Galloglass 1250-1600: Gaelic Mercenary Warrior

Description

Galloglass, from the Gaelic galloglaigh for 'foreign warriors', were mercenaries from the Western Isles of Scotland who fought in the retinues of Irish magnates from the mid-13th century until the early 17th century. This work looks at the clan and family structures of the galloglass, their performance in battle, their weapons and armor and how these were made and by whom. The unique fighting skills and tactics of the galloglass are also studied, as well as how they were organized on the battlefield and their command structures and systems of rank.

Fergus Cannan (b. 1978) is an expert on armed conflict in the medieval Celtic west and a prolific historical writer, scholar and museum professional. His Gaelic forebears were involved in many of the events detailed in this book. He has also written a book about Scottish arms and armour, and presented a documentary about battles of the Scottish War for Independence featured on the Blu-ray release of Braveheart.

'Cannan's text includes an enormous amount of fascinating detail ... The text is enriched by a wealth of photographs, maps and other graphics, including a series of very fine, full-page, colour reconstruction graphics by Sean O' Brogain. ... Everyone reading this book will gain much in the way of information and a vivid puicture of the lives and impact of Galloglass. Andy Halpin, Ulster Journal of Archaeology