I have copies of a few pages from an Irish history book by Philip Hore “History of the Town and County of Wexford” Volume 1, published 1900. I have included them here, with just a minimal bit of editing. Also included are most of the footnotes. Most of the outdated spelling has been left uncorrected. The extracts concerning the town of New Ross were sent to me on 3-1-97 by Eoin Minihan who was Councillor of the New Ross Urban District Council.
Dunbrody Abbey is a Cistercian monastery in county Wexford, Ireland. It was built in the 13th century. This photo is from en.wikipedia.org
For more info you can go to www.dunbrodyabbey.com
[page 50] This was the first city fortified, or otherwise built by English hands on Irish soil. Its founder, [Isabella], the granddaughter of Dermot McMurrough, on the death of her father, became ward of Henry II of England, heiress to the Sovereignty and Palatinate of Leinster, and the representative of the highest chieftainship in Ireland. Henry was anxious to strengthen his claims to his newly acquired dominions, and as at that period the most powerful noble at the Court was William, son of the Earl of Strigul, Marshal of England, Henry determined to arrange his marriage to Isabella. Although the king did not live to see it, the marriage took place in 1189 on the return of his successor, Richard Couer de Lion, from the Holy Land. In the following year, Isabella set about building a beautiful city on the banks of the Barrow.
A mile or two above New Ross the Barrow joined in confluence with the Nore. The united waters continue for some twenty miles, joining the Suir in their exit to the sea. By the waterside of the town the dual river was navigable to its fullest extent, but the point of vantage most appreciated was that here the river narrowed and facilitated an easy span to the opposite territory of the Ossory. The bridge with wooden piers, made by command of Earl William, became part of its very name, Ros-Mic-Truim – and Roscus Triani gave place to Ros Villa Novi Pontis, Rosponte, and, lastly, New Ross. The first official reference we find of the changed designation is when King John, in 1211, during his progress from Waterford to Dublin, dates one of his dispatches from the Nova Villa Pontis Whelhelmi Marscalli. On the occasion of his visit the King confirmed to the Earl Marshal all the rights and privileges conferred on Earl Strongbow by his father Henry II, at the same time giving the patent for the new town, and granting the device, or arms of its corporate privileges.
Richard Stanihurst, in Holinshed’s Chronicles, 1586, gives a quaint account of a robbery of cloth as the primary cause of the building of the walls. He writes: -- “Rosse an haven towne in Mounster (for “Mounster” read Leinster) not far from Waterford, which seemeth to have been in ancient time a towne of great port. Whereof sundrie and probable congectures are given as given as well by the old ditches that are now a mile distant from [page 51] the walls of Ross, between which walls and ditches the reliks of the ancient wals, gates and tower, placed betweene both are yet to be seene*.
The towne is builded in a barren soile, and planted among a crue of naughtie and prolling neighbours, and in old times when it flourished, albeit the town were sufficientlie people, yet as long as it was not compassed with walls, they were forced with watch and ward, to keepe it from the greedie snatching of the Irish enemies, with whome as they were generallie molested, so the privat cousening of one pezzant on a sudden, incensed them to inviron their towne with strong and substantial walls. There repaired one of the Irish to this town on horseback, and espieing a peece of cloth on a merchant’s stall, tooke hold thereof, and bet the cloth to the lowest price . . .
*New Ross had four gates, known by different names at different periods. These were the North gate, the South or Priory Gate, the Bishop’s Gate, known also as the Maiden, or Fair Gate, and Aldgate, known also as the Bewley or Three Bullet Gate. Of these the most remarkable was the Bishop’s Gate, rebuilt in the early part of the 15th century by Richard Barrett, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Bishop of Ferns, who resided at Mountgarrett Castle, near New Ross, and was in the habit of passing through this gate to officiate in St. Mary’s Church. Of the walls traces can be found in many places, and one of the towers that guarded the town wall is in excellent preservation (Notes on the Visit of the Royal Society of Antiquaries to the Co. Wexford. “Journal,” July 1896 pp. 196-4).
The plan or map of the town, of about 300 years ago, shows five gates, but Lewis, writing in 1835 states only two of these five gates are still standing. That on the North, called the Bishop’s gate retains proofs of its former magnificence. The tower was built by Bishop Barrett. The Bishop’s mill is close to this spot and a plot of ground near by still bears the name of Bishop’s Park. This gate had a portcullis and the roof of the archway was delicately groined. Priory, or South Gate, been recently taken down. The only other remains of the walls are a small fragment near the South Gate, and part of an oval tower near the Three Bullet Gate.
