When was battle of clontarf

By the time of the Battle of Clontarf the Vikings already had a long history in the European literary imagination as bloodthirsty barbarians.

In literary accounts of the Battle of Clontarf the number of Vikings opposed to Brian generally increases over time, and they are portrayed as evil oppressors who threatened to destroy Ireland. Needless to say, the impression given in literature that the odds were stacked against Brian was another way of highlighting his achievements.

From the seventeenth century, descriptions of the woes imposed on Ireland by the Vikings are given a contemporary ring, as people compared the impact of one group of foreigners with another. During his years in power the political and natural world were shown to work in harmony. Brian was portrayed as a patron of justice, education, and of building works that benefited his subjects.

Portrayals of Brian in the battle tend to make him look either heroic or saintly. Owing to his advanced years, it is unlikely that he played an active role in combat. In Cogadh Brian instead prays for victory, and chants psalms in his tent while the battle rages. Brian therefore fights the battle on a spiritual level. Nevertheless, Brian is not shown as entirely passive. In Cogadh and Cath Chluana Tarbh he rises from prayer, sword in hand, to engage in single combat with his killer, Brodir.

Nevertheless, others vigorously defended their hero against such accusations. In Foras Feasa, Geoffrey Keating argued that Maelsechlainn was initially a slothful and ineffective king, and that Brian was called to lead Ireland by other Irish kings during their time of need. While literary accounts of Brian Boru do not uniformly seek to praise him, he was increasingly celebrated as a national hero, and that is often how he is still remembered today. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, romantic nationalism came to the fore in Irish literature and political thinking.

The Battle of Clontarf had long been a rallying point in developing perceptions of nationhood, and the conflict was celebrated somewhat inaccurately as a struggle by the people of Ireland against foreign domination. Knowles, Brian Boroihme [sic] London, c. Dollard, Clontarf: an Irish national drama Dublin, Alongside, but often in contrast with, the Romantic movement in literature, the nineteenth and twentieth centuries witnessed a drive towards more scientific enquiry into historical writings.

Efforts were increasingly made by scholars to separate fact from fiction in narratives about the Viking wars in Ireland. Perhaps as a consequence of critical historical approaches, political concerns and a fashion for revisionism, one tendency since the late nineteenth century has been to downplay the significance of the Battle of Clontarf.

The conflict has sometimes been construed as a domestic rebellion that had little bearing on the power of the Vikings in Ireland. No doubt these contrasting perspectives will continue to be expressed, with varying levels of subtlety, in future debates.

Aside from academic speculation, the Battle of Clontarf still has a hold on popular imagination. This testifies to the popularity of this event among those seeking to celebrate and relive the glories of the past without its bloodshed or sorrows. Historical and legendary accounts of the Battle of Clontarf, as with any other great event, reflect the power of ideals to shape perceptions of the past. Clare Downham is a lecturer in Celtic at the University of Aberdeen.

Further reading:. Login Subscribe To renew a subscription please login first. Still great warriors as well as traders and farners, they hired out their armies as mercenaries to other clans both As Mahon had made a truce with the Vikings, Brian was devastated having seen his mother brutally murdered by the Vikings. The brothers split and eventually Mahon asked the young Brian to leave his side. Brian did so taking a small band of supporters with him, and as word spread his army grew in strength.

Thank you Stephanie! I have been meaning to write you a note and have been so crazy with work since we returned. The trip was unbelievable! We had a wonderful time and loved every minute of the trip. Brian rex Hiberniae parasceue paschae feria 6. Mai manibus et mente ad Deum intentus occiditur; cui successit Donchad filius suus annis 51, nec quartam partem Hiberniae regnavit.

These and a series of later texts which elaborate and embellish the story of the Battle of Clontarf ensured that it became, arguably, the most famous battle in Irish history. The battle has traditionally been viewed as primarily a local struggle: a political quarrel which pitted Munster against Leinster. However, it is much more than that. In England was enduring major Danish raids which eventually forced the Anglo-Saxon king Athelred unread Aelthelred the unready or the ill-advised into exile and heralded a new era with King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark claiming hegemony over both Denmark and England.

But by Sweyn was dead, his son, King Canute, had fled from England and Athelred had returned; the Danish project in Britain appeared to be stalling. Although this Anglo-Saxon resurgence would not last, and Canute would indeed hold both kingdoms, this was unknowable in Were some of the Danish forces who we know were involved in the battle of Clontarf influenced by events in England? Did the threat to Danish hegemony in Britain in inspire some of the participants to seek new opportunities in Ireland?

Might this Danish context explain why the outcome of this battle was heralded as a victory for Brian in spite of his death? Brian had not only secured the high kingship and his own legacy, he had defeated the Danish threat and repelled the Viking invasion of Ireland. Professor Duffy characterises the battle both as a fight for a new kind of high-kingship of Ireland and a spirited defence against those Danes who were seeking new lands and dominance in Ireland.

Brian lost his life at the battle of Clontarf, and Ireland lost their greatest and mould-breaking high-king. His victory at this final battle fundamentally altered contemporary politics and the future of Irish history. Is it any wonder his name looms large among the list of Irish heroes who gave their life for Ireland?

Stroud, The Cogadh is discussed in the Remembering section of this website. Skip to main content. The Battle of Clontarf. Archaeology Nine unmissable objects from Clontarf Discover the stories behind these nine unique archaeological artefacts from the Clontarf exhibition Read more.

Nine unmissable objects from Clontarf Sign up to our newsletter. Keep up to date Receive updates on the latest exhibitions Enter your email address Sign up. Read more Midterm at the Museum The Museum has a 'spooktacular' range of events to enjoy together this Midterm from 23 to 31 October.