diligence and tooke in good part all his doings as proceeding from a speciall zeale to doe her seruice yet finding or suspecting a taxe withall to bee layde on his iudgement in some matters which did arise as he conceiued from the perswasion of his Euemies his nature would not suffer him to The Deputy writeih to the Queene suppresse or conceale his griefe Hee therefore wrote ouer vnto her as hee had already done vnto the Lords of her Counsaile shewing the good successe of his late Northerne iourney with the necessity thereof and the content of the Councell thereunto and to his proceeding in tendering the Oath of obedience hee pleaded warrant and pollicie of State and to all the other allegations as of Nouelties and supposed inconuemencies hee replyed that they were malicious furmises and without cause of doubt therein as his Aduersary pretended alleadging a dangerous consequence to breede feare doubt and disquietnesse in the Natiues which were but suggestions to hinder such seruices as would easily be performed without perill finding now the pride and power of the euill affected Irish to be altogether abated and the people enclined to yeeld conformity vnto his commandements Therefore it seemed fit to him to take the opportunity which the time offered to worke that which former time could not compasse But finding all this how necessary so euer crossed by them which should rather haue giuen furtherance to it construing his actions astending to innouation likely to stirre dissention and produce danger He confessed that he was much disconraged but yet would pursue his course in the best manner he could being so restrayned For the view of mens Charters wherewith hee was charged hee denied that euer he intended much lesse practised the Accusers malice and slander Hee confessed that hee had vrged some of them to take the Oath of obedience and gaue his reason for it for finding their obstinacie and repugnance to reason in Parliament he held this the best meanes to try their sidelily by concluding with all humility which tasted something neuerthelesse of passion and griefe for it must needes trouble him to see his zealous care to assure all things to the good of his Prince mistaken by the malice of his Aduersaries whose whole ayme being but at their owne particular were not so sensible as they should haue beene how they euerted the publique by pudling the water wherein their fish lay And to strengthen this their information to the end hee might be made the more distastfull to her Maiestie and the Lords of her Counsell Some of the Lords of the English Pale are incited The Lords of the English Pale write against the Deputy to write vnto the Queene 15 Iuly 1585 in complaint against the Deputy that ouer and besides a composition of two thousand pounds yearely reuennew formerly made in lieu of Cess and other charges claimed to belong by Prerogatiue vnto the State from the fiue Counties of the English Pale hee intended to impose a second charge of fifteene hundred pound per Anum sterling so making the yoake of her Gouernment to appeare heauie and insupportable But not long after some of those Lords finding themselues abused as the Vicount Gormanstowne the Lords of Slany The Lords by another Letter recanted their errour Heathe and Trimelstene by another Letter recanted their errour expressing sorrow for mistaking the Deputies meaning acknowledging his fatherly care of them the Country for those were the words of their Letter and that they would not haue written against him neither for the former particular nor for the suspension of Poynings Act if they had discerned or vnderstood what they now found of his disposition to doe them and the Country right This shewes in what a slippery seare they fit that gouerne that Kingdome for Innocencie is not alwayes safe though it be euer best for it cannot bee free from imputation when it is free from corruption the vnder-Instruments of State aduauncing themselues thereby Notwithstanding these complaints crossings and backbitings the Deputy like a carefull Common-wealths man and iust seruant to his Prince professed he would proceede on to the discharge of his duty as long as he held that place esteeming it better to be disgraced for doing well then to be remiss in doing well Therefore care is had to settle a Composition in Cannaught sutable to that in Vlster begun for the encrease of the Crownes reuennew and setling of some certainty in that Prouince betwixt the Lords and their Tenants for the preuention of such mischiefes as had happened formerly there by their disagreement and for the reformation of such enormities as were frequent by the dependencie of the mean person vpon the chiefe Lords To this purpose in the same yeare so soone as the late begun troubles of Vlster were pacified and the other Prouinces of Ireland began to be plyable and conformable to Iustice and Peace A commission is directed to Sir Richard Commission sent into Connaught for making the composition Bingham the Gouernour of Connaught Sir Nicholas White Master of the Rowles Sir Thomas Lestrange Charles Calthorpe the Queenes Attourney Generall Thomas Dillon Chiefe Iustice of Connaught Gerard Comeford Attourney there and Francis Barkeley to enter into a course for procuring a composition with the principall Lords spirituall and temporall The Chiefetaines of Countries Gentlemen and Free-holders of that Prouince of Connaught to passe vnto the Queenes Maiesty her Heires and Successours a graunt of tenne shillings English or a marke Irish vpon euery quarter of land containing 120 Acres manured or to be manured as the phrase went and was significantly set downe that beares either horne or corne that was with tillage or cattell in lieu and consideration to bee discharged from other Cess taxation or tallage excepting the rising out of Horse and Foote for the Seruice of the Prince and State such as should be particularly agreed vpon and some certaine dayes labour for building and fortifaction for the safety of the people and Kingdome According to which Commission and the directions therein contained These Commissioners did trauaile through the seuerall Counties of Connaught first calling and conferring with the Lords Chiefetaines Gentlemen and Free-holders in their seuerall Precincts and Possessions to finde their dispositions how farre they were willing to condiscend and yeeld to such a course for the satisfaction of their Prince and freedome of themselues from further burthens to make their charge certaine and that but small These things well The Commissioners handled the Commission discreetly propounded and discreetly prosecuted most and in a manner all the principall possessours of land in that Prouince as they were generally dealt withall did assent to this contribution for their owne ease as well as for the satisfaction and seruice of the Prince of the first themselues were sensible of the other they had onely aduertisement from the Commissioners being well chosen for that purpose especially Sir Richard Bingham the Gouernour then
met him in Connaught with Mac Morris Oswilliuan More the Knight of Kerry and certaine Septs of the Galloglasses who accompanied him to Limbrick where there came vnto him all the principall persons of that Prouince sauing the chiefe of the County of Corke as the Lords Barry and Roche Sir Owen-Mac-Carthie and others who did accompany their Sheriffe Sir William Stanley prouided to entertaine him and present themselues vpon the Confines of their owne County but were preuented by the Northerne newes already mentioned the Deputy hauing changed his purpose of visiting those parts Malachias Amalone a Fryar conuerted In this passage thorow Connaught Malachias Amalone brother to Mac William Eughter who had long beene a Fryar was brought vnto him and by him with priuate consultation and dispute made to vnderstand his errours Hee publiquely and before a great Assembly did renounce the Pope and Romish Religion gaue ouer his order and habit and made his Recantation by professing himselfe a Protestant and conformable to the Religion established in her Maiesties Dominions With these courses of Prouidence Iustice ending of Controuersies and taking security for the preseruation of future Peace the people generally seemed to be well pleased and satisfied but in nothing more then with the correction of the Sheriffes corruptions and limiting them to a small number of followers who had formerly vsed with Multitudes to trauaile and Cesse vnder colour of Seruice to the grieuous oppression of the Country so as mixing the peoples case from exaction with their reformation they gladly yeelded to the hardest conditions that colde bee desired to keepe them in obedience and due subiection These parts being left to the care of the Iustices and other selected Commissioners The Deputy retired with as much celerity as hee could towards Dublin and in his way as hee passed through Leix hee tooke Pledges of Fiaugh Order taken with the heads of Lemster for the certainty of their obedience Mac Hugh the Fierbrand of the Mountaines betweene Dublin and Wexford which were his Sonne and Vncle and for the rest of his Sept the Obyms and O-Tooles Sir Henry Harrington the Captaine and Commaunder of that Country was appointed to receiue the liâ—e The two brethren of the Oconnors who vsed to be followed with great troupes of Sauaging and idle people doing and threatning mischiefe to the Queene and Kings Counties and the parts adioyning submitted themselues there to the Deputy and were by him reduced to a more orderly course by putting away their idle men and bringing their Sept and followers into a smaller proportion according to their quality After the death of Iames More alias Meigh the Mores who challenge dominion in Lâ—ix were deuide into two or three Septs them the Deputy caused to render Pledges for their Loyalties as the Oconnors had done The Canaâ—aghs not being ready with their Pledges who are the bordering busie men of the Counties of Wexford Catherlogh and Kildare were respited to performe the same to Sir Henry Wallop Sir Nicholas Walsh and other Commissioners appointed for the suruaying the Forts of Mary Burgh and Philips Towne The Forts of Mary-Burgh and Philips Towne built by the Earle of Sussex Philips Towne and the Kings County was assigned to the commaund of Sir George Bourgier and Mary Burgh with the Queenes County to Captaine Warham St. Leger which Forts were built and Counties so named in Queene Maries time by the Earle of Sussex then Lieutenant of Ireland before begun by Edward Bollingham being otherwise called Leix and Ophaly these being the first Counties that The King and Queens Counties diuided by the Earle of Sussex had beene in this Kingdome since King Iohns Reigne at what time the twelue first Shires were established which enlarging of the English Plantation was a Seruice of very great moment those two Irish Septs of Mores and Oconnors possessing these two Countries being the most powerfull Rebels of Lemster at that time and by this good Earle and his Predecessour happily brought vnder The Orealies as wel Sir Iohn as Philip being then in controuersie were thence suÌ„moned by the Lord Deputy to repaire to him at Dublin which shortly after they performed and submitted their cause to his order who appeased their controuersie