Medieval Ireland. An Encyclopedia

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KINGS AND KINGSHIP

See alsoClare, de; Lionel of Clarence; Marshal;
Ormond-Butler; Osraige; Parliament; Urban
Administration


KINGS AND KINGSHIP
Medieval Ireland was marked by the existence of doz-
ens of kingdoms, each ruled by a king who in the early
medieval period was technically the highest nobleman
in the túath. Most kings were subject to over kings, who
were the policy-makers of the time. They based their
authority over other lords and kings on ties of blood
relationship and alliance. The integrity of such alliances
partially depended on the power and personal qualities
of the over king. The ruling kindreds of the Irish king-
doms were often caught between the forces of internal
division and outward stability. The rule of inheritance


and succession stimulated competition among relatives
and expansion by the kindred’s branches. Yet it also
gave the kindred as a whole a measure of stability and
flexibility, as the kindred hardly ever died out in the
male line. Several royal dynasties remained in control
of an area for many centuries.

Historical Roots
The historical roots of Irish kingship are still debated.
It has been argued that pagan sacral kings, who ruled
over tribes, were replaced by aristocratic kings, who
ruled over kindreds in the period of the coming of
Christianity and the rise of expansionist dynasties.
The most ancient collective names are those only
found in the plural (such as Laigin and Ulaid), and

Ireland circa 1100.

NORTHERN UÍ NÉILL

Cenél
Conaill

Ciannachta
Uí Thui ́rtre
ULAID
Dál nAraide

Cenél Moen

Fir Lurg

Cairpre Fir Manach
AIRGIALLA

Cenél
FeredaigAirthir

Cenél nEógain
Dál
Fiatach
Uí Echach
Coba
Fernmag

Machaire
Gaileng
Brega
Ta r a
Fine
GallDublin

Fáeláin

Uí Dúnchada


Failge

Uí Muiredaig Uí Máil
LAIGIN

Bairrche

Chennselaig
Wexford
Déise Muman Waterford

Fothairt

Eile

Osraige

Loíges

Delbna
Ethra

Tethba

Síl Muiredaig Lóegaire

Uí Briuin
Mag
Luirg
Luigne


Fiachrach
Muaide
Gailenga
Fir Umaill

Larchonnacht

Fiachrach
Aidne
Corco
Mruad
Dál Cais


Chairpre

Limerick

Corca Duibhne
Eóganachi
Locha Léin

Corco
Loígde

Cenél
Lóegaire

Eóganacht
Glenndamna

DESMUMU

Uí Maine
Síl
nAnmchada

MIDE

CONNACHT

TUADMUMU

BREIFNE

Cork
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