The early Middle Ages have often been defined in ways that leave many cultures at the margins. This is particularly true of Ireland, which preserves the most extensive early body of vernacular sources in western Europe. Drawing from this rich material, Robin Chapman Stacey argues that Ireland has much to contribute to our understanding of how early medieval cultures negotiated difficult social and political changes, including the transition from a largely pagan to a Christian culture. She explores the role of law and legal imaginaries in this process and shows how early Irish ideas of masculinity and community can expand our understanding of what have traditionally been viewed as early medieval norms.