1585.

the north of Ireland, having 200 horsemen and 500 footmen at his own charges; and was on foot in every fight against the Scots there. Upon a letter from Queen Mary willing him to aid the Earl of Thomond, Ormond relieved the castle called Downeimolmihill, then besieged by the old Earl of Desmond and Sir Donell O'Briene. Upon a journey intended by Sussex into Thomond, Ormond marched before him, and took Clare and other castles. Being employed against the O'Mores of Lex, he took Lisaghe MacKeadaghe, Neale McLisaghe, Melaghlin O'More, and others of the O'Mores.

When the last Earl of Desmond invaded Thomond, gave an overthrow to the Earls of Thomond and Clanricard, and burned the Queen's lands about Dungarvan and the Viscount Desies' country, Ormond took him prisoner with many of his gentlemen, and slew 500 of his men, and then delivered him to Sir Nicholas Arnold, Lord Justice, to be sent into England. "Upon James FitzMorishe' first rebellion, the said Earl of Ormond was by Sir Henry Sidney appointed L. General of her Majesty's forces into Munster, and afterward was suddenly removed, and Sir Humfrey Gilbert placed there; and when the enemy began to grow strong, the government thereof was again committed to the Earl by the said Sir Henry." He did good service there in 1570. The same year he marched to O'Sowlevane More's country, and won his castle of Donlo. He went as General into Thomond, took all the castles, and pledges of every man, and delivered them to Sir Edward Fitton, President of Connaught; and then drove the Earl of Thomond to forsake his country and fly into France, and rescued from him Captain Apsley and others whom he had prisoners.

In 1571 he put to the sword Geoffrey Carraghe Purcell, who had murdered Mr. Cantwell, sheriff of co. Kilkenny, with 20 of his men, and sent their heads to the Deputy (Sidney).

In 1571 he accompanied Sir William Fitz Williams, Lord Deputy, at the siege of the castle of Dirrelare, kept by the Earl of Desmond, then in rebellion; and after the taking of the castle, he brought Desmond to the camp to make his submission.

Having then the government of Munster, in 1572 he was appointed by her Majesty to place Sir John Perrot as President of Munster, which he did, and spoiled the MacSwynes. He prosecuted Piers Grace, Rory Oig O'More, and other traitors, and brought Rory Oig to Rosse to make his submission to Fitz Williams.

Sir William Drury appointed Sir Nicholas Malbye to prosecute the Earl of Desmond when he was suspected to combine with his brother Sir John [of Desmond] after killing Mr. Henry Davels. On Drury's death, Ormond accompanied Sir William Pelhame, Lord Justice, to the field, and was again made Lord General of Munster, where he executed and put

1585.

Vol. 614, p. 254.

594.

to the sword 46 captains and leaders* under Desmond, with 800 notorious traitors and malefactors, and above 4,000 of their men. This was in 1580.

Some of his men, after he was discharged from Munster, executed and put to the sword four captains and 33 of their

men.

In this last time of his government in Munster (when the Archbishop of Dublin and Sir Henry Wallop were Lords Justices), the Earl of Desmond was put to the sword by Ormond's direction, with 38 captains (named) and 747 notorious traitors and malefactors; besides great numbers who were famished and forced to fly the country.

Since his last discharge from Munster, and after the landing of Sir John Perrot as Deputy, he executed six leaders (named) and 63 other traitors.

Dated by Carew, "1585."
Pp. 4. Endorsed.

PERROT'S PROJECT.

"Certain Notes for the Right Honorable the Lord Treasurer [of Ireland and touching Ireland]† to consider of," (by Sir John Perrot).

(1.) To send no man over to Ireland but such as are of known credit, and have good livings in England. No offices to be given to Irishmen. Nothing has hindered this government more than placing therein young and needy persons, who enter into any disorders for gain's sake, "even to the very counterfeiting of the Irishry themselves."

(2.) One thorough charge to be bestowed in every place at one time. The lords and captains not to exact upon their tenants. The lords and freeholders, living in poor estate, care not what adventure they take in hand, as they have nothing to lose.

(3.) 1,800 English soldiers (400 horse and 1,400 footmen) "to be placed in all parts of Ireland." The Deputy to lie most at Aloane. Only two presidents, in Ulster and Munster.

