Soldier
Mr Jacob, you are moste hartely wellcom from Conaght, I pray you what is the best newes there.
Jacob
Noe truly fellow soldier, I haue litle or nothing worthe the tellinge, for I loue not to entermeddle, with any mans matters but with myne owne privie affaiers.
Soldier
Yet I pray you let me but ask you how my oulde ffrendes doe, as Mr John Croftonne, Mr George Goodeman, Mr Martyne Lisley, Mr John Newtonne, Mr Richard Graftonne, Mr Birchell and honest Phinehes Clay, the provoaste martialles deputy, Mr Henry Ormesby, and diuers others of mynde acquayntance, for you knowe it is longe sithence I was in those partes.
Jacob
I knowe it right well, and as for those gentillmen with a nomeber of others, whose names are to tedious here to set downe, haue prayed for oulde Sir Richarde Binghame (though now Antragh, as the Irish proverbe is (to late.
Soldier
It is a greate matter, for many of them, which here shalbe nameles (coulde not kepe him whilst they had him, but must needes bee in theire innovacions: so that some of them, coulde never a true Anthem of Legum pone sithence:, It is tould me by a frend that the province of Conaght is verry quyet in these daies.
Jacob
It muste needes be quyet, for a man may travaiele longe enough there, before he see any boddy, to fall owt with him for a night ceasse.
Soldier
Then it apperes that the country is waste, how doe they then pay the soldiers.
Jacob
Marry then let them live vpon theire lendinges (if they can get it from Mr Threasurer, for Mr composicion: And Mr Revenew with theire
Soldier
I ensuer you I am glad, I cam away when I did; and how went the Journey forwarde at Baleyshannon.
Jacob
I was not there, and loathe I am to declare any particularities towchinge the Journey: but suer I am that governor now there, had a greate army, aswell of soldiers as of the rysinges owt. But whither for want of provision of victuall or mvnicon, or by what chaunce I knowe not; after he had thought to haue recouered the same. He was forced to repaier away with speed, the enemy comminge so freashely vppon him: with the losse of the Lorde of Inchequyn that was drowned by venturinge ouer somewhat to rashley, and his lieutenant Mr Osborne and Sir Henry Norrices lieutenant named Maunde, with diuers others slaigne; and glad so to escape.
Soldier
Well Jacob, I seur the day: the enemy coulde not easely haue prevayled against our people, but since these farlandish deuyses, trickes, conceipts and termes (as fylinges, haltes, randevooes. and a nomeber the lyke (came in vse here, the enemy neuer so muche florished, well I pray you tell me, how that rascell Haggerd shiftes, emongst them that towers so high.
Jacob
Let him alone for he soares aloft still, for whosoeuer is huntsman in those partes, he will not be the hindmost hownde., but for all his sweete mouthe It is naturally given him to hunt counter still.
Soldier
It is agreate fault in such, that when they haue had, so longe experience of such vnworthy guestes: they leaue them not to suffer, for theire dissemblinge huntinge, but he must live to play some other pageant, for if happely theire chaunceth
Jacob
He hath a chardge; and hath done feates of armes in the county of Maio, and hath put wardes in castle barre, Clonnegashill Mc Jourdaynes chief house, and diuers other places, and is well countenaunced by the governour, with promis that he will assist him in the procuring of the gift, of any such places as he shall recouer from the enemy:
Soldier
What favour in shorte time: will make him aspyere to be a mac william, and thence once at the highest: he will foregt from whence he cam, but I had allmost let slipp a braue harmefull creature Hugh McTirlagh roe.
Jacob
He is a greate man, and bothe he and hugh O Connor dvnne hath kearne and shot in pay.
Soldier
No doubt but they will doe greate service emongst the bullies.
Jacob
Yes but they will, for the gouernour hath taken in all the best pledges (in the province, and sent them to gallway: for beinge the better assured of the countries alledgeance.
Soldier
In that poynt the Governour doeth, as beseemeth, , but for the erecting of such kynde of people as they are (especially that Crocodill Hugh McTirlagh roa: a noted traytor against good government, I mervaiele not a litle.
Jacob
Well Sir those two fellowes scornes the names of captens, thinckinge it to base
Soldier
Why what other name, doe they attribute to themselues.
Jacob
Marry Seignieur Soldato, they call themselues Territory comaunders, havinge theire Lieutenant Traynors vnder them, to bringe vp theire followers to learne the feates of Armes, to ouertoppe such as you are.
