the latter end of August and presently after their return they applied themselves to the Lords Justices and Councel desiring to have all those Acts and other Graces granted by His Majesty made known unto the people by proclamations to be sent down into severall parts of the country which while the Lords Justices took into their consideration and sate daily composing of Acts to be passed the next Session of Parliament for the benefit of His Majesty and the good of his Subjects They seemed with great contentment and satisfaction to retire into the country to their severall habitations that they might there refresh themselves in the mean season The discovery of the Conspiracie of the Irish to seize upon the Castle and City of Dublin and their generall Rising at the same time in all the Northern parts of this Kingdome The happy condition of Ireland at the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion Octo. 23 1641. SUch was now the state and present condition of the Kingdome of Ireland such the great serenity through the gentle and happy transaction of the publike affairs here As that the late Irish Army raised for the invasion of the kingdom of Scotland being peaceably disbanded their Arms and Munition by the singular care of the Lords Iustices and Councel brought into His Maiesties stores within the city of Dublin there was no manner of warlike preparations no reliques of any kind of disorders proceeding from the late levies nor indeed any noise of war remaining within these coasts Now while in this great calm the British continued in a most deep security under the assurance of the blessed peace of this land while all things were carried on with great temper and moderation in the present government and all men sate pleasantly enjoying the comfortable fruits of their own labours without the least thoughts or apprehension of either tumults or other troubles the differences between his Majesty and his Subjects of Scotland being about this time fairly composed and setled There brake out upon the 23. of October 1641. a most desperate and formidable Rebellion an universall defection and generall Revolt wherein not only all the meer Irish but almost all the old English that adhered to the church of Rome were totally involved And because it will be necessary to leave some monuments hereof to posterity I shall observe the beginnings and first motions as well as trace out the progresse of a rebellion so execrable in it self so odious to God and the whole world as no age no kingdome no people can parallel the horrid cruelties The first plot for the rebellion carried on with so great secresie as none of the English had notice of it before it was ready to be put in execution the abominable murders that have been without number as well as without mercy committed upon the British inhabitants throughout the land of what sexe or age of what quality or condition soever they were And first I must needs say howsoever I have observed in the nature of the Irish such a kind of dull and deep reservednesse as makes them with much silence and secresie to carry on their businesse yet I cannot but consider with great admiration how this mischievous plot which was to be so generally at the same time and at so many severall places acted and therefore necessarily known to so many severall persons should without any noise be brought to such maturity as to arrive at the very point of execution without any notice or intimation given to any two of that huge multitude of persons who were generally designed as most of them did to perish in it For besides the uncertain presumptions that Sir William Cole had of a commotion to be raised by the Irish in the Province of Vlster about a fortnight before this rebellion brake openly out and some certain intelligence which he received of the same two dayes before the Irish rise I could never hear that any English man received any certain notice of this conspiracy before the very evening that it was to be generally put in execution It is true Sir VVilliam Cole upon the very first apprehensions of something that he conceived to be hatching among the Irish did write a Letter to the Lords Justices and Councell dated the 11. of Octob. 1641. wherein he gave them notice of the great resort made to Sir Phelim O Neale in the county of Tyrone as also to the house of the Lord Mac Guiâ—e in the county of Fermanagh and that by severall suspected persons fit instruments for mischief As also that the said Lord Mac Guire had of late made severall journies into the Pale and other places and had spent his time much in writing Letters and sending dispatches abroad These Letters were received by the Lords Justices and Councell and they in answer to them required him to be very vigilant and industrious to finde out what should be the occasion of those severall meetings and speedily to advertise them thereof or of any other particular that he conceived might tend to the publique service of the State And for that which was revealed to Sir VVilliam Cole upon the 21. of Octob. the same moneth by John Cormacke and Flarty Mac Hugh from Brian Mac Cohanaght Mac Guire touching the resolution of the Irish to seize upon his Majesties castle and city of Dublin to murder the Lords Justices and councell of Ireland and the rest of the Protestants there and to seize upon all the castles Forts Sea-ports and holds that were in possession of the Protestants within the Kingdom of Ireland I finde by the examination of John Cormacke taken upon oath at Westminster Nov. 18. 1644. That the said Sir VVilliam Cole did dispatch Letters to the Lords Justices and councell the same day to give them notice thereof But I can also testifie that those Letters whether they were intercepted or that they otherwaies miscarried I cannot say came not unto their hands as also that they had not any certain notice of this generall conspiracy of the Irish untill the 22. of Octob. in the very evening before the day appointed for the surprize of the castle and city of Dublin Then the conspirators being many of them arrived within the city and having that day met at the Lion Tavern near Copper Alley and there turning the Drawer out of the room ordered their affairs together drunk healths upon their knees to the happy successe of their next mornings work Owen O Conally discovers the conspiracy of the Irish to the Lord Parsons the very evening before it was to be executed Owen O Conally a Gentleman of a meer Irish family but one that had long lived among the English and been trained up in the true Protestant religion came unto the Lord Justice Parsons about nine of the clock that evening and made him a broken relation of a great conspiracy for the seizing upon his Majesties castle of Dublin He gave him the names of some
brought on to any conclusion in many Moneths after So as in the meane time all the British planted thorough out this Kingdome were despoiled driven out of their habitations or most cruelly murdered within their own doores and the Irish strengthned themselves in all parts of the Country and prevailing everywhere drew many to joyne with them that had hitherto kept themselves in a kinde of Neutrality as supposing that the State here would be altogether deserted and no Forces at all sent out of England for the suppressing of the Irish as had taken up Armes in this quarrell The whole Province of Munster about the midst of this Month of December began to declare themselves in open Rebellion The revolt of the Irish in the Province of Munster The Lord President there had used his utmost endeavours to suppresse their very beginnings but by reason of his want of strength was now able to containe them no longer Hee did with all diligence and carefulnesse labour to prevent the joyning together of any numbers of the Irish in any of those parts And when he understood how they began in some places of the Province to despoyle the English and that they had neare Waterford gotten away many of the English mens cattell and were carrying them out of the limits of his government he thought it not fit longer to sit still but gallantly pursued those Rebels in his own person being accompanied only with his own Troop of horse and some few Gentlemen of the Country who joyned with them and after a long and tedious march came upon them unawres slew 200 of those Rebels restored the cattell to the English that were owners of them and took severall prisoners whom he hanged for a greater terrour to all such as should adventure afterwards to follow their example As soone as he had done this service his Lordship retired back to Cork having neither Forces nor meanes to make any further prosecution which the Irish well enough understood and therefore drew together in severall places of that Province and though they did not in that barbarous manner The misery suffered by the English in Munster as they in Vlster hew down cut in pieces hang drown or presently murder all the English among them yet many horrid murders they committed used severall kinds of cruelty to many particular persons and for all the rest that fell into their hands they robbed and violently deprived them of all their goods and cattell most miserably stripped them out of their cloaths and leaving them quite naked suffered most of them in that lamentable posture to passe to Cork Youghall Kinsale and other Ports there to embarke their miserable Carkasses for England where few arrived safely and I am sure I may well say few in respect of those multitudes who perished through want cold and famine before they could get to those Towns or otherwayes dyed after their arrivall in them or were by stormes at Sea cast away And for the English who stood upon their guard and immured themselves up in severall Castles of good strength in those Parts they endured many Months siege suffered much want and misery and having bravely resisted all the assaults and attempts that the Irish made with great multitudes upon them and in many places caused them to raise their sieges with great losse and slaughter of their men yet they were afterwards finding themselves without all hope or possibility of reliefe enforced to deliver those places together with the multitudes of English they had received into the hands of the Rebels upon faire quarter solemly promised by them And in many places no sooner had they by that meanes gotten entrance into them but that they most perfidiously broke the quarter given despoyled them of that little remainder of their substance they had then left and sent them away in great want and misery to find reliefe among other English Garrisons But the whole Country being wasted and destroyed and the poore English that lived in them despoiled of all their substance were become so miserable and poor as that they were able to afford them very little reliefe or comfort besides pitty and compassion which could not support or keep alive those languishing gastly Creatures so as multitudes dyed some in ditches some travelling on the high-wayes some under hedges and so left their Carkasses as fearfull spectacles to the beholders and sad monuments of the inhumane cruelties exercised on them by those bloody Rebels who yet under pretence of mercy spared their lives but took up a resolution as they were not ashamed to declare to put them to a more lingring death and therefore left them in such a condition as inevitably brought on their miserable ends with much more discomfort and sorrow But this shall suffice to shew the beginning of the rising of the Irish in Munster the particulars whereof shall be clearly and at large set down in the following Relations of their first proceedings within that Province where it shall be declared likewise how all the great Towns in Lemster except Dublin and Tredagh did about the same time begin to strip and expell all the British and Protestants that either inhabited in them or fled out of the Country neare about to shelter themselves there from the barbarous cruelties of their Irish neighbours As for the City of Dublin it began now to be much more straightly encompassed by the Forces of the Rebels Dublin distressed much encreased through their late conjunction with the English Pale And in case of their want of power to force it yet they having made their approaches so neare and having so absolutely stopped up all the avenues as we had great reason to apprehend their keeping back of provisions would drive the City into high necessities and quickly occasion great want there And here I cannot without much griefe of heart call to mind the lamentable complaints and bitter out-cryes which untill this time were continually sent up unto the Lords Justices and Councell while they remained in this posture out of severall Parts of the Country where the English Inhabitants being by the Irish driven out of their habitations had for their present safeguard put themselves into Houses or Castles of some strength they there enduring much want and misery made shift though not without great difficulty by severall Messages and Letters to make known their condition to the State as also that they were resolved as many of them did to suffer the utmost extremities out of hope of reliefe and a confident expectation of succours from them But alas all was in vaine they were able to afford them no other comfort then what their pittifull commiseration of their sorrowfull condition would adminster they were themselves reduced so low as with the greatest power they could raise they durst not adventure to send any wayes five miles out of the City their supplyes out of England were not arrived they had neither place nor meanes to raise men
Spaine or France And although out of the fore-sight we had of this extremity since these troubles began we have endeavoured to get in some provisions of victuall and corne yet we have not been able to provide our selves sufficiently to stand out any long siege nor can we now get in any more our Markets being almost taken away and the strength of the Rebels surrounding us so as wee can fetch in no more provisions wherefore we beseech your Lordship that the Magazins of Victuals designed to be setled on that side may be setled wirh all speed if it be not done already whereby we and the Succours we expect may not be in distresse of Victuals for our selves or them or oates for our horses Our want of Victuals is the more in respect of the daily accesse of the English spoyled in the Countrey The necessity of the defence of the Province of Munster required the immediate raising of a Regiment of Foot consisting of one thousand men and two Troops of Horse of threescore each Troop which threescore we appointed the Lord President to raise and for the payment and arming of of them wee humbly advise seeing we cannot doe it that money and armes be sent from thence to Youghall with a further supply of Armes and Munition for the stores in that Province now much wanting there And as the Rebels which have be set us and this City on all sides by Land doe threaten to cut off our Market at Dublin which we begin to feele already so they boldy declare that they will within a day or two cut off the watercourse which brings water to this City and Castle and that done that their multitudes will immediately burn our Suburbs and besiege our Walls which we confesse we yet want strength to defend and must want till our Supplies come forth of England or Scotland or both for here we have but about three thousand men the rest of the old Companies being dispersed in severall needfull Garrisons in the Countrey excepting seven Companies of them surprised and cut off by the Rebels at their first rising in Vlster and other Parts and about two hundred horse by pole of the old Army whereof many are Irish so as considering the spaciousnesse of this City and Suburbs to be defended the smalnesse of our number to defend them and the great numbers of Papists Inhabitants in this City and Suburbs and lastly the very great numbers of the Rebels who are so strong as to approach this City with many thousands and yet leave many thousands also at the siege of Drogheda wee cannot expect to bee able to defend this City for any long time against