About the com- mencement of the ninth century, the Scandinavian ships, with their contin- gent of Gaills," or Galls—a name applied by the Irish to
foreigners—began
to enter that fine sea-opening of the Shannon River, originally distinguished by the name Luimenach.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
''*
The most careful attention must have been bestowed, by his parents and tutors, on the infancy and childhood of Bryan. H—is dispositions were happily
—
virtues were of a noble and generous quality, while his education was not
moulded ; his piety
of no ascetic cast however
wassolidandsincere his ;
neglected . Liberal studies occupied aconsiderable portion of his youthful career ; and, in all manly exercises, he contended for the palm, among the sons of chief- tains. Literature and politics formed the basis on which his instruction was grounded, but to warlike pursuits he was also addicted. '95 His enterprising geniusandwarlikespiritwereeminentlyconspicuous,eveninearlylife. His ardent temperament, and character for great courage, were emulated by the bravest and most adventurous, among the Dalcassian yoirths of Munster. They admired his activity of body, and his natural intrepidity of soul ; while his morals excited popular reverence, and an universal expectation ofa good, no less than of a glorious, career. The influence of such companionship quickly led to numerous bold and adventurous exploits, in an age, when tur- bulence and disorder often called forth deeds of the most heroic daring.
The Danes were constantly engaged, in harassing the people of Thomond, at this time; while Mahon and Bryan were obliged to defend their principality,
byforceandstratagem. '»* Theforeignersseemtohavemadeseverallodgments, instrongplaces,throughoutThomond. 's' Bryan'sfirstessaysinactualcon- flict were important enough, to induce confidence in his military qualities, and to raise his character, among the clansmen and chiefs of his principality. His
reputation for coolness in danger, for tried valour, and for prudent conduct, quickly prepared and opened the way for exercising command, at first, in a subordinate, but soon, in a higher, capacity. After Mahon had ascended the throne of Munster, his active military career was signalized by a battle, fought at Lake Gur, in which he obtained a signal victory over the Danes of Water-
Memoirs of the O'Briens," cliap. ii. , p. 12. "'" This place probably had its name, from its sonny and souihem aspect, on an elevated site, and because it was the royal residence
of Laciitna, the great grandfather of Bryan. "
County of Clare, collected during the Pro- gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839," voL
ii. John O'Donovan's Letter, p. 355.
''^ See at the word Borumha, in R—ev. D—r.
sax See Eugene O'Curry's Manners and Bliearla, or an Irish English Uictionaiy. "
Cu-toms of the Ancient Irish," edited by Dr. W. K. Sullivan, vol. iii. , Lect. xx. . p. 24.
>' See ibid. , vol. ii. , Lect. vi. , n. 78, p. 115.
'*" The Grianan Lachtna, so called from the noble prospect it commands, was an ob- long edifice, -urrounded with a fosse and ditch, now much effaced. It is 72 feet long. and 38 broad ; but, although a considerable <juaniity of stones remain in the mound, it is difficult to know the ancient character of
the building. See " Letters containing In- formation relative to the Antiquities of the
''See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 770, 771.
Paul O'Brien's "Focaloir Gaoidhilge
'93 See Richard Ryan's Hibernica," vol. i. , p. 114.
"
tory
ii. .
Biographia '9«See Dr. O'Halloran's "General His-
of
vol.
Book
Ireland," pp. 229, 230.
xi. , chap, iv. ,
'»' See CogAish 5det)hel- We jAllAibh. The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp. 58, 59.
'»* According to the Dublin Copy. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 43.
T
290 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
ford, in the year 961, according to the Inisfallen Annals. 's' In this engage- ment, he was assisted by Donnchadli, the son of Ceallachan, King of Cashel.
Here a grtat slaughter of the enemy took place. Ahhough not expressly mentioned, it is supposed, that Bryan may have been present, in a subor- dinate position, and that a practical school for ripening his military talents had been afforded in this action, as in other contests. '^' The Irish chroniclers have several remarkable entries, to illustrate the heroism of Mahon's career
andreign. Hisunquietlifewasexercisedinwar,andsignalizedbyfrequenten- terprisesandadventures. ^°° Inthese,hisbrotherBryanperhapstookanactive part, and his renown was on the increase, since his wise counsels determined important issues, not less than his manly valour. Nor was there any ground for supposing, that divergence of policy or of interest ever disunited those affectionatebrothers. Thebrilliantresultsofcontinuousvictories,andhostages of rival native chiefs being secured by Mahon, placed those Dalcassian chiefs high among the most eminent names, furnished by their country and period.
Bryan is said to have been in his thirty-fourth year,^°' when his eldest
brother Mahon =^°" ascended the throne ofMunster, and assumed the
respon-
sibilities of a position, which required the exercise both of valour and of judg-
ment. AgainsttheDanes,especially,headvisedaconstantwarfare;while
through the woods, deserts, and forests, of North Munster, he led to action
the young champions of Dal Cais. In his younger brother, fidelity to Mahon's fortunes was united, with a zeal and bravery capable of achieving the noblest actions. He and his companions in arms set up rude huts, in- stead of encampments, and they lurked in the caves of Ui Blait. ^°3 From Lough Derg to the Fergus River, and Irom Siabh Echti or Baughty to Tra- traighe,^'''^ they wasted the country, wherever the foreigners had formed a settle- ment. These had formed a fortifying bank around Tratraighe, to make a strong garrison of the place ; so that, they might thence issue, to subject all North MunsterandUi-Conaill. NumerousweretheattacksofBryanandofhishardy followers on them, while the foreigners were frequently surprised and slain, in twos, and in threes, and in fives, and in scores, and in hundreds, although with great loss to the victors, whom war and hardships had greatly diminished. ^°5 The plains, the forests, the valleys, glens and mountain passes, throughout Munster, had been infested by numerous marauders, under lawless and un- scrupulous leaders. These hostile plundering parties had ever a pretext for their misdeeds and acts of violence. Their appearance spread fear and alarm wherever they came ; while security among those peacefully inclined and in- vadedcouldonlybeobtained,bybraveanddeterminedresistance. Against these disturbers of his territorial lands and rights, Bryan's bands of brave Dal- cassians, trained to deeds of hardihood, under his leadership, had been sufficiently well exercised, in the use of arms, and they were skilled in the warfare of that age. The different raids and local quarrels are not always found, in the obscure history of that period. Hence, it affords no satisfactory
'"=*
means, for tracing the opening warlike actions of Bryan.