[I do not have page 52, but page 53 begins with the end of an interesting account, and then concludes a thought on a certain church]
[P 53] … How her unfortunat husband on his returne found his fingers to nibble, his teeth to grin, his eies to trickle, his eares to dindle, and his head to dazell, became scared with gelousie and mad as a March hare.” How the people killed the friars, & c., and left them goaring in their bloud.” How “the Pope excommenged the towne, the towne accursed the friers, so that there was musch cursing and banning of hands.”
That the Church is called Christ’s Church* . . .
* This was St. Savior’s Parish Church, served by Canons who had their Priory or Vicarage close by, but distinct from St. Savior’s Chapel.
There is not any known official Coat of Arms for New Ross, the device of the greyhound pulling down a stag on the bridge before referred to, and which was really the seal of the Earl Marshal, doing duty for Arms. This device is still the Town Seal. We give impressions of this Seal as it was and as it is now. The writer of the Historical Sketch of Ross, states, “Quarterings were not in use until after the Crusades, but devices to which great importance was attached, when few could write, were borne by Corporations, Abbots, or individuals, under the sign manual of the King. The Elk and the staghound – for such is the device – was the seal of the Earl Marshal; the scroll below is simply a recital from the Patent of the King by [page 54] which he permitted the “official seal” (of the Earl Marshal) “surmounting a bridge.” (in memory of his work) to be the sign of the new City.”*
*The inverted commas are the writer’s. We have not seen the scroll to which he refers. The words round the “device,” “Sigill Officii Superiorat Novi Rosspont” simply state that it is the Official Seal of the Sovereign, i.e., Mayor of Ross of the new bridge, i.e., New Ross. The most ancient impression of the Seal that we know of dates from the Elizabethan era is to be found among the Collection for the city of Chester (British Museum, Harleian MSS. No. 2173, fol. 42). It is a copy of “a certificate from the Soveraigne of New Ross, alias Ross Ponte in Ireland, to show how wee be free with them and they with the City of Chester of all Customs.” (29 Elisabeth, 1587.) A seal was appended to the document, showing a greyhound pulling down a stag, and beneath a bridge raised on seven arches. Round the edge, “S. Office . . . Superiour, Newe Rosse.”
The magnificent viaduct, which crosses the Barrow at the present time, is the fourth that has spanned the site of William Marshal’s bridge. In point of engineering art, or in beauty of design, it equals, for its length, any structure of the kind in Europe. For history’s sake it is pleasant to find the Marshal’s shield, with a fine impression in relief, has been appropriately placed above its swivel arch. The “strange device,” and the scroll beneath now silently tell their tale of 700 years ago when England’s Marshal flung his “wondrous way” across to Isabella’s towers, and when the worst of the Plantagenets signed his parchment at the Nova Villa, permitting the Earl’s seal the be the seal of Ross!
An episode of history more than its civil importance is attached to this seal. In the last and most disastrous days of the same unfortunate king, when, in his progress from Lincoln, the crown, insignia, and seal of the Realm had been lost in the Wash, the deeds of confirmation were sealed with this seal. Again, in the early years of Henry III, when Pembroke, as Protector, confirmed the Magna Charta and the Charta Forestae in the name of the youthful sovereign, the royal grants recite: --“These liberties we send to you, our faithful subjects, sealed with the seal of our faithful William Marshal, the guardian of us and our kingdom, because as yet we have no seal.”*
*“Acta Rymeri,” tom i., part i., p. 146. Henry III
The writer of the same Historical Sketch then proceeds to give an account of the death of this Earl in 1219 and his consort, who did not long survive him, together with a description of the monument in the Temple Church, London, most of which our readers will find, as well as a photograph of the monument, under our pedigree notice of the Earls of Pembroke. The writer says of Earl William: -- Few of those who now cross at New Ross, the splendid and still historic thoroughfare, feel they tread the monument of one of the greatest warriors or statesmen who ever figured on the canvas of English History. The basis of the Constitution we enjoy, the boasted liberty of England is due to him, since it was he and Almaric, together with the mighty Langton, who wrung the Magna Charta from King John. Shakespeare has immortalized the Earl Marshal in one of the finest characters of his stage*.
*“King John”
The inheritance of the Palatinate of Leinster, which by right of his wife, was secured in 1189 to Earl Marshal, gave him a power in dealing with Ireland greater than all the weapons of conquest. The claims of friendship, if not of fealty, to which the foundress of New Ross found she might still lay claim with her clansmen, are sufficiently evidenced in the fact that for more than a century after its foundation the town was not fortified . . .