them without the arrivall of our expected Succours The Earle of Castle-haven on the tenth of this Month presented at this board the inclosed Oath tendered unto him by the Rebels to be sworn by him which he saith he refused to sweare and we heare they send it to all Parts to be tendered to the people pressing them to take the Sacrament thereupon We did lately in hope to gaine some time untill our supplies might come listen to an offer made by some Popish Priests to goe to the Rebels and Treat with them as you may perceive by the inclosed But since we finde there is little hope of it for some of the Priests are returned nothing being wrought thereby However it is fit your Lordship should know what wee doe we must now crave leave to declare to your Lordship that things being risen here to this heigth threatning not onely the shaking of the Government but the losse of the Kingdom as the Supplies of men Armes and more Treasure are of great necessity to be hastned away hither so is it also needfull that we enjoy your Lordships presence here for the conduct in your own person of the great and important affaires of this State as well in the Martiall as in the Civill Government which doe necessarily require it in this time of great imminent danger wherein so farre as we may be able to contribute any assistance with you we shall be ready to discharge our duties therein with that loyalty and uprightenesse of heart which we owe to his Majesty and the particular respect due from us to your Lordship but we hope you will bring that strength with you which may befit the greatnesse of the King our Master to send with his Leivtenant against so numerous enemies as these Rebels are become as well for the honour of his Majesty as for the terrour of those Rebels By what we have heretofore and now humbly represented to your Lordship you may in part see the greatnesse of the publike danger wherein this Kingdom now stands and particularly this City and Castle the principall piece thereof that if those be lost which we now againe assure your Lordship were never in so great perill to be lost since the first Conquest of this Kingdom by the Crown of England the whole Kingdom must quickly follow that the danger which must thereupon arise to the Kingdom of England is very great in many respects There is no possibility to prevent those evils with honour and safety to England but by Succours from thence or Scotland or both and that if those Succours come not speedily it cannot be avoyded but the Kingdom must be lost And if notwithstanding all this so often and truly made known by us to your Lordship we shall perish for want of Supplies we shall carry this comfort with us to our graves or any other buriall we shall have that your Lordship can witnesse for us to the Royall Majesty and to all the world that we have discharged our duties to God to his Majesty to that Nation and to this in humbly representing to his Majesty by your Lordship the chiefe Governour of the Kingdome the extremities and dangers wherein his Kingdome and people stand and the necessity of hastning Supplies hither by all possible meanes for preservation of both so as what ever become of our persons our memory cannot be justly stained with so wretched a breach of faith and loyalty to the King our Master as to forbeare representing thither the extremities wherein we are whether we have the credit to be believed or no and that we write truth and most needfull truth will be found true when perhaps we shall perish and which is more considerable the Kingdome also for want of being believed and succoured in time And so we remaine Your Lordships to be commanded William Persons Io Burlace Ormand Ossory R Dillon Char Lambart Ad Loftus Iohn Temple Charles Coot Francis Willoughby R Meredith From his Majesties Castle of Dublin 14 December 1641. Postscript BY our Letters to your Lordship of the 22 of November We did desire to be enformed from thence whether the Parliament here being once Prorogued may not againe be prorogued by Proclamation before they sit or whether it be of necessity that they must sit againe and the Parliament to
but only within the virge of the City and such as they ordinarily took up there were either Irish whereof many ran presently away with their armes to the Rebels or poore stripped English and Inhabitants of this City who were raw men and though they afterwards being well exercised and trained to the use of their armes proved very good souldiers yet for the present they were very unfit for service As appeared in that little expedition Colonell Craford made out with his men to Finglas Some Forces sent out to encounter the Rebels who lodged within three miles of Dublin a little Town two miles distant from the City at the same time when Sir Charles Coot marched forth to beat Luke Nettervile with his undisciplined Regiment out of his quarters at Santry who having timely notice of his comming saved him the labour for he presently upon the rumour thereof dislodged and fled in so much haste as he left some of his best equipage and all his provisions behind him But that Party of Rebels Colonell Craford found at Finglas having placed themselves with good advantage behind great ditches stood better to their work and carried themselves so stoutly as our new raised men began to shrink and had not the Colonell and some other of his Officers behaved themselves very well that day their men had made a most dangerous and shamefull retreat This was the greatest expedition the Forces in Dublin were able to undertake at that time which no man will wonder at if he doth consider as it hath been related how the Town was in a manner surrounded on every side by severall Parties of the Rebels gathered together Dublin surrounded on every side by the Rebels all commerce was interrupted all provisions brought out of the Countrey for the supply of it intercepted as also that all the chiefe of the English Inhabitants had transported themselves their goods and their Families into England many of the Papists had upon other reasons retired themselves and what belonged unto them into the Countrey and there taken up their habitations within the Rebels quarters no manner of intercouse with any persons whatsoever that made their abode without the distance of two miles from any part of the City no intelligence to be had upon any termes from among the Rebels all courses taken for it disappointed severall Messengers hanged up and yet on the other side all our designs disclosed our weaknesse discovered and the most private resolutions by one meanes or other communicated unto them The Parties of the Rebels that lay neare about the City were these following Luke Nettervile being beaten from Santry lay with neare 2000 men at Swoords a Town six miles distant and possessed himselfe of the Castle of Artaine and some other places within two miles of the City On the West side of the City at Tassagard Rath-coole Castle Lyons and other little Villages within the compasse of six miles there lay 2000 more of the Rebels who were come down out of the Countyes of Carterlagh Kings County Kildare and other Parts under the command of Roger Moore and Sutton Eustace of Castle-Martin and others The Clandonells Birnes and Tooles were also come down in great numbers out of the County of Wiclow and had lodged themselves in some Castles towards the Sea side and in somes Villages at the foot of the Mountain not above three or foure miles distant from the Town on the South side How desperately these Forces threatned our ruine and sudden destruction will appeare by this ensuing Letter bearing date about the midst of December written from the Lords Iustices and Councell unto the Lord Lieutenant then attending for his dispatch A LETTER from the Lords Iustices and Councell to the Lord LIEVTENANT May it please your Lordship BY our Letters of the third of December we made known to your Lordship that Mr Hawtrige was then newly arrived with the Treasure sent us from thence which came but to sixteen thousand five hundred fourescore and tenne pounds a supply of Treasure farre short of that which is now become necessary to performe any considerable service here against the Rebels whose numbers are increased wonderfully insomuch as the Forces they have about Drogheda on all sides it and between Drogheda and this place reaching even within foure miles of this City are upon very credible report conceived to be above twenty thousand men and besides those numbers who are so united between this and Drogheda and thereabouts there are many thousands of them dispersed the whole Kingdome over for the meaner sort of people first rise generally and then those of better quality follow after and the fire which was first kindled in Vlster and lay awhile smothered in other parts begins now to break out so generally as the defection now appeares to bee universall throughout the whole foure Provinces so strangly rooted was the combination and that strengthned under the specious shew of a Warre for Religion for although before and since the Caution wee had from your Lordship We have on our part endeavoured not to give any apprehension to the Irish that England doth intend to make it a Warre of Religion yet as we formerly made known to your Lordship the Rebels labour mainely to have it so understood Nay they now goe so farre as they call themselves generally the Catholike Army a Title which hath drawn many thousands to their party and yet many joyned with them for no other reason then because they saw our Succours expected forth of England and Scotland deferred they rightly judging that without those Succours we are not able to defend them our selves and indeed untill those Succours come they must and will still encrease but if our men and armes were once arrived the very countenance of their comming would draw many from them to us and give some stop to the fury with which they yet carry all before them whithersoever they come They continue their rage and malignity aganst the English and Protestants who if they leave their goods or cattell for more safety with any Papist those are called out by the Rebels and the Papists goods and cattell left behind and now upon some new Councells taken by them they have added to their former a further degree of cruelty even of the highest nature which is to Proclaime That if any Irish shall harbour or relieve any English that be suffered to escape them with his life that it shall bee penall even to death to such Irish and so they will bee sure though they put not those English actually to the sword yet they doe as certainly and with more cruelty cut them off that way then if they had done it by the sword and they professe they will never give over untill they leave not any seed of an English-man in Ireland Nor is their malice towards the English expressed only so but further even to the beasts of their fields and improvements of their hands for they destroy all Cattell
among ancient writers Scytenland or Scotland So the Southern and more Westerne parts thereof were peopled from the Maritine parts of Spaine being the next continent not by the now Spanish Nation who are strangely compounded of a different admixture of severall people But as I said peradventure by the Gaules who anciently inhabited all the Sea coasts of Spaine the Syrians or some other of those more Eastern Nations who intermixing with the naturall Inhabitants of that Country made a transmigration into Ireland and so setled some Colonies there Ireland anciently divided into divers petty principalities The whole Kingdome of Ireland was divided into divers petty principalities and of later times there were five principall Chieftains viz. Mac Morough of Lemster Mac Cartye of Munster O Neale of Vlster O Connor of Conaght and O Malaghlin of Meath For such were the Irish denominations Isti reges non fuerunt ordinati solemnitate alicuius ordinis nec unctionis sacramento nec iure hereditarto vel aliqua proprietatis successione sed vt armis quilibet regnum suum obtinuit The black book of Christ-church in Dublin it is an ancient Manuscript kept there and I do not finde they were called Kings till about the time of the comming over of the English Giraldus Cambrensis who came into Ireland in the time of Hen. 2. of England being the first writer that gives them that Title Besides as they came not in either by hereditary right or lawfull Election so their investiture was solemnized neither by Unctiō or Coronation they made their way by the Sword had certain kinds of barbarous ceremonies used at their Inauguration kept up their power with a high hand and held the people most monstrously enslaved to all the savage customes practised under their dominion And thus they continued untill the Raign of Hen. 2. King of England in whose time the undertakings for the Conquest of Ireland were successefully made by most powerfull though private adventurers upon this occasion Dermott Mac Morough King of Lemster being by the Kings of Conaght and Meath enforced to flie his country made his repaire directly to Hen. 2. King of England The first enterprise of the English upon Ireland made by private adventurers then personally attending his Wars in France and with much earnestnesse implored his aid for the recovery of his territories in Ireland most injuriously as he pretended wrested out of his hands The King refused to imbarque himself in this quarrell yet graciously recommended the justice of his cause to all his loving Subjects and by his Letters Patents assured them that whosoever would afford the said Mac-Morough assistance towards his resettlement should not only have free liberty to transport their Forces Se nostram ad hoc tam gratiam noverit quam licentiam obtinere Gir. Cambren expugnata Hib. cap. 1. but be held to do very acceptable service therein Hereupon Earle Strangebow first engaging himself determined as a private Adventurer to endeavour his restitution with the utmost forces he could raise he lying then very conveniently at Bristol where Mac-Morough came unto him in his passage back from the King into Ireland There were certain conditions agreed upon between them and a transaction made by Mac-Morough of his kingdome of Lemster unto the Earl upon his marriage with his only daughter Eva. And so he being desirous to return speedily into his own country passed to St. Davids in South-Wales from whence is the shortest passage out of England into Ireland and there he further engaged Fitz-Stephen and Fitz-Gerald private Gentlemen in this service These by their power among their country-men in those parts having gotten together a patty of 490 men Cambr. cap. 3. transported them in three ships into Ireland landing at the Banne a little Creek neer Featherd in the county of Wexford and there joyning with some Forces brought unto them by Mac-Morough made their first attempt upon the town of Wexford they were gallantly seconded by Earl Strangebow who followed presently after with no very considerable forces and yet by the power of their arms within a very short time prevailed so far in the country as they made themselves masters thereof and so gained the possession of all the maritime parts of Lemster King Henry upon the news of their prosperous successe in the sudden reducement of so large a territory by such inconsiderable forces as they carried with them desirous to share with his subjects in the rich fruits K. Henry the 2. his expedition into Ireland An. 1172. as well as in the glory of so great an action undertook an expedition in his own person into Ireland the year following And so strange an influence had the very presence of this great Prince into the minds of the rude savage Natives as partly by the power of his arms partly by his grace and favour in receiving of them in upon their fained submissions most humbly tendred unto him he easily subdued a barbarous divided people The first beginnings of the Conquest of this Kingdome were thus gloriously laid by this King in the year of our Lord 1172. Now for the Land it selfe he found it good and flourishing with many excellent commodities plentifull in all kinds of provision the Soile rich and fertile the Aire sweet and temperate the Havens very safe and commodious severall Towns and little Villages scattered up and down in the severall parts of the country Rog. Hoveden cals it Palatium regium miro artificio de virgis levigatis ad modum patriae illius constructum fol. 528. but the Buildings so poor and contemptible as when that King arrived at Dublin their chief city and finding there neither place fit for receipt or entertainment he set up a long house made of smoothed wattles after the manner of the country and therein kept his Christmas All their Forts Castles stately buildings and other edifices were afterwards erected by the English except some of their maritime towns which were built by the Ostmanni or Easterlings who anciently came and inhabited in Ireland Christian religion setled in Ireland Moreover He found likewise by severall monuments of piety and other remarkable testimonies that Christian religion had been long since introduced and planted among the inhabitants of the land It is not certainly without some good grounds affirmed by ancient writers That in the fourth age after the incarnation of our blessed Lord and Saviour some holy and learned men came over out of forraigne parts into Ireland out of their pious desires to propagate the blessed Gospel throughout the Kingdome By Sedulius Palladius Patricius in the fourth age after the birth of our Saviour as Sedulius Palladius and besides severall others Patricius the famous Irish Saint A Britain borne at a place now called Kirk-Patrick near Glascow in Scotland then the utmost boundary of the Britains dominion in those parts who out of meer devotion came and spent much of their time among the
