Couldn't agree more. Highly enjoyable new entry to the AAR lexicon
A Brief History of the Royal O'Deas: Ireland 867-1453
- Thread starter Deaghaidh
- Start date
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Couldn't agree more. Highly enjoyable new entry to the AAR lexicon
Thanks for the support.
Anyone know a decent, free image hosting site other than Photobucket? Imageshack is only free for 30 days, and I've apparently overwhelmed Photobucket with the quantity of pics.
Edit: Damnit, I didn't realize it, but a week ago was the 1,000th anniversary of Brian Boru's victory at the Battle of Clontarf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Clontarf
Further edit: I'm trying imgur, lets see how this goes.
Anyone know a decent, free image hosting site other than Photobucket? Imageshack is only free for 30 days, and I've apparently overwhelmed Photobucket with the quantity of pics.
Edit: Damnit, I didn't realize it, but a week ago was the 1,000th anniversary of Brian Boru's victory at the Battle of Clontarf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Clontarf
Further edit: I'm trying imgur, lets see how this goes.
Last edited:
The Irish Constantine
The Irish Constantine
Ard Ri Constantin O'Dea was raised to fulfill his father's lofty ambitions, a duty he pursued diligently. At the time of his death, Murchad O'Dea had just begun a war to bring the Ua Briuin Breifne into the fold. The last independent Irish Ri, the Ua Briuin was hopelessly outmatched and quickly surrendered, finally completing Murchad's conquest of the entire island.
Constantin also built the first stone keep at Dysert, parts of which are still visible but most of which has been replaced by later construction. To judge from finds at battlefields and depictions in art from the period, the quality of both armor and weaponry saw a marked improvement as well. Aside from the obvious military benefits, these developments reflected a growing prosperity and confidence spreading in Ireland.
Constantin was a major patron of brehons, the judicial scholars who interpreted traditional law. In particular, he patronized those scholars who advocated a more 'active' role of the King in the legal system. Previously kingship had only a secondary role as judges and enforcers of the law. Under Constantin the idea began to gain credence that the decisions of a king could be appealed to his overlord, thus putting much more power in the office of Ard Ri.
While his nation-building efforts at home were critical to the long term viability of the O'Dea dynasty, in most histories they are overshadowed by his energetic pursuit of further Holy Wars against the Vikings. In 976 he invaded Galloway. Once part of "Scotia Minor", a gaelic realm in the days of Saint Columba, Galloway was then subordinate to the King of Norway, and represented a Norse base ideally located to strike at Eastern Ireland and Innse Gall.
Like his father, Constantin spent much of his spare time playing wargames to improve his skill at strategy. His practice seems to have paid off, with his army defeating a Norse force at Reel on the Isle of Mann, paving the way for the occupation of Galloway and the eventual surrender of the Norwegians in 979.
Less than a month after that capitulation, he declared war on the pagan Anglo-Saxon Ynglings of Teviotdale.
However even as his forces mustered for this campaign, Constantin suddenly died from an unspecified illness. His eldest son having died, his second son Fedelmid was proclaimed Ard Ri, while his younger son was endowed as Prince and Dux of Connaught.
Constantin's six year reign is overshadowed in historical memory by his larger than life father. But without such a competent successor to build on his success, Ard Ri Murchad's reign might have been a brief flash in the pan, rather than the start of an enduring dynasty. Constantin built the physical and organizational infrastructure that future O'Dea High Kings would expand upon.
The Irish Constantine
Ard Ri Constantin O'Dea was raised to fulfill his father's lofty ambitions, a duty he pursued diligently. At the time of his death, Murchad O'Dea had just begun a war to bring the Ua Briuin Breifne into the fold. The last independent Irish Ri, the Ua Briuin was hopelessly outmatched and quickly surrendered, finally completing Murchad's conquest of the entire island.
Constantin also built the first stone keep at Dysert, parts of which are still visible but most of which has been replaced by later construction. To judge from finds at battlefields and depictions in art from the period, the quality of both armor and weaponry saw a marked improvement as well. Aside from the obvious military benefits, these developments reflected a growing prosperity and confidence spreading in Ireland.
Constantin was a major patron of brehons, the judicial scholars who interpreted traditional law. In particular, he patronized those scholars who advocated a more 'active' role of the King in the legal system. Previously kingship had only a secondary role as judges and enforcers of the law. Under Constantin the idea began to gain credence that the decisions of a king could be appealed to his overlord, thus putting much more power in the office of Ard Ri.
While his nation-building efforts at home were critical to the long term viability of the O'Dea dynasty, in most histories they are overshadowed by his energetic pursuit of further Holy Wars against the Vikings. In 976 he invaded Galloway. Once part of "Scotia Minor", a gaelic realm in the days of Saint Columba, Galloway was then subordinate to the King of Norway, and represented a Norse base ideally located to strike at Eastern Ireland and Innse Gall.
