WARE
ANCIENT
IRISH
HISTORIES
DA
905
W27
1809
COP 2
સંબંધો
B
873,550

?
University of
Michigan
Libraries
0 8 1 7
ARTES
SCIENTIA VERITAS
**
•
A
Ancient Irish Histories.
THE
CHRONICLE
OF
IRELAND.
COLLECTED BY
MEREDITH HANMER,
DOCTOR OF DIUINITY,
In the Yeare
1571.
Dublin:
Printed by the Society of Stationers.
M.DCXXXIII.
REPRINTED AT‍ THE HIBERNIA PRESS,
A
FOR THE PROPRIETORS,
By John Morrison.
+
1809.
Lub
Comunia
,
114.72
TO THE
RIGHT HONORABLE
THOMAS LO: VISCOVNT VVENTVVORTH,
LO:'
LO: DEPVTY GENERALL
OF
IRELAND.
THESE
HESE two Bcokes (right Honorable) now pub-
lished for the common benefit, I doe here humbly
offer to your Lordships view, as containing Annales
and other worthy memorialls of this Kingdome,
whereof it hath pleased his most Excellent Majesty
to constitute you the Governor. And how-ever it
cannot be denyed, that the judicious eye may dis-
cerne, especially in Campion, many slips, through
want of necessary instructions, yet in regard of the
great light which els-where these Histories doe af-
foord to the knowledge of former times, and the
good use which may be made of them by any who
have leisure, desire, and ability to erect and polish a
B
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
lasting structure of our Irish affaires, I am em-
bouldned to present them to your Lordships pa-
tronage, whose government I beseech the Al-
mighty so to blesse; that it may bee long a hap-
pines to this land.
Your Lordships ever humbly
at commandement,
JAMES WARE.
THE
PREFACE
TO THE
SVBSEQVENT HISTORIES.
WHAT varietie of choyse matter the affaires of
this Kingdome doe affoord to an Historian, espe-
cially since the middle of the raigne of King Henry
the VIII. any one that is but meanely versed in our
Histories can testifie: But if we consider how little
hath hetherto bin published, wee cannot but blame the
slownes of our learned men, who have (for by-re-
spects) forborne to take paines in so worthy a sub-
ject. England hath had the happines that some parts
of her Historie have bin lately excellently performed,
by the right honorable Francis late Viscount St.
Alban, the right Reverend Francis Lo: Bishop of
Hereford, the most learned William Camden and
others. Some will hereafter, I hope, doe the like
for Jreland: In the meane while we are to accept of
these tastes, the one left unto us by Edmund Cam-
B 2
THE PREFACE.
pion, and the other by Doctor Hanmer, who died
(of the plague in Dublin in the yeare M. DC. IIII.)
before he had finished his intended worke: out of
whose collections, what now beareth his name hath
bin preserved by our most Reverend and excellently
learned Primate. Other helpes (to passe by those
which are already divulged) may be plentifully had
by him who will undertake this taske, out of the aun-
cient and moderne recordes, both in this Kingdome
and in England, as also out of diverse manuscript
Annales and Chartularies, which are yet extant
among us, besides those authors of English birth,
as John VVallingford a Monke of St. Alban, Thomas
VVike a Canon of Osney, and others, (which I have
seene) in that excellent library and treasury of MSS.
antiquities, gathered by Sir Robert Cotton knight
and Baronett deceased, who doe onely obiter touch
upon our affaires. An intention there was not long
since by Sir James Ley knight then Lord Chiefe Jus-
tice of the Kings Bench in Jreland, (afterwards
Lord High Treasurer of England and Earle of
Marleburgh) to have published some of our country
writers in this kinde, for which end hee caused to be
transcribed and made fit for the Presse, the Annales
of John Clynne a Friar minor of Kilkenny, (who
}
THE PREFACE.
lived in the time of King Edw. the 3.) the Annales
of the Priory of S. John the Evangelist of Kil-
kenny, and the Annales of Multifernan, Rosse and
Clonmell, &c. But his weighty occasions did after-
wards divert his purpose. The copies are yet pre-
served, and I hope ere long with other Annales and
fragments of the same nature will be divulged. Wee
come now to the Authors in hand.
2
TO THE
RIGHT HONORABLE
ROBERT DUDLEY,
BARON OF DENBIGH,
EARLE OF LEICESTER, KNIGHT OF THE NOBLE
ORDER OF THE GARTER, AND S. MICHAELS,
MASTER OF THE QUEENES MAJESTIES
HORSE, AND ONE OF HER PRIVY
COUNCELL, HIGH CHAUN-
CELLOUR OF THE
VNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.
My singular good Lord,
THAT
my travaile into Ireland, might seeme nei-
ther causlesse, nor fruitlesse, I have thought it ex-
pedient, being one member of your Lordships ho..
norable charge to yeeld you this poore book, as an ac-
compt of
my poore voyage, happily not the last, nor
the most beautifull present that is intended to your
Honour by me, but surely more full of unsavoury
toyle for the time, then any plot of worke that ever I
attempted, which I write, not of vanity to commend
my diligence, but of necessitie to excuse mine imper-
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
fection. For whereas it is well knowne to the learned
in this land, how late it was ere I could meet with
Gerald of Wales, the onely Author that ministreth
some indifferent furniture to this Chronicle, and with
what search I have beene driven to piece out the rest
by helpe of forreine Writers (incidently touching this
Realme) by a number of briefe extracts of rolles,
records and scattered papers. These things (I say)
considered, I trust this little volume shall seeme
great enough in such barren shift, & my defect in
penning the same shalbe imputed partly to my
haste, who must needs have ended all before I should
leave the land, and am now even upon point of
my departure. So as to handle and lay these things
together, I had not in all the space of ten weekes.
Such as it is, I addresse and bequeath it to your good
Lordship, for two causes. First that by the patron-
age of this Booke you may be induced to weigh the
estate and become a patron to this noble Realme,
which claimeth kindred of your eldest auncestors, and
loveth entirely your noble vertues: The fame whereof is
now carried by those strangers that have felt them into
many forraine countryes that never saw your person.
Secondly because there is none that knoweth mee fa-
miliarly, but he knoweth vvithall how many vvayes
I
· THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
have beene beholding to your Lordship. The regard
of your deserts and of my duty hath easily wonne at
my hands this testimony of a thankefull minde. I
might be thought ambitious, if I should recount in
particular the times & places of your severall cour-
tesies to mee. How often at Oxford, how often at
the Court, how at Rycot, how at Windsore, how by
letters, hovv by reportes, you have not ceased to fur-
ther with advice and to countenance with authority,
the hope and expectation of mee a single Student.
Therefore in summe it shall suffice mee to acknow-
ledge the generall heape of your bounties, and for
them all to serve your honour frankely, at least wise
with a true heart: Let every man esteeme in your
state and fortune, the thing that best contenteth and
feedeth his admiration; But surely to a judgement
setled and rectified, these outward felicities which
the world gazeth on, are there, and therefore to be
denied, praiseable when they lodge those inward qua-
lities of the minde, which (saving for suspition of
flattery) I was about to say are planted in your breast.
Thirteene yeares to have lived in the eye and speciall
credit of a Prince, yet never during all that space to
have abused this ability to any mans harme, to be
enriched with no mans overthrow, to be kindled
THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY.
neither with grudge nor emulation, to benefit an in-
finite resort of dayly sutors, to let downe your calling
to the neede of meane subjects, to retaine so lowly a
stomacke, such a facility, so milde a nature in so
high a vocation, to undertake the tuition of learning
and learned men.
These are indeede the kirnels for
the which the shell of your nobilitie seemeth faire
and sightly; This is the sap, for whose preservation
the barke of your noble tree is tendered. This is the
substance which maketh you worthy of these Orna-
ments wherevvith you are attyred, and in respect of
these good gifts as I for my part have ever bin de-
sirous to discover an officious and dutifull minde to-
wards your Lordship, so will I never cease to betake
the uttermost of my power and skill to your service,
nor to begge of Almighty God your plentifull in-
crease in godlines, wisdome and prosperity.
you well: From Dublin 27 May, 1571.
Fare
Your Lordships
humbly to commaund.
EDMUND CAMPION.
TO THE
LOVING READER.
AT
my times of leisure from ordinary studies,
I have since my first arrivall hither, enquired out an-
tiquityes of the land, wherein being holpen by diverse
friendly Gentlemen, I have given th' adventure to
frame a Story, which I bring from the very first
originall untill th' end of this last yeare 1570. I fol-
low these Authors, Giraldus Cambrensis, who de-
videth his worke into two parts, from the first (which
is stuffed with much impertinent matter) I borrow so
much as serveth the turne directly, the second which
containeth two bookes, and discourseth the conquest
of Henry Fitz Empresse, I abridge into one Chap-
ter: where Cambrensis endeth, there beginneth a
nameles Author, who in certaine short notes containeth
a Chronologie until the yeare of Christ 1370. From
thence to Henry the Eight, because nothing is extant
orderly written, and the same is time beyond any
mans memory, I scamble forward with such records
as could be sought up, and am enforced to be the
TO THE READER.
briefer. From Henry th' eight hitherto, I tooke in-
structions by mouth, whatsoever I bring besides these
helpes, either mine own observation hath found it, or
some friend hath enformed me, or common opinion
hath received it, or I reade it in a pamphlet, or if
the Author be worthy the naming I quote him in the
margent. Scottish Histories I used these twaine,
famous in their times, John Major, and Hector Boe-
thius. For English, wherein the state of Ireland is
oft implyed, because I am not in place to examine the
auncient, I have credited these late writers, Fabian,
Polidore, Cooper, Hall, Grafton, and Stowe: dili-
gent and thankesworthy collectors. Touching the
rest of all sorts, from whose bookes I picke matter
to my purpose, they are mentioned as they fall in
ure, which here I list not to reckon, being loath to
fill the page with a ranke of empty names. Irish
Chronicles, although they be reported to be full
fraught of lewde examples, idle tales, and genealo-
gies: Et quicquid Græcia mendax audet in historiâ,
yet concerning the state of that wilde people specified
before the conquest. I am persuaded that with choice
and judgment, I might have sucked thence some
better store of matter, and gladly would have sought
them, had I found an interpreter, or understood their
TO THE READER.
tongue, th' one so rare, that scarcely five in five
hundred can skill thereof, th’other so hard, that it
asketh continuance in the Land, of more yeares then
I had moneths to spare about this busines, my speciall
meaning was to gather so much as I thought the civill
subjects could bee content to reade, and withall to give
a light to the learned Antiquaries of this Countrey
birth, who may hereafter at good leisure supply the
want of this foundation, and pollish the stone
rough hewed to their hand. Notwithstanding as
naked and simple as it is, it could never have growne
to any proportion in such post-haste, except I had
entered into such familiar societie, and daylie table
talke with the worshipfull Esquire Iames Stanihurst,
Recorder of Dublin. VVho beside all curtesie of
Hospitality, and a thousand loving turnes not heere
to be recited, both by word and written monuments,
and by the benefit of his owne Library, nourished
most effectually mine endeavour. It remaineth that
I request my countrymen to bend their good liking
to my goodwill, and the English of Ireland to fa-
vour the memory of their noble auncestors, both
twaine to deliver me from all undue and wrong
suspitions, howsoever the priviledge of an history
hath tempered mine inke with sweet or sowre ingre-
TO THE READER.
dients. Verily as touching the affaires and persons
heere deciphered, how little cause I have with any
blind and corrupt affection, either wayes to be
miscarryed, themselves know best that heere be
noted yet living, and other by enquiring may
conjecture. Farewell. From Droghedah the 9. of
Iune. 1571.
THE
CHRONICLE OF IRELAND:
COLLECTED BY
MEREDITH HANMER,
Doctor of Divinity.
THE SECOND PART.
THREE hundred yeeres after the flood, one Bar-
tholanus the sonne of Sera, with his three sonnes,
Languinus, Salanus, and Ruthurugus, and their wives
of the posterity of Iaphet, are said to have arrived in
this Island. This opinion followeth Giraldus Cam-
brensis, and him followeth Polychronicon; and my
selfe, not meaning to swarve from the common opi-
nion, thought good to acquaint the posterity there-
with. With this Bartholanus, as their Captaine,
came many of that line, and multiplied exceedingly
for the space of 300 yeeres, to the number of 9000
fighting men. Little is remembred of Bartholanus,
saving that with many hands he rid and made plaine
a great part of the Country, making paces thorow
woods and thickets; and that his sonnes left doubtfull
2
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
remembrances of their names; the first to Languinus
Poole, the second to mount Salanga (since named
Saint Dominicks hill) and the third to Ruthurugus
his Poole.
At the the same time, according to the common
saying, Where God hath his Church, the Devill hath
his Chappell, many of the cursed seed of Cham arrived
also in this Island, with their Captaine Oceanus, the
sonne of Cham, called of some Mena, of Moses,
Mitzraim. First he was in the yeere of the world
1802, the second Commander of Egypt, planted
Colonies along the river Nilus, and after hee had
reigned there 7 yeeres, hee endevoured by navigation
to subdue unto his Empire many parts of the world.
Thus waxing strong and mighty upon the seas; hee
prevailed much, and travelled farre; hee came to
these North parts of the world, landed many of his
followers, and in remembrance of his voyage, left
his name upon the seas which wash these lands,
which of him is yet called the Ocean sea.
After his departure hence his cursed line multiplied
not so much in number as in all mischiefe and rebel-
lion, they set up a King of their owne, they op-
posed themselves against the posterity of Iaphet;
they were great in strength, and huge of stature,
and attempted great matters after the example of
Cham or Zoroastres the Magician, and Nimrod
grandfather to Ninus: they repined at the blessings
OF IRELAND.
3
bestowed upon Sem and Iaphet, thinking it necessary
to withstand and prevent all lawfull rule and dominion,
lest the curse of slavery prophecied by Noah should
light upon them, as at length it did. Many bicker-
ings and skirmishes were amongst them, the successe
was variable on both sides, betweene the lawfull
governours and these usurpers, so much to the griefe
of them that coveted to live in peace under their right-
full Princes, that they determined with the chance of
one generall battell either wholly to subdue those
rebellious miscreants and tyrannous Giants, or else
to end their lives in freedome, and so to be rid of
farther misery. They assemble together, they gather
their forces out of all parts of the land, and comming
to joyne battell with the Giants, after they had fought
fiercely together for the space of certaine houres, the
victory inclined to the rightfull part, so that the law-
full Kings prevailing against this cursed brood, great
slaughter was made upon the whole sort of that
pestiferous generation, and the Kings meaning to
deliver themselues of all dangers in time to come,
used their happy victory with great cruelty, which
turned to their owne confusion. For they spared
neither man, woman, nor child that came in their
for more despite and fuller satisfaction of their
determinate revenge, neither vouchsafed they to bury
the carkasses of their slaine enemies, but cast them
out like a sort of dead dogs, whereof (through stinke
of the same) such an infective pestilence insued in all
places throughout the Island by corruption of the ayre,
way,
C
4
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
that few escaped with life, except those that got them
away by sea; yea the infection was so great of those
cursed carkasses of Cham his posterity, that the dogs
and wolves died thereof. And here ended the whole
race of Bartholanus and his of-spring, and the Coun-
try (excepting a few silly soules scattered in remote
places) was unpeopled.
And here commeth, in a tale yet in great request
among the Irish, how that one Ruanus a Giant, fear-
ing this mortality, fled into a cave, and continued
there till nature forced him to come forth for food and
nourishment, so hungry was hee that every thing was
meat that came to his mouth: hee covering his face
with mosse and grasse, fled to the farthest parts of the
land into the winde to avoid the infection, and so for
a long time hauing taking the advantage of the ayre,
escaped death. He is said to have lived two thousand
and one and forty yeeres (which is more than twice
the
age of Methushelah) vnto the time (forsooth) of
Saint Patrick, to whom hee discoursed at large (say
they) of all the accidents of former times. In the
end he was of Saint Patrick baptized, and died after
the birth of our Saviour, in the yeere 432, and lyeth
buried at Loghry in Ormund, where there is a Church
dedicated to his name, and he is numbred among the
Confessors of Ireland.
And to second this fable with two precedent lies,
the which I should haue begun withall in the front of
OF IRELAND.
UT
this History (as all Irish Antiquaries doe) but that I
would not abuse the reader, being purposed beginning
and ending to deliuer the truth, I read as followeth.
Whereas in the yeere of the world 1525, Noah
began to admonish the people of vengeance to come
by a generall deluge for the wickednesse and detes-
table sinne of man, and continued his admonition 120
yeeres, building an Arke for the safegard of himselfe
and his family; one Cesara (say they) according vnto
others Cesarea, a Neece of Noah, (when others seemed
to neglect this forewarning) rigging a navy, commit-
ted her selfe with her adherents to the seas to seeke
adventures, and to avoid the plagues that were to fall;
there arrived in Ireland, with her three men, Bithi,
Laigria, and Fintan, and fifty women; within forty
dayes after her arrivall the universall flood came upon
them and those parts, as well as upon the rest of the
world, and drowned them all, in which perplexity of
minde and imminent danger beholding the waves
overwhelming all things before their eyes, Fintan is
said to have beene transformed into a Salmon, and to
have swoome all the time of the deluge about Vlster,
and after the fall of the water recovering his former
shape, to have lived longer then Adam, and to have
delivered strange things to the posterity, so that of
him the common speech riseth; If I had lived Fintans
yeeres I could say much.
But to let these fables passe: The next plantation
འ
6
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
after Bartholanus (as it is recorded amongst the col-
lections of Irish antiquities) is this in effect, that
Magog the sonne of Iaphet planted Colonies in
Scythia neere the river of Tanais, from whence about
the yeere of the world two thousand three hundred
and seventeene, one Nemedus with his foure sonnes
Starius, Garbaneles, Anvinus, and Fergusius, Cap.
tains over great companies of armed men, were sent
into this Island now called Ireland. And passing by
Græcia tooke with them such voluntaries as were
willing to adventure with them, they landed, inhabited
the country, and multiplied exceedingly, although not
without continuall warres which they held with the
Giants of Chams posterity for the space of two hun-
dred yeeres and odde. In the end the Giants pre-
vailing, chased them out of the land, so that they
retired into Scythia, and some to Greece. This was
about the yeere after the creation 2333, from which
time the Giants kept possession of the land without
forraigne invasion for many yeeres, but yet in all that
space their mindes not being set upon any goodnesse,
but altogether upon mischiefe, they made no good
lawes, framed no commonwealth, they obeyed no
Magistrate, but fell at variance amongst themselues,
measuring all things by might, and seditiously vexed
each other.
In the yeere of the world 2416, and after the uni-
versall flood 750 yeeres (as the Scottish History
declareth) one Gathelus the sonne of Nealus a Gre-
OF IRELAND.
7
cian, upon displeasure for sundry rodes made into
Macedonia and Achai, being exiled and banished his
countrey, with a great number of his adherents and
complices, went into Ægypt in the dayes of Moses,
where he found favour in the sight of King Pharaoh,
insomuch that he married with Scota his daughter,
continued there about 93 yeeres, and multiplied ex-
ceedingly. Iohannes Major Scotus calleth the verity
of this History in question, de hac prima profectione
de Græcia & Egypto figmentum reor: I am of
opinion (saith hee) that this first going out of Greece
and Ægypt is but fayned: yet let us goe forward.
When Gathelus understood that the land was shortly
for the wickednesse of the people to suffer great
plagues, he prepared a fleet, shipped Grecians and
Ægyptians, hoised up saile, and came upon the coast
of Numidia, now called Barbary, thence they were
put back, to sea they went, and came to the coast of
Spaine now called Portingall (as they say) since that
time of him called Port-gathell. The inhabitants of
the place resisted them, gave them a sore battell, and
in the end after parlie, Gathelus was intreated, and by
them directed to take his voyage into Galitia, which
eftsoones he did. There in a short time they waxed
so populous, that the countrey could not sustaine
them: whereupon Gathelus called a Councell, and
being resolved what to doe, tooke a great number of
them with him to sea, and arrived in Ireland, and
there grew into such estimation with the barbarous
8
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
people, that for knowledge espesially in all languages
(having travelled many Countreys, as is afore men-
tioned) he was highly honoured. For he not only
enriched and beautified the Irish tongue, but also, as
is said, taught them letters, sought up
their antiqui-
ties, and trained their youth in warlike exercises, after
the manner of the Grecians and Ægyptians from
whence he descended. Note here (gentle reader)
before I wade further into this History three contrary
opinions of this Gathelus the sonne of Nealus: The
Scottish Historiographers say, it was 750 yeeres after
the flood. Thomas Walsingham Monke of S. Albons,
writeth it was 1000 yeeres and odde after the delivery
of the children of Israel out of Egypt (which must
be anno mundi 3455, to wit, one 1000 yeeres after the
former computation) calling him a noble man of
Scythia whom the Ægyptians banished out of Ægypt.
Iohn Harding, a great Antiquary (that knew best
in his time the state of Scotland) delivereth, that
Gathelus and Scota came to these parts after the birth
of Christ, in anno 75. This I give as a caveat, refer-
ring unto the discreet reader the dissonance that I
finde in the observation of times, to bee considered of,
promising to lay downe faithfully euery thing as I
find the same, as shall appeare in that which followeth.
And now to the history where we left. It is said that
this Gathelus of his wife Scota commanded that his
followers Grecians and Ægyptians should be called
Scoti, that is, Scottishmen. And Hector Boetius in
OF IRELAND.
9
the History of Scotland sticketh not to write, that
upon his marriage with Scota, the foresaid commande-
ment was published, and that his followers in Ægypt,
Barbary, Portingall, Galitia, and over Spaine, were
called Scoti. But how true that is, it may appeare
by the Roman Histories (which haue noted the acci-
dents of those times) in all which there is no mention
of the Scots before the time of Constantius the Em-
perour (which was about the yeere of Christ 310 who
lyeth buried at York, and was father to Constantine
the great.
Paulus Iovius writeth, Scotland tooke that name
upon the comming of a forraine and no great ancient
nation. No Latine writer before Marcellinus in Iulian
the Emperours time (which was about the yeere 362)
remembreth the Scots: neither doth it well appeare
out of what Country the Scots first came into Albion,
when as by the Annals not only of English, but of
Scottish Antiquities varying among themselues, great
obscurity is brought among doubtfull things. Some
bring their originall from Ireland, others from Dania,
Cimbrica, Chersonesus, and the Islands of Gothland
and Norwey; neither wanted there some which were
of opinion, they came from Spaine, deriving the name
of Scottishmen from Moses himselfe, and the Egypt-
ians, as Hector Boetius the Scottish Chronicler; yet
Hector himselfe preventing as it were the like ob-
jection, confesseth that in the third yeere of Adrian
the Emperor (which was after the birth of Christ
10
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
&
L
about 122 yeeres) the name of Scots a was not knowne
unto the Romans.
In short time after the retinue of Gathelus searched
the North-east and North-west Ilands, and entred the
Land which now is called Scotland, so also called (as
the Scotish will have it) of Scota. b But many grave
writers have stumbled at the certainty of this story,
yet I finde for certaine, that Ireland was called Scotia
maior, and the other Scotia minor, and oftentimes
confusedly the one taken for the other, and the words
to be of no great antiquity. Capgrave in the life of
Saint Columbanus saith; Ireland of old was called
Scotland, from whence the Scottish nation inhabiting
Albania (next vnto great Britaine) now called Scotland
tooke their originall. Fiacrius an Hermite being
asked of a Bishop in France what hee was, among
other things answered; Ireland the Iland of Scots is
the native soile of mee and my parents. It also
peareth by Orosius, Claudian, Isidore, Hubaldus,
Beda, the English Legend, the Martyrologe secumdem
usum Sarum, Marianus, Ionas in vita Sancti Colum-
bani, Aimoinus, Caesarius, &c. that Ireland and
Scotland were usually taken one for the other.
ap-
But before I goe any further, I thinke it not amissę
* Scot. Hist. lib. 4.
› Hector Boet, in descript, regni Scotiæ. Et lib. 1, histor. Scot.
• Iohannes Capgrave in vita Sancti Colum. Jdem in vita Sancti Fiacri.
OF IRELAND.
11
to say somwhat to this word Scotus or Scottus, the
which Hector Boetius carrieth away as derived of
Scota, and as thing granted. There came to this
Countrey of Ireland at three severall times, before
Gathelus, great Commanders of Scythia (as I have said
before) of the posterity of Iaphet, planted themselues,
divided the land with great troubles, and when they
were at the worst, alwayes they left a remnant of their
nation behinde them. Beda every where calleth them
not Scotos, but Scottos; so that I finde in the word
a double alteration, y turned into o, and th into tt.
Also in low Germany they call the Scythians and
Scottish, Schotten. Nennius the Britain writeth,
Scythæ Hiberniam obtinuerunt, the Scythians gat
Ireland. King Alfredus translating the history of
Orosius into the Saxon tongue, termeth the Scots,
Scyttan. The borderers upon Scotland, cal them to
this day, Skyttes and Skets. Walsingham writeth,
Of the country called Sicia (alias Scythia) wee
haue Scita, Sciticus, Scoticus, Scotus and Scotia.
Ranulphus Monke of Chester, writeth, as Sir Iohn
Trevisa the Priest in old English laid it downe; Scotts
bene called as it were Scytes, for they came out of
Scytia. Matthew Monk of Westminster, saith, Ex
Pictis & Hibernensibus, Scotioriginem habuerunt,
quasi ex diversis nationibus compacti; Scot enim il-
lud dicitur quòd ex diversis rebus in unum acervum
congregatur, deinde verò terra illa quæ prius Al-
bania dicebatur à Scotis Scotia nuncupatur, (anno
gratiæ 77.) Of Pictes and Irish the Scots had their
D
12
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
originall, as it were compacted of divers nations ;
for that is called Scot which of divers things is ga-
thered into one heap, afterwards that Land which
was first called Albania of the Scots is called Scotia.
And Bedad writeth that the Country now called
Scotland was inhabited by Pictes that were Scythians;
againe, In processe of time (saith he) Britaine be-
sides Britaines and Pictes received a third nation that
is of Scots
upon the side of the Pictes.
Of the same opinion is Volateran e and Iohannes
Major Scotus, although Hector Boetius dissemble it.
Richard Stanihurst f the great Philosopher and An-
tiquary of Ireland, writeth, A quo primum initio
Scotiæ nomen sit tractum, nondum plane perspectum
video, &c. Of what first originall the word Scotia is
drawne, I have not yet found out. And touching
the truth of the History of Gathelus and Scota, hee
saith; To the end the worthinesse of so great a
mariage delivered unto the posterity should florish,
all these Grecians call themselues Scots; and Ireland
where they first seated themselus, Scotiam. But all
this as a vaine fable George Buchanan, and before
him Humfrey Lloide have quite reiected, and if Hec-
tor Boetius bee not the chiefe forger of this his-
a Beda Ang. hist. lib. 1. cap. 1.
• Volat geograph. lib. 3.
↑ Io. Maior de gest. Scot. 1. 1. c. 4. De rebus Hiber. lib. 1.
OF IRELAND.
13
tory, or rather vaine fable, yet he hath besprinckled
(after his manner) the whole discourse with lies.
With great ambition hath that silly writer labored to
advance the glory of his nation, in the which endea-
uour, hee hath little regarded the honour of his Coun-
try and his owne credit. For he hath purchased this
amongst the learned, that where as he would seeme to
write all for the love of the truth, they will beleeue in
a manner nothing to be true which he wrote: For to
what purpose should he commend to the posterity the
acts of his ancestors with such maiesty of words,
that they have quailed the Spaniard; vanquished the
Irish with their only austere countenance, triumphed
as often as pleased themselves over the bordering Bri-
taines; where they pitched foot, subiected all as furi-
ous victors; that thou maist think the Scottish not so
much to have invaded forraigne Countryes, as to
have removed to their proper possessions. These fabu-
lous dreames happely may move admiration to some
old wives, applause to some Abderas, and laughter
to the discreete reader. The Scotish had as other na-
tions tofore (though now famous) base beginning,
dusked and obscured with some barbarous rudenesse,
and this had beene more discretion to confesse, then to
vaunt or crake among the ignorant, with boast of
their fained doings. Thus farre Stanihurst :
And now (with Hector Boetius his leave) as the
followers of Gathelus and his wife Scota in Egypt,
Greece, Barbary, Portugall, Galitia, and over all
14
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Spaine, were not called Scoti (as before is remembred)
no more were they termed in Ireland and Scotland,
but corruptly of Scytæ, Scoti, comming originlly
out of Scythia. And it were more honour in mine
opinion for these nations, to derive their originall
from Scythia then from Egypt, for two causes; first
for that the Scythians are more ancient then the
Egyptians, as Trogus, Volateran, and Marianus Sco-
tus do write; secondly for that the Scythians come of
Iaphet that was blessed, and the Egyptians of Cham
that was accursed, but in this case leaving every man
to his owne choice; I will returne the History.
In the antiquities of Ireland it is generally receiued
that Gathelus (of whom I spake before) gave the
Irishmen the language, which of him they call Gaod-
healgh in British Gwidhealaec, that is, a language
compounded of many tongues, and so it
may well
be; for by reason of his great trauell he had skill in
many tongues. Although, as they say, he were a
Grecian borne, yet I finde no Greek in the Irish
tongue; yet for their comming from Spaine, which
they so much urge, Iohannes Major Scotus & forsooth
hath found one Spanish word, bona dies, in Irish
vennoka die; to which I answere, una hirundo non
facit ver; but indifferently to examine the matter,
wee finde that diversity of times, alteration of govern-
ment, invasion of strangers, planting of new Colo-
* Jo. Maior. hist. Scot. lib. 1. c. 9.
:
1
OF IRELAND.
15
nies, and conversing with forraigne nations doe alter
languages. The Hebrewes by reason of their peregri-
nation and captivities do smach of the Chaldees, Sy-
riack, and Arabick tongues. The Slavonian tongue,
as Surius h and others record, without exception, at
this day is the most dispersed language upon the
earth;
for the Muscovites, Ruthenes, Russians, Dal-
matians, Bosnenses, Croatians, Istrians, Carnians,
Carniolanians, Carinthians, Stirians, Mæsians, Servi-
ans Bulgarians, with other nations reaching to Con-
stantinople, as Bohemians, Lusatians, Silesians, Mo-
ravians, Polonians, Circasians, Quinquemontanians,
even unto Pontus, and the remnant of Vandals, be-
yond the river Albis, through Germany, into the
North, have the language, and yet we have neither
their characters, not ancient Annals extant.
Ierome borne in Strido in the confines of Dalmatia and
Pannonia, is said to have translated the Bible into the
Slavon tongue, but whether it be in that language
extant, let him report that knoweth it. Gothi, Hy-
pogothi, Gepidi, Vandali, Hunni, Alani, though
they vary in name, yet they vse one language, saith
Paulus Diaconas. The Italian, Spanish, and French
tongues are compounded of the Latine. The German
(high and low country) Saxon, Scottish and English
have great affinity. Northwales, Southwales, Corn-
wall, and little Britaine in France, as Cambrensis
and Sir Io. Price have learnedly discoursed; but the
↳ Laur. Surius ver. in orbe gest. ad annum. 1501.
Saint
16
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Irish (excepting the Redshanks and the Scottish of
the haye londe) have affinity with no tongue (as I can
learne) more then with the British language.
Many reasons there are (gentle reader) to induce
thee to bee of that opinion; first of all according un-
to the first command, the Celticke tongue was of force
in all these Northerne parts. Bodinus writeth, that
the British and Celtick language was all one. Pau-
sanias the Grecian maketh mention how the Celts in
their language called a horse Marc, and three horses
Trimarc, the which the Welshman useth to this day
with a gutturall alteration, Margh and Treemargh.
Also Camden the learned Antiquary of this our age,
is of this opinion (remembring the story of Gurgun-
tius, and the infinite number of British words in ure
among the Irish, the which he termeth, infinitam vim
Britannicarum dictionum) that the Britaines first
peopled this land. And although of a long time
(by reason of troubles and alterations) the speech
grew wholly out of vse; yet afterwards in successe of
time it was revived. Secondly the British and Irish
oft matched together, so that there
grew among them
great alliance and affinity, to the furtherance of the
language. Mare King of Cornwall anno 459 married
with Label Isode that built Isodes Chappell (or Chap-
pell Isode) and Isodes Tower in Dublin, shee was the
King of Irelands daughter. Edwal
Edwal ap Meiric Prince
of Wales in the time of Edelred, anno 992 married
in Ireland. Iago ap Edwal Prince of Wales in the
OF IRELAND
17
time of Cnute, anno 1031 married in Ireland. In the
time of Edward the Confessor, Conan the sonne of
Iago Prince of Wales married with Ranulph daughter
of Alfred King of Dublin, anno 1041. In the time of
William Rufus, Arnulph Earle of Pembroke married
with the daughter of Marogh King of Ireland anno
1101; at the same time Magnus the sonne of Herald
married with another daughter of the said King. In
the time of Henry the first and King Steuen lived
Griffith ap Conan Prince of Wales, that was wont to
brag of three things, that his mother was an Irish-
woman, his grandmother an Irishwoman, and that
hee himselfe was borne, and of a child brought vp in
Ireland. In the time of Henry the second, Biryd the
sonne of Owen Gwyneth Prince of Wales, being Lord of
Cloghran in Ireland, begat his sonne Howel
upon an
Irish Gentlewoman. In the same Kings raigne
Richard Strangbow Earle of Pembroke, married with
Eva the daughter of Dermotte Mac Morrogh King
of Leinster. Thirdly, when there was any trouble in
Ireland, they fled to Wales; when they had
any warres
or rebellion there, they came for refuge and aide
into Ireland: hereof came the shaking of hands, Bro-
ther Brannagh, Brother Erinagh. In the life of
Henry the third, it is written, that when Othobon the
Popes Legate came to Oxford, and soiourned at Os-
ney Abbey, among other schollers, some for one cause,
some for another, that were there, a poore Irish schol-
ler (Matthew Paris calleth him Capellanum Hiber-
nensem) drew neere unto the kitchin dresser, and praid
18
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
for some releefe; the cook took a ladell full of hot
liquor and threw it in his face; a Welch scholler
standing by tooke his bow, and shot the cook through
with an arrow (Stow writeth that the cook was the
Legates brother) the hurly burly was great, the schol-
lers came together in armes (and as it is said, one Odo
of Kilkenny was their ensigne bearer) the Cardinals
men were well beaten, the Cardinall himselfe to save
his life fled secretly at a posterne gate to the King,
made a grievous complaint, and craved the aide of
armed men to fetch off his men, and thereof arose
great troubles; but to proceed. Dermotte Mac Mo-
rogh King of Leinster, being banished out of his
country, had aide out of Wales. Conan the sonne of
Iago, Griffith ap Conan, Rees ap Tewder, Owen the
sonne of Cadogan, Kadwalader the sonne of Griffith
ap Conan, Marlgon ap David, Princes of Wales;
Algar Earle of Chester, Arnulph Earle of Pembroke,
Magnus the sonne of Herald, William de Bruse Lord
of Breknock, with his wife and children, in extre-
mity, tooke Ireland for their refuge, where they found
favor and kindnesse to their own hearts desire, as in
the British Chronicles published by Caradoc of San-
carban, Cambrensis, Humfrey Lloid, and Doctor
Powel, doth more plainly appeare. These two nations
conversed much one with another; Sir Tristram one
of the Knights of the round Table, came to Ireland.
Morogh brother to the King of Ireland (whom Caxton
calleth Morhaus) was one of King Arthurs Knights.
Merlin the Welch Prophet came twice to Ireland,
OF IRELAND.
19
<<
and in Ofaby there is a Chappell bearing his name:
the occasion of his first comming was this. There
was a noble man of Ireland which had a suit unto the
King of England, with whom Merlin was great, to
whom he said, Merlin, if thou wilt effect my sute,
come to Ireland, and I will give thee as much land as
thou shalt see round about thee: it was done; after
his arrivall, Merlin demanded his promise, the noble
man put him into a cellar, where was a grate, and
without a bawne, with an high wall, looke out (saith
the Irish man) the Welch Prophet could not see a
quoits cast from him, and thus was he deceived, having
left his spirit of prophecy at home. But to our
purpose.
Fourthly, the first conquerors in Henry the seconds
times, that brake the ice into this land, were Welch
men, whose names and seates to this day are fresh in
memory. Rees ap Tewder Prince of Southwales had
a daughter called Nesta, who by King Henry the first
had issue, Henry, and he had issue Meiler Fitz Henry
and Robart; she was afterwards married to Stephan,
and he had issue, Robert Fitz Stephan, and his issue
were Radulph and Mereduk; shee had a third hus-
band, Giraldus Steward of Pembroke, whose mother
was Gladys the daughter of Rywall ap Conyn, this
Girald had issue by her, Maurice Fitz Gerald, Wi-
liam Fitz Gerald, and David Bishop of Menevia,
now called Saint Davids: Maurice Fitz Gerald had
issue, William, Girald, Alexander, and Nesta a
E
20
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
daughter, wife to Harvey de Monte Marisco; Wil-
liam Fitz Gerald had issue (by Ellen sister to Earle
Richard Strongbow) Reimund and Griffin, of these
descend all the Geraldins in Ireland. A neece (a sis-
ter say others) of Robert Fitz Stephans and Maurice
Fitz Gerald married with one Barry, and hee by her
had issue, Robart Barry, Philip Barry, Walter
Barry, and Girald Barry (otherwise called Giraldus
Cambrensis the great Antiquary) of these descend all
the Barries in Ireland. There came with them and
after them out of Wales, the Prendergastes, Welches,
Whites, Goughes, and Williams, now called Mac
William of the North.
The Irish Chroniclers, as David Curran, Nicolas
Maguize (both sometimes Bishop of Leighlin) and
others, call them Brittones, Wallones, and Wallen-
ses. It is a name the Saxons gave them; though
they were the true natives of Britaine, yet they called
them Welshmen, that is, strangers, as more at large
is to bee seen in Cambrensis. i These gave Welsh
names to places, which continue to this day; in the
Dioces of Leighlin there is a town called villa Walli-
coru, the town of Welchmen. Carreg & Craig in
the British or Welsh tongue is a ston, or rock, and
of the Britaines, Carregfergus, Carreggmont-Griffin,
Carregg in Shurie, Carriggwaspani, and Craigwa-
ding have their names. Likewise Llis in British is a
i Camb, descrip. Brit. cap. 7.
OF IRELAND.
21
Court or Palace, of that in Ireland you have Lismore,
Lisfenyn, Lislofty, Lismakery. Glan and Glyn are
British words, of them have you Glangibbon, Glande-
boy, Glan Reynald, Glynburry, Glyndelory, Glyn-
molowra, &c. Inis an Iland, is British and Irish, of
which kind are Inissircan, Inisshoven, Inisdiok, Inis-
suag, Iniscorthie, and the like. Rath a moat or round
trench (whereof there are many in Ireland made by
the Danes) if Beda had not said that it was a Saxon
word, I would have said it had been British, and how
many names of places are compounded with it in Ire-
land, were too long to rehearse. I will here give
Stanihurst leave to conclude, Omnes insulæ locos et
lucos Wallici nominis gloria implevit; the renowne of
the Welsh name (saith he) hath filled all the wayes
and woods of the Iland.
The British words among them are infinite, the
which, as I think, the Irish have taken hold of, and
have caused to vary little from their speech, for
example.
British, Bara
Bread.
Irish, Ran
Br.
Diod
Ir.
Diogh
}Drink.
Br.
Tan
Fire.
Ir.
Tine
Br.
Drus
Ir.
Dyrrus } a
}a Doore.
22
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Br.
Ir.
Ityn
Ithyn Firres.
Br.
Ir.
Mon
Mawn }Turfe.
Br.
Gaver
Ir.
Gawr
}a
a Goat.
Br.
Mawr
Ir.
More
}Great.
Br.
Myn
Ir.
Mynan
}a Kydde.
Br.
Ir.
Ty
}a
a House in both.
Br.
Scadan
Ir.
Scadán
}
Ja Herring.
Br.
Ir.
Br.
Ir.
Tyr
Br.
Ir
Carregg in both a Rock.
Teer }land or ground.
Sidan }in
both Silke.
Br.
Kos
Ir.
}in
Br.
Sane
Ir.
Fessane
in both a leg or foot.
}a paire of hose or stockins.
Br.
Ir.
Losksy in both burning or burnt.
Br.
Berw and Berwy in both sod.
Ir.
Br.
Glan
Ir.
Glyn
}in both a like.
ชี
OF IRELAND.
23
Duffrey
Duffrin
}in
in both alike.
Br.
Mah
Ir.
Mac
} a
a sonne.
Br.
Cuanid
Ir.
CunnoghS
wood.
Br.
Knaie
Ir.
Knoe
}nuts
Br.
Kwyr
wax
Ir.
Kwyragh
Br.
Cantref
Ir.
Eng.
Cantrud Lan hundred townes
Cantred
Br.
Avon
Ir.
Owen
}a river.
Moil in both bald.
Mantagh in both toothlesse.
And thus much of the Irish language occasioned by
the history of Gathelus and Scota; now to the his-
tory, from whence I feare mee I have too long disgres-
sed. The hard successe of Nemedus before spoken of,
and the departure of Gathelus (as hath beene said) to
the North-east Ilands, and North parts of Britaine,
now called Scotland, moved five brethren, the sonnes
of one Dela of the posterity of Nemedus being va-
liant men, and skilfull in the Art of Navigation, to
make ready a great fleet, and to attempt the conquest
of this Iland. These were, as I presently said, of
the posterity of Nemedus and were named, Gandiùs,
24
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Gennadius, Sagandus, Rutheranius or Rutheragus, and
Slanius, of whom Slane hath the denomination;
when they had made preparation, assembled forces,
and set all in a readinesse, they hoised up saile, and in
short time arrived in Ireland, about the yeere of the
world 2535.
After their arrivall, and view had of the land, they
found the puissance of the Chamesite Giants sore
weakned through their owne civill dissention, so that
with more ease then they looked for, they atchieved
their purpose, wanne the whole country, utterly des-
troyed and rooted out that wicked generation (enemies
to God and man) but spared as many as they found of
Iaphets line, divided the Iland into five parts, and in
each of them they severally reigned. This was the
first division of Ireland, the discourse whereof I will
referre to another place. Furthermore for the satis-
faction of all parties, and perfect league to be had
among these brethren, and their posterity, they con-
cluded to fix a meare stone in the middle point of
Ireland, to the which each of their kingdomes should
reach, so as they might in equality partake of the
commodities found in that Iland. Of these also it is
said, that they invented the distribution of Shires into
Cantreds, every Cantred or Barony to containe one
hundred townships: but of this in another place.
When they had for a certaine space seated themselves
(say the Irish Antiquaries) and found warmth and
wealth about them, every one began to looke big, and
OF IRELAND.
25
grow ambitious, so that in processe of time, desire of
Soverainty set the five brethren at variance, which in
the end tended to their destruction. In this civill
dissention it is written, that Slanius the yongest
through the aid of some old inhabitants, got the upper
hand, brought his foure brethren to a low estate, at-
tributed unto himselfe the title of supreme honour
over them, and encroched round about the middle stone
and fixed meare aforesaid, for the space of certaine
miles; which plot in time, obtained the priviledge and
name of one entire plot, or part, and maketh up the
number of five parts, into the which Ireland is com-
monly divided, and is called Meth, in Latine Media,
and of some Midia, taking that name (as some haue
guessed) for that in respect of the other parts, it con-
tained but the moity of Cantreds, that is, sixteene,
where each of the other contained thirty and two; or
else for that it lieth in the midst of the land.
These encrochments Slanius annexed to his inheri-
tance and Monarchy, which Monarchy continued thus,
the
space of thirty yeeres, and then Slanius departed
this life, and was buried in a mountaine of Meth, that
beareth hitherto the name after him. After his de-
cease the Princes that before were subject unto him,
began to gather heart, stomached the matter, and
denied their obedience to his successour: whereupon
ensued continuall warre amongst them, and especially
about the land of Meth, which strife of long time
could not bee appeased, yet in the space of thirty
26
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
yeeres aforesaid, of these brethren and their successors
there were nine Kings. In the neck of all these
mischiefes and hurlyburlies (say the Irish antiquities)
there came a fleet of Scythians upon the coast, landed
their men in Ireland, made claime to the land, by a
title of right which they pretended from their fore-
father Nemedus (of whom mention is made before)
so that by partaking with the one side and the other,
all was in an uproare, havock was made on each side
with fire and sword in most miserable manner. They
spent themselves in pursuing one another with such
outrage, that they cared not what nation, or what
souldier they received to their aid, to hold
up, or beat
downe a side. Both the one and the other sent for
aid into the Ilands now called England and Scotland,
Orchades, Hebrides, &c. and acquainted forrainers
with their state so farre, that they could never after be
rid of them, to wit, the Britaines, till in the end they
yeelded unto them the upper hand, as by conquests,
in processe of the history, shall appeare. Note (gentle
reader) how that hitherto, that is, the yeere of the
world 2828, and before the birth of Christ 1142, these
North parts of the world, as England, Scotland,
Ireland, with other Iles, were possessed, commanded,
and inhabited by the posterity of Iaphet and Cham,
the sonnes of Noah, without any speciall name given
to the lands, or to the Commanders of them, otherwise
then Samothei, Celta, Oceanes, Neptunists, and
Albions, although I have hitherto used the names
now in ure (for the plainer delivery of the history) as
OF IRELAND.
27
if they had beene knowne before; neither were any
called Scots as Hector Boetius would have it.
After the times of the former troubles which hap-
pened in Ireland upon the landing of the Scythians,
I finde nothing of Ireland till the dayes of Gurguntius
(the sonne of Belinus) who began his raine, according
to the ordinary account anno mundi 3580, and reigned
19 yeeres over Britaine. This King after his victory
atchieved in Denmark (for his tribute which they there
had refused to pay him) returning back towards Bri-
taine, met by the Iles of Orkeney, with a navy of
thirthy ships (Stanyhurst saith 60) with men and
women, whose Generall was called Bartholin or
Partholin; in Ponticus Virunius Partolom; in Flores
Historiarum, Partholaim; in Gualter Oxoniensis,
Bartholome; in Fabian, Harding, Grafton, and
Caxton, Irlamal; of whom they thinke the country
to be called Ireland. Gurguntius demanded of them
what they were, and the occasion of their travell, their
answer was, they were Spaniards, and had long beene
on the seas, seeking to finde some favourable Prince, to
assigne them a place of habitation, for that their
country was so populous, that it could not containe
them, (others write that for some disordered parts they
were banished their country) and where they found
favour, they would become subiects, and hold of him
as their soveraigne Lord. In this fleet with the
Governor of Baion, their Generall (before named)
there were foure brethren of noble birth, the sonnes
F
28
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
of Milesius (others say, Miletus, and others Milo)
the two chiefe of which were called Hiberus and
Hermon. And beside the former differences in the
parents name, Dowling writeth in his Irish collections,
that they were the sonnes of Iubal; Hector Boetius
avoucheth they were the sonnes of Gathelus and Scota;
Stanihurst affirmeth that Scota was great or old
grand-dame to Hiber and Hermon, others write they
were of the posterity of Gathelus and Scota, whereas
Gathelus (if there were any such) was a Grecian, and
Scota an Egyptian, Hiber and Hermon, Spaniards:
see (gentle Reader) how these reports hang together.
Gurguntius being aduised by his Councell, pittying
their necessitie and wandring estate, granted them the
Iland now called Ireland, to inhabite, and that they
should become tributaries to him and his successors,
the Kings of Britaine for ever. For hee called to
minde that the inhabitants were an unruly people, and
thought by this meanes to subdue them, and quietly
to enjoy his tribute; for it seemeth that the Britaines
made claime to Ireland, to which effect I reade in the
Book of Houth, that Gurguntius came into Ireland,
and that the land many a yeare paid him truage, and
to other Kings of Britaine after him; but as oft as
they put foote in the land, they got more knocks then
pence, saith an Irish Chronicler.
Chronicler. The King of
Britaine hastening homeward, gave them Pilots, and
safe conductors for their arrivall and possession of the
land.
OF IRELAND.
29
Hiberus and Hermon after their arivall, by the
assent of all their associates, divided the land betweene
them; the North to Hiber, and the South to Hermon.
But ambition, the mother of mischiefe, would not long
suffer them to enjoy peace, but rent their hearts with
fierie dissention, inflamed their mindes to desire one
Soueraigne and absolute commander over the whole
land; they gather forces, they muster their men, they
put on Armes, and to battaile they goe, in which field
Hiberus was slaine, (though Hector Boetius write,
that he went into Spaine to succeed his father) and
Hermon became Monarch of all Ireland. Hermon
being thus sole ruler and governour, to avoid the
murmure of his people, and euill opinion (in a manner)
of all men conceiued against him, and peaceably to
governe the land, fell to purge himselfe, and caused
the occasion of the warres to be proclaimed, that he
bore armes against his naturall brother, not of malice
or desire of soveraigntie, but in defence of his owne
person, and safety of his people; and for proofe, that
his heart was farre from desire to rule alone, he ap..
pointed certaine Captaines, as Kings, to command
under him certaine Countries, reserving unto himselfe,
one fourth part, and the Country of Meth annexed to
the Monarchie, for the better maintenance of his
princely estate.
By this meanes, this Realme of Ireland in processe
of time, grew to five kingdomes; the first Leinster, on
the East side or quarter, called in Latine Lagenia, and
30
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
in Irish, Cuige-Laghen. The second, Conaght, on
the west side of the kingdome, called in Latine Con-
nacia, and in Irish, Cuige-Chonoght. The third,
Vlster, which is the North part of Ireland, named in
Latine, Vitonia, and in Irish, Cuigh-Vlladh. The
fourth, Mounster, South and South-west, in Latine,
Momonia, and in the country speech, Cuige Mughan.
The fift and last, a plotte defalked from these parts,
called Meth, comprising (as they are now called) as
well East-Meth as West-Meth, in Latine, Midia, or
Media, in Irish, Mhidhe. And here must not bee
forgotten, that there hath beene in these kingdomes
great change and alteration by usurping and com-
pounding among themselves, and by dividing of coun-
tries, as we finde Mounster was into two parts, and
since have beene there great Earles, deriving their
names of Mounster, Ormond in Irish, Oirther Mugh
ane, Desmond in Irish, Deasmughain, and Thomond,
in Irish, Tuathmughain, the which an Italian com-
ming into Ireland, meruailed at, when he inquired
what great men dwelled in the land, for he understood
Ormond, to bee orbis mundi, the round world; Des
mond, decem mundi, ten worlds; Thomond, duo mundi,
two worlds, profecto, said he, Valdè gloriosi tituli,
assuredly these are very glorious titles. So were there
also in processe of time, diuers other lesser kingdomes,
as by the processe of the historie will well ap-
And here for this time leaving to discourse
peare.
farther of the Irish kingdomes, I conclude with this
one remembrance, that from time to time there was
very
OF IRELAND.
31
one chosen to be chiefe soveraigne Monarch ouer them
all; and the number of Monarchs from Hermon to
Laogirius, the sonne of Nealus Magnus, (that is, great
Neale) in whose time S. Patricke converted them to
Christianitie, amounteth to an hundred thirty and one.
And now backe againe to the historie where we
left. It is said that of Hiber or Hiberus, (who was
slaine, as hath aboue beene recorded) Ireland was
called Hibernia; certaine it is with the concordance of
most and the best antiquaries, that the land was not
called Hibernia, neither right Spaniard arived here
before the daies of Gurguntius. Divers writers haue
diversly delivered the originall name of the land, some
corruptly, some poetically, some etymologically. Ier-
na, Iuvernia, Ibernia, Overnia, Vernia, Iris; of the
Britaines, Ywerdhon, of the Irish themselues Erin,
and tooke that name of Fin Erin, (of whom at large
in the booke of Houth) of the Saxons and English it
is called Ireland, that is, the land of Erin. All these
names originally grew of Hiberus the Spaniard, or in
remembrance of Iberus the second King of Spaine;
who was the sonne of Tuball, the fift sonne of Iaphet.
Annius Viterbiensis writeth, that of this King, the
river is called Iberus amnis, Spaine Iberia, and the
inhabitants about the river, Iberi. k This land of Ire-
land hath also beenę called Scotia Major, (Scotland
the greater) after the birth of Christ, but that came
of corrupting the word Scytha, as I said before.
* Stainhurst de reb. Hib. pa. 17.
32
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Lastly, it hath beene called Banno of the Poets or
Bardes of the lands: Stainihurst thinketh it was so
called of the Banne, a river in the County of Weix-
ford, the place is now called Bagganbun, where the
Britaines
vpon the conquest arived, and thereof is the
rime,
At the creeke of Bagganbun,
Ireland was ylost and wonne.
But for this ancient name Banno and other the like
which the Poets of Ireland haue in use, I referre the
courteous reader to learned Camden, 1 in his treatise of
Ireland, about the beginning.
Lanquet in his collections of antiquities, noteth that
the Scottish historiographers about the yeere of the
world, 3652. beginne their histories at Fergus, the
sonne of Ferquhard, King of Ireland, that he should
come with great power out of Ireland, to their aide
against the Pictes, m and that they fauoured him so
much, that they chose him King, and that hee raigned
ouer them in Scotland 25. yeeres, and how that in his
raigne hee slue Coile, King of Britaine, at what time
by generall consent, there was no Scottish man then
commanding in Albania, no Pict at that time seene in
Britaine or Ireland, nor Coile King of Britaine in many
yeares after. I am of Lanquets opinion, thus he
Camden in Hebernia.
1 Anno mundi, 3652.
OF IRELAND.
33
writeth, These histories of the Scots, as they set them
forth, bee full of errors, and agree with none other
historians. Notwithstanding this Item may not stoppe
the course of the historie, and therefore whether he
came out of Ireland, (as we here take it) or out of
Denmarke, (as some haue thought) well he might be
King of Albania, for so was it then called, and not
Scotland, and so from him I will terme them Kings
of Albania, untill I finde the name Scoti knowne
amongst forraigne writers.
This Fergus (saith Buchanan) hauing orderly dis-
posed of his affaires in Albania, went into Ireland to
pacifie and quiet troubles there risen, and hoising saile
for his returne into Albania, he and all his company
were cast away in a tempest vpon the rocks at a place
of him now called in the British and Irish tongues
Karregfergus, or Craigfregus (corruptly in English,
Knockfergus.) It is written that he advanced in his
banner, a red Lyon Rampant, with his taile folden
toward his backe, as it were moved with anger, the
which his successors since have used. After this his
infortunate decease, there rose great strife about the
succession, his two sonnes, Ferlegus and Mainus were
young, and many exceptions were made against them,
in the end, the two sonnes were put beside, and the
eldest of the sept (after the Irish Tanistrie) tooke
place, which fell upon Feritharis an Irish man, bro-
ther to Fergus. And this Tanistrie continued (saith
Buchanan) unto Kenathus 3. during the raigne of
34
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
fourescore Kings. But I must leave them, and follow
onely what concerneth Irish businesse.
About the yeere of the world, saith Lanquet, 3750.
and odde (not allowing as he protested before, but
following the Scottish histories, one Reuthar, com-
mander of the invaders in Albania, (now called Scot-
land) was vexed with civill warres, and by the Bri-
taines, banished into Ireland, where hee lived twelve
yeeres. See more of him in Hector Boetius, and
Buchanan. The 9. King Albaniensium Scotorum,
(so Stanihurst calleth them) was Iosina Thereus, and
is the next that seemeth to haue any right or interest
in the Irish historie. This man was bred and brought
up in Ireland, and favoured the nation (saith Bale)
above all others; he sought peace of all men, honoured
Chirurgions, Physitians and Druydes of Ireland;
raigned 24 yeeres, and so ended his dayes.
n
The next that concerneth our purpose, is Gillus the
usurper, who through much treason, and many mur-
thers, aspiring to the Crowne of Albania, and deserv-
edly falling into the hatred and mislike of all his
subjects, was at length forced by his Nobles, (who
rose in Armes against him) to take a fisher-boate and
flee into Ireland, where hee was promised aide; but to
prevent further mischiefe, one Cadall is appointed
generall of an Armie, to pursue the tyrant into Ireland,
and meeting him in the field, drove Gillus to flee.
" Io. Bale cent. 14.
OF IRELAND.
35
When the Irish men had forsaken him, he hid him-
selfe in a denne, invironed with woods and bogs,
where shortly after, an Irish Kerne, for reward, found
him out, cut off his head, and brought it to Cadall,
after he had tyrannized three yeeres. He was the
thirteenth King of Albania.
In the time of Augustus Caesar, a little before the
birth of our Saviour, Fridelenus King of Denmarke,
puffed vp with pride, through some fortunate suc-
cesses, arrived in Ireland, laid siege to the Citie of
Dublin, and finding it not so easie a matter to atchieue,
fell to policie; he caught certaine Swallowes that bred
in the Citie, tyed fire to their wings, who flying to
their nests, fired the houses; while the Citizens ende-
voured to quence the fire, the Danes entred the Citie,
and wanne it.
The King of Leinster after this, gathered forces,
and
gave
the Danes battaile, in which, many fell on
both sides; Fredelnus seeing the enemy increase, and
his armie decrease, fled the land, and retired into his
country. His sonne Frotho, the third of that name,
King of Danes (so Albertus Krantzius, ° and Saxo
Grammaticus record) wantonly assailed the Britaines,
(lustrans magis insulam quam subigens) rather tak-
ing a view of the Iland, then subduing it, afterward
Alb. Krant. Dan. lib. 1. cap. 3 2. Saxo Gr. hist. Dan, lib. 5.
G
36
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
y
relinquishing that course, put foot in Ireland. The
historiographers of that side, report hardly of the
land, and the inhabitants thereof, and in fine they
write, when Cepo the Irish King was overthrowne
and put to flight, his brother Kervill (saith Saxo, I
take it to be O Carroll) offered tribute, wherewith
the Danes being pacified, returned to their Country.
This Frotho peopled the Orchades with Danes, and
appointed Revillus their commander.
Whilst this Frotho King of Danes was Monarch
of Ireland, the light of the world, the comfort of all
Christians, IESVS CHRIST the sonne of GOD was
borne in the flesh.
q
About 44: yeere after the incarnation of our Lord,
Claudius p the Emperor having appeased the troubles
of Britaine by the aide of Arviragus, (as Mathew
Westmonasteriensis saith) subdued Orchades, He-
brides, Thule, and all the Ocean Islands, among the
which, Ireland is reconed, the which Beda 9 and
and Eutropius haue likewise remembred. But Fa-
bian, Grafton, Holinshed, and Ponticus Virunius
say further, that he sent certaine legions of Knights
into Ireland to subdue the same; what successe they
had, is not recorded, a legion consisting of 6666. (as
▸ Claudius. Arviragus. Flor. histor.
• Beda eccles. hist. Angl. lib. 1. c. 3. Eutropius rerum Rom. lib. 8.
OF IRELAND.
37
ancient Writers record) no doubt they performed some
great exploit. Learned Camden r writeth of the Bri-
gantes (the inhabitants of Yorkeshire, Lancashire,
the Bishopricke of Durham, Westmerland and Cum-
berland were so called) how that in the time of Clau-
dius (as I take it) many of them went to end their
dayes in Ireland, and of old were called the Brigantes
of Ireland. His words are these, Quod verò Flori-
anus Del Campo Hispanus, nostros Brigantes, &c.
Whereas Florianus Del-Campo the Spaniard, hath
somewhat arrogantly derived our Brigantes from
Spaine into Ireland, and thence into Britaine, being
aided by no other conjecture, but that he found in his
Country of Spaine, the Citie Brigantia; I feare mee
hee hath fouly deceived himselfe. For if the like
cause have not given ours and Brigantes of Ireland
the same name, I had rather be of opinion with my
most learned friend Thomas Savill, namely, that cer-
taine Brigantes and other nations of Britaine also, even
from the comming of the Romans into Britaine de-
parted into Ireland, some for quietnesse sake, and to
liue at ease, some for that their eyes should not be in-
fected with the sight of the Roman dominions, and
last of all others, lest in their latter age they should
willingly seeme to lose the libertie which from nature
they had received in their youth. And that Claudius
the Emperour, first of any Romane tooke the Bri-
* Camden pa. 557.
38
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
gantes in hand, and subjected them to his Empire and
command: Seneca sheweth in these his verses.
Ille Britannos
Vltra noti littora ponti, & cæruleos
Scuta Brigantes, dare Romulæis colla catenis
Iussit,.
The Britaines farre from knowne seas,
and Brigantes Bucklers blue,
The Roman Claude to Roman becke
did bring, and rebels slue.
Claudius hauing effected all his affaires, (as formely
hath been delivered) returned to Rome: then saith
Gualter Oxen. Omnia regna Arvirago tradidit, he
delivered all these kingdomes to Arviragus. He com-
mitted them al to his charge, saith Ponticus Virunius,
In Matthew Westmonsteriensis I reade, regimen insu-
lare Arvirago cessit, the command of the Ilands fell
to Arviragus. Harding hath delivered it in verse.
Orchades Isles in the meane time he conquered,
In which he infeoffed the King, and him preferred,
About this time, Frothos the fourth of that name,
King of Danes, (some 30. yeeres after the former
• Saxo Gram. hist. Dan. lib. 6. Albertus Krantz Dan. lib. 1.
OF IRELAND.
39
invasion, saith mine Author) sent great power of
Giants out of Denmarke, under the leading of bloudy
Haco, and the great challenger and huge monster
Starcuterus, to invade Ireland. The occasion was as
followeth: Starcuterus (before mentioned) being
borne farre in the East by reason of shipwracke, ha-
ving lost both his ship and fellowes, was cast upon
the coast of Denmarke, and hearing of the fame of
Frotho, came to his Court. This Giant was greatly
admired for stature and strength of body. Frotho
commanded a great navie to be in a readinesse, with
all manner of necessary provision, made him an arch-
pirate, and turned him to the Sea to seeke adventures.
They touched many lands, and fought with many
Giants, at length (saith mine Author) that no Coun-
try, though never so remote, should bee freed from
the smart of Danish forces, they arived in Ireland.
Huglet, King of Ireland, gave them battaile, in the
which, Huglet was slaine, and all the Irish put to
flight. And yet mine Author, though a Dane, highly
commendeth two Irish Lords, Segathus and Suib-
danus, the one wounded Haco, the other gave Star-
cuterus such a blow, that he stood a great while
amazed, and had beene slaine, had he not beene
rescued. The battaile being ended, the Danes tooke
(Dufflinian) Dublin, ransacked it, and found great
store of treasure, and some of them remained in the
land, the rest returned to Denmarke, Starcuterus
went into forraigne countries to combat with Giants.
40
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
In the time of Arviragus before mentioned, I finde
the greatest probability of the first comming of the
Pictes out of Scythia, first into Ireland, secondly, into
Albania, now called Scotland, and lastly, into the
North of England. And whereas before (page 6.) I
made mention of the arivall of Scythians, Nemedus
and his foure sonnes, and after them of five brethren
of their posteritie, and the third time of another fleete
of Scythians that arived in Ireland; and that also by
many antiquities it appeareth that the Scots be Scy-
thians, and came out of those parts whence these
Pictes brake forth; I purpose now to make a more full
discourse of that businesse.
Camden modestly confesseth he knoweth not when
they came first into these parts, neither doe I mislike
with his conjecture, that they should be old Britaines,
who painted themselves, to shew more terrible against
the Romanes: yet we must confesse, that there are
many nations of severall names in Scythia, and Poly-
chronicon, together with Rastall, saith, that the Gothes
and Pictes be one nation. The etymologie I finde in
the storie of the Gothes: Scythia in the Gothicke t
tongue, signifieth a skilfull archer. And these Pictes
brought with them the use of darts, which the Irish
retaine to this day. But I come to Beda, u who goeth
• Io. Magnus Goth. Hist. lib. 1 cap. 27.
» Beda eccles. hist. gentis Aug lib. 1' cap. 1.
OF IRELAND.
41
plaine to worke
When the Britaines (saith hee) had
possessed the greatest part of the Isle, beginning at
the South, it happened that a nation of Pictes out of
Scythia, with long shippes, (yet not many) entred the
Ocean, the winde driving them about, beyond all
the coast of Brittaine, they came into Ireland, and
arived in the North, and finding there the nation of
Scots, desired of them to grant them a dwelling place
amongst them, but they could not obtaine it, &c. The
Scots made answere that the Iland could not hold them
both, but wee can give you (saith they) good counsaile
what you may doe. We know another Island not farre
from ours, reaching to the East, the which we are wont
oft to discerne in cleare dayes; if you will goe thither,
you may make it your dwelling place, or if any with-
stand you, take vs for your aide. And so the Pictes
sayling into Britaine, began to inhabite the North
parts of the Iland, for the Britaines held the South.
And when the Pictes had no wives, and sought them
of the Scots, they were granted them, onely upon this
condition, that when the title of Soveraigntie became
doubtfull, they should choose them a King rather of
the Feminine bloud royall, then of the Masculine, the
which unto this day is observed amongst the Pictes.
And in processe of time, Britaine after the Britaines
and Picts, received that third nation of the Scots upon
that part, where the Pictes had their habitation, who
issuing out of Ireland with their Captaine Reuda,
either by loue or by the sword, have wonne peculiarly
unto themselves those seats which they hold unto this
42
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
day, and of this their captaine they are called Dal-
reudin, for in their language, (Dal) signifieth a part.
And here I cannot but meruaile at Hector Boetius
and Buchanan, ▾ what confusion they bring into the
historie, without regard of the truth, they name Beda,
they call Reuda, Reuther, and say that he was the
sixt King of Albania, and that the Britaines made
him flee into Ireland, and that in the end he was res-
tored to his kingdome againe; which can no way
agree with the words of reverend Beda, whose credit
we may not impeach, for he saith, they were Scythians,
and wanted a dwelling place, and beganne to inhabit
the North parts of the Iland. If Reuda were King
of Albania, no thanke to the Irish men to direct him
thither. But let us goe on with the Pictes.
I finde in Lanquet that the Pictes were rebellious,
an. 9: of Arviragus, Anno. Domini 53. And Poly-
cronicon affircteth, w as Beda wrote before, that they
came to the North of Ireland in Vespasians time.
Stow saith it was in Anno 73. Matthew the Monke
of Westminster, in Anno 75. and 76. Leslæus and
Bozius write that Reuda came about the yeere 360.
which is very doubtfull, and that then the Pictes
wanting wives, desired of the Britaines that they might
match with their nation, their suit being denied, they
▾ Hect. Boet. Scot. hist. lib. 4.
W
According to the Text of Sir James Ware. EDITOR.
OF IRELAND.
43
went to the Irish, who granted them wives upon the
condition in Beda before rehearsed And farther,
Giraldus Cambrensis, Polycronicon and Grafton con-
curring, doe say, that Scotland was first called Albania
of Albanactus, secondly, Pictlandia, of the Pictes;
thirdly, Hibernia, Ireland, because of the alliance or
affinitie in marriage betweene the Pictes and Irish ;
last of all, Scotland or Scythians land. And hereof
it commeth to passe, that Ireland is called Scotland,
and Scotland Ireland, the Irish Scots, and the Scots
Irish, as one hath largely collected; and the dis-
tinction of Scotia Major, and Scotia Minor
X
Harding hath an historie out of Mewinus a Brittish
Chronicler, (Harding lived in the time of Henry the
fift and sixt, and in the daies of Edward the fourth,)
which if it be true, all that is formerly spoken of
Gathelus and Scota his wife, by the Scottish and Irish
Chroniclers, is of small credit; namely, how that
Gathelus and Scota came into these North parts, to-
gether with the Pictes. Anno Domini 75. his words
are these, speaking of the King of Britaine.
Catenesse
Then to the Peights left alive, he gave
To dwell upon, and have in heritage;
Which wedded were with Irish as I gesse,
Of which after Scots came on that linage,
X
Polychron lib. 1. cap. 27,
H
44
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
For Scots be to say their language
A collection of many into one,
Of which the Scots were called so anone,
But Mewinus y the Bryton Chronicler
Saith in his Chronicle otherwise,
That Gadelus and Scota in the
yeere
Of Christ, seventie and five by assise,
At Stone inhabite as might suffice:
And of her name, the country round about,
Scotland she cald that time without doubt.
This Scota was, as Mewin saith the sage,
Daughter and bastard of King Pharao that day,
Whom Gadele wedded, and in his old age
Vnto a land he went, where he inhabited
Which yet of his name is called Gadelway;
And with the Peights he came into Albanie
The yeere of Christ aforesaid openlie, &c.
Z
ay,
Polycronicon and Cambrensis accord with Harding
in this point, that the King gave the Pictes a place to
dwell in, which is now called Galleway. And saith
Ponticus Virunius, it was desert and waste, where
none dwelled in many dayes before. The credit of
Harding is great, and he that list to know farther of
* Flor. hist. Mewinus was also called Melkinus. Io, Bale cent. 1: cap. 57
wrote his life. The stone Regall of Scotland.
↑ Pol.lib. 1. cap. 58.
OF IRELAND.
45
him, let him reade Bale, a Bishop of Ossorie, who
wrote his life.
I will now neither confirme nor confute, but ac-
quainte the reader with such antiquities as I finde, and
in a word, to adde something unto that which went
before, of the time of the Pictes comming into these
North, and North-west parts. Florilegus writeth it
was Anno Domini 77. Functius and Polydore, Anno
Dom. 87. To reconcile the dissonance, what every
one saith may stand for truth, for they came in se-
verall companies, and at severall times, some into
Ireland, some into Albania, and some into England.
I will from henceforward leave writing the kingdome
of Albania, and write the kingdome of Scotland.
nine
Anno Dom. 73. began Marius the sonne of Arvi-
ragus to raigne in Britaine, (Humfrey Lloide calleth
him Meurig) who after his troublesome warres, for
yeeres space against the Picts and Scots, ended
with the helpe of Iulius Agricola, is said to have as-
pired towards Ireland, and to have placed garrisons on
the coast; and to the end he might performe some
exploite there, entertained an Irish Prince that was
driven out of his country by civill dissention for his
conductor. I finde no issue recorded of this businesse.
In the 15. yeeres civill warres b which
ensued vpon
a Io. Bale. Script. Brytan. centur. 8.
b
Galf. Mon.
46
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Į
the death of Lucius, the sonne of Coile, King of
Britaine, it is reported, that Fulgenius called the
Ilanders, Albanians, Pictes, and Irish men to his aide,
against whom, Severus the Emperour comming from
Rome, gave them battaile neere unto Yorke, where
Severus and a Prince of Ireland were slaine, and
Fulgenius deadly wounded; the Emperour Severus
and the Irish Prince, lye buried at Yorke.
In the antiquities of Ireland, I finde that about the
dayes of Constantine the great, who beganne his raigne
anno Dom. 310.) one Realmond King of Vlster, fell
in love with a lady of Leinster, who had beene wife to
the King of Connaught, a woman (they say) of meane
stature, but of singular beautie; when many Princes
and Lords of Ireland laboured to winne her fauour,
her answer was, that none should enjoy her loue, but
a Champion that by Marshall prowesse had prevailed
in forraigne countries, quitted himselfe like a man,
wonne the Garland, and brought tribute with him to
his native soile. Realmond being overcome with the
love of this Lady, hoised up saile and went for France,
where he encountred with a Champion, and wonne a
Garland called Civica. Afterward comming to Great
Britain, hee challenged the Duke of Cornewall, and
got of him a tribute, thence he went into Scotland,
and encountred with Gyant Castreus, and prevailed;
(such was the manner of winning honour and dignity
by marshall feates in those daies, saith Saxo Gramma-
OF IRELAND.
47
ticus c) last of all he came backe to Ireland, and ac-
quainted his love, the Lady he formerly sought for,
with his travaile, his dangerous adventures, and his
good successe, and now having prevailed abroad, hee
doubted not at home in regard of his kingdome, his
kindred and valour, but to obtaine her fauour. Shee
being made thoroughly acquainted with his affaires
abroad and at home, gave many a sigh in his absence,
fearing some mischance might come to him, and
wishing she had not so peremptorily answered him;
but he no sooner came in place, but she relented from
her former hardnesse, and with all speed the solemnity
of marriage was performed. But the match was dis-
dained by others, insomuch that he was hated of the
Princes and Nobilitie of Ireland, who had formerly
affected the Lady, whereof grew mutinies, conten-
tions, and at last open warre, and hee finding himselfe
weake, in comparison of his enemies, was forced to
flee into Denmarke, where hee found favour and great
aide of worthy Souldiers which came with him into
Ireland, where he and his generation, together with
the Danes and their posteritie, effected many notable
acts, and continued many yeeres.
{
The Danes of the lyne of Fin Eryn, that came out
of Denmarke, were these, David the Kings sonne who
had to his sonne borne in Ireland, Deure Dove, who
had foure sonnes, Courry, Boyskene, Fyagh, and
© Sux. Gram, hist. Dan. lib. 7.
48
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Oghe; Boyskene had a sonne called Garreneslo, and
Con-Caghmore was his sonne; Con had a sonne named
Ferrelogh, and he had a sonne called Trenmore, this
Trenmore had to his sonne, Coylle Negoe, and he had
a sonne called Fin-Fa, alias Fin Mac Coylle, and he
had a sonne caled Oshen, and he had a sonne called
Osker. This Oshen lived in Anno Dom. 432. in the
dayes of Saint Patricke, unto whom he made relation
of many things before going, and was by him bap-
tized, being of the age of seven score yeeres. For
proofe of this historie, I finde in Saxo Grammaticus
that wrote the historie of the Danes, that Fin and
Finni were a great sept there, hardy, stalworth men,
given to preying, and burning of towne and country,
and happly the Irish conversing with them, did learne
those parts of them) and that the name of Eric was
of the royall bloud among them; so Fín Erin turning
c. into n. was a great commander there, and conducted
into Ireland many Danes. And happly, Ireland of
old, because of his great command, and his posteritie,
might after him be called Erin: this is but my con-
ceit, happly others can say more thereof. These
Danes increased and multiplied exceedingly, and be-
came great Commanders and Captaines over the whole
land, and tooke vpon them the defence thereof against
all forraigne invasion. In processe of time fell out
the battaile of Feutra in Mounster, valiantly fought
by the Irish and Danes, whereof the Irish Chroniclers
make great accompt; it was fought chiefly in Mounster,
by the Princes and power of Ireland, with the aide of
OF IRELAND
49
the Danes, and generation of Fin Mac Coylle, and
Fin Eryn, in which field, they say, all the forraigne
enemies that came out of Scotland, Cornewall, Nor-
mandie, Germany, Spaine and Denmarke it selfe, were
overthrowne. The occasion was as followeth.
Many Gyants and worthy Champions there were in
those daies in Ireland, of Irish and Danish birth, hired
by them for their defence; these trauelling into for-
raine countries, fought many combats, and got yeerely
tribute unto their country, as the manner then was
among such challengers. For this they were generally
envied, and a day was appointed by the invaders to
arrive together in Ireland to ouer-runne the country,
and roote out the whole nation. The first company
to the number of thirtie thousand, landed at the
Derrie, where Conkedagh one of the Princes of the
North, being prepared for them, by a sleight, set
their shipping on fire, and met with them in a place
where they were all overthrowne, so that with their
Armes, those among the Irish that formerly wanted,
were furnished and made fit for the warres. The se-
cond company of this combination came to Lambay,
landed their men at the Follesse of Skerries, set their
men in battaile array, and marched to a place now
called Cnoc-nagean, that is the hill of dead mens
heads, where Dermotte Lamhdhearg King of Lein-
ster met them, fought a cruell battaile with equall
fortune for the space of foure daies; the Irish by rea-
son of the spoile and victory got at the former battaile,
50
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
were mightily encouraged, and also the milke and
fresh meate which the country yeelded them, and the
strangers wanted, made them the more able to fight;
to be short, the strangers were overthrowne, and
thirty sixe thousand of them slaine, whose Armes
furnished Ireland throughly to encounter with the
rest of the combination.
The third.company came to Fentra in Mounster,
where the forces of Ireland being gathered together,
kept them from landing the space of seven dayes,
with the slaughter of many on both sides, so that the
sea-shore at sundry times was died redde with the
bloud of the slaine karkasses, untill that one Gille-
more, sonne to the King of Thomond, (being male-
content for that he was remoued from the voward of
the battaile to the rere) revolted, and by night stole
to the enemie, and directed them where they should
safely land their men, which accordingly came to
passe, so that the Irish knew it not untill the stran-
gers had set their owne shippes on fire: hee withall
brought the invaders to such advantage of ground,
that they refreshed themselues for ten dayes without
any annoyance from the Irish, and afterward when
they came to skirmish, did himselfe divers times fight
valiantly, imbruing his hands in the bloud of his
owne naturall countrimen. At last it fell out after
some bickering, that hee called for water to wash his
hands that were all full of the bloud of his country-
men, which was left stand after he had therein washed,
|
OF IRELAND.
51.
and soone after calling for a cup of wine, was an-
swered that there stood a bowle of wine upon the
table; he forgetting that he had formerly washed
therein, dranke it up, insomuch, that the standers
by said; What fellow is this, more like a brute beast
then a man, that drinketh his owne bloud, and eateth
his owne flesh? Gillemore hearing this, tooke it to
heart, notwithstanding dissembling his griefe and an-
ger, the next night conveyed himselfe away, and sub-
mitting himselfe to his father, delivered unto him the
state of the strangers, which turned to their great dis-
advantage and hinderance.
Shortly after, the day of battaile was appointed,
where the strangers were overthrowne, and (as they
say) seven score thousand men slaine. The Irish had
supplies and extraordinary meanes at home, the stran-
gers could not come by it; the Irish plaid with them
at all advantages, the woods and the bogs defended
them as occasion served. This battaile with the pre-
ambles and circumstances, continued one whole yeere,
the strangers had no shipping to flee unto for succour,
the ground was unknowne unto them, their lodging
and fare was cold, hard, and scant, so as their hardi-
nesse could not hold out, their end was lamentable,
and the honour was bequeathed to the Irish nation.
The Princes of Ireland having thus with great suc-
cesse foiled their enemies, delivered their people from
utter overthrow, and quieted the land, rested them-
selves a while. Afterward, partly for recompence of
I
52
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
good service, and partly for safegard of the land, ap-
pointed the Danes (whom they had formerly hired,
who also unto that time had served them truely) over
the whole land to prevent forraigne invasion, fore-
warned by the field of Fentra and the former attempts;
these Commanders with their particular places of
command, I thought good to impart to the courteous
reader.
Osker Mac Oshen Mac Fin with his Souldiers kept
the haven of Dublin.
Fian Mac Fenrasse kept the Winde-gates.
Wony Etagh Mac Cas Foule kept Wicklo,
Creyon Mac Wony kept Arcklow.
Eye Onagh Mac Kellen kas kept Weixford.
Dono Mac Kayder kept Rosse.
Fellum Mac Eye Keyge kept Dungarvan.
Bresell Mac Eydow kept O Keylle.
Gaero Mac Doheyere kept Corke.
Ollen Aye Nyarg Mac Bressell kept Kynsale.
Collo Mac Keilt kept Dingle Koysse.
Con Keor Mac Bren Mac Foyll kept Fentra.
Osker Mac Cromkeyn kept Trallie.
Don Dowe Mac Reymoure being a King over the
sept of Fin Mac Koyle kept Lymnagh, that is,
Limericke.
Eye Boge Mae Fin kept Inyskagh.
Coll Kroytt kept Corke Vaysken.
Eye Mac Sroy kept Canborne.
Eye clone Drylinge kept Donrys O veyragh,
OF IRELAND.
53
Bressell Mac Eye Begge kept Galloway.
Deyre Dovenagh Magher Morne, kept Inysbresyn.
Eye O row Mac Fin kept Kleere.
Collow Daver kept small Iland.
Enos Dayrk kept Koymaghtbe.
Enos Maygh Ercoipie kept Galley.
Feartagh Mac Ferolagh kept Moyc.
Low Magh Mac Karbren kept Sligo.
Smerger Drought kept Bondroys.
Keyll Croagh Kede Gonagh O Navnyd, Assero.
Brasell Mac Doyer kept Donagall.
Mogh Small Mac Smoyll kept Fanyd.
Eey Mac Kehow kept Loughfoyle.
Darawryd Rourer kept Bonban.
Sperenagh Claw kept Knockfergus.
Magh love kept Ard olloe.
Donogh Mac Dermotte Evne, kept Ardglas.
Art Oge Mac Morne kept Dondorme.
Eye Mac Carra Meyke Morne kept Carlingford.
Flaas Fere Leyfroke Greffey Fin Mac Koyll, kept
Don dalke.
Rey ne Roysklaygh Mac Fin Mac Koyll kept
Drogheda.
Shealvagh Mac Dermotte Doyn kept Gormanston.
Covuloe Mac Wowdyrge kept Ireland's eye.
Derlleys Mac Dovgar kept Howth.
These were the chiefe Commanders by direction
from Fin Mac Koyll, who tooke farther order that
Beacons should be set up in sundry places of the land,
54
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
where in time of danger they might have direction
for reliefe, and draw to a head for their defence; which
order continued unto the field of Kaghcaro, otherwise
called Ardkagh or Ardkath, the occasion whereof was
as followeth.
In the time of Karbre Lifeacher, Monarch of Ire-
land, the Danish Captaines with their bands and gar-
risons, waxed insolent and outragious, they weighed
not what Prince or people said, they grew strong and
rich, not caring what they did: they brought vp fond
customes of their owne devising, oppressing the
people, and disdaining the gentle admonitions of the
Kings and Nobilitie of the land. Among themselves
they decreed, that no Maid should marry without
their license, that none should hunt the Hare, Otter,
Foxe, Wolfe, Marterne or Deare, but should
pay them
what they pleased to rate it at, and that none should
use any other pastime without their privitie. The
Kings and Nobilitie of the land called a Parliament,
endevouring to reforme these abuses, charging them
to surcease from their outrages, or to leave the land.
The Danes answered, that they came in with the
sword, held by the sword, and with the sword they
would be driven away. The day of battaile was ap-
pointed to be fought at Amaghery Ongallin, now
called Margallin in Westmeath, though the field be
called Ardkagh, which is by interpretation, a set field.
The Danes sent to Denmarke, intimating their
OF IRELAND.
55
griefe and lamentable estate, craving aide of the King,
and that he would be pleased to send his sonne to be
their Generall, who (according to their request)
shortly after landed with tenne thousand stalworth
souldiers (so the old phrase runneth) and they com-
ming together, made up twenty and eight thousand,
and seven hundred. The Kings of Ireland with their
forces were threescore and five thousand. The Danes
or Norwegians being valiant and venterous, hastened
to the battaile at the day appointed. The Kings in
like sort with their forces hearing that their enemies
approched, set themselves in battaile array, and came
to a place where they all kissed the ground, readie to
dye one with another, and gave (after their manner)
such a crie, as if heauen and earth met together, and
therewith somewhat amazed their enemies, so that the
place to this day is called Balle-Nangartha, in English,
Garrestowne.
The strangers placed themselves on the South-west
side of the hill, that the forces of the Kings being on
the other side, somewhat beneath them, might not
easilie discrie their Armie; they appointed their worst
men for their Rereward, that seeing the Voward
valiantly encountring and prevailing, they might
thereby be the more encouraged. They placed their
rascals on their jades, nagges and labouring garrons,
on the top of an hill, where at this day is a little Mote
in remembrance thereof, giuing them in charge, that
when the forces of the land espied them, and drew
56
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
neere, they should retire to the maine battaile for
refuge and succour; they hoped by these meanes, that
the Kings when they saw so great a company flee,
would breake their order and
array to pursue them,
and so lay themselves open to utter ouerthrow; and
then was their intent to have made the King of Den-
markes sonne, King of the land, and to have enioyed
the Realme to them and their posteritie for euer.
The Kings of Ireland being seven in number,
tracing a while on the top of an hill (which therefore
was called after that, the hill of Trase, now Hol-trase)
divided themselves into two battailes. Gillemore, O
Connor Dunnes, sonne of Connaght (one that had
stood out in rebellion against the Kings untill that
time) had in the Voward the leading of the light
footmen, whereof they made least account; he therby
to winne their favours, and they to hazard him first.
Dermotte Lamhdhearg, King of Leinster had the
charge of the horsemen; their bonnys were double
armed, well appointed, active and venturous souldiers.
Dermot being well mounted, got him to an advantage
of ground, and turned him to the armie with this
speech.
My friends and fellowes in Armes, whose great
valour hath been oft tryed; understand (I beseech you)
the cause of this battaile. Whereas heretofore we
have sought out these, and hired them in our warres
for our defence and good of our country, against our
OF IRELAND.
57
forraine enemies, to be at our service and command,
they have committed all manner of outrage against
vs, and extortion upon the people of this land; they
abused our wives, ravished our widowes, defloured our
daughters and maidens; their meate, their drinke,
their bedding, will not content them, but they must
have money for eating, drinking and sleeping. Where
they should have beene our true and dutifull seruitors,
they disdained the Princes of the land, and made the
people their villaines. By maintaining of them, wee
made our country men idle and unapt for the warres,
by inriching of them we have beggered our selves,
and now see the villany of these verlates, our provision,
our furniture, our Armes, and forces of our native
soile, they bend against us, and not onely this, but
they have drawne to their present aide, afresh, both
Danes and Norwegians. Wherefore plucke up your
hearts, quitte your selues like men, our cause is good,
wee fight for our selves, our wives and children, and
the libertie of our country; if we lose, we are lost for
euer, and our children become bondslaues, and our
country subiect to these bloudy rascall strangers.
He had no sooner ended his speech, but they all
kissed the ground, and gave a terrible shout, that the
woods about them rang thereat. On the other side,
one Osker Mac Oshen, experienced in the warres, and
bold of speech, craved of the Danes and Norweyes
libertie to speake, and began as followeth.
58
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
My masters and fellowes, the cause of this our
assemblie is knowne unto you; it is to maintaine that
which we honourably wonne in the field, and was
granted our ancestors and their posteritie, the which
we have in writing to shew, under the hands and seales
of the ancestors of these faithlesse Kings and Princes
that be in Armes against us. There is no haven,
creeke or port in Ireland, but that our predecessors
and we tooke the charge of them, since our first
arrivall here out of Denmarke, and valiantly defended
them maugre the beards of all forraigne enemies. We
fought many a battaile for them, wee wanne them
tributes, and procured them discharge of tributes, the
which forraigne champions in combats had obtained of
them, and now for recompence, they endevour eyther
to banish us the land, or put us to the sword. Will
yee understand what they are, surely a people that
keepe no promise with us, therefore we doubt not but
the better to speed: and excepting a few of their
Princes and Gentlemen that are valiant men indeed,
and daily exercised in feats of Armes, the rest are but
pesants, poore and needy slaues, bare arst, bare legd,
and bare footed, and of small strength. For Armes,
they weare a skull, a sword by their side hanging in a
Wyth that compasseth their middle, and a Target;
othersome have darts; the best thing in them is, they
are swift of foot, & I hope we shal speedily have the
experience of that when we see them run away. Their
good meate & best drink we took, and made them fast,
OF IRELAND.
59
their treasure we tooke to furnish us in apparell and
Armes, and left tkem unfurnished and bare, their
bedding wee had, and made them lye on the ground,
their wives, widdowes and maides were at our com-
mand to keepe us warme in the night, and we gave
them leave to lye among their swine.d The best soile
we tooke to our selves, and gave them mountaines and
bogges: alas poore sillie fellowes, these be they that
now take Armes against us. Wherefore faint not, be
of good courage, and we shall prevaile; let us winne
vantage of ground, and get the side of the hill, and
bogge against them, that their horses prevaile not,
and once master them, we shall quickly over-runne
the pesants; now last, kisse one another, in token that
you will live and die one with another.
His words being ended, they marched forward with
Pipes, Cornets, and Trumpets sounding. Their chiefe
armes were Skeynes, Speares, Darts, Slings, and
Sparthes, (which we call Galloglas Axes:) they sent
their boyes and varlets, as they had formerly deter-
mined, to the top of the hill. The King of Leinster
that had the leading of the horsemen, no sooner
espied them, but (contrary to the plot laid downe
upon the hill of Trase) put spurres to his horse, and
with a loud voyce said, follow me, they were straight
upon
their backes that fled, so that the Danes had no
leisure to receive them for their safegard, but were
driven to kill their owne before, as the Irish did
* Fubian part 6. cap. 198, writeth that the Danes did the like in England.
K
60
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
behinde. Immediately came the light foot under the
leading of Gillemore, and together with the horse,
charged the voward of the Danes, so that the rascals
of the Danes, and the light footmen of the Irish
were slaine, with the death and hurt of many a Dane.
Then came the great battaile of the Kings of Ireland
in rescue of the horse, with a great and terrible noise,
and gave a stout charge upon the enemie (that kept
the ground, I meane the side of the hill) and fiercely
bare them downe to the bottome, where they fought a
cruell battell with equall fortune, almost the whole
day, untill the King of Denmarkes sonne was slaine
by the King of Leinster, whereupon the Danes fled,
the Irish followed, and had the killing of them with-
out resistance, till horse and man were weary, and the
Danes in a manner all destroyed. Of the Irish were
slaine (as I finde in the antiquities of the land) foure
Kings, twenty five Kings sonnes, and of others, nine-
teene thousand, seven hundred and threescore, though
others extenuate the matter. They say the horses
went to their bellies in bloud, also the ayre with the
stinke was infected, and thereof shortly after rose a
grievous plague, which cut off the wives, children,
and servants of the Danes, and of many of the Irish
that were slaine.
There was at this field, one Ferreis a Dane, a va-
liant souldier in the fight, but escaping with life, for
very sorrow of the overthrow, and losse of his friends,
fell madde, and kept company with wilde beasts to his
OF IRELAND.
61
dying day. Fin Mac Coile, one of the principall
Captaines of the Danish sept, was in Rome at the time
of this field; many things are reported of him worthy
remembrance. His chiefe house was called Baragh-
llys in Vlster; he was a man in his prosperitie of great
command in Ireland, so that the Danes and Norwey-
ans had through him great dealing and entercourse
with Ireland, and Ireland with them. But yet (as it
sometime falleth out among the deerest friends) many
jarres and broiles and factions fell betweene them, and
especially betweene the sept of Klan ne Morne, and
Klan ne Boisken, both which sides still relieved them-
selves out of Denmarke. The King of Denmarke at
last hearing of the fame of Fin Mac Coile, sent for
him, and tooke such a liking to him, that he con-
cluded to marry him unto his daughter. Fin went
thither with three thousand souldiers: the King one
day as they conversed together, asked after the man-
ner of the death of his three sonnes, Comen, Law-ne-
Meyd, and Feagh, who formerly went into Ireland to
maintaine one of the factions; Dermot O Doyne,
(one of Fins company) answered, trouble not thy
selfe, O King, this is the hand that killed thy sonne
Comen; one Osker said, this is the hand that killed
thy sonne Law-ne-Meyd; Keyn Mac Fin also said,
this is the hand that killed thy sonne Feagh.
Feagh, Here-
with the King was wroth and said, Fin Mac Coile,
thou and thy men are my prisoners; forthwith they
drew their Skeynes, the Kings guard for feare fled,
they tooke him prisoner, carried him aboord their
62
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
shippes, hoised up saile, and brought him to Ireland,
so as the marriage was dasht, and the King driven to
pay a ransome for his libertie, before he could get
from them. This Fin Mac Coile also fought with a
Gyant that landed at Houth, and came to challenge
combats for tribute, and by policie, not by strength,
overcame him: his policie was this; he caused him in
the night, (for the space of three nights) to be kept
waking, and in the day time to be fought withall, and
thereby weakened his strength, and foiled the Gyant.
Toward his end, one Gorre an old man, after these
former warres and troubles, came to his house (before
spoken of) and boasted unto the Gentlewomen then
present, of his feates in warre, and the combats he had
fought, whereat they laughed; he being offended with
them, sware in his anger that hee would burne them
all, got old timber and straw, put it in the house,
fired it, made fast the doores, and compassed about the
house with men that none might escape. They cryed
unto him out of their windowes to save their lives, but
he was inexorable, and could not bee drawne to any
compassion, and when the house was readie to fall, he
fled into Mounster, and there hid himselfe in a Cave.
Fin Mac Coile came home from hunting, and beheld
this wofull desolation, how his Wife, his Maides, his
old Souldiers, his Horses, his Greyhounds, his Plate
and houshold stuffe, his Shields, Iackes, and Shirts of
maile, and his instruments of Musicke, were consumed
to ashes, made after Gorre into Mounster, where he
found him, and after some skirmish of both sides,
OF IRELAND.
63
tooke him, and brought him to the place where he
had committed this villany. Gorre when hee beheld
the bones of them that were burned, laughed, and
being asked why, his answer was, that hee laughed
at them that formerly laughed at him. This wilie
Gorre being kept that night from execution, in the
dead of the night stole away, and was found in a Cave,
where by commandment of Fin Mac Coill, Hugh
Gorre his owne sonne killed his father, and after be-
came madde himselfe. And the end of Fin Mac Coill
was, that he dyed a beggar and in great miserie. So
farre out of the booke of Houth. Now to continue
the storie.
It is written of Maximus, who beganne his raigne
in Britaine, Anno Dom. 387, that he tooke great dis-
pleasure against the Scots and Irish, for partaking
with Conan, and upholding the faction betweene him
and Carodoch: thus it is written; Maximus e drave
the Scots out of Britaine, and compelled them to get
habitation in Ireland, the out Iles, and the North part
of the maine, and finally divided their region betweene
the Britaines and the Pictes. He denounced warre
also against the Irish men, for receiving them into
their land; but they craving peace, yeelded to sub-
scribe, that from thenceforth they would not receive
any Scot into their dominions.
W. Harrison in the description of Brit. Georg, Buchun. reg. Scot. lib. 4,
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Hector Boetius f penneth this matter at large, that
all the Scots were banished, and despersed themselves
into the Hebrydes, Orchades, Norwey, Denmarke,
and some into France and Italie. And where Max-
imus somewhat tendred their utter ruine and over-
throw; and referred them to the Pictes for favour, the
Pictes most cruelly gave sentence, that the Scots
which fled not, should eate the Pictes sword, &c. And
of Ireland he writeth, Vpon the first comming of this
newes, all Ireland mourned and made great lamenta-
tion; and when they had deliberately examined the
exiles, and understood all the accidents that befell
them in Albion, they appointed certaine dayes for a
parley, summoned from East to West, all the Princes
of the land to meete their Monarch at the certaine
day and place prefixed, to consult how and by what
meanes the Roman forces might be resisted, and the
kingdome of Albion restored to their allies and cou-
sins the Scots. When they could devise no remedie
(for they feared the power of the Romanes) they
thought good to put up all iniuries, and to intreate
for peace. To this purpose they sent Ambassadors
to Maximus the Romane Captaine, who at the first
sharpely rebuked them, for that they had sent aide
into Albion against the Romanes their confederates
and favourites, and in especiall, seeing that unto that
day, Ireland of all the kingdomes of the world, felt
f H. Boet. Scot. hist. lib. 6.
•
OF IRELAND.
65
little smart of the Romane sword. In the end he re-
ceived them into favour, and granted them peace upon
these conditions. That they should thenceforth receive
no enemies of the Romanes into the Realme of Ireland,
neither any that gave aide against the Romanes, and
that no rebell of the Irish under pretence of marchan-
dize, should thenceforth set foot in Albion. These
conditions of peace being concluded, the Irish were
quiet, and trode not upon Scottish soile. So farre
Boetius.
upon
Not long after this (according to Ponticus Viru-
nius E) Guanius, King of Hunnes, and Melga King
of Pictes having long hulled here and there, and roved
the seas, were by Gratianus (after their invading
of Britaine and Scotland, in the absence of Maximus)
overthrowne, and driven out of the kingdome, and
forced to flee for refuge into Ireland: foule weather
followed these two Kings, and Ireland
gave them hard
entertainment at the first. Notwithstanding I finde,
that this Guanius and Melga, after the death of this
Gratianus, (who usurped the kingdome of Britaine
for the space of foure yeeres upon the death of
Maximus, who had slaine Gratianus the Emperour)
prepared againe for Britaine, and brought with them
the exiled Scots with Irish and Ilanders for their aide.
But to proceed.
Thomas Cooper, who afterwards was Bishop of
• Ponticus Firunius lib. 4.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
h
Winchester, speaking of the returne of the Scots from
exile (in his continuing of the Chronicle of Lanquet)
maketh the same to be Anno Dom. 423. and withall
delivereth his conceit, that the Scots about this time
came first out of Ireland into that country, which of
them was called Scotland. If he had referred it to a
further
yeere, namely when the sixe sonnes of Muredus
King of Vlster came to Scotland, haply it would have
carried some probabilitie: but to say that it was the
first comming of the Scots into Scotland, I doe no
more like of it, then George Buchanan ¹ doth, neither
doth it concurre with the antiquities precedent or sub-
sequent. Cambrensis and Stanihurst doe direct me
in this course. Here I am to note, (saith Cambrensis)
that in the time of Neall, Monarch of Ireland, the
sixe sonnes of Muredus, King of Vister, with no
small navie, possessed the North parts of Britaine,
whence the nation issuing out of them, and by speciall
name called Scottish to this day, inhabite that north-
erne angle; but upon what occasion they came hither,
how and by what great treasons (rather then voyages)
they banished the Pictes from those parts, a stout
nation, farre passing them for armes and courage, I
referre to our Topographie of Britaine. Stanihurst i
addeth; this inrode into Albania was a little before the
comming of Patricke. So that these Noble men of
Ireland came into Scotland in the time of Neale, and
h Rerum Scot. lib. 5.
i Stan, in appendice.
OF IRELAND.
67
Patricke came into Ireland in the time of Leigerius
the sonne of Neale, as hereafter more at large shall
appeare.
In the meane time we reade, how that (Anno 430.
according to Functius) Celestinus Bishop of Rome
sent Palladius into Scotland, who was the first that
gave them Bishops, for unto that time, the Churches
without Bishops, were governed by Monkes, k with
lesse pride and outward pompe, but with greater
sanctitie and meekenesse of spirit, &c. I make men-
tion of him, for that (as our Irish Anonymus, and
Iocilin¹ doe write) he landed in the North parts of
Ireland, where he hardly escaped with life, as it is re-
ported, thence he went to the Ilands, where he did
much good, lastly he came to Scotland, preached the
Gospell, rooted out the Pelagian heresie, and conse-
crated them Bishops, &c.
At this time (as it is written in the life of Declanus)
Christian religion first beganne, and tooke roote in
Ireland, not as some have dreamed, by Saint Iames the
Apostle, neither by Saint Patricke, whom they terme
the Apostle of Ireland. The truth of the historie is
as followeth. There was one Colmannus in Mounster,
a reverend Priest, (and the first Christian which I
finde upon record in Ireland) that baptized one De-
* Geo. Buchanan rey Scot. lib. 5.
Iocelin in vita Sancti Patricij cap. 24
L
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
帷
​clanus, and delivered him to be brought up unto one
Dymna a Christian schoolemaster, under whom he
profited so much, that his fame was spread farre and
nigh, so that upon good advice and counsaile, he tra-
vailed to Rome, where Celestinus the Pope consecra-
ted him Bishop, where also he met with Albœus a
Bishop of Irish birth. In his returne from Rome, he
mette with Patricke in Italie, conversed a while with
him, and being inioyned by Celestinus, hastened to
Ireland, and left Patricke that was bound for Rome.
Declanus after his arrivall in Ireland, came among
his
owne sept (whom mine Author calleth Nandesi, and
I take to be the ancient house of the Decies) not farre
from Lismore, and there preached the Gospell, and
converted many to the Christian faith. Thither came
unto him, (saith the Legend) seven holy men Mocel-
log, Beanus, Colmanus, Lachuyn, Moby, Fyndlug,
and Caminanus: they builded them celles, conversed
together, and planted the Christian faith over all
Mounster. He went to Engus the sonne Nafrygh,
King of Mounster, whose Pallace was in Cassill, who
gave him leave to preach, yet received not the faith;
the reason of this favour (as I finde it) was for that
Engus had married his mother, and had issue by her,
Colman and Eochard. Colman was
Colman was by Saint Albæus
the Bishop baptized, and then received the Ecclesias-
ticall habite, Eochard raigned after his father King
of Mounster.
Saint Declanus took a second iourney to Rome, and
OF IRELAND.
69
was reverently entertained by David Bishop of Me-
nevia; after the effecting of his businesse, he returned
into Ireland, and arrived in a place called Ard-naciored,
in Latine Altitudo ovium, now called Ardmore, the
which soile the Lord of Nandesi gave him, where
goodly buildings have beene, and as the record run-
neth, Civitas sancti Declani quæ in eo loco posita est,
vocatur Ardmore, id est, Altitudo magna. Farther
in the same Legend I finde, Quatuor sanctissimi
Episcopi,cum suis discipulis fuerunt in Hibernia,
ante Patricium prædicantes in ea Christu, scilicet,
Albæus, Declanus, Ybarus & Kyaranus (alias Keran)
& hi plures ad Christum rete evangelico traxerunt, sed
tamen sanctus Patricius Majores Hiberniæ, & poten-
tiores ad fidem convertit. In their time Patricke
sent from Celestine Bishop of Rome came to Ireland
whom these foure Bishops with their followers saluted,
and seeing Patricke (after the humour of humorous
people) more graced then themselves, jarred with him,
they would not (forsooth) have any of forraigne na-
tion to patronize the land. In the originall it is re-
corded: barus nulla ratione consentire Sancto Pa-
tricio, nunquam ei subditus esse voluit, nolebat enim
Patronum Hibernia de alia gente habere, & con-
flictus magnos inter se ipsos Ybarus & Patricius fece-
runt. But afterward by much adoe, they were recon-
ciled. See gentle reader the infirmitie of men, and
emulation following the same. At Cassill they were
reconciled by Engus King of Mounster, whom Pat-
ricke baptized, who after his baptisme, founded there
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
the Catherdall Church, in the honour of Saint Pat-
ricke, made it the Metropolitane See of Mounster, and
assigned Albæus the first Bishop there. This King
held there a Parliament of spirituall and temporall
persons of his kingdome, ratifying the premisses, pa-
cifying all quarrels, and yeelding contentment to all
sides, The Legend reporteth, in quo decretum est ut
Albæus secundus Patricius, & Patronus Mumeniæ es-
set; & Declanus secundus Patricius, & Patronus esset
Nandeisi, & Nandeisi sua Diocesis usque ad finem se-
culi esset. Postea sancti Episcopi salutantes & benedi-
centes regem Engusum, ad sua in osculo pacis, cum
spirituali gaudio, ad opus Domini seminandum regresi
sunt. Wherein it was decreed, that Albæus should be
a second Patricke and Patron of Mounster, and that
Declanus should be a second Patricke and Patrone of
Nandeisi, and that Nandeisi should be his Diocesse to
the end of the world. After all, these holy Bishops
saluted and blessed King Engus, and in the kisse of
peace, with spirituall ioy, returned every one to his
`charge, to sow the worke of the Lord. Immediately
there insued a grievous plague over all Mounster, and
especially at Cassill, which was the death of thousands;
the manner of it was this, first they had the yellow
jaundies, then they fell downe for dead. King Engus
lamented greatly the death of seven Nobles of Moun-
ster, that were pledges with him at Cassill, and mis-
carried in this mortalitie. Not long after, Declanus
ended the way of all flesh, and lyeth buried at Ard-
more.
OF IRELAND.
71
Albæus, (as his owne Legend delivereth) the second
Patrone of Mounster after Patricke the generall Pa-
trone of Ireland was borne in Elyach, now called Ely
O Caroll. His fathers name was Olenais, his mothers,
Sandith, a maid servant in the house of King Cro-
nanus, the Lord of Eliach was then called a King.
Cronanus in his rage, bid his servants hang the whoore,
and kill the childe; the servants loath to dispatch an
innocent, tooke him out of his Pallace, and laid him
under the side of a rocke. One Lochanus the sonne
of Lugyr passing by, pittied the childe, tooke him to
his horse, and set him to nurse among certaine Bri-
taines, in the East part of Elyach. Palladius (saith
the story) passing from Rome toward Scotland, and
travelling through Ireland, baptized him. The Bri-
taines sent him into France, where hee was trayned
up in Christian schooles, and brought up under Bishop
Hilarius, who sent him to Rome, where he was con-
secrated Bishop, and remained one whole yeere and
fiftie dayes, preaching and expounding holy Scripture,
with great admiration. And saith the Legend, there
came unto him out of Ireland, fiftie grave and reverend
men, of which number there were 12 Colmans, 12
Coenigeni, and 12 Fintans; the Bishop of Rome sent
them backe into Ireland, they came to Dolomoir, where
Sampson Bishop of that See gave them entertainement.
There he baptized (saith the storie) King Fintan. After
he had baptized and converted many unto the faith,
and builded many Churches, and founded
many Hos-
pitals for lazers, he came to Ymleach, now called
72
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
Emley, a Bishopricke, and in the Legend, termed his
owne Citie, fell sicke, and there left his bones. He
conversed with Biga, (whom learned Camden calleth
Bega) & Bretach Nunnes, and with Nessanus a great
Antiquarie, saith mine Author, whose antiquities I
never saw.
Kyaranus or Keran, alias Piran, (another of the
foure Bishops that lived in Ireland before Saint Pa-
tricke) commeth next to be spoken of. Of him,
Capgrave and the Martyrologe thus write, that hee
was a Bishop and Confessour, and termed Sanctorum
Hiberniæ primogenitus. And yet I finde in Molanus,
that one Saint Mansuetus, (Bishop of Tullum now
called Tullense oppidu, a towne in Flanders) was of
Irish birth, fellow Disciple with Saint Clement, under
Saint Peter the blessed Apostle, not trayned up in
Ireland in the Christian faith, but in forraigne coun-
tries, where he was both baptized, instructed, and
made Bishop, and where he now resteth. But to re-
turne to Keran, he was borne in Ossorie, having to
his father Domnell, (saith another, Lugnæus, whereby
I gather, there were two of that name) to his mother
Wingella, famous for life, learning, and sanctitie, in
the dayes of Saint Patricke. He lived in the Ile of
Cleere some 30 yeeres, from thence he went to Rome,
where hee met Saint Patricke, who came to Ireland
30. yeeres after Pyranus was of note; in Rome hee
continued 15. yeeres, expounding holy Scripture with
great admiration, (as another saith 20. yeeres) there
OF IRELAND.
73
the Bishop of Rome consecrated him Bishop. He
came to Ireland, and was the first Bishop of Ossorie,
having his See at Keran in Elie O Carroll. Hee re-
freshed, (saith mine Author) Saint Patricke, and
tenne Irish Kings for the space of three dayes, he
confirmed Rhodanus in the faith, visited the Virgin
Cota (with her Priest Geranus) whose cell was a
rocke of the seas, not farre from the Citie of Cluan in
Mounster. He was a man of an austere life, never
ware woollen garment, but the fell of Wolves and
wilde beasts. As he came to his lodging, in time of
Lent, and having inquired what provision they had,
answere being made, that they had but a pestle of
Porke, he commanded it to be laid on the table, one
scornefully refused the dyet, he misliking with him,
threatned him an ill end, which accordingly came to
passe. When by the course of nature he saw his end
approach, he called his friends unto him, and said:
My welbeloved children and friends, God hath dis-
posed that I should trauaile out of Ireland into Corne-
wall, and there expect, the end of my dayes; I cannot
withstand the will of God; I doe admonish
you bre-
thren, to uphold the place, with good workes and
examples of life, for there shall come children of per-
dition and death among you, ye shall have mortalitie
and warres, the Churches shall become waste and de-
solate, and the truth shall be turned into iniquitie,
faith shall not shine with good workes, the Pastors
will looke to themselves more then to their flocke,
feeding themselves more then their sheepe: last of all,
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
I beseech
you brethren, pray for me that
me that my iourney
may
be prosperous, and that after my decease, I finde
not my King and
my God
angry, but
but gentle and
appeased, when I shall appeare before him. He tooke
leave, came to Cornewall, and resteth some fifteene
miles from Petrok-stow, 25. miles from Mousehole,
where he is remembred for their Patron. Cambrensis
writeth, that in Caerdise in Wales, there is a Chappell
called Saint Perans Chappell, where King Henry the
second in his returne from Ireland, repaired to heare
divine service, as he hath remembred it in his Booke
intituled Itinerarium Cambriæ. And thus much of
Saint Keran or Saint Peran.
Of Ybarus the fourth Bishop before Saint Patricke,
I finde some discourse in the Legend of Abbanus the
Abbot, how hee baptized him, and brought him
up in
learning, and how they went together to Rome, and
after their returne, conversed in Ireland with Saint
Patricke, as formerly in part hath beene delivered
in the life of Declanus.
This Abbanus is renowned in Ireland for building
of Celles and religious houses; besides three Monas-
teries in Connaght, he built in Mounster, Ceall
Achard Conchun, alias, Kill Achard, where Saint
Finan (whom he baptized) after his death was Abbot.
In the borders of Muskerry he builded the Nunnery
of Husneach, and left it to Saint Gobnaid and her
Virgins, another Monasterie also by Kilcullen. In
OF IRELAND.
