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THE FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

THE

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

BY

TADHG 6 CIANAIN ^

EDITED FROM THE AUTHOR'S MANUSCRH'T, WITH TRANSLATION AND NOTES

BY

RE\\ PAUL WALSH, M.A.

RECORD SOCIETY

ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, MAYNOOTH

M. H. GILL & SON, Ltd., DUBLIN

1916

BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY CHESTNUT HILL MASS.

CORRIGENDA

Page 4, line 3, for gcomhairchiss read (jcomhairrchiss ; p. 10, 1. 31, ac is covered by a blot of ink, wliich was on the manuscript when I first saw it ; p. 14, 1. 23, for bhat I'ead bed ; p. 22, 1. 22, for letreadha read letreacha ; pp. 34, 66, 130, 136, 146, lassam (with mark of abbreviation) ; Jdsamhain occurs written out on p. 240, and lusamno on pp. 186, 234 ; p. 34, 1. 5 from end. for ffiadh)iiussi read ffiadhnnissi ; p. 44, 1. 8. for si read si)i ; j). 52, 1. 21, the manuscript has lochrainn ; p. 54, I. 15, read letreachoibh ; p. 56, 1. 1, for o I'ead a ; 1. 17, the r of raingce is written on d ; p. 58, 1. 8, the manuscript puts the stop after sodain ; p. 62, 1. 17, the words ar na mharach belong to the preceding sentence ; p. 66, I. 16, ospitail occurs written out on pp. 182, 246 ; p. 70, 1. 18, for dithoghluide read dithoghlaide ; p. 86, 1. 9, the comma should be a full stop ; p. 94, 1. 7, opposite mharta, on the right margin, the manuscript has 1608 ; 1. 12, for ierla read iarla ; pp. 96, 98, the manuscript has stops after bliadhna and bas ; p. 100, 1. 16, see corrigendum of p. 66 ; p. 110, 1. 23, read hAdhomh-chloi)me; p. 113. note, read -\ archaingil ; p. 116, 1. 6, read at[ch]aiss ; p. 118, 1. 3 from end, read bliadhnoihh ; p. 122, 1. 25, read furaiss -j deuosioin ; p. 124, 1. 4, for inichien read imchein ; 1. 9 from end, for i n- read for ; p. 136, 1. 26, read glomhaiss ; the stop should be after sodain ; p. 148, 1. 4 from end, omit the brackets ; p. 152, 1. 24, read thairmcheimniugadh ; p. 170, 1. 29, for diardaoin read dia dardaoin ; p. 176, 1. 4, for ttri read tri ; p. 192, 1. 4, for tturuis read tturus ; p. 196, 1. 20, read primhecluis ; p. 208, 1. 2, the manvxscript has only Romhan ; p. 212, 1. 12, for chomdach of the manuscript read conidach ; p. 220, 1. 8, read talmain ; p. 232, 1. 11, read ag inotacht •] ag aittrebhadh ; p. 240, 1. 5 from end, for sin read si ; p. 248, 1. 22, for Francisco read Fransisco ; p. 250, 1. 15, for delp read dealp ; p. 252, 1. 23, la horsnaithe in the manuscript, with a dot over the n, la h having been altered (as also on p. 256, 1. 10) from d.

Page 9, hne 21, for " driver " read " driven " ; p. 37, 1. 7, after " twenty- first " add " [recte twenty -second] " ; 1. 24 for " [and] " read " or " (inaid = no as on p. 130, 1. 26) ; p. 41, 1. 13 for " Monday [recte Sunday] the twenty-eighth " read " Monday the twenty-eighth [recte twenty- ninth] " ; 1. 4 from end, after " thirtieth " read " [recte thirty-first] " ; p. 45, 1. 10, for " a sergeant-major " read " the sergeant-major of the town " ; p. 59, n. 3 for " Ruaidhri " read "' Rugliraighe " ; p. 63, 1. 17, omit " on the next day " ; 1. 23, for '' midnight " read " midday " ; p. 71, last line, read " Brussels " ; p. 83, 1. 18. for " namep " read " named " p. 84, nn. 1 and 2, Niderharga is Niderhergheim (compare Oberhergheim, about ten miles sovith of Cohnar), 'O Cianain reverses the order of this name and Otmers (= Ottmarsheim) ; p. 99, 1. 23, omit " city " ; p. 107, 1. 28, for " Wednesday the seventeenth [recte sixteenth] " read " Thursday the seventeenth " ; p. 241, 1. 9, for " eighteenth " read " eighth."

1549

PREFACE

THE Flight of the Earls deserves to rank as one of the most important events in Irish history. Its more immediate effect was the clearing of the way for the agrarian settlement known as the Plantation of Ulster, while it exerted a profound influence years afterwards in the affairs connected with the rebellions of 1641 and 1689. It marked the beginning of a new era, and w^as the most significant evidence of the passing away of the old. With the Flight of the Earls the Gaelic organisation of Ireland, which had made a vigorous resistance during three quarters of a century, surrendered the last stronghold, and the new order entered into that complete mastery which it has since maintained.

In this all-important proceeding the principal personages involved were Aodh O Neill, Rughraighe O Domhnaill, and Cuchonnacht Maguidhir, princes respectively of Tir Eoghain, Tir Chonaill, and Fir Manach in Ulster. Aodh, son of Fear- dorcha, son of Conn Bacach O Neill, was reared by the English, was taught the habit of his masters, and was styled Earl of Tyrone, a title which his grandfather was the first to bear. He was the pet of English governors in Ireland, and even wielded the sword in the Queen's right. In the end, however, he broke with her Majesty's servants, and for years carried on rebellion in defence of, as he frequently protested, Catholicism and the hereditary rights of O Neill of Ulster. He defeated in his most successful battles the best generals and armies that Elizabeth could send against him. At length he concluded peace, on practically his own terms, at the commencement of the new reign. The liberties and guarantees granted him bv Mount] oy, were not, however,

viii FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

respected by Chichester, a later Lord Deputy. The dis- contents of the under-tenants of O Neill were encouraged by the King's Government. He was involved in a tedious lawsuit with O Cathain, his most important subject, and in other annoyances. He became apprehensive of his personal safety, and determined to seek the means of redress in a foreign land. A messenger was dispatched to the Continent. A vessel arrived on the coast of Donegal in September, 1607, and O Neill, gathering his friends and his belongings, set sail on the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, never again, as it proved, to lay eyes on Ireland.

Rughraighe O Domhnaill, who had been invested with the title of Earl of Tyrconnell after the conclusion of the peace, was a brother-in-law of O Neill. He was a younger brother of Aodh Ruadh, who, kidnapped and imprisoned by Lord Deputy Perrot, became a fierce opponent of the English, and was so great a danger to the English power that Sir George Carew, the President of Munster, had him poisoned in Spain. Rughraighe had taken part in the rebellion, and had been selected by Aodh Ruadh to govern his people in his absence from Ireland after the fatal dav of Kinsale. Niall Garbh O Domhnaill, who was his cousin, and was married to his sister, was maintained by the English to check his power. He was not yet forty when the Flight took place. His wife, whom he left behind him, was a laciy of an Anglo-Irish family, Brigid Fitzgerald, daughter of the Earl of Kildare, and their only son, an infant, accompanied his father, and grew to manhood on the Continent.

Ciichonnacht Maguidhir was a younger brother of Aodh Maguidhir, prince of Fir Manach, one of O Neill's staunchest supporters during the war. That he was a dangerous man from the point of view of the Government we can gather from two facts : first, Conchubhar Maguidhir, a kinsman, who was styled gallda, " the anglificd," was strongly sup- ported in opposition to him, and had half the county of Fermanagh allotted to him ; second, Aodh Ruadh O Domh-

PREFACE ix

naill, who would have no deahngs with a wcakHng, had Cuchonnacht proclaimed Maguidhir when his brother Aodh was slain in 1600. After the war we learn little of him until the year of the Flight. He left Ireland in the spring or early summer, engaged the ship in which the chiefs embarked for Spain, and arrived with the vessel in Lough Swilly in September. He died while still young on August 12, 1608, at Genoa, and the Four Masters relate of him that he had " wisdom, a fine appearance, and every goodness."

The work which is edited and translated in the present volume describes the doings of these princes from the time that they left Ireland. The author was Tadhg O Cianain, whose family had for generations served as chroniclers to that of Maguidhir, He was one of the party that accom- panied the chiefs, and he was an eye-witness of all he describes. His narrative is the only work of its kind in Irish literature, and it is a pity that, if he continued it down to a later period, the conclusion is not forthcoming. The manuscript from which the text is derived, penned in his own neat and graceful hand, is preserved in the convent of the Franciscans, Merchants' Quay, Dublin, whither it was conveyed from Rome in 1872. The writing occupies one hundred and thirty-five pages, and the narrative breaks off abruptly at the end of November, 1608. Page 96 was written on September 23rd, 1609 (see note, page 192), and it is unlikely that the story was not carried down to that date, or a later one. Of this latter portion nothing is known — whether it exists at all, and if it exists, where it may be.

O Cianain never refers by name to himself in the body of his work. There are, however, several entries like Tadhg 0 Cicnain do scribh isan Roimh, 1609, made for the purpose of completing the last line of a page ; while the fact that he was the author, and not a mere transcriber, appears from a passage on page 40 : " as the roads from Douai to Tournai were dirty, and the highways narrow

X FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

and uneven, the writer and narrator of this could not easily note or observe the country or the land along the route."

The work contains no enumeration of the members of the retinue which accompanied the princes. We learn, however, that as the ship entered the mouth of the Seine she carried in all ninety-nine persons. Of this number fifty-six have been identified in the course of this book. A list preserved among the Borghese Papers in Rome gives the names of some others. They are as follows :

57. The wife of Art 6g O Neill, son of Cormac Mhac an

Bhariiin, and nephew of O Neill.

58. Brian O Neill, another nephew of the chief.

59. The wife of Sean na bpunta O h'Again.

60. The wife of Eamonn gruamdha Mac Daibhid.

61. The Franciscan friar Muiris Ultach.

62. Colman, the Earl's priest.

63. Donnchadh Mac Suibhne, the son of Mac Suibhne

Baghaineach.

64. Gearoid, son of Gearoid O Conchubhair.

65. "Cayer Mac Tamalin."

66. " David Craffort."

We thus know the names of over sixty persons in all, and these embrace every one of rank and importance who shared in the perils of the voyage.

A noteworthy feature in the narrative is the silence regarding the various agencies which placed difficulties in O Neill's way at the courts of France, Spain, and Flanders. With the single exception of a rather mild account of the . scheming of the English ambassador at Paris, there is no reference to those who thwarted his plans at almost every turn. O Neill had intended to land in Spain, but stress of weather compelled him to put into a French harbour. Wishing to proceed direct overland, he was prevented by the French King on various pretexts. Sir George Carew

PREFACE xi

so far scored a success, though he could not prevail on the King to deny a free passage to Flanders. In the month of November O Neill proposed going to Spain by way of Italy, hoping at the same time to pay a short visit to the Pope. He had already set out when the Spanish Ambassador, acting under directions from the King of Spain, had him detained in Flanders by order of the Archduke. His object in endeavouring to reach Spain was to procure assistance for an attack on Ireland, but the King's demand that he would express his purposes and wants by letter, was merely a way of putting him off altogether. O Neill next turned to the Pope, but the Papal ambassador told him that he must expect no help in that quarter. Meanwhile Sir Francis Edmonds, the representative of the court of England, con- tinued to press the Archduke to send him out of Flanders, and, finally, definite orders were given in February, 1 608, that he should quit the country.* On these various moves on the part of the enemies of the Irish, O Cianain has nothing to say, and we can only conclude that he was not one of those who helped to arrange their plans, or shared all their confidences.

The story of the events of the Flight commences abruptly ; there is no exordium or preface save three words : i n-ainm De, " in God's name." A modern writer would surely have discussed the causes that led to it, but to O Cianain the causes were, no doubt, too obvious to need explanation. The Government, when the Flight was accomplished, pre- tended to believe a story of an alleged plot, and it served admirably the purpose of those who were about to inaugurate the policy of the Plantation of Ulster. The charge of con- spiracy was first secretly made by Sir Christopher St. Lawrence, Baron of Howth, a gentleman of English extrac-

* See the Borghese Papers, Archivium Hibernicuni, Vol. IV, pp. 215-310.

xii FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

tlon. St. Lawrence had served as an officer with the Queen's forces in Ireland in the course of the war, and despairing of a suitable recompense from the Lord Deputy, had gone into England in August, 1606, " expecting," as he himself ac- knowledges, " to obtain some employment or pension from the King's Majesty." He subsequently passed into Flanders, and in the course of the next year, returned to London and commenced to make his disclosures to Salisbury. Salisbury appears to have treated them lightly, for he seems not to have made any note of them. The general drift of them must, however, have been conveyed to Chichester, for the latter, in forwarding the letter placed at the door of the council-chamber on May 18 28, says he transmits it because it " concurs in many parts with the discovery made unto your Lordship." Howth arrived in Ireland about June 26/ July 6, and forthwith set about repeating his informa- tions to the Lord Deputy. His story was that there was a plot of a general insurrection afoot, and that he himself. Lord Delvin, the Earl of Tyrconnell, and others, were im- plicated. He added, at the same time, that, howsoever he had hearkened to the conspirators, " he meant not to partake with them in the business." He involved Lord Delvin particularly, with the result that that nobleman was arrested in November.

These revelations, made by a man of the character of Howth, did not seriously perturb the Government. " I like not his look and gesture when he talks with me of this business," says the Lord Deputy ; and the Privy Council in England were of opinion that " he rather prepared the propositions he speaks of than that the persons he names did originally propound them to him." The Flight, however, lent colour to his accusations, and Chichester was deter- mined to investigate the matter further. Delvin was arrested, and the burden of his information was that he had discussed with the Earl of Tyrconnell the project of seizing Dublin Castle with the aid of certain Spanish forces.

PREFACE xiii

Even if we believe Delvin's story, there is no evidence of conspiracy on the part of O Neill or Maguidhir. O Domh- naill may possibly have discussed his grievances and hopes of redress too freely, and he may have learned that he was looked upon with suspicion bv the authorities as a re- sult of Howth's informations. But it is extremely unlikely that he entertained fear of discovery as early as May, 1607, for Howth was in Flanders up to that period. Yet, at that time " the Earls of Tyrone and Tyrconnell had sent one John Bath into Spain to pray the King of Spain's favour and assistance, they being fearful to be taken or sent for into England." A month before the Flight word came from Flanders that O Neill, who had been summoned to England, would never return to Ireland again, and that the Earl of Tyrconnell would be committed in Ireland, and they were ordered to be in readiness to attend the coming of a ship which would be sent for them soon after,

O Domhnaill's unwise conversations with Delvin, even if it were certain that the informers spoke the truth, and that the Government believed them, do not, therefore, account satisfactorily for the Flight. They did not involve O Neill or Maguidhir, and the story of a great conspiracy, in which all the chief men in Ulster and in the Pale were concerned, was worked up during the latter months of 1607, when it was necessary to sustain a charge so " that their countries be made the King's by this accident."

In preparing this cditio princcps of the narrative of Tadhg O Cianain I have made constant use of the Rev. C. P. Meehan's " Fate and Fortunes of Tyrone and Tyrconnell," a brilliant work issued over a generation ago. The many references to it in my notes are to the third enlarged edition, which appeared in 1886. I have also extensively quoted the official Calendar of the State Papers of the reign of James I, but I regret that the extracts from the Borghese Papers printed in Archivium Hibcrnicum^ Vol. IV., referred to above, were not available when the notes were commenced.

xiv FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

To Professor Osborn J. Bergin, of University College, Dublin, who read a proof of the work, I am particularly indebted for help and criticism. His accurate scholarship saved me from many an error. The Rev. Michael Sheehan, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, read portion of my transla- tion, and contributed largely to its improvement. Even with the help of these scholars it would be too much to hope for absolute accuracy, and I desire to accept responsibility for whatever errors the book contains. The reader will understand that the division into chapters was made for the purpose of facilitating reference, and that the text represents the orthography of the scribe and author.

Finally, I wish to express my deep gratitude to the Rev.. T. A. O'Reilly, O.S.F., Librarian of the Franciscan Convent, Merchants' Quay, Dublin, to the manuscripts in whose care I have had free access at all times.

PAUL WALSH. Ld Sani/ina, 1915.

SUMMARY OF DATES AND EVENTS

Days and dates arrived at by calculation are enclosed in brackets.

1607 September - page

Thursday 7 [rede 6]. 'O Neill at Baile Shlaine. He learns by letter that Cuchonnacht ]Maguidhir and others have come with a ship to take himself and his friends from Ireland . 3

Saturday [S]. He goes to Sir Garret Moore's house at Mellifont . 5

[Sunday 9]. He goes to Sradbhaile Diina Dealgan . . .5

Monday [10]. He pvishes on by way of Ard Macha and Dun Geanainn

to Craobh ....... 7

Tuesday [11]. He stays at Craobh. . . . .7

Wednesday [12]. He goes to Muinntir Luinigh . . .7

[Thursday 13]. He reaches Bun Diannaide at midday. At night- fall he crosses Loch Feabhail, and takes with him Cathbharr 'O Domhnaill from Droichead Adhamlintun . . .7

Friday [14]. At daybreak they reach Eaith ]Mealltain, where they

find the Earl of Tyrconnell putting stores into the ship . 9

The nobles and their followers embark at midday and hoist sail. They endeavour to put in at Ara for food and drink, but are driven off by a storm . . .9

[Saturday 15]. Storm. They steer for Spain opposite Cruach

Padraig, and experience bad weather for thirteen days . 11 Sunday 30. They propose putting into harbtiur at Le Croisic near

the mouth of the Loire in France . . . .11

October

Tuesday [2]. They sight three vessels which inform them that they are in the Flemish Sea. A storm at night obliges them to pull in sail . . . . , . .11

[Wednesday 3]. At dawn they find themselves off the Channel Islands. They hoist sail and sight France. They engage a pilot, but the wind subsides. Later a pilot from Rouen directs them during the night . . . .13

Thursday 4. They land at midday at Quilleboeuf at the mouth of

the Seine, having been twenty days at sea . . .15

[Friday 5]. The Governor of the town dines with 'O Neill. The ladies and children leave for Rouen by boat. Seventeen of the gentlemen ride to La Bouille . . . .19

[Saturday 6]. They are arrested. Some of them set out to see

the ^Marshal of Normandy at Lisieux . . .21

The ladies stay that night at St. Georges . .21

xvi FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

PAGE

Sunday [7]. The ladies reach Rouen . . . .21

Monday [8]. Three of the gentlemen come by boat to Rouen . 23 [Tuesday 9]. They are informed that the Governor of Rouen has

written to the King of France for directions regarding them . 23 In the course of the week Matha 6g 'O Maeltuile, after a

fruitless journey to Paris, learns that the party mvist betake

themselves to Flanders, and sets out before them to prepare

the way . . . . . . .25

Meanwhile the English ambassador at Paris sends a

messenger to London . . . , .25

Saturday [13]. The Governor of Rouen orders the ladies to leave

the city by the following Monday . . . .27

Sunday [14]. All the gentlemen arrive in Rouen . . .27

[Monday] 15. They leave Rouen . . . . .27

They reach La Boissiere. JMaigbhethadh 'O Neill loses

the i^arty . . . . . . .29

[Tuesday 16]. They pass through Neufchatel and Aumale to Poix . 20 [Wednesday 17]. They reach Amiens, and stop for the night at

Contay . . . . . . .31

[Thursday] 18. They meet Maigbhethadh 'O Neill again at Arras.

They stop there for a few days and Doctor Eoghan ^lag

Mathghamhna comes from Douai to meet them . . 33

Monday 21 [recte 22*]. They proceed to Douai. They visit the

Irish College, and meet Father Flaithri 'O Maelchonaire and

Doctor Robert Mac Artuir . . . . .37

Friday 26. They reach a village near Tournai . . .35)

[Saturday 27]. They are received in the city . . .39

Monday 28 [rede 29t]. They go to Ath . . . .41

[Tuesday 30]. They pass through Enghien to Hal . . .41

Wednesday 30 [rede 31J]. 'O N^ill's son, Enri, Colonel of the Irish

Regiment in Flanders, comes to meet them . . 41

November Saturday [3]. They are visited by Spinola, the Spanish Commander- in-Chief in Flanders. The Archduke invites them to his country residence near Binche . . . .43

Sunday 4. They reach Nyvel . . . . .45

[Monday 5]. They visit the Archduke, and return to Nyvel. . 45

[Tuesday 6]. They return to Hal . . . . .47

[Wednesday 7]. They dine with Spinola in Brussels, and return to

Hal . . . . . . . .49

Friday 9. They proceed to Lou vain . . . .53

Sunday 25. The party leaves the ladies in Louvain, and sets out

for Spain. They remain at Perwez that night . . 55

[Monday 26]. They reach Namur, and are ordered by a post from

the Archduke to return to Louvain . . . .55

* This correction should have been made in the text at p. 37. t The date, not the day, should have l)een corrected at p. 41. t This correction should have been made in the text at p. 41.

SUMMARY OF DATES AND EVENTS xvii

PAGE

[Wednesday 28]. They travel back to Wavre . . .57

Thursday 29. They reach Louvam, where they spend the Christmas

season . . . . . , .57

Between Christmas and the feast of the Epiphany they hear that Cormac, brother of 'O Neill, Lord Howth, and Lord Delvin have been arrested in Ireland, and that Brian, 'O Neill's nephew, has been executed . . .59

1608 February

[Monday] 18. They visit Mechlin, where they are interested in the tonilj of St. Romoldus, an Irislmian and the patron of Flanders . . . . . . .65

[Tuesday 19]. They visit Antwerp . . . . .67

[Wednesday 20]. They visit the Irish College there. They proceed

to Willebroeck . . . . . .69

[Thursday 21]= They return by way of Yilvorde to Lou vain . 71

Thursday 28. They set out for Italy. They reach Wavre . . 73

[Friday 29]. They are escorted by cavalry to Xamur, where Colonel

Enri 'O Neill takes leave of them . . . ,73

March [Saturday 1]. They reach Marche . . . . .75

Sunday 2. They reach Bastogne . . . . .75

[Monday 3]. They reach Arlon . . . . .75

Tuesday [4]. They enter Lorraine, and stay the night at Fillieres . 75 [Wednesday 5]. They proceed through ]Mars-la-Tour* to Conflans . 77 [Thursday 6]. They reach Pont-a-Mousson, where they stay two

nights . . . . . . .77

[Saturday 8]. They reach Nancy . . . . .77

[Sunday 9]. They are entertained by the Duke of Lorraine. . 79

[Monday 10]. They proceed through St. Nicholas to Lun^ville . 81 Tuesday 11. They reach St. Die . . . . .81

[Wednesday 12]. They pass through Bonhomme and Kaysersberg

to Colmar . . . . . . .83

[Thursday 13]. They reach Niederhergheim . . .83

[Friday 14]. They proceed through Ottmarsheim to Bale and Liesthal 85 [Saturday 15]. They reach Sursee . . . . .85

Sunday 16. They advance throvigh Sempach, Lucerne, and the Lake

to Fluelen . . . . . . .97

[Monday] 17. St. Patrick's Day. They pass throvigh Silenen and Devil's Bridge to Piedenionte. A horse of 'O Neill's, carry- ing £120, falls over a clitf . . . . .87

[Tuesday 18]. 'O Neill stops to search for the money . . 89

[Wednesday 19]. He sets out again after a vain effort to recover it. He crosses the Alps by way of the St. Gotthard Pass to Airolo, the Gate of Hell, and Faido . . . .89

* This is the town referred to on p. 76, n. 2.

xviii FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

PAGE

[Thiarsday 20]. They reach BelUnzona . . . .91

[Friday 21]. They pass by Monte Ceneri to Lugano . . . 91

[Saturday 22]. They sail Lake Lugano, land at Capo Lago, and

proceed to Conio . . . . .93

Sunday 23. They reach Milan . . . . .95

Wednesday [26]. They are received by Count de Fuentes, the

Spanish Governor of Lombardy . . . .95

April Friday [4]. Good Friday. They visit the cathedral of Santa Maria

del Duomo . . . . . . .99

[Saturday] 12. They leave Milan, having spent three weeks there,

and proceed to Lodi ..... 101

[Sunday 13]. They reach Piacenza ..... 103 [Monday 14]. They proceed to Parma and Eeggio . . . 103

Tuesday 15. They pass by Modena and Castelfranca to Bologna . 105 [Wednesday 16]. They visit Cardinal Palaeoti, and proceed by way

of St. Nicholas and Cast el San Pietro to Imola . .107

Thursday* 17. Travelling through Castel Bolognese, Faenza, and

Forligrande. they reach Cesena .... 107

[Friday 18]. They proceed through Savignano and Rimini to

CattoUca \ . . . . • .109

Sunday 20. They pass on to Pesaro, Fano, and Senigallia . . 109

[Monday 21]. They reach Ancona, and push on to Loreto . .111

[Tuesday 22]. They make a pilgrimage at Loreto . . .111

Wednesday 23. They set out for Rome, and pass by way of Recanati

and Macerata to Tolentino . . . . .161

[Thursday 24] . They proceed through Valcimara, Camerino, Muccia,

Serravalle and Casenove to Foligno . . . .163

[Friday 25]. The Earl, Magviidhir, the Baron of Diin Geanainn, and

Cathbharr 'O Domhnaill visit the shrine of St. Francis at

Assisi, while 'O N^ill goes on to Montefalco and Spoleto . 163 [Saturday 26]. The party moves on to Strettura, Terni, Narni, and

OtricoU . . . . . . .167

Sunday 28 [rede 27]. They cross the Tiber, and proceed to Borghetto,

Civita Castellana, Rignano, and Castel Nuovo . .167

[Monday 28]. They go on to Prima Porta . . . ,169

[Tuesday 29]. Peter Lombard, Archbishop of Armagh, meets them

at the Milvian Bridge. They enter Rome in state • 169

May

Sunday 4. They are received by Pope Paul V at the Quirinal 171

Thursday 8. They are received by Cardinal Colonna . . 173

Thursday 15. Ascension Thursday. They visit Cardinal Ascoli,

and are present at the Papal benediction given to the crowd. 173

* Mistranslated " Wednesday," p. 107. There is no error in the text.