by setling an indifferent course betweene them to both their lykings Hauing secured all the Westerne parts in the manner as is declared which was certified vnto England by those of the Priuie Councell that attended him in this iourney he repaired to Dublin vpon the 9. day of August hauing bin absent a moneth wanting two daies where he remained sixteene dayes to make prouision of conuenient power and meanes for his Northerne iourney for to resist the Inuasion of the Scottish Ilanders whereof his intelligence did dayly encrease and to suppresse the rebellious purpose of the Vlster Confederates making the greater hast to keepe them from vniting His force which hee could on such a suddaine make was the Earle of Ormond and his Rising out The Earle of Thomond and his The Army for the North. From Mounster the Lord Barrys his Rising out sent by his brother The Lord Roche and Fitz Gibon called the white Knight with theirs The rising out of the County of Kildare The Lord of Trimelstowne with the rising out of Meathe The Vice-Count Gormâ—nstowne and the Lord of Heathe with other rising out of the English Pale being such of the olde English discent as were tyed by their tenures and custome of Seruice to leauy certaine Horse and Foote called Risings out to attend the Deputy or chiefe Gouernour for a time without the Princes charge in all Seruices of importance when hee went himselfe in person To these were added ten English Companies of Foote of one hundred in each Company vnder the Command 1 Sir Henry Wallops Company commanded by his Lieutenant 2 Captaine Rees ap Hugh the Prouost Marshall 3 Captaine Thomas Lea. 4 Captaine Bethell 5 Captaine Randal Brewerton 6 Captaine Merryman 7 Captaine Mince 8 Captaine Parker 9 Captaine Collum 10 Captaine Bangor These Companies Risings out and some halfe Companies of Kerne brought by particular Irish Lords being ready The Deputy accompanied with the afore-named Lords Generall Norreys Lord President of Moâ—nster Sir Nicholas Bagnall then Marshall of Ireland Captaine Iaques Wingfield then Master of the Ordnance Sir George Bourchier Sir William Stanley Mr. Thomas Norreys Sir Henry Harrington all Gouernours Commanders and most of them ancient Captaines well experienced with him likewise went Sir Robert Dillon chief Iustice of the Common Pleas Sir Lucas Dillon chiefe Baron of the Exchequer Sir Nicholas White Master of the Rolls Master Ieffrey Fenton Secretary of the State Master Henry Bagnall Sir Edward Denny Sir Iohn Tyrrell of Farrtallaugh Master Dudleigh Bagnall Sir Henry Cooley Sir Thomas More Sir Anthony Brabauson Warham Saint Leger Henry Warren and William Warren his brother set-forwards from Dublin the fiue and twenty day of August and came to the Newry the 29. thereof where
vnder the pen of a more able hand one that had taken much paines in that Subiect onely hauing omittted Sir Iohn Perrots time for some particular reasons which must needes blemish my worke because not so substantiall I abruptly therefore brake off with such an excuse as to him belonged who was the motiue of my vndertaking And if this thus much come in Print I pray you know it to be his will onely But if this weake labour be not misliked I will proceede further as time shall spare me leasure To the Queenes most Excellent Maiestie Sir Iohn Perrots Opinion for the suppressing of Rebellion and the well Gouerning of Ireland written by him vpon the Queenes commandement in the time of the Earle of Desmonds and the Lord of Baltinglasses Rebellion 1582. I Haue found the charge that your Maiestie committed vnto mee for the setting downe of mine opinion how your Realme of Ireland might with the least charge be reclaimed from Barbarisme to a godly Gouernment somewhat difficult by reason of mine owne insufficiency many wayes for so weighty a cause Neuerthelesse entring into consideration first of your Maiesties most godly and Princely care in this behalfe and next of my most bounden duty to your Maiesty I haue beene emboldned to set downe what I obserued were the causes of the disorders of the Land whilst I had some peece of Gouernment in it and what I then thought and now doe thinke may bee some meanes to reforme the same most humbly referring both my selfe and this my simple discourse to your Maiesties and Councels grauer deeper consideration and as humbly crauing pardon if in seeking to discharge my duty truly and plainely I touch any thing that may seeme offensiue It is most apparant that the regard your Maiestie hath had to God and his will in all your Princely proceedings hath so wonderfully blessed your Estate that as wee your faithfull Subiects doe loue and honour you so all forraigne Nations doe admire and reuerence you for it A cause for vs to thank God most hartily and a patterne for all Princes to immitate most diligently Wee therefore to you and you to God are to giue all the honour and glory It is also apparant what continuall care you haue had of that your Realme of Ireland The great and almost insupportable charges that you haue sustained to doe it good doth well witnesse the same For so great a masse of Treasure haue you already imployed to that end that no Prince in the world except your Maiestie who hath bin moued with conscience of your people and feare of God only would in reason or good pollicy giue so much for the purchase of such an other Land to bee enioyed in peaceable possession And yet notwithstanding all that your Maiesties care and cost that way hath not hitherto yeelded that fruit that your Maiesty doth desire For the State of that Country hath growne dayly from worse to worse and from dangerous tâ— most dangerous Many men doe alledge causes hereof But next to the want of the true knowledge of God and of the due course of Iustice to giue euery man a peaceable propriety of that which is his owne I take vnder correction that the smoothing vp of all former Rebellions by Pardons and Protections hath beene the misery and cause of most of this mischiefe For if it were not too bitter a rehearsall it were no hard matter to make it appeare how one Rebellion during your Maiesties Raigne hath hatcht another and how againe of all them this last more dangerous then they all hath taken this strong rooting with forraigne combination Leauing this third cause a while I craue pardon to say a little of the two former principall causes want of Religion and Lawe It is a lamentable thing to behold how generally in that Realme they are so farre of not onely from true but also in effect from any knowledge at all of God thaâ— Saint Patrick is more familiar and of better credite with them then Christ Iesus our Sauiour How can a people so estranged from God and their duty to him haue any grace to know their lawfull Prince and their duty to her The like is to be said of the Lawes from which they flye as from the yoke of bondage and not desire to be tyed by it as by the linke of humane Society as they ought to be The reformation must therefore begin at God His will and word must be duly planted and Idolatry extirped Next Law must be established and lycentious customes abrogated The meanes to effect both is now most fitly offered by the Rebellion now a foore So as a man that should giue his opinion for the reformation of Ireâ—and might conclude all circumstances with this one short resolution Correct this Rebellion throughly and reforme Ireland presently I must therefore craue pardon to say a little more concerning this Rebellion before I meddle with other particularities of reformation There be three strong reasons to moue your Maiesty to correct this Rebellion with all earnest seuerity not allowing pardon or protection to be giuen to any man but vpon speciall and vrgent great causes The first reason is The charge that God hath committed to your Maiesty ouer that people to see the good maintained or at the least defended and the bad suppressed or at the least repressed Then the account that God will require for the innocent blood that hath beene there cruelly spilt by Traytors and for the miserable oppression of the better sort of your Maiesties Subiects who haue beene there burned rauished robbed and spoyled the cry whereof is now shrill in Gods eare for vengeance against these cruell Rebels and disordered dealers The second reason is a present vrging necessity which may not be neglected but with dangerous errour in pollicy of Gouernement For remit this Rebellion and yeeld wholly and for euer the Lamb to the Wolfe and the Subiect to the Traytor who will so keepe him vnder that hee shall neither will nor dare euer hereafter to oppose himselfe on your Maiesties behalfe or Seruice The third reason is commodity For besides that all rules and orders for reformation may thereupon be the more readily and lesse chargeably put in execution there will excheate to your Maiesty by due course of Iustice the better halfe of that Land whereof what great â—…ue may in short time accrew to your Maiestie ouer and aboue what may be imployed to reward and strengthen those that are dutifully disposed shall in part appeare in place where the commodities of Ireland shall purposely be spoken of Thus it appeareth that the seuere correction of this Rebellion is the first and soundest step of reformation and that the same is grounded vpon duty to God necessity pollicy and commodity all which points would yeeld a larger discourse if that it were either my purpose or needfull to your Maiesty who knoweth and vnderstandeth all Least some might draw this mine opinion of a seuere
yearely as the commodity of their Lands encreaseth the wages to abate and so at length cleane to extinguish 10 Item to the end the Ports in Ireland especially of Mounster may be inhabited and fortified against forraigne attempts it shall bee well your Maiesty doe not onely strengthen the Priuiledges already graunted but also graunt new 11 Item that Merchants in generall be prohibited vpon paine of death to sell Powder or any kinde of Warlike Munition to any of the Irish 12 Item that honest and skilfull men be taken out of euery Court of Record here and placed there for the setling of the due course of the Lawes And for their better encouragement to doe well that in respect of their honest trauels they be promised preferments of Offices in the Courts here as any doe fall fit for them 13 Item that the Glybb and all Irish habite of men and women be presently abollished and that Orders be set downe for enlarging the English tongue and extinguishing the Irish in as short a time as conueniently may be 14 Item that the factions of Butler and Geraldine with the titles of Ahmabo and Crâ—ghmabo be taken away 15 Finally to the end your Maiesties State be more followed and depended vpon then hitherto it hath beene and the Lords of the Counties lesse reseruing to them the honour and reputation due to their places as the Noble men here haue I thinke it very necessary that a suruay be taken of all their Lands and that your Maiesty by good aduice shall take such a third part thereof into your hands as shall lye fittest for the furtherance of your Seruice Giuing them of improoued Lands in England by way of exchange a valuable recompence So shall your Maiesties followers encrease and theirs diminish to the great assurance of your State there Besides that by that meanes your Highnes shall haue alwayes