My Freind Bangs My Wife

Brian Boru

Or how clamor for a Hollywood blockbuster

For several years now, Ireland has fascinated me. Be specific, its historical development during the Middle Ages. Two factors have turned this region into something exceptional, historically speaking, of course. On the one hand, we have no romanization. While in England (Britannia Roman) is low, Ireland is no: enough problems already caused Britons themselves, let alone Picts and other ilk of the mountains of northern Caledonia (Scotland) and had no desire cross another body of water, because you know what and who was waiting in the barren land of Hibernia (although it seems that it had set foot there, briefly, as there are sources that indicate the presence of cutting Roman cemeteries southwest of the island). The other factor is the relatively early entry of Christianity in those lands, while other land Romanized not be kept in the dark ages religious up rather late, such as Scandinavia, here from the V century missionaries were already sharing with whom they want to hear the word of the Lord. The mixture of these two facts results in a foreign land to the Roman Germanic traditions, but relatively well documented, thanks to the work of the monasteries, a hallmark of Christianity on the island green.

Although this article will not deal in Ireland itself, we need a brief introduction. Because obviously, get in early to talk about Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, scourge of the Vikings, because as it leaves the feeling that we lose something ... So let us begin.

As already mentioned, these peculiarities made Ireland a land far from the influence of the Germanic peoples. One aspect in which it shows is a special social organization. As good Indo-European, social organization was tribal, only nuances found here: suppose that isolation on islands and the relative lack of space meant that the tribes themselves were closed, resulting in a clan (a word that is supposed to come from Gaelic and means "descendant"), smaller units of persons related to each other. It becomes the middle ground between the tribe and family. The attachment to the clan caused the whole society revolve around them. So, not surprising that this article appears several of these relationships. A defining characteristic of the clan is that all its members claim descent from a common ancestor, which is normally lost in the mists of collective memory and became a legend. The significance of this find it later.

Ireland ceased to be a miniature version of any other territory, was like a world unto itself. There was no political unity, and the major clans were pitted against each other, they were strong enough to defend but not imposed. Something similar happened in Britain in the early Middle Ages, with the Heptarchy, and also happened in Greece and Rome (I can think of, for example, the Peloponnesian War, or the triumvirate, surpassing conflict ended by either a genius, a fluke, etc.), and will happen later for the modern age in Europe (the countless wars that did not stop being a dead-ending), or the same western front of the First World War. But back to Ireland. What happens in nature? That the big fish eats the small. What happens in history? If you're not strong, a neighbor finding you end up appealing. In the case Irish, the Vikings were big fish (mainly Danish), who first terrify the coasts of the British Isles, and then move to occupy the land politically. In Ireland's case, major cities developed from the Viking settlements on the coast: Dublin, Cork, Limerick ...

that invasion was necessary (or rather, attempt at invasion, because it was far from what in England) for someone to react and join the Irish, for the first time effectively. That someone was Brian Boru.

But it was not exactly a bed of roses. Brian must have been born in the first half of the tenth century, remains the most accepted date of 941, somewhere in the realm of Tuadmumu (north of Munster, which is what it means), the center-west of the island, within the clan Dál gCais ( or Dalcassian).

At that time, Ireland had a ruler de facto, a king known as the most powerful for the rest, which in this case was the king of Meath. Bass, he stronger other kings, who rule the major kingdoms of the island (as Leinster, Ulster, Munster and Connacht). And in a third level, kings of smaller territories, other major tributaries (as Tuadmumu or Dublin).

Brian Boru's father was the king of Tuadmumu, and his mother came from another royal lineage. It was the second son, so that in principle the big dish of inheritance would not go for it. But death in battle against the Vikings from his father, and after his older brother, Mathgamain, opened the doors of the throne of Tuadmumu. Her mother was killed by these people, which would not surprise me if all this generated some resentment towards the invaders.

His kingdom extended to both banks of the River Shannon, and was the vital artery for the area, thanks to him could be made forays to the east and west, Meath and Connacht. Brian cut his teeth so militarily in this river, for surely must have participated in the raids of his father and brother before taking his own. Before coming to Limerick Meath was, as we have said already was a city of Viking origin. However, there was an interesting mixture between the people in general and the natives, which eventually became known as Hiberno-Normans. The curious thing about these people is that they believed more Irish than the Irish themselves, with the result that the natives looked upon with suspicion enough. Limerick played an important role in the development of events. With Cennétig mac Lorcáin, father of Brian, died, his brother continued Mathgamain the struggle to gain control of all Munster (not to be confused with the German region of Münster), a company that was successful despite their alliance with Limerick. History tells us that Mathgamain, thinking go and reconcile with the vanquished, was killed by them. Brian Dalcassian exalted to the throne, he swore revenge. Was 976 and begin almost forty years of continuous struggle to assert its authority over Ireland.

