Page 42 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

40  INTRODUCING IRELAND

Anglo-Norman Ireland

Anglo-Norman nobles, led by Richard de Clare (nicknamed
Strongbow), were invited to Ireland by the King of Leinster in 1169.
They took control of the major towns and Henry II of England
proclaimed himself overlord of Ireland. In succeeding centuries,
however, English power declined and the Crown controlled just
a small area around Dublin known as the Pale (see p136). Many of
the Anglo-Norman barons living outside the Pale opposed Ireland in 1488
English rule just as strongly as did the native Irish clans. Extent of the Pale

Carrickfergus Castle
The first Anglo-Norman forts were wooden structures,
but they soon started to build massive stone castles.
Carrickfergus (see p279) was begun in the 1180s and
by 1250 had acquired a keep and a gatehouse.

The keep contained a hall on
the first floor and, above that,
the lord’s private apartments.

Guardroom
Storeroom
Stables
The Marriage of
Strongbow and Aoife
The King of Leinster gave his
daughter to Strongbow for
helping him regain his lands. Bakery
Daniel Maclise’s painting (1854)
emphasizes Anglo-Norman
power over the Irish.

Norman Weapons
These bows and arrows,
unearthed at Waterford, may
be relics of Strongbow’s
assault on the city in 1170.

1172 Pope 1318 Bruce killed in battle
affirms 1177 John de Dermot McMurrough,
King Henry II Courcy’s forces King of Leinster, who 1260 Powerful Irish
of England’s invade Ulster invited Strongbow to chieftain Brian 1315 Scots invade
lordship over come to his aid O’Neill killed at the Ireland; Edward Bruce
Ireland Battle of Down crowned king
1200 1250 1300
1169 Strongbow’s
Anglo-Normans arrive 1224 Dominican order 1297 First
at invitation of exiled enters Ireland and Irish Parliament
King of Leinster, constructs friaries meets in Dublin
Dermot McMurrough

TIMELINE
040-041_EW_Ireland.indd 40 08/03/17 11:05 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight history template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1)
Date 26th July 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm