Catalogue description WALTER [WELLESLEY], BISHOP OF KILDARE, to the DUKE OF NORFOLK.

It has pleased the King to suppress certain religious places here, and the common report concerning others is, that they are to be suppressed, although they are not expressed, on which account all are in fear, and I do not know in what to take refuge except the clemency of your Highness, at whose intercession the King was pleased to promote me. I therefore commit myself and my monastery of Connall in the adversity of this suppression to your protection and defence, in which my hope rests. The bearer, well known to you, is Canon Nimeas of Connall, to whom you will give credence. He will show you copies of two indentures, from which the King will do well not to withhold his favour. The liberty which you obtained from the King for the House of Connall, when I was last with you in England, almost caused my death, for when the Earl, being at Connall, in the hall at table, at which no fewer than 300 persons were seated, heard of that liberty, he went into a great rage, and drew out a long Irish knife, so that I could with difficulty escape from him; and as long as he lived I durst not speak of it. I beseech your aid because all my friends are dead.

Connall, 15 May. Signed: Walterus, Episcopus Darensis, ac perpetuus Commendatarius de Connall.

Addressed: Thomæ Duci Northfolgiæ. 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 133.