The Tears of Ireland, Section 2
Heere followeth a true deſcription or relation of ſundrie ſad and lamentable collections, taken from the mouthes of verie credible perſons, and out of Letters ſent from Ireland to this Citie of London, of the perfidious outrages and barbarous cruelties, which the Iriſh Papiſts have committed upon the perſons of the Proteſtants, both men, women, and children in that Kingdome. Anno Dom. 1641.
THe Iriſh Nation is well knowne to be a people both proud and envious. For the Comonaltie (they are for the moſt part) ignorant and illiterate, poore, and lazie; and will rather beg or ſtarve, then worke: & therefore fit ſubjects for the Prieſts and Jeſuits to ſpur on upon ſuch bloudy actions and murth' rous Deſignes. Ignorance is their Mother, which is devoid of mercy: God deliver all good Chriſtians from the cruelty of ſuch a Mother and Children.
It is too well knowne, (the more is the pitie and to be lamented) that the Iriſh have murther'd of the Proteſtant party in the Provinces of Vlſter, Lempſter, Connaght and Munſter, of men, women, and children, the number of fifty thouſand, as it is credibly reported by Engliſhmen, who have beene over all parts of the Kingdome, and doe proteſt upon their oaths that there are above five thouſand Families deſtroyed.
The Kingdome of Ireland hath foure Provinces, wherein there are contained two and thirty Counties, beſides Cities and County Townes, in all which places the Engliſh are planted up and downe in all parts, where the Iriſh have moſt murtherouſly and trayterouſly ſurprized them upon great advantages, and with out reſpect of perſons either of age, youth, or infancy, of yongmen or maids, or of old men or babes, ſtript all to their skins, naked as ever they were borne into the World, ſo they have gone out of the World, many hundreds having beene found ſtarved to death in Ditches for want of food and rayment, where the rebellious Iriſh have ſhewed them no more mercy or compaſſion, no, nor ſo much as they would doe to their Dogs. Thus much for the generall, now I come to particulars.
At one Maſter Atkins houſe, ſeven Papiſts brake in & beat out his brains, then ripped up his Wife with childe, after they had raviſhed her, and Nero-like view'd Natures bed of conception, they then took the child, and ſacrificed it in the fire.
They have flead the skin from the bones of others like Butchers: the principles of whoſe Religion is bloud. Witneſſe our Books of Martyrs thoſe Chronicles of bloud. Witneſſe thoſe thouſands of butchered Proteſtants in France, or Germany.
They burned others, firing their Houſes, Towns, Villages, thoſe ſons of the Coale, as if their habitation were in Hell.
At one Mr Atkins houſe 7 Papiſtes brake in & beate out his braines, then riped upe his wife with Childe after they had rauiſhed her & Nero like vewed natures bed of conception then tooke they the Childe & ſacrificed it in the fire
Engliſh Proteſtantes ſtriped naked & turned into the mountaines in the froſt, & ſnowe▪ whereof many hundreds are periſhed to death▪ & many liynge dead in diches & Sauages upbraided them ſaynge now are ye wilde Iriſch as well as wee▪
They have vowed to root out all the Engliſh Nation out of this Kingdome.
They have turned all the Proteſtants out of Kilkeny.
At Belturbal… in the County of Cavan, the Popiſh Rebels demanded the Town on promiſe, that if they would ſurrender they ſhould paſſe free with bag and baggage, they backt their promiſe with oaths and execrations, curſing themſelves, if they did not let them goe withall. On ſerious conſiderations of the inhabitants and, the Governour, they were perſwaded to yield it up, which when they had done, and drawing away their goods and moneys, they like treacherous Villains ſent about twenty or thirty to guard them, when they had guarded them ſeven miles from the Town, they with more of that deſperate forſworn rabble ſeized on them, robbed all the Proteſtants, being betweene five hundred and a thouſand perſons, men, women, and children; who ſubmitting themſelves to their mercy, found no quarter but cruelty: they ſtript them all naked, and turn'd them out of their houſes into the open fields in bitter cold weather, in a moſt vile and ſhamefull manner, not affording them one of their lowzy rags to hide thoſe parts which ſhould be covered. Take notice of the faith of a Papiſt, who for his own advantage, caſts off all bonds of fidelity and common honeſty.
They are remarkable for perfidiouſneſſe and treachery, as you may behold in that Maſter of Miſ-rule, the Arch-rebell Sir Philem-Oneal, baſely pretending to be a Suitor to the old Lady Cawfield being a Widow, and made faire promiſes of his reſpects to her, and when hee had his advantage of poſſeſſion of her houſe and goods, turned them out of all, and bound them priſoners, and made her whom he intended his neereſt Companion to be his loweſt Vaſſall.
In the Towne of Lurgon, in the County of Armagh, the Mac-kans skirmiſhing with the Engliſhmen, ſlue divers of our men, whereupon they entred parley demanding the Towne: Sir William Brunlow being Governour of the Caſtle, on ſome conſiderations thought good to yield thereupon they promiſed and backt it with oaths & great proteſtations, that they ſhould have faire quarter, and paſſe without prejudice to their lives: yet behold the perfidiouſneſſe of theſe brutiſh creatures, as men not fearing God or Devill, whoſe practice they imitate, who was a liar from the beginning. Notwithſtanding all theſe faire pretences they knew no mercy, killed men, ſpoiled women, nay, in their boundleſſe rage, ſlue and maſſacred, and ſript helpleſſe Miniſters, whoſe calling might have pleaded pity. But what ſpeake wee of pity to men, that have no bowels?
In London Derry, at the Towne of Belly-hagh belonging to the Londoners. Sir Philem-Oneal, promiſed under hand and ſeale to let the poore Proteſtants to paſſe with bag and baggage, only to part with their Town, which was a faire goodly place: yet this perfidious Rebell, as if it was not enough to make theſe poore ſouls harborleſs, to lay them open to vvind and vveather, but to adde to all their miſery, ſtript man, vvoman and child, took their clothes for a prey, and ſent them out naked, vvithout a ſhirt or ſmock to their backs, left them not vvorth a groat, this vvas one of their vvorks of mercy, if they ſcaped vvith their lives: but how many lives might be loſt by this immodeſt and inhumane act, judge. The tender mercies of the wicked are cruell.
