Annals from 1504 to 1639.

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A. D. 1504**. Some of the degenerate English colonies, and particularly Ulick Burke, chieftane of Clanricard, commonly called Mc. William Burke; and Turlogh O-Brien, chieftane of Thomond, Melrony O-Carrol, and many other old Irish lords, finding the power of the earl of Kildare, then lord deputy, too great to be opposed separately; confederated together and drew into a body the greatest army that had been seen in Ireland since the first English invasion. To oppose this confederacy, the earl raised not only the whole power of the pale, but had the aid of several Irish lords, as O-Neal, O-Reily, O-Connor-Faly, and others; and John Blake, mayor of Dublin and the two bailiffs, marched out to the earl’s assistance with a gallant body of well armed citizens. They fought the enemy on the 19th of August at Knock-tuogh, or Knock-to, i. e. the hill of axes, (so called from this battle) about five miles from Galway, not far from Aghrim, a place famous for a battle of much greater consequence in subsequent times. The event was doubtful for a long white; but at length victory declared for the earl. There fell above 4,000 of the enemy (the book of Howth says 9,000) and a great number were taken prisoners. The earl returned to Dublin with little loss, and distributed 120 hogsheads of wine among his army. **

A. D. 1505**. Thomas Newman, mayor of Dublin, Walter Pippard and Maurice Colton, bailiffs, marched out with the commons of the city in aid of the earl of Kildare, to Ballaghaspord against O-Carroll, whom they harassed and destroyed, and then returned to Dublin. **

A. D. 1506**. The prior of Kilmainham attempted forcibly to take some loads of hay from the Dominicans of Dublin. But the mayor and commons assembling together in favour of the friers, rescued the hay, and drove the prior into Kilmainham. **

A. D. 1512**. Holingshed relates, that this year there were great factions between Gerald, earl of Kildare, lord deputy, and James Butler, earl of Ormond, and that the latter marched to Dublin with a strong body of forces, under pretence of composing matters with Kildare, but in reality to lure him. They had a meeting in St. Patrick’s-church, and the citizens guarded Kildare. But a quarrel happening between them and a part of Ormond’s army they discharged a volley of arrows at them., and shooting at random, some of their arrows stuck in the images in the rood loft. The matter being appeased, a complaint was after made to the pope of this profanation, and a legate sent to make inquiry into it. The citizens were at length absolved; but a punishment laid on them, that in detestation of the fact, and to keep up the memory of it for ever, the mayor of Dublin should walk bare-foot through the city in open procession, before the sacramenr on Corpus Christi day yearly, which was ever after duly accomplished, until the reformation put an end to such practices. Some ascribe this quarrel, not to the earl of Ormond, but to sir James Ormond, who had been treasurer of Ireland. **

A. D. 1513**. The mayor of Dublin, with a well armed company of citizens, attended the earl of Kildare this year in an expedition against O-Carroll. But the earl dying in the way, put an end to the design, and the citizens returned home. **

A. D. 1516**. The earl of Kildare (Son to the former, who succeeded his father in the government), lord deputy, assisted by the citizens, invaded the O-Tools, and slew Shane O-Tool their chieftane, and sent his head as a present to John Rochford, mayor of Dublin, by Robert Hoth, who received a crocard from the mayor for his trouble. **

A. D. 1517**. A band of light-armed citizens under the command of Christopher Usher, mayor of Dublin, marched out against O-Tool but returned home without their usual success, the enemy being much superior to them in number. However, their loss was little. **

A. D. 1520**. The earl of Surry having just entered on his government of Ireland, was alarmed on Whitsunday with the news that Con O-Neil had invaded Meath. Upon this report he sent immediate orders to the mayor, sheriffs and citizens of Dublin to march out against O-Neal, and he himself followed with a good body of forces the day following. O-Neal was frightened with these preparations, and immediately retired, and soon after submitted. **

A. D. 1521**. The O-Mores of Leix confederating with the O-Connors, O-Carrols, and other Irish, invaded the borders of the Pale. To repel them the earl of Surrey, accompanied by Thomas Tue, mayor of Dublin, and a choice band of citizens invaded Leix. In this expedition one Patrick Fitzsimons, a citizen, had the opportunity of signalizing his valour. For the Irish divided their forces into several parties, and, having intelligence that the carriages and baggage; of the army were slenderly guarded, they took the opportunity of attacking that quarter, and made such an impression, that several of the lord lieutenant’s soldiers fled, and laid the default on Fitzsimons ; who, to justify himself, produced two heads of the enemy, which he had cut off in the action, and retorted the cowardice upon his accusers, and by that means obtained both reward and knighthood. The carriages being recovered, the army marched for-ward into the woods and fastnesses of Leix, where the lord lieutenant escaped an imminent danger. For a sturdy rebel shot at him, and struck the vizor off his helmet, without further damage. The fellow was seized and hewed to pieces, refusing to take quarter. The lord lieutenant having wasted Leix, and humbled O-More, immediately turned his arms into Offaly, and in a day or two took the strong monastery of (In the King’s county founded by John de Bermingham earl of Louth, A. D. 1325, for conventical Franciscans) Monasterpheoris, and burned the country till the 23d of July. O-Connor, hoping to preserve his country by making a diversion, marched into Meath, where he was pursued by the lord lieutenant who obtained a victory almost without blows, and made great slaughter in the pursuit. Having finished this royal progress with advantage and honour, the citizens returned to Dublin with his lordship, loaded with spoils. **

