This list represents the Norse-Irish armies who were a result of the extensive contact with the Vikings who had settled in Ireland from the late 8th Century. The true establishment of a fairly distinct Norse-Irish set of Kingdoms in Munster coincides roughly with the Viking establishment of Dublin in 841 AD and its effect on trade and military and social interaction with the Irish. It includes the Army of Brian Boru who broke the back of Viking dominance in Ireland at the battle of Clontarf in 1014 AD using Irish who had adopted Viking ways and Norse who had become almost identical in custom and culture to the Irish. The period ends with the death of High King Turloch More O'Connor of Connacht in 1156 AD, the last of Brian Boru's successors. This period also coincides roughly with the Norman invasion of Ireland and yet another tactical shift.

Norse-Irish are those most influenced by Vikings in fighting style and weapons. The Norse-Irish represents the Irish as they reacted to the Viking invasions, including the more formal battle line/shield wall. Norse-Irish nobles include actual nobles, their armored retainers and royal hostages. The Irish were those subject irish who, although not as well equipped or trained in the Viking style of Warfare, still fought in the shieldwall. Kerns were the hordes of light troops, including servants and freemen who were everpresent in Irish armies. Traditional Irish were those Irish who fought as allies and came from the wilder areas of Ireland who foughts as allies for plunder. Gall Gael represent the hated Viking and Irish half breeds who were as apt to harm friend as foe.

The War of the Gaedhill with the Gael describes three major types of Irish. These are those who fought in the Irish manner, the Norse Irish proper, those who were less enthusiastic, likely the Irish subjects from surrounding areas forced into the battle line, but not as versed in Viking style warfare and the Irish from the fringes, not Vikingized at all and descibed by both the War of the G with the G and contemproary Viking sagas as fighting from Ambush, attacking flanks out of nowhere, etc. 'Irish' Foot are those who were forced into the battleline, but still maintained more traditional Irish weapons and were not a match for heavier foes. Gall Gael or Wild Irish Warbands represent Hiberno-Norse half-breeds, outcasts and the like who plagued Ireland at this time. Their deaths would not have been lingered over by the Irish. Lastly, heavy darts are treated as javelins.

Era: Triumph of Cavalry		Norse-Irish c. 841 - 1156 AD	CR: H: 3 L: 4			BP: 2	Init: 4
Core
Number	Type	Description	Key	FV	PROT	Weapon	Cost
2	FT	Norse-Irish Nobles	Yes	6 [1] 2	+2	Various	10
3	FT	Norse-Irish Bonnachts	Yes	5 [1] 2	+1	Various	7
1	FT	Irish Nobles	Yes	5 [1] 2	+2	Various	8
2	FT	Irish Bonnachts	Yes	4 [1] 2	+1	Various	5
3	SI	Kern	No	3 [1] 2	+2	Javelins	2
Bonus:
2	FT	Norse-Irish Nobles	Yes	6 [1] 2	+2	Various	10
6	FT	Norse-Irish Bonnachts	Yes	5 [1] 2	+1	Various	7
1	FT	Irish Nobles	Yes	5 [1] 2	+2	Various	7
4	FT	Irish Bonnachts	Yes	4 [1] 2	+1	Various	5
2	LI	Kern	No	4 [1] 2	+1	Javelins	7
4	SI	Kern	No	3 [1] 2	+2	Javelins	2
1	SI	Kern/Rising Out	No	3 [1] 2	+2	Slings	2
1	SI	Kern	No	2 [1] 1	+2	Bows	2
3	WB	Gall Gael/Wild Irish	No	4 [1] 2	+1	Various	4
1	FT	Viking Huscarls	Yes	7 [1] 2	+2	Various	12
2	FT	Viking Bondi	Yes	5 [1] 2	+1	Various	7
1	LHI	Traditional Irish Nobles	Yes	5 [1] 2	+1	Various/Javelins	9
2	LHI	Traditional Irish Bonnachts	Yes	4 [1] 2	+1	Various/Javelins	7

Terrain:

Core: RG

Bonus: (Max: 4 ) 2 GR, 3 RG, 3 W

Notes:

Core: 97 Bonus: 176

Norse-Irish, Irish and Vikings may form shield wall.

If any Vikings are purchased, all must be purchased. If Vikings are purchased, then only one additional Norse-Irish Noble FT may be purchased and no Irish Noble FT may be purchased.

Gall Gael, also known as sons of Death, were half breeds and an assortment of miscreants who were welcome no where. They were as likely to pillage and mistreat friend as foe. As such, their loss would be seen in a mixed light at best. Thus, they are not key units.

If any Traditional Irish are purchased, then all mush be purchased.

For the Army of Brian Boru, one unit of Norse-Irish nobles may be purchased as 7 [1] 2 +2 for 12 points.

List Author: Ben Checota