Chapter I.
Celtic Literature - Antiquity of our Annals - Moore - How we should estimate Tradition - The Materials for Irish History - List of the Lost Books - The Cuilmenn - The Saltair of Tara, &c. - The Saltair of Cashel - Important MSS. preserved in Trinity College - By the Royal Irish Academy - In Belgium.
Chapter II
Tighernach and his Annals - Erudition and Research of our Early Writers - The Chronicum Scotorum - Duald Mac Firbis - Murdered, and his Murderer is protected by the Penal Laws - The Annals of the Four Masters - Michael O’Clery - His Devotion to his Country - Ward - Colgan - Dedication of the Annals - The Book of Invasions - Proofs of our Early Colonization.
Chapter III
First Colonists - The Landing of Ceasair, before the Flood - Landing of Partholan, after the Flood, at Inver Scene - Arrival of Nemedh - The Fomorians - Emigration of the Nemenians - The Firbolgs - Division of Ireland by the Firbolg Chiefs - The Tuatha De Dananns - Their Skill as Artificers - Nuada of the Silver Hand - The Warriors Sreng and Breas - The Satire of Cairbré - Termination of the Fomorian Dynasty.
Chapter IV
The Scythians Colonists - Testimony of Josephus - Magog and his Colony - Statements of our Annals confirmed by a Jewish Writer - By Herodotus - Nennius relates what is told by the “Most Learned of the Scoti” - Phoenician Circumnavigation of Africa - Phoenician Colonization of Spain - Iberus and Himerus - Traditions of Partholan - Early Geographical Accounts of Ireland - Early Social Accounts of Ireland.
Chapter V
Landing of the Milesians - Traditions of the Tuatha De Dananns in St. Patrick’s time - The Lia Fail, or Stone of Destiny - The Milesians go back to sea “nine waves” - They conquer ultimately - Reign of Eremon - Landing of the Picts - Bede’s Account of Ireland - Fame of its Fish and Goats - Difficulties of Irish Chronology - Importance and Authenticity of Irish Pedigrees - Qualifications of an Ollamh - Milesian Genealogies - Historical Value of Pedigrees - National Feelings should be respected - Historic Tales - Poems.
Chapter VI
Tighearnmas - His Death - Introduces Colours as a Distinction of Rank - Silver Shields and Chariots first used - Reign of Ugaine Mor - The Treachery of Cobnthach - Romantic Tales - Queen Mab - Dispute which led to the celebrated Cattle Spoil - The Story of the Tain bo Chuailgne - The Romans feared to invade Ireland - Tacitus - Revolt of the Attacotti - Reign of Tuathal - Origin of the Boromean Tribute.
Chapter VII
Tuathal - Conn “of the Hundred Battles” - The Five Great Roads of Ancient Erinn - Conn’s Half - Conairé II. - The Three Cairbrés - Cormac Mac Airt - His Wise Decision - Collects Laws - His Personal Appearance - The Saltair of Tara written in Cormac’s Reign - Finn Mac Cumhaill - His Courtship with the Princess Ailbhé - The Pursuit of Diarmaid and Grainné - Nial “of the Nine Hostages” - Dathi.
Chapter VIII
St. Patrick - How Ireland was first Christianized - Pagan Rome used providentially to promote the Faith - The Mission of St. Palladius - Innocent I. claims authority to found Churches and condemn Heresy - Disputes concerning St. Patrick’s Birthplace - Ireland receives the Faith generously - Victorious - St. Patrick’s Vision - His Roman Mission clearly proved - Subterfuges of those who deny it - Ancient Lives of the Saint - St. Patrick’s Canons - His Devotion and Submission to the Holy See.
Chapter IX
St. Patrick visits Tara - Easter Sunday - St. Patrick’s Hymn - Dubtach salute him - He overthrows the Idols at Magh Slecht - The Princesses Ethnea and Fethlimia - Their Conversion - Baptism of Aengus - St. Patrick travels through Ireland - His Success in Munster - He blesses the whole country from Cnoc Patrick - The First Irish Martyr - St. Patrick’s Death - Pagan Prophecies - Conor Mac Nessa - Death of King Laeghaire - The Church did not and does not countenance Pagan Superstition - Oilioll Molt - Death of King Aengus - Foundation of the Kingdom of Scotland - St. Brigid - Shrines of the Three Saints - St. Patrick’s Prayer for Ireland, and its Fulfilment.
Chapter X
The Religion of Ancient Erinn - The Druids and their Teaching - The Irish were probably Fire-worshippers - The Customs of Ancient Erinn - Similarity between Eastern and Irish Customs - Beal Fires - Hunting the Wren - “Jacks,” a Grecian game - “Keen,” an Eastern Custom - Superstitions - The Meaning of the Word - What Customs are Superstitious and what are not - Holy Wells - The Laws of Ancient Erinn - Different kinds of Laws - The Lex non Scripta and the Lex Scripta - Christianity necessitated the Revision of Ancient Codes - The Compilation of the Brehon Laws - Proofs that St. Patrick assisted thereat - Law of Distress - Law of Succession - The Language of Ancient Erinn - Writing in pre-Christian Erinn - Ogham Writing - Antiquities of pre-Christian Erinn - Round Towers - Cromlechs - Raths - Crannoges.
