is that say they the stones of your two foster brethren with that she cast up a wilde look and never beheld him cheerefully againe Ororic her Lord and husband being in pursuit of kerne theeves and outlawes that had mightily annoyed his people in the furthest part of his country she with all celerity supposing it a fit time sent for her lover Dermotte the message was no sooner delivered but hee was a horse backe posting to the Harlot to be short he tooke her away with him at which time O false heart she strugled she cryed as though she were unwilling and that hee forced her Ororic immediately heard of it gathered his forces together mustred his people craved ayde and among others wrote unto Roderick Monarch of Ireland as followeth Though I am not ignorant most renowned Prince that humane causes are to be weighed in the balance of patience and that a man endued with vertue will not effeminate himselfe by reason of the unconstant and mutable minde of a Harlot yet in so much this horrible crime whereof I am fully perswaded came to your eares before my messenger could deliver his letters a thing heretofore not heard of as farre as I remember not practised against any King of Ireland severity causeth me to call for justice when charity admonisheth me not to seeke revengement If thou behold the shame I confesse it redoundeth to me alone if you weigh the cause it is common to us both what confidence shall we repose in our subjects that are bound unto us in regard of our Princely command if this effeminate adulterer or rather queller of chastity shall escape unpunished for so abhominable a fact for the unchastised offences of Princes notoriously committed in the sight of al men breed a most pernitious imitation as precedents unto the people in summe you have sufficient experience of my good will and affection towards you you see mee wounded with the cruell darts of fortune vexed with infinite discommodities and now extremely driven to my utter shifts It remaines seeing I am wholly yours that not onely with counsell being requested but with armes being urged you revenge my quarrell this when you will and as you will not onely I aske but require at your hands Farewell The Monarch for some former quarrell against Dermot was all on fire and joyning forces with Ororic entred Leinster with fire and sword the people cry woe and alacke O bone in Irish now are wee punished for the lewdnesse of our Prince Dermot lulling himselfe in his lovers armes heareth the newes starteth upon a sodaine beholdeth his Lady hath no power to speake runneth forth calleth his men cryeth for aid throughout his country none gave â—are unto him the country thought now whereas they could not that God will be revenged on him for his exactions cruelty tyranny and all other villanies practised upon his subjects and especially for deflouring another mans wife when he saw himselfe quite forsaken voyd and destitute of all ayde he betooke himselfe to the sea and fled for England but what became of the Harlot I cannot learne belike shee hanged her selfe when she had set all the country in uprore Anno 1169. Iohn Clin and Iohn Stow are mine Authors now that Dermot is fled I am to insert a story out of the British Chronicles of Conwey and Strotflur Abbeyes afore I discourse of him which was in the same yeere that he tooke the sea how that Owen Gwyneth Prince of North-Wales had a sonne called Ryryd who in the right of his wife as it seemeth was Lord of Clochran in Ireland and another sonne begotten vpon an Irish woman called Howell and a third sonne called Madoc This Madoc finding his country in great contention and his brethren at civill warres prepared certaine ships with men and munition out of Wales and Ireland and sought adventures by seas he sailed west from the coast of Ireland so farre north that hee came to a land unknowne where he saw many strange things This land in the opinion of Humphrey Lloyde the great Antiquary of Britaine must needs be some part of that country of which the Spaniards affirme themselves to be the first discoverers since Hannos time For by reason and order of cosmographie this land to the which Madoc came must needs be sonne part of Nova-hispania or Florida whereupon it is manifest that the same country was long before discovered by Britaines and Irish men afore either Columbus or Americus Vespatius led any Spaniards thither Of the voyage and returne of this Madoc there be many fables the which I will not report He prepared ships for a second voyage and tooke with him men and women to inhabit that land therefore it is to be presupposed that he and his people inhabited part of those countries for it appeareth by Francis Loves that in Acusanus and other places the people honoured the Crosse whereby it may be gathered that Christians had been there before the comming of the Spaniards but because this people were not many they followed the manners of the land and used their language I am of opinion with others that the land whereunto Madoc came was some part of Mexico first of all for that the inhabitants of that land report their Rulers to have descended from a strange nation that came from a far country which thing is confessed by Mutesuma King of that country in his orations made for quieting of his people at his submission to the King of Castile Hernando Curtecius being then present which is laid downe in the Spanish Chronicles of the conquest of the West-Indies secondly the british words and names of places used in that country to this day doe argue the same as when they talke together they say Gwrando which is hearken or listen in British Also if you peruse Sir Humphrey Gilberts discovery they have a Bird which they call Pengwin in Brittish and Cornish a white-head but the Iland of Corroeso the Cape of Britaine the river of Gwyndoor and the white rocke of Pengwyn be British or Welch words whereby it appeareth that it was that country which Madoc and his people inhabited now remembring my selfe that my pen hath not carryed me so far unto forraigne countries by sea but that I expect Dermots returne by sea and by land into Ireland Dermot Mac Morogh came to Henry 2. in Normandie made his moane as formerly in substance is delivered craved aide for his restitution into his country being a King exiled although distressed and void of comfort unlesse hee might obtaine it at his Majesties hands the Kings hands being full of warres he granted him his favourable letters as followeth Henry King of England Duke of Normandie and Aquitaine Earle of Anjow c. unto all his subiects English Normans Welch and Scots and to all nations and people being his subiects greeting whereas Dermot Prince of Leinster most wrongfully as he enformeth banished out of his owne country hath craved our ayde therefore for
But I may not so leave my Prelates they synodically decreed as followeth that all the English men within the land whatsoever they were should bee manumised a worshipfull piece of worke and no thanke to them all for the English sword was then ready to cut off the Irish heads this reformation was but a sweeping of a house with a Foxes tayle The prosperous successes of Earle Richard surnamed Strangbow were no sooner effected but fame flyed abroad and flatterers carried it to Henry the seconds eares and made him jealous as Kings commonly are that a subject as Richard was should not onely in the right of his wife content himselfe with Leinster but most presumptuously without licence as the King alledged attempt the conquest of a kingdome where he formerly by grant of Adrian was interessed Whereupon the King in his iealous rage indeavouring to stop the Springs and Water-courses proclaimed We Henry c. Forbid and inhibit that from henceforth no shippe from any place of our dominioâ— shall traffique or passe into Ireland and likewise charge that all our subjects upon their dutie of allegiance which are there commorant shall returne from thence into England before Easter next following upon paine of forfeiture of all their lands and the persons so disobeying to be banished our land and exiled for ever The Earle seeing himselfe in this distresse being in perill to lose his friends and to want his necessaries out of his native soile by entercourse of Merchants calleth a Councell where it was agreed and concluded that Sir Reimond Legrosse should bee sent over to pacifie the King who then was in Aquitaine with these letters Most puissant Prince and my dread Soveraigne I came into this land with your Majesties leave and savour as farre as I remember to aide your servant Dermot Mac Morogh what I have wonne was with the sword what is given me I give you I am yours life and living at your command Vpon the receit of these letters there fell of all sides three disasters the King was mightily incensed against Earle Richard and therefore delayed Sir Reimond Legrosse and gave him no answer secondly the death of Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury troubled him exceedingly and to helpe the readers memory with the time it was as the rime delivereth Annus millenus centenus septuagenus Primus erat primas quo ruit ense Thomas The third was that Dermot Mac Morogh a most bountifull Prince died and was buried at Fernes Anno 1171. Hastulpus late Governour of Dublin of whom I have formerly spoken returneth and entreth the haven of Dublin with threescore saile to his aide of Ilanders Norwegians and Esterlings they forthwith landed and unshipped themselves and had to their Captaine saith Cambrensis one Iohn Wood some call him mad Iohn for the prankes he playd for wood and mad beare one sense Stanihurst calleth him Pewood Douling Heywood They were all mighty men of warre and well appointed after the Danish manner being harnessed with good Brigandines jackes and shirts of maile their Shields Bucklers and Targets were round and coloured red and bound about with iron and as they seemed in armes so were they no lesse in mindes iron-strong and mighty they marched in battaile array towards the East gate of the Citie Miles Cogan the Governour with a faire company yet but a handfull to the number of the enemy sallied forth and gave them battaile where both sides lost many a tall man Miles Cogan seeing himselfe overlaid with the furious rage and multitude of his adversaries gave backe and retired into the towne by this time Richard Cogan his brother had secretly issued out with a good company at the South posterne gate compassed the Danes and being at the foot of the rereward made mighty cry and shout whereat the Danes were amazed and the two brethren had the killing of them before and behinde The Danes brake their array threw their Armes away fled towards their ships where many also for haste were drowned In this skirmish Iohn Wood was slaine and Hastulphus taken prisoner and put to his ransome The prodigalitie of this Hastulphus was such that he contented not himselfe with life but braved and bragged of his exploits in the hearing of Miles Cogan and therewithall delivered that that attempt was nothing but a taste or proofe of the Irish valour and shortly they should see another manner of forces assault them What saith Miles Cogan is it not enough for him to have his life but he must threaten us with further rebellion goe take him and cut off his head And thus the blabbe of his tongue turned to his confusion Shortly after the Irish and country birth lying aloofe wayting for all opportunities and understanding of some unkindenesse and displeasure conceived by King Henry the second against Earle Richard and in that quarrell generally against all the Britaines and invaders of Ireland they put their heads together they plot they draw their draughts and devices to lay siege to recover the Citie of Dublin and the chiefest instrument was Laurence O Toole Archbishop of Dublin who wrote unto Roderic King of Connaght unto Gotred alias Godfrey King of Man and to all the Princes of Ireland that it would please them some in regard of neighbourhood othersome in regard of naturall affection unto their native soile and distressed country men of Irish birth put to their helping hand ioyne their forces together lay siege to the Citie of Dublin by sea and by land relieve their brethren rid them from the Britaines hands and restore them to their former liberty The Bishop for the good opinion that was held of his learning gravitie and sanctitie prevailed insomuch that Gotred King of Man came into the harbour of Dublin with thirty saile Roderic the Monarch and forces of Ireland came by land and incamped within sight of the towne Within the towne were Earle Richard Strangbow Maurice Fitz Gerald Reimond Legrosse lately arrived from out of England Miles Cogan Richard Cogan with other worthy men and Citizens to the number of thirty thousand fighting men As they were prepared for battaile as commonly one mischiefe falleth in the necke of another Donald the base sonne of Dermot Mac Morogh came in post to the Earle and delivered how that Robert Fitz Stephens in his Fort of Carreck by Wexford was besieged with three thousand men of Wexford and Kinsele by the conduct of Donald Prince of Limeric sonne in law to Dermot Mac Morogh who before time in his extremity and in the warres betweene him and Roderic the Monarch for chiefery at the request of Dermot Mac Morogh was relieved by Robert Fitz Stephens and so aided that he foiled his enemy and thus good is recompenced with evill In this perplexitie and doubtfull danger Maurice Fitz Gerald full of courage turneth him to the Earle and the martiall men in these words you most valiant men wee came not into this land neither were we procured hither to be idle or to live
formerly wonne the same And besides it will give a great light both unto the second and third part which is the redressing of those evils planting of some good forme or policy therin by renewing the remembrance of these occasiōs accidents by which those ruines hapned laying before us the ensamples of those times to be cōpared to ours to be warned by those which shall have to doe in the like Therefore I pray you tell them unto us and as for the point where you left I will not forget afterwards to call you backe againe thereunto Iren. This Edw. le Bruce was brother of Robert le Bruce who was King of Scotland at such time as K. Edward the second raigned here in England and bare a most malicious and spightfull minde against K. Edward doing him all the scathe that hee could and annoying his Territoryes of England whilest hee was troubled with civill warres of his Barons at home Hee also to worke him the more mischiefe sent over his said brother Edward with a power of Scottes and Red-shankes into Ireland where by the meanes of the Lacies and of the Irish with whom they combined they gave footing and gathering unto him all the scatterlings and out-lawes out of all the woods and mountaines in which they long had lurked marched foorth into the English pale which then was chiefly in the North from the point of Donluce and beyond unto Dublin Having in the middest of her Knockfergus Belfast Armagh and Carlingford which are now the most out-bounds and abandoned places in the English Pale and indeede not counted of the English Pale at all for it stretcheth now no further then Dundalke towardes the North. There the said Edward le Bruce spoyled and burnt all the olde English Pale Inhabitants and sacked and rased all Citties and Corporate Townes no lesse then Murrough en Ranagh of whom I earst tolde you For hee wasted Belfast Greene-Castle Kelles Bellturbut Castletowne Newton and many other very good Townes and strong holdes hee rooted out the noble Families of the Audlies Talbotts Tuchets Chamberlaines Maundevills and the Savages out of Ardes though of the Lo Savage there remaineth yet an heire that is now a poore Gentleman of very meane condition yet dwelling in the Ardes And comming lastly to Dundalke hee there made himselfe King and raigned the space of one whole yeare untill that Edward King of England having set some quiet in his affaires at home sent over the Lord Iohn Birmingham to bee Generall of the Warres against him who incountering him neere to Dundalke over-threw his Army and slew him Also hee presently followed the victory so hotly upon the Scottes that hee suffered them not to breathe or gather themselves together againe untill they came to the Sea-coast Notwithstanding all the way that they fledde for very rancor and despight in their returne they utterly consumed and wasted whatsoever they had before left unspoyled so as of all Townes Castles Forts Bridges and Habitations they left not any sticke standing nor any people remayning for those few which yet survived fledde from their fury further into the English Pale that now is Thus was all that goodly countrey utterly wasted And sure it is yet a most beautifull and sweet Countrey as any is under Heaven being stored throughout with many goodly Rivers replenished with all sorts of Fish most abundantly sprinkled with many very sweet Ilands and goodly Lakes like little inland Seas that will carry even shippes upon their waters adorned with goodly woods even fit for building of houses ships so commodiously as that if some Princes in the world had them they would soone hope to be Lords of all the Seas and ere long of all the world also full of very good Ports and Havens opening upon England as inviting us to come unto them to see what excellent cōmodities that Countrey can afford besides the soyle it selfe most fertile fit to yeeld all kinde of fruit that shall be committed thereunto And lastly the Heavens most milde and temperate though somwhat more moist then the parts towards the West Eudox. Truly Iren. what with your praises of the countrey and what with your discourse of the lamentable desolation therof made by those Scottes you have filled mee with a great compassion of their calamities that I doe much pitty that sweet Land to be subiect to so many evills as I see more and more to bee layde upon her and doe halfe beginne to thinke that it is as you said at the beginning her fatall misfortune above all other Countreyes that I know to bee thus miserably tossed and turmoyled with these variable stormes of affliction But since wee are thus farre entred into the consideration of her mishaps tell mee have there beene any more such tempests as you terme them wherein she hath thus wretchedly beene wracked Iren. Many more God wot have there beene in which principall parts have beene rent and torne asunder but none as I can remember so universall as this And yet the rebellion of Thomas fitz Garret did well-nye stretch it selfe into all parts of Ireland But that which was in the time of the government of the Lord Grey was surely no lesse generall then all those for there was no part free from the contagion but all conspired in one to cast off their subiection to the Crowne of England Neverthelesse thorough the most wise and valiant handling of that right noble Lord it got not the head which the former evills found for in them the Realme was left like a ship in a storme amidst all the raging surges unruled and undirected of any for they to whom she was committed either fainted in their labour or forsooke their charge But hee like a most wise Pilote kept her course carefully and held her most strongly even against those roaring billowes that he safely brought her out of all so as long after even by the space of 12. or 13. whole yeares she roade at peace thorough his onely paines and excellent indurance how ever envy list to blatter against him But of this wee shall have more occasion to speake in another place Now if you please let us returne againe unto our first course Eudox. Truely I am very glad to heare your iudgement of the government of that honorable man so soundly for I have heard it oftentimes maligned and his doings depraved of some who I perceive did rather of malicious minde or private grievance seeke to detract from the honour of his deeds and Counsels then of any iust cause but hee was neverthelesse in the iudgements of all good and wise men defended and maintained And now that hee is dead his immortall fame surviveth and flourisheth in the mouthes of all people that even those which did backbite him are checked with their owne venome and breake their galls to heare his so honorable report But let him rest in peace and turne we to our more troublesome matters of discourse of which
the Englishe Gentlemen in Vlster as the lacke of vvalled townes is also the principall occasion of the rudenesse and wildenesse in other partes of Ireland This Savage having prepared an army against the Irish allowed to every Souldiour before he buckled with the enemy a mighty draught of Aquavitae Wine or old Ale and killed in provision for their returne beeffes venison and foule great plenty which diverse of his Captains misliked considering the successe of warre to be uncertaine esteemed it better pollicy to poyson the cates or to doe them away then to cherish a sort of Catives with princely foode If ought should happen to themselves in this adventure of so few against so many Hereat smyled the Gentleman and said Tush yee are too full of envy this world is but an Inne whereunto you have no speciall interest but are onely tennants at the will of the Lord. If it please him to commaund us from it as it were from our lodging to set other good fellowes in our roomes what hurt shall it be for us to leave them some meate for their suppers let them hardly winne it and weare it If they enter our dwellings good manners would no lesse but to welcome them with such fare as the country breedeth and with all my heart much good may it doe them Notwithstanding I presume so farre upon your noble courage that verily my minde giveth me that wee shall returne at night and banquet our selves with our owne store and so they did having slaine 3000. Irishmen Morrice Fitz Thomas Earle of Desmond Lord Iustice during life whom followed Sir Thomas Rokesbye a knight sincere and upright of conscience who being controlled for suffering himselfe to be served in wooden Cuppes Answered these homely Cuppes and dishes pay truely for that they containe I had rather drinke out of wood and pay gold and silver then drinke out of gold and make wooden payment Almericus de Sancto Amando Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and Morrice Fitz Thomas Earle of Kildare Iustices of Ireland by turnes To this last the Kings letters appointed in yearely fee for his office 500. pounds with promise that the said governour should finde twenty great horse to the field and should bee the tvventieth man in going out against the enemy vvhich allovvance and conditions at these dayes I thinke vvere ordinary Leonell the third sonne of Edward the third Duke of Clarence and in the right of his wife Earle of Vlster Lord Lieutenant of Ireland He published an inhibition to all of Irish birth that none of them should approach his army nor be imployed in service of the warres Obrene he vanquished suddainely but no man wist how an hundred of his principall Souldiours in garrison were missed whose dispatch that seditious decree was thought to have procured wherefore hee advised himselfe and united the people shewing alike fatherly care towards them all and ever after prospered Knights he created these Gentlemen the worthiest then in Chivalry and at this day continuing in great worship Preston now the house of Gormanstowne Holywood Talbot Cusacke Delahide Patricke Robert and Iohn de Fraxinis The exchequer he removed to Catherlagh and bestowed in furnishing that towne 500. pounds Gerald Fitz Morice Earle of Desmond Lord Iustice untill the comming of VVilliam de VVindsore Lieutenant to the King then in the last yeare of Edward the third ruling the realme under the name of Lord Governour and keeper of Ireland ¶ At the yeare 1370. all the Notes written by Flatsbury doe end and from hence to this day nothing is extant orderly gathered the rest I have collected out of sundry monuments authorityes and pamphlets During the raigne of Richard the second Lieutenants and Iustices of Ireland are specially recorded the two Mortimers Edmund and Roger Earles of March Phillip Courtney the kings cousin Iames Earle of Ormond and Robert Vere Earle of Oxford Marquesse of Divelin and Lord Chamberlaine who was created Duke of Ireland by Parliament and was credited with the whole Dominion of the Realme by graunt for tearme of life nothing paying therefore passing all writs all offices as Chancellor Treasurer Chiefe Iustice Admirall his owne Lieutenant and other inferiour charges under his own Teste The meane while King Richard afflicted impatiently with the decease of Queene Anne his wife nor able without many teares to behold his pallaces and chambers of Estate which represented unto him the solace past and doubled his sorrow sought some occasion of businesse and visited Ireland where diverse Lords and Princes of Vlster renewed their homage and he placing Roger Mortimer his Lieutenant returned quietly but within foure yeares after informed of the trayterous death of Mortimer whom he loved entirely and being wonderfull eager in hastening the revenge thereof upon the Irish he journeyed thither the second time levied infinite subsidies of money by penall exactions and with his absence as also with those injuries fed the hatred and opportunity of conspiratours at home for Henry Duke of Lancaster intercepted the Kingdome whose sonne with the Duke of Glocesters sonne King Richard shut up in the Castle of Trim and then shipped course into England tooke land at Milford Haven found his defence so weake and unsure that to avoide further inconvenience and perill of himselfe and his friends he condiscended to resigne the Crowne CAP. VII The house of Lancaster Henry the fourth Henry the fift Henry the sixt ALexander Bishop of Meth Lieutenant of Ireland under Thomas Lancaster the Kings brother so was also the worshipfull Knight Sir Stephen Scroope whom for his violence and extortion before used in the same office under King Richard the common voyce and out-cry of poore people damned This report hearing the Lady his wife she would in no wise assent to live in his company there but if he sware a solemne oath on the Bible that wittingly he should wrong no Christian creature in the land that duely and truely he should see payment made for all expences and hereof she said she had made a vow to Christ so deliberately that unlesse it were on his part firmely promised she could not without perill of her soule goe with him her husband assented and accomplished her boone effectually recovered a good opinion schooled his Caters enriched the country continued a plentifull house remissions of great fines remedyes for persons endamaged to the Prince pardons of lands and lives he granted so charitably and discreetely that his name was never uttered among them without many blessings and prayers and so cheerefully they served him against the Irish that in one day he spoyled Arthur Mac Murrough brent his country restored O-Carrol to the towne of Callane with-held by VValter Burke slew a multitude of Kerneghes and quieted Leinster Not long before the Major of Divelin Iohn Drake with his band out of the Citty had slaine of the same Irish Outlawes 400. In this Kings raigne
Greek in the Irish tongue yet for their comming from Spaine which they so much urge Iohannes Major Scotus forsooth hath found one Spanish word bona dies in Irish vennoka die to which I answere una hirundo non facit ver but indifferently to examine the matter wee finde that diversity of times alteration of government invasion of strangers planting of new Colonies and conversing with forraigne nations doe alter languages The Hebrewes by reason of their peregrination and captivities do smach of the Chaldees Syriack and Arabick tongues The Slavonian tongue as Surius and others record without exception at this day is the most dispersed language upon the earth for the Muscovites Ruthenes Russians Dalmatians Bosnenses Croatians Istrians Carnians Carniolanians Carinthians Stirians Maesians Servians Bulgarians with other nations reaching to Constantinople as Bohemians Lusatians Silesians Moravians Polonians Circasians Quinquemontanians even unto Pontus and the remnant of Vandals beyond the river Albis through Germany into the North have the language and yet we have neither their characters nor ancient Annals extant Saint Ierome borne in Strido in the confines of Dalmatia and Pannonia is said to have translated the Bible into the Slavon tongue but whether it be in that language extant let him report that knoweth it Gothi Hypogothi Gepidi Vandali Hunni Alani though they vary in name yet they vse one language saith Paulus Diaconus The Italian Spanish and French tongues are compounded of the Latine The German high and low country Saxon Scottish and English have great affinity Northwales Southwales Cornwall and little Britaine in France as Cambrensis and Sir Io. Price have learnedly discoursed but the Irish excepting the Red shanks and the Scottish of the haye londe have affinity with no tongue as I can learne more then with the British language Many reasons there are gentle reader to induce thee to bee of that opinion first of all according unto the first command the Celticke tongue was of force in all these Northerne parts Bodinus writeth that the British and Celtick language was all one Pausanias the Grecian maketh mention how the Celts in their language called a horse Marc and three horses Trimarc the which the Welshman useth to this day with a gutturall alteration Margh and Treemargh Also Camden the learned Antiquary of this our age is of this opinion remembring the story of Gurguntius and the infinite number of British words in ure among the Irish the which he termeth infinitam vim Britannicarum dictionum that the Britaines first peopled this land And although of a long time by reason of troubles and alterations the speech grew wholly out of vse yet afterwards in successe of time it was revived Secondly the British and Irish oft matched together so that there grew among them great alliance and affinity to the furtherance of the language Mare King of Cornwall anno 459 married with Label Isode that built Isodes Chappell or Chappell-Isode and Isodes Tower in Dublin shee was the King of Irelands daughter Edwal ap Meiric Prince of Wales in the time of Edelred anno 992 married in Ireland Iago ap Edwal Prince of Wales in the time of Cnute anno 1031 married in Ireland In the time of Edward the Confessor Conan the sonne of Iago Prince of Wales married with Ranulph daughter of Alfred King of Dublin anno 1041. In the time of William Rufus Arnulph Earle of Pembroke married with the daughter of Marogh King of Ireland anno 1101 at the same time Magnus the sonne of Herald married with another daughter of the said King In the time of Henry the first and King Steuen lived Griffith ap Conan Prince of Wales that was wont to brag of three things that his mother was an Irishwoman his grandmother an Irishwoman and that hee himselfe was borne and of a child brought vp in Ireland In the time of Henry the second Biryd the sonne of Owen Gwyneth Prince of Wales being Lord of Cloghran in Ireland begat his sonne Howel upon an Irish Gentlewoman In the same Kings raigne Richard Strangbow Earle of Pembroke married with Eva the daughter of Dermotte Mac Morrogh King of Leinster Thirdly when there was any trouble in Ireland they fled to Wales when they had any warres or rebellion there they came for refuge and aide into Ireland hereof came the shaking of hands Brother Brannagh Brother Erinagh In the life of Henry the third it is written that when Othobon the Popes Legate came to Oxford and soiourned at Osney Abbey among other schollers some for one cause some for another that were there a poore Irish scholler Matthew Paris calleth him Capellanum Hibernensem drew neere unto the kitchin dresser and praid for some releefe the cook took a ladell full of hot liquor and threw it in his face a Welch scholler standing by tooke his bow and shot the cook through with an arrow Stow writeth that the cook was the Legates brother the hurly burly was great the schollers came together in armes and as it is said one Odo of Kilkenny was their ensigne bearer the Cardinals men were well beaten the Cardinall himselfe to save his life fled secretly at a posterne gate to the King made a grievous complaint and craved the aide of armed men to fetch off his men and thereof arose great troubles but to proceed Dermotte Mac Morogh King of Leinster being banished out of his country had aide out of Wales Conan the sonne of Iago Griffith ap Conan Rees ap Tewder Owen the sonne of Cadogan Kadwalader the sonne of Griffith ap Conan Marlgon ap David Princes of Wales Algar Earle of Chester Arnulph Earle of Pembroke Magnus the sonne of Herald William de Bruse Lord of Breknock with his wife and children in extremity tooke Ireland for their refuge where they found favor and kindnesse to their own hearts desire as in the British Chronicles published by Caradoc of Sancarban Cambrensis Humfrey Lloid and Doctor Powel doth more plainly appeare These two nations conversed much one with another Sir Tristram one of the Knights of the round Table came to Ireland Morogh brother to the King of Ireland whom Caxton calleth Morhaus was one of King Arthurs Knights Merlin the Welch Prophet came twice to Ireland and in Ofaby there is a Chappell bearing his name the occasion of his first comming was this There was a noble man of Ireland which had a suit unto the King of England with whom Merlin was great to whom he said Merlin if thou wilt effect my sute come to Ireland and I will give thee as much land as thou shalt see round about thee it was done after his arrivall Merlin demanded his promise the noble man put him into a cellar where was a grate and without a bawne with an high wall looke out saith the Irish man the Welch Prophet could not see a quoits cast from him and thus was he deceived having left his spirit of prophecy at home But to our purpose Fourthly
Gillemore O Connor Dunnes sonne of Connaght one that had stood out in rebellion against the Kings untill that time had in the Voward the leading of the light footmen whereof they made least account he therby to winne their favours and they to hazard him first Dermotte Lamhdhearg King of Leinster had the charge of the horsemen their bonnys were double armed well appointed active and venturous souldiers Dermot being well mounted got him to an advantage of ground and turned him to the armie with this speech My friends and fellowes in Armes whose great valour hath been oft tryed understand I beseech you the cause of this battaile Whereas heretofore we have sought out these and hired them in our warres for our defence and good of our country against our forraine enemies to be at our service and command they have committed all manner of outrage against vs and extortion upon the people of this land they abused our wives ravished our widowes defloured our daughters and maidens their meat their drinke their bedding will not content them but they must have money for eating drinking and sleeping Where they should have beene our true and dutifull seruitors they disdained the Princes of the land and made the people their villaines By maintaining of them wee made our country men idle and unapt for the warres by inriching of them we have beggered our selves and now see the villany of these verlates our provision our furniture our Armes and forces of our native soile they bend against us and not onely this but they have drawn to their present aide afresh both Danes and Norwegians Wherefore plucke up your hearts quitte your selues like men our cause is good wee fight for our selves our wives and children and the libertie of our country if we lose we are lost for euer and our children become bondslaues and our country subiect to these bloudy rascall strangers He had no sooner ended his speech but they all kissed the ground and gave a terrible shout that the woods about them rang thereat On the other side one Osker Mac Oshen experienced in the warres and bold of speech craved of the Danes and Norweyes libertie to speake and began as followeth My masters and fellowes the cause of this our assemblie is knowne unto you it is to maintaine that which we honourably wonne in the field and was granted our ancestors and their posteritie the which we have in writing to shew under the hands and seales of the ancestors of these faithlesse Kings and Princes that be in Armes against us There is no haven creeke or port in Ireland but that our predecessors and we tooke the charge of them since our first arrivall here out of Denmarke and valiantly defended theâ— maugre the beards of all forraigne enemies We fought many a battaile for them wee wanne them tributes and procured them discharge of tributes the which forraigne champions in combats had obtained of them and now for recompence they endevour eyther to banish us the land or put us to the sword Will yee understand what they are surely a people that keepe no promise with us therefore we doubt not but the better to speed and excepting a few of their Princes and Gentlemen that are valiant men indeed and daily exercised in feats of Armes the rest are but pesants poore and needy slaues bare arst bare legd and bare footed and of small strength For Armes they weare a skull a sword by their side hanging in a Wyth that compasseth their middle and a Target other some have darts the best thing in them is they are swift of foot I hope we shal speedily have the experience of that when we see them run away Their good meate best drink we took and made them fast their treasure we tooke to furnish us in apparell and Armes and left them unfurnished and bare their bedding wee had and made them lye on the ground their wives widdowes and maides were at our command to keepe us warme in the night and we gave them leave to lye among their swine The best soile we tooke to our selves and gave them mountaines and bogges alas poore sillie fellowes these be they that now take Armes against us Wherefore faint not be of good courage and we shall prevaile let us winne vantage of ground and get the side of the hill and bogge against them that their horses prevaile not and once master them we shall quickly over-runne the pesants now last kisse one another in token that you will live and die one with another His words being ended they marched forward with Pipes Cornets and Trumpets sounding Their chiefe armes were Skeynes Speares Darts Slings and Sparthes which we call Galloglas Axes they sent their boyes and varlets as they had formerly determined to the top of the hill The King of Leinster that had the leading of the horsemen no sooner espied them but contrary to the plot laid downe upon the hill of Trase put spurres to his horse and with a loud voyce said follow me they were straight upon their backes that fled so that the Danes had no leisure to receive them for their safegard but were driven to kill their owne before as the Irish did behinde Immediately came the light foot under the leading of Gillemore and together with the horse charged the voward of the Danes so that the rascals of the Danes and the light footmen of the Irish were slaine with the death and hurt of many a Dane Then came the great battaile of the Kings of Ireland in rescue of the horse with a great and terrible noise and gave a stout charge upon the enemie that kept the ground I meane the side of the hill and fiercely bare them downe to the bottome where they fought a cruell battell with equall fortune almost the whole day untill the King of Denmarkes sonne was slaine by the King of Leinster whereupon the Danes fled the Irish followed and had the killing of them without resistance till horse and man were weary and the Danes in a manner all destroyed Of the Irish were slaine as I finde in the antiquities of the land foure Kings twenty five Kings sonnes and of others nineteene thousand seven hundred and threescore though others extenuate the matter They say the horses went to their bellies in bloud also the ayre with the stinke was infected and thereof shortly after rose a grievous plague which cut off the wives children and servants of the Danes and of many of the Irish that were slaine There was at this field one Ferreis a Dane a valiant souldier in the fight but escaping with life for very sorrow of the overthrow and losse of his friends fell madde and kept company with wilde beasts to his dying day Fin Mac Coile one of the principall Captaines of the Danish sept was in Rome at the time of this field many things are reported of him worthy remembrance His chiefe house was
extortion cruelty tyranny and other damnable offences iustly exiled now sheweth no Princely stomacke but a base Wolvish minde for when 300. of the Ossory mens heads were throwne at his feete alas they had not offended hee viewed them all and finding one whom he knew and mortally hated he held him by the head and eares and most brutishly with his teeth bit the nose and lips of the dead whom without the ayde of the Britaines hee durst not behold in the face In this bloudy course Dermot directed these worthy warriours they more affecting the prey for their present maintenance then the bloud of any person to spoyle burne waste the country and murther the poore and seely people which God wot meant no harme whereupon Donald Prince of Ossory despising Dermot Mac Morogh by the advice of his Councell and friends sent to Robert Fitz Stephens in writing as followeth Sir Knight of Noble race renowned for martiall prowesse Donald Prince of Ossory sendeth greeting Dermot that damnable adulterer in his owne person with the King of Meths wife and in his sonnes person with my wife have drawne thee and those Gallants most worthy Knights into this poore country and naked people I will yeeld my selfe it is for the good of my poore followers into thy hands peace I crave and peace let me have Robert Fitz Stephens acquainted Dermot Mac Morogh with the premises of all sides the Irish dissembled as hereafter shall further appeare peace they granted and they acknowledged Dermot for their Lord and Soveraigne In all this service I may not conceale what Cambrensis delivereth David Barry and Meilerius effected singular exployts and deserved no lesse commendations As soone as the good successe of Dermot and the strangers lately arrived was spread abroad Rory Oconochor alias Rodericke King of Connaught Monarch of Ireland called the Princes and Nobles of the land together and layeth before them the dangerous estate and imminent perill of the whole land how Dermot guilefully had trayned in strangers how hee and the strangers were like to ouer-runne all unlesse with all expedition this mischiefe were prevented in summe they concluded that every man shall to his Armes and make ready horse and foot and set upon these invaders Dermot Mac Morogh having certaine knowledge of this great separation and mischiefe intended and his false harted subjects that lately fawned vpon him were fled to the enemies fearing the puisance of the Monarch and the forces of the whole land called Robert Fits Stephens and said vnto him Fortune is fickle our state is an ague that commeth by fits my friends fleet away and argue false hearts no marvaile though I bee disquieted if you stick not to mee I am undone Robert Fitz Stephens replied Wee have left behind us our deare friends and our native soyle wee have fired all our shippes not upon intent to runne away wee haue already in armes ingaged our lives fall out as fall out may wee will live and dye together bee you true to us wee will not bee false to you Dermot hereupon gathering his spirits together got him and his followers to a certaine fastenesse not farre from Fernes where hee intrenched and plashed himselfe being invironed with woods hils rockes bogges and waters a place to mans seeming inaccessible and invincible to endure for a while wandring clowds and threatning stormes of his adversaries to vanish and bee caried away with waving winds of fortune and unfortunate warres Whose foresight and ready wit Robert Fitz Stephens highly commended Immediatly there came a Messenger from Roderic the Monarch unto Robert Fitz Stephens with this message The Britans may not by the Lawes of Armes display their Banners and Ensignes in forreine possessions and dispose the lawfull heires of their inheritance but they are with licence of the Irish to pack home whence they came It is a blemish for the Brittish nation iniuriously to giue aide to a shamefull fact neither may the lechery of Dermot be mantled under British cloaks wherefore depart and forsake him that is forsaken of God and man And here by my messenger receive to defray your charges and transport you to your native soyle Robert Fitz Stephens answereth your present I will not accept faith and troth I have pawned to my friend Dermot I will not breake hee forsakes not me I will not forsake him neither leave him distressed you speake of lechery what is that among martiall men I heare you have Bastards your selfe to what end is your embassie If Roderick give councell we need it not if he Prophecie we credit not his oracle if he command as a Prince we obey not his autority if hee threaten as an enemie a figge for his Monarchy The messenger returned with small welcome going and comming Roderic bethought himselfe againe and sent letters to Dermot perswading him to be at peace with his country people and to banish the strangers out of the Land he rejected his councell and despiseth the messenger Roderic seeing that his private practises tooke small effect put himselfe in armes assembleth his forces and delivereth unto them these speeches You right worthy and valiant defenders of your Country and liberty Consider with what people and for what cause wee are now to fight and wage battell the enemy of his owne Country the tyrant over his owne people the exile fugitive behold hee is returned backed with strangers and purposeth to destroy us and the whole Nation hee being an enemy hath brought in those enemies which have beene ever hatefull unto us all and are most greedy to have the Soveraignty and Dominion over us all protesting openly and firmely avouching that by fatall destiny they are to bee Commanders over this land And so farre hath he poured out his venome that there is no favour nor mercy to be looked for at his hands O cruell beast yea more cruell then ever was beast who lately bit with his owne teeth the nose and lips of the dead he to satisfie his insatiable malice and bloudy minde spareth neither man woman nor childe he deserveth well to be hated of all that opposeth himselfe an enemy to all wherefore my loving and deere country men be well advised looke about you and consider advisedly how by the like meanes I meane civill warres all Realmes and nations for the most part have beene overthrowne and brought to utter ruine Iulius Caesar attempted the invasion of Britaine was twice foyled and indured the repulse but when Androgeus Duke of London fell at variance with the King to be revenged sent for Iulius who thereupon returning subdued the land The Britaines being at discord and hating their vicious King Careticus the Saxons finding opportunitie to over-runne all sent for Gurmundus the arch-Pirate and terror of the Ocean seas who ioyning forces together foyled the Britaines and banished their King not long after Isembert aspiring to the Crowne of France procured the said Gurmund to his ayde behold the end Gurmund was slaine Isembert overthrowne
