The life of James, first duke of Ormonde, 1610-1688; (vol. 2)

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. Strafford visits Kilkenny

   Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny

   The Earl of Strafford, appointed Deputy in Ireland, visited Kilkenny during his tenure. He was known for his autocratic proceedings and economic theories.

   Read the passage

   Strafford, Wentworth, Earl of, i. 78 ; appointed Deputy in Ireland, i. 82 ; his love of sport, i. 89 ; visits Kilkenny, i. 91 ; his means of obtaining subsidies, i. 92 ; and the Army, i. 96 ; suppresses piracy, ibid. ; his economic theories, i. 97 ; his religious and agrarian policy, ibid. ; his ecclesiastical methods, i. 99 ; brings suits against the Ear! of Cork, i. 104 ; his autocratic proceedings, ibid. ; despatches men and money to the King's assistance, i. 106 ; goes to London (1639), ibid. ; created Earl of Strafford, ibid. ; falls ill, i. 107 ; his impeachment by the English House of Commons, i. 109 ; his letters to Ormonde from the Tower,

   i. in, 112; the effect of his fall on the Irish Government, i. 114; executed (12th May 1641), i. 115; his character, ibid. ; his complaints about the Phoenix Lodge, Dublin, ii. 55; Shaftesbury's revilings of, ii. 314

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 44

   As the companion tells it

   Kilkenny is a city the road passes through. The Earl of Strafford, appointed Deputy in Ireland, visited Kilkenny during his time in office. He was a man of autocratic proceedings and economic theories, with views on religious and agrarian policy and ecclesiastical methods. He loved sport. He suppressed piracy. He brought suits against the Earl of Cork. He despatched men and money to the King's assistance. In 1639 he went to London and was created Earl of Strafford. He fell ill. The English House of Commons impeached him. He wrote letters to Ormonde from the Tower. He was executed on the 12th of May, 1641.

2. Court of Claims closes leaving thousands of Catholics unheard

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1665–1669

   The Court of Claims was closed while three thousand Roman Catholics remained unheard. A second tribunal lasted only two more years, leaving distressed Irish people with no channel of relief except direct application to the Sovereign or Viceroy for forfeited lands.

   Read the passage

   The Court of Claims was now closed, although three thousand Roman Catholics were still unheard ; and the new Court of Claims only remained open for another two years.3 This was no doubt a considerable extension of the period originally assigned for hearing suits. Never-

   1 Carte, vol. iv. p. 232.

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 12

   As the companion tells it

   Dublin saw the Court of Claims close while 3,000 Roman Catholics remained unheard. A new Court of Claims lasted only two more years. The material calls this a considerable extension of the period originally assigned for hearing suits, but for those left unheard, it was not enough.

3. Ormonde moves residence to Chapelizod

   near Chapelizod · townland · Dublin · 1662–1668

   When Ormonde abandoned the Phoenix Lodge he moved his residence to Chapelizod, establishing his hawks, hounds, and horses at the Phoenix Park instead. Chapelizod was also acquired as part of the expansion of the Phoenix Park's borders.

   Read the passage

   devotional. When Ormonde abandoned the Lodge for Chapelizod he established his hawks, hounds, and horses at the Phoenix, making over their supervision, with the title of Ranger of the Phoenix Park, to Colonel Edward Cooke, one of the Commissioners of the Court of Claims. It was a labour of love to Cooke, who collected falcons, dogs, and even a pack of beagles with equal enthusiasm, writing Ormonde amusing reports on his charges. Deer and partridges were amongst the Duke's earliest investments for the Park. A sum of ,£334 was expended on the former ; the Duke obtaining Lord Bulkeley's leave to send a gentleman with nets and dogs to his property in North Wales to collect coveys, which were not to be had in the neighbourhood of Dublin.1 Indeed, so barren was that country of partridges that Strafford had been reduced to hawking small hedgerow birds, for lack of a bigger quarry.

   From the outset, Ormonde thoroughly appreciated the capabilities of the domain, which had come under his care. He instructed Colonel Cooke to lay in provisions of beech-mast and mustard for planting, and left the Government no peace till he could round off the borders of the new park by the acquisition of Chapelizod and various other small lots of land. These purchases, the nucleus of the present Phoenix Park, cost the Treasury some ^10,000, the wall erected at the same time proving almost as expensive as the land it enclosed. Nor did the ^7,890 then expended cover the bill in this instance, for the contractor, Dodson by name, was dishonest and his work required to be perpetually recommenced. Indeed, it does not seem to have fulfilled its primary purpose. On one occasion, Ossory reported that some of the deer had broken out, and "got away past recovery" to the mountains.2 And Cooke declared that the poaching privates of His Majesty's army were as destructive to the precious partridges as their natural enemies " the ringtails and kites. There is scarcely a partridge left in these

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 8

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Chapelizod, Ormonde made his residence after abandoning the Phoenix Lodge. When he moved, he kept his hawks, hounds, and horses at the Phoenix Park, placing Colonel Edward Cooke, one of the Commissioners of the Court of Claims, in charge with the title of Ranger of the Phoenix Park. Cooke took to the work with enthusiasm, collecting falcons, dogs, and even a pack of beagles, writing Ormonde amusing reports on his charges. Deer and partridges were among Ormonde's earliest investments for the Park. He spent £334 on deer. Partridges could not be had near Dublin, so he obtained Lord Bulkeley's leave to send a gentleman with nets and dogs to Bulkeley's property in North Wales to collect coveys. So barren was the country of partridges that Strafford had been reduced to hawking small hedgerow birds for lack of bigger quarry. Ormonde pressed the Government to round off the borders of the new park by acquiring this place and other small lots of land. These purchases cost the Treasury about £10,000. The wall erected at the same time was almost as expensive as the land it enclosed, and the £7,890 spent did not cover the bill. The contractor, Dodson, was dishonest, and his work had to be perpetually recommenced. It does not seem to have fulfilled its purpose. Ossory reported that some of the deer had broken out and "got away past recovery" to the mountains. Cooke declared that the poaching privates of His Majesty's army were as destructive to the precious partridges as their natural enemies, the ringtails and kites. "There is scarcely a partridge left in these" he wrote.

4. Royal frigate sent to Waterford for Ormonde

   Waterford · city · Waterford · 1675

   In April 1675, Parliament met and the King, anxious for Ormonde's assistance, dispatched a frigate to fetch the Duke over from Waterford. Despite being recalled, Ormonde found no warm welcome awaiting him in England.

   Read the passage

   The dismissal of Buckingham and Shaftesbury from his councils had not brought an increase of peace to Charles ; in fact, the opposition was immensely strengthened by the accession of the two most brilliant speakers of the day. And Charles, burdened as he was by unavowable treaties with Louis XIV., and by the notorious tenets of his unpopular heir, had no little cause to dread the prospect confronting him. In these circumstances, the King bethought himself of invoking assistance he had spurned in more prosperous days. Parliament met in April 1675, and Coventry was desired to summon Ormonde to London — the King, in his anxiety, despatching a frigate to fetch the Duke over from Waterford.

   Nevertheless, on his arrival in England Ormonde found that no very warm welcome awaited him. It is true that he had been recalled ; but a supporter of his undoubted loyalty could be ignored until his services were actually required. Kilkenny with its round of useful, happy occupations must have seemed far preferable to Whitehall, and he must have regretted his absence from home the more that important business was meanwhile demanding his return thither. Had Charles, therefore, not imperatively required his assistance in Irish affairs, the Duke would have crossed the Channel once more in August. Nor after so long and systematic an exclusion

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 22

   As the companion tells it

   Waterford, in April 1675, was where a royal frigate arrived to carry a man across the sea. Parliament had met that month, and King Charles, anxious for help, sent the ship to fetch the Duke of Ormonde from this city. Charles had dismissed Buckingham and Shaftesbury from his councils, but the opposition had only grown stronger, joined by two of the most brilliant speakers of the day. The King was burdened by unavowable treaties with Louis XIV and by the notorious tenets of his unpopular heir. He bethought himself of assistance he had spurned in more prosperous days, and Coventry was desired to summon Ormonde to London. Yet when Ormonde arrived in England, no warm welcome awaited him. He had been recalled, but a supporter of his undoubted loyalty could be ignored until his services were actually required. Kilkenny, with its round of useful, happy occupations, must have seemed far preferable to Whitehall. Had Charles not imperatively required his assistance in Irish affairs, the Duke would have crossed the Channel once more in August.

