Nicholas Malby
Encyclopedia
Sir Nicholas Malby was an English soldier active in Ireland, Lord President of Connaught
from 1579 to 1581.
, and, with three of his associates, was condemned to death; he was, however, reprieved on consenting to serve under Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick
, in France. A man of education, in April 1563 he is described as Warwick's secretary. In 1565 he was sent to Spain, where he was commended for his judicious conduct by Phayre, the English minister at Madrid. On his return to England he was sent to Ireland, and was shortly afterwards appointed sergeant-major of the army by Sir Henry Sidney. After the death of Shane O'Neill
in 1567 he was stationed at Carrickfergus
in order to assist Captain Piers in keeping the Scots of the Glynns in check. He was reproved by the lords justices for distraining Brian MacPhelim O'Neill
's and other Irishmen's cattle for cess
, but his conduct was justified by Sir Henry Sidney. His position was a difficult one, and he complained that he had to feed his men at his own cost, but he displayed tact in his management of Sorley Boy MacDonnell
, and Sidney, on visiting the north in October 1568, found the charge committed to him in very good state. In July 1569 he was sent to the assistance of Sir Peter Carew
against the Butlers, and in a skirmish near Carlow
he was hurt by a fall from his horse. He was warmly commended by Sir William Fitzwilliam
and Sir Edward Fitton, and on 22 March 1571 he obtained a grant of the office of collector of the customs of Strangford
, Ardglass
, and Dundrum
.
In the spring of 1571 he visited England, where he advocated colonising the north of Ireland with Englishmen to prevent the growth of a Scottish power. On 5 October 1571 he obtained a grant of MacCartan's country, corresponding to the barony of Kinelarty in county Down
, on condition that he planted it with civil and loyal subjects before 28 March 1579. On his way back to Ireland in February 1572 he captured a Spanish ship in the English Channel. On 10 April he received a commission to execute martial law in MacCartan's country, but the indiscretion of Thomas Smith in publishing his scheme for the plantation of the Ardes and Upper Clandeboye, by putting the Irish on their guard, placed obstacles in the way of realising his plan. He succeeded in reducing Sir Brian O'Neill
to temporary submission in October 1572, and in the following month captured O'Neill's youngest daughter; but, despite efforts with Smith, and at a later period with Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex
, he failed to establish himself permanently. Essex chose Malby report to the privy council on the situation of affairs in the north in December 1574. He returned to Ireland on 5 May 1575 with special instructions for the Earl of Essex, and with an order for his own admission to the privy council. He had made a good impression on Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
and Francis Walsingham
, who recommended him to the queen for the government of Connaught, but several months elapsed before their recommendation took effect. During the summer of that year he took part in Essex's expedition against Sorley Boy, and may have assisted at the massacre of the MacDonnells on the island of Rathlin.
, harrying their countries with fire and sword. In October 1577, after arranging a feud between O'Conor Don
and MacDonough, he, at O Connor Sligo
's request, attacked the castle of Bundrowes, and having captured it from O'Donnell, restored it to O'Conor Sligo. But not having much confidence in the loyalty of the latter, he appointed Richard MacSwine sheriff of the county of Sligo. Shortly O'Donnell invaded the county, slew the sheriff, and besieged Bundrowes, compelling him to retrace his steps. He drove O'Donnell out of the county, but was unable to overtake him. At Sligo, on his way back to Roscommon
, he came to terms with Brian O'Rourke
, but the arrangement did not last long, owing to O'Rourke's refusal to expel certain coiners he maintained. In April 1578 Malby invaded his country, captured his chief castle, and put the entire garrison to the sword.
