Surrender and regrant
Introduction
The policy of "Surrender and regrant" was a legal mechanism used by the English monarchy during the Tudor conquest to establish control over Irish lords. This process involved the voluntary surrender of the lord's native title to the English Crown, which would then regrant the lord a new title under English law. This policy was a significant aspect of the Tudor reformation in Ireland and played a crucial role in the English colonization of the country.
Historical Context
The policy of surrender and regrant emerged during the reign of Henry VIII, who sought to extend his control over Ireland. Prior to this, the English Crown's authority was largely confined to the Pale, a small region around Dublin. The rest of Ireland was controlled by Gaelic Irish lords and Anglo-Norman nobles who had become assimilated into Irish culture, a group known as the Old English.
Implementation
The policy of surrender and regrant was implemented through a series of legal and administrative steps. First, the Irish lord would voluntarily surrender his native title to the English Crown. This was typically done in a formal ceremony, where the lord would kneel before the king or his representative and offer up his title.
Following the surrender, the king would regrant the lord a new title under English law. This title came with a grant of lands, which were usually the same lands the lord had held under his native title. However, these lands were now held in fee simple, a form of tenure that was common in England but unknown in Gaelic Ireland.
Impact
The policy of surrender and regrant had a profound impact on the political and social structure of Ireland. It helped to extend English law and administration throughout the country, undermining the traditional Gaelic Irish social order. The policy also led to the anglicization of the Irish nobility, as the regranted lords adopted English customs and law.
However, the policy was not entirely successful. Many Irish lords resisted surrender and regrant, and the policy was often implemented unevenly. Moreover, the policy did not lead to the complete anglicization of Ireland, as many regranted lords continued to maintain their Gaelic customs and law in private.
Legacy
The policy of surrender and regrant left a lasting legacy in Ireland. It played a key role in the English colonization of the country and laid the groundwork for the later plantations. The policy also had a lasting impact on the Irish landholding system, as the lands granted under regrant became the basis for many modern Irish estates.