A CONTINVATION of the History of IRELAND vnto this time 1626 whereof this is the first Booke beginning 1584. and ending 1588. the rest shall follow Queene Elizabeths prosperous and peaceable gouernment WHen Queene Elizabeth the mirrour of women and most famous of Princes had to the wonder of the world and her owne euer flourishing fame gouerned these her Kingdoms of England and Ireland 1584 for the space of almost sixe and twenty yeares and did now plainely finde that the Romish and Spanish practises those ambitious States affecting vniuersall Supremacie the one in ouer ruling Religion the other in coueting absolute Monarchy had taken holde of the reuolting disposition nature of the Irish now wearier of the English yoke of obedience then euer in respect of their contrariety in Religion which through their wildnesse and barbarisme they would not haue beene The Romane Locusts and especially Sanders incendiaries of Rebellion so sensible of but by the stirring vp of the Romane Locusts the instruments of strife bloud and dissention as late manifestation was made in the fruit of that wicked Priest and Traytor Doctor Sanders his worke who not onely drew in the inuading Popish-Spanish forces one of those States aucthorising the other The Popish-Spanish forces defeated by the Lord Gray then Deputy supporting into Mounster where at Smerwick they were defeated by her Maiesties forces vnder the commaund of the right worthy and religious Deputy the Lord Gray but had likewise incited the Lords of Desmond and Baltinglasse with many their confederates to an insurrection not without suspition of the Earle of Kildares conniuencie therein which fire being well quenched by the wisedome The too specdy recalling of the Lord Gray hindred the vtter extinguishing of Desmonds insurrection and valour of that noble Gouernour but not vtterly extinct he being too speedily reuoked thence by the meanes of his enemies at Court enuying his vertues and malicing his successe And the sword committed vnto two Iustices who as in bodies and qualities so varied they indispositions and affection Way was giuen by neglect the Handmayde of diuision to the reuiuing those sparkes which lay hid and couered in the embers of the Iesuites forge which her Maiestic discerning repented no doubt the calling away of the former Deputie but like a great minded Prince vnwilling to confesse errour or to shew the power of such as had preuailed with her in this particular called her selfe home to a new election of such a Gouernour as was likely to answere the necessity of her seruice and to rule that Kingdome to the good and quiet of her people wherein though her happinesse was such as to haue plenty of worthy seruants Regis ad exemplum c. yet most worthily the lot of Sir Iohn Perrott elected Lord Deputy of Ireland her iudgement fell at this time vpon Sir Iohn Perrot a Gentleman discended of an auncient and Noble family and that illustrated by his owne vertue which being supported with a faire Patrimony the effectuall grace of Ancient Nobility gaue glory to his minde His profession being a Souldier for as his meanes bestowed grace vpon the profession so the profession returned the more honour to his vndertaking free hazard being indeede the high path to honour especially when it is guided by a transcendent iudgement which hee had formerly manifested by diuers imployments In her Maiesties Nauie hee had not long before Sir Iohn Perrotts imployment against Stukely the commaund of sixe of her Shipps to encounter Stukeley expected with the Papall banner to haue inuaded Ireland Hee was the Sir Iohn Perrott the first Praesident of Mounster first Lord President of the Prouince of Mounster made by the aduice of Sir Henry Sidney While he was Deputy of Ireland wherein hee had gouerned with good successe to her Maiesties Seruice and such notice had she taken of his iudgement and experience in that Kingdome as shee required his opinion in writing Sir Iohn Perrotts opinion for reformation of Ireland applauded by the Queene and Councell for reformation of errours and establishing a perfection in the gouernment there which he performed to her good liking and the applause of her Councell This iudicious and exact discourse I haue added for the satisfaction of the Reader to my Preface These merrits induced that prouident Prince to this his Election So as commission Sir Iohn Perrots taking of the sword was giuen and the sword deliuered him in Christes Church in Dublin on the 26. of Iune anno 1584. by the afore mentioned Iustices at which time peraduenture in imitation of the ancient Romane Gouernours who were euer accustomed at their Election into Sir Iohn Perrots speech when he receiued the sword publique Office to make Orations to the people hee made a briefe speech more plaine and pithy then glorious or eloquent the words being to this effect That since it had pleased God and her Maiestie to commit to him that great gouernment how weake so euer hee were to vndergoe so heauy a weight yet hee would doe his best endeuour to distribute
State opened and coppied by a Captaine trusted with the conueyance thereof and by him certified to the Traytor Tyrone but in the way intercepted by the Marshal Sir Henry Bagnall The originall of these Cyphers are yet to bee seene with the worthy Sonne of that most worthy Father Sir Henry Wallop of whom since my heart vpon good knowledge of him guides my Pen I craue pardon for digressing from my matter now in hand to speake a word of him He was of an auncient family and an Inheritour of a faire fortune which he managed with so much prouidence as it being seconded by a well knowne wisedome hee was Elected to this place of Vice-Treasurer and Treasurer at Warres in Ireland which as I haue often credibly heard he was vnwilling to accept of not because the place was in the Market at a price to be had according to the Custome of France but freely disposed as all Offices were by that glorious Queene who well vnderstood that he which buyes deare must sell at the same rate by which meanes the poore Subiect whose weale lay next her heart must suffer inconuenience but out of feare that treasure which corrupts most men might doe no lesse to him This place hee discharged many yeares with so cleane hands and so vpright a heart as hee added not to his fortune any matter of moment but at his death was found vpon an euen ground neither in debt to the Queene nor to be charged with any gratuity from Officer Captaine or other in that Kingdome and carried this report to his graue that neuer Treasurer so wise and prouident enioyed so long and reaped so little benefit by so beneficiall a place and dyed without the Taynt of corruption either in that Office or any other which hee held by the fauour of the State in that Kingdome The Lord Deputy hauing performed this with many other things of importance set forwards on his iourney into Connaught where hee dealt with the chiefe Lords to change their custome of strife and controuersie at this time frequent into amity and friendship Charity breeding Piety and both establishing ciuility as the Earles of Thomond and Clanrichard the Lord Bremigham the Burghs of Euter Connaught the Okelleis Oconnor Roe Oconnor Don Oconnor Sligo Mac-William Eughter Murtho-ne-doe-Oflarty The Oneales Mac Trenor Mac Mahond Mac Enispoc both the Mac Nemurroes the two Mac Mahones and all the Chiefes of Connaught and Thomond that both they and the meaner Subiect might be preserued in peace without priuate wrongs for assurance of their loyalties and the readier payment of their compositions He put to death Donnogh Beg Obryan Donnogh-Beg-Obryan put to death a bioudy murtherer and spoyler of the good Subiect with sixe of his accomplices This naughty person shewed as much resolution in suffering death as before he had manifested cruelly in his bloudy actions which did argue the goodnesse of the seruice in cutting him so timely off for he that wants remorce of conscience at the time of his death is in his soule delighted in doing mischiefe The practise of Surleboys inuading Vlster discouered Hee passed on to Limbrick in the Prouince of Mounster where hee receiued intelligence from the Baron of Donganon Sir Nicholas Bagnall the Marshall Captaine Mince then lying in Odonnells Country and others of the approach of a Thousand Scottish Islanders called Redshankes being of the Septs or Families of the Cambiles Macconnells and Macgalanes drawne to inuade Vlster by Surleboys one of that Nation who had vsurped and by power and strong hand possessed himselfe of the Macguilies and other mens Lands in Vlster called the Glimes and the Routes meaning to hold that by force which hee had gotten without right by violence fraud and iniurie The Deputy at the same time receiued priuate notice of a Messenger sent from the Irish of Vlster to stirre vp the Lords and Chiefes of Mounster and Connaught to ioyne with them in Rebellion for whom he caused wayte to be Tirlogh Leynaghs fosterer taken layde and had him apprehended and brought to himselfe who vpon examination after some deniall confessed that hee was Tirlogh Leynagh then called Oneales fosterer and by him imployed to procure those people to ioyne in Rebellion with him and his Accomplices according to a former combination made before his Lordshippes arriuall in that Kingdome when it was destitute of an vnderstanding Commander or such a Garrison of Souldiers as was fit to answere such an occasion hereby expressing the condition of that people to watch all opportunity to deliuer themselues from the yoake of the English gouernment and hee confessed withall that now hauing moued the Lord Fitzmorrice and some other Lords of Mounster to enter into The opinion of the Deputies Iustice kept the Lord Fitzmorrice and others frō Rebellion the promised Insurrection hee was answered by them that since Sir Iohn Perrot who all that Country knew and esteemed to be a iust man was arriued and made Deputy none of them would stirre so long as hee and the Earle of Ormonde continued in that Kingdome so as the cause which makes the English gouernment heauy to that people plainely appeares to be the corruption of our Gouernours else had not Sir Iohn Perrot whose sincerity was knowne to them had more power to containe them in obedience then another of his Country and quality should haue had in the processe of this Story it will likewise appeare that Oneale himselfe was wonn to loyalty and a peaceable subiection merely by the Iustice of this Deputy when hee came once to be knowne amongst them of the North. Neuerthelesse the newes of the Preparation in Vlster The Deputies returne to preuent the Ilanders and the danger of a discent of the Scottish Islanders there being by the Deputy wel weighed broke off his farther proceedings in that Prouince and called him backe to the preuention of the same leauing this Prouince secured by taking Pledges of all suspected persons and constituting in each Country trusty and able Gouernours to keepe the people in obedience if any stirre should happen in his absence taking the President of Mounster who was desirous to accompany him along with him to the Northerne Expedition and appointing such as he suspected to attend him to Dublin ordaining in his absence the County of Corke to be gouerned by the Iustices Walshe and Miagh The Sheriffe Sir William Stanley the Lords Barry and Roche the County of Limbrick to the Prouost Marshall the County of Desmond to the Earle of Clancarthie Sir Owen Oswilliuan and Oswilliuan More The County of Kerry to the Sheriffe and the Lord Fitz-Morris with others whose pledges hee tooke with him The Liberty and County of Tipperary whose Iurisdiction was by Charter challenged to belong to the Earle of Ormonde he left as he found it to the auncient course of gouernment vnder Thomas the then Earle a man of singular wisedome and loyalty and by her Maiestie highly fauoured This Earle first
