to threaten his position, he escaped back to the safety of England. Upon his departure, his father Henry granted the office of justiciar to the Baron John de Courcy, who had massive influence in Ulster. In 1186 Hugh De Lacy was assassinated by an Irishman and plans were made to send John back to Ireland. However, the death of his brother, Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany, in France cancelled these plans and John did not return to Ireland until his second expedition in 1210. Historiography The expedition has attracted much historical debate due to the lack of government records available and the subsequent reliance on sources such as the Irish Annals and the writings of Gerald. References Duffy S., ‘Ireland in the Middle Ages’, London (1997). Duffy S., ‘John and Ireland: the Origins of England's Irish Problem’ found in Church S.D., ‘King John: New Interpretations’, Woodbridge (1999). Flanagan M.T., ‘Household favorites: Angevin royal agents in Ireland under Henry II and John’ found in Smith A.P., ‘Studies in Early Medieval Irish Archaeology, History and Literature’, Dublin (2000). Frame R., ‘Colonial Ireland 1169–1369’, Dublin (1981). Frame R., ‘The Political Development of the British Isles 1100–1400’, Oxford (1990). Lydon J., ‘The English in Medieval Ireland’, Dublin (1984). Lydon J., ‘The Lordship of Ireland in the Middle Ages’, Dublin (1972). Orpen, G.H., ‘Ireland under the Normans, Vol. II’, Oxford (1911). Otway-Ruthven A.J., ‘A History of Medieval Ireland’, London (1968) Robert Bartlett, Gerald of Wales (c.1146–1223), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford (2004) — accessed 31 Oct 2004. Trans: Hennesey W., ‘The Annals of Loch Cé: a chronicle of Irish affairs from A.D. 1014 to A.D. 1590’, London (1871). Warren W.L., ‘John in Ireland, 1185’ found in, Bissy & Jupp, ‘Essays presented to Michael Roberts’, Belfast (1976). Warren W.L., ‘Lord of Ireland — a lost opportunity’ found in King John, London (1961). External links King John († 1216) and the origins of colonial rule in Ireland at History Ireland “Relentlessly striving for more”: Hugh de Lacy in Ireland at History Ireland Lordship of Ireland 1185 in Ireland John, King of England 1180s in England Military expeditions Expeditions from the Kingdom of England