a.d. 1171

WHEN Dermot, deposed from his kingdom of Leinster, was banished from Ireland, he crossed over to Wales, with the intention of seeking aid in helping him to recover his territory. His resources in Ireland had all failed, for his allies, the Danes, who had held undisputed possession of Dublin for four hundred years previously, had been completely routed by Roderick O'Connor and the confederate kings. He was tolerably successful in his search for help, for in about a year after his banishment Dermot returned to his native land at the head of a band of Welsh mercenaries.

He landed near Dublin—some say at Howth or Clontarf—and marched at once to the city, hoping to find there some of his late allies, the Danes. But in this he was disappointed. He found Dublin well garrisoned by his former enemies, who gave him immediate battle, routed him again, and further, seeing he was in the possession of funds, obliged him to pay one hundred ounces of gold to O'Rourke, of Breffny, as indemnification “for the wrong he had done him respecting his wife.” Not content with this, Roderick O'Connor obliged him to give up his only son as a hostage, and a guarantee that he would not again attempt to recover his territory.

But whilst these treaties were being carried on, and Dermot was apparently acquiescing in them, the man could not help being true to his faithless nature, and whilst these arrangements were being made he was secretly soliciting English aid, and that not unsuccessfully.