CHAPTER XX
Reign of Queen
Elizabeth 1558 AD 10 1603 AD,
Elizabeth, only
surviving child of Henry VIII., succeeded her sister, in the
twenty-fifth year of her age.
By an
inquisition taken at Carlow, in the month of March, and fifth year of
the present reign, it was found, that Gerald, earl of Kildare, father of
Gerald then Earl, was seized of several messages, lands, and
hereditaments, viz., town and lands of Dromeroo, Powerstown, Gurtyne,
and Garrane, vulgarly called the land of Theobald Butler; Mirtellestown,
&c. All these premises reverted to the hands of Henry VIII.
A.D. 1565. Sir
Henry Sydney, K.G., appointed lord deputy. The state of the country is
represented as most deplorable at this time. The people reduced to the
greatest poverty, the soldiery licentious and unpaid; the Kavanaghs,
Birnes, and others, domineering and devastating at will. In short, it
appears, that at this time neither life nor property of the
well-disposed subject was secure.
At this period,
Gerald, eleventh earl of Kildare, was joined in commission with the earl
of Ormonde, Field, bishop of Leighlin, and others, for the reformation
of religion. Thomas Field, bishop of Leighlin, died the Friday before
Palm- Sunday, 1567; having governed this see twelve years. — He was
buried in the same tomb with his predecessor Sanders.
Daniel or
Donald Kavanagh was advanced to the see in the year of the decease of
bishop Field. The letters patent by which he was appointed bore date the
7th May, and ninth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He was
consecrated at St. Patrick's, cathedral, by Hugh Curwin, archbishop of
Dublin. He made long leases of many parts of his diocese, reserving only
small rents to his successors; and died on the 4th April, 1587. On the
6th June following the death of this prelate, the queen granted the see
of Leighlin in commendam, during the vacancy, to Peter Corse, archdeacon
of Leighlin.
The diocese
remained vacant for two years after the death of bishop Kavanagh, being
reduced by him so much in income as to be no longer an object worthy of
acquisition. At length, in April, 1589, Richard Meredyth, a native of
Wales, and Master of Arts in the university of Oxford, was appointed to
the seat of Leighlin.
He was at the
time dean of St. Patrick's, and rector of Loughrea, in the diocese of
Clonfert. The queen's letters patent for his promotion, and for holding
the deanery of St. Patrick's in commendam, bear date the 30th April, and
thirty-first year of her reign; the poverty of the see being the cause
of annexing the deanery to it. He was chaplain to Sir John Perot, lord
deputy of Ireland; on whose account be suffered greatly. In 1589, the
year of his advancement, he was committed prisoner to the tower of
London, and fined about the same time 20001. in the star chamber ; but
the particulars of his offence are not known. In 1592, he assigned to
the queen three hundred marcs* per annum out of the issues of his
deanery, for ten years, in commutation of the fine. He repaired the
episcopal house of Leighlin; and died in Dublin, on the 3rd of August,
1597; where he was buried on the north side of St. Patrick's church,
under a marble monument, near the steeple. This monument being decayed
by time, three of his descendants, viz., Richard Meredyth of Shrowland,
in the county of Kildare, Esq.; Charles Meredyth, dean of Ardfert, and
Arthur Francis Meredyth, of Dollardstown, in the county of Meath, in the
year 1734, erected a new monument to his memory, at their joint expense.
*The value of a
marc, or mark, was two-thirds of a pound sterling — thirteen shillings
and four pence.
Another vacancy
of nearly three years occurred on the death of the preceding bishop. In
the year 1600, Robert Grave, dean of Cork, was advanced to the
bishoprics of Leighlin and Ferns, the latter being at that time
unfilled. Bishop Grave was, in the year of his elevation, shipwrecked in
the harbour of Dublin. From this period, the sees of Leighlin and Ferns
have been always conferred on the same person. A step suggested, no
doubt, by the detriment lately done to the revenues of the former
diocese. Nicholas Stafford, chancellor of Ferns, succeeded Grave in both
bishoprics, by letters patent, dated the 19th July, in the forty-third
year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He was consecrated on the 18th of
March, 1600, and the same day restored, to the temporalities.
