Strongbow & Aoife – Ireland’s Power Couple of the 12th Century

Written by Ben Kesp.

Marriage of Aoife and Strongbow 

The union of marriage between Aoife, Lady of Leinster, Ireland and Richard de Clare, nicknamed Strongbow, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, Wales would change Ireland like never before and its ruling class along with it. 

Aoife, born April 26th, 1145, was the daughter of King Dermot MacMurrough (Diarmait Mac Murchada) of the Kingdom of Leinster and his wife Mor O’Toole, Queen Consort of Leinster. Aoife who later became more known as Eva of Leinster and on her marriage became the Countess of Pembroke, agreed to the marriage as she did have the right to refuse under Brehon Law (Early Irish Law). On the 29th of October 1170, Aoife and Strongbow were married at Christchurch Cathedral in Waterford City. 

Following the death of King Dermot in 1171, under Anglo-Norman law, Strongbow had succession rights to the Kingdom of Leinster, whereas Aoife had a life interest under Brehon law. Strongbow claimed the right to the Kingdom in his wife’s name ensuring his position as Lord of Leinster and Lord Chief Justice. This had caused an issue with King Dermot’s son, Donal MacMurrough who also had the right to claim kingship of Leinster as he was entitled to do under Brehon Law, however support was in favour of Strongbow. 

Strongbow and Aoife strengthened the Norman hold within the south and east of Leinster, establishing Kilkenny Castle which formed part of the lordship of Leinster. Aoife was a strong leader, often conducting battles on behalf of her husband. Aoife and Strongbow had two sons and one daughter. It was through their daughter Isabel de Clare that Aoife and Strongbow’s descendants would go on to include many of the European Nobility, including the monarchs of Scotland (since Charles I, 1274) and of Great Britain (since Henry IV). Isabel de Clare, 4th Countess of Pembroke, married Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke in August 1189. William Marshal was an established landowner, owning vast estates in Ireland, France, England and Wales and he developed and expanded Kilkenny and its castle, which later saw it end up in the hands of the Butler Dynasty when James Butler, 3rd Earl of Ormond, bought the castle in 1391 and it remained within the family until 1935. 

Kilkenny Castle 

But how did this union of marriage come about between a Welsh Earl and an Irish Princess? Jump back to the year 1167 and King Dermot had been dispossessed of his kingship of the Kingdom of Leinster over a disagreement with King Tiernan O’Ruark of Breffney. Dermot set out on a mission that would alter Ireland and its kingdoms forever. 

Abandoned, Dermot journeyed to England to the only ally that he knew would help him – the Norman King Henry II. Dermot was familiar with the Irish Sea and controlled the ports along the east of Ireland and had opened trade links with Britain. Dermot developed good working relations with Henry and on previous occasions had assisted him with civil disputes in Britain. However, on reaching Bristol, Dermot soon discovered Henry was in France and off he travelled to meet with him at Aquitaine, the farthest away lands under Henry’s control. At this time, Henry was unable to directly help Dermot as he was defending his own territories in France but offered Dermot the opportunity to recruit what he could and allowed him to remain in Bristol. 

Dermot struggled to find suitable fighters but eventually found help in an unlikely man named Richard de Clare (Strongbow). In exchange for fighting, Dermot offered Strongbow his daughter Aoife in marriage and huge tracts of lands within Leinster. At this time Strongbow was out of favour with Henry and the opportunity to free himself from his current position pushed him to accept the offer to fight with Dermot to win back the Kingdom of Leinster. However before he could depart, Strongbow needed permission from Henry. While Strongbow waited for permission which was eventually granted, Dermot sailed ahead to prepare the ground against the forces of Leinster who were certainly not going to greet him with open arms. 

MacMurrough Coat of Arms

Dermot had raised a large army, including Welsh archers and the first capture was the town of Wexford, followed by Waterford and Dublin between 1169 and 1170. Strongbow was not involved in any of the fightings up to this point and arrived in Ireland in 1170. Dermot successfully retook Leinster and the marriage between his daughter Aoife, on her agreement, and Strongbow took place on the 29th of October 1170. 

But while all of this was happening, King Henry II was becoming nervous of the increasing power that Strongbow was attaining in Ireland and demanded the return of Strongbow’s lands in France, Wales, and in Ireland. Strongbow responded by presenting Dublin and Waterford to Henry. This benefited King Henry hugely and both the Irish and Norman Kings in the south and east of Kingdom of Leinster accepted Henry as their King. Additionally, Strongbow agreed to help Henry to battle in France, against three of his sons and his wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, between 1173 and 1174, which he won, much to the disappointment of his family members. 

The union of marriage between Strongbow and Aoife saw the beginning of the Norman conquest of Ireland and development of the Pale, an area surrounding Dublin that would remain within Norman and later English control for centuries to follow. 

Kingdom of Leinster

Strongbow died in June 1176 and was buried in Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin however his original tomb was destroyed in 1562 when the roof of the cathedral collapsed. There is currently a tomb on display representing Strongbow, which dates from the 15th century. It is stated that Aoife died on the 26th of August 1188 in Waterford City. 

Images: Strongbow & Aoife’s wedding: Royal Forums; Leinster Coat of Arms: Araltas; Kingdom of Leinster: Wikipedia