UCD KING JOHN 800 CONFERENCE 2016

The youngest of the five sons of Henry II, the king under whom Ireland was invaded by the English in 1169, John was selected in 1177 to be King of Ireland.

This major conference in September 2016 will remember King John on the 800th anniversary of his death. Leading historians from around the world will gather in Dublin Castle (constructed in 1204 to be the centre of John’s Irish administration) to debate the controversial king’s place in British, Irish and European history.

Accused by his enemies of murder, viciousness, and sexual depravity, King John was also a ‘state builder’ who brought forth advances in law and administration. Although he lost many lands in France, he is responsible for establishing the long and difficult political union between England and Ireland. As Ireland commemorates 1916 and beginnings of independence, it is fitting to consider the genesis of colonial rule under John.