^5< As became his high
reputation
for activity and courage on the battle-field, the proud admiration of his soldiers was the illusrious Morough, who fought bravely, always in the
ts' See Co5dT)li JaeoViet fie jAllaibVi, chap, cviii.
ts' See Co5dT)li JaeoViet fie jAllaibVi, chap, cviii.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
In him, Morough recognised a foe, most formidable, and at the head of his troops.
Singled out from the rest of his followers, soon a combat hand to hand was engaged in, between that brave Earl and the in- trepidMorough.
Thelatterrushedviolentlyagainsthisopponent,andwith drawn sword slashed open the bands, clasps, buckles and buttons, fastening
Sigurd's helmet, and this fell backwards off his head. Then drawing two
"Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomns i. , pp. 530, 531, in General Vallancey's
Orkneys.
ii. , p. 66. "Collect. mea de Rebus Ilibernicis," vol. i. "^" **
'
Don't bear the banner 1 for all they
See Nials-Saga," cap. clviii. , p. Near the mansion of Mr. Vernon.
603.
"* The following Danish account sue- handsome metal front and inscription,
ceeds: "Then Earl Sigurd called on Thor-
stein, the son of Hal of the Side, to beir
the banner, and Thoistein was just al)out to
lift the banner, but then Asmund the White
de-crtbing it as "Kinj,' Brian's Well. "
'^' He is called Sitric Mac Lodair, in Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "General History of Ireland," vol. ii. . Book xi. , chap, viii. , p. 264.
"* See John O'Donovan, on "The Battle ofClontarf," in the "Dublin Penny Jour- nal," vol. i. , No. 17, pp. 134, 135.
'J" Near Clontarf, this well is yet shown by the inhabitants, according to Thomas O'Gormau. This lies close to the new Pro-
testant church, conspicuous along the shore, by its tall spire.
'J' A account of the Battle of Manuscript
said,
who bear it get their death. ' 'Hrafn the
'
Red ! ' called out Earl Sigurd, bear tliou tlie
banner. ' 'Bear thine own devil thyself,' answered H afn. Then the Earl said, "lis fittest that the begiiar should bear the bag ;' and with that he took the banner from the staff and put it under his cluak. A little after, Asmund the White was slain, and then
t—he Earl was
pierced through
witli a
spear. '"
Burnt
George
Webbe
Dascnt's
"
of
Clontarf twelve.
defines
the number to be
Siory Njal," vol. ii. , chap, clvi. , pp. 335, 336.
"i See Kev. Paul O'Brien's " Disserta- tion; on the National Customs, and State Laws of the Ancient Irish," Part ii. , chap.
only
_
"^ It lias been lately re-edified, with a
•" See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. . Book xi. , chap, viii. , p. 264.
432 'LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
strokes across the Earl's exposed neck, he was felled to the ground. '^s Far different was the manner of his death, as related by other Irish authorities, who state, tliat Murchad used a battle-axe during this encounter, and proba- bly in tiiat manner,'S'* practised by the ancient Irish. ^35 The result proved fatal to the valiant Jarl. Murchad's battle-axe, it is said, divided Sitrick's body in two, even through the armour,"^* which all the Danish leaders appear to have worn. The Scanian account states, however, that Sigurd was pierced through with a spear f^i but, the name of his slayer is not given.
One of the most determined and devastating episodes, even of this san-
guinary battle, was the fight maintained against the men of Connaught, by the foreigners of Ath-Cliath ; so that, tiiose engaged in it, on both sides, were nearly all killed. Historians relate, that of the Ui Briuin and Conmaicne, not more than one hundred survived that deadly encounter, with Ferghal Ua Ruairc their leader. The Ui Cendselaigh forces were entirely routed there, and these were afterwards pursued to the battalion of the mail-clad men. Awoodofshelterwasnearthese,andtheUiCendselaighwerein order of battle, with their back towards the coats of mail. After this hard struggle, nine of the household troops of Fergal overtook Dunlang, the son of Tuathal, and killed him ; tlien, Mac an Trin, who was captain of Fergal's household, beheaded him, and he brought the head to Fergal as a trophy, with congratulations on this dearly won triumph. The few of those Conna- cians that were left went then into Brian's battalion, and ranged themselves behind Murchad's standard. After the fall of all their other seventy standards,
and the killing of their chiefs, Fergal's great and prized flag was still kept floating over them. '38
It is stated, that during the forenoon, success favoured the Irish side,^39 until a fresh body of Danes, who were kept in the rear, were ordered to the front, in the afternoon. '•t° These troops came upon the Irish
by surprise ; for, immediately afterwards, they carried slaughter and destruc- tion into the ranks of their opponents. This was asserted by some writers j^'t'
nevertheless, the authority or grounds, on which this statement rests, cannot be easily ascertained. "*- Advantage, however, if gained, cannot have been more
than temporary. During the progress of this engagement, Conaing, King of Des-Mumha,facedMaelmordha,thesonofMurchadh,KingofLeinster. A
=33 See
jAe^TieL lie jAttaibli,
'^n See JaeTjliel, He S^llAibli, CogA-oVi
chap, ci. , pp. 176, 177.
'3! < Jhe Book of Howth tells us, that after
a repulse to Collis, the strangers "returned again to the battle, and so wan the field by very force of fight, and killed both Bren and left his son Morhowe for dead, be-north the stinking stream, lying upon his shield ; to whom came a priest called Segert Ne Fenemy, and asked for his son, which told him that he fled in the beginning of the field under a r—ock that was in the strand beside the field. " " Calendar of the Carew Manu- scripts, preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth," edited by J. S. Brewer, and William BuUen, p. 25.
"" . See Dr. Meredith Hanmer's " Chroni- cle of Ireland," p. 184.
Co5d'oli pp. 194, 195.
'3* Giraldus Cambrensis tells us, that the
Irish held the axe with one hand, not witli
both, the thumb being stretched along the
handle, and directing the blow, from h liich
neither the helmet erected into a cone can
defend the head, nor the iron-mail the rest
of the body. Whence it happens, he add. -;,
in our times, that the whole thigh of a sol-
dier, though ever so well cased in iron-mail,
is cut off by one blow of the axe, the thigh
and the leg falling on one side of the horse,
and the dying body on the other. See
"
Opera," vol. v. , "Topographia Hibernica. " Dist. iii. ,cap. x. ,p. 151. Edition of James F. Dimock, M. A.
'35 Said by Giraldus Cambrensis to have
been —them "a adopted by
"•"
a statement is that romantic account in the Book of Howth.
etOustmannis. " Ibid.
'3* See the Dublin copy of the Annals of
Innisfallen, in Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 66.
