copies Nicholas Magwir Bishop of Leighlen perfected an abstract of the division of the land in Ireland among the daughters and the paritcularities thereof which is to be seene in the red towne-booke of Kilkenny and now forwards with the history from whence I have somewhat digressed Anno 1190. in which yeere the Citie of Dublin by foule mishap was fired to ashes King Richard set all in a readinesse for his iourney into the holy land gathered masses of money together and among others it is remembred what a summe of money he received of Hugh Pudsey a Norman and Bishop of Durham that gave an inestimable summe to be made an Earle whom the Antiquaries doe condemne for his intolerable pride and damnable covetousnesse whom the King also flowted after hee had received the coyne saying Loe I have made a young Earle of an old Bishop In this voyage and preparation for the recovery of Ierusalem and the ayde of the Christians in Asia there went Fredericke Emperour of Almaine Richard King of England Philip of France VVilliam of Cicilia Otho Duke of Burgundie the Venetians Pisanes Frisones Danes and Flemings Now that the King is on his iourney abroad let us talke a little gentle Reader of little Iohn at home Stanihurst leads me into the history and reporteth that Anno 1189. he came into Ireland and sojourned at Dublin the storie goeth and especially in Hector Boetius and Iohn Major Antiquaries of Scotland how that in those daies there were many outlawes in the North parts of England of these outlawes Robin Hood and little Iohn were Chiefetaines It was said of
by the said heire of Vlster had issue Walter and hee had issue five daughters 1. Ellen that married Robert le Bruse King of Scotland 2. Elizabeth that married the Earle of Gloster 3. Iohan that married Thomas Earle of Kildare 4. Katherine that married the Earle of Louth 5. Margaret that married the Earle of Desmond the 6. Ellinor that married with the Lord Multon notwithstanding these honourable matches and amity concluded in the outward sight of the world there rose deadly warres between the Giraldins and Burks which wrought blood sheds troubles by partaking throughout the Realme of Ireland at the same time the fury of the Giraldins was so outragious in so much that Morice Fitz Maurice the second Earle of Desmond opposed himselfe against the sword and tooke at Trisledermote now called Castle Dermocke Richard de Capella the Lord Iustice Theoball le Butler and Iohn or Millis de Cogan and committed them to the prisons in Leix and Donamus but the yeere following Henry the third not pleased with these commotions and hurly burlies by mature advice taken of his Councell pacified the variance betweene them discharged Denny of his Iusticeship and appointed David Barry Lord Iustice in his place Anno 1267. David Barry tooke by the appointment of the King the sword of Iusticeship and the command of Ireland and quelled or tamed saith the English Anonymos the insolent dealing of Morice Fitz Maurice Cousin german to Girald The same yeere saith Iohn Clinne the Fryers Preachers first of all settled themselves at Rosse in Wexford and the Minors at Kilkennie and two yeeres after at Clonemell Anno 1268. Conochur Obrian was slaine by Dermot Mac Monard and the same yeere saith Felcon and Clinne Maurice Fitz Gerald Earle of Desmond was drowned crossing the seas between England and Ireland leaving behind him a sonne and heire of the age of 3. yeeres and a halfe The same yeere Robert Vfford became Lord Iustice of Ireland and began to build the Castle of Roscommon Anno 1269. Richard de Excester was made Lord Iustice who dyed the same yeere together with his wife Margery de Say the same yeere saith Florilegus Othobone the Popes Legat held a Councell at Paules in London where he called before him the Clergy of England Wales Ireland and Scotland and left among them certaine constitutions which were afterward commended by Linwood and are at this day in request the which constitutions of Otho and Othobon were afterwards confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Ed. 1. raigne Holinshead Anno 1270. The Lord Iames Audley was made Lord Iustice of Ireland and dyed with the fall of a horse in his time Florilegus and Holinshead note there was great commotion in Ireland the Irish tooke Armes against the English burned spoiled destroied and slue as well the Magistrates as others Clinne goeth more particularly to worke and delivereth how that the King of Conaght by force of Armes in the plaine field overthrew Walter Burke Earle of Vlster who hardly escaped with life yet dyed the yeere following and slue a great number of Nobles and Knights that held with the Burk and among others by especiall name the Lord Richard Verdon and the Lord Iohn Verdon and that there ensued over all Ireland great famine and pestilence as the sequell of warres