Annals of Ulster
Original title | (Irish:Annála Uladh) |
---|---|
Subject | Medieval Ireland |
Publication place | Ireland |
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Annals-of-ulster.jpg/220px-Annals-of-ulster.jpg)
TheAnnals of Ulster(Irish:Annála Uladh) areannalsofmedieval Ireland.The entries span the years from 431 AD to 1540 AD. The entries up to 1489 AD were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patronCathal Óg Mac Maghnusa,on the island ofSenadh-Mic-Maghnusa,also known asSenador Ballymacmanus Island[1][2](now known as Belle Isle, whereBelle Isle Castleis located), nearLisbellaw,onLough Ernein the kingdom ofFir Manach(Fermanagh). Later entries (up to AD 1540) were added by others.[3]
Entries up to the mid-6th century are retrospective, drawing on earlier annalistic and historical texts, while later entries were contemporary, based on recollection and oral history.[4]T. M. Charles-Edwardshas claimed that the main source for its records of the first millennium A.D. is a now-lostArmaghcontinuation of theChronicle of Ireland.
The Annals used theIrish language,with some entries in Latin. Because their sources were copied verbatim, the Annals are useful not just for historians, but also forlinguistsstudying the evolution of the Irish language.
A century later, theAnnals of Ulsterbecame an important source for the authors of theAnnals of the Four Masters.It also informs the Irish textCogad Gáedel re Gallaib.[5]
TheLibrary of Trinity College, Dublin,possesses the original manuscript; theBodleian LibraryinOxfordhas a contemporary copy that fills some of the gaps in the original. There are two main modern English translations of the annals – Mac Airt and Mac Niocaill (1983) and MacCarthy (1893).
Content
[edit]Kings
[edit]Several kings are mentioned throughout theAnnals of Ulster.The Annals tend to follow the lives of the kings, including important battles, raids, and their ultimate death. Between the years of 847 and 879, three different kings are highlighted. For example: Máel Sechnaill mac Máele Ruanaid,the king of the southern Ui Neill clan from 846 to 862:
- 839.6 – First mentioned in theAnnals of Ulsterhaving killed Crunnmael son of Fiannamail.
- 841.2 – KillsDiarmait
- 843.1 – Mael Sechnaill's father, Mael Ruanaid, dies
- 845.7 – Kills his brother Flann
- 845.8 – TakesTuirgéisprisoner
- 846.7 – Suffers heavy losses at hands ofTigernach
- 847.2 – Begins his reign.
- 847.3 – Destroys the Island ofLoch Muinremor
- 848.4 – defeats Vikings atForach
- 849.12 – conducts siege in Crupat
- 850.3 – Cinaed, king of Cianacht, with help from foreign forces rebels against Mael Sechnaill
- 851.2 – kills Cinaed, king of Cianacht
- 851.5 – attends a conference inArd Macha
- 854.2 – took hostages from Mumu atInneóin na nDéise
- 856.2 – took hostages from Mumu at Caisel
- 856.3 – battle against the Vikings
- 858.4 – marched against Mumu, took hostages from them and travelled with them "from Belat Gabráin to Inis Tarbnai off the Irish coast, and from Dún Cermna to Ára Airthir."
- 859.3 – attends a conference atRáith Aeda Meic Bric"to make peace and amity between the men of Ireland"
- 860.1 – leads army into the north, attacked, but holds position
- 862.5 – Dies and is described as "king of all Ireland"[6]
The same pattern is followed for Aed mac Neill, the king of the northern Ui Neill clan. Aed mac Neill appears in the following entries in theAnnals of Ulster:855.3, 856.5, 860.1, 861.1, 862.2, 862.3, 863.2, 864.1, 864.3, 866.4, 868.4, 870.2, 874.4, and finally 879.1
The final entry ends with the entry about his death and includes a poem. It reads "Aed son of Niall, king of Temair, fell asleep on the twelfth of the Kalends of 20 December Nov at Druim Inasclainn in the territory of Conaille.
