The remainder of Kate’s history, and how she crossed the sea, accompanied by her husband, into the wilds of Bohemia, living there for a space; and how she afterwards returned into her own land, will be set forth at some more fitting opportunity.

THE EARL OF TYRONE.

    “Still the fairest are his fuell,
    When his days are to be cruell;
    Lovers’ hearts are all his food,
    And his baths their warmest blood;
    Nought but wounds his hands doth season,
    And he hates none like to reason.”

A Hue and Cry after Cupid.—­Ben Jonson.

The dark and romantic history of the Earl of Tyrone would of itself occupy a larger space than these volumes afford.  The following episode, connected with his concealment in the neighbourhood of Rochdale, the author does not presume to bring forward as a fact.  Yet there are good reasons for supposing that it formed an important era in his life, and was followed very soon after by the Queen’s pardon.  The importance of this measure may be conceived, when by some Elizabeth’s depression, and the profound melancholy she exhibited in her latter hours, were attributed to this source.  It is said that she repented of having pronounced his forgiveness; that having always resolved to bring him to condign punishment, she could receive no satisfaction from his submission; while the advantages of her high estate, and all the glories of a prosperous reign, were unable to alleviate her disappointment.

The following is a brief sketch of his life, extracted from generally-received authorities.

Hugh O’Neale was nephew to Shan O’Neale, or the Great O’Neale, as he was more commonly called, well known for his eminent courage, a virtue much esteemed by the half-civilised hordes whom he commanded.  He was created Earl of Tyrone by the Queen; but disliking this servitude, and wishful to liberate his country from the English yoke, he entered into a correspondence with Spain; procured from thence a supply of arms and ammunition; and having united many of the Irish chiefs in a dependence upon himself, he began to be regarded as a formidable enemy.

[Illustration:  TYRONE’S BED, NEAR ROCHDALE.

Drawn by G. Pickering.  Engraved by Edw^d Finden.]

The English found much difficulty in pursuing the rebels into the bogs, woods, and other fastnesses to which they retreated.  Sir John Norris, who commanded the English army, was rendered thereby more willing to hearken to the proposals made by Tyrone, and the war was spun out by these artifices for some years.  Sir John dying, as was reported, of vexation and discontent, was succeeded by Sir Henry Bagnall.  “He advanced to the relief at Blackwater, then besieged by the enemy, but was surrounded in disadvantageous ground.  His soldiers, discouraged by part of their powder accidentally taking fire, were put to flight; and though the pursuit was stopped by Montacute, who commanded the English horse, fifteen hundred men, together with the general himself, were left dead upon the spot.  This victory so unusual to the Irish, roused their courage, supplied them with arms and munitions of war, and raised the renown of Tyrone, who was hailed as deliverer of his country and patron of Irish liberty."[22]