About this time say our Antiquaries the Bishop of Rome sent to Ireland requiring the tithes of all spirituall promotions for 3. yeeres to come to maintaine his warres against the King of Aragon the which was greatly murmured at and gainesaid yet the Nuntio went not empty away Anno 1272. the most renowned King Henry the third having lived 65. yeeres and raigned 56. and 28 dayes ended his dayes and was buried at Westminster Edward the first of that name sonne of King Henry the third surnamed Long-shankes of the age of 35. yeers began his raigne Anno 1272. Anno 1272. and the first of Edward the first his raigne Maurice Fitz Maurice was made Lord Iustice in whose time the Irish brake out into cruell rebellion rased and destroyed the Castles of Aldleeke Roscommon Scheligath and Randon this Maurice saith Clyn not long after was betrayed by his owne followers in Ophali taken and imprisoned Anno 1273. the Lord Walter Genvill who lately returned home from the Holy Land was sent into Ireland and appointed Lord Iustice in his time so write Dowlinge and Grace the Scots and Red-shankes out of the high land crossed the seas burned townes and villages most cruelly killed man woman and childe tooke a great prey and returned home afore the country could make preparation to pursue them but in a while after to bee revenged of them Vlster and Connaught mustred a great Armie under the leading of Richardus de Burgo and Sir Eustacele Poer knight made after them entred the Islands and high land of Scotland slue as many as they could finde burned their Cabbans and Cottages and such as dwelt in caves and rockes under ground as the manner is to denne out Foxes they fired and smothered to death covering their entrances into the ground with great and huge stones and so returned into Ireland Anno 1276. what time Thomas Clare came into Ireland and married the daughter of Maurice Fitz Maurice The Castle of Roscommon was taken by the Irish and a great overthrow given vnto the English men at Glynburry Glandelory saith Clyn where William Fitz Roger Prior of the Kings hospitallers and many others were taken prisoners and a great number of others were slaine at what time also Ralph Pepard and Otholand gave O Neale a sore battaile Anno 1277. Walter Lord Genuill was sent for into England and Robert Vfford the second time tooke the office of Iusticeship at this time Muridath or Murtagh a notable rebell was taken at the Noraght by Gualter de Fant and executed Thomas Clare likewise in this rebellion slue Obryan Roe King of Thomond and yet after this the Irish drew such a draught that they closed him up in Slew Banny together with Maurice Fitz Maurice his father in law and all their forces untill they gave hostages to escape with their lives upon condition to make satisfaction for the death of O brian and his followers and in the meane while to yeeld them up the Castle of Roscommon although the conditions seemed hard prejudiciall to the Kings Maiesty yet were they driven for safeguard of their lives to condiscend thereunto In this rebellious season to cleere himselfe that in his owne person he came not to daunt the enemy Robert Vfford the Lord Iustice was sent for into England who substituted in his roome one Fryer Robert Fulborne Bishop of Waterford who when he had cleered himselfe came and resigned his place of Iusticeship Anno 1278. there rose civill warres no better then rebellion betweene Mac Dermot de Moylargo and Cathgur O Conoghor King of Connaught where there was great slaughter and bloud-shed on both
aire is sharpe and bitter to blowe thorough his naked sides and legges the kyne are barren and without milke which useth to be his onely foode neither if hee kill them will they yeeld him flesh nor if he keepe them will they give him foode besides being all with Calfe for the most part they will thorough much chasing and driving cast all their Calves and loose their milke which should releive him the next Summer Eudox. I doe well understand your reason but by your leave I have heard it otherwise said of some that were Outlawes That in Summer they kept themselves quiet but in Winter they would play their parts and when the nights were longest then burne and spoyle most so that they might safely returne before day Iren. I have likewise heard and also seene proofe thereof true But that was of such Outlawes as were either abiding in well inhabited Countryes as in Mounster or bordering on the English pale as Feagh Mac Hugh the Cavanaghes the Moores the Dempsies or such like For for them the winter indeede is the fittest time for spoyling and robbing because the nights are then as you said longest and darkest and also the Countryes round about are then most full of Corne and good provision to be gotten every where by them but it is farre otherwise with a strong peopled enemy that possesse a whole