[1] This Roderike pretended to be the chéefe king of Ireland,Roderike K. of Connagh. and therefore kept continuall war with the other rulers, which was partlie the cause wherefore they submitted themselues so soone vnto king Hen|rie. The said Roderike held that part of Ireland which lieth toward the west, Matth. Paris. Polydor. The nature of the countrie of Connagh. being full of great and thicke woods, and defended with verie high & great mountaines, closed also with waters and marishes, so that it should be verie hard, and speciallie in the winter season, to bring an armie vnto it: which was the onelie cause whie king Henrie attempted no|thing against Roderike at that time, but tooke in hand to plant garisons of souldiers in places con|uenient to kéepe the land in quiet, which he had woone alreadie, and to giue order for the gouernement of the whole estate of the countrie to his behoofe and commoditie. Hervpon going to Dublin, which is the cheefest citie of all Ireland, he assembled all the ru|lers [page 82] and lords as well spirituall as temporall togi|ther in councell, consulting with them for the as|surance of the dominion of the land to him and his heires for euermore.