Brian Bóruma mac Cennetig (abt. 940 - 1014)

Born about 0940 in Killaloe, Thomond, Munster, Ireland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 23 Apr 1014 at about age 74 in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland

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Biography

Parents

Brian Boru, High King of Ireland aka Brian Bóruma Cennetig was born in 0940 in Killaloe, Thomond, Munster, Ireland.^[1] His parents were Cennétig MacLorcain and Be Bind Aurchada.^[2] The Annals of Ulster record that "Brian son of Ceinnéitig son of Lorcán king of Ireland and Mael Sechnaill son of Domnall king of Temair" led an army to “Áth Cliath” in 1014. ^[2]

Siblings

Cennétig mac Lorcáin of the Dál gCais (d. 951) king of Tuadmumu had these children:

1. Mathgamain mac Cennétig, King of Munster abt 970 — 976. Mathgamuin son of Cennétig, king of Caisel, was killed by Mael Muad son of Bran^[3], previous king of Munster. [descendants: McMahon family of County Clare (Thomond).]^[4]
2. Lachtna, d. 953
3. Brian

Marriage and Issue

1. He married Mór O Mulloy in 0965 (daughter of the king of Uí Fiachrach Aidne of Connacht)^{[citation needed]}. Together they had 2 children: Blanaid Nic Brian^{[citation needed]} and Murchad O'Brien^{[citation needed]} who was slain with Boru at Clontarf.
2. He married Echrad ingen Carlus daughter of the king of Uí Áeda Odba,^[5] an obscure branch of the southern Uí Néill, was the mother of Tadc, whose son Toirdelbach and grandson Muirchertach rivalled Brian in power and fame.^[6]
3. He married Dubhcobhla Connaught in 0997 daughter of the king of Connacht.^[7]
4. He married Gormflaeth Murchadh in 0985^[8] Together they had 1 child: Donnchad O'Brien^[9]. Gormflaith was the best known of his wives and said to be the most beautiful. She was the daughter of Murchad mac Finn, King of Leinster, sister of Máel Morda and also widow of Olaf Cuaran, the Viking king of Dublin and York. She was said to be his true love; having mistakeningly challenged his authority one too many times, they divorced. Though she is said to be the cause of his death, she was also said to be the one to mourn him the most.
5. Brian Bóruma also had the following child: Unknown mother; Slani ingen Brian^{[citation needed]}

He died on April 23, 1014 in Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland^[2]

Reign

997 Division of Ireland

The Annals of Inisfallen record that "Brian son of Cennétig…and Mael Sechnaill son of Domnall king of Temuir” divided Ireland between them in 997 “Leth Cuinn to Mael Sechnaill and Leth Moga to Brian”[222]. ^[2]

1002 High King of Ireland

High King of Ireland 1002. It would appear that Brian´s high-kingship overlapped with that of MaelSechanaill as no record has been found that the latter resigned the position. ^[2]

The Annals of Tigernach record that “Brían Boroma regnat” in [999/1000][223].^[2]

1014 Battle of Clontarf

Orkneyinga Saga records that Sigurd Jarl of Orkney went to Ireland “five years after the Battle of Svoldur” to support “King Sigtrygg Silk-Beard” against “King Brian of Ireland”, and left “his elder sons in charge of the earldom”, but was killed in the battle in which King Brian was killed[225]. ^[2]

The Annals of Ulster record that "Brian son of Ceinnéitig son of Lorcán king of Ireland and Mael Sechnaill son of Domnall king of Temair" led an army to “Áth Cliath” in 1014, adding that Brian was killed in the battle[226]. ^[2]

1014

Great warfare between Brian and the foreigners of Áth Cliath, and Brian then brought a great muster of the men of Ireland to Áth Cliath. After that the foreigners of Áth Cliath gave battle to Brian, son of Cennétig, and he was slain, with his son Murchad, royal heir of Ireland, and Murchad's son, namely, Tairdelbach, as also the princes of Mumu round Conaing, son of Donn Cúán, and round Domnall son of Diarmait, king of Corcu Bascinn, and round Mac Bethad son of Muiredach, king of Ciarraige Luachra, and also Tadc Ua Cellaig, king of Uí Maine, and many others. There were also slain in that battle Mael Mórda son of Murchad, king of Laigin, together with the princes of the Laigin round him, and the foreigners of the western world were slaughtered in the same battle.^[10]

