entreth betweene the great Iland before mentioned and the Maine or Countrey called Beere or Osullevans Countrey At the entrance of the Harbour it is not above a Musket shot over I meane from the Castle of Dunboy to the great Iland being entred the Tydes are slack good Anchorage and convenient places to bring ships on ground smooth water five fadomes deepe at low water marke towards the North ende it groweth much larger at the least a league over and of capacitie sufficient to containe all the Ships of Europe The great Iland and the Maine as aforesaid makes the Haven which Iland is seven miles in length at the South end whereof it joyâ—eth with the Bay of Bantry When Donboy was unruined it commaunded this spacious and goodly Haven which affords no small profit to Osulevan â—eare whilest his Castle was standing for the coast yeelds such abundance of Sea fish as few places in Christendome doe the like and many Ships whereunto at the season of the yeare I meane at the fishing time there was such a resort of Fishermen of all Nations as Communibuâ— Aâ—nis although the duties which they payed unto osulevan was very little yet at the least it was worth unto him fiue hundred pounds yearely The second of these Harbours nominated is Baltimore called by the Spaniards Valentimore which is likewise caused by an Iland called Innisherkan two leagues to the Eastward of Cape-cleere the Havens mouth at the South end of the Iland aforesaid ten fathome at low water but exceeding narrow by reason of a great Rock that lyeth in the same alwayes aboue water which being within halfe Calliver shot of the better shoare givâ—â—h good opportunity to secure the port after you are entered there is a poole about halfe a league over where infinit numbers of ships may ride having small tides deepe water and a good place to Carene ships at the other end of this Iland with good pilotage a ship of two hundred Tunne by day may safely come in but by reason of many â—uncke Rocks that lye in this enterance it is not possible for the best Pilot in the world by night to assure his entrance The President for the safetie thereof thought it meere to erect Blockhouseâ— there which undoubtedly hee would haue done if he had continued any longtime in Mounster being so exceeding dangeroâ—s to fall into the hands of a powerfull Enemy as it would bee a worke of much difficulty after it were once fortified to displant him besides an Enemy there seated would command the best part of Carbery the soile whereof is good whereby hee might furnish himselfe with victuals at easie rates The last and indeed the least of these three Havens is Castlehaven by the Irish called Glanbaraghan renowned for that memorable Sea fight lately acted there by Sir Richard Lewson against Pedro de Zubiaur commonly called Suryagâ— the Spanish Admirall the passage into the Harbour is so narrow that a ship of great burden especially in a storme cannot safely enter and being entered there is no great space for any number of ships to ride in but for all other commodities like to the Havens before mentioned for there is eight faddomes at low water marke the Castle aptly commands every part of the Harbour but the grounds round about it so commands the Castle as it can by no reasonable charge bee made teneable against the Cannon but to proceed When the composition was made with Don Iohn de Aguila for the rendring of Kinsale among other Articles it was agreed that the Spanyards should be shipped away in English or Irish Bottomes and for the safe returne of the Ships into Ireland there was three Spanish Captaines as is formerly declared left in Corke as Hostages The Spanyards being all safely arrived at the Groyne and the Shippes returned the Lord President according to the Composition set the Pledges at libertie and having provided a Barque for their transportation he wrote unto Don Iohn de Aguila which letter Englished was as followeth A Letter from the Lord President to Don Iuan de Aguila ACcording to the agreements made at Kinsale betweene the Lord Deputie and your Lordship these two Captaines Pedro Suaço and Diego Gonzales Sigler which remained in Corke Pledges for the securitie of the Ships and the Subjects of the Queene my Mistresse which transported the Spanyards to the Groyne are now in this passage in a Ship called the Marie of Corke returned into Spaine The third Pledge Don Pedro Morijon went with the Lord Deputie to the Citie of Dublin from whence as I understand hee is departed into his owne Countrey Now the agreements which were made betweene the Lord Deputie and your Lordship is on either part fully accomplished your Lordships Letter of the second of Aprill I haue received but the Wine and Fruits came not to my hands Neverthelesse I acknowledge my selfe much obliged and render your Lordship humble thankes for your favours and especially in that I am retained in your memorie the occasion I did not receiue them was my being at that time at the siege of the Castle of Beerehaven which I thanke God is taken as also many others possest and held by the Rebels and the Defendants of them chastised as appertaineth to Traitors Your Lordships Present unto mee was delivered by the Messenger to the Lord Deputie hee conceiving that it had beene directed to his Lordship whereof I am extreame glad and am as well satisfied with it as if it had come to my owne hands for the loue I beare unto his Lordship is no lesse then unto my selfe I am much grieved and at nothing more then to see that this Countrey produces not any thing worthy to bee presented to your Lordship that I might in some proportion manifest in what esteeme I holde the favour of a man of your qualitie Honour and Merit If Ireland may yeeld any thing which may bee to your Lordships liking you may bee assured that your Lordship hath power at your pleasure to commaund both it and mee So being ready to doe your Lordship all the possible service I may the differences betweene our Soveraignes reserved in the which both your Lordship and all the world shall evermore finde mee to bee a true Englishman and a faithfull servant to my Queene and Mistresse I recommend your Lordship to God bâ—seeching him to preserue you Corke the thirteenth of Iuly 1602. Muy Illustre Sennior Beso las Manos de V. S. Su Servidor GEORGE CAREVV CHAP. XI The taking of the Castle of Dunboy was the cause that the Army prepared in Spaine for Ireland was stayed Two thousand supplyes of foote were sent out of England for Moâ—â—ster Iohn fits Thomas his practise to deceiue the Lord President but failed A false rumour of a Spanish fleete on the Coast of Mounster Sir Samuell Bagnall with his Regiment commanded to stay in Mounster THE President daily received advertisement aswell by some of the Countrey that had
strength I should the better haue provided for what these clouds doe threaten and sooner and more easily either haue made this Countrey a rased Table wherein shee might haue written her owne Lawes or haue tyed the ill disposed and rebellious hands till I had surely planted such a Government as would haue overgrowne and killed any weeds that should haue risen under it Yet since the necessitie of the State doeth so urge a diminution of this great expence I will not despayre to goe on with this worke through all these difficulties if wee be not interrupted by forraine Forces although perchance wee may be encountred with some new irruptions and by often adventuring with some disasters and it may bee your Lordships shall sometimes heare of some spoiles done upon the Subjects from the which it is impossible to preserue them in all places with farre greater forces then ever yet were kept in this Kingdome And although it hath beene seldome heard that an Armie hath beene carried on with so continuall Action and enduring without any intermission of Winter breathings and that the difficulties at this time to keepe any Forces in the place where wee must make the Warre but especially our Horse are almost beyond any hope to prevent yet with the favour of God and her Majesties Fortune I doe determine my selfe to drawe into the Field assoone as I haue received her Majesties Commaundements by the Commissioners who it hath pleased her to send over and in the meane time I hope by mine owne presence or Directions to set every partie on worke that doth adjoyne or may bee drawne against any force that now doth remaine in rebellion In which Iourney the successe must bee in the hands of GOD but I will confidently promise to omit nothing that is possible by us to bee done to giue the last blow unto the Rebellion But as all paine and anguish impatient of the present doeth use change for a remedie so will it bee impossible for us to settle the minds of these people unto a Peace or reduce them unto Order while they feele the smart of these sensible griefes and apparant feares which I haue remembred to your Lordships without some hope of redresse or securitie Therefore I will presume how unworthie soever I haue been since it concernes the Province her Majestie hath given mee with all humblenesse to lay before your graue Iudgements some few things which I thinke necessary to bee considered of And first whereas the alteration of the Coyne and taking away of the exchange in such measure as it was first promised hath bred a generall grievance unto men of all qualities and so many incommodities to all sorts that it is beyond the Iudgement of any that I can heare to prevent a conâ—usion in this Estate by the continuance thereof that at the least it would please your Lordships to put this people in some certaine hope that upon the end of the warre this newe Standard shall bee abolished or eased And that in the meane time the Armie may bee favourably dealt with in the Exchange since by the last Proclamation your Lordships sent over they doe conceiue their case will bee more hard then any others for if they haue allowed them nothing but indefinitely as much as they shall meerely gaine out of their Entertainments that will prooue nothing to the greater part For the onely possibilitie to make them to liue upon their Entertainment will bee to allowe them Exchange for the greatest part thereof since now they doe not onely pay excessiue prizes for all things but can hardly get any thing for this Money And although wee haue presumed to alter in shew though not in effect the Proclamation in that poynt by retayning a power in our selues to proportion their allowance for Exchange yet was it with a minde to conforme our proceedings therein according to your Lordships next directions and therefore doe humbly desire to know your pleasures therein For our opinions of the last project it pleased your Lordships to send us I doe humbly leaue it to our generall Letters Only as for my selfe I made overture to the Councell in the other you sent directly onely to my selfe and because I found them generally to concurre that it would prooue as dangerous as the first I did not thinke it fit any otherwise to declare your Lordships pleasure therein And whereas it pleased your Lordships in your last Letters to command us to deale moderately in the great matter of Religion I had before the receipt of your Lordships Letters presumed to advise such as dealt in it for a time to hold a more restraynt hand therein and wee were both thinking our selues what course to take in the Revocation of what was already done with least incouragement to them and others since the feare that this course begun in Dublin would fall upon the rest was apprehended over all the Kingdome So that I thinke your Lordships Direction was to great purpose and the other course might haue overthrowne the meanes to our owne end of Reformation of Religion Not that I thinke too great precisenesse can bee used in the reforming of our selues the abuses of our owne Clergie Church-livings or Discipline nor that the trueth of the Gospell can with too great vehemencie or industrie bee set forward in all places and by all orâ—inarie meanes most proper unto it selfe that was first set foorth and spread in meeknesse not that I thinke any corporall prosecution or punishment can bee too severe for such as shall bee found seditious Instruments of â—orraine or inward practises not that I thinke it fit that any principall Magistrates should bee chosen without taking the Oath of Obedience nor tollerated in absenting themselues from publique Divine Service but that wee may bee advised how wee doe punish in their bodies or goods any such onely for Religion as doe professe to bee faithfull Subjects to her Majestie and against whom the contrary cannot bee prooved And â—ince if the Irish were utterly rooted out there was much lesse likelihood that this Countrey could bee thereby in any time planted by the English since they are so farre from inhabiting well any part of that they haue already that more than is likely to be inhabited may be easily chosen out and reserved in such places by the sea side or upon great Rivers as may bee planted to great purpose for a future absolute reducement of this Countrey I thinke it would as much avayle the speedy setling of this Countrey as any thing that it would please her Majestie to deale liberally with the Irish Lords of Countreyes or such as are now of great reputation among them in the distribution of such Lands as they haue formerly possessed or the State heere can make little use of for her Majestie If they continue as they ought to doe and yeeld the Queene as much commoditie as shee may otherwise expect shee hath made a good purchase of such Subjects for
