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)
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)
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…
Burgh, the Lord Deputy, dies of typhus and a few weeks later Sir John Norris (President of Munster) dies and is replaced in the presidency by his brother and Spenser’s neighbor, Thomas. “These events left English rule in a vacuum, placing ‘civil and…
Lord Roche writes a letter to Walsingham expressing his complaints against Spenser, which include accusations that Spenser had made corrupt bargains to obtain Kilcolman and had threatened Lord Roche’s tenants. Lord Roche felt he had been cheated out…
Fort surrenders and 600 captives executed. Hadfield notes that Spenser defends Grey in both the FQand A Viewbut does not defend Grey’s actions at Smerwick, an indication of how controversial the killing of captives was deemed even fifteen years…