Soldier
Now truly I thinck so indeede; for theire hathe bene so many such scollers, trayned vp in that province, that moste of the bandes (except the new supplies forth of England (are Conaght men. And of the right stampe for treacherye for some of them were at the murtheringe of Capten George Bingham, and Capten ffieldew, at the Rasing of Sligo, and betrauyinge of Arran, but moste of them actors in rebellion as I haue hard, but I pray you canne you tell me, what the chiefest cause was that so many of those provinciall libertynes, should drawe into all partes of the realme. and the governour havinge cause to vse them there.
Jacob
As I haue bene informed, the first cause was that in respect the provynce was wasted, by the entercourse, aswell of the northerne enemy: as by those libertynes of the province themselues, victualles and other necessaries (where comon hostillitie is grew scarce.) so that theire first abetters and setters on, cast them of and submitted themselues, to her maiesties mercy, (by which meanes havinge no goodes of theire owne, neither any employment from her maiesty in those partes, made suite to the governour that they might passe into Leinster, and to serve there against her maiesties enemies; who wysly wayinge the offer to be good., to ridd his governement of such a reabble, poasted them over the bridge of Athloane into Leymster, where now they swarme not onely in bandes, but in
Soldier
Well Seignieur Jacob you shall here that these kynde of subtle companions now entred Leimpster and other places to serve in her maiesties pay: doe but even counterfeict the grasier of England: who devydeth his pasture into cloases, the sooner to make his cattell fit for the shambles, forseing theire owne country of Connaght, overrunn, and nothing therein left, to suffice theire myndes and belllies, shiftes themselues into other countries, takinge the sweetnes thereof, vntill theire owne be growne rype againe; and some of the right stampe haue busynes for them, and then a suddayne retreict is sounded, home, home., for her maiesties pay is nothing then with them, vnles they may haue the spoyle of towne and country where they come. And no pvnishment for any owtradge they comit because they are so stronge whereas they serve, but in deede one Thomas Bourke with the yellow lockes, that was at Sligo when Capten George Bingham was slaigne, was taken tardy, for strykinge of Ensigne Ashley and hanged by Sir Warham Sctledger.
Jacob
I protest vnto thee soldier, thou saieth true, and a verry good pece of service, in doing the same.,
Soldier
Truely Seignieur Jacob, it is a perillous world, for you remember how the bases condicioned rouges of Connaght (when Sir John Norris was there) thundered owt
Jacob
I remember there was a solider of Sir George Bowrchiers: that figure owt, that if Sir Richard Bingham had bene there; it shoulde either bene his, or Odonelles.
Soldier
In deede there was such a matter, but the fellow had bene hanged if he had bene knowne for speakinge the truthe., but as these caterpillers of Connaght said, that Sir Richard Bingham was neuer well, but when he was in Armes, yet I canne tell you this muche: that he that thincketh to make an established Comon wealth in Connaght with the worde; and put away the sworrde, may make vpp his accompte with him, that coulde bringe tenne to nothinge, ffor I tell you the worlde had experience, in that oulde Seignieur, that bothe in martiall, and pollitique causes, he might not easely be ouerreached, And as for the mannadginge of the affaiers of that province: duringe the tyme the generall (which was longe) and the yearely
Jacob
Well my good soldier, I canne say thus much in mynde owne knowledge, that as longe as the Connacians were kept vnder, and not suffered to swarne in troopes but forced to followe the plough and grasinge of cattell, all thinges florished, and her maiestie was well paied her rent, but once they got the reyne and permitted to take Armour and weapin vppon them (a greate parte whereof Sir Richarde had depryued them of before, then woulde they enduer no cvrbe, and what will become of those erected bandes of the Irish within a whyle I know not: except to rebellion againe: for thye looke suer upon theire dischardge, to haue either landes or pencions.
Soldier
By the pittie of a pilcharde that is true: And I ensuer you, I know not to waht vse they will serve, except they may be shipt for Nova hispania, China or any other of those goulden places that be farre of, for you knowe her maiestie hath no gallies to exercyese theire Armes (and if she had, they woulde doe ther greate service, for theire lymbs are bothe lardge and stronge:, And if they be let a grasinge agayne, they will quickly make fyer enough, though the subiect pay for the roaste., but I had allmoste forgot my self to ask you of the estate of Athloane.
Jacob
The Towne was burned by mischaunce and Sir Conyers Clifford gaue the inhabitants Cli towardes the buyldinge of the same againe.
