Elizabeth I: volume 176, September 1594

September 1594

Vol. CLXXVI. 1594. September—October

Sept. 1. Court at Greenwich:

1. Burghley to the Earl of Tirone. His mislike that Tirone should suffer his forces to maintain open rebels. Copy. p. ¾.

Sept. 1. Dublin.

2. Lord Chancellor to Burghley. For the stay of the letters procured in favour of Lodowick Brisket to be Clerk of the Council, which office is already passed to William Uscher. Lodowick Brisket's father was a natural Italian, he keeps a continual correspondence with Florence. Autog. p. 1½.

Sept. 2. Dublin.

3. Mr. James FitzGeralde to Sir Robt. Cecil. The horrible murder of his parents. To have amendment of a defect in his letter for the leading of 25 horse. Defect in his uncle Edward FitzGerald's letter. Autog. p. 1.

see 1594 Sept. 2.

4. Petition of Edward FitzGerald in behalf of himself and his nephew James FitzGerald to Burghley. The murders of many of their family by the procurement of the rebels Feagh M'Hugh O'Byrne and Walter Reogh. Desires license to erect 25 horse and 50 foot to serve at Her Majesty's charges under their leading as a better security against their enemies. p. 1.

Sept. 7.

5. Note of suitors for Irish debts with sums assigned for them. pp. 2.

Sept. 7.

6. Arthur Hyde to Burghley. To favour his cause against Patrick Condon. Autog. p. 1.

Sept. 7. England, 120 miles from London.

7. W. Grosvenor to Burghley. His suit for the service of Ireland with munition opposed by certain artificers of London. Advangates proposed by him for the service of Her Majesty. Autog. p. 1.

Sept. 10. Dublin Castle.

8. Sir W. Russell to Burghley. The Seneschalship of Knockfergus granted to Sir Edw. York. Deducting the entertainment of ten shillings per diem. Autog. p. ¾.

Sept. 11. Manor of Greenwich.

9. Warrant to Sir George Carewe, Lieutenant of the Ordnance, for five lasts of powder to be delivered to William Grosvenor of Ballyporte, in the county of Salop, to be by him transported and sent to Dublin Castle for the service of Ireland. p. ½.

Sept. 11. Greenwich.

10. Privy Seal for 111l. 1s. 10d. to be paid to William Grosvenor for munition to be sent into Ireland. Draft. p. ½.

Sept. 12. Dublin.

