The firste [laste] volume of the chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande conteyning the description and chronicles of England, from the first inhabiting vnto the conquest : the description and chronicles of Scotland, from the first original of the Scottes nation till the yeare of our Lorde 1571 : the description and chronicles of Yrelande, likewise from the first originall of that nation untill the yeare 1571 / faithfully gathered and set forth by Raphaell Holinshed.

❧The thirde Booke of the Historie of Ireland, comprising the raigne of Henry the eyght: continued by Richard Stanihurst, and vvritten to the right honorable Sir Henrie Sidney Knight, Lord Deputie of Ireland, Lord president of VVales, Knight of the most noble order of the Garter, and one of hir Maiesties priue Counsayle within hir Realme of Englande. (Book 3)

HOw comber∣some (ryghte Honorable) & daungerous a taske it is, to engrosse & di∣vulge the do∣ings [ 20] of others, especially whē the parties re∣gistred or their issue are liuing: both common reason sufficient∣ly acknowledgeth, and dayly experience infal∣libly approueth. For Man by course of nature is so partially affected to himself, and his bloud, as hee will bee more agreeued with the Chro∣nicler for recording a peeuish trespasse, than hee [ 30] will be offended with his friende, for cōmitting an heynous treason.

Ouer this, if the historian be long, hee is ac∣compted a trister: if he be short, he is taken for a summister: if he commende, he is twighted for a flatterer: if he reprooue, he is holden for a carper: if he be pleasant, he is noted for a iester: if hee bee graue, he is reckened for a drouper: if he misdate, he is named a falsyfyer: if he once but trippe, hee is tearmed a stumbler: so that lette hym beare [ 40] himselfe in hys Chronicle, as vprightly and as conscionably as he may possible, yet hee shall bee sure, to fynde them that wyll bee more prest to blabbe forth his pelfish faultes, than they will be ready to blaze out his good desertes.

Others there bee, that although they are not able to reproue what is written, yet they will bee sure, to cast in hys dishe what is for∣gotten. Heere, saye they, thys exployte is o∣mitted: there that policie is not detected: heere [ 50] thys saying woulde haue beene enterlaced: there that treacherie shoulde haue beene dis∣playd.

These and the lyke discommodities, wyth which Historiographers are vsually cloyd, haue borne backe diuers and sundry willing mindes, who taking the way to bee thorny, the credite slipperie, the carpers to bee many, woulde in no case bee medlers, choosing rather to sitte by theyr owne fyre obscurely at home, than to bee bayted with enuious tongs openly abrode.

Others on the contrary side, beeyng resolute fellowes, and trampling vnder foote these curi∣ous faultfynders, would not sticke to put them∣selues forthe in presse, and mangre all theyr heartes, to buskle forwarde, and rushe through the pykes of theyr quipping nippes, and bityng frumpes.

But I, takyng the meane betweene both these extremities, helde it for better, not to bee so feynte and peeuishe a meacocke, as to shrinke and couche myne head, for euery mizeling shoure, nor yet to beare my selfe so high in heart, as to praunce and iette lyke a proude gennet through the streete, not weighing the barking of currish bandogges.

And therefore, if I shall be founde in my hy∣storie sometyme too tedious, sometime too spare, sometime too fawning in commendyng the ly∣uing, sometime too flatte in reprouing the dead: I take GOD to witnesse, that myne offence therein proceedeth of ignorance, and not of sette wilfulnesse.

But as for the passing ouer in silence of dy∣uers euentes (albeit the lawe or rather the li∣bertie of an hystorie requireth, that all shoulde bee related, and nothing whusted) yet I must confesse, that as I was not able, vppon so little leasure, to knowe all that was said or done, so I was not willing, for sundry respects, to write e∣uery trim tram, that I knew to be said or done. And if any bee so ouerthwartly waywarded, as he wil sooner long for y^t I haue omitted, than he will be cōtented with that I haue chronicled, I cannot deuise in my iudgement a better way, to satisfye his appetie, than w^t one Doly, a peictour of Oxford, his answere: who being appointed to tricke out the tenne commaundementes, omit∣ted one, and pourtrayed but nyne, which faulte espied by hys maister, y^t hyred him: Doly aun∣swered, that in very deede, he poynted but nine: howbeit, when he vnderstood, y^t his maister had well obserued and kepte the nine commaunde∣ments,

that already were drawen, hee gaue hys worde at better leysure throughly to finishe the tenth. And truely so must I say: I haue layde downe heere to the Reader his view, a briefe dis∣course, wherof I trust, hee shall take no greate surfet. And when I am aduertised, that hee wyll digest the thi••••ne fare, that heere is disht before hym: it may be, Godwilling, heere after, that hee shal find my Booke, with store of more licorous deynties farsed and furnished, leauing to hys [ 10] choyse, eyther nicely to pickle, or greedely to swallow, as muche as to his contentation shall best beseeme him.

Wherefore, my good Lorde, sith I may not denye, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that the worke is painefull, and I doe forecast, that the misconstruction may be peril∣lous: the toylesomnesse of the payne, I referre to my priuate knowledge, the abādoning of the pe∣rill, I committe to your honorable patronage, not doubting thereby, to be shielded agaynst the [ 20] sinister glosing of malitious interpretors.

Thus betaking your Lordshippe to God, I cra•…•…e youre attentiuenes, in perusing a cantell or parcel of the Irish Historie, that here insueth.

GIrald Fitz Giralde, Earle of Kildare, sonne to Thomas Fitz Girald, of whom mention was made in the later ende of the second Booke, a mightie man of stature, full of honoure and courage, who had bin Deputie, and Lorde Iu∣stice [ 30] of Ireland first and last,* 1.1 three and thirtie yeares, deceassed at Kildare the thirde of Sep∣tember, and lyeth entombed in y^e chore of Chri∣stes Church at Dublin, in a Chappell by hym founded.

Betweene him and Iames Butler Earle of Ormond (their owne ielousies fedde with enuy and ambition, kindled with certaine lewde fac∣tious abettors of eyther side) as generally to all noble men, so especially to both these houses ve∣ry [ 40] incident, euer since the ninth yeare of Henrye the seuenth,* 1.2 bred some trouble in Irelande. The plot of whiche mutuall grudge, was grounded vpon the •…•…actious dissention, that was raysed in England, betwene the houses of Yorke & Lan∣caster, Kildare cleauing to Yorke, and Ormond relying to Lancaster. To the vpholding of whi∣che discord, both these noble men laboured, with tooth and nayle, to ouercrowe, and consequent∣ly to ouerthrow one the other: And for asmuch [ 50] as they were in honour Peeres, they wroughte by hooke and by crooke to be in authoritie superi∣ours. The gouernement therefore in the reignes of Henry the seuenth, being cast on the house of Kildare. Iames Earle of Ormond, a deepe and a farre reaching mā, giuing backe, like a butting Ramme, to strike the harder push, deuised to in∣•…•…eigle his aduersarie by submissiō and courtesie, being not then able to ouermatch him w^t stoute∣nesse or preheminence. Wherevpon, Ormonde addressed his letters to the Deputie, sperifying a slaunder raysed on hym and his, that hee pur∣posed to deface his gouernemente, and to with∣stand his authoritie, and for the cleering of him∣selfe and of his adherentes, so it stoode with the Deputie his pleasure, he woulde make his spee∣dy repayre to Dublin, and there in open audi∣ence, woulde purge hymselfe of all suche odious crimes, of whiche he was wrongfully suspected.

To this reasonable request had the Lorde Deputie no sooner condiscended,* 1.3 than Ormond with a puissant army marched towardes Dub∣lin, encamping in an Abbey in the suburbes of the Citie, named Saint Thomas Court. The approching of so greate an army of the Citizens suspected, and also of Kildares counsayloures greatly disliked, lastly the extortion, that y^e law∣lesse Souldyours vsed in the pale by seuerall cō∣plaintes detected: these three poyntes, with dy∣uers other suspitious circumstances laid and put togither, did minister occasion rather of further discorde, than of any present agreement.

Ormonde persisting still in his humble sute, sent hys messenger to the Lord Deputie, decla∣ring, that he was prest and ready to accomplishe the tenoure of his letters, and there did attende (as became him) his Lordship his pleasure. And as for the company, he brought with him from Mounster, albeit suspitious braynes did rather of a malitious craftinesse surmise the worst, thā of charitable wisedome dyd iudge the best, yet notwithstanding, vppon conference had wyth his Lordshippe, hee woulde not doubt to satisfye hym at full in all poyntes, wherewith hee coulde bee with anye coulour charged, and so to stoppe vppe the spring, from whence, all these enuious suspitions gushed. Kildare with this mild mes∣sage entreated, appoynted the meeting to bee at S. Patricke his Churche: where, as they were ripping vpone to the other their mutuall quar∣rels, rather recounting the damage•…•… they sustei∣ned, than acknowledging the iniuries they offe∣red: the Citizens and Ormond his army,* 1.4 fell at some iarre, for y^e oppression & exaction with whi∣che y^e souldiers surcharged them. With whome, as part of the Citizens bickered, so a round knot of archers rusht into the Churche, meanyng to haue murthered Ormond, a•…•… the Captain•…•… and belweather of al these lawlesserab••••e. The Erle of Ormond•…•… s•…•…specting that he had bin betrayd, fled to the Chapitre house, put too the dore, spar∣ring it with might and mayne. The Citizens in their rage, imagining that euery post in the Churche had bin 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of y^e Souldyers shot habbe or nabbe at randon vppe to the Roode lofte, and to the Chancell, leauing foure of theyr

arrowes sticking in the Images.

Kildare pursuing Ormond to the Chapiter house dore, vndertooke on hys honor, that hee should receyue no villanie. Wherevpon, the re∣cluse crauing his Lordships hand to assure hym his life, there was a clift in the Chapiter house dore, pierced at a trice, to the end both the Erles should haue shaken hands, and bee reconciled.

But Ormond surmising that this drift was entended for some further treacherie, that if hee [ 10] woulde stretche out his hande, it had bin percase chopt off, refused that proffer, vntill Kildare stretcht in his hand to him, and so the dore was opened,* 1.5 they both embraced, the storme appea∣sed, and all their quarrels for that presente, ra∣ther discontinued than ended.

In this garboyle, one of the Citizens, surna∣med Blanchfield,* 1.6 was slayne.

This later quarrell beeyng lyke a greene wounde, rather bunglerly botcht, than soundly [ 20] cured, in that Kildare suspected, that so greate an army (which the other alledged, to be brou∣ght for the guarde of his person) to haue bin of purpose assembled, to outface hym and his po∣wer in his owne Countrey: and Ormonde mi∣strusted, y^t this treacherous practise of the Dub∣linians, was by Kildare deuised. These and the like surmises lightly by both the noble men mis∣deemed, and by the continuall twatling of fly∣ring clawbackes in their eares whispered, bred [ 30] and fostered a malice betwixte them and theyr posteritie, many yeares incurable, which caused muche sturre and vnquietnesse in the Realme, vntill the confusion of the one house, and the noneage of the other, ended and buryed theyr mutuall quarrels.

Ormond was nothing inferioure to the o∣ther in stomacke,* 1.7 and in reach of policy, farre be∣yond him.

* 1.8Kildare was in gouernemente milde, to hys [ 40] enimies sterne, to the Irishe such a scourge, that rather for despite of him, than for fauoure of a∣nye parte, they relyed for a tyme to Ormond, came vnder hys protection, serued at hys call, performed by startes (as theyr manner is) the duetie of good subiects.

Ormonde was secrete, and of great forecast, very stayed in speech, daungerous of euery trifle that touched his reputation.

Kildare was open and playne, hardly able [ 50] to rule hymselfe when hee were moued, in anger, not so sharp as short, being easily displeased, and sooner appeased.

Being in a rage with certayne of his seruāts, for faultes they committed, one of hys horsemē offered maister Boyce (a Gentleman that retey∣ned to him) an Irish Hobby,* 1.9 on condition, that hee woulde plucke an heare from the Earle hys herde. Boyce taking the proffer at rebound, stept to the Earle (with whose good nature hee was throughly acquainted) parching in the heate of his choler, and sayd:

So it is, and if it like youre good Lordshippe, one of youre Horsemen pro∣mised mee a choyce Horse, if I snippe one heare from your berde. Well quoth the Earle, I a∣gree thereto, but if thou plucke anye more than one, I promise thee to bring my fyst from thine care.

The braunche of this good nature hathe bin deriued from him to an Earle of his posteritie, who beeing in a chafe, for the wrong saucing of a Partridge, rose suddaynely from the Table, meanyng to haue reasoned the m••••••er wyth hys Cooke: hauyng entred into the Kitchen, drownyng in obliuion hys chalenge, hee began to commende the buyldyng of the roome, where∣in hee was at no tyme before, and so leauyng the Cooke vncontrold, he returned to his guests meryly.

Thys olde Earle beeyng, as is aforesayde, soone hote and soone colde, was of the Englishe well beloued, a good Iusticier, a suppressor of the Rebels, a warrioure incomparable, towards the nobles that he fansyed not, somewhat head∣long and vnruly: beeyng charged before Henrye the seauenth, for burning the Churche of Ca∣shell, and manye witnesses prepared, to ad∣uouche agaynste hym the trouth of that article, hee suddaynely confessed the fact, to the greate wondering and detestation of the counsell: when it was looked how hee woulde iustifye the matter: by Iesus (quoth hee) I woulde neuer haue done it, hadde it not bin tolde me, that the Archebyshoppe was within: and bycause the same Archebyshoppe was one of hys busyest accusers there present, the Kyng merily laugh∣ed at the playnesse of the noble man, to see hym alledge that thing for excuse, whiche most of all did aggrauate hys offence.

The last article agaynste hym, they concei∣ued in these tearmes: Finally, all Irelande can not rule thys Earle. No? quoth the Kyng, then in good fayth shall this Earle rule all Ire∣lande.

Thus was that accusation turned to a iest:* 1.10 the Earle returned to hys Countrey Lord De∣putie, who notwithstanding hys simplicitie in peace, was of that valoure and policie in warre, as his name bred a greater terrour to the Irish, than other mens armyes.

In hys warres hee vsed, for policie,* 1.11 a retch∣lesse kynde of diligence, or a bradye careles∣nesse, to the ende hys Souldyers shoulde not faynte in theyr attemptes, were the enimie neuer of so greate power. Beeyng generall in the fielde of Knocktowe, where in effect, all

the Irish •…•…e•…•…elles of Ireland were gathered a∣gainste the Englishe pale, one of the Earle hys Captaines presented him a bad of Kearnes, euē as they wer ready to ioyne battayle, and with∣all de•…•…aunded of the Earle, in what seruice hee would haue them employd▪ Mary (quoth hee) let them stande by and gyue vs the gaze.

Suche was hys courage, that notwithstan∣ding his enimies were two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one, yet woulde hee seere so good a face on the matter, as hys [ 10] Souldyers shoulde not once suspect, that hee ey∣ther needed, or longed for any further help.

Hauing triumphantly vanquished the Irishe in that conflict, hee was shortly after, as well for that, as other his valiāt exploytes, made knight of the garter,* 1.12 and in the fifth yeare of Henry the eyght in that renowme and honoure hee dyed, wherein for the space of manye yeares hee lyued.

No maruayle if this successe were a corsy to [ 20] the aduerse part, which the longer it held aloofe, and bit the bridle, the more egerly it followed the course, hauing once gote scope and roomth at wyll, as shall bee heereafter at full decla∣red.

Ormond bearing in minde the treachery of the Dublinians,* 1.13 procured such as were the gra∣uest Prelates of his Cleargie, to intimate to the Court of Rome the heathenish riot of the Citi∣zens of Dublin in rushing into the Churche ar∣med, [ 30] polluting with slaughter the consecrated place, defacing the Images, prostrating the re∣liques, racing downe Aultars, with barbarous outcries, more like miscreante Sarazens, than Christian Catholiques.* 1.14 Wherevppon, a Le∣gate was posted to Ireland, bending his course to Dublin, where soone after, he was solemnely receyued by Walter Fitz Simons,* 1.15 Archbyshop of Dublin, a graue Prelate, for hys learnyng and wisedome chosen to be one of King Henry [ 40] the seuenth hys Chaplaynes, in which vocation hee continued twelue yeares, and after was ad∣uanced to be Archbyshop of Dublin.

The Legate vppon his arriuall, indicted the Citie for his execrable offence: but at length, by the procurement as well of the Archbyshoppe as of all the Cleargie, hee was weighed to gyue the Citizens absolutiō,* 1.16 with this caueat, that in detestation of so horrible a fact, and ad perpetu∣am rei memoriam, the Maior of Dublin should [ 50] goe barefooted through the Citie in open Pro∣cession before the Sacrament, on Corpus Chri∣sti day, whyche penitente satisfaction was af∣ter in euerye suche Procession duely accompli∣shed.

Girald Fitz Girald,* 1.17 sonne and heire to the a∣foresayd Earle of Kildare, was shortly after his father his deceasse, constituted Lorde Deputie of Irelande, before whome, in the seuenth yeare of Henry the eyght,* 1.18 there was a Parliamente holden at Dublin, wherein it was established, that al such, as bring out of England the kings letters of priuate seale, for particular causes a∣gainst any of the King his subiects in Irelande, shoulde finde sufficient sureties in the King hys Chancerie in Ireland, to bee bound by recogni∣sance, that the playntife shall satisfye the de∣fendante, that purgeth or acquiteth himselfe of the matter to hym alledged for hys costes and damages susteyned by suche wrongfull vexa∣tion.

This noble man being valiant and well spo∣ken, was nothing inferioure to hys father in martiall prowesse, chasing in the time of his go∣uernemēt the family of the tooles, battering O∣Carrell his Castels, and bringing in awe all the Irish of the land.

This Earle of good meaning,* 1.19 to vnite the houses in friendship, matched his sister Marga∣ret Fitz Giralde, with Pierce Butler Earle of Ossorie, whome he also help to recouer y^e Erle∣dome of Ormond, into the which, after the de∣ceasse of the Earle Iames, a Basterde Butler, had by abatement intruded.

Greate and manifolde were the miseries the Lady Margaret susteyned, hir husband Pierce Butler beeing so egrely pursued by the vsurper, as hee durst not beare vp head, but was for∣ced to houer and lurke in Wooddes and For∣restes.

The noble woman being great with childe, and vppon necessitie constreyned to vse a spare dyet (for hir onely sustenaunce was milke) she longed sore for wine, and calling hyr Lorde, and a trusty seruaunte of hys, Iames White,* 1.20 vnto hir, shee requested them both, to helpe hyr to some Wyne, for shee was not able any lon∣ger to endure so streight a life.

Truely Margaret, quoth the Earle of Os∣sorie, thou shalt haue store of Wine within thys foure and twentie houres, or else thou shalte feede alone on milke for me.

The nexte daye following, Pierce hauyng intelligence, that hys enimie the bace Butler woulde haue trauayled from Donmore to Kil∣kennie, notwithstanding hee were accompa∣nyed with syxe horsemenne, yet Pierce hauyng none but hys Lackey, did forstalle hym in the way, and with a couragious charge,* 1.21 gored the Basterd through with his speare.

Thys prosperous calme succeeding the for∣mer boysterous storme, the Lady Margaret began to take hearte, hir naturall stoutenesse floted, as well by the remembraunce of hir noble birth, as by the intelligence of hir honorable match.

Kildare all this while kept in authoritie, not∣withstanding the pushes giuen againste him by secrete heauers, that enuyed his fortune, and sought to nourish the olde grudge, was at lēgth by their priuie packing,* 1.22 fetched vp to the Court of Englande by commission, and caused hym to bee examined vppon dyuers interrogatories touching the affayres of Irelande.

* 1.23Hee left in hys roomth Maurice Fitz Tho∣mas, of Lackragh Lorde Iustice: and shortly [ 10] after came ouer Lorde Lieutenaunt Thomas Howarde Earle of Surrey, who was after Duke of Northfolke,* 1.24 Grandfather to the last Duke, accompanyed with two hundred yeo∣men of the Crowne: before whome, shortly af∣ter his repaire thither, there was a Parliamente holden at Dublin,* 1.25 in whiche, there past an acte, that al wilful burning of corne, as wel in reekes in the fields, as in Villages and Townes, shuld be high treason. [ 20]

Item an acte agaynste lodyng wolles and floxe, vppon payne of forfayture of the double value of the same, the one halfe to the Kyng, and the other halfe to him that will sue there∣fore.

Item that any person seised of lands, rentes, or tenementes in possession or in vse, vnto the yerely value of tenne markes aboue the char∣ges, in fee simple, fee tayle, or for tearme of lyfe, copy holde, or aunciente demeane, shall passe in [ 30] euery attaint.

While the Lord Lieutenante sate at dynner in the Castle of Dublin,* 1.26 hee hearde newes that the Moores with a mayne army were euen at the entrie of the bordures, readye to inuade the English pale.

Immediately menne were leuyed by Iohn Fitz Simons,* 1.27 then Maior of Dublin, and the nexte morrowe ioyning them to his hande, the Lieutenant marched towardes the Frontiers of [ 40] Leixe.

The Moores vppon the Lieutenant hys ap∣proche, seuered themselues into sundry compa∣nies, and vnderstandyng that the carriage was dragging after the army, and slenderly māned, certayne of them charged the Lieutenante hys seruauntes, and suche of the Citizens as were appoynted to guarde the carriage.

Patricke Fitz Simons, a strong sturdy yon∣ker,* 1.28 kept the enimies such tacke, as he seazed part [ 50] of them away, rescued the carriage, slewe two of the Rebelles, and broughte their heads wyth him to maister Maior his tent.

The next morning, two of the Lieutenaunte his men, that slunke away from Fitz Simons, thinking that the carriage had bin lost, aduerti∣sed their Lorde, that Fitz Simons fledde a∣way, and the Moores were so many in compa∣nie, as it had bin but folly for two to bicker with so great a number.

The Lieutenante posted in a rage to the Maior his pauilion, telling hym, that his man Fitz Simons was a cowardly Traytor in rū∣ning away when hee shoulde haue defended the carriage.

What am I my Lord, quoth Patricke Fitz Simons, skipping in his shirt out of the tente, with both the heads in his hand. My Lorde, I am no cowarde, I stoode to my tacklings, when your men gaue me the slippe, I rescued the car∣riage, and haue heere sufficiente tokens of my manhoode, tumbling downe both the heads. Saist thou so Fitz Simons quoth the Lieute∣nant? I crie thee mercie, and by this George,* 1.29 I woulde to God it had bin my good bap▪ to haue bin in thy companie in that skirmish. So drin∣king to Fitz Simons in a bolle of wine, and honorably rewarding him for his good seruice, he returned to his pauiliō, where hauing know∣ledge of Omore his recule, he pursued him with a troupe of horsemen.

The Lieutenant thus passing forward,* 1.30 was espyed by a gunner of Omores, who lodged close in a woodde side, and watching hys time, hee discharged his peece at the verye face of the Lieutenante, strake the viser off hys helmet, and pierced no further as God would.

This did he (retchlesse in manner what be∣came of himselfe, so hee might amaze the armye for a time) and surely hereby he brake the swift∣nes of their following, and aduantaged the flight of his Captaine, which thing hee wanne with the price of his owne bloud. For the Soul∣dyers would no further, till they hadde ransackt all the nookes of thys woodde, verily suspecting some ambush thereabout, and in seueral knottes ferretted out thys gunner,* 1.31 whome Fitz Willi∣ams and Bedlowe of the Roche, were fayne to mangle and hew in peeces, bycause the wretche would neuer yeelde.

In the meane whyle,* 1.32 defyance was proclay∣med with Fraunce and Scotlande both at once, whiche moued the Kyng to call home Surrey out of Irelande, that hee myghte em∣ploy hym in those warres. Hys prowesse, integritie, good nature, and course of gouerne∣ment, the Countrey muche commended.

Piers Butler Earle of Ossory,* 1.33 was ap∣poynted Lorde Deputie.

In the meane time, Kildare attending the King his pleasure for his dispatche, recouered fauoure through the instance of the Marques Dorset, whose daughter dame Elizabeth Grey, he espoused, and so departed home.* 1.34

Now was partaker of all y^e Deputies coun∣sell, one Roberte Talbot of Belgarde, whome

the Giraldines deadly hated: him they procured to keepe a Kalender of all their doings, who in∣censed brother against brother. In which rage, Iames Fitz Girald meeting the sayde Gentle∣man besyde Ballimore, slew him euen then vp∣pon his iourney towarde the Deputie to keepe his Christmas with him.

