Thus, they were able to give very faithful and lively descriptions of desperate conflicts, they had witnessed, or in which they had
valiantly
fought.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
ii,, chap, xx.
, p.
83.
but the name of this thought to be obsolete.
is
Clonmacnoise,
place
292 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
leave his shield behind him. "' Another account,"' however, attributes all the victory and glory to the Monster hero f but, it is quite evident, that
Methgamhain suffered a terrible reverse. ==° Finding the position untenable, he saved himself, after losing a considerable number of his forces, and all
his spoils. Three grandsons of Lorcan, and seven score along with them, fell in this engagement. "' Swimming the stream, Mahon escaped from the battle- field. In this engagement, the character of Bryan's valour was manifested, under adverse circumstances ; but, his cool and steady resolution won ad-
miration and applause, while it inspired a well-grounded hope, that in after time, he must gloriously retrieve that reverse, which was then experienced.
CHAPTER II.
THE SCANDINAVIAN SETTLERS IN LIMERICK—DESCRIPTION, HISTORY, MANNERS AND INVASIONS OF THE NORTHERN NATIONS—VICTORY OF MAHON AND BRYAN OVER THE NORTHMEN—MAHON IS TREACHEROUSLY DEPIVED OF LIFE BY MAELMUA— BRYAN ELECTED KING OF NORTH MUNSTER—HE OBTAINS A SIGNAL VICTORY OVER THE SCANDINAVIANS AND CONFEDERATE IRISH—HE DRIVES THE INVADERS FROM INISCATHY, AND FROM OTHER STATIONS.
From what has been already stated, it may well be supposed, that the North-
men at Limerick were a source of jealousy, fear, and danger, to the people of
Thomond ; and, in frequent conflicts, when issuing in force from their strongly fortified city, they were usually able to select a favourable time for surprises, as also a secure basis for retreat and protection. About the com- mencement of the ninth century, the Scandinavian ships, with their contin- gent of Gaills," or Galls—a name applied by the Irish to foreigners—began to enter that fine sea-opening of the Shannon River, originally distinguished by the name Luimenach. " The "Chief of Luimneach of the Sea" owed fealty to " the King of fair Casaill,"3 as the Psalter of Cashel states ; and, in the division of Ireland into Leath Cuinn and Leath Mogha, Luimneach was fixed as the western extremity of the latter half. '* A city is supposed to have existed, on the present site of Limerick, and to have been called Regia,5 by the Romans, in the second century after Christ. Frequently, allusion is made to Luimnech, in our Annals, at different subsequent periods ; but, it is a cer- tainty, those strangers and invaders found this a suitable place for commer- cial enterprises, or for 'warlike purposes. Besides its productive fisheries, a fertile soil, and an agreeable country surrounding it, with a good climate and favourableposition; theforeignersselectedthisparticularspot,fortheerec-
"' The Four Masters are silent, regarding this incident, which is related in the Dublin copy of the Annals or Inisfallen. See Rev. Dr. ©'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 44.
"" This statement is found in that poem, cited from the Munster Book, by Valiancy.
""' The Munster Annals have this event, at
ers, now applied only to the English. —
Edward O'Reilly's Satia)- Gaoidhilge-Sags-
bhearla. An Irish-English Dictionary, sub' voce.
°
This appears, from the Life of St. Car- brach of Lismore, as found in the Manuscript Book of Lismore.
^ See John O'Donovan's teitliAjA riA
965. """•
"
Gene- Mahon is stated to have been victorious. See vol.
Book xi. ,
"' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
ii. ,
chap, iv. , pp. 231, 232.
^ The Claudius has Geographer Ptolemy
such a designation, on his Map of Ire- land.
In Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's
ral of Ireland," at A. D. History
960,
'' See Maurice Lenihan's "Limerick "
Four Masters," —vol. ii. , pp. 684, 685. '
Chapter ii. jAill, ^aill, S. foreign-
5-CeApt;, or the 261.
"
Book of Riglits," pp. 260,
: its
History and Antiquities, chap, i. , p. 2.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 293
tion of a strong fortress, which was further protected by walls and fortifica-
tions. The ancient Irish settlement on the Lower Shannon, denominated
Lumneach/ now Limerick,7 is supposed to have had a remote origin ; but,
probably, it was a place of little consequence, until the Northmen recognised its advantageous position, for navigation and commerce. This town was first
plundered by them, in 812, and before the middle of the ninth century, they seem to have seized on it, as their chief southern stronghold, in Ireland. Tliey erected a fort within it, and surrounded the city, which was then built, with walls and towers. During the century, which succeeded, their power increased, and their ships lent it a ready outlet to the Atlantic*
To understand, not merely the condition of Ireland during the Norse
domination, but also to elucidate the biography of Bryan Borumha, it may be desirable, to premise some remarks on the origin, history, manners and enter-
prisesofthatpeople. BythecommonappellationofScandinavia,theancients distinguished those large peninsular countries of north-eastern Europe, bearing towards and beyond the Arctic circle, and now chiefly known, as the three north-
emkingdomsofDenmark,Sweden,andNorway. Intheearliesttimes,those
countries were inhabited
German or Gothic — the
bya tribe,' altliough aboriginal
appear to have been of Finnish or Lapp extraction. Before the Christian era, the Cimbri were known to the Romans, as a people of great valour, having numerous and large fortifica- tions within their countr>'. '° About the beginning of the Christian era, the
Romans had some indistinct knowledge of the Suiones, or Swedes, and of their turn for navigation. " But, the Scandinavian country, which attained the greatest historical prominence, was Norway, from the eighth to the twelfth cen- tury of the Christian era. In the first century, Pliny has an account of the peninsula of Nerigon, or of Norway. He speaks geographically of Swedish Norrige and of Danish Norge;" but, we are not particularly informed, about their social state. The peninsula of Denmark, or Jutland,'^ is a vast bank of sand, gravel, water-worn stones, transported and rounded blocks of granite of all sizes, covered with a bed of clay and vegetable earth. This soil has been thrown up or formed by the ocean, and it defends from the fury of the waves
population^-especially of the more northern parts
a large portion of Northern Europe. '^
' A battle,was fought here, by Cormac Mac Art, Monarch of Ireland, against the people of Munster, in a. d. 241. hee Dr. O'lJono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
i. , pp. 112, 113.
' A large aud detailed Map of this city,
with its modern situation on the River Shan- non shown, is to be found on "The Travellers' Map of the River Shannon," ar- ranged as a Guide to its Lakes, and the several Towns, Gentlemen's Seats, Ancient Castles, Ruins, Mines, Quarries, 'trading Stations, and general Scenery on its Banks, from its source in Lough Allen to the Sea, in a course
King's County, Tippeiiuy, Galway, Lime- rick, Kerry and Clare, accurately taken from the survey made by John Grantham, Esq. , C. E. Plate 14.
• See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 265.
