The first and second volumes of Chronicles. [vol. 2] comprising 1 The description and historie of England, 2 The description and historie of Ireland, 3 The description and historie of Scotland: first collected and published by Raphaell Holinshed, William Harrison, and others: now newlie augmented and continued (with manifold matters of singular note and worthie memorie) to the yeare 1586. by Iohn Hooker aliàs Vowell Gent and others. With conuenient tables at the end of these volumes.

A TREATISE CON∣teining a plaine and perfect description of Ire∣land, with an Introduction to the better vnderstan∣ding of the histories apperteining to that Iland: compiled by Richard Stanihurst.

The names of Ireland, with the com∣passe of the same, also what shires or coun∣ties it conteineth, the diuision or partition of the land, and of the language of the people. The first chapter.

THe more [unspec 10] part aswel of Cosmo∣graphers, as Chrono∣graphers, do with on accorde af∣firme, that the nation of Ireland [unspec 20] (the vtter∣most wea∣sterne Ile known) is halfe as big as Britannia. Which I take to be true, if the word Britannia so farre displaie the significati∣on, that it comprise England, Wales, and Scotland. To which opinion Giraldus Cambrensis relieth, sai∣eng, * 1.1 that Britannia conteineth in length eight hun∣dred miles, and two hundred in breadth. Ireland [unspec 30] he taketh to be in length from the mounteins called Torrach (the author of Polychronicon termeth them Brendane his hilles) to saint Columbe his Iland eight daies tourneie, rating of long Irish miles for∣tie miles to the daie: and in breadth from Dublin to saint Patrike his hilles and the sea of Connaght foure daies torneie, according to the foriner rate. So as by Cambrensis his surueie, who was a curious insearcher therof, Ireland is thrée hundred & twentie miles long of Irish miles, and one hundred and three [unspec 40] score miles broad. And accounting thrée hundred and twentie Irish miles to amount to foure hundred English miles, which may well be reckoned accor∣ding to their indgements that haue trauelled in the Irish territories; Ireland will be found halfe as big as Britannia: which Girald. Cambrensis anoucheth, saieng, that Ireland is as big as Wales and Scot∣land. Ireland hath on the east, England, within one daies sailing; on the southeast it hath France; His∣paine on the south, distant thrée daies sailing; on the west the maine ocean sea.

Touching the name Ibernia, historiographers * 1.2 are not yet agreed from whense it is deducted. Some write it Hibernia corruptlie, and suppose that the strangers finding it in an od end of the world, foistie and moistie, tooke it at the first for a verie cold coun∣trie, and thereof named it Hibernia, as to saie, the Winterland. But this error being vpon short expe∣rience reformed, it could not be that the name should haue liued long, especiallie the first impositors suru•…•…∣uing the triall, and able to alter the first nomination. Others bring a ghesse, that it should be named of Ir∣lamale. * 1.3 But because I read nothing of them in anie probable historie, I purpose not to build vpon that coniecture.

Most crediblie it is holden, that the Hispaniards (the founders of the Irish) for deuotion towards Hispaine, called then Iberia of Iberius the sonne of * 1.4 Iuball, and the rather, for that themselues had dwel∣led beside the famous riuer Iberus, named the land Iberia (for so Leland and manie forren chroniclers * 1.5 write it) or Ibernia, adding the letter (n) for diffe∣rence sake. And from Ibernia procéedeth Iberland, or Iuerland; from Iuerland, by contraction Ireland: forsomuch as in corruption of common talke we find that (u) with his vocale is easilie lost and suppres∣sed; so we saie ere for euer, nere for neuer, shoole for shoouell, ore for ouer, ene for euen, dile for diuell. At the same time it was also named Scotia, in reue∣rence * 1.6 of Scotach the wife of Gathelus, ancient cap∣teine of those Iberians that flitted from Hispaine into Ireland: & the said Scotach was old grandame to Hiberus and Hermon after the Scotish chroni∣cles, who in anie wise will haue their countrimen deriued from the Irish, and not from the Britons. The name Scotia is of late yeares so vsuallie taken * 1.7 for that part of Britaine that compriseth Scotland, that diuerse ancient Irish authors are holden to be borne in Scotland, wheras in verie déed their natiue soile is Ireland. As the famous schooleman Io∣hannes * 1.8 Duns Scotus, otherwise named Doctor subti∣lis, for his subtill quiddities in scholasticall contro∣uersies, was an Irish man borne, and yet is taken for a Scot.

Some hold opinion that he was borne in Thash∣mon, a market towne fiue miles distant from Weiseford. Others anouch, and that more trulie, that he was borne in Downe, an old ancient ciuitie in the north of Ireland, and thereof they ghesse him to be named Dunensis, and by contraction Duns, * 1.9 which tearme is so triuiall and common in all schools, that whoso surpasseth others either in cauilling sophi∣strie, or subtill philosophie, is forthwith nickenamed a Duns. Wherefore as Scotland is named Scotia mi∣nor,

so Ireland is tearmed Scotia maior, as the head * 1.10 from •…•…hense the name of Scotia minor tooke his of∣spring. The Irish also were named of the foresaid Gathelus, or Gaudeilus, Gaudeili. In their Irish * 1.11 rithmes, they tearme Ireland verie often Banno. I cannot diuine what reason should lea•…•… their makers * 1.12 therto, vnlesse it be the riuer in the countie of Weise∣ford, named the Banne, where the Britons vpon the conquest first arriued. The place otherwise is called * 1.13 Bagganbun, according to the old ancient rithme: [unspec 10]

At the creeke of Bagganbun, Ireland was lost and wun. * 1.14

For the remembrance of which riuer so notoriouslie famosed, it carieth great likelihood, that the name should be to the whole realme generallie ascribed. Sundrie Latine authors write Ireland Inuerna, o∣thers * 1.15 Iuerna, diuerse Ijerna. Claudius nameth it Iberna. The diuersitie of which names grew, for that in their time the true and certeine name was not knowne, so that they were contented to take it as [unspec 20] they found it, which matter is handled by Hermo∣laus Barbarus.

There are some of the ruder sort so quaint in seue∣ring * 1.16 the name Irish and Ireland, as that they would be named Ireland men, but in no wise Irishmen. But certes, in my fantasie such curious distinctors may be verie aptlie resembled to the foolish butcher, that offred to haue sold his mutton for fiftéene grots, and yet would not take a crowne. Who so will grate vpon such nice diuersities, in respect that he is asha∣med [unspec 30] of his countrie; trulie (in mine opinion) his countrie maie be ashamed of him. Ireland is diui∣ded into foure regions, Leinster, east: Connaght, * 1.17 west: Ulster, north: Mounster, south: and into a fift plot, de falked from euerie fourth part, and yet mea∣ring on each part, called thereof Media, Méeth, comprising as well east Méeth, as west Méeth: Lein∣ster butteth vpon England, Ulster vpon the Scotish Islands: which face with Hebriades scattered be∣tweene both the realms, wherin at this daie the Irish [unspec 40] * 1.18 Scot, successor of the elder Scithian, Pict, or Red∣shanke dwelleth. Ech of these fiue, where-they are fra∣mable to ciuilitie, & answer the writs of the princes courts, be sundred into shires or counties in this ma∣ner. In Leinster lieth the counties of Dublin, Kil∣dare, * 1.19 Weiseford or Gueisford, Catherlach, Kilken∣nie, the counties of Leise & Ophalie, called the kings and quéenes counties: these two latelie so named by parlement, in the reignes of Philip and Marie, ha∣uing shire townes accordant, Philips towne, and [unspec 50] Marie bourgh. Connaght hath the countie Clare: Ulster the counties of Louth, Doune, Antrim, one moitie of the towne of Droghedagh (for the rest is in Méeth) and Carregfergus. In Mounster lie the coun∣ties of Waterford, Limerike, Corke, the countie palantine of Tipperarie, Kerie, & the crosse of Tippe∣rarie. Mounster was of old time diuided into cast Mounster, Ormond, west Mounster, Desmond, south Mounster, Toonmound. The occasion why Ireland was parted into these fiue principall regions grew [unspec 60] of this. There arriued in Ireland fiue brethren, that were valiant & martiall gentlemen; to wit, Gandius, * 1.20 Genandius, Sagandus, otherwise named Gangan∣dus, Rutheragus or Rutheranus, & Slanius. These fiue perceiuing that the countrie was not sufficient∣lie peopled, were agreed (as it were) to cast lots, and to share the whole realme betwéene themselues. The foure elder brethren seuering the countrie into foure parts, and being loth to vse their yoongest brother like an outcast or stepsonne, condescended that each of them foure should of their owne portion allot to Slanius a paring or parcell of their inheritance. Which being as heartilie receiued of Slanius, as it was bountifullie granted by them, he setled himselfe therein, and of that partition it tooke the appellation of Media, Méeth. The foure parts méet at a certeine * 1.21 stone at Méeth, néere the castell of Kilaire, as an in∣different meare to seuer the foure regions.

But although Slanius in the beginning had the least parcell, yet in short space he stood so well to his tacklings, and incroched so far vpon his neighbors, that he obteined the whole monarchie of Ireland. At * 1.22 which time he did not suppresse in obliuion his inheri∣tance of Meeth; but did inlarge it, and decreed it should be a countrie appendant to the monarch his diet or table. And albett the confines thereof were by Slanius stretched, yet it conteineth not so much land as anie of the other foure parts comprehendeth; but rather by indifferent surueie, the halfe deale, where of also it is not vnlikelie named Méeth. For whereas in the time of Slanius, each of the foure parts compriseth two and thirtie cantreds, Meeth conteineth but sixteene cantreds. A cantred is named * 1.23 so much land as conteineth an hundred towneships. This Slanius is intoomed at an hill in Méeth, which of him is named Slane. There hath béene in anci∣ent * 1.24 time one Galfride Geneuile, lord of the libertie of Meeth. This noble man became a frier preacher, * 1.25 and decesed in the yeare of our Lord 1314, the twen∣tith of October, and was intoomed in the abbeie of the Blacke friers at Trim.

There is also another diuision of Ireland, into the * 1.26 English pale, and Irishrie. For when Ireland was subdued by the English, diuerse of the conquerors planted themselues néere to Dublin, and the con∣fines thereto adioining, and so as it were inclosing and impaling themselues within certeine lists and territories, they feazed awaie the Irish; insomuch as that countrie became méere English, and there∣of it was termed the English pale: which in ancient time stretched from Dundalke to Catherlagh or Kilkennie. But now what for the slacknesse of mar∣chours, and incroching of the Irish enimie, the scope of the English pale is greatlie impaired, & is cram∣perned and coucht into an od corner of the countrie named Fingall, with a parcell of the king his land, Méeth, the countries of Kildare and Louth, which parts are applied chieflie with good husbandrie, and taken for the richest and ciuilest soiles in Ireland. But Fingall especiallie from time to time hath bin * 1.27 so addicted to all the points of husbandrie, as that they are nickenamed by their neighbours, for their continuall drudgerie, Collonnes, of the Latine word * 1.28 Coloni, wherevnto the clipt English word clowne seemeth to be answerable.

The word Fingall counternaileth in English * 1.29 the race or sept of the English or estrangers, for that they were solie seized of that part of the Iland, gri∣ping with their talants so firmelie that warme nest, that from the conquest to this daie the Irish ensmie could neuer rouse them from thense. The inhabi∣tants of the English pale haue béene in old time so much addicted to their ciuilitie, and so farre seques•…•…e∣red from barbarous sauagenesse, as their onelie mo∣ther toong was English. And trulie, so long as these * 1.30 impaled dwellers did sunder themselues as well in land as in language from the Irish: rudenesse was daie by daie in the countrie supplanted, ciuilitie in∣graffed, good lawes established, loialtie obserued, re∣bellion suppressed, and in fine the coine of a yoong England was like to shoot in Ireland. But when their posteritie became not altogither so warie in kéeping, as their ancestors were valiant in conque∣ring, the Irish language was frée dennized in the English pale: this canker tooke such déepe root, as the bodie that before was whole and sound, was by little and little festered, and in maner wholie putri∣fied. And not onlie this parcell of Ireland grew to

that ciuilitie, but also Ulster and the greater part of Mounster, as by the sequele of the Irish historie shall plainlie appéere. But of all other places, Weis∣ford with the territorie baied and perclosed within the riuer called the Pill, was so quite estranged * 1.31 from Irishrie, as if a traueller of the Irish (which was rare in those daies) had pitcht his foot within the Pill and spoken Irish, the Weisfordians would command him foorthwith to turne the other end of his toong and speake English, or els bring his trouch∣man [unspec 10] with him. But in our daies they haue so as∣quainted themselues with the Irish, as they haue made a mingle mangle or gallimaufreie of both the languages, and haue in such medleie or checkerwise so crabbedlie iumbled them both togither, as com∣monlie the inhabitants of the meaner sort speake neither good English nor good Irish.

There was of late daies one of the péeres of En∣gland * 1.32 sent to Weisford as commissioner, to decide the controuersies of that countrie; and hearing in [unspec 20] affable wise the rude complaints of the countrie clowns, he conceiued here & there some time a word, other whiles a sentence. The noble man being verie glad, that vpon his first comming to Ireland, he vn∣derstood so manie words, told one of his familiar friends, that he stood in verie great hope to become shortlie a well spoken man in the Irish, supposing that the blunt people had pratled Irish, all the while they iangled English. Howbeit to this daie, the dregs of the old ancient Chaucer English are kept as well there as in Fingall, as they terme a spider, [unspec 30] an attercop, a wisp, a wad, a lumpe of bread, a poc∣ket, * 1.33 or a pucket, a sillibucke, a copprous, a faggot, a blease, or a blaze, for the short burning of it (as I iudge) a physician, a leach, a gap, a shard, a base court or quadrangle, a bawen, or rather (as I doo suppose) a barton, the houshold or folks, meanie, sharpe, kéene, estrange, vncouth, easie, éeth or éefe, a dunghill, a mi∣zen. As for the word bater, that in English purpor∣teth * 1.34 a lane, bearing to an high waie, I take it for a [unspec 40] méere Irish word that crept vnwares into the En∣glish, through the dailie intercourse of the English and Irish inhabitants. And whereas commonlie in all countries the women speake most neatlie and pertlie, which Tullie in his third booke De oratore, spea∣king in the person of Crassus séemed to haue obser∣ued: yet notwithstanding in Ireland it falleth out contrarie. For the women haue in their English * 1.35 toong an harsh & brode kind of pronuntiation, with vttering their words so péeuishlie and faintlie, as though they were halfe sicke, and readie to call for a [unspec 50] posset. And most commonlie in words of two syl∣lables they giue the last the accent: as they saie, markeat, baskeat, gossoupe, pussoat, Kobart, Ni∣clase, &c: which doubtles dooth disbeautifie their En∣glish aboue measure. And if they could be weaned from that corrupt custome, there is none that could dislike of their English.

Here percase some snappish carper will take me at rebound, and snuffinglie snib me for debasing the [unspec 60] Irish language: but trulie, whosoeuer shall be found so ouerthwartlie bent, he takes the matter farre a∣wrie. For as my skill is verie simple therein, so I would be loth to disueile my rashnes, in giuing light verdict in anie thing to me vnknowen: but onelie my short discourse tendeth to this drift, that it is not expedient that the Irish toong should be so vniuer∣sallie gagled in the English pale: because that by proofe and experience we sée, that the pale was neuer in more florishing estate than when it was wholie English, and neuer in woorsse plight than s•…•…nce it hath infranchised the Irish. But some will saie, that I shew my selfe herein as friuolous as some loosing * 1.36 gamsters séeme superstitious, when they plaie them∣selues drie, they gogle wish their eies hither and thi∣ther, and if they can prie out anie one that giueth them the gaze, they stand lumping and lowring, fretting and fuming, for that they imagine that all their euill lucke procéeded of him: and yet if the stander by depart, the looser may be found as drie shauen as he was before. And euen so it fareth with you, because you sée all things run to ruine in the English pale, by reason of great enormities in the countrie, either openlie practised, or couertlie win∣ked at; you glanse your sie on that which standeth next you, & by beating Iacke for Gill, you impute the fault to that which perhaps would little further the weale publike if it were exiled. Now trulie you shoot verie néere the marke. But if I may craue your patience till time you sée me shoot my bolt, I hope you will not denie, but that as néere the pricke as you are, and as verie an hagler as I am, yet the scantling shall be mine. First therefore take this with you, that a conquest draweth, or at the leastwise ought to draw to it thrée things, to wit, law, apparell, * 1.37 and language. For where the countrie is subdued, there the inhabitants ought to be ruled by the same law that the conqueror is gouerned, to weare the same fashion of attire wherwith the victor is vested, and speake the same language that the vanquisher parleth. And if anie of these thrée lacke, doubtlesse the conquest limpeth. Now whereas Ireland hath bin by lawfull conquest brought vnder the subiection of England, not onelie in king Henrie the second his reigne, but also as well before as after (as by the dis∣course of the Irish historie shall euidentlie be deci∣phered) and the conquest hath béene so absolute and perfect, that all Leinster, Meth, Ulster, the more part of Connagh and Mounster, all the ciuities and burroughs in Ireland haue béene wholie Englished, and with English conquerors inhabited; is it decent (thinke you) that their owne ancient natiue toong shall be shrowded in obliuion, and suffer the enimies language, as it were a tettar or ringworme, to har∣bor it selfe within the iawes of English conquerors? No trulie.

And now that I haue fallen vnwares into this discourse, it will not be farre amisse to stand some∣what roundlie vpon this point. It is knowen, and by the historie you may in part perceiue, how braue∣lie Ulster whilom florished. The English families were there implanted, the Irish either vtterlie ex∣pelled or wholie subdued, the laws dulie executed, the reuenue great, and onelie English spoken. But what brought it to this present ruine and decaie? I doubt not but you gesse before I tell you. They were inuironed and compassed with euill neighbours. Neighbourhood bred acquaintance, acquaintance wasted in the Irish toong, the Irish hooked with it attire, attire haled rudenesse, rudenesse ingendered ignorance, ignorance brought contempt of lawes, the contempt of lawes bred rebellion, rebellion ra∣ked thereto warres, and so consequentlie the vtter decaie and desolation of that worthie countrie. If these chinks, when first they began to chap, had beene diligentlie by the dwellers stopped; hir maiestie at this daie, to hir great charges, should not haue béene occasioned to dam vp with manie thousand pounds, yea and with the worthie carcases of valiant soul∣diors, the gaps of that rebellious northerne coun∣trie.

Now put the case that the Irish toong were as sa∣cred as the Hebrue, as learned as the Gréeke, as fluent as the Latine, as amarous as the Italian, as courteous as the Spanish, as courtlike as the French; yet trulie (I know not which waie it falleth out) I sée not but it may be verie well spared in the English pale. And if reason will not lead you to

thinke it, trulie experience must force you to grant it.

In old time, when the Romans were first ac∣quainted with the Gréeke toong, as it is commonlie the nature of man to be delighted with newfangle wares: so he was accounted no gallant among the Romans, that could not pratle and that Gréeke. Marcus Cicero father to Tullie, being at that time * 1.38 stept in yeares, perceiuing his countrimen to be∣come changelings, in being bilwise and polmad, and [unspec 10] to sucke with the Gréeke the conditions of the Gre∣cians, as to be in words talkatine, in behauiour light, in conditions quaint, in manners hautie, in promises vnstedfast, in othsrash, in bargains wa∣uering (which were reckoned for Gréekish proper∣ties in those daies) the old gentleman not so much respecting the neatnesse of the language, as the naughtie fruit it brought with it; said, that his coun∣trimen the Romans resembled the bondslaues of Siria; for the more perfect they were in the Greeke, [unspec 20] the worse they were in their manners and life. If this gentleman had béene now liuing, and had séene what alteration hath happened in Ireland, through the intercourse of languages, he would (I dare saie) breake patience, and would demand whie the Eng∣lish pale is more giuen to learne the Irish, than the Irishman is willing to learne English: we must * 1.39 imbrace their language, and they detest ours. One demanded merilie whie Oneile that last was would not frame himselfe to speake English? What (quoth [unspec 30] the other) in a rage, thinkest thou that it standeth with Oneile his honor to writh his mouth in clatte∣ring English? and yet forsooth we must gag our lawes in gibbrishing Irish? But I dwell too long in so apparant a matter. As all the ciuities & towns in Ireland, with Fingall, the king his land, Meth, the countie of Kildare, Louth, Weisford, speake to this daie English (whereby the simplicitie of some is to be derided, that iudge the inhabitants of the Eng∣lish pale, vpon their first repaire into England, to [unspec 40] learne their English in three or foure daies, as though they had bought at Chester a grotes worth of English, and so packt vp the rest to be carried af∣ter them to London) euen so in all other places their natiue language is Irish.

I find it solemnlie aduouched, aswell in some of the * 1.40 Irish pamphlets as in Girald. Camb. that Gathelus or Gaidelus, & after him Simon Brecke, deuised the Irish language out of all other toongs then extant in the world. And thereof (saith Cambrensis) it is called [unspec 50] Gaidelach, partlie of Gaidelus the first founder, and partlie for that it is compounded of all languages. But considering the course of interchanging and blending of speeches togither, not by inuention of art, but by vse of talke, I am rather led to beléeue (séeing Ireland was inhabited within one yeare af∣ter the diuision of toongs) that Bastolenus a branch of Iaphet, who first seized vpon Ireland, brought * 1.41 thither the same kind of spéech, some of the 72 that to this familie befell at the desolation of Babell. Un∣to [unspec 60] whom succeeded the Scithians, Grecians, Egyp∣tians, Spaniards, Danes, of all which the toong must * 1.42 néeds haue borowed part, but especiallie reteining the steps of Spanish then spoken in Granado, as from their mightiest ancestors. Since then to Hen∣rie Fitzempresse the conqueror no such inuasion happened them, as whereby they might be driuen to infect their natiue language, vntouched in manner for the space of seuenteene hundred yeares after the arriuall of Iberius. It séemeth to borrow of the Spanish the common phrase, Commestato, that is, How doo you? or how fareth it with you? It fetcheth sundrie words from the Latine, as arget of Argen∣tum, monie; salle of Sal, salt; cappoulle of Caballus, a plough horsse, or (according vnto the old English terme) a caball or caple; birreat of the old mothea∣ten Latine word Birretum, a bonnet. The toong is sharpe and sententious, & offereth great occasion to quicke apophthegms and proper allusions. Where∣fore their common iesters and rimers, whom they terme Bards, are said to delight passinglie these * 1.43 that conceiue the grace and propertie of the toong. But the true Irish indéed differeth so much from * 1.44 that they commonlie speake, that scarse one in fiue hundred can either read, write, or vnderstand it. Therefore it is preserued among certeine of their poets and antiquaries. And in verie déed the lan∣guage * 1.45 carrieth such difficultie with it, what for the strangenesse of the phrase, and the curious featnes of the pronuntiation, that a verie few of the coun∣trie can atteine to the perfection thereof, and much lesse a forrener or stranger.

A gentleman of mine acquaintance reported, that he did see a woman in Rome, which was pos∣sessed with a babling spirit, that could haue chatted anie language sauing the Irish; and that it was so difficult, as the verie diuell was grauelled there∣with. A gentleman that stood by answered, that he tooke the speech to be so sacred and holie, that no damned féend had the power to speake it; no more than they are able to saie (as the report goeth) the verse of saint Iohn the euangelist, Et verbum care * 1.46 factum est. Naie by God his mercie man (quoth the other) I stand in doubt (I tell you) whether the a∣postles in their copious mart of languages at Ieru∣salem could haue spoken Irish, if they were appo∣sed: whereat the companie heartilie laughed. As fluent as the Irish toong is, yet it lacketh diuerse words, and borroweth them verbatim of the Eng∣lish. As there is no vulgar Irish word (vnlesse there be some od terme that lurketh in anie obscure * 1.47 shrowds or other of their storehouse) for a cote, a gowne, a dublet, an hat, a drinking cup: but one∣lie they vse the same words with a little inflexion. They vse also the contracted English phrase, God morrow, that is to saie, God giue you a good mor∣ning.

I haue apposed sundrie times the expertest men that could be had in the countrie, and all they could * 1.48 neuer find out an equiualent Irish word for knaue. The Grecians (according to Tullie his iudgement) were in the same predicament as touching the terme Ineptus: his words are these. Ego meherculè ex * 1.49 omnibus Latinis verbis, huius verbi vim vel maximam semper putaui. Quem enim nos ineptum vocamus, is mihi videtur ab hoc nomen habere ductum, quòd non sit aptus, idque in sermonis nostri consuetudine perlatè patet. Nam qui aut tempus, quo quid postulet, non videt, aut plura loquitur, aut se ostentat, aut eorum, quibuscum est, vel dignitatis vel commodi rationem non habet, aut denique in aliquo genere aut inconcinnus aut multus est, is ineptus esse dicitur. Hoc vitio cumulata est eruditissima illa Grae∣corum natio. Itaque qui vim huius mali Graeci non vide∣dent, ne nomen quidem ei vitio imposuerunt. Vt enim quaeras omnia, quomodo Graeci ineptum appellent, non re∣peries.

Certes I haue béene of opinion (saith Tullie) that amongest the whole crue of Latine terms the word Ineptus hath béene of greatest importance or weight. For he, whom we name Ineptus, seemeth to me to haue the etymologie or of spring of his name here hense deriued, that he is not apt; which stretch∣eth far and wide in the vsuall custome of our dailie spéech or communication. For he that dooth not perceiue what is sitting or decent for euerie sea∣son, or gableth more than he hath commission to doo, or that in bragging, bosting, or peacockwise set∣teth himselfe foorth to the gaze, by making more of

the broth, than the flesh is worth; or he that regar∣deth not the vocation and affaires of them, with whome he intermedleth: or in fine, who so is stale without grace, or ouer tedious in anie matter, he is tearmed Ineptus; which is asmuch in English, in my phantasie, as saucie, or malapert. The famous & lear∣ned Gréeke nation is generallie dusked with this fault. And for that the Grecians could not spie the * 1.50 enormitie thereof, they haue not so much as framed a terme thereto. For if you should ransacke the whole [unspec 10] Gréeke language, you shall not find a word to coun∣teruaile Ineptus. Thus far Tullie. Yet Budaeus would not séeme to acknowledge this barrennesse, but that the Gréeke word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is equipollent to Inep∣tus: but that I referre to the iudgement of the lear∣ned, being verie willing to find out some other Bu∣daeus, that could fashion an Irish word for knaue, * 1.51 whereof this discourse of Ineptus grew. As the whole realme of Ireland is sundred into foure principall parts, as before is said, so each parcell differeth ve∣rie [unspec 20] much in the Irish toong, euerie countrie hauing his dialect or peculiar maner in speaking the lan∣guage: therefore commonlie in Ireland they as∣cribe a propertie to each of the foure countries in this sort. Ulster hath the right Irish phrase, but not the true pronunciation; Munster hath the true pro∣nunciation, but not the phrase; Leinster is deuoid of the right phrase, and true pronunciation; Con∣naght hath both the right phrase and true pronuncia∣tion. There is a cholerike or disdainfull interiection [unspec 30] vsed in the Irish language called Boagh, which is as much in English as twish. The Irish both in * 1.52 ancient time and to this daie commonlie vse it, and therefore the English conquerors called them Irish poghes, or pogh Morrice. Which tawnting terme is at this daie verie wrongfullie ascribed to them of the English pale. The English interiection, Fough, * 1.53 which is vsed in lothing a ranke or strong sauour, seemeth to be sib to the other.

Of the nature of the soile, and [unspec 40] other incidents. The second chapter.

THe soile is low and wate∣rish, including diuerse little Ilands, inuironed with lakes & marrish. Highest hils haue standing pooles in their tops. Inhabitants especialllie new [unspec 50] come, are subiect to distilla∣tions, rheumes and fluxes. For remedie whereof, they vse an ordinarie drinke of Aqua vitae, being so qualified in the making, that it drieth more, and also inflameth lesse than other * 1.54 hot confections doo. One Theoricus wrote a proper treatise of Aqua vitae, wherein he praiseth it vnto the ninth degrée. He distinguisheth thrée sorts there∣of, * 1.55 Simplex, Composita, and Perfectissima. He declareth the simples and ingrediences thereto belonging. He [unspec 60] wisheth it to be taken as well before meat as after. It drieth vp the breaking out of hands, and killeth the flesh wormes, if you wash your hands therewith. * 1.56 It scowreth all scurfe & scalds from the head, being therewith dailie washt before meales. Being mo∣deratlie taken (saith he) it sloweth age, it strength∣neth youth, it helpeth digestion, it cutteth flegme, it abandoneth melancholie, it relisheth the heart, it lighteneth the mind, it quickeneth the spirits, it cureth the hydropsie, it healeth the strangurie, it pounceth the stone, it expelleth grauell, it putteth awaie all ventositie, it kéepeth and preserueth the head from whirling, the eies from dazeling, the toong from lisping, the mouth from ma•…•…ling, the teeth from chattering, and the throte from ratling: it kéepeth the weasan from stifling, the stomach from wambling, and the heart from swelling, the bellie from wirtching, the guts from rumbling, the hands from shiuering, & the sinewes from shrinking, the veines from crumpling, the bones from aking, & the marrow from soaking. Vlstadius also ascribeth * 1.57 thereto a singular praise, and would haue it to burne being kindled, which he taketh to be a token to know the goodnesse thereof. And trulie it is a souereigne liquor, if it be orderlie taken.

The aire is verie holesome, not generallie so cleare and subtill as that of England. The weather is more temperat, being not so warme in summer, nor cold in winter, as it is in England and Flan∣ders. The countrie is stored with bees, contrarie to the opinion of some writers, who both in this and o∣ther errors, touching this countrie, may easilie be excused, as those that wrote by hearesaie. No vine∣yards, yet grapes grow there as in England. They doo lacke the Robucke, as Polychronicon writeth. * 1.58 They also lacke the bird called the pie. Howbeit in the English pale to this day, they vse to tearme a flie cousener, a wilie pie. Giraldus Cambrensis in his * 1.59 time complaineth, that Ireland had excesse of wood, & verie little champaine ground; but now the English pale is too naked: turffe is their most fewell and * 1.60 seacole. No venemous creeping beast is brought forth, or nourished, or can liue in Ireland, being brought or sent. And therefore the spider of Ireland is well knowne not to be venemous, onelie because a frog was found lieng in the medowes of Water∣ford * 1.61 somewhat before the conquest, they construed it to import their ouerthrow.

Bede writeth, that serpents conuesed into Ire∣land * 1.62 did presentlie die, being touched with the smell of the land, that whatsoeuer came from Ireland was then of souereigne vertue against poison. He exem∣plifieth in certeine men, stung of adders, who dranke in water the scrapings of bookes that had béene of Ireland, and were cured. Generallie it is obserued, the further west, the lesse annoiance of pestilent cre∣tures. The want whereof is to Ireland so peculi∣ar, that whereas it laie long in question, to whether realme, Britaine or Ireland, the Ile of Man should * 1.63 apperteine: the said controuersie was decided, that for somuch as venemous beasts were knowen to bréed therein, it could not be a naturall part of Ire∣land. And contrariwise, the Orchades are adiudged * 1.64 to be appendant to Ireland, because those Ilands, neither bréed nor foster anie venemous worme, as Hector Boetius auoucheth. Giraldus Cambrensis writeth that he heard certeine merchants affirme, that when they had vnladen their ships in Ireland they found by hap some toads vnder their balast. And they had no sooner cast them on the shore, than they would puffe and swell vnmeasurablie, & shortlie after turning vp their bellies, they would burst in sunder. And not onelie the earth and dust of Ire∣land, but also the verie thongs of Irish leather haue the verie same force and vertue. I haue séene it, saith Cambrensis, experimented, that a toad being * 1.65 incompassed with a thong of Irish leather, and crée∣ping thitherward, indeuering to haue skipt ouer it, * 1.66 suddenlie reculed backe, as though it had béene rapt in the head: wherevpon it began to sprall to the o∣ther side. But at length perceiuing that the thong did embaie it of all parts, it began to thirle, and as it were to dig the earth, where finding an hole, it siunke awaie in the presence of sundrie persons.

It happened also in my time, saith Giraldus Cam∣brensis, * 1.67 that in the north of England a knot of yong∣kers tooke a nap in the fields: as one of them laie snorting with his mouth gaping, as though he would

haue caught flies, it happèned that a snake or adder slipt into his mouth, and glided downe into his bel∣lie, where harboring it selfe, it began to roame vp and downe and to féed on the yoong man his entrals. The patient being sore distracted and aboue mea∣sure tormented with the biting pangs of this grée∣die ghest, incessantlie praied to God, that if it stood with his gratious will, either wholie to bereaue him of his life, or else of his vnspeakeable mercie to ease him of his paine. The worme would neuer ceasse [unspec 10] from gnawing the patient his carcasse, but when he had taken his repast, and his meat was no sooner digested, than it would giue a fresh onset in boring his guts. Diuerse remedies were sought, and medi∣cins, pilgrimages to saints, but all could not pre∣uaile. Being at length schooled by the graue aduise of some sage and expert father, that willed him to make his spéedie repaire to Ireland, would tract no time, but busked himselfe ouer sea, and arriued in Ireland. He did no sooner drinke of the water of [unspec 20] that Iland, and taken of the vittels of Ireland, but forthwith he kild the snake, auoided it downe∣ward, and so being lustie and liuelie he returned in∣to England. Thus far Giraldus Cambrensis.

There be some that moue question, whether the want of venemous wormes be to be imputed to the * 1.68 propertie of the soile, or to be ascribed to the praiers of saint Patrike, who conuerted that Iland. The greater part father it on saint Patrike, especiallie such as write his life aswell apart, as in the legend [unspec 30] of Irish saints. Giraldus Cambrensis disaffirmeth flatlie that opinion, and taketh it to be a secret or hidden propertie naturallie vnited to the soile, from whom Polychronicon dooth not swarue. For my part as I am wedded to neither of both the opinions, so * 1.69 I would haue béene easilie persuaded, being neither hot nor cold in the matter, to rest as a lukewarme neuter, in omitting the one and the other vnskand, were it not that one maister Alan Cope, or some o∣ther that masketh vnder his visours, more slan∣derouslie [unspec 40] than pithilie had busied himselfe therein. Wherefore, sith I may with better warrant defend my natiue countrie, than he or his betters may re∣prooue it, especiallie where his slanderous reports are vnderpropt with flim flam surmises: I purpose vnder maister Cope his correction to cope and buc∣kle with him herein: and before he beare the ball to the goale, to trip him if I may in the way. And be∣cause (gentle reader) I mind to make thée an indif∣ferent vmpier in this controuersie, for the better vn∣derstanding [unspec 50] of the matter, I will laie downe mai∣ster Cope his words, in such wise as they are im∣printed in his booke. First therefore thou must vn∣derstand, that his booke is made in dialog wise, a kind of writing as it is vsed, so commended of the learned. In these dialogs Irenaeus an English∣man and Critobulus a Germane plaie the parts. Irenaeus entresh into the •…•…age, and in this wise be∣ginneth.

Incipiam à sancto Paulo: nosti in Melita (quam hodie [unspec 60] * 1.70 Maltam appellant) Paulum viperam à manu pendentem in ignem excussisse. In ea insula scorpiones, qui alibi sunt laetales, Pauli, vt creditur, munere sunt innoxij.

Critobulus. Fortasse hoc habet à natura.

