Flann Mainistrech
Encyclopedia
Flann Mainistrech was an Irish
poet and historian.
Flann was the son Echthigern mac Óengusso, who had been lector
at the monastery of Monasterboice
(modern County Louth
), in Irish Mainistir Buite, whence Flann's byname, meaning "of Monasterboice". He belonged to the Cianacht Breg, a kindred which by the turn of the first millennium controlled Monasterboice, providing its abbot
s and other notables. Flann himself was also fer légind (lector, or head of school) there, as was his father. His son, also called Echtigern (d. 1067), would become superior (airchinnech) of Monasterboice.
Flann's works appear to have been written beginning in the years following the battle of Clontarf
, when Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
of the Uí Néill
resumed his reign as High King of Ireland
. Some of Flann's surviving historical poems deal with Clann Cholmáin
, to which Máel Sechnaill belonged, such as Mide maigen clainne Cuind and Mugain ingen Choncraid chain, while Síl nÁedo Sláine na sleg deals with the neighbouring Uí Néill kindred of Síl nÁedo Sláine
, who ruled over Ciannacht Breg.
A number of Flann's poems appear in the Lebor Gabála Érenn
—the Book of Invasions—and his works on the Tuatha Dé Danann
were influential. Flann's synchronisms, lists of Irish and Scottish kings arranged to show contemporaries, are important sources for the early history of Scotland
. Eoin MacNeill
considered Flann the first of the synthetic historians; this synthesis of biblical history and foreign world chronicles with Irish annals
, myths and genealogical records was to be much emulated by subsequent writers. Francis John Byrne
has stated that he "...was the leading light among the 'synthetic historians' who shaped what was to remain the official history till the seventeenth century and beyond... and that "...it was largely on his [Flanns] authority that the official doctrine of the monopoly of the high-kingship by the Uí Néill from the time of St Patrick to the usurpation of Brian became accepted, even by the Munster Annals of Inisfallen."
Flann died on 25 November 1056, the date supplied by the Annals of Tigernach
. The Annals of Ulster
call him "eminent lector and master of the historical lore of Ireland".
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
poet and historian.
Flann was the son Echthigern mac Óengusso, who had been lector
Lector
Lector is a Latin term for one who reads, whether aloud or not. In modern languages the word has come to take various forms, as either a development or a loan, such as , , and . It has various specialized uses:...
at the monastery of Monasterboice
Monasterboice
The historic ruins of Monasterboice are of an early Christian settlement in County Louth in Ireland, north of Drogheda. It was founded in the late 5th century by Saint Buithe who died around 521, and was an important centre of religion and learning until the founding of nearby Mellifont Abbey in...
(modern County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
), in Irish Mainistir Buite, whence Flann's byname, meaning "of Monasterboice". He belonged to the Cianacht Breg, a kindred which by the turn of the first millennium controlled Monasterboice, providing its abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
s and other notables. Flann himself was also fer légind (lector, or head of school) there, as was his father. His son, also called Echtigern (d. 1067), would become superior (airchinnech) of Monasterboice.
Flann's works appear to have been written beginning in the years following the battle of Clontarf
Battle of Clontarf
The Battle of Clontarf took place on 23 April 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada: composed mainly of his own men, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by his cousin Sigtrygg, as well as the one rebellious...
, when Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill
Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill , also called Máel Sechnaill Mór, Máel Sechnaill II, anglicized Malachy II, was King of Mide and High King of Ireland...
of the Uí Néill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
resumed his reign as High King of Ireland
High King of Ireland
The High Kings of Ireland were sometimes historical and sometimes legendary figures who had, or who are claimed to have had, lordship over the whole of Ireland. Medieval and early modern Irish literature portrays an almost unbroken sequence of High Kings, ruling from Tara over a hierarchy of...
. Some of Flann's surviving historical poems deal with Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin
Clann Cholmáin is the name of the dynasty descended from Colmán Mór , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill — they were the kings of Mide — they traced their descent to Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne.Related dynasties descended through Conall...
, to which Máel Sechnaill belonged, such as Mide maigen clainne Cuind and Mugain ingen Choncraid chain, while Síl nÁedo Sláine na sleg deals with the neighbouring Uí Néill kindred of Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine
Síl nÁedo Sláine is the name of the descendants of Áed Sláine , son of Diarmait mac Cerbaill. Part of the Southern Uí Néill—they were the kings of Brega—they claimed descent from Niall Noígiallach and his son Conall Cremthainne....
, who ruled over Ciannacht Breg.
A number of Flann's poems appear in the Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn
Lebor Gabála Érenn is the Middle Irish title of a loose collection of poems and prose narratives recounting the mythical origins and history of the Irish from the creation of the world down to the Middle Ages...
—the Book of Invasions—and his works on the Tuatha Dé Danann
Tuatha Dé Danann
The Tuatha Dé Danann are a race of people in Irish mythology. In the invasions tradition which begins with the Lebor Gabála Érenn, they are the fifth group to settle Ireland, conquering the island from the Fir Bolg....
were influential. Flann's synchronisms, lists of Irish and Scottish kings arranged to show contemporaries, are important sources for the early history of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Eoin MacNeill
Eoin MacNeill
Eoin MacNeill was an Irish scholar, nationalist, revolutionary and politician. MacNeill is regarded as the father of the modern study of early Irish medieval history. He was a co-founder of the Gaelic League, to preserve Irish language and culture, going on to establish the Irish Volunteers...
considered Flann the first of the synthetic historians; this synthesis of biblical history and foreign world chronicles with Irish annals
Irish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
, myths and genealogical records was to be much emulated by subsequent writers. Francis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne
Francis John Byrne is an Irish historian.Born in Shanghai where his father, a Dundalk man, captained a ship on the Yellow River, Byrne was evacuated with his mother to Australia on the outbreak of World War II...
has stated that he "...was the leading light among the 'synthetic historians' who shaped what was to remain the official history till the seventeenth century and beyond... and that "...it was largely on his [Flanns] authority that the official doctrine of the monopoly of the high-kingship by the Uí Néill from the time of St Patrick to the usurpation of Brian became accepted, even by the Munster Annals of Inisfallen."
Flann died on 25 November 1056, the date supplied by the Annals of Tigernach
Annals of Tigernach
The Annals of Tigernach is a chronicle probably originating in Clonmacnoise, Ireland. The language is a mixture of Latin and Old and Middle Irish....
. The Annals of Ulster
Annals of Ulster
The Annals of Ulster are annals of medieval Ireland. The entries span the years between AD 431 to AD 1540. The entries up to AD 1489 were compiled in the late 15th century by the scribe Ruaidhrí Ó Luinín, under his patron Cathal Óg Mac Maghnusa on the island of Belle Isle on Lough Erne in the...
call him "eminent lector and master of the historical lore of Ireland".