Catalogue description THOMAS, EARL OF SURREY, LORD DEPUTY, to HENRY VIII.

The Archishop of Dublin, the Viscount of Gormanston the Lord of Trimlettiston, and the Chief Justice, returned on the 10th instant from Waterford, where with much difficulty they had taken a day of truce between the Earls of Desmond and Ormond, to endure till Candlemas next. They have taken the Earls' oaths truly to serve the King, and the oaths of Lord Barry, Lord Roche, Sir John FitzGerot, Sir John of Desmond, Sir Thomas of Desmond, Cormok Oge, Sir James Butler, Sir Edmund Butler, and Sir Piers Power. At their return here, Surrey was in the country of Connyll O'More, with the company which the King sent with him out of England, and 120 horse of this country and 300 kerne in wages, "having the least assistance of the Englishry that ever was seen," for he had but 48 horse and 120 foot, "of all others of this country.

After he had burnt divers towns and forayed the country, and men had been slain on both sides, the Earl of Ormond came to him, having about 100 horse, 200 galoglas, and 200 kerne of his own, and with him one of the MacMorghoos with 24 horses, and the Lord Steward's seneschal with 24 horses and 100 kerne and foot, who came for Surrey's sake, and not for Ormond's. The said Earl also brought O'Kerroyll, who since Surrey's coming had made an invasion, to speak with Surrey. He is the most esteemed captain of the land, and with much difficulty was sworn to the King. After his oath, examined him upon what grounds he had moved war, considering he had promised Sir William Darcy to be loving and serviceable to Surrey. He said he was so much hurt by Englishmen in times past, and now he saw a good opportunity to take revenge. Told him it was not for that cause, but because he had received a letter from the Earl of Kildare, brought him by an Abbot dwelling near to him; at which he smiled. Ormond and Darcy then desired him to show the truth of the said letter. He answered that "he would not distain his honour for the pavilion full of gold, ne, if he had received any such letter, would disclose the same." Then Ormond, O'Kerroyll, and Darcy, "communing to gathers in Irish," the Earl and Sir William advised Surrey to examine O'Kerroyll's brethren concerning the said letter, "for O'Kerroyll would it should come out by them." They both swore that they had stood by and heard the said letter read. Examined them if it were signed with the Earl of Kildare's hand. They said they could not read, and therefore knew not. Has promised them 20l. to bring the said letter, if it be signed with Kildare's hand, but they fear the letter was burnt. Trusts within 12 days to take the man who brought the letter.

O'Kerroyll has confessed to Conyll O'More and to Brene O'Conoghour, who have showed Surrey that he made war for fear of Kildare, who "sent" to him so to do. He would not be sworn to the King for all that Ormond and Darcy could do, till Surrey assured him that the King would never suffer Kildare to be Deputy here again, and promised him to take a reasonable peace with Conyll, such as Ormond, Darcy Cormok Oge, and he (O'Kerroyll?) would make. So the peace is made, and Conyll sworn to the King. Has received his son and heir and his brother in pledge, and delivered them to Ormond to keep. Ormond, O'Kerroyll, Cormok Oge, and one Moriartagh Oge McMorgho, the best of the McMorghoos, are sureties for his good bearing, and sworn to make war on him, if he do not as he is sworn to do.

Thus, notwithstanding the malicious practices of Kildare's servants, this country is now at peace with all the Irishry, saving only O'Nele, and a few light captains. Tomorrow will ride 40 miles to parle with O'Nele who has done much hurt, in despite of Surrey's coming to Ireland. Unless he make right large amends and give sufficient pledges, will invade his country within 16 days. On returning to Dublin, found O'Downyl there, who is a right wise man and detertermined to serve the King. He has confessed that a little before Surrey's coming, O'Nele desired him to move war against Surrey as soon as he was landed, "saying that for his part he would do so, for he was desired by the Earl of Kildare so to do." O'Downyl answered that he was the King's true subject, and would serve whomsoever the King appointed to have the rule here. He has promised to invade O'Nele on his side, and Surrey will invade him on his own side. He said, "If ever the King send the Earl of Kildare hither in authority again, let the King make him an assurance by indenture of this land to him and his heirs for ever.

Since coming into this land has been troubled with war in so many places that he has never had leisure to call the Council to devise what ways were best to be taken to bring the Irishmen to some good order, and to look upon such causes as might increase the revenues here; but now, as soon as he has made an end with O'Nele, will assemble the Council, and he and others of the Privy Council will do their best, though they all fear that the Irishmen will not be brought to good order, unless it be by compulsion; which will require men, money, and time. When the King puts forth his power, he will "obtain the conquest of this land, the soil whereof may be well compared in goodness unto your realm of England.

The great sickness is so universally spread in the English pale that he can scarcely find the means to lodge the yeomen of the guard by 40, 30, and 20, in towns where no infection is. Many of them call daily upon him to have licence to go home, some alleging that they cannot live on their wages, some that they have farms and husbandry at home, and others, being a little sick, that they will die unless they may return to England to take the air there. Has made one answer to all, that he dares not give such licence till he knows the King's pleasure. Nothing is so troublesome to him as this great sickness, which daily increases in this town, "which is the only refuge of us all here to be victualled for any exploit or invasion to be made, for without the help of this town and Drodath all the Englishry cannot victual those that came with me out of England to make any invasion for six days.

Trusts the King will grant the petition in his letters sent by Applyard for authority to diminish the footmen here, and with their wages to wage horsemen, as well those whom the King will send out of England as others of "this country birth," for money spent upon footmen here will never come to good effect.

Dublin, 23 July. Signed: T. Surrey.

Addressed: To the King's most noble Grace.

State Papers II. 35.

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 5.