countrey for the other being but a few and indeede privily lodged and kept in out villages and corners nigh to the woodes and mountaines by some of their privy friends to whom they bring their spoyles and stealthes and of whom they continually receive secret releife But the open enemy having all his Countrey wasted what by himselfe and what by the Souldiours findeth then succour in no place Townes there are none of which hee may get spoyle they are all burnt bread he hath none he ploweth not in Summer Flesh he hath but if he kill it in Winter he shall want milke in Summer and shortly want life Therefore if they bee well followed but one Winter you shall have little worke with them the next Summer Eudox. I doe now well perceive the difference and doe verily thinke that the Winter time is there fittest for service withall I conceive the manner of your handling of the service by drawing suddaine draughts upon the Enemy when he looketh not for you and to watch advantages upon him as hee doth upon you By which straight keeping of them in and not suffering them at any time long to rest I must needes thinke that they will soone bee brought lowe and driven to great extreamities All which when you have performed and brought them to the very last cast suppose that they will offer either to come to you and submit themselves or that some of them will seeke to withdraw themselves what is your advice to doe will you have them received Iren. No but at the beginning of those warres and when the Garrisons are well planted and fortified I would wish a Proclamation were made generally to come to their knowledge That what persons soever would within twenty dayes absolutely submit themselves excepting onely the very Principalls and Ring-leaders should finde grace I doubt not but upon the settling of these Garrisons such a terrour and neere consideration of their perillous state would be strucken into most of them that they will covet to drawe away from their Leaders And againe I well know that the Rebells themselves as I saw by proofe in Desmonds warres will turne away all their rascall people whom they thinke unserviceable as old men women children and hyndes which they call Churles which would onely waste their victualls and yeeld them no ayde but their Cattle they will surely keepe away These therefore though policy would turne them backe againe that they might the rather consume and afflict the other Rebells yet in a pittyfull commiseration I would wish them to be received The rather for that this sort of base people doth not for the most part rebell of themselves having no heart thereunto but are by force drawne by the grand Rebells into their action and carryed away with the violence of the streame else they should be sure to loose all that they have and perhaps their lives too The which they now carry unto them in hope to enjoy them there but they are there by the strong Rebells themselves soone turned out of all so that the constrainte hereof may in them deserve pardon Likewise if any of their able men or Gentlemen shall then offer to come away and to bring their Cattle with them as some no doubt may steale them away privily I wish them also to be received for the disabling of the enemy but withall that good assurance may be taken for their true behaviour and absolute submission and that then they be not suffered to remaine any longer in those parts no nor about the Garrisons but sent away into the inner parts of the Realme and dispersed in such sort as they may not come together nor easily returne if they would For if they might bee suffered to remaine about the Garrisons and there inhabite as they will offer to tille the ground and yeeld a great part of the profit thereof and of their Cattle to the Coronell wherewith they have heretofore tempted many they would as I have by experience knowne bee ever after such a gaule and inconvenience to them as that their profit shall not recompence their hurt for they will privily releive their friends that are forth they will send the Enemy secret advertizements of all their purposes and journeyes which they meane to make upon them they will not also sticke to drawe the enemy privily upon them yea and to betray the fort it selfe by discovery of all her defects and disadvantages if any be to the cutting of all their throates For avoiding whereof and many other inconveniences I wish that they should be carried farre from thence into some other parts so that as I say they come in and submit themselves upon the first summons But afterwards I would have none received but left to their fortune and miserable end my reason is for that those which will afterwards remaine without are stout and obstinate Rebells such as will never be made dutifull and obedient nor brought to labour or civill conversation having once tasted that licentious life and being acquainted with spoyle and out-rages will ever after be ready for the like occasions so as there is no hope of their amendment or recovery and therefore needefull to be cut off Eudox. Surely of such desperate persons as will follow the course of their owne folly there is no compassion to bee had and for others you have proposed a mercifull meanes much more then they have deserved but what then shall be the conclusion of this warre For you have prefixed a short time of its continuance Iren. The end will I assure me bee very short and much sooner then can be in