[page 58 begins in mid-account of the battles that led to the building of the walls]
His adversary, Walter de Burgh, who married the daughter of Hugh de Lacy, and in he right inherited the earldom of Ulster, on her father’s death in 1264 was involved in the same scene of bloodshed; and on the cessation of the feud with the Geraldines laid claim to the territories of Connaught, but being opposed by the O’Connors, and defeated in a conflict, he did not long survive, but after a week’s illness expired in his Castle of Galway, July 26, 1271, and was interred in the Abbey of Althafil.
These historical data sufficiently confirm the account of the poet in ascribing the erection of the Walls of Ross to this troublesome period, and prove Camden to have been mistaken when he states the walls were built by Isabel, the daughter of Richard, Earl Strongbow*.
*Grose in his Antiquities, vol. i. p.59 repeats an absurd variation of the same tradition, ascribing the enclosure of New Ross with a wall to Rose Macrue, sister of Strongbow, in the year 1310, who is said also to have built Hook Tower, and to have been buried at Ross in the Church of St. Savior’s. Strongbow died in 1711: his sister could not have so long survived him.
The author of the poem commences: . . . you shall hear a fine adventure of a town in Ireland . . . Its inhabitants were alarmed by the feud existing between two barons, . . . Sir Maurice and Sir Wauter . . . this town is called Ross – it is the New Pont de Ross.” He then proceeds to relate how the principal men of the town, together with the commonality, assembled to take measures for their safety, and they resolved to surround the town with mortar and stone*.
*They built towers on the walls at various points for the better protection of the town. A map of New Ross given in Sir Richard Musgrave’s “Memoirs of the Rebellious in Ireland” delineates no less than ten towers standing on the walls. Their names are as follows: North Gate, or St. John’s or Bishop’s Gate; Maiden Tower; Market Gate; Bunuion Gate; Weaver’s Gate; Brogue Makers Tower; one anonymous; Mary’s Tower; Priory, or South Gate; Three Bullet Gate (prior name was Bewley Gate. The name of Three Bullet Gate was given in the Com. Wealth). At page 407 of the above work it is stated that Ross “was formerly a place of great strength, being surrounded with high walls with towers and bastions, of which there are considerable remains.”
They commenced, accordingly, on the feast of Purification (February 2, A.D. 1265), and marked out the fosse, or line of circumvallation. Workmen were speedily hired, and above 100 each day came to labor, under the direction of the Burgesses. When this step was taken they again assembled, and determined to establish a byelaw, such (says the Poet) as was never heard of in England or France, which was publicly proclaimed the next day to the people, and received with applause. This law was as follows:
“That on the ensuing Monday, the Vinters, the Mercers, the Merchants, and the Drapers, should go and work at the fosse, from the hour of prime till noon.”
This was readily complied with, and above 1,000 men (writes the Poet) “went out to work every Monday with brave banners and great pomp, attended by flutes and tabors. So soon as the hour of noon had sounded, these fine fellows returned home with their banners borne before them, and the young men singing loudly and caroling through the town. The Priests, also, who accompanied, fell to work at the Fosse, and laboured right well, more so than the others, being young and skilful, of tall stature, strong and well housed. The Mariners, likewise, proceeded in good array to the fosse, to the number of 600, with a banner proceeding them, on which was depicted a Vessel; and if all the people in the ships and barges had been hired, they would have amounted to 1,100 men.” A convincing proof of the importance of the town, at the time, as a mercantile port.
On the Tuesday this party was succeeded by another, consisting of the tailors and cloth workers, the tent makers, fullers, and celers (saddlers, from the French “sellier”), who went out in a similar manner as the former, but were not so numerous, amounting only to 400 men.
On the Wednesday a different set was employed, viz., the cordwainers, tanners, and butchers; “many brave bachelors were among them” and their banners were painted as appertained to their craft. “In number I believe there were about 300 taken together, little and great; and they went forth caroling loudly as the others did. On the Thursday came the fishermen and hucksters. Their standards were of various sorts, but on one was painted a fish and a platter; these, 500 in number, were associated with the Wainwrights, who were 32 in number.
[fairauthor's note: a cordwainer makes shoes and other items from soft leather known as cordovan, produced in Córdoba, Spain]
[fairauthor's note: a wainwright was a builder and repairer of wagons]
“On Friday went out the . . . (illegible), in number 350, with their banners borne before them, unto the border of the fosse. On the Saturday succeeded the Carpenters, Blacksmiths, and Masons, in number about 350. Lastly, on the Sunday, assembled in procession the ladies of the town! Know, verily that they were excellent labourers, but their numbers I cannot certainly tell; but they all went forth to cast stones and carry them from the fosse. Whoever had been there to look at them might have seen many a beautiful woman, many a mantle of scarlet, green, and russet, many a fair folded cloak, and many a gay coloured garment. In all the Countries I ever visited never saw I so many fair ladies. He should have been born in a fortunate hour who might make his choice among them.”
