Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Treaty of Limerick
The Treaty of Limerick ended the Williamite war in Ireland between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange. It concluded the Siege of Limerick. The treaty was signed on October 3 1691 by Patrick Sarsfield (for king James II) and lords justice for William III. Reputedly it was signed on the Treaty Stone, an irregular block of limestone which once served as a mounting block for horses. This stone is now displayed on a pedestal in Limerick city. Because of the treaty, Limerick is sometimes known as the Treaty City.
The treaty was divided into two sections, one concerned with military matters, the other with civil affairs.
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The Military Articles
These articles dealt with the treatment of the disbanded Jacobite army. Under the treaty, Jacobite soldiers had the option to leave for France to continue serving under James II in the Irish Brigade. The majority of them chose this option and were marched south to Cork where they embarked on ships for France, many of them accompanied by their wives and children. This journey became known as the Flight of the Wild Geese.
The Jacobite soldiers also had the option of joining the Williamite army, which a number of them chose to do.
The Civil Articles
These articles protected the rights of the defeated Jacobites who chose to remain in Ireland. Their property was not to be confiscated as long as they swore allegiance to William III, and Catholic noblemen were to be allowed bear arms.
The civil articles were not honoured by the victorious Williamite government for long. Starting in 1695, a series of harsh penal laws were imposed on the Catholic population of Ireland. For this reason, it is sometimes said that "the ink was not dry on the treaty before the English started to break it".
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