11. Lord Deputy and Council to the Privy Council. According to our last letter of 18 Aug. I, the Deputy, with those of the Council particularly named, have proceeded to relieve the ward of Enniskillen; the journey was long and difficult, as we were driven to cut through the waste, mountains, and bogs of O'Rourke's country, yet, notwithstanding all impediments, we relieved the castle the 30th of Aug., which was 12 days after we departed from Dublin. In our march we employed sundry spies by several ways, both to discover the enemies and their doings, and also to give knowledge to the ward of our coming to relieve them, the rather to hold them in comfort and encourage them, being before greatly discouraged by the late defeat given to Sir Henry Duke and Sir Edward Herbert, with the loss of all the provision of victuals in that convey, and the warders themselves reduced to that extremity as they lived upon horseflesh, dogs, cats, rats, and salt hides, and at our entry into the castle had but one horse left alive, which the day after was to be slaughtered and divided amongst the company, as the Constable told us; of all our said spies and instruments sent abroad for discovery there returned not one to us, neither had we any advertisement from them, being, as is to be supposed, either cut off by the enemies or detained by them, insomuch as till we came within one mile of the castle we knew not whether the castle held for Her Majesty or for the enemies. We found in the castle above forty persons of all sorts, which we reduced to thirty, as a company sufficient to answer the ward and to do the service of the boats, and have victuailed them for six months with beeves on foot, biscuit, cheese, salt, and some malt, having likewise to help themselves with a plentiful fishing of eels, under the cover of the castle. The castle by building is of an ordinary strength, according to the manner of building in Ireland, which is not for defence against greater artillery, but by situation it is strong, standing close upon the Lough which leadeth to Beleek and so to the river of Erne, and therefore most meet to be kept for Her Majesty to serve a turn to pierce further into the North, either to take Ballyshannon in Tirconnell, and Beleek and Bondrowse on Connaught side, or to answer any attempt in Tirone, if Her Majesty at any time shall like of the same. And even in this journey we had thought to take Beleek, and to put a ward in it, but that Sir Richard Bingham assured us that it was ruined in such sort as the expenses of 200l. would not make it guardable, neither could it be repaired in short time. In our return from Enniskillen, looking that Maguire and his adherents would have made some show, we pierced through the principal fastness of his country, and in our march homeward we received from the Earl of Tirone sundry letters of several dates, but making show of an alteration from the conformity which he promised and subscribed at his late being at Dublin, for where, after his submission made and full approbation of the conditions proposed to him, for Her Majesty and good estate of the country, which we sent to your Lordships in our last despatch, we returned him into his country, partly to "contain in order" his own inhabitants and followers and to revoke them from the aid of the enemy, and partly to do his best to expel the Scots and stay O'Donnell, and lastly to send in his pledges and his eldest son, the Baron of Dungannon. He answered, as appeareth by his several letters, the copies whereof we send herewith to your Lordships, together with others, that you may see at large the course he holdeth, which, for our parts, we cannot but find to be strange, considering how far it differeth from his late promise and word given at Dublin. And therefore to lay to stop all sudden incursions as much as in us lyeth, and to strengthen every border as far as the small forces we have will reach, we have returned the companies to several places of garrison where was most cause of defence, and in the Brenny, which directly bordereth upon Maguire, and standeth most open to danger, we have laid 200 foot, commanded by two English captains, at the charges of the country, which, with their own holdings, we hope will suffice to repel the incursions of the enemy; and yet at the breaking up of the camp, which was the fifth of this September, we discharged out of Her Majesty's pay six hundred foot and horse, which I, the Deputy, found in pay and charged upon Her Majesty at the taking of the sword. And likewise afore the "dismission" of the army we took an exact muster of all the companies, and viewing them by the poll we found a great decay in the old garrison bands, namely, that for want of supplies of the English they were increased to greater numbers of the Irish than either hath been usual or in good course for Her Majesty's service is fit. And besides it is contrary to many instructions from Her Majesty and your Lordships that there should be in any of those bands more than five of the Irish, and they to serve for guides and interpreters. It may please your Lordships, therefore, to give present order for 200 foot to be sent forthwith to serve for supplies, the rather for that these garrison bands being in effect the strength of the realm so long as they were continued English, and now being so much altered into Irish it can not but be dangerous if it should so continue and not be remedied out of hand, the consideration whereof we humbly leave to you as a matter of no mean consequence. We are driven still to bemoan our want of money, most humbly beseeching you to have care to supply us, otherwise we shall be neither able to avoid the clamour of the soldier, nor have means to answer any occasion of service, how important soever it be. For having answered this month's victualling to the soldiers with the money borrowed of Dublin and Drogheda, and being to receive by way of loan of the town of Waterford 600l. towards the next month's victualling, being October, which will not reach to satisfy the full monthly allowance by a great deal, we know not where to borrow more, neither of the corporate towns nor amongst ourselves, who remain as yet unpaid of the last taxation of 1,200l. levied amongst the late Lord Deputy and us, and therefore, inasmuch as it is not to be gotten within the realm, we are bold with the more earnestness to signify our wants therein, and to leave the same to your Lordships' help with all the speed that may be. Lastly, where you may gather by the discourse of this letter and by the several letters of the Earl of Tirone and O'Donnell in what staggering condition the state of the North standeth, and what appearance there is that things may decline to worse, if they be suffered and not stayed, we beseech your full direction what course we shall hold both with the Earl of Tirone and O'Donnell and all the rest, by pacification or prosecution, which will require some good numbers of men to be sent from thence with a competent provision of victuals, money, and munition, which are not to be had in this country. The Earl of Ormond hath kept these parts of Leinster in very good quietness. Autogs. pp. 3. Inclose,

11. I. Earl of Tirone to the Lord Deputy. The Scots have killed some of his tenants under O'Cahan. The son of Agnus M'Donnell is landed in Innishowen with 800 Scots. His sons Hugh and Henry carried to Crewe by their fosterfathers lest he should give them as pledges. Maguire's creaghts are on the further side of Lough Erne next Connaught. 1594, Aug. 25, Dungannon. Copy. p. 1.

