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184 THE SCANDINAVIANS, AND
erected these palaces of peeled osiers, which Henry
"built after the custom of the country." Henry
and his advisers were well aware of this, and that
the Irish chieftains would not hesitate to come
to the Green of Ath Cliath to join in the similar
festivities of a Norman king, yet, if we can believe
the statement of Cambrensis, the meeting assumed
a very different appearance to Henry's followers.
Neither party understood the language of the other.
Probably the only interpreters were the clergy
called " Latiniers " J
from their language of inter-
communication ; and the clergy were the devoted
friends of the Anglo-Normans, bound by Pope
Adrian's and Alexander's Bulls actively to promote
Henry's designs on the lordship
of all Ireland.
From Norman times it had been the custom of
English monarchs to receive the homage
of the
great tenants of the Crown at Christmas, and to
feast them for eight days, and then courteously to
bestow presents. Henry's barons and retainers may
have considered this the chief object of the meeting,
and much was not required to induce the belief
that the Irish chieftains had come for the like purpose.
But, although the clergy may have bowed
before Henry in obedience to the command of their
ecclesiastical superior, although Strongbow may
have done homage for his Irish lands, although the
! The Anglo-Norman poem on Again,
" Morice Regan fist passer,
the conquest of Irelandbegins thus
* * * * * Son demeine latinier."
" Par soen demeine latinier Ibid., p. 21.
Que moi conta delui 1'estorie.".
p. 1, 12mo, London, 1837.