State Papers Online – Part IV
A Resource for Irish History
State Papers Online Part IV is an online archive of English/British State documents
from the 17th century and includes the State Papers Ireland for the 17th Century.
The range of documents is enormous and covers economic, political and social
developments in Ireland. England’s relations with Ireland, the Irish Rebellion and
speeches by Lord Lieutenants of Ireland are covered in the large numbers of
manuscripts.
Searches Performed on the subject of ‘Ireland’
Full Text search on ‘Ireland’ = 21523 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Irish’ = 3412 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Irish Parliament’ = 87 results in Calendar entries with links to
manuscript
Full Text search on ‘Catholic’ = 147 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Protestant’ = 168 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Belfast’ = 329 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Cork’ = 1016 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Dublin’ = 6509 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Dundalk’ = 92 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Galway’ = 603 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Kilkenny’ = 971 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Limerick’ = 681 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Londonderry’ = 275 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Munster’ = 1020 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Tyrone’ = 441 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Ulster’ = 707 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Waterford’ = 634 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Lord Lieutenant of Ireland’ = 344 results in Calendar entries with links
to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Lord Deputy of Ireland’ = 348 results in Calendar entries with links to
manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Lord Council of Ireland’ = 293 results in Calendar entries with links to
manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Kildare’ = 423 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Thomas Wentworth’ = 25 results in Calendar entries with links to
manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Duke of Schomberg’ = 24 results in Calendar entries with links to
manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘Earl of Cork’ = 196 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘O'Neill’ = 113 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘O'Donnell’ = 85 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Results from State Papers Ireland:
Full Text search on ‘Cromwell’ = 150 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘King Charles I’ = 148 results in Calendar entries with links to
manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘plantation’ = 424 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text search on ‘west indies’ = 17 results in Calendar entries with links to manuscripts
Full Text searches on aspects of 17th and 18th Century Ireland include the
following titles with manuscripts:
Ireland
‘The Lord Deputy and Council of Ireland to the Privy Council.’ (6 April 1603) SP 63/215
f.32
‘The King to the Lord Mountjoy, Lieutenant of Ireland, and in his absence, to Sir
George Carey, the King’s Deputy there.’ (1 July 1603)In consideration of the long and
faithful services of Robert Leycester in his employments in Ireland, and the recommendation
of him by Lord Mountjoy and the Council of Ireland, to the Lords of the Council in England, a
grant is to be made to him in fee farm of the site of the dissolved house of the Friars
Carmelite of Kilcormick and the village of Kilduffe, in the King's County, now in his
possession, for an unexpired term of years, at the ancient rent of 4l. 17s. 7½d. English, &c.
And so much of other our lands as shall amount to 10l. yearly rates, to be held of our Castle
of Philipstown in free soccage.
‘Lord Deputy of Ireland’s Proposition to the King concerning Lands in Waterford, &c.’
(12 November 1624) SP 63/238/2 f.167
‘Order of the Supreme Council and Committee of Instructions of the Confederate Irish
Catholics to Capt. Brandon Cusack.’ (17 January 1646) SP 63/261 f.6
Engraved map of Ireland, taken from John Speed’s Atlas: On the Governance of Ireland
by Sir John Perrot, by John Speed, England; 1572.
Copyright: © The British Library Board
‘John Lord Lisle to The Committee for Adventurers for Ireland’ (20 October 1653) SP
63/284 f.97
Stands to the province (Leinster) drawn for him by Abraham Browne. Desires that
Stephen Iles should draw for him for a county.
‘A Copy of a Letter sent into Ireland from the Committee at Grocers’ Hall to the Deputy
and Council.’ (29 June 1655) SP 63/286
‘List of the Establishment for the Force in Ireland to continue the 2nd Sept., 1655’ (2
September 1655) SP 66/B f.30
Gives daily and monthly pay
of:—(1)
The
general
officers.These include:—The
Commander-in-Chief (£10 a
day).The Major-General of
the forces in Ireland (£3 a
day).The
CommissaryGeneral of the Horse.The
Quartermaster-General
for
the
Army.The
AdjutantGeneral for foot and horse
and for a troop of horse.The
Commissary-General of the
musters, a deputy clerk and
eight
assistants.
The
Provost-Marshal-General
and
eight
men.The
Advocate-General for the
Army and one clerk. One
preacher. One physician. An
apothecary and three men. A
Surgeon-General.
