Free Pirate Queen of Ireland by Anne Chambers

Richard-in-Iron.

1571
   
With Grace’s help, Richard-in-Iron becomes tanaiste (elected successor) to the MacWilliam of Mayo, the premier chiefdom in Mayo.

1576
   
The MacWilliam of Mayo submits to Queen Elizabeth of England. Richard-in-Iron’s position as his successor is under threat.

1577
   
With her army and navy, Grace impresses Elizabeth’s minister, Sir Henry Sidney in Galway with her power.

1577
   
Grace plunders the lands of Desmond and is captured by the Earl of Desmond, who imprisons her in Limerick Jail.

1578
   
To save his own neck, Desmond hands her over to the English Governor.

1578
   
Grace is thrown into the dungeons of Dublin Castle.

1579
   
Richard-in-Iron rises in rebellion. Grace is released from prison by the English.

1579
   
Grace plunders English ships. She routes an English army sent to beseige her at Rockfleet.

1580
   
The MacWilliam dies and his son succeeds him by English law. Grace and Richard go into the rebellion to secure their rights. Grace’s ships bring in the infamous Scottish mercenaries, the Gallowglass. The English are no match for them and agree to deal. Richard becomes the MacWilliam of Mayo.

1581
   
Grace and Richard try and stop the English from taking their lands.

1583
   
Richard-in-Iron dies. Grace immediately takes Rockfleet Castle as her base.

1584
   
Sir Richard Bingham is appointed English Governor. He sets out to destroy Grace and her family.

1584
   
Grace leads a rebellion against Bingham.

1586
   
Bingham’s brother kills Grace’s eldest son, Owen.

1586
   
Under the guise of a truce, Bingham lures Grace to his head-quarters. he proclaims her a traitor and condemns her to death. She is rescued by her son-in-law.

1587
   
Grace flees to Ulster to consult with O’Neill. With his ally, O’Donnell, he is plotting to unite the Irish for the first time and, with help from the king of Spain, to drive the English out of Ireland.

1588
   
The Spanish Armada is driven by bad weather to its doom. Bingham exacts revenge on Grace and her relations for helping the Spanish. They retaliate and Bingham declares all-out war.

1589
   
Bingham accuses Grace of treason and of being ‘the nurse to all rebellions in Ireland’ and reports her to Queen Elizabeth.

1590
   
Bingham pressurises Grace’s second son, Murrough, to ally with him. Furious, Grace attacks Murrough.

1591
   
By adopting a ‘scorched earth’ tactic, Bingham finally defeats Grace.

1592
   
In desperation Grace writes to Elizabeth to complain about Bingham.

1593
   
Bingham seizes her youngest son Tibóid and charges him with treason, a crime punishable by death.

1593
   
Grace makes a momentous and dangerous decision. She will sail to London and put her case to Elizabeth face-to-face.

1593
   
She is successful. Against Bingham’s advice Elizabeth grants Grace an audience at her glittering Court at Greenwich. Showing a shrewd negotiating ability and daring, Grace outmanouvers the Queen, secure her son’s release and boldly elicits the Queen’s permission to continue her career by land and sea.

1594
   
Bingham is recalled to England and Grace returns unhindered to her old career by sea.

1597
   
At the ‘great age’ of 67, Grace is still actively leading her men by sea. She attacks MacNeil of Barra off the Scottish coast.

1601
   
The Battle of Kinsale and the end of the Gaelic world of Grace O’Malley.

1603
   
Grace dies at Rockfleet.

FURTHER READING
    Books
    Chambers, Anne, Granuaile: Ireland’s Pirate Queen (Grace O’Malley) , 1530-1603, Wolfhound/Merlin, 2003
    Ellis, Steven, Tudor Ireland , Longman, 1985
    MacCurtain, M. & O’Dowd, M., Women in Early