NationStates Jolt Archive

Ireland

Ard Ri(High King): Muirchertah O'Brien

Consort:

Heir Apparent:Many Contenders-the Ard Ri is won not inheirited.

Dominion: The Whole of Éire

Religion: Catholicsim(Considered Roman however strongly influenced by ancient Tradition). Monasteries are centers for learning and large book repositories and places where they are reproduced.

Capital:The O'Briens Rule from the Ostman City of Limerick.

Language:Gaeilge(Irish Gaelic)-Native 100%, Latin-Fluent Common, Spanish-Broken common, Ostman(Norwegian)-Broken Some, English-Fluent Some. Given the interaction with the contenent and the traditions of the people Most Irish aer Mulitlingual to one degree or another. Literacy rates are substantially higher then on the Continent or in Britain.

Allies:


Enemies:

Defeated:
Ui Neill(Enemy of Muirchertah O'Brien, not of Éire)--Ui Neill has been subdued.


Complete Irish Force of regular military without Rising Out:
Spear(Horsemen): 1,980
Galloglass: 2,720
Kern: 5,300

The Warriors of Éire:
The Army of the Ard Ri Ua Briain of the territory of Dal Cais of the Kingdom of Tuadmumu
600 Spear(Horsemen)
700 Galloglass
1,200 Kern

The Army of the Ri Maccarhtaig of the Territory of Ui Chairpre of the Kingdom of Desmumu:
100 Spear(Horsemen)
200 Gallowglass
500 Kern

The Army of the Ri MacMurchada of the territory of Ui Chennselaig of the Kingdom of Laigin:
200 Spear(Horse)
400 Galloglass
800 Kern

The Army of the Ri Ua maille of the territory of Fir Umaill of the Kingdom of Connacht:
250 Spear(Horse)
300 Galloglass
600 Kern


The Army of the Ri Ua Ruairc of the territory of Ui Briuin of the Kingdom of Breifne:
80 Spear(Horsemen)
70 Galloglass
200 Kern

The Army of the Ri Ua Cerbaill of the territory of Fernmag of the Kingdom of Airgialla:
70 Spear(Horsemen)
400 Kern

The Army of hte Ri MacFaelain of the Territory of Ui Faelain of the Kingdom of Mide:
100 Spear(Horsemen)
250 Galloglass
300 Kern

The Army of the Ri Ua Flainn of the territory of Ui Thuirtre of the Kingdom of Ulaid:
80 Spear(Horsemen)
300 Galloglass
300 Kern

The Army of the RI Ua Mael Doraig of the territory of Cenel Coniall in the Kingdom of Northern Ui Naill(The Defeated Ui Naill's--now in service of the O'Brien):
500 Spear(Horsemen)
500 Galloglass
1,000 Kern

The Ostman Kingdoms
The Army of Dublin
300 Spear
400 Galloglass
400 Kern

The Army of Wexford
100 Spear (Horsemen)
200 Galloglass
300 Kern

The Army of Waterforn
120 Spear(Horsemen)
150 Galloglass
300 Kern

The Army of Cork
200 Spear(Horsemen)
200 Galloglass
400 Kern

The Army of Limerick
100 Spear(Horsemen)
200 Galloglass
200 Kern




besides the Rising Out(Calling up of all able bodied free men).
Nobles:
If mounted, these should be armed with spears and javelins, wearing helmets and mail, and possibly carrying small round shields, riding ponies with neither saddles nor stirrups. The 'horseboys' (squires) would be completely unarmored and bare-legged, wearing tunics, cloaks and hoods, and armed only with javelins.

Spears(Horsemen)
The horsemen are generally nobles serving in the personal retinues of Irish lords, and would often have been drawn from their master's immediate and extended family. In other cases, personal service in these military 'households' (teaghlach or lught tighe) may be linked to occupancy of estates granted by the overlord. In any event, nobles who owe service due to ties of blood or vassalage can be supplemented by mercenary cavalrymen and, in the event of a hosting, by the wealthier members of the Rising Out. The mercenaries may be either the landless, junior sons of aristocratic families, or noblemen dispossessed by rivals in clan succession struggles.

