llation of king
of Ulster. He used also to say, that though the queen was his sovereign
lady, he never made peace with her but at her seeking.[***]

Sir Henry Sidney was one of the wisest and most active governors that
Ireland had enjoyed for several reigns;[****] and he possessed
his authority eleven years; during which he struggled with many
difficulties, and made some progress in repressing those disorders which
had become inveterate among the people. The earl of Desmond, in 1569,
gave him disturbance, from the hereditary animosity which prevailed
between that nobleman and the earl of Ormond, descended from the only
family, established in Ireland, that had steadily maintained its loyalty
to the English crown.[v] The earl of Thomond, in 1570, attempted a
rebellion in Connaught, but was obliged to fly into France before his
designs were ripe for execution. Stukely, another fugitive, found such
credit with the pope, Gregory XIII., that he flattered that pontiff with
the prospect of making his nephew, Buon Compagno, king of Ireland; and,
as if this project had already taken effect, he accepted the title of
marquis of Leinster from the new sovereign.[v*] He passed next into
Spain; and after having received much encouragement and great rewards
from Philip, who intended to employ him as an instrument in disturbing
Elizabeth, he was found to possess too little interest for executing
those high promises which he had made to that monarch.

* Camden, p. 409.

** Camden, p. 409. Cox, p. 324.

*** Camden, p. 321.

**** Cox, p. 350.

v Camden, p. 424.

v* Camden, p. 430. Cox, p. 354

He retired into Portugal; and following the fortunes of Don Sebastian,
he perished with that gallant prince in his bold but unfortunate
expedition against the Moors.

Lord Gray, after some interval, succeeded to the government of Ireland;
and in 1579 suppressed a new rebellion of the earl of Desmond, though
supported by a body of Spaniards and Italians. The rebellion of
the Bourks followed a few years after; occasioned by the strict and
equitable administration of Sir Richard Bingham, governor of Connaught,
who endeavored to repress the tyranny of the chieftains over their
vassals.[*] The queen, finding Ireland so burdensome to her, tried
several expediants for reducing it to a state of greater order and
submission. She encouraged the earl of Essex, father to that nobleman
who was afterwards her favorite,