* 1.35With thys despitefull murther, both sydes brake out into open enmitie, and especially the Countesse of Ossorie, Kildare hys sister, a rare [ 10] womā, and able for wisedome to rule a realme, had not hir stomacke ouerruled hir knowledge.

Heere began informations of newe treasons, passing too and fro, with complayntes and re∣plyes.

But the Marques Dorset had wroughte so for his sonne in law, that he was suffered to rest at home, and onely commissioners directed into Ireland, with authoritie to examine the roote of their griefes, wherein if they found Kildare any [ 20] thyng at all purged, theyr instructions were to depose the plaintife, and to sweare the other Lord Deputie.

* 1.36Commissioners were these, Sir Raufe E∣gerton, a Knighte of Cheshire, Anthony Fitz Herbert, seconde Iustice of the common place, & Iames Dētō, Deane of Liechfield, who hauing examined these accusatiōs, suddaynely tooke the sworde from the Earle of Ossorie, sware Kil∣dare Lorde Deputie,* 1.37 before whome, Con O∣neale [ 30] bare the sword that day.

Concerning the murtherer whome they myght haue hanged, they brought him prisoner into Englande, presented him to the Cardinall Wolsey,* 1.38 who was sayde to hate Kildare hys bloud: and the Cardinall intending to haue put him to execution, with more reproche and dis∣honour to the name, caused him to bee ledde a∣bout the streetes of London haltred, and hauing a taper in hys hande, which asked so long time, [ 40] that the Deane of Liechefielde stepped to the King, and begged the Gentleman hys par∣don.

* 1.39The Cardinall was sore inflamed heere∣with, and the malice not hitherto so ranke, was throughly ripened, and therefore hence fore∣warde,* 1.40 Ossorie broughte for the diuers profes of the Deputie his disorder, for that (as hee alled∣ged) the Deputie shoulde winke at the Earle of Desmonde, whome by vertue of the King hys [ 50] letters, he ought to haue attached.

Also that he sought for acquaintance and af∣finitie with meere Irish enimies, that hee hadde armed them against him then beeing the Kyng his Deputie, hee hanged and headed good sub∣iects, whome he mistrusted to leane to the But∣lers friendship. Kildare was therefore presently commaunded to appeare, which he did, leauing in his roomth his brother Fitz Girald of Lexlip,* 1.41 whome they shortly deposed, and chose the Ba∣ron of Deluin, whome Oconor tooke prisoner,* 1.42 and then the Earle of Ossorie (to shewe his ha∣bilitie of seruice) brought to Dublin an army of Irishmen, hauing captaines ouer them Ocon∣nor, Omore, and Ocarrol, and at Saint Ma∣ry Abbey, was chosen Deputy by the King hys counsell. In whiche office being himselfe (saue only in feares of armes) a simple Gentleman, hee bare out his honoure, and the charge of go∣uernement very worthely,* 1.43 through the singular wisedome of his Countesse: a Lady of suche a port, that all estates of the Realme crouched vnto hir: so politique, that nothing was thought substantially debated without hir aduice: man∣like and tall of stature: very liberall and bounti∣full: a sure friende, a bitter enimie, hardly disli∣king where she fansied, not easily fansying wher she disliked: the only meane at those days wher∣by hir husbande his Countrey was reclaymed from sluttishnes and slouenry, to cleane bedding and ciuilitie. But to these vertues was lynked suche a selfe-liking, suche an ouerweening, and suche a maiestie aboue the tenure of a Subiect, that for assurance thereof, shee sticked not to a∣buse hir husbands honoure agaynst hir brothers folly.

Notwithstandyng I learne not that shee practised his vndoyng (whiche ensued, and was to hir vndoubtedly greate heauinesse, as vppon whome, both the blemishe thereof, and the sub∣stance of the greater part of that family depen∣ded after) but that she by indirect meanes lifted hir brother out of credite, to aduance hir husbād, the commō voice, and the thing it selfe speaketh. All this while abode the Earle of Kildare at the Court, and with muche adoe, found shift to bee called before the Lords to aunswere suddayne∣ly. They sate vpon him diuersly affected,* 1.44 and namely y^e Cardinall Lord Chancellour misli∣king the Erle his cause, cōforted his accusers, & enforced the articles obiected, & what else so euer could be gathered thereof in these words:

I wote well (my Lorde) that I am not the meetest at this boorde to charge you with these treasons,* 1.45 bycause it hathe pleased some of youre pewfellowes to report, that I am a professed e∣nimie to all nobilitie, and namely to the Giral∣dines: but seeing euerye curst boy can say as muche when hee is controlled, and seeing these poyntes are so weightie, that they should not bee dissembled of vs, and so apparant, that they cā∣not be denyed of you, I must haue leaue (not∣withstanding your stale slaunder) to bee the mouth of these honorable at this present, and to trumpe your treasons in youre way, howsoeuer you take me. First you remember, how y^e lewde

Earle of Desmond your kinsman (who passeth not whome hee serueth, mighte hee change hys master) sent his confederates with letters of cre∣dence to Frauncis the Frenche Kyng: and ha∣uyng but colde comfort there, went to Charles the Emperoure, profering the help of Mounster and Connaght, toward the conquest of Irelād, if either of them woulde helpe to winne it from our King Howe many letters, what preceptes, [ 10] what messages, what threats haue bin sent you to apprehende him, and yet not done? Why so? forsooth I could not catch him: nay nay Earle, forsooth you would not watche him. If hee bee iustly suspected, why are you partiall in so great a charge? if not, why are you fearefull to haue him tryed? yea for it will be sworne and deposed to your face, that for feare of meeting him, you haue winked wilfully, shunned his sighte, alte∣red youre course, warned hys friendes, stopped both eares and eyes againste his detectors, and [ 20] when so euer you tooke vppon you to hunte him out, then was hee sure before hande to bee out of your walke. Surely, this iugling and false play little became either an honest man called to such honour, or a noble man putte in so greate trust. Had you lost but a Cowe of an Horse of youre owne, two hundred of youre reteyners woulde haue come at your whistle to rescue the pray frō the vttermost edge of Vlster: all the Irishe in Ireland must haue giuen you the way. But in [ 30] pursuing so needeful a matter as this was, mer∣cifull God, howe nice, how daungerous, howe wayward haue you bin? One while he is from home, another while he kepeth home, sometimes fledde, sometimes in the bordures, where you dare not venter. I wisse my Lorde, there bee shrewde bugges in the bordures for the Earle of Kildare to feare, the Earle, nay the Kyng of Kildare: for when you are disposed, you raigne more lyke than rule in the land: where you are [ 40] malitious, the truest subiects stand for Irishe e∣nimies: where you are pleased the Irish enimie standeth for a duetifull subiect: harts and hands, liues and landes, are all at your courtesie: who fawneth not thereon, he cannot rest within your smell, and youre smel is so ranke, that you trake them out at pleasure.

Whilest the Cardinall was speaking, the Earle chaufed and changed coloure, and sundry profers made to aunswere euery sentence as it [ 50] came: at last hee brake out, and interrupted hym thus.

* 1.46

My Lord Chancellor, I beseech you pardon me, I am short witted, and you I perceyue in∣tende a long tale: if you proceede in this order, halfe my purgation will be lost for lacke of car∣riage. I haue no schoole trickes, nor arte of me∣morie: excepte you heare me while I remember your wordes, your second processe will hammer out the former.

The Lords associate, who for the most parte tenderly loued him, and knew the Cardinall his manner of tauntes so lothsome, as wherewith they were invred many yeares agone, humbly be sought his grace, to charge him directly with particulars, and to dwell in some one matter, vntill it were examined throughly: that graun∣ted, it is good reason (quoth the Earle) that youre grace beare the mouth of thys boorde,* 1.47 but my Lorde, those mouthes that put these things into your mouth, are verye wyde mouthes, suche in deede as haue gaped long for my wracke, and nowe at length, for wante of better stuffe, are fayne to fill their mouthes with smoke. What my cousin Desmonde hathe compassed, as I knowe not, so I beshrew his naked hearte, for holding out so long. If hee can bee taken by my agents, that presently waite for him, then haue mine aduersaries bewrayed their malice, and this heape of heynous wordes shall resemble a scarcrowe, or a man of strawe, that seemeth at a blushe to carrie some proportion, but when it is felt and peysed, discouereth a vanitie, seruyng only to feare Crowes: and I verily trust, youre honours shall see the proofe by the thing it selfe, within these few dayes. But go too: suppose hee neuer be hadde, what is Kildare too blame for it more than my good brother of Ossorie? who notwithstanding his high promises, hauing also the King his power, is yet content to bring him in at leysure. Cannot the Earle of Desmonde shift, but I must be of counsell? cannot hee hyde him, except I winke? if hee bee close, am I hys mate? if he be friended, am I a Traytour? This is a doughty kynde of accusation, whiche they vrge agaynste me, wherein they are stabled and mired at my firste deniall. You woulde not see him (say they) who made them so familiar with mine eyesight? or when was the Earle within my viewe? or who stoode by, when I let hym slippe? or where are the tokens of my wilfull hudwinke? but you sente him worde to beware of you: who was the messenger? where are the letters? conuince my negatiues, see how loosely this idle geare hangeth togither. Desmonde is not taken. Well, you are in fault, why? bycause you are: who proueth it? no body: what coniec∣tures? so it seemeth: to whome? to your enimies: who tolde it them? they will sweare it. What other groūd? none: wil they sweare it my Lord? why then of like they know it, eyther they haue mine hād to shewe, or can bring forth y^e messen∣ger, or were present at a conference, or priuie to Desmonde, or some body bewrayed it to them, or they themselues were my carriers or vicege∣rentes therein: whiche of these partes wyll

they choose, for I know them too well. To recken my selfe conuict by their bare wordes or headlesse sayings, or frantike othes, were but a mere moc∣kerie. My Letter were some read, were any such wryting extant, my seruants and friends are rea∣die to be sifted: of my cousin of Desmonde they may li•…•… lewdly, since no man here can well con∣trarie them. Touching my selfe, I neuer noted in them eyther so much wit, or so fast sayth, that I would haue gaged vpon their silence the life of [ 10] a good hounde, much lesse mine owne. I doubt not, may it lyke your honours, to appose them, how they came to the knowledge of those mat∣ters, which they are so readie to depose: but you shall finde their tongues chayned to an other man his trencher, and as it were knightes of the post, suborned to say, sweare, and stare the vttermoste they can, as those that passe not what they say, nor wyth what face they say it, so they saye no truth. But of an other side it grieueth mee, that [ 20] your good grace whom I take to be wise & sharpe, & who of your blessed disposition wisheth me well, shoulde be so farre gone in crediting these corrupt informers, that abuse the ignorance of your state and Countrey to my perill. Little knowe you, my Lorde, how necessarie it is, not onely for the gouernour, but also for euery Noble man in Ire∣lande to hamper his vnciuil neighbours at discre∣tion, wherein if they wayted for processe of lawe, and had not those lyues and landes you speake of [ 30] within theyr reach, they might happe to lose their owne liues and landes, without lawe. You heare of a case as it were in a dreame, and feele not the smart that vexeth vs. In Englande there is not a meane subiect,* 1.48 that dare extend his hande to fil∣lippe a peere of the Realme. In Irelande except the Lord haue cunning to his strength, & strength to saue his crowne, and sufficient authoritie to take theeues and varlets when they sturre, he shal finde them swarme so fast, that it will be to late [ 40] to call for iustice. If you wil haue our seruice take effect, you must not tie vs alwayes to these iudi∣ciall proceedings, wherewith your realme (than∣ked be God) is inured. Touching my kingdome I know not what your Lordship shoulde meane thereby. If your Grace imagin, that a kingdom consisteth in seruing God, in obeying the prince, in gouerning with loue the common wealth, in shouldering subiects, in suppressing Rebelles, in executing iustice, in brideling blind affections, I [ 50] would be willing to be inuested with so vertuous and royall a name. But if therefore you terme me a king, in that you are perswaded that I re∣pine at the gouernment of my soueraigne, or winke at male factors, or oppresse ciuill liuers, I vtterly disclayme in that odious tearme, maruey∣ling greatly, that one of your Grace his profound wisdome, woulde seeme to appropriate so sacred a name to so wicked a thing. But howsoeuer it be, my Lorde, I woulde you and I had chaun∣ged Kingdomes but for one Moneth, I woulde trust to gather vp more crummes in that space, than twise the reuenues of my poore Earledome: but you are well and warme, and so holde you, and vpbrayde not me with such an odious terme. I slmuber in an hard Cabyn, whē you sleepe in a soft bed of downe: I serue vnder the Kyng hys Cope of heauen, when you are serued vnder a ca∣napie: I drinke water out of my skull, when you drinke wine out of golden cuppes: my courser is trayned to the fielde, when your Genet is taught to amble: when you are begraced and belorded, and crouched and kneeled vnto, then find I small grace with our Irish borderers, excepte I cut thē off by the knees.

At these gyrdes the Counsayle woulde haue smyled, if they durst, but eche man bit his lippe, and held his countenaunce: for howsoeuer some of them inclined to the Erle of Ossorie,* 1.49 they ha∣ted all the Cardinall, who perceyuing that Kil∣dare was no babe, rose in a fume from the Coun∣sayle table, commytted the Earle, and deferred the matter, till more direct probations came out of Irelande.

The Duke of Norffolke who was late Lieu∣tenant in Ireland,* 1.50 perceyuing the Cardinal to be¦fore bent agaynst the noble man, rather for the deadly hatred hee bare his house, than for anye great matter he had wherwith to charge his per∣son, stept to the king, & craued Kildare to be his prisoner, offring to be bound for his forth cōming, ouer and aboue all his landes, bodie for bodie. Wherevpon to the Cardinall his great griefe, the prisoner was bayled, and honourably by the duke enterteyned.

During his abode in the duke his house, O∣neyle, and Oconor,* 1.51 and all their friendes anda∣lyes, watching their time to annoy the pale, made open insurrection agaynst the Earle of Ossorie then Lord Deputie of Irelande, insomuche that the nobleman mistrusting the sicklenesse of Des∣mond on the one side, and the force of these newe start vp Rebels on the other side, stood halfe ama∣zed, as it were betwene fire and water. For re∣medie wherof, letters thicke and three folde were addressed to the Counsaile of Englande, purpor∣ting that all these late hurly burlies were of pur∣pose raysed by the meanes of Kyldare,* 1.52 to the ble∣mishing and steyning of his brother Ossorie his gouernment. And to put the matter out of doubt, it was further added, that Kildare commaunded his daughter Elice Fitz Gerald, wife to the baron of Slane, to excite in his name the aforesaid trai∣tours to this open rebellion.

The Cardinall herevpon caused Kildare to be examined before the counsaile, where he pressed

him so deepely with this late disloyaltie, that the presumption being, as the Cardinall did force it, vehement, the treason odious, the king suspicious, the enimie egre,* 1.53 the friendes faint, (which were sufficient grounds to ouerthrow an innocent per∣son) the Earle was repriued into the tower.

The noble man betooke himselfe to God, and the king, he was heartily beloued of the Lieute∣nant, pitied in all the Court, and standing in so harde a case, altered little of his accustomed but, [ 10] comforted other noble men prisoners with him, dissembling his owne sorrow.

* 1.54One night when the Lieutenant and be for their disport were playing at slidegrote or shofle∣boorde, sodainly commeth from the Cardinall a Mandarum, to execute Kyldare on the Morrow. The Earle marking the Lieutenants deepe sigh, by S. Bryde, Lieutenant (quoth he) there is some madde game in that scrole: but fall how it will, this throwe is for an huddle. When the worst [ 20] was tolde him, nowe I pray thee (quoth he) do no more but learne assuredly from the king his owne mouth, whether his highnesse be witting thereto, or not. Sore doubted the Lieutenant to displease the Cardinall: yet of verie pure loue to his friend, he posteth to the king at midnight, and deliuered his errand: for at all houres of the night the Lieutenant hath accesse to the Prince vpon occasions.* 1.55 The king controlling the fanciursse of the Priest (for those were his termes) deliuered to the Lieutenant his. Signet in token of coun∣termaunde, which when the Cardinall had seene, he beganne to breathe out vnseasoned language, which the Lieutenant was lothe to heare, and so left him pattring and chaunting the Deuill his Pater noster.

Thus broke vp the storme for that time,* 1.56 and the next yeare Woolsey was cast out of fauour, and within few yeares,* 1.57 sir William Skeffing∣ton was sent ouer L. Deputie. and brought with him the Erle pardoned and ryd from all his trou∣bles.

When it was bruted, that Skeffington, the Earle of Kildare,* 1.58 and Edward Staples Bi∣shop of Meth landed neare Dublyn, the Maior and Citizens mette him with a solemne Proces∣sion,* 1.59

[illustration]

on Saint Marie Abbayes greene. Where maister Thomas Fitz Simons recorder of Dub∣lyn made a pithie Oration to congratulate the Gouernour and the Earle his prosperous arry∣uall, to whom Skeffington shaped an answere in this wise.

* 1.60

Master Maior, and maister Recorder, you haue at length this noble man here present, for [ 50] whom you sore longed, whylest he was absent. And after many stormes by him susteyned, bee hath nowe to the comfort of his friendes, to the confusion of his foes, subdued violence with pa∣cience,* 1.61 iniuries with sufferance, and malice with obedience: and such Butchers as of batred thyr∣sted after his bloud, are nowe taken for outcaste Mastiues, littred in currish bloud. How well my maister the king hath beene of his gracious incli∣nation affected to the Earle of Kildare, (his backe friende being by his iust desert from his Maiestie weeded) the credit wherein this noble man at this present resteth, manifestly declareth. Wherefore it resteth, that you thanke God and the King for his safe arriuall. As for his welcome, maister Re∣corder his courteous discourse, your great assem∣blies, your cheerfull countenaunces, your willing meetings, your solemne Processions. doe so farre shewe it, as you minister mee occasion on hys Lordship his behalf, rather to thanke you for your courtesie, than to exhort you to any further cere∣monie.

Hauing ended his Oration, they road all in∣to the Citie, where shortlye after the Earle of

Ossorie, surrendred the sworde to sir William Skiffington.

* 1.62

During the time that Kildare was in Eng∣lande, the sent of the Tooles making his absence their haruest, ceased not to molest and spoyle his tenants, and therefore the Earle meaning not to wrap vp so lightly their manifold iniuries, was determined presently vpon his arriuall to crie thē quittance: to the spedinesse of which seruice he re∣quested the aide of the Citizens of Dublyn: and [ 10] expecting in Christes Church their answere tou∣ching thys motion, the Maior and his breethren

promised to assyst him with two C. Archers.

* 1.63

The late come Bishop of Meth being then present, moued question, whether the Citizens were pardoned, for crowning Lambert contrarie to theyr duetie of allegrance, and if they were not pardoned, he thought they might aduantage the king thereby. Whereat one of their sagest and ex∣pertest Aldermen, named Iohn Fitz Simons, [ 20] stept forth and sayde:

* 1.64

My Lorde of Meth, may I be so bolde as to craue what Countrey man you are? Mary sir (quoth the Bishop) I woulde you shoulde knowe it. I am a Gentleman, and an Englishe man. My Lorde (quoth Fitz Simons) my meaning is to learne, in what shire of Englande you were borne? In Lyncolnshyre, good sir. quoth Sta∣ples. Why then my Lorde, qouth Fitz Simons, we are no traytors, bycause it was the Earle of [ 30] Lincolne, and the Lorde Louell that crowned him, and therefore if you be a Gentleman of Lin∣colnshyre, see that you be pardoned, for God and

our King be thanked, we haue need of none.

At this answere Meth was set, and suche as were present were forced to smyle, to see what a round fall he caught in his owne turne.

* 1.65In the seconde yeare of Skeffington his go∣uernment, it happened that one Henrie White, seruant to Benet a Marchant of Dublyn, was [ 40] pitching of a Cart of hay in the high streete, and hauing offred boyes play to passengers that wal∣ked to and fro, he let a bottle of his hay fall on a souldiers Bonet, as he past by his Cart: the soul∣diour taking this knauishe knacke in dudgeon, burled his Dagger at him, and hauing narowly mist the princocks, he sticked it in a post not farre off. White leapt downe from the Cart, and thrust the souldiour through the shoulder wyth hys pyke. Wherevpon there was a great vprore [ 50] in the Citie, betwene the Souldiours and the ap∣prentises, insomuch as Thomas Barby beyng the Maior,* 1.66 hauing the King his sworde drawne, was hardly able to appease the fray, in which dy∣uerse were wounded, and none slaine.

The Lorde Deputie issued out of the Castel, and came as farre as the Pyllorie, to whome the Maior posted through the prease with the sworde naked vnder his arme, and presented White that was y^e brewer of all this garboyl to his Lordship whom the Gouernour pardoned,* 1.67 as well for hys courage in bickering, as for his retchles simplicity and pleasantnesse in telling the whole discourse. Wherby a man may see how many bloudie qua∣rels, a brawling swashbuckler may pyke out of a bottle of bay, namely when his braynes are fore∣bitten with a bottle of nappie Al•…•….

About this time ther was a great sturre reised in Englād, about the king his diuorse, who thin∣king it expedient in so fickle a worlde to haue a sure post in Irelande,* 1.68 made Kildare Lorde De∣putie, Croommer, the Primate of Armach, Lorde Chancellour, and sir Iames Butler Lord Trea∣sorer.

Skeffington supposing, that he was put beside the quishion by the secrete canuassing of Kildare his friendes,* 1.69 conceyued thereof a great iealousie, being therein the deeper drenched, bycause that Kildare hauing receyued the sworde, woulde per∣mit Skeffington, who was late gouernour, now like a meane priuate person, to daunce attendance among other suiters in his house at Dublyn, na∣med the Carbry.

Skeffington playing thus on the bit,* 1.70 shortly after sayled into England, vpon whose departure the Lorde Deputie summoned a Parliament at Dublin,* 1.71 where there past an Act agaynst leazers of corne: Item, for the vniting and appropria∣tion of the personage of Galtrim, to the Priorie of Saint Peters by Trim.

In the Parliament tyme, Oneale on a so∣daine inuaded the Countrey of Vriell,* 1.72 ryssing and spoyling the king his subiects, at which tyme also was the Earle of Ossorie greatly vexed by the Giraldines, by reason of the olde quarelles of either side a fresh reuiued.

The next yeare, the Lorde Deputie going a∣gaynst Ocarroule, was pitifully hurt in the side,* 1.73 with a Gunne at the Castell of Byrre, so that he neuer after enioyed his lymmes, nor deliuered his wordes in good plight, otherwise like ynough to haue bene longer forborne, in consideration of his many noble qualities, great good seruices, and the state of those tymes.

Streight wayes complayntes were addressed to the king of these enormities,* 1.74 and that in most heynous maner that could be deuysed, houlting out his doings as it were to the least brake of si∣nister surmises, turning euerie priuate iniurie to be the king his quarell, and making euerie Pud∣dings pricke as huge in shewe as Sampsom hys Piller.* 1.75 Wherevpon Kildare was commaunded by sharpe letters to repayre into Englande, lea∣uing such a person for the furniture of that realm, and the gouernance of the lande in his absence, for whose doings he would answere.

Being vpon the sight of this letter prepared to sayle into England, he sate in counsaile at Dub∣lyn,* 1.76 and hauing sent for his sonne and heyre the Lorde Thomas Fitz Giralde (a yong stripling of xxj. yeares of age, borne in England, sonne to the Lorde Souch his daughter, the Erle of Kyl∣dare his firste wife) in the hearing of the whole boorde thus he spake.

Sonne Thomas, I doubt not, but you know that my soueraigne Lord the King,* 1.77 hath sent for [ 10] me to Englande, and what shall besyde me, God knoweth, for I know not. But howsoeuer it falleth, both you and I know, that I am well stept in yeares: and as I may shortly die, for that I am mortal, so I must in hast decease, bicause I am olde. Wherefore in as much as my Wynter is well neare ended, and the Spring of your age nowe buddeth, my will is that you behaue your selfe so wisely in these your greene yeares, as that to the comfort of your friendes, you may enioy [ 20] the pleasure of your Sommer, gleane and reape the fruite of your Haruest, that with honour you may growe to the catching of that hoarie Win∣ter, on whiche you see me your father fast pric∣king.