without any further delay to march on and presently surprise the same These false rumours being unluckily spread and by some fomented out of evill ends exceedingly increased the present distractions of the people and raised such a panick fear among them as about seven of the clock at night the Lords Iustices and some of the Councel being then in the councel-chamber within the castle there came in to them a Gentleman of good quality who having not without much difficulty as he pretended recovered the gate of the castle caused the Warders then attending to draw up the bridge assuring them that the Rebels gathered together in great numbers had already possessed themselves of a good part of the Town and came now with great fury marching down the street that leads directly towards the castle gate But this feare was quickly removed by Sir Francis Willoughby who being that day made governour of the castle caused the draw-bridge to be let down and so found this to be a false alarum occasioned by some mistake fallen among the people who continued waving up and down the streets prepossessed with strange feares and some of them upon some slender accident drawing their swords others that knew not the cause thought fit to follow the example and so came to appeare to this Gentleman who was none of their company as so many Rebels comming up to enter the castle These were the first beginnings of our sorrows ill symptomes The Lords Iustices and Councell consult what course to take for the suppressing this rebellion and sad preparatives to the ensuing evils Therefore the Lords finding by several intelligences though some purposely framed that the power of the Rebels was suddenly swollen up to so great a bulk and likely so fast to multiply and increase upon them thought it high time to consider of the remedies and in what condition they were to oppose since they could not prevent so imminent a danger The rebellion now appeared without all manner of question to be generally raised in all parts of the North and like a torrent to come down most impetuously upon them besides it was no wayes improbable that all other parts of the kingdome would take fire and follow their example they had the testimony of Mac-Mahon positive therein The first thing therefore which they took into consideration was how they were provided of Mony Arms and Munition Then what Companies of Foot and Troops of Horse of the old Army they were able to draw presently together No money in the Exchequer as also what numbers of new men they could suddenly raise For the first they had this short accompt from the Vice-treasurer That there was no mony in the Exchequer And certainly it was a main policie in the first contrivers of this Rebellion to plot the breaking of it out at such a time when the Exchequer should be empty and all the Kings revenues both certain and casuall due for that half year as well as the rents of all the British throughout the kingdome should be found ready either in the tenants or collectors hands in the country and so necessarily fall under their power as they did to their great advantage For Arms and Munition the Stores were indifferently well furnished at this time Besides severall Peeces of Artillery of divers sorts most of them fitted for present service there were Arms for near 10000. men 1500 barrels of Powder with Match and Lead proportionable laid in by the Earle of Strafford late L. Lieutenant not long before and designed another way but so opportunely reserved for this service as the good providence of God did exceedingly appeare therein but principally in the miraculous preservation of them out of the hands of the Rebels who made the surprisall of these provisions then all within the castle of Dublin the common store-house of them a main part of their designe The old standing Army as appeares by this List consisted only of 41 Companies of Foot and 14 Troops of Horse A List of His Majesties Army in Ireland 1641. Before the Rebellion began Foot-Companies consisting of six Officers viz. Captain Lieutenant Ensign Chirurgion Serjeant and Drum and fourty four Souldiers each Company LORD Lieutenants Guard 45 Sir Robert Farrar 44 Sir Thomas Wharton 44 Sir George Saint-George 44 Cap. Francis Butler 44 Sir Wil. Saint Leguer 44 Lord Docwra 44 Lord Blaney 44 Sir Robert Steward 44 Lord Viscount Rannelagh 44 Lord Viscount Baltinglas 44 Sir John Vaughan 44 Cap. George Blount 44 Sir Hen. Tichbourne 44 Sir Frederick Hamilton 44 Lord Castle-Stewart 44 Sir Lorenzo Cary 44 Cap Chichester Fortescue 44 Sir John Gifford 44 Cap. John Barry 44 Sir John Neutervile 44 Cap. Thomas Rockley 44 Sir Arthur Tyringham 44 Cap. Philip Wenman 44 Cap. Charles Price 44 Sir Charles Coote 44 Cap. Thomas Games 44 Sir Francis Willoughby 44 Sir John Borlase 44 Cap. Robert Bailey 44 Sir Arthur Loftus 44 Cap. Wil. Billingsley 44 The Lord Esmond 44 The Lord Lambert 44 Sir George Hamilton 44 Lord Folliot 44 Sir Wil. Stewart 44 Cap. Robert Biron 44 Sir John Sherlock 44 The Earl of Clanricard 44 Cap. John Ogle 44 These Companies contain Officers 246 In all 2297 Souldiers 2051 In all 2297 Horse-Troopes THE Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant generall his Troop consisting of Captain Lieutenant Cornet and Horsemen 108 The Earl of Ormonds Troop like Officers and Horsemen 107 The Earl of Straffords Troop like Officers and Horsemen 58 Lord Dillons Troop like Officers and Horsemen 58 Lord Wilmots Troop like Officers and Horsemen 58 Sir Wil. Saint-Leguer Lord President of Munster the like 58 Lord Viscount Moore the like 58 Lo. Viscount Grandison the like 58 Lo. Visc Cromwell of Lecale the like 58 Cap. Arthur Chichester the like 58 Sir George Wentworth the like 58 Sir John Borlase the like 58 Lo. Viscount Conway the like 58 Sir Adam Loftus the like 58 These Troopes contain Officers 42 In all 943 Horsemen 901 In all 943 These were so strangely dispersed most of them into the remote parts of the kingdome for the guard of severall Forts and other places as it fell out to be in a maner most impossible to draw a considerable number of them together in any time either for the defence of the City or the making head against the Rebels in the North and besides it was much to be suspected the companies lying severally so remote and ill furnished with munition could with little safety march to Dublin Yet the Lords sent Potents presently away to require severall companies of Foot and some troops of Horse presently to rise and march up from their severall garrisons towards the city of Dublin And now it was held high time to give an accompt unto His Majesty then at Edenburgh in his kingdome of Scotland and to the Lord Lieutenant continuing still at London the Parliament still sitting there of the breaking out of this Rebellion Letters from the Lords Iustices and Councell to the Lord Lieutenant
23 day of this moneth We conceiving that as soon as it should be known that the plot for seizing Dublin Castle was disappointed all the Conspirators in the remote parts might be somewhat disheartned as on the other side the good Subjects would be comforted and would then with the more confidence stand on their guard did prepare to send abroad to all parts of the Kingdome this Proclamation which we send you here inclosed and so having provided that the City and Castle should be so guarded as upon the sudden Wee could promise Wee concluded that long continued consultation On Saturday at 12 of the clock at night the Lord Blany came to town and brought Vs the ill news of the Rebels seising with two hundred men his house at Castle Blany in the County of Monaghan and his Wife Children and Servants as also a house of the Earle of Essex called Carrickmacrosse with two hundred men a house of Sir Henry Spotswood in the same County with two hundred men where there being a little Plantation of Brittish they plundred the Town and burnt divers houses and it since appears that they burnt divers other Villages and robbed and spoiler many English and none but Protestants leaving the English Papists untouched as well as the Irish On Sunday morning at three of the clock We had intelligence from Sir Arthur Terringham that the Irish in the town had that day also broken up the Kings store of arms and munition at the Newry and where the store of arms hath lyen ever since the peace and where they found fourscore and ten barrels of powder and armed themselves and put them under the command of Sir Con. Magennis Knight and one Creely a Monk and plundered the English there and disarmed the Garrison And this though too much is all that We yet hear is done by them However We shall stand on our guard the best We may to defend the Castle and City principally those being the pieces of most importance But if the Conspiracy be so universall as Mac Mahon saith in his Examination it is namely That all the Counties in the Kingdome have conspired in it which We admire should so fall out in this time of universall peace and carried with that secrecy that none of the English could have any friend amongst them to disclose it then indeed We shall be in high extremity and the Kingdome in the greatest danger that ever it underwent considering our want of men money and armes to enable Vs to encounter so great multitudes as they can make if all should joyn against Vs the rather because We have pregnant cause to doubt that the combination hath taken force by the incitement of Jesuits Priests and Fryars All the hope We have here is the old English of the Pale and some other parts will continue constant to the King in their fidelity as they did in former rebellions And now in these straits We must under God depend on ayd forth of England for our present supply with all speed especially money We having none and arms which we shall exceedingly want without which We are very doubtfull what account We shall give to the King of his Kingdome But if the Conspiracy be only of Mac Guire and some other Irish of the kindred and friends of the Rebell Tirone and other Irish in the Counties of Downe Monaghan Cavan Fermanagh and Armagh and no generall revolt following thereupon we hope then to make head against them in a reasonable measure if We be enabled with money from thence without which We can raise no forces so great is our want of money as we have formerly written and our debt so great to the Army nor is money to be borrowed here and if it were we would engage all our estates for it neither have we any hope to get in his Majesties rents and subsidies in these disturbances which adde extreamly to our necessities On Sunday morning 24. We met again in Councell and sent to all parts of the Kingdome the enclosed Proclamation and issued Potents to draw hither seven Horse troopes as a further strength to this place and to be with us in case the Rebels shall make head and march hitherward so as we may be necessitated to give them battell We also then sent away our Letters to the President of both the Provinces of Munster and Conaght And we likewise then sent Letters to the Sheriffes of the five Counties of the Pale to consult of the best way and means of their own preservation That day the Lord Vice Com. Gormanston the Lord Vice Co. Nettervile the Lord Vice Co. Fitz Williams and the Lord of Houth and since the Earles of Kildare and Fingall and the Lords of Dunsany and Slane all Noblemen of the English Pale came unto us declaring that they then and not before heard of the matter and professed loyalty to his Majesty and concurrence with the State but said they wanted armes whereof they desired to be supplyed by Vs which we told them we would willingly do as relying much on their faithfulnesse to the Crown but we were not yet certain whether or no we had enough to arme our strength for the guard of the City and Castle yet we supplyed such of them as lay in most danger with a small proportion of Arms and Munition for their houses lest they should conceive we apprehended any jealousie of them And we commanded them to be very diligent in sending out watches and making all the discoveries they could and thereof to advertise us which they readily promised to do And if it fall out that the Irish generally rise which we have cause to suspect then we must of necessity put Arms into the hands of the English Pale in present and to others as fast as we can to fight for defence of the State and themselves Your Lordship now sees the condition wherein we stand and how necessary it is first that we enjoy your presence speedily for the better guiding of those and other the publick affairs of the King Kingdom And secondly that the Parliament there be moved immediately to advance to Vs a good sum of money which being now speedily sent hither may prevent the expence of very much treasure blood in a long continued war And if your Lordship shall happen to stay on that side any longer time we must then desire your Lordship to appoint a Lieutenant Generall to discharge the great and weighty burthen of commanding the forces here Amidst these confusions and discords fallen upon Vs We bethought Vs of the Parliament which was formerly adjourned to November next the term now also at hand which will draw such a concourse of people hither give opportunity under that pretence assembling and taking new Councels seeing the former seems to be in some part disappointed and of contriving further danger to this State and People We have therefore found it of unavoidable necessity to prorogue it accordingly and to
