Ardee Louth Ireland

The army marches on September 2 to Ardee, where O'Neill can be seen with his army on the far side of the Lagan, "a mile and a half from our quarter, but a river and a wood between him and us".

The English claim variously that the rebel leader has ten thousand foot and a thousand horse, or five thousand and seven hundred.

Heeding counsel not to engage because of the inferiority of his forces, Essex embattles the army and encamps on the left bank of the Lagan.

O'Neill marches on the flank, keeping to the woods, while his horse-scouts stay within sight.

There are communications between the sides, and on September 6 Essex advances with two thousand foot and three hundred horse.

On sighting O'Neill he readies his army in the formation of a St Andrew's cross, with cavalry on either flank and to the rear.

The war council hopes for an Irish attack, but determines not to take the initiative.

A meeting between O'Neill and Essex is suggested the next day by the former's envoy, to take place at the ford of Bellaclinthe on the river Glyde.

Essex is informed that the rebel leader seeks the queen's mercy.

Upon inspection on September 7, the proposed meeting place is rejected by Essex, but the impatient O'Neill finds a spot to ride into the river up to his horse's belly.

It is a gesture of humility, and Essex rides with a troop of horse to an overlooking hill before going down alone to the ford, where he converses with O'Neill for half an hour.

Both men withdraw to their companies on the hills.

A formal meeting follows later, with six witnesses on either side: when the Irish ware in place, Essex rides down with his men and the Irish ride into the river—again, up to their horses' bellies—while the English remain on the bank.

O'Neill speaks bare-headed for a good while, saluting the viceregal party with great respect.

After half-an-hour, a further conference is arranged at Lagan Ford for the following morning.

Essex continues his march to Drumcondra, while O'Neill returns to camp.

At the planned conference (September 8) O'Neill is present, but not Essex.

A cessation of arms is agreed for six weeks to six weeks, until May Day, either side being at liberty to break it on giving fourteen days warning, with liberty to attack O'Neill's confederates if they refuse to be bound; restitution for all spoils within 20 days after the warning is also provided for.

The rebels are to hold all they now possess, with no garrisons to be placed in new stations, free passages to be assured, all English garrisons to be apprised of the cessation, and commissioners for the borders between the English and Irish zones to be appointed.

O'Neill is to ratify this on oath, Essex on his word.

The terms are committed to writing and signed by O'Neill.

The next day, Essex disperses his army and goes to take physic at Drogheda, while O'Neill retires with all his forces into the heart of his country.

O'Neill is of two minds about the cessation, and comes under pressure from O'Donnell, who argues that too much has been ceded to the English.

He issues a list of demands on religious freedom and withdrawal of English influence and confirmation of lands in rebel possession—probably the bones of his private conference with Essex.

There is a further parley on the Lagan in late November, when a one month extension is agreed.