Regardless of their origins, the horsemen usually wore iron helmets and chainmail, and were armed with javelins and spears wielded overarm -- instead of couched underarm like lances.

Irish cavalry employs skirmishing tactics. Irish nobles sometimes dismount to fight on foot. On such occasions, the well-armed nobles make a significant addition to the unarmored footmen

Galloglass
The galloglass (galloglaich or 'foreign warriors') were mercenaries of mixed Norse-Scottish descent. In keeping with their Viking heritage, the galloglass fight on foot as heavy infantry wearing iron helmets and chainmail or aketons (i.e, padded armor). They are armed with fearsome two-handed axes up to six feet long, supplemented with javelins and, possibly, bows. Each galloglass is accompanied by a servant who bears his armor, and a boy who carries his other gear.

Kern
The last, and by far the largest, component of Irish armies are the Kern (cethern or 'a warband',ceithirne congbhala, 'retained bands').
Unarmored footmen armed with targes, and a mixture of axes, javelins, slings and bows.

ORBAT:
Spears:
Gaelic Irish horse including nobles and the mounted element of the Rising Out. In the first option they are mounted; in the second, dismounted.

Spears:
The first option is for Anglo-Norman men-at-arms, the second for Gaelic Irish nobles, and the third is either of the first two dismounted.

Heavy Foot:
The first option is for Galloglass, the second is Kern (as below).

Heavy Foot:
Most full-time mercenary Kern plus the best-equipped footmen of the Rising Out.

Light Foot/Skirmishers: Younger, nimbler, and less well-equipped mercenary Kern, plus the bulk of the Rising Out.

Skirmishers*/Aux:
The first option is for additional Kern skirmishers, the second covers the summons of the entire Rising Out of all able-bodied freemen.


*Note: Skirmishers could as a tactic put to deadly use the Sling as a projectile weapon against enemies at great ranges with startiling accuracy.

"...for our tactics are those of this land, to pursue and fight, and to fight while retreating, and not to stand in open battle until one side is defeated."Ancient Kings of Éire, regarding Irish tactics versus foreign ones.


"...Ireland is one of the worst countries to make war in, or to conquer; for there are such impenetrable and extensive forests, lakes, and bogs, there is no knowing how to pass them, and carry on war advantageously. It is so thinly inhabited that, whenever the Irish please, they desert the towns and take refuge in the forests, and live in huts made of boughs, like wild beasts; and whenever they perceive any parties advancing with hostile dispositions, and about to enter their country, they fly to such narrow passes, it is impossible to follow them. When they find a favorable opportunity to attack their enemies to advantage, which frequently happens, from their knowledge of the country, they fail not to seize it."--French chronicler Jean Froissart

Muirchertah O'Brien and fifty of his Guard made for Dublin on horse in full preparedness for fight they rode though blood was not yet what they were searching out.

O'Brien had already ordered a messenger be sent to his trusted Ostman allies in Limerick while he rode for the once great Ostmen strong hold of Dublin.


The messege was simple, he needed an audience with Ostmen of Limerick and Dublin, and Wexford as well.

(Could you provide me with a little info about how much of Ireland I control. Not very well read on Norway at the time period, so any info you could provide would help.)

Dublin

"He wants what? ...Alright... But is to occur here, in my keep.", Jarlath, Thane of Dublin, fastened on his black leather armor and picked up his shining winged helmet. "Send word to Wexford and Limerick. They are to come as soon as possible... now, show O'Brien to my quarters, we will discuss this matteras our allies make their way here."

O'Brien and his men were allowed into the city, the troops kept under constant guard as the Irishman and a pair of his soldiers were lead into the stone keep and to the Thane's lair. "Hello sir... What brings you to Dublin on this most fine day?"

OOC: none...england controls the majrity of it...all skibereen controls is the western coast...look at the map...

OOC: What year did we decide to do? In 1087, England controls none of Ireland, Norway does hold portions of it, im not sure where, but they do. Eh, Islamic Forces also controled Sicily, and over half of Spain belonged to Morocco... so I geuss this isnt 1087.