impregnable Castles of that Ringdome being scituated vpon a Rocke hanging ouer the Sea and deuided from the Marine with a narrow neck of Land or Rocke not aboue foure foote broad and fifty foote long the denthes of each side being at the least ten fathome The Castle it selfe commaunding the passage is seated vpon a hard Rock which hath in it Caues as it were Sellers which would secure the guard though the Castle were battered and beaten downe Here was at this time a strong Ward commanded by a Scottish Captaine who being summoned to deliuer vp the Castle to the Queene resolutely denied protesting to defend it to the last man whereupon the Deputy hoping the terrour of the Canon might dismay the Ward for other hope hee had not to win so strong a place drew his Forces nearer planted his Artillary being two Culuerings and two Sakers for battery This Ordnance was brought by Sea from Dublin to Skerreys Portrushe and thence being two miles was drawne by mens hands through want of other meanes to this place The Ward of the Castle played thick with their small Shot vpon the Souldiers that made the appraoch much to the discouragement of the workemen and impeachment of the worke being within Musket shot The Deputy seeing the Souldiers shrinke commaunded some of his owne seruants to supply the places of them that were fearefull to fill the Gabions and make good the ground himselfe encouraging A worthy part of a Deputy both them and the rest by giuing not onely his presence but his hand to the worke by which meanes the Ordnance was planted the blinders set vp the Canoniere beginning to play which at first did little annoy the Castle or the Ward therein but within a little time the Pile began to shake through continuance and the discharging at once of the Artillary Then the courages of the Ward vnused to the defence of such places began to quaile insomuch Parley with the Castle of Don Luce. as the next morning a Parley is demaunded and conditions propounded leaue to depart with bagge and baggage is by the Deputy granted as well to take time while the feare lasted to preuent such resolution as despaire a better consideration of the strength of the place might yeeld them as to saue the charge of reedifying the Castle which he intended to keepe for the Queene being a place of no small importance Besides the small prouision was then in the Armie not easily supplied in that place in a short time by which meanes other intended seruice of no lesse if not more importance might be hindred was another motiue of sauing time and charge which had bin spent if the Captaine had continued in his first resolution and peraduenture without successe to the Deputy who stoode in doubt of the losse of many men in the assault through the difficulty of the entry as is before mentioned howsoeuer it would assuredly Surrender of the Castle of Don Luce. haue cost more time then had stood with the conueniency of the Seruice After surrender of this place and a Ward there established he tooke in the Fort of Don-fret The taking of Don-Fret and another Castle the Ward hauing quitted it before and another Castle or Pile neare Portrush All Surleboys Loghs and Ilands were left without Submission of Surleboys defence so as hee had no place of strength within the mayne to flye vnto but the woods The Ranglings being the chiefest refuge for the inuading Ilanders to make their aboade in as the vsuall Rendeuous where they consulted vpon the course of their Inuasion Surleboys thus beaten from his holdes Iudging no continuance of safety to be in his flight sued at length for mercy as all the rest of his Confederates had done which in after time through the necessity of the season and the want of prouision the Deputy much against his minde granted well waighing what good Seruice it would haue beene vtterly to haue extirped the nest of these greedy valtures but necessity oftentimes ouer-rules iudgement Odonnell and Sir Owen O-Toole come to the Deputy During the Deputies aboade here Odonnell the principal Lord of Tireconnell and Sir Owen O Toole came and presented themselues vnto him There Tirlogh Lenaugh and the other chiefe Lords of Vister submitted their differences and Controuersies vnto his Order The Deputy brings the wilde Irish to the vse of law whom hee caused to impleade each other by bill and answere in a legall manner an vnusuall course to them who had beene euer accustomed to try all by the strength of the sword which mischiefe had euer kept that Country in barbarisme He ministred an oath of Alleageance and the obseruation of her Maiesties peace vnto them which they by his perswasion The beginning of the composition of Vlster willingly accepted Hee drew them to a composition proportionably to finde the Queene a certaine number of Souldiers in Garison to whose charge she should contribute onely 250. pound a yeare to euery Company of a hundred for their maintainance and the rest should bee payd by the Country in this manner Tirlogh Leynaugh who stiled himself Oneale for him and the rest whom hee claymed to be vnder him as Ochane and Macguire should giue allowance to fiue hundred Souldiers with the addition mentioned Odonnell and his followers should doe the like to 200 Macguilly and his followers to 100 Foote and 25 Horse Before the Deputies departure hence the Lady Cambell Donnell Grome and Oneales Submission of the Lady Cambell others wifes sonne came and tendered their submission whom hee receiued into pardon and protection and passed vnto them her Maiesties promised grant procured by his mother for so much of the Glimes as were sometime Massets Lands for which he should pay yearely 50 Beefes and finde vpon his charge 80 Souldiers to serue in any part of Vlster at the Gouernours commaund The Deputy preuented from passing further into the Rawghlings as he intended for the vtter rooting out of Surleboys by the approach of Winter and want of victuall the one vsually making the passages difficult by the riuers rising vpon the fall of raine and the winde and weather hindring the others arriuall which had beene long since shipped at Dublin so as now victuall was very scant in the Armie hee determined of his returne homewards hauing happily begun and hopefully proceeded in this reformation of the North. At which time fell a suddaine and dangerous storme by which the Riuers grew great and likely to Retreate of the Deputy homewards proue worse which enforced him to speede his retreat not willing to giue aduantage to a perfidious people but would rather leaue to another time the perfection finishing of this work which he had moulded in his iudgement for the future securing of this quarter and dispossessing these fugitiues that had crept and intruded into it But necessity which controules great actions and ouer-maisters the best
resolutions gaue an after-stop to his proceedings therein as in the sequell will appeare The Deputy hauing setled thus much for the establishing of peace encrease of reuenew and force for the Prince in Vlster where nothing but Reuolts and Rebellions had heretofore beene practised and now threatned and begun with a strong combination likely to haue taken deeper rooting and to haue spread it selfe into other parts of that long infected turbulent State if his wisedome industry and celerity had not preuented it Now begins to draw homeward towards the Newry but before his rising thence considering it the sittest and best meanes to secure that Country The Deputy plants Garrisons in the North. he planted Garrisons in all conuenient places He sent foure Companies of Foote into Tirlogh Heynaughs Country vnder the leading of Captaine Merryman Parker Bangor and Collum to continue all the Winter He assigned two hundred foote and fifty horse of the olde Bands vnder Captaine Carleyle to lye at Colraen to preuent both Insurrection within and The Deputies comming to the Newry where all the Lords of Vlster present themselues and conclude the Commission Inuasion from the Ilands abroad This done he came to the Newry the 28. day of September where he remained ten dayes in pursuing and perfecting the courses begun Whether Tirlogh Leynaugh according to his Lordships direction and appointment brought Henry Oneale the sonne of Shane Oneale Tirloghs predecessour in the thiefery of Vlster who had escaped from Sir Henry Sidney before and sometimes held by Tirlogh as a prisoner to preuent his clayme to his Fathers place of Oneale Thither came also the rest of the Lords adioyning as Sir Hugh Macquenize Mac Mahone Ohanlone Tirlogh Brasilogh Mac Carthen the chiefetaines of the Ferney Phues Kilultaugh Kilwarlen and others who all willingly tooke an oath of faith and fidelity to the Queene and to serue her against all men and for their performance of the same deliuered to the Deputy such Pledges as hee demanded and granted to such composition for the maintenance of the Army as Oneale Odonell and Macquilly had formerly done Hugh Oge and Shane Mac Bryan for the neather Clanyboy allowed eightie men Sir Hugh Macguennizo for the County of Enagh fourty The Commander of Kilultagh fifteene of Kilwarlene tenne Mac Carthen ten This composition for the maintenance of a Garrison by the Countrey mounting in all to 1100. as it was a Seruice of no small importance and before it was effected opposed by the Councell through their opinion of the difficultie receiued great applause and commendation euen of those that maligned his successe in any thing and did admire that Vlster which for many yeares together could scarsely endure the Scepter of Iustice or Gouernment should bee now reduced to such obedience as to contribute to the maintenance of their owne yoke but doubtlesse it was a worke of great danger in the attempt and of great consequence being atchieued wherein much was to be attributed to the Deputies person that gaue his perswasion grace with the people so as Maiestie Hauiour and Comelinesse are most necessarie qualities in the wisest Gouernour of a barbarous Nation Heart-burnings bred by questions for superiority and gouernment betweene Tirlogh Leynaugh called Oneale The Baron of Dunganon and Sir Nicholas Bagnall who did ouerlooke them both and thereupon as much enuied of them as they did maligne one another Grudging betweene the Gouernours of Vlster appeased the Deputy tooke care to appease though it be difficult to reconcile grudges growing for gouernment and dominion Hee deuided the greater gouernments into smaller that no one should be too strong for another and yet each should haue sufficient if not to satisfie himselfe yet to ballance the ouer-growing greatnesse of his neighbour but indeede his chiefest ayme was to extinguish the greatnesse of Oneale which name being by the barbarous people of that whole