And whereas it pleaseth the king his Maie∣stie, that vpon my departure here hence, I shoulde substitute in my rowme suche one, for whose go∣uernment I woulde answere: albeit I knowe, that your yeares are tender, your wit not settled, [ 30] your iudgement not fully rectified, and therefore I myght bee with good cause reclaymed, from putting a naked sworde in a yong mans hande: yet notwithstanding, forasmuch as I am your father, and you my sonne, I am well assured to beare that stroke with you in steering your ship, as that vpon any information I may commaunde you as your father, and correct you as my sonne

for the wrong handling of your helme.

There be here that sit at this bourd, far more [ 40] sufficient personages for so great a charge than you are. But what then? If I shoulde cast this burthen on their shoulders, it might bee, that hereafter they woulde bee so farre with enuie ca∣ryed, as they woulde percase hazard the losse of one of their owne eyes, to be assured, that I should be depriued of both mine eyes. But forasmuche as the case toucheth your skinne as neare as mine, and in one respect nigher than mine, by∣cause (as I sayde before) I rest in the Winter, [ 50] and you in the Spring of your yeares, and nowe I am resolued day by day to learne, rather howe to die in the feare of god, than to liue in the pompe of the worlde. I thinke you will not be so braine∣sicke, as to stabbe your selfe through the body, on∣ly to skarrifie my skinne with the poynt of your blade. Wherefore, my sonne, consider, that it is easie to raze, and harde to buylde, and in all your affayres be schwled by this boorde, that for wise∣dome is able, and for the intier affection it bea∣reth your house will be founde willing, to lesson you with sounde and sage aduise. For albeeit in authoritie you rule them, yet in counsaile they must rule you.

My sonne, you know that my late maimes stirffeth my talke: otherwise I would haue gra∣ted longer on this matter. For a good tale may be twise tolde, and a sounde aduise eftsoones itera∣ted, taketh the deeper impression in the attentiue hearet his minde. But although my fatherly af∣fection requireth my discourse to be longer, yet I trust your good inclination asketh it to be shorter, and vpon that assurance, here in the presence of this honourable assembly, I delyuer you thys sworde.

Thus he spake for his last farewell with tric∣kling teares, and hauing ended, he stoode,* 1.78 embra∣ced the Counsaile, committed them to God, and immediately after he was embarked.

But although with his graue exhortation the frozen heartes of his aduersaries for a short spirt thawed, yet notwithstanding they turned soone after all this gay Gloria patri, to a further fetche,* 1.79 saying that this was nothing else but to dazell their eyes with some lugling knacke, to the ende they shoulde aduertise the king of his loyall spee∣ches, adding further, that he was too too euill, that coulde not speake well. And to force the prepen∣sed treasons, they layde to his charge, with fur∣ther surmises, they certified the counsaile of Eng∣lande, that the Erle before his departure,* 1.80 furni∣shed his owne Piles and fortes with the King his Artillerie and Munition taken forth of the Castel of Dublin.

The Erle being examined vpon that article before the Counsaile, although he answered that the fewe potte Gunnes and Chambers hee tooke from thence, were placed in his Castell to streng∣then the borders agaynst the inroades of the Irish enimie, and that if he intēded any treason, he was not so foolish, as to fortifie walles and stones, and to commit his naked bones into their hands, yet notwithstanding he deliuered his speeches by reason of his Palsey, in such staggering and maf∣fling wise, that such of the Counsailes as were not his friends, perswading the rest that he had sunke in his owne tale, by imputing his lisping and dragging answere, rather to the guilt of consci∣ence, than to the infirmitie of his late maime,* 1.81 had him committed, vntill the king his pleasure were further knowne.

But before we wade any further in this mat∣ter, for the better opening of the whole ground, it woulde be noted, that the Earle of Kildare a∣mong diuerse hidden aduersaries,* 1.82 had in these his later troubles foure principall enimies, that were

the Belweathers and Caterpyllers of his ouer∣throw, as in those dayes it was commonly bru∣ted.

* 1.83The first was Iohn Alen Archebishoppe of Dublin, a Gentleman of a good house, Chan∣layne to Cardinall Woolsey, and after by the Cardinall his meanes constituted Archbishop of Dublin, a learned Prelate, a singular good Cā∣nonist, a good householder, of the people indif∣ferently, beloued, and more woulde haue bene, [ 10] had he not ouerbusied himself in supplanting the house of Kildare.

And although it were knowne, that his firste grudge towards the Giraldines, proceeded from the great affection he bare his Lorde and maister the Cardinall, insomuch as he would not sticke, were he able, for the pleasuring of the one to vn∣doe the other, yet suche occasions of greater ha∣tred after ensued (namely for that hee was dis∣placed from beeyng Lorde Chauncellour, and [ 20] Croomer the Primate of Armache by Kildare his driftes setled in the office) as notwithstan∣ding the Cardinall his combe were cut in Eng∣land, yet did hee persist in pursuing his woonted malice toward that seat.

* 1.84The seconde that was lynked to this confe∣deracie, was sir Iohn Alen Knight, first Secre∣tarie to this Archbishop, after became mayster of the Rolles, lastly Lorde Chauncellor. And although sir Iohn Alen were not of kinne too [ 30] the Archebishop, but onely of the name, yet not∣withstandyng the Archebishop made so greate reckenyng of him, as well for his forecaste in matters of weyght, as for hys faythfulnesse in affayres of trust, as what soeuer exployte were executed by the one, was foorthwith deemed to haue bene diuised by the other.

* 1.85The thirde of this crewe was Thomas Ca∣non, Secretarie to Skeffington, who thinkyng to be reuenged on Kildare for puttyng his Lord [ 40] and maister beside the Cushen, as hee surmy∣sed, was very willyng to haue an Oare in that Boate.

The fourth that was suspected to make vp the muster,* 1.86 was Robert Cowly, first Baylife in Dublin, after seruaunt to the Ladie Margaret Fitz Giralde Countesse of Ormond and Osso∣rie, lastly maister of the Rolles in Ireland, and finally hee deceassed at London.

This Gentleman for his wisedome and po∣licy [ 50] was very inwarde with the Lady Marga∣ret Countesse of Ossory, as one by whose ad∣uise shee was in all hir affayres directed. Wher∣vpon some suspicious persones were perswaded and brought in mynde, that hee was the sower of all the discorde that rested betweene the twoo bretherne Kyldare and Ossory, as though her coulde not hee rooted in the fauour of the one, but that hee must haue professed open hatred to the other.

These foure as byrdes of one feather, were supposed to bee open enimies to the house of Kyldare, bearyng that sway in the common wealth as they were not occasioned, as they thought, eyther to craue the friendshippe of the Giraldines, or greatly to feare theyr hatred and enmitie.

There were beside them diuerse other secrete vnderminers, who wrought so cunningly vn∣der the thumbe, by holdyng with the Hare, and runnyng with the Hounde, as if Kyldare had prospered, they were assured, theyr malice would not haue bene in maner suspected, but if hee had bene in hys affayres stabled, then theyr fine de∣uises for theyr further credite shoulde haue bene apparented. Wherefore the beauyng of hys backe friendes not onely furnished, but also ma∣nifested, by Kildare, the Lorde Thomas be∣ing Lorde Iustice, or vice Deputie,* 1.87 in his fa∣ther hys absence, fetcht both the Alens so round∣ly ouer the hippes, as well by secrete driftes as open tauntes, as they were the more egerly spurrde, to compasse his cōfusion. For the Lord Iustice and the Counsayle, with diuerse of the Nobilitie at a solemne banquet, discoursing of the auncientie of houses, and of theyr armes, sir Iohn Alen spake to the Lorde Iustice these woordes.

My Lorde, your house giueth the Marmo∣set, whose propertie is to eate his owne tayle.* 1.88 Meanyng thereby as the Lorde Thomas sup∣posed, that Kildare did vse to pill and poll hys friendes, tenants and reteyners. These wordes were no sooner spoken, than the Lorde Thomas strikyng the ball to Alen agayne, answered, as one that was somewhat slipper tongued, in this wise.

You say truth sir, in deede I heard some say, that the Marmoset eateth his owne tayle. But although you haue bene fedde by your tayle, yet I woulde aduise you to beware, that your tayle eate not you.

Shortly after this quippyng gamegall, the Lord Iustice and the Counsaile road to Drog∣heda, where hauyng for the space of three or foure daies soiourned, it happened that the Coū∣saylours awayted in the Counsayle Chamber the gouernour his commyng, vntill it was hard

vpon the stroke of .xij. The Archbishop of Dub∣lyn rawly digestyng the Vice deputie his long absence, sayde:

My Lordes, is it not a pretie matter, that all wee shall stay thus long for a boy? As he vt∣tered these speeches, the Lorde Iustice vnlucki∣ly was commyng vp the Stayres, and at hys entrie taking the wordes hoate from the Bishop his mouth, and iterating them very coldly hee sayde: [ 10]

* 1.89My Lordes, I am heartily sory, that you stayed thus long for a boy. Whereat the Pre∣late was appalled, to see how vnhappily he was galde with his owne caltrop.

These and the like cuttyng speeches, enkind∣led suche coales in both theyr stomackes, as the flame coulde not any longer be smouldered, but at one clift or other must haue fumed.* 1.90 The eni∣mies therefore hauing well nighe knedded the dough that should haue beene baked for the Gi∣raldines [ 20] bane, deuised that secrete rumors should sprinckle to and fro, that the Earle of Kildare his execution was intended in Englande, and that vpon his death the Lorde Thomas and all his bloud should haue bene apprehended in Ire∣lande.* 1.91

As this false muttering flewe abrode, it was holpen forwarde by Thomas Cannon, and other of Skeffington hys seruauntes, who sticked not to write to certayne of theyr friends, [ 30] as it were, very secrete letters, howe that the Earle of Kyldare theyr mayster hys secrete e∣nimie (so they tooke hym, bycause hee gotte the gouernment ouer hys heade) was already cut shorter, as his issue presently shoulde bee, and nowe they trusted to see theyr mayster in hys gouernment, after whiche they sore longed, as for a preferment, that woulde in shorte space aduauntage them. Suche a letter came to the handes of a simple Priest, no perfect En∣glishman, [ 40] who for haste hurled it among other Papers in the Chimneys ende of hys Cham∣ber, meaning to peruse it better at more leysure. The same very night, a Gentleman retayning to the Lord Thomas, the lord Iustice or Vice∣deputie, as is before specified, tooke vp his lod∣gyng with the Priest, and raught in the mor∣ning when he rose for some Paper, to drawe on his strayte stockings, and as the Diuell would, he hit vpon the letter, bare it away in the heele of [ 50] his stocke, no earthly thyng misdeeming. At night againe he founde the Paper vnfretted, and musing thereof he beganne to poare on the wri∣ting, which notified the Earle his death, and the apprehension of the Lorde Thomas. To horse goeth he in all hast,* 1.92 brought the letter to Iames Delahide, who was a principall counsaylour to the Lorde Thomas in all his doings. Dela∣hide hauing scantly ouerread the letter, making more hast than good speede, posted to the Lorde Thomas, imparted him that letter, and withall putting fire to flaxe, before hee diued to the bot∣tome of this treacherie, hee was contented to swim on the skum and froth thereof, as well by foothing vp the tenour of the letter, as by inci∣ting the Lorde Thomas to open rebellion, cloa∣king the odious name of treason, with the zea∣lous reuengement of his fathers wrongfull exe∣cution, and with the warie defence of his owne person.

The Lorde Thomas being youthfull, rash, and headlong, and assuryng himselfe, that the knot of all the force of Ireland was twisted vn∣der his gyrdle, was by Delahide his Counsaile so farre caryed, as he was resolued to cast all on sixe and seuen. Wherefore hauing confedered with Oneale, Oconor, and other Irish Poten∣tates, he road on Saint Barnabies day, accom∣panied with seuenscore horsemē in their shirtes of Maile, through the Citie of Dublin, to the Dam his gate, crost ouer the water to Saint Marie Abbey, where the Counsayle accordyng to appoyntment, awayted his comming, not being priuie to his intent, onely Croommer the Lord Chauncellour excepted, who was secretly aduertised of his reuolt, and therefore was very well prouided for him, as hereafter shall be de∣clared.

This Croommer was a graue Prelate,* 1.93 and a learned, well spoken, milde of nature, nothing wedded to factions, yet a well willer of the Gi∣raldines, as those by whose meanes he was ad∣uaunced to that dignitie.

When the Lord Thomas was set in coun∣saile, his horsemen and seruants rusht in to the counsaile Chamber armed and weaponed, tur∣ning their secrete conference to an open parlet. The Counsaile hereof amazed, and silence with securitie commaunded, the Lorde Thomas in this wise spake.

Howsoeuer iniuriously wee be handled and forced to defend our selues in armes,* 1.94 whē neither our seruice nor our good meaning towardes our prince his Crowne auayleth, yet say not hereaf∣ter, but in this open hostilitie which here we pro∣fesse and proclayme, we haue shewed our selues no villaynes, nor churles, but warriours and Gentlemen. This sworde of estate is yours,

and not mine, I receyued it with an othe, and haue vsed it to your benefite. I should desteyne mine honour. if I turned the same to your an∣noyance. Nowe haue I neede of mine owne sword, which I dare trust. As for the common sword it flattereth me with a painted scabberde, but hath in deed a pestilent edge, already bathed in the Giraldines bloud, & now is newly whet∣ted in hope of a further destruction. Therefore saue your selues from vs, as from open enimies, [ 10] I am none of Henrie his Deputie, I am his fo. I haue more mind to conquer, than to gouerne, to meete him in the field, than to serue him in office. If al the hearts of England and Ireland, that haue cause thereto, would ioine in this qua∣rell (as I hope they wil) then should he soone aby (as I trust he shal) for his crueltie and tyranny, for which the age to come may lawfully score him vp among the auncient Tyrants of most abhominable and hatefull memorie. [ 20]

Hauing added to this shamefull Oration many other slaunderous & foule tearmes, which for diuerse respects I spare to pen, he would haue surrendered the sword to the Lord Chancellor, who, as I sayd before, being armed for the Lord Thomas his cōming, and also being loath, that his slacknesse should seeme disloyall in refusing the sworde, or his frowardnesse ouer cruell in snatching it vpon the first proffer, tooke the Lord Thomas by the wrest of the hand, and requested [ 30] him for the loue of God, the teares trilling downe his cheekes, to giue him for two or three wordes the hearing, which graunted, the reue∣rend father spake as ensueth.

* 1.95

My Lorde, although hatred be commonly the handmayden of truth, bycause we see hym, that plainely expresseth his minde, to be for the more part of most men disliked: yet notwithstā∣ding I am so well assured of your Lordship his good inclination towardes me, and your Lord∣ship [ 40] so certaine of mine entire affection towardes you, as I am emboldned, notwithstanding this companie of armed men, freely and franckly to vtter that, which by me declared, and by youre Lordship folowed, wil turne God willing, to the auayle of you, your friends, alies, & this coūtrey.

I doubt not, my Lord, but you know, that it is wisdome for any man to looke before he leape, and to sowne the water before his ship hul ther∣on, and namely where the matter is of weight, [ 50] there it behoueth to follow sounde, sage and ma∣ture aduise. Wherefore, my Lorde, sithe it is no Maygame, for a subiect to leuie an armye a∣gainst his prince: it lyeth your Lordship in hand to breath longer on the matter, as well by fore∣casting the hurt whereby you may fall, as by re∣uoluing the hope wherewith you are fed. What should moue your Lordship to this sodaine at∣tempt, I know not. If it be the death of your fa∣ther, it is as yet but secretly muttered, not mani∣festly published. And if I should graunt you, that your zeale in reuenging your father his execu∣tion were in some respect to be commended: yet reason would you should suspend the reuēge vn∣til the certaintie were knowne. And were it, that the report were true, yet it standeth with the du∣tie and allegeance of a good subiect (from whom I hope in God,* 1.96 you meane not to disseuer your selfe) not to spurne and kicke against his prince, but contrariewise, if his soueraigne be mightie, to feare him: if he be profitable to his subiects, to honour him: if he commaunde, to obey him: if he be kinde, to loue him: if he bee vicious, to pitie him: if he be a Tyrant, to beare with him, considering that in suche case it is better wyth pacience to bowe, than with stubburnnesse to breake. For sacred is the name of a king, and odious is the name of a rebellion:* 1.97 the one from heauen deriued, and by God shielded, the other in hell forged, and by the Diuell executed.* 1.98 And therefore who so wyll obserue the course of Hy∣stories, or weigh the Iustice of God in puni∣shing malefactours, shall easily see, that albeit the Sunne shyneth for a tyme on them that are in Rebellion, yet suche sweete beginnings are at length clasped vp with sharpe and sowre endes.

Now that it appeareth, that you ought not to beare armoure agaynst your King, it resteth to discusse whether you bee able, although you were willing to annoy your King. For if a∣mong meane and priuate foes it be reckened for a folly in a secrete grudge to professe open ha∣tred, and where hee is not able to hynder, there to shewe a willing mynde to hurte: muche more ought your Lordshippe in so generall a quarell as thys, that concerneth the King, that toucheth the Nobilitie, that apperteyneth to the whole common wealth, to foresee the King his power on the one side, and your force on the o∣ther, and then to iudge if you bee able to cocke with him, and to put hym beside the Cushion, and not whylest you striue to sit in the Saddle, to lose to your owne vndoyng, both the Horse and the Saddle.

King Henrie is knowne to bee in these our dayes so puissant a Prince, and so victorious a woorthie, that he is able to conquere foreyne do∣minions: and thinke you, that he cannot defend his owne? He tameth kings, and iudge you that he may not rule his owne subiectes? Suppose you conquere the lande, doe you ymagine that hee will not recouer it? Therefore my Lorde, flatter not your selfe ouer muche, repose not so great affiance either in your troupe of horsmen, or in your bande of footmen, or in the multitude

of your partakers. What face soeuer they put now on the matter, or what successe soeuer for a season they haue, bycause it is easie for an army to vanquish them that doe not resist, yet hereaf∣ter when the king shall send his power into this Countrey, you shall see your adherents like slip∣per chaungelings plucke in theyr hornes, and such as were cōtent, to beare you vp by the chin, as long as you coulde swim, when they espie you sinke, they will by little and little shrinke [ 10] from you, and percase will ducke you ouer head and eares. As long as the gale puffeth full in your sayles, doubt not but diuerse wil anerre vn∣to you, and feede on you, as Crowes on carion. But if any storme happen to bluster, then will they be sure to leaue you post alone sticking in the myre or sands, hauing least helpe, when you haue most neede. And what will then ensue of this. The braunches will be pardoned, the roote apprehended, your honour disteyned, your [ 20] house attainted, your armes reuersed, your Ma∣nours razed, your doings examined, at whiche time God knoweth, what an heartburning it will be, when that with no colour may bee de∣nied, which without shame cannot be confessed. My Lorde I poure not out Oracles as a sooth∣sayer, for I am neyther a Prophet, nor the sonne of a Prophete.* 1.99 But it may be, that I am some frātique Cassandra being partner of hir spirit in foretelling the truth, and partaker of hir misfor∣tune, [ 30] in that I am not when I tell the truth be∣leeued of your Lordship, whome God defende from being Priamus.

Weigh therefore, my Lord, the nobilitie of your auncesters, remember your father his late exhortation, forgette not your duetie to your Prince, consider the estate of this poore Coun∣trey, with what heapes of curses you shall bee loden, when your souldiours shall rifle the poore Subiectes, and so farre endamage the whole [ 40] Realme, as they are not yet borne, that shall hereafter feele the smart of this vprore. You haue not gone so farre, but you may turne home, the king is mercifull, your offence as yet not ouer∣heynous, cleaue to his clemencie, abandon this headlong folly. Which I craue in most humble wise of your Lordship, for the loue of God, for the duetie you owe your Prince, for the affection you beare the Countrey, and for the respecte you haue •…•…o youre owne safetie, whome God [ 50] defende from all trayterous and wicked at∣tempts.

Hauing ended his Oration, which hee sette forth with suche a lamentable action, as his chee∣kes were all beblubbered with teares, the horse∣men, namely such as vnderstoode not Englishe, began to diuine what the Lorde Chauncellour ment with all this long circumstance, some of them reporting that hee was preaching a Ser∣mon, others sayd, that he stoode making of some Heroicall Poetrie in the prayse of the Lorde Thomas. And thus as euery Idiot shot his foo∣lishe bolt at the wise Counsalour his discourse, who in effect did nought else but drop precious stones before Hogges, one Bard de Nelan,* 1.100 an Irishe rithmour, and a rotten sheepe able to in∣fect an whole flocke, was chatting of Irish ver∣ses, as though his tongue had runne on pattens, in commendation of the Lorde Thomas, inue∣sting him with the tytle of silken Thomas,* 1.101 by∣cause his horsemens iacks were gorgeously em∣brodered with silke: and in the ende he tolde him that hee lingred there ouerlong. Whereat the Lorde Thomas being quickned, did cast hys eye towardes the Lorde Chauncellour, and sayde:

My Lorde Chauncellour,* 1.102 I come not hi∣ther to take aduice what I shoulde doe, but to giue you to vnderstande what I minde to doe. It is easie for the sounde to counsaile the sicke: But if the sore had smarted you as much as it festereth me, you woulde bee percase as impaci∣ent as I am. As you woulde wishe me to ho∣nour my Prince, so duetie willeth mee to reue∣rence my father. Wherefore he that will wyth such tyrannie execute mine innocent parent, and withall threaten my destruction, I may not, nor will not hold him for my king.* 1.103 And yet in truth he was neuer our king, but our lord, as his pro∣genitours haue beene before him. But if it bee my hap to miscarie, as you seeme to prognosti∣cate, catche that catche maye, I will take the Market as it ryseth, and will choose rather to die with valiantnesse and libertie, than to liue vnder king Henrie in bondage and villanie. And yet it may be, that as strong as hee is, and as weake as I am, I shal be able like a flesh worme to itch the bodie of his Kingdome, and force him to scratch deepely before he be able to pike me out of my s•…•…ame. Wherefore my Lorde, I thanke you for your good counsaile, and were it not that I am too crabbed a note in descant to bee nowe tuned, it might be, that I woulde haue warb∣led sweeter harmonie than at this instaunt I mean to sing.

With these words he rendred vp the sword,* 1.104 and flung away like a bedlem, beeing garded wyth hys brutishe droue of brainesicke Re∣belles.

The Counsaile sent secretely vpon his de∣parture to maister Maior and his breethren, to apprehende, if they conueniently might, Tho∣mas Fitz Giralde, and his confederates. But the warning was so skarborrow, the enimie so strong, the Citie by reason of the plague that raunged in towne and in country, so dispeopled,

as their attempt therein would seeme but vaine and friuolous.

Ouer this, the weaker parte of the Rebelles would not penne vp themselues within the Ci∣tie walles, but stood houering aloofe off towards Ostmantowne greene, on the toppe of the hyll where the gallouse stoode (a fitte center for suche a circle) till tyme they were aduertised of theyr Captayne Thomas his returne.

This open Rebelliō in this wise denounced, [ 10] parte of the Counsell,* 1.105 namely Alen Archbyshop of Dublin, Finglasse chiefe Baron, hyed wyth bagge and baggage to the Castell of Dublin, whereof Ioan White was Constable,* 1.106 who after was dubbed Knight by the Kyng in En∣gland, for hys worthy seruice done in that vp∣rore.

Thomas and his crew, supposing that in o∣uerrunning the whole land, they should finde no blocke to stumble at sauing the Earle of Osso∣rie, [ 20] agreed to trie, if by any allurements he could be trayned to their cōfederacy. And for as much as the Lorde Iames Butler was linckt with Thomas Fitz Girald in great amitie and friēd∣shippe, it was thought best to giue him the on∣sette, who if he were wonne to sway with them, they woulde not weigh two chippes the force of his father, the Earle of Ossory.

Thomas forthwith sent his messengers and letters to his cousin the Lord Butler, couenan∣ting [ 30] to deuide wyth hym halfe the Kingdome, would be associate him in this enterprise, wher∣vpon, the Lorde Butler returned Thomas hys brokers with this letter.

