The History and Antiquities of Dublin Collected from Authentic Records and the Manuscript Collections of Sir James Ware, Knt, by Robert Ware, son of that learned Antiquary 1678. 1 The Preface My designe in writing this historicall treatise in not to unfould the complicated affaires of State intricacies, for policy was never my profession nor studie, nor doe I intend, nor indeed can I hope to deduce a clear and uninterrupted series of action from the cloudy originall of this nation, or from the first inhabitation of this famous Cittiei of Dublin1; soe ancient that its founders are not certainly known, though in the life of Griffith ap Cinanii, wee read that Harald of Norway when he had subdued the greatest part of Ireland, built Divelin. My scope is only to comply with those inducements which have been often vehemently urged unto mee, for the publishing, in the best method I can such observations of my deceased father Sir James Ware, Knight,, and other particulars of moment relating to the Cittie of Dublin, since the conquest of Ireland, as I find in the several volumes of those manuscripts, which he was pleased to bequeath unto mee, as a legacy of great price, & for the regulation and conduct of myself in this undertaking. I shall look up to no other pole, nor have any other scope then the impartiall representation of truth out of authentick memorials compiled with the secure warranty of faithful dealing. 1 King Edgar in a certain chart of his calls it the famous Citty of Dublin 2 The History of Dublin The Citty of Dublin, though anciently it was not to be compared for number of inhabitants, magnificence of building or extent of place with the Citties of Armagh, Derrycolmeekill, Drumcleoth, Kenlish in Meath, and Fatymoreiii, they having been townes of the greatest estimation in Ireland; yet ever since Ireland was brought under the government of the Crown of England, hath been the Chief Seat of the state, and therefore accompted the Metropolis of the Kingdome, and tearmed the beauty and eye of Ireland. [2] It hath also been an Archepiscopal See, ever since the thirty first year of Gregory bishop of Dubliniv which fell in the year of our Lord one thousand one hundred fifty two when John Paparo Cardinallv and Christian O’Conarchy Bishop of Lismorevi being then the Pope’s Legate conferred on him the Pall, and therewith the Archiepiscopall dignity, as some sayvii in a synod elsewhere1, others in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Dublin, on that Lord’s day wherein according to the then rituall was sung Laetare Hierusalem2. What was the name of this Citty from its first foundation, or why is it called Dublin, are questions which though learned and ingenious criticisme hath acutely disputed, I am unable absolutely to determine. Ptolomie calls it by the name of Eblana, which Hollinshed saith is a corrupted denomination of Avelana, from Avelanus. But I must dissent from that opinion by reason it was called Eblana by Ptolomy, before Avelanus or his brothers Sytaracus or Iporus came into Ireland, though I will not deny but that Avelanus was an inlarger of this Cittie in the second century computed from the birth of our Saviourviii. It hath anciently bene called Dublina, Dubliena and Dublinum and sometimes Duvelinum, wherewith the name Divelin, now used by the neighbouring Fingallians, and the word Duvelinium recited in the following Charter of Henry the Second doe well agree. And it is derived with most probability from two Irish words Dough and Ling, which signify a black lake or puddle, for in such a place was the Cittie [3] first built, and by reason thereof called by some Ballycleagh or the town built upon hurdles. Here it may be observed that the West of Ireland is called Acley Narry and the east thereof Acley Dulene, and that the breath of Ireland hath been measured from Acley Narry to Acley Duleneix, as the length thereof hath been anciently admeasured from Clockstallam in the North to Carneballen 1 This synod was held as some say att Kells others at Mellifont 2 [O be joyful, Jerusalem, from Isaiah 66:10.] 3 in the Southx. Upon this and to have accompt Acley Dulene may seem to signify Dubline, and to have reference in point of opposition or analogie to Acley Narry, but this I leave to the inquisition of better criticks in the Irish tongue. I shall not further trouble the reader with the nomenclature thereof, yet, before I come to the rise of its government under the policie and authority of England, and for the better knowledge and disposition of things to follow in the course of my proceeding in the history thereof. It will not (I hope) be thought impertinent to look a little back into the manner – how it was taken, lost and regained in short vicissitudes of fortune, and what was the condition thereof when first taken