power to offer so great violence or do such mischief unto them Now for such of the English as stood upon their guard and had gathered together though but in small numbers the Irish had recourse to their ancient stratagem which as they have formerly so they still continued to make frequent use of in this present Rebellion The Irish falsifie their oaths and protestations to the English and after quarter given them in severall places murder and destroy them And that was fairly to offer unto them good conditions of quarter to assure them their lives their goods and free passage with a safe conduct into what place soever they pleased and to confirme these covenants sometimes under their Hands and Seals sometimes with deep Oaths and Protestations and then as soon as they had them in their power to hold themselves dis-obliged from their promises and to leave their Souldiers at liberty to despoil strip and murder them at their pleasure Thus were the poor English treated who had shut themselves up in the great Cathedrall Church at Armagh by Sir Phelim O Neale and his brother Turlogh Thus were such of the English used by Philip O Reley who had retired themselves to Belterbert the best planted Town in the County of Cavan And after the same barbarous manner were such of the English drawn out to the slaughter as had gotten into the Castles of Longford the Castle of Tullogh in the County of Fermanagh or the Church of Newtowne in the same County and severall other places as appears by severall examinations taken upon oath from persons that hardly escaped thence with their lives And besides these other pollicies they used Severall policyes used by the Irish to prevent the English from rising against or the Scots to ioyn in their defence some to distract and discourage them others to dis-inable them to stand out to make any defence As in severall places the Irish came under divers pretences and borrowed such weapons and armes as the English had in their houses and no sooner got them into their hands but they turned them out of their own doors as they did at Glaslough in the County of Monaghan And by the same means they very gently and fairly got into their possession all the English arms in the County of Cavan The High Sheriffe there being an Irishman and a Papist pretending that he took their arms to secure them only against the violence of such of the Irish as he understood to be in arms in the next County And that they might the more easily effect the destruction of the English and keep off the Scots from giving them any assistance they openly professed to spare as really they did at the first all of the Scottish Nation and pretended they would suffer them as likewise all English Papists to live quietly among them hoping thereby to contain all of that Nation from taking up arms till they had mastered all the English and that then they should be well enough enabled to deal with them Thus were the poor English prepared for the slaughter and so exceedingly distracted with the tumultuous rising of the Irish on all sides about them as they could never put themselves into any posture of defence And although in many places they made small parties and betook themselves into severall Churches and Castles some of which were most gallantly long defended by them yet did they not draw together in any such considerable body as would enable them to make good their party in the field The English stand upon the defence of their private houses without joyning together in one body wherby they gave great advantage to the Rebels against the numerous forces of the Rebels The truth is they did not very readily endeavour or dexterously attempt it in any part of that Province as I could hear of every man betaking himself the best he could to the care of his own house and seeking how to save his own family his goods within and his cattell without And so while they kept singly apart and singly stood up for their own private preservation not joyning their forces together for the common safety they gave the Rebels a fair opportunity and a singular advantage to work out with great facility their common destruction Whereas if they had deserted their houses upon the first notice of the rising up of the Irish and in the severall Counties put themselves into severall bodies under the commands of the chief English Gentlemen round about them they had undoubtedly how ill soever they were provided of arms and munition been able to have encountred the Irish and to have beat them out of many parts of the countrey or at least to have put them to some stand in their enterprize Whereas by the course they took they most readily without almost any resistance exposed themselves to the mercilesse cruelty of the Irish who at the very first for some few dayes after their breaking out did not in most places murder many of them but the course they took was to seaze upon all their goods and cattell to strip them their wives and children naked and in that miserable plight the weather being most bitter cold and frosty to turn them out of their houses to drive them to the Mountains to wander through the Woods and Bogs and if they by any means procured any other clothes or but even ordinary rags to cover their nakednesse they were presently taken from them again and none suffered to give them any kinde of shelter by the way relief or entertainment without incurring the heavie displeasure of their Priests and chief Commanders And so they drove such of the English whose lives they thought fit at that time to spare clear out of the countrey Some of them took their journey towards Carigfergus others towards Colraine Derry and other of the Northern Ports Many who had gotten together and stood upon their guards came to composition with their bloody assailants and gave them their goods plate and money for leave to come up to the City of Dublin And having bought their license at so dear a rate had Passes and Convoyes assigned them by the chief Captains of the Rebels and so came on of their way in great Troops of Men Women and Children Out of the County of Cavan as M. Creighton who by his charitable relief of great numbers of them preserved them from perishing testifies in his examination there passed by his house in one company 1400 persons in another 500. from Newtowne in the County of Fermanagh in others lesser numbers all without any weapons Adam Clovers examination or any thing else but the very clothes on their backs which they suffered them not to carry away with them but many were most barbarously stripped of them by those who undertook to give them safe conduct or perfidiously betrayed by them into the hands of other Rebels by whom some were killed others wounded and all in a manner
Councell of the ill condition and most imminent danger he found the Town to be then in that it was not possible to preserve it out of the hands of the Rebels without further strength both of horse and foot That in case the enemy should make any sudden approaches or attempt to surprize the Town he found such poor preparatives for defence within such apparant signes of disloyalty in the Townsmen and all things in such a desperate confusion as they should not be able by the best endeavours they could use to give any good account of that place Hereupon their Lordships presently resolved A Regiment raised by the Lo. Iustices at Dublin sent down under the command of Sir Henry Tichborne for the defence of Tredagh Novemb. 3. to leavy in the City of Dublin a Regiment of foot and to place them under the command of Sir Henry Tichborne for the defence of Tredagh And for this purpose there was very oportunely in the hands of the Vice Treasurer 3000 li. in a readinesse to be at that time sent over into England for the satisfaction of a publick engagement there This the Lords thought fit to make use of for the leavying and setting out of those men which Sir Henry Tichborne got together in very few dayes and having a Commission of government for the Town with some other private instructions he marched away with great alacrity and diligence the 3 of November and happily arrived next day at Tredagh A Regiment raised by Sir Charles Coot The Lords granted another Commission to Sir Charles Coot to levy a thousand men more which he most carefully endeavoured and within a very short time made up his Regiment wherein very many of the English who came up stripped and despoiled out of the North listed themselves for most of the men which escaped from thence with their lives being better able to suffer then the women and children outlived the miseries of their journey and putting themselves into severall companies some of them had the contentment to revenge the barbarous cruelty used by the Rebels towards them The second dispatch made by the L. Iustices and Councel into England Nov. 5. VPon the 5. of November the Lords made their 2d. dispatch unto His Majesty still at Edenburgh in Scotland At the same time they sent severall Letters into England to the L. Keeper Speaker of the house of Peers to the Speaker of the house of Commons to the Lo of his M ties most hon Privy Councel to the L. Lieutenant of Ireland in all which they did with much earnestnesse declare their present dangers together with the necessity of sending sudden relief In their Letter to the Lords of the Councel they did more particularly set down the miserable estate of the whole kingdom and the large progresse that the Rebellion had in few dayes made since it broke out They represented unto their Lordships the great outrages the Rebels had committed upon the British inhabitants in Vlster that they had seized upon all their estates and houses in five Counties of that Province possessed their Arms detained many of the principall Gentlemen prisoners That they had already slain many most barbarously hewed some to peeces that they have exposed thousands to want and beggery who had good estates and lived plentifully That the Rebellion began then to diffuse it self into the counties of Longford and Letrim and to threaten the English plantations in the King and Queens county that the inhabitants of the counties of Meath and Lowth began to fall upon the English near about them that they conceived there could not be lesse then 30000. who had already openly declared themselves in this Rebellion and were assembled together in severall great parties that they understood their designe was having got Dondalke to take in Tredagh and so to come up immediately to besiege the city and castle of Dublin that they gave out publikely their purpose was to extirpate the English and Protestants and not to lay down Arms untill the Romish religion were established the Government setled in the hands of the Natives and the old Irish restored to the lands of their supposed ancestors That they held it their duty to acquaint their Lordships with the lamentable estate wherein the Kingdome stood that his Majesty and the Parliament might understand it and so speedily provide for sending over to their relief 10000 Foot 1000 Horse together with some able Commanders 100000. l. in money and further provisions of Arms That unlesse these were presently sent to them they craved leave to repeat it again and again the Kingdom would be utterly lost all the English and Protestants in Ireland destroyed the peace of the kingdome of England disturbed by the Irish from thence and so England enforced to make a new conquest of it for that a Politique reformation would then be impossible But now before I passe further The proceedings of the Parliament of England upon the first advertisements brought unto them of the Rebellion raised in Ireland I shall here give an accompt of the arrival of these and the former Letters of the 25. of October addressed by the Lords Justices and Councel to the L. Lieutenant of Ireland Owen O Conally the happy discoverer of the first Plot who carried the first Letters over arrived at London the last day of October and late in the evening delivered those Letters to his Lordship who having read them over and received from him full information of all other parriculars within his knowledge repaired the next morning to the Councel-board and having there acquainted the Lords of His Majesties Privy Councel with them he was required by their Lordships to communicate them unto the Lords of the upper house of Parliament which he did accordingly the very same morning And they considering the high importance of them as soon as they had perused them Ordered that they should be presently sent down to the house of Commons by the Lord Keeper the L. Privy Seal L. High Chamberlain L. Admiral L. Marshal L. Chamberlain Earl of Bath Earl of Dorset Earl of Leicester Earl of Holland Earl of Berks Earl of Bristol L. Vicount Say E. Mandevile L. Goring L. Wilmot all of them being of His Majesties most honorable Privy Councel There were Chairs provided for these Lords in the house of Commons and they sate down there till the Letters were read and then having informed the house of such other parciculars as they had received concerning the generall Rebellion in Ireland they departed without any further conference or other debate upon them leaving the house of Commons to consider further of them Who presently Ordered That the House forthwith should be resolved into a Committee to take into consideration the matter offered concerning the Rebellion in Ireland as likewise to provide for the safety of the Kingdom of England This being done they fell into a most serious debate of this great businesse then before them they fully
considered what means were fittest to be used at present for the prevention of the further spreading of that hideous Rebellion in Ireland as well as stopping of the ill influence it might make upon their affairs in England where great troubles even then began to appeare within view And after much time spent in this debate they came to these severall Conclusions which being put to the question were assented unto by the Committee and so resolved as followeth 1. That 50000. l. be forthwith provided 2. That a Conference be desired with the Lords to move them that a select Committee of the Members of both Houses may be appointed to go to the city of London and to make a Declaration unto them of the state of the businesse in Ireland and to acquaint them that the leading of monies at this time will be an acceptable service to the Commonwealth And that they propose unto them the Loan of 50000. l. and to assure them that they shall be secured both of the Principall and Interest by Act of Parliament 3. That a select Committee may be named of both Houses to consider of the affaires of Ireland 4. That Owen O Conally who discovered this great treason shall have 500. l. presently paid him and 200. l. per annum pension untill provision of land of inheritance of a greater value be made for him 5. That the persons of Papists of quality within this Kingdome may be secured within the severall Counties where they reside 6. That no person whatsoever except those who are Merchants shall be admitted to go over into Ireland without Certificate from the Committee of both Houses appointed to consider the affaires of Ireland These with severall other particulars concerning Ireland and tending in order to the safety of the kingdome of England were resolved upon the question and Master Whitlock appointed to report them to the House as heads of a conference desired with the Lords concerning the affaires of Ireland which was accordingly had with their Lordships the same day At which conference the L. Keeper did expresse the very great sense the Lords had of the exceeding great care taken by the house of Commons for the prevention of the further spreading of the Rebellion in Ireland And his Lordship by command of the Lords did further let them know that their Lordships did think fit to agree with them in all those particulars presented unto them by the house of Commons without any materiall alteration only adding such further things as they conceived might serve to further and expedite their desires in the more speedy putting them in execution The house of Commons having proceeded thus far in the affairs of Ireland upon the two first dayes after the discovery made unto them of the Rebellion there raised did notwithstanding their own present distractions set apart some portion almost of every day that they sate during the whole moneth of November for the considering of the affairs of Ireland and so upon the third and fourth of the same resolved upon the question and accordingly ordered these particulars following 1. That the House holds fit that 20000 li. be forthwith supplied for the present occasions of Ireland 2. That a convenient number of ships shall be provided for the guarding of the Sea-coasts of Ireland 3. That this house holds fit that 6000 foot and 2000 horse shall be raised with all convenient speed for the present expedition into Ireland 4. That the Lord Lieutenant shall present to both Houses of Parliament such Officers as he shall think fit to send into Ireland to command any forces to be transported thither 5. That Magazines of victuals shall be forthwith provided at Westchester to be sent over to Dublin as the occasions of that Kingdome