Editing Amlaíb Cuarán

{{Short description|King of Jórvík (Scandinavian Northumbria) from 941-944; King of Dublin from 945-947}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Olaf
| image        = Anlaf Sihtricsson silver penny; struck 941-944 AD.jpg
| caption      = Silver [[Penny (English coin)|penny]] minted in [[York]] during the first reign of Amlaíb. {{abbr|Obv.|Obverse}}: [[triquetra]] in the center with the Latin text '+ •A•NL•Λ•F CVNVNC ШΓ' encircling it; {{abbr|rev.|reverse}}: fringed triangular standard bearing ‘X’ on cross-tipped pole.
| succession   = [[List of monarchs of Northumbria|King of Northumbria]]
| reign        = 941 – 944
| predecessor  = [[Olaf Guthfrithson]]
| successor    = [[Edmund I]]
| reign1       = 949 – 952 ''(second time)''
| predecessor1 = [[Eric Bloodaxe]]
| successor1   = Eric Bloodaxe
| succession2  = [[Kingdom of Dublin|King of Dublin]]
| reign2       = 945 – 947
| predecessor2 = [[Blácaire mac Gofrith]]
| successor2   = Blácaire mac Gofrith
| reign3       = 952 – 980 ''(second time)''
| predecessor3 = [[Gofraid mac Sitriuc]]
| successor3   = [[Glúniairn]]
| dynasty      = [[Uí Ímair]]
| spouses      = Dúnlaith<br />[[Gormflaith ingen Murchada|Gormflaith]]
| issue        = [[Glúniairn]]<br />[[Sigtrygg Silkbeard]]<br />[[Gyða|Gytha]]<br />[[Máel Muire ingen Amlaíb|Máel Muire]]<br />Harald
| father       = [[Sitric Cáech]]
| mother       = Unknown
| birth_date   = 
| birth_place  = 
| death_date   = 980
| death_place  = [[Iona]], [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]]
| place of burial = [[Iona Abbey]]
}}

'''Amlaíb mac Sitric''' (d. 980; {{langx|non|'''Óláfr Sigtryggsson'''}} {{IPA|non|ˈoːˌlɑːvz̠ ˈsiɡˌtryɡːsˌson|}}), commonly called '''Amlaíb Cuarán''' (O.N.: {{lang|non|'''Óláfr kváran'''}} {{IPA|non|ˈkwɑːrɑn|}}), was a 10th-century [[Norse-Gael]] who was [[King of Northumbria]] and [[King of Dublin|Dublin]]. His [[byname]], ''cuarán'', is usually translated as "sandal". His name appears in a variety of [[anglicized]] forms, including '''Olaf Cuaran''', '''Anlaf Sihtricson''' and '''Olaf Sihtricson''', particularly in relation to his short-lived rule in [[York]].<ref>In [[Old English language|Old English]] he was ''Anlaf''. To Irish speakers he may also have been ''Amlaíb mac ua Ímair'' or ''Amlaíb ua Ímair'' but others shared these names. Likewise, his Norse nickname, "Olaf the Red" was applied to several Norse rulers in Ireland and the Isles.</ref> He was the last of the [[Uí Ímair]] to play a major part in the politics of the [[British Isles]].

Amlaíb was twice, perhaps three times, ruler of [[Northumbria]] and twice ruler of [[Dublin]] and its dependencies. His reign over these territories spanned some forty years. He was a renowned warrior and a ruthless pillager of churches, but ended his days in retirement at [[Iona Abbey]]. Born when the Uí Ímair ruled over large areas of the British Isles, by his death the kingdom of Dublin was a minor power in Irish politics. At the same time, Dublin became a major centre of trade in Atlantic Europe and mastery over the city and its wealth became the supreme prize for ambitious Irish kings.

In death Amlaíb was the prototype for the Middle English romance character [[Havelok the Dane]]. In life he was a patron of Irish poets and Scandinavian [[skald]]s who wrote verses praising their paymaster. Amlaíb was married at least twice, and had many children who married into Irish and Scandinavian royal families. His descendants were kings in the [[Isle of Man]] and the [[Hebrides]] until the 13th century.