side there was but one man slaine not aboue fiue hurt whereof Pierce Butler a kinseman of the Earles was one who behaved himselfe valiantly and about foureteene taken Prisoners and of the Enemy was one slaine and a few hurt the Prisoners were taken by their owne negligence who were grazing their horses The taking of this great Lord breeds unsetled humors in these parts for all the Gentlemen of the countrey whereof some of them were his true followers for want of a Defender are wavering others which in their owne dispositions were naught and contained themselues as Subiects but for feare of his power are now at liberty and we feare will shortly declare themselues To keepe them from present uproares I the President did immediately send for sixe hundred Foote of the Mounster Companies which were at Watterford the hundred Horse which were in the countrey to the Towne of Kilkenny which hath wrought good effect and staied the unsetled humors besides thereby it did assure the Lady of Ormond and her daughter which otherwise had beene subiect to many dangers so sorrowfull a Lady in all our liues vvee haue not seene and doe beleeue that if it had not pleased God that we at that time had beene there she would hardly haue undergone those griefes that did oppresse her For besides the losse of her husband in being Prisoner with those rogues she beheld the apparant ruine of her selfe and her daughter and no lesse danger of both their liues the Guard vvhereof she committed unto us not being assured of those that serue her for there is divers that pretend to bee the Earles Heires First Sir Edmond Butler his second Brother which Sir Walter Butler the Earles Nephew whose blood is not attainted vvill not yeeld unto because his Vncle Sir Edmond is not restored in blood And the Vicount Mountgarret thinks that he ought to be Earle of Ormond for many reasons vvhich he pretends This controversie could not but breed great danger to the Countesse and her daughter for that either of those vvould bee glad to possesse themselues in the Earles houses and the doubt vvho is to succeede him breeds unsetled humors in the Gentlemen of the countrey that bee follovvers to the Earle every one addicting himselfe to the partie they affect vvhereby there is a generall distraction vvhich vvould haue broken out into a dangerous Rebellion if the Forces and vve had not beene heere to keepe them in awe Besides we did not neglect to send for all the Lords and Gentlemen in the countrie that are of the best quality and haue temporized with them So as we hope the dangers which were like to ensue will be for a time well appeased Also understanding that Balliragget a house of the Lord Mountgarets in the which there is a Warde for the Queene kept as a Pledge for his loialty that the same was attempted to be wonne by the Vicecounts sonnes who are in rebellion And immediately upon the Earles taking lay before it in hope to starue the Souldiers for their last daies victuals was spent I the President did take up in Kilkenny upon my credit victuals and with a strong convoy of Horse and Foote haue revictualled it for sixe weekes whereof the Lord Deputy is advertised praying him to be carefull before that victuall be spent And because that all things might be continued in good order We thought good to remaine in Kilkenny untill the Lord Deputy should determine of some course so to hold it for her Maiesties benefit the countries good and the Countesse and her daughters safetie wherein we were enforced to make large disbursements of our small stores for dieting in that time of the horse and foote Troopes whereof I the Earle defrayed the charges of my owne Company of two hundred Foote and I the President of all the rest during our abode there which was eight dayes In this meane time wee understanding that Mountgarrets sonnes which are in rebellion did come to spoile the countrie neere to Kilkenny We sent out some part of our Troopes who lighted upon some of their men And amongst them which they slew there was one of the Butlers a neere kinsman to Mountgarret and a Leader slaine and the Traitors driven to their Woods being enforced to leaue their enterprize The sixteenth of this present Sir George Bourchier and Sir Christopher St Lawrence sent from the Lord Deputie came to Kilkenny Sir George for chiefe Commander of her Majesties Forces there and to take charge of the Countesse her Daughter and the Earles Houses and Sir Christopher to bee directed by him The Forces there left is two hundred Foote of the Earles other two hundred Foote of Sir Christophers thirtie Foot left in a ward in Mountgarretts house called Balliraggett eightie fiue Horse whereof fiftie of the Earles fiue and twentie of St Lawrences and tenne of Sir George Bourchiers Since the Earles taking wee kept the Rebells from doing any hurt in the Countrey neither as yet is there any in rebellion in the same but Mountgarrets sonnes whose force is not such but in our opinions without they call strangers to assist them her Majesties Forces there is much too strong for them The seventeenth wee left Kilkenny and came to this Cittie leaving Sir George Bourcheir as aforesaid This accident hath withheld mee the President from my peculiar charge more then I purposed but therein I hope your Lordships will hold mee excused being other wayes so necessarily imployed in these causes of so great importance whereof I humbly beseech your Lordshipps in your wisedomes to haue due consideration To morrow wee proceed in our Iourney towards Corke from whence with the rest of the Councell there wee will advertize your Lordships in what estate wee finde the Province not being able heere to certifie your Honours so particularly as then wee may So wee humbly take our leaues From Waterford the eighteenth of Aprill 1600. Strange it was to consider how much this misfortune distracted the minds of sundrie that before were inclined to subjection and greatly animated the Traitors to persevere in their wicked enterprises which might evidently be seene in Pierce Lacy a wise and malicious Traytor who being but few dayes before upon the Earles protection promising great loyaltie and much service did presently relapse and became a more dangerous Rebell then at any time before But now leaving farther discourse of former occurrents we will betake our selues wholly to prosecute the relation of such things as happened in Mounster after the Lord President came to Waterford which was the sixteenth of Aprill For the prosecution of the Service in which Province by order out of England the List as aforesayd for Mounster was established to be three thousand Foot and two hundred and fiftie Horse After his repaire thither Intelligence came unto him that the Titularie Earle of Desmond with the greatest part of his Forces was remaining not farre from Yoghall about Drumâ—inin with intent to giue impediment
chiefe of small Countreyes submitted themselues to her Majesties mercie But the principall marke which the Lord President aymed at before his entrance into the Field with his Armie was to reclaime if possible it might be Florence Mac Cartie before spoken of from further pursuing those hatefull and ingratefull courses which unadvisedly he had entred into This hee desired for divers reasons First and especially for the service which he foresaw might receiue some good countenance by his subjection Secondly because if hee continued in action of necessitie hee must bee constrained to imploy a great part of his Forces which hee thought both inconvenient and dangerous to bee divided to follow the prosecution of him and his Complices And lastly a good opinion which some his honourable friends in England and himselfe also had conceived of him For these causes was the President moved earnestly to desire that this Florence might bee stayed from further persisting in those exorbitant courses and the rather because the said Florence had written Letters unto him which upon his way into Mounster hee received that assoone as hee should come to Corke hee would present himselfe personally to him aud doe all his endeavours to advance the Service All which being made knowen by the Lord President to the Earle of Thomond he intreated the said Earle and Sir Nicholas Welsh to joyne with Iohn fits Edmonds Florence his Godfather a man very famous in those parts for his learning and liberall hospitalitie in entertaining of strangers to send a Messenger to signifie to Florence Mac Cartie that they were very desirous to conferre with him about certaine particularities concerning his owne good By his Letter remised in answer of this message hee appoynted both a time and place for their meeting which was accordingly performed After more then two houres spent and many Oathes passed as well by the Earle as Sir Nicholas Welsh that the President had promised his safe returne with fearefull guiltinesse hee came to Corke and from thence to Shandon Castle upon the third of May 1600 where the Lord President remained at that time before whom when hee had presented himselfe hee made his submission upon his knees with many protestations of the sinceritie of his Heart and the true loyaltie which hee alwayes bare towards her Majestie desiring that hee might bee received into her Majesties favour and hee would serue her as faithfully and unfainedly as any man in Mounster The Lord President reprooved him very sharply for his trayterous behaviours laying before him the odiousnesse and foulnesse of his faults and the monstrous ingratitude towards her Majestie from whom hee had received many great benefits and gracious favours These speeches finished the President bade him to stand up when as both hee and the Earle of Thomond Sir Nicholas Welsh and Iohn fits Edmund did every of them very feelingly preach Obedience unto him His answer being very generall carried great shew of loyaltie and obedience at that time Vpon the next morrow hee was called before the President and Councell who was againe urged by them all in generall not onely to desist from proceeding in evill but with alacritie of minde to doe some such service as might merit reward for assurance and performance whereof the President demaunded his eldest sonne in pledge for the avoydance whereof hee used many colourable reasons viz. That it would cause the Bonnoghs to forsake him yea and to driue him out of his Countrey erecting