only a credible rival, but also knew the remote and mountainous terrain in which Fínghin mac Donncha was based. Having pacified the province, Carew had no intention of leaving Fínghin mac Donncha installed as MacCarthy Mór, judging that his supremacy would make any future English presence in the area impossible. To this end, he arrested Florence, having called him to his camp for talks, 14 days before the expiry of the safe conduct "on discretion" (i.e. without charge) – an action which, although unlawful, was approved by the Queen's secretary, Robert Cecil, for reasons of state. The Irish Annals of the Four Masters states: Mac Carthaigm was sent to England in August 1601 and committed to the Tower. Carew also arrested Mac Carthaig's son, as well as his kinsmen, Dermot mac Owen and Taig mac Cormac, and his follower, O'Mahon. Only a month later, the Spanish landed at Kinsale and enquired immediately for Mac Carthaig, their main local contact. His absence was no doubt a serious disadvantage in organising local support. Most of the Mhic Carthaig, including both Donal and Donal na Pipi, did go over to the Spanish side, but surrendered after the English victory over the Irish and Spanish at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. In custody in London Mac Carthaig vainly petitioned for release from prison with a promise to serve against O'Neill. After the English victory at the battle of Kinsale, his brother, Diarmuid Maol ("Bald Dermot"), who commanded Fínghin mac Donncha's followers in his absence, was killed accidentally in a cattle-raid by some of Donal II O'Donovan's men under the command of Fínghin Mac Carthaig, his first cousin, son of his uncle Owen; many of his kinsmen were also killed in various encounters with English or rival Irish forces. In 1604 he was transferred to the Marshalsea for his health, but sent back to the Tower, with the privilege of access to his books. In 1606, Donal na Pípí surrendered his claim to the Mac Carthaig lordship and received a grant of the territory of Carbery. Then Sir Richard Boyle, Earl of Cork, and Lord Barry tried to wrest from Mac Carthaig the territory inherited from his father, but he successfully resisted by means of the law. However, much of his former lands were re-distributed. He went to the Marshalsea again in 1608, was released in 1614 on bonds of £5000 not to leave