11.II. O'Donnell to the Lord Deputy and Council. Offers a dutiful subjection if he may have peace for all those that are banished to his country. Reckons if Her Majesty's bad officers be suffered to hold Maguire's or O'Rourke's country that the next blow will fall on him. If he may have peace he will send back the Scots. 1594, Aug. 25, Derry. Copy. p. 1.

11. III. Maguire to the Lord Deputy and Council. Supplication for pardon. Otherwise he and his must be regarded as hungry and rapacious wolves. Latin. 1594, Aug. 26. Copy. p. 1.

11.IV. Earl of Tirone to the Lord Deputy. O'Donnell's willingness to make peace. All Tirone's followers and country people are resolutely sworn to take such part as O'Donnell doth. 1594, Aug. 29, Dungannan. Copy. p. 1.

11.V. O'Donnell to the Lord Deputy. To restore the poor exiles to their wonted livings, without which no peace granted to O'Donnell can be of effect. 1594, Aug. 30/Sept. 9' Liffer (Lifford). Copy. p. 1¼.

11. VI. Lord Deputy and Council to the Earl of Tirone. Will meet him at the Cavan on Wednesday next to confer touching O'Donnell's matters. 1594, Aug. 31, Castle of Inniskillin. Copy. p. 1.

11. VII. Lord Deputy and Council to the Earl of Tirone. His letter to the Constable of Inniskillin was not delivered till 24 hours after the castle was revictualled. Call upon him to send his eldest son to Dublin by the day appointed notwithstanding the frivolous excuse contained in his letters. 1594, Aug. 31, Camp at Inniskillin. Copy. p. 1¼.

11. VIII. Lord Deputy and Council to Hugh O'Donnell. Take his submission in good part. It was his duty to have performed it in person. Urge him to dismiss the Scots. 1594, Sept. 1, Castle of Inniskillin. Copy. p. 1.

11.IX. Earl of Tirone to the Lord Deputy and Council. O'Donnell demands a general pardon to extend to Brian Oge O'Rourke, Maguire, Brian M'Hugh Oge, and all who have been proclaimed. Excuses his not coming to the Cavan on Wednesday next for that Agnus M'Donnell is to land with a great number of Scots. 1594, Sept. 1, Dungannon. Copy. p. 1.

11. X. Lord Deputy and Council to Hugh Maguire. Answer to his letters. Refer the matter of his pardon to the Queen. 1594, Sept. 3, Camp near Slugh begh [Slieve begh]. Copy. p. 1.

11. XI. Lord Deputy and Council to Tirone. Will consider further of O'Donnell's demands at their return to Dublin. The undutiful and loose answer of Tirone's brethren and best followers that they would run O'Donnell's fortune to be remedied by Tirone. 1594, Sept. 4, Camp near Clonishe. Copy. p. 1.

11. XII. Earl of Tirone to the Lord Deputy. Will inquire for the horses and hacknies lost the last journey. All his men have sworn to take part with Maguire and O'Donnell. 1594, Sept. 11, Dungannon. Copy. p. ½.

Sept. 12. Dublin.

12. Lord Deputy and Council to the Privy Council. For the speedy dispatch of Capt. Thomas Lee. His charge is much less than he worthily deserveth in regard of his valour and great painstaking. Autogs. p. 1.

Sept. 12. Dublin Castle.

13. Lord Deputy to Burghley. Tirone has neither brought in his pledges nor met him at the Cavan. Russell can now hope little good from him. Have discharged 600 of the bands lately erected. His readiness to pleasure Sir Edward Moore, who has lately returned to Ireland. Autog. pp. 2.

Sept. 12. Dublin Castle.