Will you behold another mercifull act and record it. Captaine Rory Macquire, the Lord Macquires brother at the beginning of the rebellion for the firſt fortnight commands his Souldiers to give quarter to women and children, but to maſſacre all the men to ſpare none. Woe to him that makes the wife a widow and the children fatherleſſe, but after they began to reſiſt, and to gather into Companies: then heare the Charge of this bloudy man, Give no quarter, no not to women, though teares and prayers interpoſe, yet know no pity: no not to harmleſſe babes, though it was death enough to kill their parents, nor ſpare neither man, woman, or child.
It is reported by an eminent Gentleman, that hath long dwelt among the Rebels, but it's thought fit to forbeare the names of thoſe that give intelligence of the barbarous cruelties of theſe ſavage beaſts, becauſe they threaten to be the death of them that ſhall unmaske them. It is reported by this Gentleman that the Handlowans came to Town-regis, divers of them aſſaulted the Caſtle, of which Captain Saint John was Commander, hee with his ſon got away with ſome difficulty, leaping over the wall, they fearing they might fetch ſupplies to recover their loſt Caſtle, moſt inhumanely tooke the Captaines wife, (poore Gentlewoman) and ſet her on the wall having ſtript her to her ſmock, who was big with child (and within an houre of her delivery) that in caſe the Captain and his ſon ſhould have aſſaulted the Towne, his Wife ſhould have beene the white at which hee muſt have levelled: oh extreame and unheard of cruelty!
As for the Proteſtant Miniſters whom they ſurprize, their cruelty is ſuch towards them, as it would make the hardeſt heart to melt into teares. Their manner is firſt to ſtrip them, and after bind them to a tree or ſome poſt where they pleaſe, and then to raviſh their wives and daughters before their faces (in ſight of all their mercileſſe rabble) with the baſeſt Villains they can pick out, after they hang up their husbands and parents before their faces, and then cut them downe before they be half dead, then quarter them, after diſmember them, and ſtop their mouthes therewith.
They baſely abuſed one M. Trafford a Miniſter in the North of Ireland who was aſſaulted by theſe bloudy wolves of Romes brood, that know not God, duplicate page duplicate page nor any bowels of mercy. This poore diſtreſſed Miniſter deſired but ſo much time to bethink himſelfe before he took his farewell of the World to call upon God: but theſe mercileſſe wretches would admit no time, but inſtantly fell on him, hackt and hewed him to pieces.
Doctor Tate Miniſter of Belly-Hayes they ſtript ſtarke naked, and then wounded him dangerouſly in the head, and then let him goe towards Dublin, where hee lay long ſick.
Sir Patrick Dunſtons Wife raviſhed before him, ſlue his Servants, ſpurned his Children till they died, bound him with roules of Match to a board, that his eyes burſt out, cut off his eares and noſe, teared off both his cheeks, after cut off his arms and legs, cut out his tongue, after run a red hot iron into him.
Multitudes of Herringes driuen into Dublin, 20 a peny.
Sr: Patrike Dunſons Wiffe raviſhed before him▪ ſlew his Seruants, ſpurned his Children tell they died, bound him with Rowles of match to a Bord that his eyes burſted out cut of his eares & noſe teared ofe both his Cheekes after cut of his armes & legges, cut out his tongue after rune a red hot Iron into him
Many Gentlewomen have they raviſhed before their husbands faces, ſtripping them firſt naked to the view of their wicked companions, taunting and mocking them (after they have ſpoiled them) with bitter and reproachfull words, ſending them away in ſuch a ſhamefull, or rather ſhameleſſe manner, that moſt of them have died with ſhame and grief, or elſe have ſtarved with want and cold. Baſe cruelty unheard of, exceeding the brute beaſts, and ſo much the worſe becauſe they are reaſonable, which makes them skilfull to deſtroy.
One Maſter Luttrell dwelling within three miles of the Burrough of Cavan, a Gentleman worth by report, two or three hundred pounds a yeere, with a very great ſtock of Cattle, was baſely betrayed by an Iriſh Boy that hee had bred up in his houſe. See the baſeneſſe of the Popiſh brood, who when hee was at Dinner (being upon the thirtieth day of October laſt) was ſurprized by threeſcore of thoſe Iriſh unmercifull Villains, with a company of dirty Whoores and Baſtards that followed them, which this Boy let in at a back doore, where pulling him and his vertuous Wife from the Table, and foure ſmal children, the eldeſt of them being not ſixe yeeres of age, and one ſucking at her breſt without pity or humanity ſtript them naked, notwithſtanding their prayers and teares to have let them kept their clothes, and then thruſting them in a cruell and violent manner out of doores, threatned to kill them if they went not ſpeedily away. Take notice how uncertaine all our outward comforts are. So they departed (for feare) away, being aſhamed to bee ſeene of their ſervants, ſome of them running one way, and ſome another to ſhift for themſelves, but the diſtreſſed Gentleman with his Wife and Children, and a little youth, directed their courſe towards Dublin, hoping to find ſome of their friends in the way to relieve them, but the farther they came the more miſerable they were, meeting their loving Friends robbed (by others) in the ſame manner, which ſtruck in them ſuch amazement and feare, that their hearts failed them, ſo that being naked and hungry, helpleſſe and hopeleſſe, the poore Infants crying in their eares, which muſt needs kill their hearts, they went not far but ſate downe under a Hedge or Ditch, and there died: being not (at that time above ſixe miles from his own houſe, for this little youth that he had bred up (being an Engliſh boy) forſooke not his Maſter when the reſt ran from him, but continued with him till death, the ſame day, ſome Horſemen or Troopers riding that way to coaſt the Country, me this youth, unto whom hee told this ſad ſtory, and being not far from the place led them to this lamentable ſight, where they beheld the true love of Man and Wife, embracing each other in their death, the three eldeſt children dead, but the ſucking childe was alive preſerved through heat, being between them both, and grabling and gaping for the dead Mothers breſt. So the Troopers tooke up the child, carrying it to a Nurſe, for they knew the Parents well, and beſtowed ſome clothes upon the Engliſh youth, who came to Dublin within few days after, and related the ſtory in my hearing.
