Murchad mac Briain was the son and heir of Brian Boru, a High King of Ireland. He was the de facto leader of his father's army, killed on 23 April 1014 at the Battle of Clontarf.

Biography

In 1013 there was a rebellion by Máel Mórda, King of Leinster, and Sitric Silkenbeard, the Viking king of Dublin against Brian Boru's rule in Ireland. Murchad was sent by Brian to deal with the rebellion. According to the Annals of Ulster he "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."[1]

It is said that before the battle of Clontarf that some Vikings fled "for they dread the valor of Murchad and the Dal gCais in general"[2] He also allegedly carried two swords in battle.[3] Some accounts say he died in battle with his father Brian, though most accounts report that Brian never fought in the battle, which is the accepted version of events by historians.[4] He was buried in Armagh along with his father and other relatives. He had a son called Toirdelbach mac Murchada meic Briain.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Battle of Clontarf: Sources for the battle". Trinity College Dublin. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  2. ↑ O'Connor, Ralph (2014). Classical Literature and Learning in Medieval Irish Narrative. ISBN 9781843843849.
  3. ↑ "The real life of Brian Boru". Irish Examiner.
  4. ↑ "The long Good Friday: 'Nobody could recognise even his own son, so covered were they in blood'". The Irish Times.
  5. ↑ "Annals of Ulster". Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
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