* 1.107TAking penne in hand, to write you my re∣solute aunswere, I muse in the very firste line, by what name to call you, my Lord, or my Cousin: seeing your notorious treason hath di∣steyned your honour, and your desperate lewde∣nesse shamed youre kinred: you are so liberall in [ 40] parting stakes with mee, that a man woulde weene, you had no right to the game: so impor∣tunat in crauing my company, as if you would perswade me to hang with you for good fellow∣ship. Do you thinke that Iames was so madde, as to gape for Gogions, or so vngracious, as to sell his trueth for a peece of Ireland? Were it so (as it cannot bee) that the chickens you recken, were both hatched and feathered, yet bee thou sure, I had rather in this quarrell dye thine eni∣mie, than liue thy partner: for the kindnesse you proffer me, and good loue in the ende of your let∣ter, the best way I can, I purpose to requite, that is, in aduising you, though you haue fetched your feaze, yet to looke well ere you leape. Igno∣rance and errour wyth a certayne opinion of duetie, haue carried you vnawares to this fol∣lie, not yet so ranke, but it may be cured. The King is a vessell of bounty and mercy, youre wordes agaynste his Maiestie shall not be ac∣compted malitious, but rather belched out for heate and impotency, except your selfe, by hea∣ping offences, discouer a mischeuous and wilfull meaning. Farewell.

Thomas Fitz Girald netled with this round aunswere, was determined to inuade the Coū∣trey of Kilkenny, firste forcing an othe vpon the Gentlemen of the pale: and suche as woulde not agree thereto, he tooke prisoners.

Fingall whiche was not before acquainted with the recourse of the Irishe enimie,* 1.108 was lefte open, to bee preded and spoyled by the Tooles,* 1.109 who were therein assisted by Iohan Burnell of Balgriffen, a Gentleman of a faire liuing, settled in a good battle soile of Fingall, taken for one not deuoyde of witte, were it not that hee were ouertaken with this treason.

The Dublinians hauing notice, that the e∣nimie made hauocke of their neighbors of Fin∣gal, issued out of the Citie, meaning to haue in∣tercepted them at the bridge of Kilmaynan,* 1.110 and hauing encountred wyth the Irishe, neere the woodde of Salcock, what for the number of the Rebelles, and the lacke of an experte Captayne to leade the army of Dublin in battayle araye, there were fourescore of the Citizens slayne,

[illustration]

and the prede not rescued.

* 1.111In this conflicte, Patricke Fitz Simons, wyth dyuers other good housholders misca∣ried.

This victory bred so greate an insolencye in Thomas Fitz Giralde,* 1.112 as hee sente his messen∣gers to the Citie, declaring, that albeit they of∣fered him that iniurie, as that he could not haue

free passage with hys companye too and fro in the pale, and therefore would he vse the benefyte of his late skirmishe, or bee aunswerable in iust reuenge to their due deserte, he mought by lawe of armes put their Citie to fire and sword: yet this notwithstanding, if they would but permit his men to lay siege to the Castell of Dublin, he would enter in league with them, and would vndertake to backe them in such fauorable wise, [ 10] as the stoutest Champion in his army shoulde not be so hardy, as to offer the basest in their Ci∣tie so much as a fillip.

The Citizens considering that the Towne, by reason of the sicknesse, was weakened, and by this late ouerthrowe greately discouraged, were forced to make a vertue of necessitie, by lighting a candle before the Deuill, til tyme the Kyng hys pleasure were knowen, to whome wyth letters they posted one of their Aldermen, named Francis Herbert,* 1.113 whome shortly after, [ 20] y^e King for his seruice dubbed knight, enfeoffing him with parte of Christopher Eustace of Ba∣lintlan his landes, who had vnaduisedly a foote in this Rebellion. But before y^e Citizens would returne aunswere to Thomas, as touching this message, they secretly aduertised maister Iohan White, Connestable of the Castell, of this vn∣lawfull demaunde.

The Connestable weighing the securitie of the Citie, and little regarding the force of the e∣nimie, [ 30] agreed willingly thereto, so that he might be sufficiently stored with men and vittayles.

* 1.114Iohan Alen Archbyshop of Dublin, fearyng that all would haue gone to wracke in Ireland, being then in the Castell, brake his minde tou∣ching hys sayling into Englande to one of hys seruauntes named Bartholmewe Fitz Giralde,* 1.115 whome, notwithstanding hee were a Giraldine, hee helde for hys trustiest and inwardest coun∣saylour. [ 40]

Bartholmew vndertaking to be the Archby∣shop his Pilot, vntill he were past the barre, en∣couraged his maister to embarke himselfe harde by the Dames gate. And as they were hulling in the Channell that euening, they were not ware, vntill the Barke strake on the sands neere Clontarfe.

The Archbyshop with his man stale secrete∣ly to Tartayne, there meaning to lurke, vntyll the wind hadde serued to sayle into Englande, [ 50] where hee scantly sixe houres soiourned, when Thomas Fitz Girald knew of his arriuall, and accompanyed with Iames Delahide, sir Iohan Fitz Giralde, Oliuer Fitz Giralde his Vncles, timely in the morning, being the .28. of Iuly, he posted to Tartayne,* 1.116 beset the house, commaun∣ded Iohan Teling,* 1.117 and Nicholas Waffer to apprehend the Archbishoppe, whome they halled out of his bedde, brought him naked in his shirt, barefooted and bare headed, to their Captayne, whome when the Archbyshop espyed, inconti∣nētly he kneeled, and with a pitiful countenāce, and lamentable voice, he besought him for y^e loue of God not to remember former iniuries, but to weigh his present calamitie, and what malice so euer he bare his person, yet to respect his calling and vocation, in that his enimie was a Christi∣an, and hee among Christians an Archbishop. As he spake thus, bequeathing his soule to God, his body to the enimies mercy. Thomas being striken with some compassion, and withall in∣flamed with desire of reuenge, turned hys Horse aside, saying in Irish (Bir wem è boddeagh) which is as muche in Englishe, as awaye with the Churle, or take the Churle from mee, whyche doubtles he spake, as after he declared, meaning the Archbishop should bee deteyned as prisoner. But y^e caitiffes that were present, rather of ma∣lice than of ignorance, miscōstruing his words, murthered y^e Archbishop without further delay,* 1.118 brayned and hackt hym in gobbets, hys bloud with Abell crying to God for reuenge, whiche after befell to all such as were principals to this horrible murther. The place is euer since hedged and embayed on euery side, ouergrowen and vn∣frequented, for detestation of the fact. This Alen as before is declared, was in seruice with Car∣dinall Wolsey, of deepe iudgement in the lawe Canon, the onely match of Stephan Gardiner, an other of Wolseys Chaplaynes, for auoiding of which emulation, he was preferred in Irelād, rough and rigorous in iustice, deadly behated of y^e Giraldins, for his maisters sake and his owne, as he that crossed them diuers times, and muche bridled both father and sonne in their gouerne∣ments, not vnlike to haue promoted their accu∣sations, and to haue bin a forger of the letter be∣fore mentioned, whiche turned to his finall de∣struction.

The Rebelles hauing in this execrable wise embrued their handes in the Archbishoppe hys bloud, they rode to Houth,* 1.119 tooke Sir Christofer Lord of Houth prisoner, and vpon their returne from thence, they apprehended Maister Luttrel,* 1.120 chiefe Iustice of the common place, conueying him with them as their prisoner.

The Dublinians during this space, hauing respite to pause, sent into the Castell by nyghte sufficient store of victuals, at which time,* 1.121 Iohan Fitz Simons, one of theyr Aldermen, sente to Maister Cunstable twenty tunne of wine, four and twenty tunne of beere, two thousande drye ling, sixteene hoggesheads of poudred beefe, and twenty chambers, with an iron chayne for the drawbridge of the Castell, y^t was newly forged in his owne house, for y^e auoiding of all suspitiō.

* 1.122The Castell beeyng wyth men, munition, and vittayles, abundantly furnished, aunswere was returned to Thomas Fitz Girald, purpor∣ting a consent for y^e receyuing of his Souldiers, which graunted,* 1.123 he sent thither Iames Field of Luske. Nicholas Waffer, Iohan Teling, Ed∣ward Roukes (who was likewise a Pirat, scou∣ring the coast, and greatly annoying all passen∣gers) Broade and Pursel with an hūdred soul∣diers attendant on thē, as on their Captaynes. [ 10] These valiant ruttrekinnes planted neere Pre∣ston his Innes, right ouer againste the Castell gate two or three Falcons, hauyng with suche strong rampiers entrenched their company, as they little weighed the shot of the Castell, and to withdrawe the Connestable from discharging y^e ordinance, they threatned to take the youth of y^e Citie, and place them on the toppe of theyr trē∣ches for maister Constable to shoote at, as at a marke he would be loath to ••••tte.

The English pale in this wise weakened, the Citizens appeased, and the Castell besieged, Thomas Fitz Girald and his confederates were resolued to trie if the Lord Butler would stand to his doughty letter, and sith he woulde not by faire meanes be allured, he should be maugre his head by foule meanes compelled to assist them in this their generall attempt.

Thomas vpon this determination,* 1.124 being ac∣companyed wyth O Neale, dyuers Scottes, Iames Delahide, his principall Counsayloure, Iohan Delahide, Edw. Fitz Girald his vncle, Sir Richarde Welshe, person of Loughsewdy, Iohan Burnel of Balgriffen, Iames Gernon, Walter Walsh, Rob. Walsh, Maurice Walsh with a mayne army, inuaded the Earle of Os∣sorie, and the Lord Butler his landes, brenned & wasted y^e Coūtrey of Kilkennie to Thomas

[illustration]

Towne, the poore inhabitants being constreined to shunne hys force, rather than to withstande [ 40] his power. Fitz Girald his approch towardes these confines bruted, the Earle of Ossory, and his son the L. Butler, with all the Gentlemen of the Cuntrey of Kilkēny, assembled neere Ie∣ripō, to determine what order they myght take, in withstanding the inuasion of the Rebelles. And as they were thus in parley, a Gentleman of y^e Butlers accompanyed with sixteene horse∣men, departed secretely from the Falckmote, and made towardes Thomas Fitz Girald and hys [ 50] army, who was then ready to incamp himselfe at Thomas Towne. Whē the challenger was escried, and the certayne number knowen, six∣teene of Fitz Giralde his Horsemen dyd charge him, and presently followed them seuen score Horsemen, with two or three banners displaid, pursuing them, vntil they came to the hil, where all the Gentlemen were assembled, who beeyng so suddaynely taken, coulde not stand to bicker,* 1.125 but some fledde this way, some that way, the Earle was scattered from his company, and the Lord Butler vnawares was hurte, whome when suche of the Rebelles knewe, as fauoured him, they pursued him, but coldly, and lette hym escape on Horsebacke, taking hys way to Downemore (neere Kilkennle) where hee lay at Chirurgerie.

During the tyme that Thomas with his ar∣my was ransacking the Earle of Ossory hys lands,* 1.126 Francis Herbert returned from Englād to Dublin with the Kyng and Counsells let∣ters to Maister Shillingforth then Maior,* 1.127 and his breethren, with letters likewise to maister White the Constable, to withstande (as theyr duetie of allegiance bound them) the trayterous practises of Thomas and hys complices, & that with al speede they should be succoured vpon the sight of these letters.* 1.128 M. Thomas Fitz Simons

Recorder of the Citie, a Gentleman that she∣wed himselfe a politique and a cōfortable Coū∣sayler in these troubles, paraphrasing the Kyng his gratious letters, with diuers good and sound constructions, emboldned the Citizens to breake their new made league,* 1.129 which with no Traytor was to be kept.

The Aldermen and communaltie, wyth thys pithie perswasion easily weighed,* 1.130 gaue forthwith order, that the gates should be shutte, [ 10] their percullisses dismounted, the Traitors that besieged the Castell apprehended, flagges of defyance vpon their walles placed, and an opē breach of truce proclaymed. Field and his com∣panyes (who did not all this while batter aught of the Castell, but only one hole that was bored through the gate with a pellet, which lighted in the mouth of a demy Canon, planted within the Castell) vnderstanding that they were be∣trayed, beganne to shrinke their heads, trustyng [ 20] more to their hecles than to their weapōs, some ranne one way,* 1.131 some another, diuers thoughte to haue bin housed, and so to lurke in Lorelles denne, who where thrust out by the head and shoulders: few of them swamme ouer the Liffy, y^e greater number takē and emprisoned. Forth∣with post vppon post rode to Thomas Fitz Gi∣rald, who then was rifling the Countrey of Kilkenny, certifying him that all was marde, the fat was in the fire, he brought an olde house [ 30] about his owne cares, the Paltockes of Dublin kept not touche with him, the english army was ready to bee shipt, Herbert with the Kyng hys letters returned, now it stoode him vpon to shew himselfe a man or a mouse.

Thomas with these tidings amazed, made speedy repaire to Dublin, sending his Pursenāts before hym, to commaunde the Gentlemen of the Englishe pale to meete hym with all theyr power neere Dublin. And in his way towards the Citie,* 1.132 hys company tooke diuers children of the Dublinians, that kepte in the Countrey, (by reason of the contagion that then was in the Towne) namely Michaell Fitz Simons, Patricke Fitz Simons, William Fitz Simōs, all sonnes to Walter Fitz Simons late Maior, at whiche tyme was also taken Iames Stan∣hurst, with diuers other yonglings of the Ci∣tie.

Hauing marched neere Dublin,* 1.133 hee sente Doctor Trauerse, Peter Lince of the knocke, and Oliuer Grace, as messengers (for I maye not rightly tearme them Ambassadors) to the Citizēs, who crossing the Liffy from the blacke Friers to the key, explayned to the Maior and Aldermen theyr errand, the effect whereof was, eyther to stand to their former promise, or else to restore to their Captayne his menne, that they wrongfully deteyned in goale.

The first and last poynt of this request flatly by the Citizēs denyed, the messengers returned, declaring what colde enterteynement they had in Dublin.

Thomas herewith frying in his grease, cau∣sed part of his army to burne the Barke where∣in Herbert sayled from Englande,* 1.134 whiche done without resistance, the vessell roade at anchor neere Saint Mary Abbey, they endeuoured to stoppe all the springs that flowed to the towne, and to cutte the pypes of theyr conduites, wher∣by they shoulde be destitute of freshe water.

Shortly after, they layde siege to the Castell

[illustration]

in the Shipstreete,* 1.135 from whence they were ha∣stily by the ordinence seazed, and all the thatche houses of the Streete were burnt with wilde∣fire, whych maister White deuised, bycause the enimie should not be there rescued.

When no butter coulde sticke on their bread

in that parte of the Citie, the greater number of the Rebelles assembled to Thomas court, and marched to Sainte Thomas his streete, razing downe the partitions of the rewe of houses be∣fore them on both sides of the streete, findyng none to withstande them, for the inhabitantes fledde into the Citie, so that they made a long lane on both the sides like a gallerie, couered all ouer head, to shield as well their horsemen, as their footemen from gunshot. [ 10]

This done, they brent the newe streate, plan∣ted a falcon right againste the newe gate, and it discharged, pierced the gate, and kild an appren∣tice of Thomas Steeuens Alderman, as hee wente to bring a bason of water from the hygh pipe, whiche by reason the springs were damde vp was at that time drie.

* 1.136Richard Stanton, commonly called Dicke Stanton, then gaylour of the new gate, a good seruitoure, an excellente markman, as his vali∣ant [ 20] seruice that time dyd approue. For besides that hee galde dyuers of the Rebelles as they woulde skippe from house to house, by causing some of them with hys peece, to carrie theyr erraundes in their buttockes, hee perceyued one of the enimies, leueling at the windowe or, spike at which he stoode: but whether it were, that the Rebell his pouder faylde him or some gimbol or other was out of frame, Stanton tooke hym so truely for his marke, as hee strake him with hys [ 30] bullet full in the forehead vnder y^e brimme of hys scull, and withall, turned vp his heeles.

Stanton not satisfyed with his death, issued out at the wicket, stripte the varlet mother naked, and broughte in his peece and hys at∣tire.

The desperatenesse of thys facte dislyked of the Citizēs, and greately stomacked by the Re∣belles, before Stanton returned to his standing, the enimies broughte faggottes and fyers to the [ 40] new gate,* 1.137 and incontinently fyred them.

The Townesmen perceyuing that if y^e gate were brent, the enimies woulde bee encouraged vpon hope of the spoyle, to venter more fiercely, than if they wer encountred without y^e walles, thoughte it expedient presently to charge them: to this exployte they were the more egrely mo∣ued, bycause that notwithstanding Thomas his Souldyers were many in number, yet they knewe that the better parte of his company bare [ 50] but hollowe hartes to the quarrell: for the num∣ber of the wise Gentlemen of the pale did little or nothing encline to his purpose. And therefore when hee besieged the Citie, the most parte of those arrowes, which were shot ouer the walles, were vnheaded, and nothyng annoyed them: some shotte in letters, and foretolde them of all the treacherous stratagemes that were in ham∣mering.

That espyed the Citizens, and gathe∣ring the faintnesse of his Souldyers thereby, blazed abrode vppon the walles triumphante newes, that the King hys army was arriued, and as it hadde bin so in deede,* 1.138 suddaynely to the number of foure hundred, rushed out at the newe gate through flame and fyre vppon the Rebelles, who at the first sighte of armed men, weening no lesse, but the trueth was so, other∣wise assured, that the Citie woulde neuer dare to reencounter them, gaue grounde, forsooke theyr Captaynes, dispersed and scattered in∣to dyuers corners, theyr Falcon taken, an hun∣dred of their stoutest galloglasses slayne.

Thomas Fitz Giralde fledde to the grey Fri∣ers in Sainte Frauncis his streete,* 1.139 there coucht that nyghte, vnknowen to the Citie, vntyll the next morning, hee stale priuily to his armye not farre off, who stoode in wonderfull feare, that he was apprehended.

Thomas hys courage by thys late ouer∣throwe, somewhat cooled, and also beeyng as∣suredly tolde, that a fleete was espyed a farre off, bearyng full sayle towardes the coast of Irelande, hee was soone entreated, hauyng so manye irons in the fyre, to take egges for hys money: and wythall, hauyng no forrayne succoure, eyther from Paulus tertius, or Charles the fyft, whyche dayly hee expected, hee was sore quayled, beeyng of hymselfe, though strong in number of Souldyers, yet vnfurnished of sufficiente munition and artillerie, to stande and wythstande the Kyng hys army in a pitcht fielde, or a mayne battaile.

Vppon thys and other considerations, to make as fayre weather as hee coulde, hee sente Iames Delahyde, Lime of the knocke,* 1.140 Willi∣am Bath of Dollardestowne, Doctor Tra∣uerse, Thomas Fielde of Paynestowne, as mes∣sengers to the Citizens, to treate with them of a truce, who beeyng let in at the newe gate, re∣payred to William Kelly his house, where mai∣ster Maior and hys breethren were assem∣bled.

The Articles propounded by them to the Citizens, were these.* 1.141

In primis, that Thomas Fitz Girald hys men, who were deteyned in prison, should be re∣deliuered.

2 Item, that the Citizens shoulde inconti∣nently deliuer him at one payment, a thousande poundes in money.

3 Item, that they shoulde delyuer him fyue hundred pounds in wares.

4 Item, to furnish him with munition and artillery.

5 Item, to addresse their fauorable letters to

the King for their Captaine his pardon, and all his confederates.

* 1.142The Maior and Aldermen hauing ripely de∣bated the tenour of these Articles, agreed, that maister Fitz Simons their Recorder, should an∣swere to the firste, that they would not sticke, to set his seruaunts at libertie, so he woulde redeli∣uer them the youth of the Citie which was no∣thing else in effect, but tit for tat.

As for the seconde and thirde demaunde, they [ 10] were so greatly by his warres empouerished, as they myght hardly spare money or wares: and as touching implementes for warre, they were neuer such fond niddicockes, as to offer any mā a rodde to beate their owne tayles, or to betake their mastiues to the custodie of the Woolues, maruelling much, that their Captayne woulde so farre ouershoote himselfe, as to bee taken with such apparant repugnancie. For if hee intended to submitte himselfe to the King his mercy, and [ 20] to make them humble meanes to his highnesse for the obteining of his pardon, he ought rather to make sute for some good vellam parchmente for the ingrossing thereof, than for munitiō and artillerie to withstande his Prince: wherefore that three vnlawfull demaundes reiected, they would willingly condiscend to the first and last, as well requesting hym to deliuer them the youth of the Citie, as to submitte himselfe and his company to the King his mercy, promising [ 30] not only with their fauourable letters, but also with their personall presences to further, as far as in them lay, hys humble sure to the King and Counsell.

* 1.143As they parled thus too and fro, William Bath of Dollardestowne, a Student of the cō∣mon lawes spake: My maisters, what needeth all thys long circumstance, lette vs all drynke of one cuppe, whiche wordes were shortly after vpon Skeffington his arriuall, so crookedly glo∣zed, [ 40] as by drinking of a soure cuppe, hee lost the best ioynte of hys body. For albeit vpon his try∣all, hee construed his wordes to importe an vni∣forme consente, towards the obteyning of Fitz Giralde hys pardon, yet all this coulde not cou∣loure hys matter in suche wise, but that hee and Eustace of Balicutlan,* 1.144 wer executed at the Ca∣stell of Dublin.

The messengers knowing their Captaine to bee at a lowe ebbe, were agreed to take the [ 50] offers of the first and last conditions,* 1.145 and that to the accomplishing of these Articles, hostages shoulde bee gyuen of eyther parte.

The messengers deliuered to the Citizens Doctor Trauerse and others,* 1.146 the Citizens deli∣uered them Richard Talbot, Aldreman, Roch∣ford and Rery.

These were committed to the custody of Dauid Sutton of Rabride,* 1.147 who redeliuered thē to the Citizens, immediately after vpon the cer∣tayne rumour of Skeffington his repaire.

Thomas growen to thys poynte with the Dublinians, raysed his siege, caused his artille∣rie to be cōueyd to Howeh matching after with his army, to the ende he might well as bulche the English Shippes, if they durst auerre the coast, as to bicket with the Souldiers vpon their arri∣uall. But before he toke his iourney to Howeth, he rode to Maynoth, to see that the Castell shuld be of all sides fortifyed, where being done to vn∣derstand, that a companye of white coses,* 1.148 with redde crosses, landed at Dublin secretely in the dead of the night, and also that another band a∣riued at Howeth, and were ready to marche to∣wardes Dublin, hee posted incontinently wyth two hundred Horsemen towardes the water syde, encountred neere Clontarfe, the Hamer∣tons, two valiant and couragious Gentlemen,* 1.149 hauing in theyr company fourescore Souldy∣ers, where they foughte so valiantly for theyr liues, as so fewe footemen coulde haue done a∣gainste so greate a troupe of Horsemen: for they did not onely mangle and backe dyuers of the Rebelles,* 1.150 but also one of the Hamertones woū∣ded Thomas Fitz Girald in the forehead.

Some reporte, that one of the Moosgraues, who was of kinne to Fitz Giralde, was slayne in this conflict, whose deathe hee is said to haue taken greately to hearte. The Rebelles flesht with the slaughter of the Englishe, hyed with al speede so Howeth, shotte at the Shyppes that rode at anchor, caused them to flie from thēce, and to make towardes Skerrish, where landed both the Eglebees,* 1.151 and the Dakers with theyr horsemen Roukes, Fitz Girald his Pirat, was sent to scoure the coast, who tooke an Englishe barke laden with very faire geldings,* 1.152 and sente them to hys Captayne.

After that Thomas hadde returned with this booty, and the spoyle of suche as were slayne to Maynoth, Sir William Brereton Knyghte,* 1.153 with hys sonne Iohn Brereton, was enshoared at Howeth with two hundred and fiftie Soul∣dyers, very well appoynted,* 1.154 and maister Salis∣bury with two hundred archers.

Lastly landed at the slippe neere the bridge of Dublin, Sir William Skeffington knight,* 1.155 Lorde Deputie, whome the Irishe call the Gunner, bycause hee was preferred from that office of the King hys maister Gunner, to go∣uerne them, and that they can euill brooke to bee ruled of anye that is but meanely borne.

The Maior and Aldermea receyued the go∣uernor wyth shot, & great solemnity, who yeel∣ding them heartye thankes, for theyr true and

loyall seruice,* 1.156 deliuered them the King & Coun∣sell his letters, purporting the same effect in wri∣ting, that he before exprest 〈◊〉〈◊〉 words.

Barnewell Lord of Triulestowne, who had the custody of the sword, dyd surrender it to Sir William Skeffington, according to the mea∣ning of the King his letters patents on that be∣halfe.