Prouince had in so great adoration as neither the law formerly made in Sir Henry Sidneys time a most worthy Gouernour nor any iniunction of State could abolish what time and ignorance had so established Withall to suppresse his clayme to the Vriaghts and petty Lords second chiefe men vnto him whom he stiled his vassalls and sometime vsed them as his Slaues when hee had power to preuaile eyther ouer them or against the State whereby they becam instruments to aduance his supposed greatnes many times to his ruine and their own not without much trouble charge to the State The Deputy therefore deuided the Prouince into three Lieutenantcies one he Deuision of the North into gouernments assigned vnto Tirlogh Lennaugh as much as was already vnder his rule The other two he parted between the Baron of Donganon Sir Nicholas Bagnall then Marshall of Ireland Nor did hee neglect to appease and reconcile the differences of meaner Lords as of the Claniboyes to all which Countrey Con mac Neale Oge by the olde and corrupt custome of Claniboy diuided Tanestry claymed to be Gouernor And Shane Mac Bryan and Hugh Oge straue for the dominion of the neather Claniboy and could not agree of their portions opposing the generall and striuing in their owne particular This the Deputy through priuate perswasion and counsell ioyned with authority arbitrated betweene them and concluded with their mutuall consent that Con O Neale should hold the vpper Claniboy and Shane and Hugh the neather to be equally deuided and bounded betweene them by such Commissioners as hee had appointed thereunto These courses were of more importance then by some are conceiued to be for Possessours of great Territories and Commaunders of many people being proud of their owne greatnesse and enflamed with desire of Dominion drawe many to follow them through the flames of commotion And the lesser especially the second sort either coueting to be higher or binding themselues to the will of their Superiours that are able to command runne headlong at their direction and by consenting or discenting in times of diuision ioyne onely in the bad effects to trouble the State and to destroy or vexe those that are best affected Vlster thus suddainly appeased reuolting hearts partly pacified and partly constrained to obedience a composition of benefit to the Queene and the Countries quiet setled Priuate controuersies ended or at The Deputies returne to Dublin the least abated and qualified The Deputy returneth to Dublin the eleuenth of October whence hee had beene absent three moneths and two dayes and thence he gaue an account to the Lords of the Councell here of these his proceedings signifying by his Letters his quick and speedy dispatch of so many weighty difficult businesse by his trauaile through all the Prouinces of Ireland in the space of fiue moneths and might with Caesar haue said Veni vidi vici and withall that he had reformed what was amisse established peace and encreased the Princes power This his relation was ratified by like Letters written by such of the Priuy Councell as did
accompanie him in these his iourneyes wherein it is to be noted that it was a wise part of the Deputy to cause his actions to be iustified by others who were Generall Norreys Sir Lucas Dillon The Councels report to the Lords of the successe in Vlster Sir Edward Waterhouse and Mr. Ieffrey Fenton Some so iust as they would enforme no vntruthes and some vsing alwayes to depraue from the Gouernours there For the condition of our State was rather to deminish the acts of the Deputy to her Maiestie then to grace them by a true relation least as his merit might challenge rewards so the weight of his actions cast into the ballance of her discerning iudgement might shew the lightnesse of their owne little doings Thus much to the indifferent But most of our great men did not rellish Sir Iohn Perrots stoutnesse who stoode vpon his owne feete onely without dependancy vpon any of them but the Queene alone which made them enuious of all his good Seruices but now their mouthes were stopped her Maiestie being satisfied of the trueth by so indifferent Relators Now was it found time by the Deputy to consult how these good beginnings might be prosecuted and that which was done might not be euerted by the inconstancy of a wauering and yet vnbrideled people who being brought by force onely to yeeld to that which is good will bee good no longer then while force constraines them vntill their ignorance how farre the good extendes to their owne particular be taken away by their taste and feeling which in an instant comes not to The Deputy writes for Soldiers to be sent out of England passe Therefore to this end hee propounded to her Maiestie and Councell that sixe hundred Souldiers might be sent ouer whereof 400 to land at Dublin for supply of the Northern Garrison and two hundred to be sent to Waterford to be placed in Mounster all which should bee mixed with the olde Companies and maintained by the charge of Vlster according to their composition with small addition of payment from her Maiesties Treasure He likewise propounded that the large and vnbounded Countries of the North and other parts might be deuided into small Counties for the better gouerning of the rude and vnruly people who might learne ciuility and know the lawes and by that knowledge be brought to loue that vnder which they did enioy their owne whereof they were now ignorant The Deputies offer if 50000 pound might be spared for three yeares Hee offered farther that if 50000 pound might be added to the reuenew of that Kingdome but for three yeares to come he would not onely therewith support the charge of the State but wall seauen Townes and build as many Bridges in places now scarce passable especially in the Winter and erect so many strong Castles in places of perill withall 2000 Foote and 400 Horse should bee maintained by this allowance supplyed by the Northerne composition during the time This summe though it seemed great yet was lesse then her Maiestie many times was enforced to expend for the suppressing of a light Rebellion and the preseruation of her good Subiects without any other fruit of reformation or assurance of future Peace So as this charge thus imployed would not onely secure the whole Countrey for the present but make other Seruice of importance more easie after to bee performed Hee added to these motions others of consequence for execution of Iustice a chiefe meane to breede in the people awfull loue and ciuility as that a chiefe Iustice of The Deputy demaunds a chiefe Iustice out of England English birth might bee sent ouer such a one as for learning in the Law and integrity might bee a light and guide vnto the rest whereby the Courts and course of Iustice might bee reduced into order now gouerned by such as for the most part were eyther insufficient in the knowledge of the Lawes corrupt in Religion or partiall in their affection whom he wished might be changed into such as were free from these faulty offences That Tanestry might be abolished And that the bad and barbarous custome of Tanestry might be abolished which custome amongst the meere Irish onely is in vse being that the Sonne doth not inherite his Fathers estate but most commonly such a one is elected by the Countrey in the life time of the Lord as doth expresse by valour and a stirring spirit the best ability to leade the whole Sept in all their actions which were most commonly such as were mischieuous to the State Him so Elected they called their Tawnist vpon which Election happened oftentimes murther and bloudshed euen amongst the nearest of their kindred besides other innumerable mischiefes This euill and vnnaturall custome the Deputy desired to abolish thinking as matter then stood he had both power and opportunity to bring it to passe That charge of Tenures might be made Hee desired that hee might be enabled to passe estates vnto the Irish according to the English tenure vpon surrender of their former claymes which would bring them to depend vpon the State and loose them from the tirannous yoke of their neere and great Lords whereto the Irish seemed in his iudgement at this time forward and enclinable The Deputy demaunds reward for the deseruing Soldier Hee concluded with requests for the rewarding some principall Seruitors of that Realme whom hee had found faithfull and painfull furtherers of her Maiesties Seruice as encouragements for others to doe the like To all these motions both her Maiesty and Councell returneth faire answeres accepting and applauding his Seruices giuing GOD thanks for his prosperity and good successe therein to the aduancement whereof promises of assistance were giuen and in particular to his propositions gaue this resolution Touching the composition made in Vlster for the maintenance of the Garrison it was well allowed as a thing not onely tending to the reformation of that Prouince but to the reduction of the rest of the Kingdome with more facility to order obedience and ciuility To the rest for the most part they did condiscend or at the least gaue him such satisfaction therein as might encourage his proceeding concluding with praise and promise of reward A smooth letter from the Lords in England Which the Queene well knew were the best spurres to set on so forward a spirit to enterprise nobly in her seruice The next and principall of his cares indeede clayming the first place and so was it seated in his heart was to establish Religion the true supporter of Peace Obedience and Fidelity to which end Letters were addressed to the Bishops and chiefe of the Clergie especially of the English Pale for the repairing The Deputy caused the Churches to be repaired and re-edifying of their decayed Churches as a meane the better to enduce the people vnto Gods seruice where they might bee taught their duties to God and their Prince He wrote likewise into England against the