In the County of Roſcommon, neere the Town of Roſcommon, there fled into the Pariſh Church, eleven ſcore of the Engliſh, men, women, and children, where they remayned three dayes and nights without any ſuſtenance, till they were almoſt ſtarved, ſo that at laſt (what with the cryes of their children and their own wants) they were forced to commit themſelves to the cruelty of the Iriſh, who according to their uſuall manner firſt ſtript them naked, after drove them through the Town like ſo many harmleſſe Sheep and Lambs over a Bridge at the Townes end, having before broke down one of the middle arches where a ſtrong water runneth, ſo that either they muſt leap in or come back, their intent being there to murther them, as they did. For the poore wretches being ſicke, weak and faint for food and ſleepe (yet unwilling to haſten their own ends) ſome returned back whom they kild without mercy, others they thruſt into the water who were drowned, ſome that could, did ſwim towards the ſhoare, and there inhumane villanies, brutiſh furies, ran and met them before they could get to land, and knockt them in the head in the water, ſome few eſcaped that did ſwim to the other ſide of the River, where the Iriſh could not come at them, having before broken downe the Bridge themſelves, and ſo eſcaped to Dublin, to be ſad witneſſes of this lamentable Tragedy.
Maſter Blandry a Miniſter they hanged, after puld his fleſh from his bones in his Wifes ſight.
Many Ladies and Gentlewomen (which they have ſurprized in the province of Vlſter) being great with child, they have turned them out of their houſes naked into the fields,
Driuinge Men Women & Children by hundreds vponupon Briges & caſting them into Riuers, who drowned not were killed with poles & ſhot with muſkets
Mr Blandry Miniſter hanged after pulled his fleſh from his bones in his wiffes ſight
where they have bin delivered without the helpe of any woman, and ſo have ended their miſery, others that have eſcaped death in Child-bearing, they have mercileſly carried away upon Carts (lying in lowſie and ſtinking ſtraw naked,) to places where they and their poore infants have bin deſtroyed.
There was one Gentlewoman which was wife to Maſter King a Deane (Brother to the Biſhop of Clogue) and Parſon of Dundalke, in the County of Lowth, who having three thouſand inhabitants in his Pariſh, had but thirty Communicants of the Proteſtant Party, the reſt being all Iriſh and Papiſt, and although this Gentleman did for many days together (by his own Relation to mee) ſollicite his wife to goe to Dublin, and to remove his goods thither living at a place about two miles from Dundalke, ſhe being great with child, yet would not be perſwaded, although ſhe knew the Rebels were at the Newry within eight miles of Dundalke, whereupon hee left her and his Family, and going to a Friends houſe within two miles of his own (for feare of the multitude of the Iriſh, that lived about his own Houſe) he remayned there but two days when tydings was brought him, that the Iriſh had ſeized upon his wife and all that he had, ſo that he was forced to fly away for his life with his friends, who was purſued by the Rebels above twelve miles, but through Gods mercy he eſcaped with his precious life (which they hunted after) with the loſs of his whole eſtate, and wife whom they turned out of doores (having firſt abuſed her) where ſhee was delivered in ſtraw, without the helpe of any woman, and ſo periſhed. She was a charitable Gentlewoman, and in her life time had relieved many hundreds of the poore Iriſh, and this mercy they afforded her for her charity.
The Lord Blany eſcaped their cruelty, being forced to ride fourteene miles upon a poore carrion jade, without either bridle or ſaddle to ſave his life, his vertuous Lady being ſurprized by theſe Villains, the ſame day and his children, who uſe her moſt ignobly and cruelly, neither regarding her nobleneſſe of birth, nor her Lord, but forc'd her to lodge in ſtraw with a poore allowance of two pence a day to relieve her and her children: and to adde affliction to the good Ladies miſery, ſlue a Kinſman of hers, and cauſed him to be hanged up before her face two days and two nights in the roome where ſhee lay to terrifie her, telling her withall, ſhe muſt expect that end.
In the County of Tyrone (even in that rebellious part) which is above all other inhabited by thoſe Romiſh Locuſts and wolves, wch in nature differ not from the dog wolves that breed amongſt them, was the cruelſt murther (of all the reſt) committed by ſome of the Souldiers belonging to Sir Philem O Neal that Tyroniſh of-ſpring and Rory Mack-Gueere, the Lord Mack-Gueeres brother, who are known to be the moſt eminent Rebels in this Treaſon, upon the bodies of one Maſter Charles Davenant, his wife, and two young children. The Villaine which firſt entred the houſe and moſt forwardeſt in cruelty was known by his
the Lord Blany forced to ride 14 Miles without Bridle or Sadell to ſaue his life his Lady Lodged in Strawe beeing allowed 2 a day to releue her & her Children, ſlew a kindsman of hers and hanged him up before her face 2 dayes telling her ſhe muſt expect the ſame to terrifie her the moore
Mr Dauenant and his Wife bound in their Chaires Striped the 2 Eldeſt Children of 7 years old roſted them upon Spittes before their Parents faces. Cutt heir throte and after murdred him.