A. D. 1523**. The earl of Kildare obtained leave from the earl of Ormond, who was then lord deputy, to invade the country of Leix; and marching out with John Fitisimons, then mayor of Dublin, and a small body of citizens, he entered the territory and burned a few villages but he was intercepted by a party who lay ambush, lost many of his men, and with difficulty made his retreat. **

A. D. 1524**. Commissioners were sent over from England to compose the differences between the earl of Ormond, lord lieutenant, and the earl of Kildare, and to adjust other smaller matters. The mayor and citizens of Dublin complained to them of some injuries done the city by sir Peter Talbot, as the taking of custom and breaking bulk at Malahide, contrary to the king’s grants made to the city; and the commissioners ordered sir Peter to pay a fine to the citizens in recompence of the wrong, and for the future never to intrude in like manner on the franchises of the city. A difference between the abbot of Thomas-court and the mayor of Dublin, concerning the toll-boul, was determined by the same commissioners. **

A. D. 1524**. A very hot summer this year, and a wet autumn of the preceding one, produced a plague through the kingdom, which raged about Dublin with more violence than in other parts, and destroyed numbers of the inhabitants. **

A. D. 1528**. A pestilential sickness, called the English sweat, which first appeared in Ireland in 1491, now again raged with great violence, and at Dublin swept away archbishop Inge, lord chancellor, William Talbot, Richard Elyot, Richard Fitzwilliams, Walter Fian, and two canons Luett, with Stanihurst, and great numbers of other citizens. **

A. D. 1530**. Sir William Skeffington was appointed lord deputy, and having landed near Dublin in August this year, together with the bishop of Meath and the earl of Kildare, lately released from the persecutions of cardinal Wolsey, the mayor and citizens of Dublin met them in solemn procession on the green of St. Mary’s abbey, and the recorder, Thomas Fitzsimons, congratulated the arrival of the lord deputy, and the earl (who was very dear to the citizens) in a pithy oration; to which the lord deputy made answer in these words:

“Mr. Mayor, and Mr. Recorder, you have at length, this nobleman here present, for whom you sore longed, while he was absent. And after many storms by him sustained, he hath now to the comfort of his friends, to the confusion of his foes, subdued violence with patience, injuries with sufferance, and malice with obedience: and such butchers as of hatred thirsted after his blood, are now taken for outcast mastives, littered in currish blood. How well the king hath been of his gracious inclination affected to the earl of Kildare (his back friend being by his just desert from his majesty weeded) the credit wherein this nobleman at this present abideth, manifestly declareth. Wherefore it resteth; that you thank God and the king for his safe arrival. As for his welcome, Mr. Recorder’s courteous discourse, your great assemblies, your chearful countenances, your willing meetings, your solemn processions do so far shew it, as you minister me occasion on his lordship’s behalf, rather to thank you for your courtesy, than to exhort you to any further ceremony.

Kildare was no sooner arrived than he determined to punish the O-Tools for spoiling his tenants while he was in England, and was assisted therein by 200 archers drawn out of the city bands; but with what success is not related. **

A. D. 1531**. A great riot and uproar happened between the soldiers and city apprentices, occasioned by a drunken servant, who pitching hay in High-street, threw some of it on a soldier’s bonnet. The soldier resenting the usage, cast his dagger at the servant, which not taking place, stuck in a post behind him. The servant thrust the soldier through the shoulder with his pitch-fork; upon which he was joined by several of his companions as the servant was by the apprentices, and the fray became general , many being wounded on both sides, though none slain. Thomas Barbie, who was then mayor, issued out of his house with the king’s sword drawn, and with great difficulty at length appeased the riot, and the lord deputy having come up by that time as far as the pillory, the mayor presented the author of all the mischief to him, who, in regard no death ensued, pardoned him. **

A. D. 1534**. Thomas Fitz-Gerald, eldest son to the earl of Kildare, being left lord deputy in his father’s absence, a rumour was spread abroad that his father was imprisoned and beheaded in London; upon which he surrendered the sword to the council, and flew out into open rebellion. The council sent secretly to the mayor and citizens to apprehend FitzGerald and his accomplices. But either the favour of the citizens to that house, or the strength of the confederacy, or the weakness of the city, which was much dispeopled by a plague then reigning in town and country, prevented any attempt at that time however, the citizens afterwards behaved themselves with zeal and resolution against him. Fingal was the granary which usually supplied the city with corn but was now exposed to the depredations of the O-Tools, and other Irish of the mountains, assisted by John Burnell of Balgriffen, a gentlemen of a good estate in Fingal, who favoured the rebellion. The citizens having received advice that the O-Tools were busied in conducting a prey from Fingal to the mountains, sallied out to intercept them at Kilmainham-bridge. They met the enemy near the wood of Salcock, but being over-powered with numbers, they were routed and four score of them slain.

This misfortune threw the city into a consternation, which Fitz-Gerald laying hold of; demanded liberty to march his army through it, and lay siege to the castle, promising that no citizen should be injured in his property by his soldiers. The citizens took time to advise on this matter before they gave their consent; and immediately dispatched one of their aldermen, Francis Herbert, to the king to know his pleasure, who, for his discreet demeanor upon the occasion, received the honour of knighthood, and was made a member of the privy-council. They also consulted the constable of the castle, who regarding the security of the city, gave his consent to the demand, provided he were sufficiently furnished with men and provisions to withstand a siege. The citizens sent by night into the cattle a good store of provisions, and alderman John Fitzsimons, upon his own account, furnished the constable with 20 tun of wine, and 24 tun of beer, 2,000 dried ling, 16 hogsheads of powdered beef, 20 chambers for mines, and an iron chain for the draw-bridge that he had procured to be forged in his own house to avoid suspicion.

