The Ostmen of Cork attacked them by sea, but failed to conquer.  By land the Irish suffered another defeat.  Raymond encountered MacCarthy of Desmond on his way to Cork, and plundered him, driving off a rich cattle spoil, in addition to his other ill-gotten goods.  Raymond now demanded the appointment of Constable of Leinster, and the hand of Strongbow’s sister, Basilia.  But the Earl refused; and the general, notwithstanding his successes, retired to Wales in disgust.

Hervey now resumed the command, A.D. 1174, and undertook an expedition against Donnell O’Brien, which proved disastrous to the English.  Roderic once more appears in the field.  The battle took place at Thurles, and seventeen hundred of the English were slain.  In consequence of this disaster, the Earl proceeded in sorrow to his house in Waterford.[298] This great success was a signal for revolt amongst the native chieftains.  Donald Cavanagh claimed his father’s territory, and Gillamochalmog and other Leinster chieftains rose up against their allies.  Roderic O’Connor at the same time invaded Meath, and drove the Anglo-Normans from their castles at Trim and Duleek.  Strongbow was obliged to despatch messengers at once to invite the return of Raymond le Gros, and to promise him the office he had demanded, and his sister’s hand in marriage.

Raymond came without a moment’s delay, accompanied by a considerable force.  His arrival was most opportune for the English cause.  The Northmen of Waterford were preparing to massacre the invaders, and effected their purpose when the Earl left the town to join the new reinforcements at Wexford.  The nuptials were celebrated at Wexford with great pomp; but news was received, on the following morning, that Roderic had advanced almost to Dublin; and the mantle and tunic of the nuptial feast were speedily exchanged for helmet and coat-of-mail.[299] Unfortunately Roderic’s army was already disbanded.  The English soon repaired the injuries which had been done to their fortresses; and once more the Irish cause was lost, even in the moment of victory, for want of combination and a leader.

Henry now considered it time to produce the Papal Bulls, A.D. 1175.  He therefore despatched the Prior of Wallingford and William FitzAldelm to Waterford, where a synod of the clergy was assembled to hear these important documents.  The English monarch had contrived to impress the Holy See with wonderful ideas of his sanctity, by his penitential expiations of his share in the murder of St. Thomas a Becket.  It was therefore easy for him to procure a confirmation of Adrian’s Bull from the then reigning Pontiff, Alexander III.  The Pope also wrote to Christian, the Legate, to the Irish archbishops, and to the King.  Our historians have not informed us what was the result of this meeting.  Had the Papal donation appeared a matter of national importance, there can be little doubt that it would have excited more attention.