The Lords of Ireland sent for to the King.

A L. of England, being a companion to the L.of Howthe, said.

A L. of England much afraid, with whom the L. of Howthe questioned.

The L. of Howthe drank the wine.

The L. of Howthe rewarded by the King.

The order of the Lords in the procession.

f. 116.

The Earl of Surrey
L. Lieutenant of
Ireland.

After the King sent for all his Lords of Ireland, being in England with the King. After long talk with them, the King said to the Lords, "My masters of Ireland, you will crown apes at length." Those Lords, being a procession appointed, with certain Lords of England to be their companions and fellows in that procession appointed, amongst all one Lord was and the Lord of Houthe together, which trembled with fear, and scarce could speak, and said "Sir, there shall be no butchery done upon none of us this time, praise be to God, for the face of the axe is turned from us.' This axe was borne afore the procession, as it is accustomed, and as he was speaking he could scarce speak with fear. Being asked by the Lord of Houthe the cause why he frayed, said, that "the Lord my father and grandfather was beheaded." "Well," said the Lord of Houthe, "follow my counsel; serve God with all your heart, and fear your prince and obey his laws to your power, and you need never doubt of any such thing."

66

This same day at dinner, where as these Lords of Ireland was at Court, a gentleman came where as they was at dinner, and told them that their new King Lambarte Symenell brought them wine to drink, and drank to them all. None would have taken the cup out of his hands, but bade the great Devil of Hell him take before that ever they saw him. Bring me the cup if the wine be good," said the Lord of Houth, being a merry gentleman, "and I shall drink it off for the wine's sake and mine own sake also; and for thee, as thou art, so I leave thee, a poor innocent." After, the Lords being there a time longer than their purses could well bear, they were licensed to go to their country, and the King did give the Lord of Houthe the apparel that he ware that day, and 300l. in gold, with thanks; and so departed.

This was the order of placing the Lords of Ireland in this procession at the Court in Greenwich, where as the King himself was -The Earl of Kyldare, the Earl of Wormone, L. Barre de Buttevant, L. Roche de Formoye, L. Bremingham de Athanrie, L.'Coursaye de Kensale, L. Prestone de Gormanston, L. Nugent de Delwent, L. Fleminge de Slane, L. Plonket de Kellen, L. Saynt Larans de Howthe, L. Barnuell de Tremletston, L. Plonket de Donsane.

The King, thinking the realm of Ireland expedient to have a wise, circumspect, prudent, valiant, and a stalworthy gentleman to have the charge and government of the realm of Ireland, did choose out among other the nobility of England the Earl of Surrey, son to the Duke of Norfolk; which sent him over into Ireland to be the Lord Lieutenant, and sent with him over certain of the guard to attend upon his person, as undoubtedly worthy he was. In his time the realm was brought to such civility the like was not a long time afore, by reason whereof all the nobles of the Irish was content and did agree that all such orders which the said Earl did prescribe

The L. of Howthe accused.

The L. of Howthe dismissed from the Council.

The Prestons and Barnuells envied the Earl of Kyldare.

L. of Howth of the
Privy Council.

A worthy commendation of a Deputy.

f. 117.

The Deputy made a proclamation for payment.

by indenture to them they would observe and keep to the uttermost of their power; which things themselves did confess a long time after, which they said themselves they were willing to observe.

This Earl of Surrey, by reason of some that was desirous of estimation informe[d] the said Earl that Sir Nicholas, Lord of Houthe, was not such as in the Council meet was to be allowed, meaning thereby, in case he were of the Council, things should not come to that end as their desired purpose was looked for; affirming more that the said Lord was so affectioned to the Earl of Kildare that nothing seemed right nor indifferent to him but that that soundeth only the honour of the said Earl of Kildare; and also he being a judge or counsellor, the Earl his side was to be preferred rather than he which did complain; for which cause the Earl of Surrey dismissed the said Lord of Houthe for a time. And also they did affirm that he was so stout and wise withal that few or none that then was in the Council could or would say anything contrary to that he had once determined. This was spoken by the Lord of Tremletstoune, the Barnwells, and the Prestons, which then bare no goodwill to the Geraldines.

