Longbeforethecommissionforsuppressionarrivedthescrambleforashareintheplunderhadbegun。InthiscontesttheDeputy，ArchbishopBrowne，andtheprincipalmembersoftheprivycouncilledtheway。
JohnAlen，MasteroftheRolls，wasthefirsttoprofitbythespoliationofthereligioushousesbygettingpossessionofthepropertyofSt。Wolstan's1536，LordGreysecuredforhimselfthegoodsandpossessionsoftheConventofGrane。TheEarlofOrmondandtheButlerfamilygenerallyenrichedthemselvesoutofthelandsofthemonasteriessituatedinthesouth-easternportionofIreland，asdidalsoahostofhungryofficialsandgentlemenindifferentpartsofIreland，suchastheCowleys，Alens，St。Legers，Lutrells，Plunketts，Dillons，Nugents，Prestons，Berminghams，Townleys，Aylmers，Flemings，Wyses，Eustaces，Brabazons，etc。[41]EvenPatrickBarnewall，whohadresistedsostrenuouslythesuppressionofthemonasteriesin1536，couldnotresistthetemptationofsharingintheplunder。HesecuredforhimselfalargeportionofthelandsandadvowsonsoftheConventofGrace-Dieu。InthiswaytheAnglo-Irishnobleswerebribedintoacquiescencewiththeking'sreligiouspolicy，andwereenabledtotransmittotheirdescendantsimmenseterritoriesoverwhichtheyweretoruleashereditarylandlordslongaftertheoriginoftheirtitlehadbeenforgotten。Similarly，inordertoputanendtotheoppositionofthecityauthorities，whichhadgoodgroundtocomplainofthesuppressionsofhousesthatweredoingsomuchinthecauseofcharityandeducation，largegrantsweremadetothecorporationsofDublin，Waterford，Limerick，Clonmel，etc。Wealthymerchantswhohadmoneytoinvestwerenotslowincomingforwardtosecureleasesofportionsofthemonasticlandandtherebytolaythefoundationsofanewso-calledaristocracy。Thegoldandsilverornaments，thesacredvessels，thebells，andthechurchplategenerallyweresoldforthebenefitoftheking，buttheofficialswereneverparticularlycarefulaboutmakingtheproperreturns。Fromapartialaccountgivenbythecommissionersin1541itappearedthatfromthesalesofthejewels，reliquaries，pictures，andgoodsofthemonasteriestheyhadreceivedover￡2，500Irishofwhichtheyhadgivencloseon￡500tothesuperiors，servants，etc。，andretained￡375astravellingexpenses。[42]WiththesubmissionoftheEarlofDesmond，O'BrienofThomond，O'Donnell，etc。，amoredeterminedcampaignwasinitiatedforthetotaldestructionofthereligioushouses，andparticularlyofthosebelongingtotheMendicants，notmerelyinthePalebutthroughoutIreland。AspecialcommissionwasissuedAug。1541totheEarlofDesmondandothers"totakeinventoriesof，todissolve，andtoputinsafecustody，allreligioushousesinLimerick，Cork，Kerry，andDesmond。"InreturnforhisactivitytheEarlofDesmondwasrewardedwithseveralgrantsofmonasticland，andevenO'Briendidnotthinkitbeneathhimtoshareintheplunder。Insomeplaces，asforinstanceinMonaghan，theFranciscanFriarswereputtodeath。ButintheIrishdistrictsgenerallythedecreeofsuppressionwasnotenforced，andevenintheEnglishportionsofthecountrythesuppressionofthemonasteriesdidnotmeantheextinctionofthemonks。TheFranciscansandDominicansinparticularseemtohavebeenalmostasnumerousattheendofthereignofHenryVIII。astheyhadbeenbeforeheundertookhiscampaignagainstRome。
ThewholestoryofthesesadyearsissummarisedinastrikingifslightlyexaggeratedfashionbytheFourMasters。"Aheresyandnewerror，"theysay，"sprangupinEnglandthroughpride，vain-glory，avarice，andlist，andthroughmanystrangesciences，sothatthemenofEnglandwentintooppositiontothePopeandtoRome……TheystyledthekingthechiefheadoftheChurchofGodinhisownkingdom。Newlawsandstatuteswereenactedbythekingandcouncilaccordingtotheirownwill。Theydestroyedtheorderstowhomworldlypossessionswereallowed，namely，theMonks，Canons，Nuns，theCrouchedFriars，andthefourMendicantOrders，namelytheFriarsMinor，theFriarsPreachers，theCarmelites，andtheAugustinians，andthelordshipsandlivingsofallthesewereseizedfortheking。Theybrokedownthemonasteriesandsoldtheirroofsandtheirbells，sothatfromAranoftheSaintstotheIccianSeetherewasnotonemonasterythatwasnotbrokenandshattered，withtheexceptionofafewinIreland，ofwhichtheEnglishtooknonoticeorheed。Theyafterwardburnedtheimages，shrines，andrelicsofthesaintsofIrelandandEngland；theylikewiseburnedthecelebratedimageofMaryatTrim，whichusedtoperformwondersandmiracles，tohealtheblind，thedeaf，thecrippled，andpersonsaffectedwithallkindsofdisease；theyburnedtheStaffofJesus，whichwasinDublin，andwhichwroughtmiraclesfromthetimeofSt。Patrick，andhadbeeninthehandsofChristwhileHewasamongmen。Theyalsoappointedarchbishopsandbishopsforthemselves，andthoughgreatwasthepersecutionoftheRomanemperorsagainsttheChurch，scarcelyhadthereevercomesogreatapersecutionfromRomeasthis，sothatitisimpossibletonarrateortellitsdescriptionunlessitshouldbenarratedbyonewhosawit。"[43]TheAnnalistsmighthaveaddedafactnoticedbyadistinguishedProtestanthistorianthat"insteadofbestowingtheir[ofthemonasteries]incomesontheameliorationoftheChurch，orexpendingtheminprovidingforthereligiousorsecularimprovementofthepeopleinanyotherway，caringlittleapparentlyfortheimpoverishmentoftheChurch，he[HenryVIII。]
misappliedthoserevenuesforthepurposesofpromotinghisowngratificationorenrichinghisfavourites。"[44]
VeryearlyinhisreignHenryVIII。haddreamtofthecompletesubjugationofIreland，butitwasonlyafterthesuccessfuloverthrowoftheGeraldineRebellion1534-5thattherealisationofthesedreamsseemedtobewithinmeasurablereach。TheboldnessandmilitarygeniusofLordLeonardGreybadefairtobringallIrelandwithinthesphereofEnglishjurisdiction，untilthereligiouscrisisarosetocomplicatetheissues。ManyoftheIrishprincestookoffenceatthedoctrineofroyalsupremacy，theattackonimages，pictures，pilgrimages，relics，etc。，andatthedesperateeffortsthatwerebeingmadetodriveoutentirelythemonksandnuns。Duringtheyears1537and1538rumoursofagreatconfederationreachedtheearsoftheEnglishofficials。ItwasrepresentedthatConO'Neill，ManusO'Donnell，O'BrienofThomond，theDeBurgosofConnaught，andtheEarlofDesmondhadjoinedhandstoprotecttheyoungGarrettFitzgeraldandtodefendtheauthorityofthePope。Messengers，itwassaid，werepassingconstantlyfromIrelandtoScotland，andfromScotlandtoRome。Itwasreportedin1539thattheIrishprincesregardedHenryVIII。asaheretic，whohadforfeitedalltitletotheLordshipofIreland，thattheyweredeterminedtoupholdtheauthorityofthePope，thattheyexpectedhelpfromtheEmperor，fromFrance，andfromScotland，andthatifaninvasionwereattemptednoteventheAnglo-IrishofthePalecouldbereliedupononaccountoftheirattachmenttothePopeandtotheGeraldines。[45]
ButthesuccessfulexpeditionsagainstboththeNorthandSouthundertakenbytheDeputyin1539seemstohaveputanendtoallconcerteddefence，andtohavereducedtheIrishprincestoastateofutterhelplessness。Oneafteranothertheyhastenedtomaketheirsubmission，toaccepttitlesandhonoursandmoneyfromtheking，andtoconsenttoholdtheirterritoriesbyroyalpatent。Alreadyin1534
theEarlofOrmondhadacceptedthereligiouspolicyofHenryVIII。inthehopeofscoringatriumphoverhisoldrivals，theGeraldines。
