TYRONE Flashcards
what was the structure of english rule in ireland before the rebellion (pre-rebellion relations)
-the pale (dublin and its surroundings) were governed by an English Lord Deputy
-the rest of ireland was controlled by Anglo-Irish nobles (like the o’neills) and Gaelic Chieftans (who acted as quasi-kings and had private armies)
what was tanistry and how did it differ from the english inheritance system (pre-rebellion relations)
-irish inheritance system
-in Transitory, all male clan mambers could compete for leadership, leading to frequent feuds.
-land titles did not automatically pass from father to the eldest son (ehich is what happened in england)
why did the english want to change irish customs (pre-rebellion relations)
-english officials in dublin viewed irish customs (like transitory and private armies) as lawless.
-thought ireland needed to be anglicized to maintain contro;
how did henry viii’s break from Rome affect ireland (pre-rebellion relations)
-Ireland remained catholic
-caused tensions in anglo-irish relations due to increasing fears that irish nobles might support a catholic crusade against protestant england
how did Henry VIII attempt to peacefully control ireland (pre-rebellion relations)
-1541, persuades ireland chieftons to recognise him as king of ireland
-chieftons surrendured their land, henry regranted them to them as tenants of the english crown.
what policy did Mary i introduce to extend english control in ireland (pre-rebellion relations)
-plantation (english settlers were encouraged to move to areas just outside the pale, displacing irish landowners)
what governance refirms did elizabeth 1 introduce to ireland, since she was a protestant queen and faced threats of catholic ireland (pre-rebellion relations)
-created regional councils in CONNAUGHT (1569) and MUNSTER (1571), modelled on english councils
-divided traditional irish regions into english style counties with sheriffs
what rebellions did Elizabeth’s more direct intervention lead to (pre-rebellion relations)
lead to unsuccessful rebellion in Munster 1569 and 1571
how did elizabeth repress rebillions emerging as a result of her increased direct action to ireland (pre-rebellion relations)
-the rebellions in Munster were brutally crushed.
-rebels were executed and their lands were given to english settlers to encourage plantation
how did elizabeths encouragement of plantation increase anglo-english tensions (pre-rebellion relations)
-english settlers viewed the irish as uncivilised and wanted to impose Protestantism
-irish linked protection of catholiscism with protection of their traditions
what was composition in 1565 (pre-rebellion relations)
from 1565 english gov used composition to increase their hold over ireland
-English commissioners persuaded irish landlords from Connaught to agree to pay a yearly rent to the council of connaught (10 shillings for ever 50 hectares of land they owned)
-looked good to the irish as it reduced the often financial demands made to them. In return chieftans had to accept english law and gov in their territory
why was ulster important to the English (and who controlled it).
(causes)
-it was the most gaelic part of ireland and had resisted english control the longest
-was controlled by the o’neill clan, although power was traditionaly distributed by rival clan: the o’donells
what triggered ulster chieftan hostility to england in the 1570s (causes)
-in 1570s english began to enroach into ulster territory
-english nobles (earl of Sussex, sir tohmas smith) were granted land in ulster for settlement (plantations)
-o’neills and o’donelles united against england
-in response english massacred 200 O’neills at a feast (1574) and 500 o’donnells in a suprise raid in 1575)
-this plantation was called off by elizabeth but the damage to anglo-irish relations had already been damaged
how did the english try recocilliate with the irish post oneill and o’donelle massacres in 1580s
-hugh o’neill was given the english title of ‘Earl of tyrone’ in 1585, however this was only temporary peace and english expansion continues
how did the english gain further control over ulster in the 1590s (causes)
-english executed hugh roe Mcahohn, chief of McMahon clan and took his ulster lands
-these lands were given to english settlers like sir henry Baghall
