Hugh Tyrrel facts for kids
Hugh Tyrrel (who lived until 1199) was an important Anglo-Norman nobleman. He was the first Baron of Castleknock in Ireland. Hugh was also a crusader, meaning he took part in religious wars. He played a big role in the Norman invasion of Ireland and later joined the Third Crusade.
Hugh was born in Hampshire, England. His father, also named Hugh Tyrrel, owned a lot of land in England and France. An ancestor of theirs, Walter Tirel, is known for being involved in the death of King William Rufus. When Hugh's older brother Walter died around 1170, Hugh inherited all of his father's lands.
Coming to Ireland
In 1169, a powerful Norman leader named Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, also known as Strongbow, came to Ireland. He was invading on behalf of Henry II of England. Hugh Tyrrel came with him.
By 1172, Hugh was a trusted helper of Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath. De Lacy gave Hugh Tyrrel the important area of Castleknock. Hugh then built Castleknock Castle there. It might have been built on the site of an older fort.
Fighting at Trim Castle
When Hugh de Lacy left Ireland to meet the King in France, he put Hugh Tyrrel in charge of Trim Castle. In 1173, the Lordship of Meath was attacked by Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, who was the High King of Ireland. Trim Castle was surrounded.
A poet wrote about Hugh Tyrrel's urgent message to Strongbow, asking for help. Tyrrel had to leave Trim for a short time. But Ruaidrí soon left, and Tyrrel quickly returned to the castle. He made its defenses much stronger. The same poet wrote that Hugh Tyrrel "refortified his fortress, and safeguarded it with great honour."
Even though they were friends, Tyrrel and de Lacy had a disagreement in 1185. De Lacy accused Tyrrel of taking valuable items from a monastery in Armagh. However, many historians believe this was unlikely. Hugh Tyrrel was known for being kind to religious places, not for taking from them. For example, he gave a large amount of land in what is now Phoenix Park to a religious group called the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Their main house in Ireland was at Kilmainham.
The Third Crusade
Even though he was called "old Hugh Tyrrel" in 1173, he was still strong enough to join the Third Crusade. This was a big military journey to the Middle East. During the crusade, he was known as "the Grecian knight" for a reason that isn't clear today.
Hugh Tyrrel was present at the important Siege of Acre between 1189 and 1191. He died in a place called Selincourt in France in 1199.
Hugh Tyrrel had children from his marriages. One of his sons, Richard, became the second Baron of Castleknock.