==Background==
{{further|Kingdom of Dublin|Viking Age}}
The earliest records of attacks by [[Vikings]] in Britain or Ireland are at the end of the eighth century. The monastery on [[Lindisfarne]], in the kingdom of [[Northumbria]], was sacked on 8 June 793, and the monastery of [[Iona]] in the kingdom of the [[Picts]] was attacked in 795 and 802. In Ireland [[Rathlin Island]], off the north-east coast, was the target in 795, and so too was [[St Patrick's Island]] on the east coast in 798. [[Isle of Portland|Portland]] in the kingdom of [[Wessex]] in south-west Britain was attacked during the reign of King [[Beorhtric of Wessex]] (ruled from 786 to 802).<ref>Keynes, "Vikings in England", pp. 50&ndash;51; Ó Corráin, "Ireland, Wales, Man, and the Hebrides", pp. 83&ndash;85.</ref>

These raids continued in a sporadic fashion throughout the first quarter of the ninth century. During the second quarter of the century the frequency and size of raids increased and the first permanent Viking settlements (called [[longphorts]] in Ireland) appeared.<ref>Keynes, "Vikings in England", pp. 51&ndash;52; Ó Corráin, "Ireland, Wales, Man, and the Hebrides", pp. 84&ndash;89.</ref>

==Origins==
{{main|Uí Ímair}}
The Ímar from whom the Uí Ímair were descended is generally presumed to be that Ímar (English pronunciation ''Ivar''): "king of the Northmen of all Britain and Ireland", whose death is reported by the ''[[Annals of Ulster]]'' in 873. Whether this Ímar is to be identified with [[Ivar the Boneless]], the leader of the [[Great Heathen Army]], is rather less certain, although at the same time not unlikely.<ref>Ó Cróinín, ''Early Medieval Ireland'', pp. 250&ndash;254, discusses Ímar's career and the various arguments. See also Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', chapter 2; Downham, ''Viking Kings'', chapters 1&ndash;3, especially pp. 17&ndash;23 & 64 &ndash;67. Ó Corráin, "Vikings in Scotland and Ireland", ''passim'', sets out the case against the identification.</ref>

Amlaíb Cuarán was probably a great-grandson of Ímar. There is no contemporary evidence setting out the descent from Ímar to his grandsons, but it may be that the grandsons of Ímar recorded between 896 and 934—Amlaíb Cuarán's father [[Sitriuc ua Ímair|Sitriuc]] (d. 927), [[Ragnall ua Ímair|Ragnall]] (d. 921), [[Gofraid ua Ímair|Gofraid]] (d. 934), Ímar (d. 904) and Amlaíb (d. 896)—were brothers rather than cousins.<ref>Thus Downham, ''Viking Kings'', p. 29, figure 6. Cyril Hart's contributions to the ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'' make Ragnall, Sitriuc and Gofraid brothers; likewise Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', p. 31, figure 1, makes these three brothers, sons of [[Guthred]].</ref> Amlaíb's father Sitriuc first appears in the record in 917 when he seized [[Dublin]], a settlement which had probably been under the control of an Irish king since the expulsion of the previous Viking rulers in 902.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 27&ndash;35.</ref>

