WHereas men of good mindes, studious to set out trueth, Louers of vertue, Haters of vice, & Fauourers of common weale, haue framed themselues members of the state, & writers of good thinges woorthie memorie (that craueth witnesse of the beste wittes) haue taken paines in publishing manye vo­lumes well penned, and printing of bookes needefull for this time, & necessary for al ages to read & behold in time to come: and in manner written partly on reportes, and partly on expe­rience by viewe, haue set downe not onely their owne opini­ons (in matters treated of:) but also haue made rehearsall of many mens actions, and last out the seruices of a very honou­rable and valiaunt Earle (named the Earle of Ormounde) whose noblenes both in nature and condition argues a great minde, and commands a multitude to speake wel of.

For which cause, & the rather to encourage valiant hearts to continue in vertuous actions (a thing looked for in eche de­gree and calling) that may aduaunce the hardy and stoute par­sonages, I haue aduentured to put pen to paper, in the behalfe especially of some heretofore long forgotten, and others, both presently to be praised, and hereafter may be worthy of great renowne and credit.

And to be plaine, writers are so small regarded, worlde so enuious, and people so greedy of their owne glorye, that fewe goes about to blow the blast of good fame, towardes any wor­thy mans aduancement.

[Page] Such is our weakenes of goodwill, and shortnes of breath, that we can spare no speeches (wel spent and bestowed) to the benefice of such as deserues wel, whose doings, claimes good liking, and a generall good report of the world.

Yet commonly the best sort of companies, being inclined to noble disposition are glad to heare the worthy commended, & with sweete wordes furthers the fame of any one that merits commendation.

The trueth of things is wel bestowed among such people & nothing should be hid from their knowledge, that so thankful­ly welcomes the wel doing of others.

And in effect no enterprise of value is taken in hand, but in hope that labour and paines shoulde reape commodity and praise, a good worke may not scape vnrewarded, and what bet­ter worke can there bee, then to cut off sicke and rotten mem­bers from a sound and hole bodie?

I meane who can be better occupied then those that would weed out of a common weale, a number of cankred mindes in­fected with corrupt manners that may sodainly wound harm­lesse hearts, and breake the common society of good men?

Is there any labour more laudable, seruice more famous, life more toilesome, or exercises more noble, then stil to be bu­sied for the preseruation of a Prince and countrie?

And who I pray you liues in more hazard, eates with lesse quietnes, sleepes in more daunger, or tasteth so many miseries as the Souldier that only seekes his countries glorie and his owne credite?

Deserues not that man an euerlasting renowme, that re­fuseth no iourney, shuns no seruice, nor auoydes no action to doe his countrie good?

Ye shal reade how the Romaines rewarded the valiancy of men with a Crowne called the Crowne Ciuique, which albe­it, it was but of speciall greene leaues, yet was it as muche or more esteemed then some golden crownes that Emperors ded weare in triumph, as diuers Authours thereof makes menti­on.

[Page] And where such Souldiers (crowned in this manner) repai­red either in open pastimes, priuace playes, and Comedies, or in any noble assembly where honour is to be receiued and loo­ked for, the sacred Senate, and generally the whole Senators altogether would arise from their seates of maiestie & shewe a certaine salutation towardes the honourable souldier, at his comming to their presence, and further to animate couragious mindes, there was alwayes an honourable place prepared (a part from common people) for the souldier.

Wherby the world might see the souldiers worthines, and learne to regard men worthely, whose seruice deserued great reputation.

But looke now what great & mighty matters were brought to passe in that age, what victories were woonne, what try­umphs were obtayned, and what riches and treasure was got­ten by the inuincible courage of meane, and by meane of the honour that souldiers and citizens of Rome possessed.

Among the East Indians at this present day, souldiers are so reuerenced and made of, that the meane people muste not onely giue them way & curtesie, but also must labour for their maintenance, yea their stipends and liuing are so greate (by a publike prouision) that they alwayes liue and feed on the com­mon treasure, and euery thing is allotted and appointed them, as it came by inheritaunce, and were possessed from their pa­rentes.