Irenaeus. Falleris: nam insulant, vt Lucas refert, clama∣bant, delatum eò parricidam, cui cùm mare pepercisset, trati dij serpentes, qui eum tollerent, immisissent: nec quicquam ma∣gis quàm praesentem eius mortem expectabant. A qua cùm ille tantùm abesset, vt nihil omnino damni aut doloris inde sentiret, in admirationem acti, dixerunt, eum longè supra hominem esse, & deum sub humana specie.

Critobulus. Sic est, vt dicis.

Irenaeus. Caetera itaque audi. Especu, ad quem diuertis∣se dicitur, colliguntur lapides in tota fermè Europa salutares Adhaec, quos nasci octauo calendas Februarij contingit (qui di∣es conuersionis eius memoriae dicatus est) quaecunque eos orbis pars in lucem proferat, non horrent nec formidant angues, imò, quod magis est, sola saliua horum morsibus medentur. Id quod homo doctissimus & diligentissimus Thomas Fazellus nuper * 1.71 prodidit, vsu ipso rerum, & certis, ni fallor, exemplis ab eo obseruatum.

Critobulus. Ista quidem digna sunt obseruatione: & iam recordor, me legisse ac saepiùs audisse, precibus beati Patri∣cij Hiberniae apostoli, ei regioni simile beneficium indultum, ne ea insula aliquid laetale pariat. Dicifortassè inde à nonnullis solet, nihil esse in Hibernia venenati praeter ipsos homines, quod propter feros & agrestes eorum mores dictum à plerisque accipitur.

Irenaeus. Eam regionem nihil pestiferum aut venenatum alere, tum ex multorum sermonibus, tum ex Beda intelligo: * 1.72 adeò vt terra illius regionis exportata, pestifera ac venenata animalia extinguat. Verùm id quicquid est, non Patricio, sed * 1.73 naturae regionis tribuo, propterea quòd longè antè Patricium natum constet, eam fuisse eius regionis dotem, quam non est difficile alibi reperiri.

I will begin (saith Irenaeus) with saint Paule. You know that in Melita (which at this daie is called Malta) saint Paule flung into the fire a viper that stucke or did cleaue to his hand. In that Iland scor∣pions which are elsewhere deadlie or venemous, are become through the gift of saint Paule (as it is sup∣posed) harmelesse.

Tush (quoth Critobulus) that may be percase incident to the nature of the soile.

Naie then (replieth Irenaeus) you are in a wrong box. For the Ilanders (as saint Luke mentioneth) showted, that a parentquellor was brought thither, and because he was not swallowed in the gulfes of the sea, the gods being in their fustian fumes, sent serpents to slaie him. And they looked for nothing sooner than to see him euen at a twinkling to perish. But when they perceiued him to be so farre distant from death, as that he susteined no harme, ne felt a∣nie paine, the people therewith amazed, said he far surpassed mans estate, & that he was a god inuested in man his shape.

You haue reason (answereth Critobulus) you haue hit the naile on the head.

Yea but I praie you clip not my tale (saith Ire∣naeus) but take me with you. Stones are culled in the caue or den wherein saint Paule is said to haue bai∣ted or soiorned, which stones in maner in all Europe are souereigne medicines to cure the bitings and stinges of scorpions and serpents. Furthermore, they that are borne the fiue and twentith of Ianua∣rie (which daie is named the conuersion of S. Paule) in what part soeuer of the world they are borne, they feare not or grudge not at snakes: yea, that which is more to be admired, the stingings of poisoned worms are healed by the verie spittle of this Ianuarie brood. Which thing hath béene of late published by a well lettered man Thomas Fazellus, to haue béene curi∣ouslie noted of him, as well by proofe and experience, as by sure and substantiall examples, if I take not the matter amisse.

Then commeth in Critobulus, whome maister Cope maketh (I will not saie the vice or hicscorner) but the plesant conceipted gentleman of this enter∣lude, and fetcheth a long leape (for I am sure he could not iumpe so farre) from Malta to Ireland, and fra∣meth his tale in this sort. By the faith of my bodie sir, here is stuffe woorth the noting. And now I call to mind, that I haue read and often heard, that the like benefit hath béene imparted to Ireland, through the praiers of saint Patrike the apostle of the said I∣land, that is to saie, that Ireland breedeth no vene∣mous worme. And therevpon percase some are ac∣customed to saie, that there is no poisoned or vene∣mous

thing in Ireland, but onelie the people, which is taken to haue beene said of most men for their brutish and sauage maners.

To this (saith Irenaeus) I am doone to vnderstand by the report of diuerse, and also by Bede, that no poi∣soned or venemous thing is bred in that realme: in somuch that the verie earth of that countrie being brought into other realmes, killeth all venemous and poisoned worms.

But let the matter fall out which waie it will; I ascribe that propertie not to [unspec 10] * 1.74 saint Patrike, but to the nature of the soile, because it hath béen knowen long before saint Patrike was borne, that Ireland was indued with that propertie, which is elsewhere easie to be found. Hitherto Mai∣ster Cope.

In this discourse (gentle reader) thou seest that Maister Cope handleth two principall points, the propertie of Malta, and the nature of Ireland in de∣stroieng venemous worms, the one he ascribeth to the blessed apostle saint Paule, the other he will not [unspec 20] in anie wise impute to saint Patrike. Touching the first, as I haue no occasion to intermeddle there∣in, so I purpose not for the quarell I haue to the person, to disprooue his opinion so farre as it standeth with truth. Wherefore that God that of his bounti∣full goodnesse gaue the grace to Moses, to turne Aa∣rons rod into a serpent, to turne the riuer into * 1.75 bloud, and to worke diuerse other effects that are mentioned in the scripture; to a 1.76 Iosue, to staie the sun; to b 1.77 Elias to raise the dead child; to c 1.78 Peter to [unspec 30] make the lame go; to heale d 1.79 Eneas; to reuiue e 1.80 Ta∣bitha; yea with his verie f 1.81 shadow to cure the sicke; and the God that gaue to that Paule, of whome mai∣ster Cope speaketh, his gratious gift to make the g 1.82 lame go; to h 1.83 quicken and raise the deceased, and for his sake to i 1.84 salue his fellow passengers: it is not to be denied, but that God would impart his goodnes to anie region, euen the sooner that any of his blessed seruants would harborough there. And as I doubt not but Simon the tanners house was nothing the woorse for lodging so happie a ghest as Peter: so I [unspec 40] am sure Malta was farre the better for harboring so blessed a traueller or passenger as Paule. Which S. Luke letteth not to tell, declaring that all they which were sicke in the Iland, flocked to Paule, and were cured; and also that the patient that was father to Publius, in whose house they were thrée daies verie courteouslie interteined, was by S. Paule healed. Which cure as well of that patient, as of the residue of the Ilanders, did not onlie extend to their bodies, [unspec 50] but chéetlie & especiallie to their soules, according to the opinion of the learned diuines. For as our saui∣or * 1.85 Iesus Christ was neuer thought to cure anie ones bodie, but he would also heale his soule: so it must be thought of his apostles, in whose steps both in life and miracles they traced. And therfore the learned hold opinion, that S. Paule being in Malta expelled from diuerse of their soules the old serpent that deceiued our progenitors Adam and Eue; for which God is * 1.86 to be magnified and glorified. Thus much I thought good here to insert, as a clause not wholie swaruing [unspec 60] from that we treat of, and also that I would be found prest and readie, as farre as my simple skill stretch∣eth, to vnderstand anie opinion that tendeth to the honor and glorie of God.

Howbeit forsomuch as M. Cope hath so strictlie dealt with Ireland, as with a countrie nothing ap∣perteining to this matter, I trust he will pardon me, to be somewhat bold with him, touching the hi∣storie of Malta, that as his negligence shall be in the one disshrowed, so his slanderous iudgement maie be in the other reuersed. First therfore where he wri∣teth, that the inhabitants of Malta Clamabant, that is, tried, or showted, it was not so. The Gréeke text run∣neth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Dicebant ad inuicem, that is * 1.87 to saie, They mutte•…•…ed one to an other. And saint Luke paraphraseth his meaning after. For when they perceiued that the viper did not annoie Paule, then saith saint Luke, Conuertentes se, dicebant eum esse deum; They turning the one towards the other, whi∣spered or muttered that Paule was a god. Now put * 1.88 the case they cried, as M. Cope saith, is it like that Paule was so busie in making of a fire, or that his eares did wander so farre off, as that he could not heare them? And if he heard them, thinke you that he would haue béene whist, in hearing God so farre blasphemed, as that he would suffer himselfe to be de∣f•…•…ed? No trulie. He would haue taken on, as he and * 1.89 Barnabas did at Listris, where the inhabitants named them gods, Barnabas to be Iupiter, and Paule, for that he was well spoken, to be Mercurie. For when the apostles heard of their idolatrie, ren∣ting their clothes, they rusht into the throng, crieng and speaking, that they were mortall men, &c. In which place S. Luke putteth an expresse difference as it were of set purpose, betwéene both the words, Clamantes & dicentes. M. Cope addeth further, Dela∣tum eò parricidam, and yet the Gréeke hath 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Omninò interfector, or as the vulgar text is, Vtique homicida est homo hic. So that they tooke him to be but a manquellor, yet M. Cope maketh him a parricide, which is woorse. For although euerie parricide be a manquellor, yet E conuerso, euerie manquellor is not a parricide.

M. Cope procéedeth further, Irati dij, serpentes, qui cum tollerent, immisissent: The gods being angrie sent serpents to dispatch Paule.

And yet forsooth, all these serpents were but one viper, as is plainelie exprest in the text, vnlesse M. Cope would teach saint Luke to tell his tale after the finest fashion, least the apo∣stle should haue béene thought to haue •…•…itoned. As * 1.90 the parson that preached to his parishoners of the go∣spell, wherein mention is made of them that Christ fed in the desert, or wildernesse. O (quoth the parson) what a Christ was that, that with fiue barlie loaues, and fiue fishes fed fiue hundred persons. The clerke hearing his master to grate ouerlong on that point, for he did often iterate that sentence, stole vp to the pulpit, and plucking the parson by his gowne, whi∣spered in his eare that Christ fed fiue thousand. Hold thee contented thou foolish fellow (quoth the parson) if I should tell mine hearers of so great a number, I should but discredit the gospeller, and they would not beléeue me. So it fareth with M. Cope. Belike he mistrusted, that if he had said, that one viper could haue slaine Paule, the reader would haue suspected the vntruth of the matter: bicause it carrieth great likelihood with it, that one man could withstand one viper: and therefore to saue saint Luke his credit, he increaseth the number by putting the plurall for the singular. Whereas therefore it standeth with M. * 1.91 Cope his pleasure, to florish in his rhetoricall figure named, Veritatis superlatio; in terming muttering, showting, a manquellor, a parricide, one viper, ser∣pents: he must be borne withall, if in the heat of his figure he step a little awrie in the remnant of his dis∣course. For thus he saith.

And therevpon it is reported percase by some men, that there is nothing venemous or poisoned in Ireland, but the men and women. Which is taken to haue beene spoken by most men for their brutish and sauage maners. Here (good reader) thou must vnder∣stand that M. Cope putteth the text downe and the glose. The tert is, There is nothing in Ireland vene∣mous but the inhabitants. The glose is, This is said to haue béen spoken for their brutish and sauage con∣ditions. Now well harpt by saint Lankfield. Here is a glose, I vndertake you, sutable to the text. But

let vs sée, how cunninglie M. Cope beequiteth him∣selfe. First he obserueth not Decorum personae, second∣lie he followeth not Decorum dialogi, thirdlie he shew∣eth herein little diuinitie. Touching the first point, who knoweth not, that these iapes and gibes are one∣lie fit for ruffians, vices, swashbucklers & tospots. And trulie they beeset a diuine as well, as for an asse to twang quipassa on a harpe or gitterne, or for an ape to friske trenchmoore in a paire of buskins and a doublet. The heathen misliked in an orator squiri∣litie, [unspec 10] what should be thought then of a diuine, whome * 1.92 saint Paule would haue to be sober, modest, graue, and wise? Unlesse M. Cope leaning to the letter of saint Paule his words would beare vs in hand, that * 1.93 saint Paule would haue modestie to rest onelie in bishops. We are commanded in the old and new te∣stament, to loue our neighbors as our selues. Which dooth implie, that we ought not to slander our neigh∣bours.

And shall a diuine then speake vncharitablie, not [unspec 20] onelie of one, but of an whole realme, and not onelie speake but also write, yea and that in the language that is vniuersallie spoken, thoroughout the greater part of the world, vpon no sure ground, but onelie vpon hearesaie, weieng not what the prophet writeth, Perdes omnes qui loquuntur mendaciū, Thou shalt destroie * 1.94 all them that speake vntruths? And were it that anie such flim flam flirts were soothed by anie person of credit; yet (as me seemeth) it would stand more with the grauitie of a diuine, that such childish quips, and [unspec 30] scornefull tawnts should sooner by his meanes chari∣tablie be whisted, than thorough his procurement car∣pinglie published. I will stand no longer on this point, but onelie craue M. Cope to resort to the fift * 1.95 of Matthew, and there peruse Christ his verdict tou∣ching slanderous toongs. To come to the second part, in which he obserueth not Decorum dialogi, thou shalt vnderstand (good reader) that Critabulus, or Crito∣bulus, whome M. Cope maketh his bagpipe to belch out his rancour, is a Germane borne, as M. Cope [unspec 40] saith, who séemeth to be Critabulus his godfather. Now let anie one, that is acquainted with the ma∣ners of Germans, iudge, if it be decent, that one of them should scoffe and scorne the conditions and fa∣shions of other countries. I will not speake by heare saie, as M. Cope dooth, but by eiesight. I could ne∣uer espie nor probablie haue I heard it reported, no not of the méere sauage Irish, such quaffing, such swilling, such bolling, such gulling, such brutish drunkennesse, such surfetting, such vomitting, as I [unspec 50] haue seene some Germans doo. In good sooth it is knowne, and for my part I haue seene it being be∣yond * 1.96 the seas, that in their carowsing and cup friend∣ship, they threaten such kindnesse on their compani∣ons, that least their felowes should mistrust them with double dealing, they will not sticke to shew them the bottome of their stomachs; & to the end they should take the better view thereof, they will place it now and then in their neighbors bosome.

Thus when they haue cast their gorges, they clap [unspec 60] on their thrumd hats, and run like bedlem barre∣tors into the stréets with their naked flatchets, and there they keepe such a stinking sturre with hacking of stones, with hewing of blocks, with thwitting of stocks, with striking of stalles, with thumping at doores, that it would make a horsse breake his halter, to see so drunken a pageant. In fine, this qualitie is so naturallie ingraffed in the greater part of them, that a famous diuine did not sticke of late to saie o∣penlie in his lecture, that drunkennesse in that coun∣trie man, was either Peccatum originale or Accidens in∣separabile. I write not this (I take God to record) to the reproch or slander of that countrie (being loth to commit the selfe same fault that I reprehend in anie other) but onelie my meaning is to settle before she reader his eies the absurditie of M. Cope, in fra∣ming poore Critabolus to flout Ireland, considering that if he cast his eie homeward, he shall find as fil∣thie puddle in his owne countrie, as in other realms. And therefore this quip sate as vnseemelie in his mouth, as for an whoore to reprehend bitcherie, or for an vsurer to condemne simonie. For as there is nothing lesse to be tollerated, than for anie one to haue an other to account for his life, that can yeeld no account of his owne: so there is nothing that ought to moozzell vp anie one from rebuking other nations, than to sée the misdemeanor of his owne natiue countrie. I would wish M. Critabolus or M. Cope, if it shall please him to make vp the mu∣ster, with indifferencie to weie the estate of Ireland, and so without parcialitie to frame his iudgement.

Ireland, and especiallie the ruder part is not sto∣red * 1.97 with such learned men as Germanie is. If they had sound preachers, and sincere liuers, that by the imbalming of their carian soules with the swéet and sacred flowers of holie writ, would instruct them in the feare of God, in obeieng their prince, in obser∣uing the lawes, in vnderpropping in ech man his vo∣cation the weale publike; I doubt not, but within two or thrée ages M. Critabolus his heires should heare so good a report run of the reformation of Ire∣land, as it would be reckoned as ciuill as the best part of Germanie. Let the soile be as fertile and betle as anie would wish, yet if the husbandman will not manure it, sometime plow and eare it, sometime harrow it, sometime till it, sometime marle it, some∣time delue it, sometime dig it, and sow it with good and sound corne, it will bring foorth wéeds, bindcorne, cockle, darnell, brambles, briers, and sundrie wild shoots. So it fareth with the rude inhabitants of Ire∣land, they lacke vniuersities, they want instructors, they are destitute of teachers, they are without prea∣chers, they are deuoid of all such necessaries as ap∣perteine to the training vp of youth: and notwith∣standing all these wants, if anie would be so fro∣wardlie set, as to require them, to vse such ciuilitie, as other regions, that are sufficientlie furnished with the like helps; he might be accounted as vnrea∣sonable, as he that would force a créeple that lacketh both his legs to run, or one to pipe or whistle a gali∣ard that wanteth his vpper lip.

But such is the corrupt nature of vs worldings, and me thinketh such vaine humors are not vtterlie dried vp in our sage and mortified diuines. We are most commonlie giuen rather to tawnt that which is amisse, than to praise that which is good; and rather we follow the spider in soking the poison, than in imitating the bee by sucking the honie. Now that it appeareth, that it was not sitting for the author being a diuine, to write so vncharitablie, nor for M. Crita∣bolus being a Germane to carpe other countries so snappishlie: let vs see what wholesome diuinitie hath beene here vttered, and how well the sinewes of M. Critabolus his argument shall be found to hang to∣gither, when the an atomie therof by peecemeale shall be examined. I call to mind (quoth M. Critabolus) that I haue read and often heard, that the like benefit hath béene granted to Ireland through the praiers of S. Patrike. M. Critabolus read & heard that by the praiers of S. Patrike, Ireland hath no venemous worme: Ergo some hold opinion, that the poison re∣steth onlie in the people. Truly this argument hang∣eth togither by verie strange gimbols. And I dare say, M. Cope neuer learned this kind of reasoning in the famous college of Magdalene in Oxford, what so∣euer M. Critabulus did in Germanie. But let vs put the logike apart, & scan the singular point of diui∣nitie. I would gladlie lerne in what part of scripture

or in what ancient father M. Critabulus read or heard (for most of his learning hath béene, as it séemeth, purchased by heare-saie) that anie holie pre∣lat, that came of meere charitie to conuert a coun∣trie from night to light, from rudenesse to know∣ledge, from infidelitie to christianitie, from vice to vertue; from the diuell to God (which dooth implie an especiall zeale in saluing their soules) would purge the soile of all venemous wormes, & leaue the soules that haue more néed to be wéeded, wholie infected [unspec 10] with the contagion of vice and sinne. Wherby insueth that the place is better than the inhabitants, and so consequentlie the saieng of the Machabées must be falsified: Non propter locum gentem, sed propter gentem lo∣cum Deus elegit: God did not choose the people for the * 1.98 place, but he elected the place in respect of the peo∣ple. Our sauiour Iesus Christ dispossessing the pati∣ent of the legion of diuels, permitted them to enter * 1.99 into an heard of hogs. Critabulus would haue Christs saints doo the contrarie, to dispossesse the [unspec 20] hogs, and to leaue the men possessed with diuels. For so he reporteth saint Patrike to haue doone, by rid∣ding the land of all poisoned wormes, & leauing the rancour to lurke in the people. Trulie if the matter stood so farre out of ioint, I doubt not, but the Ilan∣ders might haue come as lawfullie to him, as the Gergesens came ingratefullie to Christ, requiring him to depart their countrie. For such a scoffing pre∣lat, * 1.100 his roome had béene better than his companie, sith his abode would tend rather to the peruerting, [unspec 30] than the conuerting of their Iland.

Hitherto thou hast heard (gentle reader) how gal∣lantlie Critabulus hath plaied his part: now shall I desire thée to view how sagelie Ireneus claspeth vp all the whole controuersie. He saith it is the nature of the soile, not to breed anie venemous worme, and that was incident thereto before saint Patrike was borne. How prooue you that sir? Pleaseth you to skew your ele towards the margent, and there shall you find the fiue and thirtith chapter of Solinus solemn∣lie [unspec 40] quoted. Touching this matter, there is nothing in Solinus but this: Illic anguis nullus, auis rara, In Ire∣land is no snake, and seldome a bird, & yet birds are as commonlie there as in anie other countrie. But I would gladlie vnderstand how this authoritie of Solinus furthereth M. Ireneus his opinion. Ire∣land bred no snake before saint Patrike was borne: Ergo it ingendred no toad, no adder, no frog, nor anie other virulent worme. As if a man would reason thus: Before saint Patrike his time there was no [unspec 50] horssemill in Ireland: Ergo before his time there was no milhorsse. Certes he that would wind vp his conclusion so fondlie, might be thought to haue as much wit as a rosted horse. This authoritie of So∣linus is so far from vpholding Ireneus his asserti∣on, as that it plainelie séemeth quite to ouerthrow it, & as it were in his owne turne, it giueth him a fall.

For the cause whie saint Patrike was mooued to expell all the venemous wormes out of Ireland, might probablie haue béene coniectured, to haue pro∣céeded [unspec 60] of this; that he perceiuing the land to bréed no snakes, therof was occasioned, for the furthering of christian faith, to expell other kind of wormes that lucked there before his comming, as toades, adders, blindworms, frogs, &c. Héere perchase M. Cope may blench me, in replieng that Anguis may be * 1.101 construed generallie for all kind of vermine, and so I might be taken tard•…•…e in building my discourse vpon a misconstruction.

In good sooth to omit what strange and absurd sig∣nification * 1.102 Anguis should beare, by notifieng a poiso∣ned spider and such like, and in mine opinion further from the purpose, than the father that dissuading his sonne from plaieng on sundaie, fortified his reason with the old said saw, Non est bonum ludere cum sanctis, It is not good, quoth he, to plaie on sundaies or holie daies. Is it (thinke you) fellonie or treason, to bring the credit of Solinus in question, for mistaking An∣guis aswell as Auis? For as he was grossie deceiued in the one, in writing that birds were rare in Ire∣land; so might he haue straied as likelie in the other, by disburdening Ireland of all venemous wormes, bicause the Iland wanted in his time but one or two kinds, as a snake and a toad. Where a man buildeth vpon euerie twatling and pratling rumor, and his * 1.103 eie is not his iudge, he may be sure, that such flieng fales will catch manie feathers before they come at him that is as far distant from their nests, as So∣linus was from Ireland when he wrote his pamph∣let. The proofe whereof as it is dailie tried, so not ma∣nie yeares past hath béene verie pretilie verefied. There was a gentleman of mine acquaintance that met his enimie in the fields, where they both vpon a trifling quarell fought so fréendlie, as they had more néed to haue beene grapled togither with cables, than parted by indifferent sticklers. Howbeit, bicause the gentleman was neuer before flesht, and yet no∣thing at all that daie, for each of their blowes did commonlie light on the medow where they fought; a friend of his reported well of him to an other, sai∣eng, that he was like in time to prooue a proper man of his hands, for the well handling of his weapon in his late combat. Wherevpon soone after, the other doubling the gentleman his praise, gaue notice to an other, that such a gentleman (naming him) fought valiantlie such a daie in such a place. Immediatlie vpon this in a shire or two off, it was noised that the partie praised, fought with two at once in such a place, naming the medow. At length it was bruted, that he fought foure seuerall daies; and I am well as∣sured that was the first fraie that euer he made, and I thinke it will be the last, vnlesse he be forced mau∣gre his heart to the contrarie.

Not long after it happened, that a gentleman and I trauelled abroad the countrie of set purpose to dis∣port our selues, and so to returne afresh to our books, where entering in communication with a blunt countrie lob (yet such an one as tooke his halfepenie to be good siluer) that knew the foresaid champion. My companion and I made wise, as though we were not acquainted with him, or euer heard of the combat: Now in good faith gentleman (quoth he) * 1.104 you would doo verie well to enter in acquaintance with him; for ouer this, that he is a gentleman a∣bundantlie endued with singular good qualities, he is become of late so valiant a cutter, as he maketh blading his dailie breakefast. By saint Marie, quoth my companion, that is verie cold rosse, and if his breakefasts be no better than a péece of coldyron, I little weigh how seldome I take a repast in his com∣panie at anie such ordinarie. Naie, my meaning is (quoth the other) that he vseth to fight fresh and fast∣ing euerie morning, in so much that of late, I dare bide by it, he fought eight daies in one weeke. At which words I for my part could not refraine from laughing, séeing how demurelie the fellow kept his countenance, and how that he spake Bonafide. Where∣vpon I shaped him an answer and said, that I neuer heard of anie that fought eight daies in one weeke, but onelie in old time, when fiue quarters made vp the yeare.

The fellow perceiuing that he ouershot himselfe, replied: Sir, you take me verie short, as long and as verie a lowbie as you imagine to make me: my meaning is, that he fought eight seuerall times in one weeke. Eight times (quoth my companion) then belike he fought once aboue commons. For you told vs right now, that he made his fraie his morning

breakefast, and whereas there are but seauen daies in the wéeke, & he fought (as you report) eight times, and you know that eight maketh one aboue seauen, and seauen maketh six and one vnder eight; either you must confesse that he fought out his breakfast, dinner, beuer or supper; or else you must grant that there be eight daies in one wéeke, or at the least two breakefasts in one daie: and that I am sure you will confesse to be as great an absurditie as the other. Naie (quoth the clowne) and you intrap me with such [unspec 10] sophistrie, you shall dine, sup and breake your fast a∣lone for me, and therewithall departed. Wherby may be gathered, that if he had bin soothed vp, & his toong let to run at libertie vncontrold, like a bowle that runneth in a smooth allie without anie rub, he would haue brought himselfe to that baie, as he would not sticke to saie that his fréend had fought eight daies in one houre. Wherefore as this pudding his pricke grew at length by report to an huge post, so the want of one venemous worme in Ireland, being bruted in [unspec 20] forten realmes, might haue beene so thwitted and mangled in the cariage before it came to Solinus his eares, as he might haue beene informed, that the countrie was denoid of all venemous woormes, whereas indéed there lacked but one kind.

Like as God of his iustice punisheth a countrie that is hardhearted, with outward wormes: so of his mercie they are remooued from a realme that is pliant to follow his lawes and precepts. As when Pharao would not listen to God his threats denoun∣ced [unspec 30] him by the preachers of God, Moses and Aaron, * 1.105 Egypt was punished with frogs and diuerse kind of flies, as is exprest at full in holie writ: and againe vpon Pharao his feined promises (the secrets of whose hollow heart God perfectlie knew) at the in∣stance of Moses, these plagues were appeased, and the vermine quite extinguished: so I praie you, is it so absurd a position to hold, that saint Patrike find∣ing the Irish priest to embrace the gospell, as he did in verie deed, might stand so highlie in God his fauor, [unspec 40] as through his earnest petition made to God, the poisoned woormes should be abandoned? This is not so rare a thing vpon the implanting of christian faith in anie region, but rather a propertie incident there∣to, according to Christ his promise: Signa autem eos, qui crediderint, haec sequentur; In nomine meo daemonia eijcient: * 1.106 linguis loquentur nouis: serpentes tollent: & si mortiferum quid biberint, non eis nocebit: super aegros manus imponent, & bene habebunt. And these tokens shall follow them that beléeue; In my name shall they cast out diuels, [unspec 50] they shall speake with new toongs, they shall driue awaie serpents, and if they drinke anie deadlie thing it shall not hurt them: they shall laie hands on the sicke, and they shall be cured. Wherefore, sith it is so euidentlie warranted by scripture, that in the name of Iesus, serpents may be driuen awaie, if Ireland be found through anie such means to be deuoid of poisoned wormes, we are to ascribe the glorie hereof to God, according to the saieng of the prophet; A do∣mino factum est istud, & est mirabile in oculis nostris, That [unspec 60] hath béene doone by God, and it séemeth woonderfull * 1.107 in our eies.

Thus farre (gentle reader) incroching vpon thy patience, I haue imploied my trauell in defending my natiue countrie, against such as labour to di∣staine it with their slanderous sco•…•…es. Touching the principall question, whether S. Patrike did expell poisoned wormes out of Ireland, or whether it be the nature of the soile, as I said in the entrie of this discourse; so I saie againe, that I weigh not two chips which waie the wind bloweth, bicause I sée no inconuenience that may insue either of the affirma∣tiue or negatiue opinion. And therefore if M. Cope had dealt as modestlie as Cambrensis, the author of Polychronicon or others, that stood to the deniall, h•…•…ue doone; he should haue gone scotfree with his complices, and haue made in mounterbankwise the most he could of his wares. But for that he would needs sée further in a milstone than others, and not onelie slenderlie disprooue the triuiall opini∣on, but scornefullie slander an whole realme, wherein he shall find his superiors in honour, his betters in parentage, his peeres in learning, his mates in wis∣dome, his equals in courtesie, his matches in hone∣stie: I must craue him to beare it patientlie, if by crieng him quittance, I serued him with a dish of his owne cookerie. And if for this my streict dea∣ling with him (wherevnto I was the sooner led, for that as it is courtesie to mollifie wild speaches with mild answers, so I reckon it for good policie now and then to cleaue knurd knobs with crabbed wedges) he will séeme to take pepper in the nose, for anie recom∣pense he is like to haue at mine hands, he may wipe his nose on his sléeue. And if it shall stand with his pleasure, to replie either in English or in Latine (the occasion of which is rather of him growne than by me giuen) he shall find me willing, if God spare me health, to reioine with him in so good a quarrell, ei∣ther in the one language or the other: and when both tales are heard, I beshrow him, for my part, that shall be driuen to the wall.

Cambrensis reporteth of his owne knowledge, * 1.108 and I heare it auowed by credible persons, that bar∣nacles thousands at once are noted along the shores in Ireland to hang by the beakes, about the edges of putrified timber, as ships, oares, masts, anchor holds, and such like, which in processe taking liuelie heat of the sunne, become waterfoules, and at their time of ripenesse either fall into the sea, or flie abroad into the aire. The same doo neuer couple in the act of generation, but are from time to time multiplied, as before is exprest.

Aeneas Syluius writeth himselfe tohaue pursued * 1.109 the like experiment in Scotland, where he learned the truth hereof to be found in the Ilands Orchades. Giraldus Cambrensis gathereth hereof a pretie con∣clusion against the Iewes in this wise following:

Respice infoelix Iudaee, respice, vel serò, primā hominis generati∣onem ex limo sine mare & foemina. Secundámque ex mare sine foemina, ob legis venerationem, diffiteri non audes. Tertiam solam ex mare scilicet & foemina, quia vsualis est, dura cer∣uice approbas & affirmas. Quartam verò, in qua sola salus est ex foemina scilicet sine mare obstinata malicia in propriam per∣niciem detestaris. Erubesce miser, erubesce, & saltem ad natu∣ram recurre, quae ad argumenta fidei, ad instructionem no∣stram noua quotidie animalia sine omni mare vel foemina procreat & producit. Prima ergo generatio ex limo, & haec vltima ex ligno. Illae quidem quoniam à Domino naturae tan∣tùm semel, ideò semper obstupenda processit. Istam verò non minùs admirabilem, minus tamen admirandam (quia saepè fit) imitatrix natura administrat. Sic enim composita est huma∣na natura, vt nihil, praeter inusitatum & rarò contingens vel pretiosum ducat vel admirandum. Solis ortum & occasum, quo nihil in mundo pulchrius, nihil stupore dignius, quia quo∣tidie videmus, sine omni admiratione praeterimus. Eclipsin verò solis, quia rariùs accidit, totus orbis obstupescit. A•…•… idem etiam facere videtur, flatu solo, & occulta quadam inspira∣tione citra omnem mixturam apum ex fauo procreatio.

Marke thou wretched Iew, saith Cambrensis, marke yet at length the first creation (that is of A∣dam) of earth without male or female. As for the se∣cond, of a man without a woman (that is to saie Eue) for that thou hast the old law in reuerence, thou darest not denie. As for the third, both of man and woman, bicause it is dailie vsed as stiffeneckt as thou art, thou dooest acknowledge and confesse. But the fourth procreation, in which consisteth our onelie iustification (he meaneth the incarnation of Christ)

of a woman without man, with sturdie and obstinat rancor to thine vtter destruction thou doost detest. Blush therefore thou vnhappie Iew, be ashamed of this thy follie, and at the least wise haue recourse to nature, and settle hir works before thine eies, that for the increase of faith, and to the lessoning of vs, dailie bréedeth & ingendreth new liuing creatures, without the coupling of mascle or female. Adam was created of earth, the barnacles are ingendred of wood, bicause Adam was once created by him, who [unspec 10] is Lord of nature, therefore it is continuallie admi∣red. But for that dame nature the counterfeitresse of the celestiall workeman, est soones bréedeth barna∣cles, therefore their brood is accompted more mar∣uellous than to be maruelled, more woonderfull than woondered. For such is the framing of man his na∣ture, as he deemeth nothing pretious or woonderfull, but such things as seldome happen. What may be thought more beautifull than the course of the sunne? And yet bicause we sée it dailie rise and set, we let it [unspec 20] ouerslip vs as an vsuall custome, without anie sta∣ring or gazing. Yet we are amazed and astonied at the eclipse, bicause it happeneth verie seldome.

The bées that are ingendred of the honie combe, onlie by a puffe or secret breathing without anie coupling, * 1.110 séeme to vphold this procreation of barnacles. Hi∣therto Cambrensis, with whom concerning the in∣gendring of bées Iohannes de sancto Geminiano accordeth. * 1.111

The inhabitants of Ireland are accustomed to [unspec 30] mooue question, whether barnacles be fish or flesh, & as yet they are not fullie resolued; but most vsuallie the religious of streictest abstinence doo eat them on fish daies. Giraldus Cambrensis, and after him Po∣lychronicon suppose, that the Irish cleargie in this point straie. For they hold of certeintie that barna∣cles are flesh. And if a man saie they had eaten a collop of Adam his leg, he had eaten flesh. And yet Adam was not ingendred of mascle or female, but onelie created of claie, as the barnacles of wood & [unspec 40] rotten timber. But the Irish clergie did not so farre straie in their opinion, as Cambrensis & Polychro∣nicon, in their disproofe. For the framing of Adam * 1.112 and Eue was supernaturall onelie doone by God, & not by the helpe of angels or anie other creature. For like as it surpasseth natures course to raise the dead, to lighten or insight the blind, so it stood not with the vsuall & common linage of nature, but onlie with the supereminent power of God, to frame a man of claie, and a woman of a mans rib. But the [unspec 50] ingendring of barnacles is naturall, & not so woon∣derfull as Cambrensis maketh it. And therefore the examples are not like.

Now it should séeme that in Cambrensis his time, the Irish clergie builded their reason vpon this plot. What soeuer is flesh, is naturallie begotten or in∣gendred of flesh; barnacles are not naturallie in∣gendred of flesh, but onelie of timber and wood; bar∣nacles therfore are not flesh, vnlesse you would haue them to be wooden flesh. And if the reason be so knit it may not be disiointed by Cambrensis his example. [unspec 60] As if a man should argue thus. She that is begotten of anie man, must be of force daughter to that man; Melcha was begotten of Aran; Ergo Melcha was A∣rans * 1.113 daughter. This argument is of all parts so for∣tified, as it séemeth of all sides to be impregnable. Yet a busie braine sophister cauilling on the terme (begotten) might saie, that Eue was begotten of A∣dam, and yet she is not Adams daughter. True it is * 1.114 that Adam was not Eues father, no more than Eue was Adams mother, neither by that ingendring was there anie degree of consanguinitie sprong be∣twéene them. But bicause the word (begotten) is ta∣ken in the argument for the naturall ingendring of man and woman, the instance giuen of Eue dooth not disproue the Maior. And yet for the better vn∣derstanding of the question, it is to be noted that the philosophers distinguish Animalia sensitiua, that is, sen∣sible * 1.115 liuing things, in two sorts, perfect and vnper∣fect. The perfect are they that are ingendred of seed, the vnperfect without seed. Those that are naturallie ingendred with séed, can neuer be naturallie ingen∣dred without séed: albeit Auicenna verie erronious∣lie holdeth the contrarie: as for example.