' Marcus Aurelius Cas>iodorus, a Neapo- litan, wrote a history of the Coths, io twelve
For the most part, the soil is thin and
hoiks. He was secretary to Theodoric, King of the Goths, in Italy, and he died, about the year 562. This work was after-
wards abriilged by Jornandes.
'"See Tacitus " De Situ, Moribus et
Populis Germanise," cap. xxxvii.
of miles 239
" See
bell's " of Geogra- System
the Couniies of Lei-
trim, Ixjngford, Roscommon, Westmeath, phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. i. ,
through
James
" Tacitus states
:
" forma navium e6 dil-
fert, quod utrimque prora paratam semper adpulsui frontem agit : nee velis ministran- tur, nee remos in ordinera lateiibus adjun. gunt. Solutum, ut in quibusdam fiurainum.
et mutabile, ut res poscit, hinc vel illinc re- "
migiiim. "— De Situ, Moribus, et Fopulis Gerraaniae," cap. xliv.
part i. , p. 138.
'^ It was called Chersonesis Cimbrica, and
a German tribe, but originally from the East, inhabited tliat tract.
" . See Samuel Laing's "Observations on the Social and Political State of Denmark, and the Duchies of Sleswick and Holstein, in 1851," chap, i. , p. 2. London, 1852, 8vo.
294 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
barren, little suited for agriculture, and pasturage is usually resorted to, as the means for feeding cattle. '5 More to the north, Sweden is mountainous, broken and barren ; towards the west, for the most part it is flat, especially along the eastern coast line it abounds in lakes and rivers it has numerous
—;—;
forests; and minerals particularly iron are to be found, in various places. ^*
For a considerable distance, from north to south, the summit of a high range
of mountains forms the western boundary,'! ' between this country and Nor-
way. Although both nations are now united under one crown, the respective
lines are distinctly marked throughout tlie whole extent,'^ while different
laws and institutions prevail, in either country. Tlie surface of Norway is
mountainous, and, in most places, the good soil is shallow ; while the whole
country abounds in forests, lakes, and unnavigable rivers. The fisheries off
die coast are usually productive, while timber-dressing and ship-building are the chief industrial arts. 's The coast line, towards the west, is high and
rugged, with gulphs or fiords running deeply into the mainland. Barren rocks and mountains range over a great extent, yet here and there are romantic glens and fertile valleys. ^° The distant country of Thule, so often mentioned by the ancients, is thought to be identical with the present Iceland. This lay far out and westwardly, in the Northern Ocean. At present, the people there are generally tall, and seldom corpulent ; their countenances are open and fair complexioned, while their hair is light coloured. The climate, soil and pro- ductions of Iceland^' have been already described. ^' The Feroe Islands are formed of basaltic rocks; the soil is thin, mossy and wet, little suited for agriculture, but occasionally affording good pasture's
It has been generally supposed, that the Scythic was the mother language of the Goths and Germans f* so that we may consider the Scandinavian, or old Norse tongue, as derived from an Asiatic source. According to some writers, the Teutonic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Flemish and English are only dialects of one chief language. ^5 From the old Danish'* or Scandina- vian,'7 those languages, which are spoken from the coasts of Greenland, to those of Finland; from the Frozen Ocean to the Eider,'^ are derived. '' In its
'5 Ini864, the Dano-Prussian warstripped Denmark of its Duchies of Schleswig-Hol- stein and Lauenburg ; so that in 18S0, it h. id only a population of 2,096,400, including 11,221 in the Faroe Islands. See Whita- ker's "Almanack," for 1883, p. 333.
' See Bell's " James
'' Norway has a population of 1,818,853 inhabitants. See Whitaker's " Ahiianack "
for 1883, p. 352.
°°
See James Bell's "System of Geogra- phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. :. , part i. , pp. 222 to 228.
" Iceland was more Formerly populous
than at present ; while history proves, that its climate has been gradually growing more
of
phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. i. ,
part i. , pp. 1S9 to 195.
' In December, 1 88 1, Sweden had a po-
System
Geogra-
severe, and the soil more ungrateful. See pulation of 4,572,245 inhabitants. See "Popular Encyclopedia, or Conversations
Whitaker's "Almanack" for 1883, p. Lexicon," vol. iv. Art. Iceland, p. 32.
351.
'* "
Since 1814, this double kingdom has combined, under one king and two very different constitutions, two proud and free- spirited nations, each jealous of its peculiar privileges. The poliiical condition of Swe- den and Norway forms a permanent parti- lion between them ; there a jealous aristo-
" See vol. ii. of this work, where the Life
of St. Buo, Missionary in Iceland, has been inserted.
'^ See James Bell's " System of Geogra- phy, Popular and . Scientific," &c. , vol. i. , part i. , pp. 166, 167.
* See Morhof, " De Lingua Germanica," p. 64.
°5 See "Glossarium-Sveo- Hag : Spegel,
Gothicum," Lund. , 1722, 4to.
" Known as tlie Uanska tunga.
°' Called Norroena.
' See Rask's "'Grammar of the Anglo-
is overit. sanc;ent perpetually watching
cracy
privileges ; here, the democracy struggles to defend its new-born rights. In both king- doms, the peasantry and citizens hold a h—igher rank than in most European States. "
"
Lexicon," vol. vi. . Art. Sweden and Nor- English, by Thorpe.
Po|ndar Encyclopedia, or Conversations Sa. xon Tongue," p. 42. Translation into
way, p. 474.
'» See Rev.
J.
Bosworth's " of Dictionary
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 295
purest state, the old Norse or Danish was carried into Iceland, by the first Norwegian refugees, in the ninth century ; and, as modern Icelandic scholars read the oldest documents with the greatest facility, the antique, witii but slight variations, may still be considered the living language of Iceland. Being trained to the use of letters and to the habit of writing, the Icelanders began to record in books, as on monuments, what they deemed most interesting and instructive, for themselves and for their posterity. The Scribes were literarymen, and they were greatly patronized. Norse inscriptions and records areeventobefound,ontheirrocksandpromontories; sothat,thosemight go down to posterity, unless subjected to the accidents of n£tture. 3° But, they cared only for history or legendary biography. The Iceland Chroniclers have written the memorable events of their own and of their ancestors' times, both in prose and in verse. This they practised, before the other people of Scandinavia had acquired the use of letters. 3' Iceland had a class of travelling minstrels, called Skalds, 3= who handed down personal 'knowledge, or experience, with oral tradition and history, cliiefly in verse. They were entertained and held in respect, by kings and heroes, whose companions they often were, during various expeditions.
