145-461: The Soiscél Molaisse ( / ˈ s iː ʃ ˌ k ɛ l ˌ m ɒ ˈ l æ ʃ / SEESH -kel mo- LASH ; 'Gospel of St. Molaisse') is an Irish cumdach (a type of ornamented metal reliquary box or carrying case for a holy book ) that originated from an 8th-century wooden core embellished in the 11th and 15th centuries with metal plates decorated in the Insular style . Until the late 18th century,
290-419: A c. 1516 manuscript which updates a much earlier book detailing the life of St. Caillín of Fenagh, County Leitrim (fl. c. 570 ), which may have been written by the saint himself. Caillín is described by Lucas as "something of a specialist in the production of battle talismans" and according to legend, in his lifetime commissioned a number of battle standards, including cathachs in
435-586: A Romanesque church on the site. It was refurbished c. 1400 by one of the chieftains of the local Ua Cerbaill family. One face of the cumdach 's panels of openwork decoration in Viking Ringerike style. Like the manuscript, it is in Trinity College Library, Dublin, while an early 20th-century reproduction is in New York. The Shrine of Caillín of Fenagh is a late example built to hold
580-603: A Scandinavian elite but with most of the inhabitants being indigenous Irish. Niall Glúndub marched on Dublin in September 919, but Sihtric met his forces at the battle of Islandbridge or Áth Cliath and inflicted on him a decisive defeat, with Niall and numerous other Irish leaders among the casualties. Dublin was secured for the Norse, and in 920 Sitric left for York and following Ragnall's death succeeded him as ruler there in 921. Their kinsman Gofraid assumed control of Dublin. Gofraid
725-581: A Scandinavian kingdom like the one on the eastern side of the Irish sea. Dublin's ambitions in Ulster were halted by a series of defeats inflicted upon the Norse by Muirchertach mac Néill , the son of Niall Glúndub. According to Benjamin Hudson, "Muirchertach was one of the most successful generals of his day and was described as the 'Hector of the Irish'". In the annals, it is (Duncan) Donnchad Donn from Clann Cholmáin who
870-552: A battle against an alliance of Dublin and Leinster. He was succeeded by Domnall ua Néill , and in the following decades alliances shifted constantly between the different branches of Uí Néill, Leinster and Dublin. In 980 Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill succeeded Domnall, and the same year he defeated the forces of Dublin at the battle of Tara . Following this victory Máel Sechnaill forced Dublin into submission, and his half-brother, Amlaíbs son Glúniairn , became ruler in Dublin. In Munster,
1015-456: A broad tail. A tear-shaped drop, which may be blood, hangs from the coiled beak. Two of the panels around the sides are lost. The two remaining side panels contain interlace, signatures and other Latin inscriptions around their borders. Both of the short (or end) sides have triangular bronze mounts that would have functioned as clasps so that the shrine could be carried. Both have half-length decorative panels to hold inserts of ecclesiasticals. One
1160-484: A central cross, a reverse with repetitive openwork patterns consisting of two highly contrasted colours (such as red and black), and sides containing interlace patterns and inscriptions. Distinguishing factors include size (indicating the originally intended function as for example as private fixed shrines pocketbooks, or objects to be worn over the shoulder or from belts), and their later use. The Shrine of Miosach retains its original chain used to carry it around, while
1305-513: A core wooden box. Historians are generally confident in identifying who commissioned the shrines, and their providence. Exceptions include the Book of Durrow and the Stow Missal. Inscriptions on two examples (Durrow and Stowe) indicate they were for a King of Ireland . Almost nothing is known of the metal workers who produced them. A number contain inscriptions that can be read as signatures, but that
1450-476: A cross. O'Morrison added twelve front plates in three arrangements, including depictions of the crowned Virgin and Child in the smaller inner panels, and, in four larger panels, Saint Bridget , St. Patrick and Colm Cille. There is no record of what the original container might have held. The object was at first associated with St Cairneach of Dulane, County Meath , but by the Gothic period had been "absorbed into
1595-451: A grid of L-shaped openwork patterns in red enamel . The ends have large chain-rings or knots that bear obvious influence from Viking art , and many other aspects of the shrine resemble objects uncovered during 20th-century archaeological digs of Viking Dublin , to the extent that Ó Floinn suggested in 2014 that Dublin might have been its place of origin. The Latin inscriptions are written in Insular script and appear along three edges of
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#17330848381161740-575: A group of mixed Irish and Norse ethnic background arose (often called Norse-Gaels or Hiberno-Norse ). Norse influence shows in the Norse-derived names of many contemporary Irish kings (e.g. Magnus, Lochlann or Sitric), and in DNA evidence in some residents of these coastal cities to this day. A genetics paper in 2006 by Dr Brian McEvoy found that most men with Irish-Viking surnames carried typically Irish genes. This suggests that Viking settlements may have had
1885-599: A heavy defeat in the Battle of Confey or Cenn Fuait (917). This victory allowed Sithric to re-establish Norse control over Dublin. Ragnall left Ireland again in 918, and became king of York . With Sithric in Dublin and Ragnall in York, a Dublin-York axis developed which would have influence on both England and Ireland for the next half-century. A new and more intensive period of Viking settlement in Ireland began in 914. Between 914 and 922
2030-551: A history of a monarchy of all Ireland going back to and beyond St Patrick. Only a hundred years after Mainistrech, Gerald of Wales described the Irish society in his Topographia Hibernica as utterly primitive and savage. At the beginning of modern scholarly interpretation of Irish history, Eoin MacNeill and G.H. Orpen came to opposite conclusions analyzing the same period. Orpen saw an anarchic country still in 'a tribal state'; he could see no nation, no wider community in Ireland than
2175-510: A large contingent of the Norse forces in Ireland with him. The Vikings never managed to establish permanent settlements in the north. Ó Corráin observes: "Ironically, [Áed Findliath's] success may have held back the economic development of the north and ultimately prevented the growth of port towns like those on the east and south coasts, on which the Leinster and Munster kings subsequently depended for much of their wealth." The last report of Olaf
2320-408: A manuscript or relic, and date from between the early 9th to the mid-16 centuries. Several of the earliest documented examples are now lost. The Book of Durrow had a metal casing dated to c. 1002–1015 and the Book of Kells lost its cumdach when it was stolen in 1006. The Book of Armagh was given a cover in 937, which was perhaps lost when it was captured in battle and ransomed by
2465-646: A new Viking fleet appeared in Waterford Harbour , and soon the Uí Ímair followed, again taking control over Viking activities in Ireland. Ragnall arrived with a fleet in Waterford, while Sitric landed at Cenn Fuait (possibly near Leixlip ) in Leinster. Niall Glúndub had followed Flann Sinna as Uí Néill overking in 916, and he marched into Munster against Ragnall, but no decisive engagement followed. The men of Leinster under Augaire mac Ailella attacked Sithric but suffered
2610-556: A new protective casing of wood and silver was added. The front cover was added in the 14th century, and included a large seated Christ in Majesty flanked by scenes of the Crucifixion and saints in gilt repoussé . It was taken to the continent in 1691 following the Treaty of Limerick , and did not return to Ireland until 1813. That year the cumdach was reopened, leading to the rediscovery of