SUMMARY OF DATES AND EVENTS xix

PAGE

Saturday 18 [rede 17] . The Earl and some of the gentlemen com- mence a pilgrimage of the seven pilgrim churches of Rome . 175

Saturday [24]. On the eve of Pentecost they attend Vespers in the

Pauline chapel . . . . . .175

Sunday [25]. Pentecost. They attend Mass and Vespers in the

church of Santo Spirito . i . . . .177

Thursday 29. On the invitation of Cardinal Borghese, they are present at the canonisation of Saint Francesca in Saint Peter's . . . . . . .183

June Sunday [1]. The ladies are received by the Pope . . .187

Thursday [5]. Corpus Christi. Eight of the Irish carry the canopy

over the Blessed Sacrament in the procession from Saint

Peter's to Saint James' in Borgo Vecchio . . . 189

Saturday [7]. Maguidhir leaves Rome for Naples, taking with him

Semus, son of Eimhear Mag Mathghamhna . .191

Thursday 10 [recte 12]. 'O Neill and the Earl, and those with them,

make a pilgrimage of the seven pilgrim churches . . 191

July Friday 18. The Earl falls sick of a fever, contracted during a visit made to Ostia in the company of young Aodh 'O N^ill and Cathbharr 'O Domhnaill . . . . .239

Satiirday [19]. Cathbharr 'O Domhnaill falls sick . . . 239

Monday [21] Aodh 'O N^ill, the Baron, falls sick . . .239

Monday [28]. The Earl dies after eleven days' sickness . . 239

Tuesday 28 [recte 29]. He is buried in the monastery of San Pietro

Montorio . . . . . . .241

August [Friday] 1. 'O Neill visits the church of Saint Peter ad Vincula . 243 [Sunday] 3. Muiris, the Earl's page, dies .... 241 [Friday] 8*. Doctor Domhnall 'O Cearbhaill dies . . .241

[Tuesday] 12. Maguidhir and Semus ^lag Mathghamhna die within

six hours of each other at Genoa ... 241

[Friday] 15. 'O Neill visits the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere 245 [Sunday] 24. 'O N^ill visits the Franciscan monastery on the Isola

Tiberina . . . . . .247

September Wednesday 3. 'O Neill takes part in a procession . . . 249

[Monday] 15. Cathbharr 'O Domhnaill dies in a palace on Monte

Citorio . . . . . . .243

He is buried beside his brother Rughraighe in the church of San Pietro in Montorio ..... 243

[Monday] 29. 'O Neill visits the church of Saint Michael in the

Borgo Vecchio ...... 247

* Mistranslated " eighteenth " p. 241.

XX FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

October pagr

[Saturday] 4. 'O Neill visits the church of San Francesco a Ripa . 249^

November [Saturday] 1. 'O N^ill visits the church of Santa Maria Rotunda . 251 [Thursday] 13. 'O Neill visits the Church of Saint Andrew the

Apostle . . . . . . .251

[Thursday] 20. An Ambassador Extraordinary from the King of

France makes a state entry into Rome . . . 253^

Thursday [27], He presents himself before Pope Paul V . . 259-

1609 September [Friday] 24. Aodh 6g O Neill, " the heir of the Earl 'O N^ill, the last hope of Cenel Eoghain, who would have taken the place of his father if he had survived him, died and was buried with his mother's brothers, the Earl 'O Domhnaill and Cathbharr" . . . . * .193

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23 EAST 4187 STREET, NEW YORK

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

PREFATORY NOTE.

Tadhg O Cianain, chronicler to the family of Maguidhir in Ulster, fled from Ireland with the last of the Irish chieftains in the year 1607. Abovit two years later he wrote an account of their voyage, travels, and doings from the time they left Ireland. A manuscript paper volume of about one hundred and fifty pages, now preserved in the library of the Franciscan Convent, Merchants' Quay, Dublin, contains the commence- ment of the narrative, written very neatly and correctly by the hand of the author himself. The remaining portion is not yet forthcoming. If it has not perished, it will probably be found in some of the Continental libraries, perhaps at Rome. It is intended to publish the text of the Dublin manuscriijt, with translation and notes, as a supplement to Archivimn Hihemicum. The following pages contain a first instalment. An introduction will accompany the last. Here it is only necessary to remark that every care has been taken to secure an accurate reproduction of the text. As no doubt could arise as to the correct expansion of most of the contractions, the indication of them all by italics was not necessary. The line-and-dot compendivmi, which stands for various combinations of letters, has been expanded -a in duna, p. 4, and several times in the word badein (cf. uodein written in full) ; slige, pp. 28, 32, might also be written sllgidh.. A peculiar y-shaped character, which is used for ui, and occasionally for u, in the manuscript, has not been reproduced. For II and V, whifh are written promiscuously, ti has been printed. The word-, sentence-, and other divisions are due to the editor, also the capitals, the punctuation, and the numbers at the head of each chapter.

PAUL WALSH.

VOL. II. a

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

I. A n-ainm Dhe. Ag so pairt do sceloib 7 d' imthechtoib Ui Neill on uair forfhagoip se Eire. Ar tus bui O Neill a ff och- air luistis na Heirenn, Sir Artuir Sitsestar, a mBaili Shlaine. Do ghlac se leitir o Sheon Bat dia dardaoin, in seachtmadli la Septembris, a aois in Tigerna in tan sin mile 7 se chett 7 seacht

^ Sir Arthur Chichester \^as appointed Deputy in succession to Sir George Carey, and had the sword delivered to him on the 2'l:th February, 1605. He became Lord Lieutenant on Mount joy's death in April, 1606, and held that post until his dismissal on the 27th November, 1615. His term of oflfice was characterised by a series of forgeries and robberies, which have been described admirably by Mr. T. M. Healy, M.P., in his book, Stolen Waters.

^ Bails Shlaine. Slane on the Boyne, midway between Drogheda and Navan. The place had been in the hands of the Fleming family from the Norman Invasion. William Fleming was owner of the castle in 1607. The property was sold by the Commissioners of Forfeited Estates to Henry Conyngham in 1703.

* John Bath, emissary from Tyrone to James VI. in 1598 (Cal. St. Pa. 1598-9, 461), was a Drogheda merchant, who five or six months prior to the flight was sent into Spain to pray the King's favour and assistance (Cal. St. Pa. James I., vol. 2, 298). He provided the ship, which was a Frenchman, for Mag Uidhir, and acted himself as master and captain {ibid. 267, 299). He had already been in Spain after the battle of Kinsale (D'Alton, King James' Army List ii, 214). Fr. Meehan says : " Bath, the captain of the vessel purchased by CuconnaughtMaguire, made Ms appearance in Slane, and there found Tyrone " (p. 75), but our narrative makes it clear that he merely sent a missive. Upon their first coming to Lough Swilly, Donnchadh 'O Briain, referred to later, landed by night and went to the Earl of Tyrconnell to acquaint him of the arrival of the ship, whereupon Tyrconnell sent notice thereof to Tyrone by Owen Magrath, Superior of the Franciscans. The latter was the bearer of a similar message to O'Donnell's Countess at Maynooth. In a letter received on the 1st (11th) of October, she writes to Chichester that on the 16th (26th) of September, as far as she can remember, Owen Groome Maccra niet her at Moyglare garden, brought her gold as a token from her lord, and said that if he had known sooner of his going he woiild have taken her with him (Cal. St. P. 296). Bath lived at Rome with 'O N^ill for four years, and was employed in 1612 to negociate with the

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

Translation.

L In the name of God. Here are some of the adventures and proceedings of ^O Neill from the time that he left Ireland. First, 'O Neill was with the Lord Justice of Ireland, Sir Arthur Chichester'^, at Baile Shlaine.- He received a letter from, John Bath^ on Thursday,^ the seventh \recte sixth] of September, the year of the Lord at that time being one thousand six hundred and seven. It was stated in the aforesaid letter that Maguidhir (Cuchonnacht Maguidhir)^, Donnchadh ^O

English representative at Brussels for an agreement with the Earl. Anxious to enrich himself, he betrayed trust and turned informer <Meehan 245 ff.). A John Bath assassinated 'O Suillebhain B^ara in the streets of Madrid on the 16th July, 1618 (Hist. Cath. Hib. (1850), 337).

* Thursday the sixth of September. The year 1607 began on Monday ; therefore Sept. 6 was Thursday. The following Friday week, the day of embarkation at Raith Maolain, is rightly given as the 14th. Sept. 6 was August 27 Old Style.

^ Ctichonnacht Mag Uidhir. He was half-brother and successor to Aodh Mag Uidhir who + 13th March, 1599/1600, from wounds received in a. skirmish near Cork (Life of Aodh Ruadh 226), and son of Cuchonnacht 'og +1589 and Margaret O'Neill (ZfcPh. ii. 328, 359, 360, O'Grady Cata- logue 454). O'Grady remarks that the " Four Masters are silent as to the manner of his succession," but the Life of Aodh Ruadh gives a very graphic account of how that chief, in opposition to the wishes of 'O N^ill, gave him the title of Maguidhir at a banquet in 'O NMl's house, though Conchubhar Ruadh Maguidhir, his opponent, sat at the side of the host. See Father Denis Murphy's edition, pp. 228-232. Under Sir George Carey, Fermanagh was divided between him and his rival (Cal. St. Pa. James I. ii. 23). In the summer of 1607 he left Ireland, came to Brussels about Whitsuntide, and received a sum of money from the Archduke for the purchase of a ship. Sir Thomas Edmonds, writing to Salisbury, 21st (31st) October, says " the fact stated in his last letters is true, that M'Guire passed into Britain [Brittany], and there disguising himself as a merchant, bovight some wines and salt, and hired a ship at Nantes wherein he laid his merchandise, together with a provision of fishing nets to give colour to his going to fish upon the coast of Ireland, and so brought that company away from thence " (Cal. St. Pa. 628). From Dunkirk they sailed for Ireland, having on board sixteen pieces of ordnance and three score soldiers {ibid. 301). On the subsequent movements of Cuchonnacht see the narrative. He died at Genoa on the 12th of August 1608.

4 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

mbliadhna. Bui ar in litir remhraite go ttainic Maguidir (Ciichonnacht Maguidir), Donnchadh O Briain, Matha og O Maeltuile, Seon Rat, go loing fFrangcaigh a gcomhairchiss Ui Ne[i]ll 7 lerla Thire Conaill go cuan Suiligi Moire as ur- chomair Ratha Maolain a fFanait. Gapuis O Ne[i]ll a ched ag in lustis in sathorn 'n-a deghaidh sin. Teid an oidhche sin gus in Mainistir Moir, ait a mbuT Sir Geroid Modhar. Ar n-a mharach do go Sradbaili Duna Dealgan. Gluaissis dia luain

^ Donnchadh 'O Briain. The Four Masters give him a fuller title, Donnchadh mac Mathgamhna mic anEspuicc Ui Bhriain (vi. 2352). He set sail for Spain in June, 1602, after the battle of Kinsale (Pac. Hib. Bk. ii. ch. 22). O'Grady styles hina " a gentleman of Clare attached to O'Donnell," and says " he had broken prison at Athlone and fled abroad to escape the bribes and threats wherewith Lord Deputy [Chichester] sought to have him inculpate the Earl of treasonable practices " (Cata- logue 398 ; cf. Cal. St. Pa. 372). His father was killed at Cluain Dxibhain (Clonoan), 22nd March, 1586, and his grandfather Toirrdealbach was bishop of Killaloe and + 1569 (FM. v. 1884, 1630). In the Bill of Attainder (1613) Donogh M'Mahon O'Brian is said to be " late of Eath- mullen " (Meehan 264).

2 Matha 'og 'O Maeltuile was with Aedh Ruadh in Spain before his death, and had a pension of 25 crowns a month from the King. Accord- ing to the Information of James Bath, brother to John Bath above, " he was driven to run away out of England in great danger from the Earl of Salisbury," and went into Spain about Christmas, 1605. The same informant says he, Father Florence, and Rory Albanach were instru- ments of the plot of the Earls' going out of Ireland. So, too, Domhnall 'O Cearbhaill, who + 8th of August, 1608, writing from Rome, 10th Nov., 1607, begs to be commended to Matthew Tixllie " unto whom all our cotmtry is bound for ever for this his attempt." He acted as sec- retary to Tyrconnell (Cal. St. P. James I., vol. 2, 301, 325, 366).

3 John Rath. Sir Thos. Edmonds, the ambassador at Brussels, writes to Salisbury, Nov. 4th (14th), that " order has been taken for erecting a new company for the common persons who came out of Ire- land with Tyrone, and the commandment thereof at his recommenda- tion is committed to John Raythe who served for pilot to bring him out of Ireland" (iUd. 632).

* Earl of Tyrconnell. Rudhraighe 'O Domhnaill, younger brother of Aodh Ruadh, was left by the latter to govern his people on his de- parture for Spain after the battle of Kinsale, 3 January, 1602 [Thurs- day, 24 December, 1601, Old Style] (FM. vi. 2327). He submitted a few months after his brother's " removal ". and, having superseded Niall Garbh in the king's favour, was created Earl of Tyrconnell in 1603. He died at Rome, 28 Julv, 1608. In the flight he took with him his son

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 5

Briain/ Matha 'Og 'O Maoltuile,2 and John Rath-^ came with a French ship for O Neill and the Earl of Tyrconnell* to Cuan Suilighe moire, ^ opposite Rath Maolain^ in Fanaid " 'O Neill took his leave of the Lord Justice on the following Saturday. He went that night^ to the Mainistir Mor,^ where Sir Garret Moore^° was. On the following day he went to Sradbhaile Diina Dealgan.^^ He proceeded on Monday from Sradbhaile by the high road of the Fiodh,^" to Beal Atha an

Aodh, who was less than a year old, but left behind his wife, Brigid, daughter of Henry, Earl of Kildare, and a daughter unborn.

^ Cuan Suilighe moire. " The Harbour of the Great Swilly," now Lough Swilly, into which a river of the same name discharges itself near Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

* Edith Maoldin. Rathmullen, on the west side of Lough Swilly, in the barony of Kilmacrenan, Co. Donegal. At the castle of Mac Suibhne Fanad in that place the capture of young Aodh Ruadh was effected by Sir John Perrott in 1587 (Life 11 ff.).

' Fanaid (d. sg.). Fannat peninsula lies between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay.

® That night. It was Saturday, September 8th. Father Meehan, Fate and Fortunes of Tyrone and Tyrconnell (3rd ed.) 75, says that Tyi'one took leave of the Deputy on the eighth and proceeded " two days afterwards " to Mellifont, which is incorrect. The error is repeated by Healy, op. cit. 92.

* In Mhainisiir Mhor. " The great monastery " of Mellifont, about five miles from Slane, in Co. Louth. " He ['O N^ill] went from Meli- phant on the Sunday in the afternoon," Chichester to SalLsburj^ April 7th, 1608.

^" Sir Garret Moore. This nobleman resided at Mellifont, a grant of which his father received. In 1566 the fine for the lease was fixed at £45 (Morrin, Patent Rolls i. 539). Sir Garret befriended Aodh Ruadh after his escape from Dublin Castle in 1592. To him 'O N^ill entrusted one of his younger sons, Sean, " who was brought up in Sir Garret's house " (Cal. St. Pa. 463). Notice that 'O Cianain does not write 'O Mordha, Sir Garret being of English extraction ; but O' Grady, Cata- logue 453, Gaelicizes his name Ceroid 'O Mordha.

11 Sradbhaile Duna Dealgan. " The to\^-n of Dundalk."

12 1)1 Fiodh. The high road from Dundalk to Armagh passed through the district of the Fews barony, in the south of Co. Ai>magh. 'O Neill's stepfather, Enri 'O N(^ill, resided there imtil his death about the time of James'accession. His son, Toirrdhelbhach, half brother to the Earl of Tyrone, died in 1640 (FM. vi. 2402). O'Donovan, FM. vi. 1922, and Father Murphy, Life of Aodh Ruadh 30, n. 2, confound this Toirrdhelbh- ach with his grandson, Toirrdhelbhach, son of Enri, who married the daughter of Ruaidhri 'O Mordha, the famous leader of 1641.

6 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

ass in Sradbaili tria bhealach mor in Fhedha go Bel Atha in Airgit, tar Sliap Fuait go Hard Macha, tar Abainn Moir, go Dun • Genainn, gus in gCraoip .i. baile oilem dia bailtibh. Dogni se comnaidhe 7 oirisemh ar in Chraoibh dia mairt. Gluaisidh a n-ainm De dia cedaoin on Chraoibh tar SHap Sioss. Bui an oidhque sin a Muinntir Luinigh ar comhgar Locha Beigfhine. Ar n-a mharach do go Bun Diennoide. Bui i n-a chomhnaidhe o aimsir mhedhoin laoi go comthuitim na hoidche. lar sin leigis tar Fersait Moir ar Loch Feabail e gach ndlreach go Droichet Adhamnain. Bui mac Ui Dom- naill (Cathbarr mac Aoda meic Magnusa) ar a gcionn annsin. Gapsat go Raith Mealltain, an la ag soillsiugadh orra in tan

^ Bel dtha an airgit, " the mouth of the Silvery Ford," now Silver- bridge, in Co. Armagh, about ten miles from Dundalk. It lies on the main road between that town and Newtown Hamiltown, on the border of the Baronies of Upper Fews and Upper Orior.

^ Sliabh Fuait. O' Donovan remarks that in his time this name was still preserved and applied to the highest mountain in the Fews (which name, be it observed, has nothing to do with Fuaid in Sliabh Fviaid), and Father Edmund Hogan, Onomasticon 608, gives it as his opinion that Sliabh Fuaid is the mountain, the western summit of which is Carrigatuke, and the eastern the Deadman's Hill, between which the road from Dundalk to Armagh passes.

^ Ard Macha, the ancient city of Armagh. Quite close to it lies the scene of 'O N^ill's victory on the 10th August, 1598, over the English at B^l an 'Atha bhuidhe, " the Yellow Ford."

* Ahlia Mhor. " The great River," now the Blackwater, flows for portion of its course between the counties of Tyrone and Armagh. It was known by the name of Dabhall in ancient tiuies. The road from Armagh to Dungannon crossed it close to the fort of Charlemont, which had been built by Mountjoy, and was then commanded by Sir Toby Caulfield. 'O N^ill left Caulfield with the Deputy, who, on Monday, 10th of September, despatched him down into Tyrone to see what the Earl's hurried movements meant (Cal. St. P. 463).

^ Dun Genainn, ' Dungannon.' " This Countie -[Tyrone] hath not Townes, but divers ruined Castles, as Dungannon, the Earles principal Hous, which himself cast down to the middest after he had well builded it and covered it with lead, when Sir William Russell, late Lord Deputie, approached with the Armie thereto " (Ireland in 1598, p. 27).

® An Craobh ' Creeve.' This is a small lake in the parish of Aghaloo and barony of Lower Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. It gave its name to the townland of Creevelough, which lies adjacent to it on the north side. " Island fastnesses in inland lakes formed the universal system of de- fence in the north " (Ireland in 1598, p. 22, note «.).

' Sliabh Sios. O'Donovan in a note to FM., 1607, translates this

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 7

Airgid/ across Sliabh Fuaid,- to Ard Macha,^ over the Abha Alor* to Dun Geanainn,^ to the Craobh,^ one of his island habitations. He made, a stop and a rest at Craobh on Tues- day. He proceeded in the name of God from Craobh on Wednesday over Shabh Sios.' He was that night in Muinn- tear Luinigh,^ in the vicinity of Loch Beigfhine.^ On the following day he reached Bun Diannoide.^" He rested from mid-day till nightfall. After that he passed over Fearsaid Mor" on Loch Feabhail, straight forward to Droichead Adhamhnain.i" The son of ^O Dom^hnaill^^ (Cathbharr, son

as a common name, but there was a particular district and niountain range so called. See Cal. St. Pa. (1607) 151, i376. In a Relation of the proceedings of the Lord Deputy and others, July-September, 1609, we read: "the 24th [August] they marched towards Coleraine [i.e., the county] ; the mountains of Slewshishe and Slewgannon not being passable with carriages, they were constrained to pass by Deserte Linn and Glanconkane, near to Kilulter." They are now known as the Sperrin Mountains

^ Muinntear Luinigh. The Ui Luinigh ' O'Looneys ' were originally ^seated in the barony of Raphoe, Co. Donegal, but being driven over the Foyle by the Cen^l Conaill, settled in the barony of Strabane in the north of Co. Tyrone (FM. ii. 939). Here Toirrdhelbhach Luineach 'O Nc^ill, who was inaugurated on the death of Seaan an diomais in 15B7, was fostered.

^ Loch Beigfhinc, a lake in Tyrone, the exact position of which is unknown to me.

^^ Bun Diennoide. ' The mouth of the Dianaid or Swift little River,' now known as Burn Dennet. This riyer flows throiigh the parish of Donaghedy, and barony of Strabane, and enters the Foyle about six miles below Lifford.

^^ Fersaid moir (ac. sg.), ' the great shallow,' on the river Foyle (Loch Febhatl), below Lifford.

1^ Droichead Adhamhndin, ' Adamnan's bridge.' In the indictment of Tyrone, Tyrconnell and the rest of the fugitives presented by Sir .John Davys to juries at Lifford and Strabane about Christmas, 1607, we And the name of " Caffer O'Donnell late of Droghedownan " (Cal. St. Pa. (1608), pp. 389, 555). The place is now called Ballindrait, and lies in the parish of Clonleigh, and barony of Raphoe, Co. Donegal.

^' The son of 'O Domhnaill. A younger brother of Aodh Ruadh was Cathbharr, son of Aodh dubh (Black Sir Hugh) and Inghean dubh, daughter of Mac Domhnaill, Lord of the Isles. He married Rois, daughter of Seaan 6g 'O Docharta,igh and sister of Cathaoir (Sir Cahir), by whom he had issue two sons, and who after his death in 1608 married Eoghan Ruadh 'O Neill. Cathbharr + the 15th September, 1608, and was buried in the habit of St. Francis in the Church of St. Pietro Montorio.

8 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

sin. Eirgit go Raith Maolain ait a mbul in long adupramar ar angcairip. Fuaratar Rugraighi O Domnaill, lerla Thire Conoill, gus na daoinibh uaisle remraite maille re moran d'oireacht 7 do lucht lenamhna in lerlae ag cor storuiss bidh 7 dighe asteach 'san loing.

n. [p. 2] Tiaghaid asteach ar bord loinge timchiol mhe- dhoin laei dia haoine do shonnradh. Togbhaid a seolta ainn- sein. Leigit ar comhghar in chuain iad. Cuirit lucht da bhat do thoghdil uisque 7 d'ierroidh connaidh. Beiris mac Mheic Suipne Fanat 7 drong do dhaoinibh in tire a ttoraigh- eacht orra. Troidit re aroile. Is ar e'lgen tugatar foirionn na mbad uisque 7 connadh led. Timchiol mheadhoin na hoidhche cetna sin tdgbhait a seolta an athuair. Leigit amach go comh- fhairsing sa ffairrgi iad. Ba taitnemhach feith-chiuin an oidhche go ngaoith anier-ndesss. Mesait annsin dol asteach go hAroinn a riachtanus a less bidh 7 dighe do thabairt chuca. Eirgiss ainfine imarcach agus doinionn dermhair maille re ceo 7 fleachadh doip as gur hinnarbadh o chomhghar in tire iad. Gabhait in fhairrgi go comhfairsing. Ba marthanach in stoirm 7 in michiunus sin go medhon oidhche bul ar a gcionn. As a haithle dirgit a gcursa clelaimh re Tir Conaill tar chuan Sligigh gach ndlreach go rapat^r as urchomhair Chruaiche

1 Rdlth Mealltain. Rathmelton, situated on Lough Swilly, where the river Leanann enters its waters, about five mUes to the north of Letterkenny.

2 On Sept. 12/22 Davys reported the events of the flight to Salisbury, and his account is in substantial agreement with our narrative. See Cal. St. Pa. 270 and Meehan op. cit. 97.

' At anchor, ar angctiirip niisrendered by O'Donovan " in this vessel " (FM. vi. 2354).

* Friday. The Four Masters under the year 1607 state that this day was the festival of the Holy Cross, i.e., September 14th. " Under- stand for certain that the Earl of Tyrone, &c., did ship themselves in a French ship, about the burden of three score tons, and on Friday morning, being the 14th hereof, set sail for Spain " (The Lord Dep. and Council to the Privy Council, Cal. St. Pa. ii. 267). Aodh 6g 'O N<^ill, son of the Earl by Siobhan, sister of Aodh Ruadh 'O Domhnaill, and styled Baron of Dungannon, having gone to Derry to buy bread and other necessaries, rejoined the company at Lough Swilly {ihicl. 260). Davys says " they took some beeves from one Francis Whyte an English- man and killed them for their provision" (Cal. St. Pa. 270).

