Fitzwilliam, however, returned with reinforcements of troops from Berwick, with which the deputy resolved to repair the credit of the English arms, and to set the Irish an example of civilised warfare.  How did he do this?  Dispatching provisions by sea to Lough Foyle, he succeeded this time in marching through Tyrone, ’and in destroying on his way 4,000 cattle, which he was unable to carry away.  He had left Shane’s cows to rot where he had killed them; and thus being without food, and sententiously and characteristically concluding that man by his policy might propose, but God at His will did dispose; Lord Sussex fell back by the upper waters of Lough Erne, sweeping the country before him.’  When the Irish peasantry saw the carcasses of their cattle rotting along the roads, while their children were famished for want of milk, they must have been most favourably impressed with the blessings of British rule!  Shane, instead of encountering the deputy on his own territory, amused himself burning villages in Meath.  Neither of those rulers—­those chief protectors of the people—­seems to have been conscious that he was doing anything wrong in destroying the homes and the food of the wretched inhabitants, whom they alternately scourged.  On the contrary, the extent of devastation which they were able to effect was supposed to put them in a better position for meeting together, and treating as honourable and gallant representatives of their respective nations.

In accordance with the desire of the Queen, Shane, fresh from the work of destruction in the Pale, was invited to a conference with Kildare.  They met at Dundalk, and the Irish chief consented to wait upon Elizabeth in London, being allowed to name his own conditions.  In doing so he implied ’that he was rather conferring a favour than receiving one, and that he was going to England as a victorious enemy permitting himself to be conciliated.’  He demanded a safe-conduct so clearly worded that, whatever was the result of his visit, he should be free to return; he required ’a complete amnesty for his past misdeeds, and he stipulated that Elizabeth should pay all expenses for himself and his retinue; the Earls of Ormond, Desmond, and Kildare must receive him in state at Dundalk, and escort him to Dublin; Kildare must accompany him to England; and, most important of all, Armagh Cathedral must be evacuated.  He did not anticipate treachery; and either he would persuade Elizabeth to recognise him, and thus prove to the Irish that rebellion was the surest road to prosperity and power, or, at worst, by venturing into England, and returning unscathed, he would show them that the Government might be defied with more than impunity.’[1]

[Footnote 1:  Froude.]