BattlefieldsBrian Boru's First Ulster Hosting — Armagh
Medieval

Brian Boru's First Ulster Hosting — Armagh

1005
Armagh, Northern Ireland
Also known as: Brian Boru's Ulster campaign 1005 · First submission of Ulster to Brian
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Raid
Location
Armagh, Northern Ireland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Ulster kingdoms (forced submission)
Forces
Ulster kings (submitted without pitched battle)
VS
Victor
Brian Boru (Munster/Leinster coalition)
Forces
Brian Boru's hosting
Outcome
Brian marched to Armagh, donated 22 ounces of gold to the church, and had his advisor Máel Suthain document in the Book of Armagh that Armagh was the religious capital of Ireland. Brian took hostages from Ulaid at Emain Macha.
The Battle

History & Significance

Brian's 1005 Ulster campaign achieved the submission of the last major holdout against his high kingship without a major pitched battle. The donation at Armagh was a calculated act of political theatre. The taking of hostages at Emain Macha (Navan Fort, Co. Armagh) was symbolically loaded. This campaign set the precedent for subsequent forcible re-submissions in 1006, 1007, and 1011.

Casualties & Losses

Not recorded

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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