Ireland under the Tudors. Bagwell Richard

determined to continue Skeffington in the government of Ireland, notwithstanding his age and bad health, Henry took means to supply him with efficient subordinates. First among them was Lord Leonard Grey, who had returned with a new commission as marshal and with the title of Viscount Grane, which, however, he never chose to assume. The others were Sir John Saintloo, a brave soldier; the Vice-Treasurer Brabazon, who was already well tried; and John Alen, Master of the Rolls, who had been pushing his own interests at Court, and who was entrusted with the royal despatch. Honest musters leading to a reduction of expenses were the King’s great object at this time; for Kildare was safe in the Tower, and it seemed that a great army was no longer necessary. Special care was taken to define Grey’s position, and Skeffington, whose supremacy as Henry’s representative was fully acknowledged, was reminded that royal blood flowed in the marshal’s veins. Discipline had been much relaxed in Ireland, and no doubt reform was wanted; but Grey seems to have used his military authority with undue severity. Thomas Dacre, a member of the great northern family, who came in charge of some spearmen, was imprisoned for eight days, though nothing had been proved against him. Another Dacre was confined for seven weeks without any apparent reason, and during a fortnight he had irons on both arms and legs. Such proceedings certainly gave some grounds for supposing that Grey was not disposed to favour those who had helped to overthrow his rebellious nephew.169

      Death and character of Skeffington, 1535.

Skeffington died about two months after Grey’s return. Though not very brilliant, he had been on the whole successful, and had shown that a private gentleman armed with the King’s commission could be more than a match for the greatest of Irish nobles. It was indeed part of Henry’s policy, as it had been his father’s, to rely much upon persons of far humbler birth. Fox and Wolsey were Churchmen, and the tonsure had been always powerful to counteract plebeian extraction; but Empson the pettifogger, Cromwell the clothier, Stile the scribe, and Tuke, who speculated in kerseys, with many others of no higher original pretensions, were often preferred for important affairs to the chiefs of the English aristocracy. The business was often better done, and the power of the Crown was brought into more prominent relief. Skeffington may be regarded as the first of that long line of able public servants who reduced Ireland to a tardy and unwilling obedience. ‘He was,’ said Brabazon, ‘a very good man of war, but not quick enough for Ireland, and somewhat covetous.’ The charge was made by others also, and is easier to make than to refute. But it is certain that Skeffington died in difficulties, and one fact may be set against many opinions.170

      FOOTNOTES:

      126. Conossius Maguire to the King, Feb. 20, 1534, in Carew. Letter from the five Alens, May 17, 1534. R.O. Ireland.

127. Examination of Robert Reyley, Aug. 5, 1536, in Carew. Stanihurst.

128. Stanihurst. Finglas to Cromwell, July 21, 1534. Dowling says Offaly was commonly called ‘Thomas sericus.’

129. The King to the Earl of Ossory, No. 72 in the printed State Papers. Butler’s letter is in Stanihurst.

130. Examination of Robert Reyley in Carew, Aug. 5, 1536; Sir John Rawson to the King, Aug. 7, 1534; Dowling’s Annals. Rawson says ‘divers of his chaplains and servants’ were killed with the Archbishop, and that the murder was in Offaly’s presence and ‘by his commandment.’

131. Wine, 20 tuns; beer, 20 tuns; powdered beef, 16 hogsheads; 2,000 dried ling, &c. &c.

132. Stanihurst.

133. Stanihurst. Ossory to Walter Cowley, No. 93 in the printed State Papers.

134. Stanihurst. Brereton and Salisbury to the King, Nov. 4, 1534.

135. Stanihurst.

136. Ibid.; Dowling. According to Stanihurst, Salisbury and Brereton did not land until after the fight in which Musgrave fell, but their own letter seems to contradict this.

137. John Alen to Cromwell, Oct. 4; Brereton and Salisbury to the King, Nov. 4; Skeffington to the King, Nov. 11; Ossory to Mr. Cowley, No. 93 in the printed State Papers.

138. Brereton and Salisbury to the King, Nov. 4; Skeffington to the King, Nov. 11; Ossory to Mr. Cowley, as above.

139. John Alen to Cromwell, Dec. 26, 1534, and Feb. 16, 1535; Vice-Treasurer Brabazon to Cromwell, Feb. 16, 1535; Skeffington to Sir Edmund Walsingham, March 13.

140. The sentence of excommunication is printed in the State Papers, No. 81; see No. 84; Stanihurst. Kildare died Dec. 12, 1534.

141. Stanihurst; Alen to Cromwell, Dec. 26, 1534.

142. Ossory to Skeffington, Jan. 17, 1535.

143. Alen to Cromwell, Feb. 16, 1535; Stanihurst.

144. Stanihurst; Lord Deputy and Council to the King, March 26.

145. Ware; Stanihurst; the Lord-Deputy and Council to the King, March 26. The official despatch does not mention the negotiation with Paris, but I see no reason to disbelieve Stanihurst. ‘Too late, quoth Boys,’ became proverbial.

146. ‘Quæ vulgariter dicitur a saulte.’

147. Coyne and livery, cuddies, kernaghts, ‘vel talia poculenta.’

148. The indenture is dated July 26, 1535.

149. Aylmer and Alen to Cromwell, Aug. 21.

150. Grey to Cromwell, August 15. Aylmer and Alen to Cromwell, Aug. 21 and 26.

151. Skeffington to the King, Aug. 24; the Council of Ireland to the King, Aug. 27.

152. Audeley to Cromwell, i.