5. Troops quartered on Dublin citizens

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1663–1669

   Ormonde ordered troopers to be quartered in Dublin, as there were no barracks and a garrison was deemed necessary. A tax in lieu of compulsory billeting was devised by the mayor or municipality, and Lord Meath accused Ormonde of illegal quartering and arbitrary levying.

   Read the passage

   Thus all charges were satisfactorily repelled, with one exception — the illegal quartering of soldiers on the Dublin citizens, or the levying of a tax in lieu of the compulsory billeting. That troopers had been quartered in the town, and by Ormonde's orders, there was no doubt, though the tax was not of his imposition, but of the mayor or municipality's devising. Barracks, there were none, and a garrison was an evident necessity in Dublin. Nor had 1 Carte, vol. iv. p. 385. - Idem, p. jSb. ' Idem, p. 3S6.

   172 LIBELS AND MURDER PLOTS [1669

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 16

   As the companion tells it

   Dublin, in the years after 1663, had no barracks, and a garrison was thought necessary. Ormonde ordered troopers quartered on the citizens. A tax was devised in place of compulsory billeting, but that was the doing of the mayor or the municipality, not of Ormonde. Lord Meath accused him of illegal quartering and arbitrary levying. The charge of illegal quartering was the one accusation that was not repelled.

6. Battle of Rathmines and Ormonde's defeat

   near Rathmines · population centre · Dublin · 1649

   Ormonde advanced on Dublin with Inchiquin but suffered a significant defeat at the battle of Rathmines in July 1649. The defeat had serious consequences for the Royalist cause in Ireland.

   Read the passage

   Ormonde, James Butler — continued. proclamation, i. 346 ; re-installed at Kilkenny, i. 348; "Ormonde's Peace" (1648 O.S.), i. 349; receives news of the execution of Charles I,, i. 351 ; his feelings, i. 352 ; invites the Prince of Wales to Ireland, i. 351, 358 ; Milton's abuse of him, i. 359 ; advances on Dublin with Inchiquin, i. 361 ; the plot to assassinate him, i. 362 ; results of his delays, i. 363 ; battle of Rathmines (July 1649), i. 365 et seq. ; results of his defeat, i. 370 ; fresh negotiations with O'Neill, i. 37J> 37° 5 retreats to Trim, i, 372 ; fall of Drogheda and death of Verney, i. 373, 374 ; tries to succour Wexford, 375 ; death of O'Neill, i. 380; relieves Waterford, i. 380, 381 ; now advises Charles II. not to come, i. 382 ; hostility of the Irish Catholics to, i. 388, 397 ; requested to discharge his English following, i. 390 ; declines Cromwell's safe conduct to leave Ireland, i. 392 ; fits out a yacht, i. 393, 394; Fanning's hostility to, i. 394 ; made a scapegoat for Cromwell's campaign, i. 398 ; declines to be ordered to resign by the priests, ibid. ; Clanricarde accepted as his successor, i. 400 ; vindicates himself against the Catholic Bishops, i. 400 ; urged by Charles II. and the Duke of York, he leaves in the Elizabeth (December 1650), i. 402 ; joins Lady Ormonde at Caen, i. 406, 410 ; is unwise in money matters, i. 407 ; at the Louvre, i. 409, 410 ; and the Duke of Lorraine's schemes, i. 411 et seq. ; his tact with Henrietta Maria, i. 421 ; his anxiety as to King's safety (after Worcester), i. 419, 422, 423 ; made a Privy Councillor, i. 424 ; friendship for Sir Edward Hyde, i. 424 et seq. ; in Paris with Charles II. (1652-4), i. 444 ; his poverty while there, i. 447; the question of "tips," i. 448 ; at Port Royal, i. 449 ; leaves Paris with Charles for Spa, i. 454 ; at Aachen and Cologne, i. 455 ; employed to prevent the Duke of Gloucester's pervertion to Rome, i. 459 et seq. : pawns his Garter and the Parliament's jewel, i. 464 ; swims the Rhine, i. 471 ; with Charles

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 44

   As the companion tells it

   In 1649 a battle at Rathmines, outside Dublin, broke the Royalist cause in Ireland. James Butler, the first Duke of Ormonde, had been re-installed at Kilkenny. He had made what was called Ormonde's Peace in 1648. He received news of the execution of Charles the First. He invited the Prince of Wales to Ireland. Milton abused him in print. He advanced on Dublin with Inchiquin. But delays cost him, and there was a plot to assassinate him. Then came the battle of Rathmines, and Ormonde was defeated. The defeat had serious consequences. Ormonde retreated to Trim. He opened fresh negotiations with O'Neill. Drogheda fell, and Verney died. Ormonde tried to succour Wexford. O'Neill died. He relieved Waterford. After all this, he advised Charles the Second not to come to Ireland. The Irish Catholics turned hostile to Ormonde. He was asked to discharge his English following. He declined Cromwell's safe conduct to leave Ireland. He fitted out a yacht. Fanning was hostile to him. He was made a scapegoat for Cromwell's campaign. He refused to be ordered to resign by the priests. Clanricarde was accepted as his successor. Ormonde vindicated himself against the Catholic Bishops. Urged by Charles the Second and the Duke of York, he left Ireland in the Elizabeth. He joined Lady Ormonde at Caen.

7. Essex laments the laborious work of governing from Dublin

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1677

   Writing from Dublin in March 1677, Lord Essex expressed his profound exhaustion to Ormonde regarding the heavy burdens of governing Ireland. He also voiced frustration over the discouragements he faced while attempting to hold Ranelagh and his associates accountable to the King.

   Read the passage

   " I do confess," the poor man added, in words that must have found an echo in Ormonde's heart, " ye work that I have to do here is made so laborious as I think t' would almost tire out any man, and that which is most strange to me is whilst I only endeavour to bring those persons" (Ranelagh and his gang) "who are accountable •to His Majesty to a just and true account, discouragements should be put upon' me therein." 2

   It was probably the recollection of Ormonde's good offices on this occasion that prevented Essex from giving heed to the mischief-makers, who did their best to wreck the honourable understanding between the two statesmen.3 Ormonde himself evidently dreaded that they would embroil him with a man he esteemed ; for, on the chance of slanders reaching Essex's ears, he wrote to say that he relied on the Earl's sense of justice to give him credit for remaining in the present, as in the past, " His Grace's most faithful, humble servant." In reply, Essex admitted

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 23

   As the companion tells it

   Dublin, in March 1677. Lord Essex, writing from this city, told Ormonde how worn down he was by the work of governing Ireland. He confessed that the work he had to do here was so laborious that it would almost tire out any man. What struck him as most strange was that while he endeavoured only to bring Ranelagh and his gang to a just and true account before His Majesty, discouragements were put upon him for doing so. Others tried to wreck the understanding between the two statesmen. Ormonde himself feared that slanderers would embroil him with a man he esteemed. He wrote to Essex, saying he relied on the Earl's sense of justice, and called himself His Grace's most faithful, humble servant. In reply, Essex admitted the value of Ormonde's good offices, and the friendship between them held.

8. Geoghegan beats butcher in Dublin street and steals horse

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1680–1681

   After receiving a guard of six troopers and £30 from the Council in Dublin, the informer Geoghegan immediately abused his power by publicly whipping a butcher over the price of a horse and riding away with the animal without payment.

   Read the passage

   " ill signs of his Temper and Conduct, having in the Open Street (his guard of horses about him) not only

   1 Hist. MSS., Ormonde MSS., vol. v. p. 302. Ormonde to Earl of Ossory, 12th April 1680. 8 Carte, vol, iv. p. 619.

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 29

   As the companion tells it

   As you pass through Dublin, around 1680, the informer Geoghegan showed what the record calls "ill signs of his Temper and Conduct." Given a guard of six troopers and £30 by the Council, he whipped a butcher in the open street over the price of a horse, then rode off with the animal without paying.

9. Jeremy Taylor and the See of Meath

   Meath · county · County Meath · 1661

   Ormonde would not accede to Jeremy Taylor's requests to be transferred to the See of Meath, where his biographer noted Taylor would have been among a friendly population and close to his work at Trinity College, Dublin.

   Read the passage

   not accede to Jeremy Taylor's requests and transfer him to the See of Meath, where, as his latest biographer observes, "he would not only have been placed in the midst of a friendly population, but would have been close to Dublin and his valuable work at Trinity College."1

   On the 30th of March 1661 James Butler was created Duke of Ormonde in Ireland, and Lord High Steward of England, in virtue of this latter office carrying St Edward's crown at Charles II.'s Coronation.

   Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 5

   As the companion tells it

   Meath was a see Jeremy Taylor wanted. He asked Ormonde to transfer him there, but Ormonde would not agree. Taylor's biographer said that in Meath Taylor would have been among a friendly population and close to Dublin and his work at Trinity College. On 30 March 1661 James Butler was made Duke of Ormonde in Ireland and Lord High Steward of England, carrying St Edward's crown at Charles the Second's coronation.

10. Lord John Ormonde commands troop of horse in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1669–1672

    After the Duke of Ormonde's departure from Ireland, his wayward son Lord John remained in Dublin in command of a troop of horse. Reports of Lord John's conduct there reaching England were unwelcome to his father, whose concerns were compounded by his son's deficiencies in education and character.

    Read the passage

    From the general tenour of his ways, it is probable that Lord John had never repaired those early deficiencies in his education so deplored by Mr Page. His lack of French and Latin might, however, have been condoned had he, otherwise, followed in Ossory's footsteps, but it is to be feared that Lord John's character did not atone for his want of learning. After the Duke's departure from Ireland, he had remained in Dublin in command of a troop of horse, and the reports of his doings that reached England could not be welcome to the parental ear. Writing to her brother - in - law, George Mathew, in

    1 Carte, p. 485. - Idem.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 19

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, in the years from 1669. Lord John Ormonde remained in command of a troop of horse after his father the Duke of Ormonde had left Ireland. Reports of his doings reached England, and they could not be welcome to the parental ear. He had never repaired those early deficiencies in his education so deplored by Mr Page. He lacked French and Latin. That want of learning might have been condoned had he otherwise followed in Ossory's footsteps, but Lord John's character did not atone for his want of learning.

11. Ormonde acknowledges dismissal from Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1684

    Ormonde, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, received Charles II's letter dismissing him from office and wrote his gracious, dutiful acknowledgment from Dublin on 3 November 1684. He asked that his removal not take place in winter, being unfit for an old man to travel, and chose to return to England to attend the King's person.

    Read the passage

    2 IcUm, p. 170. Ormonde to Charles II., Dublin, 3rd November 16S4.

    394 THE END [1684

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 37

    As the companion tells it

    In 1684 in Dublin, Ormonde, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, received Charles II's letter dismissing him from office. On 3 November he wrote his dutiful acknowledgment, asking that his removal not take place in winter, unfit for an old man to travel, and choosing to return to England to attend the King's person.

12. Ormonde's arrival at Kilkenny and hawking plans

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1674

    On reaching Kilkenny, Ormonde's first thought was to order punctual payment to the shipping master; his second was to resume hawking by seeking Robin Squire to bring hawks and hounds to Kilkenny. He expected such staff would have more work than in England but live at less charge.

    Read the passage

    It was the beginning of June when Ormonde and his family left Clarendon House. The hope of preventing the now annual visitation of gout delayed him for a fortnight at Bath. Thenceforward his journey was of the shortest, and twenty-four hours after setting sail, he was at anchor in Waterford Harbour. Indeed, he was so satisfied with his voyage, that his first thought on arriving at Kilkenny, was to order punctual payment to the shipping master. That his second thought should have been for his favourite sport of hawking shows that the gout had as yet little affected his energies. With all his old eagerness, he instructed the comptroller to seek out a certain Robin Squire, and " make trial once again " whether this expert might not be lured over on the former terms to Kilkenny with hawks and hounds.1 Failing Robin himself, that worthy was to send a good falcon and assistant. " They will," said Ormonde, " have more work than in England, but live at less charge."

    Never at any period, however, had hunting and hawking wholly engrossed the Duke's attention. He had not been a week at Kilkenny before, to use his own words, he paid Essex the respect due to His Excellency's place and person by reporting his arrival in Ireland, where, he courteously remarked, " the Government is now placed as the Writer could wish it, which for a long time he has been unable to say." 2 The evident sincerity of this letter should have paved the way for Ormonde's cordial reception at the Castle; but, with all his virtues, Essex owned an uneasy temper. Perhaps the throngs of enthusiastic gentlefolk who flocked from far and near to Kilkenny — the company at dinner in those early days, seldom averaging less than two hundred guests — ruffled the Viceroy's susceptibilities. Perhaps some of the gossiping correspondents, who so frequently excited his facile wrath, had suggested an ulterior motive for Ormonde's return to his native land. Whatever the

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny was where Ormonde came home to in 1674, having left Clarendon House at the beginning of June with his family. He stopped a fortnight at Bath, hoping to hold off the annual gout. After that he travelled fast. Twenty-four hours after setting sail, he was at anchor in Waterford Harbour. His first thought on arriving at Kilkenny was to order punctual payment to the shipping master. His second was for hawking. He told the comptroller to seek out a man called Robin Squire, and to "make trial once again" whether Squire might be brought over to Kilkenny with hawks and hounds on the former terms. If Robin himself would not come, he was to send a good falcon and an assistant. Ormonde said they would have more work than in England but live at less charge. He had not been a week at Kilkenny before he wrote to Essex, reporting his arrival in Ireland and paying the respect due to His Excellency's place and person. He remarked that the Government was now placed as the Writer could wish it, which for a long time he had been unable to say. The sincerity of the letter should have paved the way for a cordial reception at the Castle. But Essex owned an uneasy temper. The throngs of gentlefolk who flocked to Kilkenny from far and near may have ruffled him. The company at dinner in those early days seldom averaged less than 200 guests. Some gossiping correspondents may have suggested an ulterior motive for Ormonde's return.

13. Ormonde's ceremonial state entry into Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1665

    Ormonde made a state entry into Dublin welcomed by young gentlemen in ash-coloured suits trimmed with scarlet and silver. The pageantry included classical figures such as Ceres, Vulcan, and Bacchus, with fireworks and salvoes marking the occasion.

    Read the passage

    In the autumn of 1665 Ormonde was back again at his post. Landing at Duncannon on September the 3rd he found Ossory awaiting him, and father and son then proceeded to Kilkenny, where Ormonde spent a month before opening Parliament in Dublin.1 Doubtless that month was not wasted, for many negotiations were needful before the Explanatory Bill could be passed through a recalcitrant House of Commons. Even Orrery, who was skilled in " lobbying," seems to have despaired of bringing it to a successful issue. Discontent was rife throughout the island ; and the fear of a Dutch raid, abetted by native or English malcontents, was no idle imagination. Nothing but satisfaction was, however, visible on the day of Ormonde's state entry into Dublin. He was welcomed by a band of young gentlemen, clad in suits of "ashcolour, trimmed with scarlet and silver, and all in white scarves." 2 As a variation on the boy orator who had harangued him at his first entry, the Viceroy was now confronted at every turn by the gods and goddesses of antiquity, Ceres " under a canopy attended by four virgins," 3 being kept in countenance by Vulcan and several Cyclops, while Bacchus — most appropriately, since the Mayor had devoted over ^100 to his rites — was very much in the foreground. Fireworks, salvoes of great and small shot, and unbounded enthusiasm completed the order of the day.

    The atmosphere of the House of Commons was, it must be owned, less highly charged with amiability. The majority of members viewed the Explanatory Act as an attempt to advantage "the Irish interest" at their expense. Had they not given Ormonde a weapon against themselves by their late intrigues with the fanatics, he

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 12

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, in the autumn of 1665, saw the Duke of Ormonde return to his post. He had landed at Duncannon on the 3rd of September, found his son Ossory waiting for him, and the two of them went on to Kilkenny, where Ormonde spent a month before opening Parliament in Dublin. That month was not wasted. Many negotiations were needed before the Explanatory Bill could pass through a stubborn House of Commons. Even Orrery, who was skilled in lobbying, seems to have despaired of bringing it to a successful issue. Discontent was rife throughout the island, and the fear of a Dutch raid, abetted by native or English malcontents, was no idle imagination. Nothing but satisfaction was visible, though, on the day of Ormonde's state entry into Dublin. He was welcomed by a band of young gentlemen clad in suits of ash colour, trimmed with scarlet and silver, and all in white scarves. As a variation on the boy orator who had harangued him at his first entry, the Viceroy was now confronted at every turn by the gods and goddesses of antiquity. Ceres, under a canopy attended by four virgins, was kept in countenance by Vulcan and several Cyclops, while Bacchus was very much in the foreground, most appropriately, since the Mayor had devoted over 100 to his rites. Fireworks, salvoes of great and small shot, and unbounded enthusiasm completed the order of the day. The atmosphere of the House of Commons was less amiable. The majority of members viewed the Explanatory Act as an attempt to advantage the Irish interest at their expense.

