Henry II: An Imperialist King?

Page 5 of 9

• 1. Approach to empire
• 2. Relations with France
• 3. Campaigns in Wales
• 4. Approach to Ireland
• 5. Henry lands in Ireland
• 6. Conclusions on Ireland
• 7. Henry and Scotland
• 8. Feudal control
• 9. Find out more
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Henry lands in Ireland

Strongbow had made the mistake of supporting Stephen during the 'tempus werre' ('time of war'), and as a result, Henry had deprived him of the earldom of Pembroke. So his fortunes were definitely on the wane. William of Newburgh says he went to Ireland to escape his creditors, while Gerald of Wales claims that Dermot wanted him because 'he had a great name rather than great prospects'. Even so, he had much to lose by moving to Ireland, and he was only finally persuaded when Dermot offered him the hand of his daughter, Aífe, in marriage and the prospect of succeeding to Leinster on Dermot's death. The chronology of what follows is crucial, both to understand Strongbow's motives and why Henry finally got involved.

In May 1169, Robert fitzStephen crossed to Ireland, accompanied by Strongbow's uncle, Hervey de Montmorency, and helped Dermot regain his kingdom, capturing the port of Wexford in 1170. The High-King of Ireland, Rory O'Connor, demanded Dermot's son as a hostage for good behaviour. In Autumn 1169 and Spring 1170, more of Strongbow's men arrived to help Dermot, and advised him to offer Aífe to their lord. Strongbow crossed to Ireland in August 1170 and at this point, Henry II took notice. He closed all the ports to Ireland and ordered all those who had crossed to return, threatening to confiscate Strongbow's lands if he failed to obey.

'Strongbow crossed to Ireland in August 1170 and at this point, Henry II took notice.'

Strongbow married Aífe in Autumn 1170 and in revenge, Rory executed Dermot's son, removing the last remaining legitimate heir (in Norman eyes) to Dermot's kingdom. In May 1171, Dermot died 'within a short time of Strongbow's arrival in Ireland' and Strongbow immediately asserted his claim to Leinster. Rory responded by marching on Dublin. After a two month siege, things looked dire for Strongbow and his men. "Surely we are not looking to our own people for help?" said one of his captains. "For we are caught between two stools. Just as we are English to the Irish, so are we Irish to the English." Forced to rely on their own resources, they sallied out of the city walls and routed Rory's army.

Meanwhile, the men of Wexford had risen up against Robert and imprisoned him. The Irish appealed to Henry for aid, and while he was waiting to cross to Ireland, the men of Wexford came to Pembroke and offered him Robert as the man who had initiated the Norman encroachment into Ireland. Robert languished in prison until 1172. Throughout 1171, Strongbow sent emissaries to Henry, and eventually went to Henry in person, offering to surrender his lands in return for their fief as a vassal of the king. Henry landed in Ireland in October 1171, where he was met by the sub-kings of Leinster and other kingdoms who did homage to him in the Irish fashion. He spent Christmas in Dublin and left in 1172, leaving Strongbow in charge of Leinster, but with the strategically important locations of Wexford, Limerick, Cork and Wicklow Castle in royal hands.

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Published: 2001-04-01