'"° The accompanying ill—ustration repre- sents two of these mounds thought to be
sepulchral, as they are unquestionably artifi-
man,
ofClontarf," in tlie
Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland : originally founded as the Kilkenny
it was asa regarded
royal park.
sepulchral, as they are unquestionably artifi-
man,
ofClontarf," in tlie
Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland : originally founded as the Kilkenny
it was asa regarded
royal park.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
i.
, No.
17, p.
134.
'5' John O'Mahony, in his edition of Dr.
JeoflFrey Keating's "History of Ireland," attributes this suspicion to the calumnious as- persions of the Shaimachies of Munster, and he states, that Maoilsheachlainn Mor well merited his title of the Great. He also re- marks, that some writers barbarously trans- lated his name into Malachy, when writing it in English ; others more properly call him Melaghlin. According to another writer his name is formed of the familiar prefix Maol ('z'! ;/^c Mul^, and Seachnall, the name for an ancient disciple of St. Patrick, and
from whom Dunshaughlin, in the county of Meath was called. By usage, the last letters have become transposed. See "The Gaelic
Journal," vol. i. , No. i. , p. 5, note.
'57 This is stated, in the Dublin copy of
the Annals of Innisfallen. See Rev. Dr. Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , pp. 60, 61.
'5* This territory is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, at the year 1072, but nothing has been discovered as yet, to show where the Ui Gabhla were located. See teAbliAyv tia j-Ce^pc, or "The Book of Rights," Dr. O'Donovan's note (h), pp. 252, 253.
's? That portion of Dublin county, through which the River Dodder flows, according to Dr. O'Donovan.
"" The northern part of Dublin county,
were burned while the by Bryan,
"" According to General Vallancey, in his
" Collectanea De Rebus Hibernicis," where
thereisanaccountofBryanBoiroimh. See
vol. i. , No. iv. Critico-Historical Disserta-
tions concerning the Laws of the Ancient
Irish, partii. , pp. 522 to 547.
'<"
See the Battle of Clontarf, by John O'Donovan, in "The Dublin Penny Jour- nal," vol. i. , No. 17, p. 134.
"^ gee Thomas D'Arcy McGee's " Popu- lar History of Ireland," &c. , vol, i. , Book ii. , chap, vi. , p. 99.
^°* One night, a great din passed over Brodir and his men, so that all awoke,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 405
even before the expedition had reached its destination. '^^ Until he pledged peace, Ospak would not tell Brodir. the meaning of these extraordinary signs, and even having procured this promise, he refused to expound them, until
"
When blood rained on you, therefore shall ye shedmanymen'sblood,bothofyourownandothers. But,whenyouhearda great din, then you must have been shown the crack of doom, and you shall all die speedily. But, when weapons fought against you, that must forebode a battle ; but, when ravens pressed you, that marks the devils which you put faith in, and who will drag you all down to the pains of hell. " Then, Brodir was so wroth, that he could answer never a word. At once, going to his men, he caused them to lay his ships in a line across the sound, and to moor them, by bearing their cables on shore, at either end of the line. He meant to slay Ospak and all his men the next
morning. However, the latter chief saw through the plans of Brodir; then, he vowed to embrace the true faith, to seek King Bryan, and to follow him until his death-day. He now resolved to lay his ships in aline, to punt them along the shore with poles, and to cut the cables of Brodir's ships. Soon these began to fall aboard of one another, while the crews were fast asleep. Ospak and his men thus got out of the firth, sailed westwards to Ireland, and wenttoConnaught. There,OspaktoldKingBryanallthathehadlearned. Afterwards, he was baptized, and gave himself over into the king's hands. '*'
Those prodigies and their interpretation were not calculated, however, to extinguish the hopes of the Scandinavian sailors and warriors, during their voyage. AtrulyformidablebodyofNorthmenhadbeenassembledunder Broder, at Dublin, after Palm Sunday, a. d. ior4;'^* for, on that very day,'*? Earl Sigurd arrived with his vessels and troops, in the Bay of Dublin. '*^ These bands and their confederates became impatient for the fray. A few days only elapsed, until their desires were gratified, with the coming prospect of a great battle, but not with the successful result to them of an ever-memorable vic- tory. Broder was a gentile, who believed in oracular pronouncements, and he was anxious to obtain some answers, that might help him to prognosticate his chances of war in the coming contest. Vet, it seems the reply was so
"
fought onFriday,KingBryanshallfall,victorybeingobtained; but,ifitbefought before that day, all who stand opposed to him shall be slain. " Where-
fore, Broder deemed it wise, not to engage his forces before the Day of Venus. '*9
night fell. Then he said,
equivocal, that he drew a favourable augury from it :
If the battle be
sprung up, and put on their clothes. Along with that came a shower of boiling blood. Then, they covered themselves with their
went on until the day, and another man then
died in every ship. Then, they went to sleep first of all, but when Brodir woke up, draw- ing his breath painfully, he bade them put off in a boat to see Ospak. Taking some
shieUls, but, notwithstanding, many were
scalded. This portent lasted until day, and
a man died on board of every ship. Then, men with him, he found Ospak, and told
they slept during the day ; but, the second night there was a din, and again all sprang
him all that had happened, asking him what those signs boded.
"s See Webbe Dasent's " of George Story
Swords out of their sheaths, leaped
up. .
while axes and spears flew about in the air
Burnt Njal," and in vol. ii. , chap, civ. , pp. 330 to 332.
The weapons pressed them so
and
hanl, that they had to shield themselves.
"
Battle of Clontarfin "The Dublin Penny Journal," vol. i. , No. 17, p. 134.
fought.
Still many were wounded, and, again, a man died out of every ship. This wonder, too, lasted all till day. They slept again the day after ; but, the third night, there was a din ofthesamekind. Then,ravensflewatthem, having apparently Vjeaks and claws of iron. Tho>e ravens pressed them so hard, that they had to keep them off with their swords, and hadtocoverthemselveswiththeirshields. This
'"' See " Nials-Saga,^' cap. clviii. , p. 601.
See John O'Donovan's account of the
"SeeGeorgeWebbeDasent's"
Burnt Njal," &c. , vol. ii. , chap, civi. , p. 333.
