The English authorities in Dublin Castle have…

The English authorities in Dublin Castle have been slow to comprehend the depth of Tyrone’s rebellion.

English armies after failed negotiations in 1596 had tried to break into Ulster but had been repulsed by a trained army including musketeers in prepared positions.

Up to two thousand English troops are killed on August 14, 1598, at the Battle of the Yellow Ford, after being ambushed on the march to Armagh.

The rest are surrounded in Armagh itself but negotiate safe passage for themselves in return for evacuating the town.

Ó Neill's personal enemy, Henry Bagenal, had been in command of the army and had been killed during the early engagements.

It is up to this point the heaviest defeat ever suffered by the English army in Ireland.