and goods which all are in hazard through your folly and want of due consideration Enter I beseech you into the closet of your Conscience and like a wise man weigh seriously the end of your actions and take advise of those that â—an instruct you and informe you better then your owne private judgement can leade you unto Consider and reade with attention and setled minde this Discourse I sende you that it may please God to set open your eyes and graunâ— you a better minde From the Campe this instant Tuesday the fixt of March according to the new Computation I pray you to send mee the Papers I sent you assoone as your Honour shall reade the same O Neale The Lord Barries Answer to Tyrone YOur Letters I received and if I had answered the same as rightfully they might be answered you should haue as little like therof as I should mislike or feare any thing by you threatned against me which manner of Answere leaving to the construction and consideration of all those that are fully possessed with the knowledge of the Law of duetie to God and Man You may understand hereby briefly my mind to your obiections in this manner How I am undoubtedly perswaded in my conscience that by the Law of God and his true religion I am bound to hold with her Maiestie Her Highnesse hath never restrained me for matters of religion and as I felt her Maiesties indifferencie and clemencie therein I haue not spared to releeue poore Catholikes with duetifull succour which well considered may assure any well disposed mind that if duety had not as it doth yet kindnesse and courtesie should bind me to remember and requite to my power the benefits by me received at her Maiesties hands You shall further understand that I hold my Lordships and Lands immediately under God of her Maiestie and her most noble Progenitors by corporall service and of none other by very ancient Tenour which Service and Tenour none may dispence withall but the true Possessor of the Crowne of England being now our Soveraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth And though yee by some over weening imaginations haue declined from your dutifull allegeance unto her Highnesse Yet I haue setled my selfe never to forsake Her Let fortune never so much rage against me shee being my annointed Prince and would to God you had not so farre ran to such desperate and erronious wayes offending God and her Maiestie who hath so well deserved of you and I would pray you to enter into consideration thereof and with penitent hearts to reclaime your selues hoping that her Highnesse of her accustomed clemency would be gracious to you wherein I leaue you to your owne compunction and consideration And this much I must challenge you for breach of your word in your Letter by implication inserted that your forces haue spoiled part of my countrey and preyed them to the number of foure thousand Kine and three thousand Mares and Gerrans and taken some of my followers Prisoners within the time by you assigned unto mee to come unto you by your said word if yee regarde it I require restitution of my spoile and Prisoners and after unlesse you bee better advised for your Loyalty use your discretions against mee and mine and spare not if you please for I doubt not with the helpe of God and my Prince to bee quit with some of you hereafter though now not able to use resistance And so wishing you to become true and faithfull Subiects to God and your Prince I end at Barry Court this twenty sixe of February 1599. While Tyrone was in Mounster a disasterous action hapned upon the day of February Tyrone with his Hell-hounds being not farre from Corke Sir Warham St Ledger and Sir Henry Power who after the death of Sir Thomas Norris Lord President of Mounster in the vacancie of a President had beene established Commissioners for the government of the Province riding out of the Citie for recreation to take the aire accompanied with sundry Captaines and Gentlemen with a few Horse for their Guard not dreaming of an enemie neere at hand carelesly riding every one as he thought good within a mile of the Towne or little more Sir Warham St leger and one of his servants a little stragling from his companie was in a narrow way suddenly charged by Mac Guire who with some Horse likewise dispersed had spread a good circuit of ground in hope either to get some bootie or to haue the killing of some Subjects they charged each other Sir Warham discharged his Pistoll and shot the Traytor and hee was strucken with the others Horsemans staffe in the head of which wounds either of them dyed but none else on either side was slaine Tyrone having dispatched his busines in Mounster turned his face towards Vlster The Earle of Ormond the Lord Lieuetenant generall of Her Maiesties Forces with a competent Army was before him with a purpose to fight with him in his retreat But by what accident hee missed of his intention I know not being a hard matter to fight with an enemy that is not disposed to put any thing in hazard He went through Ormond and stayed not untill he had passed through a part of Westmeth betweene Mollingar and Athlone The Lord Deputie on the 5. of March had intelligence that hee meant to passe through Westmeth Whereupon with all the force hee could presently aâ—â—emble hee marched from Dublin but his endeavour was fruitlesse for Tirone was past before his comming CHAP. III. The Lord President leâ—â—t Dublin The Earle of Ormond taken prisoner by Owny Mac Rory Omore A joynt Letter from the Lord President and the Earle of Thomond to the Lords of the Councell in England The manner of the Earle of Ormonds taking prisoner The narrow escape of the Lord President and wounding of the Earle of Thomond The order taken for the 〈◊〉 of the Countâ—ey after the Earle of Ormonds disaster The submission of Tho Fitz Iames and Tho Power THE Lord President having attended long at Dublin about his dispatches afore mentioned wherein he lost no time upon the seventh of Aprill being accompanied with the Earle of Thomond the Lo Audley Captaine Roger Harvy Captaine Thomas Browne Captaine Garret Dillon and some other Captaines and Gentlemen with seven hundred Foote and one hundred Horse Hee tooke his leaue of the Lord Deputie who with all the Councellors and Captaines then in the Citie to doe him honour rode with him about two miles out of the Towne and that night he lodged at the Naas the next night at Catherlogh and the day following hee came to Kilkenny to visit the Earle of Ormond being a noble man whom he much respected aswell for the honorable parts that were in him as for the long and familiar acquaintance which had beene betweene them After salutations and complements were past the Earle told the President that the next day hee was to parlie with the Rebell Owny Mac Rory
G. George Flower Captaine 198 Sir George Bourcheir sent to Kilkenny 27 Sir George Bourchier comes to Corke 199 Sir George Thornton joynes with the Lord Barry 360 George Kingesmill maymed at Donboy 314 George Blunt 41 Glancoyne castle surprized by Sir Francis Barkley 84 Glin castle besieged and taken 63 64 Gregory Castle taken 297 Geoffrey Galway Major of Limricke fined imprisoned 110 And a new Major elected 111 H. Henrie Skipwith Captaine 15 315 Henry Malbie slaine 365 Sir Henry Folliot 233 Husseyes Report of the Rebellion in Mounster 146 Hopton dyed of a hurt 214 Hostages delivered by Don Iuan and their Names 247 Hugh Mostian 128 Sir Henrie Power 31 253 I. Iames Fits Thomas apprehended by Dermond O Conner 54 Iohn Power 55 Iohn Bostocke 30 Instructions for the Lord President of Mounster 6 Iames Archer Iesuite 26 InstructioÌ„s to the Earle of Thomond 287 Instructions for Capt. George Blunt 256 Iames fits Thomas the titulary Earle taken prisoner 135 His Examination 174 His Relation to the Lord President 139 Iames fits Thomas Dermond Mac Gragh make a narrow escape 106 Don Iuan de Aguila his Declaration at Kinsale 200 His Request to the Lord Deputie for shipping 252 Intelligence of the Spanish Invasion 188 Irish in Mounster revolted to the Spaniards 224 Irish fled into Spaine with their Names 237 Iames Gold second Iustice of Mounster 6 Iohn fits Thomas his practice to deceiâ—e the Lord President 328 Iames fits Thomas the young Earle of Desmond commeth into Ireland 85 Returneth into England 122 Iames Grace 217 K. Kinsale summoned and Don Iuans Answere 219 Kinsale Burgesses desire their Charter 252 Kinsale receiues their Ensignes of Magistracie 359 Kilcow castle taken by Capt. Flower 383 Knight of Kerry protected 299 Defeated by Sir Charles Wilmâ—t 361 Makes his submission ibidem Kilcrey Castle and Abbey rendred 334 Kirton a Lieutenant hurt at Donboy 318 L. Lowghguyrre taken by the Rebells and recovered againe from them 45 Listoell Castle besieged and taken 97 List of the Captaines of the Spanish armie 191 List of the Army in Mounster 290 382 Lixnaw castle taken by coÌ„position 296 Leamâ—con castle taken 321 Lettertinlesse castle taken burnt ibid. Laghlin O Dallic 360 Lord of Lixnaw defeated by Captaine Boys 383 Letters Patents for Sir George Carew to be Lord President of Mounster 3 A Letter from the Lord President and the Earle of Thomond to the Lords of the Councell 24 A Letter from Iames Galde Butler to the Lord President 42 A Letter from Iames fits Thomas to Florence Mac Cartie 40 A Letter from the Mounster Rebells to O Dâ—nnell 58 A Letter from Iames fits Thomas to Florence Mac Cartie 62 A Letter from Iames fits Thomas to Florence Mac Cartie 70 A Letter from Iames fits Thomas to Florence Mac Cartie 48 Two Letters from William Burke and Moroghe ni Moe O Flartie to the Lord President 60 61 A Letter from her Majestie to the Lo President 86 A Letter from Redmond Burke to the Lord President 96 A Letter from Iames fits Thomas to Florence Mac Cartie 80 Letters Patents for Iames fits Gerald to be Earle of Desmond 89 A Letter from Cormock Mac Dermond vnto Tyrone 100 A Letter from the Earle of Clanrickard to Theobald ne long Burke 103 A Letter from the Spanish Archbishop of Dublin to Iames fits Thomas 111 A Letter from her Majestie to the Lord Deputie 116 A Letter from the Lord President to the Lord Deputie 119 A Letter from Redmond Burke to the L. President with his Answers 128 A Letter from Tyrone to Florence Mac Cartie 132 A Letter from the Lords of the Councell to the Lord President 132 A Letter from the Lord President to her Majestie 141 Two Letters from Iames fits Thomas the titulary Earle to the K. of Spaine 154 A Letter from her Majestie to the Lord President touching base Monies 147 A Letter from Thomas Shelton to Florence Mac Cartie 169 A Letter from the Spanish Archbishop of Dublin to Florence Mac Cartie 170 A Letter from Tirone Iames fits Thomas Florence Mac Cartie and Mac Donogh to the Pope 175 A Letter from Mr. Secretary Cecill to the Lord President with Spanish Intelligence 182 A Letter from the Lord Deputie to the Lord President 185 A Letter from the Lord Deputie satisfactory to the Lord President 186 A Letter from Donnell O Sulevan Beare to the King of Spaine 228 A Letter from the Duke of Lerma to the Archbishop of Dublin 260 A Letter from the Duke of Lerma to Don Iuan de Aguila 260 A Letter from the Secretary Ybarra to Don Iuan de Aguila 261 A Letter from the Secretary Franquesa to Don Iuan de Aguila ibid. A Letter from the Duke of Lerma to Don Iuan de Aguila 262 A Letter from the King of Spaine to Don Iuan de Aguila 263 A Letter from the L. Deputy and Councell to the Lords in England 264 A Letter from O Sulevan Beare to the King of Spaine 269 A Letter from Owen Mac Eggan to Richard Mac Goghagan 307 A Letter from Iohn Anias to the Lord of Lixnaw 309 A Letter from Iohn Anias to Dominicke Collins ibid. A Letter from Iames Archer to Dominicke Collins 308 A Letter from Donnell O Sulevan Beare to the Earle of Carazena 27â— A Letâ—er from Donnell O Sulevan Beare to Don Pedro Zubiaur 272 A Letter from the Lo. President to the Spanish Cannoniers in Donboy 294 A Letâ—er from Don Iuan de Aguila to Câ—ptaine Iuan de Albornos Y Andrada 227 A â—etter from her Majestie to the Lo. Pâ—esident 209 A Letter from her Maiestie to the Lord President 339 A Letter from Don Iuan de Aguila to Tirone and O Donnell 227 A Letter from the Lord President to her Majestie 253 A Letter from the Lord President to Don Iuan de Aguila 326 A Letter from Tege Mac Cormock Cartie to the Lord President 330 A Letter from the Lords of the Councell in England to the Lord President 336 A â—etter from her Majestie to the Lord Pâ—esident 339 A Letter from the Lord President to her Majestie ibid. A Letter from Captaine Roger Harvie to Pedro Lopez de Soto 340 A Letter from Don Iuan de Aguila to the Lord President 344 A Letter from the Lord President to Don Iuan de Aguila 345 A Letter from O Donnell to O Conner Kerry 343 A letter from her Majestie to the Lord President concerning the Earle of Clanrikard 378 A Letter from Iohn Burke to the Lord President 379 A Letter from Iohn Burke to Sir George Thornton 380 A Letter from the Lord Deputie to the Lords in England 384 M. Maurice Stack sent into Kerry 67 Treacherously murthered 79 O Mulrians Countrey spoyled 47 Mac Awley spoyled by Sir Francis Barkley 108 Mocrumpe Castle besieged 334 Taken 351 Muskrey-quirke and Arloghe spoyled by the armie 106 Mounster in what state after the Siedge of Kinsale 283 Malachias the Popish Bishop of Kilmakow 380 N. Names of the Councellors of Mounster 19 Sir Nicholas
Walsh 199 O Earle of Ormond taken prisoner 24 O Sulevan repaires with Tirrell into Muskrey 352 Remaines in Beare 392 O Sulevan More sent by the Lord Deputie to the Lord President 84 Prisoner by the practice of Florence Mac Cartie 49 Olerie slaine 95 Owen Mac Eggan the Popes Viccar slaine 366 His qualitie and condition 367 P. Lord Presidents Letters Patents 3 His letter to Iames fits Thomas 51 Sent against O Donnell 210 Surprised with a Feaver 280 His opinion of a defensiue Warre in Ireland 348 Sends 1000. foot to the Lord Deputie 377 Meets the Earle of Ormond at Clonmell 105 Proclamation for publishing the new Money for Ireland 149 Principall men in Tyrones and O Donnells armie 212 Propositions made by Don Iuan. 241 Patrick fits Morris L. of Lixnaw died 71 Preyes taken from the enemy 293 R. Roger Harvey 29 Sir Richard Masterson 29 Sir Robert Gardiner 199 Sir Richard Levison his service at Castlehaven 225 Sir Richard Greame 232 Roger Harvey died of sorrow 257 Richard Power 43 Regiment sent by the L. President into Connaght 159 Reply of Don Iuan to the propositions of the Lo. Deputie 241 Reasons mooving the Lo. Deputie and Councell to a Composition 244 Sir Richard Percie 40 His Service 111 Robert Tent. 30 Rincorran Castle battered by the Lord President 206 Yeelded and the Spanyards received to mercie 208 Lo. Roche coÌ„mended for his loyalty 377 Andrew Roche 144 Richard Ailward knighted 279 Rancoliskey Castle taken 324 Rathmore Castle rendred 68 Rahane taken 297 Ratho Abbey burnt by Sir Charles Wilmot 101 Redmond Burke defeated by O Dwyre 33 Richard Owen comes to Corke with a Message from Tyrone 254 Sir Richard Wingfield 199 S. Spanish Fleet discovered at sea by Captaine Lâ—ue. 189 Spaniards land at Kinsale 190 Spaniards make severall fallies 230 Spaniards make a great sally 221 Spaniards beateÌ„ out of their treÌ„ches 219 Spaniards landed at Castlehaven 223 Spaniards how many transported out of Ireland 248 Spaniards imbarqued at Kinsale 268 Spanish letters intercepted 258 Spanish Hostages licensed to depart 326 Spaniards make three sallies 236 Spaniards defeated at Kinsale in the time of Richard the second 359 Spanish ship arrived neere Ardea 306 Spanish money distributed amongst the Rebells ibid. Shandon Castle 333 Sessions held at Limerick Cashell and Clonmell 105 Selby a Lieutenant 363 Supplies of 1000 foot from England 323 T. Tirlogh Roâ— Mac Swiny 318 Tyrone comes into Mounster 20 Tyrone writes to the Lord Barry 20 Returnes into Vlster 23 Sir Thomas Norris 2 Townes of Mounster required to send Companies of foot to the campe 200 Earle of Thomond commands the Garison at Askeiton 75 Comes with supplies to the camp 216 Marches with an army into Carbry 287 Returned to Corke 289 Thomond spoyled by O Donnell 55 Sir George Thornton left a Commissioner of Mounster 383 Tirrell desires a Parley with the Earle of Thomond and fayles 307 His men executed at Donboy 320 Flies out of the Province 362 Tho. Taylor hangd in chaines at Cork 320 Tho. Oge makes his Submission 361 William Taffe Captaine 29 His Service against the Rebels in Carbery 366 V. Victuals delivered to Don Iuan. 248 Victuals money arrived at Corke 118 W. Warrant for the L. Presidents Patent 3 Sir Warham Saint Leger slaine by Mac Gwyre 〈◊〉 William Saxey Chiefe Iustice of Mounster 6 William Power Captaine his Service at Donboy 318 A Catalogue of the severall MAPPES contained in this HISTORIE In the first Booke 1 A Map of Mounster Page 1. 2 A Map of the Earle of Ormond taken prisoner between pa. 24. 25. 3 A Map of Cahir Castle betweene pag 42 and 43. 4 A Map of Askeiton Castle page 52 and 53. 5 A Map of Glin Castle page 62 and 63. 6 A Map of Carigfoyle Castle page 66 and 67. 7 A Map of Castle Mange page 96 and 97. 8 A Mapp of Limerick Castle pag 108 and 109. In the second Booke 9 A Map of the Siege of Kinsale betweene page 188 and 189. 10 A Map of the Fort of Hallibolyn pag. 252 and 253. In the third Booke 11. A Map of the Army in Beare betweene page 292 and 293. 12. A Map of the Siege of Dunboy page 310 and 311. 13 A Map of Muskrey page 330 and 331. 14 A Map of Castle-nigh-parke page 352 and 353. 15 A Map of Limerick page 362 and 363. 16 A Map of Yough-hall page 376 and 377. 17 A Map of Corke page 382 and 383. PACATA HIBERNIA THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE WARRES IN IRELAND CHAP. I. The Lord Deputie and the Lord Presidents landing in Ireland The Warrant for passing the Lord Presidents Patent The Patent The Lord Deputie and Councells Instructions to the Lord President THE Warres of Ireland having received their originall foundation in the North proceeded like unto a strong poyson which having infected one member without speedie prevention doth spred the contagion over the whole bodie for the Irish perceiving the prosperous successe of those first Rebels even beyond all expectation and hope of those that were ill affected and that her Majesties Forces had sustained many disasters which were never feared untill they happened the neighbour Provinces of Connaght and Leinster following the current of the present time begin to dismaske themselues of that cloake of subjection which before they pretended and to shew themselues partakers in that wicked action and furtherers of the rebellion And these being united in a strict Combination did verily perswade themselues that it would bee a matter very feasible to enable them to shake off the English Government and to make themselues absolute Commanders of all Ireland if the chiefe Lords of Mounster with their friends and followers would joyne with them to banish the English out of that Province They did account that Province to bee the key of the Kingdome both by reason of the Cities and walled Townes which are more then in all the Island besides the fruitfulnesse of the Country being reputed the garden of Ireland and the commodious Harbors lying open both to France and Spaine They devised many plots cast many projects and used many perswasions to animate the Provincials to begin to enterprise But currenti quid opus est calcaribus they were not so ready to yeeld reasons as those were to heare and their eares no more open to heare then their hearts to consent and their hands nothing backward in the execution thereof The Earle of Essex at his being in Ireland with his Army made a journey into Mounster in hope to compose the troubles thereof all that he performed at that time was the taking of Cahir Castle and receiving the Lord of Cahir and the Lord Roche with some others into protection Who after his departure did either openly partake or secretly combine with the rebells againe Her Majestie being resolved to send a new Lord Deputy into Ireland made choise of a worthy and noble Gentleman endued with excellent parts as well of body as
chiefe of small Countreyes submitted themselues to her Majesties mercie But the principall marke which the Lord President aymed at before his entrance into the Field with his Armie was to reclaime if possible it might be Florence Mac Cartie before spoken of from further pursuing those hatefull and ingratefull courses which unadvisedly he had entred into This hee desired for divers reasons First and especially for the service which he foresaw might receiue some good countenance by his subjection Secondly because if hee continued in action of necessitie hee must bee constrained to imploy a great part of his Forces which hee thought both inconvenient and dangerous to bee divided to follow the prosecution of him and his Complices And lastly a good opinion which some his honourable friends in England and himselfe also had conceived of him For these causes was the President moved earnestly to desire that this Florence might bee stayed from further persisting in those exorbitant courses and the rather because the said Florence had written Letters unto him which upon his way into Mounster hee received that assoone as hee should come to Corke hee would present himselfe personally to him aud doe all his endeavours to advance the Service All which being made knowen by the Lord President to the Earle of Thomond he intreated the said Earle and Sir Nicholas Welsh to joyne with Iohn fits Edmonds Florence his Godfather a man very famous in those parts for his learning and liberall hospitalitie in entertaining of strangers to send a Messenger to signifie to Florence Mac Cartie that they were very desirous to conferre with him about certaine particularities concerning his owne good By his Letter remised in answer of this message hee appoynted both a time and place for their meeting which was accordingly performed After more then two houres spent and many Oathes passed as well by the Earle as Sir Nicholas Welsh that the President had promised his safe returne with fearefull guiltinesse hee came to Corke and from thence to Shandon Castle upon the third of May 1600 where the Lord President remained at that time before whom when hee had presented himselfe hee made his submission upon his knees with many protestations of the sinceritie of his Heart and the true loyaltie which hee alwayes bare towards her Majestie desiring that hee might bee received into her Majesties favour and hee would serue her as faithfully and unfainedly as any man in Mounster The Lord President reprooved him very sharply for his trayterous behaviours laying before him the odiousnesse and foulnesse of his faults and the monstrous ingratitude towards her Majestie from whom hee had received many great benefits and gracious favours These speeches finished the President bade him to stand up when as both hee and the Earle of Thomond Sir Nicholas Welsh and Iohn fits Edmund did every of them very feelingly preach Obedience unto him His answer being very generall carried great shew of loyaltie and obedience at that time Vpon the next morrow hee was called before the President and Councell who was againe urged by them all in generall not onely to desist from proceeding in evill but with alacritie of minde to doe some such service as might merit reward for assurance and performance whereof the President demaunded his eldest sonne in pledge for the avoydance whereof hee used many colourable reasons viz. That it would cause the Bonnoghs to forsake him yea and to driue him out of his Countrey erecting his wiues base Brother in his place That he had of long time tasted of miseries and wants That hee had lately recovered his Countrey of Desmond with great travell and charges and therefore like the burnt child hee feared to run into any such inconvenience as might cause his friends to relapse from him Adding moreover that it was needlesse in them to exact any such thing at hishands who was in his soule wholly addicted devoted to her Majesties service The weaknesse of these reasons were both wisely discovered and effectually answered but all that could bee said was no more pleasing to him then is delightfull musicke to deafe eares which being discerned the President betooke himselfe to a new devise for now hee vehemently threatned that leaving for a time all other services a sharpe prosecution of Hostilitie with fire and sword against himselfe his tenants and followers should speedily overtake him upon his returne into Desmond Much was hee amazed with this denunciation and therefore hauing made a short pawse answered thus Since my needlesse pledge is so earnestly desired I am content to leaue my eldest sonne in Corke upon these conditions That her Majestie would passe unto mee the Countrey of Desmond in as large and ample manner as before it was conveyed unto my Father in law the Earle of Clancare Secondly that shee would giue unto mee the Name and Title of Mac Cartie More or Earle of Clancare Thirdly that shee would giue unto mee three hundred men in pay for assuring my Countrey from all that would offend it These hyperbolicall demands were no sooner propounded but absolutely rejected Therefore he desired that Licence might bee graunted unto him to write to his honourable friends in England to worke for him the afore recited Conditions which without any great difficultie was permitted Lastly the President questioned with him what hee intended to doe if these his desires were not satisfied thereupon hee sware upon a Booke that hee would never beare Armes against her Majesties Forces except hee were assaulted in Desmond and that his followers should likewise abstaine from actuall rebellion and further that he would send him intelligence from time to time of the Rebells proceedings and doe him the best underhand-service that possibly hee could Now had the President effected a great part of his desires namely that by Florence his remaining in Neutralitie his Forces might be wholly imployed against Iames fits Thomas who being once slaine or banished it would bee an easie matter to teach him to speake in a more submissiue language and forget to capitulate either for Lands Title or Charge Florence is now departed towards his Countrey of Desmond where leaving him in suspence betwixt doubt and feare wee will proceed in the accidents of Corke Now the President discerning this Warre in Mounster to be like a Monster with many Heads or a Servant that must obey divers Masters did thinke thus that if the Heads themselues might bee set at variance they would proue the most fit Instruments to ruine one another The two chiefe Heads were the Sugan Earle for so they called Desmond Commander of the Provincials and Dermond O Conner Generall of the Bownoghs before mentioned This Dermond O Conner was a poore man in the beginning of his fortune and not Owner of two Plough Lands in Connaght his natiue Countrie his reputation grew partly by his wife who was daughter to the old Earle of Desmond and partly by his valour being reputed one of the most valiant Leaders and
owne home leaving the Earle to a desperate fortune who now perceived that the Provincials submitted themselues daily to the President and the strangers returned into their severall Countries and that no aide approached either from the South or North by Sea nor Land was compelled together with Iohn his Brother Maurice Mac Thomas Pierce Lacy and the Knight of the Glyn to leaue the Countrie of Corke and to fly into Tipperary and Ormond and from thence Iohn fits Thomas hasteth to Vlster CHAP. XIIII Supplies of Foote sent from England Osulevan More sent by the Lord Deputie to the Lord President The Castle of Glancoyne surprised by Sir Francis Barkley Florence Mac Carties Wife and Followers perswaded him to goe to the Lord President The young Earle of Desmond arrived at Yoghall A Letter from Her Majestie to the Lord President Her Maiesties Letters Patents for Iames Fitz-Gerald to be Earle of Desmond THE Lords of the Councell of England by their Letters bearing Date the twentie seventh advertised the President that there was sixe hundred Foote in a readinesse to be sent to Corke to supply the Armie and for that many Souldiers daily arrived in England by Passeports from their Captaines onely They gaue the President a straite Charge to take order with all the Maritime Townes that no Souldier should be transported out of any of them without a Passe under his owne Hand and Seale and the last of the same he had directions from their Lordships that good Bands with Sureties should be taken upon all Merchants of Ireland which traded with Spaine or France not only for their owne good behaviours and loyalties when they were beyond the Seas but to all such Passengers as they should carry with them which was presently put into execution Dermond O Conner at his late being in Mounster had caused Osulevan More a man aboue sixtie yeares of age and yet never knowen to be in action against Her Majestie neither in Iames fits Maurice his Warres nor in the old Earle of Desmonds nor in this last Rebellion This man I say Dermond O Conner had taken Prisoner not without Consent and Councell of Florence Mac Cartie because he refused to pay Bonnaght unto the Connaght men Captaine Tirrell by force or fraud I know not whether tooke the Prisoner from him and caried him into the North who escaped out of the Vlster mens hands was taken by Sir Theobald Dillon of Connaght and presented to the Lord Deputie by whom hee is committed to the Castle of Dublin untill his estate should be further knowen and not long after he sent him to the Earle of Ormond to be sent by him to the President to be disposed of according to his discretion He being about this time come to Corke raileth bitterly against Florence ascribing both the beginning and continuance of his troubles to him and relating to the Councell such intelligence as hee had learned in those parts where he had beene detained returneth into his owne Countrey The Arch-rebels Iames fits Thomas Fits Maurice and the Knight of the Glyn not finding as it should seeme the entertainement they expected in my Lord of Ormonds countrey or rather notintending at the first to make any long stay there but onely that thereby the President might thinke them quite gone and so make no further inquirie after them did in the beginning of this Moneth of October steale backe into the Countie of Limerick yet not so privily but the President had intelligence thereof for it was signified unto him the fourth of this instant that Desmond was about Arlogh having not aboue fiue in his Company and two of them came lately from the Pope with promise of Succours which came too late for his turne as hereafter shall be shewed In the meane time our Garrisons prospered so well that Sir Francis Barkley got the Castle of Glancoyne in Connilogh burning and spoyling great store of Corne in those parts and Sir Charles Wilmot in Kerry prevailed so farre that Castlemange held by Thomas Oge and Listoell defended by Fits Maurice were the only two Castles held against her Majestie which were both regained within short time and Captaine Flower at Lysmore wrought miracles against the Rebels in those parts as Sir Richard Aylward wrote to the President But Florence Mac Cartie notwithstanding his manifold Letters stuffed with abominable oathes came not as yet to the President nor indeed minded he to come as it was reported had not his Wife and some of his Countrey in a manner compelled him thereunto for she refused to come to his Bed untill he had reconciled himselfe to Her Majestie saying that she knew in what manner her Father had that Earledome from her Highnesse and though she be not pleased to bestow the same wholly upon her yet she doubted not to obtaine some part thereof but if neither of these could bee gotten yet was not she minded to goe a begging either unto Vlster nor into Spaine and to confirme this report it was certainely knowen that she with the helpe of her friends kept the Castle of the Lough in Desmond by force from him Her Majestie having evermore had a determination to send Iames fits Gerald Sonne unto the late Earle of Desmond attainted in Ireland and having found by experience that the attempt which Dermond O Conner made in the apprehension of Iames fits Thomas was at his Wifes suite in hope thereby to obtaine the restitution of her Brother to his old Title of Earle of Desmond and also unto some state of Inheritance for his maintenance did now resolue to put her determination in effect hoping that his presence in Ireland would draw the ancient Followers of the Earle of Desmond his Father from Iames fits Thomas the supposed Earle and therefore releasing him out of the Tower where from his infancie he had beene Prisoner shee not onely admitted him to her presence but stiled him Earle of Desmond and sent him conducted into Ireland by Captaine Price a sober discreet Gentleman and an ancient Commander in the Warres who landed with his charge at Youghall the fourteenth day of October from thence he brought him to Moyallo to the President upon the eighteenth where from Her Majestie he presented to his Lordship the young Earle Her Majesties Letters and Letters Pattents under the great Seale of England for his restitution in blood and Honour both which Letter and Letters Pattens I thinke it not unnecessary to set downe the true Copies which were as followeth A Letter from her Maiestie to the Lord President ELIZAB. R. TRustie and Welbeloved wee greet you well Wee haue now at the last resolved to send over Iames fits Gerald into Mounster after long debate with Our selfe what accidents might follow thereupon wherein although there might be many doubts to what hee may bee inveagled in times to come yet that opinion which wee conceiue of his owne good nature and disposition to gratefulnesse for
had a Company of an hundred Foot in her Majesties pay notwithstanding all his Safe-guards assaulted him who for his safetie retired into an olde Church burnt it over his head and in comming foorth of the same hee killed about fourtie of his men and tooke him prisoner and the morning following cut off his head which being done Theobald sent to the Earle of Clanrickard for a protection pretending that what he did was done in revâ—nge of his Cousen the Lord Burkes death But the Earle misliking the Action in stead of a Protection returned him this Letter insuing A Letter from the Earle of Clanrickard to Theobald ne Long Burke I Doe understand that you haue yesternight assaulted Dermond O Conner and his Company which is both a very mighty impeachment of Her Majesties word in respect the Gentleman had her gratious Protection and safe Conduct from the Lord President of Mounster and the Governour of this Province for his safe passing and a perpetuall slaunder and abuse unto me and my posteritie considering the Gentleman was ceased in my Countrie and had my word at my very good Lord the Lord President of Mounsters request and the Governour of this Provinces direction which I little expected to bee by you resisted but rather imagined your comming into the Countrie to doe better service upon Her Majesties enemies which are daily threatning to come for us on all sides But if in lieu thereof your service bee to murther a Gentleman that is drawen for good considerations tending the advanâ—ement of Her Majesties service contemne her gratious protection which he hath and offer the Lord President of Mounster the Governour of this Province and my selfe the mightiest wrong and abuse that may be I take it such a coruse as I doe not doubt your selfe and your house to bee thereby ever overthrowne and everlastingly liue hopelesse of any favour 〈◊〉 kindnesse of me except you take such apt and present course as to send the Gentleman unto me released and all the rest of his people as many as you haue in hand of them with a full restitution of their goods otherwayes thinke of me as the greatest Enemy you haue in this world which with the permission of God I will make you and yours feele if you urge me thereunto and so expecting to see the Gentleman from you with expedition without hurt I leaue Doiehoway the foure and twentieth of October 1600. Your very loving Kinseman if you will Vlick Clanrickard Whilest Dermond was in Rebellion hee received no prejudice by Theobald ne Long but now being as hee knew a man fast lincked to the State and able to performe extraordinary service he is treacherously murdered to the great dishonour of Her Majestie in violating Her word solemnely and advisedly given The Lord President was exceedingly incensed against the Actors Abettors and Procurers of this murder writing his Letter both to the Lords of Her Majesties privie Councell in England and also to the Lord Deputie and Councell of Ireland signifying how much Her Majesties honour was blemished and the Service hindred by this malitious and hatefull murther who considering of the fact besides sharpe rebukes and reprehensions the Lord Deputie was commanded presently to casheere and discharge him both of his Command and Entertainement CHAP. XVIII Sessions held at Limericke Cassell and Clonmell The Lord President and the Earle of Ormond meete at Clonmell Muskry Quirk and Arlogh burnt and spoyled by the Armie The submission of the Burkes and the Obryens The narrow escape of Iames fits Thomas and Dermond Mac Craghe the Popes Bishop of Corke In what good estate the Province of Mounster stood Mac Awley preyed by Sir Francis Barkley A Mariage practised betweene the Lady Ione Fitz Gerald and O Donnell but prevented by the Lord President NOtwithstanding the retiring of these Rebels as you haue heard yet the President thought it meete to spend some time in those parts before his Armie should be reduced In consideration whereof finding it expedient for furtherance of her Majesties service that Sessions of Gaole delivery should bee held as often as conveniently they might that the Course of civill Iustice might againe bee renewed whereunto of late yeeres they had not beene accustomed the eighteenth of November his Lordship left Kilmallock and marched to Limerick where hee kept Sessions from thence to Cashell and so to Clonmell in both which places he did the like doing exemplary iustice upon such Rebels as had afore beene apprehended thereabouts During the Sessions holden at Limerick as aforesaid the President sent a message to the Earle of Ormond signifying unto him his purposed comming to Clonmell wherein also hee besought his Lordship that if it might stand with his leasure and good liking it would please him to make a Iourney that way to the intent that upon their meeting some conference might be had about divers particularities concerning the service The Earle accorded both to time and place which was at Clonmell The sixe and twentieth of November amongst other matters there consulted betwixt them the President moved the Earle about some present order to be taken for the prosecution of those Rebels that had now for a good space remayned without impeachment in the borders of Ormond in Typperarie and for so much as his Lordship peradventure had not sufficient Forces to displant them he offered his owne service with such Companies as he had there assembled being the greatest part of the Armie of Mounster The Earle either unwilling to haue the President set foote within his Liberty or else desirous himselfe to haue the sole honour of that service did entreate the President to satisfie himselfe concerning that busines for he would undertake it and that within few dayes to make them repent that ever they set foote within his Libertie which I thinke had immediately beene performed had not the immature death of his most vertuous and honorable Lady the lamentable tydings whereof were now brought him to Clonmell oppressing his aged heart with immeasurable sorrow caused the same for a time to be deferred This service therefore thus undertaken by the Earle the President having received certaine information that the Mounster Fugitiues were harbored in those parts having before burned all the Houses and Corne and taken great preyes in Owny Omulrian and Kilquig a strong and fast Countrey not farre from Limerick diverted his Forces into East Clanwilliam Muskry-quirke where Pierce Lacy had lately beene succoured and harrasing the Countrey killed all mankind that were found therein for a terrour to those as should giue Reliefe to runnagate Traitors thence we came into Arloghe Woods where wee did the like not leaving behind us man or beast Corne or Cattle except such as had beene conveied into Castles The prosecution of this Service was committed to the care of Captaine Francis Slingesby who had under his Command fiue hundred foote whereupon the Burkes and Briens that inhabited those places came all
at Whitehall the 28 of Aprill 1601. Your Lordships very loving Friends Thomaâ— Egerton C. Tho. Buckhurst W. Knowles Ro. Cecill Ioh. Fortescue I. Herbert The eight and twentieth day Dermond Mac Awlie who was lately come out of Vlster and daily conversant with the Traytors of Mounster and acquainted with all their proceedings and Councell by mediation of friends made his repaire to the President and being examined whether they intended to come againe with new forces into the Province hee affirmed that at his departure from them they were ready to come away and did particularize what Munitions and Money every one of them was furnished withall by Tyrone viz. The Lo. of Lixnaw Calievers 40. Powder Barrells 02. Lead one Sow 01 Match faddoms 120 Money 14. pound Iohn fits Thomas Calievers 25. Powder Barrels 01. Lead Sowes ½ Match faddoms  Money 10. li. Pierce Lacie Calievers 20. Powder Barrels 01. Lead Sowes ½ Match faddoms  Money 8. li. Mac Donogh Calievers 25. Powder Barrels 01. Lead Sowes â— Match  Money 12. li. Redmond Burke Calievers 150. Powder Barrels 10. Lead Sowes 05. Match  Money 500. li. Teg Orwrke Calievers 150. Powder Barrels 10. Lead Sowes 05. Match  Money 500. li. From Odonnell to Teg Kewgh Calievers 12 Powder Barrels 02 Lead Sowes ½ Match Fathomes  Money 40. li. CHAP. III. Iames fits Thomas the titulary Earle of Desmond taken Prisoner Iames fits Thomas kept Prisoner in the Lord Presidents house His 〈◊〉 and condemnation His relation presented to the Lord President The Lord Presidents Letter to Her Majesty Two Letters from Iames fits Thomas to the King of Spaine The causes of the Rebellion in Mounster as Iames fits Thomas alleaged Hussies report of the causes of the Rebellion in Mounster THere was no man of account in all Mounster whom the President had not oftentimes laboured about the taking of the reputed Earle still lurking secretly within this Province promising very bountifull and liberall rewards to all or any such as would draw such a draught whereby he might be gotten aliue or dead every man entertained these proffers as being resolute in performing the same service although they never conceived any such thought but at last it hapned after this manner The Lord Barry having one hundred men in pay from the Queene employed them many times about such service as either the President should command or himselfe thought requisit and namely about the fourteenth of May knowing that one Dermond Odogan a Harper dwelling at Garryduffe vsed to harbour this Arch-rebell or else upon occasion of some stealth that had beene made in his Countrey the thieues making towards this Fastnesse his Souldiers pursued them into this Wood where by good fortune this supposed Earle with two of the Baldones and this Dermond were gathered together being almost ready to goe to supper but having discovered these Souldiers they left their meate and made haste to shift for themselues they were no sooner gone out of the Cabbin but the Souldiers were come in and finding this provision and a Mantle which they knew belonged to Iames fits Thomas they followed the chase of the Stag now roused By this time the Harper had convaied the Sugan Earle into the thickest part of the Fastnesse and himselfe with his two other Companions of purpose discovered themselues to the Souldiers and left the Wood with the Lapwings policie that they being busied in pursuite of them the other might remaine secure within that Fastnesse and so indeed it fell out for the Souldiers supposing that Iames fits Thomas had beene of that Company made after them till Evening by what time they had recovered the White Knights Countrey where being past hope of any farther service they returned to Barry-court and informed the Lord Barry of all those accidents On the next morning the Lord Barry glad of so good a cause of complaint against the White Knight whom hee hated hasteth to the President and relating unto him all these particulars signifieth what a narrow escape the Arch-traytor had made and that if the White Knights people had assisted his Souldiers hee could not possibly haue escaped their hands Hereupon the White Knight was presently sent for who being called before the President was rebuked with sharpe words and bitter reprehensions for the negligence of his Countrey in so important a busines and was menaced that for so much as hee had undertaken for his whole Countrey therefore hee was answerable both with life and lands for any default by them made The White Knight receiving these threatnings to heart humbly intreated the President to suspend his judgement for a few dayes vowing upon his soule that if the said Desmond were now in his Countrey as was averted or should hereafter repaire thither hee would giue the President a good account of him aliue or dead otherwise he was contented that both his Lands and Goods should remaine at the Queenes mercy and with these protestations he departed And presently repairing to Sir George Thornton hee recounted unto him the sharpe reproofes which from the President hee had received Sir George finding him thus well netled tooke hold of the occasion never left urging him to performe the service untill he had taken his corporall oath upon a booke that he would employ all his endeavours to effect the same Assoone as he was returned to his house he made the like moane unto some of his faithfullest Followers as hee had done to Sir George Thornton and to stirre up their minds to helpe him in the perill hee stood hee promised him that could bring unto him word where Iames fits Thomas was he would giue him fiftie pound in money the inheritance of a Plough land to him and his Heires for ever with many immunities and freedomes One of his Followers which loved him dearely compassionating the perplexity hee was in but would you indeed said he lay hands upon Iames fits Thomas if you knew where to find him the Knight confirmed it with protestations then follow me said he and I will bring you where he is The White Knight and hee with sixe or seven more whereof Redmond Burke of Muskry-quirke was one presently upon the nine and twentie nineth of May tooke horse and were guided to a Caue in the Mountaine of Slewgort which had but a narrow mouth yet deepe in the ground where the Caytiffe Earle accompanied onely with one of his foster brothers called Thomas Opheghie was then lurking The White Knight called Iames fits Thomas requiring him to come out and render himselfe his Prisoner But contrariwise hee presuming upon the greatnes of his quality comming to the Caues mouth required Redmond â—urke and the rest to lay hands upon the Knight for both hee and they were his naturall Followers but the vvheele of his fortune being turned vvith their swords drawen they entred the Caue and without resistance disarming him and his foster Brother they delivered them bound to the White Knight
who caried him to his Castle of Kilvenny and presently dispatched a Messenger to Sir George Thornton to pray him to send some of the Garison of Kilmallock to take the charge of him which employment was committed to the care of Captaine Francis Slingesby who marching with his Company to Kilvenny had the Prisoner delivered unto him and from thence with as much expedition as might bee the White Knight Sir George Thornton and Captaine Slingesby brought them unto the President then residing at Shandon Castle adjoyning to Corke But how the White Knight performed his promise to his Servant it may bee doubted though he had one thousand pound given him from Her Majestie for the service The President having thus gotten his long desired prey not adventuring to haue him kept in the Towne appointed him lodging and a Keeper within Shandon Castle where himselfe then remayned and there held him in Irons untill he was sent into England which was yet deferred for the President being informed by the Queenes learned Councell that if he should dye before his arraignement the Queene could not be interressed in his Lands but by act of Parliament and also his Brother Iohn was not debarred by the Law from the title which this Pretender holdeth to be good in the Earledome of Desmond When the White Knight had delivered his Prisoner Iames fits Thomas into Captaine Slingesbyes custody he told him now the house is yours take care and charge of him And in conference with Captaine Slingesby told him how much it grieved him that the Lord President should suspect him to bee a Releever of Iames fits Thomas contrary to his protestation of service to Her Majestie and to him and to make it the better appeare what infinite prejudice hee had received by his meanes For first at the comming of Tyrone into Mounster Iames fits Thomas having some jealousie and not without cause that the White Knight would quit the confederacie and humbly seeke Her Majesties gratious favour acquainted Tyrone with it who thereupon apprehended him and willed him either to put in his Sonne Iohn as Pledge of his perseverance or else hee must detaine him Prisoner which the White Knight being neither able nor willing to performe committed him to the custody of Redmond Burke who caried him out of the countrey making him lackie it by his horse side on foote like a common Horse-boy and that in his absence his Countrey being thus distracted for want of a Head the Earle of Ormond came with some forces preying burning and spoyling most part of his Countrey and that he was forced to pay unto Redmond Burke two hundred pound ransome after three moneths imprisonment with this ill vsage concluding that it might well be beleeved hee had small cause to doe those favours to Iames fits Thomas which were suspected considering hee had received those harmes and losses from him who was never able to repayr him of the least part thereof But it may well be conceived that the White Knight had not untill he was so pressed by the President made any diligent inquity after him and that if he had more timely sought it he might sooner haue effected it Captaine Slingesby having now the Prisoner and the whole house and keyes committed over to his charge and keeping setting his Guards and Sentinels both within the house and without as was fitting for the Guard of so welcome a Prisoner went to where the said Iames was to be his Watch that night and judging a man in his case not capable of any favour from Her Majestie as being the principall cause of all the rebellion of Mounster though otherwise none of the bloodiest enemies could take no comfort in discourse was silent by him not willing to grieue him with discoursing on that which hee thought could not bee pleasing unto him untill Iames fits Thomas himselfe first ministred occasion who having had some notice what Captaine Slingesby was after some complements began in fome sort to extenuate though not to excuse his former faults to Her Majestie how he was inforced to take that title upon him otherwise his brother Iohn would not haue beene so nice in the accepting and that hee never shed any English blood in the first insurrection nor suffered any to doe it that hee could withhold though many of his Followers did not so piously obserue it but with the best respect of humanity did cause them to be sent out of the Countrey to the next coast Townes with the least offence that might be and therefore hoped Her Majestie who had extended her clemencie to farre greater crimes though it was his hard fortune to bee so eminent a man in that action she would now retract nothing of Her wonted goodnesse and mercy Intimating withall his Father to bee elder brother to Gerrot Earle of Desmond who by the power of his Mother a second wife was disinherited and her sonne though a younger received and acknowledged for Earle of Desmond With these and other discourses they spent the whole night untill it was day when they made ready to goe to Corke to the Lord President to deliver the Prisoner Vpon these reasons the Prisoner at a Sessions holden in Corke for that purpose was indicted arraigned convicted and adjudged to bee executed as a notorious Traytor which being done the President advertised all the proceedings into England and desired that he might be sent to the Tower of London and there to remaine in prison humbly praying that his life might bee spared in policie of State for whilest hee lived his brother Iohn could not make any pretext to the Earledome whereas to the contrary he being dead it was very probable that the Rebels would set him up for a new Idoll in his place whereof what inconveniences might ensue was apparant These reasons although they are subject to every mans understanding that hath common sense and therefore no marvell that the Lord President should light upon them Behold here what the Captiue Earle himselfe doth say concerning that point who being Prisoner in the Presidents house having the favour to haue Paper and Inke upon the third of Iune one thousand sixe hundred and one wrote this which insueth humbly intreating the President to send it to Her Majestie or to the Lords of her Councell in England which hee performed in his next dispatch The Relation of Iames of Desmond to the Right Honourable Sir George Carew Lord President of Mounster most humbly beseeching your Honour to certifie Her Majesty and the Lords of her most Honourable Councell of the same Hoping in the Almighty that Her Highnesse of her accustomed clemencie and mercy by your intercession will take most gratious and mercifull consideration thereof to the end that Her Majesties Realme of Ireland shall be the better planted and maintained in good government by his release The third of Iune 1601. FIrst it may please your Honour to consider that this action at the beginning was never
by all the best and speediest meanes that may be Wee haue thought it good in regard of the great knowledge and experience wee haue had and found in your faith and valour and in respect of the speciall trust confidence and sufficiencie wee repose in you Wee haue thought it good to grant and commit unto you during our pleasure the command and authority by the power granted us by her Majestie over the Castles of Baltimore and Castlehaven and the whole Countrey of Carbery and over all the Countries territories or places of Collemore Collibeg Ivagh Mounterbarry Slewghteagibane Slewghteage Roe Cloncahill Clondermot Clonloghten and Coshmore and over all the other Countries territories places by what name or names soever they bee called from the Towne of Rosse to the hither parts of the Meares and bounds of Beere and Bantry and so in compasse Northwards to Muskery And we doe giue you power and authority over the Queenes people and her Subjects and Inhabitants in all or any the said Countries appoynting and authorising you hereby to prosecute with fire and sword all Rebels Traytors or other capitall Offenders and all their Ayders Releevers Maintayners Receivers and Abettors or any other Offenders whatsoever that are not ameanable to her Majesties Lawes or haue combined or adhered themselues to any her Majesties enemies or to any now in actuall rebellion against her Highnesse and to make ceasure of all their goods and chattles to her Majesties use And for the better effecting of this her Highnesse service and the speciall trust reposed in you wee doe hereby giue unto you liberty to employ or send among the Enemies or Rebels now in action such Messengers and Espialls as you sâ—all thinke fit to use and to write to parley conferre or treate with them or any of them and to receiue Messengers or Letters from them and to keepe any of them in your company fourteene dayes to procure the doing of service or to gaine intelligences from them and upon assurance and good hopes that any of the said Rebels will doe service to her Majestie Wee doe hereby authorize you to safeconduct them by warrant under your hand for the like space of fourteene dayes so as in the meane time you send them unto us or to the chiefe Governour of the Province for the time being which your safeconduct shall bee duly observed to all those you grant it unto And for the better and speedier clensing and purging the Countrey from Rebels and Malefactors Wee doe hereby giue and commit unto you full power and authority to execute by Marshall Law all notable and apparant Offenders and Malefactors that can neither dispend fourtie shillings in Lands per Annum nor are worth ten pounds in goods and as for such Rebels and Malefactors as are not within compasse of Martiall Law them to apprehend and commit to the Sheere Goale there to remaine and attend their trials by due course of her Majesties common Lawes And for the better advancement of her Majesties service wee doe hereby authorise you to goe aboard any Ship Barque or other Vessell that shall bee or arriue in those parts and to make search in them for Traytors Iesuits Seminaries Letters or prohibited wares and to make stay of them if just occasion so require and to presse and take up any the Boats or Vessels that are or shall bee within the compasse of your command and them to send and employ to such place or places as her Majesties service shall giue you occasion or otherwise to use and dispose of them as you in your discretion shall thinke meetest And this our authority and Commission to you granted to haue continuance during the pleasure of us the Lord Deputie and if wee shall not recull the same during our aboad in this Province then the same to bee in force during the pleasure of the Lord President and no longer And therefore wee doe hereby straightly charge and command all her Majesties Officers Ministers and loving Subjects to be unto you in the due execution of the premisses aiding obedient and assisting at their uttermost perils and for such your whole doings herein These shall bee unto you sufficient warrant and discharge Giuen under her Majesties privie Signet at the Campe before Kinsale the seventh day of Ianuary 1601. George Carew Richard Wingfield George Bourchier To our well beloved Captaine Roger Harvy The eleaventh the Lord President had intelligence from England that Iames the late restored Earle of Desmond was dead and that eighteene hundred quarters of Oates were sent into Mounster for the releefe of our horses CHAP. XXV Don Iuan his request to the Lord Deputie A resolution in Councell to erect certaine Forts in Mounster The request of the Inhabitants of Kinsale to the Lord President Certaine Companies cashiered A Letter from the Lord President to her Majestie The Examination of Richard Owen Richard Owen his Message from Tyrone to the Lord Deputie Instructions for Captaine George Blunt THE fourteenth Don Iuan wrote to the Lord Deputie to pray his Lordship that expedition might be made in taking up of shipping for his transportation and that his Lordship would commiserate the poore Spanish Prisoners in Corke who were like to perish for want of food During the siege there had beene taken at Rincorran Castle Ny Parke in sallyes and in the overthrow of Tyrone together with some runawayes that voluntary came unto us about two hundred rather more then lesse whereof some of them had been sent into ENGLAND About this time the Lord Deputie and the Lord President went by Boate to an Iland in the River of Corke called Halbolin sixe or seven miles from the Citie which upon view they thought fit to bee fortified being so seated as that no shipping of any burthen can passe the same but under the commaund thereof Whereupon direction was given to Paul Ive an Ingeneere to raise a Fortification there and also another at Castle Ny Parke to command the Haven at Kinsale Furthermore it was resolved in Councell that Forts should haue beene erected at Baltimore and Beere-haven as also Cittadells at Corke Limrick and Waterford to keepe the Citizens in some awe but none of these workes were performed saue onely the Forts at Halbolyn and Castle Ny Parke aforesayd From the fourteenth of Ianuary unto the last of the same no matter of any consequence hapned all which time was spent in civill causes in sending of dispatches into England as occasions did result in discharging of Companies which were growen weake whereof two thousand in List were casheerd in hastning away of the Spaniards and in setling of Garisons in the East part of Mounster among other private dispatches which the Lord President sent into England hee wrote this Letter unto her Majestie A Letter from the Lord President to her Majestie SACRED MAIESTIE NOw that it hath pleased the omnipotent Director of all things to blesse you with a happie Victory over the mâ—licious
