The Beginning (An Tossach)
In the year 1315, Edward of England had drawn a great deal of men and supplies from his estates in Ireland for his war in Scotland. Because the war had had little success, the Irish tribes became rebellious against the English lords and their king. It was also in this year, and because of English draining of the island of men and resources, that Edward Bruce, brother of the Scottish king, was offered the High Kingship of Ireland by Brian O'Neill and his allies and vassals. The Scottish nobles, Robert, King of the Scots and Edward Bruce assembled at Ayr, where Edward's fleet also mustered. At the Assembly, the childless Robert made his brother, Edward, his heir. Edward Bruce arrived in Ireland in late spring and Brian O'Neill and his vassals and allies swore fealty to him and he was proclaimed High King of Ireland. Though at first only truly ruling Ulster, Bruce began to travel through Ireland, to have its earls and nobles swear loyalty to him. As Bruce was traveling south, he was ambushed at the Moiry Pass by nobles who had previously sworn loyalty to him. Bruce and his army fought off the ambushers and killed their leaders. And so he continued to travel through his kingdom, attacking enemy forces and lands. At Louth he encountered two opposing armies led by Irish nobles. The armies began testing each other. Neither could gain a clear advantage until Butler, one of the nobles opposed to Bruce, tripped and was injured. Thinking he had been struck by an arrow and would soon die, his army dispersed, dropping their weapons and running into town or joining de Burgh's army. In the chaos, Bruce gained a decisive advantage and flanked de Burgh, killing many of his men and capturing the earl. In return for sparing his life, de Burgh swore loyalty to Bruce and was his loyal vassal and ally until his death. Bruce's control over Ulster became stronger and he was emboldened by his victory. English lands in Ireland were, one-by-one, captured and given to Irish and Scottish nobles who were loyal to Edward Bruce. Within two years, Ireland was under his control and had acknowledged his rule.
___________________________________________________
Well, after much secrecy and secret planning and the keeping of this secret... I give you a timeline, in honor of St. Patrick's Day. With assistance from Haggis.
In the year 1315, Edward of England had drawn a great deal of men and supplies from his estates in Ireland for his war in Scotland. Because the war had had little success, the Irish tribes became rebellious against the English lords and their king. It was also in this year, and because of English draining of the island of men and resources, that Edward Bruce, brother of the Scottish king, was offered the High Kingship of Ireland by Brian O'Neill and his allies and vassals. The Scottish nobles, Robert, King of the Scots and Edward Bruce assembled at Ayr, where Edward's fleet also mustered. At the Assembly, the childless Robert made his brother, Edward, his heir. Edward Bruce arrived in Ireland in late spring and Brian O'Neill and his vassals and allies swore fealty to him and he was proclaimed High King of Ireland. Though at first only truly ruling Ulster, Bruce began to travel through Ireland, to have its earls and nobles swear loyalty to him. As Bruce was traveling south, he was ambushed at the Moiry Pass by nobles who had previously sworn loyalty to him. Bruce and his army fought off the ambushers and killed their leaders. And so he continued to travel through his kingdom, attacking enemy forces and lands. At Louth he encountered two opposing armies led by Irish nobles. The armies began testing each other. Neither could gain a clear advantage until Butler, one of the nobles opposed to Bruce, tripped and was injured. Thinking he had been struck by an arrow and would soon die, his army dispersed, dropping their weapons and running into town or joining de Burgh's army. In the chaos, Bruce gained a decisive advantage and flanked de Burgh, killing many of his men and capturing the earl. In return for sparing his life, de Burgh swore loyalty to Bruce and was his loyal vassal and ally until his death. Bruce's control over Ulster became stronger and he was emboldened by his victory. English lands in Ireland were, one-by-one, captured and given to Irish and Scottish nobles who were loyal to Edward Bruce. Within two years, Ireland was under his control and had acknowledged his rule.
___________________________________________________
Well, after much secrecy and secret planning and the keeping of this secret... I give you a timeline, in honor of St. Patrick's Day. With assistance from Haggis.