people Gallaeci in Spaine a chiefe town and little inferiour to any in Ireland built round like a Tower a Bishops See much frequented by Merchants invited by a commodious haven and safe roade Foure miles from hence stands Knoc-toe that is the hill of Axes and not farre off Aterith having a large wall but poorely inhabited the Birminghams are Barons of English race but of Irish disposition The better sort of Irish are O Kelleis O Maiden O Flairles mac Dervis c. The country of clan Richard lyeth at the entrance of this County and is annexed to it it tooke the name from Richard de Burgh out of which stock Henry the eight made an Earle of Clan Rich whose eldest sonne hath the title of Baron of Dun Kellis In this territory is the Archbishops See of Toam unto which many Bishopricks were formerly subject but now only three The County of Maio limited on the West by the Ocean South by Gollway East by the County of Roscoman and North by the county of Slige very rich and fruitfull abounding with cattle Deere Hawks and honey taking its name from a little city which had a Bishops See but now laid to Toam as I said but the inhabitants are under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Killaly Lord Bourgh is Vicount Maio There is a remarkable lake at the West side of this called Loghmesk full of fish and two small Ilands this County is inhabited with a valiant kind of people stout and hardie most of which were invited by the rebels out of the Scottish Ilands the Hebrides to aid mac William and mac Conell who were defeated by Captain Bingham Governor of Conagh The County of Slego lying along the Westerne Sea betweene it and Ulster Northward runneth the River Tâ—obis issuing from the lake Erne it is parted from the bordering Counties Le Trim and Roscoman by the vast Curlew hills and cut in twaine by the River Suc it is very fit and convenient for the breeding and rearing of cattle Sligo is the principall place of this county where there stands a castle under which is the Bay of Slego a road full of good harbours for shipping the chiefe names besides the O Conors are O Don O Harris O Ghar and mac Donagh There is an honourable Family in Herefordshire now dignified with the title of Baron Scudamore of Dromore and Vicount of Sligo The County of le Trim formerly called Breany which incloseth the county of Sligo on the East and was the possessions of that ancient Family of the Rorck untill Brion O Rorck rebelled in queen Elizabeths dayes who was chased into Scotland and sent thence into England and there hanged so that his lands fell unto the Crown the Sherards are Barons of le Trim after it was made a county by the Lord Deputy and called le Trim from the chiefe towne This county is full of rising hills and very fat ranke pastures so that one saith of it but how true I know not that it is so full of forrage that unlesse cattle were kept sometimes from grazing their fulnesse would endanger them but so fruitfull and fertile it is that in a small circuit of ground it was able at once to shew one hundred and twenty thousand head of beasts here is the See of the Bishop of Achonry united to the See of Elphin The head of the long and large river Shannon first sheweth it selfe here The Families of note O Rorck O Murreis mac Lochleims mac Glancheis and mac Granelles all meere Irish The County of Roscoman lieth Southwest from le Trim made a county likewise by Henry Sidney Lord Deputy being long but narrow and bound with the Rivers Suc Eastward and Shannon Westward and on the North with Curlew mountaines which are high and impassible untill a cut was made thorow them It is a plain fertile countrey much abounding with cattle because tillage is too painfull for the inhabitants There are foure Baronies in this county lying under Curlew hils by the River Shannon 1 That of Boyle where mac Dermot is chiefe 2 That of Balin Tober by the River Suc where O Coner Dun is of greatest power and upon it joyneth Elphen the Bishops See Somewhat lower lyeth Roscomon the Barony of O Coner Roo but the Dillons since have been Earls of Roscommon in which place is feated the chiefe town but now poore and meane More Southward lyeth Athlone the Barony of the O Kellies so named of the head town which hath a castle in it and a most beautifull bridge of hewen stone built by queen Elizabeth and thought it the most convenient place for the Lord Deputies to reside the better to suppresse seditions The fifth part or Province is Ulster the North part of Ireland hath ten Counties THe County of Louth in Irish Iriel or Uriel situated beyond Meth and the River Boyn runneth out with a shore bending towards the North A fruitfull and pleasant soyle if well imployed neere Boyns mouth is seated Drogheda or in English Tredagh a fine town well peopled and frequented so called of the Bridge Boyne cutting it thorow it hath both a Market and Faire granted by King Edward the second as also a Mint once there The Moores now beare the honour of Vicount Drogheda Not farre off stands Mellifont Abbey much praised by Saint Bernard given by queene Elizabeth to Sir Edward Moore of Kent Seven miles off standeth Ardeth an inland town and above it Dundakle having a commodious haven and formerly a wall which Edward Brâ—â— the King of Scots brother did burne but after both himselfe and forces slain and defeated by Sir John Birmingham the Lord Gorges are Barons of it Eight miles from hence stands Carlingford a port of good use and frequencie the Swifts are honoured with the title of Vicounts of this place the names of note are Verdons Tates Clintons Bellewes Donedalls Wottons and some others Sir John Birmingham before named was formerly Earle of Louth But Henry the eight honoured Sir Oliver plunket with the Barony of Louth The County of Cavan lying to the West of Louth and formerly called East Brieny the habitation of O Kellies who have been powerfull in horsemen for the suppressing of whom Sir Henry Sidney divided it into seven severall Baronies to hold in fee from the Crown of England they have no townes but dwell scattered here and there in forts and piles they have a poore Bishop of their owne whose See is at Kilmore yet somewhat better than those Irish Bishops who had no other rents and revenues than three milch kine which being dry the Parishioners did change for a new milch one the L. Lambert or Barons of Cavan The County of Fermanagh lyeth to the West and nore of Cavan full of woods and many boggs in the middest whereof is the greatest lake in Ireland called logh Erne reaching out forty miles very full of inhabited Hands some containing three hundred others foure hundred acres of land and the banks of the lake are
Molachid belonging to the Talbots More within the countrey is Fingall a little place but very well husbanded even the garner and store-house of this Kingdome so great store of corne it yeeldeth every yeare This place discovers the idlenesse of the other Counties which would equally answer the industry of the labourer if it were imployed Divers worshipfull Families are placed here and there of English in this County as namely the Plunkets who are still Earle of Fingall and Lord of Kellene Barnwels Russels Talbots Dillons Netâ—orvils Lutterels Burnels Fitzwilliams Gouldings Ushers Cadlyes Finglasses Sarfeilds Blackneys Crucyes Baths c. NOw we come to the Province of Meth because it lyeth in the middle for strength and safety called the Chamber of Ireland peaceable likewise in the 38. yeare of Henry the eight divided into east Meth and west Meth. The County of east Meth is compassed with Kildare on the south with the County of Dublin and the Sea east on the north with the territory of Louth and with the County of west-Meth on the west The whole is divided into eighteene Baronies viz. Dueleke Scrine Slane Margallen Navan Kenlis halfe the Barony of Fower neere Kenlis Killalou Clove Moylagh Logherne Old-castle Luyn Moyfeuraragh Deese Rath-touth and Dunboyne Boyne a faire River springs out of the north side of the Kings County runneth thorow this country In the remotest places on this side Boyne are these memorable places Galtrim Killin Castle and Dunsany On the further side of Boyne are Trimletstown Gormanston and Slane the Fleming Lord of it of the next before Vicount Preston Barnwell Baron of the other Plunket Lord of Dunsany Among these last stands a Market-towne called Aboy upon the River Boyn which passing Glan Jores that is the Land of George runneth under Trim a fine towne of trade having a Castle erected by William Pepard So it flowes besides Navan the Barony of the Lamberts where the Bishops house is who having no Cathedrall Church doth all with the assent of the Clergie of Meth. Boyn then running higher and swifter neere unto Drodagh the Moores being intitled Vicount of it loseth himselfe in the Ocean Many chief Families of English blood are in this countie the Brabazens being Earles of east Meth. The county of west Meth so called in regard of the situation in relation to the former and reacheth to the River Shanon and lyeth betweene the Kings county south and Longford county north to which it is not much inferiour in any thing if answerable in civility Molingar is the chiefe towne as lying in the midst compassed with many bogges It is parted into twelve Baronies viz. Fertulogh Ferbile Delvin of which the Nugents were Barons and now Earls of west Meth Fourry as also Corkery Moyassell where the Tuts inhabited Moygoisy Rathcomire Magirquirke all propagated from English blood Clonlalon Moycassell meere Irish beare sway And others of more harsh and unpleasant names yet better liked of the Irish than our English names so that one of them said he would not learne English lest it should make him have a wry mouth Hugh Lacy subdued this county and had it given unto him by Henry the second who intending to build a Castle and bowing downe his head to shew the carpenter how hee would have a peece of timber squared had his head cut off by the same carpenter with an axe which hee held in his hand The county of Longford lyeth on the north side of west Meth made a county not long since called Anale before inhabited most by Irish and those potent and turbulent Shannon runneth along this county on the side of it and ariseth out of Therne hils in the county of le Trim and flowing along makes many open pools and after contracts himselfe againe and then runneth into a large broad mere called Lough Regith but after findes his bankes againe on which stands the towne Athlon from thence Shannon having passed the water-fall at Killoloe being very large and deepe six or seven fathome water disjoynes running with open armes to the imbracement of the city Limrick from whence speeding about sixty miles in length making here and there an Iland and where he grew shallow and passible there formerly stood forts and bulwarkes to hinder the inrode of the pilfering Irish and at last running with open mouth beyond knoc Patrick is devoured by the westerne Ocean two Irish Septs most powerfull and eminent in this county O-Pharoll Boy and O-Pharoll Ban the Lord Aungiers are dignified with the title of Baron of Longford Another Province is Conaght wherein are six Counties 1 Twomond or the county Clare which the Irish call Twowoun that is north-Mounster for so formerly was the name untill Sir Henry Sydâ—y laid it unto Connaught shooting out with a narrow promontory into the Sea westward and on the east and south side inclosed with the large streame of the River Shannon and to the west with the maine on the north barred with the county Galloway so that there is no entring of it by land The territories of Clan Richard are very fruitfull and commodious both for sea and land onely vexed with bad and idle creatures lazie inhabitants O fortunati si sua norint Did they but truly consider the benefit that would acrew by industry how would they indeavour As hath appeared by the care and paines of some English of note and esteem as the Muscegros and Clares who have built many forts and townes from whom Clare the chiefe towne takes name Other places of note Kilfennerag and Killalloe Orlaon the Bishops seat where there stands a Rock in the middest of the channell of Shannon from which the water maketh a great noyse in the fall thereof and which is a great barre and hinderance that no vessels can passe any further Not farre from this banke stands Bunraty made a Market towne by Henry 3. and is fortified with a Castle Seven miles off appeareth Clare the principall towne at a creek flowing from Shannon full of Ilands the chiefe Families are Irish the English being degenerated wholly mac Nemors mac Mahon O-Loughton the O Brians the chiefe of all and of ancient descent and now Earls of Thomond and who did good service against the Irish in Queen Elizabeth's time The County of Galloway boundeth South on Clare West on the Sea North on County Maio and East on Shannon abounding both in corne and cattle The West-shore is very craggy and rugged with a long border of greene Ilands foure of which called Aran make a Barony also Inis Ceath where the Monastery of Colman is a devout Saint founded for Scots and English but their continuall discord made the English quite forsake it More within lyeth a lake called logh Corbes spreading twenty miles in length and three or foure in breadth being navigable furnished with three hundred small Ilands full of grasse and Pine-trees but towards the Sea this lake is more streightned and runnes under Gallway Irish Gallive called so from the
