there he slaughtered the Norsemen and slew Ivar.

Then (977) he marched into Donovan's country (Limerick), slew Donovan and his ally Harold, the son of Ivar, and crushed the forces they had brought against him. Next he challenged Molloy to single combat; but Molloy would not accept the challenge, whereupon (978) he entered the territory (Cork) of the false chief, destroyed his army in a battle fought on the very scene of Mahon's murder, Molloy himself falling in the conflict by the hand of Brian's son, Murrough, then a lad in his teens. Brian now was all-powerful in Munster. But he had already resolved to extend his authority beyond his own kingdom. He had already formed the determination to make himself king of Ireland.

In 984 he marched into Leinster and received the homage of the Leinster king. Thus within eight years of Mahon's death he had made himself king of the greater part of Southern Ireland. He now built a 'fleet' of 300 boats and sailed up the Shannon, invaded Connaught, and threatened Meath, the domain of the Ard-ri Malachi. Malachi grew alarmed, and resolved to come to terms with the invincible Dalcassian king.

In 998 both monarchs met in friendly conference on the shores of Lough Ree, and it was agreed between them that Brian should be King of Southern Ireland, and that Malachi should rule north of Dublin.

Malachi was second only in prowess to Brian

1000] THE BATTLE OF GLENMAMA

17

himself. He had already inflicted several defeats on the Norsemen of Leinster, and had even sacked their great stronghold, Dublin. Therefore this alliance between the two most powerful monarchs in the country filled the people with joy, because it was a guarantee against the domination of the foreigner. But while Munster, Connaught and Ulster acquiesced in the new settlement, Mailmora the King of Leinster rebelled. He allied himself with the Norsemen, and determined to wage war upon his own countrymen. Brian set out at once to crush this revolt. Sweeping over the Wicklow Hills he pushed on towards Dublin, halting at Glenmama-the Glen of the Gap. Here he was joined by Malachi. Finding Dublin threatened, the Norsemen and Mailmora marched out from the town to give battle to the Irish kings.

At Glenmama (A.D. 1000) Norse and Irish met once more. A great battle was fought, the slaughter on both sides was terrible. But the Irish triumphed; annihilating the enemy's army and opening up the road to Dublin. Young Murrough again distinguished himself by many gallant deeds, ending in capturing Mailmora, whom he found hiding in a yew

tree.

Brian soon entered Dublin without opposition, and made it his headquarters until he had completely reduced his enemies.

After the battle the Norse king, Sitric, fled to Ulster and sought the protection of the Ulster king, O'Neil. But O'Neil gave him up to

B

Brian, who treated him with generosity, and placed him in command of Dublin. Mailmora was also pardoned and received into Brian's favour.

Finally, Brian gave his daughter in marriage to Sitric, and he himself married Sitric's mother, Gormlaith, the sister of Mailmora. It was clearly Brian's aim to unite all the inhabitants of Ireland - Norse and Irishunder his own rule, and to build up a solid and compact nation. Hence he adopted a policy of peace and conciliation after the victory of Glenmama. But before he could become supreme king, the agreement with Malachi had to be broken, and that monarch had to be reduced to the position of a vassal king. Brian did not scruple to take this extreme step. He boldly communicated his intentions to Malachi, and marched into Meath to demand Malachi's submission. Malachi asked for a month's consideration, and Brian granted his request, remaining, however, at Tara until the answer was given. At the end of the month, Malachi, finding it impossible to form any alliance against Brian, submitted, and Brian became supreme king of Ireland (1002), Malachi retaining only the title of King of Meath.

Brian's next move was to obtain the submission of the Ulster chiefs, and for this purpose he marched northwards as far as Armagh in 1004. All Ireland, south of that town, now acknowledged his sovereignty, and, leaving Armagh, he made a circuit throughout the whole country,

1004-1012] BRIAN'S GOVERNMENT

19

receiving hostages from vassals, kings and chiefs, and returning to Kincora in fact as well as in name supreme King of Ireland.

Brian now devoted himself to the art of peace. In the words of the old chronicler, he 'erected noble churches. He sent professors and masters to teach wisdom and knowledge; and to buy books beyond the sea and the great ocean, because their writings and their books in every church and in every sanctuary where they were, were burned and thrown into water by the plunderers from the beginning to the end; and Brian himself gave the price of learning and the price of books to every one separately who went on this service. Many works, also, and repairs were made by him. By him were made bridges and causeways and highroads. By him were strengthened, also, the dúns and fastnesses, the islands, the celebrated royal forts of Munhain (Munster). He built, also, the fortification of Caisel of the kings, and of Cenn Abrat, the island of Loch Cend, and the island of Loch Gair, and Dún Eochair Maige, Dún Cliath, and Dún Crot, and the island of Loch Saiglend, and Inis an Ghaill Duibh, and Rosach, and Cend Coradh, and Borumha, and the royal forts of Munster in like manner. He continued in this way prosperously peaceful, giving banquets, hospitable, just-judging, wealthily venerated; chastely and with devotion, and with law and with rules among the clergy; with prowess and with valour; with honour and with renown among the laity; and fruitful, powerful, firm

secure for fifteen years in the chief sovereignity of Erinn.'

And so, during the Ardriship of Brian, peace reigned in Ireland. But Sitric and Mailmora were always reluctant vassals of the Ard-ri, and in 1012, instigated by Gormlaith - a woman of remarkable beauty, remarkable ability and remarkable infamy (whom Brian had ultimately to put away)—they combined once more to stir up disorder and rebellion.

In that year Mailmora was on a visit to Kincora. But Gormlaith told him in secret to rebel against Brian, and that he was a meanspirited slave to submit to the Dalcassian king. Mailmora, much irritated, entered a chamber of the palace where Murrough was playing chess with his cousin Conacing. He suggested a move to Murrough, by which the young prince lost the game. 'You gave the Danes an advice too,' said Murrough, 'at Glenmama by which they lost the battle. 'Perhaps,' replied Mailmora, 'I shall advise them again, and maybe they will not be beaten next time.' Then,' retorted Murrough, 'you had better get another yew tree to hide in.' Mailmora, much incensed at this reference to Glenmama (where Murrough had found him hiding in a yew tree), fled from the palace and prepared for war.

O'Neil, King of Ulster, and O'Ruarc, Prince of Brefney, joined the malcontents, who began operations by invading Meath, defeating Malachi and plundering his territory. When this intelligence reached Brian, he despatched one army,