and his whole practise came to nought Wherefore let us with one minde like those valiant Frenchmen in our rightfull cause in the defence of our country and safeguard of the lives of our wives and children couragiously give the onset upon our enemies And whiles these strangers are but few in number let us stoutly issue out upon them The fire while it is but in embers and sparkles may easily be covered with ashes but if it breake into flames it is hard to be quenched wherefore it is expedient we stoppe beginnings and prevent sicknesse when it creepeth least when it takes roote it will hardly be cured wherefore cheere my hearts wee fight for our country and liberty let us leave unto our posterity an immortall fame let us march on and lustily assault them that the overthrow of a few may be a terrour to many and that it may be a president unto all forraigne Potentates never to attempt the like againe Dermot Mac Morogh and his men receive intelligence of this march and the approach of the enemy and beholding his men somewhat dismaid turned him to them with loving countenance yee men of Leynster my naturall subjects of my flesh and bloud whom loyalty truth and kindred hath hitherto lincked together let us live together and dye together in the defence of our persons and country you see how that wicked and ambitious minded Rodericke the Author of many mischiefes not contented with his owne country and kingdome seeketh now the soveraignty and dominion over the whole land the which I hope God will not permit You see his glory his pride and audacious attempts how he lifteth up his head and looketh aloft he trusteth to his multitude doubt you not but that God is on our side and the rightfull cause ours though wee of country birth to you Leinster men I speake bee not so many as they are neither so well appointed it forceth not for victory is not measured by multitude but by valour and courage and oftentimes wee know that a few stout and hardy men have foiled troupes of sluggards dastards and white liverd Souldiers If you mistrust any defect in your selves behold a present supply at your back and elbow Doe not you see these Worthy Knights these Valiant Warriers these Noble gallants the flowre of Brittaine their valour in part you have sufficiently tryed their furniture excelleth their order and aray is most comely they have forsaken their native soyle their friends and kindred and all for our sakes will they fly no they have burned their Ships the Land will yeeld them neither succour nor refuge neither will the bloody tyrant Roderic shew any mercy wee are sworne the one to the other while breath lasteth and life endureth If the enemy pretend with the sword to chastise us for our sinnes as it appeareth by their slaunderous shamelesse reports alas what have you done God knoweth your consciences are cleare your cause honest to take Armes in defence of your Prince and Countrey Why doe they not behold the blemishes nay the hainous enormities and villanies that raigne among them Their carrows their kerne their theeves their murders their swearing their lying their drunkennesse their whordome and bloody minds who reformeth The Tyrant Roderic hath murdered his owne naturall brother hee hath three wives alive he hath eleven bastards by severall women O villaine to behold a mote in our eye and cannot see a beame in his owne If the tyrant make challenge and pretend title to Leinster because the same hath sometimes beene tributarie to some one King of Connoght by the same reason also may wee demand and challenge all Connoght for our ancestors have beene sole Governours of both and Monarchs of all Ireland The Lawes of all Nations doe permit and allow to resist and withstand force and injury with force and strength Let us be of good courage wee stand vpon a good ground our seat is naturally very strong of it selfe now by our industry made more defensive feare nothing quit your selves like men When Dermot had made an end of his Irish Oration Robert Fitz Stephens in the Brittish tongue turneth him to the Brittaines You my companions in martiall affaires you lusty young gallants that have endured with me many perils yet still retaine your noble and valiant courage consider whence wee came what wee are and the cause we have in hand we are lineally descended from Troy whose fame hath filled the whole earth and now lately some of us out of Normandy have seated our selves in Brittaine and have to our wives children and kindred of the ancient and noble Brittish race of the one we cary our valiant and noble mind of the other wee learned the experience in feates of Armes wee are not come hither as pirats and theeves to robbe and spoile as it is well knowne unto you wee had our native soile to inhabit wee had our kindred about us and the countenance of great persons wee came after the course of the World as Marshall men but in an honest cause to take our adventures Heere wee are our friends are with us our foes are in armes against us wee are well appointed the enemy is but a wilde naked rasâ—all and savage people feare nothing our cause is good Dermot sought us we sought not him hee loveth our nation and our friends in former times have found friendship in his Countrey hee is a Prince lately exiled whose fall is more to be pittied then envied we are to comfort him to aide him and to restore him to his Kingdome It is more honorable to make then to be a King and to restore then to exile he is a Prince of a bountifull mind hee hath promised large for us and our heires after us hee hath in part already most faithfully performed his yeeres are many and his daies are but few after him wee shall enjoie his and if we overcome the enemy wee shall possesse all feare not death it is but a short delay betweene transitory and eternall life it is but a short passage from vaine and temporall delights to certaine and perpetuall joies if we conquer here wee shall inherit here and purchase unto us immortall fame if we misse here we are sure of a Kingdome in another world Roderic considering with himselfe the events of warres how doubtfull and uncertaine they are wrought all meanes to intreat for peace being timerous to adventure battaile with strangers whose force hee mightily feared and whose puissance and valour being renowned he was loth to encounter withall he sent messengers unto Dermot Mac Morogh promising him that hee and his heires should in peace and quietnesse enjoy all Leinster and acknowledge him for his chiefe King and Monarch and to yeeld unto him the service and homage that to that belonged and that he should deliver him his sonne Cunthurus Cnothurinus saith Stanyhurst for pledge and hostage And if the peace were truly kept and performed Roderic promised to give him his
English men had the vantage of a great hedge and ditch of the one hand and a bogge on the other to gall the enemies horses where no horse could enter within them Odonell seeing the Horsmen to be but a few commanded his foot and maine battaile to make a stand untill hee sent them word to march on meaning to make short worke with the Horsemen and so to breake the necke of the strength of the battaile the Horsemen joyne battaile the Archers gall Odonels horses with arrowes whom the English launce slew not the horse unsadled and when the English quiver was empty the archer with his sword haught the horses and dispatched the men that were unhorsed and cast to the ground Odonels horsemen being somewhat discomfited retired Sir Amoricus cals upon Courcy and Poer to bring on the foote who metting with the foote and maine battaile of the Irish that expected newes from Odonell fought most fiercely No instrument of Warre could be heard the cry of both sides pierced the clouds the gald horses grievously complained the maimed souldiers groueling on the ground and gasping for breath gave pittifull groanes the Irish flang darts and stones the English shoote arrowes the Irish with sparthes and galloglasse axes the English with speares and swords encounter on both sides most valiantly the splints of brokē staves fly about their eares and eyes sparkles of fire from their swords and targets and the blowes upon their helmets yeelded the sound of hammers working upon anviles both sides deserved honor and singular commendations the slaughter was great on both sides and continued long many of the English were slaine and a number of the Irish were left alive they determined to make an end of the English that day the rere of the Irish march couragiously the English had the bog of the one side and the ditch of the other and the entrance to them was ful of heads legs and armes dead corps armor and horses dead and lying a long striving with death that they could not approch whereupon they broke their battaile aray dispersed themselves and from the paces entred the plaines Sir Amoric watching his opportunity called Ieffrey Montgomery his sisters sonne and standard bearer and said Have not we quitted our selves like men this day and shall wee dishonour the field so much as to suffer yonder company to escape our hands come advance your Standard let us wheele about and give the on-set Montgomery replied it seemes strange unto mee to see your stomach passe your strength we have wonne honour advisedly and shall we now rashly lose it of seven score we have but forty horses left the rest are wounded tired and not fit for service then said Amorich give me the Standard I will beare it my selfe if that be your pleasure saith Mountgomery you shall not heareafter charge me with cowardise under this Standard have I got honour and under this Standard if God so so please I will dye With this they wheeled about and overtooke the foot of the Irish being loden with armes and wearied with fight with their launces they strooke them to the ground they gave the on-set a fresh upon the horsemen which were about 200. and had Connor O Laghlin to their leader who retreated in battaile array ready to answer the fight Sir Amoricus in that skirmish was twice vnhorsed and by his men lift up againe afterwards in a filthy foord he was unhorsed againe and his horse slaine under him whereupon some of his troope lighted stood very stoutly by him tooke weapons out of the dead mens hands that lay along the way kept the Foord from horse and man untill Sir Iohn de Courcy came to the rescue at which time many of the Irish were slaine and the rest fled away thus in the end God gave the victory unto the English men after the losse of many a brave man and especially Lyonell Saint Laurence nephew to Amoricus whose death was greatly lamented When they had buried their dead and gathered their armes they returned to Dune The Midsummer following Courcy fought the second battaile nigh the walles of Dune saith Stanihurst and overthrew fifteene thousand men in Vlster And saith the booke of Houth after that field Vlster men had small stomacke to give any onset upon the English men yet I finde the field to have beene bloudy of both sides and that Sir Amoricus was sore wounded laid under a hedge eating hony suckles for his reliefe where he left much bloud and was carried away betweene foure men his wounds were so many and so dangerous that no Physitian or Surgeon could promise life the space of nine dayes yet in the end recovered Next unto him was his sonne Sir Nicholas Saint Laurence a most valiant Knight so sore wounded in nine severall places that he was once left for dead but at length recovered to the great comfort of his friends The third battaile that Sir Iohn de Courcy fought was in Ferng against eleaven thousand Irish men the occasion was thus Courcy had builded many Castles throughout Vlster and especially in Fern where Mac Mahon dwelled this Mac Mahon with solemne protestations vowed to become a true and faithfull subiect gave Courcy many gifts and made him his Goship which is a league of amitie highly esteemed in Ireland Whereupon Courcy gave him two Castles with their demeanes to hold of him Within one moneth after this Mac Mahon returning to his vomit brake downe the Castles and made them even with the ground Sir Iohn de Courcy sent unto him to know the cause that moved him to fall to this villanie his answer was that he promised not to hold stones of him but the land and that it was contrary to his nature to couch himselfe within cold stones the woods being so nigh where he might better warme himselfe with other slender and scornefull answers Courcy to be revenged of him saw no better course then to prey his country mustred his men entred the land and swept all the cattell before him The prey was so great that it could not be driven unlesse it were devided into three parts and to that end this company in like sort was proportioned betweene the foremost of the voward and the last of the rereward there was three miles distance the paces were narrow the way miry and boggy with thicke bushes on either side the Irish being as I said before eleven thousand in number stood upon all advantages had their espials upon them divided themselves likewise and stept in betweene every of the English companies and upon a sudden made such a cry and gave such a shout that the woods rang thereof and the Cowes ranne like divels upon the drivers and overthrew horse and man so that there were more slaine and trode under foot in the mire and dirt of the English men by the Cowes then by the sword of the rebels Vpon this cry all the Cowes were lost and the men fell to blowes where the Irish being
of the Lord deceased but the next to him of blood that is the eldest worthiest as commonly the next brother unto him if he have any or the next cousin or so forth as any is elder in that kinred or sept and then next to him doe they choose the next of the blood to be Tanist who shall next succeed him in the said Captainry if he live therunto Eudox. Doe they not use any ceremony in this election for all barbarous nations are commonly great observers of ceremonies and superstitious rites Iren. They vse to place him that shal be their Captaine upon a stone alwayes reserved for that purpose placed commonly upon a hill In some of which I have seen formed ingraven a foot which they say was the measure of their first Captaines foot whereon hee standing receive an oath to preserve all the auncient former customes of the Countrey inviolable and to deliver up the succession peaceably to his Tanist and then hath a wand delivered unto him by some whose proper office that is after which descending from the stone he turneth himselfe round thrice forward thrice backward Eudox. But how is the Tanist chosen Iren. They say he setteth but one foot upon the stone and receiveth the like oath that the Captaine did Eudox. Have you ever heard what was the occasion and first beginning of this custome for it is good to know the same and may perhaps discover some secret meaning and intent therein very materiall to the state of that government Iren. I have heard that the beginning cause of this ordinance amongst the Irish was specially for the defence and maintenance of their Lands in their posteritie and for excluding all innovation or alienation thereof unto strangers and specially to the English For when their Captaine dieth if the Signiorie should descend to his child he perhaps an Infant another peradventure step in between or thrust him out by strong hand being then unable to defend his right or to withstand the force of a forreiner and therfore they doe appoint the eldest of the kinne to have the Signiorie for that he commonly is a man of stronger yeares and better experience to maintain the inheritance and to defend the Countrey either against the next bordering Lords which use commonly to incroach one upon another as each one is stronger or against the English which they thinke lye still in waite to wype them out of their Lands and Territoryes And to this end the Tanist is alwayes ready knowne if it should happen the Captaine suddenly to dye or to be slaine in battell or to be out of the Countrey to defend and keepe it from all such doubts and dangers For which cause the Tanist hath also a share of the Country allotted unto him and certaine cuttings and spendings upon all the inhabitants under the Lord. Eudox. When I heard this word Tanist it bringeth to my remembrance what I have read of Tania that it should signifie a Province or Seigniorie as Aquitania Lusitania and Britania the which some thinke to be derived of Dania that is from the Danes but I thinke amisse But sure it seemeth that it came anciently from those barbarous nations that over-ranne the world which possessed those Dominions whereof they are now so called And so it may well be that from thence the first originall of this word Tanist and Tanistry came and the custome thereof hath sithence as many others els beene continued But to that generall subjection of the Land whereof wee formerly spake me seemes that this custome or tenure can be no barre nor impeachment seeing that in open Parliament by their said acknowledgment they waved the benefite thereof and submitted themselves to the benefite of their new Soveraigne Iren. Yea but they say as I earst tolde you that they reserved their titles tenures and Seigniories whole and sound to themselves and for proofe alledge that they have ever sithence remained to them untouched so as now to alter them should say they be a great wrong Eudox. What remedie is there then or meanes to avoide this inconvenience for without first cutting of this dangerous custome it seemeth hard to plant any sound ordenance or reduce them to a civill government since all their ill customes are permitted unto them Iren. Surely nothing hard for by this Act of Parliament whereof wee speake nothing was given to K. Henry which he had not before from his Auncestors but onely the bare name of a King for all other absolute power of principality he had in himselfe before derived from many former Kings his famous Progenitours and worthy Conquerors of that Land The which sithence they first conquered and by force subdued unto them what needed afterwards to enter into any such idle termes with them to be called their King when it is in the power of the Conqueror to take upon himself what title he will over his Dominions conquered For all is the Conquerours as Tully to Brutus faith Therefore me seemes instead of so great and meritorious a service as they boast they performed to the King in bringing all the Irish to acknowledge him for their Liege they did great hurt unto his Title and have left a perpetuall gall in the minde of the people who before being absolutely bound to his obedience are now tyed but with termes whereas else both their lives their lands and their liberties were in his free power to appoint what tenures what lawes what conditions hee would over them which were all his against which there could be no rightfull resistance or if there were he might when he would establish them with a stronger hand Eudox. Yea but perhaps it seemed better unto that noble King to bring them by their owne accord to his obedience and to plant a peaceable government amongst them then by such violent means to pluck them under Neither yet hath he therby lost any thing that he formerly had for having all before absolutely in his owne power it remaineth so still unto him he having thereby neither forgiven nor forgone any thing thereby unto them but having received somthing from them that is a more voluntary and loyall subjection So as her Majesty may yet when it shall please her alter any thing of those former ordinances or appoint other lawes that may be more both for her owne behoofe and for the good of that people Iren. Not so for it is not so easie now that things are growne unto an habit and have their certaine course to change the channell turne their streames another way for they may have now a colorable pretence to withstand such innovations having accepted of other lawes and rules already Eudox. But you say they do not accept of them but delight rather to leane to their old customes Brehon lawes though they be more unjust and also more inconvenient for the common people as by your late relation of them I have gathered As for the lawes of England
having beene once so low brought and thoroughly subjected they afterwards lifted up themselves so strongly againe and sithence doe stand so stiffely against all rule and government Iren. They say that they continued in that lowlinesse untill the time that the division between the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke arose for the Crowne of England at which time all the great English Lords and Gentlemen which had great possessions in Ireland repaired over hither into England some to succour their Friends here and to strengthen their partie for to obtaine the Crowne others to defend their lands and possessions here against such as hovered after the same upon hope of the alteration of the kingdome and successe of that side which they favoured and affected Then the Irish whom before they had banished into the mountaines where they lived onely upon whitt meates as it is recorded seeing now their lands so dispeopled and weakened came downe into all the plaines adjoyning and thence expelling those few English that remained repossessed them againe since which they have remained in them and growing greater have brought under them many of the English which were before their Lords This was one of the occasions by which all those Countreyes which lying neere unto any Mountaines or Irish desarts had beene planted with English were shortly displanted and lost As namely in Mounster all the lands adjoyning unto Slewlogher Arlo and the bog of Allon In Connaght all the Countries bordering upon the Curlues Mointerolis and Orourkes Countrey In Leinster all the lands bordering unto the Mountaines of Glanmalour unto Shillelah unto the Brackenah and Polmonte In Vlster all the Countreyes neere unto Tirconnel Tyrone and the Scottes Eudox. Surely this was a great violence but yet by your speach it seemeth that onely the Countreyes and valleyes neere adjoyning unto those mountaines and desarts were thus recovered by the Irish but how comes it now that we see almost all that Realme repossessed of them was there any more such evill occasions growing by the troubles of England Or did the Irish out of those places so by them gotten breake further and stretch themselves out thorough the whole land for now for ought that I can understand there is no part but the bare English Pale in which the Irish have not the greatest footing Iren. But out of these small beginings by them gotten neare to the mountaines did they spread themselves into the Inland and also to their further advantage there did other like unhappy accidents happen out of England which gave heart and good opportunity to them to regaine their old possessions For in the raigne of King Edward the fourth things remained yet in the same state that they were after the late breaking out of the Irish which I spake of and that noble Prince began to cast an Eye unto Ireland and to minde the reformation of things there runne amisse for he sent over his brother the worthy Duke of Clarence who having married the heire of the Earle of Vlster and by her having all the Earledome of Vlster and much in Meath and in Mounster very carefully went about the redressing of all those late evills and though he could not beate out the Irish againe by reason of his short continuance yet hee did shut them up within those narrow corners and glynnes under the mountaines foote in which they lurked and so kept them from breaking any further by building strong holdes upon every border and fortifying all passages Amongst the which hee repaired the Castle of Clare in Thomond of which Countrey he had the inheritance and of Mortimers lands adjoyning which is now by the Irish called Killaloe But the times of that good King growing also troublesome did lett the thorough reformation of all things And thereunto soone after was added another fatall mischeife which wrought a greater calamity then all the former For the said Duke of Clarence then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was by practise of evill persons about the King his brother called thence away and soone after by sinister meanes was cleane made away Presently after whose death all the North revolting did set up Oneale for their Captaine being before that of small power and regard and there arose in that part of Thomond one of the O-Briens called Murrogh en-Ranagh that is Morrice of the Ferne or wast wilde places who gathering unto him all the reliques of the discontented Irish eftsoones surprised the said Castle of Clare burnt and spoyled all the English there dwelling and in short space possessed all that countrey beyond the River of Shanan and neere adjoyning Whence shortly breaking forth like a suddaine tempest he over-ran all Mounster and Connaght breaking downe all the holds and fortresses of the English defacing and utterly subverting all corporate Townes that were not strongly walled for those he had no meanes nor Engines to overthrow neither indeed would hee stay at all about them but speedily ran forward counting his suddennesse his most advantage that he might overtake the English before they could fortifie or gather themselves together So in short space hee cleane wyped out many great Townes as first Inchequin then Killalow before called Clariford also Thurles Mourne Buttevant and many others whose names I cannot remember and of some of which there is now no memory nor signe remaining Vpon report whereof there flocked unto him all the scumme of the Irish out of all places that ere long he had a mighty Army and thence marched foorth into Leinster where he wrought great out-rages wasting all the Countrey where he went for it was his policie to leave no hold behinde him but to make all plaine and waste In the which he soone after created himselfe King and was called King of all Ireland which before him I doe not reade that any did so generally but onely Edward le Bruce Eudox. What was there ever any generall King of all Ireland I never heard it before but that it was alwayes whilst it was under the Irish divided into foure and sometimes into five kingdomes or dominions But this Edward le Bruce what was hee that could make himselfe King of all Ireland Iren. I would tell you in case you would not challenge me anon for forgetting the matter which I had in hand that is the inconvenience and unfitnesse which I supposed to be in the lawes of the Land Eudox. No surely I have no cause for neither is this impertinent thereunto for sithence you did set your course as I remember in your first part to treate of the evils which hindered the peace and good ordering of that Land amongst which that of the inconvenience in the lawes was the first which you had in hand this discourse of the over-running wasting of the Realme is very materiall thereunto for that it was the begining of al the other evils which sithence have afflicted that land opened a way unto the Irish to recover their possession to beat out the English which had
them placed at the Bantry where is a most fit place not onely to defend all that side of the west part from forraine invasion but also to answere all occasions of troubles to which that Countrey being so remote is very subject And surely there also would be planted a good towne having both a good haven and a plentifull fishing and the land being already escheated to her Majesty but being forcibly kept from her by one that proclaimes himselfe the Bastard Son of the Earle of Clancar being called Donell Mac Carty whom it is meete to foresee to For whensoever the Earle shall die all those lands after him are to come unto her Majesty he is like to make a foule stirre there though of himselfe no power yet through supportance of some others who lye in the wind and looke after the fall of that inheritance Another hundred I would have placed at Castle Mayne which should keepe all Desmond and Kerry for it answereth them both most conveniently Also about Kilmore in the county of Corke would I have 2. hundred placed the which should breake that nest of theives there and answere equally both to the county of Limericke and also the county of Corke Another hundred would I have lye at Corke aswell to command the towne as also to be ready for any forraine occasion Likewise at Waterford would I place 2. hundred for the same reasons and also for other privy causes that are no lesse important Moreover on this side of Arlo neere to Muskery quirke which is the Countrey of the Burkes about Kill-Patricke I would have two hundred more to be garrisond which should skoure both the white Knights country and Arlo and Muskery quirk by which places all the passages of Theives doe lye which convey their stealth from all Mounster downewards towards Tipperary and the English pale and from the English pale also up unto Mounster whereof they use to make a common trade Besides that ere long I doubt that the county of Tipperary it selfe will neede such a strength in it which were good to be there ready before the evill fall that is dayly of some expected And thus you see all your Garrisons placed Eudox. I see it right well but let me I pray you by the way aske you the reason why in those Citties of Mounster namely Waterford and Corke you rather placed Garrisons then in all others in Ireland For they may thinke themselves to have great wrong to bee so charged above all the rest Iren. I will tell you those two Citties above all the rest doe offer an in-gate to the Spaniard most fitly But yet because they shall not take exceptions to this that they are charged above all the rest I will also lay a charge upon the others likewise for indeed it is no reason that the corporate townes enioying great franchizes and priviledges from her Majesty and living thereby not onely safe but drawing to them the wealth of all the land should live so free as not to be partakers of the burthen of this Garrison for their owne safety specially in this time of trouble and seeing all the rest burthened and therefore I will thus charge them all ratably according to their abilities towards their maintenance the which her Majesty may if she please spare out of the charge of the rest and reserve towards her other costes or else adde to the charge of the presidency in the North. Waterford C. Corke L. Limericke L. Galway L. Dinglecush X. Kinsale X. Yoghall X. Kilmallock X. Clonmell X. Cashell X. Fedard X. Kilkenny XXV Wexford XXV Tredagh XXV Rosse XXV Dundalke X. Mollingare X. Newrie X. Trim X. Ardee X. Kells X. Dublin C. In all 580. Eudox. It is easie Irenaeus to lay a charge upon any towne but to foresee how the same may be answered and defrayed is the cheife part of good advisement Iren. Surely this charge which I put upon them I know to bee so reasonable as that it will not much be felt for the port Townes that have benefit of shipping may cut it easily off their trading and in land townes of their corne and cattle neither doe I see but since to them especially the benefit of peace doth redound that they especially should beare the burthen of their safeguard and defence as wee see all the townes of the Low-Countryes doe cut upon themselves an excise of all things towards the maintenance of the warre that is made in their behalfe to which though these are not to be compared in richesse yet are they to bee charged according to their povertie Eudox. But now that you have thus set up these forces of Soldiers and provided well as you suppose for their pay yet there remaineth to fore-cast how they may bee victualled and where purveyance thereof may bee made for in Ireland it selfe I cannot see almost how any thing is to bee had for them being already so pittifully wasted as it is with this short time of warre Iren. For the first two yeares it is needefull indeede that they bee victualled out of England thoroughly from halfe yeare to halfe yeare afore-hand All which time the English Pale shall not bee burdened at all but shall have time to recover themselves and Mounster also being reasonably well stored will by that time if God send seasonable weather bee thoroughly well furnished to supply a great part of that charge for I knowe there is great plenty of Corne sent over Sea from thence the which if they might have sale for at home they would bee glad to have money so neere hand specially if they were streightly restrayned from transporting of it Thereunto also there will bee a great helpe and furtherance given in the putting forward of husbandrie in all meete places as heereafter shall in due place appeare But heereafter when things shall growe unto a better strength and the Countrey bee replenished with Corne as in short space it will if it bee well followed for the Countrey people themselves are great plowers and small spenders of Corne then would I wish that there should bee good store of Houses and Magazins erected in all those great places of garrison and in all great townes as well for the victualling of Souldiers and Shippes as for all Occasions of suddaine services as also for preventing of all times of dearth and scarcitie and this want is much to bee complayned of in England above all other Countreyes who trusting too much to the usuall blessing of the Earth doe never fore-cast any such hard seasons nor any such suddaine occasions as these troublous times may every day bring foorth when it will bee too late to gather provision from abroad and to bring it perhappes from farre for the furnishing of Shippes or Souldiers which peradventure may neede to bee presently imployed and whose want may which GOD forbid hap to hazard a Kingdome Eudox. Indeede the want of those Magazins of victualls I have oftentimes complayned of in England and wondered at
person with such an unknowne marke Eudox. Surely these ordinances seeme very expedient but specially that of free townes of which I wonder there is so small store in Ireland and that in the first peopling and planting thereof they were neglected and omitted Iren. They were not omitted for there were through all places of the Country convenient many good townes seated which thorough that inundation of the Irish which I first told you of were utterly wasted and defaced of which the ruines are yet in many places to be seene and of some no signe at all remaining save onely their bare names but their seates are not to be found Eudox. But how then commeth it to passe that they have never since beene recovered nor their habitations reedified as of the rest which have beene no lesse spoyled and wasted Iren. The cause thereof was for that after their desolation they were begged by Gentlemen of the Kings under colour to repaire them and gather the poore reliques of the people againe together of whom having obtained them they were so farre from reedifying of them as that by all meanes they have endeavoured to keepe them waste least that being repaired their Charters might be renewed and their Burgesses restored to their lands which they had now in their possession much like as in those old monuments of Abbeyes and religious houses we see them likewise use to doe For which cause it is judged that King Henry the eight bestowed them upon them conceiving that thereby they should never bee able to rise againe And even so doe these Lords in these poore old corporate townes of which I could name divers but for kindling of displeasure Therefore as I wished many corporate townes to be erected so would I againe wish them to be free not depending upon the service nor under the commaund of any but the Governour And being so they will both strengthen all the Country round about them which by their meanes will be the better replenished and enriched and also be as continuall houldes for her Majesty if the people should revolt or breake out againe for without such it is easie to forrage and over-run the whole land Let be for ensample all those Free-boroughes in the Low-Countryes which are now all the strength thereof These and other like ordinances might be delivered for the good establishment of the Realme after it is once subdued and reformed in which it might afterwards be very easily kept and maintained with small caâ—e of the Governours and Councell there appointed so as it should in short space yeeld a plentifull revenue to the Crowne of England which now doth but sucke consume the treasure thereof through those unsound plots and changefull orders which are dayly devised for her good yet never effectually prosecuted or performed Eudox. But in all this your discourse I have not marked any thing by you spoken touching the appointment of the principall Officer to whom you wish the charge and performance of all this to be committed Onely I observed some fowle abuses by you noted in some of the late Governours the reformation whereof you left of for this present place Iren. I delight not to lay open the blames of great Magistrates to the rebuke of the world and therefore their reformation I will not meddle with but leave unto the wisedome of greater heads to be considered only thus much I will speake generally thereof to satisfie your desire that the government and cheife Magistracy I wish to continue as it doth to wit that it be ruled by a Lord Deputy or Iustice for that it is a very safe kinde of rule but there withall I wish that over him there were placed also a Lord Lieutenant of some of the greatest personages in England such a one I could name upon whom the eye of all England is fixed and our last hopes now rest who being intituled with that dignity and being here alwayes resident may backe and defend the good course of that government against all maligners which else will through their cunning working under hand deprave and pull backe what ever thing shall be begun or intended there as we commonly see by experience at this day to the utter ruine and desolation of that poore Realme and this Leiutenancie should be no discountenancing of the Lord Deputy but rather a strengthning of all his doings for now the cheife evill in that government is that no Governour is suffered to goe on with any one course but upon the least information here of this or that hee is either stopped and crossed or other courses appointed him from hence which he shall run which how inconvenient it is is at this houre too well felt And therefore this should be one principall in the appointing of the Lord Deputies authority that it should bee more ample and absolute then it is and that he should have uncontrouled power to doe any thing that he with the advisement of the Councell should thinke meete to be done For it is not possible for the Councell here to direct a Governour there who shall be forced oftentimes to follow the necessitie of present actions and to take the suddaine advantage of time which being once lost will not bee recovered whilst through expecting direction from hence the delayes whereof are oftentimes through other greater affaires most irkesome the oportunityes there in the meane time passe away and great danger often groweth which by such timely prevention might easily bee stopped And this I remember is worthily observed by Machiavel in his discourses upon Livie where he commendeth the manner of the Romans government in giving absolute power to all their Councellors and Governours which if they abused they should afterwards dearely answere And the contrary thereof he reprehendeth in the States of Venice of Florence and many other principalityes of Italy who use to limit their cheife Officers so strictly as that thereby they have oftentimes lost such happy occasions as they could never come unto againe The like whereof who so hath beene conversant in that government of Ireland hath too often seene to their great hinderance and hurt Therefore this I could wish to be redressed and yet not so but that in particular things he should be restrained though not in the generall government as namely in this that no offices should bee sould by the Lord Deputy for money nor no pardons nor no protections bought for reward nor no beoves taken for Captainries of Countryes nor no shares of Bishopricks for nominating of Bishops nor no forfeytures nor dispensations with poenall Statutes given to their servants or friends nor no selling of licences for transportation of prohibited wares and specially of corne and flesh with many the like which neede some manner of restrainte or else very great trust in the honorable disposition of the Lord Deputy Thus I have Eudoxus as briefly as I could and as my memorie would serve me run through the state of that whole Country both to
