Stukley now devises a plan for a…

Stukley now devises a plan for a colony in Florida and, to this end, persuades Elizabeth to supply a ship of one hundred tons (including one hundred men, plus sailors), to supplement his fleet of five vessels.

Having staged a naval pageant for the queen on the Thames, he promptly sails his fleet to the coast of Munster in Ireland in June 1563 to go privateering against French, Spanish and Portuguese ships.

After repeated remonstrances on the part of the offended powers, Elizabeth disavows Stukley and sends a naval force under the command of Sir Peter Carew to arrest him.

One of his ships is taken in Cork haven, and Stukley surrenders, but he is acquitted once more (though not forgiven by the queen), with O'Neill pleading his case through diplomatic channels.

Having developed an extended interest in Irish affairs from his meeting with O'Neill, Stukley is on June 30, 1563, recommended by the queen to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Sir Thomas Radclyffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex.