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William III

a year later the war ended with the surrender of Limerick, which the Catholics had defended as bravely as the Protestants had defended Londonderry. Ireland was at last completely conquered.

Cruel laws against Irish Catholics, 1692–1710.William wanted to give, and promised to give, the defeated Irish Catholics peace and protection; but the English Parliament intended that those who provoked the war should pay the expenses of the war. A vast number of estates were therefore again taken from the Catholics and given to the Protestants, and a fresh set of grievances began for Ireland. Harsh laws were also passed in this and the next reign, both in the English and Irish Parliaments, with the intention of stamping out the Catholic religion altogether. The laws never enforced.They were hardly ever put in force, for the whole Irish people, Catholic and Protestant alike, hated them; and men, after what they had gone through, only wished to live at peace with their neighbours. Laws against Irish trade.Harsh laws were also passed and had been passed since 1660 In the English Parliament against Irish trade; for the jealous English merchants feared that Irishmen would make woollen goods, or grow fat bacon, beef or butter cheaper than England could do. These laws were put in force; and their result in the long run was to make Ireland ripe for rebellion.

Laws against Scottish trade.The same jealousy was displayed towards Scotland, which was just beginning to have a few small manufactures of its own, and which certainly grew excellent and cheap beef and mutton. Then, too, there was a large party which had clung to King James or was ready to rise for him, especially in the wild Highlands, north of the Forth and Clyde. The South and East of Scotland had accepted the Revolution of 1688, and the Presbyterian Church had again been established. The