1014: Brian Boru & the Battle for Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn Page A

was considerable. Brian had ordered an exceptionally lavish display put on for the king of Leinster.
    Brian’s generosity to a defeated foe was legendary. Acting through Murrough, Brian had punished enough of Leinster to satisfy himself. He then had forced its king to an act of submission, and was now willing to forgive if not forget, provided Maelmora behaved himself in future. Turning enemies into friends, or at least allies, was one of Brian’s many tactics. It could be of advantage to both sides.
    What followed became part of Irish folklore. The incident , which has several versions, may or may not have happened at all, but given the natures of the peopleinvolved there may well be a germ of truth in the story.
    Maelmora was basically a simple man who did not recognise the occasion for what it was. He was still spoiling for a fight. With set face and gritted teeth he endured the formalities being pressed upon him. He may even have thought Brian was mocking him. He dared not attack the Árd Rí in his own stronghold, with armed guards at every doorway, but there was someone on whom Maelmorda could vent his simmering anger. As soon as Gormlaith appeared, her brother took the silver ornament from his bag and handed it to her, demanding that she sew it back on. Like a servant. She who had married three kings!
    Eyes flashing, hair tossing, face white with fury, Gormlaith hurled the ornament into the fire. She roundly cursed her brother, condemning him for having accepted Brian’s ‘bribe’ in the first place. She assailed the king of Leinster with the most cruel insults from their shared childhood, and even called him the high king’s lap dog.
    Brian was dismayed. His attempt to establish amity with the king of Leinster was being torn to shreds. Over the years the Árd Rí had learned to control his temper, but this time Gormlaith had gone too far. With a grim face, Brian led her from the great hall to the privacy of their own chambers. There, following what must havebeen a protracted and monumental quarrel, he told Gormlaith he was going to set her aside.
    For a woman of her temperament the insult was beyond bearing. Gormlaith demanded the best horse in the king’s stable – as a noblewoman she was entitled to ride – and prepared to depart that same afternoon for Dublin. Sitric Silkbeard would give his mother the respect she deserved!
    Gormlaith and the attendants who accompanied her on her journey would be following a road made safe for female travellers by Brian Boru.
    In the clear light of a new morning Brian might have regretted his decision to divorce her. He, who could take the long view and foresee consequences, might even have sent for Gormlaith to come back to him. But there was no time. Before the day was over something far worse had happened.
    While Gormlaith and Brian were preoccupied with their quarrel, Murrough had returned to Kincora sooner than expected. He and Maelmora were badly startled to encounter one another in the hall. With an effort at princely dignity, the two men managed to limit their reactions to a curt nod and an icy stare. Murrough went to the apartments set aside for him, washed himself and put on fresh clothing. He then returned to the greathall and engaged Conaing, Brian’s nephew, in a game of chess. Although it was a ploy to pass the time until Brian joined them, both men took the match seriously. Chess was always taken seriously. Spectators gathered to watch the match.
    Although it was not yet midday the great hall of Kincora was brilliantly lit, ablaze with firelight as well as the flickering flames of hundreds of beeswax candles. Brian liked to keep the shadows at a distance. Scented rushes were piled calf-deep on the flagged floor, adding their perfume to the fragrance of pine cones burning on the hearth. Scores of the high king’s guests, numerous courtiers and members of his own extended family eddied about the hall, talking, laughing, exchanging the gossip of the day.