McCarthys, and Butlers, as had resolved to resist the
complete revolution in property, religion, and law, which
Sidney meditated, united together to avenge the wrongs
of those noblemen, their neighbours, so treacherously
arrested and so cruelly confined. Sir James, son of Sir
Maurice Fitzgerald of Kerry, commonly called James
Fitz-Maurice, cousin-germain to the imprisoned noblemen,
was chosen leader of the insurrection. He was, according
to the testimony of an enemy, Hooker, member for Athenry,
"a deep dissembler, passing subtile, and able to compass
any matter he took in hand; courteous, valiant, expert
in martial affairs." To this we may add that he had
already reached a mature age; was deeply and sincerely
devoted to his religion; and, according to the eulogist
of the rival house of Ormond, one whom nothing could
deject or bow down, a scorner of luxury and ease, insensible
to danger, impervious to the elements, preferring, after
a hard day's fighting, the bare earth to a luxurious
couch.

One of the first steps of the League was to despatch an
embassy for assistance to the King of Spain and the Pope.
The Archbishop of Cashel, the Bishop of Emly, and James,
the youngest brother of Desmond, were appointed on this
mission, of which Sidney was no sooner apprised than he
proclaimed the confederates traitors, and at once prepared
for A campaign in Munster. The first blow was struck by
the taking of Clogrennan Castle, which belonged to Sir
Edmond Butler, one of the adherents of the League. The
attack was led by Sir Peter Carew, an English adventurer,