Elizabeth I and Irish Rule: Causations for Continued Settlement on England's First Colony: 1558 - 1603

Abstract

An examination of the motivations and justifications of the English to remain in Ireland under the reign of Elizabeth I from 1558 to 1603. While historians have written extensively on Anglo-Irish relations in the early modern period, they focus primarily on the actions of the English in Ireland. This study looks at why the English remained despite increased violence against the English presence in Ireland and the rising expenditure to maintain control of an unprofitable island. The motivations of the Elizabethan government are found in the economic, cultural, and political spheres of early modern Europe. To determine the specific motivations, government documents, personal memoirs and letters of the English, and correspondence of Elizabeth I were used to explain the varying motives and justifications used by the English to preserve their rule of Ireland. While there was growing difficulty to continue the English rule of Ireland, the English were determined not to lose the island. Ireland was not a profitable territory for the English government, and the cost of governing increased throughout Elizabeth I's reign due to military expenditure to keep Ireland under control. However, there were important factors that kept England invested in Ireland. The most important was political security. There were political threats from the major Catholic powers, and Spain and the Papal States helped Irish rebels fight against English rule during multiple rebellions. Elizabeth I could not lose Ireland without being surrounded by her political and religious enemies. The second most important factor for the English to continue its role in Ireland was the English cultural prejudice towards the Irish. Since the English first had a political presence in Ireland in the twelfth century, they tried to instill English ways into Irish society. The English believed the Irish were "wild men" that should be Anglicized. The English sought to fix the Irishmen's barbarous society and bring modern civilization to Ireland.