Scorched-earth defense
The scorched-earth defense is a form of risk arbitrage and anti-takeover strategy.
Tiobóid mac Walter Ciotach Bourke
Throughout 1600 the English made stunning gains across Ireland, primarily due to Baron Mountjoy’s scorched earth policy, which led to widespread famine across the country rendering it difficult for the Irish Alliance to hold onto the land they had taken. The English had a deliberate policy of bringing Irish lords onto their side, thus dividing the alliance. There are numerous examples of this, but the so-called masterstroke of the war came when Niall Garbh betrayed the alliance and allowed 4,000 English soldiers led by Henry Docwra to land at Lough Foyle, gutting the once impenetrable core of the rebellion, Tyrone and Tyrconnell. It was against this backdrop that Kittagh opened up negotiations with the English, hoping to betray O'Donnell in exchange for security of his own lands.