Ring
The ring showcases a round shield, which was used at the time by both the Irish and Vikings. Surrounding the shield are the words "an rí deiridh," meaning "the last king" in Gaelic. On one side, you can see the sacred tree under which Brian was crowned, along with a tally of 15 representing the great fighters who aided him in reclaiming his land. On the other side, there is a sword and a skull symbolizing his tragic downfall.
The necklace comes in a sustainably sourced wooden box as well as the Serpent Cove treasure chest with all its Cove trinkets. Standard postage within Australia is included, express and international postage available at an additional cost.
Story
The story of Brian is one that many Irish know but is lost to other lands and times. It's about a man who fought desperately for his people and land, successfully driving the Vikings out of Ireland.
Hailing from Munster, the same county my ancestors walked, Brian was the son of a chieftain and the last of twelve sons. He wasn't destined to rule, but perhaps that's why he did, being one of only two survivors of the bloody battles with the Vikings.
When his brother finally came to power, he made a truce with the Vikings, which Brian didn't approve of. He raided and attacked the Vikings relentlessly, sleeping rough and wet in the rain, showing no mercy. With a tight group of 15, he became king of his clan under their sacred tree after his brother was betrayed and murdered by rival tribes. With fiery passion, he hunted down his brother's killers and drove the Vikings out of his local lands.
This drew the attention of great foes who destroyed the sacred Delian tree, fueling Brian's thirst for vengeance. He fought to become the High King of Ireland, catching the eye of the Viking king of Dublin, leading to a mighty battle which Brian won, finally uniting the people of Ireland.
He would fight small raiders and make peace with foreign Vikings, earning the honor from ARA, a church founded by St. Patrick, who called him the Emperor of Gaels (Ireland).
However, in 1013, the Vikings of Dublin would once again fight, and Brian would defend his land, losing a son and many men. Dublin rallied for a final push, seeking help from mercenary Vikings from back home.
Brian did the same, gathering forces from all over Ireland and Scotland. A massive battle ensued, so intense that the fields turned red with blood and spears tangled with hair. Despite the carnage, the Irish won, but the Viking Broder sneaked into the Irish camp and beheaded the old Brian. Despite this, the Irish won the battle, and the Viking who took Brian’s head was disemboweled and had them tied to a tree while he did laps around it until dead.
Brian was the last of the High Kings, uniting the smaller kingdoms of Ireland into one.
Inspiration
I was delving into Irish history when I stumbled upon the captivating story of Brian. He hailed from the same county as my family, and intriguingly, our crest features a similar tree. It led me to wonder if I could be a distant relative of this remarkable man. Fueled by imagination, I decided to craft this year's ring differently. Utilizing my wax carving skills, I meticulously hand-carved the shield and intricately detailed the sword and tree, infusing personal connection into the design.