THE REBELLION OF JAMES EUSTACE, VISCOUNT BALTINGLASS I I I , 1580-81: A study of the causes, course and consequences of the response of an Anglo-Irish Catholic layman to Elizabethan religious repression Elizabeth Ann O'Connor B.A. H.dip. in Ed. Submitted to the Department of History, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth in fulfilm ent of the requirements for the M.A. Degree J u ly 1989 SUMMARY This study is divided into an introduction, six chapters and a conclusion. The introduction presents and examines the interpretation afforded by historians to the Baltinglass revolt Chapter one portrays the history of the Eustace family who settled in Ireland in the 13th century- It traces their growth of political power, the expansion of their lands and their close ties of loyalty with the crown and with the Catholic religion. The salient points of the career of Roland Eustace, baron of Portlester, are described. His political ability and his adherence to principle are portrayed. The marriage links which he formed with powerful Anglo-Irish familes are demons­ trated. The close links fostered with the Gaelic community and members of the Eustace family; the proximity of family land to the marcher areas, thus strengthening these bonds, are d e v e lo p e d . The career of Roland Eustace, Viscount Baltinglass II, is also described. His long loyal service to the queen as a member of the e litis t Pale community is presented alongside his leading role in the cess campaign that spanned almost three decades. The alienation of the family from the Dublin adminis­ tration is demonstrated in Roland's son and heir James's stance before the ecclesiastical commission in 1578 and in Roland's reaction to Nicholas Bagenal's levying of men and horses in Kilcu-llen, contrary to the cess agreement. Chapter two traces the family life enjoyed by the Eustace children in the marcher area, the early education gained through the expertise of Sir Norman Eustace and later the education which James Eustace received as a young man at the Inns of Court. The Catholicism of this education is represen­ ted. The developing official policy towards Catholicism and its effects on Archbishop Creagh and the lay reaction of some students to this is introduced. The careers of priests like Fr Robert Rochford and Dr Tanner, whose lives and idealism served to form and influence the Eustace fam ily, are examined. James Eustace’s sojourn in the Rome of Pope Gregory X III becomes the catalyst that forms his opposition to government religious policy. The chapter concludes with a description of this episode. Chapter three describes the effect of James Fitzmaurice1s campaign on James Eustace. It explores the anti-violent attitude of Gerald, earl of Kildare to political and religious allegiance. The meetings and letters pertaining to a Pale rebellion are discussed. The groundwork laid by the priests for the rebellion throughout the Pale is described. The alliances with important families in the Gaelic and Anglo-Irish communities, in conjunction with the activities of these priests is represented. The links with the Nugents, Sedgraves and Fitzsimonsare traced through contemporary statements and eye­ witness accounts. Chapter four describes the outbreak of the rebellion on 15 July 1580, precipitated by Archbishop Adam Loftus's deter­ mination to apprehend James Eustace. It develops further the measure of involvement (Gerald) Kildare was prepared to offer. 3 The battles, burnings of towns and villages, the pillaging of cattle, the destruction of castles, houses and farms are enumerated. The links with the Fitzgeralds of Desmond, also in revolt and with Dr Sanders are manifested. Reactions of the various New English and Anglo-Irish government o fficials are examined. The arrival of Lord Grey de Wilton and the reaction of Lord Justice Pelham are interlaced with the events in the Pale, Ulster, Munster and Connacht. The eventual imprisonment of Kildare and the baron of Delvin for complicity in the revolt is outlined and examined. Chapter five describes the flig h t of Eustace and Fr Rochford and the co-operation afforded them by the Gaelic and Anglo-Irish peoples. Their efforts in Spain and in Rome to revitalise continental interest to send a fleet to aid the Catholics in Ireland, are delineated. The outbreak of the Nugent revolt and the execution of young men of the Pale is; recorded. The land disputes and the jealousy caused by Grey's land grants to favourites are portrayed. The con­ tinental perceptions to the rebellion are presented and examined. Chapter six details the plight of James Eustace on the continent; the situation in the Pale in the aftermath; the involvement of wealthy members of the patriciate community and of