Westropp — Ancient Castles of the Count f/ of Limerick. 77 



'The bawn of Limerick is named in 1200 (Ann. Loch Ce). There was 

 a ''castle there" in " 1202 " (Ann. Clon.). The fortress needed 

 repair, 1216. In 1226 all the castles save Limerick were held 

 against the king ; but its custodian, Ric. de Burgo, was always 

 willing to help the Government (C.S.P.I., No. 1443). It had been 

 neglected, and the king's goods in it in 1224 were found to be 

 scarcely worth 18 pence, "such as broken dishes" {lb., No. 

 1258). In 1227 the Justiciary was ordered to send a trusty person 

 to spend 50 marks on its repair {lb., No. 1514). 1250 G. de Mareys, 

 Justiciary, granted the presentation to its chapel to Bishop Hubert 

 de Burgh (B.B.L., p. 29). 1272 John de Musegros accounts for 

 cost of repairs of the bridge and C. (Pipe R. 1272). Money was 

 granted for the food of the hostages in the C, also for building a new 

 chamber, and paying two men to watch from the tower of the bridge 

 towards Thomond, and archers on the tower at the head of the bridge 

 (Pipe R. 4). 1297 A wall built in the C. {lb. 25). 1318 The 

 constable carelessly allowed fourteen prisoners {sic) to escape ; but 

 J. de Wogan recaptured sixteen, slew two, and permitted eight to 

 abjure the realm (Plea R., No. 124, m. 37). 1310 Murage allowed 

 for the city, and in 1322 for the C, and the repair of the walls and 

 bridge (Pat. R.). 1326 T. de Winchester got a patent for the C, 

 in bad repair, and grants of £20 and £80 for its buildings {lb.). 

 1332 The hostages slew the constable, and held the C. till the Mayor 

 and citizens recaptured it and put them to the sword (Ann. S. Mary's, 

 Dublin, vol. ii., p. 378, and Book of Howth, p. 159). 1369 The city 

 surrendered to the O'Briens and MacNamaras after the battle of 

 Monasternenagh. Sioda MacNamara, who was left as Governor, was 

 slain, and the Irish expelled (A.F.M.). 1417 Henry lY. granted 

 murage (Pat. R.). The fees were for the most part annihilated, 

 and the C. ruinous," so £10 was granted from the city, and 40 marks 

 from the Lexweir for the repairs (Pat. R.). 1427 The mayor 

 and citizens petitioned that the C. might be given to their care, as it 

 commanded the city, and had often been nearly lost by carelessness or 

 treachery. This was granted conditionally on keeping it in repair 

 (English Pat. R.). 1476 James, Earl of Desmond, made constable, 

 and first took coigne and livery from the English (Carew i., p. 6). 

 1542 The possessions of the C. were found to be two gardens and the 

 pasture of the King's Island, saving right of the citizens to enter 

 for pastime there. It also took lOs. rent from the **Ile wear at 

 Corbally," and dues from ships — 1 measure of salt, 1 of wheat, 

 100 herrings or oysters, according to the cargo (Inq., Feb. 13, Len., 



