Tvvo histories of Ireland. The one written by Edmund Campion, the other by Meredith Hanmer Dr of Divinity

THE CHRONICLE OF IRELAND: COLLECTED BY MEREDITH HANMER, Doctor of Diuinity. The second part.

THree hundred yeeres after the flood,* 1.1 one Bartho∣lanus the sonne of Sera, with his three sonnes, Languinus, Salanus, and Ruthurugus, and their wives of the posterity of Iaphet, are said to have arrived in this Island. This opinion followeth Giraldus Cambrensis, and him followeth Poly∣chronicon; and my selfe, not meaning to swarve from the common opinion, thought good to acquaint the posterity therewith. With this Bartholanus, as their Captaine, came many of that line, and multiplied exceedingly for the space of 300 yeeres, to the number of 9000 fighting men. Little is remembred of Barthola∣nus, saving that with many hands he rid and made plaine a great part of the Country, making paces thorow woods and thickets; and that his sonnes left doubtfull remembrances of their names; the first to Languinus Poole, the second to mount Salanga (since named Saint Dominicks hill) and the third to Ruthurugus his Poole.

At the same time, according to the common saying, Where God

hath his Church, the Devill hath his Chappell, many of the cursed seed of Cham arrived also in this Island,* 1.2 with their Captaine Oceanus, the sonne of Cham, called of some Mena, of Moses, Mitzraim. First he was in the yeere of the world 1802, the second Commander of Ae∣gypt, planted Colonies along the river Nilus, and after hee had reigned there 7 yeeres, he endevoured by navigation to subdue unto his Empire many parts of the world. Thus waxing strong and mighty upon the seas, hee prevailed much, and travelled farre; hee came to these North parts of the world, landed many of his followers, and in remembrance of his voyage, left his name upon the seas which wash these lands, which of him is yet called the Ocean sea.

After his departure hence his cursed line multiplied not so much in number as in all mischiefe and rebellion, they set up a King of their owne, they opposed themselves against the posterity of Iaphet; they were great in strength, and huge of stature, and attempted great mat∣ters after the example of Cham or Zoroastres the Magician, and Nim∣rod grandfather to Ninus: they repined at the blessings bestowed up∣on Sem a••d Iaphet, thinking it necessary to withstand and prevent all lawfull rule and dominion, lest the curse of slavery prophecied by Noah should light upon them, as at length it did. Many bickerings and skirmishes were amongst them, the successe was variable on both sides, betweene the lawfull governours and these usurpers, so much to the griefe of them that coveted to live in peace under their rightfull Princes, that they determined with the chance of one generall battell either wholly to subdue those rebellious miscreants and tyrannous Gi∣ants, or else to end their lives in freedome, and so to be rid of farther misery. They assemble together, they gather their forces out of all parts of the land, and comming to joyne battell with the Giants, af∣ter they had fought fiercely together for the space of certaine houres, the victory inclined to the rightfull part, so that the lawfull Kings prevailing against this cursed brood, great slaughter was made upon the whole sort of that pestiferous generation, and the Kings meaning to deliver themselues of all dangers in time to come, used their happy victory with great cruelty, which turned to their owne confusion. For they spared neither man, woman, nor child that came in their way, for more despite and fuller satisfaction of their determinate re∣venge, neither vouchsafed they to bury the carkasses of their slaine e∣nemies,* 1.3 but cast them out like a sort of dead dogs, whereof (through stinke of the same) such an infective pestilence insued in all places throughout the Island by corruption of the ayre, that few escaped with life,* 1.4 except those that got them away by sea; yea the infection was so great of those cursed carkasses of Cham his posterity, that the dogs and wolves died thereof. And here ended the whole race of Bartholanus and his of-spring, and the Country (excepting a few silly soules scattered in remote places) was unpeopled.

And here commeth in a tale yet in great request among the Irish, how that one Ruanus a Giant, fearing this mortality, fled into a cave,* 1.5 and continued there till nature forced him to come forth for food and nourishment, so hungry was hee that every thing was meat that came to his mouth: hee covering his face with mosse and grasse, fled to the farthest parts of the land into the winde to avoid the infection, and so for a long time hauing taking the advantage of the ayre, esca∣ped death. He is said to have lived two thousand and one and forty yeeres (which is more then twice the age of Methushelah) vnto the time (forsooth) of Saint Patrick, to whom hee discoursed at large (say they) of all the accidents of former times. In the end he was of Saint Patrick baptized, and died after the birth of our Saviour, in the yeere 432, and lyeth buried at Loghry in Ormund, where there is a Church dedicated to his name, and he is numbred among the Con∣fessors of Ireland.

And to second this fable with two precedent lies, the which I should haue begun withall in the front of this History (as all Irish An∣tiquaries doe) but that I would not abuse the reader, being purposed beginning and ending to deliuer the truth, I read as followeth:

Whereas in the yeere of the world 1525,* 1.6 Noah began to admo∣nish the people of vengeance to come by a generall deluge for the wickednesse and detestable sinne of man, and continued his admoni∣tion 120 yeeres, building an Arke for the safegard of himselfe and his family; one Cesara (say they) according vnto others Cesarea, a Neece of Noah, (when others seemed to neglect this forewarning) rigging a navy, committed her selfe with her adherents to the seas to seeke adventures, and to avoid the plagues that were to fall; there ar∣rived in Ireland, with her three men, Bithi, Laigria, and Fintan, and fifty women; within forty dayes after her arrivall the universall flood came upon them and those parts, as well as upon the rest of the world, and drowned them all, in which perplexity of minde and imminent danger beholding the waves overwhelming all things before their eyes, Fintan is said to have beene transformed into a Salmon, and to have swoome all the time of the deluge about Vlster, and after the fall of the water recovering his former shape, to have lived longer then Adam, and to have delivered strange things to the posterity, so that of him the common speech riseth; If I had lived Fintans yeeres I could say much.

But to let these fables passe: The next plantation after Bartholanus (as it is recorded amongst the collections of Irish antiquities) is this in effect, that Magog the sonne of Iaphet planted Colonies in Scythia neere the river of Tanais, from whence about the yeere of the world two thousand three hundred and seventeene,* 1.7 one Nemedus with his foure sonnes Starius, Garbaneles, Anvinus, and Fergusius, Captains over great companies of armed men, were sent into this Island now

called Ireland. And passing by Graecia tooke with them such volun∣taries as were willing to adventure with them, they landed, inhabited the Country, and multiplied exceedingly, although not without continuall warres which they held with the Giants of Chams posteri∣ty for the space of two hundred yeeres and odde. In the end the Gi∣ants prevailing, chased them out of the land, so that they retired into Scythia, and some to Greece. This was about the yeere after the crea∣tion 2333, from which time the Giants kept possession of the land without forraigne invasion for many yeeres, but yet in all that space their mindes not being set upon any goodnesse, but altogether upon mischiefe, they made no good lawes, framed no common wealth, they obeyed no Magistrate, but fell at variance amongst themselues, measu∣ring all things by might, and seditiously vexed each other.

In the yeere of the world 2416, and after the universall flood 750 yeeres (as the Scottish History declareth) one Gathelus the sonne of Nealus a Grecian,* 1.8 upon displeasure for sundry rodes made into Ma∣cedonia and Achaia, being exiled and banished his countrey, with a great number of his adherents and complices, went into Aegypt in the dayes of Moses, where he found favour in the sight of King Pha∣raoh, insomuch that he married with Scota his daughter, continued there about 93 yeeres, and multiplied exceedingly. Iohannes Major Scotus calleth the verity of this History in question, de hac prima profectione de Graecia & Aegypto figmentum reor: I am of opi∣nion (saith hee) that this first going out of Greece and Aegypt is but fayned: yet let us goe forward. When Gathelus understood that the land was shortly for the wickednesse of the people to suffer great plagues, he prepared a fleet, shipped Grecians and Aegyptians, hoi∣sed up saile, and came upon the coast of Numidia, now called Barbary, thence they were put back, to sea they went, and came to the coast of Spaine now called Portingall (as they say) since that time of him called Port-gathell. The inhabitants of the place resisted them, gave them a sore battell, and in the end after parlie, Gathelus was intreated, and by them directed to take his voyage into Galitia, which eftsoones he did. There in a short time they waxed so populous, that the coun∣trey could not sustaine them: whereupon Gathelus called a Coun∣cell, and being resolved what to doe, tooke a great number of them with him to sea, and arrived in Ireland, and there grew into such esti∣mation with the barbarous people, that for knowledge especially in all languages (having travelled many Countreys, as is afore mentio∣ned) he was highly honoured. For he not only enriched and beauti∣fied the Irish tongue, but also, as is said, taught them letters, sought up their antiquities, and trained their youth in warlike exercises, after the manner of the Grecians and Aegyptians from whence he descen∣ded. Note here (gentle reader) before I wade further into this Hi∣story three contrary opinions of this Gathelus the sonne of Nealus:

The Scottish Historiographers say, it was 750 yeeres after the flood. Thomas Walsingham Monke of S. Albons, writeth it was 1000 yeeres and odde after the delivery of the children of Israel out of Aegypt (which must be anno mundi 3455, to wit, one 1000 yeeres after the former computation) calling him a noble man of Scythia whom the Aegyptians banished out of Aegypt. Iohn Harding, a great Antiqua∣ry (that knew best in his time the state of Scotland) delivereth, that Gathelus and Scota came to these parts after the birth of Christ, in anno 75. This I give as a caveat, referring unto the discreet reader the dissonance that I finde in the observation of times, to bee considered of, promising to lay downe faithfully euery thing as I finde the same, as shall appeare in that which followeth. And now to the history where we left. It is said that this Gathelus of his wife Scota comman∣ded that his followers Grecians and Aegyptians should be called Sco∣ti, that is, Scottishmen. And Hector Boëtius in the History of Scot∣land sticketh not to write, that upon his marriage with Scota, the foresaid commandement was published, and that his followers in Ae∣gypt, Barbary, Portingall, Galitia, and over Spaine, were called Sco∣ti. But how true that is, it may appeare by the Roman Histories (which haue noted the accidents of those times) in all which there is no mention of the Scots before the time of Constantius the Empe∣rour (which was about the yeere of Christ 310 who lyeth buried at York, and was father to Constantine the great.

Paulus lovius writeth, Scotland tooke that name upon the comming of a forraine and no great ancient nation. No Latine writer before Marcellinus in Iulian the Emperours time (which was about the yeere 362) remembreth the Scots: neither doth it well appeare out of what Country the Scots first came into Albion, when as by the Annals not only of English, but of Scottish Antiquities varying among themselues, great obscurity is brought among doubtfull things. Some bring their originall from Ireland, others from Dania, Cimbrica, Chersonesus, and the Ilands of Gothland and Norwey; neither wanted there some which were of opinion, they came from Spaine, deriving the name of Scottishmen from Moses himselfe, and the Aegyptians, as Hector Boë∣tius the Scottish Chronicler; yet Hector himselfe preventing as it were the like objection, confesseth that in the third yeere of Adrian the Emperor (which was after the birth of Christ about 122 yeeres) the name of Scots was not knowne unto the Romans.* 1.9

In short time after the retinue of Gathelus searched the North-east and North-west Ilands, and entred the Land which now is cal∣led Scotland, so also called (as the Scotish will have it) of Scota.* 1.10 But many grave writers have stumbled at the certainty of this story, yet I finde for certaine, that Ireland was called Scotia maior, and the o∣ther Scotia minor, and oftentimes confusedly the one taken for the o∣ther, and the words to be of no great antiquity. Capgrave in the life

of Saint Columbanus saith;* 1.11 Ireland of old was called Scotland, from whence the Scottish nation inhabiting Albania (next vnto great Bri∣taine) now called Scotland tooke their originall. Fiacrius an Hermite being asked of a Bishop in France what hee was, among other things answered; Ireland the Iland of Scots is the native soile of mee and my parents. It also appeareth by Orosius, Claudian, Isidore, Hubaldus, Beda, the English Legend, the Martyrologe secundum usum Sarum, Marianus, Ionas in vita Sancti Columbani, Aimoinus, Caesarius, &c. that Ireland and Scotland were usually taken one for the other.

But before I goe any further, I thinke it not amisse to say som what to this word Scotus or Scottus, the which Hector Boëtius carrieth a∣way as derived of Scota, and as thing granted. There came to this Countrey of Ireland at three severall times, before Gathelus, great Commanders of Scythia (as I have said before) of the posterity of Iaphet, planted themselues, divided the land with great troubles, and when they were at the worst, alwayes they left a remnant of their nation behinde them. Beda every where calleth them not Scotos, but Scottos; so that I finde in the word a double alteration, y turned into o, and th into tt. Also in low Germany they call the Scythians and Scottish, Schotten. Nennius the Britain writeth, Scythae Hiberniam ob∣tinuerunt, the Scythians gat Ireland. King Alfredus translating the hi∣story of Orosius into the Saxon tongue, termeth the Scots, Scyttan: The borderers upon Scotland, cal them to this day, Skyttes and Skets. Walsingham writeth, Of the country called Sicia (alias Scythia) wee haue Scita, Sciticus, Scoticus, Scotus and Scotia. Ranulphus Monke of Chester, writeth, as Sir Iohn Trevisa the Priest in old English laid it downe; Scotts bene called as it were Scytes, for they came out of Scy∣tia. Matthew Monk of Westminster, saith, Ex Pictis & Hibernen∣sibus, Scoti originem habuerunt, quasi ex diversis nationibus compacti; Scot enim illud dicitur quòd ex diversis rebus in unum acervum con∣gregatur, deinde verò terra illa quae prius Albania dicebatur à Scotis Scotia nuncupatur, (anno gratiae 77.) Of Pictes and Irish the Scots had their originall, as it were compacted of divers nations; for that is called Scot which of divers things is gathered into one heap, afterwards that Land which was first called Albania of the Scots is called Sco∣tia.

* 1.12And Beda writeth that the Country now called Scotland was in∣habited by Pictes that were Scythians; againe, In processe of time (saith he) Britaine besides Britaines and Pictes receiued a third nation that is of Scots upon the side of the Pictes.

* 1.13Of the same opinion is Volateran and Iohannes Major Scotus, al∣though Hector Boëtius dissemble it. Richard Stanihurst the great Philosopher and Antiquary of Ireland, writeth, A quo primum ini∣tio Scotiae nomen fit tractum, nondum plane perspectum video, &c. Of what first originall the word Scotia is drawne, I haue not yet found out.

And touching the truth of the History of Gathelus and Scota, hee saith; To the end the worthinesse of so great a mariage delivered unto the posterity should florish, all these Grecians call themselues Scots; and Ireland where they first seated themselues, Scotiam. But all this as a vaine fable George Buchanan, and before him Humfrey Lloide have quite reiected, and if Hector Boëtius bee not the chiefe forger of this hi∣story, or rather vaine fable, yet he hath besprinckled (after his manner) the whole discourse with lies. With great ambition hath that silly wri∣ter labored to advance the glory of his nation, in the which endeauour, hee hath little regarded the honour of his Country and his owne credit. For he hath purchased this amongst the learned, that where as he would seeme to write all for the loue of the truth, they will beleeue in a manner nothing to be true which he wrote: For to what purpose should he com∣mend to the posterity the acts of his ancestors with such maiesty of words, that they have quailed the Spaniard; vanquished the Irish with their only austere countenance, triumphed as often as pleased themselves over the bordering Britaines; where they pitched foot, subiected all as furious victors; that thou maist think the Scottish not so much to have invaded forraigne Countryes, as to have removed to their proper pos∣sessions. These fabulous dreames happely may move admiration to some old wives, applause to some Abderas, and laughter to the discreete rea∣der. The Scotish had as other nations tofore (though now famous) base beginning, dusked and obscured with some barbarous rudenesse, and this had beene more discretion to confesse, then to vaunt or crake among the ignorant, with boast of their fained doings. Thus farre Stani∣hurst:

And now (with Hector Boëtius his leave) as the followers of Ga∣thelus and his wife Scota in Egypt, Greece, Barbary, Portugall, Gali∣tia, and over all Spaine, were not called Scoti (as before is remem∣bred) no more were they termed in Ireland and Scotland, but cor∣ruptly of Scytae, Scoti, comming originlly out of Scythia. And it were more honour in mine opinion for these nations, to derive their originall from Scythia then from Egypt, for two causes; first for that the Scythians are more ancient then the Egyptians, as Trogus, Vo∣lateran, and Marianus Scotus do write; secondly for that the Scythi∣ans come of Iaphet that was blessed, and the Egyptians of Cham that was accursed, but in this case leaving every man to his owne choice; I will returne the History.

In the antiquities of Ireland it is generally receiued that Gathelus (of whom I spake before) gave the Irishmen the language, which of him they call Gaodhealgh in British Gwidhealaec, that is, a language compounded of many tongues, and so it may well be; for by reason of his great trauell he had skill in many tongues. Although, as they say, he were a Grecian borne, yet I finde no Greek in the Irish tongue▪ yet for their comming from Spaine, which they so much urge, Io∣hannes

Major Scotus forsooth hath found one Spanish word,* 1.14 bona di∣es, in Irish vennoka die; to which I answere, una hirundo non facit ver; but indifferently to examine the matter, wee finde that diversity of times, alteration of government, invasion of strangers, planting of new Colonies, and conversing with forraigne nations doe alter lan∣guages. The Hebrewes by reason of their peregrination and captivi∣ties do smach of the Chaldees, Syriack, and Arabick tongues. The Slavonian tongue,* 1.15 as Surius and others record, without exception, at this day is the most dispersed language upon the earth; for the Mus∣covites, Ruthenes, Russians, Dalmatians, Bosnenses, Croatians, Istri∣ans, Carnians, Carniolanians, Carinthians, Stirians, Maesians, Servi∣ans, Bulgarians, with other nations reaching to Constantinople, as Bohemians, Lusatians, Silesians, Moravians, Polonians, Circasians, Quinquemontanians, even unto Pontus, and the remnant of Vandals, beyond the river Albis, through Germany, into the North, have the language, and yet we have neither their characters, nor ancient Annals extant. Saint Ierome borne in Strido in the confines of Dal∣matia and Pannonia, is said to have translated the Bible into the Sla∣von tongue, but whether it be in that language extant, let him report that knoweth it. Gothi, Hypogothi, Gepidi, Vandali, Hunni, Alani, though they vary in name, yet they vse one language, saith Paulus Diaconus. The Italian, Spanish, and French tongues are compoun∣ded of the Latine. The German (high and low country) Saxon, Scot∣tish and English have great affinity. Northwales, Southwales, Corn∣wall, and little Britaine in France, as Cambrensis and Sir Io. Price have learnedly discoursed; but the Irish (excepting the Red shanks and the Scottish of the haye londe) have affinity with no tongue (as I can learne) more then with the British language.

Many reasons there are (gentle reader) to induce thee to bee of that opinion; first of all according unto the first command, the Cel∣ticke tongue was of force in all these Northerne parts. Bodinus wri∣teth,* 1.16 that the British and Celtick language was all one. Pausanias the Grecian maketh mention how the Celts in their language called a horse Marc, and three horses Trimarc, the which the Welshman u∣seth to this day with a gutturall alteration, Margh and Treemargh. Also Camden the learned Antiquary of this our age, is of this opini∣on (remembring the story of Gurguntius, and the infinite number of British words in ure among the Irish, the which he termeth, infinitam vim Britannicarum dictionum) that the Britaines first peopled this land. And although of a long time (by reason of troubles and alte∣rations) the speech grew wholly out of vse; yet afterwards in successe of time it was revived. Secondly the British and Irish oft matched together, so that there grew among them great alliance and affinity, to the furtherance of the language. Mare King of Cornwall anno 459 married with Label Isode that built Isodes Chappell (or Chappell-I∣sode)

and Isodes Tower in Dublin, shee was the King of Irelands daughter. Edwal ap Meiric Prince of Wales in the time of Edelred, anno 992 married in Ireland. Iago ap Edwal Prince of Wales in the time of Cnute, anno 1031 married in Ireland. In the time of Edward the Confessor, Conan the sonne of Iago Prince of Wales married with Ranulph daughter of Alfred King of Dublin, anno 1041. In the time of William Rufus, Arnulph Earle of Pembroke married with the daughter of Marogh King of Ireland anno 1101; at the same time Magnus the sonne of Herald married with another daughter of the said King. In the time of Henry the first and King Steuen lived Grif∣fith ap Conan Prince of Wales, that was wont to brag of three things, that his mother was an Irishwoman, his grandmother an Irishwo∣man, and that hee himselfe was borne, and of a child brought vp in Ireland. In the time of Henry the second. Biryd the sonne of Owen Gwyneth Prince of Wales, being Lord of Cloghran in Ireland, begat his sonne Howel upon an Irish Gentlewoman. In the same Kings raigne Richard Strangbow Earle of Pembroke, married with Eva the daughter of Dermotte Mac Morrogh King of Leinster. Thirdly, when there was any trouble in Ireland, they fled to Wales; when they had any warres or rebellion there, they came for refuge and aide into Ireland: hereof came the shaking of hands, Brother Brannagh, Brother Erinagh. In the life of Henry the third, it is written, that when Othobon the Popes Legate came to Oxford, and soiourned at Osney Abbey, among other schollers, some for one cause, some for another, that were there, a poore Irish scholler (Matthew Paris calleth him Capellanum Hibernensem) drew neere unto the kitchin dresser, and praid for some releefe; the cook took a ladell full of hot liquor and threw it in his face; a Welch scholler standing by tooke his bow, and shot the cook through with an arrow (Stow writeth that the cook was the Legates brother) the hurly burly was great, the schollers came together in armes (and as it is said, one Odo of Kilkenny was their ensigne bearer) the Cardinals men were well beaten, the Cardi∣nall himselfe to save his life fled secretly at a posterne gate to the King, made a grievous complaint, and craved the aide of armed men to fetch off his men, and thereof arose great troubles; but to proceed. Dermotte Mac Morogh King of Leinster, being banished out of his country, had aide out of Wales. Conan the sonne of Iago, Griffith ap Conan, Rees ap Tewder, Owen the sonne of Cadogan, Kadwalader the sonne of Griffith ap Conan, Marlgon ap David, Princes of Wales; Algar Earle of Chester, Arnulph Earle of Pembroke, Magnus the sonne of Herald, William de Bruse Lord of Breknock, with his wife and children, in extremity, tooke Ireland for their refuge, where they found favor and kindnesse to their own hearts desire, as in the British Chronicles published by Caradoc of Sancarban, Cambrensis, Hum∣frey Lloid, and Doctor Powel, doth more plainly appeare. These two

nations conversed much one with another; Sir Tristram one of the Knights of the round Table, came to Ireland. Morogh brother to the King of Ireland (whom Caxton calleth Morhaus) was one of King Arthurs Knights. Merlin the Welch Prophet came twice to Ire∣land, and in Ofaby there is a Chappell bearing his name: the oc∣casion of his first comming was this. There was a noble man of Ire∣land which had a suit unto the King of England, with whom Merlin was great, to whom he said, Merlin, if thou wilt effect my sute, come to Ireland, and I will give thee as much land as thou shalt see round about thee: it was done; after his arrivall, Merlin demanded his pro∣mise, the noble man put him into a cellar, where was a grate, and with∣out a bawne, with an high wall, looke out (saith the Irish man) the Welch Prophet could not see a quoits cast from him, and thus was he deceived, having left his spirit of prophecy at home. But to our purpose.

Fourthly, the first conquerors in Henry the seconds times, that brake the ice into this land, were Welch men, whose names and seates to this day are fresh in memory. Rees ap Tewder Prince of Southwales had a daughter called Nesta, who by King Henry the first had issue, Henry, and he had issue Meiler Fitz Henry and Robart; she was afterwards married to Stephan, and he had issue, Robart Fitz Stephan, and his issue were Radulph and Mereduk; shee had a third husband, Giraldus Steward of Pembroke, whose mother was Gladys the daughter of Rywall ap Conyn, this Girald had issue by her, Mau∣rice Fitz Gerald, William Fitz Gerald, and David Bishop of Mene∣via, now called Saint Davids: Maurice Fitz Gerald had issue, Willi∣am, Girald, Alexander, and Nesta a daughter, wife to Harvey de Monte Marisco; William Fitz Gerald had issue (by Ellen sister to Earle Richard Strongbow) Reimund and Griffin, of these descend all the Geraldins in Ireland. A neece (a sister say others) of Robart Fitz Ste∣phans and Maurice Fitz Gerald married with one Barry, and hee by her had issue, Robart Barry, Philip Barry, Walter Barry, and Girald Barry (otherwise called Giraldus Cambrensis the great Antiquary) of these descend all the Barries in Ireland. There came with them and after them out of Wales, the Prendergastes, Welches, Whites, Goughes, and Williams, now called Mac William of the North.

The Irish Chroniclers, as David Curren, Nicolas Maguize (both som∣times Bishop of Leighlin) and others, call them Brittones, Wallones, and Wallenses. It is a name the Saxons gave them; though they were the true natives of Britaine, yet they called them Welshmen, that is,* 1.17 strangers, as more at large is to bee seen in Cambrensis. These gave Welsh names to places, which continue to this day; in the Dioces of Leighlin there is a town called villa Wallicorū, the town of Welsh∣men. Carreg & Craig in the British or Welsh tongue is a ston, or rock, and of the Britaines, Carregfergus, Carreggmont-Griffin, Carregg in

Shurie, Carriggwaspani, and Craigwading have their names. Like∣wise Llis in British is a Court or Palace, of that in Ireland you have Lismore, Lisfenyn, Lislofty, Lismakery. Glan and Glyn are British words, of them have you Glangibbon, Glandeboy, Glan Reynald, Glyn∣burry, Glyndelory, Glynmolowra, &c. Inis an Iland, is British and I∣rish, of which kind are Inissircan, Inisshoven, Inisdiok, Inissuag, Inis∣corthie, and the like. Rath a moat or round trench (whereof there are many in Ireland made by the Danes) if Beda had not said that it was a Saxon word, I would have said it had been British, and how many names of places are compounded with it in Ireland, were too long to rehearse. I will here give Stanihurst leave to conclude, Omnes insulae locos et lucos Wallici nominis gloria implevit; the renowne of the Welsh name (saith he) hath filled all the wayes and woods of the Iland.

The British words among them are infinite, the which, as I think, the Irish have taken hold of, and have caused to vary little from their speech, for example.

British,	Bara	Bread.
Irish,	Ran
Br.	Diod	Drink.
Ir.	Diogh
Br.	Tan	Fire.
Ir.	Tine
Br:	Drus	a Doore.
Ir.	Dyrrus
Br:	Ithyn	Firres.
Ir.	Ityn
Br.	Mawn	Turfe.
Ir.	Mon
Br.	Gaver	a Goat.
Ir.	Gawr
Br.	Mawr	Great.
Ir.	More
Br.	Myn	a Kydde.
Ir.	Mynan
Br.	Ty	a House in both.
Ir.
Br.	Scadan	a Herring.
Ir.	Scadan
Br.	Carregg	in both a Rock.
Ir.
Br.	Teer	land or ground.
Ir.	Tyr
Br.	Sidan	in both Silke.
Ir.

Br.	Kos	in both a leg or foot.
Ir.
Br.	Sane	a paire of hose or stockins.
Ir.	Fessane
Br.	Losky in both burning or burnt.
Ir.
Br.	Berw and Berwy in both sod.
Ir.
Br.	Glan	in both a like.
Ir.	Glyn
	Duffrey	in both alike.
	Duffrin
Br.	Mah	a sonne.
Ir.	Mac
Br.	Cuanid	wood.
Ir.	Cunnogh
Br.	Knaie	nuts
Ir.	Knoe
Br.	Kwyr	wax
Ir.	Kwyragh
Br.	Cantref	an hundred townes
Ir.	Cantrud
Eng.	Cantred
Br.	Avon	a river.
Ir.	Owen
	Moil in both bald.
	Mantagh in both toothlesse.

And thus much of the Irish language occasioned by the history of Gathelus and Scota; now to the history, from whence I feare mee I have too long digressed. The hard successe of Nemedus before spoken of, and the departure of Gathelus (as hath beene said) to the North∣east Ilands, and North parts of Britaine, now called Scotland, moved five brethren, the sonnes of one Dela of the posterity of Nemedus, be∣ing valiant men, and skilfull in the Art of Navigation, to make ready a great fleet, and to attempt the conquest of this Iland. These were, as I presently said, of the posterity of Nemedus, and were named, Gan∣dius, Gennadius, Sagandus, Rutheranius or Rutheragus, and Slanius, of whom Slane hath the denomination; when they had made prepa∣ration,* 1.18 assembled forces, and set all in a readinesse, they hoised up saile, and in short time arrived in Ireland, about the yeere of the world 2535.

After their arrivall, and view had of the land, they found the pu∣issance of the Chamesite Giants sore weakned through their owne civill dissention, so that with more ease then they looked for, they at∣chieved

their purpose, wanne the whole country, utterly destroyed and rooted out that wicked generation (enemies to God and man) but spared as many as they found of Iaphets line, divided the Iland into five parts, and in each of them they severally reigned.* 1.19 This was the first division of Ireland, the discourse whereof I will referre to another place. Furthermore for the satisfaction of all parties, and perfect league to be had among these brethren, and their posterity, they con∣cluded to fix a meare stone in the middle point of Ireland, to the which each of their kingdomes should reach, so as they might in e∣quality partake of the commodities found in that Iland. Of these al∣so it is said, that they invented the distribution of Shires into Can∣treds, every Cantred or Barony to containe one hundred townships: but of this in another place. When they had for a certaine space sea∣ted themselves (say the Irish Antiquaries) and found warmth and wealth about them, every one began to looke big, and grow ambiti∣ous, so that in processe of time, desire of Soverainty set the five bre∣thren at variance, which in the end tended to their destruction. In this civill dissention it is written, that Slanius the yongest through the aid of some old inhabitants, got the upper hand, brought his foure brethren to a low estate, attributed unto himselfe the title of supreme honour over them, and encroched round about the middle stone and fixed meare aforesaid, for the space of certaine miles; which plot in time, obtained the priviledge and name of one entire plot, or part, and maketh up the number of five parts, into the which Ireland is com∣monly divided, and is called Meth, in Latine Media,* 1.20 and of some Mi∣dia, taking that name (as some haue guessed) for that in respect of the other parts, it contained but the moity of Cantreds, that is, six∣teene, where each of the other contained thirty and two; or else for that it lieth in the midst of the land.

These encrochments Slanius annexed to his inheritance and Mo∣narchy, which Monarchy continued thus, the space of thirty yeeres, and then Slanius departed this life, and was buried in a mountaine of Meth, that beareth hitherto the name after him. After his decease the Princes that before were subiect unto him, began to gather heart, sto∣mached the matter, and denied their obedience to his successour: whereupon ensued continuall warre amongst them, and especially a∣bout the land of Meth, which strife of long time could not bee ap∣peased, yet in the space of thirty yeeres aforesaid, of these brethren and their successors there were nine Kings. In the neck of all these mischiefes and hurly burlies (say the Irish antiquities) there came a fleet of Scythians upon the coast, landed their men in Ireland, made claime to the land,* 1.21 by a title of right which they pretended from their forefather Nemedus (of whom mention is made before) so that by partaking with the one side and the other, all was in an uproare, ha∣vock was made on each side with fire and sword in most miserable

manner. They spent themselves in pursuing one another with such outrage, that they cared not what nation, or what souldier they re∣ceived to their aid, to hold up, or beat downe a side. Both the one and the other sent for aid into the Ilands now called England and Scot∣land, Orchades, Hebrides, &c. and acquainted forrainers with their state so farre, that they could never after be rid of them, to wit, the Britaines, till in the end they yeelded unto them the upper hand, as by conquests, in processe of the history, shall appeare. Note (gentle reader) how that hitherto,* 1.22 that is, the yeere of the world 2828, and before the birth of Christ 1142, these North parts of the world, as England, Scotland, Ireland, with other Iles, were possessed, comman∣ded, and inhabited by the posterity of Iaphet and Cham, the sonnes of Noah, without any speciall name given to the lands, or to the Com∣manders of them, otherwise then Samothei, Celtae, Oceanes, Neptu∣nists, and Albions, although I have hitherto used the names now in ure (for the plainer delivery of the history) as if they had beene knowne before; neither were any called Scots as Hector Boëtius would have it.

After the times of the former troubles which happened in Ireland upon the landing of the Scythians, I finde nothing of Ireland till the dayes of Gurguntius (the sonne of Belinus) who began his raine, ac∣cording to the ordinary account anno mundi 3580,* 1.23 and reigned 19 yeeres over Britaine. This King after his victory atchieved in Den∣mark (for his tribute which they there had refused to pay him) retur∣ning back toward Britaine, met by the Iles of Orkeney, with a navy of thirthy ships (Stanyhurst saith 60) with men and women,* 1.24 whose Generall was called Bartholin or Partholin; in Ponticus Virunius Partolom; in Flores Historiarum, Partholaim; in Gualter Oxoniensis, Bartholome; in Fabian, Harding, Grafton, and Caxton, Irlamal; of whom they thinke the country to be called Ireland. Gurguntius de∣manded of them what they were, and the occasion of their travell, their answer was, they were Spaniards, and had long beene on the seas, seeking to finde some favourable Prince, to assigne them a place of habitation, for that their country was so populous, that it could not containe them, (others write that for some disordered parts they were banished their country) and where they found favour, they would become subiects, and hold of him as their soveraigne Lord. In this fleet with the Governor of Baion, their Generall (before named) there were foure brethren of noble birth, the sonnes of Milesius (o∣thers say, Miletus, and others Milo) the two chiefe of which were cal∣led Hiberus and Hermon. And beside the former differences in the parents name, Dowling writeth in his Irish collections, that they were the sonnes of Iubal; Hector Boëtius avoucheth they were the sonnes of Gathelus and Scota; Stanihurst affirmeth that Scota was great or old grand-dame to Hiber and Hermon, others write they were of the

posteritie of Gathelus and Scota, whereas Gathelus (if there were any such) was a Grecian, and Scota an Egyptian, Hiber and Hermon, Spaniards: see (gentle Reader) how these reports hang together.

Gurguntius being aduised by his Councell,* 1.25 pittying their necessi∣tie and wandring estate, granted them the Iland now called Ireland, to inhabite, and that they should become tributaries to him and his successors, the Kings of Britaine for ever. For hee called to minde that the inhabitants were an unruly people, and thought by this meanes to subdue them, and quietly to enioy his tribute; for it see∣meth that the Britaines made claime to Ireland, to which effect I reade in the Booke of Houth, that Gurguntius came into Ireland, and that the land many a yeare paid him truage,* 1.26 and to other Kings of Britaine after him; but as oft as they put foote in the land, they got more knocks then pence, saith an Irish Chronicler. The King of Bri∣taine hastening homeward, gave them Pilots, and safe conductors for their arivall and possession of the land.

Hiberus and Hermon after their arivall,* 1.27 by the assent of all their associates, divided the land betweene them; the North to Hiber, and the South to Hermon. But ambition, the mother of mischiefe, would not long suffer them to enioy peace, but rent their hearts with fierie dissention, inflamed their mindes to desire one Soueraigne and abso∣lute commander over the whole land; they gather forces, they mu∣ster their men, they put on Armes, and to battaile they goe, in which field Hiberus was slaine, (though Hector Boetius write,* 1.28 that he went into Spaine to succeed his father) and Hermon became Monarch of all Ireland. Hermon being thus sole ruler and governour, to avoid the murmure of his people, and the euill opinion (in a manner) of all men conceiued against him, and peaceably to governe the land, fell to purge himselfe, and caused the occasion of the warres to be proclai∣med, that he bore armes against his naturall brother, not of malice or desire of soveraigntie, but in defence of his owne person, and safety of his people; and for proofe, that his heart was farre from desire to rule alone, he appointed certaine Captaines, as Kings, to command under him certaine Countries, reserving unto himselfe, one fourth part, and the Country of Meth annexed to the Monarchie, for the better maintenance of his princely estate.

By this meanes, this Realme of Ireland in processe of time,* 1.29 grew to five kingdomes; the first Leinster, on the East side or quarter, called in Latine Lagenia, and in Irish, Cuige-Laghen. The second, Conaght, on the west side of the kingdome, called in Latine Connacia, and in Irish, Cuige-Chonoght. The third, Vlster, which is the North part of Ireland, named in Latine, Vltonia, and in Irish, Cuigh-Vlladh. The fourth, Mounster, South and South-west, in Latine, Momonia, and in the country speech, Cuige Mughan. The fift and last, a plotte de∣falked from these parts, called Meth, comprising (as they are now

called) as well East-Meth as West-Meth, in Latine, Midia, or Me∣dia,* 1.30 in Irish, Mhidhe. And here must not bee forgotten, that there hath beene in these kingdomes great change and alteration by usur∣ping and compounding among themselves, and by dividing of Coun∣tries, as we finde Mounster was into two parts, and since have beene there great Earles, deriving their names of Mounster, Ormond in Irish, Oirther Mughane, Desmond, in Irish, Deasmughain, and Tho∣mond in Irish, Tuathmughain, the which an Italian comming into Ireland, meruailed at, when he inquired what great men dwelled in the land, for he understood Ormond, to bee orbis mundi, the round world; Desmond, decem mundi, ten worlds; Thomond, duo mundi, two worlds, profecto, said he, Valdè gloriósi tituli, assuredly these are very glorious titles. So were there also in processe of time, diuers o∣ther lesser kingdomes, as by the processe of the historie will very well appeare. And here for this time leaving to discourse farther of the Irish kingdomes, I conclude with this one remembrance, that from time to time there was one chosen to be chiefe soveraigne Mo∣narch ouer them all;* 1.31 and the number of Monarchs from Hermon to Laogirius, the sonne of Nealus Magnus, that is, great Neale) in whose time S. Patricke converted them to Christianitie, amounteth to an hundred thirty and one.

* 1.32And now backe againe to the historie where we left. It is said that of Hiber or Hiberus, (who was slaine, as hath aboue beene recorded) Ireland was called Hibernia; certaine it is with the concordance of most and the best antiquaries, that the land was not called Hibernia, neither right Spaniard arived here before the daies of Gurguntius. Divers writers haue diversly delivered the originall name of the land,* 1.33 some corruptly, some poetically, some etymologically. Ierna, Iuver∣nia, Ibernia, Overnia, Vernia, Iris; of the Britaines, Ywerdhon, of the Irish themselues Erin, and tooke that name of Fin Erin, (of whom at large in the booke of Houth) of the Saxons and English it is called Ireland, that is, the land of Erin. All these names originally grew of Hiberus the Spaniard, or in remembrance of Iberus the se∣cond King of Spaine; who was the sonne of Tuball, the fift sonne of Iaphet. Annius Viterbiensis writeth, that of this King, the river is called Iberus amnis, Spaine Iberia, and the inhabitants about the ri∣ver,* 1.34 Iberi. This land of Ireland hath also beene called Scotia Major, (Scotland the greater) after the birth of Christ, but that came of corrupting the word Scytha, as I said before. Lastly, it hath beene called Banno of the Poets or Bardes of the land: Stanihurst thinketh it was so called of the Banne, a river in the County of Weixford, the place is now called Bagganbun, where the Britaines vpon the con∣quest arived, and thereof is the rime,

At the creeke of Bagganbun, Ireland was ylost and wonne.

But for this ancient name Banno,* 1.35 and other the like which the Po∣ets of Ireland haue in use, I referre the courteous reader to learned Camden, in his treatise of Ireland, about the beginning.

Lanquet in his collections of antiquities,* 1.36 noteth that the Scottish historiographers about the yeere of the world, 3652. beginne their histories at Fergus, the sonne of Ferquhard, King of Ireland, that he should come with great power out of Ireland, to their aide against the Pictes, and that they fauoured him so much, that they chose him King, and that hee raigned ouer them in Scotland 25. yeeres,* 1.37 and how that in his raigne he slue Coile, King of Britaine, at what time by generall consent, there was no Scottish man then commanding in Albania, no Pict at that time seene in Britaine or Ireland, nor Coile King of Britaine in many yeares after. I am of Lanquets opinion, thus he writeth, These histories of the Scots, as they set them forth, bee full of errors, and agree with none other historians. Notwithstanding this Item may not stoppe the course of the historie, and therefore whether he came out of Ireland, (as we here take it) or out of Denmarke, (as some haue thought) well he might be King of Albania, for so was it then called, and not Scotland, and so from him I will terme them Kings of Albania, untill I finde the name Scoti knowne amongst for∣raigne writers.

This Fergus (saith Buchanan) hauing orderly disposed of his af∣faires in Albania,* 1.38 went into Ireland to pacifie and quiet troubles there risen, and hoising saile for his returne into Albania, he and all his company were cast away in a tempest vpon the rockes at a place of him now called in the British and Irish tongues Karregfergus, or Craigfregus (corruptly in English, Knockfergus.) It is written that he advanced in his banner, a red Lyon Rampant, with his taile folden toward his backe, as it were moved with anger,* 1.39 the which his suc∣cessors since have used. After this his infortunate decease, there rose great strife about the succession, his two sonnes, Ferlegus and Mainus were young, and many exceptions were made against them, in the end, the two sonnes were put beside, and the eldest of the sept (after the Irish Tanistrie) tooke place, which fell upon Feritharis an Irish man, brother to Fergus. And this Tanistrie continued (saith Bucha∣nan) unto Kenathus 3. during the raigne of fourescore Kings.* 1.40 But I must leave them, and follow onely what concerneth Irish businesse.

About the yeere of the world, saith Lanquet,* 1.41 3750. and odde (not allowing as he protested before, but following the Scottish histories, one Reuthar, commander of the invaders in Albania,* 1.42 (now called Scotland) was vexed with civill warres, and by the Britaines, bani∣shed into Ireland, where he lived twelve yeeres: See more of him in Hector Boetius, and Buchanan. The 9. King Albaniensium Scotorum, (so Stanihurst calleth them) was Iosina Thereus,* 1.43 and is the next that seemeth to haue any right or interest in the Irish historie. This man

was bred and brought up in Ireland, and favoured the nation (saith Bale) above all others;* 1.44 he sought peace of all men, honoured Chi∣rurgions, Physitians and Druydes of Ireland; raigned 24. yeeres, and so ended his dayes.

The next that concerneth our purpose, is Gillus the usurper, who through much treason,* 1.45 and many murthers, aspiring to the Crowne of Albania, and deservedly falling into the hatred and mislike of all his subjects, was at length forced by his Nobles, (who rose in Armes against him) to take a fisher-boate and flee into Ireland, where hee was promised aide; but to prevent further mischiefe, one Cadall is ap∣pointed generall of an Armie, to pursue the tyrant into Ireland, and meeting him in the field, drove Gillus to flee. When the Irish men had forsaken him, he hid himselfe in a denne, invironed with woods and bogs, where shortly after, an Irish Kerne, for reward, found him out, cut off his head, and brought it to Cadall, after he had tyrannized three yeeres. He was the thirteenth King of Albania.

In the time of Augustus Caesar, a little before the birth of our Sa∣viour,* 1.46 Fridelenus King of Denmarke, puffed vp with pride, through some fortunate successes, arrived in Ireland, laid siege to the Citie of Dublin, and finding it not so easie a matter to atchieue, fell to policie; he caught certaine Swallowes that bred in the Citie, tyed fire to their wings, who flying to their nests, fired the houses; while the Citizens endevoured to quence the fire, the Danes entred the Citie, and w••nne it.

The King of Leinster after this, gathered forces, and gave the Danes battaile, in which, many fell on both sides; Fredelnus seeing the enemy increase, and his armie decrease, fled the land, and retired into his country.* 1.47 His sonne Frotho, the third of that name, King of Danes (so Albertus Krantzius, and Saxo Grammaticus record) wan∣tonly assailed the Britaines, (lustrans magis insulam quam subigens) rather taking a view of the Iland, then subduing it, afterward relin∣quishing that course, put foot in Ireland. The historiographers of that side, report hardly of the land, and the inhabitants thereof, and in fine they write, when Cepo the Irish King was overthrowne and put to flight, his brother Kervill (saith Saxo, I take it to be O Carroll) offered tribute, wherewith the Danes being pacified, returned to their Country. This Frotho peopled the Orchades with Danes, and ap∣pointed Revillus their commander.

Whilst this Frotho King of Danes was Monarch of Ireland, the light of the world,* 1.48 the comfort of all Christians, IESVS CHRIST the sonne of GOD was borne in the flesh.

About the 44. yeere after the incarnation of our Lord, (Claudius the Emperour having appeased the troubles of Britaine by the aide of Arviragus, (as Mathew Westmonasteriensis saith) subdued Or∣chades, Hebrides, Thule, and all the Ocean Ilands, among the

which, Ireland is reckoned,* 1.49 the which Beda and Eutropius haue like∣wise remembred. But Fabian, Grafton, Holinshed, and Ponticus Viru∣nius say further, that he sent certaine legions of Knights into Ireland to subdue the same; what successe they had, is not recorded, a legion consisting of 6666. (as ancient Writers record) no doubt they per∣formed some great exploit.* 1.50 Learned Camden writeth of the Brigan∣tes (the inhabitants of Yorkeshire, Lancashire,* 1.51 the Bishopricke of Durham, Westmerland and Cumberland were so called) how that in the time of Claudius (as I take it) many of them went to end their dayes in Ireland, and of old were called the Brigantes of Ireland. His words are these, Quod verò Florianus Del Campo Hispanus, nostros Brigantes, &c. Whereas Florianus Del-Campo the Spaniard,* 1.52 hath somewhat arrogantly derived our Brigantes from Spaine into Ireland, and thence into Britaine, being aided by no other conjecture, but that he found in his Country of Spaine, the Citie Brigantia; I feare mee hee hath fouly deceived himselfe. For if the like cause have not given ours and the Brigantes of Ireland the same name, I had rather be of opinion with my most learned friend Thomas Savill, namely, that certaine Bri∣gantes and other nations of Britaine also, even from the comming of the Romans into Britaine, departed into Ireland, some for quietnesse sake, and to liue at ease, some for that their eyes should not be infected with the sight of the Roman dominion, and last of all others, lest in their lat∣ter age they should willingly seeme to lose the libertie which from nature they had received in their youth. And that Claudius the Emperour, first of any Romane tooke the Brigantes in hand, and subjected them to his Empire and command: Seneca sheweth in these his verses.

........ Ille Britannos Vltra noli littora ponti, & caeruleos* 1.53 Scuta Brigantes, dare Romulaeis colla catenis Iussit, .........

The Britaines farre from knowne seas, and Brigantes Bucklers blue, The Roman Claude to Roman becke did bring, and rebels slue.

Claudius hauing effected all his affaires, (as formerly hath been de∣livered) returned to Rome: then saith Gualter Oxon. Omnia regna Arvirago tradidit, he delivered all these kingdomes to Arviragus. He committed them al to his charge, saith Ponticus Virunius.* 1.54 In Mat∣thew Westmonsteriensis I reade, regimen insulare Arvirago cessit, the command of the Ilands fell to Arviragus. Harding hath delivered it in verse.

Orchades Isles in the meane time he conquered, In which he infeoffed the King, and him preferred.

About this time, Frotho the fourth of that name, King of Danes, (some 30. yeeres after the former invasion,* 1.55 saith mine Author) sent great power of Giants out of Denmarke, under the leading of bloudy Haco, and the great challenger and huge monster Starcuterus, to in∣vade Ireland. The occasion was as followeth: Starcuterus (before mentioned) being borne farre in the East by reason of shipwracke, ha∣ving lost both his ship and fellowes, was cast upon the coast of Den∣marke, and hearing of the fame of Frotho, came to his Court. This Giant was greatly admired for stature and strength of body. Frotho commanded a great navie to be in a readinesse, with all manner of ne∣cessary provision, made him an arch-pirate, and turned him to the Sea to seeke adventures.* 1.56 They touched many lands, and fought with many Giants, at length (saith mine Author) that no Country, though never so remote, should bee freed from the smart of Danish forces, they arived in Ireland. Huglet, King of Ireland, gave them battaile, in the which, Huglet was slaine, and all the Irish put to flight. And yet mine Author, though a Dane, highly commendeth two Irish Lords, Segathus and Suibdanus, the one wounded Haco, the other gave Starcuterus such a blow, that he stood a great while amazed, and had beene slaine,* 1.57 had he not beene rescued. The battaile being ended, the Danes tooke (Dufflinian) Dublin, ransacked it, and found great store of treasure, and some of them remained in the land, the rest re∣turned to Denmarke, Starcuterus went into forraigne countries to combat with Giants.

* 1.58In the time of Arviragus before mentioned, I finde the greatest probability of the first comming of the Pictes out of Scythia, first into Ireland, secondly, into Albania, now called Scotland, and lastly, into the North of England. And whereas before (page 3.) I made menti∣on of the arivall of Scythians, Nemedus and his foure sonnes, and af∣ter them of five brethren of their posteritie, and the third time of ano∣ther fleete of Scythians that arived in Ireland; and that also by many antiquities it appeareth that the Scots be Scythians, and came out of those parts whence these Pictes brake forth; I purpose now to make a more full discourse of that businesse.

Camden modestly confesseth he knoweth not when they came first into these parts, neither doe I mislike with his conjecture, that they should be old Britaines, who painted themselves, to shew more ter∣rible against the Romanes: yet we must confesse, that there are many nations of severall names in Scythia, and Polychronicon, together with Rastall, saith, that the Gothes and Pictes be one nation. The ety∣mologie I finde in the storie of the Gothes: Scythia in the Gothicke

tongue, signifieth a skilfull archer.* 1.59 And these Pictes brought with them the use of darts, which the Irish retaine to this day. But I come to Beda, who goeth plaine to worke. When the Britaines (saith hee) had possessed the greatest part of the Isle, beginning at the South, it hap∣pened that a nation of Pictes out of Scythia, with long shippes, (yet not many) entred the Ocean, the winde driving them about, beyond all the coast of Brittaine, they came into Ireland, and arived in the North, and finding there the nation of Scots, desired of them to grant them a dwel∣ling place amongst them, but they could not obtaine it, &c. The Scots made answere that the Iland could not hold them both, but wee can give you (said they) good counsaile what you may doe. We know ano∣ther Island not farre from ours, reaching to the East, the which we are wont oft to discerne in cleare dayes; if you will goe thither, you may make it your dwelling place, or if any withstand you, take vs for your aide. And so the Pictes sayling into Britaine, began to inhabite the North parts of the Iland, for the Britaines held the South.* 1.60 And when the Pictes had no wives, and sought them of the Scots, they were gran∣ted them, onely upon this condition, that when the title of Soveraigntie became doubtfull, they should choose them a King rather of the Femi∣nine bloud royall, then of the Masculine,* 1.61 the which unto this day is ob∣served amongst the Pictes. And in processe of time, Britaine after the Britaines and Picts, received that third nation of the Scots upon that part, where the Pictes had their habitation,* 1.62 who issuing out of Ireland with their Captaine Reuda, either by loue or by the sword, have wonne peculiarly unto themselves those seats which they hold unto this day, and of this their captaine they are called Dalreudin, for in their lan∣guage, (Dal) signifieth apart.

And here I cannot but meruaile at Hector Boetius and Buchanan, what confusion they bring into the historie,* 1.63 without regard of the truth, they name Beda, they call Reuda, Reuther, and say that he was the sixt King of Albania, and that the Britaines made him flee into Ireland, and that in the end he was restored to his kingdome againe; which can no way agree with the words of reverend Beda, whose credit we may not impeach, for he saith, they were Scythians, and wanted a dwelling place, and beganne to inhabit the North parts of the Iland. If Reuda were King of Albania, no thanke to the Irish men to direct him thither. But let us goe on with the Pictes.

I finde in Lanquet that the Pictes were rebellious,* 1.64 an. 9: of Arvi∣ragus, Anno. Domini 53. And Polycronicon affircteth, as Beda wrote before, that they came to the North of Ireland in Vespasians time. Stow saith it was in Anno 73. Matthew the Monke of Westminster, in Anno 75. and 76. Leslaeus and Bozius write that Reuda came about the yeere 360. which is very doubtfull, and that then the Pictes wan∣ting wives, desired of the Britaines that they might march with their nation, their suit being denied, they went to the Irish, who granted

them wives upon the condition in Beda before rehearsed And far∣ther, Giraldus Cambrensis, Polycronicon and Grafton concurring, doe say, that Scotland was first called Albania of Albanactus, se∣condly, Pictlandia, of the Pictes; thirdly, Hibernia, Ireland, because of the alliance or affinitie in marriage betweene the Pictes and Irish; last of all, Scotland or Scythians land. And hereof it commeth to passe, that Ireland is called Scotland, and Scotland Ireland, the Irish Scots,* 1.65 and the Scots Irish, as one hath largely collected; and the di∣stinction of Scotia Major, and Scotia Minor.

* 1.66Harding hath an historie out of Mewinus a Brittish Chronicler, (Harding lived in the time of Henry the fift and sixt, and in the daies of Edward the fourth,) which if it be true, all that is formerly spo∣ken of Gathelus and Scota his wife, by the Scottish and Irish Chro∣niclers, is of small credit; namely, how that Gathelus and Scota came into these North parts, together with the Pictes, Anno Domini 75. his words are these, speaking of the King of Britaine.

Then to the Peights left alive, he gave Catenesse To dwell upon, and have in heritage; Which wedded were with Irish as I gesse, Of which after Scots came on that linage, For Scots be to say their language A collection of many into one, Of which the Scots were called so anone:

But Mewinus the Bryton Chronicler * 1.67Saith in his Chronicle otherwise, That Gadelus and Scota in the yeere Of Christ, seventie and five by assise, At Stone inhabite as might suffice: And of her name, the country round about, Scotland she cald that time without doubt.

This Scota was, as Mewin saith the sage, Daughter and bastard of King Pharao that day, Whom Gadele wedded, and in his old age Vnto a land he went, where he inhabited ay, Which yet of his name is called Gadelway; And with the Peights he came into Albanie The yeere of Christ aforesaid openlie, &c.

* 1.68Polycronicon and Cambrensis accord with Harding in this point, that the King gave the Pictes a place to dwell in, which is now cal∣led Galleway.* 1.69 And saith Ponticus Virunius, it was desert and waste, where none dwelled in many dayes before. The credit of Harding is

great, and he that list to know farther of him, let him reade Bale, Bi∣shop of Ossorie, who wrote his life.* 1.70

I will now neither confirme nor confute, but acquainte the reader with such antiquities as I finde, and in a word, to adde something unto that which went before, of the time of the Pictes comming in∣to these North, and North-west parts. Florilegus writeth it was Anno Domini 77. Functius and Polydore, Anno Dom. 87. To recon∣cile the dissonance, what every one saith may stand for truth, for they came in severall companies, and at severall times, some into Ireland, some into Albania, and some into England.* 1.71 I will from hencefor∣ward leave writing the kingdome of Albania, and write the king∣dome of Scotland.

Anno Dom. 73. began Marius the sonne of Arviragus to raigne in Britaine,* 1.72 (Humfrey Lloide calleth him Meurig) who after his trou∣blesome warres, for nine yeeres space against the Picts and Scots, en∣ded with the helpe of Iulius Agricola, is said to have aspired towards Ireland, and to have placed garrisons on the coast; and to the end he might performe some exploite there, entertained an Irish Prince that was driven out of his country by civill dissention for his conductor. I finde no issue recorded of this businesse.

In the 15. yeeres civill warres which ensued vpon the death of Lucius, the sonne of Coile, King of Britaine, it is reported,* 1.73 that Ful∣genius called the Ilanders, Albanians, Pictes, and Irish men to his aide, against whom, Severus the Emperour comming from Rome, gave them battaile neere unto Yorke, where Severus and a Prince of Ireland were slaine, and Fulgenius deadly wounded; the Emperour Severus and the Irish Prince, lye buried at Yorke.

In the antiquities of Ireland, I finde that about the dayes of Con∣stantine the great,* 1.74 who beganne his raigne anno Dom. 310.) one Re∣almond King of Vlster, fell in love with a Lady of Leinster, who had beene wife to the King of Connaught, a woman (they say) of meane stature, but of singular beautie; when many Princes and Lords of Ireland laboured to winne her fauour, her answer was, that none should enjoy her loue, but a Champion that by Marshall prowesse had prevailed in forraigne countries, quitted himselfe like a man, wonne the Garland, and brought tribute with him to his native soile. Realmond being overcome with the love of this Lady, hoised up saile and went for France, where he encounrted with a Champion, and wonne a Garland called Civica. Afterward comming to great Britain, hee challenged the Duke of Cornewall, and got of him a tribute,* 1.75 thence he went into Scotland, and encountred with Gyant Castreus, and prevailed; (such was the manner of winning honour and dignity by marshall feates in those daies, saith Saxo Grammaticus) last of all he came backe to Ireland, and acquainted his love,* 1.76 the Lady he for∣merly sought for, with his travaile, his dangerous adventures, and

his good successe, and now having prevailed abroad, hee doubted not at home in regard of his kingdome, his kindred and valour, but to obtaine her fauour. Shee being made throughly acquainted with his affaires abroad and at home, gave many a sigh in his absence, fea∣ring some mischance might come to him, and wishing she had not so peremptorily answered him; but he no sooner came in place, but she relented from her former hardnesse, and with all speed the solemnity of marriage was performed. But the match was disdained by others, insomuch that he was hated of the Princes and Nobilitie of Ireland, who had formerly affected the Lady, whereof grew mutinies, con∣tentions, and at last open warre, and hee finding himselfe weake, in comparison of his enemies, was forced to flee into Denmarke, where hee found favour and great aide of worthy Souldiers which came with him into Ireland,* 1.77 where he and his generation, together with the Danes and their posteritie, effected many notable acts, and con∣tinued many yeeres.

The Danes of the lyne of Fin Eryn, that came out of Denmarke, were these,* 1.78 David the Kings sonne who had to his sonne borne in Ireland, Deure Dove, who had foure sonnes, Covrry, Boyskene, Fy∣agh, and Oghe; Boyskene had a sonne called Garreneslo, and Con-Caghmore was his sonne; Con had a sonne named Ferrelogh, and he had a sonne called Trenmore, this Trenmore had to his sonne, Coylle Negoe, and he had a sonne called Fin-Fa, alias Fin Mac Coylle and he had a sonne caled Oshen, and he had a sonne called Osker. This Oshen lived in Anno Dom. 432. in the dayes of Saint Patricke, unto whom he made relation of many things before going, and was by him bap∣tized, being of the age of seven score yeeres. For proofe of this histo∣rie, I finde in Saxo Grammaticus that wrote the historie of the Danes, that Fin and Finni were a great sept there, hardy, stalworth men, gi∣ven to preying, and burning of towne and country, and happly the Irish conversing with them,* 1.79 did learne those parts of them) and that the name of Eric was of the royall bloud among them; so Fin Erin turning c. into n. was a great commander there, and conducted into Ireland many Danes.* 1.80 And happly, Ireland of old, because of his great command, and his posteritie, might after him be called Erin: this is but my conceit, happly others can say more thereof. These Danes increased and multiplied exceedingly, and became great Com∣manders and Captaines over the whole land, and tooke vpon them the defence thereof against all forraigne invasion. In processe of time fell out the battaile of Fentra in Mounster, valiantly fought by the Irish and Danes, whereof the Irish Chroniclers make great accompt; it was fought chiefly in Mounster, by the Princes and power of Ire∣land, with the aide of the Danes, and generation of Fin Mac Coylle, and Fin Eryn, in which field, they say, all the forraigne enemies that came out of Scotland, Cornewall, Normandie, Germany, Spaine

and Denmarke it selfe, were overthrowne. The occasion was as fol∣loweth.

Many Gyants and worthy Champions there were in those daies in Ireland, of Irish and Danish birth, hired by them for their defence;* 1.81 these trauelling into forraine countries, fought many combats, and got yeerely tribute unto their country, as the manner then was among such challengers. For this they were generally envied, and a day was appointed by the invaders to arrive together in Ireland to ouer-runne the country, and roote out the whole nation. The first company to the number of thirtie thousand, landed at the Derrie,* 1.82 where Con∣kedagh one of the Princes of the North, being prepared for them, by a sleight, set their shipping on fire, and met with them in a place where they were all overthrowne, so that with their Armes, those among the Irish that formerly wanted, were furnished and made fit for the warres. The second company of this combination came to Lambay, landed their men at the Follesse of Skerries, set their men in battaile array, and marched to a place now called Cnoc-nagean, that is the hill of dead mens heads, where Dermotte Lamhdhearg King of Leinster met them, fought a cruell battaile with equall fortune for the space of foure daies;* 1.83 the Irish by reason of the spoile and victory got at the former battaile, were mightily encouraged, and also the milke and fresh meate which the country yeelded them, and the strangers wanted, made them the more able to fight; to be short, the strangers were overthrowne, and thirty sixe thousand of them slaine, whose Armes furnished Ireland throughly to encounter with the rest of the combination.

The third company came to Fentra in Mounster, where the forces of Ireland being gathered together, kept them from landing the space of seven dayes, with the slaughter of many on both sides, so that the sea-shore at sundry times was died redde with the bloud of the slaine karkasses, untill that one Gillemore, sonne to the King of Thomond,* 1.84 (being male-content for that he was remoued from the voward of the battaile to the rere) revolted, and by night stole to the enemie, and directed them where they should safely land their men, which accor∣dingly came to passe, so that the Irish knew it not untill the strangers had set their owne shippes on fire: hee withall brought the invaders to such advantage of ground, that they refreshed themselues for ten dayes without any annoyance from the Irish, and afterward when they came to skirmish, did himselfe divers times fight valiantly, im∣bruing his hands in the bloud of his owne naturall countrimen. At last it fell out after some bickering, that hee called for water to wash his hands that were all full of the bloud of his countrymen, which was left stand after he had therein washed, and soone after calling for a cup of wine, was answered that there stood a bowle of wine upon the table; he forgetting that he had formerly washed therein, dranke

it up, insomuch, that the standers by said; What fellow is this, more like a brute beast then a man, that drinketh his owne bloud, and eateth his owne flesh? Gillemore hearing this, tooke it to heart, notwithstan∣ding dissembling his griefe and anger,* 1.85 the next night conveyed him∣selfe away, and submitting himselfe to his father, delivered unto him the state of the strangers, which turned to their great disadvantage and hinderance.

Shortly after, the day of battaile was appointed, where the stran∣gers were overthrowne,* 1.86 and (as they say) seven score thousand men slaine. The Irish had supplies and extraordinary meanes at home, the strangers could not come by it; the Irish plaid with them at all ad∣vantages, the woods and the bogs defended them as occasion ser∣ved. This battaile with the preambles and circumstances, continued one whole yeere, the strangers had no shipping to flee unto for suc∣cour, the ground was unknowne unto them, their lodging and fare was cold, hard, and scant, so as their hardinesse could not hold out, their end was lamentable, and the honour was bequeathed to the Irish nation. The Princes of Ireland having thus with great successe foiled their enemies, delivered their people from utter overthrow, and quieted the land, rested themselves a while. Afterward, partly for recompence of good service, and partly for safegard of the land, appointed the Danes (whom they had formerly hired, who also un∣to that time had served them truely) over the whole land to prevent forraigne invasion, forewarned by the field of Fentra and the former attempts; these Commanders with their particular places of com∣mand, I thought good to impart to the courteous reader.

• * 1.87Osker Mac Oshen Mac Fin with his Souldiers kept the haven of Dublin.
• Fian Mac Fenrasse kept the Winde-gates.
• Wony Etagh Mac Cas Foule kept Wicklo.
• Creyon Mac Wony kept Arcklow.
• Eye Onagh Mac Kellenkas kept Weixford.
• Dono Mac Kayder kept Rosse.
• Fellum Mac Eye Keyge kept Dungarvan.
• Bresell Mac Eydow kept O Keylle.
• Gaero Mac Doheyere kept Corke.
• Ollen Aye Nyarg Mac Bressell kept Kynsale.
• Collo Mac Keilt kept Dingle Koysse.
• Con Keor Mac Bren Mac Foyll kept Fentra.
• Osker Mac Cromkeyn kept Trallie.
• Don Dowe Mac Reymowre being a King over the sept of Fin Mac
• Koyle kept Lymnagh, that is, Limericke.
• Eye Boge Mac Fin kept Inyskagh.
• Coll Kroytt kept Corke Vaysken:
• ...

• Eye Mac Sroy kept Canborne.
• Eye clone Drylinge kept Donrys Oveyragh.
• Bressell Mac Eye Begge kept Galloway▪
• Deyre Dovenagh Magher Morne, kept Inysbresyn.
• Eye O row Mac Fin kept Kleere.
• Collow Daver kept small Iland.
• Enos Dayrk kept Koymaghtbe.
• Enos Maygh Ercoipie kept Galley.
• Feartagh Mac Ferolagh kept Moyc.
• Low Magh Mac Karbren kept Sligo.
• Smerger Drought kept Bondroys:
• Keyll Croagh Kede Gonagh O Navnyd, Assero▪
• Brasell Mac Doyer kept Donagall.
• Mogh Small Mac Smoyll kept Fanyd.
• Eey Mac Kehow kept Loughfoyle.
• Darawryd Rowrer kept Bonban.
• Sperenagh Claw kept Knockfergus.
• Magh love kept Ardolloe.
• Donogh Mac Dermotte Evne, kept Ardglas.
• Art Oge Mac Morne kept Dondorme.
• Eye Mac Carra Meyke Morne kept Carlingford.
• Flaas Fere Leyfroke Greffey Fin Mac Koyll, kept Don dalke.
• Rey ne Roysklaygh Mac Fin Mac Koyll kept Drogheda.
• Shealvagh Mac Dermotte Doyn kept Gormanston.
• Covuloe Mac Wowdyrge kept Irelands eye.
• Derlleys Mac Dovgar kept Howth.

These were the chiefe Commanders by direction from Fin Mac Koyll,* 1.88 who tooke farther order that Beacons should be set up in sun∣dry places of the land, where in time of danger they might have direction for reliefe, and draw to a head for their defence; which or∣der continued unto the field of Kaghcaro, otherwise called Ardkagh or Ardkath, the occasion whereof was as followeth.

In the time of Karbre Lifeacher, Monarch of Ireland, the Danish Captaines with their bands and garrisons,* 1.89 waxed insolent and outra∣gious, they weighed not what Prince or people said, they grew strong and rich, not caring what they did: they brought vp fond cu∣stomes of their owne devising, oppressing the people, and disdaining the gentle admonitions of the Kings and Nobilitie of the land. A∣mong themselves they decreed, that no Maid should marry without their license, that none should hunt the Hare, Otter, Foxe, Wolfe, Marterne or Deare,* 1.90 but should pay them what they pleased to rate it at, and that none should use any other pastime without their privi∣tie. The Kings and Nobilitie of the land called a Parliament, ende∣vouring to reforme these abuses, charging them to surcease from their

outrages, or to leave the land. The Danes answered, that they came in with the sword, held by the sword, and with the sword they would be driven away. The day of battaile was appointed to be fought at Amaghery Ongallin, now called Margallin in Westmeath, though the field be called Ardkagh, which is by interpretation, a set field.

The Danes sent to Denmarke, intimating their griefe and lamenta∣ble estate, craving aide of the King, and that he would be pleased to send his sonne to be their Generall, who (according to their request) shortly after landed with tenne thousand stalworth souldiers (so the old phrase runneth) and they comming together, made up twenty and eight thousand, and seven hundred. The Kings of Ireland with their forces were threescore and five thousand.* 1.91 The Danes or Nor∣wegians being valiant and venterous, hastened to the battaile at the day appointed. The Kings in like sort with their forces hearing that their enemies approched, set themselves in battaile array, and came to a place where they all kissed the ground, readie to dye one with another, and gave (after their manner) such a crie, as if heauen and earth met together, and therewith somewhat amazed their ene∣mies,* 1.92 so that the place to this day is called Balle-Nangartha, in En∣glish, Garrestowne.

The strangers placed themselves on the South-west side of the hill, that the forces of the Kings being on the other side, somewhat be∣neath them, might not easilie discrie their Armie; they appointed their worst men for their Rereward, that seeing the Voward valiant∣ly encountring and prevailing, they might thereby be the more en∣couraged. They placed their rascals on their jades, nagges and labou∣ring garrons, on the top of an hill, where at this day is a little Mote in remembrance thereof, giuing them in charge, that when the forces of the land espied them, and drew neere, they should retire to the maine battaile for refuge and succour; they hoped by these meanes, that the Kings when they saw so great a company flee, would breake their order and array to pursue them, and so lay themselves open to utter ouerthrow; and then was their intent to have made the King of Denmarkes sonne, King of the land, and to have enioyed the Realme to them and their posteritie for euer.

The Kings of Ireland being seven in number, tracing a while on the top of an hill (which therefore was called after that,* 1.93 the hill of Trase, now Hol-trase) divided themselves into two battailes. Gillemore, O Connor Dunnes, sonne of Connaght (one that had stood out in rebel∣lion against the Kings untill that time) had in the Voward the lea∣ding of the light footmen, whereof they made least account; he ther∣by to winne their favours,* 1.94 and they to hazard him first. Dermotte Lamhdhearg, King of Leinster had the charge of the horsemen; their bonnys were double armed, well appointed, active and venturous souldiers. Dermot being well mounted, got him to an advantage of

ground, and turned him to the armie with this speech.