''37 See Rev. James Johnstone's "Antiqui- ties Celto-Scandicre," p. 123.
"
Norwagiensibus
the
''' According to Hanmer, the Danes
Proliably,
only
fiercely fought and encountered with the wearie and wounded Irish, and wonne the field. "
authority for such
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
433
fiercecontestensued. Sixteenmenwerekilled,eachmanrushinginfront of his lord, to save him from some adversary. At last the kings met, and fell uponeachother,whenavindictivecombatwaswagedbetweenthem. This continued, until both of them were slain. ^43 On the Irish side fought the brave Scandinavian admiral, named Ospak. He had gone through all the battle,onhiswing. ^H Ospakhadbeensorewounded,andhelostbothof his sons, ere Sigtrygg retreated before him. It seems doubtful, whether Sigurd, otherwise Sigtric, Jarl of the Orkneys, be here meant, or Sitrick, King of Dublin ; but, most probably, it was the former.
The Monarch's cushion had been re-adjusted under him, and he sang the same number of psalms, of prayers, and of paters, as before. Again, Bryan asked his attendant, what was the condition of their battalions. The attendant answered and said, that there was not living on earth the person, who could distinguish one of the combatants from the other. He added, that the greater part of the hosts, at either side, had fallen, and those who were alive had been so covered with spatterings of blood, on head, body, and vesture, that a father could not even know his son among them, while confusion pre- vailed everywhere. The Monarch asked, what was the condition of Mur- chadh's standard, and the attendant said, that it was far from him, that it passed through the battalions westwards, and that it was still standing. Brian replied, that the men of Erinn should be well, while his flag continued float- ing, because their courage and valour must remain, so long as they could see it borne aloft. ''"
Distinguished among the Scandinavian chiefs, Brodir went through the host of the foe,"** and he felled the foremost who stood there, but no steel 'could bite on his mail. '•7 His actions in the battle seem to have been per- formed, near the wood of Tomar. "<* At length. Wolf the quarrelsome turned to meet him, and thrust thrice so fiercely at him, that Brodir fell at each lunge, and was vvell-nig'i prevented from getting on his feet again ;'<9 but, soon as
ever he found his feet, he fled away into the wood at once.
It is said, that while this great contest lasted, the people of Ath-Cliath were watching from their walls and battlements the various movements of those reaping the harvest of death. The heavy gleaming battle-axes and bright flashing swords were seen by them ;'-° and, accounts have it, that the warriors' hair, which they cut off', was floated by the high wind,"'' even so far as the
position occupied by those spectators. Among them were Sitric, the son of Amhlaibh, or Amlaff, who was married to the daughter of Brian. She then stood beside him, on the battlements of his watch-tower. " Well do the foreigners reap the field," said he, "many is thesheaf they let go from them. " The daughter of Brian, who seems to have been more the partisan of her
father and of his
of the day, that will be seen. ""'"
'" See CosA-oVi jAe-oliel lie jAlLAibli,
chap, cv. , pp. 184, 185. "* "
of Burnt Njal," vol. ii. , chap, civi. , p. J35.
°5° If this be the itself must have true, day
been sunshiny and clear, to enable the Danes of Dublin to see from their walls so far as Clontarf, a distance of at least three or four miles. However, it is very probable, the sightseers couU have safely ventured outside the city gates, and taken post on
°5> This accords, also, with the statement of Maelseachlainn to the Clan Colman.
family
. See Nials-Saga," cap. dviii. , p. 602.
"S See CojaDh jAeDViel. He JillAibVi,
chap, cxiii. , pp. 198, 199. "^ "
602.
'" See
George
Webbe Dasent's " of Story
which enable them might
See Nials-Saga," cap. clviii. , p.
Burnt Njal," vol. ii. , cap. clvi. , p. 335. '•' "
vantage-ground,
clearly to discern all the chief movements of those engaged in that conflict.
602, 603. "*» See
George
Webbe Dasent's "
Story
See Nials-Saga," cap. clviii. , pp.
than of her " At the end husband, cautiously replied,
EI
434 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
Wliile Murchadh was otherwise engaged, a valiant son to the King of Lochlann fought among the battalions. This was Anraid, or Anrad, son of Elbric, who furiously directed his assault against the Dalcassians. He made a great slaughter among them, and, wherever he appeared, they opened way
front ranks among his hardy Dalcassians. At length, the violent exertion of his right or sword arm, caused both his hand and arm so much pain, that he was unable to lift them up, for they had become greatly swollen. While in this almost helpless cond-tion, and quite unable to strike with his wonted vigour, Morrough was suddenly attacked by Aurudh, or Anraid. But, closing upon the Dane, the Dalcassian prince threw down his sword, and laying hold of him on the top of the head with the left hand, Murchadh drew Aurudh out of his coat of mail, by pulling it forward over his head. Then both fought a wrestling battle ; but, by superior force or dexterity, Murchadh contrived to throwtheforeignerontheground,whileheremaineduppermost. Leaning
with his breast upon the hilt, for no longer could he use the right arm, Mur- rough pressed upon it, with the whole weight of his body, and thus inflicted a death-wound on his opponent. However, even in his dying state, the fierce Aurudh did not f;ill unavenged. He saw the skeine, or short Irish dagger, which hung by Morrough's side, and with a convulsive grasp, he tore it from the belt. ^55 Then directing its point against Murrough, the dying warrior, at the same instant, inflicted a mortal wound '5^ on the renowned Dalcassian leader. The Lochlann chief expired on the spot ; and, suffering great agony, from the thrust he had received. ^^7 According to other accounts, Morrogh was in the act of stooping to relieve an enemy, when he received from this foe his death-wound. Such a deplorable and tragic disaster, however, had not the effect of turning the fortune of the day, for the Danes and for their allies. '*^ The valiant Miurough after his fall was borne away from the battle-field mortallywounded. -59
The issue of this dreadful day's carnage remained long doubtful ; for, although blood flowed in torrents, there was no sign of yielding on either side. Every man had sufficient work on hands to know only his own adven-
before him. This enraged Murcliadh, when he perceived it.
Then, turning obliquely on the ranks of the mail-clad warriors, he killed fifteen men on his right and fifteen on his left, until he reached the son of Elbric. However, there is a considerable amount of confusion in tiiis narrative, for, the proper name set down signifies "a warrior ;"'S3 while other authorities call him solely, the son of Ebric, and sometimes, the son of Elbric.
^5< As became his high reputation for activity and courage on the battle-field, the proud admiration of his soldiers was the illusrious Morough, who fought bravely, always in the
ts' See Co5dT)li JaeoViet fie jAllaibVi, chap, cviii. , pp. 190, 191.