OOC: What year did we decide to do? In 1087, England controls none of Ireland, Norway does hold portions of it, im not sure where, but they do. Eh, Islamic Forces also controled Sicily, and over half of Spain belonged to Morocco... so I geuss this isnt 1087.

(OOC: rather bizarrely it is.)

I didnt want to mess with the map so we kept the year and the map...now if you guys can agree to have eire own all of ireland then i can change the province map but only then...same goes for anyone else...

(Could you provide me with a little info about how much of Ireland I control. Not very well read on Norway at the time period, so any info you could provide would help.)

Dublin

"He wants what? ...Alright... But is to occur here, in my keep.", Jarlath, Thane of Dublin, fastened on his black leather armor and picked up his shining winged helmet. "Send word to Wexford and Limerick. They are to come as soon as possible... now, show O'Brien to my quarters, we will discuss this matteras our allies make their way here."

O'Brien and his men were allowed into the city, the troops kept under constant guard as the Irishman and a pair of his soldiers were lead into the stone keep and to the Thane's lair. "Hello sir... What brings you to Dublin on this most fine day?"


O'Brien was Ard RI of Ireland, the High King and even the Ostmen paid taxes and what not, though were not bound to come to the call of a Rising Out, nor truly bound to any loyalty to the Ard Ri more then what he could force or entice, much like the rest of the Gaels.

However the The people of the O'Brien Clan had been friendly to the Ostman for over a generation, fought Dubhgall with them and were more then likely to be the commanding Dynasty for sometime(though the scales of power in this land did swing with slightest weight applied).

Though now there seemed little trouble as the Ui Neill and the O'Briens had warred to a stalemate and lines were made and not crossed there seemd little reason then an Ard Ri would risk travel into Dublin near where Murchadha might lay ambush along the way. A shifty bunch they were who still clinged to the idea of the Dalcassian and would turn cutthroat on anyone they believed might die to give rebirth to that force, that had in the past brought nearly the whole of the Isle to their feet and set the standard for dealings with Ostmen.

O'Brien arrived entering the home of the Ostman who cheifed the city with only his four cousins, leaving the rest of his men outside.

"God imot på gjensyn frisk venn."
O'Brien addressed the Ostman in his tongue in address to show the man respect in his home.

"Kunne vi snakke inne en flere vanlig omgangsspråk? Latin ja?
O'Brien then asked if the men could speak in Latin as it is a more familiar language.

""I have a proposition for you, old warrior. One for you and all the Ostmen of Éire you might muster.

I wish to consalidate the Isle once and for all under one ruler, under one Dynasty. I may rule now much of the Isle, but the Ui Neill still resist the throne and the Murchadha still skulk in the darkness waiting to seize the day for heros long dead.

With mine and yours we can shepard the Isle like a single flock, and with our flock graze where we choose.
The way they did in the days of our grandfathers grandfathers, towards the continent."

The gleam in O'Brien's eye proved his words true to his aspiration.
He was also correct knew the Ostman that there was no way the O'Briens could defeat the Ui Neill and still be able to contend for the throne. Of course there were Ostman who fought along side the Ui Neill, and Murchadha for that matter. For that matter the Ostman knew that the Ui Neill had an army nearly the size of the Ard Ri, and Murchadha could not be numbered, though in the days of fighting years ago the men of that clan had earned their name as 'Sea-Battler' both on the water and the land, he thought the word 'skulking' was more hopeful on the part of the Ard Ri then hard fact.
His adversaries were not many but at least many enough to not be shrugged off easily, forgeting for a moment how hard it often was to get the Irish to stand and fight, at list until the circumstances favored their own victory.
What the man proposed however was possible, and how strong would they be just few miles from the coast of the continent with ranks swollen by a united Eire and the Ostman together? Europe had not seen such a thing for a long time.

The kingdom of Strathclyde in Alba wishes to lend its supports to your attempt in the unification of Eire. A force of five hundred could set sail from Argyll within the week. In return, I'd ask for the backing of fellow Gaels when my brother moves to reclaim ancenstral lands in England. As it is the Normans are assaulting the Welsh, it is unlikely that Robert and William the Second will be sated with current lands once their father dies. Send word and we will be at your side.

