Catalogue description The QUEEN to SIR THOMAS NORREYS, Lord President of Munster.

We have understood how strange a revolt has happened in Munster. "When the first traitor grew to head with a ragged number of rogues and boys, you might better have resisted than you did, especially considering the many defensible houses and castles possessed by the Undertakers, who, for aught we can hear, were no way comforted nor supported by you, but either for lack of comfort from you, or out of mere cowardice, fled away from the rebels upon the first alarm." We have sent over 2,000 foot for your aid. You will receive instructions from our Council. We have given orders to increase your 30 horse to 50, in sterling pay, and to send over another 100 horses.

There are some persons either out in rebellion or suspected, who might be used, on their claims for lands being granted, as good instruments against the capital rebels, who are combined with the northern traitor. Promise them our pardon, and that we will see them satisfied in all things just and reasonable. Of such are the White Knight, Condon, and Donnough McCormocke of the Dually. If McDonnaght will serve us against Derby McOwen, who takes the title of McCarty More, we will bestow upon him the country of Dually. If the White Knight has adhered to the rebels for lack of force to resist them, "or for fear of any other offence against our laws," assure him we will not suffer any extreme course to be taken against him, but consider his complaints. As for Condon, "cause him to know that if we had understood what success he had by the last despatch wherewith he was sent into Ireland, we would have taken present order for a gracious end to have been made between him and Hyde."

You are not to show yourself facile in offering grace, but "if honorable and just cause of extending favour may satisfy those who are not maliciously incorporated in the general and Spanish combination of the arch-traitor, we would have you proceed speedily and discreetly in this kind."

Whitehall, 3 December 1598.

Copy.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73, vol. III, document 288.