1171 CE - Dairmait Mac Murchada dies, Strongbow's Seige of Dublin, Henry II invades Ireland

by Larry Chamberlin

May 1171 - Dairmait Mac Murchada dies

Whether or not Dairmait actually promised Strongbow the kingship of Leinster, his kinsman would have nothing to do with the deal. Strongbow was a foreigner, and there was no right of heirship through Aifa. Since all of Dairmait sons were either dead or disqualified through debilitating injury, the Leinstermen settled on Dairmait's nephew, Muirchertach.

1 June 1171 - Thomas á Becket is murdered by Henry's men

Although at odds with the archbishop of Canterbury, Henry II did not intend the murder. He had cried out in anger, "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" His men took this for an order and rode for the coast and England, where they cut the saint down in his own cathedral. Henry went into isolation out of grief and guilt. Nonetheless, all of Christendom blamed him for the death and Adrian sent a legate to determine whether Henry's penitence was real.

Summer 1171 - Siege of Strongbow at Dublin

The last chance for the Irish to rid themselves of the Norman invaders arose during the summer of 1171 as Strongbow and the Geraldines held out at Dublin. Ruadrí Ua Conchobair led an army of nearly 30,000, together with kings from all parts of Ireland, including Dairmait's nephew, Muirchertach with Leinster forces, and Viking Ostmen from the Irish-Viking towns and from the Isle of Man. Once again, though, the higher technology of the Normans proved the difference. Under cover of darkness, Strongbow and Maurice Fitzgerald sent out three divisions, totaling only 600 men. These heavily armored riders outflanked the encamped Irish, and surprised and captured Ruadrí along with hundreds of his followers while they bathed in the river. The greatly outnumbered Normans thoroughly routed the Irish force.

Up to this point, all the Norman invaders were Geraldines, and owed their allegiance, more or less, to Strongbow. Henry, not wishing an independent and strong Norman nation on his borders, decided it was time to call in the reins. He demanded Strongbow's return, but got only assurances. Only after assembling a massive force did Henry finally succeed in getting Strongbow to attend to him in Normandy and submit to the Crown.

16 August 1171 Henry II invades Ireland.

Shortly after receiving Strongbow's submission, Henry learned that Adrian had sent a legate to Aquitaine to investigate Henry's part in Becket's murder. In order to avoid this legate, and under the pretense of fulfilling Adrian's Donation, the Bull Laudabiliter, Henry took his army in 400 boats and sailed for Crook, and set up Court in Waterford. Henry brought over 500 knights and 3000 archers, as well as portable siege and castle-building towers. Technically, Henry invaded Ireland, but, he never had to fight a single battle. The Irish and Normans alike had no desire to challenge this well-equipped and highly professional force.

The Normans came, led by Strongbow, who received Leinster in return for his formal surrender. Next came Irish chiefs, starting with Dairmait Mac Carthaigh [Dermot MacCarthy] of Desmond, king of Cork, who voluntarily submitted to Henry, giving hostages. Henry left Waterford and made a grand progress through Ireland, receiving the submission of most of the important kings. Even Ruadrí Ua Conchobair met with Henry's envoys, although he would not come to Henry in person. Henry entered Dublin and constructed an Irish style palace of mud and wattle, where he held Court for several months.

Sources:

Oxford History of Ireland, ed. R. F. Foster, Oxford University Press, (c)1989, ISBN 0-19-285271-X

A History of Ireland, Peter & Fiona Somerset Fry, Rutledge, (c)1988 & Barnes & Noble [reprint] 1993, ISBN: 1-56619-215-3

Chronicles of the Celts, Iain Zaczek, Collins & Brown, London, (c)1996, ISBN: 1-85585-407-4

The Geraldines, an Experiment in Irish Government, 1169 - 1601, Brian Fitzgerald, The Devin-Adair Company, New York, 1952; Staples Printers Ltd., Rochester, Kent, (c)1951

The World of the Celts, Simon James, Thames and Hudson Ltd., 1993, ISBN 0-500-0567-8

The People of Ireland, ed. Patrick Loughery, New Amsterdam Books, N.Y., (c)1989, ISBN: 0-941533-55-7

***The Celts, Jean Markale (orig. publ. as "Les Celts et la Civilsation Celtique" by Payot, Paris, 1976; U.S. ed. publ. by Inner Traditions, Rochester, Vermont, 1993, ISBN: 0-89281-413-6)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: *** = These tracts deal with mythical legends and historical events, without clearly distinguishing between the two. Markale, while presenting the historical texts of the contemporary writers in great detail and with a fine critical analysis, nonetheless includes events from Irish legend without properly disclaiming their authenticity. Despite this shortcoming, if one is cautious enough to note the sources, the books is excellent.

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