Above: Map of Munster

One of the earliest results of the creation of the Palatine Earls was the introduction of a new burden upon the unfortunate settlers. This was the impost which figures largely in later history as ” coyne and livery.”

Above : One Of Irish Clan Family Logo

The land was regarded as being the property of the clan or tribe which occupied it, and not as the private property of any individual. There were exceptions to this general principle however, for land could be held by individuals in different ways. The chief had a portion as mensal land for his support, for life or for as long as he remained chief. Another portion was held as private property by persons who had come to own the land in various ways. Most of these were flaiths or nobles, of the several ranks ; and some were professional men, such as physicians, judges, poets, historians, artificers, etc., who had got their lands as stipends for their professional services to the chief, and in whose families it often remained for generations. Again, persons held as tenants portions of the lands belonging to those who owned it as private property, or portions of the mensal land of the chief; much like tenants of the present day : these paid what was equivalent to rent—always in kind.