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GCSE History · key term
Laws restricting religious groups outside the established church. In Ireland after the Williamite War, they reinforced Anglican dominance by restricting Catholics’ access to public life and land; some restrictions also affected Protestant Dissenters.
Used by OCR
Paper 3
Revise: The English Successions and the Settlement of IrelandThe Irish Parliament, overwhelmingly Anglican after the war, passed Penal Laws in the 1690s and early 1700s. These restricted Catholics’ participation in public and professional life and made owning or renting land more difficult. They helped preserve the unequal post-war distribution of power.
Distinguish the Treaty of Limerick’s promises from what happened afterwards: protection was offered, but confiscations and Penal Laws undermined the settlement.
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