During the early modern period of European history â€" from around 1500 to 1800 â€" many tens of thousands of Irish men left home to enlist in armies abroad, principally those of France and the Hasburgs, then Europe's richest family. They become known as 'The Wild Geese' â€" latterly the inspiration for the title of the 1978 film of the same name starring Richard Burton and Roger Moore as British mercenaries.
(Media-Newswire.com) - During the early modern period of European history – from around 1500 to 1800 – many tens of thousands of Irish men left home to enlist in armies abroad, principally those of France and the Hasburgs, then Europe's richest family.
They become known as 'The Wild Geese' – latterly the inspiration for the title of the 1978 film of the same name starring Richard Burton and Roger Moore as British mercenaries.
However, much about these Irish soldiers remains relatively unclear.
"While the Wild Geese have not lacked a historian, the numbers who left Ireland, their motives for leaving, their impact on the host societies, and the memory of their exploits in Ireland are still debated," explained Thomas Bartlett, Professor of Irish History at the University of Aberdeen.
His public lecture on the Wild Geese will take place at King's College Conference Centre on Monday, November 10 at 6pm as part of the University of Aberdeen's Inaugural Lecture series.
He said: "The lecture will seek to outline earlier writings on these soldiers and address some of the other issues surrounding their role and legacy in modern Irish history. It will also examine Irish attitudes towards the British Empire in the nineteenth century."
Professor Bartlett's lecture The Wild Geese. Reflections on the History of the Irish soldiers in the Service of France in the Eighteenth Century takes place on Monday, November 10 at 6pm at the Kings College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen. The lecture will be followed by an informal wine reception.
This story was released on 2008-11-11. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.