Elizabeth I: volume 128, February 1587

Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, 1586-1588. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1877.

This premium content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Elizabeth I: volume 128, February 1587', in Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, 1586-1588, (London, 1877) pp. 252-276. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/ireland/1576-88/pp252-276 [accessed 24 March 2024]

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

February 1587

Feb. 2.

28. Supply of munition for Ireland. pp. 3.

Feb. 3. Holborn.

29. Sir Edward Phyton to Burghley. For order for the transportation of his countrymen into Munster. p

Feb. 3. London.

30. P. Lord of Dunsany to Burghley. For allowance of sterling pay, &c., for his horsemen. p. 1.

Feb. 5.

31. A true advertisement of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland his children, how they are bestowed. His daughters: his Lordship hath seven daughters, whereof four only are married, the rest are very young, and none of them marriageable. His four daughters are thus married. I. The eldest to George Colley, a gentleman of Offaly, of English parents, advanced by Her Majesty's service, now able to dispend 100 marks per annum, and in hope of so much more after his father's decease, he hath only two brothers in Ireland of his name, by his father's second wife, who are now children at the school. II. The second daughter is married to William Uscher of the city of Dublin, a private man, a citizen, and an alderman's son, able to dispend per annum 100 marks, and the best part thereof is in leases. III. The third daughter is married to Henry Warren, a gentleman of Offaly, of English parents, advanced by Her Majesty's service, able to dispend 200 marks per annum; he hath only one brother, a captain, serving Her Highness, and none other of his name and kindred in that land. IV. The fourth daughter is married to Thomas Colcloght, a gentleman of English parents, advanced by service, now able to dispend 100 marks per annum, and in hope to dispend after his mother's decease 300l. more; he hath only one brother of his name, a student in the Inns of Court, and none other of his kindred in that land. These four sons-in-law of the Lord Chancellor have no alliance with any of the Irishry, in that land.

His sons: his Lordship hath also five sons. The eldest is lately married to one of the daughters of Sir Nicholas Bagenall, Knight. The second is a scholar in Cambridge, the other three being very young are at the school in their father's house.

Indorsed in Burghley's hand. The Archbishop of Dublyn's children and their Matches. p. 1.

Feb. 7.

32. G. Beverley to Burghley. For imprest money for the victualling of the garrison. The Mayor of Chester complains of ill-disposed men-of-war who have feared away divers merchants. Begs leave to go to Chester to look to Thomas Lynyall's reckonings, who is visited with sickness. p. 1.

Feb. [7.]

33. G. Beverley to Walsyngham of like tenour. p. 1.

Feb. 8. Dublin.

34. Sir R. Byngham to Burghley. I have sent your honor by this bearer, James Grafton, a plat of the overthrow of the Scots at the battle of Ardnary within the county of Sligo, which I caused to be done, upon the receipt of your honor's favourable letter. It is not in such perfection as it should be, to present unto your honor, but rather wrought in some haste, and subject to the want of many instruments and colours fit for the same, which indeed is not here to be had.

I have also with the same caused to be drawn forth the plat of the counties of Sligo and Mayo, with the confines of other countries joining upon the same, and so the place where the Scots made their entry into the province, and how they took their way and march into the same, and also how long they made their stay and abode at every place, until such time as they were overthrown [Note: this is the plat which is calendared below]. As likewise the whole county of Mayo, divided into his baronies (the which are ten), with the pedigrees and houses of the Burkes, and which of them do possess such baronies and such. As also which are the most devilish septs, which are the tyrannical septs, which are the septs of the greatest extortioners, and which are the worst and most notable thieves. For when I have justly considered of them all, I find that there is never a best of those low country Burkes; for as the one does exceed the other in aptness to rebel (which is the house of Ulick), so the sept of Ryccard M'Edmond Nefesogii, is as forward in his cuttings, exactions and other tyrannies, as the former sept. The sept of Tibbot and Ryccard M'Walter is no less forward in their extortions and thieveries than the other former septs. And as your lordship does see here the pedigree drawn of them, as though they were by right and lineal descent, yet it is to be understood that few of them have ever had lawful wives, but when as such women as they had were grown to barrenness or other infirmities, then did they put them away and took other; so that some of them hath had 30 children by seven or eight several women, and bastards all. And as the number of them which are called Burkes are many, so are there a great many more Burkes called by other names; as, namely, the sept of the Clangibbons, which is a great sept, all the sept of the M'Jonynes are Burkes, all the sept of the Clan Elkines are Burkes, all the sept of the Clanphilippines are Burkes, and also all the sept of the Clan Anthonies are Burkes. All which Burkes aforesaid are lying within the county of Mayo, and are termed the Lower Burkes, and are utter enemies to the house of Clanricard and the Burkes in the county of Galway. And if it may please your honor, the bearer hereof, James Grafton, having occasion to repair into England, I thought it fit to send this said plat by him, who drew the same forth by my instructions (to your lordship). And if it shall please your lordship to send him into London to some excellent workman or other to have the same more effectually done, he is able to set down the same "more plainer" for your honor to understand, by such direction as he hath received from me; for in many places he hath erred in divers points, which he may amend according to the truth, and to the instructions the which I have set down unto him. As your lordship hath said, so is it most true in the opinion of the wisest and gravest sort, that the house of Athlone is for none so fit as for the officer of the province, and very necessity for Her Majesty's service doth so require, as also the house of Roscommon; but such as shall hardly afford him the first, and most needful (which is the house of Athlone) will never assent, as I think, to the having of both. For my own part, I speak it not that myself am the chief officer of the province (but if that I were not), yet must I speak my conscience without partiality; and further, if it shall please your honor, it would do very well, as your lordship saith, if that Her Majesty would bestow some other thing upon Mr. Malbie, as may countervale the same, here or elsewhere, and to take the said house of Roscommon into Her Highness' hands; for that it is a place most fit for Her Majesty's officer in that province, and besides that, it would be very well for the gentleman, for that he shall not be able to maintain the reparations of so great a house so much decayed as that is, and to defend and keep the land against so many as do pretend interest to the same; all which things con sidered it would be very well for Her Majesty as also for the gentleman. [Indorsed. By Mr. Grafton with certain pedigrees and plattes.] pp. 1½. Inclosing,

Plat of the counties of Sligo and Mayo, with the confines of other countries, and the place where the Scots made their entry. The Scots coming over the Erne the 24th August, lay incamped near Bundrowes 14 days.

The 29th of August, the Governor (Byngham), came to Sligo.

The 7th of September the Scots removed to the Carre, in O'Rourke's country.

The 8th they incamped beside MacDonagh, in Conla. The same day, the Governor [Byngham], fronting them, incamped at Dromgowne.

The 9th they incamped at O'Dogenan's town.

The 14th they removed, and made their great march, and about midnight passed the river at a ford unknown, being put from the bridge [of Collooney], by the English force.

The 15th they incamped at the foot of Slewgawne, at which time the Governor, to save the prey of Tireragh, incamped at Ballisidare.

The 16th they removed by the side of the mountain to O'Henry [O'Hara] Reaghes town, and lay there two days.

The 16th the Governor lay at Ardglass.

The 18th they incamped within three miles of Balhegh.

The 17th the Governor [Byngham] traversed the mountains, and lay at Arconry [Achonry], at Bishop O'Hart's.

The 19th he removed to Moigare.

The 19th they came to Cowlcarne.

The 20th the Governor lay at Castelmacoskelan.

The 20th the Scots camped at Ardenry three days.