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 9

of Aodh, son of Maghnus) was there awaiting them. They went to Raith Mealltain,^ the daylight shining upon them at that time. They proceeded to Raith TVlaolain," where the ship we have mentioned was at anchor.^ They found Rugh- raighe 'O Domhnaill, Earl of Tyrconnell, with the aforesaid gentlemen, together with many of the tribe and followers of the Earl, putting stores of food and drink into the ship.

H. They went in on board ship about mid-day on Friday.* Then they hoisted their sails. They moved close to the harbour- side. They sent two boats' crews to get water and to search for firewood. The son of Mac Suibhne^ of Fanaid, and a party of the people of the district came upon them in pursuit. They fought with one another. With difficulty the party from the boats brought water and firewood with them. About the middle of the same night they hoisted their sails a second time. They went out a great distance in the sea. The night was bright, quiet, and calm, with a breeze from the south- west. Then they proposed putting into Ara*^ through need of getting food and drink. An exceeding great storm and very bad weather arose against them, together with fog and rain, so that they were driver from proximity to land. They traversed the sea far and wide. That storm and un- settled weather lasted till the m.iddle of the following night. Afterwards, leaving Tir Conaill on the left, they direct their course past the harbour of Sligeach,'' straight ahead until they were opposite Cruach Padraig^ in Connacht. Then they feared that the King's fleet, which was in the harbour of Gaillibh,^ would meet with them. They proceeded out into

5 One of the jurymen who swore to the indictment of the Earls at Lifford and Strabane (v. supra p. 7, n. 12) was " Donel M'Swyne Fanet." He appears in the confession of Ingean dubh which led to the arrest of Isiall garbh 'O Domhnaill in 1608.

® Ara, the island of Arranmore, off the west coast of Donegal.

' Sligech, a river which gives its name to Sligo and Sligo Bay.

« Cruach Pddraig. This is the well-known mountain in the south of Co. Mayo, anciently called Cruach Aigle, now Croaghpatrick.

» Gaillibh. The river Gaillibh gave its name to the city and bay of Galwav;

lo FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

Patraic a gConnachtoip. Imeglaigit ainnsein loingess in righ. bul a gcuan na Gaillbhe do thegmhail riu. Leicit amach sa ffairrge iat do denomh ar in Spainn gach ndirech da mad eidir leo. Bator ier sin tri la deg for fairrge maille re hainfine imarcaigh 7 re droich-shin chonntabartaigh. Tug comhfhor- tacht adpol ddip mar do chmrctair saffairrgi a ffoiienmham na loinge cros oir bui ag O Neill i n-a roipe rann-chuid don chroicji chesta go n-imat religiass oile.' A fforcionn na haim.sire sin tegmhaidh do chuiss ingantuis doibh a gceirt-mhedhon na fairrge da sheapac bhega .i. merilliuin do thoirling forsan luing. Ro gapadh na seabaic. Do bethaigedh as a haithle.

HL Dia domhnaigh in dechmadh la fichet Septembriss. tainic in gaoth go coimhdhireach a gcertaghoidh na loinge, Gapsat na marnelaigh do laimh, 5 nach roibhe ar comas d5ip dol don Spainn, go mbeittis a gcuan Croissic issin m,Britainn fo chionn da lo go n-oidhche. Comhairlighit na tigernaidhe [p. 3] bator san loing, do bithin teirce a mbidh 7 a ndighe go hairighthe, f5s do brigh a ffuaratar gusin tan sin do docomal 7 m,eirten na fairrge, gur uo himairgidhe doip a leigen gach ndlreach gusin fFrainc. A gcetoir dirgit a gcursa gusin fFrainc. Da la 7 da oidche d5ip ar siobal fo Ian se5iL Ni rangator tir ar dom.an in comhfhad sin. F5s ni m,aith rofhit- irset cia in costa airigthe ba himfhoixe dhoip.

IV. Timchiol mheadhdin laei dia m,airt adchid trI longa adhbalmora ag ascnamh on aird uo dhess mar do thicfaitis on Spainn. Ge gur imeglaigset in loinges sin gur mesatar gur d'arm.ail rig Saxan ar ttoigheacht 'n-a n-iermhoirecht iad,, brethnaigit aca fein gur uo ferr doip denomh orra do chor a gconaich a gconntabairt, mad naimde iad, no madh catoilce, d'ierroidh seel 7 eoluis orra, inas bheith san guasacht dermhair a mbator a tt^p se[ac]hrain 7 aineoluis 7 teirce dighe. Riccit fein 7 in loinges ar comhghar a cheile deoigh laoi. Eirgis ainfine adpol in tan sin as nach rangator fein 7 in loinges go

^ Le Croisic, a town on the west coast of France, sitvaated near the mouth of the Loh-e, and in the department of Loire Inf^rieure.

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS ii

the sea, to make for Spain straight forward if they could. After that they were on the sea for thirteen days with excessive storm and dangerous bad .weather. A cross of gold which 'O Neill had, and which contained a portion of the Cross of the Cruci- fixion and many other relics, being put by them in the sea trailing after the ship, gave them great relief. At the end of that time, much to their surprise, they met in the middle of the sea two small hawks, merlins, which alighted on the ship. The hawks were caught and were fed afterwards.

HL On Sunday, the thirtieth of September, the wind came right straight against the ship. The sailors, since they could not go to Spain, undertook to reach the harbour of Croisic^ in Brittany at the end of two days and nights. The lords who were in the ship, in consequence of the smallness of their food-supply, and especially of their drink, and also because of all the hardship and sickness of the sea they had received up to that, gave it as their advice that it was right for them to make straight ahead towards France. Forthwith they directed their course to France. They went on for two days and two nights under full sail. They reached no land at all in that time. Not even did they know well what par- ticular coast was nearest to them.

IV. About midday on Tuesday they saw three very large ships approaching from the south as if coming from Spain. Although they feared that squadron, and though they thought they belonged to the King of England's armament and were in pursuit of them, they considered that it was better for themselves to make for them and imperil their success if they were enemies, or, if they were Catholics, make inquiries and seek direction, than to be in the great danger in which they were in regard to going astray and mistaking the direction and scarcity of drink. They and the squadron came near one another at the end of day. A terrible storm arose at that time so that they and the squadron could not for a time come within speaking distance of one another. Afterwards, however, they spoke with the crews of the ships. They made enquiries

12 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

cenn aimsire toigeacht a gcoir chomhraidh re aroile. As a haithle tra laprait re lucht na loingsi. lerroit scela orra. Innissit gur do chrlchoibh Lochlann a mbunadhwj-, go rapsat ag ternodh tar aiss on Spainn go a n-atharrdha badein. Ad- bertsat gur sa ffairrge fFleminnaig batar-san d'airigthe. Mar do bui in cuan sin ar comghar chosta na Saxan nl mor gurab ann ba romhaith lesna maithib sin tegmhail a n-aois na huaire sin. Fos ni roipe pil5it fessach no eolach sa chuan sin aca. Gapsat ag foilenmhain na loingsi remraite gur ben comdhorcha na hoidhche a radharc dip.

V. Adbert Frangcach airigthi bui san loing : Na biodh dibergdit no imsniomh oraip, a mhaithi, ol se ; treoraighfet-sa ria n-eirgi greine amarach a ttlr sa Normainnti [p. 4], prouensi oirrderc gabhus le rig na Fraingce, sibh. An Chruinne, primhchathoir oireghdha gapus le righ na Spainne, chom ar thriallsat o thus. Do mhet na scissi 7 in docomail ro ihuilngGtair nl mdr nach roibhe a urdail do deigh-inntinn 7 do shupailchip aca fo dol a ttir sa Normainnti 7 mar do ragdaoiss sa gcsLthvaigh sin. Dirgit a gcursa gusin gcuan sin. Timchiol medhoin oidche eirghiss in fhairrgi i n-a tonnoibh tul-borba tinnesnacha tren-tuinnsemhacha doip. Trocaire na Trinoite ru-s-tesairc gan in long co n-a m,bui innte do bhathadh. Drong do na daoinibh uaisle batar uas taiste, ni mor nach rapsat a gconn- tabairt a mbreth am,ach a gcertmjcdon na fairrgi 6 laid/re na gaoithe agus o llnmaire na ttonn. Ba heicen doip a seolta do legad la tolgan 7 trethan na ttonn, an long do leigen do ,reir thoile De ar a haradhain fein seachnoin na fairrge.

VL Bator da oilen gabhus le rIgh Saxan, dar comhanmanna Gorgi 7 Garsii, a n-imfhoixe doib. Muna bheith legadh na seoltae bator a gconntabairt dermhair a gcomhmbualadh fo nechtar don da oilen sin. No dia raghdaois a ttir o n-a ttoil uodein, nir uo ssiigidh deghc[h]arat a gcein doip gnuissi na

^ Lochlainn. This is a wide term, being applied to various northern peoples, Norwegians, Danes, Swedes, Finns, &c. Here it probably refers to the Danes.

2 Corunna, a seaport in the north-west of Spain. It was the common pomt of embarkation for Ireland. There Aodh Ruadh landed in Janu-

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 13

of them. They told them that they were natives of Loch- lainn/ and that they were returning from Spain to their own country. They said that it was in the Flemish sea in par- ticular they were. As that sea was near the coast of England, these princes would scarcely have liked to fall there by chance at that moment. Besides, they had no pilot who knew the way or had experience of that sea. They went after the squadron aforementioned until the darkness of the night took it out of their sight.

V. A certain Frenchman who was in the ship said : " Be not troubled nor concerned, princes," said he ; " before sun- rise tomorrow I will direct you to land in Normandy, a famous province belonging to the King of France." To Corunna," a great city belonging to the King of Spain, they had originally intended to go ; in consequence of the amount of weariness and hardship they had endured, they were almost as well pleased and as glad to land in Normandy as to reach that city. They directed their course to that harbour. About mid- night the sea rose in violent, quick, strong-sounding waves against them. It was the mercy of the Trinity that saved them and kept the ship and all that was in it from being drowned. A party of the gentlemen who were above the hatch w^ere almost in danger of being carried out into the middle of the sea by the strength of the wind and the number of the waves. They were obliged to take down their sails by reason of the strength and power of the waves, and to leave the ship to itself to drift over the sea as God should will.

VI. There were two islands belonging to the King of England called Jersey and Guernsey^ near them. Were it not for the taking down of the sails they were in great danger of striking on either of these tw^o islands. Even if they landed of their own free will, the faces of the inimical merciless

ary, 1602, shortly after the battle of Kinsale. In English writings of the period it is commonly referred to as " the Groyne."

* 'O Cianain's attempts to reproduce foreign names in Irish spelling are, as a rule, very crude.

14 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

n-eritchedh naimhdidhi n-ettrocar batar ar a -ccionn isna hoilenoip. A moch-shoillsi na maitne adchid go follus na hoilein ar a gcomhghar. Du-s-rat ir> Frangcach remraite aithne forra. Adbert gur uo Saxanaigh batar dia n-inotacht 7 dia n-aittreabadh.

Vn. Togbhait a seolta ainnsein. Leicit ar siob<2/ iat. lar ffagbhail radhairc na n-oilen adconnarcatar go comhfhair- sing talara na Fraingce. Ar ttoigheacht ar comhghar in chuain d5ip gapuis crith-egla 7 imfhaitchess in Frangcach. Adbert go roibi aimsir imchian o ro bul sa chuan ria sunn, go mbul a n-ainffioss [p. 5] 7 a gconntabairt dermhair um eolus dingmalta do dhenomh asteach sa chuan. Gar ier sin adchid batt beg Frangcach ag ascnamh chuca. Fochtait scela dia fhoirinn. Adbertsat tra gurap o Ruadhan doip, primh-chathair oirrderc gapus le rig Franc. Tairgit gne chomhadh doip ar eolus do denomh astech sa chuan. Geallait a denomh. Bator rompa 7 na ndeaghaidh car m chaomh-laithe. In tan ro-Isshgh in.ghaoth deoigh laoi i nach roipe ar comus donloingdol asteach sa gcuan, gapsat tra muinnter na beg-loingi a gcead aca- san. Atbertsat nach roipe maith aca re a denomh doip, nach ierrfaitiss loighigheacht na mathessa nach dernsat. Dlr- git fein a gcursi go Ro.an. Gidheadh chena ro sheolatar chuca-san gan mhoille aroile bhat i n-a mbuipiloit Rodhain. Tic tra in pileot ar bord loinge chuca a gcomdhorcha na hoidhque. Togbait a seolta. Bator ar siobal seachn5in na hoidhche. Ar maidin ar n-a mharach treoraigidh in piloit cetna iad a ruib<?V Rodhain ar in tsp bhodeass don chuan nua dar comainm Harboure de Grace. Timchiol meadhoin laoi dia dardaoin, la S. Pronseiss do shonnradh, in cethramadh la Octobriss 7 in t-aenmad la lichet doip ar fairrge, tiagait a ttir a mbaili beg ar bru in ruib^Vr chetna dar comhainm Cilbuf. Dognit gne chiunais 7 chomnaidhe ann in meide bui rompa don 16 gus in oidhche ar a gcionn. Persa d'uiresbaidh ar chet

^ Havre {Harbour) de Grace, now Le Havre, prior to 1516 was a place of no importance. Francis I., 1494-1547, began the construction of the harbour, and named from the Church of Notre Dame de Grace in the

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 15

lieretics who were before them on the islands would not be as at a meeting of good friends in a foreign land. At the dawn of day they saw clearly the islands near them. The above- mentioned Frenchman recognised them. He said that Englishmen were occupying and inhabiting them.

VH. Then they raised their sails. They proceeded on their way. After leaving the view of the islands they saw widely extended the land of France. When they came near the harbour fear and trembling came upon the Frenchman. He said it was a long time since he had been there before, and that he was in ignorance and great doubt, and could not give suitable guidance into the harbour. Shortly after that they saw a little French boat making for them. They made en- quiries of its crew. They said they were from Rouen, a famous city belonging to the King of France. They offered them some gifts for piloting them into the harbour. They agreed to do so. Tliey were before tfiem and behind them throughout the day. When the wind subsided in the evening and the ship could not enter the harbour, the crew of the small ship took leave of them. They said that they could do them no •service, and that they would not ask reward for a service they had not rendered. They themselves direct their course to Rouen. However, they sent to them without delay a certain boat in which there was the Rouen pilot. The pilot came on board to them in the darkness of the night. They raised their sails. They were proceeding throughout the night. In the morning on the next day the pilot directed them into the river of Rouen, south of the new harbour called Harboure de Grace.i About midday on Thursday, St. Francis' Day, the fourth day of October, and their twenty-lirst at sea, they landed at a little town on the bank of the same river called Quilleboeuf.2 They had some rest and repose there for the remainder of the day until the following night. There were

neighbouring vUlage. Oxir author speaks of the Seine as "the river of Rouen" ; see also "the river of Antwerp" ch- xlv. infra.

* Quilleboeuf. This is a small town situated at the movith of the Seine, on the south, side, in the department of I'Eure.

i6 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

isseidh bator sa loing. Ni roibi do shupstaint digi aca ag fagbail na loingi acht coic galuin beora 7 nl hadh lugha no enbairille amhain uisce.

^ Ninely-nine. More than half of the ninety-nine may be accounted for as follows : —

(1) Aodh 'O X^Ul, 2nd Efirl of Tyrone, son of Feardorcha, son of Conn

Bacach, 1st Earl (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 435, 555).

(2) Countess Catariona, his third wife, daughter of Aodh Mag Aon-

ghusa (Sir Hugh) + 1595, and sister of Art (Sir Arthur), -wlxo married Tyrone's daughter, Sorcha (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 436),

(3) Aodh, Baron of Dungannon, son of the Earl by his first wife.

Siobhan + 1590, sister of Aodh Ruadh 'O Domhnaill. He died at Rome, 23rd September, 1609, aged twenty-four ; see his epitaph, Meehan op. cit. 342. The Four Masters record his death at 1608 (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 435, 555).

(4) Sean, son of the Earl by the Lady Catariona, under seven years

at the flight (Cal. St. Pa. 260). He became a major-general iu the Spanish army, and was killed in 1640

(5) Brian, Tyrone's second son by the Lady Catariona, murdered at

Brussels, 16th August, 1617 ; see Mooney, translated by Meolian, Irish Franciscan Monasteries, Dublin, 1872, p. 17 (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 260).

(6) Art 6g 'O Neill, son of Cormac, the Earl's brother (FM. 1607, CaL

St. Pa. 435, 555). Cormac was imprisoned immediately after the flight.

(7) Feardorcha, grandson of the Earl. His father. Conn, was

" Tyrone's base son," Pacata Hibernia Bk. i. ch. 4 (FM. 1607). See his pedigree, FM. 1599.

(8) Aodh 6g, son of Brian mac Airt 'O N^-ill and grand-nephew to

Tyrone. Brian mac Airt was seized in 1607, and put on his trial for the manslaughter of a kinsman at the house of Toirr- dhealbhach mac Enri of the Fews. " He is besides so gracious and popular that after the decease of the Earl it is credibly thought he will attempt to restore the name of O'Neile again,"' Chichester to the Council, 4th August. " The hand of justice- has cut him off, which is a notable example to all the kingdom and a great security to that province," Davys to Salisbury, 11th December. At Louvain the Earl heard of his execution ; see infra, ch. xlvii. (FM. 1607).

(9) Henry Hovendon, Tyrone's secretary. " Henry Ovington has

protested that he had no manner of knowledge of this resolu- tion of the Earls till the night before his departure, being sur- prised by that short warning and preci]ntated into the journey, whereof he now repents, and that he would be glad to return if he hoped he might recover his means and the favour of the- State," Sir Thomas Edmonds to Salisbury, 4th Jsovember (Cal. St. Pa. 555).

(10) Enri 'O h'Again (Cal. St. Pa. 555). " In Tulach 6g 'O Neill

was inaugurated and 'O Cathain and 'O h'Again inaugurated

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 17

ninety-nine^ persons in the ship. As they left it all the drink they had was five gallons of beer and less than one barrel of water.

him," C^itinn, Forvis Feasa Bk. ii. sect. 1. After the victory of the B^l an 'Atha buidhe (August 10th, 1598) Enri was sent to Scotland to tender James VI. the crown of Ireland, later, in 1605/6, he was at the English court, visited Mount joy, then Earl of Devonshire, and passed to the continent on 'O N^Ul's errands .

(11) Sean na bpunta 'O h'Again, O'Neill's rent-gatherer (Cal. St. Pa.

436, 555). Contemporary English writers mostly transform the forename into " John O'Punty." Similarly Mac Suibhne na dtuath becomes M'Swyne O'Doe, Brian na samthach, that is, Brian of the battleaxes, Bryan O'Saw, »&c. In November, 1609, Chichester is to acquaint the Lord Treasurer that O'Quynej chief of his name, whom the Earl of Tyrone carried with him„ has sent over a boy to his brother, Owen Roe O'Quyne, and to his wife to procure him licence to return hither. The like is demanded by Shane O'Pounty, who was here the Earl's purse- bearer. '

(12) Richard Weston, a Dundalk merchant (Cal. St. Pa. 435, 555).

In January, 1599, Sir Geoffrey Fenton sends extracts of a letter from Richard Weston, whoua he had long employed about Tyrone for intelligences, and whom he had often found to do the best services (Cal. St. Pa. 1598-9).

(13) John Bath; see p. 2, n. 3. (Cal. St. Pa. 555).

(14) Christopher Plunkett, 'O N^ill's master of horse (Cal. St. Pa.

436, 555).

(15) Muircheartach 'O Coinne. He is described by Sir John Davys as

'O NeUl's marshal. (Cal. St. Pa. 389, 555). (16, 17) " Ever M'Connell's two sons " (Cal. St. Pa. 435). There is reference here to children of 'Eimhear mac Conuladh Mag Mathghamhna, lord of Firmanach, who was a competitor for the headship of the name in 1589, and is frequently mentioned in the State Papers as Ever Mac Cooly or Collo. One of them, S^mus mac 'Eimhir mac Conuladh, took fever at Ostia and died six hours before Cuchonnacht Maguidhir at Genoa, 12th August, 1608. Dr. Eoghan Mag Mathghamhna, ch. xxii. infra, was another son of 'Eimhear.

(18) The Earl of Tyrconnell, Rudhraighe 'O Domhnaill, son of Aodh

Dubh + 1600, son of Maghnus + 1563 ; see p. 4, n. 4. supra.

(19) Cathbharr 'O Domhnaill, younger brother to the last mentioned

(FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 435, 555) ; see p. 7, n. 13 supra.

(20) Nuala, sister of Aodh Ruadh, Rudhraighe and Cathbharr 'O

Domhnaill, and daughter of Aodh Dubh by his second wife, Inghean Dubh. She married Niall Garbh 'O Domhnaill, whose father. Conn, was her first cousin. She deserted her husband in 1600 when he went over to the English : Asper eam occa- sionem opportunam ratus ad Anglos se confert, ob id a Nolla

VOL. II h

1 8 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

VHL Ar n-a mharach tra bul guibern5ir in baile a ffochair Ui Neill ar a medhon laoi. Bronnaiss do na seabaic edala ingantacha sin ro gabadh for in ffairrgi. Tar eiss mhedoin laoi glacait hadaidhi. Cuirit in chuntaois 7 ingen L^i Domnaill, na leinimh batar mailli riu, pairt da ndaoinibh uaisle 7 da

coniuge sua O'Donelli sorore desertus (Historia Catholica 171). To her was addressed the poem of Eoghan Ruadh Mac an Bhaird, A bhean fuair faill ar an bhfeart.

(21) Aodh 'O Donihnaill, son of the Earl by his wife Brigid Fitzgerald,

daughter of Henry, Earl of Kildare (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 267). At the time of the flight he was under a year old. He died in 1642 (Report on the Franciscan MSS. 195).

(22) Rois, wife of Cathbharr 'O Domhnaill (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa.

436) ; see p. 7, n. 13 supra.

(23) Aodh 'O Domhnaill, son of Cathbharr and Rois, then aged two

years and three months (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 267). The boy was at fosterage when the ship arrived at Rathmullen. " There the Earl of Tyrconnel sent for the foster-father of his brother Caffar O'Donel's son, willing him to bring the child with him. He presently repaired with the child towards the place where the Earls lodged, but being met by the way by the Baron of Dungannon and Caffar O'Donel himself, they took the infant violently from hini, which terrified the foster-father, so that he escaped by the swiftness of his horse, their horses being tired with travelling. Of this child they have a blind and supersti- tious prophecy, because he was born with six toes upon one foot ; for they affirm that one of their saints of Tyrconnel hath prophesied that when such a one, being of the sept of O'Donel, shall be born, we shall drive all the Englishmen out of Ireland," Davys to Salisbury, September 12th, 1607. His body lies with that of his mother in the Franciscan convent of Louvain, where the latter died in 1660.

(24) Domhnall 6g, son of Domhnall, half-brother to the Earl, who

on the imprisonment of Aodh Ruadh sought to deprive his father of the chieftainship and was slain at Doire leathan (Derrylahan), near Teilionn, 14th September, 1590 (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 555).

(25) Nechtain 'O Domhnaill, second cousin of the Earl (FM. 1607).

(26) Sean Cron mac Daibhid, referred to as " Shane Groome, his

[Tyrconnel's] steward," Cal. St. Pa. 435, and as " John Crone M'David," ibid. 555. He was in attendance on 'O N^iU as late as 1615.

(27) " Edmond Grome M'David," Cal. St. Pa. 555.

(28) " John Rath, merchant," Cal. St. Pa. 555. See p. 4 n. 3, supra

and p. 54, n. 1 infra.

(29) " Hugo M'Donnel O'Gallacher," Cal. St. Pa. 555, that is, Aodh

mac Domhnaill 'O Gallchobhair.

(30) Tirlagh Carragh O'Gallacher, Cal. St. Pa. 555, that is, Toirr-

dhealbhach Carrach 'O GaUchobhair.

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 19

VHL On the next day the governor of the town was with 'O Neill at dinner. He gave him those valuable strange hawks which had been caught at sea. After dinner they hired boats. They sent the Countess, and the daughter of 'O Domhnaill, and the children which were with them, and some of the gentlefolk and their attendants with their luggage by the

(31) " Captain John Connor," Cal. St. Pa. 435.

(32) " Edmund Brannaugh," 'Eamonn Breatnach, anglicised 'Walsh,'

Cal. St. Pa. 435.

(33) " Henry O'Kelly," Cal. St. Pa. 435.

(34) " George Cashell, gentleman," Cal. St. Pa. 555.

(36) Tadhg 'O Cianain, writer of our narrative (Cal. St. Pa. 555). An

allowance of £22 6s. 8d. was made to his wife, a relative of the Earl of Thomond, as the latter " alleged that the said Teig sent hini intelligence from beyond the seas," Cal. St. Pa. 543.

(37) Cuchonnacht Maguidhir (FM. 1607, Cal. St. Pa. 435) ; see p. 3.

n. 5 supra.

(38) Donnchadh mac Mathghamhna mac an easpuig 'O Briain (FM.

1607, Cal. St. Pa. 435, 555) ; see p. 4 n. 1 supra.

(39) Matha 6g 'O Maeltuile (Cal. St. Pa. 555) ; see p. 4, n. 2, supra.

