Two biographies of William Bedell, bishop of Kilmore, with a selection of his letters and an unpublished treatise;

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1. Improvement of the Bishoprick of Ardagh

   Ardagh · parish · Longford · 1637

   Bishop Bedell notes that the Bishoprick of Ardagh, through the industry of its bishop, had become as good as or better than his own see of Kilmore. He expresses hope that the dissolution of pluralities will spread further.

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   with my great satisfaction seenc those of the College and had the content to be present at the first publishing and putting them in execution. I wish and do hope that it shalbe healthfull and happy to this Church and Kingdonie. I have also had my part in the gratulation and obligation to your Grace for his Majesties Letters in favour of my Lord of Ardagh and nie, about our Leatrim landes^ I do hartily thanck your Grace for them ; and for him, and that Bishoprick, which through his industry is now as good as this or better. And I wish the example of dissolving Pluralityes, both in Bishopricks and other Bcclesiasticall dignities and charges, may spread further. I was hartily glad to find your Graces judgment so expresse of the banefullnes of them to this Church.

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 169

   As the companion tells it

   This parish is Ardagh, in Longford. In 1637, Bishop Bedell of Kilmore wrote about the Bishoprick of Ardagh with great satisfaction. He had been present at the first publishing and putting into execution of certain measures, and he wished and hoped they would be healthful and happy to this Church and Kingdom. He thanked his Grace for the King's Letters in favour of the Lord of Ardagh, concerning their Leitrim lands. And for the bishop himself, Bedell noted that the Bishoprick of Ardagh, through his industry, was now as good as his own see of Kilmore, or better. Bedell wished that the example of dissolving pluralities, both in bishopricks and other ecclesiastical dignities and charges, might spread further. He was heartily glad to find his Grace's judgment so express about the banefulness of pluralities to this Church.

2. Alex Cloghy serves as minister of Cavan and marries Bedell's stepdaughter

   Cavan · town · Cavan

   Leah Maw, daughter of Mrs Bedell by her first husband, married Alexander Cloghy, who served as the minister of Cavan. This connects the Bedell household to the Protestant ministry in Cavan town.

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   Maw, Leah, daughter of Mrs Bedell by first husband; marries Alex. Cloghy, minister of Cavan, 161

   Maw, Nicholas, elder son of Eobert and Leah Maw, and step- son to Bedell, 15, 287, 295, 300, 302, 330, 337, 338

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 197

   As the companion tells it

   In the town of Cavan, a family connection once tied the Bedell household to the Protestant ministry here. Leah Maw, Mrs Bedell's daughter by her first husband, married Alexander Cloghy, who served as the minister of Cavan.

3. Bedell writes from Kilmore on church order and tenants

   Kilmore · townland · Cavan · 1639

   Bishop Bedell writes from Kilmore in October 1639, expressing his commitment to seeking truth and order in the house of God. He mentions sending a letter via one of his tenants returning to England, and requests books be directed to Mr Philip Bowles in Lime Street, London.

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   I shall suft'er with much content w hatsocncr happens : having (us I wrote) this comfort, that I have to my best understanding endeavoured to seeke truth and order in the house of god in the foote stepjies of Anti(iuity, and way of peace. Thus with my harty salutations to Mris Warde and to Dr Chaderton together with your selfe, I committ you to the gratious protection of God and rest,

   Your most loving freend and Brother

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 180

   As the companion tells it

   Somewhere close to Kilmore, October 1639, Bishop Bedell sent a letter by a tenant returning to England, asking books go to Mr Philip Bowles, Lime Street, London. He said he would "suffer with much content whatever happens," having this comfort: he had endeavoured to seek "truth and order in the house of God in the footsteps of Antiquity and way of peace." He sent salutations to Mrs Warde and Dr Chaderton, committing his correspondent to God.

4. County Cavan lacked fortification during rebellion

   Cavan · town · Cavan · 1641

   During the 1641 rebellion, there was no fortification at all in County Cavan, nor in Leitrim, Monaghan, Longford, and Fermanagh, leaving settlers without any retreating place or defense against the rebels.