Chapter XI
Pestilence of the Blefed - The Cursing of Tara by St. Rodanus - Extent and Importance of Ancient Tara - The First Mill in Ireland - The Lia Fail - Cormac’s House - The Rath of the Synods - The Banqueting Hall - Chariots and Swords - St. Columba - St. Brendan and his Voyages - Pre-Columbian Discovery of America - The Plague again - St. Columba and St. Columbanus - Irish Saints and Irish Schools - Aengus the Culdee.
Chapter XII.
Christianity improves the Social State of Ireland - A Saxon Invasion of Ireland - Domestic Wars - The English come to Ireland for Instruction - A Famine and Tempests - The First Danish Invasion - Cruelty of the Danes - The Black and White Gentiles - King Cormac Mac Cullinan - Cashel - Amlaff the Dane - Plunder of the Towns - Arrival of Sitric - Death of Nial Glundubh - The Circuit of Ireland - Malachy the Second - Entries in the Annals.
Chapter XIII
The Battle of Dundalk - The Danes supposed to be Christianized - Brian Boroimhé and his Brother Mahoun - The Dalcassians fight the Danes - Mahoun is assassinated - Brian revenges his Brother’s Murder - Malachy’s Exploits against the Danes - Malachy and Brian form a Treaty and fight the Danes - Malachy wins “the Collar of Gold” - Brian’s “Happy Family” at Kincora - He usurps the Supreme Power, and becomes Monarch of Ireland - Remote Causes of the Battle of Clontarf - Gormflaith is “grim” with Brian - Blockade of Dublin - The Danes prepare for a Fierce Conflict - Brian prepares also - The Battle of Clontarf - Disposition of the Forces - Brian’s Death - Defeat of the Danes.
Chapter XIV
Distinguished Irish Scholars and Religious - Domestic Feuds - O’Brien’s Illness caused by Fright - Pestilence and Severe Winters - Contentions between the Northerns and Southerns - Murtough’s Circuit of Ireland - The Danes attempt an Invasion - An Irish King sent to the Isle of Man - Destruction of Kincora - St. Celsus makes Peace - The Synod of Fidh Aengussa - Subjects considered by the Synod: (1) The Regulation of the Number of Dioceses, (2) the Sacrament of Matrimony, (3) the Consecration of Bishops, (4) Ceremonies at Baptism - St. Malachy - The Traitor Dermod - Synod at Mellifont Abbey - St. Laurence O’Toole.
Chapter XV
Social Life previous to the English Invasion - Domestic Habitations - Forts - Granard and Staigue - Crannoges and Log-houses - Interior of the Houses - The Hall - Food and Cooking Utensils - Regulations about Food - The Kind of Food used - Animal Food - Fish - Game - Drink and Drinking Vessels - Whisky - Heath Beer - Mead - Animal Produce - Butter and Cheese - Fire - Candles - Occupations and amusements - Chess - Music - Dress - Silk - Linen - Ancient Woollen Garments - Gold Ornaments - Trade - General Description of the Fauna and Flora of the Country.
Chapter XVI
The English Invasion - Dermod’s Interview with Henry II - Henry grants Letters-patent - Dermod obtains the assistance of Strongbow, Earl de Clare - He returns to Ireland - Arrival of English Forces under FitzStephen - Fatal Indifference of Roderic, the Irish Monarch - He is at last roused to action, but acknowledges Dermod’s Authority almost without a Struggle - Strongbow’s Genealogy - He obtains a Tacit Permission to invade Ireland - His Arrival in Ireland - Marriage of Strongbow and Eva - Death of Dermod Mac Murrough - Strongbow proclaims himself King of Leinster - Difficulties of his Position - Siege of Dublin - Strongbow’s Retreat - He returns to England.
Chapter XVII
Arrival of Henry II. - Some of the Native Princes pay him Homage - His Character - Dublin in the time of Henry II - His Winter Palace - Norman Luxuries - King Henry holds a Court - Adrian’s Bull - Temporal Power of the Popes in the Middle Ages - Conduct of the Clergy - Irish Property given to English Settlers - Henry II. returns to England - The Account Cambrensis gives of the Injuries done to Ireland by his Countrymen - Raymond, Montmarisco, and Strongbow - The latter is defeated - He recalls Raymond from Wales - Treaty between Roderic and Henry - Death of Strongbow.
