Rightboys

The Oxford Companion to Irish History | 2007 | 700+ words | Copyright

Rightboys (from the name of their mythical leader, ‘Captain Right’), a movement of agrarian protest, commencing in Co. Cork and spreading into other counties, notably Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, and Waterford, in 1785–8. The main aim was to reduce the level of tithes. Other grievances included rents, taxes, and the financial demands of the Catholic clergy. The movement was more widespread than that of the Whiteboys, and had a wider social base. It also had the tacit support, and in some cases active leadership, of some local gentry, who opposed the Church of Ireland clergy either on political grounds or as competitors for a share of the tenant farmer's earnings.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Rightboys." The Oxford Companion to Irish History. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Rightboys." The Oxford Companion to Irish History. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O245-Rightboys.html

"Rightboys." The Oxford Companion to Irish History. 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O245-Rightboys.html

Learn more about citation styles