#Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill

[streetsofdublin]

MAEL SEACHNAILL MAC DOMNAILL LOOKED RATHER LONELY ON SAINT STEPHEN'S DAY REF-226383-1

His great victory at the Battle of Tara against Olaf Cuaran in 980 resulted in Gaelic Irish control of the Kingdom of Dublin.

A SCULPTURE BY JAMES McKENNA Irish sculptor, James McKenna, was born in Dublin on the 21st June 1933. I visited the area in order to photograph this on Christmas Day but because of of weather conditions I was unable to use my camera so I had no option but to wait until St Stephen’s Day. This area, in Trim, on the banks of the River Boyne has improved over recent years but it is still a bit…

[varinsson]

It took me four years almost to realize that Eivor, regardless of player choice on gender, has the same raven tattoo on their temple that Ragnar does in the show. I am suitably not okay.

[theirishaesthete]

A Palimpsest of Irish Architectural History

Descended from the late 10th century High King of Ireland Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, for much of the period following the Norman invasion, the O’Melaghlins (later McLoughlin) were a dominant family in what is now Westmeath. As such, they built various fortified residences for themselves, including the core of what is today called Moate Castle: the town of Moate derives its name from the motte…

[history-time-out]

Brian Boru “Ireland’s Greatest King”

Brian Boru was an Irish king who lived from 941 to 1014. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in medieval Irish history and is remembered for his leadership and military prowess in unifying a number of warring factions in Ireland and achieving a brief period of peace known as the “Golden Age”. His life and legacy have been the subject of much academic research and debate, with historians differing on many points regarding Boru’s life, achievements, and impact on early medieval Ireland. This paper will provide an overview of Brian Boru's life story, his major accomplishments, and how his legacy has been interpreted throughout history.

​​Brian Boru was born in 941 at Killaloe, County Clare in what is now modern day Ireland. He was of Dalcassian origin, descended from Conmhaícne Mara (the Clann Cian), a branch of the Uí Néill dynasty that ruled over much of northern Ireland during this period. From an early age he was groomed to be a leader within the Dalcassian confederation by his father Cennétig mac Lorcáin , who had become King of Thomond (modern day Munster) at a young age himself.

​​Boru's rise to power began with his appointment as chief councillor for Máel Sechnaill II mac Domnaill , High King of Ireland from 980-1002. During this period he gained control over much of Munster through military campaigns against rival clans and eventually became its king; he also gained influence over Leinster which enabled him to consolidate more power through political alliances. His rise to become High King began when Máel Sechnaill abdicated in 1002 upon having defeated several Viking invaders in battle; Brian was appointed High King soon after by the other Irish rulers.

​​

Boru's reign as High King proved to be hugely successful for the people of Ireland; he managed to bring a period of relative peace between various warring factions throughout the country, earning him great respect amongst all those living there at the time. In addition to this, Brian also promoted Christianity; according to chroniclers such as Marianus Scotus , he built churches throughout Munster and had relics from Rome brought back to Armagh . Moreover, he worked hard to ensure that justice prevailed throughout his kingdom: according to historical records he held court hearings every two weeks where grievances could be heard without fear or favouritism .

​​However, not all aspects of Brian’s rule were seen positively; some historians have criticised him for being overly authoritarian in dealings with other Irish rulers who opposed him. Nonetheless it cannot be denied that Boru put forward ambitious plans for creating a united Ireland under one ruler which unsettled many experienced political leaders .

​​Ultimately Brian's reign ended with his death on Good Friday 1014 at Clontarf where he led an army against forces led by Sweyn Forkbeard , King of Denmark ; despite defeating many opposing forces it is believed that Boru died after being attacked by a group while praying near his tent during battle . Although it can be argued that Brian failed to achieve lasting peace in Ireland due to subsequent warfare after his death it cannot be denied that he made significant advances towards unity during his lifetime .

​​​In conclusion Brian Boru has gone down in history as one of the most important figures in medieval Irish history; often seen as a heroic figure whose strong leadership qualities allowed him brief periods peace for those living within its borders . He is remembered for numerous achievements including consolidating power across various regions , promoting Christianity throughout Munster , enacting justice without fear or favouritism , and attempting unifying politics which set foundations for future generations . As such it could be argued that despite not achieving long lasting unification during his lifetime there are numerous aspects regarding Brian's rule which continue impacting upon modern day Ireland today both politically and culturally .

​​References:

​​​​1. Duffy S., 1993 The World Of The Gallowglass: Kings, Warlords And Warriors In Early Ireland 1250 - 1600 Dublin: Four Courts Press pp 24-25

​​​2. Byrne FJ., 1973 Ages Of Invasions In Early Medieval History Dublin: Maunsel & Co Ltd pp 79-84

​​3. O Corrain D., 2000 A New History Of Ireland Volume I Oxford University Press pp 144-151

​​4. Edwards NF., 2011 A Military History Of Medieval Ireland Edinburgh University Press pp 175-180

​​​​5. Ó Corráin D., 1972 Prehistoric And Early Christian Ireland London: Thames & Hudson Ltd pp 26-31

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 7.10 (before 1950)

