This course examines the period from the arrival of the Normans in 1169 to the start of the Tudor Dynasty in 1485. The Normans led by "Strongbow" arrived during the reign of King Henry 11, at the invitation of the exiled King of Leinster. He recruited mercenary forces in Wales to come to Ireland to assist him recover his titles and property. Once in Ireland they set about making Ireland their own.

This led to over 400 years of warfare resulting in the forceful confiscation of property, and the loss of life and freedom for many people and their communities.

Initially the Normans took over the provinces of Leinster, Munster and Mide. Despite treaties they then tried to take the rest of the country. After about 100 years they had nominal control of about 70% of the country.

In the 14th century a Gaelic resurgence and a pandemic resulted in their retreat. Their administrative center then became an area around Dublin called the Pale.Leading Norman families - Fitzgerald, Fitzmaurice, FitzThomas, De Burgh, de Lacy, and Butler – were granted territory that was confiscated from Irish clans.. In time many of them became, in the eyes of the English, "More Irish than the Irish themselves".

They established the Irish Parliament in 1297 to control Norman territories. In time the Fitzgerald's became the main Norman family responsible to the crown for ensuring the success of the conquest.

This course will examine and explain the major historic events of this period to help you to understand how those events affected the course of Irish history.