Above: King of England (Edward III) The English Government quickly realised its weakness in the establishment of these almost sovereign princes, and attempted spasmodically to correct its mistake.   But its efforts to curb  the power of the nobles were lacking in  both strength andconsistency.   Indeed, the relations between the Crown and its nominal subjects in Ireland were henceforward even more capricious and uncertain than they had hitherto been.   In 1331, Desmond and many of the other leading nobles were taken prisoners because they refused to ... Read More

  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."  In the year 1330, the Viceroy called for the help of the Earl of Desmond against the Irish of the south. The Munster Geraldine came with an army of 10,000 men, and this large force he quartered upon the settlers. In this, ... Read More