peny sterling In Corke by Patent to Knights and Esquires and to their heires were granted 88037 Acres with Rents five hundred and twelve pounds seven shillings and six peace half pâ—ny sterling In Waterford and Tipperary 22910 Acres with Rents three hundred and three pounds three pence sterling But these Undertakers having got so large a proportion of Lands and so little care to plant them with English Colonies and build and fortifie them with Castles as by Patent they were tied but for private ends without any regard to the publick good or her Majesties bounty sold them either to Papists or to Irish ill affected unto the English which was a great prejudice to the State of that Kingdom and the seeds of the ensuing Rebellion raised by Tyrone Concerning which I will briefly shew unto the Reader such collections as I have gathered from divers Authors COncerning the name and title of O Neale it is in so much esteeme that even those honourable titles of Earles Marquesses Dukes and Princes are despised in regard of that and in such reverent regard among the Irish that it is thought hee deserves the greatest curse in the world to fall upon him that shall dare to lay violent hands upon him nor have any loyall subjects a more dreadfull awe to violate the person of their sacred Prince then these people have to touch their great O Neale So that two thousand pound being offered by Proclamation to any that should betray him in his vast Campe prevailed nothing at all although hee were proclaymed Traitour and held guilty of that crime by Act of Parliament to take that name upon him Neere Tâ—llogh Oge there was a stone Chaire placed in the open field wherein he sate down that was created then we whose office it was took an old shooe and cast it over his head proclayming him O Neale Henry O Neale and Câ—nmâ—re matching into the Family of the Earles of Kildare by this their good fortune grew so insolent and proud that by their cruell tyranny they grew intolerable Câ—n Batto because lame succeeded his father in the dignity of O Neale and cursed his posterity if any of them should learne English sow corne or build houses to entertain the English This mans greatnesse grew in suspition with Henry the eighth having been a party in the former Rebellion of the Earle of Kildare which hee perceiving went into England renounced the title of O Neale and surrendred his Lands unto the King Which not long after was regranted unto him by Henry the eighth to hold in fee together with the title of the Earl of Tyrone to him and to Matthew his reputed sonne and to the heires of their bodies lawfully begotten At which time also Matthew was created Baron of Dungannon This Matthew till hee was fifteene yeeres of age was reputed the sonne of a blacksmith of Dundalke whose Wife Con had formerly kept and she at her death gave him unto the said Con as being his sonne which hee did accept and appointed him to be Lord of Dungannon but hee was murthered in his fathers life time by Shant that is John O Neale the lawfull heire of Con but Matthew the base sonne left Brian who was murthered by O Donell at the instance of Shan And Hugh and Cormack who by the means and help of the English were preserved yet both proved Rebels Shan being barbarous and bloudy did â—ave and rage in a cruell manner over the Lords and people of Vlster Began to dispute that his father had no power to surrender to Henry the Eighth being but a termer that Mattheâ— was base borne that himselfe was O Neale and had Sovereigne power and authority over the Lords of Vlster Who taking armes overthrew O Really and took Callogh O Donnell Lord of Tir Conell cast him and his children into prison took his wife from him and bore himselfe as absolute King of Vlster But hee was soone quelled by the forces of the Earle of Sussex the then Lord Deputy and by perswasion of the Earle of Kildare went into England and made great submission to Queen Elizabeth and promising allegiance was received courteously And so returning conformed himselfe awhile in civill manner and did some good service against the Scots killed their Leader and drove them out of Vlster howbeit hee suddenly fell to his old byas and played the Tyrant over the Lords of Vlster who craved aid of the Lord Deputy to suppresse him but he grew the more outragious and with fire and sword drave Mac Guir Lord of Fermanagh out of his Country set fire on the Metropolitan Church of Armagh and laid siege to Dundalke but had the repulse by the Garrison and assistance of the Major But Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy taking the field with some forces sent Edw. Raldalph a brave Souldier to the North side of Ireland where at Derry at Coghfoyle in a pitchfield though hee lost his life yet gave the rebell such an overthrow that he was never able to appeare any more abroad so that hee was minded to have submitted with a halter about his neck to the Deputy but by the perswasion of his Secretary hee tried the friendship of the Scots who received him kindly but not long after slue him So that presently after Shan by a Parliament at Dublin was attainted of high Treason and all that hee had fell to the Queen Then Turlogh Linnogh took the title off O Neal for feare of the children of Shan and Matthew the bastard but being aged was quiet and lived peaceably Now Hugh son of the base son Matthew lived somtime in Ireland but much in the Court of England commonly called Baron of Dungannon who had served with a troop of horse under the Queen against the Lord of Desmond and behaved himselfe so valiantly that hee had given him a yeerly pension off a hundred marks He was a man of mean stature but of a strange body able to endure labours watching hunger and cold being industrious and active valiant affable and apt to manage great affaires and of a hgh dissembling subtile and profound wit He put up a Petition to the Parliament in Ireland that he might enjoy the inheritance of his Grandfather Con and his father granted to be Earles of Tirone which by the help of Sir John Perrot Lord Deputy was procured of the Queen And so hee handled the matter as well knowing the humour of the Court of England that through the Queenes mediation he got Turlogh Linnogh to surrender his government upon some conditions After whose death he usurped the title of O Neale which was capitall yet coloured it over with a pretence that it was only to hinder others In the yeer 1588 when that great Armado of Spaine was scattered by the English and many of the ships cast away on the Irish coast it is thought that this Hugh lodging and entertaining many of them was by them seduced and perswaded to Rebellion And going into England he was there
the Treaty of Peace and offered very largely and at Dundalke Tyrone upon his knees made an humble submission to the Queen before these Commissioners and made many requests promising reformation and many circumstances and Ceremonies then passed But these inconveniences followed these delayes being no better then delusions that the Vlster Rebels had rest this Summer and O Neale in the midst of this Negotiation required aid from Spain Sir Richard Bingham a valiant wise man on some complaint of the Irish was sent for over into England and Sir Coniers Clifford sent in his place but afterwards Sir Richard was againe employed in great command in that service Again an other Treaty of Peace with Tyrone who layd the cause of his disloyalty on the wrongs that were offered him and so with many dissembling words oaths and protestations making answer to some questions concerning Spaine he departed This Lord Deputy being recalled into England and the Lord Bourgh or Borough was sent over in his place with absolute authority so that Sir John Norris was much disheartned thereby and was thought of purpose for that end sent over by the Earle of Essex whom Generall Norris had dipleased by undertaking an action with lesse force then the said Earle required At this Dep arriving Generall Norris was commanded to his charge which was Lord President of Munster and not to stirre thence without leave which thing did presently break his heart so that he died there in the armes of his brother Sir Thomas Norris Now Tyrone submitted or sweld as he saw occasion So that the Lord Deputy perceiving it presently made his way towards Tyrone thinking it best to strike at the head who encountred the Irish in a narrow path and made them give way hee tooke the Fort at Blackwater and left Souldiers in it which being not long after assailed by the Rebels was againe relieved by the Lord Deputy who immediatly fell sick as hee was passing to Tyrones house at Dungannon and not long after departed this world to the great joy of the Rebels who found his severity disadvantagious to them Then Sir Thomas Norris Lord President of Munster under the great Seale of England was made Lord Justice of Ireland who repaired to Dublin but being very ill through the great grief he conceived for the losse of his brother in a moneths space he made suit to be released So that Adam Loftus Lord Chancelour the Lord Archbishop of Ireland and Robert Gardiner chiefe Justice of Ireland by Patent from England were made Lord Justices for the Civill Government And the Earle of Ormond was made Lord Lievtenant and chief Generall of all Martiall affaires Tyrone again sues for pardon and proffers submission saying that it was offered injuries that compelled him thus to revolt So there was another meeting appointed at Dundalke Decemb. 22. where on his knees hee shewed great sorrow and made humble submission desiring a cessation from Armes eight weeks now this submission being sent into England the Lord Lievtenant received authority from the Queen to make a finall conclusion so that another meeting was appointed March 15 at Dundalke where many articles were propounded to the Rebels which they slightly regarded but for better deliberation Tyrone desired the tenth of April for another meeting But Tyrone with pretences did frustrate all these parleys and though hee had his generall pardon granted yet continued he in his disloyall courses so that on the former Indictment 1595 he is after out-lawed in 1600. But he being prepared and his men expert by trayning and often skirmishing whereas at the first two or three of them were employed in the discharge of a Musket hee left off to dissemble and submitted no more but gives incouragement and that with good successe unto his Confederates First he sends ayde to the Lemster Rebels to annoy the English and assaulted the Fort of Blackwater as being a hinderance in his passing too and fro But Captaine Williams valiantly defended it with great losse to Tyrone who went and lay further off but this Captaine and his Company continued their defence bravely untill August though much pinched with want of victuals when Sir Henry Bagnal Marshall of Ireland with foot and horse of the English endeavoured to relieve it and passing along the narrow passages through the thicke Woods beyond Armagh Where the Rebell with all his force assayled him and bearing a deadly hatred and malice against the Marshall against whom he bent his whole strength and commanded his Souldiers so to doe that he had the fortune to kill him yet like a valiant Gentleman he sold his life at a deare rate to many of the Rebels But his fall caused our mens hearts to fayle whereupon the Rebell had the greatest advantage against the English the like never hapning againe called The Defeat at Blackwater wherein we lost thirteen valiant Captains and fifteen hundred old Souldiers whereupon likewise the surrender of the Fort ensued It was thought this misfortune to happen from an oversight of the Marshall who made the Van of the army too suddenly to retreat and too sudden faces about puts feare in the Reare and makes them suppose it may be a running away For as Sir Walter Raleigh in his fifth book first part of the History of the World that as well in the Wars of these later ages as in former times it hath been found ever extreame dangerous to make a Retreat in the head of an enemies army as he renders the reason but I cannot digresse any further This overthrow much increased the insolencie of the Rebels the Rebells having gotten courage and armes thereby and Tyrone termed the Deliverer of his Countrey and the authour of their liberty All Vlster in Rebellion Connagh revolted and the Rebels in Lemster a continuall terrour and vexation to the English And now Tyrone sent forces into Munster where after the departure of Sir John Norris most of the County revolted and now brake out like Lightning making havock and destroying in a barbarous manner And for the better countenancing of the matter a new pretended Earle of Desmond is set up on condition to be Vassall to O Neale At this time a supply came out of England of a thousand and fifty old Souldiers from out the Low Countreys and nine hundred and fifty joyned to them of new raised in England sent under the command of Sir Samuel Bagnal Colonel and nine other Captains to strengthen the Queenes forces iâ—Lemster and a hundred under Colonel Bagnals command In the midst of these broyls the impudent Rebell is noâ— ashamed to intreat for pardon and sue for peace Although as appeared in his Letters sent to the King of Spaine he magnified his victories and vowed perseverance but his conditions were insolent and so not regarded And now the wound is growne so great and the case so desperate that it admits of no cure but by the hand of a valiant expert souldier And none found like Robert Earle of