The castle being abundantly supplied, the citizens consented to Fitz-Gerald’s demands, and he accordingly sent in 600 men under the command of six captains, viz. Field, Teeling, Wafer, Broad, Rouks and Purcell, who planted two or three pieces of artillery near Preston’s inn, opposite to the castle-gate, and intrenched their party with strong ramparts sufficient to defend them from the shot of the castle; and to frighten the constable from annoying them with his ordinance, they threatened to place the youth of the city on the tops of their trenches, as marks at which they would be loth to aim.

The citizens considered this behaviour as a perfidious breach of treaty, and sir Francis Herbert returning at this juncture with an encouraging message from the king to stand manfully on their defence, and promising them sudden aid, they ordered the gates to be shut, as well to prevent the arrival of further supplies to the besiegers, as to secure the rebels then in the city: they let down their portcullis, placed flags of defiance on the walls, proclaimed an open breach of the truce, and set about apprehending the traitors within the walls.

The besiegers, having notice of theft preparations, thought it full time to shift for themselves, and some had the good luck to escape by fording the river; but most of them were taken prisoners. FitzGerald at this time was ravaging the county of Kilkenny; but having speedy notice of his ill fortune in Dublin, he immediately marched thither, and summoned all the powers of the Pale to join him near the city. In his way he seized upon several children of the citizens, who were at school in the country, to avoid the inconveniencies of the plague; particularly he got into his hands three sons of Walter Fitzsimons, who was mayor of Dublin the foregoing year, and James Stanihurst, who was afterwards an eminent lawyer, recorder of Dublin, and speaker in several parliaments. By means of these and other young gentlemen of rank, whom he seized, he hoped to oblige the citizens to a composition, and accordingly dispatched messengers unto them to expostulate the breach of league, and require that it might be renewed, or at least the prisoners enlarged. But receiving a flat denial, he attempted td distress the citizens by cutting off the pipes of the conduits, and diverting the springs and rivulets that supplied the town with fresh water; and shortly after laid a formal siege to the cattle in Sheep-street. But he was soon driven from thence partly by the ordnance from the castle, and partly by an artificial fire prepared by one White, which burned down the thatcht houses, and took from him all advantages of shelter.

From thence he removed to Thomas-street, and attempted to enter the city by Newgate, having for that purpose demolished the partitions of the houses on both sides, and thereby made a covered gallery, by which both his horse and foot were defended from any gun-shot from the walls. He then set fire to New-street, and planted a piece of artillery against New-gate, which pierced the gate, and killed an apprentice of alderman Stephens, who was endeavouring to get water at the high-pipe in the middle of Corn-market. The valour of Richard Stanton, gaoler of Newgate, was memorable upon this occasion. He was an excellent marksman, and did much mischief to the rebels, when ever they had occasion to appear from under shelter. He perceived one of the enemy levelling his piece at the loop-hole where he stood; but preventing his design, he shot him in the forehead, and had the hardiness in the midst of fire to issue out of the wicket, and strip him of his gun and cloaths, which he brought safe into the garrison.

However, the boldness of this action only displeased the citizens, but exited the rebels to revenge and therefore they immediately brought fire and faggot to the gate in hopes to burn it, and procure an entrance that way. The townsmen wifely considered, that if the gate was burned, the expectation of plunder would animate the rebels to fight with greater alacrity within than without the walls; and they were persuaded that many of Fitz-Gerald’s army, being inhabitants of the Pale, and forced to the camp, were in their hearts loyal; of which the citizens were convinced, because most of the arrows shot over the wall were un-headed, and many of them conveyed letters, giving an account of all their leader’s stratagems. These considerations induced them to resolve upon a sally, and reporting from the walls that new succours were arrived from England, they rushed out through fire and flame. The vigour of the sally gave a reputation to what they had proclaimed, and the enemy, not thinking the citizens durst adventure so briskly, unless they were supported, immediately fled, leaving one hundred gallowglasses slain, and their falcon a prey to the defendants. Fitz-Gerald fled to the friery in Francis-street, where he lurked that night, and in the morning got to the remainder of his shattered army.

Cooled by this defeat, and standing in great need of artillery and ammunition, he desired to treat with the citizens on these articles. I. That his men who were in prison should be enlarged. II. That the city should pay him 1,000

1. in money, and 500 l. in wares. III That they should furnish him with ammunition and artillery. IV. That they should intercede with the king for the pardon of him and his followers.

The mayor and aldermen debated these articles, and by the recorder answered to the I. That they would enlarge the prisoners, if he would deliver their children. To the II. That his wars had so impoverished them, that they could spare neither money nor wares. To the III. That if he intended to submit, he had no need of ammunition or artillery; if he did not, that they would not furnish him with implements to punish themselves. That instead of artillery to withstand his prince, they expected he should have requested parchment to ingross his pardon; which IV. They promised to intercede for with the king by word or letter. In the end he accepted these terms, and hostages for the performance being mutually delivered, he drew off from the siege.

