Calendar of State Papers, Ireland, 1599 - 1599. Edited by Ernest George
Atkinson. (Eyre and Spottiswoode.)—The period in- cludes the disastrous battle of Armagh, and may be generally described as one in which the interests of England in Ireland were at their very lowest. Nor is this to be wondered at when we regard the facts disclosed by these State Papers. The troops received neither pay, nor food, nor clothing. What they got they got from the inhabitants of the country. When this resource failed they deserted. A battalion sent from England almost disappeared in a few months' time. A more vivid picture of misrule and mismanagement it would be difficult to find than that which Mr. Atkinson has made up from the materials dealt with by him.—With this may be mentioned the Calendar of the Patent Boils, prepared under the superintendence of the Deputy- Keeper of the Records. Richard II., A.D. 1371-1381.
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