James II
which had been formed as early as September, among the lower classes of Protestants for the purpose of resisting the government, but from which their more respectable co-religionists had hitherto held aloof.63 But the enormous increase which Tyrconnell had recently made in the army had excited vague but widespread apprehensions, and in a little while all Ulster, except Carrickfergus, with the adjoining county of Sligo, was in arms. In the three southern provinces, where the Protestants were a small and scattered minority, it was necessary to proceed with greater caution; but here also centres of resistance were rapidly and stealthily organised, and, by the end of February a number of towns, of which Bandon was the most important, had renounced their allegiance and declared war upon their Catholic countrymen.64 Had Tyrconnell been free to act without regard to what was taking place outside of Ireland, the rebellion might have been suppressed in its infancy with no difficulty and with little bloodshed. But the Revolution in England had not yet run its course, and, while the chance of a reconciliation between James and the majority of his subjects remained, the Lord Deputy was unwilling to take any steps which might alienate English opinion from his master. Fresh troops were,
157
