Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

The Vice-Treasurer requires a double of his accompts, according to the strict words of our commissions; but as they occupy several great volumes, you shall deliver him a brief declaration of the whole.

No date or address.

Headed: The new draught.

Copy. Pp. 3.

INSTRUCTIONS for SIR JOHN PERROT, LORD DEPUTY. Instructions sent to the Lord Deputy and Council in Ireland by Geoffrey Fenton, Esquire, her Majesty's Secretary

in that realm.

(1.) As Ireland is in good terms, and there is no appearance of present alteration, the army there, consisting of 1,900 men besides the bands found by composition in Ulster, should be diminished of some hundreds.

(2.) Considering the expense and inconvenience of sending over victuals, the Council there are to consider how this may holpen, whether by additional pay to the soldiers to allow them to victual themselves, or by reducing the pay to the old Irish pay, and continuing the victualling as at present. As this formed an article of the Deputy's instructions, an answer was expected long ago. If the soldiers are to receive increased pay, fixed rates of provisions must be set up, to avoid

exaction.

(3.) The composition of 2,1007. in lieu of cesse is to be revived in such counties as shall agree to it, as well for the army as all other duties heretofore imposed. The countries of Leix and Offally are not to be dispensed with. If they refuse, soldiers are to be laid upon them by the Deputy pro rata.

(4.) Captain Thomas Norrys, brother of John Norrys, President of Munster, is to take his place as Vice-President during his brother's service in the Low Countries, taking his brother's pay, 208. per diem, with the exception of a yearly fee of 200 marks sterling. All directions and instructions sent from hence are to be publicly read at the council table once a quarter at least by the Secretary, except in special cases.

(5.) All officers are to reside upon their places without favour or dispensation, except in the case of sickness or the like.

(6.) The courts and houses of law, now in the Castle of Dublin, and subject to many dangers by the powder house, and the prison called the Grate, occasioning much resort, are to be removed to some meet place in the city.

(7.) The Secretary of State to have in his keeping the Privy Signet, with all fees thereto belonging; to make bills and warrants requiring the signature of the Deputy, "and so to pass to the Great Seal, with all fees and duties appertaining,

1585.

Dec.

Vol. 600, p. 110.

588.

and he to keep a register book of the same, to remain of record, as our principal Secretary of England doth in like case," and to be shown from time to time to the Deputy.

(8.) As soon as the Parliament is finished, "which we wish to be done with convenient expedition," the north parts of the realm are to be settled in some quietness, and the Deputy is to repair into Munster for the better strengthening of the whole province, especially of the maritime towns and ports, as a precaution against the Spaniards and Portuguese. Suspicious persons in Munster, like to assist a foreign invasion, are to be restrained of their liberty. None of the inhabitants of port towns to have armour or weapons, except such as shall be thought faithful. None of the common people that did rebel to have any weapon on pain of death, and they are to continue in their dwellings quietly. On the news of any certainty of the Spaniards, "the bestialls of the country and other victual" to be removed, where such landing is likely. To prevent the Spanish navy, the Queen has resolved to keep a strong fleet on the seas,

Copy. Pp. 6. Endorsed by Carew, "1585, in December."

INSTRUCTIONS for LORD DEPUTY PERROT.

Articles to be by Secretary Fenton delivered in her Majesty's name to the Lord Deputy of Ireland for his consideration. Seeing that in consequence of the continuance of former disorders, "and in some part, as it seemeth, of more deceits and corruptions in some ministers," her Majesty's revenues there are diminished for lack of execution of her orders in 1579, she requires the Deputy's due consideration and answers to every article hereafter following. He is to state by whose fault and how these evils have grown, and how they are to be redressed. The Chancellor and the Treasurer to be joined with him in this matter.

(1.) Whether the profits of fines, forfeitures, wards, &c. have not been given away, and to what value, from 1579, by whose authority, and to whom. (2.) What leases have been made of crown lands, and how much yearly rent has been diminished by such grants. (3.) What leases have been granted without fines, and the yearly rent of such lands. (4.) What debts were due to her Majesty a Michaelmas 1579, what since, and by whose default and why not levied; how much of the said debts is sperable, and how much desperate; the fees of the officers by whom such default has arisen to be sequestered. (5.) To certify what percons have had allowances for waste land, and how much has been lost by remission of rents on the said surmised wastes. (6.) Defaults in sheriffs' and ministers' accounts; what suins have been by warrants called mandamus divided among the Barons of the Exchequer and others.

