The deputy found some difficulty in bending the consciences of the Dublin people to the will of the sovereign in matters of faith; but the said will was to be enforced circa sacra at all hazards; so he summoned sixteen of the chief citizens and aldermen before the Privy Council, and censured them for their recusancy, imprisoned them in the castle during pleasure, inflicting upon six a fine of 100 l. each, and upon three 50 l. each.  The king was delighted with this evangelical method of extending reformed religion in Ireland.  Congratulating his deputy, he expressed a hope that many, by such means, would be brought to conformity in religion, who would hereafter ’give thanks to God for being drawn by so gentle a constraint to their own good.’  The ’gentle constraint’ was imposed in all directions.  The Privy Council decreed that none but a member of the Church of England could hold any office under the Crown.  The old Catholic families of the Pale humbly remonstrated, and their chief men were flung into prison.  Sir Patrick Barnwell, their agent, was sent to London by order of the king, and was forthwith committed to the Tower for contempt.  Henry Usher, then Archbishop of Armagh, carried out the system of exclusion in his own diocese, which included the territories of Tyrone.  All ‘Papists’ were forbidden to assist at mass, on pain of forfeiture of their goods and imprisonment.  In a like manner, the Catholic worship was prohibited even in the residence of the Earl of Tyrconnel.  He and Tyrone strongly remonstrated against this violation of the royal word, that they and their people might have liberty for their worship in private houses.  The answer was decided.  His majesty had made up his mind to disallow liberty of worship, and his people, whether they liked it or not, should repair to their parish churches.

In addition to this religious grievance, which excited the bitterest feelings of discontent, the two earls were subjected to the most irritating annoyances.  They complained that their people were plundered by sheriffs, under-sheriffs, officers, and soldiers; and that even their domestic privacy was hourly violated, that their remonstrances were unheeded, and their attempts to obtain legal remedies were frustrated.  At the same time their vassals were encouraged to repudiate their demands for tribute and rent.  Bishop Montgomery of Derry was a dangerous neighbour to O’Neill.  Meeting him one day at Dungannon, the earl said:  ’My lord, you have two or three bishopricks, and yet you are not content with them, but seek the lands of my earldom.’

‘My lord,’ replied the bishop, ’your earldom is swollen so big with the lands of the Church, that it will burst if it be not vented.’  If he had confined his venting operations to the chiefs, and abstained from bleeding the poor people, it would have been better for Protestantism.  For we read that he sent bailiffs through the diocese of Raphoe, to levy contributions for the Church.  ’For every cow and plough-horse, 4 d.; as much out of every colt and calf, to be paid twice a year; and half-a-crown a quarter of every shoemaker, carpenter, smith, and weaver in the whole country; and 8 d. a year for every married couple.’