Henry Docwra

Edited by John O'Donovan

DOCWRA'S ¹ Relation of Service done in Irelande.

London, British Library, Harley Ms. 357, fol. 235b.

Docwra's Relation, etc.

My good, and right deare ffrinde, ² Althoughe I doe not accustome my selfe, to describe, or Blason the Actions and servyces of the state, (knoweing well that in giveinge suche as deserve it, their dewe Comendations, I shalbe offensive to others, emulateinge the same, or in detracteinge any parte therof ffrom those vnto whome it is dewe, I shall rightlye displeas them,) yett the manye ffavoures and ffrindshipp I haue receyved at your handes, and the good opinyon I stande Assured yow houlde of myne Affection towardes yow, doe presse me to deliver it; (seeinge you have soe often and earnestly requested me therevnto.) This discourse of the late servyces Luckelye exployted in Connaught by Sir Richard Byngham, Knight, governor ffor hir Majestie there, that is, the servyce against the Bourcks within the Countie of Mayo, uppon their Revolte, and the servyce agaynst the Scotts of the out Ilandes, uppon their Invasion of the said Provynce; which Discourse, ffor the Better vnderstandinge of it effectuallye, must needes take Beginninge at the Cawse and ffoundacion of the said Troubles. And althoughe I doubte not, but you houlde a good opinyon of my playne and vnpartiall Penn, in like matters, yett ffor the Better Creditt of the truthe therof, I send you this Discourse Conffirmed vnder the handes, and Testimonyes of diverse Captaynes and gentlemen which were imployed in the said services. This Discourse (in as much as the Toyle, and Travayle therof [whereof it treatheth] was exceedinge  p.190 paynefull, the Contynuance of the Journye Longe without intermission, the successe therof ffortunate, the Victorye Atchieved without the Losse of any of our parte, the overthrowe given to the Enemye soe greate, as the Like hath seldome or never bene harde of in Ireland before) Contayneth an Acrion, altogether Heroicall, and worthie to be Comytted to Memorye, in this, or such other Like manner ensueinge.

In the Moneth of September, in the yeare of our Lorde 1585, at a Sessions houlden at Doonnemonie, ³ in the Countie of Mayo, within the Provynce of Connaught, by Sir Richard Byngham, Knight, cheiffe Commissioner, and Governor of the said Provynce, (Sir Nicholas White, Master of the Rolls, then beinge, present, and imployed with him, ffor the perffectinge of the last Composition, ⁴ made within the said Provynce) the Countye of Mayo, and the whole Countrye stoode then in generallitye, thoroughe the good, and polleticque govermnente, and the iust, and upright dealinge of the said Sir Richard Byngham, on peaceable and quiett Tearmes, without any fface of Alteration; and the most parte of the gentlemen, and ffreehoulders, of that Countrye, resorted to the said Sessions before, nevertheles when nowe by means of this Composition and Agreemente Betwene hir Majestie and them, they perceyved that the names, Tytles, and superioretyes of their Cheiffe Lordes, and especiallye of Mac William, the Cheiffest of the Septs of that Countrye, should Cease, extinguishe, and ffor ever after be determyned, it did not a Little greive them; Althoughe somme of them not longe before, had expostulated the Like refformation. The Plott of this Composition was devised by Sir Richard of purpose to take awaye the greatnes of the Irishe Lordes, with their names, macks and Oes; ⁵ that the infferyor Subjecte  p.191 might be ffreed ffrom their Irishe Customes, Cuttings, and unreasonable exactions, and (by knoweinge what was theire owne) be drawne to depende ever after vppon the State, and not on those Irishe Lordes, or gentlemen; which alsoe might not onlye muche Avayle hir Majestie in tyme of any stirres, or Revolts, by draweinge the Common People, ffrom (following the greate Cheiffe Lordes, But alsoe bringe a more Certayner, yearlie Rent, or revenewe, into hir Highnes Coffers then fformerlye was accustommed, when the People perceyued theise their oulde Custommes, and Vseages like to take ende, they devised with themselves, ffor the Preventinge therof, and accordinge to their oulde accustomed manner, ever by them vsed in all their discontments, they tooke upp their weapons, Armed them against the State, thinckinge by stirres, and Broyles to wynne the Revocation of their setled, and determyned resolution, and soe to be left agayne in the oulde Custommes, and useages.