The Deputy against Bishops in commendam granting of Bishopricks in Commendam shewing the inconueniencies that follow the heaping of many Lyuings into one hand for the more sufficient men being imployed the more encrease of Religion is likely and on the contrary the diminution of Teachers must needs hinder knowledge and encrease ignorance In the second place Aduice was taken how to bring the rude and vnruly people to bee plyable to the Lawes which are the best ballances of right and rules of Iustice and to that end Letters were directed to the Lords and Chiefes of account that their Countries which were large in circuite might be deuided into Counties in places where now were none as in Vlfter and to place Officers therein according to the vse and custome of England as Shriefes Excheaters Feodaries Constables and the like whereby the poorer sort of people might be kept from oppression and speedier Iustice with lesse charge might bee had nearer at home The ignorant might bee instructed what to doe and how to liue The wilfull made subiect to the rule of Law or corrected by it The great men kept from tyrannizing ouer their Tenants and Vnderlings and the Inferiour sort should know how to support themselues by lawfull meanes against vnlawfull Vsurpations This course was consented to by most and not contradicted by any but some fewe of the worst condition and that rather by secret then open opposition Diuision of Counties in Vlster The Counties thus made in Vlster were these Ardmagh Monahan Tyrone Colerane Denegall Fermanagh and Cauan These circuites thus deuided and setled into Shieres the Deputy with the Chancellour appointed sundry of the best estimation to be Iustices of the Peace to whom hee wrote to shew into what degree of trust they were called and how important the charge was for her Maiesties Seruice and that if in them should Admonition to the Iustices of Peace be found such industry and sincerity as was expected hee then saw no cause but that the course of enormities which had heretofore runne with more impunity then was meete might be stopped and the State of that Country brought from good to better or at least not suffered to decline againe from bad to worse as heretofore in the late broken times it had done Further assuring them that as hee should be glad to finde them to performe their duties so hee gaue them to vnderstand that in which of them so euer hee found any crime or defect whereby so good a Seruice should bee hindered or cortupted they should bee brought vnder such leuere penalty and reprehension as the Law could any way permit besides the diminution of their credit and good opinion This Letter of admonition bare date the 15 of December 1584 and with it were sent certaine Articles of Order for Iustices of Peace Orders for the Iustices of peace and choice of a Coronor and Constables to bee obserued within their seuerall limits through the whole Realme To these were added an Authority and Writs directed for the choise of a Coroner in euery County and of two able and discreete men to be Constables in euery Barony besides â—â—tty Constables to be Assistants and yet inferiour Officers in the discharge of their duties These affaires for that Kingdome thus begun and in some sort setled in the first yeare A Parliament in England of this Deputies gouernment A Parliament beginning in the end of the yeare in England and his care continuing to prosecute alwayes for the support of that long vnstayed State finding but colde successe of the promises to his propositions from the Lords in England the Ruler of her Maiesties Purse being loath to aduance any neuer so important Seruice by the expence of Treasure especially such a summe as nothing but extremity could make him thinke meete should be disbursed which sparing indeede brought extremity to that Kingdome hee resolued to try what the Parliament would doe in so important a cause and to that end wrote ouer a Letter to craue their helpe for the reformation and strengthening of that ruinous Realme which because it was such a zeale and direction to doe good and may perhaps serue for a President when time shall require for the further establishment of that State I haue thought good to set downe and insert the Letter it selfe Sir John Perrot Lord Deputie of Ireland to the Commons House of Parliament in England The Deputies Letter to the Parliament in England MOst high and Noble Assembly the duty I owe to God her Maiesty and my Country and the interest I haue in you rproceedings though I now be not as often I haue beene a member of that House moues mee not onely to pray deuoutly that God will blesse all your Counsels but also to thinke carefully of any thing that I conceiue may be worthy your graue consultation and tend to the glory of God her Maiesties Honour and safety and strength and profit of the whole State The malice of the Pope and all combinations and practises both Forraigne and Domesticall thereupon depending which haue beene most apparently discouered from all quarters and of late partly from hence I humbly leaue to be by your grauities prouided for therefore her Maiestie hauing assigned mee though vnworthy to the charge of this Realme I am drawne by commiseration to present the torne and miserable estate of the same vnto your viewes together with the occasions and meanes of redresse that are now offered and which it humbly imploreth through your godly and Honourable aydes I trust I shall not neede to goe about to confute the bad opinion that hath beene held of some concerning the reformation of the same for I am perswaded that there is no one amongst you so vngodly as doth thinke all mischiefe sufferable in a Common-wealth for pollicies sake or so ill aduised as not to see the great charge this Realme hath beene vnto that and must still breede vnto it while it is in disorder or degenerate from the Noble courage of our Forefathers as to doubt that England shall not be able to rule and hold Ireland being reduced to good estate For sith all power is of God and that either of his mercie hee establisheth the happy continuance of all well ordered Kingdomes or of his iustice ouerthroweth or translateth the contrary No man that hath any spaike of grace or reason can hope that euer England may long enioy Ireland if it suffer it in this licentious impunity to embrewe it selfe in Heathenish and superstitious Idolatries Treasons Rebellions Murthers Rapes Robberies Mischiefes or doubt that it may become a strong and profitable ornament to England if on the other side religion duty obedience peace quietnesse true dealing order ciuility may be planted in it Because examples doe more perswade somtimes then reason I humbly beseech you to reuiew the ancient State of this Kingdom and it will appeare by good demonstrations not vnknowne to some of that
whom the Queene had not in her Dominions a more able and sufficient Gentleman and that did more neerely lay his actions to a good conscience so as he did nothing but by the warrant thereof and nothing did argue his duty to God and his Princemore then his The hard cause held against Sir Richara Bingham vniust fall notwithstanding his prime desert in that â—nhappy Kingdome by the deprauing and malicious courses of those Instruments that in time prosecuted the like against him as they did now against this Deputy of whom wee now treat till the light of his innocencie cleared him though too late from their aspersion brought him to a new further aduancement in that Kingdome though his great heart disdayning the iniustice was done him would not hold out long enough to prosecute the seruice which was in his power to performe but ere I come to relate this tragicall misdeede I must mention his vertuous actions by which hee got the hate of his worthlesse Aduersaries and must recommend the Earle of Clanrikard who being a most noble Gentleman and loyall Subiect was one of the principall in this Seruice After treaties succeeded Inquisitions to finde what quantity there was in each Barony The couenants between the Queene and the Lords of Connaught and who were found owners thereof Indentures were drawne betweene the Deputy in the behalfe of the Queene on the one part and the chiefe possessioners in the seuerall Precincts on the other expressing so many quarters and quantities of Land with the Rents thereon reserued and such other couenants as were therein contained In the County of Clare and Thomond the Earle of Clanrikard the Baron of Inseâ—â—uin the Bishop of Killalowe the Elect Bishoâ— of Kilfanorough with diuers Knights and chiefe Gentlemen subscribed to an Indenture of couenants for the perpetuall paying out of the nine Baronies of that County amounting 177 quarters Certaine Freedomes were granted to some speciall persons some quarters of Land to be exempted from this imposition In consideration whereof the Lords and Owners of those Lands did likewise couenaot with the Deputy that the names stiles and Titles of Captainship chiefly and all other Irish Authorities and Iurisdictions heretofore vsed by the Lords Chiefetaines and Gentlemen together with all elections and customary diuisions of Lands which had occasioned great strife and diuision amongst them should be thenceforth vtterly renounced extinct and abollished The like composition was made vpon the same conditions with the Lords spirituall and temporall The Chiefetaines Gentlemen and Freeholders in the County of Maio containing nine Baronies and 1448 quarters of Land euery quarter esteemed to be 120 Acres so that out of this 1448 quarters found in this County there being graunted so much to bee free as there remained 1200 quarters chargeable which amounted to sixe hundred pound sterling in that County There was also by the same composition and couenants to be maintained by the County for the Seruice of the Prince forty good able Horsemen furnished and two hundred Footemen well Armed at their owne costs and charges whensoeuer they should be called or commanded thereto by the Deputy or chiefe Gouernour of the Realme or by the chiefe Officer of the said Prouince and to finde fifteene good Horsemen and fifty Footemen well furnished in such sort as the Peeres and English Bishops ought to doe the same The like composition was made for the County of Sligo all other Counties Countries Baronies and Territories of this Prouince By the eighth of September 1585 the Commissioners had trauailed through the Okelleys Country all Thomond Clanrickard Eighter Connaught and the rest of the County of Galway which Mac William Eighter and the rest of his name which were of many branches besides the petty Lords and other of the second ranke in their Sir Nicholas White his letter to the Lord Deputy Countries So that as Sir Nicholas White certified to the Lord Deputy they conceiued hope to come home loaden with Pledges and leaue that Country vnloaden of many Macks and Oos translated by their owne assent vnto which their hands Seales were had to a better course and more certainty of liuing then hitherto they could afford themselues In the aduertisement of these affaires Sir Nicholas White did propound vnto the Deputy an ingenious Enigma or Ridle That all sorts were eased with their bearing and yet her Maiesties reuenue with the Liuings of the Lords encreased From the County of Mayo the Commissioners were to repasse to the County of Sligo and so homewards to the County of Roscoman The Commissioners doubtfull to meddle with Orurk With Orurkes Country called Letrim they were doubtfull how to meddle considering the condition of himselfe and his Country both vnciuill and vnruly In those places where they had dealt they began to erect Mannours to hold of her Maiestie besides the Compositions and Royalties reserued vnto the Crowne Vpon the returne of this Commission and the Indentures thereupon drawne as formerly mentioned It appeareth there were found in that Prouince 8169 quarters of Land whereof Freedomes were graunted to 2339 so then remained chargeable 6836 whereon there were reserued in yearely Rent to her Maiesty and the Crowne 3418 pound fiue shillings eight pence sterling with the Seruice of so many Horse and Foote as is already mentioned and hereafter set downe Horsemen for rising out within the Prouince of Connaught vpon their owne victuals 224 Horsemen for rising out within the same Prouince for forty dayes vpon their owne victuals 88 Footemen for rising out within the Prouince vpon their owne victuals 1054 Footemen for rising out of the Prouince for forty dayes vpon their owne victuals 332 The Tawnist was cut off in that Prouince Mac William Enghters Country being the lower Bourkes was deuided into fiue parts The Lords and their Tenants were agreed together for a certaine Rent in lieu of all exactions That Prouince was deuided into sixe Counties or Shieres where there were but three before for so I finde it in a note vnder the Deputies Sir Iohn Perrots owne hand yet by another painefull Author I see it mentioned that Sir Henry Sidney made the whole sixe Counties Clare Galway Sligo Mayo Roscomon and Letrim then but one as he had formerly done the County of Longford in Lemster being before called the Annaly or Oferralls Country but I suppose he is mistaken being deuided and The Counties of Connaught deuided by Sir Iohn Perrot not by Sir Henry Sidney peraduenture named by Sir Henry Sidney but perfected by Sir Iohn Perrot Iustices of Assize were ordained and Shriefes and Iustices of the Peace with other inferiour Officers were established in most parts of this Prouince This Seruice so auaileable to the State by cutting off the Inferiours depending onely vpon the Superiour was affected beyond the expectation of many who could not conceiue that Chiefetaines would easily condiscend to quit their cuttings Cosherias and other Irish exactions of so long
