The Normans arrive in
St Mullins
A Norman army of 200 Knights ,Welsh
archers and foot soldiers arrived in St
Mullins in 1169, under the command of Maurice De Prendergast .
Maurice was a Flemish knight sent to
Ireland by Strongbow one year ahead of the arrival of the main Norman invasion
to assist Diarmait Mac Murchada King of Leinster regains his kingdom
The deal was
that Maurice was to receive a lordship for his troubles. However Diarmait was
happy just to use the Normans as mercenaries giving nothing in return. Diarmait’s
son set out to destroy Maurice’s troops but he was afraid to engage them in a
full battle as the Normans were heavily armed and a much superior force.
Maurice sent
messengers to Domnall Mac Gilla Patric the Irish chieftain of Osraige( Co Kilkenny) to form an alliance. They
arranged to meet at the round Tower in St Mullins to swear a treaty at the
Altar of St Moling.
Maurice De Prendergast was known as “the Faithful Norman”for his
defence of Domnall when his uncle Harvey de Fitzmaurice attempted to kill the Kilkenny chieftain and take over Ossary
Poem” The Faithful Norman” Aubrey De
Vere