My friends and fellowes in Armes,* 1.95 whose great valour hath been oft tryed; understand (I beseech you) the cause of this battaile. Whereas heretofore we have sought out these, and hired them in our warres for our defence and good of our country, against our forraine enemies, to be at our service and command, they have committed all manner of outrage against vs, and extortion upon the people of this land; they abused our wives, ravished our widowes, defloured our daughters and maidens; their meat, their drinke, their bedding, will not content them, but they must have money for eating, drinking and sleeping. Where they should have beene our true and dutifull serui∣tors, they disdained the Princes of the land, and made the people their villaines. By maintaining of them, wee made our country men idle and unapt for the warres, by inriching of them we have begge∣red our selves, and now see the villany of these verlates, our provisi∣on, our furniture, our Armes, and forces of our native soile, they bend against us, and not onely this, but they have drawn to their pre∣sent aide, afresh, both Danes and Norwegians. Wherefore plucke up your hearts, quitte your selues like men, our cause is good, wee fight for our selves, our wives and children, and the libertie of our country; if we lose, we are lost for euer, and our children become bondslaues, and our country subiect to these bloudy rascall strangers.

He had no sooner ended his speech, but they all kissed the ground, and gave a terrible shout, that the woods about them rang thereat. On the other side, one Osker Mac Oshen, experienced in the warres, and bold of speech, craved of the Danes and Norweyes libertie to speake, and began as followeth.

My masters and fellowes,* 1.96 the cause of this our assemblie is knowne unto you; it is to maintaine that which we honourably wonne in the field, and was granted our ancestors and their posteritie, the which we have in writing to shew, under the hands and seales of the ance∣stors of these faithlesse Kings and Princes that be in Armes against us. There is no haven, creeke or port in Ireland, but that our prede∣cessors and we tooke the charge of them, since our first arrivall here out of Denmarke, and valiantly defended the•• maugre the beards of all forraigne enemies. We fought many a battaile for them, wee wanne them tributes, and procured them discharge of tributes, the which forraigne champions in combats had obtained of them, and now for recompence, they endevour eyther to banish us the land, or put us to the sword. Will yee understand what they are, surely a people that keepe no promise with us, therefore we doubt not but the better to speed: and excepting a few of their Princes and Gentlemen that are valiant men indeed, and daily exercised in feats of Armes, the rest are but pesants, poore and needy slaues, bare arst, bare legd, and bare footed, and of small strength. For Armes, they weare a skull, a

sword by their side hanging in a Wyth that compasseth their middle, and a Target; other some have darts; the best thing in them is, they are swift of foot, & I hope we shal speedily have the experience of that when we see them run away. Their good meate & best drink we took, and made them fast, their treasure we tooke to furnish us in apparell and Armes, and left them unfurnished and bare, their bedding wee had, and made them lye on the ground, their wives, widdowes and maides were at our command to keepe us warme in the night, and we gave them leave to lye among their swine. The best soile we tooke to our selves,* 1.97 and gave them mountaines and bogges: alas poore sillie fellowes, these be they that now take Armes against us. Where∣fore faint not, be of good courage, and we shall prevaile; let us winne vantage of ground, and get the side of the hill, and bogge against them, that their horses prevaile not, and once master them, we shall quickly over-runne the pesants; now last, kisse one another, in token that you will live and die one with another.

* 1.98His words being ended, they marched forward with Pipes, Cor∣nets, and Trumpets sounding. Their chiefe armes were Skeynes, Speares, Darts, Slings, and Sparthes, (which we call Galloglas Axes:) they sent their boyes and varlets, as they had formerly determined, to the top of the hill. The King of Leinster that had the leading of the horsemen, no sooner espied them, but (contrary to the plot laid downe upon the hill of Trase) put spurres to his horse, and with a loud voyce said, follow me, they were straight upon their backes that fled, so that the Danes had no leisure to receive them for their safe∣gard, but were driven to kill their owne before, as the Irish did be∣hinde. Immediately came the light foot under the leading of Gille∣more, and together with the horse, charged the voward of the Danes, so that the rascals of the Danes, and the light footmen of the Irish were slaine, with the death and hurt of many a Dane. Then came the great battaile of the Kings of Ireland in rescue of the horse, with a great and terrible noise, and gave a stout charge upon the enemie (that kept the ground, I meane the side of the hill) and fiercely bare them downe to the bottome, where they fought a cruell battell with equall fortune, almost the whole day, untill the King of Denmarkes sonne was slaine by the King of Leinster,* 1.99 whereupon the Danes fled, the Irish followed, and had the killing of them without resistance, till horse and man were weary, and the Danes in a manner all destroyed. Of the Irish were slaine (as I finde in the antiquities of the land) foure Kings, twenty five Kings sonnes, and of others, nineteene thousand, seven hundred and threescore, though others extenuate the matter. They say the horses went to their bellies in bloud, also the ayre with the stinke was infected, and thereof shortly after rose a grie∣vous plague, which cut off the wives, children, and servants of the Danes, and of many of the Irish that were slaine.

There was at this field, one Ferreis a Dane,* 1.100 a valiant souldier in the fight, but escaping with life, for very sorrow of the overthrow, and losse of his friends, fell madde, and kept company with wilde beasts to his dying day. Fin Mac Coile,* 1.101 one of the principall Captaines of the Danish sept, was in Rome at the time of this field; many things are reported of him worthy remembrance. His chiefe house was cal∣led Baragh-llys in Vlster; he was a man in his prosperitie of great command in Ireland, so that the Danes and Norweyans had through him great dealing and entercourse with Ireland, and Ireland with them. But yet (as it sometime falleth out among the deerest friends) many jarres and broiles and factions fell betweene them, and especi∣ally betweene the sept of Klan ne Morne, and Klan ne Boisken,* 1.102 both which sides still relieved themselves out of Denmarke. The King of Denmarke at last hearing of the same of Fin Mac Coile, sent for him, and tooke such a liking to him, that he concluded to marry him unto his daughter. Fin went thither with three thousand souldiers: the King one day as they conversed together, asked after the manner of the death of his three sonnes, Comen, Law-ne-Meyd, and Feagh, who formerly went into Ireland to maintaine one of the factions; Dermot O Doyne, (one of Fins company) answered, trouble not thy selfe, O King, this is the hand that killed thy sonne Comen; one Osker said, this is the hand that killed thy sonne Law-ne-Meyd; Keyn Mac Fin also said, this is the hand that killed thy sonne Feagh. Herewith the King was wroth and said, Fin Mac Coile, thou and thy men are my prisoners; forthwith they drew their Skeynes, the Kings guard for feare fled, they tooke him prisoner, carried him aboord their shippes,* 1.103 hoised up saile, and brought him to Ireland, so as the marriage was dasht, and the King driven to pay a ransome for his libertie, before he could get from them. This Fin Mac Coile also fought with a Gy∣ant that landed at Houth, and came to challenge combats for tribute,* 1.104 and by policie, not by strength, overcame him: his policie was this; he caused him in the night, (for the space of three nights) to be kept waking, and in the day time to be fought withall, and thereby wea∣kened his strength, and foiled the Gyant. Toward his end,* 1.105 one Gorre an old man, after these former warres and troubles, came to his house (before spoken of) and boasted unto the Gentlewomen then present, of his feates in warre, and the combats he had fought, whereat they laughed; he being offended with them, sware in his anger that hee would burne them all, got old timber and straw, put it in the house, fired it, made fast the doores, and compassed about the house with men that none might escape. They cryed unto him out of their win∣dowes to save their lives, but he was inexorable, and could not bee drawne to any compassion, and when the house was readie to fall, he fled into Mounster, and there hid himselfe in a Cave. Fin Mac Coile came home from hunting, and beheld this wofull desolation,

how his Wife, his Maides, his old Souldiers, his Horses, his Grey∣hounds, his Plate and houshold stuffe, his Shields, Iackes, and Shirts of maile, and his instruments of Musicke, were consumed to ashes, made after Gorre into Mounster, where he found him, and after some skirmish of both sides, tooke him, and brought him to the place where he had committed this villany. Gorre when hee beheld the bones of them that were burned, laughed, and being asked why, his answer was, that hee laughed at them that formerly laughed at him. This wil••e Gorre being kept that night from execution, in the dead of the night stole away, and was found in a Cave, where by commandment of Fin Mac Coill, Hugh Gorre his owne sonne killed his father,* 1.106 and after became madde himselfe. And the end of Fin Mac Coill was, that he dyed a beggar and in great miserie. So farre out of the booke of Houth. Now to continue the storie.

It is written of Maximus, who beganne his raigne in Britaine, Anno Dom. 387, that he tooke great displeasure against the Scots and Irish, for partaking with Conan, and upholding the faction be∣tweene him and Carodoch:* 1.107 thus it is written; Maximus drave the Scots out of Britaine, and compelled them to get habitation in Ire∣land, the out Iles, and the North part of the maine, and finally divi∣ded their region betweene the Britaines and the Pictes. He denounced warre also against the Irish men, for receiving them into their land; but they craving peace, yeelded to subscribe, that from thenceforth they would not receive any Scot into their dominions.

* 1.108Hector Boetius penneth this matter at large, that all the Scots were banished, and despersed themselves into the Hebrydes, Orchades, Norwey, Denmarke, and some into France and Italie. And where Maximus somewhat tendred their utter ruine and overthrow, and referred them to the Pictes for favour, the Pictes most cruelly gave sentence, that the Scots which fled not, should eate the Pictes sword, &c: And of Ireland he writeth, Vpon the first comming of this newes, all Ireland mourned and made great lamentation; and when they had deliberately examined the exiles, and understood all the accidents that befell them in Albion, they appointed certaine dayes for a parley, sum∣moned from East to West, all the Princes of the land to meete their Mo∣narch at the certaine day and place prefixed,* 1.109 to consult how and by what meanes the Roman forces might be resisted, and the kingdome of Albi∣on restored to their allies and cousins the Scots. When they could de∣vise no remedie (for they feared the power of the Romanes) they thought good to put up all iniuries, and to intreate for peace. To this purpose they sent Ambassadors to Maximus the Romane Captaine, who at the first sharpely rebuked them, for that they had sent aide into Albion a∣gainst the Romanes their confederates and favourites, and in especiall, seeing that unto that day, Ireland of all the kingdomes of the world, felt little smart of the Romane sword. In the end he received them into

favour, and granted them peace upon these conditions.* 1.110 That they should thenceforth receive no enemies of the Romanes into the Realme of Ire∣land, neither any that gave aide against the Romanes, and that no re∣bell of the Irish under pretence of marchandize, should thenceforth set foot in Albion. These conditions of peace being concluded, the Irish were quiet, and trode not upon Scottish soile. So farre Boetius.

Not long after this (according to Ponticus Virunius) Guanius,* 1.111 King of Hunnes, and Melga King of Pictes having long hulled here and there, and roved upon the seas, were by Gratianus (after their inva∣ding of Britaine and Scotland, in the absence of Maximus) over∣throwne, and driven out of the kingdome, and forced to flee for re∣fuge into Ireland: soule weather followed these two Kings, and Ire∣land gave them hard entertainement at the first. Notwithstanding I finde, that this Guanius and Melga, after the death of this Gratianus, (who usurped the kingdome of Britaine for the space of foure yeeres upon the death of Maximus, who had slaine Gratianus the Empe∣rour) prepared againe for Britaine, and brought with them the exiled Scots with Irish and Ilanders for their aide. But to proceed.

Thomas Cooper, who afterwards was Bishop of Winchester, spea∣king of the returne of the Scots from exile (in his continuing of the Chronicle of Lanquet) maketh the same to be Anno Dom. 423. and withall delivereth his conceit,* 1.112 that the Scots about this time came first out of Ireland into that country, which of them was called Scot∣land. If he had referred it to a further yeere, namely when the sixe sonnes of Muredus King of Vlster came to Scotland, haply it would have carried some probabilitie: but to say that it was the first com∣ming of the Scots into Scotland, I doe no more like of it,* 1.113 then George Buchanan doth, neither doth it concurre with the antiquities prece∣dent or subsequent. Cambrensis and Stanihurst doe direct me in this course. Here I am to note, (saith Cambrensis) that in the time of Neall, Monarch of Ireland, the sixe sonnes of Muredus, King of Vlster,* 1.114 with no small navie, possessed the North parts of Britaine, whence the nation issuing out of them, and by speciall name called Scottish to this day, inhabite that northerne angle; but upon what occasion they came hither, how and by what great treasons (rather then voyages) they ba∣nished the Pictes from those parts, a stout nation, farre passing them for armes and courage, I referre to our Topographie of Britaine.* 1.115 Stani∣hurst addeth; this inrode into Albania was a little before the com∣ming of Patricke. So that these Noble men of Ireland came into Scot∣land in the time of Neale, and Patricke came into Ireland in the time of Leigerius the sonne of Neale, as hereafter more at large shall ap∣peare.

In the meane time we reade, how that (Anno 430. according to Functius) Celestinus Bishop of Rome sent Palladius into Scotland,* 1.116 who was the first that gave them Bishops, for unto that time, the

Churches without Bishops,* 1.117 were governed by Monkes, with lesse pride and outward pompe, but with greater sanctitie and meekenesse of spirit, &c. I make mention of him, for that (as our Irish Anony∣mus, and Iocelin doe write) he landed in the North parts of Ireland, where he hardly escaped with life,* 1.118 as it is reported, thence he went to the Ilands, where he did much good, lastly he came to Scotland, prea∣ched the Gospell, rooted out the Pelagian heresie, and consecrated them Bishops, &c.

* 1.119At this time (as it is written in the life of Declanus) Christian reli∣gion first beganne, and tooke roote in Ireland, not as some have dreamed, by Saint Iames the Apostle, neither by Saint Patricke, whom they terme the Apostle of Ireland. The truth of the historie is as followeth. There was one Colmannus in Mounster, a reverend Priest,* 1.120 (and the first Christian which I finde upon record in Ireland) that baptized one Declanus, and delivered him to be brought up unto one Dymna a Christian schoolemaster, under whom he profited so much, that his fame was spread farre and nigh, so that upon good ad∣vice and counsaile, he travailed to Rome, where Celestinus the Pope consecrated him Bishop, where also he met with Albaeus a Bishop of Irish birth. In his returne from Rome, he mette with Patricke in Italie, conversed a while with him, and being inioyned by Celestinus, hastened to Ireland, and left Patricke that was bound for Rome. De∣clanus after his arrivall in Ireland, came among his owne sept (whom mine Author calleth Nandesi, and I take to be the ancient house of the Decies) not farre from Lismore,* 1.121 and there preached the Gospell, and converted many to the Christian faith. Thither came unto him, (saith the Legend) seven holy men Mocellog, Beanus, Colmanus, La∣chuyn, Moby, Fyndlug and Caminanus▪ they builded them celles, conversed together, and planted the Christian faith over all Moun∣ster.* 1.122 He went to Engus the sonne Nafrygh, King of Mounster, whose Pallace was in Cassill, who gave him leave to preach, yet received not the faith; the reason of this favour (as I finde it) was for that En∣gus had married his mother, and had issue by her, Colman and Eo∣chard. Colman was by Saint Albaeus the Bishop baptized, and then received the Ecclesiasticall habite, Eochard raigned after his father King of Mounster.

Saint Declanus took a second iourney to Rome, and was reverent∣ly entertained by David Bishop of Menevia; after the effecting of his businesse, he returned into Ireland, and arrived in a place called Ard-naciored, in Latine Altitudo ovium, now called Ardmore, the which soile the Lord of Nandesi gave him,* 1.123 where goodly buildings have beene, and as the record runneth, Civitas sancti Declani quae in eo loco posita est, vocatur Ardmore, id est, Altitudo magna. Farther in the same Legend I finde, Quatuor sanctissimi Episcopi, cum suis dis∣cipulis fuerunt in Hibernia, ante Patricium praedicantes in ea Christū,

scilicet, Albaeus, Declanus, Ybarus & Kyaranus (alias Keran),* 1.124 & hi plures ad Christum rete evangelico traxerunt, sed tamen sanctus Pa∣tricius Majores Hiberniae, & potentiores ad fidem convertit. In their time Patricke sent from Celestine Bishop of Rome came to Ireland whom these foure Bishops with their followers saluted, and seeing Patricke (after the humour of humorous people) more graced then themselves, jarred with him, they would not (forsooth) have any of forraigne nation to patronize the land. In the originall it is recorded: Ybarus nulla ratione consentire Sancto Patricio,* 1.125 nunquam ei subditus esse voluit, nolebat enim Patronum Hiberniae de alia gente habere, & conflictus magnos inter se ipsos Ybarus & Patricius fecerunt. But af∣terward by much adoe, they were reconciled. See gentle reader the infirmitie of men, and emulation following the same. At Cassill they were reconciled by Engus King of Mounster, whom Patricke bapti∣zed, who after his baptisme, founded there the Cathedrall Church,* 1.126 in the honour of Saint Patricke, made it the Metropolitane See of Mounster, and assigned Albaeus the first Bishop there. This King held there a Parliament of spirituall and temporall persons of his king∣dome, ratifying the premisses, pacifying all quarrels, and yeelding contentment to all sides, The Legend reporteth, in quo decretum est ut Albaeus secundus Patricius, & Patronus Mumeniae esset; & Decla∣nus secundus Patricius, & Patronus esset Nandeisi, & Nandeisi sua Di∣ocesis usque ad finem seculi esset. Postea sancti Episcopi salutantes & benedicentes regem Engusum, ad sua in osculo pacis, cum spirituali gau∣dio, ad opus Domini seminandum regressi sunt. Wherein it was decreed, that Albaeus should be a second Patricke and Patron of Mounster, and that Declanus should be a second Patricke and Patrone of Nandeisi, and that Nandeisi should be his Diocesse to the end of the world. After all, these holy Bishops saluted and blessed King Engus, and in the kisse of peace, with spirituall ioy, returned every one to his charge, to sow the worke of the Lord.* 1.127 Immediately there insued a grievous plague over all Mounster, and especially at Cassill, which was the death of thou∣sands; the manner of it was this, first they had the yellow jaundies, then they fell downe for dead. King Engus lamented greatly the death of seven Nobles of Mounster, that were pledges with him at Cassill, and miscarried in this mortalitie. Not long after, Declanus en∣ded the way of all flesh, and lyeth buried at Ardmore.

Albaeus,* 1.128 (as his owne Legend delivereth) the second Patrone of Mounster after Patricke the generall Patrone of Ireland was borne in Elyach, now called Ely O Caroll. His fathers name was Ol••nais, his mothers, Sandith, a maid servant in the house of King Cronanus,* 1.129 the Lord of Eliach was then called a King. Cronanus in his rage, bid his servants hang the whoore, and kill the childe; the servants loath to dispatch an innocent, tooke him out of his Pallace, and laid him un∣der the side of a rocke. One Lochanus the sonne of Lugyr passing by,

pittied the childe, tooke him to his horse, and set him to nurse among certaine Britaines, in the East part of Elyach. Palladius (saith the sto∣ry) passing from Rome toward Scotland, and travelling through Ire∣land, baptized him. The Britaines sent him into France, where hee was trayned up in Christian schooles, and brought up under Bishop Hilarius, who sent him to Rome, where he was consecrated Bishop, and remained one whole yeere and fiftie dayes, preaching and ex∣pounding holy Scripture, with great admiration. And saith the Le∣gend, there came unto him out of Ireland, fiftie grave and reverend men, of which number there were 12 Colmans, 12 Coenigeni, and 12 Fintans; the Bishop of Rome sent them backe into Ireland, they came to Dolomoir, where Sampson Bishop of that See gave them en∣tertainement.* 1.130 There he baptized (saith the storie) King Fintan. After he had baptized and converted many unto the faith, and builded many Churches, and founded many Hospitals for lazers, he came to Ymleach,* 1.131 now called Emley, a Bishopricke, and in the Legend, ter∣med his owne Citie, fell sicke, and there left his bones. He conversed with Biga, (whom learned Camden calleth Bega) & Bretach Nunnes, and with Nessanus a great Antiquarie,* 1.132 saith mine Author, whose an∣tiquities I never saw.

Kyaranus or Keran, alias Piran, (another of the foure Bishops that lived in Ireland before Saint Patricke) commeth next to be spo∣ken of. Of him, Capgrave and the Martyrologe thus write, that hee was a Bishop and Confessour, and termed Sanctorum Hiberniae pri∣mogenitus. And yet I finde in Molanus, that one Saint Mansuetus, (Bishop of Tullum now called Tullense oppidū, a towne in Flanders) was of Irish birth, fellow Disciple with Saint Clement, under Saint Peter the blessed Apostle, not trayned up in Ireland in the Christian faith, but in forraigne countries, where he was both baptized, instru∣cted, and made Bishop, and where he now resteth. But to returne to Keran, he was borne in Ossorie, having to his father Domnell, (saith another, Lugnaeus, whereby I gather, there were two of that name) to his mother Wingella, famous for life, learning, and sanctitie, in the dayes of Saint Patricke. He lived in the Ile of Cleere some 30 yeeres, from thence he went to Rome, where hee met Saint Patricke, who came to Ireland 30. yeeres after Pyranus was of note; in Rome hee continued 15. yeeres, expounding holy Scripture with great admi∣ration, (as another saith 20. yeeres) there the Bishop of Rome con∣secrated him Bishop. He came to Ireland, and was the first Bishop of Ossorie, having his See at Keran in Elie O Carroll. Hee refreshed, (saith mine Author) Saint Patricke,* 1.133 and tenne Irish Kings for the space of three dayes, he confirmed Rhodanus in the faith, visited the Virgin Cota (with her Priest Geranus) whose cell was a rocke of the ••eas, not farre from the Citie of Cluan in Mounster. He was a man of an austere life, never ware woollen garment, but the fell of Wolves

and wilde beasts. As he came to his lodging, in time of Lent, and ha∣ving inquired what provision they had, answere being made, that they had but a pestle of Porke, he commanded it to be laid on the ta∣ble, one scornefully refused the dyet, he misliking with him, threatned him an ill end, which accordingly came to passe. When by the course of nature he saw his end approach, he called his friends unto him, and said: My welbeloved children and friends, God hath dispo∣sed that I should trauaile out of Ireland into Cornewall, and there ex∣pect the end of my dayes; I cannot withstand the will of God; I doe admonish you brethren, to uphold the place, with good workes and examples of life, for there shall come children of perdition and death among you, ye shall have mortalitie and warres, the Churches shall become waste and desolate, and the truth shall be turned into iniqui∣tie, faith shall not shine with good workes, the Pastors will looke to themselves more then to their flocke, feeding themselves more then their sheepe: last of all, I beseech you brethren, pray for me that my iourney may be prosperous, and that after my decease, I finde not my King and my God angry, but gentle and appeased, when I shall appeare before him. He tooke leave, came to Cornewall, and resteth some fifteene miles from Petrok-stow, 25. miles from Mousehole, where he is remembred for their Patron. Cambr••nsis writeth,* 1.134 that in Caerdise in Wales, there is a Chappell called Saint Perans Chap∣pell, where King Henry the second in his returne from Ireland, repai∣red to heare divine service, as he hath remembred it in his Booke in∣tituled Itinerarium Cambriae. And thus much of Saint Keran or Saint Peran.

Of Ybarus the fourth Bishop before Saint Patricke,* 1.135 I finde some discourse in the Legend of Abbanus the Abbot, how hee baptized him, and brought him up in learning, and how they went together to Rome, and after their returne, conversed in Ireland with Saint Pa∣tricke, as formerly in part hath beene delivered in the life of De∣clanus.

This Abbanus is renowned in Ireland for building of Celles and religious houses; besides three Monasteries in Connaght,* 1.136 he built in Mounster, Ceall Achard Conchun, alias, Kill Achard, where Saint Finan (whom he baptized) after his death was Abbot.* 1.137 In the bor∣ders of Muskerry he builded the Nunnery of Husneach, and left it to Saint Gobnaid and her Virgins, another Monasterie also by Kilcullen. In Nandesi (as I take it now called the Decies,) by the towne of Briogoban, he founded Kill-na-Marban, and at the foot of the moun∣taine Crotte in Muskerie, the famous Monasterie called Cluain-Airdmobecoc, where Saint Becanus was Abbot,* 1.138 the which after∣ward, because of Becanus his lamentation in devout sort (as it is writ∣ten) for his sinnes, was called Ceall Nander, Cella lachrymarum, the cell of teares. He founded also Cluain Findglaise, & Cluain Conbrum,

and went into Ely, where he baptized and converted unto the faith, thousands, as the Legend reporteth, in a place afterward called Rath-Becain, in Latine, Atrium Becani, where Abbanus is recounted Pa∣tron. He builded a Monasterie upon the river Berba, called Ross-Mac-Treoin,* 1.139 where the Abbot Saint Emenus resteth; also in Meath, Ceall-Ailbe, and committed the charge thereof to the holy Nunne Segnith and her associates, and in the North part of that country, a Nunnery, Ceall Abbain, where he made an end of his course, and slept with his fathers. There was great strife for his corps, betweene the North and the South, the Lords of the country strove for it in Armes. The North pleaded, here hee first builded and made his a∣bode, the South answered, with us was he borne, with us hee most conversed, and we will have his corps, or else we will leave our car∣kasses in this place. The body was laid in a Cart, bruit beasts had the drawing of it, when both sides were in Armes, the silly beasts were frighted, and ranne away with the dead, and where he was bu∣ried, I have not found as yet. His Monkes howled, and kept a lamen∣table stirre;* 1.140 the record runneth thus. Populus civitatis Magarnoid in Australibus Laginensibus sic dicebat. Iste sanctus a Domino ad nos mis∣sus est, & per multos annos apud nos vixit, & monasteria multa et cel∣las in nostra regione edificavit, et ipse est noster Sanctus et venerabilis Pater, qui nostrā civitatem similiter construxit, qui post multa miracu∣la, apud nos, ad Dominum migravit, et per eum semper a Domino adjuvari speramus, et scitote, quod nos morti omnes prius trademus, an∣tequam revertamini, eo a nobis absente. Ad hanc vocemira principum et militum utrorumque arsit, surgentes in furorem magnum, conten∣dere et rixari conantes. Tunc verò monachi & clerici, quibus non li∣cebat bellare, seorsum exierunt, ululantes & flentes, & fusis lachrymis dicentes; heu heu Domine Deus, cur concedis tam maximam caedem, tantorū nobilium virorum, circa corpus famulitui, qui in sua vita mul∣ta bella prohibuit? He had familiaritie with Saint Beartanus an Ab∣bot, Brendanus, Molyng, Flannanus, Munnu, Gobban, and with Co∣lumba the reverend Priest.

* 1.141Saint Patricke was sent into Ireland by Celestinus Bishop of Rome before named, five yeeres after Palladius was sent into Scotland. So writeth Iohannes Major Scotus, and Functius therein followeth him; but I thinke they are too forward in their computation, for hee came into Ireland,* 1.142 Anno 432. and for this beside Iohn Bale Bishop of Osso∣rie, I have warrant from Iocelin the Monke of Furnese, who wrote his life at the request of Thomas, Primate of Ardmagh, Malachias Bishop of Dune, and Sir Iohn de Courcy Earle of Vlster; and out of Sigeber∣tus and Iohn Clyn Guardian of the Fryers Minors in Kilkenny in his collections of Irish antiquities,* 1.143 who also saith, that he was 16. yeeres old when the Pirates brought him out of Britaine into Ireland, that he was sixe yeeres in servitude, that he was eighteene yeeres under

Saint Germane a Bishop in France, that he spent thirty and five yeeres in converting Ireland and other Ilands to the faith, that he bestowed thirty three yeeres in contemplation, and that hee died anno aetatis, one hundred twenty two.

Bale writeth his life. Patricius surnamed Succetus Magonius,* 1.144 of most writers called Magnus for his excellent vertues, had in Britaine to his father one Calphurnius a Priest (the sonne of Ponticus a Priest, saith Iocelin) and to his mother one Conche of Pannonia (Concessa saith Probus) sister to Saint Martin (cosin saith Iocelin:) hee was brought up under godly tutors, when Maximus reigned, first under his uncle Martin, afterward under Germanus Bishop of Auxerre in Burgoyne, from thence he came to Italy, and so to Rome, where for his grave carriage and singular learning, descending of noble race, he got the name of a Senator, Patricius. His first name, saith Flori∣legus was Nannus, and in his consecration hee was called Patricius; Sigebertus and Stanihurst write, that in his baptisme hee was called Suchat or Suchar; of Saint German, Magonius; and of Celestinus, Pa∣tricius; the like saith Beda in his Martyrologe.

Celestinus then Bishop of Rome sent him together with Segetius a Priest, anno 432 after Palladius the Grecian,* 1.145 unto the Scots and I∣rish, to defend them from the Pelagian heresie; he with a wonder∣full fervency of spirit preached the Gospell unto the Irish nation, travailing in the vineyard of the Lord the space of thirty nine yeeres, converted them unto the Lord with his great learning, and sanctity of life. Whereupon among other miracles (the which he is said to have wrought) upon the top of an hill, like a second Elias, he pray∣ed and fasted forty dayes and nights, in a vision hee received of Christ the Gospell, and a staffe, (an Hermit gave him the staffe saith Iocelin.) Hee destroyed the prophane temples of false gods, hee erected monuments of piety, builded Churches, ordained Ministers, releeued the poore, redeemed captives, healed the sick, delivered the possessed, raised sixty dead persons, baptized twelve thousand, if all be true which Vincentius, Antonius, and Capgrave report of him.* 1.146 Out of the treasure of his pure heart, many Authors affirme, that he wrot in Latine these bookes.

• De antiquitate Avalonica lib. 1
• Itenerarium Confessionis lib. 1
• Odoeporicon Hiberniae lib. 1
• Historia Hiberniae ex Ruano lib 1
• De tribus habitaculis lib. 1
• De futura electorū vita lib. 1
• Abiectoria quaedam 366 lib. 1
• Sermones quoque lib. 1
• * 1.147Ad Cereticum tyrannum epist. 1
• ...

• Ad Avaloniae incolas epist. 1
• ...Ad Hibernenses Ecclesias epist. plur.
• ...Ad suos Britannos epist. plur.

The manuscript Legend of Ireland reporteth, that Saint Patrick in his Epistles wrote his owne life. The Antiquaries report, that in his conflicts with the sages of the Gentiles, this Apostle of the Irish wrought no lesse miracles then of old Moses under Pharaoh, or Peter under Nero, and that he endured many dipleasures. In the end after his death, hee was buried neere the City of Dune, but the yeere a∣mong the Historiographers is not agreed upon;* 1.148 yet in remembrance of him this distichon was made.

Hi tres in Duno tumulo tumulantur in uno, Brigida, Patricius, atque Columba pius.

Saint Patrick died first, Brigida six yeeres after him, and Columba many yeeres after her, yet were all three buried in one grave. What Bale hath formerly written, I find he hath gathered out of Vincentius, Antoninus,* 1.149 Capgrave, Leland, Gildas, Giraldus Cambrensis, Bostonus Buriensis, and Florilegus; and all that Iocelin hath at large written, and what Legenda Plumbea, and the booke of Houth report, to avoid prolixity, and to shunne fabulous conceits, I omit. Now to the Irish Chroniclers.

They deliver, that in his captivity in Ireland being sold to Mil∣cho King of Vlster (saith Iocelin) to Milach (saith Stanihurst) to Cuul∣cu (saith Florilegus) to Macbuaine saith the Irish Anonymus,* 1.150 and to reconcile them all, I take it that Milcho was called Milcho Macbuaine: he kept swine six yeeres; no disgrace unto him, for Marcellus Bishop of Rome (he that will not beleeue other writers, will credit the Mar∣tyrologe of Sarum) by the commandement of Maximian the tyrant, kept swine many yeeres. When Patricks six yeeres were expired, one of the swine turned up a clod, under the which lay so much mony as paid his ransome. When he came the second time, he landed at Carlingford, and inquired after Milcho whose captive hee had beene, who would not giue eare to his doctrine, but immediately after his death,* 1.151 his two daughters of one name, Emeria were baptized. Laigeri∣us▪ (in Iocelin, Leogarius) Monarch of Ireland, the son of Neale hark∣ning unto Magicians and Sooth-sayers, gave commandement, (toge∣ther with his brother Corbre) unto the Country, for the banishing of Saint Patrick, but Dichu and Rius (two brethren and great Com∣manders under him) received the faith, and Conil brother to Laige∣rius, who also himselfe shortly after grew indifferent, winking at them that did receive it, so that his Queene and his yonger brother received the faith, and his two daughters. And of Laigerius he thus

prophecied: because thou hast alwaies withstood my doctrine, and ceased not above measure to persecute me, and hast above all disdained to beleeve in him that made all things, thou art the childe of death. And whereas of right, thou with the rest,* 1.152 yea before all thy confede∣rates, oughtest presently to enter into everlasting torments; yet inso∣much as thou meekely commest unto me, craving pardon, and like King Achab, humblest thy selfe before my God, the Lord will not forthwith bring upon thee the evill which thou hast deserved; not∣withstanding there shall none of thy seed after thee sit upon thy seat, but shall serve thy yonger brother that beleeveth in my God, and his seed after him for ever.

As this holy man travailed in preaching the Gospell,* 1.153 he met with a young man whose name was Mochaa or Mocho, keeping swine, in whose physiognomie hee perceived towardnesse and sparkles of grace; he taught him, baptized him, trayned him up in holy Scrip∣ture, made him Deacon, Priest, and Bishop of Dune where he lyeth buried. Clonsillan and Kellestowne, some five miles west of Dublin, have him for their Patron, where under an high rocke runneth a Spring called S. Mochon his Well. Next he baptized one Benignus, called also Stephanus, so Probus writeth, with his father, mother,* 1.154 & fa∣milie, who proved so good a member in the Church of God, that he succeeded S. Patricke in Armagh; this Benignus, saith Capgrave, lyeth buried in Glastenburie. Saint Patricke also received into the faith, one Erchas, the sonne of Dega, saith Iocelin, whom he also made a Bishop. The Martyrologe of Sarum calleth him Herkus. At that time, one Pheg a Poet, and (saith Probus) Duptachus an Irish rymer or Poet in Lastgerius his Court, desired baptisme, and afterward all the dayes of his life, converted his vaine rymes into Chrihian Poems, and did much good thereby among the common people.

Saint Patricke had brought with him into Ireland out of Italie, one Mac Cartyn, of Irish birth, so I reade in the martyrologe of Sarum,* 1.155 and three sisters of his owne, which proved very fruitfull. Lupita (who lived a Virgin, and lyeth buried at Armagh) Trigridia and Darercha. Tigridia had seventeene sonnes, and five daughters; the men became Priests, Monkes, and Bishops; the daughters were made Nunnes: the Bishops were called Brochadius, Brochanus, Mogeno∣chus, and Lumianus. Darerca the yongest sister had two Bishops to her sonnes, Melrioch and Munis: the martyrologe of Sarum recko∣neth her children thus, Mele, Melk, Muncse, Bishops, Riok, Finian and Bolke Abbots. Where I thinke there is some errour, that Melri∣och in Iocelin is Mele, and Ryok in the maytyrologe.

Of Lumianus I reade, that he baptized a Lord of the country,* 1.156 cal∣led Fedlemus, and his sonne Forkernus, whose mother was a Britain, his dwelling was at Ahtrum. There Lumianus by their meanes buil∣ded a Church some twenty five yeeres before the founding of

Armagh, the which he tooke for his Bishops See, and ordered Forker∣nus to succeed him there. The possessions (saith mine Author) which were first given to this Church, afterward by the donations of other Princes, fell to belong to Armagh.

The holy man Patricke laboured still in the vineyard of the Lord;* 1.157 he baptized Conallus, alias Conill, Lord of Connaught, brother to Laigerius, and his familie, who gave Patricke a country called Dompnac. Patricke, and builded for himselfe a dwelling place called Raith-Artair. After seven yeeres, this Conill sent him to his brother Logan (Cogan saith the Booke of Houth) King of Leinster, whom hee baptized, together with Amolgath (whom I take to be the ancestour of the house of O Malaghlin) a great Lord of a country, and his seven sonnes, (Florilegus saith they were seven Kings.) After this, this ho∣ly man comming out of Meth, and having passed over the water at Finglas, went up to a hill some mile from the village Athcled, now called Dublin. When he had viewed the place and soile adjoyning, he blessed the same,* 1.158 and is said to have prophecied thus; This village is now but small, it will be great, it will be inlarged with wealth and worship, neither will it leave increasing untill it bee advanced to the seate of the Kingdome.

In a while after, he came to the village, where the inhabitants hea∣ring of the wonders which the Lord wrought by his hands,* 1.159 went out to meete him with much ioy, and beleeved by his preaching, and were baptized. My Author addeth that upon complaint made unto him, how that they were annoyed with brackish waters, which of necessitie they were driven to use, he walked about the village, turned up cloddes, digged the earth and found a Spring, which is now cal∣led Saint Patrickes Well.

* 1.160From this village Athcled, hee went to Castleknok, where one Murguus dwelled and commanded those places, who hearing of Pa∣tricks comming, refused to give him entertainement, but sent him word that he was asleepe, in which sleepe (as the storie saith) he died, of which accident the common saying ariseth, Thou sleepest Murguus sleepe, applyed to those that sleepe heavily, or are given to overmuch sleepe.

From Castleknok, he bent his course towards Mounster, and came to King Engus,* 1.161 alias Oengus Mac Nafroic, who received him ioyful∣ly, and brought him to his Palace at Cassill, saith Iocelin; where also one Daris a great Lord in that country, shewed him much kindenesse. When he had baptized the King, and many thousands with him, he came to Vrmiunnan now called Ormond,* 1.162 where in like sort they re∣ceived the faith, and the inhabitants in remembrance of him builded a Church, and dedicated the same to his name. From Mounster (where he preached seaven yeeres) hee tooke his iourney backe to Vlster,* 1.163 and came to King Eochu, whom he baptized, & his daughter

Cumia, whom he made a Nunne, and committed her to the charge of the Nunne Cecubris (in the Nunnery of Drumdukain) whom Pa∣tricke first vailed of all the women in Ireland.* 1.164 Also he baptized Olca∣nus, who went into France to studie, and upon his returne, ••rected schooles in Ireland, and had many schollers, whereof a great num∣ber were afterwards Bishops, he himselfe towards his end, became a Bishop, and ended his dayes in sanctitie. When Saint Patricke had baptized a second Conallus (a petite King) and his brother Fergus, he prophecied of Fedlemus the sonne of Fergus,* 1.165 and of Columba the sonne of Fedlemus, what a holy man hee should prove, as after hee did, and was the founder of an hundred Monasteries.

Saint Patricke for all this travaile sailed into Britaine for coadiutors and fellow-labourers in this worke,* 1.166 where he opposed himselfe both in publike and private against the Pelagians and other heretickes which disturbed the peace of the Church,* 1.167 and brought with him thirty learned men, whom afterward he consecrated Bishops. So that to this day in Britaine, (as in Anglesey, Bristoll, Exeter, and other places) there are Churches built in remembrance of him. He also con∣verted the Isle of Man to the faith,* 1.168 and there is a Church which also beareth his name, and left them one Germanus to bee their Bishop, after whose death hee ordained for that place, Conidrius, Ronillus and Machaldus. Vpon his returne into Ireland, hee met with sixe of his Disciples, of Irish birth, that had beene Students beyond Seas, whom in the end he made Bishops; Lugacius, Columbanus, Meldanus, Lugadius, Cassanus, and Cheranus. Then he made (saith Iocelin) a se∣cond iourney unto Athcled now called Dublin; upon his comming, (which was about twentie yeeres after their conversion) and found them all given to idolatrie, and withall, one Alpinus a King with his Queene, and his retinue,* 1.169 lamenting the death of Eocchiad their sonne & heire, and the drowning of their sole daughter Dublinia. Pa∣tricke preached, the people beleeved, the King hearing of him ho∣ped to reape some comfort; to bee short, (saith mine Author) the dead are raised to life, and Athcled ever after in remembrance of the Kings daughter Dublinia, was called Dublin.* 1.170

Saint Patrickes manner was, first to Catechize, secondly to Bap∣tize, lastly to minister the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. When with the aide of the country, he builded Churches, hee would not name them after any Saints name, but Domnach the Church of the Lord. And when he had procured a Church to be builded in a place called Achad Fobuit, and consecrated his Disciple Sennachus, alias Seachuallus Bishop there, the humble sute of Senachus unto him was, that the Church should not be called after him, as the manner was, (saith mine Author) in many places among the Irish people.* 1.171 The onely doctrine Patricke read and expounded unto the people, was the foure Evangelists, conferred with the old Testament. Hee is

reported to have given many blessings, and to have denounced many curses. He had many Disciples, Kertennus, Winnocus, Winwallocus, likewise saith Molanus, Elberus, Ibarus, Connedus, Secundinus, Asicus, Fiechus, Sennachus, Olcanus, with many others which he made Bi∣shops. I finde mention also of Riochus that kept his Bookes and Pa∣pers, and of Rodanus that kept his Cattell, that hee made them Bi∣shops, and the world made them Saints.

Ireland is greatly beholding unto him, for it is recorded that hee went up to the top of the Mount Hely (I take it to be a hill in Ely, O Carrols country) where he made three petitions unto Almighty God for the people of Ireland that had received the faith.* 1.172 First, that every one might have grace to repent, though it were at the last houre. Secondly, that they might not be utterly destroyed by Infidels. Lastly, that no Irish man should live till the day of Iudgement; Quia delebitur per orationem sancti Patricij septem annis ante judicium; for it shall be destroyed by meanes of Saint Patrickes prayers, seaven yeeres before the comming of Christ to iudgement. Probus maketh mention of other Pe∣titions, which for that I hold them fabulous, I will not rehearse. He procured (as it is written of him) seaven hundred Churches to bee builded in Ireland,* 1.173 ordained five thousand Ministers, consecrated three hundred and fifty Bishops, successively, understand, in his time.

Darius (the Booke of Houth calleth him Dares, in Probus Dair) a Noble man,* 1.174 affecting Patricke, and seeing him beare low saile, and shrowding himselfe with all humilitie in Vlster, drew him to dwell at Drumsailech, now called Armagh, and having used meanes there for the building of a Church, Patricke went to Rome, procured all confirmations necessary to his purpose, arrived againe in Ireland, and being of the age of 122. yeeres, ended his life in the time that Aureli∣us Ambrosius raigned in Britaine, and Forthkerrus was Monarch of Ireland, Brigida and Ethembria who then were accounted two holy women, shrowded him to his grave, when Thassach a Bishop had ministred the Sacrament. Probus writeth that the Britaines came with great forces,* 1.175 attempting at severall times to fetch away his corps, and that the men of Vlster did withstand them. As for the purgatorie that is fathered upon him, I must referre the reader to the yeere of grace, 850. where he shall finde a second Patricke founder thereof.

* 1.176In our Patricks time flourished many good Christians, renowned at this day, and as an Antiquarie and collector of antiquities, I desire the christian reader to accept of them as I finde them. And I will be∣ginne with Brigida that gave Saint Patricke his winding sheete, shee was borne (as Iohn Clyn writeth) anno 439. in Fochart not farre from Dondalke,* 1.177 as Bernard deliuereth, she was the base daughter of one Duptacus, haply Laigerius his rymer before spoken of) a Noble man (saith Bale of the North parts, a Captaine of Leinster, saith the Book of Houth. Capgrave writeth, that her mother in wantonnesse having

conceived, and her belly being espied to be up, Duptacus his wife cau∣sed her to be turned out of doores; Duptacus to avoid the i••alousie and disquietnesse of his wife, delivered her to a Poet or Bard, (a Ma∣gician saith Bale) who kept both Mother and Daughter, and trayned her up in such learning as he had skill in. Shee proved so singularly learned, and was in such account among all men, that a Synode of Bishops assembled by Dublin, used her advice in weightie causes,* 1.178 as I reade in the Booke of Houth. She became a Nunne, and wrought but one miracle, (saith Bale) that is, shee used meanes to purge a Bi∣shop, one Bronus or Bruno from fornication, when the fact was ma∣nifestly proved against him. In the authenticke manuscript Legend of Ireland, I finde that she kept most in Leinster, and builded a Cell for her abode under a goodly faire Oke, which afterwards grew to be a Monasterie of Virgins, called Cyll-dara, in Latine, Cella Quer∣cus, the Cell of the Oke, now Kildare, and saith mine Author,* 1.179 ibique maxima civitas postea in honore beatissimae Brigidaecrevit, quae est ho∣die metropolis Laginensium. The first Bishop by her meanes was Con∣lianus, alias Conlaidus. Stanihurst reckoneth the succession of the See in this sort.

• ...Lony.
• ...Ivor.
• ...Conlie.
• ...Donatus.
• ...David.
• ...Magnus.
• ...Richard.
• ...Iohn.
• ...Symon.
• ...Nicolas.
• ...Walter.
• ...Richard.
• ...Thomas.
• ...Robart.
• ...Boniface.
• ...Madogg.
• ...William:* 1.180
• ...Galfride.
• ...Richard.
• ...Iames.
• ...Wale.
• ...Barret.
• ...Edmund Lane.

Who flourished in the yeere, 1518. So farre Master Stanihurst:

Hector Boetius putteth us in remembrance of the honour given her by Scots, Pictes, Irish and English nations,* 1.181 and how that many Churches beare her name. The superstitious Irish in processe of time, found out a Bell called Clogg Brietta, Brigids Bell, whereunto, to de∣ceive the simple people, they attribute great vertue and holinesse, the which together with other toyes they carried about, not onely in Ireland, but also in England, and were by Act of Parliament in En∣gland, banished the land in Henry the fifts time. Cambrensis repor∣teth that the harmonie of the foure Evangelists (the worke of Saint Ierome) was caused by Brigid (most of it) to be written in letters of gold, and was as curious a worke (saith he) as ever I saw, and called Brigids Booke, the which was kept as a monument (saith Stanihurst) at Kildare.

She deceased about the yeere 510. (another saith,* 1.182 anno 548.) and about the yeere 524. she was translated from the Hebrides into Dune,

and resteth by Saint Patrickes side, as formerly hath beene declared in his life. Ireland hath given her this Epitaph.

Flos patriae, pietatis amans, virtutis alumna, Sidus Hibernorum, Brigida virgo fuit.

In her Legend I finde mention of Ercus, a Bishop, the disciple of Saint Patricke, borne in Mounster, also of Saint Ruanus a Bishop, Saint Numidus, Saint Praecipuus, Saint Daria a Virgin, Saint Dar∣lugdach called a Virgin, and yet had a daughter that was baptized in the presence of Brigide.* 1.183 This Darlugdach was the second Nunne, and succeeded Brigide in Kildare, whose remembrance is celebrated the same day with her.* 1.184 Illand King of Leinster gave Brigide great ho∣nour, of him I read in her Legend, that hee was a most worthy Prince, and fortunate in all his affaires. Illand Rex Lageniae qui tri∣ginta bella in Hibernia vicit, octo certamina in Britannia, occidit En∣gusium regem Momoniae cum Ethna uxore, quos Patricius baptizavit: Illand King of Leinster, who wonne thirty battailes in Ireland, and eight combats in Britaine, slue Engusus King of Mounster, and Ethna his wife, whom Patricke had baptized.

* 1.185About this time lived Caelius Sedulius, whom Damianus à Goes, a Knight of Portingall challenged for a Spaniard. Bale writeth hee was a Scot, and Stanihurst that he was borne in Ireland. I will first lay downe what Bale hath, next what Stanihurst reporteth. Caelius Sedulius (saith Bale) by nation a Scot. by calling a Priest,* 1.186 a man tray∣ned up in learning from his youth, cleaved as a diligent scholler unto Hildebert, the most learned Archbishop of Scots, as Tritemius delive∣reth. After the decease of his master, being desirous of farther know∣ledge, he tooke a painefull voyage in hand, travailed throughout Spain, France, Italie, Greece and Asia; last of all, after he had read in Achaia most learned lectures, to the great profit of many, hee came backe to Rome, where with great labour he distributed most abundantly in like sort the treasure of singular learning. Hee was a man exercised in holy Scripture, of a singular wit, excellently well seene in all manner of se∣cular literature, passing both for verse and prose, so that Gelasius, Bi∣shop of Rome, in the decrees, dist. 15. calleth him reverend Sedulius, and gave his workes no meane commendation. Pat••rius the disciple of Gregorius Magnus, and Remigius Antisiodorensis, in his commenta∣ry upon him of old have published his fame and renowne. Sedulius both in verse and prose hath published many workes, whereof in Boston of Burie, and Tritemius, I onely found these that follow. Vnto Mace∣donius the Priest, a singular worke, which he intituled

* 1.187Carmen paschale—lib. 4

Pascales quicun{que} dapes conviva requiris▪

Elegia vel exhorta∣torium ad fideles lib. 1

Cantemus socij Dom. cantemus honorem.

De signis & virtutibus—lib. 1

Domino meo charissimo.

Gesta et miracula Christi—lib. 4

Expulerat quondam, &c:

Superutroque testamento—lib. 2

 

In Psalmos Dividicos —lib. 1

 

Collectanea in Paulum—lib. 14

Antequam Apostolica verba.

In Paulum ad Romanos—lib. 1

Sciendum est quod hoc.

Ad Corinthios—lib. 2

Quod nomen suum proponit.

Ad Galatas —lib. 1

Hoc est non ab humana▪

Ad Ephesios—lib. 1

Refere scriptura testante.

Ad Philippenses—lib. 1

Metropoli Macedoniae cum.

Ad Colossenses—lib. 1

Hac vice Apostolatus autor.

Ad Thessalonicenses—lib. 2

Quod non dicit Apostolus.

Ad Timotheum —lib. 2

Non secundum praesumptionem.

Ad Titum Discipulum -lib. 1

Hanc epistolam scribit de

Ad Philemonem —lib. 1

In carcere vel in catenis.

Ad Hebraeos —lib. 1

Quoniam apud Haebraeorum.

De factis Christi prosaice lib. 2

 

Ad Caesarem Theodosiū lib. 1

Romulidum ductor Clariss.

Epist. ad diversos—lib. 1

Sedulius Scotigena dilect.

In editionem Donati—lib. 1

 

In Prisciani volumen —lib. 1

 

Carmina diversi generis lib. 1

 

He published also cer∣taine Hymnes which the Church useth.

• 1 A solis ortus cardine Ad usque terrae limitem Christum canamus principem, &c. Hostis Herodes impie Christum venisse quid times? &c.
• 2 A solis ortus cardine Ad usque terrae limitem Christum canamus principem, &c. Hostis Herodes impie Christum venisse quid times? &c.

He flourished in the yeere after the Incarnation, 450. under Theodo∣sius Iunior the Emperour, what time Fergusius the second raigned in Scotland after his miserable exile by the Romanes. Of this Author, Si∣gebertus and Bostonus write more. So farre Bale.

Stanihurst pleadeth for Ireland, and writeth:* 1.188 Sedulius was not only of Irish birth, but also the light of all Ireland, neither will we suffer any longer so excellent a man out of his native soile contrary to all right to exile or wander, but he is rather to be restored to his former inheritance, as it were with a new solemnity of birth.* 1.189 In another place hee seemeth to qualifie the matter (having already chalenged Damianus a Goes of iniurie) and to reconcile the dissonance of varying writers, that the Scottish is taken for the Irish, and the Irish for the Scottish; and to satisfie the reader, noteth the confusion, how that all the commenta∣ries of Sedulius upon the Epistles of Paul beginne, Sedulij Scoti Hiber∣nensis, &c. the Commentarie of Sedulius the Scot of Ireland. And to shut up this challenge of all sides, I finde that there was a second Se∣dulius, a man of no lesse fame and learning, and hee is said to bee a

Scottish man, therefore let Ireland being more antient then Scotland, take the first, and Scotland the last.

* 1.190In the like sort (excepting the challenge) standeth Fridelinus Via∣tor, so called by reason of his great travaile; his stile is, Scotorum Hi∣bernicorum regis olim filius, the sonne sometime of the King of the Scots in Ireland, whom I couch among them of Irish birth, because of the ancient stile and distinction often used by Buchanan, Scoti Al∣banenses, and Scoti Hibernenses, the first he challengeth for Scotland, the second he referreth to Ireland, and therefore I accept of him as granted. He was a Kings sonne of Ireland, excellently studied in Phi∣losophie, earnestly addicted to the ecclesiasticall course of life, and to the end he might plant religion, and spreade abroad christianitie, enterprised a voyage farre from his native soile: This holy man first of all taught here and there throughout France, he came to Poi∣tiers, and became father of the Monkes of Saint Hilarie, and with the aide of King Clodovarus, erected a stately Monasterie, the like he did at Mosella in Flanders, upon the top of the mount Vosagius, at Ar∣gentine, Curia Rhetiorum, and elsewhere throughout Burgun∣die. Lastly, he came to Angia Seckingensis upon the Rhene, to the end he might there also build a Cell; after many godly Sermons and learned Interpretations, he is said to have written a Booke of exhor∣tations unto the sacred Virgins. He flourished in the yeere 495. and resteth in the Monasterie of Seckinge before spoken of.

* 1.191Ireland remembreth the feast of Saint Fekin, that hee was of the Kings bloud, and an Abbot, cured many of the flixe or fluxe, and dy∣ed thereof himselfe.

* 1.192Many things are written of Saint Modwen, (whom the Britaines call Mawdwen) the daughter of Naughtheus the Irish King, who heard Saint Patricke preach, and of her companions Orbila, Luge, Edith, Athea, Lazara, Sith (whom the Irish call Osith) Osmanna, and of Brigid spoken of before, whereof some began with Patricke, and ended with him, some began with him, and lived many yeeres after, (as Capgrave writeth in the life of Modwen) to the time of the Bishop Collumkill, (otherwise called Colme and Columba) and the Eremite, Abbot, or Bishop Kevin.

* 1.193Saint Modwen was a Nunne, lived 130. yeeres. The Irish, Scots, and English (in which countries she had travailed) strove for her corps, at length Columkill the Bishop gave sentence for England, where shee resteth at Andreisey▪ Bale writeth how that one Galfride, Abbot of Burton upon Trent, in the time of King Iohn, wrote the life and memorable acts of this Irish Virgin Modwen, unto the posterity, with great applause.

Capgrave writeth the life of Saint Sith, (otherwise called Osith) that was brought up under Modwen, that she was a Kings daugh∣ter, and borne in England: Leppeloo the Carthusian, and other

forraigne Writers say little of her, saving that the Danes (being Hea∣thens) cut off her head, and that shee tooke her head in her armes, carried it uprightly three furlongs off, knockt at the Church doore, (being lockt) with her bloudy hands, and there fell downe.* 1.194 The Martyrologe of Sarum confoundeth Dorothy, and Saint Sith thus; the 15. of Ianuarie the feast of Saint Dorothie otherwise called Saint Sith, is kept in Ireland, who refused marriage, fled into a Monasterie, where the devill appeared unto her, and there mine Author left her.

Of Osmanna the Virgin I finde little,* 1.195 saving what Capgrave repor∣teth, that she was of the bloud royall in Ireland, and having infidels to her parents, fled into France, dwelled upon the banke of Loire, the river of Lions, and there in peace ended her dayes.

I read that about this time one Tathe, the sonne of an Irish King,* 1.196 forsooke his fathers possessions, went to the Diocesse of Landaffe in Wales, and became a Monke, builded a Monasterie, and there left his bones.

Gualterus Calenius, Archdeacon of Oxford; Caxton and others doe write, that Aurelius Ambrosius,* 1.197 after his valiant exploits and noble victories, went to a Monasterie neere Cair-caredoch, now cal∣led Salisburie, where through the treason of Hengist, (which the Bri∣taines call Toill y Killill Hirion, the treason of the long knives) the No∣bles and Princes of Britaine were slaine and buried, called his Coun∣cell, and demanded what monument were meete to be made there in remembrance of so many Nobles of the land there resting in the dust of the earth. Carpenters, Masons, Carvers, Ingravers, and Tombe-makers, being out of all places sent for, came thither, delivered their opinions, but concluded nothing. Then stepped forth a Bishop, which said; O King, if it may stand with your pleasure, there is one Merlin of Worcester, a Prophet, a searcher of Antiquities, a man of rare gifts, I wish his opinion in the matter. Merlin came, and being advised, said as followeth.

Most Noble King, upon occasion offe∣red, I went lately into Ireland, and having ended my businesse, I was inquisitive of antiquities, and sight of monuments, where a∣mong other things, being brought to a mountaine of Kildare, I saw so rare a sight, in so rude a country, as might bee seene; there was a round row of huge stones, the which none of this age had so framed, neither could be, unlesse Art had mastered the common skill of man; send for them, and set them vp as they are there cou∣ched, and they will bee a monument whilst the world standeth.

Hereat the King smiled and said; how shall we convey so great stones into Britaine, from so farre a countrey, and to what end? as though Britaine yeelded not as good stones to all purposes? Merlin replied, be not displeased O King, there is a hid mystery in those stones, they are medicinable, and as I was given to understand in Ireland, the Gyants of old dwelling in that land, procured them from the farthest

part of Affricke, and pitched them there, in them they bathed them∣selves, and were rid of their infirmities. The Britaines hearing this, were perswaded to send for them, the King appointed his brother Vter-Pendragon, with Merlin, and fifteene thousand men to effect the businesse. In a short time, they arrived in Ireland. Gillomer King of Leinster,* 1.198 raised an Armie to resist them, and reviled the Britaines, saying, what fooles and asses are you? are the Irish better then the British stones? and turning himselfe to his Armie, said, come on, quit your selves like men, keepe your monuments, and defend your coun∣try. Vter-Pendragon seeing this, animated his company, they met, and manfully encountred in the end; Gillomer fled, and the Irish were discomfited. Vter-Pendragon marched on, they came by Mer∣lins direction to the place, and beholding the hugenesse of the stones, they wondred, yet they joyed that they had found them. To worke they went, some with Ropes, some with Wythes, some with Lad∣ders, and carried them away, brought them to Britaine, and pitched them in the Plaine of Salisburie, which place is now called Stone∣henge.* 1.199

Beside this, there are divers monuments of Gyants in Ireland, as at Dundalke, Louth, Ardee, and on the hilles not farre from the Naas: the like Saxo Grammaticus reporteth of the Danes,* 1.200 a nation famous for Gyants, and mighty men, and this, saith he, the great and huge stones laid of old upon Caves and Tombes of the dead, doe declare.

* 1.201About this time, Passent the sonne of Vortiger that fled into Ger∣many for aide, arrived in the North parts, Aurelius Ambrosius met him, and put him to flight; Passent came into Ireland, delivered his griefe unto Gillomer King of Leinster, craved him to extend his Princely favour toward him; Gillomer on the other side complained of the wrong done him by Vter-Pendragon and the Britaines, name∣ly, how they had slaine his subiects, wasted his country, and carried away his rare monuments, concluding that hee was willing of him∣selfe to be revenged of them, much more finding this opportunitie. Caxton saith, he came with fifteene thousand Irish to aide Passent a∣gainst the Britaines; the Armie was great, for with Passent came Ger∣mans, Irish and Saxons, and arrived at Menevia (now called Saint Davids) at which time Aurelius Ambrosius being sicke of poyson, (by the procurement of Passent) of which he died, Vter-Pendragon was appointed Generall of the field, met with the invaders, fought a bloudy battaile (where many fell on both sides) and in the end, slue Passent and Gillomer,* 1.202 and ouerthrew the Germans, Irish, and Saxons, and was crowned King of England.

I doe finde in Antiquaries, together with Florilegus, Fabian, Cax∣ton, Holinshed, and Fleminge, (men of great iudgement) that the Pictes and Scots in the dayes of King Arthur (who succeeded his fa∣ther Vter-Pendragon) ioyned with the Saxons, and drew to their

aide, Gillomer, second of that name, King of Ireland, so that Arthur sent for Howell his sisters sonne, King of little Britaine in France, who came with fifteene thousand fighting men, and ioyning forces with Arthur, foyled the Pictes, Scots, and Saxons, vanquished the Irish King, and chaced him into Ireland, and the yeere following, viz. five hundred twenty and five, in revenge of the former aide, hee came into Ireland, offered King Gillomer battaile,* 1.203 hee then being Monarch of Ireland (as Caxton and the book of Houth record) assem∣bled the Princes and Nobles of the land; and it is said that King An∣guish came to the field with five thousand horse,* 1.204 but Arthur constrai∣ned them to yeeld, and to acknowledge by doing their fealtie, to hold the Realme of Ireland of him. Whereof Harding saith,

The somner next Arthur went to Ireland, With battaile sore forefoughten y conquered, And of the King, had homage of that land To hold of him, so was he of him feared; And also gate (as Chronicles have us lered) Denmarke, Friseland, G••tland and Norwey, Iseland, Groenland, the Isle of Man and Orkney.

The booke of Houth recordeth, that anno Dom. 519. Arthur sum∣moned to a speciall feast of solemnitie of the round Table, Gillomer the Monarch of Ireland, and King Anguish, with the Princes and No∣bles of the land, where they continued during the whole time of the solemnitie. In which triumph it is recorded that Garret, King of Or∣keney, sonne to King Lotho, and nephew to Arthur, being one of King Arthurs Knights, together with his two brethren, performed most valiant exploits, encountred with Anguish, King of Ireland, Goranus King of Scotland, Cador, Duke of Cornewall, and with o∣ther Princes, and wanne great honour. This Anguish claimed tri∣bute from Marke, King of Cornewall, that formerly was wonne by combate,* 1.205 and sent Morogh (whom Caxton calleth Marhaus) the Queene of Leinsters brother, who was also one of King Arthurs Knights, to demand it; he was a valiant Gentleman, often tryed, and ever quitted himselfe with honour. The Frenchmen calleth him Le Morhoult d'Ireland;* 1.206 and a Citizen of London thus blazoneth his Armes.

In silver shield, on fesse of pee∣ces five throughout the same, He bare a Lyon Rampant red and arme greene, whose name Might seeme to signifie in truth, each mighty enterprise, A prey most fit for his courage, as is the Irish guise.

Marke, King of Cornewall denieth the tribute, offereth the com∣bate, and Sir Tristram undertaketh it for him. Morogh for himselfe pleaded that he was to encounter with none, unlesse he were a King or Queene, a Prince or Princesse sonne; the circumstances being con∣sidered and agreed upon, the combatants meete, and fiercly fight, the battaile was a long time doubtfull; in the end, Sir Tristram gave Sir Morogh with his sword, a sore blow, that a piece of the edge stucke in his scull, whereupon the combate ended, Morogh returned into Ireland, and shortly after died of the wound. This doth Caxton and the booke of Houth deliver at large.* 1.207 But I may not end thus with Sir Tristram, he also was sore wounded with a Speare, whose head was venomed, and could not be cured untill that by counsaile he repaired to the country where the venome had beene confected. Whereupon he came to Ireland, and to King Anguish his Court, and having great skill upon the Harpe, he recreated himselfe, delighted the house, and fell in loue with La Bell Isod the Kings daughter,* 1.208 and she with him. In processe of time the Queene had learned that he had given her bro∣ther Morogh his deaths wound, and comparing the piece of the swords edge which was taken out of the skull, with his sword, found them to agree, and banished him the land. Not long after upon con∣ference had with Marke, King of Cornewall, of marriage, and com∣mending the beautie and vertues of La Bel Isod spoken of before, hee commeth to Ireland to intreate of marriage betweene King Marke and her. And having effected his purpose, taketh her with him to Cornewall,* 1.209 where Marke espoused her with great ioy and solemnity; but the old secret love betweene Tristram and her, had taken such impression in both, and so inflamed their hearts, that it could not easi∣ly be quenched, so that in processe of time, Marke espied it, and in his furious jealousie, slue him as he played upon the Harpe to recreate La Bel Isod; and thus as his love began with the Harpe, so it ended at the Harpe; it is recorded that Isod came to his grave and swouned. She was (saith mine Author) so faire a woman, that hardly who so beheld her, could not chuse but be enamoured with her. In Dublin upon the wall of the Citie, is a Castle called Isods towre, and not farre from Dublin, a Chappell with a Village named Chappell-Isod: the originall cause of the name I doe not finde, but it is coniectured, that her father King Anguish, that doted on her, builded them in remem∣brance of her, the one for her recreation, and the other for the good of her soule.

* 1.210About the time that King Arthur raigned, lived many famous men of Irish birth, renowned for their great learning and sanctitie, and commended by divers Antiquaries, both at home and abroad to the posteritie. But before I come to speake of them, I must first make mention of Congellus a Britaine by birth, who builded the Monaste∣rie of Bangor, not farre from West-Chester, which was called the

Colledge of Christian Philosophers, and became the first Abbot thereof himselfe, in the dayes of King Arthur, anno Dom. 530. I make mention of him, because Bernard in the life of Malachias, repor∣teth this Colledge or Abbey which he built, to have beene the head or principall Abbey of all the Monasteries in Europe, the seminarie or bee-hive of many thousands of Monkes, after the Apostolike man∣ner, getting their living with the sweate of their browes, and the la∣bour of their owne hands. And the rather for that he had to his Dis∣ciples of Irish birth, Columbanus that travailed France, Germanie, and Italie, Breudan that furnished Ireland and Scotland with holy men, with Luanus and others, of whom I shall have occasion to speak in their places. This Congellus also (Bernard is mine Author) founded the Abbey of Benchor, alias Bangor, here in Vlster,* 1.211 where many sin∣gular learned men of Irish birth were trayned up, yea Britaines, Sax∣ons, and Scots also, and dispersed themselves farre and nigh, (as here∣after shall more plainely appeare) into forraigne countries, converted and confirmed thousands in the true faith. The which Abbey of Ben∣chor, was afterward destroyed by Pyrates, and nine hundred Monks slaine in one day, and so continued waste unto the time of Malachias Bishop of Armach, whereof I will speake hereafter.

Yet in an ancient manuscript Legend of Ireland, I finde that this Congellus the Abbot was borne in Dail Naraid in Vlster,* 1.212 of honou∣rable Parents, and upon some displeasure conceived, forsooke his native soile, came to Mounster to Saint Fintan Abbot of Cluoyn Ednech at the foote of Mons Blandina, where he was ioyfully recei∣ved, who after long instruction, through the counsaile of Fintan, re∣turned to his native soile, and entred the Monasterie of Saint Kiaran in Cluayn Mac Noyse, where Bishop Lugidus gave him orders; and that in a while after, he founded the famous Abbey of Benchor in Vlster, in the country called Altitudo ultorum,* 1.213 to the East sea (as I reade in the life Mocoemog) containing three thousand Monkes, and that seven yeeres after, hee went into Britaine, and founded there a Monasterie that swarmed with Monkes, as formerly in part is delive∣red, whither out of all places by sea and land, they flocked unto him, for the same of learning which there was professed. He, when hee had setled his affaires there, returned into Ireland, and now resteth at his monasterie of Benchor. The fame of both Monasteries or Colledges of Christian Philosophers and famous men thither frequenting, and entercou••sing with domesticall and forraigne students, mee thinkes, should reconcile Britaine and Ireland now being in one, and breed an agreement among Antiquaries.

Brendan, among others, was famous at this time, borne in Con∣naght, brought up under Hercus a Bishop,* 1.214 and directed by Barintus a Monke, he was excellently seene in the liberall sciences, and travai∣led into Britaine to the Abbey of Bangor, where hee learned the

monasticall rules of Congellus, from thence he went to Llancarvan and builded a Monasterie, became the father of three thousand Monkes that got their living with the labour of their hands, and sweate of their browes, left to oversee them Machutus and Molochus, travailed over Ireland and Scotland with other countries; after seven yeeres peregrination, he returned to Ireland, and became Bishop of Kerry, (of old called Kiaragi, but now Ardfertensis) where he ended his dayes, and lyeth buried at Cluenarca, otherwise called Luarcha. Yet in the life of Ruadanus, I finde hee was buried at Cluanferta. Other things that Capgrave, the martyrologe, and Bale have, I omit.

When Saint Brendan was olde, Saint Fynbarry was a childe, hee is now the Patrone of the Cathedrall Church of Corke;* 1.215 his Legend runneth thus: There was a certaine King in Ireland, called Tegerna∣tus, who had to his handmaid, a very beautifull Damosell; this King gave charge throughout his dominion, that none should be so bold as to touch her, for it was supposed he kept her for his owne tooth. Yet (saith the Legend) one of his souldiers, whose name was Amor∣gen, (a blacke Smith) got her with childe, the which being brought to light, and the time of her travaile nigh approaching, Tegernatus commanded that Amorgen the father, the faire harlot the mother, (with her great bellie) should bee cast into the fire, and burned to ashes. But (saith the Legend) they were all miraculously deliuered, and the childe safely brought into the world. At his baptisme he was named Loanus, but in a while after, three religious men that had the charge of him (by reason of the beautie of his white lockes, and gra∣tious aspect) called him in Irish, Fuenbarrah, whom now wee call Fynbarry. He was brought up under Bishop Torpereus, the disciple of Gregorie, Bishop of Rome, and was conversant with Fa••turus, (another Legend calleth him Fyachna) a King in Ireland, who did alot him a certaine portion of land in his country. Bishop Torpereus gave him orders, after which he went (saith the Legend) into Alba∣nia now called Scotland, did much good there, and went from thence to Rome, and was consecrated Bishop in the time of Gregorie the first, then he returned to Ireland,* 1.216 landed on the South side of the river Lee, where one Edo a Noble man gave him a parcell of ground, where (with the aide of many good men) he built the old Citie of Corke, and the Cathedrall Church, annexing thereto a faire Church yard, wherein now standeth a watch Towre, builded by the Danes. The Legend speaketh of a priviledge granted to that Church-yard, which I take to have beene brought in through the covetousnesse of the Priests: That what faithfull soever being penitent, shall bee buried there, shall not after this life, feele the torments of hell; as if every faithfull penitent Christian were not freed from hell, wheresoever he be buried. But let us proceed: Torpereus Bishop of Cloan his Schoole∣master,

was the first man that was buried in that Church-yard. After this, Finbarry went to Calangus a reverend man, then Abbot of Clo∣ane, and concluded betweene themselves, that in the feare of God, they would both be buried in one place, and so indeed it fell out, for there Finbarry fell sicke, received the Sacrament at the hands of Ca∣langus, ended his dayes, and was brought to the Church-yard of old Corke, and there interred; shortly after, followed Calangus, and there Bishop Torperus the first Bishop of Cloane, Finbarry the first Bishop of Corke, and Calangus the first Abbot of Cloane, keepe to∣gether in the dust of the earth, waiting for the resurrection at the last day. The fabulous circumstances of the Legend I leave to old Wives and long winters nights; yet to satisfie the reader that I met with the Originall, I will lay down part of the Latine rithmes sung yeerely on his day, being the 25. of September, not worthy of translation into English, and here they follow.

