clock, when they found the weake estate the Castle was growen into by furie of the battery, they sounded againe their Drumme for an other parley, which not being accepted, many of them endeavoured to escape under the Rocke close to the water side, which being espied by us our men ran presently close to the Castle wals, and if the Lord President had not forbidden them (although the breach was not sufficiently assaultable) they would have entered the house of those who attempted to escape, there were three and twentie Spaniards taken; and of this Countrey birth a great multitude of Churles, women and children, there was likewise slaine of the Spaniards towards thirtie; all this while the Enemy shot not a shot, but as men amazed lay still; of the Irish there was not a man taken that bare weapon, all of them being good Guids escaped, onely one Dermond Mac Cartie, by them called Don Dermutio was taken, who was then a pensioner to the King of Spaine, and heretofore a servant to Florence Mac Cartie.

A good while before day, the Lord Deputie sent Sir Oliver Saint-Iohn to the President, to signifie his pleasure unto him; which was if they would render themselues, hee should accept of their offer, excepting the Irish; not long after Sir Oliver Saint John was departed (that no error might bee committed;) towards the morning the Lord President went to the Lord Deputie, to make relation of that

nights proceeding, and upon deliberation, it was thought convenient, if the Spaniards would quit their Armes and render the place, with promise of life onely to bee sent into Spaine, that they should bee received to mercy, the consideration whereof grew upon these reasons, the one because in forcing a breach it was likely many good men should bee lost, and also to intice others that are in Kinsale to leaue the place (wherein they felt misery) by the example of this mercifull dealing with those of Rincorran, but especially because expedition in the taking of this Castle had many important conse

quences.

About one houre after day, the Commander sent word to the Lord President that hee would render the place, and quit all their Armes, so as they might be sent to Kinsale, which being refused, hee entreated onely that himselfe might hold his armes, and bee sent to Kinsale, which also being denyed, hee resolutely determined to bury himselfe in the Castle, and not to yeeld: his Company seeing his obstinacie, did threaten him to cast him out of the breach, so as they might be received to mercy; in the end it was concluded that all his people should be disarmed in the house, which was done by Captaine Roger Harvie, Captaine of the Guards that night, and himselfe to weare his sword untill hee came to the President, and then render it unto him, which

being performed upon his knees, they were brought prisoners into the Campe, and from thence immediately sent unto Corke.

The last of October, the President received a gratious Letter from her Majestie, all written with her owne hand, it was short, but yet therein is liuely expressed in what a thankefull sort his service was accepted, the true Copie whereof ensueth.

CHAPTER XIV.

Her Majesties Letter to the Lord President.

A supply of Munition and victuals. A resolution in Councell that Forces should be sent to encounter O Donnell. The Lord President of a contrary opinion, and his reasons. The reasons why this service was imposed upon the Lord President. The Lord President marcheth towards O Donnell. O Donnell lodgeth neere the Holy Crosse, and the strength of his quarter. O Donnell by the meanes of a great Frost, passed over the Mountaine of Shewphelim, whereby he escaped from fighting with the Lord President. O Donnells hasty march. The principall men that were in O Donnells Army. The principall men in Tyrones Armie.

Her Maiesties Letter unto the Lo. President.

My faithfull George, if ever more service of worth were performed in shorter space, than you have done, Wee are deceived; among many eyewitnesses, Wee have received the fruit thereof, and bid you faithfully credit, that what so Witt, Courage, or Care may doe, Wee truely finde, they

haue beene all truely acted in all your Charge, and for the same beleeue, that it shall neither bee vnremembered, nor vnrewarded: And in meane while beleeue, my Helpe nor Prayers shall never faile you.

Your Soveraigne that best regards you,

ELIZ. R.

The second of November the Ordnance was drawne from Rincorran to the Campe.

The third, the Spanish Sergeant Major which had been taken prisoner upon the last of October, and the Alferes, which rendred himself upon the condition of life at Rincorran, obtained licence to write to Don Iuan, and one of our Drummes was sent to carry their Letters.

The fifth, foure Barques with Munitions and Victuals from Dublin, arrived in the Haven of Kinsale.

The sixth, upon certaine knowledge that Tyrone and O Donnell were drawing towards Mounster, the trenches of the Campe were made deeper and higher.

The seventh, the Lord Deputie having Intelligence that Odonnell with a great part of the Northren forces was advanced neere unto the Province,

to joyne with the Spanyards, and that Tyrone was but a few dayes journeyes short of him, it was debated in Councell, whether it were necessary that Forces should be sent towards him, to divert his intention: It was agreed by the greater part, that two or three Regiments of Foot, and some Horse should bee employed in that service. The President was of a contrary opinion, alledging for instance, that Tyrone, at his late being in Mounster, at whose returne the Earle of Ormond having good Especials, and very desirous to fight with him, yet could never haue sight of him, or of any of his company; and the reasons (sayd he) are very apparant, for they are sure to haue the Countrey to friend, to giue them howerly intelligence of our lodging and marches, and they are so light-footed, as if they once get the start of us, be it never so little, wee shall hardly or never overtake them. Notwithstanding these reasons, it was concluded that Forces should be sent; and for so much as the Countrey would be more willing to giue assistance to the Lord President, then to any other; as also because hee was best acquainted with the passages, and places of advantage, to giue Odonnell impediment: Hee was commaunded with his owne Regiment, and Sir Charles Wilmots, which were in List two thousand one hundred and fiftie, (but not by pole aboue one thousand, and three hundred and fiftie Horse in List, which were by pole two hundred and fiftie) to undertake the Service; and for his better strength Sir Christopher