2021-04-23 Fri

Brian was high king of Ireland from 1002 to 1014. His fame was so great that the princes descended from him, the O’Briens, subsequently ranked as one of the chief dynastic families of the country.

He ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by Ui Neill and probably ended the Viking invasion/domination of Ireland. Brian built on the achievements of his father, Cennetig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain. Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated Leinster, eventually becoming High King of Ireland. Under his rule, Munster became a unified and powerful state.

He was the founder of the O'Brien dynasty and is widely regarded as one of the most successful and unifying monarchs in medieval Ireland. He invaded Ossory (983), won control of the southern half of Ireland from the high king Maelsechlainn II (997), replaced him as high king (1002), and in due course received the submission of every lesser ruler.

The above-shown coin shows a Viking portrait in the centre, complete with the winged helmet and a sword and shield, a man with a long beard and chain metal with text surrounding on its obverse face. The backside of the coin depicts a crest in the centre composed of an eagle and harp, with a dog and monuments below, a hand is coming from the bottom of the coin and text and Celtic designs surround.

Image Source: https://www.vcoins.com