Week 5 - Early Medieval Ireland (new)-1.pdf

Week 5 - Early Medieval Ireland (new)-1.pdf

1. EARLY MEDIEVAL IRELAND
Early Christianity & Irish Kingship (431 – 795ce)

2. Overview
The Medieval Period or the Middle Ages, coincides with both the fall of Roman
Britain (c410CE) and the arrival of Christian missionaries to Ireland in 431CE.
This period brings about a golden age of scholarship and learning through the
written word. Early medieval sources would later be compiled into the Annals of
Ulster, Inisfallen and the Four Masters as well as the Books of Leinster and
Armagh. While these sources are often propagandistic and unreliable, they are
instrumental to our conception of Irish identity and kingship.
This period is best known for the arrival and spread of the Christian religion,
the foundation of monastic sites across the country and notable Christian
missionaries such as St. Patrick, St. Columbanus and St. Brigit.
The rise of Christianity and the written record, would also become a source of
power for patrons of the church such as regional Irish Kings who sought to
expand their power and claim dominance over their provincial overlord. No
other dynasty would boast more power inIreland during this time than the Uí
Neill clans to the North and in Meath.However, the arrival of the Vikings in
795CE would alter the nature of Irish Kingship forever.

3. •The earliest mentions of Ireland from the historical
record come from Greek and Roman writers such as
Strabo and Julius Caesar (1st century BC) and
Ptolomy(c.100AD), see map >>.
•While Rome had not invaded Ireland, an invasion
was briefly considered according to Tacitus writing
in the 1st century AD.
•By the 5th Century, Royal palaces at Tara,
Rathcroghan, Cashel and Dun Ailline are long
established often close to older Bronze age and
Neolithic sites.
•Trade with Roman Britain had likely established a
small sect of Christians on the island.
5th Century Ireland

4. Records of the Early Medieval period
With the arrival of Christianity in the 5th Century, Ireland also
sees the beginning of the written record. Some records are
contemporary, some arerevisionist; some are propagandistic, and
others offer us a mere glimpse of early medieval life. The most
important records would later be compiled into Annals.
The Annals of Ulster
The Annals of the Four Masters
The Annals of Inisfallen
UCC online - Click here

5. Kingship in Ireland
431CE – 795CE
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6. Ireland and the Roman Empire

7. Legend & Kingship
Little definitive information about Kingship in Ireland exists before the arrival
of Christianity. However, stories and legends based in the Iron Age become
incredibly important throughout the medieval period.
Among the most famous King’s of legend is Conn of the Hundred Battles, who
reigned from 123CE (AotFM). It is said that Conn and his great rival Mog
Nuadat divided the island between the two of them in to ‘Conn’s Half’ (Leth
Cuinn) and ‘Mog’s Half (Leth Moga). The division line followed a known
route across the island known as the Slíghe Mhór or the Esker Riada.
Some descendants of Conn would become known as the Connachta
to the west. Conn’s grandson, Niall of the Nine Hostages would have
6 sons which would form the clans collectively known asthe Uí Neill's
who would dominate Leth Cuinn (and the High Kingship of Tara).
Mog Nuadat's grandson, Eoghan Mór, hissons would come to be
known collectively as The Eoghanachta, who would go on to
dominate Leth Moga from their power base at Cashel.

8. From early medieval texts we can tell that the people
of the island had some sense of collective identity.
Stories such as the Lebor Gabala Erenn offer us a
glimpse of what the people of this island appear to
have thought of themselvesat this time.
A clan group would be known as a 'Tuath', their
chieftain or King (Rí) would be subject to an
overking, who in turn would be subject to a
provincial King and then finally, all kings
(in theory) were subject to the High King
(Ard Rí).
Among the most important factions of early
medieval Ireland would be the Northern and
Southern Uí Neill's (Ailech & Tara) and the
Eoghanchta Kings of Cashel.
Early Medieval Society

9. The High Kingship
The title of 'The High King of Ireland' is a title largely associated with the
Kingship of Tara, Co. Meath and for much of the early medieval was dominated
by the Uí Neill's clans, claimed descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages.
The title however was a nominal title rather than a practical one. It was rare
that a 'High King' held total domination over the island of Ireland. Regardless,
this system of High Kings, provincial Kings and over-kings seems to have been
generally accepted among the higher classes.
From the 7th Century onwards, a peculiar system had evolved
between the Northern Uí Neill and the Southern Uí Neill Factions.
While not allies in a traditional sense, the Uí Neill clans had
agreed to swap the title of 'High King', ensuring these two factions
would always be more powerful than the other factions.
This dominance would eventually be broken in 1002 by Brian Boru.