°=5 In Edward O'Reilly's "Irish-English Dictionary" dnpaio is rendered "a cham- pion," 3ub voce.
"5* The same person is evidently meant, however J and, in the opinion of Dr. Todd, the name ini ended was probably Eohric, or Eric, or perhaps, El:ric.
Murchailh. which fell on the yround, when ii. , p. 67.
and so they mutually killed e. ich other. See iiid. The extravagancies of such accounts are obvious, and do not deserve credence.
'57 See the account of this tragic duel on the field, in th—e Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen. Rev. Dr. (J'Conur's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip'ores,'' tomus ii. , p 66.
'ss See Haveity's ''History of Ireland, Ancient and Modern," chap. xiv. p. 148.
»S9 According to the Dublin copy of the Lai bVi, it is stated, that . "Anraid drew his own Annals of Innisfallen, he was tlien in his knife. See pp. 196, 197. sixty-third year. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "s' It is staled, he cut open the entrails of "Rerum Hibernicarum Sriptores," tomus
'5S In the Cogd-oh Jieohet ne JaI-
the DalcTssian hero was seized with
'*' See He CogATih ^aeohet
fiintings and shiverings. Yet, strange to say, he was able in this crisis, to cut off his adversary's head,
S'^tVaibh, "'See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum
chap, cvi. , pp. 18410 187.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 43s
tures, owing to the greatness of his distress, remarks the old chronicler ; and those, who could have had an idea of it, fell there, on either side, so that God alone had full knowledge 01 the deeds and events, which transpired on that field of carnage. '^ The battle, begun at an early hour in the morning, still raged on to the evenmg. ^^' Meantime, the ebb-tide had carried the foreigners' vessels out to sea ; but, when it came to fill and return, many ol their ships came on the flood, and close to land. ^'^ The Irish now prepared for a supreme effort, and made a general attack, on the weakened bands of their enemies. Destitute of leaders, who had exposed their lives to perils while fighting in the foremost ranks, the Danes fell into disorder, and then the issue was soon decided. ^*3 About four o'clock, in the afternoon, the tide of battle seemed inclining to the Irish ; and then, the ranks of their adversaries began to reel. Discomfiture of a decisive character had now become assured.
Everywhere the foreigners saw the field of battle covered with the dead and dying of their own forces ; and, while the number of their surviving warriors was sensibly diminishing, the confidence and elation of the Irish propor- tionally increased. The force of their shock was not any longer to be resisted, by the Danes, and wild confusion ensued through their disordered ranks. =*« The greatest and bravest of their leaders had already fallen, after displaying the most heroic valour, and few were now left to take their places. Soon after the retreat of Sigtrygg,"5 we are told, that flight broke out through all the strangers' host. '**
The last and greatest of Bryan's battles had now been fought, nor was he destined to survive it. If we are to accept the authority of some writers, he had then attained his eighty-eighth year. '*' The circumstances attending his death, however, have been differently related. The northern accounts have it, that when Brodir saw King Bryan's troops chasing the fleers, there were only a few men left by the shieldburg. Then he ruslied out of the wood, where he had been concealed, broke through the shieldburg, and hewed at the king. "** This statement is not inconsistent with the Irish narratives ; and, all authorities seem to be agreed, that Broder was his slayer. The oldest known record of the battle on the Irish side relates, that only one attendant, named Latean, was with the monarch, at this time. His cushion had been re-adjusted under Brian, and he sang, for the third time during that day, fifty psalms, and fifty prayers, and fifty paters ; the fighting having continued all that time. '*9 Another authority has it, that not Lactean, but Laidir,'7° the
HibernicarumScriptores,"tomusii. , Annales Inisfalenses, p. 67.
"5 We are doubtful, whether this be the Eail of Orkney, or the Danish King of Dublin.
'""See George Webbe Dasent's " Story
of Burnt Njal," vol. ii. , chap, clvi. , p. 336. "' See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "RerumHiber- nicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , Annales Inis-
falenses, p. 67.
*" See Webbe Dasent's " of George Story
Burnt Njal," vol. ii. chap. clvi. p. 337.
""^ He asked then of the attendant, in what state were the forces. The attendant
*'
chap. cix. , pp. 190, 191.
See Co5AT)h 5iex>1iet He 5<slUtbh,
*3 "Twas set of sun, and freedom blesseri
His pathway down the golden west.
Defea ed now on
The Norsemen s flight was wild and
wide :
Yet oft they turned in broken strife,
Nor yielded even with yielding life ;
But lified oft and oft again
The sword ol faint but desperate
men. "
—^John Augustus Shea's "Clontarf," p. 86. "• "
-See iVLirtin Haverty's History of
Ireland, Ancient and Modem," chap, xiv. , P- 148.
every
side
" They appear to me the same
answered
as if Tomar's Wood was on hre, and as if tlie seven battalions haU been cutting away at its underwood, and at its young shoots, fur a month, leaving its stately trees and its im- mense oaks standing. In such manner are the armies now on either side, the greater part ol them having fallen, while a few brave men and gallant heroes only are still left standing. Their further condition is, that
:
436 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
servantofBryan,happenedtobeinattendanceonhisroyalmaster. Observ- ing the confusion sjireading around, and seeing some of the Danes surging
through thelrislihost. he feared, tliat the imperial army must have been defeated, and he was seized with a sudden panic. Hastily entering the tent of Uryan, who was on his knees before the crucifix, his servant requested, °7' that the monarch
"itwasto
or die I came here -p^ but, do you and my other attendants take my horses to Armagh, and communicate my will to the successor of St. Patrick. That I bequeath my soul to God, my body to Armagh, and my blessing to my son Donough. Give two hundred cows to Armagh, along with my body; also, go directly to Swords of St. Columkille, and order them to come for my body to-morrow, so as to conduct it to Duleek of St. Kiaran, and let them convey
it thence to Louth ; whither let Maelmurry, the son of Eochy, Comharb of St. Patrick, come with the family of Armagh, and then convey it to their
would takeahorseandflee. " immediately
No," says Bryan,
conquer
cathedral. "^"
People
coming
us," "Greennaked
of Clontarf, in the vol. i. . No. 17, p. 135.
°'' According to the CojA'oh Jacohet He SAlbdibh, the attendant Latean then
:
said " Woe is me, if thou wouMst take my
advice, thou oughtest to mount thy horse, and we should go to the camp, and remain there among the servants ; since every one, who escapes this battle, should come to us, and around us will they rally. Besides, the battalions are now mixed together in con- fusion ; while a party of the loreigners have rejected the idea of retreating to the sea, and we know not who may approach us where we now are. " See chap, cxiii. , pp. 200, 201.
