291 THE CONFESSIONS AND OTHER EVIDENCE. Here follow the voluntary confessions themselves, such as were given in evidence at both the several arraignments, taken forth word for word out of the originals. Whereby it may appear how God brought matters to light at several times and in several parts, all concurring in substance. And with them other declarations and parts of the evidence. The Confession of THOMAS LEE, taken the 14th of February, 1600, before Sir John Peyton, Lieutenant of the Tower; Roger Wilbraham, Master of the Requests; Sir Anthony Saintleger, Master of the Rolls in Ireland; and Thomas Fleming, her Majesty's Solicitor-General.1 This examinate saith, that Tyrone sent a message to this examinate by James Knowd (whom this examinate by the Marshal's warrant in writing had sent to Tyrone before himself went to Tyrone) that if the Earl of Essex would follow his plot, he would make him the greatest man that ever was in England, and that when Essex and Tyrone should have conference together, for his assurance unto the Earl of Essex, Tyrone would deliver his eldest son in pledge to the Earl. And with this message this examinate made the Earl of Essex acquainted before his coming to this examinate's house, at that time when this examinate was sent to Tyrone. This examinate sayeth, he knew that Essex, Tyrone, and the Marshal Sir Christopher Blunt, were all one, and held all one course. Exam. per JOHN PEYTON. ROGER WILBRAHAM. THOMAS LEE. ANTHONY SAINTLEGER. THOMAS FLEMING. 1 The original of this is in the State Paper Office; but this is only a small part The Earl of Essex came the same day to the Court in England. The Declaration of SIR WILLIAM WARREN, 3 Octobris, 1599.1 The said Sir William came to Armagh the last Friday, being the 28 of September: from thence he sent a messenger in the night to Tyrone, to Dungannon, signifying his coming to Armagh, as aforesaid, and that the next morning he would meet Tyrone at the fort of Blackwater: where accordingly the said Tyrone met with him; and after other speeches, by further discourse the said Tyrone told the said Sir William, and delivered it with an oath, that within these two months he should see the greatest alteration, and the strangest, that he the said Sir William could imagine, or ever saw in his life: and said that he hoped, before it were long, that he the said Tyrone should have a good share in England: which speeches of the alteration Tyrone reiterated two or three several times. Certified from the Council of Ireland to the Lords of the Council here. WILLIAM WARREN. The Declaration of THOMAS WOOD, 20 Januarii, 1599, taken be- The said Wood saith, that happening to be with the Lord Fitzmorris, Baron of Licksnaw, at his house of Licksnaw, between Michaelmas and Allhallowtide last, the said Baron walking abroad with the said Wood, asked of him what force the Earl of Essex was of in England. He answered, he could not tell, but said he was beloved of the commonalty. Then said the Baron, that the Earl was gone for England, and had discharged many of the companies of Ireland, and that it was agreed that he should be of it. The rest touches upon the loyalty of Montjoy and the Earl of Ormond; for which reason, no doubt, it was withheld. See a copy of the whole confession : Additional Evidences, No. II. Original in S. P. O. This is an extract. It is divided into paragraphs, marked A, B, C, etc., in Coke's hand. But opposite to the passage from "By further discourse to the end of the paragraph are some marks in another hand, which looks like Bacon's. Observe that there is no mark of om. against the omitted clause. 2 Instead of "and said," the original has, "but what his meaning was thereby neither did he declare the same to the said Sir William, nor could he understand it; more than that Tyrone did say that he hoped," etc. 3 Original in S. P. O. The original has, "and that if her Majesty were dead, he should," etc. King of England, and Onele to be Viceroy of Ireland; and whensoever he should have occasion, and would send for them, Onele should send him eight thousand men out of Ireland. The said Wood asked the Baron, how he knew that? He answered, that the Earl of Desmond had written to him so much.1 THOMAS WOOD. The titulary Earl that is in rebellion. Confessed in the presence of THOMAS BUCKHUrst. NOTTINGHAM. ROBERT CECIL. JOHN FORTESCUE. The Confession of JAMES KNOWD, taken the 16th of February, 1600, before Sir Anthony Saintleger, Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and Roger Wilbraham, Master of the Requests.2 Owney mac Rory having secret intelligence of the friendship between the Earl of Essex and Tyrone, wrote to Tyrone, desiring him to certify him thereof, whereby he might frame his course accordingly, and not do anything contrary to their agreement : which letter myself did write by Owney's appointment (for then I was in credit with him). In which letter he also desired Tyrone to send him some munition. The letter, with instructions to that effect, was in my presence delivered to one Turlagh mac Davie o Kelly, a man of secrecy, sufficiency, and trust with Owney; and he carried it to Tyrone. Before whose return Owney grew suspicious of me, because I sometimes belonged to Mr. Bowen, and therefore they would not trust