by C R Dempsey
The matriarch of the family was Grace O’Malley, mother to the leading contender to the MacWilliam Burke, Theobald (‘Tibbot’) Burke. Grace was a woman of formidable reputation, which had spread much further than her fleet could travel. She had grown old, but that did not affect her standing, for the bards and poets had committed her legend to the ages. Grace was stout of stature, with a face of a woman who would not suffer fools. Her MacSweeney Galloglass escorted her down to the dock. Seamus went to greet her as soon as he disembarked. He was full of admiration and respect, as he was well acquainted with her legend.
“Seamus MacSheehy,” and Seamus put out his hand for Grace to leave it hanging in the air. “Thank you, Ma’am, for the port in a storm, so to speak. The Atlantic winds had us in her grip and would not let us go.”
“I, for one, are glad to see you, Seamus, for you brought with you sons of the Burkes and O’Malleys that we thought we’d never see again.”
Seamus resisted a self-congratulatory smile, for Grace’s stony face said it was uncalled for.
“I’m glad that you can benefit from the work that I do for my master, the O’Donnell. Has he arrived yet?”
“Word has it he will arrive in the next couple of days for the inauguration of the new Lower MacWilliam Burke. My son Tibbot is the firm favourite to succeed to the title, having already amassed the pledges of most of the local clan leaders and was given the earldom by the Queen as part of surrender and regrant not even two years ago. Who would vote against that?”
Seamus bowed his head.
“It’s not for me to say, Ma’am, I’m merely a lowly Galloglass doing his master’s bidding. I’m sure your recently released sons and nephews etc., are looking forward to celebrating their newly found freedom at the inauguration feast.”
The disembarking of Eunan and his ex-prison mates rudely interrupted Seamus’s attempted pleasantries. All of his efforts to make Eunan look presentable were in vain, for he had acquired a fresh collection of bruises and was caked in vomit after being thrown around the ship like a sack of potatoes. Seamus ordered some men to pick him up and help him off the ship.
“That’s a fair party of land lovers you acquired,” remarked Grace.
“I apologise for their appearance, Ma’am. We need to get them washed up and give them some new clothes if it wouldn’t be too much trouble,” said Seamus, slightly embarrassed.
“That can be arranged. I will see you at the dinner I have organised to welcome the long-lost souls home. Get some rest for we feast tonight and set off for the inauguration on the morrow. My son will meet us on the way there,” said Grace.
She snapped her fingers and her bodyguards turned and set off back up the hill to the castle.
Seamus was almost relieved she was gone. He wanted to get out of Connacht as soon as possible, for the December lashings of rain and bitter piercing wind disagreed with him and his men. It was praying for a miracle that they could be well at the same time in such conditions. But he needed one person well by the next day and went to see if Eunan was feeling any better.
Eunan had not left the modest dock. The mere sight of the hill to the castle had drained the energy from him. He had taken up residence on a barrel and was not for moving.
Seamus went to talk him off it. He tugged on Eunan’s arm, his barrel side manner more goading than sympathetic.
“I’ll be ok. You don’t have to mother me!” said Eunan as he freed his arm.
Eunan appeared to be in a daze, having said little since they freed him from the jail.
“What’s wrong with you?” said Seamus. “Merely my presence was enough to have the arguments leaping off your tongue in days gone by. Now, I can barely get a peep out of you! You haven’t gone all soft on me, have you?”
Eunan’s eyes glazed over and swirled with the dark clouds that gathered in the sky.
“I just need to be left in peace for a while. Maybe I’ll go back to the island and convalesce with Desmond. You don’t know what it’s like being locked up like that.”
“You’ll do no such thing! I could compare my multiple lengthy stints in jail to what little experiences you have had in your sheltered life, but I fear embarrassing you will only lead to further delays. You need to look presentable to the O’Donnell, for we need to garner his support to become the next O’Cassidy Maguire as we talked about.”
“But there already is an O’Cassidy Maguire?”
