Irish Penal Purpose
What was the purpose of the Penal Laws? Answer with reference to the various identity groups in Early Modern Ireland.
This essay shall explore the purpose and origins of the Irish penal laws which has always been the subjects of contention amongst historians. These laws have been viewed as ruthless in their primary purpose of the suppression of Catholics.
William Lecky claimed the Penal Laws were “not directed at Religion, but were spurred on by the greed for land.” This is a view held by the majority of historians who have dedicated their time to focus and dissect 18th Century Ireland. Many years later, while reviewing the impact of the penal laws Mitchell stated “it was plain to see that it was not about the religious conversion of …show more content…
Burke believed the real purpose of the penal laws was “not to benefit Ireland in anyway but to pauperise, degrade and enfeeble it.” He felt that William didn’t really care about Ireland but instead wanted to focus on the broader picture and his sole aim was to conquer Europe. Charles Ivar McGrath (Irish historical studies, May 1996) states that “victory in Limerick in October 1691 did not end the threat to the Williamite Protestant interest in Ireland”. The fear of Catholic Europe remained constant as long as William the 3rd was at war with Louis the 18th who ruled Catholic France. This paved the way for the penal laws to be written up and sent to the Protestant Lords in Ireland. Oliver MacDonagh states they were designed to “disfranchise and disadvantage Roman …show more content…
This was a real blow to the Catholics of Ireland as they were very devoted to their religion having rejected Protestantism previously for many years. W.P. Burke claims the purpose of the penal laws was to impose a “national change of religion against the wishes of the overwhelming mass of the people.” If fully implemented, it would have eliminated the Catholic clergy in Ireland in one or two generations. This was made perfectly clear when England attempted to order out of Ireland “all bishops and all others exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction.” (T,
This essay shall explore the purpose and origins of the Irish penal laws which has always been the subjects of contention amongst historians. These laws have been viewed as ruthless in their primary purpose of the suppression of Catholics.
William Lecky claimed the Penal Laws were “not directed at Religion, but were spurred on by the greed for land.” This is a view held by the majority of historians who have dedicated their time to focus and dissect 18th Century Ireland. Many years later, while reviewing the impact of the penal laws Mitchell stated “it was plain to see that it was not about the religious conversion of …show more content…
Burke believed the real purpose of the penal laws was “not to benefit Ireland in anyway but to pauperise, degrade and enfeeble it.” He felt that William didn’t really care about Ireland but instead wanted to focus on the broader picture and his sole aim was to conquer Europe. Charles Ivar McGrath (Irish historical studies, May 1996) states that “victory in Limerick in October 1691 did not end the threat to the Williamite Protestant interest in Ireland”. The fear of Catholic Europe remained constant as long as William the 3rd was at war with Louis the 18th who ruled Catholic France. This paved the way for the penal laws to be written up and sent to the Protestant Lords in Ireland. Oliver MacDonagh states they were designed to “disfranchise and disadvantage Roman …show more content…
This was a real blow to the Catholics of Ireland as they were very devoted to their religion having rejected Protestantism previously for many years. W.P. Burke claims the purpose of the penal laws was to impose a “national change of religion against the wishes of the overwhelming mass of the people.” If fully implemented, it would have eliminated the Catholic clergy in Ireland in one or two generations. This was made perfectly clear when England attempted to order out of Ireland “all bishops and all others exercising any ecclesiastical jurisdiction.” (T,