Catalogue description SIR JAMES CROFTES.

Instructions given by the King to Sir James Croftes, "whom his Majesty sendeth into Ireland."

The King has purposed to send Sir James Croftes for the preparation and setting forwards of especial service in Ireland. Sir James shall take with him his Majesty's letters to Sir Anthony Sentleger, Knight of the Order, and Deputy in Ireland, and participate to him the credence of these instructions following.

If at his arrival the Deputy shall not be gone to the towns of Corke and Kinsaile, or to either of them, according to the former orders prescribed to him by letter from his Highness's Council sent by Nicholas Bagnall, Croftes shall notify to him the King's pleasure, and charge him to make his speedy repair to the said parts. When he (Croftes) shall be come to the towns and havens of Corke and Kinsaile, he shall diligently view and consider the same throughly, with all the parts, isles, castles, and other houses there adjoining. He shall choose such places and grounds as are fittest to be fortified for the safeguard of the said havens and towns. He shall give order for the works of the same with all diligence to be advanced and set forward.

He shall also consider if there be any houses, castles, or piles already of old situate in convenient places to serve for the same purpose, that the King's charges may be diminished. He shall proceed to put the same into convenient strength, making the Deputy privy thereof for the composition with the owners of any such house, castle, pile, or plat of ground. He shall move the Deputy to persuade the townsmen and inhabitants to be contributory towards the furtherance of such works as shall be requisite.

Whilst these things are in hand, he shall, with the aid and help of the Deputy and the Earl of Desmond, or such other nobleman in that case requisite, repair to the havens of Balletemore and Bere, and cause a true plat to be made of them and such others betwixt them and Kinsaile as he shall think expedient, adding his opinion and advice, and sending the same to the Council hither.

He shall also consider what is necessary to be done for the other havens upon that seacoast, Waterford, Yoghall, and such like as he shall think meet to be considered and regarded. While at Corke and Kensale he shall consider what things are convenient to be done for the strengthening and fortification of those towns, "and thereof making some plat, with the aid of the Deputy, solicit the inhabitants of the said town [sic], to further and advance the same works."

He shall compare with these instructions not only the copy of the letter sent from the Council to the Deputy by Nicholas Baggnall, but also such credit and instruction as Bagnall had from hence to the Deputy. [The original instructions are in the Record Office; they are dated 25 Feb. 1551.]

Copy.

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 194.