10. Early Christianity
431CE – 1,000CE
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11. •The Roman Empire officially converted to
Christianity under Constantine in 312CE.
•Most of the Empire would remain functionally
pagan into the 5th century.
•Rome controlled vast parts of Britain as far as
Hadrian's wall along the Scottish borders.
•The Roman's never invaded Ireland or Scotland
but did certainly trade with Ireland.
•Roman troops began to leave the north of Britain
c.383 following Scottish (Pictish) raids.
•Roman legions formally depart Britain in 412CE.
•It is around this same time that St. Patrick was
most likely taken by Irish slavers.
The Decline of Rome
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12. Palladius of Gaul
•The Pope in the year 431CE was Pope Celestine I.
•Almost all of the Annals record the first missionary
and first Bishop of the Irish as Palladius of Gaul, in
431CE.
•"Palladius, having been consecrated by Celestine,
bishop of the city of Rome, is sent to Ireland in the
consulship of Aetius and Valerius as first bishop to
the Irish so that they might believe in Christ"
- Annals of Ulster, 431.
•"Palladius, on his returning back to Rome (as he did
not receive respect in Ireland), contracted a disease
in the country of the Cruithnigh, and died thereof." -
- The Annals of the Four Masters, 430*
*The Annals of the Four Masters start at year 0, hence all subsequent years are 1
year off what we would expect.
Th eP ho to by Ph oto Au th or is l i cen sed u nd er CCY YS A.

13. The Arrival of St. Patrick
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•Much of what we know about the life of St. Patrick
comes from his own writings, notably The Confessio.
•According to Patrick, he was the son of Calpornicus,
a Roman Deacon (adminstrator) from Britain.
•Taken into slavery aged 16 from his home in Britain
and escaped 6 years later. Returning to Ireland to
preach in 432CE.
•"Saint Patrick was ordained bishop by the holy Pope,
Celestine the First, who ordered him to go to Ireland,
to preach and teach faith and piety to the Gaeidhil,
and also to baptize them." (AotFM)
•According to the Annals of Ulster, Patrick
establishes the Church of Armagh in 444CE.
•Died c.461, according to the Annals of Ulster.

14. St. Patrick – The Evidence
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•The Confessio is an autobiographical account of the
life of St. Patrick that survives through the Book of
Armagh c.807.
•The Confessio provides us with the only evidence
ofPatrick's name, origin and family.
•The Confessio, confesses to Patrick's sins in his
youth but he does not specify or elaborate on these
sins.
•AoU record the founding of Armagh in 444, while
the AotFM cite this as 458.
•AoU record his death as 461 while the AotFM cite it
as 458.
•The Annals of Irish History record some aspects of
the life of St. Patrick but likely in retrospect.

15. The Growth of the Church
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•As Ireland had not been conquered or administered
by the Roman Empire, monasticism in Ireland
differs considerably to central Europe.
•Throughout this period monastic settlements began
to grow throughout Ireland.
•The settlements were often wealthy, powerful and
also, allied with regional kings.
•In turn, these monasteries became centres of trade,
learning and could also be considered as a move
towards urbanisation.
•Important monastic sites of considerable power and
wealth would beArmagh, Clonmacnoise,
Glendalough and Clonfert.
•The word 'Kil' or 'Cill' in Irish placenames indicates
a chruch or monastic centre.

16. Important Monasteries
Armagh: Founded by St. Patrick (5th cent.)
Kildare: Founded by St. Brigid (5th cent.)
Monasterboice: Founded by St. Buithe (5th cent.)
Kells: Founded by St. Columba (6th cent.)
Clonmacnoise: Founded by St. Ciaran (6th cent.)
Skellig Michael: St. Fionán (6th cent.)
Cork: St. Finbarr (6th cent.)
Clonfert: St. Brendan (6th cent.)
Glendalough: St. Kevin (7th cent.)

