The life of James, first duke of Ormonde, 1610-1688; (vol. 1)

Each story keeps the passage it was read from. Open one to read the passage as the book has it, and, where the companion has written its own telling, that too.

1. General Assembly at Kilkenny and Glamorgan's mission

   Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1645

   On 11 August 1645 the General Assembly met at Kilkenny, where Glamorgan went with Ormonde's full approbation. The Assembly was increasingly dominated by ecclesiastics prone to carry dogmatism from the pulpit into business, powerfully supported by Ulstermen who distrusted redress of their wrongs by the prospective Parliament.

   Read the passage

   On the nth of August the General Assembly met at Kilkenny, and thither, with Ormonde's full approbation, Glamorgan bent his footsteps. At the same time, the Lord- Lieutenant sent Lord Muskerry a summary of the royal concessions. Therein, Ormonde reiterated his previous undertaking touching the civil immunities claimed by Irish Catholics, the Act of Oblivion, and the confirmation of the " Graces." As regarded matters ecclesiastical, he engaged to abolish the High Commission Court, and all abuses connected with Anglican Episcopal administration,^ so that Roman Catholics should henceforward be undisturbed in the " quiet " performance of their religious duties and worship. But he still refused to repeal the statutes against Papal jurisdiction, believing that otherwise there would be no bar to the appointment of Papists to cures, or to their occupation of cathedrals and chapels.^ In taking up this position, he may well have been influenced by the fear that the formidable minatory powers of the Roman Church would not long be restricted to the domain spiritual.

   He further promised that an "equal indifferency should govern His Majesty's choice of Roman Catholics and Protestants for his service."* And, in proof of his sincerity, he offered to enrol four thousand foot and six hundred Irish horse in the royal army. It cannot be pretended that these offers fulfilled Catholic and national aspirations. Yet, since the Peace would put the Con-

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   As the companion tells it

   Kilkenny, in 1645, was where the General Assembly gathered on the 11th of August. The Assembly was increasingly dominated by ecclesiastics prone to carry dogmatism from the pulpit into business, powerfully supported by Ulstermen who distrusted redress of their wrongs by the prospective Parliament. Glamorgan came here with Ormonde's full approbation. At the same time, Ormonde sent Lord Muskerry a summary of the royal concessions. He reiterated his undertaking on the civil immunities claimed by Irish Catholics, the Act of Oblivion, and the confirmation of the Graces. On ecclesiastical matters, he engaged to abolish the High Commission Court and all abuses connected with Anglican Episcopal administration, so that Roman Catholics should be undisturbed in the "quiet" performance of their religious duties and worship. But he still refused to repeal the statutes against Papal jurisdiction. He believed that otherwise there would be no bar to the appointment of Papists to cures, or to their occupation of cathedrals and chapels. He may have feared that the formidable minatory powers of the Roman Church would not long be restricted to the domain spiritual. He further promised that "equal indifferency should govern His Majesty's choice of Roman Catholics and Protestants for his service." In proof of his sincerity, he offered to enrol 4000 foot and 600 Irish horse in the royal army. It cannot be pretended that these offers fulfilled Catholic and national aspirations.

2. Inchiquin expels Catholic householders from Youghal

   Youghal · town · Cork · 1644

   In July 1644, Lord Inchiquin defected to Parliament and expelled all Roman Catholic householders from Youghal, seizing their property on the pretext that they were plotting the betrayal of his garrisons. The purge also affected Cork and Kinsale.

   Read the passage

   bearer, Sir Brian O'Neill, as a person "of small esteeme and not att all gracious to the English. A man with whom I dare not otherwise deale than at the stave's end."^ Since Charles's agents were frequently entrusted with secret negotiations mfinitely more delicate than their ostensible missions, Ormonde had some reason for vexation. Recently, however, the King had committed an error of judgment, which dwarfed all others. It is no exaggeration to say that Lord Inchiquin's abilities, joined to his large following, made him the most important personage on the English side in the south of Ireland. Without the title, he wielded the authority and influence of the President of Munster, and Charles owed a large number of recruits, lately shipped from that province, to his exertions. In the course of the spring, he arrived at Oxford, warmly recommended by Ormonde, and confident that he would at once be promoted to the office of President of Munster. Unluckily, Murough O'Brien had enemies at court ; and Charles, who had given away the post to the Earl of Portland, refused to cancel the appointment in the Irishman's favour.^ " As full of anger as his buttons would endure," Inchiquin returned to Ireland. His evident discontent alarmed Ormonde, who did all in his power to pacify him, but without success. The announcement of Lord Portland's arrival in Munster set the seal on his resolve. Inchiquin was determined to receive no orders from the new President, and in July he transferred his services to the Parliament. By way of celebrating his secession and under the pretext that they were plotting the betrayal of his garrisons, he expelled all Roman Catholic householders from Cork, Youghall, and Kinsale and seized their goods. Parliament naturally welcomed so useful an ally. His example was shortly imitated by Lord Esmond, the Governor of Duncannon, both noblemen declaring war on the Irish and causinp^ their troops to adopt the Covenant. Thus, at a crisis

   * Carte, vol. vi. p. 179. Ormonde to Digby, 22nd July 1644. " Ideni^ p. 38. Arthur Trevor to Ormonde, Oxford, 19th February 1643.

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   As the companion tells it

   Youghal is a town the road passes through or near, and in July 1644 it was the scene of a purge. Lord Inchiquin, Murough O'Brien, was the most important figure on the English side in the south of Ireland. He held the authority and influence of the President of Munster, though without the title, and Charles owed him a large number of recruits shipped from that province. In the spring of that year, Inchiquin arrived at Oxford, warmly recommended by Ormonde, confident he would be promoted to the office of President of Munster. But he had enemies at court. Charles had already given the post to the Earl of Portland and refused to cancel the appointment in the Irishman's favour. Inchiquin returned to Ireland, in the words of the source, as full of anger as his buttons would endure. Ormonde did all in his power to pacify him, but without success. The announcement of Lord Portland's arrival in Munster set the seal on his resolve. Inchiquin was determined to receive no orders from the new President. In July he transferred his services to the Parliament. By way of celebrating his secession, and under the pretext that they were plotting the betrayal of his garrisons, he expelled all Roman Catholic householders from Cork, Youghal, and Kinsale, and seized their goods. Parliament welcomed so useful an ally. His example was shortly imitated by Lord Esmond, the Governor of Duncannon, who also declared war on the Irish and had his troops adopt the Covenant.

3. Inchiquin's victory at Mallow

   Mallow · town · Cork · 1647

   On November 13, Inchiquin won a victory at Mallow, characteristic of the violent warfare practised by Murough of the Burnings. This set the climax to an uninterrupted series of Protestant triumphs.

   Read the passage

   The events that followed on Ormonde's departure were not of a nature to lessen the Confederates' regret at his loss. Ireland was a lively example of the conditions obtaining in a house divided against itself Colonel Michael Jones, the Parliamentary Governor of Dublin, was incomparably better equipped for short raids into the interior than his Royalist predecessor. On August the 8th, 1647, he utterly defeated Preston at Dungan Hill, the slaughter that ensued contrasting forcibly with Ormonde's methods. In Munster, Inchiquin obtained yet more sanguinary successes ; the storm of Cashel, even in that campaign of flame and massacre, achieved a lurid and lasting fame. In Ulster, O'Neill's absence left the coast clear to George Monk. The future Duke of Albemarle effected a junction with Michael Jones, and, together, they captured various strongholds. On the 13th of November, Inchiquin's victory at Mallow, again characteristic of the peculiar system of warfare practised by Murough of the Burnings, set the climax to an uninterrupted series of Protestant triumphs. The Nuncio, who, in the first flush of exultation over Ormonde's resignation, had confidently announced that all disaffection had entirely

   ^ Carte, vol. vi. pp. 530-1. Ormonde to Lord Digby, 23rd July 1647.

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   As the companion tells it

   Mallow is a town the road takes you through in Cork. In 1647, Ireland was a house divided against itself. After Ormonde's departure, events gave the Confederates every reason to regret losing him. Colonel Michael Jones, the Parliamentary Governor of Dublin, was better equipped for raids into the interior than his Royalist predecessor, and on August 8, 1647, he utterly defeated Preston at Dungan Hill. The slaughter there contrasted forcibly with Ormonde's methods. In Munster, Inchiquin obtained yet more sanguinary successes. The storm of Cashel, even in that campaign of flame and massacre, achieved a lasting fame. In Ulster, O'Neill's absence left the coast clear to George Monk, who effected a junction with Jones and together they captured various strongholds. On November 13, Inchiquin's victory at Mallow, characteristic of the warfare practised by Murough of the Burnings, set the climax to an uninterrupted series of Protestant triumphs.

4. Lady Ormonde returns to live at Dunmore, 1655

   Dunmore · street · Louth · 1655

   After persevering through enormous difficulties with her forfeited Irish estate—including destruction of timber, decay of farm buildings, and tenants threatening to abandon leases—Lady Ormonde finally obtained transfer of leases and settled rents. In 1655 she was enabled to return to England to fetch her family to live with her at Dunmore.

   Read the passage

   Lady Ormonde was less prompt in securing justice for herself than for her kinsman. Months passed by before the Land Commissioners consented to examine the schedule of lands and rents assigned for her maintainance ; and then it transpired that the income they produced fell far short of the promised ;^2,ooo per annum. The contribution assessed thereon by Government was enormous. In some instances, this tax swallowed up half the rent, in others, it was in the proportion of ;^39 to ;^5o.^ The tenants were so discouraged that many were preparing to throw up their leases. Nor could she tempt them to make any outlay on their holdings since, the estate being forfeited only for Ormonde's lifetime, she could not grant long leases. Meanwhile, the destruction of the timber and the decay of the farm buildings threatened her with absolute ruin. That she should ultimately have surmounted all these obstacles speaks volumes for Lady Ormonde's perseverance and capacity. By dint of unwearying efforts, she finally obtained the transfer to herself, in trust for Ormonde's life, of all those leases for the year, or for three, five, and seven years, which the Commonwealth had bestowed on her tenants. Moreover, the rents, for which she now became directly liable to the Government, were referred to the valuation of "indifferent persons"; so that in 1655 she found herself at last enabled to return to England, to fetch her family to live with her at Dunmore.

   As little in London as in Dublin was Elizabeth Ormonde, however, fated to enjoy peace. During her residence in the capital, Cromwell, having received notice that she was involved in one of her husband's enterprises against his Government, caused all her papers to be seized, and was, indeed, on the point of arresting Lady

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   As the companion tells it

   Dunmore is where Lady Ormonde came to live in 1655, after years of struggle over her forfeited Irish estate. She was less prompt in securing justice for herself than for her kinsman. Months passed before the Land Commissioners consented to examine the schedule of lands and rents assigned for her maintenance, and then it transpired that the income fell far short of the promised 2,000 pounds per annum. The contribution assessed on it by Government was enormous. In some instances this tax swallowed up half the rent; in others it was in the proportion of 39 to 50. The tenants were so discouraged that many were preparing to throw up their leases. She could not tempt them to make any outlay on their holdings, since the estate being forfeited only for Ormonde's lifetime, she could not grant long leases. Meanwhile, the destruction of the timber and the decay of the farm buildings threatened her with absolute ruin. That she ultimately surmounted all these obstacles speaks volumes for her perseverance and capacity. By unwearying efforts she finally obtained the transfer to herself, in trust for Ormonde's life, of all those leases for the year, or for three, five, and seven years, which the Commonwealth had bestowed on her tenants. The rents, for which she now became directly liable to the Government, were referred to the valuation of “indifferent persons.” So in 1655 she found herself at last enabled to return to England, to fetch her family to live with her at Dunmore.

5. Newry garrison resists Scots' summons

   near Newry · town · Down · 1644

   At the Newry, the garrison and officers were alert and able to resist Munroe's Scots. Ormonde's private provision of £300 worth of stores enabled the garrison to withstand the summons.

   Read the passage

   During these months, although Munroe had himself embraced the Covenant, he played a neutral part. He was not considered actually inimical to the King, and less optimistic persons than Antrim hoped to win him over to Charles. But in April these fond schemes were definitely shattered. Parliament bestowed on Munroe the chief command of all English and Scottish troops in Ulster, and thereafter no more was heard of his loyalist sympathies. Indeed, while Ormonde's Scottish and English officers were engaged at Belfast in discussing the attitude they should adopt towards Munroe, he treacherously possessed himself of the town and its artillery. He would have done the same at Dundalk and the Newry, but, there, garrisons and officers were on the alert, and thanks to ;^300 worth of stores provided by Ormonde's private purse, they were able to resist the Scots' summons. Although, however, individual commanders refused to admit Munroe within their walls, hunger ultimately forced the English regiments to accept a compromise, and in return for supplies and various other concessions, they agreed to assist Munroe in prosecuting the War against the Irish. And they further qualified their adhesion to the General by stipulating that the alliance should be forthwith dissolved, if the King saw fit to issue orders to that effect. Thanks to this agreement, Munroe collected the largest army hitherto seen in the field, with which he conscientiously ravaged Westmeath and Longford, and massacred the wretched peasantry. The Confederates, relying on the Cessation, had not sufficient forces to oppose the combined force, and when Castlehaven and Owen Roe O'Neill achieved a junction of their troops, they were obliged to remain on the defensive, merely barring the Scots' southward march. Before long their self-restraint was rewarded. For want of rations Munroe was forced to return to his quarters, but the alarm which he had excited did

   1644] ORMONDE'S DILEMMA 239

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   As the companion tells it

   The road brings you near Newry, a town in Down. In 1644, this place held firm when other towns did not. Munroe had embraced the Covenant but played a neutral part. He was not considered actually inimical to the King, and less optimistic persons than Antrim hoped to win him over to Charles. But in April, Parliament bestowed on Munroe the chief command of all English and Scottish troops in Ulster, and thereafter no more was heard of his loyalist sympathies. While Ormonde's Scottish and English officers were engaged at Belfast in discussing the attitude they should adopt towards Munroe, he treacherously possessed himself of the town and its artillery. He would have done the same at Dundalk and the Newry, but there the garrisons and officers were on the alert, and thanks to 300 worth of stores provided by Ormonde's private purse, they were able to resist the Scots' summons. Individual commanders refused to admit Munroe within their walls. But hunger ultimately forced the English regiments to accept a compromise. In return for supplies and various other concessions, they agreed to assist Munroe in prosecuting the war against the Irish. They further stipulated that the alliance should be forthwith dissolved if the King saw fit to issue orders to that effect. Munroe then collected the largest army hitherto seen in the field, with which he ravaged Westmeath and Longford, and massacred the wretched peasantry. The Confederates, relying on the Cessation, had not sufficient forces to oppose the combined force. When Castlehaven and Owen Roe O'Neill achieved a junction of their troops, they remained on the defensive, barring the Scots' southward march. For want of rations, Munroe was forced to return to his quarters.

6. Ormonde's evenings in Dublin Castle with Strafford

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1635–1641

   Young Lord Ormonde frequently joined Wentworth's favoured circle for evenings spent in an inner room of the castle in Dublin, where Strafford told stories and took tobacco among a few congenial spirits. These gatherings contributed substantially to Ormonde's mental development and conversational wit.

   Read the passage

   To be brought into contact with one of the most commanding intellects of the period must, in itself, have been an education to the quick-witted Irishman.^ It was the more valuable to Ormonde since, in his own words, "he had left Lambeth, advantaged neither by the knowledge of books nor of men." Although Wentworth could play excellently well at Primero or Mayo he did it." more for company's sake at Xmas," than because he was a devotee to cards. " His chief recreation was taking tobacco and telling stories with great pleasantness and freedom " among a few congenial spirits.^ Young Lord Ormonde must frequently have been a member of that favoured circle, and it is permissible to surmise that those evenings spent " in an inner room " of the castle contributed in no small degree to his mental development. Himself a born conversationalist, such talk must have been after his own heart. Neither did this social apprenticeship prove valueless. It was " the ready flow and the pleasant turn of his wit," ^ which largely commended the Duke of Ormonde to a personage so easily bored as Charles II.; and probably it was to these gifts rather than to his sterling worth that he owed his influence over that fickle and volatile Monarch.

   ^ Sir P. Warwick's " Memoirs," p. no.

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   As the companion tells it

   Dublin, in the years from 1635 to 1641, was where young Lord Ormonde found the education that mattered most to him. He had come from Lambeth, in his own words, advantaged neither by the knowledge of books nor of men. What he found in the castle was the company of Wentworth, one of the commanding intellects of the period. Wentworth could play at cards, at Primero or Mayo, but did so more for company's sake at Christmas. His chief recreation was taking tobacco and telling stories, with great pleasantness and freedom, among a few congenial spirits, in an inner room of the castle. Young Lord Ormonde was frequently a member of that favoured circle, and those evenings contributed in no small degree to his mental development. Himself a born conversationalist, such talk was after his own heart. The social apprenticeship proved valuable. It was the ready flow and the pleasant turn of his wit that largely commended the Duke of Ormonde to Charles II, a personage so easily bored, and probably to these gifts rather than to his sterling worth that he owed his influence over that fickle and volatile monarch.