This their purpose Appeared in one Thomas Roe Bourke, a Cheiffe gentleman of that Sept, whoe at this verye instannte dureinge the said Sessions at Doonnemonie kept himselfe, within a stronge Castell of his standinge in an Ilande on Loghe Maske, euen within the sight of the Governor and the other Commissioners reffuseing to come at them, Albeit they had severall tymes sent ffor him; Sir Richard Byngham perceyveing that the Coales of Troubles were nowe Layde together, and woulde shortlye after kindle, and becomme an Angrye ffyer, yf the same were not polleticquelie, and warelye prevented, (dissemblinge the matter, as yf it were of noe Momente,) he bethought him of the best and safest remedye, to meete with this inconveniencye; And knoweinge well that those Bourks, had ever bene verye badd, and Loose People, suche as verye hardlye Contynued themselves Two yeares together within a dewe Course, or Compasse of obedyence, He sawe that the onlye waye to stoppe this gappe, was eyther to cutt of, or  p.192 Apprehende, or Laye vpp in duraunce, as Pleadges, Two or three of the best of that septe; suche as were most daungerous ffor the inscyteinge of stirres, and the draweinge of others into Action. And therffore vppon his retourne out of that Countye to Roscoman, he dealte with the sherriffe of the Countie of Mayo, ffor the Apprehension of the said Thomas Roe. The sherriffe not longe after sent his Subsherriffe to putt the matter in execution; whoe beinge resisted and Hurte by the said Thomas Roe, and not Able otherwise to Apprehend him, wounded him in such sorte, as he therof dyed. This Thomas Roe being thus slayne, was not much Lamented, noe not even of his owne Kindred, ffor he was an oppressor of them, and, doubtlesse, it was thought by wyse men, that the death of this man, and the Hangeinge of the others of that surname at Roscoman, (which had devised ffor the draweinge of Scotts into the Provynce) had prevented the stirres, and Troubles, that after ensued, and at that tyme seemed to have a Begininge, had not somme men depended on the state, (throughe envye and Mallyce to Sir Richard Byngham, and his good, and happie govermente) Perswaded divers others of that Sept of the Bourkes, to have a Care of themselves, to be vppon their Keepinge, and to trust noe offycer, nor to comme to any suche, tyll their Pardonns shoulde be by them procuered ffrom the Lord Deputye. Theise men's names I fforbeare to remember, because they have since that tyme made it Knowne before the Lorde Deputye, and Councell of the Realme, that in giveinge suche Caveatts, to the Bourks, they meante nothinge lesse, then to harten them into Rebellyon against the State, (And to Attempte suche badde Actions, as afterwardes they did; Of this Counsayle, the Bourks (which of themselves were sedicious enoughe, in whose myndes did still sticke the Abolisheinge, and takeinge awaye their Mac William, with their oulde Irishe Custommes and Cuttings,) tooke houlde, and converted the same to an Apte and Comodious occasion offered them ffor their Better Assemblinge together into a Convenyent number, And the more effectuallye to wynne the Hartes of manye men to followe this their entended enterpryse, they made the Clanndonnells ⁶ the Joyes, ⁷ and most of the Countrye Beleive,  p.193 that Sir Richarde Byngham haveinge allreadye taken ffrom these men their Auncyent Custommes and Libertyes, woulde alsoe deliver the like measure to them, and take from them, alsoe their Lyves, yf they did not well Looke vnto themselves. By this meanes they drewe manye vnto them, perswadeing themselves, that they might saffelye Assemble together in Companyes, without ffeare of interruption; ffor by the ffrindshipp of their fforesaid Councellors, which weare in Dublyn, their Assemblyes shoulde there be thought as a thinge by them donne ffor their deffence and saffetye. They alsoe knewe that Sir Richard Byngham, beinge restrayned ffrom ffollowinge them, in this, or other their Actions, without direction ffrom Dublyn, coulde not stopp, or prevent them in their ffirst begininge, by reason whereof they woulde in shorte tyme, drawe together, and Joyne to them, the greatest parte of the Countrye, whereof somme shoulde be drawne to Assist them in open Hostilletye and some others in secrett and vnderhande dealinge, of which sorte the latter shoulde still seeme subjects, and lyve (as neere as they coulde) in the Bosomme of the State; And to make themselves the stronger, and drawe the whole Province into Action with them, they gave it fforth, that their Case, was every man's Case, within the same; And that as their Auncyent Custommes and Libertyes were inffringed, and their Lyves sought to be taken awaye, soe shoulde it alsoe ffeare with the rest of the said Provynce; And here ffor an entraunce, into this Rebellyon, The sonnes of Edmond Bourke of Castell Barrye, ⁸ beinge manye (which Edmond, was an oulde man, and of the Competitors of the Mac Williamshippe, and a most badd affected member to the State, and his wyfe as Badd as himselfe, together with Edmond Kerraghe Bourke, Ryccard Bourke, the Divell's Hook's sonne, ⁹ Moyler Oge Bourke, Walter Mac Davie Bane; Cahir Mac  p.194 Connell, ¹⁰ and divers others associeatinge vnto them, manye Idle Persons, entred into a Castell in Loghe Maske, called Castell Necallye, ¹¹ and manned the same, together with Thomas Roe's Castell, after Thomas Roe's death, was now in the possession of his brother Riccard Bourke, called the Pall of Irelande; ¹² which Castells they kept in Rebellyous manner against the State, reffuseinge to comme [in] at [the command of] any of hir Majestie's offycers.

Aboute this tyme Sir Richard Byngham, laye at the seidge of Clannowenn ¹³ in Thowmond, a stronge Pyle, Manned and kept against, hir Majestie by Mahowne Obryan, a most daungerous enemye to the State, A cheiffe Champion of the Popes, and a greate practyzer with fforraigne Powers, ffor the Invasion of this Realme of Ireland; Att this seidge Sir Richard Byngham, had but one Hundred Englishe Souldiers, and somme ffewe Kearne of the Countrye, by reason wherof, he was dryuen to noe small payne in skyrmishinge, Watchinge, and Wardinge, with soe ffewe men; nevertheless within seaven dayes he wanne the Castell, and slewe the said Mahowne Obryan, and the warde within, and Razed the said Castell, without the ffurtheraunce of any greate Ordynaunce. After that Sir Richard Marched ffrom this Castell, to Castell Necallye, within the which, the Traytors were, and enclosed themselves. Att his ffirst Commeinge thether he parlyed with them, advyceinge them to Remember the obedyence which they owed to hir Majestie, and to yeilde themselves to hir Majestie's Mercye, Assureinge them that in soe doeinge, they shoulde ffinde that ffavoure in all respects, that other hir Highnes Subjects did, but they, (myndeing nothinge lesse then to submitt themselves, on any suche conditions) saide they woulde not doe any Hurte, but keep themselves there in saffetye, ffor that they were fiearffull to  p.195 trust any Englishe man, Alleadginge manye ffrivelous and impertynent Causes, moveinge them to stande vpon their guarde; Herevppon Sir Rychard proceeded to Beseige them in the said Castell, which was a stronge round ffortresse, errected farre within the Loghe, ¹⁴ vppon a small Compasse of grounde soe scanted by the Wall, that scarce a standinge place was left vnto it; The seidge was all by water, in Boats, and coulde not otherwyse, bee Attempted, Insoemuche as Sir Richarde goinge aboute to Bourne a Boate, or two of theirs, that they had docked, and layde upp vnder the Castell wall, to the ende they might not escape awaye, and that alsoe he might Watche and Warde them, with ffewe men (havveinge but a small Companye there; and those alsoe soore wearyed, Bruised with stones, and galled with shott, at the Seidge of Clanowen) was fforced by the suddayne ryseinge of Contrarye weather, which muche ffavoured the enemye, to Leaue the Attempt with the losse of one of his Boats, and Two or three of his souldiers, himselfe, and others beinge in the said Boate, hardlye escaped, by the Healpe of other Boats, which other Boates came not in tyme to his succoure, thoroughe the negligence of suche as he had put in Truste with them, and Appoynted to come, and Ioyne with him; The Boate which he soe Lost, the enemyes gatt, in which and in another Boate of their owne, before Sir Richard coulde retourne to chardge them with a ffreshe supplye ffrom his Campe, Lyeinge on the shoare; they Shipped themselves, and with greate sceleritye, escaped into the woodes, ffearinge that at the next chardge Sir Richard woulde have wonne the Castell.

