English settlers in fourteenth century Ireland. A case study of twelve landed families of South Leinster/ East Munster.

Abstract

This MA looks at the generations of twelve English, landed, settler families in medieval Ireland who lived through the catastrophic fourteenth century: Archdeacon, Avenei, Le Bret, Cantwell, Erley, Freyne, Grace, Hacket, Laffan, Marsh, Maunsell and Shorthall. These families owned land in the heavily colonised area of south Leinster and East Munster. Throughout the fourteenth century they had to contend with those natural conditions of the decline of royal government, the so called 'Gaelic resurgence', and the development of marcher customs. The first chapter aims to set the scene with the arrival of the families and their original enfeoffments in Ireland, and the condition of Ireland in 1300. Subsequent chapters cover those issues that were important to their physical, economic and cultural service to the king, and holding office in local and royal government: English common-law, also, was an important feature even in the liberties. Chapter three discusses marcher life and relations with the Gaelic Irish, for the Irish were not a constant enemy; they were neighbours, tenants and often relatives. Chapter four illustrates some of changes in family culture that arose ill response to their environment. At the end of the century all, except the Erley family, still held Irish lands but maintained an English identity though regionalised and marked out by many Gaelic customs.