Events for December 17

December 17, 1185

John's first expedition to Ireland

At the Oxford parliament in May 1177, Henry II of England replaced William FitzAldelm and granted John Lackland, (24 December 1166 – 19 October 1216) a future King of England, his Irish lands, so becoming Lord of Ireland (Dominus Hiberniae) in 1177 when he was 10 years old, with the territory being known in English as the Lordship of Ireland.

December 17, 1803

Rebel leader Michael Dwyer, whose guerrilla attacks had maddened British colonial authorities since 1798, surrenders

Michael Dwyer, (1 January 1772– 23 August 1825) an Irish rebel leader known for his guerrilla warfare tactics, surrendered to the British colonial authorities on December 17, 1803. His surrender marked the end of a significant chapter in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, a widespread uprising against British rule in Ireland.

December 17, 1185

John de Courcy was appointed by King Henry as justiciar of Ireland

As Justiciar, John de Courcy would have served as the chief governor or representative of the English crown in Ireland. This role was crucial during a period when English influence in Ireland was expanding but still faced significant challenges from both Irish chieftains and rival Norman lords.