viii
Archeology, Architecture, and Art
These entries provide an analysis and representation of the artistic contributions made to the history of Ireland.
Topics include Abbeys, Castles, High Crosses, Iconography, and Sculpture.
Economy and Society (Government, Law, Military, Politics, and Religion)
Among these topics there are entries that explain the many aspects of society with regard to government (e.g.,
Parliament), economics (e.g., Coinage), law (e.g., Brehon Law), military (e.g., Armies), politics (e.g., Lordship
of Ireland), and religion (e.g., Ecclesiastical Organization).
Developments and Periods
These essays review medieval Ireland by tracing the major events that affected this time period. Included are the
Conversion to Christianity, Famine and Hunger, the Battle of Clontarf, Gaelic Revival, and the Renaissance.
Lineage
These essays provide the ancestry and ascension of the many families (e.g., Fitzgerald) and dynasties (e.g.,
Connachta) that flourished during medieval times in Ireland.
Manuscripts and Texts
These essays highlight the major texts (e.g., Book of Kells) preserved from this time period and discuss their
influences, impact, and contribution to medieval Ireland.
Persons (Literary, Political, and Religious)
These essays give the known details of an individual’s life as well as his significance to the study of this period.
Included are political (e.g., Brian Boru), religious (e.g., St. Patrick), and literary (e.g., John Scottus Ériugena) figures.
Persons (Dynasties, Families, and Categorized by Group)
The essays on groups of people (such as children, pilgrims, and slaves) give perspective to the customs, laws, and
functions of Irish society. The articles on dynasties (e.g., Connachta) and families (e.g., Fitgerald) delve into the
roles and power of the Irish nobility.
Places
These articles describe the emergence and significance of the many towns, royal seats, and historical sites (e.g.,
Tara, Ailech, and Dublin) during the medieval period in Ireland.
Scholarship
There is extensive discussion of Irish scholarship throughout this work, and the essays present the topics of learning
(e.g., Education, Language, and Sciences), literary genres (e.g., Hiberno-English), and literary influences (e.g.,
Scottish Literary Influence).
INTRODUCTION