The_Image_of_Irelande,_with_a_Discoverie_of_Woodkarne
The Image of Irelande, with a Discoverie of Woodkarne is a 1581 book by John Derricke.
The book is dedicated to Philip Sidney. It praises the deputyship of Philip's father Henry Sidney and English victories over the Irish.[1] The work opens with a poetic history of Ireland and its conflicts with the English, presenting reasons for English rule. This proceeds to a set of twelve woodcut illustrations interspersed with verse narration, describing Henry Sidney's victories against Irish rebels and denigrating Irish culture. The book ends with the surrender of Turlough Luineach Ó Neill, king of Tyrone, in 1578.[2] Critics, such as James A. Knapp, have deemed the illustrations to be of far greater interest than the unremarkable verse.[3]
There is only one complete version extant, at the Edinburgh University Library. A copy was produced and edited by the university librarian in 1883.[4]
- The Image of Irelande: title page showing the inscription of donation.
- Plate 1. A soldier holding a battle-axe hands a spear to an Irish chieftain in full dress, with a page holding the chieftain's horse.
- Plate 2. An armed company of the kerne, carrying halberds and pikes and led by a piper, attack and burn a farmhouse and drive off the horses and cattle.
- Plate 3. The most famous plate of the set shows the chief of the Mac Sweynes seated at an informal picnic while booleying, and being entertained by a bard and a harper.
- Plate 4. The Irish chieftain receives the priest's blessing before departing to fight the English, who are shown in full armour.
- Plate 5. The English soldiers return in triumph, carrying severed Irish heads (the one on the right said to be Maighréad Maol O'Byrne, wife of Rory Óg O'More) and leading a captive by a halter.
- Plate 6. Sir Henry Sidney, Lord-Deputy, accompanied by an armed force, sets out from Dublin Castle for a progress through Ireland.
- Plate 7. The English army is drawn up for battle, while Sidney himself parleys with a messenger from the Irish.
- Plate 8. Sidney and the English army on the march with standards and trumpets.
- Plate 9. The English army puts the Irish army to flight. The piper is cut down with his pipes beside him.
- Plate 10. Sir Henry Sidney returns in triumph to Dublin Castle and is received by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen.
- Plate 11. Ruaidhrí Óg Ó Mórdha wearing the traditional Irish mantle in the forest, with his hunting dog.
- Plate 12. Turlough Lynagh O'Neil and another kneel to Sidney in submission. In the background Sidney seems to be embracing O'Neill as a noble friend.