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The '''Maynooth Grant''' was a major British political controversy of the 1840s. |
The '''Maynooth Grant''' was a major British political controversy of the 1840s which arose partly due to the general anti-Irish and anti-Catholic feelings of the British population.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Maynooth Grant |url=http://www.victorianweb.org/religion/Maynooth_Grant.html |publisher=The Victorian Web |accessdate=21 Nov 2011}}</ref> |
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In 1845, British [[Prime Minister]] [[Sir Robert Peel]] sought to |
In 1845, British [[Prime Minister]] [[Sir Robert Peel]] sought to improve the relationship between [[Catholic]] [[Ireland]] and [[Protestant]] [[England]] by increasing the annual grant from the British government of a Catholic seminary in Ireland. |
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==Background== |
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To that end, he made a number of proposals. The most controversial, as it turned out, was a proposal that the [[St. Patrick's College, Maynooth|Royal College of St. Patrick]], a [[Catholic]] [[seminary]] at [[Maynooth]], have its annual grant increased from £9,000 (a figure that had remained constant since [[1809]]) to £26,000. In a one-time payment, the seminary would receive an additional £30,000 for repairs. The seminary received a grant since it had been founded by [[King George III]] in 1795 as a way of avoiding having [[priests]] trained in revolutionary [[France]].<ref name = "Vict Web">[http://www.victorianweb.org/religion/Maynooth_Grant.html Maynooth Grant], Victorian Web.</ref> Peel sought to conciliate the Irish clergy, and also felt that a better-educated clergy would be less likely to support causes such as the repeal of the [[Act of Union 1800|Act of Union]]. |
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In 1785, the British government supported the founding of a Catholic seminary in Maynooth, Ireland. It was named [[St. Patrick's College, Maynooth|St. Patrick's College]] and is often simply called Maynooth College. The college was funded by the British government. The grant given to the college was £8,000 annually. The rate stayed the same from 1809 to 1845, when Prime Minister Peel proposed it be increased to £26,000 annually. |
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Although the measure passed, it excited much controversy. Many in [[Protestant]] Britain disliked supporting a Catholic institution—although, until the [[disestablishment]] of the [[Church of Ireland]], mostly-Catholic Ireland was required to support a Protestant church few attended. [[William Ewart Gladstone]] voted for it, but then resigned from Peel's government.<ref name = "Peel Ire">[http://www.dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/terrace/adw03/peel/ireland/peelire.htm Peel and Ireland].</ref> |
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==Overview== |
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| ⚫ | [[Queen Victoria]] wrote about the controversy: "I am sure poor Peel ought to be ''blessed'' by all Catholics for the many and noble ways in which he stands forth to protect and do good for poor Ireland. But the bigotry, the wicked and blind passion it brings forth is quite dreadful, and I blush for Protestantism!" In 1849, she and [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]] would make a point of visiting the seminary on their visit to Ireland. |
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| ⚫ | Prime Minister Peel made the proposal to increase government funding to Maynooth College in 1845. Under his proposal, the seminary would receive upwards of £26,000 annually and a grant of £30,000 for repairs. Conservatives in the British government were outraged that the Prime Minister was so adamant about supporting a Catholic seminary. They saw it as unnecessary and dangerous for Britain, a Protestant state, to finance a Catholic seminary. [[Queen Victoria]] wrote about the controversy: "I am sure poor Peel ought to be ''blessed'' by all Catholics for the many and noble ways in which he stands forth to protect and do good for poor Ireland. But the bigotry, the wicked and blind passion it brings forth is quite dreadful, and I blush for Protestantism!" In 1849, she and [[Albert, Prince Consort|Prince Albert]] would make a point of visiting the seminary on their visit to Ireland. MP [[John Plumptre|John Pemberton Plumptre]] said in a speech to parliment: |
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"As you value His favour, as you deprecate His frown, as your hearts and your altars are dear to you; as you would retain and enjoy for yourselves, and transmit to your children, the blessings and privileges which belong to you as Protestants, I beseech you to oppose, with all zeal and firmness, with all temperance and calmness, with all loyal attachment to your Sovereign-with all union among yourselves--with all charity towards all men--with all prayer and supplication towards God--this fresh inroad about to be made upon your consciences,--this new and deep wound to your highest and holiest feelings." |
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This is strong evidence of the moral implications of the issue in Parliment [http://www.victorianweb.org/religion/Plumptre.html] |
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Also contributing to the political unrest was a group know as the "Volunatryists," who were also opposed to the grant. Their issue with it was not, however, over any sort of religious difference. They opposed the idea of the government granting money to any private institution of higher education, so naturally they were upset about the Maynooth Grant as well. |
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While the grant was controversial, and weakened Peel's government, it set a precedent, and within three years, government support was being given to Catholic schools in England. |
While the grant was controversial, and weakened Peel's government, it set a precedent, and within three years, government support was being given to Catholic schools in England. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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<references/>http://www.victorianweb.org/religion/Maynooth_Grant.html |
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[[Category:Victorian era]] |
[[Category:Victorian era]] |
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Revision as of 05:51, 22 November 2011
The Maynooth Grant was a major British political controversy of the 1840s which arose partly due to the general anti-Irish and anti-Catholic feelings of the British population.[1]
In 1845, British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel sought to improve the relationship between Catholic Ireland and Protestant England by increasing the annual grant from the British government of a Catholic seminary in Ireland.
Background
In 1785, the British government supported the founding of a Catholic seminary in Maynooth, Ireland. It was named St. Patrick's College and is often simply called Maynooth College. The college was funded by the British government. The grant given to the college was £8,000 annually. The rate stayed the same from 1809 to 1845, when Prime Minister Peel proposed it be increased to £26,000 annually.
Overview
Prime Minister Peel made the proposal to increase government funding to Maynooth College in 1845. Under his proposal, the seminary would receive upwards of £26,000 annually and a grant of £30,000 for repairs. Conservatives in the British government were outraged that the Prime Minister was so adamant about supporting a Catholic seminary. They saw it as unnecessary and dangerous for Britain, a Protestant state, to finance a Catholic seminary. Queen Victoria wrote about the controversy: "I am sure poor Peel ought to be blessed by all Catholics for the many and noble ways in which he stands forth to protect and do good for poor Ireland. But the bigotry, the wicked and blind passion it brings forth is quite dreadful, and I blush for Protestantism!" In 1849, she and Prince Albert would make a point of visiting the seminary on their visit to Ireland. MP John Pemberton Plumptre said in a speech to parliment:
"As you value His favour, as you deprecate His frown, as your hearts and your altars are dear to you; as you would retain and enjoy for yourselves, and transmit to your children, the blessings and privileges which belong to you as Protestants, I beseech you to oppose, with all zeal and firmness, with all temperance and calmness, with all loyal attachment to your Sovereign-with all union among yourselves--with all charity towards all men--with all prayer and supplication towards God--this fresh inroad about to be made upon your consciences,--this new and deep wound to your highest and holiest feelings." This is strong evidence of the moral implications of the issue in Parliment [1]
Also contributing to the political unrest was a group know as the "Volunatryists," who were also opposed to the grant. Their issue with it was not, however, over any sort of religious difference. They opposed the idea of the government granting money to any private institution of higher education, so naturally they were upset about the Maynooth Grant as well.
While the grant was controversial, and weakened Peel's government, it set a precedent, and within three years, government support was being given to Catholic schools in England.
References
- ^ "The Maynooth Grant". The Victorian Web. Retrieved 21 Nov 2011.