Confederate War of 1641
The Confederate War of 1641 (aka the Eleven Years War) began after Oliweir Gwilelm's government refused a petition by Irish aristocracy for Irish self-rule and an end to the policy of Kemrese plantation in Uladh Gwilelm had began some years earlier. After the break out of mass civil unrest in Kemr, the Irish took the chance to rebel in October 1641. In the summer of 1642, after several months of violence, the upper classes and clergy formed the Irish Confederation, making itself the de-facto government of Ireland.
Causes
The war's roots are popularly believed to lie in the failure of the Kemrese state to assimilate the Kingdom of Ireland into Kemr itself. If anything, the opposite had happened, with the descendants of the medieval Cambro-Norman settlers becoming more Irish than the Irish themselves. By the 17th century, the Irish élite began to chafe against the whims of Castreleon and that Ireland, as a more populous nation than Kemr itself, should have the right to set its own laws and taxes. In addition, the ill-considered plantations of Laighean, Mumhan, and Uladh only helped to antagonise the situation though the displacement of the native Irish who had formerly owned or rented the land.
Plantations
The policy of plantation which the Kemrese government had began in the 16th century effected all Irish people, both noble and commoner. It was marked by the mass confiscation of land from its native owners to be given to Kemrese settlers and settlers from England and Scotland who requested it. Native Irish were forbidden from owning or renting land in planted areas, or working on land owned by planters. This lead to the Flight of the Earls in 1607, the result of the destruction of powerful clans like Tuath Uí Dhonaill and Tuath Uí Niall, many of which went to serve as Gallowglasses in armies in armies in continental Europe.
The grudges plantation built up between natives and planters finally erupted into rebellion in 1641.
Goverment
Though loyal to the King, the Irish aristocracy wished to maintain their position in Irish society, and for the Kingdom of Ireland to be considered equal to Kemr. The Irish Privy Council was dominated by those of Kemrese birth, and the newly formed parliament in Dubhlinn was arranged so as a majority of MPs were planters and used their position to question the medieval titles of the native landowners. In addition, the Irish Parliament was subordinate to the Kemrese Parliament, so any attempts in the parliament to remedy the situation were subverted.
Attempts to appeal to the King for full rights were ignored at first, and later seemingly conceded upon agreement to higher taxes. However upon paying them, the King renaged on the agreement.
Kemrese Unrest
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Economics
Increased taxes and poor harvests had left the Irish economy in a state of serious recession. Many of aristocracy were heavily indebted and were at risk of losing their lands to creditors.
The Rebellion
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The Irish Confederation
The Confederation was formed in the aftermath of the 1641 rebellion in an effort to control the uprising and to organise Irish efforts against the Kemrese armies in Ireland and to hold off reconquest of the island.
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