Bristolians are entitled to live in Dublin thanks to an 846-year-old charter written by King Henry II which has never been revoked.
The charter was written during an 1171-72 visit to assert his authority over a troublesome nobleman in Ireland, who the King was concerned would declare an independent kingdom.
King Henry II travelled to Dublin and set up court there, ruling over his kingdom for the whole winter.
He made the proclamation on a 5 by 6.5 inch parchment, announcing that for that day forth, anyone living in Bristol has the right to live in Dublin.
Fancy a move to Dublin? If you're from Bristol you have the right to live there under an 850-year-old declaration issued by King Henry II and never revoked
Ancient charter was written during an 1171-2 trip to assert authority over Ireland
Was given to Bristolians as a thank you for raising funds for King's trip to Ireland
King Henry II spent winter in Ireland to demand loyalty from lords over Irish Sea
By Charlie Bayliss For Mailonline
1 January 2018
Bristolians are entitled to live in Dublin thanks to an 846-year-old charter written by King Henry II which has never been revoked.
The charter was written during an 1171-72 visit to assert his authority over a troublesome nobleman in Ireland, who the King was concerned would declare an independent kingdom.
King Henry II travelled to Dublin and set up court there, ruling over his kingdom for the whole winter.
He made the proclamation on a 5 by 6.5 inch parchment, announcing that for that day forth, anyone living in Bristol has the right to live in Dublin.
The proclamation was a reward for the people of Bristol for financing his expedition over the Irish Sea, and allows them to establish a trading post in the Irish capital.
The proclamation was a reward for the people of Bristol for financing his expedition over the Irish Sea, and allows them to establish a trading post in the Irish capital
It states: 'Know ye that I have given and granted and by the present charter have confirmed to my men of Bristol my city of Dublin to inhabit.'
It added they should inhabit and hold it 'with all the liberties and free customs which the men of Bristol have at Bristol and throughout all my land'.
Dublin City Library and Archive has put the wrinkled document on display, and historians have found it has never been directly officially overturned.
A spokesman for the archive said: 'It is truly remarkable that such a small and fragile document has survived eight centuries of use.
'The most likely explanation is the charter's evidential value in legal cases and the reverse is covered with annotations relating to cases where the charter was submitted to prove a point.
'In the wake of the Norman Invasion of Ireland, Dublin was seized in 1170 by Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow.
'His overlord, King Henry II, was alarmed as it seemed likely that a separate and independent kingdom might be established in Ireland.
'Accordingly he decided to visit in person to assert his authority, and his journey was financed by the merchants of Bristol.'
King Henry II was in Dublin between November 1171 and February 1172 and stayed in a tent, where Irish kings eventually submitted to him.
He issued a charter which is the earliest document in the Dublin City Archives.
The spokesman added: 'This gave to the men of Bristol the right to live in the city of Dublin "ad inhabitanda".'
King Henry II was in Dublin between November 1171 and February 1172 and stayed in a tent, where Irish kings eventually submitted to him
'The tiny parchment measures 121 mm x 165 mm and a fragment of the seal remains in green wax.
'The charter is written right through, leaving no room for additions - a measure taken to prevent fraud.'
It is also the earliest document which confers the rights of people in either Britain or Ireland to live in each other's countries.
The rights of citizens has been updated in the centuries since but is now being questioned as a potential loophole as Britain leaves the European Union.
It means British people who will lose their EU citizenship, but it is speculated the charter could give Bristolians a loophole to hold onto their rights.
WHO IS RICHARD DE CLARE?
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke and better known as 'Strongbow', was born in 1130 and died on the 20 April 1176.
He was a Welsh-Norman lord notable for his leading role in the Norman invasion of Ireland.
At 38, he was still unmarried due to lack of royal favour and received an offer to marry the royal daughter of Dermot MacMurchada and was given the chance to win lands.
In return, Strongbow would need to help MacMurchada take the Kingdom of Leinster from the High King of Ireland, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair. Strongbow went to King Henry II to obtain his permission, with Henry saying he had only done so in jest.
Strongbow arrived in Ireland in 1170, although he had sent over forces from Wales in 1169. His forces took Ireland by storm and marched towards Dublin, eventually taking the city.
King Henry II soon became concerned about the growing strength of Strongbow's forces and ordred his knights in Ireland to return to England, threatening to take their lands in England if they did not obey.
Strongbow relinquished his much of his land, including Dublin and Waterford, to Henry after meeting in July 1171. Yet Henry recognised his loyalty and gave Strongbow some lands and the lordship of Leinster.
Richard de Clare married MacMurrough's daughter Aoife around the 26 August 1171 and had two children, Gilbert de Clare, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, a and Isabel de Clare, 4th Countess of Pembroke.