Threeyearslater1537MacGillapatrickofOssorypromisedfaithfullytoabolishtheusurpedjurisdictionofthePope，tohavetheEnglishlanguagespokeninhisterritories，andtosendhissontobebroughtupwithaknowledgeoftheEnglishlanguageandcustoms。Inreturnforthishereceivedaroyalgrantofhislandandpossessions，wascreatedBaronofColthillandCastleton，andwaspromisedaseatintheHouseofLords，afavourwhichheobtainedin1543，whenhewasappointedapeer[46]withthetitleofBaronofUpperOssory。BrianO'ConnorofOffalyandhisrivalCahirmadetheirsubmissioninMarch1538。TheyrenouncedthejurisdictionofthePope，agreedtoholdtheirlandsfromtheking，andtoabandonallclaimstotributeorblackrentfromtheirneighboursofthePale。BrianO'ConnorwascreatedBaronofOffaly。HewasfollowedinhissubmissionbytheEarlofDesmond1541，MacWilliamBurke，O'BrienofThomond，ManusO'DonnellAug。1541andfinallybyConO'Neill1542。Allthese，togetherwithahostofminorchieftainsanddependents，renouncedtheauthorityofthePope，acceptedre-grantsoftheirlandsfromtheking，beggedforEnglishtitles，anddidnotthinkitbeneaththeirdignitytoacceptgiftsofmoneyandrobes。ConO'NeillbecameEarlofTyrone，hissonMatthewBaronofDungannon，O'BrienEarlofThomond，hisnephewDonoghBaronofIbricken，MacWilliamBurkeEarlofClanrickard，whileknighthoodsweredistributedfreelyamongthelessernobles。[47]AlthoughtheremayhaveexistedinthemindsoftheIrishchieftainsacertainamountofconfusionaboutthetemporalandspiritualjurisdictionofthePope，especiallyasthePopesseemtohaveclaimedapeculiarsovereigntyinIreland，yetitisimpossibletosupposethattheycouldhaveactedingoodfaithinsigningthedocumentsofsubmissiontowhichtheyattachedtheirsignatures。ThattheyrecognisedthedangerousandhereticaltendenciesofHenry'sreligiouspolicyisevidentenoughfromthecorrespondenceoftheyears1537-39，andthattheynevermadeanyseriouseffortstocarryoutthetermsoftheseagreementsmustbeadmitted。ItisquitepossiblethatlikethenoblemenofEnglandtheywerepersonallywillingtoacquiesceinHenryVIII。'sreligiouspolicyforthesakeofsecuringgoodtermsforthemselves，butthattheyfounditimpossibletodoanythingonaccountoftheoppositionofthevastbodyofthepeople。HenryVIII。recognisedthathewasnotinapositiontoenforcehisauthorityincaseofO'Brien，O'Donnell，O'Neill，MacWilliamBurke，etc。，andhenceheadvisedhisofficialstoseektowintheseoverbykindnessandpersuasionratherthanbyforce。Inparticulartheyweretoendeavour"topersuadethemdiscreetly"tosuppressthereligioushousesintheirterritories，butatthesametimenoattemptwastobemade"topressthemovermuchinanyvigoroussort。"[48]O'BrienofThomondandDesmondwerenotunwillingtoshareintheplunderofthemonasteries，butasaruletheconditionofaffairsasregardsreligionwasbutslightlyaffectedbythesubmissionsofthechieftains。
ThenewDeputy，AnthonySt。Leger1540，waswellfittedtoprofitbythemilitarysuccessesofLordGrey。AsaroyalcommissionerthreeyearsbeforehehadampleopportunityofknowingtheconditionofIreland，thecharactersoftheprincipalleaders，andtheinducementsbywhichtheymightbetemptedtoacknowledgetheauthorityoftheKingofEngland。Hereliedupondiplomaticratherthanmilitarypressure，andhewassocompletelysuccessfulthattheprivycouncilcouldreportin1542thatIrelandwasatpeace。Alreadyin1537，Alen，theMasteroftheRolls，hadcalledtheattentionoftheroyalcommissionerstothefactthatmanyoftheIrishregardedthePopeasthetemporalsovereignofIrelandandtheKingofEnglandonlyasLordofIrelandbyvirtueofthePapalauthority，andadvisedthemthatHenryshouldbeproclaimedKingofIrelandbyanActofParliament。
ThisadvicewasapprovedwarmlybyStaples，BishopofMeath1538，andwasendorsedbytheDeputyandcouncilinaletteraddressedtoHenryVIII。inDecember1540。[49]Thesuggestionwasacceptedbytheking，whoempoweredSt。LegertosummonaParliamenttogiveiteffect1541。
ParliamentmetinJune1541。HowmanymembersattendedtheHouseofCommonsorwhatparticulardistrictswererepresentedisnotknownforcertain；butinallprobabilityitwasonlyfromtheeasternandsoutherncountiesandcitiesthatdeputieswereappointed。IntheHouseofLordstherewerepresenttwoarchbishopstogetherwithtwelvebishops，theEarlsofOrmondandDesmond，andanumberofviscounts，lordsandbarons，nearlyallofwhombelongedtotheAnglo-Irishfaction。O'BrienofThomonddidnotattend，buthesentdeputiestorepresenthim；O'DonnellandO'Neillheldthemselvesalooffromtheproceedings；andDonoghO'Brien，MacWilliamBurke，CahirMacArtKavanagh，O'Reilly，PhelimRoeO'NeillofClandeboy，andKedaghO'Moreattendedinperson，butwerenotallowedtotakeanactivepartintheproceedingsortovote。[50]AbillwasintroducedbySt。LegerbestowingonHenryVIII。thetitleofKingofIreland，andwasreadthreetimesintheHouseofLordsinoneday。ThenextdayitwaspassedbytheHouseofCommons。Itwasagreedthatthemonarchshouldbestyled"HenryVIII。bytheGraceofGodKingofEngland，France，andIreland，DefenderoftheFaith，andoftheChurchofEngland，andalsoofIreland，onearththeSupremeHead。"Theproclamation，itwasreported，wasreceivedwithjoyousacclamationinDublin，whereamodifiedgeneralamnestywasdeclaredinhonourofthehappyevent。
Thereportofwhathadtakenplaceproducedundoubtedlyagreateffectonthoseprinceswhostillheldaloof，sothatbeforetheendoftheyear1542evenConO'Neillhadmadeanignominiouspeacewiththegovernment。
WhilethequestionsofroyalsupremacyandthejurisdictionofthePopewerebeingdebatedinParliament1536-7thebishopsandproctorsoftheclergyincurredthewrathofBrowneandtheEnglishofficialsgenerallybytheircourageousresistancetothenewproposals，showingtherebythattheyhadnosympathywiththeanti-
Romanmeasures。Noristhereanyreasontosupposethatanyconsiderablebodyofthemadoptedadifferentattitude，thoughthesubmissionoftheirEnglishbrethrencouldnothavefailedtoproducesomeeffectonthem，particularlyassomeofthemwereEnglishmenthemselves，andmanyofthemmusthavereceivedtheireducationatsomeoftheEnglishuniversities。InadditiontoBrowne，whoboastedofbeingonly"aking'sbishop，"theonlymenwhocanbeprovedtohavetakenanactivepartinpropagatingthenewviewswereEdmundStaplesofMeathandRichardNangle，thebishopwhomHenryVIII。
endeavouredtointrudeintoClonfert1536。TheformerofthesewasanEnglishmanappointedbythePope1529attherequestofHenryVIII。AsmighthavebeenexpectedhetookthesideofthekingagainsttheEarlofKildare，andwhenthestrugglebeganinIrelandbetweenthefriendsandtheopponentsofroyalsupremacyinIrelandhejoinedtheformer。LikesomanyoftheotherReformersheshowedhisanxietyforthegospelbytakingtohimselfawifeandbyappropriatingforhisownusethegoodsoftheChurch，butthereisnoevidencethathiseffortsproducedanyeffectonthegreatbodyofhisclergy。RichardNangleofClonfertfoundhimselfopposedbyRolanddeBurgo，thebishopprovidedbythePopetotheSeeofClonfertFeb。1539BrowneannouncedthatheintendedpersonallytocarrythelightofthegospelwhereverEnglishwasunderstood，andthathehadsecuredasuffraganinthepersonofDr。Nangle，BishopofClonfert，tosetforthGod'sWordandtheking'scauseintheIrishtongue。[51]OwingtothestateofopenhostilityexistingbetweenBrowneandStaplesthearchbishopdidnotregardthelatterasafellow-labourer。ButevidentlyatthisperiodtheseweretheonlythreebishopsonwhomanyreliancecouldbeplacedbyHenryVIII。Similarlyinadocumentdrawnupin1542
entitled/CertainDevicesfortheReformationofIreland/，BrowneandStaplesalonewerementionedasfavouringthegospelorascapableof"instructingtheIrishbishopsofthisrealm，causingthemtorelinquishandrenounceallpopishorpapisticaldoctrine，andtosetforthwithineachoftheirdiocesesthetrueWordofGod。"[52]
