Thursday, April 29, 2021

Overview of Characters - Munster 1066 - CK3 - AAR

Inbred marriages:


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Overview of Munster AAR - 1066


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Tuesday, April 27, 2021

High Queen Gormflaith nic Caindelban of Ireland, 1249

Slaine nic Caindelban's reign was tormented and short. The problems that she had the face were many and seemed unmanageable. She could not fill the council with people she trusted and vassals were about to start a revolt, that it would be difficult to put down. Courtiers didn't like that as well and this may have turned out to be her demise.

On the 8th of February 1229, she was victim of an assassination - her ship was sunk while in a harbor in Mayo. The responsibles of this attack were never found. 


Immediately, her sister Gormflaith nic Caindelban took over. She had not been taken into great consideration by her father Caindalban II mac Caindelban, but she was actually the most talented among his children, and mature enough to face the music. Well supplemented by her second husband Mathieu of Mousson and her council, her reign would turn out to be effective. Most of her living children were from her first husband Starkad Ulfsson Slatte.




For the death of her sister she blamed her double cousin Duke Cu-Bretan mac Dinertach of Connacht, who had exactly the same set of grandparents as she. Whether she was right or wrong, that was a threat that had to be dealt with, as in Connacht they were trying to revert part of the realm to the Catholic faith. After a short war, Cu-Bretan was imprisoned and executed in 1232, giving the queen Gormflaith the trait kinslayer, which ironically is a sin for the Paulician faith. She put her grandson Duke Cilline mac Failenn of Connacht at the place of her executed cousin.


Queen Gobflaith wanted to concentrate on stabilizing the realm. She also managed to marry some of his children off for favourable alliances, such as the one with Duke Robert I of Lancaster, as her son Prince Cuan mac Gormflaith had married Mahaut of Hwicce, the duke's daughter. There were alliances also with the Duchy of Meath, as her brother Prince Loeguire mac Caindelban was married with Meath ruler Duke Aengus II mac Finneacht's sister Morien nic Finneacht LLewellyn. And of course, her grandson ruled Connacht.

In 1236, Gobflaith started a a holy war against England to reconquer Deheubarth. England had been weakened by several internecine wars and that is why she saw the opportunity. In this period there would be several parallel wars involving England and Ireland. Gobflaith would also support the Duke of Lancaster with his claim on the Duchy of Mercia, defend the Duke of Strathclyde against an alliance of Albany and England, and see Powys conquered by Herfordshire.

By 1245, a first round of wars was over. While the brother of Wales had lost Powys, Queen Gobflaith had managed to press her claim for Deheubarth.



In 1247, the small scottish enclave of Brycheniog was conquered as well. In 1249, in another swift holy war with England, Powys was conquered as well. So in 1249, the Kingdom of Wales and Ireland together held the territories that belonged to them.


In 1249, High Queen Gormflaith nic Caindelban held the titles of Kingdom of Ireland, Petty Kingdom of Munster, Leinster and Powys, and Earldom of Thomond, Ormond, Desmond, Leinster, Ossory, Ferlix and Penllyn.

Her vassals were:

King Senchan mac Somhairle of Wales was still in charge of a rump state of Wales, but luckily had changed wife. Queen Sorcha ferch Finneacht had died in 1235 as well as all the inbred children. The wife was now Queen Gyda Snorrisdatter and they had now healthy children. He was King of Wales, Petty King of Gwynedd and Earl of Perfeddwlad. His vassals were


Duke Canannan mac Fiachnae of Ulster was holding the titles of King of Ulster, Earl of Ulster and Ailech (revoked from Prince Abel mac Gormflaith of Ireland in 1244). 

His vassal was King Aed mac Muirenn of Scotland, Earl of Oriel, whose wife was Queen Mariota II of Scotland and was holding the titles of Kingdom of Scotland, Petty Kingdom of Moray, Earldom of Morray and Earldom of Caithness. His father was late Duke Bhatair mac Ciar of Ulster, Gormflaith's second cousin, who had been second in the line of heritage of Ulster after his nephew Canannan had got the lion's share.


Duke Rian II mag Aengus of Maeth held the titles of Duke of Meath and Earl of Ceredigion and Dubhlinn.  His only vassal was Countess Gelgeis nic Gnathnad of Athlone, born from the marriage between Earl Abban mag Eochad of Athlone and Countess Gnathnad nic Garb of Athlone, a very inbred marriage with 20 common ancestors, who had already produced a very inbred brother. Gelgeis's grandfather Eochad mag Abban Briain' was Gormflaith's second cousin.


Duke Flaithgus mac Cuan of Deheubarth held the titles of Duchy of Deheubarth, Lordship of Morgannwg, Sir Gaerfyrddin and Dyfed. His notable vassals were 


Duke Cilline mac Failenn of Connacht had the titles of Duke of Connacht and Earl of Mayo. His notable vassals were:


Gormflaith had lost her three younger children to various circumstances. Of the three that were left, Labraid, Abel and Failenn, she favoured Abel, who had somewhat better skills (14 3 3 5 26) than his drunkard brother Labraid (7 7 6 8 9).

