Catalogue description A Complaint of the Commons of Parliament in Ireland, in the time of King H. the V. or H. VI.

(1.) Whereas Ireland was formerly brought to good order, and subject to the laws, the greater part is now destroyed. The Commissioners appointed call before them all kinds of pleas, to the hindrance of the Chancery, King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer. In cos. Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Louth the commissioners rob the husbandmen of their goods by great summonses and distresses, so that the latter are unable to render their rents and duties to their lords, and many towns and hamlets are wasted. Many lords and commoners are indicted without cause before the commissioners, and the King's pardons and writs de supersedendo are disregarded. Lands are so suddenly and privily seized into the King's hands that owners are uncertain whether their lands have been seized or not; the lands being seized three or four days before the term of the rent, in order that the owners may lose it. This has happened to the Earl of Kildare, John his brother, the Lord of Rathfaith, Thomas Harie of Dublin, and the abbot of St. Mary's, Dublin, whose lands at Lucan, Kildroght, Rathfaith, and Blowike are farmed by John Slane, Baron of the Exchequer, by the Treasurer, by Wm. Synbegh, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and by John Dike, secretary. The commissions of the former justices of the shire contained only 8 lines, but those of the commissioners, who assume the jurisdiction of the shire, comprise 40 or 60 lines. If England could not support the jurisdiction of justices of the shire, which was repealed temp. Edw. III., how can the said four counties do so?

(2.) The soldiers take liveries without payment, and three times more than are needed; and also 20d. a week per man, by way of "coynge." In default, they distrain. This happened to the Earl of Ormond at Eghtrin, where the soldiers and kernes took victuals, to the value of 140 marks.

(3.) Contrary to Magna Charta, the King's lieges are daily imprisoned without indictment, their goods seized, etc. by the King's ministers, soldiers, and others. This happened to the Abp. of Armagh, Archdeacon of Kildare, Bp. of Leighlin, and others (named).

(4.) It was customary that when a liege took an Irish enemy prisoner in time of war, he should ransom him at his own pleasure; but lately, when Thomas Vale and his men captured Con O'Nolan, the Baron of Galtrim and Ric. Wellesley took him out of their possession, by the Lieutenant's command, to the destruction of cos. Cathirlagh and Kildare. Shane Boy Connor was likewise taken from Thomas Wolfe and James Wolfe by one Everingham, esquire, and Maurice Fitz Gerald.

(5.) The land is greatly destroyed by "coynges" of kernes and idle men, on foot and on horseback, who pay nothing for victuals for man or horse, and take distresses in default of victuals. The lieges are also oppressed by the "hoblours" and kernes maintained by the Geraldines, Bourkeyns [Burghes, in margin], Powers, and others.

(7.) A commission was issued under the Great Seal to Walter Plunket, John Clinton of Keppoke, and others, to assess Oghy McMahowne, and other Irish enemies, in the county of Louth, who will not accept such meat and drink as the poor commons use, but take pledges with them till they have their pleasure; and they have their "caifs norys" and infants with them, and act as spies. The commons pray these men may be sent out of the said county, or it will be destroyed.

(8.) Extortions by purveyors for the Governor's household; among others from the Abbot of Mellifont, and Sir John Belynge, Chancellor of St. Patrick's.

(9.) It is to be remembered that in the message sent by the Earl of Ormond the King's brothers and the Council the King's presence is greatly desired.

(10.) The King's right to Ireland is shown by reference to Cambrensis and other ancient histories of England. Henry II. did no act of war in Ireland, which was granted to him by the Pope. The legate Vivian excommunicated all contraveners of the King's allegiance. Gillomarus, formerly King of Ireland, was tributary to King Arthur; etc. etc. [Cf. the Book of Howth.]

Copied out of the original.

Ex Albo Libro Scaccarii, Dublin.