The Battle of Clontarf raged near Dublin on this day, April 23rd, in the year 1014. The battle is mentioned in several contemporary sources where it’s described as remarkably loud and bloody. Vikings began raiding Ireland in the late 700s, establishing several settlements, among them Dublin in 838. As time passed, many Vikings became part of the Gaelic society and political scene. The powers wanting to control Ireland were many, with lots of complex politics and bloody battles as a result. Vikings and Irish fought on both sides, making it a civil war. One decisive moment was the Battle of Clontarf where Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, faced the Norse-Irish alliance led by Sigtrygg Silkbeard, King of Dublin, and Máel Mórda mac Murchada, King of Leinster. Brian Boru’s side was led by his brother, his son, and his grandson. Brian himself was in his 70s and chose to stay behind in prayer. The Vikings and Leinster forces were led by chieftains, such as Brodir, and a Viking called Plait. Sigtrygg Silkbeard also stayed behind, watching the battle from the walls of Dublin. The battle kicked off with Plait taunting Domnall mac Eimín – a Scottish ally of Brian Boru. Contemporary sources describe the scene as: “with the sword of each through the heart of the other, and the hair of each in the clenched hand of the other”. Boru’s side eventually gained the upper hand, with the Dublin-Leinster forces retreating to their ships. The incoming tide had carried many of the ships out of reach, resulting in a death trap. The Viking chieftain Brodir was not done. He located Brian Boru and killed him in his tent.Brian’s brother took immediate revenge and ended Brodir’s life in a quite gruesome way. Njal’s saga describes it as: “He cut open his belly, and led him round and round the trunk of a tree, and so would all his entrails out of him, and he did not die before they were all drawn out of him”. Sigtrygg remained King of Dublin for 22 more years, even though Dublin’s power was weakened thanks to the outcome of this battle. . . . . . #onthisday #modernviking #viking #vikings #norse #vikinglife #norsemythology #vikingsofinstagram #vikingsofinsta #nordic #grimfrost