his wiues base Brother in his place That he had of long time tasted of miseries and wants That hee had lately recovered his Countrey of Desmond with great travell and charges and therefore like the burnt child hee feared to run into any such inconvenience as might cause his friends to relapse from him Adding moreover that it was needlesse in them to exact any such thing at hishands who was in his soule wholly addicted devoted to her Majesties service The weaknesse of these reasons were both wisely discovered and effectually answered but all that could bee said was no more pleasing to him then is delightfull musicke to deafe eares which being discerned the President betooke himselfe to a new devise for now hee vehemently threatned that leaving for a time all other services a sharpe prosecution of Hostilitie with fire and sword against himselfe his tenants and followers should speedily overtake him upon his returne into Desmond Much was hee amazed with this denunciation and therefore hauing made a short pawse answered thus Since my needlesse pledge is so earnestly desired I am content to leaue my eldest sonne in Corke upon these conditions That her Majestie would passe unto mee the Countrey of Desmond in as large and ample manner as before it was conveyed unto my Father in law the Earle of Clancare Secondly that shee would giue unto mee the Name and Title of Mac Cartie More or Earle of Clancare Thirdly that shee would giue unto mee three hundred men in pay for assuring my Countrey from all that would offend it These hyperbolicall demands were no sooner propounded but absolutely rejected Therefore he desired that Licence might bee graunted unto him to write to his honourable friends in England to worke for him the afore recited Conditions which without any great difficultie was permitted Lastly the President questioned with him what hee intended to doe if these his desires were not satisfied thereupon hee sware upon a Booke that hee would never beare Armes against her Majesties Forces except hee were assaulted in Desmond and that his followers should likewise abstaine from actuall rebellion and further that he would send him intelligence from time to time of the Rebells proceedings and doe him the best underhand-service that possibly hee could Now had the President effected a great part of his desires namely that by Florence his remaining in Neutralitie his Forces might be wholly imployed against Iames fits Thomas who being once slaine or banished it would bee an easie matter to teach him to speake in a more submissiue language and forget to capitulate either for Lands Title or Charge Florence is now departed towards his Countrey of Desmond where leaving him in suspence betwixt doubt and feare wee will proceed in the accidents of Corke Now the President discerning this Warre in Mounster to be like a Monster with many Heads or a Servant that must obey divers Masters did thinke thus that if the Heads themselues might bee set at variance they would proue the most fit Instruments to ruine one another The two chiefe Heads were the Sugan Earle for so they called Desmond Commander of the Provincials and Dermond O Conner Generall of the Bownoghs before mentioned This Dermond O Conner was a poore man in the beginning of his fortune and not Owner of two Plough Lands in Connaght his natiue Countrie his reputation grew partly by his wife who was daughter to the old Earle of Desmond and partly by his valour being reputed one of the most valiant Leaders and
speed towards Kerry and set forward the three and twentieth of Iuly But whereas by reason of continuall raine that had lately fallen in great abundance it was thought that the mountaine of Sleulogher was impassible for carriages was constrained to take the way of Thoâ—ond The forces which hee carried with him were in list â—050 Foot and 75 Horse These therefore marched to Kilrush a place in Thomond opposite to Carrigofoile and by the eight and twentieth of the same all the Foot the Troopes and baggage were transported which in respect of the breadth of the River in that place being at least one league and a halfe was expedited beyond all expectation In the speedy dispatch whereof much was attributed and that worthily to the Earle of Thomond who provided Boats and such other necessaries as his Countrey could afford The beginning of August Iames fits Thomas wrote unto Florence Mac Cartie a Letter the true Copie whereof followeth A Letter from Iames fits Thomas to Florence Mac Cartie COusen yesterday I came over the Mountaine and brought with mee the Bonnaghs of Conelloe the residue and force of the Countrey I haue left to keepe their Crets I understand since my comming that Sir Charles Wilmott with six hundred Foot and fiftie Horse are come to Clanmorris and this night pretend to bee at Tralee I haue sent to the Knight and all the Countrey presently to meet mee to morrow to resist their determination And for your better furtherance and accomplishment of our action I am to intreat your Lordship as you regard your owne quiet and exaltation of the Service to make what haste and force you may and speedily to yeeld us your helping assistance for which wee will rest thankfull and most readie to answere your Lordship at your need And thus referring the consideration hereof to your Lordship I commit you to God Primo Augusti 1600. Your Lordships very loving Cousen Iames Desmond CHAP. XI The Lord President at Carrigfoyle The Castles of Lixnaw Rathowin and Tralce surprised by Sir Charles Wilmot The Bonoghs defeated by Sir Charles Wilmot The death of Patrick Fits Maurice Lo. of Lixnaw Florence mac Cartie sent for by the Lord President but refuseth to come A marriage practised by Florence for Iames fits Thomas Letters and messages betweene Florence and Tyrone An encounter betweene Captaine Harvie and the White Knights sonne The White Knights sonne defeated The Knight of Kerry and the Lord of Lixnaw sue for protection The Earle of Thomond left to command the garrison at Askeyton Florence Mac Cartie continueth his practise with Tyrone Lands given by Iames fits Thomas to Florence Mac Carrie Donnell Mac Cartie taken in upon protection THE President being come to Carrigofoyle advertisement was brought that the Rebells hastened to ruine their Castles in Kerrie Wherefore the nine and twentieth hee sent Sir Charles Wilmot a very valiant and understanding Gentleman with the Forces aforesaid into Clanmorris who without much difficultie by reason of his sudden and unexpected comming recovered the chiefe House of the Lord Fits Maurice called Lixnaw being formerly by him sapped and underset with props of Timber to the end that whensoever any English Forces should come into the Countrey that at an instant fire being set unto them the Castle should bee ruined which hee rather wished then that a Garrison of Souldiers should bee lodged in it But the sudden comming of Sir Charles prevented his intention Hee surprized also in the same manner the Castle of Rathowine belonging to the Bishop of Kerry into both which being very convenient for service hee put sufficient Guards and then rode with fiftie Horse to view Tralee which was Sir Edward Dennies House Iames fits Thomas had appoynted one hundred and fiftie Bownoghs for the ruining hereof who having almost fully finished their taske as they were busily imployed about the undermining of certaine vaults remaining after the rest unruined Sir Charles Wilmott with his fiftie Horse as they came suddenly so they ranne violently like a Whirlewinde in faire weather upon those Rebels killed two and thirtie of them dead in the place and recovered the Armes of one hundred who by the meanes and favour of a Bog and Mountaine neere adjoyning escaped with their liues being frâ—ghted almost out of their wits The second of August Sir Charles Wilmott with his Troopes returned to Carrigfoile In this meane time the President was advertised that the victualls which hee expected from Corke was arrived at Carrighowlogh in Thomond almost opposite to the River of Cassan in Kerry from whence in Boats they were transported up the Cassan to Lixnaw foure miles into the Countrey which service was performed by the ayde of the Earle of Thomonds Boats The Lord Fits Maurice whose name was Patricks and father to Thomas Lord Fits Maurice now living an obstinate Rebell hearing of our being at Carrigfoyle fearing our Neighbourhood brake his Castle of the Beaulieu seated upon the Shenan two miles distant from Carrigfoyle when hee saw his chiefe House possessed by our Forces tooke such an inward griefe as the twelfth of this instant hee gaue up the ghost The Countie of Kerry at this time was the best inhabited Countrey of all Mounster but whosoever tooke the most paines in sowing certaine it is that the Garrisons as they vvere shortly after placed reaped all the profite of that Harvest The Iland of Kerry an ancient and chiefe house of the Earles of Desmond and of late belonging to Sir William Harbert as an Vndertaker together with many other Castles in those parts are by the rebels absolutely ruined neere upon the first bruit of the Armies approch which was an evident argument of their obstinacies The President upon his first comming into Kerry hearing that Florence Mac Cartie was not then aboue ten miles distant from him about a Parlie with Iames fits Thomas wrote for him to come and speake with him at Carrigofoile but he remising nothing but oathes and delatory excuses came not Whereupon second Letters together with a safe guard were dispatched unto him but unto those he returned no answer at all This delaying conferred with the report of some Protectees that averred Florence to haue entred into a new Combination with Iames fits Thomas and that hee had sent in this Moneth of August Owen Mac Eggan a Traitorly Priest into Spaine made the President not doubtfull only of his former promises to him made but almost out of doubt that he would shew himselfe againe in open action Which would bring to passe that his Labours like those of Hercules should daily bee renewed new Heads still growing upon this rebellious Hydra for the Septs of the Carties themselues with their Followers and Dependants were knowen to bee no lesse then three thousand able men and to the intent that all these might more firmely vnite themselues with the rest which were no lesse then foure thousand and fiue hundred strong
