Kings of Ireland

Highlighting Historical Romance with Ashley York who brings us warrior kings.

The Warrior Kings series takes place in eleventh century Ireland. That’s after the death of Brian Boru in 1014 and before the invasion of the Normans from England. I would venture to say the best-known kings of this time are the English Kings. The date 1066 is well-known because it’s when a “conqueror” from the continent brought a new language, a new social system, and a new church hierarchy with him as he fought his way across England to. This conqueror was William, also known as William the first, and that hard-fought kingship would pass on to his sons because that was the way of it. Primogeniture was not followed in Ireland.

In Ireland, a king had to be from “the line of kings” meaning his grandfather or great-grandfather was a king. He also had to be an amazing warrior. If he was really good at protecting and expanding his reach, he’d acquire more land and work his way up the kingship levels. It had been one such King, Brian Boru, who’d worked his way to Overking and eventually fought off the Vikings from the north. He didn’t really unify the island, but the different kings worked together to overcome the invaders. If he had survived the Battle of Clontarf, he may have been a unifying force. The Norsemen that remained in Ireland married into the general population and their children could be from the line of kings which all my heroes in this series are.

In Ireland, a king had to be from “the line of kings” meaning his grandfather or great-grandfather was a king. He also had to be an amazing warrior. If he was really good at protecting and expanding his reach, he’d acquire more land and work his way up the kingship levels. It had been one such King, Brian Boru, who’d worked his way to Overking and eventually fought off the Vikings from the north. He didn’t really unify the island, but the different kings worked together to overcome the invaders. If he had survived the Battle of Clontarf, he may have been a unifying force. The Norsemen that remained in Ireland married into the general population and their children could be from the line of kings which all my heroes in this series are.

In Ireland, a king had to be from “the line of kings” meaning his grandfather or great-grandfather was a king. He also had to be an amazing warrior. If he was really good at protecting and expanding his reach, he’d acquire more land and work his way up the kingship levels. It had been one such King, Brian Boru, who’d worked his way to Overking and eventually fought off the Vikings from the north. He didn’t really unify the island, but the different kings worked together to overcome the invaders. If he had survived the Battle of Clontarf, he may have been a unifying force. The Norsemen that remained in Ireland married into the general population and their children could be from the line of kings which all my heroes in this series are.

The kingship would not pass from father to son but to a second that was selected at the time of the king’s investment. It was more useful for the second to be an established warrior as well otherwise the tribe could be left defenseless if their king died in battle. Even though not a hereditary title, the kingship was held in high regard and there was much ceremony that went along with the naming of a king.

The Hill of Tara was one spot known to be used for such celebrations. This is a picture of the area from my visit to Ireland.

The Books

You can find blurbs and purchase information here:

https://www.ashleyyorkauthor.com/warrior-kings-series

About the Author

Award-winning author Ashley York writes historical romance full of passion and intrigue set in 11th and 12th century Ireland, Scotland, and England where life was wild and survival was never guaranteed.

Whether it’s in the mysterious ring forts of Ireland, the romantic Scottish Highlands, or the battle fields of Hastings, her characters fight hard and play hard. Good or evil, primary or secondary, they’ll yank at your emotions and make it hard to put her books down.

Passionate about history and research, York may tweak some historical facts (like the location of the Baron’s Rebellion) but the flavor of the time is undeniable. With heroes and heroines you’ll want to read about again and again, her stories are fresh and unpredictable but still finish with a satisfying HEA.

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