certaine of the Nobilitie of the Scotts resciant next them had with some difficultie received out of Greece a Molossian Hound which breede both in swiftnesse of foote and in svveetnesse of opening vvas reputed peerelesse This Hound a willfull Gentleman a Pict stole home and therewith gratified his Prince glad of the novelty and little thoughtfull of the displeasure Contrarywise the Irish wood for anger at this dishonour and injury assembled in poste haste under Eugenius their King and after brawling fell to spoyle and so to blowes whereof parts and stomackes being even the fortune was variable In this division they scambled out a few yeares untill the malice of Carassus a Brittaine forced a quietnesse betweene them to abuse their helpe against th' Empire But hee was shortly slaine by Alectus the Romane Captaine and hereupon the old sore waxed rawe To heape the mischiefe a Brittish Lord named Maximus aspiring to the kingdome sent an ambassadge to Ethodius king of Picts pleading with him a league of friendship utterly to expulse the Irish Scot conditioning withall their assistance to chase the Romanes out of Brittaine which was concluded and by this confederacie after many lamentable skirmishes the Irish were betrayed Eugenius the King Ethai his brother and Ericus his nephew and also the residue such as could escape the enemies sword fled thence some into Norway some into Ireland their first home Maximus watching his time despairing of the Brittish Kingdome and espying the Picts tyred vvith continuall vvarres turned his povver upon them and brought them to such an exigent that they had no readier shift then to crave helpe from Ireland and so by degrees vvhen some private persons nourishers of the quarrell vvere out-vvorne the matter of malice vvas qualified and the remnant of the Irish Scots vvith their friends and off-spring called home to their dvvelling after their first banishment 43. yeares expired From this time forvvard the amity vvaxed steddy and the Irish under Fergusius the second their King vvan such credit that finally the nation of Picts vvere afflicted by the Brittaines then the Scots incroched into the heart of the Realme and became the mightier and more populous of vvhom the Countrey vvas ever since under one Generall name called Scotland Thus you see the Scotts a lively stirring ancient victorious people are mixed first of Brittaines though the Chronicles dissemble it whom Brutus planted there with Albanactus Secondly of Picts Thirdly and chiefly of the Irish which after this time left the name of Scott for those in Brittaine and delighted rather to be called Irish. Then came up the distinction of Scotia major for Ireland and Scotia minor for the Scotts in Brittaine But most effectually as saith Cambrensis the Scotts prevayled under the guiding of six valiant Gentlemen Sonnes to Muridus King of Vlster who in the time that Neale the great enjoyed the monarchy of Ireland going to succour their countrymen there at last also tooke up for themselves no little portions of ground which their posterity kept in Cambrensis time the yeare of Christ 1200. who treateth their exploits more largely in his Topography of Ireland Ever since then they were utterly named and esteemed Scotts The nation of the Picts driven into corners albeit the most parts the out Isles retaine at this day a people mungrell betwixt both called Redshanks The Scotts write that their King Gregorius in an Dom. 875. invaded Ireland as his lawfull inheritance and the same conquered who lieth buried in one of their out-Iles called Iona beautified with the Sepultures of Scottish Kings where the Irish tongue is their native language therefore they call the submission of the Irish to Henry the 2. a defection from Scotland which neverthelesse they recke ne regard not but willfully did forgoe it as reaping lesse then they expended and unable to defray the growing charge which cost considered little better then nothing say they the King of England winneth by keeping of Ireland Yet in the late governement of S. Henry Sidney Vlster being conveyed by discent act of Parliament to the Crowne which Earledome was in the time of Edward the third reckoned at thirty one thousand markes yearely the same being but one fift part of