Richard Bartlett's head was removed whilst trying to map Tirconnel. Activity on the colonial frontier in Ulster was only the beginning of the process of geographical violence that was to spread across the rest of the globe in the following centuries.

In seeking to keep their territory a blank space on the maps of the Elizabethan state, the chiefs of Tirconnell were actively resisting the drive to systematize and codify a singular imperial geography at the expense of multiple local geographies.

In traditional Gaelic bardic culture, according to Foster, the terrain was studied, discussed and referenced; every place had its legend and its own identity. Dindsenchas, the celebration of place-names, was a feature of this poetic topography;

What endured was the mythic landscape, providing escape and inspiration. By the early seventeenth century, however, this Gaelic bardic culture was largely destroyed. With the effective subjugation of the indigenous population and power centres of the island came an intensified..

..cartographic textualization and expropriation. The Cromwellian campaign in Ireland was followed by the Down Survey of Sir William Petty. Its purpose was to facilitate distribution of stolen lands to Cromwellian soldiers and those who had given money for the army's support.

@_tgwilson_ Is there a good source to estimate the carnage inflicted by O. Cromwell? I have always read 25% were murdered but as you say could be much higher or possibly even lower.

@_tgwilson_ I did not know that 😔. Thank you for letting us know 🧐

@_tgwilson_ What's your source for this? The claim of 50-80% 'exterminated' seems wildly exaggerated. Cromwell certainly never had such an effect. You seem to know what you're talking about but flatten and distort the historical reality, if this post is anything to go by