Did not king Alexander the great, in the beginning and middle of his conquests, cause souldiers to be honoured, made orders and lawes that no man should doe them iniurie, & since his dayes as wel as before his time, when a souldier should be iudged (by a free libertie graunted from kinges) he might ap­peale to Cesar from the lawes of the land, and so in euery sort his priuiledge was so great, that al manner of men knew him to be honourable.

Though duty and good disposition halleth men forward, to aduenture great attempts and seruices, if same should be kept from them, their warme good willes woulde waxe colde, and [Page] wearines would quickly ouercome the willingest mind, that e­uer followed marshall affaires.

For as the dumbe beast being cherished and comforted with his maysters sweete entertainement, drawes (as seemeth) with a better delighte in labour, and forsakes neyther foule waye, nor harde aduenture for eache sensible manne fee­linge some encouragemente in his traueile, goes on Iustely to his businesse, and thinkes the lesse of greate burdens, be­cause some hope leades him forewarde, and helpes to ease his ouercharged Bodye, and shoulders: fayre woordes (with some fruit) and gentle behauiour, I tel you, towleth some for­ward, that otherwise would dragge farre behind, & perswades great content to an aspiring mind, that gapes after glory, and is nourished with good hope.

Nowe since in our elders dayes (of great antiquity) souldi­diers had countenance and credite, that qualified their carefull turmoylinges, and recompensed their labours, with a blast of noble reporte, this our tyme presente muste of compulsion (by meane of their prerogatiue) yeelde them praises condigne for their deseruinges, and fit for personages of manly spirite and towardnes.

So if all nations & times allow necessary fame to valiant mindes, and reason graunts that good men should be honored, (especially in a naughty world) because desire of fame breedes many woorthy actions, wee may the better (and with greater holdnesse) enterprise to register them in the renowmed booke of commendation.

All this before by me written, meante onely of souldiers, that serue and haue serued agaynste forraine enemyes. Then what Tytle, what honour shall I giue them? and what style shall I holde in the honouring of those that continuallie a­gaynste Rebelles, haue shewed theyr vttermoste force and pollicye, whiche seruices of theirs, springes of maruellous trueth and affection, and ought not to be forgotten of no po­sterity nor nation: the consequent is so greate thereof, and the constancie so muche in them, that pursues Rebelles, [Page] that no mannes penne is able sufficientlie to prayse them a­right.

For they are suche profitable proppes and pillers of the pub­like pillers of the publike weale, that they maye marche nexte vnto honourable Councellours whose wisedome trice out fol­lies, and whose grauity graciously gouernes.

And so to be short, if conscience confesseeth that eche man dooynge well, shall possesse immortall prayse, I may not for­gette, and vtterlye leaue out the noble. Actes and seruices of mine auncient Friende the woorthye Earle of Ormounde, whose deedes when you heare, (thoughe you were mortall e­nemyes) you shal maruel of: and when you consider the the substaunce thereof throughlye, you that haue power and abilitie, shal imitate his steppes, and bee followers after the light of so noble a lanterne, that in the darkest times, doubte­fullest dayes, and most obscure season, hath shewed brightnesse, and like a blasing starre hath stood stiffly in a fixed place, and cast a cleere light, so farre, that al the beholders may be gladde thereof, and wel therein.

First, for that the Countrey of Irelande hath beene a long whyle subiecte to sundrye seditions and sorrowful calamities moste miserable for them selues, and chargeable to the Prince, the reformation whereof hath coste manye a woor­thye mannes lyfe, and the greater hath growen the griefes because diuers of that Nation neglecting their dueties, haue hadde small care of the common tranquillitye and peace of poore people, by which insolence, rebellion hath beene bredde: and shamelesse dissention set abroche. And continuing in ex­tremitye, verye sore woundes and maymes the publique state hath sustayned, til GOD of his goodnesse raysed vppe some suche members as sought nothing but redresse and qui­etnesse.

