DBA Armies

This list covers the English in Ireland from the take-over by Henry II of a land subdued by free-lance Anglo-Norman adventurers, such as Richard FitzGilbert “Strongbow”, until the shift to more direct control from London after the death of Gerald of Kildare in 1513. The general represents the royal official known successively as the Justiciar, Lieutenant or Lord Deputy. He could be an English import, out of his depth and baffled by the locals, but more often of a prominent Anglo- Irish family that understood the locals all too well but at blood feud with many of them. He had a small force of men-at- arms, archers and hobilars, but mainly depended on Anglo-Irish lords “more Irish than the Irish”, English colonists, and friendly Irish kerns with javelins. Anglo-Irish cavalry discarded lances for Irish javelins, but wore more armour and willing to charge home. Galloglaich (or “galloglasses”) were a hereditary guild of mercenary foot from the Scottish Isles in helmet, long mail shirt or quilted “cotun” and by 1400 armed with a long axe and javelins. References: Armies of Feudal Europe 1. Heath, Armies of the Middle Ages Vol 11. Heath, Irish Battles G.A. Hayes-McCoy.