7. Provision crisis in Dublin, 1642

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1642

   When Ormonde marched to relieve Drogheda, no provisions from England had accompanied the British troopers. Neither rations for men nor oats for horses were available in Dublin, and the Government magazine held only a fortnight's stores.

   Read the passage

   Undoubtedly, on this occasion, Ormonde was better furnished with orders and injunctions than supplies. The stupid system of ravaging the surrounding country had borne its natural fruits. No provisions from England had accompanied the British troopers. Neither rations for the men, nor oats for the horses were available in Dublin. The Government magazine only held another fortnight's stores, and was utterly emptied of the shoes

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   As the companion tells it

   In 1642, Dublin could not feed an army. Ormonde marched to relieve Drogheda better furnished with orders than supplies. No provisions from England had come with the British troopers. There were no rations for the men, no oats for the horses. The government magazine held only another fortnight's stores. The stupid system of ravaging the surrounding country had borne its natural fruit.

8. Sir Walter Butler of Kilcash becomes heir presumptive

   Kilcash · townland · Roscommon · 1613

   Upon the death of Theobald Butler (Lord Tulleophelim) at the close of 1613, Sir Walter Butler of Kilcash became heir presumptive to the Ormonde honours and entailed estate. Sir Walter was a devout Catholic and a seasoned soldier who had served Elizabeth I loyally against Redmond Bourke.

   Read the passage

   On Theobald's death, Sir Walter Butler 2 of Kilcash became heir presumptive to Ormonde's honours and entailed estate. Sir Walter's eldest son, Thomas Butler, much to his father's wrath, had married Elizabeth Poyntz, daughter of John Poyntz, and it was in a house hired from the Duke of Newcastle by the latter's father, Sir Nicholas Poyntz, that, as has been said, their eldest son, James Butler, the future Duke of Ormonde, was born. Thus during his great uncle, the Earl of Ormonde's life, the succession to the title was safely established, much to the Earl's satisfaction.

   "Walter of the beads and rosary," the son of the old Lord's third brother. Sir John Butler, was a striking example of the loyalty a devout Irish Catholic could exhibit in the service of the heretic Queen. During the last years of Elizabeth's reign, he had shown himself a skilful and a brave soldier, carrying with him to the grave the scars he had won in honourable warfare with the rebellious Redmond Bourke. James I. should have felt nothing but relief at the promise of steady fidelity to the crown that

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 12

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere around here, Sir Walter Butler of Kilcash became heir presumptive to the Ormonde honours and entailed estate. That was upon the death of Theobald Butler, Lord Tulleophelim, at the close of 1613. He was known as "Walter of the beads and rosary," the son of the old Lord's third brother, Sir John Butler. He was a devout Irish Catholic who served the heretic Queen Elizabeth I with striking loyalty. During the last years of Elizabeth's reign he proved himself a skilful and brave soldier, carrying to the grave the scars he won in honourable warfare with the rebellious Redmond Bourke. Sir Walter's eldest son, Thomas Butler, married Elizabeth Poyntz, daughter of John Poyntz, much to his father's wrath. Their eldest son, James Butler, the future Duke of Ormonde, was born in a house hired from the Duke of Newcastle by the latter's father, Sir Nicholas Poyntz. Thus during the Earl of Ormonde's lifetime, the succession to the title was safely established, much to the Earl's satisfaction.

9. Coleraine escapes capture during the 1641 rebellion

   near Coleraine · town · Derry · 1641

   During the 1641 Ulster rebellion, rebels quickly gained control of eight counties. Coleraine was among the handful of places that narrowly escaped capture, surviving by what the author calls a miracle, alongside Derry and a few castles.

   Read the passage

   On being interrogated, Macmahon declared "that all the posts that could be sent out " would not hinder the plot from taking effect in the north, and the events of the ensuing week proved the accuracy of his statement. At the end of that time the rebels were supreme in eight counties.^ Thirty thousand men had flocked to Sir Phelim's banner ; and it was only by a miracle that Londonderry, Coleraine, and some few castles had escaped capture.

   The subsequent depositions of the sufferers give a vivid picture of a rising, which, for suddenness and ferocity, is only comparable to the Indian Mutiny. Whatever had been the initial injustice of the Ulster plantation, in the course of a generation, mutual interests appeared to be gradually reconciling natives and settlers. English enterprise afforded employment to many, who, under the old tribal conditions, could only have been creaghts or swordsmen. English landlords were probably not harsher masters than Irish chieftains. And where marriage had not bridged the gulf between Celt and Briton, "gossipping" and "fostering" created a real bond of union and intimacy. No more abrupt transformation scene, therefore, can be imagined than that which took place throughout Ulster on the night of October the 22nd, 1641. In castle, farm, and cottage, men, women, and tender babes were suddenly dragged from bed, stripped naked and driven from their blazing homesteads by a horde of yelling savages, in whom they recognised the familiar features of those who, yesterday, were trusted friend or fosterbrother, tenant or overlord. At first, the leaders preserved some semblance of discipline, and, save in Fermanagh

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   As the companion tells it

   Coleraine is a town the road passes near, and in 1641 it stood on the edge of catastrophe. A man named Macmahon, under interrogation, declared that all the posts that could be sent out would not hinder the plot from taking effect in the north. The events of the ensuing week proved him right. The rebels were supreme in eight counties. 30000 men flocked to Sir Phelim's banner. It was only by a miracle, the author says, that Londonderry, Coleraine, and some few castles escaped capture. The subsequent depositions of the sufferers give a picture of a rising whose suddenness and ferocity the author compares only to the Indian Mutiny. Whatever the initial injustice of the Ulster plantation, in the course of a generation, mutual interests appeared to be gradually reconciling natives and settlers. English enterprise afforded employment to many who, under the old tribal conditions, could only have been creaghts or swordsmen. English landlords were probably not harsher masters than Irish chieftains. Where marriage had not bridged the gulf, gossipping and fostering created a real bond of union and intimacy. No more abrupt transformation can be imagined than that which took place throughout Ulster on the night of October the 22nd, 1641. In castle, farm, and cottage, men, women, and tender babes were suddenly dragged from bed, stripped naked, and driven from their blazing homesteads by a horde of yelling savages in whom they recognised the familiar features of those who, yesterday, were trusted friend or fosterbrother, tenant or overlord. At first, the leaders preserved some semblance of discipline, save in Fermanagh.

10. Derry escapes capture during the 1641 rebellion

    near Derry · city · Derry · 1641

    Within a week of the plot's discovery in Dublin, rebels were supreme in eight counties of Ulster, with thirty thousand men flocking to Sir Phelim's banner. Derry was one of the few places that escaped capture, described as having survived only by a miracle.

    Read the passage

    On being interrogated, Macmahon declared "that all the posts that could be sent out " would not hinder the plot from taking effect in the north, and the events of the ensuing week proved the accuracy of his statement. At the end of that time the rebels were supreme in eight counties.^ Thirty thousand men had flocked to Sir Phelim's banner ; and it was only by a miracle that Londonderry, Coleraine, and some few castles had escaped capture.

    The subsequent depositions of the sufferers give a vivid picture of a rising, which, for suddenness and ferocity, is only comparable to the Indian Mutiny. Whatever had been the initial injustice of the Ulster plantation, in the course of a generation, mutual interests appeared to be gradually reconciling natives and settlers. English enterprise afforded employment to many, who, under the old tribal conditions, could only have been creaghts or swordsmen. English landlords were probably not harsher masters than Irish chieftains. And where marriage had not bridged the gulf between Celt and Briton, "gossipping" and "fostering" created a real bond of union and intimacy. No more abrupt transformation scene, therefore, can be imagined than that which took place throughout Ulster on the night of October the 22nd, 1641. In castle, farm, and cottage, men, women, and tender babes were suddenly dragged from bed, stripped naked and driven from their blazing homesteads by a horde of yelling savages, in whom they recognised the familiar features of those who, yesterday, were trusted friend or fosterbrother, tenant or overlord. At first, the leaders preserved some semblance of discipline, and, save in Fermanagh

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 35

    As the companion tells it

    Derry was one of the few places that survived the rising of 1641. Within a week of the plot's discovery in Dublin, the rebels were supreme across eight counties of Ulster. 30,000 men had flocked to Sir Phelim's banner. Londonderry, Coleraine, and a handful of castles escaped capture, and the record says it was only by a miracle. The depositions of those who suffered give a picture of a rising whose suddenness and ferocity is compared only to the Indian Mutiny. Whatever the initial injustice of the Ulster plantation, over a generation mutual interests had seemed to be reconciling natives and settlers. English enterprise gave work to many who under old tribal conditions could only have been creaghts or swordsmen. English landlords were probably no harsher than Irish chieftains. And where marriage had not bridged the gulf between Celt and Briton, gossipping and fostering created a real bond of intimacy. No more abrupt transformation can be imagined than what took place throughout Ulster on the night of October 22, 1641. In castle, farm, and cottage, men, women, and tender babes were suddenly dragged from bed, stripped naked, and driven from their blazing homesteads by a horde of yelling savages, in whom they recognised the familiar faces of those who yesterday were trusted friend or fosterbrother, tenant or overlord. At first the leaders kept some semblance of discipline, save in Fermanagh.

11. Cloyne bishopric reduced to five marks, 'episcopus quinque marcarum'

    Cloyne · town · Cork

    The Bishopric of Cloyne was reduced to five marks a year, and its occupant became known as 'episcopus quinque marcarum,' reflecting the devastation wrought by prelatic cupidity in the Elizabethan and Jacobean period.

    Read the passage

    Davies confirms the Spaniard's dreary tale. When he conducted the survey in Ulster, he was struck alike by the miserable stipends of the vicarages,- and the ruinous state of the churches, " such as were presented to be in reparation, being covered only with thatch," whilst the degradation of the incumbents, "such poor ragged creatures as we could not esteem any of them worthy of the meanest of those livings, albeit many of them are not worth above 40s. per annum," was in keeping with the scene of desolation. The mingled apathy and greed of the Bishops did not hold out much prospect of amendment. Indeed, the cupidity of the prelates of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period may be said to have completed the work of spoliation. In the shape of free farms and long leases at nominal rents, the revenue of their successors was granted away by these harpies. Aghadoe might still be counted rich at £60 per annum. But the See of Ardfert was mulcted of all but £\, is. 8d. ; and in Cloyne — reduced to five marks a year — the occupant of the Bishopric was known as "episcopus quinque marcarum." ^

    It is to James I.'s credit that he was anxious to provide a living wage for the clergy of Ulster. Wherever it could be proved that the lands had been ecclesiastical property,

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    As the companion tells it

    Cloyne, in Cork, gives its name to a bishopric that was stripped nearly bare. In the Elizabethan and Jacobean period, the cupidity of the prelates may be said to have completed the work of spoliation. They granted away the revenue of their successors in free farms and long leases at nominal rents. Davies, who conducted the survey, found the churches ruinous, covered only with thatch, and the incumbents degraded. He described them as "such poor ragged creatures as we could not esteem any of them worthy of the meanest of those livings," many worth not above 40s. per annum. The mingled apathy and greed of the bishops held out little prospect of amendment. Aghadoe might still be counted rich at 60 per annum, and the See of Ardfert was mulcted of all but 1, 1s. 8d. But in Cloyne the bishopric was reduced to five marks a year, and the occupant became known as episcopus quinque marcarum, the bishop of five marks. It is to James I's credit that he was anxious to provide a living wage for the clergy of Ulster, wherever it could be proved that the lands had been ecclesiastical property.

12. Conference summoned at Drogheda with Confederate Catholics

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1643

    On February 3rd, Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners summoned the Confederate Catholics to a peace conference at Drogheda. The invitation was met with a slighting reply, partly because Ormonde requested that negotiations be entrusted exclusively to laymen.

    Read the passage

    On February the 3rd, Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners summoned the Confederate Catholics to a conference at Drogheda. The invitation was not received at Kilkenny with the enthusiasm which might have been anticipated from their former attitude. In fact, the military position of the insurgents had greatly improved since the meeting of the General Assembly. As Ormonde had foretold, arms and discipline were rapidly transforming the raw levies into a formidable force. During January, Birr, Bannogher, and Fort F'alkland surrendered to Preston and Castlehaven ; and the scrupulous observance of the terms of capitulation enforced by the two generals did more perhaps for the Irish cause than their victories. The Confederates, however, did not base their slighting reply to Ormonde on strategical considerations. Imbued as he was with a well-founded distrust of the Roman Catholic priesthood, Ormonde had requested that the negotiations might be exclusively entrusted to laymen. This stipulation, which the Assembly declared limited their choice of agents, caused as many complaints as the proposed rendezvous. But the chief offence lay in the wording of the Justices' safe conduct. The recusants were transported with indignation at being designated as " actors and abettors " in an odious rebellion.

    ' Carte, vol. v. p. 445. King's commission to Ormonde, 23rd April 1643-

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 39

    As the companion tells it

    Drogheda is the town the road passes through or near, and in February 1643 it was where Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners summoned the Confederate Catholics to a conference. The invitation was not received at Kilkenny with the enthusiasm that might have been expected from their former attitude. The military position of the insurgents had greatly improved since the meeting of the General Assembly. As Ormonde had foretold, arms and discipline were rapidly transforming the raw levies into a formidable force. During January, Birr, Bannogher, and Fort Falkland surrendered to Preston and Castlehaven, and the scrupulous observance of the terms of capitulation enforced by the two generals did more perhaps for the Irish cause than their victories. The Confederates did not base their slighting reply to Ormonde on strategical considerations. Ormonde, with a well-founded distrust of the Roman Catholic priesthood, had requested that the negotiations be exclusively entrusted to laymen. The Assembly declared this stipulation limited their choice of agents, and it caused as many complaints as the proposed rendezvous. But the chief offence lay in the wording of the Justices' safe conduct. The recusants were transported with indignation at being designated as, in the source's words, actors and abettors in an odious rebellion.

13. Dublin as military objective of Ormonde's expedition

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1650

    Ormonde defended his expedition as driven by the necessity of attempting Dublin and surrounding areas before they could receive supplies from England. He acknowledged the expedition was meanly provided but argued the strategic urgency justified the risk.

    Read the passage

    " If we are to be blamed," he continues, " it is for undertaking an Expedition so meanly provided, and which we can only answer by the necessity of attempting Dublin and those parts, before they could receive supplies out of England."

    In the strange catalogue of calumnies indited by the Prelates, some were so ridiculous that they might well have been ignored,^ but Ormonde probably thought it wiser not to leave a loophole for slander.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin was the military objective of Ormonde's expedition in 1650. He acknowledged the expedition was meanly provided, but defended it by necessity. In his own words, the blame lay in "undertaking an Expedition so meanly provided, and which we can only answer by the necessity of attempting Dublin and those parts, before they could receive supplies out of England." Prelates later leveled calumnies against him, some so ridiculous they might have been ignored.

14. Feast at Maddistone after the Battle of Kilrush

    Kilrush · town · Clare · 1642

    After the engagement of Kilrush, Lord Castlehaven entertained the victorious General at his house of Maddistone, close to the battlefield. He prepared a dinner with cooks, wine, and guests including the Duchess of Buckingham and the Marquis of Antrim.

    Read the passage

    This is an anticipation of events ; and, meanwhile, the Justices did not confine themselves to planning fresh legislation against Catholics. The great majority of Papists who could afford to leave the capital, or could reconcile it to their consciences to live within the rebel quarters, had already quitted Dublin, though a small remnant, amongst whom Lord Castlehaven and Sir Andrew Aylmer, a brother-in-law of Ormonde, were the most conspicuous, had hitherto preferred the tender mercies of their rulers. During Ormonde's expedition to Athlone both these gentlemen reaped the reward of their loyalty, being suddenly arraigned before the King's Bench and remanded to prison. In his "Memoirs,"^ Castlehaven has left on record the accusations considered sufficient to indict a landowner of high treason. After the engagement of Kilrush, he had entertained the victorious General at his house of Maddistone, which was close to the battlefield.

    " Having," he says, " two or three cooks, a good barndoor and plenty of wines (for besides my own family I had with me the Duchess of Buckingham, the Marquis

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Kilrush was the site of an engagement in 1642, and the story of what followed comes from the memoirs of Lord Castlehaven. After the battle, he entertained the victorious General at his house of Maddistone, close to the battlefield. In his own words, Castlehaven describes the preparations: "Having two or three cooks, a good barndoor and plenty of wines," he says, "for besides my own family I had with me the Duchess of Buckingham, the Marquis of Antrim." This feast was not the reason Castlehaven fell into trouble, but it became part of the record used against him. He and Sir Andrew Aylmer, a brother-in-law of Ormonde, had stayed in Dublin when most Catholics who could afford to leave had already quit the capital. During Ormonde's expedition to Athlone, both men were suddenly arraigned before the King's Bench and remanded to prison. In his memoirs, Castlehaven left on record the accusations considered sufficient to indict a landowner of high treason, and the dinner at Maddistone was among them.

