Statutes of Kilkenny facts for kids
Parliament of Ireland
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| Long title | A Statute of the Fortieth Year of King Edward III., enacted in a parliament held in Kilkenny, A.D. 1367, before Lionel Duke of Clarence, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. |
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| Citation | 40 Edw. 3 |
| Introduced by | The Duke of Clarence |
| Territorial extent | Ireland |
| Dates | |
| Repealed | 1983 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Statute Law Revision Act 1983 |
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Status: Repealed
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| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The Statutes of Kilkenny were a set of laws made by the English in 1367. These laws aimed to protect the English colony in Ireland.
Contents
Why Were These Laws Created?
To understand why these laws were made, we need to look at Ireland in the 1300s. English people started settling in Ireland in the 1100s. Over time, some of these English settlers began to adopt Irish customs. They started speaking the Irish language and wearing Irish clothes. Some even married Irish people.
The English rulers back in England did not like this. They wanted the English settlers in Ireland to stay English. They worried that if the settlers became too much like the Irish, they might not be loyal to England. So, the Statutes of Kilkenny were created to stop English settlers from becoming too Irish.
What Did the Statutes Say?
The Statutes of Kilkenny were a long list of rules. Here are some of the main things they said:
- Language: English settlers were not allowed to speak the Irish language. They had to speak English.
- Clothing: English settlers could not wear Irish clothes. They had to wear English-style clothing.
- Names: English settlers could not give their children Irish names. They had to use English names.
- Marriage: English settlers were not allowed to marry Irish people. They had to marry other English people. This rule was very important to keep the two groups separate.
- Games: English settlers could not play Irish games like hurling. They also could not use Irish sports equipment. They had to stick to English games.
- Law: If an English person broke these rules, they would be punished. Punishments could be harsh, like losing their land. They could even be sent back to England.
Who Created These Laws?
The Statutes of Kilkenny were made by the English Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. This was Lionel of Antwerp, also known as the Duke of Clarence. The laws were also made by the Irish Parliament, which was controlled by the English. They met in Kilkenny, a town in Ireland, to create these laws. That is why they are called the Statutes of Kilkenny!
Why Was Kilkenny Chosen?
Kilkenny was an important town in Ireland during that time. It was a strong base for the English settlers. It was also a good place for them to meet and make big decisions.
Did the Statutes Work?
Not really. The Statutes of Kilkenny tried to keep the English and Irish separate. However, it did not truly work in the long run. Many English settlers continued to mix with the Irish. Irish culture also continued to influence them. It is hard to stop people from getting along and sharing their cultures!
What Happened to the Statutes?
Over the years, the Statutes of Kilkenny became less important. People started to ignore them. They were not really enforced anymore. Eventually, they were forgotten. But they are still an important part of history. They show us how people tried to control different groups in the past.
Why Are They Important Today?
The Statutes of Kilkenny are important because they teach us about history and culture. They show us how people from different backgrounds can live together. They remind us that it is important to respect other cultures. This is true even if they are different from our own.
Fun Facts About the Statutes
- The Statutes were written in French. This was the language of the English court at the time.
- Kilkenny Castle, a famous castle in Kilkenny, was important during this period.
- The Statutes of Kilkenny were just one of many attempts by the English to control Ireland.
- Some people think the Statutes tried to protect English culture. Others believe they were unfair to the Irish.
See also
In Spanish: Estatutos de Kilkenny para niños