Thomas Fitz Giralde hauing intelligence that the whole army was arriued, warded the [ 10] Castel of Maynoth so strongly, as he tooke it to be impregnable.* 1.157 And to the ende he mighte gaue the gouernoure battayle, herode towards Con∣naght, to leuie all such power of the Irish, as ei∣ther for wages, or for good will he could winne, to assist him. The Lord Deputie forewarned of his drift,* 1.158 marched with the Englishe army, and the power of the pale to Maynoth, and layde siege to the Castell on the North side, towardes the parke. But before any peece was discharged, [ 20] Sir William Brereton,* 1.159 by the Deputie his ap∣poyntment, did sommone the Castell, offering suche as kepte it, to depart with bagge and bag∣gage, and besides their pardon, to bee liberally rewarded for their good and loyall seruice. But such as warded the Castell, scornefully scoffing the Knight his offer, gaue him heartie thankes for his kindnesse, which they sayd, proceeded ra∣ther of his gentlenesse, than of their deseruing, wishing him to keepe vp in store such liberall of∣fers [ 30] for a deere yeare, and to write his commen∣dations home to his friends, and withal, to keepe his head warme, for at their hands he was lyke to haue but a colde sute: finally not to take suche keepe of their safetie, in that they were assured that he and his fellowes shoulde bee sooner from the siege raised, than they from the holde remo∣ued. Vpon this round aunswere, the ordinances were planted on the North side of the Castell, whiche made no great batterie for the space of a [ 40] fortnight, yet the Castell so warely of eache side enuironed, as the Rebelles were imbard from al egresse and regresse.* 1.160 Christopher Parese, foster brother to Thomas Fitz Girald, to whome of especiall trust, the charge of y^e Castel was chiefe∣ly committed, proffering his voluntarie seruice, (which for the more part is so thankelesse & vn∣sauory,* 1.161 as it stinketh) determined to goe an ase beyond his fellowes, in betraying the Castell to the gouernoure. In this resolution, he shot out a [ 50] letter endorced to the Lorde Deputie, the effect whereof was, that hee would deuise the meanes the Castell shoulde be taken, so that hee myghte haue a summe of money for hys paynes, and a competent stay during his life. This motion by letters too & fro agreed vpon, Parese caused such as kept the warde, to swill and boll so much, as they snorted al the night like grunting Hogges, little misdeeming that whilest they stepte, anye Iudas had bin waking within the Castel. The occasion of this extraordinary exceeding, was couloured, for snatching 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Castell a field peece the day before, from the army, for whiche, they kept such pot reuels, and triumphāt carou∣fing, as none of them coulde discerne his beddes head, from the heddes feete.

Parese taking his tide and time, made signe to the army, betwene the twilight and dawning of the day, who hauing skaling ladders in a rea∣dinesse, wolde not ouer••••p the oportunitie offe∣red. Holland,* 1.162 petite captaine to Sulisbury was one of the forewardest in this exploite, who lea∣ping downe from the wall, fell by mishap into a pipe of feathers,* 1.163 where he was vp to the arme pittes, so stiffely sticking therein, & also so vn∣wealdye in his armour, as hee coulde not helpe himself neither in or out.* 1.164 Sir William Brere∣ton and his hande hauing skaled the walles cri∣ed on a sodaine, S. George, S. George. Three drunken swaddes that kepte the castell thought that this shoute was noughte else but a dreame, til time they espied the walles full of armed mē, & one of thē withal perceiuyng Hollād thus en∣tangled in y^e pype, bestowed an arrow vpō him, which by good hap did misse him. Hollād forth∣with rescued by his fellowes, shot at the other, & strake him so full vnder the skull, as he left him sprauling. The resistance was faint, when the Souldyers entred, some yeelding themselues, o∣thers that withstood them slayne.* 1.165 Sir William Brereton ranne vp to the highest turret of the Castel, and aduaunced his Standerd on the top there of, notifying to the Deputie, y^t the sort was wonne. Great and rich was the spoile, such store of beddes, so many goodly hangings, so riche a Wardrob, such braue furniture, as truely it was accompted for housholde stuffe and vtensiles, one of the richest Earle his houses, vnder the Crowne of Englande.* 1.166 The L. Deputie entred y^e Castell in the after noone, vpon whose repaire, Iames Delahyde, and Hayward, two sin•…•…ing men of the Earle his Chappell, that were taken prisoners, prostrated themselues on the ground, pitifully wa•…•…hling a song, named Dulcis amica.

The gouernour rauished with the sweete and delicate voyces,* 1.167 at the instaunce of Girald Ayle∣mer chiefe Iustice, and others of the counsell, pardoned them. Christopher Parese not mis∣doubting but y^t he should haue bin dubd knight for his seruice done that day,* 1.168 presented hymselfe before the Gouernoure, with a cheerefull and familiar countenance, as who should say, heere is he that did y^t deede. The Deputie very coldly & half steruely casting an eye towards him said: Parese,

I am to thank thee on my master y^e K. his behalfe, for this thy profered seruice, which I

acknowledge to haue bin a sparing of greate charges, and a sauing of many valiant Souldy∣ers liues to his highnesse, and when his Maie∣stie, shall bee thereof aduertised, I dare be bolde to say that hee will not see thee lacke during thy life.

And bycause I may be the better instructed how to reward thee during my gouernement I would gladly learne, what thy Lorde and mai∣stir bestowed on thee.

Parese set a gogge with [ 10] these milde speeches, and supposing the more he recited, the better bee shoulde bee rewarded, lefte not vntolde the meanest good turne, that euer he receyued at his Lords hands.

Why Parese, quoth the Deputie, couldest thou finde in thine hearte to betray his Castell, that hath bin so good Lord vnto thee? truly, thou that art so hollow to him, wilt neuer be true to vs, and therewithall, turning his talke to his of∣ficers, he gaue them commaundement, to dely∣uer [ 20] Parese the summe of money that was pro∣mised him vpon the surrender of the Castel,* 1.169 and after, to choppe off his head.

Parese at this colde salutation of farewell and behangd, turning his simpring to wimpring, sayd:

My Lord, had I wist you would haue dealte so straitely with me, your Lordship shoulde not haue wonne this sort with as little bloudshed as you dyd.

Whereat, M. Boice,* 1.170 a Gentleman of wor∣ship and one that reteyned to that olde Earle of Kildare, standing in the preasse, saide in Irishe,* 1.171 Antragh, whiche is asmuch in English, as too late, whereof grewe the Irish prouerbe,* 1.172 to thys day in y^e language vsed, Too late quoth Boice, as we say, bewart of had I wist, or after meate mustard, or you come a day after y^e faire, or bet∣ter done than sayde. The Deputie demaunded them that stoode by what was that he spake, M. Boyce willing to expounde his owne wordes, stept forth and answered, my Lord, I said no∣thing, but that Parese is seized of a towne neere the water syde named Baltra,* 1.173 and I woulde gladly know how he wil dispose it before hee bee executed. The gouernoure not mistrusting, that M. Boice had glozed (for if he had vnderstood y^e true signification of the tearme, it was very like that too late had not bin so sharp to Parese, but too soone had bin as soure to him) willed the mo∣ney to bee tolde to Parese, and presently caused him to be cut shorter by the head:* 1.174 declaring ther∣by, that although for the time he embraced the benefyte of the treason, yet after he could not di∣gest the treacherie of the Traytor.

[illustration]

* 1.175The Deputie hauing left a garrison in y^e Ca∣stell, returned with the army triumphantly to Dublin. Thomas Fitz Girald not misdoubting but suche as hee left in the Castell were able to stand to their tacklings, leuied an huge army in [ 50] Oconoure his Countrey, and in Connaght, to the number of seuen thousande, marching with them towards Maynoth, minding to haue re∣moued the king his army from the siege, but be∣ing certified, that Parese his foster brother, yeel∣ded vppe the Castell to the Deputie, the better part of his company gaue him the slippe Al this notwithstanding he made with such as woulde sticke to him to Clane.

The Lord Deputie hauing intelligence of his approch,* 1.176 left Sir William Brereton at Dublin to defende the Citie, and marched with the ar∣my to the Naas,* 1.177 where he tooke seauen score of Thomas his galloglasses, and led them all vn∣armed toward Ionestowne. The skoutewatch espying Thomas to march neere, imparted it to the gouernour, who incontinently commaun∣ded eache man to kyll hys prisoner before the charge, whyche was dispatcht, only Edmond

Oleyn escaping mother naked by flight to Tho∣mas his companie,* 1.178 leauing his shyrt in his kee∣pers hande. Both the armies aduaunced them∣selues one agaynst the other, but the horsemen of eyther syde coulde not charge, by reason of a marish or quakemyre that parted thē. Wher∣fore the Deputie caused two or three field pee∣ces to be discharged,* 1.179 which skattered Thomas and his rablement, insomuch as he neuer in such open wise durst after beare vp head in the Eng∣lish [ 10] pale,* 1.180 but rather by startes and sodaine stra∣tagemes, would now and then gal the English. As when the Castell of Rathimgan was woon, whiche was soone after the surrender of May∣noth, hee caused a droue of Cattell to appeare timely in the morning hard by the towne. Such as kept the Fort suspecting it to be a bootie, were trayned for the more part out of the Castel, who were surprised by Thomas, that lay hard by in Ambushe, and the greater number of them [ 20] slaine.

An other tyme bee fired a Village harde by Trim, and deuised such of his horsemen that coulde speake English, beeing clad and horsed like Northerne men, to ryde to Trim, where a garnison lay, with hue and crie, saying that they were Captaine Salisburie his souldiours, and that the traytour Thomas Fitz Giralde was burning a village harde by. The souldiours sus∣pecting no cosinage, issued out of the towne, who were by his men charged, and a great number of them slaine, some chased to the towne, and forced to take Sanctuarie in the Church yarde, which those dayes was highly reuerenced.

These and the like knackes vsed Thomas, bring for his owne person so well garded, and for defect of a maine armie so naked, as neyther he was occasioned to feare the English, nor the English forced to weigh him.

During this tyme, there arriued with a fresh supplie of horsemen and Archers,* 1.181 sir William Sentlo knight, and his sonne, sir Rice Mans∣well knight, sir Edward Griffeth knight, who were dispersed to sundrie partes of the Pale, to defende the Countrey from the enimyes in∣uasion.

When the heate of this Rebellion was in this wise asswaged, the Lorde Deputie finding out no deuice to apprehende the Captaine, em∣ployed his industrie to intrap his confederates.

Burnel of Balgriffen seeing all go to wrack,* 1.182 fled to Mounster, where hee was taken by the Lorde Butler Vicecount Thurles, and being conueied to England was executed at Tiburn.* 1.183 Doctor Trauerse, who was left as hostage with the Citizens, was by them deliuered to the Lord Deputie,* 1.184 and after with Roukes the Pirate exe∣cuted at the gallowes on Ostmantowne greene.

[illustration]

* 1.185Sir Walter Delahyde knight and his wife the Ladie Gennet Eustace, were apprehended, [ 50] and brought as prisoners by maister Brabson Vicetreasorer from their towne of Moyclare to the Castell of Dublin, bycause theyr sonne and heyre Iames Delahyde was the onely bruer of all this rebellion, who as the gouernour sus∣pected, was set on by his parents, and namely by his mother.

The knight and his wife, lying in duresse for the space of twelue Monethes, were at seue∣rall tymes examined, and notwithstanding all presumptions and surmises that coulde bee ga∣thered, they were in the ende founde guiltlesse of their sonne his folly. But the Ladie was had in examination apart, and intyced by fayre mea∣nes, to charge hir husbande with hir sonne hys rebellion, who being not woonne thereto with al the meanes that coulde be wrought, was mena∣ced to be put to death, or to be rackt, and so with

extremitie to be compelled, whereas with gen∣tlenesse she could not be allured to acknowledge these apparant treasons, that neyther hir hus∣bande nor she coulde without great shew of im∣pudencie denie.

The gentlewoman with these continuall stormes heartbroken,* 1.186 deceassed in the Castell: from thence hir bodie was remoued to the gray Friers with the Deputie his commaundement, that it should not be enterred, vntill his pleasure [ 10] were further knowne, adding withall, that the carkasse of one who was the mother of so arrant an Archtraytor, ought rather to be cast out on a Dunghill to be carion for Rauens and Dogs to gnaw vpon, than to be layd in any Christian graue. The corps lying foure or fiue dayes in this plight, at the request of the Ladie Gennet Golding, wife to sir Iohn White knight, the gouernour licenced, that it should be buried.

* 1.187Sir William Skesfington a seuere and vp∣right [ 20] Gouernour dyed shortly after at Kilmay∣nan: to whome succeeded Lorde Deputie the Lorde Leonard Gray,* 1.188 who immediately vpon the taking of his othe, marched with his power towardes the confines of Mounster, where Thomas Fitz Girald, at that tyme remayned.

* 1.189With Fitz Giralde sir William Breerton skirmished so fiercely, as both the sides were ra∣ther for the great slaughter disaduantaged, than eyther part by any great victorie furthered, Ma∣ster [ 30] Brereton therefore perceyuing that rough Nettes were not the fittest to take such peart byrdes, gaue his aduice to the Lorde Deputie to grow with Fitz Girald by faire meanes to some reasonable composition. The Deputie liking of the motion, craued a parlee, sending certaine of the Englishe as hostages to Thomas hys campe with a protection directed vnto him, to come and go at will and pleasure.

* 1.190Being vpon this securitie in conference with [ 40] the Lorde Gray, hee was perswaded to submyt himselfe to the King his mercie, with the gouer∣nours faythfull and vndoubted promise that he should be pardoned vpon his repayre into Eng∣lande. And to the ende that no trecherie might haue bene misdeemed of eyther side, they both re∣ceyued the Sacrament openly in the campe,* 1.191 as an infallible seale of the couenants and conditi∣ons of eyther part agreed.

* 1.192Herevpon Thomas Fitz Giralde sore a∣gaynst [ 50] the willes of his Counsaylours dismist his armie, and roade with the Deputie to Dub∣lyn,* 1.193 where he made short abode when hee sayled to Englande with the fauourable letters of the gouernour and the Counsayle. And as hee woulde haue taken his iourney to Windsore where the Court lay,* 1.194 he was intercepted contra∣rie to his expectation in London way, and con∣ueyed with hast to the Tower. And before his imprisonment were bruted, letters were posted into Irelande, straytly commaunding the De∣putie vpon sight of them, to apprehend Thomas Fitz Girald his vncles, and to see them with all speede conuenient shipt into England. Which the Lorde Deputie did not slacke. For hauing feasted three of the Gentlemen at Kylmaynan,* 1.195 immediately after their banquet (as it is nowe and then seene, that sweete meate will haue sowre sauce) he caused them to be manacled, and led as prisoners to the Castell of Dublin: and the other two were so roundly snatcht vp in vil∣lages hard by, as they sooner felt theyr owne captiuitie, than they had notice of theyr bre∣threns calamitie.

The next winde that serued into Englande these fiue brethren were embarked, to wit Ia∣mes Fitz Giralde, Walter Fitz Girald, Oliuer Fitz Girald, Iohn Fitz Girald, & Richard Fitz Girald. Three of these Gentlemen, Iames, Walter, and Richarde, were knowne to haue crossed their Nephew Thomas to their power in his Rebellion, and therefore were not occa∣sioned to misdoubt any daunger. But such as in those dayes were enimies to the house, incen∣sed the king so sore agaynst it, perswading him, that he should neuer conquer Irelande, as long as any Giraldine breathed in the Countrey, and for making the pathway smooth, he was resol∣ued to loppe off as well the good and sounde Grapes, as the wilde and fruitelesse Beries. Whereby appeareth howe daungerous it is to be a rubbe, when a King is disposed to sweepe an Alley.

Thus were the fiue brethren sayling into Englande, among whome Richarde Fitz Gi∣ralde being more bookish than the rest of his bre∣thren, and one that was much giuen to the stu∣dies of antiquitie, veyling his inwarde griefe, with outward myrth comforted them wyth cheerefulnesse of countenance, as well perswa∣ding them that offended to repose affiaunce in God, and the King his mercie, and such as were not of that conspiracie,* 1.196 to relie to theyr inno∣cencie, which they should hold for a more safe & strong Barbican, than any rampire or Castell of Brasse.

Thus solacing the siely mourners sometyme with smiling, somtime with singing, sometyme with graue & pithie Apophthegmes, he craued of the owner the name of the Barcke, who hauing answered, that it was called the Cow,* 1.197 the gen∣tleman sore appalled thereat sayd:

Now good brethren I am in vtter dispaire of our returne to Ireland, for I beare in mynde an olde prophecie, that fiue Earles brethren, should be caryed in a Cowes bellie to England,

and from thence neuer to returne.

Whereat the rest began a fresh to houle and lament, which doubtlesse was pitifull, to be hold fiue valiant Gentlemen, that durst meete in the fielde fiue as sturdie Champions as coulde bee picked out in a realme, to bee so sodainly terri∣fied with the bare name of a woodden Cow, or to feare lyke Lions a silly Cocke his combe, be∣ing mooued, as commonly the whole Countrey is, with a vaine and fabulous old wiues dream. But what blinde prophecie soeuer hee read or heard of any superstitious Beldame touching a Cowe his belly, that which hee foretolde, them was found true.* 1.198 For Thomas Fitz Giralde the thirde of Februarie, and these fiue brethren hys vncles, were drawne, hanged, and quartered at

[illustration]

Tiburne, whiche was incontinently bruted as well in Englande and Irelande, as in forayne soyles.* 1.199 For Dominicke Power, that was sent [ 30] from Thomas to Charles the fift, to craue hys ayde towards the conquest of Irelande (lyke as Chale in Grauil,* 1.200 otherwise called Charles Rei∣nolde, was directed to Paulus tertius) presen∣ting the Emperour with twelue great Haukes and fourtene fayre Hobbies, was aduertised by hys Maiestie, that he came too late, for his Lord and maister, and fiue of his Vncles were execu∣ted at London the thirde of Februarie: How be it the Emperour procured King Henrie to par∣don [ 40] Dominicke Power, which notwithstan∣ding he obteyned, yet woulde he not returne to Irelande, but continued in Portugall, hauing a ducket a day of the Emperour during his life, which he ended at Lisborne,

* 1.201Iames Delahyde, the chiefe Counsaylour of Thomas Fitz Giralde, fled into Scotlande and there deceassed.

To this miserable end grew this lewd rebel∣lion, which turned to y^e vtter vndoing of diuerse [ 50] auncient Gentlemen, who trayned with fayre wordes into a fooles Paradice, were not onely dispossessed of theyr landes, but also depriued of theyr lyues, or else forced to forsake theyr coun∣treys.

* 1.202As for Thomas Fitz Giralde, who (as I wrote before) was executed at Tyburne, I would wish the carefull Reader, to vnderstand that he was neuer Earle of Kildare, although some wryters, rather of error than of malice,* 1.203 tearme him by that name. For it is knowne that his father lyued in the Towre, when hee was in open Rebellion, where for thought of the yong man his follye hee dyed, and therefore Thomas was attaynted in a Parliament hol∣den at Dublyn, as one that was deemed, repu∣ted, and taken for a traytour before his fathers deceasse, by the bare name of Thomas Fitz Giralde. For this hath beene obserued by the Irish Hystoriographers euer since the conquest,* 1.204 that notwithstanding all the presumptions of treason wherewith any Earle of Kyldare coulde eyther faintly be suspected, or vehemently charged, yet there was neuer any Erle of that house read or heard of, that bare armour in the fielde agaynst his Prince. Which I write not as a barrister hyred to pleade theyr cause, but as a Chronicler mooued to declare the truth.

This Thomas Fitz Giralde,* 1.205 as before is specified, was borne in Englande, vpon whom nature poured beautie, and fortune by byrth be∣stowed Nobilitie, which had it beene well em∣ployed, and were it not, that his rare gyftes had bene blemished by his later euill qualities, hee would haue proued an ympe worthie to bee en∣graft in so honourable a stocke. Hee was of stature tall and personable, in countenance ami∣able, a white face, and withall somewhat ruddie, delicately in eche lymme featured, a rolling

tongue and a riche vtterance, of nature flexible and kinde, verie soone caryed where hee fansied, easily with submission appeased, hardly wyth stubbornnesse weyed, in matters of importance an headlong hotespurre, yet nathelesse taken for a yong man not deuoyde of witte, were it not, as it fell out in the ende, that a foole had the kee∣ping thereof.

* 1.206But to returne to the course of the Hystorie, when Thomas and his vncles were taken, hys [ 10] second brother on the father his syde, named Gi∣rald Fitz Girald (who was after in the raigne of Queene Marie restored to the Earledome of Kildare, in which honor as yet he liueth, beeing at that time somewhat past twelue, and not full thirtene yeares of age, lay sick of the smal pocks, in the Countie of Kildare, at a towne named Donoare,* 1.207 then in the occupation of Girald Fitz Giralde.* 1.208 Thomas Lenrouse, who was the childe his schoolemaister, and after became Bi∣shop [ 20] of Kildare, mistrusting vpon the apprehen∣sion of Thomas and his Vncles, that all went not currant, wrapt the yong pacient as tenderly as he could, and had him conueyed in a cleefe with all speede to Ophaly, where soiourning for a short space with his sister the Ladie Mary Fitz Giralde, vntill he had recouered his perfite health, his schoolemaster caryed him to Odoon his Countrey, where making his aboade for a quarter of a yeare, he trauayled to Obrene hys [ 30] Countrey in Mounster, and hauing there re∣mayned for halfe a yeare, bee repayred to hys aunte the Ladie Elenore Fitz Giralde, who then kept in Mack Carty Reagh,* 1.209 hir late hus∣band his territories.

This noble woman was at that time a wi∣dow, alwayes knowne and accounted of eche man, that was acquainted with hir conuersa∣tion of life, for a paragon of liberalitie and kind∣nesse, in all hir actions vertuous and godly, and [ 40] also in a good quarell rather stout than stiffe. To hir was Odoneyl an importunate suyter, and although at sundrie tymes before she seemed to shake him off, yet considering the distresse of hir yong innocent nephew, how hee was forced to wander in Pilgrimwise from house to house, es∣chuing the punishment that others deserued, smarted in his tender yeares with aduersitie, be∣fore he was of discretion to enioy any prosperi∣tie▪ she began to encline to hir wooer his request, [ 50] to the ende hir nephew should haue bene the bet∣ter by his countenaunce shouldered, and in fine indēted to espouse him, with this caueat or pro∣uiso, that he shoulde safely shield and protect the sayde yong Gentleman in this his calamitie. This condition agreed vpon, shee road with hir nephew to Odoneyl his countrey, and there had him safely kept for the space of a yeare.

But shortly after, the Gentlewoman either by some secrete friend enformed, or of wisedome gathering, that hir late maryed husbande enten∣ded some trecherie, had hir nephew disguised, scoring him like a liberall and bountifull Aunt,* 1.210 with seuen score Porteguses, not onely in va∣loure, but also in the selfe same coyne, inconti∣nently shipped him secretly in a Brytons ves∣sell of Saint Malouse, betaking him to God,* 1.211 and to their charge that accompanied him, to wit, maister Lenrouse, and Robert Walsh som∣time seruant to his father the Earle.

The Ladie Elenore hauing this, to hir con∣tentation bestowed hir nephew, she expostulated verie sharpely with Odoneyle as touching hys villanie, protesting that the onely cause of hir match with him proceeded of an especiall care to haue hir nephew countenanced: and now that he was out of his lashe, that mynded to haue be∣trayed him, he should well vnderstande, that as the feare of his daunger mooued hir to annere to such a clownish Curmudgen, so the assuraunce of his safetie, should cause hir to sequester hirselfe from so butcherly a cuttbrote, that would be like a pelting mercenarie patche hyred, to sell or be∣tray the innocent bloud of his nephew by affi∣nitie, and hirs by consanguinitie. And in thys wise trussing vp bag and baggage, she forsooke Odoneyle, and returned to hir countrey.

The passengers with a prosperous gale ar∣riued at Saint Malouse, which notified to the gouernour of Brytayne, named Monsieur de Chasteau Brian,* 1.212 he sent for the yong Fitz Gi∣ralde, gaue him verie heartie enterteynment du∣ring one Monethes space.

In the meane season the gouernor posted a Messenger to the Court of Fraunce, aduerti∣sing the King of the arriuall of this Gentleman, who presently caused him to be sent for, and had him put to the Dolphyn named Henrie, who af∣ter became king of France.

Sir Iohn Wallop (who was then the Eng∣lish Ambassadour) vnderstanding the cause of the Irish fugitiue his repayre to Fraunce,* 1.213 de∣maunded him of the French king▪ according to the newe made league betwene both the princes, which was, that none shoulde keepe the other his subiect within his dominion, contrarie to eyther of their willes, adding further, that the boy was brother to one, who of late notorious for his re∣bellion in Ireland, was executed at London.

