Prelude to Restoration in Ireland : The End of the Commonwealth, 1659–1660

This study fills a major gap in the mainstream narrative of Irish history by reconstructing political developments in the year before the restoration of Charles II. It is the first treatment of the complex Irish dimension of the king's return. The issue of the monarchy did not stand alone in Ireland. Entangled with it was the question of how the restoration of the old regime would affect a Protestant colonial community which had changed in character and fortune as a result of the Cromwellian conquest, the immigration that had accompanied it and the massive transfer of land that followed. As the return of Charles became increasingly probable, Cromwellian and pre-Cromwellian settlers were united in their determination to ensure that the restoration of Charles did not deprive them of their gains. This account discloses how the leaders of the Protestant establishment protected its interests by managing the transition back to monarchy. This study fills a major gap in the maintream narrative of Irish history by reconstructing political developments in the year before the restoration of Charles II. It is the first treatment of the complex Irish dimension of the king's return. The issue of the monarchy did not stand alone in Ireland. Entangled with it was the question of how the restoration of the old regime would affect a Protestant colonial community that had changed in character and fortune as a result of the Cromwellian conquest, the immigration that had accompanied it and the massive transfer of land that followed. As the return of Charles became increasingly probable, Cromwellian and pre-Cromwellian settlers were united in their determination to ensure that the restoration of Charles did not deprive them of their gains. This account discloses how the leaders of the Protestant establishment protected its interests by managing the transition back to monarchy. Map: Representation In The General Convention -- 1. A Kind Of Colony -- 2. Commissioners And Submissioners: May To June -- 3. The Rule Of The Rump: July To October -- 4. The Threefold Cord: October To December -- 5. Setting Up For Themselves: January To February -- 6. The Election Returns -- 7. The General Convention Of Ireland: March To April -- 8. Without Expectation Of Resurrection: May To June -- Appendix: Members Of The General Convention. Aidan Clarke. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 326-345) And Index. This study fills a major gap in the mainstream narrative of Irish history by reconstructing political developments before the restoration of Charles II. It explains how colonists and Cromwellian newcomers combined uneasily to ensure that Charles's return was not accompanied by the return of previously-confiscated land to its Catholic owners "This study fills a major gap in the mainstream narrative of Irish history by reconstructing political developments in the year before the restoration of Charles II. It is the first treatment of the complex Irish dimension of the king's return."--Jacket