Ireland It seemeth that if this right be well prosecuted that Ireland might pay it selfe of necessaries and yeeld sufficient benefit to the Princes Coffers CAP. XII The conversion of the Irish to Christianity ABout this time Holy Church being stayed in peace enriched with possessions supported with authority many noble Clearkes flourishing in diverse Realmes the Holy Doctor Augustine yet in life Theodosius the second suppressing Idols in all the Empyre Celestinus 1. Bishop of Rome conferred with his cleargy touching the instruction specially of the vvestern parts wherin the faith of Christ was hitherto either not planted or by persecution extinct or by corruption of Hereticks defaced of them all no country was more lamented then Ireland which partly for distance from the heart of Christendome partly for their infinite rudenesse had yet received no fruit of true Religion In that assembly was Palladius Arch-Deacon of Rome a good Priest and well learned who profered his charitable travaile towards the conversion of any those lands whither he should be by them directed and appointed The Pope knowing the sufficiency of the man did consecrate Palladius a Bishop authorized his journey furnished his wants associated to him diverse religious persons delivered him the Holy Bible with great solemnities and certaine monuments of Peter and Paul whereat diverse miracles had beene shewed He arryved in the North of Ireland whence he escaped hardly with his life into the Ilands adjoyning there preaching and converting many erecting monasteries and ensueing his vocation so painefully that the onely report of his holynesse and cunning excited the Scotts late christened but abiding in scisme and committing the function of Bishoppes to single Preists to call him thither whereunto he assented upon the Popes answere and leaving his Disciples in the Isle became the speciall apostle of Scotland where he spent the residue of his time with more fruite then among the Irish. Hereunto Celestinus condiscended the easier for that in the very point of Palladius his departure Patricius attended at Rome to bee sent with leave and benediction into Ireland In which attempt hee found such joyfull successe so farre different from their accustomed frowardnesse that a man would weene the Realme had beene reserved for him And because it pleased God to worke to the Land such an universall benefite by the meanes of this holy Patriarch I take it convenient to set downe briefly here his course of life after the most approoved Chronicles that I could finde Patricius was borne in the marches of England and Scotland in a sea towne called then Taburnia whose father Calphrune as writeth Ioseline was a Deacon and a Priests sonne his mother Conches was sister
to S. Martin the famous Bishoppe of Toures in France The childe was from his cradle brought up in the Faith and much given to devotion Novv vvere the Irish through the helpe of the Scots and Picts arch-pirats of the narrovv seas and used to sacke litle vveake villages scattered along the shore and for vvant of other prey to bring the Inhabitants home Captives vvith others also vvas taken this Patricius a ladde of sixteene yeares olde being then a student of secular learning and became the Villaine of an Irish Lord called Mackbiam from vvhom after sixe yeares hee redeemed himselfe vvith a peece of gold vvhich hee found in a clod of earth nevvly turned up by the svvyne hee kept the time of his Banishment as affliction commonly maketh men religious This vvith the regard of his former education printed in him such remorse and humility that being from thenceforth utterly vveaned from the vvorld hee betooke himselfe to contemplation ever lamenting the lacke of grace and truth in that Land vvherefore not despairing but that in continuance some good might bee vvrought upon them hee learned their tongue perfectly and alluring one companion vvith him for his exercises he departed thence into France ever casting backe his eye to the conversion of Ireland vvhose babes yet unborn seemed to him in his dream from out their mothers vvombes to call for Christendome In this purpose he sought out Martinus his Vncle by vvhose meanes the yong man entred under the government of Germanus then Bishop of Antisiodore vvhose scholler and familiar he vvas forty yeares bestovving all that time in prayer and study of eloquence and holy Scriptures Then at the age of threescore and two yeares being renowned through the Latine Church for his wisdome vertue and skill hee came home to Rome recommended with letters from the French Bishops to Pope Celestine to whom he uttered his full mind and the secret vow which long since he had conceived touching Ireland The Pope invested him Archbishop and Primate of the whole Iland blessed him commaunded publique prayer and fasting brought him and