September 15 1643: The Cessation of hostilities in Ireland was signed on this day. James Butler, the Marquis of Ormonde [above], acting in the name of King Charles I, signed a twelve month truce with his grand Uncle, Richard Butler, 3rd Viscount Mountgarrett representing the Catholic Confederation of Kilkenny. This Agreement brought a shaky Peace to most of the Country after almost two years of bloody and violent battles, sieges and massacres.

In exchange for contributions of money and supplies to the Royalists in England, the Confederates were allowed to retain control of all the lands they had secured in Ireland. In addition, the King promised to consider granting freedom of worship to Catholics and making constitutional reforms in Ireland. Confederate representatives went to Oxford to negotiate a permanent treaty, but this came to nothing because the King was reluctant to antagonise his Protestant supporters.

The Cessation allowed Crown troops stationed in Ireland to return to England to fight for the Royalists. The Scots of Ulster refused to recognise the Cessation and Sir Robert Monro's army remained active there, though the local Protestant Lagan army was divided over whether to accept the Cessation or back the Rebellion against the King that was underway in Britain.


A proclamation concerning a cessation of arms.
Agreed and concluded on at Siggings-town, in the county of Kildare, the fifteenth day of September, in the nineteenth yeer of His Majesties raign, by and between James Marquesse of Ormonde, Lieutenant Generall of His Majesties army in the Kingdom of Ireland, for and in the name of our gracious soveraign lord Charles, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, &c. By vertue of His Majesties commission bearing date at Dublin the last of August, in the said nineteenth year of His Majesties raign, of the one party. And Donogh Viscount Muskerry, Sir Lucas Dillon Knight; Nicholas Plunket Esquire; Sir Robert Talbot Baronet; Sir Richard Barnwell Baronet; Torlogh O Neale, Geoffrey Brown, Ever Mac-Gennis and John Walsh, Esquires; authorized by His Majesties Roman Catholique subjects, of whose party they are, and now in arms in the said kingdom, &c. To treat and conclude with the said marquesse for a cessation of arms, by vertue of an authority given unto them, bearing date at Cashel, the seventh day of September, in the said nineteenth yeer of His Majesties raign, of the other party. Whereunto is added, an instrument touching the manner of payment of 30800 pounds sterling by severall payments. Ordered by the Commons in Parliament, that this proclamation be forthwith printed: H: Elsynge, Cler. Parl. D. Com.