Ireland History

Irish History Guide - Early History to Present Day Ireland

Ireland History - Northern Irish History Belfast Dublin RSS Feed
 
 
 
 

Posts tagged ireland

Recall of Falkland: Administration of Loftus and Boyle

n the August of this year (1629), Falkland finally left Ireland. He had asserted, and endeavoured by fabricated evidence to prove the existence of a plot against the Government, whose leaders were, as he declared, Sir Phelim Mac Hugh O’Byrne, a large Wicklow land-owner, and his six sons. Falkland had already attempted to overreach the O’Byrnes in a certain transaction concerning land, but had not succeeded, and this accusation was his revenge, as well as a method, should it prove successful, of reaping profit for himself. The O’Byrnes, brought before a jury consisting largely of men who coveted their estates, were of course convicted, their lands were confiscated, and they themselves imprisoned.

 

Certain members of the Irish Privy Council, actuated, not by love of justice or by pity for the Deputy’s victims, but rather by dislike of the Deputy himself, brought the transaction under the notice of the King, and induced him, in spite of Falkland’s remonstrances, to institute a Commission of inquiry. The revelations which followed so completely shattered Falkland’s reputation that it became necessary to recall him. The O’Byrnes had gained little, except their liberty. No compensation was given them, and their lands were nor restored. Later, they were permitted to buy back a part of their estates for the sum of £15,000.

Essex sent to Ireland : His Failure There

Elizabeth, however, was not a ruler likely to allow a country the possession of which she knew, in the then condition of Continental affairs, to be of almost vital importance to the very existence of England, to slip thus easily from her grasp. She resolved to send across the Channel such a force as would not only, she felt sure, speedily crush the rebels, but would extend her authority over the whole island, and make her in reality ” Queen of Ireland.”

In her selection of a leader for the expedition she allowed herself to be swayed rather by feeling than by reason. Her choice fell on Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, a handsome man of thirty-two, having many superficial advantages, but whose success in military affairs had not, so far, been remarkable. He was the son of Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex, whose attempt at a Plantation in Ulster had ended so unfortunately, and since Leicester’s death in 1588 he had been the Queen’s chief favourite.

The title of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, more honourable than that of Deputy, was now conferred on him. The army placed under Essex’s command was, with the exception of that which followed Richard II in 1394, the largest that had ever crossed from England to Ireland. It numbered 16,000 infantry and 1,300 cavalry, all well armed and equipped. If the troops already in the country be added, we may estimate that the Lord Lieutenant had at his command a force of at least 21,000 or 22,000 men.

Shane Returns to Ireland: His Defeat and Death

Shane was now anxious to be gone as speedily as possible, but certain of the English ministers were inclined to detain him. The agreement made, they said, was that he should return home safely, but when was not specified. Without violation of the words of the safe conduct, he might be forced to remain in England for any length of time they chose. It might well have happened that they should have taken advantage of this quibble, and that Shane should have seen his native land no more, but for the news that came from Ireland in spring. Ulster, it was declared, was in as bad a state of disorder as ever it had been, and young Brian, “the Earl of Tyrone,” as the English called him, had been murdered by the followers of Turlough Lynnach O’Neill, a cousin of his. Things being in this state, it seemed best to send Shane back, and so in May he was sent.

Before leaving London, however, he had been required to sign certain conditions. Afterwards, he declared that, of his own free will, he never would have consented to them, and so did not hold himself bound to observe what he had subscribed. Yet the conditions seem far from dishonourable or derogatory to him. They place him in the position of a tributory prince ; confirming his authority over his sub-chiefs, and making him independent of the Deputy, except for the obligation of attending his ” hostings.” Shane did not linger in Dublin, which he reached on May 26th (1562). As fast as a fleet horse could carry him, he sped back to his native Ulster.

 

Categories