-the Machahons were traditionally tenants of the o’neills, but these lands were not returned to the o’neill clan (despite this being an irish tradition)
why did tyrone (HUGH O’NEILL) turn against the English
(causes)
-english officials in dublin began asserting more control over Ulster
-his marriage to Mabel Bagenal (sister of english official Sir Henry Bagenal) was opposed by henry so they had to elope, gave him personal animosity against the british
-english kidnapped and imprisoned Hugh Roe O’donnell in 1591 to force his farthers obedience, created resentment
- after o’donnells escape, Ulster lords like Lord Hugh McGuire began to plot against the british. It became hard for tyrone to become neutral as both theseb lords were married to his daughters
why did hugh maguire not like the british (causes)
-resented british control over Fermanagh
what happened what Hugh maguire launched an attack on english officials
-1593, launched an attack on english officials in sligo 1593
-tyrone was ordered by the english to arrest him but Tyrone (as the leading lord in the region) refused, signalling his opposition to british rule
-after mcquire then attacked the english Garrison base, tyrone helped Sir henry Bagnanal capture him. However he believed his help went unrecognised. (HE WANTED OVERALL CONTROL OF ULSTER AS A RESULT, AND IN RETURN HE WOULD ACCEPT ENGLISH STYLE GOV)
irish appointment of English officials as chieftons (causes)
-after mcquire then attacked the english Garrison base, tyrone helped Sir henry Bagnanal capture him. However he believed his help went unrecognised. (HE WANTED OVERALL CONTROL OF ULSTER AS A RESULT, AND IN RETURN HE WOULD ACCEPT ENGLISH STYLE GOV)
-appointmends to offers were increasingly dominanted by the english officials who had access to court patronage and used their position for personal gain (caused resentment amongst irish)
-e.g Earl of Ormond never appointed as lord deputy despite being elizabeth’s cousin)
what was tryone’s position before the rebellion
-raised in england, fluent in english
, had strong english political connections
-became earl of tyrone in 1585 and controlled ulster
-resented english interference and remained loyal to gaelic culture and catholicism
why did elizabetg’s gov become concerned with tyrone
-tyrone had links with Hugh Roe o’donnell and Hugh Maguire who were already resisting english rule through plots
-in 1593 O’donell contacted philip ii of spain, englands catholic enemy for support (The english was already engaged in a war with spain in the netherlands so it made threat of rebellion in ireland a more serious threat)
what happened at enniskillen castle in 1594 (early signs of rebellion)
JUNE- o’donell and maguire besiged english held enniskillen castle
AUGUST- maguire, with tyrone’s brothers help, ambushed an english relief force heading to enniskillen (56 English soldiers killed)
how did tyrone initially try to avoid open conflict
1594- when he met sir william russell (new lord deputy) in dublin he promised to….
-restore peace in ulster
-cooperate with the english government
-in return anted full control of ulser
ENGLISH REPONSE
-russell trusted tyre and didnt arrest him
-tyrone was allowed to keep his private army
why did tryone eventually rebel in 1595 (key causes)
-elizabeth’s gov refused to cgive him control ulster
-english distrusted him
PERSONAL FACTORS INFLUENCING HIS DECISION
-resented increasing english intervention in Ulster
-his irish identity and cathoic faith were stronger than his ties ton england
-was catholic and increased english protestant settlers caused tension
-wanted to maintain irish tradition like gaelic independence
why was tyrone’s revolt a serious challenge to england
-tyrone’s army was large, well trained and well-equipped
-he used english and spanish captains to train his men
-he had acess to imported weapons and ammunition
how large and well organised was tyrone’s army and how did it compare to the English
-1,000 cavalry
-4,000 musket men
-1,000 pike men
COMPARISON TO ENGLISH ARMY
-tyrone’s troops used modern weapons (muskets and pikes) instead of traditional weapons
-many irish soldiers deserted the english army to join
-tyrones cavalry was better trained than english horsemen (advantage in open battle)
who supported tyrone
Ulster chieftans including….
-Hugh Roe o’donell (his son in law)
-Hugh maguire
(traditional feuds of clans in ireland were set aside)
who was encouraged to join his rebellion outside of ulster due to his strength
Tyrones sucessecouraged other irish chieftans outside ulster to join the rebellion
-1595: rebellion spread to connaught
-1598: rebellion spread to Leinster and Munster
-his key allies outside ulster became James Fitz Thomas (Earl of Desmond, Leinster), and Florence McCarthy (Munster)
by 1596 after more widespread support out of ulster, howe did the english and irish armies compare
-irish rebels had 6,000 foot soldiers, 1200 cavalry
-english forces had: 5,732 foot soldiers and 617 cavalry
IN RESPONSE
-in 1599 elizabeth finally sent the largest army of her reign to ireland (led by Robert Devereaux, second earl of Essex)
why did philip ii of spain support tyrone AND how did england provoke spanish intervention
-he saw it as his duty to help fellow catholics
-wanted to destabilise english war effort
-england and spain were already at war (since 1585)
HOW DID ENGLAND PROVOKE SPANISH INTERVENTION
-england helped dutch protestants rebel against spain
-english had attacked spanish ports like Cadiz
when did the spanish contact tyrone
what was Philips ii’s major plan in 1596 AND why did it fail
-sent a second armarda (100 ships) to ireland (a seperate fleet to attack england)
FAILURE
-it failed because there were strong winds and 32 ships wqere lost
Philip iii’s approach after Philip ii’s death
continued spanish intervention
considered using ireland as a base to invade england
why did philip iii struggle to send troops and what happened when he did in 1601
he struggled to send troops due to the ongoing wars with dutch rebels in england
-when he finally sent troops in 1601 storms separated some ships carrying vital supplies
-only 3,400 of the 6,000 requested troops landed in kinsdale
why was spanish support for tyrone limited in impact
-threat was large but the failures outweighed the threat
-weapons and money were helpful but insufficient in numbers
-delays and stoms weakened spanish intervention
-rebellion already declining by 1601
what was the main fous of the early 9 years war (e.g battle of contribet)
-attacks on english garrisom forts on ulsers borders
significance of blackwater (and english response)
-rebels attacked the and the english commander surrendered
RESPONSE
-in response lord deputy Russell rewuested reinfocemrnts from London so english troops were withdraw from brittany
THERE WERE 2,000 MEN PROMISED, ONLY 1,61 ARRIVED (IN POOR CONDITION)
KEY EVENTS OF BATTLE OF CONTRIBET and TRYRONES TACTICS
-1595 irish captured enniskillen and besiged monaghan castle
-english commander Sir Henry Bagenal marched 1,750nmen to resupply Monaghan (they ambushed tyrone’s forces)
TYRONE TACTICS
-used well trained musket men hidden on both sides of the road, forced english to slow down and they became vunerable
-killed 31 and wounded 109 English
-proved irish could outfight the british
ESCAPE OF BRITISH
-bagenal escaped as they were rescued at sea
immediate english response after contribet AND why did tyrones early garrison strategy fail
-in response to the humiliation the english retook blackwater but reached a stalemate by the end of 1595
TYRONE EARLY GARRISON STRATEGY
-too expensive and dangerus to supply to remote forts and made the rebel forces vulnerable
why was elizabeth willing to negotiate in march 1596 AND what were the terms of the march truce
WHY
-war was expensive
MARCH TRUCE
-Tyrone submitted and agreed to pay damages
-stopped demanding catholic freedom
-accepted English sovereignty
-english agreed to move garrisons
why did the march truce fail
-tyrone was negotiating with spain in secret
-in 1595 they offered the crown of ireland to Archduke Albert (phillip ii’s nephew) and wanted a spanish army , money and weapons in return, spanish sent representatives in 1596 to plan a spanish invasion
how did tyrone escalate the rebellion in 1596 AND how did the england respon in 1597
TYRONE
-more agressive tactics
-appointed irish lords, challenging english authority
-declared himself leader of the united catholic resistance
this was a turning point in the rebellion as english control was weakening
ENGLISH RESPONSE
-replaced lord deputy Russell and army commander sir Henry norris with Thomas Lord Burgh
-burgh aimed to attack tyrone’s ulster stronghold
-however burgh and sir henry norris died in 1597 leaving english directionless
what was burghs origional military strategy in 1597 and why did he change it
-origionally planned to charge on ulster and attack Tyrone’s estates at Dunnganon
-changed this approach as he was outnumbered by tyrone’s forces
-instead he decided to build new fortifications (e.g the blackwater fort)
purpose of Burghs blackwater fort AND ITS WEAKENESSES
PURPOSE
-to protect the english garrison and serve as a base for future attacks on tyrone
WEAKNESSES
-could only have 150 soldiers