At Cal. St. Pa. 435 he is referred to as " his [Tyrconnel'sl secretary," without further qualification. (40-42) A page and two lackies of 'O N^iU (Cal. St. Pa. 436). (43-50) Four serving men, a page, and three lackies of 'O Domhnaill (Cal. St. Pa. 436). The page's name was Muiris, and he died f of fever, 3rd August, 1608.

' (51-53) Three waiting women (Cal. St. Pa. 436).

(54) Maigbheathadh 'O N^ill , who parted from the company at

Rouen and joined them again at Arras. See infra, chapters xvii and xxii.

(55) " James Bath," Cal. St. Pa. 436, but this may be a mistake for

John, no. 13, above. However, as John did not return to Ireland before Febrviary, 1608, the following shows there was another Bath in the ship. " There has arrived here, from among the fugitive traitors in the Low Countries, one Bath, son of the widow of Sir William Warren, dwelling near this place," Sir Oliver St. John, master of tte ordnance and ad viser to Chichester, to Salisbury, February 18th, 1608. Sir William Warren lived at Drumcondra, and in his house 'O N^ill was married to Mabel Bagenal. His wife was Elinor Preston of Gormanstown, whose first husband was John Bath + 18th July, 1586. Meehan erroneously states op. cit. 349 that Cap- tain John Bath was her son, but John Bath, son of John and Elinor, lived at Balgriffin, Co. Dublin, in 1611 (Inq. Jac. I., nos. 19, 60).

(56) " A Spaniard that lived with Tyrone since the year 1588, and

fled with him," Cal. St. Pa. (1610) 537.

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lucht [p. 6] coimhideachta co n-a ttrongcaib san athghairid triasan ruib^r go Rodhan. Gabhuiss O Neill 7 in t-ierla, na tigernaidhG 7 na daoine uaissle batar maille riu, seacht ffir deg doibh, ar eachraidh gusin mbaile ar in luiher chetna dar comhainm, Laboill, seacht leige o Chilbuf, 7 6 Chilbuf sios gusin gcuan nua deich leige. Ar n-a mharach tra re hucht in baili d'fagbail ddibh adchid guibernoir Chilbuf chuca. Cuiris gne riastala orrae. Adubairt go gcaithfediss dol do lathair ard- mharuscail na Normainnti. Ro umhlaigset chuige sin. Gabh- sat aitherrach eachraidhe. Gluaissit began buidhne gusin mbaili dar comhainm Liegeuuaie, airm a mbui in maruscal, seacht leige deg ar comgar na Britainne. Gabuis in maruscal chuige go ro-on5rach degh-aigtheach iad.

IX. Imthuss na mban uassal, gluaissit as Cilbuf a mbadoibh. Bator seolta togaibthe sealat aca, sealat oile ag imramh. Mar sin doibh go comhdhorcha na hoidhche. Impaidhiss in Ian mara i n-a n-aghaidh maille re nert 7 laidire in Tuiheir as gur cuiredh tar a n-ais aimser imchian iad. Ba difhaisneissi re a innissin mar do thigedh tuile 7 aithbhe in ruibw sin. Ni roibhe tra cuiss imthnuith aca re guasacht no ainfine dier fhuilngetair ar fairrge a n-athfhegmhuis a ffuaratar do dho- comhal 7 do c[h]onntabairt a mbaiss in tan sin, acht am.hain bui fion 7 uisce ar comus doibh a n-inbaidh a ttarta. Ticit drong do lucht aittreaptha in tire go mbadoibh maithe dia gcomhfhorta<:/6/. Eirgit an oidhche sin go baile beg bui ar bru in luiheir. Ar n-a mharach fuarator aims/r romhaith. Ceimnigit seachnoin in ruiheir go rangator baile eguilsi dar com,hainm Mainistir Sanct Seoirsi ar in taep hathuaidh don ruib^V. Oirissit ann an oidhche sin. Cuirit teachtaire go Rodhan do thredrugadh gach riachtanuis coistighi 7 bhaigi- nidhQ rangatar a les. Teigit co n-a n-uile chuideachta go Rodhan timchiol mhedhoin laoi dia domhnaigh.

X. [p. 7]. Seachnoin na haimsire si bui A-laguidzV 7 na

^ La Bouille, in the department of Seine Inf^rieure, east of QuUle- boeuf and south-west of Rouen.

2 New Harbour. It has been referred to above, chapter vii. Havre de Grace, or Le Havre, is the modern name.

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 21

short route on the river to Rouen. 'O Neill and the Earl and the lords and the gentry who were with them went with seventeen men on horses to the town on the same river called La Bouille/ seven leagues from. Qailleboeuf, and from Quille- boeuf down to the new harbour^ was a distance of ten leagues. On the next day, as they were about to leave the town, they saw the governor of Quilleboeuf approaching them. He put them under a kind of arrest. He said they would have to go before the Chief Marshal of Norm,andy. They agreed to that. They procured a change of horses, and proceeded with a small company to the town called Lisieux,^ a place seventeen leagues away, near Brittany, where the Marshal was. The Marshal received them with honour and kindness.

IX. As for the women, they proceeded from Quilleboeuf in boats. They had sails up for a while, for another while they had to row, and thus they were until the darkness of the night. The tide turned against them, together with the strength and force of the river, so that they were brought back a long distance. It would be difficult to describe how the ebb and flow of that river used to come. They had no cause of complaint with any danger and storm they endured on sea in comparison with all the trouble and danger of death they experienced then, except that they had wine and water within reach when they were thirsty. A party of the inhabi- tants of the country cam,e with good boats to assist them. They went that night to a little town on the bank of the river. On the next day they got very good weather. They advanced along the river until they reached a church town called the Abbey of St. Georges, on the north side of the river. They stayed there that night. They sent a messenger to Rouen to direct to them everything in the shape of coaches and waggons which they needed. They went with all their company to Roaen about midday on Sunday.

X. During this time Maguidhir and the gentry who were

^ Lisieux, in the department of Calvados in Normandy, derives its name from the ancient Lexouii. The governor of Normandy was Henry, Duke of Montpensier.

22 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

daoine uaisle bator a gcoimhiteacht na ttigernadh so fo riasta a Laboil. Messait go rapatar na mna uaisle co n-a gcuideachta a mbraighdenus mar nach ffuaratar en-fhocal da sceloibh. Aithrister d5ib deoigh laoi dia domnaigh a ndol tairrsibh go Rodhan. Gabhait triar do na daoinibh uaisle bat. Imrait seachnoin na hoidhche. Rangatar Rodhan a mocha laoi dia luain. Innissit seek na ttigernadh mar do eirigh doip a ttaep a riastala 7 iad i n-a persanoibh baden do dol do lathair in ard-mharuscail go Liegeciuaie. Ba himeglach imomhnach iad san ier gcloss na seel sin. Rugator scela ar n-a mharach orra gur scrip in guibernoir le posta go ngh Frangc dia fhoillsiugadh go ttangatar san a ttir mar adupramar, 7 dia fhioss cred badh indenta riu, 7 go gcaithfediss foighite do bheith aca fo bheith i n-a gcomnaidhe go rochtain direxioin in rig dia saigidh.

XL Eirgiss Matha O Mseltuile a posta go Pairis. Ba luaithe posta in guibernora do lathair rig Franc no Matha. Fuair freagra. Filliss tar a aiss. Bui in '■i ag filleadh o fhiadh- ach. Teid Matha i n-a lathoir. Labruis aghoidh a n- aghaidh friss. Adfed d5 uile imthuss na ttigernadh, mar do cuiredh in gne thoirmeisc sin orra fo righacht na Fraingce do shiopal go breith augdarrais in rig orra. Adbert in ri go hondrach degh-aigtheach gur glac letreadha ar chuiss na ndaoine uassal roimhe sin, gur scrip gus in nguibernoir dia ttaop. Teid Matha do lathair secretair in righ. Adubairt in fer sin nach tticfadh urchdid ar bith do na maithibh as chuiss in braigdenuis 7 go madh taosga deigh-fhreagra on rIgh ag breith orra no Matha do thernodh tar a aiss.

Xn. [p. 8] Dorala ambasadoir righ Saxan sa gcathraigh

^ Monday. October 8th.

^ Ambassador. Sir George Carew belonged to a Cornish family, and sat in Parliament between 1584 and 1601. He was knighted after the accession of James I. in July, 1603, and served as ambassador at the Court of France, 1605-9. He afterwards became Master of the Court of Wards on Salisbury's death, and died a few months afterwards, 13th Noveniber, 1612. He is to be distinguished from the famous Sir George Carew, Earl of Totnes, who was President of Munster under Mount] oy. Salisbury writes to Sir Thomas Edmonds, the ambassador at Brussels, on the llth/24th October, as follows : " More certain information has been

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 23

with these lords were under arrest in La Bouille. They thought the ladies with their company were in prison, as they got no account of them. It was told to them on Sunday evening that they had gone past them to Rouen. Three of the gentlemen took a boat. They rowed throughout the night. They reached Rouen at break of day on Monday.^ They gave an account of the lords, how it happened they were arrested, and how they went in their own person before the chief Marshal to Lisieux. The ladies were in fear and dread when they heard that. They got inform.ation the next day that the governor had written by post to the King of France to make known that they landed as we have said, and to learn what was to be done with them, and that they must have patience in regard to being detained until direction from the King reached him.

XI. Matha 'O Maeltuile went post-haste to Paris. The governor's messenger reached the King of France sooner than Matha and got a reply. He returned. The King was re- turning from hunting when Matha went into his presence. He spoke face to face with him. He told him all the adven- tures of the lords, how they were prohibited to traverse the kingdom of France until they should have the King's authority. The King said respectfully and kindly that he had received letters concerning the gentlemen before that, and that he had written to the governor about them. Matha went to the King's secretary. He said that no harm at all would come to the princes because of their detention, and that a friendly answer from the King would reach them sooner than Matha would have returned.

XII. The ambassador^ of the King of England was in the

received that they, being weatherbeaten at sea, are put in at Kilboeuf in Normandy, and at their landing obtained leave of the Duke of Mont- pensier for their safe passage towards Brussels, with all their retinue. Whereof Sir George Carew being advertised, addressed himself to the French King, and provisionally desired him to make a stay of them so long there till he might receive further order out of England in that be- half ; which request he the rather grounded vipon the French King's speeches proceeding from his own mouth at his last audience, which was

24 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

in tan sin. Bui ag denomh a lan-dlthill aidhmillte 7 urchoide do na maithip dia madh eidir leiss. Teid sin a ndimhaoiness 7 a ml-tharbha, 5ir ni thug in ri audiens no eisteacht go fedh tri la d5, acht ag dol d'fiadhach gacha laithe. As a haithle sin mar do bui a dheimin aige na tigernaidhe do bhe[i]th a n-ait hadh hinnill leo, adubairt go ndeachatar 0 n-a chomachtoibh, 7 dia ttegmhadh nach raghdaoiss, nach dingnadh fein urchoid ar bith do dhaoinibh uaisle ar a gcuirfidhe d'fiachaibh a n- atharrda bhunaidh d'fagbail ar son a gcreidimh agus a n- egcomhthroim, fos go roibhe ar comus do na huilip chatoilcip gabail gan buaidbirt ar bith tre righarht na Fraingce. Leigiss in t-ombasadoir duine uassal do threibh na hAlban a posta go Lundain dia faisneis do rlgh Saxan go ttangatar na daoine uaissle si a ttir sa fFraingc 7 nar chuir in ri toirmesc orra fo gabail triasan fFrainc. Bui in duine uassal sin a Rodhan sa tigh osta a mbatar na mna uaisle in oidhche sol tangatar na tigernaidhe.

XHL Ar ttoigheacht do Mhatha og go Rodhan, mar fuair deimin seel gurab e ordugadh 7 direxion fuaratar san gabail go Flonndrus 0 thuss, 7 gan gabail gach ndirghe don Spainn go mbeitiss a fFlonndrus, gluaisis fein a posta go Flonndrus dia innissin do mac Ui Neill, corenel na nEirinnach a fFlonndrus fo chomachtoip rig na Spainne, go ttangatar na tigernaidhe si as Eirinn, gur eirigh buaidhirt 7 aineolus fairrgi doibh, a tteacht a ttir a righacht na Fraingce, gne thoirmeisc do chor annsin orra as nar leigedh doip comhghar na sligedh gus in Spainn do gabail, do bithin gur uo heiccen doip denamh ar a gcert-agaidh go Flonndrus go rabhatar ag a iarraidh ar in chorenel teacht i n-a gcomdhail go coicrich na Fraingce, fos paspart 7 barantus in arsdiuc [p. 9] d'fagail

but a few days before, when tbe French King thought they had been landed in Spaia that the King of Spain did wrong to His Majesty to receive them. Notwithstanding, he now made a quite contrary answer, that France was a free country for passengers, and that the Duke of Montpensier, having aheady given his word for their safety, the King could not revoke it" (Cal. St. Pa. (1607)). Again, to Shrewsbury the

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 25

city at that time. He was doing his full best to injure and harm the princes if he could. His efforts were idle and of no avail, for the King gave him no audience or hearing for the space of three days, but went to hunt every day. After that, as he was assured that the lords were in a place which would be secure for them, he said they had gone from his power, and if it chanced that they had not, he would not do any injury to noblemen who would be obhged to leave their paternal inheritance because of their faith and the injustice done to them, and also that all Catholics were free to go without any interference through the kingdom of France. The ambassador sent a gentleman of the Scottish race post- haste to London to announce to the King of England that these nobles landed in France, and that the King did not hinder them to go through France. That gentleman was in Rouen in the hostel in which the ladies were the night before the lords arrived.

XHL When Matha 6g came to Rouen, and when he learned that the order and direction they received was to go to Flanders first, and not to go to Spain direct until they should be in Flanders, he himself went post-haste to Flanders to tell 'O Neill's son, the Colonel of the Irish in Flanders ^ under the power of the King of Spain, that these lords came from Ireland, that they had trouble and lost their way on sea, that they came to land in the kingdom, of France, that they were there hindered so that they were not allowed to take the short journey to Spain, that they were obliged to make straight for Flanders, that they were asking the colonel to come to meet them to the border of France, and also to procure for them a passport and warrant from the Archduke

12th-22nd October: " The English ambassador, wishing Henry [IV.] to stay theni, had for answer, ' France is free.' "

^ 'O Neill's son, Enri, was sent by his father to the Spanish court in 1600, being then aged about fifteen. He studied at Salamanca under Mac Cathmhail, afterwards Archbishop of Armagh, and having become colonel in the Archduke's service, died unmarried.

26 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

chuca coimhinann 7 bul barantus rig Franc go comrac a rigachta badein.

XIV. Dia sathairn do shonnradh tig guibernoir chath- rach Rodhain gusin du a mbatar na mna uaisle. Ro fhogair doibh in gcathraigh d'fagbail gan mhoille in la cetna sin, n5 ternodh tar a n-aiss gusin loing oa ttangatar. Gabhait sen sin 'n-a imsniomh 7 'n-a dhupachus chuca, oir do messatar gur do bithin michinnemhna d'eirghi do na tigernaigibh fuaratar fein in fhogra thul-obann sin. Tre chuis impide 7 onorachuis ro aontaigh in guibernoir doip as a haithle furnaidhe isia gcathraigh gusin luan bul ar a gcionn. Um t[h]rath esparta dia domnaig tigit na tigernaidhi maille re paspart 7 barantus righ Franc go Rodhan.

XV. Bator sa gcathraigh an oidhche sin. Ar n-a mharach tra, in coicedh la deg Octobriss, gluaissit as Rodhan en- marcach deg ar fhichid ar eachraidh, cupla c5iste, tri uaigin^ timchiol da fhichid dia gcoiss. Dodheachaidh guibernoir Chilbuf 7 moran do dhaoinibh uaissle in baile dia ttiodhlacadh sealat on gcathraigh. Gapsat a gced ag in nguibernoir. Glacait barantus rig Franc uaidh. Tucsat do mar loc a sligedh, ge gur thaissealbh a aingidheacht 7 a dhroich- inntinn roimhe sin d5ip, timchiol da fhichid eiccin tunna saloinn bui sa loing ar a ttangatar.

XVI. Ba haoibhinn examail faircsin chathrach Rodhain don iforadh-chnoc ard oiregdha i n-a ndernsat na m.aithe si ceilibhradh dieroile. Ba hadpal a mett 7 fairsinge na cath- rach 'si ro-dhaingen ro-laidir go n-ilimat daoine, go loingesss * linmhair, go gceidhe bo lor feabhus, go ruib^T ro-mhaith cheimniges sechnoin in tire go roich Pairis. Llnmaireacht mhor d'oilenoip ro-aoibhne ar in ruib^V go n-imat flnemna 7 do chrannoip torthacha. An talamh is comthroime [p. 10] 7 ba ferr aittrebugadh 7 ba torthaighi dier thadhaill na hEirinnaig sin go meinic gusin tan sin timchuairt in ruiheir.

XVII. Bui in creidemh catoilce 7 comachta na heguilsi naoimhe go ro-oirrderc ro-laidir a Rodhan. Bator tri tem-

* Read loingis.

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 27

the same as the warrant of the King of France to the border of his own kingdom.

XIV. On Saturday^ the governor of the city of Rouen came to the place where t^e ladies were. He ordered them to leave the city without delay that same day, or else to return to the ship from which they came. They received that order with concern and grief, because they thought it was by reason of misfortune happening to the lords that they themselves got this sudden command. Because of their request and to honour them, the governor consented afterwards that they might remain in the city until the following Monday. At the time of vespers on Sunday the lords came to Rouen with the passport and warrant of the King of France.

XV. They remained in the city that night. On the next day, the fifteenth of October, they left Rouen with thirty-one on horseback, two coaches, three waggons, and about forty on foot. The governor of Quilleboeuf and many of the gentry of the town came to conduct them a distance from the city. They took their leave of the governor. They received the warrant of the King of France from him. To pay their way they gave him about forty tons of salt which was in the ship in which they came, although he had shown his unkindliness and his ill-feeling before that to them.

XVI. Beautiful and varied was the view of the city of Rouen from the high commanding eminence where these nobles bade farewell to one another. Great was the size and extent of the city, fortified and strong, having very many people, with extensive shipping, an excellent quay, and a very good river which extends across the country to Paris. There were m,any very beautiful islands in the river having much vines and fruitful trees. Around the river there was the levellest, the best inhabited, and most fruitful land that these Irish had ever traversed till then.

XVII. The Catholic Faith and power of the Church was conspicuous and strong in Rouen. There were thirty-three

^ Saturday. October 13th.

28 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

paill deg ar fhichit do themploib porraiste sa gcathraigh 7 coimhthinoil cheithre mainistrech ndeg d'ordoip riaghalta gusin status is on5raighe chostusaigi a fformhor na cristaigh- echtae.

XVHL lar ngabail laimhe ar imtheacht do na maithib si bator tra seacht leige o Rodhan an oidhche sin a uillage beg dar comhainm Labourshuire. Ag fagbail Rodhain doibh tarla gne sheachrain 7 aineoluis eidir Aodh 6g O Neill, mac Briain mheic Airt, 7 in chuideachta. Fillis 0 Neill (Maig- bhethadh) go Rodhan a n-iermhoracht mheic Briain. Tarla mac Briain don chuidechta. ler tternodh do Maigbhethadh 0 Rodhan lenuiss slicht-lorcc marcshlaighi oile ro fhagoib Rodhan. Ni tharla dia muinntir badein e go rangatar Arass.

XIX. Ba nemhonorach in t-6sta fuaratar na maithe sin isin mbaile mbeg ndeire5il adupramar, ge tharla gur u6 sgiemhach torthach aoibinn in talomh ro thaistilset otha Rodhan gusin du sin. An baile beg a nglionn ro-aoibhinn ar abhainn roi-dheiss. A moch-shoillsi na maitne ar n-a mharach as sin doip tri leige go baile dar comhainm Nueuochattel. Oirissit ann gor eistset aiffrenn * onorach canntaireachta 7 organ go ndernsat a medhon laoi. Gluaisit in la cetna gusin m,baili dier comhainm Oumalle, coig leige. An diuc dier uo selb in baile sin, bui in tan sin ar innarbadh 7 deoraidheacht o righ Frangc a fFlonndrus a ffochair an arsdiuc. Ro bui a uile chlos 7 tighernus dia thdgbail chuige go Flonndrwj-. Leigit as sin iad an oidhche sin gusin mbaili dar comhainm Poeise, coic leige. Ge go rangatar deoigh [p. ill 7 ier n5in laoi in baile sin, fuaratar betha imqubaidh 7 ait chumhsanta ba cosmail. Ata caisslen daingen go mbardaibh laidire 6 rig Franc sa mbaili chetna sin. Nir uo imxhien in shg^ in la sin, acht ba cnocaighi ghairbhe riasganta nemhthorthaighe i oldait na sligthe oile.

* MS. ai^rinn.

1 La Boissiere is situated about 25 kilometres in a nortli- westerly direction from Rouen in the department of Seine Inferieure.

* Neufchatel lies in the department of Seine Inferieure, about 40 miles north-west of Rouen.

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 29

parish churches in the city, and communities of fourteen monasteries of religious orders, with the m,ost splendid and costly town hall in the greater part of Christendom.

XVHL These nobles, having set about departing, were seven leagues from Rouen that night, in a sm,all village called La Boissiere.^ As they were leaving Rouen, Aodh 6g 'O Neill, the son of Brian, son of Art, separated from the com- pany and lost his way. Maigbhethadh 'O Neill returned to Rouen to search for him. Brian's son came in with the com- pany. When Alaigbhethadh returned from_ Rouen he fol- lowed the track of another mounted party which had left Rouen. He did not meet his own party till they reached Arras. XIX. It was an humble hostel these princes got in the poor little town we have mentioned, although it happened that the land they had traversed from Rouen to that place was fair, fruitful, and delightful. The little town was in a very beautiful glen on a pretty river. Early in the morning on the following day they proceeded three leagues from there to a town called Neufchatel.^ They remained there until they heard High Mass with singing and music, and until they partook of dinner. They advanced the same day five leagues to the town called Aumale.^ The Duke who owned that town was then in exile, and banished by the King of France to Flanders, and was with the Archduke. All his rent and claims were being taken to him in Flanders. They pro- ceeded five leagues from there that night to the town called Poix.^ Though they reached that town late in the evening, they got suitable accommodation and a convenient place to rest. The King of France has a firm castle with strong de- fences in that same town. The journey was not long on that day, but it was more hilly, rougher, m,ore m,arshy than on the other days, and the country more barren

' Ai^male is to the east of Neufchatel, lying in the department of Seine Infc^rieure and close to the border of that of Somme.

* Poix, a town in the department of Somme, about twenty miles south-west of Amiens

30 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

XX. Ar n-a mharach d5ib go piimh-chathraigh oiregdha oirrdirc sa fFrainc dai comhiinm Amiaunce .i. aird-gepta cosnamha na FraiDgce, se leige bhega. Do congbhadh sealat a ndorus na cathrach iad go rochtain direxioin o guibernoir in baile chuca. Eirgit asteach as a haithle. ler ndenomh a medhdin laei dochotor go tempol ro-breghdha ro-dheal- raigtheach dar comainm tempall Muire. Taisselbthor tra doib cenn Eoin Baptaist. E a ngloine cristail soilleir sofhaircsena do na huilip do bhiadh dia lathoir go n-ilimat fert 7 mirbal. Cruinn-chathoir dhess dhaingen in baili sin chom a ttic ruib^V on fhairrge ar a ttathaigit baid gusin nabaili re socomhal 7 comfhorta^:/?^ na fairrge. Ata in luiher cetna sin ier n-a chomhtharraing 7 ier na chomhroinn a ndibh rannoip deg seachnoin na cathrach, go riachtanus a les droichet ar gach bengan fo leith dip. Ier tternodh tar aiss o thempuU Muire doib gabhait a post-eachraidh nar uo hole. Leiccit go gepta Flonndruiss iad. Ar in taep astigh do ballaigip na cathrach adchid port ro-dhaingen ba lor laidire ag lucht na cathrach dia thogbail go n-iliomat lochta saothair 7 oibre. Ar in taobh amoig do na ballaigip taispentar doib na treinn- sighe talman 7 na daingnidhe dichra doronadh la rig Franc in tan bui siege no forbaissi aige ar Amens, a n-aimsir a beith a seilb rig na Spainne, ier n-a gabail go glic uass(2z7-inntlech- tach roimhe sin re tri cuidechtoib Eirenncha.

XXI. As sin doib coic leige go bilaiste beg dar comhainm Pountau. Ba nemhshasta batar an oidhche sin. Mar dorala a n-imfhoixe chonuaic na Fraingce 7 Flonndruiss iad, ni mor nach roibhe [p. 12] gne imfhaitchis ar dhroing aca. Tugsat ar fhormh5r a ndaoine beith suas i n-a n-armaibh ag forchoimet doib an oidhche sin, 7 ge tharla go rapatar go lor a dhaingne as focal 7 as ondir righ Frangc, ni lughaide-sa-chach ro- imeglaighset mar do chonnarcatar drem da ndaoinibh ro gap aitherrach sligedh ag toigeacht go hAmens, trup mor marc-

^ The Somme.

