Before his rout at Lough Swilly, he could commonly call
into the field 4,000 foot and 1,000 horse; and his two
years' revolt cost Elizabeth, in money, about 150,000
pounds sterling "over and above the cess laid on the
country"--besides "3,500 of her Majesty's soldiers" slain
in battle. The removal of such a leader in the very prime
of life was therefore a cause of much congratulation to
Sidney and his royal mistress, and as no other "strong
man" was likely soon to arise, the Deputy now turned with
renewed ardour to the task of establishing the Queen's
supremacy, in things spiritual as well as temporal. With
this view he urged that separate governments, with large
though subordinate military as well as civil powers,
should be created for Munster and Connaught--with competent
Presidents, who should reside in the former Province at
Limerick, and in the latter, at Athlone. In accordance
with this scheme--which continued to be acted upon for
nearly a century--Sir Edward Fitton was appointed first
President of Connaught, and Sir John Perrott, the Queen's
illegitimate brother, President of Munster. Leinster and
Ulster were reserved as the special charge of the Lord
Deputy.

About the time of O'Neil's death Sidney made an official
progress through the South and West, which he describes
as wofully wasted by war, both town and country. The
earldom of the loyal Ormond was far from being well
ordered; and the other great nobles were even less
favourably reported; the Earl of Desmond could neither
rule nor be ruled; the Earl of Clancarty "wanted force