The history of both the Gael and the Vikings fascinates me... In 1014 the two met as is described in the chronicles ans sagas of both... Gormflaith is the mother of the Viking king Sigtrygg (Sitric) and the wife of the Irish king Brian Boru.
I saw a sea black with ships
I heard the ravens above me
I smelled the fire and blood
I felt the piercing iron
The proud clans of Ireland rose
Ard Rí Brian went to war
To take Dublin and Leinster
Green Isle under one man's rule
The Viking tribes assembled
Came from all over the north
Blonde Nordic warriors
They arrived with axe and sword
Gormflaith, Viking name Kormloð
Wife to three kings, proud and tall
Her beauty brought down the clans
Of Gael and Vikings alike
What became of the Dal Cais?
What became of the Norsemen?
Ravens feast upon corpses
Warriors forever sleep
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Hello Fledermaus
Written by Josie (2785 comments posted) 1st December 2007 |
| You obviously know a great deal more about this subject than I do, or perhaps many others on GW. Your poem looks interesting and I would love to learn more and for you to show us what it is that so fascinates you. Then I can appreciate your good poem more. Why not do an article for us? |
Mini Saga?
Written by jillrabbit (57 comments posted) 1st December 2007 |
| I like the saga type style. It would be interesting to read a whole story developed this way at length. Myths and legends are great to read in this format. |
Written by Phil (6730 comments posted) 1st December 2007 |
Thought the first line very effective. Having very little knowledge (just what you put in the intro) it's hard to appreciate the broad strokes you use. I suppose context is pretty important.
Phil |
Written by fellpony (1616 comments posted) 1st December 2007 |
It's good to learn more about the Battle of Clontarf - although the title has been ringing in my head all morning as a Val Doonican comic song The Jarvey was a Leprechaun and I shall have something sharp to say about it when I see you.
I thought the saga style worked well. |
Written by Fledermaus (3306 comments posted) 1st December 2007 |
Thanks everyone.
Josie: It's not neccesarily the Battle of Clontarf which fascinates me, but just the history of both the Gael and that of the Vikings, which comes together there. I have written an article on it once, for a course, but I wasn't too happy with the result 
Jill: Thanks. I'm glad it worked that way 
Phil: OK, I'll try to summarize it: Brian Boru was a chief of the Dal Cais, but he conquered the whole of Ireland. The king of Leinster, Mael Morda and the king of Dublin, Sigtrygg rebeled against him. Brian set out to crush them, but Sigtrygg had sought the help of Vikings from England, Scotland and Man, so it became a huge clash.
Spider in the web was Gormflaith, who was the mother of Sigtrygg (from her first marriage), sister of Mael Morda and wife of Brian Boru (her third husband)... The realy strong women from the Middle ages weren't the sword wielding shield-maidens from fantasy stories, but rather cunning politicians, so it seems.
Sue: I don't know that song...  |
Written by fellpony (1616 comments posted) 1st December 2007 |
"He told them it was Cromwell lost the battle of Clontarf
He said the famous Fionn McCuill was nothin' but a dwarf
He told them it was Mullingar when passin' by Clonmell
For the Jarvey was a leprechaun and the truth he couldn't tell
He showed them Connemara on the way to Ireland's eye
They heard him say that Galway Bay was frozen in July
He had them kiss the Blarney Stone on Ballybunion's strand
And a football team from Donegal was Macnamara's band ... " |
Written by Fledermaus (3306 comments posted) 1st December 2007 |
Thanks Sue.
Sounds like a great tour guide  |
Hi Fledermaus
Written by jean.day (2283 comments posted) 3rd December 2007 |
I like the way you start out and end with the ravens.
Good poem. It did sound very Viking saga like. |
Written by Fledermaus (3306 comments posted) 4th December 2007 |
Thanks Jean.
Glad it worked :-) |
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