Irish History
And
The Fighting Irish
And
The Fighting Irish
( The Gall-oglach - Gallowglass )
The
gallowlass, were a mercenary warrior elite among Gaelic-Norse clans residing in the Western Isles
of Scotland ( or Hebrides ) and Scottish Highlands from the mid 13th century to the end of the 16th century. These fearsome warriors were the descendants of the Ulster Gaels who had migrated there and intermarried with the Norse. Like their ancestors, they too, were " very great scorners of death " and as Gaels they shared a common origin and heritage with the Irish. They were the mainstay of Scottish and Irish warfare before the advent of gunpowder, and depended upon seasonal service with the Irish Lords. A military Chieftain would often select a gallowglass to serve as his personal aid and body guard, because as a foreigner the gallowglass would be less subject to local feuds and influences.
The term " gallowglass " or " galloglass " is an anglicisation of the Irish " galloglaigh " ( lit.." foreign soldiers " ) incorporating the Celtic word Oglach, which is derived from oac, the Old Irish for " Youths " but later meaning
" soldier ". Encarta specifies the plural of gallowglass to be " gallowglasses " but this article assumes that the singular and plural terms are both " gallowglass " as the English term is derived from an Irish plural.
The first record of the gallowglass service under the Irish was in 1259, when the prince of Connaught received a dowry of 160 Gaelic warriors from the daughter of the King of the Hebrides. They were organised into groups known as " Corrughadh " which consisted of about 100 men. In return for military service, the gallowglass contingents were given land and settled in Irish lordships, where they were entitled to receive supplies from the local population.
The term " gallowglass " or " galloglass " is an anglicisation of the Irish " galloglaigh " ( lit.." foreign soldiers " ) incorporating the Celtic word Oglach, which is derived from oac, the Old Irish for " Youths " but later meaning
" soldier ". Encarta specifies the plural of gallowglass to be " gallowglasses " but this article assumes that the singular and plural terms are both " gallowglass " as the English term is derived from an Irish plural.
The first record of the gallowglass service under the Irish was in 1259, when the prince of Connaught received a dowry of 160 Gaelic warriors from the daughter of the King of the Hebrides. They were organised into groups known as " Corrughadh " which consisted of about 100 men. In return for military service, the gallowglass contingents were given land and settled in Irish lordships, where they were entitled to receive supplies from the local population.
Two Irish Gallowglasss followed by two servants or Kern, drawing by Albrecht Durer 1521
By 1512, there were reported to be fifty nine groups throughout the country under the control of Irish nobility. Though initially they were mercenaries, over time they settled and their ranks filled with native Irish men. They were famously noted for wielding the two handed sparth axe ( a custom noted by Geraldus Cambrensis to have derived from their Norse heritage ) and broadsword or claymore ( claidheamh mor ) For armour the gallowglass wore chain mail shirts over padded jackets and iron helmets; he was usually accompanied by two boys ( like Knight's squires ) one of whom carried his throwing spears while the other carried his provisions.
Shakespear mentions gallowglass in his play Macbeth, although along with other aspects of the play it is an anachronism, as the historical macbeth lived in the 11th century.
Shakespear mentions gallowglass in his play Macbeth, although along with other aspects of the play it is an anachronism, as the historical macbeth lived in the 11th century.
The merciless Macdonwald
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that
The multiplying villainies of nature
Do swarm upon him, from the Western Isles
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied.
Worthy to be a rebel, for to that
The multiplying villainies of nature
Do swarm upon him, from the Western Isles
Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied.
The importation of gallowglass into Ireland was a major factor in containing the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century, as their ranks stiffened the resistance of the Irish lordships. Throughout the Middle Ages in Ireland, gallowglass troops were maintained by Gaelic Irish and Hiberno-Norman lords.
The Gaelic culture was such that being a great warrior was not only necessary, but encouraged. The bards sang about them. The culture of the time hinged on ritual combat. The best warrior from each clan would meet to sort out indifferences and fight to the death. This would happen over and over so that for hundreds of years, it could be said that the Irish wer born for battle fury. In fact the word " fury " derives from the word Furor, the word the Romans created to describe the battle frenzy of the Celts.