14. Ormonde writes from Dublin on political threats to his Viceroyalty

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1679

    From Dublin in April 1679, Ormonde wrote to Secretary Coventry about the recurrent parliamentary contrivances aimed at undermining his position as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He expressed reluctance to leave Ireland for England, noting that every Parliament session during his absence from London had brought fresh alarms, yet upon arriving at Whitehall the accusations typically dissolved.

    Read the passage

    Early in the year, Charles had suggested that Ormonde should resign his office of Lord Steward, thinking that the post would serve as a sop to one of the many clamorous leaders of the Opposition. Ormonde showed himself, as usual, ready to subordinate his own wishes to the King's convenience, remarking that he would never be found " unprovided with cheerful obedience to the Sovereign's pleasure."2 Nevertheless, he did point out that to deprive the Viceroy of honours, regarded as significant of the Sovereign's confidence, was scarcely the way to strengthen that official's difficult position. The scheme came to naught. Ormonde retained his white staff until his death, though, as the spring grew to summer, despite Shaftesbury's fair words, Ormonde's friends grew more and more doubtful of his retaining the more important of his offices. They were convinced that there was a deep laid plan to oust him from the Viceroyalty for the benefit of Halifax or Essex, and they implored him to come over to England to conduct his own defence. This was a step, however, the Duke was loath to take. As he told Coventry, he could not remember a single session of Parliament, he being absent from London, that he had not been, "hotly alarmed"3 of contrivances and preparations for his undoing. And yet, when he arrived at Whitehall, it was generally to find that the accusations had melted away. The underlying motives of these recurrent charges would, the Duke shrewdly opined, never die or be laid to rest, as long as their object remained.

    1 Carte, vol. v. p. 136. Prince of Orange to Ossory, de la Hogue, ce 2 de May 1679.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 27

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, in 1679, was the seat from which the Duke of Ormonde governed Ireland as Lord Lieutenant. That spring, the King had suggested Ormonde give up his office of Lord Steward, thinking the post might appease one of the clamorous leaders of the Opposition. Ormonde said he would never be found, in his words, unprovided with cheerful obedience to the Sovereign's pleasure. But he did point out that stripping the Viceroy of honours seen as marks of royal confidence was hardly the way to strengthen a man in a difficult position. The scheme came to nothing. Ormonde kept his white staff until his death. As spring turned to summer, his friends grew increasingly doubtful he would hold the Viceroyalty. They were convinced of a deep-laid plan to oust him for the benefit of Halifax or Essex, and they implored him to cross to England to conduct his own defence. The Duke was loath to go. He told Secretary Coventry that he could not recall a single session of Parliament, during his absence from London, when he had not been, as he put it, hotly alarmed by contrivances for his undoing. And yet, when he reached Whitehall, the accusations had generally melted away. The motives behind these charges, he shrewdly said, would never die as long as their object remained.

15. Orrery's troops transferred from Inchiquin's command in 1649

    Inchiquin · townland · Clare · 1649

    Orrery opposed the reduction of the Irish army because the troops had been under his command since they came over to him from Inchiquin in 1649. Cashiering these soldiers would have stripped him of a military power base he had held for nearly two decades.

    Read the passage

    Orrery had been detained in Ireland by his old enemy, the gout, but although he reached England in a crippled condition his mental lucidity was unimpaired. In fact, his ever-acute intelligence was now vastly stimulated by the hope of succeeding to Ormonde's honours, a prospect which Buckingham and Ashley had dangled before his eyes, as the reward for his assistance in their crusade against the Duke. Even without this lure, however, Orrery would have had strong reasons for creating a diversion to the suggested reduction of the army, and the calling of Parliament. The first proposal meant the cashiering of the troops, who had been under his command since they came over to him from Inchiquin in 1649. The second proposal was equally unacceptable, since it was certain that an Irish Parliament would immediately open an enquiry into the doings of the Presidential Court of Munster.

    By engaging to demonstrate that Irish receipts exceeded outgoings, Orrery at once obtained the ear of the impecunious Monarch. If the melancholy experience of many years did not bear out the Earl's contention, it was, he declared, the result of faulty or fraudulent administration. The golden vision of an overflowing

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 15

    As the companion tells it

    Somewhere around here, in 1649, troops left Inchiquin's command and came over to Orrery. He held them for years after, and fought to keep them. Orrery had been detained in Ireland by his old enemy, the gout, and reached England in a crippled condition, but his mind was sharp. His intelligence was stimulated by the hope of succeeding to Ormonde's honours, a prospect Buckingham and Ashley had dangled before him as the reward for his assistance in their crusade against the Duke. Even without that lure, Orrery had strong reasons for opposing the suggested reduction of the army and the calling of Parliament. The first proposal meant cashiering the troops who had been under his command since they came over to him from Inchiquin in 1649. The second was equally unacceptable, since an Irish Parliament would immediately open an enquiry into the doings of the Presidential Court of Munster. By engaging to demonstrate that Irish receipts exceeded outgoings, Orrery obtained the ear of the impecunious Monarch. If experience did not bear out his contention, he declared it the result of faulty or fraudulent administration.

16. Ossory elevated to Irish House of Lords in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1662

    In June 1662, Ormonde's eldest son Ossory, then a member of the House of Commons at Dublin, was called to the Irish House of Lords. All his Commons colleagues escorted him to the Upper Chamber, where the bench of earls waived their precedence in his favour.

    Read the passage

    Parliament's sense of Ormonde's services was likewise reflected in their treatment of his firstborn. Ossory was a member of the House of Commons, both at Dublin and at Westminster. In June 1662, however, he was called to the Irish House of Lords, all his late colleagues solemnly escorting him to the Upper Chamber. On their side, the Peers were determined not to allow themselves to be outdone in cordiality by the Commons, and when

    1 Carte, vol. v. p. 32. Mr Secretary Nicholas to Lord Justices, 19th April 1662.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 6

    As the companion tells it

    Dublin, June 1662. Parliament's regard for Ormonde's services showed in how they treated his firstborn. Ossory sat in the House of Commons, both at Dublin and Westminster. Then he was called to the Irish House of Lords. All his Commons colleagues solemnly escorted him to the Upper Chamber. The peers were determined not to be outdone in cordiality by the Commons.

17. Retreat to Trim after defeat

    Trim · town · Meath · 1649

    Following his defeat at Rathmines, Ormonde retreated to Trim. This was part of the cascading collapse of Royalist positions in Ireland.

    Read the passage

    Ormonde, James Butler — continued. proclamation, i. 346 ; re-installed at Kilkenny, i. 348; "Ormonde's Peace" (1648 O.S.), i. 349; receives news of the execution of Charles I,, i. 351 ; his feelings, i. 352 ; invites the Prince of Wales to Ireland, i. 351, 358 ; Milton's abuse of him, i. 359 ; advances on Dublin with Inchiquin, i. 361 ; the plot to assassinate him, i. 362 ; results of his delays, i. 363 ; battle of Rathmines (July 1649), i. 365 et seq. ; results of his defeat, i. 370 ; fresh negotiations with O'Neill, i. 37J> 37° 5 retreats to Trim, i, 372 ; fall of Drogheda and death of Verney, i. 373, 374 ; tries to succour Wexford, 375 ; death of O'Neill, i. 380; relieves Waterford, i. 380, 381 ; now advises Charles II. not to come, i. 382 ; hostility of the Irish Catholics to, i. 388, 397 ; requested to discharge his English following, i. 390 ; declines Cromwell's safe conduct to leave Ireland, i. 392 ; fits out a yacht, i. 393, 394; Fanning's hostility to, i. 394 ; made a scapegoat for Cromwell's campaign, i. 398 ; declines to be ordered to resign by the priests, ibid. ; Clanricarde accepted as his successor, i. 400 ; vindicates himself against the Catholic Bishops, i. 400 ; urged by Charles II. and the Duke of York, he leaves in the Elizabeth (December 1650), i. 402 ; joins Lady Ormonde at Caen, i. 406, 410 ; is unwise in money matters, i. 407 ; at the Louvre, i. 409, 410 ; and the Duke of Lorraine's schemes, i. 411 et seq. ; his tact with Henrietta Maria, i. 421 ; his anxiety as to King's safety (after Worcester), i. 419, 422, 423 ; made a Privy Councillor, i. 424 ; friendship for Sir Edward Hyde, i. 424 et seq. ; in Paris with Charles II. (1652-4), i. 444 ; his poverty while there, i. 447; the question of "tips," i. 448 ; at Port Royal, i. 449 ; leaves Paris with Charles for Spa, i. 454 ; at Aachen and Cologne, i. 455 ; employed to prevent the Duke of Gloucester's pervertion to Rome, i. 459 et seq. : pawns his Garter and the Parliament's jewel, i. 464 ; swims the Rhine, i. 471 ; with Charles