The 21st the Governor came to Bannet [Bannada] Abbey.

The 22nd from thence to Ardenry, on which day the Scots were overthrown. [Irish Maps, Vol. I., No. 4.

Feb. 9.

35. Queen Elizabeth to the Lord Deputy Perrot, touching Mr. Fenton's imprisonment. We are given to understand, by letters from our servant Geoffrey Fenton, that you have lately offered some very hard measure unto him, in a matter which, as it seemeth, doth greatly touch your reputation. The case, as we are informed, is this. Repairing one morning towards the Castle of Dublin for our service, he was, by your order, suddenly arrested and committed to strait prison in the Marshalsea there, for a matter of debt of 70l., part whereof, as it seemeth, was borrowed, during his last attendance here of your servant Russell, and the rest by his wife from yourself, to relieve her wants in the meantime of her husband's absence; which, albeit, he never denied you, or refused any reasonable order for your satisfaction, yet hath he for the same, without writ or process by the officer of the Common Pleas, been brought to the bar, there condemned, and from thence carried through the streets by a serjeant-at-arms, and this done for his greater disgrace upon a market-day, and so committed to the common gaol, wherein the haste was so great, as it seemeth to have been both begun and ended in little more than half-an-hour. Which manner of proceeding for the matter itself, as we cannot but find strange and without example in any governor, your predecessor, against a gentleman of his place being in a mere cause of debt to so small a value, and that concerning yourself; so we think that it might have received some better form and more moderate proceeding, if either the respect of our honour, to whom he is a councillor there, or common equity in a cause of your own, had prevailed with you. And, therefore, albeit we would be loth to do any act that might tend to the public disgracing of your authority, knowing how fit it is to have the same countenanced and cherished by us in all things honourable and lawful, yet finding this cause (if it be as we are informed over-hardly carried by you), we cannot but advise you not only to enlarge the said Fenton that he may attend upon his ordinary calling there for our service, leaving this difference betwixt you [and] him to be peaceably compounded by some others of our council there, uprightly and indifferently affected to you both; but also to forbear those hard kind of proceedings in like cases hereafter. And considering how inconvenient it is at all times, but especially in so doubtful and perilous a season as this, to have you and the rest of our Council there divided, as we hear you are by factions and partialities, to our just offence and mislike, the slander of your government and prejudice our service, whereof we doubt not but you will for your own part have that regard that in honour and duty appertaineth. Minute. pp. 3.

Feb. 9. Dublin.

36. Warrant from the Lord Deputy to all mayors, sheriffs, &c., to aid Michael Apsley and Richard Harding in apprehending Jacques [i.e. Jacomo Francesqui] and others connected with Stanley. p. 1.

Feb. 9. [London?]

37. Robert Rosyer, Attorney-General of Munster to Burghley. I thought best according my duty to advertise your honour, before my departure, of my going into Ireland, which, although the fees are but small, yet that shall not withdraw me out of Her Majesty's service there, to be endeavoured to the uttermost, according the duty of my allegiance; but because the office of attorneyship within the province of Munster is uncertain, and grantable over unto any person upon the alteration and change of every Lord Deputy, my humble request unto your honour is, that during the time I am here in England, that by your good lordship's means I may have the same by grant from Her Majesty by patent under seal, for that, that my coming now into England in Her Highness' service is not unto your honour unknown, and my coming without license from the Lord Deputy is cause of forfeiture of my office, by virtue of a statute there made, being one of Her Majesty's officers in pay. I left, may it please your honour, with Mr. Secretary [William] Davison divers notes of notorious malefactors within the province of Munster, desiring his worship to inform your honour of them. p. 1.

Feb. 10.

The Privy Council to the Lord Deputy and Council. Clause in a letter touching the undertakers; viz. And whereas the late Seneschal of Imokilly, and Patrick Condon may have some pretended interest in part of the lands that are to be delivered to the undertakers, especially Patrick Condon, which may breed disturbance, if they be not first in some reasonable sort compounded withal, we think it meet and so require you to enter into present consideration how the said Seneschal and Patrick Condon may be agreed withal to their contentments, so as there may not arise from them any disturbance to the undertakers hereafter. [Extract from the minute of a letter. p. ¼ See paper placed 1583 July 31. vol. 103. No. 53. This clause is repeated in the minute of a letter of 28 Feb.]

Feb. 10.

38. Note of 2,300 men put in a readiness for Ireland. In Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Gloucester, Wiltshire, Derby, Stafford, Lancashire, Cheshire, 1,200; Brecknock, Glamorgan, Radnor, Pembroke, Cardigan, Denbigh, Montgomery, Flint, Merioneth, 700; Worcester, Monmouth, Hereford, Shropshire, 400; Anglesea and Carnarvon exempt.

Feb. 14. Dublin.

39. Lord Chancellor to Burghley. The bearer, Mr. Newton, very wisely and valiantly behaved himself in that notable victory over the Scots. p. 1. Incloses,

39. I. Paper written by Philip Williams. It were well that the manner of my sending for were such from my Lord Treasurer Burghley, and Mr. Secretary Walsyngham, or whomsoever else it shall seem good, that my Lord Deputy may have no suspicion of the true cause thereof. There be some reasons for it not fit, before I be in England, to be uttered. But I leave it to their wisdoms to do therein as shall seem best to their honors. p.¼.

Feb. 14. Dublin.

40. Sir H. Wallop to Burghley. I have seen a letter written unto my Lord Chancellor here, from the Lord Bishop of Meath, (which he requested might be imparted unto me,) mentioning that Hugh Strowbridge had informed your Lordship how that he had delivered over unto me 100 marks in ready money, and almost 500l. in very good bands [bonds], due to Her Majesty, by virtue of the commission granted unto him, Rowland Cowick, and others, to compound for Her Majesty's first-fruits within the province of Connaught, wherein as I cannot but marvel at the impudence of the man, in informing your Lordship of so great an "untroath," so lest you might by any protestation of his, be brought to believe the same, I have thought good to send unto your lordship the enclosed note, declaring what several bands he hath delivered unto me, what sums have been answered, and when they were received. Assuring your lordship that, as it is a true note thereof, so is his report unto your lordship very false, that either he hath in bands delivered me any greater sum than in this said note is contained, or 100 marks in ready money, for I received of him not any one penny. And therefore I do conceive of him in this, as I do of his partner Cowick, and him, for the service they pretend to have done unto Her Majesty in that commission, wherein I am of opinion they dealt most badly, having generally diminished the ancient value of the benefices, and in no sort advanced Her Highness' profit, which is the success I always expect, when men of their sort are made commissioners for Her Majesty in such services. p. 1. Incloses,

40. I. Note of the bonds for first-fruits taken by Hugh Strowbridge and others, and delivered over to Sir H. Wallop, with a note of 22l. 13s. 4d., Irish paid. pp. 2. 1586–7. Feb. 11.

Feb. 15. Dublin.