name, to one of the ſervants in the houſe, to be commonly called Thady O Swillyvane, ſometime a ſervant to this Maſter Davenant, and lived at the time of this Tragedie not farre from Dungannon in the County of Tyrone. The ſervant of the houſe that knew him was born in Ireland, in the City of Clogher in the ſaid County, but of Engliſh parents, his name is Thomas Maddin, but hee could ſpeake good Iriſh, and ſo eſcaped, being an eye-witneſſe of theſe paſſages enſuing. This Swillyvane and his rout broke in forcibly into the houſe where they found three or foure ſervants that made no reſiſtance, in the Kitchin, but going further into the houſe they found Maſter Davenant, ſitting by a fire with his Wife and Children two young Daughters, they immediatly ſeized upon him and his Wife and bound them both faſt in their chaires, making a very huge and great fire, after they ſtripped the two children, the eldeſt being not above ſeven yeeres old, ſlue them in the ſight of their parents, and after roſted them upon ſpits before their faces, ſuch barbarous cruelty was never knowne. With great patience they were compelled (poore ſouls) to behold that cruelty which they could not help, after they ſtript his wife, forcing her moſt uncivilly and unmercifully before his face, and afterward cut her throat, the diſtreſſed Gentleman being overpreſſed with the lamentable ſight of the death of his wife and children, ſtrived and ſtrugled in his chaire where hee was bound, and held, hoping they would have kild him, chooſing rather to die any death, then to live any longer. So when they had made an end of his wife and children in this barbarous manner, they untied him and ſtript him, and afterwards murthered him, when hee had confeſt to them where his money was. There was a Letter written about the middle of November laſt, from Stabouud in the ſaid County of Tyrone, by one Maſter Birrom, unto one Maſter Cuſack dwelling in Highſtreet in Dublin, which Letter I did read and tooke a copy off: and before I came out of Ireland the above ſaid Thomas Maddin came from the Citie of Clogher, in the County of Fermanagh unto Dublin, and teſtified the contents of this Letter, being an eye-witneſſe of the certain paſſages thereof, and did give God great thanks that hee had eſcaped their hands in my hearing, for he ſaid his ſoule could not endure to be any longer amongſt them, they did daily commit ſuch cruelty, murther, and outrages upon the Engliſh Proteſtants in thoſe parts.
At the Borough of Kello, or, as ſome Letters report, at the Borough of Trim, being both in the County of Meath, in the Province of Vlſter, the Rebels ſurprized the houſe of one Arthur Robinſon, he himſelfe being at that time in Dublin, which was upon the ſixt day of November laſt, about ſome ſuits hee had in law, being in the laſt Michaelmas Terme, he not knowing that the Rebels were riſen in thoſe parts there, hee intending to have gone home to his wife and family, five or ſix days after, hoping by that time to have ended his buſineſſe, and indeed when he came from his houſe to Dublin, which was on the twentieth day of October, the Rebellion was not begun in any part of Ireland, but before his appointed time to return home, a Meſſenger prevented him with heavy tydings, even his only Daughter whom hee quickly knew, though ſhee were much diſguized, for the Rebels have ſlain moſt of his Family, robbed and pillaged the houſe, after they had ſtripped his wife and raviſhed her, they ſought ought for this young Virgin (being about fourteene yeares of age) who had hid her ſelfe in a Barne, where the Villains quickly found her: but ſhe made what reſiſtance ſhe could to preſerve her Chaſtity, and with a Knife ſhee had (unſeen to them) wounded one of them, which the reſt perceiving ſeized upon her violently, ſtripped her, and then bound her with her armes abroad, in ſuch manner as ſhe could not help her ſelf any way, and ſo like helhounds defloured her one after another, till they had ſpoiled her; and to ſhew their unheard off malice, were not herewith content, but puld the haire from her head, and cut out her tongue: becauſe ſhee ſhould not report the truth and their cruelty, but the maid could write, though ſhee could not ſpeak, and ſo diſcovered their inhumane uſage to her and her mother. The maid was ſent with a letter from her Father in Dublin to Mynhead in Somerſetſhire, to her Uncle William Dyer, her Mothers Brother living within three miles of Mynhead, which letter I have ſeen here in Towne▪ containing the contents above-written, being dated at Dublin, the twentieth of November laſt.
About the eighth of January laſt a diſtreſſed Miniſter came to Dublin, that had left ſome goods with a ſuppoſed Friend, ſent for them, the goods could not be delivered, unleſſe he or his wife came for them, hee would not goe, but ſhe went and when ſhe came where her goods were (as if that were too little to loſe her eſtate, but her life muſt goe alſo) they hanged her up. Was there ever ſuch Barbariſme among the Heathen?
Arthur Robinſons daughter 14. yeares old the Rebbels bounde her armes a broad, deflowerd, her one after an other tell they ſpoyled her then pulled the haire from her head and cut out her tongue that ſhe might not tell of their Cruelty, but ſhe declared it by writing
A Miniſter and his wife came to Dublin Ian: 30. 1641. left behinde him ſome goods with a ſuppoſed frend, ſent for them but could not be deliuered vnleſſe he or his wife come for them ſhe came and preſently they hanged her upe,
In the Countie of Fermannagh, in the Province of Vlſter, they murthered one Maſter Champion a Juſtice of Peace, and a Burgeſſe of the Parliament for the Borough of Iniskillin in the ſaid County, who was betray'd by an Iriſh Villaine his Tenant, whom hee had ſaved himſelf twice before from the gallows. The Rogue's name was Patrick Mack-Dermot, who finding one of his Companion, brings him to Maſter Champion's Houſe, and tels Maſter Champion that he found this Thiefe ſtealing of his cattle, The Gentleman knowing this Mack-Dermot, ſaid unto him before one Maſter Iremonger an Attorney, I am glad thou art turn'd from a Thiefe to catch a Thiefe, whereupon he return'd him this peremptory anſwer, That hee was no more Thiefe than himſelfe. No ſooner had he utter'd theſe words in the Court before his houſe, but there ruſhes in upon them a great number of theſe rebels, who without reſpect of mercy ſtabb'd Maſter Champion, inſtantly before hee could get into his houſe: ſo that hee fell down immediatly, but their fury went further then death, for they wounded him with their Skeins in thirty places after hee was dead, and then cut off his head to make ſure worke, while the reſt ran into the houſe after Maſter Iremonger, whom they followed ſo cloſe that hee had not time to lay hold on his ſword to help himſelf, but falling down upon his knees and calling upon God for mercy, they fell upon him, and ran him thorow and thorow, and ſo he died. One of Maſter Champions ſervants eſcaped to Dublin, and reported this in my hearing in December laſt. A third was likewiſe ſlaine, then the Rebels entred the Houſe and kild more: his wife's ſiſter and her brother in law, with two others in the houſe they keep priſoners to this day, taking poſſeſſion of all they had within the houſe and without, his wife was down on her knees to beg a ſheet to put her hubands dead body in. And another Gentleman with other Friends that came to viſit him over night, loſt their lives next morning.
