Book Review: Beyond Exclusion in Medieval Ireland: Intersections of Ethnicity, Sex, and Society Under English Law by Stephen Hewer.

Stephen Hewer's book, "Beyond Exclusion in Medieval Ireland: Intersections of Ethnicity, Sex, and Society Under English Law," challenges long-standing assumptions about the status of the English and the Irish in Anglo-Norman Ireland. Hewer's study focuses on ethnic identities and legal status in medieval English Ireland from 1250 to 1320, examining how various ethnic and social groups were treated in the royal courts. The book argues that society was more ethnically diverse than previously believed, with free Gaels playing a significant role in areas under English legal jurisdiction. The legal status of women of different ethnicities is also analyzed, highlighting the complexities of their access to the law and property ownership. The book heavily relies on personal names as indicators of ethnicity, but the index provided falls short in providing a coherent guide to the book's themes and the individuals discussed. Overall, the book offers valuable insights into ethnic relationships in medieval English Ireland. [Extracted from the article]