Archbishop Dermot O'Hurley with Eustace's attempt to lead a religious revolt. The chapter concludes with the demise of James Eustace, Viscount Baltinglass II. The conclusion describes Sir John Perrot's parliament of 4 1585 and the impetus afforded to historical trends, particularly to the lay religious response, in the decade following the Baltinglass revolt. - o - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the assistance, guidance and encouragement always afforded to me by the director of this thesis, Dr Colm Lennon. Without his expertise and patience, this work would not have been completed. I wish to thank Rev Monsignor P.J. Corish for his con­ sideration and belief in my ability to pursue this study, for the many Latin, Spanish and Italian documents which he trans­ lated for me and for the confidence he inspired through his lectures and seminars. My thanks also to Professor R.V. Comerford who so readily helped to pave my way to following this study, and to the members of the History Department of St. Patrick's College, M a y n o o th . I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the tolerance and affection shown by my husband Aidan and my children Eileen, Isobel, G illian and Aidan to me in the course of this work. I wish to express also my deepest appreciation and gratitude to my father, Mr Timothy O'Connor, and to my mother, the late Mrs. Eileen O'Connor, who sadly did not see the completion of this work which is dedicated to their love, encouragement and example. I am. also grateful to my brothers and sisters, especially Stephanie and Claire for their frequent offers of h e lp . My thanks to the staff of John Paul II Library, Maynooth and to the National Library for their assistance, to Catherine Heslin for her typing, and to the many friends, old and new, maintained and gained during the course of this work. ii To my parents, Mr. Timothy O'Connor and the late Mrs. Eileen O'Connor. iii NOTE In accordance with current practice spelling in quotations has been modernised with the exception of a few archaic words. Punctuation has followed the sense of the quotation. The abbreviations used in footnotes are as recommended in Rules for Contributors to Irish Historical Studies (rev. ed., January 1980) . iv CONTENTS page INTRODUCTION .......................................... 1 Chapter I: THE EUSTACE FAMILY IN THE 13th, 14th and 1 5 th CENTURIES .................................................................. 10 Chapter II: THE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION OF THE CATHOLIC SCION OF AN ANGLO-IRISH FAMILY ........................................................................................ 3 5 Chapter III: THE LAYING OF THE GROUNDWORK FOR REBELLION ................................................................................ 68 Chapter IV: THE COURSE OF THE BALTINGLASS REBELLION ................................................................................ 106 Chapter V: REACTIONS, EXAMINATIONS AND EXECUTIONS IN THE WAKE OF THE REBELLION ............................. 167 Chapter VI: THE FINAL CONTINENTAL SOJOURN AND SUPPLICATIONS OF A CATHOLIC ADVOCATE ... 220 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 243 FOOTNOTES ................................................................................................................. 252 APPENDICES ................................................................................................................. 313 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................. 329 v INTRODUCTION Traditionally the Baltinglass rebellion was seen as a Catholic crusade led by a zealous but misguided idealist. This was based on the view that James Eustace, Viscount Baltinglass III, was motivated by religious fervour and was prepared to risk his position as a privileged member of the Pale elite in pursuit of his goal - the restoration of the lawful practice of Catholicism in Ireland. More recently the reason for Eustace's uprising has been subjected to scrutiny in the light of developments in Irish Tudor historiography, resulting in the modification of the view of the accepted interpretation that the viscount was solely impelled by credal conviction. The possibility of his representing the economic and social grievances of his social order has been posited. As a prelude to this study of the background, course and results of the Baltinglass rebellion, it may be appropriate to survey briefly the historiographical tradition relating to the rebellion in .some detail and also to comment briefly on the nature of the source-material which is available for such an investigation. The contemporary and near-contemporary Catholic view of the Baltinglass revolt is to be found in the writings of