The Irish rebellion: or, An history of the beginnings and first progresse of the general rebellion raised within the kingdom of Ireland, upon the three and twentieth day of October, in the year, 1641.: Together vvith the barbarous cruelties and bloody massacres which ensued thereupon. / By Sir Iohn Temple Knight. Master of the Rolles, and one of his Majesties most honourable Privie Councell within the kingdom of Ireland.

A LETTER from the Lords Iustices and Councell, to the Lord LIEVTENANT.

May it please your Lordship,

BY our Letters of the third of December, we made known to your Lordship, that Mr Hawtrige was then newly arrived with the Treasure sent us from thence, which came but to sixteen thousand five hundred foure∣score and tenne pounds, a supply of Treasure farre short of that which is now become necessary to performe any considerable service here against the Rebels, whose numbers are increased wonderfully, insomuch as the Forces they have about Drogheda on all sides it, and between Drogheda and this place, reaching even with∣in foure miles of this City, are upon very credible re∣port, conceived to be above twenty thousand men, and besides those numbers who are so united between this and Drogheda and thereabouts, there are many thousands of them dispersed the whole Kingdome over, for the mea∣ner sort of people first rise generally; and then those of better quality follow after; and the fire which was first kindled in Vlster, and lay awhile smothered in other parts, begins now to break out so generally, as the defection now appeares to bee universall throughout the whole foure Provinces; so strangly rooted was the

combination, and that strengthned under the specious shew of a Warre for Religion; for although before and since the Caution wee had from your Lordship, We have on our part endeavoured not to give any appre∣hension to the Irish, that England doth intend to make it a Warre of Religion, yet as we formerly made known to your Lordship, the Rebels labour mainely to have it so understood. Nay, they now goe so farre as they call themselves generally the Catholike Army, a Title which hath drawn many thousands to their party, and yet ma∣ny joyned with them for no other reason then because they saw our Succours expected forth of England and Scotland deferred, they rightly judging, that without those Succours, we are not able to defend them our selves; and indeed untill those Succours come, they must and will still encrease; but if our men and armes were once arrived, the very countenance of their comming would draw many from them to us, and give some stop to the fury, with which they yet carry all before them whither∣soever they come.

They continue their rage and malignity aganst the En∣glish and Protestants, who if they leave their goods or cat∣tell for more safety with any Papist, those are called out by the Rebels, and the Papists goods and cattell left behind; and now upon some new Councells taken by them, they have added to their former, a further degree of cruelty, even of the highest nature, which is to Proclaime, That if any Irish shall harbour or relieve any English, that be suffered to escape them with his life, that it shall bee penall even to death to such Irish; and so they will bee sure though they put not those English actually to the sword, yet they doe as certainly and with more cruelty cut them off that way, then if they had done it by the sword; and they professe they will never give over untill they leave not any seed of an English-man in Ireland.

Nor is their malice towards the English expressed on∣ly so, but further even to the beasts of their fields, and improvements of their hands, for they destroy all Cattell of English breed, and declare openly, that their reason is, because they are English; so great is their hatred, not onely to the persons of the English, but also to every species of that Nation, and they destroy all improvements made by the English, and lay waste their habitations.

Wee formerly signified to your Lordship, that to take away all jealousie from the Papists of the English Pale, we would furnish them with some Armes, and the rather be∣cause wee well know that in the last great Rebellion in Ireland, the English Pale stood firme to the Crowne of England; and that the Rebell Tyrone in the heigth of his power and greatnesse, was never able to get into the Pale with his Forces whilst hee was in Rebellion; and upon this occasion, the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Pale, making deep professions of their loyalty to his Majesty, in imitation of their Ancestors, and with expressions seeming to abhorre the Contrivers of this Rebellion here against whom they offered their power and strength, so as they might have Armes; and we being well assured, that if wee could gaine their concurrence with us, it would much facilitate our work; wee did at their earnest suit issue for them Armes for one thousand seven hun∣dred men, wherewith divers Companies were armed by them, and some of them selves were appointed Gover∣nours of the Forces of the Counties, and Captaines of their Compaines; but so many of those Companies revolted to the Rebels, and carryed away their Armes with them, as we have recovered back but nine hundred and fifty Armes; so as those whose loyalty We had rea∣son to expect would help us, are now through their di∣sloyalty turned against us, and are strengthned with our own Armes; and without all question, if those of the