75
Nandesi (as I take it now called the Decies,) by the
towne of Briogoban, he founded Kill-na-Marban, and
at the foot of the mountaine Crotte in Muskerie, the
famous Monasterie called Cluain-Airdmobecoc, where
Saint Becanus was Abbot, the which afterward, be-
cause of Becanus his lamentation in devout sort (as it
is written) for his sinnes, was called Ceall Nander,
Cella lachrymarum, the cell of teares. He founded
also Cluain Findglaise, & Cluain Conbrum, and went
into Ely, where he baptized and converted unto the
faith, thousands, as the Legend reporteth, in a place
afterward called Rath. Becain, in Latine, Atrium
Becani, where Abbanus is recounted Patron. He
builded a Monasterie upon the river Berba, called
Ross-Mac Treoin, where the Abbot Saint Emenus
resteth; also in Meath, Ceall-Ailbe, and committed
the charge thereof to the holy Nunne Segnith and her
associates, and in the North part of that country, a
Nunnery, Ceall Abbain, where he made an end of his
course, and slept with his fathers. There was great
strife for his corps, betweene the North and the South,
the Lords of the country strove for it in Armes. The
North pleaded, here hee first builded and made his
abode, the South answered, with us was he borne,
with us hee most conversed, and we will have his
corps, or else we will leave our carkasses in this place.
The body was laid in a Cart, bruit beasts had the
drawing of it, when both sides were in Armes, the
silly beasts were frighted, and ranne away with the
dead, and where he was buried, I have not found as
M
76
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
yet. His Monkes howled, and kept a lamentable
stirre; the record runneth thus Populus civitatis
Magarnoid in Australibus Laginensibus sic dicebat.
Iste sanctus a Domino ad nos missus est, & per multos
annos apud nos vixit, & monastaria multa et cellas in
nostra regione edificavit, et ipse est noster Sanctus et
venerabilis Pater, qui nostra civitatem similiter con-
struxit, qui post multa miracula, apud nos, ad Do-
minum migravit, et per eum samper a Domino adju-
vari speramus, et scitote, quod nos morti omnes prius
trademus, antequam revertamini, eo a nobis absente.
Ad hanc vocem ira principum et militum utrorumque
arsit, surgentes in furorem magnum, contendere et
rixari conantes. Tunc verò monachi & clerici, quibus
non licebat bellare, seorsum exierunt, ululantes &
flentes, & fusis lachrymis dicentes; heu heu Domine
Deus, cur concedis tam maximam cædem, tantoru
nobilium virorum, circa corpus famuli tui, qui in sua
vita multa bella prohibuit? He had familiaritie with
Saint Beartanus an Abbot, Brendanus, Molyng,
Flannanus, Munnu, Gobban, and with Columba the
reverend Priest.
Saint Patricke was sent into Ireland by Celestinus
Bishop of Rome before named, five yeeres after Pal-
ladius was sent into Scotland. So writeth Iohannes
Major Scotus, and Functius therein followeth him;
but I thinke they are too forward in their computa-
tion, for hee came into Ireland, Anno 432. and for
this beside John Bale Bishop of Ossorie, I have war-
OF IRELAND.
77
0
rant from Jocelin m the Monke of Furnese, who wrote
his life at the request of Thomas, Primate of Ardmagh,
Malachias Bishop of Dune, and Sir Iohn de Courcy
Earle of Vlster; and out of Sigebertus n and Iohn Clyn
Guardian of the Fryers Minors in Kilkenny in his col-
lections of Irish antiquities, who also saith, that he
was 16. yeeres old when the Pirates brought him out
of Britaine into Ireland, that he was sixe yeeres in
servitude, that he was eighteene yeeres under Saint
Germane a Bishop in France, that he spent thirty and
five yeeres in converting Ireland and other Ilands to
the faith, that he bestowed thirty three yeeres in con-
templation, and that hee died anno ætatis, one hun-
dred twenty two.
Bale P writeth his life. Patricius surnamed Succe-
tus Magonius, of most writers called Magnus for his
excellent vertues, had in Britaine to his father one Cal-
phurnius a Priest (the sonne of Ponticus a Priest,
saith Iocelin) and to his mother one Conche of Pan-
nonia (Concessa saith Probus) sister to Saint Martin
(cosin saith Iocelin :) hee was brought up under godly
tutors, when Maximus reigned, first under his uncle
Martin, afterward under Germanus Bishop of Auxerre
Iocel. in præf. ad vitam Patric.
Sigeb. ad. an. 432.
• Iohannes Clyn Antiq. Hiber.
* Iohn Bale Scrip. Britt. cent. 1. & 14.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
in Burgoyne, from thence he came to Italy, and so to
Rome, where for his grave carriage and singular learn-
ing, descending of noble race, he got the name of a
Senator, Patricius. His first name, saith Florilegus
was Nannus, and in his consecration hee was called
Patricius; Sigebertus and Stanihurst write, that in
his baptisme hee was called Suchat or Suchar; of
Saint German, Magonius; and of Celestinus, Patri-
cius; the like saith Beda in his Martyrologe.
Celestinus then Bishop of Rome sent him together
with Segetius a Priest, anno 432 after Palladius the
Grecian, unto the Scots and Irish, to defend them
from the Pelagian heresie; he with a wonderfull fer-
vency of spirit preached the Gospell unto the Irish
nation, travailing in the vineyard of the Lord the
space of thirty nine yeeres, converted them unto the
Lord with his great learning, and sanctity of life.
Whereupon among other miracles (the which he is
said to have wrought) upon the top of an hill, like a
second Elias, he prayed and fasted forty dayes and
nights, in a vision hee received of Christ the Gospell,
and a staffe, (an Hermit gave him the staffe saith
Iocelin.) Hee destroyed the prophane temples of
false gods, hee erected monuments of piety, builded
Churches, ordained Ministers, releeued the poore, re-
deemed captives, healed the sick, delivered the pos-
sessed, raised sixty dead persons, baptized twelve thou-
sand, if all be true which Vincentius, Antonius, and
Capgrave report of him. Out of the treasure of his
་
OF IRELAND.
79
pure heart, many Anthors affirme, that he wrot in
Latine these bookes.
De antiquitate Avalonica.
lib. 1
Itenerarium Confessionis
lib.
1
O doeporicon Hiberniæ
lib.
1
Historia Hiberniæ ex Ruano
lib.
1
De tribus habitaculis
lib. · 1
De futura electoru vita
lib. 1
Abiectoria quædam 366
lib. 1
Sermones quoque
lib. 1
q Ad Cereticum tyrannum, .
epist. 1
Ad Avaloniæ incolas..
epist. 1
Ad Hibernenses Ecclesias.
epist. plur.
Ad suos Britannos.
epist. plur.
The manuscript Legend of Ireland reporteth, that
Saint Patrick in his Epistles wrote his owne life.
The Antiquaries report, that in his conflicts with the
sages
of the Gentiles, this Apostle of the Irish wrought
no lesse miracles then of old Moses under Pharaoh, or
Peter under Nero, and that he endured many dis-
pleasures. In the end after his death, hee was buried
neere the City of Dune, but the yeere among the
Historiographers is not agreed upon; yet in remem-
brance of him this distichon was made.
Hi tres in Duno tumulo tumulantur in uno,
Brigida, Patricius, atque Columba pius.
• Probus lib. 2. of his life mentioneth it.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Saint Patrick died first, Brigida six
yeeres after
him, and Columba many yeeres after her, yet were all
three buried in one grave. What Bale hath formerly
written, I find he hath gathered out of Vincentius,
Antoninus, Capgrave, Leland, Gildas, Giraldus Cam-
brensis, Bostonus Buriensis, and Florilegus; and all
that Iocelin hath at large written, and what Legenda
Plumbea, and the booke of Houth report, to avoid
prolixity, and to shunne fabulous conceits, I omit.
Now to the Irish Chroniclers.
They deliver, that in his captivity in Ireland being
sold to Milcho King of Vlster (saith Iocelin) r to
Milach (saith Stanihurst) to Cuulen (saith Florilegus)
to Machuaine saith the Irish Anonymus, and to re-
concile them all, I take it that Milcho was called
Milcho Machuaine: he kept swine six yeeres; no dis-
grace unto him, for Marcellus Bishop of Rome (he
that will not beleeue other writers, will credit the Mar-
tyrologe of Sarum) by the commandement of Maxi-
mian the tyrant, kept swine many yeeres. When Pa-
tricks six yeeres were expired, one of the swine turned
up a clod, under the which lay so much mony as paid
his ransome. When he came the second time, he
landed at Carlingford, and inquired after Milcho
whose captive hee had beene, who would not giue
eare to his doctrine, but immediately after his death,
his two daughters of one name, Emeria were bap-
tized. Laigerius (in Iocelin, Leogarius) Monarch
• Joc. in vita Patricij cap. 12.
81
OF IRELAND.
of Ireland, the son of Neale harkning unto Magicians
and Sooth-sayers, gave commandement, (together
with his brother Corbre) unto the Country, for the
banishing of Saint Patrick, but Dichu and Rius (two
brethren and great Commanders under him) received
the faith, and Conil brother to Laigerius, who also
himselfe shortly after grew indifferent, winking at
them that did receive it, so that his Queene and his
yonger brother received the faith, and his two daugh-
ters. And of Laigerius he thus prophecied: because
thou hast alwaies withstood my doctrine, and ceased
not above measure to persecute me, and hast above
all disdained to beleeve in him that made all things,
thou art the childe of death. And whereas of right,
thou with the rest, yea before all thy confederates,
oughtest presently to enter into everlasting torments ;
yet insomuch as thou meekely commest unto me,
craving pardon, and like King Achab, humblest thy
selfe before my God, the Lord will not forthwith
bring upon thee the evill which thou hast deserved;
notwithstanding there shall none of thy seed after
thee sit upon thy seat, but shall serve thy yonger
brother that beleeveth in my God, and his seed after
him for ever.
As this holy man travailed in preaching the Gos-
pell, he met with a young man whose name was
Mochaa or Mocho, keeping swine, in whose physi-
ognomie hee perceived towardnesse and sparkles of
grace; he taught him, baptized him, trayned him up
82
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
t
S
in holy Scripture, made him Deacon, Priest, and
Bishop of Dune where he lyeth buried. Clonsillan
and Kellestowne, some five miles west of Dublin,
have him for their Patron, where under an high rocke
runneth a Spring called S. Mochon his Well. Next
he baptized one Benignus; called also Stephanus, so
Probus writeth, with his father, mother, & familie,
who proved so good a member in the Church of God,
that he succeeded S. Patricke in Armagh; this Be-
nignus, saith Capgrave, lyeth buried in Glastenburie.
Saint Patricke also received into the faith, one Er-
chas, the sonne of Dega, saith Iocelin, whom he also
made a Bishop. The Martyrologe of Sarum calleth
him Herkus. At that time, one Pheg a Poet, and
(saith Probus) Duptachus an Irish rymer or Poet in
Lastgerius his Court, desired baptisme, and afterward
all the dayes of his life, converted his vaine rymes
into Chrihian Poems, and did much good thereby
among the common people.
Saint Patricket had brought with him into Ireland
out of Italie, one Mac Cartyn, of Irish birth, so I
reade in the martyrologe of Sarum, and three sisters
of his owne, which proved very fruitfull. Lupita
(who lived a Virgin, and lyeth buried at Armagh)
Trigridia and Darercha. Tigridia had seventeene
S
Benignus or Stephanus, successour to Saint Patricke. A Nunne (saith
Jocelin) was in love with him, sent for him to her bed, but the signe of the
Crosse made all well.
* Ioc. cap. 49. 51. 53. 68, 69. & seq,
OF IRELAND.
83
sonnes, and five daughters; the men became Priests,
Monkes, and Bishops; the daughters were made
Nunnes the Bishops were called Brochadius, Bro-
chanus, Mogenochus, and Lumianus. Darerca the
yongest sister had two Bishops to her sonnes, Mel-
rioch and Munis: the martyrologe of Sarum reckon-
eth her children thus, Mele, Melk, Muncse, Bishops,
Riok, Finian and Bolke Abbots. Where I thinke
there is some errour, that Melrioch in Iocelin is Mele,
and Ryok in the maytyrologe.
Of Lumianus I reade, that he baptized a Lord of
the country, called Fedlemus, and his sonne Forker-
nus, whose mother was a Britain, his dwelling was at
Ahtrum. There Lumianus by their meanes builded a
Church some twenty five yeeres before the founding of
Armagh, the which he tooke for his Bishops See, and
ordered Forkernus to succeed him there. The posses-
sions (saith mine Author) which were first given to
this Church, afterward by the donations of other
Princes, fell to belong to Armagh.
The holy man Patricke laboured still in the vine-
yard of the Lord; he baptized Conallus, alias Conill,
Lord of Connaught, brother to Laigerius, and his
familie, who gave Patricke a country called Domp-
nac-Patricke, and builded for himselfe a dwelling place
called Raith-Artair. After seven yeeres, this Conill
sent him to his brother Logan (Cogan saith the
Booke of Houth) King of Leinster, whom hee bap-
N
84
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
}
tized, together with Amolgath (whom I take to be
the ancestour of the house of O Malaghlin) a great
Lord of a country, and his seven sonnes, (Florilegus
saith they were seven Kings.) After this, this holy
man comming out of Meth, and having passed over
the water at Finglas, went up to a hill some mile from
the village Athcled, now called Dublin. When he
had viewed the place and soile adjoyning, he blessed
the
same, and is said to have prophecied thus; This
village is now but small, it will be great, it will be in-
larged with wealth and worship, neither will it leave
increasing untill it bee advanced to the seate of the
Kingdome.
In a while after, he came to the village, where the
inhabitants hearing of the wonders which the Lord
wrought by his hands, went out to meete him with
much ioy, and beleeved by his preaching, and were
baptized. My Author addeth that upon complaint
made unto him, how that they were annoyed with
brackish waters, which of necessitie they were driven
to use, he walked about the village, turned
up cloddes,
digged the earth and found a Spring, which is now
called Saint Patrickes Well.
From this village Athcled, hee went to Castleknok,
where one Murguus dwelled and commanded those
places, who hearing of Patricks comming, refused to
give him entertainement, but sent him word that he
was asleepe, in which sleepe (as the storie saith) he
85
OF IRELAND.
died, of which accident the common saying ariseth,
Thou sleepest Murguus sleepe, applyed to those that
sleepe heavily, or are given to overmuch sleepe.
From Castleknok, he bent his course towards Moun-
ster, and came to King Engus, alias Oengus Mac
Nafroic, who received him ioyfully, and brought him
to his Palace at Cassill, saith Iocelin; where also one
Daris a great Lord in that country, shewed him much
kindenesse. When he had baptized the King, and
many thousands with him, he came to Vrmiunnan
now called Ormond, where in like sort they received
the faith, and the inhabitants in remembrance of him
builded a Church, and dedicated the same to his name.
From Mounster (where he preached seaven yeeres)
hee tooke his iourney backe to Vlster, and came to
King Eochu, whom he baptized, & his daughter
Cumia, whom he made a Nunne, and committed her
to the charge of the Nunne Cecubris (in the Nunnery
of Drumdukain) whom Patricke first vailed of all the
women in Ireland. Also he baptized Olcanus, who
went into France to studie, and upon his returne,
erected schooles in Ireland, and had many schollers,
whereof a great number were afterwards Bishops, he
himselfe towards his end, became a Bishop, and ended
his dayes in sanctitie. When Saint Patricke had bap-
tized a second Conallus (a petite King) and his bro-
ther Fergus, he prophecied of Fedlemus the sonne of
Fergus, and of Columba the sonne of Fedlemus, what
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
a holy man hee should prove, as after hee did, and was
the founder of an hundred Monasteries.
Saint Patricke for all this travaile sailed into Bri-
taine for coadiutors and fellow-labourers in this worke,
where he opposed himselfe both in publike and pri-
vate against the Pelagians and other heretickes which
disturbed the peace of the Church, and brought with
him thirty learned men, whom afterward he consecrated
Bishops. So that to this day in Britaine, (as in An-
glesey, Bristoll, Exeter, and other places) there are
Churches built in remembrance of him. He also con-
verted the Isle of Man to the faith, and there is a
Church which also beareth his name, and left them
one Germanus to bee their Bishop, after whose death
hee ordained for that place, Conidrius, Romillus and
Machaldus. Vpon his returne into Ireland, hee met
with sixe of his Disciples, of Irish birth, that had
beene Students beyond Seas, whom in the end he
made Bishops; Lugacius, Columbanus, Meldanus,
Lugadius, Cassanus, and Cheranus. Then he made
(saith Jocelin) a second iourney unto Athcled now
called Dublin; upon his comming, (which was about
twentie yeeres after their conversion) and found them
all given to idolatrie, and withall, one Alpinus a King
with his Queene, and his retinue, lamenting the death
of Eochiad their sonne and heire, and the drowning of
their sole daughter Dublinia. Patricke preached, the
people beleeved, the King hearing of him hoped to
OF IRELAND.
87
reape some comfort; to bee short, (saith mine Author)
the dead are raised to life, and Athcled ever after in
remembrance of the Kings daughter Dublinia, was
called Dublin.
Saint Patrickes manner was, first to Catechize,
secondly to baptize, lastly to minister the Sacrament
of the Lords Supper. When with the aide of the
country, he builded Churches, hee would not name
them after any Saints name, but Domnach the Church
of the Lord. And when he had procured a Church to
be builded in a place called Achad Fobuit, and conse-
crated his Disciple Sennachus, alias Seachuallus Bishop
there, the humble sute of Senachus unto him was,
that the Church should not be called after him, as the
manner was, (saith mine Author u) in many places
among the Irish people. The onely doctrine Patricke
read and expounded unto the people, was the foure
Evangelists, conferred with the old Testament. Hee
is reported to have given many blessings, and to have
denounced many curses. He had many Disciples,
Kertennus, Winnocus, Winwallocus, likewise saith
Molanus, Elberus, Ibarus, Connedus, Secundinus,
Assicus, Fiechus, Sennachus, Olcanus, with many
others which he made Bishops. I finde mention also
of Riochus that kept his Bookes and Papers, and of
Rodanus that kept his Cattell, that hee made them
Bishops, and the world made them Saints.
u Iocelin c. 132.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Ireland is greatly beholding unto him, for it is re-
corded that hee went up to the top of the Mount Hely
(I take it to be a hill in Ely, O Carrols country)
where he made three petitions unto Almighty God for
the people of Ireland that had received the faith.
× First, that every one might have grace to repent,
though it were at the last houre. Secondly, that they
might not be utterly destroyed by Infidels. Lastly,
that no Irish man should live till the day of Iudge-
ment; Quia delebitur per orationem sancti Patricij
septem annis ante judicium; for it shall be destroyed
by meanes of Saint Patrickes prayers, seaven yeeres
before the comming of Christ to iudgement. Probus
maketh mention of other Petitions, which for that I
hold them fabulous, I will not rehearse. He procured
(as it is written of him) seaven hundred Churches to
bee builded in Ireland, ordained five thousand Minis-
ters, consecrated three hundred and fifty Bishops,
successively, understand, in his time. y
Dariusz (the Booke of Houth calleth him Dares,
in Probus Dair) a Noble man, affecting Patricke,
and seeing him beare low saile, and shrowding himselfe
with all humilitie in Vlster, drew him to dwell at
Drumsailech, now called Armagh, and having used
* Flor. histor. Anton Chron, part 2. tit. 11. cap. 18.
y Iocelin cap. 187.
* Ioc. cap. 164. and 198.
ཉ
?
OF IRELAND.
89
meanes there for the building of a Church, Patricke
went to Rome, procured all confirmations necessary to
his purpose, arrived againe in Ireland, and being of the
age of 122. yeeres, ended his life in the time that
Aurelius Ambrosius raigned in Britaine, and Forth-
kerrus was Monarch of Ireland, Brigida and Ethem-
bria who then were accounted two holy women,
shrowded him to his grave, when Thassach a Bishop
had ministred the Sacrament. Probus writeth that
the Britaines came with great forces, attempting at
and that the
severall times to fetch
away his
corps,
men of Vlster did withstand them. As for the
As for the pur-
gatorie that is fathered upon him, I must referre the
reader to the yeere of grace, 850. where he shall finde
a second Patricke founder thereof.
In our Patricks time flourished many good Chris-
tians, renowned at this day, and as an Antiquarie and
collector of antiquities, I desire the christian reader to
accept of them as I finde them. And I will beginne
with Brigida that gave Saint Patricke his winding
sheete, shee was borne (as Iohn Clyn writeth) anno
439. in Fochart not farre from Dondalke, as Bernard
deliuereth, she was the base daughter of one Dup-
tacus, haply Laigerius his rymer before spoken of (a
Noble man saith Bale) of the North parts, a Captaine
of Leinster, saith the Book of Houth. Capgrave
writeth, that her mother in wantonnesse having con-
ceived, and her belly being espied to be up, Duptacus
his wife caused her to be turned out of doores; Dup-
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
tacus to avoid the iealousie and disquietnesse of his
wife, delivered her to a Poet or Bard, (a Magician
saith Bale) who kept both Mother and Daughter, and
trayned her up in such learning as he had skill in.
Shee proved so singularly learned, and was in such
account among all men, that a Synode of Bishops as-
sembled by Dublin, used her advice in weightie causes,
as I reade in the Booke of Houth. She became a
Nunne, and wrought but one miracle, (saith Bale)
that is, shee used meanes to purge a Bishop, one Bro-
nus or Bruno from fornication, when the fact was
manifestly proved against him. In the authenticke
manuscript Legend of Ireland, I finde that she kept
most in Leinster, and builded a Cell for her abode
under a goodly faire Oke, which afterwards grew to
be a Monasterie of Virgins, called Cyll-dara, in La-
tine, Cella Quercus, the Cell of the Oke, now Kil-
dare, and saith mine Author, ibique maxima civitas
postea in honore beatissima Brigidacrevit, quæ est
hodie metropolis Laginensium. The first Bishop by
her meanes was Conlianus, alias Conlaidus. Stani-
hurst reckoneth the succession of the See in this sort.
Lony.
Ivor.
Symon.
Nicholas.
William.
Galfride.
Colnie.
Walter.
Richard.
Donatus.
Richard.
Iames.
David.
Thomas.
Wale.
Magnus.
Robart.
Barret.
Richard.
Boniface.
Edmund Lane.
Iohn.
Madogg.
OF IRELAND
91
V
Who flourished in the yeere, 1518. So farre Master
Stanihurst:
Hector Boetius a putteth us in remembrance of the
honour given her by Scots, Pictes, Irish and English
nations, and how that many Churches beare her name.
The superstitious Irish in processe of time, found out
a Bell called Clogg Brietta, Brigids Bell, whereunto,
to deceive the simple people, they attribute great
vertue and holinesse, the which together with other
toyes they carried about, not onely in Ireland, but
also in England, and were by Act of Parliament in
England, banished the land in Henry the fifts time.
Cambrensis reporteth that the harmonie of the foure
Evangelists (the worke of Saint Jerome) was caused
by Brigid (most of it) to be written in letters of gold,
and was as curious a worke (saith he) as ever I saw,
and called Brigids Booke, the which was kept as a
monument (saith Stanihurst) at Kildare.
She deceased about the yeere 510. (another saith,
anno 548.) and about the yeere 524. she was translated
from the Hebrides into Dune, and resteth by Saint
Patrickes side, as formerly hath beene declared in his
life. Ireland hath given her this Epitaph.
Flos patria, pietatis amans, virtutis alumna,
Sidus Hibernorum, Brigida virgo fuit.
² Scot. hist. lib. 9,
Q
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
In her Legend I finde mention of Ercus, a Bishop,
the disciple of Saint Patricke, borne in Mounster,
also of Saint Ruanus a Bishop, Saint Numidus, Saint
Præcipuus, Saint Daria a Virgin, Saint Darlugdach
called a Virgin, and yet had a daughter that was bap-
tized in the presence of Brigide. This Darlugdach
was the second Nunne, and succeeded Brigide in Kil-
dare, whose remembrance is celebrated the same day
with her. Illand King of Leinster gave Brigide
great honour, of him I read in her Legend, that hee
was a most worthy Prince, and fortunate in all his
affaires. Illand Rex Lagenic qui triginta bella in
Hibernia vicit, octo certamina in Britannia, occidit
Engusium regem Momonia cum Ethna uxore, quos
Patricius baptizavit: Illand King of Leinster, who
wonne thirty battailes in Ireland, and eight combats
in Britaine, slue Engusus King of Mounster, and
Ethna his wife, whom Patricke had baptized.
About this time lived Calius Sedulius, whom Da-
mianus à Goes, a Knight of Portingall challenged for
a Spaniard. Bale writeth hee was a Scot, and Stani-
hurst that he was borne in Ireland. I will first lay
downe what Bale hath, next what Stanihurst reporteth.
Calius Sedulius (saith Bale b) by nation a Scot, by
calling a Priest, a man trayned up in learning from
his youth, cleaved as a diligent scholler unto Hildebert,
the most learned Archbishop of Scots, as Tritemius
delivereth. After the decease of his master, being
• Iohannes Bale Script. Brit. cent. 14.
OF IRELAND.
93
desirous of farther knowledge, he tooke a painefull
voyage in hand, travailed throughout Spain, France,
Italie, Greece and Asia; last of all, after he had
read in Achaia most learned lectures, to the great
profit of many, hee came backe to Rome, where with
great labour he distributed most abundantly in like
sort the treasure of singular learning. Hee was a
man exercised in holy Scripture, of a singular wit,
excellently well seene in all manner of secular litera-
ture, passing both for verse and prose, so that Gelasius,
Bishop of Rome, in the decrees, dist. 15. calleth him
reverend Sedulius, and gave his workes no meane com-
mendation. Paterius the disciple of Gregorius Magnus,
and Remigius Antisiodorensus, in his commentary
him of old have published his fame and renowne.
Sedulius both in verse and prose hath published many
workes, whereof in Boston of Burie, and Tritemius,
I onely found these that follow. Vnto Macedonius the
Priest, a singular worke, which he intituled
upon
Carmen paschale. . . ... lib. 4
Elegia vel exhortato-} lib. 1
rium ad fideles. . . .
De signis & virtutibus..lib. 1
Gesta et miracula Christi lib. 4
Superutroque testamento lib. 2
In Psalmos Dividicos.. lib. 1
Collectanea in Paulum lib. 14
In Paulum ad Romanos lib.
Ad Corinthios..
Ad Galatas..
Ad Ephesios
Ad Philippenses
1
lib. 2
.. lib. 1
•
lib. 1
...lib. 1
Paccales quicunq; dapes conviva requiris.
Cantemus socij Dom. cantemus honorem.
Domino meo charissimo:
Expulerat quondam, &c.
Antequam Apostolica verba.
Sciendum est quod hoc.
Quod nomen suum proponit.
Hoc est non ab humana.
Refert scriptura testante.
Metropoli Macedoniæ cum.
94
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Ad Colossenses
lib. 1
Hac vice Apostolatus autor.
Ad Thessalonicenses....lib. 2
Quod non dicit Apostolus.
Ad Timotheum
. lib. 2
Non secundum præsumptionem:
Ad Titum Discipulum
.. lib. 1
lib. 1
Ad Philemonem..
Ad Hebræos
+
lib. 1
lib. 1
De factis Christi prosaice lib. 2
Ad Cæsarem Theodosiu.. lib. 1
Epist ad diversos
lib. 1
In editionem Donati....lib. 1
In Prisciani volumen.... lib. 1
Carmina diversi generis.. lib. 1
He published also cer-
taine Hymnes which
the Church useth.
Hanc epistolam scribit de.
In carcere vel in catenis.
Quoniam apud Habræorum:
Romulidum ductor Clariss.
Sedulius Scotigena dilect.
1 СA solis ortus cardine
Ad usque terræ limitem
Christem canamus principem, &c.
2 | Hostis Herodes impie
Christum venisse quid times? &c.
He flourished in the yeere after the Incarnation,
450. under Theodosius Iunior the Emperour, what
time Fergusius the second raigned in Scotland after
his miserable exile by the Romanes. Of this Au-
thor, Sigebertus and Bostonus write more. So farre
Bale.
Stanihurst c pleadeth for Ireland, and writeth: Se-
dulius was not only of Irish birth, but also the light
of all Ireland, neither will we suffer any longer so ex-
cellent a man out of his native soile contrary to all
right to exile or wander, but he is rather to be re-
stored to his former inheritance, as it were with a new
solemnity of birth. In another place d hee seemeth to
e R. Stan. prefac. ad lib. 1. de reb. Hib.
• Append. ad cap. 17.
OF IRELAND.
95
qualifie the matter (having already chalenged Da-
mianus a Goes of iniurie) and to reconcile the disso-
nance of varying writers, that the Scottish is taken
for the Irish, and the Irish for the Scottish; and to
satisfie the reader, noteth the confusion, how that all
the commentaries of Sedulius upon the Epistles of
Paul beginne, Sedulij Scoti Hibernensis, &c. the
Commentarie of Sedulius the Scot of Ireland. And
to shut up this challenge of all sides, I finde that
there was a second Sedulius, a man of no lesse fame
and learning, and hee is said to bee a Scottish man,
therefore let Ireland being more antient then Scot-
land, take the first, and Scotland the last.
In the like sort (excepting the challenge) standeth
Fridelinus Viator, e so called by reason of his great
travaile; his stile is, Scotorum Hibernicorum regis
olim filius, the sonne sometime of the King of the
Scots in Ireland, whom I couch among them of Irish
birth, because of the ancient stile and distinction often
used by Buchanan, Scoti Albanenses, and Scoti Hi-
bernenses, the first he challengeth for Scotland, the
second he referreth to Ireland, and therefore I accept
of him as granted. He was a Kings sonne of Ireland,
excellently studied in Philosophie, earnestly addicted
to the ecclesiasticall course of life, and to the end he
might plant religion, and spreade abroad christianitie,
enterprised a voyage farre from his native soile. This
holy man first of all taught here and there through-
The life of Fridelinus Viator Io. Bale script. Britanic cent. 14.
96
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
out France, he came to Poitiers, and became father of
the Monkes of Saint Hilarie, and with the aide of
King Clodovarus, erected a stately Monasterie, the
like he did at Mosella in Flanders, upon the top of
the mount Vosagius, at Argentine, Curia Rhetiorum,
and elsewhere throughout Burgundie. Lastly, he
came to Angia Seckingensis upon the Rhene, to the
end he might there also build a Cell; after many
godly Sermons and learned Interpretations, he is said
to have written a Booke of exhortations unto the
sacred Virgins. He flourished in the yeere 495.
and resteth in the Monasterie of Seckinge before
spoken of
Ireland remembreth the feast of Saint Fekin, that
hee was of the Kings bloud, and an Abbot, cured
many of the flixe or fluxe, and dyed thereof himselfe.
Many things are written of Saint Modwen, (whom
the Britaines call Mawdwen) the daughter of Naugh-
theus the Irish King, who heard Saint Patricke
preach, and of her companions Orbila, Luge, Edith,
Athea, Lazara, Sith (whom the Irish call Osith)
Osmanna, and of Brigid spoken of before, whereof
some began with Patricke, and ended with him, some
began with him, and lived many yeeres after, (as
Capgrave writeth in the life of Modwen) to the time
of the Bishop Collumkill, (otherwise called Colme
and Columba) and the Eremite, Abbot, or Bishop
Kevin.
OF IRELAND.
97
Saint Modwen was a Nunne, lived 130. yeeres.
The Irish, Scots, and English (in which countries
she had travailed) strove for her corps, at length
Columkill the Bishop gave sentence for England,
where shee resteth at Andreisey. Bale writeth how
that one Galfride, Abbot of Burton upon Trent, in
the time of King Iohn, wrote the life and memorable
acts of this Irish Virgin Modwen, unto the posterity,
with great applause.
Capgrave writeth the life of Saint Sith, (otherwise
called Osith) that was brought up under Modwen,
that she was a Kings daughter, and borne in Eng-
land: Leppeloo the Carthusian, and other forraigne
Writers say
little of her, saving that the Danes (be-
ing Heathens) cut off her head, and that shee tooke
her head in her armes, carried it uprightly three fur-
longs off, knockt at the Church doore, (being lockt)
with her bloudy hands, and there fell downe. f The
Martyrologe of Sarum confoundeth Dorothy, and
Saint Sith thus; the 15. of Ianuarie the feast of Saint
Dorothie otherwise called Saint Sith, is kept in Ire-
land, who refused marriage, fled into a Monasterie,
where the devill appeared unto her, and there mine
Author left her.
Of O smanna the Virgin I finde little, saving what
Capgrave reporteth, that she was of the bloud royall
in Ireland, and having infidels to her parents, fled
The reader is not bound to beleeve this.
98
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
into France, dwelled upon the banke of Loire, the
river of Lions, and there in peace ended her dayes.
I read that about this time one Tathe, the sonne of
an Irish King, forsooke his fathers possessions, went
to the Diocesse of Landaffe in Wales, and became a
Monke, builded a Monasterie, and there left his
bones.
Gualterus Calenius, Archdeacon of Oxford; Caxton
and others doe write, that Aurelius Ambrosius, after
his valiant exploits and noble victories, went to a Mo-
nasterie neere Cair-caredoch, now called Salisburie,
where through the treason of Hengist, (which the Bri-
taines call Toilly Killill Hirion, the treason of the long
knives) the Nobles and Princes of Britaine were slaine
and buried, called his Councell, and demanded what
monument were meete to be made there in remem-
brance of so many Nobles of the land there resting in
the dust of the earth. Carpenters, Masons, Carvers,
Ingravers, and Tombe-makers, being out of all places
sent for, came thither, delivered their opinions, but
concluded nothing. Then stepped forth a Bishop,
which said; O King, if it may stand with your plea-
sure, there is one Merlin of Worcester, a Prophet, a
searcher of Antiquities, a man of rare gifts, I wish
his opinion in the matter.
"advised, said as followeth.
"occasion offered, I went lately into Ireland, and
"having ended my businesse, I was inquisitive of
Merlin came, and being
Most Noble King, upon
OF IRELAND.
99
. antiquities, and sight of monuments, where among
"other things, being brought to a mountaine of Kil-
dare, I saw so rare a sight, in so rude a country, as
66
66
66
66
might bee seene; there was a round row of huge
stones, the which none of this age had so framed,
"neither could be, unlesse Art had mastered the com-
mon skill of man; send for them, and set them vp
as they are there couched, and they will bee a mo-
"nument whilst the world standeth. Hereat the
King smiled and said; how shall we convey so great
stones into Britaine, from so farre a countrey, and to
what end? as though Britaine yeelded not as good
stones to all purposes? Merlin replied, be not dis-
pleased O King, there is a hid mystery in those stones,
they are medicinable, and as I was given to under-
stand in Ireland, the Gyants of old dwelling in that
land, procured them from the farthest part of Affricke,
and pitched them there, in them they bathed them-
selves, and were rid of their infirmities. The Britaines
hearing this, were perswaded to send for them, the
King appointed his brother Vter-Pendragon, with
Merlin, and fifteene thousand men to effect the busi-
nesse. In
In a short time, they arrived in Ireland. Gil-
lomer King of Leinster, raised an Armie to resist
them, and reviled the Britaines, saying, what fooles
and asses are you? are the Irish better then the Bri-
tish stones? and turning himselfe to his Armie, said,
come on, quit your selves like men, keepe your monu-
ments, and defend your country. Vter-Pendragon
seeing this, animated his company, they met, and
P
100
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
manfully encountred in the end; Gillomer fled, and
the Irish were discomfited. Vter-Pendragon marched
on, they came by Merlins direction to the place, and
beholding the hugenesse of the stones, they wondred,
yet they joyed that they had found them. To worke
they went, some with Ropes, some with Wythes, some
with Ladders, and carried them away, brought them
to Britaine, and pitched them in the Plaine of Salis-
burie, which place is now called Stonehenge.
Beside this, there are divers monuments of Gyants
in Ireland, as at Dundalke, Louth, Ardee, and on the
hilles not farre from the Naas: the like Saxo Gram-
maticus & reporteth of the Danes, a nation famous for
Gyants, and mighty men, and this, saith he, the great
and huge stones laid of old upon Caves and Tombes
of the dead, doe declare.
About this time, Passent the sonne of Vortiger
that fled into Germany for aide, arrived in the North
parts, Aurelius Ambrosius met him, and put him to
flight; Passent came into Ireland, delivered his griefe
unto Gillomer King of Leinster, craved him to extend
his Princely favour toward him; Gillomer on the
other side complained of the wrong done him by
Vter-Pendragon and the Britaines, namely, how they
had slaine his subjects, wasted his country, and car-
ried
away his rare monuments, concluding that hee
was willing of himselfe to be revenged of them, much
In præfatione ad hist. Dan.
OF IRELAND.
101
more finding this opportunitie.
Caxton saith, he
came with fifteene thousand Irish to aide Passent
against the Britaines; the Armie was great, for with
Passent came Germans, Irish and Saxons, and arrived
at Menevia (now called Saint Davids) at which time
Aurelius Ambrosius being sicke of poyson, (by the
procurement of Passent) of which he died, Vter-
Pendragon was appointed Generall of the field, met
with the invaders, fought a bloudy battaile (where
many fell on both sides) and in the end, slue Passent
and Gillomer, and ouerthrew the Germans, Irish, and
Saxons, and was crowned King of England.
I doe finde in Antiquaries, together with Florilegus,
Fabian, Caxton, Holinshed, and Fleminge, (men of
great iudgement) that the Pictes and Scots in the
dayes of King Arthur (who succeeded his father
Vter-Pendragon) ioyned with the Saxons, and drew
to their aide, Gillomer, second of that name, King of
Ireland, so that Arthur sent for Howell his sisters
sonne, King of little Britaine in France, who came
with fifteene thousand fighting men, and ioyning forces
with Arthur, foyled the Pictes, Scots, and Saxons,
vanquished the Irish King, and chaced him into Ire-
land, and the yeere following, viz. five hundred twenty
and five, in revenge of the former aide, hee came into
Ireland, offered King Gillomer battaile, hee then being
Monarch of Ireland (as Caxton and the book of Houth
record) assembled the Princes and Nobles of the land;
and it is said that King Anguish came to the field
¿
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
with five thousand horse, but Arthur constrained them
to yeeld, and to acknowledge by doing their fealtie,
to hold the Realme of Ireland of him. Whereof
Harding saith,
The somner next Arthur went to Ireland,
With battaile sore forefoughten y conquered,
And of the King, had homage of that land
To hold of him, so was he of him feared;
And also gate (as Chronicles have us lered)
Denmarke, Friseland, Gotland and Norwey,
Iseland, Groenland, the Isle of Man and Orkney,
The booke of Houth recordeth, that anno Dom. 519.
Arthur summoned to a speciall feast of solemnitie of
the round Table, Gillomer the Monarch of Ireland,
and King Anguish, with the Princes and Nobles of
the land, where they continued during the whole time
of the solemnitie. In which triumph it is recorded
that Garret, King of Orkeney, sonne to King Lotho,
and nephew to Arthur, being one of King Arthurs
Knights, together with his two brethren, performed
most valiant exploits, encountred with Anguish, King
of Ireland, Goranus King of Scotland, Cador, Duke
of Cornewall, and with other Princes, and wanne
great honour. This Anguish claimed tribute from
Marke, King of Cornewall, that formerly was wonne
by combate, and sent Morogh (whom Caxton calleth
Marhaus) the Queene of Leinsters brother, who was
also one of King Arthurs Knights, to demand it; he
OF IRELAND.
103
was a valiant Gentleman, often tryed, and ever quitted
himselfe with honour. The Frenchmen calleth him
Le Morhoult d'Ireland; and a Citizen of London thus
blazoneth his Armes.
•
In silver shield, on fesse of pee-
same,
ces five throughout the
He bare a Lyon Rampant red
and arme greene, whose name
Might seeme to signifie in truth,
each mighty enterprise,
A prey most fit for his courage,
as in the Irish guise.
Marke, King of Cornewall denieth the tribute, of-
fereth the combate, and Sir Tristram undertaketh it
for him. Morogh for himselfe pleaded that he was to
encounter with none, unlesse he were a King or Queene,
a Prince or Princesse sonne; the circumstances being
considered and agreed upon, the combatants meete,
and fiercely fight, the battaile was a long time doubt-
full; in the end, Sir Tristram gave Sir Morogh with
his sword, a sore blow, that a piece of the edge stucke
in his scull, whereupon the combate ended, Morogh
returned into Ireland, and shortly after died of the
wound. This doth Caxton and the booke of Houth
deliver at large. But I may not end thus with Sir
Tristram, he also was sore wounded with a Speare,
whose head was venomed, and could not be cured
untill that by counsaile he repaired to the country
104
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
where the venome had beene confected. Whereupon
he came to Ireland, and to King Anguish his Court,
and having great skill upon the Harpe, he recreated
himselfe, delighted the house, and fell in loue with La
Bell Isod the Kings daughter, and she with him. In
processe of time the Queene had learned that he had
given her brother Morogh his deaths wound, and com-
paring the piece of the swords edge which was taken
out of the scull, with his sword, found them to agree,
and banished him the land. Not long after
upon con-
ference had with Marke, King of Cornewall, of mar-
riage, and commending the beautie and vertues of La
Bel Isod spoken of before, hee commeth to Ireland
to intreate of marriage betweene King Marke and her.
And having effected his purpose, taketh her with him
to Cornewall, where Marke espoused her with great
ioy and solemnity; but the old secret love betweene
Tristram and her, had taken such impression in both,
and so inflamed their hearts, that it could not easily be
quenched, so that in processe of time, Marke espied
it, and in his furious jealousie, slue him as he played
upon the Harpe to recreate La Bel Isod; and thus as
his love began with the Harpe, so it ended at the
Harpe; it is recorded that Isod came to his grave and
swounded. She was (saith mine Author) so faire a
woman, that hardly who so beheld her, could not chuse
but be enamoured with her. In Dublin
In Dublin upon the wall
of the Citie, is a Castle called Isods towre, and not
farre from Dublin, a Chappell with a Village named
Chappell-Isod: the originall cause of the name I doe
OF IRELAND.
105
not finde, but it is coniectured, that her father King
Anguish, that doted on her, builded them in remem-
brance of her, the one for her recreation, and the other
for the good of her soule.
About the time that King Arthur raigned, lived
many famous men of Irish birth, renowned for their
great learning and sanctitie, and commended by divers
Antiquaries, both at home and abroad to the posteritie.
But before I come to speake of them, I must first make
mention of Congellus a Britaine by birth, who builded
the Monasterie of Bangor, not farre from West-
Chester, which was called the Colledge of Christian
Philosophers, and became the first Abbot thereof him-
selfe, in the dayes of King Arthur, anno Dom. 530.
I make mention of him, because Bernard in the life
of Malachias, reporteth this Colledge or Abbey which
he built, to have beene the head or principall Abbey
of all the Monasteries in Europe, the seminarie or
bee-hive of many thousands of Monkes, after the
Apostolike manner, getting their living with the
sweate of their browes, and the labour of their owne
hands. And the rather for that he had to his Disciples
of Irish birth, Columbanus that travailed France, Ger-
manie, and Italie, Breudan that furnished Ireland and
Scotland with holy men, with Luanus and others, of
whom I shall have occasion to speak in their places.
This Congellus also (Bernard is mine Author) founded
the Abbey of Benchor, alias Bangor, here in Vlster,
where many singular learned men of Irish birth were.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
trayned up, yea Britaines, Saxons, and Scots also,
and dispersed themselves farre and nigh, (as hereafter
shall more plainely appeare) into forraigne countries,
converted and confirmed thousands in the true faith.
The which Abbey of Benchor, was afterward destroyed
by Pyrates, and nine hundred Monks slaine in one day,
and so continued waste unto the time of Malachias
Bishop of Armach, whereof I will speake hereafter.
Yet in an ancient manuscript Legend of Ireland, I
finde that this Congellus the Abbot was borne in Dail
Naraid in Vlster, of honourable Parents, and upon
some displeasure conceived, forsooke his native soile,
came to Mounster to Saint Fintan Abbot of Cluoyn
Ednech at the foote of Mons Blandina, where he was
ioyfully received, who after long instruction, through
the counsaile of Fintan, returned to his native soile,
and entred the Monasterie of Saint Karan in Cluayn
Mac Noyse, where Bishop Lugidus gave him orders;
and that in a while after, he founded the famous Abbey
of Benchor in Vlster, in the country called Altitudo
ultorum, to the East sea (as I reade in the life Mo-
coemog) containing three thousand Monkes, and that
seven yeeres after, hee went into Britaine, and founded
there a Monasterie that swarmed with Monkes, as for-
merly in part is delivered, whither out of all places by
sea and land, they flocked unto him, for the fame of
learning which there was professed. He, when hee
had settled his affaires there, returned into Ireland,
and now resteth at his monasterie of Benchor. The
OF IRELAND.
107
fame of both Monasteries or Colledges of Christian
Philosophers and famous men thither frequenting, and
entercoursing with domesticall and forraigne students,
mee thinkes, should reconcile Britaine and Ireland
now being in one, and breed an agreement among
Antiquaries.
Brendan, among others, was famous at this time,
borne in Connaght, brought up under Hercus a
Bishop, and directed by Barintus a Monke, he was
excellently seene in the liberall sciences, and travailed
into Britaine to the Abbey of Bangor, where hee
learned the monasticall rules of Congellus, from thence
he went to Llancarvan and builded a Monasterie, be-
came the father of three thousand Monkes that got
their living with the labour of their hands, and sweate
of their browes, left to oversee them Machutus and
Molochus, travailed over Ireland and Scotland with
other countries; after seven yeeres peregrination, he
returned to Ireland, and became Bishop of Kerry, (of
old called Kiaragi, but now Ardfertensis) where he
ended his dayes, and lyeth buried at Cluenarca, other-
wise called Luarcha. Yet in the life of Ruadanus, I
finde hee was buried at Cluanferta. Other things that
Capgrave, the martyrologe, and Bale have, I omit.
When Saint Brendan was olde, Saint Fynbarry was
a childe, hee is now the Patrone of the Cathedrall
Church of Corke; his Legend runneth thus: There
was a certaine King in Ireland, called Tegernatus,
Q
1
?
108
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
•
who had to his handmaid, a very beautifull Damosell;
this King gave charge throughout his dominion, that
none should be so bold as to touch her, for it was sup-
posed he kept her for his owne tooth. Yet (saith the
Legend) one of his souldiers, whose name was
Amorgen, (a blacke Smith) got her with childe, the
which being brought to light, and the time of her
travaile nigh approaching, Tegernatus commanded
that Amorgen the father, the faire harlot the mother,
(with her great bellie) should bee cast into the fire,
and burned to ashes. But (saith the Legend) they
were all miracuously deliuered, and the childe safely
brought into the world. At his baptisme he was
named Loanus, but in a while after, three religious
men that had the charge of him (by reason of the
beautie of his white lockes, and gratious aspect) called
him in Irish, Fuenbarrah, whom now wee call Fyn-
barry. He was brought up under Bishop Torpereus,
the disciple of Gregorie, Bishop of Rome, and was
conversant with Fatturus, (another Legend calleth
hìm Fyachna) a King in Ireland, who did alot him a
certaine portion of land in his country. Bishop Tor-
pereus gave him orders, after which he went (saith the
Legend) into Albania now called Scotland, did much
good there, and went from thence to Rome, and was
consecrated Bishop in the time of Gregorie the first,
then he returned to Ireland, landed on the South side
of the river Lee, where one Edo a Noble man gave
him a parcell of ground, where (with the aide of
many good men) he built the old Citie of Corke, and
OF IRELAND.
109
"
the Cathedrall Church, annexing thereto a faire
Church-yard, wherein now standeth a watch Towre,
builded by the Danes. The Legend speaketh of a
priviledge granted to that Church-yard, which I take
to have beene brought in through the covetousnesse of
the Priests: That what faithfull soever being penitent,
shall bee buried there, shall not after this life, feele
the torments of hell; as if every faithfull penitent
Christian were not freed from hell, wheresoever he be
buried. But let us proceed: Torpereus Bishop of
Cloan his Schoole-master, was the first man that was
buried in that Church-yard. After this, Finbarry
went to Calangus a reverend man, then Abbot of
Cloane, and concluded betweene themselves, that in
the feare of God, they would both be buried in one
place, and so indeed it fell out, for there Finbarry fell
sicke, received the Sacrament at the hands of Calangus,
ended his dayes, and was brought to the Church-yard ·
of old Corke, and there interred; shortly after, fol-
lowed Calangus, and there Bishop Torperus the first
Bishop of Cloane, Finbarry the first Bishop of Corke,
and Calangus the first Abbot of Cloane, keepe toge-
ther in the dust of the earth, waiting for the resurrec-
tion at the last day. The fabulous circumstances of
the Legend I leave to old Wives and long winters
nights; yet to satisfie the reader that I met with the
Originall, I will lay down part of the Latine rithmes
sung yeerely on his day, being the 25. of September,
not worthy of translation into English, and here they
follow.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Infantis clari matremque patremque ligatum
Ambo Rex quondam, flammis præceperat uri;
Interea mirum bellum gessere elementa,
Ignis eðax stupuit, non audens mandere ligna.
Hic nondum genitus jam matris ventre moratus,
O nova res! miris cepit clamare loquelis,
Obstupuit rex, &c.
Ad Christi verbum ducentes tres seniores
Infantem secum nitidum, vultuque decorum,
Dogmata ut sacra cunabulo disceret evo
Contigit ut nimio, solis fervore sitiret ;
Tunc senibus quidam præceperat ire ministrum
Vt potum puero cerva deduceret almo
Statim cerva petens vitulum lac fudit abundè
Et potum, &c.
Rex quondam retinens plenam turpedine prolem
Luminis expertem natum, mutamque puellam
Præclarum Christi famulum iam rogitavit
Vt natos miseros ditaret munere caro
Illico respexit cacus, & muta locuta
Ad natum regis cacum, mutamque puellam
Fynbarry precibus salvavit conditor almus.
Sanctus Fynbarrus quondam cum rege sedebat,
Cumque salutabant læti
sese, vice versa,
Audierant fletum tristem, magnumque lamentum :
At rex confestim turbatus, heu mea, dixit,
Regalis conjux nunc mortem gustat amaram.
Tunc dixit Christi famulus, depone merorem,
Namque potest dominus vitam donare defunctis.
Fynbarry precibus tunc fœmina viva resurgit.
111
OF IRELAND.
Fynbarrus residens Rex atque sub arboris umbra:
Tunc placuit Regi miracula cernere quædam
Auxiliante Deo Fynbarrus quæ faciebat ;
Interea corylus gignebat tempore veris
Maturos fructus, valdè largèque cadebant.
Miratur corylum vernalem gignere fructum.
With many such strange things with which I will
no longer trouble the reader, nor keepe him from that
which followeth.
Now commeth in the confused name of Colme, Co-
lumba, Columbanus, Columkillus, and Colmannus ;
who all lived at one time, about the dayes of King Ar-
thure, and were all of Irish birth, but are greatly mis-
taken by the Antiquaries.
The first called Columbanus by Adamannus and
Capgrave, in the life of Columba, was, as they write,
Episcopus Laginensis, a Bishop of Leinster, but the
Diocesse of which he was Bishop, I finde not named.
The second by Beda (whom, for authority and an-
tiquitie, I reverence) is called Columbanus presbiter
& Abbas, Priest and Abbot, whom Capgraue calleth
Columba, borne of Noble Parentage in Ireland. Ada-
mánnus who wrote his life, saith, his father hight
Feidlimyd, the sonne of Fergus, his mother Ethnea,
and that the second yeere after the bloudie battaile
of Cule-Dreibne, he came to Britaine in the time of
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Gildas sapiens, and converted the Pictes. But before
his departure out of Ireland, he founded a Monasterie
(saith Beda) à copia roborum, in the Scottish tongue
called Dearmagh. Capgrave termeth it Roboretum,
the grove of Okes, In Britaine saith Beda) he
builded a Monasterie in the Iland called Hu, (Cap-
grave calleth it Iona) where he lyeth buried, ending
his dayes at the age of 77. yeeres, whose death Aida-
nus King of Scots greatly lamented. Beda reporteth
that some wrote of him, which work came not to his
hands, and that in the observation of Easter he fol-
lowed no other direction, then hee found in holy Scrip-
ture. Here (gentle reader) two scruples are to be re-
moved from among our Irish Antiquaries; the first
Beda dissolveth, namely that of him the name of Co-
lumkilli came in; Columba, h now a dayes (saith he)
of some men compounding Cella and Columba, is called
Columcelli, and in Capgrave we reade Columkillius.
The second scruple is, where Beda writeth that he was
buried in the Isle Hu, the Antiquaries of Ireland re-
cord his funerall to have beene at Downe, (as formerly
I have written) in one Tombe with Patricke and Brɩ-
gide; I hold both may be true, namely that he was
buried in the Isle before spoken of, and being thence
translated into Downe in Ireland, as Brigide was be-
fore) now resteth there in one grave with Patricke
and her.
The third Columbanus, otherwise called Columba,
↳ Beda Ang, hist. lib. 5. cap. 10.
OF IRELAND.
113
of Irish birth, was a most famous man of that time
for learning and vertue, eternized in writing by Ionas
an Abbot his disciple, also by Capgrave, Bale, Surius,
Baronius, Lippeloo and Stanihurst. In his youth he
was mightily tempted with the feminine sex, nihil tam
sanctum religione, (saith mine Author) tamque custo-
dia clausum, quod penetrare libido nequeat.
He forsooke his native soile, went to Congellus,
Abbot of Bangor, continued there many yeeres, and
having formerly taken with him twelve of his country
men, called twelve followers, hee went into France,
and made them Cabanes, after the Irish manner, in
stead of Monasteries. Many fabulous things are re-
ported of Wolves, Beares, and Fowles of the ayre,
that they had no power over him. When he had con-
tinued together with his followers, twenty yeeres in
one place, he was banished thence, and being desirous
to returne to Ireland, Clotarius sonne to Chilpericke
staid him, yet he tooke his course into Italie, where
Agilulphus King of Lombardie received him most
honourably, and in Italie hee died, saith Beda in his
Martyrologe, though Capgrave write it was in Al-
maine, whose report of him I may not omit. He
builded (saith he) certaine famous Monasteries in Al-
maine, into the which, (as it is said) they admit onely
Irish men unto this day. He wrote (saith Lippeloo)
a booke against the Arians. Bale reckoneth his other
workes that he published.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
In psalterium commentar
Collationes ad Monachos..
.. lib. 1.
... lib. 1.
De moribus monachorum metrice...... lib. 1. Hæc præcepta legat.
Epistolas ad Commilitones
Monasteriorum methodus
lib. 1.
lib. 1.
Adversus Theodoricum regem adulterum lib. 1.
This Columbanus had many learned men of Irish
birth, brought up under him. The Martyrologe of
Sarum remembreth one Deicolus an Abbot. Cap-
grave and Walafridus Strabo commend one Gallus,
whom Columbanus left behinde him in Almaine. And
when Gunzo Duke of Suevia would have made him
Bishop of Constance, he preferred one Iohn his Dea-
con and disciple, to the roomth, and kept the desert
himselfe. Surius writeth, Italie glorieth of Colum-
banus, Almaine of Gallus, and Flanders of Kilianus.
Hee wrote, as Bale remembreth,
In electione Iohannis..
Orat. 1. Sempiternus & inæstimabilis Deus.
Gubernandæ ecclesiæ formam lib.
Ionas likewise his disciple, is by Tritemius com-
mended and reckoned among the great learned men
of Ireland, who at the request of certaine brethren,
penned for the good of posteritie.
Vitam Abbatis Columbani......lib. 1.
Vitam Attalæ Monachi....
Vitam Eustachij Abbatis
lib. 1.
.. lib. 1.
Vitam Bertolfi Abbatis.
All are found among Beda
his workes.
115
OF IRELAND.
There was a fourth Columbanus a Monke in Luxo-
nium, countriman and kinsman to Columbanus going
before, who dyed in his presence; so much I finde of
him in Capgrave, and no more of him either there or
in any
other.
Colmannus I must referre to his place, and Colme I
must leave to the vulgar and corrupted speech; yet in
one Author I finde, that Colme is buried with Patricke
and Brigide, which must be understood to be Colum-
banus spoken of before.
About the latter dayes of Saint Martin, Bishop of
Toures in France, Ninianus a Britaine (whom Beda
worthily commendeth) comming from Rome, was made
Bishop of Lyndsey, Lindesfernensis, whom Aidus
(otherwise called Aidanus and Edanus) Finanus and
Colmannus, all three of Irish birth, orderly succeeded
in the dayes of King Arthur.
About this time, Carthagus commonly called Mo-
cudu, Mochudu and Mocodi was the first Bishop of
Lismore, he descended of the sept of Fergusius, the
most potent Prince of Vlster, whose of-spring were
dispersed over Ireland, his father matched with the
royall bloud of Mounster, he had to his Schoole-
master one Carthagus a Bishop. It is alledged in his
Legend, (penes authorem sit fides) that it was pro-
phecied, he should become a great man, and build two
cities; the first, Raithe (or Raichen) in Feraceall;
R
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
the second, Lismore. This diversitie of names com-
ming upon accidents, is known unto them that have
skill in the old Irish. It is remembred in his life, that
in his youth, 30. Virgins were in love with him, and
that he prayed unto God, to turne their carnall into
spirituall love, which was granted, yet (saith mine Au-
thor) to requite their former love, he builded them all
Cells, and they dwelled in his parish, and conversed
with him all the dayes of their lives. He had disci-
ples that proved rare men, Mochue, Mocoemoge, Gob-
banus, Straphanus, Lazreaanus, Molva, Aidanus,
Fiachus, Findeling, with others. He was compelled
to forsake Raithen, and travailed west-ward, untill he
came to the river Nem, now called Band more, falling
from the mountaine Chua, and running into the sea,
whereupon Lismore is builded, and given to Saint
Mocodi. For the Lord of that country, Nandeisi
Melochtrig, the son of Cokthacg, before witnesse,
granted him that seate, to build both Church and Citie,
where he resteth, and whom one Molcolmog succeeded!
Machutus otherwise called Maclovius, though Bale
and Capgrave call him a Britaine, yet I finde that he
was borne in Ireland, and that he was the sonne of
one Lovi, and therefore called Maclovy. Molanus
writeth, that he crossing the seas, and having good
successe, led an Eremites life in Britaine, and was the
disciple of Saint Brendan of Ireland. He accompa-
nied with one Aaron, and kept with him in an Island
of his name, (saith Molanus) called Aaron, but now
OF IRELAND.
117
I finde it in the North-west parts of Ireland, belonging
to the Earle of Ormond, called the Isles of Aran.
Lastly, he was made Bishop of Aletha, and is honoured
at Gemblacum in Flanders, where the Church (say
they) is patronized by Saint Machutus, alias Maclo-
vius, hee lived (saith Bale i) about the yeere 540.
what time Arthur commanded Britaine.
Kentegernus then also lived, and now is remembred
in Ireland and in Wales: the Martyrologe of Sarum
reporteth, that his Mother wist not how, when, nor
by whom he was gotten, yet was shee an holy woman,
(saith mine Author) and much loved our Lady. She
was cast downe headlong from a rocke (saith mine Au-
thor) into the sea, and tooke no hurt, then put into a
Boate alone without Sayle or Oare, came into Ireland,
and presently travailed with child. He became an
Abbot of 965. Monkes, kept company with Saint
David, and in the end was a Bishop.
Ruadanus borne in Ireland, of Noble Parentage,
his father hight Byrra, of the of-spring of Dnach,
but inhabited the West part of Leinster, of olde
called Osraigie, but now Ossorie, whose sept is called
Dnachs, in those parts unto this day. He left Os-
sorie, and hearing of the fame of Saint Fynnan, a wise
and a learned man, dwelling in his owne towne, (so
saith mine Author) commonly called Clonard, of
Cluayn jarhaird in Meath, and confines of Leinster,
Io Bale cent. 1.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
resorted to him, who for the space of certaine yeeres,
brought him up in sacred letters, gave him orders, and
sent him to Muscraytrie in Mounster, where he was
borne, where also he builded a Monasterie, which
standeth to this day, and is maintained by the Lords
of the soile. From thence he went to a place called
Lothra, where he builded another Monasterie, and
lyeth there wayting the generall resurrection. Saint
Brendan at the same time builded a Cell not farre
from that place, called Tulach Brenayd, that is, (saith
mine Author) Collis Brendani, left Ruadan the charge
thereof, tooke his blessing, and begun his travaile, as
the Legends at large doe write. Ruadanus is said to
have written these bookes in the Latine tongue.
1
lib. 1
De miraculosa arbore...
De mirabili fontium in Hibernia natura .
Contra Diarmoyd regem
lib. 1
lib. 1
Saint Faghua lived in the time of Finbarry, and
founded a Monasterie
Monasterie upon the sea in the south part
of Ireland, where he became Abbot, the which seat
grew to be a Citie, wherein a Cathedrall Church was
.builded, and patronized by Faghua. This towne of
olde called Rossai Lithry, but now Roskarbry, hath
beene walled about by a Lady of that country, but
now according to the fruits of warre, among the Car-
ties, O Driscales, and other septs, scarce can the old
foundation be seene. There hath beene there of old
(saith mine Author) magnum studium 'scholarium, a
great Vniversitie, whereto resorted all the South-west
J
OF IRELAND.
119
parts of Ireland for learnings sake. Saint Brendan
Bishop of Kery, read publikely the liberall sciences in
that schoole. Farther of Faghua or Faghuanus, mine
Author recordeth, that he being sapiens & probus,
wise and a good man, by mishap fell blinde, and with
many prayers, and salt teares, desired of God, restitu-
tion of his sight, for the good of his Covent, and the
Students brought up under him; a voyce he heard,
(saith mine Anthor) goe get some of the breast milke
of Broanus the artificers wife, wash thine eyes there-
with, and thou shalt see. He went to a Prophetesse
called Yta or Ytha, to learne how to come by this
woman, and it fell out that this woman was her sister,
hee found her out, washed his eyes, and recovered his
sight; whether it be true or no, I know not, I report
it as I finde it. This Saint Yta was an Abbattesse,
whose originall was of Meth, but she was borne in
Mounster.
Vpon the storie of Faghua dependeth the Legend
of Mocoeinoge, interpreted in Latine, meus pulcher iu-
venis, my beautifull young man, who proved learned,
an Abbot and a Bishop, being the childe of those
breasts that washed Faghua his eyes; many admir-
able things are reported of him wherewith I will not
trouble the reader. He conversed with Coemanus or
Chemanus, Cannicus, Finianus Abbas, Colman a Bi-
shop, Daganus Abbot of Inbyr-dayle in Leinster, Mo-
cobe his owne disciple, Illepius the disciple of Mocobe,
Molna, Mofecta, Cunminus longus, the sonne of Fia-
1
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
chua, and Cronanne, who lyeth buried at Rosscre,
Luctichernus and Lazerianus, with Yta, Patronesse
of Hua Conaill, & her Abbot of Cluayn Mac Noys,
& Abbot Engus, & Abbot Congallus, of Vlster, Mo-
coeinoge resteth in the county of Typperary, by a long
foord in the way from Kilkenny to the Holy Crosse
(as they cal it) where sometime was a Citie & a Mo-
nasterie called Liath, but now a Village bearing his
name, Liath Mocoeinoge. He had in his life time
much adoe with Coemanus, Bledin, Ronanis, Foela-
nus, Diarmoda, Suglue, Lords of Ely, (now called
Ely O Carroll) and with Falke Fland, King of Moun-
ster, whose chiefe Pallace was in Cashell.
Saint Coeingenus shall next be spoken of, in Latine
as much to say, as pulchrogenitus, he was ordered by
Bishop Lugidus, & led an heremeticall life in a Cell,
in a place of old called Cluayn Duach, where he was
borne and brought up. Now the place is called Gleand-
daloch (saith mine Author) Vallis duorum stagnorum,
a valley of two pooles or standing waters, where one
Dymnach a Lord of the soile founded a Cathedrall
Church, in the honour of Saint Coeingenus, ioyned
therunto a faire Church-yard, with other edifices, and
divers buildings, the which in mine Author, legenda
sancti Coeingeni) is termed civitas de Glandelogh. In
the life of Saint Patricke I finde, that hee prophecied
of two rare men, Albanus and Coeingenus, and that
this should be a Bishop, and that one Molingus should
succeed him, I finde this true in the See of Glande-
OF IRELAND.
121
logh. Coeingenus was a great learned man, and wrote
these bookes.
De Britannorum origine. . . . lib. 1 Bryto sive Brutus.
De Hibero & Hermone....
lib. 1 Hyber & Hermon.
Molva before mentioned in the life of Mocoeinoge,
(of his mother called Lugidus, but of his master,
Congallus) was a great learned man, borne in Moun-
ster, in Huafi, of the sept of Corcach. His father
hight Carthach, alias Coche, his mother Sochla, that
is, Large; hee was brought up under Congallus in
Vlster, in his Abbey of Benchor, where he received
orders, and was sent into his native soile of Mounster,
for the good of his country. Hee came to the schoole
of Saint Finnian, in the confines of Leinster, and pro-
fited there very much, from thence he went to mount
Luacha in the South-west part of the river Synna, to-
gether with his disciples, and craved of Foelanus, Lord
of that soile, license there to inhabite, who refused
him, so that he went to his kindred in Osraigi, (now
called Ossorie) who received him ioyfully. In a while
after, he went to mount Smoil, now called mons Blan-
dina, where he cast his staffe, and builded a Monas-
terie in a place called Rosse Bualead, by licence of Be-
rachus Lord of that soile, (in Latine, Dux Laigy)
where he decreed, saith the Legend, ut nulla mulier
ibi semper intraret, that no woman should alwaies en-
ter into it, which was, and may well be observed to
this day, yea while the world endureth. In the same
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
place was afterwards a famous citie builded, called
Cluayn ferta Molua, in Latine, latibulum mirabile
sancti Molva, the secret habitation of Saint Molva.
He conversed with Saint Flannanus, Molayssi, alias
Molassus, Sethua Bishop of Saigir or Sagri, where it
lyeth, I finde not, but by all likelyhood it should not
be farre from Cluayn Ferta, with Moedog Archbishop
of Leinster, Einenus Abbot of Rosse Mac Treoin in
Kenselach, upon the river Berua, founded by the olde
Saint Abbanus, with Daganus Abbot of Ardgabraine
in Nandesi, called Achad Dagani, Saint Cronan in in-
sula Cree, Stellanus his disciple, Manchenus and Mun-
nu, Abbot of Techmunnu in Kenselach in the South
part of Leinster. Hee ended the way of all flesh, and
resteth in the Monasterie of Cluayn Ferta, where one
Lachtanus succeeded him. He is said to have wrought
many wonders, and if the reader laugh not, I will
penne him one. Molva in an evening among the cat-
tell of his monasterie, heard a company of Wolves
howling for their prey; hee was moved with pitty,
called them to him, washed their feet, made them a
feast, and gave them lodging. The Legend saith fur-
ther, that they thenceforth familiarly conversed with
the Heard keepers, and chased away other Wolves
and theeves. He wrote
}
Regulus Monachorum, confirmed by Greg. 1.
Munnu spoken of in the former Legend, came of
good parentage, of the house of Neill, his father was
OF IRELAND.
123
!
Tuichanus, his mother Fedelyr, he was brought up
under Silell a learned man in the North of Ireland.
Hee proved a singular learned man, and wrote a booke
de pascate, which was in his time in question, he out-
lived Congallus and Columba, and conversed with Bai-
thenus and Lazerianus, Abbot of Leighlin, he dwelt
a while in Ely, from thence hee went to Athcayn in
Kinselach, and in Achad Liachtrom he builded a mo-
nasterie called Teach-Munnu, alias Thech Munnu,
where hee gave up the ghost, 12. of the Kalends of
November, and yet the Martyrologes place him the
sixt Kalend of the same moneth. In his storie I finde
mention of a controversie betweene him and Lazeri-
anus, who builded a Monasterie, In stagno Hiberniæ
Dai ynis, in Latine, bovis insula, in the North part
of Ireland, so it is written in the life of Edanus; af-
terwards he came to the river Berba (now called the
Barrow) and there became Abbot of fifteene hundred
Monkes. In their time, the old controversie about the
observation of Easter, was vehemently urged of all
sides; a great disputation and parlie was appointed in
Campo Albo (saith mine Author) upon the Barrow.
Munnu gave this offer, brother Lazerianus (saith he)
let us not spend time, neither trouble this people with
this tedious question; choose for the tryall of the truth,
one of these three things, take two bookes, one of the
old, the other of the new Easter, cast them into the
fire, looke which the fire saveth, let the truth rest
there; or take two Monkes, k one of thy side, another
If they were as fat in those daies, as most of them proved after, there
would haye beene old frying.
UI
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
of mine, and cast them both into an house set on fire,
he that commeth forth safe, let him carry the truth.
Or let us goe to the grave of some holy Monke, and
raise the dead, and stand to his sentence, when we
shall keepe Easter this yeere. Lazerianus refused his
offers, and said, I will no longer contend with thee
brother Munnu, for I know thy worthinesse and sanc-
titie is such, that if thou command the mount Margee
over against us to remove to this Campus albus, and
this ground to remove thither, I am of opinion it will
bee so, thus they broke up and did nothing.
Cannicus or Kennicus was borne in the North of
Ireland (in Connaught as I gather) his father was
called Lugaid Lechteag a Poet, his mother hight
Maula or Mella, hee was trayned up in Britaine in
the christian schoole of Docus, thence he went to
Rome, and took orders in Italie, returned into Ireland,
preached the Gospell most zealously, and (saith his
Legend) wrought many miracles. He conversed with
great learned men,namely Eugenius, Bishop of Ard-
ratha, Baithenus and others. Adamanus in the life
of Columba formerly spoken of, and the second of the
name, writeth (whereby I gather the time of the
learned men of that age) how that at one time, Can-
nicus, Congallus, Brendanus, Cormacus, and Fyn-
barry visited Columba, and were all present when he
celebrated the divine mysterie. Colmanus the sonne
of Feraid, Lord of Osraide or Ossragy, now called
Ossorie, was Kannicus his deare friend, who after he
had received the faith, gave him many villages, where
1
OF IRELAND,
125
he builded Cels and Monasteries, but chiefely at Ac-
hadbo, where he resteth. When the time of his de-
parture out of this sinfull world drew nigh, he sent for
Fintan the Abbot, and received at his hands the
blessed Sacrament, and so departed the fift of the Ides
of October.
In remembrance of this Cannicus, there is now a fa-
mous towne in Leinster called Kilkenny, parted into
the English and Irish towne, with a small fresh or
brooke that falleth into the Nure; the chiefe Lord un-
der the King, is the Earle of Ormond and Ossorie;
the English towne is governed by a Soveraigne, Bay-
liffes and Burgesses, the Irish towne is governed by the
Bishop of Ossorie and his officers, and the Bishopricke
of Ossorie, whose principall see was first in Ely, and
called Sire Keran (as formerly I have written in the
life of Keranus) afterward translated to Achadbo, is
now setled in Kilkenny. The first founder of Saint
Kennies Church there, was Hugh Mapilton, the fift
Bishop of that See, after the conquest, about the yeer
1240. There was also about the same time, a Church
builded over against the towne, upon the East side of
the Nure, in the honour of Saint Maula the mother
of Saint Kenny, whose memory is continued in that
towne, by her plague that fell among them, and thus
it was.
There was a great plague in that towne, and such
as died thereof being bound with Wythes upon the
1
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Beere, were buried in Saint Maulas Churchyard; after
that the infection ceased, women and maides went thi-
ther to dance, and in stead of handkerchiefes and nap-
kins to keepe them together in their round, it is said
they tooke those Wythes to serve their purpose. It is
generally received, (take it gentle reader as cheape as
you finde it) that Maula was angry for prophaning her
Church-yard, and with the Wythes infected the dan-
cers so, that shortly after in Kilkenny, there died of
the sicknesse, man, woman and childe.
Edanus (divers times before spoken of) was of ho-
nourable parentage, borne in Connaght, his father
hight Sothna, his mother, Ethne, of the sept of Am-
luygh, his companions were Molassus, alias Lazeri-
anus, and Airedus, also he conversed much with Saint
David, Bishop of Menevia, (now called Saint Da-
vids) and is there called Moedock; this David was his
master. The martyrologe of Sarum calleth him Mael-
dock; my Author yeeldeth the reason, writing how
that his mother conceiving with childe of him, his fa-
ther dreamed that he saw a starre fall from heaven up-
on his wife, the mother of this Edanus, and there-
fore when he was borne, he was called in Latine, filius
stella, in Irish, Moedog, that is, the sonne of the
starre. Master Fox writeth, that hee builded the
Monasterie of Maibrose by the floud of Twide. David
the holy man advised him to repaire to his native soile
for the good of his country, after that hee had for a
good space followed the Christian Britaines against
OF IRELAND.
127
the faithlesse Saxons. He came to Ireland to An-
myre, King of Connaght, from thence to Leinster,
and builded Monasteries in Kinselach and Cluayn
More, what time Edus or Edanus, the sonne of An-
myre King of Connaght, levied warre against Bran-
dub King of Leinster, in which battaile, Edus and
all his Nobilitie of Connaght were slaine, and Bran-
dub became Monarch of Ireland. After this he went
to the North of England, and was made Bishop of
Lyndsey, Lyndesfernensis: Capgrave maketh two of
one Ædanus, the one an Abbot, the other a Bishop,
and to reconcile the dissonance, he was first an Abbot,
afterwards a Bishop, so writeth Bale. Beda deliver-
eth singular commendations of him, the which to
avoid prolixitie I omit. After all this, hee returned
to Leinster, to Brandub the Monarch, who upon spe-
ciall liking of his vertues, gave him a parcell of land,
where he builded a Monasterie; the place is called Fer-
na, now Fernes, where both Church and Monasterie
are patronized (as they write) by Saint Moedog, where
afterwards both Brandub and Moedog were buried,
whereof the words in the life of Ædanus, alias Moe-
dog, are these. Magnas dedit rex oblationes Sancto
Moedog, & agrum in quo vir Dei construxit monaste-
rium quod dicitur Ferna, in quo Sanctus Moedog se-
pultus est, & rex Brandub, & genus ejus post eum
ibi semper sepelitur. Et magna civitas in honore
sancti Moedog ibi crevit, quæ eodem nomine vocatur
Ferna. Deinde facta Synodo magnatum in terra La-
ginensium, decrevit Rex Brandub, & tam Laici quam
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Clerici, ut Archiepiscopatus omnium Laginensium,
semper esset in sede & cathedra sancti Moedog, & tunc
sanctus Moedog a multis catholicis consecratus est Ar-
chiepiscopus. The King gave many gifts to Saint
Moedog, and a parcell of ground, where the man of
God builded a Monasterie, called Ferna, where Saint
Moedog is buried, and King Brandub, and his poste-
ritie after him, is there continually buried. And a
great Citie in the honour of Saint Moedog is there
risen, the which by the same name is called Ferna.
Afterwards a Synode or Parliament of the Nobilitie
of Leinster being called together, King Brandub de-
creed together with the Laitie and Clergie, that the
Archbishopricke of all Leinster should alwaies be in
the seate and chayre of Saint Moedog, and then Saint
Moedog by many Catholikes was consecrated Archbi-
shop. According to which indeed the Legend of Saint
Molva he is called Archiepiscopus Laginensium.
David of Menevia being of great yeeres, desired
to see him before his death; Moedog visited him, and
returned into Ireland in a troublesome time, namely
when all Leinster was in Armes to revenge upon
Saran (a Nobleman of Leinster) the death of King
Brandub, whom he had traiterously murthered. This
Brandub, the sonne of Eatach, of the progenie or
sept of Enna, of whom Censelach hath originall, had
a most honourable funerall, and was greatly lamented,
and intombed in the Church-yard of Saint Moedog,
in his Citie Ferna, where his progenie, the royall
OF IRELAND.
129
bloud of the Kings of Leinster is interred; after his
death, Earle Saran (so mine Author calleth him) be-
ing tormented in conscience, came to the Kings tombe,
lamented the horrible treason he had committed, and
could finde no rest to his dying day.
In the time of this Moedog, the three Kings of
Tuomond, Connaght, and Vlster, with an Armie of
foure and twenty thousand men, came to Leinster, to
revenge the death of Edus before spoken of. The
King of Leinster called Moedog, and the Clergie,
and commanded them all to pray while he fought,
and, saith the storie, God the Leinster men the
victory, and their enemies were overthrowne.
gave
It is remembred of this Edanus, how that one
comming unto him, and desiring him to assigne him
a Confessor, his answer was; Thou needst no Con-
fessor but God, who knoweth the secrets of thy heart,
but if thou wilt have a witnesse of thy doings, goe to
one Molva a learned man, who shall direct thee in thy
course. And yet (gentle reader) I may not overslip
one thing, the which Capgrave reporteth in the life
of Edanus or Aidanus, (or Moedog) namely, how
that (for all the sanctitie of the Prelates in those
dayes) Satan, with all the infernall spirits, sent greet-
ing, with great thankes, unto the Ecclesiasticall state
upon earth, in dreadfull characters. For that they
wanting no aide in their delights from hellish places,
sent such a number of damned soules into the sulphu-
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
reall pits, through their remisnesse in life, and slack-
nesse in preaching, as in former ages had not beene
seene. Whosoever devised the course, it forceth not
greatly, the matter might seeme odious if it contained
no truth.
Finnan in Wales, (as my Authors report) called
Gwyn, was born at Ardez, he travelled forraigne coun-
tries, came to his native soile, was Bishop of Farne,
saith Beda, baptized Penda King of Mercia, conse-
crated Cedd, Bishop of East Saxons, and lyeth buried
at Cuningham in Scotland, called of the Britaines,
Kilgwinin. There was also one Finan an Abbot,
borne in Mounster, sent by Saint Brendan to Smoir,
now called Mons Blandina, to inhabite there, who
came afterwards to Corcodizbue, where hee was borne,
builded Cels and Monasteries for religious men, con-
tended with Falbe Fland, King of Mounster. A
third Finan there was, who was master of Ruadanus
a great learned man, and dwelt at Cluayn jarhaird in
Meath.
Colmannus, whose life Bale writeth at large, was a
godly learned man, borne in Ireland, the sonne of
one Fiachra, of the bloud Royall, and highly com-
mended of Beda, hee was brought up after the Apo-
stolike rules of Congellus, he succeeded Finan in the
Bishopricke of Farne, alias, Linsey. In his time
there was great stirre about the observation of Easter,
when some alledged custome, and some urged the
OF IRELAND.
131
authoritie of Rome; he pleaded the Gospell both
against this stir, and the like trouble that rose about
the shaving of Priests crownes, the which he reiected
(saith Beda) and seeing that he could not prevaile,
forsooke his Bishopricke, and went with certaine
Scots and Saxons into the Hebrydes, where he ended
his dayes.
Beda writeth, how that in the yeere 664. there fell
strange accidents upon the eclipse of the Sunne,
(which was the third of May) in England and Ireland,
and a great mortalitie in both lands, in the time of
Finan and Colman the godly Bishops. Gentle reader,
thou shalt heare himselfe speake. The plague pressed
sore that Iland of Ireland, no lesse then England;
there were then at that time, many of noble parentage,
and likewise of the meane sort of English birth, in the
dayes of Finan and Colman the Bishops, who leaving
their native soile, had repaired thither, either for di-
vine literature, or for more continencie of life, where-
of some immediately gave themselves to monasticall
conversation, others frequenting the Cels, gave dili-
gent care to the lectures of the readers. All which
the Scots (he meaneth the Irish men) with most wil-
ling minde daily relieved, and that freely, yeelding
unto them bookes to reade, and masterly care without
hire. Among these, there were two young men of
great towardnesse, of the Nobles of England, Edel-
thun and Egbert: the first was brother to Edilhun, a
T
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
man beloved of God, who formerly had visited Ireland
for learnings sake, and being well instructed, returned
into his country, was made Bishop of Lindisfarne,
and for a long time governed the Church with great
discretion. These men being of the monasterie of
Rathmelfig, and all their fellowes, by the mortalitie,
either cut off or dispersed abroad, were both visited
with the sicknesse; and to make short, that which
mine Author layeth downe at large, Edelthun died.
thereof, and Egbert lived untill he was fourescore and
tenne yeeres old.
old. So farre Beda.
There was another Colmannus, otherwise called
Colmanellus, an Abbot, of the sept of the Neilles,
borne in Hoichle in Meth, what time the King of
Leinster, with an huge armie wasted the North, he
became first Abbot of Conor in Vlster, where the
godly Bishop Mac Cnessey resteth. From thence he
came to the place where he was born, and there (saith his
Legend) he met with Eadus the sonne of Aimireach,
a King of Ireland, Edus Flan a Lord of that coun-
try, of the sept of the Neills, his kinsman, Saint
Columba Cylle, and Saint Cannicus the Abbot who
received him ioyfully. Edus Flan gave him a parcell
of land to build upon, and to inhabit, called Fyd Elo,
afterwards called Colmans Elo, where hee founded a
Monasterie, and now resteth himselfe.
Carantocus, in the martyrologe Cartak, was the
OF IRELAND.
133
sonne of Keredicus, a King of Ireland, a good Prea-
cher, the Irish call him Ceruagh, his mother was a
Britaine, and was delivered of him in Wales. Hee
travailed over Ireland and Britaine; King Arthur is
said to have honoured him greatly, and gave
gave him a
parcell of land, where he builded a Church. In his
latter dayes he came to Ireland, and died in a towne
called after his name, Chervac: So much Capgrave.
There was another of that name, an Abbot in France,
of whom Ionas maketh mention in the life of Colum-
banus, but not of Irish birth.
Now to intermit a while from speaking of these
learned men; I finde that Aurelius Conanus, (who
slue Constantine that succeeded King Arthur, and
raigned in his stead thirty three yeeres) valiantly by
force of Armes brought under his command, as Gual-
terus Oxoniensis writeth, Norwey, Denmarke, Ireland,
Island, Gothland, the Orchades, and Ocean Ilands. I
finde also that Malgo, the nephew of this Conanus,
who (as it is in the English history) succeeded Vorti-
pore, vanquished the Irish Pictes, or Scots, which the
Britaines called y Gwydhil Pictiard, which had over-
runne the Isle of Man, of them called Tyr Mon, and
slue Serigi their King with his owne hand at Llany
Gwydhil, that is, the Irish Church at Holy-head; so
write Sir John Price Knight, and Humfry Lloyd in
the description of Cambria. Florilegus saith, that he
subdued sixe Ilands of the Ocean adioyning unto him,
which Harding thus reckoneth
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
And conquered wholy the Isle of Orkenay,
Ireland, Denmarke, Iselond and eke Norway,
And Gotland also obeyed his royaltie,
He was so wise, full of fortunitie.
When Careticus was King of Britaine, who began
his raigne, Anno Dom. 586. the Saxons intending to
make a full conquest of the land, called to their aide,
for a number of Pirates and sea rovers, that were
mighty and strong, and scoured the Seas and the
Ilands, whose Captaine was Gurmundus, one calleth
him an African. Fabian writeth, that he had two
names, and was called Gurmundus, and Africanus;
howsoever, I finde, that hee was the King of Norweys
sonne, and for his successe in England, referre the
reader to that historie; and for his behaviour in Ire-
land, I will acquaint the courteous reader with what I
finde, in which the Writers noe not agree. Cambrensis
and Polycronicon followed bad presidents, and were
deceived; Stanihurst stammereth, writing one thing
in English, another thing in Latine; the best record
I finde, is in Thadie Dowlinge, Chancellour of Leigh-
lin, and Iames Grace of Kilkenny. They write that
Gurmund was in Ireland, but no King or Conquerour,
that with strong hand he entred Leinster like a raging
Pyrate, prevailed for the time, and that the Princes of
the land, not being able then to withstand his forces,
yeelded unto the iniquitie of the time, and wincked at
his rash enterprises. And whereas he gave forth his
stile, King of England, they laughed at it, and he
OF IRELAND.
135
perceiving the wilinesse and ingeniositie of the people,
and having small stomacke to continue among them,
(by reason of many mishaps which befell him) left the
land, and went for France to seeke adventures, where
he ended his dayes. Further they write, that he had
a sonne called Burchard, alias Burchared Mac Gur-
mond, whom his father made Duke of Leinster, and
Baron of Margee. He was commonly called, O Gor-
magheyn; Hee builded Gurmund-grange in Monte
Margeo, with other memorable things for him and his
posterity; hee is said to have beene the founder of the
mother Church or priorie of old Leighlin, but I rather
beleeve hee was a Benefactor or endower thereof in the
time of Saint Eubanus the originall Patron; and that
one Lazerianus a Bishop and Confessor, Anno 651. pro-
cured the perfection of the whole, as in the Leighlin re-
cords more at large doth appeare. Againe, it is recorded
that Duke Burchard lyeth buried on the North side
of the Chancell of that Cathedrall Church, over
against the Treasurers stall, under a marble stone, as
it was found for certaine, Anno 1589. by Thadie Dow-
linge, Chancellour, and others, with this Epitaph.
Hic jacet humatus Dux fundator Leniæ (i. Leiglenie)
En Gormondi Burchardus vir gratis Ecclesiæ.
Here lyeth interred Duke Burchard, the sonne of
Gurmond, founder of Leighlin, and a gratefull man
to the Church.
}
136
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
*
There are, saith mine Author, other remembrances
of this in those parts, as Gurmunds-grove, and Gur-
munds-foord, the which I over-passe. Mons Margeus,
in Irish, Sliewe Marrig or Sliew Marighagha, (which
is the mountaine reaching along by Leighlin to Butlers
wood) wherin, as before I have touched; Gurmunds-
grange standeth, was, as I haue learned, of old,
granted to one called de Sancto Leodegario, by the
name and honour of Baron de Marrighagha, but time
and place have brought the name to degenerate and
turne from English to Irish. Of late yeeres a Gentle-
man of the name, dwelling at Dunganstowne, neere
Catherlagh, (affirming himselfe to be lineally descended
from Baron Sentleger) made claime unto the same,
but the successe I hearken not after, as impertinent to
my purpose.
About the yeere 587. Athelfrid the Saxon King of
Northumbers, so tyrannized over the Britaines, that
they were faine to take Ireland for their refuge, and
Aidan, King of Scots pittying their state, raised
forces to defend them, but could not prevaile, so great
was the miserie of the Britaines.
Anno Dom. 635. was Cadwallin crowned King of
Britaine; Caxton and Florilegus write of cruell warres
betweene Edwin, sonne unto Athelfrid, King of
Northumbers, and Cadwallin; how that Edwin made
him flee into Ireland, destroyed his land, cast downe
OF IRELAND.
137
1
his Castles, burnt his Mannors, and divided his land
among his friends, and lastly, how that in a good
while after, Cadwallin came upon him with forces out
of Ireland, slue Edwin, and recovered all his pos-
sessions.
In the dayes of this Cadwallin, Kenevalcus, (other-
wise called Cewalch) King of West Saxons, builded
the Church of Winchester, made it a Bishops See,
and the first Bishop he placed there, was one Agil-
bertus, who came out of Ireland, who in a short time
after, was deposed, say some; Grafton with other wri-
ters record not the cause, but Beda writeth that he
was offended, for that Kenelwalkus divided the Pro-
vince into two, that he left the See, went into France,
became Bishop of Paris, and there ended his dayes;
and how that Kenelwalkus sent for him againe and
againe, but his flat answer was, for that he had dealt
with him so unkindely, he would never returne.
I must here insert that which Cambrensis writeth
of the antiquities of Brechinia or Breknoke in this
sort; there was of old of that country, which now is
called Brecheinoc, a governour that was a man both
mighty and Noble, whose name was Brachanus, of
whom the country of Brecheinoc, (Brecknokshire) is
so called, of whom one thing came unto me worthy the
noting; the histories of Britaine doe testifie that he
had foure and twenty daughters, that were all from
their childhood brought up in the service of God, and
138
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
happily ended their dayes in the holy purpose they
tooke upon them. Doctor Powell the great Anti-
quarie of Britaine, in his learned annotations upon
him, explaineth the same thus. This Brachanus,
(saith he) was the sonne of one Haulaph, King of
Ireland, his mother was one Mercella, the daughter of
Theoderike, the sonne of Tethphalt a petite King of
Garthmarthrin, to wit, of the country which tooke the
name of this Brachanus, and at this day is called
Brechonia, or Brechinia, in British, Brechinoc, in
English, Breknok. This Brachanus had to his daugh-
ter, one Tydvaell, the wife of Congenús, the sonne of
Cadell a petit King of Powis, and the mother of
Brochmael, surnamed Scithroc, who slue Athelfred,
alias Ethelfred, King of Northumberland, at the
river of Deva (called of the Britaines, Doverdwy) and
foyled his armie about the yeere of our Lord, 603.
Here Breknoktowne, and Breknokshire have cause to
glorie of Ireland, that gave them the name and ho-
nour which they hold to this day, and Ireland to
glory of them that gave their Kings sonne Marcella
their Lady, and all that country in her right.
Also I cannot omit another thing of that age, the
which Grafton reporteth of the Clergie; and I finde
in Beda¹ more reverently delivered, for that I have
formerly spoken much of them, and shall have occa-
sion to speake something hereafter, especially seeing
Bedaes words are generall, to be understood as well of
1 Beda eccles. hist. lib. 3. cap. 26,
139
OF IRELAND.
the one land, as of the other, if not rather of Ireland,
considering what hath beene delivered heretofore. In
those dayes (saith Grafton) the Monkes and Clergie
set all their mindes to serve God, and not the world,
and were wholly given to devotion, and not to filling
of the panch, and pampering of the body, wherefore
they were then had in great reverence and honour, so
that they were then received with all worship. And
as they went by the streetes and wayes, men that saw
them, would runne to them, and desire their blessings,
and well was him then that might give unto them pos-
sessions, and to build them houses and Churches. But
as they increased in riches of worldly treasure, so
they decreased in heavenly treasure; as in the dayes
of Aluredus some deale began, and sithen that time,
Then
hath sprung not all to the pleasure of God.
they applyed nothing that was worldly, but gave them-
selves to preaching and teaching of the word of our
Saviour Iesus Christ, and followed in life, the doc-
trine that they preached, giving good example to all
men. And beside that, they were utterly void of
covetousnesse, and received no possessions gladly, but
were enforced thereunto. So farre Grafton.
Anno Dom. 685. was Cadwallader crowned King
of Britaines, that Ireland was subiect unto him, Har-
ding testifieth, his words are,
Cadwaladrus after him gan succeed,
Both young
and faire in florishing iuvent ;
U
140
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
That Cadwallader was called as I reade,
Who of Britaine had all the Soveraigntie,
Of English and Saxons in each country,
Of Pightes, Irish, and Scots his under regence,
As Soveraigne Lord, and most of excellence.
For other things that concerne him, I referre the
reader to the historie of England. He had two ne-
phewes (his daughters sonnes) named Ivor and Heuyr,
who fled into Ireland saith Powell, and when they
saw their time, came with forces against the Saxons,
gave them three battailes, with many skirmishes and
inrodes, yet in the end, were foiled, as in the proper
historie more at large appeareth. And here ended
the rule of the Britaines which had long continued.
I must now acquaint the reader with such as for
learning and sanctitie were of note during this age,
beginning at the yeere 600. Zacharias Lippeloo, out
of Petrus Cameracensis, writeth, that about this yeere
600. there was an heathenish and idolatrous King in
Ireland, who had one Dympna to his daughter, who
secretly was baptized by one Gerebernus a Priest that
travailed the land for such purposes. The daughter
being sole heire, and her mother being now dead, the
father was very carefull to see her well matched accord-
ing to his degree, and accordingly acquainted his dear-
est friends and counsellers with his intent and purpose,
who likewise travailed carefully in the cause, but could
not speed to the fathers contentment. As shee grew
OF IRELAND.
141
in yeeres, so she excelled in beautie, and the father
being as wicked as she was good and faire, became
enamoured of his owne daughter, and importunately
offered her marriage. Shee at first being amazed at
the motion, yet at length gathering spirit, desired res-
pite for forty dayes, and withall desired that it would
please him to adorne her with such attire, jewels and
ornaments, as became a Kings daughter to weare, all
which being granted, she privately sent for Gerebernus
the Priest, and acquainted him with all the circum-
stances. The Priest advised her, that the safest way
for her to avoid the incestuous King, was to avoid the
land; shee immediately with the Priest, together with
her fathers Iester and his wife, tooke shipping, and ar-
rived at Antverp. When they had rested there a while,
and recreated themselves, they of devotion, (saith mine
Author) sought out among woods and desarts, a soli-
tarie place to remaine; in this resolution they came to
a poore village called Ghele, (Gela saith Molanus) and
from thence they went to a thicket called Zammale,
where they rid some small quantity of ground, made
a Caban to hold them all foure, where they continued
well some three moneths, praying and fasting. In the
meane while the Irish King missing his daughter
Dympna, lamented greatly, made great inquirie, and
offered great rewards to know what became of her,
and having gotten inkling of her course, hoised up
saile after her, and landed at Antverp, immediately hee
made search, and sent messengers with large offers
about, if haply they might heare of her. At the
I
142
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
length, by the
coyne which they offered for reward,
she was found out, for they said, there was a faire
young woman, remaining in a solitary place, which
had sent for reliefe for her selfe, and three persons more
with the like coyne. The messengers were brought
to the place, who knowing her ranne forthwith with
newes to the King, and he with much ioy made haste
to the Caban, and when he saw her, said; 0 my onely
daughter Dympna, my love, my delight, and the ioy
of my heart; what constrained thee to despise a regall
dignity, to forsake thy native soile, to forget the natu-
ral affection of a Childe toward her Parent, to flee from
thy father a King, and to follow, as a childe, this old
decrepit bald Priest, and so willingly to condescend to
his unsavorie injunctions? hearken to mine advice, re-
turne with me into Ireland, yeeld to thy fathers desire,
and I will advance thee above all the Ladies in Ireland.
Gerebernus the Priest, preventing the young Gentle-
woman, turned him to the Irish King, and rebuked
him sharpely, denouncing him for a most wicked and
abhominable person; then he turned him to the Gen-
tlewoman, and charged her never to give eare to so
lewd a man. With this the King and his company
being mightily moved, commanded the Priest to be
taken aside, and his head to be taken off his shoulders.
Afterward the father turned him to his daughter, O
daughter, (saith he) why sufferest thou mee thy father
to bee thus vexed? why contemnest thou my love to-
wards thee? yeeld, and thou shalt want nothing. Shee
with a sterne countenance made answer, Thou infortu-
OF IRELAND
143
nate tyrant, why goest thou about with deceitfull pro-
mises, to withdraw me from my settled puspose of
shamefastnesse? I defie thee, and all thine. Thou
cruell tyrant, why hast thou slaine the Lords Priest?
shalt thou escape (thinkest thou) the iudgement of the
Almighty? what torture thou wilt lay upon me, I
weigh not: with this, the father being furiously moved,
commanded his souldiers to cut off her head, and they
being loath to doe it, he tooke the sword that hung by
his side, and with his own hands strucke of her head,
and with expedition returned into Ireland. Thus the
Priest and Dympna died, of the Iester and his wife I
reade nothing, belike they returned home againe.
Molanus writeth, that many yeeres after, the bodies of
Dympna and Gerebernus were sought out, taken up,
and solemnly enterred. The Irish in the County of
Louth doe honour her; belike her father dwelt there.
Saint Bertwin, an Irish man, was brought up in the
Monasterie of Othbell in England, from thence he
went to Rome, where hee led a solitarie life the space
of two yeeres; in his returne, he came to the Forrest
of Marlignia in Flanders, where he builded a Chap-
pell; lastly, he was made Bishop of Molania, where
he ended his dayes. Sigebert ad an. 651. writeth,
Many out of Eng. or Scot. (he knew not well the
countries) as strangers travailing in France, preached
the word of God, and did much good, to wit, Etto,
Bertwinus, Eloquius. This Bertwin lyeth buried
nigh Namurcum (saith Molanus) of old called Namur,
144
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
novus murus, but now Namurra, so writeth Hubertus
Thomas Leodius.
Livinus, borne in Ireland, and brought up in Scot-
land and England, under Benignus the Priest, and
Augustine the first Bishop of the Saxons, by whom he
was made Archbishop (saith Molanus m) of the Scots,
(saith Christianus Massæus, of Ireland, saith Bale,
Silvestris Scotiæ, of the Ilanders and Red shanckes)
the which charge, after certaine yeeres, he committed
to Sylvanus his Arch-deacon, and gave himselfe to
travaile, and tooke with him his three disciples, Saint
Foillanus, Helias, and Kilian, and came to Gan-
davum. Of him, Christianus Massæus writeth thus:
In the yeere of our Lord, 631. Saint Livinus by na-
tion a Scot, Archbishop of Ireland, came to Ganda-
vum, with three disciples, and remained there one
moneth, from thence he went to Esca, preached
Christ, and converted many, there some hard-hearted
people slue him, when he was beheaded, hee rose up,
tooke with him his owne head, (beleeve it who list)
and carried it to Houtthein, where the Angels had
made a sepulchre for him. He is said (saith Bale) to
have written a booke of Homilies, and in the yeere
1007. to have beene translated to Saint Bavons Church
in Gandavum. There was another Livinus a French
man, a Fryer minorite, and slaine, as they say, about
yeere 1345. and of fame at this day in Flanders.
the
ru
Molanus nat. Sanctori Belgij. Chron lib. 13
1
OF IRELAND.
145
Arbogastus borne in Ireland, a godly Preacher, and
a great Writer, was the second Bishop of Argentine,
Anno 646. who also for his great wisedome, was taken
by Dagobert King of France, to be of his Councell.
He left behinde him for the good of the Church, a
booke of Homilies. So much Bale out of Munster.
Molanus writeth, that about the yeere 647. some of
the familie of Pipinus, the first Duke of Brabant,
father of Saint Gertrude, sent for many Preachers out
of Ireland and Scotland into Brabant, and the border-
ing regions, to plant the Christian religion among
them, Fortanus and Vitanus are there named. Lip-
peloo saith, that about the yeere 696. Egbertus,
Wicbertus and Willibrodus were famous learned men
in Ireland, continued there a long time, afterwards
dispersed themselves into farre countries, and with
happinesse ended their dayes.
Molanus hereof writeth farther thus. In the impe-
riall towne called Werda, the birth of Saint Switberd,
(whom Beda calleth Suidbertus) the Bishop and Con-
fessor is solemnized: who in the time of Pipinus, (the
first Duke of Brabant) together with Saint Willibrod,
preached soules health unto the nations thereabouts.
This man, among other diseases, was wont to cure
the disease in the throate, called of the Physitians,
the squinancie. He is termed the second of those
Apostolike men which came out of England and Ire-
land to preach the Gospell unto the Frisians, Hollan-
ders, and the nations about them. Among whom, be-
146
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHronicle
ing as yet but a Priest, he converted many, chiefly the
inhabitants of the great Village Duerstadt, the which
now is the towne of Wiic. He converted also the
Citie Hagenstein, which now is a village adioyning
unto Viana. And when as by the industrie of him
and Willibrodus, the number of the faithfull daily
increased, at the intreatie of the brethren in Trajectum
and Friseland, both of them consented he should be
consecrated Bishop. Whereupon Saint Switbert (whom
Beda saith to have beene modest of life, and meeke
in heart) went into England, and was consecrated by
Saint Willfride Bishop of Mercia (Kent, saith Beda,
had then no Bishop) in the yeere 695. But Saint
Willibrode went unto Duke Pipinus, and having
gotten leave of him, departed to Rome, where the
yeere following, Pope Sergius consecrated him. And
although Switbert, by reason of some small time, had
the start of Willibrode, yet Willibrode went before
him in dignitie, for he was the first Archbishop of
Trajectum, and especially by Pope Sergius, consecrated
Archbishop of Frisia, and directed to that people.
And (saith Beda) Sergius changed his name, and
called him Clement, because (saith Molanus) he con-
secrated him on Saint Clements Even. And he also
writeth, that he was Archbishop of the nations now
called Frisii, Transiselani, Trajectenses, Hollandi and
Zelandi, whereas Switbert is not called Bishop of
Trajectum, but fellow Bishop with Saint Willibrode.
Yet he is by special name called the Apostle of Teis-
terbandia, Westfalia, and of the Boructuarians: for
OF IRELAND.
147
Marceliinus writeth, that hee converted the county of
Teisterbandia, and together with it, in a manner, all
Batua, and the greater part of the lower Friseland
unto the faith. He also exceedingly increased the
number of the beleevers in the Church, at Trajectum;
he founded many Churches, and dedicated the temples
of Idols unto the honour of God. In the historie of
Marcellinus, certaine places by especiall words are
named; as in Zandwic, in the Ile of Tila, which at
this day cannot be found in Arkell and Hoernaer vil-
lages of the Lordship of Gorcomia, in Schoenreford,
(now called Schoenrewoert) by Leerda, in Authensden,
nigh Huesden in Wondrighen, now called Worckum)
in Aelborch, Giesen and Riiswijcke between Worckum
and Huesden, in Almkerk (which is the territorie of
Altenae) in Maelsem, Erkum and Avesaede in the
Lordship of Buria, with many other places. In these
countries hee hallowed Churches, continually praying
with great devotion for the people which hee had con-
verted, and with wholesome admonitions drawing them
to the heavenly dwellings. He converted the West-
falians and Boructuarians, which at this day are
thought to bee the people Markenses. Further, the
renowned Duke Pipinus gave him Werda upon the
river of Rhene, for his good, and for the establishing
of his principality: which place is elsewhere called the
Iland of Saint Switbert, though now it be part of the
continent or maine land. Pipinus gave him also great
store of treasure, wherewith he builded there a Monas-
terie, and replenished the same with a great company
X
148
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
of the servants of Christ. In the end, this Saint
Switbert died in the yeere 717. and lyeth buried in the
Monasterie of Werda-Cæsaris which he had founded.
Beda writeth, that Willibrode lived in his time,
and went on the thirtieth and sixt yeere of his conse-
cration, Archbishop of Friseland. Molanus delivereth
his end, that namely he ended his dayes at Wester-
voert, and was buried at Elste in Gelderland; but of
Egbert and Wigbert the Martyr (before mentioned)
he reporteth out of Bedan and Marcellinus, that
Wigbert was one of the companions of Egbert, and
for the space of many yeeres, had led an Anchors life
in Ireland, that he sailed into Friseland, and for the
space
of two whole yeeres, preached unto that nation,
and to their King Radbodus, and seeing that he could
doe no good among them, returned againe to Ireland.
And when as Egbertus the servant of God, had sent
the second time unto the Friselanders and Saxons,
famous men for life and learning, Acca, Willibaldus,
Winiboldus, Lebuinus, Werenfridus, Marcellinus,
Adalbertus, Ewaldus senior and junior, together with
Willibrode, he sent the said Wigbert, who no sooner
landed, but King Radbod caused him cruelly to
be tormented to death in Fosetes-landt, an Iland in
the confines of Friseland and Denmarke; for that the
Christians of that place by his preaching of the Gos-
pell, had destroyed there the Idoll groves of Iupiter
and Fosta,
■ Beda lib. 5. cap. 10.
OF IRELAND.
149
There was a later Wigbertus, Patron of Hersweldia,
remembred in the Martyrologe, whom I would have
the reader take notice of, to avoid the confusion of
times. And last of all, of Willibrode and Wilfram,
there is a storie, how that Raboldus after long per-
swasion, seemed willing to be baptized, and having
one foot in the water, demanded where be the nobilitie
of Frizeland, my Father, Grand-father and kindred?
Answer being made, that they were in hell, hee with-
drew himselfe from baptisme, saying, I will goe after
the greatest company, take your heaven to your
selfe.
C
Molanus when hee had at large written the lives of
the foresaid learned men that came out of Ireland, he
maketh in his Chronicle a recapitulation of them, the
which will helpe the memorie of the reader, therefore
I thought good to lay it down. Egbert the second
time assaied to convert Friseland and Saxonie, ga-
'thered together twelve Apostolicke men, Willibrode,
• Switbert, Acca, Wigbert, Wiltbald, Winibold,
* Lebuinus, Ewaldus, surnamed the blacke, (in Irish,
Duffe) Ewaldus the white, Werenfridus, Marcel-
• linus and Adalbertus.'
6
K
<
1 ‹ Saint Willibrod and Saint Switbert, by common
consent of the brethren, were elected and conse-
'crated Bishops. Saint Willibrode was made Arch-
bishop of Friseland, he received by the donation of
Duke Pipinus, the Citie of Traiectum, with all
150
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
'thereunto appertaining. He founded in the terri-
'torie of Saint Thomas, a Colledge of regular Canons.
• In the towne of Rhen he is said to have found the
6
6
body of Cunera, one of the eleven thousand Virgins.
'He travailed in preaching without Friseland; he
• had in Latharingia, two women disciples, Herlind
' and Relind, Nunnes of Maeseike, which now is of
• Leodium or Leege in Flanders. He converted the
Hulstenses, Axellanos, Hasuenses, Birfletanos. At
Trevires, in the Church of Saint Marie and Mar-
tyres, hee founded a Monasterie of Monkes Bene-
'dictines. At Epternacum among the Luxemburghs,
he founded a famous Monasterie, wherein hee was
buried, Anno 736.
<
6
2 Saint Switbert was consecrated in England, and
converted many in Traiectum, Holland, Gelderland,
chiefely Wiic, Hagelsteyn, Alcmaria, Waterlandia,
'Gerconium, Bomelia, Tiela, Huesda, Bura, Batua
• with other places. Hee is called the Apostle of
Teisterbandia, Westfalia, and of the Boructuarians.
6
• He builded a Monasterie in Werda Cæsaris, where
• he ended his dayes, Anno 710.
3' Acca went into England to the consecration of
Saint Switbert, and when Switbert returned, he be-
came Bishop of Lindisfarne.
Wigbert is said to be martyred in Fostilandia
adjoyning upon Friseland by Radbodus King of
151
<
OF IRELAND.
Friseland, who also slue Saint Egelmund the
Martyr.
5. 6‹ Wilibaldus and Winiboldus being brethren,
' went to Aistadium in Germanie.
• Lebuinus converted the Transiselanians, and
• resteth among
them in Daventria.
6
8.9 The two Ewaldes went to Nabia, preached
'Christ, and were martyred by the old Saxons.
10' Werenfridus converted many to the faith at
• Arnhemium in Westervaert, and at Neomagum in
• Elst.
C
11 Marcellinus preached 65. yeeres, chiefely in
• Trenta, Twenta, Oudenzeel and Daventria.
12 Adelbertus was the first Archdeacon of Trai-
*ectum, preached in Kenemaria, together with En-
gelmund an Englishman before spoken of, and ly-
'eth buried at Velsen in Egmondan monasterie.'
He writeth farther of Wiron and Plechelinus, Bi-
shops of Friseland, who came thither together with
Otgerus a Deacon, out of these parts, and were en-
tertained by Pipinus, Duke of Brabant.
Many things are written by Beda, Capgrave, Su-
152
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
rius, Baronius, Molanus, Lippeloo and others, of
Fursaus, Foilanus, (whom Beda calleth Fullanus)
and Vitanus. They were three brethren, and the base
sonnes of a King of Leinster, they flourished about
the yeere sixe hundred fiftie and odde. Fursaus is
said to have had many visions and dreadfull conflicts
with divels and infernall spirits. He preached unto
the Irish, Scots, Britaines and Saxons; hee went into
France, where he wrought many miracles, (saith Mo-
lanus) and because of the fame that went abroad of
him, one Ercanaldus gave him at Latiniacum, a par-
cell of land to build a Monasterie, also hee gave him
another piece of ground at Perona, sometime a towne
in Flanders, but now of France, and parcell of Gallia
Comata, where he builded another Monasterie, and
drew unto him, (saith mine Author) germanos fratres,
Foilanus and Vitanus, and there ended the way of all
flesh. They of Cambray doe honour him as a Bishop,
not that hee was a Bishop, but an Apostle of certaine
places. The martyrologe of Sarum reporteth, how
that after his death, the angels and the deuils strove
for his soule, how that the soule returned to the body
againe, and how that he lived afterwards. Here the
Author is deceived, for it was a trance that he was in,
out of which after certaine conflicts, he came to him-
selfe againe, and finally in godly sort ended his dayes.
I finde in the life of Mocoeinoge, that there was one
Fursæus a Bishop, but more ancient then this.
With Fursæus there were at one and the selfe same
153
OF IRELAND.
time, many famous men of Irish birth, renowned for
learning and sanctitie, which gave themselves to tra-
vaile, and dispersed themselves to farre countries, as
Foilanus and Vltanus (before mentioned) also Mom-
bolus, Boetius, Eloquius, Adulgisius, Columbanus,
Hetto, Helanus, Tresanus, Germanus, Veranus, Go-
banus, Corbrican, Dicull, Fredegandus, Colmanellus,
Madelgarius, Algisius and others. After they had
visited Rome, they came backe (saith Molanus) into
France and Flanders, Fursæus and Adelgisius into
Perona, Foilanus and Vitanus into Fossa, Eloquius
and Algisius into Theoras, the reverend Priest Hetto,
unto the lake adioyning unto Corbriolum, where he
builded a Monasterie called domus Petri. Further,
saith Molanus, in the confines of the Attrebates, there
is a Village called Buym, which hath a Church called
Saint Hetto, whereupon is written, In hoc loco Hetto
Hiberniensium Episcopus mansionem habuit, in an-
other place of the Church, Hic reposuit Hetto Hi-
bernensis Episcopus reliquias de corpore sancti Cle-
mentis Papæ & Martyris. In another place he
writeth of Hetto, Goban, and Corbrican, that they
were three brethren, and in their returne from Rome,
died at Walciodorum, and lie buried at Fesca.
left but a bare mention of Goban and Dicull, onely
this, that they were companions of Foilanus.
