Sir Thomas Norris writes to Sir Robert Cecil from Cork advising him of the traitor David Maurice and that some of Spenser’s neighbors, the Barrys, had also joined the rebellion. (Hadfield, 383)
Kilcolman is likely sacked and razed around this date. “Spenser and his family are reputed to have escaped through an underground passage known as the Fox hole, which led to caves north of the castle.” (CSPI202.113; Maley, 73) [No such…
A letter from Sir Thomas Norris, James Goold, and George Thornton to the Privy Council mentions Irish forces marching on Arlo, meaning Spenser’s estate is threatened. Hadfield mentions that “this intelligence had been ignored by the Dublin…
Ulster rebellion led by Tyrone during Nine Years War spreads south into Munster. Kilcolman burned. Legend has it that Spenser lost a child in the fire. Spenser likely takes refuge in town of Cork. (Judson, 198-199)
Ulster rebellion begins due to the expiration of “a series of truces between [earl of] Tyrone and the Lord Justices and Ormond.” (Judson, 196; Hadfield, 379)
