On January 6th 1156, The Battle of Epiphany happened.
Some sources say January 5th, others give the date 5-6th of the month, Epithany in the Christian calendar is however the 6th.
The background to this battle is within the time frame that the Vikings, Norsemen, call them what you may, ruled the Western Isles, Somerled who would become, the self styled “Lord of the Isles.”, he was not the strongest of the warlords in the Islands, that honour went to Olaf of Mann, Somerled was married to Olaf’s daughter which gave him control of the Innner Hebrides and placed him in the heart of the Manx court.
Over the course of the next decade he created lasting alliances, secured his powerbase, built a substantial fleet and moved his chess-pieces into position. In 1153 Olaf was killed by his nephews, and his son Godred became king. However there was discontent and his cousin Dugall Ottarsson planned an overthrow. He and his brother approached Somerled and asked for his support, which he wholeheartedly gave.
David I had also recently died, and was succeeded by his 12 year old grandson, Malcolm IV. There was a scramble at court between various factions looking to control the boy. So, with division in the east and internal strife in the Isles, Somerled saw a chance to further his own ambitions, and went to war. A showdown was looming, and the future of Viking Scotland hung in the balance.
In early January 1156 the two fleets met off the south coast of Islay, and Somerled attacked. The Battle of Epiphany, as it is called, was inconclusive; so the two leaders sat down and reached a compromise agreement. Somerled would have the islands of Argyll including Mull and Islay, while Godred would keep the rest including the Western Isles and the Isle of Skye. But it was an uneasy peace, and two years later they were back at it again with a second sea battle. This time the result was in no doubt: Somerled had smashed the Manx fleet, and Godred fled the scene.