14. Lord Deputy to Sir Robert Cecil. In favour of the bearer, Sir Edward Yorke, to have the charge which Mr. Carlisle lately had at Knockfergus. Holog. p. 1.

Sept. 12. Dublin.

15. Sir Geff. Fenton to Burghley. It is not good that the Earl of Tirone should continue long in the staggering course he is in. The grievous consumption of treasure and perilous inconvenience of prosecuting Tirone will far exceed any other war against the O'Neills of long time. Sir William Weston, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, is past hope of recovery. Autog. pp. 2½.

Sept. 12. Dublin Castle.

16. Lord Deputy to Sir R. Cecil. To further a supply of treasure. To procure Her Majesty's resolution how the rebels shall be dealt with. Autog. p. ½.

Sept. 13. Dublin.

17. Lord Deputy and Council to Burghley. To be directed by the bearer what course they shall pursue touching the accusations against the Lord Chancellor by Edmond Birne. Autogs. p. 1¼.

Sept. 13. England.

18. Sir W. Fytzwylliam to Sir R. Cecil. Sir, I most humbly and heartily thank you. You shall find me an honest man and void from all the detestable suggestions made against me. I will wait on my Lord Treasurer and my Lord Buckhurst by 9 o'clock tomorrow. Once more I most humbly and heartily thank you, and so in haste I commit you to God; out of my bed where I have lien from two of the clock in the afternoon, by reason of the pain of a pair of ill feet. After 9 of the clock at night. Your assured poor cousin ever to command. Autog. p. ½.

Sept. 13.

19. Informations against Sir William Fytzwylliam during his deputation. He caused M'Mahon to be indicted at a special sessions, whither he himself rode, and there caused the man to be hanged because he could not pay him a fine of 800 beeves. He also appointed a private sessions where Michael FitzSimmons was in one day indicted, arraigned, condemned, and judged, and the next day executed that his farm might be bestowed on the Bishop of Meath. pp. 2¼.

Sept. 13.

20. Note of Irish debts by Philip Hoare, with the names of the suitors, and the sums due to them. Autog. p. ½.

Sept. 14. Dublin.

21. Lord Chancellor Loftus to Burghley. May it please you, as I have these thirty-four years in all my causes made humbly bold to trouble you only, so am I forced thereunto at this present, though rather to bemoan that hard and unhappy state wherein I now live than any way to crave any grace or favour. There is here one Edward Byrne, a kern of the sept of the Byrnes, who had in lease a little farm of mine, whom (after the expiration of his term, for that he was of very bad behaviour, and lived chiefly upon stealths), I removed from thence, and placed in his room an old servant of mine, one named Dicson. Byrne being herewith displeased gave out threatenings both against myself and my servant who succeeded him in the farm that he would be even with us both. And although all this was long since, yet now a little before Sir William Fytzwylliam's departure, he, the said Byrne, moved as well with his own malice as put on by the procurement of one Sir Patrick Barnwall, a gentleman of a busy and very dangerous disposition, brought up in his youth in the King of Spain's dominions, and maliciously affected towards me for that very lately I searched his house in Dublin for a mass which was celebrated there a little before my coming thither, as also that he may not have his will in some matters he hath in the Court of Chancery, came to Sir Robert Gardener and accused me to him that about six years since, the Spaniards being then expected to arrive here, I should send a message to Feagh M'Hugh O'Byrne by my servant Dicson, purporting that I had been always his friend, and that then I desired him to stand my friend, and likewise that my eldest son, being employed for the guard of these borders, and lying at Ballimore, should write unto Feagh that he had the charge of the border, and therefore desired him that his people might do no harm. This he himself reported over Dublin, but whether in these precise words or not I cannot certainly learn.

Sir Robert Gardener acquainted Sir William Fytzwyllyam therewith the night before he delivered up the sword. He sent at once for some other councillors, and took Edmond Byrne's examinations, and as Loftus learns they either are or shall be transmitted to Burghley. Loftus hopes that Burghley will not suffer this to be buried, but that a just trial and examination may be had thereof, to the end that the fault may receive just punishment, where it shall be found deserving. The matters preferred against him by Robert Legg and Barnabe Ryche not being searched into have given boldness to every discontented and malicious detracter to revenge themselves by such monstrous and false accusations against him if Burghley in his wisdom do not prevent it.