"
"" See John O'Donovan, on the Battle of "
»'= The
relates this closing scene somewhat differently, and as follows: " O God thou said
Co5At)1i SAeohel
tie
SAllaibh,
people
are
they
Bryan.
blue,
! boy," retreat becomes us not, and I my-
"Alas I" said " are the Brian, they
Bryan,
self know that I shall not leave this place alive. What could it profit me if I did ? For Aibhell, of Craig Laiih, came to me last night, and she told me, that I should be killed on this
that the first of my sons I should see on this
foreign- ers in armour, and it is not to do good they come. " While he was saying this, the Monarch arose, stepped ofT the cushion, and unsheathed his sword. Brodar passed him by,anddidnotnoticehim. Oneofthethree,
day
;
she told moreover, me,
are towards said the servant. " What
"
criedthe He then rose from his pillow, seized his sword, and stood to await the approach of Broder,
they are wounded, pierced tlirough and dis- day should be my successor in the sove- membered ; while tliey are disorganized all reignty, and he is Donnchadh. Go thou,
? " asked
servant. " They are the Danes in armour," said Bryan. "'<
sortof are people
they
Bryan.
people,"
round, like the grinding of a mill, turning the wrong way ; but, the foreigners are now defeated, and Murchadh's standard lias fallen. " "That is sad news," said Brien ; "
Laidean, take these steeds with thee, and receive my blessing : carry out my will after
my death, viz. , my body and my soul to God
and to St. Patrick, that 1 am to be carried on my word, the honour and valour of to Ard-macha ; and my blessing to Donn-
Erinn fell, when that standard fell ; and, in- deed, Erir. n has fallen now ; for, never shall there appear henceforth a champion, com- parable to that champion. And what avails it me to survive this day, or that I should obtain the sovereignty of the world, after the fall of Muichadh, and Conaing, and the other nobles of the Dal Cais. " See CogAnh Jderohel tie JilbAibVi, chap, cxiii. , p. 198 to 201.
=7"' See John O'Donovan, on the Battle
chadh, for discharging my last bequests after me, viz. , twelve score of cows to be given to the Comharba of Patrick and lo the society at Ard-macha ; and iis own proper dues to Gill da Lua, as also to the chaichesof Mumbain, their dues. Donncliadh knows, that I have not wealth of gold or silver ; but, he is to pay them, in return for my blessing, and for his succeeding me. Go this night to Sord, and desire them to come early on to-morrow for my body, and to convey it thence to Damh- liag, of Cianan, and then let them carry it thence to Lughmhagh ; thence let ,Mael- Muire Mac Eochadha, Comharba of Patrick, and the society of Ard-macha. come to meet me at Lughmhagh. " See chap, cxiii. , pp. 200 10 203.
'
Dublin Penny Journal,"
Clontarf, in the Dublin Penny Journal," vol. i. . No. 17, p. 135.
'''* While tliey were engaged in this con-
versation, according to anotliei" account, the
attendant perceived a party of foreigners ap- proaching them. Earl Brodar was there, and two warriors along with him. "There are people coming towards us here," said the
attendant. '" Woe
whowere —andwhohadbeeninBrian's there,
what manner of
"A stark naked people," replied the attendant.
service, said
" said "this
is
? " said
Cing, Cing,"
he,
me,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 437
with some of his followers. The monarch saw no part of him without armour, except Ills eyes and his feet. Then Bryan raised his hand, and gave him a blow, with which he cut otf the left leg from the knee, and the right from the ankle ; but, Broder's axe met the head of Bryan, and fractured it. ^73 He fell mortally wounded, and almost immediately gave up the ghost. The northern accountstates,tliattheladTakt'? *threwhisarmintheway. Amiraculous incidentisthenrecorded. Thestroketookitoff,andtheking'shead,like- wise ; but, the king's blood came on the lad's stump, and the stump was healed by it, on the spot. Then Brodir called out, with a loud voice^" Now let man tell man, that Brodir felled Brian. "'"
This Danish version regarding his death, as found in the NialsSaga, is in part
probable; other statements, however, are unreliable. ''* It is added, on the
same authority, that the ferocious pirate was then hemmed in by Brian's re-
turnedguardsandcapturedalive. Somemenranafterthose,thatwerechas-
ing the fieers, and they were told, that King Brian had fallen. Tlien, both
Wolf the quarrelsome and Kerthialfad turned back straight way ; they closed
a ring round Brodir and his men, and threw Ijranches of trees on them. '? ' The
Irish soldiers took a savage vengeance for the death of their king, who but
fortheirownneglectshouldhavebeensafe. '^ ImmediatelyadjoiningCon-
quer Hill is the level, known as Bryan Boroimhe's Field,'*' and where it is
said the brave old warrior fell '*' on the battle-plain, while he was already
rejoicing and thanking the Almighty for the splendid victory he had gained. '*^ Near it are some remarkable moats. These are popularly supposed to repre-
sent the funereal pyres, heaped over tlie slain, and shortly after this great ,battle had been decided. '*'* However, we believe, that at the time of his
'" See
George
Webbe Dasent's "
Story
of
probable,
tlie human remains of several,
"
^fo, no, but Priest, Priest,"
him, and he did not die before they were all
is the King. "
said Br(xlar, it is not he, but a noble priest. " By no means," said the soldier, " th. at is the great king, Brian. " Brodar then turned round and appeared with a bright gleaming and trusty battle-axe in his hai^d, having its handle set in the miildle. When Brian saw Brodar, he gazed at him, and then gave him a stroke with his sword, which cut off his leftlegat the knee, and his right legat thefoot. The foreigner dealt Brian a stroke, which clef: his head utterly ; but, Brian killed tl)e second man that was witli Brotlar, and they boih fell mutually by each other. See Co54T)h Jaeohei tie 5<vlUaibh, chap, cxiv. , pp. 202, 203.
'" With all the fury of a dying warrior, it is stated, in another version, that Brian beheaded l! ro<ler, and killed a second Dane, by whom he wai, attacked ; but this seems to have been a misconception of the original nat raior's meaning, which is somewhat con- fused.
''' It seems, as if he were a new person in- troduced at this sceneof the Monarch's death. Probably, by Takt, the northern writer uncersiood ladg, or Teigue, a well-known Iri>ii name.
— Webbe Dasent's George
Burnt Njal,' vol. ii. , chap, civi. , p. 337. "
who were killed on ihe <lay of ihat great bat-
tle, must be found, with perhaps some
ancient armorial objects of the highest in-
terest to anliquaries.
'"' In the <Jnndta locha C^, or Annals of Lough C4, edited by William M. Hennessy,
''"* See Martin Haverty's History oflre-
Und, Ancientand Modern,''chap. xiv. , p 148. '" Wolf the quarrelsome cut open Urodir'i belly, and led him round and round the trunk of a tree, and so wound all his entrails out of
"
drawn out of him.