conference with Owen Mao Eggan as also by Merchants and their Agents out of Spaine which did all agree in one that succours being prepared and ready to embarque for Ireland understanding the losse which the Rebels had received in Beere and the Castle of Dunboy rased where they purposed to secure their landing new directions were brought from the Court of Spaine to the Earle of Carraâ—ena Governour of the Groyne to stay their proceedings in the voyage till the Kings pleasure were father knowen but yet the Army was not dissolved the examinations sent by the Lord President into England to the Lords were found to agree with the intelligence which was sent to her Majestie out of Spaine wherefore to prevent what danger hereby might ensue it pleased her Majestie to take present order that the fleete of ships some her owne and some Merchants that had beene upon the Coast of Spaine the most part of all the Summer should bee revictualled and lye off and on in the height of Cape-finister till towards Michaelmas that if they proceeded in the intended invasion either they might fight with them at Sea or at least follow them to such Harbours of Ireland where they should arriue and there distresse them but he happy successe in the siege of Dunboy altered the Spanish Councels for now they had no place in Ireland that held for them Neverthelesse the comming of new forces from Spaine for Ireland being still doubted there was sent from England two thousand foote for the supplying of the List. By this time Sir Charles Wilmot as hee was directed was come out of Kerry and all the Subjects with their goods and Cattle were drawen on this side the Mountaine of Slewlogher whereby the Bonnoghs that had lived these fiue moneths principally upon Osulevan Beare and by that meanes eaten him up began to consult about leaving of the Province there being no man now in action that was able for the Carties in Carbery had beene so much wasted and impoverished by the two Harvies as though their hearts were good yet their meanes failed them to uphold a warre or any long time to hold them together Therefore Iohn of Desmond brother to the Sugan Earle prisoner in the Tower of London laboured Terrill very instantly to take Bonnaght of them in Connilogh and for that purpose had inveighled Morris fits Thomas called the Lord of the Clenlis to deliver unto him the strong Castle of Glancoyne the custodie whereof to saue her Majesties charge had beene committed to him the yeare before and because no suspition might be conceived of the said Iohn fits Thomas practise hee now became a sutor by Iames Walsh who had beene his brothers Secretary for a protection desiring as hee pretended to become a Subject upon these conditions First if his brother Iames the titulary Earle might bee set at libertie hee would bee content to become a Pledge for him either in the Castle of Dublin or else where the State should appoynt which being refused and rejected hee offered to doe service so that hee might haue his pardon and some meanes to releeue him in the future But as the President would not bee drawen to accept any of these conditions so it was thought hee would haue flyen backe if they had been accepted But all this Negotiation was but to colour his practise laid for Glancoyne which Castle and the Fastnesse neere adjoyning would haue commaunded a great part of that Countrey But all these Iuglings were discovered by one V. B. whom the President without suspition maintained amongst them Wherefore hee sent Philip Northcot the Sherife of the Countie of Limericke with private Instructions to surprise both Maurice fits Thomas and the sayd Castle but either to take both at one instant or to meddle with neither The Sherife watching many opportunities and not speeding of his purpose the President to prevent future danger committed the custodie of the said Castle to Sir Francis Barkley and so disappointed the Rebels of that hope About the latter end of this moneth of August a rumour was generally divulged through the Province that the Spanyards were upon the coast and that certaine Ships were discovered from the olde Head of Kinsale and presently after that foure and twentie sayle were arrived at Bearehauen and hereupon you might see Horsemen galloping this way and that way to and fro with such signes of gladnes apparant joy as though the day of their deliverance were neere at hand but as it fell out this was but a false allarme the Ships that were discryed being a Fleet of Easterlings bound to the Southward The President heereby discerning with what assured hopes they apprehended their comming and with what glad hearts they should be welcome being come he became an earnest humble suitor to the Lord Deputie That Sir Samuel Bagnals Regiment lately called out of Mounster by his Lordships Command might with his favour bee returned againe The Lord Deputie taking an honourable care of that Province finding by his owne intelligence that the Spanyards were purposed to make their discent either in Mounster or in the parts of Connaght not far dis-joyned condiscended unto the Presidents request whereupon the said Colonell with his Regiment were directed to Limrick there to remaine in Garison During the siege of Kinsale there was a young Gentleman of the Carties called Teg Mac Cormock sonne to that well deserving Gentleman Sir Cormock Mac Teg who being of the Presidents Troope of Horse through the inticements of the Rebells and promises of the Spanyards was induced to combine with the Enemie and stealing away his Horse and Hackney entred into action But the successe of his Confederates not prooving so fortunate as they hoped hee grew weary of the Rebellion and made himselfe a Suitor to the President to be received to mercy as may appeare by his Letter here ensuing CHAP. XII A Letter from Teg Mac Cormock Cartie to the Lord President intreating the remission of his offences Cormock Mac Dermond Cartie accused of sundry treasons Cormock Mac Dermond committed The Castle of Blarny in the custody of Captaine Taffe The Castle and Abbey of Killâ—rey rendred to the Lord President Mocrumpe besieged Cormocks Wife and Children imprisoned Cormock Mac Dermond plotted his escape A Letter from Teg Mac Cormock Cartie to the Lord President intreating the remission of his Offences RIght Honourable my dutie most humbly remembred Having long forborne though thereby disquieted in mind and ashamed of my selfe to send unto your Honour Yet presuming upon her Majesties mercie and your favour I haue made bold to become a Petitioner to your Honour that it may please you to admit me therunto and to forgiue and forget my faults considering they were not malicious but youthfull and not of pretence to hurt her Majestie or her Subjects but in hope to recover against my Cosen Cormock Mac Dermody some meanes to maintaine my decayed estate and still likely to be suppressed by
verumque Sacramentum sumi constanter teneo purgatorium esse animasque ibi detentas fidelium suffragijs iuvari similiter et sanctos unà cum Christo regnantes venerandos atque invocandos esse eosque orationes Deo pro nobis offerre atque eoruÌ„ reliquias esse venerandos firmissimè assero imagines Christi et Deiparae semper Virginis nec non aliorum SanctoruÌ„ habendas et retinendas esse ac eis debitum honorem venerationem esse impartiendum Indulgentiarum etiam potestatem Christo in Ecclesia relictam fuisse illarumque usum Christiano populo unanimi salutarem esse affirmo sanctam Catholicam et Apostolicam Romanam Ecclesiam omnium Ecclesiarum Matrem et magnam agnosco Romano Pontifici beati Petri Apostolorum principis successori ac Iesu Christi Vicario veram obedientiam spondeo ac Iuro Caetera item omnia à sacris Canonibus Oecumenicis Consilijs ac praecipuè â— Sacrosanctâ Tridentina Synodo tradita definita declarata indubitanter recipio profiteor simulque contraria omnia atque Haereses quascunque ab Ecclesia damnatas anathematizatas ego pariter damno rejicio anathematizo Hanc veram Catholicam Fidem extra quam nemo salvus esse potest quam in praesenti sponte profiteor veraciter teneo eandem integram et inviolatam vsque ad extremum vitae spiritum constantissimè Deo adjutante retinere confiteri atque à meis subditis vel illis quorum cura in munere meo spectabit teneri doceri praedicari quantum in me erit curaturum Ego idem Eugenius spondeo voueo juro sic me Deus adjuvet haec sancta Dei Evangelia Dat' Romae apud Sanctum Petrum Anno Incarnationis Domini 1595. Pridie Calend. Novemb ' pontificatus nostri Anno quarto Let the understanding Reader now surcease to marvell that the Bishop of Rome doth striue and struggle to depose Princes and to animate and incourage Subjects to heathenish and inhumane murders and rebellions since hee dareth like the ancient Gyants to attempt and assault Heaven it selfe and to displant and displace from the Throne of his Majestie Christ Iesus himselfe who is God to be blessed for evermore what is it else but to make the Precepts and Traditions of men equivalent with the doctrine and Commandements of God what is it else but to usurpe an absolute and universall power and authoritie over the flocke of Christ as his Lieutenant and Vicar for the warrant whereof hee hath no Commission nor was hee called thereunto as Aaron was Lastly what is it else but to remooue and pull downe the Son of God from his triumphant glory where he sitteth at the right hand of his Father and where he must abide the holy Apostle bearing witnesse till all his enemies be subdued under his feet and to bring backe his glorified body and Deified soule at the becke and word of every hedge Priest into their sacrilegious Sacrament of the Altar Surely a man need go no further for testimony seeing the Antichristian lowing of this prophane Bull doth liuely delineate and plainely demonstrate that purple Harlot which hath made all nations drunke with the dregs of her fornication having seated her selfe upon the seven hils of Rome I should be over troublesome to the Reader to shake up all the trumpery and rake in all the durt contayned in his Buls belly yet one thing more I cannot passe over with silence namely for as much as the Pope perceiveth that his kingdome cannot long stand but that Babell must fall and Antichrist must be consumed with the breath of the Lords mouth therefore with prudent care and politicke circumspection hee suffereth none to bee initiated into his holy Sacrament of orders nor preferred to any Ecclesiasticall promotion but hee is first bound by his hand word and corporall oath to mainetaine and defend the pompe honour priviledges prerogatiues and doctrines of the Sea of Rome especially and namely such as are contradictorily repugnant to the written word of God And that they shall persecute and impugne all those whether Prince or people that shall bee adjudged Heretikes or Schismatikes in the Popes consistory Consider therefore I beseech thee gentle Reader whether any Priest that taketh this oath for they all take it can bee accounted a good Subject to the Crowne of England but to proceed Many of the Traytors being put to the sword the strangers banished and the Provincials protected as you haue heard there were still remayning in action within Mounster left for example to perdition Fits Maurice the Lord of Lixnaw Iohn fits Thomas the brother of Iames the late titulary Earle the Knight of the Glynn and Thomas Oge a Geraldine all which with their forces joyned in one were not able to make two hundred men lurking about the Mountaine of Slewlugher and in the Fastnesse of Clanmorris CHAP. XIX False rumors divulged of the State of Mounster The Lord President sent one thousand foote munitioned and victâ—aâ—â—ed to the Lord Deputy A Letter from her Mâ—jesty tâ— the Lord President concerning the Earle of Clanricard A Letter from Iohn Burke to the Lord President A Letter from Iohn Burke to Sir George Thornton A Certificate from a Popish Bishop in the behalfe of Iohn Burke The Lord Deputy having occasion to employ more forces into Connaght hee with the Councell of estate upon the eightâ—eâ—th of Ianuary wrote unto the President to pray and require him to spare out of his List of Mounster if hee might conveniently doe it one Regiment of one thousand foote with a competent proportion of victuals which not many dayes after was accomplished Also about this time the President received a Letter from her Majestie which although it doth concerne the Earle of Clanricard in his pâ—rticular yet that the Reader may informe himselfe how much that noble gentleman was esteemed and that worthily of his Soveraigne Mistris I doe thinke it meet to be related A Letter from her Majesty to the Lord President concerning the Earle of Clanrickard Your most assured constantly affected Soveraigne E. R. RIGHT trusty and well beloved Wee greete you well wee need not use many arguments to you when wee resolue to recommend either man or matter seeing you haue made so good demonstration of your obedience and entire affection to performe our will and pleasure much lesse then the person or causes of this nobleman our cosen Clanriccard whose carriage here doth challenge our extraordinary good opinion as his merite there procured your owne plentifull testimony of the same even when all trees à id shew what fruits they bare His comming over was to doe his duty to us where hee was desirous as other Noble-men haue done to haue stayed some time unlesse some occasion for our seruice should necessarily require his returne Of which kind because the one hath presented it selfe by the going of our Deputy into that Province where his possessions lye and that the weake estate of his
Carew Norris Norris Carew Carew Norris Carew Carew Carew Carew Carew Carew Carew Carew 6 Martij Blunt The Lo Deputie and Councels instructions to the Lo. President Carew 7. Martij Carew Carew Carew Saxâ—y Gold Carew Carew Carew Carew Saxey Gold Carew Carew Carew Carew Carew Carew Blunt Carew Carew Carew Blunt Carew Carew Carew Blunt Carew Carew Carew Blunt Carew Carew Carew Carew Blunt Blunt Carew Carew Carew Blunt Carew Carew Carew Carew The Earle of Tyrone in MouÌ„ster his actions there The White Knight Tyrones prisoner FloreÌ„ce Mac Carty made Mac Cartie More and Donell Mac Carty displaced The L. Barry preyed and spoiled Sir Warham St leger and Mac Guire slaine 1600. Tyrones returne into Vâ—ster The PresideÌ„t left Dublin 7. April 10. Aprilis The Earle of Ormond taken prisoner by Owny mac Rory Oâ—more The manner of the Earle of Ormonds taking The narrow escape of the Lord President The Earle of Thomond wounded The order which was taken for the setling of the countrie after the Earle of Ormonds disaster 18. April The submissions of Tho. fits Iames Tho. Power 20. April 22. April The encounter of her Majesties forces with Flor. Mac Cartie The prey of the Brough taken 23. Aprill The state of the Province of Mounster when the Lo. President came into it The Lord Barry preyed 26. April Redmond Burke defeated by Odwire Odwires couÌ„try harrassed by Redmond Burke 29. April Loghguire preyed The submission of Barret and Condon 3. Maâ—â— The submission of Flor. Mac Carty Flor. Mac Carties demands The submission of Nugent The Brough burnt by Pierce Lacy. Redmond Burke departed out of Connologhe May. 16. Tenne of the Bownoghs slaine by Sir Richard Percy May. 17. 21. Maij. The Armie set out from Corke towards Limricke 23. Maij. The submission of the White Knight Cahir Castle surprised by Iames Galdie Butler 24. Maij. 25 Maij. Therendring of the Castle of Loghguire Nugents attempt upon Iohn fits Thomas Clanwilliam spoiled and burnt by the Armie 29. Maij. The submission of Iohn Burke The castle of Ballitrarsnie taken O Mulrians Countries burnt and spoiled by the Army O Sulevan More detained prisoner by the practise of Flor Mac Cartie The plot contrived by the Lo. President for the apprehension of Ia. fits Thomas Iune 11. Iunij 500 men sent to lye in garrison at Askeiton Supplies of money munition victuals c. The apprehension of Iames Fits Thomas by Dermond O Conner 19. Iunij 20. Iunij The Countrey of Thomond harassed and spoyled by O Donnell Forces sent into Thomond Iames fits Thomas set at liberty 26. Iunij 28. Iunij 29. Iunij Dermond O Conner and the Rebels agreed and reconciled The Castle of Crome taken by the Armie 30. Iunij 4. Iuly 7. Iulij The Knight of the Valley upâ—â—â—f conduct spake with the Earle of Thomond The Constable of Glyn Castle hiâ— advice to the Earle of Thomond for hiâ— safetie 8. Iulij A Breach made The breach assaulted A sally made by the rebels The Constable c. slaine 9. Iulij The Castle wonne and the rebels put to the sword AWard put into the castle of Glin by the L. President Carrigfoile rendred by Oconner Kerry Maurice Stacke sent into Kerry The Bonoghs obtained the Lord Presidents Passeport to depart the Province Sixty of the Bonoghs slaine by the Lo. Burke The Lord Presidents returne to Limerick The Castle of Corgrage rendred A Garrison left in Askeiton 15. Iulij The Castle of Kathmore rendred A Garrison placed at Kilmallock 16. Iulij The Rebels enforced to rise from the siege of Liskaghan Flor. Mac Carties perswasions unto the Ward to quit Liskaghan Florence Mac Carty attempted to câ—rrupt the Constable of Liskaghan 23. Iulij 28. Iulij Fits Gerald Knight of Kerry The L. President come to Carrigofoile 29. Iulij The Castles of Lixnaw Rathowine and Tralee surprized by Sir Charles Wilmot The Bonoghs defeated by Sir Gharles Wilmot 2. August The death of Patricke fits Maurice L. of Lixnaw Florence Mac Cartie being sent for would not come unto the L. President A Mariage practised by Florence for Iames fits Thomas Letters and Messages betweene Florence and Tyrone 16. Aug. Aug. 18. Aug. 20. 21. Aug. An Encounter betweene Captaine Harvie and the White Knights Sonne The White Knights Sonne defeated 23. Aug. The Knight of Kerry the Lord of Lixnaw made suite to be protected The Earle of ThomoÌ„d left to command the garrison at Askeiton Florence coÌ„tinueth his practise with Tyrone Lands given by Iames fits Thomas to Flor. Mac Cartie Donnel Mac Carty taken in upon protection The Castle of Mayne in Connologh taken Omaghon and the O Crowlies protected The intended Mariage of Iames fits Thomas frustrated Cahir Castle rendred 29 August Supplies of Horses and Monie sent for Mounster 26. August Dermond Mac Owen O keefe and Mac Awly made suite to be received as Subjects The submission of the Knight of Kerry Ia. fits Tho. and Pierce Lacy defeated by the Knight of Kerry The castle of Ardart taken by Sir Ch. Wilmot Maurice Stacke murdrâ—d treacherously Septemb. The Prey of Kilkoe taken by Sir Richard Percy Iames fits Tho defeated by the garrison of Kilmallocke 16. Sept. Supplies of Foote sent out of England Osulev an More sent by the Lord Deputie to the Lord President October 4. Octbe The Castle of Glan Coyne surprised by Sir Francis Barkley Florence Mac Carties wife and followers perswaded him to goe to the Lord President The young Earle of Desmond arrived at Yoghall 14. Octob. 18. Octob. The Inggling of Florence Mac Cartie Supplies of men apparell sent into Mounster The submission of Florence Mac Cartie Octob. 29. A skirmish betweene the Carties and the Oleries Olerie slaine 4. Novemb. The submission of Thomas Oge fits Gerald and the rendring of Castle Mange The Câ—stle of 〈◊〉 besieged and taken 5. Novemb. A prey taken in Kinalmekagh The Castle of the Dingle rendred The Abbey of Ratho burned and fourtie of the Bownoghs slaine by Sir Charles Wilmot A thousand Bownoghs levied by Florence Mac Carty Connaght and Vlster men being ready to invade Mounster suddenly brake their resolution and the cause why Dermond O Conner murdered by Theobald ne Long Burke 18. Nov. Sessions held at Limerick Cassell and Clonmell 26. Nov. The Lord President the Earle of Ormond meet at Clonmell December Muskry-quirke and Arloghe burnt preyed and spoyled by the Army The submission of the Burkes and Obriens The narrow escape of Iames fits Thomas and Dermond Mac Craghe the Popes Bishop of Corke In what good estate the province of Mounster was 15. Decemb. 20. Decemb. Mac Awly preyed upon by Sir Fra Barkley The Major of Limerick fined and imprisoned and a new Major elected 21. Decem. Kinalmâ—kaghe preyed by Sir Richard Percy He mâ—aneth Iohn fits Thomas brother to the titulary Earle Ianuary The Sheriffs men slaine by Flor. Mac Gartie Florence his excuses received for truths The L. President perswadeth Florence to goe into England Florence seemeth to like
Talis erat vultu sed linguâ menteÌ„ manuque Qualis erat qui vult discere scripta legat Consulat aut famam qui linguâ menteÌ„ manuû̄ Vinceret hunc famâ iudiceÌ„ rarus erat VOERST FEâ— Hir Scepter sweet hir sword was seldomeÌ„ sharp Yet reâ—câ— subiects and invading foes It quaid repelling theis reclayming those Such cure did set in tune the farring Harp To this last Act of hir exploits glory A Plauaite reviveth by this story MAde bright and glorious by Afflictions flame Forth from a Prison to a Crowne she came Attempting and effecting harder things Then haue been reached by the greatest Kings Of all her Causes Religion was the prime Which shee reformed in a dangerous time And though her neighbouring Princes thereat stormed Did all her life defend what she reformed As watchfull in the State-Affaires was shee And oft from civill broyles her Realmes did free From Ireland shee the Spanish 〈◊〉 expeld And all the rude rebellious Irish queld In Scotland shee did marre the Frenchmens hope Shee fooled all the projects of the Pope And though his Bulls did roare in ev'ry place Turn'd all his thundrings to his owne disgrace Spaines furie without feare shee did oppose And gaue their Forces famous overthrowes Yea shee the huge Armado over came Which of Invincible usurp'd the name And though shee had at home great works to do Shee ayded France and saved Belgia too Her Coyneâ—hee â—hee to just values did reduce Her wholsome Lawes redressed much abuse By Trades abroad shee Riches did encrease By Providence at home establish'd Peace Then having till the fortie fifth yeere raign'd And to the seventieth of her age attain'd Shee dyed and lefâ— behind her such a Fame As shall be lov'd while England hath a Name G. W. Printed for Robert Milbourne 1633. PACATA HIBERNIA IRELAND APPEASED AND REDVCED OR AN HISTORIE OF THE LATE Warres of IRELAND especially within the Province of MOVNSTER vnder the Government of Sir George Carew Knight then Lord President of that Province and afterwards Lord CAREVV of CLOPTON and Earle of TOTNES c. Wherein the Siedge of Kinsale the Defeat of the Earle of TYRONE and his Armie The Expulsion and sending home of Don Iuan de Aguila the Spanish Generall with his Forces and many other remarkeable passages of that time are related Illustrated with Seventeene severall MAPPES for the better understanding of the Storie IUVENAL SAT. 10. Bellorum Exuviae truncis affixa trophaeis Lorica fractâ de Casside buccula pendens Humanis majora bonis creduntur LONDON Printed by AVG MATHEVVES for ROBERT MILBOVRNE at the Signe of the Grey-hound in Pauls Church-yard 1633. TO HIS MOST SACRED MAIESTIE SIR THE great Actions of worthie and eminent Persons haue ever been esteemed so powerfull for the instruction of succeeding times that all Civill States haue made it their principall care to preserue and transmit them to Posteritie for their Example and Imitation The Meanes by which this is done is HISTORY a powerfull suggester and Recorder of Gods providence in publike Blessings and Iudgements the Mother of Experience the Nurse of Truth the common bond and ligature which unites present times with all ages past and makes them one To manifest this if othâ—r Arguments fayle the Examples of the greatest Emperors and Generalls were sufficient who in the midst of their Conquests thought their publike dutie not discharged if they imployed not some time to leaue the immortall memory of their owne actions by writing to Posteritie The omission of this hath bin a great defect of some ages foregoing ours being the Middle times betweene learned Antiquitie and this latter age wherein Language Arts and Elegancie haue revived and flourished In those times though there haue been many Qui fecerunt scribenda yet there were few qui describerent facta I dare not say that this our Age and Nation are guiltie of the like errour or negligence in deciphering to the life the occurrences of our owne times and affayres by such as best knew and faithfully would relate them A want of which many haue complained but few haue laboured to supply That which I now in all humilitie present is your Majesties by many Titles First from the subject matter being the finall Dispersion of that cloud of Rebellion which hath so long hung over that Kingdome of Ireland which by undoubted title and lawfull succession is descended to your Majestie and that performed by the prudent fortitude of the English Nation which your Majestie now so happily governes Next from your Majesties late faithfull Servant the Earle of Totnes whose Actions are not the least part of the Argument of this Historie hee being at that time chiefe Governour of the Province of Mounster which was the Stage whereon the last and greatest Scene of that Tragedie was acted and since advanced by your Majesties Royall Father and your selfe to many Honourable Titles and Imployments of State And lastly from the Publisher through whose hands nothing can passe which to your Majestie is not justly due both by common All geance and particular Service Pardon gracious Soveraigne this presumption in aspiring to so high a Patronage and graciously accept this poore Tribute of Dutie and thankefulnesse from him who hath eternally bound himselfe Your Sacred Majesties most faithfully devoted Subject and Servant THO STAFFORD TO THE READER OVT of a necessitie imposed by powerfull Custome somewhat must bee sayd to you Reader both to prevent mistakings touching the publishing of this VVorke and to prepare you with some unprejudicate affection to the reading thereof The large space of time thirtie yeeres and upwards betweene the matters Acted Written and now published may beget some wonder in what obscure corner this Worke hath lyen all this while without notice given or taken or if knowne why so long kept from publike view For answere heereto understand indifferent Reader that it was composed while the Actions were fresh in the memories of men by the Direction and appoyntment of the Right Honourable Earle of Totnes late deceased then Lord President of Mounster so often mentioned in this Historie The Collection made was by him first reserved for his owne private Information Secondly preserved for the furtherance of a Generall Historie of that Kingdome of Ireland when it should please God to raise up some industrious Writer to undertake a compleat Description of those Affayres And lastly out of his retyred Modestie the rather by him held backe from the Stage of Publication lest himselfe being a principall Actor in many of the particulars might be perhaps thought under the Narration of publike proceedings to giue vent and utterance to his private merit and Services howsoever justly memorable He leaving the world left it among his Papers where it was found by the now Publisher thereof to whom they were bequeathed and by whom it hath beene offered to the view and censure of divers learned and judicious persons By them it hath been esteemed worthy the view