'°9 See the Rev. James Johnstone's " An- tiquitates Celto-Scandicae ; sive Series Re-
Story
of
4o6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23
The monarch of Ireland arrived with his army, on the plain, called Magh n-Elda,orMaghn-Elta,'7°inolddocuments. Tliiswasthebeautifullyundu- lating tract of country, lying to the north and north-west of Ath-Cliath, and bearing in the direction of Meath, whence we may suppose Bryan had marched in conjunction with Maelseachlain. From about eighteen to twenty thousandmenaresupposedtohavebeenpresent,underhiscommand. The blockade of Dublin appears to have been renewed. Foraging parties were despatched, through the surrounding country. The foreigners saw the con- flagrations in Fine Gall, '7' and in the district of Edar,'? * which brought ruin onthehomesteadsoftheircountrymen; and,theirdesiresfortakingrevenge, before the monarch could procure the arrival of reinforcements, were now greatly excited. The monarch's head-quarters were on the plain of Ath- Cliath. '73 It seems probable, that the Irisli encampment extended from Ox- mantown Green, '? < quite close to Ath-Cliath,'" and eastwards towards Glas- nevin,'7* Clonturk,'? ' and the crests of the rising grounds, in the direction of theHillofHowth. AmidsttheIrishlines,aportionofthatplain,formerly called Magh-nEalta Edair, "Old plain of the flocks of Edair," lay. This sloped downwards, to that level stripe of shore, afterwards known as Clon- tarf. '7' The wood of Tomar '79 sheltered the Irish position. There can hardly
rum Gestanim inter Nationes Britannicarum Cliath lay on the north side of the Liffey, InsuUuum tt Gentes Septenlrionales," pp. while Dubhlinne was on the southern side, 120, 121. These literary gleanings consist and formed the fortified position of the of extracts taken from Snorro ; from Land-
nama-boc ; from Egilli Scallagrimi-snga ;
from Niala-saga ; from O. Tryggvasonar-
saga ; from Orkneyinga-Saga ; from Hiig- Ath-Cliath, or Dublin, at one time, as a vil-
giar-stikki ; from Knytlmga-saga ; from Spe- culo Regali; and from other sources.
'? » Or the I'l. nin of the Flocks. It
lay
between the Hill of Howth and Tallagh.
See Rev. James Heiithorn Todd's Introduc-
tion to Cogd-oh 5&e-oViel. lie jAtl-Aibli. p.
lage, and again as a city, in the twelfth cen-
tury, it is supposed, altliough closely adjoin-
theseweredistinctlocalities. See
ing, ibid. ,
p. 173, note.
'7' This parish, in the barony of Coolock,
and partially in that of the city of Dublin,
is shown, on the "Ordnance Survey Town- "
landMapsfortheCoun'yofDublin, sheets
14, 18. The village proper is marked, on the latter sheet.
" A townland and p. arish, in the barony of Coolock, marked out, ibui.
In the time of Henry II. , a House of the Knights Templars was here ; but, when these were expelled, a. d. 1313, in the reign of Edward II. , a PreceiUory of Knights Hospitallers occupied their place. . See Sir James Ware "De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus Ejus Disquisitiones," cap. xxvi. , p. 144.
'7' It is thought to have been situated, be- tween Clontarf and Dublin, along the north side of the Liffey. Other forms of tlie name are Tombrar, Tomhar, and Tomrair. It is perhaps the . Scandinavian Thormodr, [Thor's man! , which was a common name in Iceland. In Irel. ind, it seems to have been given to all the Kings of Dublin, who are called "Chieftains of Tomar. " Perhaps
clxxi. , n. 6.
'
in "The Irish Builder," by John S. Sloane,
on Fingall, historic and descriptive, vol. XXV. , No. 5—71, (t seq. Also, vol. xxvi.
'7' Edar —who gave name to Brimeduir,
near Dublin is stated to have been a chief,
who flourished a few centuries before tlie
Christian era. See Roderick O'Flaherty's "
Ogygia," pars. iii. . cap. xliv. . p. 271.
'" The Rev. Dr. Todd supposes, that this was probably the plain between Kiimain- ham and the city; but, the position extend- ing in the direction of the present James's- street does not seem a favourable one for the blockading army, as the situation is con- fined in extent, for the most part low, flanked by the River Liffey, and liable to sudden surprises from the strong and warlike garrison, close at hand, and protected by
strong walls.
't Such is the opinion of Thomas O'Gor-
"
Archa;ological Society, "&c. , vol. v. Fourth Series, No. 40, p. 177.
See a very interesting series of articles
inhis "OnthesiteoftheBattle artiLle,
See Rev. James Henihorn Todd's edition of C-ogATjh jAenheb He S*^^*'*^^' Introduction, pp.
Ixvii. , 11. 4, and c'xxwii. , n. I.
'"° The accompanying ill—ustration repre- sents two of these mounds thought to be
sepulchral, as they are unquestionably artifi-
man,
ofClontarf," in tlie
Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland : originally founded as the Kilkenny
it was asa regarded
royal park.
Jovirnal of the Royal
'75 The same writer believes, that Ath-
foreigners. A passage between both places is said to have been formed of hurdles. While
Jocelin, in his Life of St. Patrick, speaks of
'7*
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 407
be a doubt, but this outskirt had been a well-cultivated district, at that period, and it had been occupied by tlie Scandinavian colonists, who probably fled for protection within the walls of Dublin, from the neighbourhood of Clontarf.
Here, at the present time, there is a suburban village, stretching along the northern margin on the Bay of Dublin ; while, close beside it are yet remaining several mounds,'^" more or less perfect, and supposed to have been con-
Motmds, near the Village of Clontarf, County of Dublin.
structed over the bodies of those, who fell in the engagement. ''" Several neat dweliinijs arise along that road, which now skirts the bay ; but, the most attractive villas recede, with an unstudied diversity of site, through shaded and
rural to lanes,
'*' Fromthe oc- position
ofa
cupied by Bryan's army, the arrival of numerous ships in the harbour, and bring-
mound, and human bones are said to have been found, beiieith the surface. A nearly
similar description applies to the other mound, shown in the engraving, a short dis- tance towards the rere. Not f. nr removed and within the convent grounds, a still larger and more conspicuous artificial mound is now shaded and surroumled, by t;dl trees.
"'
Itseemsstrange, tliatnoaitempthasbeen
made to carefully examine these monuments,
without destroying them. An opinion has been offered, that on the day of the battle at
Clontarf, these mounds were probably an- cient.
