Catalogue description RETURN of ESSEX.

This record is held by Lambeth Palace Library

Details of
Title: RETURN of ESSEX.
Description:

"The Earl of Essex his Answers to the Articles whereto his Lordship's opinion was desired, 3° Octob. 1599, concerning O'Donnell and the dividing of the Army into the several Provinces."

 

[I proposed to Tyrone?] "that her Majesty should in Ulster have as much profit and obedience as ever she was answered; and in the other provinces all lords of countries and gentlemen that had land should yield her Majesty such rents and duties as had been usually paid to the Crown. And as he assured himself they would all do as he would have them, so, if any were unruly, he would not only abandon them, but assist their prosecution; but all upon this condition, that I procured him that secret and inward satisfaction from her Majesty which I have heretofore signified, and that I would give my word and protestation that I had received it from her Majesty.

 

"After he came from O'Donnell he made no new offer, but sent me word that O'Donnell and the rest would be ruled by him. ..... He urged that it might be general, for he said that it was best for her Majesty, and best for that poor country, but there should be no delay." He expects restitution to lands and livings for himself and all that shall be pardoned.

 

"I came over resolved upon the very knees of my heart to beseech her Majesty to accept of this opportunity to reduce that miserable kingdom; and if this band were once broken, I doubt not but to weaken them and break them by degrees, without any hazard or great charges." I purposed to reduce the army to 9,000 foot and 800 horse--in Leinster 3,000 foot and 300 horse, in Munster 3,000 foot and 200 horse, in Ulster 2,000 foot and 150 horse, in Connaught 1,000 foot and 150 horse; "and as I had daily grown upon the Irish, so I would have still more and more lessened her Majesty's charge."

 

"The disclaiming of his wriaghrs and receiving of sheriffs are not things to be urged to him till her Majesty be stronger and he weaker; ..... but if this composition were once made there should be means enough to draw his wriaghrs from him, and arctiores imponere leges. .... He will admit garrisons, what there usually of late years hath been."

 

"I have his oaths and vows that, if there be no stop of her Majesty's side, he will give me any security, saving his own coming in."

 

I advise her Majesty to allow me at my return to Dublin to conclude this treaty, yielding some of these grants for the present, and when her Majesty has made secret preparation to enable me to prosecute, I will find "quarrels enough to break," and give them a deadly blow.

 

I crave pardon for this "confused style, which my present state of body causeth."

 

Copy.

Date: 3 Oct 1599
Held by: Lambeth Palace Library, not available at The National Archives
Former reference in its original department: MS 601, p. 243
Language: English
Physical description: 3 Pages.
Unpublished finding aids:

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 321.

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