ABSTRACT
Although Ireland became England’s first colony, English imperialism did not commence as a planned adventure. It began when Dermot MacMurrough went to Wales to recruit help to regain his Leinster throne, which he had lost in an Irish war. He persuaded Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, known as Strongbow, a vassal of Henry II patrolling the Welsh border, to assist him. In exchange, Mac Murrough promised his daughter in marriage and succession to the recovered Leinster monarchy.