A Geographicall DESCRIPTION Of the Kingdom of IRELAND According to the 5 Provinces and 32 Counties together with the Stations Creeks and Harbours belonging thereto fit for Gentlemen Souldiers and Sea-men to acquaint themselves withall As also Declaring the Right and Titles of the Kings of England unto that Kingdom Likewise Setting down a brief Relation of the former Rebellions and of their suppression especially that in Q. Elizabeths time by Tyrone whence many matters worth observing may be collected usefull for this present Service By a Well-willer to the peace of both Kingdoms London Printed by I. R. for Godfrey Emerson and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Swan in Little-Britain 1642. To the Reader Courteous Reader MAny have lately cast their Treasure do thou cast thine Eye upon distressed Ireland 't will be a way to shew thy Charity without any great venture Or if thou be in the number of Adventurers when thou shalt have read this thou wilt count thy part ensur'd The Advantage Knowledge and Delight thou mayst reap by it I referre to thine own apprehension and judgement Assuring thâ—e thou need'st not fear to engage thy purse in the survey of that Countrey where so good a King was willing to engage His Person Such is the engagement of Thy Friend and Well-wisher G. N. A Geographicall DESCRIPTION Of the Kingdom of IRELAND BEing in the North of England and desirous to passe into the Kingdom of Ireland and not willing to go more Northward although from Galloway in Scotland which Bede terms Candida casa the Vulgar White-herne there be but a short cut yet more willing to go the nearest way to Westchester but not finding the winde fair at my coming I travell'd along to Saint Davis in Pembroke-shire whence I had a speedy passage into Ireland but somewhat dangerous by reason of the sands and shelves which lye off into the sea but our putting into harbour worse because of the continuall mists that hang over the low flat land so that our Pilot could hardly discern his marks There are many fair Ports and Harbours for Ships on the East and South sides of what I shall speak in the Description of the particular Counties Concerning the names of severall Nations and Men they have their severall conceits it is known by the name Ireland to us It is an ancient Iland and not of little esteem in regard of the greatnesse of it being accounted the third Iland anciently known in the habitable world by good Geographers who say That of all Ilands for greatnesse the Indian Taprobane is chief the next after it is Britain and in a third degree another British Iland called Hibernia that is Ireland so that Ptolomie called it Little-Britain The situation is under the 10 and 12 Climats in Longitude extending 4 Degrees from the Meridian of 11 Degrees and half And the Latitude reacheth 4 Degrees from the paralel of 54 to that of 58 Degrees The Inhabitants are divided by the name of Wilde-Irish and the English Irish living in the English Pale where the English at their first going over did inclose themselves Formerly it was divided into 5 Kingdoms now Provinces namely Mounster lying Southward Lemster Eastward Connagh in the West Ulster in the North and Meth in the midst almost From North to South in length 400 miles in bredth 200 miles MOunster in Latine Mamonia the Irish Mown containeth 6 Counties besides the County of Holy crosse in Typperary the first is Kirry which lyeth near the mouth of the River Shannon and runneth out narrow at the entrance but towards the Sea with a broader promontory imbraced by the Sea on both sides A Countrey mountanous woody and wild loftily looking into the Ocean in which are many fruitfull fields and pleasant vallyes beset thick with woods A County Palatine granted to the Earle of Desmond by the speciall favour of Edward the third but being often ingratefull in their rebellious treasons and rebellions lost it Towards the Sea there is a territory called Clanmorris not farre off standeth Ardart a See of a poor Bishop called Ardfert Towards the South of this runneth a faire River named Dingle a commondious Port on the other side named Smirwick-sound or St. Marywick where the Spanyards to ayde the rebellious Earle of Desmond 1583. set footing Desmond Desmonia in Irish Deswown lyeth largely stretched out towards the South in which are three high promontories over-topping the Sea and contemning his proud waves running out into the South-west called west-Mounster The first promontory lyeth between Dingle-bay and the River Maire and is called Clan-car and hath a Castle built at Dunkeran by the Carews of England in it dwelt Donel mac Carty more a L of the Irish bloud The second lyeth inclosed within two bayes Maire and Bantre named Bear-haven This for the most part is a leane barren hungry soyle in which lived O Swillivant Beare and O Swillivant Bantre both of the same stock and high bloud in their Countrey The third called Eraugh situate between Bantre and Balatamore or Baltamore a bay or creeke famous for the multitude of Herrings that are taken there in this the O Mahouns by the gift of the Carews have large possessions the Calverts Lord Baltimort the South promontory called of the ancients Notium is at this day called Missen-head the Feildings are Earls of Desmond and Vicounts Callon The County of Corke anciently reputed a Kingdome contayning the whole space a long the Sea from Lismore unto St. Brend where it headeth Desmond westward in the bowells whereof lyeth Muskery a wild Forrest where Cormac mac xeg it is a great name and towards the Sea coast lyeth Carkray in which the mac Curties have the greatest power There lyeth towards the South Sea a Port and road anciently of good safegard for Shipps but by reason of a barre in the mouth of it it falls dry at the ebb and is now of little use it lyeth four leagues westward from the out-point of Kinsale Betweene Rosse and Kinsale there lyeth a small Iland in the Sea called Roem which may be fayled about having ten fathome water between that and the mayne three leagues from hence lieth cape de velho or Old-head from whence to England end is 46 leagues it is a high point reaching forth into the Sea from whence about a quarter of a league South-west lieth the mouth of the Haven of Kinsale a very commodious Port 10 and 15. fathome going in and 4 or 5 to the very towne which lieth up in the mouth of the river Bany in a fruitfull Soyle furnished with wood and other commodities Lord Courâ—y is Baron of Kinsale On the other side of Kinsale lyeth Kerry wherry a small territory once belonging to the E. of Desmond right before which lyeth the river Sauranus or Severanus which fetcheth its first originall from the mountaine of Muskerry and going along by the head city of the county Corke by the Irish Corcach honoured with a
Bishops See together with the See of Clumi annexed to it The river both roundeth and runneth through the middest of the towne not passible but by bridges lying in length in one broad street having a bridge over it It is a towne of great resort and populous but formerly subject to the injury of the Rebells which made them keep a carefull watch against them That religious and devout man Brioc who flourished among the Sauls was borne and bred here Below Corke the parting of the river maketh a sweet and pleasant Iland over against the chiefe dwelling house of the Barries called Barry Court derived from Robert de Barry an Englishman who behaved himselfe valiantly in the Irish warres and was the first that manned and brought the Hauke to hand in Ireland he had the title of Baron Barry but after of Vicount Beutiphant The former river empties into the Sea below Barry Court neare Imokelly a faire possession long since of the Earles of Desmond and containes a safe road in the mouth of it As this supplyes the lower part of the country so Black-water called anciently Even-more the great river moystneth the upper part upon which dwelleth the Noble familie of Roeh who went out of England and flourished there and enjoyed the title of Vicount Fermoy and were Parliament Barons in Edward the 2. time Yoghall standeth on this rivers mouth a Major town nor great but walled about builded in length and divided into two parts the upper reacheth Norwest and hath a Church in it and the lower part Southwest the commodiousnesse of the Key makes it much frequented by Merchants The County of Waterford lyeth in the East side of Ireland stretching out it self between the rivers Broadwater West and Shour East the Main on the South and Tipperary Norwest both delightsome and very profitable When Broadwater hath out-run the County of Cork behinde it Lismore presently sheweth it self an Episcopall See where Christian once sate that was of the same Cloyster with Saint Bernard and Pope Eugenius but now annexed unto Waterford The Lumly's are Vicounts of Waterford At the mouth of which river standeth Aidmore a small town so called because it standeth near the Sea Not far from hence standeth Dungarvan having a strong hold of good force It is a Tide-haven 8 leagues from Waterford full of rocks and deep within the harbour Vicount Dessee together with the Barony of Dungarvan King Henry the sixth granted to Iohn Talbut Earl of Shrewsbury but afterward seeing it lay conveniently to that part of Mounster that was to bee brought under and reduced into order it was by a Parliament annexed to the Crown of England On the side of the river Shour Waterford the principall City of this County maketh a fair shew the Irish and Britains call it Porthlargie the English Waterford 37 leagues from Englands end It was built by certain Pirats of Norway the ayr is grosse and unhealthy the soil not fertile the streets pent and narrow yet by reason of the commodiousnesse of the harbour which is fair and wide 10 or 11 fathom deep going in it is much frequented and of great resort driving a quick trade so that it is esteemed the second City in the Kingdom and hath continued alwaies true and loyall to the Crown of England ever since Richard Earl of Pembroke wan it first and hath received many favours and priviledges from the Kings of England for their good services And Henry the seventh augmented them much for their discreet carriage of themselves against the mock-Prince Perkin Warbeck who counterfeited Richard the third under which colour he couzened a great Peer of Scotland of his fair daughter This County of Waterford together with the City King Henry the sixth gave unto Iohn Talbut Earl of Shrewsbury But by reason of wars in France and the civil dissentions between the houses of York and Lancaster the Kings of England were busied and the Nobles so intangled in those broils that they could not intend the affairs of Ireland so that the Irish grew very insolent and powerfull So that in the 28 year of H. 8. though the fault were committed long before his dayes yet for punishment by Act of Parliament it was ordered That the heirs of many Noblemen as the Earl of Shrewsbury Ormond the Duke of Norfolk and Baron Barkley and all the Abbots and Priors for they were all found liable to this punishment with the rest should forfeit all their lands and demeans in Ireland into the Kings hands for such neglect and absence The County of Limrick is an inland County lying behinde that of Cork Northward between Kerry the river Shanon and the County of Tipperary a very fruitfull and populous place but not eminent for any thing of note The Western part of it is called Conilagh wherein there is Knoc Patrick a very high hill from whence there is a pleasant prospect into the Sea where you may see how Shanon fals in to the Virginian The head City is Limrick which Shanon by parting begirteth round the Irish call it Loumeagh and the English Limrick it is a chief Market-town of Mounster and the See of a Bishop and at this day called two Towns the upper wherein stands the Cathedrall Church and a Castle and hath two gates and each of them a stone Bridge with bulwarks the one leading into the West the other into the East unto which the lower Town joyneth fenced with a wall and a Castle thereto and a fore-gate at the entrance into it Lord Esmond is Baron of Limrick In the South of this County is Kilmallo the next Town to Limrick both in substance and inhabitants incompassed likewise with a wall Vicount Sarsfield of Kilmallo Not far off standeth Adare a little Town hard unto which lyeth Elan Gibbon where dwelt the White-Knight so called for his gray hairs The other inhabitants of note are the Lacyes Browns Hâ—rlyes Chacyes Sapells and Pourcells all of English race also the Mac Shee s Mac Brian O Brien of Irish blood The County of Tipperary is bounded Westward with Limrick and the river Shanon Eastward with the County of Kilkenny with the County of Corke and Waterford southward and North with the territories of the O Carolls The south-part hath much corne and many beautifull buildings and the river Glason runneth with a large course thorow the West-part of it not farre from whose bankes stands Emly or Awn a Bishops See thorow the middest of it glideth that goodly river Shour or Swire which issuing out of Bladin hills hasteth thorow the lower Ossery of which Hen. 8. dignified the Butlers with the title of Earles and thorow Thurles which honoureth the same Family with the dignity of Vicounts and so goeth into Holy-crosse termed the County of the Holy-crosse of Tipp Then Shour goeth besides Cassile honoured with the dignity of an Arch-bishop by Eugenius third Pope of Rome from thence runneth the River down Shreading Ilands here and there and fetcheth a round about Cahir
estate given unto him again upon some articles of agreement The county of Colran is beyond the Glinns westward and lyeth between the river Ban and Lough Foyle and confineth South on the county of Tir-Oen This Ban is a passing fair river riseth out of the Mountains of Mourn in the county Down carrying himself and his name into Lough Eaugh or Lough Sidney a great lake and for the space of 30 miles name and river are both drowned in the Lake but after at Tome Castle he resumeth it again then by Glaucolkein a great receptacle of robbers and rebels carrying a proud stream he tumbleth into the Sea More abounding in Salmons this than any river in Europe it being exceeding water in which such fish much delight The principall Family is O Cahan a subject of O Neal who in that vain ceremony of O Neals election flings an old shoe over O Neals head It is much molested by the Iland Scots being poor so that in Summer they seek for booty here Towards the west of this lies Derry a waste uncivil place but through the great care charge and industry of the City of London so well planted civilized and built that it is scarce inferior to any place of Ireland and have rightly named it London Derry the Ridgways being Earles thereof as Huâ—h Hare was Lord Colrane of Colrane There is likewise a Bishop of Derry The County of Tir-Oen lyeth Southwest from the former country it is upland from the sea divided westward from Tir Conell by the river Liffer from Antrim Eastward by Lough Eaugh bounded with the Blackwater at South from the county Armagh a rough rugged uneven country 60 miles in length and at some places 30 in bredth severed by the Mountains called Sliew Gallen into the upper Tir-Oen Northward and the nether Southward there is first a poor Bishops See called Cloghar then Dungannon the chief habitation of the Earls also Uhlogahel where O Neal the Tyrant of Ulstor was usually installed with his vain ceremonies there was a Fort at Blackwater which hath been much assaulted by the Rebels which resort thither to a refuge but having found another passage over below that is of such use therfore the Lord Montjoy built Sconces on both sides of that passage and at the Lake Eaugh raised another Garrison Fort and called