The Deputy against Bishops in commendam granting of Bishopricks in Commendam shewing the inconueniencies that follow the heaping of many Lyuings into one hand for the more sufficient men being imployed the more encrease of Religion is likely and on the contrary the diminution of Teachers must needs hinder knowledge and encrease ignorance In the second place Aduice was taken how to bring the rude and vnruly people to bee plyable to the Lawes which are the best ballances of right and rules of Iustice and to that end Letters were directed to the Lords and Chiefes of account that their Countries which were large in circuite might be deuided into Counties in places where now were none as in Vlfter and to place Officers therein according to the vse and custome of England as Shriefes Excheaters Feodaries Constables and the like whereby the poorer sort of people might be kept from oppression and speedier Iustice with lesse charge might bee had nearer at home The ignorant might bee instructed what to doe and how to liue The wilfull made subiect to the rule of Law or corrected by it The great men kept from tyrannizing ouer their Tenants and Vnderlings and the Inferiour sort should know how to support themselues by lawfull meanes against vnlawfull Vsurpations This course was consented to by most and not contradicted by any but some fewe of the worst condition and that rather by secret then open opposition Diuision of Counties in Vlster The Counties thus made in Vlster were these Ardmagh Monahan Tyrone Colerane Denegall Fermanagh and Cauan These circuites thus deuided and setled into Shieres the Deputy with the Chancellour appointed sundry of the best estimation to be Iustices of the Peace to whom hee wrote to shew into what degree of trust they were called and how important the charge was for her Maiesties Seruice and that if in them should Admonition to the Iustices of Peace be found such industry and sincerity as was expected hee then saw no cause but that the course of enormities which had heretofore runne with more impunity then was meete might be stopped and the State of that Country brought from good to better or at least not suffered to decline againe from bad to worse as heretofore in the late broken times it had done Further assuring them that as hee should be glad to finde them to performe their duties so hee gaue them to vnderstand that in which of them so euer hee found any crime or defect whereby so good a Seruice should bee hindered or cortupted they should bee brought vnder such leuere penalty and reprehension as the Law could any way permit besides the diminution of their credit and good opinion This Letter of admonition bare date the 15 of December 1584 and with it were sent certaine Articles of Order for Iustices of Peace Orders for the Iustices of peace and choice of a Coronor and Constables to bee obserued within their seuerall limits through the whole Realme To these were added an Authority and Writs directed for the choise of a Coroner in euery County and of two able and discreete men to be Constables in euery Barony besides â—â—tty Constables to be Assistants and yet inferiour Officers in the discharge of their duties These affaires for that Kingdome thus begun and in some sort setled in the first yeare A Parliament in England of this Deputies gouernment A Parliament beginning in the end of the yeare in England and his care continuing to prosecute alwayes for the support of that long vnstayed State finding but colde successe of the promises to his propositions from the Lords in England the Ruler of her Maiesties Purse being loath to aduance any neuer so important Seruice by the expence of Treasure especially such a summe as nothing but extremity could make him thinke meete should be disbursed which sparing indeede brought extremity to that Kingdome hee resolued to try what the Parliament would doe in so important a cause and to that end wrote ouer a Letter to craue their helpe for the reformation and strengthening of that ruinous Realme which because it was such a zeale and direction to doe good and may perhaps serue for a President when time shall require for the further establishment of that State I haue thought good to set downe and insert the Letter it selfe Sir John Perrot Lord Deputie of Ireland to the Commons House of Parliament in England The Deputies Letter to the Parliament in England MOst high and Noble Assembly the duty I owe to God her Maiesty and my Country and the interest I haue in you rproceedings though I now be not as often I haue beene a member of that House moues mee not onely to pray deuoutly that God will blesse all your Counsels but also to thinke carefully of any thing that I conceiue may be worthy your graue consultation and tend to the glory of God her Maiesties Honour and safety and strength and profit of the whole State The malice of the Pope and all combinations and practises both Forraigne and Domesticall thereupon depending which haue beene most apparently discouered from all quarters and of late partly from hence I humbly leaue to be by your grauities prouided for therefore her Maiestie hauing assigned mee though vnworthy to the charge of this Realme I am drawne by commiseration to present the torne and miserable estate of the same vnto your viewes together with the occasions and meanes of redresse that are now offered and which it humbly imploreth through your godly and Honourable aydes I trust I shall not neede to goe about to confute the bad opinion that hath beene held of some concerning the reformation of the same for I am perswaded that there is no one amongst you so vngodly as doth thinke all mischiefe sufferable in a Common-wealth for pollicies sake or so ill aduised as not to see the great charge this Realme hath beene vnto that and must still breede vnto it while it is in disorder or degenerate from the Noble courage of our Forefathers as to doubt that England shall not be able to rule and hold Ireland being reduced to good estate For sith all power is of God and that either of his mercie hee establisheth the happy continuance of all well ordered Kingdomes or of his iustice ouerthroweth or translateth the contrary No man that hath any spaike of grace or reason can hope that euer England may long enioy Ireland if it suffer it in this licentious impunity to embrewe it selfe in Heathenish and superstitious Idolatries Treasons Rebellions Murthers Rapes Robberies Mischiefes or doubt that it may become a strong and profitable ornament to England if on the other side religion duty obedience peace quietnesse true dealing order ciuility may be planted in it Because examples doe more perswade somtimes then reason I humbly beseech you to reuiew the ancient State of this Kingdom and it will appeare by good demonstrations not vnknowne to some of that
About this time Commissioners were sent out of England to deuide Desmonds Lands which after an exact suruay made of all the Lands were deuided into Signories and halfe Signories and disposed to diuers personages of good quality of the Kingdome of England but in this the Deputy had no hand which as he had cause he tooke to be a discountenance to his Authority and Place wherein hee felt the Queenes displeasure A Regiment of Irish sent with Sir William Stanley into the Low-Countries Not long before a thousand of the Irish were sent into the Low-Countries vnder the commaund of Sir William Stanley by an especiall direction out of England and at the same time order came to the Deputy for the cashiring Order for the casting of the Forces in Vlster of the Vlster Forces which the Deputy had raised by Composition as is formerly mentioned Two acts as pernicious as that time could afford to the publique Seruice as the sequell made manifest for the first not onely proued the losse of a worthy Gentleman who had valiantly and successiuely serued in that Kingdome Hee meeting in the Low-Countries with sharper conceites then his owne and finding him ignorantly wauering betweene two Religions fastned him to the worse and consequently made him to the State a Traytor against whom he hath since done great mischiefe prouing one of the best Captaines vnder the Spaniards Commaund Besides those Irish that went with him haue beene a Seminary of Traytors to afflict that Kingdome of whom some yet liue to threaten no lesse hereafter And the other those Forces in Vlster so cast was not onely the pulling of the bridle from the heads of those inconstant people which no sooner off but they ranne headlong againe into new practises but likewise proned a trebble charge to her Maiestie in ensuing time as more particularly shall be expressed in the storie following yet the chiefe reason alledged for their disbanding was the ease of the Queenes charge who was enformed that it was a needlesse thing to keepe Garrisons in time of peace and this burthen layd vpon the Country would in time breake the peoples obedience in those parts where they began already to grudge Thus much the Queene signified in a Letter partly written with her owne hand vnto which shee was wrought by such as were aduerse to the Deputy and desirous to weaken his worke in that Kingdome whose enuies were set the more on fire by the wily trickes of Tyrone who tooke this opportunity to lay the foundation of his ensuing rebellion finding their hearts bent to vse all meanes that might extenuate the Deputies merrit and weaken his Gouernement This Letter of the Queenes as it raised wonder in the Deputy knowing it tasted not off her high