The implications of Tudor-Stuart polices on Ireland - Research Proposal Example

The implications of Tudor-Stuart polices on Ireland 1.1. Overview The emergency of Tudor-Stuart policies in Ireland presented significant implications to its citizens that ran down in the annals of history, which numerous historians through their varied studies have recounted up to date. These policies intended to change Ireland people’s lives, its governance, religion and over 60 regions’ economies that constituted the entire state1. Before the inception of these policies in Ireland, the over 60 chieftains irrespective of their areas of jurisdictions reigned as per their rules and how they wished to see these states advance. Hence, “...obeyeth to no other person, English, Irish except only to such persons...” that could subdue them in the battlefield in case of invasion with a sword2. However, this did not last long before Tudors and later Stuarts showing interest in subduing them though encountered severe resistance from some of the then uncooperative chieftains but eventually complied with English king’s laws. This was contrary to earlier times when they were not under the subject of any King’s laws except their Gaelic chiefs doing what they wished3. However, the imposition of Tudor-Stuart policies on Ireland aimed at subduing Ireland as well as bringing the entire state under complete control. This included even the then powerful Irish Landlords who later after the conquest turned into mere chiefs subject to Henry VIII as per the Pope Andrian IV’s wish who had given king that title4. Despite strong resistance waged by some of the then powerful proprietors like O’Donell and O’Neil supported by Philip of Spain (Elizabeth’s enemy), they gave in to Henry’s regime after a miserable defeat5. Hence, they both recognized and accepted Henry III as king whereas in their capacity remained only as Anglo-Irish Nobles6. Henry VIII after subduing powerful Irish land Landlords especially in Ulster and more agreeing to give in their full compliance, he resulted to autocratic rule. This constituted torture especially to those who showed any disobedience besides bringing English settlers in Ireland7. This move was to ensure that in Ireland there was strong base to extend English law besides advocating one religion, which is renouncing Papacy authority8. Hence, leading to full embracing of English mode of life together with language, this was not the case before England’s invasion because each clan used a unique language9. I preferred researching about this topic with the intension of knowing about the early colonization of Ireland by England as well as how diverse historians presented the same account in different ways. This is in terms of intentions, which English had in mind while invading the Ireland and what that meant to the natives. 2.2. Argument/thesis Discussion Thesis: What are the implications of Tudor-Stuart polices on Ireland? Implications in this study refer to the indirect intentions initially held by Tudor and Stuarts before imposing their policies on Irish people. Culmination of these policies encompassed realizing something of great importance on the part of Tudors and Stuarts, which was subduing Irish. This encompassed stripping the power, which they had and enjoyed as autonomous governments in form of clans led by chiefs who were answerable to nobody above them. Stripping power in this case implied dispossessing them their lands and in exchange giving to the then emergent English settlers who acted as new landowners. Besides, these implications intended to disarm Irish completely with the intention of bringing them under England’s rule, hence introduction of English and eventually transformation to take over. Therefore, thesis in this study acts as a guiding and inquiry tool in unveiling what the then policies of both Tudors and Stuarts policies implied during their implementation in Ireland. Hence, compel the researcher to consult valid, reliable and up to date scholarly sources, which will shade more light regarding these policies’ intentions. In using this thesis, it will also relay information concerning the then key players who participated in implementing Tudor-Stuart policies on clans that were autonomous in their form of governance despite being in a large state, which was Ireland. Hence, thesis in this study acts as appointing tool in ensuring researcher only focuses only on the required information. For instance, reformation whereby during the rebellion of O’Neill English people felt it was their mandate to bring out change in Ireland. This was in terms of religion with the intention of doing away with Catholicism. Hence, highlight about rivalry that was evident between the English towards Catholicism10. This is to the extent the catholic from other regions like Spain offering to support the opposing side led by O’Neill11. To ensure their followers could have at say in Ireland, which was not the case. This is because English law and other policies worked into transforming Irish to Protestantism and other close religions but not Catholics. It is for this reason rivalry increased in Ireland, which this thesis will try to highlight but not as one of the main issue. This is because rivalry emanated due to favouritism and England realization Catholic Mainstream was not in anyway advancing their policies but acting as an obstacle. Therefore, their best was to thrust them out together with availing no place meant for them to operate