Religious Liberty for Sale

Justin McCarthy

1903

King James died before he was able to carry the plantation scheme much beyond the limits of Ulster. Then came Charles I., who was always in want of money, and wanted to get it more quickly than could be effected by the confiscation and redivision of estates which still remained outside the grasp of the Sovereign and his Council. Charles put into operation a new policy for the sale of religious liberty. The Irish Catholics were given to understand that they might purchase freedom of conscience and worship by making grants of money to the King. Charles soon found the most active and capable agent of his will in Thomas Wentworth, the famous Earl of Strafford, who was first Lord Deputy and afterwards Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.

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