Medieval Ireland: Territorial, Political and Economic Divisions

Describes, for the first time, the nature of the unique socio-political and economic system of Gaelic Ireland as it developed and changed during the period from her eariest history until the Anglo-Norman invasion, with special emphasis on the period of the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The origins of this nationwide system are explored in their European context, and the components of the system: local kingdom, trícha cét, late- túath and baile biataig, are explored, described and understood. Special attention is given to the role of kingship in this early society, as well as to the lesser grades within society. Especial attention is paid to the trícha cét, and it is demonstrated that this unit was adopted unchanged by the Anglo-Normans to become their cantred. A large part of the book is taken up with the task of listing and describing the area of each cantred by use of a newly developed methodology which makes use of the fulsome material from the Anglo-Norman period. These are then represented in a series of maps covering the entire country. A methodology of border and boundary study is established and described, and the close relationship between Gaelic and Anglo-Norman boundaries and borders is investigated and demonstrated. This is the first book to be published on this neglected and important area of study.