'Les Engleys Nees en Irlande': The English Political Identity in Medieval Ireland
Robin Frame
BY the fourteenth century descendants of those who had gone from Britain to Ireland in late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries come call themselves 'the English Ireland' or born Ireland'. Or, be more accurate, they did so when faced by Englishmen England: within described simply as English'. From 1340s onwards a series disputes with agents king formed context which collectively stressed their Englishness. By fifteenth this identity was time problematical, both for claimed it metropolis. Historians work on medieval modern periods have found equally so, argued about attitudes nationality settler 'lite. While fourteenth-century evidence has been called upon these debates, there little serious consideration first two lordship Ireland.' In what senses were went during founding period 'English'? Why does emphasis being appear intensified among successors by? What selfproclaimed Englishness signify? How far do complexities tensions associated foreshadow betterknown difficulties later periods? These are matters I wish explore. One way approaching them is through that most familiar all documents emanating Ireland, Statutes Kilkenny. They enacted 1366 parliament held Edward III's lieutenant his son Lionel Antwerp, duke Clarence earl Ulster. Their preamble runs:
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