A.D. 1567. This
year, Sir Peter Carew, of Mohonesotreie, in the county of Devon, knight,
descended of a noble family, laid claim to large estates in Ireland. The
ancestors of this personage had been barons of Carew in England;
marquises of Cork, barons of Idrone, and lords of Maston Twete, and of
other seigniories in Ireland. Having ascertained the strength and
justice of his title to the property as above stated, he acquainted the
queen and council with his claim, and prayed that he might have their
permission to follow and recover the same. His request was granted,
together with letters from her majesty and the council to the
authorities in Ireland, desiring them to aid and assist him, by access
to the records in Dublin castle, and every other means within their
power. Sir Peter Carew then repaired to Ireland, and after satisfactory
search, exhibited a statement of his claim, (before the lord deputy and
council,) to the barony of Idrone, then in the possession of five of the
Kavanaghs, who pretended a right to it, derived from their ancestors
both before and since the conquest.
The case was fully examined by Lord
Chancellor Weston, the three chief judges, and several others of the
council, when a decree passed in favour of Sir Peter Carew; not merely
upon evidence of the inquisition taken 18th Richard II. (already
noticed), but upon several other records, by which it was fully
manifest, that the Carews answered in the court of exchequer for the
rents and royal services due for the said barony, till they were
dispossessed in time of common rebellion by the MacMorroughs alias
Kavanaghs, who pretended a title to it by descent from Dermot
MacMorrough, last king of Leinster; of which title they offered no
proof. The decree, indeed, observes, that such pretended title could not
be true ; in as much as Dermot had but one daughter and heir, who was
married to Stronghow, of whom they said Kavanaghs were not descendants.
A.D. 1568. This
year, Sir Edmund Butler, seneschal to his brother, the earl of Ormonde,
joined the earl of Desmond and others in rebellion. He was urged to this
course by the appointment of a commission to make inquiry concerning
several illegal acts charged against him, and partly from attachment to
the Irish, and to the Roman Catholic cause. The lord deputy proclaimed
him and his confederates, traitors, and transmitted orders to Sir Peter
Carew, Esq.,(then resident at his castle of Leighlin-bridge, of which he
was governor), to march against the rebels. Sir Peter promptly obeyed,
and first assaulted the castle of Cloghgrenan, in our county, (belonging
at that time to Sir Edmund Butler), which he speedily seized, and
distributed the booty, there found, to his soldiers. He then marched to
Kilkenny, attacked a body of two thousand rebels, killed four hundred of
them, and thus concluded the war there. He was assisted in these
proceedings by Captain Henry Duvells, to whom we shall again have
occasion to make allusion.
The Kavanaghs
resident on the boundaries of Sir Peter Carew's district were united
with the Butlers in this rebellion ; but so completely were they
harassed by this able and active commander, that they were reduced to
submit themselves at discretion to her majesty's mercy, and give
hostages for their future peaceable conduct.
In 1569, Sir
Edmund Butler of Cloghgrenan obtained pardon from the lord deputy,
through the intercession of his brother, the earl of Ormonde. It
appears, however, that considerable obstruction was thrown in the way of
this amnesty, by the choleric temper and violent demeanour of Sir Edmund
himself. For, when brought before the lord deputy, (on the 16th
October), he cast many reflections on that personage, charging him with
partiality, with refusing justice, and, in short, attributing the late
rebellion to his misgovernment. As might be expected, this language led
to his committal as a prisoner in the castle of Dublin ; from which,
however, he shortly afterwards effected his escape, by means of a small
rope, which unfortunately broke when he was three yards from the ground.
So much disabled was Sir Edmund by the fall, that he could proceed but a
short distance, and was obliged to remain all the ensuing night immersed
to his chin in water, in order to elude his pursuers. In about three
month 8 afterwards, the Earl of Ormonde again brought him, and the rest
of his" brothers, before the lord deputy and council at Dublin, when
they were all pardoned after a brief confinement. This clemency was
owing to the favourable feeling entertained towards the earl by the
government, and perhaps in some degree to the partiality of the queen,
who by her mother was related to the Butler family, and frequently
boasted of the loyalty of that noble house.