2 Amiens was captured by the Spanish in 1597, and retaken after a

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 31

XX. They went the next day to an important famous city in France named Amiens, the gate of defence of France, 3. distance of six short leagues. They were detained for a time at the gate of the city till they got directions from the governor of the place. They entered afterwards. After dinner they went to a beautiful gorgeous church called the Church of Mary. The head of John the Baptist was shown to them. It was in a glass of crystal, evident and visible to whomsoever would be present, with many wonders and miracles. A pretty, strong, round city was that town ; to it a river -^ comes from the sea, on which boats travel to the town with ease and the help of the tide. That same river is brought and divided in twelve divisions throughout the city, with the necessary bridges over each branch of them. When they came back from the Church of Mary, they took their good post-horses. They proceeded to the Flanders gate. Inside the walls of the city they saw a very strong fort of great strength being built by the people of the city, with many labourers and workmen. Outside the walls there were pointed out to them the trenches and the strong fortresses which were made by the King of France when Amiens was besieged^ by him at the time it was in possession of the King of Spain, being taken previously with skill and ability by three Irish companies.

XXL They proceeded from thence five leagues to a small village called Contay.^ They were uncomfortable that night. As they approached the frontier of France and Flanders some of them were somewhat afraid. They obliged the most of their people to remain up in arms watching for them that night, and although the pledges by word and honour of the King of France were sufficient, nevertheless they were afraid when thev saw some of their own party who took a different road coming

protracted siege by Henry IV., King of France, on the 25th of September in the same year.

^ Contay is situated to the north-west of Amiens, on the road be- tween that city and Arras. The initial in the Irish form is an error.

32 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

shlaighi go n-eachraidh ro-mhaith go n-eidigip plata go pistaloibh.

XXn. A moch-dheghoil na maitne ar n-a mharach eirgit a n-ordug^<^h a gcossanta da leige as sin go coicrich Flonn- druiss 7 na Fraingci. Comhnaigh.it ann began aimsire. As a haithle leigit go hAras iad seacht leige. Ni mor nach roibhe gne d'imegla * na sligedh orra uidhe in laithe sin d'airigthe. Ar ndol asteach sa prlm-chathroigh sin doip timchiol mhedoin laoi in t-ochtmadh la deg Octobris dognit oirissemh 7 com- naidhe gusin luan bui ar a gcionn. Magbethadh ro sgar riu ag fagbail Rodhain iuaratar rompa sa gcathraigh sin e, ge gur mhessatar go m5r go madh baoglach in slig^ do. An guiber- noir bui o righ na Spainne sa mbaili, glacuiss fein 7 maithe na cathrach na tigernaidhe si chuca go subhailceach onorach- Ticit ar cuairt dia saigidh go mbangced maith 7 go fflntoibh. Cuirit athair onorach maille re coistigip taitnemhacha dia ttreofugadh gusna primh-eguilsib oirrderca batar sa gcath- raigh. Taispentar ilimat do religiassoibh ro-naomhtha mor- loigigheachta doibh ar a mbui rann-chuid mhor don chroich chesta, cenn S. San Sem, cuid d'folt Muire Madalen, cupa as ar ibh in Slanaigtheoir fein deoch in tan bui a gcolainn daonna ar in saogal, go n-imat dl-airmhe oile. Ticis Eogan Mag Mhathgamhna, in doctuir, i n-a gcomhairrchiss o Doua gus in du sin.

XXHL Primh-chathoir oirrderc oireghdha in chathair si SI ro-dhaingen laidir daoineachoir degh-fhoirgenta ni is moo dheissi no Amens, acht gan ruiber ar a comghar [p. 13]. Statuss onorach a gcert-mhedhon na cathrach ar a mblonn garda laidir do gnath-muinntir in baile fein go sirraidhe. Garda oile do shaighdiuirip in righ ag geptaigip in baile

* d and orra added later in different ink.

1 Arras now lies in French, territory in the department of Pas de Calais. It was the scene of a memorable defence by Eoghan Ruadh. 'O N^illin 1640.

2 'Eighteenth. The day of the week was Thursday.

* See ch. xviii. supra.

* Eoghan Mag Mathghamhna. " Owen M'lvor M'Mahon, one of

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 33

to Amiens, a large troop on horseback with good horses, coats of armour, and pistols.

XXn. Early on the morning of the next day they went, arranged ready for defence, two leagues from there to the boundary of Flanders and France. They rested there for a short time. Afterwards they proceeded seven leagues to Arras. ^ They were somewhat afraid of the road, especially of the journey of that day. Having entered that chief city about midday on the eighteenth ^ of October, they remained and rested until the next Monday. They found INIaig- bheathadh, who separated from them leaving Rouen,^ in that city, though they strongly believed that the road would be dangerous for him. The governor himself, whom the King of Spain had appointed in the town, and the chief men of the city received these lords with kindliness and respect. They came to visit them, and held a splendid banquet with wines. They sent a reverend father with beautiful coaches to direct them to the famous churches which were in the city. Many holy precious relics were shown to them, including a large portion of the Cross of the Crucifixion, the head of St. James, portion of the hair of Mary Magdalen, a cup out of which the Saviour Himself took a drink when He was in human flesh in the world, and numerous other things. Doctor Eoghan Mag Mathgamhna"* came to meet them from Douai to that place.

XXHL A famous important city this was, strongly forti- fied, firm, extensive, well-built, greater arid more beautiful than Amiens, but with no river near it. There was a splendid town hall in the middle of the city having a strong guard of the people of the town continually. There was another

the sons of Ivor M'Collo, who is farmer to my lord of Essex in the Ferny, is designed bishop of Cloglier, but is now in Germany," Davys to Salis- bury, November 12th, 1606. He was transferred to Dublin on the death of Matthew de Oviedo, on the 2nd of May, 1611. He died on the con- tinent in 1623. He is sometimes called Eugene Matthews, or Eugenius Matthaeus. Meehan, op. cit. 83, inadvertently states that he met the travellers at Douai.

VOL. II. C

34 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

d'oidche 7 do 16. Cuirt ro-mhor 7 tempol Muire. Cathair ard-easpoig na prouensi gusin reilic is ferr 7 is onoraighe a iformhdr na crlstaigheachtae ar in taep amoigh do ballaigibh na cathrach. Isin egluiss Muire sin ro thuit do nemh primh- lochrann lassamail ciera. Do ratsat lucht aittreptha na cathrach fodera sepel onorach do thogbail ar in taop astigh do na ballaighip fo chomhair in lochrainn naemtha sin d'imfhaitchess namat dia rochtain. Da ched bhadain imlan ar adhnadh 7 ar comhlasadh don lochrann d'oidhche 7 do 15, ni ro caithedh tra en-lethordlach amhain de frissin re sin. Feacht n-aon ticc aroile banscal airigthe do dhenomh urnaigthe gusin altoir ar a mbui in lochrann. Ro ingantaig go mor mett mirbal 7 grassa in lochrainn. Ro fholair in rahi-cheinneamain fuirre ar go ffessadh cred in mital dairigthe dia mbui in loch- rann. Amhoil fuair in seipel go huaigneach 7 lucht coimhetta an lochrainn seachnoin na cathrach teid ar amus in lochrainn, glacuiss dia lamhoip e, benuis screapall beg don chiaraigh de. Gabuis tra in lochrann ag comhlassadh 7 in cheir ag tionadh 7 ag legadh. Bidgaiss in ben ier n-a fhaixin sin. Ba haithmhe- lach imnair le a ndoroine. Ar ndol amach assin reccless teacmhait lucht coimhetta in lochrainn di. Ba machtnadh dermhair leo mir fuarator in l5chrann dia chomhchaithemh. Oirrdercaigther in seel fon gcathraigh. Comhchruinnigit clier 7 meic eguilsi in baile 'mun aird-easpog. Cuirit a gceist 7 a n-ingantus dermhair mar do eirigh don lochrann. Innissit lucht a choimhetta gur fhagoibset i n-a aignedh badein e ag dol fon gcathraigh doib, gan duine saegalta i n-a fhochair acht in banscal remraite, ar ttegmhail na mna doip ar a ttoigeacht astegh san egluiss, go ffuaratar in lochrann [p. 14] ag tinadh 7 ag leghadh 7 ar n-athrugadh a staide. Du-s-radadh in macaomh mna do lathoir. Doronadh tra examen 7 scrudadh ger uirre. Ro adoimh a ffiadhnidssi De 7 na heguilsi naoimhe gur ben screapal beg don lochrann. Du-s-rad a coibhsena as a haithle. Comhairligit an chlier ieromh an lochrann do mhuchadh 7 a chomhdach go sirraidhe a fforaithmhet a mor- mhirbhal. Adhantor 7 soillsigther a primh-fhestoibh uaisle e

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 35

guard of the King's soldiers at the gates of the town by night and by day. There was a great court there and a church dedicated to Mary. There was, besides, the seat of the arch- bishop of the province, with the best and most splendid cemetery in the greater part of Christendom outside the walls of the city. In that church of the Blessed Virgin a bright waxen torch fell from heaven. The inhabitants of the city caused a splendid chapel to be built inside the walls for that holy torch lest enemies should reach it. The torch was lighted and shining for two hundred full years by night and day, but not even one half-inch of it was wasted during that time. Once a certain woman came to pray to the altar on which the torch was. She marvelled much at the great- ness of the miracles and the graces of it. Misfortune drove her to find out what particular substance it was made of. When she found the chapel bereft of people, and the guardians of the torch gone throughout the city, she went to the torch, touched it with her hands, and broke off a little piece of the wax of it. The torch commenced to flame, and the wax to waste and to melt. The woman got frightened seeing that. She regretted and was ashamed of what she had done. The guardians of the torch met her when she left the sanctuary. They were very much surprised when they found the torch wasting away. The news of the event was spread through the city. The clergy and ecclesiastics of the town gathered with the archbishop, and they were very much troubled and surprised concerning what happened to the torch. The guardians said they had left it in its usual state when they were going to the city, with no one near it except the afore- said woman, and that, after meeting the woman as they en- tered the church they found the torch wasting and melting and in a different state. The woman was brought before them, and a scrutiny and strict examination of her took place. She admitted in presence of God and the Holy Church that she broke a small piece off the torch. She made her confession afterwards. The clergy advised that the torch should be

36 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

Mairidh foss ag denomh fert 7 mirbal, na milte do dhaoinibh ag toigheacht chuicce 7 uaidh dia n-oilithre d'adhradh 7 d'ettorguide naemhMuire oighe n-a fiadhnuissi. Fuaratar na maithe si a thaispenadh.

XXIV. Dia luain in t-aonmadh la fichet don mhi chettna ceilibrait do lucht na cathrach. Eirghit coic leicce oile go cathraigh oirrdirc dar comhainm Doua. Gapsat muinnter na cathrach go ro-onorach chuca iad. Toirhngit ag colaiste Eirennach bui ar costus righ na Spainne sa mbaile. Doghnit fein oirissemh sa gcolaiste. Leicit forgla a lochta coimhiteachtae fon gcathraigh. Bator i n-a gcomnaidhe gusin aoine bui ar a gcionn. Beiriss orra as Flonndrus an t-athair onorach FlaithrT O Maelconaire, prouincial uird minuir S; Pronseiss a nEirinn 7 in doctuir Roibert Mac Artuir. Rissin re aimsire si gabsat ag siobal ar cholaistibh na cathrach. Glacait coimhthinoil na gcolaistidhe chuca go ro-onorach subhailcech iad mailli re uersaidhip 7 oraidip laitne gregissi 7 berla do denam doip. Ro chomhairimh aon don chuideachta a gcolaiste na iesuuit began d'uiresbaidh ar da chett deg a n-en- cholaiste amhain.

XXV. Primh-chathoir chomhfhairsing neimhsciamhach teghdhuisidhi inaid foirgenta Doua acht amhain na colaistidhe. Ruiber ar a tticcit bait on ffairrge ar n-a chomhroinn ar do

^ Douai is now in French territory, and lies in the department of the Nord.

2 The Irish College was founded in 1594 by Father Christopher Cusacke, S.J., a native of the County Meath (Hogan, Distinguished Irishmen of 16th Century, 4).

3 Flaithri 'O Maelconaire, the ' Father Florence ' of the State Papers, was born in 1560, and belonged to the learned family of 'O Maelconaire so well known to students of Irish. He stvidied at Lovivain and Spain. He returned to Ireland in 1584, became a Franciscan, and left again for Spain. He sailed with the Armada, and is supposed to have been wrecked on the coast of Scotland. Subsequently he joined Del AguHa's expedition in 1601, and accompanied Aod Eiaadh from Ireland a few days after the rout at Kinsale. He attended that prince in his last hours. Later he came to Flanders and, joining the fugitives, proceeded to Rome, where he was consecrated Archbishop of Tuam in 1609 (30th March). 'O Maelconaire founded the Franciscan house at Louvain, to which Ireland owes so much. He never revisited Ireland, but his in-

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 37

quenched and covered for ever to commemorate its miracles. It is lighted and shines on great principal feasts. It still con- tinues to work wonders and miracles, thousands of people coming to it and from it in pilgrimage to venerate and im- plore the Holy Virgin Mary in its presence. It was shown to these nobles.

XXIV. On Monday, the twenty-first of the same month, they bade farewell to the people of the city. They proceeded five more leagues to a famous city called Douai,^ The people there received them with great respect. They alighted at the Irish College- which was supported by the King of Spain in the town. They themselves stayed in the College, and they sent the better part of those with them through the city. They remained there until the following Friday. The reverend father, Flaithri O Maolconaire,^ Irish Provincial of the Friars Minor, and Doctor Robert Mac Arthur"* met them here, having come from Flanders. During this time they went walking through the colleges of the city. Assemblies of the colleges received them kindly and with respect, delivering in their honour verses and speeches in Latin, Greek, and English. One of the company counted in the Jesuit College, a little less than twelve hundred belonging to a single college XXV. Douai is an extensive city with unsightly houses [and] buildings, except for the colleges.^ There is a river ^

dustry and care for religion in his native country never abated. He died on the 16th November, 1629, and his remains after twenty-five years were transferred from Madrid to Louvain.

* " One Robert M' Arthur, a Jesuit, is now in England in the habife of a captain, and doth from thence advertise the Earls of all occurrences. This man was some five years since sent into Spain from the Earl of Tyrone, and now carries some other name." Information of Sir Neale O'Donnell, 7th August, 1606.

* In connection with the University of Douai, fovmded in 1562, an English College was opened in 1568, and in the same year another was founded by two monks of Anchin and handed over to the Jesuits. See Catholic Encyclopedia, art. Douai.

^ River. The Scarpe, on which Douai is situated, joias the Scheldt above Tournai.

38 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

thrithe. Ge tharla gur do na seacht ttlribh deg prouens Artoes 7 prouens Flonndruiss an ruiber sin amhain eidir- dealaiges etorra. Ba torthach aoibhinn go n-imat m.essa 7 cruithnechta 7 deghthoradh [p. 15] go gcoilltib roi-dhessa in prouensi sin Artoes.

XXVL Dia haoine in seissedh la fichet don mi so gluaissit na maithe si go cathraigh oirrdirc oile dar comhainm Turnuie secht leige o Dhoua. Fuirighit do bithin deighenaigh laoi do beith aca a ndorp ar in sligidh. tri leige 6 Thurnae. BuT ar in sligidh rompa fert 7 adhnacal naoimh Eirennaigh, Sanct Linard a ainm, Dogni Dia imat mirbal trid. Ar n-a mharach gusin gcathraigh doip. AdchTd a ndoras na cath- rach tor comhdhaingen cloch conrotacht la luil Sessair in tan bui sige n5 forbhaissi aige fon gcathraigh a n-inbaidh chocaidh chatharrdha na Romhanach. Annas o a bharr teighther asteach air, oir ni fhuil doras ar doman air. Ro cosnadh tra la lucht a hinotachta an gcathraig * go seitreach sonairt a gcert-agaidh luil Sesair 7 an tsenaidh Romhanaigh an tan sin. Ata a gcroinicil 7 a fforaithmhet ag lucht a haittreptha nar gabadh 7 nar togladh riem go haimhdeonach i.

XXVn. Glacuit lucht na cathrach na maithe si chuca go ro-onorach airmhitneach. Cuirit c5istidhe dia saighidh as go gceimnigdiss sechnoin na cathrach d'faixin a heguilsi 7 a daingnig co n-a hingantus go huilidhe. Tieghait as a haithle ar cuairt go haird-easpog na cathrach. Ru-s-taispein e fein go supailceach ilghairdeach doib. Oirissit tra gussin luan bui ar a gcinn annsin.

XXVHL Ruiber ro-aoibhinn ar n-a chomhroinn^ a ttrip

* The ace. case for the nom. in archaic style.

^ Artois, an ancient province of tlae Netherlands, now forming part of France and included in. the department of Pas de Calais. It derived its name from the ancient tribe of the Atrebates.

- The seventeen provinces of the Netherlands, as organised by Charles V., father of Philip II., were the duchies of Brabant, Gelderland, Limbourg and Luxemburg, the counties of Flanders, Artois, Hainault, Holland, Zeeland, Namur, and Zutphen, the margraviate of Antwerp, and the Ave lordships of Triesland, Mechlin, Utrecht, Overyssel and Groningen.

3 Father Meehan remarks that this is a mistake," for the saint was

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 39

divided in two through it, on which boats come from the sea. Although Artois^ and Flanders were am.ong the seventeen provinces,^ nothing except the river divides them. This province of Artois is rich and beautiful with much mast and wheat and good fruits, and very pretty woods.

XXVL On Friday, the twenty-sixth of this month, these princes went on towards another great city called Tournai, seven leagues from Douai. They stopped because it was late in the day at a village on the road three leagues from Tournai. On the road before them was the tomb and burial place of an Irish saint, ^ Saint Linard was his name. God performs many miracles through him. And the next day they went to the city. They saw at the gate of the city a strong stone tower which was built by Julius Caesar when the city was besieged by him in the time of the Roman civil war.* It is entered from the top, for it has no door at all. The city was defended by the inhabitants with strength and power against Julius Caesar and the Roman Senate at that time. It is chronicled and commemorated by its inhabitants that it was never taken or stormed by violence.

XXVII. The people of the city received these nobles with honour and respect. They sent coaches to them so that they might go through the city to see its church and its fortress and all its wonders. They went afterwards on a visit to the archbishop of the city. He showed himself kindly and well-dis- posed towards them. They remained there till the next Monday.

XXVIII. There is a very beautiful river^ divided in three parts through the city, with three well-made bridges in posi- tion, and the city itself is remarkable and ancient with nice

not Irish, but a Frank of the Court of Clovis I. The hamlet in which he reposes is called Rache, anciently frequented by pilgrims. Martin, Histoire des Saints de la province de Lille," op. cit. 84.

* Civil war. The Roman civU war did not take place until after Caesar's campaigns in Gaul, 58-50, nor was Northern Gaul the scene of any of Caesar's exploits in the war with Pompey or his party, 49-46 B.C. Tournai lies in the territory of the ancient Nervii, and we have here probably a reminiscence of their vigorous resistance in 57 and 54 B.C.

^ Eiver. Tournai is built on the Scheldt, the ancient Scaldis.

40 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

rannoibh go ttri ndroichetoibh deig-dhenmhacha ar n-a gcomhshuidhiugadh triasan gcathraigh, si fein i n-a prlmh- chathraigh oirrdirc arsanta go sen-teghdhuisip dessa degh- fhoirgenta, go n-imat slius chomhfhostus 7 imtheilges in t-uisce mar is lainn 7 mar is toltanach re lucht na cathrach. Caisslen laidir lan-daingen ag a ffuil cennus 7 uachtaranacht ar in gcathraigh uile ag righ na Spainne sa mbaili gusin ruiber ar n-a chomhtharraing 'n-a mhoirthimchioll * [p. 16]. Mile saighdiuir, go siorraidhe co n-a n-uile riachtanus aiess ordanaiss mhoir 7 munisioin ar doman, ag bardacht 7 ag forchoimhett in chaisslein. Reigless onorach astigh aca ar imfhaitchess go mbiadh comhthathaighi etorra amne 7 lucht na cathrach. Mar do batar tra sligthe salchae 7 ard-bhothair imchomhga aimhreidhe 5 Doua go Turnse, ni hinnill rug fer a scrlptha 7 a fhaisneissi so mess n5 brethnughadh ar in region 7 ar in talmhain moir-thimchiol in prmh-roitt.

XXIX. Dia luain an t-ochtmadh la fichet don mi chetna ceimnigit assin gcathraigh sin. Bator tra a mbaili bheag dhess dhaingen, Aat a ainm,t seacht leige 5n gcathraigh remhraite. Tig guibern5ir in baili tar ballaighip am^ach i n-a gcomdhail 7 dia nglacadh chuicce go honorach airmhitneach. Do- dheachaidh badein a persain dia ttreorugudh go a ttighthibh osta. Comhscaoilter uile ordanass in baile mar onorachus 7 mar shupailcibh a ttoigeachtae. Tig fein go maithip an bhaile dia n-aithreoss as a haithle. Taissealbhuiss a shupailche CO n-a dheig-inntinn doip. San mbaili sin tra dorala Caip- tln Seon Blint a ngairessun. Bui go hailghen cennsa for- ffaoilidh rompa san.

XXX. Ar n-a mharach dhoip seacht leige 0 Aat go Noutre

* Here we have a scribal entry : Tadhg O Cienain do scribh isan Roinih 1609, TixcUig O Cianain wrote [this] in Eonie, 1609.

t MS. Aat ainni.

^ Ath, like Toixrnai, lies in the modern province of Hainaiilt.

- Touriiai. Literally " from the aforesaid city."

^ Halle lies in the province of Sovith Brabant, near the field of Waterloo.

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 41

well-built old houses, and with many sluices which stop and direct the water wherever the people of the city please or desire. The King of Spain has a strong, fully-defended castle in the town, commanding and having power over the whole city, and the river is drawn around it. There are a thousand soldiers always guarding and watching the castle with every- thing they require of great ordnance and ammunition. They have a splendid church inside that there may be no communi- cation between them and the people of the city. As the roads from Douai to Tournai were dirty, and the highways narrow and uneven, the writer and narrator of this could not easily note or observe the country or the land along the route.

XXIX. On Monday [recU Sunday], the twenty-eighth of the same month, they left that city. They came to a small town, pretty and fortified, which was called Ath,-"" seven leagues from Tournai.2 The governor of the town came outside the walls to meet them and to receive them with respect and honour. He himself in person came to direct them to their hostels. All the ordnance of the place was fired at once to do honour and show pleasure at their coming. The governor himself and the principal men came afterwards to visit them, and he showed them kindness and sympathy. Captain John Blint happened to be in garrison in that town, and he was gentle, kind, and pleased at meeting them.

XXX. Next day they went seven leagues from Ath to Notre Dame de Hal.^ On their way they passed through a pretty town which had been formerly in the time of the war ^ in the possession of the King of France. As the rent of it was of no use to the King he accepted fifty thousand pounds from the Duke of Hal for the ownership of the town. It was called Enghien.^ They went that night to Notre Dame. It rained heavily on them throughout the journey.

XXXI. The next day, the thirtieth of October, 'O Neill's

* The war between Henry IV. of France and Philip II. of Spain lasted from January, 1595, until the peace of Vervins, 2nd of May, 1598. ^ Enghien lies nearly midway between Ath and Halle.

42 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

Dam de Hauer. Ar in sligidh rompa gapait tria baile dhess bui ria sunn a seilp rlgh. Franc a n-inbaidh in chocaidh do bheith ann. Mar nach deachaidh cioss an bhaile a ttorbha don righ, gabuis deich mile ar da fichit mile ponnta o dhiuc de Haura ar bith-dilseacht an bhaile. Inginn a ainm. Tiaghait tra an oidche sin go Noutre Dam,. Fleachadh 7 ferthain dermhair aca seachnoin na sligedh.

XXXL Ar n-a mharachtra. 30. Octobriss ticc m.ac Ul Neill, coreneil na nEirinnach, chuca go mbuidhin ndermhaii ndeigh- innill [p. 17] do chaiptinibh, do dhaoinibh uaissle do Spain- neachaibh agas d'Eirinnchaibh 7 do gach nasion archena dia m.bator. Dia sathairn bui ar a gcinn tainic marcues Spinnala, ard-general arm.ala righ na Spainne a fFlonndrus, go n-im.at do dhaoinibh ro-onoracha chuca 0 Bruxel. Dogni forffailte friu. Glacuiss chuicce go honorach iad. Do-rad cuiredh doip chom a medhoin laoi ar n-a mharach a mBruxel. Ro aontaighset chuigi sin. Teid tra in marceiss do shlechtaine go hegluiss Muire bui ar comhghar doip. Gar ier sin adchid secretair in arsadiuc chuca da iarraidh orra bheith a ffochair in arsadiuc in luan bui ar a gcionn a Marim,ount, foraoiss fiadaigh bui ag in arsadiuc naoi leige on mbaili sin. Ar n-a chlos sin don m.arcess gabuis a ched. Leigiss tar a aiss go Bruxeil e. Cuiriss chuca san ar m.aidin dia domhnaigh a riachtanus a less coistidhe 7 eachraidhe as go raghdaoiss go hinnill onorach do lathoir in arsadiuc.

XXXn. Ier n-eisteacht aiffrinn dia dom,naigh in ceth- ramadh la Nouem,briss gluaissit na tigernaidhi a gcdistighip

^ " He ['O N^ill] is shortly expected here, but it is said that he takes the way to pass by Bruges, where his son is remaining, having his regi- ment lodged in these parts," Sir Thomas Edmonds to Salisbury, 14th (24th) October. Our text shows that if 'O N(^ill ever intended passing through Bruges, he must have altered his plans. The information of James Roche, alias Loach, printed by Meehan op. cit. 156 and Cal. St. Pa. (1607) 358, is inaccurate in stating that Colonel Enri met his father at Douai, as well as in several other particulars.

2 Ambrogio, Marquis Spinola, was an Italian nobleman who entered Spanish service in 1602 and distinguished himself at the taking of Ostend (1604) and the relief of Ghent (1605). He was a prominent figure in the military history of the Catholic Netherlands until his death in 1629.

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 43

son, the -Colonel of the Irish [regiment], came to them^ with a large well-equipped company of captains and of noblemen? Spanish and Irish and of every other nation. On the fol- lowing Saturday the Marquis Spinola,^ the commander-in- chief of the King of Spain's army in Flanders, came to them from Brussels with a large number of important people and welcomed them. He received them with honour and gave them an invitation to dinner on the next day in Brussels. They consented. The Marquis went to pray to the church of Mary which was near them, and shortly afterwards they saw the Archduke's secretary coming towards them to ask them to be with the Archduke on the following Monday in Mari- mont,^ a hunting forest which he had nine leagues away from that town. When the Marqais heard that, he took his leave and went back to Brussels. On Sunday morning he sent them all the coaches and horses they needed, that they might be well and suitably provided going before the Archduke.*

XXXII. On Sunday, the fourth of Novem^ber, after having heard Mass, the lords set out in coaches, their nobles and

* Maritnont, the Archduke's sumnier palace, was near Binche, in the province of Hainault.

* On September 30th ( = October 10th) Salisbury despatched a missive to Sir Thomas Edmonds informing him of the flight of the Earls about the 3rd/13th September, and praying him, " when he speaks of these matters, to observe carefully how they are apprehended there [in Brussels], and especially amongst the Irish that are there in service, and to report with the first despatch what he may find of it." Accord- ingly, from the first moment the exiles laid foot on foreign soil their movements were all duly reported to James's ministers. Observe the accuracy and detail of the following : " He [the Archduke's minister, President Richardot] confessed that the Marquis Spinola intended to invite Tyrone to dinner at his coming to this town, only, as he said, in respect of his being a stranger. Tyrone and his whole company remain at Notre Dame de Hal, four leagues hence, where the Marquis Spinola saw him a few days since, going thither to speak with the secretary [of the Archduke], Manciscider, who came from the Court to confer there with the Marquis. Since, the Marquis sent his coach unto Tyrone to take him to the Court at Beins," Edmonds to Salisbury, 28th Oct. /7th Nov.

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a ndaoine uaissle[7] a lucht coimhideachta ar eachroidh. Ran- gatar in la sin go Neeuel coic leige uaidhip, baile dess daingen i n-a nibul gairessun on righ. Guibernoir Spainneach ba huachtaran sa mbaili. Tig co n-a shaigdiuirip * i n-a gcomhdhail. Forffailtighis friu. ler ttoirling ddibh du-s- rad eochracha in baile go hUa Ne[i]ll. Diultaiss O Neill na heochracha. Dorad in guibernoir cuireth doip chom a suipeir an oidche sin. Ni ro aontaighset tra in cuiredh si. Bui in guibernoir a ffochair UiNe[i]ll an oidhche sin. Du-ss- rad lucht ciuil 7 muissice 7 raingce i n-a choimhitecht. A n-inbhaidh chodalta doip cuiriss sarsen m,aiorin baile d'ierroidh focail na faire ar O Ne[i]ll. Tug O Neill buideachus do san. Do ierr air fein an focal do thabairt uaidh mar dobeiredh gach n-oidhche.

XXXHL Gluaissit ar n-a mharach, an guibern5ir dia gcoimhitecht tar torainn in baili. Tiaghait go Bench coic leige uaidibh, airm a mbul in t-arsadiuc. Tic diuc de Suna, in secretari, Don Rodrico, maior dommo [p. 18] in arsadiuc, go gcoistigip maithe 7 go ndaoinibh uaisle onorachae i n-a gcomhairrchiss. Failtighit a n-ainm in arsadiuc friu. Teid in diuc badein issin choiste a mbator. Ar ndol doip don mbaili toirlingit ag palass in maior domm.o. Batar ann sealat mar do bui in la go ffleachadh ndermhair roim,he sin. Ro cuiredh tra a lucht coimhitechta 7 a n-eachradh a n-aitibh comhnaidhe. Tiaghait as a haithle d'fechain seipeil in arsadiuc.

* MS. shaigdinip.

'- Nyvel or Nivelles is situated in the province of South Brabant, 19 miles south of Brussels. A little further south, on the road to Binche^ is Seneffe, where William of Orange was defeated by Conde, 11th August, 1674.

- Philip III., King of Spain.

^ Regarding the particulars of the visit of 'O N^ill and his party to the Archduke, and other matters also, the examination of James Loach, Cal. St. Pa. 358, Meehan 157, is most unreliable. Compare, for instance, the text with this : " He saith that the Archduke, receiving news from Tyrone of his arrival; and coming towards him at Notre Dame, three leagues from Brussels, where they accordingly met, after many compli-

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retinue attending them on horseback. They came that day to Nyvcl/ a distance of five leagues. It was a nice town, well fortified with a garrison of the King.^ The governor was a Spaniard. He came with his soldiers to meet them and welcomed them. When they dism.ounted he offered to give ap the keys of the city to 'O Neill, but he refused to accept them. The governor invited them, to supper that night, but they did not consent to go. The governor stayed with O Neill that evening, and brought musicians and dancers with him. As they were about to retire he sent a sergeant- major to 'O Neill to ask him to give the watch-word. 'O Neill thanked him., but requested him.self to give it as he was accus- tomed to do every other night.

XXXIII. On the next day they started, and were accom- panied by the governor until they had left the town. They went five leagues to Binche, where the Archduke was.^ The Duke of Ossuna, the Secretary,^ and Don Rodrigo,^ the major- domo of the Archduke, came with good coaches and great noblemen to m.eet them, and welcom.ed them, in the Arch- duke's name. The Duke him,self went in the coach in which they drove. When they reached the town, they alighted at the major-domo's palace. They remained there for a time, as the day had previously been very wet. Their attendants and horses were put up, and they went next to see the Archduke's chapel.

merits the Marquis, attended with many gallants, brought him to Brussels, and he entertained him that night." Edmonds to Salisbury, 28th Oct./ 7th Nov., gives the true account. See the passage cited above, p. 43, n.4.

* He is several times referred to by name as Manciscider in the con- temporary pr.pers. His full title was Don Juan de Manciscider. About 1615 there was a report of a proposed marriage of his daughter to Henri 'O Xeill, colonel of the Irish Eegiment, regarding which Turnbul, the English minister at Brussels, wrote that it was high time " some under- hand means were used to prevent the match," Meehan 326.

5 Don Rodrigo de Laiso, a Spanish nobleman who joined the Armada, and, being wrecked off the coast of Belgium, became later the Archduke's chief chamberlain.

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XXXIV. As sin doip gusin palass. Tigiss Infanta ingen righ na Spainne 7 in t-arsadiuc go dorus in palaiss i n-a gcomhdhail. Glacuit chuca go ro-onorach airmitnech for- ffailteach degh-aightheach, raaille re cuirtissighip nndra iad. Beirit leo dia gcodal-tigh iad. Batar sealat ag comradh * 7 ag coimhfhierfaighe sgeul dieroile, Gabhait a gced. Eirgit fein 7 diuc de Sana 7 diuc de Oumal 7 moran do dhaoinibh uaissle oirrderca oile do denomh a medhoin laoi. Gluaissit as a haithle, coistidhe 7 aitherrach eachraidhe 5' n-alteiss leo, go mbatar tar a n-ais an oidhche sin a Neeuel. Ni nem- onoraighi-sa-chach fuaratar an oidhche sin oldass an ched- oidhque.

XXXV. Ar n-a mharach tra doibh go Noutre Dam. Oirissit ann an oidhche sin. A rnoch-dheghoil na raaitne leigit go Bruxel iat tri leige. Ticc corenel Francisco go linrnhairecht do chaiptmip Spainneacha agus Eadailleacha, Eirennacha 7 Flonndrusacha, i n-a gcomdhail am,ach assin gcathraigh. Gluaissit uile tria shraidip oireghdha in baile go rangatar dorass palaiss in marceiss. Tainic in marceiss fein 7 nunsiuss in papa 7 ambasadoir rlgh na Spainni 7 diuc de Suna dia nglacadh as a gcoistighip. ler fforffailtiugadh re aroile go linrahar doip tiaghait assa haithle ar halla in marceiss. Bator sealat ag briathar-chomradh re aroile. Eirghit 'n-a dheaghaidh gusin tteghduis i n-a ngnathaigedh in marceiss a chuid do chaitheamh. An marceiss badein ba he ro shuidigh each. Cuiriss O Neill [p. 19] i n-a shuidhe i n-a ionadh fein a gcert-edan in buird, nunsius in papa dia laimh dheiss, ierla Tire Conaill dia laimh chli, clann Ul Neill 7 Maguidir sioss on ierla^ ambasadoir righ na Spainne 7 diuc de Umaar ar in taop oile sToss on nunsius. Coimhlin in buird do dhaoinip uaissle oirmhitnecha onoracha cenmotha sin, an marceiss badein 7 diuc de Suna ag fir-chionn in buird as comhair Ul Neill. Ba lor a onoraighi 7 a ro-chostusaighi ar bith, dia madh

* MS. had. choynraidh at first, but the correction was niade later in different ink.

^ alteis, from the French altesse.

2 Guido Bentivoglio (1579-1644), Cardinal and, Archbishop of Rhodes and Palestrina, was appointed Papal Nuncio to Flanders on June 1st

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XXXIV. They went next to the Palace. The Infanta, the King of Spain's daughter, and the Archduke came to the door of the Palace to meet them. They received them with honour and respect, with welcome and kindliness, and showed them great courtesy. They brought them to their own pri- vate apartments. They spent a while in conversation and ques- tioning one another. Afterwards they took their leave. They [the Irish] and the Duke of Ossuna, the Duke of Aumale, and m,any other illustrious noblemen went to dinner. They set out afterwards, taking coaches and a change of horses from their Highne'^s ^ with them, and returned that night to Nyvel. They were treated with as much honour that night as the first night [they spent there].

XXXV. The next day they proceeded to Notre Dame de Hal, and stopped there that night. Early the next morning they went to Brussels, three leagues' journey. Colonel Fran- cisco, with many Spanish, Italian, Irish, and Flemish captains, came out of the city to meet them. They advanced through the principal streets of the town to the door ot the Marquis's palace. The Marquis himself, the Papal Nuncio,- the Spanish Ambassador, and the Duke of Ossuna came to take them from their coaches. When greetings had been exchanged in abun- dance, they entered the hall of the Marquis and spent some time in conversation. Afterwards they entered the apart- ment where the Marquis was accustomed to take food. He himself arranged each one in his place, seating 'O Neill in his own place at the head of the table, the Papal Nuncio to his right, the Earl of Tyrconnell to his left, O Neill's children and Maguidhir next the Earl, and the Spanish ambassador and the Duke of Aumale on the other side, below the Nuncio. The rest of the illustrious, respected nobles at table, the Marquis himself, and the Duke of Ossuna, were at the end of the table opposite 'O Neill. The excellent dinner which they partook

1607. He was the author of a number of valuable works, including a history of the wars in Flanders.

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ri no-biadh ann, lain-fheabhus in medhoin laoi doronsat. Nir uo messa-sa-chach in bangced. Do taispenadh plata oir 7 airgit astighnar uo himnair do righ no prinnsa sa crlstaighecht do bheith aige. Bator sealat ag conuersait 7 ag aines bhriathar. Gabhait a gcet maille re buidhechus do thabairt dia cheile. Leigit tar aiss an oidhche sin go Noutre Dam iad.

XXXVL Baile beg edaingen edluith in baile sin, acht chena nir toghladh 7 nir gapadh go haimhdeonach, riamh re naimhdib e. Ni do nert lamh n5 do Hnmhairecht sochraide n5 do daingne ballaidhi dorala sin, acht fiodhair 7 pictuir 7 dealbh Muire nalrbhailighi at a a n-egluiss Muire sa mbaili doghni ilimat fert 7 mirbal chom a ttigit ilmjlte do na regi5n- oibh comhfhoixe dia n-oilithre d'adhradh 7 d'edorguidhe naemh-Muire oighe. Feacht n-aon ro chuir Grarauiriss 7 scristoiridhe na heguilsi catoilce leiger ar in mpaile sin. Na canoin riaghalta gusin ordanass mor ro sgaoiltidhe friss. Is amhloidh t5gaibhthe do na naimhdip bean uassal go n-edaigip gle-glana, naipicin gleigeal in-a dess-laimh si n-a sessomh ar in rnballa i n-a ffrithchetfaidh. Ro-ss-gap issin naipicin ina huile peileir ru-s-caithedli frissin rnbaili gan curahsgugadh cloch gan brissedh balla gan marbadh duine. Ro leigedh. sloss go cennuiss ailghen ar in t^p astigh don bhalla na peileir ar in talmhain assin naipicin. Mairit f5ss go marthanach, issin reiccless a fforaithmhet na mor-mirbal [p. 20]. Ni mar neach nemh-laidir tra do mesfaidhe in fer do thoigebadh en- peler amhain 5 thalmhain dibh. Togbhait na naimhde on mbaili mar doconnarcatar na m,oir-flierta. Gach lln- m.haireacht aimsire riemh ro shuidhset naimJide i n-a thimchiol tainic a chosnam go mjrbhaileach do grassoibh De 7 naomh- Muire oighe. On pictuir 7 on im^haidh sin amhain sloinnter 7 ainm,nigther an baile 7 is bladh bheg sin d'ingantus a m,oir- mjrbal.

^ Again Edmonds describes accurately the movements of the Irish party in a letter to Salisbury, November 4/14th : " After the Earl of Tyrone had been at the Court of Beins [Binche], where it is said he was very favourably used by the Archduke, and was allowed the grace of personages of the greatest rank to speak with the Archduke covered, he came one day hither from Notre Dame de Hal, accompanied by the

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 49

of was grand and costly enough for a king, and nothing inferior was the banquet. Gold and silver plate was displayed, inside that no king or prince in Christendom, might be asharned to have. They spent some time in conversation and chatting^ and then took leave and returned thanks to . one another. They returned that night to Notre Dame de Hal.i

XXXVL It is a small badly-fortified and incompact town, yet it was never stormed or taken by force by enemies. It was not by reason of strength of hands or greatness. of numbers or firmness of walls that that was so, but a figure and picture and statue of Mary the Wonder-worker, in the church of Mary in the town, that causes many miracles and wonders and very many thousands of people from the neighbouring districts come on pilgrimage there to venerate and implore the Holy Virgin. At one time Gramoures and the de- stroyers of the Catholic Church laid siege to that town. Regular cannon and large ordnance were discharged against it. There appeared to the enemy a lady with bright gar- ments, and a white napkin in her right hand, standing on the wall opposite them. She caught in the napkin all the bullets that were thrown against the wall, so that no stone was moved, no wall was broken, and no person was killed. Inside the wall she laid down quietly and gently on the ground the bullets out of the napkin. They remain still in the church to com- memorate the great miracles, and he who would hft one of them from the ground would be considered a strong man. The enemy raised the siege of the town when they saw the great miracles. Every time since that enemies came about it, it was defended miraculously by the grace of God and the Holy Virgin Mary. From the picture and image alone the town gets its name and designation, and that is but a sm.all portion of its wonderful miracles.

Earl of Tyrconnell and M'Guire, and the principal persons of their com- pany, and was feasted by the Marquis Spinola, there being also present the Nuncio, and sundry others of the best quality here. He made no onger stay in this town, but only to come to receive that entertainment and after dinner he returned back to Hal, from whence he is since re- moved to Louvain [on the 9th ; see chapter xli. hifra]," Cal. St. Pa. 361.

VOL. II. d

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XXXVn. A n-aimsir an leigir adupramar do bheith ag Graurnoreiss ar in mbaili adbeart aroile caiptin diomsach dia muinntir tre bhogassaigh nrlapra 7 tre dhanacht gloir fhochuidmidh 7 fhanam,hait go raghadh fein asteach san egluiss 7 go mbenfadh a lam,h don inahaidh, os da mirbailibh bui an baile dia imchosnamh. Gar ier sin eirghis deabaidh 7 dechetfaid eidir shloghaip in bhaile 7- in namhait. Eirgiss in caiptin remhraite go mbrigh 7 go mborrfadh n-adhbal- mor a gcoma chaich ar in troid. Bentar a dhi laimh de. Ro gabadh e badein. Admhaiss chena a ffiadhnuissi na himh- aidhe 7 in popail gur chan in meide sin d'uabhar-bhriath- raibh ml-tharbhacha. At ait in di laimh re a ttaispenadh go follus issin recles.

XXXVHL Gar ier sin issedh ro taisspenadh do Grau- muiriss ar folairemh aingil na clelaimhe cainneal ba l5r mett sa doman do chor da himdenomh, a Ian pudair do bheith a n-inmhedhon na coinnle, imdenomh ciera ar in taep amoigh. Cuiriss tre chuiss cheilcce teachtaireacht go huachtaran na na heguilsi. Adbeart gur gaip aithmhele 7 aithreachus der- mhair e 'm.un iarroidh sin do thabairt ar in recles onorach i n-a mbui. an imhaidh mhor-mhirbailech, gur chuir lochrann ciera a gcornartha aithreachuiss 7 leap^xf-gnimha dia saighidh. Ro larr a n-irnpidhe 7 a n-athchuingidh an l5chrann do bheith ar comhlassadh do lo 7 d'oidche a ffiadhnuissi na himhaidhe go forcionn a thochaithrnhe, ier sin tra go gcuirfedh lochrann oile. i n-a ionadh [p. 21]. Deimhin leis sen tra madh dia loisgthe in lochrann go roich^^i/' in pudar, ier gcomhlassadh don pudar, go mbrissfidhe 7 go loiscfide in egluis co n-a mbiadh innte, go tticfadh losgadh 7 milledh in baile dessidhe. Gapuiss in t-uachtaran 7 in chliar an teachtaireacht go mes- sarrdha iomqubaidh chuca. Adhnait 7 comhlassait in loch- rann a ffrithchedfaidh 7 a ffiadhnuissi na hirnhaidhe.*

XXXIX. Ar nabeith aimsir airigthe mar sin go ttainic a gcomhihoccus 7 a n-imfhoixe don ait i n-a mbui in pudar,

* in lochrainn wag written first, but puncta delentia were added, and the correct reading follows immediately.

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XXXVH. At the time of the siege of the town by Gra- moures, which we have mentioned, a certain haughty captain, one of his officers, in boasting speech and vamglorious mockery and insult said that he himself would enter the church and would strike the image with his hand, since the town was being defended by its miracles. Shortly afterwards conflict and battle commenced between the defenders of the town and the enemy. The above-mentioned captain advanced with great strength and vigour into the fight like every one else. His two hands were cut off, and he himself was cap- tured. He then confessed before the image and the people that he had spoken so much idle, vain words. Hi two hands are yet plainly to be seen in the church.

XXXVHL Shortly afterwards it was suggested to Gra- moures by the devil to get a very large candle made, and to fill the interior of the candle with powder, leaving a coating of wax on the outside. In treachery he sent a message to the Superior of the church, saying that he had much regret and repentance for attackmg the venerable church where the miraculous image was, and that he was sending a wax candle to it in token of his repentance and penance. He asked as a request that the candle should be lighted by day and night before the im,age until it was wasted, and that then he would send another candle in its place. He was certain that if the candle burned until the powder would be reached, it would catch fire, and the church and all that was in it would be blown asunder and burned, and that the burning and de- struction of the town would be the result. The superior and clergy of the church accepted the gift fittingly and appropri- ately. They hghted the candle in presence of the image.

XXXIX. After a certain time then it had burned so that it was near the place where the powder was, and on a certain night, when all the doors of the church had been closed, about midnight the bells and chimes of the church of themselves rang miraculously, and were heard all over the town. The clergy and the people of the town arose at once, and pro-

52 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

aroile oidhche, ier n-iadhadh 7 ier gcornhdhunadh uile dhorass na heguilsi, timchiol mhedhoin oidhche do shonnradh, benait cluig 7 cedlain na heguilsi go mirbaileach uaidhip fein go gclos fon mbaile uile lad. La sodhain tra eirghit in chlier 7 muinnter an baile a gcetoir. Ar ndol d5ip go dorass in reclessae dogeibh- it na doirrsi foriadhta ar a gcionn. Ticc in t-aistreoir gussna heochrachaibh. Tiaghait astech assa haithle. Fuara- tar in lochrann ar lassadh a ffiadhnuissi na himhaidhe 7 na cluig ag comhnibuain. Ba machtnadh 7 ba hingantus der- mhair leo.

XL. Smuainit 7 tuigit ier sin gur go mirbhaileach for- caomhnagair in chuiss 7 in chaingen. Leicit ar a ngluinip iatt. Gapsat ag aithrighi 7 ag urnaighthe 7 ag etorghuidhe naenah-Muire oige a ffrithchetfaidh na himaidhe. Ar mbeith treimhsi 7 selat fon samhla sin doibh, a n-inbaidh in lochrainn do chonahloscad gusin pudar, raar na ro thuigset in pop^/ rundiemhoir na m5i-mhlrb^/, siniss a laimh gusin lochrann. Odchonnairc uachtaran na heguilsi sin du-s-rad aithne gur do bithin adhgaill 7 urch5ide do beith sa lochrann ro sinedh in lamh 7 ro bensat na cluicc. La sodain tra lermuchaidh in lochrann. Sochtait na cluig a gcetoir. Comhthairrngit in chlier rann-chuid beg don maiste ro bui a gcert-lar in loch- rainn. Airighit boltanugadh an pudair. Sgaoilit began don lochrann. Ba hamhloidh forcaomnagoir nach roipe leth- ordlach amhain gan chaithemh [p. 22] 7 gan chomloscadh de gusin ait i n-a rapatar suim airigthe do bairillighip pudair ar- n-a gcomhshuidhiugadh sa lochrann. Ata immorro in loch- rann cetna gusin pudar gcealgach re a thaispenadh aniu go follus a fforaithmet na moT-mhiTh al

XLI Dia haoine, in nomadh la Nouembriss, gluaissis O Neill 7 in t-ierla gussna maithip batar maille riu as Noetor Daam. Bator an oidhche sin a primh-chathraigh, oirrdirc oireghdha, Louaine a hainm, secht leige. Bui O Neill a ttigh ostae dar comhainm tegh an impire, an t-ierla a ttigh oile. Oirisit tra fon innus sin go cionn deich la. Ier sin tic Sir Uuilliem Stanlui, senridire saigdiuirthe Saxanach bui a'

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

53

ceeding to the door of the church, they found the doors closed against them. Then the doorkeeper came with the keys and they entered. They found the candle burning before the image and the bells ringing, and they wondered and were very much surprised.

XL. After a time they surmised that it was miraculously the affair happened. They went on their knees and com- menced repenting and praying and invoking the Holy Virgin Mary in presence of the im,age. When they were a while thus, and the candle was burning to the powder, as the people did not understand the mystery of the miracle, the image pointed its hand to the candle. When the superior of the church saw that, he knew that it was because of harm and evil being in the candle that the hand was pointed and the bells had rung. Thereupon he put out the candle, and the bells became silent at once. The clergy drew out a piece of the match which was in the centre of the candle, and they found the smell of the powder. They then broke off a piece of it. There was hardly half an inch of it left unburned to the place where there were a number of barrels of powder placed in it. The sam,e candle and treacherous powder is today plainly to be seen to commemorate the miracle.

XLL On Friday, the nmth of November, 'O Neill and the Earl and the nobles with them left Notre Dame de Hal. They were that night in a great city called Louvain, seven leagues distant. ^O Neill stayed in a hostel called " The Emperor's House," ^ the Earl in another house. They re- mained thus for ten days. Then Sir William Stanley,^ an

^ Charles V. (1500-1558), Roman Emperor, and, as Charles I., King of Spain, spent his young days in the old Castle in Louvain, a few fragments of which still exist on Mont Cesar

2 Sir William Stanley (1548-1630) was born a Catholic, and served in the Netherlands in 1567 under Alva, the vSpanish general. He came to Ireland in 1570, shared in the defeat of Lord Grey of WUton by Fiacha mac Aodha 'O Broin, was passed over in the division of Desmond's estates, and returned to England shortly after the rebellion. He com- manded an Irish section in the Spanish wars under Leicester (158o)j and subsequently entered the service of Spain. He died at Ghent in 1630.

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seirbhiss rlgh na Spainne, go moran do dhaoinibh uaisle dia ffechain 7 ar cuairt chuca, Roglacsat assa halthle cupla palass onorach issin gcathroigh ar gne chiossae a fforcionn gacha miossa.

XLH. Dia domhnaigh do shonnradh in coicedh la fichet Nouembris tochomhlaid na maithe si, deichnenxhor ar fichit marcach doip. Ba hail leo dol don Spainn. Ro fhagoipset a mna uaissle 7 drong oile dia lucht coimhitechta a Louain. Fuaratar traar a gcionn a Sidona trup marcshlaighi an arsa- diuc dia ro herbadh dol dia ttidhlacadh. Batar an oidhche sin a ndorp bheg, Puruue a ainm, se leige do droich-shligidh granna.