Here are some dinasty trees:














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Monday, April 26, 2021

High Queen Slaine of Ireland, 1227

For the most part, the reign of Caindalban II didn't bring about any territorial changes. Any further expansion would have meant to challenge England or Scotland, while being always under the risk that the Pope would be involved and a Crusade would be declared.  Therefore, even while having an erudition focus, Caindalban II's main legacy was the thorough economical development of Ireland, which his successors would know to appreciate. However, its 40-years reign was also a reign of chances not exploited, as he died having accumulated heaps of prestige and piety that he could not spend.  

During his time he was very controversial. He disinherited all of his three sons Caindelban, Flaitheman and Loeguire, born by his first wife Constance of the house Normandie-Bedford, because he was unimpressed by their skills. He had the idea that his successor would need a lot of time to implement thorough reforms, and therefore he picked his daughter Slaine nic Caindelban as only successor, who had been born by his second wife, Queen Maer of Ireland. When he died in 1227, she was only 14. The older daughter Gomflaith would be the next heir in line, followed by her children.

In 1227 Slaine nic Caindelban inherited the whole of Ireland, as single heir. Just as her father, she held the titles of Queen and Ireland and Wales, Petty Queen of Munster and Leinster, Earl of Thomond, Ormond, Desmond, Leinster and Ossory. Her vassals were:

For whatever reason, in 1220 Caindelban II had decided to assign Wales to King Senchan mac Somhairle of Wales from the house gCais-Tegeingl, Slaine's second cousin late Somhairle mag Aengus Briain's son. King Senchan owned the titles to King of Wales, Petty King of Gwynedd and Earl of Perfeddwlad. As vassal he had 

Senchan had married his cousin Queen Sorcha ferch Finneacht of Wales, who was Slaine's second cousin Duke Rian ab Aengus of Meath's daughter. Regrettably, they had 20 common ancestors, worse than half-siblings, and all of their four children had the trait "inbred".


Slaine's secound cousin Duke Aengus II mac Finneacht of Meath, Duke of Meath and Earl of Dubhlinn and Ceredigion, from the house LLewellyn, had as a vassal Slaine's second cousin Eochad mag Abban Briain's son Earl Abban mag Eochad of Athlone. Aengus II was married with Duchess Joan of Meath, head of the house of Normandie, and had two sons.



Slaine's secound cousin Duke Bhatair mac Ciar of Ulster was Duke of Ulster and Earl of Ulster and Oriel. As a vassal, he had Earl Abel mac Gormflaith of Ailech, Slaine's nephew. Bhatair was widower - he had been married to his cousin Duchess Muirenn nic Gilla-Ruad of Ulster. That had been risky, considering that the marriage had 16 common ancestors


Slaine's cousin Duke Cu-Bretan mac Dinertach of Connacht, leader of the house Got, who had stayed catholic, was Duke of Connacht and Earl of Mayo. His vassals were:


Slaine had a half-sister, Sorcha MacMarthoc, who was an unrecognized bastard Caindalban had had with Princess Marthoc of Scotland. As the adultery become common knowledge, Princess Marthoc was imprisoned and ended up dying of her wounds. Slaine was betrothed to Arthen ap Krzeslaw of Ilawa. She ended up being zealous, which would mean addition penalties towards other religions.

Slain did not manage to be liked by any vassals, but first and foremost she was hated by her catholic cousin Duke Cu Bretan mac Dinertach of Connacht. Moreover, apart from her living mother and siblings, also everybody in her family disliked her, especially her nephews, whose ambitions had been cut short by Caindelban II's choices, and obviously because of the society's male preference. As if this wasn't enough, she was being bullied by her nephew Labraid mac Gormflaith's ugly and equally zealous daughter Euginia nic Labraid .

Slaine's siblings had a lot of children. Caindelban ( III ) had died of heart failure, but his wife Sifflaed Sigericdohtor Dunkeld Wolverhampton had born quite a few children. So had Gormflaith with Mathieu de Mousson, Flaithemain with Berchte Iwosdatter Pernstein and Loeguire with Sorcha's sister Morien nic Finneacht Llewellyn ( a marriage with 10 common ancestors, but the many children turned out ok).

Here an overview of the expansion of the dynasty.










King Faelan's daughter Cobflaith descendence


















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Tuesday, April 20, 2021

High King Caindelban II of Ireland, 1209

Caindelban II concentrated on learning and building up his realm - he wasn't set on expansion and conquest. However, that didn't mean he would be left alone. In 1195, King Evander of England took Deheubarth from Caindelban II's vassal King Congalach ap Caindelban' of Wales'  vassal Lord Cynwrig ap Rhufon of Ynys Mon in a holy war, which meant that all other vassals were also deposed.