against Her Majestie This Florence was now busie in working of a Mariage betweene the Sugan Earle and the sister of Cormacke Mac Dormond Lord of Muskerry a populous a rich and a fast Countrey The President having received advertisement thereof left Sir Charles Wilmot to prosecute the service in Kerry and himselfe hasted his returne towards Corke there to worke some meanes for the overthrowing the proceedings of this dangerous Complot The President being returned so farre as Limerick certaine notice was brought him that Florence had lately imployed a Messenger to Tyrone as he pretended for the releafe of Osulevan Moke his Brother in Law but as the truth was to procure aide from the North to support the Rebellion in Mounster Tyrone by the said Messenger sent Letters of Comfort and Encouragement aswell to Florences as to the rest of the Lords in that Province assuring them not only of succours from himselfe but farther that the Spanish Forces would land in Mounster before Michaelmas next These exorbitant courses of Florence gaue a great impediment to the service for the President as he would often say did see him like a darke Cloud over his Head threatning a Storme to hinder and disturbe his proceedings But wee will leaue Florence for a while busily employed in devising meanes how to procure aide either from Spaine or from the North or from both and betake our selues to such other occurrents as hapned about this time Vpon the sixteenth of August the Lord President came to Limericke The eighteenth Pierce Lacy wrote unto the President humbly beseeching him that he might bee received into Her Majesties gratious protection promising ever afterwards to remaine a loyall Subject but withall hee made certaine demands which were so much disliked by the President as his suite was rejected for the President insisted upon a Rule which hee never brake that hee would not giue care to any Traitor that did capitulate The twentieth he came to Kilmallock remayning there but one day to take assurance of certaine Gentlemen and Freeholders that had lately submitted themselues The day following at Kilmallock the White Knight being there to attend the President newes was brought unto him that divers of his people and Followers were slaine by the Garrison of Moyallo commanded by Captaine Roger Harvy The President carefull to giue him contentment being under her Majesties protection in his owne presence examined the matter and there it was found that Captaine Harvy having intelligence by a Spy that was his Guide of a notable Traitor called Iohn Mac Redmond and certaine other Traitors and their goods which were reported to bee neere unto Sir Walter Raleigh his Lands adjoyning to the White Knights Countrey with seventie Foote and foure and twentie Horse marched that night one and twentie miles from Moyallo and at the breake of day our men thinking that they had beene brought upon an Enemies Towne set fier to a House having some few people therein But an old Souldier knowing the place told the Captaine that it was the White Knights Towne Whereupon he commanded his Company to forbeare committing any outrage either upon the people or any of their Goods But the White Knights younger Sonne Iohn fits Gibbon having suddenly gathered to himselfe one hundred and sixty Foote and eighteene Horse overtooke Captaine Haruy who began to excuse the matter telling him as the truth was that the Guid whom he had there with him to answer the Fact had brought him unwillingly upon that place and therefore for the hurt done ignorantly he would make a large satisfaction But the young man following the advise of one Garret Mac Shane who had lately beene a notable Traitor thinking it not possible for so small a Company to resist his great Force without returning any answer began presently to chardge our men whom they supposed without any great resistance to haue at their mercie and came up close to our Foote who nothing dismaied stood firme expecting their Chardge But they not comming on Captaine Harvy advanced towards them and brake them instantly In this Conflict were slaine and hurt aboue sixtie of their partie and among them Garret Mac Shane the Leader and Procurer of the fight of our men some foure were hurt but none killed Captaine Harvy received a shot on his Murrian a blow with a pike upon his back but escaped danger by the goodnesse of his Buffe Coat and had his Horse slaine under him The White Knight upon dew knowledge hereof condemned both his Sonne and people for their folly to enforce a fight having no harme intended them and confessed they were well lost But yet for his better satisfaction the treacherous Guid who did upon a set purposed malice draw this Draught was by the Presidents appointment delivered over to the Marshall and presently hanged The three and twentieth the Lord President returned to Corke Sir Charles Wilmot having made his entrance into Kerry as already you haue heard and there proceeded so farre as Lixnaw made knowen to the President that the Rebells were exceeding strong in that Countrey The Arch-Rebell Iames fits Thomas beeing attended with fiue hundred Bownoghs besides the Forces that the Knight of Kerry Thomas Oge and the Gentlemen of the Countrey could make Heereupon the President knowing that those parts were alwayes affectionately addicted to the Earles of Desmond caused a Foot-man of the young Earles who was shortly afterwards to come into Ireland as the manner is having his Masters Armes upon his coate before and behinde to shew himselfe in most places of the Countrey that thereby they might bee the better perswaded of his comming and bee a meanes to alienate their hearts from the counterfeit Desmond The vigilant care that Sir Charles Wilmot used within his charge having taken divers preyes and killed some of the Rebels together with this Invention caused most of the Free-holders of that Countrey to submitt themselues and seeke unto the Governour for her Majesties protection the principall amongst these was William fits Gerald commonly called The Knight of Kerry who by Messengers signified the great desire that hee conceived to live a Subiect and had present occasion to shew some proofe thereof for the Sugan Earle comming about this time to the Dingle the said Knight would by no meanes receiue him into his Castle whereupon hee ruined all the houses that were standing in the Towne and so tooke his journey unto Castle Mange Thomas fits Maurice the pretended Baron of Lixnaw also now newly come to his Barronie by the death of his father sought by meanes of his wife who was Sister to the Earle of Thomond for the Presidents favour and her Majesties protection Both were promised upon condition hee would performe such service as might in some good sort deserue the same but this hee absolutely refused because forsooth it stood not with his Conscience nor with his Honour for these were his owne words in a Letter that hee wrote
at Whitehall the 28 of Aprill 1601. Your Lordships very loving Friends Thomaâ— Egerton C. Tho. Buckhurst W. Knowles Ro. Cecill Ioh. Fortescue I. Herbert The eight and twentieth day Dermond Mac Awlie who was lately come out of Vlster and daily conversant with the Traytors of Mounster and acquainted with all their proceedings and Councell by mediation of friends made his repaire to the President and being examined whether they intended to come againe with new forces into the Province hee affirmed that at his departure from them they were ready to come away and did particularize what Munitions and Money every one of them was furnished withall by Tyrone viz. The Lo. of Lixnaw Calievers 40. Powder Barrells 02. Lead one Sow 01 Match faddoms 120 Money 14. pound Iohn fits Thomas Calievers 25. Powder Barrels 01. Lead Sowes ½ Match faddoms  Money 10. li. Pierce Lacie Calievers 20. Powder Barrels 01. Lead Sowes ½ Match faddoms  Money 8. li. Mac Donogh Calievers 25. Powder Barrels 01. Lead Sowes â— Match  Money 12. li. Redmond Burke Calievers 150. Powder Barrels 10. Lead Sowes 05. Match  Money 500. li. Teg Orwrke Calievers 150. Powder Barrels 10. Lead Sowes 05. Match  Money 500. li. From Odonnell to Teg Kewgh Calievers 12 Powder Barrels 02 Lead Sowes ½ Match Fathomes  Money 40. li. CHAP. III. Iames fits Thomas the titulary Earle of Desmond taken Prisoner Iames fits Thomas kept Prisoner in the Lord Presidents house His 〈◊〉 and condemnation His relation presented to the Lord President The Lord Presidents Letter to Her Majesty Two Letters from Iames fits Thomas to the King of Spaine The causes of the Rebellion in Mounster as Iames fits Thomas alleaged Hussies report of the causes of the Rebellion in Mounster THere was no man of account in all Mounster whom the President had not oftentimes laboured about the taking of the reputed Earle still lurking secretly within this Province promising very bountifull and liberall rewards to all or any such as would draw such a draught whereby he might be gotten aliue or dead every man entertained these proffers as being resolute in performing the same service although they never conceived any such thought but at last it hapned after this manner The Lord Barry having one hundred men in pay from the Queene employed them many times about such service as either the President should command or himselfe thought requisit and namely about the fourteenth of May knowing that one Dermond Odogan a Harper dwelling at Garryduffe vsed to harbour this Arch-rebell or else upon occasion of some stealth that had beene made in his Countrey the thieues making towards this Fastnesse his Souldiers pursued them into this Wood where by good fortune this supposed Earle with two of the Baldones and this Dermond were gathered together being almost ready to goe to supper but having discovered these Souldiers they left their meate and made haste to shift for themselues they were no sooner gone out of the Cabbin but the Souldiers were come in and finding this provision and a Mantle which they knew belonged to Iames fits Thomas they followed the chase of the Stag now roused By this time the Harper had convaied the Sugan Earle into the thickest part of the Fastnesse and himselfe with his two other Companions of purpose discovered themselues to the Souldiers and left the Wood with the Lapwings policie that they being busied in pursuite of them the other might remaine secure within that Fastnesse and so indeed it fell out for the Souldiers supposing that Iames fits Thomas had beene of that Company made after them till Evening by what time they had recovered the White Knights Countrey where being past hope of any farther service they returned to Barry-court and informed the Lord Barry of all those accidents On the next morning the Lord Barry glad of so good a cause of complaint against the White Knight whom hee hated hasteth to the President and relating unto him all these particulars signifieth what a narrow escape the Arch-traytor had made and that if the White Knights people had assisted his Souldiers hee could not possibly haue escaped their hands Hereupon the White Knight was presently sent for who being called before the President was rebuked with sharpe words and bitter reprehensions for the negligence of his Countrey in so important a busines and was menaced that for so much as hee had undertaken for his whole Countrey therefore hee was answerable both with life and lands for any default by them made The White Knight receiving these threatnings to heart humbly intreated the President to suspend his judgement for a few dayes vowing upon his soule that if the said Desmond were now in his Countrey as was averted or should hereafter repaire thither hee would giue the President a good account of him aliue or dead otherwise he was contented that both his Lands and Goods should remaine at the Queenes mercy and with these protestations he departed And presently repairing to Sir George Thornton hee recounted unto him the sharpe reproofes which from the President hee had received Sir George finding him thus well netled tooke hold of the occasion never left urging him to performe the service untill he had taken his corporall oath upon a booke that he would employ all his endeavours to effect the same Assoone as he was returned to his house he made the like moane unto some of his faithfullest Followers as hee had done to Sir George Thornton and to stirre up their minds to helpe him in the perill hee stood hee promised him that could bring unto him word where Iames fits Thomas was he would giue him fiftie pound in money the inheritance of a Plough land to him and his Heires for ever with many immunities and freedomes One of his Followers which loved him dearely compassionating the perplexity hee was in but would you indeed said he lay hands upon Iames fits Thomas if you knew where to find him the Knight confirmed it with protestations then follow me said he and I will bring you where he is The White Knight and hee with sixe or seven more whereof Redmond Burke of Muskry-quirke was one presently upon the nine and twentie nineth of May tooke horse and were guided to a Caue in the Mountaine of Slewgort which had but a narrow mouth yet deepe in the ground where the Caytiffe Earle accompanied onely with one of his foster brothers called Thomas Opheghie was then lurking The White Knight called Iames fits Thomas requiring him to come out and render himselfe his Prisoner But contrariwise hee presuming upon the greatnes of his quality comming to the Caues mouth required Redmond â—urke and the rest to lay hands upon the Knight for both hee and they were his naturall Followers but the vvheele of his fortune being turned vvith their swords drawen they entred the Caue and without resistance disarming him and his foster Brother they delivered them bound to the White Knight