Sitriuc ruled [[Northumbria]] until his death in 927. Manuscript D of the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'' records his marriage to King [[Æthelstan]]'s sister at [[Tamworth, Staffordshire|Tamworth]] on 30 January 926. According to some late sources, such as the chronicler [[John of Wallingford (d. 1258)|John of Wallingford]], copying a lost northern record, Amlaíb was the son of Sitriuc and Æthelstan's sister, perhaps called Osgifu or Eadgyth. The historian Benjamin Hudson comments that "there is no obvious reason why the chronicle copied by John of Wallingford would fabricate this information, and the claim is supported by the historian Neil McGuigan.<ref>McGuigan, "Revisiting the End of Northern Independence", p. 144; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', pp. 28&ndash;29.</ref> Sitriuc's other sons included [[Gofraid mac Sitriuc|Gofraid]] (died 951), king of Dublin, Aralt (died 940), ruler of [[Limerick]], and, less certainly, Sichfrith and Auisle, listed among those killed at the [[battle of Brunanburh]] in 937 by the ''[[Annals of Clonmacnoise]]''.<ref>Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', p. 31, figure 1, shows only Gofraid; Downham, ''Viking Kings'', p. 29, figure 6 & pp. 245, 247, 254 & 269; ''Annals of Clonmacnoise'', s.a. 931.</ref> A daughter of Sitriuc named [[Gyða|Gytha]] is said in the ''[[Heimskringla]]'' to have married [[Norway|Norwegian]] pirate king [[Olaf Tryggvason]], but she was probably a daughter of Amlaíb Cuarán.<ref>Hart, "Sihtric Cáech"; "Saga of Olaf Tryggvason", chapter 32, ''Heimskringla'', pp. 171&ndash;173; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', p. 31, figure 1 & p. 84.</ref>

Following Sitriuc's death, Amlaíb may have become king in York for a short time,<ref>Thus Keynes, "Rulers of the English", p. 505.</ref> but if he did it came to an end when Æthelstan took over the kingdom of Northumbria and defeated Sitriuc's brother Gofraid. According to [[William of Malmesbury]], Amlaíb fled to Ireland while his uncle Gofraid made a second unsuccessful attempt to gain control of York.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', p. 100; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', p. 29; Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', p. 151. Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson", presumes Amlaíb to have been born in York, in which case he was a child at this time.</ref> In 937 an attack on Æthelstan's kingdom by Gofraid's son Amlaíb, assisted by [[Constantine II of Scotland|Constantín mac Áeda]], the [[king of Alba]], and [[Owen I of Strathclyde|Owen]], the [[king of Strathclyde]], ended in defeat at the [[battle of Brunanburh]].<ref>Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', pp. 168&ndash;173; Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 103&ndash;105; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', page numbers to be supplied.</ref> William of Malmesbury wrote that Amlaíb was present at Brunanburh and spied out the English camp the night before the battle disguised as a [[skald]].<ref>Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', pp. 30&ndash;31; Hudson states: "If there is any historical basis to this story, Olaf Cuaran is clearly confused with his cousin ...".</ref>

King Æthelstan died in 939 and his successor, his half-brother [[Edmund I of England|Edmund]], was unable to keep control of York. Amlaíb mac Gofrith, ruling in Dublin, crossed to Britain where he was accepted as king of the Northumbrians. He died in 941, shortly after sacking the church of [[Baldred of Tyninghame|Saint Baldred]] at [[Tyninghame]], struck dead by the saint's power according to the ''[[Historia de Sancto Cuthberto]]''.<ref>Hudson, "Óláf Guthfrithson"; Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', p. 174.</ref> This traditional view of Amlaíb mac Gofrith's later career has recently been disputed by Kevin Halloran.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Northern History|first=Kevin|last=Halloran|title=Anlaf Gufthrithson at York: A Non-existent Kingship?|volume=50|issue=2 |date=September 2013|publisher=University of Leeds|doi=10.1179/0078172X13Z.00000000042|pages=180–185|s2cid=154514458}}</ref> The basic argument presented is that Amlaíb mac Gofrith did not rule in York and the suggestion that only one Amlaíb, Amlaíb Cuarán, was king there may explain some of the apparent anomalies in the numismatic record.