The great services and sufferings of the citizens upon this occasion were afterwards gratefully remembered to them and rewarded by the king; who by letters patent dated the 4th of February 1538, Reciting the siege, the famine, miseries, wounds and loss of blood suffered by the citizens, granted to them and their successors for ever the site, precincts, ambit, and all the estate lately belonging to the dissolved monastery of All-hallows, near Dublin, lying in the counties of Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Tipperary, Kilkenny, and elsewhere in Ireland, at the rent of 4. L. 4s. 0H d. in the name of the twentieth part of the annual value. And further, in consideration of the debility and ruinous condition of the great forts and towers of the city, and in order to repair, support and fortify the walls, he confirmed to them and their successors a grant made to them for 60 years by king Richard III. in the second year of his reign, of a rent of 49 1. 6s. 8d. issuing out of the fee farm of 200 marks payable by the city to the crown and as a further token of his bounty and gratitude, the king by the fame patent granted and released to the city for ever an annual rent of 20 l. out of the said fee farm, which he had before in the second year of his reign granted to them only for 40 years. Sir William Skeffington, lord deputy, landed the 4th of October following, and brought with him his majesty’s gracious letters to the city of Dublin. An earthquake this year was felt in Dublin. **

A. D. 1535**. George Brown, an Augustin frier was consecrated archbishop of Dublin, and was the first of the clergy who embraced the reformation in Ireland, having renounced the papal supremacy, and acknowledged the same in the king, pursuant to an act of parliament passed the year following. He also removed all superstitious reliques and images out of the-two cathedrals in Dublin, and other churches in his diocese, and in their room placed the creed, the lord’s prayer and ten commandments in gilded frames. **

A. D. 1539**. O-Neill and most of the chieftanes of Ulster conspired together and invaded the Pale, burning Navan, Atherdee; and all the country as they marched, as far as the hill of Tarah. The lord deputy Grey, assisted by the forces of the Pale, and the mayors and citizens of Dublin and Drogheda, advanced to repress their insolence. They marched all night till they came to Bellahoa, where they found the enemy encamped on the other side of the river, whom they attacked and defeated, notwithstanding the great disadvantages of ground, and recovered all the prey of the Pale. For their good services in this action, the lord deputy, among other men of rank, knighted James Fitzsimons, mayor of Dublin, and Michael Courcey, mayor of Drogheda, in the field. **

A. D. 1540**. This year were minted in the castle of Dublin for Ireland, of silver of base allay, new testoons, two pences and pence, which bore an arched crown over the arms of England and France quartered, and this inscription, HENRICUS VIII. D. G. AGL. The reverse, a crowned harp between the letters H. and R. both crowned, and this inscription FRANCE. DOMINUS. HIBERNIE. And the exportation of this coin to England was prohibited by proclamation under the forfeiture of treble the value, and fine and imprisonment. The year following the king by act of parliament altered his title of lord of Ireland into that of king of Ireland, which occasioned an alteration in the coin, though not in the baseness of the metal, the harp and arms as in the former, but the inscription thus, HENRIC. VIII. DL GRACIA. ANGLIE. Reverse FRANCIE. ET. HIBERNIE. REX. Upon proclaiming henry VIII. king of Ireland, all prisoners (except for treason, wilful murder, rape or debt) were set at liberty. **

A. D. 1541**. The priory and convent of Christ-church, Dublin, was converted into a deanry and chapter, and Robert Castell, alias Painswich, from the last prior was made the first dean of it. **

A. D. 1547**. The Birnes and Tools, assisted by some outlaws of the Fitz-Geralds, taking advantage of the change of government, and the infancy of king Edward VI. made inroads into the neighbourhood of Dublin, and distressed the citizens. Sir Anthony St. Leger, lord deputy, marched out a body of the standing army against them, and was aided by a considerable party of the militia of the city: with these he attacked and routed the enemy at Three-Castles, slew their captain, and drove them into their fastnesses. In this action 16 of the Fitz-Geralds were taken prisoners, and all hanged and quartered in Dublin, except one, named Maurice, who was imprisoned in the castle till the government had time to consult what punishment should be inflicted on him. He was the same year put to ‘death. Thus this confederacy was broken, which in the compass of a year had been guilty of innumerable murders. **

A. D. 1548**. This year the names of the bailiffs of the city of Dublin were changed into sheriffs by a new incorporation of king Edward VI. and John Ryan and Thomas Fining, who were the last bailiffs, were made the first sheriffs. A mint was likewise established in Dublin by express order from court; but it soon failed for want of bullion. **

A. D. 1550**. On Easter-sunday the liturgy in the English tongue was first read in Christ-church in pursuance of an order from the king for that purpose; and the year following was printed in Dublin by Humphrey Powell, who had a. licence for so doing exclusive of all others; and it is probable this is the first book that ever was printed in Ireland. **

A. D. 1551**. The see of Armagh was deprived of the title of the primacy of all Ireland, and the same was annexed to the fee of Dublin, occasioned by the obstinacy of primate Dowdal in not submitting to he king’s order about the liturgy, and the compliance of archbishop Brown therewith. **

A. D. 1552**. There was a great scarcity this year; insomuch that the peck of wheat (a measure containing almost four English bushels) sold in Dublin for 24 shillings, and of malt for 18 shillings; but the harvest following proved so plentiful, that wheat fell to five shillinhs a peck, and malt to two shillings. The testoon or groat of mixed money was now by proclamation ordered to pass at two shillings. The mayor of Dublin marched out with a strong band of citizens against O’Reily, who began to be troublesome in Cavan, and was assisted herein by the forces of Drogheda. But the service being performed, the two magistrates of these places had a contest upon their return who should lead the van, which ended to the honour of the mayor of Dublin, who by order had his right confirmed of commanding the van going out, and the rere returning home. **