Infantis clari matremque patremque ligatum* 1.217 Ambo Rex quondam, flammis praeceperat uri; Interea mirum bellum gessere elementa, Ignis edax stupuit, non audens mandere ligna. Hic nondum genitus jam matris ventre moratus, O nova res! miris cepit clamare loquelis, Obstupuit rex, &c. Ad Christi verbum ducentes tres seniores Infantem secum nitidum, vultuque decorum, Dogmata ut sacra cunabulo disceret evo Contigit ut nimio, solis fervore sitiret; Tunc senibus quidam praeceperat ire ministrum Vt potum puero cerva deduceret almo Statim cerva petens vitulum lac fudit abundè Et potum, &c. Rex quondam retinens plenam turpedine prolem Luminis expertem natum, mutamque puellam Praeclarum Christi famulum iam rogitavit Vt natos miseros ditaret munere caro Illico respexit caecus, & muta locuta Ad natum regis caecum, mutamque puellam Fynbarry precibus salvavit conditor almus▪ Sanctus Fynbarrus quondam cum rege sedebat, Cumque salutabant laeti sese, vice versa, Audierant fletum tristem, magnumque lamentum: At rex confestim turbatus, heu mea, dixit, Regalis conjux nunc mortem gustat amaram. Tunc dixit Christi famulus, depone merorem, Namque potest dominus vitam donare defunctis.

Fynbarry precibus tunc foemina viva resurgit. Fynbarrus residens Rex atque sub arboris umbra: Tunc placuit Regi miracula cernere quaedam Auxiliante Deo Fynbarrus quae faciebat; Interea corylus gignebat tempore veris Maturos fructus, valdè largèque cadebant. Miratur corylum vernalem gignere fructum.

With many such strange things with which I will no longer trouble the reader, nor keepe him from that which followeth.

Now commeth in the confused name of Colme, Columba, Colum∣banus, Columkillus, and Colmannus; who all lived at one time, about the dayes of King Arthure, and were all of Irish birth, but are great∣ly mistaken by the Antiquaries.

* 1.218The first called Columbanus by Adamannus and Capgrave, in the life of Columba, was, as they write, Episcopus Laginensis, a Bishop of Leinster, but the Diocesse of which he was Bishop, I finde not na∣med.

* 1.219The second by Beda (whom, for authority and antiquitie, I reve∣rence) is called Columbanus presbiter & Abbas, Priest and Abbot, whom Capgraue calleth Columba, borne of Noble Parentage in Ire∣land. Adamannus who wrote his life, saith, his father hight Feidli∣myd, the sonne of Fergus, his mother Ethnea, and that the second yeere after the bloudie battaile of Cule-Dreibne, he came to Britaine in the time of Gildas sapiens,* 1.220 and converted the Pictes. But before his departure out of Ireland, he founded a Monasterie (saith Beda) à copia roborum, in the Scottish tongue called Dearmagh. Capgrave termeth it Roboretum, the grove of Okes. In Britaine (saith Beda) he builded a Monasterie in the Iland called Hu, (Capgrave calleth it Iona) where he lyeth buried, ending his dayes at the age of 77. yeeres, whose death Aidanus King of Scots greatly lamented. Beda reporteth that some wrote of him, which work came not to his hands, and that in the observation of Easter he followed no other direction, then hee found in holy Scripture. Here (gentle reader) two scruples are to be removed from among our Irish Antiquaries; the first Beda dissolveth, namely that of him the name of Columkilli came in;* 1.221 Columba, now a dayes (saith he) of some men compounding Cella and Columba, is called Columcelli, and in Capgrave we reade Columkillius. The second scru∣ple is, where Beda writeth that he was buried in the Isle Hu, the An∣tiquaries of Ireland record his funerall to have beene at Downe, (as formerly I have written) in one Tombe with Patricke and Brigide; I hold both may be true, namely that he was buried in the Isle before spoken of, and being thence translated into Downe in Ireland, (as Brigide was before) now resteth therein one grave with Patricke and her.

The third Columbanus, otherwise called Columba, of Irish birth,* 1.222 was a most famous man of that time for learning and vertue, eterni∣zed in writing by Ionas an Abbot his disciple, also by Capgrave, Bale, Surius, Baronius, Lippeloo and Stanihurst. In his youth he was migh∣tily tempted with the feminine sex, nihil tam sanctum religione, (saith mine Author) ••amque custodia clausum, quod penetrare libido nequeat.

He forsooke his native soile, went to Congellus, Abbot of Bangor, continued there many yeeres, and having formerly taken with him twelve of his country men, called twelve followers, hee went into France, and made them Cabanes, after the Irish manner, in stead of Monasteries. Many fabulous things are reported of Wolves, Beares, and Fowles of the ayre, that they had no power over him. When he had continued together with his followers, twenty yeeres in one place, he was banished thence, and being desirous to returne to Ire∣land, Clotarius sonne to Chilpericke staid him, yet he tooke his course into Italie, where Agilulphus King of Lombardie received him most honourably, and in Italie hee died, saith Beda in his Martyrologe, though Capgrave write it was in Almaine,* 1.223 whose report of him I may not omit. He builded (saith he) certaine famous Monasteries in Almaine, into the which, (as it is said) they admit onely Irish men unto this day. He wrote (saith Lippeloo) a booke against the Arians. Bale reckoneth his other workes that he published.

• In psalterium commentar▪ lib. 1.
• Collationes ad Monachos lib. 1:
• De moribus monachorum metrice lib. 1. Haec praecepta legat.
• Epistolas ad Commilitones lib. 1.
• Monasteriorum methodos lib. 1.
• Adversus Theodoricum regem adulterum lib. 1

This Columbanus had many learned men of Irish birth,* 1.224 brought up under him. The Martyrologe of Sarum remembreth one Deico∣lus an Abbot. Capgrave and Walafridus Strabo commend one Gallus, whom Columbanus left behinde him in Almaine. And when Gunzo Duke of Suevia would have made him Bishop of Constance, he pre∣ferred one Iohn his Deacon and disciple, to the roomth, and kept the desert himselfe. Surius writeth, Italie glorieth of Columbanus, Almaine of Gallus, and Flanders of Kilianus. Hee wrote, as Bale re∣membreth,

• In electione Iohannis Orat. 1. Sempiternus & inaestimabilis Deus.
• Gubernandae ecclesiae formam lib. 1

Ionas likewise his disciple,* 1.225 is by Tritemius commended and recko∣ned among the great learned men of Ireland, who at the request of

certaine brethren, penned for the good of posteritie.

Vitam Abbatis Columbani

lib. 1 All are found among Be∣da his workes.

Vitam Attalae Monachi

lib. 1 All are found among Be∣da his workes.

Vitam Eustachij Abbatis

lib. 1 All are found among Be∣da his workes.

Vitam Bertolfi Abbatis.

All are found among Be∣da his workes.

* 1.226There was a fourth Columbanus a Monke in Luxonium, countri∣man and kinsman to Columbanus going before, who dyed in his pre∣sence; so much I finde of him in Capgrave, and no more of him ei∣ther there or in any other.

* 1.227Colmannus I must referre to his place, and Colme I must leave to the vulgar and corrupted speech; yet in one Author I finde, that Colme is buried with Patricke and Brigide, which must be understood to be Columbanus spoken of before.

About the latter dayes of Saint Martin, Bishop of Toures in France, Ninianus a Britaine (whom Beda worthily commendeth) comming from Rome, was made Bishop of Lyndsey, Lindesfernen∣sis, whom Aidus (otherwise called Aidanus and Aedanus) Finanus and Colmannus, all three of Irish birth, orderly succeeded in the dayes of King Arthur.

About this time, Carthagus commonly called Mocudu, Mochudu and Mocodi was the first Bishop of Lismore,* 1.228 he descended of the sept of Fergusius, the most potent Prince of Vlster, whose of-spring were dispersed over Ireland, his father matched with the royall bloud of Mounster, he had to his Schoolemaster one Carthagus a Bishop. It is alledged in his Legend, (penes authorem sit fides) that it was prophe∣cied, he should become a great man, and build two cities; the first, Raithe (or Raichen) in Feraceall; the second, Lismore. This diversi∣tie of names comming upon accidents, is known unto them that have skill in the old Irish. It is remembred in his life, that in his youth, 30. Virgins were in love with him, and that hee prayed unto God, to turne their carnall into spirituall love, which was granted, yet (saith mine Author) to requite their former love, he builded them all Cells, and they dwelled in his parish, and conversed with him all the dayes of their lives. He had disciples that proved rare men, Mochue, Mo∣coemoge, Gobbanus, Sraphanus, Lazreaanus, Molva, Aidanus, Fia∣chus, Findeling, with others. He was compelled to forsake Raithen, and travailed west-ward, untill he came to the river Nem, now called Band more, falling from the mountaine Chua▪ and running into the sea, whereupon Lismore is builded, and given to Saint Mocodi. For the Lord of that country, Nandeisi Melochtrig, the son of Cokthacg, before witnesse, granted him that seate, to build both Church and Citie,* 1.229 where he resteth, and whom one Molcolmog succeeded.

Machutus otherwise called Maclovius, though Bale and Capgrave

call him a Britaine, yet I finde that he was borne in Ireland, and that he was the sonne of one Lovi, and therefore called Maclovy. Mola∣nus writeth, that he crossing the seas, and having good successe, led an Eremites life in Britaine, and was the disciple of Saint Brendan of Ireland. He accompanied with one Aaron, and kept with him in an Island of his name, (saith Molanus) called Aaron, but now I finde it in the North-west parts of Ireland,* 1.230 belonging to the Earle of Or∣mond, called the Isles of Aran. Lastly, he was made Bishop of Ale∣tha, and is honoured at Gemblacum in Flanders, where the Church (say they) is patronized by Saint Machutus, alias Maclovius, hee li∣ved (saith Bale) about the yeere 540. what time Arthur commanded Britaine.* 1.231

Kentegernus then also lived,* 1.232 and now is remembred in Ireland and in Wales: the Martyrologe of Sarum reporteth, that his Mother wist not how, when, nor by whom he was gotten, yet was shee an holy woman, (saith mine Author) and much loved our Lady. She was cast downe headlong from a rocke (saith mine Author) into the sea, and tooke no hurt, then put into a Boate alone without Sayle or Oare, came into Ireland, and presently travailed with child. He became an Abbot of 965. Monkes, kept company with Saint David, and in the end was a Bishop.

Ruadanus borne in Ireland, of Noble Parentage,* 1.233 his father hight Byrra, of the of-spring of Dnach, but inhabited the West part of Leinster, of olde called Osraigie, but now Ossorie, whose sept is called Dnachs, in those parts unto this day▪ He left Ossorie, and hearing of the fame of Saint Fynnan, a wise and a learned man, dwelling in his owne towne, (so saith mine Author) commonly called Clonard, of Cluayn jarhaird in Meath, and confines of Leinster, resorted to him, who for the space of certaine yeeres, brought him up in sacred letters, gave him orders, and sent him to Muscraytrie in Mounster, where he was borne, where also he builded a Monasterie, which standeth to this day, and is maintained by the Lords of the soile. From thence he went to a place called Lothra, where he builded another Monaste∣rie, and lyeth there wayting the generall resurrection. Saint Brendan at the same time builded a Cell not farre from that place, called Tu∣lach Brenayd, that is, (saith mine Author) Collis Brendani, left Rua∣dan the charge thereof, tooke his blessing, and begun his travaile, as the Legends at large doe write. Ruadanus is said to have written these bookes in the Latine tongue.

• De miraculosa arbore lib. 1
• De mirabili fontium in Hibernia natura lib. 1
• Contra Diarmoyd regem lib. 1

Saint Faghua lived in the time of Finbarry,* 1.234 and founded a Mona∣sterie

upon the sea in the south part of Ireland, where he became Ab∣bot, the which seat grew to be a Citie, wherein a Cathedrall Church was builded, and patronized by Faghua. This towne of olde called Rossai Lithry, but now Roskarbry, hath beene walled about by a Lady of that country, but now according to the fruits of warre, a∣mong the Carties, O Driscales, and other septs, scarce can the old foundation be seene. There hath beene there of old (saith mine Au∣thor) magnum studium scholarium, a great Vniversitie, whereto re∣sorted all the South-west parts of Ireland for learnings sake. Saint Brendan Bishop of Kery, read publikely the liberall sciences in that schoole. Farther of Faghua or Faghuanus, mine Author recordeth, that he being sapiens & probus, a wise and a good man, by mishap fell blinde, and with many prayers, and salt teares, desired of God, resti∣tution of his sight, for the good of his Covent, and the Students brought up under him; a voyce he heard, (saith mine Author) goe get some of the breast milke of Broanus the artificers wife, wash thine eyes therewith, and thou shalt see. He went to a Prophetesse called Yta or Ytha, to learne how to come by this woman, and it fell out that this woman was her sister, hee found her out, washed his eyes, and recovered his sight; whether it be true or no, I know not, I report it as I finde it.* 1.235 This Saint Yta was an Abbatesse, whose originall was of Meth, but she was borne in Mounster.

* 1.236Vpon the storie of Faghua dependeth the Legend of Mocoeinoge, interpreted in Latine, meus pulcher iuvenis, my beautifull young man, who proved learned, an Abbot and a Bishop, being the childe of those breasts that washed Faghua his eyes; many admirable things are re∣ported of him wherewith I will not trouble the reader. He conversed with Coemanus or Chemanus, Cannicus, Finianus Abbas, Colman a Bishop,* 1.237 Daganus Abbot of Inbyr-dayle in Leinster, Mocobe his owne disciple, Illepius the disciple of Mocobe, Molna, Mofecta, Cunmi∣nus longus, the sonne of Fiachua, and Cronanne, who lyeth buried at Rosscre, Luctichernus and Lazerianus, with Yta, Patronesse of Huae Conaill, & her Abbot of Cluayn Mac Noys, & Abbot Engus, & Abbot Congallus, of Vlster, Mocoeinoge resteth in the county of Typperary, by a long foord in the way from Kilkenny to the Holy Crosse (as they cal it) where sometime was a Citie & a Monasterie called Liath, but now a Village bearing his name, Liath Mocoeinoge. He had in his life time much adoe with Coemanus, Bledin, Ronanus, Foelanus, Diarmoda, Sugbue, Lords of Ely, (now called Ely O Carroll) and with Falke Fland, King of Mounster, whose chiefe Pallace was in Cashell.

* 1.238Saint Coeingenus shall next be spoken of, in Latine as much to say, as pulchrogenitus, he was ordered by Bishop Lugidus, & led an here∣meticall life in a Cell, in a place of old called Cluayn Duach, where he was borne and brought up. Now the place is called Gleand-daloch (saith mine Author) Vallis duorum stagnorum,* 1.239 a valley of two pooles

or standing waters,* 1.240 where one Dymnach a Lord of the soile founded a Cathedrall Church, in the honour of Saint Coeingenus, ioyned ther∣unto a faire Church-yard, with other edifices, and divers buildings, the which in mine Author, legenda sancti Coeingeni) is termed civi∣tas de Glandelogh. In the life of Saint Patricke I finde, that hee pro∣phecied of two rare men, Albanus and Coeingenus, and that this should be a Bishop, and that one Molingus should succeed him; I finde this true in the See of Glandelogh. Coeingenus was a great lear∣ned man, and wrote these bookes.

• De Britannorum origine lib. 1 Bryto sive Brutus.
• De Hibero & Hermone lib. 1 Hyber & Hermon.

Molva before mentioned in the life of Mocoeinoge,* 1.241 (of his mother called Lugidus, but of his master, Congallus) was a great learned man, borne in Mounster, in Huafi, of the sept of Corcach. His father hight Carthach, alias Coche, his mother Sochla, that is, Large; hee was brought up under Congallus in Vlster, in his Abbey of Benchor, where he received orders, and was sent into his native soile of Moun∣ster, for the good of his country. Hee came to the schoole of Saint Finnian, in the confines of Leinster, and profited there very much,* 1.242 from thence he went to mount Luacha in the South-west part of the river Synna, together with his disciples, and craved of Foelanus, Lord of that soile, license there to inhabite, who refused him, so that he went to his kindred in Osraigi, (now called Ossorie) who recei∣ved him ioyfully. In a while after, he went to mount Smoil, now cal∣led mo••s Blandina, where he cast his staffe,* 1.243 and builded a Monasterie in a place called Rosse Bualead, by licence of Berachus Lord of that soile, (in Latine, Dux Laigy) where he decreed, saith the Legend, ut nulla mulier ibi semper intraret, that no woman should alwaies enter into it, which was, and may well be observed to this day, yea while the world endureth. In the same place was afterwards a famous citie builded, called Cluayn ferta Molua, in Latine, latibulum mirabile sancti Molvae, the secret habitation of Saint Molva. He conversed with Saint Flannanus, Molayssi, alias Molassus,* 1.244 Sethua Bishop of Saigir or Sagri, where it lyeth, I finde not, but by all likelyhood it should not be farre from Cluayn Ferta, with Moedog Archbishop of Leinster, Einenus Abbot of Rosse Mac Treoin in Kenselach, upon the river Berua, founded by the olde Saint Abbanus, with Daganus Abbot of Ardgabraine in Nandesi, called Achad Dagani,* 1.245 Saint Cronan in insu∣la Cree, Stellanus his disciple, Manchenus and Munnu, Abbot of Techmunnu in Kenselach in the South part of Leinster. Hee ended the way of all flesh, and resteth in the Monasterie of Cluayn Ferta, where one Lachtanus succeeded him. He is said to have wrought ma∣ny wonders, and if the reader laugh not, I will penne him one.

Molva in an evening walking among the cattell of his monasterie, heard a company of Wolves howling for their prey; hee was moved with pitty, called them to him, washed their feet, made them a feast, and gave them lodging. The Legend faith further, that they thence∣forth familiarly conversed with the Heard keepers, and chased away other Wolves and theeves. He wrote

Regulas Monachorum, confirmed by Greg. 1.

* 1.246Munnu spoken of in the former Legend, came of good parentage, of the house of Neill, his father was Tulchanus, his mother Fedelyr, he was brought up under Silell a learned man in the North of Ireland. Hee proved a singular learned man, and wrote a booke de pascate, which was in his time in question, he outlived Congallus and Colum∣ba, and conversed with Baithenus and Lazerianus, Abbot of Leigh∣lin, he dwelt a while in Ely, from thence hee went to Athcayn in Kinselach, and in Achad Lia••htrom he builded a monasterie called Teach-Munnu, alias Thech-Munnu, where hee gave up the ghost, 12. of the Kalends of November, and yet the Martyrologes place him the sixt Kalend of the same moneth. In his storie I finde mention of a controversie betweene him and Lazerianus,* 1.247 who builded a Mo∣nasterie, In stagno Hiberniae Dai ynis, in Latine, bovis insula, in the North part of Ireland, so it is written in the life of Aedanus; after∣wards he came to the river Berba (now called the Barrow) and there became Abbot of fifteene hundred Monkes. In their time, the old controversie about the observation of Easter, was vehemently urged of all sides; a great disputation and parlie was appointed in Campo Albo (saith mine Author) upon the Barrow. Munnu held the old, the other the new observation. To be short, Munnu gave this offer, brother Lazerianus (saith he) let us not spend time, neither trouble this people with this tedious question; choose for the tryall of the truth, one of these three things, take two bookes, one of the old, the other of the new Easter, cast them into the fire, looke which the fire saveth, let the truth rest there; or take two Monkes, one of thy side, another of mine,* 1.248 and cast them both into an house set on fire, he that commeth forth safe, let him carry the truth. Or let us goe to the grave of some holy Monke, and raise the dead, and stand to his sen∣tence, when we shall keepe Easter this yeere. Lazerianus refused his offers, and said, I will no longer contend with thee brother Munnu, for I know thy worthinesse and sanctitie is such, that if thou com∣mand the mount Margee over against us to remove to this Campus albus,* 1.249 and this ground to remove thither, I am of opinion it will bee so, thus they broke up and did nothing.

Cannicus or Kennicus was borne in the North of Ireland (in Con∣naught as I gather) his father was called Lugaid Lechteag a Poet,* 1.250 his mother hight Maula or Mella, hee was trayned up in Britaine in the christian schoole of Docus, thence he went to Rome, and took orders

in Italie, returned into Ireland, preached the Gospell most zealously, and (saith his Legend) wrought many miracles. He conversed with great learned men, namely Eugenius, Bishop of Ardratha,* 1.251 Baithenus and others. Adamannus in the life of Columba formerly spoken of, and the second of the name, writeth (wherby I gather the time of the learned men of that age) how that at one time, Cannicus, Congallus, Brendanus, Cormacus, and Fynbarry visited Columba, and were all present when he celebrated the divine mysterie. Colmanus the sonne of Feraid, Lord of Osraide or Ossragy, now called Ossorie, was Kan∣nicus his deare friend, who after he had received the faith, gave him many villages, where he builded Cels and Monasteries, but chiefely at Achadbo, where he resteth. When the time of his departure out of this sinfull world drew nigh, he sent for Fintan the Abbot, and re∣ceived at his hands the blessed Sacrament, and so departed the fift of the Ides of October.

In remembrance of this Cannicus,* 1.252 there is now a famous towne in Leinster called Kilkenny, parted into the English and Irish towne, with a small fresh or brooke that falleth into the Nure; the chiefe Lord under the King, is the Earle of Ormond and Ossorie; the En∣glish towne is governed by a Soveraigne, Bayliffes and Burgesses, the Irish towne is governed by the Bishop of Ossorie and his officers, and the Bishopricke of Ossorie, whose principall see was first in Ely, and called Sire Keran (as formerly I have written in the life of Keranus) afterward translated to Achadbo, is now setled in Kilkenny. The first founder of Saint Kennies Church there, was Hugh Mapilton, the fift Bishop of that See, after the conquest, about the yeer 1240. There was also about the same time, a Church builded over against the towne, upon the East side of the Nure, in the honour of Saint Maula the mother of Saint Kenny,* 1.253 whose memory is continued in that towne, by her plague that fell among them, and thus it was.

There was a great plague in that towne, and such as died thereof being bound with Wythes upon the Beere, were buried in Saint Mau∣las Churchyard; after that the infection ceased,* 1.254 women and maides went thither to dance, and in stead of handkerchiefes and napkins to keepe them together in their round, it is said they tooke those Wythes to serve their purpose. It is generally received, (take it gentle reader as cheape as you finde it) that Maula was angry for propha∣ning her Church-yard, and with the Wythes infected the dancers so, that shortly after in Kilkenny, there died of the sicknesse, man, woman and childe.

Aedanus (divers times before spoken of) was of honourable pa∣rentage, borne in Connaght, his father hight Sothna, his mother,* 1.255 Ethne, of the sept of Amluygh, his companions were Molassus, alias Lazerianus, and Airedus, also he conversed much with Saint David, Bishop of Menevia, (now called Saint Davids) and is there called

Moedock; this David was his master. The martyrologe of Sarum cal∣leth him Maeldock; my Author yeeldeth the reason, writing how that his mother conceiving with childe of him, his father dreamed that he saw a starre fall from heaven upon his wife, the mother of this Aedanus, and therefore when he was borne, he was called in Latine, filius stellae, in Irish, Moedog, that is, the sonne of the starre. Master Fox writeth, that hee builded the Monasterie of Maibrose by the floud of Twide. David the holy man advised him to repaire to his native soile for the good of his country, after that hee had for a good space followed the Christian Britaines against the faithlesse Saxons. He came to Ireland to Anmyre,* 1.256 King of Connaght, from thence to Leinster, and builded Monasteries in Kinselach and Cluayn More, what time Edus or Edanus,* 1.257 the sonne of Anmyre King of Connaght, levied warre against Brandub King of Leinster, in which battaile, E∣dus and all his Nobilitie of Connaght were slaine, and Brandub be∣came Monarch of Ireland. After this he went to the North of Eng∣land,* 1.258 and was made Bishop of Lyndsey, Lyndesfernensis: Capgrave maketh two of one Aedanus, the one an Abbot, the other a Bishop, and to reconcile the dissonance, he was first an Abbot, afterwards a Bishop, so writeth Bale. Beda delivereth singular commendations of him, the which to avoid prolixitie I omit. After all this, hee returned to Leinster, to Brandub the Monarch, who upon speciall liking of his vertues, gave him a parcell of land, where he builded a Monaste∣rie; the place is called Ferna, now Fernes, where both Church and Monasterie are patronized (as they write) by Saint Moedog,* 1.259 where afterwards both Brandub and Moedog were buried, whereof the words in the life of Aedanus, alias Moedog, are these. Magnas dedit rex oblationes Sancto Moedog, & agrum in quo vir Dei construxit monasterium quod dicitur Ferna, in quo Sanctus Moedog sepultus est, & rex Brandub, & genus ejus post eum ibi semper sepelitur. Et mag∣na civitas in honore sancti Moedog ibi crevit, quae eodem nomine voca∣tur Ferna. Deinde facta Synodo magnatum in terra Laginensium, de∣crevit Rex Brandub, & tam Laici quam Clerici, ut Archiepiscopatus omnium Laginensium, semper esset in sede & cathedra sancti Moedog, & tunc sanctus Moedog a multis catholicis consecratus est Archiepisco∣pus. The King gave many gifts to Saint Moedog, and a parcell of ground, where the man of God builded a Monasterie, called Ferna, where Saint Moedog is buried, and King Brandub, and his posteritie after him, is there continually buried. And a great Citie in the honour of Saint Moedog is there risen, the which by the same name is called Ferna.* 1.260 Afterwards a Synode or Parliament of the Nobilitie of Lein∣ster being called together, King Brandub decreed together with the Laitie and Clergie, that the Archbishopricke of all Leinster should al∣waies be in the seate and chayre of Saint Moedog, and then Saint Moedog by many Catholikes was consecrated Archbishop. According

to which indeed in the Legend of Saint Molva he is called Archiepis∣copus Laginensium.

David of Menevia being of great yeeres,* 1.261 desired to see him before his death; Moedog visited him, and returned into Ireland in a trou∣blesome time, namely when all Leinster was in Armes to revenge upon Saran (a Nobleman of Leinster) the death of King Brandub, whom he had traiterously murthered. This Brandub, the sonne of Eatach, of the progenie or sept of Enna, of whom Censelach hath o∣riginall, had a most honourable funerall, and was greatly lamented, and intombed in the Church-yard of Saint Moedog,* 1.262 in his Citie Fer∣na, where his progenie, the royall bloud of the Kings of Leinster is interred; after his death, Earle Saran (so mine Author calleth him) being tormented in conscience, came to the Kings tombe, lamented the horrible treason he had committed, and could finde no rest to his dying day.

In the time of this Moedog, the three Kings of Tuomond,* 1.263 Con∣naght, and Vlster, with an Armie of foure and twenty thousand men, came to Leinster, to revenge the death of Edus before spoken of. The King of Leinster called Moedog, and the Clergie, and commanded them all to pray while he fought, and, saith the storie, God gave the Leinster men the victory, and their enemies were overthrowne.

It is remembred of this Aedanus, how that one comming unto him, and desiring him to assigne him a Confessor, his answer was; Thou needst no Confessor but God, who knoweth the secrets of thy heart, but if thou wilt have a witnesse of thy doings, goe to one Molva a lear∣ned man, who shall direct thee in thy course. And yet (gentle reader) I may not overslip one thing, the which Capgrave reporteth in the life of Aedanus or Aidanus, (or Moedog) namely,* 1.264 how that (for all the sanctitie of the Prelates in those dayes) Satan, with all the inter∣nall spirits, sent greeting, with great thankes, unto the Ecclesiasticall state upon earth, in dreadfull characters. For that they wanting no aide in their delights from hellish places, sent such a number of dam∣ned soules into the sulphureall pits, through their remisnesse in life, and slacknesse in preaching, as in former ages had not beene seene. Whosoever devised the course, it forceth not greatly, the matter might seeme odious if it contained no truth.

Finnan in Wales, (as my Authors report) called Gwyn,* 1.265 was born at Ardez, he travelled forraigne countries, came to his native soile, was Bishop of Farne, saith Beda, baptized Penda King of Mercia,* 1.266 con∣secrated Cedd, Bishop of East Saxons, and lyeth buried at Cuning∣ham in Scotland, called of the Britaines, Kilgwinin. There was al∣so one Finan an Abbot, borne in Mounster, sent by Saint Brendan to Smoir, now called Mons Blandina, to inhabite there,* 1.267 who came after∣wards to Corcodizbue, where hee was borne, builded Cels and Mo∣nasteries for religious men, contended with Falbe Fland, King of

Mounster.* 1.268 A third Finan there was, who was master of Ruadanus a great learned man, and dwelt at Cluayn jarhaird in Meath.

* 1.269Colmannus, whose life Bale writeth at large, was a godly learned man, borne in Ireland, the sonne of one Fiachra, of the bloud Royall, and highly commended of Beda, hee was brought up after the Apo∣stolike rules of Congellus, he succeeded Finan in the Bishopricke of Farne, alias, Linsey. In his time there was great stirre about the ob∣servation of Easter, when some alledged custome, and some urged the authoritie of Rome; he pleaded the Gospell both against this stir, and the like trouble that rose about the shaving of Priests crownes, the which he reiected (saith Beda) and seeing that he could not pre∣vaile,* 1.270 forsooke his Bishopricke, and went with certaine Scots and Sax∣ons into the Hebrydes, where he ended his dayes.

Beda writeth, how that in the yeere 664. there fell strange acci∣dents upon the eclipse of the Sunne, (which was the third of May) in England and Ireland, and a great mortalitie in both lands, in the time of Finan and Colman the godly Bishops. Gentle reader, thou shalt heare himselfe speake. The plague pressed sore that Iland of Ire∣land, no lesse then England; there were then as that time, many of noble parentage, and likewise of the meane sort of English birth, in the dayes of Finan and Colman the Bishops, who leaving their native soile, had re∣paired thither, either for divine literature, or for more continencie of life, whereof some immediately gave themselves to monasticall conver∣sation, others frequenting the Cels, gave diligent eare to the lectures of the readers. All which the Scots (he meaneth the Irish men) with most willing minde daily relieved, and that freely, yeelding unto them bookes to reade, and masterly care without hire. Among these, there were two young men of great towardnesse, of the Nobles of England, Edelthun and Egbert: the first was brother to Edilhun, a man belo∣ved of God,* 1.271 who formerly had visited Ireland for learnings sake, and being well instructed, returned into his country, was made Bishop of Lin∣disfarne, and for a long time governed the Church with great discreti∣on. These men being of the monasterie of Rathmelfig, and all their fel∣lowes, by the mortalitie, either cut off or dispersed abroad, were both vi∣sited with the sicknesse; and to make short, that which mine Author layeth downe at large, Edelthun died thereof, and Egbert lived untill he was fourescore and tenne yeeres old. So farre Beda.

There was another Colmannus, otherwise called Colmanellus, an Abbot,* 1.272 of the sept of the Neilles, borne in Hoichle in Meth, what time the King of Leinster, with an huge armie wasted the North, he became first Abbot of Conor in Vlster, where the godly Bishop Mac Cnessey resteth. From thence he came to the place where he was born, and there (saith his Legend) he met with Eadus the sonne of Aimire∣ach,* 1.273 a King of Ireland, Edus Flan a Lord of that country, of the sept of the Neills, his kinsman, Saint Columba Cylle, and Saint Cannicus

the Abbot who received him ioyfully. Edus Flan gave him a parcell of land to build upon, and to inhabit, called Fyd Elo, afterwards cal∣led Colmans Elo, where hee founded a Monasterie, and now resteth himselfe.

Carantocus, in the martyrologe Cartak,* 1.274 was the sonne of Keredi∣cus, a King of Ireland, a good Preacher, the Irish called him Ceruagh, his mother was a Britaine, and was delivered of him in Wales. Hee travailed over Ireland and Britaine; King Arthur is said to have ho∣noured him greatly, and gave him a parcell of land, where he builded a Church. In his latter dayes he came to Ireland, and died in a towne called after his name, Chervac: So much Capgrave. There was ano∣ther of that name, an Abbot in France, of whom Ionas maketh men∣tion in the life of Columbanus, but not of Irish birth.

Now to intermit a while from speaking of these learned men; I finde that Aurelius Conanus, (who slue Constantine that succeeded King Arthur, and raigned in his stead thirty three yeeres) valiantly by force of Armes brought under his command, as Gualterus Oxoni∣ensis writeth, Norwey, Denmarke, Ireland, Island, Gothland,* 1.275 the Orchades, and Ocean Ilands. I finde also that Malgo, the nephew of this Conanus, who (as it is in the English history) succeeded Vor∣tipore, vanquished the Irish Pictes, or Scots, which the Britaines called y Gwydhil Pictiard, which had over-runne the Isle of Man,* 1.276 of them called, Tyr Mon, and slue Serigi their King with his owne hand at Llany Gwydhil, that is, the Irish Church at Holy-head; so write Sir Iohn Price Knight, and Humfry Lloyd in the description of Cambria. Florilegus saith, that he subdued sixe Ilands of the Ocean adioyning unto him, which Harding thus reckoneth.

And conquered wholy the Isle of Orkenay, Ireland, Denmarke, Iselond and eke Norway, And Gotland also obeyed his royaltie, He was so wise, full of fortunitie.

When Careticus was King of Britaine, who began his raigne,* 1.277 Anno Dom. 586. the Saxons intending to make a full conquest of the land, called to their aide, for a number of Pirates and sea rovers, that were mighty and strong, and scoured the Seas and the Ilands, whose Captaine was Gurmundus, one calleth him an African. Fabian wri∣teth, that he had two names, and was called Gurmundus,* 1.278 and Afri∣canus; howsoever, I finde, that hee was the King of Norweys sonne, and for his successe in England, referre the reader to that historie; and for his behaviour in Ireland, I will acquaint the courteous reader with what I finde, in which the Writers no•• not agree. Cambrensis and Polycronicon followed bad presidents, and were deceived; Stani∣hurst stammereth, writing one thing in English, another thing in

Latine;* 1.279 the best record I finde, is in Thadie Dowlinge, Chancellour of Leighlin, and Iames Grace of Kilkenny. They write that Gurmund was in Ireland, but no King or Conquerour, that with strong hand he entred Leinster like a raging Pyrate, prevailed for the time, and that the Princes of the land, not being able then to withstand his forces, yeelded unto the iniquitie of the time, and wincked at his rash enter∣prises. And whereas he gave forth his stile, King of England, they laughed at it, and he perceiving the wilinesse and ingeniositie of the people, and having small stomacke to continue among them, (by reason of many mishaps which befell him) left the land, and went for France to seeke adventures, where he ended his dayes. Further they write, that he had a sonne called Barchard, alias Burchared Mac Gur∣mond, whom his father made Duke of Leinster, and Baron of Mar∣gee.* 1.280 He was commonly called, O Gormagheyn; Hee builded Gur∣mund grange in Monte Margeo, with other memorable things for him and his posterity; hee is said to have beene the founder of the mother Church or priorie of old Leighlin, but I rather beleeve hee was a Benefactor or endower thereof in the time of Saint Eubanus the originall Patron; and that one Lazerianus a Bishop and Confessor, Anno 651. procured the perfection of the whole, as in the Leighlin records more at large doth appeare. Againe, it is recorded that Duke Burchard lyeth buried on the North side of the Chancell of that Cathedrall Church, over against the Treasurers stall, under a marble stone, as it was found for certaine, Anno 1589. by Thadie Dowlinge, Chancellour, and others, with this Epitaph.

Hic jacet humatus Dux fundator Leniae (i. Leighlenie) En Gormondi Burchardus vir gratus Ecclesiae.

Here lyeth interred Duke Burchard, the sonne of Gurmond, foun∣der of Leighlin, and a gratefull man to the Church.

There are, saith mine Author, other remembrances of this in those parts, as Gurmunds-grove, and Gurmunds-foord, the which I over∣passe.* 1.281 Mons Margeus, in Irish, Sliewe Marrig or Sliew Marighagha, (which is the mountaine reaching along by Leighlin to Butlers wood) wherin, as before I have touched; Gurmunds-grange standeth, was, as I haue learned, of old, granted to one called de Sancto Leode∣gario, by the name and honour of Baron de Marrighagha, but time and place have brought the name to degenerate and turne from En∣glish to Irish. Of late yeeres a Gentleman of the name, dwelling at Dunganstowne, neere Catherlagh, (affirming himselfe to be lineally descended from Baron Sentleger) made claime unto the same, but the successe I hearken not after, as impertinent to my purpose.

* 1.282 * 1.283About the yeere 587. Athelfrid the Saxon King of Northumbers, so tyrannized over the Britaines, that they were faine to take Ireland

for their refuge, and Atdan, King of Scots pittying their state, raised forces to defend them, but could not prevaile, so great was the mise∣rie of the Britaines.

Anno Dom. 635. was Cadwallin crowned King of Britaine; Cax∣ton and Florilegus write of cruell warres betweene Edwin, sonne un∣to Athelfrid, King of Northumbers, and Cadwallin;* 1.284 how that Ed∣win made him flee into Ireland, destroyed his land, cast downe his Castles, burnt his Mannors, and divided his land among his friends, and lastly, how that in a good while after, Cadwallin came upon him with forces out of Ireland, slue Edwin, and recovered all his posses∣sions.

In the dayes of this Cadwallin, Kenevalcus,* 1.285 (otherwise called Cewalch) King of West Saxons, builded the Church of Winchester, made it a Bishops See, and the first Bishop he placed there, was one Agilbertus, who came out of Ireland, who in a short time after, was deposed, say some; Grafton with other writers record not the cause, but Beda writeth that he was offended, for that Kenelwalkus divided the Province into two, that he left the See, went into France, became Bishop of Paris, and there ended his dayes; and how that Kenelwal∣kus sent for him againe and againe, but his flat answer was, for that he had dealt with him so unkindely, he would never returne.

I must here insert that which Cambrensis writeth of the antiquities of Brechinia or Breknoke in this sort;* 1.286 there was of old of that coun∣try, which now is called Brecheinoc, a governour that was a man both mighty and Noble, whose name was Brachanus, of whom the country of Brecheinoc, (Brecknokshire) is so called, of whom one thing came un∣to me worthy the noting; the histories of Britaine doe testifie that he had foure and twenty daughters, that were all from their childhood brought up in the service of God, and happily ended their dayes in the holy pur∣pose they tooke upon them. Doctor Powell the great Antiquarie of Britaine, in his learned annotations upon him, explaineth the same thus. This Brachanus, (saith he) was the sonne of one Haulaph, King of Ireland, his mother was one Mercella, the daughter of Theoderike, the sonne of Tethphalt a petite King of Garthmarthrin, to wit, of the coun∣try which tooke the name of this Brachanus, and at this day is called Brechonia, or Brechinia, in British, Brechinoc, in English, Breknok. This Brachanus had to his daughter, one Tydvaell, the wife of Conge∣nus, the sonne of Cadell a petit King of Powis, and the mother of Broch∣mael, surnamed Scithroc, who slue Athelfred, alias Ethelfred, King of Northumberland, at the river of Deva (called of the Britaines, Doverdwy) and foyled his armie about the yeere of our Lord, 603. Here Breknoktowne, and Breknokshire have cause to glorie of Ire∣land, that gave them the name and honour which they hold to this day, and Ireland to glory of them that gave their Kings sonne Mar∣cella their Lady, and all that country in her right.

* 1.287Also I cannot omit another thing of that age, the which Grafton reporteth of the Clergie; and I finde in Beda more reverently delive∣red, for that I have formerly spoken much of them, and shall have occasion to speake something hereafter, especially seeing Bedaes words are generall, to be understood as well of the one land, as of the other, if not rather of Ireland, considering what hath beene delive∣red heretofore.* 1.288 In those dayes (saith Grafton) the Monkes and Clergie set all their mindes to serve God, and not the world, and were wholly gi∣ven to devotion, and not to filling of the panch, and pampering of the body, wherefore they were then had in great reverence and honour, so that they were then received with all worship. And as they went by the streetes and wayes,* 1.289 men that saw them, would runne to them, and de∣sire their blessings, and well was him then that might give unto them possessions, and to build them houses and Churches. But as they increa∣sed in riches of worldly treasure, so they decreased in heauenly treasure; as in the dayes of Aluredus some deale began, and sithen that time, hath sprung not all to the pleasure of God▪ Then they applyed nothing that was worldly, but gave themselves to preaching and teaching of the word of our Saviour Iesus Christ, and followed in life, the doctrine that they preached, giving good example to all men. And beside that, they were utterly void of covetousnesse, and received no possessions gladly, but were enforced thereunto. So farre Grafton.

Anno Dom. 685. was Cadwallader crowned King of Britaines, that Ireland was subiect unto him, Harding testifieth, his words are,

Cadwaladrus after him gan succeed, Both young and faire in florishing invent; That Cadwallader was called as I reade, Who of Britaine had all the Soveraigntie, Of English and Saxons in each country, Of Pightes, Irish, and Scots his under regence, As Soveraigne Lord, and most of excellence.

For other things that concerne him, I referre the reader to the hi∣storie of England. He had two nephewes (his daughters sonnes) na∣med Iv••r and Heuyr, who fled into Ireland saith Powell, and when they saw their time, came with forces against the Saxons, gave them three battailes, with many skirmishes and inrodes, yet in the end, were foiled, as in the proper historie more at large appeareth. And here ended the rule of the Britaines which had long continued.

* 1.290I must now acquaint the reader with such as for learning and san∣ctitie were of note during this age, beginning at the yeere 600. Za∣charias Lippeloo, out of Petrus Cameracensis, writeth, that about this yeere 600. there was an heathenish and idolatrous King in Ireland,

who had one Dympna to his daughter, who secretly was baptized by one Gerebernus a Priest that travailed the land for such purposes. The daughter being sole heire, and her mother being now dead, the father was very carefull to see her well matched according to his de∣gree, and accordingly acquainted his dearest friends and counsellers with his intent and purpose, who likewise travailed carefully in the cause, but could not speed to the fathers contentment. As shee grew in yeeres, so she excelled in beautie, and the father being as wicked as she was good and faire, became enamoured of his owne daughter, and importunately offered her marriage. Shee at the first being ama∣zed at the motion, yet at length gathering spirit, desired respite for forty dayes, and withall desired that it would please him to adorne her with such attire, jewels and ornaments, as became a Kings daugh∣ter to weare, all which being granted, she privately sent for Gereber∣nus the Priest, and acquainted him with all the circumstances. The Priest advised her, that the safest way for her to avoid the incestuous King, was to avoid the land; shee immediately with the Priest, toge∣ther with her fathers Iester and his wife, tooke shipping, and arrived at Antverp. When they had rested there a while, and recreated them∣selves, they of devotion (saith mine Author) sought out among woods and desarts, a solitarie place to remaine; in this resolution they came to a poore village called Ghele, (Gela saith Molanus) and from thence they went to a thicket called Zammale, where they rid some small quantity of ground, made a Caban to hold them all foure, where they continued well some three moneths, praying and fasting. In the meane while the Irish King missing his daughter Dympna, lamented greatly, made great inquirie, and offered great rewards to know what became of her, and having gotten inkling of her course, hoised up saile after her, and landed at Antverp, immediately hee made search, and sent messengers with large offers about, if haply they might heare of her. At the length, by the coyne which they offered for reward, she was found out, for they said, there was a faire young woman, re∣maining in a solitary place, which had sent for reliefe for her selfe, and three persons more with the like coyne. The messengers were brought to the place, who knowing her ranne forthwith with newes to the King, and he with much ioy made haste to the Caban, and when he saw her, said; O my onely daughter Dympna, my love, my de∣light, and the ioy of my heart; what constrained thee to despise a regall dignity, to forsake thy native soile, to forget the naturall affection of a Childe toward her Parent, to flee from thy father a King, and to follow, as a childe, this old decrepit bald Priest, and so willingly to con∣descend to his unsavorie injunctions? hearken to mine advice, returne with me into Ireland, yeeld to thy fathers desire, and I will advance thee above all the Ladies in Ireland. Gerebernus the Priest, preventing the young Gentlewoman, turned him to the Irish King, and rebuked

him sharpely, denouncing him for a most wicked and abhominable person; then he turned him to the Gentlewoman, and charged her never to give eare to so lewd a man. With this the King and his company being mightily moved, commanded the Priest to be taken aside, and his head to be taken off his shoulders. Afterward the fa∣ther turned him to his daughter, O daughter, (saith he) why suf∣ferest thou mee thy father to bee thus vexed? why contemnest thou my love towards thee? yeeld, and thou shalt want nothing. Shee with a sterne countenance made answer, Thou infortunate tyrant, why goest thou about with deceitfull promises, to withdraw me from my set∣led purpose of shamefastnesse? I defie thee, and all thine. Thou cruell ty∣rant, why hast thou slaine the Lords Priest? shalt thou escape (thinkest thou) the iudgement of the Almighty? what torture thou wilt lay upon me, I weigh not: with this, the father being furiously moved, com∣manded his souldiers to cut off her head, and they being loath to doe it, he tooke the sword that hung by his side, and with his own hands strucke off her head, and with expedition returned into Ireland. Thus the Priest and Dympna died, of the Iester and his wife I reade no∣thing, belike they returned home againe. Molanus writeth, that many yeeres after, the bodies of Dympna and Gerebernus were sought ou••, taken up, and solemnly enterred. The Irish in the County of Louth doe honour her; belike her father dwelt there.

* 1.291Saint Bertwin, an Irish man, was brought up in the Monasterie of Othbell in England, from thence he went to Rome, where hee led a solitarie life the space of two yeeres; in his returne, he came to the For∣rest of Marlignia in Flanders, where he builded a Chappell; lastly, he was made Bishop of Molania, where he ended his dayes. Sigebert ad an. 651. writeth, Many out of Eng▪ or Scot. (he knew not well the coun∣tries) as strangers travailing in France, preached the word of God, and did much good,* 1.292 to wit, Etto, Bertwinus, Eloquius. This Bertwin ly∣eth buried nigh Namurcum (saith Molanus) of old called Namur, no∣vus murus, but now Namurra, so writeth Hubertus Thomas Leodius.

* 1.293Livinus, borne in Ireland, and brought up in Scotland and En∣gland, under Benignus the Priest, and Augustine the first Bishop of the Saxons, by whom he was made Archbishop (saith Molanus) of the Scots, (saith Christianus Massaeus, of Ireland, saith Bale, Silvestris Scotiae,* 1.294 of the Ilanders and Red-shanckes) the which charge, after cer∣taine yeeres, he committed to Sylvanus his Arch-deacon, and gave himselfe to travaile, and tooke with him his three disciples, Saint Foillanus, Helias, and Kilian, and came to Gandavum. Of him, Chri∣stianus Massaeus writeth thus: In the yeere of our Lord, 631. Saint Livinus by nation a Scot, Archbishop of Ireland, came to Ganda∣vum, with three disciples, and remained there one moneth, from thence he went to Esca, preached Christ, and converted many, there some hard-hearted people slue him, when he was beheaded, hee rose

up, tooke with him his owne head, (beleeve it who list) and carried it to Houtthein, where the Angels had made a sepulchre for him. He is said (saith Bale) to have written a booke of Homilies, and in the yeere 1007. to have beene translated to Saint Bavons Church in Gandavum. There was another Livinus a French man, a Fryer mi∣norite, and slaine, as they say, about the yeere 1345. and of fame at this day in Flanders.

Arbogastus borne in Ireland, a godly Preacher,* 1.295 and a great Wri∣ter, was the second Bishop of Argentine, Anno 646. who also for his great wisedome, was taken by Dagobert King of France, to be of his Councell. He left behinde him for the good of the Church, a booke of Homilies. So much Bale out of Munster Molanus writeth, that about the yeere 647. some of the familie of Pipinus, the first Duke of Brabant, father of Saint Gertrude, sent for many Preachers out of Ire∣land and Scotland into Brabant, and the bordering regions, to plant the Christian religion among them,* 1.296 Fortanus and Vltanus are there named. Lippeloo saith, that about the yeere 696. Egbertus, Wicbertus and Willibrodus were famous learned men in Ireland, continued there a long time, afterwards dispersed themselves into farre countries, and with happinesse ended their dayes.

Molanus hereof writeth farther thus.* 1.297 In the imperiall towne cal∣led Werda, the birth of Saint Switberd, (whom Beda calleth Suidber∣tus) the Bishop and Confessor is solemnized: who in the time of Pipinus, (the first Duke of Brabant) together with Saint Willibrod, preached soules health unto the nations thereabouts. This man, among other dis∣eases, was wont to cure the disease in the throate, called of the Physiti∣ans, the squinancie. He is termed the second of those Apostolike men which came out of England and Ireland to preach the Gospell unto the Frisians, Hollanders, and the nations about them Among whom, being as yet but a Priest, he converted many, chiefly the inhabitants of the great Village Duerstadt, the which now is the towne of W••ic. He converted also the Citie Hagenstein, which now is a village ad∣ioyning unto Viana. And when as by the industrie of him and Wil∣librodus, the number of the faithfull daily increased, at the intreatie of the brethren in Trajectum and Friseland, both of them consented he should be consecrated Bishop. Whereupon Saint Switbert (whom Beda saith to have beene modest of life, and meeke in heart) went in∣to England, and was consecrated by Saint Willfride Bishop of Mer∣cia (Kent, saith Beda, had then no Bishop) in the yeere 695. But Saint Willibrode went unto Duke Pipinus, and having gotten leave of him, departed to Rome, where the yeere following, Pope Sergius consecrated him. And although Switbert, by reason of some small time, had the start of Willibrode, yet Willibrode went before him in dignitie, for he was the first Archbishop of Trajectum, and especial∣ly by Pope Sergius, consecrated Archbishop of Frisia, and directed

to that people. And (saith Beda) Sergius changed his name, and cal∣led him Clement, because (saith Molanus) hee consecrated him on Saint Clements Even. And he also writeth, that he was Archbishop of the nations now called Frisii, Transiselani, Trajectenses, Hollan∣di and Zelandi, whereas Switbert is not called Bishop of Trajectum, but fellow Bishop with Saint Willibrode. Yet he is by speciall name called the Apostle of Teisterbandia, Westfalia, and of the Boructua∣rians: for Marcellinus writeth, that hee converted the county of Teisterbandia, and together with it, in a manner, all Batua, and the greater part of the lower Friseland unto the faith. He also exceeding∣ly increased the number of the beleevers in the Church, at Trajectum; he founded many Churches, and dedicated the temples of Idols un∣to the honour of God. In the historie of Marcellinus, certaine places by especiall words are named; as in Zandwic, in the Ile of Tila, which at this day cannot be found in Arkell and Hoernaer villages of the Lordship of Gorcomia, in Schoenreford, (now called Schoenre∣woert) by Leerda, in Authensden, nigh Huesden in Wondrighen, (now called Worckum) in Aelborch, Giesen and Riiswij••ke between Worckum and Huesden, in Almkerk (which is the territorie of Alte∣nae) in Maelsem, Erkum and Avesaede in the Lordship of Buria, with many other places. In these countries hee hallowed Churches, continually praying with great devotion for the people which hee had converted, and with wholesome admonitions drawing them to the heavenly dwellings. He converted the Westfalians and Boructu∣arians, which at this day are thought to bee the people Markenses. Further, the renowned Duke Pipinus gave him Werda upon the ri∣ver of Rhene,* 1.298 for his good, and for the establishing of his principality: which place is elsewhere called the Iland of Saint Switbert, though now it be part of the continent or maine land. Pipinus gave him also great store of treasure, wherewith he builded there a Monasterie, and replenished the same with a great company of the servants of Christ. In the end, this Saint Switbert died in the yeere 717. and lyeth buri∣ed in the Monasterie of Werda-Caesaris which he had founded.

Beda writeth, that Willibrode lived in his time, and went on the thirtieth and sixt yeere of his consecration, Archbishop of Friseland: Molanus delivereth his end, that namely he ended his dayes at We∣stervoert, and was buried at Elste in Gelderland; but of Egbert and Wigbert the Martyr (before mentioned) he reporteth out of Beda and Marcellinus,* 1.299 that Wigbert was one of the companions of Egbert, and for the space of many yeeres, had led an Anchors life in Ireland, that he sailed into Friseland, and for the space of two whole yeeres, preached unto that nation, and to their King Radbodus, and seeing that he could doe no good among them, returned againe to Ireland. And when as Egbertus the servant of God, had sent the second time unto the Friselanders and Saxons, famous men for life and learning,

Acca, Willibaldus, Winiboldus, Lebuinus, Werenfridus, Marcellinus, Adalbertus, Ewaldus senior and junior, together with Willibrode, he sent the said Wigbert, who no sooner landed, but King Rad••od cau∣sed him cruelly to be tormented to death in Fosetes-land••, an Iland in the confines of Friseland and Denmarke; for that the Christians of that place by his preaching of the Gospell, had destroyed there the Idoll groves of Iupiter and Fosta.

There was a later Wigbertus, Patron of Hersweldia, remembred in the Martyrologe, whom I would have the reader take notice of, to avoid the confusion of times. And last of all, of Willibrode and Wil∣fram, there is a storie, how that Raboldus after long perswasion, see∣med willing to be baptized, and having one foot in the water, de∣manded where be the nobilitie of Frizeland, my Father, Grand-fa∣ther and kindred? Answer being made, that they were in hell, hee with-drew himselfe from baptisme, saying, I will goe after the grea∣test company, take your heaven to your selfe.

Molanus when hee had at large written the lives of the foresaid learned men that came out of Ireland, he maketh in his Chronicle a recapitulation of them, the which will helpe the memorie of the rea∣der, therefore I thought good to lay it down. Egbert the second time essaied to convert Friseland and Saxonie, gathered together twelve Apostolicke men, Willibrode, Switbert, Acca, Wigbert, Wilibald, Wi∣nibold, Lebuinus, Ewaldus, surnamed the blacke, (in Irish, Duffe) Ewaldus the white, Werenfridus, Marcellinus and Adalbertus.

1 Saint Willibrod and Saint Switbert,* 1.300 by common consent of the bre∣thren, were elected and consecrated Bishops. Saint Willibrode was made Archbishop of Friseland, he received by the donation of Duke Pipinus, the Citie of Traiectum, with all thereunto appertaining. He founded in the territorie of Saint Thomas, a Colledge of regular Canons. In the towne of Rhen he is said to have found the body of Cunera, one of the eleven thousand Virgins. He travailed in preaching without Friseland; ••e had in Latharingia, two women disciples, Herlind and Relind, Nunnes of Maeseike, which now is of Leodium or Leege in Flanders. He converted the Hulstenses, Axellanos, Hasuenses, Birfletanos. At Trevires, in the Church of Saint Marie and Martyres, hee founded a Monasterie of Monkes Benedictines▪ At Epternacum among the Lux∣emburgs, he founded a famous Monasterie, wherein hee was buried, Anno 736.

2 Saint Switbert was consecrated in England,* 1.301 and converted many in Traiectum, Holland, Gelderland, chiefely Wiic, Hagelsteyn, Alcma∣ria, Waterla••dia, Gerconium, Bomelia, Tiela, Huesda, Bura, Ba••ua with other places. Hee is called the Apostle of Teisterbandia, Westfalia, and of the Boructuarians. He builded a Monasterie in Werda Caesaris, where he ended his dayes, Anno 710.

3 Acca went into England to the consecration of Saint Switbert, and

when Switbert returned, he became Bishop of Lindisfarne.

Wigbert is said to be martyred in Fostilandia adjoyning upon Frise∣land by Radbodus King of Friseland, who also slue Saint Egelmund the Martyr.

5.6 Wilibaldus and Winiboldus being brethren, went to Aistadi∣um in Germanie.

7 Lebuinus converted the Transiselanians, and resteth among them in Daventria.

8.9 The two Ewaldes went to Nabia, preached Christ, and were martyred by the old Saxons.

10 Werenfridus converted many to the faith at Arnhemium in Westervaert, and at Neomagum in Elst.

11 Marcellinus preached 65. yeeres, chiefely in Trenta, Twenta, Ou∣denzeel and Daventria.

12 Adelbertus was the first Archdeacon of Traiectum, preached in Kenemaria, together with Engelmund an Englishman before spoken of, and lyeth buried at Velsen in Egmondan monasterie.

He writeth farther of Wiron and Plechelinus, Bishops of Friseland, who came thither together with Otgerus a Deacon, out of these parts, and were entertained by Pipinus, Duke of Brabant.

* 1.302Many things are written by Beda, Capgrave, Surius, Baronius, Molanus, Lippeloo and others, of Fursaeus, Foilanus, (whom Beda calleth Fullanus) and Vltanus. They were three brethren, and the base sonnes of a King of Leinster, they flourished about the yeere sixe hundred fiftie and odde. Fursaeus is said to have had many visi∣ons and dreadfull conflicts with divels and infernall spirits. He prea∣ched unto the Irish, Scots, Britaines and Saxons; hee went into France, where he wrought many miracles, (saith Molanus) and be∣cause of the fame that went abroad of him, one Ercanaldus gave him at Latiniacum, a parcell of land to build a Monasterie, also hee gave him another piece of ground at Perona, sometime a towne in Flan∣ders, but now of France, and parcell of Gallia Comata, where he buil∣ded another Monasterie, and drew unto him, (saith mine Author) germanos fratres, Foilanus and Vltanus, and there ended the way of all flesh. They of Cambray doe honour him as a Bishop, not that hee was a Bishop, but an Apostle of certaine places. The mar∣tyrologe of Sarum reporteth, how that after his death, the angels and the deuils strove for his soule, how that the soule returned to the bo∣dy againe, and how that he lived afterwards. Here the Author is de∣ceived, for it was a trance that he was in, out of which after certaine conflicts, he came to himselfe againe, and finally in godly sort ended his dayes. I finde in the life of Mocoeinoge, that there was one Fur∣saeus a Bishop, but more ancient then this.

* 1.303With Fursaeus there were at one and the selfe same time, many fa∣mous men of Irish birth, renowned for learning and sanctitie, which

gave themselves to travaile, and dispersed themselves to farre coun∣tries, as Foilanus and Vltanus (before mentioned) also Mombolus, Boetius, Eloquius, Adulgisius, Columbanus, Hetto, Helanus, Tresanus, Germanus, Veranus, Gobanus, Corbrican, Dicull, Fredegandus, Col∣manellus, Madelgarius, Algisius and others. After they had visited Rome, they came backe (saith Molanus) into France and Flanders, Fursaeus and Adelgisius into Perona, Foilanus and Vltanus into Pos∣sa, Eloquius and Algisius into Theoras, the reverend Priest Hetto, un∣to the lake adioyning unto Corbriolum, where he builded a Mona∣sterie called domus Petri. Further, saith Molanus, in the confines of the Attrebates, there is a Village called Buym, which hath a Church cal∣led Saint Hetto, whereupon is written, In hoc loco Hetto Hiberniensi∣um Episcopus mansionem habuit, in another place of the Church, Hic reposuit Hetto Hibernensis Episcopus reliquias de corpore sancti Cle∣mentis Papae & Martyris. In another place he writeth of Hetto, Go∣ban, and Corbrican, that they were three brethren, and in their re∣turne from Rome, died at Walciodorum, and lie buried at Fesca. Beda left but a bare mention of Goban and Dicull, onely this, that they were companions of Foilanus.

Foilanus was slaine in a place in Flanders, called Carboriar.* 1.304 Saint Bernard writeth, that in the place where he was slaine, there is a Mo∣nasterie builded by the name of Saint Foilane ordinis praemonstraten∣sis, in the Diocesse of Cambray.

Fredegand preached in Antverp, where now hee resteth,* 1.305 and is greatly honoured.

Mombolus became an Abbot in the Monasterie of Fursaeus in France, a perceiving a conspiracie of his covent against him,* 1.306 forsook the place, and withdrew himselfe, together with a few of his compa∣ny, unto a place of old called Condrynus, upon the river Isara, where he led an hermites life, and ended his dayes. There was another of that name, a Saint of Burdeux, but not of Irish birth.

Eloquius preached most painefully throughout France and Saxo∣nie,* 1.307 and being seated at Latiniecum in the Monasterie which Fursaeus had founded, perceived some treacherie practised against him, with∣drew himselfe (as formerly Mombolus had done) to a solitarie place called Grimacum, upon the rivers of Some and Isara, where he depar∣ted this life, afterwards his body was translated to Walciodorum in Flanders, and there he resteth.

About this time, Saint Autbert, borne in Ireland,* 1.308 was Bishop of Cambray; he converted Hannonia, and is called the Apostle of Flan∣ders; of him Molanus writeth thus, Autbertus had beene for certaine yeeres, Hiberniae gubernator, governour of Ireland, (the which I take to be some ecclesiasticall charge) by which occasion, many singular good Preachers heretofore mentioned, came the more willingly out of Ire∣land unto us.

Trithemius reporteth of this time in this sort, There were many Monasteries of Irish men in Germanie, Herbipolis and other places, but when their zeale waxed cold, and that they fell to remisse and dissolute life, they were expulsed, and their habitation became waste and deso∣late.

* 1.309Saint Chilian (otherwise written Kilian) whom Bale calleth a Scot, Surius, Baronius, and Lippeloo, write that hee was an Irish man of Noble Parentage. Molanus writeth, in Hibernia regio sanguine pro∣creatus, that he was begotten in Ireland of royall bloud; another saith he was a Kings base sonne. This man became a Monke, went to Rome, together with Colman a Priest, and Totnan a Deacon of the same country birth, in the time of Conon, Bishop of Rome, about the yeere 687. to sue unto the Bishop there, that Ireland might be released of the curse that was denounced against the land, and the inhabitants thereof, for the Pelagian heresie. Molanus writeth, that he served in Saint Peters Church in Rome, eleven yeeres, but he was directed an∣other course, for he was consecrated Bishop of Herbipolis in the East parts of France, and together with his fellowes sent away. There they converted Gosbert a French Duke, which had married one Geila his brothers wife. It is Iohn Baptists case, he rebuked him for it, and shee hearing thereof, sent certaine lewd persons in the night, which mur∣thered them all three, and privily buried them, lest so horrible a fact should come to light; but God that will have no such villany concealed, brought it out, the tormentors became madde, and con∣fessed the whole. Beda in his Martyrologe reporteth, how that at Wir∣ciburge in Austria, the birth day of Kilian the Martyr, and his two companions, is solemnly kept the eight of Iuly.

* 1.310Molanus saith, that in his travaile he met with Saint Fiacre, some∣time his fathers servant, but he following carefully his direction, staid not with him, but passed on in his iourney. This Saint Fiacre, (saith the Martyrologe) was base sonne of some King in Ireland, went into France, and became an heremite; there are small remembrances of him in Surius and Lippeloo, saving that for a womans sake which cal∣led him a Witch, Sorcerer, and Inchanter, hee commanded that no woman should put foot into his Cloister, and if any should doe so, he prayed that God would lay some plague upon her; to try this, a wo∣man sent her maide to take the ayre of the Cloyster, but she tooke no harme; upon a second tryall, a fairer then she presumed so farre, that her shinne, her knee, and her thigh, (saith mine Author) and some parts above, tooke swelling, and that went for a punishment. In an antient manuscript Legend of the life of Congellus or Congallus, I finde that Saint Fiacre returned into Ireland, and became Abbot of Airard in Leinster upon the river of Berba, now called the Barrow, in the Barony of Odrone, and that he went to the Abbey of Beanchor in Vlster to visite Congellus, at whose hands Congellus received the

Sacrament, and gave up the Ghost. There also it is further alledged, that this Fiacre builded a Monasterie in Leinster, in the honour of Saint Congellus.

The martyrologe aforesaid, remembreth Saint Cataldus a Bishop, Saint Finan an Abbot, Saint Sacodine a Virgin,* 1.311 who forsooke her husband, and entred religion, to have lived then: and how that In∣drake, a King of Ireland, forsooke his royaltie,* 1.312 went to Rome with his sister Dominica, led a private life, and died beggers. Capgrave calleth him Indraktus, saying that he was a Kings sonne, and tooke with him, beside his sister, nine persons more.

About this time, (saith Capgrave) one Muriardachus, Monarch of Ireland, together with his wife Sabina,* 1.313 lived in the true faith and feare of God, who being mighty and wise, commanded in good sort all the Princes of the land. In this his good successe and peaceable governement, he was envied, so that a petite King his neighbour, came upon him in the night, murthered him with his Queene, and all his familie, excepting one daughter, whose life hee saved for her beauties sake. This cruell tyrant after assaulted this faire Gentlewo∣man to his filthy lust, and when with faire perswasions he could not prevaile, at length by force he oppressed her, so that shee conceived and bare him a sonne, called at the time of his baptisme, Milluhoc, but afterwards, Cuthbert.

This Cuthbert being borne (as my Author writeth) at Kilmacro∣drike, some three miles from Dublin,* 1.314 his mother tooke him to Scot∣land to her two brethren, Meldan and Eatan, that were Bishops.* 1.315 From thence hee went into the North parts of England, and was brought up among the holy Monkes of those dayes, in the Monaste∣rie of Mailros, under the Abbot Boisilius, whom he succeeded in the same Monasterie. Anno 651. And Anno 676. he went to the Ile Farne, which was uninhabited, and continued there nine yeeres, building, teaching and preaching, and (as Beda writing his life delivereth) wor∣king in harvest time with his owne hands. The fame of his vertues and holinesse went farre abroad, so that Egfride, King of the Nor∣thumbers, made him Bishop of Lindesfarne, to which dignitie hee was consecrated at Yorke by Theodorus the Archbishop, Anno 685.

In his time,* 1.316 the aforesaid Egfride sent Brith with a great host into Ireland to be revenged of them, for that he was given to understand,* 1.317 they had aided his enemies against him; these Saxons over-ranne the land, killing, burning, and spoyling, they spared neither Church nor Monasterie, so writeth Beda. Berthus vastavit miserè gentē innoxā, & nationi Anglorum semper amicissimam:* 1.318 Berthus pittifully spoiled this harmelesse people, who alwaies most kindely affected the English nation. Cuthbert reproved him for it, and the Ilanders cried unto the hea∣vens, and prayed God to avenge their cause. Beda reporteth farther,

how that he bent his forces afterwards against the Pictes and Scots, and would not be advised by Cuthbert and Egbert, and that his blou∣dy course had no good successe, and that then Egfride, the glory of the Saxons began to decay, the which Florilegus attributeth to the crie of the Irish, and the courage of the Pictes and Scots, and Bri∣taines. In his time, saith Carodoc, it rained bloud in Britaine and Ire∣land; the Milke likewise and the Butter, turned to the colour of bloud, and the Moone appeared all bloudie.

Cuthbert, when he had beene Bishop two yeeres, forsooke his Bishopricke, and went to the Ile Farne, where hee led an hermites life, and left the world, Anno Dom. 687. It is written of him that he forbade his Monkes and Priests, the company of women, and that they should not come within any Cloyster, for that the devill appea∣red unto him in his Church in the shape of a woman most faire and beautifull. Yet I finde that he conversed much with Ebba and Verca, and with Elfleda, King Egfrides sister, and repaired oft to their Nun∣neries, did eate and drinke with them, and sent Elfleda a linnen or threed Girdle for a token, which tooke away a swelling and crampe that troubled her, and that he was shrouded in the winding sheete, which the Nunne Verca had sent him. Anno 875. Ardulphus, Bishop of Lindisfarne, fearing the incursion of the Danes, who destroyed Churches, and defaced Tombes, tooke the corps of Cuthbert, and attempted the transporting of it into Ireland, but the winde was a∣gainst them, and compelled them to land in England, then they brought it to Cuncacester, some sixe miles from Durham, where it rested some yeeres. Anno 925. (though Stow referre it to the yeere 995.) Aldunus (who was the first Bishop of Durham) preventing (as formerly Ardulphus did) the invasion of barbarcus people, remo∣ved it to a place full of bushes and thornes, now called Durham, and with the aide of Earle Vthred, builded a Church over it, where (now at length) it resteth. Edmund the second Bishop of Durham, enlarged the Church, and beautified the place of his buriall, and long after, were brought thither, the bodies of Balther and Bilfride, that had beene Anchors, Acca and Alkmundus that had beene Bishops, Eb∣ba the Nunne, and familiar of Cuthbert, Boisilus the Abbot his ma∣ster, King Oswine, and the bones of Beda that rested at Girwin, so wri∣teth Capgrave. He that will see farther of Cuthbert and his patrimo∣nie, (so called in the Bishopricke of Durham) of the endowments and grants given by Christian Princes, and of the reverend opinion held of the place, because of the sanctitie of Irish Cuthbert, let him repaire to learned Camdens Brigantes, the which for that they concerne the antiquities of England more then Ireland, I omit.

