Battle of the Isle of Man

The Battle of the Isle of Man was fought in 1158 between the Norse Gofraidh mac Amhlaibh (Godred II), King of Mann and the Isles and Celtic Somhairle MacGillebride (Somerled), King of Cinn Tìre (Kintyre), Argyll and Lorne, on the Isle of Man.^[1][2]

Battle of Isle of Man
Date 1158 Location Isle of Man Result Seizure of Kingdom of Mann and the Isles
Belligerents
Somhairle MacGillebride	Gofraidh mac Amhlaibh
Strength
53 birlinns	unknown
Casualties and losses
unknown	unknown

Somerled sailed his fleet of 53 birlinns into Ramsey Bay and set about attacking the forces of Godred II and plundering the Isle of Man. Godred II left the Isle of Man and went in search of support in England, Scotland and Norway to retaliate against Somerled.^[1]

As a result of the victory, Somerled seized the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles for himself. He paid a visit to Norway in 1069 and visited Inge, the King of Norway obtaining confirmation of the right to King of Mann and the Isles.^[3] Somerled held the title until his death in 1164 at the battle of Renfrew, whereupon Godred II was reinstated as the King of Mann and the Isles.

See also

• King of Mann and the Isles
• Kingdom of Mann and the Isles

Notes

1. Paterson 2008, p7
2. Adam 1970, p233
3. Paterson 2008, p8

References

• Patterson, Raymond Campbell (2008). The Lords of the Isles, A history of Clan Donald. Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited. ISBN 1-84158-718-4.
• Adam, Frank (1970). The Clans, Septs, and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands. Edinburgh and London: Johnston and Bacon. ISBN 0-7179-4500-6.

54°19′20″N 4°23′12″W / 54.3222°N 4.3867°W / 54.3222; -4.3867