To this answered the King▪ first,* 1.214 that the Ambassadour had no Commission from hys Prince to demaunde him, and vppon his Ma∣iestie his letter he shoulde knowe more of his mynde: secondly that hee did not deteyne him, but the Dolphyn stayed him: lastly, that howe grieuously soeuer his brother offended, hee was

well assured, that the silly boy neither was nor coulde be a traytour, and therfore there rested no cause why the Ambassadour shoulde in suche wise craue him, not doubting that although hee were deliuered to his king, yet he woulde not so farre swarue from the extreeme rigour of Iu∣stice, as to embrew his handes in the innocent his bloud, for the offence that his brother had perpetrated.

Maister Wallop herevppon addressed his [ 10] Letters to Englande, specifying to the Coun∣saile the French kings answere, and in the mean tyme the yong Fitz Girald hauing an ynckling of the Ambassadour his motion,* 1.215 fledde secretely to Flaunders, scantly reaching to Valencie, when Iames Sherelocke, one of Maister Wal∣lop his men,* 1.216 did not onely pursue him, but al∣so did ouertake him, as he soiourned in the sayd towne.

Wherevpon maister Leurouse, and such as [ 20] accompanied the childe, stept to the Gouernour of Valencie, complayning that one Sherelocke a sneaking spie, lyke a pykethanke promoting Varlet, did dogge their maister from place to place, and presently pursued him to the towne▪ and therefore they besought the gouernour, not to leaue such apparant villaynie vnpunished, in that he was willing to betray not onely a guilt∣lesse child, but also his owne Countryman, who rather ought for his innocencie to bee pityed, [ 30] than for the deserte of others so eagrely to bee pursued.

The Gouernour vpon this complaint sore incensed, sent in all hast for Sherlocke, had him sodainly examined, and finding him vnable to colour his lewde practise with any warrantable defence,* 1.217 he layd him vp by the heeles, rewarding his hote pursute with colde interteynment, and so remained in gaole, vntill the yong Fitz Gi∣ralde requiting the prisoner his vnnaturall cru∣eltie [ 40] with vndeserued curtesey,* 1.218 humbly besought the gouernor to set him at libertie.

This brunt escaped, Fitz Giralde trauay∣led to Bruxelles, where the Emperour kept his Court.

* 1.219Doctour Pates being Ambassadour in the low Countreys, demaunded Fitz Giralde of the Emperour on his maister the King of Eng∣landes behalfe. The Emperour hauing answe∣red that he had not to deale with the boy, and for [ 50] ought that he knewe, was not mynded to make any great abode in that Countrey, sent hym to the Bishop of Liege,* 1.220 allowing him for his pen∣sion an hundred Crownes Monethly. The Bi∣shop enterteyned him very honourably, had him placed in an Abbey of Monks, and was so care∣ful of his safetie, that if any person suspected, had trauayled within the circuit of his gleebe, hee should be straytly examined, whether he would, or from whence he came, or vpō what occasion he trauayled that way.

Hauing in this wise remayned at Liege for halfe a yeare,* 1.221 the Cardinall Poole (Fitz Giralde his kinnesman) sent for him to Rome, wherevp∣on the Gentleman as well with the Emperour his licence, as with surrendring his pension, tra∣uayled to Italy, where the Cardinall woulde not admit him to his companie, vntill he had at∣teyned to some knowledge in the Italian tong. Wherefore allowing him an annuitie of three C. crownes, he placed him with the Bishop of Verona, and the Cardinall of Mantua, and af∣ter with the duke of Mantua.

Leurouse in the meane while was admitted through the Cardinall Pole his procurement to be one of the Englishe house in Rome,* 1.222 called Saint Thomas his Hospitall.

Robert Walshe,* 1.223 vpon his maisters repayre to Italy, returned to Ireland.

Fitz Girald hauing continued with the Car∣dinall, and the Duke of Mantua, a yeare and an halfe, was sent for by the Cardinall Pole to Rome, at which tyme the Duke of Mantua gaue him for an annuall pension three hundred Crownes.

The Cardinall greatly ioyed in his kinnes∣man, had him carefully trayned vp in his house,* 1.224 interlacing with such discretion his learning and studies, with exercises of actiuitie, as he shoulde not be after accounted of the learned for an ig∣norant idiot, nor taken of actiue Gentlemen for a deade and dumpish meacocke. If he had com∣mitted any fault, the Cardinall would secretly commaund his Tutors to correct him, and all that notwithstanding, hee woulde in presence dandle the boy, as though he were not priuie to his punishment: and vpon any complaint made he vsed to checke Fitz Giralde his maisters o∣penly for chastising so seuerely his pretie dar∣ling.

In this wise hee rested three yeares togither in the Cardinall his house, and by that tyme ha∣uing stept so farre in yeares (for hee was pric∣king fast vpon ninetene) as he began to knowe himselfe, the Cardinall put to his choyse, eyther to continue his learning, or by trauayling to seeke his aduentures abroade. The yong strip∣ling (as vsually kinde doth creepe) rather of na∣ture addicted to valiantnesse, than wedded to bookishnesse, choosed to be a trauaylour: and pre∣sently with the Cardinall his licence,* 1.225 repayred to Naples: where falling in acquaintance with Knightes of the Rhodes, he accompanied them to Malta,* 1.226 from thence he sayled to Tripoly (a Fort apperteyning to the aforesayde order, cou∣sting vpon Barbarie) and there he aboade sixe

weekes with Mounbryson,* 1.227 a commander of the Rhodes, who had the charge of that holde.

At that tyme the knightes serued valiantly agaynst the Turkes and Miscriants, spoyled and sacked their villages and townes, that lay neare the water syde, tooke diuerse of them pry∣soners, and after solde them to the Christians for bond slaues.

* 1.228The yong Fitz Giralde returned with a rich bootie to Malta, from thence to Rome, ha∣uing [ 10] spent in thys voyage, not fully one yeare.

* 1.229Proude was the Cardinall to heare of hys prosperous exploytes, and for his further ad∣uauncement, he enhaunced his pencion of three hundred Crownes, to three hundred poundes, ouer and aboue three hundred crownes, that the Duke of Mantua allowed him.

Shortly after he preferred him to the seruice of the Duke of Florence, named Cosmo, wyth whom he continued maister of his horses three [ 20] yeares,* 1.230 hauing also of the Duke three hundred Duckets for a yearely pension during life, or vn∣till be were restored, in like maner as the Cardi∣nall Poole and the duke of Mantua in their an∣nuities had graunted him.

During the time that he was in seruice with the Duke of Florence, he trauayled to Rome a shrouing, of set purpose to be merie: and as hee road an hunting with Cardinall Ferneise the Pope his nephew, it happened that in chasing [ 30] the Bucke,* 1.231 he fel into a pitte. xxix fatham deepe, and in the fall forsaking his horse within two fathams of the bottom, he tooke holde by two or three rootes, gryping them fast, vntill his armes were so wearie, as he coulde hang no longer in that paine. Wherefore betaking himselfe to God, he let goe his gripe by little and little, and fell softly on his horse, that in the bottome of the pit lay starke dead, and there he stoode vp to the Anckles in water, for the space of three houres. [ 40] When the chase was ended, an exceeding good Greyhoūd of his named Grifhound, not finding his maister in the companie,* 1.232 followed his tracte vntill hee came to the pitte, and from thence woulde not depart, but stoode at the brimme in∣cessauntly houling. The Cardinall Ferneise and his traine missing Fitz Girald, made towardes the dogge, and surueying the place, they were verily perswaded that the Gentleman was squi∣sed to death. [ 50]

Hauing therefore posted his seruantes in hast to a village harde by Rome (named Tre∣cappan) for Ropes and other necessaries,* 1.233 he cau∣sed one of the companie to glide in a Basket, downe to the bottom of the hole. Fitz Giralde reuiued with his presence, and willing to bee re∣moued from so darksome a dungeon to the open ayre, besought the other to lende him his roome, wherevpon he was haled vp in the Basket, as well to the generall admiration of the whole companie, as to the singular gratulation of the Cardinall and all his friends, rendring most heartie thankes to God his diuine Maiestie, for protecting the Gentleman with his gracious guerdon.

And thus surceassing to treate any further of his aduentures, vntill the date of time trayne my penne to a longer discourse, I will returne to the inhabitants of the English Pale, who af∣ter the death of Thomas Fitz Giralde, through rigour of iustice, and the due execution of lawes, were greatly molested. For ouer this, that such as were knowne for open and apparant tray∣tours in the commotion, were for the more part executed, or with rounde summes fined, or from the realme exiled: certaine gentlemen of wor∣ship were sent from Englande,* 1.234 with Commis∣sion to examine eche person suspected wyth Thomas his treason, and so according to theyr discretion, eyther with equitie to execute, or with clemencie to pardon all such as they could proue to haue furthered hym in his disloyall Com∣motion.

Commissioners were these,* 1.235 sir Anthonie Sentleger knight, sir George Paulet knight, maister Moyle and maister Barnes.

Much aboute this tyme was there a Par∣liament holden at Dublin before the Lord Leo∣narde Gray Lorde Deputie,* 1.236 beginning the first of May, in the .xxviij. yeare of the raigne of Henrie the eight. In this Parliament there past

An Act

• For the attainder of the Erle of Kil∣dare, and Thomas Fitz Giralde, with others.
• For the succession of the King and Queene Anne.
• Of absenties, wherein was graunted to the king the inheritance of such landes in Irelande, whereof the Duke of Norffolke, and George Talbot Earle of Waterford and Solop were seysed, with the inhe∣ritances of diuerse other corpora∣tions and couents demurrant in England.
• For the repeale of Ponings Act.
• Authorising the king, his heyres and successours to be supreme heade of the Church of Irelande.
• That no subiects or resiants of Ire∣lande shall pursue or commence, vse, or execute any maner of pro∣uocations, appeales or other pro∣cesse from the Sea of Rome, vpon paine of incurring the prenmnire.
• ...

• Agaynst such as slaunder the King, or his heyres apparant.
• For the first fruites.
• Of sir Walter Delahyde knight his landes in Carbeyre graunted to the king.
• How persons robbed shall bee resto∣red to theyr goodes.
• Restrayning trybutes to be graunted to Irishmen. [ 10]
• Agaynst Proctors to be any mem∣ber of the Parliament.
• Agaynst marying or fostering with or to Irishmen.
• Agaynst the authoritie of the Sea of Rome.
• For the twentith part.
• For the English order, habite, and language.
• For the suppressing of Abbayes. [ 20]
• For the lading of Wooll and flockes.
• For the proufe of Testaments.
• Of faculties.
• Declaring the effect of Ponings Act.
• Of penall statutes.
• For the weres vpon Barrou, and o∣ther waters in the Countrey of Kilkenny.
• For the person of Dongarun. [ 30]
• For leazers of corne.

As for the olde Earle of Kildare, who in this Parliament was attainted for diuerse presump∣tions in the preamble of the sayde Act rehearsed, certaine it is,* 1.237 that the reuolt of his sonne Tho∣mas Fitz Giralde, smote him so deepely to the heart, as vpon the report thereof hee deceassed in the Tower, wishing in his death bed, that ey∣ther he had died before he had heard of the rebel∣lion, or that his brainlesse boy, had neuer liued to [ 40] rayse the like commotion.

This Earle, of such as did not stomacke his proceedings, was taken for one that bare hym∣selfe in all his affayres verie honourably, a wise, deepe, and farre retebing man: in warre valy∣ant without rashnesse, and politique wythoute treacherie. Such a suppressour of rebelles in his gouernment,* 1.238 as they durst not beare armour to the annoyance of any subiect, whereby he heaped no small reuenues to the crowne, enryched the [ 50] king his treasure, garded with securitie the pale, continued the honour of his house, and purchased enuie to his person.

* 1.239His great hospitalitie is to this day rather of eche man commended, than of any one follo∣wed. He was so religious addicted to the ser∣uing of God, as what tyme soeuer he trauayled to any part of the Countrey, such as were of his Chapell, should be sure to accompanie him. A∣mong other rare gyftes, hee was with one sin∣gular qualitie endued which were it put in prac∣tise by such as are of his calling, might minister great occasion as well to the abandoning of flat∣tring cary tales, as to the stayed quietnesse of noble potentates.

For if any whispered vnder Benedicite a si∣nister report or secrete practise, that tended to the disteyning of his honour, or to the perill of hys person, he woulde straytly examine the informer, whether the matter he reported were past, or to come. If it were sayde or done, he was accu∣stomed to lay sore to his charge, where, and of whom he heard it, or how he could iustifie it. If he found him to halte in the proufe, he woulde punish him as a pikethanke makebate, for being so maliciously caried, as for currying fauour to himselfe, he woulde labour to purchase hatred to another: But if the practise were future, and hereafter to be put in execution, then woulde hee suspende the credite, vsing withall such wary se∣crecie, as vntill the matter came to the pinche, the aduersarie should thinke that hee was moste ignorant, when he was best prouided.* 1.240 As being in Dublyn forewarned, that Iohn Olurckan with certaine desperate Varlets conspired his destruction, and that they were determined to assault him vpon his returne to Maynoth, hee had one of his seruants named Iames Graunt,* 1.241 that was much of his pitche, and at a blush did somewhat resemble him, attyred in his ryding apparaile, and namely in a skarlet Cloake, wherewith he vsed to be clad. Graunt in thys wise masking in his Lordes attyre, roade as hee was commaunded in the beaten highe way to∣wardes Manoth, with sixe of the Earle his ser∣uantes attending vpon him. The Conspira∣tours awayting towards Lucan the comming of the Earle, encountered the disguised Lorde, and not doubting but it had beene Kildare, they began to charge him, but the other amazed ther∣with, cryed that they tooke theyr marke amisse, for the Earle roade to Manoth on the further side of Liffic. Wherewith the murtherers ap∣palled fled away, but incontinently were by the Earle apprehended, susteyning the punish∣ment that such caytifes deserued.

This noble man was so well affected to his wife the Ladie Gray, as he woulde not at any tyme buy a sute of apparell for himselfe, but hee woulde sute hir with the same stuffe. Whiche gentlenesse she recompenced with equall kinde∣nesse. For after that he deceassed in the Tower, she did not only euer after liue as a chast and ho∣nourable Vidue,* 1.242 but also nightly before shee went to bed, she would resort to his picture, and there with a solemne congee, she woulde bid hir

Lorde goodnight. Whereby may bee gathered with howe great loue shee affected his person, that had in such price his bare picture.

An other Act that did passe in this Parlia∣ment touching absenties, proceeded of this oc∣casion.

* 1.243Maister Girald Aylmer, who first was chief Baron of the Exchequer, after chiefe Iustice of the Common place, was occasioned, for certain his affayres, to repaire to the Court of Englād. [ 10] Where being for his good seruice greatly coun∣tenanced by such as were in those dayes taken for the pillers of the weale publike, namely of the Lorde Crumwell it happened that through his Lordship his earnest meanes, the king made maister Aylemer chiefe Iustice of his Bench in Irelande. This aduauncement disliked by cer∣taine of Waterford and Weiseforde, that were not friended to the Gentleman, they debaced him in suche dispitefull wise, as the Earle of [ 20] Shrewsburie, who then was likewise Earle of Waterforde, was by theyr lewde reportes ca∣ryed to chalenge the king, so farre as with his duetie of allegeance he durst, for bestowing so weightie an office vpon so light a person, beyng such a simple Iohn at Stile as he tearmed him, no wiser than Patche, the late Lord Cardinall his foole. The king herevpon expostulated with the Lorde Cromwell, who being throughly ac∣quainted with the Gentleman his rare wise∣dome, [ 30] aunswered, that if it woulde stande with his Maiesties pleasure to enter into conference with him, hee shoulde bee sure to finde him no babe, notwithstanding the wrong informati∣ons of suche as laboured to thwart or crosse hym. Whereto the King vpon further leysure agreed, and shortly after according to his pro∣mise, bestowed two or three houres with mai∣ster Aylemer, who vpon the Lorde Cromwell his forewarning, was so wel armed for his high∣nesse, as he shewed himselfe in his discourse, by answering ad omnia quare, to be a man worthie to supplie an office of so great credite.

In this conference the King demaunded him, what he tooke to be the chiefe occasion of disorder of Irelande, and howe hee thought it might best he reformed?

Truly and it like your Maiestie (quoth Ayl∣mer) among sundrie reasons that might be pro∣bably alledged for the decay of that your King∣dome, one chiefe occasion is, that certaine of your Nobilitie of this your realme of England are seysed of the better part of your Dominion in Irelande, whereof they haue so little keepe, as for lacke of theyr presence, they suffer the sayde landes to be ouerrunne by Rebelles and traytours. Wherefore if your highnesse would prouide by Acte of Parliament, that all suche landes which by reason of their absence may not be defended, should be to your highnesse by the consent of the Nobilitie and Communaltie graunted, you might therby enrich your crown, represse rebels, and defend your subiects from all trayterous inuasion.

The king tickled with this plausible deuise, yeelded maister Aylemer heartie thankes for his good counsaile, and in this Parliament had the tenour thereof put in effect. Which redow∣ned chiefly to the Lorde of Shrewsburie hys disaduauntage, as one that was possest of dy∣uerse auncient Lordshippes and Manours in that countrey.

Soone after this Parliament,* 1.244 Oneale y∣magining that he was able to make hys partie good agaynst the English Pale, conspyred with Odoneyle Maggadnesh, Ocaghan, Mack Kwylen, Ohanlan, and other Irish Lords, and on a sodain inuaded the Pale, came to the Na∣uan,

[illustration]

burnt all the townes of eche side confining, after matched to Taraghe, mustering wyth great pride hys armie vpon the toppe of the hill: and hauing gathered togither the spoyle of the Pale without resistance, bee beganne to recule Northwarde, making his full account to haue gone scot free.

The Lord Leonard Gray being then Lord Deputie forecasting the worst, certified the king and counsaile of Oneal his rebellion, and with∣all [ 10] humbly besought a fresh supply of souldiors to assist the pale in resisting the enimie and that sir William Brereton (who was discharged & returned into Englande) shoulde bee sent into Irelande,* 1.245 as one that for his late seruice was highly commended of the Countrey.

The King and Counsaile condiscending to the Deputie his request, appoynted sir William Brereton to hie thither with speede,* 1.246 hauing the charge of two hundred and fiftie Souldiours of [ 20] Chesshire men. In which seruice the Gentle∣man was founde so prest and readie, that not∣withstanding in mustering his bande, he fell by mishap off his horse, and therewithall brake his thigh in two places, yet rather than hee woulde retire homeward, he appointed the Mariners to hale him vp to theyr Barke by Pulleyes, and in such impotent wife arriued in Irelande, sup∣pressing the feeblenesse of his bodie, with the couragious valour of his minde. [ 30]

The Lorde Deputie in the meane while marched wyth the force of the Pale, the Ma∣ior and the Citizens of Dublin to Drogheda, f•…•…bai thence likewise accōpanied with the Ma∣ior and Townesmen, he marched Northward to Bellahoa,* 1.247 where Oneale and his companie on the fartherside of the water, laye encamped with the spoyle of the Pale.

The Deputie by Spyes and secrete Mes∣sengers hereof certified, caused the armie to tra∣uaile [ 40] the better part of the nyght, in so muche as by the dawning of the day, they were neare the Ryuer syde: where hauing escried the cul∣mits, namely Magann•…•…she, and the Gallo∣glasses, that were placed there to keepe the straytes, (for Oneale wyth the mayne armye lurked in a Groue not farre off,) they beganne to sette themselues in battayle: array, as menne that were resolued wyth all haste and good speede to supprise the enimys wyth a sodayne [ 50] charge.

* 1.248At which tyme Iames Flemming Baron of Slane (commonlye called blacke Iames) garded wyth a rounde companye, as well of horsmen as footmen, humbly besought the De∣putie, to graunt him that day the honour of the onsette. Whereto when the Lorde Gray had agreed, the Baron of Slane wyth cheerefull countenaunce,* 1.249 imparted the obteyning of hys suyte, as pleasant tydings to Robert Halfe pe∣nie, who wyth his auncestours was Standers bearer to the house of Slane. But Halfepennie seeing the further syde of the water so beset with armed Galloglasses, as he tooke it, as likely an attempt to raze downe the strongest Fort in Irelande wyth a fillippe, as to rushe through suche quicke Iron walles, flatlye aunswered the Baron, that hee woulde rather disclayme in his office, than there to gyue the onsette, where there rested no hope of lyfe, but an assured cer∣taintie of death. And therefore hee was not as yet so wearie of the worlde, as lyke an head∣long hotespurre voluntarilye to runne to hys vtter and vndoubted destruction. Where∣fore hee besought his Lordship, to set his heart at rest, and not to impute his denyall to base∣nesse of courage, but to warynesse of safetie, althoughe hee knewe none of anye stayed mynde, but woulde sooner choose to sleepe in an hole sheepe hys pelte, than to walke in a torne Lyon hys skinne, namely when all hope of lyfe was abandoned, and the certaintie of death assuredly promised.

The Baron with this answere at his wittes ende, roade to Robert Betoa of Downeore,* 1.250 brake with him as touching Halfepennie hys determination, and withall requested hym (as he did tender hys honour) nowe at a pinche to supply the rowme of that dastardly cowarde, as he did taunt him.

Betoa to thys aunswered, that although it stoode wyth good reason, that suche as here∣tofore tasted the sweete in peace, shoulde nowe be contented to sippe of the sowre in warre: yet notwythstanding, rather than the matter shoulde to hys honour lye in the dust, he pro∣mised to breake through them, or else to lye in the water: and withall beeing surpassinglye mounted, for the Baron gaue hym a choyse horse, hee tooke the Standarde, and wyth a sodayne showte, hauing wyth him in the fore∣ranke Mabe of Mabestowne (who at the first brunt was slaine) bee flung into the water;* 1.251 and charged the Irishe that stoode on the further shore.

After followed the Gentlemen and Yeomen of the Pale, that wyth as great manhood char∣ged the enimies, as the enimies with courage resisted their assault.

To this stoutenesse were the enimies more boldly prickte, in that they had the aduauntage of the shore, and the gentlemen of the Pale were constrayned to bickre in the water.

But the longer the Irish cōtinued, the more

they were disaduauntaged, by reason that the English were so assisted with fresh supplyes, as their enimies coulde not any longer withstande them, but were compelled to beare backe, to forsake the bande, and to giue the armie free passage.

The Englishe taking heart vpon theyr fayntnesse, brake through the Galloglasses,* 1.252 slue Maggannouse theyr Captaine, pursued Oneal with the remnaunt of his Lordes, leauing be∣hinde

[illustration]

them for lacke of safe cariage the spoyle of the Pale, scantly able to escape wyth hys owne life, being egrely pursued by the army vn∣till it was Sun set.

* 1.253In this conflict Mathew King, Patricke Barnewall of Kylmahyocke, Sir Edwarde [ 30] Basnet Priest, who after became Deane of Saint Patrickes in Dublin, and was sworne one of the priuie Counsaile, and Thomas Fitz Simons of Curduffe, were reported to haue serued verie valiantly.

* 1.254Moreouer Iames Fitz Simons Maior of Dublin, Michael Cursey Maior of Drogheda, Girald Ailmer chiefe Iustice, & Thomas Tal∣bot of Malahide, were dubbed knights in y^e field.

But of all others, the Lord Gray then Lord [ 40] Deputie,* 1.255 as hee was in authoritie superiour to them all, so in courage and manlynesse hee was inferiour to none. He was noted by the armye to haue endured greate toyle and paine before the skirmishe, by posting bareheaded from one bande to another, deba•…•…ing the strength of the enimies, enhauncing the power of the Pale, de∣pressing the reuolt of rebellious traitours, extol∣ling the good quarell of loyall subiectes, offring large rewardes, which with as great constan∣cie [ 50] he perfourmed, as with liberalitie he promi∣sed. Ouer this he bare himselfe so affable to his souldiours, in vsing them like friendes and fel∣lowes, and terming thē with curteous names, and mouing laughter with pleasant conceyts, as they were incensed as well for the loue of the person, as for the hatred of the enimie, wyth resolute mindes to bicker with the Irishe. In whiche conflict the Deputie was as forwarde as the moste, and bequitte himselfe as vali∣aunt a Seruitour as the best.

The Gouernour turning the oportunitie of this skirmishe to his aduauntage, shortly after roade to the Northe, preding and spoyling O∣neale with his confederates, who by reason of the late ouerthrow, were able to make but little resistance.

