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How did Henry II become involved in the government of Ireland?

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King Henry II and St. Thomas Becket — Henry II Henry II (left) disputing with Thomas Becket (center), miniature from a 14th-century manuscript; in the British Library (Cotton MS. Claudius D.ii).

Henry II’s involvement in the government of Ireland began in the context of an existing Anglo-Norman invasion. Following an invitation from the expelled king of Leinster, Dermot MacMurrough, Anglo-Norman adventurers like Richard de Clare, earl of Pembroke (Strongbow), had already conquered significant portions of eastern Ireland.

Henry II intervened to prevent these territories from becoming a rival Norman state. His involvement was further encouraged by reforming popes, such as Adrian IV and Alexander III, who believed his presence would promote church reform. Although a papal bull known as Laudabiliter was cited as granting him authority over Ireland, its authenticity remains doubtful.12

Upon arriving in Ireland in 1171, Henry:
* Imposed his rule by keeping key towns under his direct control.3
* Granted lands to his followers, such as Leinster to de Clare and Meath to Hugh de Lacy.3
* Exacted formal submissions from Irish kings and secured recognition of his overlordship from a church synod.3
* Established a framework for supremacy that was later formalized in the Treaty of Windsor (1175).3