Éire (Principia Moderni III Map Game)

The Earldom of Desmond, more frequently known simply as Desmond, is a Hiberno-Norman earldom in southern Ireland.

Pre-1400
The name Desmond itself means "South Munster", in an Anglicized form. Desmond was created when the Kingdom of Munster fractured into the Kingdoms of Desmond and Thomond, in 1118, meaning South Munster and North Munster, respectively. The leaders of the kingdom were the powerful MacCarty Mor (i.e. Great MacCarthy) clan. During the Norman Invasion of Ireland, the Kingdom of Desmond suffered heavily to the Norman adventurers headed by Maurice FitzGerald in the area. The original Kingdom shrank to the far southwestern corner of the isle, with the rest of their old holdings held by the newly-formed Barony of Desmond under England, with the FitzGeralds at their helm.

In 1329, Desmond graduated from a barony to an earldom. Over time, the Norman FitzGeralds became more and more assimilated into the Irish culture until they were eventually described as "more Irish than the Irish themselves". Over time, Desmond distanced itself from England until it was virtually an independent realm. Eventually this resulted in a realm made up of mostly Irishmen, and several Hiberno-Normans that was administrated like a Norman holding. In 1400, Desmond is the largest realm in the island of Ireland, and is ruled by the young Thomas FitzGerald, 5th Earl of Desmond, at 14 years of age.

Urban Areas and Settlements
Unlike most of Britain, Ireland is much more rural, with fewer towns and cities, and more people spread out throughout the countryside. There are, however a few major towns that serve as focal points for the Earldom. Most of the urban population is on the southeast coast, in towns such as Cork, Kinsale, and Youghal. Other towns include Tipperary and Limerick. Desmond does not have one set "capital", but instead, the royal family occasionally moves between various castles throughout the countryside.