The seizure of Purgatory

The seizure of Purgatory

Lough Derg--Pilgrimage--Seizure--Parliament

"(June 8, 1632) Right Honorable. I have received a copy of a letter sent by my lord Balfour, directed to his Lordship, myself and others for seizing until his Majesty's use St Patrick's Purgatory..."

Shane Leslie, 1885-1971

Sir William Stuart's letter to the Privy Council, 1632, From Bishop Henry Jones' St Patrick's Purgatory, p. 127, Leslie, Shane, Saint Patrick's Purgatory: A Record from History and Literature, p. 77

Burns Oats and Washbourne Ltd, London

1932

Citation for the purposes of criticism

Collection of sources

English

Monograph

DD_0086

54.6083, -7.8714

"(June 8, 1632) Right Honorable. I have received a copy of a letter sent by my lord Balfour, directed to his Lordship, myself and others for seizing until his Majesty's use St Patrick's Purgatory and his Lordship appointed me to meet him near the Lough the 5th day of this month, whither I accordingly came and stayed in the comfortless place almost two days and on night, none coming. And then I got intelligence that the Abbot, Priests and Friars which were in the Island had gotten knowledge of your Lordship's directions : where upon in the night time they stole out of the Island in a boat, which at the least would carry forty persons. Whereupon I sent to search for the said boat which was found and brought unto me. And perceiving that none of the rest mentioned in your Lordship's Letters were likely to come and being confident that you would take it in good part that I should rather upon such occasion vary from your directions than leave your intentions unperformed, I cause to land some men upon a litle Island where Friers do inhabit near unto the other Island which is called St Patrick's Purgatory, where I found 431 persons doing such fooleries as is not to be imagined could be done among Christians. All the foresaid number of persons I have caused to be put safe to shore : which was done without any kind of violence : for seeing the Priests and Friers had left the Island and carried with them all manner Provision and goods that therein was, the people were willing and desirous to be put on shore. The which being done, I did cause the Boat, which was the safeguard of the Island, to be drawn on shore, and delivered the same to the friends and servants of one Master Magrath, unto whome the Boat, Island and Country doth belong and told them that it was your Lordship's directions that the same should not be meddled withal, not the Island any more frequented until His Majesty's pleasure were further known ; and that your Lordships would signify the same more at large. All things being thus fairly done, I hope that your Lordships will not dislike what I adventured myself alone to do what was trusted unto me and others. And I am well assured that if I had slipped that occasion, your intentions should not have been executed."

Monograph