Beda
Foilanus was slaine in a place in Flanders, called
Carboriar. Saint Bernard writeth, that in the place
where he was slaine, there is a Monasterie builded by
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
3
the name of Saint Foilane ordinis præmonstratensis,
in the Diocesse of Cambray.
Fredegand preached in Antverp, where now hee
resteth, and is greatly honoured.
Mombolus became an Abbot in the Monasterie of
Fursæus in France, a perceiving a conspiracie of his
covent against him, forsook the place, and withdrew
himselfe, together with a few of his company, unto a
place of old called Condrynus, upon the river Isara,
where he led an hermites life, and ended his dayes.
There was another of that name, a Saint of Burdeux,
but not of Irish birth.
Eloquius preached most painefully throughout
France and Saxonie, and being seated at Latiniecum
in the Monasterie which Fursæus had founded, per
ceived some treacherie practised against him, with-
drew himselfe (as formerly Mombolus had done) to a
solitarie place called Grimacum, upon the rivers of
Some and Isara, where he departed this life, after-
wards his body was translated to Walciodorum in
Flanders, and there he resteth.
About this time, Saint Autbert, borne in Ireland,
was Bishop of Cambray; he converted Hannonia,
and is called the Apostle of Flanders; of him Mola-
nus writeth thus, ‘Autbertus had beene for certaine
yeeres, Hiberniæ gubernator, governour of Ireland,
<
<
(the which I take to be some ecclesiasticall charge)
OF IRELAND.
155
"
by which occasion, many singular good Preachers
'heretofore mentioned, came the more willingly out
• of Ireland unto us.'
Trithemius reporteth of this time in this sort,
'There were many Monasteries of Irish men in Ger-
manie, Herbipolis and other places, but when their
'zeale waxed cold, and that they fell to remisse and
'dissolute life, they were expulsed, and their habita-
• tion became waste and desolate.'
5.
6
Saint Chilian (otherwise written Kilian) whom
Bale calleth a Scot, Surius, Baronius, and Lippeloo,
write that hee was an Irish man of Noble Parentage.
Molanus writeth, in Hibernia regio sanguine pro-
creatus, that he was begotten in Ireland of royall
'bloud;' another saith he was a Kings base sonne.
This man became a Monke, went to Rome, together
with Colman a Priest, and Totnan a Deacon of the
same country birth, in the time of Conon, Bishop of
Rome, about the yeere 687. to sue unto the Bishop
there, that Ireland might be released of the curse that
was denounced against the land, and the inhabitants
thereof, for the Pelagian heresie. Molanus writeth,
that he served in Saint Peters Church in Rome,
eleven yeeres, but he was directed another course, for
he was consecrated Bishop of Herbipolis in the East
parts of France, and together with his fellowes sent
away. There they converted Gosbert a French Duke,
which had married one Geila his brothers wife. It is
Y
156
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Iahn Baptists case, he rebuked him for it, and shee
hearing thereof, sent certaine lewd persons in the
night, which murthered them all three, and privily
buried them, lest so horrible a fact should come to
light; but God that will have no such villany con-
cealed, brought it out, the tormentors became madde,
and confessed the whole. Beda in his Martyrologe
reporteth, how that at Wirciburge in Austria, the
birth day of Kilian the Martyr, and his two compa-
nions, is solemnly kept the eight of Iuly.
Molanus saith, that in his travaile he met with
Saint Fiacre, sometime his fathers servant, but he
following carefully his direction, staid not with him,
but passed on in his iourney. This Saint Fiacre,
(saith the Martyrologe) was base sonne of some King
in Ireland, went into France, and became an heremite;
there are small remembrances of him in Surius and
Lippeloo, saving that for a womans sake which called
him a Witch, Sorcerer, and Inchanter, hee com-
manded that no woman should put foot into his
Cloister, and if any should doe so, he prayed that
God would lay some plague upon her; to try this, a
woman sent her maide to take the ayre of the Cloy-
ster, but she tooke no harme; upon a second tryall, a
fairer then she presumed so farre, that her shinne, her
knee, and her thigh, (saith mine Author) and some
parts above, tooke swelling, and that went for a pu-
nishment. In an antient manuscript Legend of the
life of Congellus or Congallus, I finde that Saint Fiacre
OF IRELAND.
157
returned into Ireland, and became Abbot of Airard in
Leinster upon the river of Berba, now called the Bar-
row, in the Barony of Odrone, and that he went to
the Abbey of Beanchor in Vlster to visite Congellus,
at whose hands Congellus received the Sacrament,
and gave up the Ghost. There also it is further al-
ledged, that this Fiacre builded a Monasterie in Lein-
ster, in the honour of Saint Congellus.
The martyrologe aforesaid, remembreth Saint Catal-
dus a Bishop, Saint Finan an Abbot, Saint Sacodine a
Virgin, who forsooke her husband, and entred religion,
to have lived then: and how that Indrake, a King of
Ireland, forsooke his royaltie, went to Rome with his
sister Dominica, led a private life, and died beggers.
Capgrave calleth him Indraktus, saying that he was a
Kings sonne, and tooke with him, beside his sister,
nine
persons more.
About this time, (saith Capgrave) one Muriarda-
chus, Monarch of Ireland, together with his wife
Sabina, lived in the true faith and feare of God, who
being mighty and wise, commanded in good sort all
the Princes of the land. In this his good successe and
peaceable government, he was envied, so that a petite
King his neighbour, came upon him in the night,
murthered him with his Queene, and all his familie,
excepting one daughter, whose life hee saved for her
beauties sake. This cruell tyrant after assaulted this
faire Gentlewoman to his filthy lust, and when with
158
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
faire perswasions he could not prevaile, at length by
force he oppressed her, so that shee conceived and bare
him a sonne, called at the time of his baptisme, Mil-
luhoc, but afterwards, Cuthbert.
This Cuthbert being borne (as my Author writeth)
at Kilmacrodrike, some three miles from Dublin, his
mother tooke him to Scotland to her two brethren,
Meldan and Eatan, that were Bishops. From thence
hee went into the North parts of England, and was
brought up among the holy Monkes of those dayes,
in the Monasterie of Mailros, under the Abbot Boi-
silius, whom he succeeded in the same Monasterie.
Anno 651. And Anno 676. he went to the Ile Farne,
which was uninhabited, and continued there nine
yeeres, building, teaching and preaching, and (as Beda
writing his life delivereth) working in harvest time
with his owne hands. The fame of his vertues and
holinesse went farre abroad, so that Egfride, King of
the Northumbers, made him Bishop of Lindesfarne,
to which dignitie hee was consecrated at Yorke by
Theodorus the Archbishop, Anno 685.
In his time, the aforesaid Egfride sent Brith with
a great host into Ireland to be revenged of them, for
that he was given to understand, they had aided his
enemies against him; these Saxons over-ranne the
land, killing, burning and spoyling, they spared nei-
ther Church nor Monasterie, so writeth Beda. Ber-
• Beda eccles. hist. lib. 4. cap 26.
OF IRELAND.
159
thus vastavit miserè gente innoxa, & nationi Anglorum
semper amicissimam: Berthus pittifully spoiled this
harmlesse people, who alwaies most kindely affected the
English nation. Cuthbert reproved him for it, and
the Ilanders cried unto the heavens, and prayed God
to avenge their cause. Beda
Beda reporteth farther, how
that he bent his forces afterwards against the Pictes
and Scots, and would not be advised by Cuthbert and
Egbert, and that his bloudy course had no good suc-
cesse, and that then Egfride, the glory of the Saxons
began to decay, the which Florilegius attributeth to
the crie of the Irish, and the courage of the Pictes and
Scots, and Britaines. In his time, saith Caradoc, it
rained bloud in Britaine and Ireland; the Milke like-
wise and the Butter, turned to the colour of bloud, and
the Moone appeared all bloudie.
Cuthbert, when he had beene Bishop two yeeres,
forsooke his Bishopricke, and went to the Ile Farne,
where hee led an hermites life, and left the world,
Anno Dom. 687. It is written of him that he forbade
his Monkes and Priests, the company of women, and
that they should not come within any Cloyster, for that
the devill appeared unto him in his Church in the
shape of a woman most faire and beautifull. Yet I
finde that he conversed much with Ebba and Verca,
and with Elfleda, King Egfrides sister, and repaired
oft to their Nunneries, did eate and drinke with them,
and sent Elfleda a linnen or threed Girdle for a token,
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
in
which tooke away a swelling and crampe that troubled
her, and that he was shrouded in the winding sheete,
which the Nunne Verca had sent him. Anno 875.
Ardulphus, Bishop of Lindisfarne, fearing the incur-
sion of the Danes, who destroyed Churches, and de-
faced Tombes, tooke the corps of Cuthbert, and at-
tempted the transporting of it into Ireland, but the
winde was against them, and compelled them to land
in England, then they brought it to Cuncaster, some
sixe miles from Durham, where it rested some yeeres.
Anno 925. (though Stow referre it to the yeere 995.)
Aldunus (who was the first Bishop of Durham) pre-
venting (as formerly Ardulphus did) the invasion of
barbarous people, removed it to a place full of bushes
and thornes, now called Durham, and with the aide
of Earle Vthred, builded a Church over it, where
(now at length) it resteth. Edmund the second
Bishop of Durham, enlarged the Church, and beauti-
fied the place of his buriall, and long after, were
brought thither, the bodies of Balther and Bilfride,
that had beene Anchors, Acca and Alkmundus that
had beene Bishops, Ebba the Nunne, and familiar of
Cuthbert, Boisilus the Abbot his master, King Oswine,
and the bones of Beda that rested at Girwin, so wri-
teth Capgrave. He that will see farther of Cuthbert
and his patrimonie, (so called in the Bishopricke of
Durham) of the endowments and grants given by
Christian Princes, and of the reverend opinion held of
the place, because of the sanctitie of Irish Cuthbert,
OF IRELAND.
161
let him repaire to learned Camdens Brigantes, the
which for that they concerne the antiquities of Eng-
land more then Ireland, I omit.
Now to come to the 700. yeere of Christ. I will
beginne with Adamannus, who flourished Anno 701.
as Florilegus writeth, in the time of Alfred, King of
Northumbers, whom Beda highly commendeth, and
as it may be gathered and borrowed out of his workes,
many things to furnish his historie of England. I
finde of divers reported, that he was in Ireland, and
did much good. I take it he was of Irish birth, for I
cannot finde the contrary. Bale summarily out of
Beda and others, writeth in his life as followeth.
• Adamannus Colodius, by profession a Monke, not
' vowed, but of the Apostolike order, and governour
' of that famous Monasterie, which of old, Columba-
'nus the disciple of Congellus had founded in the Ile
Hu, made himselfe a patterne of vertue to be followed
' of many; hee was a man studious and singularly well
seene in holy Scripture, as Tritemius witnesseth, nei-
'ther ignorant of prophane literature, wise and faire
spoken; hee was for his life and conversation, re-
'nowned, and for opinion of sanctitie, recounted the
'father of many Monkes, so that hee travailed in a
' manner all the North regions of Britaine; he was a
' notable Preacher, instructing with heavenly admoni-
tions, Irish, Scots, Pictes, and Anglosaxons. Hee
willingly gave eare to all such as made report of any
'memorable acts of Palestina by their travaile, and of
6
6
162
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
i
¿
6
6
' other places of the holy Land, with the site thereof,
"trusting thereby to attaine unto a better sight in the
holy Scripture. Then it fell out (say the Chrono-
graphers) that one Arnulphus, a Bishop of France,
comming from Ierusalem, and being winde-driven to
that place, arrived there, and throughly enformed
· Adamannus, the which he shortly after committed to
writing, and dedicated unto Alfred, King of Nor-
thumbers, with these titles.'
6
6
De locis terræ sanctæ..
De situ Ierusalem
De paschate legitimo
lib. 1.
lib. 1.
lib. 1.
With certaine Epistles. So farre Bale. I have seene
beside these, a Manuscript worke of his, of the life of
Saint Columba in three bookes.
About the yeere 740. saith Lippeloo, Gualafer
Bishop of Dublin, was famous, who by his prayers ob-
tained that Cecilia, wife to David King of Scots, and
daughter to the King of Sicilia, being barren, did con-
ceive & beare a sonne called Rumoldus, P who after the
decease of Gualafer, was made Bishop of that See,
and consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and
two other Prelates. He went into England, after-
wards to France, and came to Rome, Anno 752. in
the time of Stephen 2. he resigned his Bishopricke,
from thence hee went into Brabant, and by his pray-
ers (saith mine Author) got one Eliza, wife to Earle
Ado, of the age of 66. yeeres, to conceive. In the
r Saint Rumold, Zachar. Lip. de vitis Sanct. tom. 3.
OF IRELAND.
163
૧
end he went to repaire an old Church, agreed with
workemen, wrangled with them so, that they for one
quarrell and other, and especially for that they held him
to be rich, hoping to get some part of his wealth,
knockt him in the head with a hatchet, and there lay
Saint Rumolde. Molanus q in discreet sort examineth
this historie, and delivereth that this Rumoldus tooke
with him beyond the seas, one Saint Himelin, now
Patron of Fenacum, the place in Dutch is Sijnte Hi-
melijns Vissenaken, some said he was of his bloud,
others some, that he was of his bloud and bone. His
words are these. 'Some suppose that Saint Rumold
' was the sonne of Erfinus King of Scots, after whom
'succeeded in the kingdome, the third and fourth
sonne, Fergusius and Achaius, but the names of the
'first and second sonne are not extant. They adde
<
<
‹
5
C
happely unto the rest, that because he was the King
of Scots his sonne, it stood him upon to forsake the
Bishopricke of Dublin, when Solvathius that raigned
• betweene Fergusius and Achaius, warred against the
Irish, and upon this occasion, he tooke his iourney to
Rome, and at his returne, preached the Gospell at
Mechlin. All which, by conferring the times, would
have some great probabilitie, unlesse the antient
Monuments and Records of Mechlin, had avouched
him to have beene the sonne of one David a King,
and to have beene brought forth into the world, by
the intercession and devout prayers of Gualafer,
f
Bishop of Dublin, and of him baptized, whereby I
• Io. Molanus nat, Scotorum Belgij ex Martyrologo Mechlin.
Z
164
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
C
•
gather, that he was the sonne of some King of Ire-
land. Neither is it any mervaile, though we reade
'not of this David, when as Saint Bernard witnes-
seth, that Ireland was not governed by one King,
but by many; the orderly succession of which Kings,
"I suppose for the most part is now perished. If you
< urge that hee came of the Scottish bloud royall; I
admit it, for it is so sung every where throughout the
'Diocesse of Mechlin, but that of old the Irish men
' were understood and comprehended under the name
' of Scots, by the life of Saint Patricke and elsewhere,
very manifest. To this purpose is that which Beda
❝ affirmeth, that Ireland is properly the country of the
'Scots, and Ionas also writeth in the entrance to Co-
• lumbanus his life, how that the Scottish nation inhabit
the Iland of the Irish. This Rumoldus died, Anna
775. and is honoured in Mechlin for their Patron.
• is
,
Virgilius Solivagus, borne in Ireland, and des
cended of noble Parentage, in his yeeres of discretion,
forsooke his native soile, and together with certaine
companions of the same countrey birth, went into
Germanie, where Anno 754. hee was made Abbot of
Salisburge, by Odilo, Duke of Bavaria, and shortly
after, Bishop of Iuvaviéns; the name of which Bishop-
ricke, hee procured to be changed, and called it the
Bishops see of Salisburgh, where he builded a sump-
tuous Cathedrall Church, and was the first founder
thereof. In his time, one Boniface an English man,
and the Popes Legate in Germany, tooke
upon him to
OF IRELAND.
165
rebaptize, contrary to the Canons of the Church, such
as had beene (as hee thought) formerly not rightly
baptized. Virgilius (having had conference with Sy-
donius, Archbishop of Bavaria) opposed himselfe
against him. The matter came to hearing before Pope
Zacharie, who gave sentence, that Virgilius was in
the right, and Boniface his Legate (for all his great
authority) in the wrong opinion. Hee prudently go-
verned his Church some thirty yeeres, and
gave place
So farre Bale, out of Gaspar Bruschius.
to nature.
Learned Camden alledgeth out of Rhegino, that in
the time of Carolus magnus, which must needs bee
about the yeere 767. certaine Norwegians or Normans
entred Ireland, and were repulsed, and further of
them I have not read: but in the British Chronicle of
Caradoc Llancarvan, I finde that Anno 799. the
Danes came into England, and destroyed a great part
of Lindsey and Northumberland, overranne the most
part of Ireland, and destroyed Rechreyn.
The accidents of the eight hundreth yeere after
Christ, now follow. And first of all, Functius offer-
eth occasion to write, how that Anno 820. Regnerus,
King of Denmarke, invaded Britaine, and how that
his prosperous successes in Britaine, Scotland, and the
Orchades, puffed him up, and emboldned him so
much, that he passed into Ireland, slue the King of
the land, tooke the Citie of Dublin, where hee re-
166
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
mained an whole yeere, and then returned to Den-
marke.
Next commeth Turgesius his time to bee examined,
who was of Norwey, and came with great power of
Esterlings into Ireland, vanquished King Edlumding,
or Edlimidus, or in Irish, Felim Mac Edmund, and
raigned thirty yeeres. Here (gentle reader) observe
certain errours or escapes (whether of ignorance, wil-
fulnesse, or negligence, I know not) the which I
finde betweene Cambrensis, Polychronicon, Fabian
and others, touching Gurmund and Turgesius. First,
that Gurmund and Turgesius should be one man, the
end of them both by a generall consent of Writers,
reproveth that; for Gurmund dyed in France, and
Turgesius was slaine in Ireland. Secondly, (whereat
Giraldus marvaileth) how that the Antiquaries of
England make mention of Gurmund, but nothing of
Turgesius, and that the Writers of Ireland speake of
Turgesius, but little or nothing of Gurmund; so that
Turgesius by reason of his raigne and continuance was
knowne unto them, and Gurmund, if he were here,
made small abode, (as I have formerly written) and
therefore became a man unknowne. Thirdly, that
Turgesius should be Gurmunds deputie in Ireland, or
his brother (as I reade in Fabian) cannot possibly
stand with the truth: for on all sides it is agreed, that
Gurmund came to Britaine, and ioyned with the
Saxons against Careticus, who began his raigne in
OF IRELAND.
167
Britaine, anno 586. but, as saith Cambrensis, Turge-
sius Captaine of the Norwegians, Danes or Esterlings,
came to Ireland in the daies of Fedlimidius, which
was 400. yeeres from the comming of the first Pat-
ricke into the land, in the which time there had
raigned thirty three Kings or Monarchs; then this
knot with facilitie may be untied, for Patricke came
to Ireland (as I have formerly delivered) An 432.
adde 400. to it, then Turgesius came to Ireland, Anno
832. But forward with the history.
When these Norwegians or Esterlings had got
footing in the land to their content, and planted
themselves the space of thirty yeeres, they builded
Castles, Fortes and Wardes, they cast up Trenches,
Bankes and Ditches for safegard and refuge. To-
ward the end of the terme before mentioned, Turge-
sius was enamoured on a faire Gentlewoman, the onely
daughter of Omalaghlin, King of Meth, and desired
her for his Concubine; he practised with the father for
obtaining of his purpose, the father not willing to
yeeld, nor daring to displease, resolved him thus:
Appoint the day, the houre, and the place, and se-
quester your selfe from your Court and retinue, and I
will send my daughter unto you with twelve or six-
teene Gentlewomen, of the choice and beautifullest
maidens of my country, and take your choice of them;
if my daughter please you best, she is at your com-
mand.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
When the time appointed came, and the Lecher
longed to satisfie his filthy lust, Omalaghlin attired
his daughter in princely sort, and sent her to King
Turgesius, with sixteene young men in womens at-
tire, which had long Skeines under their Mantles.
These young springals were faire, beautifull, effemi-
nate, and amiable to look upon; they were brought
to his chamber, and presented before him, he taketh
the Gentlewoman by the middle, and kisseth her, the
Striplings out with their Skeines, and stabbed him,
having the Lady in his armes, whereof he presently
dyed, whilst they fell upon a few loose and dissolute
persons that were about him, whom they killed every
one.
Omalaghlin that lay in ambush all this while with
certaine horsemen, (expecting the end of this exploit)
reioyced greatly when hee saw his daughter and her
company make so speedy a returne, and understand-
ing that his practise was effected as he desired, sent
Scoutes and Cursitors, Messengers and horses over the
whole land, declaring what had happened. Immedi-
ately, Meth and all Leinster are in Armes, the
Princes and Lords from euery place throughout Ire-
land, repaired to Omalaghlin, and being glad of li-
berty, reioyced with him at the destruction of Turge-
sius and his Guard. To make the story short, (for
they made short worke with it) they set upon the
Norwegians and Danes, killed them every mothers
OF IRELAND.
169
sonne that escaped not by flight, seized upon all their
possessions, so as together with their lives, they lost
all their lands and goods: and, saith the Irish Chro-
nicle, tunc cepit conquestus Hibernicorum,
the Irish began to conquer.'
<
Then
This Omalaghlin King of Meath, being in great
trust, credite and favour with Turgesius (no man
greater at that time) demanded of him (concealing
the plot that lay hidden in his heart against the Nor-
wegians) by what meanes certaine ravenous and pes-
tiferous fowle (hee meant the Norwegians) lately
brought into the land, which greatly annoyed the
country, might be destroyed? Turgesius answered, if
they breed, destroy their egges, birds, and nests; which
answer, the Irish made good upon the Norwegians.
6
6
6
Not long after (saith Cambrensis and Polychro-
nicon) after what? They meane, after the murther-
ing of Turgesius, and rooting out of all the Norwe-
gians and Esterlings, There came againe out of
Norway, and the Northerne Ilands, as remnants of
"the former nation, and whether they knew of them-
selves, or by relation of their Parents and Ances-
tours, the land to be fruitfull, & commodious
ther they came, not in warlike sort, but in peaceable
manner, to use the trade of merchandise; when they
• had entred certaine Ports and Havens of Ireland,
' with the licence of the Princes of the land, they
• builded therein divers Cities. For the Irish nation,
thi-
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
<
C
<
<
<
<
(they speake of that time) naturally given to idle-
nesse, would not sulcate the seas, neither give them-
´selves to merchandise, so that by one consent of the
• whole land, it was thought good, that some certaine
'nation, by whose industrie the commodities of other
regions wanting in Ireland, might be hither trans-
ported, should be suffered to dwell in some parts of
the land. Their Leaders and Captaines were three
brethren, Amelanus, Sitaracus and Ivorus, when
they had first builded three Cities, Dublin, Water-
ford, and Limericke; the command of Dublin fell
'to Amelanus, Waterford to Sitaracus, Lymericke to
‹ Ivorus, and from these by degrees, in processe of
time, they gave themselves to build other Cities in
'Ireland. This nation (quæ nunc Oastmannica gens
'vocatur) which now is called the Esterling nation,
❝or East men, at their first comming, demeaned them-
selves toward the Kings of the land, in a most royall
• and peaceable mander, but when the number multi-
plied of their owne kinne, and they had fortified
‹ their Cities with wals and trenches, they began to
' revive the old hatred that was hid in their hearts,
،
C
They were called Oost-
' and obstinately to rebell.
'manni of their corrupt Saxon tongue, as men of the
• East. Of these and the former Norwegians, the
• Irish tooke the use of the Sparthes, now called Gal-
C
loglas axes.' So farre Cambrensis verbatim, and
Polychron in substance.
Divers have diversly delivered their opinion, and
OF IRELAND.
171
misreckoned themselves in their computation of yeeres,
when these Cities before spoken of were builded.
Stanihurst in his description of Ireland, referreth it to
the yeere 155. and that they were builded by Amelanus ;
in another place he alledgeth it was after Gurmundus
his dayes, done in like sort by Amelanus. It is such
an errour as I cannot well impute it to the Printer.
Cambrensis and Polychronicon doe not lay down the
yeere, but the time about the yeere: what beside is
added, is but fancie and conjecture, for their testimony
is the ground of all. For where they write that these
brethren came to Ireland after the death of Turgesius,
then it was after the yeere 862. wherein hee died, but
how soone or how long after, there is no certaintie.
That they builded these Cities, I doe not beleeve, I
had rather say with Stanihurst, that they reedified
them, for those places were after a sort builded, and
inhabited many yeeres before their arrivall. I take it
that as Merchants, they builded themselves dwelling
houses, walled the townes, and made keyes to moore
their shippes, neither doe I hold it that every one
severally builded a Citie, but all three together with
the aide of their country Merchants upon their arrivall
in their safe Ports, builded and planted their country
people, and rested not long, for the Irish fell upon
them, and banished them out of the land, for their
riches, pride, and rebellion.
In the yeere 850, lived Patricke the Abbot of Ire-
land, Abbot and Confessor. For there were two
A a
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Patrickes, the first a very learned and godly man, the
second a Abbot, and given to superstition, and founder
of the fabulous Purgatorie, which goeth in Ireland
under the name of Saint Patrickes Purgatorie; so
write Ranulphus, Monke of Chester, and Bale, Bishop
of Ossory, though Stanihurst allow not of it, but
attribute it to the first Patricke, and that without
warrant.
In his time there rose a great rebellion in Ireland,
so that hee fled into Britaine, and lyeth buried in
Glastenbury. The Martyrologe of Sarum reporteth,
that in Ireland they keepe the feast of Patricke the
Abbot, the 24. of August. Stanihurst to further his
credite, delivereth that he wrote a booke of Homilies,
and certaine Epistles directed to the Irish. The
sounder opinion is, (the which Stanihurst at unawares
remembred out of Claudianus) that the place there,
was in like sort as it is now in the time of Paganisme,
and was long before Saint Patrickes dayes, And it
seemeth to be after the manner of concavities in the
bowels of the earth, where the ayre entring naturally
to avoid Vacuum, and the winde following, whisteleth
and crieth like dolefull ghosts; the silly ignorant and
simple people being deceived through perswasion of
covetous Priests, that some soules and spirits doe
penance there for their sinnes, call it a Purgatorie.
And further we see by reason and daily experience in
Miners, that if any be much under grownd, the damp-
nesse of the earth takes away their lively colour, and
2
OF IRELAND.
173
1
makes them looke ghastly, and if they continue any
long while there (the vitall spirits being barred of
their usuall course) they are mightily tormented, cast
into trances, and distracted, and being once delivered
from the place, report things at randon of heaven
and earth, beleeve them who list.
Albertus Krantz, r reckoning up reports given forth
out of severall countries touching visions, apparitions,
voyces, illusions, inserteth among them, Patrickes
Purgatorie in Ireland, and concludeth, that they are
to be accounted among old Wives fables. Antoninus s
alledgeth Vincentius for his Author, how that in those
dayes, the historie de fassa sancti Patricij of Saint
Patrickes pit or ditch, was not of many allowed, the
reason is alledged, for that it is there avouched, that
the soules in that Purgatorie, goe not straight to
heaven, but into some terrestriall Paradice, whereas
the received opinion is, (saith he) that there is no
middle place betweene Purgatorie and the celestiall
Paradice.
In the time of Alphred, alias Alured, King of
West Saxons, anno 872. as Fabian and Cooper have
noted, there was a grievous maladie raigning among
the people, called the euill ficus, which also tooke the
King, so that (say mine Aushors) an Irish maid came
↑ Albertus Krantz Dan. lib. 2.
Ant. chron. p. 2. tit. 11. cap. 18.
174
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
out of Ireland, called Modwen, whose Monasterie in
time of rebellion, was destroyed, and cured the King.
In recompence whereof, she had land given her in the
North, whereon two Monasteries were founded, and
now she resteth at Aundersey by Burloa. Polychro-
nicon and Holinshead report the historie, as if Alphred
had gone into Ireland unto her. I alledge this his-
torie to put the reader in minde, how that formerly I
have written of one Modwen, who lived immediately
after Saint Patricke, and was of Irish birth, about
400. yeeres agoe. Were it not for the time, by many
circumstances, they both should be one, but to remove
all doubts, and to uphold the credite of antiquaries,
I will say they were two, of one country birth, and
now rest in one place.
There was great amitie betweene Alphred or Alured
before mentioned, and Gregory, King of Scots, in
whose time, Anno 877. (Grafton, Cooper, and Bu-
chanan are mine Authors) great troubles and misery
fell upon Ireland; the circumstances in briefe were
these. The Citizens of Dublin found themselves
grieved, and mightily wronged by the Scots of Gal-
loway; that whereas certaine tall ships of theirs were
wind-driven thither, the Scots fell upon them, rifled
them, and thereof made a prey.
a prey. In revenge whereof,
the people of Dublin gathered Irish forces, arrived
there, and preyed the country. Gregory the King
having intelligence thereof, hastened with his forces,
to encounter with them; the Irish fearing the worse,
OF IRELAND.
175
got them with ther pillage aboard their shippes, and
hoised up sailes for Ireland: Gregory prepareth his
navy, and shortly after arriveth in Ireland.
The King at that time (saith Buchanan) was but a
childe, whose name was Duncanus, or Donatus, or
rather Dunachus; the Protectors or chiefe comman-
ders of the land about the King, were Brian and
Cornelius, who had drawne the land into two factions.
The Irish hering of the comming of Gregory, fortified
themselves upon the river of the Band, but there the
Scots overthrew them: Brian was slaine, and Cor-
nelius put to flight. The Scots left them not so, but
pursued them, preyed the country without resistance,
constrained the townes before them to yeeld, and hear-
ing by the way that Cornelius gathered all the forces
of Ireland against them, made ready to ioyn battaile,
in the which, Cornelius and all his forces were foiled,
so that for a safeguard of his life, hee fled to Dublin,
and his armie dispersed themselves abroad. Gregory
followed him, laid siege to Dublin, and by reason there
were so many received within that fled from the field,
they could not long indure the strength of the puissant
King of Scots without, wherefore by generall consent
of the Citizens, Cormacke, Bishop of Dublin, opened
the gates, received the King of Scots, without losse of
any man of either side, or damage of goods. Imme-
diately Gregory the King of Scots, went to his cousin
Duncan the young King, saluted him, and delivered
unto him that he came not for his kingdome, ne for
176
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
gold nor silver, ne for commodities of his country, but
onely to be revenged of them that had formerly in-
jured his subiects. And as for you, said he, cousin
Duncan, I beare you no malice; without bloud I came
into the Citie of Dublin, without bloud I will depart;
recompence of the Citizens of Dublin I seeke none,
the inhabitants betweene this and the Band have satis-
fied me and my people, let the Citizens pay it them
againe, and make no more such rash attempts into
Scotland. With this they lovingly departed, and
continued friends, to the great honour of the King
of Scots.
After this, Anno 897. poore Ireland had another
scourge, for saith Caradoc Llancarvan in his British
Chronicle, and likewise Polichronicon, this country
was destroyed with strange wormes, having two teeth,
so that there was neither corne nor grasse, nor food
for man or beast, for all was consumed that was greene
in the land, at the season of the yeere. The nine
hundreth yeere followeth.
The Saxons that divided Britaine (as formerly hath
been declared) into many kingdomes, began now to
grow weake in their estate; and the Danes that
troubled in a manner all Christendome, were falling
to naught: yet Anno 905. saith the British Chro-
nicle, the Danes entred Ireland, preyed, spoyled, and
fired the country, slue in the field, Carmot, (so he
calleth him) alias Cormac, Monarch of Ireland, and
OF IRELAND.
177
the sonne of Cokeman, a man both godly and reli-
gious; and also Kyrvalt, sonne of Morgan, King of
Leinster. Then they roved round about England,
hulling upon the seas, and landing where they espied
advantage, destroyed with fire and sword as much as
lay in them.
Anno 911. they came againe into Ireland (saith
Cooper) holding on in their former outrages.
Anno 913. (saith Carodoc) the men of Dublin
with great forces came to Anglesey, preyed and de-
stroyed the Iland, and returned to Ireland: the cause
I finde not, but that sea and land was bent to mischiefe,
the fire upon the land, and piracie upon the sea.
Anno 925. the second yeere of the raigne of Adel-
stane, the base sonne of Edward the first, (called
Edward Senior) King of West-Saxons, was a great
armie gathered by the said Adelstane, against Haw-
laffe, King of Ireland, the sonne of Suthricus, and a
Painym, saith Polychronicon, who came with the
whole power of the Scots and Danes against him, and
gave him battaile at Brimesturie, where Adelstane
had the victory, and slue the said King Hawlaffe, and
the King of Scots, and five Kings of the Danes and
Normans, and twelve Earles, so that he brought all
the land of England and Scotland into subjection,
which none of his Predecessours had ever attempted,
So farre out of Caradoc in the British Chronicle.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Polychronicon writeth of Hawlaffe, that he was the
sonne of Sitricus, and had married the daughter of
Constantine, King of Scots, and by his aide entred
the mouth of the river of Humber, wih a strong navy,
and when both armies had encamped themselves, Haw-
laffe used this policie; He tooke a Harpe, and in Har-
pers attire, went to Adelstanes Tent, where he harped,
and viewed their diet, disposition, and behaviour, tooke
money for his musicke, which in heart he disdayned,
he secretly, as he thought, hid the money in the ground,
and went away. A souldier that sometime served
Hawlaffe, espied it, and told Adelstane the whole;
why, saith Adelstane, diddest not thou acquaint me
sooner? he answered, O King, the faith I owe thee
now, sometime I ought to Hawlaffe, if I had beene
false to him, thou wouldst have suspected me after-
wards; but now remove thy Tent, for he will suddenly
come upon thee. For all the haste that Adelstane
made, Hawlaffe came in the night, slue a certaine
Bishop and his company that were fleeing, and many
others: hee hasted to Adelstanes Tent, but he was
provided, and in armes, and at the breake of the day,
set upon his enemies, and foiled them, as formerly is
delivered.
Anno 926. (Saxo Grammaticus, Albertus Krantz,
and others, are mine Authors) Knutus and Herald,
sonnes to Gormo, King of Denmarke, following the
steps of their fathers, gave themselves to Piracie;
roved, crossed, and hulled upon the seas, all was fish
OF IRELAND.
179
that came to their nets; they arrived in Ireland, and
laid siege to Dublin. The King of Leinster sent es-
pecially, and laid an ambush within a mile of Dublin,
and whilst the Danes scaled the wals without, the Ci-
tizens manfully defended themselves within, and others
were carelesse of themselves abroad; one of the es-
pials levelled an arrow at Knutus, and
gave him such
a wound, that he shortly dyed thereof. The Danes
prevailed, but their ioy upon his death was turned into
sorrow. Gormo the father so intirely loved this Knutus
his sonne, that he vowed, whosoever brought him
newes of the death of his sonne Knutus, for recom-
pence, should die the death. Thira, daughter to Ed-
ward the Martyr, (saith Functius) the mother, being
a Christian (though Gormo were a bloudy Infidell)
having certaine intelligence of the death of Knutus,
durst not reveale it, but used this policie: shee caused
in stead of her husbands princely robes, (wherewith he
was on a morning to make himselfe ready) mourning
cloathes to bee laid before him, and such funerall exe-
quies, as were used to be prepared for the witnessing
of the sorrow and griefe conceived for the departure of
some deare friend; woe is me, (saith Gormo) now my
sonne Knutus is dead, this I gather by these circum-
stances. Then answered Thira the Queene, you my
Lord discover it, not I. Gormo dyed for sorrow, and
Thira lamented in one day the departure of her Lord
and husband the King, the death of her sonne, and
her owne dolefull widdowhood.
B b
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Anno 939. (so writeth Caradoc) Abloic a most
worthy Prince, and Monarch of Ireland deceased.
Anno 940. after the death of Athelstane, his bro-
ther Edmund raigned over Britaine. He subdued the
Danes that remained in Northumberland, together
with others that came out of Ireland to invade the land
with Anlaffe their Captaine, saith Fabian; he slue
some, and banished the rest, so writeth Cooper.
Anno 948. the Abbey of the blessed Virgin Mary,
by Dublin, was founded by the Danes.
Molanus writeth of one Columbanus an Abbot of
Irish birth, that became a recluse or an anachorist,
Anno 957. in the Church yard of the Monasterie of
Gandavum, where he kept the space of two yeeres, and
there ended his dayes. This yeere, saith Caradoc,
Congelach, King of Ireland was slaine, but he sheweth
not where nor how.
Anno 959. Edgar, the sonne of Edmund, beganne
his raigne over England, he reduced all into one Mo-
narchie. Camden found in a Charter, where Edgar
delivered of himselfe, that it pleased God of his
mercy to grant unto him, together with the command
' of England, to subdue all the Ilandish kingdomes of
the Ocean, together with their fierce and mighty
Kings as farre as Norwey, and the greatest part of
OF IRELAND.
181
Ireland, with Dublin the most noble Citie thereof,
' unto the kingdome of England.'
Anno 966. Rodericke, the sonne of Edwall Voell,
Prince of Wales, was slaine by Irish men that landed
there for a prey, spoyled the country, and destroyed
Aberfraw. Caradoc so complaineth of them.
Molanus writeth of one Forananus a Bishop, which
flourished, Anno 980. he termeth him Bishop of Do-
menormor, and Metropolitane of Ireland and Scotland:
where he mightily erred in the name of the place, of
the person, and his stile. For hee was Bishop of Dro-
more in Ireland, and no Metropolitane at all, but to
his purpose hee findeth him among his Saints of Flan-
ders, and saith, that he was warned in a vision to tra-
vaile; so that he with a company of Irish Priests,
arrived in France, and came to Rome, in the time of
Benedict 7. from thence he came backe to the Monas-
terie of Walciodorum, where hee and his Priests be-
came professed Monkes, of the order of Saint Bene-
dict, for the space of twelve yeeres, and there ended
their dayes. The Monkes there, saith he, were wont
among other Saints at Easter, yeerely to call upon
him; Sancte Foranane ora pro nobis, untill that the
reformers of Bursfeld wiped him out of the Catalogue
of Saints, for that he was not canonized by the Church
of Rome.
Anno 988. (as I finde in the British Chronicle)
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Elwmaen, the sonne of Abloic, King of Ireland, was
slaine, and a great number of people dyed with fa-
mine; that is alwaies the end of civill warres and re-
bellion in Ireland.
Anno 1004. the Scots (I know not the cause) entred
Ireland, and after their manner, as also the Danes did
then in England, preyed, burned, and destroyed: they
tooke Gulfath and Vbiad, Irish Lords, and put out
their eyes, they ransacked also the Citie of Dublin.
Anno 1012. Grace and Dowlinge, the Irish Anti-
quaries doe concurre, (the English Writers are silent)
and deliver how that Bernaidus, commonly called
Brian Bowrow, Monarch of Ireland, and his sonne
Murcath, alias Murchardus Mac Brian, with other
Kings of the land subiect unto him, gathered great
power, and met at Clantarfe, nigh Dublin, and gave
a sore battaile unto Sutraic, alias Sutric, the sonne of
Abloic, King of Dublin, and unto Moilmordha, King
of Leinster. This Sutric, to withstand the Monarch,
had hired to his aide, all manner of strangers he could
get by sea or by land, as Danes, Norwegians, Scots,
Britaines, Pirates, and sea rovers. The fight was des-
perate, the field all bloud, a horse (they say) was
sometime to his belly in bloud. There were slaine
that day of the one side, Brian the Monarch, and his
sonne Murchard; of the other side, Moilmordha King
of Leinster, Rodericke the Arch-Pirate, and Captaine
of the strangers, with others of both sides innumera-
&
183
OF IRELAND.
thee
ble. Sutrick was sore wounded, was brought to Dub-
pray
lin, and shortly after died of his wound. I
gentle Reader, who got by the bargaine? As farre as
ever I could learne, a woman set them together by
the eares.
The Booke of Houth, after the Irish observation,
delivereth the story thus. There was a Merchant in
Dublin, commonly called the white Merchant, a Dane,
the fourth sonne of the King of Denmarke who had
a faire wife of Irish birth, and he being full of iea-
lousie, and ready to travaile for merchandize into farre
countries, desired of Brian Borow, Monarch of Ire-
land, that his wife (untill his returne) might waite
upon his Lady, soiourne in his house for the safeguard
of her person, credit, and honestie, the which was
granted, and the King undertooke it. This Mer-
chant made as speedy a returne as he could, and being
landed early in a morning, with a privy key, entred
the chamber where his wife lay, and found Morogh
Mac Brian the Kings sonne in bed with his wife;
hee wheeled about, devising what was best to be done,
at length resolving himselfe to depart for that time,
tooke Moroghs sword, and put it into his owne scab-
bard, and his into Moroghs scabbard. Hee went to
the King, and complained of the abuse here spoken
of; the King answered, He is my sonne, give thou
iudgement upon him; saith the Merchant, let him
<
'
keepe the whore still, I will be revenged upon him
and his partakers in the field, as soone as possibly
184
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
6
may be, and I doubt not but all Ireland shall rue
the day of this villanie.' Immediately he went to
Denmarke, brought over to his aide, thirty thousand
Danes and Norwegians, landed at Clantarfe, whereof
the field was called the field of Clantarfe; hee sum-
moned Morogh and his favourites to fight, and thought
at the first to have taken Dublin. Brian Borow fear-
ing this, made more haste then good speed, tarried
not for the forces of the land, that were comming with
his sonne Donogh to his aide, but rashly with his
sonne Morogh, (the Author of all this mischiefe)
gave them battaile. The which battaile all the fore-
noone being cruelly fought, seemed all to leane on
the Irish side, but in the afternoone, the Danes that
were in the rere, and yet fresh for
fresh for any fight they had,
were directed to wheele about, and to take the voward
unknowne unto the Irish, which fiercely fought and
encountred with the wearie and wounded Irish, and
wonne the field. Here was Brian Borow, and his
sonne Morogh, and eleven thousand of the Irish
slaine.
One thing further (gentle reader) note, there was
a Priests sonne, accounted a tall man of armes, who
in the beginning of the battaile, fled away, fearing the
hardinesse of the Danes and Norwegians, and went to
Donogh Mac Brian, the brother of Morogh, who was
comming with forces to the field, and perswaded him
to retraict; saying further, that there was no hope of
good successe to bee obtained in this field. This man
OF IRELAND.
185
:
pu-
being taken, confessed the whole treason, and for
nishment, was carried to the winde gates, twelve miles
from Dublin, set alive standing in the ground, with a
great heape of stones about him, as it pleased the
Commanders to direct. In Stanihurst I finde that
the the chiefe Potentates of the Irish, were Brian
Borow, Miagh Mac Brian, (whom formerly I termed
Morogh) Tady O Kelly, Dolir Ahertegan, and
Gille Barramed, and that they were buried at Kil-
maniham, over against the great Crosse.
Anno 1031. as it is remembred by Caradoc in the
British Chronicles, there was great stirre and bloud-
shed in South-Wales, by the meanes of Howell and
Meredith, the sonnes of Edwyn ap Evean ap Owen
ap Howell Dha, that made claime unto that country
against Rytherch ap Iestyn, Prince of South-Wales.
Howell and Meridith hired unto them a King of Ire-
land, (whose name is not set downe) which brought
with him a great armie of Irish-Scots; the armies
met, the fight was cruell, much bloud on both sides
was shed, in the end, Rytherch the Prince was dis-
comfited and slaine, by which means they attained
unto the governement of South-Wales, the which
they ioyntly ruled, and bountifully rewarded the Irish
King.
There is at Sauntrie, some three miles from Dub
lin, yeerely remembrance of Saint Pappan that was
borne there. Molanus calleth him Poppon.
He
186
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
:
travailed into France, builded there many Monaste-
ries, (saith mine Author) and preferred to governe
them many men, became an Abbot himselfe, and de-
parted this life, Anno 1048. and lyeth buried at Sta-
buletum in France, where hee governed. Lastly,
mine Author noteth, that he was a Saint, but never
canonized.
Conan, the sonne of Iago, Prince of North-Wales,
married Ranulph, the daughter of Alfred, King of
Dublin, who in the warres betweene Iago his father,
and Griffith the sonne of Lhewelyn ap Sitsylte, some-
times King of Wales, (saith Caradoc) was driven to
flee into Ireland for safegard of his life. This Conan,
Anno 1041. came with Alfred his father in law, with
great power out of Ireland, to recover his country:
they shortly landed in Wales, and by treason, secretly
tooke Griffith the King, and carried him towards
their ships, but when it was knowne, the country
upon the sodaine rose, armed themselves, followed the
Irish men, made great slaughter of them, rescued
their Prince, and drove Alfred and Conan, with the
rest of their forces, to their shippes, and so to Ireland.
Stow following Fabian, writeth how that Anno
1049. certaine forces out of Ireland, (whom hee call-
eth Irish Pirates) with 36. ships, entred the mouth of
Severne, landed in a place called Westlapham, and
with the helpe of Griffith King of South-Wales,
spoyled along those coasts, and did great mischiefe.
OF IRELAND.
187
Afterwards Griffith, and those Irish Pyrates, ioyning
their powers together, passed over the river Wie, and
burnt Dumenham, and slue man, woman, and childe,
leaving nothing behinde them, but bloud and ashes.
Worcester, Glocester, and Herefordshire, rose in Armes
against them, but many of them in cruell fight being
slaine, the rest put to flight, the Irish returned home
merrily, loaden with spoyle.
Anno 1050. Conan gathered an armie of his friends
in Ireland, attempting the second time the recoverie of
his inheritance, he hoysed up saile towards Wales, but
on a sodaine there arose such a tempest upon the seas,
that scattered his Navie, and drowned the most part of
his ships, so that he gave over the voyage for that time.
About this time (wherein the English and British
historiographers doe agree) Robert, Archbishop of
Canterbury, accused Earle Godwin and his five sonnes,
(especially Swaine and Harold) of treason, and Queene
Editha the daughter of Godwin, of adulterie, who
being called before the King, refused to appeare, and
therefore were banished the land, and the Queene was
put away from the King. Godwin and Swaine fled to
Flanders, Harold and Leofwin (Warwell saith Holin-
shead) to Ireland, and the Queene was sent with one
Maid to the Monasterie of Wilton. Immediately the
King disposed of all their possessions. It was not
long after ere Godwin and Swaine got shippes, men,
munition, and all necessaries in Flanders, the like did
Сс
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Harold and Leofwin in Ireland, they all met upon the
seas, to wit, the father, the mother, and the five
sonnes; they spoyled the Ile of Wight, Partland, Pe-
veneseny, Romny-heath, Folkeston, Dover, and Sand-
wich, and entring the Thames, destroyed Sheppey, and
burned the Kings houses at Mielton. Then they met
with the kings Fleet upon the seas, and being ready
to fight, Bishop Stigand stept betweene them, and re
conciled both sides in such sort, that the King restored
them their lands and goods, tooke home the Queene,
and banished Robert the Archbishop, with all the
French men which had put buzzes and suspitions into
the Kings head.
Anno 1054. as Powell in his annotations upon Ca-
radoc, hath learnedly collected; King Edward by
evill counsell (as it was thought) banished Algar,
Earle of Chester, which had treason laid to his charge,
whereupon Algar gate him into Ireland, and there
providing him eighteene shippes of warre, well ap-
pointed and manned with stalworth men, of Irish birth,
returned and joyned himselfe with Griffith, King or
Prince of Wales, who both together invaded the coun-
try of Mercia about Hereford, where Ranulph, Earle
of that country (who was sonne to King Edwards
sister, named Goda, by her first husband Walter de
Manut) came against them with a great armie, and
met them about two miles from Hereford, where after
a sore fight, by the space of three houres, Ranulph
and his armie were discomfited, and about 500. of them
.
OF IRELAND.
189
slaine, and the rest put to flight, whom Griffith and
Algar pursued to Hereford, and entring the towne,
set the Cathedrall Church on fire, and slue the Bishop
named Leogar, with seven of the Canons, and most
lamentably (as it falleth out in warres) spoyled and
burned the towne. King Edward being advertised
hereof, gathered an armie, and sent Harold the sonne
of Earle Godwin against them, who pursuing the ene-
mies to North-Wales, passed through Stradlewyde to
Snowdon: but Griffith and Algar being loath to
meete Harold, got them againe into South-Wales,
whereof Harold being advertised, left one part of his
armie in North-Wales, to resist the enemy there, and
returning with the residue to Hereford, caused a great
trench to be cast round about the towne, with a high
rampire, strongly fortifying the gates of the same.
After this, by meanes of a parlee had with Griffith and
Algar, at a place called Biligellagh, a peace was con-
cluded, whereupon Algar being pardoned by the King,
and restored againe to his Earledome, returned home
to Chester.
About two yeeres after, Algar was accused againe
of treason, and the second time exiled the land, fled
into Ireland, where he was most ioyously received of
his old followers, and offered more kindenesse, then he
requested, for hee had most honourably dealt with the
Merchants and owners of the former ships, and most
kindely intreated, and bounteously rewarded the Irish
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
souldiers, the which then in his second extremity, was
not forgotten. With shippes, men and munition, out
of Ireland, he bent his course to Wales, repaired to his
old friend Griffith, Prince of Wales, where he was most
welcome, and shortly restored againe to his Earldome
by the meanes and intreaty of certaine strangers, which
had lately there arrived out of Norway.
Camden writeth how that Anno 1066. Godred,
surnamed Cronan, the sonne of Hirald nigar, of Island,
invaded the Ile of Man, thence came into Ireland, did
the like unto Dublin, and a great part of Leynster,
made great spoyle, and went backe againe.
The British Chronicle reporteth of Dermot, (a King
in Ireland) that in Anno 1068. he was murthered, but
the manner hee sheweth not; the commendation he
giveth of him is this: He was the worthiest and noblest
Prince that ever ruled in Ireland.
Polychronicon reporteth, how that Anno 1072, at
Winsore before William the Conquerour, and the
Cleargie, the controversie between the Archbishops of
Canterbury and Yorke was heard at large, and decided,
and that Bedaes historie was shewed, where it ap-
peared that from Austen the Monkes time, till Bedaes
death, (about 140. yeeres) the Archbishop of Canter-
burie had primacie over all Great Britaine & Ireland,
that he had held Councels by Yorke, summoned
OF IRELAND.
191
Bishops of Yorke, consecrated Bishops, and punished
Bishops of Yorke for their offences, and iudicially re-
moved them.
Philip Flatesburie a great Antiquarie, whom Sta-
nihurst followeth, and Iames Grace of Kilkenny, with
Dowlinge his ioynt Collectour doe write, how that
Anno 1074. Patricke, Bishop of Dublin, was conse-
crated in Pauls Church in London, by Lanfranke,
Archbishop of Canterburie, upon commendatorie Let-
ters of Teridionatus, alias Terdilnacus, Monarch of
Ireland, and Godericke, King of Leinster, and with
teste of the Clergie and Laytie of that Diocesse of his
lawfull and orderly election. Further I finde recorded,
that it was the manner to consecrate Bishops in this
sort, and that the Monarch of Ireland in regard of
his royall principalitie and title of honour with other
priviledges belonging to his Monarchie, had negative
voyce in the nomination of Bishops throughout his
Realme. Secondly, how the Archbishop of Canter-
bury took of him that was so consecrated, a corporall
oath of Canonicall obedience (as his predecessours for-
merly used) to him and his successors; and lastly,
gave him letters testimoniall thereof to the Monarch
and King of Leynster.
Cambrensis sheweth the reason of this consecration,
namely, how that in Ireland as then, there was no
~ Archbishop, but one Bishop consecrated another,
untill that Anno 1148. Iohannes Papiron, a Priest
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Cardinall, sent from Eugenius 3. together with Chris-
tian, Bishop of Lismore, Legate of all Ireland, came
to the land, and brought with them foures Paales. But
of this more in another place.
The same Flattesburie writeth further, how that the
said Lanfranke in like sort consecrated Donatus,
Bishop of Dublin, Anno 1085.
About this time, Godwin and Edmund, sonnes to
King Harold, (my Author is Thomas Walsingham,
Monke of Saint Albans) which formerly had fled into
Ireland for succour, unto Dermotte Mac O Nell,
King of Ireland, returned with 66. saile, landed in
Sommersetshire, (saith Stow) where Brian, the sonne
of Eudo, Duke of Brabant, met them and
gave them
battaile, wherein (saith Stow) the brethren gate the
victory, and the Irish men with many great preyes out
of Cornewall and Devonshire returned into Ireland.
But Walsingham (which seemeth more true) writeth
that it was a bloudie battaile, wherein 1070. of the
English and Normans, with certaine of the Nobilitie
of the land, were slaine, and the enemies with aide of
their ships, fled, and brought heavy newes home to
their deerest friends in Ireland.
It is
very like that William the Conquerour imme-
diately upon this, sent great forces into Ireland, to bee
revenged of them for relieving or assisting his ene-
mies: for Stow writeth out of William of Malmsbury,
OF IRELAND.
193
thus: Lanfranck, Archbishop of Canterbury, being
in such favour with King William, that the said
'William thought not good to deny any thing that
hee requested, procured by his industrie, that the
'said King left his ill custome of selling his prisoners
which hee tooke in Ireland, which was a thing
' hardly granted unto him, and to Wolstan, Bishop of
'Worcester, the gaine that the King had by the sale
' of those Irish men was such.'
The British Chronicle reporteth how that Anno
1087. and the last yeere of William Conquerour, the
sonnes of Blethlyn ap Convyn, sometime King of
Wales, gathered their strength together against Rees
ap Tyder, who not being able to meete with them,
fled to Ireland, and there he purchased to himselfe
great friends, and got an armie of Irish men and Scots,
to whom hee promised great rewards when he should
obtaine his kingdome, & so landed in South-Wales
with these strangers, and when his friends heard
thereof, they drew unto him, and the other came in
all haste to vanquish him before hee had made a head,
and gathered forces together; to bee short, at Wechryd
they gave battaile, where they were discomfited, and
two of the brethren slaine, to wit, Madoc and Kirid,
and the other fled and forsooke the country. As soone
as Rees was in quiet possession of his country, he sent
away
the Irish men with great rewards.
All the Lords of the Ilands sent messengers unto
1
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Murchard, alias Moragh O Brien, King of Ireland,
that it would please him to send them some worthy
man of royall bloud to be their King, during the non-
age of Olanus, the sonne sonne of Godred, King of
Man. Whereupon he sent them one Dopnald Mac
Tady, whom hee deepely charged to governe that
kingdome, which of right appertained not to him,
with all kindenesse, love, and modesty; but hee was
no sooner warm in the kingdome, but he forgot his
instructions, and the charge his Lord hath given him,
he poled, he pilled, and practised all kinde of tyranny,
for the space of three yeers. Then all the Lords of
the Ilands rose in armes against him, and banished
him out of those parts, so he fled into Ireland, of whom
they never heard any further
further newes.
Stanihurst findeth that Anno 1095. there came cer-
taine Esterlings to the North side of Dublin adjoyning
to the Liffie, and seated themselves there, so that of
them to this day, the place is called Ostomontowne,
and corruptly, Oxmonton, and the Parish, Saint
Michans, of one Michanus a Dane and a Bishop
which founded the Church, unto whom Murchard, or
Moragh King of Leynster, gave that parcell of land
to that use. The faire greene or Commune, now
called Ostmontowne-greene, was all wood, and hee
that diggeth at this day to any depth, shall finde the
ground full of great rootes. From thence, Anno 1098.
King William Rufus, by licence of Murchard, had
that frame which made up the roofe of Westminster
OF IRELAND.
195
Hall, where no English Spider webbeth or breedeth
to this day.
Cambrensis in his Itinerarie of Cambria, reporteth,
how that King William standing upon some high
rocke in the farthest part of Wales, beheld Ireland,
and said, I will have the shippes of my kingdome
brought hither, wherewith I will make a bridge to
invade this land: Murchard King of Leynster heard
thereof, and after he had paused awhile, asked of the
reporter; hath the King in that his great threatning,
inserted these words, if it please God? No, then
(said he) seeing this King putteth his trust onely in
man, and not in God, I feare not his comming.
Anno 1095. Murchard, (so writeth Holinshed) alias
Morogh, King of Leynster, with the Clergie, and
people of the Citie of Dublin, elected one Samuel a
Monke of Saint Albans, an Irish man borne, to the
governement of the Church, and Bishops See of
Dublin, and according to the antient custome, pre-
sented him by sufficient letters of testimony unto
Anselme Archbishop of Canterburie, to be consecrated
by him, who (according to their request) did so, and
tooke of him an oath of Canonicall obedience after
the usuall manner.
Anno 1097. the Citizens of Waterford perceiving
that by reason of the great multitude of people in that
citie, it was necessarie for them to have a Bishop,
D d
2
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
obtained licence of their King and Rulers, to erect in
their Citie, a Bishops See, and besought them to write
to Anselme, Archbishop of Canterburie, to have his
consent therein, and permitted them to nominate a
man meete for the place. Hereupon Morogh King
of Leynster, wrote unto Anselme, informing him of
the whole matter, wherein one Malchus was com-
mended and presented unto him to be admitted and
consecrated if he thought good; these letters were
subscribed by Murchard, King of Leynster, Dermotte
his brother, Bishop Dufnald, Idiman, Bishop of
Meath, Samuel, Bishop of Dublin, and Ferdomnachus,
a Bishop in Leynster. Anselme considering their re-
quest to be honest and necessarie, examined the man,
gave him the oath of Canonicall obedience, and con-
secrated Malcus Bishop of Waterford.
About this time, to wit, Anno 1098. the Normans
having slaine Rees ap Twyde, Prince of South-Wales,
they bent their forces against Griffith ap Conan, Prince
of North-Wales, by the conduct of Hugh de Mont-
gomerie, Earle of Saloppe and Arundell, (called of
the Welchmen, Hugh Gough,) and of Hugh Vras,
Earle of Chester. Griffith the Prince fled to the
mountaines, and sent for aide into Ireland, (saith
Caradoc) where he received cold comfort, then to
avoid farther mischiefe and treason, which hee sus-
pected to have beene wrought against him, fled into
Ireland. In the same season, Magnus King of Norway
(so Stow calleth him) the sonne of Olavus, the sonne
OF IRELAND.
197
of Harold Harvager, came with great forces, and
subdued the Iles of Orknay, with the Ile of Man,
entred into Anglesey, incountred with Hugh, Earle
of Salop, who withstood his landing, in the which
skirmish, Hugh the Earle had an arrow shot in his
face, which pierced his braine, of which he died;
whereupon the Normans retraited. Magnus invadeth
Ireland (saith Saxo Grammaticus) and Griffith the
Prince of Wales returned to his country, and made
peace with the Normans, and governed the same fiftie
yeeres. Many things worthy of memory are recorded
of this Griffith ap Conan. Powell writeth that hee
was an Irish man by his mother, daughter of the King
of Dublin, and also by his Grandmother, and that hee
was borne in Ireland, and that he brought over with
him out of that country into Wales, divers cunning
Musitians, who devised in manner, all the instru-
mentall musicke upon the Harpe and Crowth that is
there used, and made lawes of minstrelsee to retaine
the Musitians in due order.
I have not yet done with Magnus the Norwegian,
of him Camden writeth a worthy storie. Magnus
saith he) caused a fleete to bee in readinesse of an
160. saile, and sailed into the Orkeneys, the which he
forthwith subdued, he passed through all the Ilands,
made them subject unto him, and arrived in the Ile
of Man; when hee beheld how pleasant the Iland
he made choice thereof for habitation, fortified therein,
which of him to this day beares his name. Hee so
was,
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
hampered the inhabitants of Galloway in Scotland,
that hee made them bring him timber to his Port for
the frame of his fortifications. Afterward he sailed to
Anglesey in Wales, where he met with two Hughs,
both Earles, the one he slue, the other he put to flight,
and made the Iland subiect unto him. The Welsh
men gave
him many gifts and rewards, he bade them
farewell, and so returned to Man. He sent to Mur-
chard, alias Morogh, King of Ireland, his shooes,
commanding him to hang them upon his shoulders
upon Christmas day as he passed through his Hall,
in the sight of his Embassadors, that thereby he might
understand that he was subject to Magnus the king.
When the Irish men heard thereof, they tooke it in ill
part, and chafed exceedingly, but King Morogh, a
wise and a sage Prince, smiling at the conceit, with
great modesty and discretion gave this answer. I will
not onely beare his shooes, but I had rather eate them,
then that King Magnus should destroy any one Pro-
vince in Ireland. Whereupon he fulfilled his com-
mand, honoured his Ambassadors, sent many Presents
unto King Magnus, and concluded a league. The
Ambassadors upon their returne, related all circum-
stances gave great report and commendation of the
land, delivered how pleasant and fruitfull the soile
was, the temperature of the ayre, and how healthfull
the dwelling was. Magnus hearing this, immediately
it ranne in his head to conquer all Ireland; he com-
manded a great fleet to be in a readinesse, and he him-
selfe going before with sixteene saile privily to espie
7
OF IRELAND.
199
and search out the strength of the land, and unad-
visedly ranging from his shippes, was upon a sodaine
compassed and hemmed in by the Irishmen, and slaine,
with all in a manner that were with him. Thus
Magnus is become Minimus, in fine, hee was buried
in Saint Patrickes Church of Downe. So farre Cam-
den in substance. The British Chronicle writeth, how
that before this insolent attempt, he had procured for
his sonne, a daughter of King Morogh in marriage,
and that he made him King of Man, but I doe not
finde that he enjoyed it.
Carodoc writeth, how that Anno 1101. Robert de
Mountgomerie, Earle of Salop, and Arnulph his bro-
ther, Earle of Pembroke, rebelling against King
Henry, Robert sent for aide to Magnus, but could get
none, Arnulph sent Gerald of Windesore, his Steward
to Murchard, alias Morogh, King of Ireland, to de-
sire his daughter in marriage, the which hee obtained
with promise of great succours, which did encourage
him the more against the King; whereupon Arnulph
went with all haste into Ireland for his wife and Irish
forces. Earle Robert seeing himselfe disappointed,
sent to the King, desiring him that he might forsake
the Realme, which thing the King granted, and he
sailed into Normandie. Arnulph received message
from the King, that either he should follow his bro-
ther, and depart the land, or yeeld himselfe to his
mercie, he chose to forsake the land, and fled into Ire-
land. Not long after, Owen the sonne of Cadogan.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
J
after hee had done great mischiefe and spoile upon the
English, Normans, Flemings, and Welsh men, fled
into Ireland to King Morogh, who joyfully received
him, for he had beene there before, returned to Wales,
and fled thither the second time, and in like sort the
third time.
Anno 1113. or thereabout, Griffith the sonne of
Rees ap Twyder, Prince of South-Wales, who for
feare of the King, had beene of a childe brought up
in Ireland, came to Gerald, Steward of Pembroke his
brother in law, and others of his friends, to recover
his country, whom the King by secret policies and
practises pursued, so that hee was forced to flee againe.
In the time of King Henry the first, I finde that
there was great stirre betweene Murchard or Morogh,
King of Leynster, and the Citizens of Dublin, for it
seemeth that he used grievous exactions and tyrannies
over them, so that the Dublinians in revenge of him,
sent for Godred, King of Man, and the Ilands, so
writeth Camden, and made him their King. Morogh
mustereth his country, gathereth forces, procureth
aide, marcheth against his enemies, pitcheth his campe
at the towne of Coridelis, sent his brother (by the mo-
thers side) Osibell, with three thousand horse well ap-
pointed to Dublin, where hee was slaine by Godred,
and by the men of Dublin, and the rest discomfited
and put to flight. Godred found himselfe well satisfied
with spoiles, and returned to Man; they of Dublin
1
OF IRELAND.
201
likewise thought themselves in some sort reasonably
well revenged of their King, quitted themselves for a
while, and by mediation and intercession after many
Presents and Gifts were reconciled. There was great
banquetting and feasting, and ioy outward of all sides,
but inward, lay venome and treason, like sparkles of
fire covered with ashes, which broke forth not long
after, as I am readie to deliver. Stanihurst, Grace,
and Dowlinge doe write, that the Councell of the Citie
determining to establish and decree many good lawes
and orders, for the publike weale of the towne, and
commons of the same, appointed a solemne day of
meeting, sent for Morogh their King, humbly craving
with all loyall circumstances, his presence, counsaile,
and assistance among them at the day appointed, the
which hee granted; when the day came, and that they
had debated many matters, the King as he sate mer-
rily in his chaire, sporting himselfe, and reporting
some pleasant historie, one suddenly stept unto him,
and tooke away his weapon, the rest came upon him,
and stabbed him to the death; they were not content
with this, but they cast him into a base grave, and in
further contempt and dispute of his person, they threw
a dogge upon him, and earth upon them both, the
which Dermotte his sonne revenged afterwards, as
shall
appeare in processe of the historie.
About the yeere 1134. after Furctius his computa-
tion, one Harold, borne in Ireland, (so writeth Saxo)
gathered forces, and became the terrrour of Norway,
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
affirming withall, that he was the sonne of Magnus
the Dane that invaded Ireland, and for truth thereof,
he would declare it by fire. When the time and place
was appointed, with his bare feet he trode upon a fierie
plate, and felt no hurt: the Norwegians admired, and
would make him their King, which was the roote of
many mischiefes in Norway. He was a man faire
spoken, strong, hardy, and swift of foot, and it seem-
eth, after the manner of Ireland, that he went much
bare, so that the soles of his feet were as hard as horne,
and could not easily take harme by fire, by which
meanes he deceived the Norwegians. Nicholaus, King
of Denmarke, corrupted Magnus of Norway by secret
meanes to cut him off. Magnus practised with Eri-
cus a Danish Captaine, to dispatch him immediately
after his Coronation. To bee short, Ericus came with
great forces to Scypetors, (a Village where Herald
was) in the night time, laid siege to his Pallace, and
by the breake of day, pulled him and his sonnes forth
by the head and shoulders, and put them to death.
In the time of Henry 1. King of England, flou-
rished Celsus, Bishop of Armagh, and ended his dayes
with the entrance of King Stephen to the Crowne.
He descended of Noble Parentage in Ireland, whom
Saint Bernard with others, for divers rare and singu-
lar gifts, highly commendeth; he had beene brought
in the Vniversitie of Oxenford, where in the li-
berall sciences, and profound literature, he excelled
others of his time; when he perceived by the infirmi-
up
}
OF IRELAND.
203
ties of his body, that age hastened to an end, and that
his naturall course was in short time to be finished,
he desired of them that were present, their favours,
and prayed them to use meanes unto others that were
absent, and especially unto the two Kings of Moun-
ster, (so Bernard writeth) that Malachias might suc-
ceed him in the Bishopricke of Armagh. He was a
married man, and died of great age, and lyeth buried
with his wife and children in the said Church.
Malachias in the time of King Stephen, succeeded
Celsus in the Bishopricke of Armagh, whose life Saint
Bernard, Abbot of Clarevallis, Capgrave and Con-
ganus, an Abbot of Ireland have written at large.
He was borne in Ireland amongst barbarous people
(saith Bernard) yet in his birth and native soile, hee
sucked of them no more barbarousnesse, then the Sea
fish take of the salt water. His Parents for wealth
and might, were in great account in those dayes; he
was brought up at Armagh, under Imarius the Ana-
chorite, where Celsus made him both Deacon and
Priest at the age of 25. yeeres, from thence with li-
cence of Imarius and of Celsus, he went to Malchus,
Bishop of Lismore in Mounster, a man of Irish birth,
that had beene a Monke sometimes in the Abbey of
Winchester in England, and from thence advanced to
the Bishopricke of Lismore. And to make the his-
torie plaine, there was at that time, great warres be-
tweene Cormacke, King of Mounster, and his brother
for the Soveraignty; the brother prevaileth, Cormacke
Ee
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
fleeth to the Bishop of Lismore, and in his distressed
estate, tooke a Monkes Cell, and led a private life.
Malachias was appointed his Tutor, where Cormacke
continued untill that a King there adjoyning, pittying
his miserie, gathered forces, and restored him to his
kingdome.
Immediately after this, Letters came for Mala-
chias in most earnest sort, that he should come to Ar-
magh, where not farre off, an Vncle of his, a man of
great command, a Lord of a country, rich and potent
(that held in his hands all the wasted Monasterie of
Benchor, alias Bengor) dwelled; of which Monasterie
I have spoken before in the raigne of King Arthure,
Malachias upon
his comming, restored these posses-
sions, and reedifieth the old Monasterie, and appointed
one Malchus, brother to Christianus, Abbot of Mel-
lefont, governour of the place; when Malachias was
thirty yeeres of age, he was made Bishop of Conor,
(Conorets saith Bernard) where hee met by his owne
report, (more then I am willing to lay downe in writ-
ing) so rude and barbarous a people, as worse could
not be found upon the face of the earth, yet the holy
man ceased not to travaile among them by preaching
and teaching, and by all meanes possible to winne
them; not long after, a certaine King of Vlster de-
stroyed Conor, and put the people to the sword, burned
and spoyled, and made havocke of all, whereupon
Malachias with a hundred and twenty brethren, fled
to Mounster, where King Cormake gave him great
OF IRELAND.
205
entertainement, and ayded him greatly in the building
of the Monastery of Ybrak. By this time, Celsus
spoken of before, fell sicke and dyed. ´´ The rude peo-
ple thrust in Mauritius that usurped the place some
five yeeres, then Malchus, Bishop of Lismore, and
Gistebertus the first Legate that came to Ireland,
from the Pope, called the Bishops and Princes of the
land together, appointed Malachias for the place. And
when death had swiftly cut off the intruder Mauritius,
that damnable nation thrust in Nigellus, but he pros-
pered not long, so that Malachias enjoyed it quietly.
Of the injury done to that Church, and the abuse of
that time, heare Bernard, (as he learned of Conganus
and others) report. The see of Ardmach (saith Ber-
nard) for the reverence and honour of Saint Patricke
the Apostle of that nation, which converted that whole
land to the faith, in the which See living, he ruled,
and in which dying, he rested, is had of all men from
the beginning, in so great reverence, that not onely
the Bishops and Ministers of the Clergie, but the
Kings and Princes of that nation, carry themselves in
all obedience unto their Metropolitane, so shat he
being one, ruleth all: but there crept in a most de-
testable custome, through the divellish ambition of
certaine mighty men, that the holy See was obtained
by inheritable succession, neither were any suffered to
enjoy the Bishopricke, but such as were of their tribe
and familie, neither did this execrable succession hold
for a small time, but for the space of fifteene
of fifteene genera-
tions, now in this diabolicall malice elapsed. And so
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
farre this wicked and adulterous generation had con-
firmed to it selfe this lewd interest, yea rather an in-
jurie to be punished with all manner of death, that if
at time there should want Clerks of that race, yet
any
never wanted Bishops. To be short, there were be-
fore Celsus, eight Bishops married men, besides him-
selfe, without orders, yet learned men; from hence
over all Ireland, issued that dissolution of ecclesiastiall
discipline, which Malachias found in Conor, the root-
ing out of godly censure, and the abandoning of reli-
gion; from hence every where in stead of Christian
meeknesse, was brought in cruell barbarousnesse, yea,
paganisme and infidelity under a Christian name; for
that which was not heard of from the originall of
Christianitie, without order, without reason, the Me-
tropolitans at their pleasure changed, and increased
the number of Bishops, so that one Bishopricke con-
tented not it selfe with one Bishop, and no marvaile,
for how could it fare well with the members of so dis-
eased a head? they possessed the Sanctuary of God in
this sort, the space well neere of two hundred yeeres
hee meaneth unto the dayes of Celsus and Malachias.
Cambrensis in his itinerarie of Cambria, had relation
no doubt unto this, where he with Baldwin, Archbi-
shop of Canterbury, in visitation about Wales, came
to the Church called lure padaen vacor, that is, the
Church of great Paternus, mis-stiled with the go-
vernement therof, for thus he writeth: This Church,
like as many more throughout Ireland and Wales,
* hath a Laye man to their Abbot, use hath prevailed,
<
6
OF IRELAND.
207
<
<
<
and a lewd custome hath crept in, that great and
mighty men in Parishes, have beene by the Clergie
appointed Patrons and defendors; afterwards have
'usurped unto themselves the right thereof.' Imme-
diately hee reporteth of a travailer that came hither
out of little Britaine in France, that had for his fur-
ther knowledge seene many countries, and fashions of
sundry nations, and entring into the said Church on
the Sabbath day, wayted for divine Service, they rung
the Bell, they tould, they waited long, at length came
in the Abbot, with some twenty after him in armes,
and wilde lookes, every one having (fon villuge, so
the Britaines termed it) a forrest Bill on his shoulder;
the travailer asked which is the Abbot, answer was
made the formost, with the greatest forrest Bill; the
travailer asked, hath he
any
other ornament, or doth
he use any other weede? answer being made, no, then
said hee, I have travailed farre enough, I will see no
more fashions whilst I live, after that I have seene an
Abbot carry a forrest Bill upon his backe. Now to
returne whence I have made this digression, for the
abuse of the Church causeth me to abuse the reader.
Malachias, when he had peaceably enioyed Ard-
magh some three yeeres, with the consent of the three
Bishops and Princes, he resigned his place to Gelasius,
and returned to his former Bishopricke, not of Conor,
but of Dune, for he had placed one in Conor before,
to wit, Oedanus his disciple; here Bernard noteth
that where Dune and Conor were before this time
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
united through ambition and covetousnesse, this man
of devotion and conscience, separated them againe,
dividing the Churches as they had beene of old, for
the good will he bare to Armagh, he tooke his iour-
ney towards Rome, landed in Scotland, came to Yorke,
sailed to France, and lodged at Clarevallis; hee came
to Rome in the time of Innocentius 2. who made him
his Legate of Ireland, in the roomth of Gislebert, the
old man spoken of before, which had made sute to be
removed. Boniface appointed Armagh to be a Me-
tropolitane See, but did not effect it, and promised the
pall which he did not performe; Bernard maketh
mention of two Metropolitan Sees, one procured by
Celsus, the other by Malachias; but where and how
I finde no antient record. Bale is of opinion they
were in vocibus, and not in rebus, for lacke of money
to pay for them. Vpon his returne hee came to
Clarevallis, thence to England, so to Scotland, (where
King David most royally entertained him) and lastly,
to his Abbey of Benchor in Vister. Of his conver-
sation, heare Bernard: from the day of his birth,
to the day of his death, hee lived sine proprio,"
without claiming propertie in any thing; he had nei-
ther men servants, nor maid servants, neither townes
nor villages, neither any reuenue ecclesiasticall or tem-
porall in his Bishopricke; for his provision, (ad men-
sam episcopalem) hee had no certainty allotted him
whereupon a Bishop might live, hee had no certaine
Monastery or dwelling place, for hee daily went about
all the Parishes, preaching the Gospell, and living by
6
OF IRELAND.
209
the Gospell, as the Lord had ordained, saying, the
labourer is worthy of his reward; of his labours and
such as travelled with him, he carried about to relieve
them all; to be short, Malachias neither in dyet or
rayment was discerned from the rest of the brethren ;
when he went a preaching with footmen, he went on
foot, being a Bishop and a Legate: and here Bernard
exclaimeth, when he entreth into the consideration of
the difference betweene him and his brethren, and the
nephewes of the Apostles, so he calleth them. To-
wards his latter dayes, hee sorrowed that Ireland had
not the pall, and as oft as he thought upon Innocen-
tius 2. his promise, he sighed, who (as formerly I have
delivered) had promised, not performed; when he
heard that Eugenius his successor was come unto
France, he thought it a fit time to obtaine his pur-
pose, he tooke shipping for Scotland, where King
David received him as in times past, and thence unto
England, where the jarre betweene the King of Eng-
land, and the Pope, hindred his passage, yet he got
into France, and straight to Clarevallis, where hear-
ing that Pope Eugenius was returned to Rome, he
rested himselfe, fell sicke of an ague, and there dyed,
being of the age of 54. yeeres, Anno 1148. 4 Nonas
Novembris, so farre Bernard in substance, yet Anto-
nine saith hee dyed, Anno 1140.
In his time lived Conganus, Abbot of Benchor,
who enformed Bernard of the whole life of Maláchias,
and wrote at large thereof himselfe, inserting many
210
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
fabulous things, and saith Nicholas Magwire, he
wrote not onely the life of Malachias, but also the
life of Bernard. I finde him to be the Patron of
Killaskin, otherwise called Killeshin, in Monte Mar-
geo, and the Barony of Marghagha in Leynster,
spoken of before.
In this time lived Tundalus Magus, so surnamed,
because suspected for a Sorcerer, borne and brought,
up in Mounster (in Cashell, saith Lepelo, in the
West of Ireland) of Noble birth, and by calling a
Knight: Antonius out of Vincentius reporteth, that
hee was fierce and cruell, and in the end became a
Carthusian Monke, for that order beganne as we may
reade in the life of Bruno, the first founder thereof,
upon some great extremity, (whereof the Proverbe
rose, desperatio facit Monachum, desperation maketh
a Monke) it seemeth that he had in his life time com
mitted some hainous offences, and was mightily tor-
mented in conscience, and fell into trances and ex-
tasies; upon his recovery he delivered unto the world,
strange and damnable untruths, (saith Bale) of Hea-
ven, Hell, Purgatory, and I wot not what, for a man
distracted, knoweth not what he saith. Bale writeth,
talia ad terrorem fingebant scelestissimi; Nebolones
somewhat excusing him, and extenuating his imbecil-
lities and biddeth him farewell: Clarint Stephano
Rege in Anglia dominante; & satana apud Hybernos
suas vires exercente; hee flourished when Stephen
raigned over England, and the divell domineered over
į
OF IRELAND.
211
Ireland. Hee wrote a booke of Revelations, the
which Melchior Canus, Albertus Crantzius, and Go-
belenus have utterly condemned. He wrote also the
life of Vrsula, and the 11000. Virgins, printed at
Cullen, the which Zazarias Lepelo counteth for lyes
and fables.
Anno 1142. the Abbey of Molyfont was founded by
Donatus, alias Donogh, King of Louth, alias Vriell,
some call him Donogh Ocarvell; the first Abbot was
Christianus, who afterwards was Bishop of Lysmore,
and Legate of all Ireland.
Anno 1144. William, Bishop of Winchester, by
authority of Pope Celestine 2. in a Councell held at
London, brought in the use of cursing with Bell,
Booke, and Candle, which liked the Irish Priests well,
to terrifie the Laytie for their Tithes. Foxe.
Anno 1148. there fell great variance betweene
Owen, surnamed Gwyneth, Prince of North Wales,
and Cadwallader his brother, they were both the sonnes
of Griffith ap Conan, Prince of North Wales. This
Cadwallader fled into Ireland, and hired to his aide,
Octer Mac Octer Curbell Mac Therulfe, with a great
number of Irish men, and red shankes, for 2000.
markes, and landed at Abermeany in Carnarvonshire,
against whom, Prince Owen came with great power,
but before the Armies met, there was a peace conclu-
ded betweene the brethren, which when the Irish men
Ff
212
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
$
understood, they kept with them Cadwallader, as pri-
soner, for their pay formerly promised, so that hee was
faine to deliver 2000. heads of Cattell, besides many
prisoners and spoyles that were taken in the country;
but Prince Owen as soone as he knew his brother to be
set at liberty, set upon the Irish men (his stomacke
was full of revengement) slue a great number of them,
and recovered all the Cattell, with the prisoners, and
other spoyle, so that in the end, as many as escaped
with life, returned to Ireland with sorrow, shame, and
losse, and made no bost of their voyage; so writeth
Caradoc.
The same yeere, Anno 1148. Iohn Papire a Priest
Cardinall, together with Christianus Bishop of Lis-
more, the Popes Legate over the whole Land, being
sent by Eugenius, came into Ireland. And in Anno
1151. saith Mathew Paris, but by the consent of most
Writers, Anno 1152. summoned a Councell, where in
the presence of the Bishops, Abbots, Kings, Dukes,
& the Antients of Ireland, by the Apostolike authori-
tie, Colledge of Cardinals, & consent of the Bishops,
Abbots, & others there present, they ordained foure
Archbishopricks in Ireland, and gave them foure pales,
to wit, Ardmach, Dublin, Cashell, and Tuam. In
Ardmach, then sate Gelasius, in Dublin Gregory, in
Cashell Donatus, in Tuam Edanus; these were the
first Archbishops of Ireland. The records from that
time to this day, of the foure Provinces, the foure Arch-
bishoprickes with their Bishops and Suffragans, in La-
OF IRELAND.
213
tine, and vulgar speech, with their titles of Saints and
Patrons, together with the unions of them in processe
of time following, I finde thus,
Anno 1151. these Abbies were founded, de Beati-
tudine, de duillio, de Magio, de valle salutis, and hap-
pily the Monasterie which Mathew Paris and Poly-
chronicon spake of upon this occasion. There was a
Knight (say they) called Owin, of Irish birth, which
had long served King Stephen in his warres, got li-
cence to repaire unto his native soile, and to visit his
friends; when hee came to Ireland, hearing the fame
of the Purgatory of the second Patricke the Abbot,
and not the Bishop, so I reade in Polychronicon, it
came in his minde to visit the same, he being in the
Cave, and concavities under ground, saw strange
sights, and making report thereof unto King Stephen,
obtained licence of him thenceforth to leade a religious
and solitary life: he obtained also of King Stephen,
(so Mathew Paris writeth) a parcel of ground in
Ireland to build a Monasterie called Luden, an Abbey
of white Monkes, where Gervasius became the first
Abbot, and where Gilbert a Monke trayned up Owen
in the order thereof. This Gilbert (saith mine Au-
thor) wrote as Owen told him all the reports that are
now extant of that Purgatory, so that it seemes to bẹ
no antient matter, but a late device, first found by this
Owen, in the late dayes of King Stephen.
Anno 1152. was the battaile of Monad-more fought
214
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
in Ireland, betweene Leinster and Mounster men,
where (saith Holinshed) the flower and chiefest per-
sonages of Leinster and Mounster were slaine, and
saith Iohn Plunket, Mounster lost the field, Anno
1154. Terdielach, King of Connaght dyed, there suc-
ceeded him, Rorie Oconochor Rowag, commonly cal-
led Roderic, who slue his owne brother that aspired to
the kingdome of Connaght, and in this successe, at-
tempted further, and became Monarch of Ireland.
Henry 2 King of England, the sonne of Mathilda
the Empresse, subdued Scotland, Ireland, Orchades,
and the furthest Ocean Ilands; hee was Protector of
France, and was offered the kingdome of Ierusalem:
this Noble Henry was crowned King of England, Anno
1154. he married Elenor, daughter and heire of Wil-
liam, Duke of Aquitaine, the which Elenor had been
formerly married to Lewis, King of France, and upon
dislike, divorced, under pretence that they were within
the fourth degree of consanguinity: he was knighted by
David, King of Scots, and after many broyles, & much
bloudshed, adopted by King Stephen for his sonne,
and consequently proclaimed heire apparant to the
Crowne of England, and thereupon after the discease
of Stephen, crowned with great ioy and applausse of
the people
Anno 1154. the same yeere that Henry the se-
cond was crowned, the Abbey of Kyrie-eleeson was
founded.
215
OF IRELAND.
Anno 1155. saith Mathew Paris and Fabian, and
the first or second of Henry 2. raigne, (though Stow
referre it to the 7.) and Anno 1160. the King cast in
his minde to conquer Ireland, hee saw that it was com-
modious for him, and considered that they were but a
rude and savage people, for so the historiographers doe
write, whereupon in his ambitious minde, he sent unto
Adrian, Bishop of Rome, one Iohn Salsbury, (who by
the said Bishop afterwards was made Bishop of Carno-
lum in France) with others, delivering his sute to that
effect. Adrian being a Man of English birth, heard
his Ambassadors the more willingly, considered the
matter advisedly, together with his colledge of Cardi-
nals, and granted him his request, as followeth: ‹ A-
'drian the Bishop, the servant of the servants of God,
to his most deer sonne in Christ, the Noble King of
England, sendeth greeting and Apostolike benedic-
* tion: your magnificence hath beene carefull and
'studious how you might enlarge the Church of God
6
6
6
6
6
very
here in earth, and increase the number of his Saints
❝ and elect in heaven, in that as a good Catholike King,
6 you have and doe by all meanes labour and travell to
enlarge and increase Gods Church, by teaching the
ignorant people the true and Christian religion, and
' in abolishing and rooting up the weedes of sinne and
'wickednesse. And wherein you have, and doe crave
for your better furtherance, the helpe of the Aposto-
like See (wherein more speedily and discreetly you
proceed) the better successe we hope, God will send,
** for all they which of a fervent zeale and love in re-
6
•
C
7
216
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
ligion, doe begin and enterprise any such thing, shall
' no doubt in the end, have a good and prosperous suc-
<
<
<
cesse: And as for Ireland, and all other Ilands where
"Christ is knowne, and the Christian religion received,
' it is out of all doubt, and your excellencie well know-
'eth, they doe all appertaine and belong to the right
' of Saint Peter, and of the Church of Rome, and we
' are so much the more ready, desirous and willing to
sow the acceptable seede of Gods word, because we
'know the same in the latter day will be most severely
required at our hands: you have (our welbeloved
6 sonne in Christ) advertised and signified unto us,
• that you will enter into the Land and Realme of Ire-
land, to the end to bring them to obedience unto Law,
' and under your subjection, and to root out from among
them, their foule sinnes and wickednesse, as also to
' yeeld and pay yeerely out of every house, a yeerely
pension of one penny to Saint Peter, and besides
' also will defend and keepe the rites of those Churches,
• whole and inviolate; We therefore well allowing and
favouring this your godly disposition, and commend-
' able affection, doe accept, ratifie, and assent unto this
your petition; and doe grant that you (for the dilat-
ing of Gods Church, the punishment of sinne, the
reforming of manners, planting of vertue, and the
increasing of Christian religion) doe enter to possesse
* that land, and thereto execute according to your wise-
ť
.
C
C
<
[
{
dome, whatsoever shall be for the honour of God,
' and the safety of the Realme: and further also we
doe strictly charge and require, that all the people of
N
OF IRELAND.
217
that land, doe with all humblenesse, dutifulnesse, and
'honour, receive and accept you as their Liege Lord
6
' and Soveraigne, reseruing and accepting the right of
“
<
C
holy Church to be inviolably preserved: as also the
yeerely pension of Peter pence out of every house,
' which we require to be truely answered to Saint Peter,
you
' and to the Church of Rome. If therefore doe
'minde to bring your godly purpose to effect, indevour
' to travell to reforme the people to some better order
' and trade of life, and that also by your selfe, and by
'such others as you shall thinke meet, true, and ho-
'nest in their life, manners, and conversation, to the
' end the Church of God may be beautified, the
'true Christian religion sowed and planted, and all
' other things done, that by any meanes shall or may
be to Gods honour, and salvation of mens soules,
whereby you may in the end receive of Gods hands,
the reward of everlasting life, and also in the meane
C
C
‹ time, and in this life, carry a glorious fame and an
'honourable report among all nations. '
The King
upon the receit hereof, was very glad, and let it lye
dorment by him, untill better opportunity was offered,
as hereafter shall appeare.
Anno 1166. Moragh Mac Cocholan, King of Ire-
land, called a great Councell at Dublin, gave battaile
to the King of Leinster, and killed him, and shortly
after was himselfe slaine by Ororic, which succeeded
in the soveraignty; the same yeere saith Guttyn Owen
in his British Chronicle, Henry 2. being at Chester,
ř
218
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
hired many shippes out of Ireland for his ayde, against
North-Wales, but hee discharged them immediately,
for his purpose tooke no good effect, in as much as the
present troubles of Normandy called him away. In
this pastime (so the old English delivereth) or rather
the hurly-burly of the world, amids the warres of
France, Flanders, and England; Ireland was all in
armes, the occasion was as followeth.
* Dermot Mac Morough Lageniæ Rex diuturno
prosequebatur amore uxorem Domini O'Rourke Mi-
die regis, quem alii Mauricium, alii Mordichum ap-
pellárunt. Hanc Domino Melargluno ortam natura
pulchram, fortuna Reginam, libidoque scortum fece-
rat. Codex, qui inscribitur Howthensis, de utroque
ridicula admodum narrat, sed quæ, uter utri flagitio
pramineat, in dubio relinquere videantur. Tradit enim
iste libellus Regem O'Rorke annis esse provectum,
Reginam autem ætate florentem, & libidini deditam,
Quare cum Rex Venatione regressus esuriret, Illa
ludibrium poma ex obscœna corporis parte detracta ei
comedenda obtulit; quorum cum fœtor nares ejus of-
fenderet, ea tantum risit. At Rex demum uxoris
flagitio comperto, occasionem vindictæ non distulit,
sed venatum quasi profecturus duos ex ejus nutriciis
secum assumpsit postridie, quorum testes exsectos
crustulo pinsendos curavit, atque ita domum ad uxo-
per
* This passage has been translated from the original English, into ano-
ther language, for reasons which our learned Readers will find no difficulty
-in appreciating. EDITOR.
OF IRELAND
219
Quibus post-
rem attulit, magnopere laudans escam.
quam Regina & pedissequa se ingurgitassent deli-
ciis, ut vobis, inquit ille, arridet hic cibus? ita ut
nihil melius, respondent; tum ille reponit. Hic qui-
dem cibus est, qui, sive crudus, sive assatus, vobis max-
ime sapit. Qualis demum est, rogant? nutriciorum
testiculi, respondet. Tum illa horrore correpta truces
sustulit oculos, neque eum post hæc placido vultu as-
picere sustinuit. Ororic her Lord and husband being
in pursuit of kerne theeves and outlawes that had
mightily annoyed his people in the furthest part of
his country, she with all celerity, supposing it a fit
time, sent for her lover Dermotte, the message was no
sooner delivered, but hee was a horse backe, posting
to the Harlot; to be short, he tooke her away with
him, at which time (O false heart) she strugled, she
cryed, as though she were unwilling, and that hee
forced her. Ororic immediately heard of it, gathered
his forces together, mustred his people, craved ayde,
and among others, wrote unto Roderick, Monarch of
Ireland as followeth.
66
Though I am not ignorant, (most renowned Prince)
that humane causes are to be weighed in the balance
of patience, and that a man endued with vertue, will
not effeminate himselfe by reason of the unconstant
and mutable minde of a Harlot, yet in so much this
horrible crime, (whereof I am fully perswaded) came
to your eares before my messenger could deliver his
letters, a thing heretofore not heard of, as farre as I
G g
220
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
remember, not practised against any King of Ireland;
severity causeth me to call for justice, when charity
admonisheth me not to seeke revengement. If thou
behold the shame, I confesse it redoundeth to me
alone; if you weigh the cause, it is common to us
both; what confidence shall we repose in our subjects
that are bound unto us in regard of our Princely com-
mand, if this effeminate adulterer, or rather queller of
chastity, shall escape unpunished for so abhominable
a fact? for the unchastised offences of Princes, notori-
ously committed in the sight of al men, breed a most
pernitious imitation, as precedents unto the people; in
summe you have sufficient experience of my good will
and affection towards you, you see mee wounded with
the cruell darts of fortune, vexed with infinite discom-
modities, and now extremely driven to my utter shifts
It remaines, (seeing I am wholly yours) that not onely
with counsell, being requested, but with armes, being
urged, you revenge my quarrell: this when
you will,
and as you will, not onely I aske, but require at your
hands. Farewell.'
"2
The Monarch for some former quarrell against Der-
mot was all on fire, and joyning forces with Ororic,
entred Leinster with fire and sword, the people cry
woe and alacke (O bone in Irish) now are wee pu-
nished for the lewdnesse of our Prince. Dermot lul-
ling himselfe in his lovers armes, heareth the newes,
starteth upon a sodaine, beholdeth his Lady, hath no
power to speake, runneth forth, calleth his men, cry-
OF IRELAND.
221
eth for aid, throughout his country, none gave eare
unto him; the country thought now (whereas they
could not) that God will be revenged on him for his
exactions, cruelty, tyranny, and all other villanies prac
tised upon his subjects, and especially for deflouring
another mans wife: when he saw himselfe quite for-
saken, voyd and destitute of all ayde, he betooke him-
selfe to the sea, and fled for England, but what be-
came of the Harlot I cannot learne; belike shee
hanged her selfe when she had set all the country in
uprore. Anno 1169. (Iohn Clin and Iohn Stow are
mine Authors) now that Dermot is fled, I am to in-
sert a story out of the British Chronicles of Conwey
and Strotflur Abbeyes, afore I discourse of him which
was in the same yeere, that he tooke the sea, how that
Owen Gwyneth, Prince of North-Wales, had a sonne
called Ryryd, who in the right of his wife, as it seem-
eth, was Lord of Clochran in Ireland, and another
sonne begotten vpon an Irish woman, called Howell,
and a third sonne called Madoc. This Madoc finding
his
country in great contention, and his brethren at
civil warres, prepared certaine ships with men and
munition out of Wales and Ireland, and sought ad-
ventures by seas, he sailed west from the coast of Ire-
land, so farre north, that hee came to a land un-
knowne, where he saw many strange things. This
land in the opinion of Humphrey Lloyde, the great
Antiquary of Britaine, must needs be some part of
that country, of which the Spaniards affirme them-
selves to be the first discoverers since Hannos time.
222
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Y
For by reason and order of cosmographie, this land to
the which Madoc came, must needs be sonne part of
Nova-hispania, or Florida; whereupon it is manifest
that the same country was long before discovered by
Britaines and Irish men, afore either Columbus or
Americus Vespatius, led any Spaniards thither. Of
the voyage and returne of this Madoc, there be many
fables, the which I will not report. He prepared
ships for a second voyage, and tooke with him men
and women to inhabit that land, therefore it is to be
presupposed that he and his people inhabited
part of
those countries, for it appeareth by Francis Loves,
that in Acusanus and other places, the people honoured
the Crosse, whereby it may be gathered, that Chris-
tians had been there before the comming of the Spa-
niards: but because this people were not many, they
followed the manners of the land, and used their lan-
guage. I am of opinion with others, that the land
whereunto Madoc came, was some part of Mexico;
first of all, for that the inhabitants of that land report,
their Rulers to have descended from a strange nation
that came from a far country, which thing is confessed
by Mutesuma, King of that country, in his orations
made for quieting of his people at his submission to
the King of Castile, Hernando Curtecius being then
present, which is laid downe in the Spanish Chroni-
cles, of the conquest of the West-Indies; secondly
the british words and names of places used in that
country to this day, doe
argue the same, as when they
talke together, (they say) Gurando, which is hearken
OF IRELAND.
223
or listen in British. Also if you peruse Sir Humphrey
Gilberts discovery, they have a Bird, which they call
Pengwin in Brittish and Cornish, a white-head, but
the Iland of Corroeso, the Cape of Britaine, the river
of Gwyndoor and the white rocke of Pengwyn, be
British or Welch words: whereby it appeareth, that
it was that country which Madoc and his people inha-
bited now remembring my selfe that my pen hath
not carryed me so far unto forraigne countries by sea,
but that I expect Dermots returne by sea and by land
into Ireland. Dermot Mac Morogh came to Henry
2. in Normandie, made his moane (as formerly in
substance is delivered) craved aide for his restitution
into his country, being a King exiled, although dis-
tressed and void of comfort, unlesse hee might obtaine
it at his Majesties hands; the Kings hands being full
of warres, he granted him his favourable letters as
followeth.
<
6.
Henry, King of England, Duke of Normandie
and Aquitaine, Earle of Anjow, &c. unto all his
subiects, English, Normans, Welch, and Scots, and
'to all nations and people being his subiects, greet-
ing; whereas Dermot Prince of Leinster most wrong-
fully (as he enformeth) banished out of his owne
country, hath craved our ayde, therefore for so much
'as we have received him unto our protection, grace
' and favour, whosoever within our Realmes, subiects
'unto our command, will ayde and helpe him whom
6
wee have embraced as our trustie friend, for the
224
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
<
recovery of his land, let him be assured of our favour
' and licence in that behalfe.'
Dermot returned ioyfully with these letters, and
came to Bristoll, where at that time, Richard, sur-
named Strangbow, Earle of Penbroke and Chepstow
lay, hee shewed his letters, caused them at severall
times, publikely to be read, conferred with Earle
Richard, and concluded to give the Earle his sole
daughter and heire in marriage, and his whole in-
terest in the kingdome of Leinster after his decease.
Richard undertooke of the other side to effect all his
desire. As Dermot wayted for a winde, it came in his
minde for the shorter cut into Ireland, to goe by land
into Saint Davids, where he was refreshed, and greatly
pittied by the Bishop there, and concluded in like sort
(as with the Earle before) with Robert fitz Stephens,
and Moris Fitz Gerald, by the mediation of the good
Bishop there, to restore him unto his kingdome, upon
condition that hee should give them and theirs for
ever, the towne of Wexford, and two cantreds of land
next adjoyning; upon this hee tooke shipping, se-
cretly came to Fernes, and lived privately among
Clergie all that winter, expecting performance of pro-
mises out of England. Anno 1170. Abbatia de
Castro Dei, was founded in the same yeere, and the
first day of May, (so writeth Stow) Robert Fitz Ste-
phens, with David Barrie, and Hervie de Monte,
Mariscospie of Strangbow his nephew, according to
his promise, with thirty Knights, threescore Esquires
the
OF IRELAND.
225
well mounted, and three hundred foot, being Archers
well appointed, of his owne kindred, and trayning up
in feates of armes, and the choice souldiers of all
Wales, landed at the Bann, not farre from Wexford;
hereupon the rime runneth.
At the Creeke of Bagganbun,
Ireland was lost and wonne.
·
Here some allude unto the blinde Prophecie of
Merlin, that hee should meane this noble Warrior and
worthy Knight, where he saith; A Knight biparted
'shall first enter with force of Armes, and breake the
'bounds of Ireland:' this they would have understood
of Robert Fitz Stephens, an English man, borne in
Normandie, and of Nesta his mother, daughter to
Rees ap Tuyder Prince of South-Wales; so I finde in
Cambrensis; but if Merlin had foresight in this, I
had rather take his Prophecie verified in respect of his
Armes and Ensignes, which were biparted, being of
two sundry changes, namely, party par pale gules and
ermine, a saltier counterchanged; for commonly all
Prophecies have their allusions unto Armes, and by
them they are discovered, though at the first not so
apparant, before the event thereof take place.
The next day after, in the same place, landed
Morice Prendergast, whom Stanihurst calleth Pren-
delgast de Rofensi Walliæ Demetiæ Provinciá, as
Cambrensis writeth; the which I take to be about Mil-
226
DOCTOR HANmer's chroNICLE
ford in South-Wales, accompanied with ten Knights,
and a great number of Archers in most gallant sort in
two ships. Immediately, Robert Fitz Stephens di-
recteth his letters to Dermot, who could scarce reade
them for joy of their arrivall, and sent forthwith his
base sonne Donald with five hundred men to salute
them, and hasteneth after himselfe with all speed; off
goeth his poore mantle wherein hee obscurely shrowd-
ed himselfe, on goeth his princely attire, the Irish
men follow him, the fame thereof is spread over the
whole land: such as before in his distressed state
flatly forsooke him, now runne and flatter, and fawne
upon him; to be short, they meete, they confirme the
former leagues with oathes, and ioyne forces together,
and they march towards Wexford, to lay siege to the
towne; the townesmen a fierce & wilfull people, (to
the number of 2000.) sally forth with full purpose to
give them battaile in the field, but when they heard
the Trumpets sound, the horses neyghing, and beheld
their glittering Armes, the ratling of their furniture,
horse and men in compleat Armes, and all most
comely in battaile array, (the like of them not for-
merly seene, neither heard of) they alter their mindes,
they retire into the towne, they make fast their gates,
and fire the suburbs. Fitz Stephens came to the wals,
filled the trenches with armed men, and appointed his
Archers to levell at the wals and turrets, if occasion
were offered: the townesmen manfully defended them-
selves, threw over the wals great stones and pieces of
timber, hurt many, and made them voyd the place,
OF IRELAND.
227
among whom, a couragious Knight, called David
Barrye, adventured to scale the walles, but with a
great stone which fell upon his head-piece, he was
cast downe to the ditch, and carried away by his fel-
lowes with safeguard of his life, upon this they goe to
the sea strand, and fired all the ships and vessels
which they found there.
The next day after, upon better advice and delibe-
ration, they approach unto the wals, and gave a new
assault, the townesmen within beganne to distrust
their state, being upon this sudden arrivall of the
strangers, not sufficiently provided of men, munition,
and victuals, to encounter with them, and remembring
againe, how most unnaturally they had rebelled against
their Prince and Soveraigne, they sent messengers to
Dermot, to intreate for peace, (alas it was farre from
the heart) the which was granted, and tooke of them
pledges and hostages for the performance thereof.
Lastly, Mac Moragh, according to his former pro-
mise gratified these first adventures, hee gave unto
Robert Fitz Stephens, and Morrice Fitz Gerrald,
who was as yet in England, the towne of Wexford,
and the territories thereunto adioyning, and unto
Hervie de Monte Morisco, two cantreds on the sea
side, betwixt Wexford and Waterford.
Dermot Mac Moroch and his company now take
heart, they encrease their Army with Wexford men,
and become 3000. strong. The next iourney they
Hh
228
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
bend their course towards Ossory, where one Donald,
or Mac Donell was Prince, whom Dermot hated
deadly, and for this cause Donald suspected Dermots
sonne and heire to have much familiaritie with his
wife, and therefore in his jealous humour, apprehend-
ed him, imprisoned him, and pulled out both his eyes,
(but say they) though sight failed him, his feeling
did not, for she loved him the more, in so much that
she satisfied his lust, and ranne away after him. When
Robert Fitz Stephens, and the Gallants of Britaine
entred the country, they found neither dastards, nor
cowards, but valiant men with horse and foot; they
found the country fast with woods, bogges, and paces
trenched and plashed; yet the valour of the adven-
turers was such, presuming upon former fortunes, to
have the like future successes, with loose wings drove
them out of the woods and bogges, into the plaine and
champion land, where the horsemen with their speares
overthrew them, and the foote finding them grovel-
ing, runne them thorow, and ended their dayes; the
Gallowglasses followed, and cut off their heads. And
here Dermot Mac Morogh is mightily condemned, he
being originally for exaction, extortion, cruelty, ty-
ranny, and other damnable offences, iustly exiled, now
sheweth no Princely stomacke, but a base Wolvish
minde; for when 300. of the Ossory mens heads were
throwne at his feete, (alas they had not offended) hee
viewed them all, and finding one whom he knew, and
mortally hated, he held him by the head and eares,
and most brutishly with his teeth, bit the nose and
229
OF IRELAND.
lips of the dead, whom without the ayde of the Bri-
taines, hee durst not behold in the face. In this
bloudy course, Dermot directed these worthy warri-
ours, they more affecting the prey for their present
maintenance, then the bloud of any person, to spoyle,
and
burne, waste the country, and murther the poore
seely people, which God wot, meant no harme: where-
upon Donald, Prince of Ossory, despising Dermot
Mac Morogh, by the advice of his Councell and
friends, sent to Robert Fitz Stephens in writing as
followeth: Sir Knight of Noble race, renowned for
martiall prowesse, Donald Prince of Ossory sendeth
greeting: Dermot that damnable adulterer in his
owne person, with the King of Meths wife, and in his
sonnes person with my wife, have drawne thee and
those Gallants, (most worthy Knights) into this poore
country and naked people: I will yeeld my selfe (it is
for the good of my poore followers) into thy hands,
peace I crave, and peace lct me have. Robert Fitz
Stephens acquainted Dermot Mae Morogh with the
premises of all sides, the Irish dissembled, (as here-
after shall further appeare) peace they granted, and
they acknowledged Dermot for their Lord and Sove-
raigne. In all this service, I may not conceale what
Cambrensis delivereth. David Barry and Meilerius,
effected singular exployts, and deserved no lesse
commendations. As soone as the good successe of
Dermot and the strangers lately arrived, was spread
abroad, Rory Oconochor, alias Rodericke, King of
Connaught, Monarch of Ireland called the Princes
230
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
and Nobles of the land together, and layeth before
them the dangerous estate and imminent perill of the
whole land, how Dermot guilefully had trayned in
strangers, how hee and the strangers were like to
ouer-runne all, unlesse with all expedition, this mis-
chiefe were prevented; in summe they concluded, that
every man shall to his Armes, and make ready horse
and foot, and set upon these invaders.
Dermot Mac Morogh, having certaine knowledge
of this great separation and mischiefe intended, and
his false harted subjects, that lately fawned
vpon him
were fled to the enemies, fearing the puisance of the
Monarch, and the forces of the whole land, called
Robert Fitz Stephens, and said vnto him; Fortune
'is fickle, our state is an ague that commeth by fits,
my friends fleet away, and argue false hearts, no
'marvaile though I bee disquieted, if you stick not to
'mee I am undone:' Robert Fitz Stephens replied,
6
•
Wee have left behind us our deare friends and our
'native soyle, wee have fired all our shippes, not upon
' intent to runne away, wee haue already in armes in-
gaged our lives, fall out as fall out may, wee will
live and dye together, bee you true to us, wee will
not bee false to you:' Dermot hereupon gathering
his spirits together, got him and his followers to a cer-
tainė fastenesse, not farre from Fernes, where hee in-
trenched and plashed himselfe, being invironed with
woods, hils, rockes, bogges and waters, a place to
mans seeming inaccessible and invincible, to endure
OF IRELAND,
231
<
for a while wandring clowds, and threatning stormes
of his adversaries, to vanish and bee caried away with
waving winds of fortune and unfortunate warres:
Whose foresight and ready wit Robert Fitz Stephens
highly commended, Immediately there came a Mes-
senger from Roderic the Monarch unto Robert Fitz
Stephens with this message: • The Britans may not
by the Lawes of Armes, display their Banners and
Ensignes in forreine possessions, and dispose the
• lawfull heires of their inheritance, but they are with
• licence of the Irish to pack home whence they came :
• It is a blemish for the Brittish nation, iniuriously to
giue aide to a shamefull fact, neither may the lechery
' of Dermot, be mantled under British cloaks, where-
'fore depart and forsake him that is forsaken of God
• and man.
6
And here by my messenger receive to
<
<
6
<
defray your charges, and transport you to your na-
'tive soyle.' Robert Fitz Stephens answereth, 'your
present I will not accept, faith and troth I have
pawned to my friend Dermot, I will not breake hee
'forsakes not me, I will not forsake him, neither leave
' him distressed; you speake of lechery, what is that
among martiall men? I heare you have Bastards
'your selfe, to what end is your embassie? If Rode-
rick give councell, we need it not; if he Prophecie,
6
"
we credit not his oracle; if he command as a Prince,
'we obey not his autority; if hee threaten as an
• enemie, a figge for his Monarchy.' The messenger
returned with small welcome, going and comming;
Roderic bethought himselfe againe, and sent letters
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
to Dermot, perswading him to be at peace with his
country people, and to banish the strangers out of the
Land; he rejected his councell and despiseth the mes-
senger: Roderic seeing that his private practises tooke
small effect, put himselfe in armes, assembleth his
forces, and delivereth unto them these speeches: You
right worthy and valiant defenders of
your Country
C
and liberty; Consider with what people and for
'what cause wee are now to fight and wage battell,
"the enemy of his owne Country, the tyrant over his
<
owne people, the exile fugitive, behold hee is re-
• turned backed with strangers, and purposeth to de-
C
stroy us and the whole Nation; hee being an enemy,
' hath brought in those enemies, which have beene
´ever hatefull unto us all, and are most greedy to
‹ have the Soveraignty and Dominion over us all, pro-
testing openly and firmely avouching, that by fatall
destiny they are to bee Commanders over this land.
And so farre hath he poured out his venome, that
' there is no favour, nor mercy to be looked for at his
hands. O cruell beast, (yea more cruell then ever
<
<
<
<
6
was beast) who lately bit with his owne teeth, the
nose and lips of the dead: he to satisfie his insatiable
'malice and bloudy minde, spareth neither man, wo-
man, nor childe: he deserveth well to be hated of
"
all, that opposeth himselfe an enemy to all; where-
'fore my loving and deere country men, be well ad-
vised, looke about you, and consider advisedly, how
by the like meanes, (I meane civil warres) all
Realmes and nations for the most part have beene
6
OF IRELAND.
