22
64
IrishPrivyCouncilDocumentSigned1713.
Auniquemanuscript onvellum, sized approximately60x72 cm,written in a fine chanceryhand, bear-
ing thewax seals and signatures of twentymembers of the IrishPrivyCouncil.
IrishPrivyCouncil documents of this nature from this time are exceedingly rare. The PrivyCouncil was the instrument throughwhich
the Sovereign ruled. It dealt with importantmatters of policy as well as routine administrativematters. Under Poyning’s law of 1494, a
similar body had been established in Ireland. It had a central role in all legislation and government. It increased in importance in the
18
th
Century. All itsmemberswereProtestant. Theywere amixture ofChurchof IrelandBishops, noblemen andmembers of prominent
families. Britishpolicy towards Irelandwas tomaintain the connectionbetweenboth countries and to ensure that Irishproblems didnot
interferewithEnglish interests.
The Penal Laws were the means by which the Irish were to be kept subservient - entry to Parliament, the professions, and important
posts was denied toCatholics. Themost significant lawwas the Act to Prevent the Further Growth of Popery of 1704which destroyed
theCatholic gentry by almost eliminating the right toown, lease or bequeath lands or property. The general effect of this policy and the
confiscation from Jacobite supporters following the Battle of the Boyne was to reduce Catholic lands to about five per cent of the total.
ThePrivyCouncilwas amajor instrument in confirmingor denyingpossessionof land.
This document demonstrates how the process was formalised. 1713 was a time when lands were still being confiscat-
ed. This is a grant of 835 acres in Cork to John Davys, a protestant. He was possibly a son of the Dean of Cork, Rowland
Davies who had four sons. He was a strong supporter of King William and may have been seeking recognition for his backing.
The document was signed by the signatories named in the text, most honourable the Privy Council on behalf of hermajesty. The Lord
Lieutenant, then James, 2
nd
DukeofOrmonde,was the titularheadof thePrivyCouncil. Inhis absence, theLordChancellor,Constantine
Phipps, and the Bishop of Tuam are given first place as they held the office of Lord Justices of Ireland. In 1711, tensions had exploded
with the appointment of the abrasiveTorybarrister, Phipps, as LordChancellor. Hepurged the Judiciary and central government, nearly
bringing theadministrationof the country toahalt. At that time the IrishPrivyCouncilwas ahotbedofPartyand factional strife. Itwas
aTorybodyunderQueenAnne’sToryGovernment inEngland, a fact reflectedby thehigher thanusualnumberofbishopson theCouncil.
TheTorieswereaHighChurch,KingandCountryparty. JamesHamilton, 6
th
EarlofAbercorn,wasagroomof thebedchamberofCharles
ll. At the timeof theGloriousRevolution, heopposed James andwas sent to Ireland toassist at the siegeof Londonderry. SirRichardCox
was lordChief justice of theCourt ofQueen’s Bench. He fought withWilliam at theBoyne andwasmadeGovernor ofMunster in 1692.
All of the signatorieswereprominent individuals.
€4000 - 5000
