Isle of Mann

## Overview

The Jarldom of Mann is located on it's name sake, the Isle of Mann, and the islands of the Firth of Clyde, it is an autonomous subnational vassal within Innse Gall which itself is a junior partner of Dubhlinn and a tributary state of Dubhlinn. The Isle of Mann is home to the unique Manx culture which belongs to the Celtic culture group along with the Highlander culture present in the territories held in the Firth of Clyde. Although home to substantial Norse activity the island has never been extensively settled unlike much of Northern Innse Gall, to the point that any Norse settlement is negligible unlike in the Hebrides where the Norse are the predominant culture.

## Background

The Jarldom was established in 1061 by High Chief of Dubhlinn and now Prince of Innse Gall too, Murchad Ó Chennselaig, after his successful conquest of Innse Gall and deposition of Echmarcach Ó Ímair, would appoint Guðfriðr Ó Chennselaig, a well respected pirate turned privateer, former head of the Dubhlinner Free Company and cousin of the deposed Prince Echmarcach, as Jarl of Mann. Since Guðfriðr's ascension the territories within the Jarldom have seen a rise in enlistment into the navy as privateers and raiders, pillaging and plundering the Irish Sea and Orkney. Since 1065 Mann has seen a rapid increase in the amount of slaves traded on the island, due to a major rise kidnapping from Manx pirates.

## Relationships

### Ængland (England)

The Isle of Mann has historically been a centre of piracy, since 1061 this has escalated with the formation of the Jarldom of Mann and the appointment of a former pirate as Jarl, Ængland has been angered by these actions and in response has increased naval activity in the region.

### Dubhlinn

The Jarldom of Mann was formed by the Kingdom of Dubhlinn who installed a pirate for noble stock as Jarl after he aided Dubhlinn in the conquest of Innse Gall and subsequent deposition of Prince Echmarcach Ó Ímair, and Guðfriðr Ó Chennselaig, would subsequently be appointed.

Previously Guðfriðr was the head of the Dubhlinner Free Company, a private military Company based in Dubhlinn after Guðfriðr's banishment by Prince Echmarcach. The company has since been inherited by Guðfriðr's appointed heiress Ægir Mæra, the illegitimate half-sister of Erlenðr Mæra, Jarl of Orkney. As such Manx-Dubhlinner relations have been very close and friendly with the Manx agreeing to not raid any lands in the domain of Dubhlinn and to fight along side them during war.

### Hebrides

The Jarldom of the Hebrides are the crownland territory of Innse Gall, located north of Mann, they combined with Jarldom of Mann form the Principality of Innse Gall. Ruled by Jarl Murchad Ó Chennselaig, who also serves as High chief of Dubhlinn, the territories maintain a friendly relationship with Mann.

### Orkney

Orcadian-Manx relations have been incredibly tense and hostile especially during the time between Guðfriðr's appointment as Jarl of Mann and the death of Jarl Thorfinn the Mighty, from 1061-1064, from 1025 Thorfinn would attempt to gain power in Innse Gall and conquer it's territories, which include the Jarldom of Mann. Unsurprisingly this conflict would result in a massive influx of raiding by the Manx after the Dubhlinner invasion and conquest of Innse Gall in 1061 resulting in the formation of the Jarldom of Mann and the appointment of a former pirate. Since Thorfinns death tensions have eased and raiding has been declining, but continues to persist, just to a lesser degree.