'*' In the year 1824, J. N. Brewer de- scribes numerous smnll wooden buildings, erected by fishermen, for the purpose of dry-
higher ranges
gently sloping plateau.
cial. Those in closest proximity to each other, and to Clontarf, were d awn on tlie spot, December, 1883, by Will am F. Wake- man, who, in company with the Very Rev. Patrick Canon O'Neili, P. P. , and the writer, carefully examined them. The engraving is by Mrs. Millard. The lower portion of that tumulus in the foreground had l. een re- moved on oneside, within the of
memory per- sons yet living, to admit the construction of a temporary hut, now removed. A much fre- quented path winds around the base, and separates the harrow from a small stream of water, running towards the sea, which is near ; and much of the upper part of the mound itself seems 10 have been washed or worn away by the action of rain, or owing to the climbl ng propensities of children and visiors. Small pieces of charcoal are 10 be seen protruding from this evidently artificial
ing tish, and —these were called "the Sheds "
of Clontarf. " Beauties of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 191.
4o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
ing auxiliaries from all directions, was plainly seen ; but, no efforts could be made to prevent the foemen landing, as they had secure access to the other side of the Liffey, where there were no forces to oppose them. '*3
On Holy Thursday, a council of war was held by the Irish monarch, at which the great chiefs of his army assembled. '^-t These were Maelseachlain and his Meathian nobles ; the Munster nobles, and pre-eminently the Dalcas- sians, with Murchadh, Bryan's eldest son, and Conaing, son of Bryan's brother Donnchuan, lord of Ormond ; the Conacians with Tadhg, surnamed
an eich gill, or of the White Horse, son to Conchobhair, King of Connaught. We may be assured, that many other chieftains, not here enumerated, were present at those discussions. The subject of their deliberations is not known ; but, the result appears to have been their determination to risk a general en- gagement, on the following morning. The Irish forces are said to have moved
from Kilmainham to Drumcondra, for the place of encampment. '^s Mael- seachlainnandthemenofMeathwerenotofonemmdwiththerest;'^^ and,
probably, this will serve to explain the Munster calumny, against liira and hisclansmen. '^? Meantime,onthatsameHolyThursday,ano—thercouncilof war was held in —Dublin. At this, it is stated, tliat Kormlod '^' called by the Irish Gormlaith assisted. A certain warrior, riding a dapple-grey horse, bearing a halberd, and in full armour, attended, and he held a long conference with the council. '*' This man was probably an Irish traitor,'9° who is supposed to have urged the Leinster and Scandinavian chiefs, to take advantage of Prince Donnchad's absence, with his forces, and to make an immediate attack on King Bryan's camp. This advice was evidently well received, and it was finally resolved, to have all their disposable battalions drawn out in order of battle,onthesucceedingday. Theeveningbeforeitwasfought,theenemy possibly marched out from Dublin, so as to concentrate their army between Dublin and Clontarf, and in a line along the sea-shore. It so happened, of all Fridays in the year, the day for that great engagement fell on the Friday before Easter ; that awful anniversary, when the altars of the Church are veiled throughout Christendom, and when the dark stone is rolled to the door of the mystic Sepulchre. '? '
'^3
up in arr. iy. " George Webbe Dasent's
Brian came with all his host to the Burg, and on the Friday the host faced out of the Burg,—and both armies were drawn
'^5 See Thomas McGee's " D'Arcy
" Story
of Burnt
Njal," vol. , ii. , chap, clvi. ,
tion of Re CosaTjli jAetjliel/
5&lLAibh, &c. ,
"King
Popu- lar History oflreland," vol. i. ,Book ii. ,chap.
P- 334-
'"* According to some, the night before
the battle of Clontarf, the pirates had spent their pay, and their ships lying at Benn Edair were sought by tliem to return home- wards ; while, dreading the valour of Mur- chadh and of the Dal Cais in general, they
PP- 154. 155-
'*' See General Vallancey's "Collectanea
De Rebus Hibernicis," vol. i. . No. iv. , pp. 525, 526.
'*' Brian was the name of the king who
first had her to wife, but they were then
parted. See George Webbe Dasent's
.
had offered on the Bryan,
"
p. 323.
of Burnt
vol.
previous night, that if he delayed the burning and devasia-
Story
Njal," to the "
ii. , chap, cliii. , Njals-Saga," cap.
tion of the until the next country
"*»
clviii. , p. 602.
day, they would raise their sail-masts and never return
According
again. But, now finding that the destruc-
tion of their district had commenced, tliose
pirates resolved to have a share of the phui-
der, and tliey prepared to commence the
fiyht in the morning. See Rev. Dr. James the time.
Henthnrn Todd's edition of '>" See Thomas McGee's "
lieb lie jAlLoiibh. Introduction, pp. clx. \ii. ,
clxxiii. , and chap, xc. , pp. 156, 157, with notes.
Popu- lar History 01 IrcLmd," vol. i. . Book ii. ,
vi. , p. lOO.
'"
See Rev. James Henthorn Todd's edi-
''" This circumstance prob. -ibly originated the report, that Maelseachlainn of Meath had sent him as a messenger, to reveal the weakness and division of Bryan's army, at
CogA'oh J^exj- D'Arcy
chap, vi. , p. 100.
»9^ Among these was the gold-spangled
April 23. ]
LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS.
409
It is probable, that knowing how numerous were the enemies' forces pre- pared to oppose him, Bryan retrograded from his advanced position near the city. However,onlookingtowardstherear,hesawwithpleasure,ahuge,dis- ciplined and compact phalanx of his forces, traversing the plain, and moving in silence towards him ; haughtily and unitedly they marched, with three score and ten banners fluttering over their heads, and of different colours. '? ^ They moved near his tent, and there halted. '93 When night had come, the monarch retired to rest, in order to prepare himself for the anxieties and fatigues of the morrow ; but, according to legendary accounts, which have been admitted even into our Annals, Bryan's sleep and thoughts were dis- turbed by visions, which caused him a sad presentiment of his own death, and that of numerous members belonging to his family. One of those visions introduces St. Senan and his clerics appearing to a servant oftlie monarch,'94 while the familiar sprite,'95 or guardian baimshee of his royal house, came from Craiglea, near Killaloe, to hold a conversation, sadly foreboding evils to him on
banner of Fergal Ua Ruairc, chief king over the territory of Breffny and Conmaicni. This was known as the variegated and hicky banner, that had gained the victory, in every conflict and battle. Fergal himself was there, and Domhnall, son of Regallach, and Gilla-na-Naemh, son to Domhnall, grandson of Fergal, with the nobles of the territory of Breifni and of Conmaicni.
maid, and who had been at the killing of the
Foreigners in Inis-Cathaigh, saw a similar
vision, on the night of Easter Friday, and
thirty-seven years before lh. it Friday night, when Brian was slain. See vol. i. , pp. 6
to 9.
'= Oebhinn, daughter of Donn-Oilen, came a short time before nocturns on that
nij^ht, from the Siah (fairy-place) of Craig- laith, to converse with Brian, and told him, that he should fall on the morrow. Brian enquired of her, who of his sons should be king after him, and how many of them should be slain in the battle along with him-
"
self. She said,
shalt see] shall be king after thee. " Where- fore it was, tliat Brian sent for Murchadh, in order that he might come to speak with him before all, ere tlie multitude could arrive. Murchadh came not, until he put on his gar- ment. Then it was, that Donchadh heard the voice of Brian, conversing with his orderly-servant, and he waited not to put on all his clothes; but, he came quickly and placed his hand on the post of the bed in which Brian lay in his tent. He asked Brian, what he was to do, or whether he should go on the foraging excursions, or re- main in the camp. However, when Brian recognised Donnchadh's voice—
not like that he should be the first coming to him—he said, " I care not what thou
as it was not for thee I was seeking. " Donn- chadh, thereupon, left the tent in anger, when Murchadh met him in the door of the tent, and neither of them saluted the other. Murchadh then came, and he was conver- sing with Brian, who said to him, "go to thy bed until the and that which I
, 193
•<
Fergal and the nobles advanced to
where Brian was, to meet him, and Brian
gave them a hearty friendly welcome ; and
Murchadh rose up to him, and seated him in his place. And Brian asked him the news, and he told him that Aedh, son of Ualgairg Ua Ciardha, King of Cairbri, refused to ac- company liim to that battle in defence of Brian. And therefore Brian cursed Ua Ciardha and the Cairbri, and gave a blessing to Fergal and to the men of Brefni also. "— Cogat))! Jae'oheL lie 5<illaibh, or " The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill," edited by the Rev. James Henthom Todd, chap. Ixxxix. , pp. 154 to 157.
=" It is stated, in AnnititochACe, edited by William M. Hennessey, that Indeirge, son of Uadhan, i. e. , Brian's orderly-servant, saw in a virion, the night before the battle, a synod of many clerics, as he thought com- ing towards the camp, singing psalms and
;
reading aloud when Indeirglie asked who
the clerics were. " That is Senan, son of Gerrchinn," said the clerics. " What has brought him hither from his own church ? "
the first son [whom thou
"
Debts that are due to
asked Indeirghe.
him from Brian," replied the cleric,
it is to demand them he has come here. " "They would be paid to him at his house, "said
"
he had not come " To-morrow the time for paying them to Senan arrives," said the cleric, "and they must be paid. '" They after- wards departed fiom him. Indeirghe told Brian, moreover, about that vision he had seen, and the king's mind was the worse for hearing it. Diarmaid Ua Corcrain, i. e. , the orderly-man of Domhnall, son of Diar-
" even for them here. "
though
day comes,
should wish, God has not permitted for
Indeirghe,
and
thee. " All evil omens were thus crowding upon them, until the morning of the day came with its full brightness, /. ^. , Easter Fri- day. See ibid. , pp. 8 to 11.
—making due allowan—ce for will
"^ The re. ider
the dissimilarity of character and cause
here recollect Shakespeare's famous scene
for he did doest,
410 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
the following day. 's'' It would seem, moreover, that the Scanian ships spread their sails, and landed a considerable contingent on the nortli shore of the bay, while their other bands marched along the north bank of the Liffey to join them. With the sea behind, and thus unfavourably placed for strategic pur[)oses, their line of battle probably extended from the Tolka to Dolly- mount, a distance of nearly two miles. Their main body was placed, it is likely, in the immediate vicinity of Clontarf ; while their numerical superiority and excellent appointments inspired them with ardent hopes of securing a complete victory.
C HAPTER IX.
MORNING OP THE BATTLE—DISPOSITION OF THE IRISH AND NORTHMAN FORCES— ADDRESS OF BRYAN BOROIMHA TO HIS ARMY—COMMENCEMENT OF THE GRF. AT BATTLE AT CLONTARF—INCIDENTS OF THE ENC. AGKMKNT, AS RECORDED—C1. 0SK OF THE BATTLE WITH A SIG. N'AL VICTORY FOR THK IRISH—THE MONARCH BRYAN BOROIMHA IS KILLED, WITH A GREAT NUMBER OF CHIEFS AND WARRIORS ON THE IRISH AND SCANDINAVIAN SIDE—HIS REMAINS ARE BROUGHT TO ARMAGH, WHERE THEY WERE HONOURABLY INTERRED—MEMORIALS OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS MONARCH— CONCLUSION.
The day of battle is said to have been formally agreed on, between the Irish and Danish leaders ; these latter, however, rather coercing the former, to fall in with their choice. Being now animated by the number of his auxiliaries, the King of Leinster, without brooking a longer delay, is stated to have bid defiance, by a herald, to the Monarch Bryan, who was challenged to tight at Moynealty, that spacious plain near Dublin, and on the field, now called Clontarf. The course of events, and the manners of the time, appear as lending some colour to this statement ; while, the accepting of such a chal- lenge may have been more the result of deliberate policy and confidence, thanofromanticcourage,onthepartoftheIrishmonarch. Bryanwould have wished to avoid fighting, on the last week of Lent, but, more especially, on that solemn day, through reverence for our Divine Redeemer's great atonement; yet,hewasdeterminedtodefendhimself,ifattacked. 'Moreover, he was daily expecting reinforcements ; but, still he had no assurance of tiieir immediate arrival. All our Irish iiistorians, who treat about this remarkable epoch, have given special prominence to the glorious close of this illustrious Monarch'scareer. Althoughsomefictionsorgrossexaggerationsmayabound, in various records, yet, there can scarcely be a doubt, as to the general ac- curacy of many details, regarding the engagement at Clontarf. In song and in story,thisfiercebattlehasbeencelebrated. Inahighlyimaginativeanddra- matic manner are related certain particulars, referring to it, in the Histories of the Northmen. " It has become the glowing theme for Irish chroniclers,
the night before the battle of Bosworth
:
"
Have struck more terror to the soul of
Richard,
Than can the substance often thousand
soldiers,
Armed . nil in proof, and led, by shallow
King III. ," v. ,
—'
Dublin Penny Journal," vol. i. , No. 17, p. 134.
