The Irish Greyhound pig was a descendant of the European wild pig (Sus scrofa) that had roamed Irish forests since prehistoric times. It was first domesticated in Ireland during the Neolithic. In the early Middle Ages there was not much distinction between the wild pig and the domesticated pig; the domesticated pig was fed on … Read more
The Three Richards: Richard I, Richard II and Richard III Nigel Saul (Hambledon and London, £19.99) ISBN 1852852860It is probably just as well that the present prince of Wales is called Charles and that the son likely to succeed him is called William. Anything but Richard, for of the three King Richards so far—Richard I, … Read more
When examining the histories of particular marchlands (border regions) through the medieval and early modern periods, it is best practice to avoid sweeping and speculative theses and to begin by employing that much-maligned and least fashionable of historical approaches—the historical narrative. The most important, yet most neglected, of these interfaces were those of the Irish … Read more
A nation in medieval Ireland? Perspectives on Gaelic national identity in the Middle Ages (British Archaeological Reports, British Series, 367) Thomas Finan (Archaeopress, £29) ISBN 1841716006 The question of ‘identity’ in medieval Ireland is all the rage these days, and not simply in the sense of commanding a great deal of interest. For several decades … Read more
Brendan Bradshaw and Dáire Keogh (eds) (Columba Press, E30) ISBN 1856073505 This is a collection of 23 articles, all relating to the history of Christianity in Ireland, which aim to fill the need for a book for ‘the interested non-specialist as well as undergraduates . . . about the history of the church in Ireland … Read more