'» See Tliomas Moore's
"
History of Ire-
Catalogue. See p. 25, line 18.
-"^ In the Brussels Slanuscript, this name
is rendered O m bloi-o.
TM4 Not identified. Probably, it was some
portion of shore on the Lower Shannon.
="s j^ee Co^A-oh 5iiet)hel, lie 5<sLLdiT)li. The Wars ol the Gaedliil with the Gaill, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp. 60 to 63.
land," vol. ii. , cap. xx. , p. 83.
^
"° In the 957, he plundere^l Cluain- ye. ir
mic-Nois. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the ! -'our Masters,'' vol. ii. , ])p. 676, 677.
="' This, however, must be estimated, ac- cording to the data of our Annahsts, which
are often conflicting.
"^ Tliere is a Poem, by St. Patrick's Com-
harba, on Mahon, the son of Cenneide, yet preserved in the Royal Irish Academy ; it is classed 23 G. 22, in the Betham Manuscripts'
==* " See Rev. James Wills'
Lives of Illus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. Second Period, p. 198.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 291
Reprisals followed, as the only known means for repressing disorders. The
earliest campaigning event of importance is recorded, as having taken place,
probably in obedience to some dynastic necessity, which obliged the king, his
attendant chiefs, and their troops, to wage a local war, from which neither
honour nor permanent advantage could be derived. In the year 961,°°' or
962,'°^ Feargal O'Ruarc was King of Connaught, and he is styled the
Nebuchadonosor of the Irish, having wrought innumerable evils, according
to an old Chronicle. ^^s That year, he obtained a great victory at Catinseeii
over the Momonians, and the Dalcassian territory was ravaged afterwards, by
him. "° This great victory was obtained at Catinchi,^" an island on the
River Shannon, between Clonfert and Clonmacnoise, according to Dr.
O'Donovan. "" It seems probable, that this invasion gave rise to an injured
feeling, which led to a speedy reprisal. About the year 963,^3 Feargal or
Farreli O'Ruairc held sway, over the province of Connaught. An expedition
had been planned, in which Bryan served, under the stantiard of his brother
Mahon. The purpose for whicii this expedition had been organized was to
invade the adjoining province of Connaught, while the plunder of people living there was quite reconcilable with the customs of the time, and the ethics
ofIrishwarfare,ifsuchraidsshouldbedignifiedwiththename. Thisexpe- dition seems to have been attended with the success anticipated, in its earliest
stages. It was planned, with a secrecy, which left little time for preparation to the Connacians, when the forces of Munster marched over their borders,
and created a panic. The party of King Mahon, having advanced to those
districts, bordering on Lough Ree,'"^ had swept together tlie spoils of a con- siderable territory, on the Connaught side of the River Shannon. He had
gonesofarasAthleague. "3 Soon,however,theConnacianstookuparms.
To secure their booty was an object of special importance, but of no easy attainment,fortheMomonians. Nodoubt,theroadswereintricateandin bad repair, so that a herd of cattle could not be driven with readiness, when a retrograde movement was desirable. The rapid retreat of the Munster forces commenced, as Feargal O'Ruarc, with a large body of vengeful Conna- cians,cameinsight. Aneffortwasmadetointerceptthelineofmarch,and to drive the Mummonians before the superior force. Mahon was obliged to beat a confused and a hasty retreat. The River Fairglin obstructed his advance. Encumbered with their spoils, the Munstermen felt embarrassed in their position. They were by no means prepared, for the vigorous onset of their adversaries. However, here they stood at bay, and engaged their pursuers. "' Immediately, O'Ruarc attacked with great impetuosity, and it required but an ordinary exercise of courage, to ensure the discomfiture of the Munster army. Both Mahon and his brother Bryan endeavoured to animate their men, but in vain ; for, defeat was a consequence, no valour or skill could arrest, so unfavourable were the conditions, under which Mahon's clansmencontended. Inthisbattle,itisstated,thatMahonwasobligedto
"^ Accordingto the " Annals of the Four Masters. "
"^ According to the Dublin copy of the Inbfallen Annals.
"'According
rum," a M. inu-icript in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.
'" See " Annah of tlie Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 682, 683, and n. (o), ibid.
"^ Thisisthetruedate, aklioughtheAnnals of Clonmacnoise have it 957.
"< See Tliomas Moore's " of Ire- History
land," vol. ii. , chap, xx. , p. 83.
"5 The Dublin copy of the Inisfallen An-
to the " Chronicon Scoto-
"" tiec Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum nals renders it (i. e. Vadum lapidum). See
Hibernicaruin Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 43. '" It is called Kattince, in the Annals of
Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarura
Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 43.
"'" See Thomas Moore's " of Ire- History
land," vol. ii,, chap, xx. , p. 83.
but the name of this thought to be obsolete.
is
Clonmacnoise,
place
292 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
leave his shield behind him. "' Another account,"' however, attributes all the victory and glory to the Monster hero f but, it is quite evident, that
Methgamhain suffered a terrible reverse. ==° Finding the position untenable, he saved himself, after losing a considerable number of his forces, and all
his spoils. Three grandsons of Lorcan, and seven score along with them, fell in this engagement. "' Swimming the stream, Mahon escaped from the battle- field. In this engagement, the character of Bryan's valour was manifested, under adverse circumstances ; but, his cool and steady resolution won ad-
miration and applause, while it inspired a well-grounded hope, that in after time, he must gloriously retrieve that reverse, which was then experienced.
CHAPTER II.
THE SCANDINAVIAN SETTLERS IN LIMERICK—DESCRIPTION, HISTORY, MANNERS AND INVASIONS OF THE NORTHERN NATIONS—VICTORY OF MAHON AND BRYAN OVER THE NORTHMEN—MAHON IS TREACHEROUSLY DEPIVED OF LIFE BY MAELMUA— BRYAN ELECTED KING OF NORTH MUNSTER—HE OBTAINS A SIGNAL VICTORY OVER THE SCANDINAVIANS AND CONFEDERATE IRISH—HE DRIVES THE INVADERS FROM INISCATHY, AND FROM OTHER STATIONS.
From what has been already stated, it may well be supposed, that the North-
men at Limerick were a source of jealousy, fear, and danger, to the people of
Thomond ; and, in frequent conflicts, when issuing in force from their strongly fortified city, they were usually able to select a favourable time for surprises, as also a secure basis for retreat and protection.
