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THis Province, called in Irish, Mown; in a more ordinary construction of speech,* 1.1 Wown▪ in Latine, Momonis; and in English, Mounster; lyeth open South-ward to the Verg••vian Sea:* 1.2 North-ward, it affront∣eth part of Counaught:* 1.3 The East is neigh∣boured by Leinster:* 1.4 and the West is al∣together washed with the West Ocean.* 1.5
* 1.6(2) The length thereof extended from Ballatimore Bay in her South, un∣to the Bay of Galway in her North, are about ninetie miles. Her broadest part from East to West,* 1.7 is from Waterford Haven to Feriter Haven, and containeth an hundred miles. The whole circumference, by following the prom••taries and indents, are above five hundred and fortie miles.
* 1.8(3) The forme thereof is quadrant or foure-square. The aire milde and temperate,* 1.9 neither too chilling cold, nor too scorching hot. The soyle in some parts is hilly,* 1.10 looking aloft with woody, wilde, and solita∣ry mountaines:* 1.11 yet the vallies below are garnished with corne-fields. And generally, all, both pleasant for sight, and fertile for soyle.
* 1.12(4) This Province is at this day divided into two parts: that is, the West Mounster, and the South Mounster. The West Mounster was inha∣bited in old time by the Luccui,* 1.13 the Velabri,* 1.14 and the Vicrim:* 1.15 the South Mounster by the Oudiae or Vodiae, and the Coriondi. The Velabri and Lu∣ceni are said (by Orosius) to have dwelt in that part of the Countrey, where it lyeth outmost Westward,* 1.16 and passing towards the Cantabrian Ocean, looketh afarre off to Gallitia in Spaine The Luceni of Ire∣land (who seeme to have derived their name and originall from the Lucensii of Gallitia, and of whom there still remaine some reliques in the Barony of Lyxnauw) are supposed to have been seated in those parts that lie neighbouring upon the banke of the River Shennon.* 1.17
(5) The generall commodities of this Province are Corn••, Cattle, Wood,* 1.18 Wooll, and Fish. The last whereof, it affords in every place plentie and abundance of all sorts. But none so well knowne for the store of Herrings that are taken there, as is the Promontorie cal••ed Eraugh,* 1.19 that h•• betweene Bantre and Ballatimore Bay, whereunto every yeare a great Fleet of Spaniards and Portugals resort (even in the mid∣dest of Winter) to fish also for Gods.
(6) The principall Citie of the Province is Limericke, which the Irish call Lowneagh, compassed about with the famous River Shennon, by the parting of the Channell.* 1.20 This is a Bishops See, and the very Mart-Towne of Mounster. It was first wonne by Reymond le Grosse an Englishman, afterwards burnt by Dunewald an Irish petty King of Thuet∣mond. Then in processe of time, Philip Breos an Englishman was in∣••••offed in it, and King Iohn fortified it with a Castle, which he caused therein to be built.* 1.21 In this Castle certaine Hostages making their a∣bode in the yeare 1332. grew (as is reported) so full of pride and insolencie,* 1.22 that they slew the Constable thereof, and seized the Castle into their own hands. But the resolute Citizens, that could neither brooke nor beare with such barbarous crueltie, did in revenge then shew such manly courage and vivacitie, as they soone after recovered the Castle againe,* 1.23 repaying the Hostages in such hostile manner, as that they put them all to the sword without partialitie. The position of this Towne is by Mercator placed for Latitude 53. degrees 20. minutes; and for Longitude, 9. degrees and 34. minutes. Neere unto the Ri∣ver that Ptolemy calleth Daucona, and Giraldus Cambre••sis (by the al∣teration of some few letters) nameth Sauranus and Sauarenus, which issueth ••ut of Muskerey Mountaines,* 1.24 is seated the Citie Corke, graced also with another Episcopall dignitie▪ (and with the Bishops See of Clon annexed unto it) which Giraldus calleth Corragia, the Englishmen Corke, and the native Inhabitants of the Countrey Corcach.* 1.25 This Towne is so beset on every side with neighbouring, mole••t••rs, as that they are still constrained to keep•• watch and ward, as it there lay continuall siege against it. The Citizens of this place are all linkt together in some one or other degree of affinitie,* 1.26 for that they dare not match their daugh∣ters in marriage into the Countrey, but make contracts of matrimony one with another among themselves. In this place, that holy and reli∣gious man Briock is said to have his birth and breeding, who flourished among the Gaule, in that fruitfull age of Christianitie, and from whom the Diocesse of Sanbrioch in Britanie Armori••a, commonly called S. Brieu, had the denomination.