The charter was written during an 1171-72 visit to assert his authority over a troublesome nobleman in Ireland, who the King was concerned would declare an independent kingdom.
King Henry II travelled to Dublin and set up court there, ruling over his kingdom for the whole winter.
He made the proclamation on a 5 by 6.5 inch parchment, announcing that for that day forth, anyone living in Bristol has the right to live in Dublin.
Fancy a move to Dublin? If you're from Bristol you have the right to live there under an 850-year-old declaration issued by King Henry II and never revoked
Ancient charter was written during an 1171-2 trip to assert authority over Ireland
Was given to Bristolians as a thank you for raising funds for King's trip to Ireland
King Henry II spent winter in Ireland to demand loyalty from lords over Irish Sea
By Charlie Bayliss For Mailonline
1 January 2018
Bristolians are entitled to live in Dublin thanks to an 846-year-old charter written by King Henry II which has never been revoked.
The charter was written during an 1171-72 visit to assert his authority over a troublesome nobleman in Ireland, who the King was concerned would declare an independent kingdom.
King Henry II travelled to Dublin and set up court there, ruling over his kingdom for the whole winter.
He made the proclamation on a 5 by 6.5 inch parchment, announcing that for that day forth, anyone living in Bristol has the right to live in Dublin.
The proclamation was a reward for the people of Bristol for financing his expedition over the Irish Sea, and allows them to establish a trading post in the Irish capital.
The proclamation was a reward for the people of Bristol for financing his expedition over the Irish Sea, and allows them to establish a trading post in the Irish capital
It states: 'Know ye that I have given and granted and by the present charter have confirmed to my men of Bristol my city of Dublin to inhabit.'
It added they should inhabit and hold it 'with all the liberties and free customs which the men of Bristol have at Bristol and throughout all my land'.
Dublin City Library and Archive has put the wrinkled document on display, and historians have found it has never been directly officially overturned.
A spokesman for the archive said: 'It is truly remarkable that such a small and fragile document has survived eight centuries of use.
'The most likely explanation is the charter's evidential value in legal cases and the reverse is covered with annotations relating to cases where the charter was submitted to prove a point.
'In the wake of the Norman Invasion of Ireland, Dublin was seized in 1170 by Richard de Clare, better known as Strongbow.
'His overlord, King Henry II, was alarmed as it seemed likely that a separate and independent kingdom might be established in Ireland.
'Accordingly he decided to visit in person to assert his authority, and his journey was financed by the merchants of Bristol.'
King Henry II was in Dublin between November 1171 and February 1172 and stayed in a tent, where Irish kings eventually submitted to him.
He issued a charter which is the earliest document in the Dublin City Archives.
The spokesman added: 'This gave to the men of Bristol the right to live in the city of Dublin "ad inhabitanda".'
King Henry II was in Dublin between November 1171 and February 1172 and stayed in a tent, where Irish kings eventually submitted to him
'The tiny parchment measures 121 mm x 165 mm and a fragment of the seal remains in green wax.
'The charter is written right through, leaving no room for additions - a measure taken to prevent fraud.'
It is also the earliest document which confers the rights of people in either Britain or Ireland to live in each other's countries.
The rights of citizens has been updated in the centuries since but is now being questioned as a potential loophole as Britain leaves the European Union.
It means British people who will lose their EU citizenship, but it is speculated the charter could give Bristolians a loophole to hold onto their rights.
WHO IS RICHARD DE CLARE?
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke and better known as 'Strongbow', was born in 1130 and died on the 20 April 1176.
He was a Welsh-Norman lord notable for his leading role in the Norman invasion of Ireland.
At 38, he was still unmarried due to lack of royal favour and received an offer to marry the royal daughter of Dermot MacMurchada and was given the chance to win lands.
In return, Strongbow would need to help MacMurchada take the Kingdom of Leinster from the High King of Ireland, Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair. Strongbow went to King Henry II to obtain his permission, with Henry saying he had only done so in jest.
Strongbow arrived in Ireland in 1170, although he had sent over forces from Wales in 1169. His forces took Ireland by storm and marched towards Dublin, eventually taking the city.
King Henry II soon became concerned about the growing strength of Strongbow's forces and ordred his knights in Ireland to return to England, threatening to take their lands in England if they did not obey.
Strongbow relinquished his much of his land, including Dublin and Waterford, to Henry after meeting in July 1171. Yet Henry recognised his loyalty and gave Strongbow some lands and the lordship of Leinster.
Richard de Clare married MacMurrough's daughter Aoife around the 26 August 1171 and had two children, Gilbert de Clare, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, a and Isabel de Clare, 4th Countess of Pembroke.
Last edited:
Andrew Lynch ✔