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prey triumphantly.
The son Mac William Burke, Rickard Roe, the son John, son Oliver, son John,
Giollabrighde, was appointed his successor. Dermod Ulltach (O’Donlevey Donegal), the
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528 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1583.
A. D. 1583. (in the county of Kerry), of the tribe of Hugh Con, the son of Calvach, son of Manus, son of Beandain, got an opportunity of surprising the Hugh Duv, son of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, died on earl of Desmond, who was in a Fianbhoth (a hut),
the 13th of March; he was a man highly accom concealed in the cavern of a rock, in Glen-an
plished, and ofgreat hospitality, a man of mildness and affability, a supporting pillar to the clergy and kerns, a purchaser of poetical compositions, and of laudatory poems, by his own great wealth, a man to whom least evil was ascribed, by fame or by word, of any of the descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages, so that the Tirconnallians were, on the occasion of the death of Con, like unto a harp without a sound, a ship without a sailor, or a field of corn devoid of produce.
Ginntigh ; this party were reconnoitering and
surrounding that habitation, in which the earl was,
from the beginning of the night 'till towards
morning, when they rushed in on him in the cold hut, by the break of day, being on a Tuesday, and
the festival day of St. Martin, (11th of November), precisely; the earl was wounded and taken prisoner by them, for he had no persons to fight or make
resistance along with him, except one woman and two boys; they had not, however, gone far from
The earl of Ormond, i. e. Thomas, the son of the wood, when they instantly beheaded the earl, James, son of Pierce Roe, was governor of the two and had he not been engaged in plundering and
provinces of Munster this year; and the earl of Desmond became more confirmed in his treason
and rebellion, so that he commenced to devastate the country in his neighbourhood, during the
rebelling as he was, that earl of Desmond would have been one of the greatest losses in Ireland, namely, Gerald, the son of James, son of John,
son of Thomas of Drogheda, son of James, son of winter and spring of this year; his people, how Gerald-an-Dana (of the Poetry), son of Maurice,
ever, were so much in dread and fear of the law,
and of the sovereign of England, that they began
to withdraw from him, even his married wife,
children, and friends, so that he had only four
persons to attend him in his movements from one
cavern of a rock, or the hollow of a tree, to another,
throughout the two provinces of Munster, during
the summer and harvest of this year. When the
beginning of the winter and the long nights came
i. e. the first earl of Desmond, son of Thomas-na nApadh (of the Apes), son of John Caille, son of
Thomas, in whom the Geraldines of Kildare and of Desmond concentrate, who was the son of Maurice, namely, the Friar Minor, son of Gerald, son of Maurice, son of Gerald. The retribution of God in the extermination of the Geraldines was
not to be wondered at, as an act of justice on behalf of their sovereign, for to their ancestors had
on him, the lawless and rebellious of Munster been given, as a land of inheritance, the country
began to collect about him, and to renew the war, from Dun-Caoin (Dunqueen, in Kerry), to the
so that it was the will of God that the time had
arrived when an end and termination should be put to the war of the Geraldines, which was accom plished in the following manner:—A party of Uibh Muirceartaigh (O’Moriartys), along the river Mang
A. D. 1583.
1. The Earls of Kildare and Desmond—The following account of the earls of Kildare and Desmond has been collected from
Lodge's Peerage, Cox's Hibernia Anglicana, Borlase's Reduction of Ireland, Ware, Wills's Illustrious Irishmen, Campion and Han mer's Chronicles, Mac Geoghegan's Ireland, Smith's Histories of Cork, Kerry, and Waterford, and other sources, and many of these earls are mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters. The Fitzgeralds derive their origin from the Normans of France, and some of their ancestors, from Normandy, settled in Florence, and became dukes of Tuscany. Otho, a descendant of those dukes of Tuscany, came either from Florence or Normandy to England, and was a great baron in the reign of Edward the Confessor, and afterwards appointed Castellan of Windsor, and Warden of the Forests in Berkshire, by William the Conqueror, hence some of the descendants of Otho took the surname de Windsor, and were
Meeting of the Three Waters (at Waterford), and from Oilen-More-Arda-Neimhead, in Hy Liathain,
(Great Island, or Barrymore Island, in the harbour
of Cork), to Limerick. " -
Murrogh Bacach, the son of Edmond, son of
powerful barons, and from them were descended the de Windsors, earls of Plymouth. Otho, above-mentioned, had a son named
Walter, who had a son Gerald, and from him his descendants took the name of Fitzgerald. Gerald got grants of land in Berkshire,
from king Henry and being valiant leader,
Wales, and having reduced the Welsh princes
was appointed constable the castle and governor
Pembroke; got great grants lands Wales, and was married Nesta, daughter Rees Griffith, prince South
Wales, whom had three sons, Maurice, William, and David. From William Fitzgerald and his sons were descended the family Gerard, earls Macclesfield, and the Carews Wales and
Devonshire, some whom were earls Cork, and there were
other families note the name the celebrated warrior who came one the sons William Fitzgerald
Ireland. Raymond Gros, Ireland with Strongbow, was and from Maurice, son
was sent obedience,
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Geoffrey Carrach, the son of Donogh Bacach,
time. Gerald, his son, the 9th earl, was high treasurer, lord jus tice, and lord deputy Ireland some years the reign Henry
VIII. was one the most powerful and popular men Ire land, but having given his daughters marriage O'Conor, lord
E.
England, and, various charges disaffection, imprisoned the Tower London, where died the year 1534; and his five brothers, together with his son, lord Thomas Fitzgerald, were sent prisoners the tower, charges high treason, and all hanged
Desmond, was through grief for him he died.
Maolmurry,
Mac Sweeny, was slain by the Kerns of Inis-Caoin
the death of the earl of
and some
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son of
son of Donogh, son of Torlogh
Raymond, were descended the great family of the Fitzmaurices, barons of Lixnaw and earls of Kerry; from Hamon le Gros, or le Gras, were descended the Graces of Kilkenny, a family of great note, who were barons of Courtstown, and gave name to Grace's Country in Kilkenny. Maurice Fitzgerald, son of Gerald above
REIGN OF ELIZABETH.
