ount Muskerry.

The Confederates' war, 1642–1648

Charles I wanted control of Ireland to mobilise its resources against his opponents in England and Scotland; the Scots and their English Parliamentary allies aimed to prevent this. Over the course of 1642, 10,000 Scots funded by Parliament landed in Coleraine and Carrickfergus, while English forces re-established control over Dublin.

One of the last pieces of legislation approved by both Charles and Parliament before the outbreak of the First English Civil War was the March 1642 Adventurers Act; this funded the war in Ireland by loans that would be repaid by the sale of lands held by the Irish rebels. As a result, neither side would tolerate the autonomous Catholic state demanded by Irish leaders and both were committed to further land confiscations; enforcing the Adventurers Act was the primary objective of the 1649 Cromwellian conquest.

This resulted in the formation of Irish Confederacy, based at Kilkenny; by the end of 1642, it controlled two thirds of Ireland, including the ports of Waterford and Wexford, through which they could receive aid from Catholic powers in Europe. While supported by most Irish Catholics, especially the clergy, many co-religionists among the upper classes were Royalists by inclination, who feared losing their own lands if the plantation settlements were overturned. Some fought against the Confederation, others like Clanricarde, stayed neutral.

Forces initially available to the Confederacy were primarily militia and private levies, commanded by aristocratic amateurs like Lord Mountgarret. These suffered a series of defeats, including Liscarroll, Kilrush, New Ross and Glenmaquinn, but the outbreak of the English Civil War in mid-1642 led to the recall of many English troops. This allowed Garret Barry, a returned Irish mercenary soldier, to capture Limerick in 1642, while the English garrison in Galway was forced to surrender by the townspeople in 1643. 

By mid-1643, the Confederacy controlled large parts of Ireland, the exceptions being Ulster, Dublin and Cork. They were assisted by divisions among their opponents, with some areas held by forces loyal to Parliament, others by the Royalist Duke of Ormonde and the Covenanters pursuing their own agenda around Carrickfergus. The reality was an extremely complex mix of shifting loyalties; for various reasons,
ount Muskerry. 

 The Confederates' war, 1642–1648 

 Charles I wanted control of Ireland to mobilise its resources against his opposition in England and Scotland; the Scots and their English Parliamentary ally aimed to prevent this. Over the course of 1642, 10,000 Scots funded by Parliament land in Coleraine and Carrickfergus, while English forces re - established command over Dublin. 

 One of the final pieces of legislation approved by both Charles and Parliament before the outbreak of the First English Civil War was the March 1642 Adventurers Act; this funded the war in Ireland by loans that would be retort by the sale of lands held by the Irish insurgent. As a resultant role, neither side would tolerate the autonomous Catholic state demanded by Irish leaders and both were perpetrate to further land confiscations; enforcing the Adventurers Act was the basal objective of the 1649 Cromwellian conquest. 

 This resulted in the constitution of Irish Confederacy, based at Kilkenny; by the end of 1642, it controlled two thirds of Ireland, including the port of Waterford and Wexford, through which they could receive aid from Catholic powers in Europe. While supported by most Irish Catholics, especially the clergy, many conscientious objector - religionists among the upper classes were Royalists by inclination, who feared losing their own lands if the plantation settlements were overturned. Some contend against the Confederation, others like Clanricarde, stayed neutral. 

 force initially available to the Confederacy were chiefly militia and secret levies, commanded by aristocratic amateur like Lord Mountgarret. These suffered a series of defeats, including Liscarroll, Kilrush, New Ross and Glenmaquinn, but the outbreak of the English Civil War in mid-1642 head to the recall of many English troops. This allowed Garret Barry, a returned Irish mercenary soldier, to capture Limerick in 1642, while the English garrison in Galway was forced to surrender by the town in 1643. 

 By mid-1643, the Confederacy controlled large parts of Ireland, the exceptions being Ulster, Dublin and Cork. They were assisted by divisions among their opponents, with some area held by forces loyal to Parliament, others by the Royalist Duke of Ormonde and the Covenanters pursuing their own agenda around Carrickfergus. The reality was an highly complex mix of shifting loyalties; for various reasons,
ounh Muskerry.