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   their imprisoned deputy to cause a diversion for his releife and enlargement. But nobody regarded what they sayd, that (by divine permission) did what they pleased against God and man. Indeede the deputy's hand was esteemed heavy upon them, when he caused twelve of the principall men of the English Pale to stand upon a scaffold with 5 papers upon their heads in the streets of Dublin, for not concurring (as it was said) to some desyred and expected verdict. But so it was esteemed also upon the English, as the earl of Cork, the lord Mount Norris, the lord chancellor Loftus and others felt; but his Avrath was greatest against the Scotts, especially after their confederacy against lo prelacy and invading of England with their armies. In detestation of whose presumptuous proceedings he caused a declaration to be penned very sharply and severely, and to be sent throughout the whole kingdome of Ireland; wherin certain commissioners were named that should administer an oath of abjuration to all the Scotts, to cause 15 them renounce all correspondence with their brethren in Scotland, or desire or intension of conjunction with them in their oath of conjuration, in reference to their nationall league and covenant. For the refusing of which oath Mr James Stewart (brother to the longimprisoned lord Ockiltry in the castle of Blackness) with his wyfe and 20 three daughters were brought up from Ulster and imprisoned in Dublin, where I gave them a visit and they shewed me letters from Mr Samuel Rutherford and other cheefe sticklers in their covenant, to comfort them in their durance and strengthen them against the abjuration; as if, with the primitive martyrs, they had suffered for the word of God and 25 testimony of Jesu under the paganish and persecuting emperours. It was sad in the church of God, when they were sworne to one thing on the one side of the water of division that parts Scotland and Ireland, and the quit contrary on the other, under the same God and king and profession of the same religion; as of old, altare contra altare, and 30 synods and anti-sjTiods in the Greeke church, for a long tyme, till they were all ruined as at this day. But the title the rebells stuck to at last was this, that they were the queen^s catJiolick army. But they behaved themselves so cruelly, that it was more likely they had had their commission from Athaliah or Jezabel ; or rather from her that sitts upon a 35 scarlet-coloured beast, that sayth in her hart : / sit as a queene and am no widow and shall see no sorroic ; whose paramour is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name is Abaddon and ApoUyon (Rev. ix. 11). And for a whole month's time, or thereabouts, they meddled not with the Scotts, though they had driven out all the English that were in 40 the fields or in unwalled villages, that had no retyring place ; as thincking it too hazardous to ingage two such potent nations at once, till they had first dispatcht one. In our county of Cavan there was no fortiOcation at all ; nor in the county of Leitrim, Monachen, Longford and Fennanach (save only the island of Enniskellin, where sir William Cole 45 secured himselfe); though my lord Lambert was bound by his patent

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 88

   As the companion tells it

   The town of Cavan lies in a county that, in 1641, had no defense at all. When the rebellion came, there was no fortification anywhere in County Cavan. The same was true of Leitrim, Monaghan, Longford, and Fermanagh. The only exception was the island of Enniskillen, where Sir William Cole secured himself. The rebels called themselves the queen's Catholic army. For about a month they did not meddle with the Scots, thinking it too hazardous to engage two such potent nations at once until they had first dispatched one. But they had already driven out all the English who were in the fields or in unwalled villages, people who had no retiring place and nowhere to fall back to. The writer of this account called Cavan his own county. He knew what it meant when a whole county stood open. Settlers had no walls to retreat behind, no stronghold to wait in. The rebels did what they pleased, and the account calls their behaviour cruel. It likens them less to a lawful army than to figures of destruction, naming Athaliah and Jezebel, and the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name is Abaddon and Apollyon. Whatever the title they claimed, the people of Cavan and those neighbouring counties had nothing between them and the rebellion but open ground.

5. Enniskillen island refuge of Sir William Cole

   near Enniskillen · town · Fermanagh · 1641

   The only fortification in the western counties during the 1641 rebellion was the island of Enniskillen, where Sir William Cole secured himself. All other counties in the region lacked any defensive works.

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   their imprisoned deputy to cause a diversion for his releife and enlargement. But nobody regarded what they sayd, that (by divine permission) did what they pleased against God and man. Indeede the deputy's hand was esteemed heavy upon them, when he caused twelve of the principall men of the English Pale to stand upon a scaffold with 5 papers upon their heads in the streets of Dublin, for not concurring (as it was said) to some desyred and expected verdict. But so it was esteemed also upon the English, as the earl of Cork, the lord Mount Norris, the lord chancellor Loftus and others felt; but his Avrath was greatest against the Scotts, especially after their confederacy against lo prelacy and invading of England with their armies. In detestation of whose presumptuous proceedings he caused a declaration to be penned very sharply and severely, and to be sent throughout the whole kingdome of Ireland; wherin certain commissioners were named that should administer an oath of abjuration to all the Scotts, to cause 15 them renounce all correspondence with their brethren in Scotland, or desire or intension of conjunction with them in their oath of conjuration, in reference to their nationall league and covenant. For the refusing of which oath Mr James Stewart (brother to the longimprisoned lord Ockiltry in the castle of Blackness) with his wyfe and 20 three daughters were brought up from Ulster and imprisoned in Dublin, where I gave them a visit and they shewed me letters from Mr Samuel Rutherford and other cheefe sticklers in their covenant, to comfort them in their durance and strengthen them against the abjuration; as if, with the primitive martyrs, they had suffered for the word of God and 25 testimony of Jesu under the paganish and persecuting emperours. It was sad in the church of God, when they were sworne to one thing on the one side of the water of division that parts Scotland and Ireland, and the quit contrary on the other, under the same God and king and profession of the same religion; as of old, altare contra altare, and 30 synods and anti-sjTiods in the Greeke church, for a long tyme, till they were all ruined as at this day. But the title the rebells stuck to at last was this, that they were the queen^s catJiolick army. But they behaved themselves so cruelly, that it was more likely they had had their commission from Athaliah or Jezabel ; or rather from her that sitts upon a 35 scarlet-coloured beast, that sayth in her hart : / sit as a queene and am no widow and shall see no sorroic ; whose paramour is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name is Abaddon and ApoUyon (Rev. ix. 11). And for a whole month's time, or thereabouts, they meddled not with the Scotts, though they had driven out all the English that were in 40 the fields or in unwalled villages, that had no retyring place ; as thincking it too hazardous to ingage two such potent nations at once, till they had first dispatcht one. In our county of Cavan there was no fortiOcation at all ; nor in the county of Leitrim, Monachen, Longford and Fennanach (save only the island of Enniskellin, where sir William Cole 45 secured himselfe); though my lord Lambert was bound by his patent

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 88

   As the companion tells it

   Enniskillen, in County Fermanagh, is a town the road passes through or near. In the rebellion of 1641, it stood almost alone as a refuge. The island was where Sir William Cole secured himself, and it was the only fortification in all the western counties. Before the rising, the deputy's hand had been heavy. He caused twelve of the principal men of the English Pale to stand upon a scaffold with papers on their heads in the streets of Dublin. His wrath was greatest against the Scots, especially after their confederacy against prelacy and their invading of England with their armies. He sent a declaration throughout the kingdom of Ireland naming commissioners to administer an oath of abjuration to all the Scots, to make them renounce all correspondence with their brethren in Scotland. For refusing this oath, James Stewart, brother to the long-imprisoned Lord Ockiltry, with his wife and three daughters were brought from Ulster and imprisoned in Dublin. When the rebellion came, those who called themselves the queen's Catholic army drove out all the English who were in the fields or unwalled villages with no retiring place. For about a month they left the Scots alone, thinking it too hazardous to engage two such potent nations at once. In Cavan there was no fortification at all, nor in Leitrim, nor Monaghan, nor Longford, nor Fennanach, save only the island where Sir William Cole secured himself. Lord Lambert was bound by his patent.

6. Kilmore Cathedral without steeple, bell, or font

   Kilmore · townland · Cavan · 1629

   Bedell describes the Cathedral Church at Kilmore as being without a steeple, bell, or font, underscoring the dilapidated state of ecclesiastical buildings in his diocese.