Bicause man is naturallie ingendred of man and woman, no man may naturallie be ingendred with∣out the copulation of man and woman: yet super∣naturallie it may be. As Adam was made without * 1.116 man and woman: Eue framed without woman: our sauiour Christ begotten without man. And ther∣fore the diuell could not haue attainted him of origi∣nall sinne. Contrariwise, the vnperfect may be in∣gendred without séed by mire, mud, doong, carien, rotten timber, or anie other thing; and chieflie by the secret influence and instillation of the celestiall pla∣nets, * 1.117 as the sunne and such other. As if you put the haire of an horsse taile in mire, puddle, or in a doong∣hill for a certeine space, it will turne to a little thin spralling worme, which I haue often séene & experi∣mented. And they are termed vnperfect, not in re∣spect of their owne nature, in which they are perfect, but in comparison of other sorts of liuing things. Among this crue must barnacles be setled. But here some will saie; Let them be perfect or vnperfect, what then? I would faine know, whether Cambrensis be in an errour, or the Irish clergie. For hitherto I sée nothing, but Cambrensis his reason disprooued. And it is often séene that a sound opinion may be weake∣ned by a féeble reason, as we sée manie faire gar∣ments mard in the making. It is true: and if anie be desirous to know my mind herein, I suppose, ac∣cording * 1.118 to my simple iudgement, vnder the correc∣tion of both parties, that the barnacle is neither fish nor flesh, but rather a meane betwéene both. As put the case it were enacted by parlement, that it were high treason to eat flesh on fridaie, and fish on sun∣daie. Trulie I thinke that he that eateth barnacles both these daies, should not be within the compasse of the estatute: yet I would not wish my friend to hazard it, least the barnacle should be found in law fish or flesh, yea and perhaps fish and flesh. As when the lion king of beasts made proclamation, that all horned beasts should auoid his court, one beast ha∣uing but a bunch of flesh in his forehead departed with the rest, least it had béene found in law that his bunch were an horne.

But some will peraduenture maruell, that there should be anie liuing thing, that were not fish nor flesh. But they haue no such cause at all. Nits, fleshwormes, bees, butterflies, caterpillers, snailes, grassehoppers, beetels, earewikes, reremise, frogs, toads, adders, snakes, & such other, are liuing things, and yet they are neither fish nor flesh, nor yet red her∣ring: as they that are trained in scholasticall points may easilie iudge. And so I thinke, that if anie were so sharpe set (the estatute aboue rehearsed, presuppo∣sed) as to eat fried flies, butterd bees, stued snailes, either on fridaie or sundaie, he could not be therefore indicted of haulte treason; albeit I would not be his ghest, vnlesse I tooke his table to be furnisht with more wholesome and licorous viands. The like que∣stion * 1.119 may be mooued of the sell, and if it were well canuassed, it would be found at the leastwise a moot case. But thus farre of barnacles.

Ireland is stored of cowes, of excellent horsses, of hawkes, of fish and of foule. They are not without woolues & greihounds to hunt them, bigger of bone and lim than a colt. Their cowes as also the rest of

their cattell, and commonlie what else soeuer the countrie ingendreth (except man) is much lesse in quantitie than those of England, or of other realms. Shéepe few, and those bearing course fleeses, whereof they spin notable rug. Their shéepe haue short and * 1.120 curt tailes. They shéere their shéepe twise yearelie, and if they be left vnshorne, they are therewith ra∣ther pained than otherwise. The countrie is verie fruitfull both of corne and grasse. The grasse (for de∣fault of good husbandrie) suffered vncut, groweth so [unspec 10] ranke in the north parts, that oftentimes it rotteth their cattell. Egles are well knowen to bréed in I∣reland, * 1.121 but neither so big, nor so manie as bookes tell. The horsses are of pase easie, in running woonder∣full * 1.122 swift, in gallop both false and full indifferent. The nag or the hackeneie is verie good for trauel∣ling, albeit others report the contrarie. And if he be * 1.123 broken accordinglie, you shall haue a little tit that will trauell a whole daie without anie bait. Their horsses of seruice are called chiefe horsses, being [unspec 20] * 1.124 well broken they are of an excellent courage. They reine passinglie, and champe vpon their bridels brauelie, commonlie they amble not but gallop and run. And these horsses are but for skirmishes, not for trauelling, for their stomachs are such, as they dis∣daine to be hacknied. Thereof the report grew, that the Irish hobbie will not hold out in trauelling. You shall haue of the third sort a bastard or mongrell hob∣bie, * 1.125 néere as tall as the horsse of seruice, strong in trauelling, easie in ambling, and verie swift in run∣ning. [unspec 30] Of the horsse of seruice they make great store, as wherin at times of néed they repose a great péece of safetie. This brood Volaterane writeth to haue * 1.126 come from Austurea, the countrie of Hispaine, be∣twéene Gallicia and Portugall, whereof they were named Asturcones, a name now properlie applied to the Hispanish genet.

The names of the ciuities, boroughs and hauen townes in Ireland. [unspec 40] The third chapter.

DUblin the beautie and eie of Ireland, hath béene named * 1.127 by Ptolome, in ancient time, Eblana. Some terme it Du∣blina, others Dublinia, ma∣nie write it Dublinum, au∣thors of better skill name it [unspec 50] Dublinium. The Irish call it, Ballée er Cleagh, that is, a towne planted vp∣on hurdels. For the common opinion is, that the plot vpon which the ciuitie is builded, hath béene a marish ground; and for that by the art or inuention of the first founder, the water could not be voided, he was forced to fasten the quakemire with hurdels, and vpon them to build the citie. I heard of some that came of building of houses to this foundation: and other hold opinion that if a cart or waine run [unspec 60] with a round and maine pase through a stréet called the high stréet, the houses on ech side shall he percei∣ued to shake. This citie was builded, or rather the buildings thereof inlarged, about the yeare of our * 1.128 Lord 155. For about this time there arriued in I∣reland thrée noble Easterlings that were brethren, Auellanus, Sitaracus, and Yuorus. Auellanus be∣ing * 1.129 the eldest brother builded Dublin, Sitaracus Waterford, and Yuorus Limerike. Of the foun∣der Auellanus, Dublin was named Auellana, and after by corruption of speach Eblana. This citie, as * 1.130 it is not in antiquitie inferiour to anie citie in Ire∣land, so in pleasant situation, in gorgious buildings, in the multitude of people, in martiall chiualrie, in obedience and loialtie, in the abundance of wealth, in largenesse of hospitalite, in maners and ciuilitie it is superiour to all other cities and townes in that realme. And therefore it is commonlie called the I∣rish or yoong London. The seat of this citie is of all * 1.131 sides pleasant, comfortable, and wholesome. If you would trauerse hils, they are not far off. If champi∣on ground, it lieth of all parts. If you be delited with fresh water, the famous riuer called the Liffie, na∣med * 1.132 of Ptolome Lybnium, runneth fast by. If you will take the view of the sea, it is at hand. The on∣lie fault of this citie is, that it is lesse frequented of merchant estrangers, bicause of the bare hauen. Their charter is large, King Henrie the fourth gaue * 1.133 this citie the sword, in the yeare of our Lord 1409, and was ruled by a maior and two bailiffes, which were changed into shiriffes by a charter granted by Edward the sixt, in the yeare of our Lord 1547. In which yeare Iohn Rians and Robert Ians, two worshipfull gentlemen, were collegues in that of∣fice, & thereof they are named the last bailiffes & first shiriffes that haue beene in Dublin. It appeereth by the ancient seale of this citie, called Signum praepositu∣rae, * 1.134 that this citie hath beene in old time gouerned by a prouost.

The hospitalitie of the maior and the shiriffes for * 1.135 the yeare being, is so large and bountifull, that sooth∣lie (London forepriced) verie few such officers vnder the crowne of England kéepe so great a port, none I am sure greater. The maior, ouer the number of officers that take their dailie repast at his table, kee∣peth for his yeare in maner open house. And albeit in tearme time his house is frequented as well of the nobilitie as of other potentats of great calling: yet his ordinarie is so good, that a verie few set feasts are prouided for them. They that spend least in their maioraltie (as those of credit, yea and such as bars the office haue informed me) make an ordinarie ac∣count of fiue hundred pounds for their viand and di∣et that yeare: which is no small summe to be be∣stowed in houskéeping, namelie where vittels are so good cheape, and the presents of friends diuerse and sundrie.

There hath beene of late yeares a worshipfull gen∣tleman, * 1.136 named Patrike Scarsefield, that bare the office of the maioraltie in Dublin, who kept so great port in this yeare, as his hospitalitie to his fame and renowme resteth as yet in fresh memorie. One of his especiall and entire friends entring in commu∣nication with the gentleman, his yeare being well neere expired, mooued question, to what he thought his expenses all that yeare amounted? Trulie Iames (so his friend was named) quoth maister Scarsefield, I take betwéene me and God, when I entered into mine office, the last saint Hierome his * 1.137 daie (which is the morrow of Michaelmasse, on which daie the maior taketh his oth before the chiefe baron, at the excheker within the castell of Dublin) I had thrée barnes well stored and thwackt with corne, and I assured my selfe, that anie one of these thrée had bene sufficient to haue stored mine house with bread, ale, and béere for this yeare. And now God and good companie be thanked, I stand in doubt, whether I shall rub out my maioraltie with my third barne, which is well nigh with my yeare ended. And yet no∣thing smiteth me so much at the heart, as that the knot of good fellowes that you sée here (he ment the sergeants and officers) are readie to flit from me, and make their next yeares abode with the next maior.

And certes I am so much wedded to good fellow∣ship, as if I could mainteine mine house to my con∣tentation, with defraieng of fiue hundred pounds yearelie; I would make humble sute to the citizens,

to be their officer these thrée yeares to come. Ouer this, he did at the same time protest with oth, that he spent that yeare in housekéeping twentie tuns of claret wine, ouer and aboue white wine, sacke, mal∣meseie, muscadell, &c. And in verie deed it was not to be maruelled: for during his maioraltie, his house was so open, as commonly from fiue of the clocke in the morning, to ten at night, his butterie and cellars were with one crew or other frequented. To the haunting of which, ghests were the sooner allured, for [unspec 10] that you should neuer marke him or his bedfellow (such was their buxomnesse) once frowne or wrin∣kle their foreheads, or bend their browes, or glowme their countenances, or make a sowre face at anie ghest, were he neuer so meane. But their intertein∣ment was so notable, as they would sauce their bountifull & deintie faire with heartie and amiable chéere. His porter or anie other officer durst not for both his eares giue the simplest man that resorted to his house Tom drum his interteinment, which is, to [unspec 20] * 1.138 hale a man in by the head, and thrust him out by both the shoulders. For he was fullie resolued, that his worship and reputation could not be more distained, than by the currish interteinment of anie ghest. To be briefe (according to the golden verses of the an∣cient and famous English poet Geffreie Chaucer:

An housholder, and that a great, was hee, * 1.139 Saint Iulian he was in his countrie. His bread, his ale, was alwaie after one, A better viended man was no where none. [unspec 30] Without bakte meat was neuer his house, Of fish and flesh, and that so plenteouse. It shewed in his house of meat and drinke, Of all deinties that men could thinke. After the sundrie seasons of the yere, So changed he his meat and his suppere. Full manie a fat partrich had he in mew, And manie a breme, and manie a luce in stew.

Some of his friends, that were s•…•…udging penie∣fathers, would take him vp verie roughlie for his [unspec 40] lauishing & his outragious expenses, as they tearme it. Tush my maisters (would he saie) take not the matter so hot: who so commeth to my table, and hath no néed of my meat, I know he commeth for the good will he beareth me; and therefore I am be∣holding to thanke him for his companie: if he resort for néed, how maie I bestow my goods better, than in reléening the poore? If you had perceiued me so far behind hand, as that I had bene like to haue brought haddocke to paddocke, I would patientlie permit [unspec 50] you, both largelie to controll me, and friendlie to re∣proue me. But so long as I cut so large thongs of mine owne leather, as that I am not yet come to my buckle, and during the time I kéepe my selfe so farre aflote, as that I haue as much water as my ship draweth: I praie pardon me to be liberall in spending, sith God of his goodnesse is gratious in sending.

And in déed so it fell out. For at the end of his maioraltie he owght no man a dotkin. What he dis∣pended [unspec 60] was his owne: and euer after during his life, he kept so woorthie a standing house, as that hée séemed to surrender the princes sword to other ma∣iors, and reserued the port & hospitalitie to himselfe. Not long before him was Nicholas Stanihurst their maior, who was so great and good an houshol∣der, * 1.140 that during his maioraltie, the lord chancellor of the realme was his dailie and ordinarie ghest. There hath beene of late worshipfull ports kept by maister Fian, who was twise maior, maister Sedgraue, Thomas Fitz Simons, Robert Cusacke, Walter Cusacke, Nicholas Fitz Simons, Iames Bedlow, Christopher Fagan, and diuerse others. And not one∣lie * 1.141 their officers so farre excell in hospitalitie, but al∣so the greater part of the ciuitie is generallie addic∣ted to such ordinarie and standing houses, as it would make a man muse which waie they are able to beare it out, but onelie by the goodnesse of God, which is the vpholder and furtherer of hospitalitie. What should I here speake of their charitable almes, dailie and hourelie extended to the néedie? The poore prisoners both of the Newgate and the castell, with three or foure hospitals, are chieflie, if not onelie, relieued by the citizens.

Furthermore, there are so manie other extraor∣dinarie beggers that dailie swarme there, so chari∣tablie succored, as that they make the whole ciuitie in effect their hospitall. The great expenses of the citi∣zens maie probablie be gathered by the woorthie and fairlike markets, weeklie on wednesdaie and fridaie kept in Dublin. Their shambles is so well stored with meat, and their market with corne, as not onelie in * 1.142 Ireland, but also in other countries you shall not sée anie one shambles, or anie one market better furni∣shed with the one or the other, than Dublin is. The citizens haue from time to time in sundrie conflicts so galled the Irish, that euen to this daie, the Irish feare a ragged and fagged blacke standard that the * 1.143 citizens haue, almost through tract of time worne to the hard stumps. This standard they carrie with them in hostings, being neuer displaied but when they are readie to enter into battell, and come to the shocke. The sight of which danteth the Irish aboue measure.

And for the better training of their youth in mar∣tiall * 1.144 exploits, the citizens vse to muster foure times by the yeare: on Blacke mondaie, which is the mor∣row of Easterdaie, on Maiedaie, saint Iohn Bap∣tist his eeue, and saint Peter his eeue. Whereof two are ascribed to the maior & shiriffes: the other two, to wit, the musters on Maie daie and saint Peter his éeue, are assigned to the maior and shiriffes of the Bull ring. The maior of the Bull ring is an office e∣lected * 1.145 by the citizens, to be as it were capteine or gar∣dian of the batchelers and the vnwedded youth of the ciuitie. And for the yeare he hath authoritie to chastise and punish such as frequent brothelhouses, and the like vnchast places. He is tearmed the maior of the Bull ring, of an iron ring that sticketh in the corne∣market, to which the bulles that are yearelie bated be vsuallie tied: which ring is had by him and his companie in so great price, as if anie citizen batchel∣ler hap to marrie, the maior of the Bull ring and his crue conduct the bridegroome vpon his returne from church, to the market place, and there with a solemne kisse for his Vltimum vale, he dooth homage vnto the Bull ring.

The Blacke mondaie muster sproong of this oc∣casion. * 1.146 Soone after Ireland was conquered by the Britons, & the greater part of Leinster pacified, di∣uerse townesmen of Bristow flitted from thense to * 1.147 Dublin, and in short space the ciuitie was by them so well inhabited, as it grew to bée verie populous. Wherevpon the citizens hauing ouer great affiance in the multitude of the people, and so consequentlie being somewhat retchlesse in héeding the mounteine enimie that lurked vnder their noses, were woont to rome and roile in clusters, sometime thrée or foure miles from the towne. The Irish enimie spieng that the citizens were accustomed to fetch such od vaga∣ries, especiallie on the holie daies, & hauing an ink∣ling withall by some false clatterfert or other, that a companie of them would haue ranged abrode, on mondaie in the Easter weeke towards the wood of Cullen, which is distant two miles from Dublin, they laie in staie verie well appointed, and laid in sun∣drie places for their comming. The citizens rather minding the pleasure they should presentlie inioy,

than forecasting the hurt that might insue, flockt vn∣armed out of the ciuitie to the wood, where being in∣tercepted by them that laie hoouing in ambush, they were to the number of fiue hundred miserablie slaine. Wherevpon the remnant of the citizens dee∣ming that vnluckie time to be a crosse or a dismall daie, gaue it the appellation of Blacke mondaie.

The citie soone after being peopled by a fresh sup∣plie of Bristollians, to dare the Irish enimie, agréed to banket yearelie in that place, which to this daie is [unspec 10] obserued. For the maior and the shiriffs with the citi∣zens repaire to the wood of Cullen, in which place the maior bestoweth a costlie dinner within a mote or a rundell, and both the shiriffs within another: where they are so well garded with the youth of the ciuitie, as the mounteine enimie dareth not attempt to snatch as much as a pastie crust from thense. Dublin hath at this daie within the citie and in the suburbs these churches that insue, of which the greater num∣ber * 1.148 are parioch churches, onelie Christs church with a [unspec 20] few oratories and chappels excepted. Christs church, otherwise named Ecclesia sanctaetrinitatis, a cathedrall * 1.149 church, the ancientest that I can find recorded of all the churches now standing in Dublin. I take it to haue beene builded, if not in Auellanus his time, yet soone after by the Danes. The building of which was both repared & inlarged by Critius prince of Dub∣lin, at the earnest request of Donat the bishop, and soone after the conquest it hath béene much beautified by Robert Fitz Stephans and Strangbow the erle [unspec 30] of Penbroke, who with his sonne is in the bodie of the church intoomed. The chappell that standeth in the chore, commonlie called the new chappell, was buil∣ded by Gerald Fitz Thomas earle of Kildare, in the yeare of our Lord 1510, where he is intoomed.

Saint Patrikes church, a cathedrall church, in∣dued with notable liuings, and diuerse fat benefi∣ces. It hath a chappell at the north doore which is cal∣led the paroch church. This church was founded by the famous and woorthie prelate Iohn Commin, a∣bout [unspec 40] the yeare of our Lord 1197. This foundation * 1.150 was greatlie aduanced by the liberalitie of king Iohn. There hath risen a great contention betwixt this church and Christes church for antiquitie, where∣in doubtlesse S. Patrike his church ought to giue place, vnlesse they haue further matter to shew, and better reasons to build vpon than their foundations, in which this church by manie yeares is inferror to the other. Saint Nicholas, Saint Michaell, Saint Uerberesse, or Saint Uarburgh, so called of a Chef∣shire [unspec 50] virgine. The citizens of Chester founded this church, with two chappels thereto annexed; the one called our ladies chappell, the other S. Martins chap∣pell. Hir feast is kept the third of Februarie. This church with a great part of the citie was burned in the yeare 1301: but againe by the parochians reedified. Saint Iohn the euangelist, Saint Au∣deon, which is corruptlie called Saint Ouen, or Owen. His feast is solemnized the fourtéenth of August. The paroch of this church is accounted the [unspec 60] best in Dublin, for that the greater number of the aldermen and the worships of the citie are demur∣rant within that paroch.

Saint Tullocke now prophaned. In this church in old time, the familie of the Fitz Simons was for * 1.151 the more part buried. The paroch was meared from the Crane castell, to the fish shambles, called the Cockhill, with Preston his innes, & the lane thereto adioining, which scope is now vnited to Saint Iohn his paroch. S. Katharine, S. Michan or Mighan, * 1.152 Saint Iames; his feast is celebrated the fiue and twentith of Iulie, on which daie in ancient time was there a woorthie faire kept at Dublin, continuing sir daies, vnto which resorted diuers merchants, as well from England, as from France and F•…•…∣ders. And they afforded their wares so dogcheape, in respect of the citie merchants, that the countrie was yeare by yeare sufficientlie stored by strangers: and the citie merchants not vttering their wares, but to such as had not readie chinkes, and there vpon forced to run on the score, were verie much impoue∣rished. Wherefore partlie thorough the canuasing of the towne merchants, and partlie by the winking of the rest of the citizens, being woon vpon manie gaie glosed promises, by plaieng b•…•…péepe to beare themselues ouerlie in the matter, that famous mart was supprest, and all forren saile wholie abandoned. Yet for a memoriall of this notable faire, a few cot∣tages, booths, and alepoles are pitched at Saint Iames his gate. Saint Michaell of Poules, aliâs Paules, Saint Brigide, Saint Keuin, Saint Pe∣ter Demonte, or vpon the hill, appendant to Saint Patrikes church. Saint Stephan; this was erec∣ted for an hospitall for poore, lame, and impotent la∣zers, where they abide to this daie, although not in such chast and sincere wise, as the founders will was vpon the erection thereof. The maior with his bre∣thren on Saint Stephan his daie (which is one of their station daies) repaireth thither, and there dooth offer. Saint Andrew now prophaned.

Both the gates neere the White friers, Saint Ke∣uen * 1.153 his gate, Hogs gate, Dammes gate, Poule gate, aliâs Paules gate, Newgate, a goale or pri∣son, Wine tauerne gate, Saint Audeon his gate, hard by the church going downe towards the Corke∣stréet. The reason why this gate, and the Wine ta∣uerne gate were builded, procéeded of this. In the yeare 1315, Edward Bruise a Scot, & brother to Robert Bruise king of Scots arriued in the north of Ireland. From whence he marched on forwards with his armie, vntill he came as far as Castle∣knocke. The citizens of Dublin being sore amazed at the sudden & Scarborough approch of so puissant an enimie, burned all the houses in Saint Thomas his stréet, least he should vpon his repaire to Dub∣lin haue ante succour in the suburbs. The maior (named Robert Notingham) and communaltie be∣ing in this distresse, razed downe an abbete of the frier preachers, called Saint Sauiour his monaste∣rie, and brought the stones thereof to these places, where the gates now stand; and all along that waie did cast a wall for the better fortifieng of the cruitie, mistrusting that the wals that went along both the keies, should not haue béene of sufficient force to outhold the enimie. The Scots hauing intelligence of the fortifieng of Dublin, and reckoning it a folie to laie siege to so impregnable a ciuitie, marched to∣ward a place not far from Dublin, called the Sal∣mon leape, where pitching their tents for foure daies, they remooued towards the Naas. But •…•…ert the ciuitie was past this danger, king Edward the second gaue strict commandement to the citizens to build the abbeie they razed; saieng, that although lawes were squarted in warre, yet notwithstanding they ought to be reuiued in peace. Gurmund his gate, hard by the Cucull, or Coockolds post. Some suppose, that one Gurmundus builded this gate, and thereof to take the name. Others iudge, that the Irish assaulting the ciuitie, were discomfited by the earle of Ormond, then by good hap soiourning at Dublin. And because he issued out at that gate, to the end the valiant exploit and famous conquest of so woorthie a potentate should be ingrailed in per∣petuall memorie, the gate bare the name of Or∣mond his gate. The bridge gate, Saint Nicholas his gate, Saint Patrike his gate, Bungan his gate, the Newstreet gate, Saint Thomas his gate, Saint Iames his gate.

The Dam•…•…es stréet, the Castle street, stretching to the pillorie, Saint Uerberosses stréet, Saint Iohn * 1.154 his stréet, aliâs fish shamble street, Skinners rew rea∣ching from the pillorie to the tolehall, or to the high crosse. The High street bearing to the high pipe. This pipe was builded in the yeare 1308, by a * 1.155 woorthis citizen named Iohn Decer, being then maior of Dublin. He builded not long before that time the bridge hard by Saint Woolstans, that rea∣cheth ouer the Liffie. The Newgate stréet, from [unspec 10] the Newgate to Saint Audoen his church. Saint Nicholas his stréet, the Wine tauerne street, the Cooke street, the Bridge stréet. This stréet with the greater part of the keie was burnt in the yeare 1304. The Woodkeie, the Merchant keie, Osmon∣towne, so called of certeine Easterlings or Nor∣mans, properlie the Danes that were called Ost∣manni, * 1.156 They planted themselues hard by the wa∣ter side neere Dublin, and discomfited at Clontarfe in a skirmish diuerse of the Irish. The names of [unspec 20] the Irish capteins slaine were Brian Borrough, * 1.157 Miagh macke Bren, Tadie Okellie, Dolin Ahertegan, Gille Barramede. These were I∣rish potentates, and before their discomfiture they ruled the rost. They were interred at Kilmai∣nanne ouer against the great crosse. There arriued a fresh supplie of Easterlings at Dublin in the yeare 1095. and setled themselues on the other side of the ciuitie, which of them to this daie is called Ost∣mantowne, * 1.158 that is, the towne of the Ostmannes, [unspec 30] whereof there ariseth great likelihood to haue béene a separat towne from the citie, being parted from Dublin by the Liffie, as Southworke is seuered from London by Thames. Saint Thomas his street; this street was burnt by mishap in the yeare 1343. The New buildings, the New stréet, Saint Francis his stréet, the Kowme, Saint Patrike his street, the backeside of Saint Sepulchres, Saint Ke∣uen his street, the Poule, or Paulmilstréet, Saint Brigids stréet, the Shéepe street, aliâs the Ship stréet. [unspec 40] For diuerse are of opinion, that the sea had passage that waie, and thereof to be called the Ship stréet.

This as it séemesh not wholie impossible, con∣sidering that the sea floweth and ebbeth hard by it: so it carieth a more colour of truth with it, because there haue béene found there certeine iron rings fastned to the towne wall, to hold and graple botes withall. Saint Uerberosses lane, vp to Saint Nicholas his stréet, now inclose•…•…, Saint Michaell his lane, be∣ginning * 1.159 at Saint Michaell his pipe, Christchurch [unspec 50] lane, Saint Iohn his lane, Ram lane, aliâs the Schoolehouse lane, Saint Audoen his lane, Kesers lane. This lane is stéepe & slipperie, in which other∣•…•…iles, they that make more hast, than good spéed, clinke their bums to the stones. And therefore the ruder sort, whether it be through corruption of spéech, or for that they giue it a nickename, commonlie terme it, not so homelie, as trulie, Kisse arsse lane. Rochell lane, aliâs Backelane, on the southside of the flesh shambles, the Cookestréet lane, Frapper lane, [unspec 60] Giglottes hill, Marie lane, Saint Tullocke his lane, Scarlet lane, aliâs Isouds lane, Saint Pul∣chers lane, Saint Kenin his lane, the White friers lane, Saint Stephan his lane, Hogs lane, the Sea lane, Saint George his lane, where in old time were builded diuerse old and ancient monuments. And as an insearcher of antiquities may (by the view there to be taken) coniecture, the better part of the suburbs of Dublin should séeme to haue stret∣ched that waie. But the inhabitants being dailie and hourelie molested and preided by their prolling mounteine neighbors, were forced to suffer their buildings fall in decaie, and embaied themselues wi•…•… in the citie wals.

Among other monuments, there is a place in * 1.160 that lane called now Collets innes, which in old time was the Escacar or E•…•…cheker. Which should implie that the princes court would not haue béene kept there, vnlesse the place had béene taken to be cocksure. But in fine it fell out contrarie. For the baron sitting there solemnlie, and as it seemed, retch∣les•…•…ie: the Irish espieng the oportunitie, rushed into the court in plumps, where surprising the vnweapo∣ned multitude, they committed horrible slaughters by sparing none that came vnder their dint; and with∣all, as far as their Scarborough leasure could serue them, they ransacke the prince his the saure, vpon which mishap the excheker was from thense remoo∣ued. * 1.161 There hath beene also in that lane a chappell de∣dicated to saint George, likelie to haue béene foun∣ded by some worthie knight of the garter. The mai∣or with his brethren was accustomed with great tri∣umphs and pageants yéerelie on saint George his feast to repaire to that chappell, and there to offer. This chappell hath beene of late razed, and the stones therof by consent of the assemblie turned to a com∣mon ouen, conuerting the ancient monument of a doutie, aduenturous, and holie knight, to the cole∣rake * 1.162 swéeping of a pufloafe baker. The great bridge going to Ostmantowne, saint Nicholas his bridge, the Poule gate bridge, repared by Nicholas Stani∣hurst about the yeere one thousand fiue hundred for∣tie * 1.163 & foure, the Castell bridge, S. Iames his bridge.

The castell of Dublin was builded by Henrie * 1.164 Loundres (sometime archbishop of Dublin, and lord iustice of Ireland) about the yéere of our Lord one thousand two hundred and twentie. This castell * 1.165 hath beside the gate house foure goodlie and substan∣tiall towers, of which one of them is named Ber∣mingham * 1.166 his tower, whether it were that one of the Berminghams did inlarge the building thereof, or else that he was long in duresse in that tower. This * 1.167 castell hath béene of late much beautified with sun∣drie and gorgious buildings in the time of sir Hen∣rie Sidneie, sometimes lord deputie of Ireland. In the commendation of which buildings an especi∣all welwiller of his lordships penned these verses:

Gesta libri referunt multorum clara virorum, Laudis & in chartis stigmata fixa manent. Verùm Sidnaei laudes haec saxa loquuntur, Nec iacet in solis gloria tanta libris. Si libri pereant, homines remanere valebunt, Si pereant homines, ligna manere queunt. Lig náque si pereant, non ergò saxa peribunt, Saxáque si pereant tempore, tempus erit. Si pereat tempus, minimè consumitur aeuum, Quod cum principio, sed sine fine manet. Dum libri florent, homines dum viuere possunt, Dum quoque cum lignis saxa manere valent, Dum remanet tempus, dum denique permanet •…•…uum, Laus tua, Sidnaei, digna perire nequit.

There standeth neere the castell ouer against a void roome called Preston his •…•…nnes, a tower named Isouds tower. It tooke the name of la Beale Isoud, * 1.168 daughter to Anguish king of Ireland. It séemeth to haue béene a castle of pleasure for the kings to recre∣at themselues therein. Which was not vnlike, con∣sidering that a meaner tower might serue such single soule kings as were at those daies in Ireland. There is a village hard by Dublin, called of the said la * 1.169 Beale, chappell Isoud.

Saint Pulchers, the archbishop of Dublin his * 1.170 house, as well pleasantlie sited, as gorgeouslie buil∣ded. Some hold opinion, that the beautifuller part of this house was of set purpose fired by an archbishop, to the end the gouernors (which for the more part laie there) should not haue so goodliking to the house: not far disagréeing from the policie that I heard a noble

man tell he vsed, who hauing a surpassing good horse, and such a one as ouer ran in a set race other choise horses, did bobtaile him vpon his returne to the sta∣ble, least anie of his fréends casting a fantasie to the beast, should craue him. The noble man being so bountifullie giuen, as that of liberalitie he could not, & of discretion he would séeme to giue his fréend the repulse in a more weightie request than that were.

Saint Stephans gréene, Hegging gréene, the [unspec 10] * 1.171 Steine, Ostmantowne gréene. In the further end of this field is there a hole commonlie termed Scald brothers hole, a labyrinth reaching two large miles vnder the earth. This hole was in old time frequen∣ted by a notorious théefe named Scaldbrother, wherein he would hide all the bag and baggage that he could pilfer. The varlet was so swift on foot, as he hath estsoones outrun the swiffest and lustiest yoong men in all Ostmantowne, maugre their heads, bea∣ring a pot or a pan of theirs on his shoulders to his [unspec 20] den. And now and then, in derision of such as pur∣sued him, he would take his course vnder the gal∣lows, which standeth verie nigh his caue (a fit signe for such an inne) and so being shrowded within his lodge, he reckoned himselfe cocksure, none being found at that time so hardie as would aduenture to intangle himselfe within so intricat a maze. But as the pitcher that goeth often to the water, commeth at length home broken: so this lustie youth would not surcease from open catching, forcible snatching, and [unspec 30] priuie prolling, till time he was by certeine gaping groomes that laie in wait for him, intercepted, flée∣ing toward his couch, hauing vpon his apprehension no more wrong doone him, than that he was not soo∣ner hanged on that gallowes, through which in his * 1.172 youth and iolitie he was woont to run. There stan∣deth in Ostmantowne gréene an hillocke, named little Iohn his shot. The occasion proceeded of this. * 1.173

In the yéere one thousand one hundred foure score * 1.174 and nine, there ranged three robbers and outlaws in [unspec 40] England, among which Robert Hood and little Iohn were cheefeteins, of all theeues doubtlesse the most courteous. Robert Hood being betraied at a nunrie in Scotland called Bricklies, the remnant of the * 1.175 crue was scattered, and euerie man forced to shift for himselfe. Wherevpon little Iohn was faine to flée the realme by sailing into Ireland, where he so∣iornied for a few daies at Dublin. The citizens be∣ing doone to vnderstand the wandering outcast to be an excellent archer, requested him hartilie to trie [unspec 50] how far he could shoot at randon: who yéelding to their behest, stood on the bridge of Dublin, and shot to that mole hill, leauing behind him a monument, ra∣ther by his posteritie to be woondered, than possiblie by anie man liuing to be counterscored. But as the repaire of so notorious a champion to anie countrie would soone be published, so his abode could not be long concealed: and therefore to eschew the danger of lawes, he fled into Scotland, where he died at a towne or village called Morauie. Gerardus Mer∣•…•…ator [unspec 60] * 1.176 in his cosmographie affirmeth, that in the same towne the bones of an huge and mightie man are kept, which was called little Iohn, among which bones, the hucklebone or hipbone was of such large∣nesse, as witnesseth Hector Boetius, that he thrust his arme through the hole thereof. And the same bone being suted to the other parts of his bodie, did argue the man to haue béene fourteene foot long, which was a pretie length for a little Iohn. Whereby appeereth that he was called little Iohn ironicallie, like as we terme him an honest man whom we take for a knaue in graine.

Neere to the citie of Dublin are the foure ancient manors annexed to the crowne, which are named * 1.177 to this daie, the Kings land; to wit, Newcastell, Massaggard, Eschire, and Crumlin. The manor of * 1.178 Crumlm paieth a greater chéefe rent to the prince than anie of the other thrée, which procéeded of this. The seneschall being offended with the tenants for their misdemeanor, tooke them vp verie sharplie in the court, and with rough and minatorie spéeches be∣gan to menace them. The lobbish and desperat clob∣beriousnesse, taking the matter in dudgeon, made no more words, but knockt their seneschall on the co∣stard, and left him there spralling on the ground for dead. For which detestable murther their rent was inhansed, and they paie at this daie nine pence an acre, which is double to anie of the other thrée ma∣nors.

