Preview March 17th: Ui Neill & Rheged
UI NEILL & RHEGED
Hi followers!
For the St Patrick's day it was an obligation for us to show you our work on Gaels! So here our third preview, Ui Neill accompagnied by the powerful briton kingdom of Rheged.
Preface for all Gaelic factions
The Gaelic race, as the original Gaels saw themselves, and how others referred to them, were not considered of the same stock of anyone else. This is a source of pride; Gaels are not Europeans or caucasians. They are Gaels. Indeed, into the early 1900s, they were almost universally refered to as the 'race of Gaels'. This is largely due to how odd their culture was in an increasingly more homogenized Europe; that itself can be blamed on their mixed origin of Celts, Iberians, and pre-Gaelic Irish people.
As Germanic tribes spread through Europe, those who had little or no Germanic or Roman influence quickly began to be seen as wholely seperate races of people. The Gaels dressed oddly; a long tunic to the knee with shoes and decorate jewelry and a cloak with odd patterns, or a tunic to the thigh with tight-fitting breeches and boots, also with a cloak. Their language was considered nearly impenetrable by foreigners; even Ireland's St. Patrick, originally a Briton, at the end of his life claimed that his grasp of the Irish language was terrible.
Even once Christianized, the Gaels were an insular, somewhat quiet people, with a unique culture. Aside from raids and the occassional conquest, the most profound being Dal Riada's conquest of all of what is now Scotland, Gaels didn't much care for the outside world in the dark ages, except for how it related to Christianity. Gaels took to Christian teachings well, as it was largely similar in many ways to their old religion; so much was absorbed from the old Gaelic religion that it seemed little different. However, it also introduced widespread writing. As religion was important to them, many became monks, and writing so new and interesting, many further specialized as scribes. The Irish dealt largely with those parts of the world not overrun by Germanic invaders, such as the east Roman Empire, now called Byzantia. Gaelic books of poetry and stories were in high demand, not to mention the countless books Gaelic missionaries returned to Ireland and Dal Riada, to be safely copied en masse, and then proliferated back to the civilized world.
In this time, the Gaels are not a minor people; with their Christianization, they are a bastion of the civilized world against the Germanic invader. They keep extensive records; both their own, and transcribed records of the Romans. They keep knowledge of Greek philosophy, medicine, and poetry, as well as numerous languages. They also keep the faith of Christianity safeguarded in the north. It is Gaelic monks who converted the Picts, helped convert the many Germans in Britain, and reconvert numerous Britons, as well as spread into Europe to plant the seeds of the faith elsewhere. The Gaels, recognizing themselves as a warrior race, have, during this time, seen it as their necessary duty to defend both their culture and their religion from all foreign incursion.
Ui Neill history
The kingdom 'of Neill' are the descendants and relations of the great king, Niall Niogalaich. Many clans are part of this kingdom, most specifically the clans that were once ruled by one of Niall's numerous sons, such as Cenél Eóghain and Cenél Conaill, who hold most of the power in the north, known as Uladd; Ulster. In the south, in the lands of Mide and Brega, Sil Áeda Sláine, Cenél Lóigaire, and Cenél Cairpri are the most powerful clans, and have supplanted many other tribes and clans, such as the powerful Deisi of the Mumainha who once ruled Brega.
The Ui Neill take pride in two things; first, that they claim to be the proper kings of Ireland. Controlling both Ard Macha and Teamhaidh often means this claim goes a bit unchallenged; these places are important for the coronation of the king justly, and there isn't a way for other kings to use them. Second, that they were partly responsible for the withdrawal of Rome from Britain. It was largely raiders from their clans or clients that terrorized the coastline, and it was Niall himself who aided the Picts to invade and sent them support in the way of weapons and experienced commanders. While the Romans were not utterly defeated, the handwriting was on the wall that Britain would no longer be profitable; given problems in the rest of the empire, retaliation against such raids would be near impossible. So the Romans fell away from Britain, and the Ui Neill raided with impunity.
When the Romans left Britain, the Ui Neill, Mumainha, and Laigini began an almost sporting competition for who could set up the most vassals and puppets in Britain. The Deisi of Mumainha conquered parts of Wales, and set up Dyfedd as a vassal, though they quickly lost interest in it, only occassionally asking the 'protector' of Dyfedd about the region's status. The Laigini invaded the isle of Mann; an important strategic position. While they did alright for themselves, they couldn't hold onto power very long, and their king withdrew. All the same, many hundreds of settlers moved to the island, giving it a fairly large Gaelic minority. The Ui Neill, though, avoided direct invasion. Instead, they forced the Dal Riada, at the time their rather unwilling vassals, into a number of wars with the Picts. Ultimately, this led to a refusal, and a brief war between the two. The Ui Neill pushed the Dal Riada completely out of Ireland, isolating them in Argyll, where the Picts subverted them as their vassals for a time.
