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THis Prouince called by our Welsh-Britanes Vl••w, in Irish Cui Guilly, in Latine Vltonia, and Vlidia, in English Vlster; on the North is diuided by anarrow Sea from Scotland; Southward it extends it self to Connagh and Leinster; the East part lieth vpon the Irish Sea; and the West part is continually beaten with the boisterous rage of the maine West Ocean. This Prouince and furthest part of Ireland, affronteth the Scotish Islands which are called the Hebrides, and are scattered in the Seas betweene both kingdomes; whose inhabitants at this day is the Irish-Scot, successor of the old Scythian.
(2) The forme thereof is round, reaching in length from Coldagh hauen in her North, to Kilmore in her South, neere an hundred miles; and in bredth from Black-Abbey in her East, to Calebegh point in her West, one hundred thirty and odde miles: The whole in circumference, a∣bout foure hundred and twenty miles.
(3) This Countrey seldome feeleth any vnseasonable extremities, the quicke and flexible windes cooling the heat of Summer, and soft and gentle shewers molifie the hardnes of the winter: Brieflie, the frozen nor torrid Zone haue not heere any vsurpation; the clouds in the aire, very sweete and pleasant, yea and when they are most impure are not vnholsome nor of long continuance, the rough winds holding them in continuall agitation.
(4) This equall temperature, causeth the ground to bring foorth great store of seuerall Trees, both fit for buil∣ding, and bearing of fruite; plentifull of grasse for the bree∣ding of cattle, and is abundantly furnished with Horses, Sheepe, and Oxen; the Riuers likewise pay dubble tribute, deepe enough to carrie vessels either for pleasure or pro∣fit, and fish great store, both for their owne vses, and com∣modity of others. Salmons in some Riuers of this Countie, abound more in number then in any Riuer of Europe. To speake (in generall) though in some places it be somewhat barren, troubled with Loughes, Lakes, and thicke woods, yet is it euery where fresh and full of cattle, and forrage, ready at all times to answer the husbandmans paines: But Nature is there so little beholding to Art or Industrie, that the various shew vpon bankes, the shady groues, the greene meadowes, hanging hills, and fields fit for corne, (if they were manured) doe seeme to bee angry with their inhabi∣tants for suffering all to grow wild and barbarous, through their owne negligence.
(5) This Countrey in Ptolomies daies, was wholly pos∣sessed by the Voluntij, Darni, Robogdij, and Erdini, who branched and spred themselues into the seuerall parts of that Island.
(6) The people of this Prouince, were accustomed in controuersies and solemne protestations, to swear by S. Patricks-Staffe, which Oath they feared more to breake, then if they had sworne by the holy Euangelist. Their an∣cient custome in making their King, was this. A white Cow was taken, which the King must kill, and seeth the same in water whole, then must hee bath himselfe therein starke naked; and sitting in the Cawdron wherein it was sod, accompanied with his people round about him, hee and they vsed to eat the flesh and drinke the broath wherein he sat, without cup, or dish, or vse of hand. How farre these prescriptions and customes were different from the con∣formities of other ciuill Monarchies, wee may well per∣ceiue by these and other like obseruations of those grosse times, and as yet are they more barbarous then is any o∣ther part of the Island besides.
(7) Historians relating of Ireland, tells of seuerall Islands in the seuerall Prouinces: Some full of Angells, some full of Diuells, some for male onely, some for female, some where none may liue, some where none can die; and such effects of trees, stones, and waters, that a man (but of easie conceit) may well esteeme them, as heedles as vn∣certaine. So also S. Patrickes Purgatorie (a thing of much note in the tract of this Prouince:) is a vault or narrow caue in the ground, neere a Lake (called Erne Lyf∣fer) much spoken of, by reason of (I wot not what) fearefull walking spirits and dreadfull apparitions, (or rather some religious horror) which) as some ridiculously dreame) was digd by Vlysses when hee went downe to parley with those in hell. This is the caue which the inhabitants in these daies call Ellan ••' Frugadory, that is, The Islle of Purgatorie, and S. Patricks Purgatory: for some persons lesse deuout then credulous, affirme that S. Patrick (or rather Patricius Secundus an holie Abbat of that name) labouring the con∣uersion of the people of this Prouince, and much inforcing the life to come, they replied contemptuouslie vnto him, that vnlesse they saw proofes of those ioies and paines hee preached, they would not lose the possession of their pre∣sent pleasures, in hope or feare of things to come, they wist not when. Whereupon (as they say) he obtained at Gods hands by earnest praier, that the punishments and torments which the godlesse are to suffer after this life, might bee there presented to the eie, that so hee might more easily roote out the sinnes and heathenish errors, that stucke so fast in the hearts of the Irish. But touching the credit here∣of (although common fame, and some records doe vtter it) I neither will vrge the beleefe, nor regard, seeing it is no article of our creede.
