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of memory which the series of events appeared to require. But being much occupied by the general
businessofthechurchbelongingtomystation,Ihavebeenunabletocommandmuchleisureforstudious
pursuits.Unwilling,however,toleaveunfinishedtheworkIhavecommenced,Iamresolvedtocontinue
it in a cursory and brief way, and in a plain and unadorned style, as if I were furnishing posterity with
materialsforhistoryratherthanwritingit.Fornowmyleisureischangedintothedistractionofbusiness,
my studies interrupted by animosities, my pleasure turned to grief, the tranquillity I possessed to grave
disquietude.
Theliberalartshaveceasedtoflourish,havinggivenplacetothedutiesofwar;mentalpursuitsare
no longer in vogue, but martial exercises; the muses are not cultivated, but skill in the use of weapons;
mendonotimprovetheirminds,butburnishtheirarms.Whereforeletnotthereaderexpecteitherorder
or ornament in this part of my work; for I am obliged to conform to present circumstances; and as the
times are troublous, so must my narrative be disturbed by the unsettled state of affairs, as our inward
griefs are often manifested by our countenances as well as by our words. I have, however, contrived to
completethepresentworkinthemidstofthepreparationsforavastenterprise,thoughnotwithoutmuch
thoughtandmatureconsideration,asifIwereonajourney;andlikethetravellerwho,settingoutslowly,
hurriesforwardtomakeupforthedelay.
ChapterI:HowearlRichardwassentbacktoIrelandaschiefgovernor,andthecommandofthetroops
giventoRaymond.
OnhisreturntoIreland,thepeopletherehavingheardofthegreattroublesinpartsbeyondthesea,
andbeingaraceconstantonlyininconstancy,tobereckoneduponfornothingbuttheirinstability,and
true only in their disloyalty, earl Richard found most of the princes of the country in revolt against the
kingandhimself.Allthetreasurehebroughtwithhimbeingsoonspent,andtherebeingnomoneytopay
the soldiers, the earls own troops, who were commanded by Hervey, Raymonds rival, who was still
constable,notbeingabletosubsistbyplunderastheywerewont,cameinabodytotheearl,andloudly
declared that unless Raymond was appointed their commander they would at once quit his service, and
eitherreturntoEngland,or,whatwasworse,deserttotheenemy.
ChapterII:HowRaymondwasagainappointedcommanderoftheearlsowntroops.
Inthisemergency,Raymondwasappointedtothecommand,andthetroopsrecoveringtheirspirits,
made an incursion into the district of Ophelan,83 and carrying of an immense booty, obtained means of
beingfreshmountedandequipped.FromthencetheymarchedtoLismore,andhavingplunderedboththe
city and province, conveyed their spoils by the coast road to Waterford. With these they freighted some
small vessels which had lately arrived from Wexford, and some others which they found in the port of
Waterford. While, however, they were waiting for a fair wind, thirty-two ships full of armed men came
83
Offaly,theterritoryofapettyIrishprince,whichlayontheuppercourseoftheBarrow,inwhatisnowcalledKings
County.
47
48 Giraldus Cambrensis
from the city of Cork, distant about sixteen miles westward,for the purpose of attacking them. A naval
engagement ensued, the Irish making a fierce attack, armed with slings and darts, and the English
repellingitwitharrowsandironboltsfromtheircross-bows,ofwhichtheyhadgreatstore.Intheend,the
men of Cork were defeated, their leader, Gilbert mac Turger, being slain by Philip of Wales, a young
soldierofgreatprowess.Then,AdamdeHereford,whocommanded,havingincreasedhisfleetwiththe
shipstaken,loadeditwithplunderandsailedintriumphtoWaterford.
MeanwhileRaymond,who,hearingbychanceofthisengagementhadhastenedtothatquarteralong
the coast road with twenty men-at-arms and sixty common soldiers, fell in with Dermitius, prince of
Desmond,anddefeatedhimatLismore,ashewashasteningtotheaidofthemenofCorkwithalarge
force;Raymondthustookfourthousandheadofcattle,andbroughtthemwithhimintoWaterford.About
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