Presentation Brothers

Wishing to bring the whole of the country under his control, Henry VIII decided that complete Anglicisation was necessary. He insisted on a uniformity of English language, customs and dress throughout the kingdom, thus challenging the Gaelic culture which had remained relatively unchanged for several centuries despite the Norman invasion and previous laws.

Henry VIII had already brought about the dissolution of the monasteries and the confiscation of their lands in England and now proceeded to promote the Reformation in Ireland as well. However this policy had only limited success. He was able to attack the institutions of the Catholic Church but this did not guarantee converts to Protestantism. People would not exchange the faith they had professed and practised for 1,000 years, and they associated Protestantism with a repressive and unpopular English administration.

But English interference took its toll on the Irish people. Henry VIII sent Protestants to colonise Ireland and take control from the Gaelic Catholic native population. Subsequent rulers continued the 'Plantation' policy, claiming land for England and forcing the Irish to rent their own land back from their conquerors. This began the period in Irish history known as the 'Protestant Ascendancy.