Integration of the Irish into urban communities in the lordship of Ireland in the 14th and 15th centuries

The article is devoted to the study of the integration of the Irish into urban communities in the territory of the Peerage of Ireland in the XIV–XV centuries. This problem is relevant in world historiography. Currently, there are several approaches to determining the degree of Gaelic cultural influence in the Middle Ages, as well as the specifics of Anglo-Irish relations. Despite the diversity of approaches, there is no consensus among historians about the situation of the Irish in the cities of Pale. For the first time in Russian historiography, based on poorly studied sources, the author comprehensively examines the policy of city councils towards the Irish, as well as the degree of their integration in cities. The main focus is on the economic relations and land relations of the inhabitants of the colony’s large cities. Registers of wills allow us to study the peculiarities of interaction between the British and the Irish, as well as to identify the socio-economic ties of the colony’s inhabitants. The land inventories contained in the documents of the settler families shed light on the specifics of the economic activities of the colonial community and provide an opportunity to determine partnerships among the townspeople. An analysis of the lists of patents and trade licenses allows us to determine the number of Irish people who have received privileges from the urban community. The acts of the Irish Parliament and the Collection of Ancient Dublin Records reflect the legislation of the colonial elite in relation to the Irish subjects of the king. The author concludes that the Irish regularly participated in the social and economic life of the colonial community and successfully integrated into urban structures. The effectiveness of integration was ensured through client-patronage relations, family ties and the practice of sureties. The city councils pursued a flexible policy towards Irish residents, primarily guided by the economic interests of the cities.