Londonderry became a chartered city in 1614.
King James I conceived of the idea to have plantations in this part of Ireland. It was a strategic position to have as a stronghold. Ireland reaches far out into the Atlantic creating a buffer for England, Derry is an inlet with access to the ocean and to the rivers that run into Ireland.
He approached the City of London to invest. Not so keen, they sent over four assessors to figure out if it was a worthy investment.
King James was keen to capitalize and agreed to London’s terms. Including the creation of the country called Londonderry and guarantee of valuable fishing and taxation rights.
The land was divided up between deserving Irish, the church and 12 associated companies that represented Guilds.
Deserving were the people who demonstrated their loyalty to the crown. Things went slowly, 3000 Settlers came over to claim and work the land but the Irish, who were here didn’t want to give up their land. So settling didn’t go so well. London became discouraged and confiscated the town in 1632. The rents and taxes doubled.
Derry was a Protestant stronghold surrounded by Irish Catholics who were done poorly by the Protestants who held the rule but not the population.
It was against the rule for the Catholics to practice their religion and they would need to pay a fine if they didn’t attend Protestant service and were limited in their ranks within the military. The Catholics thought they had an agreement to religious freedom and full citizen rights with King Charles and promises to implement in 1641.
There is an uprising in 1641, you get the picture, fighting over religion and oppression.
Today, Derry is charming.
The world around me 