from or conduct their services with peace12. The kings of the day destroyed monasteries besides denying Catholics earlier recognition whereby their dignity was equal to mere people. Hence, leaders of this mainstream their existence depended o the mercies of the leading icons who despite known to be puritans involved politics in their quest to ignore papacy authority 3.3. Discussion of sources/evidence In support of varied thesis, which the researcher will present in this study to prove the exact implications of Tudor-Stuart policies in Ireland, it will entail use of both primary and secondary sources. The latter type will comprise of scholarly or academic sources authored by different scholars regarding the invasion of Ireland by England. Hence, relay England’s intentions and resulting events that emerged afterwards as well as how they affected the Irish. However, much emphasis will be on primary sources despite secondary sources authored by academician who have specialized in history. Primary sources in this case will encompass personal accounts relayed by people who might have witnessed imposition of Tudor-Stuart policies but complied in diverse historical books, for instance, like that compiled by Newton Key and R. O. Bucholz. Some of these primary sources are documents selected from Tudor Stuart era as well as from other extensively diverse from of media but recorded down in text for historical reference. Those from other varying Medias range from parliamentary enactments through politic pamphlets to different bills as well as individual dairies. These primary sources in arguing and supporting the thesis will bear much heightened authority. This is in comparison to reported information that is in form of a book, which its author(s) have researched to come up with that particular content and might err for research encompasses sometimes estimations or assumptions. Therefore, primary sources are more exact especially in the case where the researcher would wish to give certain incidents that were because of Tudor-Stuart policies’ imposition. This is quite evident in the event where Irish lost their possessions to English settlers whom the Kings of the then respective eras mobilized the latter to come in Ireland. Hence, primary sources will be essential in relaying this fact together with others told by either natives or people who were in the battle in the case of soldiers13. This is to show how Irish lived after the commencement of English law such that despite being in a native land where they were supposed to be free, natives ended up bargaining for their wellbeing14. By implying primary sources are more exact and valid in supporting this study’s thesis the researcher does not imply their validity is not that strong. Secondary sources especially scholarly ones for they have integrated varied sources including the primary to come up with at least reliable information15. This is especially in cases whereby argument seems to lack adequate content or cannot rely on one source despite being a primary one. This is especially in the case evicting of Irish from their possessions to create space for English settlers. Based on studies so far conduct and relayed in the literature review, this comprises one of the implications of Tudor-Stuart policies. Their core intentions were to ensure fulfilment of the England’s desires whereas dehumanizing the natives in the pretext they were in utter need for reformation. However, not all sources will adequately support this study’s thesis. Therefore, they will end up refuting it despite having some pieces of information that are essential for in preparing literature. An example of these sources includes Harington’s study relaying the state of Ireland’s desperation for reformation that prompted the England to intervene whereby the state introduced English law16. Sources of this nature tend to imply England was only answering a desperate case but not prompted by any other indirect intentions, which thesis seeks to unveil through support from other diverse contents. One of the desperate case encompassed lack of proper God’s statutes such that they were in order17. In counteracting these conflicts, it will entail using both secondary and primary sources relaying the same information. For instance, in the case of counteracting Harington’s arguments will entail use of a secondary source like that of Cuarta’s article, which is a review of Nicholas Canny’s book “Reshaping Ireland, 1550-1700: Colonization and Its Consequences”18. This is a review of Canny’s work an Ireland Historian renowned for his scholarly works. Therefore, by incorporating this particular source with other similar secondary sources will enable the researcher to present a strong argument meant to prove the thesis’ validity as well as reveal where the refuting reference seemed to take a different basis. In addressing conflicts presented by diverse sources intended for this study, the researcher will conduct a meticulous critical analysis of these sources’ content against well-researched references. The latter encompass sources whose contents instead of covering different historical aspects regarding England’s policies, tend to focus on Tudor-Stuart policies exhaustively. This is to the capacity author(s) in their article/book having not given a summary but extensively explained concerning English policies and law in Ireland as well as their impacts. An example of such articles is “Tall Tales and Tudors: A Historiography of