The Normans
Thursday, May 15th, 2008
Above : Picture Of Normans Knight
It is necessary to understand who and what were those Normans to whose King the deposed Diarmuid had gone for support against his fellow-countrymen.
The First Adventurers
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
Above : Picture Of Robert Fitz-Stephen
In the month of May, 1169, the first body of the adventurers arrived under the leadership of Robert Fitz-Stephen and others. About 2,000 strong, they landed at Bannow Bay in the extreme south of the present county of Wexford. The district was part of Ui Cinnsealaigh, and the people of the open country were loyal to their chief. But on the one side lay Waterford, and on the other Wexford, and the Norse inhabitants of both towns were bitterly hostile to Diarmuid. From Ferns, Diarmuid sent a body of men under his natural son, Domhnall Caomhanach (” Kavanagh “) to meet his friends, and the combined forces attacked Wexford. Retreating before the mail-clad knights, the inhabitants defended the walls and beat off their assailants. At length, however, they yielded on terms, and recognised Diarmuid as their lord. The town and surrounding country were granted to Fitz Stephen and his principal associates.
The Great Lordships & Their Fate : Leinster; Meath
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
Above : Map Of Leinster
Power of the Great Lords.—The story of the Norman settlement is not, however, to be found in the records of the appointments and dismissals of nominal Chief Governors in Dublin. It follows, indeed, no single course, but varies with the varying fortunes of the great families to whom had been granted the right of plunder in so many Irish territories. The history of the early Normans is the history of the great Lordships and of the families upon whom they were conferred. The grants had been accompanied by almost sovereign rights, and in their own territories the great lords made peace and war, granted lands, created nobles and officials, and erected castles, independently of the Crown. Over them the King’s governor had no control; he was merely a rival competitor. The events connected with the development and fate of the four great Lordships—that of Strongbow in Leinster, of De Lacy in Meath, of De Courcey in ” Ulster,” and of De Burgh in Connacht—comprise nearly the whole history of the Normans in Ireland during this period.
Raymond le Gros (1173 - 1176)
Monday, January 21st, 2008
Above: Raymond le Gros
No sooner had Strongbow entered on his new duties as viceroy than troubles began to thicken round him. He found most of the Irish princes in revolt, and the money he had brought was soon spent, so that he had no pay for his soldiers. Mountmaunce was general of the army : but the soldiers hated him and demanded to have Raymond put over them, which was done: on which the new general led the men south and ravaged Offaly and the country round Lismore, carrying off immense spoils in spite of all opposition.