Anglo‐Norman invasion

Anglo‐Norman invasion (1169–72). Although 1169 has traditionally been considered as marking the beginning of the Anglo‐Norman invasion of Ireland, the first overseas mercenaries actually arrived around August 1167 in the returning party of Diarmait Mac Murchada, exiled king of Leinster, who, with their military help, recovered his patrimonial kingdom of Uí Chennselaig. They were augmented in May 1169 by the arrival of Robert fitz Stephen with 390 fighting men, and of Maurice fitz Gerald with about 140 soldiers, by Raymond le Gros around May 1170, and by Richard fitz Gilbert, alias Strongbow, in August 1170. It is the exaggerated role attributed by Gerald of Wales to his uncles, Robert fitz Stephen and Maurice fitz Gerald, that has resulted in 1169 being regarded as the beginning of Anglo‐Norman intervention.

Following Strongbow's arrival, Diarmait's position strengthened considerably; he not only consolidated his hold on the kingdom of Leinster, and the cities of Waterford and Dublin, but embarked on aggressive incursions into the bordering kingdom of Meath and on a bid to challenge Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (see o'connor, rory) for the high kingship of Ireland. After Diarmait's death in spring 1171, Ruaidrí attempted, but failed, to assert control over the Anglo‐Normans, now under the leadership of Strongbow, and, in particular, to capture the city of Dublin. The concern of King Henry II that Strongbow, a prominent dissident tenant‐in‐chief, was now a lordless man in Ireland with potential capacity to attempt a forcible recovery of his lost earldom of Pembroke occasioned the English king's personal intervention in Ireland in September 1171. Henry not only successfully asserted lordship over those of his subjects who had gone to Ireland, but also received the submission of a significant number of Irish kings. This transformed the nature of Anglo‐Norman intervention in Ireland: from mercenary activities undertaken initially in support of Diarmait Mac Murchada, and subsequently in pursuit of individual personal territorial aggrandizement, what was to become an enduring link was now forged between the English crown and Ireland.

Although the term ‘Anglo‐Norman invasion’ enjoys wide currency, there is no scholarly consensus about how the incomers should be decribed: Norman, Cambro‐Norman, Anglo‐Norman, Anglo‐French have all been used. Contemporary Irish sources invariably described them as Saxain, that is English; this usage is supported also by the two principal contemporary Anglo‐Norman sources, Gerald of Wales and the so‐called Song of Dermot and the Earl.

(See also normans; orpen, goddard henry.)

Marie Therese Flanagan