it by his own name Mountjoy This Lake incloseth the west-side of Tir-Oea and is much supplyed by the River Ban a large lake 30 miles in length and very plentifull in fish And Nature hath shewed her skill in bestowing variety upon the banks of it as the shady groveâ— the medows alwayes green the fertile corn-fields if tilled the bending and hanging hills the warbling Brook gliding along it nothing wanting for delight or profit and by that condemns the lazy lithernesse of the inhabitants who suffer much of it to lye waste In the upper Tir-Oen lyes Strahan a Castle well known as being the seat of the O Neals there are many more fortresses and towers with narrow loop-hooles unto which are adjoyned houses of turf and thetch with hedges and ditches round about to keep their Cows from robbers The County of Donegall or Tir-Conell it lyeth in the norwest corner of Ireland a champion country full of Havens bounded with the sea North and West and parted on the East from Tir-Oen with the river Liffer and from Conagh with the Lake Erne Liffer at his very rising maketh a large stream and spreadeth into a Lake wherin is an Iland in which neer to a Monastery is a narrow vault made by Ulisses as some fabulously report when he descended to hel the inhabitants call it Ellan a frugadory that is the I le of Purgatory and Saint Patricks Purgatory So in that place there is Saint Brendans Purgatory of which much superstition is invented this river Liffer neerer the sea it maketh another Lake called Logh-foile or Logh Der and Derry of which I spake before bounds on it From this river the fitz-Williams take their Barony Here is the fair foreland a promontory Robogh with a small town having a Bâ—â— See From hence Westward runs a cragged shore unto the mouth of Swilly lake so to the utmost promontory which they cal the Rams-head to another promontory cald S. Helens-head More Southward on the shore is that good and commodious Haven Calebig whence you may see the ruines of Sligah castle A little lower not far from the mouth of Logh Erne is Donegall that is the town of the Gallirians in Spain the Earldoms have been to the O Donels who held it untill their rebellious hearts cast off all true obedience Thus hast thou seene courteous Reader the limbs and parts of the Kingdom of Ireland laid open unto thee rich and plentious as appears by those large revenews it hath yeelded unto the English Crown when as in King Edward the third his dayes some say forty thousand pounds yearly the Custome-house at this time duly payd into the Exchequer is thirty thousand pound per annum And great was that improvidence if I may say it both in civill government and Church discipline that have suffered those firebrands of the Christian world the Jesuites to raise there so sudden and great flame of Rebellion which wee hope by Gods providence working with the wisdom and prudence of this present State now assembled to see extinct to the utter ruine and overthrow of that bloudy religion of Popery and by this means so to root out and disperse those unconstant and various dispositions that all hope of ayde and assistance from others and opposition in themselves shall be quite taken away And further by this description mayest thou observe how to entertaine the present profer made by the honourable Houses of Parliament to thy best contentment and advantage how to get sure footing in an Iland so great so neere a neighbour to England so fruitfull in soil so rich in pasture more than credible beset with shady pleasant profitable woods inriched with many minerals if sought after watered with so many Rivers invironed with so many commodious Havens lying so fit and open for sailing into the most wealthy Countreys so that he will seeme short witted whose wealth will bear it that embraces not the present opportunity to inrich himselfe in a plantation of his posterity in the middest of such worldly felicity The end of the first part The second Part treating of the naturall Disposition Apparell and Dyet of the Irish and of their severall Rebellions THe Irish for the most part are proud haughty cruell and barbarous variable and inconstant in disposition apt and forward to Tumults rebellious to Government false and hollow-hearted more ready in promise then performance the meaner lazie idle and sluggish especially the wild Irish and the English Irish much degenerated Saint Bernard in the life of Malla Ehy Bishop of Coner who reports that when he undertook his charge there perceived that he was not come unto men but unto
for his pleasure Turgesius hearing that wished these Damsels Cupids wings for their more speedy arrivall But the other attired certaine young men of courage in womens apparell and had them conducted into the Kings Chamber from whence all his attendance were commanded but when hee expected more kinde embraces hee was suddenly slaine in the place so the Norwegians were destroyed and the Irish enjoyed their estate untill the yeere 1172. When Dermet Maâ— Morck King of Lemster having forced the wife of Maâ—rice O Rork King of Meth a light woman and with consent by whose husband the other was pursued so eagerly with the revenging sword that hee was driven to quite his Kingdome of Lemster and fly to England for succour to Henry the Second who very willingly entertained this occasion who had long sought occasion of getting Ireland Yet not willing to entertain it at the first in person being not a matter of that consequence for himself to undertake He gave Dermot licence to draw-what power of Voluntiers he could into that action Who applyed himself to Wales where he found a valiant Gentleman of Norman Race one Robert Fitz Stephen who willingly undertook the service with some Voluntiers whose happy and good successe caused Richard Earle of Pembroke called Strong-bow being the principall man invited by Dermot and that with the promise of his daughter and Kingdome in marriage the Earle himselfe with two hundred men at arms and a thousand other Souldiers who arrived in the Bay of Waterford 1171 and presently marched towards the town of Waterford and took it by force the next day to the exceeding terrour of that Nation Dermot then accomplishes the match giving the Earle his daughter Eva with which Ring of Mariage he affianced that Island unto this Kingdome for hee went on with such resolutions that hee in little space subdued much of Ireland Which news being carried unto Henry the Second hee made hast over thither that hee might have the glory of the Conquest and seemed to be displeased with the Earle for his forwardnesse and his rigorous using of that people recalling all from thence under pain of confiscation of their goods in England but the King seemed somewhat appeased before his going over which was 1172 at which time landing at Waterford hee imprisoned Robert Fitz Stephen as having gone over without his leave but not long after released him but took Weiford and other Territories from him Thus did hee receive the homage of divers Irish petty Kings willing to obtain them by gentle means And keeping his Christmasse there in great state and setling the Government of the Church hee is unexpectedly called into England leaving Hugh Lacy at Dublin Who in ensuing time rebelled and were brought under by King John who was the first that planted English Laws and Officers in Ireland and both annexed that Kingdome and fastned Wales to the Crown of England and was the first who enlarged the Royall style with Lord of Ireland In the yeere 1339 there was a generall warre betweene the English and Irish wherein many of the Irish perished after which time matters were quiet untill the eighteenth yeere of Richard the Second being 1400. Who went over then with a great Army but having accepted of the Rebels submission he returned into England during whose time and till the civill warres in England all matters were setled and composed without any charge or assistance out of this Kingdome But in the time of the wars between York and Lancaster wherein many Noble Families were quite extinguished in England many English came out of Ireland either to take part of possession of some inheritances which fell unto them by the death of their friends So they have but small regard of what they leave behind in Ireland The meere Irish rushed on the forsaken lands so that growing rich and proud they began to kick against authority willing to cast off the English yoke and the English Pale had its limits sometime more and sometimes lesse according as they were able to mayntaine But when those civill discords were blown over and all things became calme by the good successe of Henry the Seventh and leasure afforded to look towards Ireland which then harboured a Rebell against him one Perkin Warbeck who connterfeited himself Richard the Third but was suppressed by the sending over of 1000 men Again Henry the eighth sent over 500 souldiers to suppresse the Geraldines of English Race Afterward all peaceable untill Queene Elizabeths time when they saw themselves out of hope to plant Popish Superstition in any of her Dominions Then Religion never untill that age became the cloake for Rebellion and the Roman Locusts the incendiaries of Christendome to mayntaine the Popes usurped authority breathed every where fire and sword and worse against her sacred person and Dominions And taking advantage of the blinde zeale of the ignorant Irish unto Popery working on their variable condition Boulstering up their hopes and hearts with that old saying He that will England win must at Ireland first begin By which means they raised two dangerous Rebellions in that Country By the Earle of Desmond one 1578 the other of Tyrone about 1590 plotting and intending although it brake not out till afterward This Gerald Earle of Desmond of English Race whose Progenitours had done good service against the Irish and borderers of Wales in the behalfe of the English King had the Earldome of Kildare given them and Earles of Desmond by Edward the Third But in Henry the Eighth's days one of them being Lord Deputy and questioned for his ill government on which occasion Thomas Fitz Gerald his sonne took armes but was soon suppressed himselfe and five of his Uncles being taken and executed Queen Mary restored the Family to honour and estate But after Gerald Earle of Desmond 1578 rebelled against Queene Elizabeth unto whose aide came certaine bands of Italians and Spaniards sent by Pope Gregory the twelfth and Philip King of Spaine who landed at Swirâ—ic and built a Fort called Del ore wherein they were besieged by Arthur Grey Lord Deputy of Ireland soone taken and put to the sword And the Earle of Desmond flying into the Woods being betrayed by his own followers and his head cut off So this fire soon vanished into smoake and the Earldome by Parliament annexed to the Crowne and made a County with Sheriffs appointed yeerly to be chosen by the Lord Deputy Upon the Attainder of this Earle and his Confederates much land fell unto the Crown viz. 574628 acres English mesure wherof great part was restored to the offenders the rest divided into Signories was granted by Letters Patents unto certaine Knights and Esquires English who were called Undertakers In Kerry and Desmond by Patent to Knights 30560 Acres with yeerly rents 524 pounds six shillings and eight peace sterling In Limrick by Patent to Knights and Esquites and to their heirs were granted 96165 Acres with rents nine hundred thirty three pounds foure shillings half
detained prisoner for that he came without the licence of the Lord Deputie Sir William Fitz Williams but on submission and certaine Articles proposed to him by the Lords and he willingly accepting promising to confirme them before the Lord Deputy in Ireland In the yeere 1590 it hapned that Con the sonne of Shan O Neale accused Hugh of treasonable practices before the Lords in England All which Hugh vehemently denied but after getting his accuser in his power he hanged him In August the same yeere Hugh Earle of Tyrone for so hereafter we must call him did promise under his hand before the Lord Deputy and counsell of Ireland to performe those Articles agreed upon in England but used many excuses to put off the execution of them And about this time Hugh Ror Mac Mahone was put to death by the Lord Deputy Williams very unjustly as some say to the great scandall of the Lord Deputy and it caused great complaints and out-cryes among the Irish who presently preferred their grievances against that Deputy and he driven to answer them And upon this fact the government of the English in the North became odious and they did strive what they could to shake it oft by expelling the Sheriffs from among them fearing the like usage as Mâ—c Mahone And 1593 Mao Guir chiefe of Fermanagh stood upon his guard accusing the Deputy of injustice in the businesse off Mahone and set upon Captain Willis and drove him and his guard being Sheriffe into a Church and would have put them all to the sword had not Tyrone interceded for them Whereupon the Deputy got into his hands Eniskillen Mac Guirs castle and proclaimed him a Traytor and likewise gave out some hard speeches concerning Tyrone which did much exasperate him and caused him to combine with the Lords of the North to defend their Honours Laws and Liberties and used two notable plots to assist him towards this Rebellion 1 To make his men skilfull hee profered to serve the Queen with 500 men of his own And for that end procured expert Captains to exercise them and so often changing these his men got most of his followers to be able Souldiers Secondly hee pretended to build a faire house at Dungannon and so got much lead to make Battlements which after he cast into bullets In the meane time Sir Henry Bagnal Marshall of Ireland whose Sister Tyrone had married did preferre many Articles against him unto which hee answered so cunningly saying that the Marshall did it out of spleen of purpose to detain his sisters portion and seemingly quitted himselfe but afterward he grew jealous of his owne safety At this time Gauranus a Priest whom the Pope had made Primate of all Ireland seduced certaine Irish Lords among which Mac Guir was chief and was overthrowne by Sir Richard Bingham and the Priest slaine in which service Tyrone was against