Like his father, Constantin spent much of his spare time playing wargames to improve his skill at strategy. His practice seems to have paid off, with his army defeating a Norse force at Reel on the Isle of Mann, paving the way for the occupation of Galloway and the eventual surrender of the Norwegians in 979.
Less than a month after that capitulation, he declared war on the pagan Anglo-Saxon Ynglings of Teviotdale.
However even as his forces mustered for this campaign, Constantin suddenly died from an unspecified illness. His eldest son having died, his second son Fedelmid was proclaimed Ard Ri, while his younger son was endowed as Prince and Dux of Connaught.
Constantin's six year reign is overshadowed in historical memory by his larger than life father. But without such a competent successor to build on his success, Ard Ri Murchad's reign might have been a brief flash in the pan, rather than the start of an enduring dynasty. Constantin built the physical and organizational infrastructure that future O'Dea High Kings would expand upon.
All building nicely! I like the explanation of Medium Crown Authority
I find Brehon law fascinating, and in this time line it won't be forcibly suppressed by English Common Law, so expect to hear more about it.
It seems like I'll have to resize screenshots, but on the plus side they are at least showing up now.
Well I planned a great many things, not all of which happened. But yes, uniting Scotia Major and Scotia Minor (or Erin and Alba) is on the agenda, as you can see.
Initially my goal was Empire of Brittania. But then I had the horrifying thought that it might convert me into EU4 as Great Britain, with the Union Jack, Anglocentric national ideas and events, etc. So I crossed it off my list.
Just checking in. This is not abandoned by any means, my work schedule has just changed so that I don't have the same blocks of free time I used to.
I'll try to have at least one update either tomorrow or Thursday.
We've still got a ton of history to cover.
I'll try to have at least one update either tomorrow or Thursday.
We've still got a ton of history to cover.
Just have to say, I'm really enjoying this AAR and its very readable style, and looking forward to following the O'Dea clan through many more centuries of history!
The Reign of Fedelmid, Part 1
Fedelmid swiftly won his father's holy war for Lothian, sharing the spoils with the Mac Ailpin King of Scotland. As he was doing so, a modest force of raiders from the Orkneys descended upon Connaught, causing a fair amount of property damage before fleeing the returning Irish army.
The High Kingdom of Ireland in 981, at the beginning of the reign of Fedelmid I
In Fedelmid's time the expanding role of the High King saw something of a setback. More traditionalist Brehons, patronized primarily by Deidre Ui Niell, now styled Duchess of Tara and married to an O'Dea, articulated a vision of Brehon law that limited the circumstances that allowed rulings to be appealed. Fedelmid seems to have accepted this pushback for the sake of avoiding conflict with his major vassals. But the dispute stimulated further developments in legal scholarship, as different schools of thought sought to undermine each other's arguments.
Fedelmid preferred to focus on building as opposed to legal theory. In his lengthy reign, Dysert saw a boom in major buildings. He significantly expanded on his father's keep, while also building new stables, barracks and training grounds.
Like his ancestor Cormac, Fedelmid O'Dea was married to a Norse princess who converted to Christianity. Freyja Hvitserk was the daughter of the newly Christian King of Jorvik, and the match was arranged for strategic reasons. But by all accounts the marriage was a happy one, and the two would have a strong working relationship throughout his reign.
With his Yorkish allies Fedelmid launched a holy war against the Norse lord of Cumberland. Though small, Cumberland could field a surprisingly strong army. To bolster his forces, Fedelmid appealed to the Knights of Santiago, one of the holy orders founded during the First Crusade. The various crusading orders would play a major role in Ireland's history. For one thing, they introduced the concept of Knighthood. In the late 10th century, the ideas of Knighthood and Chivalry were gaining traction on the continent but had yet to catch on in the British Isles. Ireland would be slow to develop a cadre of native knights. While there are many theories, the most plausible explaination is that Irish traditions about land ownership did not lend themselves to the concentration of land into single large estates. The larger population of small landholders would prove ideal for recruiting the heavy infantry and light horsemen that would make up the bulk of irish armies through the medieval era.
Bolstered by the Knights of Santiago, Fedelmid's army met and defeated the Cumberlanders at the Battle of Preston.
Though the war would drag on for several years, Preston marked the beginning of the end for Cumberland. Fedelmid added the town of Perinth and Stirling to his kingdom, but most of Cumberland went to the Saxon petty kingdom of Lancaster. These were heady days for minor anglo-saxon warlords, as at the same time Sighere, King of Essex, led the Catholic forces to victory in the Third Crusade, establishing a Saxon kingdom in Andalucía.