Jarlath grinned as the Duke's of Wexford and Waterford entered the room, taking their seats while listening to the King's proposition. After it was finished, the Thane began his response. "My Lord, you need not ask to know you ever have the support of the Ostman of Eire, our loyalty lies to no other... however with the troubles in the homeland, I fear problems will arise with our lands in the near future." The Thane sipper from his goblet, motioning for a pair of servants to set drinks for the men at the table.

"Rachejk... that damned rebel pagan... anyways, the Frozen Throne now seeks our loyalty, and tribute to his crown. As if this were not enough, Oswalt has taken refuge in my lands, and is demanding soldiers... money... aid of my overstreched realm, as he is of Wexford and Waterford. Rachejk demands his head served to him on a silver platter... if we choose to deliver, we'll have half the nobilty of Europe looking to cut our throats. If we refuse, the Viking Raids which have begun to his Denmark and Flanders will soon be launched against the Island, and from stories of what Rachejk brings... I fear him the most. We Ostmen do not have the luxury we are rumored to. Yes, our trade ports flourish from the wealth of Rachejk's Lieutenants, but to pay tribute both to your Crown and that of the Frozen Throne... and now to Oswalt? And the numerous Lieutenants of Rachejk which seek our fortunes? Sire, my soldiers are forced to take cuts in pay. I sell their armor to keep the wolves from the door.", Jarlath paused, running his hands through his short gray hair. "My lord, if we are to aid you in this conquest, we will need the tribute required to your Crown reduced, or we simply will not be able to feed the soldiers we send."

The kingdom of Strathclyde in Alba wishes to lend its supports to your attempt in the unification of Eire. A force of five hundred could set sail from Argyll within the week. In return, I'd ask for the backing of fellow Gaels when my brother moves to reclaim ancenstral lands in England. As it is the Normans are assaulting the Welsh, it is unlikely that Robert and William the Second will be sated with current lands once their father dies. Send word and we will be at your side.
OOC: I will respond to you.

"Lord me not, Jarlath the word sits ill upon my head. This is Eire and while I may be the Ard Ri, you are king of your land here. Nobility is only as strong as the steel, cunning and strength that back it up, we are not Saxons." WIth that the men with him laughed.

"Rachejk, Oswalt they both seek you to serve them but to no gain for yourself. I am proposing we gain together not because of some imagined Lordship, but by birthright. The blood of our peoples has always been one forwardness and extension-not expansion as an absolute but certain extension. These men wish you to fight and pay so they can gain." He snorted has the goblet was brought to him, shaking his head.
"I will ask you this,Who between Rachejk and Oswalt serves you best? I will aid thee against him that is found lacking.
I say we use the situation to our advantage. By your time with Oswalt by letting him know that the in the North of Eire is the Ui Naill and they may prove a threat, in this way he may be enlisted to aid us as well, perhaps even to have an unfortunate end facing Ui Naill? Should you wish.

There is no reason why while Rachejk is unifing the Frozen throne we can not add to our own wealth and gains, and in that you can give him credit add fame to his name and it will be worth to him a thousand times the tributes of gold and silver.
If you are made powerful, then Oswalt will have no ground, and remind him that the natives here have no respect for the 'noble blood' that in Eire it is the sword that makes kings not the mother. That may draw him closer to your breast.
As far as tribute, Keep peace on the streets so mine and yours are safe, keep peace in the country side in your area so bandits may not flourish(Bandits are most common in Ireland, it is their preffered method of war fighting--attacking the wallet), treat the Gael as your own, the remainder of the tribute need not be paid in gold, silver, or copper, rather pay it in steel and blood." With that O'Brien smiled over his cup and the men nodded in agreement.
"Now, I received word just before my arrival that the Scots men of Argyle will aid me with the Ui Naill as well. As well, they would seek help against the Normans."
Again with that last he smiled and his eyes glinted as he he regarded Jarlath.

"Opportunity knocks, we have already an ally upon the continent. So it seems your potential grows. Seize the moment with me and let history be the judge."
He set his cup down empty.

A message was sent to Eire:

Great Ard Ri,

Already, danger comes to Britain. The Norse seek to take both our lands, and the Scots have designs on unifying our lands, I am sure of it. Let us ally. Neither I nor my sons have any designs upon you. It has been shown since Roman times that the Irish are a bad people to invade.

