Penal Laws Flashcards
(25 cards)
When were the Penal Laws introduced?
After the treaty of limerick / end of Williamite wars
When was the treaty of limerick signed
3 October 1691
Name a military article of the treaty
Soldiers could travel to France and fight for Louis xiv
Name 2 civil articles of the treaty
Religious freedom and return of lands
What did Irish anglicans think of Catholics?
Disloyal
What did Irish Anglicans feel about William and why?
Betrayed due to growth of colonial nationalism and his attitude at Limerick
How could the treaty help Anglican’s establish power?
By exerting independence from England
What did William think of Ireland
It wasn’t his main concern as he was focused on the Nine Years War
What year did William dissolve parliament
1692
Why did he dissolve parliament.
to keep Anglicans happy
Ensure no further rebellion
Didn’t want to offend Catholic allies
When was the treaty ratified?
After the nine years war in September 1697
What was missing from the ratified treaty?
Article 1
Why could William be more harsh towards Catholics now?
He no longer had any ties to Catholic Allies so doesn’t have to worry about upsetting them
RELIGIOUS
Name all attempts to convert religion of catholics
- banishment act 1697 - banned all Catholic bishops and clergy
- to erode Catholicism and force conversion due to lack of bishops - couldn’t practice religion
- only 2 bishops in Ireland by 1702 - Priests had to be registered
- ascendency could track amount of priests in order to limit Catholicism - Catholics had to take Oath of Abjuration and recognise Queen Anne
- broke article 9 of the treaty
- forced them to comply with Anglican beliefs - 1720 unregistered priests threatened with castration
- shows how the 1704 Registration act wasn’t successful - land legislation
- land was subdivided amongst family but if one member converted to anglicanism, they inherited all land
Between 1703 and 1789 55,000 catholics converted to Anglicanism
POLITICAL
What was missing in the ratified treaty? Why
Article 2
They could have been aiming to control Catholic population to gain their land
How long were Catholics unable to buy or lease land for?
31 years
What did this mean for Anglicans?
There was more land available to them
Could rent land to Catholics
Land owners had voting rights - Catholics had no say in politics
By 1776 how much of land was owned by Catholics despite their population? What does this show?
5% despite being 76% of population
Shows that this was enforced and important
How were Catholics frozen out of public life?
Through test acts and laws restricting civil liberties
What restrictions were placed on Catholics in 1695?
Prevented from
- educating their children
- bearing arms
- owning a horse valued over £5
What did these restrictions do to catholics?
Prevented them from being educated and accessing jobs, meaning there were more jobs for Anglican ascendency
Catholics weren’t able to be employed in …
What did this mean for Anglicans?
Legal professions or civil service
Anglicans were able to have well paid jobs, which protected their power and position in society and kept catholics lower in the social hierarchy