the Tudors'' Religio-Political Policies in Ireland” authored by Rimmer. In this source, the author has clearly expounded varied aspects that characterized Tudor-Stuart policies including dissolution of natives from their possessions19. The aspect of dissolution in Ireland as commissioned by the then Tudor-Stuart policies is quite evident among numerous sources whereby there are no many conflicts except offered by individuals based on their respective experiences. Other sources that might refute this study’s thesis include speeches as well as writings attributed to the then perpetrators of Tudor-Stuart policies, for instance, Oliver Cromwell and those of Queen Elizabeth20,21. Since, these references in most cases tend to relay one-sided argument, which is that of perpetrators either reporting to their Lords or issuing directives regarding where there areas of jurisdictions entail rectifications22. In counteracting conflicts from these sources, will entail either ignoring their contents or utilizing them in relaying how lords on the grounds exaggerated Irish situation. This is to acquire favours as well as thought to have worked hard in managing or containing varied situations in their locality. This was the norm of local lords over Irish similar to any human beings intending to win his or her superiors’ favour. Ignoring a source in this study does not imply its content is invaluable but fails in any way to support the thesis. Therefore, instead of using its content that does not align well with what the research intends to relay but complicate as well as bringing confusion, the researcher ends up ignoring them. This is filtering the essential information and leaving out that seems scantly or shallowly researched. Since, what they comprise of are summaries of the actual works, hence produce well-researched content whose validity is still high. 4.4. Literature review Studies so far conducted contend the inception of Tudor-policies in Ireland their core purpose entailed to transform the entire state. This was to bring Ireland to a complete subjection of England by introducing English law and one religion state (Anglicanism) as Harington claims in his study23. However, Harington in his study as per the first article implies Ireland due to lack of proper order of God’s laws was in desperate need of reformation but not other forces like power that prompted England to take over Ireland, which was not the case as per Nicholas Canny’s studies24. The task of reformation at first was not that easy because of strong and powerful opposition by Irish Landlords like Conn O’Neil and Manus O’Donell25. Therefore, these emergent powers under their kings like Henry VIII resulted to using force in their quest to compel Irish yield to complete loyalty and adherence. This acted as the first goal whose attainment according to English kings would then enable them to implement their policies effectively. Since, the subjects would be under the subjection of English law whereby imposing Tudor-Stuart policies will be easy to the extent of making the entire Ireland a one-religion state, which was Anglicanism. The latter intention is evident in E. Lodge’s 1641 study contending how Protestant’s creed led by England, Scotland and Ireland puritans resolved to thrust out Catholicism26, 27. This is by denying them any recognition, place to operate from, or military support such that they were almost equal to other invaluable populace in Ireland who could only bargain for their respective quality by buying28. The successful establishment of Protestantism in Ireland based on the then leading English kings and their respective authorities could not have been successful if they assumed same power with the Catholic Church. According to Lodge’s study, this was main reason behind denying Catholic space coupled with comparing them with other mere mortals in the land who were rebels and had no intention of enhancing English law. These rebels included James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald and O’Neil who due to their displeasure of seeing English lords occupying their land and imposing new policies sought intervention from other Catholic powers in Europe. However, their efforts of intended to seek intervention from Europe powers were very short-lived as Pale community together with other like-mined clans unveiled these rebels’ agitation were not genuine and religious based. In line with this study’s thesis, E. Lodge outlines how the Tudor-Stuart implied in Ireland despite initially presented in such a way to help the Irish. This encompassed forcibly thrusting out initial Irish landowners from their possessions and replacing them with English settlers29. This move besides prompting the Irish to hearken to the English tyrannical orders intended to ensure the extent of resistance was low for effective governance and imposition of foreign policies. Hence, manage to collect revenues and other benefits whereas the natives remained poor but compliance to the English law fully30. Indirectly, this was one of the England’s modes of disarming the Irish people such that by being destitute and poor the natives could not wage any resistance against their Lords, hence adhere to the English law31. Consequently, this yielded to Irish loosing their power because majority of them due to open segregation underwent eviction from their plantations and instead replaced with English settlers whom the government of the day equipped them with weapons to protect