Waterford was founded by Sitaracus (as is * 1.179 aforesaid) in the yeere one hundred fiftie and fiue. Ptolome nameth it Manapia, but whie he appropria∣teth * 1.180 that name to this citie, neither dooth he declare, nor I ghesse. This citie is properlie builded, and verie well compact, somewhat close by reason of their thicke buildings and narrow stréets. The hauen is passing good, by which the citizens through the inter∣course of forren traffike in short space atteine to a∣bundance of wealth. The soile about it is not all of the best, by reason of which the aire is not verie sub∣till, yea nathelesse the sharpnesse of their wittes sée∣meth to be nothing rebated or duld by reason of the grossenesse of the aire. For in good sooth the townes∣men, and namelie students are pregnant in concei∣uing, quicke in taking, and sure in kéeping. The citizens are verie héedie and warie in all their pub∣like affaires, slow in the determining of matters of weight, louing to looke yer they leape. In choosing their magistrate, they respect not onlie his riches, but also they weigh his experience. And therefore they elect for their maior neither a rich man that is yoong, nor an old man that is poore. They are chéerfull in the interteinment of strangers, hartle one to another, nothing giuen to factions. They loue no idle bench∣whistlers, nor luskish faitors: for yoong and old are wholie addicted to thriuing, the men commonlie to traffike, the women to spinning and carding. As they distill the best Aqua vitae, so they spin the choisest rug in Ireland. A fréend of mine being of late de∣murrant in London, and the weather by reason of an hard hoare frost being somwhat nipping, repaired to Paris garden, clad in one of these Waterford rugs. The mastifs had no sooner espied him, but dée∣ming he had béene a beare, would faine haue baited him. And were it not that the dogs were partlie muz∣led, and partlie chained, he doubted not, but that he should haue béene well tugd in this Irish rug; where∣vpon he solemnlie vowed neuer to see beare baiting in anie such wéed. The citie of Waterford hath con∣tinued to the crowne of England so loiall, that it is not found registred since the conquest to haue béene distained with the smallest spot, or dusked with the least freckle of treason; notwithstanding the sundrie assaults of traitorous attempts: and therefore the ci∣ties armes are deckt with this golden word, Intacta * 1.181 manet: a posie as well to be hartilie followed, as greatlie admired of all true and loiall townes.

Limerike called in Latine Limericum was buil∣ded * 1.182 by Yuorus, as is before mentioned, about the yéere one hundred fiftie and fiue. This citie coasteth * 1.183 on the sea hard vpon the riuer Sennan, whereby are most notablie seuered Mounster and Connaght: the Irish name this citie Loumneagh, and thereof in English it is named Limerike. The towne is * 1.184 planted in an Iland, which plot in old time, before the building of the citie was stored with grasse. During which time it happened, that one of the Irish po∣tentates, raising warre against another of his peers,

incamped in that Ile, hauing so great a troope of horssemen, as the horsses eate vp the grasse in foure and twentie houres. Wherevpon for the notorious number of horses, the place is called Loum ne augh; that is, the horse bare, or a place made bare or eaten vp by horses. The verie maine sea is thrée score miles distant from the towne, and yet the riuer is so nauigable, as a ship of two hundred tuns may saile to the keie of the citie. The riuer is termed in Irish Shaune amne, that is, the old riuer; for shaune is [unspec 10] old, & amne is a riuer, deducted of the Latine word Amnis. The building of Limerike is sumptuous and substantiall.

Corke, in Latine Coracium, or Corracium, the fourth citie of Ireland happilie planted on the sea. Their ha∣uen * 1.185 is an hauen roiall. On the land side they are in∣combred with euill neighbors, the Irish outlaws, that they are faine to watch their gates hourlie, to kéepe them shut at seruice times, at meales from sun to sun, nor suffer anie stranger to enter the citie with [unspec 20] his weapon, but the same to leaue at a lodge appoin∣ted. They walke out at seasons for recreation with power of men furnished. They trust not the coun∣trie adioining, but match in wedlocke among them∣selues onelie, so that the whole citie is welnigh lin∣ked one to the other in affinitie. Drogheda, accoun∣ted the best towne in Ireland, and trulie not far be∣hind * 1.186 some of their cities. The one moitie of this towne is in Meth, the other planted on the further side of the water lieth in Ulster. There runneth a blind prophesie on this towne, that Rosse was, Du∣blin [unspec 30] is, Drogheda shall be the best of the three.

Rosse, an hauen towne in Mounster not far from Waterford, which séemeth to haue béene in ancient * 1.187 time a towne of great port. Whereof sundrie & pro∣bable coniectures are giuen, as well by the old dit∣ches that are now a mile distant from the wals of Rosse, betweene which wals and ditches the reliks of the ancient wals, gates, and towers, placed be∣tweene both are yet to be seene. The towne is buil∣ded [unspec 40] in a barren soile, and planted among a crue of naughtie and prolling neighbours. And in old time when it florished, albeit the towne were sufficientlie peopled, yet as long as it was not compassed with wals, they were formed with watch & ward, to keepe it from the gréedie snatching of the Irish enimies. With whome as they were generallie molested, so the priuat cousening of one pezzant on a sudden, in∣censed them to inuiron their towne with strong and substantiall wals. There repaired one of the Irish to [unspec 50] this towne on horssebacke, & espieng a peece of cloth on a merchants stall, tooke hold thereof, and bet the cloth to the lowest price he could. As the merchant and he stood dodging one with the other in cheaping the ware, the horsseman considering that he was well mounted, and that the merchant and he had growne to a price, made wise as though he would haue drawne to his purse, to haue defraied the mo∣nie. The cloth in the meane while being tucked vp and placed before him, he gaue the spur to his horsse [unspec 60] and ran awaie with the cloth, being not imbard from his posting pase, by reason the towne was not per∣closed either with ditch or wall. The townesmen be∣ing piched at the heart, that one rascall in such scornefull wise should giue them the slampaine, not so much weieng the slendernesse of the losse, as the shamefulnesse of the foile, they put their heads togi∣ther, consulting how to preuent either the sudden ru∣shing, or the post hast flieng of anie such aduenturous rakeheil hereafter.

In which consultation a famous Dido, a chast wi∣dow, * 1.188 a politike dame, a bountifull gentlewoman, called Rose, who representing in sinceritie of life the swéetnesse of that hearbe whose name she bare, vn∣folded the deuise, how anie such future mischance should be preuented: and withall opened hir coffers liberallie, to haue it furthered: two good properties in a councellor. Hir deuise was, that the towne should incontinentlie be inclosed with wals, & there∣withall promised to discharge the charges, so that they would not sticke to find out labourers. The de∣uise of this worthie matrone being wise, and the of∣fer liberall, the townesmen agreed to follow the one, and to put their helping hands to the atchiuing of the other. The worke was begun, which thorough the multitude of hands séemed light. For the whole towne was assembled, tag and rag, cut and long taile: none exempted, but such as were bedred and impotent. Some were tasked to delue, others ap∣pointed with mattocks to dig, diuerse allotted to the vnheaping of rubbish, manie bestowed to the ca∣riage of stones, sundrie occupied in tempering of morter, the better sort busied in ouerséeing the work∣men, ech one according to his vocation imploied, as though the ciuitie of Carthage were afresh in buil∣ding, as it is featlie verified by the golden poet Vir∣gil, and neatlie Englished by master doctor Phaer.

The Moores with courage went to worke, some vnder burdens grones: Some at the wals and towrs with hands were tumbling vp the stones. Some measurd out a place to build their mansion house within: Some lawes and officers to make in parlment did begin. An other had an hauen cast, and deepe they trench the ground, Some other for the games and plaies a statelie place had found. And pillers great they cut for kings, to garnish foorth their wals. And like as bees among the flours, when fresh the summer fals, In shine of sunne applie their worke, when growne is vp their yoong: Or when their hiues they gin to stop, and honie sweet is sproong, That all their caues and cellars close with dulcet liquor fils, Some doo outlade, some other bring the stuffe with readie wils. Sometime they ioine, and all at once doo from their mangers fet The slothfull drones, that would consume, and nought would doo to get. The worke it heats, the honie smels of flours and thime ywet.

But to returne from Dido of Carthage, to Rose of Rosse, and hir worke. The labourers were so ma∣nie, the worke, by reason of round and excheker pai∣ment, so well applied, the quarrie of faire marble so néere at hand (for they affirme, that out of the tren∣ches and ditches hard by their rampiers, the stones were had: and all that plot is so stonie, that the foun∣dation is an hard rocke) that these wals with diuerse braue turrets were suddenlie mounted, and in man∣ner sooner finished, than to the Irish enimies noti∣fied: which I wisse was no small corsie to them. These wals in circuit are equall to London wals. It hath three gorgeous gates, Bishop his gate, on the east side: Algate, on the east southeast side: and South∣gate, on the south part. This towne was no more fa∣moused for these wals, than for a notable woodden bridge that stretched from the towne vnto the other side of the water, which must haue béene by reasona∣ble surueie twelue score, if not more. Diuerse of the poales, logs, and stakes, with which the bridge was vnderpropt, sticke to this daie in the water. A man

would hére suppose, that so flourishing a towne, so firmelie builded, so substantiallie walied, so well peo∣pled, so plentiouslie with thrifstie artificers stored, would not haue fallen to anie sudden decaie.

But as the secret and deepe iudgements of God * 1.189 are veiled within the couerture of his diuine maie∣st•…•…, so it standeth not with the dulnesse of man his wit, to beat his braines in the curious insearching of hidden mysteries. Wherefore I, as an historian vndertaking in this treatise, rather plainelie to de∣clare [unspec 10] what was doone, than rashlie to inquire why it should be doone: purpose, by God his assistance, to accomplish, as neere as I can, my dutie in the one, leauing the other to the friuolous deciding of busie heads. This Rose, who was the foundresse of these former rehearsed wals, had issue thrée sonnes (how∣beit some hold opinion, that they were but hir ne∣phues) who being bolstered out thorough the wealth of their moother, and supported by their traffike, made diuerse prosperous voiages into forren countries. [unspec 20] But as one of the thrée chapmen was imploied in his traffike abroad, so the prettie peplet his wife be∣gan to be a fresh occupieng giglot at home, and by re∣port fell so farre acquainted with a religious cloiste∣rer of the towne, as that he gat within the lining of hir smocke. Both the parties wallowing ouer∣long in the stinking puddle of adulterie, suspicion be∣gan to créepe in some townesmens brains: and to b•…•… briefe, it came so farre. thorough the iust iudge∣ment of God, to light, whether it were that she was [unspec 30] with child in hir husband his absence, or that hir lo∣uer vsed hir fondlie in open presence, as the presump∣tion was not onelie vehement, but also the fact too apparent: hir vnfortunat husband had no sooner no∣tice giuen him vpon his returne of these sorowfull newes, than his fingers began to nibble, his teeth to grin, his eies to trickle, his eares to dindle, his head to dazell, insomuch as his heart being scared with gelousie, and his wits installed thorough phrensie, he * 1.190 became as mad as a March hare. [unspec 40]

But how heauilie soeuer hir husband tooke it, dame Rose and all hir friends (which were in effect all the townesmen, for that she was their common benefactresse) were galled at their hearts, as well to heare of the enormious adulterie, as to sée the bed∣lem pangs of brainsicke gelousie. Wherevpon di∣uerse of the townesmen grunting and grudging at the matter, said that the fact was horrible, and that it were a deed of charitie vtterlie to grub awaie such wild shrubs from the towne: and if this were in a∣nie [unspec 50] dispunishable wise raked vp in the ashes, they should no sooner trauerse the seas, than some other would inkindle the like fire afresh, and so conse∣quentlie dishonest their wiues, and make their hus∣bands to become changelings, as being turned from sober mood to be hornewood, because rutting wiues make often rammish husbands, as our prouerb dooth inferre. Others soothing their fellowes in these muti∣nies turned the priuat iniurie vnto a publike quar∣rell, and a number of the townesmen conspiring [unspec 60] togither flocked in the dead of the night, well ap∣pointed, to the abbeie, wherein the frier was cloi∣stered (the monument of which abbeie is yet to be séene at Rosse on the south side) where vnderspar∣ring the gates, and bearing vp the dormitorie doore, they stabbed the adulterer with the rest of the co∣uent thorough with their weapons. Where they left them goaring in their bloud, roaring in their cab∣bins▪ and gasping vp their flitting ghosts in their couches.

The vprore was great, and they to whome the slaughter before hand was not imparted, were won∣derfullie the reat astonied. But in especiall the rem∣nant of the cleargie bare verie hollow hearts to the townesmen; and how freendlie their outward coun∣tenances were, yet they would not with inward thought forget nor forgiue so horrible a murther, but were fullie resolued, whensoeuer oportunitie ser∣ued them, to sit in their skirts, by making them soulfe as sorowfull a kyrie. These thrée brethren not long after this bloudie exploit, sped them into some out∣landish countrie to continue their trade. The religi∣ous men being doone to vnderstand, as it seemed, by some of their neighbors, which foresailed them home∣ward, that these thrée brethren were readie to be im∣barked, slunkt priuilie out of the towne, and resor∣ted to the mouth of the hauen, néere a castell, named Hulke tower, which is a notable marke for pilots, in * 1.191 directing them which waie to sterne their ships, and to eschew the danger of the craggie rocks there on euerie side of the shore peking. Some iudge that the said Rose was foundresse of this tower, and of pur∣pose did build it for the safetie of hir children, but at length it turned to their bane. For these reuengers nightlie did not misse to laie a lanterne on the top of the rocks, that were on the other side of the water. Which practise was not long by them continued, when these three passengers bering saile with a lustie gale of wind, made right vpon the lanterne, not doubting, but it had béene the Hulke tower. But they tooke their marke so farre amisse, as they were not ware, till time their ship was dasht and pasht a∣gainst the rocks, and all the passengers ouerwhirled in the sea.

This heauie hap was not so sorowfull vnto the townesmen, as it was gladsome to the religious, thinking that they had in part cried them acquit∣tance, the more that they, which were drowned, were the archbrochers of their brethrens bloud. Howbeit they would not crie hoa here, but sent in post some of their couent to Rome, where they inhansed the slaughter of the fraternitie so heinouslie, and concea∣led their owne prankes so couertlie, as the pope ex∣commenged the towne, the towne accurssed the fri∣ers: so that there was such curssing and banning of all hands, and such dissentious hurlie burlie raised betwéene themselues, as the estate of that flourish∣ing towne was turned arsie versie, topside the other∣waie, and from abundance of prosperitie quite ex∣changed to extreame penurie.

The wals stand to this daie, a few streets and hou∣ses * 1.192 in the towne, no small parcell thereof is turned to orchards and gardens. The greater part of the towne is stéepe and steaming vpward. Their church is called Christs church, in the north side whereof is placed a monument called the king of Denmarke his toome: whereby coniecture may rise, that the Danes were founders of that church. This Rosse * 1.193 is called Rosse Noua, or Rosse Ponti, by reason of their bridge. That which they call old Rosse, beareth east thrée miles from this Rosse, into the countrie of Weisford, an ancient manour of the earle of Kil∣dares. * 1.194 There is the third Rosse on the other side of the water, called Rosse Ibarcan, so named, for that it standeth in the countrie of Kilkennie, which is diuided into thrée parts, into Ibircan, Ida, & I∣douth. Weisford a hauen towne not far from Rosse, * 1.195 I find no great matters thereof recorded, but onelie that it is to be had in great price of all the English posteritie, planted in Ireland, as a towne that was the first fostresse and harboresse of the English con∣querors.

Kilkennie, the best vplandish towne, or (as they * 1.196 terme it) the properest drie town in Ireland, it is par∣ted into the high towne, and the Irish towne. The Irish towne claimeth a corporation apart from the high towne, whereby great factions grow dailie be∣twéene the inhabitants. True it is, that the Irish

towne is the ancienter, and was called the old Kil∣kennie, being vnder the bishop his becke, as they are or ought to be at this present. The high towne was builded by the English after the conquest, and had a parcell of the Irish towne thereto vnited, by the bi∣shop his grant, made vnto the founders vpon their earnest request. In the yeare 1400, Robert Talbot * 1.197 a worthie gentleman, inclosed with wals the better part of this towne, by which it was greatlie fortified. This gentleman deceased in the yeare 1415. In [unspec 10] this towne in the chore of the frier preachers, Willi∣am Marshall earle marshall and earle of Penbroke * 1.198 was buried, who departed this life in the yeare 1231. Richard brother to William, to whome the inheri∣tance descended, within thrée yeares after deceased at Kilkennie, being wounded to death in a field gi∣uen in the heath of Kildare, in the yeare 1234, the twelfe of Aprill, and was intoomed with his bro∣ther, * 1.199 according to the old epitaph héere mentioned:

Hîc comes est positus Richardus vulnere fossus, [unspec 20] Cuius sub fossa Kilkenia continet ossa.

This towne hath thrée churches, saint Kennies * 1.200 church, our ladies church, aliàs S. Maries church; and S. Patrikes church, with the abbeie of S. Iohn. S. Kennies church is their chéefe and cathedrall church, a worthie foundation as well for gorgeous buildings, as for notable liuings. In the west end of the church∣yard of late haue beene founded a grammar schoole by the right honorable Pierce or Peter Butler erle * 1.201 of Ormond and Ossorie, and by his wife the coun∣tesse [unspec 30] of Ormond, the ladie Margaret fitz Gerald, sister to Girald fitz Girald the earle of Kildare that last was. Out of which schoole haue sprouted such pro∣per impes, through the painefull diligence, and the laboursome industrie of a famous lettered man M. Peter White (sometime fellow of Oriall college in * 1.202 Oxford, and schoole maister in Kilkennie) as general∣lie the whole weale publike of Ireland, and especial∣lie the southerne parts of that Iland are greatlie thereby furthered. This gentlemans method in trai∣ning [unspec 40] vp youth was rare and singular, framing the education according to the scholers veine. If he found him frée, he would bridle him like a wise Iso∣crates from his booke; if he perceiued him to be dull, he would spur him forward; if he vnderstood that he were the woorse for beating, he would win him with rewards: finallie, by interlasing studie with recrea∣tion, sorrow with mirth, paine with pleasure, sower∣nesse with sweetnesse, roughnesse with mildnesse, he had so good successe in schooling his pupils, as in good [unspec 50] sooth I may boldlie bide by it, that in the realme of Ireland was no grammar schoole so good, in Eng∣land I am well assured none better. And bicause it was my happie hap (God and my parents be than∣ked) to haue béene one of his crue, I take it to stand with my dutie, sith I may not stretch mine abilitie in requiting his good turnes, yet to manifest my good will in remembring his paines. And certes, I ac∣knowledge my selfe so much bound and beholding to him and his, as for his sake I reuerence the meanest stone cemented in the wals of that famous schoole. [unspec 60] This towne is named Kilkennie, of an holie and * 1.203 learned abbat called Kanicus, borne in the countie of Kilkennie, or (as it is in some bookes recorded) in Connaght. This prelat being in his suckling yeres fostered, through the prouidence of God, with the milke of a cow, and baptized and bishoped by one Lu∣racus, thereto by Gods especiall appointment depu∣ted, grew in tract of time to such deuotion and lear∣ning, as he was reputed of all men to be as well a mirrour of the one, as a paragon of the other: where∣of he gaue sufficient coniecture in his minoritie. For being turned to the kéeping of sheepe, and his fellow shéepheards, wholié yéelding themselues like lus•…•…ish vagabunds to slouth and sluggishnesse, yet would he still find himselfe occupied in framing with osiars and twigs, little wodden churches, and in fashioning the furnitures thereto apperteining. Being stept further in yeares, he made his repaire into Eng∣land, where cloistering himselfe in an abbeie, wherof one named Doctus was abbat, he was wholie wed∣ded to his booke, and to deuotion: wherein he conti∣nued so painefull and diligent, as being on a certeine time penning a serious matter, and hauing not ful∣lie drawne the fourth vocall, the abbeie bell tingd to assemble the couent to some spirituall exercise. To which he so hastened, as he left the letter in semicir∣clewise vnfinished, vntill he returned backe to his booke. Soone after being promoted to ecclesiasticall orders, he trauelled by the consent of his fellow moonks to Rome, and in Italie he gaue such mani∣fest proofe of his pietie, as to this daie in some parts thereof he is highlie renowmed.

Thomas towne, a proper towne builded in the * 1.204 countie of Kilkennie, by one Thomas Fitzantonie an Englishman. The Irish thereof name it Ballie mac Andan: that is, the towne of Fitzantonie. This gentleman had issue two daughters, the one of them was espoused to Denne, the other married to Archdeacon, or Mackodo, whose heires haue at this daie the towne betwéene them in coparcenarie. But bicause the reader may sée in what part of the countrie the cities and cheefe townes stand, I take it not far amisse to place them in order as insueth.

Drogheda, Carregfargus, Downe, Armagh, Ar∣glash, * 1.205 Cloagher, Muneighan, Doonnegaule, Karreg mac Rosse, Newrie, Carlingford, Ardie, Doon∣dalke, Louth. Dublin, Bulrudrie, Luske, Swords, * 1.206 Tashaggard, Lions, Newcastle, Rathcoule, Ough∣terarde, Naas, Clane, Mainooth, Kilcocke, Ra∣thaimgan, Kildare, Luianne, Castletowne, Philips towne, Mariborough, Kilcullen, Castle Marten, Thistledermot, Kilca, Athie, Catherlaugh, Leighe∣len, Gauranne, Thomas towne, Enestiocke, Ca∣shelle, Callanne, Kilkennie, Knocktofer, Rosse, Clonmelle, Weiseford, Fernes, Fidderd, Enescor∣tie, Tathmon, Wickloa, Ackloa. Waterford, Lis∣more, Doongaruan, Yoghill, Corke, Limerike, * 1.207 Kilmallocke. Aloane, Galuoie, Anrie, Louaghriagh, * 1.208 Clare, Toame, Sligagh, Rossecomman, Arctlowne. Trimme, Doonshaghlenne, Rathlouth, Nauanne, * 1.209 Abooie, Scrine, Taraugh, Kemles, Doonboine, Gréenocke, Duléeke. Molingare, Fowre, Lough∣seude, * 1.210 Kilkeniwest, Moilagagh, Deluinne.

In the foure and thirtith yeare of the reigne of king Henrie the eight, it was enacted in a parlement * 1.211 holden at Dubline before sir Anthonie Sentleger knight, lord deputie of Ireland, that Méeth should be diuided and made two shires, one of them to be cal∣led the countie of Meeth, the other to be called the countie of Westméeth, and that there should be two shiriffes and officers conuenient within the same shires, as is more exprest in the act.

Loughfoile, the Banne, Wolderfrith, Crareg∣fergus, * 1.212 Strangford, Ardglas, Lougheuen, Car∣lingford, Kilkeale, Dundalke, Kilclogher, Dunane, Drogheda, Houlepatrike, Nanie, Baltraie, Bri∣more, Balbriggen, Roggers towne, Skerrish, Rush, Malahide, Banledoo•…•…le, Houth, Dublin, Dal∣kée, Wickincloa, Arckloa, Weisford, Bagganbun, the Passage, Waterford, Dungaruan, Rosse noua, Youghille, Corke mabegge, Corke, Kinsale, Kierie, Rosse Ilbere, Dorrie, Baltinimore, Downenere, Downeshead, Downelounge, Attannanne, Crag∣hanne, Downenebwme, Balineskililiedge, Dau∣gine Ichouse, Tralie, Seninne, Cassanne, Kilne∣wine, Limerike, Inniskartée, Belalenne, Arine∣newme, Glanemaugh, Balliweiham, Binwarre,

Dowris, Woran, Roskam, Galwaie, Killinillie, Innesbofinne, Owran, Moare, Kilcolken, Burske, Belleclare, Rathesilbene, Bierweisowre, Buraueis hare, Ardne makow, Rosbare, Kilgolinne, Wal∣lalele, Rabranne, Strone, Burweis now, Zaltra, Kalbalie, Ardnocke, Adrowse, Sligaghe, Innes Bowsenne.

Cambrensis obserued in his time, that when the * 1.213 sea dooth eb at Dublin, it ebbeth also at Bristow, and floweth at Milford and Weisford. At Wickloa the [unspec 10] sea ebbeth when in all other parts it commonlie floweth. Furthermore this he noted, that the riuer which runneth by Wickloa vpon a low eb is salt, but in Arckloa the next hauen towne, the riuer is fresh when the sea is at full. He writeth also, that not far from Arckloa standeth a rocke, and when the sea eb∣beth in one side thereof, it floweth in the other side as fast. Cambrensis insearcheth diuerse philosophicall reasons in finding out the cause, by obseruing the course of the moone, who is the empresse of moisture. [unspec 20] But those subtilties I leaue for the schoolestréets.

Of the strange and woonderfull places in Ireland. The fourth chapter.

I Thinke it good to begin with S. Patrike his purga∣torie, * 1.214 partlie bicause it is [unspec 30] most notoriouslie knowne, & partlie the more, that some writers, as the author of Po∣lychronicon and others that were miscaried by him, séeme to make great doubt where they néed not. For they ascribe the finding out of the place not to Patrike that conuerted the countrie, but an other Patrike an abbat, whom likewise they affirme to haue béene imploied in conuerting the Iland from heathenrie [unspec 40] to christianitie.

But the author that brocheth this opinion, is not found to carie anie such credit with him, as that a man may certeinlie affirme it, or probablie coniec∣ture it; vnlesse we relie to the old withered worme ea∣ten legend, loded with as manie lowd lies, as lewd lines. The better and the more certeine opinion is, that the other Patrike found it out, in such wise as Cambrensis reporteth. There is a poole or lake, saith * 1.215 he, in the parts of Ulster, that inuironneth an I∣land, [unspec 50] in the one part whereof there standeth a church much lightned with the brightsome recourse of an∣gels: the other part is ouglie and gastlie, as it were a bedlem allotted to the visible assemblies of horri∣ble and grislie bugs. This part of the Iland contei∣neth nine caues. And if anie dare be so hardie, as to take one night his lodging in anie of these ins, which hath béene experimented by some rash & harebraine aduenturers, streight these spirits claw him by the backe, and tug him so ruggedlie, and tosse him so [unspec 60] crabbedlie, that now and then they make him more franke of his bum than of his toong; a paiment cor∣respondent to his interteinement. This place is called S. Patrike his purgatorie of the inhabitors. For when S. Patrike laboured the conuersion of the people of Ulster, by setting before their eies in great heat of spirit, the creation of the world, the fall of our progenitors, the redemption of man by the bles∣sed and pretious bloud of our sauiour Iesus Christ, the certeintie of death, the immortalitie of the soule, the generall resurrection, our latter doome, the ioies of heauen, the paines of hell, how that at length e∣uerie man, small and great, yoong and old, rich and poore, king and keaser, potentate and pezzant must either through God his gratious mercie be exalted to the one, to floorish in perpetuall felicitie; or through his vnsearchable iustice tumble downe to the other, to be tormented in eternall miserie. These and the like graue and weightie sentences, wherwith he was abundantlie stored, so far sunke into their harts, as they séemed verie flexible in condescending to his be∣hest: so that some proofe of his estrange preaching could haue béene verefied. Wherevpon, without fur∣ther delaie, they spake to the prelat in this wise.

Sir, as we like of your preaching, so we dislike not of our libertie. You tell vs of manie gugawes and estrange dreames. You would haue vs to aban∣don infidelitie, to cage vp our libertie, to bridle our pleasure: for which you promise vs for our toile and labour a place to vs as vnknowen, so as yet vncer∣teine. You sermon to vs of a dungeon appointed for offendors and miscredents.

In deed if we could find that to be true, we would the sooner be weaned from the sweet napple of our libertie, and frame our selues pliant to the will of that God, that you re∣ueale vnto vs. S. Patrike considering, that these sealie soules were (as all dulcarnanes for the more part are) more to be terrified from infidelitie through the paines of hell, than allured to christianitie by the ioies of heauen, most hartilie besought God, so it stood with his gratious pleasure, for the honour and glorie of his diuine name, to giue out some euident or glimsing token of the matter they importunatlie required. Finallie by the especiall direction of God, he found in the north edge of Ulster a desolate cor∣ner hemmed in round, and in the middle thereof a pit, where he reared a church, called Reglis or Re∣glasse. * 1.216 At the east end of the churchyard a doore leadeth into a closet of stone like a long ouen, which they call S. Patrike his purgatorie, for that the people resort thither euen at this daie for penance, and haue re∣ported at their returne estrange visions of paine and blisse appearing vnto them.

The author of Polychronicon writeth that in the * 1.217 reigne of king Stephan, a knight named Owen pil∣grimaged to this purgatorie, being so appalled at the strange visions that there he saw, as that vpon his returne from thense he was wholie mortified, and sequestring himselfe from the world, he spent the remnant of his life in an abbeie of Ludensis. Also Dyonisius a charterhouse moonke recordeth a * 1.218 vision seene in that place by one Agneius, or Egne∣ius, whereof who so is inquisitiue, may resort to his treatise written De quatuor nouissimis. Iohannes Ca∣mertes * 1.219 holdeth opinion, which he surmiseth vpon the gesse of other, that Claudius writeth of this purga∣torie. Which if it be true, the place must haue béene extant before saint Patrike, but not so famouslie knowen. The poet his verses are these following:

Est locus, extremum pandit qua Gallia littus. * 1.220 Oceani praetentus aquis, quo fertur Vlysses Sanguine libato populum mouisse silentum, Flebilis auditur questus, simulachra coloni Pallida, defunctásque vident migrare figuras.

There is a place toward the ocean sea from brim of Gallish shore, Wherein Vlysses pilgrim strange with offred bloud ygore, The people there did mooue, a skrit∣ching shrill from dungeon lug The dwellers all appall with gast∣lie galpe of grislie bug. There onelie shapes are seene to stare with visage wan and sad, From nouke to nouke, from place to place, in eluish skips to gad.

They that repaire to this place for deuotion his

s•…•…ke vse to continue therein foure & twentie houres, which dooing otherwhile with ghostlie meditations, and otherwhile a dread for the conscience of their de∣serts, they saie they see a plaine resemblance of their owne faults and vertues, with the horror and com∣fort therevnto belonging, the one so terrible, the o∣ther so ioious, that they verelie déeme themselues for the time to haue sight of hell and heauen. The reue∣lations of men that went thither (S. Patrike yet li∣uing) are kept written within the abbeie there adioi∣ning. [unspec 10] When anie person is disposed to enter (for the * 1.221 doore is euer spard) he repaireth first for deuise to the archbishop, who casteth all pericles, and dissuadeth the pilgrime from the attempt, bicause it is knowen that diuerse entering into that caue, neuer were seene to turne backe againe. But if the partie be ful∣lie resolued, he recommendeth him to the prior, who in like maner fauourablie exhorteth him to choose some other kind of penance, and not to hazard such a danger. If notwithstanding he find the partie fullie bent, he conducteth him to the church, inioineth him [unspec 20] to begin with praier and fast of fiftéene daies, so long togither as in discretion can be indured. This time expired, if yet he perseuere in his former purpose, the whole conuent accompanieth him with solemne pro∣cession & benediction to the mouth of the caue, where they let him in, and so bar vp the doore vntill the next morning. And then with like ceremonies they a∣wait his returne and reduce him to the church. If he be séene no more, they fast and praie fiftéene daies after. Touching the credit of these matters, I sée no [unspec 30] cause, but a christian being persuaded that there is both hell and heauen, may without vanitie vpon suf∣ficient information be resolued, that it might please God, at sometime, for considerations to his wisdome knowen, to reueale by miracle the vision of ioies and paines eternall. But that-altogither in such sort, and by such maner, and so ordinarilie, and to such per∣sons, as the common fame dooth vtter; I neither be∣léeue nor wish to be regarded. I haue conferd with diuerse that had gone this pilgrimage, who affirmed [unspec 40] the order of the premisses to be true; but that they saw no sight, saue onelie fearefull dreams when they chanced to nod, and those they said were excéeding horrible. Further they added, that the fast is rated more or lesse, according to the qualitie of the peni∣tent.

Cambrensis affirmeth, that in the north of Moun∣ster there be two Ilands, the greater and the lesse. In * 1.222 the greater there neuer entereth woman o•…•… anie li∣uing [unspec 50] female, but forthwith it dieth. This hath-béene of∣ten prooued by bitches and cats, which were brought thither to trie this conclusion, and presentlie they died. In this Iland the cocke or mascle birds are seene to thirye, and yarch vp and downe the twigs, but the ben or female by instinct of nature abando∣neth it as a place vtterlie poisoned. This Iland were a place alone for one that were vered with a shrewd wise. The lesse Iland is called Insula viuentium, bi∣cause none died there, none maie die by course of na∣ture, [unspec 60] * 1.223 as Giraldus Cambrensis saith. Howbeit the dwellers when they are sore frusht with sicknesse, or so farre withered with age as there is no hope of life, they request to be conueied by boate to the greater Iland, where they are no sooner inshored, than they yéeld vp their ghosts. For my part, I haue béene ve∣rie inquisitiue of this Iland, but I could neuer find this estrange propertie soothed by anie man of cre∣dit in the whole countrie. Neither trulie would I wish anie to be so light, as to lend his credit to anie such feined gloses, as are neither verefied by experi∣ence, nor warranted by anie colourable reason. Wherfore I see not why it should be termed Insula vi∣uentium, vnlesse it be that none dieth there, as long as he liueth.

Cambrensis telleth further, that there is a church∣yard * 1.224 in Ulster, which no female kind maie enter. If the cocke be there, the hen dareth not follow. There is also in the west part of Connaght an Iland, pla∣ced * 1.225 in the sea, called Aren, to which saint Brendan had often recourse. The dead bodies néed not in that Iland to be grauelled. For the aire is so pure, that the contagion of anie carrien maie not infect it. There, as Cambrensis saith, maie the sonne sée his father, his grandfather, his great grandfather, &c. This Iland is enimie to mice. For none is brought thither, but either it leapeth into the sea, or else being staied it dieth presentlie. There was in Kildare an * 1.226 ancient monument named the Firehouse, wherein Cambrensis saith, was there continuall fire kept day and night, and yet the ashes neuer increased. I tra∣uelled of set purpose to the towne of Kildare to sée this place, where I did sée such a monument like a vault, which to this daie they call the Firehouse.

Touching the heath of Kildare Cambrensis wri∣teth * 1.227 that it maie not be tild: and of a certeintie with∣in this few yeares it was tried, and found, that the corne which was sowed did not prooue. In this plaine (saith Cambrensis) stood the stones that now stand in * 1.228 Salisburie plaine, which were conueied from thense by the sleight of Merlin the Welsh prophet, at the request of Aurelius Ambrosius king of the Britons. There is also in the countie of Kildare a goodlie field called Moolleaghmast, betwéene the Norrough and * 1.229 Kilka. Diuers blind prophesies run of this place, that there shall be a bloudie field fought there, betweene the English inhabitants of Ireland and the Irish, and so bloudie forsooth it shall be, that a mill in a vale hard by it shall run foure and twentie houres with the streame of bloud that shall powre downe from the hill. The Irish doubtlesse repose a great affiance in this balducktum dreame. In the top of this height stand metes or rundels verie formalie fashioned, where the strength of the English armie (as they say) shall be incamped.

