Stage 1: Page

Once a boy reached the age of seven, he would be sent to live with a another lord and his family; this was known as fostering. He would then learn to ride a horse, use a sword, sing, manners and dance.

Stage 2: Squire

At 14, the boy started to learn to fight on horseback. He would accompany the lord into battle, look after his horse and weapons and help the lord dress for battle and tournaments.

Stage 3: Knight

At 21, the boy was eligible to become a knight. He spent the night before the ceremony... (More)

The Influence of the Church

The Church had helped create the Renaissance by commissioning artists. An unintended consequence was that it also made people question old beliefs:

• As more people learned to read, they were able to read the Bible for themselves instead of having to accept everything told to them by priests and bishops. Their interpretations of the Bible often differed from those of the Church.
• The invention of the printing press meant that the ideas of the reforms could spread around Europe quickly and this encouraged people to support them and challenge the Church.

The Wealth of the... (More)

General

• Fall of ancient Rome to Renaissance.
• A time of war, little interest in education, plague and a reduction in population of Europe.
• Feudal system: Kings granted land, called a fief, to vassals in return for soldiers. Kings, barons, knights, bishops and abbots, freemen and serfs.
• Knights lived on Manors. They kept some for themselves (demesne) and rented out the rest to peasants.
• Norman invasion of Britain: William the Conqueror, Battle of Hastings 1066, Bayeux Tapestry.
• Norman invasion of Ireland: Rory O Connor V Dermot McMorrough king of Leinster. Asked Henry II for help.
• Strongbow (Richard... (More)

Background and causes

Irish Parliament controlled by Protestant Ascendancy (C of I only 15% and most of the land)
Penal laws left Catholics poor and uneducated.

Tithes still had to be paid.

The influence of the American and French revolutions

The Society of United Irishmen

Wolfe Tone (Dublin, Anglican Trinity barrister admired French Rev)

1791 Tone and Belfast Presbyterians formed the UI

Aim: Catholic and Protestant together would end British interference in Ireland

1793 War with France. British Gov afraid of Ireland. The UI was banned. Now a rebellion and a republic was the only way.

Tone escaped to... (More)