Causation 7 - Ireland

Question 1

What is the synopsis regarding Irish rebellions?

Answer 1

• Rebellion in Ireland was mainly caused by the attempts of the English government to strengthen control in Ireland.

Question 2

What Irish rebellions occurred under Henry VIII?

Answer 2

• From 1532 onwards, Thomas Cromwell began to change the distribution of power in Ireland, causing Kildare to start to lose influence, who the Lord Deputy had previously worked within the past.

Silken Thomas (Kildare’s Son):

• Thomas FitzGerald ignored requests to come to London to discuss policy, he instead raised 1000 men and invaded the pale. This was primarily political as Thomas wanted to drive the English out of Ireland.

Question 3

What four Irish Rebellions occurred under Elizabeth?

Answer 3

1. Shane O’Neil (1558-1567)
2. Fitzgerald Rebellion (1569 - 1573)
3. Fitzgerald Rebellion (1579 - 1583)
4. Tyrone’s Rebellion (1595 - 1603)

Question 4

What happened in the Shane O’Neil rebellion?

Answer 4

• O’Neil wanted to rule Ulster, he killed his own brother in the process. Elizabeth didn’t take action, but he was soon plotting with France and Mary Queen of Scots.
• O’Neil claimed he was defending the Catholic faith from the protestant English when in reality he was trying to further his own agenda and gain power.

Question 5

What happened in the Fitzgerald (1569-1573) Rebellion?

Answer 5

• Fitzgerald was annoyed at the increase of English influence and brutal treatment of the Irish from English settlers. He also resented the imposition of Martial law.
• He claimed to be defending religious policy, whereas in reality he was trying to decrease English control.

Question 6

What happened in the Fitzgerald (1579-1583) Rebellion?

Answer 6

• Main cause of Rebellion was due to hatred towards the increasing number of English settlers along with increased interference from Dublin into clan life.
• Fitzgerald also increased his stance on religion following excommunication.

Question 7

What happened in Tyrone’s Rebellion?

Answer 7

• Plantation system caused increased hostility between the Irish and the English, as the settlers raised rents and took over more land, along with establishing a protestant church.
• Tyrone aimed to remove these settlers along with grinding a personal axe against Elizabeth, as he felt he had not been properly rewarded. His well organised force and range of tactics made him outlast Elizabeth.