which he valiantly executed, for when Lord Leonard Grey, Viceroy, conducted the Royal army into Limerick with a determined resolution to slaughter all the inhabitants in one night, I know not for what reason, except that he bore a mortal hatred against them for their constancy in the orthodox religion, and he deceitfully removed out the Mayor and the better part of the city bands to assault Carrigogunnel they being displeased at the peace, the Mayor having somewhat discovered the Viceroy's treacherous contrivance flies into the city at midnight, hastens almost out of breath with his guards to the Viceroy's house, knocks loudly at the gate, the porter having delayed and refused him entrance, he threatened instantly to tear the gates asunder. He was then admitted, and having found the Viceroy and all the commanders and men at arms of the army waiting for the destined hour of slaughter, he asked the Viceroy what was the meaning of that unusual appearance of armed men, pipers and drummers thus assembled, who did not give him genuine but feigned reasons. Lest by the loss of time the intended wickedness might not be brought to maturity, the Viceroy advised him immediately to return into the city, but he fully detected the hidden contrivance of the treacherous general slaughter, and produced from the inside of the bosom of his soldier's coat the king's patent which he had a good while by him; and due respect being given he ordered it to be read quite over, by virtue of which he positively commanded the Viceroy in the king's name that he should not attempt anything secretly, unknown to and without consulting him in his government of the Province of Munster; and that he should not presume to devise anything to the prejudice of that royal city committed to his care (for that was the tenour of the Royal letters) and he declared if the Viceroy had ordered any to stir up tumults in the city, that he would in the first place restrain and set them in order. Thus did he deliver the city from the threatened destruction.1

The Council of Ireland writing to Cromwell in 1538 state that understanding Edmond Sexton2 intended at this season, to repair thither, they had thought good for their discharge, to acquaint his Lordship Cromwell partly of his demeanour; upon contention moved between him and the citizens of the city of Limerick. Sexten was accused before the Council of high treason, for which being committed into ward in the King's Castle of Dublin, he alleged before them that he proposed to go to England to instruct the king and Cromwell, "of weighty matters touching the kinges honour, and an highe advancement of his revenues;" for which causes he required to be out on bail. The council having heard the particulars of his complaint accounted them of small effect to trouble either the king or his council. In this letter the council throw very great doubts on the sincerity of Sexten, who, they allege, was not successful in his proceedings against Desmond and O'Brien, and they state that "the truth is his coming thider (as we be informed) is specially to accuse and disturb the citizens of Lymerick, for malice and displeasure he beare to them; among whom, ondoubtedlie he hath moved great dissension and displeasure. And considering the situation of the sayd cittie to be in the mydes, as it were, of the Kingis rebelles and ennemyes, with whom we knowe they must by and sell, or elles lacke all vitelles, and tracte of merchandises; we thinke the inhabitantes of it to be worthy praise and commendation, both for ther obedience to the laws, and that they kepe the citie

Arthur MSS.

? This name is spelled indifferently Sexten and Sexton. In the paper referring to him, as well as to the events of the period, I prefer using the old and somewhat rugged style of the chronicles of the times.

alwaies in that wise, that it is the onlie key, releve, and socour to the Kinge, his Deputie, and army, against all men, whensoever they com thider. And whatsoer the inhabitants be, as, in good faith, having respect, where they dwell, we take them to be good, it were a shrewde policie to subvert the hoole citie for a few eivel. And they, on thother side, beare him displeasure, and, as they saie, they moche abhorre him, because he is an Irishman of blode, and (as they saie) he useth himself according to his nature. Howbeit he is made denizen and free by the King, so as he hath been chargour there, contrary to the Inglishe statutes and their liberties. They saie also that he, his brederen, kynsmen, and adherantes, been mere Geraldines, and that parte of his brederen were slayne in defence of the Castele of Maynothe; so as in respecte of his Irish blode and corrupt affection to traytours, they saye they doe not trust him.'

In an extract from the minutes of Council, with the King's commands, it is stated that as the law is continually kept at Dublin, and that between Dublin and Limerick the distance is 120 miles, and so many dangers between, "and as few or none dare passe without some strength which poore suitors have not," it is suggested that a Council of a President and four Councillors under a Secretary be established; the President to have diet for himself, and the rest £200 yearly. Every Councillor for his entertainment, and finding his own horse and servant, £50 yearly, and the Secretary of the Council, £26:13:4 yearly, with such reasonable fees as the country may bear. The Archbishop of Cashel is suggested as a meet President.