(4.) To have money to perform this, "there might be coined pence, 2d., and 3d. of base money, which should stand ber Majesty in small value, and the good silver now current (being the sterling groat, the 6d., 9d., the 12d.), and all kind of Spanish silver and other gold, to run current, as it doth."

*Their names are given. The list begins with Sir James of Desmond, the Earl's brother.

†The words in brackets are in Sir John Perrot's handwriting. He has defaced the rest of the heading, which runs as follows:-"Whereof part concerneth the province of Munster, and the residue for the reformation of Ireland." This passage, and the manner in which "the Deputy" is spoken of, seem to prove that these notes were written while Perrot was President of Munster, though Carew has assigned them to the year "1585." Perrot has also made several other corrections and alterations.

1585.

Vol. 614, p. 258.

Vol. 614, p. 262.

595.

596.

(5.) "By proclamation to call in all the halfface money, being the old pence, 2d., 3d., and groats, and to give them of the pence, 2d. and threepence which shall be new made of base coin, the rate as they go; whereby her Majesty shall be a great gainer, for she shall have good silver instead of such base coin."

(6.) The great woods in Munster (named) should be cut down, and passes made therein, to deprive the rebels of their places of succour. Some Englishmen are willing to undertake this, if her Majesty will lend 5,000l. for three years.

(7.) Great store of timber may be had from the wood of Drumffynnen, of which ships may be built at Youghull, where the two abbeys will serve for storehouses. Beefs may be had there for 10s. apiece, and corn from Brystowe (Bristol) and Gloucester good cheap. Good store of iron will probably be found in Munster, or else may be had out of Spain. Poledavie for sails, out of Britanny. Cables, masts, pitch, tar, and ockan (oakum), from Daske (Les Basques).

In Morgan Colman's hand (?). Pp. 3. Endorsed.

The EARL OF DESMOND.

Notes showing the unlawfulness of the exactions and extortions levied by the late Earl of Desmond upon the "chargeable lands," and that the freeholders were not tenants-at-will to him.

It is stated that "at Cork one Moragha Gaughach was attainted of felony for taking of buonria begg for the said late Earl of Desmond in Imokilly; and one Cuchelayn was attainted and executed at Cork of taking srach and the like for the said Earl in Kierrye-Curihy; and the seneschal of Imokilly forbidden by Sir William Drewrye, then Lord President of Munster, to take any allowance of kernety or the like in Imokilly."

Dated by Carew, “1585," and headed by him: "The extortions which the Irish lords do use upon their tenants and freeholders."

Pp. 3. Endorsed: "That the extortions of lords and captains upon freeholders within the usurped rule and power of the said lords giveth them no right in the freeholders' lands, &c."

PARLIAMENT.

"A Note of certain matters to be passed in the next Parliament in Ireland, which shall not only be very profitable to the Queen's Majesty, but also commodious for the Commons of the Realm."

(1.) A bill for equalizing the plowlands. (2.) Composition to be made with the country for the discharge of the Lord Deputy's cesse, &c, and to take of each plowland 208. ster. (3.) The statute for the lading of sheepskins, wool, flocks

1585.

Vol. 614, p. 183.

Vol. 607, p. 121.

597.

(flax?), and earthen and other wares, to be revoked. (4.) A bill to resume into the Queen's hands all the tithes belonging to the late monasteries in the five English shires. (5.) The Queen to keep 1,000 soldiers in ordinary pay, and 1,000 stipendiary soldiers, who may be paid out of the revenues, if my former notes take effect.

The writer's reasons are stated in the margin.

II. A more complete sketch of the proposed bill for the resumption of tithes.

The bill will be worth 20,000 marks yearly to her Majesty, and no great hindrance to the holders of the tithes, "considering that the rents which ought to be paid yearly to her Majesty shall yearly during their interests be paid and given unto them and their assigns free and frank.”

Pp. 3. Endorsed by Sir John Perrot.

2. "Considerations to be thought of concerning the Parliament to be held by the Lord Deputy, Sir John Perrot." This document is substantially the same as the preceding, and in the same hand. It contains these additional propositions-that all abbeys, &c., with their temporalities, should send men to every general hosting, as in former times; that every archbishop, bishop, earl, baron, knight, &c. should furnish a certain number of men once a year; and that the statute of 12 Edw. IV. respecting bows should be put in execution, as bows are growing dear and scarce.