A time after the Earl of Surrey, understanding those sayings aforesaid to be but a dissimulation or craft invented for a set purpose, for displeasure that they bare against the Earl of Kildare, called the Lord of Houthe, and declared to him those that was cause of his dismissing from the Council, and so placed him as one above all other worthy to be of the King's Privy Council, and so continued to his end.

This Earl of Surrey was so just a judge that no man from him departed without that law and right he ought to have. He also rendered to all men whom he charged or bought anything of, rather above the market than egall or under the market. He was so true and upright in all his doings, that where as he went the market always followed him. He would say often that he would eat grasses* and drink water rather than he would be at a banquet with the heavy heart and curse of the poor. So that all things which was necessary for his Lordship's cattes † and provision was always ready at his gates to be delivered. His Lord [ship] commanded his officers that no man should depart from his gates without meat and and drink, in so much the poor and simple people thought he was the King's son, and all other thought his Lordship another Solomon among them. He also commanded that none of those whom he brought out of England in especial should not take nor use of any in Ireland none other but as they would have been used themselves. And at his departing he made a proclamation at a day certain he would depart into England if wind did serve, before which time his Lordship required all men that

* 66 garsses," MS.
ti.e., achats (purchases).

The prayer of all

men.

The Earl departed with the love of all men.

A worthy praise.

So noble a man I read not in this book.

O'Conor's war.

Christopher, son to
Sir Nicholas L. of
Howthe.

he owed anything, or any other of his could be charged withal,
he himself would have seen it paid; the which he did accord-
ingly. By reason
By reason whereof all English and Irish men,
women and children, in Ireland, that heard of this, upon their
knees did pray devoutly that his generation should continue
as long as any man in England or Ireland. Amen.

His men was kept in great towns and within his Lordship's house, and also his horses, so that no man had cause to say nor think evil of his Lordship's doing. And often he would say that he came to Ireland to do the country good, and so was commanded by the King; and also would say that his conscience was grieved when he heard a poor man complained. This nobleman departed out of Ireland the last of May, after the Duke of Buckingham was beheaded, which was the year of our Lord 1520,* with as many prayers as blessings, both of poor and rich, as ever man that did depart out of Ireland; for in his time was corn, cattle, fish, health, and fair weather, that the like was not seen many years before.

He had such grace that there was neither poor, neither rich, but lamented his departure, as though all goodness were from them ravished. He was so careful for the poor, so upright amongst the higher powers, that he was rather to be alter Salmon called than a private minister. He never sought no man's blood; he never coveted nothing of any that was other men's; he was never malicious to any. To be short, without many frivolous words to multiply, it was thought by divers that he never offended within the compass of the seven deadly sins all the while he was in Ireland. What shall I say of his Lordship more? My wit do not serve me to give him half his worthy commendation. Therefore, to God I leave his Lordship and his generation in secula seculorum.

O'Conor of Afaley made war upon the English Pale about this time, 1527, and came to Taroght, and there shoed his horse, for a great honour as he took it, and did much harm in the English Pale, as he did many times afore and after, and there rested, spoiling and robbing, till Christopher, son to Nicholas Lord of Houth, gathered a power of the English Pale; and, as they were going where as O'Conor was, within three miles to his camp lodged for a night. A'Conore, hearing this, and that so great a power was a nearing towards him, in the night he stale away to his own country of Afally. It was said that it was for a policy done by the Earl of Kildare, then being in the town.

After this Earl of Kildare died, being then of his council Darsey of Platten and Master Coulle,† born in England, which the young Gerote, coming to the earldom, would not allow them to be of his council, as seldom the son favoureth that

* Sic. for 1521.

"Cowly" in margin (by Carew).

that the father loveth. For which cause Coule went to the Earl of Wormone, and Darsey became blind, and went to the Friary in Trodathe, and there resteth to his dying day. This Couly wrought as much against the Earl of Kildare as he could or was able.

This Coule being in England afore the Council, complaining upon the Earl, the tears fell from his eyes. The Earl asked him why he so did. He said it was for pity and contemplation that he had upon his father's son, "but my duty to my Prince enforceth me thus to do to you." Said the Earl," He is like the plover* taker in setting his snares, and waiting for his desired purpose, his eyes being against the wind and the water dropping out. So many plovers as he taketh, he knocketh† their brains out with his thumb, notwithstanding his watery tears of contemplation. Even like doth Mr. Coule with me; his tears cometh down; he layeth shrewd matters or articles to my charge."

