How the Battle of Clontarf Ended Viking Rule in Ireland
Posted by Jessica Sommerfield on 22nd Apr 2019
The showdown that was the battle of Clontarf took place on 23rd April 1014, Good Friday. This battle was the greatest battle to take place in Ireland and has been forever marked in Irish history as among the most famous events.
In the clash that took place in the break of dawn, Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, together with his forces and Viking allies were to take on Máel Mórda mac Murchada, Leinster’s King, Dublin’s Viking armies and Viking mercenaries hailing from the Isle of Man, Iceland and Normandy and the Orkney Islands.
Battle Ready
The High King of Ireland’s enemies revolted against him on the dawn of 23rd April 1014, which was on Good Friday. As was tradition, the High King gathered up his troops and delivered an inspirational speech before he led them into battle. The battle was a fierce and brutal one that lasted till the next day with thousands of casualties, including the High King himself.
More than ten thousand people lost their lives in the battle of Clontarf. The High King Brian Boru lost his life in the hands of Brodir of Man. The King was killed while praying for battle victory in his tent. Although he lost his life on that day, Brian Boru’s army was victorious effectively ending the reign of the Vikings in Ireland.
Build-Up To The Battle
Prior to the battle of Clontarf, there had been much resistance and battles fought in the previous decades. Brian Boru together with Dal gCais had been at arms with the Vikings who had invaded his country. Together with his brother, Mahon, Brian Boru had defeated the Vikings in the Battle of Sulcoit in his earlier days in county Clare. Mahon was later on murdered by the Vikings which saw Brian Boru seek revenge by challenging them in the Battle of Bealach Leachta. He emerged victorious in this battle and as a result he was in the run-in for the position of the High King (Ard Rí) of Ireland. Immediately after he emerged victorious in this battle, Boru faced another battle, the Battle of Cathair Cuan. Here he triumphed over the remaining Norse army in Munster and killed the last of Ivar’s lineage, the Viking King of Limerick.
The more powerful Boru got, the more his relationship with the other Viking leaders deteriorated. The Battle of Tara saw the rule of the Viking over Dublin come to an end with the victory of Mael Sechnaill mac Domhnaill over the powerful King Olaf in 980. King Olaf fled after being defeated.
Rising Revolt against The High King
At this time, Boru had already taken the High Kingship from the Uí Neills establishing himself as the new High King. Rising in revolt against the new High King was the king of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada. Boru had previously faced his and Sigtrygg’s army at the Battle of Glenmama and emerged victorious over them. He was trying to ease the tension by using diplomacy to bring the sides together, establishing relations with Dublin Vikings leader Sigtrygg Silkenbeard. He offered the Danish chieftain his daughter’s hand in marriage and himself married Silkenbeard’s mother Gormlaith who was previously wed to Mael Sechnaill. This alliance, however, did not last.
In 1013, Mael Morda, the King of Leinster sent help to Sitric. The two men formed an alliance and waged war against Boru. Relations between Boru and Gormliath broke down and she left with the Vikings and sought Viking allies overseas. This alliance also sought help from other Irish clans that were rebelling against Boru. Great Sigurd, from the Orkney Islands, and Brodir from the Isle of Man brought the largest contingent. Both men joined in the alliance having been promised by Gormliath the seat of High King. Sigtrygg joined the alliance just looking to maintain his leadership over his Dublin base. There were Viking contingents that came from as far as Iceland and Normandy to take part in the alliance.
During this time,the High King Brian Boru was the ruler of the Island of Ireland which consisted several small kingdoms. Boru was around 73 years of age when he was facing the Mael Morda, the King of Leinster, led rebellion. Morda’s army consisted of around three thousand Vikings and three thousand Leinstermen. Boru’s army consisted of mainly Irish men, around six thousand Irishmen of various chieftains and a thousand Viking mercenaries. Boru had a small numerical advantage over the rebel army. Before the main battle, Boru had been attacking and harassing Leinster bases hoping to reduce the number of the rebel army.
The Battle of Clontarf
As the Vikings joined forces in Dublin, Boru’s army became stronger in 1013 for the 1014 battle. Boru had sent word to his allies to join in the march to the Battle of Clontarf. Of those who responded was Chieftain Tadhg Mór O'Kelly of Uí Main. Battle ready, Boru’s army was nearing Dublin when he suffered a blow in his army’s numbers. As a result of a disagreement, Mael Sechnaill mac Domnaill withdrew from the army with the men of Maeth. Nevertheless Boru continued on, arriving just outside Dublin and spending the night near Kilmainham.