Chapter XVIII
FitzAldelm appointed Viceroy - De Courcy in Ulster - Arrival of Cardinal Vivian - Henry II. confers the Title of King of Ireland on his son John - Irish Bishops at the Council of Lateran - Death of St. Laurence O’Toole - Henry’s Rapacity - John Comyn appointed Archbishop of Dublin - John’s Visit to Ireland - Insolence of his Courtiers - De Lacy’s Death - Death of Henry II - Accession of Richard I - An English Archbishop tries to obtain Justice for Ireland - John succeeds to the Crown - Cathal Crovderg - Massacres in Connaught - De Courcy’s Disgrace and Downfall - His Death.
Chapter XIX.
Quarrels of the English Barons - The Interdict - John crushes and starves an Archdeacon to Death - King John’s Visit to Ireland - He starves the Wife and Son of Earl de Braose to Death - Henry de Londres - The Poet O’Daly - Obituaries of Good Men - Henry III. - Regulations about the Viceroy - The Scorch Villain - Scandalous Conduct of the Viceroys - Three Claimants for Connaught - Death of Hugh Crovderg - Felim O’Connor - Henry’s Foreign Advisers - Plots against the Earl of Pembroke - He is wounded treacherously - His Pious Death - Misfortunes of the Early Settlers - De Marisco’s Son is hanged for High Treason, and he dies miserably in Exile.
Chapter XX
The Age was not all Evil - Good Men in the World and in the Cloister - Religious Houses and their Founders - The Augustinians and Cistercians - Franciscans and Dominicans - Their close Friendship - Dominican Houses - St. Saviour’s, Dublin - The Black Abbey, Kilkenny - Franciscan Houses - Youghal - Kilkenny - Multifarnham - Timoleague - Donegal - Carmelite Convents and Friars - Rising of the Connaught Men - A Plunderer of the English - Battle of Downpatrick - The MacCarthys defeat the Geraldines at Kenmare - War between De Burgo and FitzGerald.
Chapter XXI
Reign of Edward I. - Social State of Ireland - English Treachery - Irish Chieftains set at Variance - The Irish are refused the Benefit of English Law - Feuds between the Cusacks and the Barretts - Death of Boy O’Neill - The Burkes and the Geraldines - Quarrel between FitzGerald and De Vesci - Possessions obtained by Force or Fraud - Why the Celt was not Loyal - The Governors and the Governed - Royal Cities and their Charters - Dublin Castle, its Officers, Law Courts - A Law Court in the Fourteenth Century - Irish Soldiers help the English King - A Murder for which Justice is refused - Exactions of the Nobles - Invasion of Bruce [see infra] - Remonstrance to the Pope - The Scotch Armies withdrawn from Ireland.
Chapter XXII
The Butlers - Quarrels of the Anglo-Norman Nobles - Treachery and its Consequences - The Burkes proclaim themselves Irish - Opposition Parliaments - The Statute of Kilkenny and its Effects - Mistakes of English Writers - Social Life in Ireland described by a French Knight - “Banishment” to Ireland - Richard II. visits Ireland.
Chapter XXIII
Henry IV. - A Viceroy’s Difficulties - The Houses of York and Lancaster - The Colony almost Bankrupt - Literary Ladies in Ireland - A Congress of Literati - The Duke of York is made Viceroy - Affection of the Irish for him - Popularity of the Yorkists in Ireland - A Book given for a Ransom - Desolating Effects of the Wars of the Roses - Accession of Henry VII - Insurrection of the Yorkists - Simnel is crowned in Dublin - Warbeck’s Insurrection - Poyning’s Parliament - Poyning’s Law and its Effects - The Earl of Kildare accused of Treason - His Defence and Pardon - His Quickwitted Speeches - He is acquitted honorably - His Letter to the Gherardini - Ariosto.
Chapter XXIV
The Reign of Henry VIII - The Three Eras in Irish History: Military Violence, Legal Iniquity, and Religious Oppression - The Earl of Kildare - Report on the State of Ireland - The Insurrection of Silken Thomas - His Execution with his five Uncles - First Attempt to introduce the Reformation in Ireland - Real Cause of the English Schism - The King acts as Head of the Church - The New Religion enacted by Law, and enforced by the Sword - How the Act was opposed by the Clergy, and how the Clergy were disposed of - Dr. Browne’s Letter to Henry - The Era of Religious Persecution - Massacre of a Prelate, Priest, and Friars - Wholesale Plunder of Religious Property.
Chapter XXV
Creation of the Earls of Thomond and Clanrickarde - How the King procured Money - Prayers in English - Opposition of Dr. Dowdall - Accession of Queen Mary - Joy of the Irish - The Catholic Service restored Publicly - Accession of Queen Elizabeth - Shane O’Neill obtains his Dominions - Parliament assembled - Unfair Dealing - Martyrs in the Reign of Elizabeth - The Protestant Archbishop advises Persecution - Cruelties enacted by English Officers - Shane O’Neill - The Deputy tries to get him Poisoned or Assassinated, with the Queen’s Concurrence - His Visit to England - He refuses to Dress in the English Fashion.