2755-426: A note from 1677, now bound into the book as folio IIv, although other inscriptions are not transcribed. Once in their shrines, such manuscripts were rarely, if ever, removed for use as a book. The earliest-known cumdach is also the largest surviving example. Dated to the late 8th or early 9th century, it was not rediscovered until 1986 when found by divers at a depth of 2 m (6 ft 7 in) of water in
2900-478: A period of strong anti-Viking sentiment. He was often depicted as a villain and his wife was said to be a witch that would perform pagan rituals on altars. It is highly likely that this was war propaganda as we have very little evidence of his existence from his own period, and it is unlikely those close to him would record this themselves. In 848 a Norse army was defeated at Sciath Nechtain by Ólchobar mac Cináeda of Munster and Lorcán mac Cellaig of Leinster. For
3045-517: A range of subjects, from theology to political philosophy. It is tempting to link their presence on the Continent as well as the presence of scores of other Irish learned people with the impact of the Vikings on Ireland, which may have driven such people to seek employment elsewhere. If one accepts this version of events, then the Vikings can be said to have inadvertently been one of the principal catalysts for
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#17330848381163190-503: A row of shields ( peltae ) in the La Tène style, positioned above a wide hem. His long hair curls into spirals which merge with the surrounding ribbon pattern. Mark is shown in profile with large, animalistic teeth and donkey-like ears, and also wears a half-length tunic with interlocking scrolls. Luke is represented by an ox, whose hind leg and tail lead into spiral patterns. John, as the eagle, has feathers, pointed ears, large talons and
3335-513: A series of further examinations and descriptions since then. Building on Petrie's research, Stokes published another account of the shrine's history in 1871. Its last hereditary keeper, Charles Meehan of Latoon, County Clare , sold it in April 1859 for £45. At the insistence of Lord Dunraven and Petrie it was purchased for the Royal Irish Academy in 1861. The academy found it difficult to raise
3480-515: A territory, since defeated Kings were easily replaced. Historians debate the consequences that the initial phases of Viking settlement had on scholarship and literary output. Scholarly activity, for which the Irish are famous in the early Medieval period, consisted of the writing of poetry, the production of Christian devotional texts, the development of the science of computus , and the compilation of elaborate law tracts. Patronage for scholars and scholarship came largely from Irish kings who regarded
3625-432: A tight corner in the melee ." However, the holder was sometimes killed in battle; in 1497 The Cathach was captured after its keeper was slain by enemy forces. Similarly, the Book of Armagh is recorded as having been brought to battlefields, and was once recovered from underneath the dead body of its custodian. Cumdachs are particular to Ireland. There are eight known surviving Irish examples (in chronological order:
3770-476: Is an elaborate ornamented metal reliquary box or case used to hold Early Medieval Irish manuscripts or relics . They are typically later than the book they contain, often by several centuries. In most surviving examples, the book comes from the peak age of Irish monasticism before 800, and the extant cumdachs date from after 1000, although it is clear the form dates from considerably earlier. The majority are of Irish origin, with most surviving examples held by
3915-478: Is assumed to have been a Gospel and was traditionally associated with the 6th-century Laisrén mac Nad Froích , also known as St. Molaisse ( d. 564 or 571), who founded the church on Devenish Island on Lough Erne in County Fermanagh , where the shrine was kept. The island still contains the remains of the monastery site, including the small Teampall Mór church, his cell, and the round tower in which
4060-466: Is based on the mention of Cennfailad, making it the oldest-surviving fully intact cumdach or "book shrine" (an elaborate ornamented metal reliquary box or case used to hold Early Medieval Irish manuscripts or relics). Baíthín would have worked during the Viking invasions of Ireland , and some Viking influence is apparent, such as the long, stringy bodies of the snake-like animals on the sides. The shrine
4205-505: Is equally hostile to you also." Further evidence of an Irish presence in Wirral comes from the name of the village of Irby in Wirral, which means "farmstead of the Irishmen", and St Bridget's Church, West Kirby which is known to have been founded by "Christian Vikings from Ireland". The Vikings were able to exploit internal divisions in order to invade England and France. As Ireland was one of
4350-484: Is generally assumed to be part of the name "Scannlain". Ó Floinn suggests Coencomrach Ua Scannlain ( d. 1011) as a potential candidate. Ua Scannlain was a cleric at Devenish, but although he fits the location and period, his full name is too long for the gap in the lettering and it is very unlikely he would have been mentioned by surname only. Other potential clerics are Scannlain Ua Dungalaín, abbot of Downpatrick , who
4495-452: Is lost but the one that remains contains a figure, generally assumed to be St. Molaisse, in full profile wearing a tunic or habit . He has rounded facial features, a disproportionally large head, and a forked beard. He holds a book, probably his Gospel, to his chest with one hand and a pastoral staff, a flail or a sprinkler for holy water with the other. His outer vestment, or chasuble , was originally embroidered by palm-leaf designs, while
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4640-458: Is made up of copies of four Gospels and contains stylised portraits of the Apostles St. Matthew , St. Mark and St. Luke . The shrine consists of a shell of decorated bronze plates, and like its illuminated manuscript originates from the abbey of Roscrea . The first phase of the cumdach was completed during a period of prosperity for the abbey and broadly coincides with the building of
4785-640: Is now considered more plausible that it refers to a Scandinavian colony in the Western Isles of Scotland. Olaf assumed leadership of the Vikings in Ireland, probably in some way shared with his kinsman Ivar , first mentioned in the Irish Annals in 857. Olaf and Ivar remained active in Ireland and around the Irish Sea for the next two decades. The descendants of Ivar, the Uí Ímair , would be an important political factor for
4930-406: Is oblong in shape and measures 14.75 centimetres (5.81 inches ) high, 11.70 cm (4.61 in) wide and 8.45 cm (3.33 in) thick, making it the smallest of the extant Irish pocket-book Gospels. It is similar in size, type and function to the extant shrine for the 8th-century Book of Dimma , although the casing is much thicker, suggesting that it had either contained additional texts to
5075-426: Is plausible that Irish monasteries would seek to emulate the prestige and, according to the Irish art historian Rachel Moss, "splendour of Roman liturgical ceremonies". The Irish church emphasised relics that were thought to be objects frequently used by monastic saints, rather than the body parts preferred by most of the church, although these were also kept in local versions of the house-shaped chasse form, such as
5220-458: Is probably the best-known cumdach . Built for the Cathach of St. Columba, an important psalter usually dated to just after the death of Colum Cille in 597, it is probably the earliest Irish book to survive and a very prestigious relic. The manuscript belonged to the O'Donnells while its shrine was famously used as a battle standard. The initial metalwork dates from 1072 to 1098 at Kells , when
5365-493: Is recorded living at Drogheda ; by then goldsmiths in Ireland, as elsewhere in Europe, were usually laymen. The Book of Dimma cumdach dates to the 12th century and was built for the small 8th-century manuscript known as the Book of Dimma. The manuscript is traditionally associated with the abbey's founder St Crónán ( died 619). Its small size indicated it was intended as a portable pocket book used for study or contemplation. It
