Catalogue description LORD JAMES BUTLER to CROMWELL.

After the prorogation of our parliament from Caishell to Limerick, we immediately advanced forwards into the county of Limerick. As Sir John of Desmond's sons would incline to no good conformity, "we foraged and committed semblable destruction." A manor called Loghgyr belonging to James, son to the said Sir John, the pretended Earl of Desmond, "was left open, and the doors and windows carried away, and burned the roof themselves." I set up doors and made it defensible, and warded it with my own men, who continue there. Passing thus to Limerick I kept the foreward, and my Lord my father the rearward. We continued the parliament one day in Limerick, and the next day after we set forwards to O'Brenis bridge, and on our way received hostages of some of the Borkes for their offences against the King and the citizens of Limerick. "There was such a tower of thickness and for defence at the bridge foot as I have not seen in Ireland, and well warded." On Saturday and on Sunday morning last we shot our ordnance at it, but made very little battery. Certain of William Seintlo's retinue adventured the assault, which they achieved without loss of one man. The ward escaped through the bridge. That Sunday and the next day, we were breaking the bridge and both the towers "that on the ends defended the bridge." On Tuesday we returned to Limerick, and I was appointed by the Council to come hither "to convey more ordnance thither, that was conveyed hither by sea from Dublin." On Wednesday O'Brene desired to commune with my Lord my father; to which the Council assented. If he conform not himself, "we will not leave him thus without further prosecution, and yet peruse Munster;" so that, ere we return, this Sir John of Desmond's sons shall be of no power to annoy much the King's subjects; "which danger, if there were any, my Lord my father and his country is next unto.

You have written to me and to the Baron of Delwyn not to repair thither for a season, but to set the King's affairs forward here. "I wot well that the same cometh by some procurement, as who say I would be accompanied with such a sort as would crave of the King." I never intended to have with me the Baron, his son, or "others that much desired it;" or to repair thither till the end of this hosting. I beseech you that, after this war in Munster, and when my absence may be forborne, I may resort to the King and you.

O'Nele, O'Rayle, and others who promised to come to this hosting, failed. The Barons of Delwin and Slane are not here, and there are very few from all the English pale. For the building of certain garrisons and for the defence of the English pale, Master Treasurer was willed to continue there, who goes well about the same, and is well beloved; though some "would have him in many enterprises no partner." There is no one in Ireland, except my Lord Deputy, I would rather have in my company.

To day I journey with the ordnance to Caishell, and trust to be with the army at Limerick on Sunday. Master Body has taken much pains, and, after our homely fashion, lay in his clothes, "willing to see the towardness of every man's service there.

Carrik, this Friday after Saint Lawrence's Day. Signed.

In Walter Cowley's hand. Addressed: Lord Privy Seal. Endorsed.

State Papers II. 357.

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 87.