==York==

Amlaíb Cuarán's career began in 941, following the death of his cousin Amlaíb mac Gofrith, when he became co-ruler of York, sharing power with his cousin [[Ragnall mac Gofrith|Ragnall son of Gofraid]]. According to the ''[[Annals of Clonmacnoise]]'', Amlaíb had been in Britain since 940, having left another son of Gofraid, [[Blácaire mac Gofrith|Blácaire]], as ruler of Dublin.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 43, 241 & 248; Costambeys, "Ragnall Guthfrithson"; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson"; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', pp. 33&ndash;34; Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', p. 181; ''Annals of Clonmacnoise'', s.a. 933.</ref>

Amlaíb and Ragnall ruled in York until 944. The dating of events in the period between the death of Æthelstan and the expulsion of Amlaíb and Ragnall is uncertain as the various versions of the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'' are in conflict. It appears that after Æthelstan's death, not only did Edmund lose control of Northumbria, but that the [[Five Burghs]] of the [[Mercia]]n [[Danelaw]] also pledged themselves to Amlaíb mac Gofrith.<ref>Higham, "Five Boroughs"; Higham, ''Kingdom of Northumbria'', p. 193; Miller, "Edmund"; Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', p. 174; but that either Amlaíb controlled the Mercian Danelaw is questioned by Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 108&ndash;109.</ref> One of the Amlaíbs stormed [[Tamworth, Staffordshire|Tamworth]] according to the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'':<blockquote>Here Olaf broke down Tamworth and a great slaughter fell on either side, and the Danes had the victory and led much war-booty away with them. [[Wulfrun]] was seized in the raid. Here King Edmund besieged King Olaf and Archbishop [[Wulfstan I, Archbishop of York|Wulfstan]] in [[Leicester]], and he might have controlled them had they not escaped from the stronghold in the night.<ref>Swanton, ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', p. 111, Ms. D, s.a. 943.</ref></blockquote> It is not clear when in the period between 940 and 943 these events took place, and as a result historians disagree as to whether they concern Amlaíb mac Gofrith or Amlaíb Cuarán.<ref>The events are associated with Amlaíb mac Gofrith by Higham, ''Kingdom of Northumbria'', p. 193; Miller, "Edmund"; Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', p. 174. Others, such as Swanton, ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', p. 111, note 11; Downham, ''Viking Kings'', p. 110; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson", associate them with Amlaíb Cuarán.</ref>

Edmund reconquered the Five Burghs in 942, an event celebrated in verse by the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle''. The ''Chronicle'' reports the [[baptism]] of Amlaíb, with King Edmund becoming his [[godparent|godfather]].<ref>Swanton, ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', pp. 110&ndash;111, Ms. A, s.a. 942, Ms. D, s.a. 942 & 943.</ref> This need not mean that Amlaíb was not already a Christian, nor would such a baptism have permanently committed him to Christianity, as such baptisms were often political acts. [[Alfred the Great]], for example, had sponsored the confirmation of Christian [[Wales|Welsh]] king [[Anarawd ap Rhodri]].<ref>Asser's Life of King Alfred the Great. Thus Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', p. 34. Regarding the confirmation, Hudson describes it as "...&nbsp;a politically motivated act ... a recognised means of sealing an alliance with a dominant individual ...". Ragnall was baptised some time later according to the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle''.</ref> Amlaíb was expelled from the kingship of York in 944. The ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'' reports that "King Edmund conquered all Northumbria and caused to flee away two kings [or "royally-born men"], Olaf and Rægnald".<ref>Swanton, ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', pp. 110&ndash;111, Ms. A, s.a. 944, Ms. E., s.a. 944.</ref> It is possible that rivalry between Amlaíb and Ragnall contributed to their fall.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 46 & 111&ndash;112; Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', p. 182.</ref> [[Æthelweard (historian)|Æthelweard]]'s history reports that Amlaíb was deposed by a coup led by Wulfstan, [[Archbishop of York]], and an unnamed Mercian [[ealdorman]].<ref>Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', p. 35; Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', p. 182, suggests that the unnamed Mercian leader was [[Æthelstan Half-King]].</ref>