1. (Twelve days before the melodious Kalends
Of December—a harsh company—
A wonderful person died to your loss(?),
Aed of Ailech, over-king of the Irish.
2. A generous prudent man of shields
Who brought plenty to landed Temair,
Against iron-tipped spears a buckler
From the forge-fire of the land of the sons of Mil.) "[6]
Just as with the Irish kings, theAnnals of Ulsterfollows the lives of the Viking kings of Dublin. For example,Amlaíb Conung(Olaf Konung) is mentioned in the following entries: 853.2, 857.1, 859.2, 863.4, 864.2, 866.1, 867.8, 869.6, 870.6, 871.2, and 875.4
The final entry deviates from the Irish kings and instead tells of the death of Amlaib's son,Oistínand reads: "Oistín son of Amlaíb, king of the Norsemen, was deceitfully killed by Albann."[6]
Places
[edit]Along with kings and kingdoms, the entries in theAnnals of Ulsterfocus on important places of Ireland such asArmagh,the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, which appears several times throughout the text.Dublin,for example, referred to in the text as eitherÁth CliathorDuiblinn,is described in theAnnals of Ulsterwith entries ranging from the settlement of Dublin byVikings( "The heathens still at Duiblinn" in 842.2 and "An encampment of the foreigners of Áth Cliath at Cluain Andobuir" in 845.12) to deaths of notable names ( "Carlus son of Conn son of Donnchad was killed in Áth Cliath" in 960.2) to Dublin being ruled by the Irish ( "The foreigners returned to Áth Cliath and gave hostages to Brian" in 1000.4).[6]
The town appears 66 different times in theAnnals of Ulsterand can be found in the following entries: 770.1, 790.2, 841.4, 842.2, 842.7, 845.12, 851.3, 870.2, 871.2 893.4, 895.6, 902.2, 917.4, 919.3, 920.5, 921.5, 921.8, 924.3, 926.6, 927.3, 930.1, 936.2, 938.5, 938.6, 939.1, 942.3, 942.7, 944.3, 945.6, 946.1, 947.1, 950.7, 951.3, 951.7, 956.3, 960.2, 961.1, 978.3, 980.1, 994.6, 995.2, 999.8, 1000.4, 1013.12, 1013.13, 1014.2, 1018.2, 1021.1, 1022.4, 1031.2, 1035.5, 1070.2, 1075.1, 1075.4, 1084.8, 1088.4, 1094.2, 1095.4, 1100.5, 1103.5, 1105.3, 1115.4, 1118.6, 1121.7, 1126.7, and 1128.6[6]
Historical context
[edit]Vikings in Ireland
[edit]TheAnnals of Ulstercontains a large amount of historical information on the invasions of theVikingsinto Ireland and several specific events are mentioned that are paralleled in other Irish works such as theCogad Gáedel re Gallaib.TheAnnals of Ulsterdocuments the Viking invasions one year after the common starting event of the Viking Period, the raiding ofLindisfarnein 793, as mentioned by theAnglo-Saxon Chronicle.The first mention of the Vikings is very brief. "794.7 Devastation of all the islands of Britain by heathens,"[6]yet over the course of the annals their attacks become more specific "807.8 The heathens burned Inis Muiredaig and invade Ros Comáin."[6]
The Vikings are called several different names throughout the annals: foreigners, dark or fair-foreigners, heathens, Norsemen, Norse-Irish and Danes. It is often unclear if these titles attribute nationalities or certain alliances as they are used intermixed throughout.