* 1.319Now to come to the 700. yeere of Christ. I will beginne with A∣damannus, who flourished Anno 701. as Florilegus writeth, in the time of Alfred, King of Northumbers, whom Beda highly commen∣deth,

and as it may be gathered and borrowed out of his workes, many things to furnish his historie of England. I finde of divers re∣ported, that he was in Ireland, and did much good. I take it he was of Irish birth, for I cannot finde the contrary. Bale summarily out of Beda and others, writeth in his life as followeth. Adamannus Co∣ludius, by profession a Monke, not vowed, but of the Apostolike order,* 1.320 and governour of that famous Monasterie, which of old, Columbanus the disciple of Congellus had founded in the Ile Hu, made himselfe a patterne of vertue to be followed of many; hee was a man studious and singularly well seene in holy Scripture, as Tritemius witnesseth, neither ignorant of prophane literature, wise and faire spoken; hee was for his life and conversation, renowned, and for opinion of sanctitie, recounted the father of many Monkes, so that hee travailed in a manner all the North regions of Britaine; he was a notable Preacher, instructing with heavenly admonitions, Irish, Scots, Pictes, and Anglosaxons. Hee wil∣lingly gave eare to all such as made report of any memorable acts of Pa∣lestina by their travaile, and of other places of the holy Land, with the site thereof, trusting thereby to attaine unto a better sight in the holy Scripture. Then it fell out (say the Chronographers) that one Arnul∣phus, a Bishop of France, comming from Ierusalem, and being winde-driven to that place, arrived there, and throughly enformed Adaman∣nus, the which he shortly after committed to writing, and dedicated unto Alfred, King of Northumbers, with these titles.

• De locis terrae sanctae lib. 1.
• De situ Ierusalem lib. 1.
• De paschate legitimo lib. 1.

With certaine Epistles. So farre Bale. I have seene beside these, a Manuscript worke of his, of the life of Saint Columba in three bookes.

About the yeere 740. saith Lippeloo, Gualafer Bishop of Dublin,* 1.321 was famous, who by his prayers obtained that Cecilia, wife to Da∣vid King of Scots, and daughter to the King of Sicilia, being bar∣ren, did conceive & beare a sonne called Rumoldus, who after the de∣cease of Gualafer, was made Bishop of that See, and consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and two other Prelates. He went in∣to England, afterwards to France, and came to Rome, Anno 752. in the time of Stephen 2. he resigned his Bishopricke, from thence hee went into Brabant, and by his prayers (saith mine Author) got one Eliza, wife to Earle Ado, of the age of 66. yeeres, to conceive. In the end he went to repaire an old Church, agreed with workemen, wrangled with them so, that they for one quarrell and other, and es∣pecially for that they held him to be rich, hoping to get some part of his wealth, knockt him in the head with a hatchet, and there lay

Saint Rumolde. Molanus in discreet sort examineth this historie, and delivereth that this Rumoldus tooke with him beyond the seas, one Saint Himelin, now Patron of Fenacum, the place in Dutch is Sijnte Himelijns Vissenaken, some said he was of his bloud, others some, that he was of his bloud and bone.* 1.322 His words are these. Some suppose that Saint Rumold was the sonne of Erfinus King of Scots, after whom suc∣ceeded in the kingdome, the third and fourth sonne, Fergusius and A∣chaius, but the names of the first and second sonne are not extant. They adde happely unto the rest, that because he was the King of Scots his sonne, it stood him upon to forsake the Bishopricke of Dublin, when Solvathius that raigned betweene Fergusius and Achaius, warred against the Irish, and upon this occasion, he tooke his iourney to Rome, and at his returne, preached the Gospell at Mechlin. All which, by con∣ferring the times, would have some great probabilitie, unlesse the an∣tient Monuments and Records of Mechlin, had avouched him to have beene the sonne of one David a King, and to have beene brought forth in∣to the world, by the intercession and devout prayers of Gualafer, Bishop of Dublin, and of him baptized, whereby I gather, that he was the sonne of some King of Ireland. Neither is it any mervaile, though we reade not of this David, when as Saint Bernard witnesseth, that Ireland was not governed by one King, but by many; the orderly succession of which Kings, I suppose for the most part is now perished. If you urge that hee came of the Scottish bloud royall; I admit it, for it is so sung every where throughout the Diocesse of Mechlin, but that of old the Irish men were understood and comprehended under the name of Scots, by the life of Saint Patricke and elsewhere, is very manifest. To this purpose is that which Beda affirmeth, that Ireland is properly the country of the Scots, and Ionas also writeth in the entrance to Columbanus his life, how that the Scottish nation inhabit the Iland of the Irish. This Rumoldus died, Anno 775. and is honoured in Mechlin for their Patron.

* 1.323Virgilius Solivagus, borne in Ireland, and descended of noble Pa∣rentage, in his yeeres of discretion, forsooke his native soile, and to∣gether with certaine companions of the same countrey birth, went into Germanie, where Anno 754. hee was made Abbot of Salis∣burge, by Odilo, Duke of Bavaria, and shortly after, Bishop of Iuva∣viens; the name of which Bishopricke, hee procured to bee changed, and called it the Bishops See of Salisburgh, where he builded a sump∣tuous Cathedrall Church, and was the first founder thereof. In his time, one Boniface an English man, and the Popes Legate in Germany, tooke upon him to rebaptize, contrary to the Canons of the Church, such as had beene (as hee thought) formerly not rightly baptized. Virgilius (having had conference with Sydonius, Archbishop of Ba∣varia) opposed himselfe against him. The matter came to hearing be∣fore Pope Zacharie, who gave sentence, that Virgilius was in the right, and Boniface his Legate (for all his great authority) in the

wrong opinion. Hee prudently governed his Church some thirty yeeres, and gave place to nature. So farre Bale, out of Gaspar Brus∣chius.

Learned Camden alledgeth out of Rhegino, that in the time of Ca∣rolus magnus,* 1.324 which must needs bee about the yeere 767. certaine Norwegians or Normans entred Ireland, and were repulsed, and fur∣ther of them I have not read: but in the British Chronicle of Caradoc Llancarvan, I finde that Anno 799. the Danes came into England, and destroyed a great part of Lindsey and Northumberland,* 1.325 over-ranne the most part of Ireland, and destroyed Rechreyn.

The accidents of the eight hundreth yeere after Christ, now fol∣low. And first of all, Functius offereth occasion to write, how that Anno 820. Regnerus, King of Denmarke, invaded Britaine, and how that his prosperous successes in Britaine, Scotland, and the Orchades, puffed him up, and emboldned him so much, that he passed into Ire∣land, slue the King of the land, tooke the Citie of Dublin, where hee remained an whole yeere, and then returned to Denmarke.

Next commeth Turgesius his time to bee examined, who was of Norwey, and came with great power of Esterlings into Ireland, van∣quished King Edlumding, or Edlimidus, or in Irish, Felim Mac Ed∣mund, and raigned thirty yeeres. Here (gentle reader) observe certain errours or escapes (whether of ignorance, wilfulnesse, or negligence, I know not) the which I finde betweene Cambrensis, Polychronicon, Fabian and others, touching Gurmund and Turgesius. First, that Gur∣mund and Turgesius should be one man, the end of them both by a generall consent of Writers, reproveth that; for Gurmund dyed in France, and Turgesius was slaine in Ireland. Secondly, (whereat Gi∣raldus marvaileth) how that the Antiquaries of England make men∣tion of Gurmund, but nothing of Turgesius, and that the Writers of Ireland speake of Turgesius, but little or nothing of Gurmund; so that Turgesius by reason of his raigne and continuance was knowne unto them, and Gurmund, if he were here, made small abode, (as I have for∣merly written) and therefore became a man unknowne. Thirdly, that Turgesius should be Gurmunds deputie in Ireland, or his brother (as I reade in Fabian) cannot possibly stand with the truth: for on all sides it is agreed, that Gurmund came to Britaine, and ioyned with the Saxons against Careticus, who began his raigne in Britaine, anno 586. but, as saith Cambrensis, Turgesius Captaine of the Norwegi∣ans, Danes or Esterlings, came to Ireland in the daies of Fedlimidius, which was 400. yeeres from the comming of the first Patricke into the land, in the which time there had raigned thirty three Kings or Monarchs; then this knot with facilitie may be untied,* 1.326 for Patricke came to Ireland (as I have formerly delivered) An. 432. adde 400. to it, then Turgesius came to Ireland, Anno 832. But forward with the history.

When these Norwegians or Esterlings had got footing in the land to their content, and planted themselves the space of thirty yeeres, they builded Castles, Fortes and Wardes, they cast up Tren∣ches, Bankes and Ditches for safegard and refuge. Toward the end of the terme before mentioned, Turgesius was enamoured on a faire Gentlewoman, the onely daughter of Omalaghlin, King of Meth, and desired her for his Concubine; he practised with the father for ob∣taining of his purpose, the father not willing to yeeld, nor daring to displease, resolved him thus: Appoint the day, the houre, and the place, and sequester your selfe from your Court and retinue, and I will send my daughter unto you with twelve or sixteene Gentlewo∣men, of the choice and beautifullest maidens of my country, and take your choice of them; if my daughter please you best, she is at your command.

When the time appointed came, and the Lecher longed to satis∣fie his filthy lust, Omalaghlin attired his daughter in princely sort, and sent her to King Turgesius, with sixteene young men in womens attire, which had long Skeines under their Mantles. These young springals were faire, beautifull, effeminate, and amiable to look upon; they were brought to his chamber, and presented before him, he ta∣keth the Gentlewoman by the middle, and kisseth her, the Striplings out with their Skeines,* 1.327 and stabbed him, having the Lady in his armes, whereof he presently dyed, whilst they fell upon a few loose and dissolute persons that were about him, whom they killed every one.

Omalaghlin that lay in ambush all this while with certaine horse∣men, (expecting the end of this exploit) reioyced greatly when hee saw his daughter and her company make so speedy a returne, and un∣derstanding that his practise was effected as he desired, sent Scoutes and Cursitors, Messengers and horses over the whole land, declaring what had happened. Immediately, Meth and all Leinster are in Armes, the Princes and Lords from euery place throughout Ire∣land, repaired to Omalaghlin, and being glad of liberty, reioyced with him at the destruction of Turgesius and his Guard. To make the sto∣ry short, (for they made short worke with it) they set upon the Nor∣wegians and Danes, killed them every mothers sonne that escaped not by flight, seized upon all their possessions, so as together with their lives, they lost all their lands and goods: and, saith the Irish Chronicle,* 1.328 tunc cepit conquestus Hibernicorum, Then the Irish began to conquer.

This Omalaghlin King of Meath, being in great trust, credite and favour with Turgesius (no man greater at that time) demanded of him (concealing the plot that lay hidden in his heart against the Norwe∣gians) by what meanes certaine ravenous and pestiferous fowle (hee meant the Norwegians) lately brought into the land, which greatly

annoyed the country, might be destroyed? Turgesius answered, if they breed, destroy their egges, birds, and nests; which answer, the Irish made good upon the Norwegians.

Not long after (saith Cambrensis and Polychronicon) after what? They meane, after the murthering of Turgesius, and rooting out of all the Norwegians and Esterlings, there came againe out of Norway, and the Northerne Ilands, as remnants of the former nation, and whe∣ther they knew of themselves, or by relation of their Parents and Ance∣stours, the land to be fruitfull, & commodious; thither they came, not in warlike sort, but in peaceable manner, to use the trade of merchandise; when they had entred certaine Ports and Havens of Ireland, with the licence of the Princes of the land, they builded therein divers Cities. For the Irish nation, (they speake of that time) naturally given to idle∣nesse, would not sulcate the seas, neither give themselves to merchan∣dise, so that by one consent of the whole land, it was thought good, that some certaine nation, by whose industrie the commodities of other regi∣ons wanting in Ireland, might be hither transported, should be suffered to dwell in some parts of the land.* 1.329 Their Leaders and Captaines were three brethren, Amelanus, Sitaracus and Ivorus, when they had first builded three Cities, Dublin, Waterford, and Limericke; the command of Dublin fell to Amelanus, Waterford to Sitaracus, Lymericke to Ivorus, and from these by degrees, in processe of time, they gave them∣selves to build other Cities in Ireland. This nation (quae nunc Oas••man∣nica gens vocatur) which now is called the Esterling nation, or East men, at their first comming, demeaned themselves toward the Kings of the land, in a most royall and peaceable mander, but when the num∣ber multiplied of their owne kinne, and they had fortified their Cities with wals and trenches, they began to revive the old hatred that was hid in their hearts, and obstinately to rebell. They were called Oostman∣ni of their corrupt Saxon tongue, as men of the East. Of these and the former Norwegians, the Irish tooke the use of the Sparthes, now called Galloglas axes. So farre Cambrensis verbatim, and Polychron in sub∣stance.

Divers have diversly delivered their opinion, and misreckoned themselves in their computation of yeeres, when these Cities before spoken of were builded. Stanihurst in his description of Ireland, re∣ferreth it to the yeere 155. and that they were builded by Amelanus; in another place he alledgeth it was after Gurmundus his dayes, done in like sort by Amelanus. It is such an errour as I cannot well impute it to the Printer. Cambrensis and Polychronicon doe not lay down the yeere, but the time about the yeere: what beside is added, is but fan∣cie and conjecture, for their testimony is the ground of all. For where they write that these brethren came to Ireland after the death of Tur∣gesius, then it was after the yeere 862: wherein hee died, but how soone or how long after, there is no certaintie. That they builded

these Cities, I doe not beleeve, I had rather say with Stanihurst, that they reedified them, for those places were after a sort builded, and in∣habited many yeeres before their arrivall. I take it that as Merchants, they builded themselves dwelling houses, walled the townes, and made keyes to moore their shippes, neither doe I hold it that every one severally builded a Citie, but all three together with the aide of their country Merchants upon their arrivall in their safe Ports, buil∣ded and planted their country people, and rested not long, for the Irish fell upon them, and banished them out of the land, for their ri∣ches, pride, and rebellion.

* 1.330In the yeere 850. lived Patricke the Abbot of Ireland, Abbot and Confessor. For there were two Patrickes, the first a very learned and godly man, the second a Abbot, and given to superstition, and foun∣der of the fabulous Purgatorie, which goeth in Ireland under the name of Saint Patrickes Purgatorie; so write Ranulphus, Monke of Chester, and Bale, Bishop of Ossory, though Stanihurst allow not of it, but attribute it to the first Patricke, and that without warrant.

In his time there rose a great rebellion in Ireland, so that hee fled into Britaine, and lyeth buried in Glastenbury. The Martyrologe of Sarum reporteth, that in Ireland they keepe the feast of Patricke the Abbot, the 24. of August. Stanihurst to further his credite, delive∣reth that he wrote a booke of Homilies, and certaine Epistles dire∣cted to the Irish.* 1.331 The sounder opinion is, (the which Stanihurst at unawares remembred out of Claudianus) that the place there, was in like sort as it is now in the time of Paganisme, and was long before Saint Patrickes dayes, And it seemeth to be after the manner of con∣cavities in the bowels of the earth, where the ayre entring naturally to avoid Vacuum, and the winde following, whisteleth and crieth like dolefull ghosts; the silly ignorant and simple people being deceived through perswasion of covetous Priests, that some soules and spirits doe penance there for their sinnes, call it a Purgatorie. And further we see by reason and daily experience in Miners, that if any be much under grownd, the dampnesse of the earth takes away their lively co∣lour, and makes them looke ghastly, and if they continue any long while there (the vitall spirits being barred of their usuall course) they are mightily tormented, cast into trances, and distracted, and being once delivered from the place, report things at randon of heaven and earth, beleeve them who list.

* 1.332Albertus Krantz, reckoning up reports given forth out of severall countries touching visions, apparitions, voyces, illusions, inserteth among them, Patrickes Purgatorie in Ireland, and concludeth, that they are to be accounted among old Wives fables.* 1.333 Antoninus alledg∣eth Vincentius for his Author, how that in those dayes, the historie de fossae sancti Patricij of Saint Patrickes pit or ditch, was not of many allowed, the reason is alledged, for that it is there avouched, that the

soules in that Purgatorie, goe not straight to heaven, but into some terrestriall Paradice, whereas the received opinion is, (saith he) that there is no middle place betweene Purgatorie and the celestiall Para∣dice.

In the time of Alphred, alias Alured, King of West Saxons, anno 872. as Fabian and Cooper have noted, there was a grievous maladie raigning among the people, called the euill ficus,* 1.334 which also tooke the King, so that (say mine Authors) an Irish maid came out of Ireland, called Modwen, whose Monasterie in time of rebellion,* 1.335 was destroy∣ed, and cured the King. In recompence whereof, she had land given her in the North, whereon two Monasteries were founded, and now she resteth at Aundersey by Burloa. Polychronicon and Holinshead re∣port the historie, as if Alphred had gone into Ireland unto her. I al∣ledge this historie to put the reader in minde, how that formerly I have written of one Modwen, who lived immediately after Saint Pa∣tricke, and was of Irish birth, about 400. yeeres agoe▪ Were it not for the time, by many circumstances, they both should be one, but to re∣move all doubts, and to uphold the credite of antiquaries, I will say they were two, of one country birth, and now rest in one place▪

There was great amitie betweene Alphred or Alured before men∣tioned, and Gregory, King of Scots, in whose time,* 1.336 Anno 877. (Graf∣ton, Cooper, and Buchanan are mine Authors) great troubles and mi∣sery fell upon Ireland; the circumstances in briefe were these. The Citizens of Dublin found themselves grieved, and mightily wronged by the Scots of Galloway; that whereas certaine tall ships of theirs were wind-driven thither, the Scots fell upon them, rifled them, and thereof made a prey. In revenge whereof, the people of Dublin ga∣thered Irish forces, arrived there, and preyed the country. Gregory the King having intelligence thereof, hastened with his forces, to encounter with them; the Irish fearing the worse, got them with their pillage aboard their shippes, and hoised up sailes for Ireland: Gregory prepareth his navy, and shortly after arriveth in Ireland.

The King at that time (saith Buchanan) was but a childe, whose name was Duncanus, or Donatus, or rather Dunachus;* 1.337 the Protectors or chiefe commanders of the land about the King, were Brian and Cornelius, who had drawne the land into two factions. The Irish hering of the comming of Gregory, fortified themselves upon the ri∣ver of the Band, but there the Scots overthrew them; Brian was slaine, and Cornelius put to flight. The Scots left them not so,* 1.338 but pursued them, preyed the country without resistance, constrained the townes before them to yeeld, and hearing by the way that Cornelius gathe∣red all the forces of Ireland against them, made ready to ioyn battaile, in the which, Cornelius and all his forces were foiled, so that for a safeguard of his life, hee fled to Dublin, and his armie dispersed themselves abroad. Gregory followed him, laid siege to Dublin, and

by reason there were so many received within that fled from the field, they could not long indure the strength of the puissant King of Scots without,* 1.339 wherefore by generall consent of the Citizens, Cormacke, Bishop of Dublin, opened the gates, received the King of Scots, with∣out losse of any man of either side, or damage of goods. Immediately Gregory the King of Scots, went to his cousin Duncan the young King, saluted him, and delivered unto him that he came not for his kingdome, ne for gold nor silver, ne for commodities of his country, but onely to be revenged of them that had formerly injured his sub∣iects. And as for you, said he, cousin Duncan, I beare you no malice; without bloud I came into the Citie of Dublin, without bloud I will depart; recompence of the Citizens of Dublin I seeke none, the inha∣bitants betweene this and the Band have satisfied me and my people, let the Citizens pay it them againe, and make no more such rash at∣tempts into Scotland. With this they lovingly departed, and conti∣nued friends, to the great honour of the King of Scots.

After this, Anno 897. poore Ireland had another scourge, for saith Caradoc Llancarvan in his British Chronicle,* 1.340 * 1.341 and likewise Poli∣chronicon, this country was destroyed with strange wormes, having two teeth, so that there was neither corne nor grasse, nor food for man or beast, for all was consumed that was greene in the land, at the season of the yeere: The nine hundreth yeere followeth.

* 1.342The Saxons that divided Britaine (as formerly hath been declared) into many kingdomes, began now to grow weake in their estate; and the Danes that troubled in a manner all Christendome,* 1.343 were falling to naught: yet Anno 905. saith the British Chronicle, the Danes en∣tred Ireland, preyed, spoyled, and fired the country, slue in the field, Garmot, (so he calleth him) alias Cormac, Monarch of Ireland, and the sonne of Cukeman, a man both godly and religious; and also Kyr∣valt, sonne of Morgan, King of Leinster. Then they roved round about England, hulling upon the seas, and landing where they espied advantage, destroyed with fire and sword as much as lay in them.

Anno 911. they came againe into Ireland (saith Cooper) holding on in their former outrages.

* 1.344Anno 913. (saith Carodoc) the men of Dublin with great forces came to Anglesey, preyed and destroyed the Iland, and returned to Ireland: the cause I finde not, but that sea and land was bent to mis∣chiefe, the fire upon the land, and piracie upon the sea.

Anno 925. the second yeere of the raigne of Adelstane, the base sonne of Edward the first, (called Edward Senior) King of West-Saxons, was a great armie gathered by the said Adelstane, against Hawlaffe, King of Ireland, the sonne of Suthricus, and a Painym, saith Polychronicon,* 1.345 who came with the whole power of the Scots and Danes against him, and gave him battaile at Brimesturie, where Adelstane had the victory, and slue the said King Hawlaffe, and the

King of Scots, and five Kings of the Danes and Normans, and twelve Earles, so that he brought all the land of England and Scot∣land into subjection, which none of his Predecessours had ever at∣tempted. So farre out of Caradoc in the British Chronicle.

Polychronicon writeth of Hawlaffe, that he was the sonne of Sitri∣cus, and had married the daughter of Constantine, King of Scots, and by his aide entred the mouth of the river of Humber, with a strong navy, and when both armies had encamped themselves, Hawlaffe used this policie; He tooke a Harpe, and in Harpers attire, went to Adelstanes Tent, where he harped, and viewed their di••t, dispositi∣on, and behaviour, tooke money for his musicke, which in heart he disdayned, he secretly, as he thought, hid the money in the ground, and went away. A souldier that sometime served Hawlaffe, espied it, and told Adelstane the whole; why, saith Adelstane, diddest not thou acquaint me sooner? he answered, O King, the faith I owe thee now, sometime I ought to Hawlaffe, if I had beene false to him, thou wouldst have suspected me afterwards; but now remove thy Tent, for he will suddenly come upon thee. For all the haste that Adelstane made, Hawlaffe came in the night, slue a certaine Bishop and his com∣pany that were fleeing, and many others: hee hasted to Adelstanes Tent, but he was provided, and in armes, and at the breake of the day, set upon his enemies, and foiled them, as formerly is delivered.

Anno 926. (Saxo Grammaticus, Albertus Krantz, and others are mine Authors) Knutus and Herald, sonnes to Gormo, King of Denmarke, following the steps of their fathers, gave themselves to Pi∣racie; roved, crossed, and hulled upon the seas, all was fish that came to their nets; they arrived in Ireland, and laid siege to Dublin. The King of Leinster sent especially, and laid an ambush within a mile of Dublin, and whilst the Danes scaled the wals without, the Citizens manfully defended themselves within, and others were carelesse of themselves abroad; one of the espials levelled an arrow at Knutus, and gave him such a wound, that he shortly dyed thereof. The Danes prevailed, but their ioy upon his death was turned into sorrow; Gor∣mo the father so intirely loved this Knutus his sonne, that he vowed, whosoever brought him newes of the death of his sonne Knutus, for recompence, should die the death. Thira, daughter to Edward the Martyr, (saith Functius) the mother, being a Christian (though Gor∣mo were a bloudy Infidell) having certaine intelligence of the death of Knutus, durst not reveale it, but used this policie: shee caused in¦stead of her husbands princely robes, (wherewith he was on a mor∣ning to make himselfe ready) mourning cloathes to bee laid before him, and such funerall exequies, as were used to be prepared for the witnessing of the sorrow and griefe conceived for the departure of some deare friend; woe is me (saith Gormo) now my sonne Knutus is dead, this I gather by these circumstances. Then answered Thira the

Queene, you my Lord discover it, not I. Gormo dyed for sorrow, and Thira lamented in one day the departure of her Lord and hus∣band the King, the death of her sonne, and her owne dolefull wid∣dowhood.

Anno 939. (so writeth Caradoc) Abloic a most worthy Prince, and Monarch of Ireland deceased.

Anno 940. after the death of Athelstane, his brother Edmund raigned over Britaine. He subdued the Danes that remained in Nor∣thumberland, together with others that came out of Ireland to in∣vade the land with Anlaffe their Captaine, saith Fabian; he slue some, and banished the rest, so writeth Cooper.

* 1.346Anno 948. the Abbey of the blessed Virgin Mary, by Dublin, was founded by the Danes.

Molanus writeth of one Columbanus an Abbot of Irish birth that became a recluse or an anachorist, Anno 957. in the Church yard of the Monasterie of Gandavum, where he kept the space of two yeeres, and there ended his dayes. This yeere, saith Caradoc, Congelach, King of Ireland was slaine, but he sheweth not where nor how.

Anno 959. Edgar, the sonne of Edmund, beganne his raigne o∣ver England, he reduced all into one Monarchie. Camden found in a Charter, where Edgar delivered of himselfe, that it pleased God of his mercy to grant unto him, together with the command of England, to subdue all the Ilandish kingdomes of the Ocean, together with their fierce and mighty Kings as farre as Norwey, and the greatest part of Ireland, with Dublin the most noble Citie thereof, unto the kingdome of England.

Anno 966. Rodericke, the sonne of Edwall Voell, Prince of Wales, was slaine by Irish men that landed there for a prey, spoyled the country, and destroyed Aberfraw. Caradoc so complaineth of them.

Molanus writeth of one Forananus a Bishop, which flourished, Anno 980. he termeth him Bishop of Domenormor,* 1.347 and Metropoli∣tane of Ireland and Scotland: where he mightily erred in the name of the place, of the person, and his stile. For hee was Bishop of Dro∣more in Ireland, and no Metropolitane at all, but to his purpose hee findeth him among his Saints of Flanders, and saith, that he was war∣ned in a vision to travaile; so that he with a company of Irish Priests, arrived in France, and came to Rome, in the time of Benedict 7. from thence he came backe to the Monasterie of Walciodorum, where hee and his Priests became professed Monkes, of the order of Saint Be∣nedict, for the space of twelve yeeres, and there ended their dayes. The Monkes there, saith he, were wont among other Saints at Easter, yeerely to call upon him▪ Sancte Foranane ora pro nobis, untill that the reformers of Bursfeld wiped him out of the Catalogue of Saints, for that he was not canonized by the Church of Rome.

Anno 988. (as I finde in the British Chronicle) Elwmaen, the sonne of Abloic, King of Ireland, was slaine, and a great number of people dyed with famine; that is alwaies the end of civill warres and rebellion in Ireland.

Anno 1004. the Scots (I know not the cause) entred Ireland, and after their manner, as also the Danes did then in England, preyed,* 1.348 bur∣ned, and destroyed: they tooke Gulfath and Vbiad, Irish Lords, and put out their eyes, they ransacked also the Citie of Dublin.

Anno 1012. Grace and Dowlinge, the Irish Antiquaries doe con∣curre,* 1.349 (the English Writers are silent) and deliver how that Bernai∣dus, commonly called Brian Bowrow, Monarch of Ireland,* 1.350 and his sonne Murcath, alias Murchardus Mac Brian, with other Kings of the land subiect unto him, gathered great power, and met at Clantarfe, nigh Dublin, and gave a sore battaile unto Sutraic, alias Sutric, the sonne of Abloic, King of Dublin, and unto Moilmordha, King of Leinster. This Sutric, to withstand the Monarch, had hired to his aide, all manner of strangers he could get by sea or by land, as Danes, Norwegians, Scots, Britaines, Pirates, and sea rovers. The fight was desperate, the field all bloud, a horse (they say) was sometime to his belly in bloud. There were slaine that day of the one side, Brian the Monarch, and his sonne Murchard; of the other side, Moilmordha King of Leinster, Rodericke the Arch-Pirate, and Captaine of the strangers, with others of both sides innumerable. Sutrick was sore wounded, was brought to Dublin, and shortly after died of his wound. I pray thee gentle Reader, who got by the bargaine? As farre as ever I could learne, a woman set them together by the eares.

The Booke of Houth, after the Irish observation, delivereth the story thus. There was a Merchant in Dublin,* 1.351 commonly called the white Merchant, a Dane, the fourth sonne of the King of Denmarke who had a faire wife of Irish birth, and he being full of iealousie, and ready to travaile for merchandize into farre countries, desired of Bri∣an Borow, Monarch of Ireland, that his wife (untill his returne) might waite upon his Lady, soiourne in his house for the safeguard of her person, credit, and honestie, the which was granted, and the King undertooke it. This Merchant made as speedy a returne as he could, and being landed early in a morning, with a privy key, entred the chamber where his wife lay, and found Morogh Mac Brian the Kings sonne in bed with his wife; hee wheeled about, devising what was best to be done, at length resolving himselfe to depart for that time, tooke Moroghs sword, and put it into his owne scabbard, and his in∣to Moroghs scabbard. Hee went to the King, and complained of the abuse here spoken of; the King answered, He is my sonne, give thou iudgement upon him; saith the Merchant, let him keepe the whore still, I will be revenged upon him and his partakers in the field, as soone as

possibly may be, and I doubt not but all Ireland shall rue the day of this villanie. Immediately he went to Denmarke, brought over to his aide, thirty thousand Danes and Norwegians, landed at Clantarfe, whereof the field was called the field of Clantarfe; hee summoned Morogh and his favourites to fight, and thought at the first to have taken Dublin. Brian Borow fearing this, made more haste then good speed, tarried not for the forces of the land, that were comming with his sonne Donogh to his aide, but rashly with his sonne Morogh, (the Author of all this mischiefe) gave them battaile. The which bat∣taile all the forenoone being cruelly fought, seemed all to leane on the Irish side, but in the afternoone, the Danes that were in the rere, and yet fresh for any fight they had, were directed to wheele about, and to take the voward unknowne unto the Irish, which fiercely fought and encountred with the wearie and wounded Irish, and wonne the field. Here was Brian Borow, and his sonne Morogh, and eleven thousand of the Irish slaine.

One thing further (gentle reader) note, there was a Priests sonne, accounted a tall man of armes, who in the beginning of the battaile, fled away, fearing the hardinesse of the Danes and Norwegians, and went to Donogh Mac Brian, the brother of Morogh, who was com∣ming with forces to the field, and perswaded him to retraict; saying further, that there was no hope of good successe to bee obtained in this field. This man being taken, confessed the whole treason, and for punishment, was carried to the winde gates, twelve miles from Dub∣lin, set alive standing in the ground, with a great heape of stones a∣bout him, as it pleased the Commanders to direct. In Stanihurst I finde that the the chiefe Potentates of the Irish, were Brian Borow, Miagh Mac Brian, (whom formerly I termed Morogh) Tady O Kel∣ly, Dolir Ahertegan, and Gille Barramed, and that they were buried at Kilmaniham, over against the great Crosse.

Anno 1031. as it is remembred by Caradoc in the British Chroni∣cles, there was great stirre and bloudshed in South-Wales, by the meanes of Howell and Meredith, the sonnes of Edwyn ap Evean ap Owen ap Howell Dha, that made claime unto that country against Rytherch ap Iestyn, Prince of South-Wales. Howell and Meridith hired unto them a King of Ireland, (whose name is not set downe) which brought with him a great armie of Irish-Scots; the armies met, the fight was cruell, much bloud on both sides was shed, in the end, Rytherch the Prince was discomfited and slaine, by which means they attained unto the governement of South-Wales, the which they ioyntly ruled, and bountifully rewarded the Irish King.

There is at Sauntrie, some three miles from Dublin, yeerely re∣membrance of Saint Pappan that was borne there.* 1.352 Molanus calleth him Poppon. He travailed into France, builded there many Monaste∣ries, (saith mine Author) and preferred to governe them many men,

became an Abbot himselfe, and departed this life, Anno 1048. and lyeth buried at Stabuletum in France, where hee governed. Lastly, mine Author noteth, that he was a Saint, but never canonized.

Conan, the sonne of Iago, Prince of North-Wales, married Ra∣nulph, the daughter of Alfred, King of Dublin, who in the warres betweene Iago his father, and Griffith the sonne of Lhewelyn ap Sit∣sylte, sometimes King of Wales, (saith Caradoc) was driven to flee into Ireland for safegard of his life. This Conan, Anno 1041. came with Alfred his father in law, with great power out of Ireland to recover his country: they shortly landed in Wales, and by treason, secretly tooke Griffith the King, and carried him towards their ships, but when it was knowne, the country upon the sodaine rose, armed themselves, followed the Irish men, made great slaughter of them, rescued their Prince, and drove Alfred and Conan, with the rest of their forces, to their shippes, and so to Ireland.

Stow following Fabian, writeth how that Anno 1049. certaine forces out of Ireland, (whom hee calleth Irish Pirates) with 36. ships, entred the mouth of Severne, landed in a place called Westlap∣ham, and with the helpe of Griffith King of South-Wales, spoyled along those coasts, and did great mischiefe. Afterwards Griffith, and those Irish Pyrates, ioyning their powers together, passed over the river Wie, and burnt Dumenham, and slue man, woman, and childe, leaving nothing behinde them, but bloud and ashes. Worce∣ster, Glocester, and Herefordshire, rose in Armes against them, but many of them in cruell fight being slaine, the rest put to flight, the Irish returned home merrily, loaden with spoyle.

Anno 1050. Conan gathered an armie of his friends in Ireland, attempting the second time the recoverie of his inheritance, he hoy∣sed up saile towards Wales, but on a sodaine there arose such a tem∣pest upon the seas, that scattered his Navie, and drowned the most part of his ships, so that he gave over the voyage for that time.

About this time (wherein the English and British historiogra∣phers doe agree) Robert, Archbishop of Canterbury, accused Earle Godwin and his five sonnes, (especially Swaine and Harold) of trea∣son, and Queene Editha the daughter of Godwin, of adulterie, who being called before the King, refused to appeare, and therefore were banished the land, and the Queene was put away from the King. Godwin and Swaine fled to Flanders, Harold and Leofwin (Warwell saith Holinshead) to Ireland, and the Queene was sent with one Maid to the Monasterie of Wilton. Immediately the King disposed of all their possessions. It was not long after ere Godwin and Swaine got shippes, men, munition, and all necessaries in Flanders, the like did Harold and Leofwin in Ireland, they all met upon the seas, to wit, the father, the mother, and the five sonnes; they spoyled the Ile of Wight, Partland, Peveneseny, Romny-heath, Folkeston, Dover,

and Sandwich, and entring the Thames, destroyed Sheppey, and bur∣ned the Kings houses at Mielton.* 1.353 Then they met with the kings Fleet upon the seas, and being ready to fight, Bishop Stigand stept be∣tweene them, and reconciled both sides in such sort, that the King re∣stored them their lands and goods, tooke home the Queene, and ba∣nished Robert the Archbishop, with all the French men which had put buzzes and suspitions into the Kings head.

Anno 1054. as Powell in his annotations upon Caradoc, hath lear∣nedly collected; King Edward by evill counsell (as it was thought) banished Algar, Earle of Chester, which had treason laid to his charge, whereupon Algar gate him into Ireland, and there provi∣ding him eighteene shippes of warre, well appointed and manned with stalworth men, of Irish birth, returned and joyned himselfe with Griffith, King or Prince of Wales, who both together, invaded the country of Mercia about Hereford, where Ranulph, Earle of that country (who was sonne to King Edwards sister, named Goda, by her first husband Walter de Manut) came against them with a great ar∣mie, and met them about two miles from Hereford, where after a sore fight, by the space of three houres, Ranulph and his armie were discomfited, and about 500. of them slaine, and the rest put to flight, whom Griffith and Algar pursued to Hereford, and entring the towne, set the Cathedrall Church on fire, and slue the Bishop named Leogar, with seven of the Canons, and most lamentably (as it falleth out in warres) spoyled and burned the towne. King Edward being advertised hereof, gathered an armie, and sent Harold the sonne of Earle Godwin against them, who pursuing the enemies to North-Wales, passed through Stradlewyde to Snowdon: but Griffith and Algar being loath to meete Harold, got them againe into South-Wales, whereof Harold being advertised, left one part of his armie in North-Wales, to resist the enemy there, and returning with the re∣sidue to Hereford, caused a great trench to be cast round about the towne, with a high rampire, strongly fortifying the gates of the same. After this, by meanes of a parlee had with Griffith and Algar, at a place called Biligellagh, a peace was concluded, whereupon Algar being pardoned by the King, and restored againe to his Earledome, returned home to Chester.

About two yeeres after, Algar was accused againe of treason, and the second time exiled the land, fled into Ireland, where he was most ioyously received of his old followers, and offered more kinde∣nesse, then he requested, for hee had most honourably dealt with the Merchants and owners of the former ships, and most kindely intrea∣ted, and bounteously rewarded the Irish souldiers, the which then in his second extremity, was not forgotten. With shippes, men and munition out of Ireland, he bent his course to Wales, repaired to his old friend Griffith, Prince of Wales, where he was most welcome,

and shortly restored againe to his Earldome by the meanes and in∣treaty of certaine strangers, which had lately there arrived out of Norway.

Camden writeth how that Anno 1066. Godred, surnamed Cronan, the sonne of Hiraldniger, of Island, invaded the Ile of Man, thence came into Ireland, did the like unto Dublin, and a great part of Leyn∣ster, made great spoyle, and went backe againe.

The British Chronicle reporteth of Dermot, (a King in Ireland) that in Anno 1068. he was murthered, but the manner hee sheweth not; the commendation he giveth of him is this: He was the worthi∣est and noblest Prince that ever ruled in Ireland.

Polychronicon reporteth, how that Anno 1072. at Winsore before William the Conquerour, and the Cleargie, the controversie between the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke was heard at large, and decided, and that Bedaes historie was shewed, where it appeared that from Austen the Monkes time, till Bedaes death, (about 140. yeeres) the Archbishop of Canterburie had primacie over all Great Britaine & Ireland, that he had held Councels by Yorke, summoned Bishops of Yorke, consecrated Bishops, and punished Bishops of Yorke for their offences, and iudicially removed them.

Philip Flatesburie a great Antiquarie, whom Stanihurst follow∣eth, and Iames Grace of Kilkenny, with Dowlinge his ioynt Col∣lectour doe write, how that Anno 1074. Patricke, Bishop of Dublin, was consecrated in Pauls Church in London, by Lanfranke, Archbi∣shop of Canterburie, upon commendatorie Letters of Teridionatus, alias Terdilnacus, Monarch of Ireland, and Godericke, King of Lein∣ster, and with teste of the Clergie and Laytie of that Diocesse of his lawfull and orderly election. Further I finde recorded, that it was the manner to consecrate Bishops in this sort, and that the Monarch of Ireland in regard of his royall principalitie and title of honour with other priviledges belonging to his Monarchie, had negative voyce in the nomination of Bishops throughout his Realme. Secondly, how the Archbishop of Canterbury took of him that was so consecrated, a corporall oath of Canonicall obedience (as his predecessours for∣merly used) to him and his successors; and lastly, gave him letters te∣stimoniall thereof to the Monarch and King of Leynster:

Cambrensis sheweth the reason of this consecration, namely, how that in Ireland as then, there was no Archbishop, but one Bishop consecrated another, untill that Anno 1148. Iohannes Papiron, a Priest Cardinall, sent from Eugenius 3. together with Christian, Bi∣shop of Lismore, Legate of all Ireland, came to the land, and brought with them foures Paales. But of this more in another place.

The same Flattesburie writeth further, how that the said Lan∣franke in like sort consecrated Donatus, Bishop of Dublin, Anno 1085.

About this time, Godwin and Edmund, sonnes to King Harold, (my Author is Thomas Walsingham, Monke of Saint Albans) which for∣merly had fled into Ireland for succour, unto Dermotte Mac O Nell, King of Ireland, returned with 66. saile, landed in Sommersetshire, (saith Stow) where Brian, the sonne of Eudo, Duke of Brabant, met them and gave them battaile, wherein (saith Stow) the brethren gate the victory, and the Irish men with many great preyes out of Corne∣wall and Devonshire returned into Ireland. But Walsingham (which seemeth more true) writeth that it was a bloudie battaile, wherein 1070. of the English and Normans, with certaine of the Nobilitie of the land, were slaine, and the enemies with aide of their ships, fled, and brought heavy newes home to their deerest friends in Ireland.

It is very like that William the Conquerour immediately upon this, sent great forces into Ireland, to bee revenged of them for relie∣ving or assisting his enemies: for Stow writeth out of William of Malmsbury, thus: Lanfranck, Archbishop of Canterbury, being in such favour with King William, that the said William thought not good to deny any thing that hee requested, procured by his industrie, that the said King left his ill custome of selling his prisoners which hee tooke in Ireland, which was a thing hardly granted unto him, and to Wolstan, Bishop of Worcester, the gaine that the King had by the sale of those Irish men was such.

The British Chronicle reporteth how that Anno 1087. and the last yeere of William Conquerour, the sonnes of Blethlyn ap Convyn, sometime King of Wales, gathered their strength together against Rees ap ••yder, who not being able to meete with them, fled to Ire∣land, and there he purchased to himselfe great friends, and got an ar∣mie of Irish men and Scots, to whom hee promised great rewards when he should obtaine his kingdome, & so landed in South-Wales with these strangers, and when his friends heard thereof, they drew unto him, and the other came in all haste to vanquish him before hee had made a head, and gathered forces together; to bee short, at Wechryd they gave battaile,* 1.354 where they were discomfited, and two of the brethren slaine, to wit, Madoc and Kirid, and the other fled and forsooke the country. As soone as Rees was in quiet possession of his country, he sent away the Irish men with great rewards.

All the Lords of the Ilands sent messengers unto Murchard, alias Moragh O Brien, King of Ireland, that it would please him to send them some worthy man of royall bloud to be their King, during the nonage of Olanus, the sonne sonne of Godred, King of Man. Where∣upon he sent unto them one Dopnald Mac Tady, whom hee deepely charged to governe that kingdome, which of right appertained not to him, with all kindenesse, love and modesty; but hee was no sooner warm in the kingdome, but he forgot his instructions, and the charge his Lord had given him, he poled, he pilled, and practised all kinde of

tyranny, for the space of three yeers. Then all the Lords of the Ilands rose in armes against him, and banished him out of those parts, so he fled into Ireland, of whom they never heard any further newes.

Stanihurst findeth that Anno 1095. there came certaine Esterlings to the North side of Dublin adjoyning to the Liffie, and seated them∣selves there, so that of them to this day, the place is called Ostomon∣towne, and corruptly, Oxmonton, and the Parish, Saint Michans,* 1.355 of one Michanus a Dane and a Bishop which founded the Church, unto whom Murchard, or Moragh King of Leynster, gave that par∣cell of land to that use. The faire greene or Commune, now called Ostmontowne-greene, was all wood, and hee that diggeth at this day to any depth, shall finde the ground full of great rootes. From thence, Anno 1098. King William Rufus, by licence of Murchard, had that frame which made up the roofe of Westminster Hall, where no English Spider webbeth or breedeth to this day.

Cambrensis in his Itinerarie of Cambria, reporteth, how that King William standing upon some high rocke in the farthest part of Wales, beheld Ireland, and said, I will have the shippes of my kingdome brought hither, wherewith I will make a bridge to invade this land: Murchard King of Leynster heard thereof, and after he had paused a while, asked of the reporter; hath the King in that his great threat∣ning, inserted these words, if it please God? No, then (said he) seeing this King putteth his trust onely in man, and not in God, I feare not his comming.

Anno 1095. Murchard, (so writeth Holinshed) alias Morogh,* 1.356 King of Leynster, with the Clergie, and people of the Citie of Dublin, ele∣cted one Samuel a Monke of Saint Albans, an Irish man borne, to the governement of the Church, and Bishops See of Dublin, and accor∣ding to the antient custome, presented him by sufficient letters of te∣stimony unto Anselme Archbishop of Canterburie, to be consecra∣ted by him, who (according to their request) did so, and tooke of him an oath of Canonicall obedience after the usuall manner.

Anno 1097. the Citizens of Waterford perceiving that by reason of the great multitude of people in that citie,* 1.357 it was necessarie for them to have a Bishop, obtained licence of their King and Rulers, to erect in their Citie, a Bishops See, and besought them to write to An∣selme, Archbishop of Canterburie, to have his consent therein, and permitted them to nominate a man meete for the place. Hereupon Morogh King of Leynster, wrote unto Anselme, informing him of the whole matter, wherein one Malchus was commended and pre∣sented unto him to be admitted and consecrated if he thought good; these letters were subscribed by Murchard, King of Leynster, Der∣motte his brother, Bishop Dufnald, Idiman, Bishop of Meath, Samu∣el, Bishop of Dublin, and Ferdomnachus, a Bishop in Leynster. An∣selme considering their request to be honest and necessarie, examined

the man, gave him the oath of Canonicall obedience, and consecra∣ted Malcus Bishop of Waterford.

About this time, to wit, Anno 1098. the Normans having slaine Rees ap Twyde, Prince of South-Wales, they bent their forces a∣gainst Griffith ap Conan, Prince of North-Wales, by the conduct of Hugh de Montgomerie, Earle of Saloppe and Arundell, (called of the Welchmen, Hugh Gough,) and of Hugh Vras, Earle of Chester. Griffith the Prince fled to the mountaines, and sent for aide into Ire∣land, (saith Caradoc) where he received cold comfort, then to avoid farther mischiefe and treason, which hee suspected to have beene wrought against him, fled into Ireland. In the same season, Magnus King of Norway (so Stow calleth him) the sonne of Olavus, the sonne of Harold Harvager, came with great forces, and subdued the Iles of Orknay, with the Ile of Man, entred into Anglesey, incountred with Hugh, Earle of Salop, who withstood his landing, in the which skir∣mish, Hugh the Earle had an arrow shot in his face, which pierced his braine, of which he died; whereupon the Normans retraited. Mag∣nus invadeth Ireland (saith Saxo Grammaticus) and Griffith the Prince of Wales returned to his country, and made peace with the Normans, and governed the same fiftie yeeres. Many things worthy of memory are recorded of this Griffith ap Conan. Powell writeth that hee was an Irish man by his mother, daughter of the King of Dublin, and also by his Grandmother, and that hee was borne in Ireland, and that he brought over with him out of that country into Wales, divers cunning Musitians, who devised in manner, all the in∣strumentall musicke upon the Harpe and Crowth that is there used, and made lawes of minstrelsee to retaine the Musitians in due order.

I have not yet done with Magnus the Norwegian, of him Cam∣den writeth a worthy storie. Magnus (saith he) caused a fleete to bee in readinesse of an 160. saile, and sailed into the Orkeneys, the which he forthwith subdued, he passed through all the Ilands, made them subject unto him, and arrived in the Ile of Man; when hee beheld how pleasant the Iland was, he made choice thereof for habitation, fortified therein, which of him to this day beares his name. Hee so hampered the inhabitants of Galloway in Scotland, that hee made them bring him timber to his Port for the frame of his fortifications. Afterward he sailed to Anglesey in Wales, where he met with two Hughs, both Earles, the one he slue, the other he put to flight, and made the Iland subiect unto him. The Welsh men gave him many gifts and rewards, he bade them farewell, and so returned to Man. He sent to Murchard, alias Morogh, King of Ireland, his shooes, com∣manding him to hang them upon his shoulders upon Christmas day as he passed through his Hall, in the sight of his Embassadors, that thereby he might understand that he was subject to Magnus the king. When the Irish men heard thereof, they tooke it in ill part, and

chafed exceedingly, but King Morogh, a wise and a sage Prince, smi∣ling at the conceit, with great modesty and discretion gave this an∣swer. I will not onely beare his shooes, but I had rather eate them, then that King Magnus should destroy any one Province in Ireland. Whereupon he fulfilled his command, honoured his Ambassadors, sent many Presents unto King Magnus, and concluded a league. The Ambassadors upon their returne, related all circumstances gave great report and commendation of the land, delivered how pleasant and fruitfull the soile was, the temperature of the ayre, and how healthfull the dwelling was. Magnus hearing this, immediately it ranne in his head to conquer all Ireland; he commanded a great fleet to be in a readinesse, and he himselfe going before with sixteene saile privily to espie and search out the strength of the land, and unadvi∣sedly ranging from his shippes, was upon a sodaine compassed and hemmed in by the Irishmen, and slaine, with all in a manner that were with him. Thus Magnus is become Minimus, in fine, hee was buried in Saint Patrickes Church of Downe. So farre Camden in sub∣stance. The British Chronicle writeth, how that before this insolent attempt, he had procured for his sonne, a daughter of King Morogh in marriage, and that he made him King of Man, but I doe not finde that he enjoyed it.

Carodoc writeth, how that Anno 1101. Robert de Mountgomerie, Earle of Salop, and Arnulph his brother, Earle of Pembroke, rebel∣ling against King Henry, Robert sent for aide to Magnus, but could get none, Arnulph sent Gerald of Windesore, his Steward to Mur∣chard, alias Morogh, King of Ireland, to desire his daughter in marri∣age, the which hee obtained with promise of great succours, which did encourage him the more against the King; whereupon Arnulph went with all haste into Ireland for his wife and Irish forces. Earle Ro∣bert seeing himselfe disappointed, sent to the King, desiring him that he might forsake the Realme, which thing the King granted, and he sailed into Normandie. Arnulph received message from the King, that either he should follow his brother, and depart the land, or yeeld him∣selfe to his mercie, he chose to forsake the land, and fled into Ireland. Not long after, Owen the sonne of Cadogan, after hee had done great mischiefe and spoile upon the English, Normans, Flemings, and Welsh men, fled into Ireland to King Morogh, who joyfully received him, for he had beene there before, returned to Wales, and fled thi∣ther the second time, and in like sort the third time.

Anno 1113. or thereabout, Griffith the sonne of Rees ap Twyder, Prince of South-Wales, who for feare of the King, had beene of a childe brought up in Ireland, came to Gerald, Steward of Pembroke his brother in law, and others of his friends, to recover his country, whom the King by secret policies and practises pursued, so that hee was forced to flee againe.

In the time of King Henry the first, I finde that there was great stirre betweene Murchard or Morogh, King of Leynster, and the Citizens of Dublin, for it seemeth that hee used grievous exactions and tyrannies over them, so that the Dublinians in revenge of him, sent for Godred, King of Man, and the Ilands, so writeth Camden, and made him their King. Morogh mustereth his country, gathereth for∣ces, procureth aide, marcheth against his enemies, pitcheth his campe at the towne of Coridelis, sent his brother (by the mother side) Osi∣bell, with three thousand horse well appointed to Dublin, where hee was slaine by Godred, and by the men of Dublin, and the rest discom∣fited and put to flight. Godred found himselfe well satisfied with spoiles, and returned to Man; they of Dublin likewise thought them∣selves in some sort reasonably well revenged of their King, quitted themselves for a while, and by mediation and intercession after many Presents and Gifts were reconciled. There was great banquetting and feasting, and ioy outward of all sides, but inward, lay venome and treason, like sparkles of fire covered with ashes, which broke forth not long after, as I am readie to deliver. Stanihurst, Grace and Dowlinge doe write, that the Councell of the Citie determining to establish and decree many good lawes and orders, for the publike weale of the towne, and commons of the same, appointed a solemne day of meeting, sent for Morogh their King, humbly craving with all loyall circumstances, his presence, counsaile, and assistance among them at the day appointed, the which hee granted; when the day came, and that they had debated many matters, the King as he sate merrily in his chaire, sporting himselfe, and reporting some pleasant historie, one suddenly stept unto him, and tooke away his weapon, the rest came upon him, and stabbed him to the death; they were not content with this, but they cast him into a base grave, and in further contempt and dispute of his person, they threw a dogge upon him, and earth upon them both, the which Dermotte his sonne revenged afterwards, as shall appeare in processe of the historie.

About the yeere 1134. after Functius his computation, one Ha∣rold, borne in Ireland, (so writeth Saxo) gathered forces, and be∣came the terrour of Norway, affirming withall, that he was the sonne of Magnus the Dane that invaded Ireland, and for truth thereof, he would declare it by fire. When the time and place was appointed, with his bare feet he trode upon a fierie plate, and felt no hurt: the Norwegians admired, and would make him their King, which was the roote of many mischiefes in Norway. He was a man faire spoken, strong, hardy, and swift of foot, and it seemeth, after the manner of Ireland, that he went much bare, so that the soles of his feet were as hard as horne, and could not easily take harme by fire, by which meanes he deceived the Norwegians. Nicholaus, King of Denmarke, corrupted Magnus of Norway by secret meanes to cut him off.

Magnus practised with Ericus a Danish Captaine, to dispatch him immediately after his Coronation. To bee short, Ericus came with great forces to Scypetors, (a Village where Herald was) in the night time, laid siege to his Pallace, and by the breake of day, pulled him and his sonnes forth by the head and shoulders, and put them to death.

In the time of Henry 1. King of England, flourished Celsus,* 1.358 Bishop of Armagh, and ended his dayes with the entrance of King Stephen to the Crowne. He descended of Noble Parentage in Ireland, whom Saint Bernard with others, for divers rare and singular gifts, highly commendeth; he had beene brought up in the Vniversitie of Oxen∣ford, where in the liberall sciences, and profound literature, he excel∣led others of his time; when he perceived by the infirmities of his bo∣dy, that age hastened to an end, and that his naturall course was in short time to be finished, he desired of them that were present, their favours, and prayed them to use meanes unto others that were ab∣sent, and especially unto the two Kings of Mounster, (so Bernard wri∣teth) that Malachias might succeed him in the Bishopricke of Ar∣magh. He was a married man, and died of great age, and lyeth buried with his wife and children in the said Church.

Malachias in the time of King Stephen, succeeded Celsus in the Bi∣shopricke of Armagh, whose life Saint Bernard,* 1.359 Abbot of Clareval∣lis, Capgrave, and Conganus, an Abbot of Ireland have written at large. He was borne in Ireland amongst barbarous people (saith Ber∣nard) yet in his birth and native soile, hee sucked of them no more barbarousnesse, then the Sea fish take of the salt water. His Parents for wealth and might, were in great account in those dayes; he was brought up at Armagh, under Imarius the Anachorite, where Celsus made him both Deacon and Priest at the age of 25. yeeres, from thence with licence of Imarius and of Celsus, he went to Malchus, Bi∣shop of Lismore in Mounster, a man of Irish birth, that had beene a Monke sometimes in the Abbey of Winchester in England, and from thence advanced to the Bishopricke of Lismore. And to make the historie plaine, there was at that time, great warres betweene Cor∣macke, King of Mounster, and his brother for the Soveraignty; the brother prevaileth, Cormacke fleeth to the Bishop of Lismore, and in his distressed estate, tooke a Monkes Cell, and led a private life. Ma∣lachias was appointed his Tutor, where Cormacke continued untill that a King there adjoyning, pittying his miserie, gathered forces, and restored him to his kingdome.

Immediately after this, Letters came for Malachias in most earnest sort, that he should come to Armagh, where not farre off, an Vncle of his, a man of great command, a Lord of a country, rich and po∣tent (that held in his hands all the wasted Monasterie of Bench••r, alias Bengor) dwelled; of which Monasterie I have spoken before in

the raigne of King Arthure. Malachias upon his comming, restored these possessions, and reedifieth the old Monasterie, and appointed one Malchus, brother to Christianus, Abbot of Mel••efont, governour of the place; when Malachius was thirty yeeres of age, he was made Bishop of Conor, (Conorets saith Bernard) where hee met by his owne report, (more then I am willing to lay downe in writing) so rude and barbarous a people, as worse could not be found upon the face of the earth, yet the holy man ceased not to travaile among them by preaching and teaching, and by all meanes possible to winne them; not long after, a certaine King of Vlster destroyed Conor, and put the people to the sword, burned and spoyled, and made havocke of all, whereupon Malachias with a hundred and twenty brethren, fled to Mounster, where King Cormake gave him great entertaine∣ment, and ayded him greatly in the building of the Monastery of Ybrak. By this time, Celsus spoken of before, fell sicke and dyed. The rude people thrust in Mauritius that usurped the place some five yeeres, then Malchus, Bishop of Lismore, and Gislebertus the first Le∣gate that came to Ireland, from the Pope, called the Bishops and Princes of the land together, appointed Malachias for the place. And when death had swiftly cut off the intruder Mauritius, that damna∣ble nation thrust in Nigellus, but he prospered not long, so that Mala∣chias enjoyed it quietly. Of the injury done to that Church, and the abuse of that time, heare Bernard, (as he learned of Conganus and o∣thers) report. The see of Ardmach (saith Bernard) for the reverence and honour of Saint Patricke the Apostle of that nation, which con∣verted that whole land to the faith, in the which See living, he ruled, and in which dying, he rested, is had of all men from the beginning, in so great reverence, that not onely the Bishops and Ministers of the Clergie, but the Kings and Princes of that nation, carry themselves in all obedience unto their Metropolitane, so that he being one, ruleth all: but there crept in a most detestable custome, through the divel∣lish ambition of certaine mighty men, that the holy See was obtai∣ned by inheritable succession, neither were any suffered to enioy the Bishopricke, but such as were of their tribe and familie, neither did this execrable succession hold for a small time, but for the space of fifteene generations, now in this diabolicall malice elapsed. And so farre this wicked and adulterous generation had confirmed to it selfe this lewd interest, yea rather an injurie to be punished with all manner of death, that if at any time there should want Clerks of that race, yet never wanted Bishops. To be short, there were before Celsus, eight Bishops married men, besides himselfe, without orders, yet learned men; from hence over all Ireland, issued that dissolution of ecclesiastiall dis∣cipline, which Malachias found in Conor, the rooting out of godly censure, and the abandoning of religion; from hence every wherein stead of Christian meekenesse, was brought in cruell barbarousnesse,

yea, paganisme and infidelity under a Christian name; for that which was not heard of from the originall of Christianitie, without order, without reason, the Metropolitans at their pleasure changed, and in∣creased the number of Bishops, so that one Bishopricke contented not it selfe with one Bishop, and no marvaile, for how could it fare well with the members of so diseased a head? they possessed the Sanctuary of God in this sort, the space well neere of two hundred yeeres; hee meaneth unto the dayes of Celsus and Malachias. Cambrensis in his itinerarie of Cambria, had relation no doubt unto this, where he with Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, in visitation about Wales, came to the Church called lure padaen vacor, that is, the Church of great Paternus, mis-stiled with the governement therof, for thus he writeth: This Church, like as many more throughout Ireland and Wales, hath a Laye man to their Abbot, use hath prevailed, and a lewd custome hath crept in, that great and mighty men in Parishes, have beene by the Clergie appointed Patrons and defendors; afterwards have usurped unto themselves the right thereof. Immediately hee reporteth of a travailer that came hither out of little Britaine in France, that had for his further knowledge seene many countries, and fashions of sundry nations, and entring into the said Church on the Sabbath day, way∣ted for divine Service, they rung the Bell, they tould, they waited long, at length came in the Abbot, with some twenty after him in armes, and wilde lookes, every one having (fon villuge, so the Britaines ter∣med it) a forrest Bill on his shoulder; the travailer asked which is the Abbot, answer was made the formost, with the greatest forrest Bill; the travailer asked, hath he any other ornament, or doth he use any other weede? answer being made, no, then said hee, I have travailed farre enough, I will see no more fashions whilst I live, after that I have seene an Abbot carry a forrest Bill upon his backe. Now to returne whence I have made this digression, for the abuse of the Church causeth me to abuse the reader.

Malachias, when he had peaceably enioyed Ardmagh some three yeeres, with the consent of the three Bishops and Princes, he resigned his place to Gelasius, and returned to his former Bishopricke, not of Conor, but of Dune, for he had placed one in Conor before, to wit, Oedanus his disciple; here Bernard noteth that where Dune and Co∣nor were before this time united through ambition and covetousnesse, this man of devotion and conscience, separated them againe, dividing the Churches as they had beene of old, for the good will he bare to Armagh, he tooke his iourney towards Rome, landed in Scotland, came to Yorke, sailed to France, and lodged at Clarevallis; hee came to Rome in the time of Innocentius 2. who made him his Legate of Ireland, in the roomth of Gislebert, the old man spoken of before, which had made sute to be removed. Boniface appointed Armagh to be a Metropolitane See, but did not effect it, and promised the pall

which he did not performe; Bernard maketh mention of two Metro∣politan Sees, one procured by Celsus, the other by Malachias; but where and how I finde no antient record. Bale is of opinion they were in vocibus, and not in rebus, for lacke of money to pay for them. Vpon his returne hee came to Clarevallis, thence to England, so to Scotland, (where King David most royally entertained him) and lastly, to his Abbey of Benchor in Vlster. Of his conversation, heare Bernard: from the day of his birth, to the day of his death, hee lived sine proprio, without claiming propertie in any thing; he had neither men servants, nor maid servants, neither townes nor villages, neither any reuenue ecclesiasticall or temporall in his Bishopricke; for his pro∣vision, (ad mensam episcopalem) hee had no certainty allotted him whereupon a Bishop might live, hee had no certaine Monastery or dwelling place, for hee daily went about all the Parishes, preaching the Gospell, and living by the Gospell, as the Lord had ordained, saying, the labourer is worthy of his reward; of his labours and such as travelled with him, he carried about to relieve them all; to be short, Malachias neither in dyet or rayment was discerned from the rest of the brethren; when he went a preaching with footmen, he went on foot, being a Bishop and a Legate: and here Bernard exclaimeth, when he entreth into the consideration of the difference betweene him and his brethren, and the nephewes of the Apostles, so he calleth them. Towards his latter dayes, hee sorrowed that Ireland had not the pall, and as oft as he thought upon Innocentius 2. his promise, he sighed, who (as formerly I have delivered) had promised, not per∣formed; when he heard that Eugenius his successor was come unto France, he thought it a fit time to obtaine his purpose, he tooke ship∣ping for Scotland, where King David received him as in times past, and thence unto England, where the jarre betweene the King of England, and the Pope, hindred his passage, yet he got into France, and straight to Clarevallis, where hearing that Pope Eugenius was returned to Rome, he rested himselfe, fell sicke of an ague, and there dyed, being of the age of 54. yeeres, Anno 1148. 4 Nonas Novem∣bris, so farre Bernard in substance, yet Antonine saith hee dyed, Anno 1140.

In his time lived Conganus, Abbot of Benchor, who enformed Ber∣nard of the whole life of Malachias, and wrote at large thereof him∣selfe, inserting many fabulous things, and saith Nicholas Magwire, he wrote not onely the life of Malachias, but also the life of Bernard. I finde him to be the Patron of Killaskin, otherwise called Killeshin, in Monte Margeo, and the Barony of Marghagha in Leynster, spo∣ken of before.

In this time lived Tundalus Magus, so surnamed, because suspected for a Sorcerer, borne and brought up in Mounster (in Cashell, saith Lepelo, in the West of Ireland) of Noble birth, and by calling a

Knight: Antonius out of Vincentius reporteth, that hee was fierce and cruell, and in the end became a Carthusian Monke, for that or∣der beganne as we may reade in the life of Bruno, the first founder thereof, upon some great extremity, (whereof the Proverbe rose, de∣speratio facit Monachum, desperation maketh a Monke) it seemeth that he had in his life time committed some hainous offences, and was mightily tormented in conscience, and fell into trances and ex∣tasies; upon his recovery he delivered unto the world, strange & dam∣nable untruths, (saith Bale) of Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, and I wot not what, for a man distracted, knoweth not what he saith. Bale writeth, (talia ad terrorem fingebant scelestissimi; Nebolones some∣what excusing him, and extenuating his imbecillities and biddeth him farewell: Clarint Stephano Rege in Anglia dominante; & satana apud Hybernos suas vires exercente; hee flourished when Stephen raigned over England, and the divell domineered over Ireland. Hee wrote a booke of Revelations, the which Melchior Canus, Albertus Crantzius, and Gobelenus have utterly condemned. He wrote also the life of Vrsula, and the 11000. Virgins, printed at Cullen, the which Zazarias Lepelo counteth for lyes and fables.

Anno 1142. the Abbey of Molyfont was founded by Donatus, alias Donogh, King of Louth, alias Vriell, some call him Donogh O∣carvell; the first Abbot was Christianus, who afterwards was Bishop of Lysmore, and Legate of all Ireland.

Anno 1144. William, Bishop of Winchester, by authority of Pope Celestine 2. in a Councell held at London, brought in the use of cursing with Bell, Booke, and Candle, which liked the Irish Priests well, to terrifie the Laytie for their Tithes. Foxe.

Anno 1148. there fell great variance betweene Owen, surnamed Gwyneth, Prince of North••Wales, and Cadwallader his brother, they were both the sonnes of Griffith ap Conan, Prince of North Wales. This Cadwallader fled into Ireland, and hired to his aide, Octer Mac Octer Curbell Mac Therulfe, with a great number of Irish men, and red shankes, for 2000. markes, and landed at Abermeany in Carnar∣vonshire, against whom, Prince Owen came with great power, but be∣fore the Armies met, there was a peace concluded betweene the bre∣thren, which when the Irish men understood, they kept with them Cadwallader, as prisoner, for their pay formerly promised, so that hee was faine to deliver 2000. heads of Cattell, besides many prisoners and spoyles that were taken in the country; but Prince Owen as soone as he knew his brother to be set at liberty, set upon the Irish men (his stomacke was full of revengement) slue a great number of them, and recovered all the Cattell, with the prisoners, and other spoyle, so that in the end, as many as escaped with life, returned to Ireland with sorrow, shame, and losse, and made no bost of their voyage; so wri∣teth Carodoc.

The same yeere, Anno 1148. Iohn Papire a Priest Cardinall, toge∣ther with Christianus Bishop of Lismore, the Popes Legate over the whole Land, being sent by Eugenius, came into Ireland. And in An∣no 1151. saith Mathew Paris, but by the consent of most Writers, Anno 1152. summoned a Councell, where in the presence of the Bi∣shops, Abbots, Kings, Dukes, & the Antients of Ireland, by the Apo∣stolike authoritie, Colledge of Cardinals, & consent of the Bishops, Abbots, & others there present, they ordained foure Archbishopricks in Ireland, and gave them foure pales, to wit, Ardmach, Dublin, Ca∣shell, and Tuam. In Ardmach, then sate Gelasius, in Dublin Grego∣ry, in Cashell Donatus, in Tuam Edanus; these were the first Arch∣bishops of Ireland. The records from that time to this day, of the foure Provinces, the foure Archbishoprickes with their Bishops and Suffragans, in Latine, and vulgar speech, with their titles of Saints and Patrons, together with the unions of them in processe of time following, I finde thus,

Anno 1151. these Abbies were founded, de Beatitudine, de duillio, de Magio, de valle salutis, and happily the Monasterie which Mathew Paris and Polychronicon spake of upon this occasion. There was a Knight (say they) called Owin, of Irish birth, which had long served King Stephen in his warres, got licence to repaire unto his native soile, and to visit his friends; when hee came to Ireland, hearing the fame of the Purgatory of the second Patricke the Abbot, and not the Bishop, so I reade in Polychronicon, it came in his minde to visit the same, he being in the Cave, and concavities under ground, saw strange sights, and making report thereof unto King Stephen, obtai∣ned licence of him thenceforth to leade a religious and solitary life: he obtained also of King Stephen, (so Mathew Paris writeth) a par∣cell of ground in Ireland to build a Monasterie called Luden, an Ab∣bey of white Monkes, where Gervasius became the first Abbot, and where Gilbert a Monke trayned up Owen in the order thereof. This Gilbert (saith mine Author) wrote as Owen told him all the reports that are now extant of that Purgatory, so that it seemes to be no an∣tient matter, but a late device, first found by this Owen, in the late dayes of King Stephen.

Anno 1152. was the battaile of Monad more fought in Ireland, betweene Leinster and Mounster men,* 1.360 where (saith Holinshed) the flower and chiefest personages of Leinster and Mounster were slaine, and saith Iohn Plunket, Mounster lost the field, Anno 1154. Terdie∣lach, King of Connaght dyed, there succeeded him, Rorie Oconochor Rowag, commonly called Roderic, who slue his owne brother that aspired to the kingdome of Connaght, and in this successe, attemp∣ted further, and became Monarch of Ireland.