English Pale had done their parts as became good subjects with their Armes they had from us, and those they might gather amongst themselves, they might with our help not only have defended the Pale against the Rebels, but might also have prevented the ruine and destruction wrought by their Tenants and Neighbours on the poore English and Protestants amongst them; for the Noblemen and Gentry sate still and looked on, whilst the English and Protestants were ruined before their faces; the Papist in the meane time remaining secure, without the losse of goods, or any thing else.

When wee saw the power and strength of the Rebels still growing upon us more and more, and approaching by degrees more neare to us, and the English and Protestants robbed and spoyled even within two miles of this City, in disdaine and affront of this State, which are scornes of so high a nature as we could not endure, if we had strength sufficient to represse their insolencies; and when we ob∣served the retarding of our Succours of men and armes from England or Scotland, neither of both Succours being yet come, nor as we heard so much as in view there or in Scotland, and when we found apparantly that for want of those supplies, we became in a manner so contemptible, as we were in danger to be set upon for taking from us this City and Castle before our aides should come, wee be-thought us of all the meanes we could of gaining time, be∣ing confident that wee cannot be so deserted by the State of England, but that some supplies may yet come unto us: And therefore on the third of December, we directed our Letters to divers of the Nobility of the Kingdome who were nearest to us, and most of them being of the English Pale, to be with us here on the eight day of this Month, that we might conferre with them concerning the present state of the Kingdome, and we hoped by their help, to handle the matter so as we might gaine a few dayes

time before our supprisall here, by which time in all like∣lihood our Succours might arrive, although it be boldly given out by the Rebels, that we shall have no Succours from thence, which they divulge to enbolden their party, and to strike terror and discouragement into the well-affected, amongst whom there are many so weak, as to apprehend from thence too much feare, whereby many are fled the Kingdome.

On the eigth day of this Moneth, the Earle of Kildare, the Lord Viscount Fitz-Williams, and the Lord Bar∣ron of Houth came unto us, but the rest of the Noblemen not comming deferred our conference, and on the eleventh day of this Month we received Letters from seven of them, namely, the Earle of Fingale, the Lord Viscount Gor∣monston, the Lord Viscount Nettervile, and the Lords of Slaine, Trimblestone, Dunsany and Lowth, dated the seventh day of this Month, and signed by them, pretending a feare of a Massacre on those of their Religion, and that therefore they are deterred, to wait on us, but doe rather think it fit to stand upon their guard, and how that resolution of theirs may stand with the loyalty they professe, wee humbly sub∣mit to his Majestie's excellent judgment, for whose royall view wee send you here inclosed, a Copy of their said Letters.

When we received those Letters, we did admire whence their feares of comming to us should arise, but afterwards we heard that they had been in consultation with the Rebels, which also as to most of them is confirmed by the enclosed Examination of Christopher Hampton, and indeed we know no cause of feare they have of us, unlesse their own guilts be∣got in them the feare they pretend; and they spare not though unjustly to charge us with a neglect of their advises, whereas not one of them to this House offered to us any ad∣vice or reall assistance towards Pacification of these troubles.

It became then publike (nor could wee keep secret that which they had published to others) that those Noblemen so farre sided with the Rebels as they now stood on their guard; wee therefore adjudged it fit for vindicating the State from the aspersion which we found so publikely en∣deavoured to be laid upon us, to publish the enclosed Proclamation, as well to satisfie to the world as those No∣blemen, who certainly are abundantly satisfied in their own secret thoughts, that wee never intended to Massacre them or any other; that being a thing which we and all good Protestants doe much abhorre, what ever the pra∣ctice of their Religion is, and hath been found to be by wo∣full experience in other parts, whereof we confesse we are now in great danger; if our long expected Succours come not the sooner to us, and it may be gathered from that un∣exampled tyranny which the Rebels have already exercised towards those of our Nation and Religion, who fell into their hands, what we for our parts may expect from them; but the dishonour and shame which may reflect upon the English Nation by exposing this State and Kingdome to so appa∣rent ruine, and with it the extirpation of Gods true Religi∣on, afflicts us more then the losse of our own lives and for∣tunes, when all might be saved by sending seasonably those Succors.

