Editing County Down (section)

==History==
[[File:Picturesque Ireland - a literary and artistic delineation of the natural scenery, remarkable places, historical antiquities, public buildings, ancient abbeys, towers, castles, and other romantic and (14780216352).jpg|thumb|1885 map, with the county divided into [[Baronies of Ireland|baronies]]]]
During the 2nd century the region was home to the Voluntii tribe, according to [[Ptolemy]]. From the 400s–1177 County Down formed a central part of the kingdom of [[Ulaid]]. Ulaid was a frequent target of Viking raids in the eighth and ninth centuries, however fierce local resistance prevented the Norse from setting up permanent settlements in the region. In 1001 a fleet led by [[Sigtrygg Silkbeard]] raided much of the region in retribution for the Ulaiden's refusal to offer him sanctuary from [[Brian Boru]] the previous year.

The region was [[Norman invasion of Ireland|invaded]] by the [[Normans]] in 1177. From the 1180s–1600s the region saw waves of English and Scottish immigration. In 1569 the Irish Parliament passed "An Act for turning of Countries that be not yet Shire Grounds into Shire Grounds".<ref>[https://opac.oireachtas.ie/Data/Library7/Library1/DC900041.pdf 11 Elizabeth I, Session 3, Chapter 9 (1569)]</ref> In 1570 a commission was issued in pursuance of that statute "to survey and make enquiry in the countries and territories ... that are not shire ground, or are doubtful to what shire they belong; to limit and nominate them a shire or county; to divide them into countries, baronies or hundreds, or to join them to any existing shire or barony" "for the countries or territories of Arde,{{efn|[[Ards (territory)]]}} as well this side Blackstafe{{efn|[[Blackstaff River]]}} as the other side, Copelande islands,{{efn|Copeland Islands}} the Dufferin,{{efn|Dufferin (barony)}} Clandeboy,{{efn|[[Clandeboye]]}} Kilultoghe, the Glynes{{efn|[[Glens of Antrim]]}} with the Raughlines,{{efn|[[Rathlin Island]]}} Momerie and Carie,{{efn|[[Cary (barony)]]}} the Rowte M'William ([[McQuillan]]){{efn|[[Route, County Antrim]]}} and all lands between lough Coine{{efn|[[Strangford Lough]]}} and lough Eaghe,{{efn|[[Lough Neagh]]}} and the water of Strangforde and the Banne.{{efn|[[River Bann]]}} To certify their proceedings before the 1st August."<ref>[https://archive.org/details/reportofdeputyke1113irel/page/n237/mode/2up?view=theater Fiat 1530, 4 May 1570]</ref><ref>[https://archive.org/details/reportofdeputyke1113irel/page/n229/mode/2up?view=theater Similar to Fiat 1486, 4 February 1570]</ref> The county was privately planted during the [[Plantations of Ireland|Plantation period]] (16th–17th centuries). During the [[Williamite War in Ireland]] (1689–1691) the county was a centre of Protestant rebellion against the rule of the Catholic [[James II of Ireland|James II]]. After forming a scratch force the Protestants were defeated by the [[Irish Army (Kingdom of Ireland)|Irish Army]] at the [[Break of Dromore]] and forced to retreat, leading to the whole of Down falling under [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] control. Later the same year [[Marshal Schomberg]]'s large [[Williamite]] expedition arrived in Belfast Lough and captured Bangor. After laying [[Siege of Carrickfergus (1689)|siege to Carrickfergus]], Schomberg marched south to [[Dundalk Camp]], clearing County Down and much of the rest of East Ulster of Jacobite troops.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}