Chapter XXVI
Spenser’s Castle - Sidney’s Official Account of Ireland - Miserable State of the Protestant Church - The Catholic Church and its Persecuted Rulers - The Viceroy’s Administration - A Packed Parliament and its Enactments - Claim of Sir P. Carew - An Attempt to plant in Ulster - Smith’s Settlement in the Ards - His Description of the Native Irish - He tries to induce Englishmen to join him - Smith is killed, and the attempt to plant fails - Essex next tries to colonize Ulster - He dies in Dublin - Sidney returns to Ireland - His Interview with Granuaile - Massacre at Mullamast - Spenser’s Account of the State of Ireland.
Chapter XXVII
FitzMaurice obtains Help from Spain and from Rome - The Martyrs of Kilmallock - Death of FitzMaurice - Drury’s Cruelties and Death - Arrival of San Jose - His Treachery - Massacre at the Fort del Ore - O’Neill shows Symptoms of Disaffection - Treacherous Capture of O’Donnell - Injustice to Tenants - O’Donnell attempts to Escape - O’Neill’s Marriage with Mabel Bagnal - O’Donnell Escapes from Dublin Castle - Causes of Discontent - Cruel Massacre of Three Priests - Tortures and Death inflicted in Dublin on Bishop O’Hurley - O’Neill’s Insurrection - His Interview with Essex - He marches to the South - His Fatal Reverse at Kinsale - The Siege of Dunboy - O’Neill’s Submission - Foundation of Trinity College, Dublin, on the Site and with the Funds of a Catholic Abbey.
Chapter XXVIII
Accession of King James - Joy of the Irish Catholics - Their Disappointment - Bishops, Priests, and Laity imprisoned for the Faith - Paul V. encourages the Catholics to Constancy - Plot to entrap O’Neill and O’Donnell - Flight of the Earls - Ulster is left to the Mercy of the English Nation - The Plantation commences - Chichester’s Parliament, and how he obtained Members - Death of James I., and Accession of Charles - The Hopes of the Catholics are raised again - They offer a large sum of Money to obtain “Graces” - It is accepted, and the “Graces” are treacherously refused - The Plantation of Connaught - How Obedience was enforced and Resistance punished - Conspiracy to seize Dublin - Sir Phelim O’Neill - Massacre of Island Magee.
Chapter XXIX
English Adventurers speculate on Irish Disaffection - Coote’s Cruelties - Meeting of Irish Noblemen and Gentlemen - Discontent of the People - The Catholic Priests try to save Protestants from their fury - A National Synod to deliberate on the State of Irish Affairs - The General Assembly is convened at Kilkenny - A Mint is established - A Printing-Press set up - Relations are entered into with Foreign States, and a Method of Government is organized - Differences of Opinion between the Old Irish and Anglo-Irish - A Year’s Treaty is made - Arrival of Rinuccini - He lands at Kenmare - His Account of the Irish People - His Reception at Kilkenny - His Opinion of the State of Affairs - Divisions of the Confederates - Ormonde’s Intrigues - The Battle of Benburb - Divisions and Discord in Camp and Senate - A Treaty signed and published by the Representatives of the English King - Rinuccini returns to Italy.
Chapter XXX
Cromwell arrives in Ireland - He marches to Drogheda - Cruel Massacre of the Inhabitants after promise of Quarter - Account of an Eyewitness - Brutality of the Cromwellian Soldiers - Ladies are not spared - Cromwell’s Letters - He boasts of his Cruelties - Massacre and Treachery at Drogheda - Brave Resistance at Clonmel - Charles II. arrives in Scotland - The Duplicity of his Conduct towards the Irish - Siege of Limerick - Ireton’s Cruelties and Miserable Death - The Banishment to Connaught - The Irish are sold as Slaves to Barbadoes - General Desolation and Misery of the People.
Chapter XXXI
The Irish transported as Slaves to Barbadoes - The Three Beasts who were to be hunted: the Wolf, the Priest, and the Tory - Origin and Causes of Agrarian Outrages - Cases of Individual Wrongs - Lord Roche - Mr. Luttrel - Accession of Charles II. - His Base Conduct towards the Irish Loyalists - Gross Injustice towards the Irish Catholic Landowners - The Remonstrance opposed by the Clergy - A Quarrel in the House of Lords - The Popish Plot - Ormonde’s Difficulties - Seizure and Imprisonment of the Archbishop of Dublin - Imprisonment and Execution of the Most Rev. Dr. Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh.
Chapter XXXII
Glimpses of Social Life in the Seventeenth Century - Literature and Literary Men - Keating - the Four Masters - Colgan - Ward - Usher - Ware - Lynch - Trade - Commerce depressed by the English - Fairs - Waterford Rugs - Exportation of Cattle forbidden - State of Trade in the Principal Towns - Population - Numbers employed in different Trades - Learned Professions - Physicians - Establishment of their College in Dublin - Shopkeepers - Booksellers - Coffee-houses - Clubs - Newspapers - Fashionable Churches - Post-houses and Post-offices established - Customhouse - Exchange - Amusements - Plays at the Castle - The First Theatre set up in Werburgh-street - Domestics Manners and Dress - Food - A Country Dinner Party in Ulster.