of Antrim Cnockfergus called also Cragfergus This part is dissevered from Meath and Leinster by the river Boandus which breaketh out beside Logh-foyle a bogg betweene Ardmagh and S. Patrickes Purgatorie Cambrensis reputeth the bogge at 30. miles in length and halfe so much in breadth and the same once firme Land to have beene suddenly ouerflowen for the bestiall incest committed there unfit to be told In Mounster lye the counties of Waterford Limericke Cork counties Pallatine of Tipperary Kerry and exempt from priviledge the Crosse of Tipperarie Waterford hath Dongarvon and Waterford full of traffique with England France and Spaine by meanes of their excellent good Haven Limericke hath Kilmallocke lately sackt by Iames Fitz Morice and the Citie Limiricum coasting on the sea hard upon the river Shannon whereby are most notably severed Mounster and Connaght Corke hath Kinsale Yowghall and the Cittie Corke Tipperary hath Tipperary Clonmell Fidderstown Cassell Mounster was of old time devided into East-Mounster Ormond West-Mounster Desmond South-Monster Thomond Here dwell Obrenes Macnemarraes Mack-maâ—ownes and one sept of the Offlherties In these quarters lyeth the Countryes of O-Carroll O-Magher the white Knight Mac-Ibrine O-Gaunaghe Waterford contayneth the Powers and Deces Corke the Barries Lands Imokillie Carbarrie Maccarty-more Maccarty-reagh L. Roches lands Osulivan Muscry L. Courcy and diverse more some of Irish blood some degenerate and become Irish. Limericke hath in it the Knight of the valley VVilliam Burcke Mac-Ibrine Ara part of the white Knights Lands Cosmay Obrenes and upon the edge of Kerrie the greene knight alià s the knight of Kerrie Leinster butteth upon England Mounster and Connaght upon France and Spaine Vlster upon the Scottish Ilands which face with Hebrides scattered between both realmes wherein at this day the Irish Scot Successour of the old Scythian Pict or Redshancke dwelleth The spirituall Iurisdiction is ordered into 4. Provinces whereof the primacy was euer given in reverence toward Saint Patricke their Apostle to the Archbishoppe of Ardmagha now called Ardmagh which custome was since confirmed by Eugenius the 3. who sent withall 3. other prelates to be placed one at Dublin one at Cashell the last at Tuam To these are suffraganes in right 29. and all they inferiour to the Primate of Ardmaghe under his province are the Bishopprickes of Meath Derry Ardagh Kilmore Clogher Downe Coner Clonmacknoes Rapho and Dromore Vnder Dublin whereunto Innocentius 3. united Glandelagh are the Bishop of Elphine Kildare Ferneâ— Ossorie and Laighlein Vnder Cashell are B. of Waterford Lysmore Corke Clone Rosse Ardigh Limericke Emely Killalo Ardferte Vnder Tuam the B. of Kilmaco Olfine Anaghdoune Clonfert Mayo In this recount some diversities have happened by reason of personall and reall union of the Seas and for other alterations An old distinctioÌ„ there is of Ireland into Irish English pales for wheÌ„ the Irish had raised coÌ„tinual tumults against the English planted heere with the Conquest At last they coursed them into a narrow circuite of certaine shires in Leinster which the English did choose as the fattest soyle most defensible their proper right and most open to receive helpe from England Hereupon it was termed their pale as whereout they durst not peepe But now both within this pale uncivill Irish and some rebells doe dwell and without it Countreyes and cities English are well governed CAP. II. The temporall Nobility BY conference with certaine gentlemen attendants upon Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputie who excelleth in that knowledge I tooke notice of the most noble English families in Ireland which heere ensue with their surnames as they stand at this present Gerald Fitz Gerald Earle of Kildare this house was of the nobilitie of Florence came thence to Normandie and so with earle Strangbow his kinsman whose Armes hee giveth into Wales neere of bloud to Rice ap Griffin Prince of Wales by Vesta the mother of Morice Fitz Gerald and Robert Fitz Stephens with the said Earle it removed into Ireland one of the speciall conquerors thereof One record that I have seene nameth a Geraldine the first Earle of Kildare in anno 1289. But another saith there dyed a Geraldine the fourth Earle of Kildare in anno 1316. the family is touched in the sonnet of Surrey made upon Kildares sister now Lady Clinton From Tuscane came my Ladyes worthy race Faire Florence was sometime her ancient seate The westerne Isle whose pleasant shore doth face Wilde Cambres cliffes did give her lively heate His eldest sonne Lord Gerald Baron of Ophalye I reade the Geraldine Lord of Ophalye in anno 1270. Sir Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond and Ossorye the Butlers were ancient English Gentlemen preferred to the Earledome of Ormond in the first of Edward the 3. Anno 1327. which fell upon heires generall lastly upon Sir Thomas Butler Earle of Wilshire after whose disfavour it reversed to the name of Pierce Butler whom little before King H. 8. had created Earle of Ossorye Theo. Butler was Lord of the Carricke An. 1205. And Earle of Tipperarie 1300. or sooner the Latine History calleth him Dominum de Pincerna the English Le Bottiller whereby it appeareth that hee had some such honour about the Prince his very surname is Becket who was advanced by H. le 2. in recompence of the injurie done to Thomas of Canterburie their kinsman His eldest sonne Lord Butler Viscount Thurles Gerald Fitz Gerald Earle of Desmond Morice Fitz Thomas a Geraldine was created Earle of Desmond the same yeare soone after that the Butler became Earle of Ormond The Irish say that the elder house of the Geraldines was made Earle of Desmond though Kildare be the more ancient Earle His eldest sonne L. Fitz Gerald of Desmond Baron of Inshycoin Sir Richard Burcke Earle of Clanriccard a braunch of the English family de Burge Lord Burgh who were noble men before their arrivall into Ireland His eldest sonne Vlioke Burghe Baron of Donkeline Conegher Obrene Earle of Tumond the name of Earle given to Murroughe Obrene for terme of life and after to Donoghe Obrene An. 5. Edw. 6. now confirmed to the heires male His eldest sonne Lo. Obrene Baron of Ibrecane Mac Cartimore Earle of Clarcar created An. 1565. His eldest sonne Lo Baron of Valentia Viscount Barrie Viscount Roohe Preston Viscount of Gormanston whereunto is lately annexed the Barony of Lounders their auncestour Preston then cheife Baron of the Exchequer was made Knight in the field by Lionell Duke of Clarence Lieutenant of Ireland Eustace alias Powere Viscount of Baltinglasse Lord of Kilkullen to him and his heires male An. H. 8.33 Their ancestour Robert le Powere was sent into Ireland with commission and in his Off-spring hath rested heere since An. 1175. Powere alias Eustace is written Baron of Domvile An. 1317. Sir Richard Butler Viscount Mongaret to him and his heires males An. Edw. 6.5 Viscount Deces Lord Bermingham Baron of Athenrye now degenerate
and become meere Irish against whom his auncestors served valiantly in An. 1300. Sir Richard Bermingham was Lord of Athenrye 1316. Iohn Bermingham Baron de Atrio dei Anno 1318. Mac Morice alias Fitz Gerald Baron of Kerye Lord Courcye a poore man not very Irish the auncient descent of the Courcyes planted in Ireland with the Conquest Lord Flemmynge Baron of Slane Simon Flemmynge was Baron of Slane in Anno 1370. Plonket Baron of Killyne this family came in with the Danes whereof they have as yet speciall monuments Nugent Baron of Delvin Saint Laurence Baron of Hothe Plonket Baron of Doonesawny Barnewall Baron of Trimleston they came from little Brittaine where they are at this day a great surname upon their first arrivall they wonne great possessions at Beirnhaven where at length by conspiracie of the Irish they were all slaine except one yong man who then studied the common Lawes in England who returning dwelt at Dromnaghe besides Divelin and his heires are there at this day from thence a second brother remooved to Sirestone and so to Trimlestone and married the Lady Bruns who caused him to be made Baron This writeth the Lord of Donsany Edward Butler Baron of Donboyne given to Edmund Butler esquire and his heires males An. 33. H. 8. Fitz Patricke Baron of upper Ossory given to Barnabie Mac Gilpatricke and his heires males An. 33. H. 8. Donnate Clonnaghe Mac Gilpatricke was a peerelesse warriour in Anno 1219. Plonket Baron of Louthe to Sir Christopher Plonket and his heires males An. 33. H. 8. This Barony was an Earledome in An. 1316. appertaining to Bermingham Oneale Baron of Dongannon to whom the Earledome of Terone was entayled by gift of H. 8. Powere Baron of Curraghmore Mac Suretan Lord Deseret whom Sir Henry Sidney called Iordan de Exeter This was Lord in the time of Lionell Duke of Clarence An. 1361. now very wilde Irish. Murroghe Obrene Baron of Insickeyne to him and his heires males An. 35. H. 8. Mac Costilaghe L Nangle whom Sir Henry Sidney called de Angulo now very Irish. Mac William Burcke Lord of eighter Connaght now very Irish. Seintleger Baronet of Slemarge meere Irish. Den Baronet of Pormanston waxing Irish. Fitz Gerald Baronet of Burnchurch Welleslye Baronet of Narraghe Husee Baronet of Galtrim S. Michell Baronet of Reban Marwarde Baronet of Scryne Nangle Baronet of the Navan English gentlemen of longest continuance in Ireland are the race of those which at this day either in great povertie or perill doe keepe the properties of their auncestors lands in Vlster being then companions to Courcy the conquerour and Earle of that part These are the Savages Iordanes Fitz Symonds Chamberlaines Russels Bensons Audleyes Whites Fitz Vrsulyes now degenerate called in Irish Mac Mahon the Beares sonne CAP. III. Nature of the soyle and other incidents THe soyle is low and waterish includeth diverse little Ilands invironed with bogges and marishes Highest hilles have standing pooles in their toppe Inhabitants especially new come are subiect to distillations rhumes and flixes for remedy whereof they use an ordinary drinke of Aqua-vitae so qualified in the making that it dryeth more and inflameth lesse then other hote confections The aire is wholsome not altogether so cleare and subtle as ours of England Of Bees good store no vineyards contrary to the opinion of some writers who both in this and other errours touching the land may easily be excused as those that wrote of hearesay Cambrensis in his time complaineth that Ireland had excesse of wood and very little champaigne ground but now the English pale is too naked Turffe and Sea-coales is their most fuell it is stored of kyne of excellent horses hawkes of fish and fowle They are not without wolves and grey-hounds to hunt them bigger of bone and limme then a colt Their kyne as also their cattle and commonly what els soever the Countrey ingendreth except man is much lesse in quantity then ours of England Sheepe few and those bearing course fleeces whereof they spinne notable rugge mantle The country is very fruitefull both of corne and grasse the grasse for default of Husbandrie not for the cause alleaged in Polychronicon groweth so ranke in the north parts that oft times it rotteth their Kyne Eagles are well knowne to breed heere but neither so bigge nor so many as Bookes tell Cambrensis reporteth of his owne knowledge and I heare it averred by credible persons that Barnacles thousands at once are noted along the shoares to hang by the beakes about the edges of putrified timber shippes oares anchor-holdes and such like which in processe taking lively heate of the Sunne become water-foules and at their time of ripenesse either fall into the sea or fly abroad into the ayre Aeneas Sylvius that after was Pope Pius the second writeth himselfe to have perceaved the like experiment in Scotland where he learned the truth hereof to be found in the Ilands Orchades Horses they have of pace easie in running wonderfull swift Therefore they make of them great store as wherein at times of need they repose a great peice of safetie This broode Raphael Volateranus saith to have come at first from Arturia the country of Spaine betweene Gallicea and Portugall whereof they were called Asturcones a name now properly applyed to the Spanish Iennet I heard it verified by Honourable to Honourable that a Nobleman offered and was refused for one such horse an hundred kyne five pound Lands an Airy of Hawks yearely during seven yeares In the plaine of Kildare stood that monstrous heape of stones brought thither by Gyants from Affrique and removed thence to the plaine of Sarisbury at the instance of Aurel. Ambrose King of Brittaine No venemous creping beast is brought forth or nourished or can live here being sent in and therefore the spider of Ireland is well knowne not to be venemous Onely because a frogge was found living in the Meadowes of Waterford somewhat before the conquest they construed it to import their overthrowe S. Bede writeth that Serpents conveyed hither did presently die being touched with smell of the land and that whatsoever came hence was then of Soveraigne vertue against poyson He exemplifieth in certaine men stung with Adders who dranke in water the scrapings of Bookes that had beene of Ireland and were cured Generally it is observed the further West the lesse annoyance of pestilent creatures The want whereof is to Ireland so peculiar that whereas it lay long in question to whether Realme Brittaine or Ireland the I le of Man should pertaine the said controversie was decided that forsomuch as venemous beasts were knowne to breed therein it could not be counted a naturall peice of Ireland Neither is this propertie to be ascribed to S. Patrickes blessing as they commonly hold but to the originall blessing of God who gave such nature to the situation and soyle from the beginning And though I
doubt not but it fared the better in many respects for that holy mans prayer yet had it this condition notified hundred of yeares ere he was borne CAP. IIII. Of the Irish tongue and the name Hibernia Ireland I Finde it solemnely avouched in some of their pamphlets that Gathelus and after him Simon Brecke divised their language out of all other tongues then extant in the world But considering the course of enterchanging and blending speeches together not by invention of Arte but by use of talke I am rather led to beleeve seeing Ireland was inhabited within one yeare after the devision of the tongues that Bastolenus a braunch of Iapheth who first seased upon Ireland brought hither the same kinde of Speech some one of the seventie two Languages that to his family befell at the dissolution of Babell unto whom succeeded the Scithians Grecians Aegyptians Spaniards Danes of all which this tongue must needes have borrowed part but specially retaining the steps of Spanish then spoken in Granado as from their mightiest auncestors Since then to Henry Fitz Empresse the Conquerour no such invasion happened them as whereby they might be driven to infect their native language untouched in manner for the space of 1700. yeares after the arrivall of Hiberius The tongue is sharpe and sententious offereth great occasion to quicke apothegmes and proper allusions wherefore their common Iesters Bards and Rymers are said to delight passingly those that conceive the grace and propriety of the tongue But the true Irish indeede differeth somuch from that they commonly speake that scarce one among five score can either write read or understand it Therefore it is prescribed among certaine their Poets and other Students of Antiquitie Touching the name Ibernia the learned are not yet agreed Some write it Hibernia and suppose that the strangers finding it in an odde end of the world wet and frosty tooke it at the first for a very cold country and accordingly named it as to say the winter land Another bringeth a guesse of Irlamal of whom because I read nothing I neither build upon that conjecture nor controll it Thirdly they fetch it from Hiberus the Spaniard Most credibly it is held that the Spaniards their founders for devotion toward Spaine called then Iberia and the rather for that themselves had dwelled besides the famous river Iberus named this land Iberia for so Iohn Leland and many forraine Chroniclers write it or Ibernia adding the letter n. for difference sake there being a rich Citty which Ptolome recounteth called then Ibernis from Ibernia proceedeth Iberland or Iuerland from Iuerland by contraction Ireland for so much as in corruption of common talke wee finde that v with his vowell are easily lost and suppressed So wee say ere for ever ore for over ene for even nere for never shoole for shovell dile for divell At the same time it was also named Scotia in reverence of Scota the wife of Gathelus auncient Capitaine of those Iberians that flitted from Spaine into Ireland And the said Scota was olde grandame to Hiberus and Hirimon after the Scottish Chronicles who in any wise will have their Countrymen derived from the Irish and not from the Brittaines CAP. V. Dispositions of the People THE People are thus inclined religious franke amorous irefull sufferable of paines infinite very glorious many sorcerers excellent horsemen delighted with Warres great almes-givers passing in hospitalitie the lewder sort both Clarkes and Lay-men are sensuall and loose to leachery above measure The same being vertuously bred up or reformed are such mirrours of holinesse and austeritie that other Nations retaine but a shewe or shadow of devotion in comparison of them As for abstinence and fasting which these dayes make so dangerous this is to them a familiar kinde of chastisement In which vertue and diverse other how farre the best excell so farre in gluttonie and other hatefull crimes the vitious they are worse then too badde They follow the dead corpes to the grave with howlings and barbarous out-cryes pittyfull in apparance whereof grew as I suppose the Proverbe to weepe Irish. The uplandish are lightly abused to believe and avouche idle miracles and revelations vaine and childish greedy of prayse they bee and fearefull of dishonour And to this end they esteeme their Poets who write Irish learnedly and penne their sonnetts heroicall for the which they are bountifully rewarded But if they send out libells in disprayse thereof the Gentlemen especially the meere Irish stand in great awe They love tenderly their foster children and bequeathe to them a childes portion whereby they nourish sure friendshippe so beneficiall every way that commonly five hundreth kyne and better are given in reward to winne a noble mans childe to foster They are sharpe-witted lovers of learning capable of any studie whereunto they bend themselves constant in travaile adventerous intractable kinde-hearted secret in displeasure Hitherto the Irish of both sortes meere and English are affected much indifferently saving that in these by good order and breaking the same vertues are farre more pregnant In those others by licentious and evill custome the same faults are more extreame and odious I say by licentious and evill custome for that there is daylie tryall of good natures among them How soone they bee reclaymed and to what rare gifts of grace and wisedome they doe and have aspired Againe the very English of birth conversant with the brutish sort of that people become degenerate in short space and are quite altered into the worst ranke of Irish Rogues such a force hath education to make or marre It is further to bee knowne that the simple Irish are utterly another people then our Englishe in Ireland whome they call despitefully boddai Sassoni's and boddai Ghalt that is English and Saxon churles because of their English auncestors planted heere with the Conquest and sithence with descent hath lasted now 400. yeares Of this people therefore severally by themselves I must intreate Yet none otherwise then as they stand unfiled and serve their accustomed humours with whom I joyne all such as either by living neere them or by liking their trade are transformed into them CAP. VI. Of the meere Irish. TOuching the meere Irish I am to advertise my Reader that hee impute not to them the faults of their Auncestors which heere I have noted for two causes First that when the same are reade in Cambrensis Solinus or others he confounds not the times but may be able distinctly to consider their manners then different from these dayes Secondly that it may appeare how much Ireland is beholding to God for suffering them to be conquered whereby many of these enormities were cured and more might be would themselves be plyable In some corners of the land they used a damnable superstition leaving the right armes of their Infants males unchristened as they tearmed it to the intent it might give a more ungracious
prey their enemies they deeme it none offence nor seeke any meanes to recover their losse but even to watch them the like turne But if neighbours and friends send their Cators to purloyne one another such Actions are judged by the Breighoones aforesaid Toward the living they are noysome and malicious the same being dead they labour to avenge eagerly and fiercely They love and trust their Foster Brethren more then their owne Turlogh Leinagh Oneale that now usurpeth is said to repose in them his greatest surety Strumpets are there too vile and abominable to write of which not onely without feare but also without remorse doe advance themselves in numbring what noblemen have had liking to their bodies Hee that can bring most of his name into the field base or other triumpheth exceedingly For increase of which name they allow themselves not onely whoores but also choise store of whoores One I heard named which hath as he calleth them more then ten wiues in twentie places There is among them a brother-hood of Carrowes that professe to play at Cards all the yeare long and make it their onely occupation They play away Mantle and all to the bare skinne and then trusse themselves in strawe or in leaves they waite for passengers in the high way invite them to a game upon the greene and aske no more but companions to hold them sport for default of other stuffe they pawne portions of their glibbe the nailes of their fingers and toes their privie members which they lose or redeeme at the curtesie of the winner Where they fancie and favour they are wonderfull kinde they exchange by commutation of wares for the most part and have utterly no coyne stirring in any great Lords houses Some of them be richly plated their Ladies are trimmed rather with massie Iewels then with garish apparell it is counted a beautie in them to be tall round and fat The inheritance descendeth not to the Sonne but to the Brother Nephew or Cousin germaine eldest and most valiant for the Childe being oftentimes left in nonage or otherwise young and unskillfull were never able to defend his patrimonie being his no longer then he can hold it by force of armes But by that time he grow to a competent age and have buryed an Vncle or two he also taketh his turne and leaveth it in like order to his Posterity This custome breedeth among them continuall Warres and treasons CAP. VII The most auncient Inhabitants of Ireland THe honourable Historian Titus Livius yeeldeth certaine priviledge to antiquitie and will have it held excused if percase for advancement of their Citties they straine a point of truth and derive a first foundation from one or other of their supposed Gods wherefore though I can no lesse doe then reject a fable concerning the arrivall of Noes Neece into this Island yet this kinde of forgery being somewhat universall seeing every Chronicler paineth himselfe to fetch his reckoning with the farthest let him hardly be pardoned who led by relation of his elders committed first to writing so dull a tale As for the multitude of writers that agree thereon they are in effect but one writer seeing the latest ever borrowed of the former and they all of Cambrensis who affirmeth it not but onely alleadgeth the received opinion of Irish Histories yea rather in the foote of that Chapter he seemeth to mistrust it and posteth it over to the credit of his authors so then if the greatest weight hereof doe consist in Irish antiquities which the learned here confesse to be stuffed with such implements notoriously felt to be vaine and frivolous I trust I shall not seeme contentious nor singular in damning such a fable not onely false but also impossible Thus they say In the yeare of the world 1536. The Patriarch Noe began to preach vengance upon the people for their accursed lives to builde his Arke â—o enforme his kindred and speciall friends severally that within few yeares the earth should be sunke in waters if they amended not This did he before the generall flood one hundred and twentie yeares when every man foreslept the monitioÌ„ onely a Neece of his named Cesara misdoubting the worst and hearing her Vncle prophesie that all should be drowned for sinne determined with her adherents to seeke adventures into some forraine Island perswaded that if shee might happely finde a Countrie never yet inhabited and so with sinne undefiled the generall sentence of Gods anger should there take no place Whereupon she furnished a navy and fled into Ireland with three men Bithi Laigria Fintan and fifty women left unto her after many shipwrackes The shore where she landed where she lyeth entombed is at this day called Navicularum littus The very stones wherein the memorie hereof hath beene preserved from the violence of waters were said to be seene of some Within forty dayes after her footing in Ireland the deluge prevailed universally and all this coast was cast away Now to ommit that part of this device which is too flat and ridiculous if we consider that before the flood no part of the Earth was knowen nor touched beside Syria where the first age dwelled that sailing was then utterly unheard of in the world the first vessell being by Gods owne direction wrought that she might have sped at home would she repent with more ease and surety that Iapheth with the Hebrewes and Iason with the Greekes were the first pilots that the Records hereof graven in stone is but a borrowed invention from Iosephus These things I say considered it wil be no hard matter to descry the falshood wherin I would be more exquisite were it worth my labour We need not so ambitiously runne to Cesara to begge a forged evidence seeing without her helpe Ireland must be confessed to have been knowne and peopled with the same kinred even with the first Ilands of the world For within three hundred yeares after the generall Floud immediately after the confusion of tongues when Iapheth and his posterity imboldened by the example of Noe adventured by ship into divers West Ilands there was in his retinew one of his progeny Bastolenus who conceiving stomack and courage at the late successe of Nemrodus Ninus his kinsman then newly intruded upon the Monarch of Assyria wandred so farre West intending to rule without compeeres till Fortune cast him and his people upon the coast of Ireland There he settled with his three sonnes Languinus Salanus Ruthurgus active and stout gentlemen who searching the Land through through left their owne names by three notable places Languini stagnum mons Salangi since named S. Dominicks hill and Ruthurgi stagnum Of Bastolenus is little remembred save that in short space with many hands working at once he plained a great part of the Country then overgrown with woods and thickets This posterity kept the Land under the government of these three sonnes their off-spring about 300. yeares Together
with Bastolenus arrived in Ireland certaine godlesse people of the stocke of Nemrod worthily tearmed a gyant as one that in bodily shape exceeded proportion used his strength to winne soveraigntie to oppresse the vveake vvith rapine and violence That linage Chams breed grevv to great numbers alvvay bethought them of getting mastery vvheresoever they tarryed One cause vvas their bodily force ansvvereable to their hugenesse of quantity another the example of Cham Zoroastes that magitian and Nemrodus Ninus his Nephew which two in themselves and their progenies were renowned throughout the world as victorious Princes over two mighty Kingdomes Aegypt and Assyria Thirdly they maligned the blessings bestowed upon Sem and Iapheth counting it necessary for themselves to stirre and prevent Dominions lest the curse of slavery prophesied by Noe should light upon them as notwithstanding it did at last Thus irked they began to kicke at their Governours and taking head set up a King of their owne faction nourishing the same and annoying the Subjects incessantlie the successe on both sides was variable quarrels increased the enemie caught handfast every day bred a new skirmish It seemed intolerable very necessity cōpelled them to try their whole force in one Battle either utterly to weede out the Gyants or to die free Peace therefore concluded among themselves for any private grudge hitherto maintayned all sorts brake truce and amity with the Gyants and straited them up so that from all corners of the land they must needes assemble into one field and fight for the better maynelie they tugged certaine houres but in conclusion the lawfull Kings prevayled the miscreants done to death See now the mockery of Fortune Victors they were and promised themselves a security Anger insolencie over-turned all for what with spoiling the dead carcases what with murthering the remaynder of that generation man woman and childe in all parts of the Realme vouchsafing them no buryall but casting them out like a sort of dead dogges there ensued through the stench of those carryons such a mortall pestilence infecting not onely the places where they lay but the ayre round about by contagion that beside those few which by sea returned homeward few escaped alive and heereby hangeth a tale From this plague say the Irish was preserved Ruanus the Gyant who from time to time kept true record of their histories else utterly done away by sundry casualties of death warre spoyle fire forraine victories and he forsooth continued till the yeare of Christ 430. and told S. Patrick all the newes of the country requiring of him to bee baptized and so died when he had lived no more but two thousand and forty one yeares which is above twice the age of Methusalem Had it beene my chaunce in Ireland to meete conferre with this noble Antiquarie hee might have eased me of much travell These things I note for no other purpose but that the simple stumbling upon such blinde legends should be warned to esteeme them as they are idle fantasies wherewith some of their Poets dallyed at the first and after through error and rudenes it was taken up for a sad matter CAP. VIII The severall Inhabitants of Ireland since Bastolenus OF an infinite number of Gyants slaine certaine hid families lurked and escaped the common mischiefe whom at length penury constrayned to forsake their dennes and to pilfer for meate when they perceived the murraine of men and beasts and that none gave them resistance they waxed hardie searching the land found it wel-nigh desolate wherefore they harboured themselves in the clearest coast and easily subduing the poore soules remaining revived their blood and became Lords of the whole Iland 60. yeares Among the Sonnes of Iapheth Genesis recounteth Magog who had now planted his people in Scithia within Tanaris from whom at this day the Turkes are descended They hearing the hard happe of their fathers lyne cast out by the collaterall braunches of Cham the late King of the Bactrians their odious neighbours sent into Ireland Nemodus with his foure sonnes Starius Gerbavel Amimus Fergusius captaines over a faire company who passing by Greece and there taking up such as would seeke fortunes finally landed here held the country multiplyed but not without continuall warre upon the Gyants aforesaid who in th' end vanquished and chased them thence againe into Greece after 216. yeares from Anno mundi 2533. from which time untill the comming of Dela his sonnes the Gyants possessed it peaceably without forreine invasion But themselves being disordered and measuring all things by might seditiously vexed each other nor were they ever able to frame a common-wealth That espyed five brethren sonnes to Dela the Grecian notorious Pilots named Gaudius Genandius Sagandius Rutheragius Slanius the posterity of Nemodus expulsed successors who fortified their navyes and finding the Countrey but weake wanne it entirely rooted out the old enemy divided the Iland into five parts in each of them severally raigned for better contentation of all sides they agreed to fixe a meare stone in in the middle point of Ireland to which stone every of their Kingdomes should extend and be partakers of the commodities then chiefly found in that soile These are also supposed to have invented the distribution of shires into Cantredes every Cantrede or Barony conteining an hundred Towneships wherewith the name and use of hundreds well knowne in England might seeme to accord Variance for the chiefty set the foure brethren at a lovve ebbe and then Slanius perched over them all encroached every vvay round about the middle stone certaine miles for provision and furniture of his ovvne houshold vvhich plott in time obtained the name of one generall part and novv maketh up the fift Media Meth it vvas called either for moytie of Cantredes being but sixteene vvhereas the rest comprised thirty tvvo apeece or for the site thereof in the navell of Ireland This hee assigned to the Monarch a surplus over and above his Inheritance vvhich notvvithstanding grevv to a severall Kingdome and allovved thereof certaine parts by composition Not long after dyed Slanius vvas buryed in a mountaine of Meth that carrieth his name Thirty yeares the Monarchy vvas possessed in this order but shortly the Princes ovving fealty beganne to stomack the Intrusion of Slanius vvhen he vvas once rid they disdained his successour whereupon ensued everlasting Battels The Monarchy was laide downe then fell they at debate for the land of Meth which strife could never be appeased In the necke of those troubles came over a new army of Scithians who claymed also from Nemodus their fore-father and they tooke parts and made parts set all in uproare with sword and havocke To be short they spent themselves one upon another so fiercely and furiously that now they reckoned not what nation or what souldiour they received in to keepe up or beate downe a side
vvho lightly leapt to horse and commaunding their forvvardnesse in so naturall a quarrell sayde Lordings and friendes this case neither admitteth delay nor asketh policie heart and haste is all in all vvhile the feate is young and strong that of our enemies some sleepe some sorrovv some curse some consult all dismayed let us anticipate their furye dismember their force cut off their flight occupie their places of refuge and succour It is no mastery to plucke their feathers but their neckes nor to chase them in but to rovvse them out to vveede them not to rake them nor to treade them dovvne but to digge them up This lesson the Tyrant himselfe hath taught mee I once demaunded him in a parable by vvhat good husbandry the Land might bee ridde of certaine Crovves that annoyed it hee advised to vvatche vvhere they bred and to fire the nestes about their eares Goe vvee then upon these Cormorants that shrovvde themselves in our possessions and let us destroy them so that neither nest nor roote nor seede nor stalke nor stubbe may remaine of this ungracious generation Scarce had he spoken the vvord but vvith great shovvtes and clamours they extolled the King as patron of their lives and families assured both courage and expedition joyned their confederates and vvith a running campe svvept every corner of the Land razed the castles to the ground chased the strangers before them slevv all that abode the battaile recovered each man his ovvne precinct and former state of government The Irish delivered of slavery fell to their old vomit in persecuting one another having lately defaced their fortified castles tovvns as coverts to the enemy al sides lay novv more open in harmes vvay This considered the Princes that in the late rule of Turgesius espied some towardnesse to wealth and ease began to discourse the madnesse of their fathers who could not see the use of that vvhich their enemies abused they began to loathe their unquietnesse to wish either lesse discord or more strength in every mans dominion to cast out the danger of naked Territoryes as ready to call in the enemy as the contrary was to shrowd them faine vvould they mend and they vvist not hovv The former subjection though it seemed intollerable yet they felt therein a grovving to peace fruits of merchandize rest surety for it fared diversly tvvixt those Easterlings these Irish they knevv hovv to thrive might they get some commodious soyle These had all the commodities of the soile reckoned them not While the Princes Potentates pavvsed in this good mood certain marchants out of Norvvay called Ostomanni Easterlings because they lay East in respect of us though they are indeede properly Normans partly Saxons obtained licence safely to land utter their vvares By exchanging of vvares money finding the Normans civill and tractable delighted also vvith gay conceipts vvhich they never esteemed needfull untill they savv them they entred into a desire of traffique vvith other nations to allure marchants they licensed the strangers aforesaid to build if they vvere disposed Haven-Tovvnes vvhich vvas done Amellanus founded Waterford Sitaricus Limericke Inorus Dublin more at leisure by others Then were repaired by helpe and counsell of these men castles forts steeples and Churches every-where Thus are the Irish blended also in the blood of the Normans who from thenceforth continually flocked hither did the Inhabitants great pleasure lived obediently till wealth made them wanton and rebellious But they could not possibly have held out had not the conquest ensuing determined both their contentions The meane while they waxed Lords of Havens and Bur-Townes housed their souldiours and oftentimes skirmished tooke their fortune crept no higher onely a memory is left of their field in Clantarfe where diverse noble Irish men were slayne that lye buryed before the Crosse of Kilmaynam And it is to be noted that these are the Danes which people then Pagans wasted England and after that France From whence they came againe into England with VVilliam the Conquerour So that Ostomani Normans Easterlings Danes and Norway-men are in effect the same and as it appeareth by conference of times and Chronicles much about one time or season vexed the French men subdued the English and multiplyed in Ireland But in the yeare of CHRIST 1095. perceiving great envy to lurke in the distinction of Easterlings and Irishe utterly west and because they were simply Northerne not Easterne and because they magnified themselves in the late conquest of their Countreymen who from Normandy flourished now in the Realme of England they would in any wise bee called and counted Normans Long before this time as ye have heard Ireland vvas bestowed into tvvo principall Kingdomes and sometime into more whereof one was ever elected Monarch whom they tearme in their Histories maximum regem or without addition regem Hiberniae The rest were written Reguli or Reges by limitation as the King of Leinster of Connaght of Vlster of Mounster of Meth. To the Monarch besides his allowance of ground and titles of Honours and other priviledges in Iurisdiction was graunted a negative in the nomination of Bishops at every vacation The Cleargy and Laity of the Diocesse recommended him to their King the King to their Monarch the Monarch to the Archbishop of Canterbury for that as yet the Metropolitanes of Ireland had not receaved their palles In this sort was nominated to the Bishopricke of Divelin then voide Anno 1074. at the petition of Godericus King of Leinster by sufferance of the cleargy people there with the consent of Terdilvachus the Monarch a learned prelate called Patricius whō the blessed archbishop Lanfrancus consecrated at S. Pauls Church in London swore him to the obedience after the maner of his antecessors Christian Bishop of Lismore Legate to Eugenius 3. summoned a Provinciall Councell in Ireland wherein were authorized foure Metropolitan See◠Ardmagh Dublin Cashell Tuam Bishops thereof being Gelasius Gregorius Donatus Edanus for hitherto though they yeelded a primacy to the Bishop of Ardmagh in reverence of Saint Patricke yet was it partly voluntary and ratified rather by custome then by sufficient decree neither did that Arch-Bishop take upon him to invest other Bishops but sent them to Canterbury as I said before which henceforth they did not Namely the next Bishop S. Laurence sometimes Abbot of S. Kevynes in Glandilagh was ordered and installed at home by Gelasius Primate of Ardmagh THE SECOND BOOKE OF CAMPION'S HISTORY OF IRELAND CAP. I. The conquest of Ireland by Henry the second King of England commonly called Henry Fitz Empresse DErmot Mac Murrough King of Leinster halt and leacherous vowed dishonestly to serve his lust on the beautifull Queene of Meath and in the absence of her husband allured the woman so farre that she condiscended to be stolne away This dishonourable wrong to avenge O-Rorick the King her husband besought
assistance of Rodericke Oconor King of Connaght at that season the generall Monarch of all Ireland The subjects of Leinster detesting the quarrell and long ere this time hating their Prince left him desolate in his greatest neede so as with much difficulty he caught his boate and fled over for succour to Henry the 2. King of England then warring upon the Frenchmen within his Dukedome of Aquitaine Somewhat before this season sate in the See of Rome Adrianus 4. an English man borne who having in his youth taken a painefull pilgrimage into Norway and reduced the whole Iland unto Christianity learned distinctly the state of Ireland and how their countrymen which dayly repaired thither being themselves the most part infidels meeting with a people there wilde and furious were like very shortly but if God found remedy to deface religion for though Christ were beleeved and taught yet the multitude eft soone grew to a shamelesse kinde of liberty making no more of necessary points of Doctrine then served their loose humour Besides these occasions Henry the 2. builded upon the Popes favour his borne subject had sent Ambassadours to Rome in the first yeare of his raigne asking leaue to attempt the conquest of Ireland Adrian trusting and requiring a diligent reformation of the premisses graunted his Bull which Alexander his Successour confirmed and ratified upon the same conditions Now when Dermot was come in the very necke of these consultations and put up his complaint wherein he preferred the interest of his Crowne and craved a restitution of some peece of his lands the matter did seeme not all untowardly broached Henry having his hands full with the French because Mac Murrough urged all possible haste could not personaly intend that offer but sent him honourably garded into England with letters patents bearing this Tenour HENRY the second King of England Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine Earle of Angiow To all our true subjects English Normans Welchmen Scotts and to all nations within our Dominions whatsoever Greeting Witt yee that the Bearer hereof Dermot Mac Murrough King of Leinster we have received into the soveraigne protection of our Grace and bounty wherefore who so of you all our loving subjects will extend towards him your ayde for his restoring as to our trusty and welbeloved know yee that he is thereto authorized by these presents and shall deserve at our hands high favour in so doing With these letters and many gay additions of his owne he arrived at Bristow where he fell at conference with Richard Strongbow Earle of Pembroke with whom he covenanted the delivery of his onely daughter and heire unto marriage and so the remainder of his Kingdome If the said Earle would recover him his home That day were planted in Wales two gentlemen Robert Fitz Stephens and Maurice Fitz Gerald brethren of a Mother allyed to Rice ap Griffin then Prince of Wales whose Grand-father was surnamed Rice the great Fitz Stephens had beene high Constable there under the King and for executing rigour upon the Princes servants was with him detained prisoner three yeares ne would in any wise pay ransome or accept the liberty promised him but if the conditions were loyall to the Crowne and to his person no dis-worship Lastly by the mediation of David Bishop of S. Davids the third brother and of Fitz Gerald and at the instance of Mac Murrough whom the Prince entertained in that distresse Fitz Stephens was conditionaly delivered that he and his brother Maurice should the next spring while Strongbow provided his army assist the Irish out-cast who in consideration thereof assured them an estate for ever in the towne of Weixford and two Cantreds adjoyning Thus much firmely concluded on all sides the King stale secretly home and wintered closely among the Cleargie of Fernes According to covenant came Fitz Stephens with 30. Knights of his blood 60. Squiers 300. footemen Archers to whom at his landing Dermot sent in aid his base sonne Duvelnaldus and five hundred speares The towne and suburbes of Weixford marched forth against him But when they saw Souldiours in array diversly dighted and weaponed furnished with artillery barbed horses and harnesse they retyred to their walles and strengthned them burning the villages thereabouts and all the provision they could not carry The assault lasted 3. dayes in the 4. certaine Bishops resciant there tooke up the variance pacified the Townesmen to their King and procured the rendring of the Towne Dermot having tryed the valiantnes of the Welchmen immeadiately kept his touch and gave possession of Weixford with the appurtenances aforesaid to Fitz Stephens and his brother After successe of these matters they leavyed to the number of 3000. Souldiours and devised to vexe the Lords of Vpper Ossory who had beene to the King of all other most cruell and injurious Them they compelled to deliver Trewage and sweare fealty Rodericke the monarch appalled at these newes reared up all the Kings in defence of the land verily supposing that all would to wrecke were it not prevented And first they directed courteous messages and gifts to Fitz Stephens moving him to depart the land quietly and not to molest them without cause To whom he answered that much he wondred at the folly of those Princes who to satisfie their choller had opened such a gappe to their owne prejudice as though the subjects whom they had schooled to breake allyance towards the King of Leinster would not be as ready by this example to learne to withstand the King of Connaght for his owne part though hee might with better reason invade strangers then they could expell their neighbours and their peere yet would they suffer the King to reenter his right they should not finde him stiffe nor untractable otherwise they should well feele that the Bryttons wanted neither abilitie nor truth to maintaine their word Rodericke perceived it was no boote to spurne and therefore bethought himselfe of composition upon agreement they resolved thus Inprimis that Mac Murrough swearing afresh his obedience to the Monarch should quietly repossesse the parts of Leinster which Rodericke with-held by suspensation Secondly that for ensurance thereof he should pledge his dearest base sonne Cnothurn to whom Rodericke promised his daughter if this peace were found effectuall Thirdly that being rested in his kingdome he should discharge the Welch army nor should henceforwards call them over in defence About this time Donatus the good King of Ergall founded the Abbey of Mellyfont which is the eldest that I finde recorded since the Danes arrivall except S. Mary Abbey besides Divelin erected in an 948. The meane while was landed at Weixford Maurice Fitz Gerald with his provision ten Knights thirty Squiers and an hundred Bowmen hereupon Dermot and the two Brethren set their force against Divelin which being the cheife Citty of his Realme refused to yeeld when Divelin and the country about it vvas recover'd there befell hostility between Rodericke and