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   it were shortly ; and without any serious matter more then the profession my true love to you. These letters are the first I wrote into England from this place, whither I came the vijth of Septemher , having beene consecrated at Droghedah the 1 3<A. The delay of my Consecration so long was occasioned, partly by tlie desire of our fellowes to haue a free election ; partly out of my Lord Primates and mine to renew the College Ulster Leases, before an vnknown successor should come ; which I thanck God I haue liappily effected so as within these 6 yeares there wilbe almost double the present rents, which it had of these lands formerly. I haue not yet heard whom they haue chosen for my successor. But I make no question but it is Dr Usher my Lord Primates Cosin, and sometyraes fellow of that house. Whom they nominated to the King and had leaue to elect but were forbidden to elect till they heard from the King, vpon my Lord Primates approbation of him and testimony to the King. I am come hither into a Country fertile enough aTid pleasant, but where Popery hath possessed not only the ancient inhabitants, but also our English which planted here at the first, almost universally : and our late plantations are yet rawe, the Churches ruined. My Cathedrall Church is such another as Horningerth was, but without Steeple, Bell or Font. You may imagine the rest — the Popish Bishop of this Diocese is lately chosen Primate, and dwells within a mile or 2 of me. I am in deliberation to write to him, and offer some intercourse ; as I see the African Churches and Bishops did to the Donatists. I desire you to helpe me with your prayers and aduice in any thing which God shall put into your minde for the furtherance of the common cause. So with my true loue and commendations to Mris Ward I rest

   Your loving Brother,

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 149

   As the companion tells it

   Close to Kilmore, there was a cathedral church that William Bedell found in a sorry state when he arrived. He had been consecrated at Drogheda on the 13th of August and reached this place on the 7th of September. The delay in his consecration came partly because the fellows of his college wanted a free election of his successor, and partly because he and the Lord Primate wanted to renew the College Ulster Leases before a stranger took his place. He managed it, and within 6 years the rents from those lands would nearly double. He had not yet heard who they chose to replace him, but he expected it was Dr Usher, the Lord Primate's cousin and sometime fellow of that house, whom the King had permitted them to elect on the Lord Primate's recommendation. He came into a country fertile and pleasant, but where the old religion held the ancient inhabitants and even the English planted there almost universally. The late plantations were still raw, and the churches lay ruined. His Cathedral Church, he wrote, was like Horningerth had been, but without steeple, bell, or font. The Popish Bishop of the diocese had lately been chosen Primate and lived within a mile or two of him. Bedell was minded to write to him and offer some intercourse, as the African Churches and Bishops did to the Donatists. He asked for prayers and advice, sent his love to Mris Ward, and signed himself a loving brother.

7. Desolation of Navan

   Navan · town · Meath

   The index records the 'desolation of Navan,' indicating that Navan suffered some form of destruction or devastation documented elsewhere in this biographical work about Bishop Bedell.

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   Nanglc, Mr James, 55, 56 Naples, Kingdom of, 232, 242 Navan, desolation of, 211 Netherlands, Treaty with, 234, 242 Newhouse, Mr, 223 Newmarket, 252 Newton, Sir Adam, 88 Newton, Mr, 219, 220 Norfolk, living in, 253 Norwich, Bishop of, 16, 90 ; Chancellor of, cites Bedell, 220

   4o8

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 197

8. Lord Primate's stay in Dublin

   Dublin · city · Dublin · 1631

   Writing from Dublin in February 1631, Bedell notes that the Lord Primate is currently staying in the city. Bedell dines with him daily and reports that the Primate is in very good health.

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   My Lord Primate is now in towne, with whom I am almost a dayly guest, neither are we unmindfuU of you. He is, God be thancked, in very good health.

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 164

9. Sermon at Christ Church Cathedral Dublin

   Dublin · city · Dublin

   A sermon was preached at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, connecting Bedell's ecclesiastical activities to this historic Dublin church.

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   Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin, 53, 93; sermon in, 208

   Cibo, a friar, banished from Venice, 225, 236

   Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 197

10. Bishop of Ardagh's land let in fee farm to Robert O'Ferrell

    Ardagh · parish · Longford · 1631

    The land of the Bishop of Ardagh was let in fee farm to Robert O'Ferrell, as noted in the endorsement of a letter from May 1631. This related to the broader effort to settle the disjointed state of the two bishopricks of Kilmore and Ardagh.

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    The land of the Bishop of Ardagh lett in Fee farme to Robert O Ferrell,

    &c.

    Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 162

11. Desolation of Dunshaughlin after rebellion

    Dunshaughlin · town · Meath · 1641–1642

    Dunshaughlin was among the places noted for its desolation following the rebellion of 1641.

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    Dunshocklin, desolation of, 211

    Durand, 290

    Internet Archive twobiographiesof00shuc, Chapter 197