Confederate Ireland

Quick Facts: Who was Confederate Ireland?

Subject:

Confederate Ireland

Known for:

Period of Irish Catholic self-government (1642–1652) during the Eleven Years' War.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Confederate Ireland, also referred to as the Irish Catholic Confederation, was a period of Irish Catholic self-government between 1642 and 1652, during the Eleven Years' War. Formed by Catholic aristocrats, landed gentry, clergy and military leaders after the Irish Rebellion of 1641, the Confederates controlled up to two-thirds of Ireland from their base in Kilkenny; hence it is sometimes called the Confederation of Kilkenny. The Confederates included Catholics of Gaelic and Anglo-Norman descent. They wanted an end to anti-Catholic discrimination within the Kingdom of Ireland and greater Irish self-governance; many also wanted to roll back the plantations of Ireland. Most Confederates professed loyalty to Charles I of England in the belief they could reach a lasting settlement in return for helping defeat his opponents in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Career & Major Achievements

Its institutions included a legislative body known as the General Assembly, an executive or Supreme Council, and a military. It minted coins, levied taxes and set up a printing press. Confederate ambassadors were appointed and recognised in France, Spain and the Papal States, who supplied them with money and weapons. At various times, Confederate armies fought Royalists, Parliamentarians, Ulster Protestant militia and Scots Covenanters; these controlled the Pale, parts of eastern and northern Ulster, and the region around Cork. Charles authorised secret negotiations which in September 1643 resulted in a Confederate–Royalist ceasefire and led to further talks, most of which proved unsuccessful.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1644, a Confederate military expedition landed in Scotland to help Royalists there. The Confederates continued to fight the Parliamentarians in Ireland, and decisively defeated the Covenanter army in the Battle of Benburb. In 1647, the Confederates suffered a string of defeats at Dungan's Hill, Cashel and Knocknanuss. This prompted them to make an agreement with the Royalists, leading to internal divisions which hampered their ability to resist a Parliamentarian invasion. In August 1649, a large English Parliamentarian army, led by Oliver Cromwell, invaded Ireland.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1641: 1641 Milestone — Formed by Catholic aristocrats, landed gentry, clergy and military leaders after the Irish Rebellion of 1641, the Confederates controlled up to two-thirds of Ireland from their base in Kilkenny; hence it is sometimes called the Confederation of Kilkenny.
2. 1642: 1642 Milestone — Confederate Ireland, also referred to as the Irish Catholic Confederation, was a period of Irish Catholic self-government between 1642 and 1652, during the Eleven Years' War.
3. 1643: 1643 Milestone — Charles authorised secret negotiations which in September 1643 resulted in a Confederate–Royalist ceasefire and led to further talks, most of which proved unsuccessful.
4. 1644: 1644 Milestone — In 1644, a Confederate military expedition landed in Scotland to help Royalists there.
5. 1647: 1647 Milestone — In 1647, the Confederates suffered a string of defeats at Dungan's Hill, Cashel and Knocknanuss.
6. 1649: 1649 Milestone — In August 1649, a large English Parliamentarian army, led by Oliver Cromwell, invaded Ireland.

Notable Quotes by Confederate Ireland

“Pro Deo, Rege, et Patria, Hiberni Unanimes”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Confederate Ireland

True or False: “The Confederate government established a national mint and printing press in Kilkenny.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The establishment of these institutions allowed the Confederates to legitimize their authority by controlling currency and official proclamations.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• André-Charles Boulle — Historical peer (Born in 1642) (1642): Preeminent French cabinetmaker, master of marquetry and 'Boulle work' inlay.
• Cardinal Richelieu — Historical peer (Died in 1642) (1642): Powerful French statesman who centralized royal authority and checked Habsburg power.
• Georges de La Tour — Historical peer (Died in 1652) (1652): Master of Baroque chiaroscuro, famed for religious scenes lit by candlelight.
• Inigo Jones — Historical peer (Died in 1652) (1652): Pioneering English architect who introduced classical Roman and Italian Renaissance styles to England.
• Anne Hutchinson — Historical peer (Died in 1643) (1643): Pioneering religious figure whose challenge to Puritan orthodoxy sparked major colonial schisms.
• Benedetto Castelli — Historical peer (Died in 1643) (1643): Italian mathematician known for his association with Galileo and his work in hydraulics.
• Antonio Stradivari — Historical peer (Born in 1644) (1644): Master Italian luthier renowned for creating some of the finest string instruments.
• Chongzhen Emperor — Historical peer (Died in 1644) (1644): The last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, whose reign ended with the fall of Beijing.
• Denis Papin — Historical peer (Born in 1647) (1647): Pioneering French physicist, inventor, and mathematician known for steam technology.
• Evangelista Torricelli — Historical peer (Died in 1647) (1647): Pioneering Italian physicist and mathematician, famed for inventing the barometer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Confederate Ireland