An
Auditor-General and two
clerks. One penny per £1 of
all pay issued is to be
allowed, to be divided
between the Auditors and
Receiver-General. The total
for these officers is £23 11s.
4d. a day.
‘Speech by the Bishop of Elphin on the Same occasion as Foregoing [Declaring the
Duke of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland]’ (About 8 November 1661) SP 63/307/2 f.187
‘Note of the King’s letter to the Lord Lieutenant for making Sir Robert Biron or Byron
[of Enniscorthy] Master of the Ordnance in Ireland’ (2 November 1663) SP 63/135 f.10
‘The King to the Vice-Treasurer of Ireland and to the Commissioners of Settlement for
Henry Coventry and William Legg.’ (30 July 1666) SP 63/321 f.216
The Act of Explanation provided that Henry Coventry and William Legg should receive
£2,000 each in lieu of their interest in the fractions of odd acres and pounds, shillings
and pence which were reserved to the King by the Act of Settlement and released by
the Act of Explanation. As they have served us loyally before the Restoration and as
the above sum does not fully compensate them for the loss of the odd acres and
pounds, &c, you shall see that it is paid out of the first sum that may grow due to us by
virtue of either of the Acts aforesaid in respect of the profits of lands set out to pay
arrears for service in England, or in respect of lands set out under the Doubling
Ordinance, or in respect of any other mesne profits made payable to us by the Act of
Explanation.
‘Copy of Petition to the Lord Lieutenant of the Mayor, Sheriffs, Commons and Citizens
of the County of Dublin, Showing That:-‘ (7 October 1667) SP 63/323 f.237
‘Draft of the Military List for Ireland.’ (29 September 1669) SP 63/348 f.106
‘The Lord Lieutenant to the Commissioners of the Revenue in Ireland.’ (27 September
1670) SP 63/329 f.85
‘Project for a Plantation in Ireland.’ (Undated 1670) SP 63/329 f.328
In order to people Ireland with men of religion, it is only necessary to attract a number
of families which may make a considerable body to help all those who desire to
transplant themselves there. But as none can easily be found to form a bridge (planche)
for the others but poor families, and as even these will make objections to spending on
the way the little substance they have, especially considering that they will not be able
to make any harvest of wheat on the lands let to them until two years after they have
arrived, it must be resolved that advances of money be made them which will help them
in their journey and in establishing themselves when they arrive, and to give them
means of increase and of finding day labourers, whom they will often need for the
development of agriculture and the other work which they shall undertake.
Irish
‘Set of Irish accounts and comparisons of value of English and Irish money. Writer
(unnamed) has been carrying on transactions with ‘John of Deynshire’ [cf. ff.13-15]’
(Undated) SP 46/130 f.29
‘Peter Spenott to [Richard Carnsew]. His wife requests some Irish slate. [Undated].’
(Undated) SP 46/72 f.26
‘Privy Council to the Commissioners for Irish Causes.’ (10 June 1622) SP 63/236 f.149
Sending for their opinion a list of Irish grievances, and in another schedule the
remedies that the Commissioners have conceived fit for the reformation of the same.—
10 June 1622. Signed: Lord Keeper, Lord President, Lord Privy Seal, Lord Steward, E.
Kellie, Mr. Treasurer,. Mr. Secretary Calvert.
‘Assignment by the undersigned of their shares in the Irish adventure to Wm. Cary, of
Dartmouth, merchant.’ (6 June 1653) SP 63/297 f.281a
‘The Council of State to Lord Broghill, Sir Charles Coote, Sir John “Clatworth”
[Clotworthy], “or any of them, to be communicated to the rest” [of the Irish Council of
Slate]’ (8 March 1660)
Parliament, since the restoration of its liberties has thought fit, and has empowered the
Council of State, to settle the government of Ireland. The Council think right that
yourselves, amongst others, be Commissioners for managing and governing affairs
there. Commissions will soon reach you, and other competent persons will be sent over
to assure the nation's peace. In the meantime you shall do your best to advance the
welfare of the nation.
Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, 1566-1643), Irish statesman, by Isaac Oliver watercolour on vellum, oval,
circa 1610-1615.
Copyright: © National Portrait Gallery, London.