Captain Mordante, and others, had the Chase of them by water; Theise Traytors beinge thus escaped, to the woodes and Mountaynes, out of Castell Ne Callye, their accomplishes alsoe ffledd out of the other Castell, both which and one stronge Pyle of ffarroghe Mac Donnells, Sir Richard Razed to the grounde, ffor that they were not fitt, or stoode serviceable to be kept to the Englishe, and were verye daungerous to be in the possession of the Irisherye; Riccard Bourke, alias the pall of Irelande, a man of noe small accompte amonge his septe, and all the illaffected Irisherye repayred to Sir Richard, at his ffirst commeinge to  p.196 Castell Ne Callye; beinge indeede the Cheiffe of their Conffederacye; This man under Cullor of dutyefull Subiection, intended to haue Betrayed Sir Richard, and all his Companye, but (intelligence herof beinge given, and manye Apparaunte prooffes had of his Trayterous intentions, and devyses) this pall of Irelande was soone executed, by Martiall Lawe, ¹⁵ This man was assuredlye the most daungerous member in all the Countye of Mayo, especiallye ffor the draweing in of Scotts, a thinge, which Sir Richard ever doubted, and which the Bourks, ondoubtedlye entended.

After this the Governor Sir Richard Bingham tooke order ffor the ffollowinge of those Bourks to the Woodes, and Mountaynes, which weare nowe growne to somme iiij.xx swordes, he Levyed somme fforces on the Countrye, and with them, and his owne Companye of a Hundred Souldiers, he soe haunted them ffrom Bushe to Bushe, and Hill to Hill, that in shorte tyme, noe newes was to be heard, where anye of them were.

After this the gentlemen of the Countrye (which had not Combyned with them, seeinge the Rebells to be dryven to their hooles, and ffastnesses, in Hideinge manner, by meanes wherof the Souldiers coulde doe nothinge vppon them, offerred to Sir Richard, that yf he woulde  p.197 drawe his fforces out of the Countrye, they would vndertake the servyce, against the Rebells and eyther kyll them, or Banishe them at their owne Cost, and Chardges without Abateing any pennye of the Composition Rents, dewe to hir Majestie by them, in Leiwe therof; Heervnto Sir Richard Assented, and ffindeinge it a good Pollecye to sett one of them, against another: But heere (haveinge these bad Bourks, at a greate advauntage, and in a harde distresssed Case) when they were thus, at the lowest ebb; Sir Richard receyved especyall Chardge, and straight Commaundemente ffrom the Lorde Deputye to Protecte them, and he receyved alsoe a Protection readye signed, by the Lorde Deputye to Protecte them, which thinge thoughe the matter and manner muche greived him, he handled it in the best sorte he Coulde to save the Creditt of the State, and wrought devyses to dryve them to seeke their Protections, which when they did he graunted, it vnder his owne hande, and the Seale of the Provynce, as fformerlye was accustommed, and in suche Cases, ought to be done. But althoughe this was Closelye handled by the Governor Sir Richard Byngham, yett the Bourks had intelligence that the Lorde Deputye had Protected them; and Comaunded the Governor to perfforme it; which, as is to be gathered, they had learned from some well willers of theirs out of Dublyn; This made the gentlemen verye Highe, and Haughtie mynded, and was to them a Soveraigne Preparatyve, ffor to vnderstate newe, and greate stirres, and Broyles, then before they had begonne, ffor the Peace beinge suche, as the State offered it; and they sought it not, Contynued but a smale tyme; Althoughe they had given in a simple Pleadge, ffor the perfformaunce therof, After the Bourks were thus Protected, Sir Richard Byngham repayred to his dwellinge Howse, and ffrom thence (vppon occasions) to Dublyn, where he had not longe stayed, when the Bourks revolted agayne now the seconde tyme, Joyneinge vnto them, the Clangibbons, ¹⁶ the Clandonnells; and the Joyes, in ffar greater number then before, which said Joyes, the more to manifesto their Badde, and Trayterous intentions, and the better to Assuer their Complyces, of their ffast dealinge in this Combynation,  p.198 Murthered Certayne of the Officers of Yerconnaught ¹⁷ and their men, to the number of xvten or xviten. Aboute this tyme order came ffrom the Lorde deputy ffor the leauinge of men within this Provynce, ffor the servyce in the Lowe Countryes, the Bruyte wherof, and the repayer hether of Ffrancis Barckelye, sent by the Lorde Deputye ffor the Leavyeinge of the said men, Caused manye Idle men, whoe had noe zeale, to serve beyonnde the Seas, to Joyne withemselves, with the said Bourks, then in Action against hir Majestie, Add thus these Bourkes (haveinge had an interim of Peace, and a Pawseinge tyme to gather Heade agayne, and encrease their fforces, stoode on verye Loftie tearmes, and saide they woulde have a Mac William or els they woulde goe into Spayne ffor one; Alsoe they woulde have noe Sherriffe within that Countie, nor be subiect to Aunsweare, in Appearaunce, at any Assize or Sessions. Theise Poynts, and Tearmes, they stoode on, and Articled the same accordinglye, with many other vnreasonable demaundes, which they woulde haue to be graunted, or otherwyse they woulde in noe wyse yeilde to have Peace with the State. Att the begininge of this second Revolte, ffor that the Governor was willinge to have drawne them to Peace, (yf by any reasonable meanes he might have done the same without any indignetye to the State) he sent vnto them Commissioners, vizt. the Lorde Archbishopp of Tuam, the Lord Bremingham, Barron of Athenrye, Thomas Dillon, Esq. Justice of the Province, Gerralde Commerfforde, Esq. Attournye of the same, and others, to Parlye with them, And to examyne the cause of those their insolent Attempts; vnto whome they Aunsweared in effect as afforesaid, deliveringe them the said Articles in wryteinge, And even dureinge the tyme of the Commissioners Aboade in the Countrye, they did not fforbeare to Bourne, and spoyle the same. All which notwithstandinge a tyme of Peace was graunted, vppon Conditions in a sorte to their likeinge ffor viijth dayes by the said Commissioners, that in the meane tyme, the Lorde Deputye's pleasure might be signeffyed, to the Governor, howe he woulde have them to be Proceeded withall; and direction sent accordinglye. But, (after this alsoe was graunted them) the Commissioners were noe sooner departed  p.199 out of those Parts, then they begann to Breake downe divers Casttles, and to Bourne manye Townes in the Playne, and Champion Barronyes, And the more to make knowne their Trayterous, and wicked Purposes, they Proceeded, agaynst hir Majestie in most odious, and vndutiefull speeches; sayeinge, what have we to doe with that CALIAGHE; ¹⁸ howe vnwyse are we, beinge soe mightie a nation, to have binn soe longe Subiecte to a woeman; The Pope and the Kinge of Spayne, shall have the rule of vs, and none other. Sir Richard (not withstandinge all this) did fforbeare to rayse fforces, and to serve vppon them, (greatlye to his disadvauntage) ffor that he had receyved manye, and earnest Cawtions, ffrom the Lord Deputye, to fforbeare the Begininge of any warre against them, But in the meane tyme the Rebells grewe to bee verye stronge, And were nowe increased to the number of vij. or viij. hundred men; and had alsoe sent Edmond Kerraghe Bourke, and John Itcleave, ¹⁹ Brother to Walter Kittaghe ²⁰ Bourke, to Practyce with the Scotts, and to drawe them into the Provynce, to their succour and Ayde, Advertyseinge the Scotts, by the said Messengers, that the tyme was then to subdewe Connaught, ffor the Queene had ffewe or noe Souldiers in the Realme, they weare all imployed into the Lowe Countryes, This ffyer kindled, and fflamed in suche soarte, that nowe it was Highe tyme to take in hand the quencheinge therof. Nevertheles Sir Richard of himselfe durst doe nothinge against them, ffor that he was Advised, and willed by the Lorde Deputye, to doe nothinge in that Case without his Lordshipp's Advyce, and direction, which (when he had Longe looked ffor it,) at length he receyved, althoughe sommewhat Late, the effect wherof was, that the said Lorde Deputye and the Councell, Concurred in opinyon with Sir Richard, that the Conditions which the Bourks requyred were soe vnreasonable, as neyther subiecte ought to demaund them, ne yett the State (without greate indignetye) coulde yeilde vnto them; and therffore resolued, and willed Sir Richard to Prosecute them with suche fforces, as he had, or could Leavye, excepte he coulde ffynde them to stande on more dewtifull Tearmes then affore is saide, Herevppon, the Governor Leavyed suche fforces, as  p.200 he thought, might suffyce to Aunsweare the servyce, both effectuallye, and speedelye, ffor he ffounde, and sawe, that Lingringe servyce could not but greatlye Chardge hir Majestie, and muche encourage the enemye, A softe, kind of warre, that hath bin to, to longe vsed in this Realme.