Iudgement so it gaue griefe to him to see such preposterous Councels take effect against his faithfull endeuours which The Deputies Letters by Sir William Stanly to the Queene and Councell hee tooke occasion to expresse by his Letter vpon the dispatch of Sir William Stanley wherein he signified he had performed her Maiesties pleasure but could not suppresse his griefe nor in duty conceale that which he conceiued would proue perillous to her Seruice and disgracefull to himselfe in that place of Authority he held vnder her Maiestie especially for remouing the Garrison of the North so soone in a State so vnsetled And although the submission of the Chiefes with the generall obedience of the people did seeme to promise nothing but peace yet considering the attempts of her Maiesties forraigne Forces and the ficklenesse of that people newly brought to a shewe of conformity hee could not assure their loyalties much lesse establish such things as he had begun and further intended for the good and aduancement of her Maiesties seruice and that these Souldiers being thus cashiered who were a tye vpon such as had mindes to be troublesome which were 900 her Maiesty being at charge but of little more then 800 pound a yeare the rest being bome by the Country So that now her charge being reduced to the rate it was at his comming to the Gouernement before the raysing of Forces to resist them that did rebell and inuade Vlster he wished that this sauing did not The Deputy writeth to be recalled from the gouernement or admitted to the Queenes presence proue an after spending of greater summes with more perill to Her and her Country He likewise wrote after his plaine and passionate manner to the Queene that her sharpe reprehension and restraint of his gouernment with some taxe layde on his iudgement made him now stand to the world vasit as hee alwayes conceiued of himselfe to mannage the weighty affaires of such a place and therefore he besought her that shee would be pleased to reuoke him thence or at the leaft to lycenoe his accesse vnto her presence as well for answering the calumniations of his Aduersaries as to discouer some things for the furtherance of her seruice in that Kingdome proffering If The Deputies offer to bring ouer the Irish Lords her Maiesty were so pleased to bring with him the Lords and chiefe Irish Commanders of that Country so that she would be pleased to disburse 3000 pound ready for them to receiue at their landing in England to defray their charges they being owners of much Land and Cattell but not of money which should hee repayed at reasonable prices in Beefes for her Maiesties profit in the payment of her Forces there This hee thought would make much for the furtherance of her Maiesties seruice since the chiefe men of that Kingdome comming ouer in that sort should take their Lands by such tenure as her Highnesse should prescribe whereof diuers of them had already made offer vnto him Besides it would be a greater honour vnto her to haue more of the greatest and wildest Chiefetaines of Countries in Ireland to prostrate themselues and their estate at her Maiesties feete and pleasure in England then euer had beene performed to any of her Noble predecessours The Deputies offer silenced But this complaint and offer so made vnto the Queene was silenced and tooke little effect either through the vnderhand-working of the Deputies Aduersaries or else through the presse and multitude of weighty affaires then in hand in England to defend the Netherlands and to preuent Inuasion with other perils threatned to her Maiestie and her Dominions which might perhaps put out of minde or at least set back for the time the consideration of that which at this season did most concerne Ireland Within short time after the Companies of Souldiers were remoued out of Vlster saue such as remained with Tirlogh Leynaugh at his request Some of the Northerne Lords tooke occasion and opportunity hereby to shew their willingnesse to doe euill rather then be idle now they sawe the force was gone which was A stir in the North vpon the casting of the Forces wont to rule their disorders Amongst which dislike and
had sustained any such domage as hee pretended hee had being his owne caruer ouer-recompenced himselfe for the preiudice done vnto him Therefore hee againe requires him to make restitution of such goods as did exceede the value of what had beene so taken from his followers and that he would thence-forth take warrant from the State for his doings so should it be safer for him and his and for the better ordering of this difference hee would shortly send Commissioners which should render vnto each one his owne This for a time did qualifie their contentions But shortly after Tyrone finding that Peace would be no way to that which he aspired vnto vpon further pretence of iniurie done to him by Tirlogh and his followers maketh an in-roade into his Country and entred with force as farre as Strabane Tirloghs Towne and Tyrone beaten by the English Companies at Strabane place of aboade where Captaine Mostian and Parker with their Companies remained for Tirloghs defence they with such power as Tirlogh could make charged Tyrone and his troupes and forced him to flye Odonnell denies to entertaine a Sheriffe Odonnell set on by Tyrone as Tirlogh affirmed began to quarrell and offer violence to Tirlogh and to manifest his Trayterous disposition to the State denied to entertaine the Sheriffe sent into Tirconnell lately made a County seconding it with other signes of disloyalty The Deputy and Councell certifie their suspition of Tyrone desire order out of England The Deputy and Councell seeing what mischiefe now begun to growe by the casting the Northerne Garrison giuing way to Tyrones aspiring certifies into England his practises as well in stirring vp priuate quarrels the fore-runners of Rebellion as his sending to Agnes Mac Connell a principall Chiefe of the Inuading Ilanders certaine of his men conditioning with him to receiue such ayde and supplies from him againe when hee should neede them or vpon occasion require them and his desire to be Oneale clayming the chiefe men of Vlster to be his Vriaghs and to depend on him His late sending his sonne to be fostered by Ochane betweene whom and him there had beene great enmity which shewed a present combination to make way for his further greatnesse This fostering being the greatest bond of amity amongst the Irish Of this they craue consideration to be had withall they desire that the pledges of Mounster now lying in the Castle of Dublin for preuention of their escape might be remoued into England and conclude with request that some Treasure might bee sent thither for supply of the Souldiers wants These cloudes and ouer-castings of the calme and Serene times which had continued some fewe yeares past did prognosticate that stormes would shortly follow if course were not speedily taken to cleare and disperse them Odonnell practiseth with the Ilanders Now Odonnell began to be doubted likewise vpon constant Intelligence sent by Tirlogh Leynaugh that he had sent into the Ilands for hired men to assist him in some action he was about to vndertake which raised a question in Councell how he should be dealt withall some of them being of opinion first to summon him to answere his contempts and then if he came not to raise Forces to fetch him in or punish him for his disobedience but the Deputy restrained from iourneyes in his own person knowing it would aske long and chargeable worke to subdue him and his Confederates dissented from that opinion and tolde the Councell he would make tryall of a A stratagem wherby Odonnells sonne was taken stratagem he had conceiued whereby to bring him in or secure him from doing harme before hee would put her Maiesty to so great charge or hazard her good Subiects which might breede anoyance to the Country and interruption of the present Peace to which way was giuen and the Deputy accordingly attempted it by sending one Skipper a Merchant of Dublin with a Shippe loaden with Sacks as if he had come out of Spain directing him to runne vp by Donagall as farre as hee could vnto Odonnels Country where he should not onely offer to sell at a cheape price but be liberall in giuing Wine to such as should come aboard him And that if Odonnell or his sonne came aboard him by that meanes as he knew they would hee should giue them so much as might make them forget themselues and being drunke should clap them vnder hatch and bring them away to Dublin This deuice was as carefully performed as proiected young Odonnell being by this meanes surprized and brought away A Seruice at that time very auaileable to the State for keeping that Country in quiet and restraining so stirring a person as Odonnell was from the pursuite of his euill affections bent at that time against the Queene and her Seruice Notwithstanding afterwards in the ensuing trouble it was imputed as an iniurie done to Odonnell and interpreted as an act that did rather interrupt then preserue the Peace of that Country the State thinking that the blame which should be layd vpon Sir A simple deuice of the Councell of Ireland Iohn Perrots carriage herein would please Odonnell and make him the more apt to bee drawne to conformity and obedience but this shallow and colloguing pollicy did worke little effect in him whose heart was wholly by forraigne practise alienated from his loyalty and by marriage of Tyrones Daughter altogether deuoted to his faction and Seruice being his