About the com- mencement of the ninth century, the Scandinavian ships, with their contin- gent of Gaills," or Galls—a name applied by the Irish to foreigners—began to enter that fine sea-opening of the Shannon River, originally distinguished by the name Luimenach. " The "Chief of Luimneach of the Sea" owed fealty to " the King of fair Casaill,"3 as the Psalter of Cashel states ; and, in the division of Ireland into Leath Cuinn and Leath Mogha, Luimneach was fixed as the western extremity of the latter half. '* A city is supposed to have existed, on the present site of Limerick, and to have been called Regia,5 by the Romans, in the second century after Christ. Frequently, allusion is made to Luimnech, in our Annals, at different subsequent periods ; but, it is a cer- tainty, those strangers and invaders found this a suitable place for commer- cial enterprises, or for 'warlike purposes. Besides its productive fisheries, a fertile soil, and an agreeable country surrounding it, with a good climate and favourableposition; theforeignersselectedthisparticularspot,fortheerec-
"' The Four Masters are silent, regarding this incident, which is related in the Dublin copy of the Annals or Inisfallen. See Rev. Dr. ©'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 44.
"" This statement is found in that poem, cited from the Munster Book, by Valiancy.
""' The Munster Annals have this event, at
ers, now applied only to the English. —
Edward O'Reilly's Satia)- Gaoidhilge-Sags-
bhearla. An Irish-English Dictionary, sub' voce.
°
This appears, from the Life of St. Car- brach of Lismore, as found in the Manuscript Book of Lismore.
^ See John O'Donovan's teitliAjA riA
965. """•
"
Gene- Mahon is stated to have been victorious. See vol.
Book xi. ,
"' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
ii. ,
chap, iv. , pp. 231, 232.
^ The Claudius has Geographer Ptolemy
such a designation, on his Map of Ire- land.
In Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's
ral of Ireland," at A. D. History
960,
'' See Maurice Lenihan's "Limerick "
Four Masters," —vol. ii. , pp. 684, 685. '
Chapter ii. jAill, ^aill, S. foreign-
5-CeApt;, or the 261.
"
Book of Riglits," pp. 260,
: its
History and Antiquities, chap, i. , p. 2.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 293
tion of a strong fortress, which was further protected by walls and fortifica-
tions. The ancient Irish settlement on the Lower Shannon, denominated
Lumneach/ now Limerick,7 is supposed to have had a remote origin ; but,
probably, it was a place of little consequence, until the Northmen recognised its advantageous position, for navigation and commerce. This town was first
plundered by them, in 812, and before the middle of the ninth century, they seem to have seized on it, as their chief southern stronghold, in Ireland. Tliey erected a fort within it, and surrounded the city, which was then built, with walls and towers. During the century, which succeeded, their power increased, and their ships lent it a ready outlet to the Atlantic*
To understand, not merely the condition of Ireland during the Norse
domination, but also to elucidate the biography of Bryan Borumha, it may be desirable, to premise some remarks on the origin, history, manners and enter-
prisesofthatpeople. BythecommonappellationofScandinavia,theancients distinguished those large peninsular countries of north-eastern Europe, bearing towards and beyond the Arctic circle, and now chiefly known, as the three north-
emkingdomsofDenmark,Sweden,andNorway. Intheearliesttimes,those
countries were inhabited
German or Gothic — the
bya tribe,' altliough aboriginal
appear to have been of Finnish or Lapp extraction. Before the Christian era, the Cimbri were known to the Romans, as a people of great valour, having numerous and large fortifica- tions within their countr>'. '° About the beginning of the Christian era, the
Romans had some indistinct knowledge of the Suiones, or Swedes, and of their turn for navigation. " But, the Scandinavian country, which attained the greatest historical prominence, was Norway, from the eighth to the twelfth cen- tury of the Christian era. In the first century, Pliny has an account of the peninsula of Nerigon, or of Norway. He speaks geographically of Swedish Norrige and of Danish Norge;" but, we are not particularly informed, about their social state. The peninsula of Denmark, or Jutland,'^ is a vast bank of sand, gravel, water-worn stones, transported and rounded blocks of granite of all sizes, covered with a bed of clay and vegetable earth. This soil has been thrown up or formed by the ocean, and it defends from the fury of the waves
population^-especially of the more northern parts
a large portion of Northern Europe. '^
' A battle,was fought here, by Cormac Mac Art, Monarch of Ireland, against the people of Munster, in a. d. 241. hee Dr. O'lJono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
i. , pp. 112, 113.
' A large aud detailed Map of this city,
with its modern situation on the River Shan- non shown, is to be found on "The Travellers' Map of the River Shannon," ar- ranged as a Guide to its Lakes, and the several Towns, Gentlemen's Seats, Ancient Castles, Ruins, Mines, Quarries, 'trading Stations, and general Scenery on its Banks, from its source in Lough Allen to the Sea, in a course
King's County, Tippeiiuy, Galway, Lime- rick, Kerry and Clare, accurately taken from the survey made by John Grantham, Esq. , C. E. Plate 14.
• See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 265.
' Marcus Aurelius Cas>iodorus, a Neapo- litan, wrote a history of the Coths, io twelve
For the most part, the soil is thin and
hoiks. He was secretary to Theodoric, King of the Goths, in Italy, and he died, about the year 562. This work was after-
wards abriilged by Jornandes.
'"See Tacitus " De Situ, Moribus et
Populis Germanise," cap. xxxvii.
of miles 239
" See
bell's " of Geogra- System
the Couniies of Lei-
trim, Ixjngford, Roscommon, Westmeath, phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. i. ,
through
James
" Tacitus states
:
" forma navium e6 dil-
fert, quod utrimque prora paratam semper adpulsui frontem agit : nee velis ministran- tur, nee remos in ordinera lateiibus adjun. gunt. Solutum, ut in quibusdam fiurainum.
et mutabile, ut res poscit, hinc vel illinc re- "
migiiim. "— De Situ, Moribus, et Fopulis Gerraaniae," cap. xliv.
part i. , p. 138.
'^ It was called Chersonesis Cimbrica, and
a German tribe, but originally from the East, inhabited tliat tract.
" . See Samuel Laing's "Observations on the Social and Political State of Denmark, and the Duchies of Sleswick and Holstein, in 1851," chap, i. , p. 2. London, 1852, 8vo.