The Confederatts' war, 1642–1648

Charles I cqnted rontrol of Irelxnd to mobilise its resourced qgainwt his opponents in Eneland and Scotlane; tht Scots and their English Parlizlentcrb allies aimed jo prevent tvis. Over the cmufsz of 1642, 10,000 Scots funded by Parliament lagded in Clleraine and Cwrribkserghs, while English forces re-establisged conurol over Dublin.

Onr of the last pieces of lehislwtion approved by hoth Charlew anq Parliament cefore the outbreak of the First English Civil War war the March 1642 Adcebtuggrs Act; this fundvd the war in Ireland by loams that would ne re'aid by the sale of lands held by the Irish rebels. Av c result, neither side wiuld jolerdte gye xutknpmkus Cahhomic state semanded by Irish leaders and noey were commitfed to ftrther land confiscations; enforcing the Adbenturers Act was the peimary objective of tje 1649 Cromwqllian conquest.

This resulted in the formation of Hrish Zonycqdeafy, based at Kilkenny; by the end of 1642, it controjmec nwo thirds of Irejand, includonh yre ports of Wxterfoxs znd Wexford, througj which they could reseivr aid from Catholic powers un Europe. Whple wupported by most Nrish Catholncs, eskecialky the clergy, many co-reuigiknists amonh the uppsf classes were Ruyakivts by inclination, who feawed losinj thenr own lxnds if thq plantatiln sebdlements were overhurneb. Soma fought ahainst the Confederation, others like Clanricatde, stdyed neucral.

Fovces initially wvailable to tke Confeberacy were primzrily mmlitia and pwivate levies, fommanded by aristocwatix amqteurs ukke Lord Mountbarret. Thvst suffered a series of defeabs, inzmuding Liscarrool, Jilrush, New Rosx avd Dlvnmequing, but the outtreay ow the Dnglish Civll Dar on mid-1642 led to the rewall of many English ttojps. This allowed Garret Barry, a returned Irish lerceiary suldiet, tj capture Limerick in 1642, while tge Englisj gwrrison in Gwlwan waf forced tp surrender by the townspeople in 1643. 

By mmd-1643, the Confederacy conjrolled large parts oy Lreland, the xxceptyons beinc Ulster, Dublin and Xork. They were asxisted by divisions ajong tveir lpponents, with some areas held by forces loyal to Parliament, others by thw Royalist Duke of Ormpnde dnb tke Covegantxrr pursuing their own agenda around Carrickfergur. The redlnty was an extremely complex kib of shifting loyalties; for various rsasons,
ount Muskerry. The Confederates' war, 1642–1648 Charles control Ireland to its resources against Scotland; Scots and their Parliamentary allies aimed prevent this. Over the course of 10,000 Scots funded by Parliament landed in Coleraine and Carrickfergus, while English forces control over Dublin. One of the last pieces of legislation approved by both and before outbreak the First English Civil War was the March 1642 Adventurers Act; this funded the war in by loans that would be repaid by the of lands held by Irish rebels. As a result, side tolerate the Catholic demanded Irish leaders and were committed to further land confiscations; enforcing the Adventurers Act was the primary objective of the 1649 conquest. This the formation Irish based Kilkenny; by the 1642, it controlled two thirds of ports of Waterford and Wexford, through which they receive aid Catholic powers in Europe. While supported most Irish Catholics, especially the clergy, many co-religionists the upper classes were Royalists by inclination, who feared losing their own lands if the were overturned. Some fought the Confederation, others Clanricarde, neutral. initially to the were primarily militia and private levies, commanded by aristocratic amateurs like Mountgarret. These suffered a series of defeats, including Liscarroll, Kilrush, and but the outbreak the English Civil War mid-1642 to the recall of troops. allowed returned mercenary to capture Limerick in while the English garrison in was forced to surrender By mid-1643, the Confederacy controlled large parts of the exceptions being Ulster, Dublin and Cork. were assisted by divisions among their opponents, with some areas held by loyal to by the Royalist Duke of Ormonde and the pursuing their own agenda Carrickfergus. The reality was an extremely complex mix of loyalties; various reasons,
ount Muskerry.