it is and shall bee lawfull for the Lord President and Councell or any two of them whereof the Lord President to bee one to prosecute and oppresse any rebell or rebells with sword and with fire and for the doing of the same to leavie in warlike manner and array and with the same to march such and so many of the Queenes Subjects as to his discretion shall seeme convenient And if that any Castle Pile or House bee with force kept against them it shall bee lawfull for the said Lord President and Councell or two of them whereof the Lord President to be one to bring before any such Castle Pile or House so to bee kept against them any of the Queenes Majesties Ordnance and great artillery remaining within the limits of the Commission And with the same or by some other meanes or Ingine any such Castle Pile or House to batter mine or overthrow as to their discretions shall seeme best Streightly charging and commanding all Archbishops Earles Bishops Vicounts Barons and Baronets Knights Majors Sheriffs Iustices and Ministers of peace and all other Gentlemen and Commons being her Majesties Subjects to helpe aid and assist the said Lord President and Councell in such sort and at such time as by the said Lord President and Councel or two of them whereof the Lord President to bee one they shall bee commanded upon such paines as for the nature and of the defaults shall bee thought meet to the said Lo President and Councell to limit and assesse And it is ordered by us the said Lord Deputy and Councell that if any person complaine to the said Lord President and Councell and that they shall thinke their Complainants worth the hearing that the persons so complained upon shall be sent for by a Letter missive under the Queenes Signet to appeare before the Lord President and Councel at a day and place by them to be appointed there to answer to such things as shall bee laid to their charges and further to be ordered as shall stand with right justice equity and conscience and for lacke of apparance upon such Letters they shall send foorth Letters of alleageance Proclamations or other Processe to bee made directed and awarded by their discretions to the Sheriffe Constable or other Minister whereby the partie complained upon may bee called to come to his answer as appertaineth and if by the obstinacy of the partie complained upon the case so require to sequester his or their lands or goods or either of them by their discretions And furthermore if in case any person or persons having habitation or dwelling or any lands or tenemeÌ„ts by lease or otherwise within the limits of the Commission aforesaid shall by covin fraud or dâ—ceit or otherwise absent himselfe or goe out of the limits of the said Commission That then Letters missive signed with the Queenes Signet shall be delivered at his House Lands or Tenements and the copies of the same shall bee left there so that by most likelyhood the same may come to his knowledge being so sent for And if within a certaine time after limited by their discretion the person or persons so sent for will make default of apparance the said Lord President and Councell or any two of them whereof the Lord President to bee one shall as well proceede to other Processe as to the hearing and determining of the matter or cause in variance according to the Lawes Statues Ordinances made therein or otherwise at their discretions And if in case any Letters missive be sent and addressed from the Lord President and Councel to any person or persons of what estate or degree soever they be to appeare before them at a day appointed the same Letters being delivered to him or them or otherwise left at his or their house as is above specifyed the said Lord President and Councel or any two of them whereof the Lord President to bee one shall cause him or them so contemning or disobeying to be punished by imprisonment and reasonable fine or shall other wayes proceed according to their discretions In which sayd causes if any of the parties commit any resistance or disobedience either of their appearance or contrary to the Commaundements direction decree or determination made or to be made and decreed by the said Lord President and Councell That then the said Lord President and Councell or any two of them whereof the Lord President to be one shall or may command the Sherife Major Serjeant at Armes Constable Bailife or other Officer or Minister to whom it shall appertaine to attach very person so offending contemning or disobeying and to send him or them to the Lord Deputie in ward together with Certificate of his contempt or disobedience or else by their discretions to cause the parties so attached to bee committed to ward there to remaine in safe custodie until the time that the pleasure of us the Lord Deputie and Councell be knowen in the premisses or that the same person or persons assent fulfill and agree to the determination of the said Lord President and Councell or any two of them whereof the Lo President to be one And the said Lord President and Councell shall haue full power and authoritie by these presents diligently to heare and determine and trie all and all manner of extortions maintenance imbracery and oppressions Conspiracies rescues escapes corruptions falsehoods and all manner evill doings defaults misdemeanours of all Sheriffes Iustices of peace Majors Soveraignes Portriffes Bailiffes Stewards Lieâ—tenants Excheators Coroners Goalers Clarkes and other Officers and Ministers of Iustice and other Deputies as well within all the Counties and Countries within the Province of Mounster as within the supposed Liberties of Typperarij and Kerrij and in all Cities other townes corporate within the limits of their said Commission of what degree soever they be and punish the same according to the quality and quantity of their said offences by their discretions leaving neverthelesse to the Lord and owners of all lawfull Liberties such profits as they lawfully claime And it shall be lawfull for the said Lord President and Councell or any three of them whereof the Lord President to bee one to conceave make and cause to be proclaimed in her Highnesse name any thing or matter tending to the better order of her Majesties Subjects within the precincts of their Commission and the repressing of malefactors and misorders after such tenour and forme as they shall thinke convenient and to punish the Offenders then according to their discretions And also wee the said Lord Deputie and Councell have thought meete that the said Lord President and Councell or any three of them whereof the said Lord President to bee one shall and may compound upon reasonable causes by their discretion with any person for all forfeitures growing or comming or that shall grow or come as well by all and singular
Omore at a place about eight miles from Kilkenny and hee was desirous that the President would goe with him whereunto he easily assented the next morning being the tenth of Aprill according to the appointment the Earle parlied with the Traitor and was there taken Prisoner To the end the Reader may truely understand the manner of that dayes misfortune behold the Letter which the President and the Earle of Thomond sent to the Lords of the Councell in England wherein the same is fully related A Ioint Letter from the Lord President and the Earle of Thomond to the Lords of the Councell IT may please your Lordships Although I the President haue by my Letters advertised the Lord Deputie the manner in what sort the Earle of Ormond was taken which I thinke is by his Lordship sent unto you yet wee thinke it our dueties to make relation thereof unto your Lordships and to make knowen unto your Honours how accidentally we were witnesses of his misfortune On Munday the seventh of Aprill wee departed from Dublin and upon Wednesday at night wee came to Kilkenny where wee found the Earle of Ormond In our company we had one hundred Horse dispersed in the Countrey ten or twelue miles distant from us by the Earles Officers as soone as we came unto him he acquainted us that he had appointed the next day to parlie with Owny Mac Rory vvee told his Lordship that vve vvould attend him And I the President desired his Lordship that my one hundred Horse might be sent for to goe vvith us for his Lordships better guard vvhich he refused thanking me for my offer saying that he had no need of them The next day being the tenth of this present after Dinner his Lordship not having in his company aboue the number of seventeene Horsemen of his followers armed and not little aboue the like number of all sorts whereof wee were part and the rest Lavvyers Merchants and others upon Hacknies with no other Weapons then our Swordes roade out to the place of meeting eight long Miles from Kilkenny called Corronneduffe upon the Borders of Ydough Leaving his Lordships owne Company of two hundred Footemen short of the place of Parlie assigned aboue two English Miles The place vvhere vvee met with the rebells was upon a Heath ground descending towards a narrow straight having on either side of us a lowe shrubbie boggie wood within three pikes length at the farthest from the place where wee parlyed and the like distance from the straight aforesaid the choyce whereof wee much misliked Owny Mac Rorye when hee came unto us brought with him a Troupe of choise Pikes leaving in a little plaine beyond the straight within halfe Culvering shot of us in our sight all his grosse beeing in all to the number as Redmond Keting one of the rebells did sweare unto mee the President fiue hundred Foot strong and twentie Horse whereof three hundred were Bonoughes the best furnished men for the warre and the best appoynted that wee haue seene in this Kingdome At our first meeting and so during the parley which was appoynted for some good causes best knowen to his Lordship they stood as they might every one trayling his Pike and holding the cheeke thereof in his hand ready to push The Earle himselfe was upon a little weake Hackney unarmed as all wee were that were about him standing so neere with the side of his Hackney to the rebells as they touched him After an hower and more was idly spent and nothing concluded wee and others did pray his Lordship to depart But hee desirous to see that infamous Iesuite Archer did cause him to bee sent for assoone as hee came the Earle and hee fell into an Argument wherein hee called Archer Traytor and reprooved him for sending under pretext of Religion her Majesties Subjects into rebellion In this meane time the grosse of the rebells had left their standing in the plaine and some crept into the shrubbes aforesayd and others did so mingle themselues among us that wee were environed and stood as if wee had been in a Faire whereof divers did advertise his Lordship And at last I the Earle of Thomond willed Ownye to put backe his men And I the President desired his Lordshipp to bee gone for that I did not like their mingling with us wherewith as his Lordship was turning his Horse at an instant they seised upon him and us two His Lordship was in a moment drawen from his Horse we had more hanging upon us then is credibly to bee beleeved but our horses were strong and by that meanes did breake through them in tumbling downe on all sides those that were before and behinde us and thankes be to God we escaped the push of their pikes which they freely bestowed and the flinging of their Skeines without any hurt saving that I the Earle of Thomond received with a Pike a wound in the back The Earles Horsemen which were armed were farre from us for every one was dispersed and talking with particular rebells about the bordering businesse so as wee doe protest unto your Lordships in all wee were not aboue tenne unarmed men neere unto him and assoone as the Allarme was raised every man of his followers came away without â—ooking behind him After wee had cleered our selues within a Butt length at the most wee made hault and called for the Trumpet and cried upon the Earles men for a Charge but none stood by us but Captaine Harvy Captaine Browne Master Comerford a Lawyer and three of our Servants which was all the company that we had then and all of us without Armour or other Weapon then our Swords so as for want of more company vvee were enforced by the Enemies shott to leaue them the ground But we doe assure your Lordships the place wherein we parlied was of such advantage to the Enemy that 500 Foote would not haue cared for 500 Horse and therefore his Lordship having no Foote with him it was unpossible to doe the Enemy any harme with Horse this treachery for so wee must terme it in respect of his Lordships confidence in the valour of his owne men and also in his opinion that the Enemy durst not shew him this foule measure was contrived by that Villaine Archer and none was made acquainted with it but Owny Mac Rory two Leinster men and fower Bonnaghes for if more had beene trusted there is no doubt but his Lordship should haue had knowledge of it Owny Mac Rory laid his hands on mee the President as they report and next unto God I must thanke the Earle of Thomond for my escape who thrust his Horse upon him and at my backe a Rebell newly protected at my suite called Brien Mac Donoghe Kevanaghe being a foote did me good service and wounded one of the Traitors that laid hands on the Earle of Ormond for the rest I must thanke my Horse whose strength bare downe all about him On our
side there was but one man slaine not aboue fiue hurt whereof Pierce Butler a kinseman of the Earles was one who behaved himselfe valiantly and about foureteene taken Prisoners and of the Enemy was one slaine and a few hurt the Prisoners were taken by their owne negligence who were grazing their horses The taking of this great Lord breeds unsetled humors in these parts for all the Gentlemen of the countrey whereof some of them were his true followers for want of a Defender are wavering others which in their owne dispositions were naught and contained themselues as Subiects but for feare of his power are now at liberty and we feare will shortly declare themselues To keepe them from present uproares I the President did immediately send for sixe hundred Foote of the Mounster Companies which were at Watterford the hundred Horse which were in the countrey to the Towne of Kilkenny which hath wrought good effect and staied the unsetled humors besides thereby it did assure the Lady of Ormond and her daughter which otherwise had beene subiect to many dangers so sorrowfull a Lady in all our liues vvee haue not seene and doe beleeue that if it had not pleased God that we at that time had beene there she would hardly haue undergone those griefes that did oppresse her For besides the losse of her husband in being Prisoner with those rogues she beheld the apparant ruine of her selfe and her daughter and no lesse danger of both their liues the Guard vvhereof she committed unto us not being assured of those that serue her for there is divers that pretend to bee the Earles Heires First Sir Edmond Butler his second Brother which Sir Walter Butler the Earles Nephew whose blood is not attainted vvill not yeeld unto because his Vncle Sir Edmond is not restored in blood And the Vicount Mountgarret thinks that he ought to be Earle of Ormond for many reasons vvhich he pretends This controversie could not but breed great danger to the Countesse and her daughter for that either of those vvould bee glad to possesse themselues in the Earles houses and the doubt vvho is to succeede him breeds unsetled humors in the Gentlemen of the countrey that bee follovvers to the Earle every one addicting himselfe to the partie they affect vvhereby there is a generall distraction vvhich vvould haue broken out into a dangerous Rebellion if the Forces and vve had not beene heere to keepe them in awe Besides we did not neglect to send for all the Lords and Gentlemen in the countrie that are of the best quality and haue temporized with them So as we hope the dangers which were like to ensue will be for a time well appeased Also understanding that Balliragget a house of the Lord Mountgarets in the which there is a Warde for the Queene kept as a Pledge for his loialty that the same was attempted to be wonne by the Vicecounts sonnes who are in rebellion And immediately upon the Earles taking lay before it in hope to starue the Souldiers for their last daies victuals was spent I the President did take up in Kilkenny upon my credit victuals and with a strong convoy of Horse and Foote haue revictualled it for sixe weekes whereof the Lord Deputy is advertised praying him to be carefull before that victuall be spent And because that all things might be continued in good order We thought good to remaine in Kilkenny untill the Lord Deputy should determine of some course so to hold it for her Maiesties benefit the countries good and the Countesse and her daughters safetie wherein we were enforced to make large disbursements of our small stores for dieting in that time of the horse and foote Troopes whereof I the Earle defrayed the charges of my owne Company of two hundred Foote and I the President of all the rest during our abode there which was eight dayes In this meane time wee understanding that Mountgarrets sonnes which are in rebellion did come to spoile the countrie neere to Kilkenny We sent out some part of our Troopes who lighted upon some of their men And amongst them which they slew there was one of the Butlers a neere kinsman to Mountgarret and a Leader slaine and the Traitors driven to their Woods being enforced to leaue their enterprize The sixteenth of this present Sir George Bourchier and Sir Christopher St Lawrence sent from the Lord Deputie came to Kilkenny Sir George for chiefe Commander of her Majesties Forces there and to take charge of the Countesse her Daughter and the Earles Houses and Sir Christopher to bee directed by him The Forces there left is two hundred Foote of the Earles other two hundred Foote of Sir Christophers thirtie Foot left in a ward in Mountgarretts house called Balliraggett eightie fiue Horse whereof fiftie of the Earles fiue and twentie of St Lawrences and tenne of Sir George Bourchiers Since the Earles taking wee kept the Rebells from doing any hurt in the Countrey neither as yet is there any in rebellion in the same but Mountgarrets sonnes whose force is not such but in our opinions without they call strangers to assist them her Majesties Forces there is much too strong for them The seventeenth wee left Kilkenny and came to this Cittie leaving Sir George Bourcheir as aforesaid This accident hath withheld mee the President from my peculiar charge more then I purposed but therein I hope your Lordships will hold mee excused being other wayes so necessarily imployed in these causes of so great importance whereof I humbly beseech your Lordshipps in your wisedomes to haue due consideration To morrow wee proceed in our Iourney towards Corke from whence with the rest of the Councell there wee will advertize your Lordships in what estate wee finde the Province not being able heere to certifie your Honours so particularly as then wee may So wee humbly take our leaues From Waterford the eighteenth of Aprill 1600. Strange it was to consider how much this misfortune distracted the minds of sundrie that before were inclined to subjection and greatly animated the Traitors to persevere in their wicked enterprises which might evidently be seene in Pierce Lacy a wise and malicious Traytor who being but few dayes before upon the Earles protection promising great loyaltie and much service did presently relapse and became a more dangerous Rebell then at any time before But now leaving farther discourse of former occurrents we will betake our selues wholly to prosecute the relation of such things as happened in Mounster after the Lord President came to Waterford which was the sixteenth of Aprill For the prosecution of the Service in which Province by order out of England the List as aforesayd for Mounster was established to be three thousand Foot and two hundred and fiftie Horse After his repaire thither Intelligence came unto him that the Titularie Earle of Desmond with the greatest part of his Forces was remaining not farre from Yoghall about Drumâ—inin with intent to giue impediment
best Commanders amongst the Irish rebels By meanes whereof he had now the command of foureteene hundred men in his owne Bonaght and besides that might strike a great stroke with the other being by Tyrone at his departure out of Mounster ordained chiefe Commander of them all This man did the President make choise to deale withall for these reasons First because hee knew that the said Dermond being a meere Mercenary and serving in Mounster onely for pay might be induced by large Summes of monie to serue the Queene aswell as the rebels Secondly hee had a very fit Instrument whereby the more easily to worke him to his will namely his Wife who being brought up some part of her time amongst the English had not only learned the language but stood reasonably well affected to the English governement and likely it was that shee would use all her industry to advance the service in hope that if it succeeded well it would proue a good step or Ladder to procure the liberty of her Brother Iames Fits Gerald Sonne and Heire to Gerald Earle of Desmond slaine now Prisoner in the Tower and to raise his fortunes Lastly it was publikely knowen that the Sugan Earle would never doe service upon the Bownoghs except he might haue both the title and possessions of the Earle of Desmond confirmed unto him which her Maiestie would never condiscend unto Vpon these grounds in very secret manner hee provided and sent a fit agent to sound the inclination of the Lady Margaret for so was Dermonds Wife named and finding her fit to bee wrought upon the Conditions should be propounded viz. That if her husband would take Desmond Prisoner and deliver him into the hands of the President he should incontinently receiue one thousand pound sterling and that he should haue a Company of men in pay from the Queene and other conditions of satisfaction to her selfe and her Brother The Messenger was â—o sooner sent about these important affaires but that another occasion offered it selfe unto the President of no lesse moment then the former to aduance the service for immediately hereupon one Iohn Nugent sometimes servant to Sir Thomas Norris late President of Mounster pretending some wrongs and iniuries to be offered unto him by the State ioyned with the Rebels and became to his power the most malitious and bloody Traitor in all these parts At last having as it should seeme spit his poyson and spent his Venome sought to Sir Warham Saint Leger and Sir Henry Power the Commissioners to be received into protection who more for feare of the hurt that hee might doe then hope of the good that hee would doe granted the same untill the Lord Presidents pleasure who was now ready to depart from Dublin towards Mounster were further knowen At this time therefore Nugent came to make his submission to the President and to desire pardon for his faults committed Answer was made that for so much as his crimes and offences had beene extraordinary hee could not hope to bee reconciled unto the State except hee would deserue it by extraordinary service which saith the President if you shall performe you may deserue not onely Pardon for your faults committed heretofore but also some store of Crownes to releeue your wants hereafter Hee presently promised not to bee wanting in any thing that lay in the power of one man to accomplish and in private made offer to the President that if he might bee well recompenced hee would ruine within a short space either the Sugan Earle or Iohn Fits Thomas his Brother And indeed very likely hee was both to attempt and performe as much as he spake To attempt because hee was so valiant and daring as that he did not feare any thing and to execute because by reason of his many outrages before committed the chiefe Rebels did repose great confidence in him The President having contrived a plot for Iames Fits Thomas as is before shewed gaue him in charge to undertake Iohn his Brother But because the matter might be caried without any suspition upon the next morrow the Councell being set and a great concourse of people assembled Nugent renueth his suite for the continuance of his protection But the President rehearsing in publike audience a Catalogue of his mischievous outrages lately committed told the Councell that having farther enquired and better considered of Man and Matter for his part hee thought it an action of very ill example to receiue unto mercy such a notorious Malefactor the Councell were all of the same opinion who reviling him with many biting and bitter speeches and assuring him that if it were not for a religious regard that was holden of the Queenes word hee should pay a deare price for his former misdemeanor and so with publike disgrace was he dismissed their presence The promised submission of the white Knight the jealousie which the rebels conceived of Florence Mac Carty by his comming to the President and the Presidents Iourney being now blazed through the Province it caused Pierce Lacy who all the time of the Warres untill now had kept a ward in the Castle of the Brough three miles from Kilmallocke despayring to hold the same against her Majesties Forces And knowing it was a convenient place for a Garrison pluckt downe some part of the Castle burnt the rest and by the light thereof ran into the Woods Redmond Burke also with fiue hundred Bonoghs about this time which was in the beginning of May withdrew out of Connillogh and kept himselfe for a little time about the borders of Ownhy where being pressed with want of Victuals he intended to leaue the Province The Sugan Earle Pierce Lacy and some other hearing of this sudden departure dispatched Messengers unto him with earnest entreaties and large promises for increasing his Bonnoght if hee would returne but to no purpose The cause of this his unexpected departure was a trafficke betweene him and the President who did uphold him in certaine faint hopes about the obtaining of the Barronie of Lettrim which he claimed as his inheritance For this is most true that not long before this time one Richard Burke Vncle to the said Redmond wrote unto the President that his Nephew would be very glad of his Lordships favour that he would withdraw both himselfe and his Bownoghs out of Mounster so that hee would not send any Forces to molest him in Connaght Whereunto was answered that it became nor a Governour no not a private Subject to make any such agreement with a man in his condition And farther that hee might assure himselfe that by strong hand he could never invest himselfe in the Barrony of Lettrim nor be in secure possession of his Fathers Lands But if he would reclaime himselfe and doe service to her Majestie the President would use the best friends that hee had either in England or Ireland that his cause might bee respected with all favour according to the equity thereof Not
