[302] Terms.—­Hib.  Expug. lib. i. cap. 27.

[303] Buried.—­The early history of this church is involved in much obscurity.  It probably owes its origin to the Danes.  Cambrensis gives some interesting details about it, and mentions several miraculous occurrences which caused it to be held in great veneration in his days.  He specially mentions the case of a young man in the train of Raymond le Gros, who had robbed him of his greaves, and who had taken a false oath before the cross of that church to clear himself.  After a short absence in England he was compelled to return and confess his guilt, “as he felt the weight of the cross continually oppressing him.”  Strongbow’s effigy was broken in 1562, but it was repaired in 1570, by Sir Henry Sidney.  Until the middle of the last century, the Earl’s tomb was a regularly appointed place for the payment of bonds, rents, and bills of exchange.  A recumbent statue by his side is supposed to represent his son, whom he is said to have cut in two with his sword, for cowardice in flying from an engagement.  A writer of the seventeenth century, however, corrects this error, and says that “Strongbow did no more than run his son through the belly, as appears by the monument and the chronicle.”—­Gilbert’s Dublin, vol. i. p. 113.

CHAPTER XVIII.

FitzAldelm appointed Viceroy—­De Courcy in Ulster—­Arrival of Cardinal
Vivian—­Henry II. confers the Title of King of Ireland on his son
John—­Irish Bishops at the Council of Lateran—­Death of St. Laurence
O’Toole—­Henry’s Rapacity—­John Comyn appointed Archbishop of
Dublin—­John’s Visit to Ireland—­Insolence of his Courtiers—­De Lacy’s
Death—­Death of Henry II.—­Accession of Richard I.—­An English
Archbishop tries to obtain Justice for Ireland—­John succeeds to the
Crown—­Cathal Crovderg—­Massacres in Connaught—­De Courcy’s Disgrace and
Downfall—­His Death.

[A.D. 1176-1201.]

News of the Earl’s death soon reached Henry II., who was then holding his court at Valognes, in Normandy.  He at once nominated his Seneschal, FitzAldelm de Burgo, Viceroy of Ireland, A.D. 1176.  The new governor was accompanied by John de Courcy, Robert FitzEstevene, and Miles de Cogan.  Raymond had assumed the reins of government after the death of Strongbow, but Henry appears always to have regarded him with jealousy, and gladly availed himself of every opportunity of lessening the power of one who stood so high in favour with the army.  The Viceroy was received at Wexford by Raymond, who prudently made a merit of necessity, and resigned his charge.  It is said that FitzAldelm was much struck by his retinue and numerous attendants, all of whom belonged to the same family; and that he then and there vowed to effect their ruin.  From this moment is dated the distrust so frequently manifested by the English Government towards the powerful and popular Geraldines.