In a later letter from the Council of Ireland to Secretary Cromwell,3 Limerick is represented as a city situated among Irish and English rebels, pretending to have privileges of the King as other maritime cities, to buy and sell, and as a place that deserves to be protected only because it is a succour and a refuge always for the King's Deputy, when he wars against the disobedient Desmonds, Brians, Bourkes, and many other like in those parts. In this letter it is stated that, owing to the "misinformation" given by Edmond Sexten to the Lord Deputy during his last journey in Munster, more damage and inquietude had happened among the citizens than any anticipated honor or profit to the King.

There is no doubt, notwithstanding all these complaints, that Sexten succeeded in retaining the good graces of his royal master, for, in 1538-9, 29th and 30th of Henry, he granted by Privy Seal "to the King's well beloved servant Edmond Sexten, sewer of his chamber," of the Monastery, Priory or cell of St. Mary-house, the site, ambit, or ground thereof, and all lordships, manors, lands, advowsons of churches, tithes, chapels, chantries, spiritual and temporal, thereunto belonging, within the precinct of Limerick, city or county, in as large and ample manner as Sir Patrick Harold, late Prior, held the same, together with all the goods and utensils of the house; to hold to said Sexten and the heirs male of his body, by the service of one knight's fee; with directions for the issue of a commission for the dissolution of said monastery. And, 34th Henry VIII., we find grant from the King to Edmond Sexten and his assigns, for life, of £8 sterling, annually, which the

The Corporation of Limerick subsequently made a Complaint to Cromwell against Sexten, upon which the Irish Council, on the 20th of May, 1539, reported, that though he was the king's servant, they could not vindicate his conduct. The Complaint is in the Chapter House, and the report in the State Paper Office; and in the Lambeth Library is a memorial of his services, before, during, and after his mayoralty in Limerick.-State Papers. 3 State Papers.

* State Papers.

King and his ancestors heretofore received in the name of fee farm, out of the city of Limerick.

The execution of the decrees of Henry could have no firmer partizan than Edmond Sexton, judging from the high estimation in which he was held by his unscrupulous master. He soon had his revenge of Lord Leonard Grey, who had been unsparing in his destruction of the shrines and sacred places of the land. Among other fell atrocities he caused the most precious shrine of St. Bridget, St. Patrick and St. Columba, which was in Down, to be burned and the ashes thereof to be cast to the winds1

This outrage took

"In Burgo Duno tumulo tumulantur in uno,
Brigida, Patricius atque Columba pius.”

Anglice

Brigid, Patrick and Columb of renown,

Were all three entombed in the town of Down." place in the year 1538, but the divine vengeance quickly fell upon him for this and for other crimes; his head was cut off in London in the year 1541.

Sexten now grew in favor every day. The letters which passed between him and the king show that a strong mutual feeling of consideration and fidelity prevailed; and that the services performed by him were of such a nature as to win the substantial recognition of his Majesty.

Desmond, through Sexten's influence, wrote the following letter:

To His Soveraigne Liege Lord the King's Majestie.

"Be it known to all men by these presents that I, James Fitzjohn of Desmond, bynde me, mine heyres, my goodes moveable and unmoveable, my fideltie and trueth to my frend Edmond Sexten, to fulfill and performe all such things as the said Edmond shall speake to the King's Majestie and his councell in England as hereafter follows:

First-That I shall bringe to the Kynge's Majestie's coffers all the cheeffe rents that O'Bryen and Mac I Bryen Arra hath upon the country of Lymmerike; and also all the Abbey lands and goodes that are in Mounster to the Kyng's hands, and I and my friends and servants shall take them to fearme. Also that all the Lordes and Gentlemen of Mounster, Englishe and Irishe, shall pay a certain chiefe rent to the Kyng's Majestie, so as it shall be a great revenue.-And for the more performance of the premises, I, the said James, subscribed this with my hand and sett to it my seale the 20th day of June."