they grew to 300. Knights of the order and into inferiour brethren innumerable But with ease and wealth they declined now to such intollerable deformities of life and other superstitious errors nothing lesse regarding then the purpose of this their foundation that the generall Councell assembled at Vienna disanulled the same for ever And thereupon as in other countries so in Ireland they confessed the publicke fame of their enormities and themselves culpable their persons they yeelded to perpetuall pennance their lands were given though with some difficulty to the Knights of S. Iohns hospitall at Ierusalem who since then for recovering the Iland of Rhodes from the Saracens became famous and multiplied much more honourably then did the Templers Of this latter foundation was the priory of S. Iohns at Kilmaynam besides Divelin Iohn Decer Major of Divelin builded the high Pype there and the Bridge over the Liffy toward S. Wolstans and a chapell of our Lady at the Fryar minors where he lyeth buried repaired the Church of the Fryars preachers and every friday tabled the Fryars at his owne costs In absence of VVogan Sr VVilliam Burcke was Lord Warden of Ireland to whom King Edward recōmended Pierce of Gavestone the disquieter of all the nobility in England a companion to the King in vice bolstered up by the King so peremptorily against the will of his Councell that whereas the said Pierce was by them exiled Edward sent him now into Ireland with much honour and many Iewels assigning him the commodities royall of that Realme which bred some bickering betweene the Earle of Vlster Sir Richard Burke and Gavestone who notwithstanding bought the hearts of the Souldiours with his liberality subdued Obrene edified sundry Castles cawswayes and bridges but within three yeares he retyred from Flaunders into England where the nobles besieged him at Scarborough and smit off his head Iohn VVogan Lord Iustice summoned a Parliament at Kilkenny where wholesome lawes were ordained but never executed There fell the Bishops in argument about their Iurisdictions and in especiall the Archbishop of Divelin forbad the Primate of Ardmagh to lift up his crosyer within the province of Leinster In ratifying of which priviledge I have seene the coppy of Pope Honorius Bull exemplified among the recordes of S. Patricks Church shortly after Rowland Ioyce then Primate stale by night in his pontificals from Howth to the priory of Gracedieu where the Archbishops servants met him and violently chased him out of all the diocesse This Archbishop was named Iohn Aleeke after whose death were elected in scisme division of sides two successours Thorneburgh Lord Chancellor and Bignore Treasurer of Ireland The Chancellor to strengthen his election hastily went to sea and perished by shipwracke the other submitting his cause to the processe of law tarryed at home and sped Theobald de Verdon Lord Iustice. Sixe thousand Scots fighting men under the conduct of Edward Bruise brother to Robert King of Scotland also the Earle Murray Iohn Menteith Iohn Steward and others landed in the north of Ireland ioyned with the Irish and conquered Vlster gave the Englishmen three notable overthrowes crowned the said Bruise King of Ireland burned Churches and Abbeyes with all the people found therein men women and children Then was Sir Edmund Butler chosen Lord Iustice who combined the Earle of Vlster and the Geraldines in friendship himselfe with Sir Iohn Mandevill and preserved the rest of the Realme In the necke of these troubles arose foure Princes of Connaght to impaire and scatter the English force But then the Burckes and the Berninghams discomfited and slew the number of eleaven thousand besides Athenry To Sir Richard Berningham belonged a lusty young swayne Iohn Hussee whom his Lord commanded to take a view of the dead carcasses about the walles and bring him word whether Okelly his mortall foe were slaine among them Hussee passed forth with one man to turne up and peruse the bodies All this marked Okelly who lurking in a bush thereby being of old time well acquainted with the valiantnes truth of Hussee sore longed to traine him from his Captaine and presuming now upon this opportunity disclosed himself said Hussee thou seest I am at all points armed and have my Esquire a manly man besides me thou art thin and thy page a youngling so that if I loved not thee for thine owne sake I might betray thee for thy Masters But come and serve me at my request I promise thee by S. Patrickes staffe to make thee a Lord in Connaght of more ground then thy Master hath in Ireland When these wordes waighed him nothing his owne man a stout lubber began to reprove him for not relenting to so rich a proffer assured him with an oath whereupon hee proffered to gage his soule for performance Now had Hussee three enemies and first he turned to his owne knave and him he slew next hee raught to Okellyes Squire a great rappe under the pit of his eare which overthrew him Thirdly he bestirred himselfe so nimbly that ere any helpe could be hoped for he had also slaine Okelly and perceiving breath in the Squire he drawed him up againe forced him upon a truncheon to beare his Lords head into the high towne which presented to Bermingham and the circumstances declared he dubbed Hussee Knight and him advaunced to many preferments whose family became afterwards Barons of Galtrime While the Scots were thus matched Robert de Bruise King of Scots tooke shore at Cragsergus to assist his brother whose Souldiours committed sacriledge and impiety against Monasteries Tombes Altars Virgins robbed Churches of all their plate and ornaments They of Vlster sent to the Lord Iustice pittifull supplication for aide in this misery who delivered them the Kings power and standerd wherewith under pretence to expell the Scots they raunged through the country with more grievance and vexation to the subjects then did the strangers Le Bruise proceeded and spoyled Cashell and wheresoever he lighted upon the Butlers lands those hee burned and destroyed unmercifully By this time had the Lord Iustice and Thomas Fitz Iohn Earle of Kildare Richard de Clare and Arnold de Powere Baron of Donoile furnished and armed thirty thousand men ready to set forward Then came newes that VVilliam de Burgo the Earles brother was taken by the Scots whereof the Irish of Vlster imboldened with the presence of the Scotish Army and with the late discomfiture which Earle Richard Burcke sustained at Coynes denyed their alleagiance openly and conspired in the behalfe of Edward le Bruise whom they proclaimed King The Lord Iustice had assembled such force against them under the leading of the Geraldines and Poweres that each of them was thought sufficient by himselfe to winne the field But suddainely the two Captaines and their adherents squared so as no good conclusion might be inferred Roger Mortimer trusting by their discention to imbeazell a
where you dare not venture I wish my Lord there be shrewde bugges in the borders for the Earle of Kildare to feare The Earle nay the King of Kildare for when you are disposed you reigne more like then rule in the Land where you are malicious the truest subjects stand for Irish enemies where you are pleased the Irish enemie stands for a dutifull subject hearts and hands lives and lands are all at your curtesie who fawneth not thereon hee cannot rest within your smell and your smell is so ranke that you tracke them out at pleasure Whilest the Cardinall was speaking the Earle chafed and changed colour sundry proffers made to answer every sentence as it came at last he broke out and interrupted him thus My Lord Chauncellour I beseech you pardon me I am short witted and you I perceive intend a long tale If you proceede in this order halfe my purgation wil be lost for lacke of carryage I have no schoole trickes nor art of memory except you heare me while I remember your words your second processe vvill hammer out the former The Lords associate vvho for the most part tenderly loved him and knevv the Cardinals manner of termes so lothsome as vvhervvith they vvere tyred many yeares agoe humbly besought his grace to charge him directly vvith particulars and to dvvell in some one matter till it vvere examined through That granted It is good reason quoth the Earle that your Grace beare the mouth of this chamber But my Lord those mouthes that put this tale into your mouth are very vvide mouths such indeed as have gaped long for my vvreck novv at length for vvant of better stuff are fain to fill their mouths vvith smoak What my cousin Desmond hath compassed as I knovv not so I beshrevv his naked heart for holding out so long If hee can bee taken by my agents that presently wayte for him then have my adversaryes betrayed their malice and this heape of haynous wordes shall resemble a man of strawe that seemeth at a blush to carry some proportion but when it is felt and poysed discovereth a vanity serving onely to fray crowes and I trust your Honours will see the proofe hereof and mine innocencie testified in this behalfe by the thing it selfe within these few dayes But goe to suppose hee never bee had what is Kildare to blame for it more then my good brother of Ossory who notwithstanding his high promises having also the Kings power is glad to take egges for his money and bring him in at leysure Cannot the Earle of Desmond shift but I must be of counsell cannot hee bee hid except I winke If hee bee close am I his mate If he be friended am I a Traytour This is a doughty kinde of accusation which they urge against mee vvherein they are stabled and myred at my first denyall You vvould not see him say they vvho made them so familiar vvith mine eye-sight or vvhen vvas the Earle vvithin my Equinas or vvho stood by vvhen I let him slip or vvhere are the tokens of my vvilfull hood-vvinking Oh but you sent him vvord to bevvare of you Who vvas the messenger vvhere are the letters convince my negative See hovv loosely this idle reason hangeth Desmond is not taken vvell vvee are in fault vvhy because you are vvho proves it no body What conjectures so it seemeth To vvhom to your enemies vvho tolde it them What other ground none Will they svveare it they vvill svveare it My Lords then belike they knovv it if they knovv it either they have my hand to shevv or can bring forth the messenger or vvere present at a conference or privy to Desmond or some body bevvrayed it to them or themselves vvere my carryers or vice-gerents therein vvhich of these parts vvill they choose I knovv them too vvell to reckon my selfe convict by their bare vvords or headlesse heare-sayes or franticke oathes my letter vvere soone read vvere any such vvryting extant my servaunts and friends are ready to bee sifted Of my cousin Desmond they may lye lewdly since no man can heere well tell the contrary Touching my selfe I never noted in them either so much wit or so much faith that I could have gaged upon their silence the life of a good hound much lesse mine owne I doubt not may it please your Honours to oppose them how they came to knowledge of these matters which they are so ready to depose but you shall finde their tongues chayned to another mans trencher and as it were Knights of the Post suborned to say sweare and stare the uttermost they can as those that passe not what they say nor with what face they say it so they say no truth But of another thing it grieveth me that your good grace whom I take to bee wise and sharpe and who of your owne blessed disposition wish me well should bee so farre gone in crediting those corrupt informers that abuse the ignorance of their state and countrey to my perill Little knovv you my Lord hovv necessary it is not onely for the governour but also for every Nobleman in Ireland to hamper his vincible neighbors at discretion vvherein if they vvayted for processe of Law and had not these lives and lands you speake of vvithin their reach they might hap to loose their ovvne lives and lands vvithout Lavv. You heare of a case as it vvere in a dreame and feele not the smart that vexeth us In England there is not a meane subject that dare extend his hand to fillip a Peere of the Realme In Ireland except the Lord have cunning to his strength and strength to save his ovvne and sufficient authoritie to racke theeves and varletts vvhen they stirre hee shall finde them svvarme so fast that it vvill bee too late to call for Iustice. If you vvill have our service take effect you must not tye us alvvayes to the Iudiciall proceedings vvherevvith your Realme thanked bee God is inured As touching my Kingdome my Lord I vvould you and I had exchanged Kingdomes but for one moneth I vvould trust to gather up more crummes in that space then tvvice the revenues of my poore Earledome but you are vvell and vvarme and so hold you and upbraide not me with such an odious storme I sleepe on a cabbin when you lye soft in your bed of downe I serve under the cope of heaven when you are served under a Canopy I drinke water out of a skull when you drinke wine out of golden Cuppes my courser is trained to the field when your Iennet is taught to amble when you are begraced and belorded and crowched and kneeled unto then I finde small grace with our Irish borderers except I cut them off by the knees At these girds the Councell would have smiled if they durst but each man bitt his lippe and held his countenance for howsoever some of them inclined to the Butler they all hated the Cardinall A man undoubtedly borne to honour
in the yeere 432 and lyeth buried at Loghry in Ormund where there is a Church dedicated to his name and he is numbred among the Confessors of Ireland And to second this fable with two precedent lies the which I should haue begun withall in the front of this History as all Irish Antiquaries doe but that I would not abuse the reader being purposed beginning and ending to deliuer the truth I read as followeth Whereas in the yeere of the world 1525 Noah began to admonish the people of vengeance to come by a generall deluge for the wickednesse and detestable sinne of man and continued his admonition 120 yeeres building an Arke for the safegard of himselfe and his family one Cesara say they according vnto others Cesarea a Neece of Noah when others seemed to neglect this forewarning rigging a navy committed her selfe with her adherents to the seas to seeke adventures and to avoid the plagues that were to fall there arrived in Ireland with her three men Bithi Laigria and Fintan and fifty women within forty dayes after her arrivall the universall flood came upon them and those parts as well as upon the rest of the world and drowned them all in which perplexity of minde and imminent danger beholding the waves overwhelming all things before their eyes Fintan is said to have beene transformed into a Salmon and to have swoome all the time of the deluge about Vlster and after the fall of the water recovering his former shape to have lived longer then Adam and to have delivered strange things to the posterity so that of him the common speech riseth If I had lived Fintans yeeres I could say much But to let these fables passe The next plantation after Bartholanus as it is recorded amongst the collections of Irish antiquities is this in effect that Magog the sonne of Iaphet planted Colonies in Scythia neere the river of Tanais from whence about the yeere of the world two thousand three hundred and seventeene one Nemedus with his foure sonnes Starius Garbaneles Anvinus and Fergusius Captains over great companies of armed men were sent into this Island now called Ireland And passing by Graecia tooke with them such voluntaries as were willing to adventure with them they landed inhabited the Country and multiplied exceedingly although not without continuall warres which they held with the Giants of Chams posterity for the space of two hundred yeeres and odde In the end the Giants prevailing chased them out of the land so that they retired into Scythia and some to Greece This was about the yeere after the creation 2333 from which time the Giants kept possession of the land without forraigne invasion for many yeeres but yet in all that space their mindes not being set upon any goodnesse but altogether upon mischiefe they made no good lawes framed no common wealth they obeyed no Magistrate but fell at variance amongst themselues measuring all things by might and seditiously vexed each other In the yeere of the world 2416 and after the universall flood 750 yeeres as the Scottish History declareth one Gathelus the sonne of Nealus a Grecian upon displeasure for sundry rodes made into Macedonia and Achaia being exiled and banished his countrey with a great number of his adherents and complices went into Aegypt in the dayes of Moses where he found favour in the sight of King Pharaoh insomuch that he married with Scota his daughter continued there about 93 yeeres and multiplied exceedingly Iohannes Major Scotus calleth the verity of this History in question de hac prima profectione de Graecia Aegypto figmentum reor I am of opinion saith hee that this first going out of Greece and Aegypt is but fayned yet let us goe forward When Gathelus understood that the land was shortly for the wickednesse of the people to suffer great plagues he prepared a fleet shipped Grecians and Aegyptians hoised up saile and came upon the coast of Numidia now called Barbary thence they were put back to sea they went and came to the coast of Spaine now called Portingall as they say since that time of him called Port-gathell The inhabitants of the place resisted them gave them a sore battell and in the end after parlie Gathelus was intreated and by them directed to take his voyage into Galitia which eftsoones he did There in a short time they waxed so populous that the countrey could not sustaine them whereupon Gathelus called a Councell and being resolved what to doe tooke a great number of them with him to sea and arrived in Ireland and there grew into such estimation with the barbarous people that for knowledge especially in all languages having travelled many Countreys as is afore mentioned he was highly honoured For he not only enriched and beautified the Irish tongue but also as is said taught them letters sought up their antiquities and trained their youth in warlike exercises after the manner of the Grecians and Aegyptians from whence he descended Note here gentle reader before I wade further into this History three contrary opinions of this Gathelus the sonne of Nealus The Scottish Historiographers say it was 750 yeeres after the flood Thomas Walsingham Monke of S. Albons writeth it was 1000 yeeres and odde after the delivery of the children of Israel out of Aegypt which must be anno mundi 3455 to wit one 1000 yeeres after the former computation calling him a noble man of Scythia whom the Aegyptians banished out of Aegypt Iohn Harding a great Antiquary that knew best in his time the state of Scotland delivereth that Gathelus and Scota came to these parts after the birth of Christ in anno 75. This I give as a caveat referring unto the discreet reader the dissonance that I finde in the observation of times to bee considered of promising to lay downe faithfully euery thing as I finde the same as shall appeare in that which followeth And now to the history where we left It is said that this Gathelus of his wife Scota commanded that his followers Grecians and Aegyptians should be called Scoti that is Scottishmen And Hector Boëtius in the History of Scotland sticketh not to write that upon his marriage with Scota the foresaid commandement was published and that his followers in Aegypt Barbary Portingall Galitia and over Spaine were called Scoti But how true that is it may appeare by the Roman Histories which haue noted the accidents of those times in all which there is no mention of the Scots before the time of Constantius the Emperour which was about the yeere of Christ 310 who lyeth buried at York and was father to Constantine the great Paulus lovius writeth Scotland tooke that name upon the comming of a forraine and no great ancient nation No Latine writer before Marcellinus in Iulian the Emperours time which was about the yeere 362 remembreth the Scots neither doth it well appeare out of what Country the Scots first came into Albion when as by the Annals not only
of English but of Scottish Antiquities varying among themselues great obscurity is brought among doubtfull things Some bring their originall from Ireland others from Dania Cimbrica Chersonesus and the Ilands of Gothland and Norwey neither wanted there some which were of opinion they came from Spaine deriving the name of Scottishmen from Moses himselfe and the Aegyptians as Hector Boëtius the Scottish Chronicler yet Hector himselfe preventing as it were the like objection confesseth that in the third yeere of Adrian the Emperor which was after the birth of Christ about 122 yeeres the name of Scots was not knowne unto the Romans In short time after the retinue of Gathelus searched the North-east and North-west Ilands and entred the Land which now is called Scotland so also called as the Scotish will have it of Scota But many grave writers have stumbled at the certainty of this story yet I finde for certaine that Ireland was called Scotia maior and the other Scotia minor and oftentimes confusedly the one taken for the other and the words to be of no great antiquity Capgrave in the life of Saint Columbanus saith Ireland of old was called Scotland from whence the Scottish nation inhabiting Albania next vnto great Britaine now called Scotland tooke their originall Fiacrius an Hermite being asked of a Bishop in France what hee was among other things answered Ireland the Iland of Scots is the native soile of mee and my parents It also appeareth by Orosius Claudian Isidore Hubaldus Beda the English Legend the Martyrologe secundum usum Sarum Marianus Ionas in vita Sancti Columbani Aimoinus Caesarius c. that Ireland and Scotland were usually taken one for the other But before I goe any further I thinke it not amisse to say som what to this word Scotus or Scottus the which Hector Boëtius carrieth away as derived of Scota and as thing granted There came to this Countrey of Ireland at three severall times before Gathelus great Commanders of Scythia as I have said before of the posterity of Iaphet planted themselues divided the land with great troubles and when they were at the worst alwayes they left a remnant of their nation behinde them Beda every where calleth them not Scotos but Scottos so that I finde in the word a double alteration y turned into o and th into tt Also in low Germany they call the Scythians and Scottish Schotten Nennius the Britain writeth Scythae Hiberniam obtinuerunt the Scythians gat Ireland King Alfredus translating the history of Orosius into the Saxon tongue termeth the Scots Scyttan The borderers upon Scotland cal them to this day Skyttes and Skets Walsingham writeth Of the country called Sicia alias Scythia wee haue Scita Sciticus Scoticus Scotus and Scotia Ranulphus Monke of Chester writeth as Sir Iohn Trevisa the Priest in old English laid it downe Scotts bene called as it were Scytes for they came out of Scytia Matthew Monk of Westminster saith Ex Pictis Hibernensibus Scoti originem habuerunt quasi ex diversis nationibus compacti Scot enim illud dicitur quòd ex diversis rebus in unum acervum congregatur deinde verò terra illa quae prius Albania dicebatur à Scotis Scotia nuncupatur anno gratiae 77. Of Pictes and Irish the Scots had their originall as it were compacted of divers nations for that is called Scot which of divers things is gathered into one heap afterwards that Land which was first called Albania of the Scots is called Scotia And Beda writeth that the Country now called Scotland was inhabited by Pictes that were Scythians againe In processe of time saith he Britaine besides Britaines and Pictes receiued a third nation that is of Scots upon the side of the Pictes Of the same opinion is Volateran and Iohannes Major Scotus although Hector Boëtius dissemble it Richard Stanihurst the great Philosopher and Antiquary of Ireland writeth A quo primum initio Scotiae nomen fit tractum nondum plane perspectum video c. Of what first originall the word Scotia is drawne I haue not yet found out And touching the truth of the History of Gathelus and Scota hee saith To the end the worthinesse of so great a mariage delivered unto the posterity should florish all these Grecians call themselues Scots and Ireland where they first seated themselues Scotiam But all this as a vaine fable George Buchanan and before him Humfrey Lloide have quite reiected and if Hector Boëtius bee not the chiefe forger of this history or rather vaine fable yet he hath besprinckled after his manner the whole discourse with lies With great ambition hath that silly writer labored to advance the glory of his nation in the which endeauour hee hath little regarded the honour of his Country and his owne credit For he hath purchased this amongst the learned that where as he would seeme to write all for the loue of the truth they will beleeue in a manner nothing to be true which he wrote For to what purpose should he commend to the posterity the acts of his ancestors with such maiesty of words that they have quailed the Spaniard vanquished the Irish with their only austere countenance triumphed as often as pleased themselves over the bordering Britaines where they pitched foot subiected all as furious victors that thou maist think the Scottish not so much to have invaded forraigne Countryes as to have removed to their proper possessions These fabulous dreames happely may move admiration to some old wives applause to some Abderas and laughter to the discreete reader The Scotish had as other nations tofore though now famous base beginning dusked and obscured with some barbarous rudenesse and this had beene more discretion to confesse then to vaunt or crake among the ignorant with boast of their fained doings Thus farre Stanihurst And now with Hector Boëtius his leave as the followers of Gathelus and his wife Scota in Egypt Greece Barbary Portugall Galitia and over all Spaine were not called Scoti as before is remembred no more were they termed in Ireland and Scotland but corruptly of Scytae Scoti comming originlly out of Scythia And it were more honour in mine opinion for these nations to derive their originall from Scythia then from Egypt for two causes first for that the Scythians are more ancient then the Egyptians as Trogus Volateran and Marianus Scotus do write secondly for that the Scythians come of Iaphet that was blessed and the Egyptians of Cham that was accursed but in this case leaving every man to his owne choice I will returne the History In the antiquities of Ireland it is generally receiued that Gathelus of whom I spake before gave the Irishmen the language which of him they call Gaodhealgh in British Gwidhealaec that is a language compounded of many tongues and so it may well be for by reason of his great trauell he had skill in many tongues Although as they say he were a Grecian borne yet I finde no
signifieth a skilfull archer And these Pictes brought with them the use of darts which the Irish retaine to this day But I come to Beda who goeth plaine to worke When the Britaines saith hee had possessed the greatest part of the Isle beginning at the South it happened that a nation of Pictes out of Scythia with long shippes yet not many entred the Ocean the winde driving them about beyond all the coast of Brittaine they came into Ireland and arived in the North and finding there the nation of Scots desired of them to grant them a dwelling place amongst them but they could not obtaine it c. The Scots made answere that the Iland could not hold them both but wee can give you said they good counsaile what you may doe We know another Island not farre from ours reaching to the East the which we are wont oft to discerne in cleare dayes if you will goe thither you may make it your dwelling place or if any withstand you take vs for your aide And so the Pictes sayling into Britaine began to inhabite the North parts of the Iland for the Britaine 's held the South And when the Pictes had no wives and sought them of the Scots they were granted them onely upon this condition that when the title of Soveraigntie became doubtfull they should choose them a King rather of the Feminine bloud royall then of the Masculine the which unto this day is observed amongst the Pictes And in processe of time Britaine after the Britaines and Picts received that third nation of the Scots upon that part where the Pictes had their habitation who issuing out of Ireland with their Captaine Reuda either by loue or by the sword have wonne peculiarly unto themselves those seats which they hold unto this day and of this their captaine they are called Dalreudin for in their language Dal signifieth apart And here I cannot but meruaile at Hector Boetius and Buchanan what confusion they bring into the historie without regard of the truth they name Beda they call Reuda Reuther and say that he was the sixt King of Albania and that the Britaine 's made him flee into Ireland and that in the end he was restored to his kingdome againe which can no way agree with the words of reverend Beda whose credit we may not impeach for he saith they were Scythians and wanted a dwelling place and beganne to inhabit the North parts of the Iland If Reuda were King of Albania no thanke to the Irish men to direct him thither But let us goe on with the Pictes I finde in Lanquet that the Pictes were rebellious an 9 of Arviragus Anno. Domini 53. And Polycronicon affircteth as Beda wrote before that they came to the North of Ireland in Vespasians time Stow saith it was in Anno 73. Matthew the Monke of Westminster in Anno 75. and 76. Leslaeus and Bozius write that Reuda came about the yeere 360. which is very doubtfull and that then the Pictes wanting wives desired of the Britaines that they might march with their nation their suit being denied they went to the Irish who granted them wives upon the condition in Beda before rehearsed And farther Giraldus Cambrensis Polycronicon and Grafton concurring doe say that Scotland was first called Albania of Albanactus secondly Pictlandia of the Pictes thirdly Hibernia Ireland because of the alliance or affinitie in marriage betweene the Pictes and Irish last of all Scotland or Scythians land And hereof it commeth to passe that Ireland is called Scotland and Scotland Ireland the Irish Scots and the Scots Irish as one hath largely collected and the distinction of Scotia Major and Scotia Minor Harding hath an historie out of Mewinus a Brittish Chronicler Harding lived in the time of Henry the fift and sixt and in the daies of Edward the fourth which if it be true all that is formerly spoken of Gathelus and Scota his wife by the Scottish and Irish Chroniclers is of small credit namely how that Gathelus and Scota came into these North parts together with the Pictes Anno Domini 75. his words are these speaking of the King of Britaine Then to the Peights left alive he gave Catenesse To dwell upon and have in heritage Which wedded were with Irish as I gesse Of which after Scots came on that linage For Scots be to say their language A collection of many into one Of which the Scots were called so anone But Mewinus the Bryton Chronicler Saith in his Chronicle otherwise That Gadelus and Scota in the yeere Of Christ seventie and five by assise At Stone inhabite as might suffice And of her name the country round about Scotland she cald that time without doubt This Scota was as Mewin saith the sage Daughter and bastard of King Pharao that day Whom Gadele wedded and in his old age Vnto a land he went where he inhabited ay Which yet of his name is called Gadelway And with the Peights he came into Albanie The yeere of Christ aforesaid openlie c. Polycronicon and Cambrensis accord with Harding in this point that the King gave the Pictes a place to dwell in which is now called Galleway And saith Ponticus Virunius it was desert and waste where none dwelled in many dayes before The credit of Harding is great and he that list to know farther of him let him reade Bale Bishop of Ossorie who wrote his life I will now neither confirme nor confute but acquainte the reader with such antiquities as I finde and in a word to adde something unto that which went before of the time of the Pictes comming into these North and North-west parts Florilegus writeth it was Anno Domini 77. Functius and Polydore Anno Dom. 87. To reconcile the dissonance what every one saith may stand for truth for they came in severall companies and at severall times some into Ireland some into Albania and some into England I will from henceforward leave writing the kingdome of Albania and write the kingdome of Scotland Anno Dom. 73. began Marius the sonne of Arviragus to raigne in Britaine Humfrey Lloide calleth him Meurig who after his troublesome warres for nine yeeres space against the Picts and Scots ended with the helpe of Iulius Agricola is said to have aspired towards Ireland and to have placed garrisons on the coast and to the end he might performe some exploite there entertained an Irish Prince that was driven out of his country by civill dissention for his conductor I finde no issue recorded of this businesse In the 15. yeeres civill warres which ensued vpon the death of Lucius the sonne of Coile King of Britaine it is reported that Fulgenius called the Ilanders Albanians Pictes and Irish men to his aide against whom Severus the Emperour comming from Rome gave them battaile neere unto Yorke where Severus and a Prince of Ireland were slaine and Fulgenius deadly wounded the Emperour Severus
calling for a cup of wine was answered that there stood a bowle of wine upon the table he forgetting that he had formerly washed therein dranke it up insomuch that the standers by said What fellow is this more like a brute beast then a man that drinketh his owne bloud and eateth his owne flesh Gillemore hearing this tooke it to heart notwithstanding dissembling his griefe and anger the next night conveyed himselfe away and submitting himselfe to his father delivered unto him the state of the strangers which turned to their great disadvantage and hinderance Shortly after the day of battaile was appointed where the strangers were overthrowne and as they say seven score thousand men slaine The Irish had supplies and extraordinary meanes at home the strangers could not come by it the Irish plaid with them at all advantages the woods and the bogs defended them as occasion served This battaile with the preambles and circumstances continued one whole yeere the strangers had no shipping to flee unto for succour the ground was unknowne unto them their lodging and fare was cold hard and scant so as their hardinesse could not hold out their end was lamentable and the honour was bequeathed to the Irish nation The Princes of Ireland having thus with great successe foiled their enemies delivered their people from utter overthrow and quieted the land rested themselves a while Afterward partly for recompence of good service and partly for safegard of the land appointed the Danes whom they had formerly hired who also unto that time had served them truely over the whole land to prevent forraigne invasion forewarned by the field of Fentra and the former attempts these Commanders with their particular places of command I thought good to impart to the courteous reader Osker Mac Oshen Mac Fin with his Souldiers kept the haven of Dublin Fian Mac Fenrasse kept the Winde-gates Wony Etagh Mac Cas Foule kept Wicklo Creyon Mac Wony kept Arcklow Eye Onagh Mac Kellenkas kept Weixford Dono Mac Kayder kept Rosse Fellum Mac Eye Keyge kept Dungarvan Bresell Mac Eydow kept O Keylle Gaero Mac Doheyere kept Corke Ollen Aye Nyarg Mac Bressell kept Kynsale Collo Mac Keilt kept Dingle Koysse Con Keor Mac Bren Mac Foyll kept Fentra Osker Mac Cromkeyn kept Trallie Don Dowe Mac Reymowre being a King over the sept of Fin Mac Koyle kept Lymnagh that is Limericke Eye Boge Mac Fin kept Inyskagh Coll Kroytt kept Corke Vaysken Eye Mac Sroy kept Canborne Eye clone Drylinge kept Donrys Oveyragh Bressell Mac Eye Begge kept Galloway Deyre Dovenagh Magher Morne kept Inysbresyn Eye O row Mac Fin kept Kleere Collow Daver kept small Iland Enos Dayrk kept Koymaghtbe Enos Maygh Ercoipie kept Galley Feartagh Mac Ferolagh kept Moyc Low Magh Mac Karbren kept Sligo Smerger Drought kept Bondroys Keyll Croagh Kede Gonagh O Navnyd Assero Brasell Mac Doyer kept Donagall Mogh Small Mac Smoyll kept Fanyd Eey Mac Kehow kept Loughfoyle Darawryd Rowrer kept Bonban Sperenagh Claw kept Knockfergus Magh love kept Ardolloe Donogh Mac Dermotte Evne kept Ardglas Art Oge Mac Morne kept Dondorme Eye Mac Carra Meyke Morne kept Carlingford Flaas Fere Leyfroke Greffey Fin Mac Koyll kept Don dalke Rey ne Roysklaygh Mac Fin Mac Koyll kept Drogheda Shealvagh Mac Dermotte Doyn kept Gormanston Covuloe Mac Wowdyrge kept Irelands eye Derlleys Mac Dovgar kept Howth These were the chiefe Commanders by direction from Fin Mac Koyll who tooke farther order that Beacons should be set up in sundry places of the land where in time of danger they might have direction for reliefe and draw to a head for their defence which order continued unto the field of Kaghcaro otherwise called Ardkagh or Ardkath the occasion whereof was as followeth In the time of Karbre Lifeacher Monarch of Ireland the Danish Captaines with their bands and garrisons waxed insolent and outragious they weighed not what Prince or people said they grew strong and rich not caring what they did they brought vp fond customes of their owne devising oppressing the people and disdaining the gentle admonitions of the Kings and Nobilitie of the land Among themselves they decreed that no Maid should marry without their license that none should hunt the Hare Otter Foxe Wolfe Marterne or Deare but should pay them what they pleased to rate it at and that none should use any other pastime without their privitie The Kings and Nobilitie of the land called a Parliament endevouring to reforme these abuses charging them to surcease from their outrages or to leave the land The Danes answered that they came in with the sword held by the sword and with the sword they would be driven away The day of battaile was appointed to be fought at Amaghery Ongallin now called Margallin in Westmeath though the field be called Ardkagh which is by interpretation a set field The Danes sent to Denmarke intimating their griefe and lamentable estate craving aide of the King and that he would be pleased to send his sonne to be their Generall who according to their request shortly after landed with tenne thousand stalworth souldiers so the old phrase runneth and they comming together made up twenty and eight thousand and seven hundred The Kings of Ireland with their forces were threescore and five thousand The Danes or Norwegians being valiant and venterous hastened to the battaile at the day appointed The Kings in like sort with their forces hearing that their enemies approched set themselves in battaile array and came to a place where they all kissed the ground readie to dye one with another and gave after their manner such a crie as if heauen and earth met together and therewith somewhat amazed their enemies so that the place to this day is called Balle-Nangartha in English Garrestowne The strangers placed themselves on the South-west side of the hill that the forces of the Kings being on the other side somewhat beneath them might not easilie discrie their Armie they appointed their worst men for their Rereward that seeing the Voward valiantly encountring and prevailing they might thereby be the more encouraged They placed their rascals on their jades nagges and labouring garrons on the top of an hill where at this day is a little Mote in remembrance thereof giuing them in charge that when the forces of the land espied them and drew neere they should retire to the maine battaile for refuge and succour they hoped by these meanes that the Kings when they saw so great a company flee would breake their order and array to pursue them and so lay themselves open to utter ouerthrow and then was their intent to have made the King of Denmarkes sonne King of the land and to have enioyed the Realme to them and their posteritie for euer The Kings of Ireland being seven in number tracing a while on the top of an hill which therefore was called after that the hill of Trase now Hol-trase divided themselves into two battailes
