Historical Context: Ireland Before the Invasion
Before the English invasion, Ireland was a patchwork of small kingdoms and territories ruled by Gaelic chieftains and kings. The island had no unified monarchy, and power was fragmented among various dynasties often engaged in warfare or shifting alliances. Irish society was governed by a complex system of kinship, Brehon law (a native legal system), and a rich cultural heritage rooted in Celtic traditions.
In the 12th century, the political landscape of Ireland began to shift due to increasing contact with the Norman world and the neighboring Anglo-Norman realm in England and Wales. Normans had invaded England in 1066, dramatically altering its aristocracy and military culture. Over time, ambitious Norman lords and knights sought new lands to conquer and govern.
The Spark: Dermot MacMurrough and the Anglo-Norman Arrival
The immediate catalyst for the English invasion came from an internal Irish dispute involving the King of Leinster, Dermot MacMurrough (Diarmait Mac Murchada). Around 1166, Dermot was expelled from his kingdom by a coalition of rival Irish kings. Desperate to regain his throne, Dermot sought help beyond Ireland.
He turned to King Henry II of England and to Anglo-Norman lords for military assistance. Dermot promised land and titles in exchange for their help. Among those who answered the call was Richard de Clare, known as Strongbow, a powerful Norman lord from Wales.
In 1169, Strongbow and a force of Anglo-Norman knights landed in Ireland, initiating military campaigns to restore Dermot MacMurrough to power in Leinster. Their arrival marked the first significant wave of Norman military intervention in Ireland, although this initial expedition was more of a mercenary effort than a direct English invasion. shutdown123