The Ulster Solemn League and Covenant 1912

Writing on 26 September 1969, in his ‘Now and Then’ column, Denis Gywnn noted the similarities between Ulster in 1969 and 1912, looking back on the signing of the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant. This hugely important document was signed 111 years ago this week and has featured as a topic of previous blogs. The document was signed in 1912 in opposition to the proposed implementation of the Third Home Rule Bill for Ireland. Here Gwynn noted:

IN estimating prospects of a revival of Unionist defiance in Ulster, it is interesting to recall the position in September 1912 when the Ulster Covenant was signed solemnly in the City Hall of Belfast. A vast crowd proceeded from the Ulster Hall, where they attended a religious service, and Carson and his principal supporters were received by the Lord Mayor and the Corporation wearing their robes of office. On a table draped with a Union Jack, Carson was the first signatory to the Covenant. He was followed by Lord Londonderry; and the eight following signatures were all significant. Henry Montgomery, Moderator of the General Assembly, signed next, and then Bishop D'Arcy, Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore. Next came Dean Grierson of Belfast, and after him the general secretary of the Presbyterian Church. Then came the Vice-President of the Methodist Conference; then the ex-chairman of the Congregational Union; then Lord Castlereagh; and then James Chambers, M.P. Tables were arranged in other parts of the building where signatures could be added and it was claimed that in Ulster alone, the signatories totalled some 218,000 men and 229,000 women. In other places, signatures were also collected, and the grand total approached half a million.

How did the archive team find this article? 

Use the open 'search' field and the 'limit date range' field.

Step 1 - Enter the keyword Solemn into the open search box top of the search environment, see the image below.

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Found 25 result(s) for 'Solemn ' and from date '1969-09-26' and to date '1969-09-26'.