1585.

Dec.

Vol. 600, p. 99,

(7.) How much has been lost to her Majesty by the claims of corporate towns by virtue of their charters; what is the force of their charters against the claims of the Crown, which cannot pass away without express words in their grants. (8.) Increase of new officers' fees and allowances, by whom granted, and by whose warrant; the same to cease. (9.) What allowances for diets to commissioners; for her Majesty is informed that some of her own Council there have been appointed commissioners with large allowances. (10.) What lands belonging to the Crown held by Irishmen have, on the surrender and regranting of their own lands, been passed away in the new grants; and what reservation has been made of her Majesty's rights. (11.) What loss her Majesty has sustained of the 1,000l. per annum which it was pretended she should receive on the discharging of certain galloglas paid by bonnaughts out of certain Irish countries; and whether there is not still paid to their captains 2007. or 300l. per annum for no service. (12.) What seneschalships, &c. have been granted without reservation of services and duties as hitherto performed. (13.) Whether extraordinary soldiers were not put into fortresses during the last rebellion of Desmond; and by what warrant the same were continued. (14.) Why and how many persons received their pay in English money, and her Majesty's revenues in Irish money, and what loss the Crown sustains.

589.

(15.) Lands and goods escheated by the rebellions in Munster and elsewhere not to be demised by the Lord Deputy; and it is to be certified whether any of the said escheated lands have been demised, and by what anthority. (16.) What sums are granted, and to whom, for keeping boats upon the Shannon. (17.) Particular answers to be sent to every part of these inquiries without delay; the Deputy and Council to be charged by the Secretary to give her Majesty full satisfaction. Copy. Pp. 7. Endorsed by Carew, "December 1585."

The PLANTING of MUNSTER.

"A Note of the Benefit that may grow in short time to the younger houses of gentlemen [in England] by this course in perpetuity, taking the greatest portion in the plot," ie., for the planting of Munster.

(1.) The gentleman undertaker to be chief lord of a great seignory. "To have the manrode of so many families, and the disposing of so many good holdings, as the greatest portion set down in the plot doth offer, as a thing fit for a gentleman of good behaviour and credit, and not for any man of inferior calling." To have the royalties of courts within the whole, and 100l. per annum of clear revenue, to be paid yearly as the Queen's rent is paid, besides the profit he may make of his own demesne, which after a little management will prove worth 500l. per annum.

1585.

Dec.

Voi. 614, p. 68a.

Vol. 616, p. 171.

Vol. 600, p. 103.

590.

(2.) To his followers.-The freeholder to have 300 acres for his holding, supporting 20 kine, 6 oxen, 12 mares, 10 head of young cattle, to breed yearly 4 geldings, 2 colts, and 200 sheep, and the tillage of 40 or 50 acres yearly, from which he may sell yearly 30 or 40 quarters of wheat or rye, and more of other grain, besides provision for a dozen or fifteen persons at the least.

(3.) "And here it may be remembered that provision is to be made in England for men and maid-servants, and for bread and drink corn, for the first year; and as for cattle of all sorts, there are sufficient to be had and provided in Ireland at very small prices," viz., for co. Kerry, out of Desmond and Thomond; for Limerick, out of Carberie and Thomond, &c. There is much cattle in Cork and Waterford and in the north parts.

(4.) Every gentleman to provide farmers, freeholders, and some of his copyholders, a gardener for hop-yards, gardening, &c., a wheelwright, smith, mason, carpenter, thatcher or tiler, tailor, shoemaker, butcher, and a victualer. A list of such persons and their capabilities is to be prepared and sent in to her Majesty.

Pp. 3. Endorsed by Carew, "December 1585. The benefit that may grow to gentlemen by taking land in Munster."

PEOPLING of MUNSTER.

"The Plot of her Majesty's Offer touching the Peopling of Munster in Ireland."

