capitated Cormac. Cormac's death is
thus described in a MS. in the Burgundian Library: "The hind feet of his
horse slipped on the slippery road in the track of that blood; the horse
fell backwards, and broke his [Cormac's] back and his neck in twain; and
he said, when falling, _In manus tuas commendo spiritum meum_, and he
gives up his spirit; and the impious sons of malediction come and thrust
spears into his body, and sever his head from his body." Keating gives a
curious account of this battle, from an ancient tract not known at
present.

[203] _Amlaff_.--Dr. Todd identifies Amlaff with Olaf Huita (the white),
of Scandinavian history, who was usually styled King of Dublin, and was
the leader of the Northmen in Ireland for many years. See "Introduction"
to the _Wars of the Gaedhil_, p. 69.

[204] _Cenn-Fuait_.--Fuat Head. The site has not been accurately
identified.

[205] _Magh-Neill, i.e.,_ the Plain of Nial, a bardic name for
Ireland.--Four Masters, vol. ii. p. 595.

[206] _Ath-Truisten_.--From Dublin to a ford on the river Green, near
Mullaghmast, co. Kildare.

[207] _Muircheartach_.--This prince obtained the soubriquet of
Muircheartach of the Leathern Cloaks. The origin of this appellation
has not been precisely ascertained.

CHAPTER XIII.

The Battle of Dundalk--The Danes supposed to be Christianized--Brian
Boroimhe and his Brother Mahoun--The Dalcassians fight the Danes--Mahoun
is assassinated--Brian revenges his Brother's Murder--Malachy's Exploits
against the Danes--Malachy and Brian form a Treaty and fight the
Danes--Malachy wins "the Collar of Gold"--Brian's "Happy Family" at
Kincora--He usurps the Supreme Power, and becomes Monarch of
Ireland--Remote Causes of the Battle of Clontarf--Gormflaith is "grim"
with Brian--Blockade of Dublin--The Danes prepare for a Fierce
Conflict--Brian prepares also--The Battle of Clontarf--Disposition of
the Forces--Brian's Death--Defeat of the Danes.

[A.D. 926-1022.]

Many of the sea-coast towns were now in possession of the Danes. They
had founded Limerick, and, indeed, Wexford and Waterford almost owe them
the debt of parentage. Obviously, the ports were their grand
securities--a ready refuge if driven by native valour to embark in their
fleets; convenient head-quarters when marauding expeditions to England
or Scotland were in preparation. But the Danes never obtained the same
power in Ireland as in the sister country. The domestic dissensions of
the