The British Monarchy and Ireland
1800 to the Present

A comprehensive analysis of the relationship of the British monarchy with Ireland from 1800 to the present.

James Loughlin (Author)

9780521843720, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 December 2007

416 pages
23.4 x 16 x 2.5 cm, 0.78 kg

Review of the hardback: '… [the book] becomes a meticulous and fascinating study of the formulation and reformulation of British policy as it related to the possible role of the monarchy in an overall solution to the Irish question … What it does do superbly well … is to give an account of the formulation of British policy towards Ireland, and of the fate of attempts to implement that policy, as it related to the role of the monarchy in any settlement of the 'Irish question.'' H-Albion

A broad-ranging political and social history of the relationship of the British monarchy with Ireland from 1800 to the present. James Loughlin demonstrates how this relationship was shaped by the personalities of individual monarchs and by government policies in Ireland, especially during the nineteenth century when the state sought to quell Irish demands for independence. The study takes account not only of nationalist Ireland, but also of Ulster loyalism; the function of royal ritual and spectacle in engaging Irish popular opinion; and assesses royal allegiance within both the context of Government policies in Ireland and the Irish Viceroyalty, the British monarchy's surrogate presence. The analysis moves through to the present day, examining the monarchy's role in facilitating Anglo-Irish conciliation following the end of violent conflict in Northern Ireland. This comprehensive account makes a significant contribution to the history of Anglo-Irish relations, the monarchy, nationalism, unionism and the politics of identity.

Introduction: The monarchy, Ireland and the Union
Part I. The Crown and O'Connellite Ireland: 1. Legitimacy, authority and emancipation
2. Royalty and repeal
Part II. Victorian Values: 3. Allegiance and illusion in the famine era
4. Loyalty and localism
5. Nationalist revival and royal responses
Part III. Gladstonian Monarchism: 6. Ireland and the crown: the Gladstonian perspective
7. The Irish royal project
8. The uncrowned king and national identity
9. The first home rule bill: the monarchical dimension
Part IV. Constructive Unionism and the Crown: 10. Allegiance and agrarian struggle
11. Welfare monarchism and conciliation
Part V. Royalty and Revolution: 12. Home rule, crisis and the crown
13. War and national transformation
Part VI. The Crown and Independent Ireland: 14. The monarchy and Ireland in the free state era
15. Ireland and the New Elizabethan Age
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Social & cultural history [HBTB], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]