Barret Edmund Lane Who flourished in the yeere 1518. So farre Master Stanihurst Hector Boetius putteth us in remembrance of the honour given her by Scots Pictes Irish and English nations and how that many Churches beare her name The superstitious Irish in processe of time found out a Bell called Clogg Brietta Brigids Bell whereunto to deceive the simple people they attribute great vertue and holinesse the which together with other toyes they carried about not onely in Ireland but also in England and were by Act of Parliament in England banished the land in Henry the fifts time Cambrensis reporteth that the harmonie of the foure Evangelists the worke of Saint Ierome was caused by Brigid most of it to be written in letters of gold and was as curious a worke saith he as ever I saw and called Brigids Booke the which was kept as a monument saith Stanihurst at Kildare She deceased about the yeere 510. another saith anno 548. and about the yeere 524. she was translated from the Hebrides into Dune and resteth by Saint Patrickes side as formerly hath beene declared in his life Ireland hath given her this Epitaph Flos patriae pietatis amans virtutis alumna Sidus Hibernorum Brigida virgo fuit In her Legend I finde mention of Ercus a Bishop the disciple of Saint Patricke borne in Mounster also of Saint Ruanus a Bishop Saint Numidus Saint Praecipuus Saint Daria a Virgin Saint Darlugdach called a Virgin and yet had a daughter that was baptized in the presence of Brigide This Darlugdach was the second Nunne and succeeded Brigide in Kildare whose remembrance is celebrated the same day with her Illand King of Leinster gave Brigide great honour of him I read in her Legend that hee was a most worthy Prince and fortunate in all his affaires Illand Rex Lageniae qui triginta bella in Hibernia vicit octo certamina in Britannia occidit Engusium regem Momoniae cum Ethna uxore quos Patricius baptizavit Illand King of Leinster who wonne thirty battailes in Ireland and eight combats in Britaine slue Engusus King of Mounster and Ethna his wife whom Patricke had baptized About this time lived Caelius Sedulius whom Damianus à Goes a Knight of Portingall challenged for a Spaniard Bale writeth hee was a Scot and Stanihurst that he was borne in Ireland I will first lay downe what Bale hath next what Stanihurst reporteth Caelius Sedulius saith Bale by nation a Scot. by calling a Priest a man trayned up in learning from his youth cleaved as a diligent scholler unto Hildebert the most learned Archbishop of Scots as Tritemius delivereth After the decease of his master being desirous of farther knowledge he tooke a painefull voyage in hand travailed throughout Spain France Italie Greece and Asia last of all after he had read in Achaia most learned lectures to the great profit of many hee came backe to Rome where with great labour he distributed most abundantly in like sort the treasure of singular learning Hee was a man exercised in holy Scripture of a singular wit excellently well seene in all manner of secular literature passing both for verse and prose so that Gelasius Bishop of Rome in the decrees dist 15. calleth him reverend Sedulius and gave his workes no meane commendation Patâ—rius the disciple of Gregorius Magnus and Remigius Antisiodorensis in his commentary upon him of old have published his fame and renowne Sedulius both in verse and prose hath published many workes whereof in Boston of Burie and Tritemius I onely found these that follow Vnto Macedonius the Priest a singular worke which he intituled Carmen paschale lib. 4 Pascales quicunque dapes conviva requiris Elegia vel exhortatorium ad fideles lib. 1 Cantemus socij Dom. cantemus honorem De signis virtutibus lib. 1 Domino meo charissimo Gesta et miracula Christi lib. 4 Expulerat quondam c Superutroque testamento lib. 2  In Psalmos Dividicos lib. 1  Collectanea in Paulum lib. 14 Antequam Apostolica verba In Paulum ad Romanos lib. 1 Sciendum est quod hoc Ad Corinthios lib. 2 Quod nomen suum proponit Ad Galatas lib. 1 Hoc est non ab humana Ad Ephesios lib. 1 Refere scriptura testante Ad Philippenses lib. 1 Metropoli Macedoniae cum Ad Colossenses lib. 1 Hac vice Apostolatus autor Ad Thessalonicenses lib. 2 Quod non dicit Apostolus Ad Timotheum lib. 2 Non secundum praesumptionem Ad Titum Discipulum lib. 1 Hanc epistolam scribit de Ad Philemonem lib. 1 In carcere vel in catenis Ad Hebraeos lib. 1 Quoniam apud Haebraeorum De factis Christi prosaice lib. 2  Ad Caesarem TheodosiuÌ„ lib. 1 Romulidum ductor Clariss Epist. ad diversos lib. 1 Sedulius Scotigena dilect In editionem Donati lib. 1  In Prisciani volumen lib. 1  Carmina diversi generis lib. 1  He published also certaine Hymnes which the Church useth 1 A solis ortus cardine Ad usque terrae limitem Christum canamus principem c. Hostis Herodes impie Christum venisse quid times c. 2 A solis ortus cardine Ad usque terrae limitem Christum canamus principem c. Hostis Herodes impie Christum venisse quid times c. He flourished in the yeere after the Incarnation 450. under Theodosius Iunior the Emperour what time Fergusius the second raigned in Scotland after his miserable exile by the Romanes Of this Author Sigebertus and Bostonus write more So farre Bale Stanihurst pleadeth for Ireland and writeth Sedulius was not only of Irish birth but also the light of all Ireland neither will we suffer any longer so excellent a man out of his native soile contrary to all right to exile or wander but he is rather to be restored to his former inheritance as it were with a new solemnity of birth In another place hee seemeth to qualifie the matter having already chalenged Damianus a Goes of iniurie and to reconcile the dissonance of varying writers that the Scottish is taken for the Irish and the Irish for the Scottish and to satisfie the reader noteth the confusion how that all the commentaries of Sedulius upon the Epistles of Paul beginne Sedulij Scoti Hibernensis c. the Commentarie of Sedulius the Scot of Ireland And to shut up this challenge of all sides I finde that there was a second Sedulius a man of no lesse fame and learning and hee is said to bee a Scottish man therefore let Ireland being more antient then Scotland take the first and Scotland the last In the like sort excepting the challenge standeth Fridelinus Viator so called by reason of his great travaile his stile is Scotorum Hibernicorum regis olim filius the sonne sometime of the King of the Scots in Ireland whom I couch among them of Irish birth because of the ancient stile and distinction often used
by Buchanan Scoti Albanenses and Scoti Hibernenses the first he challengeth for Scotland the second he referreth to Ireland and therefore I accept of him as granted He was a Kings sonne of Ireland excellently studied in Philosophie earnestly addicted to the ecclesiasticall course of life and to the end he might plant religion and spreade abroad christianitie enterprised a voyage farre from his native soile This holy man first of all taught here and there throughout France he came to Poitiers and became father of the Monkes of Saint Hilarie and with the aide of King Clodovarus erected a stately Monasterie the like he did at Mosella in Flanders upon the top of the mount Vosagius at Argentine Curia Rhetiorum and elsewhere throughout Burgundie Lastly he came to Angia Seckingensis upon the Rhene to the end he might there also build a Cell after many godly Sermons and learned Interpretations he is said to have written a Booke of exhortations unto the sacred Virgins He flourished in the yeere 495. and resteth in the Monasterie of Seckinge before spoken of Ireland remembreth the feast of Saint Fekin that hee was of the Kings bloud and an Abbot cured many of the flixe or fluxe and dyed thereof himselfe Many things are written of Saint Modwen whom the Britaines call Mawdwen the daughter of Naughtheus the Irish King who heard Saint Patricke preach and of her companions Orbila Luge Edith Athea Lazara Sith whom the Irish call Osith Osmanna and of Brigid spoken of before whereof some began with Patricke and ended with him some began with him and lived many yeeres after as Capgrave writeth in the life of Modwen to the time of the Bishop Collumkill otherwise called Colme and Columba and the Eremite Abbot or Bishop Kevin Saint Modwen was a Nunne lived 130. yeeres The Irish Scots and English in which countries she had travailed strove for her corps at length Columkill the Bishop gave sentence for England where shee resteth at Andreisey Bale writeth how that one Galfride Abbot of Burton upon Trent in the time of King Iohn wrote the life and memorable acts of this Irish Virgin Modwen unto the posterity with great applause Capgrave writeth the life of Saint Sith otherwise called Osith that was brought up under Modwen that she was a Kings daughter and borne in England Leppeloo the Carthusian and other forraigne Writers say little of her saving that the Danes being Heathens cut off her head and that shee tooke her head in her armes carried it uprightly three furlongs off knockt at the Church doore being lockt with her bloudy hands and there fell downe The Martyrologe of Sarum confoundeth Dorothy and Saint Sith thus the 15. of Ianuarie the feast of Saint Dorothie otherwise called Saint Sith is kept in Ireland who refused marriage fled into a Monasterie where the devill appeared unto her and there mine Author left her Of Osmanna the Virgin I finde little saving what Capgrave reporteth that she was of the bloud royall in Ireland and having infidels to her parents fled into France dwelled upon the banke of Loire the river of Lions and there in peace ended her dayes I read that about this time one Tathe the sonne of an Irish King forsooke his fathers possessions went to the Diocesse of Landaffe in Wales and became a Monke builded a Monasterie and there left his bones Gualterus Calenius Archdeacon of Oxford Caxton and others doe write that Aurelius Ambrosius after his valiant exploits and noble victories went to a Monasterie neere Cair-caredoch now called Salisburie where through the treason of Hengist which the Britaines call Toill y Killill Hirion the treason of the long knives the Nobles and Princes of Britaine were slaine and buried called his Councell and demanded what monument were meete to be made there in remembrance of so many Nobles of the land there resting in the dust of the earth Carpenters Masons Carvers Ingravers and Tombe-makers being out of all places sent for came thither delivered their opinions but concluded nothing Then stepped forth a Bishop which said O King if it may stand with your pleasure there is one Merlin of Worcester a Prophet a searcher of Antiquities a man of rare gifts I wish his opinion in the matter Merlin came and being advised said as followeth Most Noble King upon occasion offered I went lately into Ireland and having ended my businesse I was inquisitive of antiquities and sight of monuments where among other things being brought to a mountaine of Kildare I saw so rare a sight in so rude a country as might bee seene there was a round row of huge stones the which none of this age had so framed neither could be unlesse Art had mastered the common skill of man send for them and set them vp as they are there couched and they will bee a monument whilst the world standeth Hereat the King smiled and said how shall we convey so great stones into Britaine from so farre a countrey and to what end as though Britaine yeelded not as good stones to all purposes Merlin replied be not displeased O King there is a hid mystery in those stones they are medicinable and as I was given to understand in Ireland the Gyants of old dwelling in that land procured them from the farthest part of Affricke and pitched them there in them they bathed themselves and were rid of their infirmities The Britaines hearing this were perswaded to send for them the King appointed his brother Vter-Pendragon with Merlin and fifteene thousand men to effect the businesse In a short time they arrived in Ireland Gillomer King of Leinster raised an Armie to resist them and reviled the Britaines saying what fooles and asses are you are the Irish better then the British stones and turning himselfe to his Armie said come on quit your selves like men keepe your monuments and defend your country Vter-Pendragon seeing this animated his company they met and manfully encountred in the end Gillomer fled and the Irish were discomfited Vter-Pendragon marched on they came by Merlins direction to the place and beholding the hugenesse of the stones they wondred yet they joyed that they had found them To worke they went some with Ropes some with Wythes some with Ladders and carried them away brought them to Britaine and pitched them in the Plaine of Salisburie which place is now called Stonehenge Beside this there are divers monuments of Gyants in Ireland as at Dundalke Louth Ardee and on the hilles not farre from the Naas the like Saxo Grammaticus reporteth of the Danes a nation famous for Gyants and mighty men and this saith he the great and huge stones laid of old upon Caves and Tombes of the dead doe declare About this time Passent the sonne of Vortiger that fled into Germany for aide arrived in the North parts Aurelius Ambrosius met him and put him to flight Passent came into Ireland delivered his griefe unto Gillomer King of
dayes Satan with all the internall spirits sent greeting with great thankes unto the Ecclesiasticall state upon earth in dreadfull characters For that they wanting no aide in their delights from hellish places sent such a number of damned soules into the sulphureall pits through their remisnesse in life and slacknesse in preaching as in former ages had not beene seene Whosoever devised the course it forceth not greatly the matter might seeme odious if it contained no truth Finnan in Wales as my Authors report called Gwyn was born at Ardez he travelled forraigne countries came to his native soile was Bishop of Farne saith Beda baptized Penda King of Mercia consecrated Cedd Bishop of East Saxons and lyeth buried at Cuningham in Scotland called of the Britaines Kilgwinin There was also one Finan an Abbot borne in Mounster sent by Saint Brendan to Smoir now called Mons Blandina to inhabite there who came afterwards to Corcodizbue where hee was borne builded Cels and Monasteries for religious men contended with Falbe Fland King of Mounster A third Finan there was who was master of Ruadanus a great learned man and dwelt at Cluayn jarhaird in Meath Colmannus whose life Bale writeth at large was a godly learned man borne in Ireland the sonne of one Fiachra of the bloud Royall and highly commended of Beda hee was brought up after the Apostolike rules of Congellus he succeeded Finan in the Bishopricke of Farne alias Linsey In his time there was great stirre about the observation of Easter when some alledged custome and some urged the authoritie of Rome he pleaded the Gospell both against this stir and the like trouble that rose about the shaving of Priests crownes the which he reiected saith Beda and seeing that he could not prevaile forsooke his Bishopricke and went with certaine Scots and Saxons into the Hebrydes where he ended his dayes Beda writeth how that in the yeere 664. there fell strange accidents upon the eclipse of the Sunne which was the third of May in England and Ireland and a great mortalitie in both lands in the time of Finan and Colman the godly Bishops Gentle reader thou shalt heare himselfe speake The plague pressed sore that Iland of Ireland no lesse then England there were then as that time many of noble parentage and likewise of the meane sort of English birth in the dayes of Finan and Colman the Bishops who leaving their native soile had repaired thither either for divine literature or for more continencie of life whereof some immediately gave themselves to monasticall conversation others frequenting the Cels gave diligent eare to the lectures of the readers All which the Scots he meaneth the Irish men with most willing minde daily relieved and that freely yeelding unto them bookes to reade and masterly care without hire Among these there were two young men of great towardnesse of the Nobles of England Edelthun and Egbert the first was brother to Edilhun a man beloved of God who formerly had visited Ireland for learnings sake and being well instructed returned into his country was made Bishop of Lindisfarne and for a long time governed the Church with great discretion These men being of the monasterie of Rathmelfig and all their fellowes by the mortalitie either cut off or dispersed abroad were both visited with the sicknesse and to make short that which mine Author layeth downe at large Edelthun died thereof and Egbert lived untill he was fourescore and tenne yeeres old So farre Beda There was another Colmannus otherwise called Colmanellus an Abbot of the sept of the Neilles borne in Hoichle in Meth what time the King of Leinster with an huge armie wasted the North he became first Abbot of Conor in Vlster where the godly Bishop Mac Cnessey resteth From thence he came to the place where he was born and there saith his Legend he met with Eadus the sonne of Aimireach a King of Ireland Edus Flan a Lord of that country of the sept of the Neills his kinsman Saint Columba Cylle and Saint Cannicus the Abbot who received him ioyfully Edus Flan gave him a parcell of land to build upon and to inhabit called Fyd Elo afterwards called Colmans Elo where hee founded a Monasterie and now resteth himselfe Carantocus in the martyrologe Cartak was the sonne of Keredicus a King of Ireland a good Preacher the Irish called him Ceruagh his mother was a Britaine and was delivered of him in Wales Hee travailed over Ireland and Britaine King Arthur is said to have honoured him greatly and gave him a parcell of land where he builded a Church In his latter dayes he came to Ireland and died in a towne called after his name Chervac So much Capgrave There was another of that name an Abbot in France of whom Ionas maketh mention in the life of Columbanus but not of Irish birth Now to intermit a while from speaking of these learned men I finde that Aurelius Conanus who slue Constantine that succeeded King Arthur and raigned in his stead thirty three yeeres valiantly by force of Armes brought under his command as Gualterus Oxoniensis writeth Norwey Denmarke Ireland Island Gothland the Orchades and Ocean Ilands I finde also that Malgo the nephew of this Conanus who as it is in the English history succeeded Vortipore vanquished the Irish Pictes or Scots which the Britaines called y Gwydhil Pictiard which had over-runne the Isle of Man of them called Tyr Mon and slue Serigi their King with his owne hand at Llany Gwydhil that is the Irish Church at Holy-head so write Sir Iohn Price Knight and Humfry Lloyd in the description of Cambria Florilegus saith that he subdued sixe Ilands of the Ocean adioyning unto him which Harding thus reckoneth And conquered wholy the Isle of Orkenay Ireland Denmarke Iselond and eke Norway And Gotland also obeyed his royaltie He was so wise full of fortunitie When Careticus was King of Britaine who began his raigne Anno Dom. 586. the Saxons intending to make a full conquest of the land called to their aide for a number of Pirates and sea rovers that were mighty and strong and scoured the Seas and the Ilands whose Captaine was Gurmundus one calleth him an African Fabian writeth that he had two names and was called Gurmundus and Africanus howsoever I finde that hee was the King of Norweys sonne and for his successe in England referre the reader to that historie and for his behaviour in Ireland I will acquaint the courteous reader with what I finde in which the Writers noâ— not agree Cambrensis and Polycronicon followed bad presidents and were deceived Stanihurst stammereth writing one thing in English another thing in Latine the best record I finde is in Thadie Dowlinge Chancellour of Leighlin and Iames Grace of Kilkenny They write that Gurmund was in Ireland but no King or Conquerour that with strong hand he entred Leinster like a raging
685. was Cadwallader crowned King of Britaines that Ireland was subiect unto him Harding testifieth his words are Cadwaladrus after him gan succeed Both young and faire in florishing invent That Cadwallader was called as I reade Who of Britaine had all the Soveraigntie Of English and Saxons in each country Of Pightes Irish and Scots his under regence As Soveraigne Lord and most of excellence For other things that concerne him I referre the reader to the historie of England He had two nephewes his daughters sonnes named Ivâ—r and Heuyr who fled into Ireland saith Powell and when they saw their time came with forces against the Saxons gave them three battailes with many skirmishes and inrodes yet in the end were foiled as in the proper historie more at large appeareth And here ended the rule of the Britaines which had long continued I must now acquaint the reader with such as for learning and sanctitie were of note during this age beginning at the yeere 600. Zacharias Lippeloo out of Petrus Cameracensis writeth that about this yeere 600. there was an heathenish and idolatrous King in Ireland who had one Dympna to his daughter who secretly was baptized by one Gerebernus a Priest that travailed the land for such purposes The daughter being sole heire and her mother being now dead the father was very carefull to see her well matched according to his degree and accordingly acquainted his dearest friends and counsellers with his intent and purpose who likewise travailed carefully in the cause but could not speed to the fathers contentment As shee grew in yeeres so she excelled in beautie and the father being as wicked as she was good and faire became enamoured of his owne daughter and importunately offered her marriage Shee at the first being amazed at the motion yet at length gathering spirit desired respite for forty dayes and withall desired that it would please him to adorne her with such attire jewels and ornaments as became a Kings daughter to weare all which being granted she privately sent for Gerebernus the Priest and acquainted him with all the circumstances The Priest advised her that the safest way for her to avoid the incestuous King was to avoid the land shee immediately with the Priest together with her fathers Iester and his wife tooke shipping and arrived at Antverp When they had rested there a while and recreated themselves they of devotion saith mine Author sought out among woods and desarts a solitarie place to remaine in this resolution they came to a poore village called Ghele Gela saith Molanus and from thence they went to a thicket called Zammale where they rid some small quantity of ground made a Caban to hold them all foure where they continued well some three moneths praying and fasting In the meane while the Irish King missing his daughter Dympna lamented greatly made great inquirie and offered great rewards to know what became of her and having gotten inkling of her course hoised up saile after her and landed at Antverp immediately hee made search and sent messengers with large offers about if haply they might heare of her At the length by the coyne which they offered for reward she was found out for they said there was a faire young woman remaining in a solitary place which had sent for reliefe for her selfe and three persons more with the like coyne The messengers were brought to the place who knowing her ranne forthwith with newes to the King and he with much ioy made haste to the Caban and when he saw her said O my onely daughter Dympna my love my delight and the ioy of my heart what constrained thee to despise a regall dignity to forsake thy native soile to forget the naturall affection of a Childe toward her Parent to flee from thy father a King and to follow as a childe this old decrepit bald Priest and so willingly to condescend to his unsavorie injunctions hearken to mine advice returne with me into Ireland yeeld to thy fathers desire and I will advance thee above all the Ladies in Ireland Gerebernus the Priest preventing the young Gentlewoman turned him to the Irish King and rebuked him sharpely denouncing him for a most wicked and abhominable person then he turned him to the Gentlewoman and charged her never to give eare to so lewd a man With this the King and his company being mightily moved commanded the Priest to be taken aside and his head to be taken off his shoulders Afterward the father turned him to his daughter O daughter saith he why sufferest thou mee thy father to bee thus vexed why contemnest thou my love towards thee yeeld and thou shalt want nothing Shee with a sterne countenance made answer Thou infortunate tyrant why goest thou about with deceitfull promises to withdraw me from my setled purpose of shamefastnesse I defie thee and all thine Thou cruell tyrant why hast thou slaine the Lords Priest shalt thou escape thinkest thou the iudgement of the Almighty what torture thou wilt lay upon me I weigh not with this the father being furiously moved commanded his souldiers to cut off her head and they being loath to doe it he tooke the sword that hung by his side and with his own hands strucke off her head and with expedition returned into Ireland Thus the Priest and Dympna died of the Iester and his wife I reade nothing belike they returned home againe Molanus writeth that many yeeres after the bodies of Dympna and Gerebernus were sought ouâ— taken up and solemnly enterred The Irish in the County of Louth doe honour her belike her father dwelt there Saint Bertwin an Irish man was brought up in the Monasterie of Othbell in England from thence he went to Rome where hee led a solitarie life the space of two yeeres in his returne he came to the Forrest of Marlignia in Flanders where he builded a Chappell lastly he was made Bishop of Molania where he ended his dayes Sigebert ad an 651. writeth Many out of Eng or Scot. he knew not well the countries as strangers travailing in France preached the word of God and did much good to wit Etto Bertwinus Eloquius This Bertwin lyeth buried nigh Namurcum saith Molanus of old called Namur novus murus but now Namurra so writeth Hubertus Thomas Leodius Livinus borne in Ireland and brought up in Scotland and England under Benignus the Priest and Augustine the first Bishop of the Saxons by whom he was made Archbishop saith Molanus of the Scots saith Christianus Massaeus of Ireland saith Bale Silvestris Scotiae of the Ilanders and Red-shanckes the which charge after certaine yeeres he committed to Sylvanus his Arch-deacon and gave himselfe to travaile and tooke with him his three disciples Saint Foillanus Helias and Kilian and came to Gandavum Of him Christianus Massaeus writeth thus In the yeere of our Lord 631. Saint Livinus by nation a Scot Archbishop of Ireland came to Gandavum with three disciples and remained
mentioned came the more willingly out of Ireland unto us Trithemius reporteth of this time in this sort There were many Monasteries of Irish men in Germanie Herbipolis and other places but when their zeale waxed cold and that they fell to remisse and dissolute life they were expulsed and their habitation became waste and desolate Saint Chilian otherwise written Kilian whom Bale calleth a Scot Surius Baronius and Lippeloo write that hee was an Irish man of Noble Parentage Molanus writeth in Hibernia regio sanguine procreatus that he was begotten in Ireland of royall bloud another saith he was a Kings base sonne This man became a Monke went to Rome together with Colman a Priest and Totnan a Deacon of the same country birth in the time of Conon Bishop of Rome about the yeere 687. to sue unto the Bishop there that Ireland might be released of the curse that was denounced against the land and the inhabitants thereof for the Pelagian heresie Molanus writeth that he served in Saint Peters Church in Rome eleven yeeres but he was directed another course for he was consecrated Bishop of Herbipolis in the East parts of France and together with his fellowes sent away There they converted Gosbert a French Duke which had married one Geila his brothers wife It is Iohn Baptists case he rebuked him for it and shee hearing thereof sent certaine lewd persons in the night which murthered them all three and privily buried them lest so horrible a fact should come to light but God that will have no such villany concealed brought it out the tormentors became madde and confessed the whole Beda in his Martyrologe reporteth how that at Wirciburge in Austria the birth day of Kilian the Martyr and his two companions is solemnly kept the eight of Iuly Molanus saith that in his travaile he met with Saint Fiacre sometime his fathers servant but he following carefully his direction staid not with him but passed on in his iourney This Saint Fiacre saith the Martyrologe was base sonne of some King in Ireland went into France and became an heremite there are small remembrances of him in Surius and Lippeloo saving that for a womans sake which called him a Witch Sorcerer and Inchanter hee commanded that no woman should put foot into his Cloister and if any should doe so he prayed that God would lay some plague upon her to try this a woman sent her maide to take the ayre of the Cloyster but she tooke no harme upon a second tryall a fairer then she presumed so farre that her shinne her knee and her thigh saith mine Author and some parts above tooke swelling and that went for a punishment In an antient manuscript Legend of the life of Congellus or Congallus I finde that Saint Fiacre returned into Ireland and became Abbot of Airard in Leinster upon the river of Berba now called the Barrow in the Barony of Odrone and that he went to the Abbey of Beanchor in Vlster to visite Congellus at whose hands Congellus received the Sacrament and gave up the Ghost There also it is further alledged that this Fiacre builded a Monasterie in Leinster in the honour of Saint Congellus The martyrologe aforesaid remembreth Saint Cataldus a Bishop Saint Finan an Abbot Saint Sacodine a Virgin who forsooke her husband and entred religion to have lived then and how that Indrake a King of Ireland forsooke his royaltie went to Rome with his sister Dominica led a private life and died beggers Capgrave calleth him Indraktus saying that he was a Kings sonne and tooke with him beside his sister nine persons more About this time saith Capgrave one Muriardachus Monarch of Ireland together with his wife Sabina lived in the true faith and feare of God who being mighty and wise commanded in good sort all the Princes of the land In this his good successe and peaceable governement he was envied so that a petite King his neighbour came upon him in the night murthered him with his Queene and all his familie excepting one daughter whose life hee saved for her beauties sake This cruell tyrant after assaulted this faire Gentlewoman to his filthy lust and when with faire perswasions he could not prevaile at length by force he oppressed her so that shee conceived and bare him a sonne called at the time of his baptisme Milluhoc but afterwards Cuthbert This Cuthbert being borne as my Author writeth at Kilmacrodrike some three miles from Dublin his mother tooke him to Scotland to her two brethren Meldan and Eatan that were Bishops From thence hee went into the North parts of England and was brought up among the holy Monkes of those dayes in the Monasterie of Mailros under the Abbot Boisilius whom he succeeded in the same Monasterie Anno 651. And Anno 676. he went to the I le Farne which was uninhabited and continued there nine yeeres building teaching and preaching and as Beda writing his life delivereth working in harvest time with his owne hands The fame of his vertues and holinesse went farre abroad so that Egfride King of the Northumbers made him Bishop of Lindesfarne to which dignitie hee was consecrated at Yorke by Theodorus the Archbishop Anno 685. In his time the aforesaid Egfride sent Brith with a great host into Ireland to be revenged of them for that he was given to understand they had aided his enemies against him these Saxons over-ranne the land killing burning and spoyling they spared neither Church nor Monasterie so writeth Beda Berthus vastavit miserè gentē innoxā nationi Anglorum semper amicissimam Berthus pittifully spoiled this harmelesse people who alwaies most kindely affected the English nation Cuthbert reproved him for it and the Ilanders cried unto the heavens and prayed God to avenge their cause Beda reporteth farther how that he bent his forces afterwards against the Pictes and Scots and would not be advised by Cuthbert and Egbert and that his bloudy course had no good successe and that then Egfride the glory of the Saxons began to decay the which Florilegus attributeth to the crie of the Irish and the courage of the Pictes and Scots and Britaines In his time saith Carodoc it rained bloud in Britaine and Ireland the Milke likewise and the Butter turned to the colour of bloud and the Moone appeared all bloudie Cuthbert when he had beene Bishop two yeeres forsooke his Bishopricke and went to the I le Farne where hee led an hermites life and left the world Anno Dom. 687. It is written of him that he forbade his Monkes and Priests the company of women and that they should not come within any Cloyster for that the devill appeared unto him in his Church in the shape of a woman most faire and beautifull Yet I finde that he conversed much with Ebba and Verca and with Elfleda King Egfrides sister and repaired oft to their Nunneries did eate and drinke with them and sent Elfleda a linnen
speake of that time naturally given to idlenesse would not sulcate the seas neither give themselves to merchandise so that by one consent of the whole land it was thought good that some certaine nation by whose industrie the commodities of other regions wanting in Ireland might be hither transported should be suffered to dwell in some parts of the land Their Leaders and Captaines were three brethren Amelanus Sitaracus and Ivorus when they had first builded three Cities Dublin Waterford and Limericke the command of Dublin fell to Amelanus Waterford to Sitaracus Lymericke to Ivorus and from these by degrees in processe of time they gave themselves to build other Cities in Ireland This nation quae nunc Oasâ—mannica gens vocatur which now is called the Esterling nation or East men at their first comming demeaned themselves toward the Kings of the land in a most royall and peaceable mander but when the number multiplied of their owne kinne and they had fortified their Cities with wals and trenches they began to revive the old hatred that was hid in their hearts and obstinately to rebell They were called Oostmanni of their corrupt Saxon tongue as men of the East Of these and the former Norwegians the Irish tooke the use of the Sparthes now called Galloglas axes So farre Cambrensis verbatim and Polychron in substance Divers have diversly delivered their opinion and misreckoned themselves in their computation of yeeres when these Cities before spoken of were builded Stanihurst in his description of Ireland referreth it to the yeere 155. and that they were builded by Amelanus in another place he alledgeth it was after Gurmundus his dayes done in like sort by Amelanus It is such an errour as I cannot well impute it to the Printer Cambrensis and Polychronicon doe not lay down the yeere but the time about the yeere what beside is added is but fancie and conjecture for their testimony is the ground of all For where they write that these brethren came to Ireland after the death of Turgesius then it was after the yeere 862 wherein hee died but how soone or how long after there is no certaintie That they builded these Cities I doe not beleeve I had rather say with Stanihurst that they reedified them for those places were after a sort builded and inhabited many yeeres before their arrivall I take it that as Merchants they builded themselves dwelling houses walled the townes and made keyes to moore their shippes neither doe I hold it that every one severally builded a Citie but all three together with the aide of their country Merchants upon their arrivall in their safe Ports builded and planted their country people and rested not long for the Irish fell upon them and banished them out of the land for their riches pride and rebellion In the yeere 850. lived Patricke the Abbot of Ireland Abbot and Confessor For there were two Patrickes the first a very learned and godly man the second a Abbot and given to superstition and founder of the fabulous Purgatorie which goeth in Ireland under the name of Saint Patrickes Purgatorie so write Ranulphus Monke of Chester and Bale Bishop of Ossory though Stanihurst allow not of it but attribute it to the first Patricke and that without warrant In his time there rose a great rebellion in Ireland so that hee fled into Britaine and lyeth buried in Glastenbury The Martyrologe of Sarum reporteth that in Ireland they keepe the feast of Patricke the Abbot the 24. of August Stanihurst to further his credite delivereth that he wrote a booke of Homilies and certaine Epistles directed to the Irish. The sounder opinion is the which Stanihurst at unawares remembred out of Claudianus that the place there was in like sort as it is now in the time of Paganisme and was long before Saint Patrickes dayes And it seemeth to be after the manner of concavities in the bowels of the earth where the ayre entring naturally to avoid Vacuum and the winde following whisteleth and crieth like dolefull ghosts the silly ignorant and simple people being deceived through perswasion of covetous Priests that some soules and spirits doe penance there for their sinnes call it a Purgatorie And further we see by reason and daily experience in Miners that if any be much under grownd the dampnesse of the earth takes away their lively colour and makes them looke ghastly and if they continue any long while there the vitall spirits being barred of their usuall course they are mightily tormented cast into trances and distracted and being once delivered from the place report things at randon of heaven and earth beleeve them who list Albertus Krantz reckoning up reports given forth out of severall countries touching visions apparitions voyces illusions inserteth among them Patrickes Purgatorie in Ireland and concludeth that they are to be accounted among old Wives fables Antoninus alledgeth Vincentius for his Author how that in those dayes the historie de fossae sancti Patricij of Saint Patrickes pit or ditch was not of many allowed the reason is alledged for that it is there avouched that the soules in that Purgatorie goe not straight to heaven but into some terrestriall Paradice whereas the received opinion is saith he that there is no middle place betweene Purgatorie and the celestiall Paradice In the time of Alphred alias Alured King of West Saxons anno 872. as Fabian and Cooper have noted there was a grievous maladie raigning among the people called the euill ficus which also tooke the King so that say mine Authors an Irish maid came out of Ireland called Modwen whose Monasterie in time of rebellion was destroyed and cured the King In recompence whereof she had land given her in the North whereon two Monasteries were founded and now she resteth at Aundersey by Burloa Polychronicon and Holinshead report the historie as if Alphred had gone into Ireland unto her I alledge this historie to put the reader in minde how that formerly I have written of one Modwen who lived immediately after Saint Patricke and was of Irish birth about 400. yeeres agoe Were it not for the time by many circumstances they both should be one but to remove all doubts and to uphold the credite of antiquaries I will say they were two of one country birth and now rest in one place There was great amitie betweene Alphred or Alured before mentioned and Gregory King of Scots in whose time Anno 877. Grafton Cooper and Buchanan are mine Authors great troubles and misery fell upon Ireland the circumstances in briefe were these The Citizens of Dublin found themselves grieved and mightily wronged by the Scots of Galloway that whereas certaine tall ships of theirs were wind-driven thither the Scots fell upon them rifled them and thereof made a prey In revenge whereof the people of Dublin gathered Irish forces arrived there and preyed the country Gregory the King having intelligence thereof hastened with his forces to
encounter with them the Irish fearing the worse got them with their pillage aboard their shippes and hoised up sailes for Ireland Gregory prepareth his navy and shortly after arriveth in Ireland The King at that time saith Buchanan was but a childe whose name was Duncanus or Donatus or rather Dunachus the Protectors or chiefe commanders of the land about the King were Brian and Cornelius who had drawne the land into two factions The Irish hering of the comming of Gregory fortified themselves upon the river of the Band but there the Scots overthrew them Brian was slaine and Cornelius put to flight The Scots left them not so but pursued them preyed the country without resistance constrained the townes before them to yeeld and hearing by the way that Cornelius gathered all the forces of Ireland against them made ready to ioyn battaile in the which Cornelius and all his forces were foiled so that for a safeguard of his life hee fled to Dublin and his armie dispersed themselves abroad Gregory followed him laid siege to Dublin and by reason there were so many received within that fled from the field they could not long indure the strength of the puissant King of Scots without wherefore by generall consent of the Citizens Cormacke Bishop of Dublin opened the gates received the King of Scots without losse of any man of either side or damage of goods Immediately Gregory the King of Scots went to his cousin Duncan the young King saluted him and delivered unto him that he came not for his kingdome ne for gold nor silver ne for commodities of his country but onely to be revenged of them that had formerly injured his subiects And as for you said he cousin Duncan I beare you no malice without bloud I came into the Citie of Dublin without bloud I will depart recompence of the Citizens of Dublin I seeke none the inhabitants betweene this and the Band have satisfied me and my people let the Citizens pay it them againe and make no more such rash attempts into Scotland With this they lovingly departed and continued friends to the great honour of the King of Scots After this Anno 897. poore Ireland had another scourge for saith Caradoc Llancarvan in his British Chronicle and likewise Polichronicon this country was destroyed with strange wormes having two teeth so that there was neither corne nor grasse nor food for man or beast for all was consumed that was greene in the land at the season of the yeere The nine hundreth yeere followeth The Saxons that divided Britaine as formerly hath been declared into many kingdomes began now to grow weake in their estate and the Danes that troubled in a manner all Christendome were falling to naught yet Anno 905. saith the British Chronicle the Danes entred Ireland preyed spoyled and fired the country slue in the field Garmot so he calleth him alias Cormac Monarch of Ireland and the sonne of Cukeman a man both godly and religious and also Kyrvalt sonne of Morgan King of Leinster Then they roved round about England hulling upon the seas and landing where they espied advantage destroyed with fire and sword as much as lay in them Anno 911. they came againe into Ireland saith Cooper holding on in their former outrages Anno 913. saith Carodoc the men of Dublin with great forces came to Anglesey preyed and destroyed the Iland and returned to Ireland the cause I finde not but that sea and land was bent to mischiefe the fire upon the land and piracie upon the sea Anno 925. the second yeere of the raigne of Adelstane the base sonne of Edward the first called Edward Senior King of West-Saxons was a great armie gathered by the said Adelstane against Hawlaffe King of Ireland the sonne of Suthricus and a Painym saith Polychronicon who came with the whole power of the Scots and Danes against him and gave him battaile at Brimesturie where Adelstane had the victory and slue the said King Hawlaffe and the King of Scots and five Kings of the Danes and Normans and twelve Earles so that he brought all the land of England and Scotland into subjection which none of his Predecessours had ever attempted So farre out of Caradoc in the British Chronicle Polychronicon writeth of Hawlaffe that he was the sonne of Sitricus and had married the daughter of Constantine King of Scots and by his aide entred the mouth of the river of Humber with a strong navy and when both armies had encamped themselves Hawlaffe used this policie He tooke a Harpe and in Harpers attire went to Adelstanes Tent where he harped and viewed their diâ—t disposition and behaviour tooke money for his musicke which in heart he disdayned he secretly as he thought hid the money in the ground and went away A souldier that sometime served Hawlaffe espied it and told Adelstane the whole why saith Adelstane diddest not thou acquaint me sooner he answered O King the faith I owe thee now sometime I ought to Hawlaffe if I had beene false to him thou wouldst have suspected me afterwards but now remove thy Tent for he will suddenly come upon thee For all the haste that Adelstane made Hawlaffe came in the night slue a certaine Bishop and his company that were fleeing and many others hee hasted to Adelstanes Tent but he was provided and in armes and at the breake of the day set upon his enemies and foiled them as formerly is delivered Anno 926. Saxo Grammaticus Albertus Krantz and others are mine Authors Knutus and Herald sonnes to Gormo King of Denmarke following the steps of their fathers gave themselves to Piracie roved crossed and hulled upon the seas all was fish that came to their nets they arrived in Ireland and laid siege to Dublin The King of Leinster sent especially and laid an ambush within a mile of Dublin and whilst the Danes scaled the wals without the Citizens manfully defended themselves within and others were carelesse of themselves abroad one of the espials levelled an arrow at Knutus and gave him such a wound that he shortly dyed thereof The Danes prevailed but their ioy upon his death was turned into sorrow Gormo the father so intirely loved this Knutus his sonne that he vowed whosoever brought him newes of the death of his sonne Knutus for recompence should die the death Thira daughter to Edward the Martyr saith Functius the mother being a Christian though Gormo were a bloudy Infidell having certaine intelligence of the death of Knutus durst not reveale it but used this policie shee caused instead of her husbands princely robes wherewith he was on a morning to make himselfe ready mourning cloathes to bee laid before him and such funerall exequies as were used to be prepared for the witnessing of the sorrow and griefe conceived for the departure of some deare friend woe is me saith Gormo now my sonne Knutus is dead this I gather by these circumstances Then answered Thira the