Offaly, and O'Carroll, lord Ely, and formed some other al mentioned, came to Ireland with Strongbow, and an account of liances with the Irish chiefs, with whom was friendly terms,
him has been given at p. 42, in these notes; he was a very va contrary the statute Kilkenny, was commanded go
liant commander, and fought many battles with the Irish chiefs,
and was for some time one of the chief governors of Ireland, along
with Hugh de Lacy, lord of Meath; king Henry II. and Strong
bow, conferred on him large grants of lands in Leinster, namely,
in Offaly, in Kildare, and in Wexford and Wicklow. Maurice and beheaded Tyburn, the 3d February, 1536, which died at Wexford, A. D. 1177, and William, one of his sons, became
baron of Naas ; his eldest son, Gerald, became baron of Offaly in the reign of king John, and was also chief justice of Ireland;
he also got grants of lands in Sligo, and he died at Sligo in A. D. 1205. Gerald was succeeded as baron of Offaly by his son Mau rice, who got the lands of Maynooth in the reign of Henry III. ;
he founded a Dominican monastery at Sligo, and erected a castle there; he also got lands at Youghal, where he founded a Francis can monastery, in which he died, and was buried, A. D. 1257, having in the latter years of his life taken on him the habit of a Friar Minor, or Franciscan ; this Maurice was a valiant con mander in the various battles with the Irish chiefs, and also in the wars of Henry III. with the Welsh. His son, Thomas Fitz maurice Fitzgerald, baron of Offaly, got great estates in Kerry, and was ancestor of the Fitzgeralds of Munster; he died at Youghal in 1260. Maurice, brother of this Thomas, was some time lord justice of Ireland in the reign of Edward I. Thomas Fitz gerald, a grandson of the above-mentioned Thomas, became baron ofOffaly, and was appointed captain of Desmond, and powerful that was styled prince and ruler Munster;
was surnamed Nappagh, signifying the Apes, from re markable incident that occurred him when only nine months old, and nurse Tralee, the following manner:—On the news
events account has been given 404, these Annals, and the notes annexed on the rebellion of Silken Thomas. few
f
Carthys Desmond, his nurses being much alarmed, ran out the house, and leaving the child the cradle, was seized large monkey kept the house, which, apparently protect him, carried the child up the top the castle, and some time after brought him down safe, and laid him the cradle from this curious circumstance monkeys have been ever since borne the armorial ensigns the earls Kildare. This Thomas was the 7th baron Offaly, and his son John Fitz-Thomas Fitzgerald, was created earl Kildare 1316, king Edward II. , and his second son, Maurice Fitz-Thomas Fitzgerald, was created earl Desmond 1329, king Edward III. The Fitzgeralds, earls
Desmond, be held the crown by the service one knight's fee. The ancient territory Desmond, South Munster, ex plained the notes Desmond pp. 170, 179, comprised the greater part the counties Cork and Kerry, with parts Tipperary, Limerick, and Waterford. Several the earls Desmond were eminent military commanders, and lords deputies Ireland; Maurice, the 1st earl, attended king Edward III.
his wars with France, and was some time lord justice Ireland; he died 1355, and was buried the Dominican abbey Tralee. Colin Fitzgerald, chieftain the house Kildare, ac cording the Scotch Peerage, but the house Desmond ac cording Lodge, went Scotland the thirteenth century, and having fought the army king Alexander III. with great bra
was some time lord justice Ireland, the reign Edward I. , and died A. D. 1296, and was buried the monastery Youghal;
years after the execution lord Thomas, who was the 10th earl Kildare, his brother Gerald became the 11th earl, and his suc cessors hold the title and honours the present day. James, the
20th earl Kildare, was created duke Leinster 1766, the reign George III; Augustus Frederick Fitzgerald, the present and 3d duke Leinster, the 22d earl Kildare, and 29th baron Offaly. Thus appears their high honours and pos sessions have been maintained the great family the Fitz geralds Kildare, for more than 600 years, and this noble house may applied the remark Lord Bacon—“It reve rend thing see ancient castle building not decay,
see fair timber tree sound and perfect; how much more be hold ancient noble family, which hath stood against the waves and weathers of time. ” The earls of Kildare had their chief castle and residence, ancient times, Maynooth, but they also had several other castles many parts Kildare, and they founded and endowed many monasteries that county, those Kil dare, Clane, Castledermot, Athy, &c.
The House of Desmond. —As above explained, Maurice Fitz Thomas Fitzgerald, son Thomas, baron Offaly, was, the year 1329, the reign Edward III. created earl Desmond, and he and his descendants got very extensive possessions the counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Waterford Kerry was
the death his father Maurice, who was slain the Mac erected into County Palatine, and confirmed the earls
Kildare, became one the most powerful families the king
dom, and many them were lords justices, deputies, and chief
governors Ireland, and were eminent military commanders very the battle Largs, against the Norwegians, got grant
Ireland, and the wars the English kings with the Welsh and
Scots, and the wars the English France several the
family were also knights Rhodes, and St. John Jerusalem.
Thomas, the earl Kildare, was lord justice Ireland the
reign Edward II. , and Maurice, the 4th earl, was lord justice
and custos Ireland several years the reign Edward III. Desmond. The families the Fitzgibbons Cork, Limerick, Gerald, the 5th earl, was lord justice the reign Henry IV. ,
and Thomas, the 7th earl, was lord deputy several years the reigns Henry VI. and Edward IV. ; was also lord chancellor Ireland, and his son, Thomas Fitzgerald, was lord chancellor the reign Henry VII. Gerald the 8th earl, was lord deputy Ireland many years the reigns Edward IV. , Richard III. , and Henry VII. , being under these different kings the chief
governor Ireland for period about twenty-five years; was one the most distinguished military commanders his
the Fitzgeralds Desmond; Desmond became barons
the barony Kintail, Rosshire, and the descendants his son Kenneth took the name Mac Kenneth, afterwards Mac Kenzie, and became earls Seaforth, and earls Cromarty, Scotland. The great families the Adairs Scotland and Ire land, are also, according Lodge, branch the Fitzgeralds
and Clare, were also branches
other branches the Fitzgeralds
Decies, Waterford, seneschals
Kerry and knights Glynn,
Desmond had numerous strong castles and fortified towns Mun ster, particularly Youghal, Cork, Askeaton and Kilmal lock, Limerick, Castlemain and Tralee, Kerry, &c. , and some Tipperary and Waterford; they founded and endowed many monasterries, those Askeaton, Adare, Kilmallock,
Imokilly, Cork, knights Limerick. The Fitzgeralds
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- 530 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1583.
(Iniskeen, a village in the barony of Carberry, county of Cork), of the Tanistship of Hy Carberry, a week before the death of the earl of Desmond,
and it was said that the killing of Geoffrey was a forewarning of the death of the earl.