them and tooke from them 3 or 4000 Cowes whereof 1000 are reserued by the Gouernour towards the defraying of extraordinary charges in that Seruice done by him for the easing of her Maiesties Charge but reported by his Aduersaries to be conuerted to his owne vse The rest were distributed amongst the Forces in the taking of this prey were of the Rebels slaine sixe or seauen score the rest were disperced and forced to sue for pardon Hereupon the Gouernour discharged the Kerne and dismissed the rest of the Forces all sauing his owne Horse and three Companies of Foote The chiefest of the Galloglasses make their submission Euston Mac Odonnell chiefe of the Galloglasses made his submission and gaue his sonne in Pledge for himselfe and his Sept. Edmond Bourke Mac Richard Euerren sonne to the last Mac William but one gaue his sonne for Pledge in like manner But the sonnes of Edmond Burke of Castlebary persisted in Rebellion purposing to make their Father Mac Edmond Burk of Castlebary executed William wherein they continued till their Father was Executed by the course of common Law so done that his Lands might bee excheated to the Crowne being of good value which could not haue beene if he had dyed by Marshall law After whose death his sonnes offered to submit themselues vpon condition of restitution of their Fathers Lands which the Gouernour referred to the Lord Deputies resolution and pleasure As the Bourkes by the well aduised quick prosecution of the Gouernor were reduced to a lowe estate fewe of them being now able to make head newes came that the Scottish Ilanders The Scottish Ilanders land were arriued in the North being drawn by Edmond Iohn Burke afore mentioned in the name of all the rest of the Sept of Burkes to inuade vpō condition of hauing part of that Prouince to inhabite in after the expelling of the English by their ayde and assistance The number of these Inuadors were vncertaine being by some estimated to be 2700 and by others little aboue 1600 being perhaps made more then they were by the hope of the Rebell and feare of the Country Vpon their landing they marched speedily as farre as the Riuer of Earne towards Sligo Of this newes hindering the peace of Connaught for the present the Deputy was by Sir Richard Bingham aduertised withall that hee had not sufficient power to resist so great a number as these Inuadors with the Rebels The Gouernour durst not trust the Irish of the Prouince their Assistants were neither durst he rely vpon the ayde of the Prouinciall Lords and Gentlemen who for the most part were allyed to the Rebell Burkes the Inducers of this Inuasion to which he receiued answer from the Deputy to the same effect hee had formerly receiued vpon the first making Head by the Burkes Vpon this the Gouernours intelligence it was debated in Councell at Dublin whether the Deputy should goe in person with such power as could be there prouided to assist the Gouernour which the forward Deputy alledged to be most necessary for the better countenancing of the action since his presence was most likely to disunite the Rebell from the Inuador as it had formerly done in Vlster and so make the Warre more easie Hereto The Deputy and Councell differ about his iourney to Connaught much opposition was giuen by some of the Councell and those not of the meanest so as that the more earnest he was to vndertake the enterprise the more stiffe they were to withstand it alledging for their reasons that the number of the Inuadors were not so great as was reported and therefore it was inconueuient to put the Queene to such a charge as an Army would require to attend the Deputy in person Neuerthelesse the Deputy with some of the Councell sought to perswade the contrary considering Sir Richard Binghams diffidence in the assistance of that Country people the weakenesse of his Forces there especially English the number of the Inuadors being certainly knowne to be aboue 1600 besides the daily supplies of the euill affected Irish so as it could not but be dangerous not onely to that Prouince but to the whole Kingdome to hazard a farre greater charge after by the sparing a little now Besides the not taking time which is the mother of good successe but celerity one of the strongest finewes of action was not vnderstood by Clergy men and Lawyers to one of which professions delay breeds profit and the other were contented any mischiefe might be hazarded so as their owne ends might bee atchieued who well knew withall that the sauing of Charge would make a strong excuse in England for any errour might happen thereby which prouidence proued alwayes improuidence begot The Councell conclude the Deputy shall not goe in person of which hee complaineth to the Queene much mischiefe in the Warres of Ireland so it was concluded the greatest numbers of voyces carrying the resolution that the Deputy should not goe himselfe in this Expedition nor send any extraordinary force vntill the sequell should expresse the necessary encrease of her Maiesties Charge wherewith the Deputy being much discontented and finding himselfe limited to their opinion complaineth himselfe to the Queene and some of her principall Councellours That his Authority formerly allowed both by Patent and the practise of his Predecessours in that place was not a little abridged vpon some suggestions as he conceiued of his euill-willers who to work his disgrace and discontentment had enformed many things amisse of him which were the motiues of this vnexpected or vndeserued restriction And in this particular Seruice he expresseth his griefe that the Inuading Ilanders being as Sir Richard Bingham in one Letter aduertised aboue two thousand and therefore craued speedy ayde And in a second being doubtfull of his Prouincialls request English to bee sent vnto him hee found it perillous the Gouernour and his small force should be hazarded in this Streight besides the chiefe Charge of the Goueruement lying vpon him as Deputy who was to encounter all eminent accidents of danger for the preuention of which he had at this time a purpose to goe himselfe in person knowing that his presence besides the power hee should bring with him would haue giuen countenance to the worke strengthned the good Subiect setled the fickle and secured not onely that Prouince but others there abouts yet he was restrained by most of the Councell as by their opinions vnder their handes did appeare and must abide at home whatsoeuer should happen whence as hee conceiued must needes growe contempt of his Gouernement in the English and disobedience in the Irish Hee therefore declareth plainely that notwithstanding The Deputies resolution against his restraint this Tye vpon him by direction if hee found any manifest danger to the State which hee greatly feared hee would rather vndertake a iourney without the Councels allowance though to his owne perill and preiudice then hazard both that Prouince
complaints were moued by Macquire against Mac Mahone and the Earle of Tyrone for trespasses and supposed wrongs to be offered Sir Oconnor Macquire being behinde-hand for his Composition and charged with doing some things amisse was sent to by the Deputy and required to performe what was meete for him to doe or else to repaire vnto his prefence to answere these contempts which message was sent vnto him by Sir Henry Duke who appoints him a place of meeting Macquire writeth vnto the Lord Deputy and excuseth his comming to Sir Henry according to his appointment being hindered by sicknesse and the infirmity of the Gowte complayneth on the Earle of Tyrone and Mac Mahone desiring him not to beleeue complaints against him and offereth to double the pledges hee had put in if any doubt were had of his good disposition to the State Mac Mahone likewise exhibites his agreeuance against Tyrone for Ceasing in his Countrey and compelling him to maintaine Horsemen for him as if hee had beene tributary to the Earle which cause the Lord Deputy heard and determined freeing Mac Mahone from any such duty as the Earle demanded The rest being but complaints of which the Kingdome is neuer free and no practises to draw dangerous consequence to the State yet discouered were onely appeased by admonition Contention betweene Orurk and Sir Richard Bingham Besides these Sir Bryan Orurke the Lord of Letrim and Sir Richard Bingham the Gouernour of Connaught grewe into dislike one with the other the one being strickt in his Gouernement the other not willing to bee seuerely commaunded Sir Bryan wrote vnto the Deputy that hee had wrongs and indignities done him being often summoned by Sir Richard to goe before George Bingham his brother and Captaine Thomas woodhouse to answer as well complaints as to take directions which hee held to be a disparagement to him and to auoyde that inconueniencie was forced to forsake his Iland the place of his dwelling and to wander vpon the hills which he would not doe but for the care of performing his promise to be obedient vnto his Prince otherwise he said he would deale well enough with those men and meete Sir Richard and his brethren with the same measure they measured him therefore in as much as hee meant to doe nothing against her Maiestie he desireth they might be kept from him for he would not goe to them but in the Deputies presence whose Commandements hee would in all things else performe and craueth of him that peace might be kept with him in the Prouince of Connaught as he doth with them to which the Deputy returned answere requiring him to yeeld conformity in all things reasonable to the Queenes Officers and if any wrongs were offered him not to right himselfe by resistance or reuenge but to make The Deputy admonisheth both it knowne and he should receiue redresse He likewise wrote vnto the Gouernour aduising him to vse a gentle hand in the dealing with Orurke and people of his quality men of such fierce dispositions and natures being with roughnesse handled would easily be excited to the breach of obedience which might proue a charge to the State and a disquiet to the Country This admonition Sir Richard tooke somewhat vnkindly as a mistike of his Gouernement and resteaint of his proceedings against Orurke and did not stick to tell the Deputy afterward at