The failure of the Bruce invasion did not check the recovery of the Irish, which had already begun. On the contrary, the recovery became more pronounced and the clans stronger. The devastation of war, famine, and pestilence had brought the whole island to ruin, and in this were involved the two races and all classes. But the settlers, being less deeply rooted in the soil, were more affected, and they gave way. The Crown of England had proved itself powerless, and unable to give ... Read More

A little Parliament held Sessions in Dublin, or in some other part of the Pale, or in one of the southern cities. There was a Commons' House, in which sat representatives of the counties and boroughs of the Pale, and occasionally some representative of places more remote. Also there were two clerical proctors from each diocese under the English influence. The House of Lords was poorly attended ; sometimes scarcely a dozen temporal peers were present at a session.All, of course, were nobles ... Read More