A.D. 1571. Sir
William Fitz-William was appointed lord deputy this year. He framed many
salutary regulations for the government of the country ; which not being
relished by the Irish, they again " began," as Hooker says, " to play
their pageants." And first in this insurrectionary movement, was Bryan
MacCahir Kavanagh, of Knocking, in the county of Carlow, who, having, as
he stated, suffered certain injuries from Robert Browne, of Malkenram,
immediately commenced a series of tyrannical acts, outrages, and
devastations in the country ; among the rest, several towns were burned
by him. Robert Browne, it seems, lost his life. The gentlemen of the
county of Wcxford, being grieved at the death of Browne, and Sir
Nicholas Devereux, knight, his uncle, feeling particularly indignant at
this circumstance, they all rose in arms against the Kavanaghs, and
collected as great a force as lay within their power.
The same was done
by Bryan Mac Cahir, and thus the country was reduced to a state of
ferment and insecurity, to which no issue appeared but a pitched battle.
An engagement, in effect, soon afterwards occurred; when Bryan MacCahir,
with fewer numbers, contrived, by superior skill and generalship, to
overthrow his opponents. Thirty county of Wexford gentlemen of rank
were, on this occasion, killed, an Englishman of rank, afterwards
seneschal of Wexford, narrowly escaped by mounting a horse behind
another man. The Wexford gentry made some subsequent efforts at
retaliation, but, by degrees the difference died away.
About two years
afterwards, Bryan MacCahir made humble suit to the lord deputy for
pardon, submitted himself fully, and confessed in writing the disorders
he had caused, and the outrages he had committed : adding, however, that
the quarrel was not caused or commenced by him. Pardon was granted to
him by the government; and his subsequent peaceable and proper conduct
fully manifested that it was not improperly bestowed. Bryan MacCahir \
vas son of Charles, the son of Arthur, which Arthur was by king Henry
VIII. made a baron for the term of his life.f He was a man of great
power in the counties of Carlow and Wexford. The said Bryan MacCahir was
a younger son of Charles, but distinguished for his superior judgment
and bravery ; so much so, that although there were many able men in the
sept of Kavanagh,
• Cox. Hib.
Ang. vol. i. p. 335. f Hooker, Chron. of Ir.
none of them
could claim equality with him. He thus became a person of great power
and influence in Leinster. He afterwards attached himself to Sir Peter
Carew, proprietor of the barony of Idrone, with whom he never broke his
promise, but to whom he was of much service, both in matters of counsel,
and subsequent execution in that part of the country. His friendship
towards Sir Peter seems to have been ardent and sincere; as we learn,
that on his death Bryan pined away and died.
On the 27th
November, 1575, Sir Peter Carew, knight, departed this life. From his
close connection with our county, and residence in it, any particulars
relating to him, or his proceedings, must be interesting and
appropriate. Hooker, an agent of Sir Peter, writes as follows: " This
foresaid Sir Peter was of stature mean, but very strongly and well
compacted; of complexion choleric, from his childhood upwards bent and
given to an honest disposition, and in his tender years, he served under
and was page to the prince of Orange beyond the seas, and by that means
had the greater delight and skill in martial affairs, wherein he had
good knowledge, as did well appear in the manifold services he did under
king Henry VIII., king Edward VI., and queen Elizabeth, in sundry places
beyond as also on this side the seas. He was in his younger years a
great traveller, and had been at Constantinople in the Turk's court, at
Vienna in the emperor's palace, at Venice, and in the French king's
court, and in the houses of the most of all Christian princes; in every
of which places he left some tokens of his value. He was blessed of God
with many singular good gifts, as well of the mind as of the body, being
virtuously disposed even from his very infancy, sincere in religion (and
for which he was partly an exiled man in the Marian days), dutiful to
his prince, and faithful to his country, upright in justice, politic in
government, and valiant in arms, skilful in the Italian and French
tongues, and a great student in such books as these tongues did yield;
and by that means some knowledge joined with his pregnancy of wit, he
would discourse very substantially in any matter concerning policy or
religion, peace or wars; good to every man, hurtful to no man; bountiful
and liberal, abhorring covetousness and whoredom : a great housekeeper,
and of great hospitality. And if any fault were in him, it was rather of
too much spending, than in reasonable saving ; he would be soon warm,
but 'without gall, and against his enemy most stout and valiant :
finally such was his upright dealing, honest conversation, and zeal to
the commonwealth, as no man was more honoured nor universally beloved
than was he."