* 1.27(7) The Citie which the Irish and Britaines call Porthlargy, and the English, Waterford, though it be last in place, yet is it not least in ac∣count, as being the second Citie of all Ireland, as well for the conveni∣ence and commodiousnesse of the Haven,* 1.28 that affords such necessary aptitude for trade and tra••••ique, as also for the faithfull loyaltie which it hath alwayes shewed to the Imperiall Crowne of England: for ever since it was wonne by Richard Earle of Pembroke, it still performed the obedience and peaceable offices of dutie andervice unto the English, as they continued their course in the conquest of Ireland: whence it is that the Kings of England have from time to time endowed it with ma∣ny large Franchises and l••berties,* 1.29 which King Henry the seventh did both augment and confirme.
* 1.30(8) Although since the time if S. Patricke, Christianitie was never extinct in this Countrey, yet the government being haled into contrary factions, the Nobilitie lawlesse, and the multitude wilfull, it hath come to passe, that Religion hath wa••ed (with the temporall common sort) more cold and feeble, being most of them very irreligious, and addicted wholly to superstitious observations:* 1.31 for in some parts of this Province, some are of opinion, that certaine men are yearely turned into Wolves, and made Wolfe-men. Though this hath been constantly affirmed by such as thinke their censures worthy to passe for currant and credible; yet let us suppose that happily they be possessed with the disease and ma∣ladie that the Physitians call Lycanthropi,* 1.32 which begetteth and engen∣dreth such like phantasies through the malicious humors of Melancho∣ly: and so oftentimes men imagine themselves to be turned and trans∣formed into formes which they are not. Some again embrace another ridiculous opinion,* 1.33 and perswade themselves, that he who in the barba∣rous acclamation and outc••y of the Souldiers, which they use with great forcing and straining of their voyces, when they joyne battell, doth not howte and make a noise as the rest doe,* 1.34 is suddenly caught from the ground, and carryed as it were flying in the aire, out of any Countrey of Ireland, into some desert vallies, where he feedeth upon grasse, drinketh water, hath some use of reason, but not of speech, is ignorant of the pre∣sent condition he stands in, whether good or bad: yet at length shall be brought to his own home, being caught with the helpe of Hounds and Hunters.* 1.35 Great pitie that the soule fiend and father of darknesse should so grievously seduce this people with misbeliefe, and that these c••rrours be not chased away with the truth of Christian Religion, whereby as they carry much grace in their countenance••, they may also not be void of the inward grace of their soules and understanding.
(9) This Province hath been sore wasted in the rebellions of Des∣mond,* 1.36 to whose aide Pope Gregory the thirteenth, and Philip K. of Spaine, sent certaine companies of Italians and Spaniards, who arrived not farre from Dingle, fortified themselves, and gave it the name of Fort de Ore, sounding loud threats against the whole Countrey.* 1.37 But Arthur Baron Grey, Lord Deputie of Ireland, at the first onset decided their quarrell, by sheathing his sword in their bowels; and Desmond ••earefully flying into the Woods, was by a Souldier cut shorter by the head. And againe, when the Kingdome of Ireland lay bleeding, and put almost to the haz∣zard of the last cast, Don Iohn D' Aquila, with eight thousand Spaniards (upon confidence of the excommunications of Pius the fift, Gregory the thirteenth, and Clement the eight, Popes, all of them discharging their curses like unto thunderbolts against Queene Elizabeth of blessed me∣mory) landed neere unto Kinsal••,* 1.38 presuming that the rebellions of Ty∣rone had turned the hearts of the Irish for Rome: Sir Charles Blunt Lord Montjoy, in the depth of Winter, and with his tired souldiers, so daunted their Spanish hearts, that with one victory he repressed their bragging boldnesse, and recovered the Irish that were ready to revolt.
