The Submission of Dermot O'Conor and Cormac O'Melaghlin
Submission text (English, translated by Edmund Curtis)
Notarial Instrument XXVII records that: on the 16th day of April, 1395, in the church of the Friars Preachers outside the walls in the suburbs of Kilkenny, in the presence of King Richard, the notary, and others, Dermot O’Conor of Offaly, removing his mantle, girdle, and cap, and on bended knees, took these words in Irish, which were rendered in English by John of Desmond, knight, viz.: ‘I, Dermot O’Conor of Offaly, become liegeman of my lord King Richard’, &c. [as in Instrument I]. Then came Cormac O’Melaghlin of Meath and did homage similarly. For observing which, he bound himself in 1,000 marks. And his interpreter was John of Desmond. Whereupon the King admitted Dermot and Cormac as his liegemen, and they requested the notary to make them public instruments.
'I, John MacDonald, become liegeman of the lord Richard, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland, sovereign lord of me and my nation, as also of his heirs, kings of England, from this day forth in life, limb, and earthly honour, so that
he and they shall have over me power of life and death, and I will be faithful to the same and his heirs for ever in all things and will help to defend him and his heirs against all worldly enemies whatsoever, and will be obedient to the laws,
commands, and ordinances of the same or any of them according to my power and that of all mine: and I will come to the said lord my King and his heirs, being kings of England, and to his or their parliament and council or otherwise whensoever he
or they shall send for me or whenever I shall be required, called, or summoned on his or their part or the part of their lieutenants: and I will well and faithfully come to the said Lord King, his heirs and their lieutenants, or to any of them,
to give counsel, and I will do in all and singular that which a good and faithful liegeman ought to do and is bound to do to his natural liege lord, so help me God and these God's holy Gospels.'
Witnesses: the bishops of Llandaff and Lismore-Waterford, the Earl of Huntingdon, and William Scrope.
Submission text (Latin, transcribed by Edmund Curtis)