Post by Taki on Aug 22, 2014 1:29:15 GMT
About 200 years ago, Ireland was not much more than tribes spread across the country. These tribes were constantly at war with one another, and it left them vulnerable to attacks from the outside world. Englishmen had already started to stake claims in the country side, and that made it harder for the Irish to resist invasion. It didn't take much time for Ireland to fall under the full control of England. English soldiers and tradesmen were sent to "settle" the country, and rumor had it the king was planning to turn it into a second kingdom. Where he would leave the throne of England to his oldest son, and that of Ireland to his second.
For several years the English worked towards transforming Ireland, and it seemed their king's plan was coming to life. However; in the background under the cover of night and the still mostly wild countryside, the former tribe leaders met. Ireland under foreign rule was killing them. (Literally and figuratively.) And it was time for the Irish to make a comeback. While the English built estates and drank ale; the Irish trained and did something they rarely had before; worked together. They plotted, for they were more intelligent and watchful than the English gave them credit for. Open warfare would not end in their favor until they could rid Ireland of enough foreign soldiers. And so, assassinations were carried out. They were all very discrete, though. Slow acting poisons, or ones that only took effect when the poisoned person consumed something specific, instead of slit throats.
These assassinations were carried out in ways that made it look like disease was spreading across the country. The Irish would get sick too, so it took a long time for anyone to realize that only the English were dying. By the time this realization hit, the majority of the English had been wiped out. Their king, terrified of disease, sent soldiers to Ireland, but refused to lead his troops or even send his sons. By the time the new soldiers arrives Ireland was in a full scale war. The English, having already taken over Ireland, believed this would be an easy victory for them. After all, it had only been a few short years since they'd taken over. What upper hand could the Irish have gained in that amount of time?
They were wrong. The war turned against England quickly when the Irish enlisted the help of Wales, and many Nordic vikings. It was a bloody war, but in the end Ireland was purged of English influence. Many Welsh chose to stay in Ireland, just as many chose to return to their homes. Very few Vikings decided against returning to their homes. The Irish knew that they could not return to the way things had been prior to the invasion. So several months were spent in deliberation. It was finally decided that Ireland should become four kingdoms. Each of the new rulers signed a treaty. Now war between kingdoms, if anyone thinks himself big enough to take on one of the kingdoms, they better hope they are big enough to take on all four. And if any of the royals of the kingdoms gets too big for his britches (goes against the treaty) they would be dealt with accordingly.
For several years the English worked towards transforming Ireland, and it seemed their king's plan was coming to life. However; in the background under the cover of night and the still mostly wild countryside, the former tribe leaders met. Ireland under foreign rule was killing them. (Literally and figuratively.) And it was time for the Irish to make a comeback. While the English built estates and drank ale; the Irish trained and did something they rarely had before; worked together. They plotted, for they were more intelligent and watchful than the English gave them credit for. Open warfare would not end in their favor until they could rid Ireland of enough foreign soldiers. And so, assassinations were carried out. They were all very discrete, though. Slow acting poisons, or ones that only took effect when the poisoned person consumed something specific, instead of slit throats.
These assassinations were carried out in ways that made it look like disease was spreading across the country. The Irish would get sick too, so it took a long time for anyone to realize that only the English were dying. By the time this realization hit, the majority of the English had been wiped out. Their king, terrified of disease, sent soldiers to Ireland, but refused to lead his troops or even send his sons. By the time the new soldiers arrives Ireland was in a full scale war. The English, having already taken over Ireland, believed this would be an easy victory for them. After all, it had only been a few short years since they'd taken over. What upper hand could the Irish have gained in that amount of time?
They were wrong. The war turned against England quickly when the Irish enlisted the help of Wales, and many Nordic vikings. It was a bloody war, but in the end Ireland was purged of English influence. Many Welsh chose to stay in Ireland, just as many chose to return to their homes. Very few Vikings decided against returning to their homes. The Irish knew that they could not return to the way things had been prior to the invasion. So several months were spent in deliberation. It was finally decided that Ireland should become four kingdoms. Each of the new rulers signed a treaty. Now war between kingdoms, if anyone thinks himself big enough to take on one of the kingdoms, they better hope they are big enough to take on all four. And if any of the royals of the kingdoms gets too big for his britches (goes against the treaty) they would be dealt with accordingly.