assistant and partaker in all his Rebellion The Deputy thus busied in the publique receiues a new interruption by the meanes of his Aduersaries who had caused a Letter to be written to the Queene in the name of Tirlogh A letter countersaited to be written by Tirlogh Leynaugh to the Queene but disauowed by himselfe Leynaugh complayning of the Deputies hard vsage of him which being certified to the Deputy much troubled him because one of his greatest Seruices was the conforming this man to bee a faithfull seruant to the State to finde Tirlogh Alyend from him but Tirlogh had no sooner notice hereof but hee sent one Salomon his Secretary into England to disauowe this Letter protesting hee neuer caused any such to be written neither had hee cause the Lord Deputy alwayes vsing him well and doing him many fauours and therefore humbly desired that the Author of this forgerie might be punished But the Deputies respect in England being extenuated by continuall information against him thence little was done to his satisfaction in this particular and the lesse because the whole State was filled with the forraigne preparation threatned against England and her Maiesties Dominions which his Enemies finding grew more insolent in crossing and opposing his endeuours which so wearied his impatient Nature as hee made all the meanes hee could both by his owne continuall suite and by the pressing mediation of his friends in Court to be reuoked thence The Queene graunts the remoue of the Deputy which by long importunity he at length obtained
correction into the reckoning of a more cruell sentence then I meane I protest it is farre from me to desire any extirpation but rather that all might bee saued that were good for the Country to be saued Yet this I say Till your Maiesties Sword hath meekened all I thinke it neither Honour nor safety to graunt mercy to any But when the Sword hath made a way then as to pardon all would be too remisse a pitty So not to pardon many would be an extremity nothing agreeable to your Maiesties most godly and mercifull inclination Otherwise there would be such a vacuity of ground there as it is already too great that your Realme of England though it be most populous through your Maiesties most godly Gouernement God be thanked and long continue it were not able to spare people to replenish the wasts It resteth now to speake of the particular meanes as well to represse this Rebellion as thereupon to reforme the Realme First very good choyse being made as there is already of your Deputy it is most requisite for the time of his continuance in that Seruice which in my opinion had need be seuen yeeres for so great a worke that all his actions there be throughly backed by your Maiestie and none of them crossed to worke him your Maisties disgrace which the Irish will soone espie either by suggestions thence or practises here during his continuance in charge there but vpon his discharge to answere all with his life and liuing your Maiesties Deputy being thus fortified with credit he must also be throughly maintained with sufficiency of men money munition and victuals but before I speake of them I thinke it necessary to remember that for the principall points of the gouernment of that Land it shall bee requisite that certaine rules be prescribed to euery Deputy by your Maiestie and Counsell here And yet he not to be so tyed to any of them but that vpon vrgent causes he may breake or altar them To returne to prouision And first for men All wards being furnished I take 800 English horsemen 3000 English foot-men and 1000 Galloglaghes Kerne and Irish shott will suffice for this purpose But because it shall bee necessary to ease your Maiesties good subiects of the Cesse for the souldiors wherwith they haue beene hitherto burthened I thinke it requisite that in leuy of that Cesse the pay be according to the rates insuing as your Maiestie alloweth in all your other seruices And the rather in respect as well of the painfull dangers that these Souldiers must abide as also that they may liue without rauine and spoyle The pay Euery band of 100 Horsemen to haue a Captaine at 6 s. 8 d. a Leiutenant at 3 s. 4 d. a Guidon at 2 s. a Trumpet at 18 d. a Surgion at 18. d and euery 15120 lib. horseman besides 10 dead payes at 12 d. which being all sterling and euery band by the day to 105 s. by the moneth of thirty dayes to 157 lib. 10 s. by the yeere of 12 moneths and fine odde dayes to 1890. lib. Jn all by the yeere Euery band of 100 foots men to haue a Captaine at 4 s. a Lieutenant at 2 s. an Ensigne at 12 d. a Serieant 45625. lib. at 12 d. a Drumme at 12 d. a Surgion at 12 d. and euery Souldier besides 10 dead payes at 8 d. which being all sterling ancient euery band by the day to 4 lib. 3 s. 4 d. by the moneth of 30 dayes to 125 li. by the yeere of 12 moneths and 5 odde dayes to 1120 lib. 16 s. 8 d. Jn all by the yeere Euery band of 100 Kernes Galloglaghes and Irish shott to haue a Captaine at 2 s. a Lieutenant at 12 d. a Guidon at 8 d. a Piper at 8 d. and euery Kerne 6874 lib. 38. 4 d. at 4 d. without dead payes which being all sterling amounteth euery band by the day to 36 s. 8 d. by the moneth of 30 dayes to 56 lib. 10 s. by the yeere of 12 moneths and 5 odde dayes to 687 lib. 8 s. 4 d. Jn all by the yeere Totalis of your Maiesties pay 67619 lib. 3 s. 4 d. Where-vnto Adde for the Deputies and other officers entertainment furnishing of wardes and other extraordinary 37380. lib. 16 s. 8 d. charges and also towards buildings in places conuenient whereof the charge is very vncertaine And so Your Maiesties whole charge in certainty for this seruice excepting the vncertainty of the charges 100000 lib. of buildings will amount vnto Here by the way I thinke it expedient for auoyding of confusion of new and old reckonings together that old former payes and debts remaining in arrerages vnto the taking of this seruice in hand be cleared and discharged And then for this new reckoning thus made it behoueth to shew how or whence the money may be leauied In mine opinion the things before rehearsed aduisedly considered it were mony well bestowed for so good a purpose though the whole came directly out of your Highnesse Treasure And yet it is to be remembred that besides your Maiesties contitinuall yeerely charge which is not small you haue in some one yeere as I am giuen to vnderstand spent as much as this vpon that countrey seruice But considering the great charges that your Maiestie hath and must sustaine otherwayes for the safety of your people and Countries you may in reason and honor admit an extraordinary remedie though at the first sight it carry some shew of an inconuenience I suppose therefore vnder correction that it shall be good that your Maiestie after the example of France Spaine and Flanders where most of the small money consisteth of base coynes doe also cause to bee coyned yeerely during the first foure yeeres 100000 li. in pieces of 8 d. 4 d. 2 d. and 1 d. the same to containe but a fourth part of fine siluer letting all coines that are currant there of good gold and siluer to run as now they doe so your Maiesties charge besides all charges of coynage wil amount to no more but 25000 lib. yeerely which in foure yeeres would come to 100000 lib. which by that time your Maiestie with Gods fauour should see would bring you a faire reckoning of that countrey and gouernment The place fit for coynage whether at the Tower of London or any other port towne of England that hath more commoditie for fewell or else rather in Ireland I referre to your Maiesties and Counsels considerations If in Ireland I thinke it very necessary to call in all the base money that is there now currant paying ready sterling mony for the same at the rates it now goeth The masse of that base money would presently set the mint a worke and being new molten would with some supply serue this turne This being thought good then surely the Towne of Rosse in the Countie of Wexford will bee a most apt place for the mint by reason of the great abundance of
accompanie him in these his iourneyes wherein it is to be noted that it was a wise part of the Deputy to cause his actions to be iustified by others who were Generall Norreys Sir Lucas Dillon The Councels report to the Lords of the successe in Vlster Sir Edward Waterhouse and Mr. Ieffrey Fenton Some so iust as they would enforme no vntruthes and some vsing alwayes to depraue from the Gouernours there For the condition of our State was rather to deminish the acts of the Deputy to her Maiestie then to grace them by a true relation least as his merit might challenge rewards so the weight of his actions cast into the ballance of her discerning iudgement might shew the lightnesse of their owne little doings Thus much to the indifferent But most of our great men did not rellish Sir Iohn Perrots stoutnesse who stoode vpon his owne feete onely without dependancy vpon any of them but the Queene alone which made them enuious of all his good Seruices but now their mouthes were stopped her Maiestie being satisfied of the trueth by so indifferent Relators Now was it found time by the Deputy to consult how these good beginnings might be prosecuted and that which was done might not be euerted by the inconstancy of a wauering and yet vnbrideled people who being brought by force onely to yeeld to that which is good will bee good no longer then while force constraines them vntill their ignorance how farre the good extendes to their owne particular be taken away by their