CHAPTER XVIII
Reign of Edward VI. A.D. 1547 to A.D. 1553
EDWARD VI, succeeded his father; having then attained but his tenth
year. Edward Seymour, the king's maternal uncle, (afterwards created
duke of Somerset), was appointed protector.
Mathew Sanders, bishop of Leighlin, died on the 24th December, 1549,
and was buried in the cathedral under a marble monument. He was reckoned
a promoter of the reformation, both under Henry VIII and Edward VI.,
although indebted for his advancement to the pope.
Robert Travers succeeded. He was consecrated in 1550. In this reign
Gerald, eleventh earl of Kildare, was empowered by several commissions
to preserve the peace, and govern the counties of Carlow, Kildare, and
Dublin, in the lord deputy's absence. Sir Edward Bellingham was
appointed lord deputy by Edward VI. He appears to have been a man of
much judgment, intelligence, and valour. He introduced several
regulations for the better management of military affairs in the
kingdom, and, in order to the more prompts execution of important
concerns, established stables of horses at various places, among the
rest at Leighlin-bridge. Having matters to transact with the earl of
Desmond, he sent a courier to that nobleman requiring his presence; but
the earl did not attend. Bellingham, without communicating his route,
ordered an escort and rode to Leighlin-bridge. He caused the suppressed
monastery there to be surrounded with a wall, and he erected a fort at
the same place. He had in the monastery a stable of twenty or thirty
horses.
From Leighlin-bridge he proceeded to the south and took the earl
of Desmond prisoner. The eminent merits of this distinguished chief
governor, did not shield him from calumny; he was maligned by some
members of the council, and, in consequence, received a recall. On
investigation, his innocence became apparent, and it was intended to
entrust the deputyship of Ireland again into his hands ; but death
frustrated the execution of this design. A.D. 1549. February the 2nd.
Sir William Brabazon (ancestor of the earls of Meath) was appointed lord
deputy. He indefatigably pursued Charles MacArt Kavanagh, (alias
MacMorrough), again in rebellion, declared him traitor and killed many
of his followers. He also burned his country, which obliged him to make
formal submission, to renounce the name of MacMorrough, and part with
his usurped jurisdiction and territory. He received a general pardon by
letters patent, dated 25th of May, 1552.
following noblemen were
present, (4th November, 1550), when Charles MacArt made his submission :
the earls of Desmond, Thomond, Clanrickarde, and Tyrone, lords
Mountgarrett, Dunmy up, Cahir, and Ibracun. A.D. 1551. One of the
Kavanaghs was this year executed at Cork. It is not known for what crime
he suffered. Edward VI. Died on the 6th July, 1553.
("Spelling are as seen in the book")
CHAPTER XIX
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