41. Wallop to Burghley. I have presumed so much upon your accustomed favors as to impart unto you in some former letters the estate and interest which I have in Athlone, and the wrong which I conceive hath been done unto me by the Lord Deputy, in seeking the same from me, upon pretence of a full resolution to reside there for service' sake, as the only place to accomplish his purposes for reformation. In respect of which his pretence, I have been content to permit and suffer him to enjoy it, during his time of government, although he have never performed any residence there, or walled the town, as he seemed and pretended he would have done, neither hath done any other good therewith than purchased his own commodity. And my hope was thereby to have inclined your lordship to have consideration of the injury, and to yield me your honourable furtherance for some redress. Howbeit it is now given out of late, that this notwithstanding, there hath been a resolution taken at that honourable board, that Sir Richard Byngham should henceforth have it, so that the injury should now be the greater, inasmuch as the former having my consent was but for a time, and this against my will should cut me wholly from a thing whereto I have as good right as any man can claim by, that is the broad seal of Her Majesty. I cannot think but that either your lordship was absent at that resolution, if any such were, or else that my said interest was not in your remembrance. For your wonted honourable dealing towards me doth assure me, that you would not have easily consented to prejudice me so much, if you had been mindful that I have it by right, and that I hold it not extraordinarily, or as a thing not usual, but that all those who have held my place before me have enjoyed, since it was taken and possessed from the Irish; neither do I think that I shall offend your lordship, if I shall seek to enjoy that benefit of a subject which is open to all, and not to forego it without some consideration or recompense for the same, which, though I was largely promised by the Lord Deputy for his time of having it, yet is utterly unperformed.

I will not stand to blaze my services, although I hope I may boldly say, I look they should defend me at the least from wrong and injury; but only cleave to the assured hope of your honourable friendship, through which I doubt not but to be supported in my just and lawful causes, and that my long absence shall not breed me to be so far forgotten, as that upon every suggestion the respects of my right and of my service should be lightly weighed. Wherefore humbly recommending unto your lordship's good acceptation this bold declaring of my grief in that behalf I will end. [Indorsed:] Athlone. pp. 1¼.

Feb. 15. Dublin.

42. Sir Richard Byngham to Burghley. Complaining of the disgraces heaped upon him. I am, through the hard measure offered me by the Lord Deputy, forced to complain unto your honour, most humbly beseeching the same of your accustomed favours, so to look into the extremity of my oppressed state, that I be not by him altogether discountenanced, thrown down, and made unable to serve Her Majesty in this province or in any other place, which is most manifest he goeth about, for besides many injuries and sinister dealings which he hath sought to disgrace me withal, he hath now taken from me the entertainment of 3s. 4d. per diem. I hope I have not, in the opinion of the good and better sort, deserved to have any such abatement, or taking away, of my entertainment; but sure I am the necessary defraying of my place requireth the continuance of the same, or rather some more relief by way of increase (which I seek not neither). Touching the house of Athlone, he gives it out, whether he tarrieth or not, that I shall never have it, for that, saith he, the Treasurer hath a lease thereof; but yet, as I am credibly informed, passed unto him with such conditions that, whensoever Her Majesty or your honours shall dislike thereof, it shall be surrendered again. The manner and how it was passed, the Lord Chancellor will at any time certify unto your honour. I am now most humbly to beseech your honour's favourable help in the premises, and how needful it is to be in the officer's hands of the province, whosoever shall be officer there, may appear by this that happened now of late, which was of the negligent or wilful "let scape" out of that house of three of our best pledges within the province which lay for the peace of the country, but that by my brother's great care and diligence, by his sudden rising in the night, he recovered as many in their places, though not so good, yet so sufficient that it held them in, who intended presently to have revolted. p. 1.

[Feb. 15.]

43. The answer of Sir Richard Byngham to Mr. Treasurer Wallop's letter touching the house of Athlone. First, Whereas Mr. Treasurer allegeth that the house of Athlone hath always been appertaining to the office he holdeth, he himself knows, and all men know, that that place was always reserved for the governors of Connaught to reside in, as Sir Edward Phiton, Sir Nicholas Malbie, and others my predecessors held the same, and never belonging to the Treasurer's office, as he pretends it was; neither in truth is it fit for any, but for Her Majesty's chief officer in Connaught.

And whereas he says that I may as well lie at Galway, as the president of Munster does at Cork or Limerick, I might better say that he might content himself with the [White] Friars at Dublin, his houses at Enniscorthy, and by Limerick and Bagatragh [near Dublin], which he had at a "more easier" rent than I had Roscommon, and divers good places else, and not to seek those things which are not fit for him; but in truth my entertainments are not so great as may bear the extreme charges of my lying at Galway, and that Mr. Treasurer knows full well, and I cannot lie there but I must hire my house for my money and that dearly too. And whereas he says I have Ballimote and the Boyle, which my predecessors had not, I confess in some sort I have them, but they who were Governors before me had sundry greater things which I have not, as Sir Nicholas Malbie had Roscommon, Athlone, and divers good entertainments else, which are taken from me, as Mr. Treasurer knows, and no man better. And I doubt not but if the present charges I am and have been at, and what I have defrayed in the time I have held the place, be compared to the charges and services of such as have gone before me, it shall be found that I have not deserved to be any way lessened of the allowance which others have had before me. And in this I will ask no better testimony than Mr. Treasurer [Wallop] himself, forbearing to make repetition of anything touching that point.

Touching the castle of Ballimote, which he terms to be a strong and large old castle, and a good scope of land belonging unto it, if Mr. Treasurer will repay the charges that I have disbursed upon the repairing and mending of the house, as shall appear by a just account, and be bound to find a constable and sufficient ward there, without any penny charges to Her Majesty, as I have done, I am contented he have the house and all commodities belonging to the same, in such sort as I have had it. And for the Boyle, every man knows that there is not a piece of a house standing upon all the demesnes of the same; and what commodity I may have by it hereafter, I know not, but hitherto it hath not been worth to me anything, through the wrangling of the Lord Deputy; for if he had not been, I could have had the lease from the Lord Chancellor for a small consideration; and between them two, I have been kept from the use of it, and have not reaped any commodity by it hitherto. But truly they are both places for service, and far unfit for Mr. Treasurer, or for such as will give most money for them.

And touching Roscommon which he says I might have kept in my hands until May come twelve months, I see no reason that I had to keep it so long, paying such an excessive rent for my house-room as I did, and much less to keep it in my absence, when things could not be so well husbanded for my profit as when I was present myself. Fourteen or fifteen score pounds a year is a great rent for me to pay for a house to serve Her Majesty withal. And therefore am I rather to be blamed for keeping it so long, than in delivering it up to the heir.

And whereas he hopes that your honours will not hold me to seem worthy of all and he nothing, this all is so little as never governor of Connaught was so shortened as I am, but if it shall please Her Majesty and your honours to think him worthy of that, and the rest too, I shall be very well contented therewith, and whatsoever shall be assigned unto me. But the truth is that when Mr. Treasurer made this lease to himself of Athlone, it was conditioned between the Lord Chancellor and him, that whensoever Her Majesty or the Governor of that realm should think it meet to dispose otherwise of that house than to him, that then Mr. Treasurer should presently resign up his lease and patent of the house, and other things appertaining to the same. And this shall be proved, if the trial might be referred to the Lord Chancellor's oath, and this is all Mr. Treasurer's great interest to that house.

And whereas he says the parting with it, will be so great a disgrace unto him which he respecteth more than the value of the thing, that is a very slender objection, for it cannot be so great a disgrace to him to depart with it now, as it hath been all this time that the Deputy hath kept it from him against his will. But if these disgraces be so much respected, what a disgrace is it to Her Majesty's officer of the province to be shortened of that which all his predecessors have had, besides a great hindrance to the general service. But truly I must needs say, it is most unfit for Mr. Treasurer, and fit for none but for Her Majesty's officer there, as every man will affirm. pp. 3.

Feb. 16.

