Early Medieval Ireland 400-1200

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Taylor & Francis, Oct 4, 2016 - History - 432 pages

This impressive survey covers the early history of Ireland from the coming of Christianity to the Norman settlement. Within a broad political framework it explores the nature of Irish society, the spiritual and secular roles of the Church and the extraordinary flowering of Irish culture in the period. Other major themes are Ireland's relations with Britain and continental Europe, the beginnings of Irish feudalism, and the impact of the Viking and Norman invaders.

The expanded second edition has been fully updated to take into account the most recent research in the history of Ireland in the early middle ages, including Ireland’s relations with the Later Roman Empire, advances and discoveries in archaeology, and Church Reform in the 11th and 12th centuries. A new opening chapter on early Irish primary sources introduces students to the key written sources that inform our picture of early medieval Ireland, including annals, genealogies and laws.

The social, political, religious, legal and institutional background provides the context against which Dáibhí Ó Cróinín describes Ireland’s transformation from a tribal society to a feudal state. It is essential reading for student and specialist alike.

 

Contents

Introduction to First Edition
1
sources
7
2 The beginnings of Irish history
35
3 Kingdoms peoples and politics 400800
64
4 Kings and kingship
86
5 Land settlement and economy
107
6 Law family and community
131
7 The consolidation of the church
166
8 The first Christian schools
186
9 The Golden Age
212
10 The Viking age
251
11 Ireland 10141200
290
Glossary
319
Bibliography
322
Index
369
Copyright

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About the author (2016)

Dáibhí Ó Cróinín is a Professor of History at NUI Galway. His previous publications include Whitley Stokes (1830-1090): the lost Celtic notebooks rediscovered (2011) and A New History of Ireland, vol. 1: prehistoric and early Ireland (2005).

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