The English Government had already become hopeless of ever conquering Ireland. They now went further and abandoned the duty of governing most of the land that had been conquered. That duty they surrendered to the three earls who were given " Palatine " powers* over their respective territories. The Palatine Earls were for all purposes independent princes. They raised armies and levied war, appointed sheriffs, judges and other officers, created lords and knights, collected and ... Read More