Complex sentence: Ireland in the Middle Ages was not a rich country, and the Irish were unable to provide the money which could have given the University a secure foundation, nor was the English Crown generous with its endowments.
Split into simpler sentences: Ireland in the Middle Ages was not a rich country, and the Irish were unable to provide the money which could have given the University a secure foundation. There was a noted absence of wealthy benefactors, nor was the English Crown generous with its endowments.