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Flaithbertach mac Inmainén

February 05, 2024

Flaithbertach mac Inmainén (died 944) was abbot of Inis Cathaig (Scattery Island) and sometime King of Munster in the south of Ireland. Unrelated to the dominant Eóganachta, Flaithbertach belonged to the Múscraige, an Érainn people.

Cath Belach Mugna edit

Flaithbertach is first mentioned by the Irish annals in 907, when he is recorded, along with the then-King of Munster Cormac mac Cuilennáin, leading an expedition by the Munstermen against Connacht and the Uí Néill. According to the partisan pro-Munster Annals of Innisfallen, Cormac and Flaithbertach defeated Flann Sinna, the High King of Ireland, and later obtained hostages from the Uí Néill. The northern Annals of Ulster make no mention of this although the late Annals of the Four Masters agree with the Annals of Innisfallen.[1]

In 908, Cormac and Flaithbertach collected an army to campaign against their eastern neighbours, Leinster, whose king Cerball mac Muirecáin was Flann Sinna's son-in-law and staunch ally. The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland, a source compiled in the 11th century for Donnchad mac Gilla Pátraic, king of Osraige and king of Leinster, contain a long account of this campaign, perhaps written within living memory.[2]

After the army of Munster had gathered, while riding through the camp Flaithbertach's horse stumbled and threw him to the ground. This, it is said, was taken to be a very bad omen. Many of the Munstermen were unwilling to fight, and news of this came to Cerball mac Muirecáin, who proposed a negotiated settlement. The Leinstermen would pay tribute, and give hostages, but the hostages would be given to Móenachm, abbot of Diseart Díarmata (Castledermot, modern County Kildare), rather than to the Munstermen. Cormac, it is said, was willing to accept this settlement, but Flaithbertach—Byrne refers to him as "Cormac's evil genius"[3]— was not and persuaded Cormac to fight, in spite of the king's conviction that he would be killed.[4]

This, and the news than Flann and the Uí Néill had come to Cerball's aid, led to desertions from Cormac's army, but he marched on Leinster all the same, meeting Cerball and Flann at the Battle of Bellaghmoon (Bellaghmoon, in the south of modern County Kildare). The Fragmentary Annals say that "the men of Munster came to the battle weak and in disorder" and they quickly broke and fled the field. Many were killed, Cormac among them, his neck broken when falling from his horse. Flaithbertach was captured.[5]

Kildare and Cashel edit

Flaithbertach was taken to Kildare, where he was held captive, not being released until after Cerball mac Muirecáin's death in 909. The Fragmentary Annals say that the clerics of Leinster, apparently led by the abbess of Kildare, Muirenn ingen Suairt, subjected Flaithbertach to harsh criticism for his part in the death of the saintly Cormac: "The evil things that certain scholars of Leinster said about Flaithbertach are shameful to tell, and improper to write."[6]

The kingship of Munster was seemingly vacant from Cormac's death until 914, when the Annals of Innisfallen and the Fragmentary Annals report that Flaithbertach was installed at Cashel as king of Munster. It is suggested that clerical kings—Flaithbertach and Cormac were not the only such, an earlier abbot of Inis Cathaig, Ólchobar mac Flainn had also been king of Munster, as had an abbot of Emly, Ólchobar mac Cináeda—were usually compromise candidates, chosen when the inner circle of Eóganachta could find no acceptable candidate from their own ranks. Such clerical kings often belonged to outsider or even unimportant families. Byrne states that Flaithbertach had no link to the ruling families of the Eóganachta, being described as a member of the Múscraige.[7]

Little can be said with certainty about Flaithbertach's reign, a period which saw increasing Viking activity in the south-west of Ireland.[8] While he died in 944,[9] it is very unlikely that he was king at his death. It is presumed that he abdicated in 922, being followed as king by Lorcán mac Coinlígáin of the Cashel branch of the Eóganachta.[10] The Annals of the Four Masters state that he went upon pilgrimage.[11] In 923 Flaithbertach was captured near Roscrea by Vikings from Limerick, although evidently later released.[12]

Flaithbertach mac Inmainén
Regnal titles
Preceded by King of Munster
c. 914 – 922 		Succeeded by
Lorcán mac Coinlígáin