1014 Death

killed in battle Clontarf 23 Apr 1014). ^[2]

The Chronicon of Mariano Scotti records that "Brian rex Hiberniæ" was killed "1014 IX Kal Mai"[224]. ^[2]

23 April 1014, Battle of Clontarf

Brian was too old to fight and his son, Murchad, led the troops and defeated the Norse at the battle near Dublin. Brian was inadequately guarded and was killed by the Norse. ^[11][12]

The saga, Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib ("The War of the Irish with the Foreigners") was composed early in the 12th Century at a time when descendants were struggling to retain overlordship of Ireland. The story draws on the Annuls of Ulster to recall the struggle of Brian Bóruma mac Cennetig to withstand the depredations of the Viking Uí Ímair dynasty in Ireland, beginning with the Battle of Sulcoit in 967 and building up to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, in which Brian Bóruma lost his life, though his forces were victorious. ^{[13] [14]}

Issue

Brian had at least three daughters:

1. Sadb (d. 1048)
2. Sláine, (according to the Welsh text Historia Gruffud vab Kenan) married Sihtric Silkenbeard, son of her stepmother, Gormflaeth Slani ingen Brian, born Kincora, Munster, 980
3. Bé Binn, who married Flaithbertach, king of the northern Uí Néill (d. 1036)^[5] U1073.1 - Bé Binn daughter of Brian died on pilgrimage in Ard Macha. The Annals of Ulster.

Displayed on WikiTree but not Documented

1. Blanaid Nic (Brian) O'Brian, born Munster, Ireland, 962
2. Murchad (O'Brien) O'Briain, born Leinster, 970
3. Tadc O'Brien, born Clare, 973
4. [[Brian-17|
5. Donnchad (O'Brien) O'Briain, born Kincora, Munster, 981

Sources

1. ↑ Clare Library Killaloe
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9} Cawley, "Kings of Ireland." Medieval Lands Project. Foundation for Medieval Genealogy. Brian Boru. Accessed February 27, 2016
3. ↑ The Annals of Ulster, U976.1
4. ↑ Wikipedia entry for Mathgamain mac Cennétig
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Seán Duffy,Brian Bóruma, [Brian Boru] (c.941–1014), Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004, accessed 23 June 2014, amb
6. ↑ Wikipedia entry for Brian Boru
7. ↑ The Annals of Ulster U1009.8, retrieved 2014-06-29, amb
8. ↑ A Concise History of Ireland by PW Joyce 24ed pg.67
9. ↑ The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing: Irish women's writing and traditions, retrieved 2014-06-22, amb
10. ↑ Annals of Inisfallen, AI1014.2, Author Unknown, retrieved 2014-06-22, amb
11. ↑ Wright, The history of Ireland, p. 56, retrieved 2014-06-22, amb
12. ↑ Cannon, A Dictionary of British History, Battle of Clontarf, 1014, retrieved 2014-06-22, amb
13. ↑ Cogadh Gaedhel Re Gallaibh: The War of the Gaedhil with the Gaill: or The Invasions of Ireland by the Danes and Other Norsemen by James Henthorn Todd pub: Cambridge University Press 2012
14. ↑ Wikipedia : Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib

See also:

• http://www.thepeerage.com/p10286.htm#i102854
• More on Gormlaith and Brian Boru can be found in the transcript: Queen Gormlaith, Brian Boru and The Northmen of Dublin
• The Annals of Ulster, author Unknown.
• Annala Uladh: Introduction and index, by B. MacCarthy. Volume 4 of Annala Uladh: Annals of Ulster, otherwise, Annala Senait, Annals of Senat; a chronicle of Irish affairs from A.D. 431, to A.D. 1540, Royal Irish Academy. Volume 4 of Annala Uladh, Cathal MacMaghnusa Maguire]. Authors: Annals of Ulster, Cathal MacMaghnusa Maguire, Royal Irish Academy. Editors : William Maunsell Hennessy, Bartholomew MacCarthy. Publisher: Printed for H. M. Stationery off., by A. Thom & co. (limited), 1901. Original: from the University of Michigan. Digitized: Jun 17, 2008
• The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing: Irish women's writing and traditions. Vols. 4-5, Volume 4 of The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing, Jonathan Williams, ISBN 0814799086, 9780814799086, Volume 4 of The Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing: Irish Women's Writing and Traditions, Angela Bourke, ISBN 0814799086, 9780814799086. Editor: Angela Bourke. Publisher: NYU Press, 2002
• Roger Chatterton Newman, Brian Boru: King of Ireland, Edition: illustrated, reprint. Publisher: Mercier Press Ltd, 2011
• Thomas Sturge Moore, The History of Ireland, CH XXVI, p. 8
• John Cannon, A Dictionary of British History, Battle of Clontarf, 1014
• Thomas Wright, The history of Ireland
• Queen Gormlaith, Brian Boru and The Northmen of Dublin transcript, by Dr Howard Clarke, on Tuesday 8 April 2014 at 1pm, in Dublin City Hall.

