Above: The English Viceroy

The Lord Deputy was somewhat uncertain what course the Earl of Desmond would adopt. In order to encourage him to persevere in loyalty, he sent to him two English officials named Davells and Carter. These men were resting for the night at an inn near Tralee, when the younger brothers of Desmond, John and James Fitzgerald, forced their way into the house and slew them in cold blood. After this they betook themselves with their followers to their cousin, James Fitzmaurice, who expressed great indignation at the atrocious and perfectly useless crime which they had committed.

It was perhaps partly on account of this that Fitzmaurice soon after separated himself from them, and marched his forces towards the Shannon. Near Castleconnell he was attacked by some of the Burkes, and, in a single combat between Fitzmaurice and Theobald Burke, both were killed. More than any other of those who in Ireland rose against the rule of Elizabeth, James Fitzmaurice seems to have been actuated mainly by the motive of opposing the spread of the new doctrines, and doing battle for the Old Faith. He was a man of high and pure character and a skilful soldier.

John Fitzgerald was now leader of the rebellion. After the murder of Davells and Carter, he could not expect forgiveness from the English Government; nor did he seek it. He seems to have had considerable military ability. His brother, the Earl, disclaimed all sympathy with his doings, and protested his own loyalty. He certainly had no wish whatever to rebel, and would never have done so had he been treated at all justly or judiciously. ” A promise was given to the Earl that his territory should not be plundered in future, but, though it was given, it was not kept, for his people and cattle were destroyed, and his corn and houses burnt,” say the Four Masters. The younger Desmonds won a victory at Springfield ,Co. Limerick, but Sir Nicholas Malbie defeated them at Enabeg (near Croom, Co. Limerick). Desmond again appealed to the English Viceroy.

Sir William Pelham was now Lord Justice ;* in answer to the Earl’s protestations, he merely had conveyed to him a curt order to meet him at a certain place and time. Desmond was, not unnaturally, too fearful for his own safety and too mistrustful of Pelham to do this, and replied by excuses. In November, 1579, he was proclaimed a traitor.

The Earl, in order to enlist sympathy and support, endeavoured to declared that he had taken up arms in defence of the Catholic faith. Pelham conducted the campaign with relentless cruelty, slaying ” blind and feeble men, women, boys and girls, sick persons, idiots and old people,” as well as combatants. When fortresses were taken, the garrisons were at once put to death. The corn and cattle were carried off, so that, of the wretched peasantry who escaped from fire and sword, many died of hunger. Desmond raided a part of the counties of Limerick and Cork and sacked Youghal, but feared to meet the English in the field, and avoided a combat with considerable dexterity. His brother, James Fitzgerald, was captured and hanged at Cork (1580). Soon after this Pelham was recalled, and Lord Grey de Wilton succeeded him as Deputy (1580).