Muirchertach Ua Briain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Muirchertach Ua Briain |
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| King of Munster and High King of Ireland | |
Fanciful depiction of Muirchertach.
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| Reign | c.1075-1086 |
| Predecessor | Toirdelbach Ua Briain |
| Successor | Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair |
| Born | c. 1050 |
| Died | 1119 |
| Issue | Mathgamain Domnall Bjaðmunjo Lafracoth |
| House | Uí Briain |
| Father | Toirdelbach Ua Briain |
| Mother | Derbforgaill, daughter of Tadhg Mac Giolla Pádraig of Osraige |
Muirchertach Ua Briain (also known as Murtaugh O'Brien) was a powerful Irish leader. He was born around 1050 and died in 1119. Muirchertach was the son of Toirdelbach Ua Briain and a great-grandson of the famous Brian Boru. He became the King of Munster and later declared himself the High King of Ireland.
Contents
Muirchertach Ua Briain: A Powerful Irish King
His Family and Early Years
Muirchertach Ua Briain came from the strong O'Brien dynasty. This family ruled Ireland at the time. His father, Toirdelbach Ua Briain, was the King of Munster and the High King before him. Muirchertach's mother was Derbforgaill.
We don't know much about Muirchertach's early life. Records say he was born in 1050. His first mention in history is in 1075. This was when he lost a battle against the Airgíalla kingdom. This battle was part of his father's efforts to control other kings in the north. Later, his father made him the governor of Dublin.
Governing the City of Dublin
Why Dublin Was Important
Dublin was a very important city in Ireland. Even after Brian Boru defeated the Vikings in 1014, Dublin remained a Norse-Gael city. It had strong links with other Viking kingdoms. The Norse kings paid tribute to Irish rulers. But the Irish usually let them manage their own affairs. This was because the Norse brought a lot of trade.
In 1052, the King of Leinster took control of Dublin. He understood how important Dublin was. It was seen as a national capital. It was also vital for trade and its strong navy.
Muirchertach's Role in Dublin
After the King of Leinster died in 1075, Muirchertach's father, Toirdelbach, took control of Dublin. Toirdelbach was expanding his power across Ireland. He first appointed another governor. But soon after, he put Muirchertach in charge. This was a very important job for Muirchertach. It showed his growing power.
As governor, Muirchertach often met with the Archbishop of Dublin. The Archbishop knew a lot about English politics. This might have made Muirchertach interested in events outside Ireland.
In 1084, Muirchertach led a large army. It included soldiers from Dublin, Leinster, Osraige, and Munster. They fought against Donchad ua Ruairc of Breifne. The battle was near Leixlip in County Kildare. Over 4,000 men died. Muirchertach won a big victory. He even took Ua Ruairc's head back to his father's palace.
Becoming King of Munster
In 1086, Muirchertach's father died. Muirchertach then claimed the title of King of Munster. His father had planned to divide the kingdom among his three sons. But Muirchertach's brother Tadc died the next year. Muirchertach then sent his other brother, Diarmuit, away. He wanted the whole province for himself.
Diarmuit didn't give up easily. He made an alliance with the King of Leinster. Their forces met Muirchertach's army. Muirchertach won this battle too. His claim to the Kingship was now secure.
Battles with Other Kings
In 1088, Muirchertach launched naval attacks. He fought against Ruadhrí na Saide Buide Ua Conchobhair, the King of Connacht. Muirchertach's fleets were defeated. Ruadhrí then attacked Munster.
A new rival appeared: Domnall Mac Lochlainn, King of the Northern Uí Néill. Domnall invaded Connacht in 1088. He made Ruadhrí na Saide submit to him. Ruadhrí and Domnall then attacked Munster together. Muirchertach was away fighting in Leinster. They burned and looted cities like Limerick and Killaloe. They took many hostages. Muirchertach had to pay a lot to get them back.
Muirchertach got his revenge. He attacked the kingdoms of Meath and Leinster. He took control of both areas. He also fought around Dublin. He burned a building in Lusk, killing over 160 people. Then he went west. He cut down the sacred tree of the Kings of Connacht.