Thus, they were able to give very faithful and lively descriptions of desperate conflicts, they had witnessed, or in which they had valiantly fought. 33 In the Icelandic language, from Ragnar- Lodbrok to Valdemar II. , there is a list of 230 among the chief Skalds, or poetical historians, kept. Among these are several crowned heads and cele- brated warriors. 34 The Saga-man or stor)'-teller recalled the memory of past events in prose. Hence came the Northern Sagas or Histories to be so named ; but, the old Icelanders did not distinguish very critically between mythic and historic narrative. The Sagas were popular narratives, recording the lives of chiefs, kings, and noble families. 'J'hey often introduce metrical passages, and they are very numerous. Those compositions may be classed, as Poetic or Fictitious, Mythic and Romantic, Biographic or Historical, as relating to general, local, and family traditions. Vet, in several cases, it is not an easy matter, to reduce them under any of the foregoing divisions, so discursive and arbitrary have been their themes. In course of time, tiiose re- cordswerecommittedtowriting. TheEddasaretheearliestrecordsknown; one of these is called the poetic or elder Edda,33 and the first compiler of this 3* was Soemund Sigfussen, acleric, born in Iceland, a. d. 1056. He seems to have written some of those poetic efiusions, from the recital of contem- porary Skalds, and to have collected others from Manuscripts. 37
Some of these poems are traced back to the ninth and tenth centuries,
the Anglo-Saxon Language," Preface, sect. xi. , p. cxlix.
3°
edition of Allien Kr. intz's " Rerum Ger- manicaium Historici Clarissimi Regnorum Aquilonarium, Danix, Sueciae, Noru. igiae, Chronica," p. 480, as published at P"raukfurt on the Maine, A. D. 1583, fol.
5' From tlie ninth to the end of the thir-
teenth century, the Northmen had a rude
literature of thtir own ; and a long list of 1787, with a Latin translaioii, notes and
. See Jacob Ziegler's Schondia,
to the
their Sa<;as wili be found, in . Samuel Liing s
tion, chap, i. , pp. 17 to 23.
3- From the Icelandic Skdlld, which means
"a poet. "
" See Rev. J. Bosworth's " Dictionary of
glossary. A second volume was not printed, until ad. 1818. A third volume appeared in 1828, edited by Professor Finn Magnu- sen.
" See Rev. J. liosworth's "
" Heimskringla
; or Chronicle of the Kings of Norway," vol. i. Preliminary Uisserta-
the Anglo-Saxon Language,' Preface, sect. xi. , num. 3, p. cxlvi.
s* See Wlieatou's " of
History Northmen,"
p. 51.
^^ The word Edda is said to mean "a
grandmother," and as expressed very doubt- fully, by a commentator, "quasi prima mater etlinicie rclijiionis.
* The Icelandic text of the poelic Edda
w. is puldished, in 4to, at Copenhagen, A. D.
of the Anglo-Saxon Language," Preface, sect.
xi. , pp. cxlvi. , cxivii.
Dictionary
296
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
andtheyhaveallusionstopaganmannersandcustoms. InIceland,every chieftain was careful to preserve his genealogical tree ; and, it appears very
probable, that their mode for compiling family pedigrees had been derived, from the early Irish colonists. Still more important it is to know, that the
historic Sagas were almost universally written, before the mythic and romantic ones. 38 -phg prose or younger Edda 39 was composed by Snorre Sturleson,4° born of a noble family, a. d. 1178, at Hvamm, on the west coast of Iceland, and he was murdered, a. d. 1241. The Heimskringla,*' or Annals of the Nor- wegianKingsfromOdin,ishisgreatwork. i= SeveralnorthernSagascontain historic narratives, which serve to illustrate past transactions in Iceland, in
Scotland,andinEngland. 43 TheSagas,andtheotherScandinavianchroni- clers, briefly relate much about^Ireland, which is, for the most part, very trust-
worthy; and, at all events, it agrees with the representations, at that time, currentamongtheIrishthemselves. Thenorthernchroniclesgenerallyrefer
to Ireland incidentally, or they are confined to the narrative of particular events. •• Those contain accounts of the Norse achievements in Ireland, both
in war and
The Irish records are still more copious, in reference to their
peace.
——
invasions. VastnumbersoftheSagasandEddas someofthemveryancient
have been collected by learned men, from tiie smoky huts of Iceland, and
they have been purchased for the public Libraries of Copenhagen, of Stock-
holm, and of Christiana. Antiquarian Societies have been established for their
accurate publication, critical study, and correct interpretation ; philology has
been enriched by the materials collected ; while the ascertained age and authenticity of those old manuscripts have interested, not alone the learned men of the northern nations, but every enlightened lover of literature and of
national history.
At an early period, Denmark was divided into a number of petty states,
inhabited by wild and adventurous warriors, under the direction of different Jarls, or chiefs. ''^ The first ruler of Denmark is said to have been Skiold, son ofOdin;** but,hishistoryandthatofhisposterityisgreatlywrappedinfable,
3* See " The Religion of the Northmen," by Rudolph Keyset, translated by Barclay Pennock. Introduction, chap, ii. , p. 65. New York, 1854, 8vo.
M A complete edition of the original text was first published, at Stockholm, by Pro- fessorRask,in1818.
lished in iSog. This gives the Njala or Life of the celebrated Icelander, Njall Por- geirsson, and of his sons. Its matter is said to be correct, and its style ornate.
•• See J. J. A. Worsac's " Account of the Danesand Norwegians in England, Scotland ar. dIreland. " TheNorwegiansinIreland,
<" He is called the Herodotus of the sect, ii. , p]5. 309, 310.
North. *^ Saxo, a writer of Danish origin, and dis-
*' It was published, by Peringskjold, with tinguished by the title Grammaticus, on a Latin and Swedish translation, in Two account of his learning and scholarship, was
bom about the middle of the twelfth cen- tury. He is said to have been provost of the cathedral church of Roskild. He wrote the History of Denmark, in Latin. It consists of sixteen Books ; but, that first portion, re- lating to the origin of the Danes, and to the reiirns of their ancient Kings, is full of fables ; but, the last eight books, and parti- cularly those which regard the events of his own times, deserve the utmost credit. It concludes with the year 1 1S6, and the author died a. d. 1204, according to Stephens, the editor of his works, which were printed at
Soroe.
<° " SeeS. A. Dunham's HistoryofDen-
in Icelandic, by Olaus Olavius. Copenhagen, mark, Sweden and Norway," vol. i. Intxo- 1772, 4to. A Latin version of it was pub- duction, p. 41.
Volumes, folio, at Stockholm, A. D. 1697. Schbning and Thorlacius issued it, with a Latin and Danish translation, in Three Vo- lumes, folio, at Copenhagen, 1777 to 17S3. It was continued, by the younger Thorlacius and Werlauff, in Three Volumes, A. D. 1813 to 1826.
<" It has been translated from the Icelandic into English, by Samuel Laing, who has given a Preliminary Discourse, with a Me- moir of Snorro Sturleson. This work ap- peared, in Three Octavo Volumes, at Lon-
don, in 1844.