ButthoughnoneoftheIrishbishopsappointedbythePope，withthesingleexceptionofStaplesofMeath，tookanyactivestepstoassisttheking，fewofthementeredthelistsboldlyindefenceoftheRomanSee，andmanyofthem，liketheirEnglishbrethren，triedtotemporiseinthehopethatthestormmightsoonblowpast。[53]EdmundButler，theillegitimatesonofSirPiersButler，afterwardsEarlofOrmond，seemstohavejoinedwiththerestofhisfamilyinacknowledgingroyalsupremacy。Hetookaseatintheprivycouncil，actedasintermediarybetweenthegovernmentandtheEarlofDesmond，signedasawitnessthedocumentbywhichthelatterrenouncedtheauthorityofthePope，acceptedforhimselfportionsofthepropertyofthesuppressedFranciscanFriaryatCashel，andwaspresentattheParliamentof1541。[54]HughO'CervallenofClogherwasappointedbythePopein1535，buthewenttoLondonin1542aschaplaintoConO'Neill，surrenderedhisBullsofappointment，tooktheoathproscribedbyHenryVIII。，andacceptedagrantbyroyalpatentofhisdiocese，togetherwithapensionof￡40ayear。[55]NeedlesstosayhewasrepudiatedbythePope，whoappointedanothertotakehisplace，andwasdrivenfromhisSee。JohnQuinnofLimerickwasreportedbyLordGreytohavetakentheoathofroyalsupremacyin1538，[56]buttheDeputy'sleaningstowardsRomeevenonthisjourneywereproclaimedsofrequentlybyhisopponentsonthecouncilthatitwouldbedifficulttobelievehim，didnotthenameoftheBishopofLimerickappearamongstthewitnessestothesubmissionoftheEarlofDesmond。[57]Thoughhisattitudeatthisperiodwasatleastdoubtful，itiscertainthathestoodloyaltoRomeoncehediscoveredtheschismaticaltendencyofthenewmovement，sinceitwasfoundnecessarybythegovernmenttoattempttodisplacehimin1551bytheappointmentofonewhowaslikelytobemorepliable。
Thefactthatsomeofthebishopssurrenderedthereligioushousesofwhichtheywerecommendatorypriors，asforexample，EdmundNugentofKilmore，MiloBaronofOssory，andWalterWellesleyofKildare，[58]
andacceptedpensionsfromthekingasacompensationforthelosstheysustainedbythesuppressionofthemonasteries，createsagravesuspicionoftheirorthodoxy，thoughitdoesnotprovethattheyacceptedroyalsupremacy。Baronwasundoubtedlyinclosecommunicationwiththegovernmentofficials，andNugentseemstohavebeenremovedbythePope。Again，severalofthebishops，RolanddeBurgoofClonfert，FlorenceKirwanofClonmacnoise，EugeneMacGuinnessofDownandConnor，andThadyReynoldsofKildare[59]surrenderedtheBullstheyhadreceivedfromRome，andacceptedgrantsoftheirdiocesesfromtheking。Suchastep，however，affordsnodecisiveevidenceofdisloyaltytotheHolySee。ForyearsasharpcontroversyhadbeenwagedbetweentheKingsofEnglandandthePoperegardingthetemporalitiesofbishoprics。ThePopesclaimedtohavetherightofappointmenttoboththespiritualitiesandthetemporalities，andgaveexpressiontotheseclaimsintheBullsofappointment。Thekingsontheirpartassertedtheirjurisdictionoverthetemporalities，andtosafeguardtheirrightstheyinsistedthatthebishop-electshouldsurrenderthepapalgrantinreturnforaroyalgrant。SuchacustomwaswellknownbeforeanyschismaticaltendencieshadmadethemselvesfeltinEngland，andcompliancewithitwouldnotprovethatthebishopsinvolvedlookeduponthekingasthesourceoftheirspiritualjurisdiction。ThemainpointtobeconsideredincaseofthebishopswhosurrenderedtheirmonasteriesortheirBullsiswhatkindofoath，ifany，weretheyobligedtotake。IftheyconsentedtosweartheformofrenunciationprescribedforIrishbishopsbythekingtheirorthodoxycouldnotwellbedefended，butitispossiblethat，asHenryVIII。didnotwishtopressmatterstoextremeswiththeIrishprinces，hemayhaveadoptedanequallyprudentpolicyincaseofthebishops，andcontentedhimselfwiththeoathofallegiance。
Fullycognisantoftheimportanceofwinningthebishopstohisside，HenryVIII。tookcaretoappointhisownnomineesassoonasavacancyoccurred。Bydoingsohehopedtosecurethesubmissionoftheclergyandpeople，andtoobtainforhimselfthefeespaidformerlytoRome。
Duringthetenyears，between1536and1546，heappointedDominicTirreytoCork，RichardNangletoClonfert，ChristopherBodkin，alreadyBishopofKilmacduaghtoTuam，AlexanderDevereuxtoFerns，WilliamMeaghtoKildare，RichardO'Ferral，latepriorofGranardtoArdagh，AeneasO'HernanorO'Heffernan，latepreceptorofAney，toEmly，GeorgeDowdall，latepriorofArdee，toArmagh，ConatO'Siaghail，achaplainofManusO'DonnelltoElphin，andCorneliusO'Dea，achaplainofO'BrienofThomond，toKillaloe。Thoughtherecanbelittledoubtthatsomeofthesereceivedtheirappointmentsasarewardfortheiracceptanceofroyalsupremacy，itisdifficulttodeterminehowfartheywerecommittedtothereligiouspolicyofHenryVIII。Itiscertainthatnoneofthem，withthepossibleexceptionofNangle，tookanactivepartinfavouringthecauseoftheReformationinIrelandoncetheyunderstoodtherealissuesatstake，andthatthefactoftheirbeingopposedineverysinglecasebyalawfulbishopappointedbythePoperendereditimpossibleforthemtodomuch，howeverwillingtheymighthavebeentocomplywiththewishesoftheking。[60]
DuringthiscriticalperiodinIrishhistoryPopePaulIII。wasinclosecorrespondencewithseveraloftheIrishbishopsandlayprinces。TimeandagaintheofficialsinIrelandcomplainofthe"Rome-runners，"oftheprovisionsmadebythePopetoIrishbishoprics，ofthemessengerspassingtoandfrobetweenIrelandandRome，andofthePope'sco-operationinorganisingtheGeraldineLeaguein1538and1539。Itshouldbenoted，however，thatthesillyletterattributedbyRobertWaretoPaulIII。，whereinheissupposedtohavewarnedO'NeillthatheandhiscouncillorsinRomehaddiscoveredfromaprophecyofSt。LaserianthatwhenevertheChurchinIrelandshouldfalltheChurchofRomeshouldfallalso，isapureforgerypublishedmerelytodiscreditthePopeandtheRomanSee。[61]
UndoubtedlyPaulIII。wasgravelyconcernedabouttheprogressofamovementthatthreatenedtoinvolveIrelandintheEnglishschism，andwasanxioustoencouragethebishopsandprincestostandfirmintheirresistancetoroyalsupremacy。In1539reportsreachedRomethatGeorgeCromer，theArchbishopofArmagh，whohadresistedthemeasuresdirectedagainstthePopeduringtheyears1536-38，hadyielded，andasaresulttheadministrationoftheSeewascommitted1539toRobertWauchope，adistinguishedScotchtheologianthenresidentinRome。WhatproofswereadducedinfavourofCromer'sguiltarenotknown，butitiscertainthattheofficialcorrespondenceoftheperiodwillbesearchedinvainforanyevidencetoshowthatCromeracceptedeitherintheoryorinpracticetheecclesiasticalheadshipofHenryVIII。Heheldalooffromthemeetingsoftheprivycouncil，nevershowedtheslightestsympathywiththeactionoftheArchbishopofDublin，andthoughhisnameappearsonsomeofthelistsofthespiritualpeersintheParliamentof1541，theofficialreportofSt。
Legermakesitcertainthathedidnotattend。[62]ItisquitepossiblethattheArchbishopdidnotfindhimselfinagreementwiththepoliticalschemeswherebytheIrishprincesandtheKingofScotlandweretojoinhandsfortheoverthrowofEnglishauthorityinIreland，andonthisaccounttheKingofScotlandwasdesirousofhavinghimremovedtomakewayforhisagentattheRomanCourt。
ThenewadministratorofArmagh，RobertWauchope，thoughsufferingfromweaksight，wasrecognisedasoneoftheablesttheologiansofhisday。HetookaprominentpartinthereligiousconferenceatWorms1540andattheDietofRatisbon1541。HeattendedtheCouncilofTrentduringitsearliersessions，andrenderedveryvaluableassistance，particularlyinconnexionwiththedecreesonJustification。Thedateofhisconsecrationcannotbedeterminedwithcertainty。ProbablyhewasnotconsecrateduntilnewsofthedeathofCromer1543reachedRome。In1549hesetoutforScotland，andapparentlylandedonthecoastofDonegalinthehopeofinducingO'NeillandO'Donnelltoco-operatewiththeFrenchandtheScots。Hiseffortswerenot，however，crownedwithsuccess。FindinghimselfdenouncedtothegovernmentbyO'NeillandbyGeorgeDowdall，whohadbeenappointedtotheSeeofArmaghbytheking，hereturnedtoRomewherehewasgrantedfacultiesaslegatetoIreland，buthediedinafewmonthsbeforehecouldmakeanyattempttoregainpossessionofhisdiocese。[63]BeforethedeathofCromerHenryVIII。，againstthewishesofsomemembersofhiscouncilinIreland，whofavouredthenominationofthesonofLordDelvin，hadselectedGeorgeDowdall，latepriorofArdee，tosucceedhiminArmagh。DowdallwenttoLondon，incompanywithConO'Neill，andreceivedfromthekingayearlypensionof￡20togetherwiththepromiseoftheArchbishopricofArmagh。[64]Thoughhemusthavegivensatisfactoryassurancestothekingonthequestionofroyalsupremacy，DowdallwasstillinhisheartasupporterofRome，andasshallbeseen，heleftIrelandforatimeratherthanagreetotheabolitionoftheMassandtheothersweepingreligiousinnovationsthatwereundertakeninthereignofEdwardVI。[65]