138 – Emperor Hadrian of Rome dies of heart failure at his residence on the bay of Naples, Baiae; he is buried at Rome in the Tomb of Hadrian beside his late wife, Vibia Sabina. 420 – Having usurped the throne of Emperor Gong of Jin, Liu Yu proclaims himself Emperor of the Liu Song dynasty. 645 – Isshi Incident: Prince Naka-no-Ōe and Fujiwara no Kamatari assassinate Soga no Iruka during a coup d'état at the imperial palace. 988 – The Norse King Glúniairn recognises Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, High King of Ireland, and agrees to pay taxes and accept Brehon Law; the event is considered to be the founding of the city of Dublin. 1086 – King Canute IV of Denmark is killed by rebellious peasants. 1212 – The most severe of several early fires of London burns most of the city to the ground. 1290 – Ladislaus IV, King of Hungary, is assassinated at the castle of Körösszeg (modern-day Cheresig in Romania). 1460 – Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, defeats the king's Lancastrian forces and takes King Henry VI prisoner in the Battle of Northampton. 1499 – The Portuguese explorer Nicolau Coelho returns to Lisbon after discovering the sea route to India as a companion of Vasco da Gama. 1512 – The Spanish conquest of Iberian Navarre commences with the capture of Goizueta. 1519 – Zhu Chenhao declares the Ming dynasty's Zhengde Emperor a usurper, beginning the Prince of Ning rebellion, and leads his army north in an attempt to capture Nanjing. 1553 – Lady Jane Grey takes the throne of England. 1584 – William I of Orange is assassinated in his home in Delft, Holland, by Balthasar Gérard. 1645 – English Civil War: The Battle of Langport takes place. 1668 – Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1671): Notable Buccaneer Henry Morgan with an English Privateer force lands at Porto Bello in an attempt to capture the fortified and lucrative Spanish city. 1778 – American Revolution: Louis XVI of France declares war on the Kingdom of Great Britain. 1789 – Alexander Mackenzie reaches the Mackenzie River delta. 1806 – The Vellore Mutiny is the first instance of a mutiny by Indian sepoys against the British East India Company. 1832 – U.S. President Andrew Jackson vetoes a bill that would re-charter the Second Bank of the United States. 1850 – U.S. President Millard Fillmore is sworn in, a day after becoming president upon Zachary Taylor's death. 1877 – The then-villa of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, formally receives its city charter from the Royal Crown of Spain. 1882 – War of the Pacific: Chile suffers its last military defeat in the Battle of La Concepción when a garrison of 77 men is annihilated by a 1,300-strong Peruvian force, many of them armed with spears. 1890 – Wyoming is admitted as the 44th U.S. state. 1921 – Belfast's Bloody Sunday occurs with 20 killings, at least 100 wounded and 200 homes destroyed during rioting and gun battles in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 1924 – Paavo Nurmi won the 1,500 and 5,000 m races with just an hour between them at the Paris Olympics. 1925 – Scopes Trial: In Dayton, Tennessee, the so-called "Monkey Trial" begins of John T. Scopes, a young high school science teacher accused of teaching evolution in violation of the Butler Act. 1938 – Howard Hughes begins a 91-hour airplane flight around the world that will set a new record. 1940 – World War II: The Vichy government is established in France. 1940 – World War II: Six days before Adolf Hitler issues his Directive 16 to the combined Wehrmacht armed forces for Operation Sea Lion, the Kanalkampf shipping attacks against British maritime convoys begin, in the leadup to initiating the Battle of Britain. 1941 – Jedwabne pogrom: Massacre of Polish Jews living in and near the village of Jedwabne. 1942 – World War II: An American pilot spots a downed, intact Mitsubishi A6M Zero on Akutan Island (the "Akutan Zero") that the US Navy uses to learn the aircraft's flight characteristics. 1943 – World War II: Operation Husky begins in Sicily. 1947 – Muhammad Ali Jinnah is recommended as the first Governor-General of Pakistan by the British Prime Minister, Clement Attlee.

[inky-duchess]

Who were some famous Irish monarchs

Plenty though most as semi-legendary.

Gráinne O'Maille, Pirate Queen of Ireland

Niall of the Nine Hostages & High King of Ireland (my ancestor)

Domhnall ua Néill

Brian Ború

Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill

Flann Sinna

Maedhbh

[rolhispano]

Corre el año 994 después de Cristo. Se acerca el final del Siglo de Hierro. Los siete reinos anglosajones fueron unificados sesenta y siete años atrás por el rey Æthelstan para dar paso al Reino de Inglaterra. Æthelred el Malaconsejado es el actual rey de los ingleses. La fama del rey inglés nunca fue particularmente buena, y, tras una nefasta derrota en Maldon, ahora le paga tributo a los daneses. Al norte, en el Reino de Escocia (también llamado Reino de Alba), el rey Kenneth II vive en constante conflicto con enemigos tanto fuera como dentro de su propio territorio. Cruzando el mar, Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill gobierna como rey supremo de Irlanda, a pesar de que su autoridad se ve desafiada desde hace años por Brian Boru, rey de Munster. Lo que ninguno de ellos sabe es que, hace un par de años, cuatro de los más poderosos magos y brujas de Gran Bretaña fundaron una escuela de magia y hechicería en las Tierras Altas escocesas. Desde la llegada del cristianismo a las islas británicas, la magia ya no tiene el mismo encanto que antes… todo lo contrario, en realidad. La Iglesia se enfrenta al antiguo paganismo en una guerra silenciosa y paciente, con el único fin de erradicarlo de una vez por todas. Las brujas y los magos son temidos y rechazados por una sociedad muggle que cada día los acepta menos. Es por esta razón que Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, y Salazar Slytherin se unieron para fundar Hogwarts. Si nadie más se preocupa por educar a los jóvenes magos y brujas en los conocimientos de la magia, todas sus tradiciones se perderán para siempre.

No obstante, no todos los que forman parte de la comunidad mágica consideran que la educación sea el único camino para lograr una convivencia pacífica. Muchos ni siquiera creen que una convivencia pacífica sea la solución. Los magos y brujas están atravesando un momento crucial en su historia; si no actúan pronto, su mundo dejará de existir. El Consejo de Magos está, sin duda, muy dividido en este aspecto. El viejo y sabio Archimago se enfrenta a una inoportuna división interna en un momento en el que necesitan estar más unidos que nunca. Pero ojalá todo se resumiera en eso. Con los reyes muggles luchando entre ellos y contra sus vecinos, la comunidad mágica todavía está a tiempo de aclarar sus ideas y pelear juntos contra cualquier adversidad. Sin embargo, existen fuerzas externas que no están dispuestas a darles esa chance. La Orden de Beorgan —también conocidos como los Cazadores Blancos—, una sociedad cristiana de guerreros y sacerdotes, lucha desde las sombras una guerra santa contra la brujería y aquellos que la practican. A diferencia de la posición pasiva de la Iglesia, los Cazadores Blancos dan guerra sin cuartel. La Orden de Beorgan no perdona ni toma prisioneros: quienes no mueren en batalla, son quemados en la hoguera. Tiempos violentos son estos que vivimos: si no es la guerra la que te mata, será entonces la enfermedad, o un asalto en el camino. Ten cuidado en los bosques salvajes, pues no sólo se esconden allí ladrones y asesinos: hay también toda clase de bestias fantásticas… y monstruos. Las manadas de hombres lobo son tantas y tan temibles como las de sus congéneres lupinos, por no hablar de los dragones que viven en las montañas. No obstante, por encima de todo esto se cierne un peligro mucho más aterrador: desde el Este está llegando una nación sin fronteras de seres que no están vivos… ni muertos. Los vampiros de las temibles leyendas eslavas han puesto sus oscuros ojos en una tierra que ha permanecido demasiado tiempo fuera de su control. Es hora de que las islas británicas se arrodillen ante la supremacía del Príncipe de la Noche.

TUMBLR

[wepurge-rpg]

Corre el año 994 después de Cristo. Se acerca el final del Siglo de Hierro. Los siete reinos anglosajones fueron unificados sesenta y siete años atrás por el rey Æthelstan para dar paso al Reino de Inglaterra. Æthelred el Malaconsejado es el actual rey de los ingleses. La fama del rey inglés nunca fue particularmente buena, y, tras una nefasta derrota en Maldon, ahora le paga tributo a los daneses. Al norte, en el Reino de Escocia (también llamado Reino de Alba), el rey Kenneth II vive en constante conflicto con enemigos tanto fuera como dentro de su propio territorio. Cruzando el mar, Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill gobierna como rey supremo de Irlanda, a pesar de que su autoridad se ve desafiada desde hace años por Brian Boru, rey de Munster. Lo que ninguno de ellos sabe es que, hace un par de años, cuatro de los más poderosos magos y brujas de Gran Bretaña fundaron una escuela de magia y hechicería en las Tierras Altas escocesas. Desde la llegada del cristianismo a las islas británicas, la magia ya no tiene el mismo encanto que antes... todo lo contrario, en realidad. La Iglesia se enfrenta al antiguo paganismo en una guerra silenciosa y paciente, con el único fin de erradicarlo de una vez por todas. Las brujas y los magos son temidos y rechazados por una sociedad muggle que cada día los acepta menos. Es por esta razón que Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, y Salazar Slytherin se unieron para fundar Hogwarts. Si nadie más se preocupa por educar a los jóvenes magos y brujas en los conocimientos de la magia, todas sus tradiciones se perderán para siempre. No obstante, no todos los que forman parte de la comunidad mágica consideran que la educación sea el único camino para lograr una convivencia pacífica. Muchos ni siquiera creen que una convivencia pacífica sea la solución. Los magos y brujas están atravesando un momento crucial en su historia; si no actúan pronto, su mundo dejará de existir. El Consejo de Magos está, sin duda, muy dividido en este aspecto. El viejo y sabio Archimago se enfrenta a una inoportuna división interna en un momento en el que necesitan estar más unidos que nunca. Pero ojalá todo se resumiera en eso. Con los reyes muggles luchando entre ellos y contra sus vecinos, la comunidad mágica todavía está a tiempo de aclarar sus ideas y pelear juntos contra cualquier adversidad. Sin embargo, existen fuerzas externas que no están dispuestas a darles esa chance. La Orden de Beorgan —también conocidos como los Cazadores Blancos—, una sociedad cristiana de guerreros y sacerdotes, lucha desde las sombras una guerra santa contra la brujería y aquellos que la practican. A diferencia de la posición pasiva de la Iglesia, los Cazadores Blancos dan guerra sin cuartel. La Orden de Beorgan no perdona ni toma prisioneros: quienes no mueren en batalla, son quemados en la hoguera. Tiempos violentos son estos que vivimos: si no es la guerra la que te mata, será entonces la enfermedad, o un asalto en el camino. Ten cuidado en los bosques salvajes, pues no sólo se esconden allí ladrones y asesinos: hay también toda clase de bestias fantásticas... y monstruos. Las manadas de hombres lobo son tantas y tan temibles como las de sus congéneres lupinos, por no hablar de los dragones que viven en las montañas. No obstante, por encima de todo esto se cierne un peligro mucho más aterrador: desde el Este está llegando una nación sin fronteras de seres que no están vivos... ni muertos. Los vampiros de las temibles leyendas eslavas han puesto sus oscuros ojos en una tierra que ha permanecido demasiado tiempo fuera de su control. Es hora de que las islas británicas se arrodillen ante la supremacía del Príncipe de la Noche.

TUMBLR

[fourfoundersrpg]