taste and feeling which in an instant comes not to The Deputy writes for Soldiers to be sent out of England passe Therefore to this end hee propounded to her Maiestie and Councell that sixe hundred Souldiers might be sent ouer whereof 400 to land at Dublin for supply of the Northern Garrison and two hundred to be sent to Waterford to be placed in Mounster all which should bee mixed with the olde Companies and maintained by the charge of Vlster according to their composition with small addition of payment from her Maiesties Treasure He likewise propounded that the large and vnbounded Countries of the North and other parts might be deuided into small Counties for the better gouerning of the rude and vnruly people who might learne ciuility and know the lawes and by that knowledge be brought to loue that vnder which they did enioy their owne whereof they were now ignorant The Deputies offer if 50000 pound might be spared for three yeares Hee offered farther that if 50000 pound might be added to the reuenew of that Kingdome but for three yeares to come he would not onely therewith support the charge of the State but wall seauen Townes and build as many Bridges in places now scarce passable especially in the Winter and erect so many strong Castles in places of perill withall 2000 Foote and 400 Horse should bee maintained by this allowance supplyed by the Northerne composition during the time This summe though it seemed great yet was lesse then her Maiestie many times was enforced to expend for the suppressing of a light Rebellion and the preseruation of her good Subiects without any other fruit of reformation or assurance of future Peace So as this charge thus imployed would not onely secure the whole Countrey for the present but make other Seruice of importance more easie after to bee performed Hee added to these motions others of consequence for execution of Iustice a chiefe meane to breede in the people awfull loue and ciuility as that a chiefe Iustice of The Deputy demaunds a chiefe Iustice out of England English birth might bee sent ouer such a one as for learning in the Law and integrity might bee a light and guide vnto the rest whereby the Courts and course of Iustice might bee reduced into order now gouerned by such as for the most part were eyther insufficient in the knowledge of the Lawes corrupt in Religion or partiall in their affection whom he wished might be changed into such as were free from these faulty offences That Tanestry might be abolished And that the bad and barbarous custome of Tanestry might be abolished which custome amongst the meere Irish onely is in vse being that the Sonne doth not inherite his Fathers estate but most commonly such a one is elected by the Countrey in the life time of the Lord as doth expresse by valour and a stirring spirit the best ability to leade the whole Sept in all their actions which were most commonly such as were mischieuous to the State Him so Elected they called their Tawnist vpon which Election happened oftentimes murther and bloudshed euen amongst the nearest of their kindred besides other innumerable mischiefes This euill and vnnaturall custome the Deputy desired to abolish thinking as matter then stood he had both power and opportunity to bring it to passe That charge of Tenures might be made Hee desired that hee might be enabled to passe estates vnto the Irish according to the English tenure vpon surrender of their former claymes which would bring them to depend vpon the State and loose them from the tirannous yoke of their neere and great Lords whereto the Irish seemed in his iudgement at this time forward and enclinable The Deputy demaunds reward for the deseruing Soldier Hee concluded with requests for the rewarding some principall Seruitors of that Realme whom hee had found faithfull and painfull furtherers of her Maiesties Seruice as encouragements for others to doe the like To all these motions both her Maiesty and Councell returneth faire answeres accepting and applauding his Seruices giuing GOD thanks for his prosperity and good successe therein to the aduancement whereof promises of assistance were giuen and in particular to his propositions gaue this resolution Touching the composition made in Vlster for the maintenance of the Garrison it was well allowed as a thing not onely tending to the reformation of that Prouince but to the reduction of the rest of the Kingdome with more facility to order obedience and ciuility To the rest for the most part they did condiscend or at the least gaue him such satisfaction therein as might encourage his proceeding concluding with praise and promise of reward A smooth letter from the Lords in England Which the Queene well knew were the best spurres to set on so forward a spirit to enterprise nobly in her seruice The next and principall of his cares indeede clayming the first place and so was it seated in his heart was to establish Religion the true supporter of Peace Obedience and Fidelity to which end Letters were addressed to the Bishops and chiefe of the Clergie especially of the English Pale for the repairing The Deputy caused the Churches to be repaired and re-edifying of their decayed Churches as a meane the better to enduce the people vnto Gods seruice where they might bee taught their duties to God and their Prince He wrote likewise into England against the
most Noble Assembly that our Predecessours in a very short time planted in euery part of this Kingdome Cities Towns Castles wherof doe remaine yet the Reliques euen in Vlster where Barbarisme most preuailed yeelded vnto England great yearely reuenewes the decayes thereof grew from Gods heauy hand visiting the Enemies of that time first vpon England and consequently vpon Ireland as an appendix by the diuision of Yorke and Lancaster the harmes God bee praised is repaired againe in England by the happy Vnion of those two Houses all being of one Nation but not in Ireland where the Irish preuailed against the English by reason of that diuision vnder the factions raised heere for the maintainance of the same not vnknowne to some of you that haue had the mannaging of these causes of this State Much bloud hath since beene spilt and an infinite treasure consumed to recouer that dammage through a deadly hate conceiued betweene the two Nations and that not without the maintenance of the degenerate English wherof the late Earle of Desmond may bee an example for the rest This dissention hath beene euer since maintained and lately nourished by the needy Scots of the out Iles and lately by the Popes crue vnder Saunders vpon whom Gods curse preuailed against their Chiefetaines blessing Thus you see how this matter hath long hung in question what misery and mischiefe hath ensued thereof and what honour and profit it was and againe would be vnto England if it were redressed It remaineth I shew not onely the good occasions and meanes thereof now offered but also the good thereby to ensue and so to conclude with my humble Petition for your ayde Heretofore the Irish haue beene iealous of the English immagining that not themselues but the recouery of the vsurped Lands haue beene sought and the degenerate English as Desmond and some others haue fallen into the same errors which hath made them to spurn against all Authority and vse the ayde of the Scots almost to their owne extirpation But now her Maiesties mercy and gracious meaning being publiquely denounced vpon the ouerthrow of the Rebels and Forraigne Enemies that her Highnesse equally ballanceth her Subiects according to their due deserts without respect of Nation as hauing interest from GOD in them all alike they see their errour not onely in flying from so gracious a Princes and Soueraigne but also in embracing the needy rauenous Scot that had well-nigh deuoured them all And therefore I am farre from the opinion of those that would haue the Irish extirped sith I see that the occasion of dissention being now taken away they are as I suppose easily made one with vs and so as likely to be continued as any other generation whatsoeuer that in their place should be planted I make this collection by proofe I haue had not onely of their willingnesse to ioyne with mee in the expulsion of the Scots but also to yeeld their Lands simply as many of the best haue done and the rest are ready to doe to be resumed of her Maiestie by Tenures Rents and Seruices both honourable and profitable to her Maiestie seruiceable to the State and commodious to themselues which I haue made particularly knowne to her Maiestie and the Lords of her most Honourable Priuie Counsell Hereunto I haue to adde that they are most willing and ready to leaue olde Irish exactions vpon their Free-Holders and Tenants and to conuert the same to Rents certaine whereof what wealth and quietnesse is like to ensue I will leaue to the report of some of you that know this State for I should trouble you too tediously to discourse it particularly I haue besides so preuailed with them as well by good dealings as by ouer-ruling them with her Maiesties Forces that I haue wonne them to entertaine English Souldiers instead of Scots so as I haue compounded with the Chiefetaines of Vlster for the maintenance of 1000 English Souldiers and doe mean to proceed with the rest with their content anon and to their owne good that I hope to haue a trayned Garrison here in a readinesse of two thousand footemen and foure hundred Horse readie for all euents and those in time to be but a small charge to her Maiestie and