* 1.361Henry 2 King of England, the sonne of Mathilda the Empresse, subdued Scotland, Ireland, Orchades, and the furthest Ocean Ilands;

he was Protector of France, and was offered the kingdome of Ieru∣salem: this Noble Henry was crowned King of England, Anno 1154. he married Elenor, daughter and heire of William, Duke of Aqui∣taine, the which Elenor had been formerly married to Lewis, King of France, and upon dislike, divorced, under pretence that they were within the fourth degree of consanguinity: he was knighted by Da∣vid, King of Scots, and after many broyles, & much bloudshed, adop∣ted by King Stephen for his sonne, and consequently proclaimed heire apparant to the Crowne of England, and thereupon after the dis∣cease of Stephen, crowned with great ioy and applause of the people.

Anno 1154. the same yeere that Henry the second was crowned, the Abbey of Kyrie-eleeson was founded.

Anno 1155. saith Mathew Paris and Fabian, and the first or se∣cond of Henry 2. raigne, (though Stow referre it to the 7. and Anno 1160▪ the King cast in his minde to conquer Ireland, hee saw that it was commodious for him, and considered that they were but a rude and savage people, for so the historiographers doe write, whereupon in his ambitious minde, he sent unto Adrian, Bishop of Rome, one Iohn Salsbury, (who by the said Bishop afterwards was made Bishop of Carnolum in France) with others, delivering his sute to that effect. Adrian being a man of English birth, heard his Ambassadors the more willingly, considered the matter advisedly, together with his colledge of Cardinals, and granted him his request, as followeth: Adrian the Bishop, the servant of the servants of God, to his most deer sonne in Christ, the Noble King of England, sendeth greeting and Apo∣stolike benediction: your magnificence hath beene very carefull and stu∣dious how you might enlarge the Church of God here in earth, and in∣crease the number of his Saints and elect in heaven, in that as a good Catholike King, you have and doe by all meanes labour and travell to enlarge and increase Gods Church, by teaching the ignorant people the true and Christian religion, and in abolishing and rooting up the weedes of sinne and wickednesse. And wherein you have, and doe crave for your better furtherance, the helpe of the Apostolike See (wherein more speedily and discreetly you proceed) the better successe we hope, God will send, for all they which of a fervent zeale and love in religion, doe begin and enterprise any such thing, shall no doubt in the end, have a good and prosperous successe: And as for Ireland, and all other Ilands where Christ is knowne, and the Christian religion received, it is out of all doubt, and your excellencie well knoweth, they doe all appertaine and belong to the right of Saint Peter, and of the Church of Rome, and we are so much the more ready, desirous and willing to sow the accepta∣ble seede of Gods word, because we know the same in the latter day will be most severely required at our hands: you have (our welbeloved sonne in Christ) advertised and signified unto us, that you will enter

into the Land and Realme of Ireland, to the end to bring them to obe∣dience unto Law, and under your subjection, and to root out from among them, their foule sinnes and wickednesse, as also to yeeld and pay yeere∣ly out of every house, a yeerely pension of one penny to Saint Peter, and besides also will defend and keepe the rites of those Churches, whole and inviolate: We therefore well allowing and favouring this your godly disposition, and commendable affection, doe accept, ratifie, and assent unto this your petition; and doe grant that you (for the dilating of Gods Church, the punishment of sinne, the reforming of manners, plan∣ting of vertue, and the increasing of Christian religion) doe enter to pos∣sesse that land, and thereto execute according to your wisedome, whatso∣ever shall be for the honour of God, and the safety of the Realme: and further also we doe strictly charge and require, that all the people of that land, doe with all humblenesse, dutifulnesse, and honour, receive and accept you as their Liege Lord and Soveraigne, reseruing and accepting the right of holy Church to be inviolably preserved: as also the yeerely pension of Peter pence out of every house, which we require to be truely answered to Saint Peter, and to the Church of Rome. If therefore you doe minde to bring your godly purpose to effect, indevour to travell to re∣forme the people to some better order and trade of life, and that also by your selfe, and by such others as you shall thinke meet, true, and honest in their life, manners, and conversation, to the end the Church of God may be beautified, the true Christian religion sowed and planted, and all other things done, that by any meanes shall or may be to Gods honour, and salvation of mens soules, whereby you may in the end receive of Gods hands, the reward of everlasting life, and also in the meane time, and in this life, carry a glorious same and an honourable report among all nations. The King upon the receit hereof, was very glad, and let it lye dorment by him, untill better opportunity was offered, as here∣after shall appeare.

Anno 1166. Moragh Mac Cocholan, King of Ireland, called a great Councell at Dublin, gave battaile to the King of Leinster, and killed him, and shortly after was himselfe slaine by Ororic, which succee∣ded in the soveraignty; the same yeere saith Guttyn Owen in his Bri∣tish Chronicle, Henry 2. being at Chester, hired many shippes out of Ireland for his ayde, against North-Wales, but hee discharged them immediately, for his purpose tooke no good effect, in as much as the present troubles of Normandy called him away. In this pastime (so the old English delivereth) or rather the hurly-burly of the world, amids the warres of France, Flanders, and England; Ireland was all in armes, the occasion was as followeth.

Dermot Mac Moragh, King of Leinster, was a long time enamoured with the wife of Ororike, King of Meth, some call him Morice, some other Mordich, she was the daughter of Omalarghlun, whom nature had made faire, the world a Queene, and lust a Harlot: the booke of

Howth reporteth at large, how Ororic was old, his Queene young and wanton, and that in derision, when he came from hunting, and being an hungred, she gave Apples to eate, which had beene in some undecent place of her body to be spoken of, so that the scent of them was strong, whereat she smiled; her Lord and husband having se∣cretly learned her lewd practise, tooke with him the day following, two of her foster brothers a hunting, gelded them, baked their stones, brought the Pie hot to his Lady and her Gentlewomen, when hee had commended the rarenesse of the meat, the fond wantons and giglets, fell to it, when they had satisfied themselves, saith Ororic, how like you this Pye, excellent good meat say they; it is (saith hee) the meat which you love raw and rosted, what is that (say they) the stones of your two foster brethren; with that she cast up a wilde look, and never beheld him cheerefully againe. Ororic her Lord and hus∣band being in pursuit of kerne theeves and outlawes that had migh∣tily annoyed his people in the furthest part of his country, she with all celerity, supposing it a fit time, sent for her lover Dermotte, the message was no sooner delivered, but hee was a horse backe, posting to the Harlot; to be short, he tooke her away with him, at which time (O false heart) she strugled, she cryed, as though she were unwilling, and that hee forced her. Ororic immediately heard of it, gathered his forces together, mustred his people, craved ayde, and among others, wrote unto Roderick, Monarch of Ireland as followeth.

Though I am not ignorant, (most renowned Prince) that humane causes are to be weighed in the balance of patience, and that a man endued with vertue, will not effeminate himselfe by reason of the un∣constant and mutable minde of a Harlot, yet in so much this horri∣ble crime, (whereof I am fully perswaded) came to your eares be∣fore my messenger could deliver his letters, a thing heretofore not heard of, as farre as I remember, not practised against any King of Ireland; severity causeth me to call for justice, when charity admoni∣sheth me not to seeke revengement. If thou behold the shame, I con∣fesse it redoundeth to me alone; if you weigh the cause, it is common to us both; what confidence shall we repose in our subjects that are bound unto us in regard of our Princely command, if this effeminate adulterer, or rather queller of chastity, shall escape unpunished for so abhominable a fact? for the unchastised offences of Princes, notori∣ously committed in the sight of al men, breed a most pernitious imita∣tion, as precedents unto the people; in summe you have sufficient ex∣perience of my good will and affection towards you, you see mee wounded with the cruell darts of fortune, vexed with infinite dis∣commodities, and now extremely driven to my utter shifts: It re∣maines, (seeing I am wholly yours) that not onely with counsell, be∣ing requested, but with armes, being urged, you revenge my quarrell: this when you will, and as you will, not onely I aske, but require at your hands. Farewell.

The Monarch for some former quarrell against Dermot was all on fire, and joyning forces with Ororic, entred Leinster with fire and sword, the people cry woe and alacke (O bone in Irish) now are wee punished for the lewdnesse of our Prince. Dermot lulling himselfe in his lovers armes, heareth the newes, starteth upon a sodaine, behol∣deth his Lady, hath no power to speake, runneth forth, calleth his men, cryeth for aid, throughout his country, none gave ••are unto him; the country thought now (whereas they could not) that God will be revenged on him for his exactions, cruelty, tyranny, and all other villanies practised upon his subjects, and especially for deflou∣ring another mans wife: when he saw himselfe quite forsaken, voyd and destitute of all ayde, he betooke himselfe to the sea, and fled for England, but what became of the Harlot I cannot learne; belike shee hanged her selfe when she had set all the country in uprore. Anno 1169. (Iohn Clin and Iohn Stow are mine Authors) now that Dermot is fled, I am to insert a story out of the British Chronicles of Conwey and Strotflur Abbeyes, afore I discourse of him which was in the same yeere, that he tooke the sea, how that Owen Gwyneth, Prince of North-Wales, had a sonne called Ryryd, who in the right of his wife, as it seemeth, was Lord of Clochran in Ireland, and another sonne begotten vpon an Irish woman, called Howell, and a third sonne cal∣led Madoc. This Madoc finding his country in great contention, and his brethren at civill warres, prepared certaine ships with men and munition out of Wales and Ireland, and sought adventures by seas, he sailed west from the coast of Ireland, so farre north, that hee came to a land unknowne, where he saw many strange things. This land in the opinion of Humphrey Lloyde, the great Antiquary of Britaine, must needs be some part of that country, of which the Spaniards af∣firme themselves to be the first discoverers since Hannos time. For by reason and order of cosmographie, this land to the which Madoc came, must needs be sonne part of Nova-hispania, or Florida; where∣upon it is manifest that the same country was long before discovered by Britaines and Irish men, afore either Columbus or Americus Vespa∣tius, led any Spaniards thither. Of the voyage and returne of this Madoc, there be many fables, the which I will not report. He prepa∣red ships for a second voyage, and tooke with him men and women to inhabit that land, therefore it is to be presupposed that he and his people inhabited part of those countries, for it appeareth by Francis Loves, that in Acusanus and other places, the people honoured the Crosse, whereby it may be gathered, that Christians had been there before the comming of the Spaniards: but because this people were not many, they followed the manners of the land, and used their lan∣guage. I am of opinion with others, that the land whereunto Madoc came, was some part of Mexico; first of all, for that the inhabitants of that land report, their Rulers to have descended from a strange

nation that came from a far country, which thing is confessed by Mu∣tesuma, King of that country, in his orations made for quieting of his people at his submission to the King of Castile, Hernando Curtecius being then present, which is laid downe in the Spanish Chronicles, of the conquest of the West-Indies; secondly the british words and names of places used in that country to this day, doe argue the same, as when they talke together, (they say) Gwrando, which is hearken or listen in British. Also if you peruse Sir Humphrey Gilberts disco∣very, they have a Bird, which they call Pengwin in Brittish and Cor∣nish, a white-head, but the Iland of Corroeso, the Cape of Britaine, the river of Gwyndoor and the white rocke of Pengwyn, be British or Welch words: whereby it appeareth, that it was that country which Madoc and his people inhabited: now remembring my selfe that my pen hath not carryed me so far unto forraigne countries by sea, but that I expect Dermots returne by sea and by land into Ire∣land. Dermot Mac Morogh came to Henry 2. in Normandie, made his moane (as formerly in substance is delivered) craved aide for his restitution into his country, being a King exiled, although distressed and void of comfort, unlesse hee might obtaine it at his Majesties hands; the Kings hands being full of warres, he granted him his fa∣vourable letters as followeth.

Henry, King of England, Duke of Normandie and Aquitaine, Earle of Anjow, &c. unto all his subiects, English, Normans, Welch, and Scots, and to all nations and people being his subiects, greeting; where∣as Dermot Prince of Leinster most wrongfully (as he enformeth) bani∣shed out of his owne country, hath craved our ayde, therefore for so much as we have received him unto our protection, grace and favour, whosoever within our Realmes, subiects unto our command, will ayde and helpe him whom wee have embraced as our trustie friend, for the recovery of his land, let him be assured of our favour and licence in that behalfe.

Dermot returned ioyfully with these letters, and came to Bristoll, where at that time, Richard, surnamed Strangbow, Eare o•• Penbroke and Chepstow lay, hee shewed his letters, caused them at severall times, publikely to be read, conferred with Earle Richard, and con∣cluded to give the Earle his sole daughter and heire in marriage, and his whole interest in the kingdome of Leinster after his decease. Ri∣chard undertooke of the other side to effect all his desire. As Dermot wayted for a winde, it came in his minde for the shorter cut into Ire∣land, to goe by land into Saint Davids, where he was refreshed, and greatly pittied by the Bishop there, and concluded in like sort (as with the Earle before) with Robert fitz Stephens, and Moris Fitz Ge∣rald, by the mediation of the good Bishop there, to restore him unto his kingdome, upon condition that hee should give them and theirs for ever, the towne of Wexford, and two cantreds of land next

adjoyning; upon this hee tooke shipping, secretly came to Fernes, and lived privately among the Clergie all that winter, expecting per∣formance of promises out of England. Anno 1170. Abbatia de Castro Dei, was founded in the same yeere, and the first day of May, (so writeth Stow) Robert Fitz Stephens, with David Barrie, and Hervie de Monte, Mariscospie of Strangbow his nephew, according to his promise, with thirty Knights, threescore Esquires well mounted, and three hundred foot, being Archers well appointed, of his owne kin∣dred, and trayning up in feates of armes, and the choice souldiers of all Wales, landed at the Bann, not farre from Wexford; hereupon the rime runneth.

At the Creeke of Bagganbun, Ireland was lost and wonne.

Here some allude unto the blinde Prophecie of Merlin, that hee should meane this noble Warrior and worthy Knight, where he saith; A Knight biparted shall first enter with force of Armes, and breake the bounds of Ireland: this they would have understood of Robert Fitz Stephens, an English man, borne in Normandie, and of Nesta his mother, daughter to R••es ap Tuyder Prince of South Wales; so I finde in Cambrensis; but if Merlin had foresight in this, I had rather take his Prophecie verified in respect of his Armes and Ensignes, which were biparted, being of two sundry changes, namely, party par pale gules and ermine, a saltier counterchanged; for commonly all Prophecies have their allusions unto Armes, and by them they are discovered, though at the first not so apparant, before the event there∣of take place.

The next day after, in the same place, landed Morice Prendergast, whom Stanihurst calleth Prendelgast de Rofensi Walliae Demetiae Pro∣vinciâ, as Cambrensis writeth; the which I take to be about Milford in South-Wales, accompanied with ten Knights, and a great num∣ber of Archers in most gallant sort in two ships. Immediately, Ro∣bert Fitz Stephens directeth his letters to Dermot, who could scarce reade them for joy of their arrivall, and sent forthwith his base sonne Donald with five hundred men to salute them, and hasteneth after himselfe with all speed; off goeth his poore mantle wherein hee ob∣scurely shrowded himselfe, on goeth his princely attire; the Irish men follow him, the fame thereof is spread over the whole land: such as before in his distressed state flatly forsooke him, now runne and flat∣ter, and fawne upon him; to be short, they meete, they confirme the former leagues with oathes, and ioyne forces together, and they march towards Wexford, to lay siege to the towne; the townesmen a fierce & wilfull people (to the number of 2000.) sally forth with full purpose to give them battaile in the field, but when they heard the

Trumpets sound, the horses neyghing, and beheld their glittering Armes, the ratling of their furniture, horse and men in compleat Armes, and all most comely in battaile array, (the like of them not formerly seene, neither heard of) they alter their mindes, they retire into the towne, they make fast their gates, and fire the suburbs. Fitz Stephens came to the wals, filled the trenches with armed men, and appointed his Archers to levell at the wals and turrets, if occasion were offered: the townesmen manfully defended themselves, threw over the wals great stones and pieces of timber, hurt many, and made them voyd the place, among whom, a couragious Knight, called Da∣vid Barrye, adventured to scale the walles, but with a great stone which fell upon his head-piece, he was cast downe to the ditch, and carried away by his fellowes with safeguard of his life, upon this they goe to the sea strand, and fired all the ships and vessels which they found there.

The next day after, upon better advice and deliberation, they ap∣proach unto the wals, and gave a new assault, the townesmen within beganne to distrust their state, being upon this sudden arrivall of the strangers, not sufficiently provided of men, munition, and victuals, to encounter with them, and remembring againe, how most unnatu∣rally they had rebelled against their Prince and Soveraigne, they sent messengers to Dermot, to intreate for peace, (alas it was farre from the heart) the which was granted, and tooke of them pledges and ho∣stages for the performance thereof. Lastly, Mac Moragh, according to his former promise gratified these first adventures, hee gave unto Robert Fitz Stephens, and Morrice Fitz Gerrald, who was as yet in England, the towne of Wexford, and the territories thereunto ad∣ioyning, and unto Hervie de Monte Morisco, two cantreds on the sea side, betwixt Wexford and Waterford.

Dermot Mac Moroch and his company now take heart, they en∣crease their Army with Wexford men, and become 3000. strong. The next iourney they bend their course towards Ossory, where one Donald, or Mac Donell was Prince, whom Dermot hated deadly, and for this cause Donald suspected Dermots sonne and heire to have much familiaritie with his wife, and therefore in his jealous humour, ap∣prehended him, imprisoned him, and pulled out both his eyes, (but say they) though sight failed him, his feeling did not, for she loved him the more, in so much that she satisfied his lust, and ranne away after him. When Robert Fitz Stephens, and the Gallants of Britaine entred the country, they found neither dastards, nor cowards, but va∣liant men with horse and foot; they found the country fast with woods, bogges, and paces trenched and plashed; yet the valour of the adventurers was such, presuming upon former fortunes, to have the like future successes, with loose wings drove them out of the woods and bogges, into the plaine and champion land, where the

horsemen with their speares overthrew them, and the foote finding them groveling, runne them thorow, and ended their dayes; the Gallowglasses followed, and cut off their heads. And here Dermot Mac Morogh is mightily condemned, he being originally for exacti∣on, extortion, cruelty, tyranny, and other damnable offences, iustly exiled, now sheweth no Princely stomacke, but a base Wolvish minde; for when 300. of the Ossory mens heads were throwne at his feete, (alas they had not offended) hee viewed them all, and finding one whom he knew, and mortally hated, he held him by the head and eares, and most brutishly with his teeth, bit the nose and lips of the dead, whom without the ayde of the Britaines, hee durst not be∣hold in the face. In this bloudy course, Dermot directed these worthy warriours, they more affecting the prey for their present mainte∣nance, then the bloud of any person, to spoyle, burne, waste the coun∣try, and murther the poore and seely people, which God wot, meant no harme: whereupon Donald, Prince of Ossory, despising Dermot Mac Morogh, by the advice of his Councell and friends, sent to Ro∣bert Fitz Stephens in writing as followeth: Sir Knight of Noble race, renowned for martiall prowesse, Donald Prince of Ossory sendeth greeting: Dermot that damnable adulterer in his owne person, with the King of Meths wife, and in his sonnes person with my wife, have drawne thee and those Gallants, (most worthy Knights) into this poore country and naked people: I will yeeld my selfe (it is for the good of my poore followers) into thy hands, peace I crave, and peace let me have. Robert Fitz Stephens acquainted Dermot Mac Morogh with the premises of all sides, the Irish dissembled, (as hereafter shall further appeare) peace they granted, and they acknowledged Der∣mot for their Lord and Soveraigne. In all this service, I may not con∣ceale what Cambrensis delivereth. David Barry and Meilerius, effe∣cted singular exployts, and deserved no lesse commendations. As soone as the good successe of Dermot and the strangers lately arrived, was spread abroad, Rory Oconochor, alias Rodericke, King of Con∣naught, Monarch of Ireland, called the Princes and Nobles of the land together, and layeth before them the dangerous estate and im∣minent perill of the whole land, how Dermot guilefully had tray∣ned in strangers, how hee and the strangers were like to ouer-runne all, unlesse with all expedition, this mischiefe were prevented; in summe they concluded, that every man shall to his Armes, and make ready horse and foot, and set upon these invaders.

Dermot Mac Morogh, having certaine knowledge of this great se∣paration and mischiefe intended, and his false harted subjects, that lately fawned vpon him were fled to the enemies, fearing the puisance of the Monarch, and the forces of the whole land, called Robert Fits Stephens, and said vnto him; Fortune is fickle, our state is an ague that commeth by fits, my friends fleet away, and argue false hearts, no

marvaile though I bee disquieted, if you stick not to mee I am undone: Robert Fitz Stephens replied, Wee have left behind us our deare friends and our native soyle, wee have fired all our shippes, not upon intent to runne away, wee haue already in armes ingaged our lives, fall out as fall out may, wee will live and dye together, bee you true to us, wee will not bee false to you: Dermot hereupon gathering his spirits together, got him and his followers to a certaine fastenesse, not farre from Fernes, where hee intrenched and plashed himselfe, being invi∣roned with woods, hils, rockes, bogges and waters, a place to mans seeming inaccessible and invincible, to endure for a while wandring clowds, and threatning stormes of his adversaries, to vanish and bee caried away with waving winds of fortune and unfortunate warres: Whose foresight and ready wit Robert Fitz Stephens highly com∣mended, Immediatly there came a Messenger from Roderic the Mo∣narch unto Robert Fitz Stephens with this message: The Britans may not by the Lawes of Armes, display their Banners and Ensignes in forreine possessions, and dispose the lawfull heires of their inheritance, but they are with licence of the Irish to pack home whence they came: It is a blemish for the Brittish nation, iniuriously to giue aide to a shamefull fact, neither may the lechery of Dermot, be mantled under British cloaks, wherefore depart and forsake him that is forsaken of God and man. And here by my messenger receive to defray your charges, and trans∣port you to your native soyle. Robert Fitz Stephens answereth, your present I will not accept, faith and troth I have pawned to my friend Dermot, I will not breake: hee forsakes not me, I will not forsake him, neither leave him distressed; you speake of lechery, what is that among martiall men? I heare you have Bastards your selfe, to what end is your embassie? If Roderick give councell, we need it not; if he Prophecie, we credit not his oracle; if he command as a Prince, we obey not his auto∣rity; if hee threaten as an enemie, a figge for his Monarchy. The messenger returned with small welcome, going and comming; Ro∣deric bethought himselfe againe, and sent letters to Dermot, per∣swading him to be at peace with his country people, and to banish the strangers out of the Land; he rejected his councell and despiseth the messenger: Roderic seeing that his private practises tooke small effect, put himselfe in armes, assembleth his forces, and delivereth un∣to them these speeches: You right worthy and valiant defenders of your Country and liberty; Consider with what people and for what cause wee are now to fight and wage battell, the enemy of his owne Country, the tyrant over his owne people, the exile fugitive, behold hee is returned backed with strangers, and purposeth to destroy us and the whole Nation; hee being an enemy, hath brought in those enemies, which have beene ever hatefull unto us all, and are most greedy to have the Soveraignty and Dominion over us all, protesting openly and firmely avouching, that by fatall destiny they are to bee Commanders

over this land. And so farre hath he poured out his venome, that there is no favour, nor mercy to be looked for at his hands. O cruell beast, (yea more cruell then ever was beast) who lately bit with his owne teeth, the nose and lips of the dead: he to satisfie his insatiable malice and bloudy minde, spareth neither man, woman, nor childe: he deserveth well to be hated of all, that opposeth himselfe an enemy to all; wherefore my lo∣ving and deere country men, be well advised, looke about you, and con∣sider advisedly, how by the like meanes, (I meane civill warres) all Realmes and nations for the most part have beene overthrowne and brought to utter ruine. Iulius Caesar attempted the invasion of Bri∣taine, was twice foyled, and indured the repulse, but when Androgeus Duke of London fell at variance with the King, to be revenged, sent for Iulius, who thereupon returning, subdued the land. The Britaines be∣ing at discord, and hating their vicious King Careticus, the Saxons finding opportunitie to over-runne all, sent for Gurmundus the arch-Pirate and terror of the Ocean seas, who ioyning forces together, foyled the Britaines, and banished their King: not long after, Isembert aspi∣ring to the Crowne of France, procured the said Gurmund to his ayde: behold the end, Gurmund was slaine, Isembert overthrowne, and his whole practise came to nought. Wherefore let us with one minde, like those valiant Frenchmen in our rightfull cause, in the defence of our country, and safeguard of the lives of our wives and children, couragi∣ously give the onset upon our enemies. And whiles these strangers are but few in number, let us stoutly issue out upon them. The fire while it is but in embers and sparkles, may easily be covered with ashes, but if it breake into flames, it is hard to be quenched▪ wherefore it is expedient we stoppe beginnings, and prevent sicknesse when it creepeth least; when it takes roote, it will hardly be cured: wherefore cheere my hearts, wee fight for our country and liberty, let us leave unto our posterity an im∣mortall fame, let us march on, and lustily assault them, that the over∣throw of a few, may be a terrour to many, and that it may be a president unto all forraigne Potentates, never to attempt the like againe.

Dermot Mac Morogh and his men receive intelligence of this march, and the approach of the enemy, and beholding his men, some∣what dismaid, turned him to them with loving countenance: yee men of Leynster, my naturall subjects, of my flesh and bloud, whom loy∣alty, truth and kindred hath hitherto lincked together; let us live to∣gether, and dye together, in the defence of our persons and country; you see how that wicked and ambitious minded Rodericke, the Au∣thor of many mischiefes, not contented with his owne country and kingdome, seeketh now the soveraignty and dominion over the whole land, the which, I hope, God will not permit. You see his glory, his pride, and audacious attempts, how he lifteth up his head, and loo∣keth aloft: he trusteth to his multitude, doubt you not but that God is on our side, and the rightfull cause ours, though wee of country

birth, to you Leinster men I speake, bee not so many as they are, nei∣ther so well appointed, it forceth not, for victory is not measured by multitude, but by valour and courage, and oftentimes, wee know, that a few stout and hardy men have foiled troupes of sluggards, da∣stards and white liverd Souldiers: If you mistrust any defect in your selves, behold a present supply at your back and elbow.

Doe not you see these Worthy Knights, these Valiant Warriers these Noble gallants, the flowre of Brittaine? their valour in part you have sufficiently tryed, their furniture excelleth, their order and aray is most comely, they have forsaken their native soyle, their friends and kindred, and all for our sakes; will they fly? no, they have burned their Ships, the Land will yeeld them neither succour nor refuge, neither will the bloody tyrant Roderic shew any mercy; wee are sworne the one to the o∣ther, while breath lasteth and life endureth. If the enemy pretend with the sword to chastise us for our sinnes, as it appeareth by their slaunde∣rous & shamelesse reports; alas, what have you done? God knoweth, your consciences are cleare, your cause honest, to take Armes in defence of your Prince, and Countrey? Why doe they not behold the blemishes, nay the hainous enormities and villanies that raigne among them? Their carrows, their kerne, their theeves, their murders, their swearing, their lying, their drunkennesse, their whordome and bloody minds who reformeth? The Tyrant Roderic hath murdered his owne naturall brother, hee hath three wives alive, he hath eleven bastards by severall women: O villaine, to behold a mote in our eye, and cannot see a beame in his owne. If the tyrant make challenge and pretend title to Leinster, because the same hath sometimes beene tributarie to some one King of Connoght; by the same reason also may wee demand and challenge all Connoght; for our ancestors have beene sole Governours of both, and Monarchs of all Ireland. The Lawes of all Nations doe permit, and allow to resist and withstand force and injury, with force and strength; Let us be of good courage, wee stand vpon a good ground, our seat is na∣turally very strong of it selfe, & now by our industry made more defen∣sive; feare nothing, quit your selves like men. When Dermot had made an end of his Irish Oration, Robert Fitz Stephens in the Brittish tongue turneth him to the Brittaines. You my companions in mar∣tiall affaires, you lusty young gallants that have endured with me many perils, yet still retaine your noble and valiant courage; consider whence wee came, what wee are, and the cause we have in hand; we are lineally descended from Troy, whose fame hath filled the whole earth, and now lately some of us out of Normandy, have seated our selves in Brittaine, and have to our wives, children, and kindred of the ancient and noble Brittish race; of the one we cary our valiant and noble mind, of the other wee learned the experience in feates of Armes; wee are not come hi∣ther as pirats and theeves, to robbe and spoile (as it is well knowne unto you) wee had our native soile to inhabit, wee had our kindred about us,

and the countenance of great persons, wee came after the course of the World, as Marshall men (but in an honest cause) to take our adven∣tures. Heere wee are, our friends are with us, our foes are in armes a∣gainst us, wee are well appointed, the enemy is but a wilde, naked, ras••all and savage people: feare nothing, our cause is good; Dermot sought us, we sought not him, hee loveth our nation, and our friends in former times have found friendship in his Countrey, hee is a Prince lately exi∣led, whose fall is more to be pittied then envied; we are to comfort him, to aide him, and to restore him to his Kingdome. It is more honorable to make then to be a King, and to restore then to exile: he is a Prince of a bountifull mind, hee hath promised large for us and our heires after us, hee hath in part already most faithfully performed, his yeeres are many, and his daies are but few; after him wee shall enjoie his, and if we overcome the enemy, wee shall possesse all: feare not death; it is but a short delay betweene transitory and eternall life, it is but a short pas∣sage from vaine and temporall delights, to certaine and perpetuall joies, if we conquer here, wee shall inherit here, and purchase unto us immor∣tall fame; if we misse here, we are sure of a Kingdome in another world. Roderic considering with himselfe, the events of warres how doubt∣full and uncertaine they are, wrought all meanes to intreat for peace, being timerous to adventure battaile with strangers, whose force hee mightily feared, and whose puissance and valour being renowned, he was loth to encounter withall; he sent messengers unto Dermot Mac Morogh, promising him that hee and his heires should in peace and quietnesse enjoy all Leinster, and acknowledge him for his chiefe King and Monarch, and to yeeld unto him the service and homage that to that belonged; and that he should deliver him his sonne Cun∣thurus (Cnothurinus saith Stanyhurst) for pledge and hostage. And if the peace were truly kept and performed, Roderic promised to give him his daughter in marriage, and in the end when Leinster should bee quitly setled and reduced to the old Irish order, Dermot should drive away the Brittans and strangers, and procure no more into the Land; all this was concluded vpon, and solemnely undertaken by oathes on both sides, yet all was but flat dissimulation. In the nook of this, landeth at Wexford Maurice Fitz Girald, brother to Robert Fitz Stephens by the mothers side, in two ships, having in his com∣pany, tenne Knights, thirty horsemen, archers and foot a hundred, whereof Dermot was very glad and mightily encouraged on everie side. And immediately tooke with him Morice Fitz Girald, and bent his forces towards Dublin, to be revenged on them, for many wrongs, and especially for the death of his father, whom they murthered in their Councell house, as formerly hath beene delivered, and after for more despite buried him with a Dog: They left Robert Fitz Ste∣phens behind busily imployed in building of a Fort or a strong hold some two miles from Wexford, in British and Irish called the Car∣ricke.

As they drew neere Dublin, they preyed, they spoyled, they burned all before them. Dublin trembled for feare, the townesmen intreated for peace, the which was granted upon the delivery of cer∣taine pledges and hostages▪

In the meane while, no small stirre arose betweene Roderic the Monarch, and Donald, Prince of Limerike for chiefery. Whereupon there arose deadly hatred and martiall warres: Roderic drew all his forces against him; Dermot Mac Moroogh sent to Robert Fitz Ste∣phens, that in all haste he should draw forces to the ayde of Donald Prince of Limirike his sonne in law, which was accordingly affected, where Roderic was foyled, lost his chiefery, and with shame enough returned to his own country. Now Dermot Mac Morogh is puffed up with these prosperous successes, and whereas a while agoe, he would have contented himselfe with Leynster alone, now Connaght and all Ireland seeme little enough unto his aspiring minde. Secretly hee ac∣quainteth Robert Fitz Stephens, and Maurice Fitz Gerald with his purpose, and offereth any of them his daughter and heire with his in∣heritance after, upon condition, that they should send for supplies of their kindred and country men, to effect his enterprises; they modest∣ly thanked him for his offers, and refused his daughter, for that they were both already married, and withall wished him to write for Ri∣chard Strangbow, with whom he had formerly concluded to that ef∣fect, unto whom he addresseth his messenger, and directeth his let∣ters in this forme:

Dermot Mac Morogh, Prince of Leinster, to Richard Earle of Chep∣stow, the sonne of Earle Gilbert, sendeth greeting. If you doe well consi∣der the time of men and matters, as we doe which are distressed, then would you regard whether we have cause to complaine of men, or to ma∣ligne and curse the infortunate time. Even as the seely Storkes and Swallowes with their comming, prognostic••te the summer season, and with westerly windes are blowne away: we have observed times and sea∣sons fit for your arrivall and transportation, if your affaires had cor∣respondently accorded unto our expectations. East and West no doubt would have fitted our purpose, but hitherto being frustrated of your long desired presence and promises, unlesse the most valiant Knights of your country birth, (whose valour and prowesse my penne is not able to paint unto the posterity) had upheld our state and dignity. We beseech you a∣gaine and againe, in the league and amitie of Princes, not to use further delayes; our successe hitherto hath beene to our hearts desire. Leynster is our owne, your comming will inlarge our bounds, the speedier it is, the more gratefull; the hastier, the more joyfull; the sooner, the better wel∣come. Richard Strangbow was pleased with these letters, glad of the successe of Robert Fitz Stephens, and cast with himselfe, how hee might speedily passe for Ireland. He repaired to King Henry 2. hum∣bly beseeching him, either to restore him to such possessions, as by

right of inheritance did belong unto him, or to give him Passe to seek adventures in some forraigne country, and among some strange na∣tion. Stanihurst excellently conceited, layeth downe the Kings an∣swer: Henry smiling within himselfe, saith, Loe, whether and where thou wilt goe and wander for me, it shall be lawfull for thee, take De∣dalus wings and flye away. Strangbow betweene ••east and earnest, takes this for a sufficient licence, and makes ready for Ireland, and sends before him, Reimond le Grosse, nephew to Robert Fitz Ste∣phens, and Morice Fitz Gerald, sonne to William Fitz Gerald, the el∣der brother, which land at Dundorogh, commonly called Dunde∣nold, West of Wexford, with tenne Knights, forty Esquires, and fourescore Archers and foot; whereupon Omolaghlin Ophelin, Lord of the Decies, raised the country, consulted with the townesmen of Waterford, and concluded that it stood them upon, with all expedi∣tion, to set upon the strangers; they made ready 3000. men by land, they runne up and downe the shore, they row; their song was kill, kill, kill, Reimond straight upon his arrivall, had fortified himselfe, the Waterfordians march against him in battaile array, the Britaines being but sixscore and ten, came forth to make good the field against 3000. Reymond perceiving in the skirmish that the enemy over-laid them, retired to his Fort, the Irish perswading themselves at that in∣stant to give the Britaines an utter overthrow, thicke and thinne, with all haste pursued them, and the formost entring at the foote of the last Britaine into the Fort, had his head cloven in two with Reymonds sword, immediately saith Reymond, strike the drumme, follow mee fellow souldiers; the Irish being disordered, and out of battaile array, and discouraged with the death of one man, flie away; then they which in this doubtfull skirmish were like to be vanquished and quite overthrown, became victors, conquerours, & wan the field; they cha∣sed the Waterfordians that were out of order, & at their wits ends, & slue of them, saith Cambrensis, above 500. persons, and being weary of killing, they cast a great number of those whom they had taken pri∣soners, headlong from the rocks, into the sea. In this service, Sir Wil∣liam Ferand, a Knight, deserved singular commendations, and was the onely man of all the Britaines, saith Stanihurst that was slaine: Thus fel the pride and rash attempt of Waterford, thus decayed their strength and force, and thus became the ruine and overthrow of that Citie, which, as it bred a great hope and consolation to the Britaines, so was it the cause of a great desperation and terrour to the enemy. They tooke 70. of the best men in Waterford prisoners, they enter into consultation, and call a martiall court, what was to be done with them. Reymond full of pittie and compassion, delivereth his opinion; you my noble and valiant companions, and fellow souldiers, for the in∣crease of whose honour, vertue and fortune, wee presently seeme to contend, let us consider what is best to bee done with these our

prisoners and captives: for my part I doe not thinke it good, nor yet allow that any favour or curtesie should be at al shewed to the enemy, but understand you, these are no enemies now, but men; no rebels, but such as be vanquished and cleane overthrowne, and standing in defence of their country by evill fortune and hard destiny, are subdu∣ed; their adventures were honest, and their attempts commendable, and therefore they are not to be reputed for theeves, factious persons, traitors, nor yet murtherers; they are now brought to that distresse and case, that rather mercy for example sake is to bee shewed, then cruelty to the increase of their misery to be ministred: surely our an∣cestors in times past, (although indeed it bee very hard to be done) were wont when fortune favoured, to temper their loose mindes, and qualifie their unruly affections, with some one discommoditie or o∣ther: wherefore let mercy and pitty, which is in man most commen∣dable, worke so in us, that we that now have overcome others, may subdue our owne mindes, and conquer our owne affections. For mo∣desty, moderation, and discretion, are wont to stay hasty motions, and to stoppe the course of rash devices. O how commendable and honourable is it to a Noble man, that in his greatest triumph and glo∣ry, he counteth it for a sufficient revenge, that hee can revenge, and be wreaked! Iulius Caesar, whose conquests were such, his victory so great, and his triumphs so many, that the whole world was noysed therewith, he had not so many friends who reioyced for the same, but he had many more enemies that maligned and enuied his succes∣ses, not onely in slanderous words, and evill reports, but many also secretly conspired, devised and practised his death and destruction; And yet he was so full of pitty, mercy, and compassion, that he never commanded nor willed any to bee put to death for the same, saving onely one Domitius, whom he had of meere clemency for his lewd∣nesse before pardoned, for his wickednesse released, and for his trea∣chery acquitted. And thus as his pitty did much increase his honour, so did it nothing hinder his victories. Oh how beastly then and im∣pious is that cruelty, wherein victory is not ioyned with pitty! for it is the part of a right Noble and Valiant Conquerour, to count them enemies, that doe wage the battaile, contend and fight for the victo∣ry, but such as be conquered, taken prisoners, and kept in bonds and captivitie, to take and repute them for men; that hereby fortitude and force may diminish the battell, and end the quarrell, as also hu∣manitie may increase love, and make peace. It is therefore a great commendation, and more praise worthy to a noble man, in mercy to be bounteous, then in victory to be cruell. For the one onely lyeth in the course of fortune, but the other in vertue. And as it had beene a great increase of our victory, and an augmentation of honour, if our enemies had beene slaine in the field, and overthrowne in the battaile; so they being now taken and saved, as it were men returned from

rebels to the common society, and fellowship of men. If wee now should kill them, it will bee to our great shame, dishonor and re∣proach for ever. And for as much as by the killing and destroying of them, wee shall bee never the neerer to have the command of the country, and never sooner to be Lords of the Land) and yet the ran∣soming of them very good for the maintenance of the Souldiers, the good fame of us, and the advancement of honour) wee must need thinke that it is better to ransome them, then cruely to kill them; for as it is requisite, that a Souldier in the field fighting in armes, should then thrist for the blood of his enemy, trie the force of his sword, and valiantly stand to his tackle for victory; so when the fight is ended, the warres ceased, and the armour laid downe, and all strongnesse of hostility set apart, then in a Noble man must humanity take place, pitty and commiseration must be shewed, and all kindnesse of curtesie must be extended.

With this they were all drawen to some mildnesse and remorse, and ready to shew favour in hope of friendship againe. Henry de Monte Marisco, who came thither to salute Reimond, stands vp in op∣position, bent to blood and villany, in whom there was neither man∣hood in battell abroad, nor mercy in consultation at home, and spake as followeth: Reimond hath very exquisitly discoursed of pitty and mercy in set speeches, uttering his eloquence hath shewed his mind, and declared his opinion, perswading and inducing us to be∣leeve that a strange land were to be conquered sooner by mercy and fond pittie, then by fire and sword; but I pray you, can there bee a worse way then to hold that course. Did Iulius Caesar or Alexan∣der of Macedonia, by such meanes or in such order conquer the whole world; did the Nations from out of all places runne to sub∣mit themselves under their command, and imperie in respect of their pitty and mercy, and not rather compelled so to doe for feare and per∣force? For people whilst they are yet proud and rebellious, all pitty and mercy set apart, are by all manner of meanes and wayes to bee subdued: but when they are once brought under subjection and bondage, & ready to serve and obey, then they are with all curtesie to be intreated and kindly dealt withall, so that the state of the Govern∣ment be in safety and void of dāger, herein & in this point, must pitty be used; but in the other severity or rather cruelty is more necessary: here clemency is to be shewed, but in the other rigour without favour is to be ministred. Reimond perswadeth that mercy is to bee extended as upon people already subdued and subjected, or as though the ene∣mies were so few and of so small a number, as against whom no va∣liant service nor chivalry can be exploited; and yet they are ready to joine with us, whereby our force may bee increased, and our power augmented: but alas, doe not we see, how that the whole notion and people of Ireland are fully bent and (not without cause) altogether conspired against us? surely me thinks Reimond is contrary to him∣selfe,

for why? his coming hither was not to dispute of pitty, nor to reason of mercy, but to conquer the nation, to subdue the peo∣ple: Oh what an example of impious pitty were it then, to neglect our owne safety, and to have remorse and compassion vpon others distresses! moreover wee have here in the field and in armour, more enemies then friends, we are in the middle of perils and dangers, our enemies being round about us in every corner: and shall wee thinke this to be nothing, but that we must bee also in the like distresse and danger among our selves: Round about us our enemies are infinit, and within our selves, some there be which practise and work our de∣struction: And if it should happen that our Captives and Prisoners should escape, and breake loose out of their bonds, which are but ve∣ry weake and slender, no doubt they would forthwith take our own armour and weapons against us; well, well, the Mouse is in the cub∣bord, the Fire is in the lappe, and the Serpent is in the bosome, the enemie is at hand ready to oppresse his adversarie, and the guest is in place with small curtesie to requite his host. If our enemies, when they come in good array, and well appointed to give the onset, and to wage battel against us; if they should happen to have the victorie, & the vpperhand over us, would they deale in pitty and mercy? would they grant us our lives? would they put us to ransome? Tush, what needs many words, when the deeds are apparent; our victory is to bee used, that the destruction of these few may bee a terror to many, whereby all others, and this wild and rebellious nation may take example, and bewar how they meddle and encounter with us; of two things we are to make choice of one, for either we must valiantly and couragiously stand to performe what we have taken in hand, and all fond pitty set aside, boldly and stoutly to overthrowe and van∣quish this rebellious and stubborne people, or (if we shall after the mind and opinion of Reimond altogether be pittiful and full of mer∣cy) we must hoise up our sailes, and returne home, leaving both the Country, and all that we have already gotten, to this miserable and wretched people. When Herveie had made an end of his speech; they put it to voyces, and the voyces went on Herveis side; where∣upon the Captaines (as men condemned) were brought to the Rockes, and after their Limbs were broken, they were cast head long into the Seas, and drowned every mothers sonne.

Vpon the 23. of August, being Saint Bartholomewes Eeve, and yeere aforesaid, to wit, Anno 1170. Richard, surnamed Strangbow Earle of Strigulia (whose original and of-spring in another place her∣after (if God permit) shall bee laid downe) landed in the Haven of Waterford, where Dermos Mac Morogh, Robert Fitz Stephens, and Maurice Fitz Gerauld, and Reimond le Grosse met him, and joy∣ned their forces together? Reimond le Grosse was made generall of the field, they tooke small rest after their arrivall; for upon Bartholomew

day being tuesday, with Banners displayed, in good aray they assaulted the City by water and by land, the townesmen manfully defended themselves, and gave them two repulses: Reimond having compassed the towne, espied without adjoyning unto the towne wall (where now standeth a strong Bulwarke) an old Cabban, propped with old timber, and entred into the old wall, the which proppes they sawed asunder, then downe falleth the cabban, and withall a great part of the wall: the breach thus made, the Brittains doe enter, and in the streets kill man, woman and child, and there left them in heapes: In Reignald tower, upon the wall of the tower they found one Reignald (I take it the tower beareth the name of him) and Omalaghlin Ophelim, Lord of the Decies, whose lives Dermot Mac Morogh saved: they found there other two, whom they put to the sword, they rifled the houses, they ransacked the City, they made havock of all, lastly they left there a strong ward. Then according to precedent cove∣nants, Dermot gave his daughter Eva in marriage to Richard Strang∣bow, and after solemnity thereof, they all marched with their forces towards Dublin: For Dermot bare them a deadly hatred, and hi∣therto winked at them, untill further oportunity served, for the vil∣lany and cruelty they shewed to his father; the townsmen of Dublin foreseeing his revenging mind, procured to their aid as many as they could throughout the land, they trenched, they plashed in paces, streets and narrow places, all the wayes along to Waterford, to hinder their march. Dermot was not ignorant thereof, whereupon he led the army from out the common and beaten way, through the Mountaines of Glandelogh, and came safe to the walles of Dublin. There the Citizens sent messengers to intreat for peace, and amongst others, Laurence O Toole Arcbishop of Dublin: while they parled without for peace, Sir Remond le grosse, and Sir Miles Cogan scaled the wals; for, saith Cambrensis, they were more desirous to fight under Mars in the field, then in the Senate to sit with Iupiter in Councell; they made a breach, they enter the Citie, they put all to the sword: in the meane while, Hastulphus the Commander of the City, with a great many of the better sort, with their Riches and Iewels, escaped and fled by the Sea to the North Ilands.

When the Earle had spent a few daies in the towne, he left Miles Cogan Governour therof, and by the perswasion of Dermot Mac Mo∣rogh, he drew his forces into Meth to be avenged of Ororicke, whom some call Morice, some Murdich, who was the cause of his exile, and whose wife Dermot had formerly taken away. The Earle no sooner entred the Countrey, but the Army was given wholly to the spoile; they robbed, they spoiled, they burned, and wasted all before them: Roderic King of Conoght and Monarch of Ireland, seeing his neigh∣bours house set one fire, thought it high time to looke to his owne, and wrotte to Dermot Mac Morogh, contrary to the order of Peace,

formerly concluded, thou hast procured and allured a swarme and multitude of strangers, to invade this land; all the while thou didst containe thy selfe within compasse of thine owne territories, we win∣ked at thy proceedings, but forasmuch as now thou not caring for thy oath, nor regarding the safety of thy hostages, hast so fondly and falsly passed thy bounds, I require thee that thou wouldest retire, and withdraw these excourses and inrodes of strangers, or else, to begin, I will not faile to cut off thy sonnes head, and send it to thee with speed.

Dermot despised the messenger, and would scarce vouchsafe to reade his letter; upon the messengers returne, Roderic was mad, and in his rage, caused his pledges head, the sonne of Dermot Mac Mo∣rogh to be cut off. In this troublesome time, the Primate of Armagh called the Prelates and Clergie to a Synod; at Armagh, assembled a Councell; where, according to their wisedomes, they endeavoured to finde out the cause of these miseries that fell upon the land, they in∣quired not whether the Bishops had bought their Bishoprickes for money, whether their Parsons did pray, whether their Ministers were lettered; what whoredome, symony, or lechery, with other enormities, raigned among the Clergie, but simply, like themselves, posted over all to the Laytie, and concluded (insipienter) that the iust plague fell upon the people, for merchandizing of the English nation; for then they bought and sold of the English birth, such as they found, and made them bondslaves; so they served Saint Patricke, cal∣led the Apostle of Ireland, who was a bondman sixe yeeres in Ire∣land, but Patricke preached Christ, and the English nation reformed the land. Here the sacred letters reconcile all, the stone which the buil∣ders refused, is become the corner stone, and why so? the answer follow∣eth, it is the Lords doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. But I may not so leave my Prelates, they synodically decreed as followeth: that all the English men within the land, whatsoever they were, should bee manumised; a worshipfull piece of worke, and no thanke to them all, for the English sword was then ready to cut off the Irish heads: this reformation was but a sweeping of a house with a Foxes tayle.

The prosperous successes of Earle Richard, surnamed Strangbow, were no sooner effected, but fame flyed abroad, and flatterers carried it to Henry the seconds eares, and made him jealous, as Kings com∣monly are, that a subject as Richard was, should not onely in the right of his wife, content himselfe with Leinster, but most presump∣tuously without licence, as the King alledged, attempt the conquest of a kingdome, where he formerly by grant of Adrian, was interes∣sed. Whereupon the King in his iealous rage, indeavouring to stop the Springs and Water-courses, proclaimed: We, Henry, &c. Forbid and inhibit, that from henceforth no shippe from any place of our domi∣nio••, shall traffique or passe into Ireland; and likewise charge that all our subjects upon their dutie of allegiance, which are there commo∣rant,

shall returne from thence into England before Easter next follow∣ing, upon paine of forfeiture of all their lands, and the persons so diso∣beying, to be banished our land, and exiled for ever.

The Earle seeing himselfe in this distresse, being in perill to lose his friends, and to want his necessaries out of his native soile, by enter∣course of Merchants, calleth a Councell; where it was agreed and concluded, that Sir Reimond Legrosse should bee sent over to pacifie the King (who then was in Aquitaine) with these letters: Most puis∣sant Prince, and my dread Soveraigne, I came into this land with your Majesties leave and savour (as farre as I remember) to aide your ser∣vant Dermot Mac Morogh; what I have wonne, was with the sword, what is given me, I give you, I am yours, life and living at your com∣mand.

Vpon the receit of these letters, there fell of all sides, three disasters, the King was mightily incensed against Earle Richard, and therefore delayed Sir Reimond Legrosse, and gave him no answer; secondly, the death of Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury troubled him excee∣dingly, and to helpe the readers memory with the time, it was as the rime delivereth,

Annus millenus, centenus septuagenus Primus erat, primas quo ruit ense Thomas.

The third was, that Dermot Mac Morogh a most bountifull Prince, died and was buried at Fernes.

Anno 1171. Hastulpus, late Governour of Dublin (of whom I have formerly spoken) returneth, and entreth the haven of Dublin, with threescore saile to his aide, of Ilanders, Norwegians, and Esterlings, they forthwith landed, and unshipped themselves, and had to their Captaine, saith Cambrensis, one Iohn Wood, some call him mad Iohn, for the prankes he playd, for wood and mad beare one sense. Stani∣hurst calleth him Pewood, Douling, Heywood. They were all mighty men of warre, and well appointed after the Danish manner, being harnessed with good Brigandines, jackes and shirts of maile; their Shields, Bucklers, and Targets, were round, and coloured red, and bound about with iron, and as they seemed in armes, so were they no lesse in mindes; iron-strong and mighty; they marched in battaile array towards the East gate of the Citie. Miles Cogan the Gover∣nour, with a faire company (yet but a handfull to the number of the enemy, sallied forth, and gave them battaile, where both sides lost many a tall man. Miles Cogan seeing himselfe overlaid with the furi∣ous rage and multitude of his adversaries, gave backe, and retired in∣to the towne; by this time, Richard Cogan his brother had secretly issued out with a good company, at the South posterne gate, compas∣sed the Danes, and being at the foot of the rereward, made mighty

cry and shout, whereat the Danes were amazed, and the two bre∣thren had the killing of them before and behinde. The Danes brake their array, threw their Armes away, fled towards their ships, where many also for haste were drowned. In this skirmish, Iohn Wood was slaine, and Hastulphus taken prisoner, and put to his ransome. The prodigalitie of this Hastulphus was such, that he contented not him∣selfe with life, but braved and bragged of his exploits, in the hearing of Miles Cogan, and therewithall delivered, that that attempt was no∣thing, but a taste or proofe of the Irish valour, and shortly, they should see another manner of forces assault them; What (saith Miles Cogan) is it not enough for him to have his life, but he must threaten us with further rebellion; goe, take him, and cut off his head. And thus the blabbe of his tongue, turned to his confusion.

Shortly after, the Irish and country birth, lying aloofe, wayting for all opportunities, and understanding of some unkindenesse and displeasure conceived by King Henry the second, against Earle Ri∣chard, and in that quarrell generally against all the Britaines and in∣vaders of Ireland; they put their heads together, they plot, they draw their draughts and devices, to lay siege to recover the Citie of Dub∣lin, and the chiefest instrument was Laurence O Toole, Archbishop of Dublin, who wrote unto Roderic, King of Connaght, & unto Gotred, alias Godfrey, King of Man, and to all the Princes of Ireland, that it would please them (some in regard of neighbourhood, othersome in regard of naturall affection unto their native soile and distressed coun∣try men of Irish birth) put to their helping hand, ioyne their forces together, lay siege to the Citie of Dublin by sea and by land, relieve their brethren, rid them from the Britaines hands, and restore them to their former liberty. The Bishop for the good opinion that was held of his learning, gravitie, and sanctitie, prevailed, insomuch, that Gotred, King of Man, came into the harbour of Dublin, with thirty saile. Roderic the Monarch and forces of Ireland came by land, and incamped within sight of the towne. Within the towne, were Earle Richard Strangbow, Maurice Fitz Gerald, Reimond Legrosse, lately ar∣rived from out of England, Miles Cogan, Richard Cogan, with other worthy men and Citizens, to the number of thirty thousand fighting men. As they were prepared for battaile, (as commonly one mischiefe falleth in the necke of another) Donald, the base sonne of Dermot Mac Morogh, came in post to the Earle, and delivered how that Ro∣bert Fitz Stephens in his Fort of Carreck by Wexford, was besieged with three thousand men of Wexford and Kinsele, by the conduct of Donald, Prince of Limeric, sonne in law to Dermot Mac Morogh, who before time in his extremity, and in the warres betweene him and Roderic the Monarch, for chiefery, (at the request of Dermot Mac Morogh, was relieved by Robert Fitz Stephens, and so aided, that he foiled his enemy; and thus good is recompenced with evill. In

this perplexitie and doubtfull danger, Maurice Fitz Gerald full of courage, turneth him to the Earle, and the martiall men in these words: you most valiant men, wee came not into this land, neither were we procured hither to be idle, or to live deliciously, but to try fortune, and to seeke adventures; wee stood sometime upon the top of the wheele, and the game went of our side, now mee thinkes for∣tune wheeles about, let us not be dismaid, for that which is low now, will be up againe, and so we must tarry and take our time; such is the mutability among the sonnes of men, the fickle and uncertaine course of humane causes, so that prosperitie and adversitie, enterchangeably doe follow the one after the other. After day, commeth the night, and when the night is passed, the day dawneth againe; the sunne ri∣seth, and spreads his beames over the face of the earth, holdeth his course to his fall, passeth the night season, and riseth againe; we who before this time have made great triumphs, and had the wings of for∣tune to flye withall, and are now clowded and inclosed by our ene∣mies on every side, our victuals are scant, the King our Soveraigne Lord frowneth upon us, we are barred of release by sea and by land, our friends cannot helpe us, our enemies are ready to devoure us: plucke up your hearts, if God be with us, we care not who is against us; but alas my brother Fitz Stephens, whose valiantnesse, and noble enterprise brake the yce, and made way for us into this Iland, is now shut up in a weake hold, and feeble place, with wife and children, too weake and slender to keepe out so great a force. O trayterous Do∣nald of Limiric, O trecherous and halfe-hearted people of Kensele and Wexford! peace is war, trust is trechery, and truth is falshood among them: why then doe we tarry, why doe we linger? is there any hope of reliefe from our native soile? no, no, the matter is now otherwise, and we our selves are presently in a worse case, for as our nation at this present is odious and hatefull unto the Irish men, so are we also mis-led with some disgrace in our country, wherefore in so much as fortune favoureth the forward and couragious, and discoura∣geth the dastard and faint-hearted, while our wits are fresh, while our bodies are able, while wee are all on heart, let us give the on-set; though we are not so many in number as they are, our courage and valour is knowne to exceed theirs, they are but naked wretches, and unarmed people. Reimonà Legrosse immediately breaketh out in these speeches. My Vncle Maurice hath gravely delivered his minde, he hath pithily advised us, and prudently councelled us: this is no time to sit in councell, to spend time in speeches, or to use delayes, the danger is at hand, the enemy is at the doore, wee are compassed by sea and by land, there is no flying, we must fight it out; our provisi∣on is spent, England dares releeve us no more, Ireland defieth us, the Kings Maiestie (I know) dispraiseth not our activities, and yet gra∣ceth not our successes; he discommendeth not our valour, yet envieth

all our glory, though in words he reporteth well of our service, yet in deeds secretly hindereth the course thereof; lastly, he feareth that which we meant not, and doubteth of that which we thinke not of; wherefore all doubts and delaies set apart, let us, as becometh men of our sort, try the course of fortune, and proue the force of the ene∣my; let that appeare unto them which is knowne unto us; of what race we came, and of what stock wee are discended. Camber the first King of Cambria our native Country, was our Ancestor, and the sonne of that Noble Brutus, the first and sole Monarch of Brittaine, whose Ancestor was Troos, the founder of that most antient City of Troy, who descended from Dardanus the son of Iupiter, from whom is derived unto us, not onely the stemme of antient Nobility, but also a certaine naturall inclination of valiant minds, and couragious stomachs resolutely to follow all exploits of prowesse and chivalry; and shall we now like sluggarts, degenerate from so noble a race, and like a sort of Cowards, be afraid of these naked and unarmed Raskals, in whom there is no valour, by reason of knowledge or experience in Armes? Shall such a rable of savages pinne us up within the wals of little Dublin? When in times past all the Princes in Greece kept warres the space of ten yeeres and odde months, against our Ance∣cestors in the famous City of Troy; and could not preuaile against them, untill they used treasons, and practised treacheries which bred unto them a more infamous victory, then a glorious Triumph? Let it never be said, that the blood of the Trojans shall be stained in our pusillanimity, and receive reproach by our peevish dastardy: Fortune, though she be pourtraied to be blind, as ever void of right judgement, and to stand upon a rolling stone, as being alwaies flitting and un∣constant; yet for the most part, shee helpeth such as be of couragious minds, & valiant stomachs; you wil say, we are but a few, and the ene∣my infinit in number; what then? Victory consisteth not in multi∣tudes, neither conquest in numbers: Did not Thomiris the Scythian Queene, with hundreds, overthrow Cyrus with thousands, and tooke him and slew him? Did not Laomedes the Spartane encounter (ha∣ving but foure thousand Souldiers) with mighty Xerxes, who brought five hundred thousand to the field, and overthrew him? Did not Alexander with a few Macedonians ouerthrew Darius, the great Monarch of Persia? Did not he take him, his wife, and daughters prisoners, and make a Conquest of Persia? Have not wee in our persons (all praise be given to God, the giver of Victory) e∣ven you, right honorable Earle at Waterford, my uncle Fitz Ste∣phens at Wexford, my selfe at Dondorogh with a few given many the foile; what remains, sith time shall sooner faile then matter want? let us like men shew resolute minds in this service. And to conclude, my mind then and opinion is, that we doe issue out upon them as se∣cretly and as suddenly as we may, and give the onset.

And for so much as Roderic of Conoght, is the generall of the field, in whom lyeth the chiefest force, and on whom all the rest doe chief∣ly depend, it shall be best to begin with him, and if we can giue him the overthrow, all the rest will flie, and we shall obtaine a glorious victorie; but if we shall fall into their hands and be slaine, yet shall we leave an honorable report and an immortall fame to our posteritie. He had no sooner ended his speech, but every man armed himselfe to goe forth, and give the onset: They divided the Army in three bat∣tailes; and although at the first, they contended for the Vanguard, yet quickly they were accorded and marched forward. Reimond le Grosse resolutely given, with twenty Knights, and souldiers well ap∣pointed, tooke the Vanguard. Miles Cogan with thirty Knights, and many a worthy warriour, kept the maine battaile. Earle Strangbow, and Maurice Fitz Gerald, with fourty Knights, Gentlemen and com∣mon souldiers, took the Rereward, in every ward were placed some of the Citizens, and other some with martiall men, left at home for the guard and safety of the City: early in the morning when the enemy was unarmed & out of order, little thinking that so few within durst attempt to give the onset to so many without, they fell upon them, killed without mercy, and the rere was so forward, that they came with the Vanguard by wheeling about to the slaughter of the ene∣mie. Roderic all this while trusting to his troupes and multitude of people, feared nothing, he took his ease and pleasure, and was bathing himself; but when the larum was up, & that he saw his men on every side fall to the ground, never tarried, called for man nor Page to array him, but tooke his mantle and ranne away all naked, and hardly esca∣ped with life. The Britaines pursued after, and had the killing of them all that day, in the evening they returned into the Citie, not onely with the honour of the field, but rich booties, and praies of vi∣ctuals, armour and other pillage, as much as man and beast could cary: Immediatly, also the rumor hereof, the other Campes were dispersed, namely, Laurence the Archbishop (whom it had beseemed better to have beene at home with his porthouse, then in Campe with rebels) Mathelan Machalem, Gillemehelmocus, Otuetol, Ororic Prince of Meath, Ocarol, alias Ocarvell Prince of Vriell, Machfalin, Ochadese, with many other great Commanders, where every man shifted for himselfe; of Gotred, alias Godfray King of Man that came by Sea, I find nothing, for upon this disaster he tooke him to the seas the next day, without any further deliberation; Miles Cogan is left to go∣verne Dublin, and the Earle with his Army marched towards Wex∣ford, to raise the siege at the Carreke, to relieve Robert Fitz Stephens; as he passed by Odrone, the forces of Leinster, by the conduct of Do∣nole Obrene Prince of Limerik, and Donald Prince Osery set upon him, and fought a cruell fight, but he went on with the losse of one man. As he came to the borders of Wexford, certaine messengers

met and informed him of the mischance that happened to Robert Fitz Stephens, and the firing of the Towne of Wexford; adding more∣over, that the Wexfordians were fully determined, if the Earle came any further towards them, they would cut off all the heads of Fitz Stephens and all his company, and send them unto him; whereupon with heavy cheere and sorrowfull heart he changed his mind & tur∣ned to Waterford. But afore I proceede any further, I am to deliver the manner of the treachery and villany shewed unto Robert Fitz Stephens: Donold of Limric, sonne in Law to Dermot Mac Morogh, while his father lived, he was one that favoured the Brittains, and not without cause; but now forgetting humanity returneth to his vomit, bends his course towards Wexford, and while other states of Ireland by East and by North, with might & maine practised the rooting out of the Brittains, he flies to the South, and raiseth Wexford, & Kensile to lay siege to the Carreke, the fort of Robert Fitz Stephens. First they begin with force, and seeing that failed them, they fall to guiles and subtilities under color of peace, pretending nothing but pure love, tender affection and safeguard of his person, and all that were with him; they bring with them two Bishops, the one of Kildare, the o∣ther of Fernes, in their formall moods, with other Religious persons (O damned Prelats) and they had with them the Masse Booke, the host, with certaine Reliques; upon these they take corporall oathes, and sweare with great solemnity and protestations as followeth: (For the good will and affection wee beare unto you) whom we have alwaies found a curteous and bountifull Prince, we are to signifie un∣to you this much; how that Dublin is taken, the Earle Strangbow, Maurice Fitz Girald, Reimond le Grosse, Miles Cogan, with all the En∣glish are put to the sword, and now Roderic the Monarch, with all the power of Conoght and Leinster posteth hither to rase even with the ground, all the Forts, Holds, and Castles, which the English∣men have, and especially to apprehend you Robert Fitz Stephens, and Willam Not, that were the forerunners into this Land of all this mis∣chiefe; wherefore take this for truth and be well advised what to doe, if they take you there is no mercy; if you will put your selfe with your company and goods into our hands, in the faith of Christiani∣ty we sweare we will safely transport you and yours unto Wales, so shall you not lose so much as a haire of your head; wherefore the great Army being at hand, yeeld, come forth and shippe your selfe for Wals. Robert Fitz Stephens (who would not in this case give credit) yeelded himselfe into their hands, immediatly (more like Iewes then Christians) they strippe them out of all that ever they have, they hang one, they throw another over a rocke, they breake anothers necke, one hath his eyes puld out, another hath his tongue cut, some they scourge with thongs, other some they take, and with sledges breake their Armes and thighes, the greatest kindnesse they

shew is iron and imprisonment, the which Robert Fitz Stephens en∣dured; now leaving these bloody Massacers and themselves, I will turne to Waterford after Earle Strangbow. When Earle Strangbow came to Waterford, he found there Hervie de Monte Marisco new∣ly arrived out of England, with letters from the King, requiring him forthwith to repaire unto his Majesty. Strangbow together with Hervy tooke the first wind and went for England, and found the King at Newham not farre from Glocester, where he was in rea∣dinesse with a great Army to saile out into Ireland, whereafter sun∣dry altercations passed betweene them, at length (as they say) by meanes of Hervy, the Kings displeasure was appeased, and it was a∣greed that the Earle should sweare alleageance to the King, and yeeld and surender unto him the City of Dublin, with the Cantreds there∣unto adjoining, as also such Townes and Forts as were bordering upon the Sea side, and as for the residue he should have and reteine to him and his heires, holding the same of the King and his heires.

Strangbow was no sooner knowne to be in England, and Reimond at Waterford, but Ororic Monoculus, the one eyed Prince of Meath, mustred a great number of Souldiers, and laid siege to the City of Dublin. Miles Cogan the Governour withall his company (while the enemy was carelesse) upon a sudden issued out and fell upon them unawares, and made a great slaughter of them, among whom both Ororic and his sonne were slaine.

In the British Chronicles copied by Owen Cretten out of the Abbies of Conwey in North-wales, and Stratflur in South-wales, I find re∣corded that when King Henry the 2. made preparation for the con∣quest of Ireland, Richard Strangbow Earle of Strigale, Marshall of England, being reconciled to the King, had all his Lands in England and Normandy restored unto him againe, and thereupon the King made him Seneschall (Steward, saith he, of Ireland) Then came Rees prince of South-wales, and offred the King to further his Conquest, 300. Horses, 400. Oxen, and for performance of all services gave him 14. pledges; when they were presented the King made choice of 30. principall Horses, gave backe all the rest, confessing himselfe greatly pleasured at his hands.

Anno 1172. upon Saint Lukes day the 18. of October, Henry the 2. the 17. yeere of his raigne, the 41. of his age, entred the Haven of Waterford so writeth Cambrensis that lived then, and being landed to the harty joy of the English, and fained welcome of the I∣rishmen, had by them of Wexford formerly spoken of, Robert Fitz Stephens in irons presented before him, whom the Wexfordians (herein I commend Stanihursts indifferent dealing) rather of malice & cankard spight, then for just cause, did charge with many hainous crimes. The King advisedly to pacifie the rage of furious people, for

for the present time, committed him to prison, whence shortly after, he was with honour and credit, discharged, and advanced to his great preferment.

After that the King had a little rested himselfe, and the messengers scattered themselves with newes over the land, the Princes were a∣mazed, they knew the Kings greatnesse was such, if faire meanes would not, force should constraine them, and therefore in policie re∣solved themselves to yeeld allegiance, homage and fealtie. Whereup∣on Dermot Mac Carty, Prince of Corke, began, became tributarie, sware faith, truth, and loyaltie to the King of England. And the King thereupon gave the kingdome of Corke to Robert Fitz Stephens and Miles Cogan as hereafter more at large shall appeare.

From Waterford the King raised his army, and marched towards Lismore, where he tarryed two daies, and from thence he marched to Cashill, not farre from the Shure, and thither came to him, Do∣nald O Bren, Prince of Limric, who submitted himselfe, became tri∣butarie, and swore fealty; whereupon the King as hee had formerly done with Corke, appointed a Governour for Limric: then also came in Donall, Prince of Ossorie, and Omelaghlen Ophelin, Lord of the Decies, with all the chieftaines of Mounster, submitting themselves, as others had formerly done, surrendring unto the Kings hands, their territories, and holding them againe at his pleasure. Thence the King returned to Waterford, left there his houshold, and Robert Fitz Barnard, governour of the towne, and marched with his army to∣wards Dublin. In his iourney there came unto him of the chiefest commanders of the land, Omathelan, Machelan, Ophelan, O Mac Chel∣weie, Gille Mac Holemoc, O tuell helly Ocathdhessy, O Caraell of Vriell, and Roric the sonne of Monoculus of Meth. But Roderic the Monarch came no neerer then the Shanon, where Hugh de lacy, and William Fitz Aldelme, by the Kings command met him, and hee desiring peace, submitted himselfe, swore allegiance, became tributarie, and did put in (as all others had done) hostages and pledges for the per∣formance of the same. Thus was all Ireland, saving Vlster, brought in subjection, and every Prince of the other parties, in his owne person, saving Roderic King of Connaght, submitted himselfe: but he subtil∣ly alledged, that he submitted Connaght, but not the command of all Ireland, the which he reserved for the Monarch and his successors: but of this hereafter if God permit.

