Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 7.djvu/163

1562. SHAN VNE1L* '43 the meaning of the words, and make him August. prisoner. 1 But Shan was too cunning a fish, and had been too lately in the meshes, to be caught again in so poor a snare. His duty to the Queen, he replied, forbade him to leave his province in its present disturbed condition. He was making up for his long fast in England from his usual amusements ; and when fighting was in the wind neither he nor his troopers, nor as it seemed his clergy, had leisure for other occupations. The Catholic Primate having refused allegiance to Elizabeth, the See of Armagh was vacant, and Sussex sent down a conge d'&ire for the appointment of ' Mr Adam Loftus.' He received for answer ' that the chapter there, whereof the greater part were Shan O'Neirs horsemen, were so sparkled and out of order that they could by no means be assembled for the election/ 2 Once more Lord Sussex set his trap, and this time he baited it more skilfully. The Scotch countess was not enough for Shan's ambition. His passionate desire for an English wife had survived September. 1 The safe -conduct was worded thus : Plenam protectionem nos- tram per praesentes dicto Joanni concedimus qua ipse ad praemissa perficienda cum omnibus quibuscun- que qui cum illo venerint ad nos venire et a nobis cum voluerint li- bere recedere valeant et possint absque ulla perturbatione seu moles- tatione.' The word ' prsumissa ' referred to the oath of allegiance ; it was an- ticipated that Shan would make a difficulty in doing homage to Sussex as Elizabeth's representative ; and Sussex thought he might then lay hands on him for breach of compact. Sussex to Elizabeth, August 27: Irish MSS. z Sussex to Elizabeth, September 2: Irish