shall require 6. That the Magazines of armes ammunition powder now in Carlile shall be forthwith sent over to Knockfergus in Ireland 7. That it be referred to the Kings Councell to consider of some fit way and to present it to the House for a publication to be made of rewards to be given to such as shall do service in this Expedition into Ireland and for a pardon of such of the Rebels in Ireland as as shall come in by a time limited and of a sum of money to be appointed for a reward to such as shall bring in the Heads of such principall Rebels as shall be nominated 8. That Letters shall be forthwith sent to the Justices in Ireland to acquaint them how sensible this House is of the affairs of Ireland 9. That the Committee of Irish affairs shall consider how and in what manner this Kingdome shall make use of the friendship and assistance of Scotland in the businesse of Ireland 10. That directions shall be given for the drawing of a Bill for the pressing of men for this particular service for Ireland These particulars together with severall others being resolved upon the question they passed an Ordinance of Parliament enabling the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to raise 3500 foot and 600 horse for the present service there And they further expressed their resolution not to make use of the assistance offered unto them by their Brethren of Scotland further for the present then for the furnishing them with 1000 foot which they desired might be transported out of Scotland into the North of Ireland And on the same day they ordered that the Master of his Majesties Ordnance should deliver to the L. Lieutenant of Ireland the number of 1000 arms for horse and 8000 arms for foot and ten Last of powder to be presently sent into Ireland And that the Lord Admirall should suddenly provide shipping for the transporting of men arms and ammunition and other provisions according to the former resolutions of the House Now while both Houses of Parliament were taking Order for raising men money and sending provisions and other necessaries for Ireland there arrived those other Letters of the 5 of November formerly mentioned which being addressed to the Lords of his Majesties Privie Councell were communicated to both Houses of Parliament and after a conference upon them took further resolutions for the speedy sending away supplyes into Ireland And such were the forward affections and zeal of the House of Commons to promove what concerned the service of Ireland as they thereupon voted 200000 li. to be raised for the suppressing the Irish rebellion and for securing of the Kingdome of England and payment of the publick debts And that they might facilitate this great work of raising such a summe of money upon the credit of an Act of Parliament before the money could be collected throughout the Kingdome they thought fit for the better encouragement of the City of London and for the giving them full satisfaction in point of security for the monies formerly lent them to make this Order following THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled having a due regard to the good affections of the City of London expressed
upon sundry occasions by the advancing and lending of great sums of money for the service of this Common-wealth and particularly the sum of 50000 li. lent for the Irish affairs and the sum of 50000 li. more lent by the said City unto the Peers attending his Majesty in the Northern parts before the beginning of this present Parliament which are not yet paid or otherwayes secured shall be fully satisfied and repaid unto the said City of London with interest of 8 li. per cent for one year out of such monies as are or shall be raised by authority of Parliament And for that purpose an Act of Parliament to be passed with all expedition Provided alwayes that this present Ordinance shall not in any wayes be prejudiciall to any Members of the said House of Commons who have formerly lent any sums of money to this Parliament nor to the Northern Counties nor to any persons whatsoever to whom both Houses of Parliament or the said House of Commons have formerly ordered the payment of any summes of money nor to any security given to them before the making of this Ordinance BUt I shall now return to the affairs of this Kingdome and the serious consultations and means used here by the Justices and Councell for the securing of the City and Castle of Dublin which by reason of the present confusion weaknesse and wants were in very great and most apparent danger of a sudden surprize And first for the Castle Sir Francis Willoughby being made Governour had a Company of an 100 men well armed assigned for the constant guard of that place besides the ordinary Warders who gave their usuall attendance there And because the Lords conceived it might be dangerous in such desperate times to admit such a multitude of suitors of all sorts into the Castle as had daily occasion to attend the Councell-board they presently transferred the place of their meeting in Councell to Corke House where they continued to sit a good time after notwithstanding the great danger their persons were continually exposed unto by the confident resort in great numbers of severall Lords Gentlemen and orhers who within few dayes after declared themselves Rebels and so went out among them It was Gods immediate providence that preserved them and suffered not those persons who soon after became such bloody Rebels to lay hold on that opportunity For certainly they might with great ease have taken out of the way the Lords Justices and Councell and so have left all things in such confusion as would have brought on their long desired ends without any further contestation or trouble The next care was to provide victuals for the Castle in such proportions as might enable it to endure a siege in case the Town either through treachery within or by forces from without should come to be surprized by the Rebels who now carried all things so clearly before them in the North as they most confidently gave it out they would suddenly come down and make themselves masters of it How to compasse this seemed a matter of great difficulty in regard there was no money to be had for the performing this work so absolutely necessary in it self and at that time so highly importing the safety preservation even of the whol Kingdome Therefore the Master of the Rolles upon whom the Lords were pleased to impose this service of victualling the Castle took the advantage of the strange frights Order taken for victualling the Castle of Dublin fears and little safety all the English and Protestants conceived both themselves and their goods to remain in at that time He sent presently for some of the chief Merchants that were Protestants in the town and clearly represented unto them the high necessities of the State the great danger of the town the publick benefit and their own private security in laying into the Castle such of their provisions as they had lying by them even in unsafe places of the City These impressions took and they rightly apprehending the common danger that they could not outlive the ruines of the Castle partly out of their own good affections to the service partly out of a prudent care to secure their goods were content to bring in great quantities of Beef Herrings and Corn upon the Master of the Rolles undertaking to see them satisfied in case use were made of them or otherwise certain restitution in kinde to the severall owners So as there were presently laid in by the English and Dutch Merchants within the Verge of the Castle above 2000 barrels of Beef 2000 barrels of Herrings and a good proportion of Wheat provisions sufficient not only to victuall the Castle for many moneths but which did serve to maintain the whole Army billeted in the City a long time after and their money they received within few moneths after by certificate from hence upon the Chamber of London according to an Order made by both Houses of Parliament in England for present payment to be made to such as laid in any provisions for the army in Ireland There was then further Order taken to new dig and clear an old Well long since stopped up within the walls of the Castle and to provide all other necessaries fit for a siege This was the first step to the safety of this place and gave great comfort and security to all the English and Protestants The Castle being thus happily provided for The Lo. Iustices care to provide for the safety of the City of Dublin the Lords took it next into their care how to secure the City in some sort against any sudden attempts And this proved a work not easie to be effected not only in regard of the crazinesse of the walls the large Suburbs and weaknesse of the place but much more in respect of the corrupt ill affections of the popish inhabitants within the City So strangely were many of them deluded with the ill infusions of their Priests as they did certainly as we found afterwards by wofull experience do all that in them lay to promove the rebellious designes then set on foot as they believed only for the re-settlement of their religion and recovery of their liberties They were the instruments to conveigh away privately most of the chief Conspirators who would have surprized the Castle on the 23 of October They secretly entertained many of the Rebels that came out of the country they likewise sent them relief that were abroad by secret wayes conveighing as wel ammunition as intelligence of all passages from hence And such strong aversions had they against all contributions for the maintenance of his Majesties army as in the very beginning of the rebellion when the Lords sent for the Major Aldermen laying before them the high necessities of the State together with the apparent danger of the City whole Kingdom desired to borrow a considerable sum of money for the present which they undertook to repay out of the next treasure that
should arrive out of England The popish party among them was so prevalent as that after a most serious consultation and very solemn debate among themselves they returned this answer that they were not able to furnish above 40 l. and part of that was to be brought in in cattell There remained at this time imbarqued within the harbour of Dublin four hundred Irish souldiers ready as was pretended Severall Irish souldiers imbarqued under pretence of being carried into Spain at the very time of the first breaking out of the Rebellion to set sail for Spain under the command of Colonell Iohn Barry who with some other Irish Gentlemen had procured leave from his Majesty to leavie certain numbers of voluntiers to be transported over for the service of the King of Spain And those levied in other parts as well as at Dublin were brought together just at the very time designed for the execution of the great plot The pretence was specious but certainly their intentions how finely soever covered over were to have those men in a readinesse together at the very time appointed for the first breaking out of these unnaturall troubles And as for those men which lay within the Harbour of Dublin they were so great a terrour to all the Protestant inhabitants in the City as it exceedingly perplexed the Lords how to dispose so of them as might prevent the mischief justly feared in case of their landing Their Commanders had so handsomely ordered the matter as though they were designed for a long voyage yet stay on ship-board any longer they could not by reason they had no victuals not even enough to carry them out of the Harbour and no man had order in the absence of Colonell Barry who retired himself some few miles out of the town the very evening before the Castle should have been taken to provide for the further supplying of them To suffer them to land was to adde so many instruments of mischief to those already gathered within and about the City Therefore it was resolved that the Captain of the Kings Pinace then in the Harbour should by force keep them from landing which he did severall dayes together till it was apparent they would inevitably starve if a course were not suddenly taken to afford them some relief Whereupon the Lords having no means to victuall them aboard gave them leave to land having first taken order they should not come into the City The Lords Justices and Councell thought fit within very few dayes after the landing of these men the more to deter them and all other ill-affected persons from repairing to the City of Dublin Several Proclamations issued out by the Lo. Iustices and Councell to issue out a Proclamation for the discovery and present removall of all such as did or should come and continue there without just or necessary cause But so carefull were they in this and all other their actions not to give any distaste to the Irish or other inhabitants of the countrey as they forbear to inflict any punishment upon any that continued in the City contrary to their Proclamation sparing severall persons whom they had not only just cause to be jealous off but who were brought before them and convinced to have uttered speeches clearly discovering their ill affections And having by late Proclamations prorogued the Parliament and adjourned Michaelmas Term that under pretence of repair to either of them unnecessary concourse of strangers might not be brought unto the town they proceeded on to some other Acts which as they conceived would not only render great security to the City but lessen the distempers abroad bring safety to the Pale and keep the dangers at distance and far off from them And for this purpose they being informed that a multitude of the meaner sort of people were ignorantly involved in the guilt of this rebellion and by the wicked seducement of the first Conspirators had been drawn on to dispoile their English neighbours they issued out a Proclamation about the beginning of the moneth of November declaring unto all such as were not Freeholders within the County of Meath Westmeath Lowth and Longford that if they would come in and submit make restitution of the goods so taken they should be received to his Majesties mercy and no further prosecution held against them Much about the time of the sending forth of this Proclamation some of the chief of the Sept of the Relyes A Remonstrance sent up to the Lords Iustices and Councell from the Rebels in the county of Cavan and other prime Gentlemen in the County of Cavan sent up a kinde of Remonstrance to the Lords Justices and Councell Whereunto they returned them a very fair answer assuring them of their readinesse to give them all just redresse of their grievances expressed therein so they would in the mean time retire peaceably to their houses restore as they were able the English mens goods forbear all further acts of rapine and violence And they did presently send over their Remonstrance to the Lord Lieutenant to be presented to his Majestie according to their desires But these wayes of moderation and peaceable perswasions proved of very little effect they had no manner of influence into the resolved mindes of the Leaders or of operation upon the hardned hearts of the people they were too deeply engaged so sleightly to retire They had now drenched themselves in the blood of the English and were greatly enriched with their spoiles It was not possible for them to make restitution and they hoped to go through with the work and by the united power of the Kingdome to draw the whole management of the affairs into their own hands And now likewiise the Lords Justices and Councell that they might shew the great confidence they had in the Lords and chief Gentlemen of the Pale Commissions of martiall law granted unto severall persons by the Lords Iustices and give them both oportunity and means to expresse their loyalty and affections to his Majesties service resolved according as the constitution of their affairs then required to do some such acts as might clearly perswade them of the great trust they really reposed in them And therefore first they gave out severall Commissions of Martiall law for executing without attending a proceeding according to the ordinary course of the Common law of such Traitors and Rebels as should be apprehended doing mischief in any parts of the countrey about them And these they directed to the most active Gentlemen though all Papists inhabiting in the severall Counties As to Henry Talbot in the County of Dublin John Bellew Esq in the county of Lowth Richard Dalton and Iames Tuit Esq in the county of West-Meath Valerian Wesley in the county of Meath Iames Talbot in the County of Cavan Commissions of government of the severall counties within the Pale granted to severall Lords and Gentlemen without distinction of Religion Next they made choice of the