In the County of Monaghan, within two miles of the Towne of Monaghan, they murthered one Maſter George Foord in his Garden, a great company having gotten into a roome or loft over a ſtable (being between him and the houſe) ſurprized him, This was upon the one and twentieth of November laſt, being the Lords day, for when hee with his wife and Family were gone to Church, in that place they hid themſelves till their comming back from Church, and ſo watching their time and opportunity, firſt ſet upon him without any words, and then entred the houſe, for the houſe was ſtrong and not to be eaſily broken, unleſſe they were let in at the doores, ſo they bound all the ſervants being ſome Engliſh, and ſome Iriſh, till they had found Miſtris Foord, whom they ſtript naked and bound taking from her, her keyes, having alſo with them her huſbands keys, who lay murthered in the Garden, and rifled, and opened every Trunke and box in the houſe to finde their money, where they found but little to that they looked for, for they knew that Maſter Foord was rich and well monyed, wherefore they began
Mr: FFordes houſe rifled and to make her Confeſſe where her mony lay they tooke hot tonges clappinge them to the Soules of her feete & to the Palmes of her handes ſo tormented her that with the paine thereof ſhee died
They hauehave ſet men & women on hot Grideorns to make them Confeſſe where there money was
with threats to kill her if ſhee did not ſpeedily tell them, but alas ſhee could not, then they fell to torturing of her, heating a paire of Tongues in the fire, and clapping them to the ſoles of her feet, and to the palms of her hands, ſo that with the pain thereof ſhe died. After ſhee was dead, they ript her body to ſee if ſhee had not ſwallowed any gold into her guts, and ſo when they had pillaged the houſe, and carried away with the Gentlemans own Horſes and Carts, all that was worth the carriage, they unbound the Iriſh ſervants which they before had bound, and murthered ſuch of the Engliſh as they pleaſed, and then departed. I heard Affidavit made of the truth and certainty of this Maſſacre, in this manner before recited, before divers of the Privy Councill in Dublin in Ireland.
They have ſet up Gallows five miles diſtant in divers places on purpoſe, to hang up the Proteſtant Spies, which they have done accordingly, they have likewiſe cruelly ſet women & men one red hot Gridions to make them confeſs where ſuch coyne, and money, and goods as they had, or whether they have hid or ſold any.
And all theſe cruelties are not done without the advice and animation of the Friers, Prieſts, and Jeſuits, and their religious men, or rather Firebrands of Hell; who at their Maſſes, and their incendiary Sermons, ſtir up the people to the committing of theſe Maſſacres, promiſing them pardon for the ſame, and aſſuring them the more merit, by how much the more they exceed in their villainous cruelties: they themſelves being ſtill in the firſt of theſe executions. For no ſtratagem of warre, nor other horrid action or deſigne whatſoever, is there undertaken, without them. They going on with their Souldiers in the head and front of every battaile, and by their miſchievous advices and counſels do make them mad, Tigre-like, with fierceneſſe and cruelty, aſſuring them that to imbrue their hands in the bloud of us Proteſtants (which they terme Heretikes) ſhall adde to their merits and Canonization of Saints, and gain them higher place and reward in Heaven.
Maſter Jerome Miniſter they baſely abuſed who lived neere Dublin ſometimes: but when he was thus murthered, he lived neere the Borough of Athie, in the County of Kildare, they hanged him then, mangled his body, cut off his members, ſtopt his mouth with them, then quartered him. This is reported by a Citizen of Dublin now in London to beare witneſſe to this Truth.
A Proclamation was made that neither Engliſh nor Iriſh ſhould either ſell or keep in their houſes any powder upon the loſſe of goods and life: except with licence, and at two ſhillings the pound.
Miniſters they hate and breath out cruelty againſt cruelty, maſſacring their bodies, burning their books, and tearing them in pieces, and it is likely where they can light on them they uſe them accordingly.
Hauing rauiſhed Virgens & Wifes they take there Children & daſe there braines againſt the Walls in ſight of there weepinge Parents & after deſtrored them likewiſe
Mr Ierome Miniſter of Brides his Body mangled & his members cut of
They rob all Engliſh Proteſtants, ſtripping them ſtark naked, and ſo turn them into the open fields and mountaines in froſt and ſnow, where hundreds have periſhed.
They deſtroy the Engliſh breed of Cattel out of malice to the Proteſtants, that the poore dumbe creatures fare the worſe and are ſpoiled, though one of ours is worth foure of theirs.
They have cut off mens privy members and ſtopt their mouthes with them (like cruell ſavage beaſts) that they might commit ſuch horrid villanies without noyſe and leſt their pittileſſe bowels might be moved with the cryes of thoſe ſo cruelly maſſacred Proteſtants.
At Waterford, ſome poore Proteſtants ready to be ſtarved, came to the Towne for reliefe, and their charity threw them ſome bread over the wall: it is likely the Dogs ſhould have had the ſame entertainment.
The Papiſts curſe the Jeſuites and Friers that have beene the cauſe of all this, this gives hopes their Kingdome being divided cannot ſtand.
Theſe bloudy Papiſts forced the Proteſtants to pull off their clothes, and then killed them on purpoſe, that they might have their clothes without holes.
After they had knocked a man down dead, they fearing he might counterfeit they doe run their ſwords twenty times into his bodie leſt hee might revive again.
They have ſtripped Ladies and Gentlewomen, Virgins both old and yong ſtark naked, turning them into the open fields.
Many hundreds have bin found dead in ditches with cold and want of food and rayment, eſteeming them no better then Dogs.
They labour what they can to make death appear more dreadfull then it is in it ſelfe: they hang up Husband, Kindred, Children, before the faces of their living wives and tender mothers ready to dye for griefe, a death worſe then death it ſelf, and this they do on purpoſe to increaſe their dolorous paine and anguiſh.
They have forced (as is reported) ſome to turn to their curſed bloudy Religion, and then perſwaded them that they were fitteſt to die, and then treacherouſly kill their bodies and do what in them lies to damne their ſouls.
Debtors baſely murdering their Creditors. Tenants ſheathing their ſwords in their Landlords bowels, ſervants unnaturally ſlaying their Maſters, others poſſeſſing themſelves of their lands, goods, plates, money, jewels, houſholdſtuffe, corn, and cattle, and thruſt them out of doores naked. Oh inhumane crueltie!