The seignories to consist of 12,000, 10,000, 8,000, 6,000, and 4,000 acres.

Of the first class, the gentleman undertaker is to have in demesne 1,600 acres; one chief farmer with 400 acres ; two of 300 each; two of 200 each; 14 freeholders each with 300 acres; and 40 copyholders of 100 acres each, with 26 cottagers; making 86 families.

Second class, 1,400 in demesne; one chief farmer, 400 acres ; three others, 300 acres each; 12 freeholders, 300 each; and 30 copyholders, 100 each, with 25 cottagers; in all, 72 families.

Third class, 1,200 in demesne; one chief farmer, 400, two others, 300 each; 8 freeholders, 300 each; and 28 copyholders, 100 each, with 24 cottagers; in all, 64 families.

Fourth class, 2,000 (sic, for 1,000) in demesne; 2 farmers and 6 freeholders, 300 each; and 21 copyholders, with 24 cottagers; in all, 53 families.

Fifth Class, 800 in demesne; 2 farmers, 4 freeholders, and
10 copyholders, with 22 cottagers; 39 families.
Signed: Fra. Walsingham.
Contemp. copy. Pp. 2.

2. Another contemp. copy.

3. A third copy of the same.

Endorsed by Carew, "December 1585."

[blocks in formation]

MUNSTER.

Estimate of the necessary charges incident to such as shall be disposed to inhabit in Ireland for the first year. The Gentleman's charge.-6 hinds, at 538. 4d. each; 4 women, at 33s. 4d. each; 2 boys, ditto; 12 quarters of wheat or rye, at 26s. 8d.; 12 qrs. barley, at 13s. Ad.; weekly victuals, besides butter and cheese of their own making, 68. 8d. Stock: 25 kine, at 11. 68. 8d. each; 100 yearlings, at 128. each; 8 oxen, at 50s. each; 4 garrons, at 258. each; 300 ewes, at 4s. each. For sowing: 10 qrs. wheat and rye, 11 qrs. barley, 5 qrs. beans, at 138. 4d. each; 20 qrs. oats, at 9s. Sum total, 2781.; whereof there will be spent this year 671. 68. 8d.; and the remainder in stock to increase.

592.

593.

The Farmer's charge.-2 hinds, at 53s. 4d.; one boy and a maid-servant, at 26s. 8d.; 5 qrs. wheat or rye for bread; 6 qrs. oats for drink; weekly victuals, besides butter and cheese of their own making, 38. 4d. Stock: 4 oxen, a garron, 10 kine, 10 heifers' yearlings, two others, 30 ewes. sowing of wheat and rye, 2 qrs.; of barley, 2; beans, 1; oats, 4. Total, 70l. 78.; whereof to be spent this year 261. 08. 8d.; the rest to remain in stock.

:

For

Copyholders-One hind, 40s.; one maid-servant, 268. 8d.; 4 qrs. wheat and rye for diet, 4 qrs. of oats for drink; weekly victuals, 20d.; 5 kine; 2 yearling steers, 258. the two; 10 ewes, at 38. 4d. each. For sowing: 2 qrs. wheat and rye, 1 qr. barley, beans, and oats. Total, 28l. 168. 8d.; whereof to be spent this year 147. 168.; the remainder in stock.

Cottagers.-2 qrs. wheat or rye; 2 qrs. oats for drink; 2 kine. Total, 6l. 48. Sd.; whereof to be spent this year 718. 4d.; the rest in stock.

Pp. 3. Endorsed by Carew: "December 1585. An estimate of the charges of plantation in Munster to those that will plant there."

MUNSTER.

"A Collection of her Majesty's Titles to the Lands in Munster, by Sir Valentine Browne;" in opposition to the claims of Sir Owen McCartie Reogh upon the whole of Carbery.

Copy. P. 1.

THOMAS [BUTLER] EARL OF ORMOND.

"A Short Note of some parts of Thomas Earl of Ormond's Services and Employments at several times these 33 years past."

He was Lieutenant of the Horse upon the rebellion of Wyat. Was with the Earl of Sussex at all his journeys into

« PreviousContinue »