KING HENRY II

Seal, Henry II, L.F.Salzmann BA, FSA, Constable and Company, London 1917

King of England from 1154 – 1188
Famous for major dispute with his former Chancellor, Thomas Beckett, who was now Archbishop Thomas Beckett.
The dispute was about the right of clerics to be tried for crimes by an ecclesiastical court, and it led to the Archbishop’s voluntary exile. Bad press for Henry.
Beckett was murdered by 4 knights in Canterbury cathedral on December 29^th, 1170. More bad press.
Henry refused to help Diarmuid Mac Murchada when he asked for troops. However he gave consent for Diarmuid to contact Richard de Clare (Strongbow).
As the invasion progressed, Henry became more and more annoyed at Strongbow’s progress.
He rushed across the Irish sea to make sure he got his piece of the pie, and made Strongbow swear an oath of allegiance.
Domnall Mac Gilla Mo- Cholmoc swore a similar oath of allegiance to Henry II. As a result, this proud clan was allowed to retain its lands. By skilful negotiation, the family had managed to survive the taking of Dublin ; now, by adapting to the Norman way of life, there was the chance to thrive.

Smal, Chris (1993), Ancient Rathdown and St. Crispin’s Cell, A uniquely historic landscape, Friends of Historic Rathdown, Greystones.