233
<
' overthrowne and brought to utter ruine. Iulius
• Cæsar attempted the invasion of Britaine, was twice
foyled, and indured the repulse, but when Andro-
geus Duke of London fell at variance with the King,
'to be revenged, sent for Iulius, who thereupon re-
turning, subdued the land. The Britaines being at
discord, and hating their vicious King Careticus, the
'Saxons finding opportunitie to over runne all, sent
'for Gurmundus the arch-Pirate and terror of the
'Ocean seas, who ioyning forces together, foyled the
Britaines, and banished their King: not long after,
• Isembert aspiring to the Crowne of France, procured
'the said Gurmund to his ayde: behold the end,
• Gurmund was slaine, Isembert overthrowne, and his
whole practise came to nought. Wherefore let us
' with one minde, like those valiant Frenchmen in our
rightfull cause, in the defence of our country, and
safeguard of the lives of our wives and children, cou-
ragiously give the onset upon our enemies. And
'whiles these strangers are but few in number, let us
stoutly issue out upon them. The fire while it is
'but in embers and sparkles, may easily be covered
'with ashes, but if it breake into flames, it is hard to
'be quenched: wherefore it is expedient we stoppe
beginnings, and prevent sicknesse when it creepeth
'least; when it takes roote, it will hardly be cured :
'wherefore cheere my hearts, wee fight for our coun-
'try and liberty, let us leave unto our posterity an im-
'mortall fame, let us march on, and lustily assault
them, that the overthrow of a few, may be a terrour
C
<
(
1
234
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
€
❝ to many, and that it
and that it may be a president unto all for-
raigne Potentates, never to attempt the like againe.'
Dermot Mac Morogh and his men receive intelli-
gence of this march, and the approach of the enemy,
and beholding his men, somewhat dismaid, turned
him to them with loving countenance: yee men of
Leynster, my naturall subjects, of my flesh and bloud,
whom loyalty, truth and kindred hath hitherto lincked
together; let us live together, and dye together, in
the defence of our persons and country; you see how
that wicked and ambitious minded Rodericke, the Au-
thor of many mischiefes, not contented with his owne
country and kingdome, seeketh now the soveraignty
and dominion over the whole land, the which, I hope,
God will not permit. You see his glory, his pride,
and audacious attempts, how he lifteth up his head,
and looketh aloft: he trusteth to his multitude, doubt
you not but that God is on our side, and the rightfull
cause ours, though wee of country birth, to you
Leinster men I speake, bee not so many as they are,
neither so well appointed, it forceth not, for victory is
not measured by multitude, but by valour and cou-
and oftentimes, wee know, that a few stout and
hardy men have foiled troupes of sluggards, dastards
and white liverd Souldiers: If
mistrust any
in your selves, behold a present supply at your
rage,
and elbow.
you
defect
your back
Doe not you see these Worthy Knights, these
OF IRELAND.
235
C
6
C
1
'Valiant Warriers these Noble gallants, the flowre of
• Brittaine? their valour in part you have sufficiently
tryed, their furniture excelleth, their order and aray
' is most comely, they have forsaken their native soyle,
'their friends and kindred, and all for our sakes; will
they fly? no, they have burned their Ships, the Land
' will yeeld them neither succour nor refuge, neither
' will the bloody tyrant Roderic shew any mercy; wee
' are sworne the one to the other, while breath lasteth
' and life endureth. If the enemy pretend with the
'sword to chastise us for our sinnes, as it appeareth
by their slaunderous & shamelesse reports; alas,
'what have you done? God knoweth, your consciences
' are cleare, your cause honest, to take Armes in de-
'fence of your Prince, and Countrey? Why doe they
'not behold the blemishes, nay the hainous enormities
' and villanies that raigne among them? Their car-
rows, their kerne, their theeves, their murders, their
'swearing, their lying, their drunkennesse, their
'whordome and bloody minds who reformeth? The
Tyrant Roderic hath murdered his owne naturall
'brother, hee hath three wives alive, he hath eleven
'bastards by severall women: O villaine, to behold a
'mote in our eye, and cannot see a beame in his owne.
'If the tyrant make challenge and pretend title to
.
C
Leinster, because the same hath sometimes beene
'tributarie to some one King of Connoght; by the
same reason also may wee demand and challenge all
Connoght; for our ancestors have beene sole Gover-
nours of both, and Monarchs of all Ireland. The
C
I i
236
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
'
C
'Lawes of all Nations doe permit, and allow to resist
and withstand force and injury, with force and
'strength; Let us be of good courage, wee stand vpon
'a good ground, our seat is naturally very strong of it
selfe, & now by our industry made more defensive;
'feare nothing, quit yourselves like men.' When
Dermot had made an end of his Irish Oration, Ro-
bert Fitz Stephens in the Brittish tongue turneth
him to the Brittaines. "You my companions in mar-
'tiall affaires, you lusty young gallants that have
' endured with me many perils, yet still retaine your
noble and valiant courage; consider whence wee
.
C
6
C
came, what wee are, and the cause we have in hand;
we are lineally descended from Troy, whose fame
hath filled the whole earth, and now lately some of
us out of Normandy, have seated our selves in Brit-
'taine, and have to our wives, children, and kindred
' of the ancient and noble Brittish race; of the one
we cary our valiant and noble mind, of the other wee
'learned the experience in feates of Armes; wee are
' not come hither as pirats and theeves, to robbe and
spoile (as it is well knowne unto you) wee had our
'native soile to inhabit, wee had our kindred about us,
C
' and the countenance of great persons, wee came after
C
'the course of the World, as Marshall men (but in
(
C
an honest cause) to take our adventures. Heere wee
are, our friends are with us, our foes are in armes
against us, wee are well appointed, the enemy is but
? a wilde, naked, rascall and savage people: feare
nothing, our cause is good; Dermot sought us, we
OF IRELAND.
237
sought not him, hee loveth our nation, and our friends
in former times have found friendship in his Countrey,
'hee is a Prince lately exiled, whose fall is more to be
6
<
•
pittied then envied; we are to comfort him, to aide
him, and to restore him to his Kingdome. It is more
'honorable to make then to be a King, and to restore
then to exile: he is a Prince of a bountifull mind,
' hee hath promised large for us and our heires after
us, hee hath in part already most faithfully perform-
ed, his yeeres are many, and his daies are but few
* after him wee shall enjoie his, and if we overcome
the enemy, wee shall possesse all: feare not death;
' it is but a short delay betweene transitory and eter-
'nall life, it is but a short passage from vaine and tem-
porall delights, to certaine and perpetuall joies, if we
conquer here, wee shall inherit here, and purchase
' unto us immortall fame; if we misse here, we are
C sure of
a Kingdome in another world.' Roderic
considering with himselfe, the events of warres how
doubtfull and uncertaine they are, wrought all meanes
to intreat for peace, being timerous to adventure bat-
taile with strangers, whose force hee mightily feared,
and whose puissance and valour being renowned, he
was loth to encounter withall; he sent messengers unto
Dermot Mac Morogh, promising him that hee and
his heires should in peace and quietnesse enjoy all
Leinster, and acknowledge him for his chiefe King
and Monarch, and to yeeld unto him the service and
homage that to that belonged; and that he should de-
liver him his sonne Cunthurus (Cnothurinus saith Sta-
(
238
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
nyhurst) for pledge and hostage. And if the peace
were truly kept and performed, Roderic promised to
give him his daughter in marriage, and in the end
when Leinster should bee quitly setled and reduced to
the old Irish order, Dermot should drive away the
Brittans and strangers, and procure no more into the
Land; all this was concluded vpon, and solemnely
undertaken by oathes on both sides, yet all was but
flat dissimulation. In the nock of this, landeth at
Wexford Maurice Fitz Girald, brother to Robert Fitz
Stephens by the mothers side, in two ships, having in
his company, tenne Knights, thirty horsemen, archers
and foot a hundred, whereof Dermot was very glad
and mightily encouraged on everie side. And imme-
diately tooke with him Morice Fitz Girald, and bent
his forces towards Dublin, to be revenged on them,
for many wrongs, and especially for the death of his
father, whom they murthered in their Councell house,
as formerly hath beene delivered, and after for more
despite buried him with a Dog: They left Robert Fitz
Stephens behind busily imployed in building of a Fort
or a strong hold some two miles from Wexford, in
British and Irish called the Carricke. As they drew
neere Dublin, they preyed, they spoyled, they burned
all before them. Dublin trembled for feare, the
townesmen intreated for peace, the which was granted
upon the delivery of certaine pledges and hostages:
In the meane while, no small stirre arose betweene
Roderic the Monarch, and Donald, Prince of Lime-
OF IRELAND.
239
rike for chiefery. Whereupon there arose deadly ha-
tred and martiall warres. Roderic drew all his forces
against him; Dermot Mac Moroogh sent to Robert
Fitz Stephens, that in all haste he should draw forces
to the ayde of Donald Prince of Limirike his sonne in
law, which was accordingly affected, where Roderic
was foyled, lost his chiefery, and with shame enough
returned to his own country. Now Dermot Mac
Morogh is puffed up with these prosperous successes,
and whereas a while agoe, he would have contented
himselfe with Leynster alone, now Connaght and all
Ireland seeme little enough unto his aspiring minde.
Secretly hee acquainteth Robert Fitz Stephens, and
Maurice Fitz Gerald with his purpose, and offereth
of them his daughter and heire with his inherit-
ance after, upon condition, that they should send for
supplies of their kindred and country men, to effect his
enterprises; they modestly thanked him for his offers,
and refused his daughter, for that they were both al-
ready married, and withall wished him to write for
Richard Strangbow, with whom he had formerly con-
cluded to that effect, unto whom he addresseth his mes-
senger, and directeth his letters in this forme:
any
•
Dermot Mac Morogh, Prince of Leinster, to Richard
Earle of Chepstow, the sonne of Earle Gilbert, send-
eth greeting. If you doe well consider the time of
men and matters, as we doe which are distressed,
'then would you regard whether we have cause to
complaine of men, or to maligne and curse the infor-
'
240
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
'tunate time. Even as the seely Storkes and Swal-
' lowes with their comming, prognosticate the summer
C
•
C
C
C
<
season, and with westerly windes are blowne away:
we have observed times and seasons fit for your arri-
'vall and transportation, if your affaires had corres-
'pondently accorded unto our expectations. East and
• West no doubt would have fitted our purpose, but
hitherto being frustrated of
your long desired pre-
'sence and promises, unlesse the most valiant Knights
of your country birth, (whose valour and prowesse
my penne is not able to paint unto the posterity) had
' upheld our state and dignity. We beseech you a-
gaine and againe, in the league and amitie of Prin-
ces, not to use further delayes; our successe hitherto
• hath beene to our hearts desire. Leynster is our
owne, your comming will inlarge our bounds, the
speedier it is, the more gratefull; the hastier, the
'more joyfull; the sooner, the better welcome.
Richard Strangbow was pleased with these letters, glad
of the successe of Robert Fitz Stephens, and cast with
himselfe, how hee might speedily passe for Ireland.
He repaired to King Henry 2. humbly beseeching him,
either to restore him to such possessions, as by right
of inheritance did belong unto him, or to give him
Passe to seek adventures in some forraigne country,
and among some strange nation. Stanihurst excel-
lently conceited, layeth downe the Kings answer :
Henry, smiling within himselfe, saith, Loe, whether
' and where thou wilt goe and wander for me, it shall
be lawfull for thee, take Dedalus wings and flye
'
OF IRELAND.
241
C away. Strangbow betweene ieast and earnest, takes
this for a sufficient licence, and makes ready for Ire-
land, and sends before him, Reimond Le Grosse, ne-
phew to Robert Fitz Stephens, and Morice Fitz
Gerald, sonne to William Fitz Gerald, the elder bro-
ther, which land at Dundorogh, commonly called
Dundenold, West of Wexford, with tenne Knights,
forty Esquires, and fourescore Archers and foot; where-
upon Omolaghlin Ophelin, Lord of the Decies, raised
the country, consulted with the townesmen of Water-
ford, and concluded that it stood them upon, with all
expedition, to set upon the strangers; they made
ready 3000. men by land, they runne up and downe
the shore, they row; their song was kill, kill, kill,
Reimond straight upon his arrivall, had fortified him-
selfe, the Waterfordians march against him in bat-
taile array, the Britaines being but sixscore and ten,
came forth to make good the field against 3000.
Reymond perceiving in the skirmish that the enemy
over-laid them, retired to his Fort, the Irish perswad-
ing themselves at that instant to give the Britaines an
utter overthrow, thicke and thinne, with all haste pur-
sued them, and the formost entring at the foote of the
last Britaine into the Fort, had his head cloven in two
with Reymonds sword, immediately saith Reymond,
strike the drumme, follow mee fellow souldiers; the
Irish being disordered, and out of battaile array, and
discouraged with the death of one man, flie away;
then they which in this doubtfull skirmish were like
to be vanquished and quite overthrown, became victors,
242
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
conquerours, & wan the field; they chaysed the Wa-
terfordians that were out of order, & at their wits ends,
& slue of them, saith Cambrensis, above 500. persons,
and being weary of killing, they cast a great number
of those whom they had taken prisoners, headlong
from the rocks, into the sea. In this service, Sir
William Ferand, a Knight, deserved singular com-
mendations, and was the onely man of all the Britaines,
saith Stanihurst that was slaine: Thus fel the pride
and rash attempt of Waterford, thus decayed their
strength and force, and thus became the ruine and
overthrow of that Citie, which, as it bred a great hope
and consolation to the Britaines, so was it the cause of
a great desperation and terrour to the enemy. They
tooke 70. of the best men in Waterford prisoners, they
enter into consultation, and call a martiall court, what
was to be done with them. Reymond full of pittie and
compassion, delivereth his opinion; you my noble and
valiant companions, and fellow souldiers, for the in-
crease of whose honour, vertue, and fortune, wee pre-
sently seeme to contend, let us consider what is best to
bee done with these our prisoners and captives: for my
part I doe not thinke it good, nor yet allow that any
favour or curtesie should be at al shewed to the enemy,
but understand you, these are no enemies now, but
men; no rebels, but such as be vanquished and cleane
overthrowne, and standing in defence of their conntry
by evill fortune and hard destiny, are subdued; their
adventures were honest, and their attempts commend-
able, and therefore they are not to be reputed for
f
243
OF IRELAND.
theeves, factious persons, traitors, nor yet murtherers;
they are now brought to that distresse and case, that
rather mercy for example sake is to bee shewed, then
cruelty to the increase of their misery to be ministred:
surely our ancestors in times past, (although indeed it
bee very hard to be done) were wont when fortune fa-
voured, to temper their loose mindes, and qualifie their
unruly affections, with some one discommoditie or
other: wherefore let mercy and pitty, which is in man
most commendable, worke so in us, that we that now
have overcome others, may subdue our owne mindes,
and conquer our owne affections. For modesty, mo-
deration, and discretion, are wont to stay hasty motions,
and to stoppe the course of rash devices. O how com-
mendable and honourable is it to a Noble man, that in
his greatest triumph and glory, he counteth it for a
sufficient revenge, that hee can revenge, and be
wreaked! Iulius Caesar, whose conquests were such,
his victory so great, and his triumphs so many, that
the whole world was noysed therewith, he had not so
many friends who reioyced for the same, but he had
many more enemies that maligned and enuied his suc-
cesses, not onely in slanderous words, and evill reports,
many also secretly conspired, devised and practised
his death and destruction; And yet he was so full of
pitty, mercy, and compassion, that he never com-
manded nor willed any to bee put to death for the same,
saving onely one Domitius, whom he had of meere
clemency for his lewdnesse before pardoned, for his
wickednesse released, and for his treachery acquitted.
but
Kk
244
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
And thus as his pitty did much increase his honour, so
did it nothing hinder his victories. Oh how beastly
then and impious is that cruelty, wherein victory is not
ioyned with pitty! for it is the part of a right Noble
and Valiant Conquerour, to count them enemies, that
doe wage the battaile, contend and fight for the victory,
but such as be conquered, taken prisoners, and kept
in bonds and captivitie, to take and repute them for
men; that hereby fortitude and force may diminish the
battell, and end the quarrell, as also humanitie
may in-
crease love, and make peace. It is therefore a great
commendation, and more praise worthy to a noble man,
in mercy to be bounteous, then in victory to be cruell.
For the one onely lyeth in the course of fortune, but
the other in vertue. And as it had beene a great in-
crease of our victory, and an augmentation of honour,
if our enemies had beene slaine in the field, and over-
throwne in the battaile; so they being now taken and
saved, as it were men returned from rebels to the com-
mon society, and fellowship of men. If wee now
should kill them, it will bee to our great shame, disho-
nour and reproach for ever. And for as much as by the
killing and destroying of them, wee shall bee never
the neerer to have the command of the country, and
never sooner to be Lords of the Land (and yet the
ransoming of them very good for the maintenance of
the Souldiers, the good fame of us, and the advance-
ment of honour) wee must need thinke that it is better
to ransome them, then cruelly to kill them; for as it is
requisite, that a Souldier in the field fighting in armes,
245
OF IRELAND.
should then thirst for the bloud of his enemy, trie the
force of his sword, and valiantly stand to his tackle for
victory; so when the fight is ended, the warres ceased,
and the armour laid downe, and all strongnesse of hos-
tility set apart, then in a Noble man must humanity
take place, pitty and commiseration must be shewed,
and all kindnesse of curtesie must be extended,
With this they were all drawen to some mildnesse
and remorse, and ready to shew favour in hope of
friendship againe. Henry de Monte Marisco, who
came thither to salute Reimond, stands
vp in opposi-
tion, bent to blood and villany, in whom there was
neither manhood in battell abroad, nor mercy in con-
sultation at home, and spake as followeth: Reimond
hath very exquisitly discoursed of pitty and
mercy in
set speeches, uttering his eloquence hath shewed his
mind, and declared his opinion, perswading and in-
ducing us to beleeve that a strange land were to be
conquered sooner by mercy and fond pittie, then by
fire and sword; but I pray you, can there bee a worse
way then to hold that course. Did Iulius Cæsar or
Alexander of Macedonia, by such meanes or in such
order conquer the whole world; did the Nations from
out of all places runne to submit themselves under
their command, and imperie in respect of their pitty
and mercy, and not rather compelled so to doe for
feare and per-force? For people whilst they are yet
proud and rebellious, all pitty and mercy set apart, are
by all manner of meanes and wayes to bee subdued :
246
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
but when they are once brought under subjection and
bondage, & ready to serve and obey, then they are
with all curtesie to be intreated and kindly dealt with-
all, so that the state of the Government be in safety
and void of dager, herein & in this point, must pitty
be used; but in the other severity or rather cruelty is
more necessary: here clemency is to be shewed, but
in the other rigour without favour is to be ministred.
Reimond perswadeth that mercy is to bee extended as
upon people already subdued and subjected, or as
though the enemies were so few and of so small a
number, as against whom no valiant service nor
chivalry can be exploited; and yet they are ready to
joine with us, whereby our force may bee increased,
and our power augmented: but alas, doe not we see,
how that the whole notion and people of Ireland are
fully bent and (not without cause) altogether con-
spired against us? surely me thinks Reimond is con-
trary to himselfe, for why? his coming hither was not
to dispute of pitty nor to reason of mercy, but to con-
quer the nation, to subdue the people: Oh what an
example of impious pitty were it then, to neglect our
owne safety, and to have remorse and compassion
vpon others distresses! moreover wee have here in the
field and in armour, more enemies then friends, we are
in the middle of perils and dangers, our enemies being
round about us in every corner: and shall wee thinke
this to be nothing, but that we must bee also in the
like distresse and danger among ourselves: Round
about us our enemies are infinit, and within ourselves,
OF IRELAND.
247
some there be which practise and work our destruc-
tion: And if it should happen that our Captives and Pri-
soners should escape, and breake loose out of their
bonds, which are but very weake and slender, no doubt
they would forthwith take our own armour and wea-
pons against us; well, well, the Mouse is in the cub-
bord, the Fire is in the lappe, and the Serpent is in the
bosome, the enemie is at hand ready to oppresse his
adversarie, and the guest is in place with small cur-
tesie to requite his host. If our enemies, when they
come in good array, and well appointed to give the
onset, and to wage battel against us; if they should
happen to have the victorie, & the vpper hand over
us, would they deal in pitty and mercy? would they
grant us our lives? would they put us to ransome?
Tush, what needs many words, when the deeds are
apparent; our victory is to bee used, that the destruc-
tion of these few may bee a terror to many, whereby all
others, and this wild and rebellious nation
may take
example, and bewar how they meddle and encounter
with us; of two things we are to make choice of one,
for either we must valiantly and couragiously stand to
performe what we have taken in hand, and all fond pitty
set aside, boldly and stoutly to overthrowe and vanquish
this rebellious and stubborne people, or (if we shall after
the mind and opinion of Reimond altogether be pit-
tiful and full of mercy) we must hoise up our sailes, and
returne home, leaving both the Country, and all that
we have already gotten, to this miserable and wretched
people. When Herveie had made an end of his speech,
$
248
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
they put it to voyces, and the voyces went on Herveis
side; whereupon the Captaines (as men condemned)
were brought to the Rockes, and after their Limbs were
broken, they were cast head long into the Seas, and
drowned every mothers sonne.
Vpon the 23. of August, being Saint Bartholomewes
Eeve, and yeere aforesaid, to wit, Anno 1170. Richard,
surnamed Strangbow Earle of Strigulia (whose original
and of-spring in another place herafter (if God permit)
shall bee laid downe) landed in the Haven of Water-
ford, where Dermot Mac Morogh, Robert Fitz Ste-
phens, and Maurice Fitz Gerauld, and Reimond le
Grosse met him, and joyned their forces together?
Reimond le Grosse was made generall of the field, they
tooke small rest after their arrivall; for
upon Bartholo-
mew day being tuesday, with Banners displayed, in
good array they assaulted the City by water and by
land, the townesmen manfully defended themselves,
and gave them two repulses: Reimond having com-
passed the towne, espied without adjoyning unto the
towne wall (where now standeth a strong Bulwarke)
an old Cabban, propped with old timber, and entred
into the old wall, the which proppes they sawed
asunder, then downe falleth the cabban, and withall a
great part of the wall: the breach thus made, the
Brittaines doe enter, and in the streets kill man, woman
and child, and there left them in heapes: In Reignald
tower, upon the wall of the tower they found one
Reignald (I take it the tower beareth the name of
OF IRELAND.
249
him) and Omalaghlin Ophelim, Lord of the Decies,
whose lives Dermot Mac Morogh saved: they found
there other two, whom they put to the sword, they
rifled the houses, they ransacked the City, they made
havoc of all, lastly they left there a strong ward. Then
according to precedent covenants, Dermot gave his
daughter Eva in marriage to Richard Strangbow,
and after solemnity thereof, they all marched with
their forces towards Dublin: For Dermot bear them a
deadly hatred, and hitherto winked at them, untill fur-
ther opportunity served, for the villany and cruelty
they shewed to his father; the townsmen of Dublin
foreseeing his revenging mind, procured to their aid as
many as they could throughout the land, they
trenched, they plashed in paces, streets and narrow
places, all the wayes along to Waterford, to hinder
their march. Dermot was not ignorant thereof,
whereupon he led the army from out the common and
beaten way, through the Mountaines of Glandelogh,
and came safe to the walles of Dublin. There the
Citizens sent messengers to intreat for peace, and
amongst others, Laurence O Toole Archbishop of
Dublin: while they parled without for peace, Sir
Remond le grosse and Sir Miles Cogan scaled the
wals; for, saith Cambrensis, they were more desirous
to fight under Mars in the field, then in the Senate to
sit with Iupiter in Councell; they made a breach, they
enter the Citie, they put all to the sword: in the meane
while, Hastulphus the Commander of the City, with
a great many of the better sort, with their Riches and
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Jewels, escaped and fled by the Sea to the North
Ilands.
per-
When the Earle had spent a few daies in the towne,
he left Miles Cogan Governour therof, and by the
swasion of Dermot Mac Morogh, he drew his forces
into Meth to be avenged of Ororicke, whom some call
Morice, some Murdich, who was the cause of his
exile and whose wife Dermot had formerly taken
away. The Earle no sooner entred the Countrey, but
the Army was given wholly to the spoile; they robbed,
they spoiled, they burned, and wasted all before them:
Roderic King of Conoght and Monarch of Ireland,
seeing his neighbours house set on fire, thought it
high time to looke to his owne, and wrotte to Dermot
Mac Morogh, contrary to the order of Peace formerly
concluded, thou hast procured and allured a swarme
and multitude of strangers, to invade this land; all
the while thou didst containe thy selfe within com-
passe of thine owne territories, we winked at thy pro-
ceedings, but forasmuch as now thou not caring for
thy oath, nor regarding the safety of thy hostages, hast
so fondly and falsly passed thy bounds, I require thee
that thou wouldest retire, and withdraw these excourses
and inrodes of strangers, or else, to begin, I will not
faile to cut off thy sonnes head, and send it to thee
with speed.
Dermot despised the messenger, and would scarce
vouchsafe to reade his letter; upon the messengers re-
OF IRELAND.
251
turne, Roderic was mad, and in his rage, caused his
pledges head, the sonne of Dermot Mac Morogh to be
cut off. In this troublesome time, the Primate of
Armagh called the Prelates and Clergie to a Synod;
at Armagh, assembled a Councell; where, according
to their wisedomes, they endeavoured to finde out the
cause of these miseries that fell upon the land, they
inquired not whether the Bishops had bought their
Bishoprickes for money, whether their Parsons did
pray, whether their Ministers were lettered; what
whoredome, symony, or lechery, with other enormities,
raigned among the Clergie, but simply, like them-
selves, posted over all to the Laytie, and concluded
(insipienter) that the iust plague fell upon the people,
for merchandizing of the English nation; for then
they bought and sold of the English birth, such as
they found, and made them bondslaves; so they served
Saint Patricke, called the Apostle of Ireland, who was
a bondman sixe yeeres in Ireland, but Patricke preached
Christ, and the English nation reformed the land.
Here the sacred letters reconcile all, the stone which
the builders refused, is become the corner stone, and
why so? the answer followeth, it is the Lords doing,
and it is marvellous in our eyes. But I may not so
leave my Prelates, they synodically decreed as follow-
eth: that all the English men within the land, what-
soever they were, should bee manumised; a wor-
shipfull piece of worke, and no thanke to them all, for
the English sword was then ready to cut off the Irish
L 1
252
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
heads: this reformation was but a sweeping of a house
with a Foxes tayle.
The prosperous successes of Earle Richard, sur-
named Strangbow, were no sooner effected, but fame
flyed abroad, and flatterers carried it to Henry the se-
conds eares, and made him jealous, as Kings com-
monly are, that a subject as Richard was, should not
onely in the right of his wife, content himselfe with
Leinster, but most presumptuously without license, as
the King alledged, attempt the conquest of a king-
dome, where he formerly by grant of Adrian, was in-
teressed. Whereupon the King in his iealous rage,
indeavouring to stop the Springs and Water-courses,
proclaimed: We, Henry, &c. Forbid and inhibit,
that from henceforth no shippe from any place of our
dominion, shall traffique or passe into Ireland; and
likewise charge that all our subjects upon their dutie
of allegiance, which are there commorant, shall re-
turne from thence into England before Easter next
following, upon paine of forfeiture of all their lands,
and the persons so disobeying, to be banished our
land, and exiled for ever.
The Earle seeing himselfe in this distresse, being in
perill to lose his friends, and to want his necessaries
out of his native soile, by entercourse of Merchants,
calleth a Councell; where it was agreed and concluded,
that Sir Reimond Legrosse should bee sent over to pa-
253
OF IRELAND.
cifie the King (who then was in Aquitaine) with these
letters: Most puissant Prince, and my dread Sover-
aigne, I came into this land with your Majesties
leave and favour (as farre as I remember) to aide
your servant Dermot Mac Morogh; what I have
wonne, was with the sword, what is given me, I give
I am yours, life and living at your command,
you,
Vpon the receit of these letters, there fell of all
sides, three disasters, the King was mightily incensed
against Earle Richard, and therefore delayed Sir Rei-
mond Legrosse, and gave him no answer; secondly,
the death of Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury trou-
bled him exceedingly, and to helpe the readers memory
with the time, it was as the rime delivereth,
Annus millenus, centenus septuagenus
Primus erat, primas quo ruit ense Thomas.
The third was, that Dermot Mac Morogh a most
bountifull Prince, died and was buried at Fernes.
Anno 1171. Hastulphus, late Governour of Dublin
(of whom I have formerly spoken) returneth, and en-
treth the haven of Dublin, with threescore saile to his
aide, of Ilanders, Norwegians, and Esterlings, they
forthwith landed, and unshipped themselves, and had
to their Captaine, saith Cambrensis, one Iohn Wood,
some call him mad Iohn, for the pranķes he playd, for
wood and mad beare one sense. Stanihurst calleth
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
him Pewood, Douling, Heywood. They were all
mighty men of warre, and well appointed after the
Danish manner, being harnessed with good Brigan-
dines, jackes and shirts of maile; their Shields, Buck-
lers, and Targets, were round, and coloured red, and
bound about with iron, and as they seemed in armes, so
were they no lesse in mindes; iron-strong and mighty;
they marched in battaile array towards the East gate
of the Citie. Miles Cogan the Governour, with a
faire company (yet but a handfull to the number of the
enemy, sallied forth, and gave them battaile, where
both sides lost many a tall man. Miles Cogan seeing
himselfe overlaid with the furious rage and multitude
of his adversaries, gave backe, and retired into the
towne; by this time, Richard Cogan his brother had
secretly issued out with a good company, at the South
posterne gate, compassed the Danes, and being at the
foot of the rereward, made mighty cry and shout,
whereat the Danes were amazed, and the two brethren
had the killing of them before and behinde. The
Danes brake their array, threw their Armes away, fled
towards their ships, where many also for haste were
drowned. In this skirmish, Iohn Wood was slaine,
and Hastulphus taken prisoner, and put to his ran-
some. The prodigalitie of this Hastulphus was such,
that he contented not himselfe with life, but braved
and bragged of his exploits, in the hearing of Miles
Cogan, and therewithall delivered, that that attempt
was nothing, but a taste or proofe of the Irish valour,
and shortly, they should see another manner of forces
OF IRELAND.
255
assault them; What (saith Miles Cogan) is it not
enough for him to have his life, but he must threaten
us with further rebellion; goe, take him, and cut off
his head. And thus the blabbe of his tongue, turned
to his confusion.
Shortly after, the Irish and country birth, lying
aloofe, wayting for all opportunities, and understand-
ing of some unkindenesse and displeasure conceived
by King Henry the second, against Earle Richard,
and in that quarrell generally against all the Britaines
and invaders of Ireland; they put their heads toge-
ther, they plot, they draw their draughts and devices,
to lay siege to recover the Citie of Dublin, and the
chiefest instrument was Laurence O Toole, Archbi-
shop of Dublin, who wrote unto Roderic, King of
Connaght, & unto Gotred, alias Godfrey, King of
Man, and to all the Princes of Ireland, that it would
please them (some in regard of neighbourhood, other-
some in regard of natural affection unto their native
soile and distressed country men of Irish birth) put to
their helping hand, ioyne their forces together, lay
siege to the Citie of Dublin by sea and by land, relieve
their brethren, rid them from the Britaines hands, and
restore them to their former liberty. The Bishop for
the good opinion that was held of his learning, gra-
vitie, and sanctitie, prevailed, insomuch, that Gotred,
King of Man, came into the harbour of Dublin, with
thirty saile. Roderic the Monarch and forces of Ire-
land came by land, and incamped within sight of the
256
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
towne. Within the towne, were Earle Richard Strang-
bow, Maurice Fitz Gerald, Reimond Legrosse, lately
arrived from out of England, Miles Cogan, Richard
Cogan, with other worthy men and Citizens, to the
number of thirty thousand fighting men.
As they
were prepared for battaile, (as commonly one mis-
chiefe falleth in the necke of another) Donald, the
base sonne of Dermot Mac Morogh, came in post to
the Earle, and delivered how that Robert Fitz Ste-
phens in his Fort of Carreck by Wexford, was be-
sieged with three thousand men of Wexford and Kin-
sele, by the conduct of Donald, Prince of Limeric,
sonne in law to Dermot Mac Morogh, who before
time in his extremity, and in the warres betweene him
and Roderic the Monarch, for chiefery, (at the re-
quest of Dermot Mac Morogh, was relieved by Ro-
bert Fitz Stephens, and so aided, that he foiled his
enemy; and thus good is recompenced with evill. In
this perplexitie and doubtfull danger, Maurice Fitz
Gerald full of courage, turneth him to the Earle, and
the martiall men in these words: you most valiant
men, wee came not into this land, neither were we
procured hither to be idle, or to live deliciously, but
to try fortune, and to seeke adventures; wee stood
sometime
upon the
the top of the wheele, and the game
went of our side, now mee thinkes fortune wheeles
about, let us not be dismaid, for that which is low
now, will be up againe, and so we must tarry and
take our time; such is the mutability among the
sonnes of men, the fickle and uncertaine course of
OF IRELAND.
257
humane causes, so that prosperitie and adversitie, en-
terchangeably doe follow the one after the other.
After day, commeth the night, and when the night
is passed, the day dawneth againe; the sunne riseth,
and spreads his beames over the face of the earth,
holdeth his course to his fall, passeth the night sea-
son, and riseth againe; we who before this time have
made great triumphs, and had the wings of fortune to
flye withall, and are now clowded and inclosed by our
enemies on every side, our victuals are scant, the King
our Soveraigne Lord frowneth upon us, we are barred
of release by sea and by land, our friends cannot helpe
us, our enemies are ready to devoure us: plucke up
your hearts, if God be with us, we care not who is
against us; but alas my brother Fitz Stephens, whose
valiantnesse, and noble enterprise brake the yce, and
made way for us into this Iland, is now shut
up in a
weake hold, and feeble place, with wife and children,
too weake and slender to keepe out so great a force.
O trayterous Donald of Limiric, O trecherous and
halfe-hearted people of Kensele and Wexford! peace
is war, trust is trechery, and truth is falshood among
them: why then doe we tarry, why doe we linger? is
there any hope of reliefe from our native soile ? no, no,
the matter is now otherwise, and we our selves are
presently in a worse case, for as our nation at this pre-
sent is odious and hatefull unto the Irish men, so are
we also mis-led with some disgrace in our country,
wherefore in so much as fortune favoureth the forward
and couragious, and discourageth the dastard and
a
258
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
faint-hearted, while our wits are fresh, while our
bodies are able, while wee are all on heart, let us
give the on-set; though we are not so many in num-
ber as they are, our courage and valour is knowne
to exceed theirs, they are but naked wretches, and
unarmed people. Reimond Legrosse immediately
breaketh out in these speeches. My Vncle Mau-
rice hath gravely delivered his minde, he hath pithily
advised us, and prudently councelled us: this is no
time to sit in councell, to spend time in speeches,
or to use delayes, the danger is at hand, the enemy
is at the doore, wee are compassed by sea and by
land, there is no flying, we must fight it out; our
provision is spent, England dares releeve us no more,
Ireland defieth us, the Kings Maiestie (I know) dis-
praiseth not our activities, and yet graceth not our
successes; he discommendeth not our valour, yet en-
vieth all our glory, though in words he reporteth well
of our service, yet in deeds secretly hindereth the course
thereof; lastly, he feareth that which we meant not,
and doubteth of that which we thinke not of; where-
fore all doubts and delaies set apart, let us, as becom-
eth men of our sort, try the course of fortune, and
proue the force of the enemy; let that
appeare unto
them which is knowne unto us; of what race we came,
and of what stock wee are discended. Camber the
first King of Cambria our native Country, was our
Ancestor, and the sonne of that Noble Brutus, the
first and sole Monarch of Brittaine, whose Ancestor
was Troos, the founder of that most antient City of
259
up
OF IRELAND.
Troy, who descended from Dardanus the son of Iu-
piter, from whom is derived unto us, not onely the
stemme of antient Nobility, but also a certaine natu-
rall inclination of valiant minds and couragious sto-
machs resolutely to follow all exploits of prowesse and
chivalry; and shall we now like sluggarts, degenerate
from so noble a race, and like a sort of Cowards, be
afraid of these naked and unarmed Raskals, in whom
there is no valour, by reason of knowledge or experi-
ence in Armes? Shall such a rable of savages pinne us
within the wals of little Dublin? When in times
past all the Princes in Greece kept warres the space
of ten yeeres and odde months, against our Ancestors
in the famous City of Troy; and could not preuaile
against them, untill they used treasons, and practised
treacheries which bred unto them a more infamous
victory, then a glorious Triumph? Let it never be
said, that the blood of the Trojans shall be stained in
our pusillanimity, and receive reproach by our peevish
dastardy: Fortune, though she be pourtraied to be
blind, as ever void of right judgement, and to stand
upon a rolling stone, as being alwaies flitting and un-
constant; yet for the most part, shee helpeth such as
be of couragious minds, & valiant stomachs; you
wil say, we are but a few, and the enemy infinit in
number; what then? Victory consisteth not in multi-
tudes, neither conquest in numbers: Did not Thomiris
the Scythian Queene, with hundreds, overthrow Cyrus
with thousands, and tooke him and slew him? Did
not Laomedes the Spartane encounter (having but
M m
260
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
foure thousand Souldiers) with mighty Xerxes, who
brought five hundred thousand to the field, and
overthrew him? Did not Alexander with a few Ma-
cedonians ouerthrew Darius, the great Monarch of
Persia ? Did not he take him, his wife, and daughters
prisoners, and make a Conquest of Persia? Have not
wee in our persons (all praise be given to God, the
giver of Victory) even you, right honorable Earle at
Waterford, my uncle Fitz Stephens at Wexford, my
selfe at Dondorogh with a few given many the foile ;
what remains, sith time shall sooner faile then matter
want? let us like men shew resolute minds in this ser-
vice. And to conclude, my mind then and opinion is,
that we doe issue out upon them as secretly and as
suddenly as we may, and give the onset.
And for so much as Roderic of Conoght, is the
generall of the field, in whom lyeth the chiefest force,
and on whom all the rest doe chiefly depend, it shall
be best to begin with him, and if we can giue him the
overthrow, all the rest will flie, and we shall obtaine a
glorious victorie; but if we shall fall into their hands
and be slaine, yet shall we leave an honorable report
and an immortall fame to our posteritie. He had no
sooner ended his speech, but every man armed him-
selfe to goe forth, and give the onset: They divided
the Army in three battailes; and although at the first,
they contended for the Vanguard, yet quickly they
were accorded and marched forward. Reimond le
Grosse resolutely given, with twenty Knights, and
X
OF IRELAND.
261
souldiers well appointed, tooke the Vanguard. Miles
Cogan with thirty Knights, and many a worthy war-
riour, kept the maine battaile. Earle Strangbow, and
Maurice Fitz Gerald, with fourty Knights, Gentlemen
and common souldiers, took the Rereward, in every
ward were placed some of the Citizens, and other some
with martiall men, left at home for the guard and
safety of the City: early in the morning when the
enemy was unarmed & out of order, little thinking
that so few within durst attempt to give the onset to
so many without, they fell upon them, killed without
mercy, and the rere was so forward, that they came
with the Vanguard by wheeling about to the slaughter
of the enemie. Roderic all this while trusting to his
troupes and multitude of people, feared nothing, he
took his ease and pleasure, and was bathing himself;
but when the larum was up, & that he saw his men on
every side fall to the ground, never tarried, called for
man nor Page to array him, but tooke his mantle and
ranne away all naked, and hardly escaped with life.
The Britaines pursued after, and had the killing of
them all that day, in the evening they returned into
the Citie, not onely with the honour of the field, but
rich booties, and praies of victuals, armour and other
pillage, as much as man and beast could
cary: Imme-
diatly, also the rumor hereof, the other Campes were
dispersed, namely, Laurence the Archbishop (whom
it had beseemed better to have beene at home with his
porthouse, then in Campe with rebels) Mathelan Ma-
chalem, Gillemehelmocus, Otuetol, Ororic Prince of
262
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Meath, Ocarol, alias Ocarvell Prince of Vriell, Mach-
falin, Ochadese, with many other great Commanders,
where every man shifted for himselfe; of Gotred, alias
Godfray King of Man that came by Sea, I find
nothing, for upon this disaster he tooke him to the
seas the next day, without any further deliberation;
Miles Cogan is left to governe Dublin, and the Earle
with his Army marched towards Wexford, to raise the
siege at the Carreke, to relieve Robert Fitz Stephens;
as he passed by Odrone, the forces of Leinster, by
the conduct of Donole Obrene Prince of Limerik, and
Donald Prince Osery set upon him, and fought a
cruell fight, but he went on with the losse of one man
As he came to the borders of Wexford, certaine mes-
sengers met and informed him of the mischance that
happened to Rober Fitz Stephens, and the firing of
the Towne of Wexford; adding moreover that the Wex-
fordians were fully determined, if the Earle came any
further towards them, they would cut off all the heads of
Fitz Stephens and all his company, and send them unto
him; whereupon with heavy cheere and sorrowfull heart
he changed his mind & turned to Waterford.
afore I proceede any further, I am to deliver the manner
of the treachery and villany shewed unto Robert Fitz
Stephens: Donold of Limric, sonne in Law to Dermot
Mac Morogh, while his father lived, he was one that
favoured the Brittains, and not without cause; but now
forgetting humanity returneth to his vomit, bends his
course towards Wexford, and while other states of
Ireland by East and by North, with might & maine
But
OF IRELAND.
263
practised the rooting out of the Brittains, he flies to
the South, and raiseth Wexford & Kensile to lay
siege to the Carreke, the Fort of Robert Fitz Stephens.
First they begin with force, and seeing that failed them,
they fall to guiles and subtilities, under color of peace,
pretending nothing but pure love, tender affection and
safeguard of his person, and all that were with him;
they bring with them two Bishops, the one of Kildare,
the other of Fernes, in their formall moods, with other
religious persons (O damned Prelats) and they had
with them the Masse Booke, the host, with certaine
Reliques; upon these they take corporall oathes, and
sweare with great solemnity and protestations as fol-
loweth: (For the good will and affection wee beare
unto you) whom we have alwaies found a curteous and
bountifull Prince, we are to signifie unto this much;
how that Dublin is taken, the Earle Strangbow, Mau-
rice Fitz Girald, Reimond le Grosse, Miles Cogan,
with all the English are put to the sword, and now
Roderic the Monarch, with all the power of Conoght
and Leinster posteth hither to rase even with the
ground, all the Forts, Holds, and Castles, which the
Englishmen have, and especially to apprehend you
Robert Fitz Stephens, and Willam Not, that were the
forerunners into this land of all this mischiefe; where-
fore take this for truth and be well advised what to
doe, if they take you there is no mercy; if you will
put yourselfe with your company and goods into our
hands, in the faith of Christianity we sweare we will
safely transport you and yours unto Wales, so shall
you
you
264
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
not lose so much as a haire of your head; wherefore
the great Army being at hand, yeeld, come forth and
shippe your selfe for Wals. Robert Fitz Stephens
(who would not in this case give credit) yeelded him-
selfe into their hands, immediatly (more like lewes
then Christians) they strippe them out of all that ever
they have, they hang one, they throw another over a
rocke, they breake anothers necke, one hath his eyes
puld out, another hath his tongue cut, some they
scourge with thongs, other some they take, and with
sledges breake their Armes and thighes, the greatest
kindnesse they shew is iron and imprisonment, the
which Robert Fitz Stephens endured; now leaving
these bloody Massacers and themselves, I will turne to
Waterford after Earle Strangbow. When Earle Strang-
bow came to Waterford, he found there Hervie de
Monte Marisco newly arrived out of England, with
letters from the King, requiring him forthwith to re-
paire unto his Majesty. Strangbow together with Hervy
tooke the first wind and went for England, and found
the King at Newham not farre from Glocester, where
he was in readinesse with a great Army to saile out
into Ireland, where after sundry altercations passed
betweene them, at length (as they say) by meanes of
Hervy, the Kings displeasure was appeased, and it
was agreed that the Earle should sweare alleageance to
the King, and yeeld and surender unto him the City
of Dublin, with the Cantreds thereunto adjoining, as
also such Townes and Forts as were bordering upon
the Sea side, and as for the residue he should have and
265
OF IRELAND.
reteine to him and his heires, holding the same of the
King and his heires.
Strangbow was no sooner knowne to be in England,
and Reimond at Waterford, but Ororic Monoculus,
the one eyed Prince of Meath, mustred a great num-
ber of Souldiers, and laid siege to the City of Dublin.
Miles Cogan the Governour withall his company
(while the enemy was carelesse) upon a sudden issued
out and fell upon them unawares, and made a great
slaughter of them, among whom both Ororic and
his sonne were slaine.
In the British Chronicles copied by Owen Cretten
out of the Abbies of Conwey in North-wales, and
Stratflur in South-wales, I find recorded that when
King Henry the 2. made preparation for the conquest
of Ireland, Richard Strangbow Earle of Strigale, Mar-
shall of England, being reconciled to the King, had
all his Lands in England and Normandy restored unto
him againe, and thereupon the King made him Senes-
chall (Steward, saith he, of Ireland) Then came
Rees prince of South-wales and offred the King to
further his Conquest, 300. Horses, 400. Oxen, and for
performance of all services gave him 14. pledges; when
they were presented the King made choice of 30 prin-
cipall Horses, gave backe all the rest, confessing him-
selfe greatly pleasured at his hands.
Anno 1172. upon Saint Lukes day the 18. of Octo-
266
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
ber, Henry the 2. the 17. yeere of his raigne, the 41. of
his
age, entred the Haven of Waterford so writeth Cam-
brensis that lived then, and being landed to the harty
joy of the English, and fained welcome of the Irish-
men, had by them of Wexford formerly spoken of,
Robert Fitz Stephens in Irons presented before him,
whom the Wexfordians (herein I commend Stanihursts
indifferent dealing) rather of malice & cankard spight,
then for just cause, did charge with many hainous
crimes. The King advisedly to pacifie the rage of fu-
rious people, for the present time, committed him to
prison, whence shortly after, he was with honour and
credit, discharged, and advanced to his great prefer-
ment.
After that the King had a little rested himselfe, and
the messengers scattered themselves with newes over the
land, the Princes were amazed, they knew the King's
greatnesse was such, if faire meanes would not, force
should constraine them, and therefore in policie re-
solved themselves to yeeld allegiance, homage and
fealtie: Whereupon Dermot Mac Carty, Prince of
Corke, began, became Tributarie, sware faith, truth,
and loyaltie to the King of England. And the King
thereupon gave the Kingdome of Corke to Robert
Fitz Stephens and Miles Cogan as hereafter more at
large shall
appeare.
From Waterford the King raised his Army, and
marched towards Lismore, where he tarryed two daies,
OF IRELAND.
267
and from thence he marched to Cashill, not farre from
the Shure, and thither came to him, Donald O Bren,
Prince of Limric, who submitted himselfe, became
tributarie, and swore fealty; whereupon the King as hee
had formerly done with Corke, appointed a Governour
for Limric: then also came in Donall, Prince of Os-
sorie, and Omelaghlen Ophelin, Lord of the Decies,
with all the chieftaines of Mounster, submitting them-
selves, as others had formerly done, surrendring unto
the Kings hands, their territories, and holding them
againe at his pleasure. Thence the King returned to
Waterford, left there his houshold, and Robert Fitz
Barnard governour of the towne, and marched with
his army towards Dublin. In his iourney there came
unto him of the chiefest commanders of the land, Oma-
thelan, Machelan, Ophelan, O Mac Chelweie, Gille
Mac Holemoc, O tuell helly Ocathdhessy, O Ca-
raell of Vriell, and Roric the sonne of Monoculus of
Meth, but Roderic the Monarch came no neerer then
the Shanon, where Hugh de lacy, and William Fitz.
Adelme, by the Kings command met him, and hee de-
siring peace, submitted himselfe, swore allegiance, be-
came tributarie, and did put in (as all others had
done) hostages and pledges for the performance of the
Thus was all Ireland, saving Vlster, brought
in subjection, and every Prince of the other parties, in
his owne person, saving Roderic King of Connaght,
submitted himselfe : but he subtilly alledged, that he
submitted Connaght but not the command of all Ire-
same.
N n
1
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
268
land, the which he reserved for the Monarch and his suc-
cessors: but of this hereafter if God permit.
Christmas drew on, which the King kept at Dublin,
where hee feasted all the Princes of the land, and
gave
them rich and beautifull gifts, they repaired thi-
ther out of all parts of the land, and wonderfull it was
to the rude people to behold the Majestie of so puissant
a Prince, the pastime, the sport, and the mirth, and
the continuall musicke, the masking, mumming, and
strange shewes, the gold, the silver, and plate, the pre-
cious ornaments, the dainty dishes, furnished with all
sorts of fish and flesh, the wines, the spices, the de-
licate and sumptuous banquets, the orderly service, the
comely march, and seemly array of all officers: the
Gentlemen, the Esquires, the Knights, and Lords in
their rich attire (such as rugged Mantles and Irish
Troosses were never acquainted withall) the running
at Tilte in compleat harnesse, with barbed horses,
where the staves shivered and flew in splinters, safer to
sit, then upon an Irish Pillion that playeth crosse and
pile with the rider, the plaine honest people admired,
and no mervaile: but now to more serious matters.
Henry 2. having thus conquered Ireland (with the
envy of the French and forraigne Princes) without one
drop of sweat, without drawing of sword, or shedding
of one drop of English bloud, (as it became his Princely
calling) turned himselfe to reforme the state of Eccle-
siasticall, and the misdemeanours of holy Church,
OF IRELAND.
269
(
(
C
whereof Cambrensis writeth: ' in the yeere of Christs
‹ incarnation 1172. and in the first yeere, when Henry
'the most Noble King conquered Ireland, Christianus,
Bishop of Lismore and Legate of the Apostolike See;
'Donatus Archbishop of Cashill; Laureance, Arch-
bishop of Dublin; and Catholicus, Archbishop of
Tuemond, with their suffragans, and fellow Bishops,
Abbots, Priors, Deanes and Archdeacons, and many
• other Prelates of the Church of Ireland, by the com-
'mandment of the King, did assemble themselves, and
kept a Synod at Cashill, and there debating many
things concerning the wealth, estate, and reformation
of the Church of Ireland, did provide remedies for
the same. At this Councell, in behalfe of the King
(whom he had sent thither) there was Raffe, Abbot
of Buldeway, Raffe Archdeacon of Landaffe, Nicho-
las, the Kings Chaplaine, with divers other Clerkes ;
sundry good Statutes and wholesome lawes were
there devised, which were after subscribed and con-
'firmed by the King himselfe, and under his authority,
which were these that follow.
C
€
>
<
C
First, it is decreed that all good and faithfull Chris-
'tian people throughout Ireland, shall refraine and
• forbeare to marry with their neere kinsfolkes and cou-
sins, and match with such as lawfully they might doe.
C
<
Secondly, that children shall be catechized with-
out the Church door, and baptized in the font ap-
pointed in the Church for the same purpose.
哼
​e
270
6
<
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Thirdly, that every Christian doe truely and faith-
fully pay yeerely, the tithes of his Cattell, Corne, and
'all other his increase and profits, to the Church or
'Parish where he is a parishioner.
<
'
Fourthly, that all the Church lands and possessions
throughout all Ireland, shall be free from all secular
' exactions and impositions, and especially that no
Lords, Earles, or Noble men, nor their children nor
family, shall extort or take any cony and livery, co-
'sheries or cuddies, or any other like custome from
'thence, forth, in or upon any of the Church land and
territories; and likewise that neither they, nor any
other person, doe thenceforth exact out of the said
Church lands, old wicked and detestable customes of
6 cony and livery, the which they were wont to extort
upon such townes and villages of the Churches, as
were neere, and next bordering upon them.
દ
.
C
.
C
Fiftly, when earik or composition is made among
‹ the laye people, for any murther, that no person of
· the Clergie, (though he be a kinne to any of the par-
'ties) shall contribute any thing thereunto, but as they
bee guiltlesse of the murther, so shall they be free
" from paying of money for any such release for the same.
C
Sixtly, that all and every good Christian, being
• sicke and weake, shall before the Priest and his neigh-
bours, make his last Will and Testament, and his
debts and servants wages being paid, all his moveables
OF IRELAND.
271
'to be divided, (if he have any children) into three
parts, whereof one part to be to the Children, another
'to his Wife, and the third part to be for the perform-
6
ing of his Will; and if so be that hee have no chil-
'dren, then the goods to be divided into two parts,
'whereof the one moytie to be to his Wife, and the other
'to the performance of his Will and Testament. And
' if he have no Wife, but onely Children, then likewise
'the goods to be divided into two parts, whereof the
'one to himselfe, and the other to his children:
C
'
Seventhly, that every Christian dying in the Ca-
'tholike faith, shall be reverently brought to the
• Church, and to bee buried, as appertaineth.
'
Eightly and lastly, that all the divine Service in
the Church of Ireland, shall be kept, used, and
• observed in the like order and manner as it is in the
• Church of England; for it is meet and right, that as
<
C
ε
by Gods providence and appointment, Ireland is be-
come now subject, and under the King of England:
so the same should take from thence, the order, and
'rule, and manner how to reforme themselves, and
'to live in better sort.'
Gelasius, Primate of Armagh, was not at this Synod,
but at his comming to Dublin, hee concurred with his
Collegues, and confirmed the premises. He was a man
of great learning, godly life, and great age; when by
272
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
i
reason of age, sight, and strength, and stomacke failed
him, as he travailed, he had with him alwaies, a white
Cow that gave him milke, and was his onely sustenta-
tion, Gilbert succeeded this Gelasius in that See. The
Antiquaries of that time have recorded, that the winter
during the Kings abode in Ireland: there rose such
stormes and tempest by sea and by land, that no newes
could be heard either out of England or Normandie,
neither shippe or Barke crosse the seas, untill mid-Lent,
at what time with an easterly winde, there came out of
England, andAquitaine in France, newes unto the King,
how that there came into Normandy in France, two
Cardinals from Alexander the third, to wit, Albertus
and Theodinus, to enquire of the death of Thomas,
Archbishop of Canterbury: Whereupon the King sent
in post before him, to signifie that he was returning
with all speede, and that he would conferre with them
in Normandie, and leaving Ireland, hee was very sorry
that time and leisure served not to lay things in better
order for the stay of the land. And also suspecting
the greatnesse of Richard, Earle Strangbow, whom at
that time he tooke with him into England; hee ap-
pointed to governe Dublin, Hugh de Lacy, to whom
he had given in Fee, the territorie of Meth, with
twenty Gentlemen to his Guard. Robert Fitz Stephens,
and Morice Fitz Girald, with twenty others to attend
their persons. Likewise he left Governours over Water-
ford, Humfrey de Bohune, Robert Fitz Bernard, and
Hugh de Graunt devil with forty persons to their guard.
OF IRELAND.
273
Lastly, hee assigned over Wexford, William Fitz
Adelme, Philip de Bruesa, and Philip de Hastings,
with twenty to their guard, and tooke shipping at Wex-
ford, Munday in Easter weeke, by sixe a clocke in the
morning, with full saile, and landed the same day about
noone, at Saint Davids in Wales; so writeth Cam-
brensis in his Vaticinall historie, and in his Itinerarie
of Cambria. What time the King was in Ireland,
there fell a great plague in his army, which was some
cause of his departure from Dublin to Wexford. Cam-
brensis out of the mouth of the common people, attri-
buteth it unto certaine Archers, cessed at Finglas, that
cut downe the trees of the Church-yard, and therefore
were they iustly punished, and left their bones there
every one; but the British Chronicle, and Holinshed
also, more likely to be true, affirmeth that there fell a
plague among the Kings souldiers in Ireland, by reason
of the change of the and victuals and concourse
of people, corrupting the same.
ayre,
The names of the men of account orderly as they
came to the conquest of Ireland.
Dermot Mac Morogh, Prince of Leinster, after his
returne out of England wintred at Fernes, expecting
the comming of these Conquerours.*
Robert Fitz Stephens, the Kings Constable at Aber-
tivy:
* Anno 1170.
274
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
David Barry.
Hervie de Monte Marisco, married Nesta, daughter
to Maurice Fitz Girald.
Willim Nott.
Maurice Prendregast.
Meilerus.
Maurice Fitz Girald.
Reimond le Grosse, nephew to Robert Fitz Ste-
phens, married with Basilia, the sister of Earle Strang-
bow.
William Ferrand.
Richard Strangbow, Earle of Penbroke.
Miles Cogan,
Richard Cogan,
brethren & nephewes to Robert
Fitz Stephens, and Maurice Fitz-
Girald.
*Henry 2. King of England, &c.
Hugh de Lacy.
William Fitz Adelme.
Raffe Abbot of Bulldewa in Normandie.
Raffe Archdeacon of Landaff.
Nicholas, the Kings Chaplaine.
Humphrey de Bohune.
Robert Fitz Bernard.
Hugh de Grandevilla.
Philip de Brensa.
Philip de Hastings.
Silvester, Giraldus, Barry, Cambrensis.
John Ridensford.
* Anno 1172.
OF IRELAND.
275
Girald.
Alexander.} the two sonnes of Maurice Fitz Girald.
William Makrell.
Philip Mercros.
William Morice, Fitz Girald his eldest sonne, mar-
ried with Elen, sister to Earl Strangbow.
Griffin the sonne of William Fitz Girald the elder
brother.
Philip Welsh.
Adam Herford,}
Herford,S
brethren.
Purcell, Lievetenant of the Army, slaine by
the Waterfordians.
Nich. Wallingford a Prior, afterwards Abbot of
Malmesburie.
David Welsh, nephew to Reimond.
Ieffrey Welsh.
Reimond of Kantan.
Reimond Fitz Hugh.
Milo of Saint David.
Robert Poer.
Osbert of Hertford.
Willin Bendoger.
Adam of Gernemie.
Hugh Tirell.
Iohn de Courcey.
Hugh Cantwell.
Redmond Cantimore.
276
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
Alliance of the chiefe Conquerours of Ireland.
Nesta the
daughter
f Loved
Henry the first, (Henry,
King of Eng-father
land, father to to
(Henry Fitz Henry.
Meiler Fitz Henry.
Robert Fitz Henry.
1
Steven Custos
Robert Rafe.
Fitz
Mereducalias Meredith
castri Abertivi.
Steve
Milo.
of Rees ap
Tuyder,
Prince of
South-
was
Wales,
married
twice,
Willia ( Reimund le Grosse,
who married Basilia,
Fitz
Girald Strangbowes Sister.
Griffeth.
who
had is-
2
sue,
Gerald of
Windsor.
Mau-
rice
Fitz
Girald
William married El-
len, Sister to Strang-
bow, Camb. or by
others, Alma, Daugh-
ter of Strangbow.
Girald.
Alexander.
Nesta, married to Her-
vie de monte Marisco.
Milo or Miles.
David, Bishop of Saint
Davids.
OF IRELAND.
277
Not long after the Kings departure out of Ireland,
Ororick of Meth craved a parlee, with Hughe Delacy;
pretending reformation of abuses and establishing of
perfect love and amity; but meant nothing else, sav-
ing falshood, treason and villany: the place being ap-
pointed (Cambrensis calleth it Ororics Hill, I take it
to be the Hill of Taragh) and oathes taken of each
side, with conditions that all armes should be laid
aside, and few persons approach to the place, Ororic,
contrary to the covenants, laid an ambush, that upon
a signe or token given by him, they should forth with
issue out of the bushes, and ditches, and effect his trai-
terous devices: The night before the parley, Griffith
the nephew of Robert; and Morice, being the sonne
of William the elder brother, dreamed in his sleepe
that he saw a great herd of wild hogges, rush upon
Hugh Delacy, and his uncle Maurice, and that one
of them being more furious and raging then the rest,
had rent them with his tuskes, and tore them in pieces,
if he had not with his force rescued them, and killed
the boar this dreame troubled him exceedingly,
wherewith he acquainted his company, and made him
and the rest be the more upon their keeping, to prevent
treachery: The houre of parlee came, they met and
confered together. Griffith not forgetting his dreame,
made choice of seven tall men of his owne kindred, in
whom he reposed great trust and confidence, well
mounted, with swords, sparthes, and shields; raunged
the fields (as nigh the Hill as they might) and made
sundry Carreers and brave turnaments, under pretence
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
of recreation and pleasant pastime; yet alwaies cast-
ing an eye to the hill, to see the end of this parlee.
Hughe Delacy and Ororic, being somewhat long
together, Ororic to worke his treason, stept aside,
faining to make water, upon the signe he gave his
men brought him his horse, and sparth, the which
he taking upon his shoulder, ment therewith to have
cloven Hughe Delacy his head, if the interpreter had
not stept betweene, whose arme was cleane cut off
and himselfe wounded to the death.
Maurice Fitz Girald and Griffith his nephew rush
in, the traitours of the one side, the true men of the
other are together by the eares; when Ororic the traitor
tooke horse to runne away, Griffith with his launce runne
him through, and killed him and his horse and three
of his men, cut off his head and sent it to the King
of England: this was the end of Ororics treason,
and the effect of Griffiths dreame.
Immediately upon this, Earle Richard (being for-
merly upon reconciliation made with the King, ap-
pointed Seneschall of Ireland) is now sent out of
Normandy, by especially commission from the King,
with Reimond le grosse his brother in Law, in joint
commission to governe the whole land, & to be his
Lieutenant in Ireland; where he found the Irish saith
Cambrensis, constant in inconstancy, firme in waver-
ing, and faithfull in untruthes: he found emulation
I
OF IRELAND.
279
betweene Hervy and Reimond, and the Army in a mu-
tiny, for lacke of pay at Herveies hands; whereupon
he made Reimond Lievetenant of the forces, Reimond
immediatly mustred his men, drew them forth to the
Decies among the Rebels, where they preyed and
spoiled. Secondly, they marched to Lismore, where
they did the like. Lastly, along the sea coast, they
goe with their booties, preyes and rich pillage to-
wards Waterford; and finding at Dunganan some
thirteene botes out of Waterford and other places, they
lade them with their preys, intending by water to
saile for Waterford; while they waited for wind,
Corke men envyed their successe; prepared 32. Barks,
manned and furnished them out out of their Towne, to
overthrow Reimond and the English men, and to re-
cover the preyes; they met, they fought cruelly; Corke
men are overthrowne and their Captain Gilbert Mac
Turger was slaine, by a valiant Knight Philip Welsh,
and finally Adam Herford with all his charge, safely
arived in Waterford. Reimond was not at this skir-
mish, but by the way he met with Dermot Mac Corty
Prince of Desmond, who with great power was come
to the aid of the men of Corke. They likewise skir-
mished, and fell to a cruell fight, where Dermot for-
sooke the field with small credit, and Reimond went to
Waterford with four thousand head of cattell.
Immediately upon this, news came out of England
unto Reimond that William Fitz Girald his father,
was departed this life; whereupon he sailed to Wales,
#
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
and Hervey De monte Marisco was appointed by the
Earle, Lieutenant of the forces. This Hervey to ad-
vance his credit, purposed to worke some exploits, and
drew out of Dublin the Earle to Cashil; there also
after consultation by mandat from the Earle, he ap-
pointed the souldiers that were at Dublin to meet him :
When they came as farre as Ossorie, Donald Prince of
Limirik, having by his espials before hand intelligence
thereof, stole
upon them in the morning; slue of them
foure Knights, whereof O'Grame an Irish man was
one, and foure hundred souldiers; with this the
Earle was discouraged, and went to Waterford; the
Irish gathered heart and determined to roote out al
the English men. So that Roderic Prince of Conoght
tooke this opportunity, passed the Shannan, and
wasted all to the walles of Dublin. The Earle being
in this perplexity wrote unto Reimond, that was in
Wales. As soone as you have read those our letters,
make all the haste you can to come away, and bring
with you all the helpe and force you can make, and
then according to your own will and desire, you shall
assuredly enjoy that which you long looked for. Im-
mediatly he prepared himselfe, together with his
cousin Meilerius; shipped 30. young Gentlemen of his
own kindred. 100. horsemen, with 300. archers &
foot, of the best and chosen men of all Wales; and
in 20. Barkes arrived in Waterford: It was at such
time as the Waterford men had determined to kill
every English man within the walles; but when
they saw the Barkes come in with flags, and ban-
281
OF IRELAND.
ners displaid, they were astonied, and staid their
course.
Reimond entreth the towne of Wexford, setteth all
in order, taketh the Earle with him, and all their
forces, and went to Wexford; hee had left behinde
him one Purcell his Lievetenant to guard the town,
whom the Waterfordians slue, and put to the sword,
of English birth, man, woman and childe; but such
as had fled to Reynolds towre, plagued them sore af-
terwards, drove them to intreate for peace, the which
they obtained with hard conditions: And, saith the
booke of Houth, the Waterfordians were ever after
the lesse beleeved. For all the troubles in England
and Normandie, and these treasons and rebellions in
Ireland, the King was not unmindefull to quiet the
people, and to establish himselfe and his heires in the
kingdome; first, he sent Embassadors to Rome to
cleere himselfe of the death of Thomas of Canterbury:
secondly, he sent messengers thither concerning the
state of Ireland, whereunto Alexander the third, an-
swered as followeth, Alexander the Bishop, the ser-
vant of the servants of God, to his dearely beloved
sonne, the Noble King of England, greeting, grace
and Apostolike benediction. Forasmuch as things
given and granted upon good reason, by our predeces-
sors, are to be well allowed of, ratified and confirmed;
wee well considering and pondering the graunt and
priviledge for and concerning the dominion of the
land of Ireland to us appertaining, and lately given
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
by Adrian our predecessor; we following his steps,
doe in like manner confirme, ratifie and allow the
same, reserving and saving to Saint Peter, and to
the Church of Rome, the yeerely pension of one
penny out of every house, as well in England, as in
Ireland; provided also that the barbarous people of
Ireland by your meanes be reformed and recovered
from that filthy life, and abhominable conversation,
that as in name, so in life and manners they may be
Christians; and that as that rude and disordered
Church, being by you reformed, the whole nation
may also, with the profession of the name, be in acts
and deeds, followers of the same. And saith the
booke of Houth, Alexander the third besought the
devill to take them all that gainesayed this Kings
title, Amen. Henry 2. sent this priviledge to Ireland
by Nicholas Wallingford, a Prior, afterwards Abbot
of Malmesbury, and William Fitz Adelme. And
then being at Waterford, they caused an assembly,
and a Synod of the Bishops and Clergie within the
land to be gathered together, where, in open audi-
ence, this priviledge of Alexander, and the other of
Adrian (formerly spoken of) were read, and pub-
lished, and ratified. Reimond having setled his af-
faires at Wexford, marched towards Dublin, the noyse
of his comming drave Roderic the rebell of Connaght
away; he was no sooner come to Dublin, but the
newes of the rebellion of Limric followed after, where
Donald O bren having sworne faith and fealty unto
Henry 2. is now revolted and turned to his vomit.
OF IRELAND.
283
Reymond maketh preparation, mustereth his men,
chose out 26. gallants, 300. horsemen, and 300.
Archers, and foote, and commeth to Lymeric, where
he found the Bridges drawn, the river swift and im-
passable, the townesmen upon the walls, with all
manner of defence for their safeguard. David Welsh,
a lusty Gentleman, maketh no more adoe, but put-
teth spurres to his horse, and with good guiding
thereof, crosseth the river, and got to land; immedi-
ately he calleth to his company, come, I have found
a Ford: yet for all that, none would follow, but Ieffery
Welsh, and Meilerius Fitz Henry. Then Reimond
turneth him to the army with these words: You
worthy men, who of nature are valiant, and whose
Prowesse we have well tryed, come away, the way
heretofore not knowne, and the river hitherto thought
not passable, by our adventures, a foord is now found
therein; let us therefore follow him that is gone be-
fore, and helpe him being now in distresse; let us not
suffer nor see so worthy a Gentleman thus for our
common cause and honour, oppressed, to perish, and
to be cast away before our eyes, and in our sight, for
want of our help, and by meanes of our dastard
cowardize. It is no time to use many words, the
shortnesse of the time, the present necessitie of this
Noble Gentleman, and the state of our own honour,
urgeth expedition, and requireth haste. And even
with the words, he put spurres to his horse, and ad-
ventureth the river, after whom, followed the whole
company, every one striving who might be formost.
PP
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
And as God would, they passed all over safe, saving
two souldiers, and one Gwydo a Gentleman: when
they had recovered land, the enemy fled, whom they
pursued, and in the chase slue a number of them,
they entred the towne, got great spoyles and riches,
but greater honour and fame. When all was quiet,
Reimond left there a strong Garrison, and Miles of
Saint Davids, Lievetenant over them, and returned to
the borders of Leinster.
Envy hardly sleepeth, but is still devising of mis-
chiefe; Hervie de monte Marisco, though now by
marriage allyed unto Reymond, yet by malice work-
eth his overthrow, enuying his honour and prosperous
successe, sendeth secret letters to the King against
him, which are not worthy to be recorded, being but
the sinke of secret malice. The King, (as the nature
of Princes is to be jealous and suspitious of any great-
nesse) is easily brought to credit Hervie, and there-
upon sendeth foure of his servants to Ireland, Robert
Poer, Osbert of Herlotte, or Hereford, William Ben-
deger, and Adam of Gernemie; two of them to stay
with Earle Richard, and the other two to bring Rei-
mond away with them; as Reymond was ready to goe
for England, newes came that Donald, Prince of Ly-
meric had besieged the towne, and that the garrison
was greatly distressed, and in want of victuals: the
Earle, with Reimond and the foure Gentlemen, fell
to consultation, what course to hold; they found
in the army a secret mutiny, where the souldiers
OF IRELAND.
285
said flatly, they would not serve that way, unlesse
Reimond were their Captaine; to be short, it was con-
cluded that Reimond should undertake the service;
when he had mustered and made choice of horse and
foot, he marched towards Lymeric: Donald Prince of
Ossory, who bore private grudge to Donald of Ly-
meric, Morogh of Kencile, with other Irish men,
then served and attended upon Reimond. By the
way
a Post came, and certified Reimond, that Donald of
Lymeric had raised his siege, and was come to the
pace of Cashill to give him battaile; this
pace of it
selfe was naturally very strong, but by trenching, and
hedging, and plashing of trees, it seemed invincible.
When of each side they were ready to joyne battaile,
Donald, Prince of Ossory being desirous to see his
enemy of Lymeric and Thomond overthrowne, turneth
him to the English men with these words: You
worthy, Noble, and valiant Conquerours of this land,
you are this day valiantly to give the onset upon your
enemies, which if you doe after your old and accus-
tomed manner, no doubt the victory will be yours; for
we with our sparthes, and you with your swords, will
sharpely pursue them, as they shall very hardly escape
our hands, & avoid our force, but if it so fall out
(which God forbid) that you be overthrowne, and
hove the worse side, be you assured that wee will leave
you, and turne to our enemies, and take part with them.
Wherefore be of good courage, and looke well to your
selves, and consider that you are now farre from any
Fort or place of refuge, and therefore if you should
¿
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
be driven to flye, the same will be long and dangerous
unto you. As for us, ye may not trust to us, for we
determine to sticke to them who shall have the victory,
and will pursue and be on the jackes of them who shall
flye and runne away: and therefore be no longer
assured of us, then whilst yee be Conquerours: Meile-
rius, who had the foreward, being somewhat moved
and warmed with those words, suddenly, like a blast
of winde, entred the Passe, pulled away the bushes,
brake downe the hedges, the Pioners filled the trenches,
and speedily made plaine the way, with no small
slaughter of the enemies, and so they marched without
any great perill to Lymeric, where they releeved the
army, and set things in order, and rested a short time.
Roderic of Connaght, and Donald of Thomond find-
ing themselves weake, craved a parlee, it was granted
them: Roderic would needs keepe on the water, and
Donald kept the wood. Who would trust them that
would trust no other? Reimond chose the midst be-
tweene them both; to be short, a peace was concluded,
they both submitted themselves, gave hostages, made
fealtie, and swore to be true thenceforth for ever to
the King of England, and to his successors after him.
This service was no sooner performed, but there came
messengers to Reimond from Dermot Mac Carty
Prince of Desmond, humbly craving his aide, against
his eldest son Cormac O Lechan, who was in armes
against his natural father: with the advice of his
Councell; Reimond granteth aide, hee marcheth to-
wards Corke and subdueth the rebell, the sonne dis-
OF IRELAND.
287
sembleth with the father and clapt him in prison: the
father requiteth the sonne with like: he got him in
under colour of peace, clapt him in prison and cut off
his head.
And not long after, saith Cambrensis, the men of
Corke at a parlee not farre from the Towne, slew their
Prince Dermot Mac Carty, and most of his company.
Anno 1177. (so writeth Holinshed) Henry the 2.
held a Parliament at Windsore, where Laurence Arch-
bishop of Dublin was present; as what time Roderic
King of Conoght sent thither the Archbishop of Tuam,
the Abbot of Saint Brandon, with one Laurence his
Chaplen; offring all submission and loyalty. The
King willingly heard them, and gladly concluded a
Peace at the importunate suit of his Messengers to
avoid further trouble; injoyning Roderic to pay him
in token of subjection, a tribute of Cow hides, the
Charter of agreement was drawne and subscribed as
followeth.
Hic est finis & concordia quæ facta fuit apud Win-
desore, in Octabis Sancti Michaelis, Anno gratiæ
1175. Inter Dominum Regem Angliæ Henricum
secundum; & Rodericum Regem Conaciæ, per Catho-
licum Tuamensem Archepiscopum & Abbatem C.
Sancti Brandani, & Magistrum Laurentium Cancel-
tarium Regis Conacia
288
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
1. Scilicet quod Rex Anglia concedit predicto Ro-
derico Ligio homini suo Regnum Conacia quamdiu
ei fideliter servret, vt sit Rex sub eo, paratus ad ser-
vitium suum, sicut homo suus & ut teneat terram suam,
ita bene & in pace sicut tenuit antequam Dominus Rex
Angliæ intraret Hiberniam; reddendo ei tributum :
& totam illam terram & habitatores terræ habeat sub
se, & justiciæ ut tributum Regi Angliæ integrè per
solvant, & per manum ejus sua jura sibi conservent, &
illi qui modo tenent, teneant in pace, quam diu man-
suerint in fidelitate Regis Angliæ, & fideliter & in-
tegre persolverint tributum & alia jura sua quæ
debent, per manum Regis Conacia, salvo in omnibus
jure & honore Domini Regis Anglia & suo.
ei
2. Et si qui ex eis Regi Anglia, & ei rebelles
fuerint, & tributum & alia jura Regis Anglia, per
manum ejus solvere noluerint, & a fidelitate Regis
Anglia recesserint, ipse eos justitiet & amoveat, & si
eos per se justitiare non poterit; Constabularius Regis
Anglia & familia sua de terra illa juvabunt eum ad
hoc faciendum, quum ab ipso fuerint requisiti, & ipsi
viderint quod necesse fuerit, & propter hunc finem
reddet predictus Rex Conaciæ Domino Regi Anglia
tributum singulis annis; scilicet, de singulis decem
animalibus, unum corium placibile mercatoribus, tam
de tota terra sua quan de aliena.
3. Excepto quod de terris illis quas Dominus Rex
OF IRELAND.
289
1
Anglia retinuit in dominio suo, & in dominio Baro-
num suorum nihil se intromittet: Scilicet Duvelina
cum pertinentijs suis, & Midia cum omnibus pertinen-
tijs suis, sicut unquam Murchart Wamai Leth Lach-
lin, eam melius & plenius tenuet, aut aliqui qui eam
de eo tenuerint. Et excepta Wesefordia cum omnibus
pertinentijs suis, scilicet cum tota Lagenia, & excepta
Waterf. cum tota terra illa que est a Waterf. usque
ad Dungarvan; ita ut Dungarvan sit cum omnibus
pertinentijs suis, infra terram illam.
4. Et si Hibernenses illi qui aufugerint redire
voluerint ad terram Baronum Regis Anglia, redeant
in pace reddendo tributum predictum quod alij red-
dunt, vel faciendo antiqua servitia quæ facere sole-
bant pro terris suis, et hoc sit in arbitrio Dominorum
suorum, et si aliqui eorum redire noluerint, Domini
eorum et Rex Conacic accipiat obsides, ad omnibus
quos ei Comisit Dominus Rex Angliæ ad voluntatem
Domini Regis et suam, et ipse dabit obsides ad volun-
tatem Domini Regis Angliæ illos vel alios, et ipsi ser-
vient Domino de Canibus et Avibus suis singulis annis
de presentis suis, et nullum omnino de quacunque terra
Regis sit, retinebunt contra voluntatem Domini Regis.
Hijs testibus Richardo Episcopo Wintonia, Gaufrido
Episcopo Eliensi, Laurentio Duvelinensi Archepis-
copo, Gaufrido, Nicolao, et Rogero Capelanis Regis,
Guilelmo Comit. Essex, et aliis multis.
Moreover at that Parliament, the King gave an
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Irishman named Augustine, the Bishopricke of Wa-
terford, which was then voyd, and sent him unto
Ireland, with Laurence the Archbishop of Dublin,
to be consecrated of Donatus Archbishop of Cashill.
Anno 1176. Bertran de Verdon founded the Mo-
nastery of Crokisdan. As Reimond marcheth towards
Leinster, newes came unto him from the Lady Basilia
his wife, that Strangbow was dead, the which hee
concealed with good countenance; and called a secret
councell of the wiser sort and trustiest friends, how to
dispose of the State of the Land, afore the Irish were
acquainted therewith: it was agreed upon for that the
enemy were many, the forces but few, they should
strengthen all their holds upon the Sea cost untill the
K. pleasure were further knowne, and withdraw the
midland garrisons to supply and compleat the same.
And among others they thought good to take the
garrison out of Lymerik and deliver the Towne to the
charge of Donald O brien of Thomond Prince of
Lymericke; he being sent for, came in poast, under-
standing Reimonds pleasure, was the gladdest man
that might bee, and undertooke the charge, Viz. to
keepe the Towne to the Kings use, and at his plea-
sure to redeliver it, as also in the meane time to keepe
the peace: this he undertooke with Corporall oathes,
and solemne vowes; and thereupon delivered hos-
tages. But the Englishmen were no sooner over the
one end of the Bridge, but Donald broke the other
end, and set fire in the foure quarters of the Towne,
OF IRELAND.
291
saying there shall no English race rest here any
longer: This they beheld with their eyes, to their no
small griefe of mind. Cambrensis inveyeth against
this Donald O brien calling him traitour, wicked, im-
pudent, perfidious, perjured and what not? This was
in Anno one thousand, one hundred, seventy seven.
Earle Strangbow left behinde, one daughter of
tender yeeres, and lyeth buried in the Church of the
blessed Trinity in Dublin, over against the Pulpit, in
the body of the Church, whose exequies, Laurence
O Toole, Archbishop of Dublin did solemnize with
great reverence; whereupon the King sent into Ire-
land, William Fitz Adelme to be his Lievetenant,
with the allowance of twenty Gentlemen of his hous-
hold, and joyned with him in commission, Iohn de
Courcy, with the allowance of tenne men to attend
his person. Robert Fitz Stephens, and Miles Cogan,
who had nobly served him in his wars two yeeres,
with the allowance of twenty men to attend their per-
sons; at which time, saith Holinshed, the Irish men
paid the King a tribute of twelve pence yeerely for
every house, or else for every yoke of Oxen, (alias
plow) which they had of their owne.
Richard, surnamed Strangbow, had to his father,
Gilbert, likewise surnamed Strangbow, for his valour
& strength; this Gilbert was E. of Ogye in Nor-
mandie, & Lord of Totenham, Alverdiston, & Wolas-
ton in England, so created by Henry 1. William
૨૧
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DOCTOR HANmer's chronicle
·
the son of Osbert, a Norman, E. of Ogie in Nor-
mandie, had issue, Richard, E. of Ogie, this Richard
had issue Walter & Gilbert, aforesaid father to
Richard E. Strangbow; William Fitz Osbert came
into England in the ayde of William the Conquerour.
And as far as I can learn, Walter was the first Earle
of Penbroke (the Britaines call it Penbraich More,
the head of an arme of the sea) whence both the
Countie, and the most noble Earldome have their
denominations. Arnulph de monte Gomerik, the
younger sonne of Roger de montegomerik, that was
by William the Conquerour created Earle of Arun-
dell and Shrewsbury, builded the Castle of Penbroke,
where Henry the seventh was borne; William the
Conquerour gave him Divet and Cardigan, hee was
Earle of Ogie, and the second Earle of Penbroke,
and married the daughter (by the mediation of Girald
de Windsore, Constable of his Castle) of Morogh,
King of Leinster in Ireland. Gilbert, surnamed
Strangbow, was created by King Stephen, the third
Earle of Penbroke, hee was Earle of Ogie in Nor-
mandie, Lord of Totenham, Alverdiston, Wolaston,
and Cardigan, and in England succeeded Arnulph.
Henry the first made him Earle of Strigule, now
called Chepstow, and gave him Cardigan; this Gil-
bert builded Castrogie, alias Castrum Ogie, in Gwent,
and the Castle of Stratmirike.
Richard, surnamed Strangbow, succeeded his fa-
ther Gilbert; his stile as I take it is thus. Richard,
OF IRELAND.
293
1
surnamed Strangbow, Lord of Totenham, Alverdis-
ton, Wolaston, and Cardigan; in England, Earle
of Penbroke, Earle of Strigule, alias Domonius de
Chepstow in England, Earle of Ogie in Normandie,
Earle of Leicester, Earle Marshall of England,
Vicegerent of Normandie, Lord Lievetenant of Ire-
land, and Prince of Leinster in the right of Eva his
wife, sole heire of Dermot Mac Morogh, King of
Leinster,
men,
This Richard had issue by his first wife, a sonne, a
fine youth, and a gallant stripling, who following his
father with some charge in battaile array, as he passed
by Idrone in Leinster, to relieve Robert Fitz Stephens
in Wexford, upon the sight and cry of the Irish
when his father was in cruell fight, gave backe with
his company, to the great discouragement of the host,
yet the Earle got the victory, and commanded with the
teares in his cheekes, that his sonne should be cut in
the middle with a sword for his cowardize in battaile;
he was buried in the Church of the blessed Trinitie in
Dublin, where now his father resteth by his side, and
caused the cause of his death for an Epitaph to be set
over him.
Nate ingrate mihi pugnanti terga dedisti,
Non mihi, sed genti & regno quoque terga dedisti.
My sonne unkinde didst flye the field, the father fighting hard,
Nor me, nor English birth didst weigh, nor kingdome didst regard.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
>
How the sonne pleaded with his father for the place
of service, and how the father answered, Stanihurst
hath many circumstances hereof, and delivered, that
his owne father in his fury, and in the face of the
enemy, cut him off, and marvaileth that Cambrensis
would conceale it, and in the end taketh it as a matter
of truth, both by the testimony of the Tombe in Christ
Church, as also, by the industry of Sir Henry Sidney,
Knight, a great favourer of Antiquities, in preserving
the same, to the knowledge of the posterity.
Richard Earle Strangbow by his second wife Eva,
the daughter of Dermot Mac Morogh, had issue, one
daughter, Isabell, whom Richard the first gave in mar-
riage to William Maxfield, Lord Maxfield, Earle
Marshall of England, of whom (God willing) I shall
have occasion to speake further, when I come to his
time.
The same yeere that Strangbow dyed, viz. 1177.
(so Holinshed writeth) Iohn de Courcy entred Vlster,
discomfited the Irish, and wanne the Citie of Dune,
where the body of Saint Patricke, Saint Colme, and
Saint Brigide the Virgin rests, whom Courcy calleth
tria jocalia Hiberniæ, the three jewels of Ireland.
At the winning of Dune, Roderic King of Connaght,
and Monarch of Ireland, (at severall times before
sworne to the King) raised a mighty army against
Courcy, where Roderic was overthrowne, and the
Bishop of Dune taken prisoner among other rebels ;
OF IRELAND.
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the which Bishop, at the request of Cardinall Vinian
(then present) was set at liberty. This Cardinall,
saith mine Author, intitled Sancti Stephani de monte
Celio, was sent from Alexander 3. and comming into
England without licence, was pardoned by Henry 2.
and permitted to goe into Scotland, and the north parts,
where his commission directed him; when he had ended
his businesse in Scotland, he passed over into Man,
where he held his Christmas with Gotred, King of
Man, and after the Epiphanie, sailed from thence into
Ireland, and came thither (saith Newbrigiensis) the
same time that the English men invaded the country,
and was entertained by Roderic, and the Bishop of
Dune, and others, with great reverence.
The Irish men aske councell of Vivian the Legate,
what in that case he thought best to be done, whether
they should fight, or yeeld unto the English nation;
he gave counsell, forgetting what Adrian 4. and Alex-
ander 3. had formerly granted and said, fight in de-
fence of your country. This Legate (craftily pre-
venting all mishaps) took the Church of Dune for his
sanctuary, and had in readinesse the Popes commission,
and the King of Englands Passe unto the Captaines
of Ireland for his safe couduct: From thence he went
to Dublin, called the Prelates, held a councell, and
fiilled his bagges with the sinnes of the people; the
English Captaines understanding of it, gave him in
charge, either to depart the land, or to goe to the
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warres, and serve for pay
receive money for nought.
with them, and no longer to
In the booke of Howth it is further alledged, how
that this Legate in his Synod at Dublin (whether it
were to curry favour with the English men, and to co-
lour his other pranckes, it forceth not greatly) shewed
and published openly the King of Englands right to
Ireland, with the Popes grant and confirmation, and
accursed all those that gainesaid the same.
Now to the true history of Sir Iohn de Courcy, as
worthy a Knight for martiall prowesse, as ever trode
upon Irish ground, whom Cambrensis lightly over-
skipped, partly upon private grudge, for that Sir John
de Courcy allowed him not for Vicar generall in Ire-
land, and Secretary to the State, partly in favour of
Sir Hugh Delacy, who maligned and envied the honor
and renowne, and prosperous successes of Courcy;
lastly, for feare of King Iohn, into whose displeasure
Courcy fell, through the false accusation of Lacy and
his faction, yet the certainty of his exploits hath beene
preserved, and in Latine committed to Paper by a
Fryer in the North, the which booke Oneil brought to
Armagh, and was translated into English by.
Dowdall, Primate there, Anno 1551. He was by fa-
ther a Norman, by mother a Cambrian or Britaine, and
married the daughter of Gotred, King of Man; he
was a Gentleman descended, as it seemeth by his coate,
OF IRELAND.
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>
of an antient house, of whom the Irish men hold that
Merlin prophecied, where he wrote: A white Knight
sitting on a white horse, bearing birds in his shield,
shall be the first which with force of Armes, shall
enter and subdue Vlster.
He served King Henry the second in all his warres,
and in France he met with a worthy Knight, Sir Amo-
ricus Tristeram, who married Courcy his sister, and
whether it was derived of the Ladies name, or for that
they were married on Saint Laurence day, ever after
hee and his posterity after him, was called Sir Amori-
cus de Sancto Laurentio, whence the Noble house of
Howth is lineally discended, whereof hereafter in ano-
ther place more at large. These two Knights became
sworne brethren in the Church of our Lady at Roane;
where solemnely they vowed to serve together, to live
and dye together and equally to divide betweene them
what they wanne by the sword, or should be given them
in regard of their service: Thus they continued in
France, Anjou, Normandy, and England; and when
Sir John de Courcy was joyned in commission with
William Burgh, Fitz Adelme and others; Sir Amo-
ricus de Sancto Laurentio, accompanied him into Ire-
land, where Courcy received a graunt of the King, by
Patent for him and his heires or assignes after him, to
enjoy in that Land all that he could Conquer with the
sword, reserving to the King homage and fealty; they
landed at Houth and there fought a cruell fight by the
side of a Bridge, where Sir Iohn de Courcy being
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
sickly, taried. abord the shippe. Sir Amoricus being
Chifetaine and Generall of the field by land, behaved
himselfe most worthily; many were slaine on both
sides, but Sir Amoricus got the victory, with the losse
of seven of his owne blood, sonnes, uncles and ne-
phewes, whereupon for his singular valour and good
service there performed, that Lordship was allotted
unto him for his part of the conquest, with other things
which Sir John de Courcy gave him. Immediately,
Sir Iohn de Courcy, Sir Amoricus de Sanct Lauren-
tio, and Sir Roger Poer, so well appointed as then
contented them, directed their course towards the
North; the principall cause that moved them (besides
their valour) was the hard government of William
Fitz Adelme, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whose con-
ditions Cambrensis who then lived and was conversant
with him, delivereth in this sort. He was covetous,
proud, malicious, envious, a favorite of wine and
women, and good to none, but to his back and belly:
and by his backe he understood his kindred, and by
his belly, he ment his children, for he opposed him-
selfe, most enviously, against the Girraldins, Fitz
Stephens and Barries, the first most valiant Con-
querors of the Land, and against their posterity, &c.
While Courcy is on his way, give me leave, gentle
Reader, to eternise the Memoriall of Maurice Fitz
Gerald: As he was of birth and parentage nobly &
worshipfully descended, so was he in condition and for
martiall prowesse every way renowned. Cambrensis
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OF IRELAND.
his kinsman commendeth him greatly, and no lesse
then he deserved. He left this world to the great
griefe of all the true harts in Ireland, and lieth buried
in the Monastery of grey Friers without the walles of
Wexford, his ... sonnes whom William Fitz Adelme
maligned, builded the Castle of Fernes. In his time,
(saith Cambrensis) at Wirlo, where Maurice Fitz
Girald dwelled, there was a Monster, begotten by a
wicked man of that nation upon a Cow, a vice (saith
he) at that time too common among that nation. It
had the body of a man, but all the hinder parts of an
oxe, from the anckles of the legges, and the wrists of
the armes, he had the hoofes of an oxe; his head was
all bald saving a few small and thinne haires; his eyes,
great, round, and blacke like an Oxe; nose he had
none, but two holes; speake hee could not, but onely
bellow like a Cow: this Monster did daily resort to the
house of Maurice Fitz Girald about dinner time, and
such meat as was given him, he tooke it in his hoofes,
and put it to his mouth, and so fed himselfe. Diviners
in those daies construed this of the government of
Fitz Adelme, the which in their opinion was mon-
strous, but there I leave, and returne to Courcy.
Iohn de Courcy after foure dayes, some miles come
to Daud without resistance, and unlooked for, con-
trary to all mens expectation, the which in a word
hath beene spoken of before: strange it is to see
what a sudden feare will worke. Dunlenus, (whom
I take to be O Donell) no base nor meane Commander
Rr
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
of that place, fled away, left armes, men and munition
behinde, happy was hee (in his owne opinion) that he
had escaped the hands, he wist not of what enemy;
the trumpets sounded, the armour ratled, the women
clapt their hands, the children cryed, the townesmen
to goe, the leaders entred, the souldiers ryfled, the
towne upon a sodaine was ransacked, doores, windowes,
cupboards, chests flew open, the army after long march,
and sore travaile, being in great want and weakenesse,
had their housing, firing, dyet, and fare of the best,
bedding, cloathing, gold, silver, plate, and rich booties,
without checke or controulement of any, and respite
for certaine daies to breath, rest, and recreate them-
selves. In the necke of this out of Scotland, the
winde blew one Vinianus a Cardnall (spoken of before)
which tooke upon him to intreate a peace betweene the
two nations, but could not prevaile. After eight dayes,
Roderic the Monarch, and O Donnell, King of Duune,
had mustred their men, gathered forces, gotten great
ayde, and prepared an hoast of tenne thousand fighting
men, and came to besiege the City. Sir Iohn de
Courcy, having but seven hundred, thought best not
to bee cooped within, nor caged like a Bird, prepared
to give them battaile abroad, marched forth, and or-
dered his army as followeth; he divided his men into
three companies, the horsemen being seven score, were
set in a winge on the left hand, under the leading of
Sir Amoricus de Saint Laurantio, every horseman
having a bowman behinde him. On the right hand,
Sir Roger Poer, who had married Sir Amoricus Neece,
OF IRELAND.
301
led the foot company, close by a bogge side, in the
midst came Sir Iohn de Courcy, with his company;
the way was narrow where they should encounter, and
the English men had the vantage of a great hedge and
ditch of the one hand, and a bogge on the other to
gall the enemies horses, where no horse could enter
within them. Odonell seeing the Horsmen to be but
a few, commanded his foot and maine battaile to
make a stand untill hee sent them word to march on,
meaning to make short worke with the Horsemen,
and so to breake the necke of the strength of the
battaile; the Horsemen joyne battaile, the Archers
gall Odonels horses with arrowes, whom the English
launce slew not, the horse unsadled, and when the
English quiver was empty, the archer with his sword
haught the horses and dispatched the men that were
unhorsed and cast to the ground. Odonels horsemen
being somewhat discomfited retired, Sir Amoricus
cals upon Courcy and Poer, to bring on the foote,
who metting with the foote and maine battaile of the
Irish (that expected newes from Odonell) fought
most fiercely: No instrument of Warre could be
heard, the
cry of both sides pierced the clouds, the
gald horses grievously complained, the maimed soul-
diers groueling on the ground and gasping for breath
gave pittifull groanes; the Irish flang darts and
stones, the English shoote arrowes, the Irish with
sparthes and galloglasse axes, the English with speares
and swords encounter on bothsides most valiantly;
the splints of broken staves fly about their eares, and
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
eyes, sparkles of fire from their swords and targets,
and the blowes upon their helmets yeelded the sound
of hammers working upon anviles, both sides deserved
honor and singular commendations; the slaughter
was great on both sides, and continued long; many
of the English were slaine, and a number of the
Irish were left alive, they determined to make an
end of the English that day; the rere of the Irish
march couragiously, the English had the bog of the
one side, and the ditch of the other, and the en-
trance to them was ful of heads, legs, and armes,
dead corps, armor and horses dead, and lying a long
striving with death, that they could not approch,
whereupon they broke their battaile aray, dispersed
themselves, and from the paces entred the plaines.
Sir Amoric watching his opportunity, called Ieffrey
Montgomery his sisters sonne and standard bearer,
and said: Have not we quitted our selves like men
this day, and shall wee dishonour the field so much
as to suffer yonder company to escape our hands;
come, advance your Standard, let us wheele about
and give the on-set: Montgomery replied, it seemes
strange unto mee, to see your stomach passe your
strength, we have wonne honour advisedly, and shall
we now rashly lose it? of seven score, we have but
forty horses left, the rest are wounded, tired and
not fit for service: then said Amorich give me the
Standard, I will beare it my selfe; if that be your
pleasure (saith Mountgomery) you shall not here-
after charge me with cowardise, under this Standard
OF IRELAND.
303
have I got honour, and under this Standard (if God
so please) I will dye. With this they wheeled about
and overtooke the foot of the Irish, being loden with
armes, and wearied with fight, with their launces
they strooke them to the ground, they gave the on-
set a fresh upon the horsemen which were about 200.
and had Connor O Laghlin to their leader, who re-
treated in battaile array, ready to answer the fight.
Sir Amoricus in that skirmish was twice vnhorsed,
and by his men lift up againe, afterwards in a filthy
foord he was unhorsed againe, and his horse slaine
under him: whereupon some of his troope lighted,
stood
very stoutly by him, tooke weapons out of the
dead mens hands that lay along the way, & kept the
Foord from horse and man, untill Sir Iohn de Courcy
came to the rescue, at which time many of the Irish
were slaine, and the rest fled away: thus in the end
God
gave the victory unto the English men, after the
losse of many a brave man, and especially Lyonell
Saint Laurence, nephew to Amoricus, whose death
was greatly lamented. When they had buried their
dead, and gathered their armes, they returned to
Dune.
The Midsummer following, Courcy fought the se-
cond battaile nigh the walles of Dune (saith Stani-
hurst) and overthrew fifteene thousand men in Vl-
ster. And saith the booke of Houth, after that field,
Vlster men had small stomacke to give any onset
upon the English men: yet I finde the field to have
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
beene bloudy of both sides, and that Sir Amoricus
was sore wounded, laid under a hedge, eating hony
suckles for his reliefe, where he left much bloud, and
was carried away betweene foure men; his wounds
were so many, and so dangerous, that no Physitian
or Surgeon could promise life the space of nine dayes,
yet in the end, recovered. Next unto him was his
sonne Sir Nicholas Saint Laurence, a most valiant
Knight so sore wounded in nine severall places, that
he was once left for dead, but at length recovered, to
the great comfort of his friends.
The third battaile that Sir John de Courcy fought,
was in Ferng, against eleaven thousand Irish men:
the occasion was thus, Courcy had builded many
Castles throughout Vlster, and especially in Fern,
where Mac Mahon dwelled; this Mac Mahon with
solemne protestations vowed to become a true and
faithfull subiect, gave Courcy many gifts, and made
him his Goship, which is a league of amitie highly
esteemed in Ireland. Whereupon Courcy gave him
two Castles with their demeanes to hold of him.
Within one moneth after, this Mac Mahon returning
to his vomit, brake downe the Castles, and made
them even with the ground. Sir Iohn de Courcy
sent unto him to know the cause that moved him to
fall to this villanie: his answer was, that he pro-
mised not to hold stones of him, but the land, and
that it was contrary to his nature, to couch himselfe
within cold stones, the woods being so nigh, where
OF IRELAND.
305
1
he might better warme himselfe, with other slender
and scornefull answers. Courcy to be revenged of
him, saw no better course then to prey his country,
mustred his men, entred the land, and swept all the
cattell before him. The prey was so great, that it
could not be driven, unlesse it were divided into
three parts, and to that end, this company in like
sort was proportioned betweene the foremost of the
voward, and the last of the rereward, there was three
miles distance; the paces were narrow, the way miry
and boggy, with thicke bushes on either side, the
Irish being (as I said before) eleven thousand in
number, stood upon all advantages, had their espials
upon them, divided themselves likewise, and stept in
betweene every of the English companies, and upon a
sudden, made such a cry, and
gave such
such a shout, that
the woods rang thereof, and the Cowes ranne like
divels upon the drivers, and overthrew horse and
man, so that there were more slaine and trode under
foot in the mire and dirt, of the English men, by
the Cowes, then by the sword of the rebels. Vpon
this cry, all the Cowes were lost, and the men fell to
blowes, where the Irish being acquainted with every
blinde way,
made better shift then the English.
Courcy and his brother Amoricus, with such as were
alive, hastened out of the woods, and came to a
Plaine, where they viewed each other some quarter of
a mile distant. Sir Amoric turned backe, and cast
up his
eyes, and
and saw Sir Roger Poer that had mar-
ried his Neece, about a sevenight before, pulled and
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3
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
cry,
halled by the Irish, and carried away prisoner; follow
me, saith he unto his company, I will rescue him, or
I will dye on the place; he suddenly comming upon
their heeles, set upon them, and carried away Sir
Roger Poer; with that, the Irish
gave such a shout,
that all the rest of their company that were dispersed
and scattered among the bushes, gathered themselves
together to that place, to answer the
and stept
betweene Sir Amoric and Sir Iohn Courcy, so that
with great perill of their lives, and losse of many
men, they came together to that place; when they
met, they bewailed their losses, and being environed
with bogges and marishes, they forsook their horses,
and fell to kill them, and shifted for themselves; the
Irish most eagerly pursued them, and at length, one
William Lawyard overtooke Courcy, hee with his
company turned their faces, fought a cruell fight,
wherein (saith mine Author) there were slaine of the
Irish men, sixe score. After this skirmish, followed
Arte boy, with three hundred, and set upon Courcy,
who slue of the Irish, nine score: last of all, Mac
Mohon, the ground of all this mischiefe, came blow-
ing, and set upon Courcy, with whom the base sonne
of Sir Amoricus encountred, slue him, and foure-
score of his men, and drove the rest to flye; the day
being thus spent, the night made an end of that bat-
taile as the night fell, Sir Iohn de Courcy by good
hap, lighted upon an old Fort of his owne, moted or
trenched about, where there was a good watch kept,
he being glad of them, and they of him, camped
OF IRELAND.
307
*
<
there with his forces that night, and the enemy within
halfe a mile of them, as it appeared by the great fires
they made after their travaile. Sir Amoric Saint
Laurance after a short nap or slumber, tooke a few
with him, went to espie the enemies campe, and
made a speedie returne, he pressed upon his brother
Courcy and the campe, to wake them, and delivered
unto them these speeches: I have scouted abroad,
• and
spared you in your heavie sleepe, I viewed the
'enemies campe, whom I take to be 5000. strong,
' and that by the scope of their cabbins; wee are but
'500. fighting men, all wearied with sore fight, long
'travaile, and somewhat discouraged with hard for-
'tune, not fit to make any great enterprize, or to
performe any worthy exploit; nay a worse matter,
there are among us such as have deadly wounds,
but the dead sleep suppresseth their complaints, and
further, our men watch without sufficient release,
and the enemy hath his fill every way; our case is
desperate, if the enemy set upon us to morrow, we
are not able to withstand him, wee shall be slaine
every mothers sonne
mothers sonne; wherefore I thinke best that
'we now set upon them that are now feasting and
sleeping, voyd of all feare of us, whom in their opi-
nion, they hold for men quite overthrowne, and
never able to make a head againe, and that we
leave some of our sicke men here to ward, and take
some of the fresh men with us.' When hee had
ended his speech, there was silence for a certaine
space, wherein one looked upon the other. Then
•
SS
་
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Sir John Courcy spake, I looked all this while for
some of these young gallants, and your fellow soul-
diers to deliver their courage; but one thing further,
Sir Amoric, where are their horses bestowed? he an-
swereth, your white horse, and
my
blacke gelding, I
have cunningly conveyed away, and the rest I can
point you to with my finger. Then saith Sir John
Courcy, this is mine advice: Let two men ride these
two horses, and gather their horses together, and
orderly in each side drive them upon the enemy, all
wee in armes will come after, and suddenly give the
shout upon
them in their sleepes, and serve them with
their horses, as they served us with our kine: Every
man liked well of this course, and when they came to
the place, they had the killing of them at their owne
desire. There the English came, victualled, apparel-
led, armed, and horsed themselves, never better in their
lives. Of 5000. Irish, there escaped not above 200.
which ranne so fast, (saith mine Author) that a horse
could not hold them. Of the English, the day before,
400. men were missing, but in that mornings worke,
onely two. Lastly, Sir John Courcy, with some hearts
ease, returned to his old Fort, where hee had camped
that night, rested there a while, and sent to Dublin
and elsewhere among his friends, for supplies of men
and other necessarie provisions. There are some out
of the schoole of envy, with grace, to disgrace Courcy
(whom I have in part touched before)
touched before) that report the
story otherwise, which deliver not wherein he was to
be honoured, but wherein he was foyled, fortuna de
OF IRELAND.
309
1
la guerra, that hee was driven with eleven persons in
armes, to travaile a foot some 30. miles, for the space
of two dayes, the enemy still pursuing, (the which
they lay not downe) all fasting without any reliefe,
untill hee came to an old Castle of his owne, which
savoureth not altogether of truth, but forwards with
the history.
The fourth battaile that Sir Iohn Courcy fought was
in Vriell, for this cause: Courcy had sent certaine of
his servants into England, for victuals, munition, and
divers necessaries; the ship was by foule weather driven
into a creick in Vriell, cald Torshead; O Hanlan with
others being acquainted with all circumstances, bord
the ship, put men and mariners to the sword, and make
a prize and havocke of all: Courcy hearing of this,
gathered his forces together; draweth towards the
Nury to come into Vriell to be revenged of them for
this injury; by the way he was given to understand,
that all the Irish of those parts were in armes prepared
for him in their defence, to justifie their doings, and
that they had camped by South of Dundalke, and
by North of the river Dondoygon. Courcy having
marched to a place within a mile and a halfe of the
Irish campe, made
made a stand, cald his brother Amoric,
Sir Roger Poer, with others, and consulted what course
was best to be held. Sir Roger Poer being full of
courage, begins: I thinke best to hold still with us the
favour of Fortune; they are many, we are but few, the
longer we behold them, the worse wee shall like them;
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
the souldiers would be set a worke, and the more we
linger, the more doubts and buzzes will enter his
braine; for often wee see, that the sight maketh, and
the sight marreth.
Next, Sir Amoric delivereth his opinion: we came
not hither to make hasty worke, but advisedly to per-
forme service; true it is, as you have delivered, they
are manie we are but few in comparison of their num-
ber; afore we give battaile, there are 3. things (as I take
it) requisite to be considered, the cause wherefore we
fight, the number of both sides, that they be somewhat
equally matched, and the place where both joyne bat-
taile together. I would not have any of my speeches
drawn to discourage or dismay any valiant mind. To
the first, our parentage is knowne, we are no base peo-
ple, our valour is tryed, our enemy hath the proofe
thereof; we come not to steale, but to be revenged of
the theeves that murthered our men, & robbed us of
our necessary provision. Secondly, where we find our
company small, and our side weake, and the ground
not fitting us for any advantage, where force cannot
further, let policie take place; my advice is that a beg-
ger or a Frier shall goe from us to the Irish campe,
and informe them, that Sir Hugh Delacy came yes-
ternight with a great force, to Drogheda, and that he
saw two miles off a great army of horse and foot,
somewhat westerly of him, which he supposeth to bee
the English Army, that marched all night from Tradaf
towards Dundalke; in the meane while, my sonne
OF IRELAND
,
311311
Nico: with twenty choice horsemen, together with our
lackies and horseboies, for the greater shew upon our
hackneis and garrans, shall wheele Westwards on the
right hand, that it may concurre with the Fryers tale,
and give us a signe what we shall doe, and we will
march after to see the event; when the enemy hath
discried us, we shall perceive by his stirring what he
meanes to doe; if they turne face to us and offer fight,
our foot shall recouer Dondalke afore theirs, and with
our horses we will so handle the matter, that we shall
sustaine no great losse: if they fly and take the river,
the sea comes in, we shall overtake them afore halfe
passe over.
All were well pleased with his device, and
followed the direction. Nico. Saint Laurence with
his company, wheeles before, Sir John de Courcy a
loofe followeth after, Sir Roger Poer takes the rere-
ward; the enemy having discried them takes the river:
Sir Nico. gave the signe, whereupon the English Army
give a great shout and followeth their heeles; the Irish
breake their araie, they tumble one upon another in the
water: the cariage drowns some, the sea and the swift-
nesse of the tyde take others away; such as would not
venter the water, were slaine by the English; Othanlan
and his company that had
that had passed the water, seeing the
slaughter of his men, could not come to the rescues,
by reason of the salt water: the Englishmen having
quitted that place, were directed by the Fryer to a
foord on the left hand, where they passed over, and
pursued the rest: The Horsemen overtooke the Foot
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
of the Irish, and skirmished with them, untill Sir John
de Courcy came by that time; the sea likewise had
stopped the Irish from flying, at a great water, a mile
from the Lurgan on the Southside of Dundalk. The
Irish seeing themselves in this strait, turne their faces,
choose rather to dye with the sword like men, then to
be drowned in the seas like beasts. There were in that
place, some 6000. Irish, and about 1000. English,
there was no advantage of ground, it booted not to fly
on any side; the coward must in that case try himselfe
a man, the fight was sore, no mercy but dead blowes:
The foot of the English drew backe, Sir John de Courcy
their leader, was left in the midst of his enemies with
a twohanded sword, washing and lashing on both sides,
like a Lion among sheepe (saith my Author) Nicolas
posteth to his father Amoric, that was in chase of the
scattred horsemen of the Irish, and cried, alas father,
mine uncle Sir Iohn is left alone in the midst of his
enemies, and the foot have forsaken him; with that Sir
Amoric lighted, killed his horse and said, here my
sonne take charge of these horsemen, and I will lead
on the foot company, to the rescue of my brother
Courcy; come on fellow souldiers saith he, let us live
and dye together: He gave the on-set upon the foot
of the Irish, rescued Sir John Courcy that was sore
wounded, and with cruell fight in manner out of breath;
with the sight of him, the souldiers take hart and drive
the Irish to retreit; the slaughter on both sides was
great, few of the Irish and fewer of the English were
OF IRELAND.
313
left alive: The Irish got them to the Fewes, and the
English to Dundalke; but who got the best there is
no boast made.
Not long after, Sir Iohn de Courcy went into Eng-
land, where the King in regard of his good service,
made him Lord of Conoght and Earle of Vlster;
upon
his returne (saith Stanihurst) which was in the
Canicular daies, he fought at the Bridge of Ivora a
cruell battaile, and prostrated his enemies, with great
honour; and for that I find litle written thereof, I
thought good thus lightly to passe it over, as others
before me have done: After this he builded many Cas-
tles in Vlster, made bridges, mended high wayes, re-
paired Churches, and governed the Country in great
peace, untill the dayes of King Iohn, where I shall
have further cause to discourse of him.
Amids these tumults in the North, Miles Cogan be-
stirred himselfe, in the West; he passed the Shannon
into Conoght with 540. men, where (saith mine
Author) never Englishman entred before, whereupon
the Conoght men, drove before them, all their cattle
into the fastnesses, carried with them as much as they
could, fired the rest, with their Townes, Villages,
Houses and Cottages. Milo marched as far as Tuam,
where he rested 8. dayes, and finding man and beast
fled, and the Country barren of victualls, he returned
towards the Shannon, and by the way met with
Roderic the Monarch, which lay in ambush with three
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Companies waiting his comming: At their meeting,
they skirmished a long while, and fought a cruell
fight, where the enemy lost many, and Milo but three
men, then hee passed the river and came safely to
Dublin.
Anno *
William Fitz Adelme, the Kings Liev-
tenant is called into England: Hee was a man that did
no honour to the King, neither good to the Country,
whom every good man in his life time detested, and all
Irish Chronicles after his death have defamed. In his
roome the King appointed Hugh Delacy Deputy of
Ireland, and joyned in Commission with him Robert
Poer Seneschal of Wexford and Waterford.
