Medieval and monastic Derry : sixth century to 1600 / Brian Lacey.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lacey, Brian, 1949- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Derry (Northern Ireland)--History.

Derry (Northern Ireland).

Physical Description:

x, 166 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Dublin : Four Courts Press, [2013]

Summary:

This Book is the first comprehensive study of medieval Derry. According to legend, Derry originated as a monastery founded by St Columba/Colum Cille. That story was almost certainly a later rationalization and simplification of a complex reality arising from Derry's capture from the Cenél nÉnnai kingdom in the late sixth century by the saint's people, the powerful Cenél Conaill. By the ninth century, Derry was in the hands of the latter's conquering enemies - the Cenél nEógain of Inishowen. They further developed the Columban legend for propaganda purposes. In the twelfth century, under the dynamic Mac Lochlainn kings, the enlarged settlement at Derry became a centre of significant political and cultural influence and the headquarters of the Columban churches in Ireland. Later - with the defeat of the Mac Lochlainns - Derry too declined. It would enjoy a brief revival in later medieval times under the O'Donnells, who also harnessed the Columban legend. The settlement was captured by the English in 1600, however, bringing about the end of its Gaelic identity. Brian Lacey has been writing about medieval Derry since the 1980s; in this book, he revisits those studies - revising and augmenting them, examining previously little-used sources and emphasizing Derry's changing fortunes in the context of contemporary secular politics. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 The 'island' of Derry 1

2 The legend of the foundation of the monastery 14

3 The historical evidence: Daire Calgaich and the Cenél Conaill 25

4 Derry and the Cenél nEógain 40

5 The Mac Lochlainns and Doire Coluim Chille 53

6 The medieval settlement: its layout and structures 77

7 Derry in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries 93

8 Archbishop Colton's visit to Derry in 1397 111

9 The Uí Domhnaill and the end of medieval Derry 127

10 Memorializing and reinterpreting Columban Derry 138

11 Summary and conclusions 147.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781846823831

1846823838

OCLC:

827260827