5510-501: Is the earliest surviving cumdach, and with a height of just 14.75 centimetres ( 5 + 13 ⁄ 16 in), also the smallest. The small size of the Soiscél Molaisse suggests that its companion text was meant to be carried as a pocket gospel book. That book was assumed to have been transcribed by Molaisse until the 19th century. The cumdach was held by the hereditary keepers O'Meehan family of Ballaghameehan, County Leitrim until
5655-861: Is the extent of their historical record, as even first-rank craftsmen of the time were not mentioned in annuals and were not given obituaries when they died. As craftsmen were not given a high social status, it seems many were illiterate. Some of the signatures are unclear, with instances where the scribe was tasked with writing in Latin, but did not understand how to formulate the language. Cumdachs basic utilitarian functions were as practical protective covers for their manuscript or relic, and to provide, sometimes portable, private centres of devotion, or were of liturgical use. The majority were intended to hold by then centuries older manuscripts, in instanced assumed to be written by major saints, such as Patrick, or legendary local monastery founders who had died 100s of years before
5800-527: Is titled "high king" after Niall however, and Muirchertach did not succeed his father as king of Ailech either until 938. Apart from his victories over the Norse, Muirchertach led campaigns forcing other provincial kingdoms into submission, most notably taking the king of Munster Cellachán Caisil captive in 941. The same year he led a fleet to the Hebrides, collecting tribute there. When Sihtric died in 927 Gofraid left for York, trying to assume kingship there. He
5945-622: Is when he and Ivar returned to Dublin in 871 from Alba . Ivar died in 873. In his obituary, the Annals of Ulster call Ivar "king of the Norsemen of all Ireland and Britain". With their disappearance, there were frequent changes of leadership among the Norse in Ireland and a great deal of internecine conflict is reported for the following decades. In 902 Máel Finnia mac Flannacain of Brega and Cerball mac Muirecáin of Leinster joined forces against Dublin, and "The heathens were driven from Ireland, i.e. from
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6090-637: The Annals of Innisfallen cover most of this period, but have a gap between 1132 and 1155. The Annals of Clonmacnoise survive only in an eccentric 17th-century English translation, and the Annals of Tigernach for this period are lost with Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh 's abbreviated copy known as the Chronicon Scotorum supplying only part of the missing material. The Annals of the Four Masters are late, and include some material of doubtful origin. While
6235-785: The Cathach of St. Columba and Stowe Missal . Of the St. Molaise Shrine , only the Gospels are extant; the casing is lost, but more often the reverse is the case. Other books such as the Book of Kells , Book of Armagh and Book of Durrow are known to have once had either cumdachs or treasure bindings or both, but as they contained valuable precious metals they were a natural target for looters and thieves. The format and function of cumdachs may derive from book caskets used by early Christian Romans . Both types were intended to protect sacred text or relics, and it
6380-481: The County Longford side of Lough Kinale . Moss speculates that it was thrown in the water to evade being taken during a local chieftain feud or before a Viking raid. The inner structure is of oak, lined with tin and bronze plates attached by nails. Its front cover contains a large central cross, five bosses in bronze , and four rounded openwork medallions containing spiral and lentoid patterns. The figures on
6525-497: The English invasion of the 1160s . Eleventh- and early twelfth-century Ireland has, therefore, often assumed the character of a snappy epilogue or a lengthy prologue. In trying to interpret the history of early Ireland, one of the most frequently asked questions addressed by historians is how early it is possible to speak of an Irish nation encompassing the whole island of Ireland. Early poet-historians like Flann Mainistrech constructed
6670-639: The Eóganacht Chaisil acceded to the kingship of Munster in 820, beginning a 130-year domination by this branch of Eóganachta. Combining military campaigns with manipulation of ecclesiastical affairs, he embarked on a policy of aggressive expansion to counter the growth in power of the Uí Néill. Conchobar mac Donnchada (Duncan) succeeded Áed Oirdnide as Uí Néill overking in 819, and soon found himself challenged by Feidlimid, both by Feidlimid launching raids into Mide and Connacht and by him interfering (as would be
6815-523: The National Museum of Ireland (NMI). The usual form is a design based on a cross on the main face, with the use of large gems of rock crystal or other semi-precious stones, leaving the spaces between the arms of the cross for more varied decoration. Several were carried on a metal chain or leather cord, often worn off the belt, or suspended around the neck, placing them next to the heart and thus offering spiritual and perhaps medical benefits (the same
6960-577: The River Liffey , at or near present Dublin ). They were also moving further inland to attack, often using rivers such as the Shannon, and then retreating to their coastal bases. The raiding parties also increased in size, becoming regular armies—in 837 the annals report a fleet of sixty longships on the Liffey, carrying 1,500 men, and another one of a similar size sailing up the river Boyne, making their way into
7105-580: The Ulaid (Ulster), the Connachta (Connacht), the Laigin (Leinster), Mumu ( Munster ) and Mide (Meath), although some accounts discount Mide and split Mumu in two. This is not an accurate description of the political landscape c. 800, but when discussing the political subdivisions of Ireland at this time, it is still useful to refer to this system; if Laigin and Mide are combined as Leinster, it roughly corresponds with
7250-507: The four Evangelists and their symbols and are placed in the spaces between a ringed cross. The Evangelists are depicted in profile or full front, standing behind large angular ribbons, and their names and representative figures are inscribed in Latin on each side of their silver frames. These read: + HO + MATH, + LEO + MARC, + AQUILA + IOHAN, + UITUL + LUCAS Art historian Paul Mullarkey interprets these inscriptions as reading "the man ( Matthew ),
7395-449: The shrine held a now-lost companion text, presumed to be a small illuminated gospel book associated with Saint Laisrén mac Nad Froích ( d. 564 or 571), also known as Molaisse or "Mo Laisse". In the 6th century, Molaisse founded a church on Devenish Island in the southern part of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh , with which the cumdach is associated. The shrine was constructed in three phases. The 8th-century original wooden box
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#17330848381167540-402: The 15th century, but are now mostly lost. The 11th-century inscriptions on one of its long sides are signed by the metalworker Gilla Baíthín, along with the names of its commissioners "Cennfailad" ( d. 1025, a successor of Molaisse who was an abbot at Devenish from 1001), and "Ua Sclan" (unidentified, possibly an administrator at the island). The dating of this phase to between 1001 and 1025
7685-475: The 5th century, and by the early 9th century the island was almost entirely Christian. However, the Martyrology of Tallaght (written sometime in the 8th or 9th century) hints that paganism had not yet been fully uprooted. Eoin MacNeill identified the "oldest certain fact in the political history of Ireland" as the existence in late prehistory of a pentarchy, probably consisting of the cóiceda or "fifths" of
7830-507: The 7th century. Until the 8th century, the Síl nÁedo Sláine (also known as the kingdom of Brega) was pre-eminent, but from 728 the western dynasty of Clann Cholmáin was dominant. In Laigin, Uí Dúnlainge was the dominant dynasty c. 800. They were closely associated with the large monastery of Kildare . Their main rival for dominance in Leinster, the Uí Cheinnselaig had not been able to claim
