Brian
Bóruma.
(941 1014)
The exact date of Brian's birth
is not known it is reported as 926 or 941, he was born near Killaloe
in County Clare. his father was Cennétig mac Lorcáin,
King of Thomond and his mother was Bé Binn Ingen Murchada,
a daughter of the King of West Connacht. The name Brian Boru is
the anglicized version of his Irish name Brian Bóruma mac
Cennétig. Brian's mother Bé Binn was killed by Vikings
when he was a child.
Brian was a member of the Dál
Cais (or Dalcassians) a tribe who occupied territory on either side
of the river Shannon, today this area incorporates parts of counties
Clare and Limerick, it was later to be known as the Kingdom of Thormond.
In Brian's youth his family
were involved in raids against neighbouring tribes, the Shannon
would no doubt have been used as a highway to conveniently carry
their army east to County Meath and west to Connacht, it was probably
during this period that Brian learned the advantages of using naval
forces in warfare.
Upon the death of Brian's father
the kingship passed to his elder brother, Mathgamain commonly referred
to as Mahon, in 946 Mathgamain captured the Rock of Cashel from
their rivals Eóganacht dynasty led by the Eóganacht
King, Máelmuad mac Brain, Mac Brian had organised an alliance
with Ivar the Viking leader of Limerick against the Dalcassians.
The latter led by Mathgamain and Boru decisively defeated the alliance
at the Battle of Sulchoid after the battle Limerick was looted and
burned. In 976 Máelmuad attended what was intended to be
a peaceful meeting aimed at reconciliation, however Máelmuad
was set upon and murdered, and Brian acceded to the Kingship of
the Dalcassians.
Brian immediately began expanding
his holdings eventually becoming he King of Munster, he was a skillful
warrior and diplomat and by 1002 he forced Máel Sechnaill
mac Domnaill the reigning high king of Ireland to submit to him,
previous to Brian the High Kings were High king in name only and
none actually controlled the whole of Ireland. By 1011 all the provincial
kings of Ireland recognised Brian as the High King, this was not
to last
|