Chapter XXXIII
Accession of James II. - Position of Public Affairs - Birth of an Heir - Landing of William of Orange - Arrival of King James in Ireland - The Siege of Derry - Cruelties of the Enniskilleners - Disease in Schomberg’s Camp - The Battle of the Boyne - James’ Defeat and Disgraceful Flight - The Siege of Athlone - The Siege of Limerick - Marlborough appears before Cork - William raises the Siege of Limerick and returns to England - The Siege of Athlone, Heroic Valour of its Defenders - The Battle of Aughrim - Surrender of Limerick.
Chapter XXXIV.
Formation of the Irish Brigade - Violation of the Treaty of Limerick - Enactment of the Penal Laws - Restrictions on Trade - The Embargo Laws - The Sacramental Test introduced - The Palatines - The Irish forbidden to enlist in the Army - Dean Swift and the Drapier’s Letters - Attempts to form a Catholic Association - Irish Emigrants defeat the English in France, Spain, and America - The Whiteboys - An Account of the Cause of these Outrages, by an English Tourist - Mr. Young’s Remedy for Irish Disaffection - The Peculiar Position and Difficulties of Irish Priests - The Judicial Murder of Father Nicholas Sheehy - Grattan’s Demand for Irish Independence - The Volunteers - A Glimpse of Freedom.
Chapter XXXV
Celebrated Irishmen of the Eighteenth Century - Burke - His School and College Life - Early Hatred of Oppression - Johnson’s Estimate of Burke - Essay on the Sublime and Beautiful - Commencement of his Political Career - Opinions on the American Question - English Infatuation and Injustice - Irishmen Prominent Actors in the American Revolution - Its Causes and Effects - Burke on Religions Toleration - Catholic Emancipation - His Indian Policy - Moore - His Poetry and Patriotism - Curran - Swift - Lucas - Flood - Grattan - Earl of Charlemont - Irish Artists, Authors, and Actors - Sheridan - Scene in the House of Lords during the Impeachment of Warren Hastings - Goldsmith.
Chapter XXXVI
The Volunteers deserted by their Leaders - Agrarian Outrages and their Cause - Foundation of the United Irishmen - Cruelties of the Orangemen - Government Spies and Informers - Lord Moira exposes the Cruelty of the Yeomanry in Parliament - Mr. Orr’s Trial and Death - Details of the Atrocities enacted by the Military from a Protestant History - Tom the Devil - Cruelties practised by Men of Rank - Licentiousness of the Army - Death of Lord Edward FitzGerald - The Rising - Martial Law in Dublin - The Insurrection in Wexford - Massacres at Scullabogue House and Wexford-bridge by the Insurgents - How the Priests were rewarded for saving Lives and Property - The Insurrection in Ulster - The State Prisoners - The Union.
Chapter XXXVII
The State of Ireland before and after the Union - Advancement of Trade before the Union - Depression after it - Lord Clare and Lord Castlereagh in the English Parliament - The Catholic Question becomes a Ministerial Difficulty - The Veto - The O’Connell Sept - Early Life of Daniel O’Connell - The Doneraile Conspiracy - O’Connell as Leader of the Catholic Party - The Clare Election - O’Connell in the English House of Parliament - Sir Robert Peel - George IV visits Ireland - Disturbances in Ireland from the Union to the year 1834, and their Causes - Parliamentary Evidence - The “Second Reformation” - Catholic Emancipation - Emigration, its Causes and Effects - Colonial Policy of England - Statistics of American Trade and Population - Importance of the Irish and Catholic Element in America - Conclusion. Index. |
Since this chapter was written, Mr. O’Flanagan has kindly presented me with his valuable History of Dundalk, from which I am permitted to make the following extracts, which throw much additional light upon the subject [History of Dundalk, pp.46-48.]:
“‘In the ninth year of King Edward’s reign,’ writes Hollinshed, ‘Edward Bruce, brother to Robert Bruce, King of Scots, [345] entered the north part of Ireland, with 6,000 men. There were with him divers captains of high renown among the Scottish nation, of whom were these: The Earls of Murray and Monteith, the Lord John Stewart, the Lord John Campbell, the Lord Thomas Randolf, Fergus of Ardrossan, John Wood, and John Bisset. They landed near to Cragfergus, in Ulster, and joining with the Irish (a large force of whom was led out by Fellim, son of Hugh O’Conor). Thus assisted, he conquered the Earldom of Ulster, and gave the English there divers great overthrows, took the town of Dundalk, spoiled and burned it, with a great part of Orgiel. They burned churches and abbeys, with the people whom they found in the same, sparing neither man, woman, nor child. Then was the Lord Butler chosen Lord Justice, who made the Earl of Ulster and the Geraldines friends, and reconciled himself with Sir John Mandeville, thus seeking to preserve the residue of the realm which Edward Bruce meant wholly to conquer, having caused himself to be crowned King of Ireland.