John Oge, the son of John, son of Thomas, the
Tralee, Youghal, Dungarvan, &c. Gerald, the 4th earl of Des they became the chief military commanders of the Irish in Mun mond, was governor of the counties of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and ster, in the war against Elizabeth, and for a period of about 15 Waterford, and lord justice and lord deputy of Ireland, in the years of incessant contests and sanguinary conflicts, they main reigns of Edward III. and Richard II. James, the 7th earl, be tained their position, but the earl with his brothers and cousins
came very powerful, and was custos of the counties of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Waterford, in the reign of Henry VI. Thomas,
the 8th earl, was lord deputy of Ireland in the reign of Edward IV. , but being accused of high treason for alliances and fosterage with the Irish, and other charges, he was attainted in a parlia ment held at Drogheda, and beheaded in that town on the 15th of February, 1467, by order of the lord deputy, John Tiptoft, earl of Worcester, of which an account has been given at p. 280 in these Annals. James, Maurice, and James, the 9th, 10th, and 11th earls of Desmond, were very powerful noblemen, sometimes in high honour with the kings of England, and sometimes in alliance with the Irish chiefs, against the English government, Thomas, James, and John, were the 12th, 13th, and 14th earls, and men of great note. James was the 15th earl, and made some resistance to the government in the reign of Henry VIII. , but was afterwards appointed to the office of high treasurer of Ireland, which he held during the reigns of Edward VI. and queen Mary.
being slain, and many other leaders of the Fitzgeralds imprisoned and exiled, and all their forces dispersed and vanquished, the great Fitzgeralds of Desmond, after having maintained their pos sessions and power in prosperity and splendour for a period of more than three hundred years, were reduced to utter ruin, and their vast estates being confiscated by the crown, were transferred to new English settlers. Amongst the chiefs of the house of Des mond who were slain in these contests, the following were the most distinguished leaders, sir Maurice Fitzgerald, called Maurice Duv or Black Maurice, brother of James the 15th earl, was killed in the year 1565, in a conflict with the Mac Carthys; his son James, called Mac Maurice or Fitzmaurice, was a noted commander for many years in Munster, and brought over the Italians and Spaniards to Smerwick; he was slain A. D. 1579, as recorded in these Annals at that year, and his body was hanged by the Eng lish at Kilmallock. Sir James Fitzgerald, brother of Gerald, earl of Desmond, was in the year 1580 taken prisoner, hanged and quartered by the English at Cork; sir John Fitzgerald, called John of Desmond, brother of sir James, was hanged, quartered, and gibbetted by the English at Cork, in 1581 ; both these brothers were celebrated commanders for many years in Munster, and an account of them is given in the Annals at the above mentioned years. Gerald, the earl, was himself slain in the year. 1583, as
The Geraldines of Kildare and Desmond were by far the most
powerful and illustrious of the Anglo-Norman families in Ireland,
and produced many men eminent for valour and patriotism ; they
were often in alliance with the Irish chiefs, against the English
government, and having adopted the Irish language, manners, and
customs, they were charged by the English of having become
“Hibernicis ipsis Hiberniores,” or more Irish than the Irish them above recorded in the Annals. James Fitzgerald, the 17th earl selves. The earls of Kildare formed marriage alliances with the of Desmond, was taken prisoner in 1601, and sent to the Tower of O'Neills, princes of Tyrone, the O'Donnells, princes of Tyrconnell, London, where he died in A. D. 1608, as hereafter mentioned. the O'Conors, lords of Offaly, the O'Moores, lords of Leix, and Mac Geoghegan, in his History of Ireland, says—“Such was the the O'Carrolls, lords of Ely O'Carroll ; and the earls of Desmond end of the illustrious house of the Fitzgeralds of Desmond, the became allied by intermarriages with the Mac Carthys, princes of Maccabees of our day, who sacrificed their lives and properties in Desmond, and earls of Clancare; the O'Briens, princes and earls defence of the Catholic cause. ” The particulars of the death of of Thomond; the O'Carrolls, lords of Ely O'Carroll; the O'Sul the earl Gerald, above mentioned by the Four Masters, were as livans, lords of Beara, in Cork; the O'Conors, lords of Kerry, and
the O'Conors, lords of Sligo. As by the Act of the Anglo-Irish Parliament, called the Statute of Kilkenny, it was prohibited, under penalties of treason or felony, for any families of English descent to form alliances by marriage or fosterage with the Mile sian Irish, these alliances were brought as charges against the houses of Kildare and Desmond, in consequence of which many of them, as above explained, suffered confiscation of their estates, persecution and death. The earls of Desmond were sometimes in alliance, but more frequently at war with their great rivals, the
Butlers, earls of Ormond. In A. D. 1565, as related at p. 456, in these Annals, a great battle was fought in Waterford, between Gerald, earl of Desmond, and Thomas, earl of Ormond, in which Desmond, being defeated and taken prisoner, was, as mentioned by Cox, carried on a bier from the field of battle on men's shoulders, and one of the Butlers having insultingly asked him, “Where is the great earl of Desmond now? ” he replied with great spirit, “Where should he be but on the necks of the Butlers. ” Gerald, the 16th earl of Desmond, son of James, the 15th earl, was one of the most powerful subjects in Europe, held the rank of a Prince Palatine, with all the authority of a provincial king, had many strong castles and towns, and his vast possessions extended about one hundred and fifty miles over the counties of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford, comprising about six hundred thousand acres of profitable land, independent of immense tracts of waste lands, so that his entire estates amounted to about one million of acres. He had a vast number of vassals, and could raise at a call a force of 2000 foot and 600 horse, and had besides in his retinue of his own kindred 500 gentle men of the Fitzgeralds. The earl of Desmond having resisted the Reformation in the reign of Elizabeth, waged war against the English government, and being joined by his brothers and relatives,
follows; his forces being defeated and dispersed, and his brothers and kindred slain, he was reduced to the greatest distress, and became a fugitive, with only a few followers, wandering through
the woods and wilds of Kerry, concealed in glens and caves to evade his pursuers, being outlawed, and a large reward offered for
him dead or alive. The earl in his misfortunes was chiefly sup ported by one of his faithful followers, Geoffrey Mac Sweeney, a captain of galloglasses, who being slain, the earl was greatly dis tressed for provisions, and some of his servants took a prey of cat tle between Tralee and Castlemaine, from one of the O'Moriartys, on which Owen O'Moriarty applied to the English governor of Castlemaine, from whom he obtained a party of 7 musketeers and 12 kerns, who pursued the cattle; this party about midnight having discovered a fire in a wood within a few miles of Tralee, they reconnoitred the place, and discovered 5 or 6 persons in a ruined house, and entering all the inmates fled except aged man venerable appearance, who sat by the fire; one Daniel Kelly, an Irish soldier, attacked the old man, and almost cut off his arm with blow his sword, which he cried out—“Spare me for am the earl Desmond,” but the base kern, regardless
his entreaties, killed him and cut off his head, which carried Cork, Thomas Butler, earl Ormond, who had
sent England present the queen, who caused
fixed pole London Bridge. This Daniel Kelly who killed the earl, was, says Cox, “a native Irishman who had been bred by the English had for that service pension £20 year
from queen Elizabeth, but going some misdeeds, hanged Tyburn.