Mac Guir with the Queens forces but secretly prepared for his Rebellion Then the sonnes of Shan O Neale were prisoners in Dublin Castle which had they been kept had been a bridle in Tyrones mouth but by connivance of Sir William Fitz Williams the Deputy were suffered to escape and so Tyrone got them into his custody nor would he release them although thereunto required But covering his Rebellion with feeming feares of his conceived enemies made daily complaints of the Marshals envy and what wrong he had done him In the yeere 1594 the Rebellion burst out Sir William Russel came in the place of Fitz Williams at which time Vlster men openly distressed her Majesties forces and Tyrone was supposed to countenance them Yet he appeared in person at Dublin before the new Lord Deputy desiring her Majesties favour out of which hee had falne rather by the calumny of them then any cause of his own But the Marshall charged him with great matters ready to prove them so that the Deputy thought fit to stay him but the Councell of Ireland were of the contrary opinion so he was let goe but the Queene was much displeased for it and sharply reproved the Deputy but he laid the fault on the Councell of Ireland And presently tooke the field with his Army to relieve Eniskillen in Ferminaght and in the Winter following there was little done because there was some Treaties of peace but the Rebels grew so peremptory in their demands that it was not liked by the Lords in England And therefore sent over two thousand old souldiers that had served in Britany and a thousand more taken up in England which news Tyrone hearing and that the Castle of Balishannan and Relike were to be planted with English Garisons Drew his forces together and tooke the Fort of Blackwater razed it and broke down the bridge there and now the Northerne Rebels appeare but Tyrone shewed a seeming desire of pardon This Lord Deputy fearing this storme might fall upon him desired the Counsel of England to send him an assistant of some experienced Souldiers which hee meant should be under his command but the Lords mistaking his meaning sent over Sir John Norris a great Commander and well experienced that would scarce give way to any who was styled Lord Generall and to command in chief in the absence of the Lord Deputy But the emulation that grew between these two hindered the businesse yet both of them went into the field with the Army towards Armagh Tyrone makes suit again by Letters for pardon but being intercepted came not unto the Deputies hands untill hee had proclaymed him Traytor But upon Tyrones instance Commissioners were appointed by the Queen to treat with the Rebels At which time Tyrone complained of the Marshall of many injuries And his demands were that hee might have his Wives portion of the Marshall and the free exercise of his Religion and many other But when Articles were propounded on the Queenes part they set so light of them and made such scorne that the Conference brake off though the Queen for sparing of bloud had resolved to give them any reasonable Conditions This parley ended the Lord Deputy and the Lord Generall comming to Armagh did so much terrifie the Rebels that Tyrone left the Fort of Blackwater burnt the Town of Dungannon and pull'd down his house there and betooke himselfe to the Woods Sept. the third Hugh Earle of Tyrone Hugh O Donel Brian O Rourk Hugh Mack Guir Brian Mac Mahone Sir Arthur O Neale Cormac Mach Baron Tyrones brother Con O Neale Tyrones base sonne Henry Oge O Neale Turlogh Mac Henry O Neale Brian Art Mac Bryan and one Francis Mountford were though absent indicted and condemned of high Treason Now the Lemster Rebels being revolted grew strong and forraged even to the gates of Dublin to the County of Wexford This Winter passed without any matter of moment because indeed Generall Norris not yet acquainted with Tyrones subtilties seemed to harken to peace thereby to reclayme him by faire means In the yeere 1596 the Queen granted another Commission for
Essex whom favour with the Queen and fortune of warre had made popular And his own active inclination and the policie of his powerfull enemies in Court wrought it for his undertaking and by his absence they plotted his ensuing overthrow But before his going two Regiments of old Souldiers out of the Low Countries were sent into Ireland and dispersed at his comming through the whole army for the exercise of the rest 1050 Foot The first Regiment Sir Charles Percy Colonell Richard Morison Lievtenant Colonel and five other Captains 950 Foot The second Regiment Sir Henry Bockwra Colonell Captaine John Chamberlaine Lievtenant Colonell and four other Captains This Earls Commission was large without limitation almost even the power of a Prince and an army as great as hee desired the like unto which in all points Ireland never saw The establishment was sealed by the Qu. March 24 1598. It contained the pay of the chief officers of the Army The Lord Lievtenant Generall per diem 10 l.   The Lievtenant of the Army per diem 3   The Generall of the Horse 2   The Judge Marshall 1   The Auditor Generall 0 13 s.  The Controuller generall of the victuals 0 10  The Lievtenant of the Ordnance 0 10  The Surveigher 0 6 8 d. Two Clerks of Munition each 0 5  Foure Corporals of the Field 0 6 8 d. One Commissary of Victuals 0 8  And three others each 0 6  The carriage Master 0 6  And twenty Colonels each  10  Sum. total per annum 13127 l. 16 s. 8 d. More it contained the pay of thirteen hundred horse divided into twenty six Bands A Captain at per diem 0 4 s.  A Lievtenant 0 2 6 d. A Cornet 0 2  And fifty horsmen each at 0 1 3 d. Sum. total per annum 31408. l. 5 s.  It contained furrher sixteen hundred foot distributed into a hundred and sixty Companies each Band having A Captain at per diem 0 4 s.  A Lievtenant 0 2  An Ensigne 0 1 s. 6 d. Two Sergeants a Drum and a Surgeon each at per diem  1 s.  And 94 Souldiers and six dead payes allowed to the Captain each at per diem   8d Sum. total 228246l 13s 4d It further contained an extraordinary supply of six thousand pounds per annum to be allowed by concordation for Spies Guides Messengers Barks hyring keeping of Prisoners Buildings Reparations and like charges The totall of the establishment per annum amounts to two hundred seventy seven thousand seven hundred eighty two pounds Besides her Majesty was at great charge not contained in the establishment as first for Officers generall The Lord Lievtenant for his ordinary entertainment yeerly 1300l His Lordships troop of horse yeerly 1513l 2s 2d His Lordships fifty footmen as being allowed him for his followers 608l 6s 8d The Treasurer at wars per annum 638l 15s The Marshall of the army per annum 104l 18s 9d The Mr. of the Ordnance for himselfe per an. 450l 3. s. 4d For Clerks Gunners and Ministers for the Ordnance per annum 459l 5s 10d The Muster Master Generall per annum 209l 17s 6d Secondly for chief Officers newly erected The Governour of Loghfoyle per annum 365l The Governour of Cariofergus 182l 10s The Governour of Dundalke 182l 10s The Commander of the forces at Rathdrum and Wickelow 182l 18s The Commander of the Forces in Ophaly 182l 10s The Commander of the Forces at Cavan 182l 10s Sum. total 6590l 19s 7. d. Most of these Officers last named besides this last allowance have either a horse or foot company in the Army or both Thirdly a further charge the Queen was at for Officers in the foure Courts and certain Patentees In the Exchequer the Earle of Ormond Lord Treasurer of Ireland for his fee per annum 40l The Treasurour at Wars 66l 13s 4d The Chiefe Baron 71l 10s And in augmentation to him 88l 17s 9d The Chancellour 14l The second Baron 34l The Auditor Generall 200l The Surveigher Generall 80l The Remembrancer 40l The Serjeant at Law 17l 6s 8d The Attourney Generall 149l 6. s. 8d The Sollicitour 149l 6s 8d The Escheatour 8l 13s 4d The second Remembrancer 10l 10s The chiefe Ingrosser 14l The second Ingrosser 9l 6s 8d The second Chamberlain 13l 6s 8d The Clerke of the first-fruits 10l The Keeper of the Records 13l 6s 8d The Usher of the Court 3l 6s 8d The Clerk of the Common Pleas 3l 6s 8d The Transcriptor 2l 13s 4d The Deputy Auditour 11l The vice Treasurours Deputy 11l The Somonitor 5l 6s 8d The Marshall of the Court 5l 6s 8d A Messenger 1l 4s 5d Two Pursuivants each for 18l 5s In the Kings Bench The chiefe Justice 400l The second Justice 133l 6s 8d The Clerk of the Crown 10l In the Chancery The Lord Chancellour per annum 415l 6s 8d The Master of the Rolls 50l And in augmentation to him per an. 88l 17s 9d Two Ministers each 27l 13s 4d The Clerk of the Crown 6l 13s 4d And in augmentation 26l 13s 4d The Clerk of the Hamper 14l Divers Officers in the Star-chamber 56l 13s 4d Severall Ministers of the Ordnance holding by Patents 135l 13s 5d The Constable of Dublin Castle and others belonging to him 335l 13s 4d To Officers of State The Secretary per annum 106l 13s 4d The Clerk of the Counsell 62l 13s 4d The Surveigher of the victuals 143l 6s 8d The King at Arms 35l 6s 8d The Serjeant at Arms 18l 2s 6d The Pursuivant at Arms 13l 6s 8d The Irish Interpreter 27l 7s 6d Officers about the Custome For creation money to Noblemen The Earle of Ormond 30l The Earle of Kildare 20l The Earle of Clanrichard 40l The Earle of Thomound 20l The Baron of Cacher 15l Divers Annates and Procurations 299l 19s 3d. For Parchment Ink bags in several Courts 282l 10s 8d For other payments by Warrant 226l 2s 4d In the County of VVexford The Justice of the Liberties per annum 20l The Seneschall 25l The Receiver 20l The Marshall 2l The totall of these is 3461l 13s 9d In the Province of Lemster The Lievtenant of the queens County 121l 13s 4d The Provost Marshall of the army 77l 11s 3d. The Provost Marshall of Lemster 102l 13s 1d Officers in Munster The Lord President 138l 6s 8d For his diet and the Counsels allowed at his Table 520l The Retinue of 20 foot and 30 horse per annum 803l The chief Justice 100l The second Justice 66l 13s 4d The queens Attourney 13l 6s 8d The Clerk of the Counsell 20l The Clerk of the Crown 20l The Serjeant at Arms 20l The Provost Marshall 255l 16s Sum. tot 1951l 16s 8d For Officers in Connagh The chiefe Commissioner per annum 100l His Diet with the Counsels at his Table 882l 10s An allowance to himselfe 40l The Justice 100l The Queens Attourney 20l The Clerke of the
Crowne 20l The Clerke of the Counsell 20l The Serjeant at Armes 20l The Provost Marshall 264l 12s 6. d. The increase of pay to the present CoÌ„missioners 282. l. 10s Sum. total 949l 12s 6d Certaine Bands of Irish Kerne 1579l 8s 9d For Warders in severall Provinces 3577l 2d For Commissaries of Musters 577l 18s 4d For Pensioners of all sorts 3249l 9. d. Lastly Almes men 88l 19. s. 4. d. The totall of the above-named charge not contained in the establishment 21328l 8s 7d To which adde the establishment 277782l 15s The totall of the yeerly charge was 299111l 3s 7d To which if you adde the great charge of all Forts of Munitions with the like extraordinary expences and consider that the 1300 horse and the 1600 foot by new supplyes were to be made up 20000. What a masse of expence is here in one yeere able to drain this Kingdome seeing nothing comes from Ireland but complaints It will require the wisdome and providence of those that undertake it and the patience of the people that beare it All this in a readinesse the Earle of Essex departs from London in March 1â—99 in the beginning of the yeere not providently foreseeing what a step hee then made to his ruine The Nobility and gallant Gentry accompanied him on his way And the Earle of Kildare made such haste in an ill Vessell that himselfe and many a brave man with him were all drowned in the passage The Earle being arrived in Ireland took the place of government and laboured to acquaint himself with the estate of that Kingdome what parts were quiet what in rebellion Who had certaine intelligence that the Rebels in the County of Dublin were in number of the chiefe Families 48 foot 20 horse In Kildare 220 foot three horse In the County of Carlogh being wholly wasted only six or seven Castles held for the Queen In the County of VVexford all wasted but the Castles held for the queen and some English Families but all the rest in rebellion In these two Counties 750 foot 50 horse In the County of Leaz most of the chiefe in rebellion 570 foot 30 horse Only a few Castles held for the queen In the County of Ophaly some Castles held for the queen others by the Rebels 468 foot 12 horse In the County of Kilkenny many great Families of the Irish the Butlers in Rebellion 130 foot 20 horse The Rebels held the Castle of Bellirage and Colekill The rest the Earle of Ormond held for the queene In the County of Meth the son and heire of Sir William Nugent in rebellion and the Rebels of Vlster had much wasted the heart of the Pale In the County of West Meth lying most waste and possessed by the Rebels 140 foot twenty horse Besides Captain Tirril a bold man of English Race who had of Vlster men and other Rebels 200 foot In the County of Lowth all wasted by the Rebels only an English Irish Baron the Townes and Castles stood for the queene In the County of Langford 120 foot The whole in this Province of Lemster and Meth joyned with it 3048 foot 182 horse In the Province of Vlster Consisting most of Irish except somewhat which the Scots held were all forced to give way to Tyrone Dundalke the Frontier Towne between the Pale and Ulster and Knocfergus a Frontier Towne towards Scotland were kept by the English and some few other Castles all the rest possessed by the Rebels In the upper and lower Clandebays the Rebels 160 foot 70 horse The Duffery had 20 foot Two more Rebels had 100 foot 20 horse The Captain of Kilwarben had 60 foot 10 horse Mac 60 foot 10 horse Beyond the Min Water 40 foot Sir Francis Mac Surlebay 400 foot 100 horse The Island of Magie belonging to the Earle of Essex was wasted Mac Guir in Fermannagh had 600 foot 100 horse Other Rebels thereabout had 500 foot â—â—0 horse The O Reylies in the Brenny or County of Cavan had 800 foot 100 horse O Cane in his Countrey 500 foot 2â—0 horse Seven other chief Rebels had 1180 foot 281 horse Tyrone the Arch traytour Tyrone his country 700. foot 200 horse And divers other Rebels with him So