The Plantation of Ulster

The conditions for the Plantation of Ulster were set out in a book, called "A Collection of Such Orders and Conditions, as are to be Observed by the undertakers upon the distribution and Plantation of the Escheated Lands of Ulster" published at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most excellent Majesty, James the first, 1608.

The five Counties in the province of Ulster, at that time being escheated, were Ardmagh, Tyrone, Colrane, Donegall, Fermanagh and Canan.

There were three proportions of lands to be distributed to the Undertakers (those people granted the land).

1. Undertakers granted 1000 English acres were required within two years of Letters Patent to build a strong Court or Bawne.

2. Undertakers granted 1500 English acres were required within two years of Letters Patent to build a stone or brick House with a strong Court or Bawne about it.

3. Undertakers granted 2000 English acres were required within two years of Letters Patent to build a castle with a strong Court or Bawne about it.

The proportion of the Undertakers were to be of three kinds.

1. English or Scottish who were to plant their portions with English or inland Scottish tenants of their choice.

2. Servitors in the Kingdom of Ireland who may take Irish, English or inland Scottish tenants of their choice.

3. Natives of ireland who were to be made freeholders.

The King appointed the Undertakers and declared in which County each of the Undertakers should have their portion. Yearly fees for the land were to be paid to the King.

Conditions were placed on the Undertakers severely restricting the sale of any of their lands and an oath of Supremacy was required before Letters Patent were issued.

All English and inland Scottish tenants were to be encouraged to build houses near the Castle, House or Bawne for defense.

For seven years the Undertakers could transport commodities grown on their lands without paying any customs. For five years they could bring into Ireland out of Great Britain utensils for their households, materials and tools for building and husbandry and cattle to flock and manure the land without paying customs.
 

The Cromwellian Settlement of Ireland


A book, the "Cromwellian Settlement of Ireland" by John P. Prendergast, first published in 1895 and reprinted by Constable and Company Ltd., London, 1996, discusses the plantation of Ulster in the mid seventeenth century.


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