15. Gracedieu as training place for Englishry women

    Gracedieu · townland · Dublin

    At the time of the monastic system in Ireland, the women of the Englishry received their education and training at Gracedieu. The institution was significant enough that at the dissolution of the monasteries the Deputy pleaded the cause of such institutions as being 'of the commonweal of this land.'

    Read the passage

    education of the young was not confined to the fostering system it was entrusted to the regulars. In Dublin, Kildare, and Kilkenny six abbeys wefe devoted to this purpose, whilst " the womankind of the whole Englishry " received their training at Gracedieu. In fact, at the dissolution of the monasteries the Deputy pleaded the cause of these institutions as that " of the commonweal of this land."

    Both in position and revenues, the secular clergy of Ireland were inferior to their regular brethren. Most of the livings were in the gift of the religious houses, who usually appointed some ill-paid curate to mumble the offices in a parish Church, often as dilapidated and miserable as its despised minister. If, however, the deplorable condition of pastors and sacred edifices was, in a measure, to be referred to the parsimony of the regular houses, it must be admitted that the friars, and the friars alone, saved the " meer Irish " from lapsing into heathendom.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 21

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here is Gracedieu, a place once given to the education and training of women. In the time of the monastic system in Ireland, the schooling of the young was not confined to the fostering system. It was entrusted to the regulars. In Dublin, Kildare, and Kilkenny, six abbeys were devoted to this purpose. The womankind of the whole Englishry received their training at Gracedieu. The institution mattered enough that at the dissolution of the monasteries, the Deputy pleaded the cause of these institutions as being of the commonweal of this land. He used those words, as the record has it, calling them of the commonweal of this land. So Gracedieu was not a small or forgotten house. It stood among the abbeys that taught the young, and its loss was felt as a loss to the country itself.

16. Inchiquin expels Catholic householders from Kinsale

    Kinsale · town · Cork · 1644

    In July 1644, Lord Inchiquin switched to Parliament's side and expelled all Roman Catholic householders from Kinsale, seizing their goods. This was part of a coordinated expulsion across Cork, Youghal, and Kinsale.

    Read the passage

    bearer, Sir Brian O'Neill, as a person "of small esteeme and not att all gracious to the English. A man with whom I dare not otherwise deale than at the stave's end."^ Since Charles's agents were frequently entrusted with secret negotiations mfinitely more delicate than their ostensible missions, Ormonde had some reason for vexation. Recently, however, the King had committed an error of judgment, which dwarfed all others. It is no exaggeration to say that Lord Inchiquin's abilities, joined to his large following, made him the most important personage on the English side in the south of Ireland. Without the title, he wielded the authority and influence of the President of Munster, and Charles owed a large number of recruits, lately shipped from that province, to his exertions. In the course of the spring, he arrived at Oxford, warmly recommended by Ormonde, and confident that he would at once be promoted to the office of President of Munster. Unluckily, Murough O'Brien had enemies at court ; and Charles, who had given away the post to the Earl of Portland, refused to cancel the appointment in the Irishman's favour.^ " As full of anger as his buttons would endure," Inchiquin returned to Ireland. His evident discontent alarmed Ormonde, who did all in his power to pacify him, but without success. The announcement of Lord Portland's arrival in Munster set the seal on his resolve. Inchiquin was determined to receive no orders from the new President, and in July he transferred his services to the Parliament. By way of celebrating his secession and under the pretext that they were plotting the betrayal of his garrisons, he expelled all Roman Catholic householders from Cork, Youghall, and Kinsale and seized their goods. Parliament naturally welcomed so useful an ally. His example was shortly imitated by Lord Esmond, the Governor of Duncannon, both noblemen declaring war on the Irish and causinp^ their troops to adopt the Covenant. Thus, at a crisis

    * Carte, vol. vi. p. 179. Ormonde to Digby, 22nd July 1644. " Ideni^ p. 38. Arthur Trevor to Ormonde, Oxford, 19th February 1643.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    Kinsale is the town you are passing now. In July 1644, every Roman Catholic householder here was expelled and their goods seized, on the orders of Lord Inchiquin. Inchiquin was Murrough O'Brien, and by his abilities and his large following, he was the most important figure on the English side in the south of Ireland. He wielded the authority of the President of Munster without holding the title. Charles owed him a great number of recruits shipped from that province. In the spring, Inchiquin arrived at Oxford, warmly recommended by Ormonde, confident he would at once be promoted to the office of President of Munster. But Murrough O'Brien had enemies at court. Charles had already given the post to the Earl of Portland, and he refused to cancel the appointment in the Irishman's favour. Inchiquin returned to Ireland, in the words of the source, "as full of anger as his buttons would endure." Ormonde did all in his power to pacify him, but without success. The announcement of Lord Portland's arrival in Munster set the seal on his resolve. Inchiquin was determined to receive no orders from the new President. In July 1644, he transferred his services to the Parliament. By way of celebrating his secession, and under the pretext that they were plotting the betrayal of his garrisons, he expelled all Roman Catholic householders from Cork, Youghal, and Kinsale, and seized their goods. Parliament welcomed so useful an ally. His example was shortly imitated by Lord Esmond, the Governor of Duncannon, who also declared war on the Irish and caused his troops to adopt the Covenant.

17. Ormonde marches army out of Dublin toward Ross

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1643

    After weeks of obstacles placed by the Justices, Ormonde finally marched out of Dublin in early March 1643 at the head of two thousand five hundred foot, five hundred horse, and a small train of artillery, bound for the south.

    Read the passage

    Lieutenant - General, at the head of two thousand five hundred foot, five hundred horse, and a small train of artillery was enabled to march out of Dublin,

    Ormonde spent the first week of the campaign in

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 40

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, in March 1643. After weeks of obstacles placed by the Justices, Ormonde marched out as Lieutenant-General at the head of 2500 foot, 500 horse, and a small train of artillery, bound for Ross and the south. He spent the first week of the campaign in the field before him.

18. Ormonde orders troops to hold Drogheda

    Drogheda · town · Louth · 1649

    Following the defeat at Rathmines and the panic of his troops, Ormonde ordered Dillon's force northwards to defend Drogheda against Jones. The troops lacked money, victuals, and morale.

    Read the passage

    stand with Dillon's troops, but the evidences of panic he encountered on his twelve miles ride forced him to relinquish the scheme.^ As he could not induce the fugitives " soe much as to looke backward," he could but entertain scant hopes of the others, " having neither money nor victuall or anything but danger and hard duty to content them." He therefore ordered Dillon's force northwards to hold Drogheda and Trim, if necessary, against Jones.

    Thus ended the eventful day of Rathmines, which has sometimes been held to cancel Ormonde's claims to generalship. Where issues so great were at stake, it must be admitted that a commander, such as Cromwell, for instance, would not have permitted himself to take anything for granted. It is incredible that however swiftly he had advanced Jones would have caught Oliver unawares. Yet that wonderful genius might have been baffled by the Marquis's sorry tools, " new raised men, under expertless officers, accompanied by a general want of all things."' The situation is perhaps best summed up by a Roman Catholic historian who cannot be suspected of partiality to Ormonde.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 56

    As the companion tells it

    Drogheda is a town the road passes through. In 1649, after the defeat at Rathmines, Ormonde rode twelve miles and found his troops in panic. He could not induce the fugitives, as the record puts it, "soe much as to looke backward." The men he still had gave him scant hope, having, in his own words, "neither money nor victuall or anything but danger and hard duty to content them." He ordered Dillon's force northwards to hold Drogheda and Trim against Jones, if necessary. The day of Rathmines ended thus, a day that has sometimes been held to cancel Ormonde's claims to generalship. A commander such as Cromwell would not have permitted himself to take anything for granted. It is incredible that Jones, however swiftly he had advanced, would have caught Oliver unawares. Yet even that genius might have been baffled by Ormonde's sorry tools, described as "new raised men, under expertless officers, accompanied by a general want of all things."

19. Ormonde orders troops to hold Trim

    Trim · town · Meath · 1649

    After the rout at Rathmines, Ormonde directed Dillon's force to secure Trim against the approach of Jones's army. The troops were described as having neither money nor victuals and suffering from panic.

    Read the passage

    stand with Dillon's troops, but the evidences of panic he encountered on his twelve miles ride forced him to relinquish the scheme.^ As he could not induce the fugitives " soe much as to looke backward," he could but entertain scant hopes of the others, " having neither money nor victuall or anything but danger and hard duty to content them." He therefore ordered Dillon's force northwards to hold Drogheda and Trim, if necessary, against Jones.

    Thus ended the eventful day of Rathmines, which has sometimes been held to cancel Ormonde's claims to generalship. Where issues so great were at stake, it must be admitted that a commander, such as Cromwell, for instance, would not have permitted himself to take anything for granted. It is incredible that however swiftly he had advanced Jones would have caught Oliver unawares. Yet that wonderful genius might have been baffled by the Marquis's sorry tools, " new raised men, under expertless officers, accompanied by a general want of all things."' The situation is perhaps best summed up by a Roman Catholic historian who cannot be suspected of partiality to Ormonde.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 56

    As the companion tells it

    Trim is the town the road passes through or near, and in 1649 it became a post Ormonde needed held. After the rout at Rathmines, he rode twelve miles to stand with Dillon's troops, but the panic he met along the way forced him to give up the plan. He could not get the fugitives, as he put it, soe much as to looke backward. He had scant hopes for the rest, having neither money nor victuall or anything but danger and hard duty to content them. So he ordered Dillon's force northwards to hold Drogheda and Trim, if necessary, against Jones. The day of Rathmines has sometimes been held to cancel Ormonde's claims to generalship. A commander such as Cromwell would not have taken anything for granted, and it is incredible that Jones would have caught Oliver unawares however swiftly he advanced. Yet that genius might have been baffled by the Marquis's sorry tools, new raised men under expertless officers, accompanied by a general want of all things.

20. Ormonde's foot soldiers stationed at Gowran

    Gowran · town · Kilkenny · 1646

    Ormonde's small force was weakened by dispersal: the foot was stationed at Gowran under Sir Francis Willoughby, while the horse was stationed nearer Kilkenny. Willoughby acted with extraordinary promptitude on receiving Ormonde's summons.

    Read the passage

    Ormonde's force was not only small, but was also weakened by its dispersal. The foot was stationed at Gowran, under Sir Francis Willoughby, the horse nearer Kilkenny. It was evident that not an hour should be lost in crossing the Barrow and the Liffey, if the little band meant to see Dublin again, and it was well that Willoughby understood his business. On the receipt of Ormonde's summons, he acted with extraordinary promptitude, requisitioning every cart-horse in the neighbourhood for

    ^ Carte, vol. vi. p. 432. Ormonde to Clanricarde, Dublin, 23rd September 1646.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    Gowran holds a piece of 1646. Ormonde's force was small and weakened by dispersal. The foot was stationed here, under Sir Francis Willoughby, the horse nearer Kilkenny. Not an hour should be lost in crossing the Barrow and the Liffey, if the little band meant to see Dublin again. Willoughby understood his business. On the receipt of Ormonde's summons, he acted with extraordinary promptitude, requisitioning every cart-horse in the neighbourhood.

21. Ormonde's impoverishment during imprisonment in Leix

    Laois · county · Laois

    During his imprisonment in Leix, Ormonde was reduced to severe straits, reflecting the widespread famine and deprivation caused by the Tudor military campaigns in Ireland. The text references this episode as an example of the extreme hunger that even great nobles endured during wartime.

    Read the passage

    But, as the campaign wore on, neither oatcake nor even putrid horseflesh were available. The straits to which Ormonde was reduced during his imprisonment in Leix will be remembered. About the same time, a certain Bohemian baron, bent on interviewing Tyrone, had an equally disagreeable experience, for during the eight days he journeyed through the north before he reached the Earl's headquarters, he was unable to procure so much as a single oatcake.^

    ' Fynes Morrison, "Itinerary," Part III. p. 162. ^ idem, p. 163.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 17

    As the companion tells it

    As the road passes through Laois, it is worth recalling what happened here during the Tudor wars. Ormonde was held prisoner in Leix, and as the campaign wore on, neither oatcake nor even putrid horseflesh were available. The straits to which he was reduced were remembered as an example of the extreme hunger even great nobles endured. About the same time, a Bohemian baron, bent on interviewing Tyrone, journeyed eight days through the north and was unable to procure so much as a single oatcake.

22. Royal Commission sent to Kilkenny for Confederates' inspection

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1643

    During peace negotiations between Royal commissioners and the Irish Catholic Confederates, Ormonde and his colleagues sent a copy of the Royal Commission to Kilkenny, the seat of the Confederates' Supreme Council, to facilitate agreement.

    Read the passage

    Had Parsons instead of Ormonde been in charge of the treaty, it would have been brought to an abrupt termination by this epistle. On both sides, however, moderate men were now striving to compass an agreement. Ormonde and his colleagues poured oil on the troubled waters, sending a copy of the Royal Commission to Kilkenny for the Confederates' inspection, and waiving the question of Drogheda as a meeting place. On his part, Lord Castlehaven used every argument to foster a less unyielding frame of mind in the Supreme Council. His efforts were blessed with success. The Supreme Council, though still ruffled by the aspersions cast on its loyalty, despatched a deputation of laymen to Trim to make a full exposition of grievances to the King's representatives.

    Meanwhile the Justices, who had hitherto rejected Ormonde's suggestions for attacking Ross and Wexford, veered round and resolved to send an expedition to the south. The Christian desire of putting an end to the Peace Conference, and the necessity of providing for their starving soldiery at the enemy's expense, were probably the underlying motives of this sudden change of front. If the command had been entrusted to Lord Lisle, Reynolds and Goodwin would have found the funds. But Ormonde would not allow a considerable body of troops to take the field except under his orders. As the event proved, he was justified in his distrust of Lord Lisle, but from the hour when he made this declaration every obstacle was thrown in the way of his preparations, and it was not till the beginning of March that the

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 40

    As the companion tells it

    In 1643, Kilkenny was the seat of the Confederate Supreme Council, and the road takes you through a city that stood at the centre of peace negotiations between the King's representatives and the Irish Catholic Confederates. Had Parsons rather than Ormonde been in charge of the treaty, the whole thing would have been brought to an abrupt end by a single letter. But moderate men on both sides were now striving to reach an agreement. Ormonde and his colleagues poured oil on troubled waters. They sent a copy of the Royal Commission to Kilkenny for the Confederates' inspection, and they waived the question of Drogheda as a meeting place. Lord Castlehaven, for his part, used every argument to foster a less unyielding frame of mind in the Supreme Council. His efforts met with success. The Supreme Council, though still ruffled by the aspersions cast on its loyalty, despatched a deputation of laymen to Trim to make a full exposition of grievances to the King's representatives. Meanwhile, the Justices, who had hitherto rejected Ormonde's suggestions for attacking Ross and Wexford, veered round and resolved to send an expedition to the south. The desire to put an end to the Peace Conference, and the need to provide for their starving soldiery at the enemy's expense, were probably the underlying motives. If the command had gone to Lord Lisle, Reynolds and Goodwin would have found the funds. But Ormonde would not allow a considerable body of troops to take the field except under his orders. He was justified in distrusting Lord Lisle, but from the hour he made this declaration, every obstacle was thrown in his way, and it was not till the beginning of March that things moved forward.

23. Royal fleet blockaded in Kinsale by Parliamentary squadron

    Kinsale · town · Cork · 1649

    Cromwell's planned landing at Cork threatened not only chief harbours and towns in Munster but also the royal fleet, which was blockaded in Kinsale by the Parliamentary Squadron. This prompted the decision to send Inchiquin marching southwards with guards and regiments.

    Read the passage

    With the English regiments came the intelligence that Cromwell had elected to make for Cork ; for having secured the co-operation of Lord Broghill he could count on a warm welcome in Munster, where the name of Boyle carried great weight with all English settlers. Cromwell's landing would have threatened not only the chief harbours and towns in that district, but the royal fleet blocked up in Kinsale by the Parliamentary Squadron. And since the province was entirely denuded of troops capable of offering resistance, it was decided that Inchiquin, with his guards and a couple of regiments, should instantly march southwards.

