The Bann Patents to “the Scot” (under way to Chichester) wronged one or more of at least four persons. On the Antrim side the river belonged partly to Sir Randal MacDonnell and partly to the Bishop of Down and Connor; on the Derry side to the Bishop of Derry and Hugh O’Neill. The fishing rights of the Bishops were so well-established that when the Reverend George Montgomery received the See of Derry later on, his share in the Bann was admitted by the Deputy, in spite of the adverse Patents he had sanctioned. These grants, therefore, transferred the property of two Bishops and two chieftains to a Scotch interloper on a spent warrant by a secret process. To prevent the facts being unravelled, they were complicated by a tangle of technicality. Throughout the first half of Sir Arthur’s sway, Cecil was Secretary of State. While he lived the Deputy’s position was unshakable. Chichester called him his “saint,” and reverently worshipped at his shrine. Still, even the hunchback saint’s protection could not wholly screen him from danger. He knew that the underground Patents were mere parchment so long as the true owners were left in possession of their domains. To assert them publicly, when no legal forfeiture or escheat had taken place, would give rise to scandal. An appeal to the King must ensue, and the exposure might end in disaster. He, therefore, resolved to fasten the brand of “traitor” on those whose title he had sapped by subterranean conveyances. An ecclesiastical accomplice was convenient for this work, in view of the “flagrant zeal” for Protestantism affected by James I. Hamilton had helped to get promotion for the Reverend George Montgomery—with whose brother he had partitioned Sir Con O’Neill’s estate. That divine was advanced from a Court chaplaincy to the See of Derry, but was loath to risk himself in a troubled diocese. For this he was chidden by Attorney-General Davies, who wished him to come over and preach the Gospel to the clans and chiefs in course of despoilment, so that their distresses might be cheered by the consolations of the new evangel. Three years flew by before the prelate could be persuaded to venture into Erin. When he came he began his mission by a severe survey of the temporalities of the diocese. The richest part of it, the City of Derry, was a gift from the O’Dohertys to Queen Elizabeth, but it also included large areas within O’Neill’s jurisdiction. The devoted Bishop was, therefore, set on to dispute with the Earl the nature and extent of the Church lands in his See. These having heretofore been dedicated to Catholic uses, it is possible that O’Neill was not speedy enough in handing them over to help the spread of Lutheranism.