The county of Cavan, in the west of Ulster is the subject of this in depth historical study. Scott, the research officer at the Cavan County Museum, presents papers coming out of a 2008 conference held at the museum. The first two papers discuss Cavan's contribution to medieval Irish literature with the McGovern Poem Book and several medieval and early modern Psalters for women. The remainder examine various aspects of the Elizabethan English penetration into Ireland beyond the Pale and the later Scots settlement. The result of the imposition of English law, religion and citizens on the Irish is well known. However, the specifics of the experiences of Cavan provide a clearer picture of events, including adaptation on both sides. color plates illustrate the English maps created to aid in plantation apportionment. A microcosmic study such as this allows the authors to concentrate on diversity of experience, showing that the division between Irish and settlers was not always as polarized as presented elsewhere, even during the 1641 uprising. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