The ladies also carried banners in imitation of the other parties; and when they were tired of the duty assigned to them, they walked round the fosse, singing sweetly to encourage the workmen. On their return to the town, the richer sort held a convivial meeting, “and”, as we are told, “made sport, drank whisky, and sang,” encouraging each other, and resolving to make a gate which should be called the Ladies’ Gate, and there would fix a prison. According to the poet, “the fosse was made 20 feet in depth, and its length extended above a league.” “When it shall be completed,” adds the writer, “they may sleep securely, and will not require a guard; for if 40,000 men were to attack the town they would never be able to enter it, for they have sufficient means of defense; many a white hauberk (a coat of mail) and haubergeon [habergeon: coat of mail protecting the neck and chest], many a doublet [a close-fitting garment from the neck to below the waist] and coat of mail, and a savage Garcon (unknown) [a servant, possibly a young man], . . .
[page 130] Mountgarret Castle
Is on the summit of a lofty hill, which overlooks the town of New Ross, within a short distance of the conflux of the two rivers Nore and Barrow. This Castle is one of the few instances in the County in which an eminence was chosen as a site for building. It is mentioned in the catalogue of the principal fortresses of Wexfordshire in the Carew MSS. In Lambeth Palace, and was specially excepted from being included within the liberties of the neighboring town. It was the residence of Patrick Barrett, Lord Chancellor of Ireland and Bishop of Ferns, who rebuilt and reconstructed it in the early part of the fifteenth century (circa A.D. 1401). By Patent dated 9th May 10 Hen. IV 1408, the King (reciting that Patrick Barrett, Bishop of Ferns, intends to build a certain castle “lapideum kernelatum . . .” in the marshes of Wexfordshire, in a place called Mountgarret) grants permission to his Lordship that he may take “latomos et cementarios” (masons and cement) that are fit within the shires of Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford, for use in the construction of the aforesaid Castle, by way of tithes of his Bishoprick. The late Herbert F. Hore, Esq., visited the ruins of this castle in September 1839. He states, “the south side is 32 feet in length, the west 50 feet; the tower, which is all that is standing, was surrounded by massive walls, remains of which are yet to be traced, and which enclosed a considerable area. It now belongs to the Earl of Kilkenny.”
The earliest notice we can trace of this locality is dated 4 Edw. II, 1311, 8th June, when the King granted a license to Robert Russel, of Ross, that he might acquire to him and his heirs for ever of Agnes, daughter of John Kempe, two carucates and 52 acres of land in Mongaret, Near Ross, which are within the Manor of Old Ross, Which belonged to Roder le Bygod, late Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England, and are held of the King in capite *.
[fairauthor’s note: a carucate was the equivalent of about 120 acres]
[fairauthor’s note: capite – all land belonged to the king who would grant portions of it to his tenants (tenant in capite) who had permanent possession of the land and its profits]
* In the Inquisitions on the lands of Roger le Bygod 35 Edw. I, 1307, John Ocle, or Ogle, is mentioned holding two carucates in Mongaret, probably a tenant of the Earl. The whole site was Crown lands, formerly belonging to the Earl, and which passed to the Crown on the death of Roger Bygod, 5th Earl, in 1306. He had four years previously made the King his heir, and gave up his Marshal’s rod, but received his lands and dignities back in tail. On his death without issue, these became vested in the Crown. The Butlers had nothing to do with Mountgarrett till the time of Henry VIII.
We give a sketch of the ruins taken in 1835*
*The Castle, with the Bishop’s Mill, was granted to Lord Mountgarrett, July 27, 1667. This nobleman’s patent comprised of 29, 945 acres in the County of Kilkenny, and 3,498 in Wexford – English measure. (H. F. H.’s MS., vol. 52, who adds, “This estate was his lawful patrimony, and only thereby confirmed to him.”) In the Commonwealth Distribution of Forfeited Estates this place and 180 acres had been granted to Wm. Ivory, Esq., and the town of Ross to Lord Anglesey.
This castle, which was re-granted in 1666 with 380 acres, to Edmond, Viscount Mountgarrett, gives the title of Viscount to a most distinguished branch, now Earls of Kilkenny, of the great Ducal House of Le Botiller *.
*Sir Richard Butler, second son of Sir Pierce, 8th Earl of Ormonde, by Lady Margaret Fitzgerald, daughter of Gerland eighth Earl of Kildare, was created in 1550 the first Viscount Mountgarrett. He was constable of Ferns Castle, and was joined in a Commission of Martial Law for the disturbed territories of Leinster, with Sir Nicholas Devereux of Balmagir (surnamed the White Knight).