In the autumn of 1578 he went to England, returning to Ireland in May 1579, with the higher title of president of Connaught. After the failure of Essex's colonisation project, his grant of MacCartan's country had been, by Sidney's advice, revoked; but he, on 12 April 1579, received a grant of the manor and lordship of Roscommon, together with an annual rent of 200l. out of the composition paid by the O'Farrells, and certain lands in Longford
. During his absence in England his officers and soldiers behaved badly, but Connaught remained tranquil; on the outbreak of James Fitzmaurice
's rebellion in July, Malby, with six hundred troops, marched to Limerick
to co-operate with the lord justice, Sir William Drury. Owing to Drury's illness the task of suppressing the rebellion devolved mainly upon him. On 3 October he defeated Sir John and Sir James of Desmond at Monasteranenagh in county Limerick. He strongly suspected the Earl of Desmond of disloyalty, and after several ineffectual efforts to secure his co-operation, treated him as a rebel; while Desmond complained that Malby's severity was a chief cause of his rebellion.
On the arrival of the Earl of Ormonde in November with a commission to command the army in Munster, Malby returned to his charge in Connaught. He belonged to the Leicester faction, and for this and other more personal reasons bore no goodwill to Ormonde, whom he subsequently charged with misrepresenting his services in Munster, and with abetting disorder in Connaught. With the exception of Richard Burke, called Richard of the Iron, or Iron Dick, none of the Connaught chiefs had shown any active sympathy with the Munster rebels. In February 1580 Malby invaded his country and drove him to seek safety among the islands in Clew Bay
. After suffering the most terrible privations, Richard of the Iron submitted to the garrison at Burrishoole
. During the siege of Carrigafoyle, Malby assisted the operations of the lord justice, Sir William Pelham, with supplies from Connaught. In August O'Rourke, expecting foreign assistance, rebelled and dismantled the castle of Leitrim
. Malby immediately took the field against him, repaired and garrisoned the castle, and routed the rebels. Then, hastening to Dublin to the assistance of the lord deputy, Arthur, Lord Grey of Wilton
, against Baltinglas
and Fiach McHugh O'Byrne
, he witnessed the defeat of the English forces at battle of Glenmalure
.
O'Rourke was again in arms and Malby returned at to Connaught. O'Rourke fled at his approach; but John and Ulick Burke, at the instigation of the catholic bishop of Kilmacduagh
, had proclaimed a religious war, and were making efforts to relieve the Spanish at Smerwick. Even after the capture of Smerwick Grey sent reinforcements, but by the end of January 1581 Malby announced success against the rebels. O'Rourke took advantage of the situation, and invaded Roscommon, but Malby sent Captain Brabazon against him, and O'Rourke then sued for peace. Towards the end of February a body of six hundred Scots invaded the province to co-operate with the Burkes, but Malby had notice of their arrival, and drove them across the Moy River. At Strade Abbey, in County Mayo
, he decided a controversy between Richard of the Iron Burke and Richard MacOliver, allowing the title of MacWilliam to the former, and making the latter sheriff of the county of Mayo.
In May he agreed to a short peace with the Burkes, intending to visit court, but on the outbreak of hostilities between Turlough Luineach O'Neill
and Hugh O'Donnell in July, he was ordered to the assistance of O'Donnell. He marched as far as Lifford
, and having destroyed the town, effected a junction with the lord deputy. Towards the close of November he went to England to report on the general situation of affairs in Ireland. But, so far as he was personally concerned, his visit was not successful. Enemies charged him with violent, tyrannical, and corrupt conduct in his administration, and Elizabeth showed a disposition to listen to the charge. He returned to Ireland on 21 May 1582, where early in July, Con O'Donnell, at the instigation of Turlough Luineach, invaded Sligo
. Malby complained that the order forbidding him to raise men by cessing them on the country rendered him powerless to meet this danger. But O'Conor Sligo behaved well, and at Malby's approach O'Donnell quickly crossed the Erne River.
After this nothing occurred during his lifetime to disturb the peace of his government. On 4 March 1584 he died at Athlone, feeling ingratitude on the part of the Queen. "He was a man learned in the languages and tongues of the islands of the west of Europe, a brave and victorious man in battles", according to the Annals of the Four Masters
, s.a. 1584.
. By her he had a son, Henry, who succeeded him, and married Elizabeth, granddaughter of Sir Francis Jobson, lieutenant of the Tower of London; he was killed apparently in November 1602, while serving in Connaught; and a daughter, Ursula, who was married to Anthony Brabazon. Lady Malby subsequently married one George Rawe.