(10) God hath oftentimes shewed his tender love and affection to this people, in laying his fatherly chastisements and afflictions upon them,* 1.39 sometimes by windes, sometimes by famine and dearth, and sometimes againe by opening his hand of plentie into their laps to con∣vert them to himselfe, and to divert their hearts from superstitions. In the yeare 1330. about the Feast of Saint Iohn Baptist,* 1.40 there began such a dearth of Corne in this Countrey, by the abundance of raine and the inundation of waters (which continued untill Michacimas following) that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twentie shillings,* 1.41 a Cranoc of Oates for eight shillings, a Cranoc of Pease, Beanes, and Barley for as much. The windes the same yeare were so mightie, that many were hurt, and many slaine ••ut-right by the fall of houses that was forced by the violence of the same. The like whereof were never seene in Ireland.* 1.42 In the yeare 1317. there was such a dearth of corne and o∣ther victuals, that a Cranoc of Wheat was sold for twentie three shil∣lings. And many Housholders, that before time had sustained and re∣lieved a great number, were this yeare driven to begge, and many fa∣mished. In the time of which famine, the mercy of God so disposed, that upon the 27. day of June,* 1.43 in the yeare 1331. there came to land such a mightie multitude of great Sea-fishes (that is) Thurs••eds, such as in many ages past had never been seene, that the people were much comforted in this distresse, and received great reliefe and sustenance by the same.
(11) Places of Religion in this Countrey,* 1.44 were the two Abbies at Yoghall, called the North-Abbey and South-Abbey: The two Abbies at Limcricke, S. Francis Abbey, and S. Dominicke Abbey: The two Abbies at Corke, the Abbey of the Ile, and S. Francis Abbey: and the famous Abbey (in times past) of the holy Crosse, which hath had many privi∣ledges and liberties granted unto it, in honour of a peece of Christs Crosse,* 1.45 that was (as they say) sometimes preserved there. Thus were Christians perswaded in ancient times. And it is a wonder in what Troopes and Assemblies people doe (even yet) conflow thither upon devotion, as unto a place of holinesse and sanctitie: so firmely are they setled in the Religion of their Fore-fathers,* 1.46 which hath been increased beyond all measure by the negligent care of their Teachers, who should instruct their ignorance, and labour to reduce them from the er∣rours they persevere in.
This Province is governed by a Lord President,* 1.47 who hath one Assi∣stant, two learned Lawyers, and a Secretary to keepe it in dutie and obedience. It was in times past divided into many parts▪ as Towoun, that is North-Mounster;* 1.48 Deswoun, that is, South Mounster; Hierwoun, that is, West-Mounster; Mean-Woun, that is, Middle-Mounster; and Vrwoun, that is, the Front of Mounster. But at this day it is distinguished into these Counties;* 1.49 Kerry, Desmond, Limericke, Tipperary, Holy-Crosse, Waterford, and Corke: which Countie in times past had been a Kingdome, con∣taining with it Desmond also: for so in the Grant given by King Henry the second unto Robert Fitz-Stephen, and to Miles de Cogan, it is called in these words: Know ye that I have granted the whole Kingdome of Corke, excepting the Citie and Cantred of the Oustmans, to hold for them and their heires, of me and Iohn my sonne, by the service of sixtie Knights. The Coun∣tie of Waterford,* 1.50 King Henry the sixt gave unto Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury, with the name, stile, and title of Earle of Waterford, which was afterward againe assumed to the Crowne.* 1.51 Touching the Countie of Holy-Crosse,* 1.52 as the opinion of that much frequented Abbey is much lessened,* 1.53 so that Countie is swallowed up altogether in the Countie Tipperary.* 1.54 It is fortified with five strong Castles, traded with sixe Mar∣ket-Townes,* 1.55 and divided as followeth.
- MOVNSTER.
- Limericke.
- Kery.
- Corke.
- Waterford.
- Desmond.
- Holy Crosse in Tipperary.
- MOVNSTER.
- Limericke.
- Kery.
- Corke.
- Waterford.
- Desmond.
- Holy Crosse in Tipperary.
- MOVNSTER.
- Limericke.
- Kery.
- Corke.
- Waterford.
- Desmond.
- Holy Crosse in Tipperary.
- MOVNSTER.
- Limericke.
- Kery.
- Corke.
- Waterford.
- Desmond.
- Holy Crosse in Tipperary.
- MOVNSTER.
- Limericke.
- Kery.
- Corke.
- Waterford.
- Desmond.
- Holy Crosse in Tipperary.
- MOVNSTER.
- Limericke.
- Kery.
- Corke.
- Waterford.
- Desmond.
- Holy Crosse in Tipperary.