In 1089, Muirchertach was looting islands in Lough Ree. But Ruadhrí na Saide blocked his way home. Muirchertach had to give his ships to the forces of Meath. He marched his army home on foot. The Meath and Connacht forces used Muirchertach's ships. They sailed south and plundered the lands around Cashel.
The Struggle for Power
Four kings were now fighting for control in Ireland:
- Muirchertach Ua Briain of Munster
- Domnall Ua Maél Sechnaill of Meath
- Ruadhrí na Saide Buide Ua Conchobhair of Connacht
- Domnall Mac Lochlainn of the Northern Uí Néill
In 1090, the four kings met. Mac Lochlainn was recognized as High King. He received hostages from the others. Muirchertach then campaigned in Leinster again. While he was away, Munster was attacked. Muirchertach was defeated by Meath. But he drove back the Connacht army. Mac Lochlainn helped him defeat Meath.
In 1092, Ruadhrí na Saide was blinded. This caused chaos in Connacht. Muirchertach took advantage of this. He invaded Connacht and gained its kingship. He also helped his nephew, Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair, who would later become King of Connacht. These events made Muirchertach in the south and Mac Lochlainn in the north the most powerful kings in Ireland. Muirchertach continued to expand his power. He even made peace with his brother Diarmuit in 1093.
Becoming High King of Ireland
In 1094, Muirchertach fought the kings of Leth Cuinn and Gofraid Crobán, King of Dublin. He went to Dublin and sent Gofraid away. He also caused the death of Domnall Ua Maíl Shechnaill. Muirchertach took control over the Southern Uí Néill of Meath. He divided the province between two rival families. This was a clever way to keep them from becoming too strong.
The Irish Sea and Magnus Barefoot
After the Irish took Dublin in 1052, Ireland's influence in the Irish Sea grew. This included the Kingdom of the Isles, which included the Isle of Man. Muirchertach's father had also controlled the Isle of Man.
When Muirchertach became king, the Manx people tried to become independent. But by 1095, Muirchertach regained control. He did this through a political marriage. His nephew, Diarmuit, married a Manx princess. By controlling the Isles, Muirchertach gained access to many soldiers and large navies. This helped him in his war against Domnall Ua Lochlainn.
However, this caught the attention of Magnus III, the King of Norway. He was known as Magnus Barefoot. Magnus wanted to keep Norwegian power in the area. He arrived with a large fleet. He took control of islands like Orkney and Man.
Earlier, Muirchertach had sent a fleet to Wales. They were helping the Welsh fight the Normans. But the Normans paid the Irish ships to switch sides. The Welsh were defeated. Magnus then landed and defeated the Norman army. After this, Anglesey was considered the southernmost part of Norway.
In 1101, Muirchertach declared himself High King. He traveled across Ireland. He is first called High King in the Annals of Tigernach that year. He also gave the fortress on the rock of Cashel to the Church. He ordered a book to be written called Cogad Gaédal re Galliab. This book was propaganda. It made the O'Brien family's claim to the High Kingship seem stronger.
The "Circular Hosting" Campaign
In 1101, Muirchertach planned his biggest campaign. It was called An Sligeadh Timcheall ("The Circular Hosting"). He gathered armies from all kingdoms except Ulster. They marched north for six weeks. They burned towns and destroyed Grianan of Aileach. This was an important fort of the Northern Uí Néill. Muirchertach ordered his men to bring back a stone from the fort for every sack of food. This was revenge for earlier attacks on Munster.
This campaign helped Muirchertach control the Ulaid for the first time. The Northern Uí Néill were weakened. But they did not give up. Muirchertach led more campaigns against them. But he could not fully defeat them.
Battles in the North and Norwegian Alliance
Muirchertach, like other High Kings, found it hard to control Ulster. He led yearly campaigns against Domnall Ua Lochlainn. The fighting was often in southern County Armagh. Truces were often arranged by the abbot of Armagh.
Muirchertach tried to attack the Cenél Chonaill. He had naval support from Dublin. But the Dublin fleet was destroyed. Around this time, Magnus Barefoot returned. He had a larger force. He might have planned to invade Ireland.
Magnus agreed to help Muirchertach fight Ulster. They formed an alliance. Muirchertach's daughter, Bjaðmunjo, married Magnus's son, Sigurd. This treaty saved Ireland from Norse raids. But Ireland lost control of most of the Isles to Norway. Muirchertach also recognized Norwegian control over Dublin.