Being put once
in possession, (of Idrone), he dealt in such good order with them, (the
Kavanaghs), and so honourably used himself, that they all voluntarily
yielded up their lands, and submitted themselves to his devotion ; and
finding him to be a very rare man in many and sundry respects, as of
the like they had not heard nor known, they much rejoiced of him, and
counted themselves happy and blest to be under his government. At his
first coming, he resumed the whole barony into his own hands, and
thereof he gave some pieces in freehold, to such gentlemen as he thought
good ; and for the residue every of them what he had before, he took it
again under writing by lease. He divided the barony into certain manors
and lordships, and in every one he did erect a court-baron, and there
all matters in variance between them were ended and determined after the
English manner, according to justice and truth. He would not suffer any
wrong to be done unto them, neither would he bear with any of them doing
wrong. Their complaints he would hear, and with indifference he would
determine them: he dwelled among them, and kept a very liberal and
bountiful house, and such hospitality as had not been before known among
them ; and for which he was marvellously beloved, and his fame spread
throughout that land. "
He kept
continually of his own private family, above or near one hundred persons
in house, he had always in readiness forty horsemen, well appointed
beside footmen, and commonly one hundred kerns, and all the country at
commandment; by which means he chased and pursued such as lay upon the
frontiers of his country, that they if any had offended, would come and
submit themselves simply to his sway: and the residue willing to serve
him at all needs. If any nobleman or others did pass by his house, there
he first stayed and was entertained according to his calling, for his
cellar door was never shut, and his buttery always open, to all comers
of any credit. If any garrison either came to assist and attend him, or
passed through his country, he gave them entertainment, and victualled
them all at his own charges, and paid ready money both for it, and for
all things taken of the country; for without present payment he would
have nothing: which was a rare thing and not heard of in that land. And
as concerning her majesty's service, it was so honourable for her
highness, and so profitable to the country, and accomplished with such a
disposition and good will, as all and every the governors in his time
thought themselves happy to be assisted with such a man. In matters of
counsel he was very grave and considerate, in matters of policy very
wise and circumspect, and in martial affairs very valiant and noble, and
in all of great knowledge and experience: in every of which (as occasion
served) his service was ready and at commandment, so long as his abode
was in that land. "
The fame and
report of this noble gentleman, for his wisdom, valiantness, experience,
uprightness, housekeeping, bountifulness, liberality, and his just
dealings with every man, were spread throughout that nation, and he
favoured and beloved of all men." The holders of the lands in Munster,
claimed by him, offered voluntarily to relinquish them into his hands,
and become his tenants; his agent had therefore prepared a house in
Kinsale and another in Cork for his reception. When, Hooker continues,
"the said Sir Peter did set the house of Leighlin to his kinsman and
cousin Peter Carew, who afterwards was his heir and prepared his ship to
pass himself with his household stuff to Cork. And being in readiness
for the same, it pleased God to call him to another passage; for falling
sick at the town of Ross, he died, and was buried very honourably and in
a warlike manner at Waterford, the 15th December (1575) in the cathedral
church, with all such ensigns of honour as to his degree appertained,
there being, then present, Sir Henry Sydney, lord deputy, and the
council. And thus much is concerning that worthy knight, Sir Peter
Carew."
It is worthy of
note, that much contention had subsisted between the towns of Waterford
and Ross regarding their respective boundaries on the river Barrow. The
people of Ross claimed privileges on that river, as a gift and grant of
Hugh le Bigod, who married the eldest daughter of William, earl Marshal,
and in her right was lord of Ross and of the river Barrow. Inquisitions
were made on this matter in the reigns of Edward III &Richard II., and
afterwards a verdict was found for Waterford by a sworn jury of six
knights and eighteen esquires.