of Feilâ— the third of Iuly 1600. Your Friends to use during your Friendship William Burke Moroghe ni Moe O Flarty A Letter from Morogh ni Moe O Flaghertie to the Lord President MY dutie remembred I commend mee unto your Lordship Whereas about May last I came hither in my Galley out of Connaght to draw home my people souldiers and followers into my natiue soyle there to liue quiet and under her Majesties subjection whereupon I haue had her Highnesse protection and Passeport for my selfe and them and all other out of Connaght that shall accompany me Whereby ever since my selfe and souldiers haue been so crossed and troubled by this Countrey people as they did not suffer me to depart from the Earle of Desmond I have thought good therefore in respect it is a thing belonging to the advancement of her Majesties service to bring the number of one thousand persons souldiers and tenants to peace to pray and desire your Lordship to graunt mee and all such as I shall bring with mee your Passeport and Safe-conduct through all your Garrisons and her Majesties Subjects as well in this Countrey as in Thomâ—nd And in so doing wee shall pray c. And so I humbly take leaue Clanmorishkerry this third of Iuly 1600. Her Majesties true Subject if your Lordship please Moroghe ni Moe O Flartie Vnto these Letters the President deferred to returne any present Answer as well because they should know that they who had attempted and performed so many outrages and rebellious practises against her Majestie and her Subjects should not so presently and so easily receiue favour from the State as also they might haue imagined if hee had instantly condiscended unto theâ—e their demaunds that he stood in feare of them which might haue made them more bold in attempting some enterprise upon his Armie And lastly he conceived a hope that to effect their longing desire of returning into Connaght they would at the last be glad to doe service one upon another remising therefore onely this Answer that he despised their Forces and he knew they durst not interrupt his passage Neverthelesse at further leasure hee would consider of their demands At this time Iames fits Thomas wrote a Letter to Florence Mac Cartie which in this place I thinke good to insert A Letter from Iames fits Thomas to Florence Mac Cartie MY very good Lord I was driven through the treacherous dealings of Dermond O Conner to let the President and the English Armie passe into Glenne without any resistance and yet they are but thirteene hundred Foote and one hundred fiftie Horse Dermond O Conner did undertake that the Connaght men should not medle with them nor take our parts being the only encouragement of the English to venter this Enterprize But now God be praysed I am joyning my Forces with them and doe pray you to assist mee with your Forces for now is the time to shew our selues upon the Enemy for they are but very few in number and destitute of all reliefe either by Sea or Land If your Lordship bee not well at ease your selfe let your Brother Dermond and the Chiefe Gentlemen of your Forces come without any delay assuring your Lordship that I will and am ready to shew you the like against your need Beseeching your Lordship once againe not to faile as you tender the overthrow of our Action Even so committing your Lordship to the tuition of God Almighty I end Portrinad the fifth of Iuly 1600. Your Honours most assured Friend and Cosen Iames Desmond CHAP. IX The Armie sate downe before Glyn-Castle The Knight of the Valley upon safe Conduct spake with the Earle of Thomond The Constable of Glyn-Castle his Advise to the Earle of Thomond for his safetie A Breach made and assaulted A Sally made by the Rebels The Constable c. slaine The Castle of the Glyn wonne and the Rebels put to the Sword The seventh the Knight of the Valley by a Messenger from him to the Earle of Thomond prayed a safe conduct to the Campe which was granted He told the Earle that he desired to conferre with the President which he refused without absolute submission to her Majesties mercy whereunto he would not yeeld but stood upon conditions whereupon hee was commanded to depart He saw the Cannon already planted and his Sonne then a child in the Presidents hands ready at his will to bee executed being by himselfe formerly put in pledge for his Loyaltie then hee desired to speake with the Earle of Thomond againe which was granted But the Earle found his obstinacie to be such as he disdained to haue any long conference with him And so being safely conveied out of the Campe he returned to his fellow Traitors who were on the top of an Hill not farre of where they might see the successe of the Castle When he was gone the same day towards the Evening the Constable of the Castle who was a Thomond man borne sent a Messenger to the Earle of Thomond praying his Lordship to get a safe conduct from the President that he might come to speake with him which being granted in his discourse to the Earle my Lord said he in the loue I beare you being your naturall Follower I desired to speake with you to the end that you may avoid the perill that you are in for the Earle of Desmond and the Connaght men lodge not two miles from this place they are three thousand strong at least and the Lord President may bee assured that they will giue upon his campe for so they are resolved and in all likelihood you will bee there put to the Sword or driven into the River of Shenan The Earle deriding these threats advised him to render up the Castle to the President whereby his life and his fellowes might be secured which he with vaine glorious obstinacie refused and returned to the Castle for a Farewell the President sent him word that since he had refused the Earle of Thomonds favourable offer that he was in hope before two dayes were spent to haue his Head set upon a Stake which proved true as you shall heare before the Castle was taken The next day when wee looked that the cannon should begin to play the Cannonniere found the Peece to be cloyed all the art and skill which either the Smith or himselfe could or did use prevailed nothing The President who is a man that knowes well to mannage great Artillery commanded that the peece upon her carryage as she was should be abased at the tayle and elevated at the musle as high as it might bee then hee willed the Gunner to giue her a full charge of powder roule a shott after it and to giue fire at the mouth whereby the touch-hole was presently cleared to the great rejoycing of the Armie which of necessitie in attempting the Castle without the favour of the Cannon must haue endured great losse This particular I thought good not to
against Her Majestie This Florence was now busie in working of a Mariage betweene the Sugan Earle and the sister of Cormacke Mac Dormond Lord of Muskerry a populous a rich and a fast Countrey The President having received advertisement thereof left Sir Charles Wilmot to prosecute the service in Kerry and himselfe hasted his returne towards Corke there to worke some meanes for the overthrowing the proceedings of this dangerous Complot The President being returned so farre as Limerick certaine notice was brought him that Florence had lately imployed a Messenger to Tyrone as he pretended for the releafe of Osulevan Moke his Brother in Law but as the truth was to procure aide from the North to support the Rebellion in Mounster Tyrone by the said Messenger sent Letters of Comfort and Encouragement aswell to Florences as to the rest of the Lords in that Province assuring them not only of succours from himselfe but farther that the Spanish Forces would land in Mounster before Michaelmas next These exorbitant courses of Florence gaue a great impediment to the service for the President as he would often say did see him like a darke Cloud over his Head threatning a Storme to hinder and disturbe his proceedings But wee will leaue Florence for a while busily employed in devising meanes how to procure aide either from Spaine or from the North or from both and betake our selues to such other occurrents as hapned about this time Vpon the sixteenth of August the Lord President came to Limericke The eighteenth Pierce Lacy wrote unto the President humbly beseeching him that he might bee received into Her Majesties gratious protection promising ever afterwards to remaine a loyall Subject but withall hee made certaine demands which were so much disliked by the President as his suite was rejected for the President insisted upon a Rule which hee never brake that hee would not giue care to any Traitor that did capitulate The twentieth he came to Kilmallock remayning there but one day to take assurance of certaine Gentlemen and Freeholders that had lately submitted themselues The day following at Kilmallock the White Knight being there to attend the President newes was brought unto him that divers of his people and Followers were slaine by the Garrison of Moyallo commanded by Captaine Roger Harvy The President carefull to giue him contentment being under her Majesties protection in his owne presence examined the matter and there it was found that Captaine Harvy having intelligence by a Spy that was his Guide of a notable Traitor called Iohn Mac Redmond and certaine other Traitors and their goods which were reported to bee neere unto Sir Walter Raleigh his Lands adjoyning to the White Knights Countrey with seventie Foote and foure and twentie Horse marched that night one and twentie miles from Moyallo and at the breake of day our men thinking that they had beene brought upon an Enemies Towne set fier to a House having some few people therein But an old Souldier knowing the place told the Captaine that it was the White Knights Towne Whereupon he commanded his Company to forbeare committing any outrage either upon the people or any of their Goods But the White Knights younger Sonne Iohn fits Gibbon having suddenly gathered to himselfe one hundred and sixty Foote and eighteene Horse overtooke Captaine Haruy who began to excuse the matter telling him as the truth was that the Guid whom he had there with him to answer the Fact had brought him unwillingly upon that place and therefore for the hurt done ignorantly he would make a large satisfaction But the young man following the advise of one Garret Mac Shane who had lately beene a notable Traitor thinking it not possible for so small a Company to resist his great Force without returning any answer began presently to chardge our men whom they supposed without any great resistance to haue at their mercie and came up close to our Foote who nothing dismaied stood firme expecting their Chardge But they not comming on Captaine Harvy advanced towards them and brake them instantly In this Conflict were slaine and hurt aboue sixtie of their partie and among them Garret Mac Shane the Leader and Procurer of the fight of our men some foure were hurt but none killed Captaine Harvy received a shot on his Murrian a blow with a pike upon his back but escaped danger by the goodnesse of his Buffe Coat and had his Horse slaine under him The White Knight upon dew knowledge hereof condemned both his Sonne and people for their folly to enforce a fight having no harme intended them and confessed they were well lost But yet for his better satisfaction the treacherous Guid who did upon a set purposed malice draw this Draught was by the Presidents appointment delivered over to the Marshall and presently hanged The three and twentieth the Lord President returned to Corke Sir Charles Wilmot having made his entrance into Kerry as already you haue heard and there proceeded so farre as Lixnaw made knowen to the President that the Rebells were exceeding strong in that Countrey The Arch-Rebell Iames fits Thomas beeing attended with fiue hundred Bownoghs besides the Forces that the Knight of Kerry Thomas Oge and the Gentlemen of the Countrey could make Heereupon the President knowing that those parts were alwayes affectionately addicted to the Earles of Desmond caused a Foot-man of the young Earles who was shortly afterwards to come into Ireland as the manner is having his Masters Armes upon his coate before and behinde to shew himselfe in most places of the Countrey that thereby they might bee the better perswaded of his comming and bee a meanes to alienate their hearts from the counterfeit Desmond The vigilant care that Sir Charles Wilmot used within his charge having taken divers preyes and killed some of the Rebels together with this Invention caused most of the Free-holders of that Countrey to submitt themselues and seeke unto the Governour for her Majesties protection the principall amongst these was William fits Gerald commonly called The Knight of Kerry who by Messengers signified the great desire that hee conceived to live a Subiect and had present occasion to shew some proofe thereof for the Sugan Earle comming about this time to the Dingle the said Knight would by no meanes receiue him into his Castle whereupon hee ruined all the houses that were standing in the Towne and so tooke his journey unto Castle Mange Thomas fits Maurice the pretended Baron of Lixnaw also now newly come to his Barronie by the death of his father sought by meanes of his wife who was Sister to the Earle of Thomond for the Presidents favour and her Majesties protection Both were promised upon condition hee would performe such service as might in some good sort deserue the same but this hee absolutely refused because forsooth it stood not with his Conscience nor with his Honour for these were his owne words in a Letter that hee wrote
and Fits Maurice sixe hundred Foot and some Horse Wee expect your Lordships assistance which wee heartily desire and not any further to deferre us with Letters as you respect us and the service and whereas you write you haue no force your owne presence and the bruite of your comming will much further the Service and dismay the enenemy c. 2. Septemb. 1600. Your loving Cousen Iames Desmond Notwithstanding the importunitie of these Letters together with his owne inclination yet Florence finding that this their divided Kingdome could not long stand hee would not in person joyne with them but sent word to the white Knight by his daughter Donogh Mac Cormock his wife that rather then the Action should fall to the ground hee would himselfe make a journey into Spaine to intreat ayd and assistance from the Pope and Spanish King but in the meane time the supposed Earle being still pursued by Sir Charles is constrained to abandon Kerry to goe to Conniloe and so to Arlogh in which passage hee sustained such a losse as shall bee said which prooved to him irrecoverable There was not left any man of esteeme likely to defend the Action but Florence Mac Cartie lately spoken of who having temporized all this while to see this Summers prosecution was growne by other mens examples to bee more wise then honest became now an Intercessor to the President with frequent Letters and damnable oathes that he was in his heart and intentions sincerely devoted to her Majesties service The concurrence of this fortunate successe did promise a present reduction of the Province and an establishment thereof in a setled quiet and so no doubt it would haue prooved if the Protectees had meant in their hearts as they professed with their tongues but it was farre otherwayes for the President did at this time receiue certaine advertisement that the titularie Earle being driven to great extremitie and eagerly prosecuted in all corners by the consent in common Counsell of his associates whereof some of them had never beene in actuall rebellion and others lately protected and seeming to forsake him notwithstanding their pledges in her Majesties hands haue advised him partly for his safetie but especially to make triall what ayd hee could procure out of Connaght and Vlster to depart from thence with confident promises that whensoever hee should returne with new Forces that then they would as constantly stand for him as heeretofore Whence by the way may bee discerned the cankred disposition of their malicious hearts towards the English Government who nothing regard the disease of their Persons the losse of their Goods the hazzard of their Liues and danger of their perjured Soules so that they may bee able to continue in action against her Majestie hoping thereby that at the length shee would growe wearie of her extreame charges and by that meanes bee driven to condescend to their owne Conditions and Libertie of conscience wherein although they were not disturbed at this time yet can they not be satisfied without publike allowance and Exercise thereof under the Romish Authoritie which they striue to haue supreame and what kind of subjection can bee expected at the hands of any such Papists may appeare for that some of great qualitie in Mounster did about the middest of this moneth purposely send certaine Priests to Rome to purchase absolution from the Pope for the sinne that they Committed in not entring into publike Hostilitie with the rest and because they saw that the Queene could not bee violently dispossessed of Ireland did likewise intreat a dispensation from overt action but yet to live unchangeably in the Catholike Religion and to be permitted in outward temporall obedience her Majesties Subjects Consider therefore I say the dutifull Alleagiance of these men whose obedience depends upon the Popes allowance Sir George Thornton had in garrison at Kilmallock Captaine Francis Slingsby with the Presidents Company Paul Arundle with the Lord Audleys Captaine Dillon and Captaine O Reilly with their Foot Companies and Captaine Greame with his Troope of Horse to whom intelligence was brought upon Tuesday being the sixteenth of September that the Rebells Iames fits Thomas and his complices were that day to passe from Conniloe to the huge Fastnesse of Arlogh Whereupon Captaine Greame instantly drew forth with his Troope towards the said Fastnesse Order being likewise taken that the Foot should hasten after with all possible speed Captaine Greame making extraordinary haste suddenly espied their Forces somewhat neere the wood but before they could recover the same hee gaue them a Charge and at the very first possessed himselfe of their Carriage and killed all those that guarded the same Heereupon the Rebells having foure Colours in defence of their Carriage drew towards him and gaue him a charge which hee answered with his Horse and by this time a Sergeant of Captaine Dillons with some light shott were come up and delivered a Volley in their teeth which killed divers of them and slewe Pierce Lacie his horse under him Hereupon Captaine Greame charged their Battalion home to the Colours which they resisted but at his second charge he brake cleane through them and they betooke themselues to running and our men to killing and surely had not our Horse been over-wearied with their long forrey before they came to fight and our Foot tyred and out of breath to come up there had not one man escaped aliue But as it was there were slaine at this skirmish of the Rebells at least one hundred and twentie whereof one halfe were of their best men amongst whom was Desmonds base sonne Tâ—g O Kelly and Hugh O Kelly Captaines of the Bownoghs whose heads were the next day presented to the President at Moyallo There were besides these aboue fourescore dangerously wounded wee tooke from them one hundred and fiftie Pikes and Peeces besides many Swords Targets and Skeines we got fourtâ—e Horses and Hackneys and at least three hundred Garrans laden with baggage to the value as was reported of fiue hundred pound together with all their prey of sheepe and covves except some few that ranne into the woods being feared with the crie of the people and noise of the shot and drummes The greatest losse that wee sustained was in Horse for Captaine Greame lost sixteene Horse the Lord Audley had a Serjeant slaine and there were sixe more wounded but not mortally one of Captaine Greames troope took the Archtraytor Desmonds Ensigne which the Captaine perceiving he stooped downe to reach the Colours but at an instant receiving a blowe with a Peece upon the reines of his backe vvas not able to recover them being rescued with sixe Pike-men This Disaster proved so fatall to the vsurping Earle that although of the sixe hundred Foote hee brought with him foure hundred did still remaine able to fight yet could hee never afterward gather one hundred of these to a Head for some gat into Connaght some into Vlster and in fine every man to his
as appeareth by the Presidents Letters written to then Lordships dated the fiue and twentieth of this Moneth of October and with them three hundred and fiftie Winter suites of apparell But to returne againe to Florence Mac Cartie after all the tergiversations before mentioned and many other too tedious to be inserted finding all his Neighbours to haue submitted themselues and his owne Followers so much impoverished by the Warres desirous to doe the like was contented Tandem aliquando to repaire to the President lying at Moyallo bringing some forty Horse in his Company and himselfe in the middest of his Troope like the great Turke amongst his Ianisaries drew towards the House the nine and twentieth of October like 〈◊〉 higher by the head and shoulders then any of his Followers upon his submission the President as having forgotten all former matters gaue him kind entertainement being indeed heartily glad of his preâ—ence as hoping thereby thaâ— these Warres of Mounster were brought to a finall end to secure him therefore to the State the President demanded his Eldest Sonne in pledge who being unable to take so long a Iournie by the indisposition of his body as Florence protested he left two others the one his base Brother who had spent many yeeres in France Spaine and Hungary and the other his foster Brother both which he had in very precious esteeme Florence requested that those pledges might suffice for the O Sulevans the O Donoghes the O Crowlieâ— and Omaghon Carbry But hereunto the President would by no perswasion bee drawen to condiscend and that especially for two causes the one was that hereby he might draw from Florence this great rabble of Dependants and the second was because every of these being compelled to put in pledges for themselues the Queene might haue the stronger assurance of these wavering and slippery Subjects The Province being reduced to this passe as you haue heard the Irish having now no other Enemy to oppugne beginne to goe together by the eares amongst themselues for certaine of Donoghe Moyle Mac Cartie sonne to Sir Owen Mac Cartie Reughe his people following the track of some Cowes that had beene stollen from them into Muskerry the Oleries assembled themselues to the number of one hundred or thereabouts and following the Carties who were by this time returned into Carbery at last overtooke them and without many words gaue the On-set the other stoutly resisted betweene whom there passed a short but a sharpe skirmish wherein were slaine Olerie the Head of that Sept and ten other the chiefe of his family with some more of lesse note and of the Carties Finin Mac Owen his Brother dangerously wounded with some few slaine of his part Cormock Mac Dermond Lord of Muskery much grieved with the slaughter of the Oleries his Followers was an earnest Sutor to the Councell that he might be permitted to revenge this losse upon the Carties in Carbery some there were that thought it not unfit to accord unto his demands because which party soever should prevaile yet could not the Queene loose a good Subject But the President would by no meanes yeeld thereunto lest the hot prosecution of these particular grievances might kindle the coales of some further mischiefe in giving occasion of distast to the now reconciled Subjects Redmond Burke being weary of his vagabond life living like a Woolfe upon every one from whence he could take any thing or rather wittingly foreseeing the ruine and destruction of those his Confederats which were in rebellion of whose fortunes he was in all likelihood to be a Partaker wrote a Letter to the President dated the thirtieth of October which because it is but short I doe here insert A Letter from Redmond Burke to the Lord President RIght Honourable I doubt not the detestable and apparant wrong that the Earle of Clanrickard hath done mee is manifestly knowen to your Lordship already as I need not larger to expresse it but this I am sure that the tolleration thereof and that I would not otherwayes bin caused to runne this course and if there were any hope of redresse that I would long ere this be a Subject and will now shew my selfe worthy to be accepted if I be entertained and my Fathers Lands seized into your Honours hands till my Title be tryed This Countrey of Ely being in your Honours Province is a parcell to whom I make claime wherein I would expect your Honour to right me first And thus requesting your Honour to accept my service and favour my right I take leaue From Ely the thirtieth of October 1600. Your Honours as you please Redmond Letrim The President much misliking the tenour of his Letter as vvell for other reasons as for capitulating for the Countrey of Ely O Carrell before he had by his service merited any favour and lastly for the slight subscription Your Honours as you please returned him no Answer in writing utterly refusing any further traffique with him it being his custome not to deale with Traitors upon Conditions CHAP. XVI The Lord President sueth for a generall Pardon for the Provincialls The Submission of Thomas Oge Fits Gerald and the rendring of Castle Mâ—nge The Castle of â—â—stoell besieged and taken The Castle of the Dingle rendred In the beginning of November a strong castle in Connilogh which was held by Iames fits Thomas was surprized by our Forces so as hee had no other Castle at his devotion left but Castle Mange The fourth of November Thomas Oge fits Gerald Constable of Castle Mange for Iames fits Thomas having evermore had a better affection unto the young Earle of Desmond Iames lately sent by her Majestie into Ireland as hath been declared upon the Earles intreatie and perswasions came to Kilmallock and there made tender of the said Castle unto the Earle for her Majesties use The Earle the next day brought him to Moyallo to the President where hee made his submission and direction was sent to Sir Charles Wilmot for the receit of the said Castle Sir Charles Wilmott knowing that Fits Maurice the Lord of Lixnaw had onely one Castle called Listoell wherein to shelter himselfe finding no other meanes to compasse the same determined to besiedge it and intimated so much to the President by his Letters requesting his advice and allowance therein who returned answer That hee desired nothing more then to haue that Castle gotten for the Queene and for the manner left the managing thereof wholly to his discretion He sate downe before it upon the fifth of November attempting to get it by a Myne in the which after hee had wrought fiue or sixe dayes and brought it underneath the Castle wall being ready to make a bed for the placing of the powder suddainly the spring brake foorth in such abundance as that worke became fruitlesse thereupon new ground was sought which proved good the foundation of the Castle was undermined as farre as the middest of the Seller which
neweâ— of these parts are that the Sonne of Geralt the late Earle is arrived unto whom his Fathers old Followers doe much resort hee is an Heretike yet neverthelesse by the helpe of the English he will doe us great harme The right Earle of Desmond is forsaken of all men and not able to make Head and the lesse hope of his rising againe by the comming of young Iames who is the Queenes Earle and hath a Patent for his Earledome I pray your speedy Answer in the meane time I will dissemble with the President who deales sharpely with us the Letter which you sent with these to Mac Carty More I haue sent unto him by a Messenger of my owne who is lately agreed with the President and so we are deceived in him and therefore he is not to be firmely trusted with the commandement of all the Clan Carties Cormocke Cartie Sir Charles Wilmot in the meane time maâ—ching to an Abbey in Kerry called Ratho neere unto Lixnaw assoone as his Colours were descried was fired by the Enemy that lodged there from thence with his Horse onely he marched â—o Tralie where hee found one hundred Bonoghs of the Oâ—â—â—llies among whom was Moriertagh Mac Shighie and three or foure more of the lurking Earles chiefest Followers on horsebacke our Horse charged them the Horsemen by flight saved themselues but of the â—ooâ—e there was slaine about fourtie dead in the place the rest by the â—avour of a neighboâ—ring bogge and the Mountaine at hand escaped but all their Armes were left to our shares The perpetuall juggling which Florencâ— Mac Cartie continued towards the Lord President I haue so often touched as it needs no other proofe but for the better Testimonie of his ill â—ffection to the State even now when the Sugan Earle was in the estate of a fugitiue hiding himselfe from the sight of men Florence as the Lord President was advertised from Sir Charles Wilmot had raysed one thousand Bownoghs to bee placed upon Desmond foure hundred uâ—on Kerry and sixe hundred upon Carbry and concludes with these words Viz. assuredly hee purposeth to bee a Villaine though hee could be contented to liue in neutralitie as he doth if he could cary it cleanely Also at that time the Baron of Lixnaw who was banished Kerry was by him relieved in Desmond but obserue well I beseech you this wavering and unsetled companion who not knowing which way either to be a Subject or Rebell not many dayes afterwards as shall bee said came to the President with a smooth countenance full of Loyaltie but inwardly the same man hee had ever beene Nothing was more common now in Mounster then a bruite of the strangers from Connaght and Vlster comming to invade the Province with two thousand men and hereof the President received daily advertisement from the Earle of Thomond the Lord Barry Iustice Comerford and others and to verifie the same Pierce Lacy was come into the borders of Kilquig and had preyed Glanogre a Towne belonging to Sir George Bourchier Master of the Ordnance being a parcell of his Signiory and then in farme to Alexander Fitton this caused the President to assemble the greatest part of his Forces to Kilmallock attending there to behold what should become of this Cloud which threatned such a dangerous Tempest which at length vanished without any great disturbance for about the midst of this Moneth they withdâ—â—w themselues into Ormond within the Libertie of Tipperarie the cause why they departed before they had made any Bonfiers in Mounster which was their arrand as I haue since learned was two fould First because Redmond Burke could by no meanes bee drawen into the Province being in expectation of great favour from the President as appeareth by his Letters sent about this time which because it is but short and yet apparantly declareth this truth I thought not unfit here to bee recited in his owne words RIght Honourable I would long ere this be a Subject and will now shew my selfe worthy to be accepted if I be entertained and my Fathers Lands seized into your Honours hands till my Title bee tried this Countrey of Ely O Carrell being in your Honours Province is a parcell whereto I make claime wherein I would expect your Honour to right me first and thus requesting your Honour to accept my service and favour my right I take leaue this ninth of November 1600. Your Honours as you please Redmond Letrim The President to hold Redmond as I conceiue in some hope that hee might not joyne with the Northerne Forces then expected to come into Mounster returned him answer to this effect That his Demaunds seemed to bee somewhat reasonable and that hee was very sorry that it was not fully in his power to accomplish his request Notwithstanding there was no doubt but upon his Letters already dispatched to the Councell of England and to the Lord Deputie in his behalfe such order should bee taken as hee should hold himselfe well satisfied and surely whether the President dealt plainely and bona fide vvith the said Redmond or whether hee fed him vvith good vvords onely like a Courtier to serue his owne turne I know not but if I might deliver my poore opinion I thinke him to haue received some hard measure I meane in respect of his Fathers Lands upon whomsoever the fault lyeth but to returne This Redmond commanding the greatest part of the Forces now assembled depending this much upon the Presidents favour as by his Letter appeareth could by no allurements of these Mounster Rebels bee inticed to commit any outrage within that Province An other cause why these Rebels thus assembled came no further up into Mounster was because the wandring Earle Iames fits Thomas who should haue given them Bonnaght in the Province knowing that Lixnaw Redmond Burke Pierce Lacie and all of them were growen wearie of the Rebellion and that the President had commerce with all those durst not commit himselfe into their power they being so strong and hee so poore and weake fearing left they should haue delivered him being the marke the President chiefly aymed at to worke their owne peace Dermond O Conner having now heard that the young Earle of Desmond his Brother in law was arrived in Mounster according to the Presidents promise to him made that he should come was desirous that hee should repaire thither with intent to doe some acceptable service for her Majestie which being made knowen by the Lady Margaret his wife the Lord President sent him a Safe-conduct for himselfe and his followers and procured the like from Sir Arthur Saâ—age the chiefe Commissioner in Connaght and also from the Earle of Clanrickard to secure his passage through his Countrey and for his better safetie he sent an hundred Foot to guard him as soone as hee should enter into Thomond Hee being now past Clanrickard and comming to Oshafnesses Countrey within seventeene or eighteene miles of Limerick Theobald ne Long Burke who
