Editing Battle of Clontarf (section)

==Revolt of Dublin and Leinster==
Brian consolidated his hold on Ireland by eventually obtaining the submission of the northern territories of [[Cenél nEógain]], [[Cenél Conaill]], and [[Ulaid]], following a series of circuits of the northern part of the island. He completed the task when, following "a great hosting...by land and sea" into the Uí Néill territory of Cenél Conaill in 1011, the King was brought south to Dál gCais territory to submit to Brian Boru in person at his royal site of Cenn Corad.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Battle of Clontarf: Good Friday 1014 |last=McGettigan |first=Darren |year=2013 |publisher=Four Courts Press |location=Dublin |isbn=9781846823848 |pages=61–63 }}</ref> It was not long, however, before fighting was renewed. [[Flaithbertach Ua Néill]], King of the Cenél nEógain, resented the rise of Brian Boru. Had the old political order persisted, Flaithbertach would have been in line to succeed to the high-kingship. He attacked his Cenél Conaill neighbours in 1012 but, while doing so, Máel Seachnaill attacked the Cenél nEógain inauguration site of [[Tullyhogue Fort|Tullahoge]]. Flaithbertach in turn raided Meath the following year and Máel Sechnaill was forced to back down.<ref>McGettigan (2013), p. 87</ref> Sigtrygg and Máel Mórda took advantage, and themselves raided Meath. Máel Sechnaill sent his army to raid the hinterland north of Dublin as far as [[Howth]] but he was defeated. He lost two hundred men including his son Flann. Sigtrygg then sent a fleet along the coast to attack the Munster town of [[Cork (city)|Cork]], but that was defeated, and Sigtrygg's nephew was killed.<ref>McGettigan (2013), p. 88</ref> A full-scale conflict was inevitable. Brian brought his army to Leinster in 1013, and camped outside Dublin from September until the end of the year.<ref name=mcg89>McGettigan (2013), p. 89</ref>

Sigtrygg went overseas in search of Viking support and enlisted the help of [[Sigurd the Stout|Sigurd Hlodvirsson]], the [[Earl of Orkney]] and [[Brodir and Ospak of Man|Brodir]], a warrior of the [[Isle of Man]]. According to the Icelandic ''[[Njáls saga]]'', Sigtrygg promised both men the kingship of Ireland if they defeated Brian.<ref name=mcg89/> In early 1014, [[Sweyn Forkbeard|Sveinn Forkbeard]], King of Denmark, had invaded and become the first [[House of Knýtlinga|Norse king of England]].

The Viking fleets of Orkney and Mann sailed into Dublin in [[Holy Week]] 1014.<ref name=mcg89/> Brian mustered the army of Munster, which was joined by Máel Sechnaill and two Connacht kings, [[Mael Ruanaidh na Paidre Ua hEidhin|Mael Ruanaidh Ua hEidhin]], King of [[Uí Fiachrach Aidhne]], and [[Tadhg Mór Ua Cellaigh|Tadhg Ua Cellaigh]], King of [[Uí Maine]], and they marched on Dublin.<ref>McGettigan (2013), p. 91</ref><ref>Duffy (2013), pp. 190–191</ref>