and afterwards brought under dominion of England. When the time drew near for the accomplishment of what was foretold anciently by the four great Saintes of Ireland, Saint Patrick, Saint Columb, Saint Braganxi and Saint Molingexii, and afterwards by the Bishop of Ardbrackanxiii. [4] concerning the coming of the English into Ireland and the reduction thereof under the dominion of England. Robert Fitz Stephens having cheif command in the first expidition and conduct of English forces into Ireland and being a person of suitable magnanimitie [The following in Harris’s hand is inserted on a slip, replacing the erased introduction.] the reduction thereof to the Crowne of England, there wanted not secondary means for the effecting thereof, for Ireland being then governed by divers petty Kings, it so happened that Dermot (comonly called Dermot Mac Morroug) who reigned over the east part of Ireland thereof called Leinster, being for his tyranny and lustfulness thrust out of his kingdome, by reason he had ravished the wife of O’Rorke king of Meath3, obtained of Henry the 2nd then King of England great ayde and forces for the recovery of his dominion, covenanting also with Richard Strongbow Earle of Pembroke that for his assistance likewise therein, he would give him his daughter Eve in marriage and assure unto him the said Kingdom of Leinster, in reversion after him. Whereupon that Earle with a brave army of Welsh and English, hasted into Ireland; Robert fitz Stephen having a chief command in that first expedition, who, being a person of suitable magnaminitie .. ..to so great an undertaking as was the Conquest of Ireland, resolved from his first landing at the Bann in the County of Wexford, to proceed with circumspection, and an active and unwearied diligence, as finding himself entered into a theatre of action, large enough to display his great abilities, and to exercise the valour of his consorts and followers, never neglected occasions nor lost 3 [recte Bréifne. Leitrim, Cavan & parts of Sligo] 4 advantages, and therefore being unwilling to lett time runne on too farre to his prejudice, or to the advantage of his enemy, espetialy when fortune and opportunity suggested unto him a fitt and hopefull season to pursue so generous a designe, while the Irish and other inhabitants of Ireland were cast into the confusion of counseles by so sudden a surprise, and soe that his forces were augmented the very next day after his landing by the accession of Maurice Prendergast accompanied with tenn knights and sixty archers, hee wrote a letter subscribed by himself and the said Maurice unto Dermot McMorough King of Leinster, who according to an agreement made between him and his English confederates, absconded himself in the monastery of Fernes (founded by himself, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary4), not far from the place of their landing, in expectation of their arrival, and to be in the greatest readiness to give furtherance and assistance to them at their first [5] landing; the tenor of which letter you have in these words following: “Wee according to the commission of our Royall Sovereigne Henry King of England and our contract made with your Grace, have brought what assistance we were able, still expecting more for your assistance as wee shall proceed: wee therefore desire to know your princely intentions and that speedily. From Bann5 May eleventh 1169 Signed Maurice Prendergast Robt Fitz Stephens” Upon this intimation given unto Dermott McMorough, hee conceiving no other answers of greater importance to his confederates, then his personall presence; nor greater assurance to them of his upright intentions, then his immediate repair unto them. Without delay he came to their camp at the Bann, where after mutual congratulations, they proceeded to continue the orderly disposition of means for the prosecuting of the warre. And in the first place immediately established among themselves a resolution to attaque the town of Wexford, being the most distressed with fear of all other places, by reason there was no town so near that powerfull army that could so plentifully reward their first attempt with publique and private advantage. The next day after Dermott Mc Morough drawes them out against the town, the inhabitants loosing their courage upon so potent an attaque as was then made; and after a very weak and feeble resistance there being but twenty one men slain on both sides, surrendered [6] themselves to the exceeding glory of England’s armes, and as much consternation to the contrey thereaboutes. The surrender of this town was accelerated by the persuasion of two or three prelates, who upon the second assault observing with how wonderful effects the engines of warre threatened the besieged, 4 [A house of Augustinian canons c.