The conquest of England by the Normans was practically a victory
gained by one branch of the German race over another (Saxons, Normans,
and Danes having originally sprung from the same Teutonic stock or
from one closely akin to it, and the three soon mingled); but the
partial conquest of Ireland by the Normans was a radically different
thing. They and the Irish had really nothing in common. The latter
refused to accept the feudal system, and continued to split up into
savage tribes or clans under the rule of petty chiefs always at war
with each other.
Thus for centuries after England had established a settled
government, Ireland remained, partly through the battles of the clans,
and partly through the aggressions of a hostile race, in a state of
anarchic confusion which prevented all true national growth.
[2] W. E. H. Lecky's "England in the XVIIIth Century," II, 102.

160. Henry II's Charter and Reforms.

On his mother's side Henry was a descendent of Alfred the Great (S51);
for this reason he was hailed with enthusiasm by the native English.
He at once began a system of reforms worthy of his illustrious
ancestor. His first act was to issue a charter confirming the Charter
of Liberties or pledges of good government which his grandfather,
Henry I, had made (S135). His next was to begin leveling to the
ground the castles unlawfully built in Stephen's reign, which had
caused such widespread misery to the country[3] (S141). He continued
the work of demolition until it is said he destroyed no less than
eleven hundred of these strongholds of oppression.

[3] Under William the Conqueror and his immediate successors no one
was allowed to erect a castle without a royal license. During
Stephen's time the great barons constantly violated this salutory
regulation.

The King next turned his attention to the coinage. During the civil
war (S141) the barons had issued money debased in quality and
deficient in weight. Henry abolished this dishonest currency and
issued silver pieces of full weight and value.

161. War with France; Scutage (1160).

Having completed these reforms, the King turned his attention to his
Continental possessions. Through his wife, Henry claimed the county
of Toulouse in southern France. To enforce this claim he declared
war.

Henry's barons, however, refused to furnish troops to fight outside of
England. The King wisely compromised the matter by offering to accept
from each knight a