Pp. 4. Endorsed by Perrot.

The REVENUE.

"Ireland.-A brief estimate of the Queen's Majesty's revenues and casualties there yearly."

(1.) Revenues.-The ancient inheritance, 7561. Os. 94d. Attainted lands, 8931. 15s. 4d. Abbeys and spiritual lands, 6,608l. 12s. 114d. Tribute money of the Irish, 277. 78. 4d. "For and in consideration of the bonnought money upon composition made by the Rt. Hon. Sir Henry Sydney, K.G., with divers of the captains and governors of the Irish borders," 601. 68. S. Escheated lands, 4. 19s. Proxies, 60l. 78. Total, 8,9521. 98. 0дd.

"Whereof doubtful and uncertain to be received, viz., of th' ancient inheritance, 301.; the attainted lands, 607.; th' abbey lands, 400.; tribute money, 271. 78. 4d.; bonnought money, 1007.; escheat lauds, 100s. ; proxies, 60s." Total, 6717. 178. 4d. Remainder, 8,2801. 118. 8d.

(2.) Payments.-Fees to the Lord Chancellor, Lord Treasurer, and other chief officers and ministers of her Majesty's courts, 2,3221. 88. 74d. Constables and keepers of her Majesty's houses (castles), 2791. 138. 9. Life annuities, 4931. 68. 8d. Annuities and pensions out of religious houses, 42l.

1585.

Vol. 635, p. 87.

598.

Vol. 607, p. 125.

1586. Jan. 20.

Vol. 618, p. 11.

599.

Stipend or pension granted to Christ Church, with 1008. for the stipend of the curate of Balliboughill, 65l. 88. 10 d. Paper, parchment, ink, and green cloths for her Majesty's courts, 2801. Total, 3,482l. 178. 111d.

Remaining answerable to her Majesty, 4,7971. 138. 94d. "To the which there is to be added for divers casualties by estimation, viz., for wards' lands, 2007. ; subsidies, 2007. (5007.);* twentieth parts, 300l.; forfeitures of merchandise, 13l. 68. 8d. (2001.); th' issues of the Hanaper, 801. (300l.); fines of homage, 41. (71.); green wax money, 2007.; † fines and profits yearly answered by the sheriffs, 67. 13s. 4d. ; fines of marriage of wards, 107.; fines of liveries, 50l. (100 marks); fines of alienations, 137. 6s. 8d. (2001.); forfeitures of recognizances, 20l. (2007.); first fruits, 1007.; th' issues of the Clerk of the Crown's office, 6l. 138. 4d.; fines of leases granted for term of years, 207.; th' issues of the Star Chamber, 207. (1007.); the custom of the impost of wines, 8001. (2,000l.)." Total, 2,044l. Total of the clear yearly revenue and the casualties, 6,841. 138. 91d.

"The late composition[s] with certain Irishmen in Ulster and Connaught are not herein expressed for want of certain knowledge what the same been.”

Pp. 3. Endorsed: Estimate of the Queen's revenue in Ireland in anno 1585.

2. Copy of the preceding.

IRISH MEASUREMENTS.

"The comparison and difference of th' English and Irish acre set down according to the rates found in Munster 1585." Pp. 3. Endorsed.

II. The quantities of a "quarter or plowland" and of a "cartron."

In Carew's hand. P. 1.

On the dorse Carew has traced the pedigrees and indicated the localities of several Irish chieftains.

The QUEEN to LORD DEPUTY PERROT.

Whereas Sir George Carew, the bearer, one of our gentlemen pensioners, has obtained our leave to repair into that realm, and be absent three or four months for arranging certain accounts with our Auditor there, we let you understand our desire for his speedy despatch, praying and requiring you to have him and his causes in special recommendation. Greenwich, 20 January 1585, 28 Eliz.

Copy. P. 1.

* The sums placed within parentheses in the text are written on the margin of the document by a different hand.

In the margin; "Thus much clear, over and besides all rewards."

In the margin: "Much more."