Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/125

 BRIEN BOIRUMHE. to the reader, though far beyond the power of the writer to do justice to his merits. Brien Boirumhe, the son of Cineidi, is computed to have been born in the year 926; and passed through the usual course of education appropriated to the sons of the Irish kings, in which war, literature, and politics, formed the necessary basis on which to ground the instruction of the future ruler. A course of studies so peculiarly adapted to his disposition, took firm possession of the soul of our ero, and his future life was devoted to the practice of those excellent lessons he had imbibed in his youth. His first essay in arms was in the capacity of general to his brother Mahon, King of North Munster, when he entirely routed a numerous and almost overwhelming body of the Danes, who bad dared to make an incursion, with the design of plundering the country under bis pro- tection. Soon after this victory, on an insurrection among his subjects, Mahon was deprived of his throne, and basely murdered; but his brother Brien took such effectual measures that he succeeded to the throne, in which his first object was to be revenged on the murderers of his brother. This he speedily and completely effected, though his enemies had called the Danes to their assistance. Victory again sat on his sword, and peace crowned his exertions. He became, in 968, King of both Munsters, which he cleared from the invaders, and re-established in their former privileges. He gave new vigour to the laws, by summoning a feis or parliament at Cashell; and he caused the ruined churches and monasteries to be rebuilt, and the bishops and the clergy to be restored to their livings. His annual revenue, as King of Munster, was immense, and is calculated to give a-magnificent idea of the riches of Ireland in his time; a particular account of it is contained in the Leabhar na Cleart, or Book of Rights, and which O'Halloran has translated Domnald, monarch of Ireland, tired of the pageantry of royalty, quitted the throne in 980, and Malachie was chosen his successor. The jealousy with which he, re-