Read Online 1014: Brian Boru & the Battle for Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Morgan Llywelyn
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with heavy casualties on both sides. A large number of Leinstermen died while attempting to escape. At Brian’s order they were surrounded and driven into a flooded ford on the Liffey like so many cattle, then slaughtered on the bank as they tried to get out. Among the slain was Harald, a son of Olaf Cuaran, which made him a half-brother to Sitric Silkbeard.
When it was obvious the tide of battle had turned against him, Maelmora, fearing capture, hid amongst the darkly funereal branches of a yew tree. There he was discovered by Brian’s son, Murrough. Murrough dragged the humiliated king of Leinster from his perch in the tree while the warriors laughed and made rude remarks. In an act of generosity worthy of his father, Murrough spared Maelmora’s life – an act he would live to regret.
On the following day, Malachy and Brian marched into Dublin and sacked the prosperous port city. The air was black with the smoke of burning shops and warehouses. Carts were piled high with valuables to be sent back to Dun na Sciath and Kincora. When Sitric offered grudging submission to both kings, his offer was accepted. At Brian’s behest the defeated Dubliners were allowed to return to their homes. Maelmora was given permission to take his surviving warriors back to Naas – althoughthey had to leave their weapons behind.
We do not know if Gormlaith was in Dublin visiting Sitric when Malachy and Brian arrived with their armies. But she well may have been; she may have seen her husband beside Brian Boru. Malachy was the Árd Rí, but Brian Boru, according to the annalists of the day, was splendid. Their overwhelming victory over the Leinstermen and their Danish allies was dramatic proof that Irishmen united could accomplish what Irishmen divided could not. Unfortunately it was a lesson that would not outlive them.
Brian remained encamped in Dublin from Christmas through most of February. This gave him an opportunity to familiarise himself with the territory. It was a commander ’s habit of reconnaissance which must have been second nature to him by this time. He also would have observed the sea, the darkly turbulent sea that lapped the city walls on the east and dominated the lives and fortunes of its inhabitants.
Meanwhile Malachy Mór had returned to Dun na Sciath to celebrate. At Glenmama he had observed some of the clever tactics of Brian Boru. The victory had not been his alone and he knew it, but any victory was worth celebrating. He also summoned the brehons to witness that he was setting aside – the Irish term for divorce – hiswife, the princess Gormlaith. This was only a small victory for Malachy, but one he obviously felt was necessary.
As the sun set on the last day of February, Brian returned to Kincora. He could never stay away for long. He needed the fragrant silence of the forested hills at his back, needed the gleaming sweep of the Shannon at his feet. By now he could see, quite clearly, the road fate had laid out for him. He knew his own strength and the strengths and weaknesses of the Árd Rí. There could be no going back, all the chessmen were in place. It was time for the next move on the board.
To the astonishment of many, Brian arranged a marriage between his daughter, Emer, and Sitric Silkbeard, thus acknowledging his former opponent as a worthy son-in-law. But there was another surprise in store. At about the same time Brian married Sitric’s mother, Gormlaith, the former wife of two kings. The ultimate trophy.
This latest marriage of Brian’s may not have taken place with religious solemnities; there is simply no record one way or the other. But it served its purpose. If she was a secondary wife as allowed under Brehon law, she was nevertheless in a position of prestige. Mindful of Brian’s unparalleled rise to power and his generosity to the Church, the clergy kept silent about any misgivings.Throughout his career he was always careful to keep the Church on his side.
Here we are allowed a
When it was obvious the tide of battle had turned against him, Maelmora, fearing capture, hid amongst the darkly funereal branches of a yew tree. There he was discovered by Brian’s son, Murrough. Murrough dragged the humiliated king of Leinster from his perch in the tree while the warriors laughed and made rude remarks. In an act of generosity worthy of his father, Murrough spared Maelmora’s life – an act he would live to regret.
On the following day, Malachy and Brian marched into Dublin and sacked the prosperous port city. The air was black with the smoke of burning shops and warehouses. Carts were piled high with valuables to be sent back to Dun na Sciath and Kincora. When Sitric offered grudging submission to both kings, his offer was accepted. At Brian’s behest the defeated Dubliners were allowed to return to their homes. Maelmora was given permission to take his surviving warriors back to Naas – althoughthey had to leave their weapons behind.
We do not know if Gormlaith was in Dublin visiting Sitric when Malachy and Brian arrived with their armies. But she well may have been; she may have seen her husband beside Brian Boru. Malachy was the Árd Rí, but Brian Boru, according to the annalists of the day, was splendid. Their overwhelming victory over the Leinstermen and their Danish allies was dramatic proof that Irishmen united could accomplish what Irishmen divided could not. Unfortunately it was a lesson that would not outlive them.
Brian remained encamped in Dublin from Christmas through most of February. This gave him an opportunity to familiarise himself with the territory. It was a commander ’s habit of reconnaissance which must have been second nature to him by this time. He also would have observed the sea, the darkly turbulent sea that lapped the city walls on the east and dominated the lives and fortunes of its inhabitants.
Meanwhile Malachy Mór had returned to Dun na Sciath to celebrate. At Glenmama he had observed some of the clever tactics of Brian Boru. The victory had not been his alone and he knew it, but any victory was worth celebrating. He also summoned the brehons to witness that he was setting aside – the Irish term for divorce – hiswife, the princess Gormlaith. This was only a small victory for Malachy, but one he obviously felt was necessary.
As the sun set on the last day of February, Brian returned to Kincora. He could never stay away for long. He needed the fragrant silence of the forested hills at his back, needed the gleaming sweep of the Shannon at his feet. By now he could see, quite clearly, the road fate had laid out for him. He knew his own strength and the strengths and weaknesses of the Árd Rí. There could be no going back, all the chessmen were in place. It was time for the next move on the board.
To the astonishment of many, Brian arranged a marriage between his daughter, Emer, and Sitric Silkbeard, thus acknowledging his former opponent as a worthy son-in-law. But there was another surprise in store. At about the same time Brian married Sitric’s mother, Gormlaith, the former wife of two kings. The ultimate trophy.
This latest marriage of Brian’s may not have taken place with religious solemnities; there is simply no record one way or the other. But it served its purpose. If she was a secondary wife as allowed under Brehon law, she was nevertheless in a position of prestige. Mindful of Brian’s unparalleled rise to power and his generosity to the Church, the clergy kept silent about any misgivings.Throughout his career he was always careful to keep the Church on his side.
Here we are allowed a
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