44. Wallop and other Commissioners to Burghley and others. Whereas, formerly we advertised you of our proceedings about the measuring of Dungarvan, and the lands thereunto adjoining, with Lisfinin, Youghal, and Inchiquin, with others containing about twenty-seven thousand four hundred four score and six acres, good and bad. We returned in October, by means of the great wet and unseasonable weather, which then fell in those parts, committing the further proceedings in that service to Captain Thomas Norreys, Vice-President, Justice Jessua Smythes, Mr. James Golde, and Mr. [Thomas] Wiseman, and four measurers, viz., Robins, Lawson, Whiteacre, and Jobson, to proceed further in the county of Cork, who accomplished their service so far forth as the short days and foul weather would permit them. And towards the end of December, Mr. Wiseman, with three of the measurers, returned, leaving only Mr. Robins to continue measuring and drawing the grounds into plots, which plots he affirmeth unto us he draweth by your Honours' appointment. Before which time of their return there were perfected many offices, and then and sithence by Mr. Robins were measured the lands of Kiricurrihy, Carrigroughan, Carriginvaer, Mallow, Killcolman, Mourne, Bally Macphilip, Burdenstown, Rathgogan, the country of Kinalmeeky, the country of Gleannachroim, Ballingarry, Nohovale, Tredinstowne, Robertstowne, and the Glynn, amounting to about the quantity of 63,000 acres, besides the chargeable lands in Kirrycurihy aforesaid, which are also measured and plotted.

About the beginning of this month, we gave order to Mr. Robins to leave off such his plotting, and that he and the aforesaid Jobson being returned hence into the said county of Cork, should there proceed in measuring only.

The despatch of the service your honour might greatly further by sending some three or four expert measurers over hither to be employed with the rest, for we have no other skilful measurers now in this land, but the said Mr. Robins and Jobson.

We have herein sent enclosed to your honours a schedule touching the nature of chargeable lands (a thing worthy resolution), whereof we have also sent a copy to Mr. Valentine Browne, hoping he will solicit your honour therein.

Although the undertakers should come over before all be measured, yet we think they may have fit places to sit down upon for one year without hindrance. By which time, with the help of more measurers from England, we hope the measure of the whole will be taken.

We have not heard from your honours, or from Sir Valentine Browne, or Mr. Payton, who we hoped would have advertised to us, any very material direction touching our service in Munster causes, sithence August last, neither have we as yet received Her Majesty's Articles of direction, under the Great Seal, whereunto our commissions refer us.

And, therefore, expecting your honours' resolutions for our further proceedings, we humbly take leave. Signed: H. Wallop, Ch. Calthorpe, Roger Wilbraham, Lancelot Alford, Thomas Wyseman, Roger Mainwaring. pp. 2. Incloses,

44. I. An advertisement to the Right Honourable the Treasurer, Burghley, Mr. Vice-Chamberlain, Mr. Secretary Walsyngham, and Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, for their resolutions touching the reducing of the chargeable lands in Munster to a certain commodity of land or rent to Her Majesty's use.

The nature of chargeable land is to be subject to the lord's will. The yearly reservation was not always of one quality nor quantity, sometimes one thing, sometimes another, sometimes more, sometimes less, and generally the lord did impose upon the inhabitants thereof what he list, and when he list, and distrained for it, and took it as due unto him without bargaining, setting, or letting of the land, or any mention of the same.

If the tenants would come to the lord and say, I will pay for no more for my land than for this quantity, and name it, then the lord may use the remain as his own, and convert the profits thereof to his own use, until the said tenant would take the same, and undertake to answer all charge out of it.

If the lord would let out for rent of corn or money, that parcel of land so seized upon by him during the continuance thereof in his hands, the usual tenant, whom they term the freeholder thereof, should have the fourth part of the said corn, or money rent, yearly of the lord.

The land is not chargeable with any arrearages as long as it is waste, by reason the lord had the profit of the grass, wood, and pasture thereof during the waste.

Some of the tenants of the chargeable lands show ancient deeds proving the inheritance and freehold to have been long since in their ancestors, and others proving the freehold to have been in them whose estate they have. Some other can show nothing, but allege a continual tenancy in them and their ancestors. The charge of the said lands was mansmeate, Coinye, horsemeate, Liverie, a rent certain, srah, a rent uncertain, sout, finding of labourers, and horses without wages or meat, musteron. A daily stipend growing for soldiers, called Bonnybegg, another allowance of meat or money instead of it called Bonnyburry, another stipend for kerne called Kearnty, and an allowance of meat and drink for stud-keepers called Gillicon, with such other like impositions. And these were levied at the will and pleasure of the lord.

(1.) The first question is whether the tenants that have their lands subject to such impositions of the Earl of Desmond, and others, shall be esteemed only as tenants at will, for then Her Majesty ought to have the land.

(2.) Because these impositions, and Irish exactions, wherewith the lands were charged (admitting the tenants to be freeholders, as in some cases they were), are unprofitable to Her Majesty, and to the undertakers, being no certain rents, how some good composition might be made with the tenants for Her Majesty's avail, to draw those exactions into a rent certain, or else to take surrender of parcel of the land to Her Majesty's use in discharge of the said exactions, and freeing of the land.

(3.) That commission were given from Her Majesty to skilful and faithful men for reducing these things into certainty, either of land or rent. p. 1 ½.

[Feb. 16.]

45. Advertisement by the Commissioners for Munster to the Lords of the Council [in England], concerning the chargeable land there. [Similar to the above inclosure 44 I.] p. 1.

Feb. 16. Dublin.

46. Ulick Burke, Earl of Clanricard, to Burghley. Right honourable my duty remembered. Having always found in your honour a fatherly care towards me, and my furtherance in every respect, which also hath been declared unto me at large by Mr. Nathaniel Smith, I could not but in these few lines signify unto your Lordship the duty I owe therefore, with acknowledgment all the days of my life of that service unto your honour, which one as bounden might or ought to yield in like behalf. And as I doubt not of your honour's wonted good will to continue in like sort towards me, so I hope that God will give me that grace as to deserve no less at your Honour's hands. p.½.

Feb. 17. Dublin.

47. Edward Denny to Burghley. I rely and believe only on your lordship for my chief good, and as I have found your favour ever prest (ready), and acknowledge myself already bound and benefited by your credit and goodness to me, so do I most humbly now beseech your Honour to stand fast to me (if so you like of my suit and allow myself sufficient). I understand that Sir William Stanley had a reversion of Mr. Jaques Wyngfeld's office, for the which if your lordship may think me worthy, and I by your lordship's favour therein remembered, if to my good it prove, you bind me (as notwithstanding for ever), and enable one who shall ever most constantly with all love and reverence, even from the truth of an honest heart, stand by you to the uttermost of his power when please you to command, or without calling if need require.

My Lord Deputy, I thank his lordship, hath bestowed Sir William Stanley's band on me, being remembered and entreated by my Lord Chancellor and all the Council. I desire to be thankful for it to them all, and as my patron if I may pray your lordship's thanks to them, which through your goodness I am emboldened to intreat, I shall most humbly thank your honour withal. My good friend Mr. Treasurer [Wallop] tells me that it were good that your lordship (if it so pleased you) would signify that although there were an article set down that no undertaker should have charge, yet considering this present need, and the place I come from, myself may be excepted, else peradventure hereafter, I may be wrangled withal, and put from my charge, for it pleased the whole council to choose me and stand with me for the fittest, and my Lord Deputy used me very well therein, who had thought to have bestowed it on his second son, some of the council I think repugned it. p. 1.

Feb. 19. Dublin.

