Maley notes that "between Autumn 1585 and spring of this year, Spenser must have attended the sessions of the presidency court of Munster at Limerick and Cork." (42)
“Scheme for Munster plantation drawn up.” (Maley, 41) Spenser was likely with Norris while Munster’s lands were surveyed, not knowing what would eventually be his. (Judson, 118) Approximately half a million acres would be attained and redistributed by the central government in the wake of the Desmond rebellion. Spenser, like Sir Walter Raleigh, was on the “inside” of this process.
Spenser is back in Dublin with Norris, where he copies out letters to the Privy Council detailing the devastation that had been visited upon Ulster. (Hadfield, 188; Maley, 40)
Hadfield notes that “we have no actual record of where [Spenser] was living [in the mid-1580s], but he probably stayed in Co. Cork in order to attend the Lord President when they were not on the road.” (189)
Spenser accompanies Norris and company of 100 men to Munster. (Maley, 40)
From Dublin Castle, Lord Deputy Perrot writes to the Privy Council, listing castles to be fortified, including Kilcolman. (Maley, 40)
Spenser “probably” with Norris, Ormond and the earl of Tyrone, when they overran Dunluce Castle, Co. Antrim. (Maley, 40)
Spenser leaves Dublin for north Ulster. (Maley, 40)
"Spenser probably accompanies Norris and new Lord Deputy Perrot on tour of inspection through Connaught and Munster." (Maley, 39)