‘Warrant for the payment of 500/. Out of the Irish revenues to Ann Hartwell, widow of
Samuel Hartwell, as a recompense for the loss of his castel, called Castle Connell, near
Limerick, which which was destroyed by the King's order after the surrender of that
place.’ (15 April 1696)
Dublin
‘IV – The names of the Judges of the Law in His Majesty’s Courts at Dublin, 21
February 1606.’ (21 February 1607) SP 63/221 f.57
‘[Lord Salisbury] to [The Archbishop of Dublin]’ ([March] 1607) SP 63/221 f.94
Apologises for not answering his letters. Gives his opinion that a moderate course
should be taken with recusants.
‘The King to [the Lord Deputy] for Mungo Moore of Baggatsrath, near Dublin’ (October
1627) SP 63/245 f.218
‘Petition of the Dean and Chapter of Christchurch, Dublin, to the Lord Deputy and
Council.’ (November 1627) SP 63/245 f.249
Petition of the Dean and Chapter of Christchurch, Dublin, to the Lord Deputy and
Council. About eighteen years ago the Law Courts ceased to be held in the Castle, and
the Lord Deputy and Council asked the petitioners that they might be held in certain
rooms in the precincts of Christchurch. The Chapter assented, and accepted a very low
rent, £E10 a year. £E185 are due as well as 6½ years' rent at 40s. per annum for the
Court of Wards' room. For payment of this sum the Dean and Chapter have had two
concordatums from the King.
‘Report of the Irish Commissioners on Christchurch in Dublin’ (30 October 1627) SP
63/245 f.206
Belfast
‘Declaration of the Recusant Lords to the Lord Chichester of Belfast.’ (27 May 1613)
Upon the differences and disputes which arose in the Lower House of Parliament, and
the withdrawing from thence of the knights and burgesses of the counties and cities,
and ancient borough towns, they have thought it their duty to absent themselves from
Parliament till His Majesty' s pleasure shall be known, and have already signified this to
the Lord Deputy. Since that time a proclamation has been issued summoning all
members to attend in their places this day, and it is reported that this is in order to a
recognition of His Majesty' s title to the imperial Crown of the realm. Lest, therefore, any
unfavourable inference should be drawn from their absence on such an occasion, they
think it right to avow and affirm His Highness' s undoubted title to the sovereignty of this
and his other realms and dominions, and their readiness to defend and maintain the
same with their tongue and life.—27 May 1613.
‘General Monro to the Parliamentary Commissioners at Belfast.’ (4 December 1646) SP
63/262 f.235
‘Warrant for naturalizing the ship James of Belfast.’ (25 November 1671)
‘Extract from a letter from the collector at Belfast’ (30 May 1696) SP 63/358 f.79
Extract from a letter from the collector at Belfast. On the 25th instant came into Lough
Lame a ship from Norway, that gave an account that she, coming from thence, was
taken between the Fair Head and Racheries by a French privateer. That the said
privateer had thirteen “ransomers” on board, that had all been taken in four days
before, and that there is one large privateer at Racheries, one cruising at the Fair Head,
or thereabouts, and one that cruises in the Channel between the Isle of Man and
Glenarm. The biggest is said to have 36 guns, the second 10, and the third 5 guns.
‘Statement as to the provisions remaining at Dublin, Londonderry, Charlemont, Belfast,
and other forts in Ireland.’ (2 February 1691) SP 63/353 f.28
King Charles II
‘King Charles II. To the Marquis of Ormond, recommending Capt. John Wright.’ (13
April) SP 63/282 f.2
He served the King well at his being at sea in the previous year, and was taken
prisoner in a defeat of some forces which it was thought fit to land in Kent. He is now at
liberty and wants to go to Ireland. He “has been much conversant in most parts of
Christendom,” and speaks several languages very well.
‘The Lords Justices and Council to Secretary Nicholas.’ (13 August 1661) SP 63/307/2
f.19
‘The Same [The Lord Lieutenant] to the King.’ (2 November 1663) SP 63/315 f.14
Attempts may be made to induce your Majesty to believe that the report of danger
which may arise here if the English are alienated, are not real but vain and factious. If
such reports should reach your Majesty, I beg that you will remember that the late
design on the government here was real: and that one cannot tell from unsuccessful
attempts how deep the feeling may be which lies beneath them. If the trouble comes, it
will be of no use to be able to tell “those bold auditors to whom war and peace may be
indifferent,” they were mistaken. This letter is only to warn your Majesty against being
led astray by those who do not properly consider an affair of this kind.
