The significance of events and individuals Flashcards
The Battle of Clontibret
1595
Marked the true beginning of the Nine Years’ War as O’Neil took control as leader of the leader of the rebel forces
Showed that the English faced a well organised Irish force who outnumbered them and took advantage of their knowledge of the geography
Events of The Battle of Clontibret
In may 1595, the irish captured Enniskillen Castle and began to besiege Monaghan Castle
Sir Henry Bargenal attempted to help the besieged castle by marching with 1750 men from the Newry with the aim of delivering men and supplies to Monaghan Castle but provoked Tyrone to rebel
What happened when Baganel attempted to approach Monaghan castle in the Battle of Clontibret?
As Bagenal and his troops approached Monaghan, they were ambushed by Tyrone’s men and forced to fight using up much of the gunpowder they were bringing to supplies the garrison at Monaghan
What did the English have to do after having low supplies at Monaghan castle and what happened?
Had to return to Newry
Ambushed again by 4000 Irish and forced to slow down - 31 deaths, 109 wounded
Bagenal the rest of his men had to rescued by sea
Why was the situation a stalemate by 1595?
Rebels tactic of capturing and garrisoning small fortresses was making them vulnerable because it was expensive and dangerous to supply these garrisons
Elizabeth I was willing to negotiate which was cheaper than expensive warfare and was busy with war with Spain
What settlement was agreed in 1596?
Tyrone agreed to submit, pay damages, stop demanding freedom of the Catholics and accept english sovereignty
The english agreed to remove their garrisons; Tyrone would keep control in Ulster and was to arrest any rebels who caused trouble
Why did the settlement of 1596 break down?
The rebels and Philip II of Spain had begun their own negotiations
Tyrone and O’Donnell offered the crown of Ireland to Archduke Albert, the Spanish Catholic governor of the Netherlands and nephew of Philip II.
Philip offered to discuss a spanish invasion which led to the unsuccessful armada sent in October 1596
Why did Tyrone become more aggressive after 1596?
Government proclaimed him a traitor in 1595 so he had little to lose.
To reward his supporters/emphasis his control over the rebellion, Tyrone claimed the right to give titles (lordships) to his followers
How did Tyrone attempt to unite Anglo-Irish chieftains in Ireland
Tyrone claimed the right to give titles (lordships) to his followers
e.g Fitzthomas who had become alienated from the english regime was created Earl of Desmond by Tyrone
Change in leadership of the English in 1597
English government decided to replace Lord Deputy Sir William Russel and the commander of the English army Sir Henry Norris with one man Lord Burgh who was an experienced soldier and administrator
Burgh’s tactic in 1597
attack Tyrone’s power bases by attacking his estates in Ulster - result was another disaster at Yellow Ford
Burgh found himself outnumbered by Tyrone’s forces so built a series of forts along Blackwater River in Ulster, new forts gave protection for English and provided a base for further attacks against Tyrone
What happened when Burgh died suddenly in 1597?
English lacked both a Lord Deputy and an overall leader of an army,
The English government sent Sir Thomas Norris to Munster to deal with the potential threat
The English army was put under the command of the Anglo-Irish Earl of Ormond
English/Irish relations in 1597
Tyrone agreed to a truce but he was using this breathing space to prepare his forces for another attack.
Truce came to an end in June 1958 so Tyrone began to besiege Blackwater Ford -
Ormond’s response to events at Blackwater Ford
Ormond tried to respond but his army was full of irish soldiers that could not be trusted to stay loyal.
Ormond had to accept help from Bagenal (military leader humiliated at Clontibret) who offered to bring an extra 4200 men and began to march to Blackwater
Bagenal’s army at Yellow Ford
Attacked at Yellow Ford by Tyrone (repeat of Clontribret with the English under fire from both sides from the irish musketman lying in wait)
Army struggled to move forward = heavy English artillery became stuck in the boggy ground near the river
