by their nobility of birth and by their estates in Ireland--namely, the Earl of Abercorn, Henry Lord O'Brien, the Earl of Thomond's eldest son, who was a sound Protestant, Lord Ochiltree and Lord Burghley; but there was a majority without these, and they were not to come unless their private affairs admitted. As a matter of fact, they do not seem to have attended. All the old nobility, being of full age, received their writs of summons, except Lord Castle Connell, whose title was actually under litigation. Lord Barry's claim was allowed, as it had never been disputed in fact, though he had an elder brother who was a deaf mute.[101] [Sidenote: Renewed Roman Catholic complaints.] [Sidenote: Chichester's answer.] On the eve of the opening of Parliament eleven recusant lords addressed a petition to the Lord Deputy in which they repeated the complaints of the former letter. They further objected to peers of England or Scotland being called by writ. A better-founded grievance was the partiality shown by sheriffs and returning officers. They also protested against the slur cast on their loyalty by the presence of troops, and against the Castle as a place of meeting, especially as it was over the powder magazine. The audacious allusion to the Gunpowder Plot gave Chichester a fine opportunity of retort. The powder, he said, had been removed to a safe place; 'but let it be remembered of what religion they were of that placed the powder in England and gave allowance to that damnable plot, and thought the act meritorious, if it had taken effect, and would have canonised the actors.' As to the boroughs, he could only stand upon the King's prerogative, the best choice possible having been made; but disputed elections were for the House of Commons and not for him. As for the soldiers, they were but one hundred foot, brought into Dublin to protect the Government and Parliament against the tumultuous outrages of the ruder part of the citizens who lately drove their mayor from the tholsel and forbade him to repair to the Lord Deputy for succour.[102] [Sidenote: Parliament meets.] [Sidenote: Contest for the Speakership.] [Sidenote: Violent proceedings in the Commons.] [Sidenote: Sir John Davies is elected.]