1586. Jan.

Vol. 632, p. 84.

Feb. 14.

Vol. 614, p. 66.

[Feb.]

Vol. 614, p. 67.

600.

601.

602.

The PRIVY COUNCIL to the LORD DEPUTY. Henry Ovendon, servant to the Earl of Tyrone, has brought us a letter from you and the Council there of 30 June, with a petition of the said Earl's touching his place and title. Her Majesty liketh well of your action to have restored him to the name and dignity granted by King Henry VIII. to his grandfather, trusting he will still remain a loyal subject. As to the articles, her Majesty is well inclined to satisfy his demands; but, as you will perceive by her own letter sent by Mr. Fenton, she requires your advice concerning the lands to be granted him, and the manner of entail, wherein some question may be moved hereafter by his kinsmen and competitors. Meanwhile, assure him of her Majesty's favourable inclination. From the Court at Greenwich, Copy. Pp. 2.

January 1585.

The PRIVY COUNCIL to certain SOMERSETSHIRE GEN

TLEMEN.

Her Majesty has entered into consideration of some plot for the repeopling of such parts of Munster in Ireland as are now in her possession. The plot offers many advantages to the younger children, brethren, and kinsfolk of gentlemen of good families, and to those of inferior callings and degrees. We therefore have made choice of you to treat with such of that county of Somerset as you find able and willing to accept of and undertake the same; and have given order to John Popham, Esq., Attorney-General [of England], to confer with you therein.

Greenwich, 14 February 1585. Signed.

Addressed To Sir John Stowell, Sir John Horner, Sir Henry Portman, Sir George Sydenham, Sir John Clifton, Knights; and John Coles, Esquire.

Copy. P. 1.

MUNSTER.

"Articles concerning her Majesty's offers for the disposing of her lands in Munster, in Ireland."

(1.) Her Majesty grants an estate in fee-farm to them and their heirs. (2) Those lands to be rented according to the goodness of the soil, and not to exceed 3d. the acre one with the other, in cos. Kerry, Connilaugh, and Tipperary, or 2d. in cos. Cork and Waterford. (3.) The heirs females to those lands not to marry with any but with some person born of English parents, or of such as shall descend from the first patentees. (4.) The patentees and English people now newly to be planted there, not to set their estates to any Irish; and the principal demesnes to be always kept in divided hands, and not impaired by union.

1586.

Vol. 616, p. 167.

Jan.-April. 603.
Vol. 632, p. 85a.

(5.) The inhabitants and heads of families to be of the birth of England; and in no family are any mere Irish to be maintained. (6.) The gentlemen farmers and freeholders, after four years, to have in readiness for every 300 acres one gelding; and for every 100 acres besides, furniture for a footman; and the copyholders having 200 acres, furniture for a footman. (7.) Lest such as do undertake the same be discouraged, it is not to be permitted to any to deal in this action contrary to the direction herein comprised. (8.) They are to stand rent free till Michaelmas 1590; then pay half a year's rent for three years; and from 1593 pay the whole rent. (9.) To hold their lands in free socage, yielding upon every death or alienation after the said seven years a heriot and relief. (10.) For ten years to transport any commodities whatever to foreign parts, without paying custom.

(11.) They are not to be drawn about any service by the Deputies out of Munster until 1590. (12.) Their lands to be free from cesse; but after seven years to be subject to the general subsidies. (13.) The gentlemen and families may carry over with them to Ireland all kinds of commodities without paying custom. (14.) Commissioners to be appointed to determine all titles and controversies amongst them, or between them and the Irish. (15.) Garrisons to be maintained at her Highness's charge upon the frontiers of the colonies. (16.) No patentees to have entertainment of wages as soldiers. Signed: Fra. Walsingham.

Contemp. copy. Pp. 2.

2. Another contemp. copy.

BRIEFS of LETTERS.

1585, Jan.-Letter from her Majesty to Lord Deputy Perrot, to grant to Henry Commerford the rent of Ballymackan, which fell to the Crown by the attainder of his father, and then in lease with Francis Lovell. After Lovell's lease, the said land to be granted him in fee-farm.

1585.-Letter from the same to the same, to incorporate the town of Dinglocushe, co. Kerrie, with like franchises as Drogheda, and the superiority of the harbours of Ventre and Smerricke; and to give them 300l. towards the building of a wall about their town.

1585, 19 Feb. - Same to same. To make Sir Robert Gardiner Chief Justice of her Chief Bench.

1585, Feb.-Same to same. To make Roger Wilbraham her Solicitor.

1585 (1586?), 15 April.-Letter from the Lord Deputy to her Council in England, "signifying of a defeat given by

* This proves the date of this document to be 1586. It is dated" 1585" by Carew, i.e. 1585-6. See the preceding article.

1586.

April 26. 604. Vol. 617, p. 169.

Vol. 617, p. 171.

Vol. 617, p. 176.

605.

Captain Meriman in Ulster to the Scots, wherein above 100
Scots were slain, amongst whom Alexander McDonell, son to
Sorleboy McDonell, and McDonell Ballaghe were two.
P. 1.

The ESCHEATED LANDS in MUNSTER.

Warrant to Robert Gardner, Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench in Ireland; Sir Henry Walloppe, Treasurer at Wars; Sir Valentine Browne; Sir Robert Dillon, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas; Sir Luke Dillon, Chief Baron of the Exchequer; and Joshua Smithes, Chief Justice of Munster; to give order to the Serjeant-at-Law, Attorney, and SolicitorGeneral of Ireland, to engross into parchment several books for the disposing of the lands in Munster, comprised in letters patents dated 27 June, 28 Eliz., to the several undertakers thereof, according to the plot for the repeopling of that province. The Lord Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal of Ireland to pass all such books under the Great Seal. Greenwich, 26 April, 28* Eliz.