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    This is Trim, in Meath. In 1649, James Butler, the first Duke of Ormonde, retreated here after his defeat at the battle of Rathmines. Ormonde had been re-installed at Kilkenny. He had made what was called Ormonde's Peace in 1648, Old Style. He received news of the execution of Charles the First, and he invited the Prince of Wales to Ireland. Milton wrote abuse of him. He advanced on Dublin with Inchiquin. There was a plot to assassinate him. His delays had their consequences. Then came the battle of Rathmines, and the results of his defeat followed. After that loss, Ormonde entered fresh negotiations with O'Neill, and he retreated to Trim. The collapse went on around him. Drogheda fell, and Verney died. Ormonde tried to succour Wexford. O'Neill died. He relieved Waterford. By then he was advising Charles the Second not to come to Ireland. The Irish Catholics turned hostile to him. He was requested to discharge his English following. He declined Cromwell's safe conduct to leave Ireland. He fitted out a yacht. He was made a scapegoat for Cromwell's campaign. He declined the priests' order to resign. Clanricarde was accepted as his successor. He vindicated himself against the Catholic Bishops. Urged by Charles the Second and the Duke of York, he left in the Elizabeth and joined Lady Ormonde at Caen.

18. Ormonde's peaceful winter at Kilkenny

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1674

    After leaving Dublin, Ormonde remained at Kilkenny, occupied with industrial schemes, entertaining his neighbours, and hunting during one of the most peaceful winters of his life. This interlude was only clouded by news of Lord Clarendon's death in December.

    Read the passage

    cause, the Lord-Lieutenant, undoubtedly, accorded but a frigid welcome to Ormonde. To the Duke's warmhearted countrymen this ungenial attitude appeared almost in the light of an outrage, and they took a characteristic revenge by crediting the neat-spoken Ormonde with the remark that the " Lord Lieutenant had received him according to his breeding and understanding."1 The Duke himself, however, declined either to father the speech, or to comment adversely on Essex's behaviour, having consistently practised the apostolic injunction not to speak evil of dignities — that is to say, when those dignities represented the King of his allegiance, Moreover, on this occasion, the Duke very wisely referred any lack of courtesy in Essex's behaviour to the Earl's fear of offending his enemies in the ministry ; and, with the same good sense, Ormonde did not linger unduly in Dublin. Having seen his friends, and called upon all the ladies of his acquaintance, at the end of a few days he returned to Kilkenny ; and here he remained, busied with his many industrial schemes, entertaining his neighbours, and following the chase during a winter which certainly counted as one of the most peaceful of his life. Nevertheless, even this brief interlude was not unclouded with sorrow. In December he heard that Lord Clarendon had died at Rouen. It was eight years since he had parted from the Chancellor, but the news must have revived in Ormonde all the bitterness he had felt over that great man's eclipse and fall. For after remarking on the grief that his death, and the fact that " he should not be laid in his own country's earth," must cause his friends, Ormonde concluded by saying that if he was dead he — Ormonde — trusted that " he is gone to a kingdom where no act of Parliament can touch him."

    Although the Duke of Ormonde had withdrawn himself, for the moment, from active participation in current politics, Ossory did not allow him to be ignorant of the trend of public affairs,2 his communications with his

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    The road passes near Kilkenny, a city that gave James Butler, first Duke of Ormonde, one of the most peaceful winters of his life. In 1674, after leaving Dublin, where the Lord-Lieutenant Essex had given him a cold welcome, Ormonde returned here after only a few days. His warmhearted countrymen thought the slight an outrage and credited Ormonde with the remark that the Lord-Lieutenant had received him, in the source's words, "according to his breeding and understanding." Ormonde himself would neither father the speech nor speak ill of Essex, having practised the apostolic injunction not to speak evil of dignities. He sensibly put the discourtesy down to the Earl's fear of offending his enemies in the ministry, and he did not linger in Dublin. He had seen his friends and called upon all the ladies of his acquaintance, and then he came back to Kilkenny. Here he stayed through the winter, busy with industrial schemes, entertaining his neighbours, and following the chase. It counted as one of the most peaceful times of his life. Even so, sorrow touched him. In December he learned that Lord Clarendon had died at Rouen. It was 8 years since he had parted from the Chancellor, and the news must have revived the bitterness he had felt over that great man's eclipse and fall. Ormonde spoke of the grief his death must cause his friends, and that "he should not be laid in his own country's earth." He concluded that if Clarendon was dead, he trusted "he is gone to a kingdom where no act of Parliament can touch him."

19. Carte inspects conveyance records at Kilkenny Castle

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny

    During his visit to Kilkenny, the historian Carte inspected the counterpart of the conveyance by which Ormonde had restored the Wogan estate at Rathcoffy. He also found further evidence in the Castle archives of Ormonde's generosity, including reconveyances of close on 9,000 acres to Lords Dunboyne and Ikerrin, Sir R. Everard, and others, at nominal chief rents.

    Read the passage

    In this instance, Ormonde only showed a proper sense of equity, but in others he justified his own contention that he had given thousands away purely in "relief and compassion." 2 Among the estates assigned him for arrears was that of Mr Wogan of Rathcoffy, whose father had fallen in the battle of Rathmines. To his innocent son, Ormonde restored the whole estate, valued at ,£7,000 per annum, at a yearly chief rent of £"io. During his visit to Kilkenny, Carte inspected the counterpart of this very conveyance. Nor was this the sole evidence of the Duke's generosity he found in the archives of the Castle. To Lords Dunboyne and Ikerrin, Sir R. Everard, and some half dozen other gentlemen, Ormonde reconveyed close on 9,000 acres allotted to him, at a merely nominal chief rent. Where the Duke retained forfeited estates, he was careful to charge them — in proportion to the profit he derived from these " parcels of land " — with allowances for seven years, or for life to the ancient proprietors. Carte, whose accuracy in such matters is as

    1 Sir George Lane, Lord Lanesborough.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 18

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny holds a story of generosity recorded in the archives of its castle. The historian Carte came here and inspected the counterpart of a conveyance by which the Duke of Ormonde had restored the Wogan estate at Rathcoffy. Wogan's father had fallen in the battle of Rathmines. The estate had been assigned to Ormonde for arrears, but Ormonde gave the whole of it back to Wogan's innocent son. It was valued at 7,000 pounds per annum, and Ormonde charged only a yearly chief rent of 10 pounds. Ormonde himself said he had given thousands away purely in relief and compassion. In the castle archives Carte found more proof of this. To Lords Dunboyne and Ikerrin, Sir R. Everard, and some half dozen other gentlemen, Ormonde reconveyed close on 9,000 acres at a merely nominal chief rent. Where the Duke kept forfeited estates for himself, he charged them with allowances for seven years or for life to the ancient proprietors.

20. Ormonde recovers Trinity College possessions in Kerry

    Kerry · county · Kerry

    Ormonde took an unwearying interest in Trinity College Dublin's welfare, and through his several governments he recovered the College's former possessions in Kerry and elsewhere, obtaining many new endowments for his scholars.

    Read the passage

    an unwearying interest in the discipline and prosperity of the College, and the men it sent forth into the world.1 To the latter he was a generous patron ; and more jealous of the University's welfare than his own, he never rested until in Kerry and elsewhere he had recovered its former possessions, obtaining many a new endowment for his scholars in the course of his several governments.

    Jeremy Taylor owed not alone his Vice-Chancellorship,

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 4

    As the companion tells it

    As the road takes you through Kerry, this county once held lands belonging to Trinity College Dublin. James Butler, first Duke of Ormonde, took an unwearying interest in the College's welfare. Through his several governments he never rested until he had recovered its former possessions here and elsewhere, and obtained many a new endowment for his scholars.

