The clerks, having made this startling discovery, went on to supplement it by the further discovery that their masters had invaded Anywhere in order to please the Pope, and introduce true religion.

This second role completes the dedication of the invaders on the altar of mendacity.

It was Leo XIII.

himself who, with that charming humour of his, deprecated the attitude of certain _a priori_ historians who, said he, if they were writing the Gospel story would, in their anxiety to please the Pope, probably suppress the denial of Peter.
These things which might have happened anywhere did, in fact, happen in Ireland.

Out of the footprints of the invaders there sprang up a legion of fictionists, professional cooks of history.