Notes edit

  1. ^ For the origins of the Irish annals, see Hughes, Early Christian Ireland, and for their biases in the 9th and 10th centuries, especially pp. 135–137. Russell, "Cormac", accepts that Cormac and Flaithbertach did obtain hostages; Annals of Innisfallen, AI 907.3 & 907.4; Annals of the Four Masters, AFM 902.6 & 902.7.
  2. ^ Wiley, "Cath Belaig Mugna".
  3. ^ Byrne, Irish Kings, p. 214
  4. ^ Wiley, "Cath Belaig Mugna"; Russell, "Cormac"; Fragmentary Annals, FA 423.
  5. ^ Wiley, "Cath Belaig Mugna"; Russell, "Cormac"; Fragmentary Annals, FA 423; Annals of Ulster, AU 908.3; Annals of Innisfallen, AI 908.2; Annals of the Four Masters, AFM 903.7.
  6. ^ Wiley, "Cath Belaig Mugna"; Fragmentary Annals, FA 423; Bhreathnach, "Abbesses", pp. 116–117.
  7. ^ Byrne, Irish Kings, pp 213–215; Annals of Innisfallen, AI 914.1; Fragmentary Annals, FA 457.
  8. ^ Downham, Viking Kings, pp. 36–38.
  9. ^ His death is generally reported: Annals of Ulster, AU 944.1; Annals of the Four Masters, AFM 942.5; Annals of Innisfallen, AI 944.1.
  10. ^ Byrne, Irish Kings, pp. 204 & 278.
  11. ^ Annals of the Four Masters, AFM 920.33; for pilgrimage, which need not mean that he left Ireland, see Bhreathnach pp.121–124.
  12. ^ Downham, Viking Kings, p. 36.

References edit

  • Annals of Innisfallen, CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts, 2000, retrieved 16 December 2007
  • Annals of the Four Masters, CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts, 2002, retrieved 16 December 2007
  • Annals of Ulster AD 431–1201, CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts, 2003, retrieved 10 February 2007
  • Bhreathnach, Edel (2001), "Abbesses, Minor Dynasties and Kings in clericatu: Perspectives from Ireland, 700–850", in Brown, Michelle P.; Farr, Carol A. (eds.), Mercia: An Anglo-Saxon kingdom in Europe, Leicester: Leicester University Press, pp. 113–125, ISBN 0-8264-7765-8
  • Byrne, Francis John (1973), Irish Kings and High-Kings, London: Batsford, ISBN 0-7134-5882-8
  • Hughes, Kathleen (1972), Early Christian Ireland: Introduction to the Sources, The Sources of History, London: Hodder & Stoughton, ISBN 0-340-16145-0
  • Radner, Joan N., ed. (2004) [1975], Fragmentary Annals of Ireland, CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts, retrieved 10 February 2007
  • Russell, Paul (2004), "Cormac mac Cuilennáin (d. 908)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford: Oxford University Press, retrieved 22 March 2008
  • Wiley, Dan M. (2005), "Cath Belaig Mugna", , archived from the original on 7 May 2008, retrieved 21 March 2008

