Gallowglass was a type of Scottish foot soldier who fought for pay. In the 1200’s and 1300’s, Irish chiefs employed gallowglasses in their struggle against the growing power of the Norman barons in Ireland. The gallowglasses wore iron helmets and coats of light mail (flexible armor). They carried broad battle-axes and long swords. The word gallowglass is derived from the Irish gallóglach, meaning foreign soldier.
