and in general, confidence in the agents of govern-
ment was not high. The very low level of the annual
finances meant that the government could not maintain
a regular payment of fees and wages to its own offi-
cials. The surviving records reveal that even the fees of
high officials were regularly in arrears. This increased
the incidence of corruption as officials sought to redress
the shortfall in expected income by peculation. The
growing political and cultural fragmentation of Ireland
piled on difficulties for a centralized system of govern-
ment. As the maintenance of peace and stability became
more costly and more problematic, so too did the poten-
tial of the administration to govern become correspond-
ingly less effective and less efficient.
MARGARET MURPHY
References and Further Reading
Connolly, Philomena. Medieval Record Sources. Dublin: Four
Courts Press, 2002.
Frame, Robin. Colonial Ireland, 1169–1369. Dublin: Helicon, 1981.
Lydon, James. Ireland in the Later Middle Ages. Dublin: Gill
and MacMillan, 2003.
Otway-Ruthven, A. J. A History of Medieval Ireland, 3rd ed.
New York: Barnes and Noble, 1993.
Otway-Ruthven, A. J. “The Medieval Irish Chancery.” In Album
Helen Maud Cam2, 119–138. Louvain, 1960.
Richardson, H. G., and G. O. Sayles. The Administration of
Medieval Ireland, 1172–1377.Dublin: Stationery Office for
the Irish Manuscripts Commission, 1963.
See alsoChief Governors; Lordship of Ireland;
Parliament; Anglo-Irish Relations; Coinage;
Common Law; Courts; Dublin; Feudalism;
Government, Local; Military Service, Anglo-
Norman;Modus Tenendi Parliamentum; Records,
Administrative; Urban Administration
CERBALL MAC DÚNLAINGE
(d. 888)
During the reign of Cerball mac Dúnlainge (842–88)
the Osraige rose from relative obscurity to become a
major player in Irish politics. The most lavish account
of his deeds survives in an eleventh-century saga
embedded in The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland.This
saga appears to have been written under the sponsorship
of Cerball’s great-great grandson Donnchad mac Gilla-
Pátraic, who ruled Osraige (1003–1039) and Leinster
(1033–1039). The exaggerations and anachronisms
found in the saga urge a degree of caution in its use as
a historical source. Cerball is also mentioned in the
IcelandicLandnámabókand later sagas. These demon-
strate that a number of prominent Icelandic families
claimed descent from Cerball as a figure of legend.
Cerball’s kingdom, Osraige, was strategically placed
between the heartlands of Munster and Leinster. At
the beginning of Cerball’s reign, Osraige owed alle-
giance to overkings of Munster. However, in the 850s
and 860s the fortunes of Munster declined, a factor
that can be seen to aid Cerball’s advancement.
Nevertheless, Cerball also faced dangers from
Viking incursions. He is most renowned for his vic-
tories over Vikings that are elaborated in The Frag-
mentary Annals of Ireland. Cerball’s first battle
against Vikings is reported in 846. He also allied with
some Viking groups when it suited his policies. In
the late 850s he joined forces with Ívarr, a king of
the “Dark foreigners.” In 859, they raided Southern
Uí Néill, thus challenging the power of the Uí Néill
overking Máel-Sechnaill mac Máele-Ruanaid. In con-
sequence of this attack, a royal meeting was arranged
at Rathugh (Co. Westmeath) in 859. Osraige was
formally ceded from Munster control and placed
under the authority of Máel-Sechnaill. The event
caused Cerball to reject his alliance with Ívarr. Further
hostilities against Vikings are recorded for the
remainder of Cerball’s reign, although a temporary
alliance with one viking group is recorded in 864.
Cerball was able to deal effectively with the threats
posed by other Irish kings. Cerball enjoyed good rela-
tions with the Loígis of Leinster (his sister Lann was
initially married to the king of this population group).
Nevertheless, Cerball engaged in hostilities against
other kings in the province on at least three occasions.
The marriages of Cerball’s daughters to kings of Uí
Cheinnselaig and Uí Dróna in Leinster may indicate
attempts to reduce border warfare.
Cerball’s relations with Munster fluctuated. In 864,
he attacked the heartlands of the province. He later
allied with Dúnchad mac Duibdábairenn, who became
overking of Munster in 872. They plundered Connacht
together in 871 and 873. His alliance with Dúnchad later
collapsed, and Cerball campaigned in Munster in 878.
Cerball’s relations with the powerful Uí Néill rulers
seem to have been flexible and pragmatic. From 859,
Cerball supported Máel-Sechnaill against his rival
Áed, overking of Northern Uí Néill. Nevertheless,
Cerball quickly joined sides with Áed following Máel-
Sechnaill’s death. Cerball’s sister Lann assisted in
securing these important alliances by marrying both
kings in succession.
Cerball ruled for a total of forty-six years. His lon-
gevity, success, and the dramatic potential of events in
his career encouraged the later development of legends
about him.
CLARE DOWNHAMReferences and Further Reading
Clarke, Howard B. et al., eds.Ireland and Scandinavia in the
Early Viking Age.Dublin: Four Courts Press, 1998.CENTRAL GOVERNMENT