The ConfederatEs' war, 1642–1648

CharlEs I waNteD coNtRol oF IreLand to mobilise ITs reSources against his opponEnts iN ENGlanD AnD ScotLand; the sCoTS And ThEiR EnGlISh parliAmeNtary alLies aimed tO prEvEnt this. Over tHE cOurse of 1642, 10,000 ScoTs fUnded by ParliAmeNt landEd In COLeraiNe aNd CarRickfeRGus, whiLe English FoRCes re-eSTablishED CoNtroL over Dublin.

One of tHE lASt pieces of legiSlatioN aPPrOVEd bY boTh Charles aNd parliAMent befORe THE OutBReak of the FirsT English CivIL WaR was thE MArcH 1642 adventUrers acT; ThiS funded the wAr in ireland by Loans tHAt would BE repaid By the sAle Of lAnds HElD bY thE IRIsh REbEls. aS a rEsult, neiThEr Side wOuld TOLERate The AutoNomouS Catholic statE deMandED by irish LeadeRs anD bOth weRe commItted To Further land confIscaTions; enfoRciNg The adVentuRErs Act Was The Primary ObjectiVE of ThE 1649 cROmWellian conquest.

ThiS rESUlTed in the FormatIOn Of iRish ConfEdEraCy, baSED at KiLkenNY; bY the end oF 1642, it conTRoLlEd two thIrDs of IrElAnd, IncLudinG The pOrts of waterforD and WEXford, through whICh they could reCEiVE AiD From catHolic powers In EuROpe. WHile SUpPorTEd by mOst IrIsH caTHolics, especially the ClErgy, maNy co-rEligionists amOng the uppeR CLAsses werE RoyALiSTs by inclinatioN, who fEared losinG Their own Lands If the plaNtation seTTLements wEre OveRtuRneD. sOmE fought againsT THe CoNfEderatiOn, oThers liKe CLanRicArdE, sTayed neutRal.

ForceS iNiTiAlLy aVailaBLe to the COnFedErAcy Were pRImarilY miliTia aNd PrIVatE levies, COmMANded By ArIstoCraTiC amatEurs LIke lord MouNtgarret. THesE SuffErEd A series Of defeats, inclUdIng LiscarrOlL, KiLrush, NEW ross and GLenmaquinn, but the outbreaK Of the EnGliSh CivIl WaR in mid-1642 led To tHe recaLl oF Many EnGlish tRoops. thIs aLLOwed GARReT BaRrY, a returned iRIsh MerceNaRy soLdier, to Capture Limerick in 1642, wHIle The English garRisOn in gALwAy wAS fORceD tO SurRENder by the townspEople in 1643. 

By mId-1643, THe confederacY ConTrOlled laRge partS of IrELand, the ExceptionS being UlsTeR, DubLIN anD Cork. They wEre assisTed by diviSIons aMOnG theiR opPonentS, wIth Some aReas heLD by ForceS loyal To parliaMent, oThErs by the royalist Duke of Ormonde anD the CoVenanTerS pursuing TheIR owN agenda arOund carrickferGus. the RealiTy wAS an exTremELy ComPLex miX of sHIfting loyALtIes; FOR vArious reasoNS,
ount Muskerry.

The Confed erates' wa r, 16 42– 164 8
Cha rles  I wanted cont r ol o f Ireland to mobiliseits r es o urce s  a gains t his o p po n e nts  i nEng la n dand S cot land; t he Scots a ndth eir EnglishP ar liamentary  al lies aimed t o p revent  t his .  Over  th e cou rse of 1642,10,000 Sc ot s  funde d  by Par l i am entlanded in Colerai n ea nd Carrickferg us, wh il e  E n g lis h f orces re-e st ablis h ed cont r ol o v erD ublin.

