25 April –John's first expedition to Ireland: King Henry II knights his son and heir, the 18-year-oldPrince John, newly createdLord of Ireland, and sends him to Ireland, accompanied by 300 knights and a team of administrators to enforce English control. Landing atWaterford, he treats the local Irish rulers with contempt, making fun of their unfashionable long beards. Also failing to make allies amongst the Anglo-Norman settlers, the English army is unable to subdue the Irish fighters in unfamiliar conditions and the expedition soon becomes a complete disaster. In December, John returns to England in defeat. Nonetheless, Henry gets him named 'King of Ireland' byPope Urban III and procures a golden crown with peacock feathers.[6][1] The expedition is accompanied and chronicled byGerald of Wales.[7]
May – Richard campaigns against his father Henry II in France.[1]
4 July – Henry II surrenders, agrees to make Richard his heir and pay anindemnity.[1]
6 July – Henry II dies at theChâteau de Chinon; Richard becomes king.Eleanor of Aquitaine is released from house arrest and rules asde facto regent for her son. Retrospectively (from the 13th century), the time before this in law becomestime immemorial.[3]
13 August – Richard sails fromBarfleur toPortsmouth to take up his crown.
