While Geraldines and Butlers, for once united by the fear of losing their lands, kept the South of Ireland in a turmoil, Ulster, for Ulster, was rather unusually quiet. The O'Neills feared to provoke Sidney while he had the power to punish, and minor chiefs professed themselves ready to obey his call. James MacDonnell's widow took advantage of the lull to come to Rathlin and give her hand to Tirlogh Luineach, who had now from 3,000 to 5,000 men under his orders, his wife having brought at least 1,200 Scots with her. Newry was threatened, but the arrival of Ormonde left Kildare free, and the forces of the Pale were drawn northwards. Sidney followed as soon as he could, and found that the Scots had weakened rather than strengthened Tirlogh Luineach, who had 'eaten himself out' by supporting them. The fact that he had been accidentally shot by a jester while sitting at supper with his new wife, may have had a good deal to do with Tirlogh Luineach's inactivity. In any case, he gave Fitzmaurice no help; and, the Butlers having submitted, the confederacy from which so much had been expected and feared fell to pieces of itself.[177]
[156] Articles with Sir Brian MacPhelim O'Neill, Oct. 8, 1568; Sidney to Cecil, Nov. 12; Sidney's Summary Relation, 1583, in _Carew_.
[157] Sidney to Cecil, Nov. 12, 1568; same to same, Nov. 8 (in the _Sidney Papers_); Argyle to Queen Elizabeth, Aug. 24 (in the _Sidney Papers_).
[158] Lord Roche to the Lords Justices, Sept. 14; Wingfield to Cecil, Nov. 12; Sidney to Cecil, Nov. 8 and 12; Hamlet's warning to Ophelia is applicable to all Irish Governors.
[159] Lady Dunboyne to Luke Dillon, A.G., Nov. 22; Carew to Cecil, Dec. 26.
[160] Hooker, in _Holinshed_; for the state of Athenry, see Sidney to the Queen, April 20, 1567.
[161] Hooker, in _Holinshed_; Weston to Cecil, Feb. 17 and March 18, 1569. The Parliament 11 Eliz. sat almost continuously from Jan. 17 to March 11, 1569, but three sessions are counted within this period. On March 11, a prorogation took place till Oct. 10.
[162] Hooker, in _Holinshed_; two letters of Weston to Cecil already quoted; Sir N. White to Cecil, March 10; and Sidney's Summary Relation in _Carew_, 1583.
[163] Cecil to Sidney, Nov. 5, 1568; Queen to Sidney, Feb. 10, 1569; Peryam's Petition, Feb. 19; Tremayne to Pollard and to Cecil, July 7.