Fedelmid swiftly won his father's holy war for Lothian, sharing the spoils with the Mac Ailpin King of Scotland. As he was doing so, a modest force of raiders from the Orkneys descended upon Connaught, causing a fair amount of property damage before fleeing the returning Irish army.
The High Kingdom of Ireland in 981, at the beginning of the reign of Fedelmid I
In Fedelmid's time the expanding role of the High King saw something of a setback. More traditionalist Brehons, patronized primarily by Deidre Ui Niell, now styled Duchess of Tara and married to an O'Dea, articulated a vision of Brehon law that limited the circumstances that allowed rulings to be appealed. Fedelmid seems to have accepted this pushback for the sake of avoiding conflict with his major vassals. But the dispute stimulated further developments in legal scholarship, as different schools of thought sought to undermine each other's arguments.
Fedelmid preferred to focus on building as opposed to legal theory. In his lengthy reign, Dysert saw a boom in major buildings. He significantly expanded on his father's keep, while also building new stables, barracks and training grounds.
Like his ancestor Cormac, Fedelmid O'Dea was married to a Norse princess who converted to Christianity. Freyja Hvitserk was the daughter of the newly Christian King of Jorvik, and the match was arranged for strategic reasons. But by all accounts the marriage was a happy one, and the two would have a strong working relationship throughout his reign.
With his Yorkish allies Fedelmid launched a holy war against the Norse lord of Cumberland. Though small, Cumberland could field a surprisingly strong army. To bolster his forces, Fedelmid appealed to the Knights of Santiago, one of the holy orders founded during the First Crusade. The various crusading orders would play a major role in Ireland's history. For one thing, they introduced the concept of Knighthood. In the late 10th century, the ideas of Knighthood and Chivalry were gaining traction on the continent but had yet to catch on in the British Isles. Ireland would be slow to develop a cadre of native knights. While there are many theories, the most plausible explaination is that Irish traditions about land ownership did not lend themselves to the concentration of land into single large estates. The larger population of small landholders would prove ideal for recruiting the heavy infantry and light horsemen that would make up the bulk of irish armies through the medieval era.
Bolstered by the Knights of Santiago, Fedelmid's army met and defeated the Cumberlanders at the Battle of Preston.
Though the war would drag on for several years, Preston marked the beginning of the end for Cumberland. Fedelmid added the town of Perinth and Stirling to his kingdom, but most of Cumberland went to the Saxon petty kingdom of Lancaster. These were heady days for minor anglo-saxon warlords, as at the same time Sighere, King of Essex, led the Catholic forces to victory in the Third Crusade, establishing a Saxon kingdom in Andalucía.
Hahahaa! Petty King of Essex....and Andalusia. Has quite the ring about it lol
Good update
Good update
A big blob of Spain ruled by Essex? I've said it elsewhere, but I'll say it here...
...this is an AAR!
...but, that makes it cool
...this is an AAR!
...but, that makes it cool
A big blob of Spain ruled by Essex? I've said it elsewhere, but I'll say it here...
...this is an AAR!
...but, that makes it cool
I'm not complaining, anything to keep the Sassanach busy. They're the Moors' problem now!
Delayed edit: Because you have to have Andalusian culture to make that kingdom, he'd remain only a petty king. I might not get a chance to mention it, as it doesn't directly impact Ireland, but they would establish anglo-saxon culture over a surprising amount of Andalusia. And that will be far from the oddest overseas development.
Last edited:
The Reign of Fedelmid, Part 2
Fedelmid's reign would be most remembered for his northern campaigns. Building on his father and grandfather's work conquering the Norse in Innse Gall and Galloway, Fedelmid would strike the Norse raiders at their bases in the North Atlantic. Orkney, the Faroes, and Iceland were all home to Norse communities who supplemented the living they could scratch out of their island homes by pillaging Ireland. In 992, Fedelmid launched his own attack on Orkney.
Orkney was part of the Kingdom of Norway, which at this point was ruled by Sif Knytling, a catholic. Fedelmid argued that Sif was either unable or unwilling to prevent her pagan vassals in Orkney from terrorizing Ireland, and so he was justified in attacking Sif, even though she was engaged in her own war against pagan rivals in Scandinavia. The Orkney campaign would prove one-sided, with no pitched battles. Instead there were three years of dismal sieges of damp, cold islands before Sif gave up on Orkney.
Fedelmid's domestic affairs caused him more troubles than his campaign against Orkney. While his wife had a son by a previous marriage, Fedelmid and Freyja would have three daughters.
Fedelmid intended for his eldest daughter, Condal, to be his heir. To bolster his claim he arranged for her to marry the son and heir of Deirdre Ui Niell, the Duchess of Tara who had married into the O'Dea clan. He married his younger daughter, also named Dierdre, to his nephew Gila-ruaid, Duke of Connaught. His youngest daughter married the King of Galicia, bolstering that fruitful alliance. From Princess Una would descend the Santiago branch of the O'Deas.