Except for sporadic raids and some migrations along the southern coast of what is now Scotland, and the northern most coasts of what is now England, fighting Strathclyders, the men of Galwyddel, and Rheged, the Ui Neill, despite their extremely war-minded proginator, were quiet and peaceful for a time. They forged alliances with the kingdoms around them; even restored bonds with their estranged cousins in Dal Riada by sending them troops to help fight the Picts, as well as large amounts of silver to fund their wars. However, this foreign peace was not a sign of internal peace. The southern clans were angry with the northern clans, claiming that they rigged elections of the tanist, the elected heir to the throne. Around 750 AD, the kingdom split into two halves, based upon internal sub-kingdoms; the kingdom of Mide-Brega (Meath), which had originally formed to its subsequent borders around 110 AD with the return of a high king, and the kingdom of Uladd (Ulster). This was the end of the unified Ui Neill, and also caused their claims of sovereignty over Ireland to utterly collapse.
Preface to all British factions
See our Dyfneint preview.
Rheged history
Rheged's name comes from the Brigantes, one of the most powerful tribes of pre-roman Britain. Rheged was set in north west Britain, between modern-day Wales and Scotland. It was once a part of a greater kingdom of North Britain, under the rule of Coel Hen and his son Ceneu. Ceneu shared his lands between his sons, Mor who took the eastern part, Ebrauc, and Gwrast taking the western part, Rheged. Gwrast's son, Meirchion, lose the area of Elmet to his brother Mascuid, and after his death, Rheged was shared between his two sons, Elidyr taking South Rheged and Cynfarch North Rheged. The kingdom of South Rheged was overrun by the Saxons and his ruler, Llywarch Hen, Elidyr's son, fled to Powys where he possibly became bard - the legend tells that he lived hundred years.
North Rheged was much more stronger. His first king, Cynfarch Oer, holding court at Caer Ligualid, actual Carlisle, expanded northward to Galwyddel. He may shared his kingdom between his sons, however it was reunited by one of them: Urien. Urien is one of the most well-known kings of dark ages Britain, and he probably rose to the status of High-King. In the first decades of his reign, he raided his briton neighboors, extanding his power from Alcluyd to Powys. He was a great patron of arts, and his bard Taliesin, is as famous as him.
Around 580 AD, Ebrauc fell to Deiran Angles. Urien was the first to react to this. He set up a campaign against the Angles of Deira and Bernicia, leading the coalition of the northern kingdoms, gathering Rydderch Hael of Alcluyd, Gwallawc Marchawc Trin of Elmet, Morcant Bulc of Bryneich but also Aeddan mac Gabran of Dal Riada and other gaelic allies. The Britons won a series of victories, Gwen Ystrad, Berwyn, and Argoed Llywfein where Owein, Urien's son, is supposed to have killed Theodoric, the Angle king. Urien claimed the area around Cathraeth, modern Catterick. Around 590 AD, the Angles were pushed back to the sea edge, and besieged by the Britons at Ynis Metcaut (Lindisfarne). But one of Urien's allies, Morcant of Bryneich, was jealous of his sucess and ordered his assassination. Urien was killed and the british coalition disolved.
The Angles quickly re-asserted their power on the north, and in Rheged Urien was suceded by his son Owein, also known in the medieval matter of Britain as Yvain. Rheged was attacked from several fronts by Dunaut Bwr of Penines, Morcant and Gwallawc. Owein was killed in battle and Rheged fell.
We didn't have lot of sources of who ruled the Rheged's area after Owein's death. However it seems like a strong briton resistance still fought there, until the kingdom was united to Northumbria by a wedding. The powerful kingdom of Strathclyde, once Alcluyd, also exerced control over North Rheged for a quite long period around the Xth century. Actually the region is known as Cumbria, a name relevant of his brythonic roots - Britons called themselves Cymri, compatriots.
Now we will show you a part of a gaelic army, along side the Rheged 'Rhyfelwyrmawr'.
Infantry
Sleanaghta
The slea or gae (spear) is the preferred weapon of most Gaelic soldiers. Accompanied with heavy throwing spears and a solid Gaelic targe, these spearmen form the backbone of any Gaelic army. They are semi-professional soldiers, who either bought their equipment, or were sponsored by a wealthier member of society. They are intended to hold positions, and are often placed around missile troops to defend them from cavalry and any other threats that might occur. The spearmen are the lowest class of genuine soldiers in most cases, just above militias.
Tuanaghta
The tua or tuagha (axe) is one of the oldest and most favored weapons of the Gaels. The Gaelic axe has a particularly weighty head, meant to crush helmets and smash shields. With it, like most Gaels carry, are carried two heavy throwing spears, thrown into an enemy position before a charge. The Gaelic axemen act as a kind of bridge between medium and heavy infantry.
