Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/322

 302 XEIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 59. throughout to the Queen. He had been selected to com- mand with Hunsdon in the Northern rebellion, and more than once at moments of danger to take charge of the Queen of Scots. As belonging to the old blood he had especially recommended himself to Elizabeth's favour by his loyalty, and in 1572 he had been reward- ed for his services by the earldom of Essex. He was young, enthusiastic, generous ; the first conspicuous re- presentative of that illustrious company who revived in the England of Elizabeth the genius of medieval chival- ry. He was burning to deserve his honours, and in Ireland the despair of statesmen, the home of the evil demons of anarchy, Papistry, and confusion he saw the opportunity which he desired. To the recovery of Ireland he determined to consecrate his life and fortune ; not, he said, for any personal ambition, 'but being of good devotion to employ himself in the service of her Majesty for the benefit of his country/ Other enter- prises had failed for want of unity or greatness of pur- pose. Essex was ready to undertake the entire outlay and the entire responsibility. He too, like Smith, saw in the country deserted by the Scots the most favour- able position to make good his footing ; and he peti- tioned the Queen to make over to him 'that part of Ulster called Clandeboy/ the district enclosed by a line from Belfast to the foot of Lough Neagh, and by the river Bann from Lough Neagh to the sea. He required authority ' to build castles and forts/ ' to plant towns and incorporate them by charters/ ' power to make laws necessary for his government/ ' power to levy war upon