the Councell Table that his Lordship gaue countenance to Orurke vnto the diminution of his Authority in that Prouince So difficult it was for the Deputy to appease or reconcile a difference betweene so stout a Commaunder and so factious and rebellious a spirit being powerfull The Gouernour being perswaded out of his iudgement that it was now time to prosecute Orurke while the Bourkes were yet weary of their late strugling so as standing without partakers hee would the more surely fall or at least bee brought with more facility to the path of obedience being the onely man now to be doubted in that Prouince hauing in his possession the strongest and fastest Country there And it is not vnlikely but the Deputy would haue ioyned with him therein if he had not had priuate reasons to the contrary arising from the present question of his actions in England and his desire and sute to be reuoked thence which were things onely knowne to himselfe These distempers now yet but flashes which were kindled by discontent were quenched by care and prouidence and had they not beene well met within time would haue growne to greater flames of commotion and did afterwards arise againe for want of like circumspection in the succeeding Gouernment which argued both the wisedome of the Gouernour who would haue taken the time to take away the cause and the preuailing power in the Deputy euen in the worst Subiects hearts to make them conformable against their natures While the Deputy was busie to preuent perils which might growe by heart burnings within his Gouernement Some of his Aduersaries were as deepely trauailed to procure A rumour of the Deputies remoue his disquiet and disgrace Amongst other inuentions Reports were raised that hee should presently be reuoked and another sent in his place being a thing not as yet thought on in England whereof so soone as hee had notice though he esteemed them but as rumours yet lice tooke occasion to renue his suite vnto the Queene for his remouing And besought her if such were her pleasure which hee humbly desired and shewed reasons for such his desire that yet her Highnesse would suppresse the opinion and publishing thereof vntill his successour should be ready to come ouer because he knew by experience that the wauering and worst sort of people in that Kingdome were apt to take aduantage vpon the alteration of the chiefe Gouernour especially in the Interim of his Gouernement if they had notice before hand to stirre vp troubles in the State The Gentlemen of the English Pale stirre vp the Lords to write to the Queene for the stay of Sir Iohn Perrot in that gouernement The Gentlemen of the English Pale in loue with his Iustice and vpright Gouernement were much troubled at this newes of whom diuers of the better sort of Plunbetts Flemmings Barnewells Bellews Cusacks Delahides Taafs Nangles and others of good account to the number of 67 wrote a ioynt Letter to the Noble men their neighbours of the notice they had taken of the remouing the present Lord Deputy from that Gouernement whom they therein testified to haue gouerned with Iustice care and prouidence for the good of that Kingdome whereby they had enioyed much peace and prosperity for the truth wherof they appealed vnto them whom they besought as they tendered the welfare of their Countrey to bee a meanes vnto the Queenes Maiesty for the retayning and continuing him in that Gouernement to perfect what hee had begun and was likely to bring vnto a good end if he remained amongst them The Lords of the English Pale vpon
promise of from the Queene who sent him word shee would shortly prouide him a Successour In the meane time to preuent farther trouble in Ireland that he might leaue all things in as great security as possibly he could hee as one of his last but not least Seruices sends for all the Lords and Chiefes which might in any The Deputy taketh pledges of all the suspected persons in Ireland part bee suspected to take part with the forraigne Enemie if any attempt should be made in that Kingdome by them as was doubted and of all these demaunded Pledges for their owne faithfulnesse and the quietnesse of their people and for the more easie enclining them to this demaund which seemed at first harsh vnto them he made a solemne speech wherein hee declared that it was done as well for their owne good as for the Kingdomes quiet for hee knew that the Queene would be well pleased with their willingnesse to yeeld testimony of their loyalty vnto her which could not but make them better accepted trusted in the time to come protesting that if the case concerned him as it did them he should chuse rather at this time to be bound then to be left at liberty within the danger of suspition being a deepe corrosiue to euery well meaning man as he assured himselfe they all were howsouer their former slips had made them apt to be doubted aduising them to vse all good meanes for the conseruation of Peace in each of their Dominions whereby their pledges might shortly haue freedome and they themselues gaine a better estimation for euer By this perswassion they did with lesse grudging and contradiction yeeld pledges which were bestowed in the Castle of Dublin so as all the Heads of all the Prouinces in Ireland were tyed by this meanes to quietnesse and subiection which at that time was most necessary because the Deputy by diuers good intelligences out of Spaine whereof hee had giuen speedy and often information into England knew the Spanish preparations were great and whether intended for England or Ireland or for both was not certaine but Ireland threatned by the common bruite This done the Deputy writes againe to the Queene humbly thanking her that at his suit and for the recouery of his health which now began to impaire shee had beene pleased to promise his discharge from that Gouernement and withall besought her speedily to send his Successour vsing the same reasons he had formerly done when it was bruited he should bee remoued before it was intended the loose people being indeede apt out of their euill affection to take aduantage of the time and to attempt that which they durst not doe in a confirmed and well countenanced Gouernement At length when this good Deputy had gouerned foure yeares with much trauaile and good successe notwithstanding the opposition mentioned in this discourse of priuate and particular Aduersaries the enuiers of his felicity hee obtained his discharge And Sir Sir William Fitz-Williams sent into Ireland William Fitz-Williams was sent to succeede him who had formerly gouerned that Kingdome with liking and commendation which though it bred some hope in the people that hee would build well vpon his Predecessours platforme yet it could not keepe the peoples eyes from teares for the losse of Sir Iohn Perrott such impression had his vpright and cleane handed Gouernement vnusuall to that vnhappy Kingdome taken in their hearts as appeared at his departure The Deputy giueth a Cup to the Citie of Dublin Before his deliuery of the Sword he gaue a couered Cup of Siluer guilt to the Maior and Citie of Dublin with these words vppon the top engrauen In Pace relinquo meaning that hee left the Citie and Kingdome in peace At the deliuery of the Sword in Christs-Church hee tolde the new Deputy Sir William Fitz Williams in the publique hearing of many of whom some are yet liuing Now my Lord since that by her Maiesties direction I haue giuen vp the Gouernement of this Kingdome into your hands I must giue your Lordship to vnderstand and I thanke God I may say so that I leaue it in perfect peace and tranquility which I hope your Lordship will certifie vnto her Maiestie and the Lords of her Councell to whom the Deputy made answere that he confessed it to be so and wished he might leaue it no worse Then my Lord replyed Sir Iohn Perrot I must adde thus much That if there bee any man in this Kingdome suspected to be euill minded to the State who is able to drawe but sixe Sword-men after him into the field if he haue not already put in pledges for his fidelity so your Lordship shall thinke it necessary I will vndertake though now but a priuate man to send for him and if hee come not within twentie dayes I will forfait the credit and reputation of my Gouernement whereto the Deputy answered that all was well it needed not The loue of the Irish State vnto Sir Iohn Perrot At Sir Iohn Perrotts departure from Dublin after hee had left the Sword many of the Nobility Gentry and Commons of that Kingdome came thither to see and take their leaue of him so that as hee went from his Lodging to the Key to take Boate. The presse of People comming to salute him some with cries of applause and some with teares bemoaning his departure was so great that he was well-neere two houres before hee could passe the Streete and was enforced twice or thrice to take house for his ease to auoyde the throng amongst whom Tirlogh Leynaugh was one who comming along with him to his Boate and standing at the Key vntill hee sawe his Ship vnder sayle did then weepe and grieuously bewayle his departure Such power hath the opinion of Iustice and sincere gouernement to make euen them that are barbarous to loue the Ministers thereof though themselues know not the things but by the effects At Sir Iohn Perrots going to Sea the Citizens of Dublin in testimony of their loue sent with him some of their young men with Shot to guard him into Pembroke Shire who passed with him to his Castle called Carewe whence hee was not long after called to the Court to be made a Priuie Councellour the step to his fall and ruine Sir Nicholas Whites expression of Sir Iohn Perrots Gouernment Of his Gouernement Sir Nicholas White Master of the Rolles in Ireland and a learned man wrote these fewe words Pacificauit Connaciam Relaxauit Mediam Subiuganit Vltoniam Fregit Lageniaem Ligauit Mononiam Extirpauit Scotos Refrenauit Anglos Et his omnibus per aquè vectigal acquisiuit Reginae Thus Englished He pacified Connaught loosened the bonds of Meathe subdued Vlster brake the bonds of combination in Leynster and bound fast in obedience Mounster Hee extirped the Inuading Scots bridled the bolde Extortions of the English and to all these added much to the Queenes reuenew for besides the compositions in Vlster and Connaught mentioned in this discourse hee drew new encrease and reseruations of Rents Tenures and Seruices from many Lords of Territories and Seruices from many Lords of Territories and sundry other persons in the seuerall Prouinces The particulars are yet extant to be seene though tedious here to be set downe which hee did vpon Surrenders renewing of their Estates which bred a double benefit vnto the Crown the better assurance of their Loyalties and the aduancement of reuenew These Seruices so well begun if they had beene perfected had made that Kingdome more peaceable rich ciuill and subiect to good Gouernement but want of time which makes the best begunne workes to misse the period of their perfection And Enuie which crosseth the best Designes left this mans Gouernement though successefull yet without the full fruite with his longer stay well seconded might haue brought forth But all humane affaires must haue their Periods and the successe of good or euill in them all will bee euer in some sort answerable to the Actors intentions FINIS