7975-440: The Gospels or had more illuminated pages. The manuscript was made from vellum parchment and contained text from the Gospels. Until the early 19th-century, the book was thought to have been written or owned by St. Molaisse; one late medieval text describes how it was "sent down to him from heaven while on a pilgrimage to Rome". The gospel was lost (and the cumdach damaged) in the late-18th century while on loan to McLoughlin, who
8120-532: The Lough Kinale Book-Shrine, Soiscél Molaisse, Stowe Missal , The Cathach, Shrine of Miosach, Book of Dimma , Shrine of the Book of Moling, and Shrine of Caillín of Fenagh) with a further two—of the nine extant—"house-shaped shrines", namely the 12th century St Manchan's shrine and the c. 1350 additions to the Domnach Airgid . All are protective enclosures intended to permanently seal off
8265-559: The NMI. The most significant lost cumdachs mentioned in Irish annals, which are also the three earliest, are the shrines for the Book of Armagh (added 938 AD), Book of Durrow ( c. 877—91 ) and the shrine for the Book of Kells (which may have only been an ornamental metal container, rather than a permanently sealed and illustrated cover), which is recorded as plundered in the 1007 annals of Ulster . History of Ireland (800%E2%80%931169) The history of Ireland 795–1169 covers
8410-513: The Norman John de Courcy in 1177. The earliest documented example was made to house and protect the Book of Durrow at the behest of the High King of Ireland Flann Sinna (877–916), by which point it was at Durrow, and believed to be a relic of Columba (Colum Cille). The shrine was lost in the 17th century, but its appearance, including an inscription recording the king's patronage, is recorded in
8555-551: The Norse established Waterford , Cork , Dublin , Wexford and Limerick . Significant excavations in Dublin and Waterford in the 20th century have unearthed much of the Viking heritage of those cities. A large amount of Viking burial stones, called the Rathdown Slabs, have been found in multiple locations across South Dublin. The Vikings founded many other coastal towns, and after several generations of coexistence and intermarriage
8700-454: The Norse of Limerick in 977 and the Eóganachta the following year. Having gained control over Munster, he tried to extend his authority by raiding Osraige in 982 and 983, and also, according to the annals of Innisfallen , entering an alliance with the Norse of Waterford , with the intention of attacking Dublin. There was such an attack, but Brian does not seem to have been involved – instead it
8845-527: The Northern Uí Néill. The first recorded Viking raid in Irish history occurred in AD 795 when Vikings, possibly from Norway looted the island of Lambay . This was followed by a raid on the coast of Brega in 798, and raids on the coast of Connacht in 807. These early Viking raids were generally small in scale and quick. These early raids interrupted the golden age of Christian Irish culture and marked
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#17330848381168990-478: The Scottish Monymusk Reliquary . Another Irish speciality was the bell-shrine , encasing the handbells used to summon the community to services or meals, and one of the earliest reliquaries enshrined the bell of an unknown saint, and was probably worn as a test of truthfulness and to cure illness. It probably dates to the 8th century and was found in a peat bog near Moylough , County Sligo . As
9135-467: The Shrine of Miosach and the Shrine of Caillín. Clerics were allowed non-combatant status reducing the likelihood that the reliquary would be captured. Younger clerics were usually selected, according to the historian Anthony Lucas, as a result of "prudent consideration that they stood a better chance than men of mature years of escaping with their precious burden by speed of foot should they find themselves in
9280-415: The Soiscél Molaisse and Lough Kinsalen Shrine have fittings that once held leather straps, assumed to have held the objects in place during processional ceremonies. They are to be distinguished from the metalwork treasure bindings that probably covered most grand liturgical books of the period—the theft and loss of that covering the Book of Kells (if it was not a cumdach alone) is recorded. However,
9425-477: The Soiscél Molaisse was kept over the centuries. The book was lost sometime in the late 18th century, and almost nothing of its content or style was recorded. The 8th-century dating of the core and its manuscript is based on its dimensions, which would have been larger in earlier centuries. The object was heavily embellished and added to between 1001 and 1025 when bronze, copper and silver plaques were fastened with nails and rivets. Embossed silver plates were added in
9570-584: The Uí Néill also in the north. In 841, however, Feidlimid was routed in battle by Niall in Leinster. His successors in the south would not be able to challenge the north again to this extent until some 150 years later. The Viking raids on Ireland resumed in 821, and intensified during the following decades. The Vikings were beginning to establish fortified encampments, longports , along the Irish coast and overwintering in Ireland instead of retreating to Scandinavia or British bases. The first known longports were at Linn Dúachaill ( Annagassan ) and Duiblinn (on
9715-405: The Uí Néill view) in the affairs of Armagh. Conchobar and Feidlimid met at Birr in 827 to discuss peace terms, and the very fact that "the king of Munster could force the high-king to a peace conference is indicative of Feidlimid's growing power". Conchobar was succeeded by Niall Caille in 833. With Niall, we for the first time see a reference in the annals of a Uí Néill leading an army against
9860-533: The Vikings also travelled to the west coast of Ireland to the Skellig Islands located off the coast of County Kerry . The early raids on Ireland seem to have been aristocratic free enterprise, and named leaders appear in the Irish annals: Saxolb (Soxulfr) in 837 , Turges (Þurgestr) in 845 , Agonn (Hákon) in 847 . Áed Oirdnide of the Cenél nEógain branch of the Northern Uí Néill became King of Tara in 797, after
10005-580: The Vikings; he defeated Viking raiders in Derry the same year. He sought to further expand Uí Néill influence in the south; in 835 he led an army to Leinster and installed Bran mac Fáeláin as king of Leinster, and also invaded Mide. This brought him into conflict with Feidlimid, however, and in 838 a conference ( rígdál mór —"great royal meeting") between Niall and Feidlimid was held. This meeting did not result in any lasting peace though; in 840 Feidlimid led an army into Mide and encamped at Tara, thereby challenging
10150-452: The abbot of Clones . A three-dimensional figure of Christ crucified is at the centre of the main face, accompanied by relief plaques of saints, the Virgin and Child and other scenes on the sides. The reliefs are more sophisticated compared to the other known 14th-century cumdachs , with elegant running animals on small mounts at the corners. It is signed by its goldsmith John O Bardan, who
10295-544: The actual date of the manuscript. For this reason, many of the very early manuscripts owe their survival to their later, active status as relics. Most other early medieval Irish manuscripts were stored away in secure stone buildings, but were over the years sold, stolen or plundered, and thus lost. The shrines were used during both ecclesiastical and secular ceremonies, such as granting insignia of office, swearing of oaths or signing treaties. The books of Dimma and Mulling were found with inserts containing texts from masses of
10440-537: The annals provide a considerable amount of information, they are generally terse, and most focus their attention on the doings of the Uí Néill and of churchmen. In addition to the annals, a large number of genealogies survive, along with geographical and legal texts, poetry, sagas and hagiography. In the 12th century, propaganda text like Caithréim Chellacháin Chaisil and Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib were composed. Even though
10585-462: The beginning of two hundred years of intermittent warfare, with waves of Viking raiders plundering monasteries and towns throughout Ireland. Most of the early raiders came from the fjords of western Norway. They are believed to have sailed first to Shetland , then south to Orkney . The Vikings would have then sailed down the Atlantic coast of Scotland , and then over to Ireland. During these early raids
10730-554: The collar is cut in sharply pointed V-shapes. The insert is surrounded by highly ornate and intricate panels decorated with filigree and ribbon interlace. It also contains triquetra (triangular figures composed of three interlaced arcs) knots and a zoomorphic lizard "whose head is formed with very long ears [that resemble] horns". The two long sides consist of a silver plate divided into three compartments, which would have held decorative inserts, but these are now lost. Both long sides have corners with bronze mountings. The base contains
10875-522: The cult of St Columba". The 11th-century cast copper alloy plates on the sides are decorated with openwork zoomorphic illustrations. Its metal cord survives for carrying it, and it was probably round the neck. The Domnach Airgid , whose title translates in English as the Silver church , dates to the 8th century, but little is visible from before major additions dated to c. 1350 under commission by
11020-416: The dead , indicating they were used for healing purposes. The book of Durrow was periodically removed from its (now lost) cumdach during the late medieval and early modern periods so that it could be used to bless and cure sick animals. Reliquaries were often used as battle standards in medieval Ireland, with expectation that they would boost morale, protect the troops, or grant victory. Typically
11165-801: The death of his predecessor, father-in-law and political rival Donnchad Midi . (Duncan) This followed the classic Uí Néill political arrangement, where over-kingship alternated regularly between Cenél nEógain and Clann Cholmáin of the Southern Uí Néill. During his reign he campaigned in Mide, Leinster and Ulaid to assert his authority, though unlike Donnchad (Duncan) he did not campaign in Munster. Thomas Charles-Edwards credits Áed for "the absence of any major Viking attacks on Ireland during his reign after 798". The annals give no reference, however, to Áed at any time being involved with warfare against Viking raiders. Áed
11310-574: The designs may well have been very similar; the best surviving Insular example, the lower cover of the Lindau Gospels ( c. 880 ) in the Morgan Library in New York, is also centred on a large cross, surrounded by interlace panels. Treasure bindings were metalwork assemblies tacked onto the wooden boards of a conventional bookbinding , so essentially the same technically as the faces of many cumdachs , which are also attached with tacks to
11455-418: The early 8th century. In 944 he sacked Dublin, now ruled by Blácaire mac Gofrith . When Amlaíb Cuaran returned to Ireland the next year, he became ruler of Dublin and acted as an ally of Congalach in the struggle against Ruaidrí ua Canannáin , a rival Uí Néill claimant for High Kingship from Cenél Conaill . This alliance did not last long after Ruaidrí's death in 950, however, and Congalach was killed in 956 in
11600-560: The economic benefits that Viking trade would have brought. While this was happening in Ireland, we observe a more pronounced presence of Irish scholars in Frankish Europe, and especially in circles associated with the Carolingian court. Commonly known as peregrini , Irish scholars such as John Scottus Eriugena and Sedulius Scottus became among the most prominent and influential in ninth-century continental Europe, studying and teaching
11745-441: The embossment. As with most inscriptions of this era, the order the names appear indicates their relative rank; in this case the name of the secular patron is followed by that of the ecclesiastical patron, followed by that of the scribe. The inscriptions read: ...OR DO ... NFAILAD DO CHOMARBA MOLASI LASAN ... IN CUTACHSA DO .. . NLAN .. DO GILLABAITHÍN CHERD DO RIGNI I GRESA ("Pray for Cennfaílad, successor of Molaise, for whom
11890-537: The ends, to which a strap or chain could be attached for carrying during processions , swearing of oaths or other ceremonies. The shrine is in relatively poor condition. The "roof" or " house-shaped " portions are lost, as are most of its jewels. The 15th-century additions, largely embossed silver plates, are now also mostly missing. A ringed cross dominates the front face, with rectangular terminals decorated with insert panels of filigree and settings for semi-precious stones, which are lost except for one blue stone on
12035-489: The established scheme where this alternated between Cenél nEógain in the north and Clann Cholmáin of Mide. His kingship was disputed though, and he did not come close to being an actual king over Ireland. He could count some successes against the Norse, however, most notably burning all the Norse longports in the north in 866. Áed seems to have used the opportunity while Olaf was involved in warfare in Pictland , presumably bringing
12180-484: The esteem Insular craftsmen must have enjoyed in contemporary Irish society, noting how mainland European artists did not begin to sign their works until the Renaissance . He goes on to write that the signature may be "one of the earliest instances anywhere of a culture which made such acknowledgement[s]." Several art historians have tried to piece together the person identified by the damaged "...nlan" lettering, and it
12325-519: The first named Viking leaders was Thorgest (in Latin Turgesius ). The Annals of the Four Masters connect him with attacks on Connacht , Mide and the church at Clonmacnoise in 844. He was captured and drowned in Lough Owel by Máel Sechnaill mac Maíl Ruanaid , King of Mide . However the existence of Thorgest is uncertain as he was recorded in books written over 200 years after his death in
12470-613: The first time the leader of the Vikings is described as royalty from Lochlann . Máel Sechnaill, now High King, defeated another army at Forrach the same year. These victories form the background of an embassy sent to the Frankish emperor Charles the Bald , reported in the Annales Bertiniani . In 853 Olaf , identified as a "son of the king of Lochlann", came to Ireland. Lochlann has been understood as (a district of) present Norway ; it
12615-473: The form a bell and a containers for a Gospel. The cumdach was badly damaged in a 2009 fire at St Mel's Cathedral , Longford, where it had been kept since 1980. It was acquired by the NMI the following year, while the manuscript is in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy . There is some doubt as to if the shrine was actually intended as a cumdach , including the fact that it is smaller than
12760-401: The form of much later copies, and it is only from comparison of the various texts that the original documents can be reconstructed. Extant Irish annals are ultimately derived from the now-lost Chronicle of Ireland which was probably being compiled in the midlands of Ireland by around 800. All include material derived from other sources, or added at a later date. The Annals of Ulster and
12905-599: The fortress of Áth Cliath [Dublin]". A group of Vikings led by Hingamund who were forced out of Ireland were given permission by the Saxons to settle in Wirral , in the north west of England. "The Three Fragments" refers to a distinct group of settlers living among these Vikings as "Irishmen": "Then the King, who was on the point of death, and the Queen sent messengers to the Irishmen who were among
13050-539: The four symbols of the Evangelists in the spaces between a cross. Some of the panels are lost; those that remain have gold filigree interlaced knotwork . The filigree on the arms of the cross are gilted and decorated with ribbon interlace. The ends of the arms were set with gems, now also lost except for one blue stone. Two of panels around the sides are lost. The two remaining contain interlace and Latin inscription around their borders. Its small size indicates that