The Earle of Sussex being lord lieutenant of Ireland, was accustomed to wish, that if anie such * 1.230 prophesie were to be fulfilled, it should happen in his gouernement, to the end he might be generall of the field. Not farre from Moolleaghmast, within a mile of Castledermot, or Thristledermot, is there a place marked with two hislocks, which is named the Ge∣raldine * 1.231 his throw or cast. The length of which in ve∣rie déed is woonderfull. The occasion procéeded of * 1.232 this. One of the Geraldins, who was ancestor to those that now are lords of Lackath, preded an enimie of his. The earle of Kildare hauing intelligence therof, suppressing affection of kinred, and mooued by zeale of iustice, pursued him with a great troope of horsse∣men, as the other was bringing of the prede home∣ward. The Geraldine hauing notice giuen him, that the earle was in hot pursute, and therefore being warned by the messenger to hie him with all speed possible: the gentleman being nettled, that his kinsman would séeme to rescue the prede of his dead∣lie fe; and as he was in such fretting wise frieng in his grease, he brake out in these cholerike words; And dooth my cousine Kildare pursue me in déed? Now in good faith; where as he séemeth to be a suppresser of his * 1.233 kindred, and an vpholder of my mortall enimie,

I would wish him no more harme, than that this dart were as far in his bodie, as it shall sticke foorthwith in the ground:

and therewithall giuing the spurres to his horsse, he hurled his dart so farre, as he abashed with the length thereof aswell his companie as his posteritie:

The Geraldine was not verie farre from thense, when the earle with his hand made hot foot after, and

dogging still the tracke of the predours, he came to the place where the dart was hurled, where one pick∣thanke or other let the earle to vnderstand of the Ge∣raldine his wild spéeches there deliuered. And to in∣hanse the h•…•…inousnesse of the offense, he shewed how farre he hurled his dart▪ when he wished it to be pit∣ched in his lordship his bodie. The erle astonied at the length thereof, said: Now in good sooth, my cousine in behauing himselfe so couragiouslie, is woor•…•…hie to * 1.234 haue the prede shot frée.

And for my part I purpose [unspec 10] not so much to stomach his cholerike wish, as to im∣brace his val•…•…ant prowesse.

And therewithall com∣manded the retreat to be blowne and reculed backe. There is in Meeth an hill called the hill of Taragh, wherein is a plaine twelue score long, which was na∣med * 1.235 the Kempe his hall: there the countrie had their méetings and folkemotes, as a place that was ac∣counted the high palace of the monarch. The Irish historians hammer manie fables in this forge of Fin mac Coile and his champions, as the French histo∣rie [unspec 20] dooth of king Arthur and the knights of the round table. But doubtlesse the place séemeth to beare the shew of an ancient and famous monument.

There is in Castleknocke a village not far from Dublin, a window not glazed nor latized, but open, * 1.236 and let the weather be stornne, the wind bluster boi∣sterouslie on euerie side of the house; yet place a can∣dle there, and it will burne as quietlie as if no puffe of wind blew. This maie be tried at this daie, who so shall be willing to put it in practise. Touching the [unspec 30] strange wels that be in Ireland, I purpose to speake litle more than that which I find in Cambrensis, whose words I will English, as they are Latined in his booke. There is (saith he) a well in Mounster, with the water of which if anie be washed, he becōmeth forth∣with * 1.237 hoare. I haue séene a man that had one halfe of his beard, being died with that water hoare; the other halfe vnwashed was browne, remaining still in his naturall colour. Contrariwise, there is a founteins in the further edge of Ulster, and if one be bathed [unspec 40] therewith, he shall not become hoare: in which well such as loath greie heares are accustomed to diue. There is in Connaght a well that springeth on the top of an hill farre and distant from anie sea, •…•…bbing and flowing in foure and twentie houres, as the sea dooth; and yet the place is vplandish, and the water fresh. There is another spring in the same countrie, the water of which is verie wholsome to men and wo∣men, but poison to beasts: and if a man put but the grauell of this well into his mouth, it quencheth pre∣sentlie [unspec 50] his thirst.

There is in Ulster a standing poole thirtie thou∣sand pases long, and fiftéene thousand pases brode, •…•…nt of which springeth the noble northerne •…•…uer, cal∣led the Banne. The fishers complaine more often for bursling of their nets with the euer great lake of fish, than for anie want. In our time vpon the con∣quest a fish swam from this poole to the shore, in shape resembling a salmon, but in quantitie so huge, that it could not be drawne or caried •…•…holie togither, [unspec 60] but the fishmongers were forced to hacke it in gob∣bets, and so to carrie it in péecemeale throughout the countrie, making thereof a generall dole. And if the report be true, the beginning of this poole was strange. There were in old time where the poole now standeth, vicious and beastlie inhabitants. Al 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time was there an old said saw in euerie man his mouth, that as soone as a well there springing (•…•…ch for the supers•…•…tious reuerence they bare it was con∣tinuallie couered and signed) we•…•… le•…•… open and vn∣signed, so soone would so much water gush out of that well, as would foorthwith ouerwhelme the whole ter∣ritorie. It happened at length, that an old tro•…•…came thither to fetch water, and hearing hir chil•…•… whine, she ran with might and maine to dandle hir babie, for∣getting the •…•…seruance of the superstitious order to∣fore-vsed. But as she was returning backe to haue couered the spring, the land was so farre ouerflowne, as that it past hir helpe: and shortlie after she, hir suckling, & all those that were within the whole ter∣ritorie were drowned. And this séemeth to carie more likelihood with it, bicause the fishers in a cleare sun∣nie daie sée the stéeples and other piles plainlie and distinctlie in the water. And here would be noted, that the riuer of the Banne flowed from this head spring before this floud, but farre in lesse quantitie than it dooth in our time. Hitherto Giraldus Cam∣brensis.

Boetius telleth a rare propertie of a poole in Ire∣land, * 1.238 & for that he maketh himselfe an eiewitnesse of the matter, he shall tell his owne tale. Ac quoniam Hiberniae incidit mentio, praeter infinita in ea rerum miracu∣la, haud importunum fore existimem, si vnum, quod ob porten∣tuosam nouitatem fidem omnium excedere videatur, nos ta∣men verum experti sumus, adiunxerimus. Lacus in eaest, circaquem amplissimo circumquaque spatio nec herba nec ar∣bor vlla nascitur, &c. in quem silignum infigas anni circi∣ter vnius curriculo, id quod in terra fixum erit, in •…•…apidem conuertetur; quod deinceps aquâ operietur, in ferrum: reli∣quum aqua exstans ligni formam naiuramque seruabit. Ita coniuncta, lapis, ferrum & lignumeodem in stipite inaudita nouitate conspectantur. But for that mention is made of Ireland, ouer and aboue the infinite number of woonders in that land, it will not be wholie beside the purpose, to insert one maruellous thing, which al∣though i•…•… •…•…y seeme to some to haue no colour of truth: yet because it hath beene by vs experimented, and found out to be true, we maie the better aduouch it. There is a standing poole in that Iland, neere which of all sides groweth neither herbe, shrub, nor bush. If you sticke a rod or péece of timber in this poole, that which sticketh in the earth within the space of one yeare turneth to a stone; as much as is dipt in the water, is conuerted to iron; all that is aboue the water remaineth still in the pristinat and former woodden shape. So that you may s•…•…e that which is strange, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one stocke or sticke, stone, iron and wood linkt and knit togither. Thus much Hector Boetius.

In the countrie of Kilkennie and in the borders there to confining, they vsed a solemne triall by a wa∣ter they call Melashée. The propertie of this water is, as they say, that if a periured person drinke there∣of, * 1.239 the water will gush out at his bellie, as though the drinker his nauill were bord with an anger. The riuer that runneth by Dublin named the Liffie hath * 1.240 this propertie for certeine, and I haue obserued it at sundrie •…•…ies. As long as it reigneth, yea if it stood powring six daies, you shall find diuerse shallow brookes, and the riuer will be nothing thereby in∣creased: but within foure a•…•… twentie houres after the showres are ceast, you shall perceiue such a sud∣den spring flow, as if the former raine were great; a verie few places or none at all will be found pasa∣ble. Cambrensis writeth, that in the south part of Mounster, betwéene the maine sea coasting on His∣paine * 1.241 and saint Brenban his hills, there is an I∣land of the one side incompassed with a riuer abun∣dantlie s•…•…ored with fish, & on the other pa•…•… inclosed with a little brooke. In which place saint Brendan was verie much resiant. This plot is taken to be such a sanct•…•…ie for bea•…•…s, as i•…•… •…•…e hare, for, •…•…ag, or other wild beast be chased néere that Iland by dogs, it maketh straight vpon the brooke, and as∣soone as it passeth the streame, it is so cocke•…•…e, as the hunter may perceiue the beast resting on the one banke, & the dogs questing on the other brim, being as it were by some inuisible railes imbard from dipping their féet in the shallow foord, to pursue

the beast chased. On the other •…•…de of this Iland there runneth a riuer stored aboue measure with fresh wa∣ter fish, and in especiallie with salmon. Which a∣bundance, as Cambrensis writeth, procéeded of God, to mainteine the great hospitalitie that was kept there. And because the dwellers thereabout shall not like pinching coistrels make anie sale of the fish, let it be poudered as artificiallie as may be, yet it will not kéepe (as though it were manna) aboue the first night or daie that it be taken. So that you [unspec 10] must eate it within that short compasse, otherwise it putrifieth and standeth to no stéed.

This riuer ouerfloweth a great rocke, vsuallie called the Salmon leape: for as it is commonlie the * 1.242 propertie of all fish to swim against the tide, as for birds to flitter against the wind; so it is naturallie giuen to the salmon to struggle against the streme, and when it approcheth neere this high rocke, it ben∣deth his taile to his head, and sometime taketh it in his mouth; and therewithall beareth it selfe ouer the [unspec 20] water, and suddenlie it fetcheth such a round whiske, that at a trice it skippeth to the top of the rocke. The like salmon leape is néere Leislip, but not so high as this. There be also, as witnesseth Cambrensis, in the further part of Ulster, certeine hils néere to saint Bean his church, where cranes yearelie bréed. And when they haue laied their egs, if anie purpose to ransacke their nests, let him but attempt to touch the egs, they will shew like yoong scralling pullets without feather or downe, as though they were new [unspec 30] hatched, and presentlie brought out of their shels. But if the partie plucke his hand from the nest, forth∣with they shew (whether it be by anie metamorpho∣sis, or some iugling legier de maine by dazeling the eies) as though they were transformed into egs. And further, saith Cambrensis, let two at one in∣stance be at the nest, and let the one of them onelie giue the gaze, and the other attempt to take awaie the egs, they will séeme to the looker on as egs, and to the taker as yoong red little cranets, being as [unspec 40] bare as a bird his arsse.

The towne of Armagh is said to be enimie to rats, and if anie be brought thither, presentlie it dieth. * 1.243 Which the inhabitants impute to the praiers of saint Patrike. But to omit the strange places, that ei∣ther by false reports are surmised, or by proofe and ex∣perience dailie verefied: there are in this Iland such notable quaries of greie marble and touch, such store of pearle and other rich stones, such abundance of cole, such plentie of lead, iron, latin and tin, so ma∣nie [unspec 50] rich mines furnished with all kind of metals, as nature séemed to haue framed this countrie for the * 1.244 storehouse or iewelhouse of hir chiefest thesaure. Howbeit she hath not shewed hir selfe so bounti∣full a mother in powring foorth such riches, as she prooueth hirselfe an enuious stepdame; in that she instilleth in the inhabitants a droulie lithernesse to withdraw them from the insearching of hir hourd∣ded and hidden iewels. Wherein she fareth like one, that to purchase the name of a sumptuous franke∣len [unspec 60] or a good viander, would bid diuerse ghests to a costlie and deintie dinner, and withall for sauing of his meat with some secret inchantment would bo∣num them of their •…•…ms, or with some hidden loth∣somnesse would dull their stomachs, as his ghests by reason of the one are not able, or for the other not willing, by taking their repast to refresh themselus, in so much as in my thantasie it is hard to decide whether estate is the better: either for a diligent la∣borer to be planted in a barren or stonie soile, or for a luskish loiterer to be setled in a fertill ground; be∣cause the one will, and may not; the other may and will not through his painefull trauell reape the fruit and commoditie that the earth yéeldeth.

Of the lords spirituall of Ireland, their names and dignities. The fift chapter.

THe spirituall iurisdiction is ordered into foure prouinces, whereof the primasie was e∣uer giuen (in reuerence of saint Patrike that conuerted the countrie) to the archbi∣shoprike of Armagh, who is called Primas totius Hiberniae, and the archbishop of Dublin, Primas Hiberniae. This custome was since confirmd by Eugenius the third, 1148, or 1152: who sent withall thrée other palles of archbishops to be placed, one at Dublin, one at Cashill, & the last at Twene. To these are suffra∣gans in right nine and twentie, and they all to the Primas of Armagh, vnder whose prouince are the bi∣shops * 1.245 of Meeth and Deren, Ardach, Kilmore, Clog∣her, Doune, Coner, Clonknos, Raboo, Dromoore. Under Dublin, wherevnto Innocentius the third v∣nited * 1.246 Glandelagh, the bishop of Elphine, Kildare, Fernes, Ossorie and Leighlin. Under Cashill, the * 1.247 bishop of Waterford, to whome Lismore is vnited, Corke and Clone, Rosse, Ardigh, Limerike, Eme∣lie, Killalooe, and Ardfert. Under Twene, Kilma∣co, * 1.248 Olfine, Auaghdoune, Clonfert, Morroo. In this recount some difference hapneth by reason of perso∣nall and reall vnion of the sees, and for other altera∣tions. I haue obserued in perusing of old bookes the names of certeine bishops and archbishops of Dub∣lin: and albeit I could not find a iust register or ca∣talog of them, yet I tooke it to be better to place such as I could find, than to omit the whole. ¶ Corma∣chus was one of the first bishops that I haue read of, but I am well assured, that there were diuerse * 1.249 others before his time. He flourished about the yeare 893, of this bishop Hector Boetius maketh mention. ¶ Dunanus was bishop of Dublin long after Cormachus: for Dunanus died in the yeare 1074. He was buried in Christs church in Dublin, in the vpper part of the chancell on the right hand.

¶ Patricius was consecrated bishop of Dublin * 1.250 in Paule his church at London by the archbishop of Canturburie Lanifranus or Lanfrancus. The rea∣son of this consecration was, for that as yet the me∣tropolitans of Ireland receiued not their pall. A pall * 1.251 is an indowment appropriated to archbishops, made of white silke the breadth of a stole, but it is of ano∣ther fashion. And where you shall espie the armes of anie archbishop blazed, there you may perceiue the pall set out in white, with a great manie blacke crosses vpon it. An archbishop within thrée moneths * 1.252 after his consecration or confirmation ought to de∣mand his pall, otherwise he may be remooued; nei∣ther ought he to name himselfe archbishop before the * 1.253 receit, neither may he before summon or call a coun∣cell, make chrisme, dedicate churches, giue orders, or consecrat bishops. He may not weare his pall with∣out the church, neither in other prouinces; albeit in another prouince he may be in his pontificalibus, so that pontificalia differeth from the pall. Further∣more, an archbishop may not lend his pall vnto ano∣ther, but it ought to be interred with him. But to re∣turne to Patricius, his time was but short, for soone after as he was crossing the seas to Dublin ward, he was drowned with his felow passengers the same yere that he was consecrated, the ninth of October.

¶ Donatus, of some called Bungus, succéeded Pa∣tricius, * 1.254 and likewise consecrated by Lanfrancus archbishop of Canturburie, at the instance of Ter∣d•…•…nacus king of Ireland, the bishops of Ireland, the clergie and the citizens of Dublin: he deceassed

in the y•…•…e one thousand ninetie and fiue. Samuell * 1.255 succéeded Donatus, and died in the yéere one thou∣sand one hundred two and twentie. Gregorius did not succéed imm•…•…diatlie after Samuell, for there be thirtie yeeres betweene them both. This Gregorius was the first metropolitan of Dublin, and was con∣secrated archbishop in the yéere one thousand one hundred fif•…•…e and two, and died in the yéere one thou∣sand * 1.256 one hundred thrée score and two.

S. Laurentius Othothille. This prelat was [unspec 10] * 1.257 first abbat of S. Keuins in Glindelagh, and after he was solemnlie consecrated and installed in Christ church at Dublin by Gelarius the primat of Ar∣magh, and not by Canturburie, as the bishops of Dublin were before the pall giuen them. He died in Normandie, and was buried in our ladie church of Angle in the yeare one thousand one hundred and foure score, the fouretéenth of Nouember.

Iohan Cummin an Englishman succéeded Lau∣rence. This famous prelat being cloistered vp in [unspec 20] the abbeie of Eusham in Worcestershire was high∣lie renowmed of all men, as well for his déepe lear∣ning, as for the integritie of his life. The clergie of Dublin being giuen to vnderstand of so woorthie a clerke, became humble petitioners to the king his maiestie Henrie the second, that through his means such an vnvaluable iewell should be installed in Laurence his dignitie. The king bowing to their * 1.258 earnest sute agréed he should be consecrated their archbishop; which was an happie houre for that coun∣trie. [unspec 30] For besides the great trauell he indured in edi∣fieng his flocke in Christian religion, he was foun∣der of S. Patrike his church in Dublin, as is before specified. He deceassed in the yéere one thousand two hundred and twelue, and was intoomed in the quéere of Christs church.

Henrie Londres succéeded Cummin. This man was nicknamed Scorchbill, or Scorchvillein tho∣rough this occasion. Being setled in his sée, he gaue commandement to all his tenants to make their ap∣peerance [unspec 40] before him at a daie appointed: and for that he was raw as yet in his reuenues, he tooke it to stand best with their ease and quietnes, and his com∣moditie, that ech of them should shew their euiden∣ces, whereby he might learne, by what tenure they held of him. His tenants mistrusting no s•…•…uttish dealing, but construing all to be meant for the best, deliuered their euidences to their landlord, who did scantlie well peruse them when he floong them all in the fire. The poore tenants espieng this subtill pranke [unspec 50] to be verie vnfitting for a bishop, could not bridle their toongs, but brake out on a sudden: Thou an archbishop? Naie, thou art a scorchvillein. But it could not be gessed to what end this fact of his ten∣ded; * 1.259 for notwithstanding this, the tenants inioied their lands, vnlesse he did it because they should be te∣nants at will, and so to stand to his deuotion. This prelat doubtlesse was politike, and well lettered, and for his wisedome and learning he was elected lord iustice of Ireland. He was the founder of the castell [unspec 60] of Dublin, as is before mentioned. He deceassed in the yeare one thousand two hundred twentie & fiue, and lieth buried in Christs church. Wherby appéereth * 1.260 that Matthaeus Parisiensis did ouershoot himselfe, in writing one Hu or Hugo to be archbishop of Du∣blin in the yeare one thousand two hundred and thir∣téene, whereas Londres at that time was in the sée, as from his consecration to his death may be gathe∣red, being the space of thirtéene yeares.

Iohan Stamford succéeded Londres, but not immediatlie, and was consecrated in the yeare one thousand two hundred foure score and fiue. This * 1.261 man, vpon the death of Stephan Fulborne archbi∣shop of Tune, was made lord iustice of Ireland in the yeare one th•…•… 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 * 1.262 seauen. And s•…•…ne after being in England he was sent from Edward the first as ambassador to the French king, and vpon his returne he deceassed in England, & soone after was 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 s•…•…nt Patrike his church at Dublin.

Willie•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is •…•…lated by some antiqua∣ries * 1.263 to be archbishop of Dublin much about this time, but whether the m•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beene installed in this see at all or no, I am not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to affirme, nor to denie: but certeine it is •…•…t 〈◊〉〈◊〉 date is mistaken, for vpon Iohan Stamford 〈◊〉〈◊〉 death, Richard Flerings was consecrated archbishop of Dublin, betwéene whome and the lord Edmund Butler there arose a * 1.264 great controuersie in law, •…•…ching the manner of Holliwood with the appurtenances. Which manor the lord Butler recouered by an arbitrement or com∣position taken betweene them in the king his bench at Dublin. This prelat departed this life in the yere one thousand thrée hundred and six. * 1.265

Richard de Hauerings was successor vnto Fle∣rings, who after that he had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 welnéere the space of fiue yeares in the see, was sore appalled, by reason of an estrange and woo•…•…rfull dreame. For on a certeine night he imagined that he had séene an vglie monster standing on his breast, who to his thinking was more weightie than the whole world, in so much as being as he thought in maner squised or prest to death with the he•…•…t of this huge monster, he would haue departed with the whole substance of the world, if he were thereof possessed, to be disbur∣dened of so heauie a load. Upon which wish he sud∣denlie awooke. And as he beat his braines in di∣uining what this dreame should import, he bethought * 1.266 himselfe of the flocke committed to his charge, how that he gathered their fléeces yearelie, by receiuing the reuenues and perquisits of the bishoprike, and yet suffered his flocke to starue for lacke of preaching and teaching. Wherefore being for his former slack∣nesse sore wounded in conscience, he trauelled with all spéed to Rome, where he resigned vp his bishop∣rike, a burthen too heauie for his weake shoulders, and being vpon his resignation competentlie bene∣ficed, he bestowed the remnant of his life wholie in deuotion.

Iohan Lech nephue to Hauerings, vpon the re∣signation * 1.267 was consecrated archbishop. This prelat was at contention with the primat of Armagh, for their iurisdictions: insomuch as he did imbarre the primat from hauing his crosse borne before him within the prouince of Leinster, which was contra∣rie * 1.268 to the canon law, that admitteth the crosier to beare the crosse before his archbishop in an other pro∣uince. This man deceassed in the yeare one thousand three hundred and thirtéene.

Alexander Bigenor was next Lech consecrated * 1.269 archbishop with the whole consent aswell of the chap∣ter of Christs church as of S. Patriks. Howbeit vp∣on the death of Lech there arose a schisme & diuision betwéene Walter Thorneburie lord chancellour of Ireland and Bigenor then treasuror of the same countrie. The cancellor to further his election deter∣mined to haue posted to Rome, but in the waie he was drowned with the number of 156 passengers. Bigenor staieng in Ireland, with lesse aduenture and better spéed, with the consent of both the chapters was elected archbishop. And in the yeare 1317 there cam•…•…buls from Rome to confirme the former elec∣tion. At which time the archbishop and the earle of Ulster were in England. This prelat soone after re∣turned * 1.270 lord iustice of Ireland, and soone after he had landed at Yoghill, he went to Dublin, where as well for his spirituall iurisdiction, as his temporall pro∣motion he was receiued with procession and great

solemnitie. In this man his time was there an vni∣uersitie * 1.271 founded in Dublin, whereof maister Wil∣liam Rodiard was chancellor, a well learned man and one that procéeded doctor of the canon law in this vniuersitie. Bigenor deceased in the yéere 1349.

Iohn de saint Paule was consecrated archbishop vpon Bigenor his death. He deceassed in the yeare * 1.272 one thousand thrée hundred sixtie and two. Thomas * 1.273 Minot succéeded Iohn, and died in the yeare one thousand thrée hundred seuentie & six. Robert Wike∣ford [unspec 10] succéeded Thomas, and died in the yeare one * 1.274 thousand thrée hundred and nintie. Robert Walde∣bie * 1.275 succéeded Wikeford, this prelat was first an Au∣gustine frier, and a great preacher, and accounted a vertuous and sincere liuer. He deceassed in the yeare one thousand thrée hundred ninetie and seauen. Ri∣chard * 1.276 Northalis was remooued from an other sée and chosen archbishop of Dublin, who likewise deceas∣sed the same yeare he was elected. Thomas Crau∣lie an Englishman succéeded him the same yeare, [unspec 20] and came into Ireland in the companie of the duke of Surreie. This archbishop was chosen lord iustice of Ireland in the yeare one thousand foure hundred and thirtéene. In whose gouernement the English * 1.277 did skirmish with the Irish in the countie of Kildare néere Kilka, where the English vanquished the eni∣mie, slue an hundred of the Irish. During which time the archbishop being lord iustice, went in procession with the whole clergie in Tristeldermot, or Castle∣dermot, a towne adioining to Kilka, praieng for the [unspec 30] prosperous successe of the subiects that went to skir∣mish with the enimie. This prelat was of stature tall, well featured, and of a sanguine complexion, decking his outward comelinesse with inward qua∣lities. For he was so liberall to the rich, so charitable to the poore, so déepe a clerke, so profound a doctor, so sound a preacher, so vertuous a liuer, and so great a builder, as he was not without good cause accounted the phenix of his time. In dailie talke as he was short, so he was swéet. Hard in promising, bountifull [unspec 40] in performing. In the yeare one thousand foure hun∣dred and seuenteene, he sailed into England, and en∣ded his life at Faringdon, and was buried in New college at Oxford. In the yeare one thousand foure hundred thirtie & nine, there hath béene one Richard * 1.278 archbishop of Dublin, and lord iustice of Ireland, be∣fore whome a parlement was holden at Dublin, in the eightéenth yéere of the reigne of king Henrie the sixt. In the yeare one thousand foure hundred and sixtie, Walter was archbishop of Dublin, & deputie [unspec 50] * 1.279 to Iasper duke of Bedford, lieutenant of Ireland. I found in an ancient register the names of certeine * 1.280 bishops of Kildare, that were in that sée since the time of saint Brigid; the names of whome I thought here to insert. Lonie was bishop in saint Bridgids time, which was about the yeare of our Lord foure hundred fortie and eight; the rest doo haere follow: * 1.281

• 2 Inor.
• 3 Conlie.
• 4 Donatus.
• 5 Dauid.
• 6 Magnus.
• 7 Richard.
• 8 Iohn.
• 9 Simon.
• 10 Nicholas.
• 11 Walter.
• 12 Richard.
• 13 Thomas.
• 14 Robert.
• 15 Bonifacius.
• 16 Madogge. [unspec 60]
• 17 William.
• 18 Galfride.
• 19 Richard.
• 20 Iames.
• 21 Wale.
• 22 Baret.
• 23 Edmund Lane, who florished in the yeare 1518.

There hath béene a worthie prelat, canon in the * 1.282 cathedrall church of Kildare, named Maurice Iake, who among the rest of his charitable déeds, builded the bridge of Kilcoollen, and the next yeare fellowing he builded in like maner the bridge of Leighlin, to the great and dailie commoditie of all such as are occasioned to trauell in those quarters.

The lords temporall, as well English as Irish, which inhabit the countrie of Ireland. The sixt chapter.

GErald Fitzgerald, earle of Kildare. This house was of the nobilitie of Florence, came from thense into Nor∣mandie, and so with the an∣cient earle Strangbow his kinsman, whose armes he gi∣ueth, into Wales, néere of bloud to Rice ap Griffin, prince of Wales by Nesta the moother of Maurice Fitzgerald & Robert Fitz∣stephans, with the said earle Maurice Fitzgerald re∣mooued into Ireland, in the yeare one thousand one hundred sixtie and nine. The familie is verie proper∣lie * 1.283 toucht in a sonnet of Surreies, made vpon the earle of Kldares sister, now countesse of Lincolne.

From Tuscane came my ladies worthie race, Faire Florence was sometime hir ancient seat: The westerne Ile whose pleasant shore doth face Wild Cambers cliffes, did giue hir liuelie heat, Fostred she was with milke of Irish brest, Hir fire an earle, hir dame of princes bloud, From tender yeares in Britaine she dooth rest With kings child, where she tasts costlie food. Hunsdon did first present hir to mine eine, Bright is hir hew, and Geraldine she hight, Hampton me taught to wish hir first for mine: And Windsor, alas, dooth chase me from hir sight, Hir beautie of kind, hir vertues from aboue, Happie is he, that can obteine hir loue.

The corrupt orthographie that diuerse vse in wri∣ting this name, dooth incorporat it to houses there∣to linked in no kinred, and consequentlie blemisheth diuerse worthie exploits atchiued as well in Eng∣land and Ireland, as in forren countries and domi∣nions. Some write Gerold, sundrie Gerald, diuerse verie corruptlie Gerrot, others Gerard. But the true orthographie is Girald, as maie appeare both by Giraldus Cambrensis, and the Italian authors that make mention of the familie. As for Gerrot it diffe∣reth flat from Girald: yet there be some in Ireland, that name and write themselues Gerrots, notwith∣standing they be Giraldins, whereof diuerse gentle∣men are in Meeth. But there is a sept of the Gerrots in Ireland, and they séeme forsooth by threatning kindnesse and kindred of the true Giraldins, to fetch their petit degrees from their ancestors, but they are so néere of bloud one to the other, that two bushels of beanes would scantlie count their degrées. An other reason why diuerse estrange houses haue béene shuf∣fled in among this familie, was, for that sundrie gen∣tlemen at the christening of their children, would haue them named Giralds, and yet their surnames were of other houses, and if after it happened that Girald had issue Thomas, Iohn, Robert, or such like, then would they beare the surname of Girald, as Thomas Fitzgirald: and thus taking the name of their ancestors for their surname, within two or thrée descents they shooue themselues among the kindred of the Giraldins. This is a generall fault in Ireland and Wales, and a great confusion and extinguish∣ment of houses.

This noble and ancient familie of the Giraldins, haue in sundrie ages florished in the most renowmed countries of Europe. Warring Fitzgirald was one * 1.284 in great credit with king Iohn. I find an other Gi∣raldine

Archiepiscopus Burdegalensis, who flourished in * 1.285 king Henrie the third his time. There was an other Giraldine patriarch of Ierusalem, in the yéere one thousand two hundred twentie and nine, as witnes∣seth * 1.286 Matthaeus Parisiensis. There was one Girald of Berneill an excellent poet in the Italian toong: an other named Baptist Girald, was a famous citi∣zen of Ferrara, an expert physician, and an exquisit philosopher, being publike professor of philosophie in the said citie, during the space of ten yeares. I haue [unspec 10] seene a worke of one Gregorius Giraldus Ferrariensis de dijs gentium, dedicated to Hercules duke of Ferra∣ra, a pithie booke and verie well penned. Also Sylue∣ster * 1.287 Giraldus Cambrensis hath béene one of this fa∣milie, néere of kin to sir Maurice Fitzgirald. This gentleman was borne in Wales, and thereof he is named Cambrensis, of the word Cambria, that in old time was adapted to that part of Britannia. He was verie inward with Henrie the second, conqueror of Ireland, being at that time the kings secretarie. [unspec 20] And for that speciall affiance king Henrie reposed in him, he was appointed to accompanie prince Iohn the kings sonne into Ireland, as one of his chiefest and discréetest councellors.

This gentleman was verie well learned, a tol∣lerable diuine, a commendable philosopher, not rude in physike, skilfull in cosmographie, a singular good antiquarie, an orator, in indeuor comparable to the best, in his stile not in those daies taken for the woorst, rather eschewing the name of a rude writer, [unspec 30] than purchasing the fame of an eloquent chronicler. Among other his works, he wrote one booke of the description of Ireland, other two of the conquest * 1.288 thereof. Iohn the abbat of saint Albons saith, that this clerke was somewhat spare in words, and libe∣rall in sentences. What he meaneth by this verdict I know not, vnlesse he taketh the man to be ouerlauish of his pen in frumping of his aduersaries with quip∣ping tawnts, which (as I gesse) flowed rather from a flanting ostentation of a roisting kind of rhetorike, [unspec 40] than from anie great malice he bare anie one. How∣beit, I maie not gaine saie, but as he was kind where he tooke, so he was somewhat biting where he disli∣ked. But what his iudgement is of the Giraldins maie plainlie appeare in his chronicle, out of which I haue culled this praise worthie sentence insuing.

Hoc est huius generis omen & haec conditio. Semper in ar∣mata militia chari, semper primi, semper rebus in Martijs ausu * 1.289 nobili praestantissimi. Cessante verò necessitatis articulo, statim exosi, statim vltimi, statim ad ima liuore depressi. Ver∣untamen [unspec 50] tantae generositatis syluam liuor ad plenum extir∣pare non potuit. Vnde & vsque in hodiernum gens haec nouis plantularum succrementis vires in insula non modi∣eas habet. Qui sunt, qui penetrant hostium penitralia? Giraldidae. Qui sunt, qui patriam conseruant? Giral∣didae. Qui sunt, quos hostes formidant? Giraldidae. Qui sunt, quos liuor detractat? Giraldidae. Si principem tantae strenuita∣tis merita dignè pensantem reperissent, quàm tranquillum, quàm pacificum olim Hiberniae statum reddidissent? Sed ho∣rum sine causa semper est suspecta strenuitas. This hath béen [unspec 60] continuallie, saith Cambrensis, a destinie or fatall propertie annexed to this house. In warre and mar∣tiall broiles they are dandaled, they are colled, they are lulled, who but they? They rule the rost. But when these martiall garboiles are appeased, they are either through false informations wrongfullie behated, or else by enuious carpers sinisterlie suspec∣ted. Howbeit, enuie with all hir malicious drifts, could neuer wholie supplant the fertill groue of this couragious & noble progenie. And maugre the heads of all malicious promoters, this sept, yea euen at this daie beareth, with the few slips there ingraffed, no small stroke in Ireland. Who are they that scale the enimies fort? The Giraldines; Who are they that defend their countrie? the Giraldines. Who are they that make the enimie quake in his skin? The Giraldines. And who are they whome enuie backbi∣teth? The Giraldines. If it had stood with the good fortune of the Giraldines, that the king with equall balance would poise their valure, long yet this had all Ireland beene put in quiet and peaceable staie. But their valiantnesse and power hath beene from time to time without sufficient cause suspected. Hi∣therto Cambrensis.

And soothlie, as often as I call to mind the saieng of this historiographer, I may not but muse how iumpe he hitteth the naile on the head. And who so will conferre their continuall successe from the pen∣ning of this sentence (which was written aboue 400 yeares and vpward) with this age of ours, shall soone perceiue, that these words were rather prophesies of future mishap, than complaints of former iniuries. At this daie let them behaue themselues valiantlie in warre, and loiallie in peace; yet notwithstanding, such slanders are raised, such rumors noised, such tales bruted, such fables twitled, such vntrue reports twatled, such malicious inuentions forged, that such as are in authoritie cannot but of force suspect them, vnlesse they were able, like gods, to prie in the bot∣tome of each mans conscience. But who so wisheth anie goodnesse to that miserable countrie, and noble progenie, let him with all the veines of his heart be∣séech God, first that the higher powers be slowe in beléeuing the despitefull reports of enuious back∣biters. Secondlie, that the Giraldines beare them∣selues in all their affaires so dutifullie, that these curious inserchers be not able to depaint their feig∣ned gloses with anie probable colours. So shall suspicion be abandoned, so shall malicious slanders be squatted, so shall that noble house be trusted, and consequentlie the battered weale-publike of Ireland reedified. The familie is English, and it is well knowne that the Irish rather feare their force, than loue their persons. And reason good pardie. For the Irish bearing in mind, that the Gi∣raldine being thereto deputed by the prince, hath in all ages conquered their lands, abated their coura∣ges, discomfited their men, vanquished their armies, daunted their power, suppressed their force, and made them become true and tributarie subiects to the crowne of England: they haue good cause to beare that sept but holow hearts, what shew so euer they make in outward apperance. Thus much generallie of the Giraldines, now I purpose particularlie to treat of the house of Kildare.

Maurice Fitzgirald, one of the earles progeni∣tors, was lord iustice of Ireland in the yeare 1242, at which time he builded the castell of Sligagh. This * 1.290 Maurice was lord of Tireconille, and being entire∣lie seized of the whole countrie, he gaue the one moie∣tie thereof to Cormocke mac Dermot, mac Ro∣rie. I read the Giraldine baron of Ophalie, in the yeare 1270. I haue séene it registred, that there died * 1.291 a Giraldine the fourth earle of Kildare, in the yeare 1287. But I take that kalendar to beare a false date. Wherefore the truth & certeintie is, that Iohn Fitz∣girald, * 1.292 sonne to Thomas Fitzgirald, was the first earle of Kildare, and was created earle vpon this occasion.