• Rebecca Helena Hime, Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf: A Ballad
• 'Kings, Queens, Chiefs & Rulers' by Paul Cheshire published by Star Fire 2003.
• See the Changes page for the details of edits.
• FMG https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/IRELAND.htm#_Toc389126184

The Annals

• U941.2 Birth of Brian son of Cennéitig.
• U976.1 Mathgamuin son of Cennétig, king of Caisel, was killed by Mael Muad son of Bran.
• U978.2 A battle between Brian son of Cennétig and Mael Muad, king of Desmumu, in which Mael Muad fell.
• U998.1 Mael Sechnaill and Brian made an expedition and took the hostages of the foreigners to ensure good behaviour towards the Irish.
• U998.5 Mael Sechnaill made an expedition into Connacht and ravaged it. Brian made an expedition also in Laigin and ravaged it.
• U999.8 Brian, king of Caisel, led an army to Glenn Máma and the foreigners of Áth Cliath, accompanied by the Laigin, came to attack him. And they were defeated and a slaughter was inflicted on them, including Aralt son of Amlaíb and Cuilén son of Eitigén and other nobles of the foreigners. This happened on Thursday the third of the Kalends of January 30 Dec. Brian afterwards entered Áth Cliath, and Áth Cliath was plundered by him.
• U1000.4 The foreigners returned to Áth Cliath and gave hostages to Brian.
• U1000.7 Brian made a hosting to Ferta Nime in Mag Breg. The foreigners and the Laigin, with a raiding party of horsemen, came before them into Mag Breg, and Mael Sechnaill came upon them, and they were nearly all killed. Brian then retreated without giving battle or making incursion—by the Lord's insistence.
• U1002.1 Brian brought an army to Áth Luain and took the hostages of the Connachta and of the men of Mide.
• U1002.8 Brian and Mael Sechnaill led an army to Dún Delca to demand hostages from Aed and Eochaid, and they parted on terms of truce.
• U1004.3 Gilla Cellaig son of Comaltán, king of Uí Fhiachrach Aidni, and Brian son of Mael Ruanaid were killed. (NOTE: Not Brian Boru)
• U1004.7 An army was led by Brian to Trácht Eothaile to make a circuit of Ireland, but the Cenél Eógain prevented him.
• U1005.7 Brian, accompanied by the royalty of Ireland, brought an army to Ard Macha, and left twenty ounces of gold on Patrick's altar. He went back, bringing the pledges of the men of Ireland.
• U1006.4 Brian brought an army on a circuit of Ireland into Connacht, over Es Ruaid into Tír Conaill, through Cenél Eógain, over Fertas Camsa, into Ulaid, into the assembly of the Conaille; and at Lammas they came to Belach Dúin, and the full demand of the community of Patrick and of his successor i.e. Mael Muire son of Eochaid, was granted.
• U1007.5 Cú Chonnacht son of Dúnadach, chief of Síl Anmchada, was treacherously killed by Brian alias by Murchad son of Brian and by Ua Dúngalaig, king(?) of Múscraige Tíre, in the vicinity of Lothra.
• U1007.7 Brian led an expedition to Cenél Eógain, i.e. to Dún Droma, beside Ard Macha, and took away ua Críchidéin, successor of Finnén of Mag Bile, who was a pledge in Cenél Eógain on behalf of the Ulaid.
• U1009.8 Dub Chablaig, daughter of the king of Connacht, i.e. wife of Brian son of Ceinnéitig, died.
• U1010.4 Brian led an army to Claenloch of Sliab Fuait and took the pledges of Leth Cuinn.
• U1011.2 Flaithbertach ua Néill i.e. king of Ailech, accompanied by the warriors of the North, and Murchad son of Brian with the men of Mumu and of Laigin and the southern Uí Néill, invaded Cenél Conaill and took 300 captives and many cows.
• U1011.3 (Brian and Mael Sechnaill were again in their naval camp at Enach Duib. Énna, by the Cenél Eógain of Inis Eógain.)
