Archive for the ‘The Confederation Of Kilkenny.—Part II’ Category

O’Neill breaks with the Council: Rinuccini leaves Ireland

Monday, May 19th, 2008

Charles II Picture

Above : Charles II, Replaced Charles I After His Death In 1649

O’Neill had endured, almost since his coming to Ireland, the continual neglect and ingratitude of the Council. He was now at the end of his patience. When a messenger came to his camp to inform him of his removal from the command of the Ulster armies, he publicly burned the letters. This meant, of course, that he had openly broken with the Confederation, or rather with the party that now ruled what remained of it. He had a fine army of tried soldiers, all devoted to him ; he occupied a strong position in the very centre of Ireland, and had much support elsewhere. He would not be easily crushed.

Dissensions and Jealousies amongst the Confederates

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

The Ormond Picture

Above : Picture Of Ormond

The departure of Ormond, if it did not improve, certainly simplified the state of parties in Ireland. The Royalists for the time disappear, and there remain only the Confederates ; still, however, divided into the two sections of the Anglo-Irish and the Old Irish, and the Parliamentarians. The ascendancy of the Nuncio’s party in the Supreme Council did not long endure.

Rinuccini and O’Neill Oppose the Ormond Peace

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Rinnucini Picture

Above : Picture Of Rinnucini

At the end of July, the Ormond Peace, which till then had been kept secret, was publicly proclaimed at Kilkenny. Great was the indignation of the Nuncio to find how he had been, as he considered, deceived, and a peace, to which he had in the name of the Pope so vehemently objected, concluded without his consent or even knowledge. He summoned a meeting of the clergy at Waterford, and urged them to formally reject the treaty. Their consent was readily obtained, and armed with this, Rinuccini issued a decree of condemnation. In several of the southern cities the population adopted his views, and drove out those who endeavoured to proclaim the Peace.
So far Eoghan Ruadh, although disapproving of many of the acts of the Supreme Council, had obeyed its decrees. Now, however, he ranged himself with the Nuncio, and acting on a letter received from him, began to march his army towards Kilkenny. Preston, for once, was of the same mind as the Ulster general, and announced his adherence to Rinuccini’s side.
Rinuccini and O’Neill, on reaching Kilkenny, threw into prison those members of the Supreme Council who had shown themselves most prominent in promoting the Ormond Peace, and with the rest formed a sort of Provisional Government.

The Battle of Benburb

Friday, May 16th, 2008

Picture Of Castle Of Bunratty

Above : Castle Of Bunratty, Storage Of Arms & Ammunitions

Now, when the peace had been concluded, it was thought that some military enterprise should be attempted againsl the Parliamentarians, and especially against Munroe, who had madfl preparations to march southward and invade Leinster. He hoped to effect a junction at Glasslough (Co. Monaghan) with his brother George’s forces, and subsequently with those of Sir Robert Stewart. This junction O’Neill resolved to prevent. He marched his troops from Cavan, pitched his tents at Benburb on the Blackwater, and there awaited the enemy. Munroe hurried south from Armagh, and early in the morning of June 5th (1646), the two armies were face to face on the same side of the river. O’Neill had selected his position with care.

The Ormond Peace

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

Rinnucini Picture

Above : Picture Of Rinuccini

Unfortunately, the majority of the members of the Supreme Council had listened to the deceitful words of Ormond and were playing into his hands. On March 28th, 1646, the peace was signed, without the knowledge of Rinuccini.