Queen Gormlaith of Ireland Trivia Quiz

Answer: Brian Boru

Brian Boru was High King of Ireland until his death in 1014. He married Gormlaith upon gaining the crown.

Answer: True

It was a vivid red and stayed so through her old age, though many claimed it was dyed after she turned 50. Because red haired women were thought to bring bad luck at sea, she wasn't allowed on to a boat until she went with her youngest son to Scotland. It was believed to be bad luck to have a woman on a boat, even if she didn't have red hair.

Answer: No

Brian didn't allow her to attend. He didn't want to rub it in Malachi's face that, not only was he (Brian) getting the throne, but also a wife. Gormlaith was quite upset by this.

Answer: She pushed her brother to overthrow him.

Gormlaith contantly questioned him. She was the one that pushed them to the Battle at Clontarf, where her son Sitric's army fought against Brian, in the year 1014. It was also the battle where Brian died.

Gormlaith did give him a son, Donachd. as is he already had many childeren.

It's not entirely known what religion she was. She seemed to be whatever she needed to be at the time.

Though she slept with many men, throughout all her marriages, she never actually slept with his brother. He wouldn't have divorced her for that anyway, considering he had many mistresses, more than thirty, it is said.

Answer: Sitric Silk Beard

Sitric later became king of the Dublin Danes. He married one of Brian's daughters, before Gormlaith married him. He was known to hate Brian so much, that he offered his own mother's hand, even a night in her bed, to the man whom killed Brian.

Answer: 3

Gormlaith had Sitric my her first husband, Murchad by her second husband and Donough by Brian, her third.

Answer: Malachi Mor

Malachi Mor had been High King of Ireland before Brian took over - and also after his death. He was the last king of Ireland and is said to have been one of the most cowardly.

Answer: Goddess

Gormlaith, as well as Brian, was one of the tallest people of her time. Because of this and her striking red hair, as well as her stunning beauty, she was, and still is, often compared to a goddess.

Answer: They didn't - in fact, they were always at each other's throats.

After Brian cast her out and essentially divorced her, Gormlaith was forced to live with her son, Sitric. He was married to Emer who kept on telling him that she wanted her, Gormlaith, out of her house, but he couldn't just cast out his own mother. Gormlaith built walls around herself, and had many people misunderstand her for it.

Answer: 1

Gormlaith only went to Scotland with her son, Donough, when he went to visit his sister, Blanaid.