Lordship of Ireland

The Lordship of Ireland, established following the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169-1171, marked a significant period in Irish history where the King of England, styled as the "Lord of Ireland," extended his rule over parts of the island. This lordship was created as a papal fief granted to the Plantagenet kings of England by the Holy See through the bull Laudabiliter.

The establishment of the Lordship began with the Treaty of Windsor in 1175, where Henry II of England and Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, the High King of Ireland, agreed upon terms that recognized Henry's authority while allowing Ruaidrí control over areas not conquered by the Anglo-Normans. Despite this treaty, the English crown's actual control waxed and waned, with much of Ireland remaining under the dominion of native Gaelic chieftains.

In 1177, Henry II attempted to resolve a familial dispute by granting the Lordship of Ireland to his youngest son, John, later known as King John of England. Although Henry wished for John to be crowned King of Ireland, Pope Lucius III refused the coronation. The subsequent failure of John's administration during his first visit to Ireland in 1185 led Henry to cancel the planned coronation. When John ascended to the English throne in 1199, the Lordship of Ireland fell under the direct rule of the English crown.

Throughout the 13th century, the Lordship of Ireland prospered during the Medieval Warm Period, which brought improved harvests and economic stability. The feudal system was introduced, and significant developments included the creation of counties, the construction of walled towns and castles, and the establishment of the Parliament of Ireland in 1297. However, these changes benefited primarily the Anglo-Norman settlers and the Norman elite, often leaving the native Irish population marginalized.

The Norman lords and churchmen in Ireland spoke Norman French and Latin, while many of the poorer settlers spoke English, Welsh, and Flemish. The Gaelic Irish maintained their native language, creating a linguistic and cultural divide. Despite the introduction of English legal and political structures, environmental decay and deforestation continued, exacerbated by increased population pressures.