Wee lately received Letters from the Lady Ofaly, and a Letter containing most insolent Menaces inclosed therein, sent her from the Rebels, to which shee sent them a noble Answer, Copies whereof we send here in∣closed.

One of the Rebels stiling himselfe Chaplaine Major and Overseer of the Coasts and Harbours, lately sent a Sum∣mons in a proud and vaunting manner, to one Edward Leech, that was entrusted to keep the Iland of Lambay, requiring the delivery up of that Iland to the Rebels, which being done, he gave Leech a Passe, where in he stiles the Rebels Forces the Ca∣tholike

Army: A copy of which Summons and Passe we send your Lordship here inclosed; and Leech told us that that mighty Chaplaine declared openly to him, That he was Plot∣ter of this Rebellion, That he had spent in Travell and Pro∣secution of that design beyond Seas foure thousand pounds; and that all the Kings in Christendome, excepting the King of England, and the King of Denmark, have hands in this bu∣sinesse.

A Castle in the Town of Langford, held by the English, who stood out awhile against the Rebels, being in the end through want of victuals necessitated to be rendered up to them upon promise of quarter, a Popish Priest standing with his Skeane in his hand, watching for the comming forth of a Minister then amongst the English, did by thrusting that Skeane into the Ministers guts, and ripping up his belly, give that as a signall to the Rebels, for falling upon the rest of the English, which they did accordingly, assoone as the Mi∣nister was murthered, killing some, and hanging the rest most perfidiously.

On the ninth of this Month, we received advertisement, that great numbers of men were gathered together in War-like manner at Swoords in the County of Dublin within six miles of us, they having the Army of the Rebels behind them on this side Drogheda; whereupon we then immediately sent out our Warrant, commanding them to disperse: A Copy whereof we send your Lordship here inclosed, which was not obeyed; but a Letter sent us from Luke Nettervile Sonne to the Lord Viscount Nettervile and others of them: A Copie whereof we likewise send here inclosed; whereupon we published the inclosed Manifest, for vindica∣ting this State from their aspersions also: And it is observa∣ble, that those Gentlemen at Swoords could even on that very Tuesday night, wherein they alledge they were so affrighted at their Houses, assemble twelve hundred men together in that moment of time, to have in readinesse against any at∣tempt

from the State, whereas for many dayes before, they could sit still and look on, whilst an Army of the Enemy lay behind them, betwixt them and Drogheda, and whilst some of them openly declared Rebels, and many of their neigh∣bours, who doubtlesse hold under-hand intelligence with the Rebels, robbed and spoiled the English on all parts round about them; and yet those Gentlemen could not in all that time be either so affrighted by the Rebels, or so com∣passionate of their poore English neighbours, as to assemble any men for the defence of themselves, or those their poore English neighbours; and certainly those Gentlemen might have been as believing in this State who have alwayes used lenity and mildnesse towards them, as in the Forces of the Rebels which lie so neare behind them, and who they know have murthered many of his Majesties good and innocent Subjects, and for ought they know (if there were not secret intelligence between them) might have used them also in like manner.

But the truth is, we conceive those Gentlemen had a minde to joyn with the Rebels, and doe now take up pre∣tences to cover their disloyalty, and cast scandall on this Government.

The Rebels in the Pale as in other parts, have caused Masses to be said openly in the Churches, expelled the Ministers from Officiating in their Churches, and forced divers per∣sons for saving their lives and goods to become Papists, openly professing that no Protestant shall be suffered to live in Ireland, and whilst they insult thus over all the English and Protestants, destroying them for no other reason, but for that they are Protestants and English, we let fall nothing against them touching Religion, and yet they faine things against us, tending that way to give some colour to their cruell proceedings.

