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Uniting a country is a difficult task. This is clearly displayed in Morgan Llywelyns novel, Brian Boru- Emperor of the Irish. This novel is the journey of a young boy to manhood; however, it is solidified by his constant battle to unite all of the people of Ireland under one king. It begins when Brian is a boy known as Brian mac Kennedy. His father is the leader of the Dalcassian tribe.
Brian had many brothers but his favorite was Mahon, his oldest brother. As a child Brian loved to listen to the stories of the great kings of old Ireland. Yet despite his great interest in kings and his kingly appearance Brian was the youngest brother and it was virtually impossible for him to become king. Brian loved his mother Bebinn dearly, the author says of bebinn She was home; she was the heart of his world.
Brian also felt strongly towards the guardian of their village, All, he brings offerings to the banshee and talks to her constantly. Though Brians life is good there is a constant threat of invasion by the foreigners. One day the worst of the villages fears comes true when the Danes invaded. Brian and two of his brothers were away during the invasion, as was his father. However, Bebinn, Brians mother and the heart of his world was slaughtered. Upon the return of Kennedy, Brians father, Brian was sent away to a monastic school to be educated.
After arriving at the monastic school Brian was eager to learn the arts of battle. However, the abbot said that that was not the Christian way, and instead introduced the boy into studying music, mathematics, and languages. His favorite subject was history, it was filled with war stories and by studying it he learned how great victories had been won in the past. Brian felt that by learning this he would know how to defeat the Vikings that had killed his mother. He soon began to train himself with weapons made of wood. He learned with both his right hand and his left hand.
At the beginning of Brians second year at the school news came of his fathers death. Devastated by this Brian vowed to kill the Vikings and Callahan of Munster who killed his father. In his 16 th year Brians schooling had ended. His brother sent word that he was old enough to take up weapons and be with the tribe to fight.
The abbot argued saying This lad has a fine mind, too good to be split open with an ax. However, Brian returned to his brother. After his homecoming Brians courage against bullies gained him the nickname the Lion of Thomond. He had endless ideas to help his brother defeat the Danes, but after a short time with his brother conflict arose between the two.
Mahon believed that Brian was trying to take leadership from him, Brian split from the tribe taking some loyal warriors with him. He had gained almost sixty followers in all. Brian was a different kind of leader, he walked with his men instead of riding above them, and he began to teach the men strategy in battle. After defeating the Vikings in battle several times Brian was losing men. He turned to a nearby tribe, which he believed he could persuade to give him men to battle. However, when he arrived the leader of the tribe offered him marriage to one of his daughters.
Brian fell in love instantly and could not refuse. He married her and had his first son, named Murcha. Brian and his brother Mahon re-united after Mahon declared himself king of Munster to conquer the Danes. Brian was in charge of the war. When it came time to battle Brian walked first alone, a foot taller than all other men, leading his army. They defeated the Danes.
Later during the continuing campaigns against the Danes Brians wife died. After that Mahon was brutally murdered on his way to a conference. Brian assumed the position his brother once held as Prince of Thomond and continued to defeat every enemy he encountered. He also realized that the foreigners could not be expelled from the country and that they were in fact Irishmen like the rest of them and they too had to be united with the Irish. Brians son Murcha was angry with his father for treating him unfairly, and his feelings of resentment for Brian grew. They came to a pinochle when Brian announced that he would re marry, Murcha ran away.
Brian had to go to war with the Kingdom of Limerick, led by Donna. He easily defeated them, however the war sparked Donald sister Gormla's attention in Brian Boru. Gormla eventually married the new high king, Malachy, Brians goal. Brian went on to many battles; during this time Malachy divorced Gormla. Soon after Brian married her in order to keep peace with her sons kingdom. Brian finally felt it was time to take the high kingship.
He used strategy to form a huge army and managed to obtain the crown without bloodshed. When he was crowned the stone of Fal cried out across Ireland symbolizing the true king was on the throne. Brian maintained peace for 10 years and improved living in Ireland greatly. He built schools and unified tribes all over. But then a large amount of foreign Vikings got ready to challenge him for the crown. Their army was humongous and the King was getting old.
However, now reunited with his oldest son Murcha, Brian began to plan his battle. Murcha led the kings people to battle along with his first son. Brian watched as his son and grandson fought gallantly to defeat the Vikings. But he was also watching when his sons unit was cut down and his first son was killed. He found his grandson later. Shortly after that the only surviving opposing leader wandering through the forest stumbles upon the tent of the great Brian Boru, neither of the men will make it through the night.
That evening after the victory, all of the Irish voices mixed with the voices of the loyal Danes joined in chanting the name of their hero. They chanted Boru, Boru, BORU Bibliography: brian boru by morgan llewelyn
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Research essay sample on Heart Of His World Defeat The Vikings Brian