43 As for instance, the
"
Sagan of Niali PorgeirssymokSomonHans,"&c. ,edited
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 297
norisitaneasymattertoprovewhatisauthentic. " Notonlyhavethemo- dern Danish historians perpetuated and chronicled the deeds of their early
kings /' but, even we are presented with real or fanciful engravings, represen- ting their features and dress. <9 From the period of their dreaded invasions on and among the more southern countries of Europe, the warlike exploits of the Northmen Vikings and seafaring men have given celebrity to the Scan- dinavians, while their predatory expeditions have been recorded, by their native writers. The monuments yet remaining,5° and the Runic inscriptions 5' of the North, attest the former customs and national life of that people. 5= The style of denomination they affected, in order to signify a boastful supremacy on the ocean, was that of Vikings or sea-kings. Among the Scandinavian ad- venturers,theDaneswererenownedfortheircourageandferocity. 53 Inthe writings of St. Gregory of Tours,5* the name Danus, or Dane first appears. ss Little is known regarding Denmark, until about the eighth century, after the Christian era. In the beginning of this century, and for two hundred years afterwards, the Danes were very formidable. In like manner, their neighbours the Norwegians were notorious, for their piracies and adventures by sea. The original inhabitants of Sweden were of Finnish or Lapp descent; but, these were driven to the extreme north, when the Goths and German Suiones began to encroach, on the more southern parts of that country. A regular govern- ment was first established, in Sweden, a. d. 994, by Olaf I. , or Oluus, who was a convert to Christianity. s* For centuries, the Goths and Swedes remained a distinct people, and their disputes distracted the kingdom ,^^ until they be- came united, in the middle of the thirteenth century, when the powerful family of the Folkungs were on the throne. Norway was known, in the eigiuh cen- tur)', as a country under the rule of powertul and turbulent Jarls, and of rest-
less, adventurous sea-rovers. Before the close of the tenth century, little
indeed is ascertained, regarding the distinctive internal history of Norway. Then, the Christian religion was established there, by King Olaf I. In the
" . \ learned French writer. Mallet, has
Monumenta UUerakerensia cum Upsala
Nova lUustrata, at in published Stockholm,
I7'9-
5' Curious old wood-cuts,
illustrating Northern life and the products of the North-
ern nations, will be found throughout the
written a work of du Dannemarc. "
great authority,
" Histoire
"The 'DannemarksRijjes Historic," ved Ludrig Holberg, published in Three. 4to volumes, from 1732 to 1 735, gives a detailed history of Denmark.
« See " Danmarckis especially Rigis
Kronicke" ved ArrililHuiifeld tilOdersberg D. R. Canceler, tomus i. Riobenhaffn, 1652, fol. (two vols. ).
5° Several curious monumental inscriptions
are noted, in tlie two folio volumes of Bishop
Eric Pontoppidan, ''. Marmora Danica Selcc-
tiora sive Inscripiionum quotquot Fatorum
injuriis per Daniam suucr. sunt, vel /Evo,
"
Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus,"
vel vel Kei Momento eleyantia,
haffn hoss, Heinrich Baldtirch, Anno M. uc. xxil.
*< His feast occurs, at November and 17th,
he flourished in the sixth century.
55 Also, see Joannis Mevrsi "Historic
Danicoe, sive De Regibus Daniae, qui fami-
liam Oldenburgicam proecessere, eorumque rebus gestis, a Uano ad Canutum vi. , in quo
desinit Saxo. " Amstelodami, a. d. clolo. cxxxviti. fol.
5* See "Popular Encyclopedia, or Con- versations Lexicon," vol. vi. Art. Sweden
and Norway, p. 473.
5' Adam ot Bremen, who wrote in the
year 1007, alludes to those disorders, in his history.
pro; Reliqvs, excelleutiam Fasciculus. " Hatinx, 1739 and
1741.
5' Very curious plates of Northern Anti-
quities, illustrating churches, monuments,
seals and and historic incidenis will be found,
in the two folio vulumes of Johun I'eriiig-
*'
skiold :
rum," embracing in the first part Thiunia, cum Antiquitatibus ac Inscriptionibus quae Cippis et Rupibus, vel Tunibis incisoe passim reperiuntur justa deliniatione, brevique com- memario illustrate, and published at Stock- holm, in 1710; and, in the second part,
Monumentorum Sveo-Gothico-
&c. , written the by
Olaus
Archbishop nus, at Rome, in 1555.
Mag-
" Xhe folio history of Denmark, drawn from native and foreign sources, has been learnedly compiled, by Claus Christofferson.
"
Synopsis Historiarum Danica-
Its title is
rum," &c. , and it bears the imprint, Risben-
298 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
beginning of the eleventh century, Olaf II. continued this good work, and he subjected several petty princes to his rule. s^ The Norwegians were formerly
governed by a number of Vikings, subject to a chief King ; and, their ancient laws, which have been published, indicate much of their social state and civil
polity. 59 Canute the Great, King of Denmark, conquered Norway in 1028, but he did not long retain its government ; for, in 1034, the Norwegians had their own monarchs, who, even for a time, governed in Denmark.
It seems to be a well-established fact, that so early as the eighth century, Irish colonists and Christian missionaries, from our Island, had dwelt in remote Ice- land. No doubt, they found or had attracted an indigenous people there,*°
andtheyprobablyinstructedthese,inthetenetsofthetruereligion. However, under exceedingly unfavourable conditions, the Irish settlers in Iceland led religious lives,'' built churciies, and cultivated literature, probably in the Scan- dinavian, as in tlieir own language. The Ira litur, or letters of the Irish,'^ and their books, were known to the pagan Norwegians and Swedes, who began to arrive there as adventurers, in the ninth century. Many of the Irish Christians—especially the monks—were then obliged to flee from the Island, and the natives, who had been converted to the true Faith, were subjected to the power of ever-increasing swarms of emigrants, during the tenth century, so that, it is probable, Christianity was gradually suppressed. *' Notwith-
standing, a school of poetry and history remained, to perpetuate in song and chronicle, the deeds of departed men and the events of past times, which an early civilization had taught the Irish settlers to cultivate, and which these in turn had communicated, as a precious legacy to those people, among whom they had lived for so long a period. In its pagan state, Iceland had a mytho- logyandsuperstitions,peculiartoitself. TherefugeesfromNorwayreplaced Christian practices, by an idolatrous worship. They established laws, which were observed by the colonists. For a long time, their literature breathed the spirit of their strange traditions and rude imaginations. But, the light of Faith began to dawn among the Icelanders, towards the close of the tenth
century; andsoon,theoldmanuscriptsofthepaganswereconsignedtoobli- vion. Yet, their old laws were in force, until the time of Thorgeir,''* who
a promulgated Decree,
in the at the —
year 1000,'s public Assembly
that the — of Christ then received Religion
of the
Island
greater part of the inhabitants should be publicly propagated, and that
Representatives,
by
the
'*
s' See "Popular Encyclopedia, or Con- versations Lexicon," vol. v. Art. Norway,
p. 264.