° See " The Story of Burnt Njal," or Life in Iceland at ihe end of the Tenth Century. From the Icelandic of the Njals Saga. By George Weblie Dasent, IJ. C. L. , vol. ii. , chap, cliii. , cliv.
'5' John O'Mahony, in his edition of Dr.
JeoflFrey Keating's "History of Ireland," attributes this suspicion to the calumnious as- persions of the Shaimachies of Munster, and he states, that Maoilsheachlainn Mor well merited his title of the Great. He also re- marks, that some writers barbarously trans- lated his name into Malachy, when writing it in English ; others more properly call him Melaghlin. According to another writer his name is formed of the familiar prefix Maol ('z'! ;/^c Mul^, and Seachnall, the name for an ancient disciple of St. Patrick, and
from whom Dunshaughlin, in the county of Meath was called. By usage, the last letters have become transposed. See "The Gaelic
Journal," vol. i. , No. i. , p. 5, note.
'57 This is stated, in the Dublin copy of
the Annals of Innisfallen. See Rev. Dr. Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tomus ii. , pp. 60, 61.
'5* This territory is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, at the year 1072, but nothing has been discovered as yet, to show where the Ui Gabhla were located. See teAbliAyv tia j-Ce^pc, or "The Book of Rights," Dr. O'Donovan's note (h), pp. 252, 253.
's? That portion of Dublin county, through which the River Dodder flows, according to Dr. O'Donovan.
"" The northern part of Dublin county,
were burned while the by Bryan,
"" According to General Vallancey, in his
" Collectanea De Rebus Hibernicis," where
thereisanaccountofBryanBoiroimh. See
vol. i. , No. iv. Critico-Historical Disserta-
tions concerning the Laws of the Ancient
Irish, partii. , pp. 522 to 547.
'<"
See the Battle of Clontarf, by John O'Donovan, in "The Dublin Penny Jour- nal," vol. i. , No. 17, p. 134.
"^ gee Thomas D'Arcy McGee's " Popu- lar History of Ireland," &c. , vol, i. , Book ii. , chap, vi. , p. 99.
^°* One night, a great din passed over Brodir and his men, so that all awoke,
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 405
even before the expedition had reached its destination. '^^ Until he pledged peace, Ospak would not tell Brodir. the meaning of these extraordinary signs, and even having procured this promise, he refused to expound them, until
"
When blood rained on you, therefore shall ye shedmanymen'sblood,bothofyourownandothers. But,whenyouhearda great din, then you must have been shown the crack of doom, and you shall all die speedily. But, when weapons fought against you, that must forebode a battle ; but, when ravens pressed you, that marks the devils which you put faith in, and who will drag you all down to the pains of hell. " Then, Brodir was so wroth, that he could answer never a word. At once, going to his men, he caused them to lay his ships in a line across the sound, and to moor them, by bearing their cables on shore, at either end of the line. He meant to slay Ospak and all his men the next
morning. However, the latter chief saw through the plans of Brodir; then, he vowed to embrace the true faith, to seek King Bryan, and to follow him until his death-day. He now resolved to lay his ships in aline, to punt them along the shore with poles, and to cut the cables of Brodir's ships. Soon these began to fall aboard of one another, while the crews were fast asleep. Ospak and his men thus got out of the firth, sailed westwards to Ireland, and wenttoConnaught. There,OspaktoldKingBryanallthathehadlearned. Afterwards, he was baptized, and gave himself over into the king's hands. '*'
Those prodigies and their interpretation were not calculated, however, to extinguish the hopes of the Scandinavian sailors and warriors, during their voyage. AtrulyformidablebodyofNorthmenhadbeenassembledunder Broder, at Dublin, after Palm Sunday, a. d. ior4;'^* for, on that very day,'*? Earl Sigurd arrived with his vessels and troops, in the Bay of Dublin. '*^ These bands and their confederates became impatient for the fray. A few days only elapsed, until their desires were gratified, with the coming prospect of a great battle, but not with the successful result to them of an ever-memorable vic- tory. Broder was a gentile, who believed in oracular pronouncements, and he was anxious to obtain some answers, that might help him to prognosticate his chances of war in the coming contest. Vet, it seems the reply was so
"
fought onFriday,KingBryanshallfall,victorybeingobtained; but,ifitbefought before that day, all who stand opposed to him shall be slain. " Where-
fore, Broder deemed it wise, not to engage his forces before the Day of Venus. '*9
night fell. Then he said,
equivocal, that he drew a favourable augury from it :
If the battle be
sprung up, and put on their clothes. Along with that came a shower of boiling blood. Then, they covered themselves with their
went on until the day, and another man then
died in every ship. Then, they went to sleep first of all, but when Brodir woke up, draw- ing his breath painfully, he bade them put off in a boat to see Ospak. Taking some
shieUls, but, notwithstanding, many were
scalded. This portent lasted until day, and
a man died on board of every ship. Then, men with him, he found Ospak, and told
they slept during the day ; but, the second night there was a din, and again all sprang
him all that had happened, asking him what those signs boded.
"s See Webbe Dasent's " of George Story
Swords out of their sheaths, leaped
up. .
while axes and spears flew about in the air
Burnt Njal," and in vol. ii. , chap, civ. , pp. 330 to 332.
The weapons pressed them so
and
hanl, that they had to shield themselves.
"
Battle of Clontarfin "The Dublin Penny Journal," vol. i. , No. 17, p. 134.
fought.
Still many were wounded, and, again, a man died out of every ship. This wonder, too, lasted all till day. They slept again the day after ; but, the third night, there was a din ofthesamekind. Then,ravensflewatthem, having apparently Vjeaks and claws of iron. Tho>e ravens pressed them so hard, that they had to keep them off with their swords, and hadtocoverthemselveswiththeirshields. This
'"' See " Nials-Saga,^' cap. clviii. , p. 601.
See John O'Donovan's account of the
"SeeGeorgeWebbeDasent's"
Burnt Njal," &c. , vol. ii. , chap, civi. , p. 333.