48. Mr. Henry Duke to Lord Burghley. That I have no oftener acknowledged your honourable favours towards me, by writing unto you, I humbly beseech you, not to impute to any ingratitude on my behalf, but to an exceeding respect I have had (amongst your weighty affairs) not to trouble you with my rude letters: for as I must confess my good hap in the obtaining my suits at my last being in England to have befallen me principally through your good means, and honourable furtherance; so do I protest whilst I live to employ my uttermost endeavours in doing you all the honour and service I shall be able in requital of your great favours, and do beseech you so to account and esteem of me.

It may now please you to be advertised that ever since the entry of the Lord Deputy into the Government here, I have been by his lordship's commandment and direction employed as sheriff in the Brenny, a country wherein the O'Reillys are the chief, and before my coming thither a nursery of all Rome runners, and all others, robbers, spoilers, and burners of Her Majesty's good subjects of the Pale; so as neither merchant or other could pass to the market unrobbed, poor inhabitants dwell near them unspoiled, or any other in manner live thereabouts, without continual danger of losing both life and goods; besides which such was their uncivil and disordered course amongst themselves, as daily murders were by them committed one upon another; no man answerable to the law, neither any penny of Her Highness's revenues paid; but Her Majesty put to a yearly charge of allowance made unto commissioners for ending controversies between them and the Pale. All which inconveniences, by reason of my abode amongst them, and the course and order I have followed and observed, are cut off and reformed; and not only every man brought to be answerable to assize and sessions, but the subject freed from fear and danger; the poor (as well as other) leaving their cattle nightly abroad, without stealing; Her Majesty also truly answered of her arrearages, and her revenue by this means much increased and advanced.

In my travel in those parts I found out for Her Majesty the Abbey of Cloneys in Dartry in M'Mahon's country, which was concealed from Her Highness ever since the suppression, and is the only place to lay a garrison for the bridling and reforming of M'Mahon's country, Maguire's, and the O'Reyllys, and of all others the most apt and fit to answer any other part of the north, where the placing of 100 men in garrison will subdue and bring into subjection more ill-disposed men, and far more increase Her Majesty's revenue than double the conquest of Leix and Offaly. At this place Sir John O'Reilly, and all the rest of this country, together with Sir Ross M'Mahon have earnestly written to my Lord Deputy to have a garrison placed, and M'Mahon hath, by his letters, offered unto his lordship to yield yearly unto Her Majesty (over and above that he now payeth) 400 choice beeves, so as he might be freed from the O'Neills, and not yield anything to any of the Irishry, but only to hold of Her Highness.

For these things, if I could have obtained the Lord Deputy's license to go into England, I would have laid down before your honour, so firm a plot as I nothing doubt but should have been to your good liking. But for so much as I cannot, being still employed in the service, I beseech your honour not to think that I have waded into this circumstance purposely to be mine own herald, but only to let you understand of some hard measure, I am likely to receive in my absence from thence, whilst I am detained here to serve Her Highness, namely in this: That whereas I bought, and dearly paid my money unto Sir Lucas Dillon, for the lease of the parsonage of Balliboggan, in the county of Meath, which he held of Her Highness for years yet to come, I am informed that some do now go about, to work the means to get the reversion thereof from me, which if it so fall out, I shall not only sustain great hindrance thereby, but have cause to think myself hardly used, that being employed here in Her Majesty's service, and in respect thereof, debarred from following my cause by my presence in England, anything should pass so much to my prejudice and disadvantage. Therefore, I am bold, most humbly to crave that by your honour's good means, I may obtain Her Majesty's most gracious letter to the Lord Deputy here, for granting unto me 41 years in reversion of the said lease with reservation of such annual rent as is therein specified. And as you have already, by your former favours tied me to be for ever at your commandment, so shall I never fail to acknowledge them accordingly, and will reckon this as an establishment of my devotion and vow to do you all the service that whilst I live I shall be able. pp. 2.

Feb. 20. Dublin.

49. Sir H. Wallop to Lord Burghley. By letters lately received from my man there, I understand how favourably you have vouchsafed, even of yourself, to remember my suit concerning the feefarm of the abbey of Adare, with the rest of the small parcels adjoining thereunto, promising, when opportunity should serve, to renew it unto Her Majesty in my behalf, and to procure the expedition or resolution of the same. For which honourable testimony of your lordship's care of me, I cannot express how greatly I think myself bound unto you, not so much in respect of the worth or value of the suit (being in truth, no such thing as haply may have been supposed), as in consideration of the assurance which I take thereby, of your good will and honourable disposition to further any my reasonable cause in matter of greater importance, if occasion were ministered. And truly, my good lord, I do acknowledge your favour in that behalf, so much the greater, as I consider that without your supportation of this my suit, it had utterly fallen to the ground, so small comfort have I received by any other means (which to deal plainly with your Lordship), hath touched me the more with discontentment, for that I gather the slackness of friends in things of little moment to argue less hope of any earnest endeavour in weightier causes, and so consequently of weakgrounded friendship. Besides that, the repulse in a suit so often granted to so many of late, and some of very small or no desert, would seem to the world a special token of mislike or disfavour, and be the more noted by the small value of the thing. To conclude, I say eftsoons, that herein I confess myself to rest bound to your lordship, and that I shall esteem my obligation to increase so much the more as it shall please you to give perfection to the thing. And albeit, the offer of my simple service be a very mean satisfaction for your manifold favours towards me, and be already due unto you, as purchased long since, yet I will not cease to present it still, as a continual testimony of my thankfulness, and as an instrument which may both be framed by your favours enabling me, and quickened with oft-renewed courtesies, to work some such requital as to an honourable mind may be taken for great part of satisfaction; for it is usual to noble minds to impute for merit that which is but gratitude in those upon whom they have bestowed the abundance of their bounty.

I think it needless for me to solicit your lordship for the despatch back of my said man with treasure hither, knowing that the continual necessity of the garrison is manifest unto you, as declared by the Lord Deputy, who (as he telleth me), hath lately written thereof at large unto you. And that Her Majesty and your honours there being advertised of the preparations which are made in foreign parts, and by sundry and several advertisements confirmed hither, and threatened to be for invasion here in this realm, adding thereunto the late revolt of Sir William Stanley, with those Irish bands he carried from hence, who (as it falleth out) is overwell acquainted with the service and state of this country; will be careful to supply this place with provision, not only of money, but also of men, victuals, and munition, in time to prevent the dangers, either of sudden trouble from abroad, or of inward treachery at home, of which these rumours, and the doubtful minds of this hollow-hearted people, give no small cause for doubt and mistrust. Although at this instant (God be thanked) there is, in appearance, universal quiet through all the country, only Walter Reagh, one of the Geraldines, with a few idle fellows, and one of the Kavanaghs being maintained by Feagh M'Hugh chiefly, do spoil and kill by fits, and would do much more hurt than they do, if the half of my band, which lieth at Enniscorthy did not bridle and restrain them somewhat. And unto these ill members, are of late joined some of the O'Mores of Leix, such as their masters could no longer answer for, and have therefore turned them to shift for themselves, which, sept of the O'Mores are of late years more increased, and grown strong in number of men, than any other sept within the province of Leinster. Thomas Chapman, Mr. Auditor's man, to be despatched. pp. 2.

Feb. 20. Dublin.

50. Acquittal of Sir Richard Byngham under the hands of the council, viz., Adam Dublin, canc., Sir N. Bagenall, John Garvey, Bishop of Kilmore, Chief Justice R. Gardener, and G. Fenton. Whereas Theobold Dillon, gent., hath exhibited complaint containing sundry grievous articles against Sir Richard Byngham, Chief Commissioner of Connaught and Thomond, which being by him particularly answered upon hearing of the causes at this board, and due examination had of the matters, we find that the said Theobald Dillon hath failed in proof in the substance of all such articles as concerned the said Sir Richard, the complainant, and hath prosecuted against the said Sir Richard, rather for vexation and for dislike he hath to his government there, than for any probable just cause or matter, not forbearing to insert in the same most of his causes grounded upon hearsay not proved, nor any way concerning the said Sir Richard. And, therefore, we do hereby not only deem the said Theobold to have greatly wronged the said Sir Richard in those his malicious accusations, but also do hold the said Sir Richard sufficiently acquitted and purged thereof, and his credit and authority in his government and charge no whit abated, but rather increased, by defending so sufficiently and truly (as they fell out) the malicious informations of the said Theobold. With postscript by Sir H. Wallop, that he concurs with the rest for as many articles as he was at the hearing of. Copy, p. 1.

Feb. 20.

51. Earl of Kildare to Burghley for payment of the remain of his father's warrants, being 208l. 3s. 0d. His sickness.

Feb. 21. Dublin.

52. Wallop to Burghley. I understand by Mr. Henry Duke, a gentleman of good desert here, that whereas he holdeth of Her Majesty the parsonage of Ballyboggan in the county of Meath, as lessee thereof, for some 10 or 12 years yet to come, which he purchased and bought of some one or other that formerly had the same, he is now informed that there are who go ahout by suit there to procure the reversion thereof from him. Wherefore, he hath earnestly requested me by my letter to your lordship to further the suit he intendeth to make for a lease in reversion thereof of forty years to be granted unto himself. For the following whereof he purposed to have repaired into England in person; but being employed in Her Majesty's service here, cannot obtain licence from my Lord Deputy so to do. The gentleman, I suppose, is not altogether unknown unto your lordship, who is an ancient servitor here, and a man of especial good desert. And as I have heard him commended for the good service he hath done Her Majesty before my coming into this realm, so since my coming, of mine own knowledge, I am able to testify in his behalf that he hath served painfully, and deserved well. The Lord Deputy, from the beginning of his government here, hath employed him as sheriff of the Brenny, a country inhabited by the O'Reillys and their followers, very uncivil and barbarous people, but by his industry and good behaviour amongst them, a very good entry is made to the reducing them to civility and better course of living, than heretofore they have followed. In respect of which his services and the reasonableness of this his suit he now intendeth to make, I cannot less do than recommend the same to your honorable favour. p. 1.

Feb. 22.

53. Book of the charges at the journeys made by Sir John Perrot into Ulster in 1584 and 1585 under Jenyson's hand. pp. 9.

Feb. 24. Greenwich.

54. Tho. Chapman to Burghley. He dares not make any longer abode here. Solicits an order for the payment of 64l. 9s. 01/4d. sterling. Accepts of Her Majesty's gracious letters to the Lord Deputy and Council for his preferment. p. 1.

Feb. 25. Dublin.

55. Geoffrey Fenton to Lord Burghley. I most humbly thank your lordship for your late honourable favour used in procuring the despatch now brought from thence by my servant, which, nevertheless, is far from working in the Lord Deputy any calmness or good temperature to my comfort, but rather quickeneth his lordship to a more sharp and severe mind against me, seeming to stomach . . . . so much the more as he findeth that I have complained and bemoaned my cause to h . . . . . and your lordship. His lordship hath now despatched his man Bickerstaff with . . . . notes and testimonies against me; but what they are, or to what they p . . . . I know not, though I think nothing is omitted which may either blemish the truth . . . . defence, or shadow his lordship's violent courses holden with me; yet for my part have [I in] my former letters laid down to your lordship a true declaration of my trouble and the cir . . . . I will from henceforth rest wholly upon that truth and your lordship's equity to wa. . . . and judge the same, without troubling your lordship with any further cautions, for my justific . . . . Only thus much I make bold to note to your lordship of Bickerstaff, he was the man that assisted the officer to arrest me, accompanied me publicly to the bar, and heard or might have heard the words and commandments of the judge to commit me to prison; likewise his lordship sent him to me two days before my trouble to demand the debt of me, so as if he will not corrupt his testimonies with affection, he may render a sincere report of all things, having been an actor and an eye-witness therein from the beginning. He is the Lord Deputy's servant, preferred by his lordship of late to a wardship, put in hope to have further advancement and benefit, and very inward with his lordship, since he was made an instrument in this matter, which in a man of no better feeling in conscience and honesty than he is esteemed here, may be reason strong enough to carry him too much on his lordship's side, besides he was a minister (as I understand) under one, Spark, a scrivener in London at the time of his banckrowting (sic), and how far he was stained with his falseness, though it be not directly known here, yet it is thought he is not free from the suspicion thereof. I produce not these to deprave the man, but offer them as notes to inform your lordship somewhat of his qualities, and to counterpeyse (sic) his partiality, if he shall use any against . . . . in your lordship's presence, to whose judgment and authority I fly only in the just and innocent cause. p. 1.

Feb. 25. Dublin.

56. Ambrose Forth to the Lord High Admiral Howard. It may please your honour to be advertised, that the 3rd day of January, one Edmund Wycombe, of Bristol, was apprehended at Dublin, for that he had robbed a Frenchman, named Peter Taderno, of Marennes, which spoil he made at Lizard near the west coast of England. I committed to the constable of Her Majesty's castle of Dublin, two merchants Harry Shelton, of Dublin, alderman, and William Harbert, of the same, merchant, who being privy to the fact and that he had the Frenchmen under hatches, notwithstanding bought the lading of salt of the pirates, and conveyed the most part of them into England. The mayor of the city of Dublin, Mr. Richard Rounsell, of mere power hath rescued and taken the prisoners from the constable.

There hath been since taken, the 28th day of January, at Drogheda, one Captain Cawfeld, who, with his company, is supposed to have robbed a Londoner, of figs and other fruits at Port Elly [Porthilly], near Wales. The pirates are all committed there to the number of one and fifty. We have no commission in Ireland for their trial according the course of Her Majesty's laws; neither are the statutes made anno H. VIIIvi. 27° and anno H. VIIIvi. 28° for trial of pirates of force in Ireland, according the common opinion of our Justices. Howbeit I construe [consterr] them to extend to all Her Majesty's dominions, for offences committed upon the main seas.

The officers within liberties each-where utterly refuse to intromit any ordinary authority, or to plead and show their charters touching the admiral jurisdiction. I humbly beseech your honour to feel the opinion of the learned touching the points herein related, with certificate of your pleasure therein. The Lord Deputy's favour from time to time in assistance of your honour's ministers might greatly further the execution of that office, if it might please your honour in private, or by direction from the lords of the Council, to move him thereunto. p. 1.

Feb. 25.

57. Doubts to be resolved touching the Admiralty, with extract of the charter of Dublin. pp. 2.

Feb. 25.

58. Answer to the above with precedents. pp. 4.

Feb. 25.

59. Mrs. Jaen Brussels, alias Haecky, alias Hawkes to Burghley, for payment out of the Privy Seal for Ireland of a debt to Hancock for Mellichap. p. 1.

Feb. 26. Dublin.

