Unit 6: Arrival and Settlement of the Normans

Readings and Activities

• Read Moody, chapter 8, pages 95-112.
• Read Titley, The English Invasion, pages 35-37
• Read Dunne, Giraldus Cambrensis, page 1, Sweeney Praises the Trees (21-22), Casey and Sweeney (381-382).
• Read The Sweetness of Nature (electronic reserve)
• Retrieve and read the following articles from UMD’s electronic database:
  Harvey, Steenie. Twilight Places: Ireland’s enduring fairy lore. World
  and I, vol. 13, No 3 (March 1998), page 186-194.
  Orpen, Goddard. The Effects of Norman Rule in Ireland, 1169-1333.
  The American Historical Review, vol. 19, no. 2 (Jan 1914), page 245-256.
  Loomis, R. S. The Irish Origin of the Grail Legend. Speculum, vol. 8,
  no. 4 (Oct 1933), page 415-431.
• Consult the following helpful web site:
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/iremaps.htm

Assignments

1. This assignment will be turned in as hard copy, because you'll embellish it (or illuminate or decorate) with Celtic motifs. Ideas can be found on the links page. You may use any combination of colored pencils, colored pens, stamps, and stickers. You may copy the designs or create your own.
2. The third deadline for the long term project is due this week, preferrably in person: a completed and thorough plan must be turned in, and a contract will be signed by student and instructor. At this point, project plans are immutable.
3. Relate the reasons for the Norman invasion: Briefly describe why they came, how they arrived, how they invaded, and what they initially accomplished.
4. By 1250, the Normas occupied about 75% of Ireland. How did they extend their holdings? What techniques did they use to hold on to the land they acquired?
5. What role did the English crown play?
6. Describe the Irish resistance. When and how did they succeed? How did they fail?
7. The Normans brought more than an invading army to Ireland. Describe the benefits to Irish society brought by Norman influence.
8. Assume for a moment that you are a tenant farmer somewhere in Ireland far from a large town. What is your life like in the latter half of the 12th century? Is it different since the Normas arrived? How?
9. From the article, Twilight Places, list a few of the ancient beliefs that are apparently still held today? What do you think would be the impact of these superstitions in the 12th century?
10. Take a look at the three pieces about Mad Sweeney: Buile Suibhne (two in Dunne and The Sweetness of Nature on electronic reserve). What leads you to believe Sweeney is indeed mad? Could he be feigning madness? Why (not)?
11. Take a lot at the map called AD 1200 Norman Invasion. Notice the greater family names and the territory names. Which families have you heard of from earlier lessons? Which territory names are recognizable?