It happened in a number of seruices that one Noble manne was so fortunate (because of his fideltye) that ma­nye of the reste didde feare him, and therefore soughte [Page] his ouerthrow, but he being armed with a iust quarrel and min­ding to scourge Rebels, omitted no occasion to take the ene­mies at aduantage, but howsoeuer he chaunced to finde them, he fortunately suppressed their pride, and followed the faithful course and forme of a most noble captaine.

And because it shalbe seene to the worlde, orderly what hee­did, herein shal bee set downe the matter, place, and time, of a part of his honourable seruices, to the intent it shall not dwell in forgetfulnesse, and to encourage other noble personages in doing their countrey good to treade the steppes of the noble Earle of Ormound.

I remembring his forwardnes in the young king Edwards dayes (with whom he was brought vp) and the charge he had of some horsemen in Queene Maries raigne against Rebels in England, haue called in like manner to minde, the seruice hee did against the Omoores and the Oconnors in their rebellion of Ireland, also the ouerthrowing of Dunloghe, Oswilleuane Moores chiefest house, is woorthie note: for it was in time of Rebellion, with other ordinary seruices, that alwaies did testi­fie, that this Earle was a sharpe scourge to Rebels.

And to proue that his daily desire thirsted after noble en­terprises (for the punishment of malefactors) he serued char­geably and in no little daunger (on his owne proper coste and expence) with two hundred footemen, and fiftie horsemen in Ulster, the North parte of Irelande against Iohn Oneale, who was in open action of rebellion manie and sundrie sea­sons.

In the like manner all on his own charge, he serued against the scot, called Iames Maconell, in Ulster, whose force he o­uerthrewe to the number of two thousand men, and in the ende droue the scot to flye away.

Then hauing charge of Thomounde (by vertue of the Queenes highnes commission) hee tooke all the Castles and ho [...]es thereof in spite of the Earle of Thomounde (who was in rebellion) slue diuers of his men, and brought others of them to submission, compelling the Earle, himselfe (for safegarde of [Page] his life) to flie into Fraunce, where hee remayned, vntill her Maiestie on her meere clemencie, pardoned his life, and resto­red his landes. The Earle of Thomoundes mother notwith­standing, was Aunt to the Earle of Ormounde, which shewes that neither respect of blood, nor friendship could hinder any peece of dutiful seruice.

In another greate seruice the Earle of Ormound hearing that Desmound went about to annoy Syr Maurice fitz Ger­ralt (late vicount of the Desies) he raised a power and mette Desmounde in the fielde, gaue him battaile at Athmanie, slue fiue hundred of his men, tooke himselfe captiue, and sente him into England where he remayned till the Queenes highnesse vouchesafed to remit his offence, and returned him home to his countrey.

Nowe in processe of time, my Lord of Ormounde by the Queenes appointment, became gouernor of Mounster in the beginning of Desmondes last reuolt, when hee had of Rebels about him, two thousand able men, but he was folowed so fast, and so hardly beset (by suche as were appointed for that pur­pose) that he was driuen to manie extremities, partely by the ayde and aduice of the L. Iustice, Syr William Pelham, and partly by the policie and power of the Lord Gouernour (who chiefly was general in the field) that of two thousand men, the Desmound was left but one bare hundred, and as it seemed, and may be prooued, the Earle of Ormounde was cause of the weakening of the enemies force, as hereafter you maye reade, when it comes to that point.

But the L. Gouernour being remoued from that charge, came into England, from whence after some time spent there, about necessarie causes, he was sent againe to his former go­uernement of Mounster with most noble authoritie and com­mission, and being arriued in Irelande, he made heade against the Desmound with whom was a thousand tall souldiers that were gathered together in the absence of the Earle of Or­mound. He comming to scourge these Rebels, and finding the enemies force strong, tooke order both by watch, spial, disci­plyne [Page] of Warre, and warlike deuises, to supplante Des­moundes determination, and marchinge in marshall manner towardes the enemyes, his verye countenaunce daunted so muche Desmoundes companye, that they fell to their woon­ted feare, where they thoughte them in moste safetye, but beeynge painefullye followed, and pursued moste fiercelye as Rebelles shoulde bee, they fell from flyinge and fightinge to yeeldinge and crauinge of mercye, so euen as the matter fell out in the pursuite, yee shall reade as followes the names of some fewe of the chiefest that were slayne beeyng Leaders of companies, and menne of accounte amongest the traytours. Henry fitz Gerralt, base brother to Syr Iames fitz Gerralt of the Desies.