‘Memorandum on the Religion, State, and Revenue of Ireland.’ (Undated 1666) SP
63/321 f.487
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
‘The King to the Earl of Devonshire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and in his absence to
Sir George Carey, the King’s Deputy there.’ (7 July 1604)
‘Draft of the King to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.’ (2 December 1645) SP 63/260 f.426
‘Sir Audley Mervin’s Speech to the King upon his Declaring the Duke of Ormond Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland.’ ([About 8 November] 1661) SP 63/307/2 f.185
“Most Gracious Sovereign, Spirits and elixirs are preserved in small glass violls [sic].
Our humble address is in the nature of an elixir and therefore must be given but in a
few grains. Sir: We have with great devotion observed the exercise of your royal
wisdom and patience in unravelling the complicated interests of your Kingdom of
Ireland and winding them up upon their distinct bottoms. Some princes would have
followed Alexander's method who cut the Gordian knot that either he could not or would
not untie; but, Sir, if your subjects may take the pleasure and the profit, you have been
contented to take the pains.”
‘Copy of Order in Council, directed to the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland.’ (16
October 1663) SP 63/345 f.291
‘The Lord Deputy and Council to the Lord Lieutenant.’ (6 July 1668) SP 63/324 f.166
‘Extract from the King to all Whom it may
Concern.’ (13 March 1669) SP 63/325 f.68
Declaring that Lord Ossory is to continue Lord
Deputy, till the new Lord Lieutenant arrives in
Ireland.
Earl of Cork
‘Lord Deputy of Ireland to the Earl of Cork.’ (10 July 1624) SP 63/238/2 f.171
‘Copy of Lord Falkland’s Letter to the Earl of Cork.’ (31 January 1628) SP 63/246 f.30
‘The Irish Committee of the Privy Council to the Earl of Cork.’ (15 March 1631) SP
63/252 f.39
Present:—Lord Treasurer, Earl of Dorset, Earl of Salisbury, Lords Dorchester and
Falkland, the Bishop of London, and Secretary Coke. Thanking him for his zeal for the
almsmen and maimed soldiers who have been left out of the establishment. They regret
that they have been misinformed to the prejudice of these poor people. They have
recommended his proposal of devoting £E. 399 4s. 3d. to them to the King, and he will
receive herewith His Majesty's pleasure and warrant.
‘The King to the Lord Lieutenant and others for the Earl of Cork.’ (24 January 1640)
The Earl and other persons interested in New College, Youghal, have surrendered to
us the whole of its property. The Earl promised, in consequence of a composition, to
pay £15,000 to the Crown, in return for a protection from us against all trespasses on
the lands, and for a grant of his dwelling-house, the “New College house,” in Youghal,
and of the surrounding gardens, &c., excepting the old College house there, which is to
be always reserved for the Vicar. We also promised to quash the suit against him in the
Castle Chamber in Ireland, and to take it off the file.
Thomas Wentworth
‘Protest of the Irish House of Commons [sic] against the preamble to the Irish Act of
Subsidy.’ (9 March 1641) SP 63/258 f.202
The following clause was inserted in preamble to the Act passed in the first session of
this Parliament:—“And particularly in providing and placing over us so just, wise,
vigilant, and profitable a Governor as the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Wentworth,
Kt., Earl of Strafford . . . . . who by his great care and travail of body and mind, sincere
and upright administration of justice without partiality, increase of (sic) your Majesty's
revenue, without the least hurt or grievance to any your well-disposed and loving
subjects, and our great comfort and security, the large and ample benefits which we
have received and hope to receive by his Majesty's Commission of Grace for Remedy
of Defective Titles, procured hither by his lordship . . . . . his . . . . pains in restoration of
the Church, the reinforcement of the Army within this Kingdom . . . . his support of your
Majesty's wholesome laws here established, his encouragement and countenance to
your judges and other good officers, ministers, and dispensers of the laws . . . . his care
to relieve and redress the poor and oppressed; for this your tender care over us
showed, by the deputing and supporting of so good a Governor, we, your faithful
subjects, acknowledge ourselves more bound than we can with tongue or pen express.”
This piece of the preamble was surreptitiously inserted into the Act. It was passed in a
hurry, at the instance of Ministers, who urged that the invasion of England by the Scots
placed the King in imminent danger. The clause was put in to prevent and anticipate
their complaints.
Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1593-1641), statesman. Portrait after Sir Anthony Van Dyck,
circa 1633
Copyright: © National Portrait Gallery, London.
‘The King to the Lord Lieutenant for a Corporation of Feltmakers in Dublin.’ (22 June
1667)
Protestant
‘Concerning Reformation of Religion in Ireland.’ ([Undated] 1606) SP 63/219 f.59
‘Protestant Returns to Parliament expected from Connaught.’ (October 1611)
‘Petition of “Juan” Sexton, alias Gould, widow, to the King, shewing that:-‘ (15 June
1641) SP 63/259 f.181
She and her two younger “childer” were sentenced in the Castle Chamber for an
attempt to convert their husband and father from the Protestant religion. They were
fined £1,000 and she £5,000, besides being subjected to “corporal punishment of great
infamy.” She prays that she and her children may be discharged from their fine and
punishment.
‘Documents Relating to the Petitions of the Ancient Natives and Inhabitants of the City
of Cork.’ (12 August 1660) SP 63/303 f.162
‘The humble Remonstances and Addresses of the King’s Protestant Subjects
inhabiting and residing in the Kingdom of Ireland, as well officers as gentlemen
freeholders and…’ ([Undated] 1660) SP 63/305 f.230
‘The State of the Case of the Protestant Commissioned Officers who served in Ireland
before 5 June, 1649.’ ([Undated] 1664) SP 63/317/2 f.204
As to their interest in the houses of innocents not restored in the several Corporations,
and [in] the baronies of Barrymore and Muskerry as reprizes for such houses of
innocents as are or shall be restored, the case of these officers is as follows:— The Act
of Settlement gives to the 1649 officers, as part of their security, the houses and
tenements forfeited in Ireland in the several walled towns. The word “forfeited” is not to
be understood there in the strict and legal sense which is outlawry or other attainder,
but is to be understood as forfeitable or under the notion of forfeited, being seized or
sequestered in respect of a supposed forfeiture. For, if nothing should be given by the
said Act to them or others but only such things as are legally forfeited, little or nothing
would be given but the estates of those who were attainted as by the outlawry, &c. If
that should be the construction then the nocency of a Papist would not in any case
entitle a'49 officer to his estate, unless such nocency were grounded upon an outlawry,
&c. It may easily be imagined how far such a constitution would “invalid” the act not
only in its provision for the '49 officers, but in securing the corporations to His Majesty's
service—the principal intent of the Act.
The Bishops who suffer'd Martyrdom for the Protestant Faith; under the Persecution of Queen Mary I,
engraved by Robert White, published by John King, c. 1700
Copyright: © National Portrait Gallery, London.
Catholic
‘Peter Nivellius to the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.’ (26 December 1628)
‘Copy of Additional Agreement made by the Catholic Leaders in Ireland.’ (28 March
1646) SP 63/261 f.94
‘[Certain Commissioners of the Irish Catholic Council] to the General Preston.’ (1
August 1646) SP 63/261 f.183
‘Remonstrance, Acknowledgement, Protestation and Petition of the Roman Catholic
Clergy of Ireland Addressed to the King.’ (3 February 1662) SP 63/310 f.19
We wish to represent our present deplorable condition. We are intrusted by the
“undispensable Commission of the King of Kings with the cure of souls.” We are
teaching our flocks perfect obedience to the King, but are loaden with calumnies and
persecuted with severity. We are accused of conspiracy without any good grounds. Our
adversaries invent crimes against them. This tends to undermine the relations between
the Roman Catholic clergy and laity. The charges are brought by those who enjoy the
estates of the Irish and wish to prove that they are not worthy of the King's mercy. If any
one of us offends, the whole clergy are debited with his offence, as though no evil or
indiscreet person could write or speak without the consent of all the others.
‘Print of the Faithful Protestation and Humble Remonstrance of the Roman Catholic
Nobility and Gentry of Ireland to the King.’ (About April 1666) SP 63/346 f.192
‘Copies of
Resolution by
certain Roman
Catholic nobility and
gentry of Ireland.’
(28 November 1670)
SP 63/329 f.220
Gemma Beeley for Julia de Mowbray, Publisher, June 2011
Please contact Julia de Mowbray with any questions (Julia.demowbray@cengage.com)