Battle of Clontarf Weir 23rd April 1014 was a pivotal event in Irish history as it saw the end of a dynasty following the deaths of 3 generations of Brian Borus‘ family, so despite being victorious on the day the power of his lineage was broken.

The forces that faced each other that April morning on the northern bank of Dublin Bay was a veritable mix of different Irish tribes with ever changing loyalties, one of Brian’s supporters even withdrew his support on the morning before sensing a defeat for the rebels and so changed his allegiance back again, Vikings from The Orkneys and Isle of Man and even a few English and Scots.

The army of Brian Boru occupied the higher ground and had a very slight numerical advantage, the rebel army of Dubgall mac Amlaib had to attempt to stop Brian’s army from garnering even more support, to this end the armies moved towards each other shortly after 7am in the morning.

The rebel army placed a small force of troops commanded by Sitric Silkenbeards son on its left flank, approximately 2000 men from Leinster in the centre and on its right flank were the Vikings from Orkney and Man. A force of some 1000 men remained in Dublin commanded by Sitric Silkenbeard who watched the fight without getting directly involved.

Facing the rebel army was a force made up of Vikings and other mercenaries on the right flank, followed by contingents from Connactht and Munster with the left flank being held by Brians son Murchard and most of the Royal troops.
The two armies clashed all the way along the lines with no quarter asked for or given.

During our refight the left flank of the rebel army was soon in flight thanks to a whole series of appalling dice rolls by Roger, coupled with the advantage of higher ground.
In the centre Pete wasn’t having it any easier as he was having to combat not only the slope but also the demon dice of Lynette. Finally on the right flank Steve was having a bit more success with the Vikings against Murchard Boru.
Unfortunately Brodir of Man soon fell under the axe swing of an Irish nobleman and shortly afterwards both the Orkney Vikings and the Man Vikings were running back to their longships, only to find them scattered by the incoming tide.
So it soon became obvious that the rebel army was utterly defeated, however unlike in history only 1 general had been lost in the process.
As a historical refight the end result was he same, with the exception of a lack of dead generals, however I think the effect of the terrain would be something I would try and reduce next time.
Many thanks to all 7 players that joined in especially those brave rebels who suffered at the hands of those all too fickle dice gods.