Muirchertach and Magnus campaigned together in Ulster in 1102 and 1103. But the campaigns were not very successful. In 1103, Muirchertach attacked Domnall Ua Lochlainn. But he was defeated at the Battle of Mag Coba.
The Death of Magnus Barefoot
There is some confusion about how Magnus died. Norwegian sources say Muirchertach was supposed to bring Magnus supplies. When Muirchertach didn't show up, Magnus became suspicious. On August 24, 1103, Magnus landed on the coast of northeastern Ireland. He might have been raiding for cattle. A large Irish force attacked him. Magnus was killed, and his force was destroyed.
After this, Sigurd returned to Norway. Norwegian influence remained. But no Norwegian king came to Ireland for another 150 years.
Dealing with England and Scotland
English Troubles
After the death of William II of England in 1100, Henry I of England took the throne. But William's older brother, Robert, also wanted the crown. Some of Robert's supporters were the de Belleme family. They were very powerful. Robert de Belleme and his brother Arnulf were among them.
Robert of Normandy invaded England. But he and Henry quickly made a deal. Henry then turned against Robert's supporters. Arnulf de Belleme asked Muirchertach for help. Arnulf sent his steward, Gerald of Windsor, to talk to Muirchertach. Arnulf was to marry Muirchertach's daughter. Muirchertach agreed. He sent his daughter with a fleet to help. But Robert and Arnulf were defeated before the fleet arrived.
The de Belleme brothers fled to Ireland. They fought with Muirchertach. But when Arnulf tried to take power for himself, Muirchertach turned against him. He took his daughter away from Arnulf. He forced Arnulf to leave Ireland. Muirchertach might have done this to make peace with King Henry. Henry had stopped trade with Ireland because they helped the rebels. Muirchertach was able to get the trade ban lifted. This showed his diplomatic skills.
Scottish Connections
After Magnus Barefoot died in 1103, Muirchertach continued to expand Irish power. He put his nephew Diarmuit back as King of the Isle of Man in 1111. This gave him control over other islands near Scotland. At this time, Scotland was ruled by King Edgar.
In 1105, Muirchertach received a strange gift from Edgar: a camel. Camels were very rare in the British Isles. This gift was important. It showed that Muirchertach's influence reached Scotland. Edgar likely saw Muirchertach as a valuable ally or a serious threat. Peace with him was the best choice.
Later Life and Death
By 1100, Muirchertach controlled almost all of Ireland. Only the north-western part, ruled by Domnall Ua Lochlainn, remained defiant. The conflict between them became a stalemate. Muirchertach then focused on other parts of his rule.
Between 1101 and 1112, he worked on Church reforms. He influenced changes in marriage laws. He also made new laws and reformed the justice system. He gave more gifts to the Church. Like many rulers, he knew it was important to have the Catholic Church on his side.
However, conflict with Ua Lochlainn started again in 1112. Domnall attacked Dublin. Muirchertach went north to deal with him. But a peace was arranged again.
In 1114, Muirchertach became very sick. His brother Diarmuit took advantage of this. He stole the Kingship and sent Muirchertach away. But the next year, Muirchertach got his strength back. He returned home and fought against Diarmuit. He captured his brother in 1115. But his power as High King was weakening.
The young Toirdelbach Ua Conchobhair, King of Connacht, was becoming very powerful. He was Muirchertach's nephew. He invaded Munster many times. Muirchertach struggled to fight him off. Rebellions also started in southern Munster. These were supported by Ua Conchobhair. In 1118, he successfully invaded and divided the Kingdom of Munster.
Muirchertach died in 1119. The Annals of Ulster called him "king of Ireland and tower of the honour and dignity of the western world." Munster was divided into three kingdoms: Thomond, Kingdom of Desmond, and Airgíalla. Muirchertach retired and died in Lismore. He was succeeded as High King by Toirdelbach Ua Conchobhair. The O'Briens never became High Kings again. But the Kingdom of Thomond remained powerful for centuries.
Images for kids
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Fanciful depiction of Muirchertach.
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A map showing the main kingdoms in Ireland during Muirchertach's time.