Corre el año 994 después de Cristo. Se acerca el final del Siglo de Hierro. Los siete reinos anglosajones fueron unificados sesenta y siete años atrás por el rey Æthelstan para dar paso al Reino de Inglaterra. Æthelred el Malaconsejado es el actual rey de los ingleses. La fama del rey inglés nunca fue particularmente buena, y, tras una nefasta derrota en Maldon, ahora le paga tributo a los daneses. Al norte, en el Reino de Escocia (también llamado Reino de Alba), el rey Kenneth II vive en constante conflicto con enemigos tanto fuera como dentro de su propio territorio. Cruzando el mar, Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill gobierna como rey supremo de Irlanda, a pesar de que su autoridad se ve desafiada desde hace años por Brian Boru, rey de Munster. Lo que ninguno de ellos sabe es que, hace un par de años, cuatro de los más poderosos magos y brujas de Gran Bretaña fundaron una escuela de magia y hechicería en las Tierras Altas escocesas. Desde la llegada del cristianismo a las islas británicas, la magia ya no tiene el mismo encanto que antes... todo lo contrario, en realidad. La Iglesia se enfrenta al antiguo paganismo en una guerra silenciosa y paciente, con el único fin de erradicarlo de una vez por todas. Las brujas y los magos son temidos y rechazados por una sociedad muggle que cada día los acepta menos. Es por esta razón que Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, y Salazar Slytherin se unieron para fundar Hogwarts. Si nadie más se preocupa por educar a los jóvenes magos y brujas en los conocimientos de la magia, todas sus tradiciones se perderán para siempre. No obstante, no todos los que forman parte de la comunidad mágica consideran que la educación sea el único camino para lograr una convivencia pacífica. Muchos ni siquiera creen que una convivencia pacífica sea la solución. Los magos y brujas están atravesando un momento crucial en su historia; si no actúan pronto, su mundo dejará de existir. El Consejo de Magos está, sin duda, muy dividido en este aspecto. El viejo y sabio Archimago se enfrenta a una inoportuna división interna en un momento en el que necesitan estar más unidos que nunca. Pero ojalá todo se resumiera en eso. Con los reyes muggles luchando entre ellos y contra sus vecinos, la comunidad mágica todavía está a tiempo de aclarar sus ideas y pelear juntos contra cualquier adversidad. Sin embargo, existen fuerzas externas que no están dispuestas a darles esa chance. La Orden de Beorgan —también conocidos como los Cazadores Blancos—, una sociedad cristiana de guerreros y sacerdotes, lucha desde las sombras una guerra santa contra la brujería y aquellos que la practican. A diferencia de la posición pasiva de la Iglesia, los Cazadores Blancos dan guerra sin cuartel. La Orden de Beorgan no perdona ni toma prisioneros: quienes no mueren en batalla, son quemados en la hoguera. Tiempos violentos son estos que vivimos: si no es la guerra la que te mata, será entonces la enfermedad, o un asalto en el camino. Ten cuidado en los bosques salvajes, pues no sólo se esconden allí ladrones y asesinos: hay también toda clase de bestias fantásticas... y monstruos. Las manadas de hombres lobo son tantas y tan temibles como las de sus congéneres lupinos, por no hablar de los dragones que viven en las montañas. No obstante, por encima de todo esto se cierne un peligro mucho más aterrador: desde el Este está llegando una nación sin fronteras de seres que no están vivos... ni muertos. Los vampiros de las temibles leyendas eslavas han puesto sus oscuros ojos en una tierra que ha permanecido demasiado tiempo fuera de su control. Es hora de que las islas británicas se arrodillen ante la supremacía del Príncipe de la Noche.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in Irish History | 10 July:

988 – The Norse King Glúniairn recognises Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, High King of Ireland, and agrees to pay taxes and accept Brehon Law; the event is considered to be the founding of the city of Dublin. 1614 – Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey, politician and author, is born in Dublin. 1794 – Birth of William Maginn, poet and author, in Co Cork. 1897 – Birth of Jack “Legs” Diamond, also…

[guardianasdelrpg]

Corre el año 994 después de Cristo. Se acerca el final del Siglo de Hierro. Los siete reinos anglosajones fueron unificados sesenta y siete años atrás por el rey Æthelstan para dar paso al Reino de Inglaterra. Æthelred el Malaconsejado es el actual rey de los ingleses. La fama del rey inglés nunca fue particularmente buena, y, tras una nefasta derrota en Maldon, ahora le paga tributo a los daneses. Al norte, en el Reino de Escocia (también llamado Reino de Alba), el rey Kenneth II vive en constante conflicto con enemigos tanto fuera como dentro de su propio territorio. Cruzando el mar, Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill gobierna como rey supremo de Irlanda, a pesar de que su autoridad se ve desafiada desde hace años por Brian Boru, rey de Munster. Lo que ninguno de ellos sabe es que, hace un par de años, cuatro de los más poderosos magos y brujas de Gran Bretaña fundaron una escuela de magia y hechicería en las Tierras Altas escocesas. Desde la llegada del cristianismo a las islas británicas, la magia ya no tiene el mismo encanto que antes... todo lo contrario, en realidad. La Iglesia se enfrenta al antiguo paganismo en una guerra silenciosa y paciente, con el único fin de erradicarlo de una vez por todas. Las brujas y los magos son temidos y rechazados por una sociedad muggle que cada día los acepta menos. Es por esta razón que Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, y Salazar Slytherin se unieron para fundar Hogwarts. Si nadie más se preocupa por educar a los jóvenes magos y brujas en los conocimientos de la magia, todas sus tradiciones se perderán para siempre. No obstante, no todos los que forman parte de la comunidad mágica consideran que la educación sea el único camino para lograr una convivencia pacífica. Muchos ni siquiera creen que una convivencia pacífica sea la solución. Los magos y brujas están atravesando un momento crucial en su historia; si no actúan pronto, su mundo dejará de existir. El Consejo de Magos está, sin duda, muy dividido en este aspecto. El viejo y sabio Archimago se enfrenta a una inoportuna división interna en un momento en el que necesitan estar más unidos que nunca. Pero ojalá todo se resumiera en eso. Con los reyes muggles luchando entre ellos y contra sus vecinos, la comunidad mágica todavía está a tiempo de aclarar sus ideas y pelear juntos contra cualquier adversidad. Sin embargo, existen fuerzas externas que no están dispuestas a darles esa chance. La Orden de Beorgan —también conocidos como los Cazadores Blancos—, una sociedad cristiana de guerreros y sacerdotes, lucha desde las sombras una guerra santa contra la brujería y aquellos que la practican. A diferencia de la posición pasiva de la Iglesia, los Cazadores Blancos dan guerra sin cuartel. La Orden de Beorgan no perdona ni toma prisioneros: quienes no mueren en batalla, son quemados en la hoguera. Tiempos violentos son estos que vivimos: si no es la guerra la que te mata, será entonces la enfermedad, o un asalto en el camino. Ten cuidado en los bosques salvajes, pues no sólo se esconden allí ladrones y asesinos: hay también toda clase de bestias fantásticas... y monstruos. Las manadas de hombres lobo son tantas y tan temibles como las de sus congéneres lupinos, por no hablar de los dragones que viven en las montañas. No obstante, por encima de todo esto se cierne un peligro mucho más aterrador: desde el Este está llegando una nación sin fronteras de seres que no están vivos... ni muertos. Los vampiros de las temibles leyendas eslavas han puesto sus oscuros ojos en una tierra que ha permanecido demasiado tiempo fuera de su control. Es hora de que las islas británicas se arrodillen ante la supremacía del Príncipe de la Noche.

