Pacata Hibernia. Or, A History of the Wars in Ireland, During the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. Taken from the Original Chronicles. Illustrated with portraits of Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Totness; and Fas Similes of all the Original Maps and Plans. Second Edition. Two Volumes. Dublin: Hibernia-Press, 1810. Pp (1) [8] 334; with two portraits, folded map of the Province of Mounster (after J. Speed) and Seven folded plates; (2) 335- 707, [8] with Nine plates (8 folded) and folded map of Ireland at end. Contemporary polished calf, rebacked, title in gilt to spines. Ex library set, with a few minor ink stamps to contents pages, but overall in very good condition.

First published in London in 1633, the Pacata offers an impartial, contemporary account of affairs in Ireland during the latter stages of the Nine Years War, as well as details on the conduct of the campaign in Munster. The work also includes a series of accompanying maps & plans.

Sir Thomas Stafford (1576?-1655) was a secretary to Sir George Carew, the 1st Earl of Totnes. Believed to be the illegitimate son of Carew, Stafford also served under him as a captain in Munster during the campaign against Hugh O’Neill.

A large collection of manuscripts relating to Ireland were donated to Stafford by Carew at the time of the latter’s death. While this collection would have acted as a primary source for his work, it is stated by Stafford that he also drew on Carew’s own writings in composing his ‘Pacata Hibernia.’