Catalogue description EARL OF ESSEX.

"Covenants between her Majesty and the Earl of Essex, 9 July 1573."

Where her Highness, in consideration of service, and surrender of his title to 800 marks of the Earl of Marche's lands, had given to the Earl the moiety of the seigniories of Clanyboy, &c., the Earl covenanted, before Michaelmas then next ensuing, in person to take his journey into the said country with 200 horsemen and 400 footmen at his own charges, and to continue the same for two years from the said feast. If the Earl do not maintain the said number, her Majesty may levy so much of the revenues of the Earl's lands in Ireland as may suffice to supply the deficiency.

After two years the Earl shall continue like number of soldiers at his charges as her Majesty shall keep, so that the same number exceed not 600 soldiers.

As often as any of the said numbers shall by death or departure be decayed, her Majesty shall cause so many able English men to go to and remain in the said territories.

Before Michaelmas the Queen will send 200 horsemen and 400 footmen under the conduct of the said Earl into the said seigniories, at her own charges.

During two years from the said feast there shall be kept in the said seigniories 200 horsemen and 400 footmen of English birth at the Queen's charges.

"Whereas sundry her Majesty's subjects do purpose to adventure in service under conduct of the said Earl for the reducing of the said country to loyal obedience at their proper costs, some with horsemen, some with footmen," her Majesty grants that every such person shall have in fee simple, for every horseman continued for two years, 400 acres English, and for every footman, 200 acres ; paying for every acre 2d. English. "If any of the adventurers die before the two years ended, their heirs to have liberty for six months to supply."

"The country to be divided equally by six commissioners, indifferently to be named, three by her Majesty or the Lord Deputy, and three by the Earl; and commissioners from time to time for that purpose to be awarded, and they [to] divide the country, and to give names to towns, &c."

The Queen may convert a fifth part of her portion in desmesne at her pleasure.

"The Earl shall fortify as occasion shall require before division at the equal charges of her Majesty and the Earl." In his portion he shall fortify or build at his pleasure during 20 years, and have timber out of Kilulto woods. The Queen shall fortify and build for the defence of the country as to the Lord Deputy shall seem good.

Liberty to the Earl, his heirs and tenants to transport, &c. any commodities of his country for seven years without custom, and for twelve years for the custom used in England. To carry out of England money, armour, weapon, victuals, &c. "All assurances to be made conditionally that no part of it be assigned or conveyed to any Irish or Scots Irish or mere Scots, and if any such be, the estate to be forfeited to the Queen's Majesty and the Earl, except that her Majesty may dispose 5,000 acres at her goodwill and pleasure, and the Earl 5,000 more."

The Earl shall for seven years continue Captain General there under her Majesty, and after during her pleasure. He is "to discharge her Majesty, &c. of the garrison at Knockefergus and of their entertainment, except the constable now there present, so as the said garrison will serve under him."

The Earl shall cause his part to be inhabited after division with such number of English birth as her Majesty doth her part, so as her Majesty's number pass not 1,000 persons.

"To supply his want," he shall have them and their furniture out of England, "paying them the like wages as her Majesty doth in likewise."

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 304.