Ireland History

n the August of this year (1629), Falkland finally left Ireland. He had asserted, and endeavoured by fabricated evidence to prove the existence of a plot against the Government, whose leaders were, as he declared, Sir Phelim Mac Hugh O’Byrne, a large Wicklow land-owner, and his six sons. Falkland had already attempted to overreach the O’Byrnes in a certain transaction concerning land, but had not succeeded, and this accusation was his revenge, as well as a method, should it prove successful, of reaping profit for himself. The O’Byrnes, brought before a jury consisting largely of men who coveted their estates, were of course convicted, their lands were confiscated, and they themselves imprisoned.

Certain members of the Irish Privy Council, actuated, not by love of justice or by pity for the Deputy’s victims, but rather by dislike of the Deputy himself, brought the transaction under the notice of the King, and induced him, in spite of Falkland’s remonstrances, to institute a Commission of inquiry. The revelations which followed so completely shattered Falkland’s reputation that it became necessary to recall him. The O’Byrnes had gained little, except their liberty. No compensation was given them, and their lands were nor restored. Later, they were permitted to buy back a part of their estates for the sum of £15,000.

In her selection of a leader for the expedition she allowed herself to be swayed rather by feeling than by reason. Her choice fell on Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, a handsome man of thirty-two, having many superficial advantages, but whose success in military affairs had not, so far, been remarkable. He was the son of Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex, whose attempt at a Plantation in Ulster had ended so unfortunately, and since Leicester’s death in 1588 he had been the Queen’s chief favourite.

The title of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, more honourable than that of Deputy, was now conferred on him. The army placed under Essex’s command was, with the exception of that which followed Richard II in 1394, the largest that had ever crossed from England to Ireland. It numbered 16,000 infantry and 1,300 cavalry, all well armed and equipped. If the troops already in the country be added, we may estimate that the Lord Lieutenant had at his command a force of at least 21,000 or 22,000 men.