In the midst of all this a Parliament (June 1556) was opened in Dublin, in the name of Mary and of Philip her husband. The ecclesiastical legislation of Henry VIII was reversed, but the grants of the abbey lands were confirmed. Two Acts relate to the Leix and Offaly settlement. The former asserts that " the counties of Leix, Slewmarge, Offallie, Errie and Glenmalier belong of right to the King's and Queen's most excellent Majesties." Leave was given to Sussex (Fitzwalter had ... Read More

During the three years and a half of the Bruce invasion the sufferings of the Irish people were much greater even than before. The war had been a devastating one, and it had been accom¬panied by bad harvests, famine, and plague. Whether or not there were other reasons—either personal or national—for animosity it is difficult to say. But it is certain that the Irish annalists are all bitterly hostile to Bruce. The " Four Masters" in recording his death, say " no ... Read More