Anglo Norman Ireland
Anglo-Norman Ireland 1170 – 1300 AD
During the beginning of the 12th century, the Irish church was transformed through a series of synods, moving from a monastic to a diocesan system. Figures like St. Malachy of Armagh connected Ireland with Continental orders, as organisations like the Cistercians, Augustinians, Franciscans and Benedictines established their bases across the country, and new architectural styles began to flourish.
This interest in looking beyond Ireland’s borders, went beyond spirituality and art, and entered the world of politics. When Dairmait MacMurchada was deposed as King of Leinster, he turned to King Henry II of England for support. What happened next would change Ireland forever.
Don’t forget to click the ‘Materials‘ tab for extra resources to help you to dig deeper into the story!
Materials
- There are a number of books on the Norman Invasion of Ireland. By far the biggest is Goddard Henry Orpen’s epic Ireland under the Normans – it may be around a century old but it is very, very comprehensive. It has been recently reprinted by Four Courts Press.
- It’s not quite as old as the previous too, but Richard Roche’s The Norman Invasion of Ireland gives a solid overview of the events.
- We can’t really talk about the Normans without mentioning castles, and I was joined by Professor Tadhg O’Keeffe in episode 4 of Amplify Archaeology Podcast for an in-depth chat about their origins and importance. You can hear it here.