Galloglass 1250-1600 ─ Gaelic Mercenary Warrior

Galloglass, from the Gaelic gall?glaigh for 'young foreign warriors', were mercenaries from the Western Isles of Scotland who fought in the retinues of Irish magnates from the mid-13th century until the early 17th century. Without question, galloglass are among the most visually impressive warriors of all time: they were sketched by Albrecht D?rer, were mentioned by Shakespeare, and were discussed with awe and amazement in the correspondence of all the leading Elizabethan soldiers who served in Ireland. Thousands fought in Ireland, and yet so far there has been only one detailed account of the galloglass, and this work concentrates on the clan and family structures of the galloglass, and not their experience as warriors. This book provides the first detailed military history of these fearsome warriors.

Fergus Cannan is a writer and historian descended from an assortment of Highland warriors, Jacobites and bonnet lairds. With degrees from King's College London and Bristol University, he is a countryman who worked for eight years in museums, and has published widely on the military, social and art history of the medieval British Isles.