'°9 See the Rev. James Johnstone's " An- tiquitates Celto-Scandicae ; sive Series Re-
Story
of
4o6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23
The monarch of Ireland arrived with his army, on the plain, called Magh n-Elda,orMaghn-Elta,'7°inolddocuments. Tliiswasthebeautifullyundu- lating tract of country, lying to the north and north-west of Ath-Cliath, and bearing in the direction of Meath, whence we may suppose Bryan had marched in conjunction with Maelseachlain. From about eighteen to twenty thousandmenaresupposedtohavebeenpresent,underhiscommand. The blockade of Dublin appears to have been renewed. Foraging parties were despatched, through the surrounding country. The foreigners saw the con- flagrations in Fine Gall, '7' and in the district of Edar,'? * which brought ruin onthehomesteadsoftheircountrymen; and,theirdesiresfortakingrevenge, before the monarch could procure the arrival of reinforcements, were now greatly excited. The monarch's head-quarters were on the plain of Ath- Cliath. '73 It seems probable, that the Irisli encampment extended from Ox- mantown Green, '? < quite close to Ath-Cliath,'" and eastwards towards Glas- nevin,'7* Clonturk,'? ' and the crests of the rising grounds, in the direction of theHillofHowth. AmidsttheIrishlines,aportionofthatplain,formerly called Magh-nEalta Edair, "Old plain of the flocks of Edair," lay. This sloped downwards, to that level stripe of shore, afterwards known as Clon- tarf. '7' The wood of Tomar '79 sheltered the Irish position. There can hardly
rum Gestanim inter Nationes Britannicarum Cliath lay on the north side of the Liffey, InsuUuum tt Gentes Septenlrionales," pp. while Dubhlinne was on the southern side, 120, 121. These literary gleanings consist and formed the fortified position of the of extracts taken from Snorro ; from Land-
nama-boc ; from Egilli Scallagrimi-snga ;
from Niala-saga ; from O. Tryggvasonar-
saga ; from Orkneyinga-Saga ; from Hiig- Ath-Cliath, or Dublin, at one time, as a vil-
giar-stikki ; from Knytlmga-saga ; from Spe- culo Regali; and from other sources.
'? » Or the I'l. nin of the Flocks. It
lay
between the Hill of Howth and Tallagh.
See Rev. James Heiithorn Todd's Introduc-
tion to Cogd-oh 5&e-oViel. lie jAtl-Aibli. p.
lage, and again as a city, in the twelfth cen-
tury, it is supposed, altliough closely adjoin-
theseweredistinctlocalities. See
ing, ibid. ,
p. 173, note.
'7' This parish, in the barony of Coolock,
and partially in that of the city of Dublin,
is shown, on the "Ordnance Survey Town- "
landMapsfortheCoun'yofDublin, sheets
14, 18. The village proper is marked, on the latter sheet.
" A townland and p. arish, in the barony of Coolock, marked out, ibui.
In the time of Henry II. , a House of the Knights Templars was here ; but, when these were expelled, a. d. 1313, in the reign of Edward II. , a PreceiUory of Knights Hospitallers occupied their place. . See Sir James Ware "De Hibernia et Antiquitatibus Ejus Disquisitiones," cap. xxvi. , p. 144.
'7' It is thought to have been situated, be- tween Clontarf and Dublin, along the north side of the Liffey. Other forms of tlie name are Tombrar, Tomhar, and Tomrair. It is perhaps the . Scandinavian Thormodr, [Thor's man! , which was a common name in Iceland. In Irel. ind, it seems to have been given to all the Kings of Dublin, who are called "Chieftains of Tomar. " Perhaps
clxxi. , n. 6.
'
in "The Irish Builder," by John S. Sloane,
on Fingall, historic and descriptive, vol. XXV. , No. 5—71, (t seq. Also, vol. xxvi.
'7' Edar —who gave name to Brimeduir,
near Dublin is stated to have been a chief,
who flourished a few centuries before tlie
Christian era. See Roderick O'Flaherty's "
Ogygia," pars. iii. . cap. xliv. . p. 271.
'" The Rev. Dr. Todd supposes, that this was probably the plain between Kiimain- ham and the city; but, the position extend- ing in the direction of the present James's- street does not seem a favourable one for the blockading army, as the situation is con- fined in extent, for the most part low, flanked by the River Liffey, and liable to sudden surprises from the strong and warlike garrison, close at hand, and protected by
strong walls.
't Such is the opinion of Thomas O'Gor-
"
Archa;ological Society, "&c. , vol. v. Fourth Series, No. 40, p. 177.
See a very interesting series of articles
inhis "OnthesiteoftheBattle artiLle,
See Rev. James Henihorn Todd's edition of C-ogATjh jAenheb He S*^^*'*^^' Introduction, pp.
Ixvii. , 11. 4, and c'xxwii. , n. I.
'"° The accompanying ill—ustration repre- sents two of these mounds thought to be
sepulchral, as they are unquestionably artifi-
man,
ofClontarf," in tlie
Historical and Archaeological Association of Ireland : originally founded as the Kilkenny
it was asa regarded
royal park.
Jovirnal of the Royal
'75 The same writer believes, that Ath-
foreigners. A passage between both places is said to have been formed of hurdles. While
Jocelin, in his Life of St. Patrick, speaks of
'7*
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 407
be a doubt, but this outskirt had been a well-cultivated district, at that period, and it had been occupied by tlie Scandinavian colonists, who probably fled for protection within the walls of Dublin, from the neighbourhood of Clontarf.
Here, at the present time, there is a suburban village, stretching along the northern margin on the Bay of Dublin ; while, close beside it are yet remaining several mounds,'^" more or less perfect, and supposed to have been con-
Motmds, near the Village of Clontarf, County of Dublin.
structed over the bodies of those, who fell in the engagement. ''" Several neat dweliinijs arise along that road, which now skirts the bay ; but, the most attractive villas recede, with an unstudied diversity of site, through shaded and
rural to lanes,
'*' Fromthe oc- position
ofa
cupied by Bryan's army, the arrival of numerous ships in the harbour, and bring-
mound, and human bones are said to have been found, beiieith the surface. A nearly
similar description applies to the other mound, shown in the engraving, a short dis- tance towards the rere. Not f. nr removed and within the convent grounds, a still larger and more conspicuous artificial mound is now shaded and surroumled, by t;dl trees.
"'
Itseemsstrange, tliatnoaitempthasbeen
made to carefully examine these monuments,
without destroying them. An opinion has been offered, that on the day of the battle at
Clontarf, these mounds were probably an- cient.