A. D. 1553**. The lords justices were attended by the militia of Dublin in an expedition to Dundalk against O-Neil; who on the 1st of October was attacked, and lost many of his men, himself and his wife with difficulty escaping. The mass and other papal superstitions were restored in Dublin by an order from queen Mary. **

A. D. 1554**. Many protestants fled form England into Ireland, to avoid the persecutions began against their religion by queen Mary; and among others John Hervey, Abel Ellis, John Edmonds, and Henry Hough, all Cheshire men, transported their effects to Dublin, and became citizens thereof; one Thomas Jones, a Welshman, and a protestant priest, privately officiating among them. **

A. D. 1555**. Patrick Sarsfield, mayor, and the rest of the citizens and commons of Dublin, at their own charge, began to inclose the place that contains the head of water running to the city, with lime and stone. **

A. D. 1556**. In May the Cavenaghs got together a great body of Irish outlaws, and invaded and plundered the south parts of the county of Dublin. To put a flop to their progress, the citizens marched out and hunted them so briskly, that they slew great numbers, and forced 140 to take shelter in the castle of Powerscourt, which they pretended to defend. Sir George Stanley, knight marshal, besieged them on the 5th of May, but they held out obstinately, and the marshal sent to the lord deputy for two pieces of ordnance and more men. The mayor and citizens sent out a supply of 80 men under the command of sheriff Bulkley, and good store of provisions. The rebels hearing that the forces of the city were arrived, surrendered at mercy, and on the 14th were led to the castle of Dublin about eight at night, where the day following 60 of them were hanged, and the day after 14 more. The rest were pardoned.

John Chaloner, mayor of Dublin, this year imported from Spain in a ship of his own several pieces of ordnance, and 150 muskets, with which he armed the citizens for queen Mary’s service, and he and the. sheriff; and citizens offered their service to assist the lord lieutenant against all rebels, upon which many of them submitted. The lord lieutenant would have knighted the mayor, but he resisted the honour. **

A. D. I557**. The lord deputy on the 10th of August made an expedition into Ulster against James Mc. Connell, a Scot. For further aid, he (according to custom) took with him the mayor of Dublin, attended with a troop of horse and company of foot of the citizens, in number 220 men well armed, under the conduct of John Usher, captain, and Patrick Bulkley petty captain, besides 80 archers armed with bows and arrows, who attended on John Dempsey the heriff. The Scots affrighted with these preparations, declined coming to an engagement, and sheltered themselves in bogs and woods; so that little mischief was done them, except the taking of a few preys. However, some of the principals of them submitted, and Daniel Mc. Connell and Richard Guillin received the honour of knighthood. **

A. D. 1558**. The lord deputy Sussex had the aid of a body of citizens in an expedition against the Scots in the island of Raghlin, lying a little off the coast of the county of Antrim. He set sail on the 13th of September from Dalky, and preparing to land, one of his ships was cast away on the rocks of the island, and several of the citizens perished. Yet he landed, slew many of the Scots, took the island, and placed a colony and garrison in it. From thence he passed over to Cantire in Scotland, and into the islands of Arran and Comber, and spread desolation far and near. He intended to have visited the island of Ila, but was driven hack by a tempest to Carrickfergus. He spent above nine weeks in this hazardous expedition, and returned safe to Dublin on the 18th of November. **

A. D. 1559**. The mass was again put down in Dublin by orders from queen Elizabeth, and the litany and other prayers were sung in English in Christ-church before the earl of Sussex, lord lieutenant, who from thence invited the mayor and aldermen to dine with him at St. Sepulchre’s. Orders were sent to Thomas Lockwood, dean of Christ-church, to remove all popish relicks and images from thence, and to paint and whiten it anew, putting sentences of scripture on the walls, instead of pictures and other objects of idolatry; and this work was set about on the 25th of May this year. Large bibles printed in the English language were placed in the middle the choirs of St. Patrick’s and Christ-church (It is remarkable that the desire of reading the bible was so great that John Dele, a bookseller, sold 7,000 in two years time when they were first brought into Ireland in 1566. Ware’s An. Eliz), which caused great resort to them on purpose to read them **

A. D. 1560**. The queen caused the castle of Dublin to be repaired for her lieutenants or deputies to dwell in; at which time the castle clock, and other publick clocks were set up. **

A .D. 1561**. The earl of Sussex, lord lieutenant, having taken the oath of office in Christ-church, Thomas Fitzsimons, then mayor of Dublin, invited the lord lieutenant and council to dinner; after which be entertained them with a play, in which the Nine Worthies were acted; in the evening he gave them a sumptuous entertainment, after which the mayor and his brethren with the city musick, attended the lord lieutenant and council to Thomas-court by torch light. Soon after the lord lieutenant marched with an army of 500 men, with six weeks provision against Shane O-Neill, and the city of Dublin, to shew their fidelity to her majesty, sent sheriff Bedlow with 80 men, and provisions for six weeks to attend the lord lieutenant. In August following, sheriff Gough was sent to aid the lord lieutenant with another party of 40 archers, and as many musketeers, together with 21 days provision, all at the expence of the city. These preparations obliged Shane O-Neill to submit without any great action on either side. **

A. D. 1562**. The roof and part of the body of Christ-church fell, by which the antient monument of Strongbow was broke. **

