Chieftain High King of Ireland or Greedy Tyrant?

Brian Boruma mac Cennetig, known popularly as Brian Boru, is undoubtedly the most well known high king of Ireland. He held the title ard-ri Gaidel Erenn, Gall, Bretan, August iarthair tuaiscirt Eorpa uile (high king of the Irish of Ireland and of the Foreigners and the Welsh, the Augustus of the whole north-west Europe) from the year 1002 until his death at the battle of Clontorf in 1014 (Byrne 257). Boru's reputation as an innovative, disciplined warrior or chieftain confirmed by his many successes in battle, may have ultimately transformed him into an arrogant, selfish tyrant in his later years.

In the 900's the government of Munster was to be shared, with alternating rule between the southern Eoghanist clan and the northern Delcassian clan. The south had control for some time and were attempting to keep the rights of succession from the southern Delcassian. It was Brian Boru's grandfather, Lorcan mac Lachtna, king of Thomond and of historic O'Brien lineage, who would strive to bring the government of Munster back to the Delcassian clan. Lachtna's son, Cennetig, succeeded his father and attained kingship of Munster. Brian Boru, born during the 930's, was one of many sons of Cennetig. Cennetig taught his sons to live by the pledge of valor of the Delcassian tribe: first to the battlefield and the last to leave.

In 960 Mahoun, the oldest son of Cennetig, obtained the crown of Munster (Cusack 121). Brian was given rule over Thomond, Northern Munster. During his reign, Mahoun sought to secure peace with the Vikings that had invaded Ireland in 793 and who were still living among the Irish (Foster 30). Small guerrilla activities against Mahoun's province were becoming a nuisance, but rather than countering their attacks, Mahoun preferred to amicably settle with the Viking rulers. Brian disagreed with his brother, urging armed violent retaliation.

Brian reproached Mahoun with cowardice; Mahoun reproached Brian with imprudence. Brian hints broadly that Mahoun had interested motives in making this truce, and declares that neither Cennetig their father, nor Lorcan their grandfather, would have been quite so quiescent towards the foreigners for the sake of wealth, nor would they have given them as much time as would have sufficed to play a game of chess on the green of Mogadare. Mahoun kept his temper, and contented himself with reproaching Brian for his recklessness, in sacrificing the lives of so many of his faithful followers to no purpose. Brian replied that he would never abandon his inheritance, without a contest to "such foreigners as Black Grim Gentiles." (Cusack 122)

Mahoun agreed to hold a conference among his followers and they all agreed with Brian that they should declare war on their enemies. Brian consulted the nobles of the Delcassian and Eoghanist clans concerning strategies and logistics. He held musters to assemble and asses the strength of the forces and he designated the most worthy soldiers as unit leaders (Flanagan 53). United, the two clans defeated the Danes of Limerick and collected a remarkable amount of loot, which included young girls and women. This great victory was one of the first indications of Brian's true military genius. Brian's supporters, who had placed faith in his reputation as a determined and disciplined warrior, now had proof that he was capable of great feats. Perhaps he could unite Ireland under one kingdom.

Mahoun's armies, under Brian's direction, had many victories. Mahoun now had complete control over Munster and he made it clear to everyone in his province that he would never relinquish his position. The brothers' rule seemed invulnerable, their confidence made them arrogant. The Eoghanists withdrew their support and merged with their recent enemies, the Danes, in the assassination of Mahoun. Mahoun was invited to the house of Donovan, an Eoghanist prince that shared his own ancestors, and "in violation of the rights of hospitality" he was brutally murdered by Donovan and Moalmua, another prince of the region (Cusack 123). The assassins had forgotten Brian's ruthless nature and were not prepared for what was to come.

Brian assumed the crown and moved the kingship to Kincora, now known as Killaloe. In his first act as King of Munster he would avenge his brother's death. Driving straight into their territories, Brian's forces were able to destroy the majority of the princes' armies. Donovan was killed during the battle, but significantly, it was Brian's son, Morrough, who encountered Moalmua and had the glory of sacrificing him on the same spot as his murdered uncle (Moore 196). While still engaged in retribution against the Eoghanists, Brian committed armies to the isle of Iniscathy to retake possession of the land from the Danes who had been struggling without the aid of the Danes of Limerick. With another success in Iniscathy, he decided to push onto the remaining islands of the Shannon, plundering and devastating the remains of the Danes. Land and naval forces were summoned as part of the coordinated strategy of attacks successfully used by Brian (Flanagan 54).

