114 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 42. reign, he claimed the right of succession by Irish cus- tom, precedent, and law. In barbarous and half-bar- barous tribes there is generally some choice exercised among the members of the chiefs family, or some rule is followed, by which the elder and stronger are pre- ferred to the young and weak. In our own Heptarchy the uncle, if able and brave, was preferred to the child of an elder brother. In Tyrone the clan elected their chief from the blood of the ancient kings ; and Shan, waiving all question of legitimacy, received the votes of his people, took the oath with his foot upon the stone, and with the general consent of the north was proclaimed O'Neil. 1 This proceeding was not only an outrage against order, but it was a defiance of England and the English system. The descent to an earldom could not be regu- lated by election, and it was obvious that the English
Government must either insist upon the rights of the
I young Baron of Dungannon, or relinquish the hope of ( feudalizing the Irish chieftains. Knowing therefore that he could not be left long in the enjoyment of his success, Shan O'Neil attempted to compose his feud with the O'Don- nells, and his first step was to marry O'Donnell's sister. 1560. 1 * They place him that shall be called their captain upon a stone always reserved for that purpose, and commonly placed on a hill.' SPEN- SEH'S View of the State of Iceland. The stone in Westminster Abhey brought from Scone by Edward the First was one of these, and according to legend is the original Lias Fail or thundering stone on which the Irish kings were crowned. The Lias Fail however still stands on Tara Hill, ready for use when Ireland's good time returns.
