2Y: Nine Years War & Ulster Plantation Flashcards
When did the Nine Years War break out?
In 1594, a great rebellion broke out against the English rule in Ireland.
Who led the Irish Rebellion?
The rebellion was led by the Earl of Tyrone, Hugh O’Neill,
with the help of the O’ Donnells of Tyrconnell.
Why did the Irish rebel? (2 reasons)
- These famous Irish clans were determined to maintain independence of their lands in Ulster.
- They also wanted to keep out Elizabeth’s desire to spread Protestantism in Ireland.
Was the rebeliion initially successful?
Yes, the rebeliion initially successful with victories over the English:
- The Battle of Clontibret was fought in County Monaghan in May 1595 during the Nine Years War between the Crown forces of England’s Queen Elizabeth I and the Irish army of Hugh O’Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone. The battle ended in victory for Tyrone, and was the first severe setback suffered by the English during the war.
- At the Battle of the Yellow Ford in 1598 up to 2,000 English troops were killed after being attacked on the march to Armagh. The rest were surrounded in Armagh itself but negotiated safe passage for themselves in return for evacuating the town. O’Neill’s personal enemy, Sir Henry Bagenal, had been in command of the army and was killed during the early engagements. It was the heaviest defeat ever suffered by the English army in Ireland up to that point.
What external help did the Irish need?
The rebels were successful at first, but would not defeat the English without help from Catholic Spain, who were Elizabeth’s enemies.
King Philip of Spain (who had been married to Elizabeth’s sister Mary), hated Elizabeth.
It is therefore strange that the arrival of the Spanish to help the Irish was the signal for an English victory in the Nine Years War.
When was the Battle of Kinsale and who was victorious and how?
- In 1601, the Spanish arrived in Kinsale. O Neill and O Donnell marched with their armies south to meet the Spanish.
- However Lord Mountjoy and his English army arrived in Kinsale before the Irish and wiped out the Spanish fleet.
- Mountjoy then took his army to meet the Irish, who were exhausted after having marched hundreds of miles south. The English defeated them easily.
- O’ Neill and most of the Irish leaders managed to escape but their army was wiped out by Mountjoy.
When did the 9 Years War end?
- The war dragged on for 2 more years but, in 1603, O’ Neill surrendered.
- O Neill was allowed keep control of his land as long as he agreed to accept English law.
- English power in Ireland was now total.
What was the Flight of the Earls and when did it occur?
- O’ Neill and his fellow Irish lords found it impossible to live under English rule.
- 1607 – they fled Ireland, which became known as the ‘Flight of the Earls’.
- Most of them went to Rome, where they were given assistance by the Pope.
When was the Ulster Plantation?
- Queen Elizabeth died in 1603 and was succeeded by King James I.
- When the Gaelic Lords fled in 1607, James declared them traitors and seized their lands.
- Lessons had been learned from the previous plantations and the Plantation of Ulster was carefully planned. By 1609, it was ready to begin.
What was the size and what 6 counties were part of the Ulster Plantation?
Unlike the previous plantations, Ulster proved to be a success.
Loyal planters from England and Scotland were successfully planted.
4 million acres in total were planted in
- Armagh,
- Derry,
- Donegal,
- Cavan,
- Fermanagh,
- Tyrone
Who got the Land? (5 Groups)
- Undertakers – English and Scottish Protestants were given estates of2,000, 1,500, and 1,000 acres at a small annual rent. They could not take irish tenants. They built castles or stone houses surrounded by walled enclosures called ‘bawns’ to defend against attacks. Each undertaker had to build a village closeby to house the farmers, craftsmen and other settlers he undertook to bring with him to Ireland.
- Servitors – they had served as officials or soldiers in the 9 Years War. They were allowed to take Irish tenants but had to pay higher annual rents than the Undertakers.
- About 10% of irish clans got land in this Plantation. They had remained loyal to England and were ‘Trusted Irish Gentlemen’. Their rents were twice that of the Undertakers. They were also situated near servitors who kept a close eye on them.
- The King got rich English businessmen involved in this plantation. 12 London Craft Guilds (group of rich artists or craftsmen) got involved. They agreed to plan Derry and renamed it Londonderry.
- The Anglican Church was given all lands that had belonged to the Catholic Church.
What were the immediate results of the Ulster Plantation? (3)
- By 1640, nearly 40,000 Scots and as many English had settled in Ulster. This was the most successful plantation of all the Irish.
- Flax – A new crop grown which was used to make linen. This provided an important industry in Ulster, which exported to England and made Ulster prosper.
- Plantation towns were built, with most having the same layout. Donegal, Derry, Enniskillen and Coleraine are examples, where English law and culture flourished. They were built as centres of trade and for defence.
What were the Long Term Results of the Ulster Plantation? (3)
- Politics – divisions developed between the dispossessed Irish and the new planters. Many descendants of the Irish today are known as Republicans. The descendants of planters are known as Loyalists.
- Religion – Catholic Irish and Protestant English remained separate and were suspicious of each other. Catholics in the North felt ‘Irish’ while most Protestants and their descendants remain loyal to England. This can still be seen today.
- Culture – The Plantation replaced the Irish language, culture and laws with those of England. This remains to this day with Nationalists choosing to play GAA, while Loyalist Parades, like on the 12th July, draws support from the Loyalist community.
