Ireland Flashcards
Where were the only effective areas of law enforcement?
The lowlands of Munster and Leinster centred around Dublin and the Pale where the Anglo-Irish mainly lived
What was endemic?
Feuding between rival clans such as the Geraldines and butlers
What were Tudor monarchs not and what did English kings depend on?
Recognised as sovereign rulers by Gaelic lords
The Geraldines to govern on their behalf
Why was relying on the Geraldines a high-risk, low-cost strategy?
The eighth Earl of Kildare acknowledged Simnel and Warbeck as kings of England
Thomas died fighting Henry VII at Stoke
What did the family use and what was maintained?
Its political status to extend its power at the expense of rival clans
A semblance of order
What were disturbances not and why?
In the Kildares’ best interest
They could not govern without a royal commission, and this could be revoked as in 1492, 1522, and 1528
Why did attempts to rule through the Butlers prove equally unsatisfactory?
They were unable to command much respect from the other lordships
What happened in practice and in return?
English laws were only occasionally enforced and Gaelic customs and language were encouraged
The Crown’s landed interests were protected and the cost of governing Ireland was met by the feudal dues paid to Kildare
What did Henry VII and Henry VIII do when trouble flared up?
Sent troops to Ireland: Edgecome went there in 1487, Poynings in 1494, and Surrey in 1520
What was never seriously considered and what demonstrates this?
Conquest of Ireland
Poynings took only 400 men and Surrey had 500 troops and the king’s Yeomen of the guard
What did Henry VIII do in 1519?
Established a council in Dublin
Sent Surrey to see ‘how Ireland may be reduced and restored to good order and obedience’
What did the Earl of Surrey report and what was the consequence?
That the Irish will not be brought to no good order … without a great puissance of men, and great cost of money, and long continuance of time
Henry returned to a policy of relying on the Irish magnates
Until 1534 what was the case?
The main colonial grievance had been royal neglect: no Tudor visited, administration expected to be self-funded, and rulers underestimated the difficulties in maintaining peace
What was the main colonial grievance after 1534 and why?
Royal interference
English-born officials held all the principal offices which caused resentment among the Old English families (patronage) and the Gaelic lords
What religious changes were introduced in 1536?
Henry VIII called a parliament, attainted Kildare, imposed Henry’s Reformation Acts, and ordered the collection of tax and sold off half of all monastic lands
What happened to the garrison in Dublin and what were the consequences?
Reduced from 700 to 340 troops
Cost was borne by the locals and army captains were granted lands on the borders of the Pale
What heralded further changes and what did he do?
The appointment of Anthony St Leger as deputy in 1537
Increased the garrison to 2000 men and tried to get the Gaelic chiefs to recognise Henry VII as the King of Ireland
What happened in 1543?
Garrison reduced to 500
What happened in 1941?
Chiefs agreed to surrender their lands to the king and he regranted them according to English law and customs
Chiefs swore an oath of allegiance and rejected the authority of the pope
Henry gave up claims to land under occupation and surrendered feudal rights
What progress was made?
In getting the Gaelic chiefs to attend Irish parliaments, adopt English customs, and refrain from tribal conflict
What happened under Edward to the garrison?
Enlarged to 2600 troops and more fortresses were built in the marcher borderlands
What did Somerset and Northumberland take?
A more aggressive stance towards Ireland
What happened when disturbances broke out between the O’Connors and O’Mores?
Lands confiscated from the families were granted to new English colonists at low rents and subject to English law
Why did resentment grow further under Edward’s reign?
More Englishmen in Dublin saw the opportunity to gain lands and wealth at the expense of the Irish
What happened in Mary’s reign?
More garrisons were built in Leix and Offaly
Plantations were set up
Purveyance and military service was imposed on local tenants and Irish natives
What increased the likelihood of instability and worsened Anglo-Irish relations?
The Anglicisation of Gaelic lordships
The establishment of colonies outside the Pale
Growing military presence
What was Elizabeth’s policy towards Ireland characterised by?
Inconsistency towards Ireland
Give examples of Elizabeth’s poor policy:
Reluctant to spend money on maintaining her garrisons
Between 1580 and 1603 there were six deputies, six justiciars, and one lieutenant
Queen condoned numerous underfunded experiments that were guaranteed to antagonise the Irish
What did the Old English favour and what did the New English want?
A peaceful and gradual expansion westwards
Instant occupation of borderlands
What did the Old English complain of under Lord Deputy Sussex’s administration?
That ‘their kingdom was kept from them by force and by such as be strangers in blood to them’
What happened following the suppression of Shane O’Neill’s rebellion?
Junior branches of the clan were made to surrender their land in Ulster and have them regranted
The Scots in Antrim were expelled
Three garrisons were set up
Two English colonies established in Arts
Why did the colonies in Ards fail?
Because of the attitude adopted by the founders
Smith planned to expel the uncivil people, force natives to work for the colony at low wages, and deny them the chance of owning land
Why were the colonies established in Connaught in 1585 and Munster in 1586 successful?
Overseen by a provincial council and president, who were keen to extend English law and customs, and was modelled on the councils in the marches
What did all landlords do?
Registered their entitlement to land, abolished customary practices, and paid a yearly rent towards the administration and defence of the province
What was less well received?
The composition scheme
What led to ill-feeling?
Elizabeth’s policy of land resumption, which entailed claiming rebel’s lands as well as concealed properties
What happened in the 1580s?
Attempts to enforce recusancy laws were rejected by the Old English, most of whom were Catholic
By the early 1590s, what was the case?
Much of Ireland outside Ulster was subject to English rule
What occasionally occurred in Munster, Connaught, and Leinster but what happened?
Revolts and disturbances
Suppressed by local garrisons and Gaelic chiefs intent on preserving the status quo
What was happening in the 1590s?
Colonies were spreading eastwards and provincial councils gave passing credence to a centralised administration
Developments were infringing on a centralised administration
What did Ulster remain?
An implacably hostile region
By 1603 what was the situation in Ireland?
Was in a poor condition: Ulster was devastated, colonies had been swept away, and social divisions had resurfaced
What had Elizabeth failed to do and why?
Maintain order and stability
Not being willing to devote enough resources to administer the provinces nor allow colonial initiatives enough time to succeed
What did English governors need to do?
Work with Gaelic chiefs
In contrast, what was the situation?
The development of colonies and underfunded garrisons caused resentment
Queen despatched too small an army that failed to protect the Old English or control the borders and Gaelic lordships from clans