5' The Common Law of Norway, as it
existed in the middle ages, may be studied,
from the "Regis Magni Legum Reforniatoris
Leges Gula-Thingenses, sivejus Commune
Norvegicum. " Kx Manuscriptis Legati Christianiiy into Iceland, the reader is re-
cum interjjretatione La- tina et Daiiica, variis Lectionibus, indice Verburum et IV.
but the name of this thought to be obsolete.
is
Clonmacnoise,
place
292 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
leave his shield behind him. "' Another account,"' however, attributes all the victory and glory to the Monster hero f but, it is quite evident, that
Methgamhain suffered a terrible reverse. ==° Finding the position untenable, he saved himself, after losing a considerable number of his forces, and all
his spoils. Three grandsons of Lorcan, and seven score along with them, fell in this engagement. "' Swimming the stream, Mahon escaped from the battle- field. In this engagement, the character of Bryan's valour was manifested, under adverse circumstances ; but, his cool and steady resolution won ad-
miration and applause, while it inspired a well-grounded hope, that in after time, he must gloriously retrieve that reverse, which was then experienced.
CHAPTER II.
THE SCANDINAVIAN SETTLERS IN LIMERICK—DESCRIPTION, HISTORY, MANNERS AND INVASIONS OF THE NORTHERN NATIONS—VICTORY OF MAHON AND BRYAN OVER THE NORTHMEN—MAHON IS TREACHEROUSLY DEPIVED OF LIFE BY MAELMUA— BRYAN ELECTED KING OF NORTH MUNSTER—HE OBTAINS A SIGNAL VICTORY OVER THE SCANDINAVIANS AND CONFEDERATE IRISH—HE DRIVES THE INVADERS FROM INISCATHY, AND FROM OTHER STATIONS.
From what has been already stated, it may well be supposed, that the North-
men at Limerick were a source of jealousy, fear, and danger, to the people of
Thomond ; and, in frequent conflicts, when issuing in force from their strongly fortified city, they were usually able to select a favourable time for surprises, as also a secure basis for retreat and protection. About the com- mencement of the ninth century, the Scandinavian ships, with their contin- gent of Gaills," or Galls—a name applied by the Irish to foreigners—began to enter that fine sea-opening of the Shannon River, originally distinguished by the name Luimenach. " The "Chief of Luimneach of the Sea" owed fealty to " the King of fair Casaill,"3 as the Psalter of Cashel states ; and, in the division of Ireland into Leath Cuinn and Leath Mogha, Luimneach was fixed as the western extremity of the latter half. '* A city is supposed to have existed, on the present site of Limerick, and to have been called Regia,5 by the Romans, in the second century after Christ. Frequently, allusion is made to Luimnech, in our Annals, at different subsequent periods ; but, it is a cer- tainty, those strangers and invaders found this a suitable place for commer- cial enterprises, or for 'warlike purposes. Besides its productive fisheries, a fertile soil, and an agreeable country surrounding it, with a good climate and favourableposition; theforeignersselectedthisparticularspot,fortheerec-
"' The Four Masters are silent, regarding this incident, which is related in the Dublin copy of the Annals or Inisfallen. See Rev. Dr. ©'Conor's " Rerum Hibernicarum Scriptores," tome ii. , p. 44.
"" This statement is found in that poem, cited from the Munster Book, by Valiancy.
""' The Munster Annals have this event, at
ers, now applied only to the English. —
Edward O'Reilly's Satia)- Gaoidhilge-Sags-
bhearla. An Irish-English Dictionary, sub' voce.
°
This appears, from the Life of St. Car- brach of Lismore, as found in the Manuscript Book of Lismore.
^ See John O'Donovan's teitliAjA riA
965. """•
"
Gene- Mahon is stated to have been victorious. See vol.
Book xi. ,
"' See Dr. O'Donovan's "Annals of the
ii. ,
chap, iv. , pp. 231, 232.
^ The Claudius has Geographer Ptolemy
such a designation, on his Map of Ire- land.
In Dr. Sylvester O'Halloran's
ral of Ireland," at A. D. History
960,
'' See Maurice Lenihan's "Limerick "
Four Masters," —vol. ii. , pp. 684, 685. '
Chapter ii. jAill, ^aill, S. foreign-
5-CeApt;, or the 261.
"
Book of Riglits," pp. 260,
: its
History and Antiquities, chap, i. , p. 2.
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 293
tion of a strong fortress, which was further protected by walls and fortifica-
tions. The ancient Irish settlement on the Lower Shannon, denominated
Lumneach/ now Limerick,7 is supposed to have had a remote origin ; but,
probably, it was a place of little consequence, until the Northmen recognised its advantageous position, for navigation and commerce. This town was first
plundered by them, in 812, and before the middle of the ninth century, they seem to have seized on it, as their chief southern stronghold, in Ireland. Tliey erected a fort within it, and surrounded the city, which was then built, with walls and towers. During the century, which succeeded, their power increased, and their ships lent it a ready outlet to the Atlantic*
To understand, not merely the condition of Ireland during the Norse
domination, but also to elucidate the biography of Bryan Borumha, it may be desirable, to premise some remarks on the origin, history, manners and enter-
prisesofthatpeople. BythecommonappellationofScandinavia,theancients distinguished those large peninsular countries of north-eastern Europe, bearing towards and beyond the Arctic circle, and now chiefly known, as the three north-
emkingdomsofDenmark,Sweden,andNorway. Intheearliesttimes,those
countries were inhabited
German or Gothic — the
bya tribe,' altliough aboriginal
appear to have been of Finnish or Lapp extraction. Before the Christian era, the Cimbri were known to the Romans, as a people of great valour, having numerous and large fortifica- tions within their countr>'. '° About the beginning of the Christian era, the
Romans had some indistinct knowledge of the Suiones, or Swedes, and of their turn for navigation. " But, the Scandinavian country, which attained the greatest historical prominence, was Norway, from the eighth to the twelfth cen- tury of the Christian era. In the first century, Pliny has an account of the peninsula of Nerigon, or of Norway. He speaks geographically of Swedish Norrige and of Danish Norge;" but, we are not particularly informed, about their social state. The peninsula of Denmark, or Jutland,'^ is a vast bank of sand, gravel, water-worn stones, transported and rounded blocks of granite of all sizes, covered with a bed of clay and vegetable earth. This soil has been thrown up or formed by the ocean, and it defends from the fury of the waves
population^-especially of the more northern parts
a large portion of Northern Europe. '^
' A battle,was fought here, by Cormac Mac Art, Monarch of Ireland, against the people of Munster, in a. d. 241. hee Dr. O'lJono- van's "Annals of the Four Masters," vol.
i. , pp. 112, 113.
' A large aud detailed Map of this city,
with its modern situation on the River Shan- non shown, is to be found on "The Travellers' Map of the River Shannon," ar- ranged as a Guide to its Lakes, and the several Towns, Gentlemen's Seats, Ancient Castles, Ruins, Mines, Quarries, 'trading Stations, and general Scenery on its Banks, from its source in Lough Allen to the Sea, in a course
King's County, Tippeiiuy, Galway, Lime- rick, Kerry and Clare, accurately taken from the survey made by John Grantham, Esq. , C. E. Plate 14.
• See Lewis' "Topographical Dictionary of Ireland," vol. ii. , p. 265.