Not long after, the King sent into Ireland Miles
Cogan and Robert Fitz Stephens with others, and
gave them (in regard of their service) all South
Mounster, to wit the Kingdome of Corke in Fee for
ever, to be equally divided betweene them, except the
City of Corke, and one Cantred thereunto adjoyning;
also he gave unto Philippe de Bruse all North Moun-
ster, to wit the Kingdome of Lymerick. After they
had pacified Dermot Mac Carty, Prince of Desmond,
quieted the Country, and divided their territories,
they conducted Philippe de Bruse to Lymerick to take
possession of the Kings graunt given him in those
parts.
* The date is not inserted in the original Edition,
OF IRELAND.
315
As they came to the walles of Lymerick, the Citi-
zens of spight in sight of them all, to the end that
no Englishman should roost there, set the Town on
fire. Philippe de Bruse was therewith al discouraged,
and his Company, in so much that when Robert Fitz
Stephens and Miles Cogan, offred to adventure their
lives in the recovery of the Kingdome of Lymerik,
with all their aide and assistance; he refused it, and
returned with them to Corke, esteeming it farre better
to lose Lymric, and with safetie to dwell among his
lovers and friends, then to lose life and kingdome by
dwelling among such lewes, as will fire their owne
houses, and cut all English throats.
In a while after, Miles Cogan, and Raffe the sonne
of Robert Fitz Stephens, who had lately married Miles
daughter, went towards Lismore to parlee with Wa-
terford men, and determined that night to lodge with
one Mac Tyrid, who had solemnly invited them. As
they waited in the field, expecting the comming of
the Waterfordians, this Mac Tyrid unawares stealing
upon them, most traiterously slue them, and five of
their company, whereupon the whole country was in
uproare, insomuch that Dermot Mac Carty, and all
the Irish in those parts, together with Mac Tyrid,
that most perfidious traitor, were in armes, determining
thenceforth to be no longer the Kings loyall subjects;
when they had gathered their forces together, they
laid siege to Corke, meaning to cut off Robert Fitz
Stephens, and all the English men there. Robert
T t
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Fitz Stephens being distressed in Corke, fearing the
open enemy without, and mistrustring the secret
enemy within, sent post to Wexford, to his nephew
Reimond le Grosse, praying him to come to his aide.
Reimund forthwith, with twenty knights, and one
hundred foot and bowmen, entred the Lee, landed at
Corke, encountred with the enemies, killed some,
drove other to flye, and compelled the rest to submit
themselves, and sue for peace.
When the King understood of this, he sent Richard
Cogan, brother unto Miles, to supply his brothers
roome in the kingdome of Corke, a man no way infe-
riour to his brother for valour and martiall prowesse;
in his companie came Philip Barry, and Girald Barry
his brother, (otherwise called Silvester Giraldus Cam-
brensis, the famous learned man) nephewes of Robert
Fitz Stephens, with a jolly troupe of horse and foot,
chosen and picked men. Robert Fitz Stephens, and
Richard Cogan enjoyed this kingdome of Corke peace-
ably for certaine yeeres, and in processe of time, for
want of heires male of them, it came to two daughters,
the one of them was married to Robert de Carew, the
other to Patricke de Courcy, and they in right of
their wives, enjoyed the same during their lives, and
after them, their heires, untill such time as by a divi-
sion growne (as I take it in England) betweene the
two housss of Yorke and Lancaster, the Irish men
expelled them, and recovered the country unto them-
selues. Anno 1178. The Monasterie, Beata Maria
OF IRELAND.
317
Rosea vallis, called Rosglas, was founded. Yet others
thinke it was in Anno 1189. I may not forget
Harvey de monte Marisco, (of whom often mention is
made before) who after many spitefull parts, treacheries
and false accusations exhibited by him unto the King
against most noble servitors, became a Monke: the
man was sore troubled in conscience, and in his course
he made the common saying true (desperatio facit
Monachum.) Hee had founded (saith Felcon) the
Monastery of our blessed Lady, de Portu Donbrodthi,
he
gaue unto the Monasterie Saint Trinitatis of Can-
terbury, his territories & advousons along the sea
coast, between Waterford and Wexford, and there
cloystred himselfe; I would (saith Cambrensis) he had
changed his conditions with his habit.
The same yeere (saith Holinshed) there came from
Pope Alexander 3. into England, two Cardinals,
Alberto desuma, and Petro de sancta Agatha, whose
commission was to summon the Bishops of England,
Ireland, Scotland, with the Isles, and Normandie, to
the generall Councell of Lateran in Rome: after they
had obtained licence to passe through his dominions,
the King swore them upon the holy Evangelist, that
in their Legateship they should not attempt any thing
that might be hurtfull to the King or his dominions,
and that upon their returne, they should visite him
homewards: whereupon out of Ireland there went
thither, Laurence, Archbishop of Dublin, and Ca-
tholicus, Archbishop of Tuam, with some other five
}
प
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
or sixe Irish Bishops, whom the King likewise swore,
that they should not procure any damage to his Realmes
and dominions.
The Realme of Ireland at this time was singular
well governed by Hugh de Lacy, a good man, and a
wise Magistrate, who for the good of the land and the
people, established many good orders he made
Bridges, and builded Townes, Castles, and Forts,
throughout Leinster, as Sir Iohn de Courcy did in
Vlster in his time; the Priest kept his Church, the
Souldier his Garrison, and the Plow-man followed his
Plough, yet cankred envy quieted not her selfe, prac-
tised mischiefe against him, so that he was charged
before the King, to attempt the Crowne of Ireland,
and make himselfe absolute Lord of the land, and that
he had married the King of Connaghts daughter,
(saith Holinshed) contrary to the Kings pleasure.
The King immediately (as Princes are jealous of great
men) called him into England, appointed governours,
Iohn Constable, and Richard Peche. This Lacy be-
haved himselfe so discreetly and dutifully in England,
that he cleered himselfe of all suspition, that the King
was resolved of his truth and fidelity, and sent him
backe againe into Ireland, with further credit then for-
merly he had done, and that within three moneths,
and gave him the absolute command and Lievete-
nantship of the land, and joyned as assistant unto
him, Robert Salisbury, calling home the former
governours.
OF IRELAND.
319
It was not long, but he was upon malitious occasion,
the second time sent for into England, and one Philip
of Worcester, (Cambrensis is mine Author) a valiant
souldier, a bountifull and a liberall man, with a most
brave troupe of horse and foot, arrived in Ireland,
with command to send over Hugh de Lacy, and he to
remaine there as Governour of the land, untill Iohn
his sonne came over. Stanihurst is of opinion, that
he went over into England, and cleering himselfe,
speedily returned againe, which cannot well stand
with the course of the history; for when Philip of
Worcester tooke upon him the governement, Lacy
hastened the building and finishing of the Castle of
Derwath (whereof my penne immediately shall make
report) and there ended his dayes. And now to Philip
of Worcester, and his companion Hugh Tirell, Cam-
brensis, and Stanihurst especially, write most bitter of
them: of Philip, how that first of all he resumed and
seized unto the Kings use, the lands of Ocathesie,
and divers other parcels which Hugh de Lacy had sold
away, and these he appointed to serve for the Kings
provision, and the Governours diet. And after the
winter was past, he assembled and mustred his men
and companie, and began to travaile from place to
place. In March about the middle of Lent, he came
to Armagh, where he extorted, and perforce exacted
from the Clergie there, a great masse of money and
treasure, and from thence he went to Dune, and from
Dune to Dublin, laden with gold, silver, money, and
monies worth, the which he extorted in every place
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
where he came, and other good did he none. Hugh
Tirell his fellow scraper, tooke from the poore Priests
at Armagh, a great brasse panne or brewing fornace,
which served the whole house: see the iust iudgment
of God, (the which then was so constraced, as Cam-
brensis hath delivered in his Vaticinall history, and
likewise in his topagraphie) Philip at the townes end
of Armagh, was taken with a sudden pang, and the
same so vehement, that it was supposed hee should
never have recovered it. When he came to himselfe,
a poore man standing by said, Let him alone, he must
have breath till he come to the divell, and then the
divell will have him, and all that he extorted from us.
Hugh Tirell that carried the panne as farre as Dune,
and the Priests curse withall, in night time had his
lodging set on fire, where house, and houshold-stuffe,
and all that he had there, was consumed to ashes,
together with the horses that drew the same (and so
no thankes to him) he left it behinde him for lacke of
carriage. The Castles which Lacie builded for the
good of the Land, were these. First, Laghlen, of
old called the Blacke Castle, upon the Barrow be-
tweene Ossory and Idrone, of which Castle by Henry
2. commandment, Robert Poer had the charge, untill
in cowardize sort he gave over the same, and forsooke
it; whereupon Cambrensis then living, maketh this
invective: O what worthy Champions and fit men for
martiall feates, were this Poer and Fitz Adelme, to
inhabit and command such a nation as is destitute of
noble and valiant mindes? but a man may espie the
OF IRELAND.
321
variable sleight of fortune, disposed to smile at foolery,
how from the base dunghill, hee advanceth to high
dignities for why? they two had more pleasure in
chambering, wantonnesse, playing with young girles,
and on the Harpe, then in bearing of shield, or wear-
ing of Armour: but in sooth it is to bee admired, that
so noble a Prince as Henry 2. is, would send such
cowards to command, or to direct in place of service.
But to the history. This blacke Castle now called
New Leighlin, for difference of Old Leighlin, which
is the Bishops seate, standeth in the Barony of Ydrone,
which was the antient inheritance of the Carews: who
being Barons of Carew in Wales, so farre as I can
learne, one of them married the daughter and heire
of the Barron of Ydrone, and so the Carewes became,
and were for the terme of many yeeres, Barons of
Ydrone, untill the troublesome time of Richard 2.
when the Carewes with all the English of Ireland, in
manner were driven to forsake the land. He builded in
Leix for Meilerius Tachmeho, alias Cachmehe, and as
for Kildare, with the country adjoyning, the which,
as Cambrensis writeth, was by Earle Strangbow given
him, the Governours in Hugh de Lacy his absence,
subtilly tooke it away from him, under colour of ex-
change, and gave him Leix, a wilde savage country,
with woodes, paces, bogges, and rebels farre from
succour or rescue. In Meth, he builded Clanarec,
Dunach killar, alias Killairie, the Castle of Adam de
Ieypon, alias sureport, and Gilbert de Nugents of
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Delvyn. In Fotheret of Onolan, alias Fethred Onolan,
in Latin, Rotheric, he builded a Castle for Reimond,
and another for Griffin his brother, the sonnes of
William Fitz Girald, for Walter of Ridensford, he
builded in Omorchu, alias Moroghs country Trissel-
dermot, otherwise called Trisdeldermot, about five
five miles from Caterlogh, and likewise Kilka, in the
country of Kildare. For Iohn de Hereford, he builded
a Castle in Collach, otherwise called Tulacfelmeth :
for Iohn declawsa, alias Clavill, he builded a Castle
upon the Barrow, not farre from Leighlin, now sup-
posed to be Carlogh, though some attribute it to Eva,
Earle Strangbow his wife; yet it is evident next after
the Danes, that the English men builded all the Cas-
tles of Ireland. He builded also neere Aboy, a Castle
that he gave to Robert Bigaret, another not farre from
thence, which he gave to Thomas Fleminge, another
at the Narach on the Barrow, for Robert Fitz Richard;
lastly, he builded the Castle of Derwath, where he
made a tragicall end; for on a time when each man
was busily occupied, some lading, some heaving, some
playstering, some engraving, the Generall also him-
selfe digging with a Pickaxe, a desperate villaine
among them, whose toole the Lord Lievetenant used,
espying both his hands occupied, and his body bent
downewards, with an axe, cleft his head in sunder;
his body the two Archbishops, Iohn of Dublin, and
Mathew of Cashill, buried in the Monasterie of the
Bectie, that is, in Monasterio Beatitudinis, and his
OF IRELAND.
323
head in Saint Thomas Abbey at Dublin, whose death
(I read in Holinshed) the King was not sorry of, for
he was alwayes jealous of his greatnesse.
Vpon the death of Lacy, Sir Roger le Poer a most
worthy Knight, who served valiantly in Vlster, in
company with Sir John de Courcy, being made Gover-
nour of the country about Leighlen in Ossorie, was in
most lamentable sort traiterously slaine; and upon that
occasion, there was (saith Cambrensis) a privy con-
spiracy over all Ireland against English men: But gen-
tle Reader, I must backe a little, to bring on the
yeeres to concurre with the history.
Anno 1180. The Monastery De Choro Benedicti,
and of Ieripont was founded. The same yeere dyed
Laurence Archbishop of Dublin (whose life foraine
Writers, as Surius, Baronius, Molanus, and Leppelo
with others have written) his father hight Maurice,
his mother Iniabre principis filia, a great Commander
in Leinster; the Martyrologe of Sarum saith he was
bastard: This Maurice being at continuall warres with
Dermot Mac Morogh King of Leinster, upon a league
of amity concluded betweene them, delivered unto
him for pledge his youngest sonne Laurence; Dermot
sent him to a desert solitary place and barren soile
to be kept, where he was like to perish with famine:
Maurice hearing thereof, tooke 12. of Dermots prin-
cipall followers, clapt them in prison, and sent Dermot
word, that hee would cut off their heads, unlesse he
I V
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
would release and send him his sonne out of that
slavish and miserable servitude: Dermot released the
youth, and delivered him not to his father, but to the
Bishop of Glandelogh, and the Bishop charged his
Chaplen with his bringing up; the Chaplen trained
him up so vertuously, that in a short time after he
was made Abbot of Glandelogh, & shortly after that
againe, upon the death of Gregory Archbishop of
Dublin, he was chosen to suceed him. So holy a man
was he, as some of mine Authors doe write, that he
caused one of his men to whippe him twice a day, be-
like he had deserved it in his youth. His Legend
reporteth that in time of famine and scarcity in Ireland,
he releeved daily 500. persons at his doore for 3. yeres
space. Henry the 2. did not favour him, for he had
both in publicke and private at sundry times (as for-
merly in part hath beene touched) beene an instru-
ment of rebellion and of many mischiefes against the
English nation, and at the Councell of Lateran, con-
trary to his Oath, inveighed bitterly against the King;
Stanihurst excuseth him, saying, that hee pleaded
for the immunities of the Churches of Ireland, some-
what prejudiciall to the Kings prerogative. He came
to the King at Canterbury, where the Monkes received
him with solemne Procession, and hee gave himselfe
one whole night to prayers before Saint Thomas his
shrine, for good successe in his affaires with the King:
A foole espied him in his Pontificall weed, wholly de-
voted to Saint Thomas Becket: And said, I can doe
no better deed then to make him equall with Saint
OF IRELAND.
325
Thomas; with that tooke a club, ranne through the
throng, and gave him such a blow upon the
the pat, that
the blood ran downe his eares; the man was so sore
wounded, that it was thought hee would streighway
yeeld up the Ghost; the cry was up, the foole runne
away, the Bishop taking breath called for water, and
in a short time after was healed: his sute unto the King
was, (as foraigne Writers deliver) for Deronog King
of Ireland; but saith Holinshed, which is likeliest to
bee true, it was in the behalf of Roderic King of
Conoght, which had often promised true subjection
and fidelity unto the King, but never performed; he
had brought with him Roderic his sonne as a pledge
for performance of covenants, formerly passed betweene
them; as the payment of tribute and such like; but
the King neither liked the one or the other, but
charged the Archbishop not to depart without his
licence.
The King shortly after tooke shipping at Sandwich
and sailed into Normandy. The Archbishop followed
him, and there dyed of an Ague; whereupon (as Ho-
linshed writeth) the King sent Ieffray De Haile, one
of his Chaplens and a Chaplen also of Alexander the
Popes Legat into Ireland, to seize the Archbi. see into
his hands, and further it is alleaged, that being the
Popes Legate of Ireland; he abhorred incontinency so
much, that for augmentation of penance, hee would
absolve no dissolute Priest, but sent them to Rome for
absolution; and proved in regard of former favours,
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
there, Amicus Curiæ, so that he sent thither out of
Ireland at one time, 140. Priests, saith the Legend, De
peccato Luxuria convictos Romam misit absolvendos;
convicted of Lechery: Behold gentle Reader, the holy
lives of the Priests of that age, and the Sanctity of the
Romane Sea, in pardoning of them all, propter quid,
alias propter quas. Pope Honorius the 3. Anno Pon-
tificatus 9. vel 10. Canonized this Laurence for a
Saint, who is Calendred the 14. of November, or as
the Bull of his Canonization hath, the 18. of the Ca-
lends of December, which is all one; the which Bull
followeth in these words.
Honorius Episcopus, servus servorum Dei, univer-
sis Christi fidelibus, in Rothmugensi Provincia consti-
tutis salutem, & Apostolicam benedictionem. Ineffa-
bilis providentia Dei congruentibus singulis quibusq;
temporibus ordinariè, dispensans in splendoribus Sanc-
torum Ecclesiam suam, quasi ex utero genuit Deum,
in exordio ipsius nascentis Ecclesiæ crebro miraculo-
rum fulgore abstupefaciens gentes, ac prodestinatos
in Fide generans Iesu Christi, Cujus hoc fieri nomine
& virtute videbant, ipsos filiorum adoptionis numero
aggregavit. Deinde crescrute numero & multitudine
populi vocati de tenebris, ambulantes juxta Isaia Vati-
cinium in lumine Domini Dei sui, mirabilis dispensa-
tor in pluviam fulgura sua fecit, dum signis suis &
miraculis (quæ non erant jam fidelibus necessaria)
intermissis, super novos populos pastores qui eos pas-
cerent scientia & doctrina. . . . . .
sicut
per os Ieremiæ
OF IRELAND.
327
promiserat, suscitavit Doctores Ecclesia; qui terram
cordis fidelium imbre doctrina complerent, & extir-
patis sensibus vitiorum eum ad proferendum virtutum
germen & fructum boni operis fœcundaret. Cæterum
quia Charitate frigescente ab exercitio boni operis,
torpet Catholicus; errore devio abducente, delirat hæ-
reticus; cecidit velamine adhuc super cor permanente,
Iudæus; & in tenebris ambulat fide lucis nondum sibi
oriente, Paganus: Misericors Dominus qui neminem
vult perire signa interdum innovat, & miseratus im-
mutat ex numero illorum quos in Ecclesia triumphante
glorificat aliquorum fidem et merita in militante mi-
raculis declarando, ut per ea Catholici mentis.
discusso ad boni operis excitentur instantiam, hæretici
errore dimisso ab isto reducantur ad viam veritatis et
vitam.
Sanctæ ergo memoriæ Laurentio Dublinensi Arch-
episcopo, apud Ecclesiam Sancta Maria de Ango
Rathmagensis Diocesos, ubi corpus ejus feliciter re-
quiescit, divino munere coruscante miraculis; Venera-
bilis frater noster Archepiscopus, et dilecti filij Ca-
pitulum Rathmagense, una cum Abbate et Conventu
Ecclesiæ supradictæ, multisq; alijs Archiepiscopis
et Episcopis, Abbatibus et Religiosis viris, ejus vene-
rabilis vitæ, insignia coruscantia miracula, suis nobis
literis intimantes humiliter supplicarunt ut ipsum
Sanctorum Catalogo ascribere curaremus; quatenus
autoritate (sicut convenit) Apostolica, dignus honor
illi exhiberetur in terris, qui (sicut claris signis et evi-
328
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
dentibus argumentis apparet) honoratur in cœlis.
Licet igitur quos divina honorat dignatio, humana de-
votio prompto affectu debeat honorare, volentes in hu-
jusmodi negotio secundum consuetudinem Apostolicæ
sedis, maturitate debita procedere; præfato Archie-
piscopo & Decano & Thesaurario Rathmagensi, dedi-
mus in mandatis ut superdicti viri vita & miraculis in-
quirerent diligentissime veritatem, & eam nobis fideliter
intimarent, ut ea planè comperta pro supplicantium de-
siderio securius annuere valeremus. Ipsi autem man-
datum nostrum cum diligentia exequentes quod de
prefati viri conversatione ac vita istis certificare nequi-
bant, eo quod per partes illas transjectus faciens, in
Ecclesia prædicta correptus infirmitatis decubuit &
infra octavum ab hac luce migravit diem, scripserunt
venerabili fratri nostro Archiepiscopo Dublinensi ut
veritatem super hoc inquisitam iis per suas literas in-
timaret, qui citra mare Hibernicum illustris Regis
Anglorum negotiis occupatus & volens id inquirere
per se ipsum, venerabili fratri nostro Darensi Epis-
copi suffragano suo, ac Priori Sanctæ Trinitatis Dub-
linensis commisit in hujusmodi negotio vices suas, ac
demum literas eorum, sanctitatem vita & conversationis
sæpe
dicti viri plenius continentes suo & ipsorum sigil-
lis munitas destinarunt eisdem, quas una cum depositi-
onibus testium super miraculis captorum nobis cum
sigillus propriis transmiserunt. Colligimus vero ex
earum serie litterarum, quod sæpe dictus vir Regis &
Regina Hiberniæ filius extitit, & ab infantia Sacris
Litteris eruditus, senilem gessit in juventute gravita-
329
OF IRELAND.
tem & mundanarum illecebras vanitatum à se ultra
quam ætas illa solebat, abdicavit. Deinde in Arche-
piscopum Dublinensem assumptus, sic de virtute in vir-
tutem profecerit, ut in oratione assiduus, austerus in
maceratione proprii corporis, ac in Eleemosinarum
largitione profusus, se totaliter Domino dedicarit.
Per depositionem verò testium predictor: constitit
evidenter sanctam vitam ejusdem esse tot sequentibus
miraculis comprobatam quæ non parvam texerent histo-
riam si quis vellet ea singula scribere seriatim: sed
ut non prætermittamus claudi gressum, caci visum,
surdi auditum, muti loquelam, leprosi mundationem
& vary's afflicti languoribus sanitatem ad invocationem
ejus nominis, & ea sola quæ inter cætera emicuerunt
miracula breviter perstringamus. Nam idem sanctus,
(imo Deus ob ipsius merita gloriosa) septem mortuos
(quorum quatuor triduani erant) mirificè suscitavit.
De ipsius sanctitate tantis certificati miraculis, divi-
numque secuti judicium, quod eius glorificatio nobis
tam evidentibus innotuit argumentis, eundem sanctiss.
Catalogo sanctorum adscripsimus & annumerandum
decrevimus, sanctorum Collegio Confessorum ac inter
eos Christi fidelibus venerandum statuentes, ut ejus
veneranda festivitas de cetero annis singulis decimo
octavo Kalendas Decembris solemniter celebretur.
Monemus igitur universitatem vestram, & hortamur
in Domino quatenus Deum devotis mentibus collau-
dantes & studentes proficere tantæ virtutis exemplo,
ejusdem gloriosissimi Confessoris apud Deum suf-
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
fragia humiliter imploret. Nos autem de Dei omni-
potentis misericordia & beatorum Petri & Pauli au-
thoritate confisi, omnibus vere penitentibus & confessis
qui ad prefatam Ecclesiam, in die solemnitatis ejusdem
gloriosissimi confessoris vel infra Octabis cum devo-
tione accesserint ejus orationum suffragia petituri 20.
dies de iniunctis sibi penitentijs miserecorditer relaxa-
mus. Dat. 3. Idus Decembris pontifitatus nostri anno
decimo.
Molanus writeth of this Laurence, that he favoured
Monkes greatly, and hearing of the fame of the 28.
Monasteries of Aroatia, in the confines of Atrebatum
in the low Countries, made the secular Priests called
Cannons in Dublin, become regular cannons, accord-
ing unto the order of Aroatia. After his discease,
Iohn Comin, an English man, a Monke of Evesham
(an Abbey in England) by the Kings direction, was
made Archbishop of Dublin, confirmed by Pope Lu-
cius at Viterbium, and also made a Cardinall (so
writeth Cambrensis) Anno 1148. the Monasterie legis
dei, that is, of Leix, was founded, Anno 1185. Iohn,
the fift sonne of Henry 2. of the age of twelve yeeres,
landed at Waterford in the Realme of Ireland, from
the first arrivall of his father, thirteene yeeres, from
the first landing of Earle Strangbow, fourteene yeeres,
and from the first entrance of Robert Fitz Stephens,
fifteene yeeres. In the Chronicles of England I finde,
that Anno 1177. in a Parliament held at Oxford,
Henry 2. created his sonne Iohn, King of Ireland.
331
OF IRELAND.
In Anno 1185. he dubbed his sonne Iohn, Knight,
and set him in a readinesse for Ireland, sending the
new Bishop John of Dublin, as his precurser thither
for all things necessarie. Item the same yeere he ob-
tained of Pope Vrban 3. a licence to crowne which
hee would of his sonnes, King of Ireland, and for
reformation thereof, sent him a crowne of Peacocks
tayles, I would say feathers, after a feat manner
woven in with gold; lastly, how that Vrban 3. sent
two Legates, Octavianus, a subdeacon Cardinall, and
Hugh de Novant from the Court of Rome, to crowne
Iohn, King of Ireland, but Henry 2. delayed it so,
that it was not effected; hereof (as I suppose) it
riseth that oftentimes we finde him called King Iohn
afore he was crowned: but to the Irish history. At
the first landing and entring of the Kings sonne at
Waterford, a great many of the chiefest commanders
in those parts, who since their first submission unto
King Henry, continued faithfull and true, being ad-
vertised of this his arrivall, came and resorted unto
him in peaceable manner after their best manner, to
salute him and congratulate his comming, one made
curtesie, another kneeled, some tooke him by the
hand, other some offer to kisse him. The new gal-
lants and Normans, such as had not beene before ac-
quainted with the country, neither the homelinesse of
the people, set them at nought, laughed at their
Mantles and Troosses, derided their glibbes and long
beards, one takes a sticke, and pats the Irish man on
the pate, another halls the mantle, and pricks him
X X
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
behinde with a pinne, some have their glibbes and
long beards pulled, and departing, have flappes on
the lippes, thumpes in their neckes, and the doores
clapt on their heeles, with diuers other abuses, and
undiscreet entertainement. These men (not without
cause) being mightily displeased, shifted themselves
out of the towne, and in all haste got them home.
And from thence (saith Cambrensis) with their wives,
children, and houshold, departed, and went some to
the Prince of Lymeric, some to the Prince of Corke,
some to Roderic, Prince of Connaght, and so some
to one Lord, and some to another; and to these they
declared orderly, how they had beene at Waterford,
and what they had seene there, and how they were
evill intreated, and that a yong man was come thither,
guarded with beardlesse boyes, and guided by the
councels of young men, in whom there was no stay,
no sobriety, no stedfastnesse, no assurednesse, where-
by they and their country might be secured of any
safety.
These Princes, and namely they three of Connaght,
Corke, and Lymeric, who were the chiefest, and who
were then preparing themselves in a readinesse to
have come and salute the Kings Sonne, and to have
yeelded unto him their dutifull obeysance, as faithfull
subiects; when they had heard these newes, they be-
gan forthwith to bethinke themselves, that of such
evill beginning, a worse ending would ensue where-
fore with one consent, they concluded to stand and
:
OF IRELAND.
333
ioyne together against the English nation, and to
their uttermost power, to adventure their lives, and
to stand to the defence of their country and liberties,
and for the performance thereof, they enter into a
new league among themselves, and swore each to
other, and by that meanes, enemies before, are now
become friends, and reconciled, as of old, Ephraim
against Manasses, and Manasses against Ephraim, and
both against the Tribe of Iuda. Herod against Pi-
late, and Pilate against Herod, both become friends
to crucifie Christ. To be short, there followed a ge-
nerall revolt and rebellion over all Ireland. Cam-
brensis alledgeth a second cause of this revolt. How
that when Robert Fitz Stephens first entred the land,
there were certaine Irish men which tooke part with
him, served faithfully, and were as reason required,
rewarded for their service, and had for recompence,
certaine lands given them, which they quietly held,
and peaceably enioyed, untill the comming of the
Kings sonne, then new commers wanting both living
and governement, had it given them to furnish them
in their foolish prodigalitie, so that these Irish men
flying unto the enemies, became not onely enemies,
but were espials upon the English, and conductors of
the enemy against them. A third reason of ill suc-
cesse, Cambrensis urgeth against England; first, how
that the Britaines or Cambrians (so he termeth them)
entring this land, and breaking the ice to the con-
quest of Ireland, were afterwards by William Fitz
Adelme, and others, envied, and every way maligned:
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
secondly, how that the English commanding the land,
were by the English disgraced, and one often times
articling, accusing, and disgracing one another :
thirdly, how that the Normans comming in place,
overthrew all, for the King being borne beyond the
seas, affected them most, they were of his Councell
at home in time of peace, and made Commanders
abroad in time of warres; these comming with the
Kings sonne into Ireland, were fine in their apparrell,
delicate mouthed, feeding upon dainties, they could
not disgest their meat without Spice and Wine at
every meale; they could not endure the service in the
Marches and borders, they would not remaine in re-
mote places, they brooked not the Forts, Holds, and
Garrison places; but liberty they liked of, so it were
in a walled town; a warme chamber, a Ladies lappe,
a soft bed, a furre gowne, and their Lords sides to
guard and attend, pleased them well; they would
talke and bragge of service, sweare and stare at home,
stand upon the pantofles of their reputation, disdaine
others, and especially the Irish, and durst not shew
their faces in the field. These were they that gave
themselves to command the Irish, that would not be
commanded by them, they polled, pilled, extorted,
and what not.
In the space of eight moneths that Earle Iohn
staied in Ireland, I finde that he built three Castles,
Tibrach, Lismoore, and Archfinan, alias Ardsivin :
at Ardsivin upon Midsummer day, (so Cambrensis
OF IRELAND.
335
reporteth) the Prince of Lymeric bent and animated
to rebellion, slue foure Knights, and the greater part
of the Garrison there: shortly after, the same rebels
of Lymric, by a slight, drew out the Garrison to seize
upon a prey, and lying in ambush, killed many of
them, but these revolters escaped not scotfree in all
the parts of the land: for at this time when the Irish
men of Kennally with great forces had entred Meth,
killing, burning, spoiling, and preying the Country.
William le Petit, Governour or Iusticer (saith Cam-
brensis) drew a head against them, rescued the prey,
put them to flight, made a great slaughter of them,
and sent a hundred heads of the principall of them to
Dublin.
The Kings sonne hearing of these troubles, hastned
away unto England, left the land tumultuous, trou-
blesome & al upon an uprore; committed the charge
thereof (saith Stanihurst) Bruseo, Courceo, Giral-
didis, &c. in primis Hugonis Lacai virtuti, where in
truth I find no such matter, for Cambrensis (herein
whom I must relie unto) being then in Ireland with
the Kings son, reporteth how that Henry the second,
hearing of the course which these greene heads held
in Ireland; thought good to call them all unto Eng-
land, and send thither no more such young comman-
ders, and by the advice of his Councell committed
the charge and absolute command thereof, unto Sir
Iohn de Courcy, whom hee appointed Lord Lievtenant
of Ireland (the Booke of Houth also testifieth the
336
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
same.) Earle Iohn immediately gathered forces, tra-
vailed over the whole land, pacified for the time Corke,
Tumound and Conoght, From the death of Hugh De-
lacy, who was slaine, Anno 1186. unto the time;
Hugh Delacy the yonger came to be Lord Iustice, of
whom hereafter more at large. Here gentle Reader,
Cambrensis leaveth us, who most faithfully continued
the affaires of Ireland, some 30. yeeres and odde: he
was by father a Barry, by mother a Gerraldin, ne-
phew to Morice Fitz Gerald and Robert Fitz Ste-
phens, that first entred to the Conquest of Ireland;
hee was born in Pembrok-shire, and was Archdecon
of Saint Davids and Brechnoc, and diversly imployed
by Henry the second, in whose time, among others,
the first Conquerors & his kindred; he came into Ire-
land againe, and became Tutor unto Iohn the Kings
sonne, and accompanied him into Ireland; he wrote
many learned workes, and among other, the Con-
quest of Ireland, the Topography of Ireland, and
Mirabilia Hiberniæ. Whereof hee dedicated one
unto Richard Earle Strangbow, and another unto
Henry the second; he was elected Archbishop of
Saint Davids, but at Rome he was out-bid, by him
that had more money, and missed the Cushin; hee
departed this life, when hee was about foure score
yeeres old, and resteth at Saint Davids. Yet one
thing further of him which he reporteth of himselfe,
how that he at the time of his being in Ireland, had
Conference with Mathew Archbishop of Cashill, and
he saying among other things: You have many
OF IRELAND.
337
Saints in Ireland, but I doe not find any martyr
amongst you: the Bishop taking it in ill part, as
spoken in derision of the Nation, answered with great
anger, Sir, it is so that our people is rude, savage
and barbarous, yet there is none so brutish and bloudy,
as to lay violent hands upon a Priest, now it fals out
that wee are to be governed by such a Nation as is not
guiltlesse of Prelats deaths, and it is like, (if it stands
with Gods pleasure) that shortly we shall make up a
number of Irish martyrs: this he spitefully spake,
meaning the death of Thomas of Canterbury.
In a while after that Sir Iohn de Courcy had
brought the whole land to a good passe, and pacified
the Irish tumults (this I finde in the Booke of Houth)
Sir Hugh Delacy the younger is sent over into Ire-
land as Lord Iustice, to take the absolute Command
of the Realme. He had no sooner landed but he
sent very imperious letters unto Sir Iohn de Courcy,
to discharge him, and all that were authorized by
him of their places, and command, and in like sort
(like the
green
heads spoken of a little before, which
landed with Earle Iohn) they braved it out, disdained
old experimented souldiers, and offered sundry dis-
graces unto the rest of the English; so that thereof
rose much heartburning, division, quarrels and bloody
brawles. The Irish seeing this sudden alteration,
this division among the English, this undiscreet go-
vernment, thought now to find fit opportunity pub-
likely to release themselves of that, which they had
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
oft secretly intended; by their runnagades they sum-
moned at a day a place, all the Chieftaines of Irish
birth to a parlee; where after many doubts debated,
many griefes opened, they concluded with full resolu-
tion to invade all the English, and roote them wholly
out of the land; and first they swoare to bee true one
to another, throughout that whole rancke of rebels,
as farre as life, lands, and goods would reach to effect
this enterprise: Secondly, they swoare never to yeeld
obedience to the English nation againe.
Oconor King of Conaght becomes the mouth of
the Irish, perswades to his liking, disswades where
fancy pleaseth not, and gathered together in short
time, an Army (as mine Author saith) of 20000.
fighting men; his policy was first, to cleare Conoght,
and afterwards all Vlster, and so by degrees the whole
land, the which he doubted not of, as he delivered
to his followers. Sir Iohn de Courcy understanding
this, and doubting what hee should finde at Sir Hugh
Delacies hands, sent letters in post to his brother Sir
Amorick Saint Laurence who shortly to his ayd
marched towards the North, with 30. Knights and
200. foot. Oconor hearing this, lyeth in ambush in
most secret wise, and sendeth scouts of horse and
foot before him, to apprehend and cut off all espials,
which might bewray his ambush, and give intelligence
to Sir Amorick to prevent the danger; Sir Amorick
boldly marcheth on, misdoubting nothing, for that
he understandeth by his espials nothing to the con-
OF IRELAND.
339
trary, till he came to the Divels mouth; where upon
a sudden, beholding Oconor and his huge Army peep-
ing out of their ambush, was amazed, made a stand,
and consulting with his company, wist not what to
doe; there was no flying, there was no fighting, one
to a hundred was no equal match; a horseman whose
name was Mountgomery, in a few words said this.
Let us fly and save our lives, as for the foot company
wee can doe them no good by fighting; by flying and
saving our owne lives, we may succour their wives,
children and kindred. By that time Sir Amorick his
brother (leader of the foot company) came to the
consultation, and said, I see by all circumstances,
that you meane to flie, and you Sir Amorick my
noble brother, what meane you to give eare to these
cowardly horsemen, will you leave us here as sheepe
in the mouths of this mercilesse people, and ravening
wolfes, ready to rent us in peeces? Have you forgot-
ten the bloody battels we followed you in? and do
you not see that we have left our Country, our wives,
our children and dearest friends, and now stand at
deaths doore, to be forsaken of you whom wee never
left so disolate and distressed: if you weigh not our
lamentable estate, regard your owne honour, and the
house you are descended of. Will you lose in an
houre, the honour you wanne in many yeeres? Call
to remembrance, most worthy Knight, how that in
Vriell in manner in the like distresse; you dismounted
your selfe, slew your horse, led the foot, animated
the company, recovered your selfe, and ended with
Y Y
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
honour? Wee are your flesh and your blood, wee
come hither to fight, to live and to dye together; I
know the worst; I am resolved, if we fight we dye,
if we fly we are slaine; is it not better for us to dye in
fight like men, and so winne honour, then to bee
slaine in flight like beasts, and gaine shame for ever?
With this Sir Amorick turned him to the foot com-
pany, and hardly gathering breath with the sorrow
of his heart, resolved himselfe thus: I have no power
to fly and leave my frinds, my flesh and blood, in
this extreme distresse. I will live with them, who
for my sake came hither, if it so please God, and I
will dye with them, if it bee his pleasure, that end-
ing here wee shall meet againe bodies and soules at
the last day, God and the World beare witnesse, that
wee doe as Christian Knights ought to doe, I yeeld
my soule into Gods hands, my body to returne whence
it came, my service to my naturall Prince, my heart
to my wife and brother, Sir Iohn de Courcy, my
might, my force and bloody sweat to the ayd of you
all that are in the field: He lighted, kneeled upon
his knees, kissed the crosse of his sword, ranne his
horse through, saying thou shalt never serve against
mee, that so worthily hast served with mee. The like
did all the rest; then looking about with a chearefull
countenance, as if he had not beene the man, that
was formerly dismaid, charged two young Gentlemen
of the company to get them to the top of an Hill,
hard by adjoyning, and beholding the battell, upon
their returne homwards make true report to his bro-
1
OF IRELAND.
341
ther Courcy and others of that daies service. Imme-
diatly they prepared to battaile, the enemies marvailed,
seeing them approch, that they durst (being so few)
abide the field; they made likewise a stand, and cast
doubts, whether the Englishmen in this attempt had
not some great supply; rescues are maine battaile fol-
lowing after, they would not give the on-set, before
they had certain knowledge thereof, by scoutes and es-
pials: to be short, they joyne the battaile, where to
deliver the whole in few words; Sir Amorick was slaine
and all his company. It was a bloody day, when all
the one side, and a 1000. of the other side, fell to
ground. Oconor and his company seing the end of
this field, durst never againe give battell unto the
English, but sued to Sir Hugh Delacy then Lord
Iustice for peace, which he obtained, vowing, as he
had many a time before, faith, truth and perfect sub-
jection: This Oconor after his reconciliation made re-
port unto Sir Hugh Delacy, of that daies work, that
he thought verily, there was never the like seen upon
the earth; how that the Englishmen not being able to
stand in fight, turned backe to backe, with sparthes
and two handed swords, untill the last man was slaine.
The lamentation that Sir Iohn de Courcy made, when
this was bruted abroad, I will not stand to rehearse.
I am now to end with King Henry the second, a
most worthy Prince, whose troubles every way troubled
not him so much, as the unnaturall rebellion of his
sonnes, and the Iealousie of his Queene; he raigned
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
34. yeeres, 9. months and two dayes: his Epitaph in
Mathew Paris and in others I find thus.
Rex Henricus eram, mihi plurima regna subegi,
Multiplicique modo Duxque Comesque fui: &c.
Of late King Henry was my name,
Which Conquered many a Land;
And divers Dukdomes did possesse,
And Earldomes held in hand,
And yet while all the earth could scarce
My greedy mind suffice;
Eight foot within the ground now serves
Wherein my Carcas lyes.
Now thou that readest this, note well
My force, with force of Death;
And let that serve to shew the state
Of all that yeeldeth breath:
Do good then here, fore slow no time,
Cast off all worldly cares;
For brittel world full soone doth faile,
And death doth strike unwares.
Richard the first, the third sonne of Henry 2. began
his raigne over England the 6. of Iuly, Anno 1189.
For his valence, he was called Coeur de Lyon, the
Lyons heart; he was affianced, but never married to
Adela, or Alice, daughter to the French King, and in
his iourney to the holy land, he tooke to wife in the
Ile of Cyprus, the Lady Berengaria, daughter to Gar-
OF IRELAND.
343
sias (some say Sanctius) King of Nauarre, and died
without issue; when he had raigned nine yeeres, nine
moneths, and two and twenty dayes. It is noted by
the Antiquaries, that upon the death of his father, he
had three notable windfals, the first was the Crowne of
England, the second was his fathers treasure, which he
found at Salisbury, amounting to nine hundred thou-
sands pound in coyne, besides Plate, precious stones,
Iewels, and apparell; lastly, in the Coffers of Ieffrey
Ridley, Bishop of Elye, who dyed intestate, he found
towards his coronation 3260. pound in silver, five
markes in gold, which was better; for his coronarion
was most Royall. Iohn Comyn Archbishop of Dublin
was as it. Mathew Paris in Latine, and Holinshed
in English have penned it verbatim. Will. K. of
Scots did him homage, and when he was the second
time crowned King, bare a sword before him. King
Richard the first yeere of his raigne, gave the Lady
Isabell, sole daughter and heire of Richard, surnamed
Strangbow, Earle of Penbroke, to William Maxfield,
Lord Maxfield, and Earle Marshall of England, Anno
1189.
This William, his surname was not Marshall, as Sir
John Plunket his collection hath laid downe, but
Maxfield, his descent I finde thus; with William the
Conquerour, there came into England to his ayde, one
Walter Maxfield a Norman, that was his Marshall;
this Walter had issue, William, William had issue,
Walter, Walter had issue, Iohn, Iohn had issue, this
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
William Maxfield, that married Isabell, the daughter
of Strangbow, who was made Earle Marshall of Eng-
land, Earle of Penbroke in Wales, and Prince of Lein-
ster in Ireland, in the right of his wife. This William
was in great favour with King Richard the first, that
gave him the Lady Isabell to wife, and honoured him
so at his coronation, that he bare a regall Scepter be-
fore the King, in the top whereof was set a Crosse of
gold, and when the King with full determination passed
over into Normandie, and from thence into the Holy
Land, he assigned him the third governour of the
Realme, Iohn Earle of Morton, Anno 1199. after the
death of his brother Richard, sent this William among
others into England, to set all things in a readinesse
for his coronation, the which being the 27. of May,
and yeere aforesaid, gave him his full creation to the
Earledome of Penbroke, and girded him with the sword;
not long after, King Iohn sent him with others, as
Embassadors to the French King, with sundry other
imployments; he was also in great favour with Henry
3. as shall be shewed when I come to his raigne. He
had five sonnes, and five daughters, his sonnes all suc-
ceeded him in the Earldome of Penbroke, and office of
Marshalsie, together with the Principality of Leinster,
and dyed all without issue. The daughters were all
honourably matched in the life time of their father and
brethren, and had his territories and possessions in
Wales and Ireland, orderly divided among them, the
which they and their posterity peaceably enioyed.
This William Earle Marshall the elder, came to Ire-
345
OF IRELAND.
land, Anno 1207. hee builded the Castle of Kilkenny,
and gave the towne a Charter, with priviledges which
they enjoy to this day: hee founded there also the Mo-
of
nasterie of the blacke Fryers, and ended the way
all flesh at London, Anno 1220. and lyeth buried in
the temple of his Lady Isabell at Tinterne in Wales.
William Marshall his eldest sonne succeeded him,
both in the office of Marshall, and Earldome of Pen-
broke and Ogie, and Principalitie of Leinster; he
granted a Charter to the towne of Kilkenny, Anno
1223. sixt of Aprill, with the testate of Thomas Fitz
Antony, Lord of Thomastowne, Seneschall, of Lein-
ster, Fulkoe, Carnac; Walter Pursell, William Grace,
Haman Grace, Amnar Grace, and others, he ended
his dayes at Kilkenny, Anno 1231. and resteth in the
Monastery there, which his father had formerly
founded.
Againe, of this William I have seene another Char-
ter, exemplified Anno 1329. by King Edward the
third, with an inspexim. Edwardus Dei gratia Rex
Angliæ, Dominus Hiberniæ, Dux Aquitanie omnibus
Ballivis & Ministris omnium villarum & villatorum
Lagenie & ceteris quibuscunque deijsdem partibus
salutem. Supplicavit nobis superior et communitas
villa de Kilkenny quod cum Willielmus nuper Comes
Mariscallus et Pembrochie (tempore quo idem Comes
extiterat Domini totius terra Lagenia) concesserit
Burgensibus et Communitati ville predicte qui pro
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
tempore fuerint, diversas libertates, inter quas vide-
licet, quod ipsi in perpetuum per totam Lageniam
terram, & potestatem in suam tam villa quam alibi
essent quieti de theulonio, lastagio, poritagio, & de
omnibus alijs consuetudinibus quibuscunque, quam
quidem cartam inspeximus, &c. Teste Iohannne Darcy
Iusticiario nostro Hibernie apud Kilkenny, 8. die
Iulij anno regni nostri 3. per billam ipsius Iusticarij.
Yet Holinshed writeth that this William Marshall
the younger, deceased at London, and lyeth buried
by his father in the new Temple.
Richard Marshall the second brother succeeded; he
was Earle Marshall of England, Earle of Penbroke
in Wales, and Ogie in Normandie, and Prince of
of Leinster in Ireland. In the yeere 1233. and the
Moneth of Aprill, in a battell nigh Kildare, upon the
great Heath called the Curragh, fighting against the
Oconors; hee tooke his deaths wound, whereof shortly
he dyed. Hee lieth buried by his brother William in
the blacke Fryers at Kilkennye, which was the foun-
dation of William, Earle Marshall, his father. Henry
the third lamented his death, and protested that he
lost then the worthiest Captaine of his time. His
tombe (with the tombe of eighteene Knights that
came over at the Conquest, and resting in that Abbey)
at the suppression of the Monasterie, was defaced, and
inhabitants there turned them to their private uses; and
of some they made swine-troughs, so as there remaineth
no Monument in the said Abbey, save one stone,
OF IRELAND.
347
}
whereupon the picture of a Knight is portraied, bear-
ing a shield about his necke, wherein the Cantwels
armes are insculped; and yet the people there call it
Ryddir in Curry, that is, the Knight slaine at the
Curraghe. Iohn Clyn, guardian of the Fryers there,
in his Annals of Ireland writeth thus.
Post incarnatum lapsis de virgine natum
Annis millenis tribus triginta ducentis
In primo mensis Aprilis, Kildariensis
Pugna die Sabbati fuit in tristitia facti
Acciderant stallo pugna Comiti Mariscallo.
And upon his Tombe.
Hic Comes est positus, Richardus vulnere fossus
Cujus sub fossa Kilkennia continet ossa.
After the decease of Richard Gilbert, Marshall, the
third brother was Earle Marshall of England, Earle
of Penbroke and Ogie, and Prince of Leinster, Anno
1239. King Henry the third held his Christmas at
Winchester, where there rose a grudge betweene the
King and this Earle Gilbert, by reason that this same
Earle, with his servants, having tip-staves in their
hands, comming to the Court, were not suffered to
enter within the gates, but were kept backe by the
Porters and others: of which injury when hee com-
plained, the King made him an overthwart answer.
Whereupon the Earle not well pleased therewith,
Z z
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
estranged himselfe from the Court, and went into the
North country, so that thenceforth, he and his brother
Walter gave small attendance upon the King; and to
end with this Earle Gilbert, it fell out on a time, in a
Turnay which hee had attempted without the Citie of
Hereford, contrary to the Kings pleasure, that his
unruly horse cast him, so that of the hurt which he
tooke with the fall, he shortly after departed this life,
in the yeere 1241. and was buried in the new temple
Church at London: hee had married the Lady Mar-
garet, the sister of Alexander, King of Scots, who
by her had no issue; she also dyed Anno 1245.
Walter Marshall succeeded Gilbert in all the former
honours and possessions, both in England and Ireland,
who because he had procured the turnament wherein
his brother was slaine, hardly obtained of the king the
same. He departed this life at Godrike Castle by
Monmouth, and was buried at Tintern, Anno 1245.
leaving no issue behind him.
Anselme Marshall the fift sonne of William Earle
Marshall succeeded Walter, hee was the last of the
Maxfields, and died without issue. Hee had married
Mathildia or Mawd daughter of the Earle of Here-
ford, and because hee had entred without doing of
homage unto the King, his wife after his decease
could have no dowry, wherof among the statutes of
England I find the cause by especial words thus over-
ruled.
OF IRELAND.
349
When
any dyeth and his heire entreth into the Land,
that his Ancesters held of the King, the day that he
died before he hath done homage to the King, and
received seisin of the King, hee shall give no free hold
thereby; and if hee dyed seised during that time, his
wife shall not be indowed of the same land as came
late in ure; by Mawd the daughter of the Earle of
Hereford, wife of Anselme the Marshal. Who after
the death of Walter Marshall of England his brother,
tooke his seisin of the Castle and mannor of Strogill,
and died in the same Castle; before hee had entred by
the King, and before hee had done homage unto him,
whereupon it was agreed, that his wife should not be
indowed, because that her husband had not entred by
the King, but rather by trusion.
This Anselme died in England, and was buried at
Tinterne. After the death of these five brethren;
Florilegus writeth thus. All the sonnes of William
the great Marshall (it is not knowne what sinne re-
quired the same) according to the Prophecy of the
Countesse their mother, without issue left behind
them, as shadowes departed out of this world; yet all
successively became Earles, even as their mother by a
Propheticall spirit foreshewed, and so the Noble sheild
or buckler of the Marshalls, dreadful to so many and
so great enemies of England, vanished away. Mathew
Paris wrote the story at large. The aforesaid William,
as Warlike and stout, called Marshall, as if hee had
beene Mars his Seneschall while in Ireland hee
gave
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
himselfe to slaughter, and burning, and got to him-
selfe large possessions, he tooke away by strong hand
and injuriously, from an holy Bishop two mannors or
Lordships belonging to his Church, and presump-
tuously usurped them, as though he might, by just
title possesse them, as if he had wonne them with the
sword. The Bishop after many admonitions, and re-
ceiving many froward answers, thundred against him
(and not without cause) the sentence of Excommuni-
cation, the which the Earle despised, and pleaded for
excuse; the warlike season keeping injuries upon in-
juries: Whereupon not without advisement one Maister
Gervasius de Melckeria, framed of him this distinc-
tion and shrowded himselfe in his person:
Sum quem Saturnum sibi sensit Hibernia, Solem
Anglia Mercurium Normania, Gallia Martem.
I am whom Ireland Saturne hight, and England Sol
me cals,
Amids the Normans Mercury, and Mars among the
Gauls.
The meaning in a word is, how that he in his time
had tamed the wild Irish, and had beene the shining
beame of honour unto the English, as an Ambassadour
to pacifie the Normans, and an invincible Knight
among the French nation, but forwards with Paris;
the aforesaid Earle held those mannors all his life
time, and annexed them unto his dominions: Within
OF IRELAND.
351
a few yeeres after, the Earle ended the way of all flesh,
and was buried in the new Temple at London; the
Bishop hearing of this (for he was the Bishop of
Fernes, a Cistertian Monke, by birth Irish, and famous
for Sanctity) not without great paine in travaile, he
went unto the King, who was then in London, exhi-
bited a grievous complaint of the injury done unto
him, and how that hee had justly excommunicated the
Earle, and humbly besought the King, that by his
soveraigne authority and Princely mandat, and also
for the good of the said Earle Williams soule, he
would see his mannors restored unto him, that in so
doing (though he were dead) yet might reape the be-
nefit of absolution. The King with this was moved,
and willed the Bishop to repaire to the Earles grave
and absolve him, and he would diligently labour for
his satisfaction; the Bishop together with the King
went to his Tombe, and in the hearing of al that were
present, as if they had been both alive, said, O Wil-
liam, that here lyest interred, and wrapped in the
bonds of Excommunication, if the thing which thou
hast injuriously taken away from my Church, bee re-
stored by the king, or by thine heire, or by some one
of thy kindred or friends, with competent satisfaction,
I absolve thee, other wise I doe ratifie the said sentence
that thou being ever wrapped in thy sinnes, maiest
remaine damned in hell. The King hearing this, was
moved and sharply rebuked the immoderat rigour of
the Pontificall Prelate. To whom the Bishop replied,
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
my
Lord and dread soveraigne, marvaile not, though
I be out of patience, for he hath spoiled my Church
to his great commoditie. The King then secretly con-
ferring with William the eldest sonne of this Earle,
and heire to the whole, and now invested in the inhe-
ritance and Earledome, and certaine others his bre-
thren, besought them by the restoring the mannors
unjustly taken away, mercifully to deliver their fathers
soule; To whom William the heir made answer, I doe
not beleeve, neither is to be credited, that my father
tooke them injuriously, for that which is gotten by
the sword, may lawfully be enjoyed; for if that old
and doting Bishop hath given a wrong sentence, let
the curse light upon his owne pate. I will not weaken
my estate, nor diminish the inheritance wherein I am
invested, my father dyed seized thereof, and I have
rightly entred. Vnto these words all the brethren
yeelded their consents. The King being then of ten-
der yeeres, and under Tutor, would not give cause of
heavinesse unto so great and Noble a personage; when
the Bishop understood this, hee was more waspish,
and moved with the countenance of the sonnes, then
with the former iniury of the father, and turning him
to the King, spake aloud; what I have said, I have
said; what I have written, I have written, never to be
blotted out.
To be short, the Bishop with great sorrow departed,
and in bitternesse, prophecied of the ill successe of
OF IRELAND.
353
the children, who dyed and lived in great honour all
the dayes of their lives: but these matters we are to
referre to the secret iudgement of God.
After the decease of these five brethren, five Earles,
and five Princes of Leinster, leaving no issue behinde
them, the five daughters their sisters, Ioane, Mathilda,
Isabell, Sibilla, and Eva, being honourably matched,
had their fathers and brethrens possessions and terri-
tories in Ireland orderly divided amongst them; Ioane,
the eldest daughter of William Earle Marshall, and
eldest sister of the five brethren (before spoken of)
was married to Warren de Mountchensen, who in
right of her, had allotted unto him, the County of
Wexford; they had issue, one daughter, Ioane that
was married, Anno 1247. to William de Valence, a
Norman, the sonne of Hugh Brune, Earle of March,
and Turryn, Vicount of Curce, &c. hee was halfe
brother to King Henry the third, by Queene Isabell,
daughter and heire of Amerie, Earle of Angolesm,
the widdow of King Iohn. This William in the right
of his wife, was Earle of Penbroke, and Lord of Wex-
ford, and died Anno 1296. he had issue, two sonnes
and two daughters, William de Valence, Owdomare
alias Aimer de Valence, Isabell and Ioane; William
succeeded his father in the Earldome of Penbroke, and
Lordship of Wexford, and died without issue. Aymer
his brother after him, was Earle of Penbroke, and Lord
of Wexford, and died without issue, whereupon the
inheritance fell to the two sisters, Isabell and Ioane.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Isabell was married to Iohn Hastings, Lord Hastings
of Abergevenny, who in the right of his wife had one
halfe of the county of Wexford allotted unto him, and
had issue, Elizabeth, which married Reynold, Lord
Gray of Ruthin. Ioane the second sister was married
to John Lord Comyn, who in her right, had the other
halfe of Wexford, and he had issue, two daughters,
Elizabeth and Ioane; Elizabeth married Richard Lord
Talbot, and Ioane was married to David, Earle of
Atholl in Scotland, and thus the County of Wexford
was divided.
$
Mathilda, or Mawde, the second daughter of Wil-
liam, Earle Marshall of England, had the county of
Cattelough, alias Carlogh, assigned unto her: she
was married to Hugh Bigod, Earle of Norfolke, father
of Ralph Bigod, whose daughter and heire Isabell,
was married to Sir Gilbert Lacy, who had issue, Mar-
gery and Mawd, Margery was married to John Lord
Verdon, of whom the Earle of Shrewesbury, and the
Earle of Essex are descended. Mawd married Ieffery
Genivill, father to Peter Genivill, whose daughter
and heire was married to Roger Mortimer, Lord of
Wigmore, and the first Earle of March.
Isabell, the third daughter of William, Earle Mar-
shall of England, had to her portion, the county of
Kilkenny. She was married to Sir Gilbert de Clare,
Earle of Glocester and Herford, whose discent is be-
fore spoken of. Hee was slaine by the Scots in King
OF IRELAND.
355
:
I
Edward the seconds time, and died without issue.
have seene a Charter granted by him to the towne of
Kilkenny. Gilbert Clare, Earle of Glocester and
Herford, to our Seneshall of Kilkenny, and to our
treasurer of the same, greeting; know you that we
for the common profit of the towne of Kilkenny, of
our especiall favour have granted to our loving Bur-
gesses of the same towne, &c. the whole in substance
is, that none shall sell victuals there, but it shall be
prized by the officers of our towne. After the decease
of Sir Gilbert Clare, then the Earldomes of Glocester
and Herford, and the County of Kilkenny, fell be-
tweene his three sisters, begotten upon Isabell afore-
said, to wit, Elenor, Margaret, and Elizabeth. Elenor
was married to Hugh Spencer the younger, Margaret
was married to Peter Gaveston, and after his death, to
Hugh Lord Audely; Elizabeth was married first to
William Lord Burgh, Earle of Vlster; the second
time to Ralph Roch, Baron of Farmoy; thirdly, to
Theobald, Lord Verdon; and lastly, to Roger Damary,
and had issue by every one of them.
Sibilla the fourth daughter of William Earle Mar-
shall, had to her part the Countie of Kildare, and was
married to William Ferers, Earle of Ferers and
Darby, who had issue, Agnes, Isabell, Mathilda, Si-
billa, Cecilia, and a second Sibill; Agnes was married
to William de Vescy, who had issue, Iohn de Vescy,
who had issue, William de Vescy that died without
issue in his fathers life time. Lastly, this County of
*
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Kildare was given by the King unto Iohn Fitz Thomas,
the first Earle of Kildare, as hereafter in more conve-
nient place shall appeare.
Eva, the first daughter of William Earle Marshall,
had to her portion, the Mannor of Dounmas in Leix,
and was married to William Bruse, Lord Bruse of
Gower, who had issue, Mathilda, Elenor, and Eva.
Mathilda was married to Roger Mortimer, Elenor
vas married to Humphery de Bohun Earle of Herford
and Eva, to Cantilupe, alias William de Canlow: Of
the line of these Maxfields, I meane of William Earle
Marshall of England, the pedigree & discent of this
Noble familie, the properties and purports holds of the
daughters, I have seene sundry copies. Nicholas
Magwir, Bishop of Leighlen perfected an abstract of
the division of the land in Ireland, among the daugh-
ters and the particularities thereof, which is to be
seene in the red towne-booke of Kilkenny: and now
forwards with the history, from whence I have some-
what digressed.
Anno 1190. (in which yeere the Citie of Dublin, by
foule mishap, was fired to ashes) King Richard set all
in a readinesse for his iourney into the holy land, ga-
thered masses of money together, and among others it
is remembred, what a summe of money he received of
Hugh Pudsey a Norman, and Bishop of Durham,
that gave an inestimable summe to be made an Earle,
whom the Antiquaries doe condemne for his intolera-
OF IRELAND.
357
ble pride, and damnable covetousnesse, whom the King
also flowted after hee had received the coyne; saying,
Loe, I have made a young Earle of an old Bishop.
In this
of Ie-
voyage and preparation for the recovery
rusalem, and the ayde of the Christians in Asia, there
went Fredericke, Emperour of Almaine, Richard,
King of England, Philip of France, William of
Cicilia, Otho, Duke of Burgundie, the Venetians,
Pisanes, Prisones, Danes and Flemings: Now that
the King is on his iourney abroad, let us talke a little
(gentle Reader) of little Iohn at home: Stanihurst
leads me into the history, and reporteth that Anno
1189. he came into Ireland, and sojourned at Dublin;
the storie goeth (and especially in Hector Boetius,
and Iohn Major, Antiquaries of Scotland) how that in
those daies, there were many outlawes in the North
parts of England; of these outlawes, Robin Hood,
and little Iohn were Chiefetaines: It was said of Robin
Hood that he was an Earle, and after outrages by him
committed, he kept the woods; his company was of
some hundred persons, all chosen and picked Archers,
of singular strength to handle their weapons, and
such as durst encounter with 400. others: they robbed
none but the rich, as Tanners, and Grasiers, and Vsu-
rers, and Bishops, Priests, and fat Abbots; they shed
no bloud, they killed no man, releeved themselves
and the poore also with their spoyles. Robin Hood
after many theevish feats, fell sicke, went into a Nun-
nery in Scotland, to be let bloud, where he was be-
trayed, and bled to death: wherupon the company
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
brake, and the crue dispersed themselves, every man to
shift for himselfe; little Iohn came to Ireland, with
many of his confederates, and found in the woods,
enough to fit his humour, and fell so much to his old
occupation, that he was faine to flye the land. In the
end, he went to Scotland, and there died. There are
memorable acts reported of him, which I hold not for
truth, that he would shoot an arrow a mile off, and a
great deale more; but them I leave among the lyes of
the land.
Anno 1191. the Monasterie de iugo Dei, was founded
Anno 1193. King Richard after many most valiant
exploits in the Holy Land, (the which I hold not so
necessary for this place) after the drowning of Frede-
ricke the Emperour, and after the sudden and envious
departure of Philippe King of France; hearing the
conspiracy of the said Philippe, and the treason of his
brother John aspiring to the Crowne of England; made
peace with the Saladine for three yeres, and with a
small company returning homewards, was taken pri-
soner by Leopold, Duke of Austria, who brought him
to Henry the Emperour, and there kept him in prison
a yeere
and 5. months, untill he had paid his ransome,
which was Anno 1194.
Hee was received into England with the joy and ap-
plause of all true harts, and having setled the affaires
of the Realme in due sort, he went into France, where
he had much a doe with the French King, the which
359
C
<
OF IRELAND.
<
for brevities sake, I doe omit, and yet one memorable
act of his I may not omit, and thus it was; There
came unto him one Fulco a Priest, who with great cou-
rage
and boldnesse said: Thou hast, O Mighty King
‹ three daughters very vicious and of evill disposition,
' take good heed of them, and betimes provide them
good husbands; to whom the King in rage an-
'swered: thou errant lyar, and shamelesse hypocrit,
'thou knowest not where thou art, nor what thou say-
est, I weene thou art not well in thy wits, for I have
'never a daughter, as the world will beare me wit-
'nesse, get thee out of our presence. To whom Fulco
replyed, If it like your Grace, I lye not, but say
'truth, for you have three daughters which continu-
ally frequent your Court, and (more is the pitty)
wholly possesse your person; I meane, Pride, Covet-
'ousnesse and Leachery. The King thereat smiled,
and called his Lords and Barons unto him, and re-
•lated what Fulco had delivered unto him, and thereup-
gave his resolution: Here before you all I doe pre-
sently bestow my three daughters. First, I give my
C
८.
<
C
.
C
'
on
daughter swelling Pride, to the proud Templars: my
greedy daughter Avarice, to the covetous Order of
• the Cistercian Monkes: and my daughter Leachery,
'to the wanton Prelats of the Church.' This noble
King went to besiege a Town called Chalus Cheverell
in Poitou, in the confines of Britaine, where unlooked
for, from the wall of the Towne, he was wounded with
a venomed arrow out of a Crosbow; whereof shortly
after hee died: afore his death hee sent for him, that
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
was the cause of his death, forgave him, yea & gave
him money in his purse; but after his death he was
apprehended and cut off with cruell tortures. Lastly,
King Richard tooke order for his buriall, thus he
bequeathed his body to Fount Ebrad, there to lye at
his fathers feet, whom in his life time he had offended;
his heart to Roan that had alwayes been true unto him;
and his bowels to Chalus Cheverell where he tooke his
death, for that filth was fit for them, that had beene
unto him both false and rebellious, Mathew Paris hath
his Epitaph thus.
Ad Chalus cecidit Rex, regni cardo Richardus,
His ferus, his humilis, his agnus, his Leopardus;
Casus erat lucis Chalus. Per secula nomen
Non intellectum fuerat, sed nominis omen
Non patuit, res clausa fuit; sed luce cadente
Prodiit in lucem pro casu lucis ademptæ.
Againe of his legacie.
Pictavus exta ducis sepelit, tellusque Chalutis
Corpus dat claudi sub marmore fontis Ebrandi :
Neustria tuque tegis cor inexpugnabile Regis :
Sic loca per trina se sparsit tanta ruina ;
Nec fuit hoc funus, cui sufficeret locus unus.
Iohn the fift sonne of Henry the second, Earle
Morton, alias Mortaigne and Lord of Ireland, as
formerly hath beene delivered, by the gift of his bro-
OF IRELAND.
361
ther King Richard the first, Earle of Cornwall, Dor-
set, Sommerset, Nottingham, Darby, Lancaster, and
in the right of his marriage, Earle of Glocester, was
Crowned at Westminster, King of England, Anno
1199. Hee was first married to Isabell (whom the
Britaines called Hawise, and the Cornish Avis)
daughter to Robert Earle of Glocester, who for that
they were found within the third degree, were di-
vorced, so that King Iohn left both the Lady Isabell
and the Earledome of Glocester, whereupon by the
advice of Philip King of France, he matched in holy
wedlocke with Isabell daughter to Amerie, Earle of
Angolesme. This Isabell (if not married) had beene
affianced to Hugh Brune, Earle of March, a Noble
man of Aquitaine, who gave battaile in that quarell
to King Iohn, and was discomfitted, yet after the
death of King Iohn, hee had her to wife.
Immediately upon the Coronation of Henry the
third (who succeeded him) broyles beganne in Eng-
land, France and Ireland, which had every way a
tragicall end. Bruse in England, Arthure in France,
and Courcy in Ireland, are testimonies thereof: But
orderly of these as the Nature of the Historie requires;
Arthure the sonne of Ieffry Plantagenet nephew to
King John, lived when his uncle John aspired to the
Crowne, being 16. yeeres of age, he was affianced to
a daughter of Philippe the French King, the said
Philippe Knighted him in the field; he was Duke of
Britain, Earle of Anjou, Poitiers, Maine and Turrow
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
of Normandy. He did homage unto his uncle for
some, and to Philippe for the rest; his uncle had him
in Iealousie, first lest that in processe of time, he
would make claime to the Crowne: secondly, for that
he adhered too much to the French, and the young
Prince upon conference, with bold spirit told him,
that he did him wrong, and that hee was bound in
honour to deliver unto him the Crowne of England,
with all that thereunto appertained. Shortly after, it
fell out that King Iohn took this Arthure confederate
against him, with William de Bruse, Hugh Brune
and others, imprisoned him in Falaise in Normandy;
from thence he was brought to Roane, and there clapt
in the Tower, under the custody of Robert de Vei-
pont, where shortly after he finished his life, whether
by leaping into the ditch, thinking to make his
escape, or by meane of some privy hand, which muṛ-
ther it is not as yet agreed upon Vtinam (saith Mut.
Paris) non ut fama refert invida; by occasion where-
of, K. Iohn was ever after had in great suspition,
whether justly or unjustly the Lord knoweth King
John fearing the secret practises of his adversaries,
and doubting the revolt of his Barons, sent for his
further security, unto those whom he most suspected
for hostages and pledges of their loialty, and among
others, unto William de Bruse a Normand borne,
but Lord of Brechnok, saith Guttin Owen, and a
great commander in South-wales. The wife, like a
quicke Dame, taking the answer out of her husbands
mouth, gave this round speech; that shee would not
OF IRELAND.
363
give any of her sonnes to King Iohn, who already
had slaine and murthered his owne nephew Arthur.
These words being lavishly delivered unto the King,
set him in such a heat of displeasure against her hus-
band (though hee had rebuked her sharply for the
same) that the L. Bruse with his wife and children
fled the Realme, and got them unto Ireland for safe-
guard of their lives; and when King Iohn came unto
Ireland, they fled to the Ile of Man, where they were
apprehended and sent to the Castle of Windsore in
England, and there (as the common fame went) fa-
mished to death. But William de Bruse himselfe
escaped the hands of the King in Ireland, and fled
into France, died at Corbell, and was buried in Paris.
The next that comes upon the stage is Sir Iohn de
Courcy Earle of Vlster, Lord of Conaght, that had
lastly beene L. Liev. of Ireland, who governing the
land with great circumspection, together with Sir
Hugh de Lacy the younger, who maligned him se-
cretly, and envied his prosperity, in so much that hee
accused him to King Iohn, saying, that he laid to
the Kings charge the murthering of his nephew Ar-
thure; whereupon King Iohn sent for him into Eng-
land; and gave commission unto Sir Hugh de Lacy,
and his brother Walter Delacy, to attach his
person.
Sir John de Courcy having secret intelligence of their
drift, kept himselfe a loofe: Sir Hugh Delacy finding
that levied an army, and invaded Vlster; the Country
rose against him and drove him to flie. Then Lacy
proclaimed him traitor, and marched towards hina
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
with all the forces he could make. Courcy in like
sort prepared for his comming.
At Dune they met and fought a cruell battaile,
where the field was all blood, and many slaine on
both sides, but in the end the victory fell to Courcy,
and Lacy went back with shame enough. Then
Lacy practised how he might betray him.
It is said among the Irish, that Courcy offred the
combat, and that Lacy refused it, aleadging that it
was not for him, that represented the Kings person,
to hazard his life with an inferior, being a subject and
a traytor. Lacy makes proclamation, promising a
large reward to him that should bring him in Courcy
either alive or dead, but it would not be; then pri-
vily he dealt with some of his servants, that if they
would undertake the apprehension of him, they should
have great rewards; it was concluded, and this ad-
vice the betraiers gave: Sir Iohn de Courcy is a
mighty man in armes, and of such strength, that no
one man dares be so hardy as lay hand upon him, and
againe hee is alwaies both in publick and privat well
provided: Yet we can direct you a course to bring
your purpose to effect: upon good Friday yeerly he
weares no armes, but is wholly given to divine con-
templation, and commonly walketh all solitary round
about the Church yard of Dune: if you provide a
troope of horsemen in a readinesse, and send your
espiall before, there you shall have him, apprehend
OF IRELAND.
365
him and worke your will, and hither they came, and
laid hands upon him. Courcy now unarmed and al-
together distressed; ranne to a wooden crosse that
stood in the Church yard, tooke the pole therof and
laid about him lustily; Courcy at that time had but a
few attending on him, and they armelesse; of which
number, were two young Gentlemen, the sonnes of
Sir Amorick Saint Laurence which were slaine; to
bee short, the Author of the Booke of Houth report-
eth, that Courcy in that Skirmish slew 13. of Lacy
his men, that died not upon the Crosse, but under the
Crosse, but in the end he was carried away, conveied
beyond the seas, clapt in the Towre of London, and
condemned to perpetuall imprisonment: Whereupon
Lacy for that service, had the Earledome of Vlster
given him, and the Iudases that betrayed their Master
had their hire. Then they craved of Sir Hugh de
Lacy a pasport into England, with the relation of the
good service they had done in Ireland, which was
granted upon condition, that upon the paine of death,
they should never returne into Ireland againe, neither
to open the same afore it were demanded of them: It
was as followeth.
•
6
·
C
• I Hugh de Lacy Lord Iustice of Ireland, servant
to my dread Soveraigne Lord King John: To all
them that shall read these few lines, greeting;
know you that these men, whose names are under
written, served sometimes Sir Iohn de Courcy late
Earle of Vlster, but now in durance in the Towre of
366
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
C
<
C
<
<
He pro-
London, and for a summe of money, betraied their
owne Master into my hand. I deeme them no bet-
ter then Iudas the traitor: how hardly soever I have
' conceived of Courcy, I hold them a thousand times
more damnable traitors. Wherefore let no subject
'within any of the Kings dominions, give them any
entertainment, but spit in their faces, and suffer
'them to rogue about and wander as lewes.'
lewes.' He
vided them a barke, with saile and victuall, but gave
them no Pilots nor sea-faring men, for want of skill
they could not take the seas, but were tossed with
winde and weather, along the Coast, at length the
Tyde brought them into the river of Corke: they
were no sooner landed, but they were apprehended,
examined, and brought to Sir Hugh de Lacy, and
forthwith all foure hanged cheeke by jole.
Not long after, there fell some difference betweene
John, King of England, and Philip, King of France,
for the right of some Fort in Normandie, who to
avoyde the shedding of Christian bloud, agreed of
each side to put it to a combat; of King Philips part
there was a French man in readinesse; King Iohn
the sudden wist not what to doe for a Champion
to encounter with him; at length, one attending upon
his person, enformed him that there was one Courcy
in the Towre of London, the onely man in his domi-
nions (if hee would undertake it) to answer the chal-
lenge. King John ioyfull of this, sent the first, yea
second, and third time, promising large rewards, and
upon
OF IRELAND.
367
pre-
rich gifts, and that it stood him upon as farre as the
honour of his Crowne and kingdome did reach, to
make good the combat. Courcy answered very fro-
wardly, (the which was taken in good part in regard
of the urgent necessitie) that he would never fight
for him, neither for any such as he was, that he was
not worthy to have one drop of bloud spilt for him;
that he was not able to requite him the wrongs he had
done him, neither to restore him the hearts ease he
had bereaved him of: yet notwithstanding all the
mises, he was willing, and would with all expedition,
be ready to venture his life in defence of the Crowne
and his country. Whereupon it was agreed, that he
should be dyeted, apparrelled, and armed to his con-
tent, and that his owne sword should be brought
him out of Ireland. The day came, the place ap-
pointed, the Liste provided, the scaffolds set up, the
Princes with their nobilitie of each side, with thou-
sands in expectation. Forth comes the French Cham-
pion, gave a turne, and rests him in his tent: They
sent for Courcy, who all this while was trussing of
himselfe about with strong poynts, and answered the
messengers, if any of their company were to goe to
such a banquet, I thinke he would make no great
haste. Forth he comes, gave a turne, and went into
his Tent. When the trumpets sounded to battaile,
forth come the combatants, and viewed each other.
Courcy beheld him with a wonderfull sterne counte-
nance, and passed by.
by. The French man not liking
his grimme looke, the strong proportion and feature
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
of his person, stalked still along, and when the
Trumpets sounded the last charge, Courcy drew out
his sword, and the French man ranne away,
and con-
veyed him to Spaine. Whereupon they sounded vic-
tory, the people clapt their hands, and cast up their
cappes; King Philip desired King Iohn that Courcy
might bee called before them, to shew some part of
his strength and manhood, by a blow upon a Helmet;
it was agreed, a stake was set in the ground, and a
shirt of maile, and a Helmet thereon; Courcy drew
his sword, looked wonderfull sternely upon the Princes,
cleft the helmet, the shirt of maile, and the stake so
farre in, that none could pull it out but himselfe.
Then the Princes demanded of him, what hee meant
to looke so sowrely upon them; his answer was, if
hee had missed his blow upon the blocke, he would
have cut off both the Kings heads. All that hee
said was taken in good part: King Iohn discharged
him out of all his troubles, gave him great gifts, and
restored him to his former possessions in Ireland. It
is written further, that hereupon hee sailed into Eng-
land, came to Westchester, offered himselfe to the
sea, and was put backe againe fifteene times by con-
trary windes which rose upon a sodaine, to the Eng-
lish shore. And in the booke of Houth it is delivered,
that
upon every repulse, the night following, he was
admonished in a vision, not to attempt the seas, for
to saile into Ireland, and that he should never set foot
upon any land there; and withall, that the reason was
yeelded thus. Courcy, thou hast done very ill, for
OF IRELAND.
369
up
thou hast pulled downe the master, and set the
servant; for he had translated the Cathedrall Church,
and the Prebendaries of the blessed Trinitie in Dune,
into an Abbey of blacke Monkes, brought thither
from Chester, and consecrated the same to the honour
of Saint Patricke. Whereupon remembring himselfe
that he had done very ill in taking the name from
God to a creature, gave sentence upon himself, that
he was worthily punished. Immediately hee altered
his course, went into France, and there died: now
forwards with the history, according to the due course
of time in the raigne of King Iohn, so the booke of
Houth reporteth.
Anno 1202. Meler Fitz Henry, whose father was
the base sonne of King Henry the first, founded the
Abbey of Cownall; hee came into Ireland with the
first Conquerours, being a young stripling, and is
highly commended by Cambrensis for his great valour,
and worthinesse in martiall prowesse: he left this
world, Anno 1220. his Epitaph I finde in Iohn
Clynne.
Conduntur tumulo Meyleri nobilis ossa,
Indomitus domitor totius gentis Hibernæ.
Intombed are the bones of him they Noble Meler call,
Who was the tamelesse tamer of the Irish nation all.
Anno 1205. in the seventeenth yeere of the raigne
370
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
!
of King John, Theobald Fitz Walter, Fitz Gilbert,
Becket the first Lord Butler of Ireland, founded the
Monastery of Wethencia, alias Wethran, alias We-
thenoya, alias Voghney, in the county of Limeric;
this difference I finde in Dowling, Grace, and others.
Anno 1206. Saint Monon an Irish man, and a
Martyr, (Molanus layeth him downe among the
Saints in Flanders) flourished; he is reputed the Pa-
tron of Nassonia, under the command of the Abbot
of Saint Hubert, in the Lordship of Audiamum; he
was the Disciple of Saint Remulch, and Saint John
Agnus, Bishop of Trajectum, and of Irish birth; this
Monon was murthered at Ardevenna, (saith Molanus)
by some bloudy massacres, & lyeth buried at Nassonia,
in the Church which he there had founded.
Anno 1208. (I finde it in Dowlinge and Grace)
Sir Hugh de Lacy the younger, being Lord Iustice,
entred into Thurles, where the country being in re-
bellion, offered him battaile, he laid siege to Castle
Meiler, wanne it, brake it downe, and made it even
with the ground; but he lost there more men, (say
the Irish) then he tooke away with him; the chiefe
Rebell was Ieffery Mac Moris, alias Morich.
Anno 1209, the occasion of blacke Munday, and
the original remembrance thereof rose at Dublin.
The Citie of Dublin by reason of some great morta-
lity, being wasted and desolate, the inhabitants of
OF IRELAND.
371
Bristoll flocked thither to inhabit, who after their
country manner, upon Holy dayes, some for love of
the fresh ayre, some to avoyd idlenesse, some other
for pastime, pleasure, and gamings sake, flocked out
of the towne towards Cullen wood upon Munday in
Easter weeke. The Birnnes and Tooles, (the moun-
taine enemies) like Wolves lay in ambush for them,
and upon espial finding them unarmed, fell upon
them, & slue some 300. persons, besides women &
children, which they led in their hands, although
shortly after, the towne was upon the report thereof,
eftsoones peopled againe by Bristolians; yet that dis-
mall day is yeerely remembred, and solemnly observed
by the Maior, Sheriffes, and Citizens, with feast and
banquet, and pitching up of tents in that place in
most brave sort, daring the enemy upon his perill, not
to bee so hardy, as once to approach neere their feast-
ing campe; and whereas the Irish heretofore accounted
Tuesday their fatall and infortunate day, (for Lymric
was twice wonne, Wexford yeelded
Wexford yeelded up, Waterford
was besieged, and Dublin was sacked upon a Tues-
day) now they have Munday in memory, making dif-
ference of dayes, not fitting the minde of the Apostle,
which forbade the superstitions or vaine observations
of daies, &c. Gal. 4.
Anno 1211, (or somewhat before) the Monastery
of Grenard was founded by Richard Tute, who shortly
after miscarried at Athlone, by the fall of a Turret,
and was buried in the same Monastery. About the
3 C
372
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
same time, in the yeere 1209. the Monastery of Forte
was founded by Walter Lacy, Lord of Meth.
Anno 1210. and the twelfth yeere of his raigne,
King John came into Ireland, and landed at Water-
ford with an huge army, marvellous well appointed
to pacifie that rebellious people, that were universally
revolted, burning, spoyling, preying, and massacring
the English. Fabian and Graffton alleage the cause
that moved the Irish men to this rebellion, to have
been for that the King endevord to lay grievous taxes
upon them towards his aide in the warres against the
French King, which they could not brooke, and
therefore rose in armes against their Soveraigne.
When hee came to Dublin the whole Countrey fear-
ing his puissance, craved peace and flocked unto him
along the sea cost, the Champian Countries and re-
mote places receiving an oath to bee true and faithfull
unto him. There were 20. (Reguli) of the chiefest
rulers within Ireland, which came to the King to
Dublin, and there did him homage and fealty, as ap-
pertained. Harding nameth them Lord O Neale,
and many more. Walsingham remembreth Catelus
King of Conaght, it forceth it not though they misse
the right names of place and person; it is a fault in
manner common to all foraigne writers.
After this hee marched forwards into the land, and
tooke into his hands, divers Fortresses, and strong
Holds of his enemies, that fled before him, for feare
OF IRELAND.
373
to be apprehended; as William le Bruse, Mathilda
his wife, William their sonne with their traine, of
whom I spake before; also Walter de Lacy Lord of
Meath, and Hugh de Lacy Earle of Vlster, and
Lord Iustice of Ireland, fearing his presence, fled
into France; their exaction, oppression and tyranny
was intolerable. Likewise they doubted how to an-
swer the death of Sir Iohn de Courcy Lord of Ra-
theny and Kilbarrock within 5. miles of Dublin, whom
they had murthered, of especiall malice and deadly
hatred.
First, for that he was of the house of Sir Iohn de
Courcy, Earle of Vlster, (whom the Lacies alwaies
maligned.)
Secondly, for that he had made grievous complaints
of them in England to King Iohn, the tryall whereof
they could not abide. Vpon the sight of the Lacies,
King Iohn made Iohn Gray Bishop of Norwich his
deputy. Of these Lacies it is further remembred in
the Booke of Houth, and other antiquities; how that
in France they obscured themselves, in the Abbey of
S. Taurin, and themselves to manuall labour, as
digging, delving, gardening, planting, and greffing
for daily wages, the space of 2. or 3. yeares; the
Abbot was well pleased with their service, and upon
a day (whether it were by reason of some inkling
or secret intelligence given him, or otherwise) de-
maunded of them of what birth and parentage they
gave
374
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
were, and what Country they came from; when they
had acquainted him with the whole, hee bemoned
their case, and undertooke to become a suiter unto
the King for them; in a word hee obtained the Kings
favour for them thus farre, that they were put to their
fyne, and restored to their former possessions; so that
Walter de Lacy paid for the Lordship of Meath
2500. Markes, and Hugh his brother, for Vlster and
Conaght a greater summe.
Hugh de Lacy, in remembrance of this kindnesse
which the Abbot shewed them, tooke his nephew, his
brothers sonne with them into Ireland, one Alured,
whom he Knighted and made Lord of the Dengle,
The Monkes also, which out of that Monastery hee
had brought with him into Ireland, hee honoured
greatly, and gave them entertainment in Four, the
which Walter de Lacy had formerly builded.
King John having pacified the land, ordained that
the English Lawes should bee used in Ireland, ap-
pointed 12. English shires with Sheriffes and other
Officers, to rule the same, according unto the Eng-
lish Ordinances; hee reformed the Coine and made it
uniforme, (some say it was Gray his Deputy) of like
weight and finenes, and made it currant as well in
England as in Ireland.
When hee had disposed of his affaires, and ordred
all things at his pleasure, he tooke the sea againe,
OF IRELAND.
375
with much triumph, and landed in England the 30.
day of August.
Anno 1213. When the French King by instigation
of Innocentius 3. Bishop of Rome, prepared to in-
vade England: King Iohn eftsoone understanding
thereof, made provision accordingly to answer his en-
terprise, and among others (the cause why the story
is here inserted) Holinshed writeth how that to his aid
the Bishop of Norwich, the Kings Deputy of Ire-
land, levied an Army of 300. foot well appointed, be-
side horsemen which arrived in England to the en-
couragement of the whole Campe. And as the
French was frustrate of his purpose, so they shortly
returned with great joy to their native Country.
In the same yeere, Viz. 1213. Iohn Comin Arch-
bishop of Dublin departed this life, and was buried
in the Quire of Christ-Church, whom Henry Lou-
dres succeeded in the dayes of this King Iohn. This
Henry builded the Castle of Dublin, and was made
Lord Iustice of Ireland. His tenants nic-named him
Schorchbill or Schorcvillen upon this occasion;
Hee being peaceably stalled in his Bishopprike,
summoned all his tennants and farmers at a certain
day appointed, to make their personall appearance be-
fore him, and to bring with them such evidences and
writings as they enjoyed their holds by; the tenants of
the day appointed, appeared, shewed their evidences
376
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
to their Landlord, mistrusting nothing; hee had no
sooner received them, but afore their faces, upon a
suddain cast them all into a fire, secretly provided for
the purpose; this fact amazed some that they became
silent, moved others to a stirring choller and furious
rage, that they regarded neither place nor person, but
brake into irreverent speeches: Thou an Archbishop,
nay, thou art a Schorcvillen, an other drew his weapon
and said, as good for me kill as be killed; for when
my evidences are burned, and my living taken away
from me, I am killed. The Bishop seeing thus
tumult, and the imminent danger, whipt out at a
backe doore: His Chaplains, Registers, and Sum-
moners, were well knockt, and some of them left for
dead. They threatned to fire the house over the Bi-
shops head; some meane was made for the present
time to pacifie their outrage, with faire promises, that
all hereafter should be to their owne content: upon
this they departed, the intent of the promises I can-
not learne, other some inveigh against it; but in fine,
complaint thereof being made to Henry 3. the King
thought so hardly of the course, that he removed him
from his Iusticeship, and placed in his roome, Mau-
rice Fitz Girald, of whom hereafter. This Loudreds
was buried in Christ Church.
In the same yeere also King Iohn being mightily
distressed through the practises of his Archbishops,
Bishops, Abbots, Monkes, Priests of his dominions,
and the Barons of his Kingdome revolting, and the
OF IRELAND.
377
inward hatred of the French King, with forraigne
powers intending an open invasion, was driven, to
prevent further mischiefe, as I finde in Polychronicon,
to surrender his Crowne from his head, and to sub-
ject his Kingdomes of England and Ireland, tributarie
to the See of Rome, and as his client, vassall and
feodarie to that See, to hold them of Innocentius the
Bishop: againe, England being interdicted, and Ire-
land likewise, were after released upon agreement,
composition, and Charter, and homage, as in the
Chronicle of England more at large appeareth.
The death of King Iohn, and the manner of it, I
referre to the English Chronicles. After his decease,
Henry the third, his eldest sonne, aged about nine
yeeres, began his raigne, Anno 1216.
Anno 1220. and the fourth yeere of Henry the
third, so writeth Clyn, Dowling, and Grace; toge-
ther with the English Antiquities, in their Irish col-
lections; all Meth was wonderfully afflicted and wasted
by reason of the priuate quarrels and civill warres be-
tweene William Earle Marshall, Earle of Penbroke,
&c. and Sir Hugh de Lacy, Earle of Vlster, and
Lord of Connaght. Trimme was besieged, and brought
to a lamentable plight, and when the rage
of those garboiles was somewhat mitigated and ap-
peased, after the shedding of much bloud, the same
yeere to prevent afterclaps, and subsequent calamities,
the Castle of Trim was builded.
and furie
378
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
About this time, certaine worthy persons of great
fame and renowne, to wit, Henry Loudreds, Roger
Peppard, and William Peppard, Lords successively,
de saltu Salmonis, and Meiler Fitz Henry, one of the
first Conquerours, paid nature her due, sinne her debt,
and ended their daies.
It appeareth in Stanihurst, that the same yeere
that Henry Loudreds died, viz. 1220. the Castle of
Dublin was builded: I meane the walles foure square,
or quadrangle wise, but the foure Turrets and the
other afterwards. Sir Henry Sidney is said to have
builded the inner lodgings, in whose eternall com-
mendation, I finde in the said Stanihurst, these
verses.
Gesta libri referunt multorum clara virorum,
Laudis & in chartis stigmata fixa manent :
Verum Sidnai laudes hac saxa loquuntur,
Nec jacet in solis gloria tanta libris.
Si libri pereant, homines remanere valebunt,
Si pereant homines ligna manere queant ;
Lignaque si pereant, non ergo saxa peribunt,
Saxaque si pereant tempore, tempus erit,
Si pereat tempus, minime consumitur ævum,
Quod cum principio, sed sine fine manet.
Dum libri florent, homines dum vivere possunt,
Dum quoque cum lignis saxa manere valent,
Dum remanet tempus; dum denique remanet ævum,
Laus tua Sydnæi, digna perire nequit.
1
OF IRELAND.
379
Anno 1224. Abbatia de Albo tractu was founded.
By generall consent of Antiquaries, after the death
of Henry Loudres, spoken of before. Maurice Fitz
Gerald was by Henry the third, made Lord Iustice of
Ireland, and afterwards fell in the King's displeasure,
and was removed, but the yeeres they agree not upon,
wherein I finde great discord.
The English Chronicle of Ireland delivereth that
hee was made Lord Iustice Anno 1228. Florilegus
and Holinshed write, that he was removed from his
Justiceship, Anno 1245. and Iohn Fitz Ieffery sub-
stituted in his roome. Mathew Paris writeth that
hee was removed, Anno 1248. but howsoever they
have mistaken the yeeres, or whether the fault of the
Printer crept in, it forceth not; I am to deliver to the
reader, the truth of the history, and the most worthy
service of this Noble man, with the yeeres and the
time as neere as I can.
Anno 1229. in the raigne of Henry the third,
Maurice Fitz Girald being Lord Justice, (Mathew
Paris and Holinshed write the storie) one Stephen
Chapplen, and Nuntio to Pope Gregory, came to
King Henry with the Popes Apostolike Mandates and
procuration letters, requiring of spirituall & temporall
throughout England, Ireland, and Wales, the tenth
of all their moveables, to the maintenance of his
warres against Fredericke the Emperour. At the day
3 D
380
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
and place appointed when the King and his Lords
spirituall and temporall met together, and the Nuntio
had read his letters, the King was silent, & reputed
(saith mine Author) as consenting thereto; the Earles
and Barons (saith Paris) & all the Laytie said flatly,
that they would give the Pope no tenths, neither sub-
ject their Baronies and locall possessions to the Church
of Rome; the Clergie after three or foure dayes deli-
beration, fearing the thunderbolts of excommunica-
tion, with grudging and murmurs, and many a bitter
curse, yeelded; yet Ranulphus, Earle of Chester, alone,
stood stoutly in the cause, and would not permit the
Clergie of his country to become in bondage, neither
to contribute the said tenths, though England, Wales,
Scotland, and Ireland were compelled to pay. Ire-
land sent likewise after their money, Irish curses, for
they were driven at the worst hand to sell unto the
mercilesse Merchants, their Cowes, Hackneyes, Cad-
does, and Aqua vitæ, to make present payment, and
were driven in that extremitie, to pawne and sell
their Cups, Chalices, Copes, Altar-clothes and vest-
ments.
Anno 1230. (as I finde recorded in the booke of
Houth) Hubertus de Burgo was Lord Iustice of Ire-
land, as I gather, in the absence of Maurice Fitz
Girald, to whom the King gave the land.... and
Connaught, and made him Earle of Connaught, and
shortly after, ob probitatem & fidelititem ex imiam, so
381
OF IRELAND.
I reade in Ypodigma Neustria, being called into
England for his uprightnesse and singular fidelity, was
made governour of the King, Lord Iustice of England,
and Earle of Kent, by the consent of all the Peeres of the
Realme; afterwards as the course of this world wheeles
about, hee fell into the Kings displeasure, so that he
called him old traytor, (and in his rage would have
runne him thorow with his sword, had not the Earle
of Chester and others runne betweene) for that (saith
Stow) hee had taken five thousand markes of the
Queene of France, to hinder his purpose; to avoyd
the Kings displeasure, this Hubert fled to the Chap-
pell of Brandwood in Essex, where he was taken, and
by commandement of the King, sent to the Tower of
London; all his friends forsooke him, none answered
for him but the Archbishop of Dublin; wherein we
may behold as in a Glasse, the disposition of feyned
friends in former ages, who in the Spring of a mans
felicity, like Swallowes, will flye about him, but when
the winter of adversitie nippeth, like Snailes they keepe
within their shels: at length this Hubert was some-
what reconciled to the Kings favour, that he was inlar-
ged, yet banished the Court: lastly, he ended his mi-
series at his Mannor house of Bansted in Surry, and
was buried at the Church of the Fryers Preachers at
London, which was then in Holborne; unto the which
Church he gave his noble Palace at Westminster, the
which afterwards Walter Grey the Archbishop of
Yorke bought of them, and made it his Inne, since
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
commonly called Yorke House, but now White-Hall.
So farre Stow, Holinshed, and others.
The yeere aforesaid, I finde one Ieffery March, alias
Maurish, (so Holinshed calleth him) in Mathew
Paris, Galfridus de Marisco, to have beene Lord
Iustice of Ireland: so it may be in the absence of
Maurice Fitz Girald, who made three journeys to
King Henry the third; one with great power out of
Ireland to ayde him beyond the seas; secondly, to
cleare himselfe of the death of Richard Marshall
Earle of Pembrook: lastly, with Irish forces against
the Welshmen. Mat. Paris and Holinshed, make
report of his good service; How that when an Irish
petit King in Conaght, understanding that both the
King of England, and the Earle Marshall and Maurice
Fitz Gerald were gone over into France, and so Ireland
left without any great aide of men of warre, on the
English part, raised a mighty Army, and with the
same entred into the Marches and borders of the Eng-
lish dominion, spoiling and burning the Country be-
fore him. And how that Ieffray de Maurisco then Lord
Iustice, being thereof advertized; called to him Wal-
ter de Lacy, Lord of Meth, and Richard de Burgh,
assembling therewithall an huge Army, the which he
divided into three parts, appointing the said Walter de
Lacy and Richard de Burgh with the two first parts,
to lye in ambush within certain Woods, through the
which he purposed to draw the enemies. And march-
OF IRELAND.
383
ing forth with the third, which he reserved to his owne
government, he profered battaile to the Irishmen, the
which when they saw but one battaile of the English-
men, boldly assaid the same.
The Englishmen according to the order appointed,
faining as though they had fled and so retired still
backe, till they had trained the Irish within danger of
their other two battailes which comming forth upon
them, did set on them eagerly; whilest the other which
seemed before to fly, returned backe againe, and set
upon them in like manner; by meanes whereof, the
Irishmen being in the midst were beaten downe: if
they stood to it, they were before and behind slaine;
if any offered to fly hee was overtaken, thus in all parts
they were utterly vanquished, with the losse of 20000.
Irish, and the King of Conaght taken and committed
to prison. This Noble Ieffray de Marisco (of whom
Holinshed writeth) a man some time in great honour
and possessions in Ireland, fell into the displeasure of
the King, was banished; who after he had remained
long in exile, suffred great miserie, ended the same by
naturall death: Thus the unstable Wheele goeth round
about: and yet I may not so leave it hee had a sonne
• called William de Maurisco, who together with the
'father (the Iustice of God requiring the same) came
'to most shamefull ends: Matthew the Munke of
• Westminster and Matthew Paris the Munke of Saint
'Albones, doe write the Story: While the King was
beyond seas, a certain noble man of Irish birth to
6
384
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
'wit Willielmus de Maurisco, an exiled and banished
C
C
.
man, the sonne of Ieffray de Maurisco, for some hai-
nous offence laid to his charge, kept himselfe in the
Isle of Lundy, not farre from Bristall, preying, rob-
bing and stealing, as a notorious Pirate; at length
being apprehended, together with 17. of his confe-
deracy, and by the Kings commandement adjudged
'to cruell death; he was drawne at London with his
'confederats, at horse tailes to the Gibbet, and there
C
<
C
C
<
hanged and quartered: His father one of the migh-
'tiest men of Ireland, by name Galfridas de Maurisco,
hearing thereof, fled into Scotland, and scarce there
' could hee lye safe; who pining away with grief and
sorrow, soone after ended a miserable life, with wished
death; againe after in another place he writeth,
Galfridus de Maurisco reckened amongst the most
'Noble of Ireland, an exile and a banished man, died
pitifully, yet not to be pitied; whom being banished
'Ireland, expulsed out of Scotland and fled out of
England, France received for a begger, where hee
"
C
<
6
' ended an unfortunate life, after the most shamefull.
' death of his sonne Willielmus de Maurisco.
These things therefore I deliver more at large unto
'the hearers, that every man may wey with himselfe,
' what end is allotted unto treason, and especially being
committed against the sacred person of a Prince: His
❝ father against Richard Earle and Marshall in Ireland,
' and his son William against the King, unadvisedly
' and unfortunately adventured to practice mischiefe.
6
385
OF IRELAND.
Paris addeth the name of this William was very
odious unto the King, for so much it was reported,
that through the councell of Ieffray his father, he had
conspired the death of the King, and that he had
traitorously sent that varlet, which came in the night
season, to Woodstock to slay the King, and last of all,
that hee had killed at London in presence of the King;
one Clemens, a Clerk, messenger of some Noble man
of Ireland, that came to informe the King against him.
About this same time, florished a Learned man of
Irish birth, one Cornelius Historicus, so called, because
hee was an exquisit antiquary Bale: and Stanihurst
have briefly written his life and commandations out of
Hector Boetius, who was greatly furthered by this
Cornelius, to the perfecting of the Scotish History,
hee wrote as they say:
Multarum rerum Cronicon lib. 1.
About this time, Viz. Anno 1230. there rose a doubt
in Ireland, so that they sent to England to be therein
resolved: the King, by his learned Councell answered
as followeth.
<
Henry by the grace of God, &c. King of Eng-
'land, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Normandy and
Guian, &c. Trusty and welbeloved Gerald Fitz
Maurice Iusticer of Ireland, greeting; Whereas cer-
'tien Knights of the parties of Ireland lately informed
FOR
386
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
!
¿
any
us; that when land doth discend unto sisters,
' within our dominion of Ireland, the Iustices errant in
' those parties are in doubt, whether the younger sister
6
'
ought to hold of the eldest sister, and doe homage
‹ unto her or not. And forasmuch as the said Knights
' have made instance, to bee certified how it had beene
' used before within our Realme of England in like
case; at their instance we doe you wit, that such a
'Law and Custome is in England in this case, that if
.
'
C
C
any holding of us in chief, happen to die, having
daughters to his heires our ancestors, and we after
'the death of the father, have alway had and received
homage of all the daughters, and every of them in
' this case did hold of us in chiefe. And if they happ-
'ned to be within age, we have alway had the ward
' and marriage of them, and if hee bee tennant to
' another Lord, the sisters being within age, the Lord
'shall have the ward and manage of them all, and
<
the eldest onely shall doe homage for herselfe, and all
her sisters, and when the other sisters come to full
age, they shall doe their service to the Lord of the
'fee, by the hands of the eldest sister; yet shall not
the eldest by this occasion, exact of her younger sis-
'ters homage, ward, or any other subjection; for when
they be all sisters, and in manner, as one heire to one
inheritance: if the eldest should have homage of the
• other sister, or demaund ward, then the inheritance
• should seeme to be divided so, that the eldest sister
* should seeme to be segnioresse and tennant of inhe-
* ritance, simul & semel, that is to say, heire of her
'
OF IRELAND.
387
C
owne part, and segnioresse to her sisters, which could
' not stand well together in this case, for the eldest
<
،
can demaund no more then her sisters; but the chiefe
* mease by reason of her auncienty. Moreover, if the
C
• eldest sister should take homage of the yonger, she
'should be as a segnioresse to them all, and should
' have the ward of them and their heires, which should
'be none other, but to cast the Lambe to the Wolfe to
be devoured.'
.
· And therefore wee command you that you cause the
'aforesaid customes that bee used within our Realme
' of England, in this case to bee proclaimed throughout
our dominions of Ireland, and to be straightly kept
C
' and observed, in testimony whereof, &c. I witnesse
'my selfe at Westminster, the ninth of February, the
‹ thirteenth yeere of our Raigne.'
'
Anno 1233. or as some will have it, 1234. the 7. of
Aprill, there appeared as it were foure Sunnes, besides
the naturall Sunne, of a red colour, and a great Circle
of Christall colour; from the sides whereof went out
halfe Circles; in the divisions whereof, the foure Sunnes
went forth. There followed that yeere great warre and
cruell bloodshed, & general great disturbance through-
out England, Wales, and Ireland, so write Matthew
Paris and Stow.
This troublesome yeere died Gualter Lacy Lord of
Meath, leaving behind him two daughters, coheires to
3 E
388
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
1
inherit his possession (to wit) Margret that was ma-
ried to the Lord Theobald Verdon and Mathilda mar-
ried to Ieffray Genevile.
Amids these troubles in the flourishing daies of
Maurice Fitz Gerald, Hubert de Burgo, Ieffray de
Morisco, and Gualter de Lacy, whose ends followed
according: The Noble Earle Richard Maxfield Lord
Maxfield, Earle Marshall of England, spoken of be-
fore, and being by them maligned, was traitorously cut
off by sundry devilish draughts. Matthew Paris wrot
the Story at large, laid downe their practise on both
the sides of the seas, their forged letters; and secretly
as it were by stealth, fixing thereto the Kings seale :
Hee calleth them traitors, Iudasses; and Ieffery de
Morisco he termeth Achitophell that
gave wicked
counsell. Hubert had a lamentable end, Ieffery
dyed in misery, Lacy was shortly cut off, and Mau-
rice Fitz Girald was with dishonour removed from
his Iusticeship. This Maurice of the King desired
to bee reconciled to Gilbert Marshall his brother,
whom he greatly feared, and offered in satisfaction
to build with all speed, a noble Monastery, and to
endow the same with large possessions, and to fur-
nish it with a reverent covent, to pray for the soule
of Richard Marshall: at length with much adoe,
and importunate intreaty of the King and Nobility
of England, Gilbert Marshall granted him peace;
but of Earle Richards end I have spoken somewhat
before.
OF IRELAND.
389
About the yeere 1233. or 34. Hugh Mapleton,
Bishop of Ossorie, whose Episcopall see was then at
Achboo, in upper Ossorie, began the foundation of the
Cathedrall Church, now standing in the Irish towne
of Kilkenny, in the honour of God and Saint Canicus,
(of whom the towne of Kilkenny hath the name) and
is reckoned the first founder. Hee ordained three Ca-
nons for the service, hee gave them divers Churches
and tithes for their maintenance, as in the foundation
of those Chanons more at large doth appeare. He
builded the Bishops Court at Aghor, adding thereto
fish-ponds, fishings, and other necessaries. Such good
men lived in those dayes.
At the same time came the King of Connaught,
exhibiting a grievous complaint unto Henry the third
(saith Mathew Paris) against Iohn de Burgo, the
sonne, as I suppose, of Hubert de Burgo before spo-
ken of; that he had entred his country with forces, and
wasted the same with fire and sword, that it would
please his Majestie to doe him justice, and command
such rash attempts to be bridled, alledging that he was
his loyall subject, and paid for his kingdome, an an-
nuall pension, mounting to the summe of 5000. marks,
ever since King Iohn had subdued his kingdome, and
that he would rid him of that base upstart, or new
commer which sought unjustly to disherit him. The
King tendred his reasonable requests, and commanded
Maurice Fitz Girald then present, to plucke up by the
roote, the fruitlesse Plant, the which Hubert Earle of
390
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Kent had sometime planted in those parts, while he
was in Ruffe, that it might budde no more. He wrote
also unto the Nobilitie of Ireland, that they should
banish the said Iohn de Burgo, and peaceably establish
the King in his kingdome, who with these princely
favours, joyfully returned into his country.
Anno 1235. (saith Cooper) the Irish men rebelled;
so hee left it, and so I leave it too.
Anno 1236. Mathew Paris doth write that in the
North parts not farre from the Abbey of Rochor Rupie,
and also in Ireland, and the parts there abouts more
apparantly, strange and wonderfull sights were seene,
which amazed the beholders: to wit, there appeared
comming forth of the earth, companies of armed men
on horseback, with Speare, Shield, Sword, and banners
displaid in sundry formes and shapes, riding in battaile
array, and encountring together; and this sight ap-
peared sundry dayes each after other; sometimes they
seemed to joyne as it had beene in battaile, and fought
sore; and sometimes they seemed to just and breake
staves, as if it had beene at some triumphant justs of
torny. The people of the country beheld them a farre
off with great wonder, for the skirmish shewed it selfe
so lively, that now and then they might see them come
with their empty horses, sore wounded and hurt, and
likewise men mangled and bleeding; A pittifull sight
to behold, and that which seemed more strange, and
most to be mervailed at, after they vanished the
away,
OF IRELAND.
391
prints of their feet appeared in the ground, and the
grasse trodden in those places where they had beene
seene.
Anno 1240. Petrus de Supino came from Pope
Gregory into Ireland, with an authenticke papall man-
date, requiring under paine of Excommunication, and
other censures ecclesiasticall the twentieth part of the
whole land, besides donatives and private gratuities to
the maintenance of his warres against Fredericke the
Emperour, where he extorted, saith Mathew Paris, a
thousand and five hundred markes, and above, saith
Florilegus; at which time also one Petrus Pubeus, in-
titled the Popes Familiar, and kinsman, and both bas-
tards, saith Bale, filled in like sort his fardles in Scot-
land. These Nuntioes were so crafty, that they needed
no Brokers, they secretly understood by Posts and Cur-
sitors, the state of the Court of Rome, which quailed
them full sore, that the Pope was either gone, or panted
for life; secretly by the conduct of the Monkes of
Canterbury, they were conveyed to Dover, where they
tooke shipping, and crossed the seas. The Emperour
Fredericke, against whom this provision was made,
having intelligence thereof, and secretly acquainted
with the Popes state, wrote to the King of England
to apprehend such prollers, wherein he also reproved
his cowardize. The Emperour when hee understood
that the birds were flowne away, made search for the
neast, yet overtooke them in Italy; where, to be short,
hee imprisoned them, their kindred and favourers, ri-
392
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
fled them of their money, and sent them to Rome to
sing for more money: he that will reade the story more
at large, let him repaire to Mathew Paris.
The same yeere, saith Mathew Paris, Andelmus
borne in Cullen, a man highly commended for life and
learning, was by the Bishop of Worcester, solemnly
consecrated at Westminster, Archbishop of Armagh,
and Primate of Ireland, in the presence of the King,
the Legate, and many reverend Prelates.
Anno 1242. Maurice Fitz Girald, Lord Iustice of
Ireland, builded the Castle of Sligoe.
of
Anno 1243. Clun and Dowlinge write, that Giraldus
Fitz Maurice, Richardus de Burgo, and Hugh de
Lacy, Earle of Vlster in Ireland, ended the way
all flesh, and was buried at Carechfergus. Mathew
Paris giveth Lacy great commendations, that he was
a most renowned warriour, and a valiant Conquerour
of a great part of Ireland. This Lacy left behinde
him one daughter and heire, whom Walter de Burgo
married, and in her right, became Earle of Vlster :
of Richardus de Burgo, Mathew Paris writeth he
had great possessions and lands in Ireland, by the
conquest of his most Noble father.
Anno 1245. Florilegus, Powell (out of Gitten Owen)
and Holinshed, doe write how that the Welsh men re-
belled against the King, and his forces being foyled
OF IRELAND.
393
by David
ap Llewelin Prince of Wales, hee sent into
Ireland to Maurice for ayde, and was in winter time
mightily distressed, the which I finde by Powell re-
corded and written by a Noble man out of the campe
unto his friends.
The King with his army lyeth at Gannocke, forti-
fying of that strong Castle, and we live in our Tents,
thereby watching, fasting, praying, and freezing with
cold; wee watch for feare of the Welch men, who are
wont to invade and come upon us in the night time ;
we fast for want of meate, for the halfe penny loafe is
worth five pence; we pray to God to send us home
speedily; we starve for cold, wanting our winter
gar-
ments, and having no more but a thinne linnen cloath
betweene us and the winde; there is an arme of the
seas under the Castle where we lye, whereto the tyde
commeth, and many shippes come up to the haven,
which bring victuals to the Campe, from Ireland and
Chester. The King all this while expected the arrivall
of Maurice Fitz Girald, with his Irish forces, mused
with himselfe, fretted with himselfe, the winde serving
and yet said nothing; at length the Irish sayles are dis-
cryd, a shore they came, and Maurice Fitz Girald, (to-
gether with Phelina, Oconor) Oconoghor, saith ano-
ther, in battaile aray present themselves before the King
at Chepstow, say the Irish Chroniclers, but the British
Chroniclers coppied out of the Abbies of Conwey and
Stratflur, by Owen Gittine, deliver they landed at the
Ile of Man or Anglesey, the which in mine opinion
394
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
seemeth to be most likely to be true. For David ap
Llewelin was Prince of North-Wales, and there kept
his forces, & Chepstow is in South-Wales; and besides,
it is agreed upon all sides, that the Irish landing,
spoyled the Ile of Anglesey, laded themselves with
spoyles, and going to their ships, were driven to runne
and leave all behinde; but to be short, when all the
forces joyned together, the Welsh men were over-
throwne; the King manned and victualled his Castles,
returned into England, gave the Irish men leave to
returne, winking a while in policie at the tarriance and
slow comming of Maurice Fitz Girald: when Maurice
Fitz Girald, Lord Iustice arrived in Ireland, he found
O Donell the Irish enemy, upon the death of Hugh
Lacy, in Armes, invading and sore annoying the
Kings subjects in Vlster, and called unto him Cor-
make Mac Dermot Mac Dory, with great forces, and
entred Tireconnell, preyed, burned, and spoyled, and
vanquished the enemy; there he slue Moyleslaghlon
O Donell, called King of Keyvayle, together with
Gille Canvillelagh, Obugill, and Mac Surley, called
King of Oyrisgall, with divers others, gentlemen of
those parts: in like sort many English men were cast
away in the river, whose passage O Donell stopped,
and slue there William Butt, high Sheriffe of Con-
naught, together with a valiant young Gentleman his
brother. When the Lord Iustice had thus atchieved
his purpose, hee manned and victualled the Castle of
Sligo, tooke pledges of O Neale to keepe the Kings
peace, and left them in the said Castle, gave Cormake
OF IRELAND.
