... rebellions by the Irish. As the English gradually expanded their reach over the island by the 16th century, religious persecution of the Catholic Irish grew- particularly after the accession of Elizabeth I, a Protestant, to the throne in 1558. Oliver Cromwell's subsequent siege of Ireland in 1649 ended with the massacres of Catholics at Drogheda and Wexford and forced the resettlement of thousands ... that had lost their homes during the struggle. By 1691, with victory of Protestant English King William III over the Catholic forces of James II, Protestant control in Ireland was complete...

• Word Count: 2432
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: Undergraduate