Poynings' Law facts for kids
Poynings' Law was an important rule made in 1495 by the Irish Parliament. This happened when Henry VII of England was King of England and Lord of Ireland. The law was suggested by Sir Edward Poynings, who was the King's main representative in Ireland. It was passed during a meeting in a town called Drogheda.
This law greatly reduced the power of the Irish Parliament. It meant that the King of England and the English Parliament had the power to say "no" (a veto) to any laws the Irish Parliament wanted to make.
What Poynings' Law Did
Poynings' Law had several key rules:
- The Irish Parliament could not meet or make any new laws without first telling the King of England and the English Parliament why they wanted to meet.
- Any new laws they wanted to pass also needed approval from both the King and the English Parliament before they could become official.
- Many older laws from the English Parliament automatically became laws in Ireland too.
- A set of old rules called the Statute of Kilkenny was brought back. These rules were about how English people in Ireland should live. However, one part of the old rules, which banned speaking the Irish language, was not brought back.
- It became against the law to help people who were fighting against the government.
- Certain old practices, like 'coyne and livery' (which were ways soldiers were supported by local people), were made illegal.
- Traditional Irish war cries were also banned.
Why the Law Was Made
The main reason Poynings' Law was created was to bring more order and control back to Ireland. At the time, England had been weakened by a series of wars called the Wars of the Roses. Sir Edward Poynings wanted to make sure England's power in Ireland was strong again.
When the Law Ended
Poynings' Law was a very important rule for a long time. It was finally removed in 1782, almost 300 years after it was first made.