The annals mention the foreigners’ beginnings in Ireland as one of plunder and slave-taking. According to the annals, the Norsemen took many slaves in their raids. "821.3 Étar was plundered by the heathens, and they carried off a great number of women into captivity."[6][7]However, eventually they established a permanent base in Áth Cliath or Dublin by 841. In "841.4 There was a naval camp at Linn Duachaill from which the peoples and churches of Tethba were plundered. There was a naval camp at Duiblinn from which the Laigin and the Uí Néill were plundered, both states and churches, as far as Sliab Bladma."[6]
Although the Vikings are portrayed as heathens, the Annals describes strife between the Irish against each other and often the foreigners are depicted as allies to various Irish factions. The depiction of warfare involving the "heathens" is not one-sided; in the annals, they are often allied with the Irish against other Irish. Some Irishmen are even accused of doing the same sort of raiding as the Viking invaders. In "847.3 Mael Sechnaill destroyed the Island of Loch Muinremor, overcoming there a large band of wicked men of Luigni and Gailenga, who had been plundering the territories in the manner of the heathens."[6]
Several famous battles and characters involving the Vikings can be found in theAnnals of Ulster.TheBattle of Brunanburh937.6,[6]theBattle of Tara980.1,[6]and theBattle of Clontarf1014.1[6]are all described in brief detail. Some Viking individuals of note mentioned in the annals with parallels in other historical sources are the foreign chieftainTurgeis,beginning in 845,[6]Ímar and Amlaíb, the later progenitors of theUí Ímair,[6]rulers of Áth Cliath orDublin.Irish historical figures included within the text areMáel Sechnaill,[6]Muirchertach[6]son of Niall andBrian Boru.[6]
Editions
[edit]- Mac Airt, Seán and Gearóid Mac Niocaill (eds and trs.).The Annals of Ulster (to AD 1131).DIAS, Dublin, 1983.ISBN0901282774.Available from CELT: edition in vol. 1 (AD 431–1131), pp. 38–578, which excludes the pre-Patrician sections (Irish World Chronicle), pp. 2–36.
- Mac Carthy, B. (ed. and tr.).Annala Uladh: Annals of Ulster otherwise Annala Senait, Annals of Senat: a chronicle of Irish affairs from A.D. 431 to A.D. 1540.4 vols. Dublin, 1895. Available from the Internet Archive: vol. 1 (AD 431–1056), vol. 2 (AD 1057–1378) and vol. 3 (AD 1379–1588). Available from CELT, with notes of warning:
- AD 1155–1201 (vols. 1 and 2):edition
- AD 431–1201 (vols. 1 and 2):translation
- AD 1201–1378 (in vol. 2): edition and translation.
- AD 1379–1588 (vol. 3): edition and translation.
References
[edit]- ^Brian G. Scott (General Editor), Claire Foley and Ronan McHugh,An Archaeological Survey of County Fermanagh: Volume I, Part 2 – The Early Christian and Medieval Periods,pp. 698 and 349.Northern Ireland Environment Agency(N.I.E.A.),Belfast,andColourpoint Books,Newtownards,2014.
- ^Robert Bell,The Book of Ulster Surnames,p. 175. TheBlackstaff Press,Belfast,1988 (2003 reprint).
- ^Koch, John T., ed. (2006).Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia, Vol. 1.Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO. p. 70.ISBN978-1851094400.Retrieved4 September2017.
- ^Flechner (2013),pp. 422 ff.
- ^Downham, Clare (2013–2014), "The 'annalistic section' of Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib",Peritia,24–25 (4): 141–72,doi:10.1484/J.PERIT.5.102744
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqr"The Annals of Ulster".
- ^"Kinder, Gentler Vikings? Not According to Their Slaves".National Geographic News.28 December 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 2 August 2019.Retrieved2 August2019.
Sources cited
[edit]- Oxford Concise Companion to Irish Literature,Robert Welsh, 1996.ISBN0-19-280080-9
- Charles-Edwards, T.M. (2006).The Chronicle of Ireland.Liverpool University Press.ISBN978-0-85323-959-8.
- Flechner, Roy (2013), "The Chronicle of Ireland: Then and Now",Early Medieval Europe,21(4): 422–54,doi:10.1111/emed.12025,S2CID162982334
Further reading
[edit]- Byrne, Francis John. "Chiasmus and hyperbaton in the Annals of Ulster." InOgma: essays in Celtic studies in honour of Próinséas Ní Chatháin,ed. Michael Richter and Jean-Michel Picard. Dublin, 2002. 54–64.