“Don’t you worry about little details like that. Your uncle Seamus will sort you out. You just concentrate on getting better and being able to string polite sentences together.”
“Please don’t call yourself that,” whispered Eunan.
Seamus signalled for one of the local men who had been on the mission to come and join him.
“Feed him, clothe him, make sure he has a shit and a shave. I want him coherent for the inauguration tomorrow.”
The man nodded and took Eunan by the arm and walked him up the hill to the valley.
* * *
The next day they set out to the harbour and boarded ships destined for the mainland. Last night’s feast had been a strange affair which Grace did not attend, giving the excuse she had things to arrange for the upcoming inauguration. The atmosphere was subdued, except for a few young men reacquainting themselves with alcohol after a forced abstention because of incarceration. Most of the guests retired early, for they knew that the next few days would be long and taxing. Others were forced to retire because of illness, having been deprived of such rich food and alcohol for so long. Seamus stayed until a reasonable hour, for he could not turn down such a valuable opportunity to gather information, but Eunan was one of the first to retire early.
When they landed on shore, they began the trek to Kilmaine, the traditional Lower MacWilliam Burke inauguration site. There were a limited amount of horses, and Seamus ensured Eunan got one, for he was only marginally better after a night of rest. The party picked up several minor clans along the route and met Tibbot Burke and his entourage several miles away from the ring fort of Kilmaine.
Grace was determined to put on an early show of strength to ensure her son got enough votes for the election. They marched into Kilmaine in full battle order. Still, she was disappointed to see that, except for dignitaries from other minor clans from around the region, only MacWilliam Burkes of the major clans had arrived. Grace and her entourage were directed to a patch of land where they could set up camp. Seamus and his men pitched camp beside the O’Malleys, for they were there as their guests.
That evening seven MacWilliam Burke candidates came to Grace’s tent. Some naively asked her for her vote; the cleverer ones opted to open up a friendly dialogue to be on good terms if they beat her son and create an alliance if he beat them. Everyone knew the amount of influence she held in the region and over her son, so it was always better to be on her good side. Grace was gracious to all and told them she would tell her son that the candidate was willing to make an alliance, no matter the outcome. Most of the parties exercised restraint, both in diplomacy and alcohol, for they knew that whatever happened, this was only the prelude.
The next morning, the candidates counted their pledges and consulted with their advisors for their chances of getting elected. The more powerful candidates discussed fetching more of their armed supporters to force the issue but, upon consultation, thought better of it. They were all waiting for Red Hugh since it was he who facilitated the reintroduction of tanistry to the Lower MacWilliam Burkes.
By midmorning, word came to the camp that Red Hugh was on his way. By midday, the O’Donnell marched in with an army of 1,800 men. It dwarfed the size of the forces available to the candidates and was immediately apparent to all those present that he was here to impose his will.
Red Hugh was directed to the ancient ring fort as it was the traditional site of the MacWilliam Burkes’ inauguration. He and his advisors made camp in the middle of the ring fort, for none of the candidates were brave enough to object. Surrounding him were fo
ur rings of men, the inner ring were men of O’Donnell, the second were men of O’Doherty, the third was the MacSweeney Galloglass, and the fourth were Connacht allies who joined him on the march south. He also brought many of the leading nobles of Tirconnell. Cormac MacBaron came to represent O’Neill. It was a show of strength to the lords of the north and the mobile court of the O’Donnell to the lords of Connacht.
Seamus sat in Grace’s tent, waiting to see what would happen.
“The O’Donnell shows up as if a conquering lord, as bad as any Englishman,” complained Grace. “I hope he will not interfere in the election of the MacWilliam Burke today?”
“You can’t expect him to come to Connacht unescorted, Ma’am. Governor Bingham still has a formidable force and is far from beaten.”
“You defend your master well, Seamus. However, all I have seen him do is remove the wealth of Connacht and transfer it to Tirconnell.”
