She could hear without emotion of the massacres at Rathlin or Slievh Broughty; but the blood of the nobles, who had betrayed their wretched followers into the rebellion for which they suffered, was for ever precious in her sight.

She forbade Sidney to touch him.'[1] [Footnote 1: Vol.

xi, p.197.] Next came the great Desmond Rebellion, by which Munster was desolated.
The Pope had encouraged an expedition against the heretics in Ireland, and some Spanish forces joined in the enterprise.

It was organised by an English ecclesiastic, named Sanders, and an exiled Geraldine, named Fitzmaurice of Kerry, both able and energetic men.

The Spaniards landed at Dingle in 1579.