Above: Norman Adventures

I95. In the month of May, 1169, a force of 100 knights and men-at-arms in coats of mail and about 600 archers, under Robert Fitzstephen and Maurice Pren- dergast landed at Bannow in Wexford with Hervey Mountmaurice, Strongbow’s uncle. As knights and archers had attendants, the total force was about 2,000. Having been joined by Dermot and his son, Donall Kavanagh, with 500 horsemen, he advanced on the town of Wexford, which after a valiant defence was surren- dered to them. Then Dermot granted Wexford and the adjoining district to Robert Fitzstephen and Maurice Fitzgerald -the latter of whom had not yet arrived. He granted also to Mountmaurice the district lying between the towns of Wexford and Waterford. Dermot and his allies next attacked Ossory and forced its chief Mac Gilla Patrick to submit.

Above: King Henry

On the 18th October, 1171, king Henry landed at Crook a little below Waterford,with many of his nobles, and an army of 4,400 knights and men at arms. Counting attendants lie probably had 10,000 altogether At Waterford he was met by Dennot Mac Carthy king of Desmond, who was the first Irish prince to submit and pay tribute ; and the Wexford men delivered up to him in fetters Fitzstephen, whom in a few days he released.