Soldier
That was well donne, of the Governour but I pray you what is become of Balleymoate.
Jacob
Marry Sir[brvbar] even gon ffrom vs, to her oulde masters, the Clondonaghes agayne, for Sir Conyers as he thought, has placed there as counstable a verry sufficient gentillman of his owne retynew, who coulde neuer take rest in his bedde, for the greate lamentacion that the desolate Sligo made beinge abandoned of all her good English frendes, and neuer a sister of hers of any reputacion (except Coolooney) woulde either comfort her, or mourne with her for comepany.
Soldier
Why I am suer the constable, coulde neither here or be troubled with such fantasies, being twelve longe myles off., and as I take it, this is but some of your ould Kilkenny visions.
Jacob
Well, for all your sportinge quibbes, he was not withowt thre vesselles of Kilkenny potions when he toke so greate pitty of the lamentacion aforesiad, that either by negligence or fatall destenye, some of my cosen Clondonaghs, beinge there mixed emongst the warde: betrayed mr counstable, withdrawinge forthe of his trustieth people, leavinge few within; but himself and the porter, who was killed by one of that graceles crew, and so bothe house, counstable and all Englishmen taken (with mighty spoyl besydes.
Soldier
And is that good houlde gone, that hath coste the Good Quene Elizabeth so much, with the carefull gettinge thereof by Sir Richard Bingham, and buyldinge vp and maynteigned by hym and his brother Sir George., to theire no litle
Jacob
I protest vnto thee, thou saieth true: for I lyke not the loosinge of such places, for now the county of Sligo is wholy gon, but I must needs say the governor had ill fortvne, to loase it for as I remember he was lieutenant of Sir Richarde foteband when Balleymoate was first wonne
Soldier
It is very true, but it is longe sithence, for his small aboade in Connaght at the first: And his greate discontynvauncies sithence; brought him some what owt of square, to maundge and governe; suche a treacherous people In whom except the Erles of Thoemonde, Clanricarkard and the Lorde Birmindgham: with some of theire dependantes there is small helpe of theire alledgeances, for as I vnderstand by others, the governour giues them landes, feeds them with mony, and fayer wordes, which if he withdrew neuer so litle from them, away they are gon, if they had giuen in: never so many pleadges, or taken a thowsand oathes to be true., but if he mynde to reforme them, he must follow the course of his Anctient commaunder and predecessor, (who as oulde as he was) kept no saunctuary in Athloane, nor in Roscommon, when he was there, but in campe day and night, takinge tenne tymes more paynes, then moste men
Jacob
Well fellow souldier, it had bene better for her maiestie, and the good subiect of Irelande, by more mony then I will speake of, that good Sir Richard had not bene so remoued nor so vexed and overtopped as he was:, And his councell followed., well knowinge and forseinge of the eventes of thinges to come, but he was to good for this country, And so it apereth, for we are allmoste, as nere to seeke Ireland, as at the first conquest, God amend all that is amis.
Soldier
You haue said the truth, but I pray you how escapes George Lane at Tulsk.
Jacob
Marry not longe sithence that Archtraytor Hugh McTirlagh Roa O Connor, had gotten the vpper parte of the Castell, and George havinge left some bourdes loose of the hall loft to come into the seller, discended downe thither with some of his people vnknown to the traytor and his comepany. They drew vpp the bourdes, and thought to come into the seller, but he slew six of them at one clapp, wherevppon the fearfull rascall with his comepany pact then away: and so the castell and house recouered againe.
Soldier
That was well done in deede, but in what credit is Brian O Rourke with the governor.
Jacob
He, I marry, was hee: with Sir Conyers, but he serued him as good a trick as any
Soldier
I moste hartely thanck you good brother Jacob, and if I live, I will make you parte of the amendes for the greate paynes taken in this matter.
Fyinis Conacie
Peregryn
Now good brother Sylvynne, how lyke you these Connaght ocurrances.
Silvyn
I protest vnto you: I lyke their discourse well: but for ought I canne perceaue, her maiestie is as farr to seeke, in Connaght as shee is in other places., you haue treated of, and all for the displacinge and disgracinge of father experience (for as I perceaue this that gouerneth there is a valyant gentillman but he is to much ouertaken, with gevinge trust to the wicked and enterteigning of those country people: one to serve against another, not rememberinge the ould proverbe, that one wolf will not prea vppon another, now I pray you Let me here of some Vlster newes: for I am suer you are acquaynted with some honest man that hath Travayled the northe.