    Had Ormonde followed his own inspiration he would not have hazarded an engagement, immediately on losing Inchiquin's support.^ At all times he set too much store by the opinions of other men, but on this occasion he was, also, quite legitimately influenced by the knowledge that a retreat on Drogheda or Dundalk would prove

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 56

    As the companion tells it

    Kinsale, in Cork, is the town where a royal fleet sat trapped in 1649. Cromwell had elected to make for Cork, counting on Lord Broghill's cooperation and the weight the name of Boyle carried with English settlers in Munster. His landing would have threatened the chief harbours and towns in that district, and the royal fleet, already blocked up in Kinsale by the Parliamentary Squadron. The province was entirely denuded of troops capable of offering resistance, so it was decided that Inchiquin, with his guards and a couple of regiments, should instantly march southwards. Had Ormonde followed his own inspiration, he would not have hazarded an engagement immediately on losing Inchiquin's support. He set too much store by the opinions of other men, but on this occasion he was also quite legitimately influenced by the knowledge that a retreat on Drogheda or Dundalk would prove its own kind of danger.

24. Wentworth's visit to Kilkenny and its burgesses

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1637

    When Wentworth visited Kilkenny, the burgesses greeted him with oratory and poetry that he found tiresome, as the speakers told him what he should be rather than what he was. He preferred the company and charms of the Butler ladies at the Castle.

    Read the passage

    It is amusing to note that the reception Wentworth met with from the burgesses of the little city, when he visited Kilkenny, was evidently less to his taste than Ormonde's Castle. He could have dispensed with " the force of oratory, and fury of poetry," which greeted him, especially as the speakers " rather taught me what I should be, than what I am." Happily Ormonde's family redeemed the situation. Amongst the " news fit and reasonable for ladies," ^ wherewith he gratifies his absent wife, he marks with satisfaction that

    " my lady of Ormonde is not so inclined to be fat as we thought her in Dublin . . . my lady, sister to Castlehaven, if she be not the handsomest of the company her ladyship is much mistaken ; yet be it spoken to you in private

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 31

    As the companion tells it

    In 1637, when Wentworth visited Kilkenny, the burgesses of the city welcomed him with speeches and verses he could have done without. He said they greeted him with what he called the force of oratory and the fury of poetry, and that the speakers rather taught him what he should be than what he was. The castle suited him better. Ormonde's family redeemed the situation. Writing to his absent wife, he noted with satisfaction that my lady of Ormonde is not so inclined to be fat as we thought her in Dublin. He added that my lady, sister to Castlehaven, if she be not the handsomest of the company, her ladyship is much mistaken.

25. Broghill relieves Youghal from Confederate forces

    Youghal · town · Cork · 1645

    In September 1645, Lord Broghill contrived to relieve Youghal, after which Castlehaven and his force dispersed. The town had been under threat during Castlehaven's campaign of wasting the countryside around Cork.

    Read the passage

    In the beginning of April, Inchiquin's truce with the Confederates expired, but he was unable to take the field, and, entrenched behind the walls of Cork, had to look on while Castlehaven wasted the surrounding country and burned the English harvests. This state of affairs lasted until September, when Lord Broghill contrived to relieve Youghal, and Castlehaven and his force dispersed. Hitherto, Connaught had been spared the worst horrors of civil strife. The inhabitants, it is true, had suffered from Scottish raids, but these were sporadic, and not, as elsewhere, chronic evils ; and, if the Confederates had accepted Ormonde's proposal to undertake the defence of the province, they could have been ended. It was not long before the Supreme Council regretted their refusal of his offer. In the autumn, the long-rumoured union between the English and Scottish forces in the north became an accomplished fact. The alliance seemed at first likely to advance the royal cause, but the alarm it created in England roused the Parliament to fresh

    ' Carte, vol. iii. p. 93.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 45

    As the companion tells it

    Youghal is a town the road passes through, and in 1645 it stood under threat. That April, Inchiquin's truce with the Confederates expired, but he was unable to take the field. He stayed entrenched behind the walls of Cork and could only watch while Castlehaven wasted the surrounding country and burned the English harvests. This went on for months. The countryside around Cork was stripped and burned, and Youghal, like the rest, sat in the path of that destruction. Then in September, Lord Broghill contrived to relieve the town. After that, Castlehaven and his force dispersed. The threat lifted, but the damage to the country around Cork had already been done. What the harvests and the land had suffered could not be undone by the relief of a single town, however welcome that relief was. The road you are on runs through a place that was, for those months, near the edge of a campaign that burned fields and left garrisons watching from behind walls.

26. Catholics flee Dublin under penal pressure

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1642

    The great majority of Papists who could afford to leave Dublin or could reconcile living in rebel quarters had already quitted the capital. A small remnant including Lord Castlehaven and Sir Andrew Aylmer remained, preferring the tender mercies of their rulers.

    Read the passage

    This is an anticipation of events ; and, meanwhile, the Justices did not confine themselves to planning fresh legislation against Catholics. The great majority of Papists who could afford to leave the capital, or could reconcile it to their consciences to live within the rebel quarters, had already quitted Dublin, though a small remnant, amongst whom Lord Castlehaven and Sir Andrew Aylmer, a brother-in-law of Ormonde, were the most conspicuous, had hitherto preferred the tender mercies of their rulers. During Ormonde's expedition to Athlone both these gentlemen reaped the reward of their loyalty, being suddenly arraigned before the King's Bench and remanded to prison. In his "Memoirs,"^ Castlehaven has left on record the accusations considered sufficient to indict a landowner of high treason. After the engagement of Kilrush, he had entertained the victorious General at his house of Maddistone, which was close to the battlefield.

    " Having," he says, " two or three cooks, a good barndoor and plenty of wines (for besides my own family I had with me the Duchess of Buckingham, the Marquis

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    In 1642, Dublin saw most of its Catholic population slip away. The Justices were not merely planning new laws against them. The great majority of those who could afford to leave the capital, or who could reconcile living among the rebel quarters, had already quitted the city. A small remnant stayed behind. Among them were Lord Castlehaven and Sir Andrew Aylmer, a brother-in-law of Ormonde. They had preferred, as the source says, "the tender mercies of their rulers." Their loyalty brought them little reward. During Ormonde's expedition to Athlone, both men were suddenly arraigned before the King's Bench and sent to prison. Castlehaven later set down the accusations sufficient to indict a landowner of high treason. After the engagement of Kilrush, he had entertained the victorious general at his house of Maddistone, close to the battlefield. He wrote that he had "two or three cooks, a good barndoor and plenty of wines," and besides his own family he had with him the Duchess of Buckingham and the Marquis.

27. Clonmacnoise stripped by gallowglasses, in decay and destitution

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly

    At Clonmacnoise, only one vestment had survived the depredations of the gallowglasses, and decay and destitution equally prevailed. This was reported alongside the general ruin of Irish sacred fabrics in pre-Reformation times.

    Read the passage

    It must be owned that the vicarages and churches, which these clerical emigrants were invited to occupy, presented a sad contrast to those of the mother country. Already, in pre-Reformation times, the ruinous state of the sacred fabrics had formed the subject of a sensational report to Leo X. The magnificent Medicean Pontiff must have learnt with amazement that Armagh Cathedral was destitute of sacristy, bell, belfry and vestments, whilst within the roofless walls a single weather-beaten altar alone remained, where, at rare intervals, Mass was said.^ At Clonmacnoise, save that one vestment had survived the depredations of the gallowglasses, decay and destitution equally prevailed. In the capital itself, the crozier of the cathedral had been in pawn for eighty years. If this was the case in the principal cathedral, the condition of rural churches and chapels can be imagined. With the dissolution of the monasteries, the main source of religious ministrations was yet further arrested. As in England, the piety of the past was diverted to enrich great landlords and chieftains. Such donations, it is true, were accompanied by well-defined obligations. But, practically, these saving clauses were disregarded. The abbeys and churches proved convenient quarries of material for the township or individual who acquired them.'^ Schools and universities did not rise on the site of chauntry and cloister. Most grievous of all, no charge on the estates provided for the maintenance of a resident clergy, in place of the dispossessed monks ; and it was estimated that between one-third and one-fourth of the parishes were altogether deprived of the consolations of religion.

    The ceaseless warfare, which, throughout the reign of

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 23

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Clonmacnoise, a great monastery once stood that had already fallen into ruin long before the Reformation reached Ireland. A report went to Pope Leo the Tenth in Rome describing the wretched condition of the churches across the country. Armagh Cathedral itself had no sacristy, no bell, no belfry, and no vestments. Only a single weather-beaten altar remained inside the roofless walls, and Mass was said there at rare intervals. At Clonmacnoise, the gallowglasses had stripped the place so thoroughly that only one vestment survived. Decay and destitution prevailed equally. Even in the capital, the cathedral's crozier had been in pawn for 80 years. If the principal cathedral was in such a state, the rural churches and chapels were worse. When the monasteries were dissolved, the main source of religious ministrations was further arrested. As in England, the piety of the past was diverted to enrich great landlords and chieftains. Such donations came with well-defined obligations, but in practice these saving clauses were disregarded. The abbeys and churches proved convenient quarries of building material for whoever acquired them. Schools and universities did not rise on the site of chantry and cloister. No charge on the estates provided for the maintenance of a resident clergy in place of the dispossessed monks. It was estimated that between one-third and one-fourth of the parishes were altogether deprived of the consolations of religion.

28. Dublin as the King's principal city to be defended

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1641

    Ormonde reported that due to the want of arms and money on the English side, he and his men could only devote their energies to saving Dublin and Drogheda, unable to assist fellow countrymen elsewhere. Dublin was described as His Majesty's principal city.

    Read the passage

    A MONTH elapsed before Ormonde answered the King's letter of October — and when he did write, the news he sent was far from reassuring. His profession of service and " most humbill thankis " would sooner have been cast at the King's feet, he said, but that he had hoped, at the same time, to furnish an estimate of the rebel strength and the chances of reducing them to obedience.^ Owing, either to the friendships, or the fears the rebels inspired, it was difficult to obtain accurate intelligence; although it was certain that they were numerous, if, for the most part, meanly armed, their weapons showing them to be rather a " toumoultary rable than anei thing leyk an armie." Yet such, said Ormonde, was the want of arms and money on the English side, that he and his men had to look on at the miseries of their fellow countrymen, without any possibility of lending them assistance, being forced to devote their energies to save " His Majesty's principal city Dublin, and another called Drochedach some 20 meylies hens." " Drochedach," i.e. Drogheda, was, he continued, beleagured by at least four thousand or five thousand rebels and daily threatened with assault. But the town was well furnished with stores and commanded, moreover,

    " by a verei gallant gentilman cald Sir Henry Tichbourn, thatt I ame confidentt will give a verei good account of the toune, or leiv his bonis in itt. Upon Saterday last wei sent thither to his succour 600 foote and 500 horse who as wee understand laett last nichtt, waer incounterid by 1,500 of the enemie. The foutt were for the most paerte of thos ingleishe thatt had been pilladgid by them

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 36

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin was the city Ormonde called His Majesty's principal city, and in the months of upheaval he could do little beyond trying to hold it. A month passed before he answered the King's letter of October. He had hoped to send with his reply an estimate of rebel strength, but accurate intelligence was hard to come by, owing to the friendships or fears the rebels inspired. What was certain was that they were numerous, though mostly meanly armed, showing themselves to be, in his words, "a toumoultary rable than anei thing leyk an armie." Yet such was the want of arms and money on the English side that he and his men had to look on at the miseries of their fellow countrymen without any possibility of assistance. They were forced to devote their energies to saving the city and another town called Drogheda. Drogheda was beleaguered by at least 4,000 or 5,000 rebels and daily threatened with assault. But the town was well furnished with stores and commanded by, in his words, "a verei gallant gentilman cald Sir Henry Tichbourn, thatt I ame confidentt will give a verei good account of the toune, or leiv his bonis in itt." On the Saturday before, Ormonde had sent 600 foot and 500 horse to its succour. By the last night, they understood those forces had been encountered by 1,500 of the enemy. The foot were for the most part those English who had been pillaged by them.

29. General Assembly planned for Kilkenny, January 1647

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1646–1647

    Ormonde delayed renewing his applications to Westminster partly because the General Assembly was to meet in January in Kilkenny, and it was just possible the Irish laity might then mitigate the Nuncio's crude despotism. Ormonde had previously gone to Kilkenny trusting Preston, but the deception still rankled in his honourable soul.

    Read the passage

    After this convincing proof of the frailty of Irish pledges, it may well be asked why Ormonde waited until the beginning of February to renew his applications to Westminster. For unsatisfactory as were the terms conceded by Parliament, they yet offered a prospect of fulfilment. It appears, however, that Ormonde wished to leave time for two eventualities. The General Assembly was to meet in January in Kilkenny, and it was just possible that the Irish laity might then mitigate the Nuncio's crude despotism. There also remained the chance that Lord Digby, who had sailed for France in December, might obtain fresh subsidies from Mazarin, or directions bearing

    ^ Carte, vol. iii. p. 287.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny was where the General Assembly was set to meet in January 1647. Ormonde had reason to wait for it. He delayed renewing his applications to Westminster into February because he wished to leave time for two things. The Assembly in Kilkenny might see the Irish laity mitigate what the book calls the Nuncio's crude despotism. There was also the chance that Lord Digby, who sailed for France in December, might bring back fresh subsidies from Mazarin, or new directions. Ormonde had gone to Kilkenny before, trusting Preston, and that deception still rankled in his honourable soul. Yet he waited, because the terms from Parliament, unsatisfactory as they were, still offered some prospect of fulfilment.

30. Lord Esmond's defection at Duncannon

    Duncannon · town · Wexford · 1644

    Lord Esmond, Governor of Duncannon, followed Inchiquin's example by defecting to Parliament, declaring war on the Irish and causing his troops to adopt the Covenant. This defection hampered Ormonde's efforts to maintain a united Protestant front.

    Read the passage

    bearer, Sir Brian O'Neill, as a person "of small esteeme and not att all gracious to the English. A man with whom I dare not otherwise deale than at the stave's end."^ Since Charles's agents were frequently entrusted with secret negotiations mfinitely more delicate than their ostensible missions, Ormonde had some reason for vexation. Recently, however, the King had committed an error of judgment, which dwarfed all others. It is no exaggeration to say that Lord Inchiquin's abilities, joined to his large following, made him the most important personage on the English side in the south of Ireland. Without the title, he wielded the authority and influence of the President of Munster, and Charles owed a large number of recruits, lately shipped from that province, to his exertions. In the course of the spring, he arrived at Oxford, warmly recommended by Ormonde, and confident that he would at once be promoted to the office of President of Munster. Unluckily, Murough O'Brien had enemies at court ; and Charles, who had given away the post to the Earl of Portland, refused to cancel the appointment in the Irishman's favour.^ " As full of anger as his buttons would endure," Inchiquin returned to Ireland. His evident discontent alarmed Ormonde, who did all in his power to pacify him, but without success. The announcement of Lord Portland's arrival in Munster set the seal on his resolve. Inchiquin was determined to receive no orders from the new President, and in July he transferred his services to the Parliament. By way of celebrating his secession and under the pretext that they were plotting the betrayal of his garrisons, he expelled all Roman Catholic householders from Cork, Youghall, and Kinsale and seized their goods. Parliament naturally welcomed so useful an ally. His example was shortly imitated by Lord Esmond, the Governor of Duncannon, both noblemen declaring war on the Irish and causinp^ their troops to adopt the Covenant. Thus, at a crisis

    * Carte, vol. vi. p. 179. Ormonde to Digby, 22nd July 1644. " Ideni^ p. 38. Arthur Trevor to Ormonde, Oxford, 19th February 1643.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    Duncannon is a town the road passes through. In 1644, it was held by Lord Esmond, its governor, a man whose defection from the King's cause added to Ormonde's troubles. The story begins not with Esmond but with Lord Inchiquin, the most important personage on the English side in the south of Ireland. Without the title, he wielded the authority of the President of Munster, and Charles owed a large number of recruits, lately shipped from that province, to his exertions. In the spring, Inchiquin arrived at Oxford, warmly recommended by Ormonde, confident he would at once be promoted to the office of President of Munster. But Murrough O'Brien had enemies at court, and Charles had already given the post to the Earl of Portland and refused to cancel the appointment. "As full of anger as his buttons would endure," Inchiquin returned to Ireland. Ormonde did all in his power to pacify him, but without success. The announcement of Portland's arrival in Munster set the seal on his resolve. In July, Inchiquin transferred his services to the Parliament. Under the pretext that they were plotting the betrayal of his garrisons, he expelled all Roman Catholic householders from Cork, Youghall, and Kinsale, and seized their goods. His example was shortly imitated by Lord Esmond, the Governor of Duncannon. Both noblemen declared war on the Irish and caused their troops to adopt the Covenant. Thus, at a crisis when Ormonde needed a united Protestant front, that front fractured.

31. Ormonde advises Muskerry from Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1643

    From Dublin in December 1643, Ormonde wrote to his brother-in-law Lord Muskerry, counseling him to prefer peace over war and loyalty over rebellion, and to accept whatever terms the King saw fit. The letter reflected Ormonde's position as Lord Lieutenant navigating between Royal authority and Confederate demands.

