Original sentence: This influenced their relationship with England for the next four hundred years, as the Reformation coincided with a determined effort on behalf of the English to re-conquer and colonise Ireland.This sectarian difference meant that the native Irish and the (Roman Catholic) Old English were excluded from political power
Edited sentence: The religious schism meant that the native Irish and the (Roman Catholic) Old English were excluded from power in the new settlement.This fact determined their relationship with the British state for the next four hundred years (has there been a British State for 400 years.that's news to me), as the Reformation coincided with a determined effort on behalf of the English state to re-conquer and colonise Ireland