View source for Bran Becc mac Murchada

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use Irish English|date=December 2021}}
'''Bran Becc mac Murchada''' (died 738) was a King of [[Leinster]] from the [[Uí Dúnlainge]] branch of the Laigin. He was the son of [[Murchad mac Brain Mut]] (died 727), a previous king.<ref>Francis J.Byrne, ''Irish Kings and High-Kings'', Table 9</ref> He ruled briefly in 738.
The ''Annals of Tigernach'' claim that in 738 [[Cathal mac Finguine]] (died 742), king of [[Munster]] led a hosting into Leinster and took hostages and treasure from Bran.<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 738.9; ''Annals of Tigernach'' AT 738.7</ref> However, the ''Annals of Ulster'' claim that it was his brother [[Fáelán mac Murchada]] (died 738) who gave the hostages which is more likely.<ref>Byrne. pg.209</ref> Bran Becc is referred to as king in the king lists of the ''Book of Leinster'' which ignore [[Áed mac Colggen]] (died 738) of the [[Uí Cheinnselaig]] who was more likely king at this time.<ref>Byrne, pg.148</ref>
Bran and Áed, along with many other kings, were killed in battle against the high king [[Áed Allán]] mac Fergaile of the [[Cenél nEógain]] at the Battle of Áth Senaig (Ballyshannon, Co.Kildare) in 738. This fight known as the battle of the groans is described at length in the Irish annals. The Annals of Ulster say:<ref>''Annals of Ulster'' AU 738.4</ref><blockquote>And men say that so many fell in this great battle that we find no comparable slaughter in a single onslaught and fierce conflict throughout all preceding ages.</blockquote>
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
*[[Kings of Leinster]]
==References==
{{refbegin}}
* ''Annals of Ulster'' at [http://celt.ucc.ie/index.html CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts] at [http://www.ucc.ie/ University College Cork]
* ''Annals of Tigernach'' at [http://celt.ucc.ie/index.html CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts] at [http://www.ucc.ie/ University College Cork]
* Byrne, Francis John (2001), Irish Kings and High-Kings, Dublin: Four Courts Press, {{ISBN|978-1-85182-196-9}}
* ''Book of Leinster'',''Rig Laigin'' at [http://celt.ucc.ie/index.html CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts] at [http://www.ucc.ie/ University College Cork]
{{refend}}
==External links==
*[http://celt.ucc.ie/index.html CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts] at [http://www.ucc.ie/ University College Cork]
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[[Category:Kings of Leinster]]
[[Category:Kings of Uí Dúnlainge]]
[[Category:738 deaths]]
[[Category:8th-century Irish monarchs]]
[[Category:People from County Kildare]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
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