In the yeare 1290, and in the eighteenth yeare of * 1.293 Edward the first, William Uescie was made lord iustice of Ireland. This man being either negligent or raw in the gouernment of the countrie, embolde∣ned the Irish enimie to indamage the kings subiects more estsoones than they were accustomed to doo. These enormities being for the space of foure years tolerated, the subiects misliking of the flacknesse of their gouernour, gaue out such sinister spéeches of the

lord iustice, as he was glad to the hart root. Soone af∣ter, as the nobles in open assemblie were ripping vp by péecemele the seuerall harms their tenants suffe∣red, the lord iustice willing to disburden himselfe of the crime, began with mistie kind of speaches to laie the whole fault on the lord Iohn Fitzgiralds shoul∣ders, saieng in parable wise, that he was a great oc∣casion * 1.294 of these disorders, in that he bare himselfe in priuat quarrels as fierce as a lion, but in these pub∣like iniuries he was as méeke as a lambe. The ba∣ron [unspec 10] of Ophalie spelling and putting these syllables together, spake in this wise.

My lord, I am hartilie sorie that among all this * 1.295 noble assemblie, you make me your onelie marke whereat to shoot your bolt. And trulie were my de∣serts so heinous as I suppose you would wish them to be, you would not labour to cloud your talke with such darke ridles, as at this present you haue doone; but with plaine & flat English, your lordship would not sticke to impeach of fellonie or treason. For as [unspec 20] mine ancestors with spending of their bloud in their souereignes quarell aspired to this type of honour, in which at this daie (God and my king be thanked) I stand: so your lordship taking the nigher waie to the wood, by charging me with treason, would gladlie trip so roundlie on my top, that by shedding of my bloud, and by catching my lands into your clouches, that butt so néere vpon your manors of Kildare and Rathimgan, as I dare saie they are an eie-sore vnto you, you might make my maister your sonne a pro∣per gentleman. [unspec 30]

A gentleman? quoth the lord iustice: Thou bald baron, I tell thee the Uescies were gentlemen before * 1.296

the Giraldines were barons of Ophalie, yea and be∣fore that Welsh bankrupt thine ancestour (he meant sir Maurice Fitzgirald) fethered his nest in Lein∣ster. And whereas thou takest the matter so farre in snuffe, I will teach thée thy lyrripups after an other fashion than to be thus malepertlie cocking and bil∣ling with me that am thy gouernour. Wherefore, [unspec 40] albeit thy taunts are such as they might force the pa∣tientest philosopher that is, to be chokt with choler: yet I would haue thée ponder my spéeches, as though I deliuered th•…•…m in my most sober and quiet mood. I saie to the face of thée, and I will anow what I say vnto thée, that thou art a supporter of theeues, a bolste∣rer of the kings enimies, an vpholder of traitors, a murtherer of subiects, a firebrand of dissention, a ranke théefe, an arrant traitor: and before I eate these words, I will make thée eate a péece of my [unspec 50] blade.

The baron brideling with might and maine his choler, bare himselfe as cold in countenance, as the lord iustice was hot in words, and replied in this wise.

My lord I am verie glad, that at length you vnwrapped your selfe out of that net, wherein all this while you masked. As for mine ancestor, whome you terme a bankerupt, how rich or how poore he was vpon his repaire to Ireland, I purpose not at this time to debate. Yet thus much I may boldlie saie, [unspec 60] that he came hither as a bier, not as a begger. He bought the enimies land by spending his bloud: but you lurking like a spider in his copweb to intrap flies, endeuor to beg subiects liuings wrongfullie, by despoiling them of their innocent liues. And wheras you charge me with malepertnes, in that I presume to chop logike with you being gouernour, by answe∣ring your snappish Quid, with a knappish Quo, I wold wish you to vnderstand, now, that you put me in mind of the distinction, that I as a subiect honour your roiall authoritie, but as a noble man I despise your dunghill gentilitie. Lastlie, whereas you charge me with the odious termes of traitor, murtherer, and the like, and there withall you wish me to resolue my selfe, that you rest vpon reason, not vpon rage: if these words procéed from your lordship, as from a magistrate, I am a subiect, to be tried by order of law, and am sorrie that the gouernour, who ought by vertue of his publike authoritie to be my iudge, is by reason of priuat malice become mine accuser.

But if you vtter these spéeches as a priuat per∣son, then I Iohn Fitzgirald, baron of Ophalie, doo tell thée William Uescie, a single sole gentleman, that I am no traitor, no felon; and that thou art the onelie buttresse, by which the kings enimies are sup∣ported, the meane and instrument by which his maie∣sties subiects are dailie spoiled. Therefore I as a loi∣all subiect saie traitor to thy téeth, and that shalt thou well vnderstand when we both shall be brought to the rehersall of these matters before our betters. How∣beit, during the time you beare office, I am resolued to giue you the mastrie in words, and to suffer you like a bralling cur to barke, but when I sée my time I will be sure to bite.

These biting spéeches passing to and fro, great factions on both sides were raised, with high and * 1.297 mightie words, and deepe othes; till time either part appeased his owne. The baron of Ophalie not sleep∣ing nor slacking his matter, squdded with all hast in∣to England, where he was no sooner inshored, than Uescie, after he had substituted William Haie in * 1.298 his roome, was imbarked, making as hot foot after the baron as he could. The king and his councell vn∣derstanding the occasion of their sudden arriuals, to the end the truth should be brought to light, appoin∣ted a set daie for the deciding of their controuersie, and that each of them should speake for himselfe what he could. Wherevpon Uescie being commanded to begin, spake to this effect.

My dread souereigne, as I must acknowledge * 1.299 my selfe somewhat agréeued, to be intangled in so in∣tricate a matter, so I am as glad as hart can thinke that so weightie a controuersie is brought to the deci∣ding of so vpright an vmpire. And whereas it stood with your maiesties pleasure, with the aduise of this your honourable councell, that I, as vnwoorthie, should haue the gouernment of your realme of Ire∣land; and during my time, your maiesties subiects, haue béene, I may not denie it, diuerslie annoied, for my discharge, as I said in Ireland: so I auow héere in England, that he kneeleth héere before your high∣nesse (pointing to the baron of Ophalie) that is the root and crop of all these enormities. For it is well knowne, that he beareth that stroke with the Irish, as if he once but frowne at them, they dare not be so hardie as once to peake out of their cabbins. And whereas his force dooth greatlie amaze them, thinke you but his countenance dooth woonderfullie incou∣rage them? To the furtherance of which, it is appa∣rantlie knowne, and it shall be prooued, that he hath not onelie in hucker mucker, by sundrie messages imboldened your maiesties enimies, to spoile your subiects, but also by his personall presence, in secret méetings, he gaue them such courage, as neither the roialtie of your highnesse, nor the authoritie of your deputie, neither the force of your lawes, nor the strength of your puissant armie, was able to quench the flame of these hurlie burlies, that through his traitorous drifts were inkindled. These and the like enormities through his priuie packing with rebels being dailie committed, to bring me your maiesties gouernour in the hatred of the people, his adherents both secretlie muttered, and openlie exclamed a∣gainst me and my gouernment, as though the re∣dresse of all these harmes had wholie lien in mine hands.

Wherevpon being in conference with such as were the chiefteins of your realme of Ireland, al∣beit

I tooke it to be expedient, to point with my fin∣ger to the verie sinke or headspring of all the trea∣sons, that by secret conspiracies were pretended and practised against your maiestie and your subiects, yet notwithstanding hauing more regard to mode∣stie, than to the deserts of the baron of Ophalie, I did but glanse at his packing in such secret sort, as none or a verie few of the companie could gesse, whome with my mistre speaches I did touch. And as commonlie the gald horsse dooth soonest kicke, so this [unspec 10] gentelman being prickt, as it should seeme with the sting of his giltie conscience, brake out on a sudden, and forgetting his allegiance to your highnesse, and his dutie to me your deputie, he tooke me vp so roughlie, as though I had béene rather his vnder∣ling than his gouernour. The summe of which des∣pitefull speaches I refer to the testimonie of the ho∣norable audience where they were deliuered. As for his manifold treasons, I am ashamed to rehearse such things as he did not sticke to commit. And if it [unspec 20] shall stand with your maiesties pleasure, to adiourne the triall for a few daies, I will charge him with such apparent Items, as were his face made of brasse, he shall not be able to denie anie one article that shall be booked against him. When Uescie had ended, the baron of Ophalie prest himselfe somewhat forward, and in this wise spake.

Most puissant prince and my dread souereigne, * 1.300 were maister Uescie his mouth so iust a measure, as what he spake, should be holden for gospell, this had [unspec 30] béene no sit place for so arrant a traitor, as he with his feigned glosing would gladlie prooue me to be. But sith it pleased your maiestie, with so indifferent balance to ponder both our tales, I am throughlie persuaded, that my loiall innocencie shall be able, to ouerpoise his forged treacherie. Your maiestie hath heard manie words to small purpose. And as his complaint hitherto hath beene generallie hudled vp, so mine answer thereto may not particularlie be framed. Whereas therefore he termeth me a suppor∣ter [unspec 40] of théeues, a packer with rebels, a conspirator with traitors, if I should but with a bare word denie the premisses, all his gaie glose of glitring speaches would suddenlie fade awaie. Yea, but he craueth res∣pit for the booking of his articles. Trulie so he hath need. For loitering and lingring is the onlie waie he may deuise to cloke his feigning and forging. Wher∣in he sheweth himselfe as craftie, as the philosopher was accounted wise that promised a tyrant vpon menacing wordes, to schoole his asse in philosophie, [unspec 50] so he had seuen yeares respit; bicause that in that space he was persuaded, that either the tyrant, the asse, or he would die. In likewise master Uescie, vp∣on respit granted him, would hang in hope, that ei∣ther the life of your maiestie (which God forbid) should be shortened; or that I, in tract of time, would be disfauoured; or that he by one subtill pranke or o∣ther should be of this heauie load disburdened.

But if I haue béene as manie yeares a malefac∣tor as he aduoucheth, how happeneth it, that his toong [unspec 60] was tied before this late dissention begun? Whie did he not from time to time aduertise the councell of my treasons? Whereas now it may be probablie coniectured, that he was egd to this seruice rather for the hatred he beareth me, than for anie loue h•…•… oweth your roiall maiestie. Touching the words I spake in Ireland, I purpose not, for ought I heard as yet, to eat them in England. And when I shall be cald to testifie such speaches as I deliuered there, I will not be found so raw in my matter. as to lose my errant in the carriage, as master Uescie hath doone, or to craue further respit for the registring of his manifold treasons. As for my secret méetings with Irish rebels, where I persuaded master Uescie, that you were able to prooue them, I would be found willing to acknowledge them. For if my conscience were so deepelie stoong, as you pretend, I would take it for better policie, by acknowledging my trespasse, to appeale to my king his mercie, than by denieng my faults, to stand to the rigor of his iustice.

And as for méetings, I had neuer so manie in woods with rebels, as you master Uescie, haue had in your chamber with cowes. For it hath beene ma∣nifestlie apparented, that when the baron of Ophalie, and the best of the nobilitie of Ireland haue béene imbard from entring your chamber, an Irish cow should haue at all times accesse vnto you. No, ma∣ster Uescie: a cow, an horsse, an hauke, and a siluer cup haue beene the occasion of your slacknesse. When the subiects were preided, you would be content to winke at their miserie, so that your mouth were stopt with briberie. And when you had gathered your crums sufficientlie togither, you held it for a pretie policie (and yet it was but a bare shift) to charge the nobilitie with such packing, as you dailie did prac∣tise. But you must not thinke that we are babes, or that with anie such stale deuise, or grosse iuggling tricke, you may so easilie duske or dazell our eies. Can anie man that is but slenderlie witted, so far be caried, as to beleeue, that master Uescie, being the kings deputie in Ireland, hauing his maiesties trea∣sure, hauing the nobilitie at his becke, the kings ar∣mie at his commandement; but that, if he were dis∣posed to besturre himselfe, he were able to ferret out such barebréech brats as swarme in the English pale? If he said he could not, we must smile at his simplicitie; if he could and would not, how may he colour his disloialtie?

Yea, but I beare such stroke with the Irish, as that vpon anie priuat quarrell I am able to annoie them. What then? Bicause the baron of Ophalie can reuenge his priuat iniuries without the assi∣stance of the deputie; therefore the deputie may not vanquish weake and naked rebels without the fur∣therance of the baron of Ophalie: whereas the con∣trarie ought to be inferd, that if a priuat person can tame the Irish, what may then the publike magi∣strat doo, that hath the princes paie? But in déed it is hard to take hares with foxes. You must not thinke, master Uescie, that you were sent gouernour into Ireland to dandle your truls, to pen your selfe vp within a towne or citie to giue rebels the gaze, to pill the subiects, to animat tratiors, to fill your coffers, to make your selfe by marring true men, to gather the birds whilest other beat the bushes, and after to impeach the nobilitie of such treasons, as you onelie haue committed.

But for so much as our mutuall complaints stand vpon the one his yea, and the other his naie, and that you would be taken for a champion, & I am knowne to be no coward: let vs, in Gods name, leaue lieng for varlets, berding for ruffians, facing for crakers, chatting for twatlers, scolding for callets, booking for scriueners, pleading for lawyers; and let vs trie with the dint of sword, as become martiall men to doo, our mutuall quarels. Wherefore to iustifie that I am a true subiect, and that thou Uescie art an arch∣traitor to God & to my king, here in the presence of his highnesse, and in the hearing of this honorable * 1.301 assemblie, I chalenge the combat.

Whereat all the auditorie shouted.

Now in good faith, quoth Uescie, with a right good will. Wherevpon both the parties being dismist vn∣till the kings pleasure were further knowne, it was agréed at length by the councell, that the fittest triall should haue béene by battell. Wherefore the parties being as well thereof aduertised, as the daie by the king appointed, no small prouision was made for so

eager a combat, as that was presupposed to haue beene. But when the prefixed daie approched néere, Uescie turning his great boast to small rost, began to crie creake, and secretlie sailed into France. King * 1.302 Edward thereof aduertised, bestowed Uescies lord∣ships of Kildare and Rathingan on the baron of O∣phalie, saieng that albeit Uescie conueied his person into France, yet he left his lands behind him in I∣reland.

The baron returned to Ireland with the gratula∣tion [unspec 10] of all his friends, and was created earle of Kil∣dare, * 1.303 in the ninth yeare of Edward the second his reigne, the foureteenth of Maie. He deceassed at La∣raghbrine * 1.304 (a village néere to Mainooth) in the yeare 1316, and was buried at Kildare, so that he was earle but one yeare. The house of Kildare among diuerse gifts, wherewith God hath abundantlie in∣dued * 1.305 it, is for one singular point greatlie to be admi∣red, that notwithstanding the seuerall assaults of di∣uerse enimies in sundrie ages, yet this earle that [unspec 20] now liueth is the tenth earle of Kildare, to whome from Iohn the first earle, there hath alwaies conti∣nued a lineall descent from father to son: which tru∣lie in mine opinion is a great blessing of God. And for as much as this earle now liuing as his ance∣stors before him, haue beene shrewdlie shooued at by his euill willers, saieng that he is able, but not wil∣ling to profit his countrie: the posie that is framed for him, signifieng his mind, runneth in this wise:

Quid possim, iactant: quid vellem, scire recusant: [unspec 30] Vtraque Reginae sint, rogo; nota meae.

His eldest sonne is lord Girald, baron of Opha∣lie, for whom these two verses following are made: * 1.306

Te pulchrum natura fecit, fortuna pote•…•…, Tefaciat Christi •…•…ma, Giralde, bo•…•….

Sir Thomas Butler earle of Ormond and Os∣serie. The Butlers were ancient English gentle∣men, * 1.307 and worthie seruitors in all ages. Theobald Butler lord of Carrike and Iohn Cogan were lord iustices of Ireland. This Butler died in the castell [unspec 40] of Ar•…•…kelow, in the yeare 1285. This lord Theo∣bald Butler the yoonger, and son to the elder Theo∣bald, was sent for by Edward the first, to serue a∣gainst the Scots. This noble man deceased at Tur∣uie, and his bodie was conueighed to Weneie, a towne in the countie of Limerike. Sir Edmund * 1.308 Butler a wise and valiant noble man was dubbed knight at London by Edward the second. * 1.309

This man being appointed lieutenant of Ire∣land, vpon the repaire of Iohn Wogan (who before [unspec 50] was lord iustice) to England, besieged the Obrenies * 1.310 in Glindalorie: and were it not that they submitted themselues to the king and the lieutenants mercie, they had not béene onelie for a season vanquished, but also vtterlie by him extirped. This noble man was in his gouernement such an incourager and furtherer of seruitors, as that he dubd on saint Mi∣chaell the archangels daie thirtie knights in the ca∣stell * 1.311 of Dublin. He was a scourge vnto the Scots that inuaded Ireland, when he was lieutenant. He [unspec 60] discomfited Omo•…•…rgh 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 rebell, neare a * 1.312 towne named Balie •…•…an •…•…ter diuerse victorious exploits by him atchiued, he sailed into England, and so to Hispaine in pilgrimage to saint Iames. * 1.313 Upon his returne to England, he deceased at Lon∣don, and his bodie being conueied into Ireland was * 1.314 intoomed at Ba•…•….

Iames Butler earle of Ormond was lord iu∣stice of Ireland, in the yeare 1359. The lord Butler * 1.315 and vicount Thurles was dubd knight by Henrie the •…•…rt in England, in the yeare 1425, at which tune * 1.316 sir Iames Butler, sir Iohn Butler, sir Rafe Butler, were in like maner knighted. Iames Butler, who * 1.317 maried the earle of Herefords daughter, was prefer∣red to the earledome of Ormond in the first yeare of Edward the third, which fell vpon the heirs generall, lastlie vpon sir Thomas Butler earle of Wilshire, after whome it reuersed to Pierce Butler, whome a little before king Henrie the eight had created erle of Ossorie. I read Butler earle of Tipperarie in the yeare 1300. The Latine historie calleth him Domi∣num * 1.318 de pincerna, the English le Butler. Whereby it appeareth, he had some such honour about the prince. His verie name is Becket, who was aduanced by Henrie the seconds eldest sonne, lord Butler, in re∣compense of the death of Thomas of Canturburie their kinsman. His eldest sonne is the lord Butler and vicount Thurles. For the earle now liuing these two verses (in the remembrance of him) are made:

Magnus auus, maiór{que} pater, sed natus vtró{que} Corporis aut animi non bonitate minor.

Gerald fitz Gerald earle of Desmond. Maurice * 1.319 fitz Thomas a Geraldine, was created earle of Des∣mond the same yeare, soone after that Butler became earle of Ormond. His eldest sonne is lord fitz Ge∣rald of Desmond. The erle now liuing, thus speaketh:

•…•…tandem, iactatus fluctibus alti, Et precor in portu sit mea tuta ratis.

Sir Richard Bourke earle of Clenrickard, a branch of the English familie de Burgo. The * 1.320 Bourkes haue beene ancient noble men before their comming to Ireland: and in old time they haue beene earles of Ulster. His eldest sonne is lord Bourke baron of En•…•…kelline. His verse is this:

Quam mihi maiorum fama bona gesta dederunt, Hanc mihi natorum barbara facta negant.

Connogher Obren earle of Tomond: the name * 1.321 of earle giuen to Murragh Obren for tearme of life, and after to Donogh Obren, in the fift yeare of the * 1.322 reigne of Edward the sixt, now confirmed to the heires males, his eldest sonne is baron of Ibracan. Upon the erle now liuing this fantasie was deuised:

Non decet externos, sine causa, quaerere reges, Cum licet in tuta viuere pace domi.

Mac Cartie More earle of Clencare, created in the * 1.323 yeare 1565. Uicount Barrie. Uicount Roch. Pre∣ston Uicount of Gormanstowne: whervnto is late∣lie annexed the baronie of Lawnedresse. One of their ancestors sir Robert Preston, then chiefe ba∣ron of the excheker, was dubbed knight in the field, by Lionell duke of Clarence. This gentleman mat∣ched in wedlocke with Margaret Birmingham la∣die * 1.324 of Carbrie, who deceassed in the yeare 1361. After whose death sir Robert Preston was seized of * 1.325 the said lordship in the right of his wife, and being molested by rebels, placed a garison in the castell, whereby the subiects were greatlie eased, and she re∣bels greatlie annoied.

There hath béene another sir Robert Preston of this house, great grandfather to the vicount now * 1.326 liuing. This gentleman was deputie to Richard, se∣cond son to Edward the fourth, in the sixtéenth yeare of the reigne of his father: and after likewise in the reigne of Henrie the seuenth, he was deputie to Ias∣per * 1.327 duke of Bedford, erle of Penbroke, & lieutenant of Ireland: and at the same time was he appointed by the king generall receiuer of his reuenue in Ire∣land. How wiselie this noble man behaued himselfe in peace, and how valiantlie he bequit himselfe in warre, sundrie of king Henrie the seuenth his let∣ters to him being deputie, addressed, doo manifestlie witnesse. There was a parlement holden before him at Drogheda, which was repealed in the tenth yeare * 1.328 of Henrie the seuenth. Sir Christopher Preston was dubbed knight in the field by Edmund earle of March, lord deputie of Ireland. William Preston was lord •…•…ce of Ireland in Henrie the eight his * 1.329 reigne. The house is ancient, planted in Lancashire,

and from thense departed into Ireland, being to this * 1.330 daie seized of a manour in Lancashire, named of the house Preston. The vicount now liuing speaketh in this wise, as it were present in person, and saith:

Si quantum vellem, tantum me posse putarem, Nota esset patriae mens meafirma meae.

Eustace aliâs Powar, vicount of Baltinglasse, lord of Kilcullen to him and his heires males, the * 1.331 foure and thirtith yeare of Henrie the eight. Their ancestor Robert de Powar was sent into Ireland [unspec 10] with commission, and his of spring hath rested there * 1.332 since the yeare 1175. Powar aliâs Eustace is writ∣ten baron of Do•…•…uile in the yeare 1317. The vi∣counts * 1.333 poesie now liuing is this that followeth:

Cùm bonus ipse manes, an non laus magna putatur, Prudenter cuiuis posseplacere viro?

Sir Richard Butler vicount Mountgaret to him and his heires males in the fift yeare of Edward the * 1.334 sixt. Uicount Déece. Lord Bermingham baron of Athenrie, now degenerate and become méere Irish, [unspec 20] against whome his ancestors serued valiantlie in the yeare 1300. Iohn Bermingham was lord of Athen∣rie Anno 1316. Iohn Bermingham baron of Ar∣digh, called in Latine de alrio Dei, in the yere 1318. * 1.335 Mac Maurice, aliâs Fitzgerald, baron of Kerie. L. Courcie, not verie Irish; the ancient descent of the Courcies planted in Ireland with the conquest. Fle∣ming baron of Slane. Simon Fleming was baron * 1.336 of Slane, 1370. The L. now liuing thus speaketh:

Slanius inuictus princeps mihi nomen adaptat, [unspec 30] In bello clarum nomen & omen habens.

Plunket baron of Killine, his familie came in * 1.337 with the Danes, whereof they haue as yet speciall monuments. Sir Christopher Plunket lord of Kil∣line, was lord lieutenant of Ireland, which title is to be seene at this day in Killine, grauen on his toome. The baron that now liueth, thus frameth his poesie:

Ornant viuentem maiorum gesta meorum, Talia me nequeunt viua cadentemori.

Nugent baron of Deluen, an ancient house. Sir Gilbert de Nogent, or Nugent, cante into Ireland, [unspec 40] * 1.338 with sir Hugh de Lacie, one of the first and valiant conquerors of the countrie. This Gilbert matched with Rosa de Lacie, sister to Hugh de Lacie. He had giuen him vpon the conquest the baronies of foure, and of Deluine by the said sir Hugh, of whose brother Richard de Nogent, otherwise called Richardus de Capella, the house of Deluin is descended. In a con∣ueiance past from sir Gilbert to his brother Richard, these words are inferted: Dedi & concessi fratri meo Ri∣chardo [unspec 50] de Capella totum conquestum melum in Hibernia, & terram quam dedit mihi dominus meus Hugo de Luci, qui vo∣catur Deluin, & totam terram meam in Anglia. The ba∣ron now liuing & louing his countrie thus speaketh:

In patria natus, patria prodesse laboro, Viribus in castris, consilijs{que} domi.

S. Laurence, baron of Howth, signifieng the disposition of his mind, he speaketh in this wise: * 1.339

Si redamas, redamo, si spernis, sperno. Duid ergo? Non licet abs{que} tuis viuere posse bo•…•…? [unspec 60]

Plunket baron of Dunsanie. Upon the baron now liuing, this deuise was framed as you sée•…•… * 1.340

Gratia quod dederat, si non fortuna negabit, Dux tam praeclaro stemmate dignus eris.

Barnewall baron of Trimlestowne. They came from litle Britain, where they are at this day a great * 1.341 surname. Upon their first arriuall, they wan great possessions at Beithauen, where at length by conspi∣racie of the Irish they were all slaine, except one yoong man, who then studied the common lawes in England, who returning, dwelt at Drunnagh be∣sides * 1.342 Dublin, where his heires to this daie are setled. This house as well for antiquitie, as for the number of worshipfull gentlemen that be of the surname, beareth no small stroke in the English pale of Ire∣land: howbeit of late it hath béene greatlie maimed thorough the decease of thrée woorthie and famous Barnewals. The first was Robert Barnewall L. of * 1.343 Trimlestowne that last was, a rare noble man, and indued with sundrie good gifts, who hauing wholie wedded himselfe to the reformation of his miserable countrie, was resolued for the whetting of his wit, which nathelesse was pregnant and quicke, by a short trade and method he tooke in his studie, to haue sipt vp the verie sap of the common law, and vpon this determination sailing into England, sickened short∣lie after at a worshipfull matrones house at Corn•…•…∣berie, named Margaret Tiler, where he was to the * 1.344 great gréefe of all his countrie pearsed with death, when the weale publike had most néed of his life. The second Barnewall that deceased was M. Mar∣cus * 1.345 Barnewall of Donbroa, whose credit and au∣thoritie had it béene correspondent to his valure and abilitie, he would (I doubt not) haue béene accoun∣ted and knowne for as od a gentleman (none disprai∣sed) as anie in the English pale of Ireland.

The third of the surname that departed this life, * 1.346 was sir Christopher Barnwall knight, the lanterne and light as well of his house, as of that part of Ire∣land where he dwelt: who being sufficientlie furnisht as well with the knowlege of the Latine toong, as of the common lawes of England, was zealous•…•…ie bent to the reformation of his countrie. A déepe and a wise gentleman, spare of spéech, and therewithall pithie, wholie addicted to grauitie, being in anie plea∣sant conceipt rather giuen to simper than smile, ve∣rie vpright in dealing, measuring all his affaires with the safetie of conscience, as true as stéele, close and secret, fast to his friend, stout in a good quarell, a great housholder, sparing without pinching, spen∣ding without wasting, of nature mild, rather choosing to pleasure where he might harme, than willing to harme where he might pleasure. He sickened the thrée and twentith of Iulie of an hot burning ague, and ended his life at his house of Tur•…•…ie the fift of * 1.347 August, to the great losse as well of his friends as of his countrie, vpon whose death a sonne in law of his framed this epitaph consisting of sixtéene verses.

Laeta tibi, sed moesta tuis mors accidit ista, Regna dat alta tibt, damna dat ampla tuis. Lae•…•…s es in coelis vllo sine fine triumphans, M•…•…stus at in terris diues inópsque iacet. Nam sapiente caret diues, qui parta gubernet, Nec, qui det misero munera, pauper habet. Te gener ipse caret, viduae, te rustica turba, Atque vrbana cohors, te (sacer alme) caret. Non est digna viro talis respublica tanto, Nam sanctos sedes non nisi sancta decet. Miraloquor, sed vera loquot, non ficta reuolua. Si maiora loquar, nil nisi vera loquar. M•…•…es? Nobis hoc crimina nostra dede•…•…nt. Mortuus es? Virtus hoc tibi sacra dedit. Viuus in coelo, dedit hoc tibi gratia Christi, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vt in mundo sis, tibi fama dabit.

For the lord of Trimlestownell now liuing, desi∣ring a name of fame after death, this was deuised.

Quod mihi vita dedit, fratri Morssaeua nega•…•…t, Quod dedeat fratri, dei mihi fama precor.

Edward Butler baron of Donboin, giuen to * 1.348 Edmund Butler esquier, and his heires males, in the thrée and thirtith yeare of king Henrie the eight. * 1.349 For the baron now liuing, these verses are made.

Dum sequitur natus summi vestigia patris, Filius optato tramite cuncta geret.

Sir Barnabie Fitzpatrike baron of Upper Os∣serie, * 1.350 giuen to Barnabie Mac Gullopatrike and his heires males, in the thrée and thirtith yeare of Henrie the eight. Donat Clo•…•…nagh Machgilpa∣trike * 1.351

was a péerelesse warriour in the yeare 1219. Sir Barnabie Fitzpatrike, now lord of vpper Os∣serie, was knighted by the duke of Norffolke at the * 1.352 siege of Leith in Scotland: in the begining of Q. Elizabeths reigne, for whom these verses are made:

Principis in gremio summi nutritus & altus, Hausit ab illustri regia dona schola.

Plunket, baron of Louth, to sir Christopher * 1.353 Plunket and his heires males, in the 33 yeare of K. Henrie the eight. This baronie was an erldome [unspec 10] perteining to the Berminghams, in the yeare 1316, & sooner. For the baron now liuing, this was deuised:

Nobilis, ingenuus, firmis quoque firmus amicis, Nubila seu coelum lúxue serena regat.

Oneile, baron of Dungauon, to whom the earle∣dome of Tiron was intailed by gift of king Henrie the eight. Powar, baron of Curraghmore. Mac * 1.354 Surtan, lord Desert, his ancestors were lords in the * 1.355 time of Lionell duke of Clarence, earle of Ulster, in the yeare 1360: now verie wild Irish. Mur∣ragh [unspec 20] Obrene, baron of Insirkoine, to him and his heires males, in the fiue and thirtith yeare of king Henrie the eight. There are besides these noble * 1.356 men, certeine gentlemen of woorship, commonlie called baronets, whom the ruder sort dooth register a∣mong the nobilitie, by terming them corruptlie ba∣rons; * 1.357 whereas in verie déed they are to be named neither barons, nor baronets, but banrets. He is properlie called a banret, whose father was no car∣pet knight, but dubbed in the field vnder the banner [unspec 30] * 1.358 or ensigne. And because it is not vsuall for anie to be a knight by birth, the eldest sonne of such a knight with his heires, is named a bannerret, or a banret. Such are they that here insue. Sentleger, ban∣ret of Flemarge, méere Irish. Den, banret of Pormanstowne, waxing Irish. Fitzgirald, ban∣ret of Burnechurch. Welleslie, banret of Nor∣ragh, Huseie, banret of Galtrim. Saint Mig∣hell, banret of Scrine. And Nangle, banret of the Nauan. English gentlemen of longest continu∣ance [unspec 40] in Ireland are those, which at this day either in great pouertie or perill doo keepe their properties of their ancestors lands in Ulster, being then compa∣nions to Courcie, the conqueror and earle of that part. These are the Sauages, Iordans, Fitz Si∣mons, Chamberleins, Russels, Bensons, Audleies, Whites, Fitz Ursulies, now degenerat and called in Irish Mac Mahon, the Beares sonne.

The names or surnames of the lear∣ned [unspec 50] men and authors of Ireland, and what bookes they wrote. The seuenth chapter.

ARdericus, whome Marianus Scotus termeth Barbosus, because of his long beard, a * 1.359 learned man, greatlie in old time renowmed in Ireland. But for as much as in his [unspec 60] age the countrie was not sto∣red with such as imploied their labors in gathering together the saiengs and dooings of sage persons, the discontinuance of his fame is rather to be imputed to the ignorance of the time, than to the want of his deserts. He flouri∣shed in the yeare 1053. Alen, a learned physician. Iames Archer a student of diuinitie. Argobastus, * 1.360 the second bishop of Argentine, successor to the ho∣lie prelat saint Amand, borne in Ireland, a learned and deuout clerke: who leauing his countrie and li∣uing in heremit wise, in certeine solitarie places of France, instructed the people of that realme in the feare of God, and the knowlege of the scriptures. In his preaching he was noted to haue so singular a grace, and so prosperous successe, that such as were by anie worldlie misaduenture afflicted, vpon the hearing of his godlie sermons would suddenlie be comforted. The French king Dagobertus, aduer∣tised of his lerning and vertue, caused him to be sent for, vsing him as his chiefe councellor in all his weightie affaires; and after aduanced him to be bi∣shop of Argentine: he wrote a booke of homilies. He deceassed in the yeare 658: & was buried hard by a gibbet néere the citie, pitcht on the top of an hill called saint Michaels hill, which was doone by * 1.361 his owne appointment, in that he would follow the example of his maister Christ, who did vouchsafe to suffer without the citie of Ierusalem, where offen∣dors and malefactors were executed. Barnwall. Bradie a preacher. Brendan an abbat borne in Con∣nagh, * 1.362 in his youth trained vp vnder Hercus a bi∣shop: and being further stept in yeares, he trauelled into England, where he became a profest moonke, vnder an abbat named Congellus, he flourished in the yeare 560: and wrote these bookes insuing. Confessio christiana lib. 1. Charta coelestis haere∣ditatis lib. 1. Monachorum regula lib. 1.

Edmund Bernerden a frier, he procéeded doctor * 1.363 of diuinitie in Dublin, in the yeare 1320. Brigide the virgine, borne in Leinster, she flourished in the yeare 510: she wrote a booke of hir reuelations. Browne a ciuilian. Burnell. Butler a Water∣fordian, sometime scholer to maister Peter White; * 1.364 he translated Maturinus Corderius his booke of phrases into English, in the yeare 1562. Iames Caddell, he wrote Diuersa epigrammata. Carberie * 1.365 a profound ciuilian. Celsus archbishop of Armagh, borne in Ireland, and schooled in the vniuersitie of Oxford, he flourished in the yeare 1128: he wrote these bookes following. Testamentum ad ecclesias lib. 1. Constitutiones quaedam lib. 1. Ad Mala∣chiam epistolae complures. Cléere, borne in Kilken∣nie, and procéeded maister of art in Oxford. Iohn * 1.366 Clin borne in Leinster, being profest a greie fri∣er, he bestowed his time in preaching, chieflie in the * 1.367 towne of Kilkennie. This man was a good anti∣quarie, as appeared by a chronicle he wrote, begin∣ning at the natiuitie of Christ, and stretching to the yeare 1350: in which yeare he flourished. He wrote these bookes following. Annalium chronicon lib. 1. De regibus Anglorum lib. 1. De custodijs prouin∣ciarum lib. 1. De Franciscanorum coenobijs & e∣orum distinctionibus lib. 1.

