Victory or Death (May 1596 to December, 1599)
Another Spanish Armada slowly prepares to set sail midst the first rumblings of a secret alliance against Elizabeth of England. The plot supposedly involves the Earl of Tyrone, Hugh O’Neill; James V, King of Scotland; and the Queen’s favourite, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.
However, France, England and Rome now fear that a successful Spanish landing in Ireland will enable Spain to conquer them all. While an Irish Confederate Alliance, with Hugh O’Neill as its Captain General, awaits the Spanish landing, he inflicts successive defeats on English arms. Soon, Dublin’s authority barely extends beyond its walls and Hugh’s prestige grows in Europe to a point where he is being talked of as Ireland’s next King.
Hugh attempts to bolster his sway over reluctant Irish allies by asking Pope Clement to excommunicate any Irish Catholics who refuse to join the Confederate Alliance.
However, Clement fears, that were he to do so, he would contribute to O’Neill’s success and further encourage Spain to conquer England. The Pope is told that Irish and English Catholics do not wish to be put in a position of being forced to choose between their religion and their loyalty to the Crown. The Pope agrees.
Wondering at the reason for the Pope’s refusal, Hugh O’Neill assures Clement that the struggle in Ireland is about freedom of religion and not Gaelic independence, nor any desire on his part to become High King of Ireland or the conquest of England.
Believing none of this, Elizabeth realizes the gravity of the threat posed by Hugh O’Neill and his alliance with Spain. She risks all and borrows an immense sum to raise an army numbering 16,000 soldiers, and sends it to Ireland under the command of her unruly court favorite – the Earl of Essex. Reluctant to march north and face his secret ally Essex turns south. Elizabeth, and her councilors are increasingly suspicious and call Essex out upon his loyalty.
Essex and O’Neill meet privately on an Irish river bank. Days later, Queen Elizabeth is astonished to find Essex unannounced in her bedroom.
A Desolate Peace is the first broad account of the epic clash between the Elizabethan and Gaelic Worlds. Have a look at a complete list of volumes for this epic 10 volume set. The list also includes release dates for all volumes and links to their summaries.