Open [36.0 MB]

HOOK ir.
CHAP. I.
Mnonis with
the Lagmen
sails ri)ini(l
Ireland, A.D.
It 72.
Executes
justice at
Limerick.
Death of
Maccus, A.D.
978.
88 THE SCANDINAVIANS, AND
his brother, "Godfrey, the son of Harald, devastated
Mona, and by great craft subjugated the whole
island." 1
In 972 " the son of Harald sailed round Ireland
with a numerous fleet," 2 and visiting his father'.s
territory in Limerick, carried off the reigning chieftain,
this expedition forming a remarkable record in
the Annals of the Four Masters, as again referring to
7 O O
" the Lagmanns of the islands," 3 and showing that
Magnus, claiming to be supreme chief, accompanied
by the " lawmen," or judges, made the " circuit" of
Ireland, according to the Scandinavian custom, for
4
the settlement of rights or punishment of criminals ;
and, as in the former case to avenge the murder of
Ain, so in this case " Magnus, the son of Aralt, with
the Lagmanns of the islands along with him/' came to
Inis Cathaigh, one of the islands in the Shannon,
" and Imar, lord of the foreigners of Luimneach, was
carried off from the island, and the violation of (St.)
Senan thereby." 5 He was, however, soon released
from captivity, for in 974 the celebrated Brian
Borumha went to Limerick and " slew Ivar, King of
Luimneach, and two of his sons," 6 and Harald,
another of Ivar's sons, being then elected king,
" Brian slew Harald also, and returned home loaded
with immense spoil." 7 Maccus probably died about
this time, or may have been slain in the battle of
070.
1 Chron. Princes of Wales, A.D.
2 Ann. 4 Mast., 972. ; Ann. Inis-
fal., A.D. 973.
3 Ann. 4 Mast., A.D. 972.
4 It was customary
in Scandi-
navia for a chief and his J^agruen
to make a circuit at stated inter-
vals round the province to dispense
justice, whence these circuits obtained
the significant name of
"
Circuit Courts." Hibbcrt's Tings,
p. 182.
8 Ann. 4 Must., A.D. 972.
6 IbitL, A.D. 974.
7 Ibid.