Peregryn
I haue nothinge. but a coppy of a letter that a frend of mynde gave mee, at my being in Irelande.
Silvyn
I pray you Let me here it: for I longe to knowe the proceedinges of Lucyfer.
Vlster Occurrences
After my verry harty comendacions &. I haue receaued your kynde epistle; wherein I vnderstand all the estate of Aphaley: with the succes of our ffrendes there., which grieveth me not a litle, And allthough the newes be not greately to any lykinge: ywt for that I woulde be loath to dye in your debt: not knowinge when I shall repaier homewardes, beinge also by your self therevnto required, straigned my groase capacitie, to acquaynte you with some of these northerne affaiers: And allthough I cannot make a particular declaracion of every accident theire happeninge, yet will I briefly roave at them, as neere as I may, not doubtinge but they shalbe well accepted at your masterships handes, how rude soeuer they be set downe, and so ad rem.
First as it shoulde seme, when relacion had bene in England, what small succes the cessacions had: betwene Sir John Norris then Lieutenant Generall, And the traitor Tyroane: in which tyme of peace, most treacheries were effected; and tyme worne owt to no other purpose, but to thadvantadge of the enemy: and the greate chardge of her maiestie: with the Impouerishinge of all the English Pale., and the borders adioigning, by the often recourse; to and fro of the Army, besydes the intollerable somes of mony, and victualles extorted (by the brittaigne troopes, duringe the tyme they were ceassed in the pale or in any other place whersoeuer, for all was fish that came to net, As for theire infantry footemen, (as they
After this noble gentillman had surrendered the sworde, and the right honorable the Lorde Burgh established in the governement, he lingered not the tyme, but as conveniently as he might, drewe downe his fforceis towardes the fforte at Blackwater: beinge then in the possession of the Traytor Tyroane, and encampinge at Armagh, toke forthe of his Army some thowsande of his moste approued soldiers, and left the rest, in that place till farther direction from him., and so in the night tyme marched towardes the fforte with such expedicion that before Tyroanes warde was once aware, he was vppon theire walles, and ready to enter, At which svddaine and vnlooked for greetinge, after the dischardginge of some few shot away the warde ffledd and left the forte to his lordship, killing but one only soldior.
When that his honor had wonne the same he razed it with the grownde and buylded one not farre from the same, of a larger scoape, In the meane tyme he was assayinge, how he might passe to Dvngannon: and so ffrom thence to Loghfoyle, where he had appointed many barkes with victuall and other necessaries to meet him., but in respect of the greate pace, which he with his Army must passe: and the Erle Traitor with his forceis, withstandinge him to the vttermoste, knowinge that if his honour did passe there, he were in great possibilitie to loese all, made that place good, and fronted his honour in moste warlyke manner, well
After this mishapp, his honour seinge no possible meanes to Accomplish his desier, except he had bene able to haue had another convenient Army, to haue landed at Loghfoyle and so to haue set vppon the Erle Traytor on all sydes, victualled the fforte placinge therein as Counstable, a valyant gentillman named Capten Williams, with some CCth soldiers, And after brake vp campe, and retourned to the Newry, where making but small aboade, drew towardes the Cavan in Awreyleis country, and there placed Sir Christopher Sct Lawrence, comaunder of certaine comepanies there laied in garrysone, And then repaiered to Dublin., And there not contynvinge longe, for that hee considered the proporcion of victuall left with Capten Williams at the forte, was neere hand consvmed, drew thitherwardes agayne with as much expedicion as might be, And even the same day he cam to Armagh, Tyroanes fforceis had beleaguered the forte, and in the ende; the most valyantest men in his retynewe vndertook to wynne the same, for that they had perfect intelligence, that the warde was not onely sick and vnserviceable for the moste parte but all theire victualles consvmed, And so advauncing
Vppon the next day the Lord Deputy drew towardes the forte, And at his arryvall made by oracion to the constable and soldiors greately comendinge bothe him and them, for theire good services, And after he had victualled the forte, and supplyed the same, with freash and able soldiers, he staied there not longe (havinge no farther determynacion at that tyme to seeke the enemy: yet at his retourne towardes the newry, a comepany of loose knaves beinge shrowded in shrubbes, dischardged a volew of shot, emongst certaine horssmen (emongst whom was slaigne that valiant man Capten Brit Sarient maior of Army.,