Thus, in one quick motion submitted in this order, Limerick and Munster, ending the war in 978. And in this war began the pattern that would repeat until his death: strike first, no time to organize the rival or forces, and once defeated, seeking conciliation despite the brutality. For example, in Limerick sent to assassinate the ruler and his heir, but did not expel the Hiberno-Normans from their territory, or in Munster, killed the father, but he respected his son on the throne and gave the hand of a daughter it, making an enemy an ally for life.

The next step was to continue growing at the expense of their neighbors, who at that time were Leinster and Connacht, east and north, respectively (Munster and Tuadmumu occupy the southwestern part of the island), which led him to deal with the High King Máel Sechnaill Domnaill mac, lord of Meath. Fifteen years take to achieve it (982-997), but the stubbornness paid off, because so many defeats learned valuable lessons. Is it too farfetched to say that was the forerunner of the amphibious invasions and the use of diversionary attacks? Yes, sure. The fact is that both the family experience in what amounts to attacking across rivers, such as contact with Limerick (plus many setbacks), you should take to improve the combined attacks by land and sea and port blocks.

finally took In 996 the kingdom of Leinster, forcing his rival to recognize him as king of the South of Ireland. He would resign to become king of the North Ireland. It seemed that Brian Boru had bitten off more than he could swallow, for peace lasted only two years, it took Leinster to rebel, it seems that the policy of conciliation Dalcassian not work this time. Thus began a bloody war between Brian and Leinster Dublin and its allies, led by Sigtrygg Silkbeard (consider that funky names were the Vikings: Barba Silk, Blue Tooth, short shorts ... And all preceded by a name formed gibberish by a consonant). Brief but intense war was decided in a battle that left about 4,000 men on the ground, and to avoid further uprisings shook links: Sigtrygg married with a daughter and he married her mother (who at that time was the sister of the King of Leinster). And everyone happy and on his throne, unchanged.

In this episode, three years of peace followed, until 1000, when released in droves against the capital of North, Meath, which will not only pitted against an old enemy (Máel Sechnaill Domnaill mac), but against King of Connacht, a tributary of the former. Brian used this alliance in its favor: Meath and Connacht were separated by the river Shannon, which could annoy them both without having to disperse their troops. But peace came in a little heroic: the challenge of combat, Meath king called for a truce to collect their hosts, Brian agreed, but missed the deadline Máel not appear. Faced with this humiliation, his subjects, albeit nominally, forced him to cede his title rival. Thus silly (and little brianesca ), in 1002 Brian Boru became High King of Ireland.

Have we not said before that was the Great King? Indeed, is not the same as the High King (principle and to understand, one that holds hegemony among their peers in a territory equivalent to Bretwalda of Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy, or the Hegemon of Greece, whence the term) Gran Rey. On paper are the same, but the lexical richness of Castilian allows us to give a hint that this barbarous language is English can not (the term is High King and point): the Great King was acknowledged king and in fact, undergoing all those who dare question their authority. And in this case it was the northern provinces of the island, the Ulster, a feat that took fourteen years, despite the power that was now so complicated terrain and the stubbornness of its leaders.

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland (for a short time, but to see who could say the same thing)

However, the unit lasted from nothing less. Again there were problems in Leinster, for a take away than those insults, in 1012. The same guy who was Caneado end of the century became boost against Brian, but this time was a moderate success, endured a siege. But not unhappy with Brian rose (admittedly, not contributing troops to combat), nor supported it. Therefore sought help outside the island, through his cousin Sigtrygg, the Dublin, his vassal, who traveled to the Orkney and stood back in Man And these islands dominated by the Vikings, who had some contact with the Hiberno-Normans arrived Leinster troops required. Everything is turned upside down in just a few months: Meath troops were abandoned to the Great King, which were tied in numbers ... If not because Brian had sent a detachment of a certain size to the south of Leinster. And if that inferiority (and division) was not enough, the Vikings arrived as promised. The battle took place on Good Friday 1014, and is said to have lasted all day. Won "on points" Great King, but lost his life in a way a bit silly: nearly finished the race, the Viking mercenaries fled in disarray, in some way one arrived at the camp Irish managed to get Brian's shop and there murdered him while praying, they say. The Vikings converted magic bullet ... Another legend gives us a more heroic end, dying in combat. The fact is that Brian Boru had not survived that battle, as almost none of his children, so the idea of \u200b\u200ba united Ireland is quickly diluted.

Without Brian on stage, mac Sechnaill Máel Domnaill regained title of High King of Ireland. And his direct descendants (those who survived) had to settle for it to rule in Munster. Murchad died in the last battle; Tadc was murdered by his brother Donnchad. The rest of Brian's children died before their father. Munster was therefore ruled following the Great King by another clan until Donnchad after killing Tadc, beckoned him back. He was succeeded his son, and he, the son of Tadc ...

And as stated earlier, the clans claim descent from an ancestor, mythical times. Guess where they came from the Ua Briain (O'Brien)? By the way, Kennedy also pointed to the cart: Ó Cinnéide, Cennétig grandson, but not by Brian, but his brother, but who cares? What is important is the significant jump on the bandwagon.