I N V I C T V S
SECONDARY SOURCES
Barrett, Scott, Early Gaelic Dress; An Introduction (2006).
Bartlett, Thomas (editor), A Military History of Ireland (Cambridge University Press, 1996), includes:
—Charles-Edwards, T.M, Irish Warfare Before 1100;
—Flanagan, Marie Therese, Irish and Norman Warfare in Twelfth-century Ireland; and
—Simms, Katherine, Gaelic Warfare in the Middle Ages.
Byrne, Francis J., Irish Kings and High Kings (B.T. Batsford Ltd., 1973).
Haywood, John, The Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings (Penguin, 1995).
Dunlevy, Mairead, Dress in Ireland: A History (Collins Press, 1989).
Heath, Ian, Armies of the Dark Ages; 600-1066 (REG Games Ltd., 1976.
Jones, Gwyn, A History of the Vikings (Oxford University Press, 1984).
McClintock, H.F., Old Irish and Highland Dress (Dundalgan Press, 1943).
McCone, Kim, Werewolves, Cyclopes, Díberga and Fíanna; Juvenile Delinquency in Early Ireland
(Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies, 1986).
Meehan, Bernard, The Book of Kells (Thames & Hudson, 1994).
Newark, Tim, Celtic Warriors; 400BC-AD1600 (Blandford Press, 1986).
Newman, Roger Chatterton, Brian Boru, King of Ireland (Anvil Books Limited, 1983).
O’Corrain, Donnchadh, Ireland Before the Normans (Four Courts Press, 2009).
O’Croinin, Daibhi, Early Medieval Ireland 400-1200 (Longman 1995).
Patterson, Nerys, Cattle Lords and Clansmen; The Social Structure of Early Ireland (University of Notre Dame Press, 1994).
Somerset Fry, Peter and Fiona, A History of Ireland (Routledge, 1993).
PRIMARY SOURCES
Cogad Gaedel re Gallaib (“The War of the Irish with the Foreigners”); Written in the twelfth century under the patronage of the O’Brien clan, and therefore promotes the political aspirations of Brian Boru’s descendants. Written as a two-part heroic chronicle that purports to record the depredations of the Vikings in Ireland and Brian Bórumha’s war to break their power.
Caithréim Cellacháin Chaisil (“The Martial Career of Cellachán King of Cashel”); Written in the twelfth century about a tenth century king of Munster. Also written under the patronage of the O’Briens. Provides much valuable information regarding the period in which Norse power in Ireland reached its zenith.
Njálssaga (“Njál’s Saga”); Written in the thirteenth century in Iceland. The second-to-last chapter, which provides an account of the Battle of Clontarf, is believed to have been based on an earlier (eleventh or twelfth century) but lost Hiberno-Norse account of Brian Bórumha’s life—Brjánssaga (“Brian’s Saga”).
Giraldus Cambrensis (“Gerald of Wales”), Topographia Hiberniae (“Topography of Ireland”). Gerald of Wales was a member of one of the leading Norman families involved in the invasion of Ireland—he first visited there in 1183 and later returned in the entourage of Henry II. The resulting Topographia Hiberniae is an account of his travels and a repository of information regarding Irish society. Written from the point of view of an invader and ecclesiastical reformer, this work has been rightly criticized for its portrait of a primitive land, yet it is also one of the most important sources for what is known of Ireland during the Middle Ages.
Giraldus Cambrensis, Expugnatio Hiberniae (“Conquest of Ireland”). Best viewed as an apology (in the Medieval sense of the word, being a rationalization) for the Norman invasion of Ireland (i.e., the Normans were bringing civilization to the benighted Irish). Nevertheless provides a wealth of information regarding the Norman conquest of Ireland.
Annala Rioghachta Éireann (“Annals of the Kingdoms of Ireland”), a.k.a. Annala na gCeithre Mháistri (“Annals of the Four Masters”); An early seventeenth century compilation of several earlier Irish annals made by the Fransciscan Order of monks. The entries purport to trace Irish history from the time of the Biblical deluge until 1616 A.D.
Senchas Már (“Great Tradition”); An eighth century collection of 47 tracts of the fénechas or Brehon Laws, including glosses and commentaries from later brehons.
Bretha Nemed Toísech (“First Command of the Sacred Ones”), Bretha Nemed Déidenach (“Final Command of the Sacred Ones”), and Uraicecht Becc (“Small Primer”); All three are small legal tracts dealing primarily with the legal and social status of the nemed (“sacred”) class.
Berrad Airechta (“Shearing of the Court”); A synopsis of court procedure in Medieval Ireland.
Di Astud Chor (“On the Binding of Contracts”); A treatise on binding legal contracts.
Uraicecht na Ríar (“Primer of Stipulations”); Legal tract that includes information about the status of poets and bards in Irish society, and the difference between the two classes.
Lebor na gCeart (“Book of Rights”); Legal tract, copies of which survive in The Great Book of Lecan and the Book of Ballymote, which details the rents and taxes of the King of Cashel. One of the sources that makes clear the obligation of Irish kings to supply tuarastal to clients.
Críth Gablach (“Branched Purchase”); An eighth century legal tract that contains a wealth of information regarding social classes, the patron-client system, and the duties of a king.
Lebor na hUidre (“Book of the Dun Cow”); Fragmentary twelfth century manuscript containing ancient Irish myths and legends.
Lebor Gabála Érenn (“Book of the Conquests of Ireland”); An eleventh century compilation of Irish mythology, history, and folklore, including information regarding the nature of Irish kingship both before and after the Christianization of Ireland.
Lebor Laignech (“Book of Leinster”); A twelfth century compilation of Irish mythology, royal genealogies, and historical annals.
Lebor Bhaile an Mhóte (“Book of Ballymote”); A fourteenth century collection of history and legend that also includes a copy of the Lebor na gCeart.