Catalogue description ROBERT REYLEY.

The examination of Robert Reyley, detained for suspicion of treasons done in the parts of Ireland, received the 5th day of August anno 28 H. VIII.

Is 24 years of age; was born in Gyrley, co. Meath; was brought up in the house of the late Earl of Kildare. When the said Earl was sent for by the King, my Lady his wife came to the King to make his excuse. At that time this deponent came to London with my Lady his mistress. Was sent by her into Ireland to the Earl with two letters, the one from the King and the other from my Lady. Knows not what was contained in the said two letters, but supposes that the Earl was to come personally to the King. Received no other letters, token, message, or credence from the said Lady or any other to the Earl or his son Thomas FitzGerald. If such were sent, they were sent by Edmund Sexton, who was put in greater trust than deponent. Sexton rode towards Ireland a little before deponent. Overtook him at the waterside and from thence they went in company to the Earl. Knows not what letters were conveyed by Sexton. The Earl received the letters with reverence, and made no answer, but prepared himself for his journey to London. The Earl sent for his son Thomas and for all his brethren, with whom he had several communications. He heard say in the Earl's house, that the said Thomas FitzGerald was ruled by the advice and counsel of James FitzGerald his uncle, Thomas Eustace, James Delahide, Sir Walter Delahide, and Jenet Eustace, wife of the said Sir Walter. When the Earl was ready to depart, he caused the Council to meet with him at Tredath, whither the Earl went. He caused Thomas FitzGerald to be made Deputy and to be sworn before the Council, and delivered him the sword. Then he took his journey towards England.

Attended on the Earl till the May following, a quarter of a year after his arrival in England. Departed from the Earl because the Earl was sick and not like to live long; and his son Thomas FizthGarret being Deputy in Ireland, deponent was minded to go to his service. Edward Rokes and Humfrey Sexton, servants to the Earl, went with him to Ireland, but neither he nor they carried any letters. About eight weeks after his return to Ireland, (deponent then being in service with Thomas FitzGerald) a poor fellow, an Irishman, dwelling by Kilkulleyn, who had a business to do at London, came to the said Thomas, did him recommendations from the Earl, and delivered him a little heart of silver and gilt, and a pair of black dice, saying in Irish "that he should play the best or gentlest part, and that he should not trust to the King's Council there, for if he did he should be brought perforce into England and there should lose his life; and that he should keep him out of the way as much as he might." A month after one Doctor Hykey, Edmund Nele, and two gentlewomen named Katharine FitzGerald and Rose Eustas, came from the Earl to the said Thomas. Also Thomas FitzGerald "had knowledge of a letter which was sent from one Thomas Canon, the contents whereof were, that as well the said Thomas FitzGerald, as all other his uncles and all other of his name and stock, if they were taken, should be brought perforce into England and there put to death; and saith that the report was further that Garet Eelmer and Thomas Cusak had undertaken unto the King's Gouncil to take the said Thomas FitzGerald and all his uncles, and how that the said Eelmer and Cusak had received a sum of money of the King's Grace for the doing of the same.

Supposes the first occasion of Thomas FitzGerald's rebellion was the receipt of the message from the said poor man, and the letter sent from Canon. James Delayhide and Sir John FitzGerald and one Parson Welshe were "chief a counsel" with the said Thomas, as well before the rebellion as after. The said Thomas also took counsel of all the residue of his uncles, although the said Richard FitzGerald never bare the said Thomas his good heart and favour. Shortly after he had knowledge of the letters from Canon, Thomas FitzGerald went to Dublin, accompanied by 1,000 horsemen and footmen, amongst whom were the said James FitzGerald and John FitzGerald and respondent. At that time Thomas FitzGerald surrendered his oath and delivered his sword to the King's Council. Within a month afterwards the said Thomas, accompanied by John FitzGerald, respondent, and 40 other persons, went to Artayne to a gentleman's house called Mr. Hothe, where the Bishop of Dublin then lay; and at that time the said Bishop was murdered, but whether by command of the said Thomas or not, respondent knoweth not. Immediately after the murder, on the same day, the said Thomas spoiled the house of Mr. Talbott, three or four miles from Dublin, and drove away his cattle; but meanwhile respondent was sent by the said Thomas to Mynuth, with a casket taken from the said Bishop.

After this, the said Thomas gathered a host of 2,000 or 3,000 men, and assaulted one Mr. Bedlow, a knight of that country, "beat" his castles, killed divers of his servants, and took his wife prisoner. From thence he went and met with the Great AnNeale, and recovered a castle from one NeleMore, which he delivered to the Great AnNeale. Then he returned home, gathered a greater host, set upon the Earl of Ossory, and burned divers towns of his country. From thence he returned home again, and then laid siege to the castle of Dublin, and afterwards to the town of Dublin. Then he went to Tredath, and brought away a great gun that lay there. All his uncles and respondent were present at the seige of Dublin, but not at the seige of the said castle. They were with him in Ossory's land, as also were most of the gentlemen of the English pale. After this respondent was at the killing of Mr. Musgrave and 25 others; "at which time" 19 Englishmen were taken prisoners. James FitzGerald was present, but no more of the uncles of the said Thomas. Was present at the skirmish at the town of Tryme, the said John and Walter his uncles being there with the said Thomas. 15 or 16 Englishmen were slain. Shortly after Easter following the said Thomas went into A'Bruen's country, meaning to take his journey from thence into Spain. He continued there till after Whitsuntide, and then returned home, leaving respondent there to keep certain plate to the value of 400 or 500 marks, which was left in the custody of McBriennary, an Irish Lord. The said Thomas left his apparel and two great gilt pots in the custody of A'Bruen, and other plate to the value of 400 and 500 marks in the keeping of Morough O'Brien. Respondent continued in O'Brien's country until the Saturday before Saint Peter's day last.

The said Thomas FitzGerald sent one Charles, his chaplain, to the Bishop of Rome, to obtain absolution for killing the Bishop of Dublin; and James Delayhid and Parson Walshe to the Emperor, to treat with him for succour and aid.

Because O'Brien's country is very rude, and respondent liked not the manner of the country, he thought it good to come into England and submit himself to the King's mercy. Came from O'Brien's country to Bristowe, and there went to Mr. Shurloke, an Irishman, servant to the Lord Privy Seal, and desired to be brought "to the speech of the said Lord Privy Seal." Kept company with Mr. Shurloke till his "now coming" to London, being always at liberty. If he had been so minded, he might have departed at his pleasure, for he lay only two nights with Mr. Shurloke since his coming to London on Sunday last.

Signed at the foot of every page by Robert Relye. Endorsed.

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 84.