A. D. 1563**. On the 1st of April the earl of Sussex, lord lieutenant, advanced his standard against Shane O-Neill, who was then in rebellion, and Edward Baron, one of the sheriffs of the city of Dublin, attended his lordship in this expedition to Dundalk, at the head of 80 archers and gunners for 12 days, and on the 8th of May, Walter Clinton, collegue of Baron, came to the camp with 60 fresh men from the city, and continued there eight days. On the 1st of July the same sheriff again marched out with 60 men, and continued six weeks with the lord lieutenant, who, during these expeditions, had the better of the enemy in several encounters, and returned to Drogheda, and from thence to Dublin with great booty. A proclamation was issued this year against the meetings of friers and priests in Dublin, and a tax was levied on the housekeepers for absenting themselves from church; and For this purpose a roll of their names were called over every sunday by the church-wardens. **

A. D. 1565**. In June and July this year Nicholas Fyan, mayor of Dublin, caused the Wood-quay walls and most of the Merchants-quay to. be repaired with lime and stone at the city charge. On the 1st of October, Nicholas Fitzsimons was sworn mayor before the lord justice in the great hall in Christ-church, and he immediately issued a proclamation, that no woman or maid should within the precincts of his jurisdiction, sell wine, ale or beer, but such as should keep a sign at their doors, under the penalty of 40 s. and this was with an intention to extirpate whoredom.

A. D. 1566. Shane O-Neill, having made his submission to the queen after the last chastisement given him by the earl of Sussex, broke out again this year into rebellion, and invaded Fermanagh; erxpelled from thence Maguire, at that time a peaceable subject, burned the cathedral of Armagh, and at length laid siege to Dundalk. But the valour of the garrison preserved the place, until ‘William Sarsfield, mayor of Dublin, marched out with a chosen body of citizens, and without any other assistance raised the siege, and delivered the lady Sidney, who was then inclosed in it; for which service, as well as for an expedition he made this year against O-Reilly, upon his return to Dublin he was knighted by the Lord lieutenant. **

A. D. 1568**. Sir Henry Sidney returned lord deputy, and as he was a governor exceedingly beloved and honoured, so he was received by the city with more than ordinary solemnity. He landed at Carrickfergus, and as he made his journey to town, the sheriffs of the city with a chosen band of citizens well appointed, marched five miles out of town to receive and escort him The mayor and aldermen met him in state in the suburbs, and attended him to Christ-church, where he was sworn, and after wards to the cattle, where the mayor, according to custom, delivered him the sword and mace, which he again returned.

This year great care was taken to prevent clandestine trade on the coasts near Dublin, and for that purpose sheriff Luttrell went by sea to Skerries, and seized a bark from Wexford retailing yarn and salt, and brought the vessel and master up to Dublin, who giving his promise that neither he nor his neighbours should for the future do the like on this coast, he was fined only a mark. The day following the sheriff took with him the mayor of the bull-ring, and the trumpets and drums of the city, together with a chosen company of young citizens, and passed down to the new haven of Brymo, where the seized the Trinity of Milford retailing culm, the master of which took his oath to be in Dublin next day, and then a fine of 40s. was accepted from him; whereas both vessels; were by law forfeited. This year a general hosting was proclaimed, and the mayor of Dublin was fined 100 1. Irish for disobeying the lord deputy’s command, and committed to the castle of Dublin; but after two days imprisonment was enlarged. **

A. D. 1571**. This year Irish characters for printing were first brought into Ireland by Nicholas Walsh, chancellor of St. Patrick’s, in Dublin. **

A. D. 1573**. The earl of Desmond was committed to the keeping of the mayor of Dublin; who told the government that the earl should be welcome to meat, drink and lodging; but that he would take no charge of him, and the earl having licence from the government to walk abroad, he made his escape. Upon this he was proclaimed a traitor, and a large reward for him living or dead. **

A. D. 1575**. A great plague broke out in Dublin on the 7th of June, which continued till the 17th of October, by which (as it is said) 3,000 persons at least perished, and the city was so depopulated, that grass grew in the streets, and at the doors of the churches, by reason of which trinity term was not held in Dublin. Patrick Gough, who entered on the mayoralty at Michaelmas, and the two new sheriffs, Fagan and Barnewall, were sworn out of town at Glassnemenoge; and they kept their courts there till the 1 5th of October, when the sickness began to abate; and the lord deputy Sidney, who arrived at Skerries on the 12th of September, was sworn and kept his court at Drogheda. The archbishop of Dublin ordered litanies and prayers to be said every wednesday and friday through the whole province, in order to avert this judgment. **

A. D. 1578**. On sunday after St. George’s day, James Bedlow, a citizen of Dublin, did penance, standing barefoot before the pulpit in Christ-church, and at the fame time publickly confessed his faults, which were these: I. He denied the queen to be supreme head of the church. II. He alledged that one article of the 10 commandments was false. And III. That the preachers, when they were out of their matter, and, and knew not what to say, fell to railing at the pope; all which particulars were confuted in a learned and eloquent sermon preached by Adam Loftus, archbishop of Dublin. This year the south wall of St. Nicholas’s church was re-edified, as was the wall of the castle ditch, at the charges of the city. And sir Henry Sidney erected Kilmainham-bridge. The mayor of Dublin did not go to Cullen’s-wood on black-monday, according to custom, in regard the weather was so foul and rainy, that neither bow-men nor shot could go abroad; and the mayor of the bull-ring, who used to be elected in St. Andrew’s church-yard, was now chosen in the Tholsel. **

A. D. 1579**. Sir William Drury, lord justice, ranged all the records in order in Birmingham-tower, and appointed a salary for a person to take care of them. **