13195-456: The high-kingship of all Ireland was marred by the chronic complaint of Irish politics: having united the Ulaid, Munster, Osraige, Connacht and Leinster, he was attacked at the end of his reign by a combination of Uí Néill kings." Áed Findliath was king of Ailech and the leading king within the Northern Uí Néill. After the death of Máel Sechnaill he is counted in the regal lists as high king, following
13340-599: The historical accuracy of these accounts is dubious, the Cogad especially has had a great impact on the interpretation of Irish medieval history until recently. At the end of the 8th century, Ireland was homogeneously Gaelic in terms of society, culture and language. People lived in rural communities, and the only larger settlements were monastic towns of varying sizes. The monasteries played an important part in society, not just with regards to religious and cultural life, but also to economy and politics. Christianization had begun in
13485-451: The influence of the Dal gCais had grown under Cennétig mac Lorcáin , and his son Mathgamain was the first non- Eóganachta ruler to be named by the annals as king of Cashel (i.e. king of Munster) in historical times. He was killed in 976, and succeeded by his brother Brian , later famously known as Brian Boru . Brian quickly established himself as the most powerful ruler in Munster, defeating
13630-411: The inland territories and launching attacks on the lands of Brega in the south of County Meath. In general, from 837 onward larger Viking forces hit larger targets – such as the greater monastic towns of Armagh, Glendalough, Kildare, Slane, Clonard, Clonmacnoise, and Lismore – while smaller targets such as local churches with less material to be plundered may have escaped the Vikings' attention. One of
13775-402: The later refurbishments were seem to have been commissioned by ambitious clergy members, and the work carried out by single metal-workers and their workshops. In the majority of instances, the master metal worker left an inscribed signature and date of completion, some of which contain wording that hints at their artistic motivations. All extant cumdach s' contain a frontispiece containing
13920-403: The lion ( Mark ), the eagle ( John ) and the ox ( Luke )". The figures are rendered in a style that closely resembles those on the cumdachs of the near-contemporary Stowe Missal and slightly later Breac Maodhóg. The scholar of medieval art, Roger Stalley , describes the somewhat squarish style of the figures in these works as "heavy and massive ". Matthew wears a knee-length tunic containing
14065-571: The manuscript. Although most of the extant book-shaped protective shrines are mentioned in Irish annals , they were not properly described until the early 19th century when antiquarians and collectors such as George Petrie began to seek them out from hereditary collections. Most are badly damaged, including due to general wear and tear over the centuries, events such as fires at their holding location, or most usually having elements such as their gemstones removed for sale by their owners. A majority are now in
14210-437: The manuscript. It was by then in very poor condition, but underwent a major restoration in 1982 when the extant pages were rebound and remounted on vellum leaves. The Shrine of Miosach (or The Misach) originates from Clonmany , County Donegal , and was also used in battle. Originally a late 11th-century relic, it was reworked in 1534 by the goldsmith Brian O'Morrison with repoussé silver decoration with many figures around
14355-402: The men of Leinster and Dublin at the battle of Glen Mama , and only restored Sigtrygg Silkbeard as ruler of Dublin after he had formally submitted to Brian by handing over hostages. In 1000, Brian turned against Máel Sechnaill, and by 1002 he had forced Máel Sechnaill to submit to him, and now claimed kingship over the whole of Ireland. In the following decade, there were several campaigns in
14500-494: The mid-19th century, and was acquired by the Royal Irish Academy in 1861, an acquisition supported by Lord Dunraven and George Petrie . It is now in the collection of the archaeology branch of the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street , Dublin . The Soiscél Molaisse was constructed in three phases: the rather plain 8th-century wooden core has bronze casing that once held a small illuminated manuscript . This book
14645-416: The mid-19th-century Celtic Revival . The Irish painter and antiquarian George Petrie claimed to have rediscovered the object, which he titled "The Shrine of Saint Molash", having read a local newspaper article about it c. 1835 . Several accounts record that the antiquarian and collector Roger Chambers Walker became aware of the shrine around the same time and had been interested in acquiring it. He
14790-465: The modern four provinces of Ireland . The Uí Néill , divided in two main branches known as " Northern Uí Néill " and " Southern Uí Néill ", was the leading dynasty in Ireland. The Northern Uí Néill controlled the north-western part of Ireland, and was divided into two leading branches, the Cenél Conaill in the west and Cenél nEógain , also known as the kingdom of Ailech . Cenél nEógain had become
14935-502: The modern excavations of Dublin started in 1961, followed by similar efforts in Wexford , Waterford and Limerick , great advances have been made in the understanding of the physical character of the towns established during this period. The first part of the period from 795 to 1014 is well-studied; the "Viking age" has attracted the interest of historians for quite some time. The period between 1014 and 1169 has received less attention. In
15080-519: The money, given that their usual annual budget was at the time about £50, and Petrie was instrumental in raising funds, backed by Dunraven's political clout; Dunraven had first arranged for it to be made available for Petrie to study. Today it is in the collection of the archaeology branch of the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street , Dublin , where it is catalogued as NMI R4006. Cumdach A cumdach ( Old Irish pronunciation: [ˈkuṽdax] , in Irish "cover" ) or book shrine
15225-427: The more powerful of the two in 789, and had expanded east and southwards, gaining control over the important monastic centre Armagh and the large sub-kingdom of Airgíalla . The traditional kingdom of Ulaid, dominated by Dál Fiatach and Dál nAraidi , was now more or less confined to the area east of the river Bann . The central region of Mide had been dominated by what became known as the "southern Uí Néill" since
15370-510: The most politically fractured countries at the time, it was a prime target for Viking conquest. Furthermore, Irish Kings often made alliances with foreign invaders in an attempt to weaken their domestic rivals. The Vikings were able to defeat the centralized Kingdoms of Europe, since the small ruling class was easily removed. However, Ireland was composed of more than 150 different Kingdoms ruling over small territories. This decentralized system of governance made it almost impossible to gain control of
15515-488: The next two centuries. A significant new trait from the middle of the 9th century was that the Norse now also entered alliances with various Irish rulers. Cerball mac Dúnlainge had become king of Osraige in 842. Cerball had defeated Viking raiders in 846 and 847, but from 858 he is allied with Olaf and Ivar against Máel Sechnaill, campaigning in Leinster and Munster, and in 859 also raiding Máel Sechnaill's heartlands in Mide, though Cerball had to submit to Máel Sechnaill later
15660-417: The north to force the Ulaid and the Northern Uí Néill into submission as well. Even if faced with multiple rebellions, both in the north and in Leinster, by 1011 he had received submission from every major regional king in Ireland, and thus earned the recognition by historians as the first real king of Ireland . During his visit to Armagh in 1005, he had his secretary add a note to the Book of Armagh where he
15805-451: The original object, like the Book of Dimma, was designed to be held in a pocket. The Stowe Missal is a sacramentary dating to about 750. Its cumdach consists of metalwork plaques attached with nails to an older oak container. The metalwork is elaborately decorated, with some animal and human figures, and one face and the sides probably date to between 1027 and 1033, on the basis of inscriptions recording its donation and making, while