November, 1583, mentioned glen called Glenagintigh, situated
London, was soon after, for
The earl was slain the 11th the Annals, sequestered the parish Ballymac Elli
gott, between Tralee and Castleisland; his body was concealed the people prevent from falling into the hands his enemies,
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earl (of Desmond), died at an advanced age while imprisoned in Limerick, on account of his sons being joined with the earl of Desmond.
The Roche,” i. e. David, the son of Maurice, son
of David, son of Maurice, and his wife Oilen (Ellen), the daughter of James, son of Edmond
stored to the earldom by queen Elizabeth for a political object, and, according to Cox and Lodge, he was in the year 1600 sent over to Ireland by the advice of sir Robert Cecil, in hopes he might regain the followers of his family, and bring them under obedience to the crown. When he came to Cork, says Cox, the inhabitants, finding he was a Protestant, refused to entertain him, so that he was fain to intrude himself on the mayor; he then went to Kilmallock, where multitudes flocked to see him and do him duty, but as soon as they saw him go to church on Sunday, they all forsook him and treated him with great contumely ; he was the 17th earl, and commonly called the queen's earl of Desmond ; he returned to London, where he soon after died in 1601, under sus picion of being poisoned. James Fitz-Thomas Fitzgerald, the son of sir Thomas, and grandson of James, the 15th earl of Desmond, attempting to recover the estates and honours of his ancestors, joined the standard of Hugh O'Neill, earl of Tyrone, against the queen, and in 1598 was appointed earl of Desmond by O'Neill, and hence he was called O'Neill's earl of Desmond, in opposition to the queen's earl of Desmond, but as his title was not recognised by the crown, he was designated the Sugan Earl, signifying the Earl of Straw. Cox says the Sugan Earl was the handsomest man of his time, and one of the most potent of the earls of Desmond ; he was a valiant commander, and headed a great force for some years in Munster, but being at length defeated, he became a fugitive and outlaw, and a great reward being offered for him dead or alive, he was taken on the 29th of May, 1601, by Fitzgibbon, called the White Knight, while concealed in a cave in the mountain of Slieve Grot in Tipperary, and delivered to Carew, the president of Mun ster, at Shandon castle, for which service Fitzgibbon received a reward of one thousand pounds. Desmond was secured in irons and sent to Cork, where he was tried and convicted of
treason, and in August 1601, transmitted prisoner to London, to
gether with the celebrated chief Florence Mac Carthy, who, says Cox, was the greatest man of the Mac Carthy's since the conquest.
Desmond and Mac Carthy were both confined in the Tower, where
the earl died, A. D. 1608, after an imprisonment of seven years,
and was buried in the chapel of the Tower. John Fitz-Thomas,
brother of this earl, was also a commander of note in Munster for
some years, but fled to Spain in 1603; he was styled earl of
Desmond, and died at Barcelona ; his son Gerald, also styled
count and earl of Desmond, was in the military service of Spain
and Austria, and having died in Germany in 1632, thus terminated the illustrious house of Desmond.
Confiscated Lands-In 1583 an Act of attainder was passed against Gerald, the great earl of Desmond, and his vast estates
were confiscated, and no less than 574,628 acres were seized by the crown, together with his many strong castles, and transferred
1,600, and Edmond Spenser, the poet, 3,000 acres.
In Kerry. Sir William Herbert 13,000acres; Charles Herbert 4,000; sir Valentine Brown, ancestor to the earls of Kenmare,
to various new English settlers, who were called Undertakers and Planters. An account of this plantation is given by Cox, and in Smith's Histories of Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. Amongst the conditions on which these grants of lands were given, the Under takers were not permitted to convey any part of the lands to the
the family
Jane, daughter
maurice, baron
viscount Fermoy, lived the reigns Charles 1. . . and II. , and was distinguished nobleman supporting the interests king Charles Ireland during the civil wars, and consequence his
mere Irish, and the English settlers were also prohibited to inter marry with the Irish, and none of the Irish were to be maintained
steady adherent the tlelough, and some them were barons Tarbert Limerick.
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 531
and, after a considerable time, privately buried in the small church
of Kilnamanagh, at Ardnegrath, near Castleisland. The great earl
of Desmond was long remembered in the tales and traditions of
the people under the name of Gioroid Iarla, or Gerald the Earl,
and in their wild legends represented as not dead, but that he and
his warriors were sleeping in a cave in the mountains of Kerry in
complete armour, and their steeds standing beside them ready
saddled, and that the earl and his champions would sometime arise
from their enchanted slumber, and war with the English, as the
ancient Welsh believed for ages, that their renowned hero, Arthur,
king of Britain, was not dead, but gone with his warriors to
Fairy-land, from whence they would one day return to liberate the
Kymri from Saxon bondage. James, only son of Gerald the earl,
was kept some years a prisoner in the Tower of London, but re Thomas Norris 6,000; Thomas Say 5,800; sir Richard Beacon
in any family. Cox says letters were written to every county in England to encourage younger brothers to become Undertakers in Ireland; the conditions were that the queen was to grant these confiscated lands in fee at 3d. per acre in Limerick and Kerry, and 2d. per acre in Cork and Waterford; to be rent free till March 1590; and to pay but half rent for three years from thence, and no Irish to be permitted to reside on the lands. Of the Desmond estates in Cork and Waterford, sir Walter Raleigh got 40,000 acres, which afterwards passed to the family of Boyle, earls of Cork. The other English Undertakers who got grants of the Des mond estates were the following. In Cork, Arthur Robins 18,000 acres; Fane Beecher I2,000; Hugh Worth 12,000; Arthur Hyde 12,000; sir Warham St. Leger 6,000; Hugh Cuffe 6,000 : sir
6,000; sir Edward Denny 6,000; John Hally 4,000; captain Conway and John Campion 2,000 acres.
