Corque
Cork is city and county in the province of Munster in Ireland, which has never been a sovereign nation or an independent kingdom.
A man named Garras is given as the King of Cork by Chrétien de Troyes, while in Les Merveilles de Rigomer, Cork’s king is named as Frion, whose daughter was saved by Lancelot.
Cork | 400-600 AD
The early medieval period in Ireland saw the spread of Christianity, and Cork was no exception. Christian missionaries, including Saint Fin Barre and Saint Multose, are said to have established churches and religious communities in the region during this time.
Cork was likely part of the territories ruled by various Gaelic kingdoms that emerged during this period. These kingdoms were often centered around local dynasties and chieftains, and they vied for power and territory.
The Vikings began to raid the coast of Ireland in the late eighth century, and by the early ninth century, they established settlements and trading posts in various locations, including Cork. Cork may have been targeted by Viking raiders during this period. While the exact date of Viking settlement in Cork is uncertain, it is believed that they established a trading settlement in the area during the ninth century. The Vikings, known as the Ostmen (Eastmen), played a significant role in shaping the early urban centers of Cork and other Irish cities.
Over time, the Vikings in Cork and other parts of Ireland established trading relationships with the local Gaelic rulers. This interaction led to cultural exchanges and the adoption of some Norse customs and practices.
The lack of extensive written records from this period makes it challenging to reconstruct a detailed history of Cork during the 400-600 AD timeframe. Much of what is known is inferred from later historical sources and archaeological findings.
Sources
Erec | Chrétien de Troyes, late 12th century
Les Merveilles de Rigomer | Jehan, mid to late 13th century