In 1200, King Caindelban II helped King Conall II of Scotland,  whom he was allied with through marriage between his son Flaitheman with Princess Marthoc of Scotland, win the Earldom of Inverness from Petty King Haraldr II Haraldrsson of Mön.

However, the priority was to recover the lost territories in Wales, and for that he declared war over the title of Wales to his brother King Congalach ab Caindelban of Wales. He called his ally Captain Fiachnae mac Gilla-Ruad of Band of Kerns, his cousin Gilla Ruad mac Fiachnae gCais-Cruachu's son, to arms. In December 1201, King Caindalban II recovered the title of King of Wales, and took his brother Congalach as vassal.

That was not the end of it, as Congalach was at the same time defending against two holy wars for the Lordship of Ferlix and Duchy of Powys, respectively against Lord Matad of Brycheniog and Countess Sig Wulfdohtor of Herefordshire. Right after conquering Wales, Caindalban II dealt with these two enemies swiftly, at the same time also helping King Conall II defend against the rebel vassal Banmormaer Anlaith MacFaeldobur of Caithness. After that, the realm of Ireland was unified, but Deheubarth was still in the hands of King Evander of England.


In 1204, Caindelban II had to face a revolt for higher autonomy from his vassals, led by his cousin Duke Briccene mac Conmal of Ulster and Gwynedd, founder and head of the house gCais-Padraig,  and his brother Prince Finnacan mac Caindelban of Ireland, Duke of Leinster,  founder and head of the house gCais-Gabhran. Both had a respectable army, so help from the allies Captain Fiachnae and King Conall II was more than welcome. Only in June 1207 did King Caindelban II manage to crush the revolt,  the leaders were imprisoned and had to give up their titles. King Caidelban moved on to reassign them.

So in 1209, High King Caindelban II mac Caindelban was holding the titles of King and Ireland and Wales, Petty King of Munster and Leinster, Earl of Thomond, Ormond, Desmond, Leinster and Ossory. His vassals were:


Duke Rian ab Aengus of Meath, head of the house Llewellyn (Dal-gCais), had the titles of Duke of Meath and Earl of Ceredigion and Dulyn. His vassal was Caindalban II's cousin late Earl Abban mac Coflaith's grandson Earl Abban mag Eochad of Athlone.


Caindalban's brother Prince Dinertach mac Caindelban of Ireland, head of the house Got (Dal-gCais), had the titles of Duke of Connacht and Earl of Mayo, and as vassals Caindalban II's cousin late Aileann nic Cobflaith's son Earl Udalschalk mag Aileann of Ui Mhaine, head of the house gCais-Gaillimhe, and Caindalban's cousin late Countess Mael Muire nig Ailpin's son Earl Ailpin Mael-Muire of Breifne, head of the house gCais-Inis.


Duchess Gwerfyl ferch Meilys of Powys was also Lord of Ferlix and Penllyn and had no vassals.

Caindelban II's cousin Ciar nic Fiachnae's son Duke Bhatair mac Ciar of Ulster
was Duke of Ulster and Earl of Ulster and Oriel, and as a vassal he had Caindelban's greatson Earl Abel mac Gormflaith of Ailech.


Caindalban II's cousin late Aengus mac Cobflaith's great-son Duke Senchan mac Somhairle of Gwynedd was Duke of Gwynedd, Lord of Perfeddwlad and as vassals he had 



Caindelban II had three sons (Caindelban, Flaitheman and Loeguire) and one daughter (Gormflaith) None of these had good skills, but anyway Caindelban had picked Flaitheman as a main heir.




All of living Caindelban II's brother had founded new houses. Dinertach had founded Got, Congalach had founded Evans and Finnacan had founded gCais-Gabhran.



Among the descendants of the other Caindelban II's siblings, only Sithmaith's daughter Aine had created a house, Ruairc.


On the part of Caindalban's aunt Cobflaith nic Faelan, two houses existed: Duke Rian ab Aengus of Meath's LLewellyn, and Earl Udalschalk mag Aileann of Ui Mhaine's gCais-Gaillimhe.



Caindalban's cousin Briccene mac Comnal had also founded a house, gCais-Padraig, whose head now was Conmal mac Muirenn. 


And of course Caindalban's uncle Fiachnae mac Faelan had founded gCais-Cruachu , whose head was now his daughter Countess Maire nic Fiachnae of Ui Mhaine.

Other houses, such as Caindelban II's greatfather Faelan mac Brian's brother Earl Sean mac Brian's  Laighin, Faelan's cousin Ailpin mac Donnchd of Ailech gCais-Fathain and Faelan's uncle Enguerrand mac Murchad of Ulster's gCais-Inis had become irrelevant.



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Overview of Characters - Munster 1066 - CK3 - AAR

Abban mac Cobflaith  (1132-1191), Earl of Athlone, Briain Abban mag Eochad  (1181-1234),  Earl of Athlone, Briain Abel mac Gormflaith  (1190...