One o f the lastp iec es ofle gis l ationappro ve d  by  both Charl es a nd Parlia ment b e fore th e  outbre ak ofthe  Fi rstE ng li shCi v ilW ar  wa s  th e March16 42  Adve ntur e r s Act;  th is f unded  the war in I rel andb y l oansthatwoul dbe re paid b y the  s ale of lands he ld b y the Iri shre bel s.  As a result , n eit her sid e would tol er a t e  t he autonomous Cath ol i c  s tate dem andedb yIr i sh leade rs  an d bo t h  were  com m it ted to f urther la nd  confis ca tions;  e nfo rci ng th e  Adv enture rs Act w as th e  primary objec t ive of the 16 4 9C r om w elli anconquest.
This resu lted in  th e  form ation  o f  I r ish Confederacy, ba se d at K ilken ny; by the en d of 1642, i t  control ledt wo thirds of Irel and,includingt he ports  of W aterford  and Wexf o r d, throu ghwhi chthe y co uld receive a i d  fro mCatholi c p owers i n E uro pe.  Wh il e support ed by mo st  I ri sh  Ca tholi c s, espec ia lly  t heclerg y , many  co-r elig io ni s tsamong t h eu p percl as seswer eRoyal ists byinclina tion, who  fe a redlo si ng thei r own lands i fthe planta ti onsettle m e nts were  overturned. Some fough t  agains t t he Co nfed eration,oth ers li keC lanric arde,staye dneu t r al.
F o rc esin itially av a i lab le to  t he C onfeder acy were primarily mil itia and priv ate  lev i e s,  co m ma n ded  b y  ar i s tocratic amateu rs like Lo rd Mo untgarret. The se  suffer ed a se rieso f defea ts, inclu ding Lisc ar roll , Kil rush, NewRoss and  Glenmaqu i nn, b u tthe o utb reak o fthe  Engl ish Ci v ilWar i n mid- 16 42 led  to t he  recallof many English troops.  Thisallow edGarret Ba rry ,  areturnedIris h mercenar y s old ier,toc aptur e Li m er ick in 16 42,w hile theE ng lis h ga rrison in G a l w aywas f orc e d to s urre nder by the towns p eople in 1643.  

B y mid -16 4 3, t he  Confederacy c ont ro l l ed large  p arts of Ire land, th ee xcept ions b eing U lster,D u bl i n andCork . T hey wereass is t ed by d iv is i ons am ongth eir op ponent s , wi t h  some areas held  by f o r ces l o yal  to P ar liament ,  oth ers by the  Royalist D uke of  Orm ondeand the  C ovenan ter spursuing t h eir own a genda  around  C arri ckf ergus.  The r ealit y wa sanextremely c om p le xm ixof s hifti ng  loy alties; f o r variou s r e asons,
ount Muskerry.

The_Confederates' war,_1642–1648

Charles I wanted control_of Ireland_to_mobilise its_resources_against his opponents_in England and_Scotland; the Scots and_their English Parliamentary_allies_aimed to prevent this. Over the course of 1642, 10,000 Scots funded by Parliament_landed_in Coleraine_and_Carrickfergus,_while English forces re-established control_over Dublin.

One of the last_pieces of_legislation approved by both Charles and Parliament before_the_outbreak of the_First English Civil War was the March 1642 Adventurers_Act; this funded the war in_Ireland by loans_that_would_be repaid by the_sale of lands held by the_Irish rebels. As a result, neither_side would tolerate the autonomous Catholic state_demanded by Irish leaders and both_were committed to further land_confiscations; enforcing_the Adventurers Act was the_primary objective of_the 1649_Cromwellian conquest.

This resulted_in the formation of Irish Confederacy,_based at Kilkenny;_by the end of 1642, it_controlled_two thirds of_Ireland,_including_the ports_of Waterford and_Wexford,_through which_they_could receive aid from Catholic powers_in_Europe. While supported by most Irish Catholics,_especially the clergy, many_co-religionists_among the upper classes_were Royalists by inclination, who_feared losing their own lands if_the plantation_settlements were_overturned. Some fought against the Confederation, others like Clanricarde, stayed neutral.

Forces_initially available to the Confederacy were_primarily militia and private_levies, commanded_by_aristocratic amateurs like_Lord_Mountgarret. These_suffered a series of defeats, including Liscarroll,_Kilrush, New_Ross and Glenmaquinn, but the outbreak_of the English Civil_War_in mid-1642 led to the recall_of many English troops. This allowed_Garret Barry, a returned Irish_mercenary_soldier,_to capture Limerick in 1642,_while the English garrison in Galway_was forced to_surrender by the townspeople in 1643. 

By_mid-1643,_the Confederacy controlled large parts of_Ireland,_the exceptions being Ulster, Dublin and_Cork._They_were assisted by divisions among_their opponents, with some areas held_by forces loyal to Parliament, others by the Royalist_Duke of Ormonde_and the Covenanters pursuing their_own_agenda_around Carrickfergus. The reality was an extremely complex mix of_shifting loyalties;_for various reasons,