Interregnum (Ireland) facts for kids

Ireland during the Interregnum (1649–1660) was a period in history when England, Scotland, and Ireland were ruled without a king. This time began after the execution of Charles I in 1649 and ended in 1660 when the monarchy was brought back under Charles II. It was a very challenging time for many people in Ireland.

Cromwell's Rule in Ireland

Life for both Irish and English Catholics in Ireland became very difficult during this period. Oliver Cromwell, a powerful English leader, led a military campaign in Ireland. He is still seen as a very unpopular figure in Ireland today.

Cromwell's Military Campaign

Cromwell's major campaign in Ireland started in August 1649. He left in May 1650, but the fighting continued until 1653. This war had a terrible impact on Ireland's Catholic population. About one-third of them were either killed or forced to leave the country.

Impact of the War

Famine and widespread sickness were the biggest causes of death. This was largely due to the "scorched earth" tactics used by the English forces. This meant destroying crops and resources to prevent the enemy from using them. Some Irish prisoners of war were even sold as indentured labourers. This meant they had to work for a set number of years, often in places like the West Indies, to pay off a debt or for their passage.

Land Changes and New Settlers

During this time, many Catholic landowners lost their land. Thousands of soldiers from Cromwell's army, called the New Model Army, and people who had lent money to the English Parliament were given these confiscated lands. Catholic landowners who were not seen as rebels but had not shown "constant good affection" to the Parliament also lost their land. They were forced to move to Connacht, a western part of Ireland where the soil was poorer.

Religious Changes and Leaders

The practice of Catholicism was banned during the Interregnum. Many of the new English soldiers and settlers were Dissenters. These were Protestants who did not agree with the official Church of England. Groups like the Quakers and Baptists set up their religious communities. They were protected by the English Parliament's forces.

Challenges for Presbyterians

The Scottish Presbyterian community also faced difficulties. Most Presbyterians had supported the Scottish side against the Parliament in the Third English Civil War (1649–50).

Key Figures in Ireland

Charles Fleetwood was the English commander in Ireland from 1652 to 1655. He was seen as unfriendly towards Catholics, Presbyterians, and even the English Protestants who had lived in Ireland before the war.

Henry Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell's son, took over from Fleetwood in 1655. He was seen as more moderate. He tried to make peace with the "Old Protestant" landowners. He also allowed some of the harshest laws against Catholics, like banning them from living in towns, to become less strict.

End of the Interregnum

Towards the end of the Interregnum, important Parliamentarian generals in Ireland began to prepare for the return of the king. These included Charles Coote and Richard Boyle. They were also English settlers who had been in Ireland before the war. They took control of important strongholds in Ireland to help bring back the monarchy.