294 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
barren, little suited for agriculture, and pasturage is usually resorted to, as the means for feeding cattle. '5 More to the north, Sweden is mountainous, broken and barren ; towards the west, for the most part it is flat, especially along the eastern coast line it abounds in lakes and rivers it has numerous
—;—;
forests; and minerals particularly iron are to be found, in various places. ^*
For a considerable distance, from north to south, the summit of a high range
of mountains forms the western boundary,'! ' between this country and Nor-
way. Although both nations are now united under one crown, the respective
lines are distinctly marked throughout tlie whole extent,'^ while different
laws and institutions prevail, in either country. Tlie surface of Norway is
mountainous, and, in most places, the good soil is shallow ; while the whole
country abounds in forests, lakes, and unnavigable rivers. The fisheries off
die coast are usually productive, while timber-dressing and ship-building are the chief industrial arts. 's The coast line, towards the west, is high and
rugged, with gulphs or fiords running deeply into the mainland. Barren rocks and mountains range over a great extent, yet here and there are romantic glens and fertile valleys. ^° The distant country of Thule, so often mentioned by the ancients, is thought to be identical with the present Iceland. This lay far out and westwardly, in the Northern Ocean. At present, the people there are generally tall, and seldom corpulent ; their countenances are open and fair complexioned, while their hair is light coloured. The climate, soil and pro- ductions of Iceland^' have been already described. ^' The Feroe Islands are formed of basaltic rocks; the soil is thin, mossy and wet, little suited for agriculture, but occasionally affording good pasture's
It has been generally supposed, that the Scythic was the mother language of the Goths and Germans f* so that we may consider the Scandinavian, or old Norse tongue, as derived from an Asiatic source. According to some writers, the Teutonic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Flemish and English are only dialects of one chief language. ^5 From the old Danish'* or Scandina- vian,'7 those languages, which are spoken from the coasts of Greenland, to those of Finland; from the Frozen Ocean to the Eider,'^ are derived. '' In its
'5 Ini864, the Dano-Prussian warstripped Denmark of its Duchies of Schleswig-Hol- stein and Lauenburg ; so that in 18S0, it h. id only a population of 2,096,400, including 11,221 in the Faroe Islands. See Whita- ker's "Almanack," for 1883, p. 333.
' See Bell's " James
'' Norway has a population of 1,818,853 inhabitants. See Whitaker's " Ahiianack "
for 1883, p. 352.
°°
See James Bell's "System of Geogra- phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. :. , part i. , pp. 222 to 228.
" Iceland was more Formerly populous
than at present ; while history proves, that its climate has been gradually growing more
of
phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. i. ,
part i. , pp. 1S9 to 195.
' In December, 1 88 1, Sweden had a po-
System
Geogra-
severe, and the soil more ungrateful. See pulation of 4,572,245 inhabitants. See "Popular Encyclopedia, or Conversations
Whitaker's "Almanack" for 1883, p. Lexicon," vol. iv. Art. Iceland, p. 32.
351.
'* "
Since 1814, this double kingdom has combined, under one king and two very different constitutions, two proud and free- spirited nations, each jealous of its peculiar privileges. The poliiical condition of Swe- den and Norway forms a permanent parti- lion between them ; there a jealous aristo-
" See vol. ii. of this work, where the Life
of St. Buo, Missionary in Iceland, has been inserted.
'^ See James Bell's " System of Geogra- phy, Popular and . Scientific," &c. , vol. i. , part i. , pp. 166, 167.
* See Morhof, " De Lingua Germanica," p. 64.
°5 See "Glossarium-Sveo- Hag : Spegel,
Gothicum," Lund. , 1722, 4to.
" Known as tlie Uanska tunga.
°' Called Norroena.
' See Rask's "'Grammar of the Anglo-
is overit. sanc;ent perpetually watching
cracy
privileges ; here, the democracy struggles to defend its new-born rights. In both king- doms, the peasantry and citizens hold a h—igher rank than in most European States. "
"
Lexicon," vol. vi. . Art. Sweden and Nor- English, by Thorpe.
Po|ndar Encyclopedia, or Conversations Sa. xon Tongue," p. 42. Translation into
way, p. 474.
'» See Rev.
J.
Bosworth's " of Dictionary
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 295
purest state, the old Norse or Danish was carried into Iceland, by the first Norwegian refugees, in the ninth century ; and, as modern Icelandic scholars read the oldest documents with the greatest facility, the antique, witii but slight variations, may still be considered the living language of Iceland. Being trained to the use of letters and to the habit of writing, the Icelanders began to record in books, as on monuments, what they deemed most interesting and instructive, for themselves and for their posterity. The Scribes were literarymen, and they were greatly patronized. Norse inscriptions and records areeventobefound,ontheirrocksandpromontories; sothat,thosemight go down to posterity, unless subjected to the accidents of n£tture. 3° But, they cared only for history or legendary biography. The Iceland Chroniclers have written the memorable events of their own and of their ancestors' times, both in prose and in verse. This they practised, before the other people of Scandinavia had acquired the use of letters. 3' Iceland had a class of travelling minstrels, called Skalds, 3= who handed down personal 'knowledge, or experience, with oral tradition and history, cliiefly in verse. They were entertained and held in respect, by kings and heroes, whose companions they often were, during various expeditions. Thus, they were able to give very faithful and lively descriptions of desperate conflicts, they had witnessed, or in which they had valiantly fought. 33 In the Icelandic language, from Ragnar- Lodbrok to Valdemar II. , there is a list of 230 among the chief Skalds, or poetical historians, kept. Among these are several crowned heads and cele- brated warriors. 34 The Saga-man or stor)'-teller recalled the memory of past events in prose. Hence came the Northern Sagas or Histories to be so named ; but, the old Icelanders did not distinguish very critically between mythic and historic narrative. The Sagas were popular narratives, recording the lives of chiefs, kings, and noble families. 'J'hey often introduce metrical passages, and they are very numerous. Those compositions may be classed, as Poetic or Fictitious, Mythic and Romantic, Biographic or Historical, as relating to general, local, and family traditions. Vet, in several cases, it is not an easy matter, to reduce them under any of the foregoing divisions, so discursive and arbitrary have been their themes. In course of time, tiiose re- cordswerecommittedtowriting. TheEddasaretheearliestrecordsknown; one of these is called the poetic or elder Edda,33 and the first compiler of this 3* was Soemund Sigfussen, acleric, born in Iceland, a. d. 1056. He seems to have written some of those poetic efiusions, from the recital of contem- porary Skalds, and to have collected others from Manuscripts. 37
Some of these poems are traced back to the ninth and tenth centuries,
the Anglo-Saxon Language," Preface, sect.
