After the death of Henry VIII the religious troubles
were intensified. Under Edward VI a severe policy was pursued against
the Irish Catholics and Nationalists. After a brief reaction under
Mary, the Catholic sovereign of England, the policy of suppression
was renewed with still greater severity by Queen Elizabeth, and the
condition of Ireland became one of chronic rebellion.
This time of trouble called forth some powerful champions of the Irish
national cause. One of these, Shane O'Neil, has been celebrated in many
a popular ballad. The head of the house to which he belonged had
acknowledged allegiance to Henry VIII and received the title of Earl of
Tyrone. The English title carried with it, according to English law, the
principle of hereditary succession; but when the first earl died, the
clan of O'Neil refused to adopt the English practice, and, according to
the Irish principle of tanistry, chose as his successor the member of the
house for whom they had the highest regard.
This was Shane O'Neil, who was a younger and not even a legitimate son
of the Earl of Tyrone, but whose energy, courage, and strong national
sentiments had already made him the hero of his sept. Shane O'Neil at
once proclaimed himself the champion of Irish national independence.
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