Warfare Gaelic_Ireland

a cattle raid shown in image of irelande (1581)



a fantasy painting showing legendary hero cúchulainn in battle

warfare common in gaelic ireland, territories fought supremacy against each other , (later) against anglo-normans. champion warfare common theme in irish mythology. in middle ages able-bodied men, apart learned , clergy, eligible military service on behalf of king or chief. throughout middle ages , time after, outsiders wrote style of irish warfare differed deemed norm in western europe. gaelic irish preferred hit-and-run raids (the crech), involved catching enemy unaware. if worked seize valuables (mainly livestock) , potentially valuable hostages, burn crops, , escape. cattle raid called táin bó in gaelic literature. although hit-and-run raiding preferred tactic in medieval times, there pitched battles. @ least 11th century, kings maintained small permanent fighting forces known troops of household , given houses , land on king s mensal land. these well-equipped professional soldiers made of infantry , cavalry. reign of brian boru, irish kings taking large armies on campaign on long distances , using naval forces in tandem land forces.

a typical medieval irish army included light infantry, heavy infantry , cavalry. bulk of army made-up of light infantry called ceithern (anglicized kern ). ceithern wandered ireland offering services hire , wielded swords, skenes (a kind of long knife), short spears, bows , shields. cavalry made-up of king or chieftain , close relatives. rode without saddles wore armour , iron helmets , wielded swords, skenes , long spears or lances. 1 kind of irish cavalry hobelar. after norman invasion there emerged kind of heavy infantry called gallóglaigh (anglicized gallo[w]glass ). scottish mercenaries appeared in 13th century, 15th century large túatha had own hereditary force of irish gallóglaigh. anglo-norman lordships began using gallóglaigh in imitation of irish. wore mail , iron helmets , wielded sparth axes, claymores, , spears or lances. gallóglaigh furnished retreating plunderers moving line of defence horsemen make short, sharp charges, , behind retreat when pursued . armour made them less nimble, planted @ strategic spots along line of retreat. kern, horsemen , gallóglaigh had lightly-armed servants carry weapons battle.

warriors rallied battle blowing horns , warpipes. according gerald de barri (in 12th century), did not wear armour, deemed burdensome wear , brave , honourable fight without it. instead, ordinary soldiers fought semi-naked , carried weapons , small round shield—spenser wrote these shields covered leather , painted in bright colours. kings , chiefs went battle wearing helmets adorned eagle feathers. ordinary soldiers, thick hair served helmet, wore simple helmets made animal hides.