Henry addresses "to our mytie and well beloved Sir John Desmond within our land of Ireland," a letter of "righte heartie and cordial thankes ;" and states that he has "conceived and graven the same in our hert and shall retorn and sucede to you no little profitt and advancement." The king writes a much longer and more particular letter to Desmond, in which he acquaints him fully of all that has been told him by his " trustie and well beloved servant, Edmond Sexten, of the humble submission with a promise to observe towards us from henceforth such faythe and loyaltie as to your duty of alleygeance appertaineth, and shall be consonant to the office of a true and faithful subject, which we accept greatlie to our consolaticion, and give unto you therefor our righte harty thankes and condigne." "The king says Dr. Thomas Arthur wrote another letter to James Fitzjohn of Desmond,

"But the walls as well of the cathedral as of the little chapel, where the most sacred relicks were deposited, exist to this day, as I saw them in the year 1751."-De Burgo, Hib. Dom. p. 242. Arthur MSS.

verbatim with his patent letter, only he accused him of assisting "the rebell Thomas Fitzgerald which much offended the Kynge and his commonwell in Ireland." His Majesty wrote a letter in Latin, of which language he was an accomplished master, in which he speaks in the highest terms of Edmond Sexten, and states "that Edmond Sexton, his dearly beloved, will tell him (Sir John of Desmond) more fully his minde on the affairs respecting which he writes." This letter is dated from his Royal Palace near London, the 17th of January, 1534. Before Sexten's impeachment a report was sent to the King, as to how "Edmund Sexten, your grate servant," being then Maier of your Cyttie of Lymerike in the journey to O'Bryen's Bridge did not only right diligently endeavour hym to serve your Majestye, but also in all other your grate affayrs as in practising with O'Bryne and James of Desmonde and all other your disobeydyent subjects to allure them to his power to your grate obedyency, and lykewise in his present with the cytenzens of Lymerick did forwardly, diligently and hardly effectual service in every imploye of that journey to his grate charge, labours and paynes, &c." This "petytion" is signed by Leonard Gray, John Barnwall, your grate Chancellor; George Dublin, James Rawson, Pryor of Kilmaynam; William Brabazon, Gerald Aylmer, Justice; Thomas Lutterell, Justice; Patryke Finglass, Baron; Thomas Justice; Patryke Whyte, Baron.

O'Brien writes the following to the king, in which he admits all that Sexton had done in his Majesty's favor :

O'Brien to King Henry VIII.

Moste noble, excellent, high, and mighty Frince, and my most redoubted Soveraigne High Lord, in the humblest manner that I can or may, I recomend me unto your Majestie; I Cononghure O'Bryen, called Prince of Thomond in your land of Ireland. Advertysing, that I received your most dread letters by your servant, Edmond Sexten, now Mayor of your City of Lymericke, the 20th day of September, in your most noble Reigne the 26th, dated at your Mannor of Langlee, where I perceived partly your minde, in especiall, that I should give firme evidence to your said servant. This is to advertise your Majesty of trouth that I was credible enformed, that the said letters were counterfeit, by my Lord of Ossery, and by my Lord his sonne, and by your said servant; which was the principall cause, that I did not receive such rewards as your said servant profered me and my brother, and that I did not write to your highness according to my duty; and that was the cause that I did not follow the councell of your said servant in your behalfe, till thys tyme: humbly beseeching your Majesty to pardon me of my negligence in that behalfe.

And as for the receiving of Thomas FitzGerald into my countrey; I insure you that I never sent for him, privy nor apperte, into my countrey; but I could not, for very shame, refuse him of meat and drinke, and such little goods as we have. And as well I insure your grace that I never went, nor one of mine, to aid the said Thomas against your grace is subjects, and if I would have helpen him with my power, I assure your highnesse he would not have come in this toilment, at the least.

