[Footnote 48: The Irish had been very learned
in former ages, but had declined for several centuries
before the reign of Henry II. Vide Bede. [D.S.]]
The other reason why civility made such late entrances
into that island, may be imputed to its natural situation,
lying more out of the road of commerce or conquest
than any other part of the known world. All the
intercourse the inhabitants had, was only with the
western coasts of Wales and Scotland, from whence,
at least in those ages, they were not like to learn
very much politeness.
1155.
The King, about the second year of his reign, sent
ambassadors to Pope Adrian, with injunctions to desire
his licence for reducing the savage people of Ireland
from their brutish way of living, and subjecting them
to the crown of England. The King proceeded thus,
in order to set up a title to the island, wherein
the Pope himself pretended to be lord of the see;
for in his letter, which is an answer and grant to
the King’s requests, he insists upon it, that
all islands, upon their admitting the Christian faith,
become subject to the See of Rome; and the Irish themselves
avowed the same thing to some of the first conquerors.
In that forementioned letter, the Pope highly praises
the King’s generous design,[49] and recommends
to him the civilizing the natives, the protection
of the Church, and the payment of Peter-pence.
The ill success of all past endeavours to procure
from a people so miserable and irreligious this revenue
to the holy see was a main inducement with the Pope
to be easy and liberal in his grant; for the King professed
a design of securing its regular payment. However,
this expedition was not undertaken until some years
after, when there happened an incident to set it forward,
as we shall relate in its place.
[Footnote 49: Radulphus de Diceto. [D.S.]]
EXTRACTED FROM THE MONKS
Hard to gather his character from such bad authors.
A wise prince, to whom other princes referred their
differences; and had ambassadors from both empires,
east and west, as well as others, at once in his court.
Strong and brawny body, patient of cold and heat,
big head, broad breast, broken voice, temperate in
meat, using much exercise, just stature, forma
elegantissima, colore sub-rufo, oculis glaucis,
sharp wit, very great memory, constancy in adversity
[and] in felicity, except at last he yielded, because
almost forsaken of all; liberal, imposed few tributes,
excellent soldier and fortunate, wise and not unlearned.
His vices: mild and promising in adversity, fierce
and hard, and a violator of faith in prosperity; covetous
to his domestics and children, although liberal to
soldiers and strangers, which turned the former from
him; loved profit more than justice; very lustful,
which likewise turned his sons and others from him.
