To the castle

We soon made our way to King John's castle.

The entrance was protected by cannons, that were no match against us.

King John himself greeted us. Who was he?

John was Lord of Ireland before he became King of England. He was also known as John Lackland (Jean Sans Terre, en français) because, as his father's youngest son, he did not inherit land out of his family's holdings. French was spoken in Ireland, 800 years ago, long before our family got here.

John came from a most dysfunctional royal family from Anjou in France (hence les fleurs-de-lys on his cape) : rebellions against their father, brothers, other kings, suspicious weddings...

He also entered popular legend as Prince John, the enemy of Robin Hood.

Before him, his father, King Henry II ruled over a territory that spanned from the Pyrennees to Normandy, England and most of Ireland. After his death, his son Richard the Lionheart (Richard Coeur-de-Lion) was proclaimed King but soon left on a Crusade to Palestine - which failed - with Philippe II King of France. While Richard was gone (and captured on his way home) Prince John was conniving with the same Phillipe II who had already came back... (very confusing storylines in that story). I will stop here but you can google it.

Castles were built primarily for administrative purposes. This is where taxes were collected and where coins were made. Defense was a secondary function. King John's castle was built on King Island in the river Shannon. The main gate is located between twin towers from which crossbows could easily be fired to protect the entrance to the castle. John didn't stay very long in Ireland, he travelled from castle to castle throughout his vast kingdom, mostly in France and England. He is credited for creating the ancestor of the 'Royal Navy' and was in power when the first London Bridge made out of stone was completed. Also, to claim more taxes, he permitted houses and shop being built on the bridge.

We climbed the narrow spiral staircases to the top of the tower to appreciate the view of Limerick.

"I'm the King of the castle!"