==Congalach and Ruaidrí==
[[File:Viking Ireland.png|thumb|Scandinavian settlements in 10th century Ireland]]
After being driven out of Northumbria, Amlaíb returned to Ireland while Ragnall may have been killed at York.<ref>Costambeys, "Ragnall"; Downham, ''Viking Kings'', p. 46; the killing of Ragnall is reported in the ''Annals of Clonmacnoise'', s.a. 937.</ref> The Uí Ímair in Ireland had also suffered in 944 as Dublin was sacked that year by the [[High King of Ireland]] [[Congalach Cnogba]], whose power base lay in Brega, north of Dublin on the lower reaches of the [[River Boyne]]. The following year, perhaps as a result of the sack of Dublin, Amlaíb's cousin Blácaire was driven out and Amlaíb replaced him as ruler of Dublin. Amlaíb was allied with Congalach and may have gained power with his assistance.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings, pp. 46, 241 & 248; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', pp. 35&ndash;36.</ref>

Congalach and Amlaíb fought against [[Ruaidrí ua Canannáin]], a rival for the High Kingship who belonged to the [[Cenél Conaill]], based in modern [[County Donegal]]. In 945 the two defeated part of Ruaidrí's army in [[Conaille Muirtheimne]] (modern [[County Louth]]) and the following year Amlaíb raided [[Kilcullen]] in the province of [[Leinster]]. In 947 Ruaidrí routed Congalach and Amlaíb at [[Slane]]. Losses among the Dublin men were heavy, with many drowning while fleeing the battle. This defeat appears to have lost Amlaíb his kingship, as the annals record that Blácaire, not Amlaíb, was the leader of the Dublin forces in the following year. Blácaire was killed in 948 by Congalach, and was succeeded by Amlaíb's brother [[Gofraid mac Sitriuc|Gofraid]].<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 46&ndash;47 & 241; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', pp 36&ndash;37; Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', p. 186.</ref>

==York again==
[[File:Penny (Raven and Cross) of Amlaib Cuaran.png|thumb|left|A second style of penny from York from Amlaíb's time, moneyer Æthelfrith, the obverse shows a bird, presumed to be a [[Raven]], the reverse a cross.]]
The course of events in Northumbria while Amlaíb was in Ireland is uncertain. While Edmund certainly controlled Northumbria after Amlaíb was expelled and Ragnall killed, he may soon after have lost control of the north to a [[Scandinavia]]n king named Eiríkr, usually identified with [[Eric Bloodaxe]].<ref>For a contrary view of Erik's identity see Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 115&ndash;120 and Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', pp. 187&ndash;188.</ref> If Erik did rule in Northumbria before Edmund's death, it was only for a short time. Edmund was killed in 946, and succeeded by his brother [[Eadred of England|Eadred]]. The ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'' records that Eadred "reduced all the land of Northumbria to his control; and the Scots granted him oaths that they would do all that he wanted".<ref>Swanton, ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', pp. 112&ndash;113, Mss A & D, s.a. 946, Ms. E, s.a. 948.</ref> The Northumbrian submission to Eadred led to a meeting with the notables of York led by Archbishop Wulfstan in 947, but the following year King Erik was back ruling Northumbria and Eadred laid waste to the southern parts of the kingdom— [[Ripon]] is mentioned as a particular target—to force the Northumbrians to expel Erik, which they did.<ref>Swanton, ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', pp. 112&ndash;113, Ms D, s.a. 947 & 948.</ref>

The following year, 949, by which time Blacáire was dead and Amlaíb's brother ruling in Dublin, the Northumbrians invited Amlaíb to rule in York.<ref>Swanton, ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'', pp. 112&ndash;113, Ms E, s.a. 949.</ref> His return to England may have been with Eadred's agreement.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 114&ndash;115.</ref> That year [[Máel Coluim mac Domnaill]], the [[king of Alba]], raided Northumbria as far south as the [[River Tees]], capturing many slaves and much loot. Whether this invasion was directed against Amlaíb, or perhaps intended to support him by plundering only northern Northumbria which may have been outside his control, is uncertain. A second invasion from the north in 952, this time an alliance including Máel Coluim's Scots and also Britons and Saxons, was defeated. Again, whether this was aimed against Amlaíb, who was deposed in 952 and replaced by Erik, or was mounted against King Erik in support of Amlaíb, is unclear. Erik's reign was short and the Viking kingdom of York was definitively incorporated into the kingdom of the English on his death in 954. Amlaíb returned to Ireland, never again to rule in York.<ref>Woolf, ''Pictland to Alba'', pp. 178&ndash;190; Hudson, ''Viking pirates'', pp. 37&ndash;38; Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 153&ndash;155.</ref>

