Catalogue description The TOWN of KNOCKFERGUS.

"A Note as well of the Great Losses as also of the Good Service that the poor Inhabitants of Knockfergus have had and done."

They killed Brian Balloughe, Lord of Clandeboye, who continually annoyed the townsmen, with divers of his men. In revenge his son burned the town. They were glad to compound with him for 40l. yearly, which has been paid ever since.

The Lord of Killholtoughe, a traitor, took away all the cattle belonging to the town. The mayor and 24 aldermen and freemen were slain, and 32 taken, who were glad to pay all their goods for their ransom.

"When the King's Majesty (Henry VIII.) was at wars with France and Scotland, there went a great navy of ships out of Scotland, with the number of 10,000 men, to aid the French King, and their governors were the Earl of Arran, whose name was the Lord of Hamilton, and the Lord Flemmynge with him," who landed at Knockfergus and attempted to win the town, but without success. The Lord Flemmynge's brother was slain, with 40 of his men. Not passing twelve days after, the mayor with 200 men landed at Loughrean in Scotland, burned and spoiled much corn and many houses, and killed 60 men, besides a number of cattle.

At the same time the Lord of the Out Isles, Donell McDonell was agreed to serve the King for 600l., and came to Knockfergus with 4,000 men in 60 galleys. The money being not ready, the mayor and others gave him 300 beefs, and went in pledge for the payment of the 600l.; after the paying whereof they were forced to pay 40l. ere they were released.

The lord of the country, Con O'Neale, took away 400 kine, and slew the mayor and the constable of the King's Castle, with 24 of the townsmen.

There came also Rorey McQuylen, who brought with him McLane's brother, with 600 Scots, meaning to sack the town, and they set fire in four parts of it. The townsmen killed one of the chiefest captains and 20 men.

By crafty means, William Wallis, the mayor, and Mr. Corbett were carried away by Con O'Nell, and were forced to pay 540l. for their ransoms. An alderman was also taken and most cruelly handled by him.

Hugh McBoye O'Nell, being after him lord of that country, compelled one of the aldermen to pay a ransom of 200l.

Hugh McNeale Oge, being a traitor, and lord of the country after him, came to Knockfergus with 1,000 Scots, and set fire in four parts of the town. Not long after, when Mr. Powell was discharged with his band from Knockfergus, and the abbey was given to the said Hugh, the latter challenged a wrong custom, and said, if he had it not, he would suffer neither man nor child to come out of their houses but he would kill them; so they agreed to give him five tuns of wine and 10l. yearly.

Con McNeale Oge took away 100 neat and other cattle. Not passing 20 days after he placed 200 men by night in the middle of the town to kill Sir Brian McFellomy and then to win the town. Perceiving they were hardly beset by him, they gave to Sorolaboye McDonell 20l. sterling in wine, silk, and saffron to assist them.

Brian Balloughe laid a strain in the corn, and took all their cattle, to the number of 600. They wrote to Sorolaboy for restitution, but he made excuse. Not long after the said Brian Balloughe took all their cattle, and they gave him certain silk, saffron, and wine to have their cattle again; "and the said traitor drunk the same wine, and received the said silk [and] saffron, and restored not one of the neat back again, but cruelly handled the poor men that went with the same unto him, and stripped them, and took all their clothes from them." Captain William Piers was then constable of the King's Castle.

Con McNeale Oge, in O'Nell's first wars, took all their cattle divers times.

Hugh McFellomy, lord of that country, demanded the 40l. beforetime paid to his ancestors. It was paid until Sir Henry Sydney, by force of the Queen's garrison, did cause the same to be stayed and withholden.

The town has been paved and environed with "stagnes" of water. Sydney gave them 20l. towards the repair of the church. The inhabitants have increased from 20 to 200. Above 40 fishermen daily frequent the seas, and there are above 60 ploughs belonging to the town. But if order be not taken for the thorough victualling of the Queen's soldiers there, so as the inhabitants be not burdened therewith, "the townsmen came not so fast thither, but will faster depart thence, as no few of them already be wearied and ready to depart."

II. "Money lent by the Mayor and Townsmen, not yet answered."

To Sir William Sellenger and Mr. Parker, 24l. sterling To Mr. Roger Brookes, 20l. To Walter Flody, constable of the King's Castle, 18l. Owing for the victuals of 100 men for a fortnight, 46l. 13s. 4d. Other costs and charges, 100l. ster.

Copy.

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. II, document 114.