subditos una cum procuratoribus praesentium latoribus quos pro nobis nostro nomine deputamus quique fuse veraciter omnia quae in hoc bello gessimus adjuti eorum opera doctrina viva voce aperient plenius Deprecantes ut Sancta vestra indubiam illis fidem dignetur adhibere eidem committimus commendamus Dat' in Castris nostris Catholicis 30. Martij 1600. Sanctitatis vestrae Obedientissimi filij fidelissmi subditi Oneale Iames Desmond Mac Cartie More Dermond Mac Cartie alias Mac Donogh I will not trouble the understanding Reader with any long Commentary upon this plaine Text but onely will demand one question whether that man which shall suggest that her Majesties Subjects are in worse case then the Christians under the Turks that her Majesties government is more tyrannicall then that of the Egyptian Pharaoh that shall prefer a supplication into the Court of Rome to haue his annoynted Prince excommunicated as an Heretike and deposed as an Vsurper whether this man may bee adjudged to carie a loyall heart to that Prince or deemed worthy to liue in that Common wealth For my owne part I cannot suppose his leprosie like that of Naaman which may bee cleansed with washing seven times in Iordan but like that of Gehezi which will sticke to him and his posterity for ever and that hee may ingeniously confesse with ever-cursed Cain Peccata mea majora sunt quam condonari queant my sinnes are greater then can be forgiven but fearing lest this digression will be as over tedious to thee in reading as it hath bin unpleasant to me in writing I will now proceed in my purposed relation CHAP. VII Dermond Mac Owen Teg Mac Dermond and Moyle Mo Omaghon arrested Dermond Mac Owens answer to the Lord President The services which the Mounster Regiment performed in Connaght under the conduct of Sir Francis Baâ—kley THE Lord President notwithstanding all these intelligences of Spanish succours had conceived a good hope that so soone as the present State of the Province should bee knowen in Spaine namely that the Chieftains were apprehended and the rest generally appeased it would bee a good meanes to divert the intended preparations and yet farther to secure the Provincials so farre as the wit of man could devise he called a generall Sessions of Goale delivery in Corke to bee holden about the eight and twentieth of Iuly whither all the Freeholders in that Countrey were to make their repaire where hee intended to lay hold of all such persons as had beene most pernitious in the former warres and likely to proue most dangerous in after times these were principally foure Dermond Mac Owen Cartie alias Mac Donoghe that was a Partaker in the petition to the Popes sanctitie an other Teg Mac Dermond Cartie brother to Cormuck Lord of Muskerry the third Moil Mo Omaghon chiefe of that Sept of the Omaghons in Kinalmekeghe and the fourth and last was Dermond Moil Mac Cartie brother to Florence Mac Cartie so much spoken of The three former making their apparance at the Sessions were apprehended and committed Prisoners to the gentleman Porter the fourth knowing himselfe guilty of many treacherous practises plotted by his brother Florence durst not adventure himselfe within the Citie wals but kept aloofe in Carbery till hee heard how the other sped and then conveyed himselfe into the North amongst his fellow Rebels I may not here omit to relate unto you a passage which passed betweene Dermond Mac Owen aforesaid the first of the foure aforementioned and the Lord President when he was first taken in upon protection did sweare and protest that he would remaine a good Subject but said the President what if the Spaniards invade Ireland what would you doe then your Lordship puts mee said he to a hard question for if that should happen let not then your Lordship trust me or the Lords Barry and Roche or any other whatsoever that you haue best conceit of for if you doe you will bee deceived this was plaine dealing and in divers it proved true as hereafter you shall heare Vpon the determination of these Sessions aforesaid namely in the beginning of August the President dispatched his Letters to the Lord Deputie and the Councell at Dublin signifying the restraint of these men and the reasons inducing him thereunto for they all being men of turbulent spirits discontented minds and ill affected to the English government could not but proue very dangerous to the State in these doubtfull times forraine invasions being daily expected and although they had lately submitted themselues yet was it sufficiently made knowen unto him aswell by the confeâ—â—ion of the condemned titulary Earle as from other of good credit that it proceeded not from any loyall or dutifull disposition but by the necessitie of the time being constrained and by the Popish Priests being licensed they were contented for a time to liue in subjection being no longer able to hold out in rebellion But yet notwithstanding hee determined to proceed either in the retayning or releasing of them as hee should be directed by their graver wisedomes The Lord Deputie and Councell approved of his proceedings referring the farther pursuite of these affaires together with all other matters within his government to his owne discretion You haue formerly heard how Sir Francis Barkley was sent with Regiment into Connaght and although I doe confine my selfe to speake chiefely of the services of Mounster yet this Regiment being still upon the List of Mounster I doe not thinke that I shall erre in setting downe of any accident of note which it performed The nineth of August Sir Francis with his Troopes lodged at Alphine in the County of Roscoman the morning following was darke and misty Odonnell Orwrkâ— Tirrell and the traytorly Confederats being fifteene hundred Foote and three hundred Horse quartering not farre from us presented themselues close to our Campe Sir Francis Barkley finding that his store of munition was but weake resolved not to fight but the Enemy growing bold upon our slacknesse pressed so boldly upon us as we were forced to draw out for two houres there was a hot skirmish wherein our men served exceeding well forcing them to retire to their quarter Of our side there was lost a Gentleman of Captaine Kingsmils Company and foure and twentie hurt Of the Enemy not so few as eightie slaine and hurt CHAP. VIII Sixe thousand men demanded by the Lord President to bee sent into Mounster to withstand the intended invasion of Spaine The Lord Presidents opinion sent to the Lords of the Councell of the likeliest place where the Spaniards would attempt to land their Forces in Ireland The effect of the Lords of the Councels answer to the Lord President A branch of the Lord Presidents Letter tâ— Master Secretary Cecill A Letter from Master Secretary Cecill tâ— the Lord President The intelligence had of the Spanish fleete comming for Ireland and by him sent
conquest and ruine whereof was the maine marke whereat they aimed It was generally expected that upon the first landing of the Spaniards that the greatest part of Mounster would haue presently relapsed and haue declared themselues Spanish but the President had so well established the Province by the apprehending of all the Principals which hee mistrusted and by taking good pledges of the rest that when the Lord Deputy came to Corke hee presented unto him all the men of living and quality in the Province who stood firme untill the comming of supplyes to Castlehaven as hereafter you shall heare The eight and twentieth the Lord President brought the master of a Scottish barke to the Lord Deputy which came from Lisbon who confidently reported that the Spaniards when they were embarqued for Ireland were sixe thousand strong And the same day we heard that none of the Irish had repaired to Kinsale to tender their service to the Spaniards but onely some dependants of Florence Mac Carties and that Don Iohn and his Captaines were much grieved that Florence was sent prisoner into England of whose restraint they understood nothing untill they were arrived And also wee were advertised that at Kinsale fiue and thirtie ships arrived with Don Iohn and that the rest of his fleete were driven into Baltimore having in them seven hundred Souldiers and that they brought with them sixteene hundred Saddles hoping as they were promised to find horses in Ireland and a great surplus of Armes to furnish the Irish and the Companies with Don Iohn for most part were old Souldiers taken from the garisons of Italy and the Terceras and that there was but a few Besognies among them The same day Captaine George Flower Sergeant Major of the Province of Mounster was sent with certaine Companies to view the Towne of Kinsale to see what countenance the Enemy did hold hee no sooner approached the Towne but the Spaniards sallied our men beate them into the Towne and were so eager in pursuit as they came to the Port and would haue set fire unto it if Flower had not drawen them off in this skirmish wee had some men hurt and the Enemy both slaine and hurt Also the same day certaine Companies were directed to march into Kinaley to burne and spoyle all the corne in that Countrey and within fiue miles of Kinsale and to command all the Inhabitants in those parts to bring their Cattle on this side the river of Awneboy and Corke whereby the Enemy should want reliefe neere unto them To hasten the comming of Tyrone and Odonnell the Spanish Archbishop of Dublin and Don Iuan de Aquila wrote unto them as followeth A Letter from the Archbishop of Dublin and Don Iuan de Aquila unto Tyrone and Odonnell PErvenimus in Kinsale cum classe exercitu Regis nostri Philippi expectamus vestras excellentias qualibet hora veniant ergo quà m velociter potuerint portantes equos quibus maximè indigemus jam alia via scripsimus non dico plura valete Frater Matheus Archiepiscopus Dublinens A Qui estamos guardando a vuestras Senorias illustrissimas Como largamente otra via hemos escritos A Dios. 12. Octob. 