Who ruled over Ireland between 1002 and 1166?

Migration – The English Invasion of Ireland, 1169-1210

In this course, Dr Colin Veach (University of Hull) explores the English invasion of Ireland. In the first lecture, we think about the kingships of Ireland from 1002 until 1166. In the second lecture, we think about the progress of the English invasion of Ireland from 1166 until 1210. In the third lecture, we think about the motivations for the English wishing to conquer Ireland. Next, we think about how the English invasion of Ireland impacted the English people. In the fifth and final lecture, we think about how this invasion impacted the Irish.

Who ruled over Ireland between 1002 and 1166?

In this lecture, we think about the kingships of Ireland from 1002 until 1166, focusing in particular on: (i) recognising this as the English invasion of Ireland, as that is how the invaders (often called Normans) saw themselves; (ii) Ireland prior to the English invasion being divided into individually ruled kingdoms; (iii) William of Newburgh’s writing about Ireland prior to the English invasion; (iv) the fact that Ireland developed a sociocultural unity through language and law long before England and other European countries; (v) a myth taught in Ireland that all Irish people shared the same ancestor, Míl Espáine, from Spain; (vi) a drive to recognise the O’Neill kingship of Tara as the kingship of all of Ireland; (vii) Brian Boru’s high kingship over Ireland in 1002; (viii) the fact that, after Brian Boru’s death, the high kingship over Ireland was available to anyone with the strength to take it; (ix) the death of Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn in 1166, High King of Ireland since 1156, some say at the hands of his own people; (x) the attack on Diarmaid Mac Murchadha by Ruairí Ó Conchúir, prompted by Diarmaid Mac Murchadha’s prior support of Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn; (xi) Diarmaid Mac Murchadha’s travel to England to request help from Henry II; (xii) Henry II’s prior relationship with Diarmaid Mac Murchadha when trying to gain kingship of England in the 1140s and when attacking Wales in 1165.