What likelihood of truth there is that I should so much disgrace myself, and that high place I hold under Her Majesty, by craving favour of a man so base and barbarous as Feagh M'Hugh I rather leave to trial than trouble your Lordship with any particulars in my excuse. And in that which concerneth my son, Sir Barnaby FitzPatrick's malice and falsehood appear most plainly, because he never had the charge of these borders, nor to that end ever lay at Ballimore. So humbly beseeching your Lordship in justice to take some such course herein, as that being found faultless I may have some reparation of my credit against him and others who have so maliciously and falsely accused me, I commend your Lordship to the best blessings of God. Autog. pp. 2.

Sept. 14. Dublin.

22. Jo. Price to Burghley. 14 persons drowned in passing the Ford of Rooskoulle or Loughearne. Manner of the death of William Cecill, my dear kinsman. Many fair horses lost and tired in the toilsome journey to relieve Enniskillen. p. 1¾.

Sept. 15. Dublin.

23. Lord Deputy and Council to Burghley. Suit of Sir William Weston, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland, that the wardship of his son may be bestowed to the benefit of the child and his mother. He has been long weakened by sickness, and there is no expectation of his recovery. Autogs. p. ½.

Sept. 13 and 14.

24. Schedule for payment of Irish suitors. p. 1¼.

Sept. 16.

25. The humble answer and demand of the agents of Carrickfergus. pp. 2.

Sept. 18. Dublin.

26. Sir Ralph Lane to Burghley. Distressed estate of the bearer, Sir Edward Yorke, in the late most detestable conspiracy of his wretched nephew. Discipline of Yorke's troop. His approved valour. To have Mr. Carleill's charge of Carrickfergus. Autog. pp. 2.

Sept. 18.

27. Robert Fowle to Burghley. His conceit for saving Her Majesty's charges in prosecution of the war against the rebels. Holog. p. 1.

Sept. 19. Dublin.

28. Sir Geff. Fenton to Burghley. The Lord Deputy has bestowed on the bearer, Sir Edw. York, the office of Seneschal of Claneboy. He has well acquitted himself in this long and tough journey of Enniskillin. Aut. p. 1.

Sept. 20. Dublin.

29. Lord Chancellor to Burghley. He is worn away with the troubles brought on him by the accusations of Legg and Riche.

Understands the continuance of Her Majesty's offence towards him. Has written a letter to the Privy Council, which he prays Burghley to forward or suppress as shall be for his best interest. p. ½.

Sept. 20. Dublin.

30. Robert Newcomen to Burghley. High rate of corn and other victual by means of the unseasonable time of this harvest. Provisions to be sent from England. Autog. p. 1.

Sept. 22.

31. Lord Deputy to Burghley. Sir Robert Gardener's departure into England to acquaint Her Majesty with the troubled state of the realm. Sir William Weston groweth every day more sickly. To direct Sir Henry Wallop to make his present repair over. Autog. p. 1.

Sept. 22. Dublin.

32. Lord Deputy to Burghley. Untoward proceedings of the Earl of Tirone. Laments their want of foresight in letting him go when he repaired to Dublin. The packet has been stayed 16 days by reason of easterly winds. Holog. pp. 2.

Sept. 22. Dublin.

33. Lord Deputy to Sir R. Cecil. Has received a letter from Her Majesty wherein he finds some bitterness. Suspects Tirone has practice with some in the English Pale, and others of great account, or he would never carry himself so undutifully as he doth. Holog. p. 1¼.

Sept. 23. Dublin.

34. Sir Geff. Fenton to Burghley. Sir W. Weston died this morning. Sir Robert Dillon to be re-appointed to the office and Fenton to have some of the increased allowance made to Sir W. Weston. Autog. pp. 2.

Sept. 23. Roscommon.

35. Sir R. Bingham to Sir John Puckering the Lord Keeper. All this summer was ill spent in parleying with the rebels and sending them protections. They have gotten their harvest, gathered loose knaves from the whole realm, and have now the help of long nights to further their rebellious attempts. Autog. p. 1.

