Brian Boru: Ireland’s Charlemagne
There is a popular perception that, before English colonization, Ireland was a backwards land of barbarism. This perception is chauvinistic among conservatives and paternalistic among liberals. Even proud Irish nationalists can’t help but feel a sneaking suspicion. That perception is wrong. This is not to suggest that the Irish of that earlier era built spaceships, but that a great high civilization and great men of history existed in Ireland. One such great man was Brian Boru.
Brian Boru was born in southern Ireland in 941 AD to one of the leading clans. His father was the King of Dál gCais and King of Tuadmumu which is approximate to the modern day counties of Clare and Limerick. As a younger son, it was assumed that he would go into the Catholic priesthood and was sent away to learn under monks. “He learned to read Greek and Latin. He memorized the careers of Caesar and Charlemagne, studied the tactics of Xenophon's calvary and the deployment of the naval fleet of Xerxes."[1]
Boru’s education was no paltry experience. Irish Catholic monasteries were the most sophisticated centers of knowledge in all over Europe at this time. German historian Keno Meyer, noted, “Ireland had become the heiress to the classical and theological learning of the western empire…[the Irish] became the teachers of the whole nations, the counselors of kings and emperors...The Celtic spirit dominated the larger part of the western world and its Christian ideals imparted new life.”[2]
Boru became one of the most educated men not just in all of Ireland but perhaps all of Europe. His path to the priesthood was cut short when tragedy struck his family. Vicious hordes of marauding Norse vikings — that were disturbing all of Ireland — turned their eyes towards Boru’s home. His father, mother, siblings, and neighbors were killed in a viking raid.
With the family hierarchy shaken up, Boru left the monastery to close ranks with the remaining few brothers left. His elder brother Mathgamain took over the local kingship and Boru would assist him in military and political activities. They maneuvered their way to claim control of the entire province of Munster. They fought many battles against both rivalrous Irish leaders and vikings which culminated in the capture of the great Rock of Cashel fortress.
In 976 AD, Boru’s brother was killed and he became the new king. His years of monastic study, fighting prowess, and political understanding were now ready to be fully unleashed at the age of 35 years old.
He consolidated Munster under his command and sought to unite the other regions of Ireland. He formed alliances and defeated foes. Irish Historian Morgan Llywelyn wrote:
"His military genius lay in doing things the Gael had never done before. He created the first navy in Ireland, at one time three hundred boats were moored near his stronghold on the Shannon River. He mounted his best captains on horses to increase their mobility, thus creating the first Irish calvary, in spite of the fact that Irishmen traditionally fought on foot. Realizing that there was a natural advantage to offense, he developed a network of spies. A war party expecting to take him by surprise would be alarmed to discover Brian coming to meet them and attacking first…if he did not like what he saw he lured his opponents to a position more advantageous for himself. The clever stratagems Brian had discovered while studying Caesar and Xenophon became part of his arsenal. As he grew older he actually fought less and less, preferring to win bloodless victories through cunning and guile.”[3]
Boru was not just concerned with the matters of the battlefield. He also civilized and built up Ireland:
"If Brian could destroy, he could also construct. He built bridges and cleared new roads...he erected and garrisoned substantial fortresses...he built a number of churches…The programme of improvements Brian began as King of Munster would continue throughout his life."[4]
Boru had a special place in his heart for the Catholic Church. In the wake of his military suppression of viking raids, he encouraged the rebuilding and expansion of the monasteries. He even had a plan to create a system of Catholic schools to increase education across all of Ireland. This plan was modeled on the reforms of Charlemagne the Great. He lived a century before Boru and was the King of the Franks and one of the first Holy Roman Emperors who is considered one of the most civilizing rulers of all history.
By the twilight of Boru’s life he successfully united the entirety of Ireland under his kingship and began to be called the Emperor of the Irish. This ascendance was fully realized in the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 AD. He defeated the vikings and finally brought their invasionary conquest to an end. Unfortunately, after achieving so much at this pivotal moment, he was killed by a fleeing viking at the age of 73 years old. His son and heir Murchad was also slain in battle after allegedly killing over 100 vikings.
And just like that, two generations of Borus were snuffed out:
“Had Brian and his sons survived the Battle of Clontarf the subsequent history of Ireland might have been very different. When the time came, [Murchad] would have made a formidable high king. He had the necessary gifts: courage and education and a strong tribe behind him. In addition, he was a proven leader who inspired others…Thanks to Brian’s efforts, [Murchad] was well prepared to continue the work his father had begun. Based on what Brian already had achieved it is not unreasonable to assume that this would include the establishment of a centralized form of governance, as well as a strong standing army to protect the country from future invaders. The freedom and sovereignty of Ireland might have been secured for centuries to come.”[5]
In the vacuum of power, pettiness emerged among other rulers to carve out claims for control. Instead of following Boru’s vision, the Irish squabled for nearly 200 years until it was too late. The Normans took advantage of Irish disunity and began the first stages of imperial expansion that the island would come to know so well.
Boru offers us a clear example of a great man of Irish history. He was educated in academic subjects. He was a skilled fighter and even greater military tactician. He led innovations in the creation of an Irish navy. He was a defender of the Catholic Church and expanded their influence across Ireland. He assisted their monasteries as centers of learning to increase the mass education of Ireland. He united a nation of the most proud and martial men under his rule. He defeated a foreign army and exiled them from his lands. "Had Brian Boru operated on a larger stage or in a different era he could have been world famous...mentioned in the same breath as Caesar or Napoleon."[6]
We should look back on Boru as proof of a civilized and impressive Irish history. There is nothing to be ashamed of and only that which is to be restored. Colonization hindered what could have been a glorious Irish civilization. At the same time, the only thing that can truly stop Irish excellence is Irish disunity.
Notes:
[1] "Brian Boru ." Science and Its Times: Understanding the Social Significance of Scientific Discovery. . Encyclopedia.com. 18 Oct. 2023 <https://www.encyclopedia.com>.
[2] Kuno Meyer, Selections from Ancient Irish Poetry (Constable, 1911), x.
[3] Morgan Llywelyn, 1014: Brian Boru & the Battle for Ireland (Courier Dover Publications, 2020), 82.
[4] Ibid., 84.
[5] James J. (James Joseph) Walsh, The World’s Debt to the Irish (Boston, Mass., The Stratford Company, 1926), x.
[6] Llywelhyn, Brian Boru & the Battle for Ireland, 81.
Originally published on The Eriugena Review on 20/10/2024:
https://eriugenareview.com/posts/f/brian-boru-ireland%E2%80%99s-charlemagne