the Houston history is interwoven, was virtually a country unto itself. A barrier of mountains and lakes to the south divided it from the rest of the island. Steep rocky shores and headlands, washed by a stormy sea protected it from east, north and west. Thus isolated, it proved a fastness to which native chiefs could retire and hold all enemies at bay.

For 400 years, up to the beginning of the 17th century, the English who nominally ruled Ireland, were never able to extend more than a semblance of authority over Ulster. The rule of the chiefs went unchallenged except by neighboring chiefs. The people of Ulster differed little in race from those of the rest of the island. To their Celtic blood had been added something of the Teuton strain when Norsenien from Scandinavia around the year 800 invaded the western shores of Scot.land and eastern coast of Ireland, pushing up the valleys into Ulster. The southern Irish had received their Teuton blood from the invasions of the Anglo-Normans from England. Sonic historians credit the Ulster Irish with a more vigorous nature than their southern neighbors due to colder, more invigorating climate.

In the 16th century almost half of Ulster was under the rule of two tribes, the O誰eills and the O奪onnells. The smaller tribes were allied, sometimes with one, sometimes the other of these two powerful tribes, according to which of the great chiefs was in the ascendancy. All Ulster was outside the English Pale. Near the end of the century, the greatest chieftain was Hugh O誰eill. He had been educated in the English court and had held a commission in the English army. In a move to secure his cooperation, the English crown made him Earl of Tyrone. Attempts by the government at this time to colonize Ulster were thwarted by "the O誰eill." Eventually there was open warfare and O誰eill, a great general, defeated the English in the battle of Yellow Ford and all of Ulster, except forts at Newry and Carrickfergus, fell into the hands of the great chief. By the year 1600, English power was at a low ebb, with O誰eill practically the ruler of all Ireland.

This was in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England (1558-1603). Though O誰eill was a great warrior, Elizabeth was a determined queen. Two generals with large armies which she sent against the Ulster chief failed to shake the O誰eill. Her womanly fury now thoroughly aroused, she sent Lord Mountjoy, who proved to be O誰eill痴 nemesis. After a decisive