Page 215 - Demo

Chapter Seven 215
object of strengthening English rule were abandoned, and with the dark cloud of civil war looming, no person was appointed to replace him.
So it is probably true to say that Ireland in 1641 was once more in a state of general unrest. Not alone were the native Irish discontented and dissatisied, so too were the de- scendants of the Normans, the Anglo-Irish, and even sections of the English in the country also felt aggrieved. Land coniscation, religious persecution, ruthless deprivation, and the constant threat of more, all contributed to the general disquiet which permeated through- out the land and alamed the people with thoughts of insurrection.
The dissensions that were soon to explode in civil war in England were present also amongst the English settlers who had recently come to Ireland. On the one hand, there were the ‘Royalists’ or supporters of King Charles, who consisted mainly of servants of the crown and their adherents; on the other, the Puritans and Presbyterian colonists, lately settled throughout the country, but mostly in the recently planted North of the country. Because they did not conform to the State Religion, both the Puritans and Presbyterians suf- fered certain restrictions, and with the aid of their co-religionists and supporters in Britain, they were preparing to resist the king and his party. Gradually, from the pressure of events already mentioned, coupled with other major happenings in Britain and on the Continent, four parties of difering interests began to emerge in Ireland.
1. The Native or Old Irish, whose principle aim was the expulsion of the English from the country along with the restoration of the Catholic religion. Their maxim was “Faith and Country.”
2. The Anglo-Irish who wished to continue as loyal subjects to the King, but who were in agreement with the native Irish on matters of religion. “Faith, Country, and King.”
3. The Royalists, who sought to promote the King’s interests in every way-they also sought to maintain the Protestant Established Church.
4. The Parliamentarians, consisting mainly of Puritans and Presbyterians, who op- posed the aims of all the other groups in both religion and politics, and who were supported by the resources of the English Parliament.
There was, at the time, a noticeable, albeit modest revival of national spirit amongst the Irish. At home the revival was fostered by intense discussion and collaboration between