Ireland’s struggles against England date as far back as the 12th century with the conquest of Norman under Henry II of England. Irish history over the next five centuries is marked by spasmodic wars and an alternating shift of power between the invading British and native Irish, in contention for the rule over the isle. The period during the late 17th and early 18th century was one of the bloodiest. A growing rift between the Protestants and the Catholics solidified during this period with the Irish Rebellion of 1688, and the Williamite War in 1690 (Hayton 40). In backing James III, the Irish Catholics seized on the instability in the nation to reestablish themselves within the political and social structure of Ireland, and usurped the position …show more content…
The laws’ emphasis on the maintaining of a Protestant superiority and the prevention of the re-emergence of Catholic power contributed significantly to the stopping of a potential rebellion. By the 18th century, discriminatory religious laws were widespread throughout Europe with “restrictive laws against Protestants in Catholic countries, and against Catholicism in Protestant ones” (Lecky 137). The Penal laws themselves were modeled after the French anti-protestant laws, and despite their severity, the laws were relatively insignificant in their brutality, compared to the persecution of Protestants in Spain, and in other Catholic nations (Lecky 138). Contrary to the prevailing sentiment, it could almost be said that the Penal Laws in Ireland had little to do with religion and were rather political in their aim. The evidence shows a relatively mild treatment of Catholics in England itself, which was far less in its severity than their persecution in Ireland (Hayton 71). As a matter of fact, the main objectives of the Penal Laws stemmed from a fear for state security with its very first clause aimed to disarm the Catholic population (McGrath 27). In the years following the passing the Penal Laws, Catholic bishops and clergy were banished, thus depriving the …show more content…
The conditions imposed by the Treaty of Limerick and early Penal Laws could be considered as normal for a defeated party. These included disarmament and banning of horse ownership among Catholics, all necessities in initiating a war (McGrath 28). Yet, it also guaranteed for freedom of religious exercise for the Catholics and the right to exercise their trade and professions undisturbed (Parnell 26). To many Catholics in this situation, the importance of religious and economic security far outweighed the ignominy of losing a few rights that were stripped away by the treaty. With the promise of the Treaty of Limerick, the Catholic population was practically placed on an equal footing with their Protestant counterparts (Moran 4). Furthermore, King William of England wished to establish a toleration for Irish Catholics. In his experience as an European ruler, he had come to the view that a tolerant policy encouraged economic development and provided a boost to his support base (Hayton 30). To most Catholics, the conditions promised by the Treaty of Limerick would have been the most significant improvement over their social condition since the Norman