AR246 CASTLES, COLONISTS AND CRANNOGS 1100-1350 (compuslory) 

Module Summary

This course critically examines the archaeology of Ireland during the high medieval period from c. 1100 until the late 14^th century. The reform of the church in the 12^th century and the nature of society prior to the arrival of the Normans are both examined in the first part of this course. The background to the coming of the Anglo-Normans to Ireland in 1169 and the impact they had on the landscape are discussed in depth. Themes for this part of the course will include the role of castles, the manorial economy, trade, the foundation of villages and towns by mostly.  English immigrants and dispersed settlement in Anglo-Norman dominated parts of eastern Ireland. In particular, the interplay between castle, town and country in Anglo-Norman Ireland is explored in this comprehensive program.

It must also be remembered that large parts of Ireland remained in some way under the control of Irish (Gaelic Irish) princes and lords. The course will chart the interaction between the indigenous Irish and the newcomers. Lectures in this section of the course will examine the nature of Irish settlement during the period under review and will argue that while there was much change, continuity from the pre-Norman period was seen too. The changes of the 14^thcentury will be examined in the last lectures of the course.

Core Texts

• Barry, T. B. 1987 The Archaeology of Medieval Ireland. London and New York.
• Duffy, P., Edwards, D. and FitzPatrick, E. (eds). 2001 Gaelic Ireland, c .1250-c .1650: land, lordship and settlement. Dublin.
• O’Conor, K. D. 1998 The archaeology of medieval rural settlement In Ireland. Discovery Programme Monographs 3, Dublin.
• O'Conor, K. D. 2004 Medieval Rurl Settlement in Munster, Barrycourt Lecture No. VII, 225-56, Dandon Editions, Kinsale.
• O'Keeffe, T. 2000 Medieval Ireland: an archaeology. Stroud.

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