AttheurgentrequestofRobertWauchopePaulIII。determinedtosendsomeofthedisciplesofSt。IgnatiustoIrelandtoencouragetheclergyandpeopletostandfirmindefenceoftheirreligion。St。
Ignatiushimselfdrewupasetofspecialinstructionsfortheguidanceofthosewhowereselectedforthisimportantmission。Thetwopriestsappointedforthework，PaschasiusBroetandAlphonsusSalmeron，togetherwithFranciscusZapatawhoofferedtoaccompanythem，reachedScotlandearlyinFebruary1541，and，havingfortifiedthemselvesbylettersofrecommendationfromtheKingofScotlandaddressedtoO'Neillandothers，theylandedinIrelandaboutthebeginningofLent。Theirreportspeaksbadlyforthereligiousconditionofthecountryattheperiod。Theycouldnothelpnotingthefactthatallthegreatprinces，withoneexception，hadrenouncedtheauthorityofthePopeandhadrefusedtoholdanycommunicationswiththem，thatthepastorshadneglectedtheirduty，andthatthepeoplewererudeandignorant，thoughatthesametimenotunwillingtolistentotheirinstructions。Inmanyparticularsthisunfavourablereportwaswellfounded，especiallyinregardtothenobles，butitshouldberememberedthattheseJesuitsremainedonlyafewweeksinthecountry，thattheywereutterlyunacquaintedwiththemannersandcustomsofthepeople，andthatitwouldhavebeenimpossibleforthemtohaveobtainedreliableinformationaboutthereligiousconditionofIrelandinthecourseofsuchashortvisit。Itshouldbenoted，too，thattheyplacedtheresponsibilityforthefailureoftheirmissionontheKingofScotlandwhofailedtostandbyhispromises。[66]
DuringthelastyearsofHenryVIII。'sreignSt。Legercontinuedhiseffortstoreducethecountrytosubjectionnotbyforcebutbypersuasion。Thereligiousissuewasnotputforwardprominently，andwiththeexceptionofgrantsofmonasticlandsandpossessionsverylittleseemstohavebeendone。TheDeputy'sletterscontainglowingreportsofhissuccesses。InthecourseofthewarmcontroversythatragedbetweenhimandJohnAlen，theChancellor，duringtheyears1546
and1547，thevariousreportsforwardedtoEnglandaresufficienttoshowthatoutsidethePaletheEnglishauthoritieshadmadelittleprogress。AlthoughSt。Legerwasabletofurnishastrikingtestimonyfromthecouncilastohissuccess，andalthoughaletterwassentbytheIrishprincesinpraiseofHenryVIII。[67]1546，proofsarenotwantingthatHenry'spolicyhadmetwithonlypartialsuccess。
AccordingtoalettersentbyArchbishopBrownein1546theIrishpeoplewerenotreconciledtoEnglishmethodsofgovernment，andaccordingtothechancellor，theking'swritdidnotrunintheIrishdistricts。TheIrishmenwhopretendedtosubmitdidnotkeeptotheirsolemnpromises。TheystillfollowedtheirownnativelawsregardlessofEnglishstatutes，andthekingcouldnotgetpossessionoftheabbeysorabbeylandssituatedwithintheirterritories。Eventhecouncil，whichsoughttodefendtheDeputyagainsttheseattacks，wasforcedtoadmitthathisMajesty'slawswerenotcurrentintheIrishdistricts。[68]OneofthelaststepstakenbythecouncilatthesuggestionofHenryVIII。wastheappointmentofavice-regentinspiritualsfortheclergy，tograntdispensationsastheyweregrantedinEnglandbyCranmer，soastopreventtheIrishfromhavingrecoursetoRomeforsuchgrants。[69]
HenryVIII。diedwiththeknowledgethathehaddonemorethananyofhispredecessorsforthesubjugationofIreland。"Thepolicythatwasdevised，"writesCusacke，LordChancellorofIreland，"forthesendingoftheEarlsofDesmond，Thomond，Clanrickard，andTyrone，andtheBaronofUpperOssory，O'Carroll，MacGennis，andothersintoEngland，wasagreathelpofbringingthosecountriestogoodorder；fornoneofthemwhowentintoEnglandcommittedharmupontheKing'sMajesty'ssubjects。ThewinningoftheEarlofDesmondwasthewinningoftherestofMunsterwithsmallcharges。ThemakingofO'BrienanEarlmadeallthatcountryobedient。ThemakingofMacWilliamEarlofClanrickardmadeallthatcountryduringhistimeobedientasitisnow。ThemakingofMacGillapatrickBaronofUpperOssoryhathmadehiscountryobedient；andthehavingtheirlandsbyDublinissuchagageuponthemastheywillnotforfeitthesamethroughwilfulfolly。"[70]
Asfarasreligionwasconcerned，however，therewasverylittlechange。TheMasswascelebratedandtheSacramentswereadministeredasbefore。Hereandtheresomeofthebishopsandclergymighthavebeeninclinedtotemporiseonthequestionofroyalsupremacy，butwhateverdocumentstheymighthavesigned，orwhateverappointmentstheymighthaveacceptedfromHenry'sagents，thevastbodyoftheprinces，bishops，clergy，andpeoplehadnodesiretoseparatethemselvesfromtheuniversalChurch。HenryVIII。had，however，renderedunintentionallyanimmenseservicetoreligioninIrelandbypreparingthewayforthedestructionofroyalinterferenceinepiscopalandotherecclesiasticalappointmentsandoftheterribleabuseoflaypatronagethathadbeenthecurseoftheCatholicChurchinIrelandforcenturies。AlltheseabuseshavingbeentransferredtothesmallknotofEnglishofficialsandAnglo-Englishresidents，whocoalescedtoformtheProtestantsect，theCatholicChurchwasatlastfreetopursueherpeacefulmissionwithoutletorhindrancefromwithin。
TheaccessionofEdwardVI。madenonotablechangeinIrishaffairs。
TheDeputy，St。Leger，wasretainedinoffice，aswerealsomostoftheoldofficials。Somenewmembers，includingGeorgeDowdall，ArchbishopofArmagh，wereaddedtothecouncil，andarrangementsweremadeforthecollectionoftherevenuesfromthesuppressedmonasteriesandreligioushouses。AroyalcommissionwasissuedtotheDeputy，theLordChancellor，andtheBishopofMeathtograntfacultiesanddispensationsinasampleamannerastheArchbishopofCanterbury。Fromthetermsofthiscommissionitisclearthattheroyaladvisersweredeterminedtoderivesomefinancialprofitfromtheroyalsupremacy。Thefeefordispensationsforsolemnisingmarriagewithouttheproclamationofthebannswasfixedat6s。8d。
about￡34s。，formarriagewithintheprohibitedtimesat10s。，formarriagewithintheprohibitedtimesandwithoutbannsat13s。4d。，andformarriagestobecelebratedwithouttheparishchurchofthecontractingpartiesat5s。[71]Similarly，anorderwassentthattheplateandornamentsofSt。Patrick'sCathedralshouldbedispatchedbysometrustworthymessengertoBristol，theretobedeliveredtothetreasurerofthemint。Thiscommandmustnothavebeencarriedoutcompletely，becausesevenmonthslaterJan。1548theDeanofSt。
Patrick'swasrequestedtodeliveroverfortheuseofthemintthe"onethousandouncesofplateofcrossesandsuchlikethings"thatremainedinhishands。[72]
FromtheverybeginningofEdward'sreigntheProtectorsethimselftooverthrowtheCatholicChurchinIrelandbysuppressingtheMassandenforcingtheLutheranorrathertheCalvinistteachingregardingTransubstantiationandtheRealPresenceofChristintheEucharist。