upon their knees beseeching to bee received into Her Majesties gratious Protection and promising to doe service upon any Rebels that should hide themselues in those Woods who putting in their pledges were received to mercy In this Iourney it chanced there was a youth taken Prisoner who had lately before beene servant to the imagined Earle who being brought to the President and examined tooke upon him to bring our Forces to the place where his Master was The Earle of Thomond Sir George Thornton and Captaine Roger Harvy with their Companies following the direction of this Guid were conducted to Lisbarry a parcell of Drumfinnim woods no sooner were they entred into the Faâ—tnesse but presently the Sentinells which were placed in the skirt of the wood raised the crie which as it should seeme rowsed the counterfeit Earle of Desmond and Dermond Mac Craghe the Popes Bishop of Corke who were lodged there in a poore ragged Cabbin Desmond fled away bare-foot having no leasure to pull on his shooes and was not discovered but Mac Craghe was met by some of the Souldiers cloathed in a simple mantle and torne trowses like an aged Churle and they neglecting so poore a creature not able to carry weapon suffered him to passe unregarded upon the end of this journey by the wiâ—e and painefull proceedings of the President Gods blessing alwayes accompanying the same it came to passe that there was not one Castle in Mounster held out against the Queene Nay which was more it was not knowen that there were fiue Rebells in a companie throughout the Province nor any one of note except these fiue lost sheepe the children of perdition Iames fits Thomas and his Brother Lixnaw Pierce Lacie and the Knight of the Glinne who lay lurking in desart uncouth and unknowen places yet notwithstanding there were divers vagabonds and loose people dispersed in sundry corners for whom no man would undertake that lived by stealth and badroagues disquieting the good Subjects being the reliques of the rebellion The President by his Letters dated the fifteenth signified unto the Lords of the Councell that now the Province was so much over-awed by her Majesties Forces that unlesse Northern Rebels came to infest it or that the Spaniards did invade it he was well able to containe the Provincials in obedience and although fiue hundred of his List was already cashier'd he would at any time lend the Lo. Deputie one thousand Foot to serue in Linster but with this caution for countenance sake that they might bee evermore in estimation of the List of Mounster which if the Reader doe well obserue he shall finde that the prosecution of the service in that Province had successes beyond expectation for in May last when the President first tooke the field the Rebels were no lesse then seven thousand strong and now the Subjects Cattle day and night lay abroad in the fields no Bodie of Rebels united and not one castle in all the province that did withstand her Majestie This was the vvorke of God and unto him onely it must be attributed Her Majestie as hath been said did by her Letters to the President command that one Companie of one hundred Foot should bee cashier'd for the sustentation of the young Earle of Desmond and of others vvhich vvere mentioned in that Letter The Lords of the Councell likewise by their Letters bearing date the tenth of November required the President to see the same performed which being done accordingly as was directed the President by his Letters of the twentieth of this December made an account how the partition was made Now you must understand that although one hundred Foot was discharged for the maintenance of the Earle and the rest yet her Majesties meaning was not that more should bee turned to that use then the ready money which was payed to the Companie yearely for their Lendings for their apparell was saved unto her Majestie the yearely lendings of one hundred men amounts unto no more then seven hundred eightie two pound two shillings and ten pence The Archbishop of Cassell who was a principall Agent in stirring up Dermond Oâ—Conner to make the attempt he did upon the titulary Earle had for his share one hundred twentie one pound thirteene shillings and three pence Iohn Power who was one of the Hostages as hath been related had thirtie sixe pound ten shillings the Lady Ellis sister to the Earle had thirtie three pound sixe shillings eight pence which was as much as her other sisters formerly had in pension from her Majestie the Lady Margaret the Earles sister also and wife to Dermond O Conner in regard of her forwardnesse to haue done the Queene service had an hundred pound and the remainder which was fiue hundred fortie pound twelue shillings ten pence was to the Earles owne use About the eighteenth of the same Sir Francis Barkley finding good cause and fitt opportunitie to plague Mac Awley and his Tenants who under protection relieved the heart-broken Rebells with the Garrison which hee commanded at Askeiton he harrassed all the Countrey of Clanowlie and tooke from thence one thousand Cowes two hundred Garrans besides Sheepe and other spoyle and had the killing of many Traitours which harboured themselues in the bogs and woods thereof CHAP. XIX The Maior of Limerick fined and imprisoned and a new Maior elected A Letter from the Spanish Archbishop of Dublin to Iames fits Thomas The Sâ—eriffes men slaine by Florence Mac Cartie The Lord President perswadeth Florence to goe into England Florence seemeth to like of the motion and the use he made of it THE Countrey being now reduced to that outward obedience and conformitie as you haue heard the President and Councell returned unto Moyallo the thirteenth of December where they had some leasure to looke in the Corporate Townes whom they found to be principall ayders abettors and upholders of this unnaturall Rebellion which proceeded partly out of malice to the State for matters of Religion but principally for their owne benefit for in these turbulent times the greatest part of the Queenes Treasure sent over into this Kingdome is expended by the Captaines and Souldiers amongst them Againe they issue their Marchandise to the Rebells underhand at very excessiue rates and buy the Countrey Commodities at their owne prizes by reason whereof it was probably conjectured upon good grounds that the Townes of Mounster were more inritched within these three yeares of Warre then they were before almost in twentie yeares of peace Another thing also at this time was noted in the Townes namely that all the chiefe Cities made choyse of professed Lawyers to be their Maâ—ors Magistrates and chiefe Officers and such as before were Ring leaders of their Corporations These prepensed Elections whether they vvere made for feare left they should bee called to account for their former faults both in assisting the Rebells and resisting the Souldiers or to maintaine the Townes in obstinate superstition which before was much
within lesse then two Moneths namely before the end of February the President had recommended aboue foure thousand by name unto the Lord Deputie for Pardons who had all put in such pledges or other Caution as by the State of the Province was thought convenient which indeed was such and so warily taken as no Governour in former times had ever done the like All which notwithstanding the President could not satisfie himselfe in the safetie of the one and so consequently in the securitie of the other so long as their pledges were remayning in the Cities of Corke and Limerick the places of their custodie not being of sufficient strength the Keepers many times negligent or corrupt in their charge and the Citizens so partiall as they had rather helpe to convey them into the Countrey then to retaine them within the Citie for prevention whereof the President became an humble Suitor to the Lords of the Councell of England that they would be pleased to giue commandement that the Pledges of greatest moment might by an order from them bee commanded to the Castle of Dublin which should not be any thing chargeable to Her Majestie and yet very profitable for the State As also that they would be pleased to giue Commandement to all such Vndertakers as hold land within the Province that they should make their immediate repaire unto their Signiories that thereby the Countrey might bee the better furnished with English upon any occasion As also that Her Majestie might from them receiue their rents in some part of that immeasurable treasure which was expended in these Warres And lastly being fully assured of a Spanish Invasion in all his dispatches for England He evermore put the Lords in mind of it sending unto them the intelligences hee had and for that he would not be taken unprovided hee continually in all his Letters besought supplies of Victuals and Munition And for that in his last dispatch he had intreated a large proportion of Victuals now in this of the sixth of March hee forbare the same requesting onely fiue Laste of powder and foure hundred quarters of Oates The young Earle of Desmond having beene tenderly brought up in England and not well agreeing with the manner and customes of Ireland and also seeing how much he was deceived in his hopes supposing that al his Fathers Followers would haue relied upon him and obeyed his directions whereof finding little or no appearance desired the Lord President to giue him leaue to goe into England whereunto for the reasons afore mentioned the President easily assented for in all the time of his being in Ireland no one Rebell did for his sake submit himselfe to Her Majestie Thomas Oge of Kerry onely excepted who at his request submitted himselfe and rendered Castle-mange whereof he was Constable by Iames fits Thomas his assignement into Her Majesties hands as formerly hath beene declared But it may be truely supposed that wit and necessitie did perswade him to submit and render the Castle as he did for Sir Charles Wilmot had so blockt him up with Garisons as at that present he was in feare of starving and if he had not taken the opportunity offered upon the Earles motion he was in danger to haue lost both his life and it This I write not to upbraid the Earle or to lessen him in any thing for I must confesse he was too good to liue amongst such traitorly Followers and no man living had a more willing desire to serue Her Majestie then himselfe but the truth is that this was all the service which hee did or could doe during his aboad in Mounster from whence he embarqued the two and twentieth of March and landed at Miniade in Somerset-shire and so to the Court of England where after a few Moneths he died The Letters Pattents which Her Majestie had granted for his restoration the President never delivered unto him where in my opinion he did discreetly and according to his directions for they were sent unto him by Her Majestie with caution not to deliver them except he saw sufficient cause so to doe and that his services or services done for his fake should merit the same of both which there was but weake and slender performance In this first Booke the Reader may behold in what a confused estate the Province of Mounster was in when the L. President entred into his government in the first yeare whereof these memorable accidents hapned the unfortunate death of Sir Warham St Ledger the departure of Tyrone out of Mounster The taking of the Earle of Ormond by the rebels The defeat of Florence Mac Cartie the losse and recovery of Cahir castle the submission of the White Knight the recovery of the Iland and castle of Loghgier the bold attempt of Nugent and the effects which followed therof the burning and spoiling of West Clanwilliam Omulrians countrey the taking and escape of Iames fits Thomas the titulary Earle of Desmond the siege and winning of the Castle of the Glinn the freeing of the Province of 2500 Bownoghs Odonnels harrasing of Thomond the encounter betwixt Captaine Roger Harvy and the White Knights sonne the planting of garrisons in Kerry the perpetuall juglings of Flo. Mac Cartie the taking of the Castle of Listoell in Kerry the defeat by the garrison of Kilmallock given to the Sugan Earle the poore and distressed estate he was driven unto the submission of Dermond Mac Owen L. of Dowalla and sundry others the comming into Mounster of the young Earle of Desmond the submission of Flor. Mac Cartie the rendring of Castle Mange the murdring of Dermond O Conner the burning and spoyling of East Clanwilliam and Arlogh the quiet setling of the Province and the restoring the civill government Whosoever with indifferencie will consider how much was done in such short time must acknowledge it to bee beyond expectation and say that God fought for vs and directed our Counsels otherwise it was not to bee hoped for And had not the comming of the Spaniards given new interruptions the worke of Mounster had beene throughly finished The Province fully reduced to a setled peace and in all likelihood so to haue continued The end of the first Booke PACATA HIBERNIA THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE WARRES IN IRELAND Whereby that Countrey was reduced to Subjection and Obedience CHAP. I. Connaght and Vlster men drawen to a head to invade Mounster A Regiment sent by the Lord President into Connaght to assist Sir Iohn Barkley Walter Burke and Teg O Bryen slaine The Lord President with the remainder of the Army come to Limrick The rising out of the Countrey commanded by the Lo. Barry drawne neere to Limericke The Rebels distressed for want of victualls and defeated Donogh Mac Cormocke Cartie slaine Redmond Burkes letter to the Lo. President with the Lord Presidents answer THE prosperous Successes of the last yeere did promise faire hopes that the malice of the Warre was spent and that the Province would within
obserue secret trafficke held betweene the Lord President and Redmond Burke the pretended Barron of Letrim Burkes ends was to haue the President to assist him for the recovering of his Fathers lands against his Vncle the Earle of Clanrickard and the President held him on with good words and messages for two respects the one for keeping him from joyning with the rest of the Bownoghs in Mounster the other to procure him if he might possibly worke him unto it to doe some signall service upon the Rebels Redmond still pursuing his desires when Captaine Flower was in Connaght with the Mounster forces as aforesaid writes this Letter here inserted to the President and the answer unto it was as followeth Redmond Burkes Letter to the Lo. President HOnourable Lord having heretofore complained to your Lordship of the inestimable wrongs that are offered mee which seeing your Honour cannot redresse heere I would request your Honour in respect that I specially meane not to disturbe any place under your Lordships or the Earle of Thomonds Iurisdiction not to be a meanes to stop me from demaunding my right or pursuing it in this sort seeing by right or Law the State pleaseth not to satisfie mee and assure your Honour if your selfe had any power to minister Equitie betwixt her Majesties Subjects the fame of the honourable worth and equitie your Lordship doth carry would not only alien me to loath this kind of life but also very many unspecified others And thus requesting your Lordship to draw your Forces for the defence of your Lordships Charge which otherwise might suddenly revolt if they had any ayd by Sea or Land as very many they expect which if your Lordship wrong me not I will stop to my best endeavour I betake your Honour to God From the Campe the twelfth of Aprill 1601. Your Honours loving Friend Redmond Letrim The Lord Presidents Answere I Haue received your Letter on the twelfth of this instant and am glad to finde by the â—ame that the life you now leade is odious unto you I doe wish that the feeling of your dutie may increase in that manner in you as that you would make your selfe capable of the Queenes mercie which is farre more infinite then your transgression hitherto hath been Of which Royall disposition of hers the examples of the offenders in this Kingdome are plentifull and apparant The pretence you make in your continuance in action is the wrongs done unto you by your Vnckle and to enable him farther to suppresse you utterly you adde heere to that Arch-Traytor Tyrone and forsake your duetie to your Soveraigne refusing her Lawes by the which you may bee righted with opinion to be repossessed by the strength of his sword your Youth may somewhat excuse your errour but beleeue mee you shall neither bee Barron of Letrim or possesse your Fathers Inheritance by the ayde of that perfidious Traytour which I know hath not the power any long time to support this Rebellion and if he had yet your selfe and all the English race of Ireland birth is as odious unto him as now we are that are naturall English If his power were able to make him Monarch of Ireland the Burkes with all of English descent must looke for no other then assured extirpation I am sure you are of discretion sufficient to conceiue as much as I write wherefore I need insist no longer upon the same To be short if you will follow the way which I doe by this Messenger prescribe you you may make your selfe capable of the Queenes mercie and find both meanes and friends to obtaine Iustice The request you make unto me to forbeare sending of Forces to annoy you and in so doing that you will spare Mounster and keepe others from harming the Province If I were but an ordinary Subject and not an Officer to the Queene I neither might or would make any such contract with you and therefore much lesse may I hearken to any such motion being an Officer of that qualitie as I am and doe marvell that you would require mee to juggle with my Prince whom I wish that you did serue with the like faith and dutie as I doe I doe wish that your estate were such that I might shew you friendship If you persevere in rebellion I hold you lost and in condition with them who haue made themselues unreconcileable What I leaue unwritten I referre to this Bearer Limrick this fourteenth of Aprill 1601. Your loving Friend when you are an obedient Subject G. C. This Answer of the Presidents could not be very pleasing to Râ—dmond for it plainely manifested that his purpose was not to doe him any courtesies untill hee had done somewhat that might deserue his friendship and Her Majesties grace Neverthelesse it seemes that there was some hopes for him to feede upon in the messages sent which he did not write or else Burke could not haue beene contained from harming of Mounster as hitherto hee was To conclude he fed him with faire language and threats and sure I am that the President made his advantage by it CHAP. II. Intelligence of Spanish Invasion The escape of Teg O Brien brother to the Earle of Thomond Florence his preparations for munition and men A Letter from Tyrone to Florence A Letter from the Lords of the Councell to the Lord President The report of Dermond Mac Awley touching the comming of Vlster men into Mounster I Must desire the Reader to excuse me if I doe a little breake the rule of the progresse of this Storie in looking backe some few dayes for that which proceedeth of the accidents of Captaine Flowers Service in Connaght did so necessarily depend one after the other as that I was inforced to continue that Relation untill this returne to Limericke which made mee forbeare to speake of Sir Henry Dockwray who upon the seventh of this instant Aprill wrote to the Lord Deputie as his Lordship advertised the President that Hugh Boy who was a man of good estimation and very in ward with O Donnell assured him that the Spaniards would this yeare invade Ireland with sixe thousand men and would land in some part of Mounster and that three of the chiefe Townes which must bee Corke Limerick and Waterford for they were the chiefest had promised to receiue them and that Florence Mac Cartie by the necessitie of the time onely had submitted himselfe to the President but upon the Spaniards landing he would assuredly come unto them with all the force hee could make The sixe and twentieth of Aprill the President leaving at Limerick and neere unto it twelue hundred Foote and fifty Horse for the Guard of those borders returned towards Corke and the seven and twentieth the next day following hee heard that Teg Obrien brother to the Earle of Thomond having beene a long time Prisoner in Limerick by the corruption of his Keeper made an escape Immediatly hee wrote unto the President protesting his loyaltie to Her
Majestie professing to doe service such as should merit favour Humbly besought him not desiring any protection that hee might remaine with his Lordship The President granted his request and withall sent him a Protection which in an other Letter unto Richard Boyle the Clarke of the Councell hee besought The reason which moved the President to grant his request was the absence of the Earle of Thomond then in England that during the same the County of Clare might bee freed from Bonfires but now for a time we must leaue the President in Cork returne to Florence Mac Carty You heard before that Florence had a cutting as they call it upon Carberry towards his charges in the pretended journey for England but employed all the same and whatsoever more hee could procure to another end for about this time he provided a Barke which hee fraught with Hides Tallow and such commodities committing the care and trust thereof to some of Kinsale by whom the same merchandize should bee transported beyond the Seas and in liew thereof munition and abilliments of warre should be returned and and delivered unto him in the Harbour of Valentia Moreover about the same time hee did earnestly sollicit aide from the neighbour Provinces to resist Her Majesties forces and for the same purpose wrote a Letter in Irish which was read by Iames Welsh by whose relation I received this light unto one in Ormond called Cahir Mac Shane Glasse Omulrian desiring that he would leavy for him sixe hundred Foote in Linster which if hee could not then to procure Redmond Burke to come with so many to his aide and if hee failed likewise herein to deale with Captaine Terrill to the same effect and hee would pay them upon the Countrey of Desmond Lastly Donoghe Mac Cormuck called Mac Donoghe his Agent with Tyrone laboured so much at his hands and that so earnestly as he procured a Letter from Tyrone the Contents whereof were as followeth And thus translated out of the Irish. A Letter from Tyrone to Florence Mac Carty OVr commendations to yoâ— Mac Carty More I send shortly unto you according to our trust of you that you will doe a stout and hopefull thing against the pagan beast and thereupon our Armie is to goe into Mounster and with the will of God we consent unto you and will that you beleeue not any word from us for ever before wee write againe unto you for you shall see trouble enough in England by English men it selfe so as there shall be easinesse of suffering their warres at May next in respect of that it is now And since this cause of Mounster was left to you next under God let no weaknesse or imbecillitie bee found in you and the time of helpe is neere you and all the rest From Dongannon the sixth of February 1601. Stilo Novo Oneale The Armie mentioned in this Letter was the same which now you heard of taking their journey by the way of Connaght which as may appeare both by the examination of Iames Welsh and the Contents of those Letters were solicited and sent principally by the meanes promises and procurement of Florence he being then and before under protection the breach whereof hee nothing esteemed But surceasing farther to rake in the filthy Channels of his malicious practises like maladies immedicable lest it should be loathsome to the Reader I will leade him abroad into the open Aire to behold the hunting rousing and fall of a great Stag which was after sent into England to Her Majestie and by her received as a most acceptable Present although it was not Gods will that shee should liue to reward the chiefe Ranger About the middest of May the Lord President received a Letter from the Lords of the Councell in England which bare date the eight and twentieth of Aprill which for the Readers better vnderstanding how the Affaires of Mounster did sute with the Directions and Counsels in England I thinke it meet to be inserted A Letter from the Lords of the Councell to the Lord President AFter our very heartie Commendations to your Lordship Although we haue before this time acquainted you with her Majesties gracious acceptation of your service because wee know you had no greater object then to deserue her Majesties grace and favour yet now vve vvill forbeare to touch it at this time because her Majestie giues you notice of it with her owne hand and for the present onely let you know what care vvee haue taken to satisfie all your demaunds for her Majesties service because it may appeare unto you seeing you doe orderly and carefully giue us account of your proceedings that wee will in no sort neglect such things as you in your discretion hold fit or necessary Wee haue therefore first by her Majesties Commandement sent you a supply of Munitions according to your request We haue likewise given order for Victuals in good proportion although it seemeth to us by the Certificate of the Victualler that you were better stored at your writing then you knew for Wee haue also given order for Oates to be presently sent you and because you haue so good use of a Ship for transporting of Victualls to and fro besides the service shee may doe in mastering those Barques and Boats which offend the Coast wee haue sent Captaine Harvie with a good Ship for that purpose And now that you may know what Letters wee haue intercepted out of Spaine concerning those bruits which wee perceiue are spread of Spanish succours you shall receiue the Copies of three Letters whereof wee haue the Originall which were committed to the charge of Peter Strong of Watterford whose Ship and Goods were taken in Famouth where they were put in by storme One of them comes from the Governour of the Groyne and another from a Fryer that resideth with him the third from one Sennock who as it seemeth being unwilling to haue Tyrone deceived sheweth him truely how little reason they haue to trust to any of the Spanish Succours as they expect of these you may make such use as you thinke good As concerning your desire to know what shall become of the Lady Ioane of Desmond wee thinke you should doe well to set her at libertie againe as shee was before referring the care of her well doing to some of her Sisters that may haue an eye over her We doe also require you still to foresee that her Majesties Forces being now so much diminished may not bee spent in maintaining private mens Castles and houses but where those places are of use for her Majesties service Lastly concerning the Fine imposed on the Major of Limrick for which we finde you had so just occasion wee wish you in no wise to remit it but rather to bestow it upon the repaire of her Majesties Castle there which as it seemeth will serue to so good purpose for her Maâ—esties service And so wee bid your Lordship very heartily farewell From the Court