606.

"Convenit cum recordo, ex' per me, Tho. Ravenscrofte." Copy. Pp. 2.

ESCHEATED LANDS.

Extent of the lands of James Eustace, late Viscount of Baltinglas, attainted of high treason, in cos. Dublin and Kildare. Acres, 2,667.

II. Extent of the lands of Maurice Eustace, of Castlemarten, attainted.

III. Extent of the lands of Thomas Eustace, attainted, in cos. Dublin and Kildare.

IV. Extent of the lands of Maurice FitzJames, attainted.

v. Extent of the lands of David Sutton, of Castleton Kildroth, co. Kildare, deceased, attainted, in cos. Dublin and Kildare.

Total number of acres, 7,800.
Copy. Pp. 5.

ESCHEATED LANDS.

"Instructions to be annexed to the commission for the inquisition of the state of the tenants and occupiers of the lands and territories escheated to her Majesty by attainder of the late Earl of Desmond and others, for their treason in Munster.",

(1.) The Commissioners to make inquisition of all the occupiers, and how many have sued out letters patent, and how

* Or 29? "xxviiij" in MS. Carew dates this document "28 Eliz.," but according to Morrin's Calendar of the Irish Patent and Close Rolls the date is 29 Eliz.

1586.

the patentees have observed their covenants for the inhabiting of the lands with English people, and what profits they have received; and to charge them to be ready to pay the rents, which are to be paid this year after Michaelmas.

(2.) The Lord President, Vice-President, and chief officers of Munster to collect the said rents, except such as are payable into the Exchequer.

(3.) To inquire again into all titles and claims against the patentees and their officers, and by jury or otherwise to establish a final order therein, whereby the possession of the undertakers, grantees, and patentees may be settled.

(4, 5.) To inquire in what sort the escheated lands were chargeable to the Earl of Desmond and to others, whether attainted or not.

(6, 7.) To determine all contentions touching boundaries, divisions, tithes, spiritual rights, &c.

(8.) The Commissioners who are not of the Council of the province to consider of all informations made touching the cesse and other exactions taken by the President, sheriffs, or other officers contrary to the tenour of the establishment; and to set down order for the reformation thereof.

(9.) To deal with the lords and freeholders for a composition in lieu of cesse, such as is in Connaught, and to draw into that composition as well the undertakers as the residue of the country.

Signed by the Privy Council in England: Chr. Hatton, canc.; W. Burghley; Ch. Hauward; [H.] Hunsdon; F. Knowles; Thom. Heneage; Ro. Cecill; J. Wolley; J. Fortescue.

II. "Additions to the former Articles."

(1.) The Commissioners to inquire of all leases and mortgages supposed to have been made by the rebels before they entered into action, and which are thought to be fraudulent. The claimants to make good proof.

(2.) To decide all controversies between the undertakers for passing the self-same lands in divers patents.

(3.) "To inquire how the sheriffs do keep their law days and county days within every county, for it is openly reported that the sheriffs are accustomed to devour the people in every barony or cantred with kerne and horsemen, or else to compound with the lord, and so leave the lords to their wonted parliaments, exacting from the freeholder[s] and poor men what they please."

(4.) Controversies to be decided between the lords and the freeholders, so that the latter may depend wholly on her Majesty.

(5.) "That the charters of the cities be perused, who, claiming all forfeitures to themselves, care not what they commit, compounding beforehand for all recognizances and bands, and thereby transport out of the realm not only all kind of pro

1586.

April 27.

Vol. 605, p. 76.

Vol. 618, p. 1.

607.

April 27. 608. Vol. 605, p. 84.

hibited wares, to the utter impoverishment of the commonwealth, but maintain priests and Jesuits, and hear mass publicly."

(6.) "That they inquire of the two cantreds or baronies of Coursy and Kinally, whether Sir Barri Oge, called Sir Robert Barrey, and the Lord Coursey, having but estate in tail, the land be not in remainder to her Majesty, neither of them having issue; and to inquire whether Sir Robert be seneschal or inheritor of the barony of Kinaley."

(7.) Whether the customs of fishing at Beare Haven, Bantry, [and] Ballatimore be not belonging to the Queen.

III. "Articles which are to be inquired of by the Commissioners, not being of the Council of Munster."

(1.) To inquire of all beefs, corn, &c. taken up by the Governor[s] and cessors at the Queen's price; how much the Queen is thereby indebted to the country, and the Governors to her Majesty, &c.

(2.) How her Majesty is answered of all her fines and forfeitures of bands.

Signed: Chr. Hatton, canc.; W. Burghley; [H.] Hunsdon; Tho. Buckhurst; F. Knollys; R. Cecill; J. Wolley; J. For

tescue.

Copy. Pp. 4.

LORD DEPUTY PERROT to SIR GEORGE CAREW.

I send you certain notes "not altogether digested," but to which I am willing to adhere in general. I have no other intention "but to prove with my hand all things as against any villainous reports that hath or dare say anything against me." 27 April 1586.

Memorandum by Sir George Carew: "The notes or instructions touched in this letter are placed post at folio 84." Holograph. P. 1. Addressed.

2. Copy of the preceding letter (in Carew's own hand), and of the following instructions.

Pp. 2.

INSTRUCTIONS given to SIR GEORGE CAREW by LORD
DEPUTY PERROT.

(1.) You are to tell her Majesty that I went to Ireland unwillingly, and only out of regard to her wishes. (2.) Whenever she discredits her Governors, she injures herself. (3.) She promised not to listen to any reports against me. (4.) That I should have had more friends had I been preferred by others; and therefore, as being her Majesty's choice, she ought to support me. (5.) That having vowed to serve "but one God and one Queen," I encounter great opposition.