A Changing Lordship
John was still issuing instructions about Ireland during the final months of his life. On 18 August, at Berkeley, he ordered Geoffrey de Marisco, justiciar of Ireland, to allow Walter de Lacy peace concerning the fine owed for his Irish lands while de Lacy served the king in England. A further order restored to Walter the castles of Nobber and Ratoath, associated with his brother Hugh de Lacy, and Trim Castle, formerly held by Matthew de Lacy’s tenant Matthew de Twit, as parts of Walter’s inheritance. These were no minor properties. The de Lacys’ Meath lordship was one of the great territorial powers of the colony, and its castles controlled routes, settlements and lordly revenue.