XLHL Ar n-a mharach doip a fflichshneachta dhermhair go Namures tri leige. Ar ndol asteach issin gcathraigh doibh beiriss post o Bruxel go letr(?<2^^oibh on arsadiuc orra dia fhogra doip gan ascnamh nl badh sia go breith aitherraigh direxioin orra 7 ternddh tar aiss ariss go Louaine. Leicit sen in dara post gusin arsadiuc ar go ifesdiss fath a ttoirmeisc. Bahe ordugadh fuaratar fiUedh go Louain. Do-gnit amhloidh. A ffritheing na conaire doip se leige go baile beg dar comhainm Uafer. Nl m5r immorro nach roibhe gne imfhaitchis [p. 23] 7 choimhegla orra an oidhche sin do bithin edaingne an baile 7 in namhait, armail Graumores, a n-imfhoixe 7 a gcomhghar doip. Ar n-a mharach tra in nomadh la fichet Nouembriss, dia dardaoin ar aoi laithe sechtmaine, go Louain doibh se

V By this time Salisbury's spies had insinuated, themselves into the exiles' company. His principal agents were James Rath (not John Rath, the pilot who brought them out of Ireland, as the editors of the State Papers affirm, 1608-10, p. xl.) and one Tra vers, a Munsterman. James Rath was a brother to John Rath, and made use of the latter's intimacy with the Earls to collect information for his employer. Finding another on the same errand, he became jealous, and secured his dismissal, alleging that " Munstermen are as false as the devil," Edmonds to Salis- bury, 2nd/12th Dec. " Delivered to Travers his Lordship's message that he would not use his service, who departed much discontented. Of the other's [Rath's] employment this man knows nothing, and he [Edmonds] hopes his Lordship will receive good satisfaction in his ser-

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English veteran warrior in the service of. the King of Spain, came with many nobles to see them and pay them a visit- Afterwards they took two beautiful palaces in the city at a certain rent, payable at the end of each month. ^

XLH. On Sunday, the twenty-fifth of November, the princes set out with their-retinue, thirty horsemen in all. Their intention '^ was , to go to Spain. They left their ladies and another portion of their retinue in Louvain. They found before them in lodoigne ^ a troop of the Archduke's cavalry, to whom it was entrusted to escort them. They remained that night in a little -village called Perwez,^ having journeyed six leagues on an ugly road.

XLHL On the next day they went in great sleet three leagues to Namur.-^ When they entered the city a post from Brussels with letters from the Archduke overtook them, ordering them not to proceed any further until they should

vice, but he says that the persons with whom he lives are very secret and wary in the carriage of their business. He repeats that Travers told Tyrone that he and sonie others were employed by his Lordship to poison the said Earls, which is the cause that Tyrone has taken a straight Order that there shall be no access to his kitchen," Cal. St. Pa. 641. Rath was a most unprincipled scoundrel and traitor. In September, 1608, Ednionds " understands that James Rath, upon whom his Lord- ship bestowed so much money, went not to Rome with Tyrone, but remained ever since amongst the Irish at Herentabes [Herenthals, east of Antwerp], and that, for bragging there of the correspondence which he had held with his Lordship, he was of late put out of the town by the governor," ibid. 669.

2 Salisbury was informed of Tyrone's purpose to leave by a letter of Edmonds dated llth-21st November : " Tyrone was again in this town two days since, and lay a night at his son's lodging here [Brussels]. He , went to visit the Marqiiis Spinola, and afterwards repaired to the Nvmcio, with whom he had a long private conference. The Marquis has now furnished him with money for his journey, so that he is to depart witliin a day or two at the farthest ; and he is said to take with him to the number of 40 persons, that by the show of greatness he may make him- self the better respected in the places where he goes," ibid. 635.

' lodoigne, a town about ten miles nearly due south of Louvain.

*Perioez lies a few mUes west of " Ramillies bloody field " on the southern frontier of the province of South Brabant.

* Natnur is the capital of a province of the same name, and is situated at the junction of the Sambre and the Meuse.

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leige. Airissit 7 comhnaighit o Louain gusin ochtmadh*la fichet Februarii bui ar a gcionn.

XLIV. Ro bui immorro sneachta adpal-m,or 7 oighreadh frissin re sin ann as go nim[th]e5chdiss eachradh 7 coistidhe 7 uaiglnide uile locha, aibhne 7 ruibeir in tire. Do grassoip De ro roichedh la hordaibh riagalta na heguilsi a gcursa aiffrenn, trath 7 senmor 7 ernaigthe do denomh isna heguilsip- Aroile athair Eirennach d'ord Sanct Pronseiss, Diermait O Conchubair, o Chiennacht Ghlinne geimin, ro inniss a ffiadh- nuissi.Ul Neill gur fhulaing an urdail sin d'fuacht in comhfhad bui ag celibhradh in aiffrinn moir issin mainistir gur shilset pairt dia mheoraibh, frassa fola.

XLV. Baoi leac oigridh adpal ar ruiber Anuerp.f Ba gnath re Incht na cathrach dol gacha laithe do chaithemh aimsire 7 d'finnfhuaradh a n-aigenta ar in leic. Laithe n-aon dia ndeachatar go linmhar dronga aca ag caithemh bidh 7 dighe, ag reapradh 7 ag raingce, teighiss in leac o aidhbhle 7 o linnahaire na ndaoine 7 ro-ss-leic beiceadh. adpol-mhor os

* MS. ocUcUmad. + MS. Anuepp.

1 The defeating of 'O N^ill's purpose to go direct to Spain was Edmonds' work. He writes to Salisbury on 18th /28th November : " The Spanish Ambassador here professes an extraordinary desire to maintain amity between His Majesty [King James] and the King, his master ; and after he [Edmonds] had speech with him of this matter of Tyrone, he coun- selled him to speak plainly to the Archduke to make him sensible of that which passed amissed therein [viz., by the entertaining and honour- ing of the exiles], saying that he [the ambassador] would have opposed himself against that which was done if he had been before informed of these particulars which had been related to him since his return from Binche. He [Edmonds] prayed him to transfer the performance of these good offices to the King, his master, to whom they will be no less needful, which he promised to do. It seems that these speeches have made them better bethink themselves for the taking of a new resolution in some things, as two days since [26th November, as in our text] there was a post sent after Tyrone, who was advanced but a day's journey on his way, to call back Father Florence, the Friar, with whom after con- ference here had, he was immediately despatched to Tyrone." A week later he writes again : " When he wrote to his Lordship last week he unrlerstood nothing of the order which was then newly come from Spain to the Ambassador here for the staying of Tyrone, that he should not pass into Spain, to avoid giving discontentment to His Majesty," Cal. St. Pa. 038, 639.

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get instructions again, and to return toLouvain again. ^ They sent a second post to the Archduke to know why they were detained. The order they received was to return to Louvain. They did so. They travelled on their backward journey six leagues to a small town named Wavre.^ They were som.e- what afraid that night because of the insecurity of the town, and the enemy, Gram,oures' arm.y, lay in proximity to them.. Next day, the twenty-ninth of November, Thursday by the day of the week, they went six leagues to Louvain. They rested and remained in Louvain until the twenty-eighth of February following.

XLIV. There was a very great snow and frost during that time, so that horses and coaches and waggons might travel on all the lakes and rivers of the country. Only by God's grace could the Regular Orders of the Church perform their course of Masses, offices, serm.ons, and prayers in the churches. An L"ish father of the Order of Saint Francis, Diarmaid ^O Conchubhair^ from. Ciannacht Ghlinne geimhin,'* stated in the presence of 'O Neill that he endured such cold while celebrating High Mass in the monastery that portion of his fingers shed large quantities of blood.

XLV. There was a great sheet of ice on the river at Antwerp, and the inhabitants of the city were accustom^ed to go out on the ice every day for amusem.ent and to cool themselves. One day, when large num,bers went to eat and drink, to sport and dance, the ice warmed because of the crowds and num.bers of people, and gave a very great roar

^ Wavre is situated nearly midway between Brussels and Naniur.

^ Early in 1615 there was a report that O Neill intended to come to reland, and Turnbull writes from Belgium to the King that he had sent *' Crone [Sean Cron MacDaibhid no, 26 p. 18. supra] and Conor with orders to stir up factions and seditions in that Kingdom," Meehan 304. *' Conor was a priest, and Tyrone's Irish confessor. He grew sick at Rome and came into this Kingdom [Ireland] for his health. He landed about Tredagh, and died about Armagh in his travels towards Colerain, where he was born," Cal. St. Pa. (1615) 70.

* Cianacht Gtinne geimhin is now known as Keenaght, a barony in the north-west of Co, Derry.

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aird. La sodhain tra tic gne imdheghla 7 eidirdealoighthe eidir ?i 7 in tlr. Mar fuair in ruiber ro-laidir an com,ht[h]uitini sin san leic, 7 i ar scaradh frissin tlr, gluaississ leiss 1 co n-a roibhe ag marcaighecht uirre. An lucht ro bui ag fastaeim, ag ainess 7 ag aoipness roimhe sin, ni mor nar uo toltanaighe leo beith astigh. go conihnaigtheach a gcert-mhedhon na cathrach in ass beith ar in seoltoracht sin, bidh nach beittiss a n-aighthe ar in sen-fhairrgi ar a gcomhghar. EigLit 7 gairit. La sodain in Jucht batar ar tlr, cuirit meid [p. 24] airighthe do chordoibh cnaipe 7 do refedhoibh 7 do picidhip chuca. - Ba toil la Dia go rangatar anacal 7 tairrtheachtain acht coic persana amhain-

XLVL Bator na maithe si tra a Louain a n-aimsir na notlac bular a gcionn maille re menmain maith 7 re degh- c[h]aithemh aimsire, mar is onoraighe chostusaighi ba heittir leo. Ticdiss tra maithe na cathrach d'ilghairdiugadh inntinne d5ip go n-ilimat d'innstrumeinntibh ciuil 7 muissice, do lucht raingce 7 clessaigheachta, Daoine liaisle Spain- neacha batar sa gcathraig, ba gnath leo beith ag imthath- aigidh orra.

XLVn. Rucatar scela as Bruxel orra gur cuiredh Corbmac m.hac an baruin, derbrathair Ui Neill, go Saxoip, a chor a mbraighdeanus a ttur Lonndan, tigerna Beinne hEttoir 7 barun Dealpna a laimh a gcaislen m righ a m,Baili Atha Cliath, fos gar marpadh Mag Mathgamhna a nEirinn le guibernoir

^ " Sir Cormac M'Baron O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone's brother, brought the first news of their [the Earls'] departure, and reported that the Earl his brother sent one O'Hagan unto him, who persuaded him to accompany his brother into Spain, but he would not be moved by his persuasion, but presently made his repair to the State to acquaint the Lord Deputy with this accident ; howbeit it was noted that Sir Cor- mac had his private end in this, for withal he was an earnest suitor to liaA^e the custodiam of his brother's country, which perhaps might be to his brother's use by agreement betwixt them : and therefore for this and other causes of suspicion the constable of the Castle of Diiblin has the custodiam of him," Davys to Salisbury, 12/22 September (Cal. St, Pa. 273). An abstract of his voluntary confession and offers made shortly afterwards shows his character : " He offers his service for dis- covery from time to time, and presiames he may get good intelligence of his brother's intentions and drifts as well as any other, which he promises faithfully to impart imto the state, if he may be licensed ... If he may have leave to write to the fugitive Earls, he will write in Irish and

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aloud. Then there came a cleft and separation between it and the banks. When the strong river got the ice naoving and separated from the banks, it carried it and all that were on it with it. The crowd which had been sporting and playing and merrymaking before would almost have preferred to be at rest inside in the centre of the city than to be drifting thus, even though their eyes would not be on the sea, which was near to them. They shouted and screamed. Then those who were on the banks threw in cords and ropes and poles to them, and it was God's will that all except five persons reached safety and protection.

XLVL The prince: remained in Louvain during the Christmas time following, in pleasure and enjoyment, with as much display and costliness as they could. The nobles of the city used to come to make amusement for them with musical instruments, dancers, and performers. Spanish noblemen who were in the city were accustomed to visit them-

XLVH. IntelHgence from Brussels reached them that Cormac, mac an Bharuin,^ 'O Neill's brother, had been sent to England and put in the Tower of London, that Lord Howth ^ and the Baron of Delvin ^ were confined in the

acquaint the Lord Deputy and State with his letters and answers from time to time," ibid. 314-5. On 11/21 December he was despatched to London in the company of Lord Howth. In September, 1611, he peti- tioned the Lords of the Privy Council for an allowance for his wife and children, who had been turned out during the Plantation of Ulster.

' Lord Hotvth. For this nobleman's earlier career see Introduction. He was arrested early in November, 1607, but was set at liberty the fol- lowing March, carrying with him Salisbury's special commendations. A few months later he secured by royal letter the command of a company of 150 foot.

' Richard Nuoent, eldest son of Christopher Nugent, Baron of Delvin, succeeded to his father's estates in 1602, and was knighted at the creation of Ruaidhri 'O Domhnaill Earl of Tyrconnell the following year. For some account of his share in the events which led to the flight see Intro- duction. He was arrested along with Howth, and confessed before Chichester on November 6/1 6th. A fortnight later he broke prison and remained at large until May, 1608, when Chichester reports that he has come in and humbly submitted without word or promise of pro- tection or pardon. He secured the king's favour, and was created Earl of Westmeath in 1621. He resided at Clonyn, Co. Westmeath, and died in 1611, after harsh treatment by the rebels.

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Saxanach bui a Muineachan in uair sin, baile longpuirt Meg Mhathghamhna badein. Go gar assa haithle rug orra gor cuiredh Brian O Neill, mhac Airt mheic in bharuin, chom baiss le Sar Artuir Sitsetsar, giustiss na hEirenn. Bith nar no ro-mhaith fuair in giustiss in basugadh sin re a denomh, araoi sin tra ba neimh-ingnadh ainchridhe 7 aingidecht inntinne do beith aige don Brian sin, oir is meinic ro dhlsligh fein co n-a shloghaibh na slinnein do in airet batar araon a .gcomh- chomharsnacht cocaidh a tTrian Congail Chlaireinigh niic Rughraidhe, 7 do bhen a chrecha 7 a airccthe de go lan- marbadh a dhaoine. Ro chuirsetar tra ina huile droch-scela sa gne doimennaan ar na maithib si, acht chena tucsat altugadh buideachuiss don trinoit nemhdha um gach ein-chinnemhain no theigemadh dhoip. Gar ier sin fuaratar scela ba maith leo ,i. Mag Mathgamna do mharthain.

XLVHL La na hEpefane i n-a deghaidh a n-inbaidh 7 a n-aimsir mheddin laoi ier n-eistecht aiffrinn isna heguilsibh eirghit [p. 25] lucht aittreptha na cathrach dia ttighthibh 7 dia tteghduissip. Tarla do beirt saighdiuir d'airighthe go ndechator astech i n-aroile egluis naem-Muire oige. For- caomhnagoir tra delb 7 imhaidh Muire go ffiodhair a meic i n-a hucht forsan altdir, coroin rn5r-loig derscnaigthe deal-

^ Brian {mac Aodha Oig + 1577) Marj Mathghamhna was Mag Math- ghamhila in 1595. The author of Pacata Hlbernia writes thus of him : " Tuesday, the two-and-twentieth of December [1601], Brian mac Hugh Oge MacMaghon, a principal commander in the Irish army, whose eldest son, Brian, had many years before been a page in FJngland with the Lord President, sent a boy to Captain William Taffe praying him to speak to the Lord President to bestow upon him a bottle of aqua vitce, which the President for old acquaintance sent to him. The next night, being the three-and-twentieth, by the same niessenger he sent him a letter preying him to recommend his love to the President, thanks for his aqua vita;, and to wish him the next night following to stand well upon his guard, for himself was at the council wherein it was resolved that on the night aforesaid towards the break of day the Lord Deputy's camp would be assaulted both by Tyrone's army, which lay at their backs, and by the Spaniards from the town [Kinsale], who upon the first alarm would be in readiness to sally," Bk. ii, ch. 21. This horrible act of treachery is all the more disgusting and unpardonable, as Mag Mathghamhna was married to Mary, 'O Neill's daughter. In the end of

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Castle of Dublin, and also that Mag Mathghamhnai had been killed in Ireland by an English Governor- who was then in Muinechan, Mag Mathghamhna's stronghold. Shortly after- wards they were informed that Brian, son of Art, son of the Baron, 'O Neill was put to death^^ by Sir Arthur Chichester, the Lord Justice^ of Ireland. Althoiigh he did not find that execution a. good thing to do, still it was natural that he should hate and detest that Brian, for he [Chichester] and his army had often turned their backs on him while they were neighbours at war in Trian Congail Chlaireinigh ^ mic Rughraighe,^ and [Brian] had often plundered and robbed him and slain his people. All this ill news dispirited the princes, yet they rendered thanks to the heavenly Trinity for every event that befel] them. Shortly afterwards they received good news that Mag Mathghamhna was living.

XLVIII. On the day of the Epiphany following, having heard Mass in the churches, the inhabitants of the city went at midday to their houses and homes. A certain pair of soldiers chanced to go into a certain church of the Holy Virgin Mary. A statue and image of Mary with the figure of her Son in her bosom happened to be on the altar, with a precious, beautiful, bright, conspicuous crown of red gold on the image

December, 1607, the Privy Council are instructed that " some others of this country begin to be upon their keeping and, refuse to come to the King's officers, of which kind are Sir Bryan M'Mahowne and Sir Donagh O'Cane," Cal". St. Pa. 362. He came in in a month or so, but was dis- charged, Chichester detaining his eldest son, Brian 6g, as a check upon him. It was falsely reported to the Earls that he was put to death, but the true account reached them later. Brian m.ac Aodha oig was father of Aodh, " grandson to the traitor Tyrone," who was concerned in the attack on Dublin on October 23rd, 1641.

^ The governor of Monaghan at this time was Sir Edward Blaney.

* He was executed on a charge of manslaughter about November, 1607. His grandfather, the Baron, was Ferdorcha, father to the Earl and son of Conn Bacach.

* i.e. Lord Lieutenant. '

* The 'O N^ill's country of Clannaboy in Down and Antrim. Chi- chester was governor of Carrickfergus during the closing years of the rebellion and afterwards, until his appointment to the Deputy ship.

^ Bughraighe is ancestor of the Llidian heroes in the old Irish tales and genealogical tracts.

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raighthech deiligt[h]e derg-5ir forsan deilp Muire, aroile for de[i]lb in meic. Ba headh, immorro ro. chomairligh in diapal doib sen dealb Muire 7 a naeic do chomsharugadh 7 do derach 'mun dl choroin 7 a leiccen gussin fFrainc assa haithle. Ar ccinneadh na droch-c[h]omairle eirghiss in dara fer suass forsan altoir. Ro-ss-ben go ml-throcairech mi-chinnemnach a coroin do deilb Muire. Du-s-rat a laim in dala n-ae. Siniss a laimh gusin lenom, oir ba hail laiss a choroin do buain de, Cuiris tra in lenb a laimh badein a gcert-agaidh a laimhe sen d'imchosnamh a chordine. Bidgaiss 7 crithnaigiss in droch- duine. Gabuis gne aithmele ge nar uo haithrechus firinnech. Leigit assin egluiss iad. Eirgit go tigh osta airigt[h]i issin gcathraigh. ler ndenom a medhoin laoi nochtait pairt don seel do beirt ban bui issin tigh. Assin gcathraigh doib assa haithle. Ascnait ierom for sligidh na Fraingce. O aimsir medhoin laoi go comhthuitim na hoidche doibh ag comhaister 7 ag sir-shiopal 7 otha sin go moch-shoillsi na maitne. Ar n-a mharach gapsat fordal 7. merugad sechnoin na hoidche.

XLIX. Ar ttoigheacht immorro don c[h]leir gusin egluiss deoigh laoi ba hesbadhach aithmelach imnair led mar rangatar in delbh Muire gan chor5in eidir. Ni fhitirset tra cred dod-endiss. In dis ^in ro.goid in choroin do sonnradh, ier mbeith ar comhaister d5ip o medhon laoi go maidin, is amhloidh fuaratar iad araon astigh a n-egluiss Muire ag soillsiugadh don lo [p. 26]. Ar toigheacht do diss do mhac- cleirchip airigthe isin recles a moch-dheghoil na m,aitne ro-s- fuaratar in beirt saighdiuir remraiti astig go gcoroin Muire fo oxail in dala n-ae. Dobheredh ierraidh meinic ar a him- fholach fo n-a brat. Ni roibi tra sin ar com,us do. La sodain timairgit 7 comchruinnigit clier na heguilsi go gcom- arsnach^zT'Z' comfoixe na cathrach. Rainic a coroin gusin deilb Muire. Ergapthor in diss amne. Oirrdercaigther in seel mirbaileach sechn5in na cathrach. Ro-s-adaimhset immorro in di"? sin a m5ir-fhiadhnuissi chille 7 tuaithe na cathrach amoil tarla doib o thuss go deiredh. Ni thucsat claonadh no clethramh. ar bith don seel acht m,ar ata i n-ar

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of Mary, and another on that of her Son. The suggestion which the devil made to them was to commit an outrage on the image of Mary and her Son and to strip them of the two crowns, and to go into France afterwards. When they de- cided upon this, one of the men ascended the altar, and with- out feeling or scruple, took the crown oif the image of Mary. He put it into the other's hand. He then stretched towards the Child, desiring to remove His crown. The Child put up His own hand against his to protect His crown. The wicked man became startled, and trembled and conceived a sorrow which was not true repentance. They then went out of the church and entered a certain hostel in the city. When they had taken their dinner they made known part of, the affair to two women who were in the house. Afterwards they left the city and hied them on the road for France. From midday until nightfall and from that to the dawn of day they kept continually journeying and walking. On the next day they took a wromg road, and went astray during the whole night. XL IX. When the clergy came to the church in the evening they missed the crown, and were sad and ashamed w^hen they found that the image of Mary was without it. They did not know what to do. But the two men who stole the crown, having travelled from midnight, till morning, found them- selves inside the church at the dawn of day. When a certain pair of young clerics entered the church early in the morning they found the two soldiers inside, and the crown of Mary under the arm of one of them. He often endeavoured to conceal it under his coat, but could not succeed. Then the clergy of the church and all the neighbouring people of the citv gathered and came together. The crown was taken to the image, and the two men taken prisoners. The miraculous •event was made known all through the city. The two men confessed before the clergy and laity of the city how every- thing from beginning to end happened. They did not distort or conceal anything of the affair, but told it as above, saying also that the women knew something of it. No penance

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ndiaigh, foss go roipe gne do sc^/oib in sceoil ag na mnaib remraitte. Nlr cuiredh tra pennait no docomal ar doman orra in airet batar ag denomh na hadmhala so acht uile- innissin in sceoil o n-a ttoil badein. Teit fioss na moir- mlvhal go Bruxel 7 go primh-chathrachaibh oirrderca na righachta. lar sin tra ticc ordugad on arsadiuc go guibernoii na cathrach fon dis sin do chrochadh. Doronad samhloidh. Ro nochtadh na mna as a haithle 7 nir gapadh comha ro cennach dar thairccset gan a ngeir-sgiursadh go himnair aithmelach seachnoin na sraide 7 moir-thimchell in mhar- gaidh moir.

L. An t-ochtmadh la Februarii 1608 ticc gne fhleachaidh 7 fherthana issin ainasir. Gluaissis meide eiccin tuile isna mionaib ge nar brissetair leaca oigridh na primhabhann. An ruiber gabus go Liuaine bui bengan beg ar n-a chomh- tharraing ar in taep amoigh do na ballaighibh, 7 a n-irnfhoixe don di palas -5 mbator na tigemaidhe. Bui glaissin beg- shrotha ba lor laighet ar doman ag del gusin rnbengan remhraiti, e ag ceimniugadh ota gairdin [p. 27] ro bui eidir in da palass. Aroile fer do muinntir in ierla bui ag dol re .toisc eiccin gusin palas i n-a roibhe O Neill, adchi bradan ro-m.h5r a poll beg tabhuill bai forsan nglaissin. Tairrngidh arm a gcetoir. Marpuiss in bradan. Rug leiss do lathoir in ierla. Tic assin do lathuir Ul Neill. Tangator tra in meide ba himjlioixe doip do mhaithip na cathrach d'fechain in bradain. Ingantach leo a roi-mhed 7 a fagbail mar a ffrith. Adupratar nach ffacatar fein in gcein bator i n-a mbethaidh 7 nach gcualator o a seinnseroip rompa go ffrith. bradan ar ruiber Louain no ar in mbengan sin t^'^irigthi roimhe sin riemh.

LL Bator tra na m.aithe si a Louain gussin ochtmhadh la deg don m,i chetna. Eirgit ier sin go Maiclln, prlmh- chathoir oirrderc do prouensi Flonndruis. Ier ndenomh a m,eadhoin laoi a ffochair Sar Uuilliam Stanlui leigit tar abhainn moir teid 0 Bruxel go Hanuorp iad. Oirisit an oidche ^in a mbaili beag ro-baoi a gcomhf[h]ochraibh na

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS 65

or hardship was put on them while making this confession, but the whole admission was made of their own will. Intelli- gence of the miracle went to Brussels and the great cities of the kingdom. Afterwards an order came to the governor of the city from the Archduke to hang the two men, and that was done. The women were stripped then, and no oifer or condition that they made was accepted, but they were scourged disgracefully and mercilessly round the city and through the great market-place.