me, so as I could not see the answer: but yet I heard by many of their secret counsel, that the effect thereof was, That the Earl of Essex should be King of England and Tyrone of Ireland. Afterwards I met with Turlagh mac Davie, the messenger aforesaid, and asked him whether he brought an answer of the letter from Tyrone. He said he did, and delivered it to Owney. And then I asked him, what he thought of the wars? He told 1 The original has "had sent him word." 2 The original in S. P. O. in Knowd's own hand. 3 In the margin of the original is written, in Knowd's hand, "As far as I remember, this letter was written after the Earl went into the North." A passage is omitted here, relating to the sending of ammunition by O'Neal (Tyrone) from the North, and to letters from Owney to O'Neal about Essex being king of England and Tyrone of Ireland. But it is merely a report of a report. me he had good hope the last year, and had none this year: his reason was (as he said) that the Earl of Essex was to take their part, and they should aid him towards the conquest of England; and now they were hindered thereof by means of his apprehension. I dwelling with the Tanist of the country (my mother's cousingerman) heard him speak sundry times, That now the Earl of Essex had gotten one of the swords, he would never forego his government until he became King of England: which was near at hand.1 I saw a letter which the Earl of Essex writ to Owney, to this effect: That if Owney came to him, he would speak with him about that, which if he would follow, should be happy for him and his country. Exam. per ANTHONY SAINTLEger. JAMES KNOWd. The Declaration of DAVID HETHRINGTON, an ancient captain and servitor in Ireland, 6 January, 1599, taken before the Lord Buckhurst, Lord High Treasurer; the Earl of Nottingham, Lord High Admiral; Sir Robert Cecil, Principal Secretary; and Sir John Fortescue, Chancellor of the Exchequer.2 He, the said David Hethrington, riding into the edge of the county of Kildare, about the end of the first cessation [or thereabouts], fortuned to meet with one James Occurren, one of the horsemen of Master Bowen, provost-marshal of Lemster, who told him that the said James Occurren meeting lately with a principal follower of Owney mac Rory, chief of the Moores, Owney's man asked him what news he heard of the Earl of Essex. To which James Occurren answered, that he was gone for England: whereunto he said, Nay, if you can tell me no news, I can tell you some; 3 1 Another passage is omitted here, relating to secret reports among the rebels as to Essex's understanding with Tyrone, etc. But they appear to be of little weight only talk. om. Observe that neither of the passages thus omitted is marked in the original with 2 Original in S. P. O. The declaration was made on the 16th of January, 1599, before Lord Buckhurst; and on the 13th "read over to him and confirmed" before Buckhurst, Nottingham, Cecil, and Fortescue. 3 The original (S. P. O.) has," who asking the said David what news," etc. etc., "Marry, said the said James, I meeting of late with a kern of Owney Macrorye," etc. the Earl of Essex is now in trouble for us, for that he would do no service upon us; which he never meant to do, for he is ours, and we are his.1 DAVID HETHRINGTON. Confessed in the presence of THO. BUCKHURST. NOTTINGHAM. RO. CECIL. Jo. FORTESCUE. The First Confession of SIR FERDINANDO GORGE, Knight, the 16th of February, 1600. Taken before Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal; the Lord Buckhurst, Lord High Treasurer; the Earl of Nottingham, Lord High Admiral; and Sir Robert Cecil, Principal Secretary. He saith, the Earl of Essex wrote a letter to him in January, complaining his misfortune: that he desired his company, and desired his repair up to him by the 2nd of February. That he came to town on Saturday seven-night before the Earl's insurrection: and that the same night late he visited the Earl. Who, after compliments, told him that he stood on his guard, and resolved not to hazard any more commandments or restraints; that he desired him to rest him that night, and to repair unto him again, but in such sort as it might not be noted. That he had been with the Earl two or three times that week; and on Saturday, being the 7th of February, the Earl told him that he had been sent for by the Lords, and refused to come: delivering further, that he resolved to defend himself from any more restraint. He further saith, that it was in question, the same Saturday night, to have stirred in the night, and to have attempted the Court. But being demanded whether the Earl could have had sufficient company to have done anything in the night: he answered, that all the Earl's company were ready at one hour's warning, and had been so before, in respect that he had meant long before to stand upon his guard. That it was resolved to have the Court first attempted; that 1 The original states further that Piers Ovingdon ("brother of that Ovingdon which is with Tyrone in rebellion ") told him (in the Castle of Dublin, "5 or 6 last past") that the speech of the kern of the enemy was very foul and odious touching my Lord of Essex, if their speech should be true; as namely that he was their friend, and should be king of Ireland. |