Normans

Who were the Normans Normans descended from the Vikings who settled in Normandy, France.

In 1066 their leader William the Conqueror invaded England. He defeated King Harold at the Battle of

Hastings.

Bayeux Tapestry The story of the battle was shown on the Bayeux

Tapestry.

William the Conqueror's wife, and her ladies in waiting, worked on a tapestry.

The tapestry tells the story of William's successful invasion of England. 

There were 72 scenes, Each scene told one piece of the story.

They worked on the tapestry for 10 years. When completed, the tapestry was 20 inches high, and 250 feet long.

Two Sections of Bayeux Tapestry

Morning of Battle of Hastings

Invasion of Britain 1066

Why did the Normans come to Ireland ? In 12th century Ireland was ruled by

powerful families led by chieftains. Battles for power occurred among these

chieftains. When Ruairí O’Connor was High King he

banished Diarmuid McMurrough from Leinster.

Diarmuid asked Henry II (King of England and Normandy) for help.

The arrival of Strongbow Henry allowed Norman Lords to come to

Ireland to help Diarmuid McMurrough. Richard de Clare better known as

Strongbow came to Ireland. Normans landed in Bannow Bay, Wexford in 1169. Normans were well equipped. Irish couldn’t match them.

Strongbow’s deal Strongbow promised to help Diarmuid

McMurrough if he got land in Ireland, permission to marry Aoife, Diarmuid,s daughter and to become King of Leinster when Diarmuid died.

Marriage of Aoife and Strongbow; on display National Gallery of Art, Dublin

Normans capture of Irish cities

In 1170 Normans captured Waterford. They marched to Dublin, Archbishop

Laurence O’Toole tried to make peace with them but a group broke into the city and captured it.

In 1171 Diarmuid died suddenly, Strongbow became King of Leinster

Strongbow

Ruairí O’Connor strikes back Ruairí returned with an army to try to

recapture Dublin. They kept Dublin under siege for two months hoping to starve the Normans out.

One day the Normans broke out Ruairí and his men were taken by surprise. The Normans defeated them. Strongbow was firmly in place as King of

Leinster. High King of Ireland

Royal Visit Henry II feared that Srtongbow and

other Normans were becoming too powerful.

In 1171 Henry visited Ireland and took control.

The Norman Lords swore an

oath of loyalty to Henry. Henry II arrives in

Ireland

o Henry proclaimed himself “Lord of Ireland”

o He granted Strongbow the title “Lord of Leinster”

o He appointed Hugh de Lacy as his viceroy.

o A viceroy does the work of the king while the king is out of the country. Hugh de Lacy married Rose O’Connor, daughter of Ruairí O’Connor.

The Normans in Ireland. Many Normans married Irish women.

Some Normans learned to speak Gaeilge.

It is said that ‘the Normans became more Irish than the Irish themselves’