Elizabeth I - Regional disputes

Problems in Ireland

• Lacked power to impose Protestantism on Catholics -> language + customary laws = different -> use of martial law = bad relations with Gaelic Irish + Old English
• Rebellions in south Ireland 1569-73 + 1579-82
• Rebellion in Ulster linked to Anglo-Spanish war 1595 -> Spanish attempted to exploit Tyrone's rebellion
• Rebels victorious Battle of Yellow Ford August 1598 -> Tyrone now in control of much of Ireland
• Elizabeth sent Earl of Essex 1599 -> Essex made fatal errors + returned to court
• Tyrone met Spanish force of 3000 in Kinsale September 1601 -> Lord Mountjoy sent with English force = negotiated peace March 1603 -> Elizabeth died = James I returned to old policies

Wales

• Welsh border = not problem -> integration of England + Wales continued
• Structures of border administration remained in operation

• Welsh language disappeared -> reserved by religion with translation of Book of Common Prayer + Bible
• Poverty remained endemic -> number of Welshmen in Essex Rebellion suggested discontent

North of England

• Possibility of border conflict -> lawless subculture = casual violence + sheep + cattle rustling = problems for border authorities
• English border administration = responsibility of wardens of 3 border marches -> appointed southern magnates = little influence over northern families + border clans