Affreca de Courcy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Affrica Guðrøðardóttir
Mannequin of Affreca at Carrickfergus Castle.
Spouse	John de Courcy
Dynasty	Crovan dynasty
Father	Godred Olafsson

Affreca de Courcy (also known as Affrica Guðrøðardóttir) was an important noblewoman who lived in the late 1100s and early 1200s. She was the daughter of Godred Olafsson, who was the powerful King of the Isles. Her family was part of the famous Crovan dynasty. In the late 1100s, she married John de Courcy, a powerful Anglo-Norman leader. Affreca is especially remembered for supporting religious buildings in northern Ireland.

Affreca's Family Background

Affreca was the daughter of Godred Olafsson, also known as Guðrøðr Óláfsson. He was a king from the Crovan dynasty. This family ruled the Kingdom of the Isles, which included the Isle of Man and many islands off the coast of Scotland.

It's important not to confuse Affreca with her grandmother, who was also named Affrica. Her grandmother was from Galloway and was a queen of Man.

The Normans Arrive in Ireland

A big change in the history of Ireland happened in the 1100s. English, or Anglo-Norman, adventurers began to invade Gaelic Ireland. In 1166, Dermot MacMurrough, the King of Leinster, was forced out of Ireland by his enemies.

He asked for help from King Henry II of England. Henry's knights in Wales and England agreed to help. Dermot's daughter, Aoife MacMurrough, married a powerful Norman leader named Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. This marriage created a strong alliance.

In 1167, Dermot returned to Ireland with Norman help. He easily took back his lands in Leinster. He then gained even more land. One of the richest places in Ireland was Dublin. It was a busy seaport and ruled by Norse-Gaelic kings.

In September 1170, Dermot and de Clare's forces attacked Dublin. De Clare's men successfully captured the city. The King of Dublin, Ascall mac Ragnaill, managed to escape. He sailed away to the Isles with his belongings.

About six months later, Ascall mac Ragnaill tried to take Dublin back. He launched a sea attack with many ships. His men landed near the town. However, the Norman defenders completely defeated his forces. Ascall himself was captured and beheaded. Some old texts say that people from the Isle of Man helped in this attack.

Affreca's father, King Godred, later sent thirty ships to help try and remove the Normans from Dublin. This attempt was also unsuccessful. The Normans were becoming very strong in Ireland.

The Crovan dynasty, Affreca's family, saw this new power growing. They were worried about the English taking over the Irish Sea area. So, they decided to make an alliance with this new power. This alliance came in the form of a marriage. Affreca married one of the most powerful English leaders, John de Courcy.

Affreca's Marriage to John de Courcy

Not much is known about John de Courcy's early life. He arrived in Ireland in 1176. He was part of the English army in Dublin. In 1177, de Courcy led an invasion of Ulaid. This area is now County Antrim and County Down.

He reached Down (modern-day Downpatrick) and drove out Ruaidrí Mac Duinn Sléibe, the King of Ulaid. John de Courcy then built a castle to secure his new lands. He ruled his territory quite independently for about 25 years.

Affreca and John de Courcy likely married around 1180. This marriage probably helped de Courcy's success in Ulaid. Affreca's family, the Crovan dynasty, had military resources. They were also allied with another powerful Irish family, the Cenél nEógain. This marriage could have helped them settle old disagreements.

John de Courcy's Downfall

Between 1201 and 1204, John de Courcy lost his power. By 1205, he was forced to leave Ireland completely. His lands were given to Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster.

In 1205, de Courcy rebelled. He received military help from Affreca's brother, Ragnvald Godredsson. Ragnvald was the King of the Isles. An old book called the Chronicle of Mann says that Ragnvald gave de Courcy 100 ships.

Together, they attacked a castle, probably Dundrum Castle. But they were defeated when Hugh de Lacy's older brother, Walter de Lacy, Lord of Meath, arrived. This battle is also mentioned in the Annals of Loch Cé. It says de Courcy brought a fleet from the Isles. Even though they lost, the invaders plundered and destroyed the countryside.

The defeat in 1205 marked the end of John de Courcy's power. He never got his Irish lands back.

Affreca's Religious Support

Affreca was known for her support of the church. In 1193, she founded Grey Abbey. This abbey is located in the Ards Peninsula in Ireland. John de Courcy had previously given land there to his family's priory, St Andrew of Stogursey.

Ancestry