The Rebels of the County of Kildare have taken the Naas and Kildare in the County of Kildare. The Rebels of Meath

have taken Trim, and Ashboy in the County of Meath, and divers other places; The Rebels of the County of Dublin, have possessed Swoords and Rathcoole, and spoyled all the Eng∣lish and Protestants even to the Gates of Dublin, and now about fifteen hundred of the Rebels of Wiclow are in and about Powerscait, and about ten miles from this City; There are also between this and the Naas within six or seven miles of us a thousand of the Rebels of Kildare, and the Borders of Wiclow and Dublin, so as we are in this City invironed by them on all sides by Land, and they begin to stop accesses to us by Sea; for the Fishermen on the Sea Coasts being all Irish and Papists Inhabitants in the Pale, brake out also into Rebellion with the multitude, and have robbed, spoyled and pillaged even within the Bay of Dublin severall Barkes comming hither forth of England. And if to revenge this villany on the Fishermen at Clantarfe and there∣abouts, so neere us, we send forth a Party of Souldiers to burn and spoyle those Rebels houses and corn, the Gentle∣men of the Pale will immediately take new offence; but that we will adventure upon; for now there is no dalliance with them, who so farre declare themselves against the State, not caring what scorns are put upon the Government, wherein is observable, that the Landlord of Clantarfe is one of those Gentlemen risen in Armes at Swoords.

Your Lordship now sees not only the necessity of hast∣ning with all possible speed our Succours of men and armes, both out of England and Scotland, in greater numbers then those at first designed, seeing the breach appeares to be farre greater, and the defection more generall then at first was conceived; and yet so as such of them as are ready be not forced to stay for the rest, but that those may be so ordered as to come after, for no flesh can imagine, unlesse they saw it as we doe the greatnesse of our danger, who are but a handfull in comparison of the multitudes risen against us: And we desire that the ten thousand designed to come from Scotland,

may be wholly sent away, as well the five thousand intended to be left there in readinesse as the rest, with direction to land as neare Dublin as they may, and wheresoever they land to march to Dublin if possibly they can; And to send away with all speed the Ships appointed for guarding these Coasts, is also very necessary to be hastned, and that two or three Ships of good strength follow after; doubtlesse these Rebels expect a very great supply of Armes and Munition from forraign Parts, either Spaine or France.

And although out of the fore-sight we had of this ex∣tremity since these troubles began, we have endeavoured to get in some provisions of victuall and corne, yet we have not been able to provide our selves sufficiently to stand out any long siege, nor can we now get in any more, our Mar∣kets being almost taken away, and the strength of the Rebels surrounding us so as wee can fetch in no more provisions; wherefore we beseech your Lordship that the Magazins of Victuals designed to be setled on that side, may be setled wirh all speed, if it be not done already, whereby we and the Succours we expect, may not be in distresse of Victuals for our selves or them, or oates for our horses. Our want of Victuals is the more in respect of the daily accesse of the English spoyled in the Countrey.

The necessity of the defence of the Province of Munster, required the immediate raising of a Regiment of Foot con∣sisting of one thousand men, and two Troops of Horse of threescore each Troop, which threescore we appointed the Lord President to raise, and for the payment and arming of of them, wee humbly advise, seeing we cannot doe it, that money and armes be sent from thence to Youghall, with a further supply of Armes and Munition for the stores in that Province now much wanting there.