Ffirst haveinge taken Order, ffor the Assuraunce of the Countrye behinde him, He Marched towardes the Countie of Mayo, the xii of Julye, 1586, with his owne Garryson fforces, which were a: C: ffootemen, and ffiftye Horsemen; and camme to Ballinroba; the xiiijth daye of the said Moneth; Heere he spent, vi: or vijen: dayes, as well in Parlyeinge with the said Bourks, as alsoe in gatheringe of his whole fforces, togeather, Hether camme to him, the Earle of Clanrickarde, with xxxtie: Horsemen, and: C: Kearne, alsoe manye gentlemen of the Countrye camme hether, namelye, the Lorde Bremingham, Lorde Barron of Athenrye; Sir Hubbert Mac Dauie, Knight ²¹ Teig O'Kellye, ²² and divers others. Hether camme in the supplye alsoe of fforces which he had Leavyed within the Provynce, viz. C: ffootemen of Captain Mordants, A: C. ffootemen vnder Captain Merryeman, and a C. ffootemen vnder Captain Mostean; Besides divers Companyes of Lighte Kearne, to the number of vi. or vii. C, and there haveinge employed the Earle of Clanrickarde, the Archebishopp of Tuam, the Bishopp of Killmore, the Lord Bremingham, Thomas Dillon Justice of the Provynce, and others, in Parlyeinge with the Bourks one daye, and ffindeinge that noe reasons nor perswasions, might wynne them to Peace, He executed certayne of their Pleadges, which they before had put in ffor their Loyaltie, and good behaviour; (ffor it Appeared to this Polleticque, and wyse gentleman, Sir Richard Bingham, that the spareinge of Rebells Pleadges heretofore, have done noe small hurte in this Realme, by encourageinge them to yll Actions, trustinge vppon the accustommed mercye, showed to the like Pleadges.) And then he  p.201 Marched to the Abbye of Ballentubber, ²³ the xxijth of Julye, and ffrom thence, he sent his fforces of ffootemen, and Kearne into the Mountaynes, and Woodes, to seeke the Rebells in their ffastnes, which afforesaid fforces, was Leade by Captain John Byngham, whoe had the Chardge of the garryson Bande, which behaved himselfe soe well therin, that within the space, of vj: or vijen: weekes, they all submitted themselves to the State; himselfe with the Earle of Clanrickarde and their Horsemen kepte the Champion and Playne Countrye; as well ffor the deffence of hir Majestie's good Subiects in those partes, as alsoe to keepe the enemye ffrom escapeinge awaye ffrom the fforces, sent into their ffastnes; Aboute this tyme, there camme an espyall out of Mounster, beinge sent, yf it were as he saide, as a Messenger ffrom those parts to Ffrancis Barckely, Provost Marshall of Connaught; This espyall the more to encourage the Traytors, and to Annymate others to Joyne with them, gave it fforth that the Earle of Leceister was slayne in the Lowe Countryes, And the most of the Englishe, fforces overthrowne there; That there weare Twoe greate Armyes of Spanyardes landed in England, and that there was a greate Navye of Spanishe Shippes in Baltimore; ²⁴ That the Kinge of Scotts, was in Armes against hir Majestie, and that hir Highnes was sicke and in greate daunger of death; vppon which vntrue seditious Rumoure, and reporte, Sir Richard Caused the Author, and Messenger therof, beinge a badd Runnegate, [renegade] to be executed by Martiall Lawe.