In Limerick. Sir George Bourchier 13,000 acres ; William Trenchard 12,000; Henry Billingsly 12,000; William Cour tenay 10,500; Francis Barkly 7,000; Edward Manwaring 3,750; Richard Fitton 3,000; Robert Anslow 2,600; and George Thorn ton 1,500 acres. Limerick, Waterford, and Tipperary, sir Edward Fitton got 11,500 acres. Waterford, sir Christopher Hatton got 10,900 acres, and Tipperary Thomas Butler, earl Ormond, got 3,000 acres.
The Roches Fermoy. —The family Rupe Roche,
according the Irish Peerage and Rudiments Honour, Fran cis Nicholls, published 1727, were maternally descended from Charlemagne, king France and emperor the West, and the remarkable pedigree the ancestors this family, shewn that they derive their descent from the most illustrious sources,
their progenitors being allied,
earls Flanders, the counts
kings England, the house
queror, and other Anglo-Norman kings. The Roches came Ireland the reign Henry II. along with the other Anglo-Nor man chiefs, Strongbow's time; and the reigns Richard and king John, they got large grants lands Cork, the ter ritory Fermoy, which from them was called Roche's Country, and they erected castle, and founded Cistercian monastery Fermoy, and they had seats Castletown Roche, and other places. Alexander, David, John, and Maurice Fitz-John Roche, were succession barons Fermoy tenure, and about
1300 the lords George and John Roche are mentioned Lodge's Peerage the Fitzinaurices, earls Kerry, connected in termarriage with that family. the reign Edward IV. , about
1470, the most noble, potent, and honorable Ulick Roche was created viscount Rupe and Fermoy and Lodge's Peer age, the Courcys, barons Kinsale, David More Roche, viscount Fermoy, mentioned about the year 1490. According
the passage above the Annals, David Roche was, 1583,
viscount Fermoy, and his pedigree given son Maurice,
tired with regiment France, and died ther David Roche, viscount Fermoy, sat
the Continent. Ano the parliament King
intermarriages, with the great Bavaria, Alfred, and other Saxon Capet France, William the Con
son David, son Maurice, and his wife was Ellen Mac Pierce,
the Fitzmaurices, afterwards earls Kerry; and this David Roche, was married Patrick Fitz Lixnaw, Kerry. Another David Roche,
loyalty his extensive estates, estimated worth fifty thousand pounds per annum, were confiscated by Cromwell; lord Roche re
James II. Dublin, 1689, and was
House of Stuart. The Roches had also the title of baronsof Cas
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532 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1583.
Mac Pierce, died in the same month, at the end of this year; and there was not of the Fionn-Ghalla
O’Mulloy (of King’s county), i. e. Theobald, died.
(Normans), of Ireland, who ruled over a Triochad
Cead (barony), of an estate, a couple more noble Mac Carthy, lord of Muskerry, a man of good
than they were.
After the confiscation of their estates in the Cromwellian and Wil liamite wars, the Roches of Fermoy retired to the Continent, and
Cormac, the son of Teige, son of Cormac Oge personal figure, and of fair complexion, who pos
O'Dunn, lord of Bregia, prisoner, and carried him beyond the sea, to the east. In A. D. 1024, the men of Ossory and Leinster led their forces to Talcande, and carried off valuable articles and hostages from the Danes, and they were also defeated at Erlant. In A. D 1025, Flaherty O’Neill, king of Ulster, led his forces to Bregia, and carried off the hostages of the Irish from the Danes, and in the following year O'Neill came to Meath, with his ally, Malachy, and having attacked the Danes, they carried off hos tages from them, and having proceeded on the ice, they laid waste against the Danes Inis Mochta, now Inismott, on the lake of Ballyhoe, in Meath, on the borders of Louth and Monaghan. In this year, also, Raon, heir presumptive to the throne of Tara, de feated the Damesof Dublin in several battles in Meath.
The Battle of Lickblagh. -In A. D. 1027, Sitric, son of Aulaf,
Danish king of Dublin, joined by Donogh O’Dunn, prince of Bre
gia, led a great force to Meath, and proceeded as far as Leic Bladhma, or Leic Blagha, and to Monaigh Iomshlain, where they
were attacked by the men of Meath, commanded by Roen O'Me laghlin, prince of Westmeath, and a fierce battle being fought
between them, the victory was gained over the Danes and Bre gians, and an immense number were slain, together with Donogh O'Dunn, prince of Bregia, and Giolla Uasaill, son of Giolla Kevin, lord of Cualann, in Wicklow.
The place where this battle was fought called Leic Bladhma, is now known as Licblagh, in West meath, between Castlepollard and Lough Sheelin. In another engagement the Danes defeated and slew Roen, prince of Meath, with many of his men.
Aulaf, king of the Danes of Dublin, went on a pilgrimage to Rome.
In A. D. 1029, Aulaf, son of Sitric, king of the Danes was taken prisoner by Mahon O’Regan, prince of Bregia, who compelled him
to pay as a ransom for his liberation 1200 cows, and seven score (140) British horses, together with sixty ounces of gold, and the
sword of Carolus, and sixty ounces of silver for throwing off his fetters, and eighty cows as the price of intercession, and four hos tages to O'Regan himself, for making peace; and Aulaf was also compelled to give up the hostages of Ireland, both of Leinster and Leath Cuinn, with a full redemption of all hostages. Several of the O’Regans and O'Kellys, princes of Bregia, are mentioned at this time, and they were in contention with each other for that prin cipality. In A. D. 1031, Ardbraccan, in Meath, was plundered by Sitric and the Danes of Dublin, 200 persons were burned in the stone church, and 200 more were carried off captives, together with much cattle. Gluniarn, the son of Sitric, was slain by the people of South Bregia,
Battle of the Boyne, &c. —In A. D. 1032, a victory was gained by Sitric, son of Aulaf, over the Conallians, or men of Louth, and other adjoining parts of Ulster, and 300 of them were slain or
made captives; this battle was fought near the mouth of the river Boyne. In 1034, Aulaf, son of Sitric, was slain by the Saxons, in England, while on his way to Rome. In 1035, Regi nald, grandson of Ivar, lord of the Danes of Waterford, was trea cherously slain in Dublin by Sitric ; he was succeeded by Com manus, son of Raban, who was slain in 1038, and in the same year Waterford was plundered by Dermod Mac Maolnambo, king of
some of them were distinguished commanders in the Irish Brigade
in France, and also in the service of Spain and Sardinia. There are
still many highly respectable families of the Roches in the coun
ties of Cork and Limerick, and accounts of them are given in
Smith's History of Cork, in Windele's learned work on Cork, and in Burke's Commoners.