395
Dermot Mac Dory that came to his aide, the moytie
of Connaught, and returned with a great prey.
When this noble service was performed, the King
disgorged himselfe, and what inwardly he had con-
ceived, and for a while conceived against the Lord
Iustice, he then in writing delivered, and removed
Maurice Fitz Girald out of his Iusticeship, and placed
in his roome, Iohn Fitz Ieffery de Morisco, the which
the Irish Chroniclers have suppressed, yet Florilegus
and Holinshed doe write, Mauritium Hiberniæ Iustiti-
arium eo quod ficte & tarde auxilium ab hibernia domi-
no Regi duxerat periclitanti a Iustitiaria Deposuit.
This Maurice departed out of this world, Anno
Dom. 1256, was buried saith Clyn in the habit of the
Fryers Minors at Yough-halle, the which Morice had
founded, of whom Mathew Paris saith thus; he was
a valiant Knight, a very pleasant man, inferiour to none
in Ireland, who sometime swayed the land when hee
had the sword of Iusticeship; this man lived with
commendations all the dayes of his life, but peradven-
ture falsly reported of, and stained in the end with the
death of Richard, Earle Marshall.
Anno 1247. after that Henry the third, and the
Clergie of England and Ireland found themselves
mightily grieved at the Popes exactions and intollera-
ble extortions in England, Wales, and Ireland, and
had signified the same in writing to the Court of Rome;
3 F
396
DCCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
whereupon saith Florilegus, the Court of Rome fretted
and sorrowed, that their avarice was as well reproved,
as restrained. Innocentius 4. devised in his conceit, a
milder course to be held, that in stead of a greater
summe, they should give him at that time out of those
dominions, to supply his wants, but eleven thousand
markes. Then saith Florilegus, Master Iohannes
Rusus was sent into Ireland, furnished with authority,
diligently to collect the Popes money, as a Legate,
yet not clad in scarlet, lest the Pope should offend the
King of England, who hath this priviledge, that no
Legate set foot on his land, unlesse hee be sent for, or
licenced; but the said Iohn being a sophisticall Legate,
vigilantly plying the papall mandate, and his owne
private gaine, extorted out of Ireland, about sixe thou-
sand markes; the which by the conduite of the Cler-
gie, was transported and conveied to London, about the
Feast of Saint Michaell the Archangell.
The same yeere, saith Florilegus, there was a mar-
veilouse and strange Earthquake over England; but
saith Felcon, over Ireland: And all the West of the
world, and there followed immediatly a continuall un-
temperature of the ayre, with a filthy skurfe; the
Winter stormy cold and wet, which continued untill
the 11. of Iuly, and put the Gardeners, Fruterers, and
Husbandmen void of all hope, in so much they com-
plained that Winter was turned to Summer, and Sum-
mer to Winter, and that they were like to lose all, and
bee undone.
OF IRELAND.
397
Anno 1252. saith Dowling and Grace, and the
English Anonimus, but Clyn and Florilegus write,
that it was 1254. King Henry gave to Prince Edward
his sonne, Gascoignie, Ireland, Wales, Bristow, Stan-
ford and Grantham, and sent him to Alphonsus King
of Spaine, to take Ellionor his sister to wife, where
hee was by the said King Knighted, and returned
together with his wife into England, with great riches.
Anno 1255. Alanus de la Zouch, was made Lord
Iustice; so I finde in the Booke of Houth, after his
departure out of Ireland, hee being a Lord Baron, and
chiefe Justice in England; Florilegus, Humfrey Loid
and Stow, doe write the Story how hee came to his
end; great strife rose in England, betweene certaine
of the Nobility, about territories lands and titles,
whereto each side made claime; the matters in contro-
versie, by direction from the King were decided in
Westminster Hall; the first Controversie was betweene
John Earle of Surrey and Warren, and Hugh de Lacy
Earle of Lincolne, which went upon Lacy his side.
The second was, betweene this Earle Warren and
Allan de la Zouch, this Zouch being Chiefe Iustice
asked Earle Warren, how he held his land, Earle
Warren drew foorth his sword and said, by this mine
Ancestors held the same, and by this I presently hold
it, and with that ranne the Chiefe Iustice through in
Westminster Hall, and in his flight wounded also his
sonne; thence hee fled to his Castle at Risgate, whome
Prince Edward the Kings eldest sonne pursued with
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
an Army; to whom the Earle submitted himselfe, and
afterwards with friends, and what with money paci-
fied all.
Anno 1256. in the warres of Lewelin Prince of
Wales, so I find in the records of Conway & Stratflur
Copied by Gettine Owen. Edward Earle of Chester,
fell to outrage one while against the King, another
while against the Welshmen; his Army was 1500. foot
and 500. horse. Henry the third together with Richard
Earle of Cornewall, and King of Almane wrote unto
him gently, wishing him to returne to his Country and
keepe the peace, and not to provoke the Welshmen to
Armes; the which he refused to doe, but sent to the
Irishmen for succour and supplies. Prince Edward
the Kings eldest sonne, understanding thereof, rigged
a Navy, met with the Irish fleet, killed their men and
sunck their ships, few onely remaining to returne, and
to make report of this hard successe in Ireland; In a
while after, the King raised warres against Lewellin
Prince of Wales, and the Welshmen (saith Paris,
Causa autem eorum etiam hostibus eorum justa vide-
batur,) and was brought to a narrow straight, so that
he sent to Ireland, and to Gascoigne for succour; the
Irishmen not forgetting their late overthrow, were
loath to come (being of all sides driven to serve) in
the end came, and joyned with their Kings forces,
where no memorable act was performed, for God, saithı
Paris, defended the poore people that put their whole
confidence in him.
OF IRELAND.
399
About this time, to wit, Anno 1256. Florished Io-
hannes De Sacro Bosco; Bale out of Leland, will
have him to be a Yorkeshire man, and terme him Iohn
Holyfaxe, Stanihurst writeth he was borne in Ireland
at Holy Wood, in Fingall, some 12. miles from Dub-
lin, and therefore called Iohannes De Sacro Bosco,
which carried great likly-hood with it, untill they are
reconciled (which side prevaileth, I waigh not greatly)
I thought good to insert him, for so much as his great
learning graced him unto the posterity: In his spring-
ing yeeres hee suckt the sweet milk of good learning,
in the famous Vniversity of Oxford; afterwards he
went to Paris, where he professed the learned Sciences,
with singular commendations, and there slumbreth in
the dust of the earth, whose exequies and funerals
were there with great lamentations solemnized: first,
hee followed Aristotle, afterwards gave himselfe to the
Mathematikes, and addicted himselfe so much thereto,
that none of the posterity (as is thought) could follow
him; hee wrote.
De Spæra Mundi-lib. 1. Tractatum de spæra, quatuor.
De Algorismo---lib. 1. Omnia quæ a primeva rerum orig.
De Anni Ratione-lib. 1. Computus scientiam considerans.
Breviarium Iuris--lib. 1. Verborum superficie penitus.
Vpon his Tombe together with the Mathematicall
Astrolabe, was insculped as followeth.
M. Christi bis. C. quarto deno quater anno,
De Sacro Bosco discrevit tempora ramus,
Gratia cui nomen dederat divina Iohannes.
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DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Anno 1258. Stepham Espee, alias De longa spatha,
that is Stepham with the long skeine or two handed
sword, Earle of Salibury, as I suppose, was made
Lord Iustice of Ireland; this Stepham gave battell
unto Oneile, and the rebels of Vlster and Conaght,
and slue of them together with Oneile (saith Clinne)
in one day, three hundred fifty and two, and departed
this life, saith Florilegus, 1260.
Anno 1260. William Denne was made Lord Iustice,
in whose time Greene Castle, Arx Viridis was des
troyed, and the Carties plaied the Divells in Desmond,
where they burned, spoiled, preyed, and slue many an
innocent; they became so strong, and prevailed so
mightily that for the space (so it is reported) of twelue
yeeres the Desmonds durst not put plow in ground in
his owne Country; at length through the operation of
Satan, a bane of discord was throwen betweene the
Carties and the Odriscoles: Odonovaies Mac Donoch,
Mac Mahonna, Mac Swines, and the inhabittants of
Muscrie, in so much that by their cruell dissention,
they weakened themselves of all sides, that the Des-
mond in the end overcame and overtopped them all;
but in the beginning of these garboils, I find that the
Carties slue of the Desmonds, Iohn Fitz Thomas
founder of the Monastery and Covent of Trally, toge-
ther with Maurice his sonne; eight Barons 15. Knights,
beside infinite others, at a place called Callan, where
they were buried. Mine Authors are Iohn Clinne
onely, and the Booke, of Houth. In the end of these
OF IRELAND.
401
tumults, dyed Sir William Denny Lord Iustice, Anno
1261. Richardus de Capella, otherwise called Rochell
(Clinne calleth him La Rochell de Capella) became
Lord Iustice of Ireland.
Anno 1262. There rose in Dublin a great stirre be-
tweene the Prior and Covent of the blessed Trinity
now called Christ-Church, and the Communalty of
the City, about the tithe fish of the Liffy.
Anno 1264. Walter Bourke, commonly called Wal-
terus de Burgo (spoken of before) was made Earle of
Vlster, hee had married the daughter and heire of Sir
Hugh Delacy the younger, and in her right enjoyed
the Earledome.
The Booke of Houth layeth downe the descent, that
this Walter by the said heire of Vlster had issue Wal-
ter, and hee had issue five daughters; 1. Ellen that
married Robert le Bruse King of Scotland; 2. Eliza-
beth, that married the Earle of Gloster; 3. Iohan, that
married Thomas Earle of Kildare; 4. Katherine, that
married the Earle of Louth; 5. Margaret, that married
the Earle of Desmond; the 6. Ellinor, that married
with the Lord Multon, notwithstanding these honour-
able matches and amity concluded in the outward sight
of the world there rose deadly warres between the
Giraldins and Burks, which wrought blood sheds,
troubles by partaking throughout the Realme of Ire-
land; at the same time the fury of the Giraldins was
402
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
so outrageous, in so much that Morice Fitz Maurice
the second, Earle of Desmond, opposed himselfe
against the sword, and tooke at Trisledermote now
called Castle Dermocke; Richard de Capella the Lord
Iustice, Theoball le Butler and Iohn or Millis de
Cogan, and committed them to the prisons in Leix and
Donamus; but the yeere following, Henry the third
not pleased with these commotions and hurly burlies,
by mature advice taken of his Councell, pacified the
variance betweene them; discharged Denny of his
Iusticeship, and appointed David Barry Lord Iustice
in his place.
Anno 1267. David Barry tooke, by the appoint-
ment of the King, the sword of Iusticeship and the
command of Ireland, and quelled or tamed (saith the
English Anonymos) the insolent dealing of Morice
Fitz Maurice, Cousin german to Girald.
The same yeere, saith (Iohn Clinne) the Fryers
Preachers, first of all settled themselves at Rosse in
Wexford, and the Minors at Kilkennie, and two yeeres
after at Clonemell.
Anno 1268. Conochur Obrian was slaine by Dermot
Mac Monard; and the same yeere (saith Felcon and
Clinne) Maurice Fitz Gerald Earle of Desmond, was
drowned crossing the seas between England and Ire-
land, leaving behind him a sonne and heire, of the age
of 3. yeeres and a halfe.
OF IRELAND.
403
The same yeere,
Robert Vfford became Lord Iustice
of Ireland, and began to build the Castle of Ros-
common.
Anno 1269. Richard de Excester was made Lord
Iustice, who dyed the same yeere, together with his
wife Margery de Say; the same yeere (saith Florile-
gus) Othobone the Popes Legat, held a Councell at
Paules in London, where he called before him the
Clergy of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, and
left among them certaine constitutions, which were
afterward, commended by Linwood, and are at this
day in request, the which constitutions of Otho and
Othobon, were afterwards confirmed by the Archbishop
of Canterbury in Ed. 1. raigne. Holinshed.
Anno 1270. The Lord Iames Audley was made
Lord Iustice of Ireland, and dyed with the fall of a
horse; in his time Florilegus and Holinshed note,
there was great commotion in Ireland, the Irish tooke
Armes against the English, burned, spoiled, destroied
and slue as well the Magistrates as others. Clinne
goeth more particularly to worke, and delivereth how
that the King of Conaght by force of Armes, in the
plaine field overthrew Walter Burke Earle of Vlster,
who hardly escaped with life, yet dyed the yeere follow-
ing, and slue a great number of Nobles, and Knights,
that held with the Burk, and among others, by espe-
ciall name the Lord Richard Verdon, and the Lord
3 G
404
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Iohn Verdon, and that there ensued over all Ireland
great famine and pestilence, as the sequell of warres.
About this time, say our Antiquaries, the Bishop of
Rome sent to Ireland, requiring the tithes of all spi-
rituall promotions for 3. yeeres to come to maintaine
his warres against the King of Aragon, the which was
greatly murmured at, and gainesaid, yet the Nuntio
went not empty away.
Anno 1272. the most renowned King Henry the
third, having lived 65. yeeres, and raigned 56. and 28.
dayes, ended his dayes, and was buried at Westminster.
Edward, the first of that name, sonne of King Henry
the third, surnamed Long-shankes, of the age of 35.
yeers, began his raigne, Anno 1272.
Anno 1272. and the first of Edward the first his
raigne, Maurice Fitz Maurice was made Lord Iustice,
in whose time the Irish brake out into cruell rebellion,
rased and destroyed the Castles of Aldleeke, Roscom-
mon, Scheligath and Randon; this Maurice, (saith
Clyn) not long after was betrayed by his owne fol-
lowers in Ophali, taken and imprisoned.
Anno 1273. the Lord Walter Genvill (who lately
returned home from the Holy Land) was sent into Ire-
land, and appointed Lord Iustice: in his time (so write
Dowlinge and Grace) the Scots and Red-shankes out
405
OF IRELAND.
of the high land crossed the seas, burned townes and
villages, most cruelly killed man, woman and childe,
tooke a great prey, and returned home afore the
country could make. preparation to pursue them: but
in a while after, to bee revenged of them, Vlster and
Connaught mustred a great Armie under the leading
of Richardus de Burgo, and Sir Eustace le Poer
knight, made after them, entred the Islands, and high
land of Scotland, slue as many as they could finde,
burned their Cabbans and Cottages, and such as dwelt
in caves and rockes under ground (as the manner is to
denne out Foxes) they fired and smothered to death,
covering their entrances into the ground with great and
huge stones, and so returned into Ireland.
Anno 1276. what time Thomas Clare came into
Ireland, and married the daughter of Maurice Fitz
Maurice. The Castle of Roscommon was taken by
the Irish, and a great overthrow given vnto the
English men at Glynburry (Glandelory, saith Clyn)
where William Fitz Roger, Prior of the Kings hos-
pitallers, and many others, were taken prisoners, and
a great number of others were slaine; at what time
also Ralph Pepard, and Otholand gave O Neale a
sore battaile.
Anno 1277. Walter Lord Genuill was sent for into
England, and Robert Vfford the second time tooke
the office of Iusticeship; at this time Muridath or
406
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
Murtagh, a notable rebell, was taken at the Noraght,
by Gualter de Fant, and executed: Thomas Clare
likewise in this rebellion, slue Obryan Roe, King of
Thomond, and yet after this, the Irish drew such a
draught, that they closed him up in Slew Banny, to-
gether with Maurice Fitz Maurice his father in law,
and all their forces, untill they gave hostages to escape
with their lives, upon condition to make satisfaction
for the death of O brian and his followers, and in the
meane while to yeeld them up the Castle of Roscom-
mon, although the conditions seemed hard & prejudi-
ciall to the Kings Maiesty, yet were they driven for
safeguard of their lives to condiscend thereunto. In
this rebellious season, to cleere himselfe, that in his
owne person he came not to daunt the enemy, Robert
Vfford the Lord Iustice was sent for into England,
who substituted in his roome, one Fryer Robert
Fulborne, Bishop of Waterford, who when he had
cleered himselfe, came and resigned his place of
Iusticeship.
Anno 1278. there rose civill warres, no better then
rebellion, betweene Mac Dermot de Moylargo, and
Cathgur O Conoghor, King of Connaught, where
there was great slaughter and bloud-shed on both
sides, and the King of Connaught slaine. Raphaell
Holinshed in his Irish collection thinketh that there
were slaine at that time, above two thousand persons.
The King of England hearing thereof, was mightily
A
OF IRELAND.
407
displeased with the Lord Iustice, and sent for him into
England, to yeeld reason why he would permit such
shamefull enormities under his governement. Robert
Vfford substituted Robert Fulborne, (as before) satis-
fied the King that all was not true that hee was charged
withall, and for further contentment, yeelded this
reason, that in policie he thought it expedient to winke
at one knave cutting off another, and that would save
the Kings Coffers, and purchase peace to the land;
whereat the King smiled, and bid him returne to
Ireland.
Anno 1279. (Stow is mine Author) King Edward
commanded groats of foure pence a
a piece, pence, halfe
pence, and farthings, to be coyned, and to be currant
through England and Ireland, not decrying the old;
whereupon saith he, these verses were made :
Edward did smite round penny, halfe penny, farthing,
The crosse passes the bond, of all throughout the ring :
The Kings side was his head, and his name written,
The crosse side, what Citie it was made in, coyned and smitten.
The poore manne to Priest, the penny frayses nothing,
Men give God aye the least, they feast him with a farthing:
A thousand two hundred, fourescore yeeres and moe,
On this money men wondred, when it first began to goe.
Anno 1280. the Citie of Waterford saith Clyn,
through some foule mischance was all set on fire; others
report that some Merchant stranger being wronged,
as they thought, by the Citizens, brought bagges of
*
408
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
powder out of their ships, and threw them in the
night season, in at their sellers windowes, and coales
of fire after them, and spoyled the City in that sort,
that it was long after ere they could recover them-
selves.
Anno 1281. Robert Fulborne Bishop of Waterford,
was by direction from the King, ordained Lord Iustice
of Ireland. This yeere there was a great rebellion in
Connaught, and in upper Ossory, and in Archloe,
which cost many mens lives, but the ringleaders were
cut off. Adam Cusack slue William Barret and his
brethren, which contended about lands. In Con-
naught, Hogken Mac Gill Patricke was cut off; in
Vppsory, Murtough Mac Muroch, with Art: his
brother, lost their heads at Wickloe, another saith at
Artchloe, so Clyn and Dowlinge doe report.
Anno 1283. (it is remembred by Clyn and others)
that a great part of Dublin was burned. Campanile
& Capitulum sanctæ Trinitatis, saith mine Author,
the belfrie or steeple and Chapter house of the blessed
Trinity, with the Dormiture and Cloyster. Others
write that certaine Scots to be revenged upon some
Citizens for wronging of them, set Skinner-Row a
fire, and by that meanes the fire ranne into Christ
Church, but the citizens of Dublin (therein greatly to
bee commended) before they went about to repaire
their owne private houses, agreed together to make a
OF IRELAND.
409
collection for repayring the ruine of that antient
Church.
Anno 1284. flourished Ieffery, or (as Clyn writeth)
Galfridus de sancto Leodegario, Bishop of Ossorie,
the second founder of the Cathedrall Church of Setus
Canicus, and the first founder of the Colledge of the
Vicars of the same Church, who gave unto the Col-
ledge and vickars of the same Church, for the main-
tenance of divine Service, his Manse and lodging,
with the edifices thereunto adjoyning, the rectory of
Kilkesh, and revenue de manubrinnio, one marke
sterling, of the Abbot of Duiske, for the land of Scom-
berlowaie with other revenues. The said Ieffery by
combate (the combatants I finde not recorded) anno
1284. recovered the Mannor of Sirekeran in Elly, now
Ocarolls country. Hee builded part of the Mannors
of Aghboo and Dorogh, he builded a great part of
the Church of Saint Canicus, formerly begunne by
Hugh Mapilton his Predecessor, hee exchanged the
towne Scomkarthie, for the towne of Killamerry, with
William Marshall the Earle of Penbroke, in his kinde
of devotion he injoyned the collegiat Vicars of Kil-
kenny to celebrate the universary and aniversary of the
reverend fathers his predecessors, Walter Barkeley,
Galfrid Turvill, Hugh Mapilton, and others, and his
successors and Canons in the said Church of Ossory.
He established other things for the good of the Bur-
gesses of Crosse..... in the Irish towne of Kilkenny,
410
DOCTOR HANMER'S CHRONICLE
ઓ જ
as in the foundation of the Burgesses there more at
large doth appeare: he dyed Anno 1286. and lyeth
buried before the Chappell of our Lady, in the Cathe-
drall Church.
Thus farre the Collections of Doctor Hanmer. the Continuation following
is taken out of the Chronicles of Henry Marleburrough.
Ancient Irish Histories.
THE
CHRONICLE
OF
IRELAND.
BY
HENRY MARLEBVRROVGH;
CONTINUED FROM THE COLLECTION OF
DOCTOR MEREDITH HANMER,
In the Yeare
1571.
Dublin:
Printed by the Society of Stationers,
M.DCXXXIII.
REPRINTED AT THE HIBERNIA PRESS,
FOR THE PROPRIETORS,
By John Morrisson.
1809.
HENRY MARLEBVRROVGH'S
CHRONICLE
OF
IRELAND.
ANNO 1285, the Lord Theobald Butler fled from
Dublin, and died shortly after; and the Lord Theobald
Verdon lost his men and horses, going towards Ophali,
and the next morning, Girald Fiz Maurice was taken
prisoner, and Iohn Samforde was consecrated Arch-
bishop of Dublin, and the Lord Ieffery Genuill
fled, and Sir Gerard Doget, and Ralph Petit were
slaine.
Anno 1287. deceased Richard Decetir, Girald Fitz
Maurice, Thomas de Clare, Richard Taff, and Ni-
cholas Telinge Knights.
Anno 1288. In England a bushell of Wheate was
at foure pence. And Fryer Stephen Fulburne Lord
Iustice of Ireland dyed. And Iohn Samford Arch-
bishop of Dublin was made Lord Iustice. And the
Lord Richard Burgh, Earle of Vlster, besieged
B
2
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
Theobald Verdon in the Castle of Aloan, and came to
Trymm with a great power by the working of Walter
Lacy.
Anno 1290. Was the chase or discomfiture of
Ophaly, and divers Englishmen were slaine. And
Mac Coghlan slue Omolaghlin. And William Bourgh
was discomfited at Delvin by Mac Coghlan. And
Gilbert Earle of Glocester, married the daughter of
King Iohn le Bayloll, King of Scotland. And Sir
William Vescy was made Iustice of Ireland :
Anno 1294. Deceased Iohn de Samford, Arch-
bishop of Dublin, and Iohn Fitz Thomas, and Iohn
de la Mare took prisoners, Richard Bourgh Earle
of Vlster, and William Bourgh in Meath. And the
Castle of Kildare was taken, and by the English and
Irish, the whole countrie was wasted. And Calwagh
burnt all the rolles and tallyes of that countie. And
Richard was delivered out of the Castle of Leye for his
two sonnes. And Iohn Fitz Thomas with a great
armie, came into Meath.
Anno 1295. William Dodinsell Lord Iustice of
Ireland dyed, and the Lord Thomas Fitz Maurice was
made Lord Iustice.
Anno 1296. Fryer William de Hothum was conse-
crated Archbishop of Dublin.
OF IRELAND.
3
Anno 1298. The Lord Thomas Fitz Maurice dyed,
and an agreement was made betwixt the Earle of Vl-
ster, and the Lord Iohn Fitz Thomas: and Sir John
Wogan was made Lord Iustice of Ireland.
Anno 1299. William, Archbishop of Dublin dyed:
and Richard de Feringes was consecrated Archbishop
of Dublin.
Anno 1302. The King of England (Edward the
first) went into Scotland, and there Sir Iohn Wogan,
Lord Iustice of Ireland, and the Lord Iohn Fitz Tho-
mas with many others met with him.
Anno 1305. King Edward made the inquisitions of
Treylbaston. The same yeere Iordan Comin slue Con-
thir de Ophaly: and Calwagh his brother was slaine
in the court of Piers de Birmingham at Carricke: and
Balimor was burnt:
Anno 1306. Edward the second succeeded his father
being dead, in the kingdome. In the beginning of
his raigne, he called back from beyond the seas, Peirs
de Gaveston, whose company in the presence of his
father he abjured and being wholly taken up with
him, he neglected Isabell his Queene, and his Nobles;
for which cause the Nobles being offended, they ba-
nished the said Peirs into Ireland, where also the
Kings treasure that was sent over thither, was wan-
tonly consumed. Then Peirs was called back againe,
4 HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
}
but in regard the Kings treasure was spent as aforesaid,
the Nobles make an insurrection, and put away Peirs
from the King.
Anno 1308. And in the second of King Edward
the second, Peirs de Gaveston, by the Lords of Eng-
land, but contrary to the Kings minde, was banished
into Ireland, about the nativitie of our Lady: but the
next yeere hee was called backe againe, and the King
met him at Chester.
Anno 1309. The Lord Jeffery Genvill became a
Fryer at Trym, of the order of the Preachers: and the
Lord Peirs de Birmingham dyed.
Anno 1311. Was the consecration of Iohn Leeke,
Archbishop of Dublin: and Richard Bourgh Earle of
Vlster, with a great armie went to Bourath in Tho-
mound, and there he was taken prisoner by Sir Robert
de Clare, and Iohn Fitz Walter, Lacy, and many
others were slaine: and there dyed Sir Walter la
Faint, and Sir Eustace Power. And the next yeere,
Maurice Fitz Thomas, and Thomas Fitz Iohn, married
two daughters of the Earle of Vlster. And Saint
Fingay was translated; and William de Lowndres
the first, and Iohn the son of Sir Richard Bourgh
Knight deceased, and the Lord Edmund Butler made
30. Knights.
Anno 1313. Died Iohn Leek, Archbishop of Dublin,
OF IRELAND.
5
$
and Theobald Vernon came over Lord Iustice of Ireland,
and Willam de Montency and Richard Loundries died.
Anno 1315. The Lord Edward Bruse brother of
the King of Scots, entred the north part of Vlster
with a great Army, upon Saint Augustines day, in the
month of May; and afterward hee burned Dundalke,
and a great part of Vrgile: and the church of Athirde,
was burned by the Irish: and in the warre of Comeram
in Vlster, Richard Earle of Vlster was put to flight :
and Sir William Bourgh, and Sir Iohn Mandevill, and
Sir Alan Fitz Warren were taken prisoners, and the
Castle of Norburgh was taken. Moreover at Kenlis
in Meath, the Lord Roger Mortimer in the warre to-
gether with the said Edward were put to flight, and
many of the men men of the said Roger were slaine and
taken prisoners, and he burnt the Towne: and after
this he went as farre as Finnagh and the Skerries in
Leinster; and there incountred him Edmund Butler
Lord Iustice of Ireland, the Lord Iohn Fitz Thomas,
afterward Earle of Kildare, and the Lord Arnold
Power; and every one of them had a great army to
war against him: and upon the sodaine there arose a
dissention amongst them, and so they left the field;
and this dissention hapned upon the 26. day of Ia-
nuary; after this hee burnt the Castle of Leye, and
afterward hee returned into Vister, and besieged the
Castle of Knockfergus, and slue Thomas Mandevill
and John his brother at Downe, comming out of Eng-
land; and then returned into Scotland
C
6
HENRY MARleburrough'S CHRONICLE
Anno 1316. Edward Bruse before Easter, came into
Ireland with the Earle of Murry and other armies, and
besieged the Castle of Knockfergus; afterward they
went to Castle Knock, and there tooke the Baron pri-
soner, and Edward Bruse lay there: and Richard
Earle of Vlster lay in Saint Maries Abbey neere Dublin.
Then the Major and the Commonalty of the City of
Dublin, tooke the Earle of Vlster prisoner, and put
him in the Castle of Dublin and slew his men and
spoiled the Abbey. Then the said Bruse went as far
as Lymmerick after the feast of Saint Matthew the
Apostle, and staied there until after Easter; and in the
meane time Roger Mortimer the Kings Lievtenant,
landed at Waterford with a great Army, and for feare
of him, Edward Bruse made haste to goe into the
parts of Vister, and Iohn Fitz Thomas was created
Earle of Kildare: also Oconthir of Conaght and many
other of the Irish of Conaght and Meath were slaine,
neere Athenry by the English there: also there was a
great slaughter made by Edmond Butler, neere Tes-
tilldermot upon the Irish: and another slaughter by
the same Edmund upon Omorthe at Balitcham.
Anno. 1317. The Lievtenant delivered the Earle of
Vister out of the Castle of Dublin, and after Whit-
suntide, hee banished out of Meath Sir Walter and
Sir Hugh de Lacy, and gave their lands unto his soul-
diers, and they together with Edward Bruse went back
into Scotland: and Alexander Bignor was consecrated
Archbishop of Dublin.
OF IRELAND.
T
Anno 1318. The Lord Roger Mortimer went againe
into England, and Alexander Bignor was made Lord
Iustice, and Edward Bruse and the said Walter and
Hugh de Lacy with a great Army, landed at Dundalke
upon Saint Calixtus the Popes day; and there the Lord
John Brimingham, Richard Tute and Miles Verdon,
with one thousand three hundred twenty foure men
incountred them, and slew the said Edward Bruse,
with eight thousand two hundred seventie foure of his
men; and the said Iohn Birmingham did cary the
head of the said Edward into England, and gave it to
King Edward, and the King gave unto the said Iohn
and his heires males, the Earledome of Lowth, and the
Barony of Athirdee to him and his heires; also Sir
Richard de Clare, with foure Knights and many others,
were slaine in Thomond.
Anno 1319. The said Lord Roger Mortimer came
over againe Lord Iustice of Ireland. And the Towne
of Athessell and Plebs, were burned by the Lord Iohn
Fitz Thomas, brother to the Lord Maurice Fitz
Thomas. And the Bridge of Kilcolin was built by
Maurice Iakis.
Anno 1320. The Lord Iohn Fitz Iohn, Earle of
Kildare, was made Lord Iustice. And the bridge of
Leiglin was built by Maurice Iakis.
Anno 1321. There was a very great slaughter made
of the Oconhurs at Balibagan, by the English of Lein-
}
8
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
ster and Meath. And the said Earle of Lowth was
made Lord Iustice.
Anno 1322. Died the Lord Richard Birmingham,
Lord of Athenry, the Lord Edmund Butler, and the
Lord Thomas Persivall. Moreover the Lord Andrew
Birmingham, and Sir Richard de la Londe, were slaine
by Onolan.
Anno 1323. Iohn Darcy came over Lord Iustice of
Ireland.
Anno 1325. Deceased Nicholas Fitz Simon
Gonvill.
Anno 1326. The Lord Richard Burgh Earle of
Vlster died: Edward the third, sonne to Edward the
second, after the Conquest, at the age of fifteene
of fifteene yeeres,
in his fathers life time; upon Candlemas day was crowned
King at Westminster. In the beginning of whose
raigne there was great likelyhood of good successe to
follow: For then also the Earth received fruitfulnesse,
the Ayre temperature and, Sea calmenesse.
Anno 1327. Donald sonne to Art, Mac Morch, and
Sir Henry Traharne were taken prisoners.
Anno 1328. Deceased the Lord Thomas Fitz Iohn
Earle of Kildare, and the Lord Arnold Power, and
William Earle of Vlster came into Ireland.
OF IRELAND.
9
Anno 1329. Iohn Brimingham Earle of Lowth,
and Peter his brother with many other, were slaine on
Whitsun, even at Balibragan by the men of the Coun-
try: Also the Lord Thomas Butler, and divers other
Noble men were slaine by Macgohegan and other
Irishmen, neere Molingar.
Anno 1330. There died Sir Richard Deicetir: Also
the Earle of Vlster went with a great Army into Moun-
ster upon
Obren: Also the Prior of the Hospitall, then
Lord Iustice, put the Lord Maurice Fitz Thomas
Earle of Desmond, into the custody of the Marshall,
out of the which hee freely escaped. And Sir Hugh
de Lacy returned into Ireland, and obteined
the King.
peace
of
Anno 1331. The Earle of Vlster went into England,
and great slaugher was made upon the Irish in Okenslie;
also the Castle of Arclow was taken by the Irish, and
great slaughter made of the English ni the Cowlagh
by Otothell, where Sir Philip Bryt and many others
were slaine; and the Lord Anthony Lacy came over
Lord Iustice of Ireland, and great slaugter was made
of the Irish at Thurles, by the men of the Country,
and at Finnath in Meath; there were many
there were many of them
slaine by the English: also the Castle of Fernis was
taken and burned by the Irish: also Maurice Fit
Thomas Earle of Desmond was apprehended at Lime-
rick by the Lord Iustice, upon the day of the Assump-
tion, and sent unto the Castle of Dublin. Moreover,
10
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
the Lord lustice tooke Sir William Birmingham and
Walter his sonne at Clomell by a wile, whilest hee was
sick in his bed, and sent them likewise unto the Castle
of Dublin on the 19. day of Aprill.
Anno 1332. Sir William Birmingham was hanged
at Dublin, but Walter his sonne was delivered, by
reason hee was within orders. Also the Castle of
Clonmore was taken by the English, and the Castle
of Bonrath was destroyed by the Irish of Thomond :
also Henry Mandevill was sent prisoner to Dublin;
likewise Walter Burgh with two of his brethren were
taken in Conaght, by the Earle of Vlster, and sent to
the Castle of Norburgh: also the said Lord Iustice was
deposed by the King, and went into England with his
wife and children; and Iohn Darcy was made Lord
Iustice, and great slaughter was made upon Bren
Obren and Mac Carthy in Munster, by the English of
that Country.
Anno 1333. The Earle of Desmond by the Parlia-
ment held at Dublin, was sent over into England unto
the King; and VVilliam Earle of Vlster, in going to--
ward Knockfergus, upon the seventh day of Iune was
treacherously slaine, neere to the foords in Vlster by
his owne people; but his wife with his daughter and
heire, escaped into England; which daughter was mar-
ried unto the Lord Lionell, the Kings sonne, and af-
terward died at Dublin; and had a daughter and heire,
which was afterward married unte Roger Mortimer,
11
OF IRELAND.
Earle of March, and Lord of Trim: And to revenge
the death of the said Earle, the Lord Iustice of Ireland
with a great Army, went into Vlster. But before that
hee came thither, the men of that Country had done
the revenge: and the Lord Iustice with his Army, went
into Scotland to the King of England; because at that
time hee was there in warre; and hee left the Lord
Thomas Burgh his Lievtenant in Ireland: also on
Saint Margarets Eve, great slaughter was made in
Scotland by the Irish; and so what by the King in one
part, and the Lord Iustice in another, Scotland was
Conquered, and Edward Balioll was established King
of Scotland; and Iohn Darcy came back Lord Iustice
of Ireland, and delivered VValter Birmingham out of
the Castle of Dublin.
Anno 1336. On Saint Laurence day, the Irish of
Conaght were discomfited and put to flight by the
English of the Country there, and there were slaine
tenne thousand and one Englishman.
Anno 1342. And in the sixteenth of King Edward
the 3. Pope Benedict deceased; Clement the sixth
succeeded, a man truly of great learning, but exceed-
ing prodigall, so that hee would bestow upon his Car-
dinals Church livings in England when they were va-
cant, and would goe about to impose new titles for
them. For which cause the King of England about
the
yeere 1344. disannulled the provisions so made by
12
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
}
the Pope, interdicting upon paine of imprisonment, and
death, that none should bring any of them.
Anno 1348. There was great mortality in all places,
especially in and about the Court of Rome, Avinion,
and about the sea coastes of England and Ireland.
Anno 1349. Deceased Alexander Bignor, upon the
foureteenth day of July, and the same yeere was Iohn
de Saint Paul consecrated Archbishop of Dublin.
Anno 1355. Died Maurice Fitz Thomas, Earle of
Desmond, L: Iustice of Ireland.
Anno 1536. Deceased the Lord Thomas de Rokes-
bie, L. Iustice of Ireland.
Anno 1357. Began great variance betwixt Master
Richard Fitz Ralphe Primat of Ardmagh, and the
foure Orders of begging Fryers.
Anno 1360. Deceaded Richard Archbishop of Ard-
magh, upon the seventeenth day of the Kalends of
December in the Popes Court, and Richard Kilminton
dyed in England, therefore the controversie ceased
betwixt the Clergie and the orders of begging
Fryers.
Anno 1361: and in the thirty fourth yeere of K.
OF IRELAND.
13
Edward the third, about Easter, began a great mor-
talitie of men, consuming many men, but few women,
in England and Ireland. Also the same yeere, the
Lord Lionell, Sonne to King Edward the third,
Duke of Clarence, came over the Kings lievetenant
into Ireland.
Anno 1362. deceased Iohn de Saint Paule, Arch-
bishop of Dublin, on the fift day before the Ides of
September.
Anno 1363: Thomas Minot was consecrated Arch-
bishop of Dublin.
Anno 1369. the Lord William Windsor came over
the Kings Lievtenant in Ireland.
Anno 1370. there was a third great Pestilence in
Ireland. And the Lord Gerald Fitz Maurice, Earle
of Desmond, and the Lord Iohn Fitz Richard, and
the Lord Iohn Fitz Iohn, and many other Noble men,
were taken prisoners, and many others were slaine
by Obren and Maccoinnard of Thomond, in the
moneth of July.
Anno 1372. Sir Robert Asheton came over Lord
Iustice of Ireland.
Anno 1373. there was great warre betwixt the
D
14
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
English of Meth, and Offerclle; in which warre, many
upon both sides were slaine,
Anno 1375. Thomas, Archbishop of Dublin departed
this life, and the same yeere was Richard de Wikeford
consecrated Archbishop there.
Anno 1381, Edmund Mortimer the Kings Lieve-
tenant in Ireland, Earle of March and Vlster, dyet at
Corke.
Anno 1383. the fourth great pestilence was in
Ireland.
Anno 1385. Dublin Bridge fell.
Anno 1387. about Martilmas, the Peeres of Eng-
land rose against those that were of the side of Richard
the second: but Robert Veer, Duke of Ireland, came
over to Chester, and got together many men, and put
them in array to march backe toward the King: whom
the said Peeres met at Rotcotebridge, and slue Thomas
Molleners, and spoyled the rest: neverthelesse, the
Duke of Ireland escaped. But in the same yeere on
the morrow after Candlemas day, a Parliament beganne
at London : in which were adjudged the Archbishop of
Yorke, the Duke of Ireland, the Earle of Suffolke, &c.
Anno 1388. foure Lord Iustices of England, were
OF IRELAND.
15
banished into Ireland, by a decree of the Parliament:
and it was not lawfull for them either to makes lawes,
or to give counsell, upon paine of the sentence of death.
Anno 1390. Robert de Wikeford Archbishop of
Dublin, departed this life, and the same yeere was
Robert Waldebie translated unto the Archbishopricke
of Dublin, being an Augustine Fryer.
Anno 1394. and in the seaventeenth yeere of King
Richard the second, died Anne, Queene of England:
and the same yeere about Michaelmas, the King crossed
the seas over into Ireland, and landed at Waterford the
second day of the moneth of October, and went back
about Shrovetide.
Anno 1397. Fryer Richard de Northalis, of the
order of the Carmelites, was translated to the Arch-
bishopricke of Dublin and died the same yeere. Also the
same yeere, Thomas de Craulie, was consecrated Arch-
bishop of Dublin. And Sir Thomas Burgh, and Sir
Walter Birmingham slue sixe hundred Irish men with
their Captaine Macdowne. Moreover, Edmund Earle of
March, Lord lievetenant of Ireland, with the aide of the
Earle of Ormond, wasted Obren's country, and at the
winning of his chiefe house, hee made seaven Knights,
to wit, Sir Christopher Preston, Sir John Bedlow, Sir
Edmund Loundres, Sir Iohn Loundres, Sir William
Nugent, Walter de la Hide, and Robert Cadell.
16
HENRY MARLZBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
1
Anno 1398. and in the two and twentieth of King
Richard the second, on Ascention day, the Tothillis
slue forty English men. Among whom these were
accounted as principall, Iohn Fitz Williams, Thomas
Talbot, and Thomas Comyn. The same yeere upon
Saint Margarets day, Edmund, Earle of March, the
Kings lievetenant, was slaine, with divers other by
Obren, and other Irishmen of Leinster, at Kenlis in
Leinster. Then was Roger Greye elected Lord Iustice
of Ireland. The same yeere on the feast day of Saint
Marke, the Pope and Confessor came to Dublin,
the noble Duke of Surrey, the Kings lievetenant in
Ireland, and with him came Thomas Crauly, Arch-
bishop of Dublin.
Anno 1399. and of King Richard the three and
twentieth, on Sunday being the morrow after Saint
Petronilla the Virgins day, the illustrious King
Richard landed at Waterford with two hundred
shippes: and the Friday after, at Ford in Kenlis, in the
Countie of Kildare, there were slaine, two hundred
Irish men by Ienicho and other English men, and the
morrow after, the Citizens of Dublin brake into Obrens
country, slue three and thirty of the Irish, and tooke
fourescore men, women, and children. The same
veere King Richard came to Dublin
upon the fourth
Kalends of Iuly, where hee was advertized of the com-
ming of Henry, Duke of Lancaster into England;
whereupon he also speedily went over into England :
OF IRELAND.
17
J
1
and a little while after, the same King was taken pri-
soner by the said Henry, and brought to London, and
there a Parliament was holden the morrow after Mi-
chaelmas day, in which King Richard was deposed
from his kingdome, and the said Henry, Duke of
Lancaster, was crowned King of England, on the feast
day of Saint Edward the Confessor.
Anno 1400. and in the first yeere of the raigne of
King Henry the fourth, at Whitsontide, the Constable
of Dublin Castle, and divers others at Stranford in
Vlster, fought at Sea with the Scots, where many En-
glishmen were slaine and drowned. The same yeere
on the feast of the Assumption of the blessed Virgin
Mary, King Henry, with a great army, entred Scot-
land, and there he was advertized that Owen Glendor,
with the Welsh men, had taken armes against him:
for which cause he hastened his iourney into Wales.
Anno 1401. in the second yeere of King Henry the
fourth, Sir John Stanley the kings Lievetenant, in the
moneth of May, went over into England, leaving in his
roome Sir William Stanley. The same yeere on Bar-
tholomew Eeven, arrived in Ireland, Stephen Scroope,
Lievetenant unto the Lord Thomas of Lancaster, the
kings Lievetenant of Ireland. The same yeere on
Saint Brices day, the Lord Thomas of Lancaster, the
kings Sonne, and Lord Lievetenant of Ireland, arrived
at Dublin.
18
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
1
Anno 1402. on the fift Ides of Iuly, was the dedí-
cation of the Church of the Fryers Preachers in Dub-
lin, by the Archbishop of Dublin. And the same day
the Maior of Dublin, namely, Iohn Drake, with the
citizens and townesmen, neere to Bre, slue of the Irish,
foure hundred ninety three, being all men of warre.
The same yeere in September a Parliament was held at
Dublin; during the which, in Vrgile, Sir Bartholomew
Verdon, knight, Iames White, Stephen Gernond, and
their complies, slue Iohn Dowdall Sheriffe of Lowth.
Anno 1403. in the fourth yeere of King Henry, in
the moneth of May, Sir Valter Betterley, Steward of
Vlster, a right valiant knight, was slaine, and to the
number of thirty other with him. The same yeere on
Saint Maudlins Eeven, neere unto Shrewesbury, a bat-
tell was fought betweene king Henry, and Henry
Percy, and Thomas Percy then Earle of Worcester;
which Percyes were slaine, and on both sides there were
sixe thousand and more slaine in the battaile.
same yeere about Martlemas, the Lord Thomas of Lan-
caster, the kings Sonne, went over into England,
leaving Stephen Scroope his Deputy there: who also
in the beginning of Lent, sayled over into England,
and then the Lords of the land chose the Earle of Or-
mond to be Lord Iustice of Ireland.
The
Anno 1404. in the fift yeere of king Henry, Iohn
Colton, Archbishop of Armagh, departed this life upon
19
*
OF IRELAND.
the fift of May, unto whom Nicholas Flemming suc-
ceeded. The same yeere on the day of Saint Vitall
the Martyr, the Parliament began at Dublin, before
the Earle of Ormond, then Lord Iustice of Ireland,
where the Statutes of Kilkenny and Dublin were con-
firmed, and likewise the Charter of Ireland. The same
yeere Patricke Savage was treacherously slaine in Vl-
ster, by Mac Kilmori, and his brother Richard was
given for a pledge, who was murthered in the prison,
after hee had paid two thousand markes. The same
yeere upon Martilmas day, deceased Nicholas Houth,
Lord of Houth, a man of singular honesty.
Anno 1405. in the sixt yeere of King Henry, in the
moneth of May, three Scottish Barkes were taken, two
at Greenecastle, and one at Dalkay, with Captaine
Thomas Macgolagh. The same yeere the Merchants
of Droghedah entred Scotland, and tooke pledges and
preyes. The same yeere on the Eeven of the feast day
of the seaven brethren, Oghgard was burnt by the Irish.
The same yeere in the moneth of Iune, Stephen Scroope
crossed the seas over into England, leaving the Earle
of Ormond, Lord Iustice of Ireland. The same yeere
in the moneth of Iune, they of Dublin entred Scotland
at Saint Ninian, and valiantly behaved themselves:
and afterward they entred Wales, and there did much
hurt to the Welch men, and brought away the shrine
of Saint Cubius, and placed it in the Church of the
holy Trinitie in Dublin. The same yeere on the Eeven
of the feast of the blessed Virgin, Iames Butler, Earle
20
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
F
of Ormond, dyed at Raligauran, (whose death was
much lamented) whilest hee was Lord Iustice of Ire-
land, unto whom succeeded Girald, Earle of Kildare.
Anno 1406. in the seaventh yeere of King Henry,
on Corpus Christi day, the citizens of Dublin, with the
country people about them, manfully vanquished the
Irish enemies, and slue divers of them, and tooke two
Ensignes, bringing with them to Dublin, the heads of
those whom they had slaine. The same yeere the Prior
of Conall, in the Plaine of Kildare, fought valiantly,
and vanquished two hundred of the Irish that were well
armed, slaying some of them, and chasing others; and
the Pryor had not with him, but twenty Englishmen :
and thus God assisteth those that put their trust in him.
The same yeere after Michaelmas, came into Ireland,
Scroope, Deputie Iustice to the Lord Thomas of Lan-
caster, the Kings Sonne, Lord Lievetenant of Ireland.
The same yeere dyed Innocent the seaventh, to whom
succeeded Gregorie in the Popedome. The same yeere
a Parliament was holden at Dublin, on the feast of
Saint Hillary, which in Lent after was ended at Trym,
and Meiler Bermingham slue Cathole O Conghir, in
the end of Frebruary; and there dyed Sir Ieffery Vaulx,
a Noble Knight in the Countie of Carlogh.
Anno 1407. a certaine most false fellow, an Irish
man, named Mac Adam Mac Gilmori, that had caused
forty Churches to be destroyed, who was never bap-
tized, and therefore hee was called Corbi; tooke pri-
A
A
OF IRELAND.
བ་
21
soner Patricke Savage, and received for his ransome,
two thousand markes, and afterwards slue him, toge-
ther with his Brother Richard.
The same yeere, in the feast of the exaltation of the
holy Crosse, Stephen Scroope, Deputy to the Lord
Thomas of Lancaster, the Kings Sonne, Lord Lievte-
nant of Ireland, with the Earles of Ormond and Des-
mond, and the Prior of Kilmainan and divers other
Captaines, and men of warre of Meath, set from Dub-
lin, and invaded the land of Mac Murch, where the
Irish had the better part of the field for the former part
of the day, but afterwards they were valiantly rescued
by the said Captaines, so that Onolad with his sonne
and divers others, were taken prisoners. But then and
there being advertised that the Burkens and O keroll,
in the County of Kilkenny, had for the space of two
dayes together done mischiefe, they rode with all speed
unto the Towne of Callan, and there encountring with
the adversaries, manfully put them to flight, slue
Okeroll and eight hundred others; and it was averred
by many, that the Sunne stoodstill for a space that
day, till the Englishmen had ridden 6. miles, which
was much to be wondred at.
The same yeere, Stephen Scrope went over into
England, and Iames Butler Earle of Ormond, was
elected by the Country L. I. of Ireland.
{
The same yeere, in England neere unto Yorke, was
E
7
22
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
slaine Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland, and the
Lord Bardolf, and the Bishop of Bangor, were taken
prisoners.
Anno 1408. The said Lord Iustice held a Parlia-
ment at Dublin, in which the Statutes of Kilkenny and
Dublin were established, and the Charter granted under
the great Seale of England against Purveiors.
The same yeere, the morrow after Lammas day, the
Lord Thomas of Lancaster the Kings sonne, Lord
Lievtenant of Ireland, landed at Carlingford, and in
the weeke following, he came unto Dublin and arrested
the Earle of Kildare, comming to him with three of
his familie; hee lost all his goods, being spoiled and
rifled by the Lord Lievtenant his servants, and himselfe
kept still in the Castle of Dublin, till he had paid three
hundred markes fine.
The same yeere on the day of Saint Marcell the
Martyr, the L. Stephen Scrope died at Tristleder-
mot.
The same yeere, the said L. Thomas of Lancaster, at
Kilmainan was wounded, and hardly escaped death;
and after caused summons to be given by Proclama-
tion, that all such as ought by their tenures to serve
the King, should assemble at Rosse: and after the
Feast of Saint Hillary, he held a Parliament at Kil-
kenny, for a tallage to be granted; and after the 13. of
OF IRELAND.
23
March he went over into England, leaving the Prior
of Kilmainan his Deputy in Ireland.
This yeere, Hugh Mac Gilmore was slaine in Crag-
fergus within the Church of the Fryers Minors, which
Church hee had before destroyed, and broken downe
the Glasse-windowes, to have the Iron barres, through
which his enemies the Savages entred
entred upon him.
Anno 1409. Of King Henry the fourth in Iune,
Ianico de Artois, with the Englishmen slue fourescore
of the Irish in Vlster.
The same yeere, on the day of Saint John and Paul,
Alexander the fifth of the Order of Fryers Minors was
consecrated Pope, and Pope Gregory and Antipope
Clemens were condemned for heretickes: and by these
meanes unity was made in the Church.
The same yeere a heretick or Lollard of London was
burned, becsuse he did not beleeve in the sacrament of
the altar.
Anno 1410. Pope Alexander died on the day of the
Apostles Philippe and Iacob, at Bononia; to whom
succeeded Iohn the XXIII.
Anno 1411. On Thursday before Septuagesima,
marriage was celebrated betwixt William Preston and
the daughter of Edward Paris; and on Saint Valen-
1
1
24
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
tines even and day, marriages were celebrated between
Iohn Wogan and the daughter of Christopher Preston
and Walter de la Hide, and the second daughter of
the same Christopher, with a great deale of charges.
Anno 1412. About the feast of Tiburtius and Va-
lerianus, Oconthird did much mischiefe in Meath, and
tooke a hundred and three score Englishmen.
The same yeere Odoles a Knight and Thomas Fitz
Maurice Sherife of Limerick slue each other.
The same yeere, on the nineth Kalends of Iune,
there died Robert Mountaine Bishop of Meath, to
whom succeeded Edward Dandisey sometimes Arch-
deacon of Cornward.
The same yeere in Harvest, the Lord Thomas of
Lancester Duke of Clarence, went over into France,
and with him went the Duke of Yorke, the Earle of
Ormond and Green-Cornwall with many others.
The same yeere, on Saint Cutberts day, King Henry
the fourth departed this life. To whom succeeded
Henry the fifth his eldest sonne.
Anno 1413. On the fifth Ides of Aprill, namely, the
first Sunday of the Passion of our Lord, A. being the
Dominicall letter, Henry the fifth, was crowned King
of England at Westminster.
1
25
OF IRELAND.
The same yeere, on the first of October, there landed
în Ireland at Clontarf, Iohn Stanley the Kings Liev-
tenant in Ireland; he departed this life the 18. of
Ianuary.
The same yeere, after the death of Iohn Stanly Liev-
tenant, Thomas Crawly Archbishop of Dublin, was
chosen Lord Iustice of Ireland, on the 11. Kalends of
February; the morrow after Saint Mathias day, a Par-
liament began at Dublin, and continued for the space
of 15. daies. In which time the Irish burned all that
stood in their way, as their usuall custome was in times
of other Parliaments: whereupon a tallage was de-
maunded but not granted.
Anno 1414. The English slue of the Irish of the
Omordris and Odemsis, neer to Kilka, Thomas Crawly
Archbishop of Dublin, then Lord Iustice of Ireland,
in Tristledermot, praying in Procession with his
Clergy, and his men, with the helpe of those of the
Country, slue one hundred of the Irish enemies. In
the feast of Saint Gordian and Epimachus, the English
of Meath were discomfited, and there Thomas Man-
revard Baron of Skrine was slaine, and Christopher
Flemnig and Iohn Dardis taken prisoners, and many
others were slaine by Oconthir and the Irish. On
Saint Martins Eve, Sir Iohn Talbot, Lord Furnivall,
the Kings Lievtenant in Ireland landed at Dalkey.
Anno 1415: In the moneth of November a right
ነ
26
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICE
noble man that walled the suburbs of Kilkenny de-
parted this life; and after Hallontide Fryer Patricke
Baret Bishop of Fernes a Canon of Kenlis dyed, and
was buried there.
Anno 1416. On the feast day of Saint Gervasius and
Prothasius the Lord Furnivall Lord Iustice of Ireland,
had a sonne borne at Finglasse; about this time Ste-
phen Flemming Archbishop of Armagh, a venerable
man died, after whom succeeded Iohn Suaing: And
the same time dyed the Lord and Fryer Adam Leins,
of the Order of the Preaching Fryers, Bishop of Ard-
magh. On the day of Saint Laurence the Martyr,
the Lord Furnivals sonne Thomas Talbot, that was
borne at Finglasse departed this life, and was buried
in the Quire of the Fryers Preachers Church in Dub-
lin. About the same time the Irish fell
upon the
Englishmen and slue many of them, among whom
Thomas Balimore of Baliquelan was one The Par-
liament which the last yeere had beene called and
holden at Dublin; was this yeere removed to Trim,
and there began the 11. of May, where it continued
for the space of 11. dayes, in the which was granted
unto the L. L. a subsidy of foure hundred markes.
Anno 1417 Vpon May Eve Thomas Granly Arch-
bishop of Dublin, went over into England, and de-
ceased at Faringdon, but his body was buried in the
New Colledge at Oxford. This man is greatly praised
for his liberality, he was a good almes-man, a great
OF IRELAND.
27
}
Clerk, a Doctor of Divinity, an excellent Preacher, a
great builder, beautifull, courteous, of a sanguine com-
plexion, and of a tall stature, insomuch as in his time
it might be said unto him; Thou art fairer then the
sons of men, grace and eloquence proceeded from thy
lips: He was 80.
yeeres of age when he died, and had
governed the Church of Dublin almost 20. yeeres in
great quiet.
Anno 1418. The Annunciation of our Lady was in
Easter weeke, and shortly after, the Lord Deputy
spoiled the tenants of Henry Crus and Henry Bethat;
also at Slane upon the feast day of S. Iohn and S. Paul,
the Earle of Kildare, Sir Christopher Preston, and Sir
John Bedlow were arrested and committed to ward,
within the Castle of Trim, because they sought to
commune with the Prior of Kilmaynan. Vpon the
29. of Iune, Mathew Husseil Baron of Galtrim de-
ceased, and was buried in the Covent of the Fryers
Preachers of Trim.
Anno 1419. upon
the eleventh of May, dayed Ed-
mund Brel sometime Major of Dublin, and was buried
at the Fryers Preachers of the same City. A Royall
Councell was holden at the Naas, where were granted
unto the Lord Lieytenant 300. markes. At the same
time died Sir Iohn Loundres Knight.
The same yeere upon Cene thursday, Othoill tooke
28
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
fowre hundred Cowes belonging unto Balimore,
breaking the peace, contrary to his oath. The fourth
Ides of May, Mac Morthe, chiefe Captaine of his
Nation, and of all the Irish in Leinster, was taken
prisoner. And the same day, was Sir Hugh Cokesey
made Knight The last of May, the Lord Lievtenant
and the Archbishop of Dublin, with the Major, rased
the Castle of Kenini. The morrow after the feast of
Processus and Martinianus, the Lord William de
Bugh and other Euglishmen, slue five hundred of the
Irish, and tooke Okelly. On the feast day of Mary
Magdalen, the Lord Lievtenant Iohn Talbot went
over into England; leaving his Deputy there the
Archbishop of Dublin, carrying along with him the
curses of many, because hee being runne much in debt
for victuall and divers other things, would pay little or
nothing at all About Saint Laurence day, divers
dyed in Normandy, as Fryer Thomas Butler, that was
Prior of Kilmainan, and many others. Whom Fryer
Iohn Fitz Henry succeeded in the Priory. The Arch-
bishop of Dublin, being Lord Deputy, made an
assault upon Scohies, and slue thirtie of the Irish,
neere unto Rodiston. Also the thirteenth of February,
John Fitz Henry, Prior of Kilmainan departed this
life; and William Fitz Thomas was chosen to succeed
in his place, & was confirmed the morrow after Saint
Velentines day. Also the morrow after*
the Lord Iohn Talbot Lord Furnivall delivered up his
* A blank in the original copy.
EDITOR.
OF IRELAND
29
place into the hands of the Lord Richard Talbot
Archbishop of Dublin, who was afterward chosen to
be Lord Iustice of Ireland.
Anno 1420. about the fourth Ides of Aprill, Tames
Butler, Earle of Ormond, Lord Lievetenant of Ire-
land, landed at Waterford, and shortly after he caused
a combat to be fought betwixt two of his cousins: of
whom one was slaine in the place, and the other was
carried away sore wounded unto Kilkenny.
On Saint Georges day, the same Lord Lievetenant
held a Councell at Dublin, and there summoned a
Parliament, and after the midst thereof, he made great
preyes upon O Rely Mac Mahon, Mac Gynoys. And
the seventh of Iune, the Parliament began at Dublin,
and there were granted to the Lord Lievetenant, seaven
hundred markes. And that Parliament continued for
sixteene dayes, and was adjourned againe to Dublin
untill Munday after Saint Andrewes day. And in the
said Parliament were reckoned up the debts of the
Lord John Talbot, late Lord Lievetenant, which
amounted to a great summe. Also on the morrow after
Michaelmas day, Michael Bodley departed this life.
Vpon Saint Francis Eeve, dyed Fryer Nicholas Talbot,
Abbot of the Monastery of Saint Thomas the Martyr
at Dublin, whom Fryer Iohn Whiting succeeded. The
morrow after the feast day of the Apostles Simon and
Jude, the Castle of Colmolin was taken by Thomas
Fitz Girald And on Saint Katherines Eeven, Buttler,
F
30
HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE
Sonne and heire unto the Earle of Ormond, was
borne: and the Munday after Saint Andrewes day, the
Parliament was begun at Dublin, and continued for
thirteene dayes; and there were granted unto the Lord
Lievetenant, three hundred markes, and then againe
the Parliament was adjourned untill Munday after
Saint Ambrose day. Then rumours were spread abroad,
that the Lord Thomas Fitz Iohn, Earle of Desmond,
was departed this life at Paris, upon Saint Laurence
day, and that he was buried in the Covent of the Fryers
Preachers there, the King of England being there
present. After whom succeeded his Vncle Iames Fitz
Girald, whom he had three severall times renounced,
alledging that he was an unthrift, and had wasted his
Patrimony both in Ireland and England, and that hee
gave or would give lands unto the Monastery of Saint
Iames of Keynisham.
Anno 1421. Our Lady day fell out to be upon Mun-
day in Easter weeke. Also the Parliament began the
third time at Dublin, the Munday after Saint Am-
broses day; and there it was ordained that agents
should be sent over unto the King for reformation of
matters touching the state of the land; namely, the
Archbishop of Armagh, and Sir Christopher Preston,
Knight. At the same time Richard Ottdian, Bishop
of Lasshell, was accused of Iohn Gese, Bishop of Lis-
more and Waterford, upon thirty articles: among
other, one was, that he made very much of the Irish,
and that he loved none of the English nation, and
of Ireland.
31
that he bestowed no Benefice upon any English man,
and that he counselled other Bishops not to give the
least Benefice to any of them: that he counterfeited
the Kings Seale and letters Patents: that he went
about to make himselfe King of Munster: and that
hee had taken a Ring from the image of Saint Patricke,
(which the Earle of Desmond had offered) and be-
stowed it upon his Concubine. And he exhibited
måny other enormious matters against him in writing,
by whom the Lords and Commons were troubled. Also
in the same Parliament, there arose a contention be-
twixt Adam Payn, Bishop of Clone, because the said
Adam would have united unto his See, the Church of
another Prelate, and the other would not give way
unto it; and so they were dismissed unto the Court of
Rome, & the Parliament continued eighteene dayes.
Then newes were stirring, that the Lord Thomas of
Lancaster, Duke of Clarence, was slaine in France,
and many other with him.
other with him. Vpon the seventh of May
there was slaughter made upon the Earle of Ormonds,
the Lord Lievetenants men, by Omordris, neere unto
the Monastery of Leys, and there were seaven and
twenty English men slaine: the chiefe whereof were
Purcell and Grant, tenne Noble men were taken pri-
soners, and two hundred fled unto the said Abbey, and
so saved themselves. About the Ides of May, dyed
Sir Iohn Bedloe, knight, and Ieffery Galon, sometime
Maior of Dublin, who was buried in the house of the
Fryers Preachers of the same City. About the same
time, Mac Mahon an Irish Lord, did much hurt in
32 HENRY MARLEBURROUGH'S CHRONICLE, &c.
Vrgile, by wasting and burning all before him Vpon
the seaventh of Iune, the Lord Lievetenant entred into
the Country, about Leys, upon Omordris, leading a
very great army, and for the space of foure dayes to-
gether, slaying the people, till the Irish were glad to
sue for peace. On the feast of Saint Michael the
Arch-angell, Thomas Stanley, with all the Knights
and Esquires of Meath and Irel, tooke Meyle O Don-
nell prisoner, and slue the rest, in the fourteenth yeere
of the raigne of King Henry the sixt.
Here endeth the Chronicle of Henry Marleburrough.
FINIS
Ancient Irish Histories.
A
HISTORIE
OF
IRELAND,
Written in the Yeare
1571.
BY
EDMUND CAMPION,
SOMETIME FELLOW OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEDGE, IN OXFORD).
Dublin:
Printed by the Society of Stationers,
M.DCXXXIII.
REPRINTED AT THE HIBERNIA PRESS,
FOR THE PROPRIETORS,
By John Morrisson.
1809.
CAMPION'S
HISTORIE OF IRELAND.
THE FIRST BOOKE.
CAP. I.
The Site and speciall parts of Ireland.
IRELAND lieth a-loofe in the West Ocean, and is
deemed by the later Survey, to be in length well-nigh
three hundred miles north & south: broad from East
to West one hundred and twentie. In proportion it
resembleth an egge, blunt and plaine on the sides, not
reaching forth to Sea, in nookes and elbowes of Land,
as Brittaine doth.
Long since, it was devided into foure regions, Leins-
ter East, Connaght West, Vlster North, Mounster
South, and into a fift plot defalked from every fourth
part, lying together in the heart of the Realme, called
thereof Media, Meath.
B
2
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Each of these five (where they are framable to civi-
lity, and answere the writts of the Crowne,) be sundred
into shires and counties, after this manner.
In Leinster lye the counties of Dublin, Kildare,
Weixford, Caterlagh, Kilkenny, King & Queenes
counties, these two lately so named by Parliament in
the raignes of Philip and Mary, having Shire-townes
accordant, Philipstown and Marryborrow.
Septes, Irish of name planted in these quarters,
they reckon, the Birnes, Tooles, Cavanaghes, which
is the nation of Macmurrow, Omores, Oconnores,
Odempsyes, Odun.
Citties of best account, Dyvelin: the beauty and eye
of Ireland, fast by a goodly river, which Cambrensis
calleth Avenlifius. Ptolomy Libnius, they call the
Lyffie. The seat hereof is in many respects comfort-
able, but less frequented of marchant strangers, be-
cause of the bard haven. Kildare hath Kildare and
the Naass. Weixford hath Weixford and Ross. Kil-
kenny hath Kilkenny the best dry towne in Ireland on
the Southside of the river Suirus, also Callan and
Thomastowne,
Meath is devided into East and West Meath, and
the counties of Longford. Here dwelleth ancient
Irish families (sometime Princes & Potentates) Oma-
baghlen, Mac-Coghlan Obrien, Omulloy, Omadden,
3
OF IRELAND.
Macgoghigan, the Fox. This whole part, and the
veyne of Finegale in Leinster, are best imployed with
husbandry, and taken to be the richest soyles in Ireland.
Connaght hath as yet but the county Clare, the
town of Athenry: & Galway, a proper neat city at the
sea side. Herein Turlogh More Oconner was a peere,
& parted the whole betwixt his two Sonnes, Cahal, and
Bryen Oconnor. In it are now cheife Irish, Breni
Oreli, Breni Oruarke, Oconnor Sligo, Odoude, Ohara,
Macphilippin, Mac-dermot, Oconnordonn, Oconnor-
Roe, the O-kellies, Mac-glomore, of Langues, L.
Bermingham, Omaly, Mac-william Euter, Oflaherty,
Clanricarde.
Vlster wherein Oneale & Odonil are cheife Irish,
contayneth the counties, Louth, Down, Antrim, one
moity of Droghdah (for the rest is in Meath) cheife
town of Louth Dundalk, of Down, Down, & Carling-
ford, of Droghdagh, Droghdaghe, of Antrim, Cnock-
fergus, called also Cragfergus.
This part is dissevered from Meath and Leinster by
the river Boandus, which breaketh out beside Logh-
foyle, a bogg betweene Ardmagh, and S. Patrickes
Purgatorie. Cambrensis reputeth the bogge at 30.
miles in length, and halfe so much in breadth, and the
same once firme Land, to have beene suddenly ouer-
flowen, for the bestiall incest committed there, unfit
to be told.
4
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
In Mounster lye the counties of Waterford, Lime-
ricke, Cork, counties Pallatine of Tipperary, Kerry,
and exempt from priviledge the Crosse of Tipperarie.
Waterford hath Dongarvon, and Waterford full of
traffique with England, France, and Spaine, by meanes
of their excellent good Haven.
Limericke hath Kilmallocke lately sackt by Iames
Fitz Morice, and the Citie Limiricum, coasting on
the sea,
hard upon the river Shannon, whereby are
most notably severed Mounster and Connaght.
Corke hath Kinsale, Yowghall, and the Cittie Corke,
Tipperary hath Tipperary, Clonmell, Fidderstown,
Cassell. Mounster was of old time devided into East-
Mounster, Ormond, West-Mounster, Desmond, South-
Mounster, Thomond. Here dwell Obrenes, Macnemar-
raes, Mack-mahownes, and one sept of the Offlherties.
In these quarters lyeth the Countryes of O-Car-
roll, O-Magher, the white Knight, Mac-Ibrine,
O-Gaunaghe.
Waterford contayneth the Powers, and Deces.
Corke the Barries Lands, Imokillie, Carbarrie,
Maccarty-more, Maccarty-reagh, L. Roches lands,
Osulivan, Muscry, L. Courcy, and diverse more, some
of Irish blood, some degenerate and become Irish.
OF IRELAND.
5
Limericke hath in it the Knight of the valley, Wil-
liam Burcke, Mac-Ibrine Ara, part of the white Knights
Lands, Cosmay, Obrenes, and upon the edge of Kerrie
the greene Knight, alias the knight of Kerrie.
Leinster butteth upon England, Mounster and Con-
naght upon France and Spaine, Vlster upon the Scottish
Ilands (which face with Hebrides) scattered between
both realmes; wherein at this day, the Irish Scot Suc-
cessour of the old Scythian Pict or Redshancke
dwelleth.
The spirituall Iurisdiction a is ordered into 4. Pro-
vinces whereof the primacy was euer given (in reve-
rence toward Saint Patricke their Apostle) to the
Archbishoppe of Ardmagha, now called Ardmagh,
which custome was since confirmed by Eugenius the 3.
who sent withall 3. other prelates to be placed, one at
Dublin, one at Cashell, & the last at Tuam. To
these are suffraganes in right 29. and all they inferiour
to the Primate of Ardmaghe: under his province are
the Bishopprickes of Meath, Derry, Ardagh, Kilmore,
Clogher, Downe, Coner, Clonmacknoes, Rapho, and
Dromore.
Vuder Dublin b (whereunto Innocentius 3. united
Glandelagh) are the Bishop of Elphine, Kildare,
Fernes, Ossorie and Laighlein.
Bishops in Ireland. Bern, in vita Malach. An. 1148.
b
› Dublin. an. 1212, S. Pat. booke of Recordes.
6
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Vnder Cashell are B. of Waterford, Lysmore, Corke,
& Clone, Rosse, Ardigh, Limericke, Emely, Killalo,
Ardferte.
Vnder Tuam the B. of Kilmaco, Olfine, Anagh-
doune, Clonfert, Mayo. In this recount some diver-
sities have happened by reason of personall and reall
union of the Seas and for other alterations.
An old distinction there is of Ireland into Irish &
English pales, for when the Irish had raised continual
tumults against the English planted heere with the
Conquest. At last they coursed them into a narrow
circuite of certaine shires in Leinster, which the
English did choose, as the fattest soyle, most defen-
sible, their proper right, and most open to receive
helpe from England. Hereupon it was termed their
pale, as whereout they durst not peepe. But now
both within this pale, uncivill Irish and some rebells
doe dwell, and without it, Countreyes and cities English
are well governed,
CAP. II.
The temporall Nobility.
By conference with certaine gentlemen, attendants
upon Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputie, (who excel-
leth in that knowledge) I tooke notice of the most
OF IRELAND.
7
noble English families in Ireland, which heere ensue
with their surnames as they stand at this present.
Gerald Fitz Gerald Earle of Kildare, this house
was of the nobilitie of Florence, came thence to Nor-
mandie, and so with earle Strangbow his kinsman,
(whose Armes hee giveth) into Wales, neere of bloud
to Rice ap Griffin Prince of Wales, by Vesta the
mother of Morice Fitz Gerald, and Robert Fitz Ste-
phens: with the said Earle it removed into Ireland,
one of the speciall conquerours thereof. One record
that I have seene, nameth a Geraldine the first Earle
of Kildare, in anno 1289. But another saith, there
dyed a Geraldine the fourth Earle of Kildare in anno
1316. the family is touched in the sonnet of Surrey,
made upon Kildares sister, now Lady Clinton.
From Tuscane came my Ladyes worthy race,
Faire Florence was sometime her ancient seate,
The western Isle whose pleasant shore doth face,
Wilde Cambres cliffes did give her lively heate.
His eldest sonne Lord Gerald, Baron of Ophalye,
I reade the Geraldine Lord of Ophalye, in anno 1270.
Sir Thomas Butler, Earle of Ormond and Ossorye :
the Butlers were ancient English Gentlemen, preferred
to the Earldome of Ormond in the first of Edward the
3. Anno 1327. which fell upon heires generall, lastly
upon Sir Thomas Butler Earle of Wilshire, after
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
whose disfavour it reversed to the name of Pierce
Butler, whom little before King H. 8. had created
Earle of Ossorye. Theo. Butler was Lord of the Car-
ricke. An. 1205. And Earle of Tipperarie 1300. or
sooner: The Latine History calleth him Dominum de
Pincerna, the English Le Bottiller, whereby it ap-
peareth that hee had some such honour about the
Prince, his very surname is Becket, who was advanced
by H. le 2. in recompence of the injurie done to Tho-
mas of Canterburie their kinsman.
His eldest sonne Lord Butler, Viscount Thurles.
Gerald Fitz Gerald, Earle of Desmond, Morice
Fitz Thomas, a Geraldine, was created Earle of Des-
mond the same yeare: soone after that the Butler be-
came Earle of Ormond. The Irish say, that the elder
house of the Geraldines was made Earle of Desmond,
though Kildare be the more ancient Earle.
His eldest sonne L. Fitz Gerald of Desmond, Ba-
ron of Inshycoin.
Sir Richard Burcke, Earle of Clanriccard, a braunch
of the English family, de Burge Lord Burgh, who
were noble men before their arrivall into Ireland.
His eldest sonne Vlioke Burge Baron of Donkeline.
રે
Conegher Obrene, Earle of Tumond: the name of
Earle given to Murroughe Obrene for terme of life, and
OF IRELAND.
9
after to Donoghe Obrene, An. 5. Edw. 6. now con-
firmed to the heires male.
His eldest sonne Lo. Obrene, Baron of Ibrecane.
Mac Cartimore, Earle of Clarcar, created An. 1565.
His eldest sonne Lo: Baron of Valentia.
Viscount Barrie.
Viscount Roche.
Preston, Viscount of Gormanston, whereunto is
lately annexed the Barony of Lounders, their aunces-
tour Preston, then cheife Baron of the Exchequer,
was made Knight in the field by Lionell Duke of Cla-
rence, Lieutenant of Ireland.
Eustace alias Powere, Viscount of Baltinglasse,
Lord of Kilkullen, to him and his heires male An. H.
8. 33. Their ancestour Robert le Powere was sent into
Ireland with commission, and in his Off-spring hath
rested heere since An. 1175. Powere alias Eustace is
written Baron of Domvile An. 1317.
Sir Richard Butler, Viscount Mongaret, to him and
his heires males An. Edw. 6. 5.
Viscount Deces.
Lord Bermingham, Baron of Athenrye, now dege-
nerate and become meere Irish, against whom his aun-
cestors served valiantly in An. 1300.
C
10
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Sir Richard Bermingham was Lord of Athenrye.
1316.
John Bermingham Baron de Atrio dei, Anno 1318.
Mac Morice alias Fitz Gerald, Baron of Kerye.
Lord Courcye a poore man, not very Irish, the aun-
cient descent of the Courcyes planted in Ireland with
the Conquest.
Lord Flemmynge Baron of Slane, Simon Flemmynge
was Baron of Slane in Anno 1370.
Plonket, Baron of Killyne: this family came in with
the Danes, whereof they have as yet speciall monu-
ments.
Nugent, Baron of Delvin.
Saint Laurence, Baron of Hothe.
Plonket, Baron of Doonesawny.
Barnewall, Baron of Trimleston: they came from
little Brittaine, where they are at this day a great sur-
name, upon their first arrivall they wonne great pos-
sessions at Beirnhaven, where at length by conspiracie
of the Irish, they were all slaine, except one yong man,
who then studied the common Lawes in England, who
returning, dwelt at Dromnaghe beside Divelin, and
his heires are there at this day: from thence a second
brother remooved to Sirestone, and so to Trimlestone,
OF IRELAND.
11
and married the Lady Bruns, who caused him to be
made Baron.
This writeth the Lord of Donsany.
Edward Butler, Baron of Donboyne, given to Ed-
mond Butler esquire, and his heires males, An. 33. H. 8.
Fitz Patricke, Baron of upper Ossory, given to Bar-
nabie Mac Gilpatricke, and his heires males, An. 33.
H. 8.
Donnate Clonnaghe Mac Gilpatricke, was a peere-
lesse warriour in Anno 1219.
Plonket Baron of Louthe, to Sir Christopher Plonket
and his heires males, An. 33. H. 8. This Barony was
an Earldome in An. 1316. appertaining to Ber-
mingham.
Oneale, Baron of Dongannon, to whom the Earle-
dome of Terone was entayled by gift of H. 8.
Powere, Baron of Curraghmore.
Mac Suretan Lord Deseret, whom Sir Henry Sidney
called Iordan de Exeter. This was Lord in the time
of Lionell Duke of Clarence, An. 1361. now very wilde
Irish.
wast
12
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Murroghe Obrene, Baron of Insickeyne, to him and
his heires males, An. 35. H. 8.
Mac Costilaghe, L. Nangle, whom Sir Henry Sid-
ney called de Angulo, now very Irish.
Mac William Burcke, Lord of eighter Connaght,
Irish.
now very
Baronets.
Seintleger, Baronet of Slemarge, meere Irish.
Den, Baronet of Por man ston, waxing Irish.
Fitz Gerald, Baronet of Burnchurch.
Welleslye, Baronet of Narraghe.
Husee, Baronet of Galtrim.
S. Michell, Baronet of Reban.
Marwarde, Baronet of Scryne.
Nangle, Baronet of the Navan.
English gentlemen of longest continuance in Ire-
land are the race of those which at this day, either in
great povertie, or perill, doe keepe the properties of
their auncestors lands in Vlster, being then compa-
nions to Courcy the conquerour and Earle of that
part. These are the Savages, Iordanes, Fitz Sy-
monds, Chamberlaines, Russels, Bensons, Audleyes,
Whites, Fitz Vrsulyes, now degenerate, & called in
Irish, Mac Mahon the Beares sonne.
OF IRELAND.
13
CAP. III.
Nature of the soyle, and other incidents.
THE soyle is low and waterish, & includeth diverse
little Ilands, invironed with bogges and marishes:
Highest hilles have standing pooles in their toppe,
Inhabitants (especially new come) are subiect to dis-
tillations, rhumes and flixes, for remedy whereof they
use an ordinary drinke of Aquavitæ, so qualified in
the making, that it dryeth more, and inflameth lesse,
then other hote confections. The aire is wholsome,
not altogether so cleare and subtle as ours of Eng-
land. Of Bees good store, no vineyards, contrary
to the opinion of some writers, who both in this and
other errours touching the land, may easily be ex-
cused, as those that wrote of hearesay.
Cambrensis in his time, complaineth that Ireland
had excesse of wood, and very little champaigne
ground, but now the English pale is too naked:
Turffe and Sea-coales is their most fuell: it is stored
of kyne, of excellent horses, & hawkes, of fish and
fowle. They are not without wolves, and
grey-
hounds to hunt them, bigger of bone and limme then
a colt. Their kyne, as also their cattle, and com-
monly what els soever the Countrey ingendreth (ex-
cept man) is much lesse in quantity then ours of Eng-
land. Sheepe few, and those bearing course fleeces,
14
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
whereof they spinne notable rugge mantle. The
country is very fruitefull both of corne and grasse,
the grasse for default of Husbandrie (not for the
cause alleaged in Polychronicon,) groweth so ranke
in the north parts, that oft times it rotteth their
Kyne. Eagles are well knowne to breed heere, but
neither so bigge nor so many as Bookes tell. Cam-
brensis reporteth of his owne knowledge, and I heare
it averred by credible persons, that Barnacles, thou-
sands at once, are noted along the shoares to hang by
the beakes, about the edges of putrified timber,
shippes, oares, anchor-holdes, and such like: which
in processe taking lively heate of the Sunne, become
water-foules, and at their time of ripenesse either fall
into the sea, or fly a broad into the
Eneas
Sylvius (that after was Pope Pius the second) writeth
himselfe, to have perceaved the like experiment in
Scotland, where he learned the truth hereof, to be
found in the Ilands Orchades. Horses they have of
pace easie, in running wonderfull swift. Therefore
they make of them great store, as wherein at times
of need they repose a great peice of safetie. This
broode, Raphael Volateranus saith, to have come at
first from Arturia the country of Spaine, betweene
Gallicea and Portugall, whereof they were called As-
turcones a name now properly applyed to the Spanish
Iennet.
ayre.
I heard it verified by Honourable to Honourable,
that a Nobleman (offered and was refused) for one
OF IRELAND.
15
such horse, an hundred kyne, five pound Lands, &
an Airy of Hawks yearely during seven yeares. In
the plaine of Kildare stood that monstrous heape of
stones brought thither by Gyants from Affrique and
removed thence to the plaine of Sarisbury at the in-
stance of Aurel. Ambrose King of Brittaine. No
venemous creping beast is brought forth or nourished,
or can live here, being sent in, and therefore the
spider of Ireland is well knowne, not to be ve-
nemous.
Onely because a frogge was found living, in the
Meadowes of Waterford, somewhat before the con-
quest, they construed it to import their overthrowe.
S. Bede writeth that Serpents conveyed hither did
presently die being touched with smell of the land;
and that whatsoever came hence was then of Sove-
raigne vertue against poyson. He exemplifieth in
certaine men stung with Adders, who dranke in
water the scrapings of Bookes that had beene of
Ireland, and were cured.
Generally it is observed, the further West the lesse
annoyance of pestilent creatures. The want whereof
is to Ireland so peculiar, that whereas it lay long in
question, to whether Realme, (Brittaine or Ireland)
the Ile of Man should pertaine, the said controversie
was decided, that forsomuch as venemous beasts were
knowne to breed therein, it could not be counted a
naturall peice of Ireland.
16
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Neither is this propertie to be ascribed to S. Pa-
trickes blessing (as they commonly hold) but to the
originall blessing of God who gave such nature to
the situation and soyle from the beginning. And
though I doubt not, but it fared the better in many
respects for that holy mans prayer, yet had it this
condition notified hundred of yeares ere he was borne.
CAP. IIII.
Of the Jrish tongue and the name Hibernia, Jreland.
I FINDE it solemnely avouched in some of their
pamphlets, that Gathelus, and after him Simon
Brecke, divised their language out of all other
tongues then extant in the world. But considering
the course of enterchanging and blending speeches
together, not by invention of Arte, but by use of
talke, I am rather led to beleeve (seeing Ireland was
inhabited within one yeare after the devision of the
tongues) that Bastolenus a braunch of Iapheth who
first seased upon Ireland, brought hither the same
kinde of Speech, some one of the seventie two Lan-
guages, that to his family befell at the dissolution of
Babell, unto whom succeeded the Scithians, Gre-
cians, Ægyptians, Spaniards, Danes of all which
this tongue must needes have borrowed part, but
specially retaining the steps of Spanish then spoken
OF IRELAND.
17
с
in Granado, as from their mightiest auncestors. Since
then to Henry Fitz Empresse the Conquerour, no
such invasion happened them, as whereby they might
be driven to infect their native language, untouched
in manner for the space of 1700. yeares after the ar-
rivall of Hiberius. The tongue is sharpe and sen-
tentious, offereth great occasion to quicke apothegmes
and proper allusions, wherefore their common Ies-
ters, Bards, and Rymers, are said to delight pas-
singly those that conceive the grace and propriety of
the tongue. But the true Irish indeede differeth so-
much from that they commonly speake, that scarce
one among five score, can either write, read, or un-
derstand it. Therefore it is prescribed among certaine
their Poets, and other Students of Antiquitie.
Touching the name Ibernia, the learned are not yet
agreed. Some write it Hibernia, and suppose that the
strangers finding it in an odde end of the world, wet
and frosty, tooke it at the first for a very cold coun-
try, and accordingly named it, as to say, the winter
land: Another bringeth a guesse of Irlamal, d of whom
because I read nothing, I neither build upon that
conjecture, nor controll it. Thirdly, they fetch it
from Hiberus the Spaniard. Most credibly it is held
that the Spaniards their founders for devotion toward
Spaine, called then Iberia, and the rather for that
• Munst. 1. 2.
d Irlamale Fab. part 2. cap. 32.
D
18
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
themselves had dwelled besides the famous river
Iberus, named this land Iberia, (for so Iohn Leland,
and many forraine Chroniclers write it,) or Ibernia,
adding the letter n. for difference sake, there being a
rich Citty which Ptolome recounteth called then
Ibernis, e & from Ibernia proceedeth Iberland or Iuer-
land, from Iuerland by contraction Ireland, for so
much as in corruption of common talke, wee finde
that v, with his vowell, are easily lost and suppressed.
So wee say ere for ever, ore for over, ene for even,
nere for never, shoole for shovell, dile for divell. At
the same time it was also named Scotia in reverence
of Scota, the wife of Gathelus, auncient Capitaine
of those Iberians, that flitted from Spaine into Ire-
land. And the said Scota was olde grandame to
Hiberus and Hirimon, after the Scottish Chronicles, f
who in any wise will have their Countrymen derived
from the Irish, and not from the Brittaines.
+
CAP. V.
Dispositions of the People.
THE People are thus inclined; religious, franke,
amorous, irefull, sufferable, of paines infinite, very
glorious, many sorcerers, excellent horsemen, de-
Pliny writeth it Iuuernia. Ibernis. Iuerland. Imland.
f Io. Ma. Sco. 1. 1. c, 9.
OF IRELAND.
19
lighted with Warres, great almes-givers, passing in
hospitalitie: the lewder sort both Clarkes and Lay-
men, are sensuall and loose to leachery above mea-
sure. The same being vertuously
being vertuously bred up or reformed,
are such mirrours of holinesse and austeritie, that
other Nations retaine but a shewe or shadow of de-
votion in comparison of them. As for abstinence and
fasting which these dayes make so dangerous, this is
to them a familiar kinde of chastisement: In which
vertue and diverse other, how farre the best excell, so
farre in gluttonie and other hatefull crimes the vi-
tious they are worse then too badde. They follow the
dead corpes to the grave with howlings and barbarous
out-cryes, pittyfull in apparance, whereof
grew (as I
suppose) the Proverbe, to weepe Irish. The up-
landish are lightly abused to believe and avouche idle
miracles and revelations vaine and childish, greedy of
prayse they bee, and fearefull of dishonour. And to
this end they esteeme their Poets who write Irish
learnedly, and
penne their sonnetts heroicall, for the
which they are bountifully rewarded. But if they
send out libells in disprayse, thereof the Gentlemen,
especially the meere Irish, stand in great awe. They
love tenderly their foster children, and bequeathe to
them a childes portion, whereby they nourish sure
friendshippe, so beneficiall every way, that commonly
five hundredth kyne and better are given in reward to
winne a noble mans childe to foster. They are sharpe-
witted, lovers of learning, capable of any studie
20
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
whereunto they bend themselves, constant in travaile,
adventerous, intractable, kinde-hearted, secret in dis-
pleasure.
Hitherto the Irish of both sortes meere, and Eng-
lish, are affected much indifferently, saving that in
these, by good order, and breaking the same, vertues
are farre more pregnant. In those others, by licen-
tious and evill custome, the same faults are more
extreame and odious, I say, by licentious and evill
custome, for that there is daylie tryall of good na-
tures among them. How soone they bee reclaymed,
and to what rare gifts of grace and wisedome, they
doe and have aspired. Againe, the very English of
birth, conversant with the brutish sort of that people,
become degenerate in short space, and are quite al-
tered into the worst ranke of Irish Rogues, such a
force hath education to make or marre. It is further
to bee knowne, that the simple Irish are utterly an-
other people then our Englishe in Ireland, whome they
call despitefully boddai Sassoni's, and boddai Ghalt,
that is, English and Saxon churles, because of their
English auncestors planted heere with the Conquest,
and sithence with descent hath lasted now 400.
yeares.
Of this people therefore severally by themselves I must
intreate. Yet none otherwise then as they stand un-
filed, and serve their accustomed humours, with whom
I joyne all such as either by living neere them, or by
liking their trade are transformed into them.
21
OF IRELAND.
CAP. VI.
Of the meere Jrish.
TOUCHING the meere Irish, I am to advertise my
Reader, that hee impute not to them the faults of
their Auncestors, which heere I have noted for two
causes. First, that when the same are reade in Cam-
brensis, Solinus, or others, he confounds not the times,
but may be able distinctly to consider their manners,
then different from these dayes. Secondly, that it
may appeare how much Ireland is beholding to God
for suffering them to be conquered, whereby many of
these enormities were cured, and more might be,
would themselves be plyable.
In some corners of the land they used a damnable
superstition, leaving the right armes of their Infants
males unchristened (as they tearmed it) to the intent
it might give a more ungracious and deadly blow.
I found a fragment of an Epistle, wherein a ver-
tuous Monke declareth, that to him (travailing in
Vister) came a grave Gentleman about Easter, de-
sirous to be confessed and howseled, who in all his
life time had never yet received the blessed Sacrament.
When he had said his minde, the Priest demaunded
him, whether he were faultlesse in the sinne of Ho-
micide? Hee answered, that hee never wist the mat-
ter to bee haynous before, but being instructed there-
22
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
of, hee confessed the murther of five, the rest hee
left wounded, so as he knew not whether they lived
or no. Then was he taught that both the one, and
the other were execrable, and verie meekelie hum-
bled himselfe to repentance.
Solinus writeth that they woonted (because they
would seeme Terrible and Martiall,) to embrue their
faces in the bloude of their Enemyes slaine. Strabo
the famous Geographer, who flourished under Au-
gustus and Tiberius Caesar, more then fifteene hun-
dred yeares agoe, telleth (without asseveration) that
the Irish were great Gluttons, eaters of mans flesh:
and counted it Honourable for Parents deceased, to
bee eaten up of their Children, and that in open
sight they medled with their Wiues, Mothers, and
Daughters: which is the lesse incredible, considering
what Saint Hierome avoucheth of the Scots their Of-
spring and Allies, and what all Histories doe wit-
nesse of the Scithians their auncient founders.
Strabo lib. 4. Geograph.
See
Although since the time of Saint Patricke, Chris-
tianitie was never extinct in Ireland, yet the governe-
ment being hayled into contrarie factions, the No-
bilitie lawlesse, the multitude willfull, it came to
passe
that Religion waxed with the temporall common sort
cold and feeble, untill the Conquest did settle it,
especiallie in cases of restrainte and Discipline. The
Honourable state of Marriage they much abused,
OF IRELAND.
23
either in contracts, unlawfull meetings, the Leviti-
call and Canonicall degrees of prohibition, or in di-
vorcementes at pleasure, or in ommitting Sacramen-
tall solemnities, or in retayning either Concubines or
Harlots for Wiues. Yea even at this day, where the
Cleargie is fainte, they can bee content to Marrie for
a yeare and a day of probation, and at the yeares
end, to returne her home uppon any light quarrells,
if the Gentlewomans friendes bee weake and unable
to avenge the injurie. Never heard I of so many dis-
pensations for Marriage, as those men shewe, I pray
God graunt they bee all authentique and buylded
uppon sufficient warrant.
Covenant and Indent with them never so warilie,
never so preciselie, yet they have beene founde faith-
lesse and periured. Where they are joyned in colour
of surest Amitie, there they intended to kill. This
ceremonie reporteth Cambrensis. The parties to bee
coupled in League, meete at Church, become God-
septes, or Allies, beare each other on his backe cer-
taine paces in a Ring, kisse together holy reliquees,
take blessing of the Bishoppe, offer each to other a
droppe of his owne bloude, and drinke it up betweene
them: Even in the doing hereof, they practise mu-
tuall destruction.
They have beene used in solemne controversies, to
protest and sweare by Saint Patrickes Staffe, called
Bachal esu, which oath, because upon breach thereof
24
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
+
heavy plagues ensued them, they feared more to
breake, then if they had sworne by the holy Evan-
gelist.
In Vlster thus they used to Crowne their King, a
white cow was brought forth, which the King must
kill, and seeth in water whole, and bathe himselfe
therein starke naked, then sitting in the same Cal-
dron, his people about him, together with them, he
must eat the flesh, and drinke the broath, wherein
he sitteth, without cuppe or dish or use of his hand.
So much of their old Customes. Now a few words of
their trade at this present.
Cleare men they are of Skinne and hue, but of
themselves carelesse and bestiall. Their Women are
well fauoured, cleare coloured, faire handed, bigge
and large, suffered from their infancie to grow at will,
nothing curious of their feature and proportion of
body.
Their infants of the meaner sort, are neither swad-
led, nor lapped in Linnen, but foulded up starke
naked into a Blankett till they can goe, and then if
they get a piece of rugge to cover them, they are well
sped. Linnen shirts the rich doe weare for wanton-
nes and bravery, with wide hanging sleeves playted,
thirtie yards are little enough for one of them. They
have now left their Saffron, and learne to wash their
shirts, foure or five times in a yeare. Proud they are
OF IRELAND.
25
蒜
​1
of long crisped glibbes, and doe nourish the same
with all their cunning: to crop the front thereof they
take it for a notable peece of villany. Shamrotes,
Water-cresses, Rootes, and other hearbes they feede
upon: Oatemale and Butter they cramme together.
They drinke Whey, Milke, and Beefe broth, Flesh
they devoure without bread, corne such as they have
they keepe for their horses. In haste and hunger
they squese out the blood of raw flesh, and aske no
more dressing thereto, the rest boyleth in their sto-
mackes with Aquavitæ, which they swill in after such
a surfeite, by quarts & pottles. Their kyne they let
blood which growen to a jelly they bake and over-
spread with Butter, and so eate it in lumpes.
One office in the house of great men is a tale-
teller, who bringeth his Lord on sleepe, with tales
vaine and frivolous, whereunto the number give sooth
and credence. So light they are in beleeving what-
soever is with any countenance of gravitie affirmed by
their Superiours, whom they esteeme and honour,
that a lewd Prelate within these few yeares needy of
money, was able to perswade his parish: That S.
Patricke in striving with S. Peter to let an Irish
Galloglass into Heaven, had his head broken with
the keyes, for whose releife he obtained a Collation.
Without either precepts or observation of congruity
they speake Latine like a vulgar language, learned
in their common Schooles of Leach-craft and Law,
7
I
26
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
whereat they begin Children, and hold on sixteene or
twentie yeares conning by roate the Aphorismes of
Hypocrates, and the Civill Institutions, and a few
other parings of those two faculties. I have seene
them where they kept Schoole, ten in some one
Chamber, groveling upon couches of straw, their
Bookes at their noses, themselves lying flatte pros-
tate, and so to chaunte out their lessons by peece-
meale, being the most part lustie fellowes of twenty
five yeares and
and upwards.
Other Lawyers they have, liable to certaine fami-
lies which after the custome of the country determine
and judge causes. These consider of wrongs offered
and received among their neighbours, be it murder,
or fellony, or trespasse, all is redeemed by composi-
tion, (except the grudge of parties seeke revenge :)
and the time they have to spare from spoyling and
proyning, they lightly bestow in parling about such
matters. The Breighoon (so they call this kind of
Lawyer) sitteth him downe on a banke, the Lords and
Gentlemen at variance round about him, and then
they proceede.
They honour devoute Fryars and Pilgrimes, suffer
them to passe quietly, spare them and their mansions,
whatsoever outrage they shew to the country besides
them. To robbe and prey their enemies, they deeme
it none offence, nor seeke any meanes to recover their
losse, but even to watch them the like turne. But if
!
OF IRELAND.
27
neighbours and friends send their Cators to purloyne
one another, such Actions are judged by the Breigh-
oones aforesaid.
Toward the living they are noysome and malicious,
the same being dead they labour to avenge eagerly
and fiercely. They love and trust their Foster Bre-
thren more then their owne. Turlogh Leinagh Oneale
that now usurpeth, is said to repose in them his greatest
surety.
Strumpets are there too vile and abominable to
write of, which not onely without feare, but also
without remorse doe advance themselves in numbring
what noblemen have had liking to their bodies. Hee
that can bring most of his name into the field, base or
other, triumpheth exceedingly. For increase of which
name, they allow themselves not onely whoores, but
also choise & store of whoores. One I heard named
which hath (as he calleth them) more then ten wiues,
in twentie places.
There is among them a brother-hood of Carrowes
that professe to play at Cards all the yeare long, and
make it their onely occupation. They play away
Mantle and all to the bare skinne, and then trusse
themselves in strawe or in leaves, they waite for pas-
sengers in the high way, invite them to a game upon
the greene, and aske no more but companions to hold
them sport, for default of other stuffe they pawne
1
28
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
•
portions of their glibbe, the nailes of their fingers
and toes, their privie members; which they lose or
redeeme at the curtesie of the winner.
Where they fancie and favour, they are wonderfull
kinde, they exchange by commutation of wares for
the most part, and have utterly no coyne stirring in
any great Lords houses. Some of them be richly
plated: their Ladies are trimmed rather with massie
Iewels, then with garish apparell, it is counted a
beautie in them to be tall, round and fat.
The inheritance descendeth not to the Sonne, but
to the Brother, Nephew, or Cousin germaine eldest
and most valiant: for the Childe being oftentimes left
in nonage or otherwise young and unskillfull, were
never able to defend his patrimonie, being his no
longer then he can hold it by force of armes. But
by that time he grow to a competent age, and have
buryed an Vncle or two, he also taketh his turne,
and leaveth it in like order to his Posterity. This
custome breedeth among them continuall Warres and
treasons.
CAP. VII.
The most auncient Inhabitants of Ireland.
THE honourable Historian Titus Livius, yeeldeth
certaine priviledge to antiquitie, and will have it
29
OF IRELAND.
held excused, if percase for advancement of their
Citties, they straine a point of truth, and derive
a first foundation from one or other, of their sup-
posed Gods: wherefore though I can no lesse doe
then reject a fable concerning the arrival of Noes
Neece into this Island, yet this kinde of forgery being
somewhat universall, seeing every Chronicler paineth
himselfe, to fetch his reckoning with the farthest let
him hardly be pardoned, who led by relation of his
elders, committed first to writing so dull a tale. As for
the multitude of writers that agree thereon, they are
in effect but one writer, seeing the latest ever borrowed
of the former, and they all of Cambrensis, who affirm-
eth it not, but onely alleadgeth the received opinion of
Irish Histories, yea rather in the foote of that Chap-
ter, he seemeth to mistrust it, and posteth it over to
the credit of his authors: so then if the greatest
weight hereof doe consist in Irish antiquities, which
the learned here confesse to be stuffed with such im-
plements, notoriously felt to be vaine and frivolous, I
trust I shall not seeme contentious, nor singular in
damning such a fable, not onely false, but also impos-
sible. Thus they say, In the yeare of the world,
1536. The Patriarch Noe began to preach vengeance
upon the people for their accursed lives, to builde his
Arke, to enforme his kindred and speciall friends seve-
rally, that within few yeares the earth should be sunke
in waters, if they amended not. This did he before
the generall flood one hundred and twentie yeares,
when every man foreslept the monition, onely a Neece
30
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
of his named Cesara misdoubting the worst, and hear-
ing her Vncle prophesie that all should be drowned for
sinne, determined with her adherents, to seeke adven-
tures into some forraine Island, perswaded that if shee
might happely finde a Countrie never yet inhabited,
and so with sinne undefiled, the generall sentence of
Gods anger should there take no place. Whereupon
she furnished a navy, and fled into Ireland, with three
men, Bithi, Laigria, Fintan, and fifty women, left unto
her after many shipwrackes. The shore where she
landed, & where she lyeth entombed, is at this day
called Navicularum littus. The very stones wherein
the memorie hereof hath beene preserved from the
violence of waters, were said to be seene of some.
Within forty dayes after her footing in Ireland, the
deluge prevailed universally, and all this coast was cast
away.g
Now to ommit that part of this device, which
is too flat, and ridiculous, if we consider that before
the flood, no part of the Earth was knowen, nor
touched beside Syria, h where the first age dwelled, that
sailing was then utterly unheard of in the world, the
first vessell being by Gods owne direction wrought, that
she might have sped at home, would she repent' with
more ease and surety, that Iapheth with the Hebrewes,
and Iason with the Greekes, were the first pilots: that
the Records hereof graven in stone, is but a borrowed
invention from Iosephus. These things I say consi-
• An. Dom. 1656.
Rab. Isaac, in Gen. 5.
OFOF 31
..
IRELAND.
dered, it wilbe no hard matter to descry the falshood,
wherin I would be more exquisite, were it worth my
labour. We need not so ambitiously runne to Cesara,
to begge a forged evidence, seeing without her helpe,
Ireland must be confessed to have been knowne and
peopled with the same kinred, even with the first
Ilands of the world. For within three hundred yeares
after the generall Floud, immediately after the con-
fusion of tongues, when Iapheth and his posterity,
imboldened by the example of Noe, adventured by
ship into divers West Ilands, i there was in his retinew
one of his progeny, Bastolenus, who conceiving sto-
mack and courage at the late successe of Nemrodus,
Ninus his kinsman (then newly intruded upon the Mo-
narch of Assyria) & wandred so farre West, intending
to rule without compeeres, till Fortune cast him and
his people upon the coast of Ireland. k There he settled
with his three sonnes, Languinus, Salanus, Ruthurgus,
active and stout gentlemen, who searching the Land
through & through, left their owne names by three
notable places, Languini stagnum, mons Salangi,
since named S. Dominicks hill, and Ruthurgi stagnum.
Of Bastolenus is little remembred, save that in short
space with many hands working at once,
he plained a
great part of the Country, then overgrown with woods
and thickets. This posterity kept the Land under the
Anno mundi 1957. after the best authors, which make 300. yeares, and
not 100. between Noes floud and Babell.
* Bastolenus. Clem. 1ecogn 1 4
&
&
32
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
government of these three sonnes & their off-spring,
about 300. yeares. Together with Bastolenus, arrived
in Ireland certaine godlesse people of the stocke of
Nemrod, worthily tearmed a gyant, as one that in bo-
dily shape exceeded proportion, & used his strength to
winne soveraigntie, & to oppresse the vveake with ra-
pine and violence: That linage (Chams breed) grevv
to great numbers, & alvvay bethought them of getting
mastery, vvheresoever they tarryed. One cause vvas
their bodily force ansvverable to their hugenesse of
quantity: 1 another the example of Cham Zoroastes,
that magitian, and Nemrodus, Ninus his Nephew,
which two in themselves and their progenies, were re-
nowned throughout the world, as victorious Princes
over two mighty Kingdomes Ægypt and Assyria.
Thirdly they maligned the blessings bestowed upon
Sem and Iapheth, counting it necessary for themselves,
to stirre, and prevent Dominions, lest the curse of
slavery prophesied by Noe should light upon them, as
notwithstanding it did at last.
Thus irked, they began to kicke at their Governours,
and taking head, set up a King of their owne faction,
nourishing the same, and annoying the Subjects inces-
santlie, the successe on both sides was variable, quar-
rels increased, the enemie caught handfast, & every
day bred a new skirmish. It seemed intolerable, &
very necessity compelled them to try their whole force
'Clem. recognit. 1. 4.
OF IRELAND
33
in one Battle, either utterly to weede out the Gyants,
or to die free. Peace therefore concluded among them-
selves, for any private grudge hitherto maintayned, all
sorts brake truce and amity with the Gyants, and
straited them up so, that from all corners of the land,
they must needes assemble into one field and fight for
the better, maynelie they tugged certaine houres, but
in conclusion the lawfull Kings prevayled, the mis-
creants done to death. See now the mockery of For-
tune, Victors they were, and promised themselves a
security. Anger & insolencie over-turned all, for what
with spoiling the dead carcases, what with murthering
the remaynder of that generation, man, woman, and
childe, in all parts of the Realme, vouchsafing them
no buryall, but casting them out like a sort of dead
dogges, m there ensued through the stench of those car-
ryons such a mortall pestilence, infecting not onely the
places where they lay, but the ayre round about by
contagion, that beside those few which by sea returned
homeward, few escaped alive, and heereby hangeth a
tale, From this plague (say the Irish) was preserved
Ruanus the Gyant, who from time to time kept true
record of their histories, else utterly done away by sun-
dry casualties of death, warre, spoyle, fire, forraine
victories, and he (forsooth) continued till the yeare of
Christ 430. and told S. Patrick all the newes of the
country requiring of him to bee baptized, and so died,
when he had lived no more but two thousand and forty
" Anno mundi 2257.
F
34
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
one yeares: which is above twice the age of Methu-
salem. Had it beene my chaunce in Ireland, to meete
& conferre with this noble Antiquarie, hee might have
eased me of much travell. These things I note for no
other purpose, but that the simple stumbling upon
such blinde legends should be warned to esteeme them
as they are, idle fantasies, wherewith some of their
Poets, dallyed at the first, and after through error and
rudenes it was taken up for a sad matter.
CAP. VIII.
The severall Jnhabitants of Ireland from Bastolenus.
OF
an infinite number of Gyants slaine, certaine hid
families lurked and escaped the common mischiefe,
whom at length penury constrayned to forsake their
dennes, and to pilfer for meate, when they perceived
the murraine of men and beasts, and that none gave
them resistance, they waxed hardie, & searching the
land, found it wel-nigh desolate, wherefore they har-
houred themselves in the clearest coast: and easily sub-
duing the poore soules remaining, revived their blood,
and became Lords of the whole Iland 60. yeares.
Among the Sonnes of Iapheth, Genesis recounteth
Magog who had now planted his people in Scithia
within Tanaris, from whom at this day the Turkes are
descended. They hearing the hard happe of their
35
OF IRELAND.
n
fathers lyne, cast out by the collaterall braunches of
Cham, the late King of the Bactrians, " their odious
neighbours, sent into Ireland Nemodus with his foure
sonnes, Starius, Gerbavel, Amimus, Fergusius, cap-
taines over a faire company, who passing by Greece
and there taking up such as would seeke fortunes,
finally landed here, held the country, multiplyed, but
not without continuall warre upon the Gyants aforesaid,
who in th'end vanquished and chased them thence
againe into Greece, after 216. yeares, from Anno mundi
2533. from which time untill the comming of Dela
his sonnes, the Gyants possessed it peaceably without
forreine invasion. But themselves being disordered,
and measuring all things by might, seditiously vexed
each other, nor were they ever able to frame a common-
wealth.
0
That espyed five brethren, sonnes to Dela the Gre-
cian, notorious Pilots, named Gaudius, Genandius,
Sagandius, Rutheragius, Slanius, the posterity of
Nemodus expulsed successors, who fortified their na-
vyes, and finding the Countrey but weake, wanne it
entirely, rooted out the old enemy, divided the Iland
into five parts, & in each of them severally raigned,
for better contentation of all sides, they agreed to fixe
a meare stone in the middle point of Ireland, to which
stone every of their Kingdomes should extend, and be
■ Anno Mundi 2317.
Ann. mundi 1714
36
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
partakers of the commodities then chiefly found in that
soile. These are also supposed to have invented the
distribution of shires into Cantredes, every Cantrede
or Barony, conteining an hundred Towneships, where-
with the name and use of hundreds, well knowne in
England, might seeme to accord.
Variance for the chiefty set the foure brethren at a
lovve ebbe, and then Slanius perched over them all,
encroached every way round about the middle stone
certaine miles for provision and furniture of his owne
houshold, which plot in time obtained the name of one
generall part, and now maketh up the fift, Media.
Meth it was called either for moytie of Cantredes,
being but sixteene, vvhereas the rest comprised thirty
tvvo apeece, or for the site thereof in the navell of Ire-
land. This hee assigned to the Monarch a surplus over
and above his Inheritance, vvhich notvvithstanding
grevv to a severall Kingdome, and allovved thereof cer-
taine parts by composition. Not long after dyed Sla-
nius, & vvas buried in a mountaine of Meth that car-
rieth his name. Thirty yeares the Monarchy vvas pos-
sessed in this order, but shortly the Princes ovving
fealty, beganne to stomack the Intrusion of Slanius,
& vvhen he vvas once rid, they disdained his successour,
whereupon ensued everlasting Battels. The Monarchy
was laide downe, then fell they at debate for the land
of Meth, which strife could never be appeased.
In
the necke of those troubles came over a new army of
Scithians, who claymed also from Nemodus their fore-
OF IRELAND.
37
father, and they tooke parts, and made parts, set all in
uproare with sword, and havocke. P To be short, they
spent themselves one upon another so fiercely and fu-
riously, that now they reckoned not what nation or
what souldiour they received in, to keepe up or beate
downe a side. By which occasion the Britaines also
put in a foot, who discovering the state of the land to
their Princes, opened a gappe for Brennus the brother
of Belinus, to direct his course thither vvith the same
Navy vvhich he had furnished to serve Signimius then
King of Lyons amid the Galles in France. But Bren-
nus took small effect. Before him also divers Kings
of Brittaine had scope in Ireland. Insomuch that
Gurguntius the sonne of Beline, reputed the same by
lineall descent among
his ovvne Dominions. Notvvith-
standing they never injoyed it longer then they could
keepe possession perforce, and often vvere they repelled
and vvearyed vvith seeking after it, as vvherein they
found small fruite, and blovves enough. Lastly came
the Spaniards from Biscaye, conducted by foure Cap-
taines, of vvhose arryvall before I speake, I must re-
peate their originall somevvhat farther, and so give a
light to the assoyling of a controversie, that is, vvhe-
ther the Irish came from Egypt, or from Spaine. It
shall
appeare they came from both.
