HIU34551: The Nobility in Early Modern Ireland
The great aristocratic houses of Ormond and Kildare dominated Irish affairs during the early modern period in much the same way that ‘over mighty’ lords exercised political, social, cultural and economic influence throughout early modern Europe.
- Module Coordinator:
- Professor Jane Ohlmeyer
- Duration:
- Michaelmas Term
- Contact Hours:
- 2 hours per week
- Weighting:
- 10 ECTS
- Assessment:
- Long essay 100%
In this course we will examine the relationship between the king, his court and his nobles and how this changed over time. What determined the rank of a noble, how was noble status acquired and why was it so sought after? We will also discuss the role the nobility played as social, religious and cultural brokers, as well as political and military ones. How typical were the experiences of the early modern Irish nobles when compared with their counterparts in England, Scotland and across western Europe?