a conciliatory nature previously.  In 981 Malachy had invaded the territory of the Dalcassians, and uprooted the great oak-tree of Magh Adair, under which its kings were crowned—­an insult which could not fail to excite bitter feelings both in prince and people.  In 989 the monarch occupied himself fighting the Danes in Dublin, to whom he laid siege for twenty nights, reducing the garrison to such straits that they were obliged to drink the salt water when the tide rose in the river.  Brian then made reprisals on Malachy, by sending boats up the Shannon burning the royal rath of Dun Sciath.  Malachy, in his turn, recrossed the Shannon, burned Nenagh, plundered Ormonde, and defeated Brian himself in battle.  He then marched again to Dublin, and once more attacked “the proud invader.”  It was on this occasion that he obtained the “collar of gold,” which Moore has immortalized in his world-famous “Melodies.”

When the kings had united their forces, they obtained another important victory at Glen-Mama.[213] Harolt, son of Olaf Cuaran, the then Danish king, was slain, and four thousand of his followers perished with him.  The victorious army marched at once to Dublin.  Here they obtained spoils of great value, and made many slaves and captives.  According to some accounts, Brian remained in Dublin until the feast of St. Brigid (February 1st); other annalists say he only remained from Great Christmas to Little Christmas.  Meanwhile there can be but little doubt that Brian had in view the acquisition of the right to be called sole monarch of Ireland.  It is a blot on an otherwise noble character—­an ugly spot in a picture of more than ordinary interest.  Sitric, another son of Olaf’s, fled for protection to Aedh and Eochaidh, two northern chieftains; but they gave him up, from motives of fear or policy to Brian’s soldiers, and after due submission he was restored to his former position.  Brian then gave his daughter in marriage to Sitric, and completed the family alliance by espousing Sitric’s mother, Gormflaith, a lady of rather remarkable character, who had been divorced from her second husband, Malachy.  Brian now proceeded to depose Malachy.  The account of this important transaction is given in so varied a manner by different writers, that it seems almost impossible to ascertain the truth.  The southern annalists are loud in their assertions of the incapacity of the reigning monarch, and would have it believed that Brian only yielded to the urgent entreaties of his countrymen in accepting the proffered crown.  But the warlike exploits of Malachy have been too faithfully recorded to leave any doubt as to his prowess in the field; and we may probably class the regret of his opponent in accepting his position, with similar protestations made under circumstances in which such regret was as little likely to be real.

The poet Moore, with evident partiality for the subject of his song, declares that the magnanimous character of Malachy was the real ground of peace under such provocation, and that he submitted to the encroachments of his rival rather from motives of disinterested desire for his country’s welfare, than from any reluctance or inability to fight his own battle.