Christmas drew on, which the King kept at Dublin, where hee feasted all the Princes of the land, and gave them rich and beautifull gifts, they repaired thither out of all parts of the land, and wonderfull it was to the rude people to behold the Majestie of so puissant a Prince, the pastime, the sport, and the mirth, and the continuall mu∣sicke, the masking, mumming, and strange shewes, the gold, the sil∣ver, and plate, the precious ornaments, the dainty dishes, furnished

with all sorts of fish and flesh, the wines, the spices, the delicate and sumptuous banquets, the orderly service, the comely march, and seemly array of all officers: the Gentlemen, the Esquires, the Knights, and Lords in their rich attire (such as rugged Mantles and Irish Troosses were never acquainted withall) the running at Tilte in com∣pleat harnesse, with barb'd horses, where the staves shivered and flew in splinters, safer to sit, then upon an Irish Pillion that playeth crosse and pile with the rider, the plaine honest people admired, and no mer∣vaile: but now to more serious matters. Henry 2. having thus con∣quered Ireland (with the envy of the French and forraigne Princes) without one drop of sweat, without drawing of sword, or shedding of one drop of English bloud, (as it became his Princely calling) tur∣ned himselfe to reforme the state Ecclesiasticall, and the misdemea∣nours of holy Church, whereof Cambrensis writeth: In the yeere of Christs incarnation 1172. and in the first yeere, when Henry the most Noble King conquered Ireland, Christianus, Bishop of Lismore, and Legate of the Apostolike See; Donatus, Archbishop of Cashill; Laure∣ance, Archbishop of Dublin; and Catholi••us, Archbishop of Tue∣mond, with their Suffragans, and fellow Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Deanes and Archdeacons, and many other Prelates of the Church of Ireland, by the commandment of the King, did assemble themselves, and kept a Synod at Cashill, and there debating many things concerning the wealth, estate, and reformation of the Church of Ireland, did pro∣vide remedies for the same. At this Councell, in behalfe of the King, (whom he had sent thither) there were Raffe, Abbot of Buldeway, Raffe, Archdeacon of Landaffe, Nicholas, the Kings Chaplaine, with divers other Clerkes; sundry good statutes and wholesome lawes were there de∣vised, which were after subscribed and confirmed by the King himselfe, and under his authority, which were these that follow.

First, it is decreed that all good and faithfull Christian people throughout Ireland, shall refraine and forbeare to marry with their neere kins folkes and cousins, and match with such as lawfully they might doe.

Secondly, that children shall be catechized without the Church door, and baptized in the Font appointed in the Church for the same pur∣pose.

Thirdly, that every Christian doe truely and faithfully pay yeerely, the tithes of his Cattell, Corne, and all other his increase and profits, to the Church or Parish where he is a parishioner.

Fourthly, that all the Church lands and possessions throughout all Ireland, shall be free from all secular exactions and impositions, and espe∣cially that no Lords, Earles, or Noble men, nor their children nor fa∣mily, shall extort or take any cony and livery, cosheries or cuddies, or any other like custome from thence, forth, in or upon any of the Church land and territories; and likewise that neither they, nor any other per∣son,

doe thenceforth exact out of the said Church lands, old wicked and detestable customes of cony and livery, the which they were wont to ex∣tort upon such townes and villages of the Churches, as were neere, and next bordering upon them.

Fiftly, when carik or composition is made among the laye people, for any murther, that no person of the Clergie, (though he be a kinne to a∣ny of the parties) shall contribute any thing thereunto, but as they bee guiltlesse of the murther, so shall they be free from paying of money for any such release for the same.

Sixtly, that all and every good Christian, being sicke and weake, shall before the Priest and his neighbours, make his last Will and Testa∣ment, and his debts and servants wages being paid, all his moveables to be divided, (if he have any children) into three parts, whereof one part to be to the Children, another to his Wife, and the third part to be for the performing of his Will; and if so be that hee have no children, then the goods to be divided into two parts, whereof the one moytie to be to his Wife, and the other to the performance of his Will and Testament. And if he have no Wife, but onely Children, then likewise the goods to be divided into two parts, whereof the one to himselfe, and the other to his children:

Seventhly, that every Christian dying in the Catholike faith, shall be reverently brought to the Church, and to bee buried, as appertai∣neth.

Eightly and lastly, that all the divine Service in the Church of Ire∣land, shall be kept, used, and observed in the like order and manner as it is in the Church of England; for it is meet and right, that as by Gods providence and appointment, Ireland is become now subject, and under the King of England: so the same should take from thence, the or∣der, and rule, and manner how to reforme themselves, and to live in better sort.

Gelasius, Primate of Armagh, was not at this Synod, but at his comming to Dublin, hee concurred with his Collegues, and confir∣med the premises. He was a man of great learning, godly life, and great age; when by reason of age, sight, and strength, and stomacke failed him, as he travailed, he had with him alwaies, a white Cow that gave him milke, and was his onely sustentation. Gilbert succee∣ded this Gelasius in that See. The Antiquaries of that time have re∣corded, that the winter during the Kings abode in Ireland, there rose such stormes and tempest by sea and by land, that no newes could be heard either out of England or Normandie, neither Shippe or Barke crosse the seas, untill mid-Lent, at what time with an easterly winde, there came out of England, and Aquitaine in France, newes unto the King, how that there came into Normandy in France, two Cardinals from Alexander the third, to wit, Albertus and Theodi∣nus, to enquire of the death of Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury:

Whereupon the King sent in post before him, to signifie that he was returning with all speede, and that he would conferre with them in Normandie. And leaving Ireland, hee was very sorry that time and leisure served not to lay things in better order for the stay of the land. And also suspecting the greatnesse of Richard, Earle Strangbow, whom at that time he tooke with him into England; hee appointed to go∣verne Dublin, Hugh de Lacy, to whom he had given in Fee, the ter∣ritorie of Meth, with twenty Gentlemen to his Guard. Robert Fitz Stephens, and Morice Fitz Girald, with twenty others to attend their persons. Likewise he left Governours over Waterford, Humfrey de Bohune, Robert Fitz Bernard, and Hugh de Graunt devil with forty persons to their guard. Lastly, hee assigned over Wexford, William Fitz Adelme, Philip de Bruesa, and Philip de Hastings, with twenty to their guard, and tooke shipping at Wexford, Munday in Easter weeke, by sixe a clocke in the morning, with full saile, and lan∣ded the same day about noone, at Saint Davids in Wales; so writeth Cambrensis in his vaticinall historie, and in his Itinerarie of Cambria. What time the King was in Ireland, there fell a great plague in his army, which was some cause of his departure from Dublin to Wex∣ford. Cambrensis out of the mouth of the common people, attributeth it unto certaine Archers, cessed at Finglas, that cut downe the trees of the Church-yard, and therefore were they iustly punished, and left their bones there every one; but the British Chronicle, and Ho∣linshed also, more likely to be true, affirmeth that there fell a plague a∣mong the Kings souldiers in Ireland, by reason of the change of the ayre, and victuals, and concourse of people, corrupting the same.

The names of the men of account orderly as they came to the con∣quest of Ireland.

• Dermot Mac Morogh, Prince of Leinster, after his returne out of England, wintred at Fernes, expecting the comming of these Con∣querours.
• Robert Fitz Stephens, the Kings Constable at Abertivy:
• ...* 1.362David Barry.
• Hervie de Monte Marisco, married Nesta, daughter to Maurice Fitz Girald.
• ...Willi•• Nott.
• ...Maurice Prendregast.
• ...Meilerus.
• ...Maurice Fitz Girald.
• Reimond le Grosse, nephew to Robert Fitz Stephens, married with Basilia, the sister of Earle Strangbow.
• ...William Ferrand.
• Richard Strangbow, Earle of Penbroke.
• Miles Cogan. brethren & nephewes to Robert Fitz Stephens, and Maurice Fitz Girald.
• Richard Cogan. brethren & nephewes to Robert Fitz Stephens, and Maurice Fitz Girald.
• ...

• Henry 2. King of England, &c.* 1.363
• ...Hugh de Lacy.
• ...William Fitz Adelme.
• Raffe Abbot of Bulldewa in Normandie.
• Raffe, Archdeacon of Landaff.
• Nicholas, the Kings Chaplaine.
• ...Humphrey de Bohune.
• ...Robert Fitz Bernard.
• ...Hugh de Grandevilla.
• ...Philip de Brensa.
• ...Philip de Hastings.
• ...Silvester, Giraldus, Barry, Cambrensis.
• ...Iohn Ridensford.
• Girald. the two sonnes of Maurice Fitz Girald.
• Alexander. the two sonnes of Maurice Fitz Girald.
• ...William Makrell.
• ...Philip Mercr••s.
• William Morice, Fitz Girald his eldest sonne, married with Elen, sister to Earle Strangbow.
• Griffin the sonne of William Fitz Girald the elder brother.
• ...Philip Welsh.
• Adam Herford brethren.
• ...... Herford brethren.
• ...... Purcell, Lievetenant of the Army, slaine by the Waterfor∣dians.
• Nich. Wallingford a Prior, afterwards Abbot of Malmesburie.
• David Welsh, nephew to Reimund.
• ...Ieffrey Welsh.
• Reimund of Kantan.
• ...Reimund Fitz Hugh.
• Milo of Saint David.
• ...Robert Poer.
• Osbert of Hertford.
• ...Willin Bend••ger.
• Adam of Gernemie.
• ...Hugh Tirell.
• ...Iohn de Courcey.
• ...Hugh Cantwell.
• ...Redmond Cantimore.

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Alliance of the chiefe Conquerours of Ireland.

Nesta the daughter of Rees ap Tuyder, Prince of South-Wales,

• Loved
  • Henry the first, King of Eng∣land, father to
    • Henry father to
      • ...Henry Fitz Henry.
      • ...Meiler Fitz Henry.
      • ...Robert Fitz Henry.
• was maried twice,
  • 1 Steven Custos castri Abertivi.
    • ...Robert Fitz Stevē
      • ...Rafe,
      • ...Mered••cal••as Meredith
      • ...Milo.
  • 2 Gerald of Windsor.
    • Williā Fitz Girald who had is∣sue,
      • Reimund le Grosse, who married Basilia, Strangbowes Sister.
      • ...Griffeth.
    • ...Mau∣rice Fitz Girald
      • William married El∣len, Sister to Strang∣bow, Camb. or by o∣thers, Alma, Daugh∣ter of Strangbow.
      • ...Girald.
      • ...Alexander.
      • Nesta, married to Her∣vie de monte Marisco.
      • Milo or Miles.
      • David, Bishop of Saint Davids.

Not long after the Kings departure out of Ireland, Ororic of Meth craved a parlee, with Hughe Delacy; pretending reformation of abuses, and establishing of perfect love and amity; but meant no∣thing else, saving falshood, treason and villany: the place being ap∣pointed (Cambrensis calleth it Ororics Hill, I take it to be the Hill of Taragh) and oathes taken of each side, with conditions that all armes should be laid aside, and few persons approach to the place, Ororic contrary to the covenants, laid an ambush, that upon a signe or token given by him, they should forth with issue out of the bushes, and ditches, and effect his traiterous devices: The night before the parly, Griffith the nephew of Robert and Morice, being the sonne of Wil∣liam the elder brother, dreamed in his sleepe, that he saw a great heard of wild hogges, rush upon Hugh Delacy, and his uncle Maurice, and that one of them being more furious and raging then the rest, had rent them with his tuskes, and tore them in pieces, if he had not with his force rescued them, and killed the Bore: this dreame trou∣bled him exceedingly, wherewith he acquainted his company; and made him and the rest be the more upon their keeping, to prevent treachery: The houre of parlee came, they met and confered toge∣ther. Griffith not forgetting his dreame, made choice of seven tall men of his owne kindred, in whom he reposed great trust and confi∣dence, well mounted, with swords, sparthes, and sheilds; raunged the fields (as nigh the Hill as they might) and made sundry Carreers and brave Turnaments, under pretence of recreation and pleasant pastime; yet alwaies casting an eye to the Hill, to see the end of this parlee.

Hughe Delacy and Ororic, being somewhat long together, Ororic to worke his treason, stept aside, faining to make water, upon the signe he gave his men brought him his horse, and sparth, the which he taking upon his shoulder, ment therewith to have cloven Hughe Delacy his head, if the interpreter had not stept betweene, whose arme was cleane cut off and himselfe wounded to the death.

Maurice Fitz Girald and Griffith his nephew rush in, the trai∣tours of the one side, the true men of the other are together by the eares; when Ororic the traitor tooke horse to runne away, Griffith with his launce runne him through, and killed him and his horse and three of his men, cut off his head and sent it to the King of England: this was the end of Orirics treason, and the effect of Griffiths dreame.

Immediatly upon this, Earle Richard (being formerly upon re∣conciliation made with the King, appointed Seneschall of Ireland) is now sent out of Normandy, by especially commission from the King, with Reimondle grosse his brother in Law, in joint commission to governe the whole land, & to be his Lieutenant in Ireland; where he found the Irish saith Cambrensis, constant in inconstancy, firme in

wavering, and faithfull in untruthes: he found emulation betweene Hervy and Reimond, and the Army in a mutiny, for lacke of pay at Herveies hands; whereupon he made Reimond Lievetenant of the forces. Reimond immediatly mustred his men, drew them forth to the Decies among the Rebels, where they preyed and spoiled. Se∣condly, they marched to Lismore, where they did the like. Lastly, along the Sea cost, they goe with their booties, preyes and rich pil∣lage towards Waterford; and finding at Dunganan some thirteene botes out of Waterford and other places, they lade them with their preys, intending by water to saile for Waterford; while they waited for wind, Corke men envyed their successe; prepared 32. Barks, manned and furnished them out out of their Towne, to overthrow Reimond and the English men, and to recover the preyes; they met, they fought cruelly; Corke men are overthrowne, and their Captain Gilbert Mac Turger was slaine, by a valiant Knight Philip Welsh, and finally Adam Herford with all his charge, safely arrived in Water∣ford. Reimond was not at this skirmish, but by the way he met with Dermot Mac Corty Prince of Desmond, who with great power was come to the aid of the men of Corke. They likewise skrimished and fell to a cruell fight, where Dermot forsooke the field with small cre∣dit, and Reimond went to Waterford with foure thousand head of cattell.

Immediatly upon this, newes came out of England unto Reimond, that William Fitz Girald his father, was departed this life; where∣upon he sailed to Wales, and Hervey De monte Marisco was appoin∣ted by the Earle, Lieutenant of the forces. This Hervey to advance his credit, purposed to worke some exploits, and drew out of Dublin the Earle to Cashil; there also after consultation by mandat from the Earle, he appointed the Souldiers that were at Dublin to meet him: When they came as farre as Ossorie, Donald Prince of Limirik, ha∣ving by his espials before hand intelligence thereof, stole upon them in the morning; slue of them foure Knights, whereof O Grame an Irish man was one, and foure hundred souldiers; with this the Earle was discouraged, and went to Waterford; the Irish gathered heart and determined to roote out al the Englishmen. So that Roderic Prince of Conoght tooke this opportunity, passed the Shannan, and wasted all to the walles of Dublin. The Earle being in this perplexity wrote unto Reimond, that was in Wales. As soone as you have read those our letters, make all the haste you can to come away, and bring with you all the helpe and force you can make, and then accor∣ding to your own will and desire, you shall assuredly enjoy that which you long looked for. Immediatly he prepared himselfe, together with his cousin Meilerius; shipped 30. young Gentlemen of his own kindred. 100. horsemen, with 300. archers & foot, of the best & chosen men of all Wales; and in 20. Barkes arrived in Waterford: It was at such time

as the Waterford men had determined to kill every English man within the walles; but when they saw the Barkes come in with flags, and banners displaid, they were astonied, and staid their course.

Reimond entreth the towne of Wexford, setteth all in order, taketh the Earle with him, and all their forces, and went to Wexford; hee had left behinde him one Purcell his Lievetenant to guard the town, whom the Waterfordians slue, and put to the sword, of English birth, man, woman and childe; but such as had fled to Reynolds towre, plagued them sore afterwards, drove them to intreate for peace, the which they obtained with hard conditions: And, saith the booke of Houth, the Waterfordians were ever after the lesse beleeved. For all the troubles in England and Normandie, and these treasons and rebellions in Ireland, the King was not unmindefull to quiet the people, and to establish himselfe and his heires in the kingdome; first, he sent Embassadors to Rome to cleere himselfe of the death of Tho∣mas of Canterbury: secondly, he sent messengers thither concerning the state of Ireland, whereunto Alexander the third, answered as fol∣loweth, Alexander the Bishop, the servant of the servants of God, to his dearely beloved sonne, the Noble King of England, greeting, grace and Apostolike benediction. Forasmuch as things given and granted upon good reason, by our predecessors, are to be well allowed of, rati∣fied and confirmed; wee well considering and pondering the graunt and priviledge for and concerning the dominion of the land of Ire∣land to us appertaining, and lately given by Adrian our predecessor; we following his steps, doe in like manner confirme, ratifie and al∣low the same, reserving and saving to Saint Peter, and to the Church of Rome, the yeerely pension of one penny out of every house, as well in England, as in Ireland; provided also that the barbarous peo∣ple of Ireland by your meanes be reformed and recovered from that filthy life, and abhominable conversation; that as in name, so in life and manners they may be Christians; and that as that rude and dis∣ordered Church, being by you reformed, the whole nation may also, with the profession of the name, be in acts and deeds, followers of the same. And saith the booke of Houth, Alexander the third be∣sought the devill to take them all that gainesayed this Kings title, Amen. Henry 2. sent this priviledge to Ireland by Nicholas Walling∣ford, a Prior, afterwards Abbot of Malmesbury, and William Fitz Adelme. And then being at Waterford, they caused an assembly, and a Synod of the Bishops and Clergie within the land to be gathered to∣gether, where, in open audience, this priviledge of Alexander, and the other of Adrian (formerly spoken of) were read, and published, and ratified. Reimond having setled his affaires at Wexford, marched towards Dublin, the noyse of his comming drave Roderic the rebell of Connaght away; he was no sooner come to Dublin, but the newes of the rebellion of Limric followed after, where Donald O bren

having sworne faith and fealty unto Henry 2. is now revolted and turned to his vomit. Reymond maketh preparation, mustereth his men, chose out 26. gallants, 300. horsemen, and 300. Archers, and foote, and commeth to Lymeric, where he found the Bridges drawn, the river swift and impassable, the townesmen upon the walls, with all manner of defence for their safeguard. David Welsh, a lusty Gen∣tleman, maketh no more adoe, but putteth spurres to his horse, and with good guiding thereof, crosseth the river, and got to land; imme∣diately he calleth to his company, come, I have found a Ford: yet for all that, none would follow, but Ieffery Welsh, and Meilerius Fitz Henry. Then Reimond turneth him to the army with these words: You worthy men, who of nature are valiant, and whose Prowesse we have well tryed, come away, the way heretofore not knowne, and the river hitherto thought not passable, by our adventures, a foord is now found therein; let us therefore follow him that is gone before, and helpe him being now in distresse; let us not suffer nor see so worthy a Gentle∣man thus for our common cause and honour, oppressed, to perish, and to be cast away before our eyes, and in our sight, for want of our help, and by meanes of our dastard cowardize. It is no time to use many words, the shortnesse of the time, the present necessitie of this Noble Gentleman, and the state of our own honour, urgeth expedition, and requireth haste. And even with the words, he put spurres to his horse, and adventu∣reth the river, after whom, followed the whole company, every one striving who might be formost. And as God would, they passed all o∣ver safe, saving two souldiers, and one Gwydo a Gentleman: when they had recovered land, the enemy fled, whom they pursued, and in the chase slue a number of them, they entred the towne, got great spoyles and riches, but greater honour and fame. When all was quiet, Reimond left there a strong Garrison, and Miles of Saint Davids, Lievetenant over them, and returned to the borders of Leinster.

Envy hardly sleepeth, but is still devising of mischiefe; Hervie de monte Marisco, though now by marriage allyed unto Reymond, yet by malice worketh his overthrow, enuying his honour and prosperous successe, sendeth secret letters to the King against him, which are not worthy to be recorded, being but the sinke of secret malice. The King, (as the nature of Princes is to be jealous and suspitious of any great∣nesse) is easily brought to credit Hervie, and thereupon sendeth foure of his servants to Ireland, Robert Poer, Osbert of Herlotte, or Here∣ford, William Bendeger, and Adam of Gernemie; two of them to stay with Earle Richard, and the other two to bring Reimond away with them; as Reymond was ready to goe for England, newes came that Donald, Prince of Lymeric had besieged the towne, and that the gar∣rison was greatly distressed, and in want of victuals: the Earle, with Reimond and the foure Gentlemen, fell to consultation, what course to hold; they found in the army a secret mutiny, where the souldiers

said flatly, they would not serve that way, unlesse Reimond were their Captaine; to be short, it was concluded that Reimond should under∣take the service; when he had mustered and made choice of horse and foot, he marched towards Lymeric: Donald, Prince of Ossory, who bore private grudge to Donald of Lymeric, Morogh of Kencile, with other Irish men, then served and attended upon Reimond. By the way a Post came, and certified Reimond, that Donald of Lymeric had raised his siege, and was come to the pace of Cashill to give him bat∣taile; this pace of it selfe was naturally very strong, but by trench∣ing, and hedging, and plashing of trees, it seemed invincible. When of each side they were ready to joyne battaile, Donald, Prince of Os∣sory being desirous to see his enemy of Lymeric and Thomond o∣verthrowne, turneth him to the English men with these words: You worthy▪ Noble, and valiant Conquerours of this land, you are this day valiantly to give the onset upon your enemies, which if you doe af∣ter your old and accustomed manner, no doubt the victory will be yours; for we with our sparthes, and you with your swords, will sharpely pur∣sue them, as they shall very hardly escape our hands, & avoid our force, but if it so fall out (which God forbid) that you be overthrowne, and hove the worse side, be you assured that wee will leave you, and turne to our enemies, and take part with them. Wherefore be of good courage, and looke well to your selves, and consider that you are now farre from any Fort or place of refuge, and therefore if you should be driven to flye, the same will be long and dangerous unto you. As for us, ye may not trust to us, for we determine to sticke to them who shall have the victo∣ry, and will pursue and be on the jackes of them who shall flye and runne away: and therefore be no longer assured of us, then whilst yee be Con∣querours: Meilerius, who had the foreward, being somewhat mo∣ved and warmed with those words, suddenly, like a blast of winde, entred the Passe, pulled away the bushes, brake downe the hedges, the Pioners filled the trenches, and speedily made plaine the way, with no small slaughter of the enemies, and so they marched with∣out any great perill to Lymeric, where they releeved the army, and set things in order, and rested a short time. Roderic of Connaght, and Donald of Thomond finding themselves weake, craved a parlee, it was granted them: Roderic would needs keepe on the water, and Do∣nald kept the wood. Who would trust them that would trust no o∣ther? Reimond chose the midst betweene them both; to be short, a peace was concluded, they both submitted themselves, gave hosta∣ges, made fealtie, and swore to be true thenceforth for ever to the King of England, and to his successors after him. This service was no sooner performed, but there came messengers to Reimond from Der∣mot Mac Carty Prince of Desmond, humbly craving his aide, against his eldest son Cormac O Lechan, who was in armes against his natural father: with the advice of his Councell; Reimond granteth aide, hee

marcheth towards Corke and subdueth the rebell, the sonne dissem∣bleth with the father and clapt him in prison: the father requiteth the sonne with like: he got him in under colour of peace, clapt him in pri∣son and cut off his head.

And not long after, saith Cambrensis, the men of Corke at a parlee not farre from the Towne, slew their Prince Dermot Mac Carty, and most of his company.

Anno 1177. (so writeth Holinshed) Henry the 2. held a Parlia∣ment at Windsore, where Laurence Archbishop of Dublin was pre∣sent; as what time Roderic King of Conoght sent thither the Arch∣bishop of Tuam, the Abbot of Saint Brandon, with one Laurence his Chaplen; offring all submission and loyalty. The King wil∣lingly heard them, and gladly concluded a Peace at the importunate suit of his Messengers to avoid further trouble; injoyning Roderic to pay him in token of subjection, a tribute of Cow hides, the Charter of agreement was drawne and subscribed as follow∣eth.

* 2.1Hic est finis & concordia quae facta fuit apud Windesore, in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, Anno gratiae 1175. Inter Dominum Regem Angliae Henricum secundum; & Rodericum Regem Conaciae, per Catholicum Tuamensem Archepiscopum & Abbatem C. Sancti Brandani, & Magistrum Laurentium Cancellarium Regis Conaciae.

1. Scilicet quod Rex Angliae concedit predicto Roderico Ligio homini suo Regnum Conaciae quamdiu ei fideliter serviet, vt sit Rex sub eo, paratus ad servitiū suū, sicut homo suus & ut teneat terrā suam, ita bene & in pace sicut tenuit antequam Dominus Rex Angliae intra∣ret Hiberniam; reddendo ei tributum: & totam illam terram & ha∣bitatores terrae habeat sub se, & justiciae ut tributum Regi Angliae inte∣grè persolvant, & per manum ejus sua jura sibi conservent, & illi qui modo tenent, teneant in pace, quam diu mansuerint in fidelitate Regis Angliae, & fideliter & integre persolverint tributum & alia jura sua quae ei deben••, per manum Regis Conaciae, salvo in omnibus jure & honore Domini Regis Angliae & suo.

2. Et si qui ex eis Regi Angliae, & ei rebelles fuerint, & tribu∣tum & alia jura Regis Angliae, per manum ejus solvere noluerint, & a fidelitate Regis Angliae recesserint, ipse eos justitiet & amoveat, & si eos perse justitiare non poterit; Constabularius Regis Angliae & fa∣milia sua de terra illa juvabunt cum ad hoc faciendum, quum ab ipso fuerint requisiti, & ipsi viderint quod necesse fuerit, & propter hunc finem reddet predictus Rex Conaciae Domino Regi Angliae tributum singulis annis; scilicet, de singulis decem animalibus, unum co••ium placabile mercatoribus, tam de tota terra sua quam de aliena.

3. Excepto quod de terris illis quas Dominus Rex Angliae retinuit in dominio suo, & in dominio Baronum suorum nihil se intromittet: Scilicet Duvelina cum pertinentijs suis, & Midia cum omnibus perti∣nentijs

suis, sicut unquā Murchart Wamai Leth Lachlin, eam melius & plenius tenuet, aut aliqui qui eam de eo tenuerint. Et excepta Weseford∣ia cum omnibus pertinentijs suis, scilicet cum tota Lagenia, & excepta Waterf. cum tota terra illa quae est a Waterf. usque ad Dungarvan; ita ut Dungarvan sit cum omnibus pertinentijs suis, infra terram illam.

4. Et si Hibernenses illi qui aufugerint redire voluerint ad ter∣ram Baronum Regis Angliae, redeant in pace reddendo tributum predi∣ctum quod alij reddunt, vel faciendo antiqua servitia quae facere sole∣bant pro terris suis, et hoc sit in arbitrio Dominorum suorum, et si aliqui eorum redire noluerint, Domini eorum et Rex Conaciae accipiat obsides, ad omnibus quos ei Cōmisit Dominus Rex Angliae ad volunta∣tem Domini Regis et suam, et ipse dabit obsides ad voluntatem Domini Regis Angliae illos vel alios, et ipsi servient Domino de Canibus et Avibus suis singulis annis de presentis suis, et nullum omnino de qua∣cunque terra Regis sit, retinebunt contra voluntatem Domini Regis. Hijs testibus Richardo Episcopo Wintoniae, Gaufrido Episcopo Eliensi, Laurentio Duvelinensi Archepiscopo, Gaufrido, Nicolao, et Ro∣gero Capelanis Regis, Guilelmo Comit. Essex, et aliis multis.

Moreover at that Parliament, the King gave an Irishman named Augustine, the Bishopricke of Waterford, which was then voyd, and sent him unto Ireland, with Laurence the Archbishop of Dublin, to be consecrated of Donatus Archbishop of Cashill.

Anno 1176. Bertran de Verdon founded the Monastery of Cro∣kisdan. As Reimond marcheth towards Leinster, newes came unto him from the Lady Basilia his wife, that Strangbow was dead, the which hee concealed with good countenance; and called a secret councell of the wiser sort and trustiest friends, how to dispose of the State of the Land, afore the Irish were acquainted therewith: it was agreed upon for that the enemy were many, the forces but few, they should strengthen all their holds upon the Sea cost untill the K. plea∣sure were further knowne, and withdraw the midland garrisons to supply and compleat the same. And among others they thought good to take the garrison out of Lymerik and deliver the Towne to the charge of Donald Obrien of Thomond Prince of Lymericke; he being sent for, came in poast, understanding Reimonds pleasure, was the gladdest man that might bee, and undertooke the charge, Viz. to keepe the Towne to the Kings use, and at his pleasure to re-deliver it, as also in the meane time to keepe the peace: this he under∣tooke with Corporall oathes, and solemne vowes; and thereupon delivered hostages. But the Englishmen were no sooner over the one end of the Bridge, but Donald broke the other end, and set fire in the foure quarters of the Towne, saying there shall no English race rest here any longer: This they beheld with their eyes, to their no small griefe of mind. Cambrensis inveyeth against this Donald Obrien cal∣ling him traitour, wicked, impudent, perfidious, perjured and what

not? This was in Anno one thousand, one hundred, seventy seven.

Earle Strangbow left behinde, one daughter of tender yeeres, and lyeth buried in the Church of the blessed Trinity in Dublin, over a∣gainst the Pulpit, in the body of the Church, whose exequies, Lau∣rence O Toole, Archbishop of Dublin did solemnize with great reve∣rence; whereupon the King sent into Ireland, William Fitz Adelme to be his Lievetenant, with the allowance of twenty Gentlemen of his houshold, and joyned with him in commission, Iohn de Courcy, with the allowance of tenne men to attend his person. Robert Fitz Stephens, and Miles Cogan, who had nobly served him in his wars two yeers, with the allowance of twenty men to attend their persons; at which time, saith Holinshed, the Irish men paid the King a tribute of twelve pence yeerely for every house, or else for every yoke of Ox∣en, (alias plow) which they had of their owne.

Richard, surnamed Strangbow, had to his father, Gilbert, likewise surnamed Strangbow, for his valour & strength; this Gilbert was E. of Ogye in Normandie, & Lord of Totenhā, Alverdiston, & Wolaston in England, so created by Henry 1. William the son of Osbert, a Nor∣man, E. of Ogie in Normandie, had issue, Richard, E. of Ogie, this Ri∣chard had issue Walter & Gilbert, aforesaid father to Richard E. Strang∣bow; William Fitz Osbert came into England in the ayde of William the Conquerour. And as far as I can learn, Walter was the first Earle of Penbroke (the Britaines call it Penbraich More, the head of an arme of the sea) whence both the Countie, and the most noble Earldome have their denominations. Arnulph de monte Gomerik, the yonger sonne of Roger de montegomerik, that was by William the Conque∣rour created Earle of Arundell and Shrewsbury, builded the Castle of Penbroke, where Henry the seventh was borne; William the Con∣querour gave him Divet and Cardigan, hee was Earle of Ogie, and the second Earle of Penbroke, and married the daughter (by the mediation of Girald de Windsore, Constable of his Castle) of Mo∣rogh, King of Leinster in Ireland. Gilbert, surnamed Strangbow, was created by King Stephen, the third Earle of Penbroke, hee was Earle of Ogie in Normandie, Lord of Totenham, Alverdiston, Wolaston, and Cardigan, and in England succeeded Arnulph. Henry the first made him Earle of Strigule, now called Chepstow, and gave him Cardigan; this Gilbert builded Castrogie, alias Castrum Ogie, in Gwent, and the Castle of Stratmirike.

Richard, surnamed Strangbow, succeeded his father Gilbert; his stile as I take it is thus. Richard, surnamed Strangbow, Lord of To∣tenham, Alverdiston, Wolaston, and Cardigan; in England, Earle of Penbroke, Earle of Strigule, alias Domonius de Chepstow in Eng∣land, Earle of Ogie in Normandie, Earle of Leicester, Earle Marshall of England, Vicegerent of Normandie, Lord Lievetenant of Ireland, and Prince of Leinster in the right of Eva his wife, sole heire of Dermot Mac Morogh, King of Leinster.

This Richard had issue by his first wife, a sonne, a fine youth, and a gallant stripling, who following his father with some charge in bat∣taile array, as he passed by Idrone in Leinster, to relieve Robert Fitz Stephens in Wexford, upon the sight and cry of the Irish men, when his father was in cruell fight, gave backe with his company, to the great discouragement of the host, yet the Earle got the victory, and commanded with the teares in his cheekes, that his sonne should be cut in the middle with a sword for his cowardize in battaile; he was buried in the Church of the blessed Trinitie in Dublin, where now his father resteth by his side, and caused the cause of his death for an Epitaph to be set over him.

Nate ingrate mihi pugnanti terga dedisti, Non mihi, sed genti & regno quoque terga dedisti.

My sonne unkinde didst flye the field, the father fighting hard, Nor me, nor English birth didst weigh, nor kingdome didst regard.

How the sonne pleaded with his father for the place of service, and how the father answered, Stanihurst hath many circumstances here∣of, and delivered, that his owne father in his fury, and in the face of the enemy, cut him off, and marvaileth that Cambrensis would con∣ceale it, and in the end taketh it as a matter of truth, both by the te∣stimony of the Tombe in Christ Church, as also by the industry of Sir Henry Sidney, Knight, a great favourer of Antiquities, in preser∣ving the same, to the knowledge of the posterity.

Richard Earle Strangbow by his second wife Eva, the daughter of Dermot Mac Morogh, had issue, one daughter, Isabell, whom Richard the first gave in marriage to William Maxfield, Lord Maxfield, Earle Marshall of England, of whom (God willing) I shall have occasion to speake further, when I come to his time.

The same yeere that Strangbow dyed, viz. 1177. (so Holinshed writeth) Iohn de Courcy entred Vlster, discomfited the Irish, and wanne the Citie of Dune, where the body of Saint Patricke, Saint Colme, and Saint Brigide the Virgin rests, whom Courcy calleth tria jocalia Hiberniae, the three jewels of Ireland. At the winning of Dune, Roderic King of Connaght, and Monarch of Ireland, (at severall times before sworne to the King) raised a mighty army against Cour∣cy, where Roderic was overthrowne, and the Bishop of Dune taken prisoner among other rebels; the which Bishop, at the request of Cardinall Vinian (then present) was set at liberty. This Cardinall, saith mine Author, intitled Sancti Stephani de monte Celio, was sent from Alexander 3. and comming into England without licence, was pardoned by Henry 2. and permitted to goe into Scotland, and the north parts, where his commission directed him; when he had ended

his businesse in Scotland, he passed over into Man, where he held his Christmas with Gotred, King of Man, and after the Epiphanie, sailed from thence into Ireland, and came thither (saith Newbrigiensis) the same time that the English men invaded the country, and was enter∣tained by Roderic, and the Bishop of Dune, and others, with great reverence.

The Irish men aske councell of Vivian the Legate, what in that case he thought best to be done, whether they should fight, or yeeld unto the English nation; he gave counsell, forgetting what Adrian 4. and Alexander 3. had formerly granted and said, fight in defence of your country. This Legate (craftily preventing all mishaps) took the Church of Dune for his sanctuary, and had in readinesse the Popes commission, and the King of Englands Passe unto the Captaines of Ireland for his safe conduct: From thence he went to Dublin, called the Prelates, held a councell, and filled his bagges with the sinnes of the people; the English Captaines understanding of it, gave him in charge, either to depart the land, or to goe to the warres, and serve for pay with them, and no longer to receive money for nought.

In the booke of Howth it is further alledged, how that this Legate in his Synod at Dublin (whether it were to curry favour with the English men, and to colour his other pranckes, it forceth not greatly) shewed and published openly the King of Englands right to Ireland, with the Popes grant and confirmation, and accursed all those that gainesaid the same.

Now to the true history of Sir Iohn de Courcy, as worthy a Knight for martiall prowesse, as ever trode upon Irish ground, whom Cam∣brensis lightly overskipped, partly upon private grudge, for that Sir Iohn de Courcy allowed him not for Vicar generall in Ireland, and Se∣cretary to the State, partly in favour of Sir Hugh Delacy, who malig∣ned and envied the honor and renowne, and prosperous successes of Courcy; lastly for feare of King Iohn, into whose displeasure Courcy fell, through the false accusation of Lacy and his faction, yet the cer∣tainty of his exploits hath beene preserved, and in Latine committed to Paper by a Fryer in the North, the which booke Oneil brought to A••magh, and was translated into English by ..... Dowdall, Primate there, Anno 1551. He was by father a Norman, by mother a Cambri∣an or Britaine, and married the daughter of Gotred, King of Man; he was a Gentleman descended, as it seemeth by his coate, of an antient house, of whom the Irish men hold that Merlin prophecied, where he wrote: A white Knight sitting on a white horse, bearing birds in his shield, shall be the first which with force of Armes, shall enter and subdue Vlster.

He served King Henry the second in all his warres, and in France he met with a worthy Knight, Sir Amoricus Tristeram, who mar∣ried Courcy his sister, and whether it was derived of the Ladies name,

or for that they were married on Saint Laurence day, ever after hee and his posterity after him, was called Sir Amoricus de Sancto Lau∣rentio, whence the Noble house of Howth is lineally discended, wher∣of hereafter in another place more at large. These two Knights be∣came sworne brethren in the Church of our Lady at Roane; where solemnely they vowed to serve together, to live and dye together and equally to devide betweene them what they wanne by the sword, or should be given them in regard of their service: Thus they conti∣nued in France, Anjou, Normandy, and England; and when Sir Iohn de Courcy was joyned in commission with William Burgh Fitz Adelme and others; Sir Amoricus de Sancte Laurentia, accompanied him into Ireland, where Courcy receaved a graunt of the King, by Patent for him and his heires or assignes after him, to enjoy in that Land all that he could Conquer with the sword, reserving to the King homage and fealty; they landed at Houth and there fought a cruell fight by the side of a Bridge, where Sir Iohn de Courcy being sickly, taried abord the shippe. Sir Amoricus being Chiftaine and Generall of the field by land▪ behaved himselfe most worthily; many were slaine on both sides, but Sir Amoricus got the victory, with the lose of seven of his owne blood, sonnes, uncles and nephewes, wher∣upon for his singular valour and good service there performed, that Lordship was allotted unto him for his part of the conquest, with o∣ther things which Sir Iohn de Courcy gave him. Immediatly, Sir Iohn de Courcy, Sir Amoricus de Saint Laurence, and Sir Roger Hoer, so well appointed as then contented them, directed their course to∣wards the North; the principall cause that moved them (besides their valour) was the hard government of William Fitz Adelme, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whose conditions Cambrensis who then lived and was conversant with him, delivereth in this sort. He was co∣vetous, proud, malicious, envious, a favorite of wine and women and good to none, but to his back and belly: and by his backe he un∣derstood his kindred, and by his belly he ment his children, for he op∣posed himselfe, most enviously against the Garraldins, Fitz Stephens and Barries, the first most valiant Conquerors of the Land, and a∣gainst their posterity, &c.

While Courcy is on his way, give me leave, gentle Reader, to e∣ternise the Memoriall of Maurice Fitz Gerald: As he was of birth and parentage nobly and worshiply discended, so was he in conditi∣on and for martiall prowesse every way renowned. Cambrensis his kinsman commendeth him greatly and no lesse then he deserved. He left this world to the great griefe of all the true harts in Ireland, and lieth buried in the Monastery of grey Friers without the wales of Wexford, his ..... sonnes whom William Fitz Adelme maligned, builded the Castle of Fernes. In his time, (saith Cambrensis) at Wir∣lo, where Maurice Fitz Girald dwelled, there was a Monster, begotten

by a wicked man of that nation upon a Cow, a vice (saith he) at that time too common among that nation. It had the body of a man, but all the hinder parts of an oxe, from the anckles of the legges, and the wrists of the armes, he had the hoofes of an oxe; his head was all bald saving a few small and thinne haires; his eyes, great, round, and blacke like an Oxe; nose he had none, but two holes; speake hee could not, but onely bellow like a Cow: this Monster did daily resort to the house of Maurice Fitz Girald about dinner time, and such meat as was given him, he tooke it in his hoofes, and put it to his mouth, and so fed himselfe. Diviners in those daies construed this of the govern∣ment of Fitz Adelme, the which in their opinion was monstrous, but there I leave, and returne to Courcy.

Iohn de Courcy after foure dayes, some miles come to Daud with∣out resistance, and unlooked for, contrary to all mens expectation, the which in a word hath beene spoken of before: strange it is to see what a sudden feare will worke. Dunlenus, (whom I take to be O Do∣nell) no base nor meane Commander of that place, fled away, left armes, men and munition behinde, happy was hee (in his owne opi∣nion) that he had escaped the hands, he wist not of what enemy; the trumpets sounded, the armour ratled, the women clapt their hands, the children cryed, the townesmen to goe, the leaders entred, the soul∣diers ryfled, the towne upon a sodaine was ransacked, doores, win∣dowes, cupboards, chests flew open, the army after long march, and sore travaile, being in great want and weakenesse, had their housing, firing, dyet, and fare of the best, bedding, cloathing, gold, silver, plate, and rich booties, without checke or controulement of any, and re∣spite for certaine daies to breath, rest, and recreate themselves. In the necke of this out of Scotland, the winde blew one Vinianus a Cardi∣nall (spoken of before) which tooke upon him to intreate a peace betweene the two nations, but could not prevaile. After eight dayes, Roderic the Monarch, and O Donnell, King of Duune, had mustred their men, gathered forces, gotten great ayde, and prepared an hoast of tenne thousand fighting men, and came to besiege the City. Sir Iohn de Courcy, having but seven hundred, thought best not to bee cooped within, nor caged like a Bird, prepared to give them battaile abroad, marched forth, and ordered his army as followeth; he divi∣ded his men into three companies, the horsemen being seven score, were set in a winge on the left hand, under the leading of Sir Amori∣cus de Saint Laurantio, every horseman having a bowman behinde him. On the right hand, Sir Roger Poer, who had married Sir A∣moricus Neece, led the foot company, close by a bogge side, in the midst came Sir Iohn de Courcy, with his company; the way was nar∣row where they should encounter, and the English men had the vantage of a great hedge and ditch of the one hand, and a bogge on the other to gall the enemies horses, where no horse could enter

within them. Odonell seeing the Horsmen to be but a few, comman∣ded his foot and maine battaile to make a stand untill hee sent them word to march on, meaning to make short worke with the Horse∣men, and so to breake the necke of the strength of the battaile; the Horsemen joyne battaile, the Archers gall Odonels horses with arrowes, whom the English launce slew not, the horse unsadled, and when the English quiver was empty, the archer with his sword haught the horses and dispatched the men that were unhorsed and cast to the ground. Odonels horsemen being somewhat discomfited retired, Sir Amoricus cals upon Courcy and Poer, to bring on the foote, who metting with the foote and maine battaile of the Irish (that expected newes from Odonell) fought most fiercely: No instrument of Warre could be heard, the cry of both sides pierced the clouds, the gald hor∣ses grievously complained, the maimed souldiers groueling on the ground and gasping for breath gave pittifull groanes; the Irish flang darts and stones, the English shoote arrowes, the Irish with sparthes and galloglasse axes, the English with speares and swords encounter on both sides most valiantly; the splints of brokē staves fly about their eares, and eyes, sparkles of fire from their swords and targets, and the blowes upon their helmets yeelded the sound of hammers working upon anviles, both sides deserved honor and singular commenda∣tions; the slaughter was great on both sides, and continued long; many of the English were slaine, and a number of the Irish were left alive, they determined to make an end of the English that day; the rere of the Irish march couragiously, the English had the bog of the one side, and the ditch of the other, and the entrance to them was ful of heads, legs, and armes, dead corps, armor and horses dead, and lying a long striving with death, that they could not approch, where∣upon they broke their battaile aray, dispersed themselves, and from the paces entred the plaines. Sir Amoric watching his opportunity, called Ieffrey Montgomery his sisters sonne and standard bearer, and said: Have not we quitted our selves like men this day, and shall wee dishonour the field so much as to suffer yonder company to escape our hands; come, advance your Standard, let us wheele about and give the on-set: Montgomery replied, it seemes strange unto mee, to see your stomach passe your strength, we have wonne honour advisedly, and shall we now rashly lose it? of seven score, we have but forty horses left, the rest are wounded, tired and not fit for service: then said Amorich give me the Standard, I will beare it my selfe; if that be your pleasure (saith Mountgomery) you shall not heareafter charge me with cowardise, under this Standard have I got honour, and under this Standard (if God so so please) I will dye. With this they wheeled about and overtooke the foot of the Irish, being loden with armes, and wearied with fight, with their launces they strooke them to the ground, they gave the on-set a fresh upon the horsemen which were about 200. and had

Connor O Laghlin to their leader, who retreated in battaile array, rea∣dy to answer the fight. Sir Amoricus in that skirmish was twice vn∣horsed, and by his men lift up againe, afterwards in a filthy foord he was unhorsed againe, and his horse slaine under him: whereupon some of his troope lighted, stood very stoutly by him, tooke wea∣pons out of the dead mens hands that lay along the way, & kept the Foord from horse and man, untill Sir Iohn de Courcy came to the res∣cue, at which time many of the Irish were slaine, and the rest fled a∣way: thus in the end God gave the victory unto the English men, af∣ter the losse of many a brave man, and especially Lyonell Saint Lau∣rence, nephew to Amoricus, whose death was greatly lamented. When they had buried their dead, and gathered their armes, they re∣turned to Dune.

The Midsummer following, Courcy fought the second battaile nigh the walles of Dune (saith Stanihurst) and overthrew fifteene thousand men in Vlster. And saith the booke of Houth, after that field, Vlster men had small stomacke to give any onset upon the En∣glish men: yet I finde the field to have beene bloudy of both sides, and that Sir Amoricus was sore wounded, laid under a hedge, eating hony suckles for his reliefe, where he left much bloud, and was carri∣ed away betweene foure men; his wounds were so many, and so dan∣gerous, that no Physitian or Surgeon could promise life the space of nine dayes, yet in the end, recovered. Next unto him was his sonne Sir Nicholas Saint Laurence, a most valiant Knight so sore wounded in nine severall places, that he was once left for dead, but at length re∣covered, to the great comfort of his friends.

The third battaile that Sir Iohn de Courcy fought, was in Ferng, a∣gainst eleaven thousand Irish men: the occasion was thus, Courcy had builded many Castles throughout Vlster, and especially in Fern, where Mac Mahon dwelled; this Mac Mahon with solemne protesta∣tions vowed to become a true and faithfull subiect, gave Courcy ma∣ny gifts, and made him his Goship, which is a league of amitie high∣ly esteemed in Ireland. Whereupon Courcy gave him two Castles with their demeanes to hold of him. Within one moneth after, this Mac Mahon returning to his vomit, brake downe the Castles, and made them even with the ground. Sir Iohn de Courcy sent unto him to know the cause that moved him to fall to this villanie: his answer was, that he promised not to hold stones of him, but the land, and that it was contrary to his nature, to couch himselfe within cold stones, the woods being so nigh, where he might better warme him∣selfe, with other slender and scornefull answers. Courcy to be reven∣ged of him, saw no better course then to prey his country, mustred his men, entred the land, and swept all the cattell before him. The prey was so great, that it could not be driven, unlesse it were devided into three parts, and to that end, this company in like sort was pro∣portioned

betweene the foremost of the voward, and the last of the rereward, there was three miles distance; the paces were narrow, the way miry and boggy, with thicke bushes on either side, the Irish be∣ing (as I said before) eleven thousand in number, stood upon all ad∣vantages, had their espials upon them, divided themselves likewise, and stept in betweene every of the English companies, and upon a sudden, made such a cry, and gave such a shout, that the woods rang thereof, and the Cowes ranne like divels upon the drivers, and over∣threw horse and man, so that there were more slaine and trode under foot in the mire and dirt, of the English men, by the Cowes, then by the sword of the rebels. Vpon this cry, all the Cowes were lost, and the men fell to blowes, where the Irish being acquainted with every blinde way, made better shift then the English. Courcy and his bro∣ther Amoricus, with such as were alive, hastened out of the woods, and came to a Plaine, where they viewed each other some quarter of a mile distant. Sir Amoric turned backe, and cast up his eyes, and saw Sir Roger Poer that had married his Neece, about a sevenight before, pulled and halled by the Irish, and carried away prisoner; follow me, saith he unto his company, I will rescue him, or I will dye on the place; he suddenly comming upon their heeles, set upon them, and carried away Sir Roger Poer; with that, the Irish gave such a shout, that all the rest of their company that were dispersed and scattered a∣mong the bushes, gathered themselves together to that place, to an∣swer the cry, and stept betweene Sir Amoric and Sir Iohn Courcy, so that with great perill of their lives, and losse of many men, they came together to that place; when they met, they bewailed their losses, and being environed with bogges and marishes, they forsook their horses, and fell to kill them, and shifted for themselves; the Irish most eager∣ly pursued them, and at length, one William Lawyard overtooke Cour∣cy, hee with his company turned their faces, fought a cruell fight, wherein (saith mine Author) there were slaine of the Irish men, sixe score. After this skirmish, followed Arte boy, with three hundred, and set upon Courcy, who slue of the Irish, nine score: last of all, Mac Mohon, the ground of all this mischiefe, came blowing, and set upon Courcy, with whom the base sonne of Sir Amoricus encountred, slue him, and fourescore of his men, and drove the rest to flye, the day being thus spent, the night made an end of that battaile: as the night fell, Sir Iohn de Courcy by good hap, lighted upon an old Fort of his owne, moted or trenched about, where there was a good watch kept, he being glad of them, and they of him, camped there with his forces that night, and the enemy within halfe a mile of them, as it appeared by the great fires they made after their travaile. Sir A∣moric Saint Laurance after a short nap or slumber, tooke a few with him, went to espie the enemies campe, and made a speedie returne, he pressed upon his brother Courcy and the campe, to wake them, and

delivered unto them these speeches: I have scouted abroad, and spared you in your heavie sleepe, I viewed the enemies campe, whom I take to be 5000. strong, and that by the scope of their cabbins; wee are but 500. fighting men, all wearied with sore fight, long travaile, and somewhat discouraged with hard fortune, not fit to make any great enterprize, or to performe any worthy exploit; nay a worse matter, there are among us such as have deadly wounds, but the dead sleep suppresseth their com∣plaints, and further, our men watch without sufficient release, and the enemy hath his fill every way; our case is desperate, if the enemy set up∣on us to morrow, we are not able to withstand him, wee shall be slaine every mothers sonne; wherefore I thinke best that we now set upon them that are now feasting and sleeping, voyd of all feare of us, whom in their opinion, they hold for men quite overthrowne, and never able to make a head againe, and that we leave some of our sicke men here to ward, and take some of the fresh men with us. When hee had ended his speech, there was silence for a certaine space, wherein one looked upon the other. Then Sir Iohn Courcy spake, I looked all this while for some of these young gallants, and your fellow souldiers to deliver their cou∣rage; but one thing further, Sir Amoric, where are their horses be∣stowed? he answereth, your white horse, and my blacke gelding, I have cunningly conveyed away, and the rest I can point you to with my finger. Then saith Sir Iohn Courcy, this is mine advice: Let two men ride these two horses, and gather their horses together, and or∣derly in each side drive them upon the enemy, all wee in armes will come after, and suddrnly give the shout upon them in their slee pes, and serve them with their horses, as they served us with our kine: Every man liked well of this course, and when they came to the place, they had the killing of them at their owne desire. There the English came, victualled, apparrelled, armed, and horsed themselves, never better in their lives. Of 5000. Irish, there escaped not above 200. which ranne so fast, (saith my Author) that a horse could not hold them. Of the English, the day before, 400. men were missing, but in that mornings worke, onely two. Lastly, Sir Iohn Courcy, with some hearts ease, returned to his old Fort, where hee had camped that night, rested there a while, and sent to Dublin and elsewhere a∣mong his friends, for supplies of men and other necessarie provisi∣ons. There are some out of the schoole of envy, with grace, to dis∣grace Courcy, (whom I have in part touched before) that report the story otherwise, which deliver not wherein he was to be honoured, but wherein he was foyled, fortuna de la guerra, that hee was driven with eleven persons in armes, to travaile a foot some 30. miles, for the space of two dayes, the enemy still pursuing, (the which they lay not downe) all fasting without any reliefe, untill hee came to an old Castle of his owne, which savoureth not altogether of truth, but for∣wards with the history.

The fourth battaile that Sir Iohn Courcy fought was in Vriell, for this cause: Courcy had sent certaine of his servants into England, for victuals, munition, and divers necessaries; the ship was by foule weather driven into a creick in Vriell, cald Torshead; O Hanlan with others being acquainted with all circumstances, bord the ship, put men and mariners to the sword, and make a prize and havocke of all: Courcy hearing of this, gathered his forces together; draweth to∣wards the Nury to come into Vriell to be revenged of them for this injury; by the way he was given to understand, that all the Irish of those parts were in armes prepared for him in their defence, to justi∣fie their doings, and that they had camped by South of Dundalke, and by North of the river Dondoygon. Courcy having marched to a place within a mile and a halfe of the Irish campe, made a stand, cald his brother Amoric, Sir Roger Poer, with others, and consulted what course was best to be held. Sir Roger Poer being full of courage, be∣gins: I thinke best to hold still with us the favour of Fortune; they are many, we are but few, the longer we behold them, the worse wee shall like them; the souldiers would be set a worke, and the more we linger, the more doubts and buzzes will enter his braine; for often wee see, that the sight maketh, and the sight mar∣reth.

Next, Sir Amoric delivereth his opinion: we came not hither to make hasty worke, but advisedly to performe service; true it is, as you have delivered, they are manie we are but few in comparison of their number; afore we give battaile, there are 3. things (as I take it) re∣quisite to be considered, the cause wherefore we fight, the number of both sides, that they be somewhat equally matched, and the place where both joyne battaile together. I would not have any of my speeches drawn to discourage or dismay any valiāt mind. To the first, our parentage is knowne, we are no base people, our valour is tryed, our enemy hath the proofe thereof; we come not to steale, but to be revenged of the theeves that murthered our men, & robbed us of our necessary provision. Secondly, where we find our company small, and our side weake, and the ground not fitting us for any advantage, where force cannot further, let policie take place; my advice is that a begger or a Frier shall goe from us to the Irish campe, and informe them, that Sir Hugh Delacy came yesternight with a great force, to Drogheda, and that he saw two miles off a great army of horse and foot, somewhat westerly of him, which he supposeth to bee the En∣glish Army, that marched all night from Tradaf towards Dundalke; in the meane while, my sonne Nico: with twenty choice horsemen, together with our lackies and horseboies, for the greater shew upon our hackneis and garrans, shall wheele Westwards on the right hand, that it may concurre with the Fryers tale, and give us a signe what we shall doe, and we will march after to see the event; when the ene∣my

hath discried us, we shall perceive by his stirring what he meanes to doe; if they turne face to us and offer fight, our foot shall recouer Dondalke afore theirs, and with our horses wee will so handle the matter, that we shall sustaine no great losse: if they fly and take the river, the sea comes in, we shall overtake them afore halfe passe over. All were well pleased with his device, and followed the direction. Nico. Saint Laurence with his company, wheeles before, Sir Iohn de Courcy a loofe followeth after, Sir Roger Poer takes the rereward; the enemy having discried them takes the river: Sir Nico. gave the signe, whereupon the English Army give a great shout and follow∣eth their heeles; the Irish breake their araie, they tumble one upon another in the water: the cariage drowns some, the sea and the swift∣nesse of the tyde take others away; such as would not venter the water, were slaine by the English; Othanlan and his company that had passed the water, seeing the slaughter of his men, could not come to the rescues, by reason of the salt water: the Englishmen having quitted that place, were directed by the Fryer to a foord on the left hand, where they passed over, and pursued the rest: The Horsemen overtooke the Foot of the Irish, and skirmished with them, untill Sir Iohn de Courcy came by that time; the sea likewise had stopped the Irish from flying, at a great water, a mile from the Lurgan on the Southside of Dundalk. The Irish seeing themselves in this strait, turne their faces, choose rather to dye with the sword like men, then to be drowned in the seas like beasts. There were in that place, some 6000. Irish, and about 1000. English, there was no advantage of ground, it booted not to fly on any side; the coward must in that case try himselfe a man, the fight was sore, no mercy but dead blowes: The foot of the English drew backe, Sir Iohn de Courcy their leader, was left in the midst of his enemies with a twohanded sword, wa∣shing and lashing on both sides, like a Lion among sheepe (saith my Author) Nicolas posteth to his father Amoric, that was in chase of ths scattred horsemen of the Irish, and cried, alas father, mine uncle Sir Iohn is left alone in the midst of his enemies, and the foot have forsaken him; with that Sir Amoric lighted, killed his horse and said, here my sonne take charge of these horsemen, and I will lead on the foot company, to the rescue of my brother Courcy; come on fellow souldiers saith he, let us live and dye together: He gave the on-set upon the foot of the Irish, rescued Sir Iohn Courcy that was sore wounded, and with cruell fight in manner out of breath; with the sight of him, the souldiers take hart and drive the Irish to retreit; the slaughter on both sides was great, few of the Irish and fewer of the English were left alive: The Irish got them to the Fewes, and the English to Dundalke; but who got the best there is no boast made.

Not long after, Sir Iohn de Courcy went into England, where the

King in regard of his good service, made him Lord of Conoght and Earle of Vlster; upon his returne (saith Stanihurst) which was in the Canicular daies, he fought at the Bridge of Ivora a cruell battaile, and prostrated his enemies, with great honour; and for that I find litle written thereof, I thought good thus lightly to passe it over, as others before me have done: After this he builded many Castles in Vlster, made bridges, mended high wayes, repaired Churches, and governed the Country in great peace, untill the dayes of King Iohn, where I shall have further cause to discourse of him.

Amids these tumults in the North, Miles Cogan bestirred him∣selfe, in the West; he passed the Shannon into Conoght with 540. men, where (saith mine Author) never Englishman entred before, whereupon the Conoght men, drove before them, all their cattle into the fastnesses, carried with thē as much as they could, fired the rest, with their Townes, Villages, Houses and Cottages. Milo marched as far as Tuam, where he rested 8. dayes, and finding man and beast fled, and the Country barren of victualls, he returned towards the Shan∣non, and by the way met with Roderic the Monarch, which lay in ambush with three Companies waiting his comming: At their mee∣ting, they skirmished a long while, and fought a cruell fight, where the enemy lost many, and Milo but three men, then hee passed the ri∣ver and came safely to Dublin.

Anno William Fitz Adelme, the Kings Lievtenant is cal∣led into England: Hee was a man that did no honour to the King, neither good to the Country, whom every good man in his life time detested, and all Irish Chronicles after his death have defamed. In his roome the King appointed Hugh Delacy Deputy of Ireland, and joy∣ned in Commission with him Robert Poer Seneschal of Wexford and Waterford.

Not long after, the King sent into Ireland Miles Cogan and Ro∣bert Fitz Stephens with others, and gave them (in regard of their ser∣vice) all South Mounster, to with the Kingdome of Corke in Fee for ever, to be equally divided betweene them, except the City of Corke, and one Cantred thereunto adjoyning; also he gave unto Philippe de Bruse all North Mounster, to wit the Kingdome of Lymerick. After they had pacified Dermot Mac Carty, Prince of Desmond, quieted the Country, and divided their territories, they conducted Philippe de Bruse to Lymerick to take possession of the Kings graunt given him in those parts.

As they came to the walles of Lymerick, the Citizens of spight in sight of them all, to the end that no Englishman should roost there, set the Town on fire. Philippe de Bruse was therewithal discouraged, and his Company, in so much that when Robert Fitz Stephens and Miles Cogan, offred to adventure their lives in the recovery of the Kingdome of Lymerik, with all their aide and assistance; he refused

it, and returned with them to Corke, esteeming it farre better to lose Lymric, and with safetie to dwell among his lovers and friends, then to lose life and kingdome by dwelling among such Iewes, as will fire their owne houses, and cut all English throats.

In a while after, Miles Cogan, and Raffe the sonne of Robert Fitz Stephens, who had lately married Miles daughter, went towards Lis∣more to parlee with Waterford men, and determined that night to lodge with one Mac Tyrid, who had solemnly invited them. As they waited in the field, expecting the comming of the Waterfordians, this Mac Tyrid unawares stealing upon them, most traiterously slue them, and five of their company, whereupon the whole country was in up∣roare, insomuch that Dermot Mac Carty, and all the Irish in those parts, together with Mac Tyrid, that most perfidious traitor, were in armes, determining thenceforth to be no longer the Kings loyall subjects; when they had gathered their forces together, they laid siege to Corke, meaning to cut off Robert Fitz Stephens, and all the English men there. Robert Fitz Stephens being distressed in Corke, fearing the open enemy without, and mistrusting the secret enemy within, sent post to Wexford, to his nephew Reimond le Grosse, pray∣ing him to come to his aide. Reimund forthwith, with twenty knights, and one hundred foot and bowmen, entred the Lee, landed at Corke, encountred with the enemies, killed some, drove other to flye, and compelled the rest to submit themselves, and sue for peace.

When the King understood of this, he sent Richard Cogan, bro∣ther unto Miles, to supply his brothers roome in the kingdome of Corke, a man no way inferiour to his brother for valour and martiall prowesse; in his companie came Philip Barry, and Girald Barry his brother, (otherwise called Silvester Giraldus Cambrensis, the famous learned man) nephewes of Robert Fitz Stephens, with a jolly troupe of horse and foot, chosen and picked men. Robert Fitz Stephens, and Richard Cogan enjoyed this kingdome of Corke peaceably for cer∣taine yeeres, and in processe of time, for want of heires male of them, it came to two daughters, the one of them was married to Robert de Carew, the other to Patricke de Courcy, and they in right of their wives, enjoyed the same during their lives, and after them, their heires, untill such time as by a division growne (as I take it in Eng∣land) betweene the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster, the Irish men expelled them, and recovered the country unto themselues. Anno 1178. The Monasterie, Beatae Mariae Roseae vallis, called Rosgl••s, was founded. Yet others thinke it was in Anno 1189. I may not forget Harvey de monte Marisco, (of whom often mention is made before) who after many spitefull parts, treacheries and false accusations ex∣hibited by him unto the King against most noble servitors, became a Monke: the man was sore troubled in conscience, and in his course he made the common saying true (desperatio facit Monachum.) Hee

had founded (saith Felcon) the Monastery of our blessed Lady, de Portu Donbrodthi, he gaue unto the Monasterie Saint Trinitatis of Canterbury, his territories & advousons along the sea coast, between Waterford and Wexford, and there cloystred himselfe; I would (saith Cambrensis) he had changed his conditions with his habit.

The same yeere (saith Holinshed) there came from Pope Alexan∣der 3. into England, two Cardinals, Alberto desuma, and Petro de sancta Agatha, whose commission was to summon the Bishops of England, Ireland, Scotland, with the Isles, and Normandie, to the generall Councell of Lateran in Rome: after they had obtained li∣cence to passe through his dominions, the King swore them upon the holy Evangelist, that in their Legateship they should not attempt any thing that might be hurtfull to the King or his dominions, and that upon their returne, they should visite him homewards: where∣upon out of Ireland there went thither, Laurence, Archbishop of Dublin, and Catholicus, Archbishop of Tuam, with some other five or sixe Irish Bishops, whom the King likewise swore, that they should not procure any damage to his Realmes and dominions.

The Realme of Ireland at this time was singular well governed by Hugh de Lacy, a good man, and a wise Magistrate, who for the good of the land and the people, established many good orders: he made Bridges, and builded Townes, Castles, and Forts, throughout Lein∣ster, as Sir Iohn de Courcy did in Vlster in his time; the Priest kept his Church, the Souldier his Garrison, and the Plow-man followed his Plough, yet cankred envy quieted not her selfe, practised mischiefe against him, so that he was charged before the King, to attempt the Crowne of Ireland, and make himselfe absolute Lord of the land, and that he had married the King of Connaghts daughter, (saith Holin∣shed) contrary to the Kings pleasure. The King immediately (as Princes are jealous of great men) called him into England, appointed governours, Iohn Constable, and Richard Peche. This Lacy behaved himselfe so discreetly and dutifully in England, that he cleered him∣selfe of all suspition, that the King was resolved of his truth and fide∣lity, and sent him backe againe into Ireland, with further credit then formerly he had done, and that within three moneths, and gave him the absolute command and Lievetenantship of the land, and joyned as assistant unto him, Robert Salisbury, calling home the former go∣vernours.

It was not long, but he was upon malitious occasion, the second time sent for into England, and one Philip of Worcester, (Cambren∣sis is mine Author) a valiant souldier, a bountifull and a liberall man, with a most brave troupe of horse and foot, arrived in Ireland, with command to send over Hugh de Lacy, and he to remaine there as Go∣vernour of the land, until Iohn his sonne came over. Stanihurst is of opinion, that he went over into England, and cleering himselfe, spee∣dily

returned againe, which cannot well stand with the course of the history; for when Philip of Worcester tooke upon him the governe∣ment, Lacy hastened the building and finishing of the Castle of Der∣wath (whereof my penne immediately shall make report) and there ended his dayes. And now to Philip of Worcester, and his compa∣nion Hugh Tirell, Cambrensis, and Stanihurst especially, write most bitter of them: of Philip, how that first of all he resumed and seized unto the Kings use, the lands of Ocathesie, and divers other parcels which Hugh de Lacy had sold away, and these he appointed to serve for the Kings provision, and the Governours diet. And after the winter was past, he assembled and mustred his men and companie, and began to travaile from place to place. In March about the middle of Lent, he came to Armagh, where he extorted, and perforce exa∣cted from the Clergie there, a great masse of money and treasure, and from thence he went to Dune, and from Dune to Dublin, laden with gold, silver, money, and monies worth, the which he extorted in e∣very place where he came, and other good did he none. Hugh Tirell his fellow scraper, tooke from the poore Priests at Armagh, a great brasse panne or brewing fornace, which served the whole house: see the iust iudgment of God, (the which then was so constraced, as Cam∣brensis hath delivered in his Vaticinall history, and likewise in his to∣pagraphie) Philip at the townes end of Armagh, was taken with a sudden pang, and the same so vehement, that it was supposed hee should never have recovered it. When he came to himselfe, a poore man standing by said, Let him alone, he must have breath till he come to the divell, and then the divell will have him, and all that he extor∣ted from us. Hugh Tirell that carried the panne as farre as Dune, and the Priests curse withall, in night time had his lodging set on fire, where house, and houshold-stuffe, and all that he had there, was con∣sumed to ashes, together with the horses that drew the same (and so no thankes to him) he left it behinde him for lacke of carriage. The Castles which Lacie builded for the good of the Land, were these. First, Laghlen, of old called the Blacke Castle, upon the Barrow be∣tweene Ossory and Idrone, of which Castle by Henry 2. command∣ment, Robert Poer had the charge, untill in cowardize sort he gave o∣ver the same, and forsooke it; whereupon Cambrensis then living, ma∣keth this invective: O what worthy Champions and fit men for martiall feates, were this Poer and Fitz Adelme, to inhabit and com∣mand such a nation as is destitute of noble and valiant mindes? but a man may espie the variable sleight of fortune, disposed to smile at foo∣lery, how from the base dunghill, hee advanceth to high dignities: for why? they two had more pleasure in chambering, wantonnesse, playing with young girles, and on the Harpe, then in bearing of shield, or wearing of Armour: but in sooth it is to bee admired, that so Noble a Prince as Henry 2. is, would send such cowards to com∣mand,

or to direct in place of service. But to the history. This blacke Castle now called New Leighlin, for difference of Old Leighlin, which is the Bishops seate, standeth in the Barony of Ydrone, which was the antient inheritance of the Carews: who being Barons of Ca∣rew in Wales, so farre as I can learne, one of them married the daugh∣ter and heire of the Barron of Ydrone, and so the Carewes became, and were for the terme of many yeeres, Barons of Ydrone, untill the troublesome time of Richard 2. when the Carewes with all the En∣glish of Ireland, in manner were driven to forsake the land.* 2.2 He buil∣ded in Leix for Meilerius Tachmeho, alias Cachmehe, and as for Kil∣dare, with the country adjoyning, the which, as Cambrensis writeth, was by Earle Strangbow given him, the Governours in Hugh de La∣cy his absence, subtilly tooke it away from him, under colour of ex∣change, and gave him Leix, a wilde savage country, with woods, pa∣ces, bogges, and rebels farre from succour or rescue. In Meth, he buil∣ded Clanarec, Dunach killar, alias Killairie, the Castle of Adam de Ieypon, alias sureport, and Gilbert de Nugents of Delvyn. In Fotheret of Onolan, alias Fethred Onolan, in Latin, Rotheric, he builded a Ca∣stle for Reimond, and another for Griffin his brother, the sonnes of William Fitz Girald, for Walter of Ridensford, he builded in Omor∣chu, alias Moroghs country Trisseldermot, otherwise called Trisdel∣dermot, about five miles from Caterlogh, and likewise Kilka, in the country of Kildare. For Iohn de Hereford, he builded a Castle in Col∣lach, otherwise called Tulacfelmeth: for Iohn declawsa, alias Clavill, he builded a Castle upon the Barrow, not farre from Leighlin, now supposed to be Carlogh, though some attribute it to Eva, Earle Strangbow his wife; yet it is evident next after the Danes, that the En∣glish men builded all the Castles of Ireland. He builded also neere A∣boy, a Castle that he gave to Robert Bigaret, another not farre from thence, which he gave to Thomas Fleminge, another at the Narach on the Barrow, for Robert Fitz Richard; lastly, he builded the Castle of Derwath, where he made a tragicall end; for on a time when each man was busily occupied, some lading, some heaving, some playste∣ring, some engraving, the Generall also himselfe digging with a Pick-axe, a desperate villaine among them, whose toole the Lord Lieve∣tenant used, espying both his hands occupied, and his body bent downewards, with an axe, cleft his head in sunder; his body the two Archbishops, Iohn of Dublin, and Mathew of Cashill, buried in the Monasterie of the Bectie, that is, in Monasterio Beatitudinis, and his head in Saint Thomas Abbey at Dublin, whose death (I read in Ho∣linshed) the King was not sorry of, for he was alwayes jealous of his greatnesse.

