157 
acknowledge him as his superior lord, and to hold his kingdom of 
Leinster as a Fief, if through his means his restoration should be 
effected. Henry, who had, long before, fixed a longing eye on the 
verdant and prolific fields of Erin, eagerly embraced the proposal of 
the exiled tyrant, encouraged him to attempt the recovery of his 
kingdom, and assured him, that he might rely with confidence on his 
friendship and cooperation in all things that might forward the at- 
tainment of his wishes. But, as he was then occupied in the prosecu- 
tion of a war in France, and unable to give him any personal assist- 
tance, he gave him letters of recommendation to some of his barons 
in England, authorizing him to enlist all such amongst the English 
as were willing to enter into his service, and carry them with him 
to Ireland. 
Furnished with these recommendations, and this important au- 
thority, he passed into England, where he entered into negociations 
with Richard Earl of Pembroke, surnamed Strongbow, for his ase 
sistance in the recovery of his dominions, promising to give him his 
daughter Aoife, or Eva, in marriage, and with her his whole inherit- 
ance and the right of succession to the kingdom of Leinster, after 
his decease. The ambitious Karl embraced the proposal with avi- 
dity, and pledged himself to lead into Ireland, early in the ensuing 
spring, a chosen body of troops, that should restore the Leinster 
prince to the throne of his ancestors. In fulfilment of this engage- 
ment, Ireland, in the year 1169, for the first time, found her shores 
invaded by an Anglo-Norman enemy. Upon their arrival, Dermod, 
who had previously returned in a private manner to Ireland, collected 
as many of his adherents as he could muster, and hurried to meet 
his new allies. A week had elapsed before the arrival of these 
foreigners, and their having been joined by the Leinster forces, 
was announced to Roderick O’Conor, King of Conaught, then 
