Richard has long been determined to reverse the decline of English control over Ireland. To that end, he has… — Dan Jones
Richard has long been determined to reverse the decline of English control over Ireland. To that end, he has already visited, during the winter of 1394–95, when he took several thousand troops on a tour from Waterford to Drogheda, via Dublin. He satisfied himself on the basis of one brief visit that he now understood all Ireland’s problems.‡
In a letter to his council on that occasion Richard explained that there were three types of Irishman: “Irish savages, Irish rebels, and the obedient English.” Solving the Irish question, he had concluded, was simply a matter of reconciling all three to his own command, hearing their promises of fidelity, then sending over the most willing of his English friends to deputize for him in his absence. For some reason this policy has failed; Richard’s return in 1399 is his attempt to reboot it.
‡ This remains a common English delusion.
p. 49Source: Wikiquote · CC BY-SA 4.0
More from this book
It is the view of Henry’s chaplain, perhaps echoing the king’s own, that no besieged people could have prepared themselves “more prudently or with greater security to themselves.” All the same, Henry may reason, in a contest between prudence and cannonballs, the advantage is typically held by the side with the biggest guns.
p. 228
Henry has known John the Fearless long enough to realize that the Duke, while resourceful and on occasion useful, is not a man to be trusted.
p. 294
As he grows up, he will shed any inclination to treat his enemies leniently. Toughness and a near-total lack of sentimentality will become hallmarks of his political character.
p. 121