In this iourney he razed Saint Patricke his Churche in Doune, an olde auncient Citie of Vlster, and burnt the monuments of Patricke, Briged, and Colme, who are sayd to haue bene there entumbed, as before is expressed in the de∣scription of Ireland.

This fact lost him sundrie heartes in that coūtrey, alwayes after detesting and abhorring his prophane tyrannie, as they did name it. Wherevpon conspyring wyth such of Moun∣ster as were enimyes to his gouernment,* 1.256 they booked vp diuerse complaintes agaynste him, which they did exhibit to the king and counsell. The Articles of greatest importaunce layde to his charge were these.

In primis,* 1.257 that notwithstanding hee were straitly commaunded by the king his Maiestie, to apprehend his kinnesman, the yong Fitz Gi∣rald, yet did he not onely disobey the kings let∣ters, as touching that point, by playing boa∣pepe, but also had priuie conference with the said Fitz Girald, and lay with him two or three se∣uerall nights before he departed into France.

Item, that the chiefe cause that moued him to inueigle Thomas Fitz Giralde wyth suche

fayre promyses proceeded of sette purpose to haue him cutte off, to the ende there shoulde be a gap set open for the yong Fitz Girald, to as∣pire to the Earledome of Kildare.

Item, that hee was so greedily addicted to the pilling and polling of the King his Sub∣iectes, namelye of suche as were resiaunt in Mounster, as the beddes he lay in, the cuppes he dranke in, the plate with which he was serued in any gentlemens house, were by his seruants [ 10] agaynst right and reason packe vp, and caried with great extortion away.

Item, that without any warrant from the King or Counsaile, he prophaned the Church of Saint Patrickes in Doune, turning it to a Stable, after plucked it downe, and shipt the notable ring of belles that did hang in the Ste∣ple, meaning to haue sent them to Englande, hadde not God of his iustice preuented hys iniquitie, by sinking the Vessell and passen∣gers, wherein the sayde Belle•…•… should haue bene conueyed.

These and the lyke Artycles, were wyth such odious presumptions coloured by his ac∣cusers, as the King and Counsayle remem∣bring his late faultes, and forgetting hys for∣mer seruices (for commonly all men are of so harde happe, that they shall bee sooner for one trespasse condemned, than for a thousande good desertes commended) gaue commaundement that the Lorde Gray shoulde not onely bee re∣mooued from the gouernment of the Countrey,* 1.258 but also had him beheaded on the Tower hit the xxviij. of Iune.

[illustration]

* 1.259But as touching the first Article, that brought him most of all out of conceyte wyth the King, I mooued question to the Earle of Kyldare, whether the tenour thereof were true [ 40] or false? His Lordship thereto answered bona fide, that hee neuer spake with the Lorde Gray, neuer sent messenger to him, nor receyued mes∣sage or letter from him.

* 1.260Whereby may bee gathered, with how ma∣ny daungers they are inwrapped that gouerne Prouinces, wherein diligence is thwackt with hatred, negligence is loaden with tauntes, se∣ueritie with perilles menaced, liberalitie with thankelesse vnkindnesse contemned, conference [ 50] to vndermining framed, flatterie to destruction forged, eche in countenaunce smyling, diuerse in heart pouting, open fawning, secrete grud∣ging, gaping for suche as shall succeede in go∣uernment, honouring Magistrates with cappe and knee, as long as they are present, and car∣ping them with tongue and penne, as soone as they are absent.

The Lord Leonard Gray, as is aforesayd,* 1.261 discharged, sir William Brereton was consti∣tuted Lorde Iustice, whose short gouernment was intangled with no little trouble. For al∣beit he and Oneale fell to a reasonable compo∣sition, yet other of the Irishe Lordings, namely Oconour and his adherents, that are content to liue as subiectes, as long as they are not able to holde out as rebelles, conspired togither, and de∣termined to assemble their power at the hyll of Fowre in west Methe, and so on a sodaine to ransacke the Pale.

The Lorde Iustice forthwith accompa∣nied with the armie, and with two thousand of the Pale, of which no small number were eccle∣siasticall persons, made towardes the rebelles, who vpon the approche of so greate an armie gaue ground and dispersed themselues in woods and marrishes. The Lorde Iustice this not∣withstanding inuaded Oconour his Country, burnt his tenements, and made all his trenches with the multitude of Pioners so passable, as

foure hundred Cartes, beside light cariage, were led without let through the Countrey. Ocon∣nour soone after submitted himselfe,* 1.262 and sent his sonne Cormacke to the Lorde Iustice as hostage for his future obedience and loyaltie to the king his highnesse.

* 1.263After this iourney was ended, sir Anthonie Sentleger knight of the order was constituted Lord Deputie, and sir William Brereton lord high Marshal, who within one halfe yeare after [ 10] he was preferred to be Marshall, trauayling by the Lord Deputie his appointment to Limme∣rick to bring in Iames Erle of Desmond, who stood vpon certaine tickle poyntes with the go∣uernor,* 1.264 ended his life in that iourney, and lyeth entumbed at Kilkenny in the Chore of Saint Kenny his Church.

* 1.265In the .xxxiij. yeare of the raigne of Henry the eight, there was a Parliament holden at Dublin before sir Anthony Sentleger, in which [ 20] there passed:

An Act

• That the king and hys successors to be kings of Ireland.
• For gray marchantes.
• That the plaintife may abridge his plaint in assise.
• That consanguinitie or affinitie being not within y^e fifth degree, shall be no principall chalenge.
• That maketh it felony to any man [ 30] to run away with his master his casket.
• For the adnihilating of precōtracts in mariage.
• For al Lordes to distreyn vpon the lands of them holden, & to make their auowrie not naming the tenant but their land.
• For capacities.
• For seruants wages. [ 40]
• For Iointenantes.
• For recouerie in auoyding leases.
• For Tythes.
• For attournements.

This Parliament was proroged vntill the xv. of Feb. & after was continued at Limmerick before the said deputie, at which time there past.

An Act

• For the adiournement of the Par∣liament, and the place to holde the same, and what persons shall [ 50] bee chosen Knightes and Bur∣geses.
• For the election of the L. Iustice.
• Touching mispleading and ieoy∣failes.
• For landes giuen by the king.
• For the suppression of Kilmainam and other religious houses.

This Parliament was likewise proroged, and after was continued and holden before the sayde gouernour at Dublin,* 1.266 the sixthe daye of Nouember, in the .xxxiiij. yeare of the raigne of king Henry the eight wherein there passed:

An Act

• For the deuision of Meth into two shires.
• For persons standing bounde in a∣ny Court for theyr apparaunce, and being in seruice, to bee dis∣charged by writ.

This Parliament was further proroged vn∣till the .xvij. of Aprill, and at that time before the sayd Gouernour it was holden and ended; in which there passed an Act touching the manour and Castle of Dongaruan to be vnited and an∣nexed to the crowne for euer.

To thys Parliament resorted dyuerse of the Irishe Lordes, who submytting themsel∣ues to the Deputie hys mercy, returned peace∣ably to their Countreyes.

But Iames Erle of Desmond sayled into Englande,* 1.267 and before the King and Coun∣sayle purged himselfe of all suche Articles of treason, as were falsly layd to his charge, whose cleare purgation and humble submission the king accepted very gratefully.

Shortly after Desmond his returne home∣warde,* 1.268 the great Oneale was created Earle of Tyron, and his base sonne Mathewe Oneale Baron of Dongaruan. For in those days Iohn Oneale, commonly called Shane Oneale, the onely sonne lawfully of his bodie begotten, was little or nothing esteemed.

Oneale hauing returned to Irelande wyth this honour, and the king his fauour, Obreyne with certaine other Irishe Lordes sayled into Englande, submitting theyr lyues and landes to the king his mercie.

This Obreyne was at that tyme created Earle of Clincare,* 1.269 in which honour his posteri∣tie hitherto resteth.

Shortly after the returne of these Lordes to their Countrey,* 1.270 King Henrie being fully re∣solued to besiege Bollongne, gaue commaun∣dement to sir Anthonie Sentleger deputie, to leuie an armie of Irish men, and with all expe∣dition to sende them to England.

To these were appoynted Captaynes the Lord Power, who after was dubt knight, Sur∣lock, and Finglasse with diuerse others. They mustred in Saint Iames his Parke seuen hun∣dred.

In the siege of Bollongne they stoode the armye in verye good steade. For they were not onely contented to burne and spoyle all the villages thereto adioyning, but also they would raunge twentie or thirtie miles into the maine

lande,* 1.271 and hauing taken a Bull, they vsed to tie him to a stake, and scorching hym with fa∣gottes, they woulde force him to roare, so as all the Cattell in the Countrey woulde make to∣wardes the Bull, all which they woulde light∣ly leade away, and furnish the campe with store of b•…•…efe.

If they tooke anye Frenche man prysoner, least they shoulde bee accounted couetous in snatching wyth them hys intyre bodye, hys [ 10] onelye raunsome shoulde bee no more but hys heade.

The French wyth this extraordinarie kind of warfarring astonyed, sent an Ambassadour to King Henrie, to learne whether he brought meane wyth hym or Diuelles, that coulde neyther bee woonne wyth rewardes, nor paci∣fyed by pitie: whiche when the King had tur∣ned to a •…•…east, the French menne euer after, if they coulde take anye of the Irishe scatte∣ring [ 20] from the companie, vsed fyrst to cutte off theyr genitours, and after to tormente them with as greate and as lingring paine as they could deuise.

* 1.272After that Bollongne was surrendred to the King, there encamped on the West syde of the Towne beyonde the Hauen an armye of French menne, among whome there was a Thrasonicall Golias, that departed from the armye, and came to the brincke of the Ha∣uen, [ 30] and there in letting and daring wise cha∣lenged anye one of the Englishe armye that durst be so hardie, as to bicker with him hand to hande.

And albecit the distaunce of the place, the depth of the Hauen, the nearnesse of hys com∣panie emboldned him to thys chalenge, more than any great valour or pithe that rested in him to indure a combate, yet all this notwith∣standing, an Irishe manne named Nicholl [ 40] Welshe,* 1.273 who after reteyned to the Earle of Kyldare, loathing and disdeyning his prowde bragges, flung into the water, and swamme ouer the Ryuer, fought wyth the chalenger, stroke him for dead, and returned backe to Bol∣longne wyth the Frenchman his heade in hys mouth, before the armie coulde ouertake hym. For which exployte, as hee was of all his com∣panie highly commended, so by the Lieutenant he was bountifully rewarded. [ 50]

* 1.274Much aboute this tyme the Earle of Len∣nox, verie wrongfully inquieted in Scotlande, and forced to forsake his Countrey, became humble peticioner to King Henrie, as well to relieue him in his distressed calamitie, as to cō∣passe the meanes, how he might bee restored to his landes and liuing.

The King his highnesse mooued wyth compassion, posted the Earle ouer to Ire∣lande, with letters of especiall trust, commaun∣ding sir Anthonie Sentleger then Deputie, to assist and further the Scottish outcast, with as puissant an armie, as to his contentation should seeme good.

The Deputie vpon the receyte of these let∣ters,* 1.275 sente for Iames Butler Earle of Or∣monde and Osserie, a noble manne no lesse po∣litique in peace; than valiaunt in warre, made hym priuye to the Kyng hys pleasure, and wythall in his Maiesties name dyd caste the charge hereof vppon the sayde Earle, as one that for hys tryed loyaltie was willing, and for his honour and valour able to attempt and atchieue so rare and famous an exployte.

The Lorde of Ormonde as wylling to obey, as the Gouernour was to commaunde, leuyed of hys Tenauntes and Reteynours, sixe hundred Gallowglasses, foure hūdred Kearnes, three score Horsemen, and foure hundred and fortie shot: so in the whole he mustered on Os∣mantowne greene neare Dublyn, fiftene hun∣dred souldiours

The Lorde Depu•…•…ie yeelding hys honour suche thankes in woordes, as hee deserued in deede, leuyed in the Pale fifteene hundred Souldiours more, to bee annexed to the Earle hys companye. Ouer them he consti∣tuted Sir Iohn Trauerse Capitayne,* 1.276 but the Earle of Ormonde was made Generall of the whole armie.

When the Souldiours were wyth Mu∣nition and victualles aboundauntlye furny∣shed, the Earle of Ormonde and the Earle of Lennox tooke shypping at Skerish, hauing in theyr companie twentie and eight Shippes well rigged, sufficiently manned, and stronglye appoynted.

From thence they sayled Northwarde, and roade at anchor without the hauen of Oldfleete beyond Karregfergus.

Where hauing remayned hulling wyth∣oute the mouth of the Hauen contrarye to the aduise of the Maisters of theyr Shippes (who prognosticated the speedie approche of a storme,* 1.277 and therefore did wishe them to take a good harborrowe) it happened, that the sayde nyght there arose so boysterous a Tempest, that the whole fleete was lyke to haue beene ouer∣whelmed.

The Maryners betaking theyr passengers and themselues to the mercye of God, dyd cutte theyr mayne Mastes, lette shippe theyr Anchors, and were weather driuen to the hauen of Dunbrytaine in Scotlande, where as they were like to runne their shippes on ground, and consequently they all shoulde either haue beene

plunged in the water, or else haue beene slaine on the lande by a greate number of Scottes that awayted theyr approche, God with hys gracious clemencye preuenting theyr immi∣nent calamitie, sent them not onely a wished calme, but also a prosperous gale of wynde, that blewe them backe in safetie to the Irishe coast, from whence they were scattered.

The Earle of Lennox aduertised by certain of his friendes that met with him on the Sea, [ 10] that the Scottes contrarie to theyr promise, dealt verie doubly with him (for although they gaue theyr woorde to surrender vppe to hym the Castell of Dunbrytaine, yet they did not onelye fortifie that Holde, but also were rea∣die to encounter wyth his Souldiours vppon theyr arryuals) he concluded to returne to Ire∣lande.

The Earle of Ormonde verie loath, that so greate an attempt shoulde take so little effecte, [ 20] dealt wyth him verie earnestly, notwithstan∣ding his counsayle were bewrayed, to inuade hi•…•… enimies, and his Lordshippe should be sure to finde the armie so forwarde in assisting hym in so famous an enterprise, as they would shew themselues more willing to bicker wyth hys foes in Scotlande, than without skirmishing to returne to Irelande. For the Earle of Or∣monde was of this nature,* 1.278 that as hee woulde not beginne any martiall broyle rashly or vn∣aduisedly, [ 30] so be woulde not seeme to put it vppe lightly or easily.

Further whereas the Earle of Lennox stood in hope, that the Lorde of the out Isles would ayde hym, it was thought by Ormonde not to be amysse, to expect his comming, and so ioy∣ning his company to the armie, there rested no doubt, but that the Scottishe enimies woulde bee forced to plucke in theyr hornes, although at the first blush they seeme to put a good face on [ 40] the matter.

* 1.279Lennox somwhat with this perswasion ca∣ryed, gaue his consent to expect the Lorde of the oute Isle his determination, who notwith∣standing all the fetche of the enterprice were di∣scried, would not slip from his word but perso∣nally sayled to the Irish fleete, with three Gal∣lies verie well appoynted.

The noble man was with such martiall tri∣umphes receyued, as warlike souldiours coulde [ 50] on the sea afoord him. But of al others, both the Earles gaue him heartie interteynment for his true and honourable dealing, that to bee as good as his woorde, woulde not seeme to shrinke from his friend in this his aduersitie.

And shortly after as they craued his aduise, what were best to bee done, eyther to lande in Scotlande, or else to returne homewarde, hys flatte resolution was, at that tyme to retyre, bycause theyr drift was detected, theyr feyned friendes fainted, the Castels were fortified, and the Shoares on all partes wyth swarmes of Scottes peopled. Wherefore he thought it bet∣ter policie, to giue out in open rumours, that they meant not at any hande to inuade Scot∣lande, but to retire to their Countrey.

And after that the Scottishe Souldiours shoulde be dismyst, which woulde bee inconti∣nent vpon theyr returne, by reason of the exces∣siue charges, then myght the Earle of Lennox with lesse preparation, and more secrecye gyue a freshe onsette, that the enimyes shoulde sooner feele his force, than heare of his arriuall.

Ormonde and Lennox vpon this determi∣nation landed with the greater parte of the ar∣mie and appoynted the Shippes to bende theyr course to Dublyn.* 1.280

The Lorde of the out Isles, and his three Gallyes sayled with the Fleete, for he was not able by reason of the feeblenesse of his bodie to trauaile by lande,* 1.281 or scantly further to prolong his life, whiche hee ended at Howeth presently vppon hys arriuall, and was with greate so∣lemnitie buryed in Saint Patricke his Church at Dublyn, vppon whose death this Epitaph was framed:

Vi{que} manu{que} mea patriae dum redditur exsul,* 1.282 Exsul in externa cogor & ipse mori.

Both the Earles marched wyth the armye on foote to Carregfergus, where they brake company.* 1.283 For Lennox and sir Iohn Trauerse taking as hee thought the shorter, but not the safer way, trauayled through the Ardes, with the number of fiue hundred Souldiours, where the Irishe inhabitantes skyrmished with them, and put them to suche strayte plunges (for they woulde gladly haue seene what a clocke it was in theyr Budgets) as they wished they had not parted from the rest of the army.

The Earle of Ormonde with his Souldi∣ours (which were a thousande fiue hundred, as before is expressed) marched on foot to Belefast, which is an arme of the sea, a quarter of a mile broade, or little lesse, and albeeit their weather were bitter and ouer nipping and no small par∣cell of the water were congealed with frost,* 1.284 yet the Earle and his armie waded ouer on foote, to the great daunger as well of his person, as of the whole companie, whiche doubtlesse was a valiaunt enterprise of so honourable a perso∣nage.

From thence hee passed to Strangfoorde, and through Lecale to Donda•…•…lke, where he dis∣charged his Souldiours, and hauing presented himselfe to the Gouernour at Dublyn, he roade homewarde to the Countie of Kilkenny.

* 1.285Shortly after, sir Anthonie Sentleger lorde Deputie, and the Earle of Ormonde fell at de∣bate, insomuch as eyther of them layde articles of treason one to the others charge.

The chiefe occasion of their mutuall grudge, proceeded of certaine newe and extraordinarie impositions, wherewith the Deputie woulde haue charged the Subiectes. Whereat the Erle of Ormonde as a zealous defender of his coun∣trey, beganne to kicke, and in no sort coulde bee [ 10] woonne to agree to any such vnreasonable de∣maunde.

Herevpon Ormonde perceyuing, that the Gouernour persisted in his purpose, addressed Letters of complaynte to suche as were of the priuie Counsayle in Englande,* 1.286 whiche letters were by one of Sir Anthonie his friendes inter∣cepted at Sea, and presented to him to bee per∣vsed.

Sir Anthonie hauing ouerread the wry∣tings, [ 20] sent Maister Basnet in post hast with the packet to Kylkenny, where the Earle of Or∣monde kept his Christmasse, requesting hys Lordshippe to take in good parte the opening of hys Letters, which was done rather to learne the effect of his complaynte, than in any sort to invar his writings from comming to the coun∣saile his handes.

The Earle answered that his quarell was so good, his dealing so opē, as he little weighed, [ 30] who tooke a view of his letters. And for hys part, what he wrote hee ment not to vnwryte, but in such sort as they came from the Gouer∣nour, they should be sent to the Counsaile, and if theyr honours woulde allow any Subiect to bee so bardie, as to entercepte and open Letters that were to them indorced, hee coulde not but dygest any such iniurie, that they woulde seeme to beare.

* 1.287With this aunswere Basnet returned, and [ 40] the Earle perfourmed his promise. Wherevpon the Gouernour and he were commaunded, to appeare before the priuie Counsaile in Eng∣lande, where they were sundrie tymes exami∣ned, and their accusations ripely debated. In fine, the Counsaile equallye to bothe partes in theyr complaints affected, and weighing with∣all rather the due desert of both their loyall ser∣uices, than the vaine presumption of their mu∣tuall accusations,* 1.288 wrapped vp theyr quarelles, [ 50] and made them both friendes, wyth such indif∣ferencie, as neyther part should bee eyther with anye conquest exalted, or wyth anye foyle de∣baced.

* 1.289And for so muche as sir Iohn Alen knight, then Lorde Chauncellour of Irelande, was founde to limpe in this controuersie, by playing as it was supposed, more craftily than wiselye, with both the handes, in that hee seemed to bee rather a fosterer of theyr malice, than an appea∣ser of theyr quarelles, hee was likewise sent for into Englande, and being tript by the Coun∣saile in his tale, was committed to the Fleete, wherein he remayned a long tyme.

In this trouble the Earle of Ormond was greatly ayded by sir William Wise Knight,* 1.290 a woorshipfull Gentleman, borne in the Citie of Waterfoorde, who deseruing in deede the prayse of that vertue, whereof he bare the name, grewe to bee of great credite in the Court, and stoode highly in king Henrie his grace, whiche hee wholy vsed to the furtherance of his friends, and neuer abused to the annoyance of his foes.

This Gentleman was verye well spoken, mylde of nature, wyth discretion stoute, as one that in an vpright quarel would beare no coles, seldome in an intricate matter grauelled, being found at all assayes to be of a pleasant and pre∣sent wit.

Hauing lente to the King his Signet to seale a Letter, who hauing powdred Erimites engrayled in the Scale, why howe now Wise quoth the King. what? hast thou Lise here? And if it like your Maiestie, quoth sir Williā, a louse is a riche Coate, for by giuing the Louse, I part Armes with the French King, in that he gyueth the Floure de Lice. Whereat the king heartily laughed, to heare how pretily so byting a taunt (namely proceeding from a Prince) was sodaynly turned to so pleasaunte a con∣ceyte.

Anon after the agreement made betweene Ormonde and Sentleger, the Earle his Ser∣uants (which hee kept at that time in his lyue∣rey to the number of fiftie) besought his Lord∣ship to take at the Lymehouse his part of a sup∣per, which they prouided for him. The noble man wyth honour accepting their dutifull of∣fer, supped at theyr request, but not to their con∣tentation at the place appoynted. For whether it were that one caytife or other did poyson the meate,* 1.291 or that some other false measures were vsed (the certaintie with the reuenge whereof to God is to bee referred) the noble man wyth thirtie and fiue of his seruaunts presently that night sickned, one Iames White, the Earle his Stewarde, with sixtene of his fellowes died, the remnant of the seruauntes recouered, but theyr Lorde, whose health was chiefly to bee wished, in the floure of his age deceassed of that sick∣nesse, at Elie house in Holborne,* 1.292 muche aboute the .xxviij. of October, and was buried in Saint Thomas of Acres his Churche, whose death bred sorrow to his friendes little comfort to his aduersaries, great losse to his Countrey, and no small griefe to all good men.

* 1.293This Earle was a goodly and personable noble man, full of honour, which was not one∣ly lodged inwardly in his mynde, but also hee bare it outwardly in countenaunce. As franke and as liberall as his calling required. A deepe and a farre reaching head. In a good quarell ra∣ther stout than stubborne bearing himselfe with no lesse courage, when he resisted, than with ho∣nourable discretion, where he yeelded. A fauou∣rer of peace, no furtherer of warre, as one that [ 10] preferred vnlawfall quietnesse before vpright troubles, beeing notwithstanding of as greate wisedome in the one, as of valour in the other. An earnest and a zealous vpholder of his coun∣trey, in all attemptes rather respecting the pub∣lique weale, than his priuate gaine. Whereby he bounde his Countrey so greatlye vnto him, that Irelande might with good cause wish that eyther he had neuer beene borne, or else that hee had neuer deceassed, so it were lawfull to craue [ 20] him to bee immortall, that by course of nature was framed mortall. And to giue sufficient proufe of the entyre affection he bare his Coun∣trey, and of the zealous care he did cast thereon, he betooke in his death bed his soule to God, his carkasse to Christian buriall, and his heart to his Countrey, declaring thereby, that where his minde was setled in his life, his heart shoulde be there entombed after his death. Which was ac∣cording to his will accomplished. For his heart [ 30] was conueyed to Irelande, and lyeth engraued in the Chore of the Cathedrall Church in Kil∣kennie, where his auncesters for the more part are buried. Vpon which kinde legacie this Epi∣taph was deuised.

* 1.294Cor patriae fixum viuens, iam redditur illi, Post mortem, patriae quae peracerba venit. Non sine corde valet mortalis viuere quisq̄, Vix tua gens vita permanet abs{que} tua. Quae licet i•…•…foelix extincto corde fruatur, [ 40] Attamen optato viuere corde nequit. Ergo qurd haec faciat? quem re non possit amorem Cordi vt tam charo reddere corde velit.