(8) Matters memorable within this Prouince, are these: First, that the Bishops of Ireland were wont to be cōsecrated by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury, in regard of the Primacy which they had in this Countrey; vntill such time as Iohn Papirio a Cardinall was sent thither from Pope Eugenius the fourth, to reforme Ecclesiastical discipline in this Iland, which was then growne so loose, that there were translati∣ons, and pluralities of Bishops, according to the will and pleasure of the Metropolitane. Also that the Irish-men were accustomed to leaue and forsake their wedded wiues at their owne free wills, whereof Lanfrancke Arch bishop of Canterburie, complained vnto Therdeluac a King of Ire∣land: And had not this Nation beene corrupted with this vice, euen vnto these our daies; both the right of lineall succession, had been more certaine among them, and the Gentry and Comminalty, had not in such cruelties im∣brued themselues, with such effusion of their owne kin∣dreds bloud▪ about their inheritances and legitimation.
(9) The principall place in this tract, is Armagh neere vnto the riuer Kalin, which (albeit it maketh a poore shew) is the Archiepiscopall See and Metropolitane of the whole Island. Before S. Patrick had built there a faire City, for site, forme, quantity, and compasse, modelled out (as he saith) by the appointment and direction of Angels, this place was named Drumsalich; the Irish tell much that it receiued the name of Queene Armach••: But the better opinions are, that it is the same which Bede calleth Dearmach, and out of the Scotish and Irish language interpreteth it The Field of Oakes. Here (as S. Bernard writeth) S. Patrick (the Apostle of Ireland) ruled in his life time, and rested after death: In honor of whom it was of such venerable estimation in old time, that not onely Bishops and Priests, but Kings also and Princes were (in generall) subiect to the Metropolitane thereof in all obedience, and to his Gouernment alone. Among the Arch-bishops of this Prouince S. Malachy is famoused, who first prohibited Priests mariage in Ireland, and (as S. Bernard saith, who wrote his life at large) borrow∣ed no more of the natiue barbarousnes of that Countrey, then Sea-fishes doe saltnes of the Seas. Also Richard Fitz-Ralf (commonly called Armachanus) is of famous memory, who turning the edge of his style, about the yeer 1355. be∣gan to oppose his opinion against the Order of Mendicant Friers, as detesting in Christians, such voluntary begging. The chief Fort in this tract, is Enis Kelling, defended by the Rebells in the yeere 1593. and won by Dowdall a most va∣liant Captaine: neere vnto which is a great downfall of wa∣ter, termed The Salmon-Leap: of which there is a common speech currant among the inhabitants, that it was once firme ground, very populous and well husbanded with til∣lage; till it was sudainely ouer-flowne with waters and turned into a Lake, for some filthie abominable acts of the people against Nature, committed with Beasts.
(10) The places of Religion, sequestred from other worldly seruices and consecrated to holy purposes, erected in this Prouince, were: The Abbey which sheweth it selfe at Donegal: The Monasterie of Derie, where the Irish rebell Shane O-Neal, receiued such an ouerthrow (by Edward Randolph, renowned for his seruice in the behalfe of his Country) that hee could neuer after recouer the losse hee sustained at that time: The Monasterie neere vnto the riuer Liffer: The famous Monastery at the Bay of Knockfergus, of the same institution, name, & order, as was that ancient Ab∣bey in England, neere vnto Chester called Banchor: Also Mellifon•• Abbey founded by Donald a King of Vriel, and much commended by S. Bernard: And lastly, the most re∣nowned Monastery, built at Armagh in the yeer of our Sal∣uation 610. out of which very many Monasteries were af∣terwards propagate both in Britane and Ireland. These pla∣ces were far and neere frequented & sought vnto by great confluences of Pilgrims, till Time prooued their deuotions to bee erronious, and the pure light of the word reuealed, opening the eies of their vnderstanding, hath taught them to shake off the shame of such Superstitions.
(11) That the people of this County might be kept with∣in the boūds of their duty, this prouince hath been secured with 56. castles & forts; & for trade of commerce 9. Market towns appointed, being diuided into these Coūties ensuing.
| Counties, | Dunghall, or, | Fermanagh. | Antrim. |
| Tyr-connell. | Cauan. | Downe. | |
| Vpper Tyrone. | Monaghan. | Armagh. | |
| Nether Tyrone. | Colran••. | Lough. |