made for a Well and made her fast in with stones whereof she languished and dyed the Rebels bragged how many of them went to see her kick and tosse in the hole her husband being formerly murdered by the Rebels jurat ut supra actuated with all kind of circumstances that might aggravate the hight of their cruelty towards them Alas who can comprehend the feares terrours anguish bitternesse and perplexity of their souls the despairing passions and consternations of their mind What strange amazed thoughts must it needs raise in their sad hearts to find themselves so sodainly surprized without remedy and inextricably wrapt up in all kind of outward miseries which could possibly by man be inflicted upon any humane creatures What sighes groanes trembling astonishment What schriches cryes and bitter lamentation of wife and children friends and servants howling and weeping about them all finding themselves without any manner of hope or deliverance from their present misery and paine How inexorable were their barbarous tormentors that compassed them on every side without all bowels of compassion any sense of their sufferings or the least commiseration and pitty the common comforters of men in misery It was no small addition to their sorrows to hear 54 Francis Barbour of Dublin Gent. deposeth that at the beginning of the Rebellion he heard severall of the Rebels publikely say That now the day was their own and that they had been slaves to the English a long time but that now they would be revenged to the full and would not leave before Christmas day an English Protestant rogue living with other like bitter words jurat Jan. 5. 1643. the base reviling speeches used against their country and country-men some loudly threatning 55 Elizabeth the wife of Thomas Green deposeth that she heard the Rebels say the English were meat for dogs that there should not be one drop of English blood left within the Kingdom and that they would destroy all the very English children whom they called bastards jurat Novemb. 10. 1643. 55 Richard Cleybrook deposeth that he heard Luke Toole say that they would not leave an English Beast alive or any of the breed of them jurat 55 Samuel Man of the County of Fermanagh Gent. deposeth that he heard some of the Irish say that there should not be one English man woman or child left in the Kingdome jurat 55 Elizab. Dickinson deposeth that she heard some of the company of Roury Mac Guire say that the Irish had command to leave never a drop of English blood in Ireland jurat Novemb. 17. 1642. Katherine Madeson of the County of Fermanagh deposeth that she hath often heard the Rebels say that they would drive all the English and Scottish out of the Kingdome and that both man woman and child should be cut off and destroyed jurat Novemb. 17. 1642. all should be cut off and utterly destroyed that had one drop of English blood in them the Irish women crying out to spare neither man woman nor child that was English that the English was meat for dogs and their children bastards How grievous and insupportable must it needs be to a true christian soule to hear a base 56 Elenor Fullerton the relict of Wil. Fullerton late Parson of Lougall deposeth that in Lent 1641. a young roguish Cow-boy gave out and affirmed in this Deponents hearing that his hands were so weary in killing and knocking downe Protestants into a bog-pit that he could hardly lift his armes to his head jurat Septemb. 16. 1642. 56 Owen Frankland deposeth that he heard Hugh O Cane late servant to Mistris Stanhaw calling to his fellows in a boasting manner asking them what they had been doing at home all the day that he had been abroad and had killed sixteen of the rogues and shewed them some money jurat ut supra villaine boast that his hands were so weary with killing and knocking downe Protestants into a bogge that he could not lift his armes up to his head or others to say 57 Elizabeth Champion late wife of Arthur Champion in the County of Fermanagh Esquire saith that she heard the Rebels say that they had killed so many English men that the grease or fat which remained upon their swords and skeines might well serve to make an Irish candle jurat April 14. 1642. that they had killed so many English men that the grease or fat which remained on their swords or skeines might have made an Irish candle or to consider that two 58 John Birne late of Dongannon in the county of Tyrone deposeth that he heard some of the native Irish that were somewhat more mercifull then the rest complaine that two young Cow-boyes within the Parish of Tullah had at severall times murdered and drowned 36. women and children jurat Jan. 12. 1643. young Cow-boys should have it in their power to murder 36. Protestants Whosoever shall seriously weigh these particulars will not much wonder that so great numbers of British and Protestants should be destroyd in so short a time after the first breaking out of the Rebellion as Master Cunningham 59 James Shaw a Minister deposeth that after the cessation made with the Irish divers of them confessed the Priests had given them the Sacrament upon condition they should not spare man woman or child that were Protestants and that he heard divers of them say in a bragging manner that it did them much good to wash their hands in the blood of the Protestants which they had slaine Jurat Jan. 7. 1643. deposeth in his Examination He there saith that the account of the persons killed by the Rebels from the time of the beginning of the Rebellion Octob. 23. 1641. unto the month of April following was as the Priests weekly gave it in in their severall Parishes one hundred and five thousand jurat April 22. 1641. When the Castle of Lisgoole 60 Elizabeth Champin deposeth that when the Rebels had set the Castle of Lisgoole on fire upon the Protestants there enclosed and saw the said house so burning they said among themselves rejoycingly Oh how sweetly doe they fry jurat ut supra was set on fire by the Rebels and so many British as are before mentioned consumed in the flames those mischievous villaines that had done that wicked fact cryed out with much joy how sweetly do they fry How did the Inhabitants 61 William Lucas of the City of Kilkenny deposeth that although he lived in the Towne till about five or six weeks past in which time he is assured divers murders and cruell acts were committed yet he durst not goe abroad to see any of them But he doth confidently beleeve that the Rebels having brought seven Protestants heads whereof one was the head of Master Bingham a Minister they did then and there as triumphs of their victory set them up on the Market-Crosse on a Market-day and that the Rebels slasht stab'd and mangled those heads put a gag or carret in the said Master Binghams mouth slit up
soule circumstances which would make this Rebellion appeare farre more odious and detestable I shall now return to take up the publike affaires of the State where I left them in the hands of the Lords Justices and Councell who finding the City to grow daily more and more impestred with strangers by reason of the resort of great numbers of ill-affected persons that daily made repaire thereunto They issued out severall other Proclamations to prohibite the accesse of all strangers to the Town and to require such as remained in the City without calling or settled habitation to depart Sir Henry Tichborn being dispatched with his Regiment of foot to Tredagh as is formerly mentioned Some Troops of horse and Regiments of foot raised by the Lords Iustices and Councell the Lords Justices took further order for the present raising of other foot Companies as likewise some Troopes of horse which might serve for the defence of the City of Dublin now in most imminent danger by reason of the approaches made by the Forces of the Rebels Sir Charles Coot had a Commission for a Regiment which he quickly made up out of the poor stript English who had repaired from divers parts even naked to the Town and upon the engagements of the State procured cloaths for them The Lord Lambert to whom a Commission also was granted for the raising of an other Regiment began also to get some men together The Earle of Ormond was now arrived in Dublin and brought up with him his Troop consisting of 100 Curassiers compleatly armed Sir Thomas Lucas who had long commanded a Troop of horse in the Low-Countreys and Captaine Armestrong some time after yet very seasonably came thither Both of them had money imprested Sir Thomas Lucas to compleat his Troope already brought out of England Captaine Armestrong to raise a new Troop Captaine Yarner also arrived soon after at Dublin he was sent out of England by the Lord Lievtenant to raise and command his Troop which in a very short time he made up about 100 horse many persons then living in the Town being desirous to put themselves and their horses into that Troop Not long after Colonell Craford came over also and bringing with him Letters of Recommendations from the Prince Elector then attending his Majesty in Scotland under whom he had formerly the command of a Regiment of Dragoons in Germany Sir Charls Coot made Governnout of the City of Dublin The Lords Justices thought fit to give him a Regiment which they were then taking order to raise and arme out of such Townsmen as were fit to beare armes within the City of Dublin none were to be admitted into it but Protestants and out of them they made choyce not only of the Souldiers but of all the Officers belonging to the same And further for the repressing of the disorders daily appearing within the City and restraining the ill-affections of the Papists there inhabiting they made Sir Charles Coot Governour of the City and gave him an allowance of 40 s. per diem for the present Now while these Colonells and Captaines are bestirring themselves in getting their men together under their severall commands and in training them up to the use of their armes and the Governour of the Town taking strict order for constant Watches within and Guards without to restraine the repaire of all suspicious and ill-affected persons I shall in the meane time give an account of the adjournement of the Parliament according to the late Prorogation made by the Lords Justices which some of the ill-affected members of both Houses endeavoured to make use of for the raising of further troubles The adjournment of the Parliament In the Month of August before the Rebellion brake out the Parliament was adjourned to the 17 of November next ensuing Now upon the discovery of the late conspiracy for the surprise of his Majesties Castle of Dublin the ordinary place of meeting for both Houses of Parliament the Lords finding that the fire was begun in the North and fearing a generall revolt of all other parts of the Kingdome resolved as a matter highly tending to the safety and security of the City and Castle to prorogue the Parliament which they did by Proclamation then set out untill the 24. of February But two or three dayes before such of the Lords and Commons then in the Town were to meet of course in their severall House for declaring the said Prorogation it was generally noised abroad that the putting off the Parliament was extreamely ill taken by the Popish Members of both Houses Mr Burk who was one of the Committee lately employed into England came to the Lord Dillon of Kilkenny West and highly complaining of the injury which he said was done thereby to the whole Nation hindring them from expressing their loyall affections to his Majesty and shewing their desires to quell this dangerous Rebellion and that they had reason to resent it so farre as to complaine to the King thereof as a point of high injustice His Lordship having acquainted the Board herewith Mr Burk was presently sent for and he used the same language in effect there though with much modesty Hereupon the Lords fell into debate what was fit to be done and how farre it might be thought reasonable in them to condiscend to their desires The Popish party much discontented at it Some were of opinion that it was fit to disannull the Prorogation and to give them leave to continue the Parliament according to the first adjournment made the beginning of August They urged the very ill condition of the whole Kingdome in regard of the Northern Rebellion and that those of the Counties of Wiclow and Wexford as well as some other Counties in Conaght had already joyned themselves to them that this Prorogation might peradventure so irritate the Pale and have such an influence into Munster as might raise them into Armes and so put the whole Kingdome into a generall combustion Others of the Board Voted strongly for the holding of the Prorogation according to the time prefixed by the Proclamation grounding their opinion upon these reasons First that it would highly trench upon the gravity and wisdome of the Board to alter a resolution so solemnly taken up after a most serious debate and publikely made known thorough out the whole Kingdome by Proclamation that it would be of most dangerous consequence to bring so great a multitude of people to the City in such dangerous times that the Protestants and well-affected Members of both Houses were for the most part either destroyed dispersed or so shut up as they could not repaire to the present meeting and that therefore the Irish would be superiour in number and voyces and so wholly carry all things according to their own humour that considering the small Forces then in the City such great numbers as might take occasion under colour of comming to the Parliament to repaire thither could not be admitted without