“I have no wish to wear out my welcome, but he needs to deprive his enemies of the means to wage war and punish those who do not join him in resisting the English.”
“You are right, Seamus, but don’t wear out your welcome.”
Seamus nodded and knew it was time to be silent.
One of the O’Malley men stepped into the tent.
“I have a messenger from the O’Donnell outside with a message for you and Tibbot, Ma’am.”
“Well, don’t just stand there. Send him in!”
A captain of the O’Donnell came in, dressed in the latest breastplate and helmet from Spain, still covered in the mud from the roads of Connacht. He nodded at Seamus, for he knew him from the court of Red Hugh.
“The O’Donnell would like to meet Tibbot Burke so that he can put forth his case to be the MacWilliam Burke.”
“Would he now?” sneered Grace. “What if my son wishes to declare himself the MacWilliam Burke of his own accord?”
Seamus saw he needed to diffuse the tension.
“I will come with you. I know the O’Donnell well, and I have advised him frequently.”
“And is declaring himself king of Connacht part of your advice?”
“I will prepare myself and be back here momentarily.”
“You do that!” and Grace called one of her captains in. “Go fetch my son, so we can meet the O’Donnell.”
Seamus sought after Eunan.
* * *
Eunan was sitting beside a fire in the O’Malley camp, looking more forlorn than when Seamus had left him. Seamus pondered why as he walked over to him until he heard a noise. He looked to his right to see Óisin pissing beside a bush.
“How did he get here so quick?” asked Seamus of Eunan. “You aren’t even a week out of jail?”
“He came here seeking you, in order that you could free me. You beat him to it,” replied Eunan. “He came here with this,” and Eunan handed Seamus a letter.
Seamus read it. He held it down by his thigh as he contemplated its consequences.
“She can’t marry him. It is against all decency,” squealed Eunan.
“He’s a crafty one, Cormac O’Cassidy, but what is he willing to do to win?”
Óisin came back after he finished relieving himself.
“I see he’s free now. I have one hundred men ready to act on his, or your, command. What’ll it be, Seamus?”
“I have important business here to settle first. You may think me a heartless bastard, but I owe my loyalty to the O’Donnell and need to ensure he sees past his foolish pride before I can sort your woes, Eunan. We have a week. Óisin, you will return to Fermanagh and assemble your men in the forest below Eunan’s village. I will send Sean O’Toole northwards to fetch my men. Eunan and I will depart as soon as we finish our business here. Óisin lay low and do not reveal your intentions before I arrive.”
Seamus stood between Eunan and Óisin, and they both realised their reunion was over.
“Eunan, get yourself together and pick up your things. Before we save Fermanagh, we need to save Connacht!”
* * *
Seamus and Eunan arrived at the ring fort with Grace, Tibbot, and their entourage. Eoghan McToole O’Gallagher greeted them, for he was acting as the gatekeeper to the O’Donnell.
“Hello, Seamus. Sorry, candidates and their select advisors only are allowed in.”
“He is an adviser,” hissed Grace, and she walked in, only for her way to be blocked by the axes of the O’Donnell’s Connacht supporters.
“Is your master here to start a war?” asked Grace.
“No,” Eoghan replied. “He is here to free Ireland.”
“Why do I then feel as if I am his prisoner?”
Eoghan saw that arguing was futile.
“Go on in the lot of you, but no bodyguards.”
They made their way through the four rings of soldiers until they reached the centre of the fort. Red Hugh sat in the middle, and as he said his goodbyes to the entourage of Kittagh Burke, Seamus, Grace and their entourage were told to stop and wait.
“If I knew I was in for this power game, I would have stayed at home,” whispered Grace.
They were beckoned forward to meet the O’Donnell.
“Tibbot Burke, lord of the Lower MacWilliam Burkes, by arrangement by my dear mother, Grace O’Malley, ‘the Pirate Queen’, with Queen Elizabeth herself. But I am not the Queen’s man, having rebelled against her twice and merely awaiting your good self before I make it a third,” and Tibbot bowed as low as it was polite to do so given the circumstances.