• U1011.7 (Brian led an army to Mag Corainn and brought back the king of Cenél Conaill i.e. Mael Ruanaid ua Maíl Doraid in submission to Cenn Corad.
• U1012.3 Brian led an army into Mag Muirtheimne, and he gave complete immunity to Patrick's churches on that hosting.
• U1013.1 Mael Sechnaill, at the request of Mael Muire and Brian, made a raid on Conaille in revenge for the profanation of Patrick's Finnfíadech and the breaking of Patrick's staff.
• U1013.6 Brian led an army to Áth in Chaerthainn, where he remained for three months.
• U1013.7 Murchad son of Brian made a great raid into Laigin, plundered the land to Glenn dá Locha and Cell Maignenn, burned the whole country, and took great spoils and countless captives.
• U1013.11 Many fortifications were built by Brian, i.e. the fort of Cenn Coradh, and Inis Gaill Duib and Inis Locha Sainglenn.
• U1013.12 The Laigin and the foreigners began warring against Brian, and the Munstermen and Brian were encamped at Sliabh Mairce, and they harried Laigin as far as Áth Cliath.
• U1014.2 Brian son of Ceinnétig son of Lorcán, king of Ireland, and Mael Sechnaill son of Domnall, king of Temair, led an army to Áth Cliath. All the Laigin were assembled to meet him, and the foreigners of Áth Cliath, and a like number of the foreigners of Scandinavia, i.e. to the number of 1,000 breastplates. A valiant battle was fought between them, the like of which was never before encountered. Then the foreigners and the Laigin first broke in defeat, and they were completely wiped out. There fell on the side of the foreign troop in this battle Mael Mórda son of Murchad, king of Laigin, and Domnall son of Fergal, king of the Forthuatha, and of the foreigners there fell Dubgall son of Amlaíb, Siucraid son of Lodur, jarl of Innsi Orc, and Gilla Ciaráin son of Glún Iairn, heir designate of the foreigners, and Oittir Dub and Suartgair and Donnchad grandson of Erulb and Griséne and Luimne and Amlaíb son of Lagmann and Brotor who slew Brian i.e. chief of the Scandinavian fleet, and six thousand who were killed or drowned. Of the Irish moreover there fell in the counter-shock Brian son of Ceinnétig, over-king of the Irish of Ireland, and of the foreigners and of the Britons, the Augustus of the whole of north-west Europe, and his son Murchad, and the latter's son, i.e. Tairdelbach son of Murchad, and Conaing son of Donn Cuan son of Cennéitig, heir designate of Mumu, and Mothla son of Domnall son of Faelán, king of the Déisi Muman; Eochu son of Dúnadach and Niall ua Cuinn and Ceinnéitig's son, —Brian's three companions; two kings of Uí Maine, Ua Cellaig . . . . . . . . , and Mael Ruanaid ua hEidin, king of Aidne, and Géibennach ua Dubagáin, king of Fernmag, and Mac Bethad son of Muiredach Claen, king of Ciarraige Luachra and Domnall son of Diarmait, king of Corcu Baiscinn, and Scannlán son of Cathal, king of Eóganacht of Loch Léin, and Domnall son of Eimen son of Cainnech, earl of Marr in Scotland, and many other nobles. Mael Muire son of Eochaid, successor of Patrick, with his venerable clerics and relics, came moreover to Sord Coluim Chille, and brought away the body of Brian, king of Ireland, and the body of his son Murchad, and the head of Conaing and the head of Mothla, and buried them in Ard Macha in a new tomb. For twelve nights the community of Patrick waked the bodies in honour of the dead king.
• U1014.5 Cathal son of Domnall, king of Uí Echdach, was killed by Donnchad son of Brian.
• U1014.6 A defeat was inflicted by Tadc son of Brian on Donnchad son of Brian and Ruaidrí ua Donnocáin, king of Arad, was left dead.

• U1009.8 (Dub Chablaig, daughter of the king of Connacht, i.e. wife of Brian son of Ceinnéitig, died.