• Ann. mundi 2800.
38
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
CAP. IX.
The arrivall of the Spaniards, then called Iberians,
into Ireland.
IN the yeare of the World 2436.9 after the univer-
sall floud 780. while the children of Israell served in
Ægypt, Gathelus the sonne of Neale, a great Lord
in Greece, was upon disfavour exiled the Country
with a number of his faction, adherents, and friends.
The young Greeke being very wise, valiant and well
spoken, r got honourable entertainement with Pharao
surnamed Amænophis king of Egypt, and in short
space reached to such a credit that he espoused the
Kings base Daughter Scota, whereof the Scotts are
thought to be named. This match bred to the King
some tumult, and to the young Gentle-man much
envy, wherefore assoone as the foresaid Amænophis
was drowned in the Red Sea, the Princes of Ægypt
so vexed Gathelus and his wife, that they were faine
to buske them, withall their traine into Europe, and
came first to Lusitania, where diverse of his people
tyred with travaile, would needs abide, he builded
there the city of Brigantia, called afterwards Novium,
a Hoctor Boeth. 1. 1. Hist. Scot.
'Ioh. Major. de gestis Scot. lib. I. cap. 9.
$
* Exod. 14.
OF IRELAND
39
now Compostella. t The remnant passed with him into
Ireland, where the Barbarians highly honoured him,
for his cunning in all languages, who also greatly
perfected and beautified the Irish tongue, taught them
letters, sought up their antiquities, practised their
youth in martiall feates, after his Greeke and Ægyp-
tian manner. Finally so well he pleased them that
to gratifie such a Benefactour, they were content to
name the Iland after him Gathelia, and after his wife
Scotia. Truely that Scotia is the auncient appellation
of Ireland, all Chroniclers agree, as it shalbe more
plaine, when wee touch the Scottish pedigree. A
brute there is in Ireland but uncertainelie fathered,
that in remembrance of Pharao, their good lord, the
Kerne pitching his Dart, cryeth of courage faro,
faro; but the learned thinke that to bee taken from
the Spaniard, who in his Ioco dicano exclaymeth
fabo, fabo.
The people left in the coast of Spaine, founded the
city of Bayon, now part of Gascoigne, and reple-
nished all the shore towards Africk," and the edges of
Portugall, Castile, Galæcia, towardes the sea Can-
tabricum, well nigh 200. yeares, after which time
some of them began to minde another travaile, be-
cause they were pestered with Inhabitants, and whe-
ther they ever sped to Ireland, it is unknowne, at the
Hector. Boeth. lib. 1.
* Ann. mundi 2642.
40
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
V
leastwise in the raigne of Gurguntius the Brittaine,
then chiefe Lord of Bayon, foure brethren Spaniards,
whereof two are noted, Hiberus and Hirimon, not
the sonnes of Gathelus (as writeth Boethius) but his
off-spring, understanding that divers Western Ilands
were empty, desirous to live in ease and elbovv-room,
sayled Westvvard vvith a great retinue of men, ▾ vvo-
men and babes, hovering long about the Ilands Or-
chades in 60. great ships, untill by good hap they
met vvith Gurguntius, then returning from the con-
quest of Denmarke, w vvho had refused to pay him the
tribute, vvhich Belinus his father vvan, him they be-
sought (considering their vvant of victuals, unable
any longer to dvvell in their ships, accumbred vvith
carriage of vvomen & children) to direct & further
them to some place of habitation, proffering to be-
come his liege people to hold the same of him & his
heires for ever. The King advising himselfe, remem-
bred vvith vvhat difficultie he kept the Irish in sub-
jection, & conceived hope that these strangers vvould
endeavor either to stub out that unruly generation, or
to nurture them, & so taking their oathes and hos-
tages, y he mann'd their ships, stored them vvith vic-
tuall & munition, & seated them in Ireland. Thus
X
The head Captaine was Bartholomew, as many Authors affirme,
▾ Fab. part. 2.
* Grafton. p. 60,
* Ann. mundi 3592.
;
OF IRELAND.
41
莒
​had the Brittaines an elder right to the Realme of
Ireland, then by the conquest of Henry the 2. vvhich
title they never surceased to claime, & somtimes pre-
vailed, as in the dayes of King Arthur, to vyhom
the Irish Princes agnized their tribute and apparance,
made at his Parliament in urbe Legionum, vvhich I
take to be Westchester, called of old Carleon, as
divers other citties vvere, vvherein the Romanes
placed the legions. Again the Kings of Britain vvere
then Lords of the place vvhence this people came, so
as their vvinnings must have beene the Kings Do-
minion.
To all this when their owne free assent, the dedition
of other Princes, lawfull conquest and prescription is
adjoyned, it forceth an invincible title. But to pro-
secute our purpose. Those Iberians being substantially
ayded of Gurguntius, enjoyed the Lands, bestowed
themselves foure brethren into foure parts thereof, un-
till their pride and ambition armed two against other
two, Hiberus and his brother against Hirimon and
his. In this conflict Hirimon slew Hiberus, and
raigned quietly. At this time the countrey was first
named Ibernia, as I have declared in the third Chap-
ter. The King to avoyde obloquie and slaunder,
purged himselfe to his subjects, that neither malici-
ously nor contentiously, but for his necessary defence
and safeguard he had borne armes against his brother.
And to witnesse how farre he was from desire to rule
alone, he nominated speciall Captaines to be Kings
G
42
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
under him of their severall Countryes, reserving to
himselfe but one fourth part, and the portion of Meth
allotted to the Monarchie for the better maintenance
of his part.
These afterward clambered into five Kingdomes in-
compatible, Leinster, Connaght, Vlster, Mounster
in two portions, and sometimes to more by usurpa-.
tions and compositions, but ever one was elected the
Monarch over all.
An hundred and thirtie chiefe Kings are reckoned
of this Nation from Hirimon to Laigirus the sonne
of Nealus magnus, in whose time the blessed Bishop
Patricius converted them to Christianity.
CAP. X.
The comming of the Picts into Ireland. z
NOW lived the Irish in tollerable order under their
a
sundry Kings, ª and applyed themselves to peace and
gathering of wealth, when suddainely Rodericke a
Red-shank of Scythia fled thither with a small com-
pany of Galleyes, and winde-driven in compassing
round about the British coast, were happely blowne
2 An. Dom. 120.
• Bed. 1. 1. c. 1.
OF IRELAND.
43
ashore into Ireland. These are the Picts, a people
from their cradle dissentious, land-leapers, mercilesse,
sowre and hardy, being presented to the King, they
craved Interpreters, b which granted, Roderick their
Chieftaine uttered for him and his, the request in this
manner.
Not as degenerate from the courage of our aun-
cestors, but inclining our selves to the bent and
swaye
of fortune, we are become suppliants to Ireland, that
never before have humbled our selves to any, Looke
Sir King, eye us well, It is not light prowesse that
hath caused these valiant bodies to stoop. Scithians
we are, and the Picts of Scithia, great substance of
glory lodgeth in these two names, what shall I tell of
the civill Tumult that hath made us leave our home?
or rippe up old Historyes to make strangers bemoane
us? Let our vassailes and children discourse it at large
and leysure, if perhaps you vouchsafe us any leysure
in the Land: To which effect and purpose your infi-
nite necessities pray your favours. A King of a King,
Men of Men, Princes can consider how neere it con-
cerneth their honour and surety to proppe up the state
of a King defaced by Treason, and men will remem-
ber nothing better beseemeth the nature of man, then
to feele by compassion the griefes of men. Admit we
beseech you these scattered reliques of Scithia, If
your Realmes bee narrow, we are not many. If the
› Ioh. Maior. de gest. Scot. 1. 1. c. 10.
44
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
t
soyle be barren, we are born to hardnesse. If you live
in peace, we are your subjects. If you warre, we are
your Souldiours. We aske no kingdome, no wealth,
no triumph in Ireland. We have brought our selves,
and left these casualtyes with the enemie. Howsoever
it like you to esteeme of us, we shall easily learne to
like it, when we call to minde, not what we have
beene, but what we are.
Great consultations was had upon this request, and
many things debated too and fro. In the end they
were answered, that their antiquities layde forcible
arguments, wherefore it could not be expedient to ac-
cept the Scithians into Ireland, that mingling of na-
tions in a Realme breedeth quarrels remedilesse, that
Ireland finding scarcity rather of roome then of people,
that those few inferred amongst a many might quickly
disturbe and put the whole out of joynt. But quoth
they, though wee may not dwell together yet shall
you finde us your very good neighbours and friends.
Not farre hence lyeth the Iland of Brittaine, in the
north thereof: your manhood and polycies shall winne
you scope enough, our Capitaines shall conduct you
the
way, our strength shall helpe to settle you, addresse
your shippes and hye you thither. With this perswa-
sion they shaped course towards the north of Brittaine,
now called Scotland, where contrary to all expectation
Marius the King awayted their comming, and
gave
↑ John Staw.
OF IRELAND.
45
:
them there a sharpe battle, wherein Rodericke was
slaine, with diverse of his band. Them which remained
and appealed to mercy, he licensed to inhabite the ut-
termost borders of Scotland: Wives they wanted to
encrease their Issue, and because the Brittaines scorned
to match their daughters with such a froward and beg-
gerly people, the Picts continued their first acquaint-
ance with the Irish and by entreaty obtained wives
from them, conditionally that if the Crowne should
happe to fall in question they should then yeeld thus
much prerogative to the woman as of the female blood
royall, rather then of the male to choose their Prince,
which Covenant, saith S. Bede, d the Picts are well
knowne to keepe at this day.
But long afore this time the Scottish Chronicles
mention the arrivall of Almaine Picts into the marches
now of England and Scotland, vvith whom certaine
Irish called then also Scotts joyned against the Brit-
taines, e devising to erect a kingdome there, aswell to
fortify themselves, as to gratifie the Irish, who detract-
ing their obedience lately promised to Gurguntius,
practised all they might to abridge the kingdome of
the Brittaines. First therefore came from Ireland, Fer-
gusius the sonne of Ferchardus, a man very famous
for his skill in blasoning of armes. f Himselfe bare the
a Bede lived an. Dom. 730.
* Anno Mundi 5757. ante Christum 330.
f Ioh. Major. lib. 2. cap. 1.
46
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Red Lyon rampant in a golden field. There was in
Ireland a monument of Marble fashioned like a Throne,
which Simon Brecke a companion to Hiberus and his
brethren found in the journey, & because he deemed
the finding thereof to be ominous to some Kingdome,
he brought it along with him, and layde it up in the
country for a lewell. This marble Fergusius obtained
towards the prospering of his voyage, and in Scotland
he left it, which they used many yeares after in Coro-
nation of their King at Scona. But Fergusius though
he be scored in the row of Kings, for one, and the
first, yet he held himselfe there obscurely, sundry
times beat backe into Ireland, where he was finallie
drowned by misfortune within the Creeke of Knock-
fergus. That Fergusius encountred with Coilus the
Brittaine and slew him, as writeth the Scotts, it is
impossible except they mistake the name of Coilus for
Calius, with whom indeede the age of Fergusius might
well meete, and the rather for that in the first yeare
of his raigne, the Picts entred, and then Fergusius
immediately after them, 330. yeares ere Christ was
borne. Now Coilus raigned in the yeare of our Lord,
124. about which time befell the second arrivall of the
Picts in Brittaine, so it seemeth they mistake by a
slight error, Coilus for Calius, and the second arrivall
of the Picts, for the former. This confusion of His-
tories is learnedly noted by Cooper in his generall col-
lection of Chronicles.
OF IRELAND.
47
1
CAP. XL
How the Jrish setled themselves in Scotland.
RETURNE wee now to the course of our Historie,
while the Picts were bestowed in the north of Brittaine
and waxed populous, g the Irish made sundry arrands
over to visite their Daughters, Nephewes, and kindred.
In often comming and going, they noted waste places,
and little Ilands not replenished, but rather neglected
and suffered to grow wilde. Hereof in Ireland they
advertised their Prince, namely Reuther or Rheuda,
who being the Issue of Fergusius, bethought himselfe
of his interest to certaine peeces of land beside the na-
tion of the Picts. Hee therefore well appointed, partly
by composition, and some deale perforce stepped into
those hamlets which no man occupied, & proceeded
handsomely to reare his kingdome. By little and little
he edged forward, and got betweene the Picts and
Brittaines on this side the Scottish banke, which he
possessed but a season. The place was thereof named
Rheudisdale, now Riddesdale, (asmuch to say, as the
part of Rheuda) for dahal in their language, sig-
nifieth part. In those quarters after sundry conflicts
with the borderers, hee was by them slaine, but the
kingdome lasted in his successours still, and the two
nations the Picts and the Irish lovingly suffered each
other to thrive. The Scotts caught up the Islands &
* An. Dom. 160. Ioh. Major. 1. 1. cap. 11. Bed. 1. 1. c. 1.
48
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
the Frontiers. The Picts dwelt in the middle: Soone
after the peace betweene them, vvent suspitions & the
diversities of people, place, custome, language, vvith
the memorie of old grudges stirred up such inward
jealousies and hate, that it seemed they were easie to
kindle, & as in such factions, there never wanted drifte
to drive a tumult, so it happened that certaine of the
Nobilitie of the Scotts resciant next them had with
some difficultie, received out of Greece a Molossian
Hound, h which breede both in swiftnesse of foote, and
and in sweetnesse of opening, was reputed peerelesse.
This Hound, a willfull Gentleman, a Pict, stole
home, and therewith gratified his Prince, glad of the
novelty, and little thoughtfull of the displeasure. i
Contrarywise the Irish, wood for anger at this disho-
nour, and injury, assembled in poste haste under
Eugenius their King, and after brawling, fell to
spoyle, and so to blowes; whereof parts and stomackes
being even, the fortune was variable k In this division
they scambled out a few yeares, untill the malice of
Carassus a Brittaine forced a quietnesse betweene them
to abuse their helpe against th' Empire. But hee
was shortly slaine by Alectus the Romane Captaine,
and hereupon the old sore waxed rawe: To heape the
mischiefe, a Brittish Lord named Maximus, aspiring
Ioh. Major. de gest. Scot. 1. 5. c. 15.
i Lucan. li. 5.
An. Dom. 218.
OF IRELAND.
49
to the kingdome, sent an ambassadge to Ethodius king
of Picts, pleading with him a league of friendship,
utterly to expulse the Irish Scot: conditioning withall
their assistance to chase the Romanes out of Brittaine,
which was concluded, and by this confederacie, after
many lamentable skirmishes, the Irish were betrayed,
Eugenius the King, Ethai his brother, and Ericus
his nephew, and also the residue, such as could escape
the enemies sword, fled thence, some into Norway,
some into Ireland their first home.
Maximus¹ watching his time, despairing of the
Brittish Kingdome, and espying the Picts tyred with
continuall vvarres, turned his povver upon them, and
brought them to such an exigent, that they had no
readier shift then to crave helpe from Ireland, mand so
by degrees vvhen some private persons, nourishers of
the quarrell, vvere out-vvorne, the matter of malice
vvas qualified, and the remnant of the Irish Scots, vvith
their friends and off-spring called home to their dvvel-
ling, after their first banishment, 43. yeares expired.
From this timen forvvard the amity vvaxed steddy,
and the Irish under Fergusius the second their King
vvan such credit, that finally the nation of Picts vvere
afflicted by the Brittaines, then the Scots incroched
m
¹ An. Dom. 353.
Io. Maior. li. 2. c. 3.
11
An. Dom. 398.
1
H
}
}
50
!
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
into the heart of the Realme, and became the mightier
and more populous, of vvhom the Countrey vvas ever
since under one Generall name called Scotland.
O
Thus you see the Scotts a lively, stirring, ancient, &
victorious people, are mixed first of Brittaines, (though
the Chronicles dissemble it) whom Brutus planted
there with Albanactus: Secondly, of Picts: Thirdly
and chiefly, of the Irish, which after this time left the
name of Scott, for those in Brittaine, and delighted
rather to be called Irish. Then came up the distinc-
tion of Scotia major for Ireland, and Scotia minor for
the Scotts in Brittaine
But most effectually (as saith Cambrensis) the Scotts
prevayled under the guiding of six valiant Gentlemen,
Sonnes to Muridus King of Vlster, who in the time
that Neale the great enjoyed the monarchy of Ireland,
going to succour their countrymen there, at last also
tooke up for themselves no little portions of ground,
which their posterity kept in Cambrensis time, the
yeare of Christ 1200. who treateth their exploits more
largely in his Topography of Ireland. Ever since
then, they were utterly named and esteemed Scotts : P
The nation of the Picts driven into corners, albeit the
most parts & the out Isles retaine at this day a people a
An. Dom. 423
P ℗ loh Major. 1. 1. cap. 10.
4 • Pol. 1. 1. Angl. hist.
[
OF IRELAND.
53
mungrell betwixt both, called Redshanks. The Scotts
write that their King Gregorious, in an. Dom. 875. in-
vaded Ireland as his lawfull inheritance, and the same
conquered, who lieth buried in one of their out-Iles,
called Iona, beautified with the Sepultures of Scottish
Kings, where the Irish tongue is their native lan-
guage, & therefore they call the submission of the
Irish to Henry the 2. a defection from Scotland, which
neverthelesse they recke, ne regard not, but willfully
did forgoe it, as reaping lesse then they expended, and
unable to defray the growing charge, which cost con-
sidered little better then nothing, say they, the King
of England winneth by keeping of Ireland. Yet in
the late governement of S. Henry Sidney, Vlster being
conveyed by discent, & act of Parliament to the
Crowne, which Earledome was in the time of Edward
the third reckoned at thirty one thousand markes
yearely, the same being but one fift part of Ireland, It
seemeth that if this right be well prosecuted that Ire-
land might pay it selfe of necessaries, and yeeld suffi-
cient benefit to the Princes Coffers.
CAP. XII.
The conversion of the Irish to Christianity.
r
ABOUT this time, Holy Church being stayed in
peace, enriched with possessions, supported with autho-
'An. Dom. 426.
:
52
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
}
rity, many noble Clearkes flourishing in diverse
Realmes, the Holy Doctor Augustine yet in life:
Theodosius the second, suppressing Idols in all the
Empyre:s Celestinus 1. Bishop of Rome, conferred
with his cleargy touching the instruction specially of
the vvestern parts, wherein the faith of Christ was
hitherto, either not planted, or by persecution extinct,
or by corruption of Hereticks defaced: of them all,
no country was more lamented then Ireland, which
partly for distance from the heart of Christendome,
partly for their infinite rudenesse, had yet received no
fruit of true Religion. In that assembly was Palladius
Arch-Deacon of Rome, a good Priest and well learned,
who profered his charitable travaile towards the con-
version of
any
of those lands, whither he should be
by them directed and appointed. The Pope knowing
the sufficiency of the man, did consecrate Palladius a
Bishop, authorized his journey, furnished his wants,
associated to him, diverse religious persons, delivered
him the Holy Bible, with great solemnities, and cer-
taine monuments of Peter and Paul, whereat diverse
miracles had beene shewed. He arryved in the North
of Ireland, whence he escaped hardly with his life,
into the Ilands adjoyning, there preaching and con-
verting many, erecting monasteries, and ensueing his
vocation so painefully, that the onely report of his
holynesse and cunning, excited the Scotts (late christ-
t
"Nicephor. 1. 14. cap. 40. Plat in Cælestin. 1.
↑ Vita 5. Patricij.
1
OF IRELAND.
13
V
ened, but abiding in scisme, and committing the func-
tion of Bishoppes to single Preists,) to call him thither,
whereunto he assented, upon the Popes answere, and
leaving his Disciples in the Isle, became the speciall
apostle of Scotland, where he spent the residue of his
time, with more fruite then among the Irish. u Here-
unto Celestinus condiscended the easier, for that in
the very point of Palladius his departure, Patricius
attended at Rome to bee sent with leave and benedic-
tion into Ireland. In which attempt hee found such
joyfull successe, so farre different from their accus-
tomed frowardnesse, that a man would weene the
Realme had beene reserved for him. And because it
pleased God to worke to the Land such an univer-
sall benefite by the meanes of this holy Patriarch, I
take it convenient to set downe briefly here his course
of life, after the most approoved Chronicles that I
could finde.
Patricius ™ was borne in the marches of England and
Scotland, in a sea towne called then Taburnia, whose
father Calphrune (as writeth Ioseline) was a Deacon
and a Priests sonne, his mother Conches was sister to
S. Martin, the famous Bishoppe of Toures in France.
The childe was from his cradle brought up in the Faith,
and much given to devotion.
" Ioh. Major. 1. 2. cap. 2.
▾ Prosp. Aquit. in Chroni.
The life of S. Patrick
54
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Novy vvere the Irish through the helpe of the Scots
and Picts, arch-pirats of the narrovv seas, and used to
sacke litle vveake villages scattered along the shore,
and for vvant of other prey, to bring the Inhabitants
home Captives, vvith others also vvas taken this Patrı-
cius, a ladde of sixteene yeares olde, being then a
student of secular learning, y and became the Villaine
of an Irish Lord called Mackbiam, from vvhom after
sixe yeares
yeares hee redeemed himselfe vvith a peece of gold
vvhich hee found in a clod of earth, nevvly turned up by
the svvyne
hee kept the time of his Banishment (as
affliction commonly maketh men religious.) This vvith
the regard of his former education, printed in him such
remorse and humility, that being from thenceforth ut-
terly vveaned from the vvorld, hee betooke himselfe to
contemplation, ever lamenting the lacke of grace and
truth in that Land, vvherefore not despairing, but that
in continuance, some good might bee vvrought upon
them, hee learned their tongue perfectly, and alluring
one companion vvith him for his excercises, he departed
thence into France, ever casting backe his eye to the
conversion of Ireland, vvhose babes yet unborn, seemed
to him in his dream (from out their mothers vvombes)
to call for Christendome. In this purpose
he
he sought
out Martinus his Vncle, by vvhose meanes the yong
man entred under the government of Germanus then
Bishop of Antisiodore, vvhose scholler and familiar he
* Ex Epist. Patricij.
› An. Dom. 386.
1
OF IRELAND.
C
55′
z
vvas forty yeares, bestovving all that time in prayer and
study of eloquence and holy Scriptures. Then at the
age of threescore and two 'yeares, being renowned
through the Latine Church for his wisdome, vertue,
and skill, hee came home to Rome, recommended with
letters from the French Bishops, to Pope Celestine, 2 to
whom he uttered his full mind, and the secret vow
which long since he had conceived touching Ireland.
The Pope invested him Archbishop and Primate of the
whole Iland, blessed him, commaunded publique prayer
and fasting, brought him and his disciples onward on
the
Therefore in the tvventie third
voyage.
of
yeare
Theodosius the younger, which was the yeare of our
Lord 430. Patricke landed in Ireland: and because he
spake the tongue plentifully, being a reverent person-
age, he tooke holy Bible, adding thereto diverse mira-
cles in the Name & vertue of IESUS whom he preached:
many listened unto him, namely such as in the late
entertainement of Palladius and Albius the Irish
Bishops his Disciples, had some little feeling in the
Gospell. In continuance, hee wanne the better part
of that Kingdome, except Laigirus himselfe sonne of
Neale the great Monarch, who (notvvithstanding hee
relyed nothing to the Gospell yet) because hee stopped
not the course thereof, nor forbid any that list to em-
brace it, the Bishop denounced to him a curse from
God, accordingly tempered vvith mercy and judge-
ment, that during his life hee should bee victorious,
but after him, neither the Kingdome should stand, nor
An. Dom 430.
56
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
his linage inherite. Thence hee journeyed vvith a
great number of his Disciples and friends to Conill
Lord of Connaght, (vvho honourably reputed him, and
vvith all his people vvas converted) and then sent him
to Logan his Brother, King of Leinster, vvhom hee
likevvise persvvaded. In Mounster he vvas highly
honoured of the Earle of Daris, vvho gave him a dwel-
ling in the East angle of Ardmagh, called Secta, where
hee erected many Celles and Monasteries, replenished
with votarious men and women. Thirty yeares conti-
nually hee travailed in preaching through the Land,
ever leaving behinde him Bishops and Priests, whose
learning and holinesse by the speciall grace of God
shortly repaired the faith so begunne, other thirty yeares
hee spent in his Province of Ardmagh among his
ghostly brethren, in visitation of those religious Houses,
which by his meanes were founded, a so hee lived in
the whole one hundred twentie two yeares, and lyeth
buried in Downe.
CAP. XIII.
Of Saint Patrickes Purgatory.
EVERY History of Ireland that I have seene, maketh
one severall title De mirabilibus Hibernia, and therein
with long processe treateth of severall Ilands, some
a An. Dom. 492.
OF IRELAND.
57
full of Angels, some full of devils, some for male only,
some for female, some where poore may live, some
where none can dye: finally such effects of waters,
stones, trees, and trinkets, that a man would vveene
them to be but heedlesse and uncertaine tales by their
complexion.
Verily, being inquisitive of these matters, I could
finde no one of them soothed by such persons upon
whose relation I am disposed to venture. Onely the
place behinde Ardmagh called S. Patricks Purgatory,
because it is knovvne and confessed, and because I
vvould be discharged of my Readers expectation, who
perhaps vvith the name of S. Patricke looketh to bee
informed thereof, I can bee content to put so much in
vvriting, as Bookes and reports affirme vvith most like-
lyhood.
Tvvo things I muse at, that neither the time nor the
author of so strange erection was preserved. Concern-
ing the time one Record putteth it in Anno Domini
302. which is 128. yeares before S. Patricke converted
Ireland, and sixty sixe yeares before his birth. Againe
Cambrensis who maketh curious recitall of wonders
in the land, never uttereth word of this Purgatory;
& though a negative authority be not invincible, yet
considering the propertie of that man, and what a sort
of trifles he taketh paine to justifie, it may serve for a
vehement suspition, that the place was then either not
found, or not miraculous. Concerning the Author,
I
58
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
very few there are that referre it to this Patricke their
Apostle, but rather to an Abbot of the same name,
whom I marvaile I finde not in the mighty bigge vo-
lume of their Saints: Notwithstanding these Originalls
might bee either lost or altered, but the thing it selfe
being extant, must needes have had a beginning,
whereof possibly there are monuments in that Church,
or in the Irish tongue to me unwitting.
Therefore I hold him unwise that will utterly mis-
trust the principall, because the circumstances vary; or
condemne the vvhole, because he could not reach to
the undoubted truth of some part. If any man bee so
delicate, that not a jote thereof vvill sinke into his
head, vvho shall controule him? neither hee nor vvee
are bound to believe any story besides that vvhich is
delivered us from the Scriptures, and the consent of
Gods Church. Let the discreet Reader judge of it.
This I learne, that the holy Abbot Patricius secun-
dus, not the Bishop their Apostle, laboured the con-
version of the people of Vlster, vvhich being novv
Christians, could yet at no hand be vvonne to renounce
their olde sensuality, cruelty, murthers, extortion. b
And vvhen he much inforced the life to come, they
replyed unto him vvith contempt, that unlesse they
saw proofes of these loyes and paines hee preached,
they would never leese possession of the pleasures in
hand, for hope or dread of things to come they vvist
Polichro. 1 1. ca 35.
OF IRELAND.
59
not vvhen. At their importunacie hee besought God,
vvere it his good pleasure to give out some evident
token of the maters they required: finally by the spe-
cial direction of God he found in the north edge of
Vlster a desolate angle hemmed in round, & in the
mids thereof a pit, where he reared a Church, closed
the same with a wall, bestowed therein Canons regular,
at the East end of this Church yarde, a doore leadeth
into a closet of stone, which they call the Purgatory,
because devout people have resorted thither for pen-
nance, and reported at their returne, strange visions of
paine and blisse appearing to them. They used to
continue therein foure & twenty houres, which doing
one while with ghostly meditations, and another while
a dreadfull conscience of their deserts, they saw as
they say, a plaine resembling of their owne faults and
vertues, with the horror and comfort thereto belonging,
that one so terrible, the other so joyous, that they ve-
rily deeme themselves for the time to have sight of
heaven and hell. The revelations of men that went
in (Saint Patricke yet living) are kept vvritten vvithin
the saide Abbey. When any person is disposed to
enter (for the doore is ever sparred) he repaireth first
for advice to the Archbishop, vvho casteth all perils,
and dissvvadeth him, because they say diverse never
came backe againe, but if the party be resolute, he
recommendeth him to the Pryor, vvho in like manner
favourably exhorteth him not to hazard such a danger,
if notvvithstanding he finde the party fully bent, he
conducteth him to this Church, enjoyned him to begin
60
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
up
vvith prayer, fast and vigill of 15. dayes, so long toge-
ther as in discretion can be endured. This time expir-
ed, if he yet persevere in his former purpose, the vvhole
Convent accompanieth him vvith solemne procession
and benediction to the mouth of the cave, vvhere they
let him in, & so barre the doore till the morrow, &
then vvith like ceremonies they avvaite his returne, &
reduce him to the Church. If he be seene no more,
they fast &
pray 15. dayes after. Touching the credit
of those matters, I see no cause but a Christian man
assuring himself that there is both hel & heaven, may
vvithout vanity upon sufficient information, be per-
suaded that it might please God at somtime for consi-
derations to his infinit vvisdome knovvn to reveale
by miracles the vision of loyes & paines eternal, but
that altogether in such sort, & so ordinarily, & to such
persons, and by such meanes as the common fame &
some records therof doe utter, I neither believe, nor
wish to be regarded. It appeares by Trevisa in his
additions to Polichronicon, that a superstitious opinion
of this Purgatory was then conceived, which he dis-
proveth. And a man of indifferent judgement may
soone suspect that in the drift and strength of Imagi-
nation, a contemplative person would happely suppose
the sight of many strange things which he never saw.
Since writing hereof I met with a Priest, who told mee
that he had gone the same pilgrimage, and affirmed
the order of the premisses: But that he for his owne
part saw no sight in the world, save oncly fearefull
dreames when he chanced to nod, and those he saith
OF IRELAND.
61
were exceeding horrible: further he added, that the
faste is rated more or lesse, according to the quality of
the penitent, and that the place seemed to him scarcely
able to receive sixe persons.
CAP. XIIII.
The Jrish Saints
THOUGH my search thereof in this my haste out
of the land be very cumbersome, yet being loath
to neglect the memory of Gods friends, more glorious
to a Realme then all the victories and triumphs of the
world, I thinke it good to furnish out this chapter
with some extracts touching the Saints of Ireland,
namely those that are most notable, mentioned by
authors of good credit. Cambrensis telleth, that in
S. Patricks time flourished S. Bride the virgin, and S.
Columbe in Doune, where their bodies soone after the
conquest, and also S. Patrickes body were found, Sir
John Courcye being then President of Vlster. In
vievving of the sepulture hee testifieth to have seene
three principall jevvells, vvhich vvere then translated
as honourable monuments vvorthie to be preserved.
Of S. Columbec it is doubted, whether he lived in
that age. Brigide was base Daughter of Dubtachus
Ex Vitis sanctorum Hiberniæ.
62
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
a Captaine in Leinster, who perceiving the Mother
with child, sold her secretly, fearing the jealousy of
his wife, to a Irish Poet, reserving to himselfe, the
fruite of her wombe, she was there delivered of this
Brigide, whom the Poet trained up in letters, and so
conveyed her home to her father.d The Damosell was
schooled in the faith by S. Patricke, preaching then
in those parts, she became so religious, and so ripe in
judgement, that not onely the multitude, but a whole
synode of Bishoppes assembled by Dublin,e used her
advice in weighty causes, and highly esteemed her.
One fact of hers being yet a childe, made her famous.
The King of Leinster had given to Dubtachus in
token of singular affection, for his good service, a rich
sword. Now it befell, that the maiden visiting her
sicke neighbours, diversly distressed for hunger, (her
father being a sterne man, his Lady a shrewe) she saw
none other helpe to releive these wretched people, but
to part the lewels of that idle sword among them.
This matter was haynously taken, and came to the
Kings eares, who (comming shortly after to a Banquet
in her fathers house) demaunded the Girle, not yet
nine yeares old, how she durst presume to deface the
gift of a King, shee answered, that it was bestowed
upon a better King, then hee was, whom (quoth she)
finding in such extremity, I would have given all my
father hath, and all that thou hast, yea your selves and
a An. Dom. 439.
• An. Dom. 448.
63
OF IRELAND.
all, were yee in my power to give, rather then Christ
should starve.
of
At convenient age she professed virginity, and al-
lured other noble Virgins to her fellowship, with whom
she lived in her owne Monastery, untill the
yeare
our Lord 500. and was buried at Downe, in the
Tombe of S. Patricke, what Cambrensis reporteth of
his own knowledge and sight, I will be bold to add
hereunto.
Among her reliques, was found a concordance of the
4. Evangelists, seeming to bee written with no mortall
hand, beautified with mysticall pictures in the mar-
gent, whose colours and workemanship, at the first
blush were darke and unpleasant, but in the view won-
derful liuely and artificiall. Senanus first a Souldiour,
succeeded S. Patrickef in the See of Ardmagh, when
he had beene certaine yeares a minor and doctour to
the Campe. Brendan Abbot at the age of ten yeares,
was of such incomparable holinesse, and thereto so
wise and lettered, that his parents thinking themselves
to have wonne the most notable fruite, that could
ensue their marriage, by mutuall consent professed
continencie. Hee flourished in the time of S. Bride,
lived familiarly with Ercus the Bishop, and Finan the
Abbot.
Madoc alias Edan of noble parentage, taken pri-
f An. Dom. 493.
64
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
soner with the King of Temore,g and kept in his
court with diverse yong-men his schoole-fellowes,
openly adjured the King to suffer him and them to
depart and serve God as they were accustomed, which
being now sundred and distrayned of libertie they had
partly discontinued, immediately they were dismissed:
he died Bishop of Fernes, and laide the foundation of
that Burrogh. Molingus the successor of S. Madoc
being Bishop tooke himselfe to voluntary labour, &
with his owne hands, drived a running spring to his
Monastery, enduring that travaile dayly after
prayer
and study, eight yeares together. Fintan the Abbot
was had in such veneration, that whereas Colm King
of Leinster, kept prisoner Cormak the Kings sonne of
Kensill: He went boldly with 12. of his Disciples
through the presse of the Souldiours, and in sight of
the King, rescued the young Prince, for the Irish in
I re-
no wayes are outragious against holy men.
member, Cambrensis writeth himselfe, merrily to have
objected to Morris then Archbishop of Cashell, that
Ireland in so many hundred yeares had not brought
forth one Martyr. The Bishop answered pleasantly,
(but alluding to the late murther of Thomas of Can-
terbury,) Our people (quoth he) notwithstanding their
other enormities yet have ever more spared the bloode
of Saints, marry now we are delivered to such a na-
tion, that is well acquainted with making Martyrs,
henceforwards I trust this complaint shall cease.
: An. Dom. 496.
OF IRELAND.
65
a
Malachias was borne in Ardmagh of noble parents,h
cherished in vertue by example of his Mother, and
trayned up in learning, even yet a very babe, he vvas
oft times espied to steale from his companions to pray
in secret, so grave & modest, that of himselfe he
choosed alwayes the most severe and rigorous Schoole-
masters, and refused an excellent Clerke, only because
he saw him, somewhat lightly demeaned at game. In
the beginning of his youth hee yeelded himselfe the
Disciple of Imarius, an old recluse, whose austerity
of conversation, the whole towne admired. There he
became a Deacon, and at twenty five yeares à Priest.
The Archbishop for the fame and opinion of his wor-
thinesse, made him his Coadjutor, in the which office
he reformed superstitions and revived the strength of
religion, specially the uniformitie of their Church
service, wherein before time they jarred. The famous
monastery of Banchor he reedified, of the patrimony
& legacies by his Vncle left him. The same Monas-
tery was of old time, first governed by Congellos, and
then proceeded Columbanus, the father of many reli-
gious houses in France. Banchor had beene so stored
with Moncks, that no houre of day nor night they
ceased, but some company or other was in continuall
succession at divine service. Of which brethren there
were in one day murthred 900. and the place spoyled,
whose possessions conveyed to Malachias by his Vncle,
b
ь An. Dom. 1094.
i Bernard in vita Malach.
K
66
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
hee restored forthwith, and bettered the foundation.
At the age of thirtie yeares, he was by Canonicall
election forced to accept the Bishopricke of Conereth,
a people of all the Irish then most savage and bestiall,
whom he with inestimable toyle reclaymed.
In the meane while died Celsus Archbishop of Ard-
magh, to whom succeeded Malachias, at the age of
thirty eight years. But ere this wel-nigh the space
of 200. yeares together, a pestilent custome had crept
into the country, that the Metropolitanes See, was in-
ferred upon meere lay persons of the blood royall in
manner by inheritance, wherefore Nigellus the next
of kindred animated by the partiality of some Princes,
& getting into his custody the Bible and Staffe, and
other Ornaments of S. Patricke (whereunto the eares
of the common people tyed the prelacy) came to the
Pallace, with a bande of Souldiours to have slaine the
Bishop. When all the people wept and howled, for
his perill, he alone stepped into the bosome of his
enemies, demaunding their purpose. The very Tyrants
letting fall their weapons in stead of the murder con-
spired, fell to reverence him, and departed friends.
Three yeares he sate in the primacy, rather to discon-
tinue the horrible corruption before used, then with
intent to abide there: and their error having dis-
anulled the abuse, he procured Gelasius to be his Suc-
cessor, and returned to his former Bishopricke of
Downe. For to Downe was then annexed Coner. But
Malachias understanding that in times past, they were
OF IRELAND.
67
severall, sundred them againe, and preferred another
to the Diocesse of Coner, desirous rather to discharge
his cure, then to enlarge the fruites, while he preached,
a woman fell at his feete, and besought his
prayer, for
that she had now gone with childe fifteene moneths
and twenty dayes, nor could by any meanes be deli-
vered, which done, the newes of her delivery was re-
ported before the assembly brake up. Hee threatned
vengeance to a Captaine, unlesse he would turne away
the Concubine he kept, the same being also his bro-
thers Concubine. The Captaine tooke it disdainefully,
and within one houre, was slaine by a conspiracy of
women, whose Daughters and servants he had defiled.
There dwelt in Lismore a notable Clerke, of conver-
sation upright, but corrupt in judgement of religion,
this fellow advancing his doctrine, offered disputation
to the Bishop, before the multitude, when he was
forced to silence with the waight of truth, yet he
cavilled maliciously, that not the cause nor learning,
but the countenance and credit of Malachias had
wonne the victory. To whom the Bishop answered,
our Lord compell thee, even maugre‍thine owne will-
fullnesse to acknowledge thine errors. At these words
the Clerke and intending to fly the sight of men, was
prevented with a mortall infirmity, and beseeching
the Bishop of his peace and communion, died imme-
diately, reconciled to God and holy Church. Being
demaunded of his Brethren, the Moncks of Banchor,
where and when hee would wish to dye, and be
buryed, if it lay in his choyse, hee answered: If in
68
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
}
Ireland, beside the body of S. Patricke: If beyond
the seas, at Clarivall, where S. Bernard was then
famous and in the feast of All Soules. He cast in his
minde, within a few dayes to sue to Eugenius the third,
for the increase of the number of Metropolitanes, which
request, was shortly after sped, and in this voyage he
rested at Clarivall, and there diverse times, openly
foretold that his yeare of departing was come: accord-
ingly when he had taken leave of S. Bernard and the
brethren, descended from his chamber to Church, and
received the rites of a christian man, he returned to
his lodging, and dyed on All Soules day,k in the yeare
of his age fifty foure, so mildely and peaceably, that
it seemed rather a sleepe, then a death. There his
obsequies was solemnized and miracles wrought at his
tombe, and from thence his body was translated to
Ardmagh in the yeare 1192.
Malchus, though borne Irish, yet he spent most.
part of his time in the monastery of Winchester, in
England, from thence assumpted Bishop of Lismore,
him also remembreth S. Bernard upon occasion. A
lunaticke childe he cured in Bishopping him. This
miracle was through the world seene and confessed of
many
hundreds. There happened the same time, a
discord betweene the King of Mounster, and his Bro-
ther, wherein the King was overmatched and fled into
England, visited Malchus in his Abbey, and would at
no hand be said nay, but so long as it should please
* 1148
OF IRELAND.
69
པ
go-
God to afflict him, he would live there under his
vernement, and ensue his conversation, he contented
himselfe with a poore Cell, used dayly a cold bathe
to represse the wantonnesse of his flesh, dieted him-
selfe with none other fare, then bread, water and salt,
passed dayes and nights in sobbing and remorse of
sinne. At length the Kings and Nobles of Ireland
began to stomacke the usurper, vanquished him, called
home the good King to his right, who with many per-
swasions of Malchas and Malachias could scarcely be
gotten to forsake ghostly company, & trade of life.
CAP. XV.
The most notable events in Ireland, betweene the time
of Saint Patricke, and the conquest under Henry
the 2.
IN the yeare of Christ 586. the people of Norway
were Lordes and victours of the Ilandes in the West
Ocean called Orchades, and great scowrers of the seas:
A nation desperate in attempting the conquest of other
Realmes: as being sure to finde warmer dwelling any
where, then at their owne home. These fellowes
lighted into Ireland by this meanes, Careticus King
of Brittaine (odious to his subjects) fell with them at
civil warre. Ioyfull was the newes hereof to the
Saxons, who then in the six severall kingdomes, pos-
70
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
sessed the Iland sundry wayes, so they laide together
their force, & associated to them Gurmondus, a Rover
out of Norway, who having a navy still in a readinesse,
and an army thereafter furnished, holpe the Saxons, to
hunt the Brittaines into the marshes of Wales, builded
the towne of Gormond-chester, and then having holpen
the Saxons, made a voyage into Ireland where he sped
but meanely, and therefore the Irish account not this
for
any of their
of their conquests, as some of their antiqui-
ties have informed me. The same Gurmondus finding
hard successe, did but build a few slight castles and
trenches in the frontiers, and then leaving the land,
got him home into France, where he was finally slaine,
him our Chronicles name King of Ireland. But the
Irish affirme that before Turgesius no Easterlings ob-
tained a Kingdome. Here Cambrensis to salve the
contradiction, thinketh Gurmundus to have conquered
the land by Turgesius his Deputy, sent thither at his
provision, which answere breedeth a contrariety more
incurable, for himself numbreth betweene Laigirius
King of Ireland, in an. 430. and Fedlemidius whom
Turgesius vanquished, Monarches 33. and yeares 400.
so that Turgesius lived in an. 830. and could not pos-
sibly deale with Gurmondus, who joyned with the
Saxons against Careticus in Anno 586. This knot
might be untwyned with more facility. Gurmondus
made much of that little he caught, and wrote him-
selfe King, which Title our Histories doe allow him,
because he opened a gappe, enjoyed it for a while, and
brake a way for his Countreymen. Turgesius brought
OF IRELAND.
71
this attempt to perfection, and in these respects each
of them may be called first King and Conqueror.
1
Secondly therefore Turgesius with his Normans, as-
saulted Ireland, ¹ sustained losse and many overthrowes,
but in the end fastening his power to the sea coasts,
and receiving in his friends at will, he subdued the land
through and through, ever as he went building up Cas-
tles and fortresses, vvherevvith the Irish had not beene
yet acquainted, for hitherto they knevv no fence, but
vvoods or bogges, or strokes. Turgesius bridled the
Kings, and avved them so, that vvithout interruption
he raigned thirty yeares, cryed havocke & spoile vvhere
any vvealth vvas heaped, spared neither Lay nor Clergy,
nor Church, nor Chappell, but very insolently abused
his victory. O-malaghlien king of Meth, vvas in
some trust vvith the Tyrant, his onely Daughter Tur-
gesius craved for his concubine. The father having a
present vvitt, and vvatching some subtle oportunities,
Saving your fancie, my Lord, quoth hee, there are di-
verse Ladies of my bloud svveeter bed-fellovves for a
king, then that brovvne girle; and then he began to
count neeces and cousins a number forsooth, endovved
vvith angell-like beauties, painted so lively vvith his
Tale, that the Tyrant doted already upon them ere hee
savv them: But ever he doubted, lest O-malaghlien
extolled them to exempt his ovvne, and the vvise father
cloaked his drift vvith modestie in ansvveres, and lin
gering his graunt to enflame the leachers folly, as hee
1830.
72
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
>
that vvould any thing to bee suspected rather then his
thought indeed. And at the last vvhen the other tooke
his delay somevvhat unkindely, and bade his Queene
speake to him. If I said (quoth hee) that vvith my
very goodvvill my sole daughter should bee sent to you
to bee deflovvred, your high vvisedome vvould guesse
I did but faine and flatter, and yet if ten daughters were
deerer unto me then your good pleasure and contenta-
tion, by whose bounty, both she & I, and we all are
supported, I were unworthie the secret friendship,
wherein it lyeth in you to use mee. As for the wench,
it will in part seeme honourable to bee asked to the bed
of such a Prince, seeing Queenes have not sticked to
come from farre, and prostrate their bodies to noble
Conquerours, in hope of issue by them, and howsoever
it bee taken, time will redeeme it. But such a friend
as you are to mee and mine, neither I nor mine shall
live to see, and I purpose not to offend
your amity with
saving a greater mater then twenty maiden-heads,
seeing fathers have not sticked to yeeld their owne
wives to quench the loves and lustes of their sonnes.
Therefore I am thus agreed, name you the day and
place, sever your selfe from the open eye of your Court,
conferre with those that have a curious insight and
skill in beauties, I will send you my daughter, and with
her the choice of twelve or sixteene gentlewomen, the
meanest whereof
an Empresse in comparison,
make
may
bee an
when all are before you,
then if
your game at will, and
my childe shall please your fancie, shee is not
OF IRELAND.
73.
too good to be at your commandement: Onely my re-
quest is, that if any other presume upon your leavings,
your Majestie will remember whose fathers childe shee
is. This liberall proffer was accepted of him, whose
desire was insatiable, with many faire promises and
thankes. To bee short, the same day O-malaghlien
attired Princelike his owne Daughter, and with her
sixteene beautifull striplings, which presented to the
King in his privy Chamber, accompanied onely with
certaine wantons of the Nobility, drew foorth from
under their woman-like garments, their skeanes, and
valiantly bestirred themselves, stabbing first the Tyrant,
next the youth present that prepared but small resist-
ance, surely fitt mates to supply the office they tooke
in hand, of Paris, not of Hector.
Out flew the fame thereof into all quarters of Ireland,
and the Princes nothing dull to catche holde of such
advantage, vvith one assent, rose ready to pursue their
liberty. All Meth and Leinster vvere soone gathered
to O-malaghlien, the father of this practise, vvho
lightly leapt to horse, and commaunding their forvvard-
nesse in so naturall a quarrell, sayde, Lordings and
friendes, this case neither admitteth delay, nor asketh
policie, heart and haste is all in all, vvhile the feate is
young and strong, that of our enemies some sleepe,
some sorrovv, some curse, some consult, all dismayed,
let us anticipate their furye, dismember their force, cut off
their flight, occupie their places of refuge and succour.
It is no mastery to plucke their feathers, but their
L
74
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
neckes, nor to chase them in, but to rovvse them out,
to vveede them, not to rake them; nor to treade them
dovvne, but to digge them up. This lesson the Tyrant
himselfe hath taught mee, I once demaunded him in a
parable, by vvhat good husbandry the Land might bee
ridde of certaine Crovves that annoyed it, hee advised
to vvatche vvhere they bred, and to fire the nestes about
their eares. Goe vvee then upon these Cormorants that
shrovvde themselves in our possessions, and let us
destroy them so, that neither nest, nor roote, nor seede,
nor stalke, nor stubbe may remaine of this ungracious
generation.
Scarce had he spoken the vvord, but vvith great
shovvtes and clamours, they extolled the King as pa-
tron of their lives and families, assured both courage
and expedition, joyned their confederates, and with a
running campe, svvept every corner of the Land, razed
the castles to the ground, & chased the strangers be-
fore them, slevv all that abode the battaile, recovered
each man his ovvne precinct and former state of govern-
The Irish delivered of slavery, fell to their old
vomit in persecuting one another, & having lately de-
faced their fortified castles & tovvns, as coverts to the
enemy; al sides lay novv more open in harmes vvay.
This considered, the Princes that in the late rule of
Turgesius espied some towardnesse to wealth and ease,
began to discourse the madnesse of their fathers, who
could not see the use of that vvhich their enemies
abused, they began to loathe their unquietnesse, to wish
ment.
OF IRELAND
75
pro-
either lesse discord, or more strength in every mans
dominion to cast out the danger of naked Territoryes,
as ready to call in the enemy, as the contrary was to
shrowd them, faine vvould they mend, and they vvist
not hovv. The former subjection though it seemed
intollerable, yet they felt therein a grovving to peace,
fruits of merchandize, rest & surety; for it fared di-
versly tvvixt those Easterlings, & these Irish: they
knevv hovv to thrive, might they get some commodious
soyle. These had all the commodities of the soyle, &
reckoned them not. While the Princes and Potentates
pavvsed in this good mood, certain marchants out of
Norvvay, called Ostomanni, Easterlings, because they
lay East in respect of us, though they are indeede
perly Normans, & partly Saxons, obtained licence
safely to land & utter their vvares. By exchanging
of vvares & money, finding the Normans civill and
tractable, delighted also vvith gay conceipts, vvhich
they never esteemed needfull untill they savv them,
they entred into a desire of traffique vvith other na-
tions, to allure marchants, they licenced the strangers
aforesaid to build, if they vvere disposed, Haven-
Tovvnes, vvhich vvas done. Amellanus founded Wa-
terford; Sitaricus, Limericke; Inorus, Dublin, more
at leisure by others. Then were repaired by helpe and
counsell of these men, castles, forts, steeples, and
Churches every-where. Thus are the Irish blended
also in the blood of the Normans, who from thence-
forth continually flocked hither, did the Inhabitants
great pleasure, lived obediently, till wealth made them
76
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
wanton and rebellious. But they could not possibly
have held out, had not the conquest ensuing determined
both their contentions. The meane while they waxed
Lords of Havens and Bur-Townes, housed their soul-
diours, and oftentimes skirmished tooke their fortune,
crept no higher, onely a memory is left of their field
in Clantarfe, m where diverse noble Irish men were
slayne, that lye buryed before the Crosse of Kil-
maynam.
n
And it is to be noted, that these are the Danes, which
people (then Pagans) wasted England, and after that,
France. From whence they came againe into England
with VVilliam the Conquerour. So that Ostomani,
Normans, Easterlings, Danes, and Norway-men are in
effect the same, and as it appeareth by conference of
times and Chronicles, much about one time or season,
vexed the French men, subdued the English, and mul-
tiplyed in Ireland. But in the yeare of CHRIST 1095.
perceiving great envy to lurke in the distinction of
Easterlings and Irishe utterly west, and because they
were simply Northerne, not Easterne, and because they
magnified themselves in the late conquest of their
Countreymen, who from Normandy flourished now in
the Realme of England, they would in any wise bee
called and counted Normans.
1050. al, 1014.
"Guil de Nangiac. Polid 1. 8. Angl. hist.
อ
An Dom 900`
OF IRELAND.
77
J
Long before this time, P as ye have heard, Ireland
vvas bestowed into tvvo principall Kingdomes, and
sometime into more, whereof one was ever elected Mo-
narch, whom they tearme in their Histories, maximum
regem, or without addition, regem Hibernia. The
rest were written Reguli or Reges by limitation, as the
King of Leinster, of Connaght, of Vlster, of Moun-
ster, of Meth. To the Monarch besides his allowance
of ground, and titles of Honours, and other priviledges
in Iurisdiction, was graunted a negative in the nomi-
nation of Bishops at every vacation. The Cleargy and
Laity of the Diocesse, recommended him to their King,
the King to their Monarch, the Monarch to the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, for that as yet the Metropolitanes
of Ireland had not receaved their palles: In this sort
was nominated to the Bishopricke of Divelin, then
voide Anno 1074. (at the petition of Godericus King
of Leinster, by sufferance of the cleargy & people there,
with the consent of Terdilvachus the Monarch) a
learned prelate called Patricius: who the blessed arch-
bishop Lanfrancus consecrated at S. Pauls Church in
London, & swore him to the obedience after the maner
of his antecessors. ¶ Christian Bishop of Lismore
Legate to Eugenius 3. summoned a Provinciall Coun-
cell in Ireland, wherein were authorized foure Metro-
politan Sees, Ardmagh, Dublin, Cashell, & Tuam:
Bishops thereof being Gelasius, Gregorious, Donatus,
r An. Dom. 948.
• 1152.
78
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Edanus; for hitherto, though they yeelded a primacy
to the Bishop of Ardmagh, in reverence of Saint Pa-
tricke, yet was it partly voluntary, and ratified rather by
custome, then by sufficient decree: neither did that
Arch-Bishop take upon him to invest other Bishops,
but sent them to Canterbury (as I said before) which
henceforth they did not. Namely the next Bishop of
S. Laurence, sometimes Abbot of S. Kevynes in Glan-
dilagh, r was ordered and installed at home by Gelasius
Primate of Ardmagh.
' 1162.
THE
SECOND BOOKE
OF
CAMPION'S
HISTORY OF IRELAND.
CAP. I.
The conquest of Jreland by Henry the second, King
of England, commonly called Henry Fitz Empresse.
S
DERMOT MAC MURROUGH, King of Lein-
ster, halt and leacherous, vowed dishonestly to serve his
lust on the beautifull Queene of Meath, and in the absence
of her husband, allured the woman so farre, that she con-
discended to be stolne away. This dishonourable wrong
to avenge, O-Rorick the King her husband, besought
assistance of Rodericke Oconor, King of Connaght,
at that season the generall Monarch of all Ireland.
The subjects of Leinster detesting the quarrell, and
long ere this time hating their Prince, left him desolate
1167. This Chapter concludeth the 1. and 2. booke Cambrens de con-
quest Hiberniæ: delivered unto me by Francis Agard.
گے
80
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
in his greatest neede, so as with much difficulty hè
caught his boate, and fled over for succour to Henry
the 2. King of England, then warring upon the French
men, within his Dukedome of Aquitaine. Somewhat
before this season sate in the See of Rome, Adrianus t
4. an English man borne, who having in his youth
taken a painefull pilgrimage into Norway, and reduced
the whole Iland unto Christianity, learned distinctly
the state of Ireland, and how their countrymen which
dayly repaired thither, being themselves the most part
infidels, meeting with a people there, wilde and furious,
were like very shortly (but if God found remedy) to
deface religion: for though Christ were beleeved and
taught, yet the multitude eft soone, grew to a shame-
lesse kinde of liberty, making no more of necessary
points of Doctrine, then served their loose humour.
Besides these occasions Henry the 2. builded upon the
Popes favour, his borne subject, had sent Ambassadours
to Rome, in the first yeare of his raigne, asking leaue
to attempt the conquest of Ireland. Adrian trusting
and requiring a diligent reformation of the premisses,
graunted his Bull, which Alexander his Successour
confirmed, and ratified upon the same conditions. Now
when Dermot was come in the very necke of these con-
sultations, and put up his complaint, wherein he pre-
ferred the interest of his Crowne, and craved a restitu-
tion of some peece of his lands, the matter did seeme
not all untowardly broached, Henry having his hands
full with the French, because Mac Murrough urged
'Polichron. Plat. in Adr. 4. Io. Stell, in Chr.
*
81
OF IRELAND.
all possible haste, could not personally intend that offer,
but sent him honourably garded into England, with
letters patents bearing this Tenour.
HENRY the second, King of England, Duke of
Normandy and Aquitaine, Earle of Angiow. To all
our true subjects, English, Normans, Welchmen,
Scotts, and to all nations within our Dominions what-
soever. Greeting. Witt yee that the Bearer hereof,
Dermot Mac Murrough King of Leinster, we have
received into the soveraigne protection of our Grace
and bounty, wherefore who so of you all our loving
subjects will extend towards him, your ayde for his re-
storing, as to our trusty and welbeloved, know yee
that he is thereto authorized by these presents, and
shall deserve at our hands high favour in so doing.
With these letters and many gay additions of his
owne, he arrived at Bristow, where he fell at confe-
rence with Richard Strongbow, Earle of Pembroke,
with whom he covenanted, the delivery of his onely
daughter and heire unto marriage, and so the re-
mainder of his Kingdome: If the said Earle would
recover him his home. That day were planted in Wales
two gentlemen, Robert Fitz Stephens and Maurice
Fitz Gerald, brethren of a Mother, allyed to Rice ap
Griffin, then Prince of Wales, whose Grand-father
was surnamed Rice the great. Fitz Stephens had
beene high Constable there under the King, and for
executing rigour upon the Princes servants, was with
M
82
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
wise
him detained prisoner three yeares, ne would in any
pay ransome or accept the liberty promised him,
but if the conditions were loyall to the Crowne, and
to his person no dis-worship. Lastly by the mediation
of David Bishop of S. Davids, the third brother; and
of Fitz Gerald, and at the instance of Mac Murrough
whom the Prince entertained in that distresse, Fitz
Stephens was conditionaly delivered, that he and his
brother Maurice, should the next spring, while
Strongbow provided his army, assist the Irish out-cast,
who in consideration thereof assured them an estate
for ever in the towne of Weixford, and two Cantreds
adjoyning.
Thus much firmely concluded on all sides, the King
stale secretly home, and wintered closely among the
Cleargie of Fernes.
array,
According to covenant came Fitz Stephens, with 30.
Knights of his blood, 60. Squiers, & 300. footemen
Archers, to whom at his landing, Dermot sent in aid
his base sonne Duvelnaldus, and five hundred speares.
The towne and suburbes of Weixford marched forth
against him: But when they saw Souldiours in
diversly dighted and weaponed, furnished with artil-
lery, barbed horses and harnesse, they rety red to their
walles and strengthned them, burning the villages
thereabouts, and all the provision they could not carry.
The assault lasted 3. dayes, in the 4. certaine Bishops
resciant there, tooke up the variance, pacified the
OF IRELAND.
83
Townesmen to their King, and procured the rendring
of the Towne. Dermot having tryed the valiantnes
of the Welchmen, immediately kept his touch, and
gave possession of Weixford with the appurtenances
aforesaid, to Fitz Stephens and his brother. After suc-
cesse of these matters, they leavyed to the number of
3000. Souldiours, and devised to vexe the Lords of
Vpper Ossory, who had beene to the King of all other
most cruell and injurious. Them they compelled to
deliver Trewage and sweare fealty.
Rodericke the monarch appalled at these newes,
reared up all the Kings, in defence of the land, verily
supposing that all would to wrecke, were it not pre-
vented. And first they directed courteous messages
and gifts to Fitz Stephens, moving him to depart the
land quietly, and not to molest them without cause.
To whom he answered, that much he wondred at the
folly of those Princes, who to satisfie their choller had
opened such a gappe to their owne prejudice, as though
the subjects whom they had schooled, to breake
allyance towards the King of Leinster, would not be
as ready by this example to learne to withstand the
King of Connaght, for his owne part, though hee
might with better reason invade strangers, then they
could expell their neighbours and their peere, yet
would they suffer the King to reenter his right, they
should not finde him stiffe, nor untractable, otherwise
they should well feele that the Bryttons wanted neither
abilitie, nor truth, to maintaine their word.
84
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
and
Rodericke perceived it was no boote to
no boote to spurne,
therefore bethought himselfe of composition upon
agreement, they resolved thus.
Inprimis, that Mac Murrough swearing afresh his
obedience to the Monarch, should quietly, repossesse
the parts of Leinster, which Rodericke with-held by
suspensation.
Secondly, that for ensurance thereof, he should
pledge his dearest base sonne Cnotharn, to whom
Rodericke promised his daughter, if this peace were
found effectuall.
Thirdly, that being rested in his kingdome, he
should discharge the Welch army, nor should hence-
forwards call them over in defence.
About this time, Donatus the good King of Ergall,
founded the Abbey of Mellyfont, which is the eldest
that I finde recorded since the Danes arrivall, except
S. Mary Abbey, besides Divelin, erected in an. 948.
The meane while was landed at Weixford, Maurice
Fitz Gerald with his provision, ten Knights, thirty
Squiers, and an hundred Bowmen, hereupon Dermot
and the two Brethren, set their force against Divelin,
which being the cheife Citty of his Realme, refused
to yeeld, when Divelin and the country about it vvas
recover'd, there befell hostility between Rodericke,
OF IRELAND.
85
and Duvenaldus Prince of Limericke, vvhom Dermot
his father holpe in field, foyled the enemy, and then
vvithdrevy his obedience from the Monarch. Shame-
full was Roderickes flight, and Dermot insinuated
into the favour of his people, began to recount the
confederates of his first misfortune, and consulted with
the two Captaines for the invasion of Connaght, find-
ing them prest, he wrote over to the Earle Strongbow,
renewed their covenants, prayed his helpe. Richard
Earle Strongbow (whose auncestors came in vvith the
Conquest, but commonly of the King and his succes-
sors disfavoured) having read the letters, he passed to
King Henry, besought him either to answere him his
rightfull heritage, vvhich other men occupied, or to
licence him else vvhere in uncouth lands, to seeke his
fortune. The King halfe in derision bad him on in
the name of God, even as farre as his feete could beare
him. The Earle dissembling to perceive the hollovv-
nes of the king, furnished his Cousin Reymond le
Grose, Nephevv to the brethren aforesaid, vvith ten
Knights, and 70. Bovvmen, himselfe ensued vwith
about 200. Knights, and 1000. lusty Welchmen, tryed
Souldiours, shortly they vvanne the Citty of Water-
ford, and then immediately Mac Murrough accom-
plished his convention, gave to the Earle in marriage
his daughter Eve, with the succession of his King-
dome. When Waterford was gotten, and Leinster
pacified, and the Princes of Ossory tamed, and a
chosen band ever in garrison, Mac Murrough became
so terrible, that none durst encounter him. The
86
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Cleargy assembled themselves at Ardmagh, and with
one accord did protest that for all their sinnes, and
especially for the Turkish kinde of Tyrany which they
used in buying and selling, and with vile slaveries
oppressing the bodies of the English, (whom their
pyrats tooke) their land was like to be translated to
that nation, whose captives they handled so cruelly.
To appease in part, the indignation of God, they de-
creed, that all English, wheresoever in hold within
the realme, should forthwith be loosed, Further, if it
pleased God to scourge them, it should be meekely
suffered, as farre beneath the debt of their deserts.
King Henry, though he was well apayed that the
Earle should be from him, yet he liked no deale, his
growing in Ireland to such power, as percase in time
to come, with his faction in Wales, then living under
a Prince of their owne, he might be able to face the
Crowne of England. An edict was therefore drawne,
whereby all subjects were charged upon their perill, to
reverte into England by a day, and a caveat annexed,
that upon paine of death, none should presume to
passe over without a nevv warrant, nor ship over any
wares, money, munition, or victuals into Ireland.
Thus had the Irish a breathing space, and would
perhaps have picked greater benefits thereby, had not
the Normans beene in their top immediately after. u
Great force they laide to Divelin, but vvere valiantly
repelled, and their Captaine Hasculphus taken pri-
1170.
OF IRELAND.
87
soner, who being calmely intreated, began to overview
himselfe, and to imagine that the Citizens durst not
use him extreamely, & once in open audience brake
forth his unseasonable courage, in these wordes. Take
this (quoth he) but for hansell, the game is to come:
which heard they delayed him no longer, but pusht
him downe on a blocke, and swapped off his head.
Strongbow perceiving the Kings jealously not yet
allayed, having wel-nigh spent his army in defence of
diverse good townes, impugned by Rodericke and the
Irish, left sufficient warde till his returne: and met the
King at Gloucester. To whom he writeth, declaring
the envy
that lurked in his preferment, yeelded the
tittle of all his winning, craved good countenance
with his grace, contented himselfe with any portion
whatsoever his Majesty should relinquish: a finall
quietnesse was driven betweene them, Dublin with th'
appurtenances, and all port townes of Leinster, & all
fortresses reserved to the King. The Earle should
enjoy with good leave whatsoever he had gotten beside.
This yeare dyed Mac Murrow, and the Abbey de
Castro Dei was founded.
Soone after the King with five hundred Knights
with archers and horsemen many more tooke shore at
Waterford;w and was such a terrour to the Irish, that
* 1171.
* 1172. Regni sui 17. Ætatus 41
88
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
incontinently all Mounster submitted themselves to
his peace. There the men of Wexford to feede the
surmises of Henry conceived against the gentlemen,
betrayed their Lord Fitz Stephens, and him delivered
to the King. The King to gratifie them, for a while
tremely chained and hampered the prisoner, quarrel-
ling with him, notwithstanding the inhibition he had
proceeded in atchieving the conquest of Ireland, but
shortly hee enlarged him, and ratified the grants of
Wexford above-mentioned.
These Princes of the South sware fidelity and tribute
to Henry. Dermot Cartye King of Corke, Donald
Obrene king of Limericke, Donald and Omalaghlien,
puissant Lords of Ossory, and in briefe, all the states
of Mounster, from thence hee journeyed to Dublin,
where in like manner all the Captaines of Leinster,
and Ororicke king of Meth, and Rodericke Oconor,
king of Connaght, and of all Ireland for himselfe,
and the whole Iland, humbly recognized his sove-
raignety: finally, no man there was of name in the
land (except them of Vlster) but they to him bowed
and sware obeysance. All which he feasted royally
with a dinner of Cranes flesh, a fowle till then utterly
abhorred of the Irish.
Merlin had prophesied, that five should meete, and
the sixt should scourge them. This sixt they now
construed to be Henry, in whom the five pettie King-
domes were united. Of the same conquest prophesied
OF IRELAND.
89
their foure notable Saints, Patricke, Brachon, Colme,
and Moling.*
The King not unmindfull of his charge, enjoyned
by the Popes Adrian and Alexander, entred into a re-
formation of the Church: and mooved the famous
Bishop of Lismore, Saint Christian, their Legate, to
call a Synode at Cashell, wherein they defined Eight
Articles. y
1. First, that their people should abandon unlawfull
contracts of their cousins and allyes, and observe the
Canons of Matrimonie.
2. That their Infants should be primestened of the
Priests hand at the Church dore, and then baptized in
the font of their mother Church.
3. That all faithfull duely pay their Tithes.
. 4. That holy Church be for ever quit of those cursed
exactions of diet and harborow whereunto they had
beene accustomably strayned foure seasons in the
yeare, and else against right.
5. That the fine levyed for manslaughter, be not
borne by the Clearkes, and kinsmen to the malefac-
* Fab. pars. 7. c 137.
s Pol. Virg. lib. 13. Angl. Hist.
N
90
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
tour, but if he were accessary or faulty to the deed
doing.
6. That the sicke doe his Testament to be made or
read in the presence of credible
persons.
7. That the funerals of the dead be devoutly and
solemnly kept.
8. That forasmuch as GOD hath universally deli-
vered them into the government of the English, they
should in all points, rights, and ceremonies, accord
with the Church of England.
To these things Gelasius Primate of Ardmagh, be-
cause he was old and impotent, gave his consent at
Divelin in the presence of the King, he died two yeares
after, so aged, that his sustenance was the milke of a
white Cow, which he carried with him wheresoever he
travelled. This yeere the Abbey de fonte vivo was founded.
While all went well in Ireland, newes came that
Henry the sonne (whom his father had for good
purpose crowned King of England) was misledde to in-
trude upon the actuall possession of the Crowne in his
fathers life-time, which stirre to appease, the King left
the custody of Ireland with Hugh de Lacy, to whom
he gave Meth in fee, with Fitz Stephens, Fitz Ge-
rald, and Philip de Bruise, and diverse others, and
sayled into England.
OF IRELAND,
91
In absence of King Henry, Ororick King of Meth,
surnamed Monoculus, required conference and parley
with Hugh de Lacy, in which communication the
King had trayterously murdered Lacy, had not Fitz
Gerald rescued him. Then stept out an ambushment
of the Irish, but Griffin a Gentleman of the bloud
royall in Wales, flighted the Kyrneghes, and slevv
Ororick.
The English perceived such practices daylie sought
and attempted, tooke from the Irish as farre as they
durst, all trust of government, fenced themselves vvith
garrisons, made Captaines, Keepers and Constables,
vvheresoever they vvanne the better. But King Henry
vvas so affrighted vvith his sonnes rebellion, and
grevv
into such envye both at home and abroad for the death
of Thomas late Archbishop of Canterbury, that he had
no vvill to mind his proceedings in Ireland. Ever his
jealousie increased tovvardes the Earle Strongbow,
vvhom he supposed easie to bee carryed avvay vvith
any light occasion of tumult. The Earle vvas a man
of great birth, but not of great port until this good
marriage befell him, & knovving himselfe neither to
be brooked in sight, nor trusted out of sight, kept
still one certaine rate in all his doings, bare but lovve
saile, fed no quarrells, shunned all suspicious con-
ference.
While they stood thus in a mammaring, and Letters
came daylie over, hovv faintly the States and Princes
92
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
of Ireland performed obedience; for except in Leinster,
all other parts retayned still their auncient kinde of
government, and did onely acknovvledge Tribute. It
vvas thought expedient by Henryes Counsellours, to
discharge his minde of that care, and seeing there
vvas trouble on all sides, and all could not bee intended
one vvay, they determined to venture the custody of
Ireland to Strongbow, being likely for his ovvne
vvealth and assurance, to procure all possible meanes
of bridling and annoying the Irish.
No sooner vvas the Earle landed with his Commis-
sion Lord Warden of Ireland, but Donald King of
Limericke met him at the vantage, and coursed him
within the walls of Waterford, whereof hearing the
residue their mates were animated, so that up they start
in
every corner, tagge and ragge to expell the English.
It went hardly, then the Earle remembred himselfe
of his cousin Lord Reymond, left behinde him in Wales
a suitor to Basil his sister, whose marriage nothing stop-
ped but the Earles consent. Now therefore hee wri-
teth lovingly to the Wooer, and upon condition that
hee came speedily to succour him, hee yelded the Lady
and all else at pleasure. Reymond in his first entry
brake into Divelin, marryed his Wife in compleate Ar-
mour, and the very next daye sprang foorth, whipped
the Rebells, quieted Leinster.
Also the Cleargy having lately perused the Popes
OF IRELAND.
93
Bull, wherein hee entitleth Henry Lord of Ireland,
and under straight paynes commaundeth alleagiance
unto him, busily repressed the fury of their Countrey-
men. And forsomuch as immediately after Christianity
planted there, the whole Iland had with one consent
given themselves not only into the spirituall, but also
into the temporall jurisdiction of the See of Rome,
which temporall right the two Bishops Adrian and
Alexander had freely derived into King Henry, as by
their publique instruments read in their counsell at
Cashell appeareth, they denounced curse and excom-
munication to any that would maliciously gainsay or
frustrate the same.
When these broyles were rocked asleepe and husht
for a time, the familiars of Strongbow greatly fore-
thought them of the credit and rule committed to Rey-
mond, whom in conclusion they procured home againe
vvhen he had served their turne at neede. The meane
vvhile dyed Strongbow, as some say, a betrayed and
vvounded, he lyeth buried in the Body of Christ Church
in Divelin, leaving behinde him one onely daughter
Isabel, marryed after 14. yeares to VVilliam Earle
marshall. Closely they concealed Strongbowes death,
untill they had compassed from the King another Go-
vernour after their owne tooth. For ever they dreaded,
that Reymond being in the Princes eye, and friended
Pol. Virg. lib. 13 Angl. Hist
1175.
94
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
in the Court, would catch his opportunity, and wynde
himselfe (might he get an inkling in time of the Earles
death) into the succession of his office, which even
then waxed sweet and savoury. Coodgellers of this
drift, stopped messengers, intercepted letters, hasted
on their owne course. Basil the wife of Reymond,
more dutiful to her husband, then naturall to her bro-
ther, continued still in Ireland sicke, but having privy
knowledge of those newes, ere the breath was quite out
of the Earles body, payned her selfe to disturbe this
whole array. And whereas shee knew well her letters
should bee searched, and her owne servants stayed,
shee let it be delivered at all a very venture to one of
the maryners, and therein draweth a long processe of
her affayres and household, but in the middle shuffles
in a few lines of her meaning, under these tearmes: To
all
my afflictions is added now lately the tooth-ake, so
that except that one master-tooth had fallen (which I
send
you for
a token) I weene I were better out of my
life. Now was the tooth tipped with golde, and bur-
nished feately like a present, which Reymond wist well
to bee none of hers, and therefore quickly smelled the
construction, lingred not for Letters Pattents, but stept
over presently, and made his packe, and was elected by
the Kings Agents there, Lord Protectour of Ireland,
till the Kings pleasure were further knowne: During
his authority flourished the Geraldines, but shortly after
they quayled againe, under the government of VVilliam
Fitz Aldelin, with him was joyned in commission
the valiant Knight Iohn de Courcy, conquerour, and
95
OF IRELAND.
Earle of Vlster, which hitherto the King had not
obtained.
That yeare b was founded the Abbey of Crockesden,
by Bertramus de Verdon.
C
To establish the conquest of Vlster, and other vic-
tories of the parts of Ireland before enjoyed, © Alex-
ander the third sent his Cardinall Vivianus, vvho de-
clareth the Title that Henry held of the Pope, the re-
servation of the Peter-pence, the indignation of GOD
and holy Church against the rebells, who beeing them-
selves contemners and breakers of Canons Ecclesiasti-
call, yet for maintenance of their unruly stomackes, had
found the meanes to make Churches their barnes, be-
stowing therein both corne and pulse, that the victual-
lers and purveyors of the Princes campe should not
dare to require the sale thereof for perill of sacriledge.
Therefore hee licenseth Officers in this behalfe soberly
and discreetely to convent such persons, as made the
Church a Sanctuary for their Corne, and in neede to
take thereof at reasonable prices.
Little good did Fitz Aldelin, and lesse vvas like to
doe, because hee delighted to crosse his Peeres, and
vvas of them stopped in his course of government.
Hugh de Lacye vvas made Protector generall over
ь
b 1176.
$1177.
96
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
the Land. But Miles Cogan, Philip de Bruise, Fitz
Stephens, Power, and diverse other more preferred to
severall countreyes under him.
This Lacye builded a sort of castles and forts through-
out all Leinster and Meth, and the next sixe yeares
continually devout gentlemen erected sundry Abbeyes,
as the Abbey of Roseglasse, d of Donbrothy by Hervy
a Welch-man, e one of the speciall conquerours of Ire-
land, vvho himself after that, entred into religion in
Trinity Priory at Canterbury, f The Abbeyes of Geri-
pont, and Choro Benedicti, the Abbey de lege Dei,
vvith repayring of many Chappels, Chauncells, Bell-
houses, High-vvayes, and Bridges. Then dyed Saint
Laurence Archbishop of Divelin, to vvhom succeeded
John Comyn an Englishman, brought up in the Abbey
of Evesham, Founder of Saint Patrickes in Divelin,
vvhich vvas before that time a Parish Church, & novv
by the said Archbishop endovved with Prebends, Vic-
cars, Clearkes, Chorists, and many notable possessions
for their maintenance, vvhereout from time to time
have proceeded Clergy-men of greatest learning & re-
putation in the Diocese Divers contentions were raised
betwixt Christs Church and it, for antiquity, wherein
they of S. Patrickes, are (no doubt) inferiour, as shall
a 1178.
* 1179.
$ 1180,
#1182.
OF IRELAND.
97
appeare. They are both written Cathedrall Churches,
and both are the Bishops Chapiter, in vvhose election
they both ought to convent within the Church of the
blessed Trinity, called Christs Church, which in all re-
cords hath the preheminency of place. The party that
disturbeth this order of election, forfeiteth by deede to
th'Archbishop of Divelin, 200. pounds. This foun-
dation was much enriched by King Iohn.
The same yeare died the yong King Henry, recon-
ciled to his father, but preparing warre against his bro-
ther Richard Duke of Aquitain: soon after also de-
ceased Ieffry his other son, Duke of Brittaine. Thus
were left Richard, his inheritour, and Iohn afterwards
Earle of Glocester, heretofore surnamed without land,
to whom the father conveyed all his interest and Lord-
ship of Ireland, sent him thither honourably accompa-
nied, being then but twelue yeares old, and with him in
speciall trust, Giraldus Cambrensis Clerke, a diligent
searcher of the antiquities of Ireland, surely well learned,
and in those dayes counted Eloquent.
About the young Earle were servants and counsel-
lours, three sorts, first Normans, great quaffers, lour-
dens, proud, belly swaines, fed with extortion and bri-
bery; to whom hee most relyed: secondly, the English
brought with him, meetly bold: Thirdly, the English
found in the land, whom being best worthy and most
forward in all good services, hee least regarded, hereof
↳ Infra cap. 48.
}
98
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
sprang parties and disdaine, and to the knights that
hardiest were and readiest of courage no small discom-
fort, to the enemies a spurre.
With the brute of his arrivall at Waterford, the
Kings of Thomond, Desmond and Connaght, put
themselves in the bravest manner they could, to meete
him and to submit their countries to his Grace, before
them came the Irish Franklyns with rich presents, (and
as they are very kind hearted where they list to shew
obedience,) made unto the Childe, their Lord, the
most joy and gladnesse that might be, and though
rudely, yet lovingly, and after the custome of their
country, offred to kisse him, with such familiarity
they used towards their Princes at home. Two of the
Guard, Normans, pick thankes, shooke and tare the
Clownes by the glibs & beards unmannerly, and
churlishly thrust them out of the presence,
whom they
should have instructed curteously, & born with. The
Irish thus rejected, went against the fore-named Kings,
opened the rebukes and villanyes done to them, for
their meekenes, that their Lord whom they thought to
honour, was but a Boy, peevish and insolent, governed
by a sort of flatterers, younglings and prowlers: That
sithence to them that buxome were and tractable, such
despite and dishonour (that terme they have borrowed
of the Spaniards) was proffered so soone, little good
should the states of Ireland looke for in continuance,
when the English had once yoked and penned them in
their clouches.
OF IRELAND.
99
This report lightly alienated the mindes of those
Princes, not yet very resolute, and turned them home
with great oathes and leagues, entred among them-
selves, caused also the mightiest Captaines elsewhere
to sticke together, while their lives lasted, and for no
manner earthly thing to slacke the defence of their
auncient liberties.
Immediately walked abroad mutinyes of broyle &
commotion, so that the young Earle and his army, were
content to commit the tryall thereof, to Lacy, Bruise,
Courcy, Fitz Gerald, and the rest, himselfe departing
away the same yeare he came, and leaving the Realme
a great deale worse bestedde then he found it.
From the Conquest hitherto Giraldus Cambrensis,
and from hence to the yeare 1370. I am specially
holpen by certaine briefe extracts, i whose author is
namelesse, and therefore I quote him by the name of
Philip Flatsbury who wrote them, and enriched them
with collections of his owne, for Gerald the father of
the Earle of Kildare then being. An. 1517.
Lacy the rather for these whisperings, did erect and
edifie a number of Castles, well and substantially, pro-
vided in convenient places, one at Derwath, vvhere di-
verse Irish prayed to be set on worke, for hyre. Sundry
i In these notes I used the conference of 3. coppies, much different, sent
me, the one by my Lord of Trimlestone, another from M. Agard, the third
from M. Stanyhurst:
100
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
times came Lacy to quicken his labourers, full glad
to see them fall in ure with any such exercise, wherein,
might they once be grounded & taste the svveetenesse
of a true mans life, he thought it no small token of
reformation to be hoped, for which cause he visited them
often, and merrily would command his Gentlemen to
give the labourers example in taking paines, to take
their instruments in hand, and to worke a season, the
poore soules looking on and resting. But this game
ended Tragically, while each man was busie to try his
cunning: some lading, some plaistering, some heaving,
some carving; the Generall also himselfe, digging with
a pykeaxe, a desperate villaine of them, he whose toole
the Generall used, espying both his hands occupied and
his body, with all force inclining to the blow, watched
his stoope, and clove his head with an axe, little es-
teeming the torments that ensued, k
This Lacy was
conquerour of Meth, his body the two Archbishops,
John of Divelin and Mathew of Cashell, buryed in the
monastery of Becktye, his head in S. Thomas abbey at
Divelin. 1 The next yeare, was builded the abbey of
Ines in Vlster, m and soone after, the abbeyes of Iugo
Dei, and of Comer, " and then the abbey of Knock-
moy, or de Colle victoriæ, by Cathel Cronderg King
of Connaght.
h
L 1189.
1
¹ 1187.
m 1198.
D 1199.
• 1200
OF IRELAND.
101
CAP. II.
The Titles of the Crowne of England to every part
of Ireland, and to the whole diverse wayes.
I WILL begin with the pedigree of VVilliam Earle
marshall, for thereupon depend many recordes in Ire-
land, and the Queenes right to Leinster. VValter
Fitz Richard, who came from Normandy, with VVil-
liam Conquerour, died Lord Strongbow of Strigule
alias Chepstow without issue, to whom succeeded his
sisters sonne Gilbert, who was created the first Earle
of Pembroke, & had issue Richard the inheritour of
Leinster, by a covenant and marriage of Eva the sole
daughter of Mac Murrough King of Leinster. This
Richard conveyed to Henry the second all his title,
and held of him the Lordship of Leinster in foure
counties, Weixford, Catherlagh, Ossory, and Kildare.
Richard left issue, a daughter Isabel, married to VVil-
liam Earle marshall of England, now Earle of Pem-
broke, Lord Strongbow, and Lord of Leinster. VVil-
liam had issue five sonnes, who died without issue,
when every of them, except the youngest, had succes-
sively possessed their fathers lands, and five daughters,
Maude, Ioane, Isabel, Sibil, and Eve, among
among whom
the patrimony was parted in an. 31. H. 3. Of these
daughters bestowed in marriage, are descended many
noble houses, as the Mortimers, Bruises, Clares, &c.
102
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
borne subjects to the Crowne of England, paying ever
to the King his dutyes reserved.
Hugh de Lacy Conquerour of Meth, had issue
VValter de Lacy, who held the same of King Iohn,
paying a fine of foure thousand marks sterling, and
hence beganne all the severall claimes there at this
day, with allegiance sworne and done by their aunces-
tours.
At the very first arrivall of Henry the second, the
Princes of Mounster came universally, and did homage
voluntarily, and acknowledged to him and his heires,
duties and payes for ever.
Iohn de Courcy Conquerour and Earle of Vlster,
dyed without issue, King John Lord of Ireland, gave
the Earledome to Hugh de Lacy, who had issue, VVal-
ter and Hugh, dead without issue, and one daughter
married to Reymond Burke Conquerour and Lord of
Connaght.
Connaght descended to diverse heires, owing service
to the Prince, but Vlster is returned by devolution to
the speciall inheritance and revenues of the Crowne of
England, in this manner The said De Burgo, had
issue, Richard, who had issue Iohn, who had issue
VVilliam, who was slaine without issue, and a Daugh-
ter, Elizabeth intytled to thirty thousand marks
yearely, by the Earledome of Vlster, whom Edward
OF IRELAND.
103
the 3. gave in marriage to Leonel his second sonne,
Duke of Clarence, who had issue a daughter Philippe,
marryed to Edmund Mortymer, who had issue Ed-
mund, Anne, Elinor. Edmund and Elinor died
without issue, Anne was married to Richard, Earle
of Cambridge, sonne to Edmund of Laugley Duke
of Yorke, fift sonne to Edward the third, which said
Richard had issue Richard Plantagenet, father to
Edward the fourth, father to Elizabeth wife to Henry
the seventh, and mother to Henry the eight, father to
Mary, Edward the sixt, and Elizabeth.
Severall claimes to the Land of Ireland.
1. First that the Irish (for of the rest there is no
question) were subjects to the Crowne of Brittaine,
before they set foote in Ireland. Thus it appeareth.
They dwelt on that side of Spaine, whereof Bayon was
then cheife imperiall Citie, and the same then in
posses-
sion and obedience to Gurguntius 376. yeares ere Christ
was borne, as it was to his successours many a day
after, namely to Henry, the which as I finde noted in
certaine precepts of governement, dedicated to Iames
Young, to Iames Butler Earle of Ormond, then Lieu-
tenant of Ireland an. 1416.
From this coast and Citty, now part of Gascoigne
came the fleete of those Iberians, who in 60. ships
met Gurguntius on the sea, returning from the con-
quest of Denmarke, to whom they yeelded oath and
104
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
service, sued for dwelling, were by him conducted
and planted in Ireland, and became his leige people.
2. Mac Gil-murrow King of Ireland, with all his
petty Princes, Lordes, and Captaines, summoned to
King Arthurs court held in Carlion, an. 519. did
accordingly their homage, and attended all the while
his great feast and assembly lasted.
3. The Monarch of Ireland and all other, both
reges and reguli for them and for theirs for ever,
betooke themelves to Henry the second in an. Dom.
1172. namely those of the south, whiles he lay at
Waterford, Dermot King of Corke, which is the
nation of Mac Cartyes, at Cashell, Donald King of
Limericke, which is the nation of the Obrenes,
Donald King of Ossory, Mac Shaghlen King of
Ophaly, at Divelin did the like, Okeruell king of
Vriell, Ororicke king of Meth, Rodericke King of
all Ireland, and of Connaght. This did they with
consents and shoutes of their people: and king Henry
returned without any Battle given, Only Vlster re-
mained which John de Courcy soone after conquered,
and Oneale Captaine of all the Irish there, came to
Dublin to Richard the 2. in an. 1399. And freely
bound himselfe by oath and great summes of money,
to be true to the crowne of England.
4. The same time Obrene of Thomond, Oconor
of Connaght, Arthur Mac Murrow of Leinster, and
1
OF IRELAND.
105
کی
all the Irish Lords which had been somewhat disor-
dered, renewed their obedience.
5. When Ireland first received Christendome they
gave themselves into the jurisdiction both spirituall &
temporall, of the See of Rome. The temporall Lord-
ship, Pope Adrian conferred upon Henry the second,
and hee gave the same to Iohn his younger sonne,
afterwards King of England, and so it returned home
to the Crowne.
6. Alexander the 3. confirmed the gift of Adrian
as in both their Charters is expressed at large.
7. Vivian the legate on the Popes behalfe doth ac-
curse and excommunicate all those that flitte from the
obeysance of the Kings of England.
8. The cleargy twice assembled, once at Cashell,
secondly at Ardmagh, plainely determined the con-
quest to be lawfull, and threatned all people, under
paine of Gods, and holy Churches indignation, to ac-
cept the English kings for their Lords, from time to
time.
9. It would aske a volume to recite the names of
such Irish Princes, who since the conquest have con-
tinually occasions, revolts or petitions, sworne truth
and faith to the kings of England, from time to time,
received honours, wages, fees, pardons, and petitions.
P
106
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
And thus I thinke no reasonable man will doubt of u
right so old, so continued, so ratified, so many wayes
confessed.
CAP. III.
Richard the first, and King John.
BY occasion of Lacyes mishap, Iohn Courcye, and
Hugh de Lacye the younger, with all their assistants,
did streight execution upon the Rebells, and prevent-
ing every mischiefe ere it fell, stayed the Realme from
uproares. Thus they continued lovingly, and lived in
wealth and honour all the dayes of Richard the first,
untill the first yeare of King Johns raigne.
Henry the second had issue male, William, Henry,
Richard, Ieffrey, and Iohn. William, Henry, and
Richard dyed without issue. Ieffrey Earle of Brittaine
dyed before his father, and left issue two daughters,
and an after-borne son called Arthur, whose title to
the Crowne, as being the undoubted lyne of the elder
brother, Philip King of France, and certaine Lords of
England and Ireland stoutly justified: Him had King
John taken prisoner in Normandy, and dispatched, if
P 1189.
· 1199.
OF IRELAND.
107
the fame be true, with his owne hands at Roane. Of
this barbarous cruelty all mens eares were full, and
Courcye either of zeale or partiality, spake bloudy
words against it, which meane his undermyners caught,
and did not onely heave him out of credit, but also
got commission to attach his body, and to send him
into England.
The Earle mistrusted his part, and kept aloofe, till
Hugh de Lacye Lord Iustice, vvas faine to levye men
in armes, and to invade Vlster." Thence hee vvas
often put to flight, vvhereupon hee proclaymed
Courcye Traytour, and hyred sundry gentlemen vvith
revvards, to bring him in quicke or dead, so long hee
vvooed the matter, that Courcyes ovvne Captaines
vvere inveygled to betray their Lord. Therefore upon
good Friday, vvhen the Earle did off his armour, and
in secret meditations visited religious places bare-footed,
they layde for him, tooke him as a rebell, and shipped
him into England the next way, where he was adjudged
to perpetuall prison. Sentleger addeth in his collec-
tions that Lacy payd the Traytors their money, and
then immediatly hanged them.
S
This Courcye translated the Church and Preben-
daryes of the Trinity in Downe, to an Abbey of
black Monks brought thither from Chester, and the
* 1202.
* 1201
108
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
same did hallow to S. Patricke, for which alteration
of the name of God to his servant, hee deemed him.
selfe justly punished.
Not long after (as say the Irish) certaine French
knights came to King Iohns Court, and one of them
asked the combat for tryal of the Dutchy of Nor-
mandy. It was not thought expedient to jeopard the
title upon one mans lucke, yet the challenge they de-
termined to answere: some friend put them in minde
of the Earle imprisoned, a Warriour of noble courage,
and in pitch of body like a gyant. King Iohn de-
maunded Courcye whether hee would bee content to
fight in his quarrell: Not for thee (said the Earle)
whose person
I esteeme not worthy the adventure of
my bloud, but for the Crowne and dignity of the
Realme, wherein many a good man liveth against thy
will. The words were haply taken without dudgen,
as proceeding from stomack, and from one counted
more plaine then wise.
Courcye therefore being cherished to the field, and
refreshed with dyet, fed so wonderfully after his hard
keeping, that the French Challenger tooke him for
a monster, and privily stale into Spaine. Then was
the Earle inlarged, and crossed the seas tovvardes
Ireland, fifteene times, evermore beaten back to the
shoare, vvent thence into France to change the
coast, and there dyed: after vvhose decease vvith-
out heires of his body, the Earldome of Vlster vvas
OF IRELAND.
109
entirely bestovved upon Hugh de Lacye for his good
service.
In Ireland remained one of the Courcyes, Lord of
Rathenny and Kilbarrock, vvhom as a spye of all their
practises, and an informer thereof to the King, VValter
and Hugh the sonnes of Hugh had slaine, and great
seditions raysed, bearing themselves after the decease
of their father for Governours out of checke. To
settle the Realme of Ireland, King Iohn brought
thither a maine Armye, banished the Lacyes, subdued
the remanents, tooke pledges, punished malefactours,
established the execution of English Lawes, coyned
money of like value currant sterling in both Realmes. t
The two Lacyes repentant of their follyes and tyran-
nies, fled into France, dispoyled of sumptuous appa-
rell, and unknowne, meekely they served in Saint
Taurines Abbey, as gardners, untill the Abbot by
their countenance and behaviour, beganne to smell
their estates, and pressed them so farre, that they de-
tected their offences, and the due desert of much harder
chastisement, eft-soone beseeching the Abbot to keepe
their counsells, who commending their humilities, yet
advising them to laye holde upon their Princes favour,
if it might be had, laboured the King his familiar
and godsip earnestly for their pardons and obtained it.
Each of them were fined, VValter at 4000. and
Hugh at 2500. markes, and restored him to the Lord-
* Anno 1210. Stow.
1
110
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
ship of Meth, this to the Earldome of Vlster: King
John made his Vice-gerent, and returned home,
subdued the Welchmen, met with Pandulphus the
Legate of Innocentius the third, who came to release
him of the sentence wherein he stood excommunicate
for his spoyle and extortion of Church goods, to whom
being the Popes Atturney, hee made a personall sur-
render of both his Realmes in way of submission, and
after his assoylement, received them againe: some adde
that he gave away his Kingdome to the See of Rome,
for him and his successours, recognizing, to holde the
same of the Popes in fee, paying yearely therefore one
thousand markes, and in them three hundred for Ire-
land. u Blundus sayth, Centum pro utroq; auri mar-
chas. Sir Thomas Moore, a man in that calling &
office likely to sound the matter to the depth, writeth
precisely, that neither any such writing the Pope can
shew, nor were it effectuall if he could. How farre
foorth, and with what limitation a Prince may or may
not addict his Realme feodary to another, Iohn Maior
a Scottish Chronicler, and a Sorbonist, not unlearned,
partly scanneth, who thinketh 300. marks for Ireland
a very
hard pennyworth. The instrument which our
English Chronicle rehearseth, might haply be mo-
tioned and drawne, and then dye unratified, although
the copy
of that record continue: But certaine it is,
that his successours never payde it,
never payde it, and thereto
assenteth Iohn Bale in his Apology against vowes.
• Polid. lib. 15.
▾ Fabian.
OF IRELAND.
111
To Iohn Comin Founder of S. Patrickes Church,
succeeded Henry Lounders in the Archbishops See of
Divelin, who builded the kings Castle there, being
Lord Chiefe Iustice of Ireland, him they nicknamed
(as the Irish doe commonly give additions to their
Governours in respect of some fact or qualitie) Scorch-
villaine, and Burnebill, because hee required to peruse
the writings of his Tenants, colourably pretending to
learne the kinde of each mans severall tenure, and
burned the same before their faces, causing them either
to renew their estates, or to holde at will. In the fourth
yeare of King Johns raigne, was founded the Abbey
of Dowske, in the sixt, the Abbey of Wethny in the
Countie of Limericke, by Theobald le Butler, Lord of
the Carricke, and in the twefth, Richard Tute builded
the Monastery of Granard.
CAP. IIII.
Henry the third, and Edward the first.
X
AFTER the death of Lownders, Henry the third
(informed of the Truth and good service done by the
Geraldines ever since their first arryvall in the Coun-
trey) made Morrice Fitz Gerald the sonne of Mor-
rice aforesaid Lord Iustice.
- 1212.
* 1228.
112
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
To him sent Edward the Prince, surnamed Long-
shanke, for assistance and power of men against the
Welch Rebells, who leaving Warders in the Castle
of Sligaghe, by him lately founded, together with
Phelim Oconnor, and a lusty band of souldiours met
the king at Chepstovv, returned victoriously, and by
this meanes increased favour, & streightway they tvvo
joyning vvith Cormack mac Dermot, Mac Rory,
made a noble hosting upon Odonill the Irish enemy
that invaded and grieved the Kings subjects of Vlster,
when Lacy was once dead.
Odonill being vanquished, the Lord Iustice forced
pledges and Trowages of Oneale, to keepe the Kings
peace, and diverse other exploytes did hee during his
time of government, which in particular rehearseth
Flatsbury in his notes collected for Gerald Fitz Gerald,
Earle of Kildare, Anno 1517.
To him succeeded in office Sir Iohn Fitz Geffrey
knight, Geffrey Allan de la Zowche, z whom Earle
Warren slevv, a to Zowch, Stephen de longa spata,
who slew Oneale in the streets of Down, band there
dyed. Him followed William Den, in whose time
Mac Cartye played the devill in Desmond, and to Den,
Richard Capell, who envyed the Geraldines, and was
of them taken prisoner, together with Theobald le
• 1249.
* 1260
1
¹ 1259.
1261
OF IRELAND.
113
c
up
the va-
Butler, and Miles Cogan. The king tooke
riance, and discharged Den, d preferring David Barrye
to his roome, who tamed the insolence of Morrice
Fitz Morrice,e cousin germane to Fitz Gerald: upon
Barrye came Vfford, upon Vfford, Iames Audeley,
who dyed of a fall from his horse in Thomond: and
then for the time Fitz Morrice governed, till the king
sent over Sir Ieffrey de Genevill, newly returned in
pilgrimage from the Holy Sepulture: Him called home
againe Edward the first, in the fourth yeare of his
raigne, and sent in his stead Robert Vfford the second
time, who made his Vice-gerent, Fryar Fulborne,
Bishop of Waterford, and resumed his charge at his
next arryvall into Ireland.
At this time of the citty of Divelin was miserably
wasted with fire, and the Bell-house of Christs Church
utterly defaced, which the citizens before they repayred
their private harmes jointly came to succor, & collec-
tions made to redresse the ruines of that ancient building
first begun by the Danes, as I finde in a monument of
that foundation, continued by Sitricus; Prince of Dive-
lin, at the motion of Donate, then Bishop, & dedicated
to the Blessed Trinity, finished by Richard Earle
Strangbow, Fitz Stephens, and S. Laurence the Arch-
bishop, and his foure successors, Iohn of Evesham,
Henry Scorchbill, Lord Iustice, & Lucas, and lastly
by Iohn de S. Paul, which worke at the decay by fire,
€1267.
¿ 1268.
€ 1280.
€ 1270.
Q
114
CAMPION'S HISTORIC
and since, many devout citizens of Divelin have
beautified.g
The same Strongbowes Tombe spoyled by fall of the
rooffe, Sir Henry Sidney Lord Deputy, restoreth at
this present, who hath also given a sightly countenance
to the Quire, by doing cost upon the Earle of Kildares
Chappell, over against the which he hath left a monu-
ment of Captain Randolfe, late Colonell of Vlster,
Valiantly dead in that service, Iohn Samford Arch-
bishop of Divelin Lord Iustice, VVilliam Vescy Lord
Iustice, who pursued Omalaghlien king of Meth, that
soone after was slaine.
The Souldan of Babylon h determined to vexe the
Christians cities of the East. Tripolis, Tyrus, Berin-
thus, Sidon, Ptolemais, now parts of Turky, vvhom to
redeeme, & vvith their helpes to get againe the Holy
Land, Edward the first had foure yeeres past obtained
by licence of Martin the fourth, and by confirmation
of Honorius, his successor, the vvhole tenth of all
ecclesiastical revenues in Ireland for 7. yeares, vvhere-
after follovved a fifteene of the Temporalty: And the
same yeere Iohn Baliol Earle of Galvvay, founded
Baliol Colledge in Oxford, made his homage to King
Edward for his Kingdome of Scotland, and to the
Lord Justice for his Earledome of Ireland.
• It was first a Priory and Canons, now Deane and Chapiter.
h 1287.
· Blundus ub 3.
OF IRELAND.
115
but
Vescey vvas a sterne man, and full of courage,
rashe and impudent of his tongue; he convented before
him, John Earle of Kildare, & charged him vvith riots
& vagaryes unseasonable, for that he ranged vvith his
men abroad, & preyed upon privat enemies inordinatly,
for malice & grudge, not for advancement of the pub-
lique vveale: vvhom the Earle as impatient as the
other, answered thus: 1 By your honour and mine, my
Lord, & by king Edwards hand, you vvould if you
durst, appeach me in plaine tearmes of felony: for
vvhereas I have the title, and you the fleece of Kildare,
I wot well how great an eye sore I am in your sight,
who if I could bee handsomely trussed up for a felon,
then might my young Master your sonne, become a
Gentleman: Iustice, Gentleman (quoth he) thou proud
Earle, the Vescyes were gentlemen, before Kildare
was an Earldome, and before the Welch bankrupt thy
Cousin feathered his Nest in Leinster. But seeing thou
darest me, I will surely breake thy heart, and with that
word he called the Earle a notorious theefe & mur-
derer. Then followed clattering of swords by Soul-
diours on both parties, untill either side appeased his
owne, and the Lord Iustice leaving his Lieutenant
VVilliam Hay, sped over the King, whom immedi-
ately followed the Earle, & as fast as Vescey charged
Kildare with fellony, no lesse did Kildare appeach the
Iustice of high treason, and in tryall thereof he asked
the Combate. But when the listes royall were pro-
vided, Vescey was slipt away into France, and so dis-
k
* 1291.
1
¹ 1294.
116
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
herited of all his lands in the county of Kildare, which
were bestowed upon the Earle of Kildare and his heires
for ever.
The Earle waxed insolent upon this successe, and
squared with diverse Nobles English and Irish of the
Land, hee took prisoner, Richard Earle of Vlster, and
him detained untill the Parliament then assembled at
Kilkenny, commanded his delivery, and forthat unruli-
nesse, disseised the Geraldines of the Castle of Sli-
gagh, and of all his lands in Connaght.
This yere
VVilliam Doddingsale Lord Iustice, m
for the defence of Wales, and commodity of Passen-
gers, to and from Ireland, the King did coast upon the
Isle of Anglisey, called the mother of Wales, and
builded there the castle de bello marisco, or Bewma-
rishe. Thomas Fitz Morice Lord Iustice.
Iohn VVogan Lord Iustice pacified the former
strife,n betweene Vlster and Kildare, and all the Ge-
raldines, with their associats, together with Theobald
Lord Butler, gathered strength of men, and met the
kings army before Edinburgh, wan the Citty, slew
25. thousand Scots, hampred Iohn Baliol king of the
Scots, in such sort, that glad and faine was he to re-
new his homage.
0
1294.
D 1296.
• 1299.
OF IRELAND.
117
CAP. V.
Edward the second.
THOMAS FITZ MORICE Lord Iustice. P
I will begin this Chapter with the modestie of a
good Clerke, Richard Havering who five yeares by
dispensation had received the fruites and revenues of
the Bishopricke of Divelin, and long might have done,
had he beene so disposed. But now feeling in sleep a
waight upon his stomacke, heavyer to his weening then
any masse of mettall, whereof to be released he vowed
in his dreame, all that ever he could make in this
world: Suddainely the next morne, resigned the custo-
dium of the Bishopricke, and contented himselfe with
other ecclesiasticall cures incident to his vocation. The
same yeare was the bane of the Templers in Ireland,
to whom succeeded the Knights of the Rhodes. This
profession began at Ierusalem, by certaine Gentlemen
that kept their abode next to the Temple there, who
till the Councell of Creetz increased not above the
number of nine. q But thenceforth in little more
then fiftie yeares, being enriched by contribution of
all Christian Realmes, every where their houses were
erected and endowed bountifully: they grew to 300.
Knights of the order and into inferiour brethren in-
numerable. But with ease and wealth they declined
P 1307.
• Tyr. 1. 12. c. 7.
118
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
}
now to such intollerable deformities of life and other
superstitious errors, nothing lesse regarding then the
purpose of this their foundation, that the generall
Councell assembled at Vienna, disannulled the same
for ever.
And thereupon as in other countries so
in Ireland, they confessed the publicke fame of their
enormities, and themselves culpable, their persons
they yeelded to perpetuall pennance, their lands were
given (though with some difficulty) to the Knights
of S. Iohns hospitall at Ierusalem, who since then
for recovering the Iland of Rhodes from the Saracens,
became famous, and multiplied much more honouraby
then did the Templers. Of this latter foundation
was the priory of S. Iohns at Kilmaynam besides
Divelin. r
Iohn Decer Major of Divelin builded the high
Pype there, and the Bridge over the Liffy, toward
S. Wolstans, and a chapell of our Lady at the Fryar
minors, where he lyeth buried, repaired the Church of
the Fryars preachers, and every friday tabled the
Fryars at his owne costs.
In absence of VVogan, Sir VVilliam Burcke was
Lord Warden of Ireland, to whom King Edward
recommended Pierce of Gavestone the disquieter of all
the nobility in England, a companion to the King in
vice, bolstered up by the King so peremptorily against
the will of his Councell, that whereas the said Piercę
T
1309.
of Ireland.
119
was by them exiled, Edward sent him now into Ireland
with much honour and many lewels, assigning him
the commmodities royall of that Realme, which bred
some bickering betweene the Earle of Vlster Sir
Richard Burke, and Gavestone, who notwithstanding
bought the hearts of the Souldiours with his libe-
rality, subdued Obrene, edified sundry Castles, caws-
wayes, and bridges, but within three
but within three yeares he retyred
from Flaunders, into England, where the nobles
besieged him at Scarborough and smit off his head.
crosyer
Iohn VVogan Lord Iustice, s summoned
s summoned a Parlia-
ment at Kilkenny, where wholesome lawes were
ordained, but never executed: There fell the Bishops-
in argument about their Iurisdictions and in espe-
ciall the Archbishop of Divelin forbad the Primate
of Ardmagh to lift his
up
within the province
of Leinster. In ratifying of which priviledge I have
seene the coppy of Pope Honorius Bull exemplified
among the recordes of S. Patricks Church, shortly
after Rowland Ioyce, then Primate, stale by night
in his pontificals from Howth to the priory of Grace-
dieu, where the Archbishops servants met him, and
violently chased him out of all the diocesse. This
Archbishop was named Iohn Aleeke, after whose
death were elected in scisme & division of sides, two
successours, Thorneburgh Lord Chancellor, and
Bignore Treasurer of Ireland. The Chancellor to
strengthen his election, hastily went to sea, and
1311.
120
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
perished by shipwracke, the other submitting his
cause to the processe of law tarryed at home, and
sped.
Sixe thousand
Theobald de Verdon Lord Iustice.
Scots fighting men, under the conduct of Edward
Bruiset brother to Robert King of Scotland, also the
Earle Murray, Iohn Menteith, Iohn Steward, and
others landed in the north of Ireland, u ioyned with the
Irish, and conquered Vlster, gave the Englishmen
three notable overthrowes, crowned the said Bruise
King of Ireland, burned Churches and Abbeyes, with
all the people found therein, men, women, and children.
Then was Sir Edmund Butler chosen Lord Iustice,
who combined the Earle of Vlster, and the Geraldines
in friendship, himselfe with Sir Iohn Mandevill, and
preserved the rest of the Realme.
V
In the necke of these troubles, arose foure Princes
of Connaght, to impaire and scatter the English
force. But then the Burckes and the Berninghams
discomfited and slew the number of eleaven thousand
besides Athenry. To Sir Richard Berningham be-
longed a lusty young swayne, Iohn Hussee, whom his
Lord commanded to take a view of the dead carcasses
about the walles, and bring him word whether Okelly
his mortall foe were slaine among them. Hussee
passed forth with one man to turne
up and
peruse the
bodies. All this marked Okelly, who lurking in a
' 1313.
" 1314.
· 1915.
OF IRELAND.
121
6
"
bush thereby, being of old time well acquainted with
the valiantnes & truth of Hussee, sore longed to traine
him from his Captaine, and presuming now upon this
opportunity, disclosed himself & said. Hussee, thou
seest I am at all points armed, and have my Esquire,
' a manly man, besides me, thou art thin and thy
page a youngling so that if I loved not thee for
'thine owne sake, I might betray thee for thy Mas-
'ters. But come and serve me at my request, & Į
promise thee by S. Patrickes staffe, to make thee a
• Lord in Connaght, of more ground, then thy Master
❝ hath in Ireland.' When these wordes waighed him
nothing, his owne man (a stout lubber) began to re-
prove him, for not relenting to so rich a proffer,
assured him with an oath, whereupon hee proffered to
gage his soule for performance. Now had Hussee
three enemies, and first he turned to his owne knave,
and him he slew, next hee raught to Okellyes Squire
a great rappe under the pit of his eare, which over-
threw him: Thirdly he bestirred himselfe so nimbly
that ere any helpe could be hoped for, he had also
slaine Okelly, and perceiving breath in the Squire, he
drawed him up againe, & forced him, upon a truncheon
to beare his Lords head into the high towne, which
presented to Bermingham, and the circumstances
declared, he dubbed Hussce Knight and him advanced
to many preferments, whose family became afterwards
Barons of Galtrime. While the Scots were thus
matched, Robert de Bruise King of Scots, tooke
shore at Cragfergus, to assist his brother, whose Soul-
R
122
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
}
diours committed sacriledge and impiety, against Mo-
nasteries, Tombes, Altars, Virgins, robbed Churches
of all their plate and ornaments. They of Vlster, sent
to the Lord Iustice pittifull supplication, for aide in
this misery, who delivered them the Kings power and
standard, wherewith under pretence to expell the
Scots, they raunged through the country with more
grievance and vexation to the subjects, then did the
strangers. Le Bruise proceeded and spoyled Cashell,
and wheresoever he lighted upon the Butlers lands,
those hee burned and destroyed unmercifully. By this
time w had the Lord Iustice, and Thomas Fitz Iohn
Earle of Kildare, Richard de Clare, and Arnold de
Powere, Baron of Donoile, furnished and armed thirty
thousand men ready to set forward. Then came newes
that VVilliam de Burgo the Earles brother was taken
by the Scots, whereof the Irish of Vlster imboldened
with the presence of the Scotish Army, and with the
late discomfiture which Earle Richard Burcke sus-
tained at Coynes, denyed their alleagance openly, and
conspired in the behalfe of Edward le Bruise, whom
they proclaimed King. The Lord Iustice had assem-
bled such force against them, under the leading of the
Geraldines and Poweres, that each of them was
thought sufficient, by himself, to winne the field. But
suddainely the two Captaines, and their adherents
squared, so as no good conclusion might be inferred :
Roger Mortimer, trusting by their discention to im-
beazell a victory, culled out fifteene thousand Soul-
1317,
OF IRELAND.
123
diours, and met the Scots at Kenles, where he was
shamefully foyled, his men (as folke supposed) wilfully
forsaking him, and bearing false hearts. Vp start the
Irish of Mounster at these newes, the Ocooles, Obrines,
and Omores, and wasted with fire and sword from
Arkloe to Leix; with them coped the Lord Iustice and
made a great slaughter, fourescore of their heads were
set upon Divelin Castle.