the whole forces of the Rebels in Vlster 1702 horse 7220 foot In the County of Tipperary the Baron of Caher a Butler with his Brother and followers 30 foot 12 horse And divers other great Families had in severall companies some not having above three or foure horse 1660 F. 79 Horse In the County of Corke James fitz Thomas the new created Earle of Desmond 250 foot 30 horse And divers other Families 820 foot 8 horse In the County of Luirick Fisz Lacy with others had 300 foot 15 horse In the County of Kerry the Lord Fitz-Morice and others 500 foot 30 horse In the County of Desmond Osuillinan Beare and others had 500 foot 6 horse In the County of Waterford 200 foot 10 horse The whole number of the Rebels in Munster 5030 foot 242 Horse The Rebels of Connagh were 3070 foot 220 horse In all the foure Provinces Meth being reckoned for a County in Lemster the strength of the Rebels were 18246 foot 2346 horse Concerning which in April the Earle of Essex sent intelligence into England by a Letter And in a second Letter of the resolutions of Tyrone first that he intended to hearten his Confederates and then to make head in Vlster with his own forces and O Donnel in Connagh that the Rebels had taken oath at a publick Crosse to be constant and none â—ought pardon but in such insolent manner that it was rather a contempt That the very subjects grew cold in the service that although on private revenge they could appeare with an 100. Horse and 300 Foot yet now pleaded their inability to ayd the Queen with sixe of each the Earle gathered some English forces together and against his owne advice in England and the Q. command deceived by some false counsell hee set not on the head but on a few weake Rebels in Munster a matter of no consequence being beaten as they were June 15. the Lord Lievtenant received Letters from a Captain out of the North of Vlster that Tyrone had received Amunition out of Spaine but no treasure as was reported that he did sollicite the Redshanks into his pay and had provision of armes and other assistance daily from the Scots And also advised the Earle of their strength and of their intention to protract the warre and weary the English in prevention whereof he wished his Lordship to procure foure thousand Redshanks which in their Boats might break in upon Tyrone which thing the Lord Bourgh had formerly undertaken to procure but was prevented by death Iu. 25. the Lord Lievtenant wrote unto the Queen of the state and condition of the Rebels shewing the cause of their rebellion with the meanes to reduce and keepe them in subjection and that as well by Sea as Land provision must bee made to reduce them
which course did so vexe the Rebels who were driven to lye in the woods without shelter for themselves or cowes which allowing them not milk they wanted present provision nor could they save their corne for the future 4. Againe he had a speciall care to cut the passages open and plaine that our forces might the more secure meet together 5. Further he was not easie to grant Pardons and Protections but to such who had drawne blood on their fellowes and so lost the hope of reconciliation to the Rebels and forbad all parlyes with them But as the Rebels were many at the Earle of Essex comming so now much more increased In the County of Dublin increased one hundred And in many other Countreys besides five Castles lately taken by the Irish In the Province of Lemster increased 1280. Rebels In the Province of Connagh increased 300. Rebels besides the doubt of Tibot ne Longe Who had one hundred Irish men in the Queenes pay So that now the Enemie strongest the English weakest and many other disasters made the businesse very difficult In this case the Lord Montjoy undertooke the businesse about Ian. 1599. A little before whose comming Tyrone marcheth out of the North in a vaunting manner unto Munster to incourage and countenance the Rebels but under a religious pretence to visite a peece of the Crosse at a Monastery in Tipperary County and so accompanied with the Lemster rebels went on his devotion Now the army of English reduced to 12000. foot 1200. horse for whose payment order is given to the Treasurer and Chamberlaine of the Exchequer of England to pay the Treasurer of the Warres of Ireland after the rate of the former establishment and other extraordinaries So there was signed an establishment by the Queene Ian. 1. 1599. for the pay of Commanders and Souldiers And the Lord Deputy hasting away for Ireland Ian. 10. 1599. in his way wrote backe to master Secretary that he might have more Forces in regard the Rebels were so strong A second establishment signed by the Lords 11. Feb. 1599. wherein every Officers and Souldiers pay and other charges the whole yearely charge 14055 pounds 4 shillings 8 pence farre short of that allowance which the Earle of Essex had February 26. the Lord Deputy landed in Ireland when Sir George Carew was made Lord President of Munster Tyrone did not expect such a sudden arrivall so that hee was still in West Munster where he might be surprised as the Earle of Ormond thought if things hapned well And that he could not thence escape without engaging himselfe if the passages were watched So that daily newes came that Tyrone now or never was to be ruinated and how many Lords and others of the Irish which were for the Queene had layed waite for him and would stop his passage back but all this vanished into Irish ostentation of service which seldome use to take effect and many times are not truly intended as this businesse did shew And that his Lordship should not expect any helpe from divers of the Nobilitie and Gentry of the Pale they preferred a Petition to him that they were not able by reason of the spoyles the souldiers had made upon them but a meere excuse as Essex shewed before Then his Lordship wrote to Secretary Cecill to excuse himselfe for not reducing the 14000 which hee found in the Army unto 12000 and the cause thereof as he had done before And upon that receives an answer from the Queen that she doth accept of his reasons for the present but would have him effect it by degrees And not to entertain many Irish Commanders who are of small fidelity and being employed to use them far from their own countrey and useth some other advertisements and so concludeth And now for all the great hopes Tyrone escaped into the North passing over the Enny in great hast and marcheth 27 miles in one day more then he had gone in five before so that he could not be over-taken And at his being there he sent out a Mandate by which hee summoned the Subjects of Munster to appeare before him in this forme O Neal commendeth himself unto you Moris Fitz Thomas O Neal requesteth you in Gods name to take part with him and fight for your conscience and right and in so doing O Neale will spend his life to see you righted in all your affaires and will help you And if you come not to O Neale between this and 12 of the clocke tomorrow and take his part O Neale is not beholding to you and will doe to the uttermost of his power to overthrow you if you come not to him by Saturday noon at the furthest from Knoc Dumain in Calrye the fourth of Feb. 1599. O Neale requesteth you to come and speak with him and doth give you his word that you shall receive no harme neither in comming or going from him whether you be friend or not and bring with you to O Neale Gerald Fitz Gerald subscribed O Neale March the 7 the Lord Deputy had intelligence that Tyrone was come to his house at Dungannon and that the Earle of Clanrichard had sworn that when his sonne came out off England in May he would enter into action for so they call Rebellion and that the Plantation at Logh foyle was endeavoured to be hindered by the Rebell The 20 of March the Secretary informed his Lordship of the relaxation of the Earle of Essex who sued earnestly in his behalfe to the Secretary even so far as to make his excuse for the matter in Ireland The Lord Deputy makes a List of his army about the beginning of the yeare 1600 and casts up the allowances Generall Officers for the army as in the former establishment Collonels 12 apiece per diem 10 s. Twenty six troops of horse in some more in some lesse at severall rates of pay in number 1200. In Loghfoyle Garrison 4000 foot In Carickfergus Garrison 700 foot In the Province of Connagh 1400 foot In the Province of Munster 2950 foot In the Province of Lemster 4500 foot Totall of Foot 1400. Likewise a List which the Deputy drew out of the Companies formerly mentioned which lay in Lemster Newry and Carbugford for to prosecute Tyrone in his Country horse 325 foot 3200. Out of these taken to guard places and passages while the Army did return foot 810 horse 20. Besides deduct the six dead pays allowed to each Company of foot which is 288 and foure out of fifty horse which is 26 and other deductions of sicke and unsufficient men for service There remayns for his army in field 2102 foot horse 279 which is but a small handfull for so great a service Divers others there were which had pay as his Lordships chief Chaplain five l. a week and ten other Preachers at forty shillings a week his Doctor of Physick five pound a week In Aprill it was consulted about entertayning of 2000 Scots and that each man should have a
Cow for a moneths pay or six pence per diem Which businesse was to be furthered by the Queens Agent in Scotland but it came to nothing being disliked in England Now the Deputy resolved to pursue the Rebels in many places at once both by the North Garrisons and the rest of the Army Aprill the third the Lord Deputy sent Master Secretary notice of the falsheartednesse of those that seemed most sure and that the Irish Commanders were dangerous to keep yet knew not how to remove them without certain losse of them And how he intended to send a thousand old Souldiers out of Dublin to Loghfoyle and others to lye in Garrison at Balishannan both places of great consequence and proved very advantageous to the English afterwards And informed likewise that Tyrone by his so suddain and hasty flight out of Munster had much disheartned many of his Confederates so that daily the heads of some Rebels or others were brought unto the Deputy And the Rebels of Lemster made suit to be received to mercy only the Towns where the Rebels had to do were very insolent And Tyrone by the arrivall of two ships wherein were many Priests did incourage his friends Lastly the Deputy complained to the Secretary that all places were bestowed in England so that he could gratifie no deserving man Further hee sent word that hee doubted of the Earle of Ormonds constancy to the Queenes cause and shewed his reasonsa name greatly followed in that Countrey In that Province of Munster the Rebels were very strong by reason Tyrone had been there and by the aide of Mac Carty more There hapned an ill chance about the time that Sir George Carew went to his charge of Munster whereof he was President Who comming to Kilkenney in his way from Dublin with the Earle of Thomond in his company and a hundred horse to attend him where the Earle of Ormond told them that he was to parley with some Rebels of those parts whereof Owâ—y Mâ—c Rory was chiefe and requested them to accompany him To which they consented and rode eight miles to the place of meeting with some twenty horse of the Earle of Ormonds and a few followers refusing the guard of the Lord Presidents 100 horse and the Earl of Ormond left his two hundred foot two miles short and with his other company met with Owny who came out of the Woods leaving five hundred men well appointed not farre off came up to him with some pikes but after an houre spent and nothing agreed on the Lord President wisht the Earle of Ormond to returne but he said hee would first speak with the Jesuit Archer and did much revile him calling him Traytor In the mean time the Rebels foot had incompassed the Earle and his company and presently tooke the Earle of Ormond prisoner and Mac Rory laid hands on the Lord President but the Earle of Thomound rushed on him with his horse and they both hardly escaped the Earle of Thom. being hurt in the thigh The Countesse of Ormond having one only daughter was much perplexed and distressed but the Lord Deputy sent her a Guard for her House There were severall conceits upon his surprisall some supposing it was not against his owne will but howsoever the Lord Deputy thought it a matter of no great consequence The Fort of Phillipstown in Ophaly was to be victualled and the Rebels gave cut that they would hinder it And through the emulation of a great Commander that had another preferred before him and strengthened by the Court faction in England It might have miscarried for the said Commander chose out some weake companies for this service to be led by the other but the Deputy being advertised thereof profered them to him that had made the choise of them but hee refused to goe with them And Sir Oliver Lambert with 14 companyes did with much valour and courage effect the businesse though strongly opposed May the fifth the Lord Deputy makes toward Tyrone in the North who had intelligence that he was lodged in the strong Fortresse of Coughlurkin where the Rebels had fortified three miles in length His Lordship drew towards Armagh with 1500 hundred foot and two hundred horse and sent Captain Edward Blany with five hundred foot and fifty horse to make good the passage through the Moyry for the Earle of Southampton and Sir Oliver Lambert who were to come that way to the Army and comming to the Faghard not far from Dundalke whether hee went to the Earle and told him of the convoy assuring him that the Lord Deputy would meet him by two of the clocke in the afternoon hereupon the Earle having with him besides the conuoy two foot companyes and fifty horse of Gentlemen Volunteers and so marched backe to the dangerous passage of the Moyry where the Rebels taking advantage of the Woods and Bogs assailed our men lying lurking on both sides our men being to passe over a Ford But by this time the Lord Deputy himselfe was come neere the place who sent two Regiments who beat backe the Rebels who left a few to skirmish with those two Regiments and the rest fell back into the Wood and issued out upon the Reare brought up by the Earle of Southampton with great fury both with horse and foot But Sir Henry Foliot made very good stand and Sir Oliver Lambert taking his colours in his own hand with some thirty of the Earle of Southamptons best men hastened towards the assaylants to second the Earle who behaved himselfe with great courage and made the Rebels give ground Tyrone was seene not farre off with great forces yet fell not on so that they marched to the Camp little hurt being done to the English but much to the Rebels May the 26 the Deputy had Letters from the Lords in England and it was only to answer the demands of some Irish Lords upon submission June the 19 the Lord Deputy sent to Master Secretary how that certain aide was come from Spaine to the Rebels and makes a request for a fleet to lie on the Coast of Ireland and some small Barks to hinder the Scots from relieving the Irish Now Sir Samuel Bagnal drew out of the Newry into Monaghan where he took some booty and slue six Commanders and many of the Rebels men with little damage to himselfe Many Rebels of Lemster now seek for mercy but are not admitted except some service done for the Queene against their companions Two chiefe Rebels offer to submit but neither could be received without the others head His Lordship now out of England required to doe some thing against the Lemster rebels in his way thither tooke two hundred Cowes seven hundred Garrais and five hundred sheep burning and wasting the corne all the way as he went to a most dangerous passage where Sir Oliver Lambert was appointed to meet him both being constrained to fight all the way with the rebels untill they met having done much harme unto the