pretended intended nor drawen by me nor my consent but by my Brother Iohn and Pierce Lacy having the oathes and promises of divers Noblemen and Gentlemen of this Province to maintaine the same and not ever consented unto by mee untill Sir Thomas Norris left Kilmallock and the Irish forces camped at Rekeloe in Connologh where they stayed fine or sixe dayes the most part of the Countrey combining and adjoyning with them and undertooke to hold with my Brother Iohn if I had not come to them the next Sessions before these proceedings at Corke Sir Thomas Norris arrested me in person therefore my Brother he being then suspected by him and intended to keepe me in perpetuall prison for him untill I made my escape by this the intent of Sir Thomas Norris being knowen the feare and terrification thereof drew me into this action and had I beene assured of my libeâ—ty and not clapt up in prison for my Brothers offence I had never entred into this action Further I was bordered with most English neighbours of the Gentlemen of this Province I defie any English that can charge me with hindring of them either in body or goods but as many as ever came in my presence I conveyed them away from time to time Also it is to bee expected that the Spanish Forces are to come into Ireland this Summer and Oneale will send up the strongest Army of Northren men into Mounster with my Brother Iohn the Lord of Lixnaw and Pierce Lacy and when they are footed in Mounster the most part of the Countrey will joyne with them Preventing this and many other circumstances of service the saving of my life is more beneficiall for Her Majestie then my death For if it may please Her Majestie to be gratious unto me I will reclaime my Brother the Lord of Lixnaw and Pierce Lacy if it please Her Majesty to bee gratious unto them or else so diligently worke against them with Her Majesties forces and your directions that they shall not be able to make head or stirre in Mounster at all for by the saving of my life Her Highnesse will winne the hearts in generall of all her Subjects and people in Ireland my owne service and continuance of my alliance in dutifull sort all the dayes of their liues Farther I most humbly beseech your Honour to foresee that there are three others of my Sept and race aliue the one is in England my Vncle Garrets Sonne Iames set at liberty by Her Majestie and in hope to obtaine Her Majesties favour my Brother in Vlster and my Cosen Maurice fits Iohn in Spaine wherewith it may be expected that either of these if I were gone by Her Majesties favour might be brought in credit and restored to the House It may therefore please Her Majestie to bee gratious unto me assuring to God and the world that I will bee true and faithfull to Her Majestie during life By which meanes Her Majesties government may bee the better setled my selfe and all others my Alliance for ever bound to pray for Her Majesties life long to continue But afterward being examined by the President and the Provinciall Councell He added some other reasons for his taking of Armes against her Majestie which in its due place shall bee mentioned In the dispatch which the President made into England upon his apprehension he wrote a Letter to her Majestie as followeth The Lord Presidents Letter to Her Majestie SACRED AND DREAD SOVERAIGNE TO my vnspeakeable Ioy I haue received your Majesties Letters signed with your Royall hand and blessed with an extraordinariâ— addition to the same which although it cannot inâ—rease my faith and zeale in your Majesties Serâ—ice which from my 〈◊〉 I thanke â—od for it was ingraffed in my Heart yet it infinitely multiplies my comforts in the same and wherein my 〈…〉 may bee since my time of banishment in this rebellious Kingdome for better then a banishment I cannot esteeme my fortune that depriues mee from beholding your Majesties Person although I haue not done as much as I desire in the charge I undergoe yet to make it appeare that I haue not been idle I thanke God for it I haue now at length bu the meanes of the White Knight gotten into my hands the bodie of Iames fits Thomas that Arch-traytour and usurping Earle whom for a present with the best conveniencie and safetie which I may finde I will by some trustie Gentleman send unto your Majestie whereby I hope this Province is made sure from any present defection And now that my taske is ended I doe in all humilitie beseech that in your Princely commiseration my exile may end protesting the same to bee a greater affliction to mee then I can well indure for as my faith is undivided and onely professed as by divine and humane Lawes the same is bound in vassalage to your Majestie so doth my heart covet nothing so much as to bee overmore attendant on your sacred Person accounting it a happinesse unto mee to dye at your feet not doubting but that your Majestie out of your princely and royall bountie will enable me by some meanes or other to sustaine the rest of my dayes in your service and that my fortune shall not be the worse in that I am not any importune ate craver Or yet in not using other arguments to mooue your Majestie thereunto then this Assai dimanda qui ben serve e face So most humbly beseeching your Majesties pardon in troubling you with these Lines unworthy your divine eyes doe kisse the shadowes of your Royall feet From your Majesties Citie of Corke this third of Iune 1601. I may well tearme him a notorious Traytour because hee was within one yeare before his apprehension the most mightie and potent Geraldine that had been of any the Earles of Desmond his predecessors For it is certainly reported that he had eight thousand men well armed under his commaund at one time all which hee imployed against his lawfull Soveraigne and secondly a notorious Traytour because hee sought to bring a most infamous slaunder upon a most vertuous and renowned Prince his Queene and Mistresse with his false suggestions unto forraine Princes and notwithstanding that her Name was eternized with the shrill sounding Trumpet of triumphant Fame for the meekest and mildest Prince that ever raigned yet was not hee ashamed so farre had the rancour of malice corrupted his venemous heart to inculcate into the Eares of the Pope and Spanish King that shee was more tyrannicall then Pharaoh and more blood-thirstie then Nero But because I may bee thought to faine these allegations to aggravate his treasons I will therefore for satisfaction of the Reader set downe the very words of two his Letters bearing one date which hee sent to the King of Spaine A Letter from Iames fits Thomas to the King of Spaine MOst mighty Monarch I humbly salute your imperiall Majesty giving your Highnesse to understand of our great misery and violent order
at the Pallace heard him say that hee had almost as willingly die as come under the English government and perswaded all those he spake with to be obstinate in action telling him how long Ireland had beene tyrannically governed by English men All which Osulevan aforesaid did relate unto the President and thereto tooke his corporall oath the one and twentieth of March 1600. In Iuly hee taking upon him regall authority within Desmond as Mac Cartie More sent first to ne Donnell Fâ—rrers to bee Sherife of that Countrey perswading him that it would be very beneficiall unto him which the said Donnell refused answering that hee would not take that authority upon him except hee could shew him a warrant from the President authorising him to make such election as hee knew the like heretofore graunted to the Earle of Clancare in the times of trouble whereupon he appointed another named Muriertagh Mac Teg to the same office Ex Examinatione Donnell Fâ—rrers In August Sir Charles Wilmot first planted his Garisons in Kerry and how glad this dissembling hypocrit was of his neighbourhood besides his owne manifold Letters sent to Sir Charles full of God damme him if he were not heartily glad of his good successe here you shall perceiue partly by the examination of the said Ferrers in haec verba When the President in August 1600. setled Garisons in Kerry Florence caused the Castle of Killorglan appertayning to Master Ienkin Conway an Vndertaker to bee burned fearing lest Sir Charles Wilmot should plant himselfe there and when as the Governour afterward placed this Examinat therein hee sent some of his kerne and tooke all his prey threatning to pull them all out by the heeles having no other quarrell against him but onely because hee repaired the same Castle Hee also releeved the Knight of the Valley at his house of the Pallace And after the said Florence was protected by the President hee releeved likewise Thomas fits Maurice the Barron of Lixnaw and ceassed his Bonoghs in Desmond but more plainely by examination of Iames Welsh taken the tenth of May 1601. as followeth When Iames fits Thomas was in Kerry in September last Florence Mac Cartie perswaded him to remaine there promising him all the aide that hee could giue him and being in his departure towards Arlogh hee sent Thomas Oge after him praying him to returne and hee would bring him to the killing of Sir Charles Wilmot and the Garison of Traley that was with him c. And when hee saw that Iames fits Thomas would not follow his Councell but would needs goe to take Arlogh Mountaines for his refuge hee wrote a Letter in Irish which the said Iames Welsh read directed unto Cahir Mac Shane Glasse Omulrian in Ormond desiring him to levie for him in those parts sixe hundred Foote which if hee could not doe then to procure Redmond Burke to get so many for him and if hee failed then to deale with Captaine Tirrell and that hee would pay them upon Desmond About this time also hee sent a traiterous message to the White Knight by his daughter Mac Donoghes wife together with a cunning Letter written in Irish and translated as followeth A Letter from Florence to the White Knight DAmnation I cannot 〈◊〉 â—â—â—mend mee heartily unto you as bad as thoâ— art and doe also most heartily commend mâ—e to your wife and to your two Sonnes I would bee very glad to speake with you for your good and because I cannot speake with you my selfe yet I would haâ—◠〈◊〉 in any wiâ—e credit your daughter Mistris Mac Donoghe concerning me and to beleeue from me whom shee sends or what shee sends you word of by a trusty Messenger I would haue you to determine about Pierce Oge and that I may speake with you I meane about Gorâ—â—etâ—berd or Tullylease send word to Pierce and Dermond of the day with him and send mee word and I will come without all faile In the meane time I leaue you to God Pallace this seven and twentieth of August 1600. Your assured loving Friend Florence Mac Cartie This Letter was delivered and expounded to the President by the White Knight Pierce Oge before mentioned was Pierce Lucy the message which hee sent by Mac Donoghs wife was to reproue him for his submission to the Queene and to incite him to enter againe into rebellion and if hee would not bee advised by him and himselfe not able to mainetaine the action that hee purposed to agree with Donell Mac Cartie his brother in Law and to leaue the County of Desmond and the Followers in his hands and to imbarke himselfe into Spaine to procure and hasten the long expected aide In October after many and infinite delatory excuses and protracted delayes he submitted himselfe to the President putting in such pledges as before you haue heard and received a Protection for ten dayes before the expiration whereof hee earnestly laboured Cormock Mac Dermond about the mariage betwixt the Arch-rebell Iames fits Thomas and his Sister promising to the said Cormock all the Lands that hee had in Carbery and undertaking that the said Earle should giue farther unto him such portions of Lands as should bee to his owne content so that he would consent to this mariage and joyne in this wicked combination The next Moneth divers meanes were made to Thomas Oge Constable of Castlemange by the Governor of Kerry and the young Earle of Desmond lately come out of England about the delivery of that Castâ—e to her Majesties use Florence receiving notice hereof made many journies to the said Thomas Oge urging him with forcible perswasions not to relinquish the said Castle to the English promising that hee would undertake upon his owne charge and perill to see him furnished with victuals and all other necessaries from time to time whereof hee should stand in need and when hee perceived an inclination in the said Thomas Oge notwithstanding his perswasions to yeeld the Castle hee assayed by a craftie wile to haue conveyed away the two Sonnes of Pierce Lacy which were held as pledges for Iaâ—es fits Thomas within that Castle but the plot being frustrate by meere accident the children and Castle were within short time after delivered to the State When Sir Charles Wilmot came into Kerry with her Majesties forces Florence Mac Cartie as Thomas Oge upon his examination confessed intreated Iames fits Thomas to make the warre there whereunto hee assented But Iames could not perswade the Bonoghs unto it Also after that Dermond O Conner had enterprised the taking of Iames fits Thomas hee did then promise him to enter into open action of Rebellion and to that end he solicited Dermond Mac Owen Mac Awley Okeefe Mac Finnin Owen Mac Teg Carty and others And when Tyrone was in Mounster Florence desired him to make it knowen to the King of Spaine that hee would serue him faithfully for the assurance whereof the said Florence wrote a Letter
to the King and gaue it to Tyrone to bee sent into Spaine And also tooke his corporall oath to performe his promises whereupon Tyrone stiled and confirmed him Mac Carty More hee also told the said Thomas Oge that if the Spaniards did not land by May next hee would goe into the North and from thence into Spaine And after that Iames fits Thomas was broken hee told this examinat that if Iames could get Forces out of Vlster the said Florence would joyne with him Farther Florence intised Connocke Mac Dermond to enter into rebellion and marry his Sister to Iames fits Thomas who should giue unto him Kerry whereby that his eldest Sonne should marry Cormocks Daughter and Cormocks eldest Sonne to marry his daughter who in mariage with her would giue Carrigenesse with twelue Plow-lands which mariage hee proposed for their firmer vnion in their rebellious enterprise And that hee had loaden a Barque with Irish commodities to bee sent beyond the Seas which should returne him munition c. Many other treasonable actions and traitorly speeches acted and spoken by the said Florence the same Thomas Oge related unto the Lord President which for brevities sake I haue omitted which was taken at Moyallo by the President in Ianuary 1600. The President not holding himselfe sufficiently assured of Florence with his two pledges his base brother and kinsman still importuned the bringing of his eldest Sonne according to his promise upon his first protection hee having no pretext for his longer stay sent to Owen Mac Teg Mergagh in Desmond to carry his said Sonne to Corke there to bee left as a pledge for him within a few dayes after this message sent Florence receiving advertisement from Tyrone of certaine Spaniards landed in the North and hearing continuall rumors of Northern forces to infest the Province dispatched a Messenger to the said Owen Mac Teg mergagh to make stay of his Sonne for a longer time viz. untill hee might perceiue what would bee the issue of those preparations but before the Messenger could come the said Owen was with the child upon his way and come to Corke before the said Messenger overtooke him but had not as yet delivered the child out of his owne custody wherefore receiving this countermand hee secretly conveyed the child out of the Citie and returned with him againe into Desmond where he was kept as before untill Florence had seene that there was neither Irish nor Spaniards appeared to his aide succour and comfort In the Moneth following namely in Ianuary hee sent divers Letters to Tyrone and other his fellow traytors in the North and from them received severall answers whereof some part chanced to come to our hands which wee will here insert and first there doth offer it selfe one Letter written by Donogh Mac Cormock to the King of Spaine in the name of Florence Mac Cartie the tenor whereof was as followeth A Letter from Donoghe Mac Cormock in the name of Florence to the King of Spaine HAving received direction from the Earle of Clan-Care I would not omit this opportunity at the departure of the Archbishop of Dublin and Don Martin de La Cerda to make knowen to your Majestie how the said Earle hath written to your Majestie by two or three wayes but understanding that these Letters came not to your Royall hands hee hath now againe written by me to your Majestie making offer as well of his person and lands as of his vassals and Subjects to your Royall service humbly beseeching your Majestie to receiue favour and aide him with your power and liberall hand seeing there is no other that can and will assist us better against these Heretikes in this holy Enterprise From Donegall the fift of Ianuary 1601. Your Majesties loyall Vassall to kisse your Royall hands Donoghe Cartie This Letter as it should seeme was originally written and the Copie sent to Florence by one Thomas Shelton who wrote herewith other Letters unto him of his owne as followeth A Letter from Shelton to Florence Mac Carty MY honourable Lord by direction of the Lord Archbishop of Dublin and at the request of Mac Donogh your agent here I did write a Letter addressed to the King of Spaine subscribed by him In which was signified â—ow by your directiâ—â— hee had made offer of your service to his Majestie the Copie of which Letter goâ—th here inclosed what the newes and hopes of Spaine are the bearer will fully informe you This only rests that as I haue ever desired to serue your Lordship so finding now the opportunity of this Bearer I would not omit so fit an occasion to kisse your honourable hands and signifie that respect I haue ever borne towards you God preserue and assist yoâ— in all your designes that wee may liue to see accomplished by you these things whereof your noble beginnings giue an assured hope Donegall Iâ—â—â—ary the sixth sub Your most affectionate Friend Thomas Shelton Hee received also at the same time other Letters in Spanish thus Englished from the said Archbishop subscribed To the most Excellent Earle Florence Mac Cartie A Letter from the Spanish Archbishop of Dublin to Florence Mac Cartie RIght Honourable Lord God is my witnesse that after my arivall in Ireland having knowledge of your Lordships valour and learning I had an extreame desire to see communicate and conferre with so principall a personage but the danger of the way would not permit mee I am now departing into Spaine with griefe that I haue not visited those parts but I hope shortly to returne into this Kingdome and into those parts to your satisfaction and be assured that I will performe with his Maiestie the office that a Brother ought to doe that he should send from Spaine Because by letter I cannot speake any more I leaue the rest untill sight The Lord haue your Lordship in his keeping according to my desire From Donegall the sixteenth of Ianuary 1601. Yo Mateo Arçobispo de Dublin After all this namely in February next following the said false-hearted Florence wrote certaine Letters to O Doâ—â—â—ll the contents whereof may be gathered by the answer that the said O Donell remised in Irish therevnto and therefore I haue thought good to remember the same translated in this place O Donnels Answer OVr commendations to you Mac Cartie We haue received the Letter you sent the fourteenth of October and we sweare by our word that you are no lesse grieved for that you see us not then we our selues and it was not more your minde to haue ayd then ours to send vnto you if wee could for the great trouble it would bee to our selues to intend you and by your hand there was not many in Ireland more of the minde then mine owne person to haue gone to visit you had not the strangers neighboured upon my Countrey and as you know my Countrey lying on the Sea and they having the secrecie thereof to doe their endeavours to conquer what they may
thought it to bee rather done by some of the Countrey thieues but if the fact was committed by Souldiers it was most like to bee done by some Irish men who thought it to bee a good purchase as well as the money to get the Letters to shew them unto their friends in rebellion that they might the better understand in what estate they were in Don Iuan not being satisfied with this answer desired the Lord Deputie to enquire of the Lord President for of his intercepting of them he had a vehement suspition whether hee had any knowledge of the matter and so they departed The next morning the Lord Deputy related to the President the complaint and his answers Don Iuan eager in the pursuite of his Letters came to know of the Lord Deputie what the President answered The Lord Deputie answered him upon his fayth that hee was sure that the President had them not which hee might well doe for they were in his owne possession In conclusion a Proclamation was made and a reward in the same promised for him that could discover the Theeues and a pardon for their liues graunted that committed the fact if they would come in and confesse it with this Don Iuan rested satisfied How much the intercepting of these Letters did import her Majesties Service not one Spanyard being then imbarked but remaining in a Body at Kinsale may appeare by these ensuing Letters Englished taken at that time A Letter from the Duke of Lerma to Don Iuan de Aguila NOt many dayes past I wrote unto you and now I make answere to those which I received from you the thirteenth of the last October assuring you that his Majesty puts great confidence in your care and valour As touching the men and other things which you demaund there is dispatched a good quantitie and more is in preparing and make you no doubt but still more shall bee in sending as much as may bee for his Majestie hath it before his eyes and I haue taken in hand the solliciting thereof Wherefore you may bee assured that you shall not want any thing which may bee sent that is needfull There is now in readinesse 150 Launces which shall be presently embarqued and more men are in levying with expedition with whom Money shall be sent And so referring my selfe for the rest to his Majesties Dispatch I will say no more but to assure you that in all things which may concerne you esteeme mee ever to bee your Sollicitor God keepe you Valladolid the fourth of December 1601. El Duque de Lerma Marques de Denia To Don Iuan de Aguila Master of the Campe Generall of the men of Warre in Ireland A Letter from the Duke of Lerma to the Archbishop of Dublin I Haue received your Lordships Letters giving thanks to God for the successe of your journey for by it it appeares that there is a way and doore open for many good purposes for his service and his Majestie hath much confidence of the care zeale which your Lordship hath for the progression in the same Now we send you a good Body of men with such things as is necessary and more shall be prepared and so continue sending as much as wee may whereof you need not doubt for his Majestie whom God preserue holds it before his eyes forasmuch as the most important thing appertaining to this businesse is the joyning of the Earles with Don Iuan de Aguila his Majestie commandeth your Lordship to doe in it your uttermost endevour according to the confidence hee hath in your zeale God preserue your Lordship From Valladolid the fifth of December 1601. El Duque de Lerma Marques de Denia Let not your Lordship be weâ—ried with your travells I hope in God they will be full of good successes Al Arâ—obispo de Dublin A Letter from the Secretary Ybarra to Don Iuan de Aguila BY Captaine Albornoz I wrote unto your Lordship and I wish that this dispatch may overtake him at the Groyne according to the desire I hold that it and that which goes with it were with your Lordship certifying you that as much is done as may be for your supply in all things I wrote unto your Lordship that there were two Companies of Horse ready to be sent unto you but now I say there is three and in them two hundred and twenty Souldiers well armed and horsed and it please God they shall be all embarqued in this Moneth God in his divine mercy guid them There is men levied in all Castile and Portugall and shipping embargâ—d to transport them victuals and other necessaries in providing and now at this instant there is embarqued in Lisborne in the Groyne and Saint Ander a more then sixe thousand Hanegas of Wheat and three hundred pipes of Wine and some Beanes and Rice and sixe hundred Arrobas of Oyle and moreover besides this which I say is embarqued there are Commissaries taking of more up and no care shall be wanting to â—asten them away I haue spoken with Captaine Moreles and of that which hee hath told mee of the seat of the place and of the small number of men your Lordship hath I feele my selfe grieved but when I call to mind what a person Don Iuan de Aguila is the way is open unto me to expect great matters and I hope God will grant the same according to the worth of your Lordship against your wicked enemies Let your Lordship hasten the joyning of the Earles with you for of all things that is most important which being done before the Queene can reenforce her Army all is accomplished I am desirous to heare that the excellent good Horsemen were with your Lordship that with them your Lordship may winne honour in the field c. From Valladolid this seventh of December 1601. Estevan de Ybarra To Don Iuan de Aguila Generall Master of the Campe. A Letter from the Secretary Franquesa to Don Iuan de Aguila HIs Majestie is much satisfied of the good government in those occasions of your Army and I hope in God that with the succors which now shall bee sent unto you it will bee bettered in such sort that you will not onely bee able to defend your selfe from the Enemies but also to chastise them the meanes to effect the same is for you to hold your selfe as you are untill the succours aforesaid doe â—ome in the meane time the more you are pressed upon the more will be your reward and recompence which his Majestie will conferre upon you the which I will thrust on as occasion shall offer it selfe and bee alwayes vigilant in these things which shall concerne your Lordship as I haue beene God preserue your Lordship according to my desire From Manâ—illa the thirteenth of Ianuary 1602. To Don Iuan de Aguila Master of the Campe Generall of his Majesties Army in Ireland A Letter from the Duke of Lerma to Don Iuan de Aguila BY that which Zubiare and Pedro Lopez
de Soto hath written and by the comming of the Earle Odonnell who is now in the Groyne wee haue understood of the overthrow of the Earles and from thence is gathered that all the forces are now bent against you and that your onely valour and wisedome hath beene able to resist them and let the great estimation his Majestie holdeth of you mitigate the care which this businesse may bring you his Majestie hath commanded me speedily to prepare gallant succours both by Land and Sea which is done and shall bee presently dispatched and this ship is onely sent to advertise you thereof to the end that you may with the more courage defend your selfe and to bring a true report in what state you stand which may more particularly appeare unto you by his Majesties Letter which with this you shall receiue whereunto hee hath commanded me to add this that hee hath in his favour made you one of his Councellers of his councell at warres which I congratulate with you assuring you on his part that God willing hee will conferre greater favours upon you wherefore proceed cheerefully as both now and heretofore in the course of your life you haue done taking every occasion to strengthen your selfe in this siege and to endammage the Enemy that hee may not hinder you and to assure the Army no man living hath received greater rewards from his Majestie then you shall I take upon my selfe the care of it and I pray you to write me such good newes as I desire whereof I hope in God In Manâ—illa the thirtieth of Ianuary 1602. El Duque de Lerma Marques de Denia God is my witnesse I neither eate nor sleepe with lesse care then any one of them that are with you and I would willingly be in the perill of every one of you and if the shedding of my blood might be advantageous I would readily giue it for you all that haue such need Doe your endeavours for presently succours shall be sent unto you To Don Iuan de Aguila Master of the Campe Generall of the men of warre in Ireland A Letter from the King of Spaine to Don Iuan de Aguila EL REY DOn Iuan de Aguila Master of the Campe Generall of my Army in Ireland by that which Pedro de Zubiare and Pedro Lopez de Soto haue written unto me I haue understood of the defeat of the Earles Oneale and Odonnell and likewise I now see that all your hopes remaines in your valour and wisedome wherein I haue such confidence that I hope in the middest of so many dangers and labours wherewith you are inuironed that you will preserue the Army untill more succours of shipping men armes and munitions be sent unto you which are with al possible expedition in preparing and shall bee speedily dispatched You may make vse of them and take reuenge of the Enemy and untill they come which shall be as I haue said with celerity preserue your selfe I doe not advise you of any particulars because I assure my selfe of your judgement and experience that knowes how to make your advantage of such occasions as the Enemy shall giue for the benefit of the siege And your selfe and the Army which is with you shall haue good testimony of my bounty thankfulnesse and honour I will doe unto you all and so much doe you signifie unto the Army from me The Duke of Lerma shall write more unto you from Manâ—illa the one and thirtie of Ianuary 1602. Yo El Rey. To Don Iuan de Aguila Master of the Campe Generall of our Army in Ireland Don Pedro Franquesa Not long after most of the Spaniards were imbarqued in Kinsale onely a few remayning which were to passe with Don Iohn the day before his departure the Lord Deputie shewed him the copie of the Letters saying that they were sent unto him out of Vlsterby a Priest who was his spy about Tyrone unto whom the Letters had beene caried Don Iuan taking this for good payment thanked the Lord Deputie for his favourable care All the while Don Iuan was at Corke every day the President and hee had familiar discourse together but for the most part their passages in speech was betweene jest and earnest somewhat sharpe and especially when they spake of religion their Soveraignes or the Nations But it seemes that hee caried a good respect of the President as by writing and presents sent which shall in its due place appeare The fifteenth the Lord Deputie and the President having acquainted the rest of the Councell with the effect of the Spanish Letters intercepted as aforesaid though not with the manner how they were gotten they thought it meete to write unto the Lords of the Councell in England this ensuing Letter whereby they might understand how things stood for the present as also to provide for the future since by the intercepted Letters it appeared that the King of Spaine had set his heart upon the warre of Ireland A Letter from the Lord Deputie and Councell to the Lords in England MAy it please your Lordships The fourteenth of this Moneth we dispatched Sir Richard Morison with our Letters to your Lordships from this place and the nine and twentieth we wrote againe by Captaine Butler yet to this day the wind hath continued still so westerly as since the departure of Sir Richard no shipping is come to us either out of England from your Lordships as we desired or from Waterford Wexford and those parts as we directed to carry away the Spanyards hence nor yet untill Sunday the seventh hereof could those ships stirre that lay ready at Kinsale to be sent to Baltimore Castle-haven and Beere-haven but now they are gone Wee hope that the Service to bee done by them which is the possessing of the Castles and sending away of the Spaniards in them will bee presently accomplished although the winde hath served them so scantly as we feare they will hardly recover all the places whereunto they are directed There is onely one Scottish ship gone from Kinsale for Spaine which carried one hundred and sixtie Spaniards with part of the Artillerie but there lies now readie at the Harbour for the first winde so much shipping as will carrie away fifteene hundred more so as there will bee yet remaining in Kinsale aboue one thousand more which with the first shipping that comes from the other Ports shall be 〈◊〉 Don Iuan stayes to goe last It appeareth by some Letters intercepted which wee send her eâ—ithall unto your Lordships that the King of Spaine purposeth in send a larger supply hither with all expedition Don Iuan assâ—res 〈◊〉 to doe the best â—ee can to stay them and if he arriue first in Spainâ— hec makes no doubt to disswade their comming but if they should come before his 〈◊〉 hee promiseth to returne them according to his Covenant in the 〈…〉 if they doe not come under the command of some other that hath a 〈…〉 from his from the King
