Policy of Wentworth.—Viscount Wentworth, previous to his arrival in Ireland, had been a somewhat prominent figure in English politics. At his first entrance into public life he had sided with the Parliament in its disputes with Charles, but afterwards had suddenly changed, from motives very difficult to understand. Henceforth, for good or ill, in adversity as in prosperity, he was the King’s man. It was for the King, and solely with an eye to what he conceived to be his interest, that he intended now to govern Ireland. That a struggle between the King and his English Parliament was inevitable he foresaw, and in this struggle Ireland, if so handled as to become at once prosperous and submissive, might become a powerful auxiliary on the Royalist side—a source from which recruits and revenue might be drawn.

The best and least invidious way by which a revenue could be raised was evidently by the grant of an Irish Parliament. Therefore, having with some difficulty obtained Charles’ consent, Wentworth summoned a Parliament, to meet in Dublin, in July 1634. The balancing of the two parties, so that neither might obtain a great preponderance in the Commons, and so be able to override his own authority, was a task requiring very judicious management, and much of this management took the form of interference, open or concealed, with the elections. When Parliament assembled, the members of the Lower House were treated by Wentworth to a harangue, in which the most extreme principles regarding the absolute power of the Crown were laid down, not as things arguable, but as axiomatic truths. They were urged to vote a liberal supply to the King, who had been graciously pleased, out of respect for an old-established usage, to seek the money of which he had need by the way of Parliamentary grant, whereas he might, without any such form, have taken what he required.

Above : Picture Of Wentworth

The prosperity of Ireland was, however, to be sought—such was the Deputy’s view—not for her own sake, but that she might minister to the prosperity of England and the power of the English Crown. There¬fore, any branch of Irish industry which seemed to threaten to rival or interfere with a similar industry in England must be at once repressed.

Above : Picture Of Viscount Wentworth

Viscount Wentworth, previous to his arrival in Ireland, had been a somewhat prominent figure in English politics. At his first entrance into public life he had sided with the Parliament in its disputes with Charles, but afterwards had suddenly changed, from motives very difficult to understand. Henceforth, for good or ill, in adversity as in prosperity, he was the King’s man. It was for the King, and solely with an eye to what he conceived to be his interest, that he intended now to govern Ireland. That a struggle between the King and his English Parliament was inevitable he foresaw, and in this struggle Ireland, if so handled as to become at once prosperous and submissive, might become a powerful auxiliary on the Royalist side—a source from which recruits and revenue might be drawn.