And as the Rebels which have be set us and this City on all sides by Land, doe threaten to cut off our Market at Dublin, which we begin to feele already: so they boldy declare, that

they will within a day or two cut off the watercourse, which brings water to this City and Castle; and that done, that their multitudes will immediately burn our Suburbs and besiege our Walls, which we confesse we yet want strength to defend, and must want till our Supplies come forth of England or Scotland or both; for here we have but about three thousand men, the rest of the old Companies being dispersed in severall needfull Garrisons in the Coun∣trey (excepting seven Companies of them surprised, and cut off by the Rebels at their first rising in Vlster and other Parts) and about two hundred horse by pole of the old Army, whereof many are Irish: so as considering the spaciousnesse of this City and Suburbs to be defended, the smalnesse of our number to defend them, and the great numbers of Pa∣pists Inhabitants in this City and Suburbs; and lastly, the very great numbers of the Rebels, who are so strong as to approach this City with many thousands, and yet leave many thousands also at the siege of Drogheda, wee can∣not expect to bee able to defend this City for any long time against them, without the arrivall of our expected Succours.

The Earle of Castle-haven on the tenth of this Month, presented at this board the inclosed Oath tendered unto him by the Rebels to be sworn by him, which he saith he re∣fused to sweare, and we heare they send it to all Parts to be tendered to the people, pressing them to take the Sacrament thereupon.

We did lately in hope to gaine some time untill our sup∣plies might come, listen to an offer made by some Popish Priests to goe to the Rebels and Treat with them, as you may perceive by the inclosed: But since we finde there is little hope of it; for some of the Priests are returned, nothing being wrought thereby.

However it is fit your Lordship should know what wee doe; we must now crave leave to declare to your Lordship,

that things being risen here to this heigth, threatning not onely the shaking of the Government, but the losse of the Kingdom, as the Supplies of men, Armes and more Trea∣sure, are of great necessity to be hastned away hither; so is it also needfull that we enjoy your Lordships presence here, for the conduct in your own person of the great and impor∣tant affaires of this State, as well in the Martiall as in the Civill Government, which doe necessarily require it in this time of great imminent danger, wherein so farre as we may be able to contribute any assistance with you, we shall be ready to discharge our duties therein, with that loyalty and up∣rightenesse of heart which we owe to his Majesty, and the particular respect due from us to your Lordship; but we hope you will bring that strength with you, which may be∣fit the greatnesse of the King our Master to send with his Leivtenant against so numerous enemies as these Rebels are become, as well for the honour of his Majesty, as for the terrour of those Rebels.

By what we have heretofore and now humbly represented to your Lordship, you may in part see the greatnesse of the publike danger wherein this Kingdom now stands, and parti∣cularly this City and Castle, the principall piece thereof, that if those be lost (which we now againe assure your Lordship, were never in so great perill to be lost since the first Conquest of this Kingdom by the Crown of England) the whole King∣dom must quickly follow, that the danger which must there∣upon arise to the Kingdom of England, is very great in many respects. There is no possibility to prevent those evils with honour and safety to England but by Succours from thence or Scotland, or both, and that if those Succours come not speedily, it cannot be avoyded, but the Kingdom must be lost. And if notwithstanding all this so often and truly made known by us to your Lordship, we shall perish for want of Supplies, we shall carry this comfort with us to our graves or any other buriall we shall have, that your Lordship can

witnesse for us to the Royall Majesty and to all the world that we have discharged our duties to God, to his Majesty, to that Nation, and to this, in humbly representing to his Ma∣jesty by your Lordship, the chiefe Governour of the King∣dome, the extremities and dangers wherein his Kingdome and people stand, and the necessity of hastning Supplies hi∣ther, by all possible meanes for preservation of both, so as what ever become of our persons, our memory cannot be justly stained with so wretched a breach of faith and loyalty to the King our Master, as to forbeare representing thither the extremities wherein we are, whether we have the credit to be believed or no; and that we write truth, and most needfull truth, will be found true, when perhaps we shall perish, and which is more considerable, the Kingdome also for want of being believed and succoured in time. And so we remaine

Your Lordships to be commanded,

• ...William Persons.
• ...Io: Burlace.
• ...Ormand Ossory.
• ...R: Dillon.
• ...Char: Lambart.
• ...Ad: Loftus.
• ...Iohn Temple.
• ...Charles Coot.
• ...Francis Willoughby.
• ...R: Meredith.

From his Majesties Castle of Dublin, 14 December. 1641.