The/Injunctions/ofEdwardVI。andthe/Homilies/ofCranmerweredispatchedfortheguidanceoftheArchbishopofDublin，andofthosewho，likehim，weresupposedtofavourreligiousinnovations。InlikemannertheEnglishCommunionservice1548andtheFirstBookofCommonPrayer1549weremadeobligatoryinthosedistrictswheretheEnglishlanguagewasspokenorunderstood。AsinEngland，thegreatsubjectofcontroversyinIrelandduringtheearlyyearsofEdward'sreignwastheBlessedEucharist。AScotchpreacherhadbeensentintoIrelandduringtheyear1548topreparethewayfortheabolitionoftheMassbyattackingtheRealPresenceofChristintheSacramentoftheAltar。TheArchbishopofDublin，whohadbeennotedpreviouslyforhisradicaltendencies，objectedtosuchdoctrines，andcomplaintswereforwardedagainsthimtothecouncil。Hewaschargedwithhavingleasedorotherwisedisposedofthegreaterportionofthepropertyofhisdiocesetohischildrenandfavourites，withhavingfailedtosetforthhisMajesty's/Injunctions/and/Homilies/，withhavingcalumniatedtheDeputyandheldsecretcommunicationswiththeEarlofDesmondandotherIrishprinces，andwithhavingneglectedtopreachasinglesermonbetweenNovember1547andSeptember1548，whenhetookoccasiontoinveighagainsttheScotchpreacherwhocondemned"theabuseoftheBishopofRome'smassesandceremonies。"[73]AboutthesametimetheDeputyfeltobligedtoreprovetheTreasurerofChrist'sChurchforhavingrefusedtoallowtheEnglishCommunionServicetobefollowedinthatchurch，andtowarnhimofthepunishmentinstoreforhimifhepersistedinhisobstinacy。
ButifBrowneweresomewhatbackwardinadaptinghimselftothenewtheories，hisrival，StaplesofMeath，whohadpridedhimselfhithertoonhisconservativetendencies，hastenedtothereliefofthegovernment。HewenttoDublintosupporttheScotchpreacherinhisattackontheMassandtheBlessedEucharist，butifwearetobelievehisownstoryhisstayinDublinwashardlylessagreeablethanwasthewelcomethatawaitedhimonhisreturntoMeath。Hisfriendsassuredhimthatthecountrywasupinarmsagainsthim。Alady，whosechildhehadbaptisedandnamedafterhimself，soughttochangethenameofherbaby，forshe"wouldnothavehimbearthenameofaheretic。"AgentlemanwouldnotpermithischildtobeconfirmedbyonewhohaddeniedtheSacramentoftheAltar。ManypeoplewhoheardthatthebishopwasgoingtopreachatNavanthefollowingSundaydeclaredtheirintentionofabsentingthemselveslesttheyshouldlearnheresy。Aclergymanofhisownpromotioncametohimintears，andhavingaskedpermissiontospeakhismindfreely，informedhimthathewasdetestedbythepeoplesincehehadtakenthesideofthehereticsandpreachedagainsttheEucharistandSaints，thatthecursespouredoutuponhimweremorenumerousthanthehairsofhishead，andthathewoulddowelltotakeheedashislifewasindanger。[74]
SirEdwardBellinghamsucceededSt。LegerasDeputy，andarrivedinMay1548。DuringtheearlymonthsofhistermofofficehewasbusilyengagedagainsttheO'ConnorsofOffaly，theO'Carrolls，andothers，whothreatenedthePaleoncemore。Hiseffortswerecrownedwithconsiderablesuccess，andduringtheyear1549hefoundhimselfinapositiontopushforwardwiththereligiouscampaign。FrominquiriesmadehelearnedthatinallMunster，Thomond，Connaught，andUlsterthemonasteriesandotherreligiousestablishmentsremained，andthattheyfollowedstilltheoldreligiouspractices。[75]HewrotetothesecretaryoftheProtectoraskinghimtoinformhismasterofthelackofgoodshepherdsinIreland"toilluminatetheheartsoftheflockofChristwithHismosttrueandinfallibleword，"takingcareatthesametimetorecommendtheProtectortoappointtheclergymenwhohadbeenbroughtoverfromEnglandtovacantbishoprics，sothatthepublicfundsmightberelievedbythewithdrawaloftheirpensions。
ThemayorandcorporationofKilkennywereorderedtoseethatthepriestsofthecityshouldassembletomeettheDeputyandmembersofthecouncil。Theypromisedthatalltheclergyshouldbepresentwithoutfail，but，asshallbeseen，theinstructionsofSirEdwardBellinghamandhiscolleaguesproducedbutlittleeffectevenintheverystrongholdoftheOrmonds1549。WalterCowleywassentonacommissionintothedioceseofCashelto"abolishidolatry，papistry，theMassSacramentandthelike，"buthecomplainedthatthearchbishop，insteadofbeingpresenttoassisthim，tarriedinDublinalthoughhehadbeenwarnedthathispresencewasrequired。[76]Thetruthisthat，thoughthearchbishop，asoneoftheButlers，waswillingtogotogreatlengthsinupholdingthepolicyofEdwardVI。，hehadnointentionoftakingpartinacampaignagainsttheMassortheBlessedEucharist。[77]ThelatterwrittenbythisprelateFeb。
1548，inwhichhepraisedhighlytheconductofWalterCowley，whoplayedsuchaprominentpartinthesuppressionofthemonasteriesandtheseizureofecclesiasticalproperty，isoftenquotedasaproofthathewasstronglyinfavouroftheReformation，butsuchastatementcouldbemadeonlybyonewhohasfailedtounderstandthedifferencebetweenOrmondismandProtestantism，andtherelationsofbothCowleyandthearchbishoptotheformer。
BellinghamwasrecalledtoEnglandin1549，andsoonafterhisdeparturenewdisturbancesbrokeoutinIreland。DesmondandO'Brienwereregardedasunreliable；aunionbetweenthetwogreatrivalfamiliesoftheOrmondsandtheDesmondswasnotimprobable，andtomakemattersworse，newsarrivedinDublinthatRobertWauchope，thepapalArchbishopofArmagh，hadarrivedintheNorthtobringaboutaleaguebetweenO'Donnell，O'Neill，theScotch，andtheFrench1550。
Dowdall，whohadbeenintroducedintoArmaghbyroyalauthority，reportedthepresenceofhisrivalinInnishowen，andO'NeillandManusO'Donnellpledgedthemselvestoresisttheinvaders。ThecouncilhastenedtothankthenorthernchieftainsfortheirrefusaltoholdcorrespondencewiththeFrenchemissaries，whohadaccompaniedWauchope，andwarnedthemthattheFrenchintendedtoreducetheIrishtoastateofslavery，andthattheFrenchnobilityweresosavageandferociousthatitwouldbemuchbettertoliveundertheTurkishyokethanundertheruleofFrance。[78]
InJuly1550St。LegerwassentoncemoreasDeputytoIreland。Hewasinstructed"tosetforthGod'sserviceaccordingtoourtheking's
ordinancesinEnglish，inallplaceswheretheinhabitants，oraconvenientnumberofthem，understandthattongue；wheretheinhabitantsdidnotunderstandit，theEnglishistobetranslatedtrulyintotheIrishtongue，tillsuchtimeasthepeoplemightbebroughttounderstandEnglish。"ButasusualthefinancialsideoftheReformationwasnotforgotten。TheDeputywascommandedtogiveorderthatnosaleoralienationbemadeofanychurchgoods，bells，orchantryandfreechapellandswithouttheroyalassent，andthatinventoriesweretobemadeineveryparishofsuchgoods，ornaments，jewels，andbells，ofchantryorfreechapellands，andofallotherlandsgiventoanychurch，"lestsomelewdpersonsmightembezzlethesame。"[79]OnhisarrivalinDublinSt。Legerfoundaffairsinaveryunsatisfactorycondition。"Ineversawtheland，"hewrote，"sofaroutofgoodorder，forintheforts[there]areasmanyharlotsassoldiers，and[therewasduring]thesethreeyearsnokindofdivineservice，neithercommunion，noryetotherservice，havingbutonesermonmadeinthatspace，whichtheBishopofMeathmade，whohadsolittlereverenceatthattime，ashehadnogreathastesincetopreachthere。"[80]RumourswereoncemoreafloatthattheFrenchandScotchwereabouttocreateadiversioninIreland。AlargeFrenchfleetwaspartiallywreckedofftheIrishcoast，andsomeoftheGeraldineagentsinParisboastedopenlythattheIrishprincesweredeterminedto"eitherstandordieforthemaintenanceofreligionandforthecontinuanceofGod'sserviceinsuchsortastheyhadreceiveditfromtheirfathers。"[81]
WhileSt。Legerwasnotslowintakingmeasurestoresistaforeigninvasion，hedidnotneglecttheinstructionshehadreceivedaboutintroducingtheBookofCommonPrayerinplaceoftheMass。HeprocuredseveralcopiesoftheEnglishserviceandsentthemtodifferentpartsofthecountry，butinsteadofhavingittranslatedintoIrishhehaditrenderedintoLatinfortheuseofthosedistrictswhichdidnotunderstandEnglish，inthehopepossiblythathemighttherebydeceivethepeoplebymakingthembelievethatitwasstilltheMasstowhichtheyhadbeenaccustomed。Apparently，however，thenewliturgymetwithastubbornresistance。InLimerick，althoughthecityauthoritieswerereportedtobefavourable，theBishop，JohnQuinn，refusedtogivehisconsenttotheproposedchange，andthroughoutthecountrygenerallytheDeputywasforcedtoconfessthatitwashardtoplantthenewreligioninmen'sminds。Herequestedthatanexpressroyalcommandshouldbeaddressedtothepeoplegenerallytoacceptthechange，andthataspecialcommissionshouldbegiventohimselftoenforcetheliturgy。[82]