Lord President of Connaught
The Lord President of Connaught was a military leader with wide-ranging powers, reaching into the civil sphere, in the English government of Connaught in Ireland, in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.*1569-1572 Sir Edward Fitton...
from 1579 to 1581.
Life
He was born probably about 1530. In 1556 his name appears in a list of persons willing to take part in the plantation of Leix in Ireland. On 6 August 1562 he was found guilty of coiningCoining
Coining may refer to:*Coining , metalworking process*Coining , production of money*Counterfeiting of coins*The creation of a neologism...
, and, with three of his associates, was condemned to death; he was, however, reprieved on consenting to serve under Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick
Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick
Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick, KG was an English nobleman and general, and an elder brother of Queen Elizabeth I's favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester...
, in France. A man of education, in April 1563 he is described as Warwick's secretary. In 1565 he was sent to Spain, where he was commended for his judicious conduct by Phayre, the English minister at Madrid. On his return to England he was sent to Ireland, and was shortly afterwards appointed sergeant-major of the army by Sir Henry Sidney. After the death of Shane O'Neill
Shane O'Neill
Seán Ó Néill, anglicised Shane O'Neill , nicknamed 'Seán an díomais', was an Irish king of the O'Neill dynasty of Ulster in the mid 16th century. Shane O'Neill's career was marked by his ambition to be The Ó Néill Mór - Sovereign of the dominant Ó Néill Mór family of Tyrone... and thus head...
in 1567 he was stationed at Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
in order to assist Captain Piers in keeping the Scots of the Glynns in check. He was reproved by the lords justices for distraining Brian MacPhelim O'Neill
Brian O'Neill (1574)
Brian MacPhelim O'Neill was chief of the O'Neills ofClanaboy, O'Neill fought against the English when he learned of plans for imposed settlements. Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, forced him to submit...
's and other Irishmen's cattle for cess
Cess
The term cess generally means a tax. It is a term formerly more particularly applied to local taxation, and was the official term used in Ireland when it was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; otherwise, it has been superseded by "rate"...
, but his conduct was justified by Sir Henry Sidney. His position was a difficult one, and he complained that he had to feed his men at his own cost, but he displayed tact in his management of Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Sorley Boy MacDonnell
Somhairle Buidhe Mac Domhnaill , Scoto-Irish prince or flaith and chief, was the son of Alexander MacDonnell, lord of Islay and Kintyre , and Catherine, daughter of the Lord of Ardnamurchan...
, and Sidney, on visiting the north in October 1568, found the charge committed to him in very good state. In July 1569 he was sent to the assistance of Sir Peter Carew
Peter Carew
Sir Peter Carew was an English adventurer, who served during the reign of Queen Elizabeth of England and took part in the Tudor conquest of Ireland.He is to be distinguished from another Sir Peter Carew Sir Peter Carew (1514? – 27 November 1575) was an English adventurer, who served during the...
against the Butlers, and in a skirmish near Carlow
Carlow
Carlow is the county town of County Carlow in Ireland. It is situated in the south-east of Ireland, 84 km from Dublin. County Carlow is the second smallest county in Ireland by area, however Carlow Town is the 14th largest urban area in Ireland by population according to the 2006 census. The...
he was hurt by a fall from his horse. He was warmly commended by Sir William Fitzwilliam
William Fitzwilliam
William FitzWilliam may refer to:*William FitzWilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton , English courtier*William FitzWilliam , Lord Deputy of Ireland...
and Sir Edward Fitton, and on 22 March 1571 he obtained a grant of the office of collector of the customs of Strangford
Strangford
Strangford is a small village at the mouth of Strangford Lough in County Down, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 475 people at the 2001 Census.On the other side of the lough is Portaferry and there is a ferry service between the two villages...
, Ardglass
Ardglass
Ardglass is a coastal village in County Down, Northern Ireland and still a relatively important fishing harbour. It is situated on the B1 Ardglass to Downpatrick road, about 11 kilometres to the south east of Downpatrick, in the Lecale peninsula on the Irish Sea. It had a population of 1,668...
