Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Documents on Thomas Walker's plot against Tyrone in 1601 (Author: Thomas Walker)
Letter 1
UK National Archives, SP63/209, no. 42, Lord Deputy Mountjoy to Sir Robert Cecil, 23 August 1601.
Sir,
When I planted the garrison at Armagh, I appointed Sir Henry Danvers to command the same in the absence of Sir Francis Stafford, both because I found him best able for the service without any new charge unto Her Majesty, having horse and foot of his own in entertenance and that I saw he was extraordinarily desirous to take that opportunity to be active, in hope thereby to deserve Her Majesty's favour and good opinion. I advised him to be often stirring with his forces upon the rebels and withal to practise what possibly he could devise upon the person of the Archtraitor Tyrone. And he assuring me that he would leave nothing unassayed that in his judgement might tend to the perfecting of that work, within a few days after found one Walker an Englishman and a Londoner newly come over, who brake with him to be employed in that same business, alleging that he knew it to be a service tending greatly to his country's good and that cause and to advance his own fortune, that he was come resolved to kill Tyrone, having plotted the manner how to do it. Sir Henry
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was desirous to be made acquainted with his plot, but Walker refusing to discover it under pretence to keep it the more secret, he pressed him no further thereabout, and the rather for that Walker desired no other help or furtherance from him but to be put without the guards in the night and so left to take his fortune. Sir Henry imparted this offer of his to me and I wished him give way to it, as I have done to divers others, and may not refuse the like to any, for if any one speed it is enough and they that miss lose nothing but themselves. But because this Walker coming afterwards to Tyrone did not effect what he had undertaken, though (as himself sayeth) he was much made of and had once drawn his sword with purpose to kill him though under pretence of great matters in his quarrel, I thought fit at his return to our camp to appoint Mr Marshal and Sir George Bourchier to examine him, and he confessing unto them, that Tyrone would have sent him to Scotland by reason he was with Randal McDonnell and by him sent to Sir Arthur Chichester to Carrickfergus, and from thence to Sir Francis Stafford at the Newry, and so to the camp again to me. I committed him close prisoner and sent him to the Newry wishing Sir Francis Stafford further to examine him and do now sent him in bonds unto you Sir, who can best judge of him and may happily learn more of his intent and disposition, by reason of his friends dwelling there in London than we here can find the means to do. I am sorry I should be troublesome to you in a matter of this nature, because for mine own part I confess I think the man little better than frantic, though such a one was not unfit for such an enterprise; yet considering it might otherwise prove dangerous to myself or to the gentleman that set him a work, I presume you will hold me more excused and conceive that I have reason so to do for mine own discharge.
And so Sir I commend you to the grace of God, from the camp at Carrickbane, the 23rd of August 1602s
Yours Sir to do you service
Mountjoy The Mayor of Chester is written to to send you this prisoner, and the copie of this his letter herewith sent will show the discretion of the man.