Note 924 — Chapter V · THE ANGEVIN EMPIRE. 1175–1183.

The Gesta Hen. as above, p. 161, seem to imply that the appointment was given to Hugh of Chester. After relating the earl’s restoration to his lands and honours, they add: “Et postea præcepit ei [rex] ut iret in Hiberniam ad subjiciendum eam sibi et Johanni filio suo ... et præcepit prædicto comiti ut debellaret reges et potentes Hiberniæ qui subjectionem ei facere noluerunt.” Hugh de Lacy is named simply in the general list of those who were to accompany him. But Gerald (Expugn. Hibern., l. ii. c. 20, Dimock, vol. v. p. 347), says that Hugh de Lacy was re-appointed viceroy at this time. That he acted as such for the next seven years is certain, while there is, as far as I know, no indication that his namesake of Chester ever was in Ireland at all. It seems therefore that either the earl refused the office—or the king changed his mind—or the author of the Gesta, confused by the identity of Christian names, has substituted one Hugh for another.