Contents
Summary history of English rule in Ireland since its conquest by Henry II in November 1172. The English legal system was introduced under King John. The origin of the Irish Parliament is disputed, but in any case it derives its authority from the English and so is subordinate to it: acts passed in England are of force in Ireland whether ratified by the Irish Parliament or not. Since the reign of Henry VII, the Irish Parliament has periodically attempted to overturn English legislation but has no legal right to do so, since 'it lies in the breast of an English Parliam[en]t to interpret & declare the meaning extent & force of all the Irish Laws not excepting those by wch they claim any power to them selves'.
Note
[Makes repeated reference to 'Molyn.', ie. William Molyneux, The Case of Ireland's being bound by Acts of Parliament in England, stated (Dublin, 1698), which appears to be the source of most of the historical detail, though Newton's conclusion is diametrically opposite to Molyneux's.]