7. The person who quarrelled most with Henry about these things was Thomas à Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, a very proud man, who wanted to rule both king and state his own way. 8. The king was so much annoyed at the opposition he constantly met with from the archbishop, that one day, in a fit of passion, he said he wished that troublesome priest was dead; on which some persons, who heard these incautious words thinking to get into favor, rode off to Canterbury, and killed the archbishop in his Cathedral. 9. But they gained nothing by this wicked deed; for the king was shocked when he heard of it, and sorry for what he had said; which shows how wrong it is for people to use violent expressions when they feel angry. 10. One very remarkable event which occurred in this reign, was the conquest of Ireland. That country had been, for many years, divided into several small kingdoms, and the disputes of the chiefs had often given rise to warfare among themselves; but it now happened that the king of Leinster, having been deposed by another prince, went direct to the king of England, to beg his assistance, which Henry readily promised, on condition that, if he were restored, he should hold his kingdom as a vassal of the English crown. 11. Dermot, that was the name of the Irish prince, agreed to these terms, and several English knights and noblemen undertook the enterprise. After a great many interesting adventures, which are told in the history of Ireland, Dermot was replaced on his throne; but other quarrels arising among the chiefs, the English continued the war, and, after some time, the Irish chiefs acknowledged the king of England as a lord and master of Ireland, which has been under the authority of the English government ever since. 12. Henry the Second died in 1189, and was succeeded by his son Richard, who was called Cœur-de-lion, because he was very brave, so that everybody said he had the heart of a lion. 13. Now it is a very good thing for men to be brave, for I do not know what we should do without brave men for soldiers and sailors, to fight for us; but it is not the most useful quality a king can possess; and I think you will agree with me, when I tell you that Richard the First, instead of staying at home to make good laws, and take care of his subjects, went away to fight, or gain glory, as fighting was then called, in the Holy Land, while all things were going wrong in England, for the want of somebody to keep order. 14. But there was some excuse for him, as everybody in those days thought that the most praiseworthy act princes and nobles could do, was to fight for their religion against all persons who believed differently from themselves; so Richard was very much admired by his people, although he did nothing for their real benefit; but, on the contrary, caused them very much misery, and great distress.