Introduction. Turlough O’Niell, who wrote this letter, was the brother of Sir Phelim O’Neill, one of the principal leaders of the Irish insurrection which broke out in Ulster on the evening of 22 October 1641. We know nothing about Sir Robert Knight except what can be derived from the letter written to him. It may be deduced that he was a Scot of some importance (the name is found in Scottish records), and, given the way O’Neill addressed him in the letter, related to the Irishman by marriage. In planning the rebellion, the Irish aimed to confine their attacks to the English, possibly for tactical reasons in order to divide the settlers and to avoid having to face an army sent from Scotland. But Irish leaders could not always control their followers, particularly after a military reverse. Here, what seems to have happened is that there was an Irish attack on Augher in mid-November which failed, and subsequently a massacre of Scots who had been given some assurance of protection. What is striking about the letter is that the Irish leader apparently knew Sir Robert quite well, and endeavoured to use this relationship to restore the ruptured relations between two of the nationalities that had lived side-by-side for three decades. This reconciliation was to be reached through an intermediary, James Galbraith. Galbraith also seems to have had close relations with the Irish in that, although he became a major in the forces that opposed them in Ulster, in 1643 he was accused by the mayor of Derry of taking Irishmen under his protection without official sanction.

Source. J. T. Gilbert (ed.), A contemporary history of affairs in Ireland from 1641 to 1652…with an appendix of original letters and documents, vol. 1, part 1 (Dublin 1879), pp. 371-2.

 

22 Nov. 1641

Turlough O’Neill to Sir Robert Knight

Noble Sir,

I am sorie that yow should thinke I would use your freindes muche more my kindred ill, and I protest unto yow, that your brother hade and hes as muche libertie as I have hade, and are as well provyded for as my wyfe is, which was done pairtlie for their owne sakes, bot muche more for yours, for I protest befor God, that your forthe [fort?] hade ben sett upon the first night, Bot that a great noble man of this kingdome did hender it, And did under take that yow wold not onlie favor this bissines, Bot that yow wold take pairt withe those that hade a hande in it, and lyk wayis I protest that no Scottsman should be touched by any of the Gentrie, and what hurt others should doe them should be repaired to the uttermost of our powers. Bot for that ill favored massaker neere Augher, of those that wer first takin to mercie, which did since cost muche blood, and it were better that [the relations?] bothe the nations being formerlie on should still so continow, and lyk bretheren then to be att variance togither, which I think might be done by James Gallbraithe, and some other freindes for to meet in some saife place, and he knowethe our gentrie that he will desire for to meete him, which if it might be done it wer a deed of charitie. This proposition I make of my self without other advyse, Bot if yow have occassion for to send hither any more yow sall know more from

Your assured loveing

Cousing and servant,

Torloche O Neall.

Ardmaghe, 22 Novr. 1641.

I pray yow present my humble service to my cousing your noble lady.

For Sir Robert Knight att Keilmor [Kilmore, Co. Armagh].

 

Michael Perceval-Maxwell