==From Dublin to Iona==
<!--Contextualise-->In 951, while Amlaíb was in Britain his brother Gofraid died in Dublin of disease.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 47 & 254; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson".</ref> Congalach's rival Ruaidrí was also dead, leaving Amlaíb's former ally as undisputed High King and thus a serious threat to Dublin and the south-eastern Irish kingdom of [[Leinster]]. This threat was perhaps what led to Congalach's death in an ambush at [[Dún Ailinne]] (modern [[County Kildare]]) or at Tech Guigenn in the region of the [[River Liffey]] while collecting tribute in Leinster in 956.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 48 & 241; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson".</ref> The main beneficiary was the brother of Amlaíb's new wife Dúnflaith, [[Domnall ua Néill]], who became the next High King of Ireland. The marriage linked Amlaíb not only to the northern Uí Néill kindred of [[Cenél nEógain]], but also to the southern [[Clann Cholmáin]] as he was now stepfather to Dúnflaith's young son [[Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill]].<ref>Hudson, "Domnall ua Néill"; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', page numbers needed.</ref>

In the early 960s Amlaíb Cuarán probably faced a challenge from the sons of his cousin Amlaíb mac Gofrith. In 960 the ''Annals of Ulster'' report that [[Cammán mac Amlaíb|Cammán]], son of Amlaíb mac Gofrith, was defeated at an unidentifiable place named ''Dub''. Two years later one [[Sitriuc Cam]]—Cam means crooked or twisted and Cammán is simply the [[hypocoristic]] form of this byname, so that Sitriuc Cam and Cammán are presumed to be the same person—was defeated by the Dubliners led by Amlaíb Cuarán and the Leinstermen while raiding in Leinster. Amlaíb Cuarán was wounded in the battle but Sitriuc fled to his ships. Sitriuc and his brothers appear to have raided Munster after this, but disappear from the record soon afterwards and do not appear to have returned to Ireland.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 48&ndash;49, 184&ndash;185, 242, 249, 263 & 269; check Hudson, ''Viking Pirates''.</ref>

Amlaíb's activities in the early 960s seem largely to have been limited to occasional raids in Leinster. He attacked [[Kildare]] in 964, and it was a target again in 967 when Muiredach mac Faeláin, abbot of Kildare, a member of the [[Uí Dúnlainge]] kindred which ruled Leinster, was killed by Amlaíb and Cerball mac Lorcáin, a kinsman of Muiredach's. Another raid south in 964 ended in a heavy defeat for Amlaíb near Inistogue (modern County Kildare) at the hands of the [[Osraige]].<ref>[Muiredach, see Byrne, "Church and politics", @673?] Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 50 & 242; Hudson, "Domnall ua Néill".</ref>

Until the late 960s Domnall ua Néill, Congalach's successor as would-be High King, was occupied with enemies close to home, and in [[Connacht]] and [[Munster]], and did not intervene in Leinster or the hinterlands of Dublin. Having defeated these, in 968 he marched south and plundered Leinster, killing several notables, and laid siege to Dublin for two months. While Domnall did not take the port, he carried off a great many cattle. Amlaíb, allied with the king of Leinster [[Murchad mac Finn]], retaliated by attacking the [[abbey of Kells]] in 969. A pursuit by ua Néill's allies was defeated near Ardmulchan ([[County Meath]]).<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 50 & 242; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson"; Hudson, "Domnall ua Néill".</ref>