how did the english gov’s focus on spain in 1597 weaken their position in ireland
-distracted by spanish armarda, they ended up having to divert key military commanders like sir thomas norris to munster
why was ormonds appointment as commander in 1597 problematic
-his army contained many irish troops whose loyalty was uncertain
how did elizabeths hesitation at blackwater fort impact the conflict
-didnt want to abandon it
-wanted to divide rebels through negotiations instead
-delayed action
the battle of yellow ford
1598
-henry bagenal led an army of 4,200 men to relieve blackwater fort
-tyrone’s forces ambushed and attacked from both sides as the english crossed yellow ford, using musket fire from hidden positions
DIFFICULTIES FACED BY ENGLISH
-slow movement due to the ford and boggy terrain
-heavy artillery got stuck
-irish troops in this army abandoned
CASUALTIES
-830 english soldiers dead
-400 wounded
-english suppies lost
-only 2,000 made it back to armagh
why were english settlers in munster vunerable after yellow ford AND what happened to munster settlers
VUNERABLE
-english gov focus was on ulster
WHAT HAPPENED TO SETTLERS
-3,000 settlers attacked by irish tenants
-the oplantation which took 14 years to establish collapsed in days
how did elizabeth react to the defeats of yellow ford and munster plantation AND WHAT MISTAKES DID SHE MAKE
TROOPS
-sent 1,900 troops to defend dublin and by 1599 another 6,300 troops
FAILURES
-hesitated in appointing a new lord deputy after burghs death, leaving military leadership uncertain
who replaced burgh as lord deputy
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex as lord leiutenant of england
what was the context of the 1599 battle of Curlew pass
-Hugh Roe O’donnell besiged Sir Donough o’connors stronghold in connaught, this threatened one of englands few english allies
events of the battle of curlew pass
-199
-hugh roe odonell beseiged o’connors strongold in connaught
-sir conyers clifford, president of connaught, was sent to relive o’conner with 1490 foot soldiers and 205 cavalry
-english had a disadvantage as they had to cross the curlew mouintains with limited escape resources (surrounded by bog)
-the rebels used the mountainous terrain to attack english troops
-after defeat of the english, o’connor had to suurerend to rebels (weakening english influence on connaught)
CASUALTIES
-clifford was killed
-1/3 of english army was lost
essex’s response to the defeat in battle of curlew pass
-he abandoned his plans to attack tyrone (elizabeth was furious and ordered him to march north)
what did essex do instead of fighting tyrone after being ordered to march north by Elizabeth
-negotiated a private truce which allowed rebels to keep all lands and fortresses they held
-this significantly weakened british control of ireland
Sir Henry Bagenal (role etc)
BACKGROUND
-English gentry with estates in ulster
-wanted to expand his power in ulster leading him to clash with tyrone
POLITICAL ROLE
-1586 when summoned to court he produced a description and present state of ulster (highlighted tyrone’s growing influence)
-recommended dividing the o’neills land and establishing and ulster council (demands largely ignored
IMPACT ON TYRONES REBELLION
-hostility to tyrone alienation from the English
MILITAY ROLE AND FAILURES
-appointed marshal in 1591 and responsible for organising english army
-lacked military skill and was responsible for major defeats…
-clontibret- ambushed by irish forces
-yellow ford- lost control of his army leading to panic and his own death
Florence McCarthy role etc
BACKGROUND
-leader of the McCarthy Reagh branch in munster
-orgionally loyal to english but later viewed it as a threat
GRIEVENCES AGAINST ENGLISH
-Potential spanish connections (spoke spanish, was seen interacting with spanish forces)
-arrested in 1589 over fears of his growing influence
-england backed his rival, Donal McCarthy which prevented florence from becoming the chief of all mccarthies
-returned to ireland in 1983 hostile to english rule
ROLE IN REBELLION
-1598 tyrone sought out his support but he hesitates
-he promised england loyalty if they made him McCarthy more
-never fully commited to rebellion but did allow some of tyrone’s forces on his land
-his lands (Kinsale) became a kkey site for spanish landing in 1601
-didnt openly fight for either side
DEFEAT
-arrested in 1601 due to maintained suspicion
-found to have corresponded with tyrone and other rebels
-his removal weakened the irish position in munster and benefitted the English
Earl of essex (Robert Devereux) role etc
APPOINTMENT
-was appointed lord lieutenant of ireland in 1599 after the death of burgh
-lacked military experience and made poor strategic decisions
KEY MISTAKES
-split his army to reinforce garrisons, weakening his main force
-wasted resources campaigning in munster instead of focusing on ulster
-reputation damaged by english loss at curlew pass
MEETING WITH TYRONE
-By august 1599 only 4,000 troops remained from his origional force
