freedom of religion only, and 'you may inculcate the reason (which God knows to be true), it was to win time, and our construction shall be freedom in splendour if holpen with possibility of subsistence.' The ultimate goal was to be an Ireland whose victorious soldiers 'would not rest satisfied, but try their valours elsewhere for religion, as long as any heretics did remain in the neighbouring provinces.' The duplicity of Charles I. was rightly complained of by the Confederates; but it was not greater than their own.[66] [Sidenote: Siege of Duncannon, Jan.-March 1644-5.] [Sidenote: Parties in the garrison.] [Sidenote: The cessation ignored.] [Sidenote: Lord Esmond's difficulties.] [Sidenote: A rival governor] [Sidenote: The Covenant.] [Sidenote: Charles I. characterised.] Duncannon Fort in Wexford guards the approach both by the Suir to Waterford and by the Barrow to New Ross. Every large ship must necessarily pass under the guns, but the place is very weak on the land side, being commanded by higher ground. The defences had been strengthened in 1611 by Sir Josias Bodley, a younger brother of Sir Thomas, who founded the Oxford library. Bodley was a skilful engineer, and was fully aware of Duncannon's weak point, though he probably considered his works strong enough to resist a purely Irish attack. When the rebellion broke out the governor of the fort was Laurence Lord Esmond, a strong Protestant Royalist, and he held it for the King; but the majority of his men were much more inclined to the Parliament. Summoned by the Confederates to join them as the loyal party, Esmond refused to do so without orders from the Lords Justices, and those orders were of course never given. He made great efforts to maintain discipline, but as he could neither pay nor feed his men they were forced to drive cattle and otherwise spoil the country. With the help of some English ships they burned Dunmore in Waterford, which was too near a neighbour, but in an attempt to seize the Hook Tower, their over-enterprising leader, Captain Aston, and some sixty of the garrison, were taken or slaughtered, having been surrounded in a fog by a large number of the natives. This was as early as July 1642, and it settled the question as to whether the fort was really friendly to the Confederates or not. The garrison continued to plunder in 1643 and 1644 without regard to the cessation, and it was soon resolved at Kilkenny that the fort must, if possible, be reduced. Among Esmond's officers two should be mentioned, Major Ralph Capron, who said he was 'too old to forego his loyalty,' and Lawrence Larcan, lieutenant of Esmond's own company of foot, who made no secret of his adhesion to the English Parliament. Esmond made great efforts to obtain relief from Ormonde, but nothing effectual could be done for him, and early in August Inchiquin sent Captain Smithwick to induce him to declare for the Parliament. This he steadfastly refused to do, but told Ormonde