James I: June 1612

Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, 1611-1614. Originally published by Longman and Co, London, 1877.

'James I: June 1612', in Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, 1611-1614, (London, 1877) pp. 267-274. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/ireland/1611-14/pp267-274 [accessed 19 April 2024]

480. The King to Sir Arthur Chichester. [June 2.] Philad. P., vol. 2, p. 23.

He and the Council have had frequent conversations with the Attorney of Ireland since his coming over thence upon those businesses of Parliament which were committed to him by Sir Arthur and the Council of Ireland.

Considering how unequal the composition of the Parliament to be held there would be, if no more towns should be enabled to send burgesses thither than heretofore, especially out of those spacious provinces of Ulster and Connaught, which are now reduced to the subjection of law and government made absolutely void there in former times, His Majesty has accordingly made choice of divers other towns which he is resolved to erect into boroughs, and to give them power to elect and send burgesses to Parliament, with other liberties; and has given orders to the Attorney-General of Ireland to draw a form of charter of incorporation which, together with the bodies of those Acts already selected by the King to be propounded in the next Parliament, shall be perfected and transmitted to Sir Arthur shortly after Midsummer.

Has prefixed November next for the beginning of the Parliament, but leaves it open to Sir Arthur to inform him if this date is too soon for those who are to give their attendance to prepare for it. He is to give public notice of the time of meeting, that such as shall desire to prepare private bills in Parliament may then bring them to him (Sir Arthur) and the Council for perusal, and according to the advertisement he (the King) shall receive from him of their several natures and necessities, will in due time declare his pleasure.—Westminster, 2 June, in the tenth year of the King.

Pp. 2. Sign manual at head. Add. Endd.

481. A Note of Ireland. S.P., Ireland, vol. 232, 21.

The manor of Moyare in the county of Meath, of the yearly rent of 40l., holden by one Hamon for 30 years or thereabouts yet to come.

The dissolved monastery of Holmepatrick in the county of Dublin, of the yearly rent of 40l., holden by one Fitzwilliams for 30 years.

P. 1. Endd.

482. Sir Arthur Chichester to the King. [June 7.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 232, 22.

When His Majesty made him Deputy of this kingdom, he promised him support, which promise has been most royally performed.

Feels that in one business which he lately undertook, he has been traduced and his carriage therein misreported to His Majesty, but has in this instance tasted deeply of his grace and favour, and finds that such is His Majesty's confidence in him, as to trust him with the distribution and settlement of the county of Wexford.

Intends to begin his journey into Wexford directly after the next term; will soon after make a project of that plantatation and submit it to His Majesty, and will attend his further pleasure therein.

Concerning the state of the kingdom, all carries the face of peace; and, could they only be reduced from the error of the Romish church, great hopes were to be conceived that this kingdom, so long unprofitable to itself and a charge to His Majesty's predecessors and his own coffers, would prosper and flourish as the rest of his dominions.

If the Jesuits and priests were banished and cut off, and if the lords and lawyers who are recusants were proceeded with according to the law, and held hard unto it without cessation or relenting, thinks that the rest of the people would soon banish the Pope out of their hearts, as he wishes his power were banished out of the kingdom; but this cannot be done without a course of severe justice.

Now that the Lord Treasurer, to whom hitherto he wrote all his dispatches, is dead, humbly attends directions what shall be his course hereafter.

Has acquainted Sir John Davys with the receipt of several of His Majesty's letters, which require answer. They were written long since and came but now to his hands, which may excuse him if present answer be expected.—Dublin Castle, 7 June 1612.

Pp. 4. Hol. Endd. Add.: "To the King's most excellent Majesty."

483. Sir John Talbot's Lands. [June 10.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 232, 23.

Certificate, by Mr. Auditor Gofton, of the land passed hitherto to Sir John Talbot, on the King's warrant dated Greenwich, 10 April 1605.

The last parcel which was brought to him (Gofton) to be passed upon this warrant, was delivered with a rate from him, 5 February 1606, to be passed in the name of Roger Goodsalle, Esq.

P. 1. Signed: Fra. Gofton.

484. Credentials of Maurice Rieder. [June 20.] Add. P., Ireland. P.R.O.

Contains an attestation that Maurice Rieder is an Irish ecclesiastic travelling for the sake of study, and is a person of good character and promising dispositions. Signed by Father David Joannis, a priest, and confirmed by Father Thomas Strange a Franciscan friar.

P. ½. Latin. Endd.: "Rider the priest's testimonial."

485. The King to Sir Arthur Chichester. [June 20.] Philad. P., vol. 2, p. 25.

In consideration of the good service of Dudley Norton, Esq., under Robert, late Earl of Salisbury, Lord High Treasurer of England, lately deceased, according to a testimony and recommendation delivered not long before his death, and also of the good opinion His Majesty has of his abilities and sufficiency to fill some place in Ireland, where his former education joined with his experience since gained under the late deceased Lord Treasurer has made him the more capable, he (the King) bestows upon him the place of one of the secretaries in Ireland, together with the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer there, as soon as the place shall become vacant by the death or resignation of Sir Richard Cooke, who now enjoys both offices jointly.—Westminster, 20 June, in the tenth year of the reign.

