Ireland in the medieval world, AD 400-1000 : landscape, kingship and religion

This is a study of Ireland's people, landscape, and place in the world from late antiquity to the reign of Brian Borama. The book narrates the story of Ireland's emergence into history, using anthropological, archaeological, historical, and literary evidence. The subjects covered include the king, the kingdom and the royal household, religion and customs, free and unfree classes in society, exiles, and foreigners. The rural, urban, ecclesiastical, ceremonial, and mythological landscapes of early medieval Ireland anchor the history of early Irish society in the rich tapestry of archaeological sites, monuments, and place-names that have survived to the present day. A historiography of medieval Irish studies presents the commentaries of a variety of scholars, from the 17th-century Franciscan Micheal O Cleirigh to Eoin Mac Neill, the founding father of modern scholarship. •••'Bhreathnach draws on archaeological evidence to supply insights into a society that has left only oblique views in the written record, proposing a revised view of the place of Ireland in medieval Europe....the book features eight pages of color plates and many photos, and is a must for academic libraries, particularly those with extensive history or archaeology collections. Essential.'- Choice, Vol. 52, No. 4, December 2014 ••• Featured in'Outstanding Academic Titles', a prestigious list of publications for the year 2014. - Choice, January 2015 [Subject: History, Medieval Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Irish Studies, Religious Studies] AIMED at the student and general reader, this is a study of Ireland's people, landscape and place in the world from late antiquity to the reign of Brian Bórama. It narrates the story of Ireland's emergence into history, using anthropological, archaeological, historical and literary evidence. Subjects covered include the king, the kingdom and the royal household; religion and customs; free and unfree classes in society; exiles and foreigners. The rural, urban, ecclesiastical, ceremonial and mythological landscapes of early medieval Ireland anchor the history of early Irish society in the rich tapestry of archaeological sites, monuments and place-names that have survived to the present. A historiography of medieval Irish studies presents the commentaries of a variety of scholars from the seventeenth-century Franciscan Mícheál Ó Cléirigh to Eoin Mac Neill, the founding father of modern scholarship. Book jacket Introduction: The Tradition Of Writing History In Medieval Ireland -- The Landscapes Of Early Medieval Ireland -- Kingdoms, Kings And People: Concepts Of Kingship; The Obligations And Power Of Kings; The Extended Royal Family; The Royal House And Household; The Life And Death Of The King -- Religion, Ritual And Ritualists: Seeking The Old Belief System; The Appearance Of A New Religion; Establishing A Christian Structure; Armagh: The Rome Of Ireland; The Christian Religious Experience Of The Laity -- Conclusion: Why Ireland In The Medieval World? Edel Bhreathnach. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This is a study of Ireland's people, landscape and place in the world from late antiquity to the reign of Brian B©đrama. It narrates the story of Ireland's emergence into history, using anthropological, archaeological, historical and literary evidence.--Résumé de l'éditeur