1601. Don Iuan de Aquila Excellentissimis Dominis Don Oneale and Odonnell This day the Lord Deputie the Lord President and Councell with divers others went to Kinsale to take a view thereof and found at their comming thither that the shipping had newly left the harbour and were under saile for Spaine so as they saw nothing was further to bee done till the comming of the forces The third of October Sir William Fortescu with his Company of Foot and Sir Beniamin Berry with the Lord deputies came to Corke The Marshall who was sent from Kilkenny to draw Companies out of the Pale came this day with Sir George Bourchier to Corke where at that time remained the Lord Deputie the Lord President Sir Robert Gardiner and Sir Nicholas Walsh Councellors expecting them and others Sir Iohn Barkley came that day also The Companies came to Corke that Sir Iohn Barkley had brought with him Sir Henrie Davers who was sent for the Forces about Armaghe came to Corke with Sir Henry Folliet captaine Blany and diuers other Captaines Master Marshall and Sir Iohn Barkley with some Horse and Foote went to Kinsale to view a fit place to encampe in The Companies that Sir Henry Davers went for came this day to Corke Some Horse and Foot sent foorth to keepe the Spanyards from Victuals Two Frenchmen were voluntarily taken that ranne away from the Spanyards who confessed their numbers to be three thousand fiue hundred besides those that were not yet come in It was resolved to take the field but no great Ordnance came yet to enable us thereunto The weather fell out so rainy as it was unfit to rise The Lord Deoutie left Corke and encamped with the Armie at a place called Owneboy fiue miles from Kinsale the Artillery Munition and Victualls which were to come from Dublin was not yet arrived yet was it thought fit being thereof supplyed by the Presidents store to take the field rather then the Countrie should discover those wants and so fall away CHAP. XII The Lord President requireth the Townes of Mounster to send Companies of Foot to the Campe. Don Iuan de Aquila his Declaration in answer of a Proclamation published by the Lord Deputy and Councell The Army encamped at Knockrobyn neere Kynsale The enemy attempted to disturbe our Quarter but were repulsed A skirmish betweene vs and the Spanyard Captaine Button arrived with Munition and Victuals A Skirmish in the night wherein twenty of the Spanyards were slayne The Army encamped close to Kynsale A prey of Cowes taken from the Spanyards THE Lord President in his providence before the Army was ready to march to Kinsale acquainted the Lo Deputie which hee well approoved that hee had sent to the Cities and great Townes of Mounster that every of them according to their proportions should send Companies of Foot from their severall Corporations to strengthen her Majesties Army which they accordingly but with some grudging did performe This he did not for any opinion he had to receiue fruite by their services but their being in the Campe was a good Pledge upon the Townes in these doubtfull times for their better loyalties the Lord Deputie not being able to spare any Companies to secure them The Lord Deputie and Councell before the Armie marched from Corke doubting as they had good cause that the Priests would leaue no practises unattempted that might animate or confirme the Irish in their Rebellion thought it necessary to giue notice to the world how uniust the pretended causes were that the Irish had taken Armes against their true annoynted Soveraigne and also how unjustly the same was maintained by the Pope and the King of Spaine which by Proclamation was
or Guards or to attempt somewhat upon that Quarter but being discovered by a partie of ours not much exceeding two hundred that were of purpose sent out to lye betweene the Towne and our Campe commaunded by Sir Iohn Barkley who had with him Captaine Morris they set upon them killed foure dead in the place divers hurt tooke some Armes and other good spoyle and beat them backe to the Towne without losse of any one of our men and not aboue three hurt Cormocke Mac Dermond chiefe Lord of a Countrey called Muskery comming with his Countrey rising out to shew them to the Lord Deputie was in his returne directed to march hard by the Spaniards trenches which they had made upon the Hill without the Towne for their guards which hee was willed to doe the rather that the Spanyards might see the Irish serue on our sides For this purpose were good seconds appoynted yet out of â—ight of the Enemies The Irish at the first went on well beat the Spaniards from their ground to the Towneward but according to their custome soone fell off by which meanes a Horseman called Courcy of the Lord Presidents who had charged two Spaniards upon some advantage was ingaged and unhorsed before hee espyed himselfe in danger which Sir William Godolphin seeing who had the command of the Lord Deputies Troupe charged one way upon their whole Numbers and Captaine Henry Barkley Cornet of the same Troupe another way at the same instant and notwithstanding their many Shott drane them out of their Trenches rescuing the Horseman and horse and to the marvell of all the beholders considering the multitude of shot made at them even upon the edge of the trench came off without hurt saue onely one horse killed and one man slightly shot of the enemies were killed foure left dead in the place and divers seene caried off besides many other hurt Captaine Thomas Button who had the wafting of the victualls with Munition from Dublin with the Queenes Pinnace the Moone arrived at Corke and came to the Lord Deputie at the Campe signifying the rest of the Shipping was comming from Dublin that had layen at Waterford He was that night sent away to bring his Ship about into the Harbour of Kinsale and with Captaine Wards ship which was directed to accompany him whom wee were inforced to make use of before to guard that Victuall and Munition in Oyster Haven which wee had brought with us from Corke they were willed to trie if they could annoy the Castle of Rincorran seated close upon the Harbour and possessed by the Spanyard But after they had spent many shott upon the Castle and found they did them little hurt their Ordnance being but small they lay still onely to keepe the Harbour that neither the Castle nor the Towne might be relieved by water which was the chiefe cause of their sending thither and which Captaine Thomas Button notwithstanding many attempts made by the Spanyards and Natiues very valiantly to his high commendations performed Wee had Newes of the shipping that came after Captaine Button from Waterford that they were put into the Harbour at Corke who presently had direction to worke about to another Creake called Oyster Haven lying betweene Corke and Kinsale from whence they might more commodiously unlade their Artillery and provisions for the speedy use of the Army Wee resolved to rise and lye before the Towne but the shipping being not yet come about with the Artillery and other necessaries that day was spent in dispatching into England and making all things fit to remooue This night Captaine Blaynie and Captaine Flower were sent out with fiue hundred Foote upon Discoverie that the Spanyards were drawne out of the Towne and so lay readie for them if they had come towards our Quarter but they came not on The Army was ready to rise but the weather falling out very fowle direction was given to dislodge foure naturall Spaniards came this day from the Enemy choosing rather to put themselues upon the mercy of the State then to liue under the tyrannie of their owne Commanders who the next day were sent to Corke This night Sir Iohn Barkley went out with some three hundred Foote having with him Captaine Flower Captaine Morris and Captaine Bostock out of these were chosen sixtie Pikes and Targets to be the better undiscovered who fell into their trenches beate them to the Towne and fell into the Gate with them they killed and hurt aboue twentie of the Spaniards betweene the Inner and the owter Gate and returned having but three hurt The Army dislodged early and encamped on a hill on the North side before Kinsale called the Spittle somewhat more then musket shot from the Towne and there intrenched strongly when we sate downe wee discovered that the Spaniards had gotten a prey of two or three hundred Cowes and many sheepe which were in an Iland as it seemed upon the Southside of the Towne beyond the water which wee could not come at but by sending eight or nine miles about where there was a necke of Land to goe into it Captaine Taffe being sent with Horse and Foot used such expedition in that businesse as hee attayned the place before night and by hote skirmish recovered the prey saue onely some two hundred Cowes that the Spanyards had killed although they were under the guard of a Castle called Castle Ny Parke which the Spanyards had manned to defend those Cattle CHAP. XIII The Castle of Rincorran guarded by the Spaniards besieged and the Spaniards repulsed The Castle of Rincoâ—raâ— battered by the Lord President A remarkeable skirmish betweene us and the Spaniards that attempted to relâ—â—ue Rincorran The Lord Awdley Sir Oliver Saint-Iohn and Sir Garret Harvy hurt A Spanish Commander taken prisoner The Enemy demanded a parley but the Lord President refused to treat with the Messenger The Commander parlied but his offers were not accepted The Enemy endeavoured to make an escape wherein many were sâ—aine and taken prisoners Sir Oliver Saint-Iohn sent from the Lord Deputy with direction to the Lord President The reasons that induced the Lord President to receiue the Spaniards that were in Rincorran to mercy The agreâ—ment betweene the Lord President and the Spanish Commander that was in Rincorran WEe attended all that day for the landing of the Artillery and perfected the intrenchment about the Armie which was left unperfected the day before through the extreame fowlenesse of the weather and at night Sir Iohn Barkley Sir William Godolphin and Captaine Bodly were sent to view the most commodious place to plant the Artillery for the battering of the Castle of Rincorran which was situated upon the River of Kinsale something more then a quarter of a mile from the Towne very convenient to forbid our shipping to ride neere the same wherein Don Iohn de Aquila the Spanish Generall had placed a Captaine with one hundred and
by reason whereof but with great disadvantage no probable attempt of good successe could bee made upon them being lodged as they were in a strong Fastnesse of Bogg and Wood which was on every quarter plashed For avoyding of confusion I must aske some pardon of the Reader to continue the Discourse of the Presidents Iourney untill I speake any more of the siege at Kinsale Odonnell on the other side fearing our forces which were encreased by a Regiment of Foot and some Horse which Sir Christopher Saint-Lawrence brought with him durst not enter farther into the Countrey because hee could not avoyd us and at that time hee had no other way to passe for the Mountaine of Slewphelim which in Summer time is a good ground to passe over was by reason of great raines so wett and boggye as that no Carriage or Horse could passe it This Mountaine is in the county of Typperarie towards the Shenan and from thence to come into the county of Limerick the passage is through a straight neere to the Abbey of Ownâ—y which Abbey from the place where Odonnell incamped in Omaghers Countrey is at the least twentie Irish miles having as wee thought by lodging where wee did prevented his passage there hapned a great frost the like whereof hath beene seldome seene in Ireland and the Enemy being desirous to avoid us taking the advantage of the time rose in the night and marched over the Mountaine aforesaid whereof as soone as wee were advertised wee likewise rose from Cassell whither wee were drawen mistrusting that they would take the advantage of the frost fower houres before day in hope to crosse him before hee should passe the Abbey of Ownhy supposing that it had not beene possible for him to haue marched farther with his cariage without resting The next morning by eleaven of the clock wee were hard by the Abbey but then wee understood that Odonnell made no stay there but hastned to a house of the Countesse of Kildares called Crome twelue miles from the Abby of Ownhy so as his march from Omaghers Countrey to Crome by the way which hee tooke without any rest was aboue two and thirtie Irish miles the greatest march with cariage whereof hee left much upon the way that hath beene heard of To overtake him wee marched the same day from Cashell to Kilmallock more then twentie Irish miles but our labour was lost The morning following Odonnell with all his forces rose from Crome and lodged that night in the straight of Conneloghe where hee rested a few dayes to refresh his tired and surbated Troopes The President seeing that this lightâ—ooted Generall could not bee overtaken thought it meet to hasten to the Campe at Kinsale to prevent his comming thither wherein wee vsed such expedition as if he had done his uttermost we were sure to be there before him or inforce him to fight with us for wee tooke the next direct way and he for his safety to avoid us marched a farther way about through Dowalla and Muskry which was very troublesome to passe with Horse and Baggage the time of our returne to the Campe was the fiue and twentieth of the same Moneth In our retreat towards Kinsale betweene Kilmallock and Moyallo we overtooke the Earle of Clanricard with his Regiment marching towards the Campe and also betweene Moyallo and Corke wee met with the Earle of Thomond who was sent by the Lord Deputy with his Troope of Horse to follow the