131-059 Celtic Irish Kingship

Usually 25 points of first year history, see Prerequisites.

This subject is a study of the earliest evidence, both material and textual, reflecting the interaction of pagan past and Christian present in Ireland in the period between the coming of Christianity (5th century) and the Anglo-Norman invasion (late 12th century). Students who complete the subject should have a knowledge of the saga literature and the important themes of kingship, sovereignty, goddess archetypes, 'symbolic geography' and tribal identity. Students will also encounter Celtic Scotland and the fate of Irish Gaelic culture in the colonial period. We will examine images of the past as political propaganda during the early Christian period and conclude with a look at the way in which this relates to modern Irish historical debates.

Class participation and written work totalling 4000 words.

A subject reader will be available.