Hmmm... tough one? Nah, dead easy..
High King of Ireland (Irish: Ard Rí na hÉireann) refers to legendary, pagan kings of Tara. It also refers to later kings, who were, depending on the period, either the most powerful king of their day, or, in later times, exercised authority over most of Ireland.
It seems prior to the Norman invasion of Ireland a whole patch-work of kingdoms existed in Ireland. No doubt there was a lot of Nordic influence after many years of Viking raids.
Some historians regard this period as one of tribal anarchy, while others claim it was an Utopian harmony.
One thing is for sure... there WAS and probably still ARE a LOT of Irish Kings knocking around!
It is scarcely possible to believe that there is one person of Irish descent today who does not also have kingly blood -- given the lack of rules of succession and the contrived genealogies of the time, all Irish males might lay claim to a kingship of one sort or another!
Who knows, maybe YOU are a crypto Irish Princess
The king that came very close to ruling all Ireland was:
Brian Boru -- a strong king who could have unified Ireland politically. But he was killed in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, and twelve years as High King was not long enough to unify the island politically. With the advent of "Longbow" and the Norman invasion the role of minor kingdoms was eventually crushed.
Many Irish myths, songs and tales are based on the old kingships. They make a rich reading resource.
So, it's most likely true; every Irishman IS a KING (of all he surveys over the top of a pint of Guiness) and all other people should "bow" before and after their royal ass!
Jack<br><br>Post edited by: Jack, at: 2007/07/08 20:23