Many great mens ſervants being Iriſh ran away from their Maſters with their beſt Horſes to the Rebels.
Many of the Proteſtants uſually took into their houſes, Iriſh boys, as Servants and thoſe did baſely betray their Maſters like Judas, into the hands of theſe bloudy Wolves. A good caveat to look to our ſervants before we take them, and to inſtruct them in the feare of God when we have.
Others they have wounded to death, and then left them languiſhing, their bellies being ript up & guts iſſuing out, they poore wretches lying on Dunghils (ſee the charity of cruell Papiſts) all this leſt they ſhould be out of their miſery too ſoon.
It ſeems it was their delight to linger out their cruelties (like men that wanted Bowels) for whereas the primitive perſecutions were exquiſitly cruel yet they made a quicke diſpatch of them: but theſe ſons of Belial found new ways of perſecution by extreame cold and hunger to ſtarve (which aggravates their cruelty) tender women with childe, poore helpleſſe infants and ſucklings.
An Iriſh Rebell (as a credible friend reports) ſnatched an innocent babe out of the arms of the mother, and caſt it into the fire before her face, but God met with this bloudy wretch: for before he went from that place, hee brake his neck.
The Rebels have burned all the Plantation Townes in the County of London Derry.
One hundred and twenty they threw into the water by force, drowning ſome that could not ſwim, others that could they knock'd on the head.
Many rich and great men have fled into England, carrying their eſtates with them, they have left no reliefe for the poore diſtreſſed people that came hither. thouſands are thus fled into Dublin, many hundreds ſtarved to death with hunger and cold, the poore Citizens relieve them beyond their abilities the charge lying on the poorer ſort.
Many of their wives they have raviſhed in their ſights before the multitude like bruit beaſts, ſtripping them naked to the view of their wicked companions, taunting them, ſcoffing them, and then ſending them away ſhamefully, that they have died with grief, or beene ſtarved with cold.
One Maſter Wels Miniſter loſing his notes, went back to looke them, and as he returned hee met the Rebels crying, Kill all, Kill all, the head Rebels command. Thereupon hee fled over a Mountain, was up to the breaſt in cold ſnow water and ſo ſcaped to Dublin very hardly with his life.
Three thouſand ſix hundred poore ſouls fled naked into Dublin, and ſtarved with hunger, came to eat ſomething and died with eating, twenty in a day lay dead in the open ſtreets, as men ſmitten with the plague.
Sir James Crag being in his Caſtle, having many with him was beſieged with the Rebels, and almoſt famiſhed the Knight was conſtrained to put forty out of the Caſtle which elſe muſt have beene famiſhed with the reſt: behold the crnelty of theſe bloud-ſucking Papiſts, when they were turned out, and left to their merciemercy, they made quicke diſpatch ſet on them, and ſlue every man.
Another as ſavage of that Bloudhound Rory Macqueere, at the beginning of the Rebellion, who came into an Engliſh Gentlemans houſe, and found him in his bed, and there began to cruciate and torture his naked body, that hee might extort of him a Confeſſion where his treaſure lay, which when this poore diſtracted Gentleman acknowledged in hopes to be eaſed, they cruelly killed him, and then ſtript his wife naked, and turned her out of doors, as if they would make all ſavage like themſelves: and laſtly, Makqueere took his daughter being a proper Gentlewoman and ſatisfied his beaſtly luſt on her deflouring her, as if this was too little to kill her father, turn her mother out of doores, and abuſe her himſelfe, but like an inhumane Villain cut off her garments by the middle, and then turned her to the mercy of the common Souldiers, to be abuſed at their pleaſure.
Take notice of the bloudy practices, and cruelties of Romiſh party, eſpecially of the Jeſuits and Prieſts, thoſe firebrands of Hell, who at this very day to incourage their Diſciples to murther, as is afore-written, doe anoint them with the Sacrament of the Unction, aſſuring
The Preeſtes & Ieſuites anointe the Rebells with there Sacrament of vnction before they goe to murther & robe aſhuringe them that for there meritorious Seruice, if they be killed he ſhall eſcape Purgatory & go to heauen immediatly.
They do uſually mangell there dead Car caſes layng wagers who ſhall cut deepeſt into there dead fleſh with there Skeyns. they deſtroy our Engliſh Sheepe in deteſtation of us, although one is better then 4 of theirs. they hauehave vowed to roote out the name of the Engliſh.
them that for their meritorious ſervice (if they chance to be killed) they ſhall immediatly enter into Heaven, and eſcape Purgatory, and what they get from the Proteſtant party, by murthering, robbing and ſtealing, the one halfe ſhall be their owne, and what man would not be willing to venture upon ſuch conditions to get wealth upon earth, and purchaſe Heaven for murther. O damnable Doctrine & Doctors!
They doe uſually mangle their dead carcaſſes laying wagers, who ſhall cut deepeſt into their fleſh with their skeins.
At Carvagh, neere Colerant, the Rebels came to begirt the. Towne, Maſter Rowly Brother to the worthy Knight Sir John Clotworthy, came forth with a ſmall Company about three hundred men to prevent them, they came upon them with a very great company, and ſlue all but eight of the Proteſtants, baſe cowardize where they want courage, they make it up with heaps and multitudes of frighted Hares, and the more fearefull and cowardly, ever the more cruell upon any advantage.
All their cruelties have been uſually on diſarmed men in ſmall Villages, where was no ſtrength to reſiſt them, there they have tyrannizd over the weaker ſex, women, & they have baſely triumphed over little children their rage hath beene exerciſed. Oh baſe cowardiſe if they have ventured ſometimes on pur men, it hath beene when they were naked, as they have bin flying from thoſe Furies which their party have newly ſtript naked: by and by they met with more of thoſe Whitelivered Villaines in companies. They would likewiſe abuſe thoſe poor naked Proteſtants like Dogs, adding to their miſery beating them and bruiſing their naked bodies with cudgels, breaking the heads of ſome and wounding others that if they have not died, they have beene dangerouſly ſicke with the inhumane uſage of thoſe mercileſs wretches: nay, rather then they will be (no body) they will ſhew their manhood in abuſing dead bodies, as this ſtory declares by very credible teſtimony from their own Countrimen.