“Dundalk was heretofore the stronghold of the English power, and the head-quarters of the army for the defence of the Pale. At the north, as Barbour preserves in his metrical history of Robert Bruce:
“‘At Kilsaggart Sir Edward lay,
And wellsom he has heard say
That at Dundalk was assembly
Made of the lords of that country’.
It was not, however, within this town that the ceremony of Bruce’s coronation took place, but, according to the best avouched tradition, on the hill of Knock-na-Melin, at half a mile’s distance.
“Connaught the while was torn with dissensions and family feuds, of which availing himself, ‘the Lord Justice’ (to resume the narrative of Hollinshed) ‘assembled a great power out of Munster and Leinster, and other parts thereabouts; and the Earl of Ulster, with another army, came in unto him near unto Dundalk. There they consulted together how to deal in defending the country against the enemies; but, hearing the Scots were withdrawn back, the Earl of Ulster followed them, and, fighting with them at “Coiners,” he lost the field. There were many slain on both parts; and William de Burgh, the Earl’s brother, Sir John Mandeville, and Sir Alan FitzAlan were taken prisoners.’ Bruce’s adherents afterwards ravaged other parts of the Pale, Meath, Kildare, &, [346] but met with much resistance. At length ‘Robert le Bruce, King of Scots, came over himself, landed at Cragfergus, to the aid of his brother, whose soldiers most wickedly entered into churches, spoiling and defacing the same of all such tombs, monuments, plate, copes, and other ornaments which they found and might lay hands on’.
Ultimately ‘the Lord John Bermingham, being general of the field, and having with him divers captains of worthy fame, namely — Sir Richard Tuiyte, Sir Miles Verdon, Sir John Cusack, Sirs Edmund, and William, and Walter Bermingham, the Primate of Armagh, Sir Walter de la Pulle, and John Maupas (with some choice soldiers from Drogheda), led forth the King’s power to the number of 1,324 able men, against Edward Bruce, who had, with his adherents (the Lord Philip Moubray, the Lord Walter Soulis, the Lord Allan Stuart, with three brothers, Sir Walter Lacy, Sir Robert and Aumar Lacy, John Kermerelyn, Walter White, and about 3,000 others, writes Pembridge), encamped, not two miles from Dundalk, with 3,000 men, there abiding the Englishmen to fight with them if they came forward, which they did with all convenient speed, being as desirous to give battle as the Scots were to receive it. The Primate of Armagh, personally accompanying the English power, and blessing the enterprise, gave them such comfortable exhortation as he thought served the time ere they began to encounter, and herewith buckling together, at length the Scots fully and wholly were vanquished, and 2,000 of them slain, together with the Captain, Edward Bruce. Maupas, that pressed into the throng to encounter with Bruce hand to hand, was found, in the search, dead, aloft upon the slain body of Bruce. The victory thus obtained, upon St. Calixtus’ day, made an end of the Scottish kingdom in Ireland; and Lord Bermingham, sending the head of Bruce into England, presented it to King Edward, who, in recompense, gave him and his heirs male the Earldom of Louth, and the Baronies of Ardee and Athenry to him and his heirs general for ever,’ as hereafter noticed.
“‘Edward Bruce,’ say the Four Masters, ‘a man who spoiled Ireland generally, both English and Irish, was slain by the English, by force of battle and bravery, at Dundalk; and MacRory, Lord of the Hebrides, MacDonell, Lord of the Eastern Gael (in Antrim), and many others of the Albanian or Scottish chiefs were also slain; and no event occurred in Ireland for a long period from which so much benefit was derived as that, for a general famine prevailed [347] in the country during the three years and a half he had been in it, and the people were almost reduced to the necessity of eating each other.’ Edward Bruce was, however, unquestionably a man of great spirit, ambition, and bravery, but fiery, rash, and impetuous, wanting that rare combination of wisdom and valour which so conspicuously marked the character of his illustrious brother.
“During the sojourn of Edward Bruce in this kingdom, he did much to retard the spread of English rule. Having for allies many of the northern Irish, whose chieftain, O’Neill, invited him to be King over the Gael in Ireland, and whose neighbourhood to the Scottish coast made them regard his followers as their fellow-countrymen, he courted them on all occasions, and thus the Irish customs of gossipred and fostering — preferring the Brehon laws to statute law, whether enacted at Westminster or by the Parliaments of the Pale — destroyed all traces of the rule which the English wished to impose upon the province of Ulster. Many of the English settlers — Hugh de Lacy, John Lord Bissett, Sir Hugh Bissett, and others — openly took part with Bruce.