The gallowglass were the product of hundred's of years of fighting. To complement the gallowglass were the Kern or local soldier. The kerns go way back in Irish culture. Fast and lightly armoured, they lived off the land and were lethal with small javelins, axes and bows. Their aim was to prevent the gallowglass from being flanked, and were involved in harassing the enemies advance. They make for a good unit called " Sparr ", with 2 kerns and 1 gallowglass. The Normans would advance up the Irish countryside, when they would be met by a body of men riding towards them. The Irish would stop and get off their horses. Standing in a line, the gallowglass who were heavily armoured and holding their two handed axes and swords which were over 6ft long posed an incredible sight. The gallowglass are standing firm, they are not intimidated by the Norman advance. The Kern and Hobilar (Light Irish Cavalry ) start harassing the Normans, with small horses that handle the terrain much better. Screams and small spears fill the air. The Normans charge, and instead of running, the gallowglass step forward into the fight, and with their massive swords, take out the Norman horses and then move onto the riders.
The Gaelic culture was such that being a great warrior was not only necessary, but encouraged. The bards sang about them. The culture of the time hinged on ritual combat. The best warrior from each clan would meet to sort out indifferences and fight to the death. This would happen over and over so that for hundreds of years, it could be said that the Irish wer born for battle fury. In fact the word " fury " derives from the word Furor, the word the Romans created to describe the battle frenzy of the Celts.
The gallowglass were the product of hundred's of years of fighting. To complement the gallowglass were the Kern or local soldier. The kerns go way back in Irish culture. Fast and lightly armoured, they lived off the land and were lethal with small javelins, axes and bows. Their aim was to prevent the gallowglass from being flanked, and were involved in harassing the enemies advance. They make for a good unit called " Sparr ", with 2 kerns and 1 gallowglass. The Normans would advance up the Irish countryside, when they would be met by a body of men riding towards them. The Irish would stop and get off their horses. Standing in a line, the gallowglass who were heavily armoured and holding their two handed axes and swords which were over 6ft long posed an incredible sight. The gallowglass are standing firm, they are not intimidated by the Norman advance. The Kern and Hobilar (Light Irish Cavalry ) start harassing the Normans, with small horses that handle the terrain much better. Screams and small spears fill the air. The Normans charge, and instead of running, the gallowglass step forward into the fight, and with their massive swords, take out the Norman horses and then move onto the riders.
A Irish kern and gallowglass attacking an English light cavalryman
In a paper entitled " A description of the Power of Irishmen " written early in the 16th century the Irish forces of Leinster are numbered at 522 horse, 5 battalions of gallowglass and 1432 kern, and those of the other provinces were in like proportion. MacCarthy Mor, commanded 40 horse, 2 battalions of gallowglass, and 2000 kerne: the Earl of Desmond 400 horse, 3 battalions of gallowglass and 3000 kerne, besides a battalion of crossbowmen and gunners, the smaller chieftains supplying each their quota of men. In the year 1517 " when the reformacion of the countrye was taken in hand " it was reported that the Irish forces in Thomond were 750 horse, 2324 Kerne and 6
" batayles " of gallowglass, the latter including 60-80 footmen harnessed with spears, each of these had a man to bear his harness, some of whom themselves carried spears or bows. Every Kerne had a bow, a ' skieve ' or quiver, three spears, a sword, and a skene, each two having a lad to carry their weapons. The horsemen had two horses apiece, some three, the second bearing the ' knave ' or his attendant.
" batayles " of gallowglass, the latter including 60-80 footmen harnessed with spears, each of these had a man to bear his harness, some of whom themselves carried spears or bows. Every Kerne had a bow, a ' skieve ' or quiver, three spears, a sword, and a skene, each two having a lad to carry their weapons. The horsemen had two horses apiece, some three, the second bearing the ' knave ' or his attendant.
