The "Flight of the Earls" refers to the departure of two Irish noblemen, Hugh O'Neill and Hugh O'Donnell, from Ireland in 1607. This event marked a significant moment in Irish history, as it symbolized the end of the Gaelic order and the resistance against English rule. The earls fled to Continental Europe seeking support to reclaim their lands and restore their power. Their departure followed the defeat of the Irish forces in the Nine Years' War, which had been fought against English colonization. The flight led to increased English control over Ireland and the subsequent plantation policies that reshaped the Irish landscape and society.