Summary: Statutes of Kilkenny
Key dates:
Some of the Norman leaders thought that their people were becoming too like the Irish. In 1367, Lionel, son of King Edward III, and Viceroy of Ireland, summoned a parliament to Kilkenny to pass a series of laws to halt the Gaelicisation of the Normans. There were 39 statutes altogether and these are known as the Statutes of Kilkenny. From then English were not allowed to marry Irish; to use Irish laws; to speak the Irish language; wear Irish dress styles; play Irish games; keep Irish soldiers or entertain Irish poets. Some of these crimes were punished as severely as treason.
The most cruel of all these statutes forbade Irish clergy to hold most of the high offices in the Church. All of these could be held only by Englishmen.
|