IX. Danish Wars in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. —In the preceding articles, an account has been given of the Danish wars in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh centuries, concluding with
the battle of Clontarf, and in this is continued, from p. 516, an account of those wars in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, down to the termination of the Danish power, and the invasion of the Anglo-Normans. On the death of Brian Boru, at Clontarf, A. D. 1014, Malachy II. who had been deposed by Brian, and reigned only as king of Meath, resumed the crown, and became again monarch of Ireland, and reigned to his death, A. D. 1022, and during this period he fought several battles with the Danes. In A. D. 1015, king Malachy, with the Hy Niall, and O'Muldory, prince of Tyrconnell, led their forces to Dublin, and burned the fortress and the houses outside the fortress, and afterwards went into Hy Kinsellagh, laid waste the country, and carried off more than 1000 captives, with flocks of cattle, but they were attacked, and a great number of them slain.
Battle of Odbha, &c. —In A. D. 1016, king Malachy defeated the Danish forces, and their allies, the Lagenians, with immense slaughter, at a place called Odbha, in Meath, where several other great battles were fought in ancient times, and is now named Dowth, and situated between Drogheda and Siane. In the same year, according to Inisfallen, Kildare, Glendalough, Clonard, Swords of Columkill, and Armagh, were burned by Sitric, son of Aulaf, and the Danes of Dublin, but they were attacked by Ma lachy and O'Neill, and great numbers of them were slain. In A. D. 1017, Brann, son of Maolmora Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster, was treacherously taken by Sitric, Danish king of Dub lin, who had his eyes put out, of which punishment he soon after died. In A. D. 1018, Kells was plundered by Sitric and the Danes of Dublin, and they carried off immense booty, and many captives, and slew a great number of people, in the midst of the church, In A. D. 1020, the shrine of St. Patrick and his relics, called Finn foideach, were plundered at Armagh or Downpatrick, by the Danes, and O'Aidith and the people of Lower Iveagh, who also carried off 700 cows.
Battle of Delgany. —In A. D. 1021, Ughaire, king of Leinster, defeated the Danes of Dublin, under Sitric, in a great battle, at Delgne Mogarog, in Hy Briuin Cualann ; this battle was fought at Delgany, in Wicklow, and the Danish forces were defeated with great slaughter, and several thousands of them were slain.
South Bregia, and as far as Duleek, and they slew Ainbith Rome in A. D. 1030, died on his way, and was succeededby his son O'Casey, lord of Saitne, and they treacherously took Donogh Aulaf VI. , who going on a pilgrimage to Rome, A. D. 1034, was
Battle of Athboy, &c. —In A. D. 1022, king Malachy gained a
great victory over the Danes of Dublin, near Ath Buidhe of
Tlachtga, now Athboy, in Meath, in which the Four Masters state
that a vast number of them were slain in the evening, at the Yel
low-ford. This battle was fought in the beginning of July, and
king Malachy died two months after, namely the 4th of the
Nones of September, on a Sunday, in the 73d year of his age, at
Cro-inis; an island in Lough Annin, now Lough Ennell, near Mul
lingar. In this year a great naval battle was fought between the
Danes of Dublin and Niall Mac Eochada, prince of Ulidia, in
which the Danes were defeated with immense slaughter, and
great numbers of them made captives and their ships taken from
them. In A. D. 1023, the Danes of Dublin led their forces to Sitric III. , Danish king of Dublin, having gone on a pilgrimage to
In 1028, Flanagan O'Kelly, prince of Bregia, and Sitric, son of
• Leinster, and Ivar was slain. In 1035, Ardbraccan was plundered by Sitric, and Swords was plundered and burned, in retaliation, by Conor O'Melaghlin.
In 1037, Skreen and Duleek, in Meath, were plundered by the Danes of Dublin ; and in 1038, the island of Raghlin, off the coast of Antrim, was laid waste by the Danes.
Christ Church founded by the Danes. —According to Ware,
REIGN OF ELIZABETH. 533
sessed most of white-walled buildings, fair, well Intestine commotions arose in the country after the roofed castles, and Coarb's seats (Abbacies), of death of Cormac, some of the people supporting any of the descendants of Eoghan More, died. Callachan, the son of Teige, who claimed to take
slain in England, and was succeeded by his son, Sitric IV. In A. D. Godred Crovan. —According the Chronicles Mann, John 1038, according to Ware and Lanigan, and the Liber Niger, or Black stone's Celto-Normanic Antiquities, Godred Crovan, son Harold
Book of Trinity Church, Dublin, this Danish king, Sitric, in con junction with Donatus, an Ostman or Dane, then bishop of Dub
lin, founded the Cathedral of Christ Church, which Sitric amply endowed, conferring on it the lands of Baldoyle, Raheny, and Por
trane, with all their produce, cattle and corn, and the services of the villeins or serfs attached to those lands “ cum villanis et vac
the Black, Iceland, descendant the kings powerful fleet, conquered the Isle Mann
ruled over the Isle of Mann and the Hebrides.
Norway, with 1056, and In 1068 he sub
cis et bladis,” and he also gave gold and silver sufficient to build
the Cathedral. In A. D. 1035, according to Inisfallen, Sitric brides, and was succeeded king Mann by his son Lagmann,
having left the government of Dublin, went across the sea, and was succeeded by a chief named Eachmarcach, probably Emeric ; and in 1038, Ivar, the son of Harold, succeeded Emeric as Danish king of Dublin. According to Ware, Sitric IV. died A. D. 1042,- and was succeeded by Aulaf; this was Aulaf VII.
In A. D. 1045, Ivar, the son of Harold, and the Danes of Dub
lin attacked the Island of Raghlin, off the coast of Antrim, and
slew 300 of the Ultonians. In 1046, Ivar, the son of Harold, was
expelled from Dublin by the Danes, and was succeeded as king by
Emeric, son of Reginald. About this time, according to the Saga
of Snorro, Thorfin, earl of Orkneys, son of earl Sigurd, who had been
slain at Clontarf, with powerful forces of Norwegians, made hos
tile expeditions to the coasts of Ireland, and fought great battles
with the Irish Danes at Waterford ; this Thorfin ruled over the
northern half of Scotland, while his ally Macbeth was king in the
south. About this period also, various expeditions of the Irish to
Wales are mentioned in the Welsh Chronicles of Caradoc, of Lan
carvan, and in Ware and Hammer. The Irish were allied with the
different Welsh princes who were contending for the sovereignty of
Wales, and Conan ap Jago, prince of North Wales, was married to
Ranulpa, daughter of Aulaf, Danish king of Dublin ; Conan was
expelled from Wales by Griffith ap Lewellyn, who usurped the
government, but Conan being joined by his father-in-law Aulaf,
they collected their forces from Dublin, and sailed to Wales about
A. D. 1045, and having defeated Griffith, took him prisoner, but
he was soon after rescued by his own men, and the forces of Aulaf feated the Danes Dublin, Wexford, and Waterford, who had
dued Dublin and great part Leinster with powerful forces; this time Murrogh, before mentioned, was king Dublin, but ap pears have been dispossessed Godred, and died 1070. Godred Crovan died 1076, the Island Ila the He
who, after reign seven years, set out pilgrimage Jeru salem, where he died.
