The Welshmen of Tyrawley

by Graham Barratt

  The mornings were often misty at this time of year, hence the decision to stage the bout at midday. There was fierce rivalry amongst the clans. They mocked and gestured to each other for hours before the start of the fight. Several skirmishes broke out and the women folk dressed the wounds and comforted the damaged pride of the defeated. There was more blood spilled before the fight than would ever be spilled during it.

  The two opponents prepared for battle. No armour was permitted, but they were both allowed to wear the battle dress of the clan and leather. Whilst providing protection against sword swipes, their pelts did not provide a great deal of protection from the blow of a club. The very idea of wearing the uniform was enough to enhance the confidence and prowess of both men. While it would not really impact the outcome, it would improve the quality, spectacle and honour of the fight.

  Midday was timed by declaring the shadow of a pole positioned upright to be at its longest length when measured to its base. A drum was struck three times to mark the start of the bout.

  Richard was the first to emerge from his tent, sporting a red-painted face. He held his chin high and the club low as if to show no fear and climbed over the wooden fence into the fighting ring. He was aware of the huge significance the stone had amongst the people of Erris and he kissed the stone three times whilst praying to Mary. James emerged next and was dressed more modest, but with the club held high, as though he was eager to make his first strike.

  Both men were representing their people and had the honour of their clan at stake. Now, the ownership of the slave was a secondary matter. The posturing was no exercise in tricks or tactics, but the outward expression of inner feelings of pride in the clan and the need to win the fight. They were concerned only with getting the job done and doing so with honour. James was five years younger than Richard and although much stronger than Thomas, he was still very young to be fighting what could eventually be a fight to the death.

  Once both men were in the enclosure with only the fighting stone and clubs for company, the time came to do battle. The most dangerous part of a club fight was at the beginning when both fighters were at their freshest. As fatigue of both fighters increased and the club got heavier, they were less likely to cause death or serious injury. Richard marched up to James and after several swipes made contact with the first blow. As James ducked, the club glanced off his back, but it was hard enough to send him face down into the bog. When he emerged, his face was pitted black with the peat of the turf.

  ‘See, he now wears paint too, the paint of the rodents. Strike the rat once more Richard!’ a spectator of the Barrett persuasion yelled.

  Richard ignored the chants and rants and after walking a circle of victory approached James for the second confrontation. James got up and swung his club, but it missed Richard as he slipped back into the bog. These were people who were used to moving on the bog land. Their playing, fighting and working were all done on the soggy turf. Nevertheless, James was struggling with the pain of the first blow and found it difficult to gain his footing. There were no rules to this fight and Richard lunged forward to deliver a blow to James’ groin. He writhed in agony as the pain grew to its climax. His legs and body were tired, but his arms were now fresher than Richard’s. As Richard swung the club for a third time, James intercepted the club and struck it with his own also connecting with one of Richard’s fingers. In agony Richard released the club as it was sent flying through the air. James looked him in the eye and smiled before throwing his own club to the ground. One youth grabbed James’ club and threw it to Richard, but in an act of honour, Richard let it fall to the ground, signalling the start of a fistfight. James now thought this was too high a price for the sake of a slave, but would need to fight on for the clan.

  The two men now fought fist to fist. The adrenalin in Richard’s body and the exertion had triggered a great anger. James could feel his rage increasing and knew that he was about to crack. It was an even match between the two for several blows until James gained the advantage by pinning Richard’s arms against the fighting stone. Richard was still in a state of rage.

  ‘Please yield, Richard, do not make me hit you again, please I beg you.’ Richard managed to get one arm free and struck James against the ear.

  ‘You can’t be that sure of your victory if you beg,’ was the reply from Richard. James held Richard’s arms once more and pleaded with him to submit. This time, Richard spat directly in his face. This behaviour was reviled by the clans but went unseen by many of the spectators; it hailed that Richard wished to fight to the death. As he wiped the spit from his cheek with the back of his hand, James was now the man with the raging temper. Holding Richard’s head with both hands, he struck his head against the fighting stone and muttered to him.

  ‘The slave is mine, submit to me or die.’ In order to hold his head, James had released his grip on Richard’s arms. He was now at striking to James in all directions, but James refused to let go of his head.

  A second time “the slave is mine” and again Richard’s head was struck against the fighting stone. On the third strike, James looked in horror as he saw his friend’s eyes roll up into his skull and he lost all awareness. James had won, Richard was beaten, but was he dead? A huge cheer rang out around the Bourkes, as they praised and chanted for James. James detested the victory and held Richard’s head while he regained consciousness. It was a few minutes before Richard came around, realising immediately that he had lost the fight. His face was bruised with a developing black eye and both eyeballs were bloodshot.

  ‘Holy Mother, me head hurts. James, you can have your slave and when it comes to the hearing with the Nemed, I will stand by your side and fight your case.’

  All eyes were now on the young Thomas Welsh of Ballybrannagh. James walked up to him.

