| Ireland's History |
| FROM Vth TO XVth CENTURY |
| History - Part 2 |
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5th-8th Century Christianity
St Patrick is well-known for having christianised the native people of Ireland, although he might not have been the first 'missionary' to come to the island. He had been brought to Ireland as a slave after being kidnapped from Britain. After having escaped back to Britain, he returned to Ireland with the purpose of introducing Christianity.
From 8th Cent. Norsemen & Anglo-Normans
795 The Norse Vikings make surprise attacks along the East Coast of |
Ireland. Well armed and with no united resistance effort from the Irish, they manage to spread around the country over the next two centuries, pillaging the monasteries. They are the founders of the towns of Dubh Linn (now Dublin), Wicklow and Waterford.
1014 The Norsemen are defeated by Brian Ború (King of Munster) at Clontarf. It is the end of the Viking domination, although the Normans, who are former Vikings, will later join the remaining Norsemen in Ireland.
1169 Anglo-Norman forces take Wexford and Dublin with the help of Dermot McMurrough, the banished king of Leinster.
1170 Strongbow (earl of Pembroke) takes Waterford and gains McMurrough's daughter of as his bride. He becomes the king of Leinster once McMurrough has died. His growing power seems like a threat to Henry II who intends to be recognized by the Pope as lord of Ireland.
1171 Henry II sends a naval force to Waterford in order to regain 'some' control.
1366 The Statutes of Kilkenny are edicted by the English Crown who does not approve the settlement and assimilation of the Normans in Ireland. Intermarriage, Irish Language and customs are forbidden. But, as the Anglo-Norman barons are well established and have powerful bases, the English control will not last beyond 'the Pale' (an area around Dublin). |
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