that Realme Those occasions may in some mens opinion seeme good but vncertaine and so indeede are as all occasions are if they be not well taken hold of and that in time For the Irish as all mankinde besides yea euen borne in Middlefex as naturally slippery vncertaine and vnruly and therefore the meanes to be vsed to make them stayed certaine and orderly which are partly by Iustice and partly by force Iustice may bee executed with small boast but so cannot force and yet the force I meane is not violable but benefie all to the whole State The Irish Rebell and his Scottish partaker or rather maintainer doe greatly trustin in their aduantage of Wood and Bogg where they runne vp and downe sauagely and in our disaduantage especially in Vlster the Scot arriueth through want of Bridges Townes and Forts as well to pursue them and to keepe Garrison against as also to breede Traffique and good Society betweene the well disposed of both the Nations whereof I of late as others before me haue and doe daily finde the great discommodity I haue therefore determined there chiefely and in some part of the Realme besides to build seauen Townes seauen Castles and seauen Bridges in the places herevnder mentioned which were these viz the Townes Athloan Dingle Colerant Liffre Sligo Newry The Castles the black water to be better fortified Balleshannon Belleck to be new erected The broad water in Mounster Castell Merten vpon the Rout Gallin in the Queenes County Kilcoman in Feagh Mac Hughs Country The Bridges Colerane Lifferâ— Ballishannon Dondalke the Broad water in Mounster the Riuer of Veale vnder Slelogher Kelles in Clana deboy With those new Buildings or rather for the most part reparations of olde ruines and those that be already the Realme will be as it were walled in as vpon view of the Charter will appeare vnto you and by Gods grace I trust not onely thereby mutuall Traffique and amity will growe the waste part of this Land may be planned and peopled with good Subiects those that be dutifull strengthned and countenanced and those repressed that are ill affected but also that the composition already made or here after to be made for the numbers before mentioned may be holden good as also other matters of honour and profit to both the Realmes may be brought to passe But sith this will not be done without some charge albeit the same be not great in respect eyther of the good it will bring or of some other greater charges hereto fore bestowed I humbly pray that I may presume to recommend the same to your most Noble and fauourable considerations which is for the fifty thousand pounds a yeare to be had thence for three yeares together A sum not
exceeding her Maiesties yearely charge one yeare with another since the beginning of her Maiesties Reigne and short of her Highnes charges in three yeares not long since by almost 50000 pounds as may appeare by Auditors Bookes and as humbly I pray you that you doe conceiue that this my motion doth not proceede from any direction but onely from the cause itselfe which I haue at Eye and wherein for zeale and duties sake I auowe and protest not onely to imploy my body and minde but also all that substance that I am well able to spare which I know will fall out vpon mee the greatest Subsidie of any Subiect in the Land through the charge that hath and will arise of my continuall trauailing to effect these Seruices from place to place for otherwise it will not be done where I might saue by feeling my selfe in places certaine Hauing thus protested to spend mine owne with good contentation I trust I may easily auoyde all opinion of intent to get by issuing of the money for I vtterly denounce the handling or directing of one penny otherwise then by the aduice of such as shall be specially assigned to that trust with me If our Auncestors when the world was more needy bare did not make stay at great summes to lesser purpose I trust the present plentifull State of England will shewe a franke and cheetefull readinesse to aduance a matter that according to the occasion now offered requireth present helpe and remedy I humbly beseech you thinke what a continuall sinke both of men and money hath this State beene vnto that Thinke also what Forraine Princes haue attempted and doe still gape for it wayting onely opportunity and if they doe catch it what a dangerous and noysome neighbour vnto England they will make it Choake vp the sinke at once make one charge of all conceiuing you doe but lend so much vpon large Interest and that you cast now your seede into a fruitfull ground that will yeeld a profitable Haruest and by your Honourable Magnanimity and care put downe the courages of those ambitious Princes and stop the course of their ambitious intentions against this Realme and consequently that And I for my part doe auowe besides that small portion of wealth that God hath lent me to afford my life well bestowed in that action with no lesse care and diligence then I haue already vsed in the short time of gouernment I haue passed which I trust seemeth not altogether fruitlesse And so crauing humble pardon if zeale and affection haue any way miscaried me I humbly end from her Maiesties Castle of Dublin this 17 of Ianuary 1584. Shortly after to confirme these conclusions and to reduce the people to conformity of gouernment a Parliament before resolued Parliament in Ireland on is now summoned to be held at Dublin where the Nobility Clergie and Commons being assembled Order was taken that none Order for Irish apparell not to be worne in Parliament were permitted to goe in Irish attire as in former time they vsed but to sort themselues in such habite after the English manner as was answerable to their seuerall rankes and qualities and because the charge might breede no difficulty with the chiefe men in Parliament to yeeld to this Order Hee bestowed vpon Tirlogh Leynogh the principle Lord of Vlster and on some others chiefe of the Irish Gowns and other Roabes fit for that place and their degrees which they embraced like fetters of which being weary one of them came to the Deputy and besought him that one of his Chaplaines which hee called Priests might goe with him along through the Streetes clad in his Irish Trouses for then quoth he the Boyes will laugh as fast at him as they now doe at me whereat though the Deputy could haue smiled yet casting a frowne vpon his countenance told him there was no cause he should thinke any laughed at him for wearing those which were fit ornaments for the place he now held and did present in Parliament but if any did so it was at his ill wearing of the same which want of ciuill custome caused Therefore since vse would make that seemely which now was ridiculous he aduised him to view the difference of being fit for all Assemblies and onely fit for the Woods and barbarous Places but quoth the Deputy if any idle or ill affected person shall put the contrary into your head beleeue it to be done out of an ill meaning to the State and worse vnto your person for contempt of order and decencie will in the end be your downfall This aduice was taken eyther as found good or out of necessity to be followed but hereby wee may discerne that custome is commonly preferred before decency and opinion before reason especially amongst people where ciuility is vnplanted Withall it is to be obserued in the The reason the Irish are vnwilling to sort themselues to the English habit proud condition of the Irish that they disdaine to sort themselues in fashion vnto vs which in their opinion would more plainely manifest our Conquest ouer them and this I take to be the cause of their vntowardnesse in this particular which made the Deputy to set the reformation more to heart well knowing that the Lords and chiefe of the Irish framing themselues in habite and plainenesse to their Vnderlings made themselues the more popular Willing or vnwilling they were constrayned to come to the Parliament in that ciuill habit which did best fit the place and present seruice In this Parliament which began at Dublin the 26 of Aprill 1585 in the 27 yeare of the Queenes Reigne Sundry Bills were passed in the first Session which being Enacted and new Printed therefore neede here no further mention but their disputes and differences arose about a Bill preferred in the Commons A Bill for the suspension of Poynings Acts. House for the suspention of Poynings Act which past in the tenth yeare of King Henry the seauenth before Sir Edward Poynings then Deputy That no Bill should passe in any Parliament in Ireland for a Law vntill the same had first a Royall assent in England This the Deputy would haue suspended by Act of Parliament to the end that opportunity might be taken for passing such Bills as the present occasion might offer for the good of the Seruice without attending the further resolution of England whereby the aduantage of aduancing present Seruices might be lost making that by delay more vnpassable which at the present might easily be perfected But this howsoeuer grounded vpon good iudgement by the Deputy was impugned especially by some chiefe stirrers in the English Pale and ouerthrowne by them at the third reading who feared perchance that something might be propounded and speedily Enacted which might crosse some purposes of their owne and therefore by suspition were caried to their own preiudice yet afterwards vpon better information that doubt being cleared they then seemed more enclinable to