The mean while Edward Bruise raigned in Vlster,
held his courts, pronounced his enemies traytors,
abandoned the English blood, exhorted the Irish of
Leinster to doe the like, whereupon Donald the sonne
of Arthur Mac Morrow, a slip of the royall family,
displayed his banner within two miles of Divelin, but
him Traherone tooke prisoner, sent him to the castle
of Dublin, whence he escaped, slyding downe from
the Turret, by a cord that one Adam Maugle brought
him. The said Maugle was drawne and hanged.
Roger Mortimer Lord Iustice pacified the displea-
sure, betweene Richard Earle of Vlster, and the No-
bles that had put the said Earle under surety, mis-
deeming him of certaine riots committed against the
kings subjects, wherby the Scots caught strength and
courage, whose ravening, caused such horrible scarcity
in Vlster, that the Souldiours which in the yeare before
abused the Kings authority, to purvey themselves of
wanton fare, surfeited with flesh and aquavitæ all the
* 1317.
1
124
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Lent long, prolled and pilled insatiably without neede,
and without regard of poore people, whose onely pro-
vision they devoured: Those (I say) now living in
slavery under Le Bruise, starved for hunger, when
they had first experienced many lamentable shifts, as
in scratching the dead bodyes out of their graves, in
whose skulls they boyled the same flesh, and fed
thereof. Mortymer went over to the King indebted
to the Citizens of Divelin for his viands, a thousand
poundes, whereof he payde not one smulkin, and many
a bitter curse carried with him to the sea.
VVilliam Archbishop of Cashell Lord Chancellor
was left Lord Warden of Ireland, in whose timey Ber-
mingham aforesaid being generall of the field, and
under him Captains, Tute, Verdon, Tripton, Sutton,
Cusacke and Manpas, led forth the Kings power
against Edward Bruise, pitching by Dundalke, the
Primate of Ardmagh personally accompanying our
souldiours, blessing their enterprise, and assoyling them
all, ere ever they began to encounter. In this conflict
the Scots were vanquished full & whole, 2000. slaine,
& Manpas that pressed into the throng to meet with
Bruise, was found in the search, dead, covering the
dead body of Bruise. Thus dissolved the Scottish
Kingdome in Ireland, and Bermingham sending his
head to the King, received in recompence the Earle-
dome of Lowth, and to his heires for ever the Barony
of Ardee and Athenry.
* 1318.
OF IRELAND.
125
*
Z
Alexander Bigmore, z Archbishop of Divelin, sued
to Pope John the 21. (so I reckon, omitting the scis-
maticke and dame Ioane) for priviledge of an Vniver-
sitie to bee ordained in Divelin, which tooke effect, and
the first three Doctors of Divinity the said Bishop did
create, VVilliam Hardit a Fryar preacher, Henry
Coggy a Fryar minor, Fryar Edmund Kermerdin, &
one Doctor of the Canon law, VVilliam Rodiard
Deane of S. Patricks, Chancellour of the said Vni-
versity, who kept their termes & commencements
solemnely, neither was the same ever disfranchised,
but onely through variety of time discontinued, and
now since the subversion of monasteries utterly extinct,
vvherein the Divines vvere cherished, and open exer-
cise maintained. A motion vvas made in this last Par-
liament to erect it againe, contributions layde together,
Sir Henry Sidney then Lord Deputy, proffered 20.
pound lands, & one hundred pounds in money, others
follovved after their abilities & devotions, the name
devised Master Acworth, Plantolium of Plantaganet
and Bullyne. But vvhile they disputed of a convenient
place for it, and of other circumstances, they let fall
the principall.
Thomas Fitz Iohn, Earle of Kildare, Lord Iustice,
to vvhom succeeded Bermingham Earle of Louth, and
to him Sir John Darcy. At this time a lived in the
Diocesse of Ossorye, the Lady Alice Kettle, vvhom
the Bishop ascited to purge the same of inchaunting
› An. 1329.
* 1321,
126
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
and Witch-craft objected to her, and to Petronilla,
and Basill her complices. They charged her mightily
to have carnall conference vvith a spirit called Robin
Artison, to whom shee sacrifized in the high way nine
redde Cockes, and nine Peacockes eyes, shee swept the
streetes of Kilkenny betweene compleere and twilight,
raking all the filth towards the doores of her sonne
VVilliam Outlawe, murmuring these wordes, To the
house of VVilliam my sonne, hye all the wealth of
Kilkenny towne. At the first conviction they abjured
and accepted pennance, but were very shortly found in
relapse, and then Petronilla was burned at Kilkenny,
the other twayne could not be had: shee at the houre of
her death, accused the said VVilliam as privy to their
sorceyres, whom the Bishop helde in durance nine
weekes, forbidding his keepers to eate or drink with
him, or to speake with him more then once in the day,
by procurement of Arnold le Power, then Senischall
of Kilkenny hee was delivered, & corrupted the Senis-
chall to vexe the Bishop, which he did, thrusting him
into prison for three moneths. In ryfling the closet of
Alice, they found a wafer of Sacramentall bread, hav-
ing the devils name stamped thereon, instead of IESUS,
and a pype of oyntment, wherewith shee greased a
staffe, whereon shee ambled through thicke and thinne,
when and how shee listed. This businesse troubled all
the Cleargy of Ireland, the rather for that the Lady
was supported by Noblemen: and lastly, conveyed into
England, since which time no man wotteth what be-
came of her.
OF IRELAND.
127
CAP. VI.
Edward the third, and Richard the second.
SCARCELY vvas this businesse ended, b but another
devill possessed another franticke gentleman of the na-
tion of the O-tooles in Leinster, named Adam Duffe,
vvho denyed obstinately the Incarnation of Christ, the
Trinity of persons in unity of the God-head, the re-
surrection of the flesh. Hee called the Holy Scrip-
ture, a fable; the blessed Virgin, a vvhore; the See
Apostolick, erroneous; for vvhich assertions hee was
burned in Hogging greene besides Divelin.
c
Roger Outlaw, Prior of S. Iohns of Ierusalem at
Kilmainham, became Lord Iustice. Great variance
arising betvveene the Geraldines, Butlers, and Ber-
minghams on the one side, and the Powers and Burkes
on the other side, for tearming the Earle of Kildare a
Rymer. The Lord Iustice summoned a Parliament to
accord them, wherein he himselfe was faine to cleare
the slaunder of heresie fathered upon him by Richard
Ledred, Bishop of Ossory. The Bishoppe had given
a declaration against Arnold le Power, convented and
convict in his consistory of certaine hereticall opinions;
but because the beginning of Power's accusations con-
cerned the Iustices kinsman, and the Bishop was mis-
trusted to prosecute his owne wrong, and the person
• 1327.
• 1328.
128
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
of the man, rather then the fault, a day was limited
for the justifying of the bill, the party being appre-
hended and respited thereunto. This dealing, the
Bishop (who durst not stirre out of Kilkenny, to pro-
secute his accusation) reputed partiall; and when by
meanes thereof the matter hanged in suspence, hee
infamed the said Prior, as an abbettour and favourer of
Arnolds heresie. The Prior submitted himselfe to the
tryall, and three several Proclamations were cryed in
Court, that any man might lawfully come in and in-
dict, accuse or say evidence against the Iustice: none
came then passed the Councell a decree, commanding
to appeare at Divelin, all Bishops, Abbots, Pryors, the
Majors of Divelin, Corke, Limericke, Waterford,
Droghedah, the Sheriffes, Knights, and Senischalls of
every shire.
shire. Out of them all they sorted sixe Inqui-
sitours, which in secrecie examined the Bishoppes and
persons aforesaid one by one, who with universall con-
sent deposed for the Pryor, that to their judgements hee
was a zealous and faithfull childe of the Catholique
Church. The meane while deceased le Power prisoner
in the Castle, and because he stood unpurged, long he
laye unburyed.
Sir John Darcye Lord Iustice. d
The Irish of Leinster made insurrections, so did Ma-
goghigan in Meth, and Obrien in Mounster, whom
VVilliam Earle of Vlster, and James of Ormond van-
• 1329-
OF IRELAND.
129
quished. In which sturre, VVilliam Bermingham, a
warriour incomparable, was found halting, and was
condemned to dye by Roger Outlawe, Pryor of Kil-
mainam, then Lieutenant to the Lord Iustice, and so
hanged was hee, a Knight among thousands odde and
singular. So outragious were the Leinster Irish that
in one Church they burned 80. innocent soules, asking
no more but the life of their Priest then at Masse, whom
they notwithstanding sticked with their Iavelins,
spurned the blessed Sacrament, and wasted all with
fire, neither forced they the Popes interdiction, nor any
censures ecclesiasticall denounced against them: But
maliciously persevered in that fury, till the Citizens of
Weixford tamed them, slevv foure hundred in one
skirmish, the rest flying, vvere all drenched in the
vvater of Slane.
Thomas Burghe Treasurer and Lieutenant of Ire-
land, vvhile Darcy Lord Iustice pursued the murtherers
of VVilliam Bourk Earle of Vlster, a young gentleman
of tvventy yeares olde, vvhom the seditions of Maun-
devill murdered besides Cragfergus. And vvhen hee
had scourged those Traytours, he entred Scotland vvith
an army and might have possessed the Ilands besides,
had they bene vvorth the keeping, into vvhich Ilands
besides him and Sussex the late Lieutenant of Ireland
no Governour ever yet adventured.
Sir John Carleton Lord Iustice, f vvith vvhom came
• 1335,
f 1337.
130
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
his brother Thomas Bishop of Hereford, Lord Chaun-
cellor, and Iohn Rice Treasurer, and tvvo hundred
Welchmen souldiours. The Bishop became Lord Ius-
tice, in vvhose times all the Irish of Ireland vvere at
defiance vvith the English, but vvere shortly calmed
by the Earles of Kildare and Desmond.
h
Sir John Darcy by the Kings Letters Patents Lord
Iustice of Ireland during life, in the fourteenth yeare
of Edward the third, vvhich king abused by some cor-
rupt informers, called in under his signet royall, fraun-
chises, and liberties, and graunts vvhatsoever his pre-
decessours had ratified to the Realme of Ireland, and
to every person thereof.
thereof. This revocation vvas taken
very displeasantly.
The English of birth, and the English of bloud
falling to vvords, and divided in factions about it. The
Irish laye wayting for the contention, so as the Realme
was even upon point to give over all and rebell. For
remedy the Iustice began a Parliament at Divelin,
whereto the nobles refused to make apparance, & as-
sembled themselves quietly without disturbance at Kil-
kenny, where they with the Commons agreed upon
certaine questions to be demaunded of the King by
way of supplication, by which questions they partly
signified their griefes: Those in effect were,
1. How a Realme of warre might be governed
* 1338.
A 1340.
OF IRELAND.
131
by one, both unskilfull and unable in all warlike ser-
vices.
2. How an officer under the king that entred
very
poore, might in one yeare grow to more excessive
wealth, then men of great patrimony in many yeares.
3. How it happened seeing they all were called
Lords of their owne, that the Lord of them all was
not a penny the richer for them.
The Prince of this repining was Morice Earle of
Desmond, i whom Vfford the now Lord Iustice in paine
of forfeiture of all his lands commaunded to the Par-
liament at Dublin, and there put him under arrest, de-
livered him by main prise of the tvvo Earles Vister &
Ormond, & of 28. knights & squiers: All vvhich, ex-
cept the Earles & tvvo knights, lost their inheritance
by rigour of the said Vfford, because Desmond had
escaped.
Therefore at the decease of the Lords Iustice, vvhich
ensued the next yeare, Bonfires and gavvdes vvere so-
lemnized in all the Land: his Lady vvas a miserable
sott, and led him to extortion and bribery, much he
clipped the prerogatives of the Church, and vvas so
hated, that even in the sight of the country, he vvas
robbed vvithout rescue, by Mac Carty, notwithstanding
¿ 1345.
132
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
he gathered povver, and dispersed the rebellions of
Vlster.
Robert Darcy Lord Iustice, k chosen by the Coun-
cell, untill the Kings charter came to Sir John Fitz
Morrice, vvho inlarged Fitz Thomas Earle of Kildare,
left in holde by Vfford, Fitz Morrice vvas deposed,
and Sir Walter Bermingham elected, who procured
safe conduct for Desmond to pleade his right before the
King, where he was liberally intreated & allowed to-
wards his expences there twenty shillings a day at the
Princes charge, in consideration of which curtesie to
his kinsman, the Earle of Kildare, accompanyed with
diverse Lords, Knights, and chosen horsemen, served
the King at Callice, a towne thought impregnable,
and returned after the winning thereof in great pompe
and jollity.
1
John Archer of Kilmainam, Lieutenant to the Lord
Iustice, ¹ to whom succeeded Baron Carew, after Carew
followed Sir Thomas Rokesby knight.
This yeare m dyed Kemvricke Shereman, sometimes
Major of Divelin, a Benefactour to every Church and
religious house twenty miles round about the citty: his
legacies to poore and others, besides the liberality
shewed in his life time, amounted to 3000. marks: with
such plenty were our fathers blessed, that cheerefully
1346.
¹ 1348.
m 1350.
OF IRELAND
133
gave
of their true winnings to needfull purposes,
whereas our time that gaineth excessively, and whineth
at every farthing to be spent on the poore, is yet op-
pressed vvith scarcity and beggery.
The same time dvvelled in Vlster Sir Robert Savage,
a vvealthie Knight, vvho the rather to preserve his
ovvne, beganne to vvall & fortifie his Mannour houses,
vvith castles and plyes against the Irish enemy, ex-
horting his heire Sir Henry Savage, to intend that
Worke so beneficiall for himselfe and his posterity.
Father (quoth he) I remember the Proverbe, better a
Castle of bones, then of stones, vvhere strength and
courage of valiant men are to helpe us. Never vvill I,
by the grace of God, cumber my selfe vvith dead vvalls,
my fort shall be vvheresoever young blouds be stirring,
and vvhere I finde roome to fight. The father in a fume
let lye the building, and forsvvore it. But yet the
vvant thereof, and such like, hath beene the decaye
asvvell of the Savages, as of all the Englishe Gentle-
men in Vlster, as the lacke of vvalled townes is also
the principall occasion of the rudenesse and wildenesse
in other partes of Ireland. This Savage having pre-
pared an army against the Irish, allowed to every Soul-
diour before he buckled with the enemy, a mighty
draught of Aquavitæ, Wine, or old Ale, and killed in
provision for their returne, beeffes, venison, and foule
great plenty, which diverse of his Captains misliked,
& considering the successe of warre to be uncertaine,
esteemed it better pollicy to poyson the cates or to doe
134
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
them away, then to cherish a sort of Catives with
princely foode: If ought should happen to themselves
in this adventure of so few, against so many. Hereat
smyled the Gentleman and said: Tush yee are too full
of envy, this world is but an Inne whereunto you have
no speciall interest, but are onely tennants at the will of
the Lord. If it please him to commaund us from it,
as it were from our lodging, & to set other good fel-
lowes in our roomes, what hurt shall it be for us to
leave them some meate for their suppers, let them
hardly winne it, and weare it, If they enter our dwel-
lings, good manners would no lesse but to welcome
them, with such fare as the country breedeth, and with
all
my heart much good may it doe them: Notwith-
standing I presume so farre upon your noble courage,
that verily my minde giveth me, that wee shall returne
at night, and banquet our selves with our owne store,
and so they did, having slaine 3000. Irishmen.
Morrice Fitz Thomas Earle of Desmond, n Lord
Iustice during life, whom followed Sir Thomas Rokesbye
a knight, sincere and upright of conscience, who being
controlled for suffering himselfe to be served in wooden
Cuppes; Answered, these homely Cuppes and dishes
pay truely for what they containe, I had rather drinke
out of wood, and pay gold and silver, then drinke out
of gold, and make wooden payment.
Almericus de Sancto Amando, Iames Butler Earle
• 1356.
OF IRELAND.
135
of Ormond, and Morrice Fitz Thomas Earle of Kil-
dare, P Iustices of Ireland by turnes. 9 To this last,
the Kings letters appointed in yearely fee, for his
office 500. pounds, with promise that the said go-
vernour should finde twenty great horse to the
field, and should bee the tvventieth man in going
out against the enemy, which allovvance and con-
ditions at these days, I thinke were ordinary.
Leonell the third sonne of Edward the third Duke
of Clarence, and in the right of his wife, Earle of
Vlster, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He published
an inhibition, to all of Irish birth, that none of
them should approach his army, nor be imployed
in service of the warres. Obrene he vanquished sud-
dainely, but no man wist how, an hundred of his prin-
cipall Souldiours in garrison were missed, whose dis-
patch, that seditious decree was thought to have pro-
cured, wherefore hee advised himselfe and united the
people, shewing alike fatherly care towards them all,
and ever after prospered, Knights he created these
Gentlemen, the worthiest then in Chivalry, and at
this day continuing in great worship, Preston, now
the house of Gormanstowne, Holywood, Talbot, Cu-
sacke, Delahide, Patricke, Robert and Iohn de
Fraxinis. The exchequer he removed to Catherlagh,
and bestowed in furnishing that towne 500. pounds.
Gerald Fitz Morrice Earle of Desmond, Lord
· 1357.
• 1360.
⚫ 1359.
• 1361
136
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
*
Iustice, untill the comming of VVilliam de VVind
sore, Lieutenant to the King, then in the last yeare of
Edward the third u ruling the realme, under the name
of Lord Governour, and keeper of Ireland.
¶ At the yeare 1370. all the Notes written by
Flatsbury doe end, and from hence to this day,
nothing is extant orderly gathered, the rest I
have collected out of sundry monuments, autho-
·rityes, and pamphlets.
V
During the raigne of Richard the second, Lieute-
nants and Iustices of Ireland, are specially recorded,
the two Mortimers, Edmund and Roger Earles of
March, Phillip Courtney the kings cousin, Iames
Earle of Ormond, and Robert Vere Earle of Oxford,
Marquesse of Divelin, and Lord Chamberlaine, who
was created Duke of Ireland by Parliament, and was
credited with the whole Dominion of the Realme
by
graunt for tearme of life, nothing paying therefore,
passing all writs, all offices, as Chancellor, Treasurer,
Chiefe Iustice, Admirall, his owne Lieutenant, and
other inferiour charges under his own Teste.
afflicted impa-
The mean while King Richard
tiently with the decease of Queene Anne his wife,
'1367.
* 1369.
u
1377:
Recordes of th' exchequer sought up by M. Iohn Thomas remembrancer,
John Stow. Records of excheq. an. 9. Rich. 1.
1385.
× 1394.
OF IRELAND.
137
nor able without many teares to behold his pallaces,
and chambers of Estate, which represented unto him
the solace past, and doubled his sorrow, sought some
occasion of businesse and visited Ireland, where di-
verse Lords and Princes of Vlster renewed their
homage, and he placing Roger Mortimer his Lieute-
nant, returned quietly, but within foure yeares after,
informed of the trayterous death of Mortimer, whom
he loved entirely, and being wonderfull eager in
hastening the revenge thereof upon the Irish, he
journeyed thither the second time, y levied infinite sub-
sidies of money, by penall exactions, and with his
absence as also with those injuries, fed the hatred
and opportunity of the conspiratours at home, for
Henry Duke of Lancaster, intercepted the Kingdome,
whose sonne with the Duke of Glocesters sonne,
King Richard shut up in the Castle of Trim, and
then shipped course into England, tooke land at
Milford Haven, found his defence so weake and un-
sure, that to avoide further inconvenience and perill
of himselfe and his friends, he condiscended to resigne
the Crowne.
› 1399.
T
3
138
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
CAP. VII.
The House of Lancaster, Henry the Fourth, Henry
the fift, Henry the sixt.
z
ALEXANDER Bishop of Meth, Lieutenant of
Ireland, under Thomas Lancaster the King's brother,
so was also the worshipfull Knight Sir Stephen Scroope,
whom for his violence and extortion before used, in
the same office under King Richard, the common
voyce and out-cry of poore people damned. a This
report hearing the Lady his wife, she would in no
wise assent to live in his company there, but if he
sware a solemne oath on the Bible, that wittingly he
should wrong no Christian creature in the land,
that duely and truely he should see payment made
for all expences, and hereof, she said, she had made
a vow to Christ so deliberately, that unlesse it were
on his part firmly promised, she could not without
perill of her soule goe with him: her husband as-
sented, and accomplished her boone effectually, re-
covered a good opinion, schooled his Caters, enriched
the country, continued a plentifull house, remissions
of great fines, remedyes for persons endamaged to
the Prince, pardons of lands and lives he granted so
charitably and discreetely, that his name was never
2 1329.
Iames Young in precepts of governement to the Earle of Ormond
Pap. 5.
OF IRELAND.
139
uttered among them, without many blessings and
prayers, and so cheerefully they served him against
the Irish, that in one day he spoyled Arthur Mac
Murrough, brent his country, restored O-Carrol to
the towne of Callane, with-held by VValter Burke,
slew a multitude of Kerneghes, and quieted Leinster.
Not long before, the Major of Divelin Iohn Drake, b
with his band out of the Citty, had slaine of the same
Irish Outlawes 400.
с
In this Kings raigne the inhabitants of the county
and towne of Corke, e being tyred with perpetuall
oppressions of their Irish borderers, complained them-
selves in a generall writing, directed to the Lord of
Rutheland and Corke, the Kings Deputy, and to
the Councell of the Realme, then assembled at Divelin,
which Letter because it openeth the decay of those
partes, and the state of the Realme in times past, I
have thought good to enter here as it was delivered
me, by Francis Agard Esquire, one of her Majesties
privy Councell in Ireland.
It may please your wisedomes, d to have pittie of us
the Kings poore subjects, within the county of Corke,
or else we be cast away for ever, for where there was
in this countie these Lords by name, besides Knights,
b 1402.
Records of Christ Church in Divelin.
* A letter from Corke coppied out of an old Record bearing no date.
140
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Esquiers, Gentlemen, and Yeoman, to a great num-
ber, that might dispend yearelie 800. pounds, 600.
pounds, 400. pounds, 200. pounds, 100. pounds, 100.
markes, 20. pounds, 20. markes, 10. pounds, some
more, some lesse, to a great number, besides these
Lords following.
First the Lord Marquesse Caro his yearely revenues
was, besides Dorzey Hauen and other Creekes, 2200.
pounds sterling.
The Lord Barnevale of Bearehaven; his yearely
revenues was, beside Bearehaven and other Creekes,
1600. pounds sterling.
The Lord Vggan of the great Castle, his yearely
revenues was, besides havens and creekes, 1300. pounds
sterling.
The Lord Balram of Emforte, his yearly revenues
was, besides havens and creekes, 1300. pounds
sterling.
The Lord Courcy of Kilbretton his yearely re-
venues, besides havens and creekes, 1500. pounds
sterling.
The Lord Mandevil of Barrenstelly his yearely
revenues, besides havens and creekes, 1500. pounds
sterling.
OF IRELAND.
141
+
The Lord Arundell of the strand his yearely
revenues, besides havens and creekes, 1500. pounds
sterling.
The Lord Baron of the Guard his yearely re-
venues, besides havens and creekes, 1100. pounds
sterling.
The Lord Sleynie of Baltimore his yearely revenue,
besides havens and creeks, 800. pounds sterling.
The Lord Roche of Poole-castle his yearely revenue,
besides havens and creekes, 1000. pounds sterling.
The Kings Majesty hath the Lands of the late young
Barry by forfeiture, the yearely revenue whereof, be-
sides two rivers and creekes, and all other casualties is,
1800. pounds sterling.
And at the end of this Parliament Your Lordship
with the Kings most noble Councell may come to
Corke, and call before you all these Lords and other
Irish men, and binde them in paine of losse of life,
lands and goods, that never any of them doe make
warre upon another, without licence or commandement
of you my
Lord Deputy, & the Kings Councell, for
the utter destruction of these parts, is that onely cause,
and once all the Irish men, and the King's enemies
were driven into a great valley, called Glanehought,
betwixt two great mountaines, called Maccorte or the
142
CAMPION'S HSTORIE
f
leprous Iland, and their they lived long and many
yeares, with their
with their white meat till at the last
these English Lords fell at variance among them-
selves, and then the weakest part tooke certaine
Irish men to take his part, and so vanquished his
enemy, and thus fell the English Lords at variance
among themselves, till the Irish men were stronger
then they, and drave them away and now have the
whole country under them, but that the Lord Roche,
the Lord Courcy, and the Lord Barry onely remaine,
with the least part of their auncestors possessions, and
young Barry is there upon the Kings portion, paying
his Grace never a penny Rent. Wherefore we the
Kings poore subjects, of the Citty of Corke, Kinsale,
and Yowghall, desire your Lordship to send hither two
good Iustices, to see this matter ordered, and some
English Captaines, with twenty English men that
may be Captaines over us all, and we will rise with
them to redresse those enormities, all at our owne
costs. And if
And if you doe not, we be all cast away,
and then farewell Mounster for ever. And if you
will not come nor send, we will send over to our Liege
Lord, the King, and complaine on you all. Thus farre
the letter.
And at this day the Citty of Corke is so encumbred
with unquiet neighbours of great power, that they are
forced to watch their gates continually, to keepe them
shut at service times, at meales, from sunne set, to
sunne arising; nor suffer any stranger to enter there
OF IRELAND.
143
with his weapon, but to leave the same at a lodge ap-
pointed. They walke out for recreation at seasons,
with strength of men furnished, they match in wed-
locke among themselves, so that welnigh the whole
citty is allyed together. It is to be hoped that the
late sent over Lord President of Mounster, Sir Iohn
Parrot, who hath chosen the same place to abide
in, as having greatest neede of a Governour resident,
would ease the inhabitants of this feare, and scourge
the Irish Outlawes that annoy the whole region of
Mounster.
Henry the 4. e in the 10. yeare of his raigne, gave
the Sword to the Citty of Divelin, which Citty was
first governed, as appeareth by their auncient seale,
called, Signum proposituræ, by a Provost, and in the
14. yeare of H. the 3. by a Major, & two Bayliffes,
which Bayliffes were changed into Sheriffes, by Char-
ter of Edward the 6. an. 1547. This mayorality
both for state and charge of that office, and for the
bountifull hospitality exceedeth any Citty in England,
except London.
While Henry the 5. reigned, I finde lieutenants
and deputyes of Ireland specially remembred, Iohn
Talbott of Hollamshire Lord of Furnyvall. Thomas
de Lancaster, Senischa of England, and Stephen le
Scroope his Deputy, Iohn Duke of Bedford then also
Lord Keeper of England, and the noble Earle of Ormond.
* An. 1408.
}
144
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
}
Sir Iames Butler,f whose grandsire was James sur-
named the chast, for that of all vices hee most abhorred
the sinne of the flesh, and in subduing of the same
gave notable example. In the red Moore of Athye
(the sun almost lodged in the West, and miraculously
standing still in his epicycle the space of three houres
till the feat was accomplished, and no pit in that bogge
annoying either horse or man on his part) he van-
quished Omore and his terrible Army with a few of his
owne, and with the like number Arthur Mac Mur-
rough, at whose might and puissance, all Leinster
trembled.g To the imitation of this mans worthinesse,
the compiler of certaine precepts touching the rule of
a Common-wealth, exciteth his Lord the said Earle in
diverse places of that Worke¹ incidently, eftsoones
putting him in minde that the Irish beene false by
kinde, that it were expedient, and a worke of Charity
to execute upon them (willfull and malicious transgres-
sours) the Kings Lawes somewhat sharpely, That
Odempsye being winked at a while, abused that small
time of sufferance, to the injury of the Earle of Kil-
dare, intruding unjustly upon the Castle of Ley, from
whence the said Deputy had justly expelled him, and
put the Earle in possession thereof, that notvvithstand-
ing their oathes and pledges, yet they are no longer
true then they feele themselves the vveaker.
This Deputye tamed the Obriens,k the Burckes,
$1421.
In the translation of Cambrensis c. 57.
1
¹ Prec. of government, c. 27.
j
ca. 28.
ca. 49.
OF IRELAND.
145
Macbanons, Ogaghnraghte, Manus Mac Mahoune,
all the Captaines of Thomond, and all this in three
moneths. The Cleargye of Divelin tvvice every vveeke
in solemne procession praying for his good successe
against these disordered persons, vvhich novv in every
quarter of Ireland, had degenerated to their olde trade
of life, and repyned at the English.
n
Lieutenants to Henry the sixt over the Realme of
Ireland were Edmund¹ Earle of Marche, and Iames
Earle of Ormond his Deputym John Sutton Knight,
Lord Dudley, and Sir Thomas Strange, his Deputy a
Sir Thomas Standley, and Sir Christopher Plonket his
Deputy Lyon Lord Welles, and the Earle of Or-
mond his Deputy, P Iames Earle of Ormond, the Kings
Lieutenant by himselfe, Iohn Earle of Shrewesbury,
and the Archbishop of Divelin, Lord Iustice in his
absence.
Richard Plantaginet, Duke of Yorke, father of
Edward the fourth, and Earle of Vlster, had the office
of Lieutenant by letters Patents, during the
space of
ten yeares, who deputed under him at severall times,
the Baron of Delvin, Roland Fitz Eustace knight,
Iames Earle of Ormond, and Thomas Fitz Morrice
Earle of Kildare. To this Richard then resciant in
Divelin, was borne within the castle there, his second
1
¹ An. 7.
m An. 12.
An. 10.
? An. 22.
• An. 26.
⚫ An. 27.
U
146
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
son George, Duke of Clarence, afterwards drowned in
a butt of Malmsey: his god fathers at the front were
the Earles of Ormond and Desmond. r
1
Whether the commotion of Iacke Cade an Irish-
man borne, naming himselfe Mortimer, and so clayming
cousinage to diverse noble houses, proceeded from this
crew, it is uncertaine: s surely the Duke was thereof
vehemently mistrusted, & immediately began his tu-
mults, which because our English histories discourse
at large, I omit as impertinent.
Those broyles being couched for a time, Richard
held himselfe in Ireland, being lately by Parliament
ordained Protector of the Realme of England, leaving
his agent in the Court his brother the Earle of Salis-
buryt Lord Chauncellour, to whom he declared by
letters, the trouble then toward in Ireland, which letter
exemplified by Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy, a
great searcher and preserver of Antiquities, as it came
to my hands, I thinke it convenient here to set downe.
To the right worshipfull and with all my heart entirely
beloved brother, the Earle of Shrewesbury.
my
Right worshipfull and with all heart entirely
beloved Brother, I commend mee unto you as heartily
as I can.
• Records of Christ church.
* 1450. Io. Ma. 1. 6, c. 16.
1459.
1
OF IRELAND.
147
And like it you to wit, that sith I wrote last unto
the King our soveraigne Lord his Highnes, the Irish
enemy, that is to say, Magoghigan, and with him
three or foure Irish Captaines, associate with a great
fellowship of English rebells, notwithstanding, that
they were within the King our Soveraigne Lord his
power, of great malice, and against all truth, have
maligned against their legiance, and vengeably have
brent a great towne of mine inheritance, in Meth,
called Ramore, and other villages thereabouts, and
murdered and brent both men, women, and children,
without mercy.
The which enemies be yet assembled
in woods and forts, way ting to doe the hurt and
grievance to the Kings subjects that they can thinke
or imagine, for which cause I write at this time unto
the Kings Highnes, and beseech his good grace for to
hasten my payment for this land, according to his let-
ters of vvarrant, novv late directed unto the Treasurer
of England, to the intent I may vvage men in sufficient
number, for to resist the malice of the same enemyes,
and punish them in such vvyse, that other vvhich
vvould doe the same, for lacke of resistance in time,
may
take example; for doubtlesse, but if my payment
bee had in all haste, for to have men of vvarre in de-
fence and safe-guard of this Land, my povver cannot
stretch to keepe it in the Kings obeysance. And very
necessity vvill compell mee to come into England to
live there, upon my poore livelode, for I had lever bee
dead, then any inconvenience should fall thereunto in
my default; for it shall never bee chronicled, nor re-
148
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
श्र
maine in scripture, by the grace of God, that Ireland
vvas lost by my negligence. And therefore I beseech
you right vvorshipfull brother, that you will hold to
your hands instantly, that my payment may bee had
at this time, in eschuing all inconveniences, for I have
example in other places, more pitty it is for to dread
shame; and for to acquite my truth unto the Kings
Highnes, as my dutie is. And this I pray and exhort
you good brother, to shew unto his good grace, and
that you willbe so good, that this language may be
enacted at this present Parliament for my excuse in
time to come, and that you will bee good to my servant
Roger Roe the bearer hereof, and to mine other ser-
vants in such things as they shall pursue unto the
kings Highnes: And to give full faith and credence
unto the report of the said Roger, touching the said
maters Right worshipfull, and with all my heart
entirely beloved brother, our blessed Lord God
pre-
serve and keepe you in all honour, prosperous estate
and felicity, and graunt you right good life and long.
Written at Divelin the 15. of Iune.
Your faithfull true brother,
Richard Yorke.
Of such power was Magoghigan in those dayes,
who` as he wan and kept it by the sword, so now he
liveth but a meane Captaine, yeelding his winnings to
the stronger. This is the misery of lawlesse people,
resembling the wydenesse of the rude vvorld, vvherein
I
OF IRELAND.
149
every man vvas richer or poorer then other, as he vvas
in might and violence more or lesse enabled.
yeares of
of govern-
Heere beganne factions of the nobility in Ireland,
favouring diverse sides that strived for the Crovvne of
England, for Richard in those tenne
ment, exceedingly tyed unto him the hearts of the
noblemen and gentlemen in this land, vvhereof diverse
vvere scattered and slaine vvith him at Waterford,u as
the contrary part vvas also the next yeare by Edward
Earle of Marche, the Dukes brother, at Mortimers
crosse in Wales, in vvhich meane time the Irish vvaxed
hardye, and usurped the English Countreyes insuffi-
ciently defended, as they had done by like opportunity
in the latter end of Richard the second. These two
seasons did set them so a-floate, that henceforwards
they could never be cast out from their forcible posses-
sions, holding by plaine wrong all Vlster, and by cer-
taine Irish Tenures, no little portions of Mounster and
Connaght, left in Meth and Leinster, where the civill
subjects of English bloud did ever most prevaile
a 1459.
▾ 1460.
150
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
1
CAP. VIII.
Edward the fourth, and Edward his sonne. Richard
the third, & Henry the seventh.w
THOMAS FITZ MORICE Earle of Kildare,
Lord Justice untill the third yeare of Edward the
fourth, since which time the Duke of Clarence afore-
said, brother to the King, had the office of Lieute-
nant, while he lived, and made his Deputies in sundry
courses, Thomas Earle of Desmond, y Iohn Tiptoft,
Earle of Worcester the Kings cozen, Thomas Earle
2
of Kildare, a Henry Lord Graye. b Great was the
credit of the Geraldines, ever when the house of Yorke
prospered, and likewise the Butlers thryved under
the bloud of Lancaster, for which cause the Earle
of Desmond remained many yeares Deputy to George
Duke of Clarence his god-brother, but when he had
spoken certaine disdainfull words against the late
marryage of King Edward with the Lady Elizabeth
Gray, the said Lady being now Queene, caused his
trade of life, (after the Irish manner, contrary to
sundry old statutes enacted in that behalfe) to be sifted
and examined by John Earle of Worcester his suc-
Of which treasons he was attaint and con-
cessour.
* Ann. Reg. 1:
> An Reg: 3.
*An 10
* Ann. D. 1460.
* An. Reg. 7.
• An. 18.
1
OF IRELAND.
151
1
C
demned, and for the same beheaded at Droghedah.
Iames the father of this Thomas of Desmond, being
suffered and not controuled, during the government
of Richard Duke of Yorke his godsip: and of Thomas
Earle of Kildare his kinsman put upon the Kings
subjects within the Countyes of Waterford, Corke,
Kerry, and Limericke, the Irish impositions of Coyne
and Liverie, Cartings, carriages, loadings, cosherings,
bonnaght, and such like, which customes are the
very nurse and teat of all Irish enormities, and extort
from the poore tennants everlasting Sesse, allowance
of meate and money, their bodies and goods in service,
so that their horses and their Galloglashes lye still upon
the Farmers, eate them out, begger the Countrey, foster
a sort of idle vagabonds, ready to rebell if their Lord
commaund them, ever nusseled in stealth and robberyes.
These evill presidents given by the Father, the sonne
did exercise being Lord Deputy, to whome the re-
formation of that disorder especially belonged, not-
withstanding the same fault being winked at in others,
and with such rigour avenged in him, it was manifestly
taken for a quarrell sought and picked.
Two yeares after, the said Earle of Worcester d lost
his head, while Henry the 6. taken out of the towre,
was set up againe, and King Edward proclaymed
Vsurper, and then was Kildare enlarged, whom being
likewise attainte, they thought also to have ridde, and
* 1467.
• 1469.
ક્
1
152
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
*
shortly both the Earles of Kildare and Desmond were
restored to their bloud by Parliament.
Sir Rowland Eustace, e Knight, sometimes Trea-
surer, and Lord Chauncellour, and lastly, Lord Deputye
of Ireland, founded Saint Frauncis Abbey besides Kil-
cullen bridge.
Edward,f a yeare before his death, honoured his
younger son Richard the infant, Duke of Yorke, with
the title of Lieutenant over this Land. But his un-
natural Vncle Richard the Third, when he had mur-
dered the childe, and the elder brother called Edward
the 5. He then preferred to that Office his ovvne
sonne Edward, vvhose Deputy was Gerald Earle of
Kildare, and bare that office a vvhile in Henry the 7.
his dayes. To whom came the vvylie Priest, Sir
Richard Symonds, & presented a lad his scholler,
named Lambert, vvhom he fained to be the son of
George Duke of Clarence, lately escaped the tovvre
of London. And the child could his pedegree So rea-
dily, and had learned of the Priest such princely
behaviour, that he lightly moved the said Earle, and
many Nobles of Ireland tendering the Seed Royall
of Richard Plantagenet, and George his sonne, as
also maligning the advancement of the house of Lan-
caster, in Henry the seventh, either to thinke or make
the world weene, they thought verily this childe to bee
* 14701
f 1481.
1
OF IRELAND.
153
Edward Earle of Warwicke, the Duke of Clarences
lawfull Sonne.
And although King Henry more then halfe marred
their sport, in shewing the right Earle through all the
streetes of London, yet the Lady Margaret Duchesse
of Burgoine, sister to Edward the fourth, Iohn de la
Poole her Nephew, the Lord Lovel, Sir Thomas
Broughton Knight, and diverse other Captaines of this
conspiracy devised to abuse the colour of this young
Earles name, for preferring their purpose, which if it
came to good, they agreed to depose Lambert, and to
erect the very Earle indeed now prisoner in the towre,
for whose quarrell had they pretended to fight, they
deemed it likely hee should have beene made away:
Wherefore it was blazed in Ireland, that the King to
mocke his subjects, had schooled a Boy to take upon
him the Earle of Warwickes name, and had shewed
him about London to blinde the eyes of simple folkes,
and to defeate the lawfull Inheritour of the good Duke
of Clarence, their countryman and Protectour during
his life, to whose linage they also derived a title of the
Crowne. In all haste they assembled at Divelin, and
there in Christ-Church they Crowned this Idoll, ho-
nouring him with titles imperiall, feasting and tri-
umphing, rearing mighty shoutes and cryes, carrying
him from thence, to the Kings Castle upon tall mens
shoulders, that he might be seene and noted, as he was
surely an honourable Boy to looke upon. Thereupon
ensued the Battle of Stoke, wherein Lambert and his
}
X
154
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Master were taken, but never executed, the Earle of
Lincolne, the Lord Lovel, Martine Swarte, the AI-
maigne Captaine, and Morice Fitz Thomas Captaine of
the Irish, were slaine, and all their power discomfited.
{
Jasper Duke of Bedford and Earle of Penbroke, 5
Lieutenant, and VValter Archbishop of Divelin his
Deputy. In this time befell another like illusion of
Ireland, procured from the Dutchesse aforesaid, and
certaine Nobles of England, whereby was exalted as
rightfull King of England, and undoubted Earle of
Vlster, the counterfeit Richard Duke of Yorke preser-
ved from King Richards cruelty, as his adherents faced
the matter downe, and with this maygame lord, named
indeede Peter (in scorne Perkin) VVarbecke, flattered
themselves many yeares.
Then was Sir Edward Poynings h Knight, sent over
Lord Deputy, with commission to apprehend his prin-
cipall partners in Ireland, amongst whom was named
Gerald Fitz Gerald Earle of Kildare, whose purgation
the King (notwithstanding diverse avouching the con-
trary) did accept. After much adoe Perkin taken,
confessed under his owne hand-writing the course of
all his proceedings, whereof so much as concerneth
Ireland, i I have heere borrowed out of Halles Chro-
nicles.
I being borne in Flaunders, in the towne of Turney,
€ 1490.
h 1494.
'an. Hen. 7. 14.
OF IRELAND.
155
put my
selfe in service with a Britton, called Pregent
Meno, the which brought me with him into Ireland,
and when wee were there arrived in the towne of Corke,
they of the towne (because I was arrayed with some
cloathes of silke of my said Masters) threeped upon
me, that I should be the Duke of Clarences sonne,
that was before time at Divelin, and forasmuch as I
denyed it, there was brought unto me the Holy Evan-
gelists and the Crosse, by the Major of the towne, cal-
led Iohn Lewellin, and there I tooke my oath that I
was not the said Dukes sonne, nor none of his blood.
After this came to me an English man whose name
was Stephen Poytowe, vvith one Iohn VValter, and
svvare to me, that they knevv well that I vvas King
Richards Bastard sonne, to whom I answered vvith
like oathes that I vvas not.
me not to be affraide, but that I should take it upon
me boldly: And if I vvould so doe, they vvould assist
me with all their povver, against the King of England,
and not onely they, but they vvere assured that the
Earles of Desmond and Kildare, should doe the same,
for they passed not vvhat part they tooke, so they
might be avenged upon the King of England. And
so against my will they made me to learne English, and
taught me what I should doe and say: and after this,
they called me Richard Duke of Yorke, second sonne
to Edward the fourth, because King Richards Bastard
sonne was in the hands of the King of England: And
upon this, the said Iohn VValter, and Stephen Poy-
towe, John Tyler, Hubbert Burgh, with many others,
And then they advised
156
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
as the foresaid Earles, entred into this false quarrell,
and within short time after the French King sent am-
bassadours into Ireland, whose names were Lyot,
Lucas, and Stephen Frayn, and thence I went into
Fraunce, and from thence into Flanders, and from Flan-
ders againe into Ireland, and from Ireland into Scot-
land, and so into England.
Thus was Perkins k bragge twighted, from a milpost
to a pudding pricke, and hanged was he the next yeare
after.
1
Then in the yeare 1501. King Henry made Lieu-
tenant of Ireland, his second sonne Henry as then
Duke of Yorke, who afterwards raigned. To him was
appointed Deputy, the aforesaid Gerald Earle of Kil-
dare, who accompanied with Iohn Blacke Major of
Divelin, warred upon VVilliam de Burgo, O-Brien,
and Mac Nemarra, Ocarroll, and the greatest power
of Irish men, that had beene seene together since the
conquest, under the hill of Knoctoe, in English the
hill of Axes, sixe miles from Galway, and two miles
from Ballinclare, de Burgoes mannor towne. Mac
VVilliam and his Complices were there taken, his Soul-
diours that escaped the sword were pursued, flying five
miles, great slaughter done, and many Captaines got-
ten, not one English man killed. The Earle at his
returne was created knight of the Noble Order, and
k
1499.
'Recordes of Christ-Church 1504,
OF IRELAND.
157
flourished all his life long, of whom I shall bee occa-
sioned to say somewhat in the next Chapter.
1
CAP. IX.
Henry the eight.
courage,
who
GERALD FITZ GERALDm Earle of Kildare a
mighty made man, full of honour and
had beene Lord Deputy and Lord Iustice of Ireland
thirtie foure yeares, deceased the third of September,
and lyeth buried in Christs Church in Divelin. Be-
tweene him and Iames Butler Earle of Ormond, their
owne jealousies fed with envy and ambition, kindled
with certaine lewd factions, abbettors of either side:
ever since the ninth yeare of Henry the seventh, when
Iames of Ormond with a great army of Irish men,
camping in S. Thomas Court at Divelin, " seemed to
face the countenance and power of the Deputy: these
occasions I say fostered a mallice betwixt them and their
posterityes, many yeares after incurable, causes of much
ruffle and unquietnes in the Realme, untill the confu-
sion of the one house, and nonage of the other, dis-
continued their quarrels, which except their Inheritours
have the grace to put up, and to love unfainedly, as
1513. From henceforward I have followed the relation of the wisest
and most indifferent persons that I could acquaint myselfe withall in
Ireland.
CAMPION.
8
▪ Register of Majors.
158
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Gerald and Thomas doe now, may hap to turne their
countryes to little good, and themselves to lesse.
Ormond was nothing inferiour to the other in sto-
macke, and in reach of pollicy farre beyond him; Kil-
dare was in governement a milde man, to his enemies
intractable, to the Irish such a scourge, that rather for
despite of him then for favour of any part, they relyed
upon the Butlers, came in under his protection, served
at his call, performed by starts, as their manner is, the
duty of good subjects.
Ormond was secret and drifty, of much moderation
in speech, dangerous of every little wrinkle that touched
his reputation. Kildare was open and passionable, in
his moode desperate, both of word and deede, of the
English welbeloved, a good Iusticier, a warriour in-
comparable, towards the Nobles that he favoured not
somewhat headlong and unrulie, being charged before
Henry the seventh, for burning the Church at Cashell,
and many witnesses prepared to avouch against him,
the truth of that article, he suddainly confessed the
fact, to the great wondering and detestation of the
Councell, when it was looked how he would justifie the
matter, By Iesus (quoth he) I would never have done
it, had it not beene told me that the Archbishop was
within. And because the Archbishop was one of his
busiest accusers there present, merrily laught the King
at the plainenesse of the man, to see him alleadge that
intent for excuse, which most of all did aggravate his
C
OF IRELAND.
159
fault. The last article against him they conceived in
these tearmes, finally all Ireland cannot rule this
Earle: No (quoth the King) then in good faith shall
this Earle rule all Ireland. Thus was the accusation
turned to a jest, the Earle returned Lord Deputy,
shortly after created Knight of the Garter and so died.
Marvell not if this successe were a corrosive to the ad-
verse party, which the longer it held aloofe and bit the
bridle, the more eagerly it followed his course, having
once the sway and roome at will, as you may perceive
hereafter.
0
Gerald Fitz Gerald sonne of the aforesaid Earle of
Kildare, and Lord Deputy, who chased the nation of
the Tooles, battered Ocarrolls Castles, awed all the
Irish of the land more & more. A Gentleman valiant
and well spoken, yet in his latter time overtaken with
vehement suspition of sundry Treasons. He of good
meaning to unite the families, matched his Sister Mar-
garet Fitz Gerald, with Pierce Butler Earle of Os-
sory, whom he also holpe to recover the Earledome of
Ormond, whereinto after the decease of Iames, a Bas-
tard brother had intruded.
Seven yeares together Kildare kept in credit and
authority, notwithstanding the pushes given against
him by secret heavers, enviers of his fortune, and nou-
rishers of the old grudge, who sett him up to the Court
of England by commission, and caused him there to be
• 1516.
160
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
opposed with diverse interrogatories, touching the Earle
of Desmond his Cousin, a notorious traytor, as they
said. He left in his roome Morice Fitz Thomas Lord
Iustice. After whom came over Lord Lieutenant,
Thomas Howard P Earle of Surrey, Grandfather to this
Duke of Norfolke, accompanied with 200. of the Kings
guarde. While he sate at Dinner in the Castle of
Divelin, hee heard newes that Oneale with a mighty
army was even in the mouth of the borders, ready to
invade: Immediately men were levyed by the Major,
and the next morrow joyning them to his band, the
Lieutenant marched as farre as the water of Slane,
where having intelligence of Oneales recoyle, hee dis-
missed the footemen, and pursued Omore with his horse-
men, which Omore was said to lurke within certaine
miles That espied a Gunner of Omore, and watching
by a wood side discharged his peece at the face of
the Deputy, strake the visard of his helmet, and pierced
no further (as God would.) This did he in manner
recklesse what became of himselfe, so he might amaze
them for a time, breake the swiftnesse of their follow-
ing, and advantage the flight of his Captaine, which
thing he wanne with the price of his owne blood, for
the Souldiours would no further, till they had searched
all the corners of that wood, verily suspecting some
ambush thereabout, and in severall knots ferretted out
this Gunner, whom Fitz VVilliams and Bedlowe of the
Roche were faine to mangle and hewe in peeces; be-
cause the wretch would never yeeld.
• 1591.
very
OF IRELAND.
161
In the meane while defiance proclaimed with Fraunce
& Scotland both at once, moved the King to returne
Surrey 4 out of Ireland, that he might employ him in
those services, his prowesse, integrity, good nature and
course of governement, the country much commendeth,
and honoureth the name and family to this day.
Pierce Butler Earle of Ossory Lord Deputy, Kil-
dare attending the Kings pleasure for his dispatch, re-
covered favour at the instance of the Duke of Suffolke
whose daughter, Dame Elizabeth Graye he espoused
royally, and so departed home. Now there was a great
partaker of all the Deputies Councell, one Robert
Talbot of Belgard whom the Geraldines hated deadly,
him they surmized to keepe a Kalender of all their
doings and to stirre the coales that incensed brother
against brother. In which fury, Iames Fitz Gerald
meeting the said Gentleman besides Ballimore, slew
him even there, journeying to keepe his Christmasse
with the Deputy. With this despitefull murder both
sides brake out into open rage, and especially the Coun-
tesse of Ossory, Kildares sister, a rare woman, and
able for wisedome to rule a Realme, had not her sto-
macke over-rul'd her selfe. Heere beganne intimation
of new Treasons passing to and fro, with complaints
and replyes. But Suffolke had wrought the canvas so
fast in his sonne in lawes behalfe, that hee was suffered
to rest at home, and onely Commissioners directed thi-
ther with Authority to examine the roote of their
↑ 1523.
Y
· 1514.
162
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
griefes, wherein if they found Kildare but even tolle-
rably purged, their instructions was to depose the plain-
tiffe, and to sweare the other Lord Deputy. The
Commissioners were, Sir Raphe Egerton, a Cheshire
Knight, Anthony Fitzherbert, second Iustice of the
Common-pleas, and Iames Denton, Deane of Lich-
field, who huddeled up those accusations as they thought
good, and suddenly tooke the sword from the Earle of
Ossory, sware the Geraldine Lord Deputy, before
whom Con Oneale bare the sword that day. Con-
cerning the murtherer whom they might have hanged,
they brought him prisoner into England, presented him
to Cardinall VVolsey, who vvas said to hate Kildares
bloud: And the Cardinall intending his execution vvith
more dishonour to the name, caused him to be ledde
about London streetes manacled and haltered, vvhich
asked so long time, that the Deane of Lichfield step-
ped to the King, and got the Gentleman his pardon.
This untimely shift inflamed the Cardinall, and
ripened the malice hitherto not so ranke, and there-
fore hereafter Ossory brought evident proofes of the
Deputies disorder, that hee vvillfully vvinked at the
Earle of Desmond, vvhom hee should have attached
by the Kings letters, that he curryed acquaintance
and friendship vvith meere Irish enemyes, that he had
armed them against him being the Kings Deputy, that
he hanged and hevved rashly good subiects, vvhom hee
mistrusted to leane to the Butlers friendship. Yet
againe therefore was Kildare commanded to appeare,
!
OF IRELAND.
163
which he did, leaving in his roome Fitz Gerald of
Leixlip, whom they shortly deprived, and chose the
Baron of Delvin, whom O-Connor tooke prisoner, and
there the Earle of Ossory to shew his ability of service,
brought to Divelin an army of Irish-men, having
Captaines over them Oconnor, Omore and O-Carroll,
and at S. Mary Abbey, was chosen Deputie by the
Kings Councell.
In which office (being himselfe, save onely in feates
of Armes, a simple gentleman) he bare out his honour,
and the charge of governement, very worthily, through
the singular wisedome of his Countesse, a Lady of such
port, that all Estates of the Realme couched unto her,
so politique, that nothing was thought substantially
debated without her advice, manlike and tall of stature,
very rich and bountifull, a bitter enemy, the onely
meane at those dayes whereby her Husbands Countrey
was reclaymed from the sluttish and uncleane Irish
custome to the English habite, bedding, house-keep-
ing, and civility.
But to those vertues vvas yoked such a selfe-liking,
and such a Majesty above the tenure of a subiect,
that for insurance thereof shee sticked not to abuse
her husbands honour against her brothers follye. Not-
withstanding I learne not that shee practised his un-
doing, (vvhich ensued, and vvas to her undoubtedly,
great heavinesse, as upon vvhom both the blemish
/
1527.
164
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
1
thereof, and the sustenance of that vvhole family
depended after,) but that shee by indirect meanes
vvrought her Brother out of credite to advance her
husband, the common voyce, and the thing it selfe
speaketh.
All this vvhile abode the Earle of Kildare at the
Court, and vvith much adoe found shift to be called
before the Lords, to ansvvere solemnly. They sate
upon him diversely affectioned, and especially the
Cardinall, Lord Chauncellour, disliked his cause,
comforted his accusers, and enforced the Articles ob-
iected, and vvhat else soever could be gathered there-
of in these words.
I wot well, my Lord, that I am not the meetest man
at this Board to charge you with these treasons, because
it hath pleased some of your pew-fellowes to report,
that I am a professed enemie to all Nobilitie, and
namely to the Geraldines, but seeing every curst boy
can say asmuch when he is controled, and seeing these
points are so vveightie, that they should not be dis-
sembled of us, and so apparent, that they cannot be
denyed of
you. I must have leave, notwithstanding
your stale slaunder, to be the mouth of these honor-
able persons at this time, and to trumpe your Treasons
in your way,
howsoever take me.
you
First, you remember how the lewde Earle your
kinsman, who passeth not whom he serve, might he
OF IRELAND.
165
*
change his Master, sent his confederates with letters
of credence to Frauncis the French King, and having
but cold comfort there, to Charles the Emperour, prof-
fering the helpe of Mounster and Connaght towards
the conquest of Ireland, if either of them vvould
helpe to vvine it from our King. Hovv many letters?
vvhat precepts ? what messages? what threats have
been sent you to apprehend him? and yet not done :
vvhy so? forsooth I could not catch him: Nay nay,
Earle, forsooth you vvould not nighly vvatch him. If
he be justly suspected, vvhy are you partiall in so
great a charge? If not, vvhy are you fearefull to
have him tryed? Yea Sir, it vvil be svvorne & deposed
to your face, that for feare of meeting him, you have
vvinked, vvilfully shunned his sight, altered your
course, vvarned his friends, stopped both eyes and
eares against his detectors, and vvhen soever you
tooke upon you to hunt him out, then vvas he sure
before-hand to bee out of your vvalke: surely this
juggling and false-play, little became either an honest
man, called to such honour, or a Nobleman put in
such trust. Had you lost but a Covv, or a Garron of
your ovvne, tvvo hundred Kyrneghes vvould have come
at your vvhistle, to rescue the prey from the uttermost
edge of Vlster: All the Irish in Ireland must have
given you
the vvay. But in
But in pursuing so vveightie a
matter as this, mercifull God, hovv nice, how dan-
gerous, how wayward have you bin? One while he is
from home, another while he keepeth home, some-
times fled, sometimes in the borders where you dare
166
CAMPION'S HISTORIE.
}
you are
not venture: I wish, my Lord, there be shrewde bugges
in the borders for the Earle of Kildare to feare: The
Earle, nay, the King of Kildare, for when
disposed, you reigne more like then rule the Land:
where you are malicious, the truest subjects stand
for Irish enemies; where you are pleased, the Irish
enemie stands for a dutifull subject: hearts and
hands, lives and lands are all at your courtesie, who
fawneth not thereon, hee cannot rest within your smell,
and your smell is so ranke, that you tracke them out at
pleasure.
Whilest the Cardinall was speaking, the Earle
chafed and changed colour, & sundry proffers made to
answer every sentence as it came, at last he broke
out, and interrupted them thus.
My Lord Chancellour, I beseech you pardon me
I am short witted, and you I perceive intend a long
tale. If you proceede in this order, halfe my pur-
gation wil be lost for lacke of carryage: I have no
schoole trickes, nor art of memory, except you heare
me while I remember your words, your second processe
vvill hammer out the former.
The Lords associate, vvho for the most part ten-
derly loved him, and knevv the Cardinals manner
of termes so lothsome, as vvherevvith they vvere
tyred many yeares agoe, humbly besought his
grace
to charge him directly vvith particulars, and to dvvell
OF IRELAND.
167
in some one matter, till it vvere examined through.
That granted.
Grace
It is good reason (quoth the Earle) that your
beare the mouth of this chamber. But my Lord,
those mouthes that put this tale into your mouth,
are very vvide mouths, such indeed as have gaped
long for my vvreck, & novv at length for vvant of
better stuff, are fain to fill their mouths vvith smoak.
What my cousin Desmond hath compassed, as I
knovv not, so I beshrevv his naked heart for hold-
ing out so long. If hee can bee taken by my agents
that
presently wayte for him, then have my adver-
saryes betrayed their malice, and this heape of haynous
wordes shall resemble a man of strawe, that seemeth
at a blush to carry some proportion, but when it
is felt and poysed, discovereth a vanity, serving onely
to fray crowes, and I trust your Honours will see the
proofe hereof and mine innocencie testified in this
behalfe by the thing it selfe within these few dayes.
But goe to, suppose hee never bee had, what is Kildare
to blame for it, more then my good brother of Os-
sory, notwithstanding his high promises, having also
the Kings power, is glad to take egges for his
for his money,
and bring him in at leysure. Cannot the Earle of
Desmond shift, but I must be of counsell? cannot hee
bee hid, except I winke? If hee bee close, am I his
mate? If he be friended, am I a Traytour? This is a
doughty kinde of accusation, which they urge against
mee, vvherein they are stabled and myred at my first
168
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
2
denyall; You vvould not see him, say they, vvho made
them so familiar vvith mine eye-sight? or vvhen
vvas the Earle vvithin my Equinas? or vvho stood by
vvhen I let him slip, or vvhere are the tokens of my
vvillfull hood-vvinking? Oh, but you sent him vvord
to bevvarre of you; Who vvas the messenger? vvhere
are the letters? convince my negative: See hovv
loosely this idle reason hangeth, Desmond is not
taken, vvell, vve are in fault: vvhy? because you are:
vvho proves it? no body.
it? no body. What conjectures? so it
seemeth. To vvhom? to your enemies vvho tolde it
them? What other ground? none. Will they svveare
it? they vvill svveare it. My Lords, then belike they
knovv it, if they knovv it, either they have my hand
to shevv, or can bring forth the messenger, or vvere
present at a conference, or privy to Desmond, or some
body bevvrayed it to them, or themselves vvere my
carryers or vice-gerents therein, vvhich of these parts
vvill they choose, I knovv them too vvell to reckon
my selfe convict by their bare vvords or headlesse heare-
sayes, or franticke oathes, my letter vvere soone read,
vvere any such vvriting extant, my servaunts and
friends are ready to bee sifted. Of my cousin Desmond
they may lye lewdly, since no man can heere well
tell the contrary. Touching my selfe, I never noted
in them either so much wit, or so much faith, that I
could have gaged upon their silence the life of a good
hound, much lesse mine owne, I doubt not may it
please your Honours to oppose them, how they came
to knowledge of these matters which they are so ready
OF IRELAND.
169
1
to depose, but you shall finde their tongues chayned
to another mans trencher, and as it were, Knights of
the Post, suborned to say, sweare and stare the ut-
termost they can, as those that passe not what they
say, nor with what face they say it, so they say no
truth. But of another thing it grieveth me, that your
good grace, whom I take to bee wise and sharpe,
and who of your owne blessed disposition wish me
well, should bee so farre gone in crediting those
corrupt informers, that abuse the ignorance of their
state and countrey to my perill. Little knovv you
my Lord, hovv necessary it is not onely for the go-
vernour, but also for every Nobleman in Ireland, to
hamper his vincible neighbors at discretion, vvherein
if they vvayted for processe of Law, and had not these
lives and lands you speake of vvithin their reach, they
might hap to loose their ovvne lives and lands vvith-
out Lavv. You heare of a case as it vvere in a
dreame, and feele not the smart that vexeth us. In
England there is not a meane subject that dare extend
his hand to fillip a Peere of the Realme. In Ireland,
except the Lord have cunning to his strength, and
strength to save his ovvne, and sufficient authoritie to
racke theeves and varletts vvhen they stirre, hee shall
finde them svvarme so fast, that it vvill bee too late to
call for Iustice. If you vvill have our service take effect,
you must not tye us alvvayes to the Iudicial proceedings,
vvherevvith your Realme, thanked bee God, is inured.
As touching my Kingdome (my Lord) I vvould
Z
170
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
you and I had exchanged Kingdomes but for one
moneth, I vvould trust to gather up more crummes in
that space, then tvvice the revenues of my poore
Earledome; but you are vvell and vvarme, and so hold
you, and upbraide not me vvith such an odious storme.
I sleepe on a cabbin, when you lye soft in your bed
of downe, I serve under the cope of heaven, when you
are served under a Canopy, I drinke water out of a
skull, when you drinke out of golden Cuppes; my
courser is trained to the field, when your Iennet is
taught to amble, vvhen you are begraced and belorded,
and crowched and kneeled unto, then I finde small
grace with our Irish borderers, except I cut them off by
the knees.
At these girds the Councell would have smiled
if they durst, but each man bitt his lippe, and held
his countenance, for howsoever some of them inclined
to the Butler, they all hated the Cardinall: A
man undoubtedly borne to honour, I thinke some
Princes Bastard, no Butchers sonne, exceeding wise,
faire spoken, high minded, full of revenge, vicious of
his body, lofty to his enemies, were they never so
bigge, to those that accepted and sought his friend-
ship wonderfull courteous, a ripe Schooleman, thrall
to affections, brought a bed with flattery, insatiable to
get, & more princelike in bestowing: as appeareth by
his two Colledges at Ipswich, and at Oxenford, th'
one suppressed with his fall, th' other unfinished and
yet as it lieth an house of Students (considering all
1
OF IRELAND.
171
appurtenances) incomparable, through Christendome,
whereof Henry the eight is now called Founder, be-
cause hee let it stand. He held and enjoyed at once
the Bishopricks of Yorke, Durham, and Winchester,
the dignities of Lord Cardinall, Legate, and Chan-
cellour: the Abbey of S. Albans, diverse Prioryes,
sundry fat Benefices in Commendam: A great preferrer
of his servants, advauncer of learning, stoute in every
quarrell, never happy till his overthrow. Therein he
shewed such moderation, and ended so patiently, that
the houre of his death did him more honour then all
the
pompe of life passed.
The Cardinall perceived that Kildare was no Babe,
and rose in a fume from the Councell table, com-
mitted the Earle, deferred the matter till more direct
probations came out of Ireland.
After many meetinges and objections wittily refelled,
they pressed him sore with a trayterous errant, sent
by his daughter the Lady of Slane, to all his brethren,
to Oneale, Oconnor, and their adherents, wherein he
exhorted them to warre upon the Earle of Ossory then
Deputy, which they accomplished, making a wretched
conspiracy against the English of Ireland, and
bloody skirmish.
many a
Of this Treason he was found guilty, and reprived
in the Towre a long time, the Gentleman betooke
himselfe to God and the King, was heartily loved of
172
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
the Lieutenant, pittied in all the Court, and standing
in so hard a case altered little his accustomed true,
comforted other noblemen, prisoners with him, dis-
sembling his owne sorrow. One night when the
Lieutenant and he, for disport were playing at slide-
groat, suddainely commeth from the Cardinall a mandat
to execute Kildare on the morrow. The Earle marking
the Lieutenants deepe sigh, in reading the bill; By
Saint Bride, quoth he, there is some mad
game in that
scrolle, but fall how it will, this throw is for a huddle;
when the worst was told him, now I pray thee, quoth
he, doe no more but learne assuredly from the Kings
owne mouth, whether his Grace be witting thereto or
not. Sore doubted the Lieutenant to displease the Car-
dinall, yet of very pure devotion to his friend, he posteth
to the King at midnight, and said his errant, (for
all houres of the day or night, the Lieutenant hath
accesse to the Prince upon occasions.) King Henry
controwling the sawcynesse of the Priest, those were
his tearmes, gave him his Signet in token of counter-
mand, which when the Cardinall had seene, he begun
to breake into unseasonable words with the Lieutenant,
which he was loath to heare, and so he left him fret-
ting: Thus broke up the storme for a time, and the
next yearet VVolsey was cast out of favour, & within
few yeares Sir VVilliam Skevingtonu sent over De-
puty, who brought vvith him the Earle pardoned, and
rid from all his troubles. Who vvould not thinke
but these lessons should have schooled so vvise a man,
• 1528.
• 1530.
"
#
173
OF IRELAND.
V
and vvarned him rather by experience of adversities
past, to cure old sores, then for joy of this present for-
tune, to minde seditious drifts to come. The second
yeare of Skevingtons governement, there chaunced an
uproare among the Merchants and their Apprentices,
in Divelin, which hard and scant the Deputy and
Major both, could appease. Then was also great
stirre about the Kings divorce, who hearing the frow-
ardnes of Ireland under Skevington, and thinking it
expedient in so fickle a world to have a sure poste there,
made Kildare his Deputy, w the Primate of Ardmagh
Lord Chancellor, and Sir James Butler Lord Treasurer.
But Kildare reviving the old quarrels, fell to prosecute
the Earle of Ossory, excited Oneale to invade his
country, his brother Iohn Fitz Gerald to spoyle the
country of Vriell and Kilkenny, being himselfe at the
doing of part, namely in robbing the towne, and
killing the Kings subjects. The next yeare going
against O-Carrol he was pittifull hurt with a Gun in
the thigh, so that he never after enjoyed his limmes,
nor delivered his wordes in good plight, otherwise
like enough to have beene longer forborne, in conside-
ration of his many noble qualities, great good service,
and the state of those times. Straight wayes com-
plaints were addressed to the King of these enormities,
& that in the most haynous manner could be devised,
whereupon he was againe commuanded by sharpe letters
to repaire into England, y & to leave such a substitute,
▾ 1532.
* 1534.
* 1533.
$ 1535.
X
174
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
for whose goverment he would undertake at his
perill to answere: He left his heire the Lord Thomas
Fitz Gerald, and ere he went, furnished his owne
pyles, forts, and castles, with the Kings artillery
and munition, taken forth of Divelin. Being ex-
amined before the Councell, he staggered in his
answer, either for conscience of the fact, or for the
infirmity of his late mayme: Wherefore a false mut-
tering flew abroad that his execution was intended.
That rumour helped forward Skevingtons friends and
servants, who sticked not to write into Ireland secret
letters, that the Earle their Masters enemy (so they
tooke him, because he got the governement over his
head,) was cut shorter, and now they trusted to see
their Master againe in his Lordship, whereafter they
sore longed as crowes doe for carryon. Such a letter
came to the hands of a simple Priest, no perfect
English man, who for haste hurled it among other
papers in the Chimneyes end of his chamber, mean-
ing to peruse it better at more leisure. The same
very night a Gentleman retaining to Lord Thomas
(then Lord Deputy under his father) tooke up his
lodging, with the Priest, and raught in the morning
for some paper to drawe on his straite hosen, and as
the devill would he hit upon the letter, bare it away
in the heele of his hose, no earthly thing misdeeming,
at night againe he found the paper unfretted, and
musing thereof began to pore on the writing, which
notified the Earles death. To horsbacke got he in
all haste, and spreading about the country these un-
OF IRELAND.
175
thrifty tydings, Lord Thomas the Deputy rash and
youthfull, immediately confedered himselfe with
Oneale, and O-Connor, with his Vnkles and Fathers
friends, namely, Iohn, Oliver, Edward Fitz Gerald,
Iames and Iohn Delahide, VVelch parson of Lough-
seudy, Burnel of Balgriffen, Rorcks a pirat of the
seas, Bath of Dullardston, Field of Buske, with
others, and their adherents guarded, he rideth
on S. Barnabyes day to S. Mary Abbey where the
Councell sate, and when they looked he should take
his place, and rose to give it him, hee charged them to
sit still, and stood before them and then spake.
Howsoever injuriously we be handled and forced to
defend our selves in armes, when neither our service
nor our good meaning towards our Princes crowne
availeth, yet say not hereafter but in this open hostility,
which wee professe heere and proclaime, we have
shewed our selves no villaines nor churles, but war-
riours and Gentlemen. This Sword of estate is yours
and not mine, I received it with an oath, and have
used it to your benefit, I should offend mine honour, if
I turned the same to your annoyance, now have I
neede of mine owne sword, which I dare trust, as for
this common sword, it flattereth me with a golden
scabberd, but hath in it a pestilent edge, already
bathed in the Geraldines blood, and whetted it selfe
in hope of a destruction: save your selves from us, as
from your open enemies. I am none of Henryes De-
puty, I am his foe, I have more minde to conquere,
176
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
then to governe, to meete him in the field, then to serve
him in office, If all the hearts of England and Ireland
that have cause thereto, vvould joyne in this quarrell (as
I trust they will) then should he be a by-word (as I
trust he shall) for his heresie, lechery, and tyranny,
wherein the age to come may skore him among the
auncient Princes, of most abhominable and hatefull
memorie. With that he rendred up the sword, and
flang away like a Bedlam, adding to his shamefull
Oration many other slanderous and foule termes, which
for regard of the Kings posteritie, I have no minde to
utter.
They concluded, first to murther all of the English
birth in Ireland, and sent an ambassador to Paulus
the 3, called Mac Granell, archdeacon of Kelles,
and rejected thence to Charles the fift, whose Aunt
Queene Katherine the King had lately cast off, with
much indignation of all the Spaniards, him hee thought
eith to be kindled, and craved assistance to conquer the
land, which he promised to hold under him, & his
heires for ever. The meane while he forced an oath
upon Gentlemen of every shire to ayde him, camped
within the pale, reared a great army of English,
Irish, and Scots, invaded the Earle of Ossory, and
Iames his sonne Lord Butler, who having intelli-
gence thereof, prevented his fury and kept those
parts in order.
When the Butlers had stopped his rage in Moun-
I
OF IRELAND.
177
ster, he fell to parlyes and treatyes with them, sent
them diverse messengers and letters, whereby he co-
venanted to devide with them halfe the Kingdome,
would they assist his enterprise, Iames Lord Treasurer,
in whom for their youth and acquaintance he most
affied, and often accumbred with such temptations,
finally returned his brokers with letters.
Taking pen in hand to write you my resolute an-
swere, I muse in the very first line, by what name to
call you, my Lord, or my Cousin, seeing your notorious
treason hath distayned your honour, and your desperate
lewdnes shamed your kindred, you are so liberall in
parting stakes with mee, that a man would weene you
had no right to the game, so importunate in craving
my company, as if you would perswade me to hang
with you for good fellowship. And thinke you that
Iames is so mad to gape for gudgens, or so ungratious
to sell his truth for a peece of Ireland, were it so, (as
it cannot be) that the Chickens you reckon were both
hatched and feathered, yet be thou sure I had rather
in this quarrell die thine enemy, then live thy partner:
for the kindnes you proffer mee, and good love in the
end of your letter, the best way I can I purpose to re-
quite, that is, in advising you though you have fetched
your feaze, yet to looke well ere you leape over. Ig-
norance and error, and a certaine opinion of duty hath
carried you unawares to this folly, not yet so ranke, but
it may be cured.
be cured. The King is a vessell of bounty and
2 A
178
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
\
mercy, your words against his Majesty shall not bee
counted malicious, but rather balked out for heat
and impotency, except your selfe by heaping offences,
discover a mischievous and willfull meaning Farewell.
Nettled with this round answere, forth he passed
to increase his power, offered violence to very few, ex-
cept that one despitous murther at Tartaine, the
twenty five of Iuly, where in a morning earely he
caused to be brought before him, the honourable Pre-
late Doctour Allen, Archbishop of Divelin, and Lord
Chancellor, who being a reverent personage, feeble
for age and sicknesse, kneeling at his feete in his
shirte and mantle, bequeathing his soule to God, his
body to the Traytors mercy, the wretched
young man
commaunded there to be brained like an oxe. The
place is ever since hedged in, overgrowne and unfre-
quented, in detestation of the fact. The people have
observed that all the accessaries thereof, being after
pardoned for rebellion, ended miserably. Allen had
beene in service with Cardinall VVolsey, of deepe judge-
ment; in the Cannon law, the onely match of Stephen
Gardener another of VVolseyes Chaplaines, for avoyd-
ing of which emulation he was preferred in Ireland,
rough and rigorous in iustice, hated of the Geraldines
for his Masters sake, & his owne, as that he crossed
them diverse times, and much troubled both the father
and sonne in their governements, nor unlike to have
promoted their accusations.
OF IRELAND.
179
All this while the Kings army was looked for, and
no succour came to the rebels, which greatly quayled
them, being of themselves, though stored with soul-
diours, yet unfurnished with any sufficient munition to
stand in a maine battell. Moreover the number of
wise Gentlemen did not greatly incline to his purpose.
And therefore when he besieged the City of Divelin,
the most part of those arrowes which were shot over
the walles, were unheaded, and little or nothing af-
frayed them. That espied the citizens, and gathering
the faintnes of his souldiours thereby, blazed abroad
upon the walles triumphant newes, that the King's
Army was arryved, and as it had beene so indeed, sud-
denly rushed out of their gates upon the Rebels, who
at the first sight of armed men, weening no lesse but the
truth was so, otherwise assured that the Citty would
never dare to encounter them, gave ground, forsooke
their Captaines, dispersed and scattered into diverse
corners, and never after met together.
A little before this time dyed the Earle of Kildare
in the towre of London for thought and paine. z Sir
VVilliam Skevington (whom the Irish men call the
gunner, because hee was preferred from that office of
the Kings Master-gunner to governe them, and that
they can full evill brooke to be ruled of any that is but
meanely borne) brought over an Army, and with him
Leonard Gray, a younger sonne to the Marquesse
• John Stow.
180
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Dorset, Lord Marshall. To whom Fitz Gerald yeelded,
and vvas sent into England, vvhere hee vvith his
Vncles, and other principalls of the conspiracy, vvere
afterwards dravvne, hanged and quartered at Tiburne.
Soone after vvas the house of the Geraldines attaynted
by Parliament, and all of the name busily trayned out
for feare of nevv commotions. But Thomas Leurus,
late Bishop of Kildare, schoole-master to a younger
brother, Gerald Fitz Gerald, the Earle that novv
liveth, secretly stale avvay vvith the childe, first
into Scotland, then into France, and misdoubting the
French, into Italy, vvhere Cardinall Pole his neere
kinsman preserved him, till the raigne of Edward
the sixt, vvith vvhom hee entred into high favour,
and obtayned of him his olde inheritance of Meinothe.
Lastly, by meanes of the said Cardinall, and Sir
Anthony Browne, Lord Mountague, whose sister hee
marryed (a woman worthy of such a brother) Queene
Mary (Founder and restorer of many noble houses)
repealed his attainder, and set him in his fathers
Earledome, wherein since that time he hath shewed
himselfe sundry wayes officious and serviceable towards
his Common-wealth, and the Crowne of England,
beside other good qualities of honour and curtesie,
they repute him heere for the best horseman in
these parts of Christendome. With this escape of
yong Fitz Gerald, the Lord Leonard Gray his Vncle
on the mothers side was held suspect, & the same was
1
OF IRELAND.
181
one speciall article urged against him when hee lost his
head, Anno. 1542, a
Sir VVilliam Skevington, a worthy Governour,
and among all vertues very just of his vvord, deceased
Lord Deputy at Kilmaynam, and the Lord Leonard
Gray succeeded him. b Oneale and Odonill colourably
required a parley vvith the Deput, but in the vvay as
they rode, they burned the Navan, and the tovvne of
Ardee. Wherefore the Deputy vvith the helpe of the
Maior of Divelin Iames Fitz Symonds, and the Maior
of Droghedagh, and the English pale met them,
flighted them, slevv 400. of their trayne, and there the
Maior of Divelin for notable service in that journey,
vvas knighted.
с
Sir Anthony Seintleger Knight of the Garter, Lord
Deputy. He summoned a Parliament, vvherein the
Geraldines vvere attainted, Abbeyes suppressed, the
King named supreme head and King of Ireland, be-
cause he recognized no longer to hold it of the
Pope. At this Parliament appeared Irish Lords Mac
Gilpatricke, Lord Barry, Mac Cartimore, O-brene,
and diverse more, vvhom follovved Con Oneale, sub-
mitting himselfe to the Kings Deputy, and after to
the King himselfe, vvho returned him richly plated,
created him Earle of Tyrone, his base sonne Matthew
Oneale Baron of Donganon. As for Shane Oneale
Hall. An. H. 3.32 & 34.
b
1547.
€ 1548.
182
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
the onely sonne of his body mulier begotten, hee vvas
then little esteemed and of no proofe. The same time
Iames Earle of Desmond came to the King, and vvas
of him both Princely entertained and revvarded.
CAP. X,
Edward the 6. Mary, and Elizabeth.
BEFORE the decease of Henry the 8. Seintleger
was twice in England, leaving at both times Sir VVil-
liam Brabason Lord Iustice. In his second returne
An. 1546. Sir Edward Bellingham, Captaine generall,
landed at Waterford, and skowred the coast, where
Omore and Ocomore used to prey.
This yeared the city of Divelin obtained a Charter
for two Sheriffes in stead of Bayliffes.
The Geraldines Out-lawes were taken and executed,
Bellingham appointed Lord Deputye, erected a Mint
within the Castle of Divelin, which quickely wearyed
them for want of fuell. Andrew Brereton with 300.
horsemen, and 40. footemen, inhabited the North as
farre as Lecale, where hee with 35. horsemen gave
the charge upon 240. Scotts, that from the out Islandes
came to succour the Irish, and wasted the Countrey.
d 1518.
OF IRELAND
183
In one yeare hee cleered those quarters, that the Kings
subiects might passe in peace.
Sir Frauncis Bryan the Kings Mynion was left Lord
Iustice, vvhile Bellingham repayred into England,
vvhere he dyed a man made up by service in the
yvarres, by continuall toyle therein diseased and feebled,
but of courage a lyon to his dying day, true as steele,
as farre from flattery as from hearing flatterers, an ex-
ceeding fervent Protestant, very zealous and carefull in
tendring the vvealth of Ireland, vvherein the countrey
giveth him the praise over all his predecessours and
successours vvithin memory, he spent his vvhole
allovvance in hospitality, calling the same, his deare
Masters meate, none of his ovvne cost. Letters com-
mendatory offered him by the Councell, vvhen Brian
had vvrought his trouble before the Nobility of Eng-
land hee rejected as vaine and superfluous, professing,
that if of his owne innocencie he could not uphold him,
hee would never seeke other shift, then Credo resur-
rectionem mortuorum, for (quoth he) well they may
kill mee, but they shall never conquer mee. Sowre
he was, and thundering in words, indeed very tempe-
rate, applyed himselfe altogether to severity, Lordli-
nesse, and terrour, Brian dyed within sixe weekes, and
Brabason became Lord Iustice, till Saintleger the
fourth time was sent over Deputye. To him crept
Mac Cartye, that had lately roved and denyed his
obedience, with an halter about his necke, and got
his pardon.
184
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Vpon Saintleger came Sir Iames Croftes, of whose
bounty and honourable dealing towards them, they
yeeld at this day a generall good report. Crofts tar-
ryed in office two yeares, and left Sir Thomas Cusack
(who dyed five houres before the writing heereof,) and
Gerald Ailmer, while they both were coursing Oneale
from Dundalke.
Queene Mary established in her Crowne, committed
her government once more to Saintleger, whom sundry
Noblemen pelted and lifted at, till they shouldered
him quite out of all credite. He to be counted forward
and plyable to the taste of King Edward the sixt his
raigne, rymed against the Reall Presence for his pas-
time, and let the papers fall where Courtiers might
light thereon, vvho greatly magnified the pith and
conveyance of that noble sonnet. But the originall of
his own hand-vvriting, had the same firmely (though
contrary to his ovvne Iudgement) vvandering in so
many hands, that his adversary caught it, and tripped
vvay: the
the spot vvhereof he could never vvipe
out. Thus vvas he removed, a discreete Gentleman,
studious of the State of Ireland, enriched, stout
enough, vvithout gall.
it in his
very
While the Deputy staggered uncertaine of conti-
nuance, the Tooles, and the Cavenaghes vvaxed cockish
in the Countie of Divelin, rangeing in flockes of seven
or eight score, on vvhom set forth the Marshall and
P
• 1553.
185
1
1
OF IRELAND.
the Sheriffes of Divelin, Buckley and Gygen, vvith
the citties helpe, and over-layde them in sudden skir-
mishes, of which, threescore were executed for example.
Thomas Earle of Sussex, Lord Deputy, with whom
came his Brother in law Sir Henry Sidney, Trea-
surer.f This Deputy, to the inestimable benefite of
.the Realme, brought under obedience the disordered
countreyes of Leix, Slewmarge, Ofalie, Irrye, and
Glinmalire, then late possessed by the Oconnores,
Omores, Odempsyes, and other Irish rebells. Hee
molested Iames Mac Conell the Scottish Islander, that
in those dayes joyned with the Irish, and disquieted
Vlster. In which voyage Divelin assisted the Gover-
nour with a faire company, conducted by Iohn Vsher,
Sheriffe, and Patrick Buckley. He held a Parlia-
ment, wherein it was made high Treason to retaine
Scots for souldiours, and fellony to contract with them
matrimony. At his returne from Englands (in which
time Sir Henry Sidney vvas Lord Iustice) hee pursued
the Scots to their Ilands, and there entred, did them
much skathe, vvanne himselfe full great commenda-
tion of hardinesse, sayled backe vvith the glory of that
adventure, vvherein (I trovv) tvvo more of his matches
are not remembred, nor read. With the nevves of
Maryes death, hee crossed the seas againe into Eng-
land, leaving Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Iustice, and
yet againe the next yeare leaving Sir VVilliam Fitz-
williams Lord Iustice, then returned he Lord Lieute-
f 1554.
• 1557.
2 B
- 186
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
nant of Ireland, by Proclamation reformed and abated
their base Coyne, being as yet perfect in all the pro-
portions, measures, allayes and values thereof, as by
mintanor, tooke vvith him souldiours out of Divelin,
victualled for sixe vveekes at that citties charge, under
the leading of Petaboghe Sheriffe, and joyning him
to his povver, vvent upon Shane Oneale, the Irishı
enemy of greatest force then living. Thereupon Shane
hyed him into England, the Lieutenant after him,
Fitz VVilliams Lord Iustice, till Sussex sped his
businesse, and came backe the next and last time of
his departure. Sir Nicholas Arnold directed thither
vvith Commission, tarryed behinde him Lord Iustice,
and too short a vvhile as the country speaketh, vvho
testifieth his upright and reasonable provision of house-
hold cates, the abuses whereof with sesse and soul-
diours, doe so impoverish and alienate the needie Far-
mors from us, that they say they might as easily beare
the Irish oppressions of Coines & Cuddies, from which
we pretend to deliver them.
Arnold for his better successe in government, linked
himselfe entirely with Gerald Earle of Kildare, who
likewise endeavoured to support the same with all dili-
gence, being authorized to straine the rebells at his
discretion, wherefore hee disposed himselfe to serve,
and presented the Governour many times with a num-
ber of principall Out-lawes heades.
h 1560.
OF IRELAND.
187
In the meane while Sussex became Lord President
of the North of England, a spare man of body, but
sound & healthfull, brought up with Stephen Gardiner,
passing valiant, a deep reacher, very zealous in friend-
ship, quicke in resolution of extremities in the field,
wonderfull patient, able to tyre ten souldiours, learned
and languaged, ever doing with his penne, of utterance
sharpe and sententious, wary, busie, painefull, and
speedie, meeter to rule, then to be over-ruled.
Sir Henry Sidney, Knight of the Garter, Lord Pre-
sident of Wales, and Lord Deputie of Ireland. Hee
found the Realme distempered vvith Oneales rebellion,
and the same did extinguish, vvhereof before I speake,
I must looke backe a little into certaine yeares past,
and lay together the circumstance of this lamentable
tumult.
Of all the Irish Princes, though none vvas then com-
parable to Oneale for antiquity and noblenesse of bloud,
yet had the same endured sundry varieties and vexa-
tions, untill the division began in England of the tvvo
royall families, Yorke and Lancaster, at vvhich time
the English Lords of Ireland, either for zeale, or for
kinred and affection transporting their force thither to
vphold a side, the meere Irish vvaxed insolent, and
chiefly Oneale incroched upon the full possession of
Vlster, abiding so uncontrolled, till Shane Oneale
fearing the puissance of Henry 8. exhibited to him a
voluntary submission, surrendred all titles of honour,
188
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
received at his hands the Earledome of Ter-ovven,
commonly called Tirone, to be held of the King of
English forme and tenure: Armes he
gave the bloody
hand a terrible cognizance. This Oneale had two
sonnes, Matthew a bastard, and Shane legitimate, but
because Matthew was a lusty horseman, welbeloved,
and a tryed Souldiour, Shane but a Boy, and not of
much hope, the father obtained the Barony of Don-
ganon, and the remainder of his Earledome to Mat-
thew. When Shane and his foster brethren grew to
yeares, they considered of the injury and tyranny, done
by policie of the base Oneale, & with rearing hue and
cry at the side of a Castle where he lay that night,
when the Gentleman ran suddainely forth to answere
the cry, as the custome is, they betrayed and murdered
him. The father not utterly discontent with his dis-
patch, when he saw the proofe of his lawfull sonne and
heire, thenceforward fancied Shane Oneale, put him in
trust with all, himselfe being but a Cripple, notwith-
standing that Matthew left issue male which liveth, to
whom the inheritance appertained, yet after his fathers
decease, Shane was reputed for the rightfull Oneale,
tooke it, kept it, challenged superiority over the Irish
Lords of Vlster, warred also upon the English part,
subdued Oreyly, imprisoned Odonil, his wife, and his
sonne, enriched himselfe with all Odonils forts, cas-
tles, and plate, by way of ransome, detained pledges
of obedience, the wife (whom he carnally abused) and
the Childe, fortified a strong Iland in Tyrone, which
he named spitefully, Foogh-ni-Gall, that is, the hate
OF IRELAND.
189
of English men, whom he so detested, that he hanged
a Souldiour for eating English bisket, another by the
feete mistrusted for a spy, another Captaine of the
Galloglaghes he slew with torture. After this usur-
pation and tyranny, hee was yet perswaded by Melchior
Husse sent unto him from Gerald Earle of Kildare, to
reconcile himselfe to good order, and to remember the
honourable estate wherein King Henry placed his fa-
ther, which monition he accepted, besought his pro-
tection, and made a voyage into England, where the
Courtiers noting his haughtines and barbarity, devised
his stile thus. Oneale the great, Cousin to S. Pa-
tricke, friend to the Queene of England, enemy to all
the world besides. Thence he sped home againe, gra-
tiously dealt with, used Civility, expelled the Scots out
of all Vlster, where they intended a conquest, wounded
and tooke prisoner, Captaine Iames Mac Conill their
Chieftaine, whereof the said Iames deceased: ordered
the North so properly, that if any subject could approve
the losse of money or goods within his precinct, he
would assuredly either force the robber to restitution,
or of his owne cost redeeme the harme to the loosers
contentation. Sitting at meate, before he put one mor-
sell into his mouth, he used to slice a portion above
the dayly almes, and send it namely to some begger
at his gate, saying, it was meete to serve Christ first:
But the Lords of Vlster, and elsewhere, whom he
yoked and spoiled at pleasure, abhorring his pride and
extortion, craved assistance of the Deputy, for re-
dresse thereof: Oneale advertised, increaseth his rage,
190
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
\
disturbeth and driveth out Mac Gwire, the plaintiffe,
burneth the Metropolitane Church of Ardmagh, be-
cause no English army might lodge therein, for which
sacriledge the Primate accursed him, besiegeth Dun-
dalke, practiseth to call strangers into the land for ayde,
as appeareth by those letters which Sir Henry Sidney
Lord Deputy intercepted, occupieth all the North of
Ireland, being 100. myles broad, 120. long. Then ad-
dressed he plausible letters to the Potentates of Moun-
ster, exhorting them to rebell, that the force of Eng-
land at once might bee dismembred. This message
the Deputy prevented, stayed the country, abridged
him of that hope, and then proclaimed him Traytor.
An Irish Iester standing by, and hearing Oneale de-
nounced with addition of a new name, traytor: Except
(quoth he) traytor be a more honourable title then
Oneale, he shall never take it upon him, by my consent
While the Deputy was absent in England, the towne
of Droghedagh was in hazard to be taken by the Rebels,
which to preserve, at the motion of the Lady Sidney,
then abiding in Droghedagh, came Master Sarsfield
then Major of Divelin, with a chosen band of goodly
young men Citizens, and brake the rage of the ene-
mies. i The Deputy returning made him Knight, and
finding it now high time utterly to weede and roote out
the Traytor, he furnished a substantiall army, and with
the readines thereof hartened the Irish, whom Oneale
had impoverished, cut off his adherents, and all accesse
1366,
OF IRELAND.
191
you
of succour, chased him and his into corners, spent him,
cast him into such despaire, that he consulted with his
Secretary Neale Mac Connor, to present himselfe un-
knowne and disguised to the Deputy, with an halter
about his necke, begging his pardon. Ere
doe so
(quoth his Clarke) let us prove an extreame shift, and
there he perswaded him to joyne with the Scots, whom
he had lately banished: of whom, should he be refused
or finde inconvenience, at any time, submission to the
Deputy might then be used, when all faileth. Shane
knew himselfe odious to the Scots, especially to them
whom he thought to lincke with the brother and kin-
dred of Iames Mac Conill, yet in those hard oddes hee
devised rather to assay their friendship, then to grate
upon mercy, which so oft and so intollerably he had
abused.
Mac Conill whom Shane overthrew left two brethren,
and a Sister, whereof one Suarly Torwy remained with
Oneale, entertayned after his brothers death. The
other was Alexander Oge, who with 600. Scots in-
camped now in Claneboy. The woman was Agnes
Ilye, whose husband Shane slew in the said discomfi-
ture, Agnes had a sonne Mac Gillye Aspucke, who
betrayed Oneale to avenge his Fathers and Vncles
quar-
rell. At the first meeting, (for thither he came accom-
panied with Torwy and his Secretary, and 50. horse-
men) the Captaines made him great cheere, and fell to
quaffing, but Aspucke minding to enter into his pur-
pose, there openly challenged his Secretary, as the
192
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
✔
marry
Author of a dishonourable report, that Mac Conils wife
did offer to forsake her country and friends, and to
with Shane Oneale her husbands destruction;
Mary (quoth the Secretary) if thine Aunt were Queen
of Scotland, it might beseeme her full well, to seeke
such a marriage. To this brawle Oneale gave eare,
upheld his man, advaunced his owne degree: The com-
parison bred a fray betweene their Souldiours; Out
sprang Aspucke, and beat Oneales man, and then sud-
dainely brought his band
upon them in the tent, where
the Souldiours with their slaughter-knives, killed the
Secretary and Shane Oneale, mangled him cruelly,
lapped him in an old Irish shirte, and tumbled him
into a pit, within an old Chappell hard by: whose head
foure dayes after, Captaine Pierce cut off and met
therewith the Deputy, who sent it before him staked on
a pole, to the Castle of Divelin, where it now standeth.
It is thought that Tirlagh who now usurpeth the name
of Oneale, practised this devise with Agnes, Alex-
ander, and Torwy, when he perceived Shane discou-
raged, and not able to hold out.
Thus the wretched man ended, who might have lived
like a Prince, had he not quenched the sparkes of grace
that appeared in him, with arrogancy and contempt
against his Prince.
The next Tumult in Ireland proceeded of the folly,
especially of Sir Edmund Butler, Pierce and Edward
his Brethren, who being unable in law, to maintaine
OF IRELAND.
193
his title to certaine landes, whereof he held possession,
whereunto Sir Peter Carew laide very
direct and mani-
fest claime, (for Carew is an ancient Barons house in
Ireland) confedered with Iames Fitz Morrice of the
south, and others, began commotion, more dangerous
to the Realme then the late stirre of Oneale, such was
their opportunity of place, the rebels so friended, their
number so furnished, that the Deputy passing forth
against them in haste, requisite with such shift as the
suddaine mischiefe asked, was thought to have put his
person in great adventure, but in conclusion he wanne
by that journey, great martiall honour, started them
from hole to hole, and ransackt every veine of the land,
so as the Butlers craving protection, shortly recoyled,
and stand now at the Queenes mercy. To appease
the country, & reforme the lewdnes of his Brethren,
Thomas Earle of Ormond came from the Court of Eng-
land home, and in quieting the said broyles, shewed
also for his part, a right good peece of service, worthy
to be remembred. After this ensued a Parliament, the
particulars whereof, are expressed in the acts lately
drawne, to be published in Print, somewhat before the
last session, a seditious libell intituled, Tom Troth,
(let fall in the streetes of Divelin) nipped by name di-
verse honourable and worshipfull of the Realme, &
certaine officers of the Deputyes houshold, for greeving
the land with impositions of Cesse, whereupon followed
a proclamation, bearing date the twenty-eight of Ia-
nuary, which if it may bee executed in all points, would
cut off many such murmures, and leave a blessed
C
CR
194
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
memory of the Governour that devised it. The day of
prorogation k when the Knights and Burgesses of the
Cominalty resorted to the Lordes of the upper house,
much good matter was there uttered betweene the De-
puty and the Speaker, whereof comming home to my
lodging I tooke notes, and here I will deliver them, as
neere as I can call them to minde, in the same words
and sentences, that I heard them. First the Speaker
Iumes Stanihurst an Esquire of worship, Recorder of
Divelin, and for the Citty Burgesse at that present,
began thus.
Rather of custome and dutyfull humility, then for
doubt of your honourable disposition, (so well knowne
to us all, and to every of us in private, that it little
needeth my praise) we are to request your Lordship in
the behalfe of our selves, and our countryes, whom
we represent in this Parliament, to accept our service
and endeavour in driving these conclusions, where by
to the uttermost of our skill we have intended without
injury, the Crowne to enrich, treasons to chastise, to
better the state, traffique to further, learning to
cherish, and in briefe, to maintaine with our best
advice those benefits, which the Prince hath inferred
upon this Realme by you, and you with
your sword
and wisedome have performed. An ordinary suite it is,
in the end of such assemblies to crave executions of
law, for it sufficeth not, to keepe a statute tanquam in-
clusum in tabulis, as a thing shut up › in parchment
* 12. Decembris 1570.
OF IRELAND.
195
rolles, but law must speake and walke abroad, to the
comfort and behoofe of good subjects: Otherwise, vve
shall resemble the folly of him, that once in every
houre saluted his gold, never using it, but onely bad
it lye still and couch. Of the necessity thereof, I
cannot say so much as your Lordship conceiveth, and
I desire not to discourse a matter generally felt and
confessed. In particular the zeale which I have to the
reformation of this Realme, and to breede in the rudest
of our people, resolute English hearts, moveth me to
pray your Lordships helping hand for the practice,
namely of one statute which is for the erecting of
Grammer Schooles, within every diocesse, the stipends
to be levied in such proportion, as in the late act hath
beene devised, whereunto the royall assent is already
granted, and yet the point in no forwardnes, nor in
none is like to be, except by some good meanes, the
onset be given & freshly followed, surely might one
generation sippe a little of this liquor, and so bee in-
duced to long for more, both our countrymen that
live obeysant, would ensue with a courage the fruites
of peace, whereby good learning is supported, and our
unquiet neighbours would finde such sweetnesse in the
taste thereof, as it should bee a ready way to reclaim
them. In mine experience, who have not yet seene
much more then forty yeares, I am able to
that our
Realme is at this day an halfe deale more civill then it
was, since noble men and worshipfull, with others of
ability, have used to send their sonnes into England to
the Law, to Vniversities, or to Schooles. Now when
say
196
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
Neither were it a
Crowne of Eng-
the same Schooles shall bee brought home to their
doores, that all that will may repaire unto them, I
doubt not, considering the numbers brought up beyond
the Seas, and the good already done in those few
places, where learning is professed, but this addition
discreetly made, will foster a young frye, likely to prove
good members of this common wealth, and desirous to
traine their children the same way.
small helpe to the assurance of the
land, when Babes from their Craddles should be inured
under learned Schoole-masters, with a pure English
tongue, habite, fashion, discipline; and in time utterly
forget the affinity of their unbroken borderers, who
possibly might be wonne by this example, or at the
least wise loose the opportunity, which novv they
have, to infect others: And seeing our hap is not yet,
to plant an Vniversity here at home, which attempt
can never bee remembred without many thankes to
your good Lordship for your bountifull offer, me
seemeth it is the more expedient to enter so farre forth
as our commission reacheth and to hope for the rest:
I have said enough, especially to a learned governour,
to whom an inckling were sufficient in such a plausible
and needfull motion. It resteth that wee pray your
Lordship to folde up whatsoever squarings or diversi-
ties of Iudgements, wise men have heere uttered in
our often meetings, and by the sequele of all our doings
to measure the good meaning of every severall person.
When the Speaker had done, the Deputy having a
OF IRELAND.
197
rich and plentifull kinde of utterance, meere naturall,
but not without judgement, answered at length, as he
that knew no end of his good, the points whereof, as
I can remember, were these.
In good faith, M. Speaker, I cannot lesse doe, but
recorde and testifie the readines, travaile and good ser-
vice of you all, and namely of your selfe, who in the
whole course of this Parliament, & now lastly in this
charitable request for trayning your youth, have con-
firmed the opinion which my selfe and the generall
voyce long since retained of your rare vertues, devotion,
wisedome, learning, and modestie, so as the case can-
not be misdoubted that is preferred by such a Proctor,
the substance whereof toucheth you my Lords spirituall
and temporall, & you the knights and worshipfull of
every Shire, to you belongeth the quickening of this
godly statute, which heere againe I recommend unto
you, & will not let to enquire after your diligence
therein from time to time, & the most effectuall order
that may be for this purpose, shall assuredly be taken
in place convenient. Shew your selves forvvard and
franke in advancing the honour, wealth, ease and
credit of your countryes, envy not to your posterity
the same path that your selves have troden, and
namely you that flourish at this day in the light & eye
of your common-wealth. Had your opinions matched
with mine, concerning the Vniversity which M. Speaker
remembreth, no doubt the name and reputation thereof
would have bin a spurre to these erections, as nurses
198
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
for babes to suck in, till they might repaire thither to
be wained: But I trust your consents therein are only
suspended for a time, and that so much good labour
shall not be utterly lost and frustrate: What though
certaine imperfections cannot as yet be salved? What
though the summe arise not to make a muster of Col-
ledges at the first day? What though the place be not
also commodious? What though other circumstances
inferre a feeble and rawe foundation? These are in-
deede objections of the multitude, whose backeward-
nesse breedeth an unnecessary stoppe in this our pur-
pose. But your wisedomes can easily consider that
time must ripen a weake beginning, that other Vni-
versities began with lesse, that all experience telleth
us so, shall wee be so curious or so testy that nothing
will please us, but all in all, all absolute, all excel-
lent, all furnished, all beautified, all fortified in the
prime and infancie thereof. I remember a tale of
Apuleius asse, who being indifferently placed betweene
two bottles of haye, because he could not reach them
both at once, forbare them both. Let us not so doe,
but content our selves by little and little to bee fedde
as the case requireth. The rest of your Bills debated
and passed by your wisedomes in this Parliament, I
must confesse, they are as you say, beneficiall to the
Queene my Mistris, and to her Crowne, but how?
Verily as the Husband-man soweth his seede, and
reapeth much more then he layde downe, so whatso-
ever this benefite amounteth unto, it returneth to your
selves in a circle, heere it groweth, heere it is eaten,
·
OF IRELAND.
199
heere it multiplyeth, heere it is spent, they have their
due, the Prince is bettered, you are quieted, Iustice
executed, malefactours terrifyed. Were they never so
deare collopps of your owne flesh and bloud, I see not
how you could either have coloured their offence, or
qualifyed their punishment, the one so notorious, that
it cannot be dissembled, the other so ordinary, that
course of law prescribeth it. Therefore as you have
well done, so you have done but your duties, allowed
an inch to receive an ell, abridged your owne foes,
avenged your own injuryes, condemned your owne
oppressors. And yet this duty being on your parts,
so cheerefully and painfully, so lovingly and advisedly
performed, deserveth great thankes, and shall finde it
too, If I bee the man. either in office able to consider
you, or out of office in place to friend you. I am to
depart into England shortly, lay your heads together,
and article the points, whereby this Realme may be
furthered, use mee either as a mouth to speake for
you,
or an eye to direct you, or as a hand to under-prop
you, aut consilio, aut auxilio. Besides, the generall
vvhich I ought to have for you all, as your governour,
and yoked together under one obedience, English
blouds, and English hearts, I am linked to you as to
my continuall acquaintance these many yeares, hither
I came in my spring, heere I have spent my summer,
I returne in the fall of the leafe, now is the time, in-
timate your defects in demaunds, or what else soever
content you,
and see whether I will tender your
common-wealth. I meane not the pretended common-
may
200
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
A
pre-
wealth, seditiously promoted in Tom Loodles ryme,
but some good and substantiall matter worth the
hearing, which upright and equall men will indeede
esteeme. As for his complaint of Cesse and Imposi-
tion, it favoureth either hatefull malice, or childish
folly, malice if he would decay the garrison that
serveth the Realme, folly if he thinke the Realme can
be preserved vvithout a garrison, vvherin I will shew
you my fancie by the vvay, perhaps out of all order,
but I
pray beare vvith mee, I take matters as they
come next to hand, I can not skill of vvritten tales.
Many a good-fellovv talkes of Robin Hoode, that
never drevv in his Bovv, and many an idle head is
full of Proclamations, and conceiveth certaine farre
fetches, able in his vveening to vvield a Realme. But
let me see vvhich of them all can justifie, that Ireland
may spare the Army they kicke so much against. Are
your enemyes more tractable then they have beene?
Are they fevver? Are you by your selves of force to
match them? If you bee, then vvere England starke
madde, to disburse tvventie or thirtie thousand pounds
a yeare, for none other purpose but to vexe and grieve
you: that were like the husband who gelded himselfe
to anger
his wife. You must not thinke wee love you
so evill, nay rather thinke truely wee tender your
quietnesse and preservation, as a nation derived from
our auncestours, ingraffed and incorporate into one
body with us, disturbed with a sort of barbarous
people, odious to God and man, that lappe your bloud
as greedily as ours. The abuse of souldiours, their
ERRATA
In the ORIGINAL text of CAMPION.
Page 30, in the marginal note, read An. Mundi 1656.
Page 43, line 19, read our instead of your.
Page 67, line 24, after Clerke, read astonished.
Page 88, line 6, read extreamely.
Page 94, line 4, read coadiutors, instead of coodgellers.
Page 123, line 4, read LEINSTER, instead of Mounster.
Page 132, line 17, after Archer, read Prior.
Page 138, in the notes, read 1399.
Page 143, line 15, præpositura.
Page 201, line 2, read cheque rolles.
t
204
CAMPION'S HISTORIE, &c.
friendly to consult, and you shall finde me as willing
to preferre the generall welfare of you all, as I have
beene desirous to benefit every singular person
that hath in any lawfull suite attempted me.
of you,
These last words gave Sidney to the Realme, as
it were for a farewell, and thenceforvvards looked for
Sir VVilliam Fitz VVilliams his brother in law, a
politicke and stout gentleman, now Lord Iustice, and
for Sir John Perrot Lord president of Mounster, to
be settled there, before his departure. He was honored
at the point of his going, with such recourse, pompe,
musicke, shewes & enterludes, as no man remembreth
the like. He tooke ship towards England at the key
of Divelin, in Lent follovving,¹ accompanied to sea
with the Estates & Worshipfull of Ireland, vvith in-
numerable harty prayers, & vvith that vvish of his
returne, vvhereof but fevv Governours in these last
60. yeares, have held possession. The man vvas surely
much loved of them, from his first office of Treasurer
in the 2. yeare of Queen Mary, stately vvithout dis-
daine, familiar vvithout contempt, very continent &
chast of body, no more then enough liberall, learned
in many languages, & a great lover of learning perfect
in blazoning of armes, skilfull of antiquities, of vvit
fresh and lively, in consultations very Temperate, in ut-
terance happy, vvhich his experience and vvisedome hath
made artificiall, a preferrer of many, a father to his ser-
vants, both in warre and peace of commendable courage
25. Mar. 1571.
FINIS,
OF IRELAND.
203
1
creaseth your strength, many an Irish Lord would be
set agog that novv is full lovvly, and holdeth in his
hornes, and the open enemy vvould scovvre your quar-
ters that novv dares not venture lest he pay for his
passage. Consider me the effect of an Army vvrought
in these fevv yeares, for doubt vvhereof you are
nothing so oft nor so lamentably pelted at, as your
auncestors vvere, vvhich of them durst be stored with
coyne, knovving the rebells teeth vvatered thereat, and
himselfe not able to hold him out? vvhich of them
had leisure to build, to lye soft and vvarme, to take
his ease in his ovvne home? vvhich of them vvere
plated, or jevvelled, or attyred themselves, their
vivves and children sumptuously, after their calling, as
you doe now? If your bagges bee full vvhere theirs
were lancke, if you dwell neatly where they dwelled
homely, if you sleep on featherbeds where they slept
on couches, if
you be
be sumptuous where they vvere
have the more cause to honour that Scepter,
skant, you
that so directeth you, and to love the warrant that pro-
cureth
you this quietnes, the mother of all
and prosperity.
your wealth
Therefore to conclude where I began, weigh well
the sicke and wounded parts of your common wealth,
cure the roote, regard the foundation, the principall
pillars, the summer posts, the stone walles, as for the
roofe and the tyles, if yee repaire them onely, and
suffer the ground worke to perish, a tempest of wea-
ther, a flovve will shake your building. Of some such
good and substantiall reformation I would advise you
*
+
202
CAMPION'S HISTORIE
both, and continually keepes an Armye? I tell you,
these are daungerous and hollovve kindes of Argu-
ments, which are deduced ab exemplo, by example of
other Realmes. Many subtile diversities, many va-
rieties of circumstance, many exceptions alter the
case, and make it utterly desperate. Touching Scot-
land it is well knowne, they were never the men whom
England neede to feare: They are but a corner cut out,
and easily tamed when they waxe outragious. Your
foes lie in the bosome of your Countryes; more in
number, richer of ground, desperate theeves, ever at
an inch, unpossible to be severed from you without
any fence, beside your owne valiantnes, and the helpe
of our Souldiours. England is quiet within it selfe,
thoroughly peopled on that side of Scotland, which
most requireth it, guarded with an army, otherwise
the Lords and Gentlemen, and lusty Yeoman, that
dwell on a row are ready to maister their private vaga-
ries. From all forraine invasions walled with the wide
Ocean. Were there such a Sea betwixt you and the
Irish, or were they shut up in an odde end of the land,
or had they no such opportunityes of bogges and
woods as they have, or were they Lords of the lesser
part of Ireland, or were they severed into handfuls,
not able to annoy whole towneships and Baronies as
they doe, the comparison were somewhat like, but
alacke it fareth not so with you, you are beset round,
your townes be feeble, the land empty, the commons
bare, every county by it selfe cannot save it selfe. Take
away the terrour and feare of our Bande, which in-
OF IRELAND.
201
horse, boyes, and harlots, the Legerdemaine of Cap-
taines, chequerelles, the purloyning of Cessors & Con-
stables, the number of freedomes holding onely by
concordatum, the annoyance and hurt which the poore
farmer endureth, as I know them to be intollerable, so
I know them to be redressed with the first detection,
whose complaint hath not been heard? whose enormity
vvinked at? what can you aske more? would
you have
souldiours nothing insolent, nothing sensuall, nothing
greedy, no quarrellers? so wish I, but scarce hope for
it, vvould you hazard a misery certaine, extreame, and
incurable, to avoyde a trouble casuall, transitory, and
remedilesse ? so vvould not I, if you can prove a gar-
rison needlesse, I undertake to ease you thereof, If you
neede it, they must bee fedde, finde another vvay then
this, to provide for them victuall, that carryeth asmuch
readinesse to service, and more contentation to your
selves, and I assure you mine assistance to set it for-
vvard. But the Brokers of this libell are vvont to
reason, Why should not vvee live vvithout an Army as
vyell as in England? Why cannot our Noble-men of
might in every border, our tenants and servaunts vvith-
stand the Irish next them, as vvell as the Northerne
Lordes and Inhabitants of Riddesdale and Tiddesdale,
and those about the Scottish banke resist the Scotts,
facing and pilfering as fast as our enemyes. Very
good, vvhat saye they then to Fraunce, vvhich is no
vvorser governed then England, and hath an Armye.
Italy notvvithstanding as vvell ordered as Fraunce
vvithout an Army? Spaine asvvell as either of them
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