“The eastern shores of Ulster, Spenser informs us, previous to Bruce’s arrival, bounded a well-inhabited and prosperous English district, having therein the good towns of Knockfergus, Belfast, Armagh, and Carlingford; but in process of time became ‘out-bounds and abandoned places in the English Pale.’ According to the metrical history of Barbour, Edward Bruce was by no means disposed to continue a subject, while his brother reigned King; and, though Robert conferred his hereditary Earldom of Carrick upon him, it by no means satisfied his ambitious projects:
“‘The Erle of Carrick, Schyr Eduward,
That stouter was than a libbard,
And had na will to be in pess,
Thoucht that Scotland to litill was
Till his brother and hym alsua,
Therefor to purpose he gav ta
That he of Irland wold be king’.
“Shortly after his landing at Carrickfergus he proceeded towards the Pale. Dundalk, then the principal garrison within the Pale, had all the Englishry of the country assembled in force to defend it, when the Scots proceeded to the attack, ‘with banners all displayit.’ The English sent out a reconnoitering party, who brought back the cheering news, the Scots would be but ‘half a dinner’ [348] to them. This dinner, however, was never eaten. The town was stormed with such vigour that the streets flowed with the blood of the defenders; and such as could escape fled with the utmost precipitancy, leaving their foes profusion of victuals and great abundance of wine. This assault took place 29th June, 1315. It was upon this success the Scots crowned Edward Bruce King of Ireland, on the hill of Knocknamelan, near Dundalk, in the same simple national manner in which his brother had been inaugurated at Scone.
“The new monarch, however, was not disposed to rest inactive, and his troops had many skirmishes with Richard de Burgh, called the Red Earl of Ulster, who drove them as far as Coleraine. There they were in great distress; and they would have suffered much from hunger and want, had not a famous pirate, Thomas of Down, or Thomas Don, sailed up the Bann and set them free. De Burgh’s army were supplied with provisions from a distance; and one of Bruce’s famous leaders, named Randolph, Earl of Murray, who commanded the left wing at Bannockburn, having surprised the convoy on its way to De Burgh’s camp, equipped his men in the clothes of the escort, advanced at dusk with his cavalry, and the banner of the English flaunting in the night wind. A large party of De Burgh’s force, perceiving, as they thought, the approach of the expected provisions, advanced unguardedly to drive off the cattle, when they were vigorously assailed by the Scots, shouting their war-cry, and they were chased back with the loss of a thousand slain. De Burgh’s army included all the chivalry of Ireland — that is, the English portion, viz.: ‘The Butlers, earls two, of Kildare and Desmond; Byrnhame (Bermingham), Widdan (Verdon), and FitzWaryne, and Schyr Paschall off Florentyne, a Knight of Lombardy; with the Mandvillas, Bissetts, Logans, Savages, and Schyr Nyeholl off Kilkenave.’ The Ulster Journal thinks this list of Barbour’s incorrect; certainly Sir Edmond Butler was not among them, nor probably either of the Geraldine lords. Some lords of Munster, however, were present — Power, Baron of Donisle; Sir George Lord Roche, and Sir Roger Hollywood, of county Meath.
“On the 10th September, A.D. 1315, De Burgh, being reinforced, marched to attack Bruce’s position; but the Scots, leaving their banners flying to deceive the Anglo-Irish, fell upon their flank and gained the victory. This gave them Coleraine; and next day [349] they bore off a great store of corn, flour, wax, and wine, to Carrickfergus.
“This success gave to the Gael of the north an opportunity of declaring their exultation. Bruce, whose royal authority was previously confined to his Scottish troops, was proclaimed King of Ireland, and addressed as such.
“He then sent the Earl of Murray to Edinburgh, where the King of Scotland kept his court, entreating him to join him in Ireland.
“‘For war thai both in to that land
Thai suld find nane culd thaim withstand’.
Robert gladly promised compliance, but was for some time prevented by the exigencies of his own kingdom. Murray returned with a small reinforcement, but 500 men, and landed at Dundalk, where Edward Bruce met him. This was in the December of 1315.
“In January, 1316, Edward Bruce led his forces into the county of Kildare, and was stoutly opposed by the Lord Justiciary, or Viceroy, Sir Edward Butler, who, backed by the Geraldines, under John Fitzgerald, first Earl of Kildare, bravely repulsed the invaders. They retreated with the loss of Sir Walter Murray and Sir Fergus of Ardrossan, with seventy men, as Clyn records. A new ally for the Palesmen arrived at this juncture — Mortimer, Lord of Meath, in right of his wife, Joan de Joinville. He assembled a large force, and endeavoured to intercept the Scots at Kells, but, on the eve of the onset, was deserted by the Lacys and others, who left him almost defenceless. The season and scarcity made war against the Scots, and vast numbers perished from hunger. Bruce was forced to retreat once more northward, where his chief adherents lay. The citadel of Carrickfergus resisted the attacks of Bruce’s army for a year. It was in this town that (probably in September, 1316) Robert, King of Scotland, with a strong force, came to his brother’s help. Barbour gives the number who accompanied Robert at 5,000. This was enough to make the Viceroy take heed for his government. He hasted, Barbour says:
“‘To Dewellyne, in full gret hy,
With othyr lordis that fled him by,
And warnysit both castyls and towness
That war in their possessionnys.’ [350]
“ The stout defence of Dublin is already mentioned; and, as on the fate of this metropolis the duration of English rule depended in Ireland, the public spirit and intrepidity of the citizens of Dublin ought, according to Lord Hailes, be held in perpetual remembrance. The citizens took the defence of the city into their own hands. The chief civic dignity was at that time most worthily borne by Robert Nottingham, who seems to have distanced the celebrated Sir Richard Whittington considerably, being seventeen times Mayor of Dublin.
