Limerick, treaty of

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Limerick, treaty of, 1691. The treaty concluded the siege of Limerick and the Jacobite war and was signed on 3 October. The military articles were generous, allowing the besieged army to migrate in French and English ships to join the forces of Louis XIV, thereby securing a French career for Sarsfield. The civil articles were confirmed by William III. Their intention was to protect former Jacobite officers from confiscation if they remained, and to give catholics the freedom to practise their religion which they had had under Charles II. The first aim was honoured, but did not protect many other catholic landowners. The Irish Parliament, which reluctantly ratified the treaty only in 1697 in a maimed form, later wholly defied its spirit of toleration by passing penal laws.

Bruce Philip Lenman

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