Early Christian Ireland

A fully documented history of Ireland and the Irish from the fifth to the ninth centuries.

T. M. Charles-Edwards (Author)

9780521363952, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 November 2000

728 pages, 14 maps 40 tables
23.6 x 16.1 x 5 cm, 1.277 kg

'… closely argued, high quality research … Charles-Edwards … is able to lead his readers through quite complex territory without sacrificing clarity.' The Journal of Ecclesiastical History

This book provides a fully documented history of Ireland and the Irish between the fourth and ninth centuries AD, from St Patrick to the Vikings - the earliest period for which historical records are available. It opens with the Irish raids and settlements in Britain, and the conversion of Ireland to Christianity. It ends as Viking attacks on Ireland accelerated in the second quarter of the ninth century. The book takes account of the Irish both at home and abroad, including the Irish in northern Britain, in England and on the continent. Two principal thematic strands are the connection between the early Irish Church and its neighbours, and the rise of Uí Néill and the kingship of Tara.

List of maps
List of tables
List of figures
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
A note on pronunciation
A note on the Chronicle of Ireland
Introduction
1. Ireland in the seventh century: a tour
2. Irish society c.700: I. Communities
3. Irish society c.700: II. Social distinctions and moral values
4. Ireland and Rome
5. Conversion to Christianity
6. The organisation of the early Irish church
7. Columba, Iona and Lindisfarne
8. Columbanus and his disciples
9. The Paschal controversy
10. The primatial claims of Armagh, Kildare and Canterbury
11. The origins and rise of Uí Néill
12. The kingship of Tara
13. The powers of kings
14. Conclusion
Appendix: genealogies and king-lists
Glossary: Irish and Latin
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Archaeology [HD], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], British & Irish history [HBJD1]