'*' In the year 1824, J. N. Brewer de- scribes numerous smnll wooden buildings, erected by fishermen, for the purpose of dry-
higher ranges
gently sloping plateau.
cial. Those in closest proximity to each other, and to Clontarf, were d awn on tlie spot, December, 1883, by Will am F. Wake- man, who, in company with the Very Rev. Patrick Canon O'Neili, P. P. , and the writer, carefully examined them. The engraving is by Mrs. Millard. The lower portion of that tumulus in the foreground had l. een re- moved on oneside, within the of
memory per- sons yet living, to admit the construction of a temporary hut, now removed. A much fre- quented path winds around the base, and separates the harrow from a small stream of water, running towards the sea, which is near ; and much of the upper part of the mound itself seems 10 have been washed or worn away by the action of rain, or owing to the climbl ng propensities of children and visiors. Small pieces of charcoal are 10 be seen protruding from this evidently artificial
ing tish, and —these were called "the Sheds "
of Clontarf. " Beauties of Ireland," vol. i. , p. 191.
4o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
ing auxiliaries from all directions, was plainly seen ; but, no efforts could be made to prevent the foemen landing, as they had secure access to the other side of the Liffey, where there were no forces to oppose them. '*3
On Holy Thursday, a council of war was held by the Irish monarch, at which the great chiefs of his army assembled. '^-t These were Maelseachlain and his Meathian nobles ; the Munster nobles, and pre-eminently the Dalcas- sians, with Murchadh, Bryan's eldest son, and Conaing, son of Bryan's brother Donnchuan, lord of Ormond ; the Conacians with Tadhg, surnamed
an eich gill, or of the White Horse, son to Conchobhair, King of Connaught. We may be assured, that many other chieftains, not here enumerated, were present at those discussions. The subject of their deliberations is not known ; but, the result appears to have been their determination to risk a general en- gagement, on the following morning. The Irish forces are said to have moved
from Kilmainham to Drumcondra, for the place of encampment. '^s Mael- seachlainnandthemenofMeathwerenotofonemmdwiththerest;'^^ and,
probably, this will serve to explain the Munster calumny, against liira and hisclansmen. '^? Meantime,onthatsameHolyThursday,ano—thercouncilof war was held in —Dublin. At this, it is stated, tliat Kormlod '^' called by the Irish Gormlaith assisted. A certain warrior, riding a dapple-grey horse, bearing a halberd, and in full armour, attended, and he held a long conference with the council. '*' This man was probably an Irish traitor,'9° who is supposed to have urged the Leinster and Scandinavian chiefs, to take advantage of Prince Donnchad's absence, with his forces, and to make an immediate attack on King Bryan's camp. This advice was evidently well received, and it was finally resolved, to have all their disposable battalions drawn out in order of battle,onthesucceedingday. Theeveningbeforeitwasfought,theenemy possibly marched out from Dublin, so as to concentrate their army between Dublin and Clontarf, and in a line along the sea-shore. It so happened, of all Fridays in the year, the day for that great engagement fell on the Friday before Easter ; that awful anniversary, when the altars of the Church are veiled throughout Christendom, and when the dark stone is rolled to the door of the mystic Sepulchre. '? '
'^3
up in arr. iy. " George Webbe Dasent's
Brian came with all his host to the Burg, and on the Friday the host faced out of the Burg,—and both armies were drawn
'^5 See Thomas McGee's " D'Arcy
" Story
of Burnt
Njal," vol. , ii. , chap, clvi. ,
tion of Re CosaTjli jAetjliel/
5&lLAibh, &c. ,
"King
Popu- lar History oflreland," vol. i. ,Book ii. ,chap.
P- 334-
'"* According to some, the night before
the battle of Clontarf, the pirates had spent their pay, and their ships lying at Benn Edair were sought by tliem to return home- wards ; while, dreading the valour of Mur- chadh and of the Dal Cais in general, they
PP- 154. 155-
'*' See General Vallancey's "Collectanea
De Rebus Hibernicis," vol. i. . No. iv. , pp. 525, 526.
'*' Brian was the name of the king who
first had her to wife, but they were then
parted. See George Webbe Dasent's
.
had offered on the Bryan,
"
p. 323.
of Burnt
vol.
previous night, that if he delayed the burning and devasia-
Story
Njal," to the "
ii. , chap, cliii. , Njals-Saga," cap.
tion of the until the next country
"*»
clviii. , p. 602.
day, they would raise their sail-masts and never return
According
again. But, now finding that the destruc-
tion of their district had commenced, tliose
pirates resolved to have a share of the phui-
der, and tliey prepared to commence the
fiyht in the morning. See Rev. Dr. James the time.
Henthnrn Todd's edition of '>" See Thomas McGee's "
lieb lie jAlLoiibh. Introduction, pp. clx. \ii. ,
clxxiii. , and chap, xc. , pp. 156, 157, with notes.
Popu- lar History 01 IrcLmd," vol. i. . Book ii. ,
vi. , p. lOO.
'"
See Rev. James Henthorn Todd's edi-
''" This circumstance prob. -ibly originated the report, that Maelseachlainn of Meath had sent him as a messenger, to reveal the weakness and division of Bryan's army, at
CogA'oh J^exj- D'Arcy
chap, vi. , p. 100.
»9^ Among these was the gold-spangled
April 23. ]
LIVES OB THE IRISH SAINTS.
409
It is probable, that knowing how numerous were the enemies' forces pre- pared to oppose him, Bryan retrograded from his advanced position near the city. However,onlookingtowardstherear,hesawwithpleasure,ahuge,dis- ciplined and compact phalanx of his forces, traversing the plain, and moving in silence towards him ; haughtily and unitedly they marched, with three score and ten banners fluttering over their heads, and of different colours. '? ^ They moved near his tent, and there halted. '93 When night had come, the monarch retired to rest, in order to prepare himself for the anxieties and fatigues of the morrow ; but, according to legendary accounts, which have been admitted even into our Annals, Bryan's sleep and thoughts were dis- turbed by visions, which caused him a sad presentiment of his own death, and that of numerous members belonging to his family. One of those visions introduces St. Senan and his clerics appearing to a servant oftlie monarch,'94 while the familiar sprite,'95 or guardian baimshee of his royal house, came from Craiglea, near Killaloe, to hold a conversation, sadly foreboding evils to him on
banner of Fergal Ua Ruairc, chief king over the territory of Breffny and Conmaicni. This was known as the variegated and hicky banner, that had gained the victory, in every conflict and battle. Fergal himself was there, and Domhnall, son of Regallach, and Gilla-na-Naemh, son to Domhnall, grandson of Fergal, with the nobles of the territory of Breifni and of Conmaicni.
maid, and who had been at the killing of the
Foreigners in Inis-Cathaigh, saw a similar
vision, on the night of Easter Friday, and
thirty-seven years before lh. it Friday night, when Brian was slain. See vol. i. , pp. 6
to 9.