' Marcus Aurelius Cas>iodorus, a Neapo- litan, wrote a history of the Coths, io twelve
For the most part, the soil is thin and
hoiks. He was secretary to Theodoric, King of the Goths, in Italy, and he died, about the year 562. This work was after-
wards abriilged by Jornandes.
'"See Tacitus " De Situ, Moribus et
Populis Germanise," cap. xxxvii.
of miles 239
" See
bell's " of Geogra- System
the Couniies of Lei-
trim, Ixjngford, Roscommon, Westmeath, phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. i. ,
through
James
" Tacitus states
:
" forma navium e6 dil-
fert, quod utrimque prora paratam semper adpulsui frontem agit : nee velis ministran- tur, nee remos in ordinera lateiibus adjun. gunt. Solutum, ut in quibusdam fiurainum.
et mutabile, ut res poscit, hinc vel illinc re- "
migiiim. "— De Situ, Moribus, et Fopulis Gerraaniae," cap. xliv.
part i. , p. 138.
'^ It was called Chersonesis Cimbrica, and
a German tribe, but originally from the East, inhabited tliat tract.
" . See Samuel Laing's "Observations on the Social and Political State of Denmark, and the Duchies of Sleswick and Holstein, in 1851," chap, i. , p. 2. London, 1852, 8vo.
294 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
barren, little suited for agriculture, and pasturage is usually resorted to, as the means for feeding cattle. '5 More to the north, Sweden is mountainous, broken and barren ; towards the west, for the most part it is flat, especially along the eastern coast line it abounds in lakes and rivers it has numerous
—;—;
forests; and minerals particularly iron are to be found, in various places. ^*
For a considerable distance, from north to south, the summit of a high range
of mountains forms the western boundary,'! ' between this country and Nor-
way. Although both nations are now united under one crown, the respective
lines are distinctly marked throughout tlie whole extent,'^ while different
laws and institutions prevail, in either country. Tlie surface of Norway is
mountainous, and, in most places, the good soil is shallow ; while the whole
country abounds in forests, lakes, and unnavigable rivers. The fisheries off
die coast are usually productive, while timber-dressing and ship-building are the chief industrial arts. 's The coast line, towards the west, is high and
rugged, with gulphs or fiords running deeply into the mainland. Barren rocks and mountains range over a great extent, yet here and there are romantic glens and fertile valleys. ^° The distant country of Thule, so often mentioned by the ancients, is thought to be identical with the present Iceland. This lay far out and westwardly, in the Northern Ocean. At present, the people there are generally tall, and seldom corpulent ; their countenances are open and fair complexioned, while their hair is light coloured. The climate, soil and pro- ductions of Iceland^' have been already described. ^' The Feroe Islands are formed of basaltic rocks; the soil is thin, mossy and wet, little suited for agriculture, but occasionally affording good pasture's
It has been generally supposed, that the Scythic was the mother language of the Goths and Germans f* so that we may consider the Scandinavian, or old Norse tongue, as derived from an Asiatic source. According to some writers, the Teutonic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Flemish and English are only dialects of one chief language. ^5 From the old Danish'* or Scandina- vian,'7 those languages, which are spoken from the coasts of Greenland, to those of Finland; from the Frozen Ocean to the Eider,'^ are derived. '' In its
'5 Ini864, the Dano-Prussian warstripped Denmark of its Duchies of Schleswig-Hol- stein and Lauenburg ; so that in 18S0, it h. id only a population of 2,096,400, including 11,221 in the Faroe Islands. See Whita- ker's "Almanack," for 1883, p. 333.
' See Bell's " James
'' Norway has a population of 1,818,853 inhabitants. See Whitaker's " Ahiianack "
for 1883, p. 352.
°°
See James Bell's "System of Geogra- phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. :. , part i. , pp. 222 to 228.
" Iceland was more Formerly populous
than at present ; while history proves, that its climate has been gradually growing more
of
phy, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. i. ,
part i. , pp. 1S9 to 195.
' In December, 1 88 1, Sweden had a po-
System
Geogra-
severe, and the soil more ungrateful. See pulation of 4,572,245 inhabitants. See "Popular Encyclopedia, or Conversations
Whitaker's "Almanack" for 1883, p. Lexicon," vol. iv. Art. Iceland, p. 32.
351.
'* "
Since 1814, this double kingdom has combined, under one king and two very different constitutions, two proud and free- spirited nations, each jealous of its peculiar privileges. The poliiical condition of Swe- den and Norway forms a permanent parti- lion between them ; there a jealous aristo-
" See vol. ii. of this work, where the Life
of St. Buo, Missionary in Iceland, has been inserted.
'^ See James Bell's " System of Geogra- phy, Popular and . Scientific," &c. , vol. i. , part i. , pp. 166, 167.
* See Morhof, " De Lingua Germanica," p. 64.
°5 See "Glossarium-Sveo- Hag : Spegel,
Gothicum," Lund. , 1722, 4to.
" Known as tlie Uanska tunga.
°' Called Norroena.
' See Rask's "'Grammar of the Anglo-
is overit. sanc;ent perpetually watching
cracy
privileges ; here, the democracy struggles to defend its new-born rights. In both king- doms, the peasantry and citizens hold a h—igher rank than in most European States. "
"
Lexicon," vol. vi. . Art. Sweden and Nor- English, by Thorpe.
Po|ndar Encyclopedia, or Conversations Sa. xon Tongue," p. 42. Translation into
way, p. 474.
'» See Rev.
J.
Bosworth's " of Dictionary
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 295
purest state, the old Norse or Danish was carried into Iceland, by the first Norwegian refugees, in the ninth century ; and, as modern Icelandic scholars read the oldest documents with the greatest facility, the antique, witii but slight variations, may still be considered the living language of Iceland. Being trained to the use of letters and to the habit of writing, the Icelanders began to record in books, as on monuments, what they deemed most interesting and instructive, for themselves and for their posterity. The Scribes were literarymen, and they were greatly patronized. Norse inscriptions and records areeventobefound,ontheirrocksandpromontories; sothat,thosemight go down to posterity, unless subjected to the accidents of n£tture. 3° But, they cared only for history or legendary biography. The Iceland Chroniclers have written the memorable events of their own and of their ancestors' times, both in prose and in verse. This they practised, before the other people of Scandinavia had acquired the use of letters. 3' Iceland had a class of travelling minstrels, called Skalds, 3= who handed down personal 'knowledge, or experience, with oral tradition and history, cliiefly in verse. They were entertained and held in respect, by kings and heroes, whose companions they often were, during various expeditions.
