Turgesius facts for kids

Turgesius (died 845), also known as Turgeis or Thorgest, was a famous Viking leader. He was active in Ireland during the 800s. An island on Lough Lene, called Turgesius Island, is named after him. Historians are not sure if his name comes from the Old Norse names Thurgestr or Thorgísl. Some people thought he might be the legendary Ragnar Loðbrók, but this idea is not widely accepted today.

Turgesius's Life in Ireland

The most reliable information about Turgesius comes from old Irish records called the Annals of Ulster. These records say he died in 845. He was captured by Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid, who was a powerful Irish king. The records state that Turgesius was drowned in Lough Owel.

Other old writings, like the Annals of the Four Masters, suggest that Turgesius attacked areas like Connacht and Mide. He also attacked the important church at Clonmacnoise in the year before he died.

Viking Adventures and Conquests

There are no records of Turgesius in his home country of Scandinavia. We only know about him from the stories of his battles and conquests in Ireland and Great Britain.

A writer named Giraldus Cambrensis described Turgesius as one of the first Viking conquerors of Ireland. It's thought that Turgesius first came to Ireland around 820. However, he arrived as a leader with his own army in about 837. He led a huge fleet of 120 ships! Half of these ships sailed into the River Boyne, and the other half went into the River Liffey.

Turgesius took control of the settlement of Dublin from the local people. He then built a strong fort there, using Scandinavian building methods. This fort was on the hill where Dublin Castle stands today. From Dublin, he launched more attacks into Ireland, especially into Leinster and Munster. He also crossed the Irish Sea to attack Wales.

One important place he captured was the rich monastery of Clonmacnoise. This monastery was on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. Turgesius set up several bases inland. One of his main forts was on Lough Ree, north of Athlone. Another fort was at a place called Lyndwachill on Lough Neagh. He also had forts on high ground southwest of Lough Lene and on the main island of that lake, which is now named after him. From this island, he controlled the middle part of Leinster.

In 843, King Niall Caille fought Turgesius in a big battle. King Niall was defending his home province of Ulster. He fought against Vikings from both Lough Neagh and another group who sailed into Lough Swilly. The forces of King Niall and Turgesius met on a plain called Moynith. The old records say "a countless number fell." King Niall won this battle against Turgesius.

The End of Turgesius

Turgesius was killed in 843 or 844 by Máel Sechnaill I, who was also known as Malachy. Malachy was the King of Meath and had been under Turgesius's rule.

There are different stories about how Turgesius died. He is believed to have been drowned in Lough Owel, which is near Mullingar. One local story says that Malachy asked Turgesius for advice on how to get rid of a lot of birds that were causing problems. Turgesius quickly suggested destroying their nests. This gave Malachy the idea to do the same thing to get rid of the Vikings in his land!

Another story about his death says that Turgesius demanded to marry Malachy's daughter. Malachy pretended to agree. But instead of his daughter, he sent Turgesius 12 young men without beards, dressed up as his daughter and her helpers. These young men were actually assassins.

The historian Geoffrey Keating wrote about this story in the 1600s. He described how Malachy's men, disguised as women, captured Turgesius when he tried to take Malachy's "daughter." Then, Malachy and his soldiers rushed in and killed all the Vikings in the fortress, except for Turgesius. Turgesius was then taken prisoner.

Stories and Legends

By the 1100s, when a book called The War of the Irish with the Foreigners was written, Turgesius had become a very important figure in Irish legends. This book was written to make Brian Bóruma seem even more heroic.

Gerald of Wales also included similar stories about Turgesius in his book Topographia Hibernica. However, these stories are not always considered completely accurate by historians today.

According to The War of the Irish with the Foreigners, Turgesius was married to a woman named Ottar or Ota. This story claims that she took over the cathedral at Clonmacnoise. She would sit on the main altar and meet with people there. This might mean she was a type of Viking priestess or fortune-teller. However, an Arabic account of a visit to the Vikings calls the king's wife Nūd.

See also

• Early Scandinavian Dublin
• History of Ireland (800–1169)
• Norse activity in the British Isles

Related reading

• Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2006) The Chronicle of Ireland, translated texts for historians (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press) ISBN: 978-0853239598