And nowe the fiootemen within the Mountaynes, and himselfe in the Champion, soe hunted the Bourks and their Accomplyces, ffrom place to place, that within the space of three weeks, they begann to be Tame, and they had taken ffrom them in that tyme, the number of iiijer: or v. Ct. Hearde of Cattle, whereof Sir Richard Byngham reserved towardes the defrayeinge of the extraordinarye Chardges of the Journye, the number of One Thowsand; All the rest were bestowed on the Captaines and their Companyes, and the offycers of the ffeilde, as Bootye, accordinge the Custome in this Countrye services, or els given to the Kearne, and light ffootemen, as a Consideration of their  p.202 entertaynements, which thervppon were dischardged, and dismissed from that service; Besides the depriveinge theise Rebells of their Cattle, as afforesaid, there were slayne of them aboute the number of v. or vjxx: of all sortes. The rest in shorte tyme after divided themselves, fflyeinge ffrom Caue to Caue, and ffrom one grove of Woode to another, where they might best Hide themselves, sendinge in Messengers to the Governor to Beseeche him of Mercye, and Pardon, and offeringe to submitt themselves with all Humblenes; Heerevppon it was, when they were thus broken, that the Governor discharged the Kearne he had as afforesaid; together with all Irishe Horsemen, of severall Partes of the Province, Contentinge all of them, eyther with some Portion of the Prayes, and Bootyes, gotten, or els with his owne Monye; His owne Horsemen, and ffootmen, and the Three Bandes of supplyes afforesaid, he stayed from the service, ffor a space, as well to reffreshe them as alsoe to give tyme and Leave to the Enemyes to come in ffreelye without ffeare, which otherwise woulde have possessed them, had the fforces bin still vpp, and downe, in the woodes. Theis beinge done, they submitted themselves one after another in sorte ffollowinge, vizt. Ewster Mac Donnell Cheiffe of the Galloglasses came in, submitted himselfe, put in his sonne Pleadge ffor himselfe, and his septe. The next Edmond Bourke Mac Richarde Enerrine, one of the strongest amongst them, sonne to the last Mac William saue one, came in and submitted himselfe, giveinge in his sonne as Pleadge; After whome William Bourke, alias the Blynde Abbott, the Cheiffe of that Sirname; Edmond Burke of Castle Barrye beinge dead, which Claymed to be Mac William, submitted himselfe verye Humblye, offerringe one of his sonnes as Pleadge; But ffor that Sir Richard liked not the sonne that he offerred, But demaunded his eldest sonne, whome he knew to be a good Pleadge) he departed agayne; yett within Twoe dayes after when he sawe the Governor woulde have sent in his fforces amongst them agayne, He camme to him, submitted himselfe, and brought his eldest sonne ffor a Pleadge.

Moyler Oge Bourke submitted himselfe; the Joyes did in like manner submitte themselves, and alsoe Riccard Bourke, alias the Divell's Hook's sonne, all theise gave in good Pleadges; ffor the observation of the Peace.  p.203 These men vppon their submission were soe Pyned awaye ffor want of ffoode, and soe ghasted with ffeare within, vijen or viijth weeks, by reason, they were soe roundlye ffollowed, without any interim of rest, that they looked rayther like to ghosts then men; Edmonde Bourk's sonne of Castell Barrye, persisted still, in the Action; Their ffather was the man, whome they sought to have made Mac William till he was executed, by Course of the Common Lawe; This man was very oulde; yett was he put to death, ffor theis Causes ensewinge: He was a noteable Traytor, and the encourager of his sonnes to this Action, dureinge whose lyfe, both they and he, had a hope he should be Mac William. To the ende therffore they shoulde be Carryed awaye noe longer with the deceiptfull wings of this vayne hope, and soe the sooner drawne to submission, He was indicted, Arraigned, Condempned, and executed, as in like Causes is accustomed: The Governor might have hanged him by Martiall Lawe, but rayther made Choyce to have it orderlye donne as afforesaid, to the ende hir Majestie might have his Landes, by Escheate vppon his Attaynder, (ffor he had a good quantetye, of Lande; After this the said sonnes of Edmond Bourke; (seeinge their ffather, and in him all their hope dead) offerred to submitte themselves, soe as they might have enioyned their ffather's Landes; But herein the Governor refferred them, to the resolution of the Lorde Deputye and Councell to be further Heard, in that poynte, which they some what Lyked of, and when they offered, the eldest Brother's sonne as Pleadge, But the Governor reffused to take any Childe, or other Pleadge, saveinge one of those Brethren, which were in number vi or vijen. But that they vtterlye denyed to doe, wherby it was well perceyved, they carryed verye badd intentions.