  ‘Thomas, it is your choice, you can fight me too and maybe win the slave, but you will not dishonour your family if you decline now. You have many years ahead of you to fight as a warrior.’

  Thomas looked at the crowd, and resented every last one of them for wanting his blood. There were few of the Welsh Clan present; many had not considered the payment of the tolls to be worthwhile, and however, encouragement to fight emanated from the bloodthirsty Barretts. The Bourkes were satisfied that the fight was won and the trophy would belong to James, but welcomed the prospect of another fight anyway. Thomas realised that this was not a fight of pride, but an improvised contest for gain. If it were for honour, that would be a different thing. Thomas made his decision and immediately hated himself for doing so.

  ‘The slave should have been mine, but in accordance with the Nemed, he is now yours, James. I will not fight you for him.’

  Despite his public decline, Thomas felt an instant surge of jealousy towards James that would never be forgotten. A loud jeer emerged from the small Welsh sector of the audience. Thomas reacted with anger.

  ‘You taunt me for my sense, but who amongst you will take my place and fight the Bourke?’

  There was no answer, he felt inwardly disappointed, he had been robbed of the right to own his own property and it was just another blow against the lower clans. In his rage, although agreeing to the bout, Thomas resented the authority of the Nemed and believed that the slave should have been given to him at the outset. He saw the whole event as being foreseeable, given the relative weakness of the Welsh against the Barretts and Bourkes. He was less than noble in defeat. Thomas threw his club hard against the fighting stone as it rebounded in two pieces.

  ‘Thomas, you are still fit, let’s get Richard to his bed,’ said James.

  ‘Do not give me your thanks, James, take him to his bed, but do not ask my help, the slave should have been declared mine at Blacksod.’

  Richard was placed on a cart and it made its way with James to Glencastle, where they would both rest and recover.

  Part 2 1589

  Death, Slavery or Ransom

  As winter drew near and the weather worsened, Cirilo found himself w
orking increasingly outside in the bitter cold and wet. Since the prospect of working in such conditions was not a good one, he was deployed outside in preference to the clan boys and farm hands. The weather conditions in Ireland were far worse than he had been used to in Spain, although he was accustomed to the physical hardship. For much of his life he had known only suffering, hunger and pain. Now he had to endure the extremes of the Irish winter, but Cirilo was accustomed to accepting discomforts and he never complained. He knew his place and there was no one to complain to, only God, however, Cirilo gave thanks, rather than to protest at his treatment. He had seen the sufferings of fellow slaves and had deemed himself to be relatively lucky in life. The clan though respected the need to provide him with warm clothing and boots. There was little point in allowing him to get frostbite or suffer with exposure. They understood the benefits of keeping him in good health. He was after all a valuable asset to them and if anything happened to him, then his chores would need doing by someone else.

  In the spring, the Nemed council met at the Bourke’s Dael Castle. The clan leaders discussed the fate of the Spanish slave as well as many other issues such as finance and clan law. In addition, the subject of rebel support for the resistance against the English was debated behind closed doors, in secret and with no record of the discussions kept. At the meeting, several interpretations of the situation were made to discuss and ultimately decide on the fate of Cirilo. Would the Spanish slave present a threat to the Irish? Was there a risk that he would try to escape and then take hostages? Would he kill for freedom or become a mercenary for another clan, or even an informer to Bingham and the English? Could he be employable effectively within their community? Could a ransom be demanded from the Spanish? All possibilities needed to be debated.

  Brehon law was still practised, but many aspects were changing the nature of Irish Law. The leaders, chiefs and Brehons were now under pressure to conform and align with English ideas and many Brehon concepts were simply no longer acceptable. The clans found themselves under great pressure from the English and were under no illusion that the constitutional climate was in a process of change in Ireland. In many of the territories, there was now an imposed contract with landowners which required the surrender to England sovereignty in return for the re-grant of a proportion of their previously owned land. This had been effective in many areas and had taken away much of the clan power, reducing them to “obedient” rather than rebellious communities.

  Amid the clan leadership, the most favoured conclusion was that Cirilo na Long, as he had come to be known, should be put to death at Galway and there was no case to answer. He should be disposed of in accordance with the orders of the English Government and the Irish Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam in Dublin. A breach of these orders would endanger relations with the English even further than they had been up until now. It may even result in death for the perpetrators and loss of favour with the English. The Bourkes were after all the strongest of all the Welsh clans throughout Connaught.

  The scout party, which had consisted of Richard Barrett the younger, James Bourke and Thomas Welsh, had mutually discovered Cirilo at Blacksod. It was they who advocated profit from their find and had decided the victor through the fight at the stone. It was they who were responsible for his adoption at Dael with the Bourkes. James had invested time, money and effort in securing Cirilo as his property. The Dael Bourkes had invested safety and sustenance in Cirilo over many weeks. As the second born son, James was now keen to either employ or sell the slave for profit and gain a healthy return on the investment.