The effect of which Epitaph is thus Eng∣lished.

The liuing heart where lay engrauen the care of Countrey deere, To Countrey lurelesse is restorde and lies engrauen heere. None heartlesse liues: his countrey then [ 50] alas what ioy is left, Whose hope, whose hap, whose hart he was, till death his life bereft. And though the soyle here shrowdes the heart, which most it wisht tenioy, Yet of the change from nobler seate, the cause doth it annoy. What honour then is due to him, for him what worthie rite? But that eche heart with heartiest loue, his worthiest heart may quite.

This Earle was of so noble a disposition, as he woulde sooner countenaunce and support his poore well willer in his aduersitie, than hee woulde make or fawne vpon his welthie friend in prosperitie.

Hauing bid at London,* 1.295 not long before his death, the Ladie Gray Countesse of Kildare to dinner, it happened that a souldiour, surnamed Power, who lately returned fresh from the Em∣perour his warres, came to take his repast with the Earle before the messenger. When the Erle and the Countesse were set, this roysting rut∣teekin, wholy then standing on the Soldado koigh, placed himselfe right ouer agaynst the Countesse of Kildare, hard at the Earle of Or∣monde his elbow, as though hee were b•…•…ile fel∣low, well met. The noble man appalled at the impudent saucinesse of the malapert souldiour, (who notwithstanding might be borne withal, bycause an vnbidden guest knoweth not where to sit) besought him courteously to giue place. The Earle when the other rose, taking vppon him the office of a Gentleman Vsher, placed in Power his seate,* 1.296 his cousin Edwarde Fitz Gi∣ralde now Lieutenant of hir Maiesties Penci∣oners, who at that time being a yong stripling, attended vpon his mother the Countesse, and so in order he set euery Gentleman in his degree, to the number of fifteene or sixteene, and last of all the companie, he licenced Power, if he woulde, to sit at the lower ende of the Table, where hee had scantly elbow rowme.

The Countesse of Kildare perceyuing the noble man greatly to stomacke the Souldiour his presumptuous boldnesse, nipt him at the el∣bow, and whispering softly, besought his Lord∣ship not to take the matter so hote, bycause the Gentleman (she ment Power) knewe, that the house of Kildare was of late attainted, and that hir children were not in this their calamitie in such wise to be regarded.

No Ladie, quoth the Earle, with a lowde voyce, and the teares trilling downe his lecres, say not so, I trust to see the day, when my yong cousin Edwarde, and the remnant of your chil∣dren (as little reckning as hee maketh of them) shall disdain the cōpanie of any such skip Iack. Which prophecie fill out as truly as he foretold it, only sauing that it stoode with God his plea∣sure, to call him to his mercie before he could see that day, after which doubtlesse he longed and looked, I meane the restitution of the house of Kildare.

After this noble Earle his vntimely decease,* 1.297 sir Anthony Sentleger was returned into Ire∣lande Lorde Deputie, who was a wise and a wary Gentleman, a valiant seruitour in warre, and a good Iusticer in peace, properly learned, a

good maker in the Englishe, hauing grauitie so enterlaced with pleasantnesse, as with an excee∣ding good grace he would attaine the one with∣out pouting dumpishnesse, and exercise the other without loathfull lightnesse.

Th•…•…r•…•…fell in his time a fat benefice, of which be as Lord deputie had the presentation. When diuerse made suyte to him for the benefice, and offred with dishonestie to buy that which with safetie of conscience he could not sell, hee answe∣red [ 10] merily, that he was resolued not to commit Simonie:* 1.298 yet notwithstanding he had a nagge in his Stable that was worth fortie shillings, and he that woulde giue him fortie poundes for the nagge, shoulde bee prefereed to the benefice. Which he rather of pleasure vttered, than of a∣ny vnconscionable meaning purposed to haue done.

His gouernment had beene of the Countrey very well lyked, were it not, that in his time he [ 20] began to assesse the Pale with certaine new im∣positions, not so profitable (as it was thought) to the Gouernours, as it was noysome to the sub∣iectes. The debating of which I purpose to re∣ferre to them, who are discoursers of publique estates, and the reformers of the cōmon wealth, praying to God, that hee with his grace direct them so faythfully to accomplish the duties of good Magistrates, that they gouerne that poore battred Island, to hid diuine honour, to hir ma∣iesties [ 30] contentation, to the suppressing of Re∣bels, to the vpholding of subiectes, and rather to the publique weale of the whole countrey, than to the priuate gaine of a few persons.

THus farre (gentle reader) as mine instructi∣ons directed me, and my leysure serued mee, haue I continued a parcell of the Irish historie, and haue stretched it to the raigne of Edwarde the sixth. Wherevpon I am forced to craue at thyne handes pardon and tollerance: pardon for any errour I shal be found to haue committed, which vpon friendly admonition I am ready to reforme: tollerance, for that part of the historie which is not continued, till time I be so furni∣shed and fraught with matter, as that I may employ my trauaile to serue thy contentation. And albeit I might with some enquirie, iumble vp these latter yeares, and so make the booke to beare a shewe of a complete Historie, yet not∣withstanding, I am so precisely set vpon so tic∣kle a taske, and so fickle a grounde, that rather concerneth the liuing, than apperteyneth to the deade, as I woulde be lothe to be taken in anye part thereof, not onely to stumble, but also once to trippe. For as the Philosopher reproued the astronomer, which was so busie in gazing on the skie, as that he tumbled headlong in a pitte that was digged at his feete, supposing that hee which was ignorant of so neare a marke, was not like to prognosticate future euentes by Pla∣nets and Starres, that were so farre distant of: so if a Chronicler shoulde misreport exploytes that were enterprised but heste•…•…n day, the reader might probably surmise, that hee which is rawe in these latter yeares, were like to bee verie vn∣ripe in rehearsing matters that happened many yeared past. These and the like reasons, re∣claymed mee from perfecting at this present the Irish Historie, requesting thee, gentle Reader, friendly to accepte, what is alreadie written, which I craue, as one that wisheth thee rather pleasure in the reading, than regardeth hys owne payne in the pennyng of the sayde Treatise.

FINIS.

[illustration] printer's or publisher's device

Notes

• * 1.1

  1514
• * 1.2

  The occasion 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the dissen∣••••on betweene Kildare and Ormond.
• * 1.3

  Ormonde marcheth to Dublin.
• * 1.4

  The Citie in an vprore.
• * 1.5

  The Earles reconciled.
• * 1.6

  Blanchfielde slayne.
• * 1.7

  The descripti∣on of Ormond
• * 1.8

  The descripti∣on of Kildare.
• * 1.9

  Boyce.
• * 1.10

  Kildare retur∣neth Lorde Deputie.
• * 1.11

  Kildares poli∣cie in warre.
• * 1.12

  1514
• * 1.13

  The Dubli∣nians accused.
• * 1.14

  A Legate sente from Rome.
• * 1.15

  Walter Fitz Simons.
• * 1.16

  Penaunce en∣ioyned to the Citizens of Dublin.
• * 1.17

  The Earle of Kildare Lorde Deputie.
• * 1.18

  A Parliamente holden at Dublin.
• * 1.19

  Pierce Butler, and Margaret Fitz Girald espoused.
• * 1.20

  Iames White.
• * 1.21

  The Basterde Butler slayne•…•…
• * 1.22

  Kildare sent for into En∣gland.
• * 1.23

  Maurice Fitz Thomas Lord Iustice.
• * 1.24

  Surrey Lord Lieutenant of Irelande. 1521
• * 1.25

  A Parliamente holden at Dublin.
• * 1.26

  The Moores in Rebellion.
• * 1.27

  Iohn Fitz Simons.
• * 1.28

  Patricke Fitz Simons.
• * 1.29

  A valiant wish
• * 1.30

  The Earle of Surrey in daunger to haue bin slai•…•….
• * 1.31

  Fitz Williams Bedlowe.
• * 1.32

  1523

  Surrey sent for home.
• * 1.33

  Piers Butler Earle of Osso∣rie Lord De∣putie.
• * 1.34

  1524

  Robert Tal∣bot of Belgard
• * 1.35

  Margaret Countesse of Ossorie.
• * 1.36

  Commissio∣ners sent to Irelande.
• * 1.37

  Kildare sworn L. Deputie.
• * 1.38

  Cardinall Wolsey eni∣mie to the Giraldines.
• * 1.39

  Pardon gran∣ted.
• * 1.40

  Kildare acused The Articles
• * 1.41

  Fitz Girald Lord Iustice.
• * 1.42

  The Earle of Ossorie cho∣sen L. Deputie.
• * 1.43

  The Countes of Ossorie.
• * 1.44

  Kildare con∣uented before the Counsell.
• * 1.45

  The Cardinall L. Chansellor chargeth Kil∣dare.
• * 1.46

  Kildare inter∣rupteth the Cardinals tale
• * 1.47

  He answereth the Cardinals obiection.
• * 1.48

  a what case and the noble men of Irelād with rebels.
• * 1.49

  The Cardinall not beloued.
• * 1.50

  The Duke of Norffolke bounde for Kildare.
• * 1.51

  1528

  The Irish in rebellion.
• * 1.52

  Kildare a fresh impeached.
• * 1.53

  The Barle of Kildare com∣mitted.
• * 1.54

  A Mandarum to execute Kildare.
• * 1.55

  The Cardinall his presump∣tuousnesse blamed of the king.
• * 1.56

  1529
• * 1.57

  Sir William Skeffington Deputie of Irelande.
• * 1.58

  Edward Sta∣ples Bishop of Meeth.
• * 1.59

  Thomas Fitz Simons.
• * 1.60

  Skeffington his answere.
• * 1.61

  He glaunceth at the Cardinal who was taken •…•…o be a but∣cher his sonne.
• * 1.62

  Kildare inua∣deth the Tooles.
• * 1.63

  Meth his question.
• * 1.64

  Iohn Fitz Si∣mons answe∣reth Meth.
• * 1.65

  Henry White raysed an vp∣•…•…re in Dublin
• * 1.66

  Thomas Bar∣by Maior.
• * 1.67

  White par∣doned.
• * 1.68

  Kildare Lorde Deputie Croommer Butler.
• * 1.69

  Skeffington offended with Kildare.
• * 1.70

  He sayleth in∣to Englande.
• * 1.71

  1532

  A Parliament summoned at Dublin.
• * 1.72

  Vriell inuaded by Oneale.
• * 1.73

  Kildare hurt
• * 1.74

  Kildare ac∣cused.
• * 1.75

  He is sent for to Englande.
• * 1.76

  Thomas Fitz Girald.
• * 1.77

  Kildare his ex¦hortation to his sonne the L. Thomas.
• * 1.78

  Kildare say∣leth into Eng∣lande.
• * 1.79

  His oration misconstrued.
• * 1.80

  He is accused for taking the king his ar∣tillerie.
• * 1.81

  Kildare com∣mitted.
• * 1.82

  Kildare his chiefe enimies
• * 1.83

  Iohn Alen Archbishop of Dublin.
• * 1.84

  Sir Iohn Alen knight.
• * 1.85

  Thomas Can∣non.
• * 1.86

  Robert Cow∣ly.
• * 1.87

  The L. Tho∣mas enkind∣leth the Alens agaynst him.
• * 1.88

  The proper∣tie of the Marmoset.
• * 1.89

  The Archbi∣shop his taūt.
• * 1.90

  The enimies conspire the ouerthrow of the Giraldines
• * 1.91

  The occasion of Thomas Fitz Giralde his rebellion.
• * 1.92

  Iames Dela∣hide.
• * 1.93

  Croomer L. Chancellor.
• * 1.94

  Thomas Fitz Girald his re¦bellious O∣ration.
• * 1.95

  The Chancel∣lor his ora∣tion.
• * 1.96

  The subiects dutie towards his king.
• * 1.97

  The name of a king sacred.
• * 1.98

  Rebellion frō whence it springeth.
• * 1.99

  Cassandraes prophecie.
• * 1.100

  Bard de Nelan▪
• * 1.101

  Silken Tho∣mas.
• * 1.102

  He replyeth.
• * 1.103

  Henrie Lorde of Irelande.
• * 1.104

  Thomas ren∣dreth vp the sworde.
• * 1.105

  Alen. Finglasse.
• * 1.106

  Iohan White.
• * 1.107

  The Lorde Butler his let∣•••• to Thomas •••• Girald.
• * 1.108

  Fingall spoy∣led.
• * 1.109

  Iohan Burnell of Balgriffen.
• * 1.110

  The Dublini∣ans discom∣fited.
• * 1.111

  Patrike Fitz ••••••ons slaine.
• * 1.112

  Messengers sente from Thomas to Dublin.
• * 1.113

  Francis Her∣bert sent into England. Eustace of Balicutlan.
• * 1.114

  The Archby∣shop of Dub∣lin meaneth to sayle into England.
• * 1.115

  Bartholmew Fitz Girald.
• * 1.116

  1534
• * 1.117

  Teling. Waffer.
• * 1.118

  Alen Archby∣shop o•…•… Dub∣lin, murthered at Tartayne.
• * 1.119

  The Lord of Houth taken prisoner.
• * 1.120

  Iustice Luttrel taken.
• * 1.121

  Iohan Fitz Simons.
• * 1.122

  The Castell of Dublin be∣•…•…eged.
• * 1.123

  Field. Waffer. Teling. Roukes.
• * 1.124

  Thomas Fitz Girald inua∣deth the Coū∣trey of Kil∣kenny.
• * 1.125

  The Earle of Ossory fleeth. The Lorde Butler woun∣ded.
• * 1.126

  Frances Her∣bert returneth from England.
• * 1.127

  Shillingforth.
• * 1.128

  Thomas Fitz Simons.
• * 1.129

  No league to be kept with Traytors.
• * 1.130

  The Dublini∣ans breake with Thomas Fitz Girald.
• * 1.131

  Field and his company taken.
• * 1.132

  The youth of Dublin taken prisoners.
• * 1.133

  Messengers sent to Dublin Trauerse. Lince. Grace.
• * 1.134

  Dublin be∣sieged.
• * 1.135

  The Ship. strete fired.
• * 1.136

  Richarde Stanton.
• * 1.137

  Faggottes layd to the new gate.
• * 1.138

  The Citizens bicker with the Rebelles.
• * 1.139

  Thomas Fitz Girald fleeth.
• * 1.140

  Delahide.

  Lime.

  Bath.

  Trauerse field.
• * 1.141

  The Articles propounded to the Citizens.
• * 1.142

  The Citizens aunswer these articles.
• * 1.143

  William Bath
• * 1.144

  Eustace of Balicutlan.
• * 1.145

  Hostages ta∣ken.
• * 1.146

  Doctor Tra∣uerse. Talbot. Rochforde Rery.
• * 1.147

  Dauid Sutton.
• * 1.148

  The white coates land at Dublin.
• * 1.149

  The Hamer∣tones slayne.
• * 1.150

  Thomas Fitz Girald wound∣ed.

  Moosgraue.
• * 1.151

  Eglebees. Dakers.
• * 1.152

  English gel∣dings taken.
• * 1.153

  Sir William Brereton Iohn Brereton
• * 1.154

  Salisbury.
• * 1.155

  Sir William Skeffington Lord Deputy landeth.
• * 1.156

  Letters of dunkes from the King to the Dubliniās. The Lord of Trimlestowne surrendreth the sworde.
• * 1.157

  Thomas Fitz Girald goeth towards Con∣naght.
• * 1.158

  The Castell of Maynoth besieged.
• * 1.159

  Sir William Brereton som∣moneth the Castell.
• * 1.160

  Christopher Parese betray∣•…•… the Castell •…•…f Maynoth.
• * 1.161

  •…•…ofered seruice stinketh.
• * 1.162

  Holland, Petit Captaine to Salisburie.
• * 1.163

  The Castell taken.
• * 1.164

  Brereton sea∣leth the walles
• * 1.165

  Brereton ad∣uaunceth hys Standerd.
• * 1.166

  The Lorde Deputie en∣treth the Ca∣stell.

  Iames Dela∣hide.

  Haywarde. Dulcis amica.
• * 1.167

  Girald Ayl∣mer.
• * 1.168

  Parese com∣meth before the Gouer∣nours.
• * 1.169

  A notable iudgement.
• * 1.170

  Boice.
• * 1.171

  Antragh.
• * 1.172

  The Prouerb. Too late quoth Boyce.
• * 1.173

  Baltra.
• * 1.174

  Parese behea∣ded.
• * 1.175

  The Deputie returneth to Dublin Thomas Fitz Girald mar∣cheth towards Maynoth.
• * 1.176

  Brereton left to defende Dublin.
• * 1.177

  Galloglasses taken and slayne.
• * 1.178

  Edmōd Oleyn •…•…apeth.
• * 1.179

  Thomas and •…•…s companie •…•…eth
• * 1.180

  Fitz Girald his •…•…ratagems.
• * 1.181

  William Sentlo, Rice Manswel Edward Grif∣feth.
• * 1.182

  Burnell of Balgriffen ta∣ken and exe∣cuted.
• * 1.183

  Trauerse executed.
• * 1.184

  Roukes exe∣cuted.
• * 1.185

  Walter Dela∣hyde and his Ladie Gennet Eustace ap∣prehended.
• * 1.186

  Gennet Eu∣stace dieth.
• * 1.187

  Skesfington deceased.
• * 1.188

  Leonard Gray Lord Deputie.
• * 1.189

  Breerton skir∣misheth with Fitz Girald.
• * 1.190

  Thomas Fitz Girald submit¦teth himselfe to the deputy.
• * 1.191

  The sacrament receyued.
• * 1.192

  Thomas say∣leth into Eng∣land.
• * 1.193

  1535
• * 1.194

  He is commit¦ted to the Tower.
• * 1.195

  Thomas his vncles taken.
• * 1.196

  Innocencie a strong fort.
• * 1.197

  The Cow.
• * 1.198

  1536

  Thomas Fitz Girald and his vncles exe∣cuted.
• * 1.199

  Dominick Power.
• * 1.200

  Charles Rey∣nolde.
• * 1.201

  Iames Dela∣hyde.
• * 1.202

  Thomas Fitz Girald was not Earle of Kil∣dare.
• * 1.203

  Stow. Pa. 434.
• * 1.204

  No Earle of Kildare bare armour at any time agaynst his prince.
• * 1.205

  The descrip∣tion of Tho∣mas Fitz Gi∣ralde.
• * 1.206

  The aduen∣tures of the yong Fitz Gi∣rald, sonne to the Lady Gray Counselle of Kildare.
• * 1.207

  Donoare.
• * 1.208

  Thomas Len∣rouse.
• * 1.209

  Elenore Fitz Giralde.
• * 1.210

  The Ladie E∣lenors libera∣litie.
• * 1.211

  Fitz Giralde sayleth to Fraunce.
• * 1.212

  Chasteau Briā.
• * 1.213

  Sir Iohn Wal∣lop demaun∣deth Fitz Gi∣ralde.
• * 1.214

  The king de∣nyeth him.
• * 1.215

  Fitz Giralde flieth to Flan∣ders.
• * 1.216

  Iames Sher∣locke pursu∣eth Fitz Gi∣ralde.
• * 1.217

  Sherlocke im∣prisoned.
• * 1.218

  Crueltie re∣quited with curtesie.
• * 1.219

  Doctor Pates.
• * 1.220

  The Emperor bestoweth a pencion on Fitz Giralde.
• * 1.221

  Gardinal Pole sendeth for Fitz Giralde.
• * 1.222

  Leurouse pla∣ced in the English Hos∣pitall.
• * 1.223

  Robert Walsh returneth to Irelande.
• * 1.224

  Cardinal Pole his order in trayning yong Fitz Giralde.
• * 1.225

  Fitz Giralde trauayleth to Naples.
• * 1.226

  Tripoly.
• * 1.227

  Mounbrison.
• * 1.228

  Fitz Girald re∣turneth to Rome.
• * 1.229

  The Cardinall enhaunceth Fitz Giraldes pension.
• * 1.230

  He is Master of the horse to the Duke of Florence.
• * 1.231

  He falleth in∣to a deepe pit.
• * 1.232

  His Greyhoūd fin•…•…eth him out.
• * 1.233

  Trecappan.
• * 1.234

  Commissio∣ners sent to Ireland.
• * 1.235

  Their names.
• * 1.236

  A Parliament.

  1539
• * 1.237

  The olde Erle of Kildare his wishe before his death.
• * 1.238

  His seruice.
• * 1.239

  His hospitali∣tie and deuo∣tion.
• * 1.240

  The olde Erle of Kildare hys policie when his death was conspired.
• * 1.241

  Iohn Olurckā, Iames Graunt.
• * 1.242

  The Ladie Grayes kind∣nesse to hir husband.
• * 1.243

  Giralde Ayl∣mer.
• * 1.244

  Oneale re∣belleth.
• * 1.245

  VVilliam ••••eton sent •…•…nto Irelād.
• * 1.246

  VVilliam •…•…reton sent •…•… Ireland.
• * 1.247

  •••• foord of ••••lahon.
• * 1.248

  •…•…ames Fleming •…•…aron of Slane.
• * 1.249

  Robert Half∣pennie.
• * 1.250

  Robert Betoa
• * 1.251

  Mabe of Ma∣bestovvne slain.
• * 1.252

  The Irish dis∣comfited. Oneale put to flight.
• * 1.253

  King. Barnevvall. Basnet. Fitz Simons.
• * 1.254

  The Maiors of Dublin and Drogheda dubt Knightes. Aylmer. Talbot.
• * 1.255

  The valiant∣nesse of the Lord Gray.
• * 1.256

  The Lord Gray accused.
• * 1.257

  The articles that vvere layd to his charge.
• * 1.258

  The Lord Gray beheaded.

  1541
• * 1.259

  The Lorde Gray guiltlesse of the first Article.
• * 1.260

  The daungers •…•…nt happen to •…•…ouernours of Prouinces.
• * 1.261

  Sir VVilliam Brereton Lorde Iustice.
• * 1.262

  Oconour sub∣mitteth himselfe to the Lorde Iustice.
• * 1.263

  Sir Anthonie Sentleger Lord deputie Sir VVilliam Brereton Lord high Marshall.
• * 1.264

  He dyeth.
• * 1.265

  1542
• * 1.266

  1543
• * 1.267

  Iames' Earle o•…•… Desmonde.
• * 1.268

  Oneale Earle Tyron.
• * 1.269

  Obreyne crea∣ted Earle of Clincare.
• * 1.270

  1544

  The Irish sent for to the fi•…•…st•…•… of Bollongne.
• * 1.271

  •…•…heir policie in •…•…eying for armie.
• * 1.272

  French cha∣•…•…ger vanqui∣•…•…ed.
• * 1.273

  Nichol VVelsh.
• * 1.274

  1545

  The Earle of Lennox as∣•…•…ied by king Henrie.
• * 1.275

  Iames Butler Earle of Or∣mond.
• * 1.276

  Sir Iohn Tra∣uerse knight.
• * 1.277

  The Earle of Ormonde and the Earle of Lennox in dan∣ger to bee drovvned.
• * 1.278

  The Earle of Ormonde his propertie.
• * 1.279

  The Lorde of the out Iles say¦leth to the Erle of Lennox.
• * 1.280

  Ormonde and Lennox land.
• * 1.281

  The Lord of the out Iles dyeth.
• * 1.282

  His Epitaph.
• * 1.283

  The Irish skir∣mish vvith the Erle of Lennox.
• * 1.284

  The Earle of Ormonde his toylsome tra∣uaile.
• * 1.285

  The Deputie and Ormond debate.
• * 1.286

  Ormonde his ••••••ters inter∣cepted.
• * 1.287

  The Lord De∣putie and Or∣mond sent for to England.
• * 1.288

  They are made friends.
• * 1.289

  Sir Iohn Alen Lord Chauncel∣lour committed to the Fleete.
• * 1.290

  Sir VVilliam VVise knight.
• * 1.291

  The Earle of Ormonde de∣ceaseth.
• * 1.292

  1546
• * 1.293

  His description.
• * 1.294

  His Epitaph.
• * 1.295

  The kindnesse of Iames Earle of Ormonde to his friendes.
• * 1.296

  Edvvad Fitz Girald.
• * 1.297

  Sir Anthonie Sentleger retur∣neth Lorde Deputie.
• * 1.298

  Sentleger his ••••nie.