continuance and custome which the people had borne so long as they thought it now no burthen knowing no better feeling that least wherwith they had so long bin acquainted But now the Chiefes vnderstanding that they should haue freedom of lands instead lieu of their Chieferies the people by perswasion brought to beleeue and perceiue they should by this meanes liue more free from exaction both yeelded to this composition which to this day doth continue If this Seruice had proceeded as the Deputy intended as well through the whole Prouince as in these parts and so extended to the rest of the Kingdome it had surely introduced peace and wealth amongst the people with obedience and encrease of reuenue to the Prince which at that time might easily haue beene affected but the bloud and fatall mischiefes threatned vnto that vnhappy Kingdome were not to bee preuented by the care and industry of this good Gouernour whose workes though built vpon the strong foundation of zeale knowledge and integrity were shaken by the stormes blowne from the breath of his maligners both here there vsing not the Engine of slander onely but like Magicians stirred vp euery spirit that might moue him to impatience the already mentioned fault of his Nature That begot The second information against the Deputy rash words which no sooner spoken but was enformed with aduantage which tooke away her Maiesties good opinion of his zeale to doe her Seruice so as his faith was interpreted to be vaineglory which being by him vnderstood discouraged his proceeding and finding all his actions if not slighted yet brought within the compasse of suspition a hard reward for so much merit hee was much perplexed But heere his misfortune rested not for now the most perillous practise of his Enemies began to breake forth which fatally in short time proued his ruine Denis Oroughans practise discouered One Dennis Oroughan who had beene a Romish Priest counterfeited certaine Warrants in the name of the Deputy directed to all the Queenes Officers within the Realme of Ireland vnto which Warrants the name of the Deputy was set in the vsuall place of Assignation In them was a generall pardon graunted to the Priest without limitation of time or exception of any offence terming the Realme of Ireland and Councell thereof as if they had beene his and hee King of it and them contrary to all vsuall forme which seemed not to be the Priests owne deuice because the extraordinary forme must needes bring it in question and thereby make it of no auaile to him but the Priest being a fit instrument in respect of his offence and the fitter through an extraordinary villany grafted in him was wrought by others to take vpon him this part to manifest the Deputies ambition and thereby make him odious to the State here which deuillish plot was more timely discouered then the Plotters wished for the Priest being taken with these counterfeited Warrants vpon other suspition and brought before the Archbishop of Cashell who taking paines in the examination of him discouered that these Warrants were written by one Henry Birde Register to the high Commission Aduertisement was giuen hereof to the Deputy a Commission thereupon was directed to the Lord Primate Sir Henry Wallop and Sir Nicholas White to call Birde before them and to make search amongst his papers thereby as by his examination to finde the meaning of these counterfeited papers of warrant At first hee denied the writing of the Warrants but afterwards being tripped in his Answeres hee confessed hee wrote them but stifly for swore the subscription of the Deputies name thereto which as it should seeme was done by the Priest himselfe for hee was the man that after accused Denis Oroughan the false Author of Sir Iohn Perrots accusation in England the Deputy in England vpon which hee was condemned so as either the Deputies owne remisnesse in seuerely punishing this man or his Aduersaries vnderhand protecting him from his deserued punishment gaue scope to his detestable accusation which the villaine Denis Oroughans repentance a little before his death being not many yeares since confessed with a seeming remorse for his so falsly accusing an Innocent by the procuring of others who were neuer knowne in this world to repent their misdeede how they answere in the next is onely knowne to God himselfe but it is a fearefull thing to obserue what power such false persons oftē haue to preuaile against the most innocent euen in the iustest Common-weales which neither the wit of man nor any thing but the miraculous hand of the highest can preuent or discouer Another practise about this time or shortly after succeeded against him which though it were not so dangerous yet it troubled him no The Deputies secrets bewrayed lesse being a meanes to preuent his intended Seruices for his Letters and secrets being bewrayed by as it should seeme Iohn Williams his owne Secretary vnto his Aduersaries and by them communicated vnto others whom they concerned her Maiestie was defrauded of her Seruice and he brought into suspition amongst those where the way of his preuailing lay vpon the first notice thereof he wrote vnto the Lords of the Councell in England who thereupon gaue commaundement vnto the Lord Chancellour and the Bishop of Meath to make the Authors knowne of that discouery shewing the dangerous consequence that followed such practises of publishing secrets which did concerne the State but they for some particular respects as it should seeme disobeyed that commaundement though the Queene her selfe did after expresly require it to be done And withall she wrote vnto the Lord Chancellour charging him to forbeare contestation with the Deputy which could not but hinder his seruice and embolden euill affected persons disposed to resist the power of her Gouernours when they should discerne such contention amongst those that were chiefe in authority Shortly after the Baron of Donganon went into England who hauing beene brought vp with the English shewed alwayes forwardnesse in the Queenes Seruice against Tirlogh Leynaugh and Shane Oneale in times of their disobedience wherein his speciall ayme was onely his owne aduancement into their title and place they once suppressed Comming into England with the faire shew of his former Seruices he professeth future fidelity in himselfe and aduiseth vnder colour of the Countries peace and quiet a suppression of the exorbitant Title and iurisdiction of Oneale which notwithstanding hee afterward assumed and extorted vnto himselfe though a knowne Bastard taking aduantage of the loose hand was held vpon the Irish in Vlster and the corrupt Gouernment at that time in the State as shall in his due time be made manifest with this profession of Seruice and by applying himselfe to the greatest in power and grace at Court he gained the Queenes fauour and The Baron of Donganon created Earle of Tyrone was created Earle of Tyrone but hereat his ambition was not leuelled for the name of an Earle was
not the thing he aymed at but as is mentioned the barbarous Title of Oneale for Tyrone his ambition to be Oneale he hath beene oft heard to say I had rather be Oneale of Vlster then Philip of Spaine who in the Papists reckoning is the greatest Monarch of the world and as Tirlogh then the Tawnist Oneale grew in weakenesse and impotencie so this new created Earle did more and more aspire to sit in his roome within process of time he obtained so as the Queenes pollicy in making him Earle to out-countenance the Title of Oneale made him potent to gaine it and therby to proue the greatest firebrand that euer that Kingdome had Not long after the Composition of Connaught The Burks repenting their Composition before mentioned some of the Burkes with others of that Prouince better discerning the pollicy of the State then at first or at least taught to interpret it so by the perswasion of the Priests now fearing that their vsurped power ouer the people would bee diminished preferring power to doe mischiefe in after time before their present profit and plenty fell into counsell and consideration how they might vndoe the knot the State had almost tyed and proceeded to a promise of combination to the same effect whereof the vigilant Gouernour Sir Richard Bingham taking light aduertised the Deputy and from him receiued aduice not to prouoke the people by giuing them any iust occasion of offence but to try by all faire perswasions and pollitique meanes that they might be held in obedience and to perseuer in such courses of conformity as they had lately yeelded submitted themselues vnto for this purpose Commissioners are sent to heare their grieuances and to yeeld A second CoÌ„mission sent into Connaught to appease the Burks them right vpon their iust demaunds but this course indeede because it argued feare in the State made them holder in their practises The Commissioners were the Archbishop of Toome the Bishop of Meathe c. These Commissioners heard their complaints which proued most against the Gouernour and his vnder Officers somewhat they exhibited for their owne claimes alledging Interest They were offered right and perswaded to obedience which they promised but did not long performe for the matter of their vsurped and customary authority and superiority being of more value in sound and shewe then in substance did so ouer-possesse them as they not long after entred into a second conspiracy for the maintenance of that their lawlesse intrusion which being shaken by the coÌ„position they intended now to hold by force And for the better effecting this euill and