In 1585 Perrot held a Parliament in Dublin, from which, however, no very important enactments proceeded.  Its principal object appears to have been the confiscation of Desmond’s estates.  This was opposed by many of the members; but the crown was determined to have them, and the crown obtained them.  Thus lands to the extent of 574,628 acres were ready for new adventurers.  The most tempting offers were made to induce Englishmen to plant; estates were given for twopence an acre; rent was only to commence after three years.  No Irish families were to be admitted as tenants, though their labours might be accepted or compelled.  English families were to be substituted in certain proportions; and on these conditions, Raleigh, Hatton, Norris, St. Leger, and others, obtained large grants.  The Irish question was to be settled finally, but somehow it was not settled, though no one seemed exactly prepared to say why.

Meanwhile Sir Richard Bingham was opposing the conciliatory policy of the Deputy, and hanged seventy persons at one session in Galway, in January, A.D. 1586.  Perrot interfered; but the Burkes, who had been maddened by Bingham’s cruelties, broke out into open rebellion; and he pointed to the revolt which he had himself occasioned, as a justification of his former conduct.  The Scotch now joined the Burkes, but were eventually defeated by the President, the Irish annalists say, with the loss of 2,000 men.  Another bloody assize was held in Galway, where young and old alike were victims.

The state of Ulster was now giving considerable anxiety to the English Government.  Hugh O’Neill was just commencing his famous career; and although he had fought under the English standard in Geraldine war, it was thought quite possible that he might set up a standard of his own.  He had taken his seat in parliament as Baron of Dungannon.  He had obtained the title of Earl of Tyrone.  He had visited Elizabeth, and by a judicious mixture of flattery and deference, which she was never able to resist he obtained letters-patent under the Great Seal restoring his inheritance and his rank.  He was even permitted, on his return, to keep up a standing army of six companies, “to preserve the peace of the north.”

In 1586 a thousand soldiers were withdrawn from Ireland to serve in the Netherlands; and as the country was always governed by force, it could scarcely be expected not to rebel when the restraint was withdrawn.  O’Neill manifested alarming symptoms of independence.  He had married a daughter of Sir Hugh O’Donnell, and Sir Hugh refused to admit an English sheriff into his territory.  The Government had, therefore, no resource but war or treachery.  War was impossible, when so large a contingent had been withdrawn; treachery was always possible; and even Sir John Perrot stooped to this base means of attaining his end.  The object was to get possession of Hugh Roe O’Donnell, a noble youth, and to keep him as hostage.  The