A. D. 1583**. A controversy was determined by combat in the castle of Dublin, between two of the O-Connors, which, as a matter uncommon, we have inserted in chap. II. **

A. D. 1585**. The citizens of Dublin, out of their fidelity and forwardness to supply the occasions of the crown, and in aid of sir John Perrot, then lord deputy; bought munition to the value of 2,611 l. In consideration whereof, the lords of the council of England wrote to sir Henry Wallop, requiring him to allow the citizens a concordatum for the like sum. **

A. D. 1588**. Before sir John Perrot delivered up the sword of government, he sent for the mayor and citizens of Dublin to the cattle, and addressed them in these terms. “Mr. Mayor, I hope you and your brethren can testify, that I have preserved the peace and quietness not only of this metropolis, but of the whole nation to the utmost of my endeavours, and as a memorial of the same, I deliver this present to you.” The present was a large silver cup gilt, with a cover and spire over it, and on it this motto, In pace relinquo. Upon his surrender of the sword the mayor invited him to dinner, and a guard of young citizens with shot were appointed to wait on him till he arrived at his feat at Carew-castle in Pembrokeshire. **

A. D. 1591** The mayor and citizens of Dublin having granted the site of the dissolved monastery of All-hallows near the city for erecting an university thereon, this year on the 13th of March the first stone thereof was laid by Thomas Smith, mayor, and dedicated to the holy and undivided Trinity, under the title of Collegium Sanctae et Individuae Trinitatis ex fundatione Reginae Elizabethae; and it was opened two years after. **

A. D. 1596**. A great quantity of gunpowder being landed at the Wood-quay to be conveyed to the cattle of Dublin, by accident took fire, on the 11th of March, and did great damage to the city. **

A. D. 1603**. April 5. King James proclaimed in Dublin

May 11. Charles lord Mountjoy made lord lieutenant.

June 1. Sir George Cary sworn lord deputy, who appointed the first sheriffs for the county of Tyrone. **

A. D. 1604**. Feb. 3. Sir Arthur Chichester sworn lord deputy, and soon after establishes a circuit for judges of assize for Connaught and Munster.

This year the plague began in Dublin in October, and continued till September following. It broke out again the next succeeding year, and continued that and the following. **

A. D. 1605**. The jesuits and seminary priests busied themselves greatly in dissuading the people from resorting to divine service, according to the act of uniformity, and the king’s proclamation thereon grounded. The lord deputy (Chichester) and council convened before them the aldermen and some of the principal citizens, and endeavoured by persuasions and lenity to draw them to their duty. They also exemplified under the great seal and published the statute of uniformity of the 2d of Eliz. in regard there was found to be same material difference between the original record and the printed copies, that none might pretend ignorance of the original record, and added thereto the king’s injunction for the observance of the said statute. But these gentle methods failing to have any effect, 16 of the most eminent of the city were convened into the court of castle chamber, of whom nine of the chief were censured, and six of the aldermen fined each 100 l. and the other three 50 1. a piece, and they were all committed prisoners to the castle during the pleasure of the court; and it was ordered that none of the citizens should bear office till they conformed. The week following the rest were censured in the same manner, except alderman Archer, who conformed. Their fines were allotted to the repairs of such churches as had been damaged by the accidental blowing up of the gunpowder in 1596, to the relieving poor scholars in the college, and other charitable uses. This proceeding brought many to an outward conformity.

The customs of tanistry and gavelkind were this year abolished by judgment in the king’s-bench. **

A. D. 1606**. Robert Lalor, vicar-general of Dublin, was indicted on the statute off 2 Eliz. cap. 1. He submitted, and abjured, though he privately denied all a-gain. **

A. D. 1607**. About this time a conspiracy was set on foot between the earls of Tyrone and Tirconnel, Maguire, O-Cahan, the lord Delvin, and almost all the heads of the Irish septs of Ulster, to surprize the castle of Dublin, cut off the lord deputy and council, dissolve the state, and set up a government of their own. A discovery of this conspiracy was made on the 19th of May this year by a papist who was trusted and called into the consultation, but had too much virtue to go the lengths they required. He dropped a letter in the council-chamber directed to sir William Usher, clerk of the council, which being taken up by one of the door-keepers, was immediately put into the hands of sir Arthur Chichester, lord deputy, then fitting in council. The import of the letter was as follows;

“That he was called into company by some popish gentlemen, who, after administring an oath of secrecy, declared their purpose to murder or poison the deputy; to cut off sir Oliver Lambert, to pick up one by one the rest of the officers of state, to oblige the small dispersed garrisons by hunger to submit, or to penn them up as sheep to their shambles. That the castles of Dublin, being neither manned nor victualled, they held as their own; that the towns were for them, the country with them, the great ones abroad and in the north prepared to answer the first alarm ; that the powerful men in the west arc assured by their agents to be ready as soon as the state is in disorder. That the catholick king had promised, and the jesuits from the pope warranted men and means to second the first stirs, and royally to protect all their actions. That as soon as the state is dissolved, and the king’s sword in their hands, they will elect a governor, chancellor, and council, dispatch letters to the king (James I.) trusting to his unwillingness to embark in such a war, and to his facility to pardon, would grant their own conditions of peace and government, with toleration of religion. That if the king listen not to their motions, then, that the many days spent in England in debates and preparations would give them time enough to breathe, fortify and furnish the maritime coasts, and at leisure call to their aid the Spanish forces from all parts.” The writer of the letter declares: “That he interposed some doubt to them, which they readily answered, and he pretended to them to consent to further their projects, and that he took the method of this letter to give notice of their designs, though he refused to betray his friends; in the mean time that he would use his best endeavours to hinder any further practices.”