Here I ſhall acquaint you with a remarkable Story, which I received from a Citizen of Dublins teſtimony of good repute there and here: wherein you may behold the promiſe made good to the Proteſtant ſide, which the Lord himſelfe made to his People Iſrael, that five ſhould chaſe a hundred.
It pleaſed God by one man and few with him to out-dare about thirty thouſand of thoſe cowardly Rebels, whoſe cauſe is baſe, whoſe Religion is but a meere pretence for their bloudy deſignes, and thus it was as that Citizen related.
A very great Army of about thirty thouſand Rebels beſieged Drohedah, wherein was that valiant and religious Commander Sir Henry Tichbourn, with a few of the Proteſtant party with him in compariſon of thoſe multitudes of Rebels, truſting to their great Army, boldly demanded the Towne, if they would yield, no queſtion, but they ſhould have faire quarter: but Sir Henry knowing them (its likely) very well how perfidious they were, and the leſſe to be believed, the more they ſwore and execrated themſelves, reſolutely replyed, and ſent the Rebels this Anſwer. Be it knowne to you I am a Souldier bred, and wil never yield but upon three conditions:
1 Before I ſurrender I will kill all the Papiſts in the Town.
2 I will deſtroy all the Nunneries.
3 I will fire the Towne, and march in the light of it, by the help of God to Dublin.
Nay, rather then I will give up, I will feed on a piece of a dead horſe, and if that faile, I will eat the ſhoulder of an old Popiſh Alderman. This bone hee threw among thoſe hungry wolves, and you may imagine how they reliſhed it.
And that remarkable inſtance which was publiſhed by order of the Right Honorable the Houſe of Lords concerning this Noble and Religious Knight Sir Henry Tichbourn, how it pleaſed God to honour him with a ſuccesfully victory againſt the Rebels now very lately, they being driven in Drohedah, to eat horſe fleſh for want of other proviſion. The Rebels having chained up the River in hope to keepe out proviſion by Sea, that no reliefe might come from Dublin, it pleaſed God to raiſe ſuch a ſtorme that broke the chain, and ſcattered the enemies boats, and opened a free paſſage from Dublin, whereby they were relieved, bleſſed be God. Thus the Lord fought for them by winds and Seas. As the windes and Seas obey him, and hee rules in them, ſo on the land he rules. It is Deut. 32. 30.not by many but by few, one ſhall chaſe a hundred when God ſights for his people.
It is remarkable to ſee how few have chaſed theſe Rebels, as appeares in a Letter read in the Parliament, what they did before Tredagh. An Army of the Rebels by Land lying before the City, aſſaulted them in hopes to famiſh them: whereupon this Noble Captain Sir Henry Tichbourn, ſally'd out of the Town, but with forty Muskeetiers, and as many horſe, beat off foure
Pulling them about the ſtreetes by the haire of the head, daſhing the Childrens braines againſt the poſtes ſaynge these were the Pigges of the Engliſh Sowes.
Droghedah ſo bloked up that a buſhell of wheate was fold for 23. Shill, & meate ſcarce to be had at any rate▪ Ian▪ 4. 1641.
hundred of the enemies, killed above threeſcore of them, recovered fourſcore Cows and Oxen, and two hundred ſheep, burned foure Towns and brought home two of their Colours.
Here take notice of their cowardiſe againe attempted on a noble Lady by a Letter ſent from ſeven of the grand Rebels, with her reſolute and undaunted anſwer to them as follow….
The Rebels Letter to the Lady Offalia, in her Caſtle at Geſhel.
To the honorable and thrice vertuous Lady, the Lady Digby, theſe give.
Honorable,
WE his Majeſties loyall Subjects being at the preſent employed in his Highneſſe Service for the taking of this your Caſtle, you are therefore to deliver unto us free poſſeſſion of your ſaid Caſtle, promiſing faithfully, that your Ladiſhip, together with the reſt in the ſaid Caſtle reſtant ſhall have a reaſonable compoſition; otherwiſe upon the yielding of the Caſtle, wee doe aſſure you that we will burn the whole Town, kill all the Proteſtants, and ſpare neither man, woman nor child upon taking the Caſtle: Conſider (Madam) of this our offer, and impute not the blame of your owne folly unto us, thinke not that here wee brag: your Ladiſhip upon ſubmiſſion, ſhall have a ſafe convoy to ſecure you from the hands of your enemies, and to lead you where you leave. A ſpeedy replyis deſired with all expedition, and thus wee ſurceaſe:
Henry Demſy.
Charles Demſy.
Andrew Fitz Patrick.
Conn Dempſy.
Phelim Demſy.
John Vicars.
James m Donel.
The Lady Offalia her anſwer to the Rebels.
For my Coſin Henry Dempſy and the reſt.
I Received your Letter, wherein you threaten to ſack this my Caſtle by his Majeſties authority; I am and ever have beene a loyall ſubject, and a good neighbour amongſt you, and therefore cannot but wonder at ſuch an aſsaul; I thank you for your offer of a convoy, wherein I hold little ſafety, and therefore my reſolution is, that being free from offending his Majeſty, or doing wrong to any of you, I will live and die innocently, and will doe my beſt to defend my owne, leaving the iſsue to God; and though I have beene and ſtill am deſirous to avoid the ſhedding of Chriſtian bloud, yet being provoked your threats ſhall no whit diſmay me.
Lettice Offalia.
Theſe ſtories I relate that all truehearted Proteſtants may take heart, and likewiſe take notice that God is vindicating his owne glory againſt theſe deſperate Atheiſts that began to inſult, and to aske (as wee are credibly informed) what is become of the God of the Proteſtants, and likewiſe what ſpirit and courage God is able to put into the hearts of thoſe that fight for him, and for his cauſe againſt his bloud-thirſty enemies. And therefore be not diſmaid you Proteſtants, 'tis a great honour to fight under the Banner of Chriſt, they fight under the Banner of Antichriſt, the Lord is with you while yee are with him. See the blaſphemies and cruelties of theſe bloudy men: it is that their names (as Amalek) may be blotted out from under Heaven, for ſurely the day of recompence is comming, that God will make his arrowes drunke in their bloud, they love bloud, and therefore God will give them bloud in great meaſure.