L. On the eighth of February, 1608, the weather becam.e -somewhat damp and wet. A certain amount of thaw set in in the small rivers, though the ice of the large ones did not break. On the river which comes to Louvain there was a small branch going round the outside of the walls near the two palaces where the lords v/ere. There was an exceedingly small streamlet entering this branch and flowing from a garden between the two palaces. A certain man of the Earl's people, who was going with some message to the palace where 'O Neill was, saw a very large salmon in a small hole in a plank on the stream. He drew a weapon at once and killed the salmon. He brought it to the Earl, and cam,e then to 'O Neill's presence. All the nobles of the city who were near them came to see the salmon. They were surprised at his size, and that he was got where he was found. They said they never saw during their lives, and nev^er heard from those who lived before them, that a salmon was ever before got on the river of Louvain, or on that particular branch of it.

LI. The princes were in Louvain until the eighteenth of the same month. They then went to Mechlin,^ a fam.ous city in the province of Flanders. Having dined with Sir William Stanley, they crossed the great river ^ which goes from Brussels to Antwerp. They stayed that night in a little town

^ Or M alines.

2 A small river which passes near Brussels, joins the Dyle below Mechlin. The Dyle is a tributary of the Scheldt, on which Antwerp is built.

e

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habhann. Maiclin dona cathpir oirrderc is lor mett ar n-a comhshuidiugadh a nglionn ro-aoibhinn. Roi-dhes a tighthi 7 a tegduisidhi deg-denmacha. Raiber is l5r mett 7 feabhus triasan gcathroigh, e ar n-a chomhroinn 7 ar n-a tharraing tre uile ehraidibh in baili, go n-imat droichet, go mbadoib Imnihara. Prim-thempall ro-mhor a gcert-meadh5n na cathrach 's e ar n-a imdenomh 7 ar n-a oibriugadh go ro- shaothrach deig-feruistighi, go n-altoiribh peinntelta deal- raigthecha degh-imhaidheacha gusin gclocass is aidbhle 7 is airde a fformhor na cristaigheachta. Fert 7 adhnacal naoimh Eirennaigh isin eglujs sin. Do-rinne Dia ilimat fert 7 mirbal tritt. Ba mac do rl[gh] Eirenn e. Ro-mhor airmhitnigit 7 adhamraighit lucht na cathrach tomba 7 iidhair in naoimh sin do bithin oirrderca na mirbal do-rinni Dia trid. Loch- rainn lasamla rhiera 5s a chenn d'oidchi 7 do lo go seruis De go slorraidhe [p. 28]. Ata ospitel ar mhaithip in domain isin chathraig i n-a ngapthor gach en-duine galraighthe don uile nasion ar c[h.]ostus righ na Spainni.

LH. Ar n-a mharach doib go Hanuerp. Ar in sligidh rompa gabait tar ruiber ro-mor tic o Gant. Leac oigridh adbal-mhor ar in ruiper. Beirit a n-eachroidh ar aradhnoibh leo go methon in tsrotha ar in leic. Cuirit ainnsein a mbatoib iad do cheidhe oighridh, 'n-a,m,hac samhla a ttir don taobh araill. Rangator fort ata as urchomhair chathrach Anuerp, Cenn Floiindniiss a chom.hainm. Fagaibset ann a n-each- roidh. Dodeachator b^dein a mbattoibh gusin gcathraigh. ler ngabail tighi osta eirgit d'f[h]aixin chaislein Antieirp. Mesait 7 brethnaigit each go ffuil in caislen sin i n-a meide fern ar oibieachoip lan-daingne na crlstaigeachta. An raiber ar n-a chomhtharraing i n-a moir-thimchioll. Mile Spain- neach go sirraidhe d'oidche 7 do lo ag a bhardacht go ro-imat canon riaghalta 7 ordanaiss moir gasin uile chomghar 7 riachtanas ricit a les. Eagluis roi-des? aca astigh. Da gunna

^ Saint Rumoldus, whose feast is celebrated on July 1st. See O'Hanlon, Lives of the Irish Saints, Vol. VII.

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close to the river. Mechlin is a famous city of great extent, situated in a very pretty valley. Its houses and well-con- structed buildings are very beautiful. There is a good, large river through the city, divided through all the streets of the town, with many bridges and boats. There is a very large cathedral in the centre of the city, built and ornamented with much labour and artistic work, having bright painted altars with beautiful statues, and a belfry, one of the largest and highest in Christendom. There is the tomb of an Irish saint 1 in that church. God performed many wonders and miracles through him. He was the son of the King of Ireland. The people of the city venerate and reverence very much the tomb and image of that saint because of the greatness of the miracles God did through him. There are lighted waxen torches over the tomb both night and day, with divine ser- vice continually. There is one of the finest hospitals in the world in the city, where every class of sick person of all nations is admitted at the cost of the King of Spain.

LII. The next day they went to Antwerp. As they pro- ceeded they crossed a very large river ^ which comes from Ghent. It was covered with an enormous sheet of ice. They led their horses by the reins over the ice to the middle of the river. They then put them in boats from a quay of ice, and landed them on a similar one on the other side. They reached a fort in front of the city of Antwerp called *' The Head of Flanders." They left their horses there, and came themselves in boats to the city. When they had taken a hostel, they went to view the castle of Antwerp. All admit that that castle is one of the greatest fortresses in Christendom. The river surrounds it, and there are a thousand Spaniards continually guarding it by night and by day, with much regular cannon and large ordnance provided with every con- venience and necessity that is required. They have a very pretty church inside. There are two large guns of brass in a

2 The Scheldt, the ancient Scaldis, a branch of which encircles the city. On the main arm of the river the Museum of Antiquities, on the Quai Van Dyck, was established in the remains of the ancient stronghold of Antwerp. It dates from the tenth century, but was restored in 1889

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m5ra praiss 's iat ar n-a saidiugadh go hartt, se troigthe deg ir fichit in gach gunna. Ni mor nach gcuirit tri leige d'ath- chor a peler, mar aithrisit in uarda. Ni leicit nasion ar bith oile d'f[h]echain n5 do brethnugadh na hoibre acht Spain- neach no Eirennach amhain.

LHL Ceimnigit ier sin timchuairt bhallaidhi in baile. Ge nach set sanahla tra re daingne in chaislein in balla, ar aoi sin at a a gcosrnhailes, oir at ait coic troighthi iichet a ttighi a mhuir 7 a thairimtheachta gan an caislen ochta do chomhairem go ro-imat do sconsaigip is lor lan-daingne 'sa doraan, iad fein ag coimhett dia cheile. Dlog moir-lethan timchell in balla. O aidple na leice oigridh ni fhettamar a doimhne. Ge tharla gur fhobair go tteigemadh sgiursad urchoidech do lucht na cathrach ar in leic oigridh go gar roimhe sin, amhoil [p. 29] ata i n-ar ndiaigh, bator tra timchiol fich^ niile persa in tan. sin ag reabradh [7] ag raingce a n-einfheacht uirre. Go haimsir esparta do na maithip si ag dexain na cathrach. As a haithle tiaghait dia loistinibh.

LIV. Ar maitin ar n-a mharach eirghit ar cuairt gusin gcolaiste Eirennach bul issin gcathraigh. Ba roi-dhes tegh- duis-linmhar go scolairip. imdha in colaiste sin tra. Eistid aiffrenn onorach canntairechta go n-organoib comhrabinne ceolmhara go n-imat d'innstrumainntib muisice 7 gach oirfitidh archena. Petarca, duine uassal onorach do threip na Spainne, bui os cionn in cholaiste. Nir gap uaidip gan bangced onorach do chaithemh maille fris. Rue leiss iad as a haithle d'f[h]aixin a thighi hadem. Du-s-rad d'Ua Neill 7 don ierla da imhaidh Muire oighe neoch do-ronadh don chrann oirrderc i n-a ffrith in dealp Muire mhirbhaileach dar comhainm Noutre Daam do Buaiss ru-s-frith * go gar roimhe sin 7 shlanaighes go linmhar laithemail, do m5r-grasoib De 7 Naerah-Muire, lucht treabhlaite galoir 7 esslainte. Eirghit d'f[h]echain tighi 7 gardin in bourgomaigistir, ard-oifficz^^^ in baile. Ba roi-dhess aoibinn in taispenadh sin co n-imrit

* Added in paler ink.

1 It was founded in 1600 by Father Sedgrave. A well informed agent reports in July, 1607, that " the president of all the Irish Colleges.

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high position, each gun thirty-six feet long. They carry alrnost three leagues in shooting their bullets, as the garrison say. They allow no nation at all to see or examine the work, except Spaniards or Irishmen.

LIII. Next they went round the walls of the town. Though the wall is not to be compared with the castle as regards strength, still it is in keeping with it, for the rampart and circuit is twenty-five feet thick without counting the breastworks and sconces, as strong as any in the world, and well protecting one another. There is a great wide ditch around the wall. We could not learn the depth of it because of the great sheet of ice. Although there had nearly been a disaster to the inhabitants of the city a short time before that, as stated above, still there were about twenty thousand per- sons then sporting and dancing at one time on the ice. The princes rem.ained till evening viewing the city, and then went to their lodgings.

LIV. The next morning they went on a visit to the Irish college in the city. ^ That college was very beautiful, with numerous apartments and many students. They heard High Mass that was sung, with sweet, m,elodious organs and instru- ments of music of all kinds. Petarcha, a Spaniard of noble birth, was in charge of the college. He insisted on their being present at a banquet with him. Afterwards he brought them to see his own house. He gave to ^O Neill and the Earl two images of the Virgin Mary that were made of the famous tree in which had been discovered shortly before that the miracu- lous statue of Mary called Notre Dame de Buais, which heals daily and in large numbers the diseased and the infirm by the grace of God and Holy Mary. They then went to see the house and gardens of the Burgomaster, the chief officer of the town. Very pretty and beautiful was that sight, with m,any statues and pictures of apostles, saints, and holy people,

in Brabant and Flanders is one called Father Cusacke ; the Irish Colleges are five, at Douay, Tournay, Lisle, Antwerpe, and one other at Lou- vayne," Cal. St. Pa. 230. No doubt Petarcha was his subordinate in Antwerp.

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do delbhoip 7 pictuiribh, apsal naemh 7 firen ier n-a n-imdenomh do marmar gle-glan. Assidhe gussin du i n-a ndingentaidhe na gloinidhe. Examail ingantach inntlech- tach innus 7 cruth mar do-ronadh 7 mar do hullmaigedh 0 thfis in teine a ndentar iad. BaT ar comhlassadh go sirraidhe d'oidche 7 do 16 fri re en-bliad«^ deg roimhe sin. Madh dia ndeachadh scur no cose ar a hadhnadh 7 ar a comh- lassadh en-uair amhain, nl lugha-sa-chach no cuic ced pon do caithfidhi re n-a cor suas an athhiiair iol ticfadh en-ghloine amhain ullamh este [p. 30]. As sin doib go statuss ro-onorach bui a gcert-mhedhon na cathrach. Ba roi-dhess daingen dess deig-denmach in tegh sin, acht do bithin in chocaidh bui ann in tan sin, ni roibhe tathaighe air. Eirghit go tegh. oile ro-oirrderc dar com.hainm gestus. At ait tra seomraidhe codalta go tteghduissip tom.haltuiss ag gach traibhleraidhe d'uile naision sa chrTstaigecht urdhalta san tigh sin. Cathair Anuuoirp immorro i n-a meide b^dein ar chathrachoip saidpre dessa daingne di-thoghluide degh- fhoirgenta na cristaigheachta, go ruiber ro-aoibhinn, go gcomhghar mara agass tire i n-a himfhoixe.

LV. Ascnait assin gcathraigh tar eiss mhedhoin laoi trT leige. Riccit ruiber Gant. Eirgit go baile beg ar bru in ruibeir i n-a ff'ail caislen daingen ag in righ. Ced saigdiuir go sirraidhe dia bhardacht. Milbruc a ainm. Ar n-a m,harach doib go Filfort, baile ro-dhaingen i n-a ffuil caislen laidir ag in arsdiuc. Gach aon d'uaisslip an tire atruilles dia mi- ghnimharthaibh hadem bass d'f[h]aghail do-geip mar chuiss impidhe 7 onorachuisss gan bass liadhnach no foUus a ffiadh- nuisi caich d'f[h]aghail, tochuirter iatt gusin gcaislen gcetna sin. Faoi Dia acht in guibernoir ni himda persa ar talm.ain is fessach cred an oigedh no in bass geipit, arht ni thernoighit tar aiss amach go brath.

LVL Eirgit in la sin b^dein go Louaine gussin prlm.h- chathraigh n-oirrdirc n-arsanta. Comhfhairsing a ttim- chuairt a ballaidhi. Rannchuid di ban ga[n] aittreabadh no inotacht, si des degh-fhoirgenta, go ro-imat tempall 7 mainis-

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made of pure white marble. They went from there to the place where the glasses were made. Strange and wonderful and skilful was the method and manner in which they made and prepared from the beginning the fire in which they are made. It had been continually lighted by day and night for eleven years before that time. If once a cessation or quenching should come on its flames, not less than five hundred pounds would be spent in kindling it again before one glass could come out of it completed. They went from that place to a very imposing town hall in the centre of the city. That ho use was very beautiful, strong, and well-built, but because of the war that had been there at that time, it was not open to visitors. They went to another remarkable house called a " guest- house." There are in that house sleeping-rooms and dining- rooms prepared for every traveller of every nation in Christen- dom. The city of Antwerp ranks am,ong the richest, most beautiful, strongest, most impregnable, and best built cities in the world, with a very beautiful river, and both sea and land in proximity to it.

LV, They hastened out of that city after midday, and went three leagues till they reached the river [which flows through] Ghent. They went to a small town on the bank of the river where the King has a strong castle, with a hundred soldiers always guarding it. Willebroeck ^ is its name The next day they went to Vilvorde,^ a very strong town where the Archduke has a strong castle. Every nobleman of the country meriting death by his own misdeeds, who obtains as an act of grace and concession that he shall not suffer death m public before the people, is brought to that same castle. Under God, not many persons in the world except the gover- nor know what death and end they meet, but they never come oat again.

LVI. That day also they went to Louvain, the famous

^ It lies between Antwerp and, Brussels, but not on the river Scheldt, which flows from Ghent to the former city. It is, however, not far from the Dyle, its tributary.

^ Situated a few miles north of Bru

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trech, go llnmhaireacht ord 7 degh-sheruissi De. Tempall Petair a gcert-lar in baili ar n-a denomh 7 ar n-a oibriugadh go ro-mhaith go ndeilbh ndeiligthe ndealraigthigh Muire oige do- gn! go follus laithemail imat fert 7 mirbal, go leith-ched altoir ondrach go pictuirip peinntelta [p. 31], seiruiss De go slrraidhe for gach n-alt5ir diop. Mile beg on gcathraigh cuirt roi-dhess ag diuc de Ascot, si ar n-a himdenomh 7 ar n-a hoibriugadh go ro-shaothrach ni.5r-chosfuiss, go ruiber ro-m.haith. ag a timchioUadh, go ngairdinip deigh-denmhacha inntleachtacha uisgemhla. Sepel ro-onorach ar dheissi in domain ar n-a chorndach lesin diuc b^dein as urchomhair na cuirte i n-a ffuil pictuir, stair 7 tomba in diuc, go starthachaibh 7 go pictuirip a sheinnser roimhe o Adhamh anuass. Ar ruibher na cuirte cetna sin muilionn ro-inntleachtach do-ghni a n-ein- fheacht bleith in arbha 7 sgoltadh in adhmaid gan lamh- chongnamh ar doman acht a oifficech dia dirgadh i n-a -lignedh coir.

LVH. Dia dardaoin do shonnradh in t-ochtmadh la fiched Februarii 1608 triallait na maithe si gus in Edaill, da fher deg ar f[h]ichit doip ar eachraidh. Cdiste ag a mnaip uaissle. Fagbhaitt diss mac Ui Neill, Sean 7 Brian, an barun mac in ierla, 7 Aodh mac Cathbharr, O Coinne 7 Seaan O Hagain [7] drong oile da ndaoinibh uaissle 7 dia lucht lenam,hna a fFlonndrus a ffochair in choreneil.

LVHL Bator an oidhche sin tra a m,baile dier comhainm. Uuafer ceithre leige o Louain, trup marcshlaighi in arsadiuc

1 The Cathedral of Louvain was commenced in 1423. Several remarkable paintings are still preserved there.

2 The year 1608 began on Tuesday, therefore the data here are accurate. But Edmonds writing to Salisbury 18/28th February, says : " The Earl of Tyrone departed yesterday from Louvayne," in which particular he is wrong, as our narrative indicates.

^ Defeated in his purpose to go to Spain, as has been described in eh. xliii and note, 'O Nc^ill determined to proceed to the Eternal City by way of Lorraine, Switzerland and Italy. Edmonds learned this towards the end of January, and at once indicated to the Duke of Lorraine that his service to His Majesty King James I. required that no favourable entertainment should be afforded to the fugitives. See his letter and enclosure to Salisbury, Cal. St. Pa. 644-5.

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ancient city. The circuit of its walls is extensive. Portion of it is unoccupied by house or habitation. It is -beautiful and well-built, having many churches and monasteries, with a large number of clergy and m.uch divine service. The Church of Saint Peter ^ is in the centre of the city, well-built and decorated, with an excellent white statue of the Vi-^gin Mary, which daily performs visibly many miracles and wonders ; also fifty splendid altars with painted pictures, and divine ser- vice- continually at each altar. A short mile from the city the Duke of Ascot has a very pretty court, built and decorated with m,uch labour and expense, with a good river surrounding it, and well-made, artistic, well-watered gardens. There is a beautiful church, one of the prettiest in the world, built by the Duke himself, in front of the court, in which there is a picture, history, and tomb of the Duke, and histories and representations of his ancestors before him., from. Adam down On the river of that same court there is a cleverly con- structed mjll, which at one time grinds corn and splits timber, without any assistance except that of a driver directing it in its proper function.

LVII. On Thursday, the twenty-eighth of February,^ 1608, the princes, with their retinue, set out for Italy,'^ in all thirty-two riding on horseback. Their ladies had a coach. They left two of 'O Neill's sons, Sean^ and Brian,^ the Baron,*^ the Earl [of Tyrconnell's] son, Aodh,' the son of Cathbharr, 'O Coinne,^ Sean 'O Hagain,^ and others of their nobles and followers in Flanders with the Colonel.

LVIII. They came that night to a town called Wavre,^" four league's from Louvain, with a troop of the Archduke's

* See p. 16 (4) supra.

^ See p. 16 (5) supra. ^

* See p. 18 (21) supra. ' See p. 18 (23) supra.

* See "p. 17 (11) and (15) supra.

* See p. 17 (11) supra.

1" This town lies 14 miles south-east of Brussels in the province of South Brabant. Grouchy defeated the Prussians there on the day of Waterloo. The scene of the main action is a short distance to the west.

74

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dia gcoimhiteacht 7 dia ttiodhlacadh. Ar n-a mharach. ddibh se leige do dhroichshligidh granna go Namures. Oirissit ann an oidhche sin. Tainic tra guibernoir na cath- rach llnmaireacht do dhaoinibh maithe d'f[h]orffailtiugadh friu 7 dia nglacadh chuca go hiomchubaidh, onorach. Cuiriss cuideachta go leith saighdiuir dia ttiodhlacadh ar n-a mharach d'inaegla namat dia rochtain. Fo bhithin aimhreidhe uiscemhla na shgheadh rompa fagbhait a gcoiste sa gcath- raigh sin. Cuirit a gcailleacha ar eachroidh [p. 32]. Gabh- uiss in corenel co n-a lucht coimhideachta a gced friu annsin.

LIX. Cruinn-chathoir dhess dhaingen dheghfhoirgenta in baile sin go tteghduissip ro-maithi deig-denta ar n-a suidh- iugadh a nghonn ro-aoibhinn. Ruibher ro-mhaith ar n-a chomhtharroing 7 ar n-a chomroinn go linmhar thrithe, go n-imat droichet, go mbadoip linmhara. Caisslen ro-laidir ag righ na Spainne ar foradh-chnoc ard aoipinn uas an gcath- raigh ag a ffuil commanndar, cennus 7 uachtaranacht ar in mbaili uile, go marcshlaigh moir go saigdiuirip linmhara gc^ sirraidhe.

LX. As sin doibh go Mars ocht leige. Tigit saigdiuiridhc in baili i n-a gcomhairrchiss leige 5n mbaili. Bator ann an oidhche sin. Baile beag daingen i n-a ffuil fort ag an righ go sochraide laidir in baile sin tra.

LXL Ar n-a mharach dia domhnaigh .2. Martii se leige doip go baile dar comhainm Bastoinn. Ni rangatar a less tiodhlacadh in la sin. As sin doip se leige go Harlon, baile gapus lessin righ.

LXn. Ar n-a mharach dia m.airt go baile le diuc de Lorene ceithri leige. Bator conuaidh leo gonuigi sin. Ann- sin chom,raicess 7 etorscaruss ferann in rig 7 duthaigh diuc de Loreine re aroile. Fort ro-dhaingen ar n-a imdenamh lessin diuc sa mbaili sin go mbardoip laidire linm,hara d'im,-

^ See I). 55 n. 5 supra. The old citadel referred to in the next chapter is situated at the junction of the Sambre and the Meuse. A town of Belgium, about 28 miles south-east of Namur. ^ Bastogne lies to the south-east of Marche.

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cavalry attending and escorting them. The next day they went six leagues of an ugly, bad road to Namur. ^ They re- mained there that night. The governor of the city came with a large number of noblemen to welcome and receive them with propriety and honour. He sent a company and a half of soldiers to escort them, the next day, for fear the enemy might m.eet them.. Because of the unevenness and wetness of the road ahead of them., they left their coach in that city. They put their women on horses. The Colonel and those who accompanied him, took leave of them, there.

LIX. This is a compact, line, strong, well-built city, with good, well-m^ade houses, situated in a very beautiful glen. There is a good river directed and divided in many parts through it, with a large numbe" of bridges and a great supply of boats. On a beautiful high hill over the city the King of Spain has a very strong castle, which has command, headship, and m^astery over the whole town, [m,anned] with a large body of cavalry and numerous soldiers always.

LX. From there they went eight leagues to Marche. "^ The soldiers of the town came out one league to meet them They stayed in it that night. That town is sm.al] and fortified, and the King [of Spain] has a fort in it with a strong garrison.

LXI. The next day, Sunday the second of March, they went six leagues to a town called Bastogne.^ They required no escort that day. From there they went six leagues to Arlon,^ a town belonging to the King [of Spain].

LXn. The next day, Tuesday, they went to a town ^ belonging to the Duke of Lorraine, four leagues distant. They had a convoy with them, as far as that. It is there the King [of Spain's] country and that of the Duke of Lorraine meet and separate from each other. There is a very strong fort, built by the Duke, in that town, with many strong

* Arlon lies south of Bastogne, near the modern French frontier.

^ Though 'O Cianain does not give the name, it can hardly be any other but Longwy {lougus I'icus), situated just inside the French frontier in the department of Meurthe and Moselle.

j6 FLIGHT OF THE EARLS

dheghoil 7 d'imchosnamh toronna a thire ar chomharsnach- aibh. Nl mor immorro leigther d'f[h]echain no do breth- nugadh in daingin sin amhain. Ba ro-olc aimhreidh uisgemoil na slighthe 0 Namures gussin du sin, go gcoilltip inadha, go tteirce n-dSxtx^hadh. Eirgit in la cetna sin da leigi go baile dar comhainm Feilirs.

LXHL Ar n-a mharach doip secht leige go baile posta dar comhainm Malatur. Gabhait in [p. 33] la cetna sin tria baile roi-dhess Countflaune. Bui ruiber ro-docom.hlach go ttuile ro-laidir ar a roibhi droichet trid. Fuair an t-athair Tomass Strong 7 Magbethadh contabhairt baitte ar in ruiber sin, oir ro trascradh a each fo gach aon aca. Ba heiccen doip gan a snam,h do dhermat.

LXIV. As sin doip coic leige go Pontem,ountson, baile laidir dess le diuc Loren i n-a ffuil palass ro-m.haith ag in diuc. Oirissit ann da oidche. Leicit daoine rom.pa gussin diuc dia fhoillsiugadh go roipe a ttriall chuigi. Ruiber ro- oirrderc triassan m.baili go ndroichet is l5r feabhas, caislen ro-daingen go mbardoip llnm.hara ar c[h]noc ard uassa, 7 is uaidh ainninigt[h]er in, baile.

LXV. Ceim.nigit as sin ar in taop chle don ruiber tri leige, a mbattoip ier sin tar in ruiber. Eirgit go Nancside da leige, prIm,h-chathoir in diuc b^dein. Ba ro-aoibhinn examail in

^ This town is still in French territory, slightly to the north-west of Audun-le-Ronian, and close to the German frontier.

* It was evidently situated to the north of Conflans, in the depart- ment of Meurthe and Moselle, but I find no trace of it on the maps.

' Conflans in the department o f Meurthe and Moselle, and lies west of Metz, close to the German frontier.

* T7ie Orne, on which Conflans is situated, joins the Moselle below Metz.

5 A Waterford friar who, according to informations given to Parsons, Clerk of the Crown and Peace in Munster, returned to Ireland from Spain in 1608 on political business. He is described as " of low stature and thick, about 40 years of age ; the colour of his hair is dark brown inclining to black ; is of a yellow complexion ; he has an infirmity in his eyes, which causes him to open and shut them, and to twinkle with them," Cal. St. Pa. 540. On October 17th, 1624, the Earl of Cork writes to the Deputy : " Friar Strong arrived at Waterford in the beginning of May last, being employed from beyond seas to ]irepare the chieftains' handS)

FLIGHT OF THE EARLS ']^

guards to protect and defend the frontier of his country against neighbours. Not many are permitted