17. Irish Monasteries
Early Irish Monasteries were places of worship,
learning and also trade.
Typical of Irish Monasteries would be buildings
such as:
Churches / Cathedrals (Often more than one)
Scriptorium (Copying of Manuscripts & Gospel)
Dwellings (Timber / Stone)
Farms (Crops & livestock)
Meeting Houses
Refectory (Dining)
Craft Houses (Smelting / Woodwork / Alcohol)
Roundtower (appear c.9th / 12th centuries)

19. The Power of Medieval Monasteries

20. Skellig Michael - UNESCO
•Skellig Michael is one of the island of Irelands three
UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
•A hermitage / monastery situated 12km off the
Iveragh Peninsula, Co. Kerry.
•Inscribed to UNESCO in 1996.
•Criterion (iii): Sceilg Mhichíl illustrates, as no
other property can, the extremes of a Christian
monasticism characterizing much of North Africa,
the Near East and Europe.
•Criterion (iv): Sceilg Mhichíl is an outstanding
and in many respects a unique example of an early
religious settlement deliberately sited on a
pyramidal rock in the ocean, preserved because of a
remarkable environment
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21. https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=SxU6kk24mh
o
Skellig Michael

22. St. Brigid / St. Brigit
•Born in the 5th Century, possibly a contemporary of
St. Patrick.
•Established the monastery of Kildare (Cill Dara -
'Church of Oak').
•Possibly an amalgamation of St. Brigid and an
earlier pre-Christian figure or deity.
•Some dispute regarding her existence.
•Performed miracles across Ireland including
healing women and the story of her cloak.
•One of the three patron saints of Ireland alongside,
St. Patrick and St. Colmcille.
•Feast day: 1st February.
•Click here for Podcast about St. Brigid.

23. St. Colm Cille
Columba the Elder (9th June)
•Born c. 519AD (Annals of Ulster).
•From an aristocratic background, a cousin of the
Northern Uí Neill Kings.
•Most famous for establishing the monasteries
ofDurrow (Derry) & Iona (Scottish Hebrides).
•The Monastery of Iona is likely where the
majority of the Book of Kells was created in the
8th/9th centuries.
•Adomnán is the Hagiographer of St. Colmcille,
100 years after his death.
•One of the three Patrons Saints of Ireland.
•Click here for Podcast about St. Colum Cille..

24. St. Columbanus -
Columba the Younger
•Born c. 543AD (Annals of Ulster)
•Trained as a monk at the monastery of Bangor.
•Took missionaries with him to continental Europe
in 591AD.
•One of the most famous Irish saints for his
missions across Europe and the establishment of
the Monastery in Luxuil, France and Bobbio,
Italy where he died in 615AD.
•Left many writings including poetry and rules
for monasteries.
•Feast day: 23rd November.
•Click here for Podcast about St. Colum Cille..

26. Writing in Early Medieval Ireland
431CE – 1,000CE
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27. Early Irish Writing
•The introduction of writing is one of the most
important aspects of the early medieval period.
•Many religious texts were copied by monks as an
act of devotion.
•As Ireland was not conquered by Rome, Latin
had to be learned by Irish monks.
•Writing in the Irish language also emerges,
making Irish one of the oldest written
vernacular languages in Europe.
•Among the most notable writings of the early
medieval period are:
oThe Lebor Gabála Érenn
oAn Cathach (Psalter of St. Columba)
oThe Book of Kells

28. Lebor Gabála Érenn
•Also known as 'The Book of Invasions'.
•Compiled in the 11th/12th centuries from
manuscripts of the 7th/8th centuries.
•Tells a pseudo-history of Ireland going back to the
flood of Noah.
•Records the tribes of Ireland before the arrival
of the Gaels.
•Links the Irish language back to the Tower of
Babel.
•Links many contemporaneous dynasties to
important figures of ancient Ireland and the Bible.
•Kept in the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.

29. Lebor Gabála Érenn

30. St. Patricks Day
Ireland's National Day or Tourism Cash-grab?