In 970 Domnall ua Néill and his allies attacked Amlaíb's new-found ally, Congalach's son Domnall, the [[king of Brega]]. Domnall mac Congalaig was married to a daughter of Amlaíb, perhaps at about this time. Churches in Brega, including [[Monasterboice]] and [[Dunleer]], guarded by Amlaíb's soldiers, were a particular target of the raids. Domnall of Brega and Amlaíb fought against Domnall ua Néill's northern army at Kilmona in modern [[County Westmeath]]. Domnall's army, which included allies from [[Ulaid]], was defeated, and Ardgal mac Matudáin, king of Ulaid, and Cináed mac Crongilla, king of [[Conaille Muirtheimne]], were among those killed. The battle at Kilmona did not end the war in the midlands. Monasterboice and Dunleer were burned after the battle and fighting spread to the lands of [[Clann Cholmáin]] the following year when Domnall ua Néill's enemies there drove him out, only for him to return with an army and ravage both Mide and the lands around Dublin before marching south to attack Leinster. This campaign appears to have established Domnall ua Néill as effective overlord of the midlands and Leinster for some years.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 50&ndash;51 & 242; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson"; Hudson, "Domnall ua Néill". Check ''Viking Pirates'' also.</ref>

In 977, in unknown circumstances, Domnall ua Néill's sons Congalach and Muirchertach were killed and Amlaíb is given credit for their deaths by the annals. Domnall made no effort to avenge the deaths, retiring to the monastery at [[Armagh]] where he died in 980. The Dubliners campaigned against Leinster the late 970s. The overking of Leinster, [[Úgaire mac Túathail]], was captured in 976. He was evidently ransomed or released as he was killed, along with Muiredach mac Riain of [[Uí Cheinnselaig]] of south Leinster, fighting against the Dubliners in 978 at Belan (County Kildare). Úgaire's successor [[Domnall Claen]] was little more fortunate, being captured by the Dubliners the following year.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', p. 51; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson"; ''Annals of Tigernach'', AT 976.3, 977.1, 978.2 & 979.2. Domnall Claen may have been a personal enemy of Amlaíb as he had killed Amlaíb's father-in-law Murchad mac Finn "deceitfully" in 972; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson"; ''Annals of Ulster'', AU 972.2.</ref>

Following the death of High King Domnall ua Néill, Amlaíb's stepson [[Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill]] claimed the title. Amlaíb's former ally Domnall son of Congalach had died in 976, removing one potential rival, and as Amlaíb had killed two of Domnall ua Néill's sons he may have cleared the way for Máel Sechnaill to take power. If so, it was unlikely to be by design. Máel Sechnaill had become king of Mide and head of Clann Cholmáin in 975 and had inaugurated his reign with an attack on his stepfather when he burned "Thor's Wood" outside Dublin. In 980 Máel Sechnaill had the support of the Leinstermen when he faced Amlaíb's sons—Amlaíb himself was by now an old man—near the [[hill of Tara]]. The Dubliners too had allies as the Irish annals record the presence of warriors from the [[Isle of Man]] or the [[Hebrides]]. Amlaíb's son Ragnall (Rögnvaldr) was among the dead in the battle which followed, and although several kings fighting alongside Máel Sechnaill were killed, the result was clearly a crushing blow for Dublin. Máel Sechnaill occupied the city and imposed a heavy tribute on the citizens.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 51&ndash;52 & 190; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson"; Hudson, "Máel Sechnaill"; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', page numbers needed.</ref>

In the aftermath of this defeat Amlaíb abdicated, or was removed from power. He was replaced by a son named [[Glúniairn]] (Járnkné), a son of Dúnlaith and thus Máel Sechnaill's half-brother. Amlaíb retired to the monastery on [[Iona]] where he died soon afterwards.<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', pp. 51&ndash;53; Hudson, "Óláf Sihtricson"; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', page numbers needed. Only son by Dúnlaith?</ref>
<!--[[Cináed Ua Hartacáin]]-->

