The Image of Irelande (De.3.76)

The Edinburgh University Library copy of "The Image of Irelande, with a discouerie of VVoodkarne" was gifted by the poet William Drummond of Hawthornden, one of the early graduates of the Tounis College to his alma mater. The woodkarne, or woodkerne, were a semi-nomadic people, perceived as living by plunder and bloodshed like the Border Reivers in the Debatable Land between Scotland and England at the same period.

The EUL copy is unique in having a complete set of the woodcut plates, which provide important illustrations of Irish costume and custom and of English military gear of the late 16th century. Like a strip cartoon, the plates tell the story of the subjugation of the Irish rebels by Sir Henry Sidney, Lord-Deputy of Ireland under Queen Elizabeth of England (and father of the poet Sir Philip Sidney whose "Arcadia" was greatly admired by William Drummond). It was reprinted in facsimile and edited by John Small, Librarian of the University, in 1883.

The Image of Irelande:
title page showing the inscription of donation

A soldier holding a battle-axe hands a spear to an Irish chieftain in full dress, with a page holding the chieftain's horse

An armed company of the kerne, carrying halberds and pikes and led by a piper, attack and burn a farmhouse and drive off the horses and cattle

The most famous plate of the set shows the chief of the Mac Sweynes seated at dinner and being entertained by a bard and a harper

The Irish chieftain receives the priest's blessing before departing to fight the English, who are shown in full armour

The English solders return in triumph, carrying severed Irish heads and leading a captive by a halter

Sir Henry Sidney, Lord-Deputy, accompanied by an armed force, sets out from Dublin Castle for a progress through Ireland

The English army is drawn up for battle, while Sidney himself parleys with a defiant messenger from the Irish

Sidney and the English army on the march with standards and trumpets

The English army puts the Irish army to flight. The piper is cut down with his pipes beside him

Sir Henry Sidney returns in triumph to Dublin Castle and is received by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen

Rorie Oge, a wild kerne and a defeated rebel, in the forest with wolves for company

Turlough Lynagh O'Neale and the other kerne kneel to Sidney in submission. In the background Sidney seems to be embracing O'Neale as a noble friend