  The majority of elders had taken a different view and the three had requested a special hearing to finally discuss his fate. At last, they were granted time to put their case forward. All three of the clansmen were at the meeting with the Bourke leader, the MacWilliam Lochter and the Chief Barrett MacPadine as well as the lower-clan leaders. Their law was fair and all three were allowed to present to the council their views regarding the disposal of Cirilo.

  ‘The slave you found was of Spanish origin, we know not of his values. What do you say to the opinion that he could steal or thieve from us?’

  Richard stepped forward.

  ‘It is certainly true that he is from Spanish keep, my lord, but we feel he is a believer in the Romish Church and abides with good morals. He resides with us and serves the Bourkes well. We have seen him making the sign of the cross before he eats and when we found him, he had a cross around his neck. This enlightened us to his nature. He is educated in the way of the faith, God fearing and is an intelligent fellow. He is lodged in the barn of the Dael stronghold and when spare time allows, he goes to the church and listens to the services from outside the north door. Not only is he faithful to the church, but he came to these shores with the Spanish fleet, to free us from the English and the ways of the Protestants.’

  The Bourkes’ stronghold consisted of a large tower house and smaller buildings within a perimeter of walls to denote power as well as protection from attack. Cirilo was given the majority of menial and unpleasant tasks on the farm and on the estate when it suited the Bourkes. Keen to impress, Cirilo over-worked himself wherever possible. He held a hope that by being useful, this would eventually gain him favour and his life would be spared.

  Clutching at straws, Richard used as much rhetoric as possible to justify keeping the slave alive.

  ‘It is the wish of his king, Philip, to deliver Ireland to the Pope and protect these shores from the English reform.’

  The room livened up to the sound of many discussions on Richard’s comments. This was a slave serving on board a ship. He was not a warrior and a liberator. Many of the Spanish had already been transported to Galway and he was no special case.

  The MacWilliam signalled for silence and then spoke directly to Richard.

  ‘Nevertheless, sir, he cannot communicate with us and we do not know his intentions. The Spanish may be of similar faith, but that alone does not ally us and certainly not with a slave. They are foreign invaders to both Ireland and England and in that respect may be considered no better than the English. He is no longer of use for offering knowledge of Spanish vessels, from which we would have much benefit. We must also not resist the wishes of the Lord Deputy.’

  James stood up and signalled to Richard to be seated back onto the oak pew. If clan law allowed succession, it was James’ elder brother, William, who would inherit the Bourke estate. Out of necessity more than anything else, James had developed significantly into a more enterprising individual than William. William was not a warrior, but a gentle jester who was concerned only with entertaining his friends. His father Walter was a rich man though, on the council of elders, who had built up an empire by collected rents and levies to support the earls and farming provided the majority of income.

  James was determined to become self-sufficient and sought a living for himself, rather than take from the estate, which could never be guaranteed while William was the heir and tanist. He needed to ensure that he was not dependant on his father and Cirilo was one step towards achieving his aims.

  ‘Providing information on the Spanish fleet is still important my lord and we could extract information from him without surrendering him to Galway. Furthermore, he has considerable merit as a working slave. He is young, fit and he could be very valuable to us. He will work as hard as four sons and would need only food and shelter for compensation. He would be a great asset to any holder.’

  ‘He may be dangerous and if the English discovered that we harboured him – and they would – either through witness or loose tongues, we would suffer grave consequences from Dublin and the Queen.’

  ‘I understand your fears, my lord, but he is not of Spanish blood, you can see that he is from the shores of the Indies or Africa. He has the Spanish tongue, but this is being lost now and in some weeks, he will be able to understand the Irish tongue fully.’

  ’I am not prepared to take the risk and I forbid you giving shelter to this man. I accept your
assessment that he could be made to work and would be an asset but the risks are too high.

  We must now vote and move on to other concerns. All those who agree and judge him to go to death as required by Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam, say aye.’

  The response was unanimous and it had to be. There was little possibility given the risks that a vote against the majority would create. Such a vote would be contrary to the wishes of the elders and would risk undermining the leadership and clan law.

  ‘We require the blackamoor to be handed over to William Fitzwilliam at the earliest opportunity following the winter season for safe passage to Galway. From that point, it is up to the Lord Deputy to decide on the fate of the slave.’

  Thomas was silent, expressionless and he poorly feigned his composure. Inside, he was jealous of James and the Bourkes. He would do all he could to bring about his downfall. The slave was rightfully his. James rushed forward to the bench. For an instant, the elders feared an attack and the guards held him back.

  ‘Please excuse my blunt manner, but that is not a view that I can support, my lord. The slave is a valuable asset to the Bourkes. If any one of the council here today had discovered him, then I affirm that you would have granted a different judgement and would argue to preserve him. Can you not see that if we hand him over in Galway, the Clanricarde Bourkes will not put him to death and they would take him for they own profit? Why do we shrug off good prospect when it is someone else’s? Why do you hate good plans and the promise of success?’

  ‘Hold your tongue, boy, unless you require I pass a judgement and punishment on you and your band as well as the blackamoor. The slave will not be at the hands of the Clanricarde Bourkes since the order comes from the Lord Deputy himself.’