TUMBLR

[lamagadeoz]

Corre el año 994 después de Cristo. Se acerca el final del Siglo de Hierro. Los siete reinos anglosajones fueron unificados sesenta y siete años atrás por el rey Æthelstan para dar paso al Reino de Inglaterra. Æthelred el Malaconsejado es el actual rey de los ingleses. La fama del rey inglés nunca fue particularmente buena, y, tras una nefasta derrota en Maldon, ahora le paga tributo a los daneses. Al norte, en el Reino de Escocia (también llamado Reino de Alba), el rey Kenneth II vive en constante conflicto con enemigos tanto fuera como dentro de su propio territorio. Cruzando el mar, Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill gobierna como rey supremo de Irlanda, a pesar de que su autoridad se ve desafiada desde hace años por Brian Boru, rey de Munster. Lo que ninguno de ellos sabe es que, hace un par de años, cuatro de los más poderosos magos y brujas de Gran Bretaña fundaron una escuela de magia y hechicería en las Tierras Altas escocesas. Desde la llegada del cristianismo a las islas británicas, la magia ya no tiene el mismo encanto que antes... todo lo contrario, en realidad. La Iglesia se enfrenta al antiguo paganismo en una guerra silenciosa y paciente, con el único fin de erradicarlo de una vez por todas. Las brujas y los magos son temidos y rechazados por una sociedad muggle que cada día los acepta menos. Es por esta razón que Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, y Salazar Slytherin se unieron para fundar Hogwarts. Si nadie más se preocupa por educar a los jóvenes magos y brujas en los conocimientos de la magia, todas sus tradiciones se perderán para siempre. No obstante, no todos los que forman parte de la comunidad mágica consideran que la educación sea el único camino para lograr una convivencia pacífica. Muchos ni siquiera creen que una convivencia pacífica sea la solución. Los magos y brujas están atravesando un momento crucial en su historia; si no actúan pronto, su mundo dejará de existir. El Consejo de Magos está, sin duda, muy dividido en este aspecto. El viejo y sabio Archimago se enfrenta a una inoportuna división interna en un momento en el que necesitan estar más unidos que nunca. Pero ojalá todo se resumiera en eso. Con los reyes muggles luchando entre ellos y contra sus vecinos, la comunidad mágica todavía está a tiempo de aclarar sus ideas y pelear juntos contra cualquier adversidad. Sin embargo, existen fuerzas externas que no están dispuestas a darles esa chance. La Orden de Beorgan —también conocidos como los Cazadores Blancos—, una sociedad cristiana de guerreros y sacerdotes, lucha desde las sombras una guerra santa contra la brujería y aquellos que la practican. A diferencia de la posición pasiva de la Iglesia, los Cazadores Blancos dan guerra sin cuartel. La Orden de Beorgan no perdona ni toma prisioneros: quienes no mueren en batalla, son quemados en la hoguera. Tiempos violentos son estos que vivimos: si no es la guerra la que te mata, será entonces la enfermedad, o un asalto en el camino. Ten cuidado en los bosques salvajes, pues no sólo se esconden allí ladrones y asesinos: hay también toda clase de bestias fantásticas... y monstruos. Las manadas de hombres lobo son tantas y tan temibles como las de sus congéneres lupinos, por no hablar de los dragones que viven en las montañas. No obstante, por encima de todo esto se cierne un peligro mucho más aterrador: desde el Este está llegando una nación sin fronteras de seres que no están vivos... ni muertos. Los vampiros de las temibles leyendas eslavas han puesto sus oscuros ojos en una tierra que ha permanecido demasiado tiempo fuera de su control. Es hora de que las islas británicas se arrodillen ante la supremacía del Príncipe de la Noche.

TUMBLR

[maestrosdelrol]

Corre el año 994 después de Cristo. Se acerca el final del Siglo de Hierro. Los siete reinos anglosajones fueron unificados sesenta y siete años atrás por el rey Æthelstan para dar paso al Reino de Inglaterra. Æthelred el Malaconsejado es el actual rey de los ingleses. La fama del rey inglés nunca fue particularmente buena, y, tras una nefasta derrota en Maldon, ahora le paga tributo a los daneses. Al norte, en el Reino de Escocia (también llamado Reino de Alba), el rey Kenneth II vive en constante conflicto con enemigos tanto fuera como dentro de su propio territorio. Cruzando el mar, Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill gobierna como rey supremo de Irlanda, a pesar de que su autoridad se ve desafiada desde hace años por Brian Boru, rey de Munster. Lo que ninguno de ellos sabe es que, hace un par de años, cuatro de los más poderosos magos y brujas de Gran Bretaña fundaron una escuela de magia y hechicería en las Tierras Altas escocesas. Desde la llegada del cristianismo a las islas británicas, la magia ya no tiene el mismo encanto que antes... todo lo contrario, en realidad. La Iglesia se enfrenta al antiguo paganismo en una guerra silenciosa y paciente, con el único fin de erradicarlo de una vez por todas. Las brujas y los magos son temidos y rechazados por una sociedad muggle que cada día los acepta menos. Es por esta razón que Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, y Salazar Slytherin se unieron para fundar Hogwarts. Si nadie más se preocupa por educar a los jóvenes magos y brujas en los conocimientos de la magia, todas sus tradiciones se perderán para siempre. No obstante, no todos los que forman parte de la comunidad mágica consideran que la educación sea el único camino para lograr una convivencia pacífica. Muchos ni siquiera creen que una convivencia pacífica sea la solución. Los magos y brujas están atravesando un momento crucial en su historia; si no actúan pronto, su mundo dejará de existir. El Consejo de Magos está, sin duda, muy dividido en este aspecto. El viejo y sabio Archimago se enfrenta a una inoportuna división interna en un momento en el que necesitan estar más unidos que nunca. Pero ojalá todo se resumiera en eso. Con los reyes muggles luchando entre ellos y contra sus vecinos, la comunidad mágica todavía está a tiempo de aclarar sus ideas y pelear juntos contra cualquier adversidad. Sin embargo, existen fuerzas externas que no están dispuestas a darles esa chance. La Orden de Beorgan —también conocidos como los Cazadores Blancos—, una sociedad cristiana de guerreros y sacerdotes, lucha desde las sombras una guerra santa contra la brujería y aquellos que la practican. A diferencia de la posición pasiva de la Iglesia, los Cazadores Blancos dan guerra sin cuartel. La Orden de Beorgan no perdona ni toma prisioneros: quienes no mueren en batalla, son quemados en la hoguera. Tiempos violentos son estos que vivimos: si no es la guerra la que te mata, será entonces la enfermedad, o un asalto en el camino. Ten cuidado en los bosques salvajes, pues no sólo se esconden allí ladrones y asesinos: hay también toda clase de bestias fantásticas... y monstruos. Las manadas de hombres lobo son tantas y tan temibles como las de sus congéneres lupinos, por no hablar de los dragones que viven en las montañas. No obstante, por encima de todo esto se cierne un peligro mucho más aterrador: desde el Este está llegando una nación sin fronteras de seres que no están vivos... ni muertos. Los vampiros de las temibles leyendas eslavas han puesto sus oscuros ojos en una tierra que ha permanecido demasiado tiempo fuera de su control. Es hora de que las islas británicas se arrodillen ante la supremacía del Príncipe de la Noche.