Abbey where his Lordship proclaimed Tirrils head at two thousand Crowns and so assayled the Island But the next day the foure and twentieth of February so much snow fell that nothing could be done and in the night the Rebels stole away quitting the Island and left some store of corne and a few cattell so his Lordship passed beyond the Island into a Plain destroying the corn and burning the houses as he went into Meth and then to Trim and so marched into the Ferney from whence to Ardes so seven miles to Mellifont then to Drogedagh two miles where he stayed untill the tenth of Aprill and then went to Dublin in all which passage nothing of moment was done but visiting some chiefe Subjects and striking terrour to the Rebels About this time his Lordship had order for the proclayming of a base coine and cry down the currant To hinder the Rebels traffick as was pretended but it proved the undoing of the poore souldier each shilling having but two pence half-peny silver in it so that commodities were raised to an excessive rate and the exchange which was formerly provided for their helpe was growne difficult or altogether put down At Drogedah his Lordship altered the list of the foot but not the horse and disposed them into Garrisons Her Majesties charge in the yeere 1600 to 1601 by establishment and orders for increase was 276914l 9s 4d Out of which by his Lordships providence was saved 15262l 6s 5d Also by Checks imposed on the Army 1729l So the charges that yeere besides munition and other extraordinaries 234622. Certaine businesses that hapned in Munster that yeere under the command of the Lord President Sir George Carew In generall some submitted and some revolted His Lordship comming to Dungarun had notice that Florence Mac Caâ—â—ie though hee had received favours from the State was entred into action for so they call Rebellion and raised in Carby and Desmond of the Provincialls and Bonnaghs for so are hired souldiers called two thousand foot never assailed the English untill they came betweene Kinsale and Cork where they set on Captain Flowre Serjeant Major of Munster who had 1200 foot and 100 horse who did valiantly resist and beat back the Rebels though he had two horse killed under him yet were 100 of the Rebels slain upon which Florence Mac Carty submits and yielded his son for pledge Now plots are laid for the killing of the titular Earle of Desmond by one Dermod Oconner who had married the Daughter of the old Earle of Desmond and had the leading of 14000 Bonnaghs who after surprised him by a tricke and presently sent his wife to the Lord President for the mony promised in reward and wished him to come to Kilmâ—…h and there hee would bring him but the Rebels in the way rescued him and set him free again May the twentieth his Lordship took the field and marched towards Liâ—â—eck and from place to place prosecuted the rebels so close that many submitted and others fled out of the Country and the titular Earle of Desmond by Sir Charles Wilâ—â—â— was quite driven out of the Countrey in whose passage Sir George Thornton sent out the Garrison and killed 120 of the Rebels and got 320 Garrans laden with baggage fifteen Pikes and Peeces 40 horse but lost sixteen horse of his owne in the fight the titular Earle was quite broken and stole backe into Munster and lived as a Wood Kerne with three or foure in his company and once againe being like to be surprized he ran away in such hast that he left his shooes behind him The Lord Deputy wasted and gathered in all the corne so that the yeere following the Rebels were pinched and in Munster all subdued or submitted so that 400 of that Province received their pardons under the great Seal And all being quiet hee did question the Corporate Towns that were so ready to assist the Rebels as being aiders and abetters of the rebellion for their owne private gaine And so he sent 1000 of the Munster List to the Lord Deputy to be disposed at his pleasure The Lord Deputy and the Counsell wrote into England from Tredagh where he had layne from March 21 untill Aprill the sixteenth following to signifie that many chiefe rebels had submitted Chiefe of the Ferny and of the Fewes and the chiefe likewise of the Bienny And further sollicited for supplyes of mony victuals and munition to be sent some to Dublin but most to Galloway for the forces to plant Ballishannon An establishment signed by the Queen March 31 1601 which was according to the former the charge 255773l besides the charge of munition of levying horse and foot for re-inforcing the Army with many like charges About April divers Rebels in the North submit and discover many secrets to our Captaine concerning the Spanish Invasion this yeare Oghy Ohanlon submitted at Tredagh and subscribed to divers Articles The Garrison at Liffer did spoyle the rebels and tooke 300 Cows The Lord Deputy kept Saint Georges Feast at Dublin April the twentieth inviting many of the submitted Rebels where he carryed himselfe with such wisdome and gravity that they did both admire him and feare him In May Munster Rebels had their pardons granted them upon the intercession of the Lord President A list out of five English Shires and Irish Submitties 207 horse 374 Archers as likewise arising out of the Irish Lords and their Captains horse 128 Kerne 361. And now preparation is made for the Summer service whence to take forces for the field To be drawne out of Munster to Connagh a thousand foot fifty horse And in Connagh already 1150 foot horse 74. Thus to be disposed in Connagh at Galloway and Athlone 350 foot At the Abbey of Boyle in Connagh under the command of the Earle of Clanrichard a thousand foot 62 horse To leave in Lemster side of the Shannon at the Annaly to further the plantation of Balishannan eight hundred foot horse twelve These all lying to infest the Rebels or to hinder their joyning together or to hinder Northerne forces from comming into Lemster And to hinder Tyrones gathering in the corn May the two and twentieth his Lordship parts from Dublin and wrote into England for six thousand souldiers ready if so be any forreigne aide should come and to have a Magazine at Limrick many pardoned in the County of Corke And about the eight of June his Lordship came neere the Pace of Moyry where hee purposed to build a Fort to secure that Pace Now againe hee sollicits his former demands by Letters into England And so he marched by Dundalke to Lecagh comming suddenly on them he took much booty and many submitted to his Lordship in this passage from thence he went to Mount Norris and so hee intended to plant a Garrison at Armagh and so forth hee went to Blackwater to see that way to that Fort where the Marshall Bagnal had his defeat The foure and twentieth hee marched two miles short
also other letters from the Councell in England that his Lordship would aske what supplyes were needfull and that in convenient time September the nineteenth two thousand men out of England arrived some in Corke and some in Waterford And his Lordship writes for store of munition and victuals to be with all speed sent to Dublin telling Master Secretary that Tyrones very friends would faile with his fortune and many others when they could rid themselves of the feare of him And that the Irish submitted Lords desired to continue subjects if they might see appearance of defence though perchance not so much out of their honest disposition as for the smart they yet feele of a bitter persecution In June the Queene wrote to the Lord Deputy with her own hand a most gracious acceptance and a free commendations of his good service September the three and twentieth the Spanish Fleet came into Kinsale lying between Rosse and Corke Bay out into the South Sea the Lord Deputy and Lord President of Munster being both together with the Councell at Kilkenny whence they road both to Corke Where they understood the number of the Spaniards to be about six thousand under the command of Don Jean de Aquila who was one of the chiefest Commanders of the King of Spaine and had been Generall in Britany And that a thousand of them scattered by foul weather were landed at Baltamore to the Westward of Kinsale And that they expected according to promise great aid and assistance from the pretended Earle of Desmond and Florence Mac Carty who were both taken prisoners and already sent into England And that they had brought sixteene hundred great Saddles for which Tyrone had promised to furnish them with horse and then they would keepe the field for they had likewise many armes in hope the Irish Rebels would supply them with men which would revolt at their first appearance About October many letters are sent into England to the Counsell and to Master Secretary And he tels them that seeing the occasions are so great good supplies are to be sent with all speed because defence must be made for the subject that hath means And money also because the Swordmen which have no means will goe to the enemy if wee entertain them not Thus his Lordship streightned for want of men to suppresse the rebels in the North and oppose the forreigne enemy in the South but that God who accounts rebellion as the sin of Witchcraft and an evill thought against lawfull Soveraignty impiety did so counsell and incourage him that collecting a small force together to Corke hee shews himselfe in field and presently marched within five miles of Kinsale and on the 17 of October within halfe a mile of the walls and sate down under a hill called Knâ—c Robin whither the Spaniard out of the Towne made some shot to hinder his encamping but could not And the next night made a great salley but were beaten back again Many skirmishes hapned between the English Spaniard who always went backe by weeping crosse by Gods providence and the valour of our stout Commanders So that Don Jean himselfe said hee never saw men come more willingly to the sword then ours There was little done by reason our artillery were not come to the Campe But the 26 our Campe rose and intrenched themselves very strongly on Spittle Hill on the North side of Kinsale a little above Musket shot of the Town Sir John Barkley with three other Captains the night before falling into the Spaniards Trenches made them forsake them and fell into the gate of the Towne with them and killed and hurt above 20 of them having but three of our men hurt The disposall of the whole army in Forts Garrisons Left at Loughfoyle horse 100 foot 3000 under severall Captains Left at Caricfergus horse 150 foot 850. In Lecale foot 150. Left in the North Garrisons horse 100. Foot in No Garrisons 800. Left in the Pale and places adjoyning 175. Foot in the Pale under severall Captains 3150. Left in Connagh 62 horse Foot left there 1150. Tot. 587 horse foot 9100. A list of the Army with his Lordship at Kinsale The old Munster list Horse 175. Foote 1950. New Companies 2000 Foot Brought from the North and the Pale to Kinsale 436 horse more foote 950. more foot 2080. tot at Kinsale horse 611. Foot 6900. The whole Army in Ireland 1198 horse 1600 foot But many of these Companies were very deficient the the 27. our Artilery were landed at Oyster haven and brought into the Campe and two Culverings were planted to batter the Castle of Rincovaur which the Spaniards possessed from their first comming which Castle commanded the harbour of Kinsale but one of the Peeces presently brake so we planted two more which grew so hot that the enemy seeing they could not bee releeved neither by water nor land for both had beene tryed but in vaine sent out a parly for Conditions that would not bee accepted but presently after for life only which was granted being 86 in number and some 30 had beene slaine in the defence of it The Spaniards drew a demi Cannon out of the Towne and did play into our Campe the first shot killed two men and indangered many piercing his Lordships tent the shot altogether falling about his quarter some supplies of men munition and â—â—ctuals came out of England at this time brought by the Earle of Thomond and being noysed that Tyrone was comming downe with a great Army to joyne with the Spanyard the campe was strongely fortified on the north side from the Towne and the next day the Lord President with 2100. Foot and 325 horse drew out into the borders of the Province to stop him at least hinder his passage But the Spaniards getting intelligence of the Lord Presidents going out of the Campe and supposing us thereby to be much weakned about noone they drew out most of their forces and sent 60. shot and pikes to the foot of the hill neere our Campe leaving their â—â—enches very well lined Some entertained skirmish with those that did approach so neere Others of our men went about and set upon the trenches and beat the Spaniards out of them so that when the formost retyred supposing to have reliefe of their seconds which they left in the Trenches they were deceived and faine to make haste into the Towne many of them hurt and killed a Serjant taken so that Don Jean committed the Serjant major commended the valour of our men and that his owne had lost their reputation And commanded that no man should after come off from his service except he were fetched off by an Officer The 13. day ten great ships came into Kinsale under the command of Sir Riâ—h. Leveson who brought 2000. Foot with Munition and Artillery and Officers of all kinds to attend the same A list of the Army at Kinsale Foot 11800. Out of which was chosen a flying Regiment as they