'= Oebhinn, daughter of Donn-Oilen, came a short time before nocturns on that
nij^ht, from the Siah (fairy-place) of Craig- laith, to converse with Brian, and told him, that he should fall on the morrow. Brian enquired of her, who of his sons should be king after him, and how many of them should be slain in the battle along with him-
"
self. She said,
shalt see] shall be king after thee. " Where- fore it was, tliat Brian sent for Murchadh, in order that he might come to speak with him before all, ere tlie multitude could arrive. Murchadh came not, until he put on his gar- ment. Then it was, that Donchadh heard the voice of Brian, conversing with his orderly-servant, and he waited not to put on all his clothes; but, he came quickly and placed his hand on the post of the bed in which Brian lay in his tent. He asked Brian, what he was to do, or whether he should go on the foraging excursions, or re- main in the camp. However, when Brian recognised Donnchadh's voice—
not like that he should be the first coming to him—he said, " I care not what thou
as it was not for thee I was seeking. " Donn- chadh, thereupon, left the tent in anger, when Murchadh met him in the door of the tent, and neither of them saluted the other. Murchadh then came, and he was conver- sing with Brian, who said to him, "go to thy bed until the and that which I
, 193
•<
Fergal and the nobles advanced to
where Brian was, to meet him, and Brian
gave them a hearty friendly welcome ; and
Murchadh rose up to him, and seated him in his place. And Brian asked him the news, and he told him that Aedh, son of Ualgairg Ua Ciardha, King of Cairbri, refused to ac- company liim to that battle in defence of Brian. And therefore Brian cursed Ua Ciardha and the Cairbri, and gave a blessing to Fergal and to the men of Brefni also. "— Cogat))! Jae'oheL lie 5<illaibh, or " The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill," edited by the Rev. James Henthom Todd, chap. Ixxxix. , pp. 154 to 157.
=" It is stated, in AnnititochACe, edited by William M. Hennessey, that Indeirge, son of Uadhan, i. e. , Brian's orderly-servant, saw in a virion, the night before the battle, a synod of many clerics, as he thought com- ing towards the camp, singing psalms and
;
reading aloud when Indeirglie asked who
the clerics were. " That is Senan, son of Gerrchinn," said the clerics. " What has brought him hither from his own church ? "
the first son [whom thou
"
Debts that are due to
asked Indeirghe.
him from Brian," replied the cleric,
it is to demand them he has come here. " "They would be paid to him at his house, "said
"
he had not come " To-morrow the time for paying them to Senan arrives," said the cleric, "and they must be paid. '" They after- wards departed fiom him. Indeirghe told Brian, moreover, about that vision he had seen, and the king's mind was the worse for hearing it. Diarmaid Ua Corcrain, i. e. , the orderly-man of Domhnall, son of Diar-
" even for them here. "
though
day comes,
should wish, God has not permitted for
Indeirghe,
and
thee. " All evil omens were thus crowding upon them, until the morning of the day came with its full brightness, /. ^. , Easter Fri- day. See ibid. , pp. 8 to 11.
—making due allowan—ce for will
"^ The re. ider
the dissimilarity of character and cause
here recollect Shakespeare's famous scene
for he did doest,
410 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
the following day. 's'' It would seem, moreover, that the Scanian ships spread their sails, and landed a considerable contingent on the nortli shore of the bay, while their other bands marched along the north bank of the Liffey to join them. With the sea behind, and thus unfavourably placed for strategic pur[)oses, their line of battle probably extended from the Tolka to Dolly- mount, a distance of nearly two miles. Their main body was placed, it is likely, in the immediate vicinity of Clontarf ; while their numerical superiority and excellent appointments inspired them with ardent hopes of securing a complete victory.
C HAPTER IX.
MORNING OP THE BATTLE—DISPOSITION OF THE IRISH AND NORTHMAN FORCES— ADDRESS OF BRYAN BOROIMHA TO HIS ARMY—COMMENCEMENT OF THE GRF. AT BATTLE AT CLONTARF—INCIDENTS OF THE ENC. AGKMKNT, AS RECORDED—C1. 0SK OF THE BATTLE WITH A SIG. N'AL VICTORY FOR THK IRISH—THE MONARCH BRYAN BOROIMHA IS KILLED, WITH A GREAT NUMBER OF CHIEFS AND WARRIORS ON THE IRISH AND SCANDINAVIAN SIDE—HIS REMAINS ARE BROUGHT TO ARMAGH, WHERE THEY WERE HONOURABLY INTERRED—MEMORIALS OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS MONARCH— CONCLUSION.
The day of battle is said to have been formally agreed on, between the Irish and Danish leaders ; these latter, however, rather coercing the former, to fall in with their choice. Being now animated by the number of his auxiliaries, the King of Leinster, without brooking a longer delay, is stated to have bid defiance, by a herald, to the Monarch Bryan, who was challenged to tight at Moynealty, that spacious plain near Dublin, and on the field, now called Clontarf. The course of events, and the manners of the time, appear as lending some colour to this statement ; while, the accepting of such a chal- lenge may have been more the result of deliberate policy and confidence, thanofromanticcourage,onthepartoftheIrishmonarch. Bryanwould have wished to avoid fighting, on the last week of Lent, but, more especially, on that solemn day, through reverence for our Divine Redeemer's great atonement; yet,hewasdeterminedtodefendhimself,ifattacked. 'Moreover, he was daily expecting reinforcements ; but, still he had no assurance of tiieir immediate arrival. All our Irish iiistorians, who treat about this remarkable epoch, have given special prominence to the glorious close of this illustrious Monarch'scareer. Althoughsomefictionsorgrossexaggerationsmayabound, in various records, yet, there can scarcely be a doubt, as to the general ac- curacy of many details, regarding the engagement at Clontarf. In song and in story,thisfiercebattlehasbeencelebrated. Inahighlyimaginativeanddra- matic manner are related certain particulars, referring to it, in the Histories of the Northmen. " It has become the glowing theme for Irish chroniclers,
the night before the battle of Bosworth
:
"
Have struck more terror to the soul of
Richard,
Than can the substance often thousand
soldiers,
Armed . nil in proof, and led, by shallow
King III. ," v. ,
—'
Dublin Penny Journal," vol. i. , No. 17, p. 134.
° See " The Story of Burnt Njal," or Life in Iceland at ihe end of the Tenth Century. From the Icelandic of the Njals Saga. By George Weblie Dasent, IJ. C. L. , vol. ii. , chap, cliii. , cliv.