The most careful attention must have been bestowed, by his parents and tutors, on the infancy and childhood of Bryan. H—is dispositions were happily
—
virtues were of a noble and generous quality, while his education was not
moulded ; his piety
of no ascetic cast however
wassolidandsincere his ;
neglected . Liberal studies occupied aconsiderable portion of his youthful career ; and, in all manly exercises, he contended for the palm, among the sons of chief- tains. Literature and politics formed the basis on which his instruction was grounded, but to warlike pursuits he was also addicted. '95 His enterprising geniusandwarlikespiritwereeminentlyconspicuous,eveninearlylife. His ardent temperament, and character for great courage, were emulated by the bravest and most adventurous, among the Dalcassian yoirths of Munster. They admired his activity of body, and his natural intrepidity of soul ; while his morals excited popular reverence, and an universal expectation ofa good, no less than of a glorious, career. The influence of such companionship quickly led to numerous bold and adventurous exploits, in an age, when tur- bulence and disorder often called forth deeds of the most heroic daring.
The Danes were constantly engaged, in harassing the people of Thomond, at this time; while Mahon and Bryan were obliged to defend their principality,
byforceandstratagem. '»* Theforeignersseemtohavemadeseverallodgments, instrongplaces,throughoutThomond. 's' Bryan'sfirstessaysinactualcon- flict were important enough, to induce confidence in his military qualities, and to raise his character, among the clansmen and chiefs of his principality. His
reputation for coolness in danger, for tried valour, and for prudent conduct, quickly prepared and opened the way for exercising command, at first, in a subordinate, but soon, in a higher, capacity. After Mahon had ascended the throne of Munster, his active military career was signalized by a battle, fought at Lake Gur, in which he obtained a signal victory over the Danes of Water-
Memoirs of the O'Briens," cliap. ii. , p. 12. "'" This place probably had its name, from its sonny and souihem aspect, on an elevated site, and because it was the royal residence
of Laciitna, the great grandfather of Bryan. "
County of Clare, collected during the Pro- gress of the Ordnance Survey in 1839," voL
ii. John O'Donovan's Letter, p. 355.
''^ See at the word Borumha, in R—ev. D—r.
sax See Eugene O'Curry's Manners and Bliearla, or an Irish English Uictionaiy. "
Cu-toms of the Ancient Irish," edited by Dr. W. K. Sullivan, vol. iii. , Lect. xx. . p. 24.
>' See ibid. , vol. ii. , Lect. vi. , n. 78, p. 115.
'*" The Grianan Lachtna, so called from the noble prospect it commands, was an ob- long edifice, -urrounded with a fosse and ditch, now much effaced. It is 72 feet long. and 38 broad ; but, although a considerable <juaniity of stones remain in the mound, it is difficult to know the ancient character of
the building. See " Letters containing In- formation relative to the Antiquities of the
''See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 770, 771.
Paul O'Brien's "Focaloir Gaoidhilge
'93 See Richard Ryan's Hibernica," vol. i. , p. 114.
"
tory
ii. .
Biographia '9«See Dr. O'Halloran's "General His-
of
vol.
Book
Ireland," pp. 229, 230.
xi. , chap, iv. ,
'»' See CogAish 5det)hel- We jAllAibh. The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp. 58, 59.
'»* According to the Dublin Copy. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibemicarum Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 43.
T
290 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
ford, in the year 961, according to the Inisfallen Annals. 's' In this engage- ment, he was assisted by Donnchadli, the son of Ceallachan, King of Cashel.
Here a grtat slaughter of the enemy took place. Ahhough not expressly mentioned, it is supposed, that Bryan may have been present, in a subor- dinate position, and that a practical school for ripening his military talents had been afforded in this action, as in other contests. '^' The Irish chroniclers have several remarkable entries, to illustrate the heroism of Mahon's career
andreign. Hisunquietlifewasexercisedinwar,andsignalizedbyfrequenten- terprisesandadventures. ^°° Inthese,hisbrotherBryanperhapstookanactive part, and his renown was on the increase, since his wise counsels determined important issues, not less than his manly valour. Nor was there any ground for supposing, that divergence of policy or of interest ever disunited those affectionatebrothers. Thebrilliantresultsofcontinuousvictories,andhostages of rival native chiefs being secured by Mahon, placed those Dalcassian chiefs high among the most eminent names, furnished by their country and period.
Bryan is said to have been in his thirty-fourth year,^°' when his eldest
brother Mahon =^°" ascended the throne ofMunster, and assumed the
respon-
sibilities of a position, which required the exercise both of valour and of judg-
ment. AgainsttheDanes,especially,headvisedaconstantwarfare;while
through the woods, deserts, and forests, of North Munster, he led to action
the young champions of Dal Cais. In his younger brother, fidelity to Mahon's fortunes was united, with a zeal and bravery capable of achieving the noblest actions. He and his companions in arms set up rude huts, in- stead of encampments, and they lurked in the caves of Ui Blait. ^°3 From Lough Derg to the Fergus River, and Irom Siabh Echti or Baughty to Tra- traighe,^'''^ they wasted the country, wherever the foreigners had formed a settle- ment. These had formed a fortifying bank around Tratraighe, to make a strong garrison of the place ; so that, they might thence issue, to subject all North MunsterandUi-Conaill. NumerousweretheattacksofBryanandofhishardy followers on them, while the foreigners were frequently surprised and slain, in twos, and in threes, and in fives, and in scores, and in hundreds, although with great loss to the victors, whom war and hardships had greatly diminished. ^°5 The plains, the forests, the valleys, glens and mountain passes, throughout Munster, had been infested by numerous marauders, under lawless and un- scrupulous leaders. These hostile plundering parties had ever a pretext for their misdeeds and acts of violence. Their appearance spread fear and alarm wherever they came ; while security among those peacefully inclined and in- vadedcouldonlybeobtained,bybraveanddeterminedresistance. Against these disturbers of his territorial lands and rights, Bryan's bands of brave Dal- cassians, trained to deeds of hardihood, under his leadership, had been sufficiently well exercised, in the use of arms, and they were skilled in the warfare of that age. The different raids and local quarrels are not always found, in the obscure history of that period. Hence, it affords no satisfactory
'"=*
means, for tracing the opening warlike actions of Bryan.
'» See Tliomas Moore's
"
History of Ire-
Catalogue. See p. 25, line 18.
-"^ In the Brussels Slanuscript, this name
is rendered O m bloi-o.