60. Sir Richard Byngham to Lord Burghley. I may not omit to advertise your honour of a very rare proceeding of the Lord Deputy against me. The 19th of February, being Sunday, myself being then at dinner at Mr. Justice Gardener's. The manner of it was this: the Lord Deputy sent one of his greatest cutters or fighters, whose name was Stephen Seagrave, constable now of the castle of Dublin, who with a great white truncheon or bastean [bâton] in his hand, delivered me this message, viz, that his lordship bade him tell me he was now ready for the combat, and did, as it were, challenge me, upon two or three points, which seemed to me a very strange thing for his lordship to offer, or myself to accept, and much to that purpose I answered the said constable, from whom, as from his honourable good lordship, I have not yet further heard in this matter. [Although that his lordship said that he was ready now for the combat, I protest before God I never heard of any such challenge, nor of any such matter.] But by this, your honour may see what perilous worlds and dangerous days we pass here, that for well doing and good desert we should be drawn to these extremities. Well I will lay aside to trouble your honour with my own private causes, resting myself wholly upon the merciful protection of the Almighty, and your accustomed and favourable care of your poor friends. And I will now, right honourable, without malice or hatred, deliver unto your honour, in the discharge of my duty and conscience, what I gather in judgment by the experience and knowledge of this man, as also by the state of this broken and disorderly commonwealth, the people of which do generally hate us and our government; I mean in this, the tyrannical great ones, and therefore are most apt to conspire, practise, and draw in any foreign forces to disturb, disquiet, or let the intended course of reformation, and how speedily that may be compassed, when the government shall fall into the hands of a Lord Deputy, who shall in some sort favour the said Irishry more than a good course in policy shall need, or a just course of justice shall require, through which, with many his extreme usages, he draws himself in the end to be generally misliked, or rather hateful to all sorts, and especially of the best sort of his own countrymen and soldiers; upon the strength and trust of which, both the health of Her Majesty's state here, as also his own honour and safety doth depend, which surely he hath so wilfully in his own pride and overweening lost, as he will never be able to recover it again, and therefore most unapt and unable to do Her Majesty service here, as in a just regard is requisite, and to be wished. How dangerous a thing, right honourable, may this be, if this land should be attempted by the force of foreign enemy, as by many conjectures may be justly suspected. Surely there is no man of wisdom, experience, and judgment of this state, and of the man, but in reason may gather and conclude, that through his weakness and insufficiency may see, as in a glass, the ruin, spoil, mishchief, and overthrow of the whole. I am of this opinion, that his revocation shall be more available to Her Majesty's service here than the strength of a thousand of the best men that may be sent hither for supply and aid. And thus, as I have afore said in the discharge of my duty and conscience, I end, wishing that he were such as he pretends to be, or as Her Majesty and your honours hope to find. And now, my most honourable good lord, if his continuance here be so thoroughly resolved over there as that he must needs tarry, then I most humbly and earnestly beseech your good lordship to remember my poor and former suit, that I may be called away to serve Her Majesty in some other place, as not here any longer able to indure; and as myself doth at this instance trouble your honour with this my poor request, so I fear me you shall find many more here that belong of the English, yea and of the better sort of the said English council, that will be suitors for the like liberty, for such are his extremities, as they are intollerable to all, or most of Her Majesty's true and good servitors within this land. I am bold to send your honour a testation of the convincing of that clamorous fellow Theobald Dillon, who partly confessed that he was stirred up by some others, and not altogether of himself. Thus, since his lordship will still continue this hard course towards me, I most humbly beseech your honour to favour my licence to come into England, where I hope to yield unto your honours a good account of my proceedings here. pp. 2.

Feb. 27.

61, 62, 63. Queen Elizabeth to the Lord Deputy. Whereas, for the more strengthening of the province of Munster, and for the better defence of the English nation now to be planted there, we have been pleased to grant unto the undertakers, the number of six score horsemen of a new charge, which by our former direction was to be divided, and committed to the charge of such four of the principal gentlemen of the undertakers, as should bring warrant for the same from home. We let you wit, that forasmuch as our trusty and well beloved Sir Walter Rawley, Knight, hath offered to levy 20 horsemen, Sir Edward Fyton 25 horsemen, Sir William Herbert and Sir Valentine Browne other 25, and John Popham, Esq., our Attorney-General here, Edward Rogers and John Cooper, Esquires, have also undertaken to provide 40 horsemen, and Edward Barckley, Esq., 10 horsemen, which together make up the full number of six score, we are pleased the same several numbers shall accordingly be under their several conduction, notwithstanding our other direction by our said former order.

Wherefore we will and command you, that you give order presently to the Vice-President of that province, that the said several companies be mustered by him, as soon as they shall be brought over. And that thereupon, such our ministers to whom it appertaineth, do accordingly admit and inroll and enter into our pay, the same horsemen, after the rate of 12 pence sterling the piece, from the day of their arrival there, and so to continue during our pleasure. [Three minutes slightly varied.] pp. 3.

Feb. 28. Greenwich.

64. Privy Council to the Lord Deputy, written upon the petition exhibited 12th January. After our hearty commendation to your Lordship. Understanding as well by letters from the commissioners appointed for the surveying and measuring of the lands attainted in Munster, as also by report of such of the undertakers as have been in Ireland, and are lately returned hither again, that the said survey cannot conveniently be performed this winter time, by reason of the shortness of the days and unseasonableness of the weather, especially in such an exact sort of working by the line as by the said commissioners hath been begun, so as they surceased further proceeding therein until the next spring, saving that in the meantime they have appointed Thomas Wiseman, gent., and Arthur Robins to go forward in the execution of that service, as the time and weather will permit them. Her Majesty doubting that this delay of the survey, and the proceeding in the same in such an exact sort as is before remembered, will not only breed a stay of further proceeding in the undertakers, in transporting of their people and other necessaries for the better planting of themselves in the said country, whereby the next summer may happen to be lost as the last was, for lack of timely beginning; but utterly disable the said undertakers (a matter that Her Majesty is careful should be prevented), hath therefore committed the same to our consideration, to devise how the same loss of time might be avoided, we have, according to Her Highness good pleasure, advised and considered thereof, finding this to be the readiest way for expedition of the said service: [In margin, New commission.] That Her Majesty should grant commission to the persons already appointed to be surveyors of the said lands, to cause the said survey to be prosecuted out of hand, in a more speedy and superficial sort, by the eye or by the instrument, by persons skilful therein to be sent from hence. And in the meantime we think it very meet that Thomas Wiseman, gent., and Arthur Robins (who were appointed by the late commissioners to go forward in the said service), be directed to proceed in the performing thereof, either by instrument or by the view of the eye, which we find may be done without hindrance either to Her Majesty or the said undertakers, for that as we are informed, the chiefest of them (the countries that are now to be peopled, consisting of many particular seignories), have already, by mutual accord between themselves, agreed what special seignories, or smaller parcels, shall be allotted to each of them, and have further offered, that in case it shall be found hereafter, within some convenient time to be assigned, by a more exact survey, that any of the seignories possessed by them shall contain a greater quantity of ground than is limited in the plot of Her Majesty's offers whereupon this undertaking is grounded, they will be content to yield unto Her Majesty rent for the same after such rate for the acre as they are bound to pay for grounds of like nature in the rest of the seignories, with humble request, that if any of the said seignories shall be found to want of the just number of acres, they may be allowed in abatement of rent rate for rate. And this manner of proceeding being agreeable to the desire Her Majesty hath, that the said service intended in Muster should be hastened, it hath pleased Her Highness that, besides the authority to be given to the said commissioners to proceed in the said survey in that speedy manner as above specified, to give them also power upon good knowledge received from the said undertakers of any county or territory and their associates, or any six of them, under their hands in writing, what places are by mutual agreement amongst themselves, allotted to each of them in the several countries in that province, together with such information as the said commissioners shall receive from such as they shall appoint to finish the survey of the several bounds of the special parcels so allotted, testified under their hands and seals, to direct warrants to the Lord Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal of that realm, to pass unto the said undertakers their several grants, under the great seal of that realm, without expecting further warrant, either from Her Majesty or from you Her Highness' Deputy. For which purpose, and for the more expedition therein, there shall be authority given to the said Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal, to pass unto the undertakers, patents by immediate warrant. Further, Her Majesty's pleasure is that presently upon the receipt of our letters, your Lordship [in margin, Dyreccyon to be geven to the Vice-President for placyng the undertakers] do give commandment to the Vice-President and Council of Munster that, upon notice given to the said Vice-President and Council, by the said undertakers, or any six of them as aforesaid, of the several places allotted unto any of them, he by advice of the Council, do put the said undertakers in possession of the said places so allotted unto them, when they shall require the same, and to remove all such as either by pretence of custodiam or otherwise by intrusion, do now occupy the same lands or any part thereof. And for that it may be, that some of the said places are in the occupying of the said Vice-President, we think meet that you give order to him, to resign and deliver the same to such of the undertakers, to whom by agreement amongst themselves they shall fall to be allotted unto, and to see them put in actual possession thereof, and that he do content himself with such parcels of the said escheated lands, as shall be thought meet to be annexed to the office of Presidentship within the said province.