Thus, they were able to give very faithful and lively descriptions of desperate conflicts, they had witnessed, or in which they had valiantly fought. 33 In the Icelandic language, from Ragnar- Lodbrok to Valdemar II. , there is a list of 230 among the chief Skalds, or poetical historians, kept. Among these are several crowned heads and cele- brated warriors. 34 The Saga-man or stor)'-teller recalled the memory of past events in prose. Hence came the Northern Sagas or Histories to be so named ; but, the old Icelanders did not distinguish very critically between mythic and historic narrative. The Sagas were popular narratives, recording the lives of chiefs, kings, and noble families. 'J'hey often introduce metrical passages, and they are very numerous. Those compositions may be classed, as Poetic or Fictitious, Mythic and Romantic, Biographic or Historical, as relating to general, local, and family traditions. Vet, in several cases, it is not an easy matter, to reduce them under any of the foregoing divisions, so discursive and arbitrary have been their themes. In course of time, tiiose re- cordswerecommittedtowriting. TheEddasaretheearliestrecordsknown; one of these is called the poetic or elder Edda,33 and the first compiler of this 3* was Soemund Sigfussen, acleric, born in Iceland, a. d. 1056. He seems to have written some of those poetic efiusions, from the recital of contem- porary Skalds, and to have collected others from Manuscripts. 37
Some of these poems are traced back to the ninth and tenth centuries,
the Anglo-Saxon Language," Preface, sect. xi. , p. cxlix.
3°
edition of Allien Kr. intz's " Rerum Ger- manicaium Historici Clarissimi Regnorum Aquilonarium, Danix, Sueciae, Noru. igiae, Chronica," p. 480, as published at P"raukfurt on the Maine, A. D. 1583, fol.
5' From tlie ninth to the end of the thir-
teenth century, the Northmen had a rude
literature of thtir own ; and a long list of 1787, with a Latin translaioii, notes and
. See Jacob Ziegler's Schondia,
to the
their Sa<;as wili be found, in . Samuel Liing s
tion, chap, i. , pp. 17 to 23.
3- From the Icelandic Skdlld, which means
"a poet. "
" See Rev. J. Bosworth's " Dictionary of
glossary. A second volume was not printed, until ad. 1818. A third volume appeared in 1828, edited by Professor Finn Magnu- sen.
" See Rev. J. liosworth's "
" Heimskringla
; or Chronicle of the Kings of Norway," vol. i. Preliminary Uisserta-
the Anglo-Saxon Language,' Preface, sect. xi. , num. 3, p. cxlvi.
s* See Wlieatou's " of
History Northmen,"
p. 51.
^^ The word Edda is said to mean "a
grandmother," and as expressed very doubt- fully, by a commentator, "quasi prima mater etlinicie rclijiionis.
* The Icelandic text of the poelic Edda
w. is puldished, in 4to, at Copenhagen, A. D.
of the Anglo-Saxon Language," Preface, sect.
xi. , pp. cxlvi. , cxivii.
Dictionary
296
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
andtheyhaveallusionstopaganmannersandcustoms. InIceland,every chieftain was careful to preserve his genealogical tree ; and, it appears very
probable, that their mode for compiling family pedigrees had been derived, from the early Irish colonists. Still more important it is to know, that the
historic Sagas were almost universally written, before the mythic and romantic ones. 38 -phg prose or younger Edda 39 was composed by Snorre Sturleson,4° born of a noble family, a. d. 1178, at Hvamm, on the west coast of Iceland, and he was murdered, a. d. 1241. The Heimskringla,*' or Annals of the Nor- wegianKingsfromOdin,ishisgreatwork. i= SeveralnorthernSagascontain historic narratives, which serve to illustrate past transactions in Iceland, in
Scotland,andinEngland. 43 TheSagas,andtheotherScandinavianchroni- clers, briefly relate much about^Ireland, which is, for the most part, very trust-
worthy; and, at all events, it agrees with the representations, at that time, currentamongtheIrishthemselves. Thenorthernchroniclesgenerallyrefer
to Ireland incidentally, or they are confined to the narrative of particular events. •• Those contain accounts of the Norse achievements in Ireland, both
in war and
The Irish records are still more copious, in reference to their
peace.
——
invasions. VastnumbersoftheSagasandEddas someofthemveryancient
have been collected by learned men, from tiie smoky huts of Iceland, and
they have been purchased for the public Libraries of Copenhagen, of Stock-
holm, and of Christiana. Antiquarian Societies have been established for their
accurate publication, critical study, and correct interpretation ; philology has
been enriched by the materials collected ; while the ascertained age and authenticity of those old manuscripts have interested, not alone the learned men of the northern nations, but every enlightened lover of literature and of
national history.
At an early period, Denmark was divided into a number of petty states,
inhabited by wild and adventurous warriors, under the direction of different Jarls, or chiefs. ''^ The first ruler of Denmark is said to have been Skiold, son ofOdin;** but,hishistoryandthatofhisposterityisgreatlywrappedinfable,
3* See " The Religion of the Northmen," by Rudolph Keyset, translated by Barclay Pennock. Introduction, chap, ii. , p. 65. New York, 1854, 8vo.
M A complete edition of the original text was first published, at Stockholm, by Pro- fessorRask,in1818.
lished in iSog. This gives the Njala or Life of the celebrated Icelander, Njall Por- geirsson, and of his sons. Its matter is said to be correct, and its style ornate.
•• See J. J. A. Worsac's " Account of the Danesand Norwegians in England, Scotland ar. dIreland. " TheNorwegiansinIreland,
<" He is called the Herodotus of the sect, ii. , p]5. 309, 310.
North. *^ Saxo, a writer of Danish origin, and dis-
*' It was published, by Peringskjold, with tinguished by the title Grammaticus, on a Latin and Swedish translation, in Two account of his learning and scholarship, was
bom about the middle of the twelfth cen- tury. He is said to have been provost of the cathedral church of Roskild. He wrote the History of Denmark, in Latin. It consists of sixteen Books ; but, that first portion, re- lating to the origin of the Danes, and to the reiirns of their ancient Kings, is full of fables ; but, the last eight books, and parti- cularly those which regard the events of his own times, deserve the utmost credit. It concludes with the year 1 1S6, and the author died a. d. 1204, according to Stephens, the editor of his works, which were printed at
Soroe.
<° " SeeS. A. Dunham's HistoryofDen-
in Icelandic, by Olaus Olavius. Copenhagen, mark, Sweden and Norway," vol. i. Intxo- 1772, 4to. A Latin version of it was pub- duction, p. 41.
Volumes, folio, at Stockholm, A. D. 1697. Schbning and Thorlacius issued it, with a Latin and Danish translation, in Three Vo- lumes, folio, at Copenhagen, 1777 to 17S3. It was continued, by the younger Thorlacius and Werlauff, in Three Volumes, A. D. 1813 to 1826.
<" It has been translated from the Icelandic into English, by Samuel Laing, who has given a Preliminary Discourse, with a Me- moir of Snorro Sturleson. This work ap- peared, in Three Octavo Volumes, at Lon-
don, in 1844.