TM4 Not identified. Probably, it was some
portion of shore on the Lower Shannon.
="s j^ee Co^A-oh 5iiet)hel, lie 5<sLLdiT)li. The Wars ol the Gaedliil with the Gaill, edited by Rev. James Henthorn Todd, pp. 60 to 63.
land," vol. ii. , cap. xx. , p. 83.
^
"° In the 957, he plundere^l Cluain- ye. ir
mic-Nois. See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the ! -'our Masters,'' vol. ii. , ])p. 676, 677.
="' This, however, must be estimated, ac- cording to the data of our Annahsts, which
are often conflicting.
"^ Tliere is a Poem, by St. Patrick's Com-
harba, on Mahon, the son of Cenneide, yet preserved in the Royal Irish Academy ; it is classed 23 G. 22, in the Betham Manuscripts'
==* " See Rev. James Wills'
Lives of Illus-
trious and Distinguished Irishmen," vol. i. , part i. Second Period, p. 198.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 291
Reprisals followed, as the only known means for repressing disorders. The
earliest campaigning event of importance is recorded, as having taken place,
probably in obedience to some dynastic necessity, which obliged the king, his
attendant chiefs, and their troops, to wage a local war, from which neither
honour nor permanent advantage could be derived. In the year 961,°°' or
962,'°^ Feargal O'Ruarc was King of Connaught, and he is styled the
Nebuchadonosor of the Irish, having wrought innumerable evils, according
to an old Chronicle. ^^s That year, he obtained a great victory at Catinseeii
over the Momonians, and the Dalcassian territory was ravaged afterwards, by
him. "° This great victory was obtained at Catinchi,^" an island on the
River Shannon, between Clonfert and Clonmacnoise, according to Dr.
O'Donovan. "" It seems probable, that this invasion gave rise to an injured
feeling, which led to a speedy reprisal. About the year 963,^3 Feargal or
Farreli O'Ruairc held sway, over the province of Connaught. An expedition
had been planned, in which Bryan served, under the stantiard of his brother
Mahon. The purpose for whicii this expedition had been organized was to
invade the adjoining province of Connaught, while the plunder of people living there was quite reconcilable with the customs of the time, and the ethics
ofIrishwarfare,ifsuchraidsshouldbedignifiedwiththename. Thisexpe- dition seems to have been attended with the success anticipated, in its earliest
stages. It was planned, with a secrecy, which left little time for preparation to the Connacians, when the forces of Munster marched over their borders,
and created a panic. The party of King Mahon, having advanced to those
districts, bordering on Lough Ree,'"^ had swept together tlie spoils of a con- siderable territory, on the Connaught side of the River Shannon. He had
gonesofarasAthleague. "3 Soon,however,theConnacianstookuparms.
To secure their booty was an object of special importance, but of no easy attainment,fortheMomonians. Nodoubt,theroadswereintricateandin bad repair, so that a herd of cattle could not be driven with readiness, when a retrograde movement was desirable. The rapid retreat of the Munster forces commenced, as Feargal O'Ruarc, with a large body of vengeful Conna- cians,cameinsight. Aneffortwasmadetointerceptthelineofmarch,and to drive the Mummonians before the superior force. Mahon was obliged to beat a confused and a hasty retreat. The River Fairglin obstructed his advance. Encumbered with their spoils, the Munstermen felt embarrassed in their position. They were by no means prepared, for the vigorous onset of their adversaries. However, here they stood at bay, and engaged their pursuers. "' Immediately, O'Ruarc attacked with great impetuosity, and it required but an ordinary exercise of courage, to ensure the discomfiture of the Munster army. Both Mahon and his brother Bryan endeavoured to animate their men, but in vain ; for, defeat was a consequence, no valour or skill could arrest, so unfavourable were the conditions, under which Mahon's clansmencontended. Inthisbattle,itisstated,thatMahonwasobligedto
"^ Accordingto the " Annals of the Four Masters. "
"^ According to the Dublin copy of the Inbfallen Annals.
"'According
rum," a M. inu-icript in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.
'" See " Annah of tlie Four Masters," vol. ii. , pp. 682, 683, and n. (o), ibid.
"^ Thisisthetruedate, aklioughtheAnnals of Clonmacnoise have it 957.
"< See Tliomas Moore's " of Ire- History
land," vol. ii. , chap, xx. , p. 83.
"5 The Dublin copy of the Inisfallen An-
to the " Chronicon Scoto-
"" tiec Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum nals renders it (i. e. Vadum lapidum). See
Hibernicaruin Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 43. '" It is called Kattince, in the Annals of
Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum Hibernicarura
Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 43.
"'" See Thomas Moore's " of Ire- History
land," vol. ii,, chap, xx. , p. 83.
but the name of this thought to be obsolete.
is
Clonmacnoise,
place
292 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
leave his shield behind him. "' Another account,"' however, attributes all the victory and glory to the Monster hero f but, it is quite evident, that
Methgamhain suffered a terrible reverse. ==° Finding the position untenable, he saved himself, after losing a considerable number of his forces, and all
his spoils. Three grandsons of Lorcan, and seven score along with them, fell in this engagement. "' Swimming the stream, Mahon escaped from the battle- field. In this engagement, the character of Bryan's valour was manifested, under adverse circumstances ; but, his cool and steady resolution won ad-
miration and applause, while it inspired a well-grounded hope, that in after time, he must gloriously retrieve that reverse, which was then experienced.
CHAPTER II.
THE SCANDINAVIAN SETTLERS IN LIMERICK—DESCRIPTION, HISTORY, MANNERS AND INVASIONS OF THE NORTHERN NATIONS—VICTORY OF MAHON AND BRYAN OVER THE NORTHMEN—MAHON IS TREACHEROUSLY DEPIVED OF LIFE BY MAELMUA— BRYAN ELECTED KING OF NORTH MUNSTER—HE OBTAINS A SIGNAL VICTORY OVER THE SCANDINAVIANS AND CONFEDERATE IRISH—HE DRIVES THE INVADERS FROM INISCATHY, AND FROM OTHER STATIONS.
From what has been already stated, it may well be supposed, that the North-
men at Limerick were a source of jealousy, fear, and danger, to the people of
Thomond ; and, in frequent conflicts, when issuing in force from their strongly fortified city, they were usually able to select a favourable time for surprises, as also a secure basis for retreat and protection.
