Personal Rule: 'Thorough' in Ireland Flashcards
(12 cards)
Who was Thomas Wentworth?
He served in Parliament and was a supporter of King Charles I.
- From 1632 to 1640 he was Lord Deputy of Ireland, where he established a strong authoritarian rule.
- known as ‘black Tom Tyrant’
What was ‘thorough’?
A system of governance introduced, aiming to centralise power in the monarchy and increase royal control over the church, the judiciary, and local government.
- Thorough meant an attempt to increase royal authority through imposing religious conformity and using prerogative courts.
What institution did Wentworth establish in Ireland, and what did it do?
‘Court of Castle Chamber’, hearing suits between private parties, arguably acting in a tyrannical manner, making full use of his powers against men whom he regarded as the King’s opponents
Who was persecuted through the Court of Castle Chamber?
Crosby, Esmonde for libel
Valentia for ‘mutiny’, sentenced to death, though he had only insulted Wentworth.
Earl of Cork for misappropriating funds
Lord Chancellor Loftus for judicial corruption and improper conduct, suspended.
How did Wentworth develop Ireland’s trade and industry?
- Trade with Spain, financial reforms to increase revenue
> Irish Parliament granted ten subsidies
> New Book of Rates issued, causing custom duties to rise by £32,000 in the mid-1630s
Where did all revenue from Ireland go?
All revenue went directly to England.
- Making a profit out of Ireland for England
What did Wentworth introduce to Ireland in terms of religion?
Wentworth introduced Laudian reforms into the Church of Ireland
- Imposing the Thirty Nine Articles of religion
- Establishing an Irish High Court of Commission to deal with clergy who refused to obey the new directives.
What did Wentworth do to the native Catholic Irish population?
Expelled the native Catholic Irish population from their lands, giving those lands to the new Presbyterian settlers.
What did Wentworth plan in terms of Protestant settling in Ireland?
Planned the full-scale Protestant settling of the provinces of Connacht and Leinster by disputing Irish land titles and confiscating lands wherever possible to make way for the new settlers.
Who were the ‘Old English’ and ‘New English’?
‘Old English’ (medieval English settlers, Catholic, forming the elite of Irish society)
‘New English’ (more recent Protestant settlers
What did the ‘Old English’ and ‘New English’ think about Wentworth’s and Laudian reforms?
‘Old English’ hated Wentworth’s plantations policy
‘New English’ hated Laudian reforms and the Court of Castle Chamber, which systematically prosecuted their most influential (i.e. Earl of Cork)
What was the fate of Wentworth?
Wentworth would eventually be executed as the Earl of Strafford (1640) in May 1641, following his recalling from Ireland in Sept 1639, being recalled to advise Charles to recall Parliament.
