Silken Thomas Rebellion

Question 1

What were the causes of the Silken Thomas rebellion?

Answer 1

.Religious causes in that Catholic Ireland feared an exporting of the protestant reformation, particularly considering Henry’s excommunication and Act of Supremacy

.Cromwellian reforms meant that the Kildares were losing power and influence eg. Lord Skeffington made Lord of Munster

. Feuds between factions of Irish clans, and fears that patronage to one Irish Clan (Butlers) would cause Kiladares to lose power

. Kildare senior had been imprisoned and died in the Tower Of London after being called there by Henry 8

Question 2

What were the aims of the rebellion?

Answer 2

.gain power and have Kildare’s as rulers of Ireland, by removing Henry 8 from Ireland

.preserve the catholic faith

.stop patronage to the Butlers , that would result in the loss of influence of the Kildare’s

Question 3

what is an example of the kildares decline in power?

Answer 3

. Cromwellian reforms favoured - lord skeffington becomes the earl of Kildare to prevent power going to Irish Families

.

Question 4

What support did Silken have ?

Answer 4

. Charles V agent visits Ireland in 1534, and promises 12000 Spanish troops
. Desmond families support
. 1000 troops to invade Pale, of which he gains control
. Gaelic Irish Chiefs and the church
.

Question 5

what is evidence that this was a religious rising ?

Answer 5

. Promises of Spanish support - maybe involved for religious reasons due to desire to hold onto Catholic faith, however, historically not involved in social rebellion, which this was, and Spanish support did not materialise

. Silken pronounces this as a religious crusade

Question 6

what is the narrative of the rebellion ?

Answer 6

. Charles V agent visits Ireland and promises 12000 troops, and silken Thomas gains support of Desmond families , and Gaelic chiefs, and the church

. William Skeffington is employed to deal with rebels and is sent with 2300 troops (largest force sent to Ireland in 150 years) - gains control of Dublin Castle and gives Henry time to respond

. Silken Thomas returns to family in Maynooth and waits for Skeffington

.English Troops bribe guards and gain entry into Maynoot Fort, and Maynooth pardon occurs which kills 40

. Archbishop of Dublin attempts to flee, but rebels capture him and murder him - leads to the excommunication of silken thomas and troops

. Thomas loses grip on Kildare, and rebels begin appealing for pardons

. New Lord Deputy ( Grey) offers ST a pardon, which he accepts, but Silky T + five uncles are executed

. Kildare family power greatly reduced

Question 7

what increased the threat ?

Answer 7

. promise of 12000 troops

. 1000 troops, and as social rebellion against English, many Irish chiefs give support also

. Protracted rebellion of nine months, and distance made it harder to put down - Dublin had to wait for orders from London before the rebellion could be suppressed

. Religious changes also occurring in England and threat of Spanish support using Ireland as a launchpad for invasion etc

. Silken T takes gunpowder from Dublin Castle

Question 8

what decreased threat?

Answer 8

. Maynooth Pardon
. excommunication
. undisciplined rebels
. No spanish support