    Read the passage

    "what a good exchange peace will be for warre, the name of loyall subject for that of a rebell, and happinesse for devastation and misery. And then I doubt not though you make such deinands as you are app"inted, )'ou will satisfy yourselves with what the King shall thinke fitt for yow ; which is my advice and I protest before God should be my practice if I weare in your place." ^

    This was unexceptionable counsel ; and it may have been Muskerry's recollection of Ormonde's words that led him and his colleagues, on second thou^^hts, to withdraw some of their original demands. It is true that no intelligent being could have expected that they would be entertained, as thev included the continuance of the Confederate Government, after a free Parliament had been called, and the revision of all titles to land, founded on confiscation, since the first year of Queen Elizabeth.^ The "moderated demands " mainly resolved themselves into complete liberty for the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, and the repeal of the Penal Laws. Equality of treatment for Papists, both in civil matters and in State offices, was also required ;8 a free Parliament and the suspension of Poynings' Act during its sitting, the annulling of all legislation passed by the Dublin Parliament since the /th of August, 1641, the vacating of royal titles found to land since 1634, and last, but not least, the organisation of trained bands. If these demands were accorded, the Confederates offered to bring over ten thousand recruits for the King's service in England.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, December 1643. From this city the Lord Lieutenant Ormonde wrote to his brother-in-law Lord Muskerry, counseling him to prefer peace over war and the name of loyal subject over that of rebel. His words were plain. He told Muskerry that whatever demands were made, they should satisfy themselves with what the King thought fit. He said it was his advice, and he protested before God it would be his practice if he were in Muskerry's place. The counsel may have worked. Muskerry and his colleagues withdrew some of their original demands on second thoughts, perhaps recalling what Ormonde had written. Those original demands included the continuance of the Confederate Government after a free Parliament had been called, and the revision of all land titles founded on confiscation since the first year of Queen Elizabeth. The moderated demands came down to complete liberty for the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, and the repeal of the Penal Laws. Equality of treatment for Papists in civil matters and State offices was also required. They asked for a free Parliament, the suspension of Poynings' Act during its sitting, the annulling of all legislation passed by the Dublin Parliament since the 7th of August 1641, the vacating of royal titles to land since 1634, and the organisation of trained bands. In return, if these demands were granted, the Confederates offered to bring over ten thousand recruits for the King's service in England.

32. Ormonde granted barren tract in Kerry

    Kerry · county · Kerry

    As part of the settlement following Desmond's rebellion, Ormonde received a large but barren tract of land in Kerry. The grants were inadequate given his services and his hereditary claims.

    Read the passage

    strongly urged that the plantation of Munster should be carried out with due regard to the landholders of that province. And he seems to have pleaded for leniency to those, who, though they had eventually submitted to the Government, might yet have incurred forfeiture. Had his advice been followed in the settlement of Munster, which had been terribly depopulated by a six years' war, many of the evils attendant on that measure would have been avoided. But, he had not long been President of Munster, before his enemies compassed his removal from office ; and he was not more fortunate when he preferred his claims as heir general to Desmond's confiscated territories. For, although he obtained some land in Tipperary and a large, barren tract of Kerry, the grants were proportioned neither to his deserts, nor to his rights.

    Ormonde took as active a share in repressing Tyrone's as Desmond's rebellion ; during the hostilities with the former, encountering an adventure that well-nigh cost him his life. In April 1600, the hope of an accommodation induced him to meet one of the chief ringleaders, Owny MacRory O'More, at a spot not many miles from Kilkenny. The conference proved a trap, and Ormonde was made prisoner, remaining in the hands of Owny and his politicospiritual director, the Jesuit, Father Archer, for three months. To these bandits, with the prospect of the Butlers being let loose on them to avenge their chief, Ormonde alive was infinitely more valuable than Ormonde dead, though the treatment to which he was subjected during that time, well-nigh proved his death.^ To avoid a rescue, this old man of sixty-eight was dragged through bogs and forests, from one hiding-place to another, for weeks never suffered to rest in any place longer than three hours. At any moment, he could have purchased his liberty by assenting to the terms which Archer was perpetually urging on his

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 11

    As the companion tells it

    The road takes you through Kerry, a county Ormonde once received as a grant, though what he got here was a large, barren tract. After Desmond's rebellion, he urged that the plantation of Munster should be carried out with due regard to the landholders of that province. He pleaded for leniency to those who, though they had eventually submitted to the Government, might yet have incurred forfeiture. Munster had been terribly depopulated by six years of war, and had his advice been followed in the settlement, many of the evils attendant on that measure would have been avoided. But he had not long been President of Munster before his enemies compassed his removal from office. He was not more fortunate when he preferred his claims as heir general to Desmond's confiscated territories. Although he obtained some land in Tipperary and a large, barren tract of Kerry, the grants were proportioned neither to his deserts, nor to his rights. He took as active a share in repressing Tyrone's as Desmond's rebellion. In April 1600, the hope of an accommodation induced him to meet one of the chief ringleaders, Owny MacRory O'More, at a spot not many miles from Kilkenny. The conference proved a trap, and Ormonde was made prisoner, remaining in the hands of Owny and his director, the Jesuit Father Archer, for three months. To these men, Ormonde alive was infinitely more valuable than Ormonde dead, though the treatment well-nigh proved his death. To avoid a rescue, this old man of sixty-eight was dragged through bogs and forests, from one hiding-place to another, for weeks never suffered to rest longer than three hours. At any moment, he could have purchased his liberty by assenting to the terms which Archer was perpetually urging on him.

33. Bishops' temporary lapse into sanity at Clonmacnoise

    Clonmacnoise · townland · Offaly

    The Roman Catholic prelates had experienced a brief period of rational cooperation at Clonmacnoise, but this had long since evaporated by the time Ormonde convened them at Limerick in March 1650, when they were intent on tying his hands further.

    Read the passage

    Elsewhere, since the opening of the campaign, little that was either creditable or encouraging could be chronicled. In the beginning of March, Ormonde convoked the Roman Catholic Prelates and the Commissioners of Trust to Limerick, hoping that they would persuade its refractory corporation to accept a garrison. The temporary lapse into sanity that had befallen the Bishops at Clonmacnoise had, however, long since evaporated. They were now intent on persuading Ormonde to constitute a Privy Council, which, being drawn from their ranks, would still further tie his hands. Ormonde skilfully evaded the suggestion by pointing out that the appointment of privy councillors was a royal prerogative, but meanwhile Limerick remained deaf to his appeals and arguments, showing itself as hostile as Waterford. In fact, the citizens refused Ormonde those ordinary civilities which hitherto had never been denied to the Viceroy. The officers in charge of the city guards were debarred from receiving his orders, and it was by special grace and favour that he was allowed to communicate with his own commanders outside the town.^ When, by his directions, Lord Kilmallock, a Roman Catholic peer, quartered a handful of horsemen, for one night only, within the liberties of Limerick, the municipality threw the presumptuous viscount into prison. After a fortnight wasted in such unprofitable strivings, Ormonde, with excusable bitterness, told Clanricarde :

    " I cannot yet bragg much of the success of my indevours to satisfy the little assembly that was at Limerick, though I know nothing that was possible or in any degree reasonable that I have not offered. The sickness {i.e. the plague) increasing at Limerick, but much more the dishonour that fell upon His Majesty,

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, something remarkable and brief once happened among the Roman Catholic bishops. They had a short period of rational cooperation, a temporary lapse into sanity, as the record calls it. But it did not last. By the beginning of March 1650, Ormonde convoked the Roman Catholic prelates and the Commissioners of Trust to Limerick, hoping they would persuade its refractory corporation to accept a garrison. The bishops had other intentions. They were now set on persuading Ormonde to constitute a Privy Council drawn from their own ranks, which would tie his hands still further. Ormonde skilfully evaded the suggestion by pointing out that the appointment of privy councillors was a royal prerogative. Limerick remained deaf to his appeals and arguments, showing itself as hostile as Waterford. The citizens refused Ormonde those ordinary civilities which hitherto had never been denied to the Viceroy. The officers in charge of the city guards were debarred from receiving his orders, and it was only by special grace and favour that he was allowed to communicate with his own commanders outside the town. When Lord Kilmallock, a Roman Catholic peer, quartered a handful of horsemen for one night only within the liberties of Limerick, the municipality threw the presumptuous viscount into prison. After a fortnight wasted in such unprofitable strivings, Ormonde told Clanricarde: "I cannot yet bragg much of the success of my indevours to satisfy the little assembly that was at Limerick, though I know nothing that was possible or in any degree reasonable that I have not offered."

34. Ardfert See stripped to barely one pound per annum

    Ardfert · town · Kerry

    The See of Ardfert was mulcted of all but £1, 1s. 8d. through the cupidity of Elizabethan and Jacobean prelates who granted away revenue in free farms and nominal-rent leases.

    Read the passage

    Davies confirms the Spaniard's dreary tale. When he conducted the survey in Ulster, he was struck alike by the miserable stipends of the vicarages,- and the ruinous state of the churches, " such as were presented to be in reparation, being covered only with thatch," whilst the degradation of the incumbents, "such poor ragged creatures as we could not esteem any of them worthy of the meanest of those livings, albeit many of them are not worth above 40s. per annum," was in keeping with the scene of desolation. The mingled apathy and greed of the Bishops did not hold out much prospect of amendment. Indeed, the cupidity of the prelates of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period may be said to have completed the work of spoliation. In the shape of free farms and long leases at nominal rents, the revenue of their successors was granted away by these harpies. Aghadoe might still be counted rich at £60 per annum. But the See of Ardfert was mulcted of all but £\, is. 8d. ; and in Cloyne — reduced to five marks a year — the occupant of the Bishopric was known as "episcopus quinque marcarum." ^

    It is to James I.'s credit that he was anxious to provide a living wage for the clergy of Ulster. Wherever it could be proved that the lands had been ecclesiastical property,

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 24

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Ardfert gives its name to a bishop's see that was once stripped nearly bare. The prelates of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, driven by cupidity, granted away the revenue of their successors in the shape of free farms and long leases at nominal rents. By the time the damage was done, the See of Ardfert was mulcted of all but £1, 1s. 8d. a year. A surveyor named Davies had conducted a survey in Ulster and confirmed the dreary state of things. He found churches covered only with thatch, and incumbents he described as "poor ragged creatures" whose livings were many not worth above 40s. per annum. The mingled apathy and greed of the bishops held out little prospect of amendment. Aghadoe might still be counted rich at £60 per annum, and in Cloyne, reduced to five marks a year, the bishop was known as "episcopus quinque marcarum." It is to James I's credit that he was anxious to provide a living wage for the clergy.

35. Dublin cathedral crozier held in pawn for eighty years

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    In the capital itself, the crozier of the cathedral had been in pawn for eighty years, illustrating the dire state of even Ireland's principal cathedral before the Reformation.

    Read the passage

    It must be owned that the vicarages and churches, which these clerical emigrants were invited to occupy, presented a sad contrast to those of the mother country. Already, in pre-Reformation times, the ruinous state of the sacred fabrics had formed the subject of a sensational report to Leo X. The magnificent Medicean Pontiff must have learnt with amazement that Armagh Cathedral was destitute of sacristy, bell, belfry and vestments, whilst within the roofless walls a single weather-beaten altar alone remained, where, at rare intervals, Mass was said.^ At Clonmacnoise, save that one vestment had survived the depredations of the gallowglasses, decay and destitution equally prevailed. In the capital itself, the crozier of the cathedral had been in pawn for eighty years. If this was the case in the principal cathedral, the condition of rural churches and chapels can be imagined. With the dissolution of the monasteries, the main source of religious ministrations was yet further arrested. As in England, the piety of the past was diverted to enrich great landlords and chieftains. Such donations, it is true, were accompanied by well-defined obligations. But, practically, these saving clauses were disregarded. The abbeys and churches proved convenient quarries of material for the township or individual who acquired them.'^ Schools and universities did not rise on the site of chauntry and cloister. Most grievous of all, no charge on the estates provided for the maintenance of a resident clergy, in place of the dispossessed monks ; and it was estimated that between one-third and one-fourth of the parishes were altogether deprived of the consolations of religion.

    The ceaseless warfare, which, throughout the reign of

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 23

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, the capital, holds a story from before the Reformation that shows how low Ireland's churches had fallen. The crozier of the cathedral here had been in pawn for eighty years. That single fact tells you something of the state of even the principal cathedral in the land. A report on the ruinous condition of Ireland's sacred buildings had gone to Pope Leo the Tenth. He would have learned that Armagh Cathedral had no sacristy, no bell, no belfry, no vestments. Its walls stood roofless, with one weather-beaten altar alone remaining, where Mass was said at rare intervals. At Clonmacnoise, decay and destitution prevailed just as much, save that a single vestment had survived the depredations of the gallowglasses. If the crozier of the cathedral in the capital itself had sat in pawn for eighty years, the condition of rural churches and chapels was worse still. With the dissolution of the monasteries, the main source of religious ministrations was further broken. Abbeys and churches proved convenient quarries of material for whoever acquired them. Schools and universities did not rise on the site of chantry and cloister. No charge on the estates provided for the maintenance of a resident clergy in place of the dispossessed monks. It was estimated that between one-third and one-fourth of the parishes were altogether deprived of the consolations of religion.

36. English Divine declines Archbishopric of Armagh over language barrier

    near Armagh · town · Armagh

    An English Divine, when offered the Archbishopric of Armagh, told Cranmer that knowing no Irish he would have no auditors and must preach to the stalls and walls. This episode illustrates the language divide that hindered the Reformed Church's ministry in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    The want of a common tongue intensified the difficulties between the pastors and their flocks. An English Divine, when offered the Archbishopric of Armagh, told Cranmer, that knowing no Irish, "he would have no auditors, but must preach to the stalls and walls." ^ But although Cranmer's unfailing good sense

    ^ Bagwell, vol. i. p. 309.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    Armagh is a town the road passes through. An English divine, offered the Archbishopric of Armagh, told Cranmer that knowing no Irish, he would have no auditors, but must preach to the stalls and walls. The want of a common tongue intensified the difficulties between the pastors and their flocks.

37. Kilkenny receives peace invitation without enthusiasm

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1643

    The invitation to confer at Drogheda was received at Kilkenny without the enthusiasm expected from the Confederates' former attitude. Their military position had improved, and they objected to the venue, the exclusion of clergy, and the wording of the safe conduct.

    Read the passage

    On February the 3rd, Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners summoned the Confederate Catholics to a conference at Drogheda. The invitation was not received at Kilkenny with the enthusiasm which might have been anticipated from their former attitude. In fact, the military position of the insurgents had greatly improved since the meeting of the General Assembly. As Ormonde had foretold, arms and discipline were rapidly transforming the raw levies into a formidable force. During January, Birr, Bannogher, and Fort F'alkland surrendered to Preston and Castlehaven ; and the scrupulous observance of the terms of capitulation enforced by the two generals did more perhaps for the Irish cause than their victories. The Confederates, however, did not base their slighting reply to Ormonde on strategical considerations. Imbued as he was with a well-founded distrust of the Roman Catholic priesthood, Ormonde had requested that the negotiations might be exclusively entrusted to laymen. This stipulation, which the Assembly declared limited their choice of agents, caused as many complaints as the proposed rendezvous. But the chief offence lay in the wording of the Justices' safe conduct. The recusants were transported with indignation at being designated as " actors and abettors " in an odious rebellion.

    ' Carte, vol. v. p. 445. King's commission to Ormonde, 23rd April 1643-

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 39

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny, in 1643, was the seat of the Confederate Catholics, and it was here that a peace invitation arrived without the warmth Ormonde might have expected. On February the 3rd, Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners summoned the Confederates to a conference at Drogheda. By then the military position of the insurgents had greatly improved since the General Assembly had met. As Ormonde himself had foretold, arms and discipline were rapidly turning raw levies into a formidable force. During January, Birr, Bannogher, and Fort Falkland had surrendered to Preston and Castlehaven, and the scrupulous way those two generals honoured the terms of capitulation did more, perhaps, for the Irish cause than their victories. Yet the Confederates did not base their slighting reply to Ormonde on strategy. Ormonde, imbued with a well-founded distrust of the Roman Catholic priesthood, had requested that the negotiations be entrusted exclusively to laymen. The Assembly declared this limited their choice of agents. The proposed venue at Drogheda drew complaints too. But the chief offence lay in the wording of the Justices' safe conduct. The recusants were transported with indignation at being designated as, in the source's words, "actors and abettors" in an odious rebellion.