Red Hugh smiled.
“Your fame almost rivals that of your mother. Now, why should I make you the clan chief of the Lower MacWilliam Burkes?”
Both Tibbot and his mother were taken aback.
“Surely we are having an election if we have returned to tanistry?”
“Indeed, we have tanistry because of all of my efforts to persuade the Gaelic lords of Connacht to stand up for the old ways. But yet, here am I sitting with the largest army as lord of Connacht. Connacht was once under the O’Donnells and soon will be again. So, therefore, I ask again, why should I make you the MacWilliam Burke?”
“I have most of the votes, most of the warriors and most of the ships. If not me, who do you have that has the power to oppose me?”
“Will you help me fan the flames of the rebellion in Connacht and rise against the English?”
“How little you know us,” said Grace. “The tales of the rebelliousness of the Lower MacWilliam Burkes can be heard as far away as the fields of Flanders, the court of the king of Spain, and the halls of the Vatican itself. You must be sorely mistaken if you do not realise we will support you if you have a just cause.”
Both Grace and Tibbot bowed to signal this was the end of any case they may have wanted to make.
“Thank you for your words. I will gather the votes for the election and inform you of the results. Eoghan will escort you out,” and Red Hugh pointed to the line of O’Donnell soldiers who created a gap.
“May I have a quick word, lord?” enquired Seamus.
“You cannot influence the matter in favour of Tibbot, so I would forget what you are about to say,” replied Red Hugh.
“It is not about this. I have another matter to discuss. It is urgent.”
“More urgent than the consolidation of Connacht? My Seamus, you have risen in the world.”
“May we speak briefly?”
“We may speak here. You may go, Tibbot.”
Tibbot bowed, for he did not know what to do. He was unused to being spoken in that way.
Tibbot, Grace, and their advisors walked through the gap in the soldiers.
“Here, lord? But what about spies?”
“Come and whisper in my ear. We need to be quick for the next MacWilliam Burke is already on his way.”
Seamus walked up to Red Hugh, who was the only person seated, and the surrounding advisors moved out of Seamus’s way.
“Cormac O’Cassidy is about to marry his daughter to a son of Connor Roe Maguire.
Both these men are supporters of the Crown. If they unite, the bottom half of Fermanagh could cede to the English. Indeed, I have it on good authority that Donnacha O’Cassidy Maguire has persuaded Hugh Maguire to open up separate peace talks to yours with the Lord deputy. I wish to return to Fermanagh at once to remove Cormac O’Cassidy and have Eunan take Cormac’s place. Do I have your permission and protection to act, and may I leave now?”
Red Hugh paused, and one advisor whose face Seamus could not see bent down to whisper in Red Hugh’s ear.
“I care not for Cormac nor Connor Roe Maguire but do not start a civil war, especially one that can be traced back to me. I need evidence of this purported treachery by Hugh Maguire. The O’Donnell cannot take action without evidence. As for leaving now, Connacht is much more important right now than some petty land squabble in Fermanagh. Stay with the O’Malleys and Tibbot and make sure they agree with my choice of MacWilliam Burke. That is your principal task for now.”
“But Lord, the wedding takes place within a week.”
“Then you must act fast with Tibbot MacWilliam Burke. Quick, be off with you! The next candidate is here.”
Seamus stepped back and saw there was no talking to Red Hugh. The soldiers parted, and he went to find Eunan.
* * *
Seamus returned to the fire where he left Eunan but found him gone, replaced by men of the O’Malleys in his place.
“Where’s the man that was here? He was with his friend from Fermanagh.”
One man who recognised Seamus looked up and shrugged.
“He went somewhere with his friend. Back to Fermanagh?”
Seamus cursed.
“How long ago?”
The man shrugged again.
“He left as I sat to eat my midday meal. So the answer must be midday.”
“Thank you,” grunted Seamus as he saved the curses for under his breath.