At this tyme, whilest these men stoode thus vppon the pinche of submittinge them, newes came to the Governor that Twoe thowsand Scotts came over the Ryver of Earne towards Sligo, with Edmond Kirraghe ²⁵ Burke, and John Itcleave, whoe were sent by the Bourks their kinsmen, as yow have hearde before, to drawe in those Scotts ffor the better deffence of their quarrell; which Scotts were promised by the Burcks, that they shoulde inhabitt the Countrye; soe as they  p.204 woulde Banishe out the Englishemen, and deffende the said Traytors; Theise newes hindered a thoroughe Paciffication within the Countye of Mayo; neverthelesse this Provident and Circumspecte Governor, Sir Richard Bingham; haveinge alreadye reduced, and brought things there, to soe good a state, as before is said,) dispatched the Earle of Clanrickarde with xxxtie or xltie Horsemen, and Two Bandes of ffootemen, sendinge alsoe presentlye after them another Bande of ffootemen, All which Joined with George Bingham, Esq. Brother to the said Sir Richard; whoe was then Sherriffe of the Countie of Sligoe, and Leavyed there some shott, and Horsemen, before the comeinge of the said fforces; Theise Companyes beinge thus vnyted; stoode vppon guarde, and deffence of the Borders, of the Provynce, which caused the Scotts, not to make soe muche, and soe greate hast to come fforwardes, as othenvyse they woulde have done. Sir Richard stayed in the Countie of Mayo; a small tyme after the sendinge awaye of his saide Companyes, of Purpose to order things there more effectuallye, ffor the deffence of the Countie, and ffor the Prosecution of those ffew badd Bourks, which yett contynued in Action against hir Majestie; which beinge done in suche good sorte, as the daunger and necessitye of that tyme coulde afforde; he then sett fforwardes towardes Sligo, with a C. ffootemen, and xxv. Horsemen, that were remayneinge with him; But vppon his settinge fforth, he had newes brought him, that the Scotts were drawne thoroughe O'Rowerks Countrye into the Mawgherry or Playnes, by Roscomman, to Praye, and spoyle the same; By meanes wherof he Roade a greate daye's Journye, and came that night neere to Roscomman; and Laye that night iiijer Myles wyde ffrom it; ffrom whence vnderstandinge contrarye that the Scotts were betwene Sligo, and Bundroues, ²⁶ He roade the next day to the Towne of Sligo, beinge well nighe vjxx English Myles, But the ffootemen he left to marche awaye after him with as much convenyent speede as they might; his Highe waye was to pass by the Abbye of Boyle, where he ffounde Sir Thomas Le Strange, and others, the Ryseings out of the Countrye, whome he had Appoynted to Lye there, ffor the deffence of the Countie of Roscoman; he left  p.205 them there ffor that tyme, and soe came to Sligo, the xxviiith of August. At his commeinge thether he was given to vnderstand, that the Scotts laye still encamped at the Earne, some on the one syde, and some on the other syde, to the number of soe manye as he was before advertysed, with some increase of Horsemen, and ffootemen; ffor Sir Arthur Oneele, ²⁷ and Hughe Mac Gwyer, had Ayded them, with some fforcees, so as their forces was aboute Two thowsand of Able men; Besides woemen, Boyes, and Churles, wherof they had greate stoore, I take it neere as manye more with greate stoore of Carriadges. The comeinge of Sir Richard soe soone to Sligo, And the newes of the Paciffication, within the Countie of Mayo, made them staye Longe aboute the Earne, and Boundroies, eyther to expecte more fforces, to come and Joyne with them, or some newe Broyles to be raysed, in the Countrye, behinde the Gouernor by their Conffederats, which might cause him to devide his fforces, which were then CCCC. Englishe and Irishe, and aboute vixx Horsemen, Besides the Ryseings out of the Countrye, which weare aboute a C. Horsemen, and Two Hundred Kearne; A fforce ffarr to weake to have encountred with the Scotts, excepte they might have bin gotten in A Champion grounde, To which likeplace of disadvauntage they had noe intention to come, ffor of the vii C. the Governor had CCC. which weare Irishe, And ffor the most parte men but newlye Trayned; He wrote to the Lorde Deputye to sende him Two other Bandes of ffiftye Horsemen, ffor that there was noe Trust in the Irishe Horsemen, which Horsemen, and ffootemen (yf they had come sooner then they did) had eyther Cleane discouraged or sufficientlye withstoode the Scotts, ffrom Comeinge into the Province at all; Sir Richard laye at Sligo; and the ffoote of the Curlewes, ²⁸ with his said fforces, ffrontinge the Scotts, and withstandinge their entrye into the Countrye; (expectinge still a supplye, ffrom the Lorde Deputye) the space of xiiiith Days. The Scotts draweinge on by Little and Little thoroughe O'Rowrks Countrye, vppon Mountaynes,  p.206 Woodes, and Boggs, Towards the Curlewes, with intention, to passe that wayes into Mayo, encamped euer in suche ffastnes, as he coulde not by any meanes come at them, without greate disanvauntage; Att the Length, althoughe Sir Richard kept the Passage straightlye vppon them, (ffor the watchinge of which he was dryven to devide his Companies into Sundrye places ffarre distante, ffrom the other,) yett in an exceedinge ffowle Tempesteuous, and darcke night, they deceyved him; ffor after he had Watched and waighted ffor their comeinge till Tenn of the Clocke at night (hearinge before night, that they had removed their Campe, and weare eyther goeinge backe agayne, in Comeinge towards him. He left to watche Abroade, anye Longer, and Bestowed himselfe, and his Companyes in places of succoure, which he did supposeinge that, (by reason of the Aboundaunce of Raigne which ffell that eveninge, their Longe Absence tyll that tyme of the night, and the wordes of Occonnor Sligo, which assured him that the said Scotts had encamped themselves agayne ffor that night. But shortlye after this, when the Scotts, by reason of some espyalls of their owne, or some Trayterous intelligence, out of the Governors Campe, had vnderstandinge that Sir Richard, and his Companye had reposed themselves to rest; stale, Towards the Bridge of Kilnowney, ²⁹ neare to which at a Castell, not ffar of Sir Richard ffor the deffence thereof, had placed his ffootemen and ffiftye Irishe Horsemen, and soe beinge come Privelye to the bridge Three or iiiier Hundred of them gate over the same, beffore the Englishe ffootemen came at them, whoe as sone as they came in, Beate the Scotts, and wanne the Bridge; But here the Irishe Horsemen did noe servyce at all, when the Allarum was, Sir Richard himselfe was at a place called Knockmilleyn, ³⁰ about a Myle ffrom the Bridge, beinge alsoe another Passadge, where it was thought the Scotts woulde sooner have passed over then at the Bridge: Att this place, the Bridge weare the onlye straight and Passadge that Sir Richard knewe the Scottes coulde ffinde to passe over into the Countrye by; but they contrarelye waded over at a ffourde, not ffarr  p.207 ffrom the Bridge, never before knowne by any of the Countrye, that had or woulde conffesse the same to the Englishe, Sir Richard, and the Horsemen vppon the Allarum hasted with greate speede to the Bridge, and roade over the same without daunger, both of the enemye, and his owne Companye (ffor the night was exceedinge darcke, and the Bulletts, and Arrowes fflew to and ffroe, without regarde of any man, that might Marche, or ryde betwixt them; yett he Chardged the Scotts, and kylled, and drowned aboute xltie or ltie of them; The most parte of his Horsemen heere ffayled him; some because they were farre off; and the saide Irishe fforces, He removed with his owne ordinarye Companyes into the Barronye of Tyreraghe, which he Cheifflye did, ffor to save the praye of that Countrye, which was greate. He left the greate Mountaines of Slewgawe ³¹ on the left hande, which were before on his Right, and Marched downe viii Myles into the said Baronie, Consisteinge of playne grounde, with some Bogge in it of xxtie Myles in Length, Lyeinge all Alonge by the Sea; In the same he came to a Towne or Village, called Ardglass ³² where he Camped the second night, and haveinge intelligence by espyalls, that the enemye laye on the other syde of the Mountaynes, not