In
1126. Diarmuid (Dermot) MacMurrough succeeded his father Enna to
the Kingship of Leinster, there were many who disputed his position.
To eliminate them he killed or blinding some seventeen Chieftain's
in Northern Leinster.
In 1153 MacMurrough abducted Derivogle wife
of Tiernan O'Ruark, king of Breifne (Leitrim Cavan area) MacMurrough
was attacked and the abducted wife returned. Eventually in 1166
MacMurrough was expelled from Ireland by Rodrick (Rory O'Connor)
high king of Ireland. MacMurrough went to England where he sought
help from King Henry II. Henry gave him permission to enlist several
Anglo Norman Lords, the chief of which was Richard FitzGilbert de
Clare (Stongbow) MacMurrough promised his daughter Aoife's hand
in marrige to Strongbow
This action on the part of MacMurrough is
regarded by many as the single act which led to the Anglo Norman
conquest of Ireland, although it appears, and this is not accepted
by all, that the church of Rome and the English monarchy held negotiations
regarding a crusade to Ireland to reign in the Irish church who's
doctrines and policys had diverged somewhat from those of Rome.
Strongbow
Arrives in Ireland.
The year 1170 saw the landing in Waterford of Strongbow, after
sacking the town with great ferocity, his next action was to marry
MacMurrough daughter Aoife. He marched north and captured Dublin,
then turning west he plundered Meath. In 1171 MacMurrough died and
Strongbow took control of all the captured lands in the name of
King Henry II
In England Henry II was paying close attention
to the unfolding events in Ireland, perhaps fearful that Strongbow
would gain too much power, he decided to take his own army to Ireland,
on 7th October 1171 they disembarked from four hundred ships, 3,500
men at arm and archers as well as five hundred knights. Upon the
arrival of Henrys army most of the Irish Prince's and provincial
kings accepted Henry as their ruler apart from Tyrconnel of Tyrone.
|