Vpon the death of Lacy, Sir Roger le Poer a most worthy Knight, who served valiantly in Vlster, in company with Sir Iohn de Courcy, being made Governour of the country about Leighlen in Ossorie, was

in most lamentable sort traiterously slaine; and upon that occasion, there was (saith Cambrensis) a privy conspiracy over all Ireland a∣gainst English men: But gentle Reader, I must backe a little, to bring on the yeeres to concurre with the history.

Anno 1180. The Monastery De Choro Benedicti, and of Ieripont was founded. The same yeere dyed Laurence Archbishop of Dublin (whose life foraine Writers, as Surius, Baronius, Molanus, and Lep∣pelo with others have written) his father hight Maurice, his mother Iniabre Principis filia, a great Commander in Leinster; the Marty∣rologe of Sarum saith he was bastard: This Maurice being at conti∣nuall warres with Dermot Mac Morogh King of Leinster, upon a league of amity concluded betweene them, delivered unto him for pledge his youngest sonne Laurence; Dermot sent him to a desert solitary place and barren soile to be kept, where he was like to perish with famine: Maurice hearing thereof, tooke 12. of Dermots princi∣pall followers, clapt them in prison, and sent Dermot word, that hee would cut off their heads, unlesse he would release and send him his sonne out of that slavish and miserable servitude: Dermot released the youth, and delivered him not to his father, but to the Bishop of Glandelogh, and the Bishop charged his Chaplen with his bringing up; the Chaplen trained him up so vertuously, that in a short time after he was made Abbot of Glandelogh, & shortly after that againe, upon the death of Gregory Archbishop of Dublin, he was chosen to suceed him. So holy a man was he, as some of mine Authors doe write, that he caused one of his men to whippe him twice a day, be∣like he had deserved it in his youth. His Legend reporteth that in time of famine and scarcity in Ireland, ••e releeved daily 500. persons at his doore for 3. yeres space. Henry the 2. did not favour him, for he had both in publicke and private at sundry times (as formerly in part hath beene touched) beene an instrument of rebellion and of many mischiefes against the English nation, and at the Councell of Lateran, contrary to his Oath, inveighed bitterly against the King; Stainhursh excuseth him, saying, that hee pleaded for the immunities of the Churches of Ireland, somewhat prejudiciall to the Kings preroga∣tive. He came to the King at Canterbury, where the Monkes recei∣ved him with solemne Procession, and hee gave himselfe one whole night to prayers before Saint Thomas his shrine, for good successe in his affaires with the King: A foole espied him in his Pontificall weed, wholly devoted to Saint Thomas Becket: And said, I can doe no better deed then to make him equall with Saint Thomas; with that tooke a club, ranne through the throng, and gave him such ablow upon the pat, that the blood ran downe his eares; the man was so sore wounded, that it was thought hee would streighway yeeld up the Ghost; the cry was up, the foole runne away, the Bishop taking breath called for water, and in a short time after was healed: his sute

unto the King was, (as foraigne Writers deliver) for Deronog King of Ireland; but saith Holinshed, which is likeliest to bee true, it was in the behalf of Roderic King of Conoght, which had often promi∣sed true subjection and fidelity unto the King, but never performed; he had brought with him Roderic his sonne as a pledge for perfor∣mance of convenants, formerly passed betweene them; as the pay∣ment of tribute and such like; but the King neither liked the one or the other, but charged the Archbishop not to depart without his li∣cence.

The King shortly after tooke shipping at Sandwich and sailed into Normandy. The Archbishop followed him, and there dyed of an Ague; whereupon (as Holinshed writeth) the King sent Ieffray De Haile, one of his Chaplens and a Chaplen also of Alexander the Popes Legat into Ireland, to seize the Archbi. see into his hands, and further it is alleaged, that being the Popes Legate of Ireland; he ab∣horred incontinency so much, that for augmentation of penance, hee would absolve no dissolute Priest, but sent them to Rome for absolu∣tion; and proved in regard of former favours, there, Amicus Curiae, so that he sent thither out of Ireland at one time, 140. Priests, saith the Legend, De peccato Luxuriae convictos Romam misit absolvendos; convicted of Lechery: Behold gentle Reader, the holy lives of the Priests of that age, and the Sanctity of the Romane Sea, in pardoning of them all, propter quid, alias propter quas. Pope Honorius the 3. Anno Pontificatus 9. vel 10. Canonized this Laurence for a Saint, who is Calendred the 14. of November, or as the Bull of his Canoni∣zation hath, the 18. of the Calends of December, which is all one; the which Bull followeth in these words.

Honorius Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, universis Christi fide∣libus, in Rothmugensi Provincia constitutis salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Ineffabilis providentia Dei congruentibus singulis quibus{que} temporibus ordinariè, dispensans in splendoribus Sanctorum Ecclesiam suam, quasi ex utero genuit Deum, in exordio ipsius nascentis Ecclesiae crebro miraculorum fulgore abstupefaciens gentes, ac prode∣stinatos in Fide generans Iesu Christi, Cujus hoc fieri nomine & vir∣tute videbant, ipsos filiorum adoptionis numero aggregavit. Deinde crescrute numero & multitudine populi vocati de tenebris, ambulantes juxta Isaiae Vaticinium in lumine Domini Dei sui, mirabilis dispensa∣tor in pluviam fulgura sua fecit, dum signis suis & miraculis (quae non erant jam fidelibus necessaria) intermissis, super novos populos pastores qui eos pascerent scientia & doctrina ...... sicut per os Ieremiae pro∣miserat, suscitavit Doctores Ecclesiae; qui terram cordis fidelium imbre doctrinae complerent, & extirpatis sensibus vitiorum cum ad proferen∣dum virtutum germen & fructum boni operis foecundaret. Caeterum quia Charitate frigescente ab exercitio boni operis, torpet Catholicus; errore devio abducente, delirat haereticus; cecidit velamine adhuc

super cor permanente, Iudaeus; & in tenebris ambulat fide lucis non∣dum sibi oriente, Paganus: Misericors Dominus qui neminem vult perire signa interdum innovat, & miseratus immutat ex numero illo∣rum quos in Ecclesia triumphante glorificat aliquorum fidem et meritae in militante miraculis declarando, ut per ea Catholici mentis ...... discusso ad boni operis excitentur instantiam, haeretici errore dimisso ab isto reducantur ad viam veritatis et vitam.

Sanctae ergo memoriae Laurentio Dublinensi Archepiscopo, apud Ecclesiam Sanctae Mariae de Ango Rathmagensis Diocesos, ubi corpus ejus feliciter requiescit, divino munere coruscante miraculis; Venera∣bilis frater noster Archepiscopus, et dilecti filij Capitulum Rathma∣gense, una cum Abbate et Conventu Ecclesiae supradictae, multis{que} alijs Archiepiscopis et Episcopis, Abbatibus et Religiosis viris, ejus venerabi∣lis vitae, insignia coruscantia miracula, suis nobis literis intimantes humiliter supplicarunt ut ipsum Sanctorum Catalogo ascribere curare∣mus; quatenus autoritate (sicut convenit) Apostolica, dignus honor il∣li exhiberetur in terris, qui (sicut claris signis et evidentibus argu∣mentis apparet) honoratur in coelis. Licet igitur quos divina honorat dignatio, humana devotio prompto affectu debeat honorare, volentes in hujusmodi negotio secundum consuetudinem Apostolicae sedis, matu∣ritate debita procedere; praefato Archiepiscopo & Decano & Thesau∣rario Rathmagensi, dedimus in mandatis ut superdicti viri vita & mi∣raculis inquirerent diligentissime veritatē, & eam nobis fideliter inti∣marent, ut ea planè comperta pro supplicantiū desiderio securius annis∣ere valeremus. Ipsi autem mandatum nostrum cum diligentia exe∣quentes quod de prefati viri conversatione ac vita istis certificare ne∣quibant, eo quod per partes illas transjectus faciens, in Ecclesia praedicta correptus infirmitatus decubuit & infra octavum ab hac luce migravit diem, scripserunt venerabili fratri nostro Archiepiscopo Dublinensi ut veritatem super hoc inquisitam iis per suas literas intimaret, qui citra mare Hibernicum illustris Regis Anglorum negotiis occupatus & volens id inquirere per se ipsum, venerabili fratri nostro Darensi Episcopi suffragano suo, ac Priori Sanctae Trinitatis Dublinensis com∣misit in hujusmodi negotio vices suas, ac demum literas eorum, sancti∣tatem vitae & conversationis saepe dicti viri plenius continentes suo & ipsorum sigillis munitas destinarunt eisdem, quas una cum depositioni∣bus testium super miraculis captorum nobis cum sigillis propriis trans∣miserunt. Colligimus vero ex earum serie litterarum, quod saepe dictus vir Regis & Reginae Hiberniae filius extitit, & ab infantia Sacris Lit∣teris eruditus, senilem gessit in juventute gravitatem & mundanarum illecebras vanitatum à se ultra quam aetas illa solebat, abdicavit. De∣inde in Archepiscopum Dublinensem assumptus, sic de virtute in vir∣tutem profecerit, ut in oratione assiduus, austerus in maceratione pro∣prii corporis, ac in Eleemosinarum largitione profusus, se totaliter Domi∣no dedicarit.

Per depositìonem verò testium predictor. constitit evidenter sanctam vitam ejusdem esse tot sequentibus miraculis comprobatam quae non parvā texerent historiam si quis vellet ea singula scribere seriatim: sed ut non praeter mittamus claudi gressum, caeci visum, surdi auditum, muti loquelam, leprosi mundationem & varijs afflicti languoribus sanitatem ad invocationem ejus nominis, & ea sola quae inter caetera emi∣cuerunt miracula breviter perstringamus. Nam idem sanctus, (imo Deus ob ipsius merita gloriosa) septem mortuos (quorum quatuor tridu∣ani erant) mirificè suscitavit. De ipsius sanctitate tantis certificati mi∣raculis, divinumque secuti judicium, quod eius glorificatio nobis tam evidentibus innotuit argumentis, eundem sanctiss. Catalogo sanctorum adscripsimus & annumerandum decrevimus, sanctorum Collegio Con∣fessorum ac inter eos Christi fidelibus venerandum statuentes, ut ejus veneranda festivitas de cetero annis singulis decimo octavo Kalendas Decembris solemniter celebretur. Monemus igitur universitatem ve∣stram, & hortamur in Domino quatenus Deum devotis mentibus col∣laudantes & studentes proficere tantae virtutis exemplo, ejusdem glori∣osissimi Confessoris apud Deum suffragia humiliter imploret. Nos autem de Dei omnipotentis misericordia & beatorum Petri & Pauli authori∣tate confisi, omnibus vere penitentibus & confessis qui ad prefatam Ec∣clesiam, in die solemnitatis ejusdem gloriosissimi confessoris vel infra Octabis cum devotione accesserint ejus orationum suffragia petituri 20. dies de iniunctis sibi penitentijs miserecorditer relaxamus. Dat. 3. Idus Decembris pontifitatus nostri anno decimo.

Molanus writeth of this Laurence, that he favoured Monkes great∣ly, and hearing of the fame of the 28. Monasteries of Aroatia, in the confines of Atrebatum in the low Countries, made the secular Priests called Cannons in Dublin, become regular cannons, according unto the order of Aroatia. After his discease, Iohn Comin, an English man, a Monke of Evesham (an Abbey in England) by the Kings direction, was made Archbishop of Dublin, confirmed by Pope Lucius at Vi∣terbium, and also made a Cardinall (so writeth Cambrensis) Anno 1148. the Monasterie legis dei, that is, of Leix, was founded, Anno 1185. Iohn, the fift sonne of Henry 2. of the age of twelve yeeres, lan∣ded at Waterford in the Realme of Ireland, from the first arrivall of his father, thirteene yeeres, from the first landing of Earle Strangbow, fourteene yeeres, and from the first entrance of Robert Fitz Stephens, fifteene yeeres. In the Chronicles of England I finde, that Anno 1177. in a Parliament held at Oxford, Henry 2. created his sonne Iohn, King of Ireland. In Anno 1185. he dubbed his sonne Iohn, Knight, and set him in a readinesse for Ireland, sending the new Bishop Iohn of Dub∣lin, as his precurser thither for all things necessarie. Item the same yeere he obtained of Pope Vrban 3. a licence to crowne which hee would of his sonnes, King of Ireland, and for reformation thereof, sent him a crowne of Peacocks tayles, I would say feathers, after a

feat manner woven in with gold; lastly, how that Vrban 3. sent two Legates, Octavianus, a subdeacon Cardinall, and Hugh de Novant from the Court of Rome, to crowne Iohn, King of Ireland, but Hen∣ry 2. delayed it so, that it was not effected; hereof (as I suppose) it ri∣seth that oftentimes we finde him called King Iohn afore he was crow∣ned: but to the Irish history. At the first landing and entring of the Kings sonne at Waterford, a great many of the chiefest commanders in those parts, who since their first submission unto King Henry, con∣tinued faithfull and true, being advertised of this his arrivall, came and resorted unto him in peaceable manner after their best manner, to sa∣lute him and congragulate his comming, one made curtesie, another kneeled, some tooke him by the hand, other some offer to kisse him. The new gallants and Normans, such as had not beene before ac∣quainted with the country, neither the homelinesse of the people, set them at nought, laughed at their Mantles and Troosses, derided their glibbes and long beards, one takes a sticke, and pats the Irish man on the pate, another halls the mantle, and pricks him behinde with a pinne, some have their glibbes and long beards pulled, and depar∣ting, have flappes on the lippes, thumpes in their neckes, and the doores clapt on their heeles, with diuers other abuses, and undiscreet entertainement. These men (not without cause) being mightily dis∣pleased, shifted themselves out of the towne, and in all haste got them home. And from thence (saith Cambrensis) with their wives, chil∣dren, and houshold, departed, and went some to the Prince of Lyme∣ric, some to the Prince of Corke, some to Roderic, Prince of Connaght, and so some to one Lord, and some to another; and to these they de∣clared orderly, how they had beene at Waterford, and what they had seene there, and how they were evill intreated, and that a yong man was come thither, guarded with beardlesse boyes, and guided by the councels of young men, in whom there was no stay, no sobriety, no stedfastnesse, no assurednesse, whereby they and their country might be secured of any safety.

These Princes, and namely they three of Connaght, Corke, and Lymeric, who were the chiefest, and who were then preparing themselves in a readinesse to have come and salute the Kings Sonne, and to have yeelded unto him their dutifull obeysance, as faithfull subiects; when they had heard these newes, they be∣gan forthwith to bethinke themselves, that of such evill beginning, a worse ending would ensue: wherefore with one consent, they con∣cluded to stand and ioyne together against the English nation, and to their uttermost power, to adventure their lives, and to stand to the defence of their country and liberties, and for the performance thereof, they enter into a new league among themselves, and swore each to other, and by that meanes, enemies before, are now become friends, and reconciled, as of old, Ephraim against Manasses, and Ma∣nasses

against Ephraim, and both against the Tribe of Iuda. Herod against Pilate, and Pilate against Herod, both become friends to cru∣cifie Christ. To be short, there followed a generall revolt and rebel∣lion over all Ireland. Cambrensis alledgeth a second cause of this re∣volt. How that when Robert Fitz Setphens first entred the land, there were certaine Irish men which tooke part with him, served faithfully, and were as reason required, rewarded for their service, and had for recompence, certaine lands given them, which they quietly held, and peaceably enioyed, untill the comming of the Kings sonne, then new commers wanting both living and governement, had it given them to furnish them in their foolish prodigalitie, so that these Irish men flying unto the enemies, became not onely enemies, but were espials upon the English, and conductors of the enemy against them. A third reason of ill successe, Cambrensis urgeth against England; first, how that the Britaines or Cambrians (so he termeth them) entring this land, and breaking the ice to the conquest of Ireland, were after∣wards by William Fitz Adelme, and others, envied, and every way maligned: secondly, how that the English commanding the land, were by the English disgraced, and one often times articling, accu∣sing, and disgracing one another: thirdly, how that the Normans comming in place, overthrew all, for the King being borne beyond the seas, affected them most, they were of his Councell at home in time of peace, and made Commanders abroad in time of warres; these comming with the Kings sonne into Ireland, were fine in their apparrell, delicate mouthed, feeding upon dainties, they could not disgest their meat without Spice and Wine at every meale; they could not endure the service in the Marches and borders, they would not remaine in remote places, they brooked not the Forts, Holds, and Garrison places; but liberty they liked of, so it were in a walled town; a warme chamber, a Ladies lappe, a soft bed, a furre gowne, and their Lords sides to guard and attend, pleased them well; they would talke and bragge of service, sweare and stare at home, stand upon the pantofles of their reputation, disdaine others, and especially the I∣rish, and durst not shew their faces in the field. These were they that gave themselves to command the Irish, that would not be comman∣ded by them, they polled, pilled, extorted, and what not.

In the space of eight moneths that Earle Iohn staied in Ireland, I finde that he built three Castles, Tibrach, Lismoore, and Archfinan, alias Ardsivin: at Ardsivin upon Midsummer day, (so Cambrensis reporteth) the Prince of Lymeric bent and animated to rebellion, slue foure Knights, and the greater part of the Garrison there: shortly after, the same rebels of Lymric, by a slight, drew out the Garrison to seize upon a prey, and lying in ambush, killed many of them, but these revolters escaped not scotfree in all the parts of the land: for at this time when the Irish men of Kennally with great forces had

entred Meth, killing, burning, spoiling, and preying the Country. William le Petit, Governour or Iusticer (saith Cambrensis) drew a head against them, rescued the prey, put them to flight, made a great slaugh∣ter of them, and sent a hundred heads of the principall of them to Dublin.

The Kings sonne hearing of these troubles, hastned away unto England, left the land tumultuous, troublesome & al upon an uprore; committed the charge thereof (saith Stanihurst) Bruseo, Courceo, Giraldidis, &c. in primis Hugonis Lacaei virtuti, where in truth I find no such matter, for Cambrensis (whom herein I must relie unto) being then in Ireland with the Kings son, reporteth how that Henry the second, hearing of the course which these greene heads held in Ireland; thought good to call them all unto England, and send thither no more such young commanders, and by the advice of his Councell committed the charge and absolute command thereof, unto Sir Iohn de Courcy, whom hee appointed Lord Lievtenant of Ireland (the Booke of Houth also testifieth the same.) Earle Iohn immedi∣atly gathered forces, travailed over the whole land, pacified for the time Corke, Tumound and Conoght, From the death of Hugh Delacy, who was slaine, Anno 1186. unto the time Hugh Delacy the yon∣ger came to be Lord Iustice, of whom hereafter more at large. Here gentle Reader, Cambrensis leaveth us, who most faithfully continued the affaires of Ireland, some 30. yeeres and odde: he was by father a Barry, by mother a Gerraldin, nephew to Morice Fitz Gerald and Ro∣bert Fitz Stephens, that first entred to the Conquest of Ireland; hee was borne in Pembrok-shire, and was Archdecon of Saint Davids and Brechnoc, and diversly imployed by Henry the second, in whose time, among others, the first Conquerors & his kindred; he came into Ireland againe, and became Tutor unto Iohn the Kings sonne, and ac∣companied him into Ireland; he wrote many learned workes, and a∣mong other, the Conquest of Ireland, the Topography of Ireland, and Mirabilia Hiberniae. Whereof hee dedicated one unto Richard Earle Strangbow, and another unto Henry the second; he was elected Archbishop of Saint Davids, but at Rome he was out-bid, by him that had more money, and missed the Cushin; hee departed this life, when hee was about foure score yeeres old, and resteth at Saint Da∣vids. Yet one thing further of him which he reporteth of himselfe, how that he at the time of his being in Ireland, had Conference with Mathew Archbishop of Cashill, and he saying among other things: You have many Saints in Ireland, but I doe not find any martyr a∣monst you: the Bishop taking it in ill part, as spoken in derision of the Nation, answered with great anger, Sir, it is so that our people is rude, savage and barbarous, yet there is none so brutish and blou∣dy, as to lay violent hands upon a Priest; now it fals out that wee are to be governed by such a Nation as is not guiltlesse of Prelats

deaths, and it is like, (if it stands with Gods pleasure) that shortly we shall make up a number of Irish martyrs this he spitefully spake, mea∣ning the death of Thomas of Canterbury.

In a while after that Sir Iohn de Courcy had brought the whole land to a good passe,* 2.3 and pacified the Irish tumults (this I find in the Booke of Houth) Sir Hugh Delacy the younger is sent over into Ire∣land as Lord Iustice, to take the absolute Command of the Realme. He had no sooner landed but he sent very imperious letters unto Sir Iohn de Courcy, to discharge him, and all that were authorized by him of their places, and command, and in like sort (like the green heads spoken of a little before, which landed with Earle Iohn) they braved it out, disdained old experimented souldiers, and offered sun∣dry disgraces unto the rest of the English; so that thereof rose much heartburning, division, quarrels and bloody brawles. The Irish seeing this sudden alteration, this division among the English, this undiscreet government, thought now to find fit opportunity publikely to rele∣ase themselves of that, which they had oft secretly intended; by their runnagades they summoned at a day a place, all the Chieftaines of I∣rish birth to a parlee; where after many doubts debated, many griefes opened, they concluded with full resolution to invade all the English, and roote them wholly out of the land; and first they swoare to bee true one to another, throughout that whole rancke of rebels, as farre as life, lands, and goods would reach to effect this enterprise: Se∣condly, they swoare never to yeeld obedience to the English nation againe.

Oconor King of Conaght becomes the mouth of the Irish,* 2.4 per∣swades to his liking, disswades where fancy pleaseth not, and ga∣thered together in short time, an Army (as mine Author saith) of 20000. fighting men; his policy was first, to cleare Conoght, and afterwards all Vlster, and so by degrees the whole land, the which he doubted not of, as he delivered to his followers. Sir Iohn de Cour∣cy understanding this, and doubting what hee should finde at Sir Hugh Delacies hands, sent letters in post to his brother Sir Amorick Saint Laurence who shortly to his ayd marched towards the North, with 30. Knights and 200. foot. Oconor hearing this, lyeth in am∣bush in most secret wise, and sendeth scouts of horse and foot before him, to apprehend and cut off all espials, which might bewray his ambush, and give intelligence to Sir Amorick to prevent the dan∣ger; Sir Amorick boldly marcheth on, misdoubting nothing, for that he understandeth by his espials nothing to the contrary, till he came to the Divels mouth; where upon a sudden, beholding Oconor and his huge Army peeping out of their ambush, was amazed, made a stand, and consulting with his company, wist not what to doe; there was no flying, there was no fighting, one to a hundred was no equal match; a horseman whose name was Mountgomery, in a few words

said this. Let us fly and save our lives, as for the foot company wee can doe them no good by figting; by flying and saving our owne lives, we may succour their wives, children and kindred. By that time Sir Amorick his brother (leader of the foot company) came to the consultation, and said, I see by all circumstances, that you meane to flie, and you Sir Amorick my noble brother, what meane you to give eare to these cowardly horsemen, will you leave us here as sheepe in the mouths of this mercilesse people, and ravening wolfes, ready to rent us in peeces? Have you forgotten the bloody battels we followed you in? and do you not see that we have left our Coun∣try, our wives, our children and dearest friends, and now stand at deaths doore, to be forsaken of you whom wee never left so disolate and distressed: if you weigh not our lamentable estate, regard your owne honour, and the house you are descended of. Will you lose in an houre, the honour you wanne in many yeeres? Call to re∣membrance, most worthy Knight, how that in Vriell in manner in the like distresse; you dismounted your selfe, slew your horse, led the foot, animated the company, recovered your selfe, and ended with honour? Wee are your flesh and your blood, wee come hither to fight, to live and to dye together; I know the worst; I am resolved, if we fight we dye, if we fly we are slaine; is it not better for us to dye in fight like men, and so winne honour, then to bee slaine in flight like beasts, and gaine shame for ever? With this Sir Amorick turned him to the foot company, and hardly gathering breath with the sorrow of his heart, resolved himselfe thus: I have no power to fly and leave my frinds, my flesh and blood, in this extreme distresse. I will live with them, who for my sake came hither, if it so please God, and I will dye with them, if it bee his pleasure, that ending here wee shall meet againe bodies and soules at the last day, God and the World beare witnesse, that wee doe as Christian Knights ought to doe, I yeeld my soule into Gods hands, my body to returne whence it came, my service to my naturall Prince, my heart to my wife and brother, Sir Iohn de Courcy, my might, my force and bloody sweat to the ayd of you all that are in the field: He lighted, kneeled upon his knees, kissed the crosse of his sword, ranne his horse through, saying thou shalt never serve against mee, that so worthily hast served with mee. The like did all the rest; then looking about with a chearefull coun∣tenance, as if he had not beene the man, that was formerly dismaid, charged two young Gentlemen of the company to get them to the top of an Hill, hard by adjoyning, and beholding the battell, upon their returne homwards make true report to his brother Courcy and others of that daies service. Immediatly they prepared to battaile, the enemies marvailed, seeing them approch, that they durst (being so few) abide the field; they made likewise a stand, and cast doubts, whether the Englishmen in this attempt had not some great supply;

rescues are maine battaile following after, they would not give the on-set, before they had certain knowledge thereof, by scoutes and espials: to be short, they joyne the battaile, where to deliver the whole in few words; Sir Amorick was slaine and all his company. It was a bloody day, when all the one side, and a 1000. of the other side, fell to ground. Oconor and his company seing the end of this field, durst never againe give battell unto the English, but sued to Sir Hugh Delacy then Lord Iustice for peace, which he obtained, vowing, as he had many a time before, faith, truth and perfect subje∣ction: This Oconor after his reconciliation made report unto Sir Hugh Delacy, of that daies work, that he thought verily, there was ne∣ver the like seen upon the earth; how that the Englishmen not being able to stand in fight, turned backe to backe, with sparthes and two handed swords, untill the last man was slaine. The lamentation that Sir Iohn de Courcy made, when this was bruted abroad, I will not stand to rehearse.

I am now to end with King Henry the second, a most worthy Prince, whose troubles every way troubled not him so much, as the unnaturall rebellion of his sonnes, and the Iealousie of his Queene; he raigned 34. yeeres, 9. months and two dayes: his Epitaph in Mathew Paris and in others I find thus.

Rex Henricus eram, mihi plurima regna subegi, Multiplicique modo Duxque Comesque fui: &c▪

Of late King Henry was my name, Which Conquered many a Land; And divers Dukdomes did possesse, And Earldomes held in hand, And yet while all the earth could scarce My greedy mind suffice; Eight foot within the ground now serves Wherein my Carcas lyes. Now thou that readest this, note well My force, with force of Death; And let that serve to shew the state Of all that yeeldeth breath: Do good then here, fore slow no time, Cast off all worldly cares; For brittel world full soone doth faile, And death doth strike unwares.

Richard the first, the third sonne of Henry 2. began his raigne o∣ver England the 6. of Iuly, Anno 1189. For his valence, he was called Coeur de Lyon, the Lyons heart; he was affianced, but never marri∣ed, to Adela, or Alice, daughter to the French King, and in his iour∣ney to the holy land, he tooke to wife in the Ile of Cyprus, the Lady Berengaria, daughter to Garsias (some say Sanctius) King of Nauarre, and died without issue; when he had raigned nine yeeres, nine mo∣neths, and two and twenty dayes. It is noted by the Antiquaries, that upon the death of his father, he had three notable windfals, the first was the Crowne of England, the second was his fathers trea∣sure, which he found at Salisbury, amounting to nine hundred thou∣sands pound in coyne, besides Plate, precious stones, Iewels and ap∣parell; lastly, in the Coffers of Ieffrey Ridley, Bishop of Elye, who dyed intestate, he found towards his coronation 3260. pound in sil∣ver, five markes in gold, which was better; for his coronation was most Royall. Iohn Comyn Archbishop of Dublin was at it. Mathew Paris in Latine, and Holinshed in English have penned it verbatim. Will. K. of Scots did him homage, and when he was the second time crowned King, bare a sword before him. King Richard the first yeere of his raigne, gave the Lady Isabell, sole daughter and heire of Ri∣chard, surnamed Strangbow, Earle of Penbroke, to William Maxfield, Lord Maxfield, and Earle Marshall of England, Anno 1189:

This William, his surname was not Marshall, as Sir Iohn Plunket his collection hath laid downe, but Maxfield, his descent I finde thus; with William the Conquerour, there came into England to his ayde, one Walter Maxfield a Norman, that was his Marshall; this Walter had issue, William, William had issue, Walter, Walter had issue, Iohn, Iohn had issue, this William Maxfield, that married Isabell, the daugh∣ter of Strangbow, who was made Earle Marshall of England, Earle of Penbroke in Wales, and Prince of Leinster in Ireland, in the right of his wife. This William was in great favour with King Richard the first, that gave him the Lady Isabell to wife, and honoured him so at his coronation, that he bare a regall Scepter before the King, in the top whereof was set a Crosse of gold, and when the King with full de∣termination passed over into Normandie, and from thence into the Holy Land, he assigned him the third governour of the Realme, Iohn Earle of Morton, Anno 1199. after the death of his brother Richard, sent this William among others into England, to set all things in a readinesse for his coronation, the which being the 27. of May, and yeere aforesaid, gave him his full creation to the Earledome of Pen∣broke, and girded him with the sword; not long after, King Iohn sent him with others, as Embassadors to the French King, with sundry other imployments; he was also in great favour with Henry 3. as shall be shewed when I come to his raigne. He had five sonnes, and five daughters, his sonnes all succeeded him in the Earldome of Penbroke,

and office of Marshalsie, together with the Principality of Leinster, and dyed all without issue. The daughters were all honourably matched in the life time of their father and brethren, and had his ter∣ritories and possessions in Wales and Ireland, orderly divided among them, the which they and their posterity peaceably enioyed. This William Earle Marshall the elder, came to Ireland, Anno 1207. hee builded the Castle of Kilkenny, and gave the towne a Charter, with priviledges wich they enjoy to this day: hee founded there also the Monasterie of the blacke Fryers, and ended the way of all flesh at London, Anno 1220. and lyeth buried in the temple of his Lady Isa∣bell at Tinterne in Wales.

William Marshall his eldest sonne succeeded him, both in the of∣fice of Marshall, and Earldome of Penbroke and Ogie, and Principa∣litie of Leinster; he granted a Charter to the towne of Kilkenny, Anno 1223. sixt of Aprill, with the testate of Thomas Fitz Antony, Lord of Thomas stowne, Seneschall, of Leinster, Fulkoe, Carnae; Walter Pursell, William Grace, Haman Grace, Amnar Grace, and others, he ended his dayes at Kilkenny, Anno 1231. and resteth in the Monastery there, which his father had formerly founded.

Againe, of this William I have seene another Charter, exemplified Anno 1329. by King Edward the third, with an inspexim. Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, Dominus Hiberniae, Dux Aquitanie omnibus Ballivis & Ministris omnium villarum & villatorum Lagenie & cete∣ris quibuscunque deijsdem partibus salutem. Supplicavit nobis supe∣rior et communitas villae de Kilkenny quod cum Willielmus nuper Co∣mes Mariscallus et Pembrochie (tempore quo idem Comes extiterat Domini totius terrae Lageniae) concesserit Burgensibus et Communita∣ti ville predicte qui pro tempore fuerint, diversas libertates, inter quas videlicet, quod ipsi in perpetuum per totam Lageniam terram, & pote∣statēin suam tam villa quā alibi essent quieti de theulonio, lastagio, pori∣tagio, & de omnibus aliijs consuetudinibus quibuscunque, quam quidem cartam inspeximus, &c. Teste Iohanne Darcy Iusticiario nostro Hiber∣nie apud Kilkenny, 8. die Iulij anno regninostri 3. per billam ipsius Iu∣sticiarij. Yet Holinshed writeth that this William Marshall the youn∣ger, deceased at London, and lyeth buried by his father in the new Temple.

Richard Marshall the second brother succeeded; he was Earle Mar∣shall of England, Earle of Penbroke in Wales, and Ogie in Norman∣die, and Prince of Leinster in Ireland. In the yeere 1233. and the Mo∣neth of Aprill, in a battell nigh Kildare, upon the great Heath called the Curragh, fighting against the Oconors; hee tooke his deaths wound, whereof shortly he dyed. Hee lieth buried by his brother William in the blacke Fryers at Kilkennye, which was the foundati∣on of William, Earle Marshall, his father. Henry the third lamented his death, and protested that he lost then the worthiest Captaine of

his time. His tombe (with the tombe of eighteene Knights that came over at the Conquest, and resting in that Abbey) at the suppression of the Monasterie, was defaced, and inhabitants there turned them to their private uses; and of some they made swine-troughs, so as there remaineth no Monument in the said Abbey, save one stone, whereupon the picture of a Knight is portraied, bearing a shield a∣bout his necke, wherein the Cantwels armes are insculped; and yet the people there call it Ryddir in Curry, that is, the Knight slaine at the Curraghe. Iohn Clyn, guardian of the Fryers there, in his Annals of Ireland writeth thus.

Post incarnatum lapsis de virgine natum Annis millenis tribus triginta ducent is In primo mensis Aprilis, Kildariensis Pugna die Sabbati fuit in tristitia facti Acciderant stallo pugnae Comiti Mariscallo.

And upon his Tombe.

Hic Comes est positus, Richardus vulnere fossus Cujus sub fossa Kilkennia continet ossa.

After the decease of Richard Gilbert, Marshall, the third brother was Earle Marshall of England, Earle of Penbroke and Ogie, and Prince of Leinster, Anno 1239. King Henry the third held his Christmas at Winchester, where there rose a grudge betweene the King and this Earle Gilbert, by reason that this same Earle, with his servants, having tip-staves in their hands, comming to the Court, were not suffered to enter within the gates, but were kept backe by the Porters and others: of which injury when hee complained, the King made him an overthwart answer. Whereupon the Earle not well pleased therewith, estranged himselfe from the Court, and went into the North country, so that thenceforth, he and his brother Wal∣ter gave small attendance upon the King; and to end with this Earle Gilbert, it fell out on a time, in a Turnay which hee had attempted without the Citie of Hereford, contrary to the Kings pleasure, that his unruly horse cast him, so that of the hurt which he tooke with the fall, he shortly after departed this life, in the yeere 1241. and was bu∣ried in the new temple Church at London: hee had married the La∣dy Margaret, the sister of Alexander, King of Scots, who by her had no issue; she also dyed Anno 1245.

Walter Marshall succeeded Gilbert in all the former honours and possessions, both in England and Ireland, who because he had pro∣cured the turnament wherein his brother was slaine, hardly obtained of the king the same. He departed this life at Godrike Castle by Mon∣mouth

and was buried at Tintern, Anno 1245. leaving no issue be∣hind him.

Anselme Marshall the fift sonne of William Earle Marshall suc∣ceded Walter, hee was the last of the Maxfields, and died without issue. Hee had married Mathildis or Mawd daughter of the Earle of Hereford, anc because hee had entred without doing of homage un∣to the King, his wife after his decease could have no dowry, wherof among the statutes of England I find the cause by especial words thus overruled·

When any dyeth and his heire entreth into the Land, that his An∣cesters held of the King, the day that he died before he hath done ho∣mage to the King, and received seisin of the King, hee shall give no free hold thereby; and if hee dyed seised during that time, his wife shall not be indowed of the same land as came late in urc; by Mawd the daughter of the Earle of Hereford, wife of Anselme the Marshal. Who after the death of Walter Marshall of England his brother, tooke his seisin of the Castle and mannor of Strogill, and died in the same Castle; before hee had entred by the King, and before hee had done homage unto him, whereupon it was agreed, that his wife should not be indowed, because that her husband had not entred by the King, but rather by trusion.

This Anselme died in England, and was buried at Tinterne. After the death of these five brethren; Florilegus writeth thus. All the sonnes of William the great Marshall (it is not knowne what sinne required the same) according to the Prophecy of the Countesse their mother, without issue left behind them, as shadowes departed out of this world; yet all successively became Earles, even as their mother by a Propheticall spirit foreshewed, and so the Noble sheild or buckler of the Marshalls, dreadful to so many and so great enemies of England, vanished away. Mathew Paris wrote the story at large. The aforesaid William, as Warlike and stout, called Marshall, as if hee had beene Mars his Seneschall while in Ireland hee gave himselfe to slaughter, and burning, and got to himselfe large posses∣sions, he tooke away by strong hand and injuriously, from an holy Bishop two mannors or Lordships belonging to his Church, and pre∣sumptuously usurped them, as though he might, by just title pos∣sesse them, as if he had wonne them with the sword. The Bishop af∣ter many admonitions, and receiving many froward answers, thun∣dred against him (and not without cause) the sentence of Excommu∣nication, the which the Earle despised, and pleaded for excuse; the warlike season keeping injuries upon injuries: Whereupon not with∣out advisement one Maister Gervasius de Melckeria, framed of him this distinction and shrowded himselfe in his person.

Sum quem Saturnum sibi sensit Hibernia, Solem Anglia, Mercurium Normania, Gallia Martem.

Iam whom Ireland Saturne hight, and England Sol me cals, Amids the Normans Mercury, and Mars among the Gauls.

The meaning in a word is, how that he in his time had tamed the wild Irish, and had beene the shining beame of honour unto the English, as an Ambassadour to pacifie the Normans, and an invin∣cible Knight among the French nation, but forwards with Paris; the aforesaid Earle held those mannors all his life time, and annexed them unto his dominions: Within a few yeeres after, the Earle en∣ded the way of all flesh, and was buried in the new Temple at Lon∣don; the Bishop hearing of this (for he was the Bishop of Fernes, a Cistertian Monke, by birth Irish, and famous for Sanctity) not with∣out great paine in travaile, he went unto the King, who then was in London, exhibited a grievous complaint of the injury done unto him, and how that hee had justly excommunicated the Earle, and humbly besought the King, that by his soveraigne authority and Princely mandat, and also for the good of the said Earle Williams soule, he would see his mannors restored unto him, that in so doing (though he were dead) yet might reape the benefit of absolution. The King with this was moved, and willed the Bishop to repaire to the Earles grave and absolve him, and he would diligently labour for his satis∣faction; the Bishop together with the King went to his Tombe, and in the hearing of al that were present, as if they had been both alive, said, O William, that here lyest interred, and wrapped in the bonds of Ex∣communication, if the thing which thou hast injuriously taken away from my Church, bee restored by the king, or by thine heire, or by some one of thy kindred or friends, with competent satisfaction, I absolve thee, o her wise I doe ratifie the said sentence that thou being ever wrapped in thy sinnes, maiest remaine damned in hell. The King hearing this, was moved and sharply rebuked the immoderat rigour of the Pontificall Prelate. To whom the Bishop replied, my Lord ann dread soveraigne, marvaile not, though I be out of patience, for he hath spoiled my Church to his great commoditie. The King then secretly conferring with William the eldest sonne of this Earle, and heire to the whole, and now invested in the inheritance and Earle∣dome, and certaine others his brethren, besought them by the resto∣ring the mannors unjustly taken away, mercifully to deliver their fa∣thers soule; To whom William the heir made answer, I doe not be∣leeve, neither is to be credited, that my father tooke them injuriously, for that which is gotten by the sword, may lawfully be enjoyed; for if that old and doting Bishop hath given a wrong sentence, let the

curse light upon his owne pate. I will not weaken my estate, nor di∣minish the inheritance wherein I am invested, my father dyed seized thereof, and I have rightly entred. Vnto these words all the brethren yeelded their consents. The King being then of tender yeeres, and under Tutor, would not give cause of heavinesse unto so great and Noble a personage; when the Bishop understood this, hee was more waspish, and moved with the countenance of the sonnes, then with the former iniury of the father, and turning him to the King, spake aloud; what I have said, I have said; what I have written, I have written, never to be blotted out.

To be short, the Bishop with great sorrow departed, and in bitter∣nesse, prophecied of the ill successe of the children, who dyed and lived in great honour all the dayes of their lives: but these matters we are to referre to the secret iudgement of God.

After the decease of these five brethren, five Earles, and five Prin∣ces of Leinster, leaving no issue behinde them, the five daughters their sisters, Ioane, Mathilda, Isabell, Sibilla, and Eva, being honoura∣bly matched, had their fathers and brethrens possessions and territo∣ries in Ireland orderly divided amongst them; Ioane, the eldest daugh∣ter of William Earle Marshall, and eldest sister of the five brethren (before spoken of) was married to Warren de Mountchensen, who in right of her, had allotted unto him, the County of Wexford; they had issue, one daughter, Ioane that was married, Anno 1247. to Wil∣liam de Valence, a Norman, the sonne of Hugh Brune, Earle of March, and Turryn, Vicount of Curce, &c. hee was halfe brother to King Henry the third, by Queene Isabell, daughter and heire of Amerie, Earle of Angolesm, the widdow of King Iohn. This William in the right of his wife, was Earle of Penbroke, and Lord of Wexford, and died Anno 1296. he had issue, two sonnes and two daughters, Willi∣am de Valence, Owdomare alias Aimer de Valence, Isabell and Ioane; William succeeded his father in the Earldome of Penbroke, and Lord∣ship of Wexford, and died without issue. Aymer his brother after him, was Earle of Penbroke, and Lord of Wexford, and died with∣out issue, whereupon the inheritance fell to the two sisters, Isabell and Ioane. Isabell was married to Iohn Hastings, Lord Hastings of A∣bergevenny, who in the right of his wife had one halfe of the coun∣ty of Wexford allotted unto him, and had issue, Elizabeth, which married Reynold, Lord Gray of Ruthin. Ioane the second sister was married to Iohn Lord Comyn, who in her right, had the other halfe of Wexford, and he had issue, two daughters, Elizabeth and Ioane; Eli∣zabeth married Richard Lord Talbot, and Ioane was married to Da∣vid, Earle of Atholl in Scotland, and thus the County of Wexford was divided.

Mathilda, or Mawde, the second daughter of William, Earle Marshall of England, had the county of Cattelough, alias Carlogh,

assigned unto her: she was married to Hugh Bigod, Earle of Norfolke, father of Ralph Bigod, whose daughter and heire Isabell, was married to Sir Gilbert Lacy, who had issue, Margery and Mawd, Margery was married to Iohn Lord Verdon, of whom the Earle of Shrewesbury, and the Earle of Essex are descended. Mawd married Ieffery Genivill, father to Peter Genivill, whose daughter and heire was married to Roger Mortimer, Lord of Wigmore, and the first Earle of March.

Isabell, the third daughter of William, Earle Marshall of England, had to her portion, the county of Kilkenny. She was married to Sir Gilbert de Clare, Earle of Glocester and Herford, whose discent is before spoken of. Hee was slaine by the Scots in King Edward the seconds time, and died without issue. I have seene a Charter gran∣ted by him to the towne of Kilkenny. Gilbert Clare, Earle of Glo∣cester and Herford, to our Seneshall of Kilkenny, and to our treasu∣rer of the same, greeting; know you that we for the common profit of the towne of Kilkenny, of our especiall favour have granted to our loving Burgesses of the same towne, &c. the whole in substance is, that none shall sell victuals there, but it shall be prized by the officers of our towne. After the decease of Sir Gilbert Clare, then the Earle∣domes of Glocester and Herford, and the County of Kilkenny, fell betweene his three sisters, begotten upon Isabell aforesaid, to wit, Elenor, Margaret, and Elizabeth. Elenor was married to Hugh Spen∣cer the younger, Margaret was married to Peter Gaveston, and after his death, to Hugh Lord Audely; Elizabeth was married first to Wil∣liam Lord Burgh, Earle of Vlster; the second time to Ralph Roch, Ba∣ron of Farmoy; thirdly, to Theobald, Lord Verdon; and lastly, to Ro∣ger Damary, and had issue by every one of them.

Sibilla the fourth daughter of William Earle Marshall, had to her part the Countie of Kildare, and was married to William Ferers, Earle of Ferers and Darby, who had issue, Agnes, Isabell, Mathilda, Sibil∣la, Cecilia, and a second Sibill; Agnes was married to VVilliam de Vescy, who had issue, Iohn de Vescy, who had issue, VVilliam de Vescy that died without issue in his fathers life time. Lastly, this County of Kildare was given by the King unto Iohn Fitz Thomas, the first Earle of Kildare, as hereafter in more convenient place shall ap∣peare.

Eva, the first daughter of VVilliam Earle Marshall, had to her portion, the Mannor of Dounmas in Leix, and was married to VVil∣liam Bruse, Lord Bruse of Gower, who had issue, Mathilda, Elenor, and Eva. Mathilda was married to Roger Mortimer, Elenor was married to Humphery de Bohun Earle of Herford and Eva, to Can∣tilupe, alias VVilliam de Canlow: Of the line of these Maxfields, I meane of VVilliam Earle Marshall of England, the pedigree & discent of this Noble familie, the properties and purports holds of the daugh∣ters. I have seene sundry copies. Nicholas Magwir, Bishop of Leighlen

perfected an abstract of the division of the land in Ireland, among the daughters and the paritcularities thereof, which is to be seene in the red towne-booke of Kilkenny: and now forwards with the history, from whence I have somewhat digressed.

Anno 1190. (in which yeere the Citie of Dublin, by foule mishap, was fired to ashes) King Richard set all in a readinesse for his iourney into the holy land, gathered masses of money together, and among o∣thers it is remembred, what a summe of money he received of Hugh Pudsey a Norman, and Bishop of Durham, that gave an inestimable summe to be made an Earle, whom the Antiquaries doe condemne for his intolerable pride, and damnable covetousnesse, whom the King also flowted after hee had received the coyne; saying, Loe, I have made a young Earle of an old Bishop▪ In this voyage and prepa∣ration for the recovery of Ierusalem, and the ayde of the Christians in Asia, there went Fredericke, Emperour of Almaine, Richard, King of England, Philip of France, VVilliam of Cicilia, Otho, Duke of Burgundie, the Venetians, Pisanes, Frisones, Danes and Flemings. Now that the King is on his iourney abroad, let us talke a little (gen∣tle Reader) of little Iohn at home: Stanihurst leads me into the histo∣ry, and reporteth that Anno 1189. he came into Ireland, and sojour∣ned at Dublin; the storie goeth (and especially in Hector Boetius, and Iohn Major, Antiquaries of Scotland) how that in those daies, there were many outlawes in the North parts of England; of these out∣lawes, Robin Hood, and little Iohn were Chiefetaines: It was said of Robin Hood that he was an Earle, and after outrages by him commit∣ted, he kept the woods; his company was of some hundred persons, all chosen and picked Archers, of singular strength to handle their weapons, and such as durst encounter with 400. others: they robbed none but the rich, as Tanners, and Grasiers, and Vsurers, and Bishops, Priests, and fat Abbots; they shed no bloud, they killed no man, re∣leeved themselves and the poore also with their spoyles. Robin Hood after many theevish feats, fell sicke, went into a Nunnery in Scotland, to be let bloud, where he was betrayed, and bled to death: wherup∣on the company brake, and the crue dispersed themselves, every man to shift for himselfe; little Iohn came to Ireland, with many of his confederates, and found in the woods, enough to fit his humour, and fell so much to his old occupation, that he was faine to flye the land. In the end, he went to Scotland, and there died. There are memora∣ble acts reported of him, which I hold not for truth, that he would shoot an arrow a mile off, and a great deale more; but them I leave a∣mong the lyes of the land.

Anno 1191. the Monasterie de iugo Dei, was founded Anno 1193. King Richard after many most valiant exploits in the Holy Land, (the which I hold not so necessary for this place) after the drowning of Fredericke the Emperour, and after the sudden and envious depar∣ture

of Philippe King of France; hearing the conspiracy of the said Philippe, and the treason of his brother Iohn aspiring to the Crowne of England; made peace with the Saladine for three yeres, and with a small company returning homewards, was taken prisoner by Leopold, Duke of Austria, who brought him to Henry the Emperour, and there kept him in prison a yeere and 5. months, untill he had paid his ransome, which was Anno 1194.

Hee was received into England with the joy and applause of all true harts, and having setled the affaires of the Realme in due sort, he went into France, where he had much a doe with the French King, the which for brevities sake, I doe omit, and yet one memorable act of his I may not omit, and thus it was; There came unto him one Fulco a Priest, who with great courage and boldnesse said: Thou hast, O Mighty King three daughters very vicious and of evill disposition, take good heed of them, and betimes provide them good husbands; to whom the King in rage answered: th••u errant lyar, and shamelesse hypo∣crit, thou knowest not where thou art, nor what thou sayest, I weene thou art not well in thy wits, for I have never a daughter, as the world will beare me witnesse, get thee out of our presence. To whom Fulco re∣plyed, If it like your Grace, I lye not, but say truth, for you have three daughters which continually frequent your Court, and (more is the pitty) wholly possesse your person; I meane, Pride, Covetousnesse and Leachery. The King thereat smiled, and called his Lords and Barons unto him, and related what Fulco had delivered unto him, and there∣upon gave his resolution: Here before you all I doe presently bestow my three daughters. First, I give my daughter swelling Pride, to the proud Templars: my greedy daughter Avarice, to the covetous Or∣der of the Cistercian Monkes: and my daughter Leachery, to the wan∣ton Prelats of the Church. This noble King went to besiege a Town called Chalus Cheverell in Poitou, in the confines of Britaine, where unlooked for, from the wall of the Towne, he was wounded with a venomed arrow out of a Crosbow; whereof shortly after hee died: afore his death hee sent for him, that was the cause of his death, for∣gave him, yea & gave him money in his purse; but after his death he was apprehended and cut off with cruell tortures. Lastly, King Ri∣chard tooke order for his buriall, thus he bequeathed his body to Fount Ebrad, there to lye at his fathers feet, whom in his life time he had offended; his heart to Roan that had alwayes been true unto him; and his bowels to Chalus Cheverell where he tooke his death, for that filth was fit for them, that had beene unto him both false and rebellious, Mathew Paris hath is Epitaph thus.

* 2.5Ad Chalus cecidit Rex, regni cardo Richardus, His ferus, his humilis, his agnus, his Leopardus;

Casus erat lucis Chalus. Per secula nomen Non intellectum fuerat, sed nominis omen Non patuit, res clausa fuit; sed luce cadente Prodiit in lucem pro casu lucis ademptae.

Againe of his legacie.

Pictavus exta ducis sepelit, tellusque Chalutis Corpus dat claudi sub marmore fontis Ebrandi: Neustria tuque tegis cor inexpugnabile Regis: Sic loca per trina se sparsit tanta ruina; Nec fuit hoc funus, cui sufficeret locus unus.

Iohn the fift sonne of Henry the second, Earle Morton, alias Mor∣taigne and Lord of Ireland, as formerly hath beene delivered, by the gift of his brother King Richard the first, Earle of Cornwall, Dorset, Sommerset, Nottingham, Darby, Lancaster, and in the right of his marriage, Earle of Glocester, was Crowned at Westminster, King of England, Anno 1199. Hee was first married to Isabell (whom the Britaines called Hawise, and the Cornish Avis) daughter to Robert Earle of Glocester, who for that they were found within the third degree, were divorced, so that King Iohn left both the Lady Isabell and the Earledome of Glocester, whereupon by the advice of Philip King of France, he matched in holy wedlocke with Isabell daughter to Amerie, Earle of Angolesme. This Isabell (if not married) had beene affianced to Hugh Brune, Earle of March, a Noble man of Aquitaine, who gave battaile in that quarell to King Iohn, and was discomfitted, yet after the death of King Iohn, hee had her to wife.

Immediatly upon the Coronation of Henry the third (who suc∣ceeded him) broyles beganne in England, France and Ireland, which had every way a tragicall end. Bruse in England, Arthure in France, and Courcy in Ireland, are testimonies thereof: But orderly of these as the Nature of the Historie requires; Arthure the sonne of Ieffry Plantagenet nephew to King Iohn, lived when his uncle Iohn aspired to the Crowne, being 16 yeeres of age, he was affianced to a daughter of Philippe the French King, the said Philippe Knighted him in the field; he was Duke of Britain, Earle of Anjou, Poitiers, Maine and Turrow of Normandy. He did homage unto his uncle for some, and to Philippe for the rest; his uncle had him in Iealousie, first lest that in processe of time, he would make claime to the Crowne: secondly, for that he adhered too much to the French, and the young Prince upon conference, with bold spirit told him, that he did him wrong, and that hee was bound in honour to deliver unto him the Crowne of England, with all that thereunto appertained. Shortly after, it fell

out that King Iohn took this Arthure confederate against him, with William de Bruse, Hugh Brune and others, imprisoned him in Falaise in Normandy; from thence he was brought to Roane, and there clapt in the Tower, under the custody of Robert de Veipont, where shortly after he finished his life, whether by leaping into the ditch, thinking to make his escape, or by meane of some privy hand, which murther it is not as yet agreed upon Vtinam (saith Mat. Paris) non ut fama refert invida; by occasion whereof, K. Iohn was ever after had in great suspition, whether justly or unjustly the Lord knoweth King Iohn fearing the secret practises of his adversaries, and doubting the revolt of his Barons, sent for his further security, unto those whom he most suspected for hostages and pledges of their Ioialty, and among others, unto William de Bruse a Normand borne, but Lord of Brechnok, saith Guttin Owen, and a great commander in South-wales. The wife, like a quicke Dame, taking the answer out of her husbands mouth, gave this round speech; that shee would not give any of her sonnes to King Iohn, who already had slaine and murthered his owne nephew Arthur. These words being lavishly delivered unto the King, set him in such a heat of displeasure against her husband (though hee had rebuked her sharply for the same) that the L. Bruse with his wife and children fled the Realme, and got them unto Ireland for safeguard of their lives; and when King Iohn came unto Ireland, they fled to the Ile of Man, where they were ap∣prehended and sent to the Castle of Windsore in England, and there (as the common fame went) famished to death. But William de Bruse himselfe escaped the hands of the King in Ireland, and fled into France, died at Corbell, and was buried in Paris. The next that comes upon the stage is Sir Iohn de Courcy Earle of Vlster, Lord of Conaght, that had lastly beene L. Liev. of Ireland, who governing the land with great circumspection, together with Sir Hugh de Lacy the younger, who maligned him secretly, and envied his prosperity, in so much that hee accused him to King Iohn, saying, that he laid to the Kings charge the murthering of his nephew Arthure; where∣upon King Iohn sent for him into England; and gave commission unto Sir Hugh de Lacy, and his brother Walter Delacy, to attach his person. Sir Iohn de Courcy having secret intelligence of their drift, kept himselfe a loofe: Sir Hugh Delacy finding that levied an army, and invaded Vlster; the Country rose against him and drove him to flie. Then Lacy praclaimed him traitor, and marched towards him with all the forces he could make. Courcy in like sort prepared for his comming.

At Dune they met and fought a cruell battaile, where the field was all blood, and many slaine on both sides, but in the end the victo∣ry fell to Courcy, and Lacy went back with shame enough. Then Lacy practised how he might betray him.

It is said among the Irish, that Courcy offred the combat, and that Lacy refused it, aleadging that it was not for him, that represented the Kings person, to hazard his life with an inferior, being a subject and a traytor.Lacy makes proclamation, promising a large reward to him that should bring him in Courcy either alive or dead, but it would not be; then privily he dealt with some of his servants, that if they would undertake the apprehension of him, they should have great rewards; it was concluded, and this advice the betraiers gave: Sir Iohn de Courcy is a mighty man in armes, and of such strength, that no one man dares be so hardy as lay hand upon him, and againe hee is alwaies both in publick and privat well provided: Yet we can di∣rect you a course to bring your purpose to effect: upon good Friday yeerly he weares no armes, but is wholly given to divine contempla∣tion, and commonly walketh all solitary round about the Church∣yard of Dune: if you provide a troope of horsemen in a readinesse, and send your espiall before, there you shall have him, apprehend him and worke your will, and hither they came, and laid hands up∣on him. Courcy now unarmed and altogether distressed; ranne to a wooden crosse that stood in the Church yard, tooke the pole therof and laid about him lustily; Courcy at that time had but a few atten∣ding on him, and they armelesse; of which number, were two young Gentlemen, the sonnes of Sir Amorick Saint Laurence which were slaine; to bee short, the Author of the Booke of Houth reporteth, that Courcy in that Skirmish slew 13. of Lacy his men, that died not upon the Crosse, but under the Crosse, but in the end he was carried away, conveied beyond the seas, clapt in the Towre of London, and condemned to perpetuall imprisonment: Whereupon Lacy for that service, had the Earledome of Vlster given him, and the Iudases that betrayed their Master had their hire. Then they craved of Sir Hugh de Lacy a pasport into England, with the relation of the good service they had done in Ireland, which was granted upon condition, that upon the paine of death, they should never returne into Ireland a∣gaine, neither to open the same afore it were demanded of them: It was as followeth.

I Hugh de Lacy Lord Iustice of Ireland, servant to my dread So∣veraigne Lord King Iohn: To all them that shall read these few lines, greeting; know you that th••se men, whose names are under written, served sometimes Sir Iohn de Courcy late Earle of Vlster, but now in durance in the Towre of London, and for a summe of money, betraied their owne Master into my hand. I deeme them no better then Iudas the traitor: how hardly soever I have conceived of Courcy, I hold them a thousand times more damnable traitors. Wherefore let no sub∣ject within any of the Kings dominions, give them any entertainment, but spit in their faces, and suffer them to rogue about and wander as Iewes. He provided them a barke, with saile and victuall, but gave

them no Pilots nor sea-faring men, for want of skill they could not take the seas, but were tossed with winde and weather, along the Coast, at length the Tyde brought them into the river of Corke: they were no sooner landed, but they were apprehended, examined, and brought to Sir Hugh de Lacy, and forthwith all foure hanged cheeke by jole.

Not long after, there fell some difference betweene Iohn, King of England, and Philip, King of France, for the right of some Fort in Normandie, who to avoyde the shedding of Christian bloud, agreed of each side to put it to a combat; of King Philips part there was a French man in readinesse; King Iohn upon the sudden wist not what to doe for a Champion to encounter with him; at length, one attending upon his person, enformed him that there was one Courcy in the Towre of London, the onely man in his dominions (if hee would undertake it) to answer the challenge. King Iohn ioyfull of this, sent the first, yea second, and third time, promising large re∣wards, and rich gifts, and that it stood him upon as farre as the ho∣nour of his Crowne and kingdome did reach, to make good the com∣bat. Courcy answered very frowardly, (the which was taken in good part in regard of the urgent necessitie) that he would never fight for him, neither for any such as he was, that he was not worthy to have one drop of bloud spilt for him; that he was not able to requite him the wrongs he had done him, neither to restore him the hearts ease he had bereaved him of: yet notwithstanding all the premises, he was willing, and would with all expedition, be ready to venture his life in defence of the Crowne and his country. Whereupon it was a∣greed, that he should be dyeted, apparrelled, and armed to his con∣tent, and that his owne sword should be brought him out of Ireland. The day came, the place appointed, the Liste provided, the scaffolds set up, the Princes with their nobilitie of each side, with thousands in expectation. Forth comes the French Champion, gave a turne, and rests him in his tent: They sent for Courcy, who all this while was trussing of himselfe about with strong poynts, and answered the mes∣sengers, if any of their company were to goe to such a banquet, I thinke he would make no great haste. Forth he comes, gave a turne, and went into his Tent. When the Trumpets sounded to battaile, forth come the combatants, and viewed each other. Courcy beheld him with a wonderfull sterne countenance, and passed by. The French man not liking his grimme looke, the strong proportion and feature of his person, stalked still along, and when the Trumpets soun∣ded the last charge, Courcy drew out his sword, and the French man ranne away, and conveyed him to Spaine. Whereupon they soun∣ded victory, the people clapt their hands, and cast up their cappes; King Philip desired King Iohn that Courcy might bee called before them, to shew some part of his strength and manhood, by a blow up∣on

on a Helmet; it was agreed, a stake was set in the ground, and a shirt of maile, and a Helmet thereon; Courcy drew his sword, looked won∣derfull sternely upon the Princes, cleft the helmet, the shirt of maile, and the stake so farre in, that none could pull it out but himselfe. Then the Princes demanded of him, what hee meant to looke so sowrely upon them; his answer was, if hee had missed his blow upon the blocke, he would have cut off both the Kings heads. All that hee said was taken in good part: King Iohn discharged him out of all his troubles, gave him great gifts, and restored him to his former posses∣sions in Ireland. It is written further, that hereupon hee sailed into England, came to Westchester, offered himselfe to the sea, and was put backe againe fifteene times by contrary windes which rose upon a sodaine, to the English shore. And in the booke of Houth it is deli∣vered, that upon every repulse, the night following, he was admoni∣shed in a vision, not to attempt the seas, for to saile into Ireland, and that he should never set foot upon any land there; and withall, that the reason was yeelded thus. Courcy, thou hast done very ill, for thou hast pulled downe the master, and set up the servant; for he had trans∣lated the Cathedrall Church, and the Prebendaries of the blessed Tri∣nitie in Dune, into an Abbey of blacke Monkes, brought thither from Chester, and consecrated the same to the honour of Saint Pa∣tricke. Whereupon remembring himselfe that he had done very ill in taking the name from God to a creature, gave sentence upon himself, that he was worthily punished. Immediately hee altered his course, went into France, and there died: now forwards with the history, according to the due course of time in the raigne of King Iohn, so the booke of Houth reporteth.

Anno 1202. Meler Fitz Henry, whose father was the base sonne of King Henry the first, founded the Abbey of Cownall; hee came into Ireland with the first Conquerours, being a young stripling, and is highly commended by Cambrensis for his great valour, and wor∣thinesse in martiall prowesse: he left this world, Anno 1220. his E∣pitaph I finde in Iohn Clynne.

Conduntur tumulo Meyleri nobilis ossa, Indomitus domitor totius gentis Hibernae.

Intombed are the bones of him they Noble Meler call, Who was the tamelesse tamer of the Irish nation all.

Anno 1205. in the seventeenth yeere of the raigne of King Iohn, Theobald Fitz Walter, Fitz Gilbert, Becket the first Lord Butler of Ireland, founded the Monastery of Wethencia, alias Wethran, alias Wethenoya, alias Voghney, in the county of Limeric; this difference I finde in Dowling, Grace, and others.

Anno 1206. Saint Monon an Irish man, and a Martyr, (Molanus layeth him downe among the Saints in Flanders) flourished; he is re∣puted the Patron of Nassonia, under the command of the Abbot of Saint Hubert, in the Lordship of Audiamum; he was the Disciple of Saint Remulch, and Saint Iohn Agnus, Bishop of Trajectum, and of Irish birth; this Monon was murthered at Ardevenna, (saith Molanus) by some bloudy massacres, & lyeth buried at Nassonia, in the Church which he there had founded.

* 2.6Anno 1208. (I finde it in Dowlinge and Grace) Sir Hugh de Lacy the younger, being Lord Iustice, entred into Thurles, where the country being in rebellion, offered him battaile, he laid siege to Castle Meiler, wanne it, brake it downe, and made it even with the ground; but he lost there more men, (say the Irish) then he tooke away with him; the chiefe Rebell was Ieffery Mac Moris, alias Morich.

* 2.7Anno 1209. the occasion of blacke Munday, and the originall re∣membrance thereof rose at Dublin. The Citie of Dublin by reason of some great mortality, being wasted and desolate, the inhabitants of Bristoll flocked thither to inhabit, who after their country manner, upon Holy dayes, some for love of the fresh ayre, some to avoyd idle∣nesse, some other for pastime, pleasure, and gamings sake, flocked out of the towne towards Cullen wood upon Munday in Easter weeke. The Birnues and Tooles, (the mountaine enemies) like Wolves lay in ambush for them, and upon espiall finding them unarmed, fell upon thē, & slue some 300. persons, besides women & children, which they led in their hands, although shortly after, the towne was upon the re∣port thereof, eftsoones peopled againe by Bristolians; yet that dismall day is yeerely remembred, and solemnly observed by the Maior, Sheriffes, and Citizens, with feast and banquet, and pitching up of tents in that place in most brave sort, daring the enemy upon his pe∣rill, not to bee so hardy, as once to approach neere their feasting campe; and whereas the Irish heretofore accounted Tuesday their fatall and infortunate day, (for Lymric was twice wonne, Wexford yeelded up, Waterford was besieged, and Dublin was sacked upon a Tuesday) now they have Munday in memory, making difference of dayes, not fitting the minde of the Apostle, which forbade the super∣stitions or vaine observations of daies, &c. Gal. 4.

Anno 1211, (or somewhat before) the Monastery of Grenard was founded by Richard Tute, who shortly after miscarried at Athlone, by the fall of a Turret, and was buried in the same Monastery. About the same time, in the yeere 1209. the Monastery of Forte was foun∣ded by Walter Lacy, Lord of Meth.

* 2.8Anno 1210. and the twelfth yeere of his raigne, King Iohn came into Ireland, and landed at Waterford with an huge army, marvel∣lous well appointed to pacifie that rebellious people, that were uni∣versally revolted, burning, spoyling, preying, and massacring the

English. Fabian and Graffton alleage the cause that moved the Irish∣men to this rebellion, to have been for that the King endevord to lay grievous taxes upon them towards his aide in the warres against the French King, which they could not brooke, and therefore rose in armes against their Soveraigne. When hee came to Dublin the whole Countrey fearing his puissance, craved peace and flocked unto him along the sea cost, the Champian Countries and remote places receiving an oath to bee true and faithfull unto him. There were 20. (Reguli) of the chiefest rulers within Ireland, which came to the King to Dublin, and there did him homage and fealty, as appertai∣ned. Harding nameth them Lord O Neale, and many more. Wal∣singham remembreth Catelus King of Conaght, it forceth it not though they misse the right names of place and person; it is a fault in manner common to all foraigne writers.

After this hee marched forwards into the land, and tooke into his hands, divers Fortresses, and strong Holds of his enemies, that fled before him, for feare to be apprehended; as William le Bruse, Mathilda his wife, William their sonne with their traine, of whom I spake before; also Walter de Lacy Lord of Meath, and Hugh de Lacy Earle of Vlster, and Lord Iustice of Ireland, fearing his presence, fled into France; their exaction, oppression and tyranny was intole∣rable. Likewise they doubted how to answer the death of Sir Iohn de Courcy Lord of Ratheny and Kilbarrock within 5. miles of Du∣blin, whom they had murthered, of especiall malice and deadly ha∣tred.

First, for that he was of the house of Sir Iohn de Courcy, Earle of Vlster, (whom the Lacies alwaies maligned.)

Secondly, for that he had made grievous complaints of them in England to King Iohn, the tryall whereof they could not abide. Vp∣on the sight of the Lacies,* 2.9 King Iohn made Iohn Gray Bishop of Norwich his deputy. Of these Lacies it is further remembred in the Booke of Houth, and other antiquities; how that in France they ob∣scured themselves, in the Abbey of S. Taurin, and gave themselves to manuall labour, as digging, delving, gardening, planting, and greffing for daily wages, the space of 2. or 3. yeares; the Abbot was well pleased with their service, and upon a day (whether it were by reason of some inkling or secret intelligence given him, or otherwise) demaunded of them of what birth and parentage they were, and what Country they came from; when they had acquainted him with the whole, hee bemoned their case, and undertooke to become a suiter unto the King for them; in a word hee obtained the Kings favour for them thus farre, that they were put to their fyne, and resto∣red to their fromer possessions; so that Walter de Lacy paid for the Lordship of Meath 2500. Markes, and Hugh his brother, for Vlster and Conaght a greater summe.

Hugh de Lacy, in remembrance of this kindnesse which the Ab∣bot shewed them, tooke his nephew, his brothers sonne with them into Ireland, one Alured, whom he Knighted and made Lord of the Dengle. The Monkes also, which out of that Monastery hee had brought with him into Ireland, hee honoured greatly, and gave them entertainment in Four, the which Walter De Lacy had former∣ly builded.

King Iohn having pacified the land, ordained that the English Lawes should bee used in Ireland, appointed 12. English shires with Sheriffes and other Officers, to rule the same, according unto the En∣glish Ordinances; hee reformed the Coine and made it uniforme, (some say it was Gray his Deputy) of like weight and finenes, and made it currant as well in England as in Ireland.

When hee had disposed of his affaires, and ordred all things at his pleasure, he tooke the sea againe, with much triumph, and landed in England the 30. day of August.

Anno 1213. When the French King by instigation of Innocen∣tius 3. Bishop of Rome, prepared to invade England: King Iohn eftsoone understanding thereof, made provision accordingly to an∣swer his enterprise, and among others (the cause why the story is here inserted) Holinshed writeth how that to his aid the Bishop of Norwich, the Kings Deputy of Ireland, levied an Army of 300. foot well appointed, beside horsemen which arrived in England to the encouragement of the whole Campe. And as the French was frustrate of his purpose, so they shortly returned with great joy to their native Country.