called it to answer all alarmes and were exempted from other duties The Horse 857. The Castle Niparke upon a breach made by our cannon yeelded only on condition of saving their lives sixteen being only left in it It stood in an Island beyond the water The Lord President returned with foure Regiments two he carryed out and two met him and comming to the Campe they quartered by themselves on the West side of Kinsale and were commanded by the Earle of Thomand for the Lord President went to the Lord Deputy The Towne with a Demi-Cannon played upon our Admirall and Vice-Admirall in the the harbour of Kinsale And shot them throughout But our Shippe peeces presently dismounted the Demi-cannon and hurt their chiefe Gunner Our battery lay so continually upon the Towne on all sides that did it much offend the enemy within who impatient that we built a fort close to the towne West gate Made a brave sally with 2000 men on our Ordinance on the East side and made most furious assault having brought with them tooles to cloy the Peeces and to dismount them if possible And indevoured to pull downe the Gabions in our trenches and baskets filled with earth for the safegard of our Gunners and Cannoneeres But they found such resistance by the great courage of our men that they were driven to retreate into the Towne leaving above 120 dead in the place and many slaine neere the towne some others taken prisoners But on our side not many hurt two Captaines and one Lievtenant killed Among the Spaniards at their shipping many of them were found to have Spells Characters and hallowed Medalls as preservatives against death A Drumme was sent to offer Don Jean to bury his slaine who returned thankes but withall prayed the Lord Deputie to see them buried promising to doe the like for ours when they fell in his power At this time newes came that sixe Spanish ships were put into Castle-haven neere Baltamore and sixe more were scattered from them by foule weather these six brought two thousand men and many Ordnance and Munition and news that 20000 more were comming Sir Richard Levison getting five or sixe ships out of the harbour of Kinsale got in little time into Castle-haven and and sunke one Spanish ship The Admirall of the Spaniard having 9 Foot water in her hould drave on a rocke and the Vice-Admirall and two others run aground most of the Spaniards quitting them And so our Fleet returned to Kinsale Into which harbour came a Scottish Barke laden with 80 Spaniards who were by the Master put all into the hands of the English so were landed and carryed into the Campe upon whose examination divers discoveries were made that great preparations were made for Ireland and that in Spain they doubted not but that it was taken already Now intelligence came to the Campe that O Donnell was joyned with the Spaniards that landed at Castle-haven that he together with all the forces that Tyrone could make would releeve Kinsale Upon which our Campes did more strongly fortifie and intrench themselves for their owne defence And so had not leasure to follow the batteryes as they had done before because the new supplies were much wasted with hard service and great sicknesse Two small Sconces were built at the West side of the Towne betweene the Earle of Thomands quarter and the water and so cast up trenches from place to place to invest the town to the land and hinder the driving in of the cattell into the town O Donnels forces are said to be 4000. and Tyrones 8000. which are all to joyne with the Spaniards and lye not above sixe miles from our Campe A Letter was intercepted sent to Oneale by the Spanish Generall To the Prince Oneale and Lord O Donnell J Thought your Excellencies would have come at Don Ricardos going since he had order from you to say that upon the Spaniards comming to you from Castle-haven you would doe me that favour And so I beseech you now you will do it and come as speedily and as well appointed as may be for I assure you that the enemy are tyred and very few and they cannot guard the third part of their trenches which shall not availe them for resisting their first fury all is ended The manner of your comming your Excellencies know better there then I to give here for I will give them enough to doe this way being alwayes watching to give the blow all that I can and with some resolution that your Excellency fighting as ye doe alwayes I hope in God the victory shall be ours without doubt because the cause is his And I more desire the victory for the interest of your Excellencie then mine owne And so there is nothing to be done but to bring your squadrons come well appointed and close withall that being mingled with the enemies their forts will doe as much harme to themselves as unto us The Lord keepe your Excell Kinsale Decemb. 18. after the old stile Though you be not well fitted I beseech your Excellen to dislodge and come towards the enemy for expedition imports it is needfull that we all be on horseback at once and the greater hast the better Signed by Don Iean de Aquila This newes made us ply our batteryes the more and the like importunitie made Tyrone advance within a mile of us in the way to Corke But some of our Foot drawing out of the Campe towards him for that time he drew himselfe into the wooâ—s Our Army was but weake at this time many sick and some run away in number 6595. Tyrone often shewed his Horse and Foot on a hill not â—aâ—e off and we had intelligence from one of Tyrones Commanders that both he and the Spaniards resolved to aâ—…t our Campe together on all sides in the night But Tyrones guides missing the way happened to be withâ—â— an houre of day when they were discried in a plain not far from our Campe where Tirrill led the vantgard wherin the Spaniards from Castle haven were Tyrone leading their battell and O Donnell their reare intending to force the great Campe But the Lord Deputy with the Lord President having sate in Counsell all that night drew out some regiments The Marshall Sir Richard Wingfield with 400 horse and Sir Henry Fowers regiment advanced within 20 score of the enemy resolving to give them battell two more regiments being come up which the enemy perceiving retyred over a foard somewhat disorderly and the Marshall seeing it desired leave of the Lord Deputy to fight which being granted to take occasion according to his discretion hee presently marched forward over the foard The enemy still retyring further over the bogge into a plaine hoping to find the bogge some safegard from us But the Marshall with some horse and foot went to the bogge side and gave them occasion of skirmish there their Battalians standing firme on the one side of the bogge and our foot on the other In
after to be reduced to 8000 foot The charge from 1602 to 1603 beside concordatum munition and other extraordinaries 290733 l. 8 s. 9 d. Which War continued from October 1 1598 to the last of March 1603 which was foure yeeres and a halfe and cost besides great concordatums great charge of munition and other great charge of Extraordinaries 1198717 l. 19 s. Thus was Ireland by that noble Lord cured of its desperate state and brought into the most absolutest subjection in which it had ever been since the first conquest And had the resolution held of disarming the Papists which afterward could not be effected when our army was reduced to so small a number Or the eye of Policy or Church Discipline been so vigilant or observable as it might have been We need not now have 〈…〉 what we may justly though 〈…〉 enough lament But whether slides my eager pen it was my promise to set a period to that sad Seene and how meanly performed no man knows better then my selfe But since that Tragick part is now againe after so many halcyon happy dayes come on the Stage it calls to minde still some sad events which then hapned and follow 〈…〉 Rebellion whose indentive is imaged â—ancour and end 〈…〉 and destruction For besides that inhumane disposition of the Native Irish as appeared by a barbarous fact committed about 〈…〉 in â—ent by three Irish people in their house killing them and burning that running away by the light but were apprehended executed and hung on Gibbets There is an imbred hatred in them towards the English and a generall dislike of our Civill government but much more of our Religion the love of the Irish to Spain whence some of them are descended The least successe of the Rebels and the hope of pardon upon the worst event which last by the great wisdome of the 〈…〉 is prevented by â—etting their 〈…〉 â—ale assoone as they are enâ—â—ed into Rebellion the better to awe them for those continuall parleys and overtures of peace proved most dangerous to the State and most advantageous to the Rebels and caused them to revolt upon the least 〈…〉 and where as the â—â—iâ—es have layen so looâ—e on them these many years it makes them proue â—adish who by nature goe best with a hard hand Being best preserved by the same means by which they were first gained These things lying 〈…〉 in their hearts has now â—â—oake out in a filthy running soare especially pressed by the hands of Priests and Iesuits who for their owne 〈…〉 and endâ— care not what exigence and extreaâ—ity they 〈…〉 those misâ—ed people into who were they so wiâ—e as to consider those miseries they formerly indured when the provision of the Countrey was destroyed and they lay scattered in the wayes dead by 1000 with hunger and nothing more common then to see multitudes of those miserable people dead in the ditches of Towne with their mouthes all coloured greene with eating of nettles and docks and whaelse they could reare out of the ground Beside this two most horridâ— spectacles were then sâ—â—ne three children the eldest not above 10 yeares old all eating and grawing the intrals of their dead Mother upon whose flesh they had fed 20 dayes past having devoured all the flesh to the bare bones now fell a roasting the inâ—râ—lles on a slow fire to sustaine themselves from starving Another more cruell discovered by Captaine Traver lying at the Newry of certaine old women in those parts which used to make a fire in the fields whether divers little children drove out cattell in the cold mornings and comming to warme themselves were by these surprised killed and eaten which at the last was discovered by a great girle which brake from them by strength For the certaine information the Captaine sent our foâ—… Souldiers to try the truth of it who found the â—oâ—ls and bones of children scattered in the fields and so did apprehend those cursed cairiffs and put them to death Those and many as bad are the accidents that happened in that Rebellion And who can expect better in this or 〈…〉 who 〈…〉 not worse if noâ— suddenly prevented this fire of rebellion now kindleâ— will be found to increase into a devouring 〈…〉 by slow and slender oppositions to the first cruption if the Rebels have liberty to combine and know their owne strength for by delay the foe is incouraged and his number animated by such as submit for feare of them when they cannot be secured by us And if we have not such forces as may keepe and command the field thereby to compell the Rebell to make resistanceâ—t one place with most of his forces then will hee forrage and spoyle all abroid in the Country but if hee be made unite in one head then will he soone be driven to want of victuals which will be apt to breed murmurings and mutinies among themselves And a warre of force will be great costly and large as the Earle of Essex said and that will make the burden more deservedly to be complained of then that of Queene Elizabeth who did grieve and groane as shee sayd with her subjects under so great a weight as the maintaining of 1400. foot and 1500 horse in a climate full of contagion in a Kingdome utterly wasted Which forces ours must farre exceed for although the Rebels have not such woods and fortresses as then yet now are they equall in number and farre more ready then formerly and better exercised in feats of armes and no doubt will make the best advantage of the hils and boggs for the Earle of Essex was wont to say that the warre in Ereland was as aswell to be made with woods and bogges as men It 's not like the coursing of a Hare but as the digging after an earthed Foxe from one angle to another It was then thought the savingst way to breake them by factions raysed among themselves they being coveteous and mercenary and will be hired to any thing especially if the Iesuites and preaching Priests be but rooted out which doe solder them so fast and close together that were they quite banished they would moulder asunder in short time of themselves Some obstructions were then like to happen as ready to hinder the good progresse arising from the discountenancing of the Generall by the supreame authority that imployed him his want of trusty friends to mediate and speed his proceedings this feare raysed many jealousies in the Earle of Essex head and run him on the rash attempt to have unwâ—rranted the Service This made Lord Mountjoy so labour to ingratiate himselfe with Secretary Cecil a man powerful with the Queen by which meanes all necessaries are timely sent unto him himselfe incouraged to diligence and had in honour and reputation in the eyes of his Souldiers It was the only overthrow of victorious Haniball to bee secretly maligned by the crafty wiles of Hanno working upon some thrifty humours of the Senators of Carthage and ready