Trayterous enterprise they perswaded the Clandonnells Ioyces and others that Sir Richard Bingham had already taken from them their auncient Liberties and was ready to doe the like vnto all others in that Prouince if it were not preuented and therefore entreated them to ioyne in action of Rebellion for their future Freedome Thus they began to assemble and to gather troopes amongst whom the sonnes of Edmond The Burks enter into an Insurrection Bourke of Castlebarry being many were Partisans and so entred into an insurrection This Edmond an olde man was one of the Competitors of the Mac William Shie His sonnes with Edmond Kettaugh Burke Richard Burest sonne vnto him called the Deuils â—ooke Meyler Oge Burke Walter Mac Dauid Barie Cayhir Mac Connell and others associating vnto them many idle persons their followers entred a Castle called Castle ne Kelly manned the same and kept it against the Queene with Thomas Roes Castle which after his decease was in the hands and possession of his brother Richard Burke About this time Mahone Obryan held a Castle called Clan Owen in Thomond against the State who was a dangerous and great practizer with forraigne power for the Inuasion in Sir Richard Bingham besieged Clan Owen Ireland This Castle the Gouernour Sir Richard besieged and after seauen dayes siege wonne it and slew Mahon Obryan The siege was all by water in Boates for it could not otherwise be attempted the Castle being seated farre within the Logh vpon a small Iland where Sir Richard going about to burne a Boate or two belonging to the Rebels that lay close to the wall of the Castle was enforced with suddaine rising of winde and foule weather which much fauoured the Rebell to leaue the attempt with the losse of one or two of his Boates and two or three of his Souldiers Himselfe such as were with him hardly escaping by the helpe of other Boates which came as they were appointed in time to second him The Boate which he lost the Rebels got in which they shipped themselues and fled into the Woods before hee could returne to giue them a new assault This Pile and another of Fardaraâ—gh Mac Donnells Sir Richard razed downe to the ground as held not fit to be kept by the English and dangerous to be in the hand of the Irish Richard Bourk hanged Richard Bourke called the Vsule of Ireland was at Castellne Kelly hanged by Marshall law Information being there giuen that hee was confederate with the Rebell and vnder pretext of dutifull obedience and visitation of the Gouernour intended to betray him and his company Some of the Burks sent to call the Scots The Burkes againe gather greater forces ioyned with their other confederates and the more to manifest their malice they murthered fifteene or sixteene of the Officers of Connaught and sent Edmond Kettaugh Burke with Iohn Iteleaga brother vnto Walter Kettaugh Burke to practise with the Scottish Ilanders to draw them thither to their ayde whereof the Deputy being aduertised sendeth directions to the Gouernour to raise what Forces hee could in the Prouince for the present promising to send him supplies with all possible The Deputy promiseth to come to the Gouernour speed and to come himselfe in person if the necessity of the Seruice so required but therein he reckoned without his Host for his Aduersaries A plot to restraine him finding his former successe to haue gained him great reputation whose encrease might make him too powerfull to be shaken by their plots had procured Letters of restraint to be sent out of England to prohibite him to doe any thing without the assent and approbation of the Councell The Gouernour with such Forces as were then in pay in the Prouince and some other ayde of the Country began vpon the 12 of Iuly 1586 to draw towards the County of Mayo and came to Ballincrobe the fourteenth of the same whereall the Gentlemen best affected in the Country met him as the Earle of Clanrikard the Lord Bremicham Sir Hubert Mac Dauie Teige Okelly with many others Thither came the Captaines Mostian Merryman and Mordant with their Companies sent by the Deputy to supply him Commissioners are likewise appointed to parley with the Burkes but could not preuaile The Burks proyed by the Gouernour their F rces ouerthrowne Whereupon the Gouernour prosecuted
speede for the ease of the Queenes Charge vpon which prouidence most vnwisely his ignorant Aduersaries through malice insisted for much more time might otherwise to good purpose haue beene spent in rooting out the originall cause of this Inuasion and securing the after time of any the like Confederacy But all things being now whist and no commotion at that time appearing the Deputy retired to Dublin to answere his Aduersaries deuises against him The third Information against the Deputy there being now matter giuen them to worke on by his vncontroulable departure thence There the Deputy bent his course to satisfie all the Subiects in their iust complaints amongst which some priuate Iniuries were alledged to be done in the County of Cauan by the Collectours of the Queenes Rents The Examination and Writing whereof was by Commission referred to Sir Henry Duke and others Complaints in the County of Cauan redressed The Tenants of the seuerall Baronies within the said County exhibited their seuerall complaints against Patrick White and William Brataugh Collectours most of the offences alledged were triuiall as the taking of distresses being of greater value then their Rents amounted to with the laying more Cess for Horsemen and Boyes vpon the Country which did accompany the Collectors their Serieants then was meete for that Seruice These things being examined and the proofes returned by the Commissioners the Deputy though he saw them to be but of small moment yet he gaue order for the Complainers satisfaction with expresse Charge for the no more committing of such oppression which ministred good contentment vnto the Country Shortly after vpon like complaint the like Cōmission was directed vnto certaine Iustices Complaint against Francis Louell Sheriffe in the County of Kilkenny of the Peace in the County of Kilkenny vpon allegation made by the Earle of Ormonds Officers against Francis Louell Sheriffe of that County that he should execute put to death by Marshall law diuers persons out of malice and euill will for his owne priuate gaine who were out of the compasse of Marshall law hauing both Lands and Goods whereunto the Queene might haue bin entitled vpon due offence if proceeding against them had beene at the common law whose goods he had gotten into his owne possession to the defrauding of her Maiesty Withall that he had omitted the apprehension of diuers Malefactors such as were notorious disturbers of the Country and common peace To which Cōmission the Deputy added instruction to the Iustices who were to examine the particular complaints and all parties therevpon to returne the proofes produced with their proceedings therein by a certain prefixed time vnder their hands closely sealed that they should carrie themselues iustly and sincerely with especiall care to auoyde exception This was accordingly performed the Sheriffe being present the Earles Officers appointed their time to bring their witnesses At which time the persons names their offences abilities and qualities examined who had beene executed by Marshall law the Iurie found that the parties so put to death were iustly proceeded against and not maliciously as was enformed they being Vagabonds hauing no Goods or Lands Saue onely one Patrick Beg Baron who at his Execution was possessed of some small things rated at a very little value whereof part was restored vnto the true owners from whom they were stolne and the rest being but of the value of twenty shillings were deuided betweene the Sheriffe and his Officers They found likewise that the Sheriffe had not omitted to doe his endeuour for the apprehension of any notorious malefactour or receiued any reward but proofe was offered of a gift giuen to the Sheriffs wife to perswade her husband not to prosecute a Carpinter who was charged to lodge one Peiree Grace a man then out in action of Rebellion The booke of Articles exhibited against the Sheriff with his seueral answers was shewed vnto Hen. Sheath the Earle of Ormonds Steward and he willed to consider thereof that he might enforme the Iury and prouide his proofes but he refused alledging he had not sufficient time so to doe whereupon the Iury returned their verdit and the Commissioners sent the same with their Francis Louell cleared proceedings vnto the Deputy who vpon perusall thereof finding no cause to condemne but to cleare the Sheriffe signified so much vnto the Earle of Ormond and withall that hee was glad to see an English Gentleman as Louell was seruing in that Country especially in that Office charged with so great abuses to acquite himselfe so well This with some other such passages which did crosse the Earles Officers vsing absolute and in a manner vnlimitted Authority in their Masters Dominions especially in the next The Deputy and the Earle of Ormond at oddes County adioyning which was his Palatine bred some dislike betweene the Earle and the Deputy which in time grew to a heart-burning though in former time they had beene ancient and inward friends but now the profit and command of the one being questioned by the Authority of the other conuerted friendship into enmity Though at this time there were a generall tranquillity through the Kingdom of Ireland yet it could not bee but some corrosiues