Bruce’s march through Leinster had broken the Norman grip on the plains lying between the Liffey and the Barrow, and these were now assailed by the Irish. On one side the O’Moores, and on the other the Mac Murroughs swept down on the lands from which they had been driven. Similarly, the O’Byrnes and O’Tooles assailed the coast on the other side of the mountains, and took Arklow, Newcastle and Bray. The Lord Deputy was forced to leave Bruce unmolested while he quelled this attack on the vital communications  He was descended, through the Marshalls, from Strongbow and Eva.

Above: Prince Lionel and King Edward

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.