And whereas [in the margin, Patricke Condon and the Seneschall] the late Seneschal of Imokilly and Patrick Condon, may have some pretended interest in part of the lands, that are to be delivered to the undertakers, especially Patrick Condon, which may breed disturbance to the said undertakers if they be not first in some reasonable sort compounded withal, we think it meet and so require you, to enter into present consideration, how the said seneschal and Patrick Condon may be agreed withal to their contentment, so as there may not arise from them any disturbance to the undertakers hereafter, and hereof if good agreement cannot presently be made, to send us your lordship's opinion with all convenient speed. It is also thought necessary for the ease and quiet of the said undertakers in their possessions, that your lordship should appoint some commissioners in the said province to treat as well with the present incumbents of such benefices as were collated by any of the traitors, whose lands are accrued to her Majesty by the late attainder, and also with those which are owners and possessors of parsonages impropriate mixed with the attainted lands, for that it is to be supposed that the said benefices are of the most part occupied by persons, either not sufficient or not conformable in matter of religion to draw them to some reasonable composition, by moving the said incumbents (if they be not meet to enjoy the same) to resign their interest to the undertakers, to be by them bestowed upon other persons of their own choice, reserving to the now incumbents a competent portion of the profits of the said benefices, by way of pension during their lives. And also that the said owners of impropriations may be drawn, to yield out of the tithes, or other rents of their parsonages, some reasonable yearly stipend to be given to persons to be chosen by the undertakers to celebrate Divine service, and execute other ecclesiastical functions among them, or else depart with their interests in the said parsonages impropriate, upon such reasonable offers, as shall be made by the undertakers to their contentment.

We have also thought good to allow of a request of the said undertakers, which is that they may be permitted without any restraint, to make their provision of cattle within any part of that realm, agreeing with the parties that are owners of the same, wherein we pray your lordship to afford them your best assistance.

Further, it is thought convenient that, for the terrifying of malefactors within the said province of Munster, and for the better assurance of the undertakers' quietness, both your lordship and the president of Munster, should forbear to grant either pardon or protection, after possession of the lands delivered to the undertakers, for any offence that shall he committed within the said province, whereunto we are to pray your lordship to have special regard, as also to give notice thereof to the vice-president of the same province. And yet, nevertheless, if such an extraordinary case shall happen as the granting of a pardon for a fault under the degree of treason or wilful murder, or some one protection for a small time may be some notable stay of a public mischief, we cannot but leave the regard thereof to your consideration, knowing it hard to prescribe any good rule so general but some circumstance of person, time, or matter may permit an exception.

And whereas heretofore Her Majesty was pleased, for the better surety and defence of the said colony, to grant the levy of 300 footmen as parcel of the ordinary garrison of the realm, at her charge to be employed in such parts of the country as should be found most necessary for that purpose, Her Highness being now given to understand, that the converting of the said number of footmen into horse shall be more agreeable to the said undertakers and expedient for her service, is pleased that in lieu thereof 120 horsemen shall be levied, erected, and assigned by your lordship, as parcel of the ordinary charge of the garrison for the defence and security of the aforesaid colony, to be divided by equal number unto such four of the principal undertakers, as Her Majesty shall recommend unto your lordship for that charge. And, further, Her Majesty's pleasure is, that none of the captains and soldiers assigned to the President, nor any other, may be in anywise chargeable to the English inhabitants, settled or to be settled in Munster, nor to any of their tenants. And that none of Her Majesty's officers, nor any for them to be troublesome to the English inhabitants or their tenants, in taking up any provision amongst them or troubling them with carriage. And for that there is a year lost to the great charge of the undertakers for want of advancement of the survey in time, it is also Her Majesty's pleasure that one year more of immunity be added to the undertakers for their recompense.

Moreover, Her Highness' will is, that your lordship cause a restraint to be made of all transportation of corn or other victual, out of any part of Munster until Michaelmas come twelvemonth. And that none be permitted to buy any corn sown in the ground within any part of that province, unless it be some of the undertakers; and that all knights that are undertakers, as long as they shall be present and inhabiting within Munster, shall be in commission with the president there, and in their absence some other to be named by the president and the rest of the council, of the undertakers; and that your lordship will appoint some of the undertakers to be joined in commission with such as the examining of titles and compounding with intermixed freeholders shall be committed unto. Lastly, we are to remember your lordship that for such parcels of the escheated lands as shall be thought meet to be annexed to the office of the presidentship, it is to be understood that the said president and his successors from time to time, shall answer to Her Majesty the ancient rents according to the last survey. [Indorsed] The last letter for Ireland, in Feb. 1586–7. Minute, pp. 6.

Feb. 28.

65. Mr. Robert Petre to Lord Burghley. He has two dockets with warrants, one for Capt. Piers Hovenden 128l. 11s. 2d. sterl. the other for Captain Richard Hovenden 126l. 8s. 11d. sterling p. 1. Incloses,

65. I. Note of the remain of Privy Seals for Ireland being 1,844l. 8s. 5d. p. 1.

Feb.

66. Note of a docket of Theodore Betaugh for 64l. 14s. 2d. sterling, and of one of Thomas Chapman for 64l. 9s. 0¼d. p. 1.

Feb.

67. Note of the composition in Connaught. p. 1.

Feb.

68. Jaques Wingfelde to Burghley: for sundry parcels of the munition for Ireland to be carried to Chester in carts. p. 1.

Feb.

69. Note of points wherein the Lord Deputy Perrot's authority is abridged and other matters, wherewith he findeth himself aggrieved. p. 1.

Feb.

70. Note of artificers discharged in Ireland, and of others entertained. p. 1.

[Feb.]

71. ——to the Lord Deputy [Perrot]. Fears that if the woad grown in Ireland exceed not 13 tons there will be some loss. Has passed his interest to some others, and entertained Richard Yck to deal with a parcel of ground at Inchiquin, and to be furnished with money by G. Beverley. Androwes to employ his stock near Dublin. [Draft in Beverley's hand.] p. 1.