And he concludes, “That if they did not desist, though he reverenced the mass and the catholick religion equal to the devoutest of them, yet he would make the leaders of that dance know, that he preferred his country’s good, before their busy and ambitious humours.”

Upon this discovery the earls of Tyrone and Tirconnel and the lord Maguire fled beyond seas, and mail of the other conspirators absconded and shifted for themselves as well as they could ; yet some of them were taken and executed. This plot alarmed the kingdom greatly, and the more so, as it followed thus close on the heels of the gunpowder treason in England. **

A. D. 1608**. Sir Arthur Chichester, lord deputy, joined to his forces a strong company of the citizens of Dublin, and another of the townsmen of Drogheda, and on the 5th of July began his march to suppress the rebellion of O-Dogherty.

But that rebellion being quelled by marshall Wingfield, and the prime rebel s;ain the same day the deputy began his march, rendered the assistance of the citizens of no further use at that time. The charter of the city of Dublin, with ah addition of further privileges was renewed in the latter end of this year. **

A. D. 1611**, June 24. The lord Carew came over commissioner to inspect the affairs of Ireland. **

A. D 1613**, May 18. A parliament called, which had not been for 27 years before, when the papists refuse to attend the house upon a difference between them and the protestants in choice of a speaker.

Doctor Thomas Jones chancellor, and sir Richard Wingfield marshal, were sworn lords justices. **

A. D. 1614**, Oct. 11. The parliament met again; the lord Kerry and lord Slane dispute precedency, which was adjudged to the former.

A convocation was this year held in Dublin, which established articles of religion. **

A. D.1615**, Oct. The parliament was dissolved after several acts passed.

Doctor Thomas Jones, archbishop of Dublin, and sir John Denham, lord chief justice of the king’s-bench, were sworn lords justices. **

A. D. 1616**, Aug. 30. Sir Oliver St. John (afterwards viscount Grandison) was sworn lord deputy. **

A. D. 1617**, Oct. 13. A proclamation issued for banishing the popish regular clergy. **

A. D. 1621**. Sir Dudley Digges, sir Thomas Crew, sir Nathaniel Rich, sir James Perrot, &c. came over commissioners to inquire into the state of the kingdom upon some complaints of the Irish.

They allow (by the king’s order) the new lord deputy Falkland all the profits abating only at the rate of 2,000 1. per ann. till he should come and receive the sword. **

A. D. 1622**, May 4. The lord deputy removed, (though soon after created viscount Grandison) and Adam Loftus, viscount Ely, lord chancellor, with Richard Wingfleld, viscount Powerscourt, sworn lords justices..

Sept. 8. Lord Falkland comes over deputy and sworn.. **

A. D. 1622**. Some of the popish citizens of Dublin were censured in the starchamber for resisting the oath of supremacy established 2 Eliz. ch. 1. and bishop Usher in a learned speech set forth the lawfulness of the oath. **

A. D. 1623**, Jan. 21. Issued a proclamation, requiring the popish clergy, regular and secular, to depart the kingdom in 40 days, and forbidding all converse with them after that time. **

A. D. 1626**, May. The king orders the lord deputy to appoint a lord high steward, &c. for the trial of the lord Dunboyne by his peers, for killing a man in the county of Tipperary. **

A. D. 1627**, July 24. A second examinator was first added to the court of chancery. **

A. D. 1629**. The papists erected an university in Dublin for the education of the youth of that religion, without any authority from the state, and in the face of the government.

Oct 26. Adam Loftus, viscount Ely, lord chancellor, and Richard earl of Cork lord high treasurer, were sworn lords justices and allowed each 100 1. per month. **

A. D. 1630**. A priest being seized in Dublin for transgressing the laws, was rescued by the people; and to humble the insolences of the papists, the lords justices, by directions from England, seized fifteen of their new-founded religious houses to the king’s use. **

A. D. 1632**. A seminary or college being erected in Back-lane, in opposition to the king’s college, was shut up by the government, and disposed of to the university of Dublin, who placed therein a rector and scholars, and maintained a weekly lecture in it, which the lords justices often countenanced with their presence. But afterwards in the lord Strafford’s government, it was restored and converted to a mass-house. A controversy arose this year between the city of Dublin and the merchant strangers, from whom the city demanded three pence per pound custom. But the matter was referred to the lord deputy Wentworth, who was then preparing to take on him the government of Ireland. **

A. D. 1633**. July 25. Thomas viscount Wentworth was sworn lord deputy. **

A. D. 1634**, July 14. A parliament met at Dublin, which granted six subsidies, in all 240,000 1. also a convocation of the clergy; the king having before determined the precedency of the archbishop of Armagh to that of Dublin; a new book of canons was compiled. **

A. D. 1636**, July 3. The lord deputy going over into England, Adam. Loftus viscount Ely, and sir Christopher Wandesford master of the rolls, were sworn lords justices.

Nov. 23. John Atherton made bishop of Waterford and Lismore, whose ignominious end (for bestiality) by the cocommon executioner, was about four years after near Stephen’s-green. **

A. D. 1639**, Sept. Robert lord Dillon of Kilkenny, West, and sir Christopher Wandesford left lords justices.

The earl of Strafford returns lord lieutenant in March following.

To Chapter XI.b. Harris Contents.