While the settlement was underway in Antrim and Down, important events were transpiring in the rest of Ulster which we have seen had been largely wasted and depopulated by the recent war in which the English finally conquered Hugh O’Neill. King James VI of Scotland became James I of England upon Elizabeth’s death in 1603, uniting the two kingdoms. To the disappointment and anger of English nobility and officials, James restored the great Irish patriot Hugh O’Neill, who had just been defeated at great sacrifice, to his former lands and title of Earl of Tyrone.

However, in the face of growing hostility and threats O’Neill and his faithful ally, Rory O’Donnell, left the country, never to return. This event, known as "the flight of the earls," resulted in the confiscation by the crown of all the lands in several counties of Ulster, not only those of O’Neill and O’Donnell, but the estates of other Irish chiefs, leaving out only Antrim, Down and Monaghan, already being settled.

The lands were now granted for "planting," the word used for colonization or settling. Thus the term "Plantation of Ulster" meant the colonization of that land. The persons who received grants of land were called "undertakers" as they took the obligation to "plant" the lands they received with settlers. Half of the confiscated lands went to English and Scottish undertakers and servitors. The servitors were veterans of military or civil service, and their share was small. One-tenth of the land was given to the Episcopal Church and to Trinity College of Dublin. Other smaller amounts were set aside for forts, towns, and for a group of London companies who undertook set-