, and Dundrum
Dundrum
Dundrum is the name of several places:in Ireland:*Dundrum, Dublin, a suburb of Dublin city.**Dundrum Town Centre, a shopping centre*Dundrum, County Tipperary** the Dundrum meteorite of 1865, which fell in Munster, Ireland...
.
In the spring of 1571 he visited England, where he advocated colonising the north of Ireland with Englishmen to prevent the growth of a Scottish power. On 5 October 1571 he obtained a grant of MacCartan's country, corresponding to the barony of Kinelarty in county Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, on condition that he planted it with civil and loyal subjects before 28 March 1579. On his way back to Ireland in February 1572 he captured a Spanish ship in the English Channel. On 10 April he received a commission to execute martial law in MacCartan's country, but the indiscretion of Thomas Smith in publishing his scheme for the plantation of the Ardes and Upper Clandeboye, by putting the Irish on their guard, placed obstacles in the way of realising his plan. He succeeded in reducing Sir Brian O'Neill
Brian O'Neill (1574)
Brian MacPhelim O'Neill was chief of the O'Neills ofClanaboy, O'Neill fought against the English when he learned of plans for imposed settlements. Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, forced him to submit...
to temporary submission in October 1572, and in the following month captured O'Neill's youngest daughter; but, despite efforts with Smith, and at a later period with Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex
Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex
Walter Devereux, 1st Earl of Essex, KG , an English nobleman and general. From 1573 until his death he fought in Ireland in connection with the Plantation of Ulster, where he ordered the massacre of Rathlin Island...
, he failed to establish himself permanently. Essex chose Malby report to the privy council on the situation of affairs in the north in December 1574. He returned to Ireland on 5 May 1575 with special instructions for the Earl of Essex, and with an order for his own admission to the privy council. He had made a good impression on Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester
Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, KG was an English nobleman and the favourite and close friend of Elizabeth I from her first year on the throne until his death...
and Francis Walsingham
Francis Walsingham
Sir Francis Walsingham was Principal Secretary to Elizabeth I of England from 1573 until 1590, and is popularly remembered as her "spymaster". Walsingham is frequently cited as one of the earliest practitioners of modern intelligence methods both for espionage and for domestic security...
, who recommended him to the queen for the government of Connaught, but several months elapsed before their recommendation took effect. During the summer of that year he took part in Essex's expedition against Sorley Boy, and may have assisted at the massacre of the MacDonnells on the island of Rathlin.
Lord President of Connacht
He accompanied Sir Henry Sidney into Connaught in September 1576, and having been knighted by him on 7 October, was appointed colonel, or military governor, of the province. Malby then proceeded against John and Ulick Burke, sons of the Earl of ClanricardeEarl of Clanricarde
Earl of Clanricarde is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of Ireland, first in 1543 and again in 1800. The former creation became extinct in 1916 while the 1800 creation is still extant and held by the Marquess of Sligo since 1916....
, harrying their countries with fire and sword. In October 1577, after arranging a feud between O'Conor Don
O'Conor Don
The Ó Conchubhair Donn is the hereditary Prince and Chief of the Name of the Royal Family of Connacht, the Clan Ó Conchubhair.-Overview:...
and MacDonough, he, at O Connor Sligo
O Connor Sligo
Ó Conchobhair Sligigh , Gaelic-Irish family and Chief of the Name.The Ó Conchobhair Sligigh were a branch of the Ó Conchobhair Kings of Connacht....
's request, attacked the castle of Bundrowes, and having captured it from O'Donnell, restored it to O'Conor Sligo. But not having much confidence in the loyalty of the latter, he appointed Richard MacSwine sheriff of the county of Sligo. Shortly O'Donnell invaded the county, slew the sheriff, and besieged Bundrowes, compelling him to retrace his steps. He drove O'Donnell out of the county, but was unable to overtake him. At Sligo, on his way back to Roscommon
Roscommon
Roscommon is the county town of County Roscommon in Ireland. Its population at the 2006 census stood at 5,017 . The town is located near the junctions of the N60, N61 and N63 roads.-History:...
