and afterwards that of Marshal of Ireland, he found his
schemes constantly counteracted by orders from Dublin or
from England. He was frequently ordered off from his
head-quarters at Newry, on expeditions into Munster,
until those who had followed his banner became disheartened
and mutinous. The O'Neils and the Antrim Scots harassed
his colony and increased his troubles. He attempted by
treachery to retrieve his fortunes. Having invited the
alliance of Con O'Donnell, he seized that chief and sent
him prisoner to Dublin. Subsequently his chief opponent,
Brian, lord of Clandeboy, paid him an amicable visit,
accompanied by his wife, brother, and household. As they
were seated at table on the fourth day of then--stay,
the soldiers of Essex burst into the banquet hall, put
them all, "women, youths and maidens," to the sword.
Brian and his wife were saved from the slaughter only to
undergo at Dublin the death and mutilation inflicted upon
traitors. Yet the ambitious schemes of Walter of Essex
did not prosper the more of all these crimes. He died at
Dublin, two years afterwards (1576), in the 36th year of
his age, as was generally believed from poison administered
by the orders of the arch-poisoner, Leicester, who
immediately upon his death married his widow.

It is apparent that the interest of the Undertakers could
not be to establish peace in Ireland so long as war might
be profitably waged. The new "English interest" thus
created was often hostile to the soundest rules of policy
and always opposed to the dictates of right and justice;
but the double desire to conquer and to convert--to