And as for to certifie you of the goeing of James Delahide towards the Emperour, I insure your grace that it was never by my will; and to prove the trouth of the same, I insure your grace, that ever he come, with power or without power, I shall take or banish him to the uttermost of my power: also beseeching your grace to pardon me of my negligence in that behalfe. Furthermore advertising your grace, that I have received your most dread letters, dated at your Mannor of Westmester, the 10th day of September, in your Reigne the 27th year, by the hands of your servant, Edmond Sexten, wherein I percieve your grace is jealous and displeasor with me, and as well your grace will be me to give ferme credence to your said servant, I insure your grace, that if I had the consaill of your servant, and of our Master Doughtoure Neyellane, Thomas Young, and John Arthur Fitz Nicholas, alderman of your said citty, at the first time, as I am informed by them now of your grace, and of your power and bountie, I had never done nothing prejudiciall to your grace is pleasure; but I was counselled by light people, whereof now I am right sorrie. But now, seeing that all thinges is done and passed for lacke of experience, I humbly beseech your grace to take me to your mercy. And your grace has good cause soe to take me, for I insure that all mine ancestors, and I myself, hath done right good service to your grace's deputies in this land of Ireland. Therefore I humbly beseech your grace, as lowly as any subject can or may, to pardon me of all the premisses, and and all that I have in the world, is and shall be at your commandment.

In 1540 the Lord Deputy and Council write to Henry VIII. and speak of the determined attitude of the Desmonde (the pretended Earl) O'Neill, O'Donnell, O'Brien, O'Molloy, O'Connor, young Gerald, &c., and their resolution to raise the Geraldine sect and uphold the "usurped" supremacy "of the Bishop of Rome." The letter states that the land of Ireland is "by estimacions and descriptions as large as Englande"-and proceeds :"But to enterprise the hole extirpation and totall destruction of all the Irishmen of the lande, it wold be a marvailous sumptious charge, and great difficultie; considering both the lacke of inhabitors, and the great hardness and mysery these Irishmen can endure, both of hongre, colde, thurst, and evill lodging, more then thinhabitantes of any other lande. And by president of the conquest of this lande, we have not hard or redde in any cronycle, that at such conquests the hole inhabitantes of the lande have bene utterly extirped and bannisshed. Wherefore we think the easiest way and least charge were, to take such as have not heynously offended to a reasonable submission, and to prosecute the principalles with all rygor and extremvtie." It is recommended in another of these state papers that garrisons should be formed in several cities. That at Limerick 1000 soldiers whereof horseman 300, gunners 200, archers 400, and billmen 100, should be raised. This letter is dated from Dublin, 18th January, 31st year of the king's "most victorious reigne."

In 1542, the Council repaired to the city of Limerick, on the 15th of February, and held a Parliament which they continued to the 10th of March. This Parliament stood prorogued to the 7th of November, and was further prorogued to the 22nd of December, when it met at Dublin, and adjourned again to Limerick. According to the Statute Book it sat only to the 7th of March, three days less than the term mentioned in the despatch from the Deputy and Council to the king. In the same despatch O'Brien is lauded as a very sober man, and likely to continue "a treue subject." A subsidy of 20 marks yearly is ordered out of the county of Limerick, and 60 marks out of the county Tipperary. Upon the Irishmen of certain quarters mentioned-first upon Mac I Brien 60 golglas for a month-and 6d. sterling out of every plowland in his country-upon Tulagh Mac Brien, Captain of Ycownagh, £5 rent sterling yearly, upon O'Kennedy and M'Egg (Egan), £10 yearly, Irish-O'Mulryan £40 15s. yearly rent, and 60 galoglas a month-O'Dwyre 8d. sterling out of every plowland in his countrey, and 40 gallowglas for a month, yearly. "They complain of the great lacke that will be here of learned men and other ministers to reside about Lymerick, daily to see justice ministered there, laying farre from Dublin, where your highness lawes be executed, and no man there learned to stay or order anything among them."

And as if it would please your grace to be soe good and gracious to this poore land, and to use your poor subjectes, as to send some nobleman to govern us; and in especiall, if it would please your highness to send your sonne, the Duke of Richmond, to this poor contrey, I insure your grace that I and my brother, and all my kinsmen, with all my friends, shall doe him as lowly service, and as trew, as any man liveing; and I, my kinsmen, and all my friends, shall right gladly receive him to our foster sonne, after the custom of Ireland, and shall live and dye in his right and service for ever, and binde us to the same, after your pleasure known, by writeing to us by your servant Edmond Sexten, to whom we remit all the rest of our mindes to your grace. As the Holy Trinitie knoweth, who have our Majesty in his must tender tuycion, to your harte's desire. Written at my Mannor of Clone Rawde [Clonroad, Ennis], the 13th day of October.

Conohuyr O'Bryen, Prince of Twomone.