Late Medieval Ireland
The Norman invasion in the 12th century marked the beginning of the late medieval period. Ireland became a prize for the English crown and was subject to English settlement. But the conquest was incomplete, and the two societies maintained a difficult co-existence. The period ended with the collapse of the last independent Irish kingdoms around 1600.
Iron helmet with bronze mounts from Lough Henney, Co Down; 14th-15th century.
Normans
The coming of the Normans in 1169 began the English settlement of Ireland. Lordships were soon established, and John de Courcy took east Ulster. Stone castles defended his regime.Image: The Norman age was international. A bronze basin found in Co Armagh was imported from the Rhineland; it was ada...
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Two Nations
Two nations - Irish and English - lived in late medieval Ireland, but borders were never agreed. The Black Death swept through the country in the 13th century and the towns of the English were worst affected. The declining colony was limited to the Pale, a coastal strip between Dublin and Dundalk...
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