In the year
1577, Rory Oge O'Moore*, a chieftain of the Queen's county, rose in
rebellion; and together with other depredations, burned part of the town
of Leighlin-bridge. He was not, however, to remain unopposed in his
career at this place; for George Carew, relative of the late Sir Peter,
and then constable of the fort and town, though having but the very
slender force of seven horse, charged the rebels, who numbered two
hundred and forty. He, however, made this sally at night; and such was
the energy of the assailants and the surprise of the Irish, that some of
them were killed, and the remainder fled. But having discovered the
extremely small force of Carew's party, they in turn became the
assailants, and pursued his men to the gates of Leighlin -bridge castle.
Some of them even penetrated within the walls, but by the undaunted and
continued bravery of the garrison were expelled. Captain Carew had two
men and one horse killed, and every man of his party was wounded. The
rebels lost sixteen men, among whom was one of their leaders; which so
completely discomfited them, that they retired, leaving one half of the
town uninjured.
* Oge is
old Irish for Young as junior is used today
Rory Oge
shortly after took Captain Harrington and Alexander. Cosbie prisoners.
The lord deputy immediately planned means for their deliverance, but
before they were fully perfected, Robert Harpoole, constable of Carlow,
resolved on making O'Moore prisoner. He had previously learned his
haunts, and, accompanied by Captain Furse and fifty of his men, together
with Lieutenant Parker, he marched in the night to the spot where Rory
lay, and surrounded the house. O'Moore hearing the bustle created by the
arrival of his pursuers, and suspecting the worst, resolved on
despatching his captives, Harrington and Cosbie, and with that view made
his way in the dark to where they lay and stabbed Mr. Brewer is clearly
in error, where he elates, that Rory took the castle and burned the town
of Leighlin.Harrington several times, but did not wound him mortally.
Harpoole had by this time broken open the door, where he captured all
persons found within the house : but the chief object of their search
O'Moore, contrived to escape. Labouring under vexation for the loss of
his prisoners, and thirsting for revenge, Rory Oge repaired with some
forces early on a subsequent morning, to Carlow, where he burned some
haggards of corn and houses, after which he retired. Constable Harpoole,
on learning this audacious attack, forthwith pursued O'Moore with ten or
twelve horses which he had in readiness. He overtook the retreating
Irish at a ford not far distant, and killed sixteen or seventeen of
them; their leaders having had a narrow escape. (12) This bold rebel was
finally taken and executed in the following year.
A.D. 1578. One
Thomas Stukeley, an Englishman, was commissioned by the pope to invade
the territories of Queen Elizabeth. His first essay was to be made in
Ireland. He was created by his holiness, a knight, baron of Idrone and
Ross, viscount of Morrough and Kinsellagh, earl of Carlow and Wexford,
marquis of Leinster, and general of the most holy father, Gregory VII.
The career of this individual, of many spurious titles, was very brief
and very inglorious. The Kavanaghs, O'Birns, and other septs in Leinster
were now subjugated by the excellent chief governor, Sir Henry Sydney,
and compelled to swear allegiance.
Respecting the
O'Rians, or O'Ryans, Hooker writes as follows : "I find it to be noted
of the* O'Rians, who are now (reign of queen Elizabeth") dwelling in the
barony of Idrone, and had a seat there by gift of the Kavanaghs, but
since resisting against them and denying to pay their accustomable
cheverie, yielded themselves unto the earl of Ormonde, paying unto him a
certain black rent to be their defender against the said Kavanaghs; but
in right they are tenants to the barons of Idrone."
In 1579, Captain Henry Davells was murdered by the rebellious John of
Desmond, the earl's brother. He served with Sir Peter Carew, as already
noticed, and was also actively engaged under Sir Nicholas Herne, knight,
constable of Leighlin, and seneschal of Wexford. In which posts he
acquitted himself most creditably.
This year Sir William Drury, lord deputy, marched against the earl of
Desmond, accompanied by Sir Nicholas Bagenal, knight marshal, and
several other men of rank. At this time a force of six hundred men
landed at Waterford, under the command of Captains Peter and George
Carew. The honour of knighthood was now conferred on the former by the
lord deputy.}
In August,
1580, the lord deputy, (Lord Gray, baron of Wilton, K.G.) entered the
defiles of the county of Wicklow and attacked the O'Birnes and others at
Glendalough. He sustained a complete defeat; as might, indeed, be
anticipated from the temerity of the undertaking; the Irish having an
immense advantage in point of situation and intimate knowledge of the
country. Sir Peter Carew and Sir Henry Bagenal were chief commanders of
the English. The former, unfortunately, was slain. "Sir Peter, says
Hooker, '• was very well armed, and with running in his armour, which he
could not put off, he was half smothered and enforced to lie down: whom
when the rebels had taken, they disarmed him and the most part would
have saved him, and made request for him, they thinking that more profit
would grow among them by his life than benefit by his death.