and good opportunity as I imagined I I came to their presence tendering my obeysance unto them in the name of your Highnesse and being with foure hundred men at my owne cost towards your service I yeelded out of my meere loue and goodwill without compulsion or composition into their hands in the name of your Majestie not onely my Castle and Haven called Beerehaven but also my Wife my Children my Countrey Lordships and all my possessions for ever to be disposed of at your pleasure They received mee in that manner and promised as from your Highnesse to keepe and saue the said Castle and Haven during the service of your grace Notwithstanding my gratious Lord conclusions of peace were assuredly agreed upon betwixt Don Iuan de Aguila and the English a fact pittifull and according to my judgement against all right and humane conscience Among other places whereof your greatnesse was dispossessed in that manner which were neither yeelded nor taken to the end they should bee delivered to the English Don Iuan tyed himselfe to deliver my Castle and Haven the onely key of mine inheritance whereupon the living of many thousand persons doth rest that liue some twentie leagues upon the Sea Coast into the hands of my cruell cursed misbeleeving Enemies a thing I feare in respect of the execrablenesse inhumanity and ingratefulnesse of the fact if it take effect as it was plotted that will giue cause to other men not to trust any Spaniard hereafter with their bodies or goods upon these causes My Lord in that I judge this dishonourable act to be against your honour and pleasure as I understand by your last Letters that came into Ireland considering the harme that might ensue to the service of your Majestie and the ever lasting overthrow that might happen to mee and my poore people such as might escape the sword of our Enemy if any should I haue taken upon mee with the helpe of God to offer to keepe my Castle and Haven from the hands of mine Enemies untill further newes and order come from your Highnesse I haue sent my Sonne and Heire being of the age of fiue yeares as a Pledge for accomplishing your will in this behalfe and for the performing of my promise past unto your Greatnesse I would not omit my selfe in person to come and visit your Highnesse but that I feare our warres here would grow weake in respect of my absence for which cause my selfe and the rest of our men of worth haue sent in haste with Intelligence vnto your Greatnesse our loving Friend Dermond Odrischall in respect of our confidence in him our knowledge of him and the continuall endeavors wee see in him towards this Catholique Warre as from vs all And for as much as wee could not conveniently write all that wee wish vnto you wee humbly beseech that hee may bee heard as from vs all as if our selues were present and to hasten helping Newes that shall rejoyce vs and our people and afterwards to speed your gracious helpe vnto vs for the sooner the better whilest our enemies are not in readinesse and vntill the comming of newes from your grace vnto vs I will haue in a readinesse where the service shall require the number of one thousand men and I will upon my knees pray the mercifull God to giue vnto your Grace long life with health of body and soule and all happinesse and so doe commit you to the safeguard of the Omnipotent Donboy viz. Beere-haven the twentieth day of February 1602. Donnell Osulevan Beare A Letter from Osulevan Beare to the Earle of Caraçena MY dutie remembred It may please your Lordship to understand that according to my former Letters it hath manifestly appeared heere the resolution of Don Iuan de Aguila to haue been by his composition with the English to yeeld unto the Enemies hands all the Forts and Havens voluntarily delivered by the Lords and Gentlemen of this Land for his Majesties service which will bee to the dishonour of the King the prevention of his most godly attempt and the utter ruine and destruction of thousands of this Countrey Gentlemen and Catholiques who without compulsion entred into this Action All which having considered I haue of meere affection to my Religion his Highnesse service and loue to my people and Countrey so endeavored the recovery of my Castle as I did draw into the same some hundred of my followers whom although the Spanyards haue attempted to resist and killed three of my best Gentlemen yet durst none of my people kill any of them but without harme forced them out of my said Castle saving their Captaine with fiue or sixe unto whom I haue allowed certaine roomes in my House to looke to the Kings Munition and Artillerie which Castle and Haven I doe detaine and will evermore for his Majesties Service to defend untill his Highnesse pleasure and your Lordships resolution unto mee shall bee further knowen And for manifestation of my loyaltie and faithfulnesse to his Majestie I haue sent my Sonne and Heyre thither whom I hope ere this time is present before your Lordship and haue cessâ—d all the Captaines Company upon my owne people and charges humbly beseeching it may please your Honour to bee a meane unto his most Catholique Majestie that hee may vouchsafe speedily to releeue this place where many of his Royall Shipps in time of service may bee kept in safetie Or otherwayes to send some small Ship towards this coast for to receiue mee and the rest of my Family and Children for to bee carryed into Spaine for the saving of our liues out of the hands of these mercilesse Hereticall Enemies making choyce rather to forsake my ancient Inheritance Friends Followers and Goods then any way to trust to their most gracelesse Pardon or Promise Thus much I hope your godly charitable Nature will draw you to doe for such a one as I am who hazarded Life Lands Goods and Followers for the Catholique Faith and the Kings Majesties Service All which leaving to your Honourable Discretion through whose vertuous meanes I chiefely hope to receiue comfort I humbly take leaue From Beare-haven Castle the last of February 1602. Your most Faithfull and bounden Donnell Osulevan Beare To the Earle of Caraçena Governor and Captaine Generall for his Majestie in the kingdome of Galitia A Letter from Osulevan Beare to Don Pedro Zubiaur MY honorable good friend your kind letters I haue of late received for your carefull furtherance I cannot but rest beholden and thankfull as before Our state sithence your departing notwithstanding many crosses was reasonable well partly because of the weaknesse of the English forces untill a brute came unto us credibly that Don Iuan de Aguila did not onely agree and compound to yeeld the Towne of Kinsale but also the other Castles and Havens delivered voluntarily by the owners unto you and the Veador to the King his use during the occasion of service which notwithstanding being
Letter bare date the seventh of August and arrived at Corke the second of September following whereby the Reader may see that the King of Spaines eyes were yet still notwithstanding the rowt at Kinsale the dishonour hee received in the returnes of his troopes and the losse of Dunboy whereby his footing in Ireland was meerely loâ—t open upon that kingdome Although Queene Elizabeth of happie memory was dead before Lieutenant Edney returned yet I hold it not impertinent in this place to 〈◊〉 his sucâ—esses When hee was landed at the Groynt hee understood that Don Iohn de Aguila by the accusation of the Irish Fugitiues was in disgrace confined to his house where of griefe shortly after hee dyed His Letters and Pasports were taken from him by the Earle of Carazena and sent to the Court and himselfe stayed untill the Kings pleasure was knowen The Irish Traytors inveighed much against him â—aying That under pretext of Trade and bringing of Presents hee came as a Spie Neverthelesse he was well intreated and had the libertie of the Towne and to weare his Sword with allowance from the King of a Duccat per diem for his dyet His goods were solde for the best advantage and his Barque returned into Ireland But the Presidents present to Don Iohn the Earle of Carazena detayned to his owne use And after nine moneths restraint Edney was enlarged and returned into England in Iuly 1603. A little before this time Sir Robert Cecill her Majesties principall Secretary wrote unto the Lord Deputie the Newes of Spaine a branch of which hee also sent to the President dated upon the seventh of August and received the second of September I hold meet to insert wherby the Reader may understand that the King of Spaine had still his eyes open upon Ireland One great cause of my writing this private Letter is this that where I see how much it doth distract your mind to thinke of Spaine behinde you and of the North before you fearing to bee diverted from the conclusion of your labours you may perceiue in what estate the preparations of Spaine are now as I am certainly advertised by one of mine owne who is newly arrived from the Port of Lisbone where he tooke shipping the 21 of Iuly There are two great Ships each of them of a thousand Tunnes one called the Andrew the other which shall be the Viceadmirall the name forgotten Besides there are twelue ships of two hundred tunnes and downeward in which it is resolved to send some fifteene hundred men to haue releeved the siege at Bearehaven the Newes of the taking whereof was first knowen by a Ship from Waterford to Lisbon and not before Of the fifteene hundred men eight hundred came from the Groyne being part of those which were transported out of Ireland In the Groyne remaineth Odonnell and there is onely the great Saint Philip with ten small Barques with which he mightily importuned to be sent to the North. If these had been sent unto Beerehaven in Mounster hoping upon his arrivall with some fifteene hundred men to haue raised the siege possessed some parts and made a beginning of a plantation heereof great benefit must needs haue growen to the Rebels for as those small numbers which should haue been landed at Mounster with the bruite of the rest to follow which is alwayes multiplied would haue made a distraction of the Vlster prosecution c. Lastly in the said Letter he prayed the President to set downe his opinion what course were best to be taken in a Defensiue warre if the King of Spaine did invade Ireland with a Royall Armie The next passage to giue Master Secretarie satisfaction the Lord President wrote unto him a long Letter but because many private things were handled in the same I will onely relate so much of it as concernes his opinion touching a defensiue warre in Ireland The Lord Presidents Opinion sent to Master Secretary of a Defensiue Warre in Ireland GRanting that the Enemie will come no lesse powerfull then is reported and that the Irish will joyne with them whereof there is no doubt then consideration is to bee had what in such a Sea of troubles is meetest to bee done that may best preserue the Queenes army with lest charge and the way to weary the enemy and the countrey Because my opinion may perchance differ from other men whose Authority Greatnesse and better iudgement in the worldes opinion beares more sway I will forbeare to deale in so waightie a businesse any farther then to your selfe vsing the libertie you haue euer giuen me to say what I conceiue to be the best Counsaile if the army of Spaine be so great as is both reported by those that come from thence and expected heere let us make no doubt but he will bee Master of the field for the present and will so hold himselfe except the Armie of Ireland bee reenforced to a farre higher Liâ—t the charge whereof will make if I bee not deceived both England and Ireland to groane Wherefore the best way in my conceit to moderate such huge Expences is for the present to be carelesse of the Countreys generally throughout the kingdome for in seeking both to defend them and to make head against the Enemy will be too heavie a burden The principall regard which we ought to haue is of the Cities in every of which I doe wish a strong Garison both of Horse and foot able to defend a siege when the Enemie shall see that wee are dispersed into Garrisons either hee will presently in his best strength goe to besiege one of those places or else disperse because hee hath the Countrey to friend as wee doe if he attempt the besieging of any of our places aforesaid there is no doubt but in such a businesse he will unite all his forces in one then may wee be bold to draw all our forces from their severall Garrisons to a head to releeue that place and with Gods favour make no doubt but to enforce the Enemy to rise if hee disperse then those Garrisons will be able to master the Countries about them and leaue no habitation to releeue either Spanyard or Irish and upon occasion two or more of these Garrisons may assemble and meet to effect greater services then otherwise can bee done This fashion of a warre will in a short time destroy all the Countrey make the Irish to curse the Spaniard and themselues for drawing them hither driue the King to an inestimable charge and hazard by Sea to victuall and releeue his Army which otherwise will perish ease the Queenes charge and secure the chiefe Townes which is chiefely and aboue all other things to be respected Supposing the Army would land in Mounster in it I would haue principall regard of Corke Limerick and Waterford in either of which Cities I doe wish there might be a strong Garrison of three thousand foote and three hundred horses one thousand foote more to be dispersed
necessary deductions could not bee but very neere wasted and that little remainder more fit for a prey to the poore Souldiers after this tedious travell then for a clause in the Composition Furthermore how needfull it was to embrace this accord may clearely bee seene by whosoever considereth the state of our Armie almost utterly tyred how full of danger and difficultie it was to attempt a Breach defended by so many hands how long time it might haue cost us if wee had lodged in the Breach before wee could haue carried the Towne being full of strong Castles how her Majesties Ships and others being in the Harbour should haue beene forced speedily to forsake us for want of victualls how our selues were not provided for aboue six dayes at the time of this parley that wee had neither Munition nor Artillerie but for one Battery in one place at once fiue of our Peeces being before crazed And finally that if wee had missed of our purpose the whole Countrey had been hazarded Furthermore that which seemed of greatest consequence to enduce his Lordship to this agreement was that the Spanyards in Baltemore Castlehaven and Beerehaven by vertue of this Contract were likewise to surrender those places and depart the Countrey which how hard a matter it would haue prooved and how long and dangerous a war it would haue drawn on to root them out they being strongly fortified and well stored with victuals Munition and Artillery may easily bee conjectured for that of necessitie the Armie for some space must haue rested and in the end haue been constrained after a new supply of necessaries to her Majesties intollerable charges to transport themselues thither by Sea the way by land being unpassable in which time their Succours out of Spaine in all likelihood would haue been come unto them the King being so farre engaged in his Honour to second his enterprise and wee barred of that prosecution of the Rebells which now by this Agreement wee may wholly intend For which considerations the Lo Deputie and Councell thought it in their wisdomes meet to condescend to more indifferent conditions which beeing propounded and agreed upon by Don Iuan these Articles ensuing were signed and sealed on both parts The Articles of Composition betweene the Lord Deputie and Councell and Don Iuan de Aquila Mountjoy In the Towne of Kinsale in the Kingdome of Ireland the second day of the Moneth of Ianuary 1601 betweene the Noble Lords the Lord Mountjoy Lord Deputie and Generall in the Kingdome of Ireland and Don Iuan de equild Captaâ—ne and Camp-master Generall and Governour of the Armie of his Majestie the King of Spaine the said Lord Deputie being enâ—amped and besieging the said town and the said Don Iuan within 〈…〉 respects and to avoyd shedding of blood these Condiâ—ions following were made betweene the said Lords Generalls and their Campes with the Articles that follow FIrst That the said Don Iuan de Aquila shall quit the places which hee holds in this Kingdome as well of the Towne of Kinsale as those which are held by the Souldiers under his command in Castlehaven Baltimore and the Castle of Beere-haven and other parts to the said Lord Deputie or to whom he shall appoynt giving him safe transportation and sufficient for the said people of ships and victualls with the which the said Don Iuan with them may go for Spaine if he can at one time if not in two shippings Item That the Souldiers at this present being under the command of Don Iuan in this Kingdome shall not beare Armes against her Majestie the Queene of England wheresoever supplyes shall come from Spaine till the said Souldiers be unshipâ—ed in some of the Ports of Spaine being dispatched as soone as may be by the Lord Deputy as he promiseth upon his Faith and Honour Item For the accomplishing whereof the Lord Deputie offereth to giue free pasport to the said Don Iuan and his Army aswell Spaniards as other nations whatsoever that are under his command and that hee may depart with all the things hee hath Armes Munitions Money Ensignes displayed Artillery and other whatsoever provisions of warre and any kind of stuffe aswell that which is in Castlehaven as Kinsale and other parts Item That they shall haue ships and victuals sufficient for their money according and at the prices which here they use to giue that all the people and the said things may bee shipped if it be possible at one time if not at two and that to bee within the time aboue named Item That if by contrary winds or by any other occasions there shall arriue at any Port of these kingdomes of Ireland or England any ships of these in which the said men goe they bee intreated as friends and may ride safely in the Harbour and bee victualled for their money and haue moreover things which they shall need to furnish them to their voyage Item During the time that they shall stay for shipping victuals shall be given to Don Iuans people at just and reasonable rates Item That of both parts shall be cessation of Armes and security that no wrong be offered any one Item That the ships in which they shall goe for Spaine may passe safely by any other ships whatsoever of her Majesties the Queene of England and so shall they of the said Queene and her Subjects by those that shall goe from hence and the said ships being arrived in Spaine shall returne assoone as they haue unshipped their men without any impediment given them by his Majestie or any other person in his name but rather they shall shew them favour and helpe them if they need any thing and for security of this they shall giue into the Lord Deputie hands three Captaines such as hee shall choose For the securitie of the performance of the Articles Don Iuan offereth that he wil confirme and sweare to accomplish this agreement And likewise some of the Captaines of his Charge shall sweare and confirme the same in a severall writing Item that hee in person shall abide in this Kingdome where the Lord Deputie shall appoynt till the last shipping upon his Lordships word And if it happen that his people be shipped all at once the said Don Iuan shall goe in the same Fleet without any impediment given him But rather the Lord Deputy shall giue a good ship in which hee may goe and if his said men be sent in two shippings then he shall goe in the last And in like sort the said Lord Deputie shall sweare and confirme and giue his word in the behalfe of her Majestie the Queene and his owne to keepe and accomplish this agreement and joyntly the Lord President the Lo. Marshall of the Campe and the other of the Councell of State and the Earles of Thomond and Clanricard shall sweare and confirme the same in a severall writing I doe promise and sweare to accomplish and keepe these Articles of Agreement and promise the same likewise
on the behalfe of his Majestie Catholique the King my Master George Carew Thomond Clanricard Richard Wingfield Robert Gardiner George Bourchier Richard Levison Don Iuan de Aguila CHAP. XXIIII The names of the Hostages delivered by Don Iuan. Don Iuan his demand of victuals for the transporâ—ation of his men The victuals which was delivered to Don Iuan and their rates The number of Spaniards which were transported out of Ireland The Lord Deputie brake up his siege and returned to Corke Captaine Harvies Commission for his government THE day the Articles were Signed Don Iuan dined with the Lord Deputie and the next day after the Lord President having Sir Richard Levison and Sir William Godolphin in his company was sent into the Towne of Kinsale where he dyned with Don Iuan to treate with him about such shipping and victuals as hee would demand for the transportation of his men and at what rates for the which ready money was to bee payed And also to demand of him the three Captaines which the Lord Deputie had made choise of which were Don Pedro Morijon Captaine Pedro Suaco and Captaine Diego Gonzales Sigler to remaine Pledges untill the returne of the ships The demands hee made of victuals and tonnage for the victualling and transporting of three thousand and two hundred men remayning in Kinsale Castlehaven Baltimore and Donboy whereof two thousand and sixe hundred in Kinsale and sixe hundred at the places aforesaid were as followeth First his demands was sixe weekes victuals in forme following For every weeke foure dayes flesh three dayes fish For every flesh day bread foure and twenty ownces for a man and sixe of Beefe For every fish day foure and twenty ounces of Bread sixe ounces of fish and one ounce of Butter For every hundred men one Pipe of wine besides water For shipping for every three men two Tuns and hee to giue fourtie shillings le Tun and his men to bee landed at the first Port they can touch in Spaine For the expediting of these demands the Lord Deputie gaue present direction to all the Ports within the Province for the taking up of shipping and warrant to Allen Apsley the Commissary for the victuals in Mounster to issue out of the Queenes store according to the demands made These quantities of victuals ensuing for the which hee should receiue money of Don Iuan whereby the Magazine might bee supplyed Towards the accomplishing whereof the Comissary of the victuals delivered this ensuing proportion viz. Bisquet 186052 li. 2067 4 8 Butter 6304 157 12 3 Flesh 47394 789 18 00 Fish 18339 305 13 00 Ryce 1235 30 17 6 Â Summa tot 3351 5 5 Which being with all possible conveniencie despatcht haste was made for their Embarquing at two sundry times There was shipped at Kinsale the care whereof was committed to Captaine Francis Slingsbye 2070 at Baltimore and at Castlehaven by Captaine Roger Harvie 415 in all 3025 besides Captaines inferior Officers Priests and religious men and a great Company of Irish. The fourth of Ianuary a Spanish ship appeared by the old Head of Kinsale hovering before the Harbor mouth The Lord Deputie having concluded the Composition with Don Iohn for the rendring of the Towne of Kinsale sent a Boat with some men in her to let them know that Don Iohn and hee were good friends and therefore hee might safely come in without any danger in which Boat was one Thomas Foster a Nephew to Sir Anthony Cooke which message assoone as it was delivered the Captaine of the ship tooke in all the men hoysed sayle and stood away with all speed for Spaine This might seeme to be an action performed with no good approbation in putting those men into their power but whether it be justifiable or no the successe prooved it to bee of very great consequence for though the newes of the defeat of the Irish Armie were come into Spaine by O Donnell and those with him yet Don Iohn stood firme in Kinsale without danger to be much pressed by the Deputy soliciting new forces hoping thereby to repaire their former losses to reunite their dispersed Companies and to overthrow the English forces being much spent and sore weakened by their Winter siege Before the arrivall of O Donnell Seconds were in preparing and after his arrivall both increased and much hastened as may appeare by the Letters intercepted which came out of Spaine to Don Iohn when hee was at Corke both from the King of Spaine the Duke of Lerma the Secretary Ibarra and others But when they understood by those men that Don Iohn had compounded for the rendering of Kinsale and for their returning into Spaine it then put them to a stand for their proceedings and at last concluded to giue over the attempt finding so little assistance either in the power or courage of the Irish And if this had not fallen out thus and that those seconds had come and landed in Ireland it might haue beene much doubted or rather positiuely beleeved the contrary that those Spanyards would not haue been bound by Don Iohns Articles but haue taken their best opportunitie of their force and power in kindling a new flame and making that Kingdome againe in as desperate an estate as ever heretofore it hath been if not worse These things being thus ordered and no cause appearing of longer stay in the Campe the ninth of Ianuary the Lord Deputy rose and the same day he rode to Corke having in his company Don Iuan de Aguila and many of the Spanish Captaines the grosse of his companies being left in Kinsale The Lord Deputie lodged in the Bishop of Corkes house Don Iuan in the Citie and the President at Shandon Castle The day following the Captaines received directions to repayre to sundry Townes in Mounster appoynted for their Garrisons And the same day Captaine Roger Harvie and Captaine George Flower were dispatched with certaine Companies to goe by Sea to receiue the Castles of Castle-haven Donneshed and Donnelong at Baltimore and Dunboy at Beerehaven in the West all which were then in the possession of the Spanyards Also the sayd Captaine Harvie had a Commission graunted unto him for the government of all the Countreyes betweene Rosse in Carbery and the Bay of Bantrye as followeth A Commission from the Lord Deputie and Councell unto Captaine Roger Harvy for the government of Carbry Mountioye VVEe greete you well Whereas wee haue thought it very expedient for the furtherance of her Majesties service and the drawing and setling the Inhabitants of the Westerne parts of the Province of Mounster which lately revolted into her Majestie allegiance againe which in regard that divers the Rebels which were vnited to Tyrone and the Spaniards upon the overthrow given them made escape and are drawen to Baltimore Castlehaven and those other Westerne parts For the better prosecution cutting off and apprehension of those and of all other Rebels Traytors Fellons and other capitall Offenders