February 18, 1366

The Statutes of Kilkenny, a series of thirty five legislative acts meant to repress the Gaelic culture in Ireland, was passed on February 18, 1366. Authored by Lionel of Antwerp, the Earl of Ulster and viceroy to Edward III, the statutes addressed the growing concern that new English settlers were more Irish than the Irish themselves. It was believed that these new English settlers were too quick to favor Irish customs. Some statutes included a ban on intermarriage between the English and Irish, a ban on Irish names and dress and a ban on Irish pastimes such as hurling, out of fear that English settlers might sympathize with Irish aggression.