-secretly met tyrone without any witnesses, suspicion of treason arose
-abandoned ireland without permission in sept 1599
DOWNFALL
-disobedience led to trial before the privy council
-he was replaced by lord mountjoy, who succeeded where essex failed
Lord Mountjoy (Charles Blount) APPOINTMENT AND STRATEGY
APPOINTMENT AND STRATEGY
-replaces essex
-arrived in ireland in 1600
-was an experienced military commander who previously fought in the netherlands and france
-focused on surrounding tyrone and cutting off external support
Lord Mountjoy (Charles Blount) TACTICS AND SUCCESS
DISRUPTING TYRONES MOVEMENTS
-tyrone marched into munster in 1600 but withdrew when faced with english reinforcements
-Sir George Carew (president of munster) helped mountjoy regain control of munster
ENCIRCLING TYRONE
-at blackwater river (1600) mounjoy distracted tyrome while 4,000 english troops landed in norther ulster (Lough Foyle)
-this left tyrone surrounded in ulster
BATTLE OF MOYRY PASS
-attempted to defeat tyrone directly but suffered losses (75 killed 300 wounded)
-howeber mountjoys strategy forced tyrone into a defensive position
Lord Mountjoy (Charles Blount) OVERALL IMPACT
-successfully weakened tyrones forces unlike Essex
-his strategy combined with Carews efforts in Munster made irish forces dependent on spanish reinforcements
why was spanish support important AND why was their arrival of troops not effective
IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORT
-spanish troops were highly trained and brought seige guns
ARRIVAL OF TROOPS
-philip iii agreed to send them in 1601
-However by this time carew had already suppressed munsters unrest
-when the spanish landed at kinsale they were too late to support the irish rebels
what was mountjoys response to spanish presence in 1601
-feared spanish presence could reignite munster rebellion
-he besieged kinsale with 7,000 men in oct 1601
-IN RESPONSE, tyrone marched 6,500 men south in midwinter to join the spanish
events of the bettle of kinsdale (24th dec 1601) and consequences
-mountjoy launched a suprise attack
-rish cavalry panicked and scattered into their own troops
-spanish did not join the battle as they were waiting for the irish as a meeting point
-the english won- and this became the last major military engagement of the rebellion
CONSEQUENCES
-Tyrone retreated to ulster
-o’donell fled to spain
-spanish troops surrendered in janury 1602
what was the seige of dunboy
-in 1602
-held by irish rebel Donal o’sullivan bere in the name of the spanish king
-carew prepared for the seige of dunboy castle by using bere island as a base to avoid passing difficult terrain
-found an undefended beach to land troops (after meeting with the constable of dunboy, richard mcgeoghan, who said irish wouldnt surrender and made the mistake of saying that if english landed on the beach in front of the castle they would be trapped)
-wanted to take dunboy before spanish troops arrived
EVENTS
-english cannon fire broke down castle walls
-macgeogan was badly wounded
-english trapped defenders in the vaults and bombarded them
-all 143 defenders were killed and 58 were executed in the market place
significance of the seige of dunboy
-ended the last irish resistence on munster
-castle was destroyed to prevent future resistence
why did the rebellion finally collapse
-mountjoy pursued tyrone into ulster with 3,000 men
-tyrones forces surrender
-1603 tyrone surrendered
why was mountjoy generous after tyrones surrender
-elizabeth had died 6 days earlier
-mountjoy wanted to return to england and gain favor with James i
-tyrone was pardoned and recognised as chief lord of ulster under the english crown
why was the war expensive for england (english financial weakness)
-limited resources yet population of 4 million
-gov income was only 300,000 a year
-maintaining forces in the netherlands was 100,000 per year
-ireland became englands biggest military expense
why were english troops ineffective for most of the rebellion
-many untrained and undisciplined
-irish troops deserted english force
how did financial pressures effect england
-local taxpayers had to fund troops
-counties like kent paid heavily for cavalry and foot soldiers
-1590s saw economic hardship (harvest failure, famine, diease)
-in 1596 men in middlesex refused to contribute to military payments
why did tyrone’s resistence last so long
ENGLISH RESOURCES UNDERMINED
-unfamilliar terrain- irish used gurrilla warefare
-slow communication- english reinforcements took time to arrive
-transportimg men and supplies to ireland was difficult
TYRONE MAINTENANCE OF REBELLION
-had an efficient financial system- had an income of £80,000 per year
-reorganised ulster economy to fund war effort
-could afford to maintain an army
how dd the english finally gain the upper hand
-1601 english e=increased reinforcements
-appintment of mountjoy
-battle of kinsdale irish defeat led to collapse of their rebellion