Nonetheless, the danger from the Norse and Scots is real. We should unite against our common foes, and stand strong against them! It would be exceedingly beneficial to both of us. If we ally, not only will you have our support, but the support of many nations on the continent who are allied to us and who we can call to our aid.

Think wisely. Make the right decision.

Sincerely,
King William I

Jarlath smiled, "You are wiser than your years... it is to war. Oswalt shall be granted the honor of leading his loyal followers into battle against the Ui Naill, "Rachejk's Irish Army", where he shall meet his end, not by my hand, but by the hand of our enemies... Rachejk shall soon realise his Lieutenants require markets for their pillaged goods, and will send them to our Isle to sell their material wealth. Our opposition on this island shall be crushed, our rule supreme. Oswalt's body shall be sent to Rachejk, silencing his throne, increasing our wealth. He will prove an invaluable ally to our cause in coming years. The armies of Dublin, Wexford and Waterford shall march alongside yours King, against these bastards. Let us drink, for soon, we shall drink as new men. Rich men."

OOC: My Apologies for the slow response. I didnt realize anyone had even reponded to my thread--after my last post--fecking Jolt.

Kro Iam going to take some liberties because essentially your mens kingdoms would those of lesser lords--but given that the Finegall built cities--it is doubtful they would have the least.
SO see my stats for in my first post for average Lord--to figure the size of your indigenious forces--I realize you can add from abroad.



IC:
O'Brien marched merely his regular forces against the Ui Neill, 600 Horse, and nearly 2000 foot. He did not issue the risisng out to assemsble more men for surely Ui Neill would od the same, but with the three Ostman Kings aiding him as well as some of Oswalds forces they fielded a large party of warriors--the Ostman themselves with a combined 600 horse, and 1500 foot--the total of their alliance with Obrien was 1200 Horse, and over 3400 footmen.

By the time Ui Neill had realized what was happening they mustered no more then 700 horse, and 2000 foot--which was beyond what was believed could be done.

Unlike the piece set battles on the continenet the fight raged for several weeks, skirmishes and ambushes feignts and flickers of fancy acroos the bogs and blights and brush of the green isle.

Soaked in blood the earth, after eight weeks the Ui Neill gave over, and swore oath to O'Brien.

Oswald during the celebration was murdered, along with his entire gaurd.
cut to peices by Ui Neill knives.

Everything had went exactly as O'Brien had proposed, and truly he told Jerath, "no tax of gold, or slver--but i riase your taxes now--for while we learned much over the years of shipwriting--it is still your craft.

Now while it is steel you pay in tax, so to, your tax shall be bouyancy."

With that O'Brien laughed.


Back in Dublin.....

"So what say you Jareth? You see I intend to stand by my word and treat you and yours like my own people. So give me your council? do I back the Scots or the Normans? What are the Designs of the Frozen throne? I tell you Jerath we watch these men who believe they hold sway like titans over the world as if it be their birth right and they will present an opening for us.

Combined, we have a great fighting force, the equal of any on the continent.

SO what say you, where do we go next? You have lent me your steel and I have given you Oswalt's head free and clear, now I lend you mine, show me profit of some kind?"

"Rachejk seems intent upon the destruction of England, or at least taking every last gold coin from the land and inserting it in his own pocket... the Scots and Norse move against the English, and I hold no love for them... I see much potential wealth coming from the demise of England..."

(Short post, little time.)

"Then, you provide the vessels, not Rachejk. I will bulwark your men with men of my own. You know where where Rachejk strikes, and where he is we will not be.
The English will be forced to divide their numbers against the Scots, Rachejk, and us.
We take our piece, and all that is destroyed by in the name of Rachejk, I have never met a king who did not wish to be immortalized. My self included, Jareth, make certain you appease Rachejk, do not allow yourself to become a target--if he sees you as too powerful he may seek to place a boot on your neck. My alliance is with you, and yours. Rachejk holds a throne far away from me, it means nothing. The seat you hold here has more sway in Eire.

There is enough gold and enough land that we might all be Ard RI before the day is done."