of absence--the summer of 1582, that "most populous and
plentiful country," to use the forcible language of his
eloquent Secretary, Edmund Spenser, was reduced to "a
heap of carcasses and ashes." The war had been truly a
war of extermination; nor did Munster recover her due
proportion of the population of the island for nearly
two centuries afterwards.

The appointment of Sir John Perrott dates from 1583,
though he did not enter on the duties of Lord Deputy till
the following year. Like most of the public men of that
age, he was both soldier and statesman. In temper he
resembled his reputed father, Henry VIII.; for he was
impatient of contradiction and control; fond of expense
and magnificence, with a high opinion of his own abilities
for diplomacy and legislation. The Parliament of 1585-6,
as it was attended by almost every notable man in the
kingdom, was one of his boasts, though no one seems to
have benefited by it much, except Hugh O'Neil, whose
title of Earl of Tyrone was then formally recognized.
Subordinate to Perrott, the office of Governor of Connaught
was held by Sir Richard Bingham--founder of the fortunes
of the present Earls of Lucan--and that of President of
Munster, by Sir Thomas Norris, one of four brothers, all
employed in the Queen's service, and all destined to lose
their lives in that employment.

The most important events which marked the four years'
administration of Perrott were the pacification of Thomond
and Connaught, the capture of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, and