Letter: Blame the Pope

Sir: Austin Pielou (5 July) seems unaware that Pope Adrian IV was English and that the idea of annexing Ireland was conceived by the Archbishop of Canterbury's secretary, John of Salisbury, after Canterbury lost all metropolitan rights over the see of Dublin when it opted to become an Irish bishopric in 1152.

John was dispatched as an envoy of Henry II to his fellow countryman Adrian to discuss this Irish Problem and bring the Irish to heel. Adrian, under the Donation of Constantine, was held to be lord of all the islands of the sea and he readily agreed that Henry II and all his successors should have the right to rule Ireland, although they did not invade till later.

The Irish, needless to say, were not consulted.

ARTHUR VALENTINE

Edinburgh