But Brian had other chieftains to deal with, of less amiable or more warlike propensities:  the proud Hy-Nials of the north were long in yielding to his claims; but even these he at length subdued, compelling the Cinel-Eoghain to give him hostages, and carrying off the Lord of Cinel-Connaill bodily to his fortress at Kincora.  Here he had assembled a sort of “happy family,” consisting of refractory princes and knights, who, refusing hostages to keep the peace with each other, were obliged to submit to the royal will and pleasure, and at least to appear outwardly in harmony.

These precautionary measures, however summary, and the energetic determination of Brian to have peace kept either by sword or law, have given rise to the romantic ballad of the lady perambulating Erinn with a gold ring and white wand, and passing unmolested through its once belligerent kingdoms.

Brian now turned his attention to the state of religion and literature, restoring the churches and monasteries which had been plundered and burnt by the Danes.  He is said also to have founded the churches of Killaloe and Iniscealtra, and to have built the round tower of Tomgrany, in the present county Clare.  A gift of twenty ounces of gold to the church of Armagh,—­a large donation for that period,—­is also recorded amongst his good deeds.[214]

There is some question as to the precise year in which Brian obtained or usurped the authority and position of Ard-Righ:  A.D. 1002, however, is the date most usually accepted.  He was probably about sixty-one years of age, and Malachy was then about fifty-three.[215]

It will be remembered that Brian had married the Lady Gormflaith.  Her brother, Maelmordha, was King of Leinster, and he had obtained his throne through the assistance of the Danes.  Brian was Gormflaith’s third husband.  In the words of the Annals, she had made three leaps—­“jumps which a woman should never jump”—­a hint that her matrimonial arrangements had not the sanction of canon law.  She was remarkable for her beauty, but her temper was proud and vindictive.  This was probably the reason why she was repudiated both by Malachy and Brian.  There can be no doubt that she and her brother, Maelmordha, were the remote causes of the famous battle of Clontarf.  The story is told thus:  Maelmordha came to Brian with an offering of three large pine-trees to make masts for shipping.  These were probably a tribute which he was bound to pay to his liege lord.  The trees had been cut in the great forest of Leinster, called Fidh-Gaibhli.[216] Some other tribes were bringing their tree-tributes at the same time; and as they all journeyed over the mountains together, there was a dispute for precedency.  Maelmordha decided the question by assisting to carry the tree of the Ui-Faelain.  He had on a tunic of silk which Brian had given[217] him, with a border of gold round it and silver buttons.  One of the buttons came off as he lifted the tree.  On his