involve this whole Kingdome in generall and themselves in particular if this abhominable Treason be not timely suppressed and therefore with all readinesse bounty and chearefulnesse to conferre their Assistance in their Persons or Estates to this so important and necessary a Service for the common good of all Io. Browne Cleric Parliament About the same time the Lord Lievtenant finding that he could not procure so speedy a dispatch of all things necessary for the service of Ireland Commission granted to the Earle of Ormond to be Lievtenant Generall of the Forces in Ireland as would enable him presently to repaire thither in his own person made the Earle of Ormond Lievtenant Generall of the Forces there and sent him over a Commission for the same And the said Earle did within few dayes after receive a Letter from his Majesty out of Scotland wherein he was graciously pleased to let him know it was his pleasure to conferre upon him that charge There was then likewise brought over the summe of 20000 l. from the Parliament the coyne which arrived here was all in Spanish pieces of eight which went for 4 d. in a piece here more then in England and this gaine the Parliament was content the Merchants that undertook the transportation should make at that time in regard of the charge and venture they undertook to stand to It arrived most seasonably even when all that little money they had was quite spent in raising and paying the new Companies and that they were wholly destitute of all meanes to draw in any contributions towards the relieving of their present necessities There continued daily to repaire unto the City of Dublin great numbers of poore distressed English Commissions issued out for the Examination upon Oath of the losses of the British and the cruelties exercised by the Irish upon them who had been most barbarously stripped robbed and despoiled of all their goods and substance by the Rebels Now that it might appeare what their losses were what cruelties were acted what murders committed and who were the chiefe actors in them thorow out the severall Provinces The Lords Iustices and Councell thought fit to issue out a Commission under the Great Seale directed to certaine of the Clergy to take upon oath the severall Examinations of all such persons that having suffered by this present Rebellion would think fit to repaire unto them as will appeare by the Commission it selfe a Copy whereof I have thought fit to insert CHarles by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To our well-beloved Henry Jones Deane of Kilmore Roger Puttock William Huthcok Randall Adams Iohn Sterne William Aldrich Henry Brereton and Iohn Watsons Clerks Greeting Whereas divers wicked and disloyall people have lately risen in Armes in severall parts of this Kingdome and have robbed and spoiled many of our good Subjects British and Protestants who have been separated from their severall habitations and scattered in most lamentable manner And for as much as it is needfull to take due Examination concerning the same Know ye that we reposing special trust and confidence in your care diligence and provident circumspection have nominated and appointed you to be our Commissioners and doe hereby give unto you or any two or more of you full power and authority from time to time to call before you and examine upon Oath on the holy Evangelists which hereby we authorize you or any two or more of you to administer as well all such persons as have been robbed and despoiled as all the witnesses that can give testimony therein what robberies and spoyles have been committed on them since the 22 of October last or shall hereafter be committed on them or any of them what the particulars were or are whereof they were or shall be so robbed or spoiled to what value by whom what their names are or where they now or last dwelt that committed those robberies on what day or night the said robberies or spoiles committed or to be committed were done what Traiterous or disloyall words speeches or actions were then or at any other time uttered or committed by those robbers or any them and how often and all other circumstances concerning the said particulars and every of them And you our said Commissioners are to reduce to writing all the Examinations which you or any two or more of you shall take as aforesaid and the same to return to our Iustices and Counsell of this our Realme of Ireland under the hands and seales of any two or more of you as aforesaid Witnesse our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellours Sir William Parsons Knight and Baronet and Sir Iohn Borlace Knight our Iustices of our said Realm of Ireland Dublin 23 of December in the seventeenth year of our Raigne Carleton The Commissioners above nominated did very seriously addresse themselves to this work employing their paines therein with great diligence and faithfulnesse and have so well performed the charge imposed upon them as that by severall Examinations many principall Gentlemen of good estates were discovered to be the chiefe actors in the depredations of the British and to have committed many most horrid murders and other notorious cruelties which thorough their industry will now remaine upon Record but had otherwayes been concealed from Posterity and wrapt up in oblivion The like Commissions were in a short time after sent into Munster and Vlster In the Provine of Munster the Commissioners took great care in the Execution of it many Examinations of high concernment were taken by vertue thereof though they remaine as yet concealed and not returned up according as is required by the said Commissions Towards the latter end of November the Lords Iustices and Councell considering the miserable desolations brought upon the whole Kingdome A weekly Fast appointed by the Lords Iustices and Councell and the further calamities threatned by Warre and Famine did by a Proclamation set forth in print give strict charge and command That upon every friday a publike and religious fast should be devoutly and piously observed in and thorow the whole City and Suburbs of Dublin by all his Majesties people therein and that Divine Service and Sermons be celebrated and heard upon the said day weekly in every Cathedrall and other Church and Chappell in the said City and Suburbs thereof And this to be performed as is expressed in the said Proclamation to the end that the severe wrath and indignation of Almighty God may be averted from this Kingdome his divine aide and assistance implored and that some reliefe in these calamitous times may the better be afforded to such miserable persons as these Traytors by their rapine and cruelty have deprived of their fortunes and sent naked and almost famished up to this City The Lords Iustices and Councell being advertised of the neare approach of the Rebels to Tredagh The approach of the Rebels to Tredagh prepared to send down supplies both of
this is a true Relation as neare as I could collect it from the mouthes of those that were present of that famous victory so much boasted of by the Irish whereunto the inexperience of the English Commanders and the disorders of the common souldiers who were then but newly taken up and had never seene any service contributed farre more then any skill or courage shewed by the Rebels which they had only opportunity at that time to expresse by a loud shout Besides they were treble their number and had for their leaders Roger Moore Hugh Birne and Philip O-Rely the two last persons who had been trained in the Warres abroad under the Spanish Discipline and were of greatest experience among them they brought down a great part of those Forces out of the Counties of Cavan and Monagham and as soone as they came within the River of Boyne great numbers of the ordinary churles of the Pale adjoyned themselves unto their men and so made up a body sufficient to performe that service The newes of this unhappy defeat was brought the very same day being munday the 29 of November at evening to the Lords Justices as they sate in Councell It troubled them very much and as it was a matter of great rejoycing among the Popish Inhabitants of the City so it bred a generall sorrow and consternation among the English and Protestants It hapned in a very ill season the late made Colonels were but then in raising of their men And such Companies as were compleated were by the Lords the same day of the marching of the 600 men to Tredagh Sir Charls Coots Expedition into the County of Wiclow commanded out under Sir Charles Coot into the County of Wiclow for the repressing the insolencies of the Birnes and the Tooles towards the poore Engl sh whom they began to fall upon most furiously stripping murdering and driving them all out of that Territory as soone as they had taken in the Kings Fort in that County called Carews Fort and possessed themselves of the chiefe places of strength belonging to the English Gentlemen there He marched to the Town of Wiclow where he caused some few men and one woman to be executed they being found upon Examination guilty of the late spoyles committed most brabarously upon the English there and the very cloaths of an English woman that was stripped being found upon the back of that Irish woman that was there hanged In his return Luke Toole with neare a 1000 Irish under his command encountred him but he quickly made them flie and take to the next Bogge with the losse of some few of their men And so he returned with all possible speed to Dublin the Lords having sent him notice of the late defeat given to the Forces sent to Tredagh As soone as he arrived he applyed himselfe very carefully to the securing of the Town which now began to be more desperately threatned then ever by the neare approaches of the Rebels And so great were the disorders then in the City so inconsiderable the Forces raised the English Inhabitants so strangly dismayed the Papists so highly raised in spirit and courage as had the Commanders of the Rebels drawn those Forces together as they had in readinesse on both sides the River of Boyne for the siege of Tredagh and so marching up to Dublin had taken the advantage of the present distractions and forward affections which they would have undoubtedly found there to assist them They had in all humane probability made themselves Masters of the City and might so straightly have begirt the Castle as would within a very short time have endangerd the surrender of it But it pleased God to infatuate their Counsells The strong opinion they had that they should presently carry Tredagh and so possesse themselves of all the Armes and Munition they had in that Town caused them to fix their resolutions there and to set up their rest upon the obtaining that place In this as in many other wonderfull acts of divine providence which I then observed with great admiration it pleased God to appeare even miraculously in the preservation of the City and Castle of Dublin with the poore remainders of English and Protestants who had there taken sanctuary And now the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale thought it high time to discover themselves and their affections to the cause They certainly had not only long entertained a defection in their thoughts but were as the severall forementioned Examinations testifie The defection of the Lords and chiefe Gentlemen within the English Pale the first contrivers and bringers in of the Northern Rebels into this execrable Plot they had now likewise drawn them into rhe Pale and therefore they could not hope now much longer to walk under a maske and entertaine the state with further professions of their loyalty They had gotten a competent proportion of Armes and Munition out of his Majesties store into their own possession They saw now the Northern Rebels advanced within the River of Boyne with very considerable Forces to strengthen their Party and by the late encounter and successefull victory they had therein they pleased their fancies with confident conceits of certaine prevailing if they would now declare themselves by a publike conjunction in the common cause and raising such numbers of men and quantities of provision as the plentifull circuit of the Pale did afford would prosecute the warre so happily begun and so successefully managed hitherto These and severall other considerations working very powerfully among the Lords and cheife Gentlemen of the Pale they did within very few dayes after the late defeat solemnly proceede on to the actuall consummation of their long meditated revolt For the manner place The manner of the conjunction of the Lords and chief Gentlemen of the men of the English Pale with the Northern Rebels expressed in the Examination of Edward Dowdall Esquire time and all other circumstances I shall referre the Reader to this ensuing Relation given in upon Oath March 1641. before Sir Robert Meredith Knight Chancellour of the Exchequer in the Examination of Edward Dowdall Esquire a Gentleman of the Pale one very well esteemed among them one that was present at all their meetings and deeply engaged in all their councells and actions He deposeth that some foure or five dayes after the defeat of the English souldiers at the Bridge of Gellianstown there issued a Warrant from the Lord of Gormanston to the Sheriffe of the County for a generall meeting of all the Countie at Dulick But the place of meeting was afterwards changed to the Hill of Crofty where all the Lords and Gentry of the Country met viz. The Earle of Fingale the Lord Viscount Gormanston the Lord of Slaine the Lord of Lowth the Lord of Dunsany the Lord of Trimblestone the Lord Nettervile And of the Gentry Sir Patrick Barnwall Sir Christopher Bellew Patrick Barnwall of Kilbrew Nicholas Darcy of Plattin James Bath of Acharn
them and so conclude with some professions of their Loyalty and readinesse to give their advices for the advancement of his Majesties service and the common peace of the Kingdome This was an Answer such as might justly be expected to come from persons so deeply now involved in the guilt of so high a Rebellion The great indulgence-used by the Lords Iustices and Councell towards the Lords of the Pale It is no wonder that they were thus put to their shifts and enforced to take up such fond excuses and imaginary pretences for their disloyalty For they could not in their own consciences but be most sensible of the very great indulgence used by the Lords towards them They had not failed in severall particulars to manifest the great confidence they had in their good affections They had refrained from giving them any manner of provocation or jealousie They had forborn the doing some acts of hostility for a time upon some Rebels among them because they would not give them any the least cause of complaint And however it appeared by the Examination of Mac Mahone and severall others that they were privie to the first plot yet the Lords proceeded with so much caution and tendernesse towards them hoping that now the Conspirators had failed in the maine part of their design which was the surprisall of the Castle of Dublin that they might yet reclaime them thereby and draw them into a just concurrence with them for the preservation of the Kingdome out of the hands of those bloody Northern Rebels who in the beginning were the only appearers in the cause But all was to no purpose they were too deeply engaged to recede therefore they ran now violently on and drew along all the cheife Gentlemen likewise of the Pale with them And now it shall be declared Luke Nettervile and others of the chief Gentlemen of the Pale gather Forces and quarter them within six miles of the City of Dublin how the cheife Gentlemen of the Pale began and proceeded on to act their parts About the beginning of December presently after the late defeat given to the English souldiers in their march to Tredagh Luke Nettervile second Sonne to the Lord Viscount Nettervile caused a Proclamation to be made in the Market place of Lusk requiring all the chiefe Gentlemen and other Inhabitants thereabouts not to faile upon paine of death presently to repaire unto Swoords a Town within six miles of the City of Dublin And within few dayes after did meet there the said Luke Nettervile George Blackney Esquire George King Iohn Talbot Richard Golding Thomas Russell Christopher Russell Patrick Caddell William Travers Richard Barnwell Laurence Bealing Holywood of Artaine and severall other Gentlemen who began to gather great numbers of men about them and putting such Armes into their hands as they had in readinesse at the present made their provisions to entertaine a settled Camp within that place The Lords understanding of this unlawfull tumultuous Assembly The Gentlemen of the Pale required by the Lords Iustices and Councell to repaire to Dublin and deeply apprehending the mischievous consequences that might ensue thereupon sent this Warrant following in a faire manner requiring thereby their present repaire unto them By the Lords Justices and Councell William Persons Io Burlace WHereas we have received information that Luke Nettervile Esquire Blackney of Rickenhore Esquire and George King of Clontarfe Gentleman and other Gentlemen of the County of Dublin with great numbers of men are assembled together in a body at Swoords and there abouts within six miles of this City for what intent we know not but apparently to the terror of his Majesties good Subjects and although considering the unseasonablenesse of this time chosen for such an act without our privity whatsoever their pretence is a construction might be made thereof to their disadvantage yet we being willing to make an indulgent interpretation of their actions in regard of the good opinion wee have of the Loyalty of those Gentlemen who it seemes are principalls amongst them in that Assembly and conceiving there may be some mistaking in that enterprise we have chosen the rather hereby to charge the said Luke Nettervile Blackney King and all the persons there Assembled with them upon their duties of Alleageance to his Majesty immediately upon sight hereof to separate and not to unite any more in that manner without direction from us and that the