TUMBLR

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 7.10 (before 1900)

138 – Emperor Hadrian of Rome dies of heart failure at his residence on the bay of Naples, Baiae; he is buried at Rome in the Tomb of Hadrian beside his late wife, Vibia Sabina. 645 – Isshi Incident: Prince Naka-no-Ōe and Fujiwara no Kamatari assassinate Soga no Iruka during a coup d'état at the imperial palace. 988 – The Norse King Glúniairn recognises Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, High King of Ireland, and agrees to pay taxes and accept Brehon Law; the event is considered to be the founding of the city of Dublin. 1086 – King Canute IV of Denmark is killed by rebellious peasants. 1212 – The most severe of several early fires of London burns most of the city to the ground. 1460 – Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, defeats the king's Lancastrian forces and takes King Henry VI prisoner in the Battle of Northampton. 1499 – The Portuguese explorer Nicolau Coelho returns to Lisbon after discovering the sea route to India as a companion of Vasco da Gama. 1512 – The Spanish conquest of Iberian Navarre commences with the capture of Goizueta. 1519 – Zhu Chenhao declares the Ming dynasty's Zhengde Emperor a usurper, beginning the Prince of Ning rebellion, and leads his army north in an attempt to capture Nanjing. 1553 – Lady Jane Grey takes the throne of England. 1584 – William I of Orange is assassinated in his home in Delft, Holland, by Balthasar Gérard. 1645 – English Civil War: The Battle of Langport takes place. 1778 – American Revolution: Louis XVI of France declares war on the Kingdom of Great Britain. 1789 – Alexander Mackenzie reaches the Mackenzie River delta. 1806 – The Vellore Mutiny is the first instance of a mutiny by Indian sepoys against the British East India Company. 1832 – U.S. President Andrew Jackson vetoes a bill that would re-charter the Second Bank of the United States. 1850 – U.S. President Millard Fillmore is sworn in, a day after becoming president upon Zachary Taylor's death. 1877 – The then-villa of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, formally receives its city charter from the Royal Crown of Spain. 1882 – War of the Pacific: Chile suffers its last military defeat in the Battle of La Concepción when a garrison of 77 men is annihilated by a 1,300-strong Peruvian force, many of them armed with spears. 1883 – War of the Pacific: Chileans led by Alejandro Gorostiaga defeat Andrés Avelino Cáceres's Peruvian army at the Battle of Huamachuco, hastening the end of the war. 1890 – Wyoming is admitted as the 44th U.S. state.

[mintdonna2-blog]

Battle of Clontarf (1014)

Battle of Clontarf

Date 23 April 1014 Location Clontarf, Dublin Result Munster Irish victory; Viking power in Ireland broken

Belligerents Irish of Munster Irish of Leinster and Vikings of Dublin Commanders and leaders Brian Bóruma † Murchad mac Briain † Máel Mórda † Sigtrygg Silkbeard Strength ~7,000 men ~6,600 men Casualties and losses >4,000 dead ~6,000 dead

The Battle of Clontarf (Irish: Cath Chluain Tarbh) took place on 23 April 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada: composed mainly of his own men, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by his cousin Sigtrygg, as well as the one rebellious king from the province of Ulster. It ended in a rout of the Máel Mórda's forces, along with the death of Brian, who was killed by a few Norsemen who were fleeing the battle and stumbled upon his tent. After the battle, Ireland returned to a fractious status quo between the many small, separate kingdoms that had existed for some time.

Background

Brian Boru (Brian mac Cennétig (Kennedy)) had ruled most of Ireland since 1002, but the island was still highly fractious and the title of "High King" had been largely ceremonial. Brian looked to change this, and unite the island, which he set about doing over a period of years.

In 997, Brian Boru and Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill had met in Clonfert and reached an agreement where they recognized each other's reign over their respective halves of the country. Brian attacked Máel Sechnaill's territory constantly, which forced Máel Sechnaill to resign his land to Brian.

In 1012, the king of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada, rose in revolt. His attempts were quickly thwarted when Brian arranged a series of cross-marriages, giving his daughter to Sigtrygg Silkbeard, leader of the Dublin Vikings, and himself marrying Sigtrygg's mother and Máel Mórda's sister, Gormflaith. However this alliance was destined not to last, and in 1013 Máel Mórda again went to Sigtrygg for help after being admonished by Gormflaith for accepting Brian's rule. This time Sigtrygg was ready to fight, and various Irish clans who were envious of Brian quickly joined him.

Brian immediately imprisoned Gormflaith, and went on a series of raids around Dublin in order to tie down any Irish who would attempt to join the Viking forces. Meanwhile Gormflaith contacted Sigurd Lodvesson, the Viking earl of the Orkney Isles, to come to her aid. He not only agreed, but in turn contacted Brodir of the Isle of Man to join the fight. Sigurd and Brodir both planned on killing the other after the battle to take the seat of High King for themselves, while Sigtrygg was busy trying to form alliances with everyone involved in an attempt to at least retain his own seat in Dublin.

In 1014, Brian's army had mustered and set off towards Dublin. As they approached, the Irishmen of Meath, commanded by ex-high king Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, refused to take part in the battle. This left him with 4,500 men, outnumbering the 1,000 or so under Sigtrygg, but considerably worse equipped in comparison. They arrived outside the walls of Dublin and set up camp.

