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4.00/5 (1 votes)Ireland has long been a monarchist kingdom. Ruled from the outset by Irish “High Kings” (Ard ri Érenn in Irish Gaelic), then by British monarchs, Ireland has a history marked by the royal rulers of Ireland and England. A look back at the great kings and queens who have shaped Irish history…
In ancient Ireland, the title of High King was largely honorific, representing a supremacy that was more ceremonial than practical. However, these kings played a crucial role in establishing peace and unity.
Conn Cétchathach, Brian Boru and Máel Sechnaill II are among the most notable, and have distinguished themselves by their courage in battle and their clear-sightedness in many situations.
In the 11th century, Ireland suffered massive Viking invasions. Viking kings, including Turgeis and Imar, established kingdoms on the island, the most significant being the Kingdom of Dublin. Their reign, though oppressive, also brought cultural and economic exchanges.
Brian Boru, a High King of Ireland, won fame for defeating the Vikings and pacifying the land after the terrible Battle of Clontarf.
In the 12th century, Ireland became the playground of Norman and Angevin kings, notably Henry II of England, who was granted the title of Lord of Ireland by the Pope himself.
His dynasty transformed Ireland, establishing a feudal system and marking the beginning of British influence.
In the 16th century, under the reign of Henry VIII, Ireland was declared an official kingdom. A Kingdom living under the aegis of the English monarch.
The policy of“surrender and regrant” shaped Irish history, as did the reign of his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, whose policies led to the plantation of Ulster.
In the 17th century, under the reigns of Charles I and James II, Ireland was the scene of religious and territorial conflicts. Their policies exacerbated tensions between Catholics and Protestants, culminating in the War of William of Orange, which solidified Protestant control with his victory at the Battle of the Boyne.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Ireland was under the rule of the House of Hanover. George III, Victoria and their successors left their mark on Ireland, notably with the Act of Union of 1801, which officially annexed Ireland to the United Kingdom.