TheformalorderfortheintroductionoftheEnglishservicewasforwardedtoSt。LegerinFebruary1551，andwaspromulgatedinthebeginningofMarch。BishopQuinnofLimerickwasforcedtoresignthetemporalitiesofhisSeetomakewayforWilliamCasey，whowasexpectedtobemorecompliant。AnumberofbishopsandclergyweresummonedtomeetinconferenceinDublintoconsiderthechange。AtthisconferencethereformingpartymetwiththestrongestoppositionfromthePrimateofArmagh。AlthoughGeorgeDowdallhadacceptedtheprimatialSeefromthehandsofthekingandhadtriedtouniteloyaltytoRomeandtoHenryVIII。，hehadnointentionofsupportinganhereticalmovementhavingforitsobjecttheabolitionoftheMass。
FromtheverybeginningoftheProtector'srulehehadadoptedanattitudeofhostilitytotheproposedchanges，asisevidentfromthefriendlyletterofwarningaddressedtohimbytheLordDeputyBellingham。[83]ThePrimatedefendedsteadfastlythejurisdictionoftheBishopofRome，andrefusedtoadmitthatthekinghadanyauthoritytointroducesuchsweepingreformsbyvirtueofhisoffice。
FindingthathiswordsfailedtoproduceanyeffectontheDeputyhelefttheconference，togetherwithhissuffragans，exceptStaplesofMeath，andrepairedtohisowndiocesetoencouragethepeopleandclergytostandfirm。St。LegerthenhandedtheroyalcommissiontoBrowne，whodeclaredthathesubmittedtotheking"asJesusChristdidtoCaesar，inallthingsjustandlawful，makingnoquestionwhyorwherefore，asweownhimourtrueandlawfulking。"[84]
ThoughSt。Legerpretendedtobeastrongsupporterofthenewreligion，yet，accordingtoArchbishopBrowne，hecontentedhimselfwiththeformalpromulgationoftheroyalorders。HehimselfonhisarrivalinIrelandassistedpubliclyatMassinChrist'sChurch，"tothecomfortofhistoomanylikePapists，andtothediscouragementoftheprofessorsofGod'sword。"HeallowedthecelebrationofMass，holywater，Candlemascandles，andsuchliketocontinueinthedioceseofthePrimateandelsewherewithoutprotestorpunishment。Heseemed，even，totakethesideofthePrimateatthecouncilboard，andsentamessagetotheEarlofTyrone"tofollowthecounsellandadviceofthatgoodfather，sagesenatorandgodlybishop，mylordPrimateineverything。"HewentsofarastopresenttheArchbishopofDublinwithanumberofbookswrittenindefenceoftheMassandTransubstantiation，andwhenthearchbishopventuredtoremonstratewithhimonhiswantofzealforGod'swordtheonlyreplyhereceivedwas，"Goto，goto，yourmattersofreligionwillmarall。"[85]St。
Leger'smainobjectwasthepacificationofthecountryandtheextensionofEnglishpower，bothofwhich，hewellknew，wouldbeendangeredbyanyactivecampaignagainsttheMass。
St。Legerwasrecalled，andSirJamesCrofts，whohadbeensentonaspecialcommissiontoIrelandafewmonthsearlier，wasappointedDeputyinhisplaceApril1551。HisinstructionsinregardtotheBookofCommonPrayerandtheinventoryoftheconfiscatedchurchplatewerecouchedintermssimilartothosegiventohispredecessor。[86]AnxiousfromthebeginningtoconciliatePrimateDowdall，heforwardedtohimarespectfulletterJune1551callinghisattentiontotherespectpaidbyChristHimselfandSt。Petertotheimperialauthority，offeringhisservicesasmediatorbetweenthePrimateandhisopponents，BrowneandStaples，andwarninghimofthelikelihoodofmuchmoreseriouschanges，whichhetheDeputypledgedhimselfifpossibletoresist。[87]TothiscommunicationthePrimatesentanimmediatereply，inwhichheofferedtomeethisopponentsinconference，thoughhecouldholdoutnohopeofagreement，astheir"judgments，opinions，andconsciencesweredifferent。"[88]
TheconferencetookplaceatSt。Mary'sAbbeyinthepresenceoftheDeputy。TheArchbishopofDublin，StaplesofMeath，andThomasLancaster，whohadbeenintrudedintotheSeeofKildarebyroyalauthority，attendedtodefendthenewteachingagainstthePrimate。
ThesubjectsdiscussedweretheMassandtheBlessedVirgin。StaplestooktheleadingpartonthesideoftheReformers，and，asDowdallhadanticipated，noagreementcouldbearrivedat。ThePrimateappealedtothetermsoftheoathofloyaltytothePopetakenbybothhimselfandhisopponentsattheirconsecration，butStapleshadnodifficultyinproclaimingthatherefusedtoconsiderhimselfboundbythisoath。Themeetingbrokeupwithoutanyresult。[89]Dowdall，havingforwardedadeclarationtotheLordChancellorthathecouldneverbebishopwheretheHolyMasswasabolished，fledfromIreland。
BrownewroteimmediatelytotheEarlofWarwickbeseechinghimtoconferonDublinalltheprimatialrightsenjoyedhithertobyArmagh，whiletheDeputysoughtforinstructionsaboutthevacantSeeofArmaghNov。1551。[90]Dowdallwasdeprivedofhisdiocese，andthePrimacywastransferredtoDublin1551。
StillCroftswasforcedtoadmitthattheReformationwasmakingbutlittleprogressinIreland。Thebishopsandclergygavehimnosupport，andinspiteofallhecoulddo"theoldceremonies"werecontinued。HebesoughthisfriendsinEnglandtosendoverreliablemenfromEnglandtofillthevacantbishopricsandtosetforththe"king'sproceeding，"oriftheycouldnotdothat，tosendsomelearnedmentoremainwithhimbywhosecounselhemightbetterdirect"theblindandobstinatebishops。"TheSeesofArmagh，Cashel，andOssorywerethenvacant，and，astheDeputypointedout，itwasofvitalimportancetotheReformersthatreliablepriestsshouldbeappointed。CranmernominatedfourclericsfortheSeeofArmagh，fromwhomthekingselectedRichardTurner，avicarinKent。Buthedeclinedthehonour，preferringtoruntheriskofbeinghangedbyrebelsthantogotoArmagh，whereheshouldbeobligedto"preachtothewallsandthestalls，forthepeopleunderstandnoEnglish。"
Cranmertriedtore-assurehimbyremindinghim"thatifhewilttakethepainstolearntheIrishtonguewhichwithdiligencehemaydoinayearortwothenbothhisdoctrineshallbemoreacceptablenotonlyuntohisdiocese，butalsothroughoutallIreland。"
NotwithstandingthisgloriousprospectTurnerremainedobdurateinhisrefusal，andatlastArmaghwasofferedtoandacceptedbyoneHughGoodacre。[91]Cashelwas，apparently，consideredstillmorehopeless，andasnobodyuponwhomthegovernmentcouldrelywaswillingtotaketherisk，theSeewasleftvacantduringtheremainderofEdwardVI。'sreign。ThoughCroftswasstronglyinfavourofthenewreligion，hehadthetemeritytosuggestthatThomasLeverous，thetutorandformerprotectoroftheyoungheirofKildare，shouldbeappointedtoCashelorOssory。"Forlearning，discretion，andgoodliving，"hewrote，"heisthemeekestmaninthisrealm，andbestabletopreachbothintheEnglishandtheIrishtongue。Iheardhimpreachsuchasermonasinmysimpleopinion，Iheardnotinmanyyears。"[92]
ButasLeverouswaswellknowntobenotonlyaGeraldinebutalsoastrongPapisttheDeputy'srecommendationwassetatnought，andtheSeeofOssorywasconferredonJohnBale。Thelatterwasanex-Carmelitefriar，who，accordingtohimself，waswonfromtheignoranceandblindnessofpapistrybyatemporallord，althoughaccordingtoothers，"hiswifeDorothyhadasgreatahandinthathappyworkastheLord。"Onaccountofhisviolentandseditioussermonshewasthrownintoprison，fromwhichhewasreleasedbyCromwell，withwhomhegainedgreatfavourbyhisscurrilousandabusiveplaysdirectedagainstthedoctrinesandpracticesoftheChurch。Onthefallofhispatronin1540BalefounditnecessarytoescapewithhiswifeandchildrentoGermany，whencehereturnedtoEnglandafterthedeathofHenryVIII。Hewasamanofconsiderableability，"withlittleregardfortruthifhecouldbutincreasetheenemiesofPopery，"andsocoarseandvulgarinhislanguageandideasthathisworkshavebeenjustlydescribedbyonewhoseProtestantismcannotbequestionedasa"dunghill。"[93]
