The Siege Of Derry (1688 – 1689)
Above: The Siege of Derry
Tirconnell took immediate measures to secure Ireland for King James. He raised and armed an army of Catholics, and. disarmed the Protestants. He took possession of most of the important places through the country; but the people of Enniskillen refused to admit his garrison. Then began the War of tlie Revolution.
Lord Antrim marched to take possession of Derry; but while the aldermen and magistrates were hesitating, a few of the bolder young apprentices seiz- ing the keys, locked the town gates on the 7th of December, 1688, and shut out Antrim and his Jacobite forces.
In February 1689, lieutenant-general Richard Hamilton was sent north by Tirconnell to reduce Ulster, where the Protestants were now making preparations for defense; and having captured some places and been repulsed in others, he arrived near Derry.
Meantime king James sailed for Ireland from Brest with loo French officers, 1,200 Irish refugees, arms and ammunition for 10,000 men, and a supply of money. Among the French officers were De Rosen and the French ambassador count d’Avaux. Among the Irish were Patrick Sarsfield, the two Hamiltons, and the two Luttrells. James landed at Kinsale on the 12th March, 1689, and passing through Cork, proceeded to Dublin.
Having visited Derry in April, whore he found his army engaged in the siege, he returned to Dublin and summoned a parliament. During the short sitting of this parliament, from the 7th May to the 20th of July, the following measures, among others, were passed : Poynings Law (308) was repealed. There was to be full freedom of worship. The Act of settlement was repealed, whereby the new settlers would have to restore the lands to the old owners. A number of persons-2,445 in all-were attainted, and their lands declared confiscated, for having joined the prince of Orange. But all tins active legislation came to nothing; for before there was tune to enforce it, king James and his government were superseded.
To meet current expenses a tax was levied on estates. Rut as this was not enough, the king seized some coming machines, and issued base coins, each representing 5, which all persons were obliged to take in exchange for goods, though their actual value was only about four pence. This unwise measure did great mischief and ruined hundreds of traders.
