Personal Rule: Thorough in Ireland under Wentworth

A brief history of Ireland

1169- English involvement in Ireland had started in the 12th Century. Cambro-Norman lords had invaded with the aim of grabbing land and wealth.

The Nine Years' War (1593-1602) had been the largest conflict fought by England in the Elizabethan era. 100,000 Irish people had died in the war and related famines.

Colonisation by English speakers meant that by the 1630s there were three distinct groups living in Ireland:

1: The Irish, who were Catholic

2: The 'Old English', who were Catholic

3: The 'new English', who were Protestant settlers

The rise of 'Black Tom Tyrant'

He sat as an MP in the 1614, 1621, 1624 and 1625 Parliaments- across two Monarchs reigns.

In 1627, he refused to pay the 'Forced Loan' and played a key role in the drafting of the 'Petition of Right' in 1628.

In 1632 he was made Lord Deputy of Ireland and in 1640 he was created Earl of Strafford.

What was the concept of 'Thorough' in Personal Rule?

'Thorough' was an attempt to increase royal authority through imposing religious conformity and using prerogative courts. It also meant making a profit out of Ireland for the English Crown, and controlling the Parliament in Dublin.

With this close ally Laud, Wentworth managed the administration of Church and State.

English observers- regarded Wentworth with the potential to build for Charles a properly absolutist regime.

How was 'Thorough' implemented in Ireland?

Wentworth dominated the main power groups by clever manipulation of the Irish Parliament. With the Earl of Ormond, he built up an Irish army for the King's use. Financial reforms to increase Ireland's revenue were enforced with a New Book of Rates (1632), that devised the collection of customs and to enhance the income derived from this source.

What was the Court of Castle Chamber?

Some cases people alleged Wentworth was said to have acted (by his enemies) in a tyrannical manner were heard by the full Privy Council.

Black Tom Tyrant

Wentworth made full use of his powers against all those men whom he regarded as the King's opponents.

How did Wentworth impose religious conformity?

Wentworth introduced Laudian reforms into the Church of Ireland. He imposed thirty nine articles of religion and he established an Irish High Court of Commission to deal with the clergy who refused to obey the new directives.

He expelled the native Catholic Irish population from their lands and gave them to the new Presbyterian settlers.

Wentworth refused to honour 'The Graces'- these were concessions previously offered to the Irish which included a relaxation of recusancy fines.

Who were the 'Old English'?

They were descended from medieval English settlers and hated Wentworth's policy of settling English Scottish Protestants on land that once belonged to them.

Old English landowners had made an agreement with Charles knows as 'The Graces'- in return for a fixed sum, Charles promised not to interfere with certain lands, Wentworth dismissed this.

Who were the 'New English'?

They were recent Protestant settlers and they resisted the High Church Arminianism associated with Charles and Laud.

Two of the most influential members of the 'New English' group were Boyle (the Earl of Cork) and Annesley, Lord Mountnorris were prosecuted in the Courts by Wentworth.

What was the view from England (Castle Chamber)?

Aim: Benefit to the English exchequer, (government revenue).

The Castle Chamber was accused of brutal and arbitrary proceedings. Wentworth planned large-scale confiscations of Catholic-owned land, both to raise money for the Crown and to break the political power of the Irish Catholic gentry.

Wentworth's actions could be viewed as a textbook study in absolutism- increased the power of the Crown in multiple ways.