President There came into Mounster with Odonnell these principall Gentlemen of Vlster and Connaght viz. Orwrke Mac Swiny ne Doa Odogherty Oboyle the two Mac Donoghes Mac Dermond Okellie Obirne O Conner Roes two sonnes Odonnels two brothers Donnell O Conner Sligoes brother the two Oflares William Burke brother to Redmond and Hughe Mostian besides of Mounster men the Lord of Lixnaw Iohn fits Thomas brother to the counterfeit Earle of Desmond the Knight of the Valley Dermond moyle Mac Cartie brother to Florence and many others his whole number consisted neere unto foure thousand Foote and three hundred Horse this was related unto the President by one Iames Welsh who was with Odonnell when he fled the incountering of the Presidents forces hee also affirmed that Tyrone had in his Armie Mac Genis Mac Guire Mac Maghon Randell Mac Lorly Oneale and all the chiefes of Vlster with their forces CHAP. XV. A part of Don Dermuâ—io his Examination concerning a practise for the taking or killing of the Lord President A Sally made by the enemy in Kinsale A Spanish Captaine slaine Master Hopton dyed of a â—urt The Earle of Thomâ—nd landed at Castlehaven with supplies of Horse and Fâ—â—t Supplies of Horse and Foot landed at Waterford The Queeâ—es Fleet and supplies of Foot with munitions c. arrived at Corke Castle Ny Parke attemptâ—d to be taken by vs but the Enterprise fayled A Coâ—ncell of Warre called by the Lord Deputie THE dangerous hazard which the President was in in this journey I may not omit to relate aswell for the perill hee ranne as for his temper in not seeming to see that which hee perfectly knew and despising it for Dâ—rmond Mac Cartie called by the Spaniards Don Dermutio taken as you haue heard at the siege of Rincorran being examined by the Councell confessed to them that Cormuck Mac Dermond Lord of Muskery had intelligence with Don Iohn and certaine presents had beene mutually given and received and that the said Cormuck had undertaken and faithfully promised to deliver up the President to Don Iohn aliue or dead the President was himselfe present at this examination which notwithstanding hee tooke the said Cormuck and ten Horsemen his Followers along with him rode with him eate and dranke with him and many times had private conference with him not seeming to take notice of any treacherous intent besides his Army consisting of three thousand or there abouts what with Countrey risings out and under Captaines in pay two thousand of these were of Irish birth no lesse affected to the Rebels then to themselues and I can well assure the Reader upon good grounds that if our forces had received any disaster they would all haue turned Turkes and cut the throats of their owne Commanders The eighth certaine Ships to the number of thirteene were discovered passing by Kinsale to the Westward but afterward it prooved to bee the Supplyes sent out of ENGLAND with the Earle of Thomond The Spanyard by that time had gotten knowledge of the departure of a good part of our Forces and thereupon supposing us to be much weakened as it cannot be denyed but we were and inferior to them in the Towne in bodies of men they drew out about noone the most part of their Forces and anon after sent some threescore Shott and Pike to the foot of the hill close by our Campe leaving their Trenches very well lyned for their seconds Some of ours were presently drawen out to
by all the best and speediest meanes that may be Wee haue thought it good in regard of the great knowledge and experience wee haue had and found in your faith and valour and in respect of the speciall trust confidence and sufficiencie wee repose in you Wee haue thought it good to grant and commit unto you during our pleasure the command and authority by the power granted us by her Majestie over the Castles of Baltimore and Castlehaven and the whole Countrey of Carbery and over all the Countries territories or places of Collemore Collibeg Ivagh Mounterbarry Slewghteagibane Slewghteage Roe Cloncahill Clondermot Clonloghten and Coshmore and over all the other Countries territories places by what name or names soever they bee called from the Towne of Rosse to the hither parts of the Meares and bounds of Beere and Bantry and so in compasse Northwards to Muskery And we doe giue you power and authority over the Queenes people and her Subjects and Inhabitants in all or any the said Countries appoynting and authorising you hereby to prosecute with fire and sword all Rebels Traytors or other capitall Offenders and all their Ayders Releevers Maintayners Receivers and Abettors or any other Offenders whatsoever that are not ameanable to her Majesties Lawes or haue combined or adhered themselues to any her Majesties enemies or to any now in actuall rebellion against her Highnesse and to make ceasure of all their goods and chattles to her Majesties use And for the better effecting of this her Highnesse service and the speciall trust reposed in you wee doe hereby giue unto you liberty to employ or send among the Enemies or Rebels now in action such Messengers and Espialls as you sâ—all thinke fit to use and to write to parley conferre or treate with them or any of them and to receiue Messengers or Letters from them and to keepe any of them in your company fourteene dayes to procure the doing of service or to gaine intelligences from them and upon assurance and good hopes that any of the said Rebels will doe service to her Majestie Wee doe hereby authorize you to safeconduct them by warrant under your hand for the like space of fourteene dayes so as in the meane time you send them unto us or to the chiefe Governour of the Province for the time being which your safeconduct shall bee duly observed to all those you grant it unto And for the better and speedier clensing and purging the Countrey from Rebels and Malefactors Wee doe hereby giue and commit unto you full power and authority to execute by Marshall Law all notable and apparant Offenders and Malefactors that can neither dispend fourtie shillings in Lands per Annum nor are worth ten pounds in goods and as for such Rebels and Malefactors as are not within compasse of Martiall Law them to apprehend and commit to the Sheere Goale there to remaine and attend their trials by due course of her Majesties common Lawes And for the better advancement of her Majesties service wee doe hereby authorise you to goe aboard any Ship Barque or other Vessell that shall bee or arriue in those parts and to make search in them for Traytors Iesuits Seminaries Letters or prohibited wares and to make stay of them if just occasion so require and to presse and take up any the Boats or Vessels that are or shall bee within the compasse of your command and them to send and employ to such place or places as her Majesties service shall giue you occasion or otherwise to use and dispose of them as you in your discretion shall thinke meetest And this our authority and Commission to you granted to haue continuance during the pleasure of us the Lord Deputie and if wee shall not recull the same during our aboad in this Province then the same to bee in force during the pleasure of the Lord President and no longer And therefore wee doe hereby straightly charge and command all her Majesties Officers Ministers and loving Subjects to be unto you in the due execution of the premisses aiding obedient and assisting at their uttermost perils and for such your whole doings herein These shall bee unto you sufficient warrant and discharge Giuen under her Majesties privie Signet at the Campe before Kinsale the seventh day of Ianuary 1601. George Carew Richard Wingfield George Bourchier To our well beloved Captaine Roger Harvy The eleaventh the Lord President had intelligence from England that Iames the late restored Earle of Desmond was dead and that eighteene hundred quarters of Oates were sent into Mounster for the releefe of our horses CHAP. XXV Don Iuan his request to the Lord Deputie A resolution in Councell to erect certaine Forts in Mounster The request of the Inhabitants of Kinsale to the Lord President Certaine Companies cashiered A Letter from the Lord President to her Majestie The Examination of Richard Owen Richard Owen his Message from Tyrone to the Lord Deputie Instructions for Captaine George Blunt THE fourteenth Don Iuan wrote to the Lord Deputie to pray his Lordship that expedition might be made in taking up of shipping for his transportation and that his Lordship would commiserate the poore Spanish Prisoners in Corke who were like to perish for want of food During the siege there had beene taken at Rincorran Castle Ny Parke in sallyes and in the overthrow of Tyrone together with some runawayes that voluntary came unto us about two hundred rather more then lesse whereof some of them had been sent into ENGLAND About this time the Lord Deputie and the Lord President went by Boate to an Iland in the River of Corke called Halbolin sixe or seven miles from the Citie which upon view they thought fit to bee fortified being so seated as that no shipping of any burthen can passe the same but under the commaund thereof Whereupon direction was given to Paul Ive an Ingeneere to raise a Fortification there and also another at Castle Ny Parke to command the Haven at Kinsale Furthermore it was resolved in Councell that Forts should haue beene erected at Baltimore and Beere-haven as also Cittadells at Corke Limrick and Waterford to keepe the Citizens in some awe but none of these workes were performed saue onely the Forts at Halbolyn and Castle Ny Parke aforesayd From the fourteenth of Ianuary unto the last of the same no matter of any consequence hapned all which time was spent in civill causes in sending of dispatches into England as occasions did result in discharging of Companies which were growen weake whereof two thousand in List were casheerd in hastning away of the Spaniards and in setling of Garisons in the East part of Mounster among other private dispatches which the Lord President sent into England hee wrote this Letter unto her Majestie A Letter from the Lord President to her Majestie SACRED MAIESTIE NOw that it hath pleased the omnipotent Director of all things to blesse you with a happie Victory over the mâ—licious
