Lionel Duke of Clarence and ” Earl of Ulster”
The antagonism between the early settlers and the ” new English ” was in evidence as early as the time of the visit of Prince John and his arrogant courtiers. But the distinction between the ” English by descent ” and the ” English by birth ” was first officially ratified by the decree of 1341.
That decree, as has been seen, was withdrawn in the following year. Its offensive spirit was more definitely and insultingly proclaimed after a lapse of twenty years.
The occasion of this was the first visit of Prince Lionel, the son of Edward III, who was sent over as Lord Lieutenant in 1361— to save ” our Irish dominions ” from being totally lost, said the King. This prince had married the infant daughter of the murdered Brown Earl of Ulster* and in her right he now put forward the claim to the De Burgh possessions in ” Ulster ” and Connacht which had been anticipated by Ulick and Edmond Albanach.
He had scarcely landed when he issued a proclamation forbidding any of Irish birth to approach his army. The proclamation, however, was certainly not heeded by the O’Byrnes, Mac Murroughs, and other Irish clans, and Prince Lionel was soon forced to invite the support of ” all the King’s subjects.” Even with their help he was unable to displace the Clann Aodha Buidhe from ” Ulster,” or to bring the rebellious Mac Williams back to allegiance. He returned to England, and was created Duke of Clarence.
