The battle of Clontarf took place on April 23, 1014 on Good Friday between the forces of the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru, and the forces of King Leinster, Mael Morda mac Murchada, which consisted mainly of his own people, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and Orkney Islands, headed by his cousin Sigtrig, and one of the rebellious kings of the province of Ulster.
Since 1002, King Brian Boru ruled most of Ireland, but the island was restless and his title of supreme king was more ceremonial. Brian Boru was looking for ways to change this situation and in all the years of his reign he tried to unite the island.
In 997, Brian Boru met with Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill in Clonfert, the parties agreed that they recognize each other’s authority over their territories. Brian constantly attacked the territory of Máel Sechnaill, prompting him to transfer the full power over his lands to Brian.
In 1012, the king of Leinster, Mael Morda mac Murchada, revolted. However, his rush quickly faded away when Brian offered to conclude a series of cross marriages. He married his daughter to Sigtrygg Silk-beard, the leader of the Vikings of Dublin, and he himself married Sigtrygg’s mother. This alliance did not last long, and in 1013 Mael Morda, after admonitions from Gormalat, about the need to seize the post of Brian, came to Sigtrygg. He was already ready for battle, they were quickly joined by the Irish clans, who envied Brian.
Brian immediately took Gormalelet into custody and launched a series of raids on Dublin, ordering him to knit any Irishman trying to join the forces of the Vikings. Meanwhile, Gormalat agreed with Sigurd Lodveson, a Viking jarl from the Orkney Islands, to send help. He agreed and, moreover, called Brodir from the Isle of Man for help. Sigurd and Brodir conceived to exterminate other applicants in the battle and occupy the throne of the supreme king, while Sigtrygg formed alliances with anyone who could help him sit at his post in Dublin.
Disposition
In 1014, Brian gathered an army and moved to Dublin. But when the army approached the city, the Irish Mide, led by former high king Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, refused to take part in the battle. Brian left 4,500 warriors, they approached the walls of Dublin and set up camp. Under Sigtrygg’s command, there were a thousand fighters, but they were much better equipped.
That night, King Brian received the news that the Vikings had plunged into their ships and sailed into the sea, leaving Sigtrygg. Actually it was a trick. When night fell, the Vikings turned around and landed near the village of Clontarf. Brian’s army, which the Vikings gathered to take by surprise the next day, was only a mile to the north. At that time, Dublin was located entirely on the south side of the River Liffey. The northern coast and Clontarf connected the only bridge, which allowed the Vikings to land and prepare in relative safety.
The Viking army was divided into five units, Sigtrygg and a thousand of his fighters remained in the city. Son Sigtrika led the left edge of the battle line, under his command were a thousand people from Dublin, who chose to fight in the field. Mael Mord led three thousand people from Leinster, they formed two troops. More numerous, they were much worse armed than the Vikings on their side. The center occupied a thousand Vikings from the Orkney Islands under the command of Sigurd. A thousand Vikings under the command of Brodir stood on the right flank, off the coast.
The warriors of Brian lined up in a similar order. On the right flank (against the left flank of the Vikings), a thousand foreign mercenaries and Vikings with Maine were built. They were followed by 1,500 soldiers from the clans of Connacht, under the command of their kings. Further along the front stood two thousand soldiers of Munster under the command of Murchada (son of Brian). The camp was closed by 1,400 Dalkans standing on the flank under the command of Tordhelbach (son of Murchada) and Kuduilih (brother of Brian). A few hundred meters from the right flank, in the role of spectators, there were a thousand Máel Sechnaill soldiers.
Battle
The battle began in the early morning with several fights between the soldiers of the opposing forces in the middle of the field, under the approving shouts of their comrades. The fighters of both sides became hotter, watching the fights, and soon the general battle began.
First, the advantage was on the side of the Vikings, they had an advantage, thanks to their heavy weapons. However, the Vikings who fought for Brian on the right flank had better weapons, and they slowly began to push their opponents. On the left flank, Brodir personally led the attack, and oppressed the Irish, until he came across a warrior nicknamed Wolf-Bully (Brian’s brother or stepson). He threw Brodir to the ground, but could not penetrate his armor. Brodir fled the battlefield. The Vikings, who fought with Murchada, were left without a commander. Many of Murhad’s warriors considered themselves akin to the king (since Brian had many distant relatives), they fought steadfastly and by noon, Brodir’s soldiers rushed to their ships.
The Vikings had an advantage in the center. The forces of Sigurd and Mael Morda crashed into the orders of Munster’s warriors. However, according to the legend, Sigurd brought a “magic” amulet during the battle, which attracted Irish warriors, finally increasing their attraction to the amulet and at the same time killing its carrier. He guaranteed that his troops, for which his carrier was fighting, would win, but he also guaranteed the death of the carrier. None of the warriors dared to put on the amulet except Sigurd, who was soon killed in the battle.
By the end of the day, after several breaks, the Vikings were defeated on both flanks. Sigurd was killed, the warriors were exhausted. The coast, where the ships were already seized by the Irish, many Vikings drowned, trying to get to their ships by swimming. Victory leaned on the side of Brian. The Dublin Vikings decided to escape in the city, at this point Máel Sechnaill decided to join the battle and cut the fugitives off the road to the bridge. As a result, the Vikings were utterly defeated, every leader of the “alien” Vikings died in the battle.
Meanwhile, Brodyr, hiding in the woods near Dublin , noticed Brian praying in his tent. Gathering several comrades, they pounced on the tent, killed Briandand his servants, and retreated under Brodier’s shout of victory: “Now you can tell people that Brian has fallen at the hands of Brodir.” According to Viking sources, Wolf-Zabiyaka, whom Brodir had already met in battle, tracked down, captured and brutally killed Brodir.
From 6.5 to 7 thousand Vikings and soldiers from the Allied forces, including all the leaders, were killed. Irish losses amounted to 4 thousand, including their king and most of his sons. The royal dynasty was interrupted.
Epilogue
The power of the Vikings in the political arena ended, but the Irish were left without leaders. The island soon plunged into a series of bloody clashes between factions. The Vikings and the Irish no longer contested the power of each other, peace was established between them. The Vikings began to leave for England and Scotland, power over these territories passed to Knut the Great, who took the royal throne in 1015.
Sitrik and Gormaleth watched the battle from Dublin from the south bank of the River Liffey. The Irish army dispersed the next day, and as a result, Sitrik Shelkobrovy was the only winner, retaining its influence in Dublin until his death in 1042. The Kingdom of Mide has also gained political benefit from the outcome of the battle, strengthening its position due to low casualties. His neighbors, including the Vikings of Dublin, were unable to launch a vast offensive, yet the series of wars became an integral part of the political landscape, as the old High King, able to unite people, was no longer alive.
Sources:
The Nyala Saga describes the Scandinavian version of the battle.