Hugh De Lacy, The Younger

De Lacy, Hugh, the younger, succeeded to his father's possessions in 1186, and in 1189 was appointed Lord-Deputy in place of De Courcy. He and his brother Walter compassed the capture of De Courcy, and after his death in exile obtained his Ulster estates. Their power assumed dangerous dimensions and they espoused the cause of De Braosa. On King John's visit to Ireland the three fled to France, in which country their adventures were of the most romantic description. They are said to have obtained situations as gardeners at the Abbey of St. Taurin. The abbot discovering their quality, and interesting himself on their behalf, they were permitted to return to their estates, Hugh paying 4,000 marks for Ulster, and Walter 2,500 for Meath. The De Lacys proved their gratitude to this abbot by knighting his nephew and investing him with a lordship in Ireland. Both Hugh and Walter died in 1234 or 1243, leaving but daughters, Hugh's daughter married Walter de Burgh, and Walter's daughters married Lord de Verdon and Geoffrey Genneville. Mr. Wills says the De Lacys "lived in an endless train of dissensions and intrigues, wars, oppressions, and spoliations, which the law had not force to control, and at which the Government found it necessary to connive, unless where circumstances made the opposite policy the more expedient means of conciliating the most efficient servants."

Sources

196. Irishmen, Lives of Illustrious and Distinguished, Rev. James Wills, D.D. 6 vols. or 12 parts. Dublin, 1840-'7.