Battle Odhbha. -In 1072, Dermod Mac Maolnambo, king Leinster and Leath Mogha, and the Danes Dublin, led his forces Meath against Conor O'Melaghlin, king Meath,
and they fought fierce battle Odhbha, now Dowth, between Drogheda and Slane, which the forces king Dermod were totally defeated, and many hundreds the Lagenians and their
were defeated with great slaughter, and he and Conan fled to their ships and returned to Dublin. In A. D. 1050, Conan collected another force in Ireland, and attempted to recover Wales, but his fleet was destroyed by a storm; various other expeditions of the Irish into Wales, from A. D. 1050 to 1060, are related by Han Iner.
In A. D. 1052, Dermod Mac Maolmambo, king of Leinster, led his forces to Fingal, and burned the entire country about Dublin, and he fought a great battle with the Danes at their fortress, where great numbers were slain, and he remained in Dublin until Emeric, son of 18eginald, king of the Danes, went beyond the sea, and Dermod thembecame king over the Danes. Murrogh, the son of Maolnambo, soon after was appointed king over the Danes of Dublin, and he and his father were the first Irish kings who as sumed authority over the Danes, but from this period, for a cen tury afterwards, these Mac Murroghs, kings of Leinster, were generally styled kings of Dublin. This Murrogh Mac Murrogh died A. D. 1070, and in 1075 is recorded in the Four Masters the death of Donal Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster and of Dublin. In A. D. 1955, Guthorm or Gorm, a Norwegian Iarl, and famous war rior, is mentioned in the Saga of Snorro as having come to Dublin with powerful forces, and entered into alliance with Murchard, an
Irish king, who, no doubt, was Murchad or Murrogh above men tioned, king of Dublin. Gorm and Murrogh with their combined forces and a large fleet sailed to Wales, and, having plundered the
country, they took away an immense quantity of silver and other booty, but Murrogh having attempted to appropriate the spoils himself, Gorm resisted, and they fought great battle, which
Murrogh was defeated. Gorm got such vast quantity silver, that offered tenth part St. Olaf, and his return
gone with great forces plunder Cork. About A. 1090, Mur togh O'Brien, king Munster, who had been king over the Danes Dublin, again assumed authority over them, and fought some
battles with the forces Godfrey Meranagh some these con tests are related the Chronicle Mann, but the chronology not correct, Godfrey confounded with another king Mann named Godred, who lived about 50 years after that time.
Battles Leinster and Dublin. —In 1094, Murtogh O'Brien, king Munster, with the forces Munster, Ossory, and Leinster, marched Dublin, and Donal O'Loghlin, king Aileach, with the forces Tyrone and Tirconnell, and Donal O'Melaghlin, king Tara, with the men Meath, and Donogh O'Eochy, prince
Ulidia, marched the plain Leinster, burned Oughterard Kildare, and gained great victory over the men Munster and the Lagenians. Murtogh O'Brien and the men Munster, again came Dublin, and expelled Godfrey Meranagh, the Danish king, having defeated his forces, and stated that had fleet 90 ships; Murtogh O'Brien then appointed his own son Donal, king over the Danes Dublin. 1095, the nobility the Isle Mann sent embassy king Murtogh O'Brien, requesting would send one his family ruler the Island; appointed his nephew Donal, son Teige O'Brien, king Mann, but consequence his tyranny, the Manks and Hebridians expelled him from the Island. Godfrey Meranagh died soon after his ex pulsion from Dublin, and his death recorded the Four Masters
Norway, had formed out the silver image Christ feet Stanihurst, Hanmer, and others, number Danes Ostmen high, which placed the church St. Olaf. came Dublin, and obtained either from Mac Murrogh, king
allies the Danes were slain, and Dermod himself was killed and decapitated. This battle was fought Tuesday, the 7th the Ides February, according the Four Masters, who quote some verses from one the ancient bards, praise the cele brated and heroic king Dermod, saying, that after his death there was profit pleasure, gladness peace.
Godfrey Meranagh. -About 1073, Godfrey Meranagh, who appears have been relative Godred Crovan, king the Isle Mann, became Danish king Dublin; was Godfrey
IV. , and ruled over Dublin many years, but his authority was contested by the O'Briens, kings Munster. A. 1075, Dublin was taken Murtogh O'Brien, prince Thomond, son
Torlogh O'Brien king Munster. Murtogh O'Brien becameking over the Danes Dublin, and appears have ruled over them about ten years 1085, but Godfrey Meranagh the same
time was acknowledged by the Danes king Dublin.
1088, the people Iveagh Munster, the south Cork, de
1095, having taken place prevailed over Europe that year, and the people Ireland were carried off
the awful plague which stated, that one-fourth that pestilence. Donal
O’Brien ruled over the Danes Dublin for about 24 years,
1118, when became monk. About A. D. 1096, according
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534 ANNALS OF THE FOUR MASTERS, A. D. 1583.
possession of the country, on account of his se ment the country the strength his father’s niority; another party supported Cormac, the son patent; and the third party supported the young of Dermod, son of Teige, who sought the govern sons this Cormac, the son Teige, son Cor
Leinster, or from Murtogh O'Brien, king of Munster, a district on proach they perceived great drove cattle coming on, the north side of the city adjoining the Liffey, which from this which the Irish delivered up the Northmen. was
colony was called Ostmantown, and in after times Oatmantown Green, and comprised districts in St. Michan's and St. Paul's parishes, extending from the Four Courts to the Park, along Stoneybatter, Grangegorman, Prussia-street, Arbour Hill, &c. ; which districts in those days were mostly covered with a great oak forest, and it is stated that king William Rufus obtained some of this oak to make the ceiling and roof of Westminster Hall, either from Mac Murrogh, king of Leinster, or Murtogh O'Brien,
king of Munster; and about this time the church of St. Michan's in Dublin, was founded by Michan, an Ostman or Dane.
