Landscapes of Kingship in Early Medieval Ireland AD 400-1150

Patrick Gleeson

“Meticulously researched, exceptionally detailed and utterly absorbing, Gleeson examines ways in which Ireland’s early rulers used their environment to maintain power. […] There is certainly plenty here for the archaeologist, historian, student, expert or anyone with a keen interest in early Irish culture, society and history.” Dr Chris O’Doyle, The Irish Times, August 2025.

“The study of medieval Irish kingship and society is undergoing something of a renaissance. The last few years alone have witnessed the production of some truly excellent work ... Patrick Gleeson’s exciting monograph follows in this rich vein of scholarship ... Patrick Gleeson’s very welcome book seeks to dispel the idea that Ireland was a politically underdeveloped backwater on the European periphery ... Patrick Gleeson has provided a masterclass in combining traditional historical (and text-based) approaches with up-to-date archaeological methods. The book draws on a vast range of primary source material from medieval Ireland, including annals, law codes and genealogies, as well as a rich meld of archaeological evidence, including excavations carried out by the author himself. Four Courts Press have produced a beautiful book, replete with a series of photographs in colour. There are also several helpfully illustrated genealogies and a number of maps depicting royal sites, territories and terrain models derived from LiDAR scans (which generate 3D representations) ... This book should attract a wide readership. Naturally, it will be essential reading for anyone working on or interested in the history of kingship in medieval Ireland—specialists from a range of disciplines such as history, Celtic studies, archaeology and geography will no doubt discover a wealth of new material here. Equally, the book should dispel many of the attitudes present in mainstream European scholarship that continually portray medieval Ireland in terms of ‘backwardness’. It should also appeal to students approaching this topic for the first time. Gleeson has provided a specialized but also a very accessible account of medieval Irish kingship and it should be required reading on third-level medieval Irish history courses. Compared with many other academic publishers, Four Courts Press generally offer a more cost-effective option. Given the level and range of expertise on display here, €45 is an excellent bargain.” Simon Egan, History Ireland (January/February 2026)