Unit 7: Medieval English Colony (13th-14th Century) and Gaelic Resurgence and the Geraldine Supremacy

Below, Dunboy Castle, County Cork

Below, Rahinnane, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. The 15th century Norman fortress house (or tower house) was built inside an existing rath or lios, with double walls for protection.

Earls and other supreme leaders are often referred to by the name of their earldom rather than by name. For instance, Thomas Fitzgerald, Earl of Desmond, may be called simply Desmond. Garrot More Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, may be referred to as Kildare.

Readings and Activities

• Listen to the stories of a professional Irish seanachaí (Titles of stories here, click to listen)
• Read Moody, chapters 9 and 10, pages 113-138
• Read Titley, French Love and Bards, pages 53-58
• Consult the following helpful web sites:
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/iremaps.htm
• For a glimpse of one Irish family’s history:
  Retrieve and read the following article from UMD’s electronic database:
  Durrell, Penelope. The Beauty and Bounty of Beara. World of Hibernia,
  vol. 6, no. 13 (Winter 2000), page 120.
  Read these two web sites:
  http://www.bearatourism.com/osullvn/oscastle.htm
  http://www.castletown.com/sullivan.htm
  

Assignments

1. In parts of Ireland, the Normans entered into the life of the colony and "became more Irish than the Irish themselves." This is one factor among many that pushed the colony's frontier back until, by the end of the 14th century, English influence extended no further than the Pale (the area around Dublin). Describe the circumstances and factors of the 13th and 14th centuries that led to the decline of English strength in Ireland.
2. Compare the 4 maps of AD 1300, AD 1300a, AD 1400, AD 1500. One thing you'll notice is that place names and family names are becoming more recognizable. What changes do you see? What remains the same?
3. The Statutes of Kilkenny in 1366 aimed to stop the assimilation of Anglo-Irish settlers. The statutes prohibited the English from marrying the Irish, wearing Irish fashions, and speaking Irish. No Irish games were allowed, no Irish minstrels or entertainers could practice, no monastery could accept Irish followers. How effective were the Statutes in halting the assimilation of the English? Why (not)?
4. Describe Poynings' Law. Did it have the desired impact in the late 15th century? Why (not)?
5. Describe the Gaelic resurgence of the 15th century.
6. What is meant by the Geraldine Supremacy?
7. Compare and contrast the Gaelic Irish aristocracy and the Anglo Irish aristocracy.
8. Read the article and two web sites about the O'Sullivan-Beara family. What do you find here that validates Irish history as you know it so far? Where do the pieces of this family's story fit in the history we've learned so far?
9. What is your reaction to the authentic Irish stories you listened to? Did they meet your expectatioins? Why (not)?