Submission text (English, translated by Edmund Curtis)
Notarial Instrument VIII records that: on the 16th day of March, 1394-5, in a room of the Friars Preachers in Drogheda, in the presence of King Richard, Nellanus iuvenis O Nel [Niall Og O’Neill] in person, captain of his nation, removing his
girdle with his dagger and cap, on bended knees, &c. [as in Instrument I]
in person, removing his girdle, dagger, and cap, on bended knees fell at the feet of the said Lord
our King and, raising his two hands with the palms together and holding them between the hands of the King
took these words in Irish, which were rendered into English by Thomas O’Locheran, interpreter, in the presence of many well understanding the Irish language, viz :
‘I, Niall junior, captain of my nation, swear to be faithful liegeman of my Lord Richard, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland, my sovereign lord, and of his heirs and successors, being kings of England, from this day henceforth [as
above in Instrument I].
'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.'
So help me these God’s holy Gospels.’
For the observing of which allegiance and fealty, he bound himself [as in Instrument VI],
they took corporal oaths, and further by a similar oath, the said T. O’Concor bound himself that if, which God forbid, he shall violate his said oath in part or in whole, doing or procuring to be done anything by himself or others in contempt of the said Lord King or his heirs or to the offence of himself or his heirs or to the detriment of his government or that of his heirs, he will pay to the Papal Camera 20,000 marks of good and lawful sterling English money.
if he should violate the said oath, he would pay to the Papal Camera 20,000 marks of English money. Thereupon the King admitted him to the kiss of peace
as his liege, and Niall requested the notary to make him a public instrument.
Witnesses: Thomas, Archbishop of York, John of Armagh, Primate of all Ireland, the bishops of London, Chichester, and Llandaff, Thomas Mowbray, Earl of Nottingham, Thomas Percy, Marshal of the Household, and William Scrope, the King’s
Chamberlain.
Submission text (Latin, transcribed by Edmund Curtis)