Notwithstanding, one villain most butcherly, as soon as he was disarmed,
with his sword slaughtered and killed him; who in time after was also
killed. Before the entry into this sendee, James Wingfield being
acquainted with this kind of bold and rash hardiness, and foreseeing the
evil success which was feared would ensue, persuaded with his two
nephews, Sir Peter and Captain George Carew, to stay and to forbear to
adventure into the woods. But Sir Peter could not listen thereunto, nor
be persuaded; but would needs go in. His brother would have done the
like, but his uncle perforce kept him, saying; if I lose one, yet I will
keep the other; and so by that means he was by God's goodness saved and
preserved." Thus died Sir Peter Carew, proprietor of the barony of
Idrone, when we presume the estate descended to his brother. Captain
George Carew.
The Spaniards
who invaded Ireland were defeated this year; but at the same time James
Eustace, viscount Baltinglass, together with the Kavanaghs, O'Birnes,
and others, rose in open rebellion. Lord Baltinglass was shortly
afterwards defeated, and obliged to leave the country. He died in Spain.
In 1584, Sir
John Perot, Knt., was lord deputy. At this period Marshal Bagenal was a
member of the privy council. A.D. 1587. The Kavanaghs, who had murdered
Sir Dudley Bagenal (probably in revenge for an inroad made on their
territories by Sir Nicholas Bagenal in the early part of this reign),
and one Heron (perhaps the constable of Leighlin lately mentioned), now
came forward and alleging many plausible pretences for their
insurrectionary proceedings, formally submitted and craved pardon, which
was granted to them.
The pope at
this period, and, indeed, throughout the whole course of the reign of
queen Elizabeth, intermeddled very much in the affairs of Ireland ;
instigated by hatred of the " heretical" queen, encouraged by the blind
attachment of the ignorant Irish to the Romish religion, and resting, no
doubt, assured of the truth of the old adage : "
“He that
will England win, must with Ireland first begin."
Nor was he
feebly seconded by the Irish chieftains, who maintained one continued
series of turbulence and rebellion, with occasional feigned submission,
during the latter part of the sixteenth century. About 1590, we learn,
that »the Leinster Irish began to gather great strength. Donnell
Spaniagh (or the Spaniard) of the Kavanaghs, who resided at the castle
of Clonmullin in our county, and others, were not effectually subjugated
when it might have been done with facility; and, consequently, became
most formidable from recruited strength and resources. In September,
1590, such was their prowess, and such their audacity, that they made
prey of the entire country from the borders of Wexford to the gates of
Dublin. Feagh Mac Hugh, chief of the O'Birnes, was joined with Kavanagh
in the prosecution of this predatory warfare. They now demanded a
restoration of their ancient titles of O and Mac, together with certain
lands to which they asserted the right of ownership. The government had
not strength sufficient to make any effectual effort towards checking
their proceedings; this task was reserved to the celebrated Lord
Mountjoy, who arrived as lord deputy a few years afterwards.*
On the 15th of
April, 1598, the unhappy earl of Essex was sworn lord lieutenant. From a
statement laid before him by the council, it appeared, that the county
of Carlow was laid completely waste, and that the Kavanaghs were in open
rebellion. The queen's wardens, however, held possession of the castles
of Carlow and Leighlin-bridge, and six castles belonging to the earl of
Ormonde were garrisoned for her majesty .•)* The force of the rebels
(Kavanaghs, under Donnell Spaniagh, and others) in the counties of
Carlow and Wexford, now numbered seven hundred and fifty foot and fifty
horse.
Sir Charles
Blount, lord Mountjoy, K.G., arrived in Ireland as lord lieutenant, on
the 24th February, 1600.§ At the time of his accession to this office,
it was found that the horse of the Carlow and Wexford rebels had
increased to one hundred.
