By the end of the thirteenth century, the government in Dublin had become alarmed at the way in which the English were assimilating into Gaelic culture, becoming ‘more Irish than the Irish themselves'. It began to pass a number of statutes designed to keep the Gaelic Irish and the English settlers apart. This legislation became known as the Statues of Kilkenny, were some of it was passed in 1366. The statutes forbade inter-marrying between the two ‘races', the English fostering or adoption of Irish children, the use of Irish names or dress, the playing of hurling and the playing of Irish music. The prime motivator of the Statues was Edward III's son, Lionel of Antwerp, Earl of Clarence, however although the Statues were very comprehensive, Lionel did not have the resources to implement them. At the end of the fourteenth century, however peace with France and a truce with Scotland gave Richard II the chance to bring a huge army to Ireland to prevent the Gaelic revival. He removed Art MacMurrough entirely out of Leinster, all the great Gaelic chieftains made submissions to Richard, leaving him with the belief that Ireland would no longer prove problematic. This was not to be, forcing Richard to return in 1399 to face a wilier Art MacMurrough. While the king was waging war in Leinster, Henry of Lancaster seized the throne forcing Richard to return to England. The Gaelic revival gained momentum and the country was left to its own devices, the Gaelic and Anglo-Irish learning to co-exist, until the original colony had shrunk to the Pale.
Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net
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