"StoryofBruntNjal,"vol. ii.
Sigurd's helmet, and this fell backwards off his head. Then drawing two
"Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomns i. , pp. 530, 531, in General Vallancey's
Orkneys.
ii. , p. 66. "Collect. mea de Rebus Ilibernicis," vol. i. "^" **
'
Don't bear the banner 1 for all they
See Nials-Saga," cap. clviii. , p. Near the mansion of Mr. Vernon.
603.
"* The following Danish account sue- handsome metal front and inscription,
ceeds: "Then Earl Sigurd called on Thor-
stein, the son of Hal of the Side, to beir
the banner, and Thoistein was just al)out to
lift the banner, but then Asmund the White
de-crtbing it as "Kinj,' Brian's Well. "
'^' He is called Sitric Mac Lodair, in Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "General History of Ireland," vol. ii. . Book xi. , chap, viii. , p. 264.
"* See John O'Donovan, on "The Battle ofClontarf," in the "Dublin Penny Jour- nal," vol. i. , No. 17, pp. 134, 135.
'J" Near Clontarf, this well is yet shown by the inhabitants, according to Thomas O'Gormau. This lies close to the new Pro-
testant church, conspicuous along the shore, by its tall spire.
'J' A account of the Battle of Manuscript
said,
who bear it get their death. ' 'Hrafn the
'
Red ! ' called out Earl Sigurd, bear tliou tlie
banner. ' 'Bear thine own devil thyself,' answered H afn. Then the Earl said, "lis fittest that the begiiar should bear the bag ;' and with that he took the banner from the staff and put it under his cluak. A little after, Asmund the White was slain, and then
t—he Earl was
pierced through
witli a
spear. '"
Burnt
George
Webbe
Dascnt's
"
of
Clontarf twelve.
defines
the number to be
Siory Njal," vol. ii. , chap, clvi. , pp. 335, 336.
"i See Kev. Paul O'Brien's " Disserta- tion; on the National Customs, and State Laws of the Ancient Irish," Part ii. , chap.
only
_
"^ It lias been lately re-edified, with a
•" See Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's "Gene- ral History of Ireland," vol. ii. . Book xi. , chap, viii. , p. 264.
432 'LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
strokes across the Earl's exposed neck, he was felled to the ground. '^s Far different was the manner of his death, as related by other Irish authorities, who state, tliat Murchad used a battle-axe during this encounter, and proba- bly in tiiat manner,'S'* practised by the ancient Irish. ^35 The result proved fatal to the valiant Jarl. Murchad's battle-axe, it is said, divided Sitrick's body in two, even through the armour,"^* which all the Danish leaders appear to have worn. The Scanian account states, however, that Sigurd was pierced through with a spear f^i but, the name of his slayer is not given.
One of the most determined and devastating episodes, even of this san-
guinary battle, was the fight maintained against the men of Connaught, by the foreigners of Ath-Cliath ; so that, tiiose engaged in it, on both sides, were nearly all killed. Historians relate, that of the Ui Briuin and Conmaicne, not more than one hundred survived that deadly encounter, with Ferghal Ua Ruairc their leader. The Ui Cendselaigh forces were entirely routed there, and these were afterwards pursued to the battalion of the mail-clad men. Awoodofshelterwasnearthese,andtheUiCendselaighwerein order of battle, with their back towards the coats of mail. After this hard struggle, nine of the household troops of Fergal overtook Dunlang, the son of Tuathal, and killed him ; tlien, Mac an Trin, who was captain of Fergal's household, beheaded him, and he brought the head to Fergal as a trophy, with congratulations on this dearly won triumph. The few of those Conna- cians that were left went then into Brian's battalion, and ranged themselves behind Murchad's standard. After the fall of all their other seventy standards,
and the killing of their chiefs, Fergal's great and prized flag was still kept floating over them. '38
It is stated, that during the forenoon, success favoured the Irish side,^39 until a fresh body of Danes, who were kept in the rear, were ordered to the front, in the afternoon. '•t° These troops came upon the Irish
by surprise ; for, immediately afterwards, they carried slaughter and destruc- tion into the ranks of their opponents. This was asserted by some writers j^'t'
nevertheless, the authority or grounds, on which this statement rests, cannot be easily ascertained. "*- Advantage, however, if gained, cannot have been more
than temporary. During the progress of this engagement, Conaing, King of Des-Mumha,facedMaelmordha,thesonofMurchadh,KingofLeinster. A
=33 See
jAe^TieL lie jAttaibli,
'^n See JaeTjliel, He S^llAibli, CogA-oVi
chap, ci. , pp. 176, 177.
'3! < Jhe Book of Howth tells us, that after
a repulse to Collis, the strangers "returned again to the battle, and so wan the field by very force of fight, and killed both Bren and left his son Morhowe for dead, be-north the stinking stream, lying upon his shield ; to whom came a priest called Segert Ne Fenemy, and asked for his son, which told him that he fled in the beginning of the field under a r—ock that was in the strand beside the field. " " Calendar of the Carew Manu- scripts, preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth," edited by J. S. Brewer, and William BuUen, p. 25.
"" . See Dr. Meredith Hanmer's " Chroni- cle of Ireland," p. 184.
Co5d'oli pp. 194, 195.
'3* Giraldus Cambrensis tells us, that the
Irish held the axe with one hand, not witli
both, the thumb being stretched along the
handle, and directing the blow, from h liich
neither the helmet erected into a cone can
defend the head, nor the iron-mail the rest
of the body. Whence it happens, he add. -;,
in our times, that the whole thigh of a sol-
dier, though ever so well cased in iron-mail,
is cut off by one blow of the axe, the thigh
and the leg falling on one side of the horse,
and the dying body on the other. See
"
Opera," vol. v. , "Topographia Hibernica. " Dist. iii. ,cap. x. ,p. 151. Edition of James F. Dimock, M. A.
'35 Said by Giraldus Cambrensis to have
been —them "a adopted by
"•"
a statement is that romantic account in the Book of Howth.
etOustmannis. " Ibid.
'3* See the Dublin copy of the Annals of
Innisfallen, in Rev. Dr. O'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , p. 66.
''37 See Rev. James Johnstone's "Antiqui- ties Celto-Scandicre," p. 123.
