His religion made James popular among Irish Catholics, whose position had not improved under his brother. Catholic land ownership had fallen from 90% in 1600 to 22% in 1685, not least through Catholic landlords converting to the Anglican Church. After 1673, a series of proclamations deprived Catholic gentry of the right to bear arms or hold public office. The Catholic Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1687, and began building a Catholic establishment that could survive James. Fearing a short reign, Tyrconnell moved at a speed that destabilised all three kingdoms.
His religion made James popular among Irish Catholics whose position had not improved under his brother Catholic land ownership had fallen from 90% in 1600 to 22% in 1685 not least through Catholic landlords converting to the Anglican Church After 1673 a series of proclamations deprived Catholic gentry of the right to bear arms or hold public office The Catholic Richard Talbot 1st Earl of Tyrconnell was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland in 1687 and began building a Catholic establishment that could survive James Fearing a short reign Tyrconnell moved at a speed that destabilised all three kingdoms