* 2.10In the same yeere, Viz. 1213. Iohn Comin Archbishop of Dublin departed this life, and was buried in the Quire of Christ-Church, whom Henry Loudres succeeded in the dayes of this King Iohn. This Henry builded the Castle of Dublin, and was made Lord Iu∣stice of Ireland.* 2.11 His tenants nic-named him Schorchbill or Schorc∣villen upon this occasion;

Hee being peaceably stalled in his Bishopprike, summoned all his tennants and farmers at a certain day appointed, to make their per∣sonall appearance before him, and to bring with them such evidences and writings as they enjoyed their holds by; the tenants of the day appointed, appeared, shewed their evidences to their Landlord, mistrusting nothing; hee had no sooner received them, but afore their faces, upon a suddain cast them all into a fire, secretly provided for the purpose; this fact amazed some that they became silent, mo∣ved others to a stirring choller and furious rage, that they regarded neither place nor person, but brake into irreverent speeches: Thou an Archbishop, nay, thou art a Schorcvillen, an other drew his weapon and said, as good for me kill as be killed; for when my evidences are burned, and my living taken away from me, I am killed. The Bishop

being thus tumult, and the imminent danger, whipt out at a backe doore: His Chaplains, Registers, and Summoners, were well knockt, and some of them left for dead. They threatned to fire the house over the Bishops head; some meane was made for the present time to pacifie their outrage, with faire promises, that all hereafter should be to their owne content: upon this they departed, the intent of the promises I cannot learne, othersome inveigh against it; but in fine, complaint thereof being made to Henry 3. the King thought so hardly of the course, that he removed him from his Iusticeship, and placed in his roome, Maurice Fitz Girald, of whom hereafter.* 2.12 This Loudreds was buried in Christ Church.

In the same yeere also King Iohn being mightily distressed through the practises of hir Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Monkes, Priests of his dominions, and the Barons of his Kingdome revolting, and the inward hatred of the French King, with forraigne powers intending an open invasion, was driven, to prevent further mischiefe, as I finde in Polychronicon, to surrender his Crowne from his head, and to sub∣ject his Kingdomes of England and Ireland, tributarie to the See of Rome, and as his client, vassall and feodarie to that See, to hold them of Innocentius the Bishop: againe, England being interdicted, and Ireland likewise, were after released upon agreement, compositi∣on, and Charter, and homage, as in the Chronicle of England more at large appeareth.

The death of King Iohn, and the manner of it, I referre to the En∣glish Chronicles. After his decease, Henry the third, his eldest sonne, aged about nine yeeres, began his raigne, Anno 1216.

Anno 1220. and the fourth yeere of Henry the third, so writeth Clyn, Dowling, and Grace; together with the English Antiquities, in their Irish collections; all Meth was wonderfully afflicted and wa∣sted by reason of the priuate quarrels and civill warres betweene Wil∣liam Earle Marshall, Earle of Penbroke, &c. and Sir Hugh de Lacy, Earle of Vlster, and Lord of Connaght. Trimme was besieged, and brought to a lamentable plight, and when the rage and furie of those garboiles was somewhat mitigated and appeased, after the shedding of much bloud, the same yeere to prevent afterclaps, and subsequent calamities, the Castle of Trim was builded.

About this time, certaine worthy persons of great fame and re∣nowne, to wit, Henry Loudreds, Roger Peppard, and William Peppard, Lords successively, de saltu Salmonis, and Meiler Fitz Henry, one of the first Conquerours, paid nature her due, sinne her debt, and ended their daies.

It appeareth in Stanihurst, that the same yeere that Henry Loudreds died, viz. 1220. the Castle of Dublin was builded: I meane the walles foure square, or quadrangle wise, but the foure Turrets and the other afterwards. Sir Henry Sidney is said to have builded the in∣ner

lodgings, in whose eternall commendation, I finde in the said Sta∣nihurst, these verses.

Gesta libri referunt multorum clara virorum, Laudis & in chartis stigmata fixa manent: Verum Sidnaei laudes haec saxa loquuntur, Nec jacet in solis gloria tanta libris. Si libripereant, homines remanere valebunt, Si pereant homines ligna manere queant; Lignaque si pereant, non ergo saxa peribunt, Saxaque si pereant tempore, tempus erit, Si pereat tempus, minime consumitur aevum, Quod cum principio, sed sine fine manet. Dum libri florent, homines dum vivere possunt, Dum quoque cum lignis saxa manere valent, Dum remanet tempus; dum denique remanet aevum, Laus tua Sydnaei, digna perire nequit.

Anno 1224: Abbatia de Albo tractu was founded. By generall consent of Antiquaries, after the death of Henry Loudres, spoken of before. Maurice Fitz Gerald was by Henry the third, made Lord Iu∣stice of Ireland, and afterwards fell in the Kings displeasure, and was removed, but the yeeres they agree not upon, wherein I finde great discord.

The English Chronicle of Ireland delivereth that hee was made Lord Iustice Anno 1228. Florilegus and Holinshed write, that he was removed from his Iusticeship, Anno 1245. and Iohn Fitz Ieffery sub∣stituted in his roome. Mathew Paris writeth that hee was removed, Anno 1248 but howsoever they have mistaken the yeeres, or whe∣ther the fault of the Printer crept in, it forceth not; I am to deliver to the reader, the truth of the history, and the most worthy service of this Noble man, with the yeeres and the time as neere as I can.

Anno 1229. in the raigne of Henry the third, Maurice Fitz Gi∣rald being Lord Iustice, (Mathew Paris and Holinshed write the storie) one Stephen Chapplen, and Nuntio to Pope Gregory, came to King Henry with the Popes Apostolike Mandates and procura∣tion letters, requiring of spirituall & temporall throughout England, Ireland, and Wales, the tenth of all their moveables, to the mainte∣nance of his warres against Fredericke the Emperour. At the day and place appointed when the King and his Lords spirituall and tempo∣rall met together, and the Nuntio had read his letters, the King was silent, & reputed (saith mine Author) as consenting thereto; the Earles and Barons (saith Paris) & all the Laytie said flatly, that they would give the Pope no tenths, neither subject their Baronies and locall possessions to the Church of Rome; the Clergie after three or foure

dayes deliberation, fearing the thunderbolts of excommunication, with grudging and murmurs, and many a bitter curse, yeelded; yet Ranulphus, Earle of Chester, alone, stood stoutly in the cause, and would not permit the Clergie of his country to become in bondage, neither to contribute the said tenths, though England, Wales, Scot∣land, and Ireland were compelled to pay. Ireland sent likewise after their money, Irish curses, for they were driven at the worst hand to sell unto the mercilesse Merchants, their Cowes, Hackneyes, Cad∣does, and Aqua vitae, to make present payment, and were driven in that extremitie, to pawne and sell their Cups, Chalices, Copes, Al∣tar-clothes and vestments.

Anno 1230▪ (as I finde recorded in the booke of Houth) Hubertus de Burgo was Lord Iustice of Ireland, as I gather, in the absence of Maurice Fitz Girald, to whom the King gave the land ..... and Connaught, and made him Earle of Connaught, and shortly after, ob probitatem & fidelititem ex imiam, so I reade in Ypodigma Neu∣stria, being called into England for his uprightnesse and singular fide∣lity, was made governour of the King, Lord Iustice of England, and Earle of Kent, by the consent of all the Peeres of the Realme; after∣wards as the course of this world wheeles about, hee fell into the Kings displeasure, so that he called him old traytor, (and in his rage would have runne him thorow with his sword, had not the Earle of Chester and others runne betweene) for that (saith Stow) hee had taken five thousand markes of the Queene of France, to hinder his purpose; to avoyd the Kings displeasure, this Hubert fled to the Chappell of Brandwood in Essex, where he was taken, and by com∣mandement of the King, sent to the Tower of London; all his friends forsooke him, none answered for him but the Archbishop of Dublin; wherein we may behold as in a Glasse, the disposition of feyned friends in former ages, who in the Spring of a mans felicity, like Swal∣lowes, will flye about him, but when the winter of adversitie nippeth, like Snailes they keepe within their shels: at length this Hubert was somewhat reconciled to the Kings favour, that he was inlarged, yet banished the Court: lastly, he ended his miseries at his Mannor house of Bansted in Surry, and was buried at the Church of the Fryers Preachers at London, which was then in Holborne; unto the which Church he gave his noble Palace at Westminster, the which after∣wards Walter Grey the Archbishop of Yorke bought of them, and made it his Inne, since commonly called Yorke House, but now White-Hall. So farre Stow, Holinshed, and others.

The yeere aforesaid, I finde one Ieffery March, alias Maurish, (so Holinshed calleth him) in Mathew Paris, Galfridus de Marisco, to have beene Lord Iustice of Ireland: so it may be in the absence of Maurice Fitz Girald, who made three journeys to King Henry the third; one with great power out of Ireland to ayde him beyond the seas;

secondly, to cleare himselfe of the death of Richard Marshall Earle of Pembrook: lastly, with Irish forces against the Welshmen. Mat. Paris and Holinshed, make report of his good service; How that when an Irish petit King in Conaght, understanding that both the King of England, and the Earle Marshall and Maurice Fitz Gerald were gone over into France, and so Ireland left without any great aide of men of warre, on the English part, raised a mighty Army, and with the same entred into the Marches and borders of the English dominion, spoiling and burning the Country before him. And how that Ief∣fray de Maurisco then Lord Iustice, being thereof advertized; called to him Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meth, and Richard de Burgh, assem∣bling therewithall an hugh Army, the which he divided into three parts, appointing the said Walter de Lacy and Richard de Burgh with the two first parts, to lye in ambush within certain Woods, through the which he purposed to draw the enemies. And marching forth with the third, which he reserved to his owne government, he profered battaile to the Irishmen, the which when they saw but one battaile of the Englishmen, boldly assaid the same.

The Englishmen according to the order appointed, faining as though they had fled and so retired still backe, till they had trained the Irish within danger of their other two battailes which comming forth upon them, did set on them eagerly; whilest the other which seemed before to fly, returned back againe, and set upon them in like manner; by meanes whereof, the Irish men being in the midst were beaten downe: if they stood to it, they were before and behind slaine; if any offered to fly hee was overtaken, thus in all parts they were utterly vanquished, with the losse of 20000. Irish, and the King of Conaght taken and committed to prison. This Noble Ieffray de Marisco (of whom Holinshed writeth) a man some time in great honour and possessions in Ireland, fell into the displeasure of the King, was banished; who after he had remained long in exile, suffred great miserie, ended the same by naturall death: Thus the un∣stable Wheele goeth round about: and yet I may not so leave it hee had a sonne called William de Maurisco, who together with the father (the Iustice of God requiring the same) came to most shamefull ends: Matthew the Munke of Westminster and Matthew Paris the Munke of Saint Albones, doe write the Story: While the King was beyond seas, a certain noble man of Irish birth to wit Willielmus de Maurisco, an exiled and banished man, the sonne of Ieffray de Maurisco, for some hainous offence laid to his charge, kept himselfe in the Isle of Lun∣dy, not farre from Bristall, preying, robbing and stealing, as a notorious Pirate; at length being apprehended, together with 17. of his confede∣racy, and by the Kings commandement adjudged to cruell death; he was drawne at London with his confederats, at horse tailes to the Gibbet, and there hanged and quartered: His father one of the mightiest men of

Ireland, by name Galfridus de Maurisco, hearing thereof, fled into Scotland, and scarce there could hee lye safe; who pinnig away with grief and sorrow, soone after ended a miserable life, with wished death; againe after in another place he writeth, Galfridus de Maurisco recke∣ned amongst the most Noble of Ireland, an exile and a banished man, died pitifully, yet not to be pitied; whom being banished Ireland, ex∣pulsed out of Scotland and fled out of England, France received for a begger, where hee ended an unfortunate life, after the most shamefull death of his sonne Willielmus de Maurisco.

These things therefore I deliver more at large unto the hearers, that every man may wey with himselfe, what end is alloted unto treason, and especially being committed against the sacred person of a Prince: His father against Richard Earle and Marshall in Ireland, and his son William against the King, unadvisedly and unfortunatly adventured to practice mischiefe.

Paris addeth the name of this William was very odious unto the King, for so much it was reported, that through the councell of Ief∣fray his father, he had conspired the death of the King, and that he had traitorously sent that varlet, which came in the night season, to Woodstock to slay the King, and last of all, that hee had killed at London in presence of the King; one Clemens, a Clerk, messenger of some Noble man of Ireland, that came to informe the King a∣gainst him.

About this same time, florished a Learned man of Irish birth, one Cornelius Historicus, so called, because hee was an exquisit anti∣quary Bale: and Stanihurst have briefly written his life and his com∣mandations out of Hector Boetius, who was greatly furthered by this Cornelius, to the perfecting of the Scotish History, hee wrote as they say:

Multarum rerum Cronicon. lib. 1.

About this time, Viz. Anno 1230. there rose a doubt in Ireland, so that they sent to England to be therein resolved: the King, by his learned Councell answered as followeth.

Henry by the grace of God, &c. King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and Guian, &c. Trusty and welbeloved Gerald Fitz Maurice Iusticer of Ireland, greeting; VVhereas certien Knights of the parties of Ireland lately informed us; that when any land doth discend unto sisters, within our dominion of Ireland, the Iustices errant in those parties are in doubt, whether the younger sister ought to hold of the eldest sister, and doe homage unto her or not. And forasmuch as the said Knights have made instance, to bee certified how it had beene used before within our Realme of England in like case; at their instance we doe you wit, that such a Law and Custome is in England in this case, that if any holding of us in chief, happen to die, having daughters to his heires our ancestors, and we after the death of the father, have

alway had and received homage of all the daughters, and every of them in this case did hold of us in chiefe. And if they happned to be within age, we have alway had the ward and marriage of them, and if hee bee tennant to another Lord, the sisters being within age, the Lord shall have the ward and manage of them all, and the eldest onely shall doe ho∣mage for herselfe, and all her sisters, and when the other sisters come to full age, they shall doe their service to the Lord of the fee, by the hands of the eldest sister; yet shall not the eldest by this occasion, exact of her younger sisters homage, ward, or any other subjection; for when they be all sisters, and in manner, as one heire to one inheritance: if the eldest should have homage of the other sister, or demaund ward, then the inhe∣ritance should seeme to be divided so, that the eldest sister should seeme to be segnioresse and tennant of inheritance, simul & semel, that is to say, heire of her owne part, and segnioresse to her sisters, which could not stand well together in this case, for the eldest can demaund no more then her sisters; but the chiefe mease by reason of her auncienty. Moreover, if the eldest sister should take homage of the yonger, she should be as a seg∣nioresse to them all, and should have the ward of them and their heires, which should be none other, but but to cast the Lambe to the Wolfe to be devoured.

And therefore wee command you that you cause the aforesaid cu∣stomes that bee used within our Realme of England, in this case to bee proclaimed throughout our dominions of Ireland, and to be straightly kept and observed, in testimony whereof, &c. I witnesse my selfe at Westminster, the ninth of February, the thirteeneth yeere of our Raigne.

Anno 1233. or as some will have it, 1234. the 7. of Aprill, there appeared as it were foure Sunnes, besides the naturall Sunne, of a red colour, and a great Circle of Christall colour; from the sides whereof went out halfe Circles; in the divisions whereof, the foure Sunnes went forth. There followed that yeere great warre and cruell bloodshed, & general great disturbance throughout England, Wales, and Ireland, so write Matthew Paris and Stow.

This troublesome yeere died Gualter Lacy Lord of Meath, leaving behind him two daughters, coheires to inherit his possession (to wit) Margret that was maried to the Lord Theobald Verdon and Mathilda married to Ieffray Genevile.

Amids these troubles in the flourishing daies of Maurice Fitz Gerald, Hubert de Burgo, Ieffray de Morisco, and Gualter de Lacy, whose ends followed according: The Noble Earle Richard Maxfield Lord Maxfield, Earle Marshall of England, spoken of before, and being by them maligned, was traitorously cut off by sundry devilish draughts. Matthew Paris wrot the Story at large, laid downe their practise on both the sides of the seas, their forged letters; and secretly as it were by stealth, fixing thereto the Kings seale: Hee cal∣leth

them traitors, Iudasses; and Ieffery de Morisco he termeth Achi∣tophell that gave wicked counsell. Hubert had a lamentable end, Ieffery dyed in misery, Lacy was shortly cut off, and Maurice Fitz Girald was with dishonour removed from his Iusticeship. This Maurice of the King desired to bee reconciled to Gilbert Marshall his brother, whom he greatly feared, and offered in satisfaction to build with all speed, a noble Monastery, and to endow the same with large posses∣sions, and to furnish it with a reverent covent, to pray for the soule of Richard Marshall: at length with much adoe, and importunate in∣treaty of the King and Nobility of England, Gilbert Marshall granted him peace; but of Earle Richards end I have spoken somewhat be∣fore.

About the yeere 1233. or 34. Hugh Mapleton, Bishop of Ossorie, whose Episcopall see was then at Achboo, in upper Ossorie, began the foundation of the Cathedrall Church, now standing in the Irish towne of Kilkenny, in the honour of God and Saint Canicus, (of whom the towne of Kilkenny hath the name) and is reckoned the first founder. Hee ordained three Canons for the service, hee gave them divers Churches and tithes for their maintenance, as in the foundation of those Chanons more at large doth appeare. He builded the Bishops Court of Aghor, adding thereto fish-ponds, fishings, and other necessaries. Such good men lived in those dayes.

At the same time came the King of Connaught, exhibiting a grie∣vous complaint unto Henry the third (saith Mathew Paris) against Iohn de Burgo, the sonne, as I suppose, of Hubert de Burgo before spo∣ken of; that he had entred his country with forces, and wasted the same with fire and sword, that it would please his Majestie to doe him justice, and command such rash attempts to be bridled, alledging that he was his loyall subject, and paid for his kingdome, an annuall pension, mounting to the summe of 5000▪ marks, ever since King Iohn had subdued his kingdome, and that he would rid him of that base upstart, or new commer which sought unjustly to disherit him. The King tendred his reasonable requests, and commanded Maurice Fitz Girald then present, to plucke up by the roote, the fruitlesse Plant, the which Hubert Earle of Kent had sometime planted in those parts, while he was in Ruffe, that it might budde no more. Hee wrote also unto the Nobilitie of Ireland, that they should banish the said Iohn de Burgo, and peaceably establish the King in his kingdome, who with these princely favours, joyfully returned into his country.

Anno 1235. (saith Cooper) the Irish men rebelled; so hee left it, and so I leave it too.

Anno 1236. Mathew Paris doth write that in the North parts not farre from the Abbey of Rochor Rupie, and also in Ireland, and the parts there abouts more apparantly, strange and wonderfull sights were seene, which amazed the beholders: to wit, there appeared

comming forth of the earth, companies of armed men on horseback, with Speare, Shield, Sword, and banners displaid in sundry formes and shapes, riding in battaile array, and encountring together; and this sight appeared sundry dayes each after other; sometimes they seemed to joyne as it had beene in battaile, and fought sore; and some∣times they seemed to just and breake staves, as if it had beene at some triumphant justs of torny. The people of the country beheld them a farre off with great wonder, for the skirmish shewed it selfe so live∣ly, that now and then they might see them come with their empty horses, sore wounded and hurt, and likewise men mangled and blee∣ding; A pittifull fight to behold, and that which seemed more strange, and most to be mervailed at, after they vanished away, the prints of their feet appeared in the ground, and the grasse trodden in those pla∣ces where they had beene seene.

Anno 1240. Petrus de Supino came from Pope Gregory into Ireland, with an authenticke papall mandate,* 2.13 requiring under paine of Ex∣communication, and other censures ecclesiasticall the twentieth part part of the whole land, besides donatives and private gratuities to the maintenance of his warres against Fredericke the Emperour, where he extorted, saith Mathew Paris, a thousand and five hundred markes, and above, saith Florilegus; at which time also one Petrus Pubeus, in∣titled the Popes Familiar, and kinsman, and both bastards, saith Bale, filled in like sort his fardles in Scotland. These Nuntioes were so craf∣ty, that they needed no Brokers, they secretly understood by Posts and Cursitors, the state of the Court of Rome, which quailed them full sore, that the Pope was either gone, or panted for life; secretly by the conduct of the Monkes of Canterbury, they were conveyed to Dover, where they tooke shipping, and crossed the seas. The Em∣perour Fredericke, against whom this provision was made, having intelligence thereof, and secretly acquainted with the Popes state, wrote to the King of England to apprehend such prollers, wherein he also reproved his cowardize. The Emperour when he understood that the birds were flowne away, made search for the neast, yet over∣tooke them in Italy; where, to be short, hee imprisoned them, their kindred and favourers rifled them of their money, and sent them to Rome to sing for more money: he that will reade the story more at large, let him repaire to Mathew Paris.

The same yeere, saith Mathew Paris, Andelmus borne in Cullen, a man highly commended for life and learning,* 2.14 was by the Bishop of Worcester, solemnly consecrated at Westminster, Archbishop of Ar∣magh, and Primate of Ireland, in the presence of the King, the Le∣gate,* 2.15 and many reverend Prelates.

Anno 1242. Maurice Fitz Girald, Lord Iustice of Ireland, builded the Castle of Sligoe.

Anno 1243. Clun and Dowlinge write, that Giraldus Fitz Mau∣rice,

Richardus de Burgo, and Hugh de Lacy, Earle of Vlster in Ire∣land, ended the way of all flesh, and was buried at Carechfergus. Ma∣thew Paris giveth Lacy great commendations, that he was a most renowned warriour, and a valiant Conquerour of a great part of Ire∣land. This Lacy left behinde him one daughter and heire, whom Walter de Burgo married, and in her right, became Earle of Vlster: of Richardus de Burgo, Mathew Paris writeth he had great possessions and lands in Ireland, by the conquest of his most Noble father.

Anno 1245. Florilegus, Powell (out of Gittin Owen) and Holinshed, doe write how that the Welch men rebelled against the King, and his forces being foyled by David ap Llewelin Prince of Wales, hee sent into Ireland to Maurice for ayde, and was in winter time mightily distressed, the which I finde by Powell recorded and written by a Noble man out of the campe unto his friends.

The King with his army lyeth at Gannocke, fortifying of that strong Castle, and we live in our Tents, thereby watching, fasting, praying, and freezing with cold; wee watch for feare of the Welch men, who are wont to invade and come upon us in the night time; we fast for want of meate, for the halfe penny loafe is worth five pence; we pray to God to send us home speedily; we starve for cold, wanting our winter garments, and having no more but a thinne lin∣nen cloath betweene us and the winde; there is an arme of the seas un∣der the Castle where we lye, whereto the tyde commeth, and many shippes come up to the haven, which bring victuals to the Campe, from Ireland and Chester. The King all this while expected the ar∣rivall of Maurice Fitz Girald, with his Irish forces, mused with him∣selfe, fretted with himselfe, the winde serving, and yet said nothing; at length the Irish sayles are discryd, a shore they came, and Maurice Fitz Girald, (together with Phelina, Oconor) Oconoghor, saith another in battaile array, present themselves before the King at Chepstow, say the Irish Chroniclers, but the British Chroniclers coppied out of the Abbies of Conwey and Stratflur, by Owen Gittine, deliver they landed at the Ile of Man or Anglesey, the which in mine opinion see∣meth to be most likely to be true. For David ap Llewelin was Prince of North-Wales, and there kept his forces, & Chepstow is in South-Wales; and besides, it is agreed upon of all sides, that the Irish lan∣ding, spoyled the Ile of Anglesey, laded themselves with spoyles, and going to their ships, were driven to runne and leave all behinde; but to be short, when all the forces joyned together, the Welch men were overthrowne; the King manned and victualled his Castles, re∣turned into England, gave the Irish men leave to returne, winking a while in policie at the tarriance and slow comming of Maurice Fitz Girald: when Maurice Fitz Girald, Lord Iustice arrived in Ireland, he found O Donell the Irish enemy, upon the death of Hugh Lacy, in Armes, invading and sore annoying the Kings subjects in Vlster, and

called unto him Cormake Mac Dermot Mac Dory, with great forces, and entred Tireconell, preyed, burned, and spoyled, and vanquished the enemy; there he slue Moyleslaghlon O Donell, called King of Key∣vayle, together with Gille Canvinelagh, Obugill, and Mac Surley, cal∣led King of Oyrisgall, with divers others, gentlemen of those parts: in like sort many English men were cast away in the river, whose pas∣sage O Donell stopped, and slue there William Butt, high Sheriffe of Connaught, together with a valiant young Gentleman his brother. When the Lord Iustice had thus atchieved his purpose, hee manned and victualled the Castle of Sligo, tooke pledges of O Neale to keepe the Kings peace, and left them in the said Castle, gave Cormake Der∣mot Mac Dory that came to his aide, the moytie of Connaught, and returned with a great prey.

When this noble service was performed, the King disgorged him∣selfe, and what inwardly he had conceived, and for a while concei∣ved against the Lord Iustice,* 2.16 he then in writing delivered, and remo∣ved Maurice Fitz Girald out of his Iusticeship, and placed in his roome, Iohn Fitz Ieffery de Morisco, the which the Irish Chroniclers have suppressed, yet Florilegus and Holinshed doe write, Mauritium Hiberniae Iustitiariū eo quod ficte & tarde auxilium ab hibernia domi∣no Regi duxerat periclitanti a Iustitiaria Deposuit.

This Maurice departed out of this world, Anno Dom. 1256. was buried saith Clyn in the habit of the Fryers Minors at Yough-halle, the which Morice had founded, of whom Mathew Paris saith thus; he was a valiant Knight, a very pleasant man, inferiour to none in Ire∣land, who sometime swayed the land when hee had the sword of Iu∣sticeship; this man lived with commendations all the dayes of his life, but peradventure falsly reported of, and stained in the end with the death of Richard, Earle Marshall.

Anno 1247. after that Henry the third, and the Clergie of England and Ireland found themselves mightily grieved at the Popes exacti∣ons and intollerable extortions in England, Wales, and Ireland, and had signified the same in writing to the Court of Rome; whereupon saith Florilegus, the Court of Rome fretted and sorrowed, that their avarice was as well reproved, as restrained. Innocentius 4. devised in his conceit, a milder course to be held, that in stead of a greater summe, they should give him at that time out of those dominions, to supply his wants, but eleven thousand markes. Then saith Florilegus, Ma∣ster Iohannes Rusus was sent into Ireland, furnished with authority, diligently to collect the Popes money, as a Legate, yet not clad in scarlet, lest the Pope should offend the King of England, who hath this priviledge, that no Legate set foot on his land, unlesse hee be sent for, or licenced; but the said Iohn being a sophisticall Legate, vigi∣lantly plying the papall mandate, and his owne private gaine, extor∣ted out of Ireland, about sixe thousand markes; the which by the

conduite of the Clergie, was transported and conveied to Lon∣don, about the Feast of Saint Michaell the Archangell.

The same yeere, saith Florilegus, there was a marveilouse and strange Earthquake over England; but saith Felcon, over Ireland:* 2.17 And all the West of the world, and there followed immediatly a continu∣all untemperature of the ayre, with a filthy skurfe; the Winter stor∣my cold and wet, which continued untill the 11. of Iuly, and put the Gardeners, Fruterers, and Husbandmen void of all hope, in so much they complained that Winter was turned to Summer, and Summer to Winter, and that they were like to lose all, and bee un∣done.

Anno 1252. saith Dowling and Grace, and the English Anoni∣mus, but Clyn and Florilegus write, that it was 1254. King Henry gave to Prince Edward his sonne, Gascoigne, Ireland, Wales, Bristow, Stanford and Grantham, and sent him to Alphonsus King of Spaine, to take Ellionor his sister to wife, where hee was by the said King Knighted, and returned together with his wife into England, with great riches.

Anno 1255. Alanus de la Zouch, was made Lord Iustice; so I finde in the Booke of Houth, after his departure out of Ireland, hee being a Lord Baron, and chiefe Iustice in England; Florilegus, Humfrey Loid and Stow, doe write the Story how hee came to his end; great strife rose in England, betweene certaine of the Nobility, about territories lands and titles, whereto each side made claime; the matters in controversie, by direction from the King were decided in Westminster Hall; the first Controversie was betweene Iohn Earle of Surrey and Warren, and Hugh de Lacy Earle of Lincolne, which went upon Lacy his side. The second was, betweene this Earle War∣ren and Allan de la Zouch, this Zouch being Chiefe Iustice asked Earle Warren, how he held his land, Earle Warran drew foorth his sword and said, by this mine Ancestors held the same, and by this I presently hold it, and with that ranne the Chiefe Iustice through in Westminster Hall, and in his flight wounded also his sonne; thence hee fled to his Castle at Risgate, whome Prince Edward the Kings eldest sonne pursued with an Army; to whom the Earle submitted himselfe, and afterwards with friends, and what with money paci∣fied all.

Anno 1256. in the warres of Lewelin Prince of Wales, so I find in the records of Conway & Stratflur Copied by Gettine Owen.* 2.18 Edward Earle of Chester, fell to outrage one while against the King, another while against the Welshmen; his Army was 1500. foot and 500. horse. Henry the third together with Richard Earle of Cornewall, and King of Almane wrote unto him gently, wishing him to returne to his Country and keepe the peace, and not to provoke the Welshmen to Armes; the which he refused to doe, but sent to the

Irishmen for succour and supplies. Prince Edward the Kings eldest sonne, understanding thereof, rigged a Navy, met with the Irish fleet, killed their men and sunck their ships, few onely remaining to returne, and to make report of this hard successe in Ireland; In a while after, the King raised warres against Lewellin Prince of Wales, and the Welshmen (saith Paris, Causa autem eorum etiam hostibus eorum justa videbatur,) and was brought to a narrow straight, so that he sent to Ireland, and to Gascoigne for succour; the Irishmen not forgetting their late overthrow, were loath to come (being of all sides driven to serve) in the end came, and joyned with their Kings forces, where no memorable act was performed, for God, saith Paris, defended the poore people that put their whole confidence in him.

About this time, to wit, Anno 1256. Florished Iohannes De Sacro Bosco;* 2.19 Bale out of Leland, will have him to be a Yorkeshire man, and terme him Iohn Holyfaxe, Stanihurst writeth he was borne in Ireland at Holy Wood, in Fingall, some 12. miles from Dublin, and there∣fore called Iohannes De Sacro Bosco, which carried great likly-hood with it, untill they are reconciled (which side prevaileth, I waigh not greatly) I thought good to insert him, for so much as his great lear∣ning graced him unto the posterity: In his springing yeeres hee suckt the sweet milk of good learning, in the famous Vniversity of Oxford; afterwards he went to Paris, where he professed the learned Sciences, with singular commendations, and there slumbreth in the dust of the earth, whose exequies and funerals were there with great lamentations solemnized: first, hee followed Aristotle, afterwards gave himselfe to the Mathematikes, and addicted himselfe so much thereto, that none of the posterity (as is thought) could follow him; hee wrote.

De Spaera Mundi

lib. 1. Tractatum de spaera, quatuor.

De Algorismo

lib. 1. Omnia quae a primeva rerum orig.

De Anni Ratione

lib. 1. Cmoputus scientiam considerans.

Breviarium Iuris

lib. 1. Verborum superficie penitus.

Vpon his Tombe together with the Mathematicall Astrolabe, was insculped as followeth.

* 2.20M. Christi bis. C. quarto deno quater anno, De Sacro Bosco discrevit tempora ramus, Gratia cui nomen dederat divina Iohannes.

* 2.21Anno 1258. Stepham Espee, alias De longa spatha, that is Stepham with the long skeine or two handed sword, Earle of Salibury, as I sup∣pose, was made Lord Iustice of Ireland; this Stepham gave battell

unto Oneile, and the rebels of Vlster and Conaght, and slue of them together with Oneile (saith Clinne) in one day, three hundred fifty and two, and departed this life, saith Florilegus, 1260.

Anno 1260. William Denne was made Lord Iustice, in whose time Greene Castle, Arx Viridis was destroyed,* 2.22 and the Carties plaied the Divells in Desmond, where they burned, spoiled, preyed, and slue many an innocent; they became so strong, and prevailed so mightily that for the space (so it is reported) of twelue yeeres the Desmonds durst not put plow in ground in his owne Country; at length through the operation of Satan, a bane of discord was throw∣en betweene the Carties and the Odriscoles: Odonovaies Mac Do∣noch, Mac Mahonna, Mac Swines, and the inhabittants of Muscrie, in so much that by their cruell dissention, they weakened themselves of all sides, that the Desmond in the end overcame and overtopped them all; but in the beginning of these garboils, I find that the Car∣ties slue of the Desmonds, Iohn Fitz Thomas founder of the Mona∣stery and Covent of Trally, together with Maurice his sonne; eight Barons 15. Knights, beside infinite others, at a place called Callan, where they were buried. Mine Authors are Iohn Clinne onely, and the Booke, of Houth. In the end of these tumults, dyed Sir William Denny Lord Iustice, Anno 1261. Richardus de Capella,* 2.23 otherwise called Rochell (Clinne calleth him La Rochell de Capella) became Lord Iustice of Ireland.

Anno 1262. There rose in Dublin a great stirre betweene the Prior and Covent of the blessed Trinity now called Christ-Church, and the Communalty of the City, about the tithe fish of the Liffy.

Anno 1264. Walter Bourke, commonly called Walterus de Burgo (spoken of before) was made Earle of Vlster, hee had married the daughter and heire of Sir Hugh Delacy the younger, and in her right enjoyed the Earledome.

The Booke of Houth layeth downe the descent, that this Wal∣ter by the said heire of Vlster had issue Walter, and hee had issue five daughters; 1. Ellen that married Robert le Bruse King of Scotland; 2. Elizabeth, that married the Earle of Gloster; 3. Iohan, that mar∣ried Thomas Earle of Kildare; 4. Katherine, that married the Earle of Louth; 5. Margaret, that married the Earle of Desmond; the 6. Ellinor, that married with the Lord Multon, notwithstanding these honourable matches and amity concluded in the outward sight of the world there rose deadly warres between the Giraldins and Burks, which wrought blood sheds, troubles by partaking throughout the Realme of Ireland; at the same time the fury of the Giraldins was so outragious, in so much that Morice Fitz Maurice the second, Earle of Desmond, opposed himselfe against the sword, and tooke at Trisledermote now called Castle Dermocke; Richard de Capella the

Lord Iustice, Theoball le Butler and Iohn or Millis de Cogan, and committed them to the prisons in Leix and Donamus; but the yeere following, Henry the third not pleased with these commoti∣ons and hurly burlies, by mature advice taken of his Councell, paci∣fied the variance betweene them; discharged Denny of his Iustice∣ship, and appointed David Barry Lord Iustice in his place.

* 2.24Anno 1267. David Barry tooke, by the appointment of the King, the sword of Iusticeship and the command of Ireland, and quelled or tamed (saith the English Anonymos) the inso∣lent dealing of Morice Fitz Maurice, Cousin german to Gi∣rald.

The same yeere, saith (Iohn Clinne) the Fryers Preachers, first of all settled themselves at Rosse in Wexford,* 2.25 and the Minors at Kilkennie, and two yeeres after at Clone∣mell.

Anno 1268. Conochur Obrian was slaine by Dermot Mac Mo∣nard;* 2.26 and the same yeere (saith Felcon and Clinne) Maurice Fitz Gerald Earle of Desmond, was drowned crossing the seas between England and Ireland, leaving behind him a sonne and heire, of the age of 3. yeeres and a halfe.

* 2.27The same yeere, Robert Vfford became Lord Iustice of Ireland, and began to build the Castle of Roscommon.

Anno 1269. Richard de Excester was made Lord Iustice, who dyed the same yeere, together with his wife Margery de Say; the same yeere (saith Florilegus) Othobone the Popes Legat, held a Councell at Paules in London, where he called before him the Clergy of En∣gland, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, and left among them certaine constitutions, which were afterward, commended by Linwood, and are at this day in request, the which constitutions of Otho and Otho∣bon, were afterwards confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in Ed. 1. raigne. Holinshead.

* 2.28Anno 1270. The Lord Iames Audley was made Lord Iustice of Ireland, and dyed with the fall of a horse; in his time Florilegus and Holinshead note, there was great commotion in Ireland, the Irish tooke Armes against the English, burned, spoiled, destroied and slue as well the Magistrates as others. Clinne goeth more particularly to worke, and delivereth how that the King of Conaght by force of Armes, in the plaine field overthrew Walter Burke Earle of Vlster, who hardly escaped with life, yet dyed the yeere following, and slue a great number of Nobles, and Knights, that held with the Burk, and among others, by especiall name the Lord Richard Verdon, and the Lord Iohn Verdon, and that there ensued over all Ireland great famine and pestilence, as the sequell of warres.

About this time, say our Antiquaries, the Bishop of Rome sent to Ireland, requiring the tithes of all spirituall promotions for 3. yeeres

to come to maintaine his warres against the King of Aragon, the which was greatly murmured at, and gainesaid, yet the Nuntio went not empty away.

Anno 1272. the most renowned King Henry the third, having li∣ved 65. yeeres, and raigned 56. and 28: dayes, ended his dayes, and was buried at Westminster. Edward, the first of that name, sonne of King Henry the third, surnamed Long-shankes, of the age of 35. yeers, began his raigne, Anno 1272.

Anno 1272. and the first of Edward the first his raigne,* 2.29 Maurice Fitz Maurice was made Lord Iustice, in whose time the Irish brake out into cruell rebellion, rased and destroyed the Castles of Aldleeke, Roscommon, Scheligath and Randon; this Maurice, (saith Clyn) not long after was betrayed by his owne followers in Ophali, taken and imprisoned.

Anno 1273. the Lord Walter Genvill (who lately returned home from the Holy Land) was sent into Ireland,* 2.30 and appointed Lord Iu∣stice: in his time (so write Dowlinge and Grace) the Scots and Red-shankes out of the high land crossed the seas, burned townes and vil∣lages, most cruelly killed man, woman and childe, tooke a great prey, and returned home afore the country could make preparation to pur∣sue them: but in a while after, to bee revenged of them, Vlster and Connaught mustred a great Armie under the leading of Richar∣dus de Burgo, and Sir Eustacele Poer knight, made after them, entred the Islands, and high land of Scotland, slue as many as they could finde, burned their Cabbans and Cottages, and such as dwelt in caves and rockes under ground (as the manner is to denne out Fox∣es) they fired and smothered to death, covering their entrances into the ground with great and huge stones, and so returned into Ire∣land.

Anno 1276. what time Thomas Clare came into Ireland, and mar∣ried the daughter of Maurice Fitz Maurice. The Castle of Roscom∣mon was taken by the Irish, and a great overthrow given vnto the English men at Glynburry (Glandelory, saith Clyn) where William Fitz Roger, Prior of the Kings hospitallers, and many others, were taken prisoners, and a great number of others were slaine; at what time also Ralph Pepard, and Otholand gave O Neale a sore battaile.

Anno 1277. Walter Lord Genuill was sent for into England,* 2.31 and Robert Vfford the second time tooke the office of Iusticeship; at this time Muridath or Murtagh, a notable rebell, was taken at the No∣raght, by Gualter de Fant, and executed: Thomas Clare likewise in

this rebellion, slue Obryan Roe, King of Thomond, and yet after this, the Irish drew such a draught, that they closed him up in Slew Ban∣ny, together with Maurice Fitz Maurice his father in law, and all their forces, untill they gave hostages to escape with their lives, upon condition to make satisfaction for the death of O brian and his fol∣lowers, and in the meane while to yeeld them up the Castle of Ros∣common, although the conditions seemed hard & prejudiciall to the Kings Maiesty, yet were they driven for safeguard of their lives to condiscend thereunto. In this rebellious season, to cleere himselfe, that in his owne person he came not to daunt the enemy, Robert Vf∣ford the Lord Iustice was sent for into England, who substituted in his roome, one Fryer Robert Fulborne, Bishop of Waterford, who when he had cleered himselfe, came and resigned his place of Iustice∣ship.

* 2.32Anno 1278. there rose civill warres, no better then rebellion, be∣tweene Mac Dermot de Moylargo, and Cathgur O Conoghor, King of Connaught, where there was great slaughter and bloud-shed on both sides, and the King of Connaught slaine. Raphaell Holinshed in his Irish collection thinketh that there were slaine at that time, above two thousand persons. The King of England hearing thereof, was migh∣tily displeased with the Lord Iustice, and sent for him into England, to yeeld reason why he would permit such shamefull enormities un∣der his governement. Robert Vfford substituted Robert Fulborne, (as before) satisfied the King that all was not true that hee was charged withall, and for further contentment, yeelded this reason, that in po∣licie he thought it expedient to winke at one knave cutting off ano∣ther, and that would save the Kings Coffers, and purchase peace to the land; whereat the King smiled, and bid him returne to Ireland.

* 2.33Anno 1279. (Stow is mine Author) King Edward commanded groats of foure pence a piece, pence, halfe pence, and farthings, to be coyned, and to be currant through England and Ireland, not decry∣ing the old; whereupon saith he, these verses were made:

Edward did smite round penny, halfe penny, farthing, The crosse passes the bond, of all throughout the ring: The Kings side was his head, and his name written, The crosse side, what Citie it was made in, coyned and smitten. The poore man ne to Priest, the penny frayses nothing, Men give God aye the least, they feast him with a farthing: A thousand two hundred, fourescore yeeres and moe, On this money men wondred, when it first began to goe.

Anno 1280. the Citie of Waterford saith Clyn,* 2.34 through some foule mischance was all set on fire; others report that some Merchant stran∣ger being wronged, as they thought, by the Citizens, brought bagges of powder out of their ships, and threw them in the night season, in at their sellers windowes, and coales of fire after them, and spoyled the City in that sort, that it was long after ere they could recover themselves.

Anno 1281. Robert Fulborne Bishop of Waterford,* 2.35 was by dire∣ction from the King, ordained Lord Iustice of Ireland. This yeere there was a great rebellion in Connaught, and in upper Ossory,* 2.36 and in Archloe, which cost many mens lives, but the ringleaders were cut off. Adam Cusack slue William Barret and his brethren, which con∣tended about lands. In Connaught, Hogken Mac Gill Patricke was cut off; in Vppsory, Murtough Mac Muroch, with Art: his brother, lost their heads at Wickloe, another saith at Artchloe, so Clyn and Dow∣linge doe report.

Anno 1283. (it is remembred by Clyn and others) that a great part of Dublin was burned. Campanile & Capitulum sanctae Trinitatis,* 2.37 saith mine Author, the belfrie or steeple and Chapter house of the blessed Trinity, with the Dormiture and Cloyster. Others write that certaine Scots to be revenged upon some Citizens for wronging of them, set Skinner-Row a fire, and by that meanes the fire ranne into Christ Church, but the citizens of Dublin (therein greatly to bee commended) before they went about to repaire their owne private houses, agreed together to make a collection for repayring the ruine of that antient Church.

Anno 1284. flourished Ieffery,* 2.38 or (as Clyn writeth) Galfridus de sancto Leodegario, Bishop of Ossorie, the second founder of the Ca∣thedrall Church of Setus Canicus, and the first founder of the Col∣ledge of the Vicars of the same Church, who gave unto the Colledge and vickars of the same Church, for the maintenance of divine Ser∣vice, his Manse and lodging, with the edifices thereunto adjoyning, the rectory of Kilkesh, and revenue de manubrinnio, one marke ster∣ling, of the Abbot of Duiske, for the land of Scomberlowaie with other revenues. The said Ieffery by combate (the combatants I finde not recorded) anno 1284. recovered the Mannor of Sirekeran in Elly, now Ocarolls country. He builded part of the Mannors of Aghboo and Dorogh, he builded a great part of the Church of Saint Canicus, formerly begunne by Hugh Mapilton his Predecessor, hee exchanged the towne Scomkarthie, for the towne of Killamerry, with William Marshall the Earle of Penbroke, in his kinde of devotion he injoyned the collegiat Vicars of Kilkenny to celebrate the universary and ani∣versary

of the reverend fathers his predecessors, Walter Barkeley, Gal∣frid Turvill, Hugh Mapilton, and others, and his successors and Ca∣nons in the said Church of Ossory. He established other things for the good of the Burgesses of Crosse ..... in the Irish towne of Kil∣kenny, as in the foundation of the Burgesses there more at large doth appeare: he dyed Anno 1286. and lyeth buried before the Chappell of our Lady, in the Cathedrall Church.

Thus farre the Collections of Doctor Hanmer: the Continuation following is taken out of the Chroni∣cles of Henry Marleburrough.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Bartholanus in Ireland.
• * 1.2

  Oceanus inva∣deth Ireland.
• * 1.3

  Victory with cruelty turneth to the hurt of the conquerors
• * 1.4

  A grievous in∣fection.
• * 1.5

  Of Ruanus:
• * 1.6

  Of Cesara and Fintan.
• * 1.7

  Anno mundi 2317 Neme∣dus and his foure sonnes arrive.
• * 1.8

  Arrivall of Ga∣thelus the Greek.
• * 1.9

  Scot. Hist. lib. 4▪
• * 1.10

  Hector Boet. in descript. regni Scotia. Et lib. •• histor. Scot.
• * 1.11

  Iohannes Cap∣grave in vita Sancti Colum. Idem in vita Sancti Fiacrij.
• * 1.12

  Beda Ang. hist. lib. 1. cap. 1.
• * 1.13

  Volat geograph. lib. 3. Io. Maior de gest. Scot. l. 1. c. 4. De rebus Hiber. lib. 1.
• * 1.14

  Io. Maior. hist. Scot. lib. 1. c. 9.
• * 1.15

  Laur. Surius ver. in orbe gest. ud annum. 1501
• * 1.16

  Bodinus. Pausanias:
• * 1.17

  Camb. descrip. Brit. cap. 7.
• * 1.18

  Five sonnes of Dela arrive in Ireland, anno mundi 2535.
• * 1.19

  First division of Ireland.
• * 1.20

  Meth why so called.
• * 1.21

  Invasion of Scythians.
• * 1.22

  Anno mundi 2828
• * 1.23

  Anno mundi 3580
• * 1.24

  Gurguntius meeteth with Bartholin, Hi∣ber and Her∣mon.
• * 1.25

  Gurguntius gi∣veth Ireland to them.
• * 1.26

  Booke of Houth.
• * 1.27

  Hiber and Her∣mon divide Ireland into two parts.
• * 1.28

  One brother killeth ano∣ther.

  The second Monarch of Ireland.
• * 1.29

  Ireland divi∣ded into five kingdomes▪
• * 1.30

  Divers divisi∣ons in Ireland.
• * 1.31

  A Monarch alwaies in Ire∣land.
• * 1.32

  Ireland called Hibernia.
• * 1.33

  Divers names of Ireland.
• * 1.34

  Stainhurst de reh. Hib. pa. 17.
• * 1.35

  Camden in Hebernia.
• * 1.36

  Lanquet ad Annum 3652.
• * 1.37

  Anno mundi, 36521
• * 1.38

  Fergusius. Buchanan.
• * 1.39

  Armes of Fer∣gusius.
• * 1.40

  Tanistrie of Ireland used in Scotland.
• * 1.41

  Anno mundi, 3750.
• * 1.42

  Reuthar.
• * 1.43

  Iosina Thereus.
• * 1.44

  Io. Bale cent. 14.
• * 1.45

  Gillus.
• * 1.46

  Fridelenus the Dane taketh Dublin.
• * 1.47

  Frotho King of Denmarke. Alb. Krant. Dan. lib. 1. cap. 32. Saxo Gr. hist. Dan. lib. 5.
• * 1.48

  IESVS CHRIST is borne. Claudius. Arviragus. Flor. histor.
• * 1.49

  Beda eccles. hist. Angl. lib. 1. c. 3. Eutropius re∣rum Rom. lib. 8.
• * 1.50

  Camden pa. 557
• * 1.51

  Brigantes.
• * 1.52

  Florianus del Campo.
• * 1.53

  Seneca.
• * 1.54

  Arviragus.
• * 1.55

  Saxo Gram. hist. Dan. lib. 6. Albertus Krantz. Dan. lib. 1. Frotho 4.
• * 1.56

  Haco and Star∣cuterus in Ireland.
• * 1.57

  Dufflania or Dublin ran∣sacked by them
• * 1.58

  Of the com∣ming of the Pictes or Scy∣thians into these parts.
• * 1.59

  Io. Magnus Goth. Hist. lib. 1 cap. 27. Beda eccles. hist. gentis Aug. lib. 1 cap. 1.
• * 1.60

  Pictes saile into Britaine.
• * 1.61

  They obtaine wives of the Scots.
• * 1.62

  Scots under Reuda saile out of Ireland into Britaine.
• * 1.63

  Hect. Boet. Scot. hist. lib. 4.
• * 1.64

  Anno Dom. 53.
• * 1.65

  Polychron lib 1. cap. 1. cap. 37.
• * 1.66

  Io. Harding Chronig. Mewinus.
• * 1.67

  Flor. hist. Mewinus was also called Melkinus. Io. Bale cent. 1: cap. 57. wrote his life. The stone Regall of Scotland.
• * 1.68

  Pol. lib. 1. cap. 58
• * 1.69

  Ponticus Viru∣nius.
• * 1.70

  Io. Bale. Script. Brytan. centur. 8
• * 1.71

  Scotland for Albania from hence forward
• * 1.72

  Anno Dom. 73.
• * 1.73

  Galf. Mon.
• * 1.74

  Booke of Houth.

  Anno Dom. 310 The history of Realmond, King of Vlster.
• * 1.75

  Duke of Cornewall. Castreus the Gyant
• * 1.76

  Sax. Gram. hist. Dan. lib. 7.
• * 1.77

  The Danes come to Ireland.
• * 1.78

  The genealo∣gie of Fin Erin, or Fin Mac Coyll.
• * 1.79

  Eric or Erin what it signifi∣eth.
• * 1.80

  Erin or Ireland of whom so called.
• * 1.81

  Occasions of the battaile of Fentra.
• * 1.82

  Strangers in∣tend the utter subversion of the Irish nati∣on.
• * 1.83

  A strange bat∣taile if it be true.
• * 1.84

  Gillemore of Thomond re∣volteth.
• * 1.85

  Gillemore re∣turneth.
• * 1.86

  The battaile of Fentra.
• * 1.87

  The severall garrisons of the Danes.
• * 1.88

  Beacons ap∣pointed in Ireland by Fin Mac Koill.
• * 1.89

  Karbre Lifea∣cher Monarch of Ireland.
• * 1.90

  The insolent devices of the Danes.
• * 1.91

  Forces of the Irish and Danes.
• * 1.92

  Garrestowne. The marshal∣ling of the Danes at the battaile of Ardkath.
• * 1.93

  Hol-trase. Order of the Kings of Ire∣land at the▪ field of Ard∣kath.
• * 1.94

  Dermot Lamh∣dhearg King of Leinster.
• * 1.95

  The King of Leinsters speech.
• * 1.96

  Osker Mac O∣shen his speech.
• * 1.97

  Fabian part 6. cap. 198. wri∣teth that the Danes did the like in Eng∣land.
• * 1.98

  The battaile of Ardkath.
• * 1.99

  The King of Leinster slai∣eth the King of Denmarke his sonne.

  The Danes overcome.
• * 1.100

  Ferreis a Dane fell madde.
• * 1.101

  Fin Mac Coile.
• * 1.102

  The Danes disagree in Ireland.
• * 1.103

  Fin Mac Coile taketh the King of Denmarke prisoner.
• * 1.104

  Overcommeth a Gyant.
• * 1.105

  Gorre burneth Fin Mac Coiles house.
• * 1.106

  He is killed by his own sonne. The end of Fin Mac Coill.
• * 1.107

  W. Harrison in the descripti∣on of Brit. Georg. Buchan. veg. Scot. lib. 4.
• * 1.108

  H. Boet. Scot. hist. lib. 6.
• * 1.109

  Irish consult how to helpe the Scots a∣gainst the Ro∣mans.
• * 1.110

  Conditions of peace between the Romans and Irish.
• * 1.111

  Ponticus Viru∣nius lib. 4.
• * 1.112

  Tho. Cooper.
• * 1.113

  Rerum Scot. lib. 5.
• * 1.114

  Cambrensis.
• * 1.115

  Stan. in appen∣dice.
• * 1.116

  Anno Dom. 430. Prosper in Chro. Palladius.
• * 1.117

  Geo. Buchanan. ••ey Scot. lib. 5.
• * 1.118

  Iocelin in vita Sancti Patricij cap. 24.
• * 1.119

  Christian faith in Ireland.
• * 1.120

  Colmannus and Dymna.

  The life of Saint Declanus.
• * 1.121

  Familie of the Decies.
• * 1.122

  Engus King of Mounster.
• * 1.123

  Ard-naciored, i. Altitudo ovium, now Ardmore.
• * 1.124

  Albaeus, Decla∣nus, Ybarus, Keran.
• * 1.125

  Emulation.
• * 1.126

  Cassill Church is built and made mother-Church of Mounster.

  A Parliament.
• * 1.127

  A great pesti∣lence in Mounster.
• * 1.128

  The life of Saint Albaeus.
• * 1.129

  King Cronanus of Eliach.
• * 1.130

  King Fintan baptized.
• * 1.131

  Ymleach or Emley.
• * 1.132

  Biga and Bre∣tach Nunnes. Nessanus the Antiquarie. The life of Saint Kyaranus or Keran.
• * 1.133

  Keran the first Bishop of Ossorie.
• * 1.134

  Itinerarium Cambriae.
• * 1.135

  The life of Saint Ybarus.
• * 1.136

  The life of Ab∣banus the Ab∣bot.
• * 1.137

  Saint Finan.
• * 1.138

  Saint Becanus.
• * 1.139

  Emenus the Abbot.
• * 1.140

  Civitas Ma∣garnoid.
• * 1.141

  The life of Saint Patricke.
• * 1.142

  Anno Christi, 422. Iocel. in praef. ad vitam Patric.
• * 1.143

  Sigeb. ad an. 432. Iohannes Clyn Antiq. Hiber.
• * 1.144

  Iohn Bale Scrip. Britt. cent. 1. & 14.
• * 1.145

  Segetius sent with Saint Pa∣trick.
• * 1.146

  Saint Patricks works.
• * 1.147

  Probus lib. 2. of his life men∣tioneth it.
• * 1.148

  S. Patrick buri∣ed in Downe.
• * 1.149

  Authors that wrote of Saint Pacrick.
• * 1.150

  Ioc. in vita Pa∣tricis cap. 12.
• * 1.151

  Milcho his daughters are babtized. Laigerius Mo∣narch of Ire∣land, withstan∣deth S. Patr.
• * 1.152

  Saint Pat. pro∣phecie of the Monarch.
• * 1.153

  Mocho Bishop of Dune.
• * 1.154

  Benignus or Ste∣phanus, succes∣sour to Saint Patricke. A Nunne (saith Iocelin) was in love with him, sent for him to her bed, but the signe of the Crosse made all well. Erchus or Her∣kus a Bishop.
• * 1.155

  Ioc. cap. 49.51.53.68.69. & seq.

  Mac Carly. Saint Pa••. sisters.
• * 1.156

  Lumianus Bi∣shop of Ahtrum.
• * 1.157

  Conallus Lord of Connaght.
• * 1.158

  Saint Patricks prophecie of Dublin.
• * 1.159

  Dublin belee∣veth and is baptized.
• * 1.160

  Saint Patricks Well.

  Morguus of Castleknoke.
• * 1.161

  Engus and Da∣ris receive Saint Pat.
• * 1.162

  Vrmiunnan or Ormond.
• * 1.163

  King Eochu and his daugh∣ter baptized.
• * 1.164

  Cecubris the first Nunne in Ireland.
• * 1.165

  King Conallus and Fergus baptized.
• * 1.166

  Saint Pat. in Britaine.
• * 1.167

  Pelagians.
• * 1.168

  Isle of Man.
• * 1.169

  Eocchiad and Dublinia raised from death.
• * 1.170

  Dublin whence so called▪ Saint Pat. man∣ner of teaching
• * 1.171

  Iocelin c. 1••2.
• * 1.172

  Saint Patricks three petitions for Ireland. Flor. histor. Anton Chron. part 2. tit. 11. cap. 18.
• * 1.173

  Saint Patricks workes and la∣bour in Ireland Iocelin cap. 187.
• * 1.174

  Ioc. cap. 164. and 198.
• * 1.175

  Strife for Saint Patricks body.
• * 1.176

  The life of Saint Brigide.
• * 1.177

  Bernard in vita Malachiae.
• * 1.178

  A Synode by Dublin.
• * 1.179

  Kildare:
• * 1.180

  Bishops of Kil∣dare.
• * 1.181

  Scot. hist. lib. 9▪
• * 1.182

  Brigides death.
• * 1.183

  Saint Darlu∣dach.
• * 1.184

  Illand King of Leinster.
• * 1.185

  The life of Cae∣lius Sedulius.
• * 1.186

  Iohannes Bale Script. Brit. cent. 14.
• * 1.187

  The workes of Caelius Sedulius.
• * 1.188

  R. Stan. prefa••. ad lib. 1. de r••b. Hib.
• * 1.189

  Append. ad cap. 17·
• * 1.190

  The life of Fridelinus Via∣tor Io. Bale script. Britanic cent. 14.
• * 1.191

  Saint Fekin.
• * 1.192

  The life of Saint Modwen
• * 1.193

  Saint Sith the Virgin.
• * 1.194

  The reader is not bound to beleeve this.
• * 1.195

  Osmanna the Virgin.
• * 1.196

  Tathe the Monke••
• * 1.197

  The stones of Salisbury sent for into Ire∣land.
• * 1.198

  Gillomer, King of Leinster.
• * 1.199

  Stonehenge.
• * 1.200

  In praefatione ad hist. Dan••.
• * 1.201

  Io. Harding.
• * 1.202

  Gillomer, King of Leinster, slaine at Saint Davids in Wales.
• * 1.203

  Anno Dom. ••25.
• * 1.204

  Homage for Ireland.
• * 1.205

  Marogh, one of K. Arthurs Knights▪
• * 1.206

  Rich. Robinson in his bookes of Armes and Archerie.
• * 1.207

  Caxton, and the booke of Houth.
• * 1.208

  Sir Tristram, & La Bell Isod.
• * 1.209

  Marke, King of Cornewall married La Bell Isod. Iealousie.
• * 1.210

  The life of Congellus a Britaine.
• * 1.211

  Bangor in Vlster▪
• * 1.212

  Congellus sup∣posed to be Irish.
• * 1.213

  Altitudo Vlto∣rum, now cal∣led the Arde••••
• * 1.214

  Brendans life.
• * 1.215

  Saint Fynbarry.
• * 1.216

  Lee ••lu.
• * 1.217

  Ex officio Sancti Finbarri.
• * 1.218

  Columbanus.
• * 1.219

  Columba.
• * 1.220

  Battaile of Cule-Dreibne.
• * 1.221

  Beda Ang▪ hist. lib. 5. cap. 10.
• * 1.222

  3 Columba.
• * 1.223

  Io. Capgrave.
• * 1.224

  Columbanus his Irish disciples▪ Deicolus. Gallus.
• * 1.225

  Ionas a Monke
• * 1.226

  4 Columb.
• * 1.227

  Colmannus and Colme.
• * 1.228

  Saint Mochudu
• * 1.229

  The life of Saint Machu∣tus or Maclo∣vius.
• * 1.230

  Iles of Aron.
• * 1.231

  Io. Bale cent. 1.
• * 1.232

  Saint Kenteger∣nus.
• * 1.233

  Ruadanus his life.
• * 1.234

  Saint Faghua his life.
• * 1.235

  Saint Yta the Abbatesse.
• * 1.236

  Saint Mocoei∣noge.
• * 1.237

  Divers learned men.
• * 1.238

  Saint Coeinge∣nus.
• * 1.239

  Gleand-daloch.
• * 1.240

  Dymnach.
• * 1.241

  Saint Molva his life.
• * 1.242

  Saint Finnian his schoole. Luacha mons. Synna flu.
• * 1.243

  Mount Smoill
• * 1.244

  Divers Bishops and learned men.
• * 1.245

  Berua fl.
• * 1.246

  The life of Saint Munnu.
• * 1.247

  Lazerianus.
• * 1.248

  If they were as fa•• in those daies, as most of them pro∣ved after, there would have beene old fry∣ing.
• * 1.249

  Mount Margee
• * 1.250

  Saint Kenny his life.
• * 1.251

  Learned men.
• * 1.252

  Kilkenny.
• * 1.253

  Saint Kennies Church.
• * 1.254

  Saint Maula and her plague
• * 1.255

  Aedanus his life
• * 1.256

  Anmyre, King of Connaght.
• * 1.257

  Edus or Edanus King of Con∣naght.
• * 1.258

  Brandub, King of Leinster, Monarch of Ireland.
• * 1.259

  Fernes.
• * 1.260

  Ferne•• the Metropolitan See of Lein∣ster.
• * 1.261

  King Brandubs death.
• * 1.262

  Ferne, the bu∣riall place of the Kings of Leinster.
• * 1.263

  Warres against Leinster.
• * 1.264

  An Epistle from the Di∣vell.
• * 1.265

  Bishop Finan.
• * 1.266

  Capgrave. Martyrologe.
• * 1.267

  Abbot Finan.
• * 1.268

  Finan of Clu∣ayn jarhaird.
• * 1.269

  Colmannus.
• * 1.270

  Beda.
• * 1.271

  Edelthun and Egbert.
• * 1.272

  Colmannus, or Colmanellus.
• * 1.273

  Eadus the sonne of King Aimireach.
• * 1.274

  Carantocus or Cervagh.
• * 1.275

  Ireland subiect to the King of England.
• * 1.276

  Ile of Man▪
• * 1.277

  Anno Dom. 586
• * 1.278

  Gurmund••••
• * 1.279

  Dowlinge and Grace.
• * 1.280

  Duke of Lein∣ster and Baron of Margee.
• * 1.281

  Baron of Sliew Marrig.
• * 1.282

  Anno 587.
• * 1.283

  Ireland hel∣peth the Bri∣taines.
• * 1.284

  Ireland hel∣peth Cadwal∣lin.
• * 1.285

  Agilbertus of Ireland, the first Bishop of Winchester.
• * 1.286

  Brachanus, sonne of Hau∣laph, King of Ireland.
• * 1.287

  Beda eccles. hist. lib. 3. cap. 26.
• * 1.288

  Grafton.
• * 1.289

  Priests of for∣mer ages:
• * 1.290

  Saint Dympna the Virgin.
• * 1.291

  Saint Bertwin.
• * 1.292

  Hub Tho Com∣ment. de Tungris & Eburonibus.
• * 1.293

  Livinus.
• * 1.294

  Molanus nat. Sanctori Belgij. Chron lib. 13.
• * 1.295

  Arbogastus. Anno 646.
• * 1.296

  Fortanus. Vltanus. Egbertus. Wicbertus. Willibrodus.
• * 1.297

  Saint Switberd.
• * 1.298

  Werda given to Saint Swit∣bert.
• * 1.299

  Beda lib. 5. cap. 10.
• * 1.300

  Willibrode.
• * 1.301

  Switbert.
• * 1.302

  Fursaeus, Foi∣lanus, Vltanus.
• * 1.303

  Many other learned men of Irish birth, contemporane with Fursaeus.
• * 1.304

  Foilanus.
• * 1.305

  Fredegand.
• * 1.306

  Mombolus.
• * 1.307

  Eloquius.
• * 1.308

  Saint Autbert.
• * 1.309

  Saint Chilian.
• * 1.310

  Saint Fiacre.
• * 1.311

  Saint Cataldus. Saint Finan. Saint Sacodine.
• * 1.312

  King Indrake, Dominica.
• * 1.313

  Muriardachus Monarch of Ireland.
• * 1.314

  Saint Cuthbert.
• * 1.315

  Meldan and Eatan Bishops, sonnes to the Monarch of Ireland.
• * 1.316

  Anno 684.
• * 1.317

  Saxons in Ire∣land.
• * 1.318

  Beda eccles. hist. lib. 4. cap 26.
• * 1.319

  Anno 701.
• * 1.320

  Adamannus his life.
• * 1.321

  Gualafer, Bi∣shop.

  Saint Rumold. Zachar. Lip. de vitis Sanct. tom. 3.
• * 1.322

  Io. Molanus nat. Scotorum Belgi•• ex Martyrologo Mechlin.
• * 1.323

  Virgilius soliva∣gus·
• * 1.324

  Invasions of Norwegian•• and Danes.
• * 1.325

  Anno 799.
• * 1.326

  Turgesius came to Ireland, Anno 832.
• * 1.327

  Turgesius slaine
• * 1.328

  Iacob. Grace. Thad. Douling.
• * 1.329

  Amelanus, Sita∣racus and Ivorus.
• * 1.330

  Patricke, the Abbot.
• * 1.331

  Saint Patricks Purgatory.
• * 1.332

  Albertus Krantz Dan. lib. 2.
• * 1.333

  Ant. chron. p 2. tit. 11. cap. 1••▪
• * 1.334

  Evill Ficus.
• * 1.335

  Modwen.
• * 1.336

  Anno 877.
• * 1.337

  Brian and Cornelius.
• * 1.338

  Scots at the Band over∣throw the Irish.
• * 1.339

  Dublin receive the Scots. Cormack, Bi∣shop of Dub∣lin.
• * 1.340

  Anno 899.
• * 1.341

  Strange wormes.
• * 1.342

  Anno Dom. 900.
• * 1.343

  Danes in Ire∣land.
• * 1.344

  Anglesey spoy∣led by them of Dublin.
• * 1.345

  Hawlaffe, King of Ireland. Bromford saith Grafton.
• * 1.346

  Saint Maries Abbey foun∣ded by Dublin
• * 1.347

  Forananus his life.
• * 1.348

  Scots in Ire∣land.
• * 1.349

  Battaile of Clantarfe.
• * 1.350

  Bri••n Boroave.
• * 1.351

  The cause of the field of Clantarfe, out of the booke of Houth.
• * 1.352

  Saint Pappan.
• * 1.353

  Or Midleton.
• * 1.354

  Or Llechryd.
• * 1.355

  Saint Michan lived, Anno 1095.
• * 1.356

  Samuel, Bishop of Dublin.
• * 1.357

  Malchus, first Bishop of Waterford.
• * 1.358

  Celsus, Bishop of Armagh.
• * 1.359

  Malachias, Bi∣shop of Ar∣magh.
• * 1.360

  The battaile of Monad more.
• * 1.361

  Henry 2 was crowned King of England, 1154.
• * 1.362

  Anno 1170.
• * 1.363

  Anno 1172.
• * 2.1

  A Charter of agreement be∣tweene Henry 2. K••ng of En∣gland, and Ro∣deric King of Connoght.
• * 2.2

  Castles buil∣ded by Sir H de Lacy.
• * 2.3

  Sir H de Lacy. the yonger L. Iustice of lie▪
• * 2.4

  Oconnor K. of Conaght with 20000. men.
• * 2.5

  The conceit is that Chalus was casus lucis.
• * 2.6

  A rebellion in Thurles.
• * 2.7

  Blacke Mon∣day.
• * 2.8

  King Iohn in Ireland.
• * 2.9

  Iohn Graye B. of Norwich L. Deputy.
• * 2.10

  Castle of Du∣blin buildeth.
• * 2.11

  Schorchbill.
• * 2.12

  Maurice Fitz Girald Lord Iustice.
• * 2.13

  Petrus de Supino & Petrus Ru∣beus, Pope Gregories a∣gents in Ire∣land and Scot∣land, were rifled of all they had by the Emperour.
• * 2.14

  Andelmus, Pri∣mate of Ar∣magh.
• * 2.15

  The Castle of Sligoe builded Girald Fitz Maurice Ri∣cardus de Burgo in Gascoigne.
• * 2.16

  Iohn Fitz Ieffery Lord Iustice, Anno 1245.
• * 2.17

  A great Earth∣quake.
• * 2.18

  The Irish com∣ming to aid Ed. Earle of Che∣ster, were slaine and their ships suncke.
• * 2.19

  The life of Ioannes de Sa∣cro Bosco.
• * 2.20

  The Epitaph of Iohannes de Sacro Bosco.
• * 2.21

  Stepham Espee Lord Iustice of Ireland. The battell of Downe.
• * 2.22

  S. Willi. Denne Lord Iustice, Anno 1260.
• * 2.23

  Richardus de Chappella Lord Iustice of Ireland, Anno 1261.
• * 2.24

  David Barry Lord Iustice, Anno 1207.
• * 2.25

  The Fryers Preachers and Minors came to Ireland.
• * 2.26

  Maurice Fitz Girald Earle of Desmond drowned.
• * 2.27

  Robert Vfford Lord Iustice, Anno 1268. The Castle of Roscommon. Ric. de Exester Lord Iustice, Anno 1269. Othobone the Popes Legat.
• * 2.28

  Iames L. Audley Lord Iustice, Anno 1270. The Irish re∣bels.
• * 2.29

  Maurice Fitz Maurice, Lord Iustice, Anno 1272. called Rochfallath.
• * 2.30

  Walter Lord Genevill, Lord Iustice Anno 1273.
• * 2.31

  Robert Vfford Lord Iustice, Anno 1277.
• * 2.32

  Robert Vfford going into En∣gland, substitu∣ted Fulborne Bishop of Wa∣terford.
• * 2.33

  The groats, pence, halfe pence, and farthings were made.
• * 2.34

  Waterford burned.
• * 2.35

  Robert Fulborne Lord Iustice of Ireland.
• * 2.36

  Anno 1281.
• * 2.37

  Dublin burned
• * 2.38

  Galfridus de sancto Leodega∣rio.