- Dumville, David N. "Latin and Irish in the Annals of Ulster, AD 431–1050." InIreland in early medieval Europe: studies in memory of Kathleen Hughes,ed. Dorothy Whitelock,Rosamond McKitterickand David N. Dumville. Cambridge, 1982. 320–41.
- Dumville, David N. "On editing and translating medieval Irish chronicles: The Annals of Ulster."Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies10 (1985): 67–86.
- Evans, N. (2010) 'The Present and the Past in Medieval Irish Chronicles', Woodbridge & Rochester, Boydell & Brewer.
- Flechner, Roy (2013). "The Chronicle of Ireland: Then and Now".Early Medieval Europe.21(4): 422–54.doi:10.1111/emed.12025.S2CID162982334.
- Gwynn, Aubrey. "Cathal mac Maghnusa and the Annals of Ulster."Clogher Rec2 (1958–59): 230–43, 370–84. Revised version inAubrey Gwynn, Cathal Óg mac Maghnusa and the Annals of Ulster,ed. Nollaig Ó Muraíle. Enniskillen, 1998.
- Hughes, Kathleen.Early Christian Ireland. Introduction to the sources.London and Ithaca NY, 1972. 99–159.
- Hull, Vernam. "The Middle Irish preterite passive plural in the Annals of Ulster."Language28 (1952): 107–8.
- Jaski, Bart. "Additional notes to the Annals of Ulster."Ériu48 (1997): 103–52.
- MacDonald, A.D.S. "Notes on monastic archaeology and the Annals of Ulster, 650–1050." InIrish antiquity: essays and studies presented to Professor M. J. O'Kelly,ed. Donnchadh Ó Corráin. Cork, 1981. 304–19.
- MacDonald, A.D.S. "Notes on terminology in the Annals of Ulster, 650–1050."Peritia1 (1982): 329–33.
- Mac Niocaill, Gearóid. "Annála Uladh agus Annála Locha Cé, 1014–1220."Galvia6 (1959): 18–25.
- Mac Niocaill, Gearóid.The medieval Irish annals.Dublin, 1975.
- Mc Carthy, Daniel P. "The original compilation of the Annals of Ulster."Studia Celtica38 (2004): 77–84.
- Mc Carthy, Daniel P. "The chronological apparatus of the Annals of Ulster AD 82-1029."Peritia16 (2002): 256–83.
- Mc Carthy, Daniel P. "The chronological apparatus of the Annals of Ulster AD 431–1131."Peritia8 (1994): 46–79.
- Mc Carthy, Daniel P. "The chronology of the Irish annals."Proceedings of the Royal Irish AcademyC 98 (1998): 203–55.
- Mc Carthy, Daniel P.Irish chronicles and their chronology.Website.
- Meckler, Michael. "The Annals of Ulster and the date of the meeting of Druim Cett."Peritia11 (1997): 44–52.
- Ó Máille, Tomás.The language of the Annals of Ulster.Manchester, 1910.PDF available from the Internet Archive.
- Ó Muraíle, Nollaig.Aubrey Gwynn, Cathal Óg mac Maghnusa and the Annals of Ulster.Enniskillen, 1998.
- Ó Muraíle, Nollaig. "Cathal Mac Maghnusa: his time, life and legacy."Clogher Rec16.2 (1998): 45–64.
- Smyth, Alfred P. "The Húi Néill and the Leinstermen in the Annals of Ulster, 431–516 A.D."Études Celtiques14 (1974): 121–43.
External links
[edit]- The Annals of Ulster(translated) at University College Cork'sCELT– Corpus of Electronic Texts
- The Annals of Ulster at Oxford University Bodleian Library (MS. Rawl. B489)– early 16th century.