ABSTRACT
Hugh de Lacy (d. 1186) was born into the Hereford branch of the Lacy family, powerful landholders on the Welsh marches. He succeeded his father as Fourth Baron Lacy some time in the early 1160s, and campaigned in north Wales in the late 1160s. In October 1171, Hugh accompanied King Henry II to Ireland and was granted the former kingdom of Mide (for fifty knights’ service), as well as custody of Dublin city and castle; it was intended that his authority would balance the growing power of Richard de Clare (Strongbow) and probably also curb the capacity of the high king, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, to resist English settlement.