That night Brian received news that the Viking forces had boarded their longships and headed out to sea, deserting Sigtrygg. This was in fact a ruse. After nightfall they turned around and landed on the beaches of Clontarf, just over a mile to the north of Dublin, in order to surprise Brian's army the next day. At the time Dublin was only on the south shore of the River Liffey, connected to the north bank, and Clontarf, only by a single bridge. This allowed the Vikings time to disembark and prepare in relative safety.

Battle

Battle of Clontarf, oil on canvas painting by Hugh Frazer, 1826, Isaacs Art Center

The Viking army formed up into five divisions on the field, while Sigtrygg and 1,000 of his men remained in town. Sigtrygg's son commanded the extreme left of the line with 1,000 of the men from Dublin who decided to fight in the open. Máel Mórda added another 3,000 men from Leinster in two divisions. Although numerous, they too were poorly armed in comparison to the Vikings on either side. Sigurd's Orkney Vikings manned the center with 1,000 men, and Brodir's Vikings added another 1,000 or more on the right, on the beaches.

Brian's forces were arranged in a similar fashion. On the right (the Viking left) were 1,000 foreign mercenaries and Manx Vikings. Next to them, 1,500 clansmen of Connacht were gathered under their kings, while more than 2,000 Munster warriors under Brian's son Murchad continued the front, flanked by 1,400 Dal Caissans on the extreme left led by Murchad's 15-year-old son, Tordhelbach, and Brian's brother, Cuduiligh. Off to the right and several hundred yards to the rear stood Máel Sechnaill's 1,000 men who simply watched.

The battle opened with several personal taunts between men in either line, often ending with the two men marching out into the middle of the field to enter personal battle, while the forces on either side cheered. While this went on the two groups slowly edged towards each other. They engaged early in the morning.

At first the battle went the Vikings' way, with their heavier weapons prevailing over their opponents as everyone had expected. This advantage also served Brian, whose Viking mercenaries on his right slowly pushed back the forces facing them. On the left, Brodir himself led the charge and gained ground, until he met the warrior Wolf the Quarrelsome, brother of King Brian. Although Wolf was unable to break Brodir's armor, he knocked him to the ground and Brodir fled to hide. This left the now leaderless Viking force facing Murchad's forces, who considered themselves the "king's own" (containing many of Brian's more distant relatives) and by the afternoon Brodir's forces were fleeing to their ships.

In the centre things were going more the Vikings' way. Both Sigurd's and Máel Mórda's forces were hammering into the Munster forces. However Sigurd, according to legend, carried a "magical" standard into battle which drew the Irish warriors to it, eventually forcing their way in and killing the bearer. Although the standard was supposed to guarantee a victory for the bearer's forces, it also guaranteed the bearer's death. No one would pick it up due to its reputation, so Sigurd did and was quickly killed.

By the end of the day, after several mutual pauses for rest, the Vikings found themselves with both flanks failing, Sigurd dead, and everyone exhausted. The beaches in front of the ships were already lost, and many men took to trying to swim to the ships further offshore, drowning in the process. The battle was now clearly going Brian's way, and the Dublin Vikings decided to flee to the town. At this point Máel Sechnaill decided to re-enter the battle, and cut them off from the bridge. The result was a rout, with every "invading" Viking leader being killed in the battle.

Meanwhile Brodir, hiding in the woods near Dublin, noticed Brian praying in his tent. Gathering several followers they ran into the tent and killed him and his retainers. Then they retreated, with Brodir yelling, Now let man tell man that Brodir felled Brian. According to Viking accounts, he was eventually tracked, captured and gruesomely killed by Wolf the Quarrelsome with whom he had clashed earlier on the battlefield.

Of the 6,500 to 7,000 Vikings and allied forces, an estimated 6,000,[citation needed] including almost all the leaders, were killed. Irish losses were at least 4,000,[citation needed] including their king and most of his sons. There were in fact some sons of Brian Boru left after the battle of Clontarf. Two of his sons, Donnogh and Teige both were heirs of Brian and after their father's death in 1014, were at debate against each other which started with mild quarrelsome and ended with both brothers coming together in 1018 and killing Donell McDuff Davereann.[1] The two sons of Brian did not inherit the throne right after their father was slain. It was Moyleseachlin (Irish: Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill) - from whom Brian once took power in the heated moment before the Battle of Clontarf - who regained power once again in Ireland.[2]

Aftermath

With the Irish now leaderless, and the power of the Dublin Vikings as a political force broken, Ireland soon returned to a series of bloody factional fighting. However things had changed as a result of the battle, with Viking and Gaelic culture no longer contesting power. After a number of years this led to a lasting peace.

There were also domestic battles before the 1014 battle, and after the Vikings were supposedly expelled from Ireland, no more written sources state that there were any other fighting between just the Vikings or Norsemen and the Irish. From the Annals of Clonmacnoise, “Moyleseachlin, after King Brian was thus slaine, succeeded again King of Ireland and reigned 8 years, during which time he fought 25 battles both great and small against his enemies.”[1] His enemies were not the Norsemen, but his fellow Irishmen from other kingdoms. If the Vikings were expelled from Ireland in 1014, or at least the looting and raiding stopped after that, then whoever the Irish were fighting had to be either another race of people coming into Ireland, just as the Vikings did, or the Irish were having yet another domestic or civil battle. The Battle of Clontarf could have been a domestic battle between kingdoms, and the Vikings were living in and helping out Dublin. The battle could have had other major incentives, but expelling the Vikings might have just given the Irish Munster king (Boru) extra motivation to beat the Leinster king. In the source of Clonmacnoise, McMoylenamo is not only the king of Ireland, Wales, and protector of the honor Leah Coynn, but also the “[king of the] Danes of Dublin.”[3] After the battle in 1014, Irish high kings actually ruled over the Danes of Ireland's five separate kingdoms.[4]

Sigtrygg, who had watched the battle with Gormflaith from Dublin, on the south bank of the River Liffey, and with the Irish army melting away the next day, ended up as the only "winner" of the contest, continuing his rule in Dublin until his death in 1042. The Kingdom of Meath also benefitted from the fact that its warriors suffered few casualties, and managed to come from the battlefield in a much stronger position, with most of its neighbours, including the Dublin Vikings, all incapable of launching further advances. However the series of wars had resulted in a fragmented political landscape, which could not unite under the old High King.