Shortly after this wedding, Fedelmid answered an appeal for help from his new in-laws. Repaying the Galicians for their own assistance earlier, Fedelmid dispatched a sizeable force that took the city of Lisbon, securing victory for the Galicians in their ongoing Reconquista.
In 1004, in his mid forties, Fedelmid went on a pilgrimage to Rome. He was the first sitting High King to undertake a pilgrimage outside Ireland. His piety was tested the following year, when his beloved wife Freyja died. In the words of the Chronicle of St Tola, "All the joy in the High King perished with her."
His depression and disinterest in governing was probably the reason why Fedelmid didn't resist when in 1008 his powerful vassal, Prince-Dux Mael Ciarian of Ulster confronted his with an ultimatum. He demanded Fedelmid abandon his plans to have his daughter succeed him, and instead agree to a system where the eldest O'Dea clansman would be the Tanist. This had the effect of making Mael Ciarian the heir to the throne.
Not long afterwards, the depressed and detached Fedelmid died. The high kingship passed to his elderly uncle, Mael Ciarian O'Dea of Ulster, a son of High King Murchad O'Dea.
Fedelmid's reign would be most remembered for his northern campaigns. Building on his father and grandfather's work conquering the Norse in Innse Gall and Galloway, Fedelmid would strike the Norse raiders at their bases in the North Atlantic. Orkney, the Faroes, and Iceland were all home to Norse communities who supplemented the living they could scratch out of their island homes by pillaging Ireland. In 992, Fedelmid launched his own attack on Orkney.
Orkney was part of the Kingdom of Norway, which at this point was ruled by Sif Knytling, a catholic. Fedelmid argued that Sif was either unable or unwilling to prevent her pagan vassals in Orkney from terrorizing Ireland, and so he was justified in attacking Sif, even though she was engaged in her own war against pagan rivals in Scandinavia. The Orkney campaign would prove one-sided, with no pitched battles. Instead there were three years of dismal sieges of damp, cold islands before Sif gave up on Orkney.
Fedelmid's domestic affairs caused him more troubles than his campaign against Orkney. While his wife had a son by a previous marriage, Fedelmid and Freyja would have three daughters.
Fedelmid intended for his eldest daughter, Condal, to be his heir. To bolster his claim he arranged for her to marry the son and heir of Deirdre Ui Niell, the Duchess of Tara who had married into the O'Dea clan. He married his younger daughter, also named Dierdre, to his nephew Gila-ruaid, Duke of Connaught. His youngest daughter married the King of Galicia, bolstering that fruitful alliance. From Princess Una would descend the Santiago branch of the O'Deas.
Shortly after this wedding, Fedelmid answered an appeal for help from his new in-laws. Repaying the Galicians for their own assistance earlier, Fedelmid dispatched a sizeable force that took the city of Lisbon, securing victory for the Galicians in their ongoing Reconquista.
In 1004, in his mid forties, Fedelmid went on a pilgrimage to Rome. He was the first sitting High King to undertake a pilgrimage outside Ireland. His piety was tested the following year, when his beloved wife Freyja died. In the words of the Chronicle of St Tola, "All the joy in the High King perished with her."
His depression and disinterest in governing was probably the reason why Fedelmid didn't resist when in 1008 his powerful vassal, Prince-Dux Mael Ciarian of Ulster confronted his with an ultimatum. He demanded Fedelmid abandon his plans to have his daughter succeed him, and instead agree to a system where the eldest O'Dea clansman would be the Tanist. This had the effect of making Mael Ciarian the heir to the throne.
Not long afterwards, the depressed and detached Fedelmid died. The high kingship passed to his elderly uncle, Mael Ciarian O'Dea of Ulster, a son of High King Murchad O'Dea.
Seniority...well, not as bad as the vassals demanding you institute an Elective Monarchy, and then someone else's house taking the throne.
Glad you attacked Orkney, by the way - I was thinking last update, "When are the pagans going to leave Ireland alone?"
Glad you attacked Orkney, by the way - I was thinking last update, "When are the pagans going to leave Ireland alone?"
Last edited:
Goodness: seniority eh? Not what you will have wanted but as Henry says better than Elective if your barons had something else in mind. Good update as always
I wasn't all that displeased with seniority. Realistically, its unlikely that a woman would inherit in Ireland in this situation, with such an abundance of uncles and cousins. It also unites a rather power full vassal with the crown. If I'd wanted to fight I could probably have won handily, but Fedelmid was too depressed to care and I didn't want to waste troops fighting inside the family.
In fact, over the course of this aar I think I caved to most, if not all, faction ultimatums. Which is the opposite of how I usually behave.
In fact, over the course of this aar I think I caved to most, if not all, faction ultimatums. Which is the opposite of how I usually behave.