<P> By the 12th century , Ireland was divided politically into a shifting hierarchy of petty kingdoms and over-kingdoms. Power was exercised by the heads of a few regional dynasties vying against each other for supremacy over the whole island . One of these men , King Diarmait Mac Murchada of Leinster was forcibly exiled by the new High King , Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of the Western kingdom of Connacht . Fleeing to Aquitaine , Diarmait obtained permission from Henry II to recruit Norman knights to regain his kingdom . The first Norman knight landed in Ireland in 1167 , followed by the main forces of Normans , Welsh and Flemings . Several counties were restored to the control of Diarmait , who named his son - in - law , the Norman Richard de Clare , known as Strongbow , heir to his kingdom . This troubled King Henry , who feared the establishment of a rival Norman state in Ireland . Accordingly , he resolved to establish his authority . In 1177 Prince John Lackland was made Lord of Ireland by his father Henry II of England at the Council of Oxford . </P>
<P> By the 12th century , Ireland was divided politically into a shifting hierarchy of petty kingdoms and over-kingdoms. Power was exercised by the heads of a few regional dynasties vying against each other for supremacy over the whole island . One of these men , King Diarmait Mac Murchada of Leinster was forcibly exiled by the new High King , Ruaidri mac Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair of the Western kingdom of Connacht . Fleeing to Aquitaine , Diarmait obtained permission from Henry II to recruit Norman knights to regain his kingdom . The first Norman knight landed in Ireland in 1167 , followed by the main forces of Normans , Welsh and Flemings . Several counties were restored to the control of Diarmait , who named his son - in - law , the Norman Richard de Clare , known as Strongbow , heir to his kingdom . This troubled King Henry , who feared the establishment of a rival Norman state in Ireland . Accordingly , he resolved to establish his authority . In 1177 Prince John Lackland was made Lord of Ireland by his father Henry II of England at the Council of Oxford . </P>
when was ireland first invaded by the british
when was ireland first invaded by the british
1167
1167