Spenser would have accompanied Grey on most, if not all, of his military expeditions, such as the one into the midland counties of Leix and Offaly in this month. (Hadfield, 173)
Spenser probably present when Chancellor Gerrard, at a meeting of Grey’s council, accuses the Earl of Kildare and his son-in-law Christopher Nugent, fifth Baron Devlin, of treason in Dublin (CSPI 79.26; Maley, 16; Hadfield, 173 ; Judson 94)
Spenser and Grey arrive in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary (CSPI 76.68; Maley, 15)
Spenser in Smerwick (BM Add. Ms 33924, f8.; Maley, 15)
Fort surrenders and 600 captives executed. Hadfield notes that Spenser defends Grey in both the FQ and A View but does not defend Grey’s actions at Smerwick, an indication of how controversial the killing of captives was deemed even fifteen years later. (168) Judson speculates that Spenser refers to this episode in “the climax of the Fifth Book of” the FQ. (92)
"Guiseppe and Petruccio Barducci, author of a subsequent account of the massacre, go this evening to see Grey. Spenser and Captain Edward Denny are mentioned by Barduci as benefiting from the colonel as hostage. Barducci claims that Spenser and others profited from the massacre through ransoms for hostages." (Maley, 14)
Spenser with Grey when Lord Deputy attacks The Golden Fort at Smerwick. (Maley, 14)
Spenser and English forces reach Smerwick. (Maley, 14)
Spenser leaves Cork for Limerick with Grey and army. (Maley, 14)
Spenser accompanies Grey on military expedition to Dingle, County Kerry to engage with the Papal forces ensconced in the fort of Dunanoir—The Golden Fort—at Smerwick. (Maley, 14) "We can be sure that Spenser was with him, as there are letters in his hand, which were written while on the campaign." (Hadfield, 161) [For these letters and all correspondence in Spenser’s hand, see Andrew Zurcher and Christopher Burlinson (eds), Spenser’s Letters…]