February 05, 2024
flaithbertach, inmainén, died, abbot, inis, cathaig, scattery, island, sometime, king, munster, south, ireland, unrelated, dominant, eóganachta, flaithbertach, belonged, múscraige, Érainn, people, contents, cath, belach, mugna, kildare, cashel, notes, referenc. Flaithbertach mac Inmainen died 944 was abbot of Inis Cathaig Scattery Island and sometime King of Munster in the south of Ireland Unrelated to the dominant Eoganachta Flaithbertach belonged to the Muscraige an Erainn people Contents 1 Cath Belach Mugna 2 Kildare and Cashel 3 Notes 4 ReferencesCath Belach Mugna editFlaithbertach is first mentioned by the Irish annals in 907 when he is recorded along with the then King of Munster Cormac mac Cuilennain leading an expedition by the Munstermen against Connacht and the Ui Neill According to the partisan pro Munster Annals of Innisfallen Cormac and Flaithbertach defeated Flann Sinna the High King of Ireland and later obtained hostages from the Ui Neill The northern Annals of Ulster make no mention of this although the late Annals of the Four Masters agree with the Annals of Innisfallen 1 In 908 Cormac and Flaithbertach collected an army to campaign against their eastern neighbours Leinster whose king Cerball mac Muirecain was Flann Sinna s son in law and staunch ally The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland a source compiled in the 11th century for Donnchad mac Gilla Patraic king of Osraige and king of Leinster contain a long account of this campaign perhaps written within living memory 2 After the army of Munster had gathered while riding through the camp Flaithbertach s horse stumbled and threw him to the ground This it is said was taken to be a very bad omen Many of the Munstermen were unwilling to fight and news of this came to Cerball mac Muirecain who proposed a negotiated settlement The Leinstermen would pay tribute and give hostages but the hostages would be given to Moenachm abbot of Diseart Diarmata Castledermot modern County Kildare rather than to the Munstermen Cormac it is said was willing to accept this settlement but Flaithbertach Byrne refers to him as Cormac s evil genius 3 was not and persuaded Cormac to fight in spite of the king s conviction that he would be killed 4 This and the news than Flann and the Ui Neill had come to Cerball s aid led to desertions from Cormac s army but he marched on Leinster all the same meeting Cerball and Flann at the Battle of Bellaghmoon Bellaghmoon in the south of modern County Kildare The Fragmentary Annals say that the men of Munster came to the battle weak and in disorder and they quickly broke and fled the field Many were killed Cormac among them his neck broken when falling from his horse Flaithbertach was captured 5 Kildare and Cashel editFlaithbertach was taken to Kildare where he was held captive not being released until after Cerball mac Muirecain s death in 909 The Fragmentary Annals say that the clerics of Leinster apparently led by the abbess of Kildare Muirenn ingen Suairt subjected Flaithbertach to harsh criticism for his part in the death of the saintly Cormac The evil things that certain scholars of Leinster said about Flaithbertach are shameful to tell and improper to write 6 The kingship of Munster was seemingly vacant from Cormac s death until 914 when the Annals of Innisfallen and the Fragmentary Annals report that Flaithbertach was installed at Cashel as king of Munster It is suggested that clerical kings Flaithbertach and Cormac were not the only such an earlier abbot of Inis Cathaig olchobar mac Flainn had also been king of Munster as had an abbot of Emly olchobar mac Cinaeda were usually compromise candidates chosen when the inner circle of Eoganachta could find no acceptable candidate from their own ranks Such clerical kings often belonged to outsider or even unimportant families Byrne states that Flaithbertach had no link to the ruling families of the Eoganachta being described as a member of the Muscraige 7 Little can be said with certainty about Flaithbertach s reign a period which saw increasing Viking activity in the south west of Ireland 8 While he died in 944 9 it is very unlikely that he was king at his death It is presumed that he abdicated in 922 being followed as king by Lorcan mac Coinligain of the Cashel branch of the Eoganachta 10 The Annals of the Four Masters state that he went upon pilgrimage 11 In 923 Flaithbertach was captured near Roscrea by Vikings from Limerick although evidently later released 12 Flaithbertach mac InmainenMuscraigeRegnal titlesPreceded byCormac mac Cuilennain King of Munsterc 914 922 Succeeded byLorcan mac CoinligainNotes edit For the origins of the Irish annals see Hughes Early Christian Ireland and for their biases in the 9th and 10th centuries especially pp 135 137 Russell Cormac accepts that Cormac and Flaithbertach did obtain hostages Annals of Innisfallen AI 907 3 amp 907 4 Annals of the Four Masters AFM 902 6 amp 902 7 Wiley Cath Belaig Mugna Byrne Irish Kings p 214 Wiley Cath Belaig Mugna Russell Cormac Fragmentary Annals FA 423 Wiley Cath Belaig Mugna Russell Cormac Fragmentary Annals FA 423 Annals of Ulster AU 908 3 Annals of Innisfallen AI 908 2 Annals of the Four Masters AFM 903 7 Wiley Cath Belaig Mugna Fragmentary Annals FA 423 Bhreathnach Abbesses pp 116 117 Byrne Irish Kings pp 213 215 Annals of Innisfallen AI 914 1 Fragmentary Annals FA 457 Downham Viking Kings pp 36 38 His death is generally reported Annals of Ulster AU 944 1 Annals of the Four Masters AFM 942 5 Annals of Innisfallen AI 944 1 Byrne Irish Kings pp 204 amp 278 Annals of the Four Masters AFM 920 33 for pilgrimage which need not mean that he left Ireland see Bhreathnach pp 121 124 Downham Viking Kings p 36 References editAnnals of Innisfallen CELT Corpus of Electronic Texts 2000 retrieved 16 December 2007 Annals of the Four Masters CELT Corpus of Electronic Texts 2002 retrieved 16 December 2007 Annals of Ulster AD 431 1201 CELT Corpus of Electronic Texts 2003 retrieved 10 February 2007 Bhreathnach Edel 2001 Abbesses Minor Dynasties and Kings in clericatu Perspectives from Ireland 700 850 in Brown Michelle P Farr Carol A eds Mercia An Anglo Saxon kingdom in Europe Leicester Leicester University Press pp 113 125 ISBN 0 8264 7765 8 Byrne Francis John 1973 Irish Kings and High Kings London Batsford ISBN 0 7134 5882 8 Hughes Kathleen 1972 Early Christian Ireland Introduction to the Sources The Sources of History London Hodder amp Stoughton ISBN 0 340 16145 0 Radner Joan N ed 2004 1975 Fragmentary Annals of Ireland CELT Corpus of Electronic Texts retrieved 10 February 2007 Russell Paul 2004 Cormac mac Cuilennain d 908 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Oxford Oxford University Press retrieved 22 March 2008 Wiley Dan M 2005 Cath Belaig Mugna The Cycles of the Kings archived from the original on 7 May 2008 retrieved 21 March 2008 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Flaithbertach mac Inmainen amp oldid 1021130531, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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