"
Norwagiensibus
the
''' According to Hanmer, the Danes
Proliably,
only
fiercely fought and encountered with the wearie and wounded Irish, and wonne the field. "
authority for such
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
433
fiercecontestensued. Sixteenmenwerekilled,eachmanrushinginfront of his lord, to save him from some adversary. At last the kings met, and fell uponeachother,whenavindictivecombatwaswagedbetweenthem. This continued, until both of them were slain. ^43 On the Irish side fought the brave Scandinavian admiral, named Ospak. He had gone through all the battle,onhiswing. ^H Ospakhadbeensorewounded,andhelostbothof his sons, ere Sigtrygg retreated before him. It seems doubtful, whether Sigurd, otherwise Sigtric, Jarl of the Orkneys, be here meant, or Sitrick, King of Dublin ; but, most probably, it was the former.
The Monarch's cushion had been re-adjusted under him, and he sang the same number of psalms, of prayers, and of paters, as before. Again, Bryan asked his attendant, what was the condition of their battalions. The attendant answered and said, that there was not living on earth the person, who could distinguish one of the combatants from the other. He added, that the greater part of the hosts, at either side, had fallen, and those who were alive had been so covered with spatterings of blood, on head, body, and vesture, that a father could not even know his son among them, while confusion pre- vailed everywhere. The Monarch asked, what was the condition of Mur- chadh's standard, and the attendant said, that it was far from him, that it passed through the battalions westwards, and that it was still standing. Brian replied, that the men of Erinn should be well, while his flag continued float- ing, because their courage and valour must remain, so long as they could see it borne aloft. ''"
Distinguished among the Scandinavian chiefs, Brodir went through the host of the foe,"** and he felled the foremost who stood there, but no steel 'could bite on his mail. '•7 His actions in the battle seem to have been per- formed, near the wood of Tomar. "<* At length. Wolf the quarrelsome turned to meet him, and thrust thrice so fiercely at him, that Brodir fell at each lunge, and was vvell-nig'i prevented from getting on his feet again ;'<9 but, soon as
ever he found his feet, he fled away into the wood at once.
It is said, that while this great contest lasted, the people of Ath-Cliath were watching from their walls and battlements the various movements of those reaping the harvest of death. The heavy gleaming battle-axes and bright flashing swords were seen by them ;'-° and, accounts have it, that the warriors' hair, which they cut off', was floated by the high wind,"'' even so far as the
position occupied by those spectators. Among them were Sitric, the son of Amhlaibh, or Amlaff, who was married to the daughter of Brian. She then stood beside him, on the battlements of his watch-tower. " Well do the foreigners reap the field," said he, "many is thesheaf they let go from them. " The daughter of Brian, who seems to have been more the partisan of her
father and of his
of the day, that will be seen. ""'"
'" See CosA-oVi jAe-oliel lie jAlLAibli,
chap, cv. , pp. 184, 185. "* "
of Burnt Njal," vol. ii. , chap, civi. , p. J35.
°5° If this be the itself must have true, day
been sunshiny and clear, to enable the Danes of Dublin to see from their walls so far as Clontarf, a distance of at least three or four miles. However, it is very probable, the sightseers couU have safely ventured outside the city gates, and taken post on
°5> This accords, also, with the statement of Maelseachlainn to the Clan Colman.
family
. See Nials-Saga," cap. dviii. , p. 602.
"S See CojaDh jAeDViel. He JillAibVi,
chap, cxiii. , pp. 198, 199. "^ "
602.
'" See
George
Webbe Dasent's " of Story
which enable them might
See Nials-Saga," cap. clviii. , p.
Burnt Njal," vol. ii. , cap. clvi. , p. 335. '•' "
vantage-ground,
clearly to discern all the chief movements of those engaged in that conflict.
602, 603. "*» See
George
Webbe Dasent's "
Story
See Nials-Saga," cap. clviii. , pp.
than of her " At the end husband, cautiously replied,
EI
434 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
Wliile Murchadh was otherwise engaged, a valiant son to the King of Lochlann fought among the battalions. This was Anraid, or Anrad, son of Elbric, who furiously directed his assault against the Dalcassians. He made a great slaughter among them, and, wherever he appeared, they opened way
front ranks among his hardy Dalcassians. At length, the violent exertion of his right or sword arm, caused both his hand and arm so much pain, that he was unable to lift them up, for they had become greatly swollen. While in this almost helpless cond-tion, and quite unable to strike with his wonted vigour, Morrough was suddenly attacked by Aurudh, or Anraid. But, closing upon the Dane, the Dalcassian prince threw down his sword, and laying hold of him on the top of the head with the left hand, Murchadh drew Aurudh out of his coat of mail, by pulling it forward over his head. Then both fought a wrestling battle ; but, by superior force or dexterity, Murchadh contrived to throwtheforeignerontheground,whileheremaineduppermost. Leaning
with his breast upon the hilt, for no longer could he use the right arm, Mur- rough pressed upon it, with the whole weight of his body, and thus inflicted a death-wound on his opponent. However, even in his dying state, the fierce Aurudh did not f;ill unavenged. He saw the skeine, or short Irish dagger, which hung by Morrough's side, and with a convulsive grasp, he tore it from the belt. ^55 Then directing its point against Murrough, the dying warrior, at the same instant, inflicted a mortal wound '5^ on the renowned Dalcassian leader. The Lochlann chief expired on the spot ; and, suffering great agony, from the thrust he had received. ^^7 According to other accounts, Morrogh was in the act of stooping to relieve an enemy, when he received from this foe his death-wound. Such a deplorable and tragic disaster, however, had not the effect of turning the fortune of the day, for the Danes and for their allies. '*^ The valiant Miurough after his fall was borne away from the battle-field mortallywounded. -59
The issue of this dreadful day's carnage remained long doubtful ; for, although blood flowed in torrents, there was no sign of yielding on either side. Every man had sufficient work on hands to know only his own adven-
before him. This enraged Murcliadh, when he perceived it.
Then, turning obliquely on the ranks of the mail-clad warriors, he killed fifteen men on his right and fifteen on his left, until he reached the son of Elbric. However, there is a considerable amount of confusion in tiiis narrative, for, the proper name set down signifies "a warrior ;"'S3 while other authorities call him solely, the son of Ebric, and sometimes, the son of Elbric.
^5< As became his high reputation for activity and courage on the battle-field, the proud admiration of his soldiers was the illusrious Morough, who fought bravely, always in the
ts' See Co5dT)li JaeoViet fie jAllaibVi, chap, cviii. , pp. 190, 191.
°=5 In Edward O'Reilly's "Irish-English Dictionary" dnpaio is rendered "a cham- pion," 3ub voce.
"5* The same person is evidently meant, however J and, in the opinion of Dr. Todd, the name ini ended was probably Eohric, or Eric, or perhaps, El:ric.