now about noon-day, and the Northmen prepared return their ships, but when they came the marshes, the Irish, who had formed ambuscade adjoining wood, suddenly rushed with fierce assault the foreigners. King Magnus ordered
Eyvinder, his chief commander, sound the trumpet and sum mon all his men the royal standard, and his warriors close their ranks with serried shields until they passed the swamps and came the plains, where they would safe. Magnus and his men made their way old fort entrenchment, which they reached with difficulty, and being fiercely pursued the
Battle of Moycoba. —In A. D. 1100, Murtogh O'Brien, king Irish, the Northmen were slaughtered great numbers. The
of Munster, with great forces, and a powerful fleet of the Danes, invaded Ulster, and proceeded to Easroe, in Tyrconnell, and to Der ry, but they were defeated with great slaughter by the son of Mac
king seeing certain champion, man from Upland, Sweden, name Thorgrim, called him, saying, “Do you with your cohort cross the rampart, and while doing we will defend you, and when you have passed occupy the opposite hill, and drowned. About A. D. 1098, Magnus, king of Norway, also be with your skilful archers attack the enemy, until we pass on
Loghlin, prince of Aileach, and great numbers of them were slain and
came king of the Orkneys, Hebrides, and Isle of Mann; he made expeditions to the coast of Ireland, and in 1102, came with his
ward. ” Thorgrim and his followers crossed the foss, but imme diately placing their shields their backs, fled their ships. The king perceiving their flight, exclaimed—“Is thus you fly,
forces and a large fleet to Dublin. The men of Ireland marched
in great numbers to Dublin to attack Magnus, and his Danes and
Norwegians, who had come to ravage Ireland, on which they made
peace for one year with the Irish, and king Murtogh O'Brien en fought with great valour, but while defending himself against
tered into an alliance with Magnus, and gave his daughter Bebinn in marriage to Sigurd, son of Magnus, with much wealth and great presents, and Sigurd was appointed, by his father, king of the Orkneys, Hebrides, and Isle of Mann. It may be mentioned as a remarkable circumstance, that in the reigns of George II. and III. some of the ladies of the O'Brien family, earls of Thomond, be came countesses of Orkneys by intermarriage with the Hamiltons, earls of Orkneys. In A. D. 1103, Magnus, king of Norway, with a great fleet, some say sixteen ships, others sixty, and powerful forces invaded Ireland, for the purpose of making a conquest of
numbers, was transfixed the thrust javelin through
both thighs, above the knees, but drawing out the weapon with
his own hands, broke between his feet, exclaiming, Thus we young warriors can break these twigs; fight bravely, my men, and fear danger for me. ” Soon after, however, the dauntless king received powerful stroke battle-axe the neck, and fell. On the death Magnus, the remnant the Nor wegians fled their ships, but Vidkunner, the son John, killed the man who had given the mortal blow Magnus, after had himself received three severe wounds, but succeeded carrying off the ships the king's sword and the royal standard. An immense number the Northmen, together with their king, were slain, and also several Iarls, Swerker, Eyvinder, Ulfr, Dago, and other chiefs, and the remnant fled their ships along with Sigurd, son Magnus, earl Orkneys. King Magnus, who was
the country, and it is stated in the Chronicle of Mann, and by
Ware and Hanmer, that Magnus sent his messengers to king
Murtogh O'Brien, with a pair of his shoes, commanding him to
carry them on his shoulders, in his court, in the presence of the
ambassadors, on Christmas day, as a token of his subjection and
homage. This insolent messageof the Norwegian king raised the then about the 40th year his age, represented having been
Irish to resistance, and Magnus and his forces having overrun a
great part of the country, proceeded to Ulster, where they were
opposed by the Ultonians, and in a fierce battle fought at Moy
coba, near Downpatrick, on St. Bartholomew's day, the 24th of carried his arm red shield, on which was impressed the image
August, 1103, the Norwegians were defeated, and almost slain, together with king Magnus himself, who, according some ac counts, was buried near Downpatrick, but according other statements, the cathedral that place. An interesting account
the expedition and death Magnus given from the Icelandic Saga, Johnstone's Celto-Scandinavian Antiquities, from which the following particulars have been collected :-King Magnus
fought many battles with the Irish, but was resisted with great bravery, and length entered into truce with the men Ulster, and prepared his ships sail Norway, condition that the Irish would give him large supply cattle, killed for the support his men. The eve St. Bartholomew's day, the 23d August, was the time appointed for the Irish supply the cattle, but not having fulfilled their promise, Magnus, with his forces, disembarked St. Bartholomew's day, see about the cattle. The day was calm and beautiful—the sun shining serenely the heavens; they travelled over marshes and bogs, making their way little bridges, constructed rough hewn poles and pieces
timber, and through dense woods, and having length reached hill, from which they had extensive prospect, they perceived distance immense cloud dust, such that produced
body horsemen some said these were the Irish forces and Lagenians subjection, appointed his son Conor king coming attack them, others considered they were messengers Dublin, but Conor O'Conor was expelled year two after coming with the proposed supply cattle, and nearer ap from Dublin. At this time Torlogh O'Conor was king Con
you coward was fool prefer you command instead Sigurd, the swiftfooted, who would not thus desert me. ” Magnus
man great strength, fine form, and handsome features, and his dress and appearance are described follows, the Saga Snorro :—King Magnus had his head covered with helmet, and
golden lion; wore his belt sword surpassing sharp ness, the name which was Legbitir, signifying the Limb-cutter; the hilt was ivory, and the handle ornamented with gold, twisted form his hand held javelin, and over his coat mail wore short silken cloak, scarlet colour, which was interwoven the image lion, worked yellow silk, and
acknowledged that whether viewed back front, none could seen superior him strength body, dignity, and beauty.
1103, the Danes Dublin were defeated with great
slaughter, and Torstan, the son
and many other chiefs were slain.
and the Danes Dublin gained
nians, which Donogh O'Maolnambo, prince Hy Kinsellagh, and Conor O'Conor, prince Offaly, with many others, were slain.
1118, Torlogh O'Conor, king Connaught, led his
forces Dublin, and having defeated the Danes, carried off the hostages they had their hands, and also Donal O'Melagh
lin, son
the Danes
O'Brien.
marched with his forces Dublin, and having reduced the Danes
Eric, Paul, the son Amand,
1115. Donal O'Brien great victory over the Lage
the king Tara; and O'Conor then became king over Dublin, for about seven years, successor Donal 1126, Torlogh O'Conor, king Connaught,
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