Sept. 24. Dublin.

36. Sir R. Lane to Burghley. The barrenness of his entertainment and allowance as Muster Master. His cousin Brian Fitzwilliam is not like to live many days. Prays for his pension of 10 shillings per diem. 100 foot and 50 horse to be assigned for his government in Tirconnell and Fermanagh. Prays that his nephew may have the bringing over of the company of foot and horse that shall be appointed for those parts of Ireland. Autog. pp. 3. Incloses,

36. I. Sir R. Bingham to Sir Ralph Lane. Brian Oge O'Rourke with certain of O'Donnell's loose men attacked Sligo, but were repulsed. Fildew and the Burke's had the killing of some of the traitors. Desires to know how Lane finds the Lord Deputy Russell, after his coming home to Dublin, disposed touching the placing of garrisons in Ballyshannon and Beleek. 1594, Sept. 18, Athlone. Autog. p. 1.

Sept. 24. Dublin.

37. Sir Geff. Fenton to Burghley. His sickness after the journey to Enniskillen. The present is not an opportunity so fit to begin a war as the occasion is great to urge it. Spain will be very ready to take Tirone into their protection and make him a ground to work on all their long plotted designs. Wishes that these broils may be taken up by some pacifying means without putting things to the trial of force. Autog. p. 1½.

Sept. 26. Dublin.

38. Sir Geff. Fenton to Burghley. In favour of the bearer, Art M'Dermott M'Edmond Duff, Captain of the Kinshylloes for remittal of certain arrearages of rent. Autog. p. 1.

Sept. 26. Knockfergus.

39. Charles Eggarton, Constable of Her Majesty's Castle of Knockfergus, to Burghley. The bickerings of Englishmen have crossed Her Majesty's service. Many of the chief inhabitants of the Claneboys have been desirous to become freeholders to Her Majesty. Petitions for the office of the late Captain Christopher Carleill in the storehouse of Carrickfergus. Autog. p. 1.

Sept. 27. Newry.

40. Sir H. Bagenall to Burghley. The generality of the articles which he charged Tirone with was intended of careful consideration, on account of the probable murder of the witnesses if he had specified the matters more particularly. Miserable murder of the Captain of Killwarnen when he was ready to aver matter against the Earl face to face. The discouragement of Turlough Lynagh has been a great furtherance of Tirone's haughtiness. Connor Roe Maguire has grown to an atonement with Maguire. Desires sterling pay for his horsemen. pp. 3¾.

Sept. 29. Dublin Castle.

41. Lord Deputy Sir William Russell to Burghley. That Sir Geff. Fenton may be included in the Commission for demising lands, wardships, &c. p. 1.

Sept. 29. Carrick.

42. Earl of Ormond to Queen Elizabeth. Certifies that he promised pardon of life and living to Patrick Condon when he came in from the rebellion of Desmond. His good service after that. To be graciously considered. Copy. p. 1.

Sept. 29. [London.]

43. Florence M'Carthy to Sir Robert Cecil. His long restraint and trouble for the space of five years. Prays for a renewal of his protection from arrest. [Printed in the Life of Florence M'Carthy, page 115.] p. ¾.

Sept.

44. Petition of Fynyn Mac Cartie to the Privy Council. For 20 marks of concealed land in Ireland, in consideration of his maim in Her Majesty's wars beyond the seas. p. 1.

Sept. 30. Athlone.

45. Sir R. Bingham to Burghley. In favour of the bearer, the wife of Robert Bowen, long imprisoned for the matter of Stanton's murder. p. ¾.

Sept. 30.

46. Muster book for the garrison of Ireland for half a year ended 1594, Sept. 30, under the hand of Sir Ralph Lane, Muster Master and Clerk of the Check. pp. 27.

Sept.

47. A memorial of Ireland. Matters for Sir William Fitzwylliam All in Burghley's hand. p. ¼.

Sept.

48. Note of 1,200l. borrowed of the Lord Deputy and Council in the Deputation of Sir W. Fitzwylliam. p. ½.