In lamentable wise advertiseth your Your Lords humble orator William Saxey Chief Justice of Mounster in Yrland, of the most barbarous, and fearfull rebellion now raginge in the said province: About the vth of this present moneth of October there came into the said province, by Arlough, and so into the comitatus of Lymerick, about 3000 rebells, sent from the arch Traitor Tirone, under the leading of John Fitzthomas second sonne to Sir Thomas of Desmond Knight deceassed, elder brother to the last attainted Earle of Dessmond, and of one Tirrell, as is reported; and presently upon their coming into the said province, the said John was proclaimed Earle of Dessmond; who (as is said) toke yt upon him, yf his elder brother James wold not ioyne with them, and assent tobe proclaymed Earle him self. This donne this rebellious rowte entred further into the said comitatus of Lymerick, and have burnt and spoiled the most part of the countrey townes, and villages, within that county. On Saturday morning the vij of this pressent James Fitz Thomas of Dessmond, elder sonne of the said Sir Thomas came to the traitors with 16 horse and 20 foote; and the purpose of the traitors then was to create him Earle of Dessmond at the hill of Ballioghly; about which time the Vice President had assembled the forces of the province, with full purpose to encounter with the traitors, finding the said forces so assembled, to be in shewe able to equall the strength of the enemy; but, albeit, divers of the noblemen and chief gentlemen of the province weare then and there ready (as yt seemed) to assist and accompany the governor in this conflict to be taken in hand, yet at the very instant the most part of the folowers of the said noblemen, and gentlemen went to the enemy, &c.