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generally considered as Monarch of Ireland. Roderick lost no time, 
but speedily collected his troops; and, being joined by O’Ruairc, 
Prince of West Brefny, and by O’Maelseaghlain, King of Meath, 
with such forces as they could collect on the spur of the occasion, 
marched to Fiodh-dorcha (Feea-durcha, 7. e. the dark wood) near 
Ferns. Here they met with the allied Leinster and English forces, 
when a conflict ensued, in which Dermott and his auxiliaries were 
defeated, with the loss of twenty-nine Lagenian Chiefs and two of 
the English Knights, together with a great number of lesser 
note. 
The annals of Inisfallen relate, that, after this defeat, Dermot 
went to the camp of the King of Ireland, and gave him as many 
hostages as he required for the territory of Ive-kin-seallagh ; and to 
O’Ruairc he gave five score ounces of gold, as an atonement for the 
insult offered to his wife.* There was also an obligation imposed on 
* Itis generally asserted by Historians that Dermod Mac Morogh courted Dervorgilla, the 
daughter of O’Melaghlainn, King of, Meath, before her marriage with O’Ruairc (or O’Rourke), 
Prince of Brefny ; that a mutual affection existed between them; that her father would not con- 
sent to their union, but forced the young lady, against her inclination, to take for her husband 
O’Ruairc, for whom she never had any affection; that she therefore took advantage of the ab- 
sence of her husband, who had gone on a pilgrimage, and sent for Dermod to come to carry 
her off ; that upon this invitation, Dermod with a strong party went into Brefny, where he met 
Dervorgilla, and carried her away with him; but, to save the lady’s credit, it was made to ap- 
pear as if he forced her away against her consent. This story, as it is told, does not appear im- 
probable ; but, if a variety of circumstances attending the case be considered, the story will, per- 
haps, be found very far from the truth. Frist, Dermod was old enough to be the father of 
Dervorgilla, and had actually a daughter, who was older than that lady, married to Donald 
O’Brien, King of Limerick, besides a number of sons, and another daughter, Eva, who was 
afterwards married to Strongbow. It was not therefore very likely she could have been in love 
with the tyrant Dermod. Secondly, her husband was so well convinced of her innocence and 
purity, that, after she was rescued from McMorogh, he took her home and cohabited with her 
until he was basely murdered in 1172, by the partisans of Hugo de Lacy, who had invited him 
to a friendly conference. Lastly, she was a remarkably religious woman all through her life ; 