his disciples onward on the voyage Therefore in the tvventie third yeare of Theodosius the younger which was the yeare of our Lord 430. Patricke landed in Ireland and because he spake the tongue plentifully being a reverent personage he tooke holy Bible adding thereto diverse miracles in the Name vertue of IESUS whom he preached many listened unto him namely such as in the late entertainement of Palladius and Albius the Irish Bishops his Disciples had some little feeling in the Gospell In continuance hee wanne the better part of that Kingdome except Laigirus himselfe sonne of Neale the great Monarch who notvvithstanding hee relyed nothing to the Gospell yet because hee stopped not the course thereof nor forbid any that list to embrace it the Bishop denounced to him a curse from God accordingly tempered vvith mercy and judgement that during his life hee should bee victorious but after him neither the Kingdome should stand nor his linage inherite Thence hee journeyed vvith a great number of his Disciples and friends to Conill Lord of Connaght vvho honourably reputed him and vvith all his people vvas converted and then sent him to Logan his Brother King of Leinster vvhom hee likevvise persvvaded In Mounster he vvas highly honoured of the Earle of Daris vvho gave him a dwelling in the East angle of Ardmagh called Secta where hee erected many Celles and Monasteries replenished with votarious men and women Thirty yeares continually hee travailed in preaching through the Land ever leaving behinde him Bishops and Priests whose learning and holinesse by the speciall grace of God shortly repaired the faith so begunne other thirty yeares hee spent in his Province of Ardmagh among his ghostly brethren in visitation of those religious Houses which by his meanes were founded so hee lived in the whole one hundred twentie two yeares and lyeth buryed in Downe CAP. XIII Of Saint Patrickes Purgatory EVery History of Ireland that I have seene maketh one severall title De mirabilibus Hiberniae and therein with long processe treateth of severall Ilands some full of Angels some full of devils some for male only some for female some where poore may live some where none can dye finally such effects of waters stones trees and trinkets that a man would vveene them to be but heedlesse and uncertaine tales by their complexion Verily being inquisitive of these matters I could finde no one of them soothed by such persons upon whose relation I am disposed to venture Onely the place behinde Ardmagh called S. Patricks Purgatory because it is knovvne and confessed and because I vvould be discharged of my Readers expectation who perhaps vvith the name of S. Patricke looketh to bee informed thereof I can bee content to put so much in vvriting as Bookes and reports affirme vvith most likelyhood Tvvo things I muse at that neither the time nor the author of so strange erection was preserved Concerning the time one Record putteth it in Anno Domini 302. which is 128. yeares before S. Patricke converted Ireland and sixty sixe yeares before his birth Againe Cambrensis who maketh curious recitall of wonders in the land never uttereth word of this Purgatory though a negative authority be not invincible yet considering the propertie of that man and what a sort of trifles he taketh paine to justifie it may serve for a vehement suspition that the place was then either not found or not miraculous Concerning the Author very few there are that referre it to this Patricke their Apostle but rather to an Abbot of the same name whom I marvaile I finde not in the mighty bigge volume of their Saints Notwithstanding these Originalls might bee either lost or altered but the thing it selfe being extant must needes have had a beginning whereof possibly there are monuments in that Church or in the Irish tongue to me unwitting Therefore I hold him unwise that will utterly mistrust the principall because the circumstances vary or condemne the vvhole because he could not reach to the undoubted truth of some part If any man bee so delicate that not a jote thereof vvill sinke into his head vvho shall controule him neither hee nor vvee are bound to believe any story besides that vvhich is delivered us from the Scriptures and the consent of Gods Church Let the discreet Reader judge of it This I learne that the holy Abbot Patricius secundus not the Bishop their Apostle laboured the conversion of the people of Vlster vvhich being novv Christians could yet at no hand be vvonne to renounce their olde sensuality cruelty murthers extortion And vvhen he much inforced the life to come they replyed unto him vvith contempt that unlesse they savv proofes of these Ioyes and paines hee preached they vvould never leese possession of the pleasures in hand for hope or dread of things to come they vvist not vvhen At their importunacie hee