Curadha
Not all champions take up swords or axes. The most common champions, in fact, prefer the spear. A spear is a trustworthy weapon; easy to use, and can be mastered before one is nearly too old to fight in combat. These curadha (champions) are intended to inspire their fellows, and use their superior skills to create gaps in the enemy line. They are also likely the ones to start war songs and chants before battle, and usually accompany the first line of soldiers into the fight.
Dinuadda-Claiomhnaghta
Irish longswords sometimes accomodated longer grips, meant to be used in two hands. Longswords were somewhat rare in Ireland to begin with, and these particular weapons rarely proliferated far, but they were a favored weapon of numerous champions and wealthier soldiers, as they could be used in one or two hands. In two hands, they would be able to deal more damage, and be swung faster, but it meant sacrificing the protection offered by a shield.
Deaisbard
The private bodyguards of chieftains were the Deaisbard. Excellently trained and outfitted champions supported these men; they were just below the fighting orders and bodyguards of the kings themselves in ability. They were trained in the finest schools, and were all uniformly well-educated. In addition to being bodyguards, they are also meant to act as servants and aides, and are expected to be able to conduct themselves appropriately, and deliver various ceremonies, like presenting wine and tea.
Arras
Gaelic 'nobility' are drawn from numerous places; everyone from the lowest chief to the high king are considered Arras, as well as indepedent, wealthy merchants and traders. They can afford the best training, the best equipment, and the best soldiers to support them. Like other Gaels, they carry javelins to throw at their enemies before charging, and form a tight shieldwall-like formation to absorb an attack. They use long slashing and thrusting swords, which are fairly rare among Gaels. The heavy Gaelic targe, good quality scale or mail armor, and a well-made iron helmet, provide them great protection against their enemies.
Light Infantry
Scioceitherne
The hierarchy of Gaelic societies is a bit unusual; it lacks feudal nobles and the subsequent varying ranks of nobles and peasants. However, Ciorns (later kerns) tend to fall near the bottom. Without much money or inherent fighting ability, they cannot afford good equipment, nor are they likely to be sponsored by an arras (aristocrat). However, that matters little. Most of the time, a ciorn is just a man called up to form a militia in times of strife, and fight with whatever is on hand; usually hunting spears or solid clubs, accompanied by light, small javelins, often called darts. Later, kerns would become the basic soldier of Irish armies, with superior armaments and outfitting, but in this period are only militia with the poorest equipment.
Cavalry
Carpata
The Gaels still used chariots in this period. They were in rapid decline in use, and had rarely been much of a weapon for war outside of a few regions, where the ground was smooth and flat enough to make good use of them, but they were still a popularized possession, and it was rare for aristocrats to not own at least one chariot for formal events. In war, they were used to drop nobles off into the middle of the fight (which can't be replicated in game), and as a missile platform from which the riders would hurl javelins, and also to crush light infantry by riding over them with the chariot's substantial weight.
AoR Rheged Unit
Rhyfelwyrmawr
AoR Rheged
'Great Warriors'
Rheged was one of the most powerful kingdoms of Dark Age Britain, being a constant thorn in the side of and leading the resistance against the English invaders under their great kings, such as Urien of Rheged, imortalised in 'Y Llyfr Taliesin'. The Rhyfelwyrmawr, litterally 'great warriors', were the elite core of the armies of Rheged. Veterans of many battles and, as such, possessors of great wealth, the Rhyfelwyrmawr owned the best equipment and would not give up easily if the battle started turning against them. The experience and sheer ferocity of these warriors made them renowned throughout, striking fear into the hearts of their enemies.
And now, some ingame screens of a battle between the Ui Neill and the Britons of Rheged.
The team is made of :
Agraes - project leader & historical research - skinner - mapper
Ian_of_Smeg - historical research & traits
Ranika - historical research - gaelic specialist
Thrashaholic - historical research - briton specialist
Vortigern - historical research - briton specialist
Spongly - historical research - saxon and pictish specialist
Blindfaithnogod (of the Byzantium TW team) - skinner/modeler
Hross - historical research - germanic specialist
Kscott - mapper/skinner - has stop modding
Alcibiades of Athens - skinner/modeler
Professor S - 2D artist, skinner
Favre - skinner
Zhuge_Liang - skinner/modeler
Sher Khan - concept artist
Shrimpy - 3D animator
Pinarius - skinner/modeler
Bronwen Mall - 2D artist
Publius - 2D artist
Special thanks to :
- Atheist Peace who make us a space on the Imperium forums
- BDH who give us a great map_heights of Britain
- Lusted and Atilla Reloaded for let us use their amazing Late Romans skin packs
- Dust for his gallic saddle model
- Pinarius for allowing us to use his wonderful horses
- Webbird for giving us the right to use his awesome celtic skins
- Promotheus for his spear blade models
- The Stranger for his unit layout
- Uranos for his great help with the map
Don't forget to show everybody your are an Arthurian follower!
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