In 984, Brian was given title as ruler of Leth Mogha, the southern half of Ireland. His reputation had preceded him throughout Ireland. Brian fought battles against the Danes at Tara, homeland to the ancient kings of Ireland, and besieges Dublin in 999. Brian was able to maintain a military presence in Dublin during the winter months after blocking all passages into the city and demolishing all foreign fortresses. Brian sought hostages and all the spoils of the city as tribute that would prevent further devastation. Brian's forces prove that a successful campaign is not dependent only on victories on the battlefield, but also on the their ability to maintain all strategic positions.

Brian expanded his authority into northern Ireland and to secure his position there he gave his daughter away in marriage to Sitric Silkbeard, King of Viking Dublin. Brian completed the family alliance by marrying Sitric's mother, Gormflaith, who had been divorced from her second husband, Malachy. Malachy and Brian had been in constant conflict with one another over the past years, each defeating the other in successive battles for control. Malachy was Brian's only obstacle to obtaining the crown of all of Ireland, and with Brian's new ally in the Vikings of Ireland, this obstacle would be easily overcome. Malachy, tired of the bloody battles, finally yielded to Brian, becoming one of his vassals.

In 1102, Brian marches into Tara again, this time not to fight but to be acknowledged as the High King (Ard-Righ) of all Ireland (Moore 202). Though he is known as a tyrant for his violent methods of persuasion, Brian had done more than any other person in the early history of Ireland to unite the people of the land. In his first years as the supreme sovereign of Ireland, he was credited with the rebuilding of schools and monasteries , which improved communication throughout the country.

Brian still required tributes, in any form, from the smaller kings and nobles in his domain, and for this he would provide them with protection from outside forces. During a visit by which Gormflaith's brother, Maelmurra (King of Leinster), was bringing his tributes to Brian in the form of pine to be used as masts for naval ships, Maelmurra was said to be deeply insulted by Brian's son Morrough. He left Kincora in a rage, and soon had his clan "roused to avenge the insults offered to their chief" (Cusack 129). With the help of the O'Rourkes, O'Niels, O'Flahertys and the Kearys, Maelmurra attacked homes throughout Brian's realm. The O'Rourkes attacked Malachy and killed his grandson Drumale, the heir-apparent. After his few good deeds in the reparation of Ireland, Brian easily returned to his vengeful, bloody battles against those who did not bow to his authority. Brian's armies stockaded Dublin for three months, and during Brian's absence Gormflaith grew angry at him for leaving her alone. She left Kincora and joined her brother Maelmurra and her son Sitric. Gormflaith and Maelmurra persuaded Sitric to rally his Viking allies from Scandinavia, to aid them in seizing the crown of Ireland from Brian. Sitric offered the treasure of his mother, Gormflaith, in marriage to anyone who could kill Brian.

The battle for the crown was to take place in Clontarf, four miles north of modern Dublin. Brian's forces plundered and destroyed every foreign town as they traveled to the site of the battle. The Battle of Clontarf began at sunrise on Good Friday, the 23rd of April, 1014. The 21,000 men of Brian's enemy was made up of Danes, Norwegians, Leinster men and other foreign auxiliaries. Brian's forces consisted of Dalcassians and the troops and nobles from Munster and Connaught. Brian, now an old man in his 80's, stayed in his tent praying as the battle ensued.

The battle was said to be "so fierce that in places the trees wept blood and the nearby River Tolka turned red" (O'Kelly). Brian, while sitting in his tent, foresaw his death even though the battle was in his favor, and he gave his attendant his will to be conveyed to his son, Donnough.

The security of the tent by Brian's forces was not maintained and a group of Danes retreating from the battle came upon Brian, kneeling in prayer, and their leader Brodir "opened his head with his battle axe" (Cusack 136). Brodir was slain immediately by the guards who had neglected their post outside the tent. The battle was ultimately won by Brian's forces. His wake (ecnaire) lasted 12 nights.

The Irish believe that no one deserves a place in history until the "durability of his achievements has been attested by the success of his great-grandchildren" (Byrne 70). Brian Boru has earned his place in history books because the O'Briens were able to maintain the kingship in Kincora for two centuries after the battle of Clontarf. He is remembered even today with his name being used for Irish pubs, beers, music bands and in their songs, and probably most amusing as the name of a champion Labrador.