Sir Oliver
Lambert now marched into Donnell Spaniagh's country, where he took one
thousand cows, five hundred garrans, and a great quantity of sheep. He
besides killed twenty of Kavanagh's followers who opposed his entry, and
many more who maintained a sort of irregular action during the day and
part of the night.
The lord deputy
took Phelim Mac Hugh O'Birne's wife and son prisoners, and stationed a
strong garrison on the east and west of his district. The former at
Wicklow, the latter at Tullow.
On the 23rd of
April, 1601, lord Mountjoy celebrated St. George's day with great pomp
and magnificence. He assumed kingly state on this occasion, and was
waited on by the colonels and captains of his army. Very probably,
motives of policy partly led to this unusual display ; for Donnell
Spaniagh, Phelim Mac Hugh, and other rebel chieftains having previously
submitted, were
invited to be present at the feast on this occasion. They were
entertained with much kindness by the lord lieutenant, who assured them,
that as he had been a stern opponent when they were in rebellion, so
now, when they had returned to their duty as good subjects, he would be
their mediator to the queen. The former vigorous proceedings of
Mountjoy, combined with his present conciliatory demeanour, and the
splendour of his court, made a strong impression on the minds of the
Irish chieftains, and tended much to produce their subsequent obedience.
A.D.
1601. The Kavanaghs afterwards raised twelve horse and thirty kernes for
the service of her majesty ; all the Irish subjects being required to
furnish a supply in order to prosecute the war against O'Neill, earl of
Tyrone.
On the
3rd September, 1601, the lord lieutenant and council addressed a letter
to the lords in England, in which they entered into an explanation of
the causes which produced a yearly expenditure of more than six thousand
pounds, sterling; it being the sum allocated for extraordinaries in
Ireland. They stated, that this sum was much too small for the
transportation of victuals, carriage of munition, repairing of castles,
houses, bridges, &c. ; in which last particulars, they had not been able
to properly repair the castles and bridges of Carlow, Leighlin, and
other places ; " being," they said, " of great consequence to curb the
traitors, and assure the subjects, and the decay whereof would give the
rebels free passage into many countries, besides our dishonour to
neglect those places, which the wisdom of former times with great policy
planted; the great charge of repairing whereof appeared by the
transmitted certificates of commissioners appointed to view those
places. And for these reasons they besought her majesty's warrant, to
leave this charge to their direction for a time, without any limitation,
promising not to enlarge the same in anything, which might be spared,
without apparent prejudice to her service, and giving their opinion,
that in this time of the new coin, these places might be repaired with
small charge."
Lord
Mountjoy wrote from Kilkenny to Sir Robert Cecil, secretary of state.
From this letter, bearing date the 14th September, 1601, the following
is an extract: "
“Myself purpose to return presently to Carlow, whether I will draw as
many of the forces as I can, to employ them in the mean time, and to be
ready to answer such occasions as shall fall out in Munster, that being
as things stand, the place best to give directions to all parts, and to
assure the most dangerous."
His
lordship accordingly returned to Carlow, and made such a disposition of
the troops as he deemed expedient for the security of the surrounding
districts. He then wrote to the lord president of Munster, Sir George
Carew, appointing to meet him at Kilkenny. In a few days afterwards,
hearing that the lord president was on his journey, he departed from
Carlow, and met him at Leighlin-bridge, from whence they rode together
to Kilkenny. In 1602, Lord Mountjoy wrote to the lords in England as
follows:
“I
undertook with an army no greater than a reasonable garrison, to make
the war of Leinster in the depth of winter. And first I fell into the
glens, the fastest country of Ireland, and till now of all the parts of
Leinster only untouched, when I first spoiled all the country, and made
Donnell Spaniagh, whom before I had received to her majesty's mercy, to
join with me therein, and after forced Phelim MacFeagh, and all the
Tooles (the most pestilent infesters of the pale) to submission."
Queen
Elizabeth died on the 24th March, 1603; in the seventieth year of her
age, and forty-fifth of her glorious reigns.
("Spelling are as seen in the book")
CHAPTER XXI
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