38. Parsons's fraudulent dealings in Wicklow and Wexford plantations

    Wicklow · townland · Wicklow · 1642

    The Confederate Assembly's petition against British officials traced Sir William Parsons's career back to his cruel treatment of the Byrnes and his fraudulent dealings in the plantations of Wicklow and Wexford, as part of a catalogue of grievances against British policy in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    The foundations of the Commonwealth being laid, the Confederates attempted once more to enter into communication with Charles. As their former appeal remained unanswered, they drew up another petition and protest against the action of the " bad party " in Ireland. To quote this remonstrance at length would be to recapitulate the miserable tale of corruption and violence, which has already filled these pages to overflowing. Let it suffice that the document is a terrible record of the policy advocated and pursued by British officials in Ireland. Strafford's methods of improving Church revenues were hotly denounced. Sir William Parsons's career was traced back to his cruel treatment of the Byrnes, and his fraudulent dealings in the plantations of Wicklow and Wexford. With the completion of this catalogue of woe, the business of the Assembly concluded,

    ' Gardiner, vol. i. p. Ii8.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 39

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Wicklow, Sir William Parsons's name was tied to the land itself. In 1642, the Confederate Assembly drew up a petition and protest against what they called the bad party in Ireland. Their earlier appeal had gone unanswered, so they tried again to reach the king. The document they produced was a record of corruption and violence pursued by British officials. Among the grievances, Parsons's career was traced back to his cruel treatment of the Byrnes and his fraudulent dealings in the plantations of Wicklow and Wexford. Strafford's methods of improving Church revenues were denounced too. The Assembly called it a catalogue of woe, and with its completion, their business concluded.

39. School of St Canice founded by the Great Countess

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny

    Kilkenny was proud of the school of St Canice, founded by Margaret Fitzgerald, the Great Countess. It was long noted for the excellence of the scholars it produced for a world sorely in need of humanising influences.

    Read the passage

    The conditions of Tipperary in the fifteenth century, outside the monasteries, of which to-day only the ruins remain, and with the exception of the hereditary men of letters in certain great Irish families, must have been as unfavourable to the advancement of learning as to the exercise of the milder Christian virtues. Nevertheless, several of the Ormondes were distinguished for their knowledge and accomplishments. The 4th Earl was a benefactor of the College of Heralds, while both he and his sons were steeped in the cultivation of a period not unworthily represented in Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester.^ And Kilkenny was justly proud of the school of St Canice, founded by the great Countess, and long noted for the excellence of the scholars it gave to a world, that sorely needed such humanising elements.

    The alienation of the estates across the water came too late in the history of the Ormondes to affect their traditional alliance with the English Government. Had the Butlers, however, desired an excuse for disloyalty they would not have had far to seek. In 1527, Piers was

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 7

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny has a claim to learning that goes back centuries. The city was proud of the school of St Canice, founded by the great Countess, Margaret Fitzgerald. It was long noted for the excellence of the scholars it gave to a world that sorely needed such humanising elements. This stood against a hard backdrop. In the fifteenth century, outside the monasteries, with the exception of the hereditary men of letters in certain great Irish families, conditions must have been as unfavourable to the advancement of learning as to the exercise of the milder Christian virtues. Yet several of the Ormondes were distinguished for their knowledge and accomplishments. The 4th Earl was a benefactor of the College of Heralds, and both he and his sons were steeped in the cultivation of a period not unworthily represented in Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester.

40. Wicklow garrisons withdrawn to Dublin

    Wicklow · townland · Wicklow · 1641

    Garrisons that had kept the peace at Wicklow and elsewhere were withdrawn to Dublin on the pretext of a munitions shortage. This suicidal policy by the Executive drew adverse comment from observers including Sir William St Leger.

    Read the passage

    Unhappily, although the Lords Justices pressed the chief command on Ormonde, they refused him the freedom of action essential to a general. Whenever English troops encountered the rebels in the open, the superior discipline and equipment of the former invariably carried the day. As Sir William St Leger remarked, it was " not possible that twelve thousand naked rogues should stand before one thousand well-armed men." - Ormonde was therefore anxious to give the enemy no leisure to manufacture pikes at home, or to obtain supplies from abroad. The stores which Strafford had accumulated for the Scottish campaign were still in the Castle magazine.^ They would have sufficed for a much larger army than the three thousand men, volunteers, and veterans, with whom Ormonde undertook in a short three weeks to effect the reconquest of Ulster. But Parsons, the leading spirit of the Administration, was obdurate, Ormonde was refused permission to carry the war into the enemy's quarters — the reason assigned, the want of munitions, being manifestly a paltry excuse — and garrisons, which kept the peace at Wicklow and elsewhere, were withdrawn to Dublin. Such suicidal conduct on the part of the Executive naturally gave rise to adverse comment* —

    * "Cont. History of Affairs," vol. i. p. 22.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 35

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere close to Wicklow, in 1641, garrisons that had kept the peace here and elsewhere were pulled back to Dublin. The reason given was a shortage of munitions, but it was what observers called a paltry excuse. The Lords Justices had pressed the chief command on Ormonde, yet refused him the freedom of action a general needed. English troops, when they met the rebels in the open, always won through better discipline and equipment. As Sir William St Leger remarked, it was, in his words, "not possible that twelve thousand naked rogues should stand before one thousand well-armed men." Ormonde wanted to give the enemy no leisure to manufacture pikes at home or obtain supplies from abroad. The stores Strafford had accumulated for the Scottish campaign were still in the Castle magazine, and would have sufficed for a much larger army than the 3000 men with whom Ormonde undertook to reconquer Ulster in three weeks. But Parsons, the leading spirit of the Administration, was obdurate. Ormonde was refused permission to carry the war into the enemy's quarters, and such suicidal conduct on the part of the Executive naturally gave rise to adverse comment.

41. Commissioners renew debates at Ennis

    Ennis · town · Clare · 1650

    After Cromwell's appearance broke up the conclave at Kilkenny, the Commissioners of Trust hurried to Ennis and renewed their debates against Ormonde. Their deliberations remained as barren as those at Kilkenny, but the episode spread mistrust of Ormonde into a new district.

    Read the passage

    More fortunate than Ormonde, Cromwell had been able to provide comparatively good winter quarters for his troops. By the end of January, he was already in the field, preparing to assault Kilkenny. That city was still the centre of Confederate organisation, and thither the Commissioners of Trust had convoked deputies from all parts of the kingdom. They arrived primed by the Roman Catholic Clergy with complaints against Ormonde, but they were unable to agree on the terms of their arraignment, and, while they were disputing, Cromwell's appearance abruptly broke up the conclave. At Ennis, whither they hurried, they renewed their debates, but their deliberations remained as barren as those of Kilkenny, save that a new district was thereby infected with mistrust of Ormonde. Meanwhile, the Lord- Lieutenant, having hastily collected some five hundred foot and found horses for another hundred of his friends and attendants, " looked," according to his chronicler, " with

    ^ Carte, vol. iii. p. 523.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 57

    As the companion tells it

    In 1650, Ennis became a refuge for quarrelling men. Cromwell had spent the winter quartering his troops and by the end of January was already in the field, preparing to assault Kilkenny. Kilkenny was still the centre of Confederate organisation, and there the Commissioners of Trust had convoked deputies from all parts of the kingdom. The deputies arrived primed by the Roman Catholic clergy with complaints against Ormonde, but they could not agree on the terms of their arraignment. While they were disputing, Cromwell's appearance broke up the conclave. They hurried to Ennis and renewed their debates. Their deliberations remained as barren as those at Kilkenny, save that a new district was thereby infected with mistrust of Ormonde. Meanwhile Ormonde had hastily collected some 500 foot and found horses for another 100 of his friends and attendants, and, according to his chronicler, looked with

42. Fate of Athlone hanging in the balance

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1650

    While Ormonde and the clergy clashed over his authority, the fate of Athlone hung in the balance and Connaught was threatened with destruction. The prelates opposed a stubborn resistance to all remonstrances about the military crisis.

    Read the passage

    Meanwhile, the fate of Athlone was hanging in the balance, and Connaught was threatened with destruction, but both to Ormonde's remonstrances and those of the Commissioners the prelates opposed a stubborn resistance.^ Their reply to Ormonde consisted of a protest

    1 Walsh, " Historj' of the Remonstrance," p. 585.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 58

    As the companion tells it

    In 1650, the fate of Athlone hung in the balance, and Connaught was threatened with destruction. Ormonde and the Commissioners both made remonstrances about the crisis, but the prelates opposed them with stubborn resistance. Their reply to Ormonde was a protest.

43. Insurgents of Cavan petition Parliament with grievances

    Cavan · town · Cavan · 1641

    A petition from the insurgents of Cavan, reciting the grievances which had led them to take up arms, was read in Parliament. Parliament appointed a committee to confer with the rebels and transmit results to the King and Council or the British Parliament.

    Read the passage

    The prorogation of Parliament from November the 9th to the 24th of February had been one of the first measures of the Lords Justices. The legality of their decision was, however, promptly called in question. Lawyers asserted that the proceeding was equivalent to a dissolution ; and it was urged that at least some few members of both houses should assemble on the original day, if only to make a regular adjournment to February the 24th. Ormonde, who was strongly in favour of allowing Parliament to meet and sit in the usual manner, found his advice disregarded. The Lords Justices considered that they made a mighty concession to popular feeling in allowing the houses a one day's session to register loyal addresses, and appoint a deputation for treating with the insurgents. On November the i6th. Parliament accordingly met, and after some debate, as to whether the revolted Irish should be termed rebels, or designated " by the softer expression of discontented gentlemen," 2 an orthodox "protestation and abhorrence"^ of the rebellion was duly carried. It was coupled with an ordinance empowering the Lords Justices, with the consent of the several counties and within their limits, to levy men and money. A petition from the insurgents of Cavan, reciting the grievances which had led them to take up arms, was also read. In answer, Parliament appointed a committee, composed of representative personages on both sides, to

    ^ Carte, vol. v. pp. 266-7. Ormonde to Sir H. Vane. 2 Cox, vol. ii. p. 80. ' Carte, vol. ii. p. 67.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 36

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Cavan saw trouble in 1641. That autumn, insurgents from here took up arms, and they did not do so without reason. They drew up a petition, setting out the grievances that had driven them to rebellion, and it was read aloud in Parliament. Parliament had been prorogued by the Lords Justices from November the 9th to February the 24th, a move whose legality lawyers promptly questioned. Some argued it amounted to a dissolution, and that at least a few members of both houses should have assembled on the original day to make a proper adjournment. Ormonde favoured letting Parliament meet and sit as usual, but his advice was disregarded. The Lords Justices granted a single day's session on November the 16th. After debate over whether the revolted Irish should be called rebels, or by what the record calls "the softer expression of discontented gentlemen," a formal protestation and abhorrence of the rebellion was carried. It came with an ordinance empowering the Lords Justices, with county consent, to levy men and money. Then the petition from the insurgents of Cavan was read, reciting the grievances which had led them to take up arms. Parliament appointed a committee, composed of representative personages on both sides, to confer with the rebels and transmit results to the King and Council or the British Parliament.

44. Lord Cork's tomb at Christ Church Cathedral provokes dispute

    Christ Church Cathedral · ecclesiastical site · Dublin · 1637

    Robert Boyle, Earl of Cork, erected a sumptuous tomb to his wife's memory in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. The position of the monument became a further source of envenomed dispute between Cork and Wentworth, from which Cork emerged defeated.

    Read the passage

    Wentworth had justifications for his proceedings, although his unfortunate habit of giving a personal aspect to his administrative policy, invested the prosecution with a vengeful air ; and another dispute over the position of the sumptuous tomb which Lord Cork had erected to his

    i637] THE AUTOCRATIC DEPUTY 105

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 32

    As the companion tells it

    Christ Church Cathedral holds the sumptuous tomb Lord Cork erected to his wife's memory. In 1637 its position became a dispute between Cork and Wentworth. Wentworth had a habit of giving a personal aspect to administrative policy, giving the matter a vengeful air. Cork emerged defeated.

45. One church in Dublin requested for Protestant worship

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1647

    During negotiations in 1647, only a single church in Dublin had been requested for Protestant use. Lord Fitzwilliam suggested its concession would be a graceful act, since Dublin was likely to become the Prince of Wales's residence.

    Read the passage

    Charles, who had now been transferred to the Parliamentary Commissioners' keeping, had hopes at this juncture of coming to terms with his new masters. He could not fail to see that if Ireland was under the governance of the English Parliament, at his restoration to his full prerogative, it must once more revert to him. On the other hand, its recovery from a foreign potentate would probably be attended with serious difficulties. On the 6th of February 1647, Ormonde accordingly renewed negotiations with Parliament, offering, on the acceptance of the terms he had previously refused, to deliver up sword and garrisons to their representatives, and pressing for the speedy performance of the transaction. The Irish Privy Council and Parliament passed resolutions approving his determination, which had also the effect of bringing envoys and propositions from Kilkenny. The Irish envoys were more moderate than the propositions, for the latter merely embodied the terms already discussed in the Assembly.^ But although personally friendly, the ambassadors were so fearful of being repudiated by their principals that they could not even be persuaded to put their overtures into writing. The folly of such behaviour was self-evident, but it must be remembered that the Supreme Council's pretensions were countenanced, if not encouraged, by Henrietta Maria's circle.^ Lord Fitzwilliam, writing from the Queen's Court, informed the Supreme Council that Ormonde was to be ordered to deliver up Dublin and all other garrisons into their hands. There was no power, as yet, he admitted, for " displacing " the Marquis of Ormonde. " Yet, the Queen's Council avers, they will hold His Grace no loyal subject if, after being possessed of what is said, he sues not for surrendering up his place and Lieutenantship." Only one church in Dublin had been requested for the use of Protestants. Its concession, Fitzwilliam apologetically remarked, would be a graceful act, since, in all probability, Dublin would be the Prince of Wales's residence. The

    ' Carte, p. 301.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 53

    As the companion tells it

    As the road brings you through Dublin, there is a matter from 1647 worth hearing. In February of that year, Ormonde renewed negotiations with the English Parliament, offering to deliver up sword and garrisons to their representatives. He pressed for the speedy performance of the transaction. The Irish Privy Council and Parliament passed resolutions approving his determination. This brought envoys and propositions from Kilkenny. The envoys themselves were more moderate than the propositions they carried, which merely embodied terms already discussed in the Assembly. But the ambassadors were so fearful of being repudiated by their principals that they could not even be persuaded to put their overtures into writing. Lord Fitzwilliam, writing from the Queen's Court, informed the Supreme Council that Ormonde was to be ordered to deliver up Dublin and all other garrisons into their hands. He admitted there was no power, as yet, for what he called the displacing of the Marquis of Ormonde. Yet he relayed that the Queen's Council avers they will hold His Grace no loyal subject if, after being possessed of what is said, he sues not for surrendering up his place and Lieutenantship. Against this backdrop of political manoeuvre, only one church in Dublin had been requested for the use of Protestants. Fitzwilliam apologetically remarked that its concession would be a graceful act, since, in all probability, Dublin would be the Prince of Wales's residence.

46. Ormonde arrives in Waterford

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1633

    James Butler, Lord Thurles, sailed from Bristol to Waterford in September 1633 to take possession of his inheritance. Upon arriving on Monday at three o'clock, he ate dinner with Lady Ormonde.

    Read the passage

    Lord Thurles's visit to the Court proved no brief sojourn. During his absence in England, both his grandfather and grandmother died ; and the year 1633 was far spent before he turned his face homewards. When, however, the new Earl set forth to take possession of his inheritance he did not linger on the road. Leaving London one September morning at dawn, he slept that night eight miles from Bristol, at Acton, his uncle's house. In Bristol docks he was so fortunate as to find the " bark," facetiously called the Ninth Whelp. She was considered the best ship in the Irish Channel, carrying a whole arsenal of demi-culverins, culverin and demi-cannon drakes for the protection of her passengers from the ubiquitous pirate. " A most dainty, steady vessel," says a contemporary traveller, " and a most swift sailer able to give the advantage of a top-sail to any of the rest of the fleet." ^ The happy passengers' bodily and spiritual wants were generously catered for on board the Ninth Whelp. The captain's table was noted for its excellence, fresh meat being always on the bill of fare, while the cook's obliging readiness to provide special dishes for fastidious palates might well be copied by chefs on our ocean liners. In his vocation, the chaplain was equally energetic. Twice a day regularly he "performed prayer"; and oftentimes in the night, when the watch was set, the officers would sing Psalms and pray. Ormonde's voyage on this godly and luxurious vessel was particularly happy. He set sail for Waterford on Sunday morning, and on Monday by three o'clock, thanks to fair winds and fleet steeds, he was eating his dinner with Lady Ormonde. His wander year was done. Before him now lay more than half a century of arduous, well-nigh unremitting toil.