kindely intreated and bounteously rewarded the Irish souldiers the which then in his second extremity was not forgotten With shippes men and munition out of Ireland he bent his course to Wales repaired to his old friend Griffith Prince of Wales where he was most welcome and shortly restored againe to his Earldome by the meanes and intreaty of certaine strangers which had lately there arrived out of Norway Camden writeth how that Anno 1066. Godred surnamed Cronan the sonne of Hiraldniger of Island invaded the I le of Man thence came into Ireland did the like unto Dublin and a great part of Leynster made great spoyle and went backe againe The British Chronicle reporteth of Dermot a King in Ireland that in Anno 1068. he was murthered but the manner hee sheweth not the commendation he giveth of him is this He was the worthiest and noblest Prince that ever ruled in Ireland Polychronicon reporteth how that Anno 1072. at Winsore before William the Conquerour and the Cleargie the controversie between the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke was heard at large and decided and that Bedaes historie was shewed where it appeared that from Austen the Monkes time till Bedaes death about 140. yeeres the Archbishop of Canterburie had primacie over all Great Britaine Ireland that he had held Councels by Yorke summoned Bishops of Yorke consecrated Bishops and punished Bishops of Yorke for their offences and iudicially removed them Philip Flatesburie a great Antiquarie whom Stanihurst followeth and Iames Grace of Kilkenny with Dowlinge his ioynt Collectour doe write how that Anno 1074. Patricke Bishop of Dublin was consecrated in Pauls Church in London by Lanfranke Archbishop of Canterburie upon commendatorie Letters of Teridionatus alias Terdilnacus Monarch of Ireland and Godericke King of Leinster and with teste of the Clergie and Laytie of that Diocesse of his lawfull and orderly election Further I finde recorded that it was the manner to consecrate Bishops in this sort and that the Monarch of Ireland in regard of his royall principalitie and title of honour with other priviledges belonging to his Monarchie had negative voyce in the nomination of Bishops throughout his Realme Secondly how the Archbishop of Canterbury took of him that was so consecrated a corporall oath of Canonicall obedience as his predecessours formerly used to him and his successors and lastly gave him letters testimoniall thereof to the Monarch and King of Leynster Cambrensis sheweth the reason of this consecration namely how that in Ireland as then there was no Archbishop but one Bishop consecrated another untill that Anno 1148. Iohannes Papiron a Priest Cardinall sent from Eugenius 3. together with Christian Bishop of Lismore Legate of all Ireland came to the land and brought with them foures Paales But of this more in another place The same Flattesburie writeth further how that the said Lanfranke in like sort consecrated Donatus Bishop of Dublin Anno 1085. About this time Godwin and Edmund sonnes to King Harold my Author is Thomas Walsingham Monke of Saint Albans which formerly had fled into Ireland for succour unto Dermotte Mac O Nell King of Ireland returned with 66. saile landed in Sommersetshire saith Stow where Brian the sonne of Eudo Duke of Brabant met them and gave them battaile wherein saith Stow the brethren gate the victory and the Irish men with many great preyes out of Cornewall and Devonshire returned into Ireland But Walsingham which seemeth more true writeth that it was a bloudie battaile wherein 1070. of the English and Normans with certaine of the Nobilitie of the land were slaine and the enemies with aide of their ships fled and brought heavy newes home to their deerest friends in Ireland It is very like that William the Conquerour immediately upon this sent great forces into Ireland to bee revenged of them for relieving or assisting his enemies for Stow writeth out of William of Malmsbury thus Lanfranck Archbishop of Canterbury being in such favour with King William that the said William thought not good to deny any thing that hee requested procured by his industrie that the said King left his ill custome of selling his prisoners which hee tooke in Ireland which was a thing hardly granted unto him and to Wolstan Bishop of Worcester the gaine that the King had by the sale of those Irish men was such The British Chronicle reporteth how that Anno 1087. and the last yeere of William Conquerour the sonnes of Blethlyn ap Convyn sometime King of Wales gathered their strength together against Rees ap â—yder who not being able to meete with them fled to Ireland and there he purchased to himselfe great friends and got an armie of Irish men and Scots to whom hee promised great rewards when he should obtaine his kingdome so landed in South-Wales with these strangers and when his friends heard thereof they drew unto him and the other came in all haste to vanquish him before hee had made a head and gathered forces together to bee short at Wechryd they gave battaile where they were discomfited and two of the brethren slaine to wit Madoc and Kirid and the other fled and forsooke the country As soone as Rees was in quiet possession of his country he sent away the Irish men with great rewards All the Lords of the Ilands sent messengers unto Murchard alias Moragh O Brien King of Ireland that it would please him to send them some worthy man of royall bloud to be their King during the nonage of Olanus the sonne sonne of Godred King of Man Whereupon he sent unto them one Dopnald Mac Tady whom hee deepely charged to governe that kingdome which of right appertained not to him with all kindenesse love and modesty but hee was no sooner warm in the kingdome but he forgot his instructions and the charge his Lord had given him he poled he pilled and practised all kinde of tyranny for the space of three yeers Then all the Lords of the Ilands rose in armes against him and banished him out of those parts so he fled into Ireland of whom they never heard any further newes Stanihurst findeth that Anno 1095. there came certaine Esterlings to the North side of Dublin adjoyning to the Liffie and seated themselves there so that of them to this day the place is called Ostomontowne and corruptly Oxmonton and the Parish Saint Michans of one Michanus a Dane and a Bishop which founded the Church unto whom Murchard or Moragh King of Leynster gave that parcell of land to that use The faire greene or Commune now called Ostmontowne-greene was all wood and hee that diggeth at this day to any depth shall finde the ground full of great rootes From thence Anno 1098. King William Rufus by licence of Murchard had that frame which made up the roofe of Westminster Hall where no English Spider webbeth or breedeth to this day Cambrensis in his Itinerarie of Cambria reporteth how that King William standing upon some high rocke in the
farthest part of Wales beheld Ireland and said I will have the shippes of my kingdome brought hither wherewith I will make a bridge to invade this land Murchard King of Leynster heard thereof and after he had paused a while asked of the reporter hath the King in that his great threatning inserted these words if it please God No then said he seeing this King putteth his trust onely in man and not in God I feare not his comming Anno 1095. Murchard so writeth Holinshed alias Morogh King of Leynster with the Clergie and people of the Citie of Dublin elected one Samuel a Monke of Saint Albans an Irish man borne to the governement of the Church and Bishops See of Dublin and according to the antient custome presented him by sufficient letters of testimony unto Anselme Archbishop of Canterburie to be consecrated by him who according to their request did so and tooke of him an oath of Canonicall obedience after the usuall manner Anno 1097. the Citizens of Waterford perceiving that by reason of the great multitude of people in that citie it was necessarie for them to have a Bishop obtained licence of their King and Rulers to erect in their Citie a Bishops See and besought them to write to Anselme Archbishop of Canterburie to have his consent therein and permitted them to nominate a man meete for the place Hereupon Morogh King of Leynster wrote unto Anselme informing him of the whole matter wherein one Malchus was commended and presented unto him to be admitted and consecrated if he thought good these letters were subscribed by Murchard King of Leynster Dermotte his brother Bishop Dufnald Idiman Bishop of Meath Samuel Bishop of Dublin and Ferdomnachus a Bishop in Leynster Anselme considering their request to be honest and necessarie examined the man gave him the oath of Canonicall obedience and consecrated Malcus Bishop of Waterford About this time to wit Anno 1098. the Normans having slaine Rees ap Twyde Prince of South-Wales they bent their forces against Griffith ap Conan Prince of North-Wales by the conduct of Hugh de Montgomerie Earle of Saloppe and Arundell called of the Welchmen Hugh Gough and of Hugh Vras Earle of Chester Griffith the Prince fled to the mountaines and sent for aide into Ireland saith Caradoc where he received cold comfort then to avoid farther mischiefe and treason which hee suspected to have beene wrought against him fled into Ireland In the same season Magnus King of Norway so Stow calleth him the sonne of Olavus the sonne of Harold Harvager came with great forces and subdued the Iles of Orknay with the I le of Man entred into Anglesey incountred with Hugh Earle of Salop who withstood his landing in the which skirmish Hugh the Earle had an arrow shot in his face which pierced his braine of which he died whereupon the Normans retraited Magnus invadeth Ireland saith Saxo Grammaticus and Griffith the Prince of Wales returned to his country and made peace with the Normans and governed the same fiftie yeeres Many things worthy of memory are recorded of this Griffith ap Conan Powell writeth that hee was an Irish man by his mother daughter of the King of Dublin and also by his Grandmother and that hee was borne in Ireland and that he brought over with him out of that country into Wales divers cunning Musitians who devised in manner all the instrumentall musicke upon the Harpe and Crowth that is there used and made lawes of minstrelsee to retaine the Musitians in due order I have not yet done with Magnus the Norwegian of him Camden writeth a worthy storie Magnus saith he caused a fleete to bee in readinesse of an 160. saile and sailed into the Orkeneys the which he forthwith subdued he passed through all the Ilands made them subject unto him and arrived in the I le of Man when hee beheld how pleasant the Iland was he made choice thereof for habitation fortified therein which of him to this day beares his name Hee so hampered the inhabitants of Galloway in Scotland that hee made them bring him timber to his Port for the frame of his fortifications Afterward he sailed to Anglesey in Wales where he met with two Hughs both Earles the one he slue the other he put to flight and made the Iland subiect unto him The Welsh men gave him many gifts and rewards he bade them farewell and so returned to Man He sent to Murchard alias Morogh King of Ireland his shooes commanding him to hang them upon his shoulders upon Christmas day as he passed through his Hall in the sight of his Embassadors that thereby he might understand that he was subject to Magnus the king When the Irish men heard thereof they tooke it in ill part and chafed exceedingly but King Morogh a wise and a sage Prince smiling at the conceit with great modesty and discretion gave this answer I will not onely beare his shooes but I had rather eate them then that King Magnus should destroy any one Province in Ireland Whereupon he fulfilled his command honoured his Ambassadors sent many Presents unto King Magnus and concluded a league The Ambassadors upon their returne related all circumstances gave great report and commendation of the land delivered how pleasant and fruitfull the soile was the temperature of the ayre and how healthfull the dwelling was Magnus hearing this immediately it ranne in his head to conquer all Ireland he commanded a great fleet to be in a readinesse and he himselfe going before with sixteene saile privily to espie and search out the strength of the land and unadvisedly ranging from his shippes was upon a sodaine compassed and hemmed in by the Irishmen and slaine with all in a manner that were with him Thus Magnus is become Minimus in fine hee was buried in Saint Patrickes Church of Downe So farre Camden in substance The British Chronicle writeth how that before this insolent attempt he had procured for his sonne a daughter of King Morogh in marriage and that he made him King of Man but I doe not finde that he enjoyed it Carodoc writeth how that Anno 1101. Robert de Mountgomerie Earle of Salop and Arnulph his brother Earle of Pembroke rebelling against King Henry Robert sent for aide to Magnus but could get none Arnulph sent Gerald of Windesore his Steward to Murchard alias Morogh King of Ireland to desire his daughter in marriage the which hee obtained with promise of great succours which did encourage him the more against the King whereupon Arnulph went with all haste into Ireland for his wife and Irish forces Earle Robert seeing himselfe disappointed sent to the King desiring him that he might forsake the Realme which thing the King granted and he sailed into Normandie Arnulph received message from the King that either he should follow his brother and depart the land or yeeld himselfe to his mercie he chose to forsake the land and fled into Ireland Not long after Owen the sonne of
the holy man ceased not to travaile among them by preaching and teaching and by all meanes possible to winne them not long after a certaine King of Vlster destroyed Conor and put the people to the sword burned and spoyled and made havocke of all whereupon Malachias with a hundred and twenty brethren fled to Mounster where King Cormake gave him great entertainement and ayded him greatly in the building of the Monastery of Ybrak By this time Celsus spoken of before fell sicke and dyed The rude people thrust in Mauritius that usurped the place some five yeeres then Malchus Bishop of Lismore and Gislebertus the first Legate that came to Ireland from the Pope called the Bishops and Princes of the land together appointed Malachias for the place And when death had swiftly cut off the intruder Mauritius that damnable nation thrust in Nigellus but he prospered not long so that Malachias enjoyed it quietly Of the injury done to that Church and the abuse of that time heare Bernard as he learned of Conganus and others report The see of Ardmach saith Bernard for the reverence and honour of Saint Patricke the Apostle of that nation which converted that whole land to the faith in the which See living he ruled and in which dying he rested is had of all men from the beginning in so great reverence that not onely the Bishops and Ministers of the Clergie but the Kings and Princes of that nation carry themselves in all obedience unto their Metropolitane so that he being one ruleth all but there crept in a most detestable custome through the divellish ambition of certaine mighty men that the holy See was obtained by inheritable succession neither were any suffered to enioy the Bishopricke but such as were of their tribe and familie neither did this execrable succession hold for a small time but for the space of fifteene generations now in this diabolicall malice elapsed And so farre this wicked and adulterous generation had confirmed to it selfe this lewd interest yea rather an injurie to be punished with all manner of death that if at any time there should want Clerks of that race yet never wanted Bishops To be short there were before Celsus eight Bishops married men besides himselfe without orders yet learned men from hence over all Ireland issued that dissolution of ecclesiastiall discipline which Malachias found in Conor the rooting out of godly censure and the abandoning of religion from hence every wherein stead of Christian meekenesse was brought in cruell barbarousnesse yea paganisme and infidelity under a Christian name for that which was not heard of from the originall of Christianitie without order without reason the Metropolitans at their pleasure changed and increased the number of Bishops so that one Bishopricke contented not it selfe with one Bishop and no marvaile for how could it fare well with the members of so diseased a head they possessed the Sanctuary of God in this sort the space well neere of two hundred yeeres hee meaneth unto the dayes of Celsus and Malachias Cambrensis in his itinerarie of Cambria had relation no doubt unto this where he with Baldwin Archbishop of Canterbury in visitation about Wales came to the Church called lure padaen vacor that is the Church of great Paternus mis-stiled with the governement therof for thus he writeth This Church like as many more throughout Ireland and Wales hath a Laye man to their Abbot use hath prevailed and a lewd custome hath crept in that great and mighty men in Parishes have beene by the Clergie appointed Patrons and defendors afterwards have usurped unto themselves the right thereof Immediately hee reporteth of a travailer that came hither out of little Britaine in France that had for his further knowledge seene many countries and fashions of sundry nations and entring into the said Church on the Sabbath day wayted for divine Service they rung the Bell they tould they waited long at length came in the Abbot with some twenty after him in armes and wilde lookes every one having fon villuge so the Britaine 's termed it a forrest Bill on his shoulder the travailer asked which is the Abbot answer was made the formost with the greatest forrest Bill the travailer asked hath he any other ornament or doth he use any other weede answer being made no then said hee I have travailed farre enough I will see no more fashions whilst I live after that I have seene an Abbot carry a forrest Bill upon his backe Now to returne whence I have made this digression for the abuse of the Church causeth me to abuse the reader Malachias when he had peaceably enioyed Ardmagh some three yeeres with the consent of the three Bishops and Princes he resigned his place to Gelasius and returned to his former Bishopricke not of Conor but of Dune for he had placed one in Conor before to wit Oedanus his disciple here Bernard noteth that where Dune and Conor were before this time united through ambition and covetousnesse this man of devotion and conscience separated them againe dividing the Churches as they had beene of old for the good will he bare to Armagh he tooke his iourney towards Rome landed in Scotland came to Yorke sailed to France and lodged at Clarevallis hee came to Rome in the time of Innocentius 2. who made him his Legate of Ireland in the roomth of Gislebert the old man spoken of before which had made sute to be removed Boniface appointed Armagh to be a Metropolitane See but did not effect it and promised the pall which he did not performe Bernard maketh mention of two Metropolitan Sees one procured by Celsus the other by Malachias but where and how I finde no antient record Bale is of opinion they were in vocibus and not in rebus for lacke of money to pay for them Vpon his returne hee came to Clarevallis thence to England so to Scotland where King David most royally entertained him and lastly to his Abbey of Benchor in Vlster Of his conversation heare Bernard from the day of his birth to the day of his death hee lived sine proprio without claiming propertie in any thing he had neither men servants nor maid servants neither townes nor villages neither any reuenue ecclesiasticall or temporall in his Bishopricke for his provision ad mensam episcopalem hee had no certainty allotted him whereupon a Bishop might live hee had no certaine Monastery or dwelling place for hee daily went about all the Parishes preaching the Gospell and living by the Gospell as the Lord had ordained saying the labourer is worthy of his reward of his labours and such as travelled with him he carried about to relieve them all to be short Malachias neither in dyet or rayment was discerned from the rest of the brethren when he went a preaching with footmen he went on foot being a Bishop and a Legate and here Bernard exclaimeth when he entreth into the consideration of the difference betweene him and his
so much as we have received him unto our protection grace and favour whosoever within our Realmes subiects unto our command will ayde and helpe him whom wee have embraced as our trustie friend for the recovery of his land let him be assured of our favour and licence in that behalfe Dermot returned ioyfully with these letters and came to Bristoll where at that time Richard surnamed Strangbow Eare oâ— Penbroke and Chepstow lay hee shewed his letters caused them at severall times publikely to be read conferred with Earle Richard and concluded to give the Earle his sole daughter and heire in marriage and his whole interest in the kingdome of Leinster after his decease Richard undertooke of the other side to effect all his desire As Dermot wayted for a winde it came in his minde for the shorter cut into Ireland to goe by land into Saint Davids where he was refreshed and greatly pittied by the Bishop there and concluded in like sort as with the Earle before with Robert fitz Stephens and Moris Fitz Gerald by the mediation of the good Bishop there to restore him unto his kingdome upon condition that hee should give them and theirs for ever the towne of Wexford and two cantreds of land next adjoyning upon this hee tooke shipping secretly came to Fernes and lived privately among the Clergie all that winter expecting performance of promises out of England Anno 1170. Abbatia de Castro Dei was founded in the same yeere and the first day of May so writeth Stow Robert Fitz Stephens with David Barrie and Hervie de Monte Mariscospie of Strangbow his nephew according to his promise with thirty Knights threescore Esquires well mounted and three hundred foot being Archers well appointed of his owne kindred and trayning up in feates of armes and the choice souldiers of all Wales landed at the Bann not farre from Wexford hereupon the rime runneth At the Creeke of Bagganbun Ireland was lost and wonne Here some allude unto the blinde Prophecie of Merlin that hee should meane this noble Warrior and worthy Knight where he saith A Knight biparted shall first enter with force of Armes and breake the bounds of Ireland this they would have understood of Robert Fitz Stephens an English man borne in Normandie and of Nesta his mother daughter to Râ—es ap Tuyder Prince of South Wales so I finde in Cambrensis but if Merlin had foresight in this I had rather take his Prophecie verified in respect of his Armes and Ensignes which were biparted being of two sundry changes namely party par pale gules and ermine a saltier counterchanged for commonly all Prophecies have their allusions unto Armes and by them they are discovered though at the first not so apparant before the event thereof take place The next day after in the same place landed Morice Prendergast whom Stanihurst calleth Prendelgast de Rofensi Walliae Demetiae Provinciâ as Cambrensis writeth the which I take to be about Milford in South-Wales accompanied with ten Knights and a great number of Archers in most gallant sort in two ships Immediately Robert Fitz Stephens directeth his letters to Dermot who could scarce reade them for joy of their arrivall and sent forthwith his base sonne Donald with five hundred men to salute them and hasteneth after himselfe with all speed off goeth his poore mantle wherein hee obscurely shrowded himselfe on goeth his princely attire the Irish men follow him the fame thereof is spread over the whole land such as before in his distressed state flatly forsooke him now runne and flatter and fawne upon him to be short they meete they confirme the former leagues with oathes and ioyne forces together and they march towards Wexford to lay siege to the towne the townesmen a fierce wilfull people to the number of 2000. sally forth with full purpose to give them battaile in the field but when they heard the Trumpets sound the horses neyghing and beheld their glittering Armes the ratling of their furniture horse and men in compleat Armes and all most comely in battaile array the like of them not formerly seene neither heard of they alter their mindes they retire into the towne they make fast their gates and fire the suburbs Fitz Stephens came to the wals filled the trenches with armed men and appointed his Archers to levell at the wals and turrets if occasion were offered the townesmen manfully defended themselves threw over the wals great stones and pieces of timber hurt many and made them voyd the place among whom a couragious Knight called David Barrye adventured to scale the walles but with a great stone which fell upon his head-piece he was cast downe to the ditch and carried away by his fellowes with safeguard of his life upon this they goe to the sea strand and fired all the ships and vessels which they found there The next day after upon better advice and deliberation they approach unto the wals and gave a new assault the townesmen within beganne to distrust their state being upon this sudden arrivall of the strangers not sufficiently provided of men munition and victuals to encounter with them and remembring againe how most unnaturally they had rebelled against their Prince and Soveraigne they sent messengers to Dermot to intreate for peace alas it was farre from the heart the which was granted and tooke of them pledges and hostages for the performance thereof Lastly Mac Moragh according to his former promise gratified these first adventures hee gave unto Robert Fitz Stephens and Morrice Fitz Gerrald who was as yet in England the towne of Wexford and the territories thereunto adioyning and unto Hervie de Monte Morisco two cantreds on the sea side betwixt Wexford and Waterford Dermot Mac Moroch and his company now take heart they encrease their Army with Wexford men and become 3000. strong The next iourney they bend their course towards Ossory where one Donald or Mac Donell was Prince whom Dermot hated deadly and for this cause Donald suspected Dermots sonne and heire to have much familiaritie with his wife and therefore in his jealous humour apprehended him imprisoned him and pulled out both his eyes but say they though sight failed him his feeling did not for she loved him the more in so much that she satisfied his lust and ranne away after him When Robert Fitz Stephens and the Gallants of Britaine entred the country they found neither dastards nor cowards but valiant men with horse and foot they found the country fast with woods bogges and paces trenched and plashed yet the valour of the adventurers was such presuming upon former fortunes to have the like future successes with loose wings drove them out of the woods and bogges into the plaine and champion land where the horsemen with their speares overthrew them and the foote finding them groveling runne them thorow and ended their dayes the Gallowglasses followed and cut off their heads And here Dermot Mac Morogh is mightily condemned he being originally for exaction
daughter in marriage and in the end when Leinster should bee quitly setled and reduced to the old Irish order Dermot should drive away the Brittans and strangers and procure no more into the Land all this was concluded vpon and solemnely undertaken by oathes on both sides yet all was but flat dissimulation In the nook of this landeth at Wexford Maurice Fitz Girald brother to Robert Fitz Stephens by the mothers side in two ships having in his company tenne Knights thirty horsemen archers and foot a hundred whereof Dermot was very glad and mightily encouraged on everie side And immediately tooke with him Morice Fitz Girald and bent his forces towards Dublin to be revenged on them for many wrongs and especially for the death of his father whom they murthered in their Councell house as formerly hath beene delivered and after for more despite buried him with a Dog They left Robert Fitz Stephens behind busily imployed in building of a Fort or a strong hold some two miles from Wexford in British and Irish called the Carricke As they drew neere Dublin they preyed they spoyled they burned all before them Dublin trembled for feare the townesmen intreated for peace the which was granted upon the delivery of certaine pledges and hostages In the meane while no small stirre arose betweene Roderic the Monarch and Donald Prince of Limerike for chiefery Whereupon there arose deadly hatred and martiall warres Roderic drew all his forces against him Dermot Mac Moroogh sent to Robert Fitz Stephens that in all haste he should draw forces to the ayde of Donald Prince of Limirike his sonne in law which was accordingly affected where Roderic was foyled lost his chiefery and with shame enough returned to his own country Now Dermot Mac Morogh is puffed up with these prosperous successes and whereas a while agoe he would have contented himselfe with Leynster alone now Connaght and all Ireland seeme little enough unto his aspiring minde Secretly hee acquainteth Robert Fitz Stephens and Maurice Fitz Gerald with his purpose and offereth any of them his daughter and heire with his inheritance after upon condition that they should send for supplies of their kindred and country men to effect his enterprises they modestly thanked him for his offers and refused his daughter for that they were both already married and withall wished him to write for Richard Strangbow with whom he had formerly concluded to that effect unto whom he addresseth his messenger and directeth his letters in this forme Dermot Mac Morogh Prince of Leinster to Richard Earle of Chepstow the sonne of Earle Gilbert sendeth greeting If you doe well consider the time of men and matters as we doe which are distressed then would you regard whether we have cause to complaine of men or to maligne and curse the infortunate time Even as the seely Storkes and Swallowes with their comming prognosticâ—te the summer season and with westerly windes are blowne away we have observed times and seasons fit for your arrivall and transportation if your affaires had correspondently accorded unto our expectations East and West no doubt would have fitted our purpose but hitherto being frustrated of your long desired presence and promises unlesse the most valiant Knights of your country birth whose valour and prowesse my penne is not able to paint unto the posterity had upheld our state and dignity We beseech you againe and againe in the league and amitie of Princes not to use further delayes our successe hitherto hath beene to our hearts desire Leynster is our owne your comming will inlarge our bounds the speedier it is the more gratefull the hastier the more joyfull the sooner the better welcome Richard Strangbow was pleased with these letters glad of the successe of Robert Fitz Stephens and cast with himselfe how hee might speedily passe for Ireland He repaired to King Henry 2. humbly beseeching him either to restore him to such possessions as by right of inheritance did belong unto him or to give him Passe to seek adventures in some forraigne country and among some strange nation Stanihurst excellently conceited layeth downe the Kings answer Henry smiling within himselfe saith Loe whether and where thou wilt goe and wander for me it shall be lawfull for thee take Dedalus wings and flye away Strangbow betweene â—east and earnest takes this for a sufficient licence and makes ready for Ireland and sends before him Reimond le Grosse nephew to Robert Fitz Stephens and Morice Fitz Gerald sonne to William Fitz Gerald the elder brother which land at Dundorogh commonly called Dundenold West of Wexford with tenne Knights forty Esquires and fourescore Archers and foot whereupon Omolaghlin Ophelin Lord of the Decies raised the country consulted with the townesmen of Waterford and concluded that it stood them upon with all expedition to set upon the strangers they made ready 3000. men by land they runne up and downe the shore they row their song was kill kill kill Reimond straight upon his arrivall had fortified himselfe the Waterfordians march against him in battaile array the Britaines being but sixscore and ten came forth to make good the field against 3000. Reymond perceiving in the skirmish that the enemy over-laid them retired to his Fort the Irish perswading themselves at that instant to give the Britaines an utter overthrow thicke and thinne with all haste pursued them and the formost entring at the foote of the last Britaine into the Fort had his head cloven in two with Reymonds sword immediately saith Reymond strike the drumme follow mee fellow souldiers the Irish being disordered and out of battaile array and discouraged with the death of one man flie away then they which in this doubtfull skirmish were like to be vanquished and quite overthrown became victors conquerours wan the field they chased the Waterfordians that were out of order at their wits ends slue of them saith Cambrensis above 500. persons and being weary of killing they cast a great number of those whom they had taken prisoners headlong from the rocks into the sea In this service Sir William Ferand a Knight deserved singular commendations and was the onely man of all the Britaines saith Stanihurst that was slaine Thus fel the pride and rash attempt of Waterford thus decayed their strength and force and thus became the ruine and overthrow of that Citie which as it bred a great hope and consolation to the Britaines so was it the cause of a great desperation and terrour to the enemy They tooke 70. of the best men in Waterford prisoners they enter into consultation and call a martiall court what was to be done with them Reymond full of pittie and compassion delivereth his opinion you my noble and valiant companions and fellow souldiers for the increase of whose honour vertue and fortune wee presently seeme to contend let us consider what is best to bee done with these our prisoners and captives for my part I doe not thinke it good nor yet allow that
any favour or curtesie should be at al shewed to the enemy but understand you these are no enemies now but men no rebels but such as be vanquished and cleane overthrowne and standing in defence of their country by evill fortune and hard destiny are subdued their adventures were honest and their attempts commendable and therefore they are not to be reputed for theeves factious persons traitors nor yet murtherers they are now brought to that distresse and case that rather mercy for example sake is to bee shewed then cruelty to the increase of their misery to be ministred surely our ancestors in times past although indeed it bee very hard to be done were wont when fortune favoured to temper their loose mindes and qualifie their unruly affections with some one discommoditie or other wherefore let mercy and pitty which is in man most commendable worke so in us that we that now have overcome others may subdue our owne mindes and conquer our owne affections For modesty moderation and discretion are wont to stay hasty motions and to stoppe the course of rash devices O how commendable and honourable is it to a Noble man that in his greatest triumph and glory he counteth it for a sufficient revenge that hee can revenge and be wreaked Iulius Caesar whose conquests were such his victory so great and his triumphs so many that the whole world was noysed therewith he had not so many friends who reioyced for the same but he had many more enemies that maligned and enuied his successes not onely in slanderous words and evill reports but many also secretly conspired devised and practised his death and destruction And yet he was so full of pitty mercy and compassion that he never commanded nor willed any to bee put to death for the same saving onely one Domitius whom he had of meere clemency for his lewdnesse before pardoned for his wickednesse released and for his treachery acquitted And thus as his pitty did much increase his honour so did it nothing hinder his victories Oh how beastly then and impious is that cruelty wherein victory is not ioyned with pitty for it is the part of a right Noble and Valiant Conquerour to count them enemies that doe wage the battaile contend and fight for the victory but such as be conquered taken prisoners and kept in bonds and captivitie to take and repute them for men that hereby fortitude and force may diminish the battell and end the quarrell as also humanitie may increase love and make peace It is therefore a great commendation and more praise worthy to a noble man in mercy to be bounteous then in victory to be cruell For the one onely lyeth in the course of fortune but the other in vertue And as it had beene a great increase of our victory and an augmentation of honour if our enemies had beene slaine in the field and overthrowne in the battaile so they being now taken and saved as it were men returned from rebels to the common society and fellowship of men If wee now should kill them it will bee to our great shame dishonor and reproach for ever And for as much as by the killing and destroying of them wee shall bee never the neerer to have the command of the country and never sooner to be Lords of the Land and yet the ransoming of them very good for the maintenance of the Souldiers the good fame of us and the advancement of honour wee must need thinke that it is better to ransome them then cruely to kill them for as it is requisite that a Souldier in the field fighting in armes should then thrist for the blood of his enemy trie the force of his sword and valiantly stand to his tackle for victory so when the fight is ended the warres ceased and the armour laid downe and all strongnesse of hostility set apart then in a Noble man must humanity take place pitty and commiseration must be shewed and all kindnesse of curtesie must be extended With this they were all drawen to some mildnesse and remorse and ready to shew favour in hope of friendship againe Henry de Monte Marisco who came thither to salute Reimond stands vp in opposition bent to blood and villany in whom there was neither manhood in battell abroad nor mercy in consultation at home and spake as followeth Reimond hath very exquisitly discoursed of pitty and mercy in set speeches uttering his eloquence hath shewed his mind and declared his opinion perswading and inducing us to beleeve that a strange land were to be conquered sooner by mercy and fond pittie then by fire and sword but I pray you can there bee a worse way then to hold that course Did Iulius Caesar or Alexander of Macedonia by such meanes or in such order conquer the whole world did the Nations from out of all places runne to submit themselves under their command and imperie in respect of their pitty and mercy and not rather compelled so to doe for feare and perforce For people whilst they are yet proud and rebellious all pitty and mercy set apart are by all manner of meanes and wayes to bee subdued but when they are once brought under subjection and bondage ready to serve and obey then they are with all curtesie to be intreated and kindly dealt withall so that the state of the Government be in safety and void of dāger herein in this point must pitty be used but in the other severity or rather cruelty is more necessary here clemency is to be shewed but in the other rigour without favour is to be ministred Reimond perswadeth that mercy is to bee extended as upon people already subdued and subjected or as though the enemies were so few and of so small a number as against whom no valiant service nor chivalry can be exploited and yet they are ready to joine with us whereby our force may bee increased and our power augmented but alas doe not we see how that the whole notion and people of Ireland are fully bent and not without cause altogether conspired against us surely me thinks Reimond is contrary to himselfe for why his coming hither was not to dispute of pitty nor to reason of mercy but to conquer the nation to subdue the people Oh what an example of impious pitty were it then to neglect our owne safety and to have remorse and compassion vpon others distresses moreover wee have here in the field and in armour more enemies then friends we are in the middle of perils and dangers our enemies being round about us in every corner and shall wee thinke this to be nothing but that we must bee also in the like distresse and danger among our selves Round about us our enemies are infinit and within our selves some there be which practise and work our destruction And if it should happen that our Captives and Prisoners should escape and breake loose out of their bonds which are but very weake and slender no doubt they would