, he came to terms with Brian O'Rourke
Brian O'Rourke
Lord Brian na Múrtha Ó Ruairc , hereditary lord of West Bréifne in Ireland during the later stages of the Tudor conquest of that country, was proclaimed by the English to be a rebel and became the first man extradited within Britain for crimes alleged to have been committed in Ireland.-Early life:Ó...
, but the arrangement did not last long, owing to O'Rourke's refusal to expel certain coiners he maintained. In April 1578 Malby invaded his country, captured his chief castle, and put the entire garrison to the sword.
In the autumn of 1578 he went to England, returning to Ireland in May 1579, with the higher title of president of Connaught. After the failure of Essex's colonisation project, his grant of MacCartan's country had been, by Sidney's advice, revoked; but he, on 12 April 1579, received a grant of the manor and lordship of Roscommon, together with an annual rent of 200l. out of the composition paid by the O'Farrells, and certain lands in Longford
Longford
Longford is the county town of County Longford in Ireland. It has a population of 7,622 according to the 2006 census. Approximately one third of the county's population resides in the town. Longford town is also the biggest town in the county...
. During his absence in England his officers and soldiers behaved badly, but Connaught remained tranquil; on the outbreak of James Fitzmaurice
James Fitzmaurice
James Fitzmaurice may refer to:*James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald, Irish rebel*James Fitzmaurice , aviation pioneer*James Fitzmaurice-Kelly , English writer on Spanish literatureSee also*Jimmy Fitzmorris, U.S. businessman...
's rebellion in July, Malby, with six hundred troops, marched to Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
to co-operate with the lord justice, Sir William Drury. Owing to Drury's illness the task of suppressing the rebellion devolved mainly upon him. On 3 October he defeated Sir John and Sir James of Desmond at Monasteranenagh in county Limerick. He strongly suspected the Earl of Desmond of disloyalty, and after several ineffectual efforts to secure his co-operation, treated him as a rebel; while Desmond complained that Malby's severity was a chief cause of his rebellion.
On the arrival of the Earl of Ormonde in November with a commission to command the army in Munster, Malby returned to his charge in Connaught. He belonged to the Leicester faction, and for this and other more personal reasons bore no goodwill to Ormonde, whom he subsequently charged with misrepresenting his services in Munster, and with abetting disorder in Connaught. With the exception of Richard Burke, called Richard of the Iron, or Iron Dick, none of the Connaught chiefs had shown any active sympathy with the Munster rebels. In February 1580 Malby invaded his country and drove him to seek safety among the islands in Clew Bay
Clew Bay
Clew Bay is a natural ocean bay in County Mayo, Ireland. It contains Ireland's best example of sunken drumlins. According to tradition, there is an island in the bay for every day of the year. The bay is overlooked by Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain, and the mountains of North Mayo. Clare...
. After suffering the most terrible privations, Richard of the Iron submitted to the garrison at Burrishoole
Burrishoole
Burrishoole is one of the nine baronies of County Mayo in Ireland.-Legal context:Baronies were created after the Norman invasion as subdivisions of counties and were used for administration. While baronies continue to be officially defined units, they have been administratively obsolete since 1898...
. During the siege of Carrigafoyle, Malby assisted the operations of the lord justice, Sir William Pelham, with supplies from Connaught. In August O'Rourke, expecting foreign assistance, rebelled and dismantled the castle of Leitrim
County Leitrim
County Leitrim is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Leitrim. Leitrim County Council is the local authority for the county...
. Malby immediately took the field against him, repaired and garrisoned the castle, and routed the rebels. Then, hastening to Dublin to the assistance of the lord deputy, Arthur, Lord Grey of Wilton
Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton
Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey de Wilton was a baron in the Peerage of England, remembered mainly for his memoir of his father, and for participating in the last defence of Calais.-Life:...
