O'Rourke joined with Viking forces, but changed their
minds when the Vikings decided to back Strongbow. Despite
ongoing negotiations, Dublin was attacked by Strongbow's
army, led by Raymond Carew and Mila de Cogan. Dublin
fell 21 September 1170. The establishment of a small
Anglo-Norman colony known as The Pale marks the starting
point of foreign rule over Ireland.
The term "pale" can be traced back to the
word palisade, which is a common feature of a motte
and bailey structure.
O'Connor and O'Rourke tried to retake The Pale, but
Strongbow's grip was firm on the city. He first ousted
the Vikings, most of them settling on the north bank
of the River Liffey in Norse Town, today called Oxmantown
and located behind Collins Barracks.
On MacMurrough's death on 1 May 1171, against the will
of the people who supported MacMurrough's nephew and
rightful heir, Murtough. Strongbow became the King of
Leinster. Murtough joined with O'Rourke, O'Connor and
the O'Carroll's of Ulster and made several attempts
to dethrone Strongbow, but without success. Strongbow
had secured his position as the King of Leinster.
It didn't take long for King Henry II to take notice
of the power his man, Strongbow, had in Ireland. He
panicked at the prospect being surrounded by enemies
— France to the east, Spain to the south and now
Ireland under Strongbow to the west. But the Lordship
of Ireland, as granted by Pope Adrian IV in 1155 suddenly
came in handy. By this designation, Ireland was Henry's
property, and all he had to do was claim it. He took
an army of 500 knights and 4000 horsemen, foot soldiers
and archers with him to Ireland, arriving in Waterford
in October 1171. This power play was to allay Strongbow's
aspirations and to keep him on a short leash. He demanded
the submission of the Irish chieftains, and without
much effort, all of the Irish kings, except Cenel Eogain
and Cenel Conaill, gave their fealty. Henry granted
his men of Bristol the inhabitants of Dublin all of
the liberties and free customs they had in Bristol and
throughout his entire land then returned to England.
But Henry's generosity had no meaning beyond the Pale.
Anglo-Norman authority outside the colony was nonexistent.
In fact, after claiming ownership of Ireland in 1171,
Henry ignored Ireland until 1185 when he used the island
to settle a case of sibling rivalry in the royal family.
His fourth legitimate son, John, felt neglected because
his brothers had received territories from Henry and
he received nothing. To stop his nagging, Henry granted
John, nicknamed John Lackland, the title of Lord of
Ireland. John's ruled over Ireland was a total failure
and left after only six months.
O'Connor looked at the fast expansion of the Norman
foreigners with great sorrow. He tried to turn the tide
by waging battle against Strongbow, but the war was
doomed to fail. So in 1175, he went into negotiations
with Henry and signed what came to be known as the Treaty
of Windsor. By this treaty, O'Connor became the monarch
of all unconquored areas of Ireland, but in return,
recognized Henry II as his overlord and was obliged
to pay him an annual tribute.
However, nothing is ever this simple, as O'Connor came
to learn. As Ard Rí, he had little decision making
authority when it came to the authority over the land.
That responsibility fell to his lesser kings. In order
to give himself decision making power, he abdicated
his title of Ard Rí and made himself the King
of Connaught, giving up territorial claims on Leinster,
Meath, Waterford and Wexford.
When Strongbow died on 20 April 1176, the kingship
of Leinster was transferred to Henry II. The fifth province
of Míde, Meath, was included in Leinster, and
by this, the fifth province no longer exits today.
Henry II was often depicted as a strong and fair monarch,
and never thought his son John was a cruel and greedy
young man. By a cruel twist of fate John come King of
England in 1199. When he returned to Ireland, everything
was different. John didn't hesitate to throw his power
around. He ordered several Norman style castles to be
built in strategic areas around Ireland, including in Limerick, as well as a fortress
in Naas, County Kildare; King John's Castle in Carlingford,
County Louth, aka Carlingford Castle; a keep in Athenry,
County Galway; and Ireland's largest castle, Trim Castle
in County Meath.
Some estimate that by 1250 the Anglo-Normans controlled
about 75% of Ireland, while others assume that in the
sixteenth century about 40% of Ireland was owned by
Anglo-Norman and English settlers.
A period of eight centuries of foreign oppression had
begun for the Irish. All started by a provincial king
seeking aid to maintain his throne.
Ferns today
Visitors to Ferns today will find one of Ireland's
official Heritage Towns. The number of ancient ruins
are obvious when passing through the village.
The oldest ruins are located on the north side of the
village and include the 12th century ruins of St. Mary's
Augustinian Priory, which is located behind the graveyard.
Little remains of the priory but the crumbling walls
and the belfry, which, while still retaining the circular
stairs into it, has been gated off for security.
St. Peter's Church is little more than a small nave
and chancel church. The date of construction is unknown.
It's surrounded by graveyard on two sides. On one side
there are three High Crosses which are expected to date
back to the 12th century. King Dermot MacMurrough is
said to be buried somewhere on these grounds and one
of these crosses is expected to be his.
The ruins of the 13th century Ferns Cathedral can be
seen behind St. Peter's. What remains to day is an impressive
wall of windows to one side, and contains the original
holy water font, which is engraved with a High Cross
on the front.
Maodhóg's Well can be seen across the road from this
part of the site. There is a small stone hut built over
it.
There are other minor ruins around this part of the
village, but the remaining ruin of note is at the other
end of town on the top of the hill. Ferns Castle.
The castle dates back to the 13th century and was probably
built by William Marshall, son in law of Richard de
Clare and Aoife, who was regarded as the in England. The castle was originally squarely
built with towers on each of the four corners. The castle
had three floors, the upper two being residential apartments.
A grand fireplace is still intact and can be seen on
the eastern wall. It has recently seen some restoration,
as the mantel and supports have been resurfaced and
now show off the natural colors of the sandstone and
granite stonework. The fireplace is flanked by a pair
of intact windows along with their original window seats.
There is one surviving tower, which has been restored
with new floors. Visitors will see some fine ornamentation,
remaining fireplaces and a vaulted basement. During
archaeological excavations between 1972-1975 a cut-rock
ditch was discovered around the outside of the castle
walls, and a drawbridge structure was found on the south
side of the keep...todays entrance into the site.
Ferns Castle was destroyed in 1649 during Oliver Cromwell's
campaign through Ireland. What remains today are a half
tower over the keeps water well, a find detail of windows
on the southern wall, the southeastern tower and the eastern
wall. The interior of the keep is completely gutted otherwise.
limited access to cathedral site