must remaine harboured in the mindes of men either misliking good gouernment which tended to the diminution of their owne powers or enuying the Authority of others ouer them or caried away with personall quarrels or particular respects which would easily enduce an attempting spirit to breake the bond of peace and loyall duty Walter Reughs entring into Rebellion Of such at this time one Walter Reugh Fitz Morice a Geraldine but not of the right line degenerating from the race he pretended to be discended of entred into actuall Rebellion This man vpon some great discontent and an euill disposition in himselfe with as bad an affection to the State associated to him company of lewd and filching people then committing stealthes in the Country With these he betooke himselfe to the Woods and Bogs being the fastnesses of the Countries Kilkenny Waxford and some parts of Leix His party in short time encreased by the resort vnto him of some of the Oburnes and Tooles with whom one night by force he entred the house of Iohn Asman dwelling in the Moroughs Country whom they murthered and preyed of all the Cattell Sheepe and Goods he had about his house which murther and spoile was suspected to proceede from the Conspiracie of some discended of the English who vpon priuate grudge and malice had drawne the Rebels to fall vpon him vpon examination whereof some were apprehended as culpable Walter Reugh himselfe was so straightly pursued by the Deputies speciall direction as from thence hee was enforced to flye to the Mountaines where he endured great misery yet in the end vpon his humble and earnest sute putting in Walter Reugh pardoned pledges for his future loyalty hee obtayned pardon The deuision of Desmonds Lands into Signories
promise of from the Queene who sent him word shee would shortly prouide him a Successour In the meane time to preuent farther trouble in Ireland that he might leaue all things in as great security as possibly he could hee as one of his last but not least Seruices sends for all the Lords and Chiefes which might in any The Deputy taketh pledges of all the suspected persons in Ireland part bee suspected to take part with the forraigne Enemie if any attempt should be made in that Kingdome by them as was doubted and of all these demaunded Pledges for their owne faithfulnesse and the quietnesse of their people and for the more easie enclining them to this demaund which seemed at first harsh vnto them he made a solemne speech wherein hee declared that it was done as well for their owne good as for the Kingdomes quiet for hee knew that the Queene would be well pleased with their willingnesse to yeeld testimony of their loyalty vnto her which could not but make them better accepted trusted in the time to come protesting that if the case concerned him as it did them he should chuse rather at this time to be bound then to be left at liberty within the danger of suspition being a deepe corrosiue to euery well meaning man as he assured himselfe they all were howsouer their former slips had made them apt to be doubted aduising them to vse all good meanes for the conseruation of Peace in each of their Dominions whereby their pledges might shortly haue freedome and they themselues gaine a better estimation for euer By this perswassion they did with lesse grudging and contradiction yeeld pledges which were bestowed in the Castle of Dublin so as all the Heads of all the Prouinces in Ireland were tyed by this meanes to quietnesse and subiection which at that time was most necessary because the Deputy by diuers good intelligences out of Spaine whereof hee had giuen speedy and often information into England knew the Spanish preparations were great and whether intended for England or Ireland or for both was not certaine but Ireland threatned by the common bruite This done the Deputy writes againe to the Queene humbly thanking her that at his suit and for the recouery of his health which now began to impaire shee had beene pleased to promise his discharge from that Gouernement and withall besought her speedily to send his Successour vsing the same reasons he had formerly done when it was bruited he should bee remoued before it was intended the loose people being indeede apt out of their euill affection to take aduantage of the time and to attempt that which they durst not doe in a confirmed and well countenanced Gouernement At length when this good Deputy had gouerned foure yeares with much trauaile and good successe notwithstanding the opposition mentioned in this discourse of priuate and particular Aduersaries the enuiers of his felicity hee obtained his discharge And Sir Sir William Fitz-Williams sent into Ireland William Fitz-Williams was sent to succeede him who had formerly gouerned that Kingdome with liking and commendation which though it bred some hope in the people that hee would build well vpon his Predecessours platforme yet it could not keepe the peoples eyes from teares for the losse of Sir Iohn Perrott such impression had his vpright and cleane handed Gouernement vnusuall to that vnhappy Kingdome taken in their hearts as appeared at his departure The Deputy giueth a Cup to the Citie of Dublin Before his deliuery of the Sword he gaue a couered Cup of Siluer guilt to the Maior and Citie of Dublin with these words vppon the top engrauen In Pace relinquo meaning that hee left the Citie and Kingdome in peace At the deliuery of the Sword in Christs-Church hee tolde the new Deputy Sir William Fitz Williams in the publique hearing of many of whom some are yet liuing Now my Lord since that by her Maiesties direction I haue giuen vp the Gouernement of this Kingdome into your hands I must giue your Lordship to vnderstand and I thanke God I may say so that I leaue it in perfect peace and tranquility which I hope your Lordship will certifie vnto her Maiestie and the Lords of her Councell to whom the Deputy made answere that he confessed it to be so and wished he might leaue it no worse Then my Lord replyed Sir Iohn Perrot I must adde thus much That if there bee any man in this Kingdome suspected to be euill minded to the State who is able to drawe but sixe Sword-men after him into the field if he haue not already put in pledges for his fidelity so your Lordship shall thinke it necessary I will vndertake though now but a priuate man to send for him and if hee come not within twentie dayes I will forfait the credit and reputation of my Gouernement whereto the Deputy answered that all was well it needed not The loue of the Irish State vnto Sir Iohn Perrot At Sir Iohn Perrotts departure from Dublin after hee had left the Sword many of the Nobility Gentry and Commons of that Kingdome came thither to see and take their leaue of him so that as hee went from his Lodging to the Key to take Boate. The presse of People comming to salute him some with cries of applause and some with teares bemoaning his departure was so great that he was well-neere two houres before hee could passe the Streete and was enforced twice or thrice to take house for his ease to auoyde the throng amongst whom Tirlogh Leynaugh was one who comming along with him to his Boate and standing at the Key vntill hee sawe his Ship vnder sayle did then weepe and grieuously bewayle his departure Such power hath the opinion of Iustice and sincere gouernement to make euen them that are barbarous to loue the Ministers thereof though themselues know not the things but by the effects At Sir Iohn Perrots going to Sea the Citizens of Dublin in testimony of their loue sent with him some of their young men with Shot to guard him into Pembroke Shire who passed with him to his Castle called Carewe whence hee was not long after called to the Court to be made a Priuie Councellour the step to his fall and ruine Sir Nicholas Whites expression of Sir Iohn Perrots Gouernment Of his Gouernement Sir Nicholas White Master of the Rolles in Ireland and a learned man wrote these fewe words Pacificauit Connaciam Relaxauit Mediam Subiuganit Vltoniam Fregit Lageniaem Ligauit Mononiam Extirpauit Scotos Refrenauit Anglos Et his omnibus per aquè vectigal acquisiuit Reginae Thus Englished He pacified Connaught loosened the bonds of Meathe subdued Vlster brake the bonds of combination in Leynster and bound fast in obedience Mounster Hee extirped the Inuading Scots bridled the bolde Extortions of the English and to all these added much to the Queenes reuenew for besides the compositions in Vlster and Connaught mentioned in this discourse hee drew new encrease and reseruations of Rents Tenures and Seruices from many Lords of Territories and Seruices from many Lords of Territories and sundry other persons in the seuerall Prouinces The particulars are yet extant to be seene though tedious here to be set downe which hee did vpon Surrenders renewing of their Estates which bred a double benefit vnto the Crown the better assurance of their Loyalties and the aduancement of reuenew These Seruices so well begun if they had beene perfected had made that Kingdome more peaceable rich ciuill and subiect to good Gouernement but want of time which makes the best begunne workes to misse the period of their perfection And Enuie which crosseth the best Designes left this mans Gouernement though successefull yet without the full fruite with his longer stay well seconded might haue brought forth But all humane affaires must haue their Periods and the successe of good or euill in them all will bee euer in some sort answerable to the Actors intentions FINIS