IRELAND PREVIOUS TO THE INVASION BT THE ENGLISH. 103 



previous to the invasion of tlie English ; distracted in her councils — 

 without any common interest — her princes suspicious of each other's as- 

 cendancy, and prosecuting their plans of aggression and retaliation for 

 injuries received with a ferocity merciless and unbounded — its natives of 

 everv degree averse to the arts of peace — of course, of civilization ; and 

 attached, even to enthusiasm, to the fame attendant on martial enterprise. 



INVASION OF IRELAND BY THE ENGLISH IN THE REIGN OF HENRY lU 



In the reign of Roderic O'Connor. Dermod, King of Leinster, a prince 

 deposed by his subjects for his intolerance, and flying from the ven- 

 geance of several neighbouring princes, who had, according to the ac- 

 counts of some historians, made common cause against him, in conse- 

 quence of his treacherous conduct towards the King of Breffrey, went to 

 England, and, as an injured prince, threw himself on the monarch's 

 protection. 



Henry, an ambitious and wise prince, having, for some time previously, 

 considered the annexation of Ireland to his kingdom as an important 

 consideration, and having, according to some, obtained a bull from Pope 

 Adrian, several years even before this application, conferring on him the 

 sovereignty of that country, considered the present application as occur- 

 ring most fortunately for his views. With his usual caution, however, 

 he was unwilling to embark personally in the enterprise, till he sounded 

 the opinions of his subjects relative to the affair. With this view, then, 

 he dismissed the applicant Dermod, with many promises, and gave him 

 a letter of licence under his own hand, authorizing permission and con- 

 sent to any of his subjects who might be willing to aid Dermod in the 

 recovery of his lost kingdom. 



The prince, it seems, made the very best use of this letter ; as he 

 found means to interest in his favour the celebrated Earl of Pembroke, 

 sumamed Strong-Bow, at that time one of the most powerful and war- 

 like barons of the kingdom. As a stipulated condition, for his granting 

 Dermod the assistance he required, Pembroke insisted on the hand of 

 his daughter Eva in marriage ; and, of course, in the absence of a male 

 heir, on right to succession of the throne of Leinster. To these Dermod 

 having as readily assented, he departed for Ireland to await the promised 

 assistance. 



Previous to his leaving England, Pembroke having sent before him 

 about 400 men, under Fitzstcphen, Hervey of Mountmaurice, and 