understood this hee was more waspish and moved with the countenance of the sonnes then with the former iniury of the father and turning him to the King spake aloud what I have said I have said what I have written I have written never to be blotted out To be short the Bishop with great sorrow departed and in bitternesse prophecied of the ill successe of the children who dyed and lived in great honour all the dayes of their lives but these matters we are to referre to the secret iudgement of God After the decease of these five brethren five Earles and five Princes of Leinster leaving no issue behinde them the five daughters their sisters Ioane Mathilda Isabell Sibilla and Eva being honourably matched had their fathers and brethrens possessions and territories in Ireland orderly divided amongst them Ioane the eldest daughter of William Earle Marshall and eldest sister of the five brethren before spoken of was married to Warren de Mountchensen who in right of her had allotted unto him the County of Wexford they had issue one daughter Ioane that was married Anno 1247. to William de Valence a Norman the sonne of Hugh Brune Earle of March and Turryn Vicount of Curce c. hee was halfe brother to King Henry the third by Queene Isabell daughter and heire of Amerie Earle of Angolesm the widdow of King Iohn This William in the right of his wife was Earle of Penbroke and Lord of Wexford and died Anno 1296. he had issue two sonnes and two daughters William de Valence Owdomare alias Aimer de Valence Isabell and Ioane William succeeded his father in the Earldome of Penbroke and Lordship of Wexford and died without issue Aymer his brother after him was Earle of Penbroke and Lord of Wexford and died without issue whereupon the inheritance fell to the two sisters Isabell and Ioane Isabell was married to Iohn Hastings Lord Hastings of Abergevenny who in the right of his wife had one halfe of the county of Wexford allotted unto him and had issue Elizabeth which married Reynold Lord Gray of Ruthin Ioane the second sister was married to Iohn Lord Comyn who in her right had the other halfe of Wexford and he had issue two daughters Elizabeth and Ioane Elizabeth married Richard Lord Talbot and Ioane was married to David Earle of Atholl in Scotland and thus the County of Wexford was divided Mathilda or Mawde the second daughter of William Earle Marshall of England had the county of Cattelough alias Carlogh assigned unto her she was married to Hugh Bigod Earle of Norfolke father of Ralph Bigod whose daughter and heire Isabell was married to Sir Gilbert Lacy who had issue Margery and Mawd Margery was married to Iohn Lord Verdon of whom the Earle of Shrewesbury and the Earle of Essex are descended Mawd married Ieffery Genivill father to Peter Genivill whose daughter and heire was married to Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore and the first Earle of March Isabell the third daughter of William Earle Marshall of England had to her portion the county of Kilkenny She was married to Sir Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester and Herford whose discent is before spoken of Hee was slaine by the Scots in King Edward the seconds time and died without issue I have seene a Charter granted by him to the towne of Kilkenny Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester and Herford to our Seneshall of Kilkenny and to our treasurer of the same greeting know you that we for the common profit of the towne of Kilkenny of our especiall favour have granted to our loving Burgesses of the same towne c. the whole in substance is that none shall sell victuals there but it shall be prized by the officers of our towne After the decease of Sir Gilbert Clare then the Earledomes of Glocester and Herford and the County of Kilkenny fell betweene his three sisters begotten upon Isabell aforesaid to wit Elenor Margaret and Elizabeth Elenor was married to Hugh Spencer the younger Margaret was married to Peter Gaveston and after his death to Hugh Lord Audely Elizabeth was married first to William Lord Burgh Earle of Vlster the second time to Ralph Roch Baron of Farmoy thirdly to Theobald Lord Verdon and lastly to Roger Damary and had issue by every one of them Sibilla the fourth daughter of William Earle Marshall had to her part the Countie of Kildare and was married to William Ferers Earle of Ferers and Darby who had issue Agnes Isabell Mathilda Sibilla Cecilia and a second Sibill Agnes was married to VVilliam de Vescy who had issue Iohn de Vescy who had issue VVilliam de Vescy that died without issue in his fathers life time Lastly this County of Kildare was given by the King unto Iohn Fitz Thomas the first Earle of Kildare as hereafter in more convenient place shall appeare Eva the first daughter of VVilliam Earle Marshall had to her portion the Mannor of Dounmas in Leix and was married to VVilliam Bruse Lord Bruse of Gower who had issue Mathilda Elenor and Eva. Mathilda was married to Roger Mortimer Elenor was married to Humphery de Bohun Earle of Herford and Eva to Cantilupe alias VVilliam de Canlow Of the line of these Maxfields I meane of VVilliam Earle Marshall of England the pedigree discent of this Noble familie the properties and purports holds of the daughters I have seene sundry copies Nicholas Magwir Bishop of Leighlen perfected an abstract of the division of the land in Ireland among the daughters and the paritcularities thereof which is to be seene in the red towne-booke of Kilkenny and now forwards with the history from whence I have somewhat digressed Anno 1190. in which yeere the Citie of Dublin by foule mishap was fired to ashes King Richard set all in a readinesse for his iourney into the holy land gathered masses of money together and among others it is remembred what a summe of money he received of Hugh Pudsey a Norman and Bishop of Durham that gave an inestimable summe to be made an Earle whom the Antiquaries doe condemne for his intolerable pride and damnable covetousnesse whom the King also flowted after hee had received the coyne saying Loe I have made a young Earle of an old Bishop In this voyage and preparation for the recovery of Ierusalem and the ayde of the Christians in Asia there went Fredericke Emperour of Almaine Richard King of England Philip of France VVilliam of Cicilia Otho Duke of Burgundie the Venetians Pisanes Frisones Danes and Flemings Now that the King is on his iourney abroad let us talke a little gentle Reader of little Iohn at home Stanihurst leads me into the history and reporteth that Anno 1189. he came into Ireland and sojourned at Dublin the storie goeth and especially in Hector Boetius and Iohn Major Antiquaries of Scotland how that in those daies there were many outlawes in the North parts of England of these outlawes Robin Hood and little Iohn were Chiefetaines It was said of
by the said heire of Vlster had issue Walter and hee had issue five daughters 1. Ellen that married Robert le Bruse King of Scotland 2. Elizabeth that married the Earle of Gloster 3. Iohan that married Thomas Earle of Kildare 4. Katherine that married the Earle of Louth 5. Margaret that married the Earle of Desmond the 6. Ellinor that married with the Lord Multon notwithstanding these honourable matches and amity concluded in the outward sight of the world there rose deadly warres between the Giraldins and Burks which wrought blood sheds troubles by partaking throughout the Realme of Ireland at the same time the fury of the Giraldins was so outragious in so much that Morice Fitz Maurice the second Earle of Desmond opposed himselfe against the sword and tooke at Trisledermote now called Castle Dermocke Richard de Capella the Lord Iustice Theoball le Butler and Iohn or Millis de Cogan and committed them to the prisons in Leix and Donamus but the yeere following Henry the third not pleased with these commotions and hurly burlies by mature advice taken of his Councell pacified the variance betweene them discharged Denny of his Iusticeship and appointed David Barry Lord Iustice in his place Anno 1267. David Barry tooke by the appointment of the King the sword of Iusticeship and the command of Ireland and quelled or tamed saith the English Anonymos the insolent dealing of Morice Fitz Maurice Cousin german to Girald The same yeere saith Iohn Clinne the Fryers Preachers first of all settled themselves at Rosse in Wexford and the Minors at Kilkennie and two yeeres after at Clonemell Anno 1268. Conochur Obrian was slaine by Dermot Mac Monard and the same yeere saith Felcon and Clinne Maurice Fitz Gerald Earle of Desmond was drowned crossing the seas between England and Ireland leaving behind him a sonne and heire of the age of 3. yeeres and a halfe The same yeere Robert Vfford became Lord Iustice of Ireland and began to build the Castle of Roscommon Anno 1269. Richard de Excester was made Lord Iustice who dyed the same yeere together with his wife Margery de Say the same yeere saith Florilegus Othobone the Popes Legat held a Councell at Paules in London where he called before him the Clergy of England Wales Ireland and Scotland and left among them certaine constitutions which were afterward commended by Linwood and are at this day in request the which constitutions of Otho and Othobon were afterwards confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Ed. 1. raigne Holinshead Anno 1270. The Lord Iames Audley was made Lord Iustice of Ireland and dyed with the fall of a horse in his time Florilegus and Holinshead note there was great commotion in Ireland the Irish tooke Armes against the English burned spoiled destroied and slue as well the Magistrates as others Clinne goeth more particularly to worke and delivereth how that the King of Conaght by force of Armes in the plaine field overthrew Walter Burke Earle of Vlster who hardly escaped with life yet dyed the yeere following and slue a great number of Nobles and Knights that held with the Burk and among others by especiall name the Lord Richard Verdon and the Lord Iohn Verdon and that there ensued over all Ireland great famine and pestilence as the sequell of warres About this time say our Antiquaries the Bishop of Rome sent to Ireland requiring the tithes of all spirituall promotions for 3. yeeres to come to maintaine his warres against the King of Aragon the which was greatly murmured at and gainesaid yet the Nuntio went not empty away Anno 1272. the most renowned King Henry the third having lived 65. yeeres and raigned 56. and 28 dayes ended his dayes and was buried at Westminster Edward the first of that name sonne of King Henry the third surnamed Long-shankes of the age of 35. yeers began his raigne Anno 1272. Anno 1272. and the first of Edward the first his raigne Maurice Fitz Maurice was made Lord Iustice in whose time the Irish brake out into cruell rebellion rased and destroyed the Castles of Aldleeke Roscommon Scheligath and Randon this Maurice saith Clyn not long after was betrayed by his owne followers in Ophali taken and imprisoned Anno 1273. the Lord Walter Genvill who lately returned home from the Holy Land was sent into Ireland and appointed Lord Iustice in his time so write Dowlinge and Grace the Scots and Red-shankes out of the high land crossed the seas burned townes and villages most cruelly killed man woman and childe tooke a great prey and returned home afore the country could make preparation to pursue them but in a while after to bee revenged of them Vlster and Connaught mustred a great Armie under the leading of Richardus de Burgo and Sir Eustacele Poer knight made after them entred the Islands and high land of Scotland slue as many as they could finde burned their Cabbans and Cottages and such as dwelt in caves and rockes under ground as the manner is to denne out Foxes they fired and smothered to death covering their entrances into the ground with great and huge stones and so returned into Ireland Anno 1276. what time Thomas Clare came into Ireland and married the daughter of Maurice Fitz Maurice The Castle of Roscommon was taken by the Irish and a great overthrow given vnto the English men at Glynburry Glandelory saith Clyn where William Fitz Roger Prior of the Kings hospitallers and many others were taken prisoners and a great number of others were slaine at what time also Ralph Pepard and Otholand gave O Neale a sore battaile Anno 1277. Walter Lord Genuill was sent for into England and Robert Vfford the second time tooke the office of Iusticeship at this time Muridath or Murtagh a notable rebell was taken at the Noraght by Gualter de Fant and executed Thomas Clare likewise in this rebellion slue Obryan Roe King of Thomond and yet after this the Irish drew such a draught that they closed him up in Slew Banny together with Maurice Fitz Maurice his father in law and all their forces untill they gave hostages to escape with their lives upon condition to make satisfaction for the death of O brian and his followers and in the meane while to yeeld them up the Castle of Roscommon although the conditions seemed hard prejudiciall to the Kings Maiesty yet were they driven for safeguard of their lives to condiscend thereunto In this rebellious season to cleere himselfe that in his owne person he came not to daunt the enemy Robert Vfford the Lord Iustice was sent for into England who substituted in his roome one Fryer Robert Fulborne Bishop of Waterford who when he had cleered himselfe came and resigned his place of Iusticeship Anno 1278. there rose civill warres no better then rebellion betweene Mac Dermot de Moylargo and Cathgur O Conoghor King of Connaught where there was great slaughter and bloud-shed on both
they are surely most just and most agreeable both with the government and with the nature of the people How falls it then that you seeme to dislike of them as not so meete for that Realme of Ireland and not onely the Common Law but also the Statutes and Actes of Parliament which were specially provided and intended for the onlie benefit thereof Iren. I was about to have told you my reason therein but that your selfe drewe me away with other questions for I was shewing you by what meanes and by what sort the Positive Lawes were first brought in and established by the Norman Conquerour which were not by him devised nor applyed unto the state of the Realme then being nor as yet might best be as should by Lawgivers principally be regarded but were indeed the very Lawes of his owne Countrey of Normandie The condition whereof how farre it differeth from this of England is apparant to every least judgement But to transferre the same lawes for the governing of the Realme of Ireland was much more inconvenient and unmeete for he found a better advantage of the time then was in the planting of them in Ireland and followed th' execution of them with more severity and was also present in person to overlooke the Magistrates and to over awe these subjects with the terrour of his Sword and countenance of his Majesty But not so in Ireland for they were otherwise affected and yet doe so remaine so as the same Lawes me seemes can ill fit with their disposition or worke that reformation that is wished For Lawes ought to be fashioned unto the manners conditions of the people to whom they are meant and not to be imposed upon them according to the simple rule of right for then as I said in stead of good they may worke ill and pervert Iustice to extreame injustice For hee that transferres the Lawes of the Lacedemonians to the people of Athens should finde a great absurditie and inconvenience For those Lawes of Lacedemon were devised by Licurgus as most proper and best agreeing with that people whom hee knew to be enclined altogether to warres and therefore wholly trained them up even from their Cradles in armes and military exercises cleane contrary to the institution of Solon who in his Lawes to the Athenians laboured by all meanes to temper their warlike courages with sweet delightes of learning and sciences so that asmuch as the one excelled in armes the other exceeded in knowledge The like regard moderation ought to be had in tempering and managing of this stubborne nation of the Irish to bring them from their delight of licentious barbarisme unto the love of goodnes and civilitie Eudox. I cannot see how that may better bee then by the Discipline of the Lawes of England for the English were at first as stoute and warlike a people as ever the Irish and yet you see are now brought unto that civillity that no nation in the world excelleth them in all goodly conversation and all the studies of knowledge and humanitie Iren. What they now be both you and I see very well but by how many thornie and hard wayes they are come thereunto by how many civill broiles by how many tumultuous rebellions that even hazzarded oftentimes the whole safety of the kingdome may easily be considered all which they neverthelesse fairely overcame by reason of the continuall presence of their King whose onely person is oftentimes in stead of an Army to containe the unrulie people from a thousand evill occasions which this wretched kingdome for want thereof is dayly carried into The which whensoever they make head no lawes no penalties can restraine but that they doe in the violence of that furie tread downe and trample under foote all both divine and humane things and the lawes themselues they doe specially rage at and rend in peeces as most repugnant to their libertie and naturall freedome which in their madnes they affect Eudox. It is then a very unseasonable time to plead law when Swords are in the hands of the vulgar or to thinke to retaine them with feare of punishments when they looke after liberty and shake off all governement Iren. Then so it is with Ireland continually Eudoxus for the sword was never yet out of their hand but when they are weary of warres and brought downe to extreame wretchednesse then they creepe a little perhaps and sue for grace till they have gotten new breath and recovered their strength againe So as it is in vaine to speake of planting lawes and plotting pollicie till they be altogether subdued Eudox. Were they not so at the first conquering of them by Strongbowe in the time of King Henry the second was there not a thorough way then made by the sword for the imposing of the lawes upon them and were they not then executed with such a mightie hand as you said was used by the Norman Conquerour What oddes is there then in this case why should not the same lawes take as good effect in that people as they did here being in like sort prepared by the sword and brought under by extreamity and why should they not continue in as good force and vigour for the containing of the people Iren. The case yet is not like but there appeareth great oddes betweene them for by the conquest of Henry the second true it is that the Irish were utterly vanquished and subdued so as no enemy was able to hold up head against his power in which their weakenes hee brought in his lawes and settled them as now they there remaine Like as William the Conquerour did so as in thus much they agree but in the rest that is the cheifest they varie for to whom did King Henry the second impose those lawes not to the Irish for the most part of them fled from his power into deserts and mountaines leaving the wyde countrey to the Conquerour who in their stead eftsoones placed English men who possessed all their lands and did quite shut out the Irish or the most part of them And to those new inhabitants and Colonies he gave his lawes to wit the same lawes under which they were borne and bred the which it was no difficultie to place amongst them being formerly well inured thereunto unto whom afterwards they repaired diverse of the poore distressed people of the Irish for succour and reliefe of whom such as they thought fit for labour and industriously disposed as the most part of their baser sort are they received unto them as their vassalls but scarcely vouchsafed to impart unto them the benefit of those lawes under which themselves lived but every one made his will and commandement a law unto his owne vassall Thus was not the Law of England ever properly applyed unto the Irish Nation as by a purposed plot of government but as they could insinuate and steale themselves under the same by their humble carriage and submission Eudox. How comes it then to passe that
of antiquities from whence it seemeth that the customes of that nation proceeded Iren. Indeede Eudox. you say very true for all the customes of the Irish which I have often noted and compared with that I have read would minister occasion of a most ample discourse of the originall of them and the antiquity of that people which in truth I thinke to bee more auncient then most that I know in this end of the world so as if it were in the handling of some man of sound judgement and plentifull reading it would bee most pleasant and profitable But it may bee wee may at some other time of meeting take occasion to treate thereof more at large Heere onely it shall suffise to touch such customes of the Irish as seeme offensive and repugnant to the good government of that Realme Eudox. Follow then your owne course for I shall the better content my selfe to forbeare my desire now in hope that you will as you say some other time more aboundantly satisfie it Iren. Before we enter into the treatie of their customes it is first needfull to consider from whence they first sprung for from the sundry manners of the nations from whence that people which now is called Irish were derived some of the customes which now remain amongst them have beene first fetcht and sithence there continued amongst them for not of one nation was it peopled as it is but of sundry people of different conditions and manners But the chiefest which have first possessed and inhabited it I suppose to bee Scythians Eudox. How commeth it then to passe that the Irish doe derive themselves from Gathelus the Spaniard Iren. They doe indeed but I conceive without any good ground For if there were any such notable transmission of a Colony hether out of Spaine or any such famous conquest of this Kingdome by Gathelus a Spaniard as they would faine believe it is not unlikely but that the very Chronicles of Spaine had Spaine then beene in so high regard as they now have it would not have omitted so memorable a thing as the subduing of so noble a Realme to the Spaniard no more then they doe now neglect to memorize their conquest of the Indians specially in those times in which the same was supposed being nearer unto the flourishing age of learning and Writers under the Romanes But the Irish doe heerein no otherwise then our vaine Englishmen doe in the Tale of Brutus whom they devise to have first conquered and inhabited this Land it being as impossible to proove that there was ever any such Brutus of England as it is that there was any such Gathelus of Spaine But surely the Scythians of whom I earst spoke at such time as the Northerne nations over-flowed all Christendome came downe to the sea-coast where inquiring for other Countries abroad getting intelligence of this countrey of Ireland finding shipping convenient passed thither and arrived in the North part thereof which is now called Vlster which first inhabiting and afterwards stretching themselves forth into the Land as their numbers increased named it all of themselves Scuttenland which more briefly is called Scutland or Scotland Eudox. I wonder Irenaeus whether you runne so farre astray for whilest wee talke of Ireland mee thinkes you rippe up the originall of Scotland but what is that to this Iren. Surely very much for Scotland and Ireland are all one and the same Eudox. That seemeth more strange for we all know right well that they are distinguished with a great Sea running between them or else there are two Scotlands Iren. Never the more are there two Scotlands but two kindes of Scots were indeed as you may gather out of Buchanan the one Irin or Irish Scots the other Albin-Scots for those Scots are Scythians arrived as I said in the North parts of Ireland where some of them after passed into the next coast of Albine now called Scotland which after much trouble they possessed of themselves named Scotland but in processe of time as it is commonly seene the dominion of the part prevaileth in the whole for the Irish Scots putting away the name of Scots were called onely Irish the Albine Scots leaving the name of Albine were called only Scots Therefore it commeth thence that of some writers Ireland is called Scotia maior and that which now is called Scotland Scotia minor Eudox. I doe now well understand your distinguishing of the two sorts of Scots two Scotlands how that this which now is called Ireland was anciently called Erin and afterwards of some written Scotland that which now is called Scotland was formerly called Albin before the comming of the Scythes thither but what other nation inhabited the other parts of Ireland Iren. After this people thus planted in the North or before for the certaintie of times in things so farre from all knowledge cannot be justly avouched another nation comming out of Spaine arrived in the West part of Ireland finding it waste or weakely inhabited possessed it who whether they were native Spaniards or Gaules or Africans or Gothes or some other of those Northerne nations which did over-spread all Christendome it is impossible to affirme only some naked conjectures may be gathered but that out of Spaine certainely they came that doe all the Irish Chronicles agree Eudox. You doe very boldly Iren. adventure upon the Histories of auncient times and leane too confidently on those Irish Chronicles which are most fabulous and forged in that out of them you dare take in hand to lay open the originall of such a nation so antique as that no monument remaines of her beginning and first inhabiting especially having bin in those times without letters but only bare traditions of times remembrances of Bardes which use to forge and falsifie every thing as they list to please or displease any man Iren. Truly I must confesse I doe so but yet not so absolutely as you suppose I do herein relye upon those Bardâ—s or Irish Chroniclers though the Irish themselves through their ignorance in matters of learning and deepe judgement doe most constantly beleeve and avouch them but unto them besides I adde mine owne reading and out of theÌ„ both together with comparison of times likewise of manners customes affinity of words and names properties of natures uses resemblances of rites ceremonies monuments of Churches and Tombes and many other like circumstances I doe gather a likelyhood of truth not certainely affirming any thing but by conferring of times language monuments and such like I doe hunt out a probability of things which I leave to your judgement to believe or refuse Neverthelesse there be some very auncient Authors that make mention of these things and some moderne which by comparing them with present times experience and their owne reason doe open a window of great light unto the rest that is yet unseene as namely of the elder times Caesar Strabo Tacitus Ptolomie Pliny Pomponius Mela and
stedfast to his soveraigne Queene and his Countrey coasting upon the South Sea stoppeth the ingate of all that evill which is looked for and holdeth in all those which are at his becke with the terrour of his greatnesse and the assurance of his most immoveable loyaltie And therefore where you thinke that good and sound lawes might amend and reforme things there amisse you think surely amisse For it is vaine to prescribe Lawes where no man careth for keeping of them nor feareth the daunger for breaking of them But all the Realme is first to be reformed and lawes are afterwards to bee made for keeping and continuing it in that reformed estate Eudox. How then doe you think is the reformation thereof to be begunne if not by lawes and ordinances Iren. Even by the sword for all these evills must first be cut away by a strong hand before any good can bee planted like as the corrupt braunches and unwholesome boughes are first to bee pruned and the foule mosse cleansed and scraped away before the tree can bring forth any good fruite Eudox. Did you blame mee even now for wishing of Kerne Horse-boyes and Carrowes to be cleane cut off as too violent a meanes and doe you your selfe now prescribe the same medicine Is not the Sword the most violent redresse that may bee used for any evill Iren. It is so but where no other remedie may bee devised nor hope of recovery had there must needes this violent meanes bee used As for the loose kinde of people which you would have cut off I blamed it for that they might otherwise perhaps bee brought to good as namely by this way which I set before you Eudox. Is not your way all one with the former in effect which you found fault with save onely this oddes that I said by the halter and you say by the sword what difference is there Iren. There is surely great when you shall understand it for by the sword which I named I did not meane the cutting off all that nation with the sword which farre bee it from mee that I should ever thinke so desperately or wish so uncharitably but by the Sword I meane the royall power of the Prince which ought to stretch it selfe forth in the chiefest strength to the redressing and cutting off those evills which I before blamed and not of the people which are evill For evill people by good ordinances and government may be made good but the evill that is of it selfe evill will never become good Eudox. I pray you then declare your minde at large how you would wish that sword which you meane to be used to the reformation of all those evills Iren. The first thing must be to send over into that Realme such a strong power of men as should perforce bring in all that rebellious route and loose people which either doe now stand out in open Armes or in wandring companies doe keepe the woods spoyling the good subjects Eudox. You speake now Irenaeus of an infinite charge to her Majestie to send over such an Army as should tread downe all that standeth before them on foot and lay on the ground all the stiff-necked people of that land for there is now but one Out-law of any great reckoning to wit the Earle of Tyrone abroad in armes against whom you see what huge charges shee hath beene at this last yeare in sending of men providing of victualls and making head against him yet there is little or nothing at all done but the Queenes treasure spent her people wasted the poore Countrey troubled and the enemy neverthelesse brought into no more subjection then he was or list outwardly to shew which in effect is none but rather a scorne of her power and emboldening of a proud rebell and an incouragement to all like lewdlie disposed Traytors that shall dare to lift up their heele against their soveraigne Lady Therefore it were hard counsell to drawe such an exceeding great charge upon her whose event should be so uncertaine Iren. True indeede if the event should bee uncertaine but the certainty of the effect hereof shall be so infallible as that no reason can gainesay it neither shall the charge of all this Army the which I demaund be much greater then so much as in these last two yeares warres hath vainely beene expended For I dare undertake that it hath coste the Queene above 200000. pounds already and for the present charge that she is now at there amounteth to very neere 12000. pounds a moneth whereof cast you the accompt yet nothing is done The which summe had it beene imployed as it should bee would have effected all this which now I goe about Eudox. How meane you to have it imployed but to bee spent in the pay of Souldiours and provision of victualls Iren. Right so but it is now not disbursed at once as it might be but drawne out into a long length by sending over now 20000 pounds and next halfe yeare 10000. pounds so as the Souldiour in the meane time for want of due provision of victuall and good payment of his due is starved and consumed that of a 1000. which came over lusty able men in halfe a yeare there are not left 500. And yet is the Queenes charge never a whit the lesse but what is not payd in present money is accounted in debt which will not be long unpayd for the Captaine halfe of whose Souldiours are dead and the other quarter never mustered nor seene comes shortly to demand payment of his whole accompt where by good meanes of some great ones and privy shareings with the Officers and servants of other some hee receiveth his debt much lesse perhaps then was due yet much more indeede then he justly deserved Eudox. I take this sure to be no good husbandry for what must needes be spent as good spend it at once where is enough as to have it drawne out into long delayes seeing that thereby both the service is much hindred and yet nothing saved but it may be Irenaeus that the Queenes treasure in so great occasions of disbursements as it is well knowne she hath beene at lately is not alwayes so ready nor so plentifull as it can spare so great a summe together but being payed as it is now some and then some it is no great burthen unto her nor any great impoverishment to her Coffers seeing by such delay of time it daylie commeth in as fast as she parteth it out Iren. It may be as you say but for the going thorough of so honorable a course I doubt not but if the Queenes Coffers be not so well stored which we are not to looke into but that the whole Realme which now as things are used doe feele a continuall burthen of that wretched Realme hanging upon their backes would for a small riddance of all that trouble be once troubled for all and put to all their shoulders and helping hands and hearts also to the defraying of that
maintaine play which he setting unto him againe shortly thereby winneth all from the winner Eudox. Was this Rebell then set up at first by the Queene as you say and now become so undutifull Iren. He was I assure you the most outcast of all the O-Neales then and lifted up by her Majesty out of the dust to that he hath now wrought himselfe unto and now hee playeth like the frozen snake who being for compassion releived by the husbandman soone after he was warme began to hisse and threaten danger even to him and his Eudox. He surely then deserveth the punishment of that snake should worthily be hewed to peeces But if you like not the letting forth of Shane O-Neales sonnes against him what say you then of that advice which I heard was given by some to draw in Scotts to serve against him how like you that advice Iren. Much worse then the former for who that is experienced in those parts knoweth not that the O-Neales are neerely allyed unto the Mac-Neiles of Scotland and to the Earle of Argyle from whence they use to have all their succours of those Scottes and Redshanckes Besides all these Scottes are through long continuance intermingled and allyed to all the inhabitants of the north So as there is no hope that they will ever be wrought to serve faithfully against their old friends and kinsmen And though they would how when they have overthrowne him and the warres are finished shall they themselves be put out doe we not all know that the Scottes were the first inhabitants of all the north and that those which now are called the north Irish are indeed very Scottes which challenge the ancient inheritance and dominion of that Countrey to be their owne aunciently This then were but to leap out of the pan into the fire For the cheifest caveat and provision in reformation of the north must be to keep out those Scottes Eudox. Indeede I remember that in your discourse of the first peopling of Ireland you shewed that the Scythians or Scottes were the first that sate downe in the north whereby it seemes that they may challenge some right therein How comes it then that O-Neales claimes the dominion thereof and this Earle of Tyrone saith that the right is in him I pray you resolve me herein for it is very needefull to be knowne and maketh unto the right of the warre against him whose successe useth commonly to be according to the justnes of the cause for which it is made For if Tyrone have any right in that Seigniory me thinkes it should be wrong to thrust him out Or if as I remember you said in the beginning that O-Neale when he acknowledged the King of England for his Leige Lord and Soveraigne did as he alleadgeth reserve in the same submission his Seigniories and rights unto himselfe what should it be accounted to thrust him out of the same Iren. For the right of O-Neale in the seigniory of the north it is surely none at all For besides that the Kings of England conquered all the Realme and thereby assumed and invested all the right of that land to themselves and their heires and successours for ever So as nothing was left in O-Neale but what he received backe from them O-Neale himselfe never had any ancient Seigniory over that country but what by usurpation and incroachment after the death of the Duke of Clarence he got upon the English whose lands and possessions being formerly wasted by the Scottes under the leading of Edward le Bruce as I formerly declared unto you he eft-soones entred into and sithence hath wrongfully detained through the other occupations and great affaires which the Kings of England soone after fell into here at home so as they could not intend to the recovery of that Countrey of the north nor restraine the insolency of O-Neale who finding none now to withstand him raigned in that desolation and made himselfe Lord of those few people that remained there upon whom ever sithence he hath continued his first usurped power and now exacteth and extorteth upon all men what he list So that now to subdue or expell an usurper should bee no unjust enterprise or wrongfull warre but a restitution of auncient right unto the Crowne of England from whence they were most unjustly expelled and long kept out Eudox. I am very glad herein to be thus satisfied by you that I may the better satisfie them whom I have often heard to object these doubts and slaunderously to barke at the courses which are held against that trayterous Earle and his adherents But now that you have thus settled your service for Vlster and Connaght I would bee glad to heare your opinion for the prosecuting of Feagh Mac Hugh who being but a base villaine and of himselfe of no power yet so continually troubleth the State notwithstanding that he lyeth under their nose that I disdaine his bold arrogancy and thinke it to be the greatest indignity to the Queene that may be to suffer such a caytiffe to play such Rex and by his ensample not onely to give heart and incouragement to all such bad Rebells but also to yeeld them succour and refuge against her Majesty whensoever they fly unto his Comericke whereof I would first wish before you enter into your plot of service against him that you should lay open by what meanes he being so base first lifted himselfe up to this dangerous greatnes and how he maintaineth his part against the Queene and her power notwithstanding all that hath beene done and attempted against him And whether also hee have any pretence of right in the lands which he houldeth or in the warres that he maketh for the same Iren. I will so at your pleasure and will further declare not only the first beginning of his private house but also the originall of the sept of the Birnes and Tooles so farre as I have learned the same from some of themselves and gathered the rest by reading The people of the Birnes and Tooles as before I shewed unto you my conjecture descended from the auncient Brittaines which first inhabited all those easterne parts of Ireland as their names doe betoken for Brin in the Brittish language signifieth wooddy and Toole hilly which names it seemeth they tooke of the Countryes which they inhabited which is all very mountainous and woody In the which it seemeth that ever since the comming in of the English with Dermot ni-Gall they have continued Whether that their countrey being so rude and mountainous was of them despised and thought unworthy the inhabiting or that that they were received to grace by them and suffered to enjoy their lands as unfit for any other yet it seemeth that in some places of the same they have put foote and fortified with sundry Castles of which the ruines onely doe there now remaine since which time they are growne to that strength that they are able to lift up hand
enterprise Eudox. You have very well me thinkes Irenaeus plotted a course for the atcheiving of those warres now in Ireland which seemes to aske no long time nor great charge so as the effecting thereof bee committed to men of sure trust and sound experience aswell in that Country as in the manner of those services for if it bee left in the hands of such rawe Captaines as are usually sent out of England being thereunto onely preferred by friendship and not chosen by sufficiency it will soone fall to the ground Iren. Therefore it were meete me thinkes that such Captaines onely were thereunto employed as have formerly served in that Country and been at least Leivtenants unto other Captaines there For otherwise being brought and transferred from other services abroad as in France in Spaine and in the Low-Countryes though they be of good experience in those and have never so well deserved yet in these they will be new to seeke and before they have gathered experience they shall buy it with great losse to her Majesty either by hazarding of their companies through ignorance of the places and manner of the Irish services or by loosing a great part of the time which is required hereunto being but short in which it might be finished almost before they have taken out a new lesson or can tell what is to be done Eudox. You are no good friend to new Captaines It seemes Iren. that you barre them from the credit of this service but to say truth me thinkes it were meete that any one before he came to bee a Captaine should have beene a Souldiour for parere qui nescit nescit imperare And besides there is great wrong done to the old Souldiour from whom all meanes of advancement which is due unto him is cut off by shuffling in these new cutting Captaines into the place for which he hath long served and perhaps better deserved But now that you have thus as I suppose finished all the warre and brought all things to that lowe ebbe which you speake of what course will you take for the bringing in of that reformation which you intend and recovering all things from this desolate estate in which mee thinkes I behold them now left unto that perfect establishment and new common-wealth which you have conceived of by which so great good may redound unto her Majesty and an assured peace bee confirmed for that is it whereunto wee are now to looke and doe greatly long for being long sithence made weary with the huge charge which you have laide upon us and with the strong indurance of so many complaints so many delayes so many doubts and dangers as will hereof I know well arise unto the which before wee come it were meete me thinkes that you should take some order for the Souldiour which is now first to bee discharged and disposed of some way the which if you doe not well fore-see may growe to as great inconvenience as all this that I suppose you have quit us from by the loose leaving of so many thousand Souldiours which from thence forth will be unfit for any labour or other trade but must either seeke service and imployment abroad which may be dangerous or else perhaps imploy themselves heere at home as may bee discommodious Iren. You say very true and it is a thing much mislyked in this our Common-wealth that no better course is taken for such as have beene imployed in service but that returning whether maymed and so unable to labour or otherwise whole and sound yet afterwards unwilling to worke or rather willing to set the hang-man on worke But that needeth another consideration but to this which wee have now in hand it is farre from my meaning to leave the Souldier so at randome or to leave that waste Realme so weake and destitute of strength which may both defend it against others that might seeke then to set upon it and also to keepe it from that relapse which I before did fore-cast For it is one speciall good of this plot which I would devise that 6000. Souldiers of these whom I have now imployed in this service and made thoroughly acquainted both with the state of the Countrey and manners of the people should henceforth bee still continued and for ever maintayned of the Countrey without any charge to her Majestie and the rest that either are olde and unable to serve any longer or willing to fall to thrift as I have seene many Souldiers after the service to prove very good husbands should bee placed in part of the landes by them wonne at such rate or rather better then others to whom the same shall be set out Eudox. Is it possible Irenaeus can there be any such meanes devised that so many men should be kept still in her Majesties service without any charge to her at all Surely this were an exceeding great good both to her Highnes to have so many olde Souldiers alwayes ready at call to what purpose soever she list to imploy them and also to have that land thereby so strengthened that it shall neither feare any forraine Invasion nor practise which the Irish shall ever attempt but shall keepe them under in continuall awe and firme obedience Iren. It is so indeed And yet this truely I doe not take to be any matter of great difficultie as I thinke it will also soone appeare unto you And first we will speake of the North part for that the same is of more weight and importance So soone as it shall appeare that the Enemy is brought downe and the stout Rebell either cut off or driven to that wretchednesse that hee is no longer able to holde up his head but will come in to any conditions which I assure my selfe will bee before the end of the second Winter I wish that there bee a generall Proclamation made that whatsoever Out-lawes will freely come in and submit themselves to her Majesties mercy shall have liberty so to doe where they shall either finde that grace they desire or have leave to returne againe in safety upon which it is likely that so many as survive will come in to sue for grace of which who so are thought meet for subjection and fit to be brought to good may be received or else all of them for I thinke that all wil be but a very few upon condition and assurance that they will submit themselves absolutely to her Maiesties ordinance for them by which they shall be assured of life and libertie and be onely tyed to such conditions as shall bee thought by her meet for containing them ever after in due obedience To the which conditions I nothing doubt but that they will all most readily and upon their knees submit themselves by the proofe of that which I have seene in Mounster For upon the like Proclamation there they all came in both tagg and ragg and when as afterwardes many of them were denyed to be received they bade them doe with
