Discover Medieval Warfare Vol. VI.4 - The Norman Invasion of Ireland

Medieval Warfare Vol. VI.4 - The Norman Invasion of Ireland

Topic: Katrina Ingram, an introduction to the topic - the Norman invasion of Ireland

In 1166, Dermot mac Murragh, the defeated King of Leinster, traveled to England to ask King Henry II for help. Henry sent some of his nobles back to help him reclaim his land. This plea for help paved the way for Henry's invasion four years later, in 1171, and allowed him to proclaim himself Lord Overlord of Ireland without having to draw his sword. However, contrary to popular belief, this was not the first time the Normans had considered an invasion of Ireland.

Subject: Murray Dahm, Gerald of Wales on the 'conquest' of Ireland

Gerald of Wales—or Giraldus Cambrensis, as he is known in scholarly volumes—wrote two works that have been immensely influential and are of utmost importance not only for the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, but also for medieval Irish history in general. These two works, the Topography of Ireland and the Conquest of Ireland, are flawed but essential reading, and we will explore many of them in these pages.

Subject: Paul V. Walsh, The Irish War During the Norman Invasion

The common view of Irish opponents of the Anglo-Normans is that they were lightly armed and poorly organized forces, unable to withstand the charge of knights due to their exclusive reliance on unconventional tactics such as cattle raiding and woodland ambushes. However, a closer look at Anglo-Norman and Irish sources paints a different picture, demonstrating a more sophisticated approach to warfare.

Topic: Alistair Black, A Look at Circular Forts in Ireland

The ringfort is one of Ireland's most numerous archaeological monuments, with over 60,000 examples identified across the island. They can be seen in the countryside, often only visible as a small, faint circular bank with an external ditch.

Subject: Erich B. Anderson, The Great King Fights Back - Reclaiming the Throne

For too long, High King Ruaidrí ua Conchobair failed to respond adequately to the threat posed by Norman troops as they helped Diarmait mac Murchada regain his kingdom. However, following the sudden death of the ruler of Leinster in May 1171, Strongbow and the other foreign soldiers were left in an extremely vulnerable position, as most of the Irish chieftains turned against them—even many who had previously been loyal to Diarmait.

Subject: Sidney E. Dean, The Life and Times of Richard De Clare

His name was greater than his means, his ancestry greater than his talents, and his inheritance rights greater than that. Assets in his possession. This description of Richard de Clare, former Earl of Pembroke, was written by the Norman-Welsh chronicler Gerald of Wales in his History of the Conquest of Ireland. It captures the essence of de Clare on the eve of his meeting with Dermot McMurrough (Diarmait mac Murchada), the deposed king of Leinster. It would be a fateful encounter for both men and for Ireland.

Subject: Konstantin Nossov, Anglo-Norman castles in Ireland

In 1169, the first Anglo-Norman detachment landed in Ireland. Success accompanied the English descendants of the Norman knights, who soon established themselves in eastern Ireland. The Irish hero of the west and north. Having very few castles at the time of the invasion, the Irish were unable to hold their lands. The situation was very similar to the Norman conquest of England. To strengthen their position in the occupied lands, the Anglo-Normans built numerous castles and some towns.

Subject: Sean McGlynn, The Waterford Massacre, 1170 AD - Massacre

The English invasion of Ireland was, like any other medieval colonial conquest, a brutal affair. Many Englishmen (as we should call the Anglo-Normans at this stage) were already acclimatized to the extremes of warfare in the Celtic fringe of Wales and Scotland, but in Ireland they were still capable of shock.

Topic: daniel mersey, an image of topographia hiberniae

Gerald of Wales's topography of ireland was written around 1186 to 1188. It is the most in-depth study we have of Ireland during this period, although later Irish writers questioned the veracity of his work. This is not surprising, given that some of Gerald's statements in the first two parts of the book suggest that Irish cockerels crow differently from those elsewhere, that there is an island west of Connacht where carcasses do not rot, and a story of a wolf talking to a priest.

Special: Peter van Dop, The Added Value of Battlefield Archaeology - One Skeleton Doesn't Make an Army

It's not uncommon for the media to report on "archaeological" discoveries related to evidence of medieval battles. However, the reports are often simplified, questionable, or even completely inaccurate. With just a little historical research, the information can be significantly improved.

Special: Peter Konieczny, The Medieval Treasure of Ireland - Book of Kells

Many consider it the most beautiful book created in the Middle Ages, perhaps the most beautiful book ever made. It's now called the Book of Kells, and if you want to see it, you'll have to join the thousands of visitors who flock to the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin every day.

Knights of the Movies: Murray Dahm, Medieval Normans, and the Irish in Film - Hidden Cinema

In trying to stay on topic for this issue, it quickly becomes apparent that films about medieval Irish history are almost nonexistent. When it comes to Normans in film, we seem to be on safer and more abundant ground, because there are plenty of Normans in films. They all offer insight into medieval warfare and history, but, as always, the story is more complex than it first appears.

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