Description

In the late fourteenth century, England’s control over its colony in Ireland was completely crumbling in the face of a massive Gaelic resurgence. In Richard II and the Irish Kings, acclaimed historian Darren McGettigan delivers a thrilling, highly analytical account of King Richard II’s desperate, massive military interventions in 1394 and 1399—the last times a medieval English monarch personally led an army into Ireland.

McGettigan masterfully reconstructs the high-stakes political maneuvers and asymmetric guerrilla warfare that defined the campaigns. The book explores how powerful Gaelic rulers, led by the brilliant Art MacMurrough Kavanagh, successfully resisted the royal armies in the bogs and forests of Leinster. Utilizing extensive contemporary chronicles and state papers, this text demonstrates how Richard II’s costly failures in Ireland directly weakened his crown, paving the way for his deposition at home and altering the course of both Irish and British history forever.

Why this is a premier medieval history book:

• Military & Strategy Focus: Detailed breakdowns of medieval logistics, guerrilla tactics, and battlefield diplomacy.

• Gaelic Resurgence: Highlights the political sophistication and military strength of the native Irish chieftains.

• Accessible Scholarship: Written in a clear, narrative style that appeals to both serious historians and general readers.