    ' "Sir W. Brereton's Travels," Chetham Society, 164-5, ^"^ P- I70-

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 16

    As the companion tells it

    The road passes through Waterford. In 1633, James Butler, Lord Thurles, the new Earl, was coming home to take possession of his inheritance. Both his grandfather and grandmother had died during his absence in England, and the year was far spent before he turned his face homewards. He did not linger on the road. Leaving London one September morning at dawn, he slept that night at Acton, his uncle's house, eight miles from Bristol. In Bristol docks he found a bark facetiously called the Ninth Whelp, considered the best ship in the Irish Channel. She carried demi-culverins, culverin and demi-cannon drakes for protection from the ubiquitous pirate. A contemporary traveller called her "a most dainty, steady vessel, and a most swift sailer able to give the advantage of a top-sail to any of the rest of the fleet." The captain's table was noted for excellence, fresh meat always on the bill of fare, and the cook would oblige with special dishes for fastidious palates. The chaplain performed prayer twice daily, and oftentimes in the night, when the watch was set, the officers would sing Psalms and pray. He set sail on Sunday morning. On Monday by three o'clock, thanks to fair winds and fleet steeds, he was eating his dinner with Lady Ormonde. His wander year was done. Before him now lay more than half a century of arduous, well-nigh unremitting toil.

47. Ormonde marches to Maryborough for relief of invested fortresses

    near Maryborough · townland · Cork · 1642

    In early April 1642, Ormonde led an expedition to Maryborough, detaching portions of his army along the way to relieve endangered castles invested by the Irish. Having succeeded in his design, he retraced his steps with a diminished force.

    Read the passage

    The passing of the Adventurers' Act, and the treatment accorded to Irish Catholics by the Lords Justices gave a fresh stimulus to the rebellion. In the beginning of April, Ormonde was again obliged to make an expedition for the relief of various fortresses invested by the Irish. This time he marched to Maryborough, detaching portions of his army, as he went, to the succour of the endangered castles. Having succeeded in his design, he then retraced his steps with a much diminished force. But on April the 15th, at a place called Kilrush, about 20 miles from Dublin, he found himself confronted by a vastly superior body of the enemy under the command of his greatuncle. Lord Mountgarret. Encumbered as Ormonde was with the empty baggage waggons, which had carried supplies to the outposts, and the sick soldiers he had withdrawn thence, he would gladly have avoided an engagement. The English were in possession of the high road. The Irish had the advantage of thick woods and a bog to cover their flank.^ For some miles the rival armies marched alongside within view of one another, with drums beating and colours flying, but it soon became evident that as the Irish moved more easily than their foes they would intercept the latter at a narrow pass, through which the English had to make their way. Ormonde, therefore, called a council of war under a thorn hedge to decide on the course of action.- The prospect was not altogether encouraging for the young general. Men and horses were alike wearied by forced marches, and against the spring verdure of the countryside, the great bog stood out black and menacing with the sombrely clad Irish horde. Ormonde, however, feeling that an honourable retreat was no longer possible, clenched the question by saying " that he was resolved to fight the enemy, though all the rebels in Ireland were there together," ^ and forthwith ordered Sir Thomas Lucas to advance and secure the pass. Lucas successfully performed the task, and was shortly rejoined by Ormonde at the head of a corps of gentlemen volunteers, and the main body of the miniature army. The English

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 37

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in early April 1642, Ormonde led an expedition to Maryborough to relieve fortresses invested by the Irish. The passing of the Adventurers' Act and the treatment of Irish Catholics by the Lords Justices had given fresh stimulus to the rebellion, and Ormonde was again obliged to march. As he went, he detached portions of his army to the succour of endangered castles along the way. Having succeeded in his design, he retraced his steps with a much diminished force. But on April 15th, at a place called Kilrush, about 20 miles from Dublin, he found himself confronted by a vastly superior body of the enemy under the command of his great-uncle, Lord Mountgarret. Ormonde was encumbered with empty baggage waggons that had carried supplies to the outposts, and with sick soldiers he had withdrawn from those posts. He would gladly have avoided an engagement. The English held the high road. The Irish had thick woods and a bog to cover their flank. For some miles the rival armies marched alongside within view of one another, drums beating and colours flying. But it became evident that the Irish, moving more easily, would intercept the English at a narrow pass. Ormonde called a council of war under a thorn hedge. Men and horses were wearied by forced marches, and against the spring verdure of the countryside the great bog stood out black with the sombrely clad Irish horde. Ormonde, feeling an honourable retreat was no longer possible, said he was resolved to fight the enemy, though all the rebels in Ireland were there together. He ordered Sir Thomas Lucas to advance and secure the pass. Lucas performed the task and was rejoined by Ormonde at the head of a corps of gentlemen volunteers and the main body of his miniature army.

48. Piers Butler's wheat bequest to every plough in Kilkenny

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny

    At the suggestion of his wife Margaret Fitzgerald, the Earl Piers Butler devised a legacy of a stone of wheat to every plough in Kilkenny, promoting agriculture among his tenants.

    Read the passage

    A family, in which beauty, vigour, and intelligence characterised each succeeding generation of the men, cannot have been less fortunate in its womankind. Perhaps, the most conspicuous figure in the long line of noble dames, whose effigies adorn St Kenny's Cathedral at Kilkenny, was the " Great Countess," Margaret Fitzgerald,'^ daughter of Gerald, 8th Earl of Kildare. If her marriage did not fulfil its purpose of ending the perennial conflict between the two houses, she was, for other reasons, a blessing to the land of Tipperary. In the quaint phraseology of an old chronicler, " she was the onlie meane whereby her husband, his countrie, was reclaimed from sluttishness and slovenlie to cleane bedding and civilitie."^ Trade and agriculture received no small furtherance from her zealous patronage. Doubtless, it was at her suggestion, for Piers was notoriously governed by his wife, that the Earl devised a legacy of a stone of wheat to every plough in Kilkenny. The settlement of Flemish weavers, under the shadow of the castle, was another of her many endeavours to civilise her wild vassals. And the memory of " Magheen," or " little Margaret," as the Irish dubbed the tall lady to whom " all the estates of the realm crouched," was long held by them in loving veneration.

    Hard fighting, as the story of King David teaches, is not incompatible with piety. In the acts of the Butlers, the enumeration of religious endowments becomes almost monotonous. To build an almshouse, or found a chantry was an occupation they found only less congenial than

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 7

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny was the city where a great countess changed how people lived and farmed. Margaret Fitzgerald, daughter of Gerald, 8th Earl of Kildare, married Piers Butler, and became the most conspicuous figure among the noble dames whose effigies adorn St Kenny's Cathedral. The Irish called her Magheen, little Margaret, though she was a tall lady to whom all the estates of the realm crouched. Her marriage did not end the perennial conflict between the two houses, but she was a blessing to the land of Tipperary. In the words of an old chronicler, she was the onlie meane whereby her husband, his countrie, was reclaimed from sluttishness and slovenlie to cleane bedding and civilitie. Trade and agriculture received no small furtherance from her zealous patronage. Piers was notoriously governed by his wife, and doubtless at her suggestion the Earl devised a legacy of a stone of wheat to every plough in Kilkenny. She also settled Flemish weavers under the shadow of the castle, another of her many endeavours to civilise her wild vassals. The memory of Magheen was long held by them in loving veneration.

49. Irish Parliament in Dublin, February 1641

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1641

    When Parliament met in Dublin on 9 February 1641, the Peers sought to represent the laudatory preamble of Strafford affixed to the 1640 subsidies bill as extorted from them by the Lord-Lieutenant. Ormonde vainly strove to shame them into consistency, but they passed a resolution beseeching the Sovereign to expunge the obnoxious clause and to exclude the impeached minister from counsel.

    Read the passage

    When Parliament met in Dublin on February the 9th, 164 1, the Peers proceeded to imitate the example set them by the Lower House. They were determined to represent the famous preamble laudatory of Strafford, which had been affixed to the 1640 bill of subsidies, as extorted from them by the Lord-Lieutenant. Vainly did Ormonde strive to shame them into consistency. After some debate, they passed a resolution beseeching the Sovereign to expunge the obnoxious clause from the records, and to allow no part in his counsels to the impeached minister. Ormonde must have felt this defeat the more keenly that, only a few days previously, he had received a letter breathing not only courage but hope from his imprisoned friend.

    " My noble Lord," wrote Strafford, " There is soe little rest given me, as I have not time scarse to eate my breade. I trust to have more quietnesse after a while.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 32

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, in February 1641. When Parliament met here on the 9th of that month, the Peers followed the example set by the Lower House. They were determined to represent the famous preamble praising Strafford, which had been attached to the 1640 bill of subsidies, as something extorted from them by the Lord-Lieutenant. Ormonde vainly strove to shame them into consistency. After some debate, they passed a resolution beseeching the Sovereign to expunge the obnoxious clause from the records and to allow no part in his counsels to the impeached minister. Ormonde must have felt this defeat the more keenly because only a few days before, he had received a letter breathing not only courage but hope from his imprisoned friend. Strafford wrote to him: "My noble Lord, There is soe little rest given me, as I have not time scarse to eate my breade. I trust to have more quietnesse after a while."

50. Aghadoe See still rich at sixty pounds per annum

    Aghadoe · parish · Kerry

    While many Irish sees were stripped of revenue by prelatic cupidity, Aghadoe might still be counted rich at £60 per annum, contrasting sharply with the impoverished sees of Ardfert and Cloyne.

    Read the passage

    Davies confirms the Spaniard's dreary tale. When he conducted the survey in Ulster, he was struck alike by the miserable stipends of the vicarages,- and the ruinous state of the churches, " such as were presented to be in reparation, being covered only with thatch," whilst the degradation of the incumbents, "such poor ragged creatures as we could not esteem any of them worthy of the meanest of those livings, albeit many of them are not worth above 40s. per annum," was in keeping with the scene of desolation. The mingled apathy and greed of the Bishops did not hold out much prospect of amendment. Indeed, the cupidity of the prelates of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period may be said to have completed the work of spoliation. In the shape of free farms and long leases at nominal rents, the revenue of their successors was granted away by these harpies. Aghadoe might still be counted rich at £60 per annum. But the See of Ardfert was mulcted of all but £\, is. 8d. ; and in Cloyne — reduced to five marks a year — the occupant of the Bishopric was known as "episcopus quinque marcarum." ^

    It is to James I.'s credit that he was anxious to provide a living wage for the clergy of Ulster. Wherever it could be proved that the lands had been ecclesiastical property,

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 24

    As the companion tells it

    The road takes you through or near the parish of Aghadoe in Kerry. In the time of the Elizabethan and Jacobean bishops, many Irish sees had been stripped of their revenue. The bishops of that period granted away the income of their successors through free farms and long leases at nominal rents. A survey in Ulster by Davies found churches in ruinous state, covered only with thatch, and incumbents who were, in his words, "such poor ragged creatures as we could not esteem any of them worthy of the meanest of those livings," many worth no more than 40 shillings a year. Against this scene of desolation, Aghadoe might still be counted rich at 60 pounds per annum. It was a sharp contrast with other sees. Ardfert had been mulcted of all but 1 pound, 1 shilling and 8 pence. Cloyne was reduced to five marks a year, and its bishop was known by the title "episcopus quinque marcarum," the bishop of five marks. James the First did try to provide a living wage for the clergy of Ulster, where it could be proved that the lands had been ecclesiastical property.

51. Banagher surrenders to Preston and Castlehaven

    Banagher · town · Offaly · 1643

    During January 1643, Bannogher (Banagher) surrendered to the Confederate generals Preston and Castlehaven. The careful enforcement of capitulation terms by the two generals advanced the Irish cause more effectively than battlefield successes.

    Read the passage

    On February the 3rd, Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners summoned the Confederate Catholics to a conference at Drogheda. The invitation was not received at Kilkenny with the enthusiasm which might have been anticipated from their former attitude. In fact, the military position of the insurgents had greatly improved since the meeting of the General Assembly. As Ormonde had foretold, arms and discipline were rapidly transforming the raw levies into a formidable force. During January, Birr, Bannogher, and Fort F'alkland surrendered to Preston and Castlehaven ; and the scrupulous observance of the terms of capitulation enforced by the two generals did more perhaps for the Irish cause than their victories. The Confederates, however, did not base their slighting reply to Ormonde on strategical considerations. Imbued as he was with a well-founded distrust of the Roman Catholic priesthood, Ormonde had requested that the negotiations might be exclusively entrusted to laymen. This stipulation, which the Assembly declared limited their choice of agents, caused as many complaints as the proposed rendezvous. But the chief offence lay in the wording of the Justices' safe conduct. The recusants were transported with indignation at being designated as " actors and abettors " in an odious rebellion.

    ' Carte, vol. v. p. 445. King's commission to Ormonde, 23rd April 1643-

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 39

    As the companion tells it

    The town of Banagher sits along this road, and in January 1643 it became part of a wider shift in Ireland's war. Banagher, along with Birr and Fort Falkland, surrendered to the Confederate generals Preston and Castlehaven. What mattered was not just that these places fell, but how the two generals handled the surrenders. The scrupulous observance of the terms of capitulation enforced by the two generals did more perhaps for the Irish cause than their victories. By February the 3rd, Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners had summoned the Confederate Catholics to a conference at Drogheda, but the invitation was not received at Kilkenny with the enthusiasm that might have been expected. The military position of the insurgents had greatly improved since the meeting of the General Assembly. Arms and discipline were rapidly transforming raw levies into a formidable force, just as Ormonde had foretold. The Confederates, though, did not base their slighting reply to Ormonde on strategical considerations. Ormonde had requested that negotiations be entrusted exclusively to laymen, a stipulation the Assembly declared limited their choice of agents. But the chief offence lay in the wording of the Justices' safe conduct. The recusants were transported with indignation at being designated as "actors and abettors" in an odious rebellion.

52. Birr surrenders to Preston and Castlehaven

    Birr or Parsonstown · town · Offaly · 1643

    During January 1643, Birr surrendered to the Confederate generals Preston and Castlehaven. The scrupulous observance of the terms of capitulation enforced by the two generals did more for the Irish cause than their victories.

    Read the passage

    On February the 3rd, Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners summoned the Confederate Catholics to a conference at Drogheda. The invitation was not received at Kilkenny with the enthusiasm which might have been anticipated from their former attitude. In fact, the military position of the insurgents had greatly improved since the meeting of the General Assembly. As Ormonde had foretold, arms and discipline were rapidly transforming the raw levies into a formidable force. During January, Birr, Bannogher, and Fort F'alkland surrendered to Preston and Castlehaven ; and the scrupulous observance of the terms of capitulation enforced by the two generals did more perhaps for the Irish cause than their victories. The Confederates, however, did not base their slighting reply to Ormonde on strategical considerations. Imbued as he was with a well-founded distrust of the Roman Catholic priesthood, Ormonde had requested that the negotiations might be exclusively entrusted to laymen. This stipulation, which the Assembly declared limited their choice of agents, caused as many complaints as the proposed rendezvous. But the chief offence lay in the wording of the Justices' safe conduct. The recusants were transported with indignation at being designated as " actors and abettors " in an odious rebellion.

    ' Carte, vol. v. p. 445. King's commission to Ormonde, 23rd April 1643-

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 39

    As the companion tells it

    This is the town of Birr, or Parsonstown, in Offaly. In January 1643, during the Confederate wars, Birr surrendered to the Confederate generals Preston and Castlehaven. Bannogher and Fort Falkland fell to the same commanders around the same time. What made these surrenders matter was not the fighting that brought them about. The two generals enforced the terms of capitulation with scrupulous care, and that conduct, according to the record, did more for the Irish cause than their victories. The restraint shown to those who yielded won a trust that force alone could not have earned. By February, Ormonde and his fellow Commissioners summoned the Confederate Catholics to a conference at Drogheda, but the invitation was not welcomed at Kilkenny as it might have been. The military position of the insurgents had greatly improved since the meeting of the General Assembly. As Ormonde had foretold, arms and discipline were rapidly transforming raw levies into a formidable force. The Confederates did not base their slighting reply on strategy alone. Ormonde had requested that negotiations be entrusted exclusively to laymen, and the Assembly objected. The chief offence lay in the wording of the safe conduct. The recusants were indignant at being designated as, in the words of the source, "actors and abettors" in an odious rebellion.

53. Confederate deputation sent to Trim to present grievances

    Trim · town · Meath · 1643

    The Supreme Council of the Irish Catholic Confederates despatched a deputation of laymen to Trim to make a full exposition of their grievances to the King's representatives, as part of ongoing peace negotiations.

    Read the passage

    Had Parsons instead of Ormonde been in charge of the treaty, it would have been brought to an abrupt termination by this epistle. On both sides, however, moderate men were now striving to compass an agreement. Ormonde and his colleagues poured oil on the troubled waters, sending a copy of the Royal Commission to Kilkenny for the Confederates' inspection, and waiving the question of Drogheda as a meeting place. On his part, Lord Castlehaven used every argument to foster a less unyielding frame of mind in the Supreme Council. His efforts were blessed with success. The Supreme Council, though still ruffled by the aspersions cast on its loyalty, despatched a deputation of laymen to Trim to make a full exposition of grievances to the King's representatives.

