What does Gallowglass mean?

Definitions for Gallowglass
gal·low·glass

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Gallowglass.


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Wiktionary

  1. gallowglassnoun

    A mercenary warrior élite among Gaelic-Norse clans residing in the Western Isles of Scotland and Scottish Highlands from the mid 13th century to the end of the 16th century.

  2. Etymology: gallóglaigh, from óglách.

Wikipedia

  1. Gallowglass

    The Gallowglass (also spelled galloglass, gallowglas or galloglas; from Irish: gallóglaigh meaning foreign warriors) were a class of elite mercenary warriors who were principally members of the Norse-Gaelic clans of Ireland between the mid 13th century and late 16th century. It originally applied to Scots, who shared a common background and language with the Irish, but as they were descendants of 10th-century Norse settlers who had intermarried with the local population in western Scotland, the Irish called them Gall Gaeil ("foreign Gaels"). An early family of gallowglasses was the MacSweeneys, settled by the O'Donnells in north Donegal. These were followed by MacDonnells, MacCabes and several other groups settled by powerful Irish nobles in different areas. The gallowglasses were attractive as heavily armoured, trained infantry to be relied upon as a strong defence for holding a position, unlike most Irish foot soldiers, who were less well armoured than the typical Irish noble who fought as cavalry. They were a significant part of Irish infantry before the advent of gunpowder, and depended upon seasonal service with Irish chieftains. A military leader would often choose a gallowglass to serve as his personal aide and bodyguard because, as a foreigner, the gallowglass would be less subject to local feuds and influences.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Gallowglassnoun

    a heavy-armed foot soldier from Ireland and the Western Isles in the time of Edward /

  2. Etymology: [Ir. galloglach. Cf. Gillie.]

Wikidata

  1. Gallowglass

    The gallowglass were a class of elite mercenary warriors who were principally members of the Norse-Gaelic clans of Scotland between the mid 13th century and late 16th century. As Scots, they were Gaels and shared a common background and language with the Irish, but as they had intermarried with the 10th century Norse settlers of western Scotland, the Irish called them Gall Gaeil. Large numbers of gallowglass septs settled in Ireland after being dispossessed of their lands in Scotland for choosing the wrong sides in the Wars of Scottish Independence. The first and probably most famous of these were the MacSweeneys, settled originally by the O’Donnells in west Donegal. These were followed by MacDonnells, MacCabes and several other groups settled by powerful Irish nobles in different areas. The gallowglass were attractive as a heavy armour trained aristocratic infantry to be relied on as a strong defence for holding a position, unlike most Irish foot soldiers, who were lower class and less well armoured than the typical Irish noble who fought as cavalry. In time there came to be many native Irish gallowglass as the term came to mean a type of warrior rather than an ethnic designation.

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer

  1. gallowglass

    In ancient times, a heavy-armed foot-soldier of Ireland and the Western Isles.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of Gallowglass in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of Gallowglass in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

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"Gallowglass." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Gallowglass>.

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