See also

References

^ a b Conell Mageoghagan, trans. The Annals of Clonmacnoise; Being Annals of Ireland, from the Earliest Period to A. D. 1408. (Dublin: University Press for the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 1896), 168.

^ Conell Mageoghagan, trans. The Annals of Clonmacnoise; Being Annals of Ireland, from the Earliest Period to A. D. 1408. (Dublin: University Press for the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 1896), 167-169.

^ Conell Mageoghagan, trans. The Annals of Clonmacnoise; Being Annals of Ireland, from the Earliest Period to A. D. 1408. (Dublin: University Press for the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 1896), 133.

^ Ulster, Connacht, Meath, Munster, and Leinster (Dublin)

Source: https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Battle+of+Clontarf

[taycofftoadventure]

Adventure to Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful  country with deep history, gorgeous landscapes, and charming people. I journeyed there with my husband who was touring the country with his band- so I’d love to get back to explore more but I’m thrilled we fit in some amazing sights on our relatively busy stay. 

We started in Dublin and our taxi driver at the airport was unabashedly talkative, free with his expletives in the most glorious way, and blasting U2 on the stereo. Our first introduction to the Irish people stayed somewhat consistent (minus the expletives)- they’re funny, honest, and love giving tourists directions and tips. (It’s dawning on me that my heritage is starting to make a wee bit of sense actually). Part of the magic of the journey to Ireland is engaging with the people. I’m relatively shy at times, but I loved engaging with the Irish. The people of Ireland are distinctive and love to tell a good tale. 

We rented a car to get around quickly from town to town. Outside of Dublin this was a smart move, but driving in Dublin was pretty stressful- the signage is different with lots of narrow one-way streets that added to the classic driving-on-the-opposite-side anxiety. It’s not the place you want to “warm up” into this style of driving. I recommend sticking to a taxi if you can while in town and then use the car for the countryside. Driving on the opposite side is a challenge. Give yourself plenty of time to get around and try to mentally prepare beforehand. 

Dublin itself is worth visiting, but I also found it a place I didn’t need to spend too much time. My favorite stop was popping into Trinity College to see the Long Room in the Old Library and the Book of Kells. I loved it for the history lesson and the architecture. Within walking distance of the college, you’ll find a busy shopping and restaurant district near Drury Lane. I encourage wandering that direction for a bite and a pint. Afterward, venture to the nearby lovely St. Stephen’s Green. It’s a picturesque Victorian park that Dubliners use quite a bit. We visited on a sunny Summer day and people were picnicking and lounging on the lawn amidst the sculptures and waterbirds. 

I encourage you to get outside of Dublin quickly because Ireland is full of natural wonders.The country features world-famous sights like the Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, and the Ring of Kerry. Ireland is pretty far north, so even in the Summer I felt a chill in the air and we had rainy days. Bring layers and your umbrella. 

If you’re headed to Galway, Dingle, and destinations to the west, stop halfway in the heart of Ireland at Athlone. It’s a special spot to me because my ancestors had a farm there- but you’ll find a quaint town on the River Shannon with deep history, a castle on the water, and the oldest bar on record.  Sean’s Bar dates back to 900 AD when Vikings raided the Irish shores. Athlone is also the location where King  Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill acknowledged the great Brian Boru as the High King of Ireland. The castle is the site of the great Siege of Athlone, known as the heaviest bombardment in Irish history spanning ten days with 12,000 cannonballs and 600 bombs. 

If Southern Ireland is your destination outside of Dublin, drive through Cashel. A lovely town with the iconic Rock of Cashel castle. It’s open for touring during the day and has deep history featuring the famous St. Patrick.  It’s also a mighty gorgeous place to be at sunset.

I recommend journeying to the port town of Cobh in the south and staying there a couple days. If you’re an American with Irish roots, your ancestors went through Cobh. The Heritage Center in the town shares the history of the Irish immigration story and allows you to trace your ancestors. It was also the last stop for both the Lusitania and Titanic before their ill-fated treks. There’s a museum for the Titanic as well for those fascinated with that history. The town itself has great food, a large and picturesque cathedral, and is situated attractively on the waterfront. I highly recommend staying at the Elmville bed and breakfast. Olive is a superb hostess and runs a lovely place. She also serves a delicious Irish breakfast. My husband specifically wanted me to share that Cobh has a great open-late (past 11pm) Chinese food restaurant called Hong Kong Kitchen.

Within an easy drive of Cobh is the town of Cork which is fun to head to in the evening. It’s a bit inland of the coast and features a bustling downtown with pubs and music. We enjoyed dining at the Electric Fish Bar. Also nearby is the famous Blarney Castle. It’s known as a tourist trap, but if you’re a fan of castles, it’s a famous one- although kissing the Blarney Stone isn’t exactly up my alley personally. You may want to wash the germs down with a bit of whiskey.

Spend another day venturing to Kinsale, otherwise known as the “Gourmet capital” of Ireland. The vibe feels like if California wine country and a quaint Irish village had a baby, you’d get Kinsale. The town highlights great shops  and stellar eateries like Fishy Fishy (tough name but trust me, unless you don’t like fish of course).  It has a historic port on the River Brandon and was also an important location in the military history of the region.

From there, if you have the time and ambition, I’d head two hours to the Ring of Kerry, Killarney, and then Dingle. I’m sad to have missed this part of the country and do aim to return. I also lament missing Northern Ireland and all that has to offer as well- but you take the journeys you can. There’s a natural circle starting in Dublin then taking the roads to the south, then west, and then back to where you started if you have time to truly explore.

As the Irish say, “May the road rise up to meet you” on your adventure to Ireland... at the very least, may you not have trouble driving on the opposite side of the road as well, for what it’s worth. Say hello to the little people and the faeries if you happen to see any for me. I hope the luck of the Irish rubs off on you in your adventure to the Emerald Isle. Sláinte!