said Nettervill Blackney King and six others of the principall persons of those who are so assembled at Swoords or thereabouts as aforesaid doe appear before us to morrow morning at ten of the Clock to shew the cause of their assembling in that manner whereof they may not faile at their extreame perils Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 9. December 1641. Ormond Ossory Rob. Dillon Cha. Lambart Jo. Temple Charles Coot But they were so farre from rendring obedience to the commands they received from the Board as they kept the Messenger in restraint a day and a night threatning to hang him and after returned a scornfull peremptory Answer signifying unto their Lordships The Answer made by the Pale to the Lords Warrant That they were constrained to meet there together for the safety of their lives that they were put in so great a terror by the rising out of some horse Troops and foot Companies at Dublin who killed foure Catholikes for no other reason then that they bore the name of that Religion as they durst not as they pretended stay in their houses and therefore resolved to continue together till they were assured by their Lordships of the safety of their lives before they runne the hazard thereof by manifesting their obedience due unto their Lordships These were the very words and expressions used by those Gentlemen in their Answer And accordingly they still continued together encreasing their numbers of men and threatning to come down and encamp themselves at Clantarfe a little Village standing upon the very Harbour of Dublin where some of their followers had already at a low water seised upon a Bark lying there and carried away all the Commodities they found in her a great part whereof they had put into the then dwelling house of the said King to whom that Village did belong This was an act of so high a straine and so eminently tending to the present ruine of the City as it required a sudden remedy Delayes were dangerous in a matter of such perillous consequence and the Lords Justices and Councell plainely perceived that if the Rebels were suffered to come down and lodge there that they might without much difficulty make themselves masters of those few Barkes then in the Harbour the State having at that time no Ships of force to guard them and so put themselves in a faire way if they could bring the Wexford Ships about to joyn with them to block up the Harbour and stop the comming in to their reliefe all such succours as should
brought down out of every part for the victualling of those that lay encamped about the Town There was allotted to every Company consisting of a hundred men for their daily allowance one biefe and halfe a barrell of corne And that they might with the more facility bring in the Country people to furnish their Army with these proportions they made not only prohibitions that no corne should be carried to Dublin but so blocked up the wayes as the poore churles that lived somewhat distant from the City could not carry their corne thither without apparent danger whereby the Market began to be very ill provided and great want and scarcity was much feared by reason of the large accession of people come from severall parts of the Kingdom up unto the City for safety Whereupon the Lords Justices and Councell made Proclamations to be published That all such as had corne remaining within some few miles distance should as their usuall manner was bring it to the Market at Dublin and they should receive ready money for the same in case they did not that they would presently send out Parties and burn their corn as it stood in the haggards and so prevent the use the Rebels intended to make of it for the victualing of their Army By this meanes the City was indifferently well supplyed all that winter with corn the Country people though otherwayes very malicious against the English and Protestants being content though with much hazard to adventure the bringing their corn where they sold it at a good rate for ready money rather then to suffer it to be threshed out by Warrants from the Lord of Gormanston for the use of the Irish Army then lying before Tredagh But while they continue their fruitlesse and unprofitable attemps there having neither skill courage experience The sad condition of the publike affaires of the State nor any meanes to bring about their impetuous desires and fond endeavours for the taking in of that Town I shall briefly represent a view of the sad estate of our affaires in Dublin It was now almost full two Months since the breaking out of this Rebellion The Lords Justices and Councell out of their deep apprehensions of a generall revolt of all the Irish through the Kingdome did in the very beginning with much earnestnesse sollicite the present sending over of Succours out of England And as soone as they began to make a little further discovery into the strength of this Conspiracy and found their own wants and utter disabilities to make any long or considerable opposition against the universall power of the whole body of the Irish as it then began to appeare unto them firmly united with almost all the Old English that were of the Romish Profession incorporated into their party throughout Ireland they did with much more earnestnesse by their frequent Letters and severall Agents represent unto his Majesty and the Parliament of England the very ill even desperate condition they were in and therefore desired that supplyes both of men money and all kinde of warlick provisions might be sent away with all speed unto them declaring that unlesse they received them presently and that in great proportions they were not able longer to subsist as they stood now environed on all sides with multitudes of the Rebels but had just reason to apprehend their own present ruine and the inevitable losse of the whole Kingdome And because they conceived the Levies in England could not be so suddenly made nor the men so easily transported from thence into the North of Ireland where the Rebels appeared in greatest numbers and had by their most unparalled cruelty towards the English done most mischeife as out of Scotland They made a proposition to the Lord Lievtenant to move both his Majesty and the Parliament The sending of 10000 Scots into Ireland pressed by the Lords Iustices and Councell that 10000 Scots might be presently raised and sent over into those Parts This they pressed with much earnestnesse representing the very great terrour the meere Irish had of that Nation that their bodies would better sort with that Climate endure more hardship and with lesse distemper undergoe the toile and miseries of an Irish war that the transportation would be made with much more facility and lesse charge it being not above three or foure houres saile from some parts of Scotland into the North of Ireland That the Kingdome of Scotland had been lately in Armes and so had all provisions necessary for the furnishing of their men for this expedition in readinesse And lastly they having so good a foundation in the multitude of their own Countrymen so advantagiously settled there already would no doubt undertake the work with all alacrity and vigorously prosecute the warre with such sharpnesse as might testifie their deep resentment of the horrid cruelties exercised upon so many thousands of their own Nation by that barbarous people Commissioners sent out of Scotland to Treat with the Parliament of England concerning the reliefe of Ireland These Letters arrived very opportunely about the time of the Kings return from Edenburgh to the Parliament of England then sitting at Westminster And there being even then two Scotish Lords come out of the Kingdome of Scotland to Treat with the Parliament of England concerning the sending Forces from thence for the reliefe of Ireland His Majesty sent to the Lords and Commons to give them notice of their arrivall and withall desired that certaine Commissioners appointed by himselfe and both Houses of Parliament might bee presently named to Treat with them and from time to time give an account of their proceedings to his Majesty and both Houses This motion was with very great readinesse yeelded unto and it was ordered that the Earle of Bedford the Earle of Leycester Lord Lievtenant of Ireland the Lord Howard of Estric nominated by the House of Peeres And Nathaniel Fiennes Esquire Sir William Ermin Baronite Sir Philip Stapleton Knight John Hampden Esquire nominated by the House of Commons should Treat with the Scotish Commissioners concerning the affaires of Ireland and that there should be a Commission granted unto them to this effect under the great Seale of England together with particular Instructions to regulate the manner of their proceedings In the propositions given in by the Scotish Commissioners they did in the first place make offer of 10000 men in the name of the Kingdom of Scotland Propositions presented to the Parliament of England for the reliefe of Ireland And that they might be enabled to send them speedily away they desired an advance of 30000 l. of the brotherly assistance afforded unto them by the Kingdome of England and that what Armes and Munition they sent into Ireland might in the same proportions be returned unto them with all expedition Next they desired that some ships of Warre might be appointed to guard the Seas betwixt Scotland and Ireland to waft over their Souldiers which they designed to transport
of English breed and declare openly that their reason is because they are English so great is their hatred not onely to the persons of the English but also to every species of that Nation and they destroy all improvements made by the English and lay waste their habitations Wee formerly signified to your Lordship that to take away all jealousie from the Papists of the English Pale we would furnish them with some Armes and the rather because wee well know that in the last great Rebellion in Ireland the English Pale stood firme to the Crowne of England and that the Rebell Tyrone in the heigth of his power and greatnesse was never able to get into the Pale with his Forces whilst hee was in Rebellion and upon this occasion the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Pale making deep professions of their loyalty to his Majesty in imitation of their Ancestors and with expressions seeming to abhorre the Contrivers of this Rebellion here against whom they offered their power and strength so as they might have Armes and we being well assured that if wee could gaine their concurrence with us it would much facilitate our work wee did at their earnest suit issue for them Armes for one thousand seven hundred men wherewith divers Companies were armed by them and some of them selves were appointed Governours of the Forces of the Counties and Captaines of their Compaines but so many of those Companies revolted to the Rebels and carryed away their Armes with them as we have recovered back but nine hundred and fifty Armes so as those whose loyalty We had reason to expect would help us are now through their disloyalty turned against us and are strengthned with our own Armes and without all question if those of the English Pale had done their parts as became good subjects with their Armes they had from us and those they might gather amongst themselves they might with our help not only have defended the Pale against the Rebels but might also have prevented the ruine and destruction wrought by their Tenants and Neighbours on the poore English and Protestants amongst them for the Noblemen and Gentry sate still and looked on whilst the English and Protestants were ruined before their faces the Papist in the meane time remaining secure without the losse of goods or any thing else When wee saw the power and strength of the Rebels still growing upon us more and more and approaching by degrees more neare to us and the English and Protestants robbed and spoyled even within two miles of this City in disdaine and affront of this State which are scornes of so high a nature as we could not endure if we had strength sufficient to represse their insolencies and when we observed the retarding of our Succours of men and armes from England or Scotland neither of both Succours being yet come nor as we heard so much as in view there or in Scotland and when we found apparantly that for want of those supplies we became in a manner so contemptible as we were in danger to be set upon for taking from us this City and Castle before our aides should come wee be-thought us of all the meanes we could of gaining time being confident that wee cannot be so deserted by the State of England but that some supplies may yet come unto us And therefore on the third of December we directed our Letters to divers of the Nobility of the Kingdome who were nearest to us and most of them being of the English Pale to be with us here on the eight day of this Month that we might conferre with them concerning the present state of the Kingdome and we hoped by their help to handle the matter so as we might gaine a few dayes time before our supprisall here by which time in all likelihood our Succours might arrive although it be boldly given out by the Rebels that we shall have no Succours from thence which they divulge to enbolden their party and to strike terror and discouragement into the well-affected amongst whom there are many so weak as to apprehend from thence too much feare whereby many are fled the Kingdome On the eigth day of this Moneth the Earle of Kildare the Lord Viscount Fitz-Williams and the Lord Barron of Houth came unto us but the rest of the Noblemen not comming deferred our conference and on the eleventh day of this Month we received Letters from seven of them namely the Earle of Fingale the Lord Viscount Gormonston the Lord Viscount Nettervile and the Lords of Slaine Trimblestone Dunsany and Lowth dated the seventh day of this Month and signed by them pretending a feare of a Massacre on those of their Religion and that therefore they are deterred to wait on us but doe rather think it fit to stand upon their guard and how that resolution of theirs may stand with the loyalty they professe wee humbly submit to his Majestie 's excellent judgment for whose royall view wee send you here inclosed a Copy of their said Letters When we received those Letters we did admire whence their feares of comming to us should arise but afterwards we heard that they had been in consultation with the Rebels which also as to most of them is confirmed by the enclosed Examination of Christopher Hampton and indeed we know no cause of feare they have of us unlesse their own guilts begot in them the feare they pretend and they spare not though unjustly to charge us with a neglect of their advises whereas not one of them to this House offered to us any advice or reall assistance towards Pacification of these troubles It became then publike nor could wee keep secret that which they had published to others that those Noblemen so farre sided with the Rebels as they now stood on their guard wee therefore adjudged it fit for vindicating the State from the aspersion which we found so publikely endeavoured to be laid upon us to publish the enclosed Proclamation as well to satisfie to the world as those Noblemen who certainly are abundantly satisfied in their own secret thoughts that wee never intended to Massacre them or any other that being a thing which we and all good Protestants doe much abhorre what ever the practice of their Religion is and hath been found to be by wofull experience in other parts whereof we confesse we are now in great danger if our long expected Succours come not the sooner to us and it may be gathered from that unexampled tyranny which the Rebels have already exercised towards those of our Nation and Religion who fell into their hands what we for our parts may expect from them but the dishonour and shame which may reflect upon the English Nation by exposing this State and Kingdome to so apparent ruine and with it the extirpation of Gods true Religion afflicts us more then the losse of our own lives and fortunes when all might be saved by sending seasonably those Succors Wee lately received Letters