After, this Earl, being discharged of this, was sent Deputy into Ireland, and after went to win a castle in Connoght in the hands of A'Connore, then‡ was lord thereof, and by chance with a shot of a gun was strucken in the side, but the pellet went not through. By reason whereof the Earl became speechless, and lost his natural wisdom. This Coule perceiving, that thought then he gat a good time to proceed in his evil disposed purpose. The Earl, being wounded, after was complained by Coule, and so sent for into England, and was put in the Tower, leaving his son Lord Thomas, Lord Justice.

This Lord Thomas, hearing that his father was dead, and was also informed by a letter that was found that he should be sent for to England, for certain facts committed in Ireland, came with a great power through Dublinge, and there very reverent did deliver the King his sword, with weeping tears and sorrowful countenance, and desired that some other might take the pains, for he perceived it was not allowed for him to bear that charge, and so departed.

After the said Thomas burned and spoiled all the whole English Pale, where as he thought he was not beloved. He killed the Bishop of Dublinge in Tertayne within two miles of Dublinge, and took the Lord of Houth prisoner, which continued a long time in prison. He did besiege Dublinge and the Castle thereof. He went to Mounster upon the Earl of Wormone, and there burned and destroyed much. But, to be short, few places in the English Pale was free from harms.

The Tolles, Birns, and others spoiled and took the prey of Houth, coming thither in the night, and rested till the kine was abroad in the morning, before they was ware they was taken away; and after they would have set to the Castle,

*"pluer," MS.

† "neccythe" (?) MS.

Sic., qu." that."

To Malahyd the
Tollys came.

Skevyngton sent L.
Deputy to Ireland.

f. 119.

At Alone L.Thomas was discomfited.

Bornell, Eustasse, Bath, and divers beheaded.

Thomas and his uncles put to execution.

Many Englishmen slain at Clontarf.

Leonard Gray
Deputy.

O'Nell did much harm. The Novan burnt.

O'Nell broken upon, and put to the worst.

where as part of the best of them was slain, and some wounded, and so departed and went to Malahyde, and burst open the gates till they came to the hall-doors, where as they were resisted with great difficulty ;† and as they returned homeward, they met with those of Dublinge, and set on them at Salcoc‡, and killed and took many good men of the city.

This rebellion was in the 27th of King H. 8. This passed on a while, and then the King sent Sir William Skeventoune Lord Deputy into Ireland with many, which stalworthly did use themselves, and with force besieged Maynothe and took it, and killed all that there was. Many skirmishes] they had together, and at last at Alone Lord Thomas Fitzgerote was overthrown, and many there slain, by reason of A'More, which then did betray him; and there was Bornell of Balgreffen taken, and afterwards was beheaded at London. There was beheaded in Ireland, for taking Lord Thomas's part, one Eustas§, Bathe, Telinge, Waller, Brod, Felell of Luske, and divers others. After the said Thomas's uncles came in to the Deputy, and had their pardons. And after Lord Leonard Graye was sent to Ireland; to whom Thomas Fitzgerot did come in, and submitted him to the King's mercy. After his five uncles were taken and sent to England, where as they and the Lord Thomas received their reward according their desert, 1536.

Before the landing of Skeventoune there was certain captains, as Mosgray, two brethren of the Hamortouns, landed at Houthe, and lodged there at night, and the morning after went toward Doublinge, and at the Bridge of Baleboght was set on by Lord Thomas and his men; so they, being not 60, so well did, that they came almost to Clontarf before they were slain, being kinsmen to Lord Thomas, which valiantly did use themselves before they came at Clontarffe, where as they thought with running to save their lives; but at length they were slain.

After this Leonard Graye came Deputy into Ireland, after the death of Skeventoune, and did very well in all his wars, that none was painfuller a long time nor stalworth than he in his room. In whose time O'Nell, O'Donell, and all the north gathered themselves together, and did invade the English Pale upon the sudden, burned the Novane and other towns more, and came to Tarogh, and burned houses there before the country was gathern, and did exceeding much harm. The Lord Deputy and country followed them, which then retired so far as Balahoye, the one army being the one side the river, and the other on the far side. Bickered the fore-riders, till the whole army came, and with that with main force