Murchailh. which fell on the yround, when ii. , p. 67.
and so they mutually killed e. ich other. See iiid. The extravagancies of such accounts are obvious, and do not deserve credence.
'57 See the account of this tragic duel on the field, in th—e Dublin copy of the Annals of Innisfallen. Rev. Dr. (J'Conur's "Rerum Hibernicarum Scrip'ores,'' tomus ii. , p 66.
'ss See Haveity's ''History of Ireland, Ancient and Modern," chap. xiv. p. 148.
»S9 According to the Dublin copy of the Lai bVi, it is stated, that . "Anraid drew his own Annals of Innisfallen, he was tlien in his knife. See pp. 196, 197. sixty-third year. See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "s' It is staled, he cut open the entrails of "Rerum Hibernicarum Sriptores," tomus
'5S In the Cogd-oh Jieohet ne JaI-
the DalcTssian hero was seized with
'*' See He CogATih ^aeohet
fiintings and shiverings. Yet, strange to say, he was able in this crisis, to cut off his adversary's head,
S'^tVaibh, "'See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "Rerum
chap, cvi. , pp. 18410 187.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 43s
tures, owing to the greatness of his distress, remarks the old chronicler ; and those, who could have had an idea of it, fell there, on either side, so that God alone had full knowledge 01 the deeds and events, which transpired on that field of carnage. '^ The battle, begun at an early hour in the morning, still raged on to the evenmg. ^^' Meantime, the ebb-tide had carried the foreigners' vessels out to sea ; but, when it came to fill and return, many ol their ships came on the flood, and close to land. ^'^ The Irish now prepared for a supreme effort, and made a general attack, on the weakened bands of their enemies. Destitute of leaders, who had exposed their lives to perils while fighting in the foremost ranks, the Danes fell into disorder, and then the issue was soon decided. ^*3 About four o'clock, in the afternoon, the tide of battle seemed inclining to the Irish ; and then, the ranks of their adversaries began to reel. Discomfiture of a decisive character had now become assured.
Everywhere the foreigners saw the field of battle covered with the dead and dying of their own forces ; and, while the number of their surviving warriors was sensibly diminishing, the confidence and elation of the Irish propor- tionally increased. The force of their shock was not any longer to be resisted, by the Danes, and wild confusion ensued through their disordered ranks. =*« The greatest and bravest of their leaders had already fallen, after displaying the most heroic valour, and few were now left to take their places. Soon after the retreat of Sigtrygg,"5 we are told, that flight broke out through all the strangers' host. '**
The last and greatest of Bryan's battles had now been fought, nor was he destined to survive it. If we are to accept the authority of some writers, he had then attained his eighty-eighth year. '*' The circumstances attending his death, however, have been differently related. The northern accounts have it, that when Brodir saw King Bryan's troops chasing the fleers, there were only a few men left by the shieldburg. Then he ruslied out of the wood, where he had been concealed, broke through the shieldburg, and hewed at the king. "** This statement is not inconsistent with the Irish narratives ; and, all authorities seem to be agreed, that Broder was his slayer. The oldest known record of the battle on the Irish side relates, that only one attendant, named Latean, was with the monarch, at this time. His cushion had been re-adjusted under Brian, and he sang, for the third time during that day, fifty psalms, and fifty prayers, and fifty paters ; the fighting having continued all that time. '*9 Another authority has it, that not Lactean, but Laidir,'7° the
HibernicarumScriptores,"tomusii. , Annales Inisfalenses, p. 67.
"5 We are doubtful, whether this be the Eail of Orkney, or the Danish King of Dublin.
'""See George Webbe Dasent's " Story
of Burnt Njal," vol. ii. , chap, clvi. , p. 336. "' See Rev. Dr. O'Conor's "RerumHiber- nicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , Annales Inis-
falenses, p. 67.
*" See Webbe Dasent's " of George Story
Burnt Njal," vol. ii. chap. clvi. p. 337.
""^ He asked then of the attendant, in what state were the forces. The attendant
*'
chap. cix. , pp. 190, 191.
See Co5AT)h 5iex>1iet He 5<slUtbh,
*3 "Twas set of sun, and freedom blesseri
His pathway down the golden west.
Defea ed now on
The Norsemen s flight was wild and
wide :
Yet oft they turned in broken strife,
Nor yielded even with yielding life ;
But lified oft and oft again
The sword ol faint but desperate
men. "
—^John Augustus Shea's "Clontarf," p. 86. "• "
-See iVLirtin Haverty's History of
Ireland, Ancient and Modem," chap, xiv. , P- 148.
every
side
" They appear to me the same
answered
as if Tomar's Wood was on hre, and as if tlie seven battalions haU been cutting away at its underwood, and at its young shoots, fur a month, leaving its stately trees and its im- mense oaks standing. In such manner are the armies now on either side, the greater part ol them having fallen, while a few brave men and gallant heroes only are still left standing. Their further condition is, that
:
436 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
servantofBryan,happenedtobeinattendanceonhisroyalmaster. Observ- ing the confusion sjireading around, and seeing some of the Danes surging
through thelrislihost. he feared, tliat the imperial army must have been defeated, and he was seized with a sudden panic. Hastily entering the tent of Uryan, who was on his knees before the crucifix, his servant requested, °7' that the monarch
"itwasto
or die I came here -p^ but, do you and my other attendants take my horses to Armagh, and communicate my will to the successor of St. Patrick. That I bequeath my soul to God, my body to Armagh, and my blessing to my son Donough. Give two hundred cows to Armagh, along with my body; also, go directly to Swords of St. Columkille, and order them to come for my body to-morrow, so as to conduct it to Duleek of St. Kiaran, and let them convey
it thence to Louth ; whither let Maelmurry, the son of Eochy, Comharb of St. Patrick, come with the family of Armagh, and then convey it to their
would takeahorseandflee. " immediately
No," says Bryan,
conquer
cathedral. "^"
People
coming
us," "Greennaked
of Clontarf, in the vol. i. . No. 17, p. 135.
°'' According to the CojA'oh Jacohet He SAlbdibh, the attendant Latean then
:
said " Woe is me, if thou wouMst take my
advice, thou oughtest to mount thy horse, and we should go to the camp, and remain there among the servants ; since every one, who escapes this battle, should come to us, and around us will they rally. Besides, the battalions are now mixed together in con- fusion ; while a party of the loreigners have rejected the idea of retreating to the sea, and we know not who may approach us where we now are. " See chap, cxiii. , pp. 200, 201.
