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pofTeflions for the Engiifli crown, by erecfting ftrong forts and 

 caftles throughout the country, and eftablifliing therein vaUant 

 knights, with colonics of Norman and Anglo-Saxon foldiery, and 

 by beflowing on them extenfive trails of country which they were 

 to defend for themlllves by their own perfonal courage and 

 pi'owefs againft the ancient Irilh proprietors. He took advantage 

 of every circumflance and lituation, whether facred or prophane, 

 that aflifled his purpofe ; turning abbies into fortified caftles, 

 and their terraffes, walks and groves into trenches and bulwarks ; 

 fome alfo of ancient Celtic, Irifh and Daniflr forts or mounds, 

 he repaired and ftrengthened by additional works of lime and 

 ftone, to check the violent and fudden efforts of the natives, who 

 unaccuftomed to flow fieges or blockades, were ufed to attack 

 and carry the earthen forts of their country by aflault, firing 

 the pallifadoes and ftorming the trenches with furious, rapid and 

 adlive courage. * It is probable that when the Englifli extended 

 themfelves over the greateft part of Meath, the difpoffefl^ed in- 



• In the reign of Henry the eighth Meath was divided into two counties. The 

 preamble to the aft of parliament, nearly four hundred years after De Lacy's time, 

 clearly demonftrating the truth of the conjefture, that the weftern parts were not 

 entirely in the hands of the Englifh. 



34 Hen. viii. chap. I. An zQ. for the divifion of Methe into two (hires. 



" For as much as the fhire of Methe is grete and large in circuit, and the weft part 

 " thereof laid about and befet with diverfe of the King's rebells, and that in feve- 

 " ral parts thereof the King's writs, for lack of miniftration of juftice, have not 

 *« of late been obeyed," &c. 



( R 4 ) habitants 