Henrie Cogie doctor of diuinitie, procéeded in the vniuersitie of Dublin, in the yeare 1320. Colme, a learned and an holie monke, he flourished in the * 1.368 yeare 670: he wrote a booke intituled Pro socijs Quartadecimanis. Columbanus, borne in Ulster, and trained in learning and knowledge as well in * 1.369 England as in France, for his learning and ver∣tue, was elected to be abbat. Hauing trauelled di∣uerse countries, at length he repaired to Italie, and there in an abbeie by him founded, called Mo∣nasterium Bobiense, he ended his life the twentith of * 1.370 Nouember. He left to his posteritie these bookes: In psalterium commentarios lib. 1. Collationes ad monachos librum 1. De moribus monachorum metrice lib. 1. Monasteriorum methodos lib. 1. Epistolas ad commilitones lib. 1. Aduersus re∣gem adulterum lib. 1. Conganus an Irish ab∣bat, of whom saint Barnard maketh great ac∣count, * 1.371 he flourished in the yeare 1150: and wrote to saint Bernard Gesta Malachiae archiepiscopi * 1.372 lib. 1. Ad Bernardum Clareuallensem epist. plures. Connour. Walter Conton: he wrote in the La∣tine toong diuerse epigrams and epitaphs. Simon Coniell a diuine. Cornelius Hibernus, otherwise

named H•…•…oricus, by reason that he was taken in his time for an exquisit antiquarie, as may appeare by the Scotish historian Hector Boctius, by whom he * 1.373 acknowledgeth himselfe to be greatlie furthered. He flourished in the yeare 1230: and wrote Multa∣rum rerum Chronicon. lib. 1. Richard Creagh borne in Limerike, a diuine, he wrote Epistolas * 1.374 complures, Responsiones ad casus conscientiae. De vitis sanctorum Hiberniae. Topographiam Hiber∣niae, with diuerse other bookes. [unspec 10]

Henrie Crumpe borne in Ireland, and brought * 1.375 vp in the vniuersitie of Oxford,, where he grew by reason of his profound knowledge in diuinitie to no small credit. Hauing repaired to his natiue coun∣trie, minding there to defraie the talent wherewith God had indued him, he was suddenlie apprehended by Simon bishop of Meth, and kept in duresse, by re∣son that he was suspected to be of no sound religion. He florished in the yeare one thousand thrée hundred ninetie and two, and wrote these bookes: Determi∣nationes [unspec 20] scholast. lib. 1. Contra religiosos mendican∣tes lib. 1. Responsiones ad obiecta lib. 1. Edmund Curren archdeacon of old Laghlin, there hath béene an Irish bishop of the name. Patrike Cusacke a * 1.376 gentleman borne, and a scholer of Oxford, sometime schoolemaister in Dublin, and one that with •…•…he learning that God did impart him, gaue great light to his countrie; he imploied his studies rather in the instructing of scholers, than in penning of books, he florished in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred [unspec 30] three score and six, and wrote in Latine Diuersa epi∣grammata.

Dalie schooled in the vniuersitie of Paris, ha∣uing * 1.377 a pretie insight in scholasticall diuinitie, he made Diuersas conciones. Sir Willielme Dar∣cie * 1.378 knight, a wise gentleman, he wrote a booke inti∣tuled, The decaie of Ireland. Dauid Delahide, an * 1.379 exquisite and a profound clerke, sometime fellow of Merton college in Oxford, verie well séene in the Latine and Gréeke toongs, expert in the mathema∣ticals, [unspec 40] a proper antiquarie, and an exact diuine. Whereby I gather that his pen hath not béene lazie, but is dailie bréeding of such learned bookes as shall be auailable to his posteritie. I haue séene a proper oration of his in the praise of master Heiwood being Christmasse lord in Merton college intituled, Delig∣no & foeno, also Schemata rhetorica in tabulam con∣tracta. Deurox, there are two brethren of the name learned, the elder was sometimes schoolemaister in * 1.380 Weiseford. [unspec 50]

Peter Dillon a diuine, and Iohn Dillon like∣wise * 1.381 a student in diuinitie. Doudall, sometime pri∣mat of Armagh, a graue, a learned, and a politike prelat, verie zealouslie affected to the reformation of his countrie, he made Diuersas conciones. Dor∣mer a lawyer, borne in Rosse, scholer of Oxford, he wrote in ballat roiall, The decaie of Rosse. Iohannes * 1.382 Duns Scotus an Irishman borne, as in the forefront * 1.383 of this treatise I haue declared. Howbeit Iohannes Maior a Scotish chronicler would faine prooue him [unspec 60] to be a Scot. Leland on the other side saith he was borne in England. So that there shall as great con∣tention rise of him, as in old time there rose of Ho∣mers countrie. For the Colophonians said that Ho∣mer * 1.384 was borne in their citie; the Chtians claimed him to be theirs, the Salaminians aduouched that he was their countriman: but the Smirnians were so stiffelie bent in proouing him to be borne in their territorie, as they would at no hand take no naie in the matter, & thervpon they did consecrat a church to the name of Homer. But what countriman soeuer this Scotus were, he was doubtlesse a subtill and pro∣found clerke. The onelie fault wherewith he was dusked, was a litle spice of vaineglorie, being giuen to carpe and taunt his predecessor diuines, rather for blemishing the fame of his aduersaries than for ad∣uancing the truth of the controuersies. Wherevpon great factions are growen in the schooles betwéene the Thomists and Scotists; Thomas being the ring∣leader * 1.385 of the one sect, and Scotus the belweadder of the other. He was fellow of Merton college in Ox∣ford, and from thense he was sent for to Paris to be a professor of diuinitie. Finallie, he repaired vnto Cullen, where in an abbeie of greie friers (of which * 1.386 profession he was one) he ended his life. The books he wrote are these: Commentarij Oxonienses lib. 4. Reportationes Parisienses lib. 4. Quodlibeta scho∣lastica lib. 1. In Analytica posteriora lib. 2. In me∣taphysicam quaestiones lib. 12. De cognitione Dei lib. 1. De perfectione statuum lib. 1. Sermones de tempore lib. 1. Sermones de Sanctis lib. 1. Colla∣tiones Parisienses lib. 1. Lectura in Genesim lib. 1. De rerum principio lib. 1. Commentarij in euan∣gelia lib. 4. In epistolas Pauli lib. plures. Quaestio∣nes vniuersalium lib. 1. Quaestiones praedicamento∣rum lib. 1. In Aristotelis physica lib. 8. In categori∣as Aristotelis lib. 1. Tetragrammata quaedam lib. 1. Commentariorum imperfectorum lib. 1.

Eustace a doctor of diuinitie, a verie good schoole∣man, * 1.387 he florished in the yeare one thousand fiue hun∣dred thirtie and six. Olifer or Oliuer Eustace a stu∣dent of the ciuill and canon law, a good humanician, and a proper philosopher. Nicholas Eustace a gen∣tleman borne, surpassing birth by learning, and lear∣ning by vertue. Maurice Eustace a student of di∣uinitie, one that notwithstanding he were borne to a faire liuing, yet did wholie sequester himselfe from the world.

Fagan a batchellor of art in Oxford, and a * 1.388 schoolemaister in Waterford. Daniell Ferraile, a diuine and a schoolemaister. Fergutius son to Fer∣quhardus * 1.389 king of Ireland, the first king of Scots, whome some affirme to be borne in Denmarke, the more part suppose him to haue béene an Irish man. He florished in the yeare of the world three thousand six hundred seuentie and eight, and before the incarnation two hundred ninetie and two, in the fiue and twentith yeare of his reigne. He was by by misaduenture drowned néere a rocke in the north of Ireland that of him is called to this daie Carreg∣fergus; * 1.390 vpon whose mishap these verses were made:

Icarus Icareis vt nomina fecerat vndis, Fergusius petraesic dedit apta suae.

This Fergusius wrote a booke intituled, Leges politicae lib. 1. Finnanus scholer to one Nennius * 1.391 and Segenius, taken for a deepe diuine in his age; he florished in the yeare six hundred sixtie and one; he wrote Pro veteri paschatis ritu lib. 1. Field a physici∣an. * 1.392 Thomas Field a master of art. Iohn Fitzgi∣rald, commonlie named Iohn Fitzedmund, a verie well lettered ciuilian, a wise gentleman, and a good housholder.

Robert Fitzgirald aliàs Robert Fitzmaurice * 1.393 borne in the countie of Kildare. Dauid Fitzgirald, vsuallie called Dauid Duffe, borne in Kerie, a ciuilian, a maker in Irish, not ignorant of musike, skilfull in physike, a good & generall craftsman much * 1.394 like to Hippias, surpassing all men in the multitude of crafts, who comming on a time to Pisa to the great triumph called Olympicum, ware nothing but such as was of his owne making; his shooes, his pattens, his cloke, his cote, the ring that he did weare, with a signet therin verie perfectlie wrought, were all made by him. He plaied excellentlie on all kind of instruments, and soong therto his owne ver∣ses, which no man could amend. In all parts of lo∣gike, rhetorike, and philosophie he vanquished all men, and was vanquished of none.

Richard Fitzrafe, primat of Armagh, scholer in the vniuersitie of Oxford to Baconthorpe a good phi∣losopher, * 1.395 & no ignorant diuine: an enimie to friers, namelie such as went begging from doore to doore, whereby he purchased the hatred of all religious per∣sons. He was by Edward the third his means made archdeacon of Lichfield, after created primat of Ar∣magh, being cited before pope Clement the sixt, for reproouing the begging friers. In the heat of the said contention he deceassed in Italie, whose bones [unspec 10] * 1.396 were caried into Ireland, and buried at Dondalke, where he was borne. He wrote these bookes insuing: De paupertate seruatoris lib. 7. Contra fratres men∣dicantes lib. 16. In extrauagantem Ioannis 23 lib. 1. Determinationes ad eundem lib. 1. Contra suum archidiaconum lib. 1. Propositiones ad papam lib. 1. Contra fratrum appellationem lib. 1. Sermones ad crucem Pauli lib. 1. Sermones coram pontifice lib. 1. De statu vniuersalis ecclesiae lib. 1. Lectura sententia∣rum lib. 4. Quaestiones earundem lib. 1. Lectura the∣ologica [unspec 20] lib. 1. Sermones ad clerum lib. 1. Sermones de tempore lib. 1. Sermones de sanctis lib. 1. Mariae laudes Auenioni lib. 1. Illustrationes euangeliorum lib. 4. De passione dominica lib. 1. De peccato ig∣norantiae lib. 1. De Iure spirituali lib. 1. De vafricijs Iudaeorum lib. 1. Propositionum suarum lib. 1. Epistolarum ad diuersos lib. 1. Dialogorum plurium librum vnum.

Walter Fitzsimons, archbishop of Dublin, lord iustice and lord chancellor of Ireland at one time, a * 1.397 famous clerke, and exquisitelie learned both in philo∣sophie [unspec 30] and diuinitie: being in companie with king Henrie the seuenth, and hearing an oration that was made in his praise, the king demanded him, what fault he found most in the oration? Trulie (quoth he) if it like your highnesse, no fault, sauing onelie that the orator flattered your maiestie ouermuch. Now in good faith, our father of Dublin (quoth the king) we minded to find the same fault our selues. Tho∣mas Fitzsimons, a verie proper diuine: he wrote [unspec 40] in English a treatise of the church. Leonard Fitzsi∣mons, a deepe and pithie clerke, well séene in the Gréeke and Latine toong, sometime fellow of Trini∣tie college in Oxford, perfect in the mathematicals, and a painefull student in diuinitie: he hath a bro∣ther that was trained vp in learning in Cambridge now beneficed in Trim. Michaell Fitzsimons, schoolemaster in Dublin, a proper student, and a dili∣gent man in his profession, he wrote Orationem in aduentum comitis Essexiae Dublinium, Epitaphion in mortem Iacobi Stanihursti, Diuersa epigram∣mata. [unspec 50]

Philip Flattisburie, a worthie gentleman, and a diligent antiquarie, he wrote in the Latine toong, at * 1.398 the request of the right honourable Girald Fitzgi∣rald erle of Kildare, Diuersas chronicas: he florished in the yeare one thousand fiue hundred and seauen∣teene, & deceassed at his towne named Iohnstowne néere the Naas. Thomas Fleming: there is a * 1.399 Fleming now liuing, of whome I heare great re∣port to be an absolute diuine, and a professor thereof. [unspec 60] Foillanus a learned moonke, he trauelled into France, where thorough the liberalitie of an holie * 1.400 virgine, named Gertrude, he founded an abbeie cal∣led Monasterium Fossense, where at length he suffe∣red * 1.401 martyrdome. Fursaeus peregrinus, so called, bi∣cause he was borne in Ireland, and did bestow his * 1.402 yeares as an estranger in France, where he foun∣ded an abbeie named Coenobium Latiniacense: he wrote certeine pamphlets, that by tract of time are perished, he flourished in the yeare six hundred and * 1.403 sixtie, and was buried in his owne monasterie.

Robert Garuie, fellow of Oriall college in Ox∣ford, * 1.404 a student of both the lawes, a man well spoken as well in the English as in the Latine. Robert * 1.405 Gogan a preacher. William Hardit a doctor of di∣uinitie, proceeded in the vniuersitie of Dublin, in the yeare one thousand thrée hundred and twentie. Hic∣kie, * 1.406 physicians, the father and his sonne. Hugo de Hibernia, so called, bicause his surname is not knowne, he was a greie frier, and a great traueller, he flourished in the yeare one thousand thrée hun∣dred and sixtie, he wrote Itinerarium quoddam lib. 1. Oliuer Huseie, a professor of the arts in Dowaie. * 1.407 Derbie Hurlie, a ciuilian, and a commendable phi∣losopher: he wrote In Aristotelis physica. Robert Ioise, borne in Kilkennie, a good humanician. Ra∣duiphus Kellie a moonke, brought vp in the know∣ledge of the Latine toong in Kildare, in which he pro∣fited so well, that for his eloquence and wisedome he was sent to Clement the sixt, as the speaker or pro∣locutor of all his order, and also was appointed the generall aduocat or deputie vnder Petrus de Casa, master generall of the order. After he was aduanced to be archbishop of Cashill, in which honour he de∣ceassed, * 1.408 hauing at vacant houres written In iure ca∣nonico lib. 1. Epistolarum familiarium lib. 1. Tho∣mas Kenedie, a ciuilian.

Kernie, he wrote in Irish Catechismum, Trans∣lationem * 1.409 bibliae. Cagher, a nobleman borne, in his time called Mac Murrough, he descended of that Mac Murrough that was sometime king of Lein∣ster, he was a surpassing diuine, and for his learning and vertue was created bishop of Leighlin and ab∣bat of Grage: he flourished in the yeare one thou∣sand fiue hundred and fiftie, and was an hundred yeares old when he deceassed. Iames King, borne in * 1.410 Dublin, and scholer to M. Patrike Cusacke, vnder whome being commendablie trained, he repaired to the vniuersitie of Cambridge, where he deceassed be∣fore he could atteine to that ripenesse of learning, * 1.411 whereto one of so pregnant a wit was like in time to aspire, he wrote Carmina in laudem Henrici Sidnaei, * 1.412 Diuersa epigrammata. Leie, a learned and an expert physician. Leurouse a learned diuine, sometime bi∣shop of Kildare, and deane of saint Patriks in Du∣blin. * 1.413 Aeneas Loghlen, or Mackleighlen, master of art, and a preacher. Thomas Long doctor of both the * 1.414 lawes, he procéeded at Paris, in the yeare one thou∣sand fiue hundred seuentie and six in August, he is a proper philosopher, no stranger in scholasticall diuini∣tie, a pretie Latinist: he wrote De speciebus contra mendacem monachum, In Aristotelis physica, The∣ses ex praecipuis iuris vtriusque partibus selectas Ca∣rolo Borbonio cardinali consecratas.

Peter Lombard borne in Waterford, scholer to * 1.415 master Peter White, hauing imploied two yeares and a halfe in the studie of philosophie at Louaine, he was chosen when he procéeded master of art, Primus vniuersitatis, by the vniforme consent of the foure principals, which preferment did happen to none in such consenting wise, in manie yeares before: he wrote Carmen heroicum in doctoratum Nicholai Quemerfordi. Dorbie Macchragh, a student in di∣uinitie. * 1.416 Macgrane, a schoolemaster in Dublin, he wrote carols and sundrie ballads. Malachias borne in Ulster, his life is exactlie written by saint Bar∣nard, in whose abbeie he died in the yeare one thou∣sand one hundred fortie and eight, he wrote Consti∣tutorum communium lib. 1. Legum coelibatus lib. 1. Nouarum traditionum lib. 1. Ad D. Barnardum epist. plures. Malachias, the minorit or greie frier, a student in the vniuersitie of Oxford, where he attei∣ned * 1.417 to that knowledge in diuinitie, as he was the onelie man in his time that was appointed to preach before the king and the nobilitie, a sharpe reproouer of vice, a zelous imbracer of vertue, enimie to flat∣terie, friend to simplicitie; he flourished in the yeare

one thousand thrée hundred and ten; he wrote De peccatis & remedijs, lib. 1. Conciones plures, lib. 1.

Mauricius Hybernus, of him Iohannes Camertes, thus writeth. Annis ab his proximis excelluit, ex ea insula * 1.418 oriundus Mauricius, D. Francisci ordinis professus, in diale∣cticis, vtraque philosophia, metaphysicis, ac sacra theologia plu∣rimùm eruditus. Vix insuper dici potest, qua humanitate, quáue morum sanctimonia praeditus fuerit. Is cùm annis plu∣rimis in Patauino gymnasio bonas artes docuisset, cum summa omnium gratia, ob eius singularem eruditionem, ac candidissi∣mos mores, à Iulio secundo pontifice maximo in Tuanensem ar∣chiepiscopum [unspec 10] creatus est. Quò cùm relicta Italia bellis in ea sae∣uientibus proficisceretur, non multùm post, magna studiorum iactura, cùm nondum quinquagesimum atatis suae attigisset annum, mortem obijt. Erant plurima suae doctrinae in mani∣bus monumenta, sed ea ob immaturam eius mortem edere non licuit. Quantum fuerit inter eum, dum viueret, & me ne∣cessitudinis vinculum, testantur sexcentae epistolae, quas plenas charitatis indicijs, varijs temporibus ad me dedit. Eis (quanta verae amicitiae vis) post amici obitum, relegens soleo assiduè [unspec 20] recreari.

There did (saith Ioannes Camertes) of late yeares one Mauricius borne in Ireland excell, a grete frier profest, verie well séene in logike, deepelie grounded in philosophie, both morall & naturall, learned in the metaphysiks, in diuinitie péerelesse. Scantlie maie I tell with how great courtesie & vertue he was in∣dued. When he had professed at Padua the liberall arts manie yeares with no small renowme; he was created by Iulius the second, not onelie for his pro∣found [unspec 30] knowledge, but also for the sinceritie of his life, archbishop of Tuen. When he was trauelling thitherward, being departed frō Italie, by reason of the vprores that were there daily incresing, he ended his life to the great losse of learning, before he was full fiftie yeares old. He had sundrie works in hand, which he could not haue finished by reason of his vn∣timelie death. How déere and entier friends he and I were one to the other during his life, the letters he addressed me from time to time, to the number of six [unspec 40] hundred, thwackt with loue and kindnesse, doo mani∣festlie declare. And by perusing of them after his death (such is the force of friendship) I am greatlie comforted. Thus farre Camertes. This Mauricius wrote Commentarios super Scotum in praedicabilia, In magistrum sententiarum lib. 4. Mauricius arch∣bishop of Cashill, he florished in king Iohns reigne. Giraldus Cambrensis, vpon his comming into Ire∣land, * 1.419 and debasing the countrie in the hearing of this prelat, saieng that albeit the inhabitants were [unspec 50] woont to brag of the number of their saints, yet they had no martyrs: You saie verie well sir (quoth the archbishop) indéed as rude as this countrie is or hath béene, yet the dwellers had the saints in some reue∣rence. But now that the gouernement of the coun∣trie is come to your kings hands, we shall (I trust) shortlie be stored with martyrs.

Iohn Miagh a diuine, he wrote a treatise, De pos∣sessione * 1.420 monasteriorum. Mooneie a ciuilian and a good Latinist. Neilan, sometime fellow of Alsoules [unspec 60] * 1.421 college in Oxford, a learned physician. Patrike Nigran a diuine. Philip Norris a scholer of Oxford and after deane of S. Patriks in Dublin, he flouri∣shed * 1.422 in the yeare 1446, and wrote these workes. Declamationes quasdam lib. 1. Lecturas scriptura∣rum lib. 1. Sermones ad populum, lib. 1. Contra mendicitatem validam lib. 1. Nugent, baron of Deluin, schooled in the vniuersitie of Cambridge. * 1.423 William Nugent a proper gentleman, and of a sin∣gular good wit, he wrote in the English toong diuerse sonets.

Dauid Obuge, borne in the towne of Kildare; for * 1.424 his learned lectures, and subtile disputations openlie published in Oxford and Treuers in Germanie, he was taken for the gem and lanterne of his countrie. In his time Giraldus Bononiensis, being maister generall of the Carmelits, was at iar with Willi∣am Lidlington, the prouinciall of all the English Carmelites. Wherevpon tenne of the wisest and learnedest Carmelits that then were resiant in England, being fullie elected to resist their generall, Obuge was chosen to be the forman of all the said crew. Giraldus Bononiensis vnderstanding that * 1.425 he being an Irishman, was so hot in the controuer∣sie, was egerly bent against Obuge, because he assu∣red himselfe to haue had fauour at his hands, by rea∣son Obuge was borne in that countrie where the Giraldines his kinsmen were planted, and there vp∣on he was banished Italie. This storme in processe of time being appeased, the outcast Carmelite was made the generall gardian of all his fraternitie in Ireland: which countrie by his continuall teaching and preaching was greatlie edified. Ouer this he was so politike a councellor, that the nobilitie and e∣states in causes of weight, would haue recourse to him as to an oracle. He was in philosophie an Aristo∣tle, in eloquence a Tullie, in diuinitie an Augustine, in the ciuill law a Iustinian, in the canon a Panor∣mitane, he flourished in the yeare 1320, he deceased at Kildare, leauing these learned workes insuing to posteritie. Sermones ad Clerum lib 1. Epistolae 32 ad diuersos lib. 1. Propositiones disputatas lib. 1. Lectiones Treuerenses lib. 1. Regulae Iuris lib. 1. Contra Giraldum Bononiensem.

Owen Odewhee, a preacher, and a maker in I∣rish. * 1.426 Thomas Oheirnaine, deane of Corke, a lear∣ned diuine, he wrote in Latine Ad Iacobum Stani∣hurstum epist. plures. Thomas Oheirligh, bishop of * 1.427 Rosse, an exquisite diuine, brought vp in Italie. Pander, a man zelouslie addicted to the reformation * 1.428 of his countrie, whereof he wrote a politike booke in Latine, intituled Salus populi. Patricius, who not∣withstanding he be no Irishman borne, yet I may not ouerslip him in the catalog of Irish authors, for as much as his whole works tended to the conuersi∣on * 1.429 and reformation of that countrie: he was surna∣med Succetus or Magonius, an absolute diuine, a∣dorning his déepe knowledge therein with sinceri∣tie of life. Being sent into Ireland by the appoint∣ment of Celestinus the first, accompanied with Se∣getius a priest, he conuerted the Iland from idola∣trie and paganisme to christianitie. He wrote these bookes following. De antiquitate Aualonica lib. 1. Itinerarium confessionis lib. 1. Odorporicon Hyber∣niae lib. 1. Historia Hyberniae ex Ruano lib. 1. De tribus habitaculis lib. 1. De futura electorum vita lib. 1. Abiectoria quaedam 366. lib. 1. Ad Cereticum tyrannum epist. 1. Sermones lib. 1. Ad Aualoni∣cos incolas epist. 1. Ad Hybernicas ecclesias epist. plures. Ad Britannos epist. plures. He deceased, being one hundred, twentie, and two yeares old, in the yeare 458, or as some suppose 491, and lieth buri∣ed in an ancient citie, in the north of Ireland, na∣med Downe, according to the old verse, which saith:

Hi tres in Duno tumulo tumulantur in vno, Brigida, Patricius, átque Columba pius.

Patricius Abbas a learned man, and much giuen * 1.430 to the edifieng of his countriemen: he florished in the yeare 850, and deceased at Glasconburie. Some ascribe the finding of saint. Patrikes purgatorie to this abbat, not to Patrike that conuerted the coun∣trie; but that errour hath béene before sufficientlie re∣prooued. This abbat wrote Homilias lib. 1. Ad Hy∣bernos epist. plures. Petrus Hybernicus, professor of philosophie in Naples, at which time Thomas. Aqui∣nas * 1.431 that after became the lanterne of scholemen, both in philosophie and diuinitie, was his scholer; be∣ing therefore as highlie renowmed as Socrates is

for being maister to Plato; or Plato is, for hauing Aristotle to his scholer. This Petrus flourished in the yeare 1230, he wrote Quodlibeta theologica lib. 1. Plunket, baron of Dunsanie, scholer in Ratough, * 1.432 to M. Staghens, after sent by sir Christopher Barne∣wall knight, his freendlie father in law, to the vni∣uersitie of Oxford. Where, how well he profited in knowledge, as such as are of his acquaintance pre∣sentlie perceiue, so hereafter when his workes shall take the aire, that now by reason of bashfull mode∣stie, or modest bashfulnesse are wrongfullie impriso∣ned, [unspec 10] and in manner stiefled in shadowed couches, I doubt not, but by his fame and renowme in lear∣ning, shall be answerable to his desert and valure in writing.

Poomrell, a batchelor of diuinitie, sometime chap∣leine in New college in Oxford, after returning to * 1.433 his countrie, he was beneficed in Drogheda, from thense flitted to Louaine, where through continuall hearing of lectures and disputations, more than by [unspec 20] his priuat studie, he purchased a laudable know∣ledge in diuinitie. Whereby he gaue manifest shew of the profit that riseth of exercise and conference. Upon this occasion, one of his acquaintance was * 1.434 accustomed to tell him that he had all his diuinitie by hearesaie. He deceased at Louaine in the yere 1573. Nicholas Quemeford, doctor of diuinitie, proceeded the thrée and twentith of October, he wrote in Eng∣lish a verie pithie and learned treatise, and there∣withall * 1.435 exquisitelie pend, intituled; Answers to [unspec 30] certeine questions propounded by the citizens of Waterford; Diuerse sermons. There liued latelie of the surname a graue prelat in Waterford, and properlie learned.

Rian, there liued two brethren of the surname, both scholers of Oxford, the one a good ciuilian, the * 1.436 other verie well séene in the mathematicals. Richard archdeacon of saint Patriks, chancellor in the vni∣uersitie * 1.437 of Dublin, procéeded doctor of the canon law, in the yeare one thousand thrée hundred and twentie. Robert Rochford borne in the countrie of [unspec 40] * 1.438 Weiseford, a proper diuine, an exact philosopher, and a verie good antiquarie. There is another Rochford that is a student of philosophie. Rooth, batchelor of * 1.439 law, procéeded in the vniuersitie of Oxford. There hath béene another Rooth vicar of S. Iohns in Kil∣kennie pretilie learned. Iohannes de sacro bosco, * 1.440 borne in Holiwood, and thereof surnamed De sacro bosco; he wrote an excellent introduction, De Sphaera. Sedgraue, two brethren of the name, both * 1.441 students in diuinitie. Shaghens fellow of Balioll [unspec 50] college in Oxford, after schoolemaister in Ireland, a learned and a vertuous man. Sheine, scholer in Ox∣ford * 1.442 and Paris; he wrote, De Repub. Elias Sheth borne in Kilkennie, sometime scholer of Oxford, a * 1.443 gentleman of a passing good wit, a plesant conceited companion, full of mirth without gall; he wrote in English diuerse sonets. Michaell Sheth borne in Kilkennie, master of art. Skidmor borne in Corke, and gardian of Yoghill. [unspec 60] * 1.444

Richard Smith borne in a towne named Rack∣mackneie, * 1.445 thrée miles distant from Weiseford, sur∣named Smith; of his father, who was by occupation a smith, being foureteene yéeres of age he stole into England, and repaired to Oxford, where in tract of time he procéeded doctor of diuinitie, was elected do∣ctor of the chaire, taken in those daies for a peerelesse pearle of all the diuines in Oxford, as well in scho∣lasticall as in positiue •…•…uinitie. Upon the death of queene Marie he went to Louaine, where he read o∣penlie the apocalypse of saint Iohn, with little admi∣ra•…•… and lesse reprehension; he wrote in English against licentious fasting, or the libertie of fasting; The assertion of the sacrament of altar; A defense of the sacrifice of the masse one booke; Of vnwritten verities one booke; Retractations one booke. In the Latin toong he wrote De coelibatu sacerdotum lib. 1. De votis monasticis lib. 1. De iustificatione hominis librum vnum.

Nicholas Stanihurst, he wrote in Latine Die∣tam * 1.446 medicorum lib. 1: he died in the yeare one thou∣sand fiue hundred fiftie and foure. Iames Stani∣hurst, late recorder of Dublin, ouer his exact know∣lege in the common lawes, he was a good orator, and a proper diuine. He wrote in English, being spea∣ker in the parlements; An oration made in the be∣ginning of a parlement holden at Dublin before the right honorable Thomas earle of Sussex, &c: in * 1.447 the third and fourth yeares of Philip and Marie; An oration made in the beginning of the parlement hol∣den at Dublin before the right honorable Thomas * 1.448 earle of Sussex, in the second yeare of the reigne of our souereigne ladie quéene Elisabeth; An oration made in the beginning of a parlement holden at Dublin before the right honorable sir Henrie Sid∣neie * 1.449 knight, &c: in the eleuenth yeere of the reigne of our souereigne ladie quéene Elisabeth. He wrote in Latine, Pias orationes. Ad Corcaciensem deca∣num epistolas plures: he deceassed at Dublin the seuen and twentith of December, being one and fif∣tie * 1.450 yeares old. Upon whose death, I, as nature and dutie bound me, haue made this epitaph following:

Vita breuis, mors sancta fuit (pater optime) visa, Vita timenda malis, mors redamanda bonis, Vrbs est orba sopho, legum rectore tribunal, Causidicóque cliens, atque parentepuer. Plurima proferrem, sed me prohibere videtur, Pingere vera dolor, fingere falsa pudor. Non opus est falsis, sed quae sunt vera loquenda, Non mea penna notet, buccina fama sonet. Hoc scripsisse satis, talem quandóque parentem Est habuisse decus, sed caruisse dolor. Filius haec dubitans, talem vix comperit vsquam, Vllus in orbe patrem, nullus in vrbe parem. Mortuus ergo, pater, poteris bene viuus haberi, Viuis enim mundo nomine, mente Deo.

Walter Stanihurst, sonne to Iames Stanihurst, he translated into English Innocent de contemptu mundi. There flourished before anie of these a Sta∣nihurst, * 1.451 that was a scholer of Oxford, brother to Gennet Stanihurst, a famous and an ancient ma∣trone of Dublin, she lieth buried in saint Michaels church. Sutton, one of that name, is a verie good * 1.452 maker in English. Matthew Talbot schoolemaster, a student in Cambridge. William Talbot. Iohn Talbot sonne to William, a master of art, he wrote in Latine, Orationem in laudem comitis Essexiae, Diuersa epigrammata. Edmund Tanner a pro∣found * 1.453 diuine, he wrote Lectiones in summam D. Thomae. Tailer batchelor of art, procéeded in the v∣niuersitie * 1.454 of Oxford, he wrote in Latine Epigram∣mata diuersa.

Thomas Hybernus borne in Palmerstowne néere * 1.455 the Naas, he procéeded doctor of diuinitie in Paris, a deepe clerke and one that read much, as may easilie be gathered by his learned workes: he flourished in the yeare 1290, and wrote with diuerse other workes, these bookes insuing: Flores bibliae, Flores doctorum lib. 2. De christiana religione lib. 1. De il∣lusionibus daemonum lib. 1. De tentatione diaboli lib. 1. De remedijs vitiorum lib. 1. Laurentius Toole archbishop of Dublin. Trauerse doctor of diuinitie, * 1.456 he florished in the reigne of Henrie the eight. There hath beene after him a schoole maister in Dublin of that name. Tundalus Magus a knight, after he be∣came * 1.457 a Charterh•…•…se m•…•…ke, much giuen to con∣templ•…•…n, wherein he is reported to haue seene di∣uerse visions of heauen and hell, and therevpon he

wrote Apparitionum suarum lib. 1. he florished in the yeare 1149.

Virgilius Soliuagus a noble man borne, being slept * 1.458 in yeares, he trauelled into Germanie, where being knowen for a vertuous and learned prelat, he was chosen by •…•…lon duke of Bauaria, to be their rec∣tor * 1.459 or gardian of an ancient abbeie, named S. Pe∣ters abbeie, placed in the citie of Salisburgh, after he was created Episcopus Iuuaniensis, and founded in the said towne of Salisburgh a church. In his [unspec 10] time one Bonifacius an Englishman, being gene∣rall visitour in Banaria, debaptized certeine, whome he suspected not to haue beene orderlie baptized. Uir∣gilius detesting the fact, hauing consulted with Si∣donius archbishop of Bauaria, withstood Bonifacius in his fond attempt. The controuersie being brought before pope Zacharias, he decréed that Bonifacius held an error, and that Uirgilius and Sidonius pub∣lished in that point sound doctrine, as who so will read Zacharias his epistle vnto Bonifacius shall [unspec 20] * 1.460 plainelie sée. Uirgilins deceassed 784, and lieth buri∣ed in his church at Salisburgh: he wrote Ad Zacha∣riam Rom. pont. epist. 1.

Owen Ultagh a physician, his father procéeded * 1.461 doctor of physike in Paris. Vltanus a lerned moonke fellow to Foillanus, with whome he trauelled into France, and with continuall preaching edified the inhabitants of that realme; he florished in the yeare 640. Gilbertus Vrgalius a profest Carmelite, and a * 1.462 student in Orford, he florished in the yeare 1330, [unspec 30] he wrote in two great tomes, Summam quarundam legum, De rebus theologicis lib. 1. Usher, or Uscher * 1.463 a student in Cambridge, and a preacher. Wadding, a proper versifier, he wrote in Latine vpon the bur∣ning of Paules stéeple, Carmen heroicum, Diuersa epigrammata. Edward Walsh, he florished in the * 1.464 yeare 1550, and wrote in English, The dutie of such as fight for their countrie, The reformation of Ire∣land by the word of God. Iames Walsh, master of art, and student in diuinitie, he translated into Eng∣lish, [unspec 40] Giraldum Cambrensem, he wrote in Latine Epigrammata diuersa.

Richard Walsh master of art and student in diui∣nitie. There is a learned man of the name beneficed in S. Patrikes church in Dublin, student in Cam∣bridge, and now a preacher. Peter Walsh a proper youth, and one that would haue beene an ornament to his countrie, if God had spared him life, he died of a surfet at London, about the yeare 1571. There dwelleth in Waterford a lawyer of the surname, [unspec 50] who writeth a verie proper Latine verse. Wellesteie deane of •…•…ildare, there liueth an other learned man * 1.465 of the name, who is archdeacon of saint Patrikes. Peter White borne in Waterford, fellow of Duall college in Orford, the luckie schoolemaster of Moun∣ster; * 1.466 he bestowed his time rather in the making of scholers, than in the penning of bookes, and to the in∣struction of youth, be wrote Epitom. in copiam E∣rasmi, Epitom. figurarum rhetoricar. Annotationes in orat. pro Archia poeta. Annotat. in orationem pro [unspec 60] T. A. Milone. Epigrammata diuersa. Iohn White batchelor of diuinitie borne in Clo•…•…ll, he wrote in Latine Diuersa pia epigrammata. Andrew White a good humanician, a pretie philosopher. Wise, of this surname there florished sundrie learned gentlemen. * 1.467 There liueth one Wise in Waterford, that maketh verie well in the English. Andrew Wise a toward youth, and a good versifier. William an abbat, and (as it is thought) a soothsaier, he florished in the yeare * 1.468 1298, and wrote Prophetias rerum futurarum lib. 1. Dauid Woolfe, a diuine.

Thus far (gentle reader) haue I indeuoured to * 1.469 heape vp togither a catalog of such learned Irish∣men, as by diligent insearch could haue bin found. Howbeit, I am to request shée not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ample number of the learned of that countrie by this briefe abstract: considering, that diuerse haue beene, yea and are yet liuing, of profound knowledge that to me are vnknowne, and therefore in this regi∣ster not recorded.

The disposition and maners of the meere Irish, commonlie called the wild Irish. The eight chapter.

BEfore I attempt the vn∣folding of the maners of the meere Irish, I thinke it ex∣pedient, to forewarne thée reader, not to impute anie barbarous custome that shall be here laid downe, to the ci∣tizens, townesmen, and in∣habitants of the English pale, in that they differ litle or nothing from the ancient customes and dispositi∣ons of their progenitors, the English and Welsh men, being therefore as mortallie behated of the I∣rish, as those that are borne in England. For the * 1.470 Irish man standeth so much vpon his gentilitie, that he termeth anie one of the English sept, and planted in Ireland, Bobdeagh Galteagh, that is, English churle: but if he be an Englishman borne, then he nameth him, Bobdeagh Saxonnegh, that is, a Sax∣on churle: so that both are churles, and he the onelie gentleman. And there vpon if the basest pezzant of them name himselfe with his superior, he will be sure to place himselfe first, as I and Oneile, I and you, I and he, I and my master, whereas the cour∣tesie of the English language is cleane contrarie.

The people are thus inclined, religious, franke, a∣morous, * 1.471 •…•…refull, sufferable of infinit paines, verie glorious, manie sorcerers, excellent horssemen, de∣lighted with wars, great almesgiuers, passing in hospitalitie. The lewder sort, both clearkes and laie men are sensuall and ouer loose in liuing. The same being vertuouslie bred vp or reformed, are such mir∣rors of holinesse and austeritie, that other nations reteine but a shadow of deuotion in comparison of them. As for abstinence and fasting, it is to them a familiar kind of chastisement. They follow the dead corpse to the graue with bowling and barbarous outeries, pitifull in apparance: whereof grew, as I * 1.472 suppose, the prouerbe; To wéepe Irish.

Gréedie of praise they be, & fearefull of dishonor, and to this end they estéeme their poets, who write * 1.473 Irish learnedlie, and pen their sonets he•…•…call. for the which they are bountifullie rewarded; if not, they send out libels in dispraise, whereof the lords and gentlemen stand in great awe. They loue tenderlie their foster children, and bequeath to them a childes * 1.474 portion, whereby they nourish sure friendship: so be∣neficiall euerie waie, that commonlie fiue hundred cowes and better, are giuen in reward to win a no∣ble mans child to foster, they loue & trust their foster brethren more than their owne. The men are cleane * 1.475 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and hew, of stature tall. The women are well fauoured, cleane coloured, faire hearted, big & large, suffered from their infancie to grew at will, no∣thing curious of their feature and proportion of bodie.

Their infants, they of meaner sort, are neither * 1.476 swadled nor lawed in linnen, but folded vp starke naked in a blanket till they can go. Proud they are of long crisped bushes of heare which they terme g•…•…bs, and the same they nourish with all their cunning, to * 1.477 crop the front thereof they take it for a notable péece

of villanie. Water cresses, which they tearme sham∣rocks, roots and other herbs they féed vpon, otemeale * 1.478 and butter they cram togither, they drinke wheie, milke, and beefe-broth. Flesh they deuoure without bread, and that halfe raw: the rest boileth in their sto∣machs with Aqua vitae, which they swill in after such a surfet by quarts and pottels: they let their cowes bloud, which growne to a gellie, they bake and ouer∣spread with butter, and so eate it in lumps. No meat they fansie so much as porke, and the fatter the bet∣ter. [unspec 10] * 1.479 One of Iohn Onels houshold demanded of his fellow whether béefe we re better than porke? That (quoth the other) is as intricat a question, as to aske whether thou art better than Onele.

Their noble men, and noble mens tenants, now and then make a set feast, which they call coshering, wher∣to * 1.480 flocke all their reteiners, whom they name follo∣wers, their rithmours, their bards, their harpers that féed them with musike: and when the harper twangeth or singeth a song, all the companie must [unspec 20] be whist, or else he chafeth like a cutpursse, by reason his harmonie is not had in better price. In their coshering they sit on straw, they are serued on straw, and lie vpon mattresses and pallets of straw. The antiquitie of this kind of feasting is set foorth by * 1.481 Virgil, where Dido interteineth the Troian prince and his companie. They obserue diuerse degrées, ac∣cording to which each man is regarded. The basest sort among them are little yoong wags, called Dal∣tins, these are lackies, and are seruiceable to the [unspec 30] * 1.482 groomes or horsseboies, who are a degrée aboue the Daltins. Of the third degrée is the Kerne, who is an ordinarie souldior, vsing for weapon his sword and target, and sometimes his péece, being commonlie * 1.483 so good markemen as they will come within a score of a great castell. Kerne signifieth (as noble men of * 1.484 deepe iudgement informed me) a shower of hell, be∣cause they are taken for no better than for rakehels, or the diuels blacke gard, by reason of the stinking sturre they kéepe, wheresoeuer they be. [unspec 40]

The fourth degrée is a galloglasse, vsing a kind of pollar for his weapon. These men are commonlie * 1.485 weieward rather by profession than by nature, grim of countenance, tall of stature, big of lim, burlie of bodie, well and stronglie timbered, chieflie féeding on béefe, porke & butter. The fift degrée is to be an horsse∣man, which is the chiefest next the lord and capteine. * 1.486 These horssemen, when they haue no staie of their owne, gad & range from house to house like arrant knights of the round table, and they neuer dismount vntill they ride into the hall, and as farre as the table. [unspec 50] There is among them a brotherhood of karrowes, * 1.487 that proffer to plaie at cards all the yéare long, and make it their onelie occupation. They plaie awaie mantle and all to the bare skin, and then trusse them∣selues in straw or leaues, they wait for passengers in the high waie, inuite them to game vpon the gréene, and aske no more but companions to make them sport. For default of other stuffe, they pawne their glibs, the nailes of their fingers and toes, their dimissaries, which they léese or redéeme at the courte∣sie [unspec 60] of the winner.

One office in the house of noble men is a tale∣teller, who bringeth his lord asléepe with tales vaine * 1.488 and friuolous, wherevnto the number giue sooth and credit. Without either precepts or obseruations of congruitie, they speake Latine like a vulgar lan∣guage, * 1.489 learned in their common schooles of leach∣craft and law, whereat they begin children, and hold on sixtéene or twentie yeares, conning by rote the aphorismes of Hippocrates, and the ciuill institutes, with a few other parings of those faculties. In their schooles they groouell vpon couches of straw, their bookes at their noses, themselues lie flat prostrate, and so they chant out with a lowd voice their lessons by péecemeale, repeating two or three words thirtie or fortie times togither. Other lawyers they haue lia∣ble to certeine families, which after the custome of the countrie determine and iudge causes. These con∣sider of wrongs offered and receiued among their neighbors: be it murther, felonie, or trespasse, all is remedied by composition (except the grudge of par∣ties séeke reuenge) and the time they haue to spare from spoiling and preiding, they lightlie bestow in parling about such matters. The Breighon (so they * 1.490 call this kind of lawyers) sitteth on a banke, the lords and gentlemen at variance round about him, and then they procéed. To rob and spoile their enimies they déeme it none offense, nor seeke anie meanes to recouer their losse, but euen to watch them the like turne. But if neighbors & friends send their puruei∣ors to purloine one another, such actions are iudged by the Breighons aforesaid. They honour and reue∣rence * 1.491 friers and pilgrims, by suffering them to passe quietlie, and by sparing their mansions, whatsoeuer outrage they shew to the countrie besides them. The like fauor doo they extend to their poets & rithmours.

In old time they much abused the honorable state * 1.492 of mariage, either in contracts vnlawfull, méeting the degrées of prohibition, or in diuorsements at pleasure, or in reteining concubines or harlots for wiues: yea euen at this daie, where the clergie is faint, they can be content to marrie for a yeare and a daie of probation; and at the years end, or anie time after, to returne hir home with hir mariage goods, or as much in valure, vpon light quarels, if the gentlewomans friends be vnable to reuenge the in∣iurie. In like maner maie she for sake hir husband. In some corner of the land they vsed a damnable su∣perstition, * 1.493 leauing the right armes of their infants vnchristened (as they tearme it) to the intent it might giue a more vngratious and deadlie blow. Others write that gentlemens children were baptised in * 1.494 milke, and the infants of poore folke in water, who had the better or rather the onelie choise. Diuerse o∣ther vaine and execrable superstitions they obserue, that for a complet rec•…•…all would require a seuerall volume. Whereto they are the more stiffelie wedded, * 1.495 bicause such single preachers as they haue, reprooue not in their sermons the péeuishnesse and fondnesse of these friuolous dreamers. But these and the like enormities haue taken so déepe root in that people, as commonlie a preacher is sooner by their naughtie liues corrupted, than their naughtie liues by his preaching amended.

Againe, the verie English of birth, conuersant with the sauage sort of that people become degenerat, and as though they had tasted of Circes poisoned cup, are quite altered. Such force hath education to make or mar. God with the beams of his grace clarifie the eies of that rude people, that at length they maie see their miserable estate: and also that such as are depu∣ted to the gouernement thereof, bend their industrie with conscionable policie to reduce them from rude∣nes to knowledge, from rebellion to obedience, from trecherie to honestie, from sauagenesse to ciuilitie, from idlenesse to labour, from wickednesse to godli∣nesse, whereby they maie the sooner espie their blind∣nesse, acknowledge their loosenes, amend their liues, frame themselues pliable to the lawes and ordinan∣ces of hir maiestie, whome God with his gratious assistance preserue, aswell to the prosperous gouern∣ment of hir realme of England, as to the happie re∣formation of hir realme of Ireland.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The length and breadth of Ireland. Girald. Cam∣brens. lib. 1. topog. dist 1. rub. 2. Polych. lib. 1. cap. 32.
• * 1.2

  The name Iberni•…•… whense it procéedeth.
• * 1.3

  Ireland.
• * 1.4

  Iberus the Hispanish riuer.
• * 1.5

  Leland. in cyg. cant.
• * 1.6

  Scotia. Scotach. Gathelus.
• * 1.7

  Iohan. maior. Scot. lib. 1. ca. 9.
• * 1.8

  Iohannes do∣minus Scotus borne in Ire∣land.
• * 1.9

  Why schoole∣men are cal∣led Dunses.
• * 1.10

  Scotia maior. Scotia minor.
• * 1.11

  Gaudeili.
• * 1.12

  Banno.
• * 1.13

  The riuer Bann•…•….
• * 1.14

  Bagganbun.
• * 1.15

  Inuerna. Ioan. Camet∣te•…•… in cap. 35. Solini.
• * 1.16

  Hermol. Barb. ca. 16. in lib. 4. Plin. castig. The name I∣r•…•…sh and Ire∣land curiously seuered.
• * 1.17

  1. Lagenia. 2. Connatia. 3. Hultonia. 4. Momonia. 5. Media. west Méeth & cast Méeth.
• * 1.18

  Hebriedes.
• * 1.19

  The shires and counties of Ireland.
• * 1.20

  An. mun. 2533. Cambrens. lib. 1. dist. 3: •…•…ub. 5. & 6.
• * 1.21

  Méeth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is named.
• * 1.22

  Méeth ap∣pointed for the king his ta•…•….
• * 1.23

  Cantred.
• * 1.24

  Slane.
• * 1.25

  Galfride Geneui•…•….
• * 1.26

  The Eng∣lish pale.
• * 1.27

  Finguls ex∣celleth in husbandrie.
• * 1.28

  Collonnes of Fingall. Clowne.
• * 1.29

  Fingall, why so named.
• * 1.30

  The ci•…•… of Ireland in ancient time.
• * 1.31

  weisford wholie En∣glish. The Pill.
• * 1.32

  The saieng of a noble man touching the English of weisford.
• * 1.33

  Old English in weisford and Fingall.
• * 1.34

  Bater.
• * 1.35

  The pronun∣tiation of the Irish women.
• * 1.36

  The supersti∣tion of gam∣sters.
• * 1.37

  A conquest implieth thrée things.
• * 1.38

  Cic. lib. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.39

  Oneile whie he would not learne Eng∣lish.
• * 1.40

  Camb. lib. 1. dist. 3. rub. 8. The founder of the Irish language.
• * 1.41

  Bastolenus.
• * 1.42

  Epiphan. cont. har. lib. 1. 1. tom. 1.
• * 1.43

  Bards.
• * 1.44

  The obscuri∣tie of the true Irish.
• * 1.45

  The difficul∣tie.
• * 1.46

  Iohn. 1. verse 14.
• * 1.47

  The 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 the Irish.
• * 1.48

  No Irish word for knaue.
• * 1.49

  Lib. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. de orat. Ineptus.
• * 1.50

  Saucines.
• * 1.51

  Budae. lib. 2. de Asse. & part. ciue.
• * 1.52

  Irish boagh.
• * 1.53

  Fough.
• * 1.54

  Aqua vitae.
• * 1.55

  Theoric. Episc. Hermenensis in Romanula iuxta Bononi∣am.
• * 1.56

  The commo∣dities of A∣qua vitae.
• * 1.57

  Vlst. in coelo philos. vel de secret. •…•…t. cap. 11.
• * 1.58

  Poly. lib. 1. cap. 32.
• * 1.59

  Wilie pie. Camb. part. 1. dist. 3.
• * 1.60

  No vene∣mous worme in Ireland.
• * 1.61

  Camb. part. 1. dist. 1.
• * 1.62

  Bed. lib. 1. Angl. Hist. cap. 1.
• * 1.63

  The contro∣uersie of the Ile of Man decided.
• * 1.64

  Orchades opp•…•…ant to Irela•…•… Hector Boet. in Scot. reg. descrip. pag. 9. Sect. 50. Camb. topo. lib. 1. dist. 1. rub. 29.
• * 1.65

  Cam. ibid. rub. 30. 31.
• * 1.66

  Irish leather expelieth ve∣•…•…mous wormes.
• * 1.67

  Cambr. in co. dem loco.
• * 1.68

  whether ve∣nemous wormes were expelied Ire∣land through the praiers of saint Patrike.
• * 1.69

  Polychr. lib. 1. cap. 32.
• * 1.70

  Alan. Copus dialog. 3. acd. 28.
• * 1.71

  Thomas Fazellus.
• * 1.72

  Bed. lib. 1. Ang. hist. c. 1.
• * 1.73

  Sententia de∣finitiua Solin, cap 35.
• * 1.74

  Iudgement.
• * 1.75

  Exod. c 7. verse 10.
• a 1.76

  Iosu. c. 10 verse 13.
• b 1.77

  3 Reg 17 verse 22. and Eccles. 48 verse 50.
• c 1.78

  Act 3 vers. 7.
• d 1.79

  Act 9. ver. 34.
• e 1.80

  Act 9 vers 40
• f 1.81

  Act 5 vers. 13.
• g 1.82

  Act. 14 verse 10.
• h 1.83

  Act 20 verse 10 & 11.
• i 1.84

  Act. 27 ver•…•… 23 Act. 9 vers. 43 Act. 28 verse 9.
• * 1.85

  Augu. tract. 30 in Iohan. Th. p 3 q. 44. u. 3 ad. 3 m.
• * 1.86

  Gen. 3 vers. 13.
• * 1.87

  Act. 28. vers. 4.
• * 1.88

  Saint Paul•…•… heard not the inhabitants of Malta.
• * 1.89

  Act. 14. vers. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 12, 13, 14.
• * 1.90

  A parson his sermon.
• * 1.91

  M. Cope his rhetorike.
• * 1.92

  Cic. lib. 2. de orat.
• * 1.93

  1. Tim 3. vers. 2. & 3.
• * 1.94

  Psal. 5. ver. 7. Sapient. 1. Vide August in cundem Psal.
• * 1.95

  Matth. 5. vers. 22.
• * 1.96

  The German his friendship.
• * 1.97

  Ireland hem it maie be re∣formed.
• * 1.98

  2. Mac. 5. ver. 19.
• * 1.99

  Luc. 8. ver. 32.
• * 1.100

  Luc. 2. ver. 37.
• * 1.101

  •…•…ction.
• * 1.102

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.103

  Rumor cat∣cheth •…•…ethers.
• * 1.104

  A fréendlie commenda∣tion.
• * 1.105

  E•…•…od. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. vers. 7, 17, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 24. Vide Apoc. 9. verse 3, at 2. Reg. 8. verse. 37.
• * 1.106

  Gregor. hom. 29. in euang. Mar. 16. v. 17.
• * 1.107

  Psalm. 117, verse. 22.
• * 1.108

  The bar∣nacle.
• * 1.109

  Sabel. part. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Ene. 10. lib. 5. Cam. lib. to∣pog. dist. 1. rub. 15. Thom. p. 3. q. 31. ar. 4. corp.
• * 1.110

  Bées how they are in∣gendered.
• * 1.111

  Iohan. de S. Gem. in lib. de exempl. & si∣mili. rerum li. 4. c. 31, whether the barnacle be fish or flesh. Cambr. lib. 1. topog. dist. 1. •…•…ub. 15. Polychr. lib. 1. c. 32.
• * 1.112

  Adam & Eue onelie created by God. August. super Genes. ad lit. lib. 9. c. 18.
• * 1.113

  Genes 11. verse 29.
• * 1.114

  Adam & Eua of no kin. Thom. p. 1. q 92. art. 2. ad. 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.115

  Thom. p. 1. q. 91. art. 2. ad 2. m Liuing things are of two sorts. Thom. p. 1. q. 71. 1. 0. 1. m. Auicenna.
• * 1.116

  Gen. 2. vers. 7. Gen. 2. ver. 21. Mat. 1. ver. 10 Luc. 1. vers. 34
• * 1.117

  Vide Arist. lib. 1. Meteor. ca. 3. 6. 7.
• * 1.118

  The barnacle neither fish nor flesh.
• * 1.119

  The sell whe∣ther it be fish or flesh. Thom. p. 1. a. 7•…•… a. 1. 0. 3. 0.
• * 1.120

  Shéepe.
• * 1.121

  Egle.
• * 1.122

  The Irish hobbie.
• * 1.123

  The nag.
• * 1.124

  The chiefe horsse.
• * 1.125

  The mongrell hobbie.
• * 1.126

  Volat. lib. 3. Geog. Asturcones.
• * 1.127

  Dublinum.
• * 1.128

  Dublin builded.
• * 1.129

  Auellanus the founder of Dublin.
• * 1.130

  Auellana. Eblana.
• * 1.131

  Dublin the Irish Lon∣don. The situation of Dublin.
• * 1.132

  The Liffie.
• * 1.133

  The sword giuen to Du∣blin. Shiriffes of Dublin 1547.
• * 1.134

  Dublin go∣uerned by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prouest.
• * 1.135

  The hospita∣litie of the maior and shiriffes.
• * 1.136

  1551 Patrike Scarsefield his hospita∣litie.
• * 1.137

  The maior o•…•… Dublin when he is sworne.
• * 1.138

  Tom drum his intertein∣ment.
• * 1.139

  Chaucer in the prolog of his Can∣turburie tales
• * 1.140

  Nicholas Stanihurst.
• * 1.141

  The hospita∣litis of Dub∣lin.
• * 1.142

  The shambles and markets at Dublin.
• * 1.143

  The blacke standard.
• * 1.144

  The musters of Dublin.
• * 1.145

  The maior of the Bull ring
• * 1.146

  The blacke mondaie.
• * 1.147

  Dublin inha∣bited by the Bristollians. This was a∣bout the yeare of our Lord 1209.
• * 1.148

  The churches of Dublin.
• * 1.149

  Christs church.
• * 1.150

  The contro∣uersie be∣tweene Christ church and saint Patriks church.
• * 1.151

  Fitz Si∣mons.
• * 1.152

  S. Iames his faire.
• * 1.153

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the gates of the citie and suburbs of Dublin.
• * 1.154

  The names of the stréets, bridge•…•…, lanes and other no∣torious places in Dublin.
• * 1.155

  Iohn Decer.
• * 1.156

  Ostmanni.
• * 1.157

  1050
• * 1.158

  1095 Ostman∣towne, why so called.
• * 1.159

  The lanes.
• * 1.160

  The old Es∣cacar.
• * 1.161

  S. George his chappell.
• * 1.162

  The bridges.
• * 1.163

  1544.
• * 1.164

  The castell.
• * 1.165

  1220.
• * 1.166

  Bermingham his tower.
• * 1.167

  1566.
• * 1.168

  Isouds to∣wer.
• * 1.169

  Chappell Isoud.
• * 1.170

  Saint Pulchers.
• * 1.171

  The names of the fields adioining to Dublin. Scald∣brother.
• * 1.172

  Scaldbrother executed.
• * 1.173

  Litle Iohn.
• * 1.174

  1189.
• * 1.175

  Robert Hood.
• * 1.176

  Little Iohn deceased.
• * 1.177

  The king his land.
• * 1.178

  Crumlin▪
• * 1.179

  Waterford.
• * 1.180

  Manapia▪
• * 1.181

  The posie of Waterford.
• * 1.182

  Limerike.
• * 1.183

  Sennan the riuer of Li∣merike.
• * 1.184

  Limerike whie so called.
• * 1.185

  Corke.
• * 1.186

  Drogheda.
• * 1.187

  Rosse.
• * 1.188

  Ro•…•…e, of Rosse.
• * 1.189

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.190

  The pangs o•…•… gelousie.
• * 1.191

  Hulke tower.
• * 1.192

  The present estate of Rosse
• * 1.193

  New Rosse, old Rosse.
• * 1.194

  Rosse I∣barcan.
• * 1.195

  Weisford.
• * 1.196

  Kilkennie.
• * 1.197

  1400 Robert Talbot.
• * 1.198

  William Marshall.
• * 1.199

  1234
• * 1.200

  The churches of Kilkennie.
• * 1.201

  The gram∣mer shcoole. P•…•…ce Bu•…•…er. M•…•…rgaret Fitzgerald.
• * 1.202

  Peter White.
• * 1.203

  Kilkennie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so cal∣led. The life of Kanicus.
• * 1.204

  Thomas towne. Thomas Fitzantonie.
• * 1.205

  The names of the cheefe townes in Ulster.
• * 1.206

  The names of the cheefe townes in Leinster.
• * 1.207

  Chéefe towns in Mounster.
• * 1.208

  Chéefe towns in Connaght.
• * 1.209

  Chéefe towns in Meeth.
• * 1.210

  Chéefe towns in westméeth.
• * 1.211

  1542
• * 1.212

  The names of the chiefe hauen towns in Ireland.
• * 1.213

  Camd. lib. 1. top. dist. 2. rub. 3. & 4.
• * 1.214

  S. Patrike his purgato∣rie.
• * 1.215

  Camb. lib 1. topo•…•…. dist. 2. rub. 6.
• * 1.216

  Reglasse.
• * 1.217

  Polychr. lib. 1. c. 36. 1138
• * 1.218

  Dyon. Cart. in lib. de quatu∣nouiss. art. 48.
• * 1.219

  Ioh. Camert. in lib. Solini. cap. 35.
• * 1.220

  Claud. lib. 1 in Ruffin.
• * 1.221

  The ceremo∣nies vsed in entering S. Patrike his purgatorie.
• * 1.222

  Camb. lib. 1. topog. distinct. 2. rub. 5.
• * 1.223

  Insula viuen∣tium.
• * 1.224

  Cambren. in codem loco.
• * 1.225

  Aren.
• * 1.226

  The Fire∣house or Kil∣dare.
• * 1.227

  The heath of Kildare.
• * 1.228

  The stories of Salisburie plaine.
• * 1.229

  Moolleagh mast.
• * 1.230

  The earle of Sussex.
• * 1.231

  The Geral∣dines throw.
• * 1.232

  1470.
• * 1.233

  The Geral∣dines wish.
• * 1.234

  The earle of •…•…dares answer.
• * 1.235

  The hill of Taragh.
• * 1.236

  Castleknocke. The strange welles.
• * 1.237

  Camb. in lib. 1. topog. dist. 1. rub. 8. & 10.
• * 1.238

  Hector Boet. in Scot. reg. descript. pag 9 Sect. 50.
• * 1.239

  Melashée.
• * 1.240

  The Liffiie.
• * 1.241

  Cambr. lib. 1. dist. 2. rub. 4•…•….
• * 1.242

  The Salmon leape.
• * 1.243

  Armagh.
• * 1.244

  Ireland the storehouse of nature.
• * 1.245

  Armagh.
• * 1.246

  Dublin.
• * 1.247

  Cashill.
• * 1.248

  Twene.
• * 1.249

  Lib. 10. Scot. Hist. fol. 212. sect. 40.
• * 1.250

  1074.
• * 1.251

  Pall what it is.
• * 1.252

  c. quoniam. c. dis.
• * 1.253

  c. quod sicut de elect. pe∣nul. De priuil. & exces. priuil. cap. Archie. & in glos. c. ex tuarum, &c. adhoc. de auct. & vsu. pal.
• * 1.254

  1075.
• * 1.255

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.256

  1•…•…2.
• * 1.257

  1162.
• * 1.258

  11•…•….
• * 1.259

  Scorch∣villein.
• * 1.260

  Matth Paris. in vita Ioan, pag. 316.
• * 1.261

  1•…•…85.
• * 1.262

  1294.
• * 1.263

  1•…•…. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 de 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉
• * 1.264

  Edmund Butler. 1032, Holli•…•…d in Fingall.
• * 1.265

  1306.
• * 1.266

  Hauering•…•… dreame.
• * 1.267

  1311.
• * 1.268

  De priui. & excest pri. c. Archiep.
• * 1.269

  1313.
• * 1.270

  131•…•….
• * 1.271

  •…•…20.
• * 1.272

  •…•…349
• * 1.273

  1363
• * 1.274

  1375
• * 1.275

  1390
• * 1.276

  1397
• * 1.277

  1413 The skirmish of Kilka.
• * 1.278

  •…•…439
• * 1.279

  •…•…460
• * 1.280

  The bishops of Kildare.
• * 1.281

  •…•…448
• * 1.282

  Maurice Iake. 1319 The bridge of Kil•…•…llen, and Leighlin.
• * 1.283

  116•…•…
• * 1.284

  Matth. Paris. in vita Ioh. pag. 316. vers. 4•…•….
• * 1.285

  1234
• * 1.286

  Pag. 480.
• * 1.287

  Giraldus Cambrensis.
• * 1.288

  Ioannes de lo∣co •…•…umenti part prima granarij.
• * 1.289

  Cambrensis lib. 2 conqu. Hib. rub. 17.
• * 1.290

  The castell of Sligagh. Tireconille.
• * 1.291

  Baron of Ophalie.
• * 1.292

  The first erle of Kildare.
• * 1.293

  1290 Uescie lord iustice.
• * 1.294

  Uescie accu∣seth the lord Fitzgirald.
• * 1.295

  The lord Gi∣ralds answer.
• * 1.296

  The lord iu∣stice replieth.
• * 1.297

  The lord Gi∣rald posteth into England
• * 1.298

  Uescie fol∣loweth.
• * 1.299

  Uescies oration.
• * 1.300

  The lord Gi∣ralds oration.
• * 1.301

  The combat chalenged.
• * 1.302

  Uescie fled in∣to France. Kildare be∣stowed on the lard Girald.
• * 1.303

  The first erle 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kildare •…•…reated.
• * 1.304

  1315
• * 1.305

  The num∣bers of the earles of Kildare.
• * 1.306

  Lord Girald.
• * 1.307

  Earle of Or∣mond. 1247 The But∣lers (as I am informed) are found by an∣cient records to haue béene earles of the Carrike.
• * 1.308

  1299
• * 1.309

  1309
• * 1.310

  131•…•…
• * 1.311

  1313
• * 1.312

  1315
• * 1.313

  1316
• * 1.314

  1321
• * 1.315

  1359
• * 1.316

  1425
• * 1.317

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 •…•…rle of Ormond.
• * 1.318

  Tipperarie.
• * 1.319

  Desmond.
• * 1.320

  Clenrickard.
• * 1.321

  Tomond.
• * 1.322

  1550
• * 1.323

  Clencare. Barrie. Roch. Gormans∣towne.
• * 1.324

  1361
• * 1.325

  136•…•…
• * 1.326

  1476
• * 1.327

  1492
• * 1.328

  1494
• * 1.329

  1397
• * 1.330

  Preston came 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Lan∣cashire.
• * 1.331

  Baltinglasse.
• * 1.332

  1542
• * 1.333

  1175
• * 1.334

  Mountgaret. 1550 Déece. •…•…enrie.
• * 1.335

  •…•…rdigh. kerie. Courcie.
• * 1.336

  Slaine.
• * 1.337

  Killine.
• * 1.338

  Delui•…•….
• * 1.339

  Howth.
• * 1.340

  Dunsanie.
• * 1.341

  Trimle∣stowne.
• * 1.342

  Drunnagh.
• * 1.343

  Robert Barnewall.
• * 1.344

  157•…•…
• * 1.345

  1574 Marcus Barnewall.
• * 1.346

  Sir Christo∣pher Barn∣wall a night.
• * 1.347

  117•…•…
• * 1.348

  Dunbo•…•….
• * 1.349

  1541
• * 1.350

  Upper O•…•…∣rie.
• * 1.351

  1541
• * 1.352

  1558
• * 1.353

  Louth. 1541
• * 1.354

  Dungauon.
• * 1.355

  Curragh∣more. Desert.
• * 1.356

  Insirkoin. 1543
• * 1.357

  Baronets.
• * 1.358

  Banret what it signifieth.
• * 1.359

  Ardericus.
• * 1.360

  Alen. Archer. Argobastus.
• * 1.361

  64•…•…
• * 1.362

  Barnwall. Bradie. Brendan.
• * 1.363

  Bernerden. Brigide.
• * 1.364

  Browne. Burnell. Butler.
• * 1.365

  Caddell. Carberie. Celsus.
• * 1.366

  Cléere.
• * 1.367

  Clin.
• * 1.368

  Cogie. Colme.
• * 1.369

  Columbanus.
• * 1.370

  59•…•…
• * 1.371

  Conganus.
• * 1.372

  Barnardus in vita Malachiae in praefat. Connour. Conton. Coniell. Cornelius.
• * 1.373

  Hector Boet. in prae•…•…ul. Scot. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.374

  Creagh.
• * 1.375

  Crumpe.
• * 1.376

  Curren. Cusacke.
• * 1.377

  Dalie.
• * 1.378

  Darcie.
• * 1.379

  Delahide.
• * 1.380

  Deurox.
• * 1.381

  Dillon. Doudall.
• * 1.382

  Dormer.
• * 1.383

  Duns Iohan∣nes maior lib. 4. cap. 10.
• * 1.384

  Cic. i•…•… orat. pro Arch. poeta.
• * 1.385

  Thomistae. Scotistae,
• * 1.386

  1308,
• * 1.387

  Eustace.
• * 1.388

  Fagan. Ferraile.
• * 1.389

  Fergutius,
• * 1.390

  Carreg∣fergus.
• * 1.391

  Finnanus.
• * 1.392

  Field.
• * 1.393

  Fitzgirald.
• * 1.394

  Hippias.
• * 1.395

  Fitzrafe.
• * 1.396

  1360
• * 1.397

  Fitzsimons.
• * 1.398

  Flattisburie.
• * 1.399

  Fleming.
• * 1.400

  Foillanus.
• * 1.401

  654
• * 1.402

  Furseus.
• * 1.403

  •…•…47
• * 1.404

  Garuie.
• * 1.405

  Gogan. Hardit.
• * 1.406

  Hickie. Hugo.
• * 1.407

  Huseie. Hurlie. Ioise. Kellie.
• * 1.408

  1342
• * 1.409

  Kenedie. Kernie. Keuannagh.
• * 1.410

  King.
• * 1.411

  1569
• * 1.412

  Leie. Leurouse. 155•…•…
• * 1.413

  Loghlen.
• * 1.414

  Long.
• * 1.415

  Lombard.
• * 1.416

  Macchragh. Macgrane. Malachias.
• * 1.417

  Malachias minorit.
• * 1.418

  Mauricius. Iohannes Ca∣•…•… cap. 35. •…•…l.
• * 1.419

  Mauricius Cassiliensis.
• * 1.420

  Miagh.
• * 1.421

  Mooneie. Neilan.
• * 1.422

  Nigran. Norris.
• * 1.423

  Nugent.
• * 1.424

  Obuge.
• * 1.425

  Giraldus Bononiensis.
• * 1.426

  Odewhée. Oheirnain.
• * 1.427

  Oheirligh.
• * 1.428

  Pander. Patricius
• * 1.429

  432
• * 1.430

  Patricius abbas.
• * 1.431

  Petrus Hy∣bernicus.
• * 1.432

  Plunket.
• * 1.433

  Poomrell.
• * 1.434

  The force of exercise.
• * 1.435

  Quemerford, 1575
• * 1.436

  Rian.
• * 1.437

  Richard,
• * 1.438

  Rochford.
• * 1.439

  Rooth.
• * 1.440

  De sacro bosco.
• * 1.441

  Sedgraue. Shaghens.
• * 1.442

  Sheine.
• * 1.443

  Sheth.
• * 1.444

  Skidmor.
• * 1.445

  Smith.
• * 1.446

  Stanihurst.
• * 1.447

  1557.
• * 1.448

  1560
• * 1.449

  1568
• * 1.450

  1573
• * 1.451

  Circaa nnu•…•… Dom. 1506.
• * 1.452

  Sutton. Talbot.
• * 1.453

  Tanner.
• * 1.454

  Tailer.
• * 1.455

  Thomas Hy∣bernus.
• * 1.456

  Toole. Trauerse.
• * 1.457

  Tundalus.
• * 1.458

  Virgilius So∣liuagus.
• * 1.459

  •…•…4
• * 1.460

  Tomo primo conciliorum.
• * 1.461

  Ultagh. Vltanus.
• * 1.462

  Vrgalius.
• * 1.463

  Usher. wadding.
• * 1.464

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.465

  wellesteie.
• * 1.466

  white•…•…Punc•…•…
• * 1.467

  wise.
• * 1.468

  william.
• * 1.469

  woolfe.
• * 1.470

  Irish gen∣t•…•….
• * 1.471

  The inclina∣tion of the people.
• * 1.472

  To wéepe Irish.
• * 1.473

  Poets est•…•…med.
• * 1.474

  Foster children.
• * 1.475

  The stature of the people.
• * 1.476

  Infants.
• * 1.477

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.478

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…t.
• * 1.479

  Portie.
• * 1.480

  Coshering. followers.
• * 1.481

  Lib. pri. Aen. circa finem.
• * 1.482

  Daltin. Groome.
• * 1.483

  Kerne.
• * 1.484

  Kigheiren.
• * 1.485

  Galloglasse.
• * 1.486

  Horsseman.
• * 1.487

  Karrow.
• * 1.488

  A taleteller.
• * 1.489

  Latin spoken as a vulgar language.
• * 1.490

  Breighon.
• * 1.491

  Religious fauoured.
• * 1.492

  Matrimonie abused.
• * 1.493

  Superstition in baptisme.
• * 1.494

  Iohn Cai. li. 2. Cant. ant.
• * 1.495

  Ireland who superstitious.