Pp. 1½. Sign manual at head. Add. Endd. Enrol.

486. The King to Sir Arthur Chichester. [June 23.] Philad. P., vol. 2, p. 27.

Warrant to make leases, in reversion after the expiration of certain leases for years unexpired in possession, some made by Queen Elizabeth and some by himself (the King), to John Eustace, the bearer, of certain lands and tithes as of the rectories of Karogh and Downing, in regard of his long service in Ireland;—the particulars of which appear by a joint letter from him (Sir Arthur) and the Council there.

The reversionary leases are to be of such terms as shall give the said Eustace 40 years in the premises.—Westminster, 23 June, in the tenth year of the reign.

Pp. 1½. Sign manual at head. Add. Endd. Enrol.

487. The King to Sir Arthur Chichester. [June 27.] Philad. P., vol. 2, p. 29.

Has received the petition of John Jay, of Holmeston in the county of Norfolk, Esq., showing that, with a purpose to settle one of his sons in Ireland, (and thereby to help a plantation there), he purchased for 1,600l., within these three years last past, divers lands in Connaught and Westmeath which were theretofore the lands of Sir Thomas Lestrange, deceased, and which were long since purchased by him of divers of the Irish then in quiet possession and reputed lawful owners. He now informs that he is called in question for his manor and lands of Athlesyne in the county of Roscommon, being the greater part of his purchase, by Sir John Talbot, who claims them as sometime parcel of the lands of George Earl of Shrewsbury and Waterford, and given to the Crown by the Statute of Absentees made in the 28th of King Henry VIII.

Considering how beneficial is the work of plantation in reducing that country to peace and civility, Sir Arthur is now directed, notwithstanding the claim of the said Sir John Talbot, to accept a surrender from the said John Jay, and to make him a re-grant thereof in fee, on such rent, tenure, and conditions as he (Sir Arthur) shall think fit.—Westminster, 27 June, in the tenth year of the reign.

Pp. 3. Sign manual at head. Add. Endd. Enrol.

488. The King to Sir Arthur Chichester. [June 29.] Philad. P., vol. 2, p. 33.

Has received the petition of Abell Denys, "a merchant of Burdois [Bordeaux] in France." He (Denys) has suits for recovery of debts due in Ireland, and the King commends him to Sir Arthur's favourable care.—Westminster, 29 June, in the tenth year of the reign.

P. ½. Sign manual at head. Add. Endd.

489. Lords of the Council to Sir Arthur Chichester. [June 30.] Philad. P., vol. 4, p. 215.

Though blame may be imputed to all the British undertakers, yet they have of late received his information of the negligence of the Londoners in particular in performing their covenants. They (the Lords) have lately called some of the principal of them before them, and have dealt roundly with them upon that point, representing to them amongst other faults, that of which his Lordship (Chichester) complained in his letters sent by Sir Thomas Phillips; which is the continuing within their several precincts the natives, whose abode in that place must (as he rightly judges) be full of inconvenience and danger.

He will perceive the answer of the Londoners, and their (the Lords of the Council's) reply by the memorial sent enclosed.

As for the castle of Dublin, which he has so often recommended to them, they have considered it; but such are the necessities of the time, that they cannot make any assignment of money for the performance of it, unless he can find some extraordinary means (added to that which the ruins of Kilmainham will afford towards it) to save it from further decay. —Last of June 1612.

Signed: G. Cantuar., T. Ellesmere, Canc., H. Northampton, Suffolke, E. Zouche, F. Knollys, E. Wotton, Jul. Cæsar.

P. ½. Add. Endd. by Chichester: "Of the last of June 1612. From the Lords of the Council concerninge the matter of the plantation of the citie's lands especially; and concerning the repairing of the castle of Dublin (whh is the cause of entering this letter). Re. the 29th of July." Encloses,

490. A remembrance of such impediments as the Londoners pretend to be the hinderance and lett of their proceeding in the Plantation of Ulster. [June 20.] Philad. P., vol. 4, p. 217.



