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Extract from letter from earl of Tyrone
to Lord Burghley, 22nd October 1591 Bearing
an earnest affection to the gentlewoman that is now my wife I resorted to the
Marshall and first made my desire known to him, whereof he seemed to have good
liking, but wished first to understand your lordship’s pleasures in that
matter. I dealt with him at least six several times for his consent. I offered
him to put in surety for the assurance of a jointure for his sister, this I did
before good witnesses. I likewise procured some of the best counsellors in this
kingdom to deal with him in this behalf. I dealt with Sir Patrick and the lady,
his wife, very earnestly for their consent, and with others of the best allies
she had. All this while, there was no objection once made to me of any former
marriage, saving that once I confess the Marshall told me privately that he had
heard of such a matter, and by way of advice (not any way objecting the matter
to me) wished me to look to it, to whom I then answered that the matter was long
since cleared, wherewith he seemed to be satisfied.
Perceiving that I found nothing but delays and fair words in the
Marshall, and having used all the means I could to get his consent, I attempted
another course to deal with the gentlewoman herself…About ten days before my
marriage I got good opportunity to speak with herself. I lodged one night at Sir
Patrick Barnewall’s house where the gentlewoman was kept, where I dealt so
effectually with the gentlewoman that we were trothed together and she received
from me a chain of gold. After this there passed betweeen her and me some
messengers which confirmed our love on both sides and upon a matter concluded
between her and me upon the third of August last I took in my company at
least a half a dozen English gentlemen that were my friends and went to dinner
to Sir Patrick Barnewell’s where I found good entertainment. After dinner some
of the gentlemen in my company going to play and other exercises, the
gentlewoman that is now my wife espying her time mounted herself behind one of
the gentlemen in my company and went away with him, he having no one in his
company but one or two serving men. I tarried still in the house talking with
the lady for her consent and when I understood that my prey was well forward in
her way towards the place where we had agreed upon, I took my leave of Sir
Patrick Barnewell and his lady, and followed after. And soon after I was gone
the gentlemen who were in company with me, took their horses and came away
quietly.
This is, upon my honour, the truth of my doing in this action, wherein if
I have offended, I submit myself to her Majesty and your lordship’s
correction; whatsoever is said or written to your lordships of this matter,
contrary to this which I have now written, it is, upon my honour, an untruth.
The gentlewoman was carried not into my country there to be abused, but to an
honest English gentleman’s house
within a mile of Dublin…where I did not once touch her until I had sent to
Dublin and had entreated the Bishop of Meath to marry us together in honest
sort, which he did, and thus I came by the gentlewoman and presently after
solemnized the marriage in the best manner I could, since which time I have been
very desirous to get the goodwill of his friends, without the which I thank God
and her Majesty I am able to live; but what stirs the Marshall has made of this
matter, in every place seeking to dishonour me, and if it lay in him to undo his
own sister; if your lordships did know them you would wonder that a man of his
place should so far miscarry himself. Quoted in
C.P.Meehan, The Fate and
Fortunes of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and Rory O’Donel, Earl of
Tyrconnell, their flight from Ireland and their death in exile, (3rd
ed., Dublin, 1886), pp 293-7 |