, against Baltinglas
James Eustace, 3rd Viscount Baltinglass
James Eustace of Harristown, 3rd Viscount BaltinglassJames FitzEustace, the eldest son of Roland FitzEustace, the 2nd Viscount of Baltinglass and Joan, daughter of James Butler, 8th Baron Dunboyne. He was born in 1530 and died in Spain in 1585...
and Fiach McHugh O'Byrne
Fiach McHugh O'Byrne
Fiach mac Aodh Ó Broin was Lord of Ranelagh and sometime leader of the Clann Uí Bhroin, or the O'Byrne clan, during the Elizabethan conquest of Ireland.-Background:...
, he witnessed the defeat of the English forces at battle of Glenmalure
Battle of Glenmalure
The Battle of Glenmalure took place in Ireland in 1580 during the Desmond Rebellions. An Irish Catholic force made up of the Gaelic clans from the Wicklow Mountains led by Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne and James Eustace, Viscount Baltinglas of the Pale, defeated an English army under Arthur Grey, 14th...
.
O'Rourke was again in arms and Malby returned at to Connaught. O'Rourke fled at his approach; but John and Ulick Burke, at the instigation of the catholic bishop of Kilmacduagh
Bishop of Kilmacduagh
The Bishop of Kilmacduagh was an episcopal title which took its name after the village of Kilmacduagh in County Galway, Ireland. In both the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church, the title is now united with other bishoprics.-History:...
, had proclaimed a religious war, and were making efforts to relieve the Spanish at Smerwick. Even after the capture of Smerwick Grey sent reinforcements, but by the end of January 1581 Malby announced success against the rebels. O'Rourke took advantage of the situation, and invaded Roscommon, but Malby sent Captain Brabazon against him, and O'Rourke then sued for peace. Towards the end of February a body of six hundred Scots invaded the province to co-operate with the Burkes, but Malby had notice of their arrival, and drove them across the Moy River. At Strade Abbey, in County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, he decided a controversy between Richard of the Iron Burke and Richard MacOliver, allowing the title of MacWilliam to the former, and making the latter sheriff of the county of Mayo.
In May he agreed to a short peace with the Burkes, intending to visit court, but on the outbreak of hostilities between Turlough Luineach O'Neill
Turlough Luineach O'Neill
Toirdhealbhach Luineach Mac Néill Chonnalaigh Ó Néill , the earl of the Clan-Connell, was inaugurated as the King of Tyrone, upon Shane O’Neill’s death...
and Hugh O'Donnell in July, he was ordered to the assistance of O'Donnell. He marched as far as Lifford
Lifford
Lifford is the county town of County Donegal, Ireland. It is the administrative capital of the county and the seat of Donegal County Council, although the town of Letterkenny is often mistaken for fulfilling this role...
, and having destroyed the town, effected a junction with the lord deputy. Towards the close of November he went to England to report on the general situation of affairs in Ireland. But, so far as he was personally concerned, his visit was not successful. Enemies charged him with violent, tyrannical, and corrupt conduct in his administration, and Elizabeth showed a disposition to listen to the charge. He returned to Ireland on 21 May 1582, where early in July, Con O'Donnell, at the instigation of Turlough Luineach, invaded Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
. Malby complained that the order forbidding him to raise men by cessing them on the country rendered him powerless to meet this danger. But O'Conor Sligo behaved well, and at Malby's approach O'Donnell quickly crossed the Erne River.
After this nothing occurred during his lifetime to disturb the peace of his government. On 4 March 1584 he died at Athlone, feeling ingratitude on the part of the Queen. "He was a man learned in the languages and tongues of the islands of the west of Europe, a brave and victorious man in battles", according to the Annals of the Four Masters
Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland or the Annals of the Four Masters are a chronicle of medieval Irish history...
, s.a. 1584.
Family
Malby married Thomasine, daughter of Robert Lamb of Leeds, whose wife was a Castell of the Castells of East Hatley in CambridgeshireCambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
. By her he had a son, Henry, who succeeded him, and married Elizabeth, granddaughter of Sir Francis Jobson, lieutenant of the Tower of London; he was killed apparently in November 1602, while serving in Connaught; and a daughter, Ursula, who was married to Anthony Brabazon. Lady Malby subsequently married one George Rawe.