"
"" See John O'Donovan, on the Battle of "
»'= The
relates this closing scene somewhat differently, and as follows: " O God thou said
Co5At)1i SAeohel
tie
SAllaibh,
people
are
they
Bryan.
blue,
! boy," retreat becomes us not, and I my-
"Alas I" said " are the Brian, they
Bryan,
self know that I shall not leave this place alive. What could it profit me if I did ? For Aibhell, of Craig Laiih, came to me last night, and she told me, that I should be killed on this
that the first of my sons I should see on this
foreign- ers in armour, and it is not to do good they come. " While he was saying this, the Monarch arose, stepped ofT the cushion, and unsheathed his sword. Brodar passed him by,anddidnotnoticehim. Oneofthethree,
day
;
she told moreover, me,
are towards said the servant. " What
"
criedthe He then rose from his pillow, seized his sword, and stood to await the approach of Broder,
they are wounded, pierced tlirough and dis- day should be my successor in the sove- membered ; while tliey are disorganized all reignty, and he is Donnchadh. Go thou,
? " asked
servant. " They are the Danes in armour," said Bryan. "'<
sortof are people
they
Bryan.
people,"
round, like the grinding of a mill, turning the wrong way ; but, the foreigners are now defeated, and Murchadh's standard lias fallen. " "That is sad news," said Brien ; "
Laidean, take these steeds with thee, and receive my blessing : carry out my will after
my death, viz. , my body and my soul to God
and to St. Patrick, that 1 am to be carried on my word, the honour and valour of to Ard-macha ; and my blessing to Donn-
Erinn fell, when that standard fell ; and, in- deed, Erir. n has fallen now ; for, never shall there appear henceforth a champion, com- parable to that champion. And what avails it me to survive this day, or that I should obtain the sovereignty of the world, after the fall of Muichadh, and Conaing, and the other nobles of the Dal Cais. " See CogAnh Jderohel tie JilbAibVi, chap, cxiii. , p. 198 to 201.
=7"' See John O'Donovan, on the Battle
chadh, for discharging my last bequests after me, viz. , twelve score of cows to be given to the Comharba of Patrick and lo the society at Ard-macha ; and iis own proper dues to Gill da Lua, as also to the chaichesof Mumbain, their dues. Donncliadh knows, that I have not wealth of gold or silver ; but, he is to pay them, in return for my blessing, and for his succeeding me. Go this night to Sord, and desire them to come early on to-morrow for my body, and to convey it thence to Damh- liag, of Cianan, and then let them carry it thence to Lughmhagh ; thence let ,Mael- Muire Mac Eochadha, Comharba of Patrick, and the society of Ard-macha. come to meet me at Lughmhagh. " See chap, cxiii. , pp. 200 10 203.
'
Dublin Penny Journal,"
Clontarf, in the Dublin Penny Journal," vol. i. . No. 17, p. 135.
'''* While tliey were engaged in this con-
versation, according to anotliei" account, the
attendant perceived a party of foreigners ap- proaching them. Earl Brodar was there, and two warriors along with him. "There are people coming towards us here," said the
attendant. '" Woe
whowere —andwhohadbeeninBrian's there,
what manner of
"A stark naked people," replied the attendant.
service, said
" said "this
is
? " said
Cing, Cing,"
he,
me,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS 437
with some of his followers. The monarch saw no part of him without armour, except Ills eyes and his feet. Then Bryan raised his hand, and gave him a blow, with which he cut otf the left leg from the knee, and the right from the ankle ; but, Broder's axe met the head of Bryan, and fractured it. ^73 He fell mortally wounded, and almost immediately gave up the ghost. The northern accountstates,tliattheladTakt'? *threwhisarmintheway. Amiraculous incidentisthenrecorded. Thestroketookitoff,andtheking'shead,like- wise ; but, the king's blood came on the lad's stump, and the stump was healed by it, on the spot. Then Brodir called out, with a loud voice^" Now let man tell man, that Brodir felled Brian. "'"
This Danish version regarding his death, as found in the NialsSaga, is in part
probable; other statements, however, are unreliable. ''* It is added, on the
same authority, that the ferocious pirate was then hemmed in by Brian's re-
turnedguardsandcapturedalive. Somemenranafterthose,thatwerechas-
ing the fieers, and they were told, that King Brian had fallen. Tlien, both
Wolf the quarrelsome and Kerthialfad turned back straight way ; they closed
a ring round Brodir and his men, and threw Ijranches of trees on them. '? ' The
Irish soldiers took a savage vengeance for the death of their king, who but
fortheirownneglectshouldhavebeensafe. '^ ImmediatelyadjoiningCon-
quer Hill is the level, known as Bryan Boroimhe's Field,'*' and where it is
said the brave old warrior fell '*' on the battle-plain, while he was already
rejoicing and thanking the Almighty for the splendid victory he had gained. '*^ Near it are some remarkable moats. These are popularly supposed to repre-
sent the funereal pyres, heaped over tlie slain, and shortly after this great ,battle had been decided. '*'* However, we believe, that at the time of his
'" See
George
Webbe Dasent's "
Story
of
probable,
tlie human remains of several,
"
^fo, no, but Priest, Priest,"
him, and he did not die before they were all
is the King. "
said Br(xlar, it is not he, but a noble priest. " By no means," said the soldier, " th. at is the great king, Brian. " Brodar then turned round and appeared with a bright gleaming and trusty battle-axe in his hai^d, having its handle set in the miildle. When Brian saw Brodar, he gazed at him, and then gave him a stroke with his sword, which cut off his leftlegat the knee, and his right legat thefoot. The foreigner dealt Brian a stroke, which clef: his head utterly ; but, Brian killed tl)e second man that was witli Brotlar, and they boih fell mutually by each other. See Co54T)h Jaeohei tie 5<vlUaibh, chap, cxiv. , pp. 202, 203.
'" With all the fury of a dying warrior, it is stated, in another version, that Brian beheaded l! ro<ler, and killed a second Dane, by whom he wai, attacked ; but this seems to have been a misconception of the original nat raior's meaning, which is somewhat con- fused.
''' It seems, as if he were a new person in- troduced at this sceneof the Monarch's death. Probably, by Takt, the northern writer uncersiood ladg, or Teigue, a well-known Iri>ii name.
— Webbe Dasent's George
Burnt Njal,' vol. ii. , chap, civi. , p. 337. "
who were killed on ihe <lay of ihat great bat-
tle, must be found, with perhaps some
ancient armorial objects of the highest in-
terest to anliquaries.
'"' In the <Jnndta locha C^, or Annals of Lough C4, edited by William M. Hennessy,
''"* See Martin Haverty's History oflre-
Und, Ancientand Modern,''chap. xiv. , p 148. '" Wolf the quarrelsome cut open Urodir'i belly, and led him round and round the trunk of a tree, and so wound all his entrails out of
"
drawn out of him.
"StoryofBruntNjal,"vol. ii.