The Answers.
1. The money due to the inhabitants for a surrender of their estates and their charter, they (the Lords) believe is paid them, and the surrenders are probably already made; if not, he (Chichester) is himself to see to its being done, and the moneys paid not only for the surrenders, but for the tithe fishing with the loopes upon the Ban, and for the arrears of the rents taken up by Sir Toby Calfeild, as is mentioned in his (Chichester's) letter to the late Lord Treasurer of the 6th of February instant.	1. The corporation of Derry has not surrendered to His Majesty their liberties nor their interest in the city of Derry, but wholly refuse to permit the undertakers to build there or to do anything for the plantation to be made in that city.
2. The Abbey of Armagh was demised by His Majesty to Sir Toby about seven years since before the plantation was intended, and after the first project the said abbey (with his (Chichester's) special allowance) was passed in feefarm to Sir Toby, being a servitor. Since which the whole barony of Coleraine (within which divers ballibos are found to be parcels of the possession of the said abbey) are by the contract with the Londoners to be passed to the city. He (Chichester) must therefore put them in possession and compound with Sir Toby, who has received so many benefits from His Majesty.	2. Sir Toby Calfeild and other gentlemen pretending interests in the lands to be granted to the city of London, not being compounded with, refuse to surrender, notwithstanding their (the Lords) former order. A particular of Sir Toby Calfeild's lands, which he demands in the barony of Loghinsholin and Coleraine. The grange of Agheighter 2 ballibos Inish Rush 2 ballibos Tyaner 2 ballibos Moynegrana 2 ballibos Also the lands of Kilreagh qt. (quarter), viz.— Fallawghy 1 ballibo Bally Leyeregney 1 ballibo Clare Leytrim 1 ballibo Bally Nealane 1 ballibo Bally Aulagh alias Fullaghy 2 ballibos Likewise the lands of Athgeanein the barony of Coleraine. Glashart 1 ballibo Mullaghmac 1 ballibo Quilmore 1 ballibo Coolero 1 ballibo Gaynebeg 1 ballibo
3. Such patents of privileges as may impeach the contract are not to be put in execution within their cities, but the impost of wines were never intended to be within their contract.	3. Divers grants for aqua vita, selling of wine, drawing of beer, and measuring salt, sowing seeds, making oil and rope, the clerkship of the market, which by contract were to be surrendered, and the whole lands undertaken, are to be freed and cleared, are yet unsurrendered.
4. In the 4,000 acres to be laid to Derry bog and barren mountain are to be no parcel thereof, but to go as waste to the city according to the 2nd article of the contract. But in the 2,000 acres to be laid to Coleraine bog, wood, and mountain are to be accounted as parcel of the number, and not to be excepted, as appears by the 4th article of the contract; neither has the King any lands there to satisfy their demands, nor are they (the city) in the case of the other undertakers, as they pay no rent, but yield only an acknowledgment. As to keeping the Irish, they (the Lords) expect that the planting with Britons should go speedily forward, the rather as it appears by his (Chichester's) letter of the 6th of February inst. that they have no impediment or just excuse.	4. That as well the 4,000 acres at the Derry as the 3,000 acres at Coleraine be laid out unto the towns, with bogs, woods, and mountain excepted, as all other the lands undertaken are, and that the Irish tenants may remain on the lands by us undertaken until we have finished our buildings, which otherwise will bring such scarcity that we shall not be able to feed our number of workmen and soldiers;—the rather for that there is no purpose to remove them but only to the church and servitors' lands within our undertakings or thereto adjoining.
5. His Lordship (Chichester) is to inquire into the truth of this allegation, and if the fishings be withheld contrary to the tenor of the contract he is to pass the city into possession, and compound for the titles, if any be good in law.	5. "And for that we have not been able to perform our buildings for want of possession, that no part of our rents now due or to grow due be withheld from us by virtue of any former order, and that such rents as are due to us by concordatum may be made good unto us. "As also that several parts of the fishings held from us by former grants may be resigned, as namely,— "In the river of Rowe a pool fished by Mr. William Gaye or Gage; "A pool near the river of Loughfoyle by Robert Fleming; "A pool between the Derry and the castle of Culmore by Captain Hart; "A pool about the Lifford and another called Greenebray, over against the Lifford, by Sir Richard Hansard; "A pool towards Castle Toome by Captain Russell; " Two pools claimed by the Bishop of Derry, Oboygans and Chanloy;" all granted, by patents under the Great Seal of England, which breed much question and great prejudice to the plantation.
6. If Brian Crossagh's lands lie within the Londoners' precinct, his patent is to be cancelled as made since the contract; and the commissioners are likewise to examine the primate's title to Derrihorgan, the Multenagh, and Craghballe, in Devin; and if it shall appear not to be church land and to be within the Londoner's precinct, the Londoners are to be established in possession.	6. They demand, notwithstanding any grant of the same, to Brian Crossach O'Neil, to have 16 townlands and two-thirds in the territory of Arrator, being the ballibetagh of Greghballin Devin, and part of Dergeny, in which precincts of land also Phelim oge O'Mullcruy, with Con O'Neil and Hugh M'Shane O'Neil, has certain freeholds granted to them, viz., to each one ballibetagh, all which, with Sir Toby Calfeild's lands and the primate's lands as were ever known to be temporal lands, as also such lands as the Bishop of Derry has obtained from His Majesty by misinformation, as they have heard.
Pp. 4.	(Signed) Edmondes.

491. The King to Sir Arthur Chichester. [June 30.] Philad. p., vol. 2, p. 35.

Warrant to accept from Sir Thomas Dutton, Scout Master General of Ireland, a surrender of his patent thereof, and to re-grant him the same office by patent with an increase of his entertainment by one hundred pounds by the year.—Westminster, 30 June, in the 10th year of the reign.

Pp. 1½. Sign manual at head. Add. Endd. Enrol.