15950-416: The other face is later, and can be dated to about 1375, again from its inscriptions. The older "lower" face, which has become detached from the case, is in silver-gilt copper alloy, with a large cross inside a border that carries the inscription in Irish, which also runs along the arms of the cross. The centre of the cross was later replaced ("severely embellished" as the National Museum put it), probably at
16095-487: The pagans, for there were many Irish among the pagans, to say to the Irishmen, life and health to you from the King of the Saxons, who is in disease, and from his Queen, who has all authority over the Saxons, and they are certain that you are true and trusty friends to them. Therefore, you should take their side; for they did not bestow any greater honour to a Saxon warrior or cleric than to each warrior and cleric who came to them from Ireland, because this inimical race of pagans
16240-404: The page-end side (i.e., the long side missing the insert and positioned opposite to the front piece). They mention three individuals, but the text is badly damaged in places. Cennfailad Mac Flaithbertach, an abbot at Devenish Island ( d. 1025), is identified as commissioner. The fragmentary "...nlan" is unidentified; the lettering "Gilla Baíthín" is the autograph of the metalworker who carried out
16385-601: The period in the history of Ireland from the first Viking raid to the Norman invasion . The first two centuries of this period are characterised by Viking raids and the subsequent Norse settlements along the coast. Viking ports were established at Dublin , Wexford , Waterford , Cork and Limerick , which became the first large towns in Ireland . Ireland consisted of many semi-independent territories ( túatha ), and attempts were made by various factions to gain political control over
16530-629: The political situation became more complex with rivalry for high kingship from several clans and dynasties. Brian's descendants failed to maintain a unified throne, and regional squabbling over territory led indirectly to the invasion of the Normans under Richard de Clare in 1169 . Due to the rich amount of written sources, the study of Irish history 795–1169 has, to a large extent, focused on gathering, interpretation and textual criticism of these. Only recently have other sources of historical knowledge received more attention, particularly archaeology . Since
16675-549: The presence of court scholars as part and parcel of the trappings of kingship, but also as a means of bolstering their own image through praise poetry that such scholars composed and performed. With the advent of the Vikings, patronage ties have been argued to have been loosened, thereby affecting directly the livelihood of Irish scholars. In addition, some kings would have turned their attention to more pressing (but also more profitable) pursuits, such as engaging in warfare or alliances with Vikings or other Irish kings, as well as tapping
16820-457: The relics would be held in, or represented by, crosiers , bell-shrines or cumdachs, and carried onto the battlefield by a cleric , who would often be employed by the family as its "hereditary custodian". The most well-known cumdach used for this purpose is the Cathach of St. Columba (known as The Cathach or Battler of St. Columba), used as a battle talisman by the O'Donnell family . According to art historian Colum Hourihane, "not only did
16965-534: The resolution of any remaining rivalry between the Columban and Patrician churches...". That the community of Columba in 817 tried to have Áed excommunicated may show that not all rivalry was resolved after all. Is he Feidhlimidh in ri dianid opair oenlaithi eitrige Connacht cen cath ocus Midhe do manrath (Feidlimid is the king For whom a single day's work is To take the hostages of Connacht without battle And to spoil Mide.) Fedelmid mac Crimthainn from
17110-571: The right side. The filigree on the arms of the cross is gilded and decorated with ribbon interlace. Some of the panels on the front face are missing, and those that remain are in bronze and silver-gilt , with gold filigree interlaced knotwork . Like other contemporary Insular objects found in nearby areas, such as the 12th-century stone figures on White Island on Lough Erne, and the Breac Maodhóg from Drumlane , County Cavan , it contains series of closely related figures. The central panels depict
17255-510: The same time as the later face, by a setting for a now missing large stone with four lobed sections, similar to the centre of the lower face. The inscription has missing sections because of this, but can mostly be reconstructed as asking for a prayer for the abbot of Lorrha, Mathgamain Ua Cathail ( c. 1037 ) and for Find Ua Dúngalaigh , king of Múscraige Tíre ( c. 1033 ). The Cathach of St. Columba , also known as The Cathach,
17400-418: The same year. These alliances were by no means permanent. In 860 Cerball was allied with Máel Sechnaill in a campaign against Áed Findliath of the Northern Uí Néill, while Olaf and Ivar had allied themselves with Áed. In 870, however, Cerball and Áed appeared as allies in Leinster. Máel Sechnaill had more success as high king than his predecessors Niall Caille and Conchobar Donnchada (Duncan) in dealing with
17545-414: The sample size of 8 to 10 surviving examples is so small (presumably many such works were lost, mostly plundered for their precious metal or stones) they cannot be classified typologically. Their shared characteristics include that they are sealed, metal cases built to protect earlier objects of veneration originally placed in a timber core typically built from Yew wood or (less commonly) from oak . All of
17690-457: The shrine and its iconography have to instil fear into the enemy, but, more importantly, it had to instill confidence into the army of the O’Donnells following it". The objects were usually worn around the neck, and the tradition was that the holder would circle the area three times in a "sunwise" direction before the battle commenced. Other cumdachs known to have been used in this way include
17835-502: The sides include beast heads. A 2016 valuation by the NMI priced the object at £2 million (€2.54 million). The Soiscél Molaisse , also known as the Sheskill Molash, is the oldest surviving cumdach example largely in its original form, and was made in the early 11th century to hold the gospels of Molaise . It measures 14.75 cm (5.81 in) high, 11.70 cm (4.61 in) wide and 8.45 cm (3.33 in) thick and
17980-474: The south, and forced Munster into submission in 858 and as noted above, Osraige in 859. He also asserted control over Ulaid, Leinster and Connacht, and was in his obituary in the Annals of Ulster described as ri h-Erenn uile , king of all Ireland. In the last years of his reign he had however experienced serious opposition from his Uí Néill kinsmen of Ailech and Brega, allied with the Norse of Dublin. Byrne notes: "Máel Sechnaill's unprecedented success in achieving
18125-568: The southern part of Ireland. This claim was in part anchored within the legendary ancient division of the island in Leath Cuinn and Leath Moga , " Conn 's half" (north) and " Mug 's half" (south). During the 7th century the Uí Briúin had emerged in Connacht, and since the first half of the 8th century been the dominant dynasty. Uí Briúin also influenced the kingdom of Breifne on the southern borders of
18270-421: The spread of Irish culture abroad and the subsequent foundation of Irish centres on the Continent which remained influential for centuries to come. After having been forced to leave Dublin in 902, the descendants of Ivar, now described generically in the annals as the Uí Ímair , remained active around the Irish Sea ; reports tell of their activities in Pictland , Strathclyde , Northumbria and Mann . In 914
18415-402: The strap-hinge. The art historian Mitchell Perette describes Baíthín's script as "remarkably uneven". The first-name Gilla is also inscribed on later 11th- and 12th-century Irish high crosses and churches, indicating that it was a name "taken for Christian life", and that Baíthín was a cleric . The art historian Patrick Wallace notes that the naming of a craftsman in such an early work indicates