Kennedy mac Bryen, mac Brien Ogonaghs, sonne Gibbon Roe, Lord of the great wood. The Deane of Brohils sonnes, the Earle of Desmoundes receiuer, Connoghore O Multe­an, Daniel Mantagh foster brother to Sir Iohn of Desmond. Rowrie Moel mac Conoghane. Mac Thomas thiefe of his name. Mauryce Uale, Iames Uale, Brownes of the Earle of Desmoundes foster Brothers. William Graueye sonne to mac Bryen Ogonagh with manye more too tedious, to be recited, besides two hundred fortie sixe of their menne and confederates that were put to the sworde, and executed in such manner as diuers other Rebelles (beeyng greatlye terrifled therewith) were fayne to submit themselues to the Queenes Highnesse mercie.

And further, the Lord Gouernour caused al the Cattle of the Countrie, to bee brought out of Desmoundes reache, in­to places of strength, whereby Desmounde and suche of his companye as remained with him, were brought to most mise­rable state, & driuen for want of other relief, to feed vpon horse­fleshe and carrion in suche sort as with very harde shifte, they saued them selues from being sterued.

And thus was the Earle of Desmound of al his force con­sumed and lefte accompanyed onelie with seuen menne and his Priest, who from the tenthe of the laste Iulie, hidde them [Page] in a glinne within Sleaueloghra, hauing no other foode the space of seuen Weekes there, but sixe Plowegarrans, where­on they fedde without eyther breade, drinke, or other suste­naunce.

About the twentieth of September laste, Desmounde beyng hardly followed by certaine Kearnes appoynted by the L. General to serue against that traytour, his priest was taken from him, with another of his men, and brought to the Earle of Ormound.

Since whiche time, the Earle of Desmounde was relie­ued by a Captaine of Galloglas (called Gohorra mac Don­nagha mac Sweenye) whereof the Earle of Ormounde ha­uing aduertisement by suche as hee imployed to doe that ser­uice, pursued hym into Olearies Countrie where hee tooke the moste parte of his goodes, and lefte no reliefe for him nor Desmounde, insomuche as the first of the laste Nouem­ber, the sayde Gohorra was enforced to repayre to Iniskiue mac Carthy Reoghs Countreye, in the Countye of Corcke, and there tooke thyrteene Cowes and eyght Garrans from one Donogho mac Teig of Iniskiue aforesaide Gentleman: whiche Donnogho with tenne more in his companye made pursuite after the sayde Gohorra, rescued his Cowes and gar­rans, slewe the saide Rebell, and sent his head to the Earle of Ormound.

The eleuenth of the sayde Nouember, the Earle of Des­mounde for wante of the sayde Gohorra, to brynge him hys woonted nourishement was vrged with meere famyne, and pinchinge penurye, to sende to one Daniel mac Daniell O­moriherteighe to seeke some reliefe, whiche Daniel made an­sweare to him that brought the message, that hee was bounde in band, and by othe sworne to the Lord Generall, and also that hee had deliuered his pledge into the Generalles handes for performaunce of dooynge good seruice against Desmounde and his Adherentes: wherefore, he would giue him no reliefe at all.

Wherupon the Earle (being almost famished with extreame [Page] hunger) determined a desperate action. First, for relieuing his necessitye, and after, to escape the daunger of other fortunes that might followe, and in that resolution hee aduentured to pray where he thought for that purpose, and because the verie trueth of his doinges then, and the manner of his death shalbe well knowen to the worlde throughly, heere is sette downe an examination of one that was at his ouerthrowe, and sawe his head cut off.