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.

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.

The meekness with which this discourse was received was more remarkable than creditable. Scarcely a voice was raised in remonstrance. When the Deputy further instructed the Commons that grants were first to be made, and concessions talked of afterwards, the subservient assembly obeyed his orders and voted subsidies to the amount of £24,000 Parliament was then prorogued.

Above: Map of Wentworth

In the interval before it reassembled in November, Wentworth and the King came to an understanding as to what should be done regarding the ” Graces.” It was decided that the more important of them should be absolutely refused. Of this refusal the Deputy should bear the blame. Whether he agreed to do this at the request of the King, or whether the idea originated with himself is uncertain, but assuredly Charles showed no reluctance to expose his servant to the storm of unpopularity, which he knew would be the portion of whoever was believed to have been instrumental in destroying the dearest hopes of the Irish Catholics.

When Parliament met, Wentworth, as was his wont, assumed a bullying tone. He declared that the proposed concessions were so monstrous and unreasonable that he had not even informed the King that they had been demanded. As to the ” pretended engagements ” of his Majesty, he would advise him that he was not bound in honour or in conscience to fulfil them. This was too much to be patiently endured. A good many Protestants sided with the Catholics, and so secured for the cause of the latter a majority in the House.

To mark their indignation, the opposition proceeded to ensure the rejection, one after another, of every Bill presented by the Government. The Deputy threatened and punished right and left. His exertions proved effectual, the rebellious spirit was quelled, the obstinate resisters were outnumbered, and the desired bills were safely steered through the two Houses. When this was accomplished, the Parliament was at once prorogued (December, 1634).

Two short sessions of no great importance were held the following year, and then, at the special direction of the King, Wentworth ordered a dissolution (April, 1635).