43 As for instance, the
"
Sagan of Niali PorgeirssymokSomonHans,"&c. ,edited
April 23. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 297
norisitaneasymattertoprovewhatisauthentic. " Notonlyhavethemo- dern Danish historians perpetuated and chronicled the deeds of their early
kings /' but, even we are presented with real or fanciful engravings, represen- ting their features and dress. <9 From the period of their dreaded invasions on and among the more southern countries of Europe, the warlike exploits of the Northmen Vikings and seafaring men have given celebrity to the Scan- dinavians, while their predatory expeditions have been recorded, by their native writers. The monuments yet remaining,5° and the Runic inscriptions 5' of the North, attest the former customs and national life of that people. 5= The style of denomination they affected, in order to signify a boastful supremacy on the ocean, was that of Vikings or sea-kings. Among the Scandinavian ad- venturers,theDaneswererenownedfortheircourageandferocity. 53 Inthe writings of St. Gregory of Tours,5* the name Danus, or Dane first appears. ss Little is known regarding Denmark, until about the eighth century, after the Christian era. In the beginning of this century, and for two hundred years afterwards, the Danes were very formidable. In like manner, their neighbours the Norwegians were notorious, for their piracies and adventures by sea. The original inhabitants of Sweden were of Finnish or Lapp descent; but, these were driven to the extreme north, when the Goths and German Suiones began to encroach, on the more southern parts of that country. A regular govern- ment was first established, in Sweden, a. d. 994, by Olaf I. , or Oluus, who was a convert to Christianity. s* For centuries, the Goths and Swedes remained a distinct people, and their disputes distracted the kingdom ,^^ until they be- came united, in the middle of the thirteenth century, when the powerful family of the Folkungs were on the throne. Norway was known, in the eigiuh cen- tur)', as a country under the rule of powertul and turbulent Jarls, and of rest-
less, adventurous sea-rovers. Before the close of the tenth century, little
indeed is ascertained, regarding the distinctive internal history of Norway. Then, the Christian religion was established there, by King Olaf I. In the
" . \ learned French writer. Mallet, has
Monumenta UUerakerensia cum Upsala
Nova lUustrata, at in published Stockholm,
I7'9-
5' Curious old wood-cuts,
illustrating Northern life and the products of the North-
ern nations, will be found throughout the
written a work of du Dannemarc. "
great authority,
" Histoire
"The 'DannemarksRijjes Historic," ved Ludrig Holberg, published in Three. 4to volumes, from 1732 to 1 735, gives a detailed history of Denmark.
« See " Danmarckis especially Rigis
Kronicke" ved ArrililHuiifeld tilOdersberg D. R. Canceler, tomus i. Riobenhaffn, 1652, fol. (two vols. ).
5° Several curious monumental inscriptions
are noted, in tlie two folio volumes of Bishop
Eric Pontoppidan, ''. Marmora Danica Selcc-
tiora sive Inscripiionum quotquot Fatorum
injuriis per Daniam suucr. sunt, vel /Evo,
"
Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus,"
vel vel Kei Momento eleyantia,
haffn hoss, Heinrich Baldtirch, Anno M. uc. xxil.
*< His feast occurs, at November and 17th,
he flourished in the sixth century.
55 Also, see Joannis Mevrsi "Historic
Danicoe, sive De Regibus Daniae, qui fami-
liam Oldenburgicam proecessere, eorumque rebus gestis, a Uano ad Canutum vi. , in quo
desinit Saxo. " Amstelodami, a. d. clolo. cxxxviti. fol.
5* See "Popular Encyclopedia, or Con- versations Lexicon," vol. vi. Art. Sweden
and Norway, p. 473.
5' Adam ot Bremen, who wrote in the
year 1007, alludes to those disorders, in his history.
pro; Reliqvs, excelleutiam Fasciculus. " Hatinx, 1739 and
1741.
5' Very curious plates of Northern Anti-
quities, illustrating churches, monuments,
seals and and historic incidenis will be found,
in the two folio vulumes of Johun I'eriiig-
*'
skiold :
rum," embracing in the first part Thiunia, cum Antiquitatibus ac Inscriptionibus quae Cippis et Rupibus, vel Tunibis incisoe passim reperiuntur justa deliniatione, brevique com- memario illustrate, and published at Stock- holm, in 1710; and, in the second part,
Monumentorum Sveo-Gothico-
&c. , written the by
Olaus
Archbishop nus, at Rome, in 1555.
Mag-
" Xhe folio history of Denmark, drawn from native and foreign sources, has been learnedly compiled, by Claus Christofferson.
"
Synopsis Historiarum Danica-
Its title is
rum," &c. , and it bears the imprint, Risben-
298 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 23.
beginning of the eleventh century, Olaf II. continued this good work, and he subjected several petty princes to his rule. s^ The Norwegians were formerly
governed by a number of Vikings, subject to a chief King ; and, their ancient laws, which have been published, indicate much of their social state and civil
polity. 59 Canute the Great, King of Denmark, conquered Norway in 1028, but he did not long retain its government ; for, in 1034, the Norwegians had their own monarchs, who, even for a time, governed in Denmark.
It seems to be a well-established fact, that so early as the eighth century, Irish colonists and Christian missionaries, from our Island, had dwelt in remote Ice- land. No doubt, they found or had attracted an indigenous people there,*°
andtheyprobablyinstructedthese,inthetenetsofthetruereligion. However, under exceedingly unfavourable conditions, the Irish settlers in Iceland led religious lives,'' built churciies, and cultivated literature, probably in the Scan- dinavian, as in tlieir own language. The Ira litur, or letters of the Irish,'^ and their books, were known to the pagan Norwegians and Swedes, who began to arrive there as adventurers, in the ninth century. Many of the Irish Christians—especially the monks—were then obliged to flee from the Island, and the natives, who had been converted to the true Faith, were subjected to the power of ever-increasing swarms of emigrants, during the tenth century, so that, it is probable, Christianity was gradually suppressed. *' Notwith-
standing, a school of poetry and history remained, to perpetuate in song and chronicle, the deeds of departed men and the events of past times, which an early civilization had taught the Irish settlers to cultivate, and which these in turn had communicated, as a precious legacy to those people, among whom they had lived for so long a period. In its pagan state, Iceland had a mytho- logyandsuperstitions,peculiartoitself. TherefugeesfromNorwayreplaced Christian practices, by an idolatrous worship. They established laws, which were observed by the colonists. For a long time, their literature breathed the spirit of their strange traditions and rude imaginations. But, the light of Faith began to dawn among the Icelanders, towards the close of the tenth
century; andsoon,theoldmanuscriptsofthepaganswereconsignedtoobli- vion. Yet, their old laws were in force, until the time of Thorgeir,''* who
a promulgated Decree,
in the at the —
year 1000,'s public Assembly
that the — of Christ then received Religion
of the
Island
greater part of the inhabitants should be publicly propagated, and that
Representatives,
by
the
'*
s' See "Popular Encyclopedia, or Con- versations Lexicon," vol. v. Art. Norway,
p. 264.
5' The Common Law of Norway, as it
existed in the middle ages, may be studied,
from the "Regis Magni Legum Reforniatoris
Leges Gula-Thingenses, sivejus Commune
Norvegicum. " Kx Manuscriptis Legati Christianiiy into Iceland, the reader is re-
cum interjjretatione La- tina et Daiiica, variis Lectionibus, indice Verburum et IV.
