memory," and granting the same indulgence to those who
would fight under John or James of Desmond, "as that
which was imparted to those who fought against the Turks
for the recovery of the Holy Land." This remarkable
document is dated from Rome, the 13th of May, 1580.




CHAPTER VI.

SEQUEL OF THE SECOND GERALDINE LEAGUE--PLANTATION
OF MUNSTER--EARLY CAREER OF HUGH O'NEIL, EARL OF
TYRONE--PARLIAMENT OF 1585.

We must continue to read the history of Ireland by the
light of foreign affairs, and our chief light at this
period is derived from Spain. The death of Don Sebastian
concentrated the thoughts of Philip II. on Portugal,
which he forcibly annexed to the Spanish crown. The
progress of the insurrection in the Netherlands also
occupied so large a place in his attention, that his
projects against Elizabeth were postponed, year after
year, to the bitter disappointment of the Irish leaders.
It may seem far-fetched to assert, but it is not the less
certainly true, that the fate of Catholic Munster was
intimately involved in the change of masters in Portugal,
and the fluctuations of war in the Netherlands,

The "Undertakers," who had set their hearts on having