The English conquest of Ireland began in the 12th century when the Normans invaded. Initially, they established control over parts of the island, but their influence fluctuated over the centuries. By the late 16th century, the Tudor dynasty sought to expand English rule, leading to military campaigns and the establishment of English law. Throughout the 17th century, the conquest intensified, resulting in the confiscation of land from the native Irish and the settlement of English and Scottish colonists. This period marked significant cultural and political changes, laying the groundwork for ongoing tensions between the Irish and the English that would persist for centuries.