21. Ormonde relieves Waterford

    Waterford · city · Waterford · 1649–1650

    Ormonde managed to relieve Waterford during the Cromwellian campaign, though overall the Royalist position was deteriorating rapidly.

    Read the passage

    Ormonde, James Butler — continued. proclamation, i. 346 ; re-installed at Kilkenny, i. 348; "Ormonde's Peace" (1648 O.S.), i. 349; receives news of the execution of Charles I,, i. 351 ; his feelings, i. 352 ; invites the Prince of Wales to Ireland, i. 351, 358 ; Milton's abuse of him, i. 359 ; advances on Dublin with Inchiquin, i. 361 ; the plot to assassinate him, i. 362 ; results of his delays, i. 363 ; battle of Rathmines (July 1649), i. 365 et seq. ; results of his defeat, i. 370 ; fresh negotiations with O'Neill, i. 37J> 37° 5 retreats to Trim, i, 372 ; fall of Drogheda and death of Verney, i. 373, 374 ; tries to succour Wexford, 375 ; death of O'Neill, i. 380; relieves Waterford, i. 380, 381 ; now advises Charles II. not to come, i. 382 ; hostility of the Irish Catholics to, i. 388, 397 ; requested to discharge his English following, i. 390 ; declines Cromwell's safe conduct to leave Ireland, i. 392 ; fits out a yacht, i. 393, 394; Fanning's hostility to, i. 394 ; made a scapegoat for Cromwell's campaign, i. 398 ; declines to be ordered to resign by the priests, ibid. ; Clanricarde accepted as his successor, i. 400 ; vindicates himself against the Catholic Bishops, i. 400 ; urged by Charles II. and the Duke of York, he leaves in the Elizabeth (December 1650), i. 402 ; joins Lady Ormonde at Caen, i. 406, 410 ; is unwise in money matters, i. 407 ; at the Louvre, i. 409, 410 ; and the Duke of Lorraine's schemes, i. 411 et seq. ; his tact with Henrietta Maria, i. 421 ; his anxiety as to King's safety (after Worcester), i. 419, 422, 423 ; made a Privy Councillor, i. 424 ; friendship for Sir Edward Hyde, i. 424 et seq. ; in Paris with Charles II. (1652-4), i. 444 ; his poverty while there, i. 447; the question of "tips," i. 448 ; at Port Royal, i. 449 ; leaves Paris with Charles for Spa, i. 454 ; at Aachen and Cologne, i. 455 ; employed to prevent the Duke of Gloucester's pervertion to Rome, i. 459 et seq. : pawns his Garter and the Parliament's jewel, i. 464 ; swims the Rhine, i. 471 ; with Charles

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    Waterford is a city the road passes through or near. In 1649 and 1650, during Cromwell's campaign in Ireland, this was one of the few places that held. James Butler, the first Duke of Ormonde, had been re-installed at Kilkenny. He received news of the execution of Charles I. He invited the Prince of Wales to Ireland. He advanced on Dublin with Inchiquin, but there was a plot to assassinate him, and the battle of Rathmines ended in defeat. The results of that defeat were severe. He retreated to Trim. Drogheda fell, and Verney died there. Ormonde tried to succour Wexford. Then O'Neill died. Against that background, Ormonde relieved Waterford. It was one success in a position that was deteriorating rapidly. Afterwards, he advised Charles II not to come to Ireland. The Irish Catholics were hostile to him. He was requested to discharge his English following. He declined Cromwell's safe conduct to leave Ireland. He fitted out a yacht. Fanning was hostile to him. He was made a scapegoat for Cromwell's campaign. He declined to be ordered to resign by the priests. Clanricarde was accepted as his successor. Ormonde vindicated himself against the Catholic Bishops. Urged by Charles II and the Duke of York, he left Ireland in the Elizabeth.

22. Owen Roe forced to retreat from Galway

    Galway · city · Galway

    Owen Roe O'Neill was forced to retreat from Galway, after which he became more amenable to Ormonde's approaches and responded to his advances toward a political alliance.

    Read the passage

    of the Irish for, i. 126 ; succeeds Sir Phelim as Commander-in-Chief of Ulster (July 1642), i. 188 ; defeated at Clonish, i. 218 ; opposes Munroe's raids, i. 239 ; at Benburb, i. 300 ; his depredations in Leinster and Munster, i. 339 ; forced to retreat from Galway, i. 343 ; becomes more amenable to Ormonde, i. 354 ; responds to his advances, i. 371 ; his illness delays the alliance, i. 372 ; gives proof of his sincerity, i. 378 ; his death at Cloughter (November 1649), i. 379 ; his character, ibid. ; effect on Ormonde's hopes, i. 380

    O'Neill, Sir Brian, i. 249

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 43

    As the companion tells it

    The road passes through Galway. Owen Roe O'Neill was forced to retreat from it. He had succeeded Sir Phelim as Commander-in-Chief of Ulster, been defeated at Clonish, fought at Benburb, and carried depredations through Leinster and Munster. After the retreat he became more amenable to Ormonde, responding to his advances toward a political alliance. Illness delayed that alliance, but O'Neill gave proof of his sincerity before his death at Cloughter.

23. Ormonde anchors at Waterford Harbour

    near Waterford Harbour · estuary · Wexford · 1674

    In June 1674 Ormonde left Clarendon House and, after a short stay at Bath, sailed for Ireland. Twenty-four hours after setting sail he was at anchor in Waterford Harbour, a swift and satisfactory voyage.

    Read the passage

    It was the beginning of June when Ormonde and his family left Clarendon House. The hope of preventing the now annual visitation of gout delayed him for a fortnight at Bath. Thenceforward his journey was of the shortest, and twenty-four hours after setting sail, he was at anchor in Waterford Harbour. Indeed, he was so satisfied with his voyage, that his first thought on arriving at Kilkenny, was to order punctual payment to the shipping master. That his second thought should have been for his favourite sport of hawking shows that the gout had as yet little affected his energies. With all his old eagerness, he instructed the comptroller to seek out a certain Robin Squire, and " make trial once again " whether this expert might not be lured over on the former terms to Kilkenny with hawks and hounds.1 Failing Robin himself, that worthy was to send a good falcon and assistant. " They will," said Ormonde, " have more work than in England, but live at less charge."

    Never at any period, however, had hunting and hawking wholly engrossed the Duke's attention. He had not been a week at Kilkenny before, to use his own words, he paid Essex the respect due to His Excellency's place and person by reporting his arrival in Ireland, where, he courteously remarked, " the Government is now placed as the Writer could wish it, which for a long time he has been unable to say." 2 The evident sincerity of this letter should have paved the way for Ormonde's cordial reception at the Castle; but, with all his virtues, Essex owned an uneasy temper. Perhaps the throngs of enthusiastic gentlefolk who flocked from far and near to Kilkenny — the company at dinner in those early days, seldom averaging less than two hundred guests — ruffled the Viceroy's susceptibilities. Perhaps some of the gossiping correspondents, who so frequently excited his facile wrath, had suggested an ulterior motive for Ormonde's return to his native land. Whatever the

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    Waterford Harbour is the estuary the road passes through. In June 1674 the Duke of Ormonde sailed into these waters with his family, twenty-four hours after setting sail from England. He had left Clarendon House at the beginning of June, but a fortnight at Bath had delayed him, taken in hope of warding off his annual visitation of gout. From Bath onward his journey was of the shortest, and a single day brought his ship to anchor here. He was so satisfied with the voyage that his first thought on arriving at Kilkenny was to order punctual payment to the shipping master. His second thought was for hawking. With all his old eagerness he told his comptroller to seek out a man called Robin Squire, and to make trial once again whether this expert might be lured to Kilkenny on the former terms with hawks and hounds. Failing Robin himself, the man was to send a good falcon and an assistant. Ormonde said they would have more work than in England, but live at less charge. He had not been a week at Kilkenny before he paid Essex the respect due to His Excellency's place and person by reporting his arrival in Ireland. He remarked that the Government was now placed as the Writer could wish it, which for a long time he had been unable to say. The sincerity of that letter should have won him a warm reception at the Castle, but Essex owned an uneasy temper. Gentlefolk flocked from far and near to Kilkenny, and the company at dinner in those early days seldom averaged less than 200 guests.

24. Ossory rejoins Ormonde in Dublin

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1668

    After receiving the King's license to come to England at his own pleasure, Ormonde remained at his post in Dublin. His son Ossory rejoined him there in March 1668, having been left in authority during Ormonde's potential absence.

