184 BOYLE the expeditioh which was undertaken by this latter noble man into the north of England against the Scotch, he eutrusted the Lord Broghill with the command of his own troop, in which situation this young nobleman acquitted himself to his commander's satisfaction; and soon aftet his return, he married the Lady Margaret Howard, sister to the Earl of Sufolk. He now returned to Ireland with his lady, and arrived on the very day on which the great rebellion commenced. This circumstance, however, was not then known in Munster, so that he proceeded in safety to his father's at Lismoren A few days after his arrival, going with his father to dine with his brother-in-law, the Earl of Barry- more, at Castle Lyons, the Earl of Cork was called out to a messenger, who informed him, that an open rebellion had commenced, and that the insurgents were masters of the country, and were committing the most horrid barba rities on the English setlers. The Earl of Cork returned to the company without shewing any emotion, and did not communicate this dreadful intelligence till after din. ner, when the Earl of Muskerry, who was then on a visit at Castle Lyons, treated the story as a mere fabrication, and employed the whole force of his wit in turning it into ridicule. The company, however, were alarmed, and soon separated, returning to their homes, where the first intelli- gence they received was, that the Lord Muskerry had appeared at the head of some thousands of rebels. The insurrection now became universal, and was attended with circumstances of such atrocious barbarity and unex- ampled cruelty, that the English were thrown into the greatest alarm, The Earl of Cork, without delay, sum- moned his tenants, and formed a body of five hundred men, giving the command of a troop of horse to Lord Broghill. They were soon ordered to join the lord-presi- dent St. Leiger, and Lord Broghill, on many occasions, evinced the greatest courage and conduct ; the success of the contest remaining for a long time doubtful, owing to
Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/145
This page needs to be proofread.
