If by bravery we understand utter recklessness of life, and utter recklessness in inflicting cruelties on others, then the Vikings may be termed brave.  The heroism of patient endurance was a bravery but little understood at that period.  If the heathen Viking was brave when he plundered and burned monastic shrines—­when he massacred the defenceless with wanton cruelty—­when he flung little children on the points of spears, and gloated over their dying agonies; perhaps we may also admit those who endured such torments, either in their own persons, or in the persons of those who were dear to them, and yet returned again and again to restore the shrine so rudely destroyed, have also their claim to be termed brave, and may demand some commendation for that virtue from posterity.

As plunder was the sole object of these barbarians, they naturally sought it first where it could be obtained most easily and surely.  The islands on the Irish coast were studded with monasteries.  Their position was chosen as one which seemed peculiarly suitable for a life of retreat from worldly turmoil, and contemplation of heavenly things.  They were richly endowed, for ancient piety deemed it could never give enough to God.  The shrines were adorned with jewels, purchased with the wealth which the monks had renounced for their own use; the sacred vessels were costly, the gifts of generous hearts.  The Danes commenced their work of plunder and devastation in the year 795.  Three years after, A.D. 798, they ravaged Inis-patrick of Man and the Hebrides.  In 802 they burned “Hi-Coluim-Cille.”  In 806 they attacked the island again, and killed sixty-eight of the laity and clergy.  In 807 they became emboldened by success, and for the first time marched inland; and after burning Inishmurray, they attacked Roscommon.  During the years 812 and 813 they made raids in Connaught and Munster, but not without encountering stout resistance from the native forces.  After this predatory and internecine warfare had continued for about thirty years, Turgesius, a Norwegian prince, established himself as sovereign of the Vikings, and made Armagh his head-quarters, A.D. 830.  If the Irish chieftains had united their forces, and acted in concert, the result would have been the expulsion of the intruders; but, unhappily, this unity of purpose in matters political has never existed.  The Danes made and broke alliances with the provincial kings at their own convenience, while these princes gladly availed themselves of even temporary assistance from their cruel foes, while engaged in domestic wars, which should never have been undertaken.  Still the Northmen were more than once driven from the country by the bravery of the native commanders, and they often paid dearly for the cruel wrongs they inflicted on their hapless victims.  Sometimes the Danish chiefs mustered all their forces, and left the island for a brief period, to ravage the shores of England or Scotland; but they soon returned to inflict new barbarities on the unfortunate Irish.[199]