About the com- mencement of the ninth century, the Scandinavian ships, with their contin- gent of Gaills," or Galls—a name applied by the Irish to foreigners—began to enter that fine sea-opening of the Shannon River, originally distinguished by the name Luimenach. " The "Chief of Luimneach of the Sea" owed fealty to " the King of fair Casaill,"3 as the Psalter of Cashel states ; and, in the division of Ireland into Leath Cuinn and Leath Mogha, Luimneach was fixed as the western extremity of the latter half. '* A city is supposed to have existed, on the present site of Limerick, and to have been called Regia,5 by the Romans, in the second century after Christ. Frequently, allusion is made to Luimnech, in our Annals, at different subsequent periods ; but, it is a cer- tainty, those strangers and invaders found this a suitable place for commer- cial enterprises, or for 'warlike purposes. Besides its productive fisheries, a fertile soil, and an agreeable country surrounding it, with a good climate and favourableposition; theforeignersselectedthisparticularspot,fortheerec-
"' The Four Masters are silent, regarding this incident, which is related in the Dublin copy of the Annals or Inisfallen. See Rev. Dr. ©'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 44.
"" This statement is found in that poem, cited from the Munster Book, by Valiancy.
""' The Munster Annals have this event, at
ers, now applied only to the English. —
Edward O'Reilly's Satia)- Gaoidhilge-Sags-
bhearla. An Irish-English Dictionary, sub' voce.
°
This appears, from the Life of St. Car- brach of Lismore, as found in the Manuscript Book of Lismore.
^ See John O'Donovan's teitliAjA riA
965. """•
"
Gene- Mahon is stated to have been victorious. See vol.
Book xi. ,
"' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
ii. ,
chap, iv. , pp. 231, 232.
^ The Claudius has Geographer Ptolemy
such a designation, on his Map of Ire- land.
In Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's
ral of Ireland," at A. D. History
960,
'' See Maurice Lenihan's "Limerick "
Four Masters," —vol. ii. , pp. 684, 685. '
Chapter ii. jAill, ^aill, S. foreign-
5-CeApt;, or the 261.
"
Book of Riglits," pp. 260,
: its
History and Antiquities, chap, i. , p. 2.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 293
tion of a strong fortress, which was further protected by walls and fortifica-
tions. The ancient Irish settlement on the Lower Shannon, denominated
Lumneach/ now Limerick,7 is supposed to have had a remote origin ; but,
probably, it was a place of little consequence, until the Northmen recognised its advantageous position, for navigation and commerce. This town was first
plundered by them, in 812, and before the middle of the ninth century, they seem to have seized on it, as their chief southern stronghold, in Ireland. Tliey erected a fort within it, and surrounded the city, which was then built, with walls and towers. During the century, which succeeded, their power increased, and their ships lent it a ready outlet to the Atlantic*
To understand, not merely the condition of Ireland during the Norse
domination, but also to elucidate the biography of Bryan Borumha, it may be desirable, to premise some remarks on the origin, history, manners and enter-
prisesofthatpeople. BythecommonappellationofScandinavia,theancients distinguished those large peninsular countries of north-eastern Europe, bearing towards and beyond the Arctic circle, and now chiefly known, as the three north-
emkingdomsofDenmark,Sweden,andNorway. Intheearliesttimes,those
countries were inhabited
German or Gothic — the
bya tribe,' altliough aboriginal
appear to have been of Finnish or Lapp extraction. Before the Christian era, the Cimbri were known to the Romans, as a people of great valour, having numerous and large fortifica- tions within their countr>'. '° About the beginning of the Christian era, the
Romans had some indistinct knowledge of the Suiones, or Swedes, and of their turn for navigation. " But, the Scandinavian country, which attained the greatest historical prominence, was Norway, from the eighth to the twelfth cen- tury of the Christian era. In the first century, Pliny has an account of the peninsula of Nerigon, or of Norway. He speaks geographically of Swedish Norrige and of Danish Norge;" but, we are not particularly informed, about their social state. The peninsula of Denmark, or Jutland,'^ is a vast bank of sand, gravel, water-worn stones, transported and rounded blocks of granite of all sizes, covered with a bed of clay and vegetable earth. This soil has been thrown up or formed by the ocean, and it defends from the fury of the waves
population^-especially of the more northern parts
a large portion of Northern Europe. '^
' A battle,was fought here, by Cormac Mac Art, Monarch of Ireland, against the people of Munster, in a. d. 241. hee Dr. O'lJono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
i. , pp. 112, 113.
' A large aud detailed Map of this city,
with its modern situation on the River Shan- non shown, is to be found on "The Travellers' Map of the River Shannon," ar- ranged as a Guide to its Lakes, and the several Towns, Gentlemen's Seats, Ancient Castles, Ruins, Mines, Quarries, 'trading Stations, and general Scenery on its Banks, from its source in Lough Allen to the Sea, in a course
King's County, Tippeiiuy, Galway, Lime- rick, Kerry and Clare, accurately taken from the survey made by John Grantham, Esq. , C. E. Plate 14.
• See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 265.
' Marcus Aurelius Cas>iodorus, a Neapo- litan, wrote a history of the Coths, io twelve
For the most part, the soil is thin and
hoiks. He was secretary to Theodoric, King of the Goths, in Italy, and he died, about the year 562. This work was after-
wards abriilged by Jornandes.
'"See Tacitus " De Situ, Moribus et
Populis Germanise," cap. xxxvii.
of miles 239
" See
bell's " of Geogra- System
the Couniies of Lei-
trim, Ixjngford, Roscommon, Westmeath, phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. i. ,
through
James
" Tacitus states
:
" forma navium e6 dil-
fert, quod utrimque prora paratam semper adpulsui frontem agit : nee velis ministran- tur, nee remos in ordinera lateiibus adjun. gunt. Solutum, ut in quibusdam fiurainum.
et mutabile, ut res poscit, hinc vel illinc re- "
migiiim. "— De Situ, Moribus, et Fopulis Gerraaniae," cap. xliv.
part i. , p. 138.
'^ It was called Chersonesis Cimbrica, and
a German tribe, but originally from the East, inhabited tliat tract.
" . See Samuel Laing's "Observations on the Social and Political State of Denmark, and the Duchies of Sleswick and Holstein, in 1851," chap, i. , p. 2. London, 1852, 8vo.
