Derrick's The Image of Irelande (1581) & Irish Clothing

[BoldHighlander]

The following illustrations are by renowned military history illustrator Angus McBride.

A Galloglass and the kern - circa 1562.



To the English, Ireland was one of the frontiers of Europe, a land on the edge of their world, full of barbarians. It is little surprising then that the courtiers of Elizabethan London observed O'Neill's retainers with 'as much wonder as if they had come from China or America,' according to a contemporary chronicler. Indeed, the Celtic party, headed by The O'Neill, presented a fantastic sight. In defiance of previous Tudor legislation, his warriors were wholly Gaelic in appearance. Their hair was long: fringes hanging down to cover their eyes. They wore shirts with large sleeves dyed with saffron, short tunics and shaggy cloaks. Some walked with bare feet, others wore leather sandals. The galloglas carried battle-axes and wore long coats of mail. -- from Celtic Warriors 400 BC - AD 1600 by Tim Newark.

A Galloglass and his kern attendants await their Irish lord, Shane O'Neill, during his visit to the court of Elizabeth I, London, 1562.



A Border horseman in Ireland battles a Galloglass and a Kern (1576).



Irish warriors of the army of Hugh O'Neill charge upon the English at the battle of Yellow Ford, Ulster, 1598.
(note: the figure to the left is not wearing an early kilt, but rather a form of the léine, either shortened or drawn up. Very similar to the léine worn by the defiant Irish messenger in Derricke's plate 7, as well as figures in plates 1 thru 4 above.)



A modern recreation of an Irish Kern by a member of Claíomh (meaning 'sword' in the Gaelic) a military 'living history' group based in Ireland.




Finally, to read more about the Léine see this online article authored by our own Matt Newsome.