Gaelic Ulster in the Middle Ages History, culture and society

The Plantation of Ulster followed from the perceived recalcitrance and military strength of its Gaelic lords. This book examines the prelude to their final rebellion. After a brief survey of medieval Ulster’s heritage from the Iron Age and Early Christian period, it gives a detailed narrative of Ulster history from the eleventh to the early sixteenth century, relating the politics and culture of the province to developments in the rest of Ireland and Europe. It then delves into the ‘plain living and high thinking’ of its somewhat enigmatic society, operating largely independently of towns or coinage, describing in turn its chieftains, churchmen, scholars, warriors, court ladies and other women, and the amusements and everyday life of the people.

Katharine Simms lectured in medieval history at Trinity College Dublin until 2010. She has written From kings to warlords: the changing political structure of Gaelic Ireland in the later Middle Ages (Woodbridge, 1987) and Medieval Gaelic sources (Dublin, 2009).