As for inſtance. I ſhall relate you a bloudy ſtory of one of thoſe cruell beaſts. The Proteſtant Troopers about the beginning of February laſt, marched out of Dublin, as they uſe to do, to view the Coaſts, they eſpied a cruell Rebell hewing and mangling a woman in ſo horrid a manner that it was not poſſible to know her, having acted his Devilliſh part he triumph'd over her dead corps, and waſhed his hands in her bloud, whereupon the Troopers apprehended this barbarous Villaine in the very act of crueltie, and brought him to Dublin with his hands all bloudy, and was adjudged to be hang'd immediatly, hee aſcended the Ladder, and would not ſtay till the Executioner turned him off, but deſperatly lept off and hanged himſelf. This was in the beginning of February laſt, and is credibly reported by a Citizen of Dublin, who ſaw him thus hanged with his hands all bloudy.
It is remarkable to take notice of the rice of this bloudy act, it was thus. A Frier and this Villaine was drinking together in a Village, the Frier hearing of a poore Engliſh woman, there hee commanded this Rebell to murther her which he did, as you have read atteſted by a Gentleman of Ireland, of good credit.
Thus theſe poore deluded wretches guld with their Jeſuits damnable doctrine,
A Woman mangled in ſo horred a man̄er that it was not poſſible ſhee ſhould be knowne & after the Villaine waſhed his handes in her bloode was taken by the Troopers adiuged to be hanged leaped of the lader & hanged himſelfe like a Bloodey Tyger.
Companyes of the Rebells meeting with the Engliſh flyinge for their liues falling downe before them cryinge for mercy thruſt theire Pichforkes into their Childrens bellres & threw them into the water.
who aſſure them on their words, that the more cruell, the more meritorious. An Article no where to be found but in the Devils Creed.
Would any man believe that theſe Villains ſhould take children and toſſe them with pitchforks like dung into Rivers… one was an eye witneſſe (who loſt a great eſtate there, and ſince have received reliefe from the Parliament) who ſaw a cruell wretch, throw a woman crying with teares one way, and her Childe with a pitchfork another way.
They have cruelly murdered women great with child, and then left them in ditches, to the fury of their dogs, who learned to be cruell from their bloudy Maſters, for they have eaten the Children out of the bowels of the mother.
At Leſgoole Caſtle in the County of Four managh, they have burned fifty Scots, men, women, and children.
Sixteen Scots more they have barbarouſly hanged at Cloynes in the County of Monaghan.
Thirty Scots they burned in Tolagh.
It is remarkable that they deale thus cruelly with thoſe Noble Scots, who have bin renowmed through the Chriſtian World, for their zeale againſt that Antichriſtian Rabble, that theſe Rebels would wiſh they had but one neck, that they might cut them off at one blow, but the Proteſtant Cauſe ſhall ſtand in England and Scotland, when they and their Babel ſhal be caſt into the Bottomleſſe pit.
Rory Mackqueere at New towne in the County of Fourmanagh, above foure hundred poore Proteſtants fled in the Church to ſhrowd themſelves under its roofe, for ſafety from the rage of thoſe men of bloud, where they might have been famiſhed, but the mercy of this mercileſſe Beaſt affords them quarter to goe away with their clothes to Dublin, and vows he will not hurt them: before they got out of the Town, his Souldiers ſtript ſome and killed others like baſe perfidious wretches.
The Ireſh Lievtenant pretending they came for the King perfidiouſly come under favour, pretends to borrow the armes of the inhabitants, as they ſay, to quell the Rebels, then breake into their houſes, and turne their weapons againſt themſelves, make havock taking their featherbeds, & throw out their feathers, and in the tikes put up what precious things they can find in the houſe, and carry all away, and ſo turns them out of doores, the next company takes away their clothes, and clothe them with their rags. The next company thinking they may have mony in thoſe rags, they will take them alſo, ſearch their mouthes, and thoſe parts which modeſty will not admit of an expreſſion: if they can find none, they ſet their Skeins at their breaſts, that if they can extort any thing when the poore Proteſtants are naked. Bluſh! ô Sun, to behold the inhumane cruelties and beaſtly uſages of theſe unheard of Cannibals.
They inſlave the poore proteſtants under them, making them worke like horſes all day, digging and delving for them, and then are ſhut up all night, not knowing what wages whether life or death ſhall be allotted, and ſo every
George Forde hanged on a tree in his owne ground, cut his fleſh a peaces carying it up & downe, ſainge this is the fleſh of one of the traitors againſt our Holy Father the Pope.
a Proclamation that nether Engliſh nor Iriſh ſhould either ſell or keepe in their houſes any Powder upon the loſſe of goods & life nether any … mos whatſoeuer, exept with a liconſe & then but fiue pound at most at 2 Shill: ye pound.
night lie trembling & praying that they may be delivered from their cruelties.
Some Miniſters they whip, others they ſet in the ſtocks, and make others goe to Maſſe againſt their wils, then tell them now they have ſaved their ſouls, they would hang their bodies.
A Miniſter ſeeing his Wife abuſed, & his children roaſted, deſired them to put him out of his extremity of anguiſh, to ſee ſuch cruelty on thoſe ſo neere him, they moſt inhumanely cut his tongue out of his head.
And for a concluſion of this dreadfull Tragedy. It is related from one of the laſt Letters from Ireland, that ſeventeen of thoſe barbarous Monſters came to a Miniſters houſe, where they violently fell on him and his wife, ſtript them naked, bound them back to back, then cut off the Miniſters privy members, afterward raviſhed his wife on his back, and then inhumanely cut their throats: tranſcendent cruelty exceeding Pagans and Atheiſts.
For the oppreſſion of the poor, and for the ſighing of the needy: now will I ariſe, ſaith the Lord, and ſet him at liberty from him that puffeth at him.
Pſal. 12. 5.
FINIS.
End of the text · James Cranford, The Tears of Ireland (1642)