294 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
barren, little suited for agriculture, and pasturage is usually resorted to, as the means for feeding cattle. '5 More to the north, Sweden is mountainous, broken and barren ; towards the west, for the most part it is flat, especially along the eastern coast line it abounds in lakes and rivers it has numerous
—;—;
forests; and minerals particularly iron are to be found, in various places. ^*
For a considerable distance, from north to south, the summit of a high range
of mountains forms the western boundary,'! ' between this country and Nor-
way. Although both nations are now united under one crown, the respective
lines are distinctly marked throughout tlie whole extent,'^ while different
laws and institutions prevail, in either country. Tlie surface of Norway is
mountainous, and, in most places, the good soil is shallow ; while the whole
country abounds in forests, lakes, and unnavigable rivers. The fisheries off
die coast are usually productive, while timber-dressing and ship-building are the chief industrial arts. 's The coast line, towards the west, is high and
rugged, with gulphs or fiords running deeply into the mainland. Barren rocks and mountains range over a great extent, yet here and there are romantic glens and fertile valleys. ^° The distant country of Thule, so often mentioned by the ancients, is thought to be identical with the present Iceland. This lay far out and westwardly, in the Northern Ocean. At present, the people there are generally tall, and seldom corpulent ; their countenances are open and fair complexioned, while their hair is light coloured. The climate, soil and pro- ductions of Iceland^' have been already described. ^' The Feroe Islands are formed of basaltic rocks; the soil is thin, mossy and wet, little suited for agriculture, but occasionally affording good pasture's
It has been generally supposed, that the Scythic was the mother language of the Goths and Germans f* so that we may consider the Scandinavian, or old Norse tongue, as derived from an Asiatic source. According to some writers, the Teutonic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Flemish and English are only dialects of one chief language. ^5 From the old Danish'* or Scandina- vian,'7 those languages, which are spoken from the coasts of Greenland, to those of Finland; from the Frozen Ocean to the Eider,'^ are derived. '' In its
'5 Ini864, the Dano-Prussian warstripped Denmark of its Duchies of Schleswig-Hol- stein and Lauenburg ; so that in 18S0, it h. id only a population of 2,096,400, including 11,221 in the Faroe Islands. See Whita- ker's "Almanack," for 1883, p. 333.
' See Bell's " James
'' Norway has a population of 1,818,853 inhabitants. See Whitaker's " Ahiianack "
for 1883, p. 352.
°°
See James Bell's "System of Geogra- phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. :. , part i. , pp. 222 to 228.
" Iceland was more Formerly populous
than at present ; while history proves, that its climate has been gradually growing more
of
phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. i. ,
part i. , pp. 1S9 to 195.
' In December, 1 88 1, Sweden had a po-
System
Geogra-
severe, and the soil more ungrateful. See pulation of 4,572,245 inhabitants. See "Popular Encyclopedia, or Conversations
Whitaker's "Almanack" for 1883, p. Lexicon," vol. iv. Art. Iceland, p. 32.
351.
'* "
Since 1814, this double kingdom has combined, under one king and two very different constitutions, two proud and free- spirited nations, each jealous of its peculiar privileges. The poliiical condition of Swe- den and Norway forms a permanent parti- lion between them ; there a jealous aristo-
" See vol. ii. of this work, where the Life
of St. Buo, Missionary in Iceland, has been inserted.
'^ See James Bell's " System of Geogra- phy, Popular and . Scientific," &c. , vol. i. , part i. , pp. 166, 167.
* See Morhof, " De Lingua Germanica," p. 64.
°5 See "Glossarium-Sveo- Hag : Spegel,
Gothicum," Lund. , 1722, 4to.
" Known as tlie Uanska tunga.
°' Called Norroena.
' See Rask's "'Grammar of the Anglo-
is overit. sanc;ent perpetually watching
cracy
privileges ; here, the democracy struggles to defend its new-born rights. In both king- doms, the peasantry and citizens hold a h—igher rank than in most European States. "
"
Lexicon," vol. vi. . Art. Sweden and Nor- English, by Thorpe.
Po|ndar Encyclopedia, or Conversations Sa. xon Tongue," p. 42. Translation into
way, p. 474.
'» See Rev.
J.
Bosworth's " of Dictionary
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 295
purest state, the old Norse or Danish was carried into Iceland, by the first Norwegian refugees, in the ninth century ; and, as modern Icelandic scholars read the oldest documents with the greatest facility, the antique, witii but slight variations, may still be considered the living language of Iceland. Being trained to the use of letters and to the habit of writing, the Icelanders began to record in books, as on monuments, what they deemed most interesting and instructive, for themselves and for their posterity. The Scribes were literarymen, and they were greatly patronized. Norse inscriptions and records areeventobefound,ontheirrocksandpromontories; sothat,thosemight go down to posterity, unless subjected to the accidents of n£tture. 3° But, they cared only for history or legendary biography. The Iceland Chroniclers have written the memorable events of their own and of their ancestors' times, both in prose and in verse. This they practised, before the other people of Scandinavia had acquired the use of letters. 3' Iceland had a class of travelling minstrels, called Skalds, 3= who handed down personal 'knowledge, or experience, with oral tradition and history, cliiefly in verse. They were entertained and held in respect, by kings and heroes, whose companions they often were, during various expeditions. Thus, they were able to give very faithful and lively descriptions of desperate conflicts, they had witnessed, or in which they had valiantly fought. 33 In the Icelandic language, from Ragnar- Lodbrok to Valdemar II. , there is a list of 230 among the chief Skalds, or poetical historians, kept. Among these are several crowned heads and cele- brated warriors. 34 The Saga-man or stor)'-teller recalled the memory of past events in prose. Hence came the Northern Sagas or Histories to be so named ; but, the old Icelanders did not distinguish very critically between mythic and historic narrative. The Sagas were popular narratives, recording the lives of chiefs, kings, and noble families. 'J'hey often introduce metrical passages, and they are very numerous. Those compositions may be classed, as Poetic or Fictitious, Mythic and Romantic, Biographic or Historical, as relating to general, local, and family traditions. Vet, in several cases, it is not an easy matter, to reduce them under any of the foregoing divisions, so discursive and arbitrary have been their themes. In course of time, tiiose re- cordswerecommittedtowriting. TheEddasaretheearliestrecordsknown; one of these is called the poetic or elder Edda,33 and the first compiler of this 3* was Soemund Sigfussen, acleric, born in Iceland, a. d. 1056. He seems to have written some of those poetic efiusions, from the recital of contem- porary Skalds, and to have collected others from Manuscripts. 37
Some of these poems are traced back to the ninth and tenth centuries,
the Anglo-Saxon Language," Preface, sect.