Knowing the close connexion between the Earl of Ulster and the Bruces (he was father of the Queen of Scots), the Mayor headed a strong band of citizens, and resolved to make him a hostage for the safety of the city. This was not effected without loss of life. The Mayor succeeded, and announced ‘he would put the earl to death if the city was attacked.’ This prompt step had the desired effect. Robert Bruce feared to risk his father-in-law’s life, and, instead of entering the city, turned aside and encamped. Time was gained, of which the citizens promptly availed themselves. That night the blazing suburbs told they were ready to anticipate the fire of Moscow, rather than allow their invaders to possess their capital. They also worked so hard to strengthen the walls, that the Scots, seeing such determination, broke up their camp and retired. The value set upon the earl as a hostage was so great, that, although the King of England instantly wrote for his liberation, he was detained until the Scots left the kingdom.
“Disappointed in their efforts on Dublin, the Scots ravaged the Pale, burned Naas, plundered Castledermot, passed on to Gowran, and advanced to Callan ;thence they went to Limerick. Sir Edmond Butler followed with an army of 30,000 well-armed men; but, at the express desire of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, the Lord Deputy, who was himself desirous of having the command against the King of Scots, delayed the encounter.
“Mortimer did not accomplish this; for, shortly after, Robert hastened to his own kingdom, leaving a great number of his bravest knights to carry on the war for his brother. Edward continued in the north for several months, and once more proceeded south.
“‘For he had not then in that land
Of all men, I trow, two thousand,
Owtane (except) the Kings of Irischery
That in great route raid him by,
Towart Dundalk he tuk the way.’ [351]
“When the Viceroy was aware of the advance of the Scots towards the Pale, he assembled a great army, said to amount to ‘20,000 trappit horse,’ and an equal number of foot.
“The approach of this immensely superior force did not dishearten the brother of the lion-hearted King of Scotland. He declared he would fight were they sixfold more numerous.
“In vain his officers and allies counselled caution; in vain the Irish chiefs recommended him to avoid a pitched battle, and harass the enemy by skirmishing. Edward indignantly bade them ‘draw aside, and look on,’ which Barbour declares they did. A very interesting account of the battle on St. Callixtus’ day is given in the Ulster Archaeological Journal. The battle was on Sunday, 14th October, 1318. According to Barbour, Edward Bruce had a presentiment of his death, and would not use his usual coat-armour. The legend is, that having the idea the fall of King Edward Bruce would decide the battle, Sir John Bermingham, leader of the Anglo-Irish army, disguised himself as a friar, passed into the Scottish camp, and, being shown the king, who was hearing Mass, craved alms, so as to induce Bruce to look up from his prayer-book. This gave Bermingham the opportunity of marking well his face, in order to single him out in the fray. The king ordered relief to be given to the importunate friar; but the eager glance of the intrusive applicant so disquieted him — agitated, doubtless, from the idea of his small force being about to engage at such desperate odds — that he presently caused the attendants to look for the friar, but he was nowhere to be found. This caused him to array one Gib Harper in his armour, and appoint Lord Alan Stewart general of the field.
The fight commenced with a rapid charge on the Scots by the Anglo-Irish under Bermingham. With him were divers lords and a great army. The force was chiefly composed, however, of yeomanry, or, as an ancient record says, ‘the common people, with a powerful auxiliary dextram Dei.’ Bermingham, believing Lord Stewart was Bruce, singled him out, and, after a terrible combat, slew him, whereon the Scots fled. According to the Howth Chronicle, few escaped, their loss being 1,230 men. Bruce’s death is generally ascribed to John Mapas, one of the Drogheda contingent. The Ulster Journal states: ‘There can be little doubt that the ancient Anglo-Irish family of “Mape,” of Maperath, in the shire of Meath, was descended from this distinguished slayer of Edward Bruce.’ The heiress of John Mapas, Esq., of Rochestown, county of [352] Dublin, was married to the late Richard Wogan Talbot, Esq., of Malahide. After the defeat at Dundalk, the small remnant of the Scottish invaders yet alive fled northward, where they met a body of troops sent by King Robert as a reinforcement to his brother. They could not make head against the victorious troops of Bermingham, so they made their way to the coast, burning and destroying the country through which they passed.”
[ Here is place an engraving of Butler’s Tomb, Friary Church, Clonmel ] |
