By the end of the 15th Century England only controlled a small-fortified area around Dublin known as 'The Pale'. This is when Henry VIII took the throne. First he started to rule through his loyal representative in 'The Pale" instead of through the Norman Lords. At first this was not particularly worrisome since no one was really paying attention to him anyway. However, it is what he did next that would become one of the most terrible events in Irish history. He forced his newly created religion on the land. Henry had started his own faith and appointed himself the spiritual leader. This was in reaction to disputes with the Vatican. Apparently, the Pope was not too crazy about him beheading and divorcing his unwanted wives! The forced introduction of Henry's new religion in Ireland was a real bone of contention for the Normans who, like the Irish, were Catholic. This also created a division among the people of Ireland, which remains to this day. It was during the reign of Elizabeth I that the Irish and the Normans made their last stand. Elizabeth was making advances in Ireland and expanding the control of the Crown. The Irish had successfully convinced the Spanish to help them. However, at the battle of Kinsale in 1601 the Irish army and their Spanish allies were defeated. This set the stage for the end of Gaelic order in Ireland. This event is referred to as 'The Flight of the Earls'. With their armies defeated the ruling Gaelic Earls; Hugh O'Donnell and Hugh O'Neil had to flee to Europe. This left the door literally 'open' for the advancement of the Crown who confiscated millions of acres of Irish soil. By the end of her reign Elizabeth had successfully garrisoned all of Ireland. However, the English were just getting started. They had plenty more hardship and misery in store for the Irish and the Normans. Once in control the Crown devised a diabolical plan to keep Ireland in toe and, they had just the man for the job. They sent over their finest henchman to carry out their ill deeds, Oliver Cromwell.