    Read the passage

    private member, Sir C. Wheeler, moved that the sums voted for the repayment of the debts the Duke had contracted on behalf of the Crown should be assigned to the royal exchequer, but no one seconded the motion, and " so it died with shame to the author." Thus, hitherto, Ormonde could be reckoned successful, as, indeed, he was bound to be, when his opponents descended from vague insinuation to concrete charges. And it was evidently less for his personal satisfaction than to reassure his well-wishers that he asked and obtained the King's permission to hold in reserve the power of coming to England at his own pleasure, leaving meanwhile his authority to Ossory. This request was instantly granted. Ormonde was in possession of the royal license towards the beginning of 1668, and Ossory rejoined his father in Dublin in March. Yet it is probable that the Lord- Lieutenant would have persisted in his first resolution and remained at his post, if he had not become aware that the ablest man in Ireland had joined forces with Buckingham.

    Hitherto Orrery's relations with Ormonde, as their correspondence attests, had remained no less cordial than the Duchess, from the first, had desired. Orrery's style was habitually studded with superlatives, but in writing to the Duke he surpassed himself. In fact, after the perusal of his replies to Ormonde's communications, private and public, it becomes something of a problem as to the terms he could hold in reserve for address to the Deity he so frequently invoked. Roger Boyle was a person of infinite resource, otherwise one would imagine that he must have exhausted even the seventeenth-century vocabulary for gratitude and abasement in his epistles to Ormonde. By the spring of 1668, Orrery had, however, begun to question the profit to be derived from a continued adhesion to Ormonde. The Earl was probably the best financier Ireland owned. No intrigue was too tortuous for his unravelling, or, indeed, for his spinning. His services were, therefore, of incalculable value to Ormonde's opponents, and before long they

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 14

    As the companion tells it

    In Dublin in 1668, a father and son came together again under circumstances shaped by politics and wary calculation. Ormonde, the Lord-Lieutenant, had asked the King for permission to come to England at his own pleasure, and the request was instantly granted. He would leave his authority in the meantime to Ossory, his son. He was in possession of the royal license towards the beginning of 1668, and Ossory rejoined his father in Dublin in March of that year. Yet Ormonde might have persisted in his first resolution and remained at his post, had he not learned that the ablest man in Ireland had joined forces with Buckingham. That man was Orrery, Roger Boyle, the Earl of Orrery. Hitherto his relations with Ormonde, as their correspondence attests, had remained cordial, just as the Duchess had desired from the first. Orrery's style was habitually studded with superlatives, but in writing to the Duke he surpassed himself. After reading his replies to Ormonde's communications, private and public, it becomes something of a problem as to what terms he could hold in reserve for address to the Deity he so frequently invoked. Roger Boyle was a person of infinite resource. One would imagine he must have exhausted even the seventeenth-century vocabulary for gratitude and abasement in his epistles to Ormonde. By the spring of 1668, Orrery had begun to question the profit to be derived from continued adhesion to Ormonde. The Earl was probably the best financier Ireland owned. No intrigue was too tortuous for his unravelling, or indeed for his spinning. His services were therefore of incalculable value to Ormonde's opponents.

25. Sheriffs across Ireland refuse to execute Court of Claims decrees

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1663

    So many sheriffs throughout Ireland refused to carry out the awards of the Court of Claims in Dublin that Ormonde suspected a combination of these officers across the kingdom. Many English settlers declared they would not quit possession regardless of decrees.

    Read the passage

    " many of the English had said they would not quit the possession of what they held whatever the Commission

    1 Carte, vol. iv. p. 131.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 10

    As the companion tells it

    In 1663 Dublin was the seat of the Court of Claims, but sheriffs across Ireland refused to carry out its decrees. Ormonde suspected a combination among them. As for the English settlers, many had said they would not quit possession of what they held, whatever the Commission ordered.

26. Bishops resident in Dublin petition the King for Church endowments

    Dublin · city · Dublin · 1660

    Bishops resident in Dublin petitioned the King, stating that by Divine Laws he was nursing father to the Churches, seeking restitution of ecclesiastical endowments. Ormonde acted as their mediator and advocate with the King, successfully securing grants of impropriate and forfeited tithes, free diocesan schools, and a uniform tithing rate.

    Read the passage

    1 Carte MSS., vol. xlv. p. 21. Petition of Bishops resident in Dublin to King.

    8 Carte, vol. iv. p. 23. Ormonde to Bramhall, 5th December 1660. 3 " Reid's Presbyterian Church,*' vol. ii. p. 281.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 4

    As the companion tells it

    In 1660, bishops resident in Dublin petitioned the King, stating that by Divine Laws he was the nursing father of the Churches, seeking restitution of ecclesiastical endowments. Ormonde acted as their mediator with the King, securing grants of impropriate and forfeited tithes, free diocesan schools, and a uniform tithing rate.

27. Chapelizod factory and the linen and wool trades

    near Chapelizod · townland · Dublin

    Ireland's linen and wool trades were established during this period, with a factory at Chapelizod serving as a notable site of manufacture.

    Read the passage

    122 ; The Cattle Bill and its effects on, ii. 129 et seq. ; becomes the meat depSt of the Continent, ii. 129 ; the linen and wool trades established in, ii. 131 ; the Chapelizod factory, ii. 133 ; Catholic attempts to upset the Land Settlement, ii. 195 et seq. ; Ormonde re-appointed Lord-Lieutenant, ii. 261 ; the condition of the peasantry, ii. 264 ; the chimney tax, ibid. ; the three religious classes in Ireland, ii. 266 ; the Popish Plot, ii. 271 et seq. ; the Test Act and other penalties, ii. 295 ; Geoghegan and the Informers, ii. 319; the Connaught Assize (1681), ii. 321 ; O'Hanlonand the Tory bands, ii. 327 et seq. ; Lord Arran acts as Deputy (1682-4), ii. 360 ; the collection and management of the Revenue, ii. 368 et seq. ; the improved and peaceful condition of the country under Ormonde and Arran, ii. 325, 392 ; Rochester succeeds Ormonde, ii. 392 ; James II. appoints Clarendon Lord -Lieutenant, and Tyrconnel Commander - in - Chief, ii. 4 10 ; Tyrconnel becomes Deputy, ii. 414 Ireton, left by Cromwell in command, i- 395; his death, i. 418; succeeded by Ludlow, ibid.

    James I., his arbitration in the Ormonde case, i. 29; his attempt to improve the state of the Irish clergy, i. 66; his plantation of Ulster, i. 98

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 43

28. Lady Mary Butler's marriage at Kilkenny

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1663–1664

    Lord and Lady Chesterfield travelled to Kilkenny on the occasion of Lady Mary Butler's marriage, one of the few events that drew them away from Bretby during this period. The journey reflects the Butler family's continuing ties to Kilkenny as a seat of family celebration.

    Read the passage

    Undoubtedly, the conjugal affairs of Lord and Lady Chesterfield were more complicated than Gramont would make us believe, but whether owing to the drastic candour advocated by Lord Chesterfield, or to Elizabeth's personal attractions, to all outward seeming, husband and wife made up their quarrels at Bretby. And there, save for a journey to Kilkenny on the occasion of Lady Mary Butler's marriage, they remained. In 1664, they received a visit from the Duke and Duchess, a visit Ormonde utilised for the purpose of administering good advice to Elizabeth Chesterfield. He seems to have been troubled about her friendship with an unnamed lady at this period. At any rate, he was insistent that she should keep this person out of the house, Lady Chesterfield protesting her ready obedience to his commands ; and, indeed, no daughter ever wrote in a more uniformly submissive strain.2 In return, it was to the Duke that she appealed when in financial straits, for although she vowed that she would not have troubled Ormonde if " my lord's tenants were so just as to pay their rents at the time appointed,"3 it was of her father and not of her husband that she begged ,£400 to discharge a gambling debt to Lady Essex.1

    During the next few months, Ormonde continued to receive letters from Lady Chesterfield. Affectionate as are these epistles, they throw, however, little light on the conditions of her existence at Bretby, save that she rather piteously entreats Ormonde to take her with him to

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 12

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny was where Lord and Lady Chesterfield came for a wedding. Lady Mary Butler was married here, and the occasion was rare enough. For the most part, Lord and Lady Chesterfield stayed at Bretby, their seat in England, and this journey to Kilkenny was one of the few times they left it. Their marriage, it seems, had its troubles. Gramont suggested as much, though the truth was likely more tangled than he let on. Still, whether through Lord Chesterfield's blunt honesty or Elizabeth's own charm, they appeared to reconcile at Bretby. In 1664, the Duke and Duchess of Ormonde came to visit them. Ormonde used the occasion to give Elizabeth Chesterfield some firm advice. He was troubled about her friendship with an unnamed lady, and he insisted she keep that person out of the house. Elizabeth protested her ready obedience, and no daughter ever wrote in a more uniformly submissive strain. Yet when she fell into financial difficulty, it was to the Duke she turned. She told him she would not have troubled him if her lord's tenants were so just as to pay their rents at the time appointed. But it was her father, not her husband, she begged for 400 pounds to discharge a gambling debt to Lady Essex. In the months that followed, Ormonde continued to receive her letters. They were affectionate, but they told little of her life at Bretby, save that she rather piteously entreated Ormonde to take her with him.