TheconsecrationofGoodacreandBalewasfixedforFebruary1553，andtheconsecratingprelatesweretobeBrowne，Lancaster，whohadbeenintrudedbythekingintoKildare，andEugeneMagennisofDown。Attheconsecrationceremonyitselfapeculiardifficultyarose。AlthoughtheFirstBookofCommonPrayerhadbeenlegalisedinIrelandbyroyalproclamation，theOrdinalandtheSecondBookofCommonPrayerhadneverbeenenforcedbysimilarwarrant，andtheirusewasneitherobligatorynorlawful。Baledemanded，however，thattheyshouldbefollowed。WhenthedeanofChrist'sChurchinsistedontheuseoftheRomanOrdinal，hewasdenouncedbythebishop-electas"anass-headeddeanandablockheadwhocaredonlyforhisbelly，"andwhenBrowneventuredtosuggestthattheceremonyshouldbedelayeduntiladecisioncouldbesought，hewasattackedas"anapicure，"whoseonlyobjectwas"totakeuptheproxiesofanybishoprictohisowngluttonoususe。"TheviolenceofBalecarriedallbeforeiteventotheconcessionofcommonbreadfortheCommunionService。[94]
GoodacrewasbyEnglishlawtheArchbishopofArmagh，butthethreateningattitudeofShaneO'Neillpreventedhimfromeverhavingthepleasureofseeinghisowncathedral。Balewas，however，morefortunate。HemadehiswaytoKilkennywhereheproceededtodestroytheimagesandpicturesinSt。Canice's，andtorailagainsttheMassandtheBlessedEucharist，butonlytofindthathisownchapter，theclergy，andthevastmajorityofthepeoplewereunitedintheiroppositiontohim——
[1]/StatePapersHen。VIII。/，ii。，9。
[2]/StatePapers/，ii。，197。
[3]Gasquet，/HenryVIII。andtheEnglishMonasteries/，p。51。
[4]/StatePapers/，ii。，465，539；iii。，1，5，8，29，35，65。Bagwell，i。，379sqq。
[5]ThisaccountoftheParliament，1536-7，istakenfromBrewer's/LettersandPapers，ForeignandDomestic，HenryVIII。/，vols。x。，xi。，xii。Thereferencescanbefoundundertherespectivedates。
[6]FortheaccountoftheproceedingsofthisCommission，cf。
/LettersandPapersofHenryVIII。/xii。，pt。ii。，pp。294-316。
[7]/LettersandPapersHen。VIII。/，xii。，pt。i。，no。1447；pt。ii。，159。
[8]/StatePapers/，ii。，465-6。
[9]/LetterofBrownetoCromwell/，Id。，539-41。
[10]/LettersandPapersHenryVIII。/，xiii。，pt。i。，no。961。
[11]/StatePapers/，ii。，570。
[12]Id。，iii。，6。
[13]Id。，ii。，516。/Letters/，etc。，xii。，pt。1，159，658，769；
xiii。，pt。1，1420。
[14]/StatePapers/，iii。，1-3。
[15]/StatePapers/，iii。，8，29，31。
[16]/LettersandPapers/，xii。，pt。2，no。64。
[17]/StatePapers/，ii。，560。
[18]GreytoHenryVIII。，26July，1538。Id。iii。，57sqq。
[19]BrownetoCromwell，iii。，122-4。
[20]Id。，63-65。
[21]/StatePapers/，ii。，570。
[22]/StatePapers/，iii。，110。
[23]Id。，iii。，18。
[24]/StatePapers/，iii。，122。
[25]/StatePapers/，iii。，35。
[26]Id。，iii。，95。
[27]Id。，iii。，103。
[28]/AnnalsofF。M。/，1537；/ofLochCé/，1538correctdate，1538-9。
[29]/Hib。Dominiciana/，pp。726-52。
[30]/LettersandPapersHen。VIII。/，vol。xi。，no。1416。
[31]/IrishStatutes/，i。，127-32。
[32]/StatePapers/，ii。，438。
[33]/CalendarofPatentRolls，Ireland/，i。，55。
[34]/CalendarofPatentRolls，Ireland/，i。，54-55。
[35]/StatePapers/，iii。，130。
[36]/LettersandPapers/，xiv。，1stpt。，no。1006。
[37]/StatePapers/，iii。，142-3。
[38]/LettersandPapers/，xiv。，pt。1，no。1021。
[39]Forsurrenders，cf。/CalendarofPatentRolls/，i。，53-9。
/CalendarofStatePapers，Ireland1509-73/，56-58。
[40]Forthepensionsgrantedtothereligious，cf。/FiantsofHenryVIII。/App。SeventhReportPublicRec。Office。/CalendarofPatentRolls，Ireland/，i。，59sqq。
[41]Forthesegrants，cf。/FiantsofHenryVIII。SeventhReportofD。
KeeperofP。R。，Ireland。/
[42]/LettersandPapers/，xvi。，no。775。
[43]Underyear1537。Thedateisnotcorrect。
[44]Mant，/ChurchHistoryofIreland/，1846，ii。，713。
[45]/StatePapers/，iii。，56-7，136-7，147，175-6。
[46]/StatePapers/，ii。，514-5。
[47]Cf。/StatePapers/，vol。iii。/LettersandPapersHenryVIII。/，xiii-xvii。/CalendarofDocuments，Ireland1537-41/。/CalendarofCarewManuscripts/，vol。i。
[48]/StatePapers/，iii。，332-3。
[49]Cf。/StatePapers/，ii。，480；iii。，30，278。
[50]/LettersandPapers/，xvi。，no。935。ThereisacleardiscrepancybetweenthisdocumentandtheofficialreportofSt。Leger/StatePapers/，iii。，305inregardtotheecclesiasticspresent。
[51]/StatePapers/，iii。，123。
[52]Id。，431。
[53]Gogarty，/TheDawnoftheReformationinIreland//Ir。Th。
Quart。/，viii。。
[54]Cf。/StatePapers/，vol。iii。，427sqq。，/LettersandPapersHen。
VIII。/，xvi。p。225，/FiantsofHen。VIII。/157，387。
[55]/StatePapers/，iii。，429。
[56]/LettersandPapers/，xii。，pt。1，no。1467。
[57]Id。，xvi。，p。225。
[58]Cf。/FiantsofHenryVIII。/，nos。104，108，147。
[59]Cf。Id。，nos。187，262-3，378。
[60]Fortheseappointments，cf。/CalendarofPatentRolls/，i。，1536-46。
[61]Bridgett，/BlundersandForgeries/，1890，244。
[62]/StatePapers/，iii。，305。
[63]Cf。Stuart-Coleman，/HistoricalMemoirsofArmagh/，xi。，Moran，/Spicileg。Ossiriense/，i。，13-32。
[64]/StatePapers/，iii。，429。
[65]Stuart-Coleman，xi。Gogarty，/DocumentsConcerningPrimateDowdall/，/Archiv。Hib。/，vols。i。，ii。。
[66]Hogan，/HiberniaIgnatiana/，1880，6-8。
[67]/StatePapers/，iii。，562。Itisveryprobable，bothfrominternalandexternalevidence，thatthisletterisaforgery。
[68]/StatePapers/，iii。，555-66。
[69]Id。，580sqq。
[70]/CarewPapers1515-74/，245-6。
[71]/CalendarofPatentandCloseRolls/，i。，150。
[72]Shirley，/OriginalLettersandPapers/，3，31。
[73]Shirley，/OriginalLettersandPapers/，18，20。
[74]Id。，22-25。
[75]Shirley，/OriginalLettersandPapers/，22。
[76]Id。，32-5。
[77]Shirley，/OriginalLettersandPapers/，35。Renehan-McCarthy，/CollectionsonIrishChurchHistory/，vol。i。，239。
[78]/CalendarofStatePapers/Ireland，i。，107。
[79]/CalendarofCarewPapers/，i。，226-7。
[80]Shirley，op。cit。，41-2。
[81]Bagwell，/IrelandundertheTudors/，i。，352。
[82]Shirley，op。cit。，47-8。
[83]/Archiv。Hib。/，i。，260。
[84]Cf。/Archiv。Hib。/，i。，264-76。Cox，/Hib。Anglicana/，288-90。
ThereportoftheConferenceisevidentlygarbled。ItisdueprobablytothepenofRobertWare。
[85]Shirley，op。cit。，54-60。
[86]/CalendarCarewPapers/，i。，231。
[87]/Archiv。Heb。/，ii。，245。
[88]Id。，246。
[89]/Archiv。Hib。/，ii。，246-55。Averypartialaccountofthedisputation。
[90]Shirley，op。cit。，58-61。
[91]Bagwell，op。cit。，i。，369。
[92]Shirley，op。cit。，62。
[93]Ware's/Works/，i。，416-17。
[94]Fromhisownaccountin/VocacyonofJohnBale/，etc。/Harl。
Miscell。/，vi。。
CHAPTERIX
THECHURCHINIRELANDDURINGTHEREIGNSOFMARYANDELIZABETH
1553-1603
Seebibliography，ii。Hamilton，/CalendarofStatePapers，Ireland/，4vols。/CalendarofStatePapers/Carew，6vols。，1867-73。/ArchiviumHibernicus/，vols。i。，ii。，iii。1912-14。
Moran，/Spicil。Ossor。Id。/，Editionsofthe/CommentariusdeRegnoHiberniae/Lombard，1863，andofthe/Analecta/Rothe，1884。O'Sullevan，/HistoriaeCatholicaeIberniaeCompendium/ed。
Kelly，1850。Bruodin，/PassioMartyrum/，1666。Molanus，/Ideatogataeconstantiae……cuiadjungilurtripartitamartyrumBritannicaruminsularumepitome/，1629。Shirley，op。cit。Brady，/StatePapersConcerningtheIrishChurchintheTimeofQueenElizabeth/，1866。Cotton，/FastiEcclesiaeHiberniae/，6vols。，1851-78。Hogan，/TheDescriptionofIreland，etc。，in1598/，1878。
O'Daly-Meehan，/TheRise，Increase，andExileoftheGeraldines，EarlsofDesmond/，etc。，1878。Spenser，/ViewoftheStateofIreland/，1633。Lynch-Kelly，/CambrensisEversus/，etc。，3vols。，1848。/LiberMunerumpublicorumHiberniae/，1152-1824，2vols。，1848。Gilbert，/HistoryoftheCityofDublin/，3vols。，1859。
Id。，/FacsimilesofNationalMSS。ofIreland/，4vols。，1875。
Lodge，/DesiderataCuriosaHibernica/，etc。，2vols。，1772。
/PacataHibernia/，1633。