After my Lord Deputy was come to the Newry, he fell sick of what disease I knowe not, but even harde vppon michaellmas, lyinge but a small tyme afterward he dyed: to the greate grief of all her maiesties good subiectes, But it is even a scourge comonely incident to this land, that when a noble man, or worthy gentillman cometh ouer hither to doe the country good: Then either he is called away: when he intendeth moste the benefit of this naked Comon wealthe: beinge happely accused for dealinge with to much rigor, (which these libertynes cannot abyde) or els it pleaseth the allmighty to call him to his mercy, to our greater scourge that meane well to her maiesties? soveraigne: but if he be evill, and give the country the raynes, he doth bothe tarry longe, and not departe empty fisted, or els many reportes ar fals)., What a coyle was there in this Realme before the arryvall, of that most renowned the Lorde Arthur Grey, who came ouer in tyme, for if it ploughed but a small tyme longer, it was lyke to haue bene a black day with the English, but allthough his fortvne was somewhat hard at this first entry at the Glynnes, yet or euer he departed he measured, both the length and breadth of the myndes and doinges of the wicked (aswell appered by the gentillmen of the English Pales conspiracy, who well payd for their treachery yet must he needes poaste away before his full tyme. After he had vanquished the spanyardes at Smerick, hunted the rebelles in Mounster, and purposely was mynded to haue restoared this disordered kingdome, to a perfect comonwealth, if longer he had contynved. And truly I could recon vpp a nomeber more of the lyke good governors, but these before rehearsed, shalbe sufficient.
Not longe after the death of this moste noble man the Lord Burgh, that ffyerbrande of the Northe, beinge not a litle exulted with our bad hap, deales with the Traytor James McSorley booy, that faithles Scot, to Joygne in Amity, with him, being then in great trust with the estate, that he would worke some stratageme against Sir John Chichester, Governor of Clandeboy, and the Garrysonne of Carickphergus, well knowinge that if he might surprise them, And be master of that houlde, he might then haue all safe behynde him., And though the said periurate after the death of the Lord Deputy: well seing the traitor Tyroane was somewhat in better case to saue himself then before, wrote vnto him that he would doe him any service he might yet the Archtraitor Tyroane was loathe to trust him for all his frendly letters before he had effected some bluddy matter vppon the English, (the which he consented to doe, and to bringe his threasonne the better to passe, sends to Tyroane for more forces which he had sent him: vppon which[brvbar] that periured villaigne, beinge in no mistrust with Sir John Chichester, sendes him worde that he shoulde meete with him at a place some six myles from Carickphergus and he would bringe him a pece of service, whose offer the knight toke to be gospell, and so when the tyme apointed cam: advaunced himself forwarde, havinge Capten Mansfield, Capten Constable, and Capten Marieman and others in his company and the nomeber of CCCth soldiers, but beinge come nere hand the place of meetinge, he might descry an extraordinary nomeber of ennemies, laid ready for him,
Ffor any greate accident in the Northe, vntill August followinge, except some few delaies and parleyes, betwene the right honorable the Lord Lieutenant Generall and the Traytor Tyroane (which fell owt to purpose at all, but chardgeable to her maiestie, I here not of any worthe the wrytinge, for he lying secure in his Tyrannycall denne, dothe nothinge but poaste Tirrell, Brian Reogh and other southerly Rvnnagates to disquiet Liempster, to kepe theire handes in vre?, against he shall haue, need, to vse them himself.
And now to draw to an ende of theise my raw intelligences, Capten Williams before rehearsed, lyinge longe in that vnhappye
And so vppon this Capten Williams havinge no meanes to be relieued was driven for the saueguarde of himself and comepany, to yield vpp the forte, vpon condicions, and come his way, the remaigne of our Army hembed in by the Enemy at Armagh, withall theire victuall and cariadge, and the boddy of that worthy knight, were vppon agrement betwene the enemy and them, (which I desyred not to knowe) lycenced to departe towardes the newry. Whereby the way, Capten Bonney going asyde aboute some busynes he had, was theire slaigne, And for that I was not present in that Journey myself wryte vnto you other mens reportes, I will
Finis Vltonie
How say you brother, is it not tyme to top this lofty pyne.
Yea and cropp the underwood too, or els all wilbe naught shortely: Now I pray you if I may be so bould, to desier you to shewe mee where the best estate of that comon wealth lyeth, & what be the causes of these greate troubles.