3RD CIVIL WAR – 1649-52
CROMWELL IN IRELAND/SCOTLAND
Earl of Ormonde
Protestant Royalists
Catholics
VS Rump
Cromwell
English Commonwealth was established in 1649. The biggest problem then was how to subdue
Ireland. Since 1641, there was active opposition to when English authority was imposed.
Irish Catholics fiercely attacked the Protestant settlers in Ulster.
Following C1’s execution (who was a chief Irish supporter), Earl of Ormonde persuaded the
Protestant royalists in southern Ireland to join w/Catholics to fight against English P.
March 1649, Cromwell is appointed by Rump as Lord Lieutenant (the viceroy of Ireland. A viceroy is a
ruler exercising authority in a colony on behalf of a sovereign). He was then told to crush the Irish
combination.
Cromwell’s Irish campaign 1649 – 50:
August 1649, Cromwell landed south of Dublin w/12,000 men where he began his 9-month
campaign in Ireland.
Ormonde’s forces outnumbered the English army BUT they had less artillery and discipline. P controlled the
Irish Sea meaning that Cromwell’s army was regularly supplied whereas Ormonde’s army wasn’t.
Ormonde hoped that the forces of Owen Roe O’Niell (led the Irish peasantry) would help to form a combined
royalist army against Cromwell. BUT O’Niell died in November so this wouldn’t have been possible.
HOWEVER, the fear that this alliance could’ve been possible is the reason why Cromwell began his
campaign w/advancing on Drogheda (town to the north of Dublin that commanded the main north-
south route).
Drogheda was taken after strong resistance. This effectively secured the English army’s control of the
north of Ireland.
Cromwell turned to head south and within 6 months, brought Ireland under his army’s domination. It
was during this southern march that Wexford was captured, once again after fierce resistance.
Both Drogheda and Wexford were well-defended towns where civilians had
Rules of war: more of a general gathered as well as troops. Both towns were strategically important hence
understanding that if troops/non- why Cromwell took them. Occupants were first offered quarter (mercy) if
combatants refused to surrender when they surrendered but they refused. By following the rules of war, Cromwell
offered quarter, they thereby sacrificed ordered his troops to kill those who had resisted.
their right to be treated mercifully, than
Wexford was a repeat of the horrors of Drogheda but w/more casualties.
an actual rule.
Cromwell gave the death toll as 2000. He labelled the Irish papists (who had
been in arms against the English Protestants since 1641) as the Anti-Christ.
Cromwell quickly punished any of his troops that disobeyed orders and he dealt with the Irish people
toughly but not cruelly/vindictively. Cromwell had achieved his aim and the royalist cause in Ireland was a lost
one. Cromwell left Ireton in charge of the English forces in Ireland. The plantation policies continued and to
prevent anymore Irish risings, the lands of defeated royalist leaders were confiscated and given to Protestant
settlers. By 1660, Catholics owned 20% of land whereas they had 60% in 1641. This meant that the Catholic
peasantries conditions worsened as they were forced to be labourers on Protestant land. The seizure of land
gave the Rump a way to meet some of its heavy financial commitments. Soldiers were encouraged to accept
Irish land instead of their arrears of pay. Land was also offered to many creditors that P gained since 1642.
This shows that it was finance as much as religion/politics that dictated the Commonwealth’s policy towards
Ireland.
CROMWELL IN IRELAND/SCOTLAND
Earl of Ormonde
Protestant Royalists
Catholics
VS Rump
Cromwell
English Commonwealth was established in 1649. The biggest problem then was how to subdue
Ireland. Since 1641, there was active opposition to when English authority was imposed.
Irish Catholics fiercely attacked the Protestant settlers in Ulster.
Following C1’s execution (who was a chief Irish supporter), Earl of Ormonde persuaded the
Protestant royalists in southern Ireland to join w/Catholics to fight against English P.
March 1649, Cromwell is appointed by Rump as Lord Lieutenant (the viceroy of Ireland. A viceroy is a
ruler exercising authority in a colony on behalf of a sovereign). He was then told to crush the Irish
combination.
Cromwell’s Irish campaign 1649 – 50:
August 1649, Cromwell landed south of Dublin w/12,000 men where he began his 9-month
campaign in Ireland.
Ormonde’s forces outnumbered the English army BUT they had less artillery and discipline. P controlled the
Irish Sea meaning that Cromwell’s army was regularly supplied whereas Ormonde’s army wasn’t.
Ormonde hoped that the forces of Owen Roe O’Niell (led the Irish peasantry) would help to form a combined
royalist army against Cromwell. BUT O’Niell died in November so this wouldn’t have been possible.
HOWEVER, the fear that this alliance could’ve been possible is the reason why Cromwell began his
campaign w/advancing on Drogheda (town to the north of Dublin that commanded the main north-
south route).
Drogheda was taken after strong resistance. This effectively secured the English army’s control of the
north of Ireland.
Cromwell turned to head south and within 6 months, brought Ireland under his army’s domination. It
was during this southern march that Wexford was captured, once again after fierce resistance.
Both Drogheda and Wexford were well-defended towns where civilians had
Rules of war: more of a general gathered as well as troops. Both towns were strategically important hence
understanding that if troops/non- why Cromwell took them. Occupants were first offered quarter (mercy) if
combatants refused to surrender when they surrendered but they refused. By following the rules of war, Cromwell
offered quarter, they thereby sacrificed ordered his troops to kill those who had resisted.
their right to be treated mercifully, than
Wexford was a repeat of the horrors of Drogheda but w/more casualties.
an actual rule.
Cromwell gave the death toll as 2000. He labelled the Irish papists (who had
been in arms against the English Protestants since 1641) as the Anti-Christ.
Cromwell quickly punished any of his troops that disobeyed orders and he dealt with the Irish people
toughly but not cruelly/vindictively. Cromwell had achieved his aim and the royalist cause in Ireland was a lost
one. Cromwell left Ireton in charge of the English forces in Ireland. The plantation policies continued and to
prevent anymore Irish risings, the lands of defeated royalist leaders were confiscated and given to Protestant
settlers. By 1660, Catholics owned 20% of land whereas they had 60% in 1641. This meant that the Catholic
peasantries conditions worsened as they were forced to be labourers on Protestant land. The seizure of land
gave the Rump a way to meet some of its heavy financial commitments. Soldiers were encouraged to accept
Irish land instead of their arrears of pay. Land was also offered to many creditors that P gained since 1642.
This shows that it was finance as much as religion/politics that dictated the Commonwealth’s policy towards
Ireland.