==Marriages and children==
He was succeeded by his son [[Glúniairn]] (''Járnkné'', literally "Iron Knee"), son of his wife Dúnlaith, daughter of [[Muirchertach mac Néill]]. Among his wives was [[Gormflaith ingen Murchada|Gormflaith]], daughter of [[Murchad mac Finn]], [[King of Leinster]], and future wife of [[Brian Boru]]. Gormflaith's son [[Sitric Silkbeard]] was king of Dublin after Glúniairn's death. Amlaíb's other children included [[Gyða|Gytha]], who married [[Olaf Tryggvason]], [[Máel Muire ingen Amlaíb|Máel Muire]], who married [[Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill]], and Harald, possibly the grandfather of [[Godred Crovan]].<ref>Downham, ''Viking Kings'', p. 29, figure 6; Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', p. 49, figure 2 & p. 83, figure 3; Etchingam, "Gwynedd and Ireland", p. 167, fig. 7.1.</ref>

==Cuarán==
Amlaíb's byname, ''cuarán'', is usually translated as "sandal" or "shoe". It derives from the Old Irish word ''cúar'' meaning bent or crooked. It is first applied to him in the report of the battle of Slane in 947<!--where Amlaíb and [[Congalach Cnogba]] were defeated by [[Ruaidrí ua Canannáin]]--> in the ''Annals of Ulster''. The usual translation may be misleading. The epithet probably refers to a distinctive style of footwear. [[Benjamin Hudson]] points to the description of a ''cuarán'' in a twelfth-century satire, where it is made of leather folded seven times and has a pointed toe. In ''Aislinge Meic Con Glinne'' and ''Scél Baili Binnbérlaig'', the ''cuarán'' is waterproof. In the first story Mac Con Glinne cleans his by dipping them in his bath; in the second, a ''cuarán'' serves as a vessel to drink from. That the ''cuarán'' was a piece of footwear specific to Dublin is suggested by statements in other stories that have cobblers in the town owing a ''cuarán'' in taxes.<ref>Hudson, ''Viking Pirates'', pp. 36&ndash;37.</ref><!--Expand this into something on Viking Dublin and note the curious as the name is, it is retrospective. Downham's inauguration comment. -->

==Icelandic sagas==
Amlaíb Cuarán (Olaf Kvaran) is referred to at least twice in the Icelandic sagas, once in ''[[Njal's Saga]]'' and again in ''[[Saga of Gunnlaugr Serpent-Tongue]]''.<ref>''GunnlaugsSaga Ormstungu/The Story of Gunnlaug Serpent-Tongue'', Notes by P.G. Foote translated by R. Quirk, Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd. London, 1957, p. 18</ref> It is from these references that [[Einar Hjörleifsson Kvaran]] and his siblings chose the name "Kvaran" as their own.
<!--==Reputation-->

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
{{refbegin}}
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{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{EB1911 poster|Olaf (king of Northumbria and Dublin)|Olaf}}
* {{PASE|74352|Olaf 4}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-reg}}
{{succession box | before=[[Olaf Guthfrithson]]<br />(also known as Amlaíb mac Gofrith)| title=[[King of Northumbria]]  |with =  [[Ragnall mac Gofrith|Ragnall]]? | years=941&ndash;944 | after=[[Ragnall mac Gofrith|Ragnall]] or English control}}
{{succession box | before=[[Blácaire mac Gofrith]] | title=[[King of Dublin]] | years=945&ndash;947 |after=[[Blácaire mac Gofrith]] }}
{{succession box | before=English control?| title=[[King of Northumbria]] | years=949&ndash;952 |after=[[Erik Bloodaxe]]}}
{{succession box | before=[[Gofraid mac Sitriuc]] | title=[[King of Dublin]] | years=952&ndash;980 |after=[[Glúniairn]] }}
{{S-end}}

{{Northumbrian Monarchs}}
{{Dublin Monarchs}}
{{Kings of the Isles}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amlaib Cuaran}}
[[Category:980 deaths]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:10th-century rulers of the Kingdom of the Isles]]
[[Category:Monarchs of Dublin]]
[[Category:Monarchs of Jorvik]]
[[Category:10th-century English monarchs]]
[[Category:Norse-Gaels]]
[[Category:Norse monarchs]]
[[Category:10th-century Irish monarchs]]
[[Category:Uí Ímair]]
[[Category:10th-century Vikings]]