Gaelic and Gaelicized Ireland in the Middle Ages

by K.W. Nicholls

When the first edition of this book appeared in 1972 it was acclaimed as a revolutionary breakthrough in the study of late medieval Ireland and of the autonomous lordships into which it was divided. Since then it has repeatedly and extensively cited as an authority, but has long been out of print. This edition of a pioneering and brilliant survey work is comprehensively revised and enlarged in the light of additional research by the author, and other scholars, carried out in the intervening period. New information on late Irish law and the lordships has been added, and the glossary and bibliography extended. Gaelic and Gaelicized Ireland is an indispensable adjunct to all students and readers in medieval Irish and European history.

Genres: Ireland, History, Nonfiction, Irish Literature

238 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Cathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of life in the middle ages in Ireland.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Gaelic and Gaelicized Ireland in the Middle Ages' by K.W. Nicholls is an ambitious piece of writing which attempts to give an overview of Ireland's history from the late thirteenth through to the mid sixteenth century. In other words, the focus of the book, in an Irish context, is an examination of the country in the late Medieval period.

The book is broken down into various sections, which comprise of a series of heavily punctuated, that is to say, short chapters. This makes the book accessible to all (even me, and I have no background in Irish history). Additionally, it gives a good introduction to all aspects of Gaelic life and how it differed from those of the Anglo-Norman 'colony'.

The opening chapters provide contextual information regarding the nature of Irish society, which was lineage based (clans etc...). It then goes on to address the revival of the 'Irishry' from the mid fourteenth century onwards at the expense of the Anglo-Norman 'colony'. Themes addressed include: political structures and forms of power, the legal system,social life and social groupings, the church and clergy in Gaelic society, and economic life. Therefore, it is fair to say that the books is comprehensive in every sense of the word.

The book also outlines the 'grand-narrative' history of all the most important Gaelic and Gaelicized Norman magnates. These are broken down into section by province. This makes the complex nature of power relations in late Medieval Ireland far more comprehensible to the amateur reader!

In summation, this book is definitely worth picking up for those looking for a good introduction to this particular period in Irish history.

Happy Reading,
Gavin