18560-439: The title king of Leinster since 728. The Uí Cheinnselaig now controlled a territory in the south-eastern part of Leinster, and had close links to the monastery of Ferns . The kingdom of Osraige , occupying roughly the same area as the present County Kilkenny and western County Laois , was considered part of Munster until the late ninth century, when it received an independent status under king Cerball mac Dúnlainge . Munster
18705-483: The tribe. MacNeill stressed the reality of the high-kingship of Ireland and the existence of many of those institutions of government which Orpen found wanting, and claimed that Irish law had a national character. A large body of contemporary and near-contemporary material on early medieval Ireland has survived. From the titles of works mentioned in these sources, it is clear that a great deal of additional material has now been lost. The surviving materials usually exist in
18850-425: The whole of the island. For the first two centuries of this period, this was mainly a rivalry between putative High Kings of Ireland from the northern and southern branches of the Uí Néill . The one who came closest to being de facto king over the whole of Ireland, however, was Brian Boru , the first high king in this period not belonging to the Uí Néill. Following Brian's death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014,
18995-429: The words of Sean Duffy, this period has – historiographically speaking – fallen between two stools. Historians of early medieval Ireland, seeking to conclude their narratives on a high note, have traditionally done so after recounting the death of the famous high-king Brian Bórama (Boru) at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. On the other hand, historians of later medieval Ireland generally choose to begin proceedings with
19140-501: Was Domnall Claen of Leinster who was allied with Ivar of Waterford , and they were defeated by Glúniairn and Máel Sechnaill. Máel Sechnaill obviously perceived Brian as a threat, and as early as 982 raided Munster and the territory of the Dal gCais. The next two decades saw more or less constant warfare between them, mostly with Leinster as their battleground. Even if Brian never defeated Máel Sechnaill in battle, Brian's and Munster's influence
19285-477: Was "abducted and blinded in 1010", and Scanlan Mac Cathail, ri Eoganacht of Lough Leane , although neither are considered strong candidates by most art historians. The shrine's hereditary keepers were the O'Meehan family of County Leitrim , who held it for some 500 years. It is mentioned by the Irish Annals as in their collection in 1336, 1419 and 1437. Like many such medieval Irish objects kept in hereditary collections across centuries, it became sought after during
19430-421: Was a priest from either County Sligo or County Roscommon . The original 8th-century inner oblong box is made from yew wood . It was enshrined in the early 11th century with a cumdach made up of plain sheets of tinned bronze decorated with openwork silver and mountings. The Soiscél Molaisse has six sides: the front piece and its the reverse, two long sides, and two end sides. There are hinged fittings at both of
19575-423: Was a rival collector to Petrie, even having asked Petrie to keep the discovery a "secret" and "remain silent"; he lost out on the eventual purchase sometime during or after 1845. In 1867, the antiquarian and illustrator Margaret Stokes speculated that Petrie had heard about it from Walker. Petrie gave its first full description at an 1855 lecture for members of the Royal Irish Academy , and it has been subject to
19720-445: Was active as a Viking raider and slaver, but there were signs during his reign that the Norse were not just mere Vikings any more. During a raid at Armagh in 921 Gofraid "...spared the prayerhouses... ...and the sick from destruction", considerations never taken by the raiders of the previous century. Another was the intense campaigns led by Dublin in eastern Ulster from 921 to 927, which appear to have aimed at conquest in order to create
19865-421: Was built in three phases. The wooden core with bronze casing is 8th century, to which silver plaques were fastened with nails and rivets in the 11th century, and it was re-worked again in the 14th or 15th century. Some of the figures and other elements date to the 14th century, and can be identified as they were soldered to the plates. The top face is mainly silvered bronze and silver-gilt and contains panels
20010-577: Was connected to the monastic community at Armagh, and a supporter of the familia of Patrick . His rivals for supremacy within Uí Néill, the Clann Cholmáin and the Cenél Conaill, had on the other hand supported the familia of Columba . During Áed's reign the Columban familia, following several Viking raids against Iona , established a new monastery at Kells , a royal site in the possession of Armagh. Byrne states that "...the foundation [of Kells] marked
20155-538: Was dominated by the Eóganachta , centred around Cashel and with Emly as ecclesiastical centre. The Dál gCais (not yet known under this name) had defeated the Corcu Modruad in 744 and taken control over the area in present County Clare from which they would later rise to dominance, but were not yet a significant power in Munster. The Eóganachta rivalled the Uí Néill in power and influence, and claimed suzerainty over
20300-486: Was done with the St Cuthbert Gospel in a leather bag in medieval Durham ). They were also used to bring healing to the sick or dying, or more formally, as witness contracts. Many had hereditary laykeepers from among the chiefly families who had formed links with monasteries. Only five early examples of cumdach survive, including those of the Book of Dimma and Book of Mulling at Trinity College Dublin , and
20445-570: Was driven out by Athelstan , and returned to Dublin half a year later. The Vikings of Limerick had taken Dublin in his absence. Gofraid retook the city, but the struggle between Limerick continued well after Gofraid's death in 934. He was succeeded by his son, Amlaíb , who inflicted a decisive defeat on Limerick in 937. The same year Amlaíb went to Northumbria and allied himself with Constantine II of Scotland and Owen I of Strathclyde . Athelstan defeated this coalition at Brunanburh (937), but after Athelstan's death in 939 Amlaíb became king of York. He
20590-462: Was embellished sometime between 1001 and 1025 with a silver frame under the direction of Cennefaelad, abbot of Devenish. This included embossed silver plates, a front piece depicting a cross , the figures and symbols of the evangelists , and series of Latin inscriptions. These additions form the bulk of the remaining object. A third phase, dated to the 15th century, incorporates further silver elements, although most have been lost. The Soiscél Molaisse
20735-407: Was growing at the expense of Máel Sechnaill and the Southern Uí Néill. In 997 Máel Sechnaill was forced to acknowledge Brian's authority over the south of Ireland, and they formally divided Ireland according to the traditional scheme of Leath Cuinn and Leath Moga . In the years that followed, the two of them acted as allies in accordance with this agreement. In 999 Brian quelled a revolt against him by
20880-441: Was joined by a kinsman with the same name, Amlaíb son of Sihtric, known as Amlaíb Cuarán . Congalach mac Máel Mithig , known as Cnogba , succeeded (Duncan) Donnchad Donn as Uí Néill overking in 944 (Muirchertag, who otherwise might have been the obvious successor, had been killed in 943). Congalach was king of Brega and a member of Síl nÁedo Sláine , and the first of this dynasty called "High King" since Cináed mac Írgalaig in
21025-406: Was made this shrine, for . . . nlan + and for Gilla Baíthín, the craftsman who made this object"). Mac Flaithbertach had two obituaries in 1025, but like nearly all 11th-century craftsmen, nothing is known of Gilla Baíthín. Analysis of the style and technique of the 11th-century phase indicate a single hand created the figurative panels on the front and sides, the filigree, the zoomorphic panels and
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