Catalogue description SIR WILLIAM BRERETON and JOHN SALISBURY to HENRY VIII.

On Wednesday the 14th October, the Deputy of Ireland and we sailed from the haven of Graycort towards Ireland, and were sore beaten with storm and tempest all that night. Next day we were driven under the isle of Lambay, ten miles northward from Dublin, and lay there all that night. On Friday we were informed by one John Darcy, that the false traitor Thomas Fitz Gerald had won your city and castle of Dublin. The Deputy and we and all the Council took counsel together what was best to do. As it was the chiefest city of all Ireland, and many letters came to us from thence for aid and succour, it was concluded that we should go thither. So we sailed straight to the haven of Dublin, and the Deputy and all the other fleet purposed to go to Waterford. On Saturday we landed at Dublin, and were gladly received by the Mayor and all the city.

Immediately after our landing, the Mayor and the chief men brought us to their council house, and showed us that they had taken truce with Thomas Fitz Gerald for six weeks, but he broke it within 24 hours; for the next night after we landed, he burnt the corn of the Prior of Kilmainham. "The covenant of the truce also was that the said city of Dublin should get to the said traitor his pardon of your Highness, and a deputation of all Ireland for term of his life, or else to deliver him the said city at the said day; and upon the same he had three pledges of the best men of the said city." He has also sixteen or more of the sons and heirs of the best men. We therefore set great watches both day and night to keep the gates and walls, and keep the keys of all the gates in our custody within the castle.

A sevennight after our landing, "for lack of wind to Waterford," the Deputy landed at Dublin. On the 27th October, a friar came from Tradaff (Drogheda) to the Deputy and us, and showed us that he had met that morning Thomas Fitz Gerald with 300 or 400 horsemen, going to lay siege to Traghdaff. On the morrow, Simon and Jude's day, we went with the Deputy to defend the said town, and arrived there that night, "being 20 long miles from Dublin." We found there was no siege. We lay there 7 days, and many lords and gentlemen of the country resorted to us daily. "And when the said lords and gentlemen were put in an (sic) keep the said countries, the said Deputy and we came to Dublin." Desire to know how we shall order ourselves with respect to the said city and castle. Dublin, 4 November. Signed.

P.S. The bearer, Francis Herbert, has done good service this war time. He is a good gunner and has slain 24 persons, and one great captain of Thomas Fitz Gerald's company. But for the good speed he has made, both the town and the castle would have been given up.

Copy. Addressed.

State Papers II. 203.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. I, document 46.