and good opportunity as I imagined I I came to their presence tendering my obeysance unto them in the name of your Highnesse and being with foure hundred men at my owne cost towards your service I yeelded out of my meere loue and goodwill without compulsion or composition into their hands in the name of your Majestie not onely my Castle and Haven called Beerehaven but also my Wife my Children my Countrey Lordships and all my possessions for ever to be disposed of at your pleasure They received mee in that manner and promised as from your Highnesse to keepe and saue the said Castle and Haven during the service of your grace Notwithstanding my gratious Lord conclusions of peace were assuredly agreed upon betwixt Don Iuan de Aguila and the English a fact pittifull and according to my judgement against all right and humane conscience Among other places whereof your greatnesse was dispossessed in that manner which were neither yeelded nor taken to the end they should bee delivered to the English Don Iuan tyed himselfe to deliver my Castle and Haven the onely key of mine inheritance whereupon the living of many thousand persons doth rest that liue some twentie leagues upon the Sea Coast into the hands of my cruell cursed misbeleeving Enemies a thing I feare in respect of the execrablenesse inhumanity and ingratefulnesse of the fact if it take effect as it was plotted that will giue cause to other men not to trust any Spaniard hereafter with their bodies or goods upon these causes My Lord in that I judge this dishonourable act to be against your honour and pleasure as I understand by your last Letters that came into Ireland considering the harme that might ensue to the service of your Majestie and the ever lasting overthrow that might happen to mee and my poore people such as might escape the sword of our Enemy if any should I haue taken upon mee with the helpe of God to offer to keepe my Castle and Haven from the hands of mine Enemies untill further newes and order come from your Highnesse I haue sent my Sonne and Heire being of the age of fiue yeares as a Pledge for accomplishing your will in this behalfe and for the performing of my promise past unto your Greatnesse I would not omit my selfe in person to come and visit your Highnesse but that I feare our warres here would grow weake in respect of my absence for which cause my selfe and the rest of our men of worth haue sent in haste with Intelligence vnto your Greatnesse our loving Friend Dermond Odrischall in respect of our confidence in him our knowledge of him and the continuall endeavors wee see in him towards this Catholique Warre as from vs all And for as much as wee could not conveniently write all that wee wish vnto you wee humbly beseech that hee may bee heard as from vs all as if our selues were present and to hasten helping Newes that shall rejoyce vs and our people and afterwards to speed your gracious helpe vnto vs for the sooner the better whilest our enemies are not in readinesse and vntill the comming of newes from your grace vnto vs I will haue in a readinesse where the service shall require the number of one thousand men and I will upon my knees pray the mercifull God to giue vnto your Grace long life with health of body and soule and all happinesse and so doe commit you to the safeguard of the Omnipotent Donboy viz. Beere-haven the twentieth day of February 1602. Donnell Osulevan Beare A Letter from Osulevan Beare to the Earle of Caraçena MY dutie remembred It may please your Lordship to understand that according to my former Letters it hath manifestly appeared heere the resolution of Don Iuan de Aguila to haue been by his composition with the English to yeeld unto the Enemies hands all the Forts and Havens voluntarily delivered by the Lords and Gentlemen of this Land for his Majesties service which will bee to the dishonour of the King the prevention of his most godly attempt and the utter ruine and destruction of thousands of this Countrey Gentlemen and Catholiques who without compulsion entred into this Action All which having considered I haue of meere affection to my Religion his Highnesse service and loue to my people and Countrey so endeavored the recovery of my Castle as I did draw into the same some hundred of my followers whom although the Spanyards haue attempted to resist and killed three of my best Gentlemen yet durst none of my people kill any of them but without harme forced them out of my said Castle saving their Captaine with fiue or sixe unto whom I haue allowed certaine roomes in my House to looke to the Kings Munition and Artillerie which Castle and Haven I doe detaine and will evermore for his Majesties Service to defend untill his Highnesse pleasure and your Lordships resolution unto mee shall bee further knowen And for manifestation of my loyaltie and faithfulnesse to his Majestie I haue sent my Sonne and Heyre thither whom I hope ere this time is present before your Lordship and haue cessâ—d all the Captaines Company upon my owne people and charges humbly beseeching it may please your Honour to bee a meane unto his most Catholique Majestie that hee may vouchsafe speedily to releeue this place where many of his Royall Shipps in time of service may bee kept in safetie Or otherwayes to send some small Ship towards this coast for to receiue mee and the rest of my Family and Children for to bee carryed into Spaine for the saving of our liues out of the hands of these mercilesse Hereticall Enemies making choyce rather to forsake my ancient Inheritance Friends Followers and Goods then any way to trust to their most gracelesse Pardon or Promise Thus much I hope your godly charitable Nature will draw you to doe for such a one as I am who hazarded Life Lands Goods and Followers for the Catholique Faith and the Kings Majesties Service All which leaving to your Honourable Discretion through whose vertuous meanes I chiefely hope to receiue comfort I humbly take leaue From Beare-haven Castle the last of February 1602. Your most Faithfull and bounden Donnell Osulevan Beare To the Earle of Caraçena Governor and Captaine Generall for his Majestie in the kingdome of Galitia A Letter from Osulevan Beare to Don Pedro Zubiaur MY honorable good friend your kind letters I haue of late received for your carefull furtherance I cannot but rest beholden and thankfull as before Our state sithence your departing notwithstanding many crosses was reasonable well partly because of the weaknesse of the English forces untill a brute came unto us credibly that Don Iuan de Aguila did not onely agree and compound to yeeld the Towne of Kinsale but also the other Castles and Havens delivered voluntarily by the owners unto you and the Veador to the King his use during the occasion of service which notwithstanding being
that night in Rosse The nine and twentieth the Lord President went to Kinsale and tooke view of the fortifications at Castle-Parke and gaue order and direction for the better forwarding and ending of the workes there and thence rode that night to Corke appoynting the Companies that were to depart the Province to march the shortest way and to lodge at Downdanyer Donnell Mac Cartie Reughes Castle and the rest to come to Kinsale The thirtieth those Companies which were to goe with Sir Samuell Bagnall came to Corke and had their supplyes delivered them with order for their present departure The first of Iuly the Captaines that were to goe along with Sir Samuell Bagnall spent the day in staying for their sicke men which were comming after and preparing themselues for their journey and the day following they arose all from Corke and marched thitherwards The President in his returne from Dunboy as is said passing through Carberry where many were still in action not doubting but now they would haue submitted themselues seeing their supposed impregnable Cittadell was destroyed and Dermond Moyle Mac Cartie their Ante-â—ignane slaine hee found it much otherwise for those which before offered to doe service for their pardons stood aloofe and those which before were distracted and prepared to fly either to Spaine or Vlster had received new life and made fast combinations to hold out till their expected aids from Spaine should arriue yea and some also who before were Subjects and forward to giue the best intelligence did now palpably bewray both by their countenance their words and their actions that their hearts were otherwise affected All which alteration did arise from the arrivall of Owen Mac Eggan so often mentioned who not onely bestowed the Spanish treasure which hee brought with him bountifully amongst them but put them in hope of more with full assurance of a fresh Army to come to their succours his credit the feeling of a few duckets and his perswasions so prevailed as they verily beleeved that they should within a few moneths bee so reinforced with Spanish aids as to bee enabled to driue the English our of Ireland CHAP. X. Supplyes of a thousand Foote sent out of England for Mounster Sir Charles Wilmot with his Regiment sent into Kerry Iames Archer and Conâ—or Odriscall fled into Spaine Sir Owen Mac Carties sonnes revolt Divers Castlâ—s taken in Carbery by the Garrisons there The description of Beareâ—haven The description of Baltimore-haven The description of Castle haven The Spanish hostages licensed to depart A Letter from the Lord President to Don Iuan de Aguila THE President being come to Corke he found Sir Edward Wing field with a thousand supplyes lately come forth of England all which were disposed in the weake Companies that came from Dunboy in the taking whereof and the marching thither with the returne ten weekes were consumed many men lost by the way and by sicknesse very much weakned Notwithstanding so many of the Army as were aboue the old List of Mounster were presently sent to the Lord Deputie by Sir Samuell Bagnall who came for them as aforesaid whilst the President was at the â—iege of Dunboy Sir Charles Wilmot with his Regiment was sent againe into Kerry which Countrey having therein great store of Corne and Cattle would otherwise haue beene left open to the Rebels reliefe with direction to remoue all the Inhabitants with their goods and cattle over the Mountaine into the small county of Limerick and such Corne as could not be presently reaped and convaied as aforesaid hee was commanded to burne and spoyle the same the reason whereof was forthat the President having occasion of service neere the heart of the Countrey as you shall hereafter heare and also receiving daily intelligence of a great Army provided in Spaine did not thinke it safe nor convenient to empoly so great a part of his forces in places so remoâ—e considering that good and strong Garrisons were needfull in the chiefe Cities of the Province which otherwise would bee open to the Enemy that should attempt them But in effecting hereof the Governour found great difficulty for the harvest by reason of that winterlike summer was very backward and besides the Irish the Bishop of Kerry and certaine English families which had of late planted themselues there whose whole estate consisted in that Summers profit importunatly solicited some longer stay The President being acquainted herewith unwilling to giue any just occasion of grievance to the Irish and losse to the English consented to tollerate their stay for the present requiring the Governour in the meane while to put in execution such services upon the Rebels as occasion might minister The fifth of Iuly Iames Archer the Iesuit and Connor Odriscall the eldest Sonne of Sir Finnin Odriscall having gotten a small Brake fled into Spaine The two Captaine Harvies were leâ—t at their old Garrisons in Carberie Captaine Roger at Baltimore the Lord Presidents Horse there Captaine Gawin at Castlehaven the Lord Barries Company at Litterâ—onlesse the Treasurers Company at the Abbey of Strory Captaine Stafford at Old Court Captaine Slingesby at the Church of Shadone where they wasted and forraged the Countrey as in a small time it was not able to giue the Rebels any reliefe having spoiled and brought into their garisons the most part of their corne being newly reaped from whom the President was certified that the Carties of that Countrey did dayly relapse insomuch as Donâ—aâ— Moyle Mac Cartie and Finnie his Brother with their followers who atâ—ended the President at the Siedge of Dunboy had received three hundred pounds Impresse from Owen Mac Eggan commonly called the A postolicall Vicar in the name of the King of Spaine They I say upon the tenth of Iuly 1602 joyned with the Rebells but in the end they could not greatly vaunt of their winnings for Captaine Roger Harvy got severall Draughts upon them whereby hee tooke their preyes and had the killing of many of their men besides hee tooke from them diverse Castles strongly seated neere unto the Sea where Ships might safely ride and fit places fot an Enemy to hold as namely the Castle of Donmanies Leam-con Donnegall the Downings Rancoliskey and Cape Cleere and in a word all that stood upon the Sea cost betweene Dunboy and Castlehaven except onely the Castles of Kilkoe and Cloghan But because we have had often occasions in this relation to speake of the three famous Harbours of Beerehaven Baltemore and Castlehaven it seemes to mee necessary in this place to speake something more particularly thereof according to an exact view taken by the Lord President and by him remised to the Lords of Her Majesties Privy Counsell First therefore the Haven of Beere is fituated twelve Miles to the Northward of that Promontory or fore-land so well knowne by the name of Mysâ—enhead or Caronhead That which wee properly call Beere-haven is the Sea which