29. Ormonde's planned return to Kilkenny cancelled by royal summons

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1676

    In 1676 Ormonde had made arrangements to return to Kilkenny, his Irish seat, but cancelled them when the King summoned him to remain and consider proposed changes to the revenue establishment of Ireland. His sense of duty overcame his personal wish to retire from public affairs to Kilkenny.

    Read the passage

    from public affairs was he anxious to accept the royal invitation. But as usual his sense of duty triumphed over his personal wishes and convenience. He cancelled all the arrangements he had made for returning to Kilkenny, and obediently betook himself to the consideration of the proposed changes in the establishment and the collection of the revenue of Ireland.

    All the world over few subjects are more thorny than that of finance. But, in Irish Finance, the pitfalls were multiplied seventyfold ; and scarcely had the discussion been initiated before Ormonde found himself embarked afresh on a sea of trouble.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny was the Irish seat Ormonde meant to come home to in 1676. He had made his arrangements. But the King summoned him to stay and consider proposed changes to the revenue establishment of Ireland. He wanted to retire from public affairs, but his sense of duty won out. He cancelled everything and turned to the work. Irish finance was thorny ground, the pitfalls multiplied seventyfold. Scarcely had the discussion begun before Ormonde found himself, in the words of his biographer, embarked afresh on a sea of trouble.

30. Ormonde reports his arrival to Essex from Kilkenny

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1674

    Within a week of arriving at Kilkenny, Ormonde wrote to Lord-Lieutenant Essex reporting his arrival in Ireland and expressing satisfaction with the current state of government. The letter was dated from Kilkenny on 6 July 1674.

    Read the passage

    Never at any period, however, had hunting and hawking wholly engrossed the Duke's attention. He had not been a week at Kilkenny before, to use his own words, he paid Essex the respect due to His Excellency's place and person by reporting his arrival in Ireland, where, he courteously remarked, " the Government is now placed as the Writer could wish it, which for a long time he has been unable to say." 2 The evident sincerity of this letter should have paved the way for Ormonde's cordial reception at the Castle; but, with all his virtues, Essex owned an uneasy temper. Perhaps the throngs of enthusiastic gentlefolk who flocked from far and near to Kilkenny — the company at dinner in those early days, seldom averaging less than two hundred guests — ruffled the Viceroy's susceptibilities. Perhaps some of the gossiping correspondents, who so frequently excited his facile wrath, had suggested an ulterior motive for Ormonde's return to his native land. Whatever the

    1 Carte MSS., vol. ccxix. f. 131. Ormonde to Mr Clarke, Kilkenny, 16th July 1674.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 22

    As the companion tells it

    Kilkenny, in the summer of 1674. Ormonde had not been a week here before he wrote to the Lord-Lieutenant, Essex, reporting his arrival in Ireland. He paid Essex, as he put it, the respect due to His Excellency's place and person. In the letter, dated from Kilkenny on 6 July 1674, he remarked that the Government was now placed as he could wish it, which for a long time he had been unable to say. The sincerity of that letter should have opened the way for a warm welcome at the Castle. But Essex owned an uneasy temper. Throngs of gentlefolk flocked from far and near to Kilkenny, and the company at dinner in those days seldom averaged fewer than two hundred guests. That may have ruffled the Viceroy. Gossiping correspondents who often stirred his facile wrath may have suggested some ulterior motive for Ormonde's return to his native land.

31. Tichbourn captures Dundalk, 1642

    Dundalk · town · Louth · 1642

    Sir Henry Tichbourn defeated the Irish and captured Dundalk in 1642, while also holding Drogheda against the Irish rebels.

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    Tichbourn (orTitchburne),Sir Henry, holds Drogheda against the Irish rebels, i. 147, 165; defeats the Irish and captures Dundalk (1642), i. 168 ; succeeds Parsons as Lord Justice, i. 217

    Tipperary, i. 8, 9, 34 ; restoration of Ormonde's property in, ii. 19

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    Dundalk fell in 1642. Sir Henry Tichbourn defeated the Irish and captured the town that year. He had already held Drogheda against the Irish rebels, and later succeeded Parsons as Lord Justice.

32. Ormonde writes from Kilkenny advising grandson against flattery

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1679

    From Kilkenny, the Duke of Ormonde wrote to his grandson Lord James Butler warning him to beware of flatterers who might praise his parts, birth, or fortune, and urging him to cultivate civility, humanity, and affability to all sorts of people according to their degrees and merit. This letter formed part of Ormonde's efforts to guide the youth's character development.

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    1 Ormonde MSS., vol. v. pp. 214-5. Ormonde to Lord James Butler, Kilkenny, 27th September 1679.

    2 Idem, vol. iv. p. 289. Ormonde to Ossory, 24th December 167S. 1 Idem, p. 550. Southwell to Ormonde, 18th October 1679.

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 32

    As the companion tells it

    From Kilkenny, in 1679, the Duke of Ormonde wrote to his grandson Lord James Butler, warning him to beware of flatterers who might praise his parts, his birth, or his fortune. He urged the young man to cultivate civility, humanity, and affability toward all sorts of people, according to their degrees and merit.

33. Phoenix Lodge, Dublin, and Strafford's complaints

    Phoenix Park · electoral division · Dublin

    The Earl of Strafford made complaints about the Phoenix Lodge in Dublin, noted in the context of his autocratic governance of Ireland.

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    i. in, 112; the effect of his fall on the Irish Government, i. 114; executed (12th May 1641), i. 115; his character, ibid. ; his complaints about the Phoenix Lodge, Dublin, ii. 55; Shaftesbury's revilings of, ii. 314

    Sunderland, Lord, one of the " Triumvirate," ii. 292, and the Tangier Expedition, ii. 302, 304 ; intrigues against Ormonde, ii. 313 ; plots the attack on the City Charters, ii. 364 ; a Tory, 372

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 44

    As the companion tells it

    As the road passes through Phoenix Park, there is the matter of the Phoenix Lodge. The Earl of Strafford, in his autocratic governance of Ireland, made complaints about it. Strafford was executed on 12 May 1641, and his fall had its effect on the Irish government.

34. Death of Sir Charles Coote at Trim

    Trim · town · Meath

    Sir Charles Coote died at Trim. The Catholic Confederation also sent commissioners to Trim during the conflicts of the 1640s.

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    Trim, death of Sir Charles Coote at, i. 181 ; Catholic Confederation send Commissioners to, i. 210

    "Trimmers," the, ii. 372

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 44

35. Restoration of Ormonde's property in Tipperary

    Tipperary · town · Tipperary

    Following the Restoration, Ormonde's property in Tipperary was restored to him after losses under the Cromwellian Settlement.

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    Tipperary, i. 8, 9, 34 ; restoration of Ormonde's property in, ii. 19

    Tiptoft, John, Earl of Worcester, i. 8 and note

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 44

36. Ormonde writes to Clarendon from Kilkenny during the 1667 crisis

    Kilkenny · city · Kilkenny · 1667

    While political events unfolded in London leading to Clarendon's dismissal, the Duke of Ormonde remained in Ireland, writing letters of loyalty and concern to his friend from Kilkenny. On 6 September 1667, still unaware of the full outcome, Ormonde assured Clarendon of his steadfast friendship and awaited news of the Chancellor's fate.

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    2 Idem, vol. v. p. 55. Ormonde to Clarendon, Kilkenny, 6th September 1667.

    138 ORMONDE'S RULE AND DISMISSAL [1667

    Internet Archive lifeofjamesfirst02burg, Chapter 14