Sichfrith (born c. 862) was the son of Bárid mac Ímair, the Norse-Gaelic King of Dublin, and Sadhbh, an Irish noblewoman.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Born around 862 as the son of Bárid, the son of Viking leader Ímair, and Sadhbh, an Irish woman, Sichfrith was next in line to become king after his father's ascension to kingship in 873.[1] Sichfrith was proud of his Norse heritage and greatly admired the traditional Viking attributes like courage and manliness. However, he was ashamed of his father, who devoted much of his reign in forming trading alliances and cozying up to the High King Flann Sinna, owining to the Irish's siege of the city in 873. In time, he developed a rebellious attitude though it was ineffective in countering his father.[2] As an act of rebellion, Sichfrith also attempted to join the gang of Thorstein the Red, the son of the late king Olaf the White who led a gang of Vikings.[3]
Meeting Eivor[]
In 879, Sichfrith attended a feast hosted by his father in celebration of his cousin, jarlskona Eivor Varinsdottir's visit to Ireland. During the event, he got into a dispute with his father over his actions to please to the High King and later met his aunt Eivor, who stepped in to talk to him while Bárid left to clear his head. After a short heated and physical exchange, he sat down with Eivor outside the longhouse, remarking that his father spoke highly of her. Before Eivor departed to look for Bárid, Sichfrith requested that she teach her how to fight some time.[3]
King of Dublin[]
In 881, Sichfrith became King of Dublin[4] following his father's death in Clogher, due to an attack organized by Eogan mac Cartaigh, the secret leader of the Children of Danu.[5] Seeking revenge, he planned to lay siege to the Abbot's stronghold in Armagh along with Flann Sinna's army. However, he later learned from Azar that the siege weapons he requested had been taken and captured by the Children of Danu member, "The Seed." Yet, Sichfrith was assisted by Eivor, who eliminated the druid cultist, while he joined Flann's army outside the stronghold.[4]
Once it was done, Sichfrith participated in the assault of Armagh, which culminated in Eogan's defeat and death, ending the Children of Danu's control over Ireland.[6] A year later, Sichfrith and the other Irish kings joined Flann in a meeting in Durrow to discuss the aftermath of Eogan's actions and the fate of the druids. He suggested an inquisition in solidarity with the other kings including High King Flann. However, this greatly upset Flann's advisor and poet, Ciara ingen Medba, a druid herself.[7]
After the Lia Fáil was destroyed, Sichfrith continued his rule over Dublin while Flann promised to advise and guide him, under Eivor's reminder and Bárid's wishes.[7]
Behind the scenes[]
Sichfrith is a character created for the Assassin's Creed: Valhalla expansion, Wrath of the Druids.
He is based on the historical Sichfrith mac Ímair, who is the son of Ímair and the brother of Bárid. Howewer, the expansion portrays Sichfrith as Báirid's son instead.[8]
Appearances[]
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids (first appearance)
- The World of Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Journey to the North – Logs and Files of a Hidden One (mentioned only)
References[]
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids – Database: Sichfrith
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids – Blood Bond
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids – The Wages of War
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids – The Mask of Diplomacy
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids – A Scourging of Snakes
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Wrath of the Druids – The Cost of Betrayal
- ↑
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Wrath of the Druids – The Real History on Ubisoft's official website (backup link)