    Meanwhile the Justices, who had hitherto rejected Ormonde's suggestions for attacking Ross and Wexford, veered round and resolved to send an expedition to the south. The Christian desire of putting an end to the Peace Conference, and the necessity of providing for their starving soldiery at the enemy's expense, were probably the underlying motives of this sudden change of front. If the command had been entrusted to Lord Lisle, Reynolds and Goodwin would have found the funds. But Ormonde would not allow a considerable body of troops to take the field except under his orders. As the event proved, he was justified in his distrust of Lord Lisle, but from the hour when he made this declaration every obstacle was thrown in the way of his preparations, and it was not till the beginning of March that the

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 40

    As the companion tells it

    In 1643, the town of Trim became a meeting point in a fragile peace. The Irish Catholic Confederates, based in Kilkenny, were negotiating with the King's representatives, and the talks had nearly broken down. Moderate men on both sides were striving to reach an agreement. Ormonde and his colleagues sent a copy of the Royal Commission to Kilkenny for the Confederates to inspect, and they set aside the question of Drogheda as a meeting place. Lord Castlehaven, for his part, used every argument to foster a less unyielding frame of mind in the Supreme Council. His efforts met with success. The Supreme Council, though still ruffled by the aspersions cast on its loyalty, despatched a deputation of laymen to Trim to make a full exposition of grievances to the King's representatives. Had Parsons, rather than Ormonde, been in charge of the treaty, the whole business would have been brought to an abrupt termination by that point. It was Ormonde who poured oil on the troubled waters. Meanwhile, the Justices, who had previously rejected Ormonde's suggestions for attacking Ross and Wexford, changed course and resolved to send an expedition to the south. The desire to put an end to the Peace Conference, and the need to feed their starving soldiery at the enemy's expense, were probably the motives behind this sudden change. Ormonde refused to let a considerable body of troops take the field except under his orders, and as events proved, his distrust of Lord Lisle was justified.

54. Lord and Lady Thurles reside at Carrick

    Carrick-on-Suir · town · Tipperary · 1630–1632

    After their marriage in London and a year at Acton in Gloucestershire, Lord Thurles and his young wife Elizabeth crossed to Ireland and took up residence with Earl Walter at Carrick. Carrick remained Lady Thurles's home for the next two years.

    Read the passage

    At the end of that period, Lord Thurles and his child-wife crossed to Ireland and took up their abode with Earl Walter at Carrick, which for the next two years remained Lady Thurles's home. James Butler was less stationary. In 1631, business required his presence at Court ; and in order to make the acquaintance of his wife's paternal relatives he elected to travel through Scotland. But if his progress to Edinburgh was leisurely, he made up subsequently for lost time, riding the four hundred miles between the northern capital and Ware in three days. The gentleman of that age habitually spent the greater portion of his life in the saddle. Yet, after such a feat, the hardiest might well have sought his bed. Not so Lord Thurles. The long hours on horseback had told so little on his stalwart frame, that, instead of resting, he amused himself by examining the books in his lodgings. " And about the middle of the night," says Carte, " lighting on The Counterscuffle ^ which he had not seen before, it put him into such a fit of lauehter that the landlord and his wife started out of their sleep, amazed and scarce able to imagine what the matter could be."-

    1 " The Counterscuffle unto which is added The Counteratt written by R. S. Lon : printed by William Stansby, 1635." This mock heroic poem does not boast any great literary merit. It is boisterous rather than witty, faintly recalling the less happy passages of Hudibras. Yet its rollicking gaiety, after a long ride and a good dinner, might easily appeal to a cheerful and uncritical young gentleman. A mimic battle waged by the inmates of the "Counter" or prison of Wood Street forms the subject of the ballad. Failing other weapons, the combatants belabour each other with the viands, which furnish forth their supper ; for their diet was on a generous scale, hardly suggesting prison fare. Indeed, to the modern reader, the detailed and varied bill of fare forms perhaps the most curious portion of The Counterscuffle.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 15

    As the companion tells it

    Carrick-on-Suir was the home of Lord and Lady Thurles for two years, from about 1630. After their marriage in London and a year at Acton in Gloucestershire, Lord Thurles and his young wife Elizabeth crossed to Ireland and took up residence with Earl Walter at Carrick. For the next two years, Carrick remained Lady Thurles's home. James Butler was less stationary. In 1631, business required his presence at Court, and to make the acquaintance of his wife's paternal relatives he chose to travel through Scotland. His progress to Edinburgh was leisurely, but he made up for it afterwards, riding the 400 miles between the northern capital and Ware in three days. A gentleman of that age habitually spent the greater portion of his life in the saddle. Yet after such a feat, the hardiest might well have sought his bed. Not so Lord Thurles. The long hours on horseback had told so little on his stalwart frame that, instead of resting, he amused himself by examining the books in his lodgings. About the middle of the night, lighting on The Counterscuffle, which he had not seen before, it put him into such a fit of laughter that the landlord and his wife started out of their sleep, amazed and scarce able to imagine what the matter could be. The Counterscuffle was a mock heroic poem, boisterous rather than witty. Its subject was a mimic battle waged by the inmates of the Counter, the prison of Wood Street. Failing other weapons, the combatants belaboured each other with the viands that furnished their supper, for their diet was on a generous scale, hardly suggesting prison fare.

55. Lord John's education hindered in Tipperary

    Tipperary · town · Tipperary · 1659

    Lord John's studies were backward, caused partly by men's ill dealing with Lady Ormonde, and education was described as no easier to compass in Tipperary than medical attendance. The loss in learned languages was feared irrecouerable, though modern tongues might still be acquired.

    Read the passage

    Unfortunately, however, it would appear that education was no easier to compass in Tipperary than medical attendance.

    " Lord John's only infelicity," says Page, " is that hee is backward in his studyes, which has bene occasioned by some mens ill dealing with my Lady, and I am afrayd the losse will be irrecouerable as to the learned languages, because the exercises of a Cavalier will take up most part of his time. Yet what is necessary either to use or ornament for a person of his quality, may be gained out of the moderne tongues, to which hee expresses great inclinations."

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 69

    As the companion tells it

    Tipperary, in 1659, was a place where schooling was as hard to come by as a doctor. Lord John was backward in his studies, brought on partly by men's ill dealing with Lady Ormonde. The loss in the learned languages, someone feared, would be irrecouerable, because the life of a Cavalier would take up most of his time. But what served a person of his quality for use or ornament might still be gained from the modern tongues, and Lord John showed great inclination toward them.

56. No envoy would trust himself in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1642

    After Reade's experiences, no envoy dared trust himself in Dublin to communicate with the King. The difficulty of entering direct communication with the sovereign was compounded by Lord Dillon's imprisonment, showing risks across the Channel were equally formidable.

    Read the passage

    up a petition beseeching Charles to proclaim a truce until some means could be devised whereby they might " safely " approach the royal presence to expound their grievances and receive his commands. The difficulty, however, of entering into direct communication with the King was great. After Reade's experiences, no envoy would trust himself in Dublin, and Lord Dillon's imprisonment showed that the risks to be encountered across the Channel were hardly less formidable. In this dilemma the Irish gentlemen ^ craved Ormonde's mediation.

    " How little cause soever we have to expect any favours from your lordship," they wrote, "yet the eminent place you hold under our dread sovereign in the command of his army here, moves us to address to you the enclosed petition from the greater part of the nobility, gentry and commons of this poor kingdom to be transmitted to his sacred majestie, which in a matter of so important consequence, you cannot, in justice to us, or duty to him, refuse to do: and to retard the sending it over will be in effect to suppress it, an unworthiness far below the honour of your birth and estimation, and such as would render you guilty of all the evils that may ensue thereof"

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin in 1642 was a place where no envoy would trust himself to go. After what had happened to a man called Reade, nobody dared enter the city to communicate with the King. The difficulty of reaching the sovereign directly was great, and Lord Dillon's imprisonment showed that the risks across the Channel were hardly less formidable. So the Irish gentlemen turned to Ormonde instead, craving his mediation. They sent him a petition from the greater part of the nobility, gentry and commons of the kingdom, asking him to transmit it to his sacred majesty. They wrote that however little cause they had to expect favours from him, the eminent place he held under the sovereign in command of the army moved them to address him. They told him he could not, in justice to them or duty to the King, refuse. And they warned that to retard the sending of it would be in effect to suppress it, an unworthiness below his honour, and such as would render him guilty of all the evils that might ensue.

57. Ormonde establishes reorganisation headquarters at Kilkenny

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1649

    After the catastrophic defeat at Rathmines, Ormonde fixed his headquarters at Kilkenny for the purpose of reorganising his shattered forces. Jones taunted Ormonde in correspondence, saying he could not discover where the Marquis was stationed.

    Read the passage

    Irony apart, Colonel Michael Jones would have had no trouble by that time in ascertaining Ormonde's headquarters, which, for purposes of reorganisation, were fixed at Kilkenny, When, however, the Marquis left the stricken field, he rode at first straight to Ballysonan, of which he obtained possession by means of a stratagem. He had cherished some thoughts of making another

    1 Carte MSS., vol. xxv. Ormonde to King, 8th August 1649.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 56

    As the companion tells it

    After the defeat at Rathmines in 1649, Ormonde fixed his headquarters at Kilkenny to reorganise his shattered forces. Colonel Michael Jones taunted him in letters, claiming he could not discover where the Marquis was stationed. Jones would have had no trouble finding out. When Ormonde left the stricken field, he rode first to Ballysonan, taking it by stratagem.

58. Ormonde funds Dublin defence with money collected in Kilkenny

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1646

    Ormonde devoted a couple of thousand pounds collected from his tenants during his last stay in Kilkenny to the defence of Dublin. The sum was inadequate against the scarcity of munitions and provisions in the city.

    Read the passage

    was in no condition to stand a siege.^ The magazines were bare of stores, and owing to the citizens' neglect the very trenches had fallen into disrepair. But gangs of townsfolk were now organised. And the idle were put to shame by Lady Ormonde, who, at the head of a band of noble ladies, herself carried baskets of earth to rebuild the fortifications. It was more difficult to remedy the want of munitions in Dublin. Ormonde devoted a couple of thousand pounds which he had collected from his tenants during his last stay in Kilkenny, to the work of defence, but the sum was inadequate. Indeed, although it was possible that the new earthworks might temporarily arrest O'Neill, the scarcity of all provisions in Dublin made his eventual triumph certain. In these circumstances, Ormonde determined to surrender the capital to the English Parliament, rather than to the Nuncio. He saw no other means of preserving the lives and liberties of his fellow Protestants, the English laws, and the supremacy of England. Since he himself had contrived to hold Dublin against fearful odds, it was only too probable that when it was adequately manned and victualled, the town would become virtually impregnable. Then, in the Elizabethan phrase, it might well prove a convenient " back door" for the invasion of England. To us, such an alarm may appear wholly visionary. But to understand the fears that haunted our forefathers we should remember that although the bubble of Spain's military greatness was pricked at Rocroy, the world did not at once realise the change, and that neither Rome nor Spain had recanted their maxims and methods regarding national conversions. Ormonde saw that Diego della Tolle, the Spanish agent, was the Nuncio's closest ally and his most generous banker. By acting in concert, the churchman and diplomatist would experience little difficulty in discovering some prince who would at once be Ireland's titular protector, the mouthpiece of the Vatican, and the tool of Spain. For all his royalist sympathies, the cavalier Marquis preferred the rule of the Roundhead to that of Rinuccini.

    1 Carte, vol. iii. p. 268.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 52

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny, in 1646, was where Ormonde gathered the money that would go to defend Dublin. The capital was in no condition to stand a siege. The magazines were bare of stores, and owing to the citizens' neglect the very trenches had fallen into disrepair. Gangs of townsfolk were organised to put things right, and the idle were put to shame by Lady Ormonde, who, at the head of a band of noble ladies, herself carried baskets of earth to rebuild the fortifications. It was more difficult to remedy the want of munitions. Ormonde devoted a couple of thousand pounds, collected from his tenants during his last stay in Kilkenny, to the work of defence. The sum was inadequate. The new earthworks might temporarily arrest O'Neill, but the scarcity of all provisions in Dublin made his eventual triumph certain. In these circumstances, Ormonde determined to surrender the capital to the English Parliament, rather than to the Nuncio. He saw no other means of preserving the lives and liberties of his fellow Protestants, the English laws, and the supremacy of England. Since he himself had contrived to hold Dublin against fearful odds, it was probable that when the town was adequately manned and victualled, it would become virtually impregnable. Then, in the Elizabethan phrase, it might prove a convenient back door for the invasion of England. Ormonde saw that Diego della Tolle, the Spanish agent, was the Nuncio's closest ally and his most generous banker. The churchman and diplomatist would have little difficulty discovering some prince who would be Ireland's titular protector, the mouthpiece of the Vatican, and the tool of Spain. For all his royalist sympathies, the cavalier Marquis preferred the rule of the Roundhead to that of Rinuccini.

59. Ormonde's expedition to Athlone

    Athlone · town · Westmeath · 1642

    During Ormonde's expedition to Athlone, Lord Castlehaven and Sir Andrew Aylmer were suddenly arraigned before the King's Bench and remanded to prison, despite their loyalty to the Crown.

    Read the passage

    This is an anticipation of events ; and, meanwhile, the Justices did not confine themselves to planning fresh legislation against Catholics. The great majority of Papists who could afford to leave the capital, or could reconcile it to their consciences to live within the rebel quarters, had already quitted Dublin, though a small remnant, amongst whom Lord Castlehaven and Sir Andrew Aylmer, a brother-in-law of Ormonde, were the most conspicuous, had hitherto preferred the tender mercies of their rulers. During Ormonde's expedition to Athlone both these gentlemen reaped the reward of their loyalty, being suddenly arraigned before the King's Bench and remanded to prison. In his "Memoirs,"^ Castlehaven has left on record the accusations considered sufficient to indict a landowner of high treason. After the engagement of Kilrush, he had entertained the victorious General at his house of Maddistone, which was close to the battlefield.

    " Having," he says, " two or three cooks, a good barndoor and plenty of wines (for besides my own family I had with me the Duchess of Buckingham, the Marquis

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 38

    As the companion tells it

    Athlone is the town you pass through on this road. In 1642, during Ormonde's expedition here, two men who had stayed loyal to the Crown met a bitter reward. Most Catholics who could afford to had already quit Dublin, either leaving the capital or moving into rebel quarters. A small remnant stayed behind, and among the most conspicuous of these were Lord Castlehaven and Sir Andrew Aylmer, a brother-in-law of Ormonde. They had preferred to remain under the tender mercies of their rulers. While Ormonde was on his expedition to Athlone, both men were suddenly arraigned before the King's Bench and remanded to prison. Castlehaven later recorded in his Memoirs the accusations thought sufficient to indict a landowner of high treason. After the engagement of Kilrush, he had entertained the victorious General at his house of Maddistone, which was close to the battlefield. As he said, "having two or three cooks, a good barndoor and plenty of wines," besides his own family he had with him the Duchess of Buckingham and the Marquis.

60. Recusancy fines in Dublin under Chichester

    Dublin · city · Dublin

    Recusancy fines were seldom levied outside Dublin, and under Chichester's viceroyalty they did not amount to more than £18 a year within the city. The penalty was retained more as a menace than for active or general employment.

    Read the passage

    Odious as are all religious disabilities to the modern mind, it must be admitted that the recusancy fines were but fitfully imposed. They were seldom levied outside Dublin, and in Dublin, under Chichester's viceroyalty, they did not amount to more than £iS 3. year.^ During the period when a Spanish match was in contemplation, they were practically abandoned. And although extreme Protestants, such as Lord Cork, might urge their infliction, so strenuous a policy did not generally commend itself to the Deputies. In fact, the penalty was retained rather as a menace, than for active or general employment, and, as is usual in such cases, was irritating rather than efficacious.

    In the circumstances, true wisdom would probably have dictated their abrogation ; although this would have been not only a confession of failure on the part of the administration, but would have required considerable courage in view of the comments such a course must excite in Protestant England. It should not be forgotten that liberty of conscience appeared a counsel of pure cynicism, vicious and impracticable, to the statesmen of the early seventeenth century. They never doubted that it was the manifest duty of a Christian State to require conformity to the Established Church. In their eyes,

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst01burg, Chapter 27

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, in the early seventeenth century, was the one place in Ireland where recusancy fines were still levied, though even here they were imposed only fitfully. Under the viceroyalty of Chichester, these fines did not amount to more than £18 a year within the city. They were seldom collected outside Dublin at all. When a Spanish match was under contemplation, the fines were practically abandoned. Extreme Protestants such as Lord Cork might urge that the penalties be inflicted, but so strenuous a policy did not generally commend itself to the Deputies. The penalty was retained rather as a menace than for active or general employment, and, as the book puts it, was "irritating rather than efficacious." True wisdom, the author suggests, would probably have dictated their abrogation. But that would have been a confession of failure on the part of the administration, and it would have required considerable courage, given the comments such a course must excite in Protestant England. Liberty of conscience appeared a counsel of pure cynicism to the statesmen of the early seventeenth century, vicious and impracticable. They never doubted that it was the duty of a Christian State to require conformity to the Established Church.