Note (return) — Replies.

As Raleigh says "I myself knew the old Countess of Desmond," and plainly declares that she was married in the time of Edward IV., it is most probable that he received this account from herself at all events, when he so strongly appeals to the witness of "all the noblemen and gentlemen of Munster" for the truth of his statement, it is most unlikely he would have written thus merely on common or casual report. The Knight of Kerry says, "There are statements in existence of 1464 being the year of her birth." This is most probably the correct date, which is perfectly consistent with Raleigh's account of her marriage in the reign of Edward IV. It is likely she married very young. There is every probability that Raleigh was well acquainted with the "old Countess" when he was in Ireland, and acted so gallant a part against the rebels in that country. Early in the spring of 1581, upon the Earl of Ormond leaving Ireland, Captain Raleigh (for he was then only such), with Sir William Morgan and another gentleman, received a commission to succeed the Earl for a time in his government in Munster (the old lady's county), and he spent the summer there of that year. It may be further remarked, that the then Earl of Desmond and Sir John Desmond are among the rebels, and that therefore the House of Desmond did suffer by attainder in the reign of Elizabeth;[5] and more likely was it that the aged Countess should sue at the Court of Elizabeth for relief, than twenty years after at that of Jas. I.