A History of Medieval Ireland - Definitive study of 1086 to 1513

In this review of A History of Medieval Ireland readers get a clear sense of who will benefit most: students, historians, and anyone seeking a thorough scholarly narrative of Ireland from 1086 to 1513. Edmund Curtis's reissue preserves a sweeping, well-structured account of the OBrien High Kinship, the Anglo-Norman conquest, and the political developments that lead toward the Tudor Reconquest. The book's biggest reason to buy is its status as a formative, authoritative study by one of the twentieth century's notable Irish historians, useful as a reference and as a readable synthesis of complex medieval change.

Key Features

• Comprehensive historical range: Covers the period from 1086 to 1513, giving readers a continuous narrative of medieval Ireland across four centuries.
• Authoritative perspective: Written by Edmund Curtis, the book provides a scholarly viewpoint that shaped later historiography of Irish medieval politics and society.
• Reissued landmark work: This reprint makes a classic study accessible again to modern readers and libraries seeking foundational texts.
• Focus on major turning points: Treats events such as the Anglo-Norman conquest and the era of the Earls in context, highlighting causes and consequences clearly.
• Readable synthesis: Balances narrative and analysis so that advanced students and informed general readers can follow political and dynastic developments.

Who It's For

Scholars, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates studying Irish or British medieval history will find this book particularly valuable as a secondary source that consolidates earlier scholarship into a single narrative. Libraries and historians who need a classic vantage point on pre-Tudor Ireland will appreciate Curtis's work as a touchstone.

Readers seeking a modern interpretive history that engages every recent archaeological or theoretical debate should look elsewhere; this reissue preserves the original author's perspective and emphasis rather than presenting contemporary revisionist interpretations.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a wide chronological sweep that links regional dynasties to larger political shifts in medieval Ireland.
• Authored by Edmund Curtis, offering a respected, historically influential account useful for reference.
• Reissue format restores access to a once-definitive study, making it available for teaching and research.

Cons

• As a reissue of an early twentieth century work, it does not incorporate the latest archaeological findings or recent historiographical debates.

Specifications

Title	A History of Medieval Ireland (Routledge Revivals): From 1086 to 1513
Author	Edmund Curtis
Original publication	First published 1923
Period covered	1086 to 1513
Focus areas	OBrien High Kinship, Anglo-Norman conquest, Earls to 1513
Edition	Reissue / Routledge Revivals

Our Verdict

This reissue of Edmund Curtis's A History of Medieval Ireland remains a valuable purchase for students and historians who need a compact, authoritative narrative of Irish history from 1086 to 1513. It is particularly good value as a reference and classroom text, though readers wanting the latest scholarly revisions should supplement it with recent studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover the Anglo-Norman conquest?
Yes. Curtis treats the Anglo-Norman conquest and its consequences as central elements of the narrative.

Is this the original text or a modernized edition?
It is a reissue of the original landmark study first published in 1923, preserving the author's historical perspective.

Who is Edmund Curtis for readers today?
Curtis is best for readers seeking a formative twentieth century account and a continuous narrative of medieval Irish political history.