them what they would for they would not by any meanes returne againe nor goe forth For in that case who will not accept almost of any conditions rather then dye of hunger and miserie Eudox. It is very likely so But what then is the Ordinance and what bee the conditions which you will propose unto them which shall reserve unto them an assurance of life and liberty Iren. So soone then as they have given the best assurance of themselves which may be required which must be I suppose some of their principall men to remaine in hostage one for another and some other for the rest for other surety I reckon of none that may binde them neither of wife nor of children since then perhappes they would gladly be ridde of both from the famine I would have them first unarmed utterly and stripped quite of all their warrelike weapons then these conditions set downe made knowne unto them that they shall bee placed in Leinster and have land given them to occupy and to live upon in such sort as shall become good subjects to labour thenceforth for their living and to apply themselves to honest trades of civility as they shall every one be found meete and able for Eudox. Where then a gods name will you place them in Leinster or will you finde out any new land there for them that is yet unknowne Iren. No I will place them all in the Countrey of the Birnes and Tooles which Pheagh mac Hugh hath and in all the lands of the Cavanaghes which are now in rebellion and all the lands which will fall to her Maiestie there-abouts which I know to be very spacious and large enough to containe them being very neere twenty or thirty miles wyde Eudox. But then what will you doe with all the Birnes the Tooles and the Cavanaghes and all those that now are joyned with them Iren. At the same very time and in the same very manner that I make that Proclamation to them of Vlster will I have it also made to these and upon their submission thereunto I will take like assurance of them as of the other After which I will translate all that remaine of them unto the places of the other in Vlster with all their Creete what else they have left them the which I will cause to be divided amongst them in some meete sort as each may thereby have somewhat to sustaine himselfe a while withall untill by his further travaile and labour of the Earth hee shal be able to provide himselfe better Eudox. But will you give the land then freely unto them and make them heires of the former Rebells so may you perhaps make them also heires of all their former villainies and disorders or how else will you dispose of them Iren. Not so But all the lands will I give unto Englishmen whom I will have drawne thither who shall have the same with such estates as shall bee thought meete and for such Rent as shall eftsoones bee rated under every of those Englishmen will I place some of those Irish to bee Tennants for a certaine Rent according to the quantity of such Land as every man shall have allotted unto him and shal be found able to wield wherein this speciall regard shall be had that in no place under any Land-lord there shall bee many of them placed together but dispersed wide from their acquaintance and scattered farre abroad thorough all the Country For that is the evill which now I finde in all Ireland that the Irish dwell altogether by their septs and severall nations so as they may practise or conspire what they will whereas if there were English well placed among them they should not bee able once to stirre or to murmure but that it should be knowne and they shortened according to their demerites Eudox. You have good reason but what rating of rents meane you to what end doe you purpose the same Iren. My purpose is to rate the rent of all those lands of her Maiesties in such sort unto those Englishmen which shall take them as they shall be well able to live thereupon to yeeld her Maiesty reasonable Chiefrie and also give a competent maintenance unto the garrisons which shall be there left amongst them for those Souldiours as I tolde you remaining of the former garrisons I cast to maintaine upon the rent of those landes which shall bee escheated and to have them divided thorough all Ireland in such places as shal be thought most convenient and occasion may require And this was the course which the Romanes observed in the Conquest of England for they planted some of their Legions in all places convenient the which they caused the Countrey to maintaine cutting upon every portion of land a reasonable rent which they called Romescot the which might not surcharge the Tennant or Free-holder and might defray the pay of the Garrison and this hath beene alwayes observed by all Princes in all Countries to them newly subdued to set Garrisons amongst them to containe them in dutie whose burthen they made them to beare and the want of this ordinance in the first conquest of Ireland by Henry the Second was the cause of the so short decay of that government and the quicke recovery againe of the Irish. Therefore by all meanes it is to bee provided for And this is that I would blame if it should not misbecome mee in the late planting of Mounster that no care was had of this Ordinance nor any strength of garrison provided for by a certaine allowance out of all the saide Landes but onely the present profite looked into and the safe continuance thereof for ever heereafter neglected Eudox. But there is a Band of Souldiours layde in Mounster to the maintenance of which what oddes is there whether the Queene receiving the rent of the Countrey doe give pay at her pleasure or that there be a settled allowance appointed unto them out of her lands there Iren. There is great oddes For now that said rent of the Countrey is not appointed to the pay of the Souldiers but it is by every other occasion comming betweene converted to other uses and the Souldiours in time of peace discharged and neglected as unnecessary whereas if the said rent were appointed and ordained by an establishment to this end only it should not bee turned to any other nor in troublous times upon every occasion her Majestie bee so troubled with sending over new Souldiours as shee is now nor the Countrie ever should dare to mutinie having still the Souldiour in their necke nor any forraine enemie dare to invade knowing there so strong and great a Garrison allwayes ready to receive them Eudox. Sith then you thinke that this Romescot of the pay of the Souldiours upon the land to be both the readiest way to the Souldiers and least troublesome to her Majestie tell us I pray you how would you have the said lands rated that both a rent may rise
thereout unto the Queene and also the Souldiers receive pay which mee thinkes wil be hard Iren. First we are to consider how much land there is in all Vlster that according to the quantity thereof we may cesse the said rent and allowāce issuing therout Vlster as the ancient records of that Realme doe testifie doth containe 9000. Plow-lands every of which Plow-lands containeth 120. Acres after the rate of 21. foote to every perch of the Acre every of which Plow-lands I will rate at 40s. by the yeare the which yearely rent amounteth in the whole to 18000l. besides 6s. 8d. chiefrie out of every Plow-land But because the countie of Louth being a part of Vlster containing in it 712. Plow-lands is not wholly to escheate to her Majestie as the rest they having in all their warres continued for the most part dutifull though otherwise a great part thereof is now under the Rebells there is an abatement to be made thereout of 400. or 500. Plow-lands as I estimat the same the which are not to pay the whole yearly rent of 40s. out of every Plow-land like as the escheated lands doe but yet shall pay for their composition of cesse towards the keeping of Soldiers 20s. out of every Plow-land so as there is to bee deducted out of the former summe 200. or 300l. yearely the which may neverthelesse be suppliby the rent of the Fishings which are exceeding great in Vlster and also by an increase of rent in the best lands and those that lye in the best places neere the Sea-coast The which eighteene thousand pounds will defray the entertainment of 1500. Souldiers with some over-plus towardes the pay of the victuallers which are to bee imployed in the victualling of these garrisons Eudox. So then belike you meane to leave 1500. Souldiers in garrison for Vlster to bee payde principally out of the rent of those lands which shall be there escheated unto her Majestie The which where I pray you will you have them garrisoned Iren. I will have them divided into three parts that is 500. in every garrison the which I will have to remaine in three of the same places where they were before appointed to wit 500. at Strabane and about Longhfoile so as they may holde all the passages of that part of the Countrey and some of them bee put in wardes upon all the straights thereabouts which I know to be such as may stoppe all passages into the Countrey on that side and some of them also upon the Ban up towardes Lough-Sidney as I formerly directed Also other 500. at the Fort upon Lough-Earne and wardes taken out of them which shall bee layde at Fermannagh at Bealick at Ballyshannon and all the streightes towardes Connaght the which I know doe so strongly command all the passages that way as that none can passe from Vlster into Connaght without their leave The last 500. shall also remaine in their Fort at Monoghan and some of them bee drawne into wardes to keepe the Kaies of all that Countrey both downwards and also towardes O Relies Countrey and the Pale and some at Eniskillin some at Belturbut some at the blacke Fort and so along that River as I formerly shewed in the first planting of them And moreover at every of these Forts I would have the seate of a Towne layde forth and incompassed in the which I would wish that there should inhabitants of all sortes as Merchants Artificers and Husbandmen bee placed to whom there should Charters and Fraunchises bee graunted to imcorporate them The which as it wil be no matter of difficultie to draw out of England persons which would very gladly be so placed so would it in short space turne those parts to great commodity and bring ere long to her Majestie much profit for those places are so fit for trade and trafficke having most convenient out-gates by divers rivers to the Sea and In-gates to the richest parts of the land that they would soone be enriched and mightily enlarged for the very seating of the garrisons by them besides the safetie and assurance which they shall worke unto them will also draw thither store of people and trade as I have seene ensample at Mariborogh and Philipstowne in Leinster where by reason of those two Fortes though there were but small wardes left in them there are two good Townes now growne which are the greatest stay of both those two Countries Eudox. Indeed me thinkes three such Townes as you say would doe very well in those places with the Garrisons and in short space would be so augmented as they would bee able with little to in-wall themselves strongly but for the planting of all the rest of the Countrey what order would you take Iren. What other then as I said to bring people out of England which should inhabite the same whereunto though I doubt not but great troopes would be readie to runne yet for that in such cases the worst and most decayed men are most ready to remove I would wish them rather to bee chosen out of all partes of this Realme either by discretion of wise men thereunto appointed or by lot or by the drumme as was the olde use in sending forth of Colonies or such other good meanes as shall in their wisedome bee thought meetest Amongst the chiefe of which I would have the land sett into Seigniories in such sort as it is now in Mounster and divided into Hundreds and Parishes or Wardes as it is in England and layde out into Shires as it was aunciently viz. The Countie of Downe the Countie of Antrim the Countie of Louth the Countie of Armaghe the Countie of Cavan the Countie of Colerane the Countie of Monoghan the Countie of Tirone the Countie of Fermannagh the Countie of Donnegall being in all tenne Over all which I wish a Lord President and a Councell to bee placed which may keepe them afterwards in awe and obedience and minister unto them Iustice and equity Eudox. Thus I see the whole purpose of your plot for Vlster and now I desire to heare your like opinion for Connaght Iren. By that which I have already said of Vlster you may gather my opinion for Connaght being very answereable to the former But for that the lands which shal therein escheat unto her Maiesty are not so intirely together as that they can be accōpted in one summe it needeth that they be cōsidered severally The Province of Connaght in the whole containeth as appeareth by the records of Dublin 7200 plow lands of the former measure and is of late divided into sixe Shires or Counties The Countie of Clare the Countie of Leytrim the Countie of Roscoman the countie of Galway the countie of Maio the Countie of Sligo Of the which all the Countie of Sligo all the Countie of Maio the most part of the Countie of Roscoman the most part of the Countie of Letrim a great part of the county of Galway some of the county
now is and besides other places will hereby receive some benefit But let us now I pray you come to Leinster in the which I would wish the same course to be observed that was in Vlster Eudox. You meane for the leaving of the Garrisons in their forts and for planting of English in all those Countryes betweene the county of Dublin and the county of Wexford but those waste wilde places I thinke when they are won unto her Majesty that there is none which will be hasty to seeke to inhabite Iren Yes enough I warrant you for though the whole tracke of the Countrey be mountainous and woody yet there are many goodly valleyes amongst them fit for faire habitations to which those mountaines adjoyned will be a great increase of pasturage for that Countrey is a great soyle of cattle and very fit for breed as for corne it is nothing naturall save onely for Barly and Oates and some places for Rye and therefore the larger penny-worthes may be allowed to them though otherwise the widenes of the mountaine pasturage doe recompence the badnes of the soyle so as I doubt not but it will find inhabitants and undertakers enough Eudox. How much doe you thinke that all those lands which Feagh Mac Hugh houldeth under him may amount unto and what rent may be reared thereout to the maintenance of the Garrisons that shall be laide there Iren. Truely it is impossible by ayme to tell it and for experience and knowledge thereof I doe not thinke that there was every any of the particulars thereof but yet I will if it please you guesse thereat upon ground onely of their judgement which have formerly devided all that country into 2. sheires or countyes Namely the countie of Wicklow and the county of Fernes the which 2. I see no cause but that they should wholly escheate to her Majesty all save the Barony of Arâ—lâ— which is the Earle of Ormond's auncient inheritance and hath ever been in his possession for all the whole land is the Queenes unlesse there be some grant of any part thereof to bee shewed from her Majesty As I thinke there is onely of New Castle to Sir Henry Harrington and of the Castle of Fernes to Sir Thomas Masterson the rest being almost 30. miles over I doe suppose can containe no lesse rhen 2000. plowlands which I will estimate at 4000. pounds rent by the yeare The rest of Leinster being 7. Counties to wit the County of Dublin Kildare Catherlagh Wexford Kilkenny the Kings the Queenes county doe containe in them 7400. plowlands which amounteth to so many pounds for composition to the Garrison that makes in the whole 11400. pounds which summe will yeeld pay unto 1000. Souldiours little wanting which may be supplied out of other lands of the Cavenaghes which are to be escheated to her Majesty for the Rebellion of their possessors though otherwise indeede they bee of her owne ancient demeasne Eudox. It is great reason But tell us now where you will wish those Garrisons to be laide whether altogether or to bee dispersed in sundry places of the country Iren. Marry in sundry places viz. in this sort or much the like as may be better advised for 200. in a place I doe thinke to bee enough for the safeguard of that country and keeping under all suddaine upstarts that shall seeke to trouble the peace thereof therefore I wish 200. to be laide at Ballinecor for the keeping of all bad persons from Glan-malo and all the fastnes there-abouts and also to containe all that shall be planted in those lands thenceforth Another 200. at Knockelough in their former place of Garrison to keepe the Bracknagh and all those mountaines of the Cavenaghes 200. more to lie at Fernes and upwards inward upon the Sâ—ane 200. to be placed at the fort of Leix to restraine the Moores vpper-Ossory and O-Carrol other 200. at the fort of Ofaly to curbe the O-Connors O-Molloyes Mac Coghlan Mageoghegan and all those Irish Nations bordering there-abouts Eudox. Thus I see all your men bestowed in Leinster what say you then of Meath Iren. Meath which containeth both East Meath and West Meath and of late the Annaly now called the county of Longford is counted therunto But Meath it selfe according to the old records containeth 4320. plowlands the county of Longford 947. which in the whole makes 5267. plowlands of which the composition money will amount likewise to 5267. pounds to the maintenance of the Garrison But because all Meath lying in the bosome of that kingdome is allwayes quiet enough it is needelesse to put any Garrison there so as all that charge may be spared But in the county of Longford I wish 200. footemen and 50. horsemen to bee placed in some convenient seate betweene the Annaly and the Breny as about Lough Sillon or some like place of that River so as they might keepe both the O-Relies and also the O-Ferrals and all that out-skirt of Meath in awe the which use upon every light occasion to be stirring and having continuall enmity amongst themselves doe thereby oftentimes trouble all those parts the charge whereof being 3400. and odde pounds is to be cut out of that composition money for Meath and Longford the over-plus being almost 2000. pounds by the yeare will come in clearly to he Majesty Eudox. It is worth the hearkening unto But now that you have done with Meath proceede I pray you to Mounster that wee may see how it will rise there for the maintenance of the Garrison Iren. Mounster containeth by record at Dublin 16000. plow-lands the composition whereof as the rest will make 16000. pounds by the yeare out of the which I would have 1000. Souldiours to be maintained for the defence of that Province the charge whereof with the victuallers wages will amount to 12000. pounds by the yeare the other 4000. pounds will defray the charge of the Presidency and the Councell of that Province Eudox. The reckoning is easie but in this accompt by your leave me thinkes you are deceived for in this summe of the composition money you accompt the lands of the undertakers of that Province who are by their graunt from the Queene to bee free from all such impositions whatsoever excepting their onelie Rent which is surely enough Iren. You say true I did so but the same 20. shil for every plow-land I meant to have deducted out of that rent due upon them to her Majesty which is no hinderance nor charge at all more to her Majesty then it now is for all that rent which shee receives of them shee putteth forth againe to the maintenance of the Presidency there the charge wherof it doth scarcely defray whereas in this accompt both that charge of the Presidency and also of a thousand Souldiours more shall be maintained Eudox. It should be well if it could be brought to that But now where will you have your thousand men garrisond Iren. I would have a hundred of
Liveries marriages fines of alienations and many other Commodities which now are kept and concealed from her Majesty to the value of 40000. pounds per annum I dare undertake in all Ireland by that which I know in one county Eudox. This Irenaeus would seeme a dangerous commission and ready to stirre up all the Irish in Rebellion who knowing that they have nothing to shew for all those lands which they hould but their Swords would rather drawe them then suffer the lands to bee thus drawne away from them Iren. Neither should their lands be taken away from them nor the utmost advantages inforced against them But this by discretion of the Commissioners should be made knowne unto them that it is not her Majesties meaning to use any such extreamity but onely to reduce things into order of English Law and make them hould their lands of her and to restore to her her due services which they detaine out of those lands which were aunciently held of her And that they should not onely not be thrust out but also have estates and grants of their lands new made to them from her Majesty so as they should thence-forth hould them rightfully which they now usurpe wrongfully and yet withall I would wish that in all those Irish countryes there were some land reserved to her Majesties free disposition for the better containing of the rest and intermingling them with English inhabitants and customes that knowledge might still be had of them and of all their doings so as no manner of practise or conspiracy should be had in hand amongst them but notice should bee given thereof by one meanes or another and their practises prevented Eudox. Truely neither can the Irish nor yet the English Lords thinke themselves wronged nor hardly dealt withall herein to have that which is indeede none of their owne at all but her Majesties absolutely given to them with such equall conditions as that both they may be assured thereof better then they are and also her Majesty not defrauded of her rightly utterly for it is a great grace in a Prince to take that with conditions which is absolutely her owne Thus shall the Irish be well satisfied and as for the great men which had such graunts made to them at first by the Kings of England it was in regard that they should keepe forth the Irish and defend the Kings right and his Subjects but now seeing that in stead of defending them they robbe and spoyle them and in stead of keeping out the Irish they doe not onely make the Irish their tennants in those lands and thrust out the English but also some of themselves become meere Irish with marrying with them with fostering with them and combyning with them against the Queene What reason is there but that those graunts and priviledges should bee either revoked or at least reduced to the first intention for which they were graunted for sure in mine opinion they are more sharpely to bee chastised and reformed then the rude Irish which being very wilde at the first are now become more civill when as these from civillity are growne to be wilde and meere Irish. Iren. Indeede as you say Eudoxus these doe neede a sharper reformation then the Irish for they are more stubborne and disobedient to law and governement then the Irish be Eudox. In truth Irenaeus this is more then ever I heard that any English there should bee worse then the Irish Lord how quickely doth that Countrey alter mens natures It is not for nothing I perceive which I have heard that the Councell of England thinke it no good policie to have that Realme reformed or planted with English least they should grow so undutifull as the Irish and become much more dangerous As appeareth by the ensamples of the Lacies in the time of Edward the Second which you spake of that shooke off their allegiance to their naturall Prince and turned to Edward le Bruce to make him King of Ireland Iren. No times have bene without bad men but as for that purpose of the Councell of England which you spake of that they should keepe that Realme from reformation I thinke they are most lewdly abused for their great carefulnesse and earnest endeavours doe witnesse the contrary Neither is it the nature of the Countrey to alter mens manners but the bad mindes of the men who having beene brought up at home under a straight rule of duty and obedience being alwayes restrayned by sharpe penalties from lewde behaviour so soone as they come thither where they see lawes more slackely tended and the hard restraint which they were used unto now slacked they grow more loose and carelesse of their duty and as it is the nature of all men to love liberty so they become flat libertines and fall to all licentiousnes more boldly daring to disobey the Law thorough the presumption of favour and friendship then any Irish dareth Eudox. Then if that be so me thinkes your late advisement was very evill whereby you wished the Irish to be sowed and sprinckled with English and in all the Irish Countryes to have English planted amongst them for to bring them to English fashions since the English sooner drawe to the Irish then the Irish to the English for as you said before if they must runne with the streame the greater number will carry away the lesse Therefore me thinkes by this reason it should bee better to part the Irish and English then to mingle them together Iren. Not so Eudoxus but where there is no good stay of Government and strong ordinances to hould them there indeede the fewer will follow the more but where there is due order of discipline and good rule there the better shall goe foremost and the worst shall follow And therefore now since Ireland is full of her owne nation that ought not to be rooted out and somewhat stored with English already and more to be I thinke it best by an union of manners and conformity of mindes to bring them to be one people and to put away the dislikefull conceipt both of the one and the other which will be by no meanes better then by this intermingling of them For neither all the Irish may dwell together nor all the English but by translating of them and scattering them amongst the English not onely to bring them by dayly conversation unto better liking of each other but also to make both of them lesse able to hurt And therefore when I come to the tything of them I will tithe them one with another for the most part will make an Irish man the tythingman whereby he shall take the lesse exception to partiality and yet be the more tyed thereby But when I come to the Head Borough which is the head of the Lathe him will I make an English man or an Irish man of speciall assurance As also when I come to appoint the Alderman that is the head of the Hundreth him will I surely
choose to be an English man of speciall regard that may be a stay and pillar of all the Borough under him Eudox. What doe you meane by your hundred and what by your Borough by that that I have read in auncient records of England an hundred did containe an hundreth villages or as some say an hundreth Plough-lands being the same which the Saxons called Cantred the which Cantred as I finde it recorded in the Blacke Booke of the Exchequer of Ireland did containe xxx villatas terrae which some call quarters of land and every villata can maintaine 400. Cowes in pasture and the 400. cowes to be devided into 4. heards so as none of them shall come neere other every villata containing 18. Plowlands as is there set downe by that which I have read of a Borough it signifieth a free towne which had a principall Officer called a Head-Borough to become Ruler and undertake for all the dwellers under him having for the same franchises and priviledges graunted them by the King whereof it was called a free Borough and of the Lawyers Franci plegium Iren. Both that which you said Eudoxus is true and yet that which I say not untrue for that which you spake of deviding the Countrey into hundreds was a devision of the lands of the Realme but this which I tell was of the people which were thus devided by the pole So that hundreth in this sense signifieth a 100. pledges which were under the command and assurance of their Alderman the which as I suppose was also called a Wapentake so named of touching the weapon or speare of their Alderman and swearing to follow him faithfully and serve their Prince truly But others thinke that a Wapentake was 10. hundreds or boroghs Likewise a Borogh as I here use it and as the old lawes still use is not a Borogh towne as they now call it that is a franchised towne But a maine pledge of 100. free persons therfore called a free borough or as you say Franci-plegium For Borh in old Saxon signifieth a pledge or surety and yet is so used with us in some speeches as Chaucer saith St Iohn to Borroh that is for assurance and warranty Eudox. I conceive the difference But now that you have thus devided the people into these Tythings and Hundreths how will you have them so preserved and continued for people doe often change their dwelling places and some must die whilst other some doe growe up into strength of yeares and become men Iren. These Hundreds I would wish to assemble themselves once every yeare with their pledges and to present themselves before the Iustices of the peace which shall bee thereunto appointed to bee surveyed and numbred to see what change hath happened since the yeare before and the defects to supplie of young plants late growne up the which are diligently to bee overlooked and viewed of what condition and demeanour they be so as pledges may bee taken for them and they put into order of some Tything of all which alterations notes is to be taken and Bookes made thereof accordingly Eudox. Now mee thinkes Irenaeus you are to bee warned to take heede lest unawares you fall into that inconvenience which you formerly found fault with in others Namely that by this booking of them you doe not gather them into a new head and having broken their former strength doe not unite them more strongly againe For every Alderman having all these free pledges of his Hundred under his commaund may me thinkes if hee be evill disposed drawe all his Companie into an evill action And likewise by this assembling of them once a yeare unto their Alderman by their Weapentakes take heede lest you also give them occasion and meanes to practise together in any conspiracyes Iren. Neither of both is to be doubted for their Aldermen and Head Boroughes will not be such men of power and countenance of themselves being to be chosen thereunto as neede to be feared Neither if hee were is his Hundred at his commaund further then his Princes service and also every Tything man may controll him in such a case And as for the assembling of the Hundred much lesse is any danger thereof to be doubted seeing it is before some Iustice of Peace or some high Constable to bee thereunto appointed So as of these Tythings there can no perill ensue but a certaine assurance of peace and great good for they are thereby withdrawne from their Lords and subjected to the Prince Moreover for the better breaking of these heads and septs which I tould you was one of the greatest strengthes of the Irish me thinkes it should bee very well to renewe that ould Statute which was made in the raigne of Edward the fourth in Ireland by which it was commaunded that whereas all men then used to be called by the name of their septs according to the severall Nations and had no surnames at all that from thenceforth each one should take upon himselfe a severall surname either of his trade and facultie or of some quality of his body or minde or of the place where he dwelt so as every one should be distinguished from the other or from the most part wherby they shall not onely not depend upon the head of their sept as now they do but also in time learne quite to forget his Irish Nation And here withall would I also wish all the O's and the Mac's which the heads of septs have taken to their names to bee utterly forbidden and extinguished For that the same being an ordinance as some say first made by O Brien for the strengthning of the Irish the abrogating thereof will asmuch infeeble them Eudox. I like this ordinance very well but now that you have thus divided distinguished them what other order will you take for their manner of life Iren. The next that I will doe shal be to appoint to every one that is not able to live of his Free-holde a certaine Trade of life to which he shall finde himselfe fittest and shal be thought ablest the which trade hee shal be bound to follow live onely thereupon All trades therefore are to be understood to be of three kindes Manuall Intellectuall mixed The first containing all such as needeth exercise of bodily labour to the performance of their profession The second consisting only of the exercise of wit reason The third sort part of bodily labor part of the wit but depending most of industrie and carefulnes Of the first sort be all handy-crafts husbandry labour Of the second be all Sciences and those which be called the liberall Arts. Of the third is Merchandize Chafferie that is buying selling without all these three there is no Common-wealth can almost consist or at the least be perfect But the Realme of Ireland wanteth the most principall of them that is the intellectuall therfore in seeking to reforme her state it is specially
ac prosperis praelijs domuit eamque partem Britanniae quae Hiberniam aspicit copijs instruxit in spem magis quam ob formidinem Siquidem Hibernia medio inter Britanniam atque Hispaniam sita Gallico quoque mari opportuna valentissimam imperij partem magnis invicem usibus miscuerit Spatium ejus si Britanniae comparetur angustius nostri maris insulas superat Solum coelumque ingenia cultusque hominum haut multùm à Britannia differunt meliùs aditus portusque per commercia negotiatores cogniti Agricola expulsum seditione domesticâ unum ex regulis gentis exceperat ac specie amicitiae in occasionem retinebat Saepè ex eo audivi Legione unâ modicis auxilijs debellari obtinerÃque Hiberniam posse idque adversùs Britanniam profuturum si Romana ubique arma velut è conspectu libertas tolleretur Pag. 31. lin 4. Slanius in the end made himselfe Monarch The Irish stories have a continued succession of the Kings of Ireland from this Slanius untill the conquest by King Henry the second but very uncertaine especially untill the planting of Religion by S. Patrick at which time Loegarius or Lagirius was Monarch Pag. 33. lin 35. Ireland is by Diodorus Siculus and by Strabo called Britannia Iris is by Diodorus called a part of Brittaine but Ireland by neither of them Britannia Pag. 33. lin 38. King Arthur and before him Gurgunt Concerning King Arthur's conquest of Ireland see Geffry of Monmuth and Matthew of Westminster at the yeare 525. where he is said to have landed in Ireland with a great army and in a battle to have taken King Gilla-mury prisoner and forced the other Princes to subjection In our Annals it appeares that Moriertach the sonne of Erca was at that time King of Ireland of which name some reliques seeme to be in Gilla-Mury Gilla being but an addition used with many names as Gilla-Patrick c. But in the Country writers which I have seene I find not the least touch of this conquest Pag. 34. lin 23. amongst whom he distributed the land King Henry the 2. gave to Richard Strong-bow Earle of Striguil or Penbroke all Leinster excepting the citty of Dublin and the Cantreds adjoyning with the maritime townes and castles Vnto Robert fitz Stephen and Miles de Cogan he granted the Kingdome of Corke excepting the Citty of Corke and the Ostmans Cantred And unto Philip de Bruse the Kingdome of Limericke But in a confirmation of King Iohn to William de Bruse or Braos Nephew to this Philip wee finde that hee gave to him onely honorem de Limerick retentis in dominico nostro as the words of the Charter are civitate de Limerick donationibus episcopatuum abbatiarum retentis in manu nostrâ cantredo Ostmannorum S. insulâ Among other large graunts remembred by Hoveden which this King Henry gave to the first adventurers that of Meth to Sr Hugh de Lacy is of speciall note The grant was in these words HEnricus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae Dux Normanniae Aquitaniae Comes Andegauiae Archiepiscopis Episcopis Abbatibus Comitibus Baronibus Iustitiarijs omnibus ministris fidelibus suis Francis Anglis Hiberniensibus totius terrae suae Salutem Sciatis me dedisse concessisse praesenti chartâ meâ confirmâsse Hugoni de Lacy pro servitio suo terram de Midiâ cum omnibus pertinentijs suis per servitium quinquaginta militum sibi haeredibus suis tenenduÌ„ habenduÌ„ à me haeredibus meis sicut Murchardus Hu-melathlin eam tenuit vel aliquis alius ante illum vel posteà Et de incremento illi dono omnia feoda quae praebuit vel quae praebebit circa Dâ—veliniam dum Balivus meus est ad faciendum mihi servitium apud civitatem meam Duveliniae Quare volo firmiter praecipio ut ipse Hugo haeredes sui post eum praedictam terram habeant teneant omnes libertates liberas consuetudines qu sibi habeo vel habere possum per praenominatum servitium à me haeredibus meis benè in pace liberè quietè honorificè in bosco plano in pratis pascuis in aquis moleÌ„dinis in vivarijs stagnis piscationibus venationibus in vijs semitis portubus maris in omnibus alijs locis alijs rebus ad eam pertinentibus cum omnibus libertatibus quas ibi habeo vel illi dare possum hâc meâ chartâ confirmare Test. comite Richardo filio Gilberti VVillielmo de Braosa c. Apud VVeisford But above all other graunts made by K. Henry the 2. that to his sonne Iohn is most memorable Deinde saith Hoveden venit rex Oxenford in generali concilio ibidem celebrato constituit Iohannem filium suum Regem in Hiberniâ concessione confirmatione Alexandri summi Pontificis By vertue of this graunt both in the life time of his father and in the raigne of his brother king Richard he was stiled in all his charters Dominus Hiberniae and directed them thus Ioannes Dominus Hiberniae comes Morton Archiepiscopis episcopis comitibus baronibus Iustitiarijs vicecomitibus constabularijs omnibus ballivis ministris suis totius Hiberniae salutem Thus we have it frequently although sometimes with a little variation in the Registers of Saint Mary Abbey and Thomascourt by Dublin How the Earle in Leinster and Lacy in Meth distributed their lands besides what they retained in their owne hands is delivered by Maurice Regan interpreter to Dermot Mac Murrough King of Leinster who wrote the Historie of those times in French verse The booke was translated into English by Sir George Carew Lo. President of Mounster afterwards earle of Totnes and communicated to me by our most reverend and excellently learned Primate There wee finde that the Earle gave to Reymond le Grose in marriage with his sister Fotherd Odrone and Glascarrig unto Hervy de Mount-marish hee gave Obarthy unto Maurice de Prindergast Fernegenall which was afterwards conferred upon Robert fitz Godobert but by what meanes he obtained it saith Regan I know not Vnto Meiler Fitz Henry he gave Carbry unto Maurice Fitz Gerald the Naas Ofelin which had beene possessed by Mackelan and Wickloe unto Walter de Ridelesford he gave the lands of Omorthy unto Iohn de Clahul the marshalship of Leinster and the land betweene Aghabo and Leghlin unto Robert de Birmingham Ofaly and unto Adam de Hereford large possessions What these possessions were are thus noted in the Register of Thomascourt abbey where speaking of the Earle Posteà Lageniâ perquisitâ erat quidam juvenis cum eo quem multûm dilexit dedit eidem pro servitio suo terras tenementa subscripta viz. tenementum de saltu Salmonis Cloncoury Kill Houterard tenementum de Donning cum omnibus
service was performed by Sir Richard Edgecomb being appointed thereunto by a speciall commission from K. Henry the seventh There is yet extant an exact diary of all his proceedings therein from his first landing at Kinsale the 27th of Iune 1488. till his departure from Dublin the 30th of Iuly next * * What Coigny and Livery doe signifie is formerly expressed see pag. 24. Sorehon was a tax laide upon the Free-holders for certaine dayes in each quarter of a yeare to finde victualls and lodging and â—o pay certaine stipends to the Kerne Galloglasses and horsemen * * Cantred is a Brittish word answering to the Saxon Hundred How much land a Cantred containeth is variously delivered Some hould that it containes 100. townes So Gir. Barry or Cambrensis in his itinerary of Wales lib. 2. cap. 7. Dicitur autem Cantreduâ— saith he composito vocabulo tam Britannica quam Hibernica lingua tanta terrae portio quanta 100. villas contineta solet The Author here ciâ—es a record which makes it containe but 30. towne-lands and Iohn Clynn if my copy therein be not mistaken hath but 20. But another more auncient MS. sometime belonging to the Friars Minors of Multifernan hath 30. Qualibet cantreda saith Clinne continet xx al. xxx villatas terrae quaelibet villata potest sustinere 300 vaccas in pascuis itâ— quod vaccae in x. al. 1111. partes divisae nulla alteri appropinquabit quaelibet villata continet viii carucatas We finde also there the Provinces of Ireland thus divided into Cantreds Vltonia continet 35. cantredas Conacia 30. Lagenia 31. Mâ—dia 18. Momonia 70. See more concerning cantreds in Sir Hen. Spelman's excellent Glossary As cantreds are diversly estimated so are also carues or plowlands * * An. 5. Edw 4. * * The statute referres onely to the Irish dwelling among the English in the counties of Dublin Meth Vriel and Kildare Vriel called also Ergallia did anciently comprehend all that countrey which is now divided into the Counties of Louth and Monoghan although it may be conceived that Louth was onely intendâ—d by the statute because Monoghan was then in a manner wholly possessed by the Irish. * * The custome of prefixing the vowell O to many of the chiefe Irish surnames began soon after the yeere M. in the raigne of Brien boroma the son of Kennethy King of Ireland As for Mac in surnames it beareth no other signification then Fitz doth among the French and from them the English and ap with the Welsh And although it were more anciently used then the other yet it varied according to the fathers name and became not so soone fully settled in families * * Anno 25º Hen. 6. * * How requisite also an Universitie is for the further growth in learning the judicious well know This happinesse we now enjoy to the great benefit of this Land And although former attempts have beene made for erecting and establishing Vniversities in Ireland yet through want of meanes which should have beene allotted for their maintenance they have soone faded So hapned it with that Academy which Alexander de Bâ—gnor Archbishop of Dublin erected in S. Patricks Church in Dublin and procured to be confirmed by Pope Iohn the â—2th And no better succeeded that which was afterwards erected at Tredagh by Act of Parlament Anno 5. Edw. 4. as appeares in the roll of that yeare in the Chauncery whereby all the like Priviledges as the Vniversity of Oxford in England enjoyed were conferred upon it Besides these wee finde mention of others farre more ancient as at Armagh and Ross. Carbry or Ross. atlithry as it is called in the life of S. Faghnan the Founder who lived in the yeare 590. Ipse Sanctus saith the Author in australi Hibernia plagâ iuxta mare in suo Monasterio quod ipse fundavit ibi crevit civitas in quâ semper manet magnum studium scolarium quod dicitur Rossailithry habitabat But a further search were fit to bee made touching those of the elder times a a De hac re vidâ— Camd. Britan. pag. 336. annal Hib. ab to ediâ— ad an 136â— b b A regione quadam qua dicitur Scythia dicitur Scita Sciticus Scoticus Scotus Scotia Tho. Walsingham iâ— Hypodigmatâ— Neâ— striae ad an 1185. * * Hist. nat lib. 16. cap 44. * * De bâ—llo Galli â—o â—ib 2. c c Rer. Scot. lib. 2. d d Gir. Camb. Hib. expugn lib. I. cap. 2â— e e Vid. Rog. de Hoveden pag. 567 edit Franc. Camd. Brit. pag. 739. f f Rog. de Hoveden ibid. g g Chart. an 2. Io. in arce Lond. h h In Henr. 2. pag. 566· i i Consul Gir. Camb. Hib. expugn lib. 2. cap. 4 k k This Maurice soone after deceasing at Wexford king Iohn then earle of Moreton confirmed to his sonne William Fitz Maurice cantredum terrae quem Makelanus tenuit illum scâ—in quo villa de Nâ—as sita est quam comes Richardus dedit Mauritio patri ipsius Willielmi Thus the charter habetuâ— in roâ— com placis an 10. Hen. 6. in iurri Birminghamiano l l Magn. regest mon. B. Mariae iuâ—â—a Dublin fol 76. m m Romanae histor antholog lib. 2. sect 3. cap. 7. n n De iud l. 3. cap. 19. Satyr 3. lib. 1. AEneid lib. 1 o o An 45â— Lord Treasurer of Ireland Lord Deputy of Ireland