ffarr ffrom an Abbye called Banned, ³³ in a Mervaylous ffast and stronge grounde; He tooke with him good gwardsh guideshipp: he passed the said Mountaynes, with his fforces, and encamped that night, at Oconroy, a Towne of the Bishopp of Ohartes. ³⁴ Att his beinge heere he gave it fforth in Pollecye,  p.208 that the enemye was Marcheinge vpp through Gallwaye, towarde the Inner, and Civill Countryes, as the Lorde Bremingham's Countrye, and the Countie of Roscomman, And thervppon he Hasted, by a greate daye's Marche to a Castell called Moygarie; ³⁵ which stoode in a straight, and in a ffitt, and Apte place to Aunswere the servyce vppon them; yf they had passed into the said Countryes; Sir Richard did this, to drawe the Scotts, into an Assured Beleiffe, of their owne securettye to wynne suche advauntage of grounde of them, as afterwardes was gotten; ffor uppon the newes of Sir Richarde's retourninge backe they grewe somewhat Careless, and perswaded themselues (as alsoe they were enfformed) that he was retourned home to Roscomman; and durst not by reason of his small fforces, encounter with them; as after shall Appeare. Well, lyeinge at Moygarie, the Moundaye, at vi. of the Clocke in the Afternoone, newes was brought him, ffrom his Brother George Byngham, that a Hundred ffootemen of Mr. Vice-presidents vnder the Conducte of Leivetennaunte Hunte, had passed the Curlewes; wherevppon the Governor dispatched Messengers vnto them, whervppon they came vnto him the same night; The Morrowe after beinge Tuesdaye, he removed to a Castle called Castlemore, ³⁶ in Baronye of Castelloghe v Myles ffrom Moygarye, and a place as commodious to Aunsweare the servyce as the other was; Heere came into him C. ffootemen of Sir William Stanlyes, vnder the leadinge of Leivtennante Jaques; and ffiftye of Sir George Bowchers ffootemen, vnder the Conducte of Leivetennaunte Dare, with xxvtie Horsemen of Sir Henrye Harringtons, and xvten of Mr. Wingfeilde's; These men were brought in by Captain Grenn Omoley, whome he had sent fforth ffor that purpose vi or viien dayes before. Lyeinge heere, Sir Richarde and his Companye were in some distresse ffor wante of Victualls, But he was supplyed by Captain Woodhowse, whoe brought him some Beiffs out of the Playne, and Champion Countryes; Att this place,  p.209 Sir Richard Byngham, with his Companyes Laye Tuesdaye and Wednesdaye till noone, ffor it was longe before, the Beiffe was killed, and made readye to sustayne them; By that tyme the espyalls which were before sent fforth to discover the Enemye, retourned, Bringinge newes, that their Last remove ffrom Clancarrie, ³⁷ they tooke their waye towardes Ardnarye, ³⁸ A Castle neare to Tyrawlie, and standinge on the Ryver of Moyne, ³⁹ thinckinge to passe that waye into the Barronye of Tyrawlie. This being knowne, Sir Richard dealte with his guyde, to bringe him the nearest waye he coulde thether. Att. xii. of the Clocke at noone, vppon Wednesday afforesaid, he removed ffrom Castellmore, and Marched towardes the Abbye of Banned, all vnder the Heigh Woodes, and Mountaynes, thoroughe a Passe called the Litter, ⁴⁰ in the Barronie of Costelloghe; and came to the said Abbye iiº Howers within night. This Abbye standeth two Myles ffrom the woodes, in a Playne and open place, Heere the guyde, whose name was Edmond Mac Costelloghe, ⁴¹ ffound out a Prist, which had, that daye, broken ffrom the Scotts with whome he had bene Prysoner. The Preist the said Edmond brought to the Governor of whome he learned most Assuredlye, that the Scotts were all incamped at Ardnarye, and had there Proclaymed that all the Countrye was theirs, that Sir Richard was retourned to Roscomman, and that all his fforces had fforsaken him, and therffore whoesoever woulde willinglye come unto them, should be ffriendlye receyued to their ffavour, and have noe hurte; Sir Richard dealte with this Preist to be his guyde, to bringe him where the Scottes were, But the Preist durst not vndertake it; except a Coople of Horsemen of the Oharies ⁴² which he named might be sent with him. The  p.210 Governor willed him to ffetch those iiº. Gentlemen of the Oharies, which he did, and retourned to him agayne, an hower after midnight. Theise two gentlemen sent awaye Two espyalls to discouer the Scotts more certainlye, and aboute ii. of the Clocke in the Morninge, when the Moone gave Light, Sir Richard Arose, and Addressinge himselfe and his Companye, Marched towardes Belcleare, ⁴³ iiiier. Myles ffrom the Abbye, in the Highe waye towardes the enemye. Here one of the espyalls came in, bringinge newes that the Scotts Laye still encamped at Ardnarye, which was xiie. Myles ffrom the fforesaid Abbye of Banneda, and viii. Myles ffrom the Abbye of Belclare. ⁴⁴ Att his Marcheinge ffrom hence the night fforsooke him, And his Companye, and they fforsooke the Highe waye, And Marched oner the Mountaynes, both Horsemen and ffootemen, with all their Carryadges, Carryeinge themselves in a Hearce, altogether keepeinge the Bottoms, and Lowe Places by Circumfferent wayes, with as greate scylence as was possible; This Mountayne was in Breadeth iiiier. or v. Myles, which Sir Richard with his fforces past about nyne of the Clocke; And after he had Marched A Myle into the Harde Countrye, and were not above iiº. Myles ffrom the Enemye, He made Alte [halt]; to drawe all his fforces together, and there gave order, and direction ffor the ffight, ffrom whence himselfe, with his Horsemen, rydde, towardes the Enemye, and left the ffootemen to come after with a speedie Marche; Sir Richard with his Horsemen beinge nowe come within haulfe a Myle of the Scotts' Campe, sent oute Halfe a dozen Horsemen as Scowtes afforesaid, to discover them, and the manner of their Campe, which Horsemen came even amongst their Cabbens, and gave them a suddayne and ffearefull Allarum, and soe retyred to Sir Richard, whoe at that tyme came to the Topp of the Hill neere to them, where he might take viewe of all the grounde betwixt him and the Castle, where the Scotts Laye. Nowe he sent awaye, Post after Post, ffor the Battayle, and the Loose shotte to come in to him; ffor the Enemye  p.211 was rysen and Arrayed in Battayle, and made Heade towardes him, in their greatest braverye; Sir Richard entertayned them with skirmisheinge to wynne tyme, and drawe them vpp hyer to the harde grounde, till the ffootemen might come in; whoe Approached with suche scylence, that the Scotts never suspected any suche Companies to be at hande; But when the shott beganne to Approache them. Sir Richard chardged them Rufflye, and thoroughlye with his Horsemen, beate Backe their Loose wings to their Battayle, drove them to a Little Bogue, and killed manye of them; After which he retyred, and Caused some of his shott on Horsebacke to Alight ffrom their Horses, and therwith entertayned them with a second Chardge, aboute which tyme his Loose shott, and the whole Battayle of ffootemen came in, and then the ffootemen Chardged them in the fforwarde, And himselfe with his Horsemen in the fflancke, in such sorte, that they soon discomffoeted and overthrewe their whole fforce, and drave them to the Ryver side, where he and his Companye slewe and drowned them all, saveinge iiiixx. or therabouts which stripped themselves, and by swymminge over the Ryver of Moyne [Moy] into Tyrawlie, saved themselves, Leaveinge their weapons, and Apparayle behinde them. There were noe more saued of all their fforces, and of all sortes of them, but these, and a Hundred and odde, that went the daye before into Tyrawlie ffor a Praye, with some of the Bourks, But suche as swamme over the Ryver as afforesaid, were afterwardes killed in their Retourne, and fflyeinge towardes the North in the Countie of Sligoe, by George Bingham, Esq. Brother to the Governor, beinge then Sherriffe of the Countie of Sligoe; together with the helpe of the Gentlemen of the Countrye, divers alsoe of them which were absent, ffor this said Praye, whilest the Battayle was ffought, And certayne of their Horsemen, which were then also fforageinge Abroade ffor Horsemeate, were afterwardes slayne in their retourne, and fflyeinge homewardes, euen by some suche, as when they came ffirst fforwarde, and were stronge, were their greate ffrindes.

