Offerlane’s Crown Inquest
James I was king of Ireland as well as England and Scotland, but government was exercised through Dublin Castle. The lord deputy in 1621 was Sir Oliver St John, a hard-driving official whose policies joined the extension of English common law, the reinforcement of Protestant institutions and the enlargement of royal revenue. On 3 January he was created Viscount Grandison of Limerick, an honour that signalled continued royal favour. Yet favour did not protect the Irish administration from criticism.