506 
own terms,” and consented to hold the fortress of Dublin as Brian’s vas- 
sal. A similar alliance was made with Maelmordha. Brian recog- 
nized him as King of Leinster, in opposition to the hereditary claim of 
Donnchadh, son of Domhnall Claen; and he also became Brian’s vassal. 
It was probably about this time, or soon after, that Brian formed 
his matrimonial alliance with Gormlaith, the widow of Olaf, and mother 
of Sitric, King of Dublin; although, as we have seen, he must have had 
a less legitimate intimacy with her some time before, if she was the 
mother of his son Donogh. About this time, also, he probably gave his 
daughter in marriage to Sitric. At all events, in a few months after 
the battle of Glen-mama, Brian was in alliance with those who had been 
his enemies in that deadly conflict, the Dublin Danes, and Maolmordha, 
the brother of Gormlaith. 
And now he was strong enough to set at nought his treaty with 
Malachy. The very same year he raised a powerful army, gathered 
from South Connaught and Ossory, in addition to his own Dal-Cassian 
forces. His new allies, the Danes of Dublin, and the King of Leinster, 
lent their aid. He entered the territories of Malachy, and proceeded 
as far as Tara. His Danish cavalry had been sent forward before the 
rest of the army, but were met by King Malachy in person, and entirely 
routed. ‘‘Poene omnes occisi sunt,” say the Annals of Ulster. Tigher- 
nach calls this the first ‘‘ treacherous turning of Brian against Malachy,” 
impod cpe mebail. But the author of the Wars of the Gaedhil and Gaill 
makes no mention whatscever of this transaction. 
From this brief summary of the history of the two chieftains, it will 
be seen with what gross injustice Malachy is accused of incapacity and 
breach of faith. If this latter accusation belongs to either party, it must 
assuredly fall upon Brian; by him, and not by Malachy, was the treaty 
violated, whereby the two princes consented to divide the sovereignty 
of Ireland,—Malachy recognizing Brian as king of Leth Mogha, and 
Brian acknowledging Malachy as king of Leth Cuinn. 
But now the superior power of Brian and his restless ambition car- 
ried the day. Malachy submitted, and in the year 1002, Brian was re- 
cognized as King of all Ireland, and Malachy became simply king of 
Meath, or Tara. The new monarch soon after set out on an expedition, 
to demand hostages from all the petty princes, especiallyin the north, who 
were likely to disturb his government; and having thus secured their 
submission, and recommended himself to the clergy, by recognizing the 
jurisdiction of Armagh, and by great liberality to the churches, a period 
of peace ensued, which was very unusual in Ireland at that time. The 
Munster historians have doubtless exaggerated greatly both the duration 
and the amount of this peace. It was then the lady, according to the 
legend celebrated by Moore,* adorned with gems, and bearing upon her 
* See what Moore himself, in his character of historian, has said of this romantic le- 
gend.—“ Hist. of Ireland,” vol. ii., pp. 103-4. 
