Ringfort
Ringforts are circular forts that were mainly constructed from the Bronze Age to the year 1000. Found in Northern Europe, especially in Ireland, ringforts are made of either stone or "earth" and used for their defensive properties until the 10th century.
History[edit | edit source]
During the late 9th century, ringforts were used as military stations during the rise of Flann Sinna as High King of Ireland. After the coronation of Flann Sinna, the Viking jarlskona Eivor Varinsdottir and her cousin, Bárid mac Ímair, the King of Dublin, aided Flann in his fight to gain control of Connacht's ringfort, Cashelore. Through Eivor's efforts and her allies fighting alongside her, Flann gained an advantage over the region as he conquered Cashelore in his name. Upon their victory, Flann and his allies celebrated their win as they planned their next steps for Ulster.[1] At Cashelore, Flann wanted to have a good influence over the lands of Ulster, so he asked Eivor to complete royal demands to increase his standing.[2]
Although Flann was gaining headway in his goals, an elusive opposition came from the druid cult, the Children of Danu, who were responsible for poisoning his soldiers, after conquering Cashelore, and sowing discord between the kingdoms of Ireland against Flann's rule.[3] Nevertheless, Flann continued on his campaign as he sent Bárid to act as his representative to affirm Flann's authority at Aileach. However, the negotiations were halted as no word came from Bárid or Flann's messengers. Thus, Eivor, under the guise of a Donegal settler, entered Aileach and found the Kings Niall Glúndub and Domnall mac Áeda and Bárid within the throne room. Soon, Bárid cleverly let Eivor know of prisoners within Aileach's ringfort and thus Eivor took over the settlement from the inside by freeing the prisoners and defeating Aileach's soldiers. After the fighting, Eivor and Bárid held the kings hostage and interrogated them about their hostility towards Flann.[4]
Throughout her journey in Ireland, Eivor aided Dublin's merchant and Bárid's advisor, Azar, in building up Dublin as the main center of trade in Ireland. As the first step, Azar asked Eivor to restore Rathdown as a trading post, which Eivor succeeded in doing.[5] Continuing on, Eivor investigated and traveled to all the abandoned ringforts around the country and re-established them as trade posts, after finding each and every ringfort's deed. After all of these ringforts were restored, Eivor ultimately made Dublin into a hub of trade and commerce, as Azar and Bárid intended.[6]
Known Ringforts[edit | edit source]
-
-
Ardmel, Kingdom of Ulster -
-
Cashelore, Kingdom of Connacht -
-
Dysert, Kingdom of Ulster -
-
Lisdurrow, Kingdom of Meath -
Port Auley, Kingdom of Connacht -
Rathdown, Kingdom of Dublin -
Concept art of Drumlish -
Concept art of Cashelore
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Although Aileach is defined as a hillfort, the settlement has a ringfort on a majority of its land.[7]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla (first appearance)
- The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla − Wrath of the Druids − Foothold in Connacht
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla − Wrath of the Druids −The Northern Reach
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla − Wrath of the Druids − Potion of Blood
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla − Wrath of the Druids − Courting the Kings
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla − Wrath of the Druids − Rathdown Build Up
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla − Wrath of the Druids − Dublin's Reach
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla − Wrath of the Druids