Agnews of Lochnaw

12 THE AGNEWS IN IRELAND. [1189.
of written prophecies by Merlin Colodine ; this De Courcy (pro-
bably at the sack of Down) became possessed of, and finding a
certain route laid down by which it was foretold a future con-
queror should come, he shaped his way accordingly. Moreover,
Merlin had prophesied that " a white knight sitting on a white
horse, bearing birds in his shield, shall be the first that shall
subdue Ulster." De Courcy rode forth on a white horse, three
eagles were already on his shield ; and as place after place was
attacked in the order that the native prophet had announced,
terror rendered the Norman's victory more secure ; and at last,
losing heart altogether, the whole province of Ulster submitted
to this handful of daring adventurers.
The king of England, fain to secure allegiance as best he
might, instead of treating De Courcy as a mutineer as he was,
and his band as rebels, gave a grant by patent to the bold
knight himself, and to his companions, of all the lands they
could conquer by their own swords, to be severally held and
enjoyed by themselves, and their heirs for ever, reserving only
homage and fealty to the king. 1 And when victory finally
declared itself in favour of the Anglo-Normans, the king not
only received De Courcy graciously at court, confirming his
former grant, but also created him Earl of Ulster, to which pro-
vince he returned triumphantly, being now lord paramount, and
parcelled out the land to his adherents.
He granted the lordship of Howth to Amoricus de Sancto
Laurentio, his brother-in-law, which is held by his descendant,
the Earl of Howth and Viscount St. Lawrence, at the present
day. And to D'Agneau he allotted the lordship of Larne, a part
of which was enjoyed by his direct descendant until the begin-
ning of the eighteenth century, and even now some of these lands
are possessed by offshoots of the family. 2 The Irishmen of
Ulster having then small stomach to make any onset on their
Norman conquerors, these doughty knights resided peaceably
amongst them, and introduced a species of civilization to which
no doubt the natives would have gladly remained strangers.
1 Haumer. 2 Scottish Nation. M'Cric.