had, and yet remains in rebellion: theſe are therefore to require you, that if he ſhould chance to come into Ireland, you take care to ſeize him and bring him to the King dead or alive; and, for your care herein, the King grants all the inheritance of all the late marſhal’s lands and poſſeſſions in Ireland, which are now fallen to his diſpoſal, to be ſhared amongſt you. And for this promiſe of the King to be made good to you, we all, by whoſe counſel the King and kingdom are governed, do make ourſelves ſureties, provided you fail not in the premiſes.” This writing was directed to Maurice Fitz-Gerald the King’s juſticiary in Ireland, and ſeveral other great men, and ſome that were liegemen to the marſhal, but faithleſs:—and after this writing of unheard of treaſon was framed, though the King knew nothing of the contents of it, yet they compelled him to put his ſeal; and they, to the number of eleven, put to their ſeals, and ſo ſent it over.
This wrought with the Iriſh great men according to the wiſh of the evil counſellors, for out of covetouſneſs, they immediately entered into the conſpiracy, and privately ſent word back, “That if the King’s promiſe were confirmed to
