In this encounter, the English force had to advance through a valley to capture the local Gaelic clan leader's stronghold. Facing them was an Irish rebel army, aided and abetted by some questionable Spanish allies.
Initially the English made good progress, but then they were confronted by a dastardly enemy trick - they were attacked by some Irish Kern, who had been hidden in hills and woods to their left flank. Nevertheless, these troublesome natives were eventually cleared from their positions.
Then the Spanish made their appearance on the right flank. After the English soldiers recovered from the shock of seeing these strange men dressed, as it would seem, as ladies(!), the Spanish launched their attack. After some initial success, the Spanish sword and buckler men (or women) failed their morale check and routed. Following that, the Spaniards mainly resorted to shooting at the English from a safe distance.
Meanwhile in the centre the demi-lancers, pike and shot units proceeded to drive the outnumbered Irish from the field.
Of note, was the inability (or reluctance) of the elite of Gaelic manhood - the Bonnachts - to engage the enemy. Instead they preferred to retire to the stronghold, before the battle was over, and remove all supplies and valuables, then taking to their heels in flight!
After the English captured the stronghold, they realised that anything of any value had been removed. This prompted them to burn the compound to the ground. And so ended another fun day of warfare in Elizabethan Ireland.
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