Post by Ptarmigan on Jun 18, 2008 6:52:40 GMT
The Gallowglass
The Gallowglass ~ mercenary warriors of the Western Isles.
The gallowglass were a mercenary warrior élite among Gaelic-Norse clans residing in the Western Isles of Scotland (or, Hebrides) and Scottish Highlands from the mid 13th century to the end of the 16th century. As Scots, they were Gaels and shared a common origin and heritage with the Irish, but as they had intermarried with the 10th century Norse settlers of the islands and coastal areas of Scotland and the Picts, the Irish called them Gall Gaeil ("foreign Gaels"). They were the mainstay of Scottish and Irish warfare before the advent of gunpowder, and depended upon seasonal service with Irish lords.
The Gallowglass
The gallowglass were a mercenary warrior élite among Gaelic-Norse clans residing in the Western Isles of Scotland (or, Hebrides) and Scottish Highlands from the mid 13th century to the end of the 16th century. As Scots, they were Gaels and shared a common origin and heritage with the Irish, but as they had intermarried with the 10th century Norse settlers of the islands and coastal areas of Scotland and the Picts, the Irish called them Gall Gaeil ("foreign Gaels"). They were the mainstay of Scottish and Irish warfare before the advent of gunpowder, and depended upon seasonal service with Irish lords.
The GallowglassA Gallowglass Sword
A Gallowglass Sword ~ a long, broad double-edged blade.
The large two-handed sword of the gallowglass had a long, broad double-edged blade and the guard was of cruciform type often with a cut out “E” shape or some other similar detail on each guard end. Pommels were of hollow circular type and the tang of the blade could be seen running up through the pommel itself.
A Gallowglass Sword
The large two-handed sword of the gallowglass had a long, broad double-edged blade and the guard was of cruciform type often with a cut out “E” shape or some other similar detail on each guard end. Pommels were of hollow circular type and the tang of the blade could be seen running up through the pommel itself.
A Gallowglass Sword