themselves32, 33. Conversely, natives underwent disarmament process by proclamation apart besides hanged as per Martial law, which was contrary to protestant plantators whom the government ensured they had a certain numbers of horses as well as soldiers that would protect them34. This was in case of invasion by rebels more so from Gaelic clans who sought any appropriate opportunity to assassinate Henry VIII’s loyal subjects. Conversely, diverse historians have relayed implications of English policies in Ireland differently, which to some extent differ significantly with this study’s thesis. For instance, Harington during 1599 in his study while outlining varied aspects that during O’Neill resistance against English invasion seemed to imply Ireland’s then condition desperately entailed reformation. This is in terms of provision of an appropriate school system, which according to Harington its core purpose was to impart both young and adult students with human values35. From literal perspective, this could not have been the reason based on the Tudor-Stuart policies their implementation encompassed forceful adherence of the part of subjects. This is to the extent of kings like Henry VIII brutally terminating lives of numerous subjects and even those who were close to him in power. Therefore, Harington’s depiction of desperate and awkward condition of Ireland being the core reason that prompted the emergency of Tudor-Stuart policies in the name of England’s intervention to improve the situation is not true. Besides, it is also quite different from implications referred by this study’s thesis whose core intention encompasses outlining both direct and indirect reasons that prompted England invade Ireland. This is to the extent of the retaliating side spearheaded O’Neil opting for “Nine years of war” though defeated later36. Other depictions that proved Tudor-Stuart policies in Ireland did not at all meant any good for the people but fulfilling their hidden intentions was evident in the then parliament sessions against Irish that were in progress both during and after 1st as well as 2nd civil wars37. The core purpose of these sessions was evident in Cromwell’s speech as he relays how he deemed what befall rebels was “...Righteous judgement of God on barbarous wretches38.” In his endeavours, Cromwell together with other English leaders aimed at subduing any rebelling force during their time such that what these agitating people could do is to come up with structured statutes of demanding their privileges or demands39. These structured statutes despite in their enactment seeming to have power they were all under discretion of the English law and who the leader was during then. This is because in most cases leaders due to their autocratic way of leading ended up not recognizing them like Henry VIII except religious Cromwell though the latter had a unique that encompassed disillusioning financial institutions40,41. Probably, this is due to his strong religious background as a puritan. These proposals devised in 1647 affirm exact state of English law in both the native country and Ireland where the dispossessed landowners were to comply fully though they were not too harsh in case of the former. Identity formation After subduing Irish people and imposed English law, the invading kings pushed for the agreement of certain articles that the mere lords under them would all through comply with fully. Some of these included those of O’Neil and Manus O’Donell whom irrespective of their position had to exhibit complete compliance especially to Henry VIII whom42. Other aspects that were of great consideration towards establishing English law and dominance encompassed dispossessing the natives their possessions43. This was a move towards stripping them off their power, hence reducing Irish to mere beggars similar to Catholic officials during then. References Act for the King of England to be king of Ireland (33 Hen VIII, c. 1, 1542) Bernard, G. W. "The Dissolution of the Monasteries." History 96, no. 324 (October 2011): 390-409. EBSCOhost (accessed May 25, 2014). Cuarta, Brian. ''Reshaping Ireland, 1550-1700: Colonization and its consequences''. Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2011. https://networks.h-net.org/node/12840/reviews/23532/wells- mac-cuarta-reshaping-ireland-1550-1700-colonization-and-its Earl of Essex, “The state of Ireland as it appeared during the Rebellion” (1599) Ellis, Steven. Ireland in the Age of the Tudors. 1447-1603: Completion of Tudor conquest. Longman UP, 2006. George Holmes at Strabane to William Fleming on the siege of Londonderry (November 16, 1689) Heads of the causes which moved the Northern Irish and Catholics of Ireland arms (1641) Morgan, Hiram. Hugh O''Neill and the Nine Years War in Tudor Ireland. The Historical Journal, 36. 1 (1993): 21-37. Oliver Cromwell at Dublin to William Lenthall, Esq., speaker of the parliament of England (September 17, 1649) Rimmer, James. Tall Tales and Tudors: A Historiography of the Tudors'' Religio-Political Policies in Ireland. London : Routledge, 2005." p. 40-45. Sir Henry to Queen Elizabeth on Munster and Connaught (April 20, 1567) Sir Robert Naunton, Fragmenta Regalia (Written ca. 1634, pub. 1641) State of Ireland and plan for its reformation (1515) Submission of Two Ulster Chiefs (August 6 and October 1, 1541) The Heads of the proposals agreed upon by Sir Thomas Fairfax and the council of the Army (August 1, 1647) The Vocacyon of Johan Bale (1553) Read More