Meanwhile, Máel Mórda and Sitric were coming up with a sneaky plan behind the walls of Dublin. The plan was for the Vikings to sail out as if leaving the battle to throw off Boru’s army and reappear in the morning catching them by surprise. Sigtrygg’s son commanded the men in battle while him and a thousand men stayed behind. Sigtrygg’s men were on the left, in the middle were Mael Morda’s men and on the right were the Vikings. On Boru’s side, the Viking mercenaries were on the right, in the middle were the Munster and Connacht men and on his left were the Dalcassian men. Although Mael Sechnaill’s men had withdrawn from the battle, they watched from a distance.
On the morning of the fateful Good Friday, Boru rode before his army even though he was not willing to take an active role in the battle. He then gave a rousing speech to his men before retiring to the rear of the army. Meanwhile, the Vikings, having turned around, were assembling on the shores and beachng their boats in preparation for the battle. The two armies came head to head around early that morning with the battle unfolding as fight between different armies. The army on Boru’s left were fearlessly pushing back the Norse army.
At the same time Brodir’s men were advancing on the beach, coming upon Boru’s brother, Wolf the Quarrelsome. Wolf overpowered Brodir compelling him to run and hide in the woods. As the battle continued into the afternoon, Boru’s forces were gaining an edge over Mael Morda and Sigtrygg’s men. With the high King having the dominating army, he nearly exterminated the rebelling side. Boru’s army was able to push Mael Morda’s army far enough to cut off access to the longboats which forced them to flee back to the walls of Dublin. As they were reaching the bridge, they met Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, who had had a change of heart and rejoined the battle, and the Meath army. With Mael Morda’s army being trapped between Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill’s troops and Boru’s army, he was killed alongside many men of his army.
The Danish Vikings and the Leinster Irish both retreated from the battle. Sigurd, the Earl of Orkney and many men of his army died at sea while trying to get back on their long ships. By the time the battle was ending, it had claimed the lives of at least ten thousand men.
Brian Boru’s Battle Victory and Death
Brian Boru calimed victory over the greatest battle in his long career, he however, did not live long enough to bask in the glory. He was slain by Viking Brodir as he was kneeling in prayer in his tent. Boru was slain by Brodir, who was nearby, in the middle of praying for victory.
Wolf the Quarrelsome caught Brodir and slayed him in the most brutal of ways in revenge for the death of his brother Brian. Hours later, Brian Boru’s army carried his remains and laid him in the Cathedral of Armagh where he stayed for twelve days before he was buried.
The Aftermath
After the Battle of Clontarf, there followed a period of peace; with the Celtic chieftains and the Vikings living peacefully and harmoniously. During this time the main focus was on integration.
Sytrygg was the only leader of the rebelling army to survive, he had sent out his army into the battle and had remained behind the walls of Dublin. After the Battle of Clontarf, he reigned over Dublin for thirty more years.
Brian Boru and his son Murchad both died in the battle leaving no qualified heir to the throne. The two remaining sons did not inherit the throne after their father’s demise. The former High King of Ireland, Mael Sechnaill mac Domnaill ascended the throne once. However, henceforth the title of High King did not carry as much weight as it did when the throne was under the power of the Great High king Brian Boru.
Battle’s Significance In Irish History
The Battle of Clontarf represents the end of Norse domination in Ireland. The victory o Irish High King Brian Boru over the Norsemen was a turning point for Irish History. The Battle of Clontarf lasted a whole day, with most of the men who marched into battle being killed including Brian Boru, Máel Mórda, and Brodir of Mann.
After the battle, with Mael Morda, the leader of the rebel army, Sigurd and Brodir, Norse cheftains, having also been killed in the battle the number of Norsemen drastically reduced in Ireland. The number of Norsemen from the Kingdom of Dublin was significantly reduced, with the remaining Norsemen losing their dominance of the Irish people and losing their status to a minor power.
After the death of Brian Boru, his family lost the importance and power it previously held in Ireland. His lineage did however survive as there were no disputes over the ascendance of the throne. The major dispute to arise after the uncontested ascension of Mael Sechnaill mac Domnaill onto the throne was in the 12th Century.
The Battle of Clontarf was recorded in Irish and Norse chronicles, which paved the way for Brian Boru being acclaimed as Ireland’s national hero. The domination of the Irish armies over the Norse armies at the Battle of Clontarf was gradually regarded as the domination of Irish over foreign rule. During the Middle Ages, this victory was used as a sign of resistance against the Norman conquests. It was also used as a symbol of resistance during the British rule. Although it took place centuries ago, the Battle of Clontarf was and still is significant to Irish history.