The English Pale was a strip of land in Ireland, centered on the City of Dublin and became the base of English rule in Ireland during the Medieval Ages. By the late 15th century, the area known as “The Pale” became the only part of Ireland that remained under the control of the English. The word pale, meaning a fence, is derived from Latin, meaning "stake", specifically a stake used to support a f
ence. The defenses of the Pale, in Ireland, included a ditch with thorn bushes and a Pale (fence). The English Crown (king) attempted to assert its authority over the settlers, offered English Lords and knights money to move and construct “Tower Houses” in Ireland. The Crown also forbid intermarriage between English settlers and Irish natives. It also outlawed the English subjects from using and speaking the Irish language and adopting Irish modes of dress or other customs. The Anglo-Norman settlers adopted Irish traits so strongly that the term, "More Irish than the Irish themselves" became a saying to describe this unlawful behavior. The phrase “Beyond (or outside) the pale”, describes something outside the boundary, or in other words, to be uncivilized or outside the bounds of morality, acceptable behavior or good judgment, etc. If you are “Within the pale," it would be just the opposite. So here we are, after serving “the authority” for 39+ years we packed our things and moved to a piece of boundary land on the Black River near Melrose, in Jackson County, Wisconsin. We reside in the Manor which also hosts our Irish Pub and we became "More Irish than the Irish themselves". For our traveling guests, we have 21 camping spots near the Manor, on the hill, and another 4 rustic camping spots along the river. We are a licensed establishment (alcohol sales) so all guests to any part of the property must be 21 years and older (Government ID required). Come visit the boundaries of the Pale and see if you become “More Irish than the Irish themselves” and are you “Beyond the pale” or “Within the pale”?