ThedeathofEdwardVI。6July1553andtheaccessionofQueenMaryputanendforthetimebeingtothecampaignagainsttheCatholicChurch。ThepartyoftheEarlofNorthumberlandmadeafeebleattemptinIreland，astheyhaddoneinEngland，tosecurethesuccessionforLadyJaneGrey，buttheireffortsproducednoeffect。Onthe20thJulytheprivycouncilinEnglandsentaformalorderfortheproclamationofQueenMary，togetherwithanannouncementthatshehadbeenproclaimedalreadyinLondonasQueenofEngland，France，andIreland，DefenderoftheFaith，andonearthSupremeHeadoftheChurchesofEnglandandIreland。[1]ThiscommandwasobeyedpromptlyinDublinandinthechiefcitiesinIreland。InKilkennyLordMountgarretandSirRichardHowthorderedthataMassofthanksgivingshouldbecelebrated，andwhenBalerefusedtoallowsuchidolatrytheyinformedtheclergythattheywerenolongerboundtoobeythebishop。MarywasproclaimedinKilkenny20Aug。，andonthefollowingdaytheclergyandpeopletookpossessionoftheCathedralofSt。Canice。Crowdsofthecitizensproceededtoattackthepalaceofthebishop，sothatitwasonlywiththegreatestdifficultythattheMayorofKilkennywasabletosavehislifebysendinghimtoDublinatnightundertheprotectionofanarmedescort。FromDublinBalesucceededinmakinghisescapetoHolland，fromwhichheproceededtoBasle，wherehespenthistimeinlibellingtheCatholicreligionandtheIrishclergyandpeople。
ShortlyafterthecoronationofQueenMarySirThomasSt。LegerwassentovertoIrelandasDeputywithinstructionsthathewastotakestepsimmediatelyforthecompleterestorationoftheCatholicreligion。PrimateDowdallwasrecalledfromexile，andrestoredtohisSeeofArmagh；theprimacy，whichhadbeentakenfromArmaghinthepreviousreignowingtothehostileattitudeadoptedbyDowdalltowardsthereligiousinnovations，wasrestored，andvariousgrantsweremadetohimtocompensatehimforthelosseshehadsustained。[2]
InApril1554aroyalcommissionwasissuedtoDowdallandWilliamWalsh，formerlyprioroftheCistercianAbbeyofBective，toremovetheclergywhohadmarriedfromtheirbenefices。InvirtueofthiscommissionBrowneofDublin，StaplesofMeath，ThomasLancasterofKildare，andTravers，whohadbeenintrudedintotheSeeofLeighlin，wereremoved。BaleofOssoryhadfledalready，andCaseyofLimerickalsosucceededinmakinghisescape。O'CervallenofClogher，whohadbeendeposedbythePope，wasdrivenfromhisdiocese，andaninquirywassetonfootatLambethPalacebeforeCardinalPoletodeterminewhowasthelawfulArchbishopofTuam。ChristopherBodkin，BishopofKilmacduagh，hadbeenappointedtoTuambythekingin1536，whiletwoyearslaterArthurO'Frigil，acanonofRaphoe，receivedthesameSeebypapalprovision。AttheinquirybeforeCardinalPoleitwasprovedthatthoughBodkinhadcontractedtheguiltofschismhehaddonesomorefromfearthanfromconviction，thathehadbeenalwaysasternopponentofheresy，andthatinthecityanddioceseofTuamthenewopinionshadmadenoprogress。Apparently，asaresultoftheinquiry，anagreementwasarrangedwherebyBodkinwasallowedtoretainpossessionofTuam。[3]TheotherbishopswereallowedtoretaintheirSeeswithoutobjection，aclearproofthattheirorthodoxywasunquestionable。
Inplaceofthosewhohadbeendeposed，HughCurwen，anEnglishman，wasappointedtoDublin，WilliamWalsh，oneoftheroyalcommissioners，toMeath，ThomasLeverous，theformertutoroftheyoungGarrettFitzgerald，toKildare，ThomasO'Fihil，anAugustinianHermit，toLeighlin，andJohnO'Tonory，aCanonRegularofSt。
Augustine，toOssory，whileJohnQuinnofLimerick，whohadbeenforcedtoresigntheSeeofLimerickduringthereignofEdwardVI。，wasapparentlyrestored。TheselectionofCurwentofillthearchiepiscopalSeeofDublinwasparticularlyunfortunate。Howeverlearnedhemighthavebeen，orhoweverdistinguishedhisancestry，hewasnotremarkableforthefixityofhisreligiousprinciples。DuringthereignofHenryVIII。hehadacquirednotorietybyhispublicdefenceoftheroyaldivorce，aswellasbyhisattacksonpapalsupremacy，though，likeHenry，hewasastrongupholderoftheRealPresenceofChristintheEucharist，andofTransubstantiation。LikeatruecourtierhechangedhisopinionsimmediatelyontheaccessionofQueenMary，andhewasrewardedbybeingpromotedtoDublinandappointedLordChancellorofIreland1555。TheCathedralChapterofSt。Patrick'sthathadbeensuppressedwasrestoredto"itspristinestate；"newdignitariesandcanonswereappointed，andmuchofthepossessionsthathadbeenseizedwerereturned。[4]
TheMassandCatholicceremonieswererestoredwithoutanyoppositioninthosechurchesinDublinandLeinsterintowhichtheEnglishservicehadbeenintroduced。AprovincialsynodwasheldinDublinbythenewarchbishop1556towipeoutalltracesofheresyandschism。
PrimateDowdallhadconvokedpreviouslyasynodoftheNorthernProvincesatDroghedatoundertakeasimilarwork。Inthisassemblyitwaslaiddownthatallpriestswhohadattemptedtomarryduringthetroublesofthepreviousreignshouldbedeprivedoftheirbeneficesandsuspended；thattheclergywhohadadoptedthehereticalritesinthereligiouscelebrationsandintheadministrationoftheSacramentsshouldbeadmittedtopardonincasetheyrepentedoftheircrimesandcouldprovethattheirfallwasduetofearratherthanconviction；
thatalltheancientritesandceremoniesoftheChurchinregardtocrosses，images，candles，thuribles，canonicalhours，Mass，theadministrationofthesacraments，fastdays，holidays，holywater，andblessedbreadshouldberestored；thattheBookofCommonPrayer，etc。，shouldbeburned，andthatthePrimateandthebishopsoftheprovinceshouldappointinquisitorsineachdiocese，towhomtheclergyshoulddenouncethosewhorefusedtofollowtheCatholicworshipandceremonies。Arrangementswerealsomadetoputanendtoabusesinconnexionwiththebestowalofbeneficesonlaymenandchildren，withtheappointmentofclericstoparishesanddignitiesbytheHolySeeontheuntrustworthyrecommendationoflocalnoblemen，withtheexcessivefeeschargedbysomeoftheclergy，withtheneglectofthosewhosedutyitwastocontributetotherepairsoftheparishchurches，andwiththefailureofsomeprieststowearabecomingclericaldress。[5]
InJuly1556LordFitzwalterwassenttoIrelandasDeputy。"OursaidDeputyandCouncil，"accordingtotheroyalinstructions，"shallbytheirowngoodexampleandallothergoodmeanstothempossible，advancethehonourofAlmightyGod，thetrueCatholicfaithandreligion，nowbyGod'sgreatgoodnessandspecialgracerecoveredinourrealmsofEnglandandIreland，andnamelytheyshallsetforththehonouranddignityofthePope'sHolinessandApostolicSeeofRome，andfromtimetotimebereadywithouraidandsecularforce，attherequestofallspiritualministersandordinariesthere，topunishandrepressallhereticsandLollards，andtheirdamnablesects，opinions，anderrors。"Theywerecommanded，too，toassistthecommissionersandofficialswhomCardinalPoleaspapallegateintendedtosendshortlytomakeavisitationoftheclergyandpeopleofIreland。[6]OnthearrivalofthenewDeputyinDublinhewentinstatetoChrist'sChurchtoassistatMass，afterthecelebrationofwhichhereceivedtheswordofstatefromhispredecessorbeforethealtar，andtooktheoathinpresenceofthearchbishop。"Thatdone，thetrumpetssoundedanddrumsbeat，andthentheLordDeputykneeleddownbeforethealtaruntilthe/TeDeum/wasended。"[7]
ThenewDeputywasinstructedtotakemeasuresforsummoningameetingofParliamentinthefollowingyeartogivelegalsanctiontotherestorationoftheCatholicreligion，andtodealwiththeecclesiasticalpropertythathadbeenseized。PossiblyinthehopeofsecuringsomeoftheseagainfortheChurchacommissionwasissuedtotheArchbishopofDublin，theBishopofKildare，andanumberofclericsandlaymen"toinquireconcerningthechalices，crosses，ornaments，bells，andotherpropertybelongingtotheparishchurchesorchapelsinthecountyofthecityandcountyofDublinandofsalesmadethereoftoanypersonorpersons，theprice，inwhosehandstheythenremained，andalsoinwhosepossessionwerethehouses，lands，andtenements，belongingtothosechurches。"SimilarcommissionswereissuedtoothersforthecountiesofDroghedaandLouth，Kildare，Carlow，Wexford，Kilkenny，Meath，Westmeath，Waterford，Tipperary，Limerick，Cork，and"forthecountyofConnaught。"[8]