How different from the vague, uncertain, shadowy representations derived from oral tradition, or mere reports, though contemporary, circulated from mouth to mouth, and exaggerated according to the interests of one party or the other.

Let us for illustration compare Mr.Froude's vivid picture of this battle, so disastrous to the English, with the account given of the same event by the Annalists called the Four Masters.

These writers had taken great pains to collect the most authentic records of the various Irish tribes from the invasion by Henry II.

to the period of which we are writing.

They were intensely Irish, and of course glad of any opportunity of recording events creditable to the valour of their countrymen.