The number of ffightinge men slayne, and drowned, as hath bene well knowne, and tryed out, weare xiiii. or xvc. Besides Horse, and ffoote, boyes, Woemen, Churles, and Children, were as manye more, soe as in the whole there dyed of them that daye and the daye after  p.212 in their fflyeinge homewardes Three Thousand Persons, and of the Englishe Companies, were not slayne past Two Persons, ⁴⁵ and those alsoe thoroughe their owne ffollye, in beinge to fforwardes ffor the spoyle, But manye men, and Horses, were Hurte, and galled.

This daye the Cheiffest Leaders of them, James Mac Connells [Mac Donnell's] sonnes vizt. Donnell Gorum, and Allexander Carroghe, were slayne together, with all the rest of their Leaders, And the cheiffest Bourke, which drewe them into the Province. In this servyce was employed vnder Sir Richard, John Bingham, Captain of a C. ffootemen, Nicholas Mordant, Captain of the Like number, Captain Meryman, of the like Companye; William Mostean, Captain of the like number, Besides the Leiuetennants afforerehersed, sent ffrom the Lorde Deputye, and Certayne Leaders of Horsemen, And besides Captain Woodehowse, Captain Grenn, which had noe Chardge, and Mr. Newton, And Captain Betaghe, which held Chardge of some Horsemen. The whole Companye were in name about vjc. ffootemen, and by Poole aboute vc. besides vijxx. and Ten Horsemen, wherof ltie. were of the garryson of the Provynce, and the other xltie were sent by the Lord Deputye.

This overthrowe was greate, and the Paynes and Pollecyes therin taken, and vsed, greate, but the services in Mayo; the watchinge, and Travells at the streights, before the Scotts came into the Countrye, was muche more greater; But the wonderfull Care and industrye of Sir Richard in those services which contynueth out in it xiiiten. or xiiiiten. weekes together, not once Commeing home to his Howse, in that tyme, and ffeareinge hardlye, and Lyeinge on the grounde, and on strawe, a greate parte of the said tyme (was to be noted, and in him Highelye Commended, yea, over and above all this, Althoughe he errected three severall Companyes of ffootemen, each of them consisteinge, of a C. men, with their offycers, and Certayne Horsemen, which contynued in Paye, dureinge all the saide Tearme, Besides, v. or vic. Kearne, which alsoe had paide over and above hir Majestie's Allowaunce, yett he soe handled the matter, that with the goodes of Rebells, which by stronge hande he gatt ffrom them, And with iii. or  p.213 iiiic li. of his monye, he deffrayed, the extraordinarye expences of the said servyces, not chardginge hir Majestie with any one groate therof, or any of the Subiects of the Countrie, eyther ffor Victualls, or any other thinge, other then some small matter, which the Ryseings out brought, or which souldiers in Comminge to him, or goeing ffrom him eate, where they came ffor a night in a Place, yea Hee Chardged himselfe in this Case, that beinge scanted of Powder ffrom hir Majestie's stoare in Dublyn, he was dryven to ffurnishe himselfe therof, ffor his readye monye in Gallowaye.

Lastlye his servyce ⁴⁶ was suche as drowned, and Cutt of, all the oulde Beaten Scotts, which vsed to haunte Irelande, in soe muche, that nowe it is said there are not xltie. suche to Beare vpp Heade in all the Realme of Irelande, to the greate Behooffe, and Comfforte of the same, to the greate ease, and Beneffitt of hir Majestie and to the eternall Commendations of this worthie Gentleman Sir Richard Bingham, ffor ever.

@incollection{E610005-001,
  editor 	 = {John O'Donovan},
  title 	 = {Docwra's Relation of Service done in Irlande},
  booktitle 	 = {Miscellany of the Celtic Society},
  address 	 = {Dublin},
  publisher 	 = {The Celtic Society},
  date 	 = {1849},
  volume 	 = {1 },
  pages 	 = {187–213; 214–229}
}
 E610005-001.bib