[459] While accepting the facts here narrated, so far as they were capable of being observed, one cannot ignore the probability that they were misinterpreted. It is quite possible that the offer of peace was made in good faith, and that Malachy and his friends were unduly suspicious when they "foresaw guile." The prince may have surrounded himself with armed men as a mere matter of prudence. [460] Susanna, 62. [461] Luke xvi. 8. [462] § 23. [463] _Mulctatum in corpore._ [464] _Mutatum in corde._ [465] Ps. x. 2. [466] Jer. xvii. 7, etc. [467] _Plebes._ [468] That is, the church of Armagh. [469] Hos. ii. 6. [470] Rom. xii. 3; xv. 15, etc. [471] This statement can hardly be regarded as accurate. Flann Ua Sinaich, keeper of the staff of Jesus, having died, Malachy purchased it on July 7, 1135; or, in other words, as we may suppose, bribed the new keeper to hand it over to him (_A.F.M._). Niall himself may have subsequently surrendered the _Book of Armagh_. [472] 1 Tim. ii. 11. [473] Rom. xv. 13 (vg.).--The success of Malachy in establishing peace in the latter years of his rule at Armagh may be attributed in part to the influence of a prince who is not mentioned in the text. Donough O'Carroll first appears in the Annals as chieftain of the men of Fearnmaigh (now represented by the barony of Farney, co. Monaghan), whom he led in an expedition against Fingal (the district north of Dublin) in 1133. He seems to have succeeded to the kingdom or lordship of Oriel (which included the present counties of Armagh, Monaghan and Louth) on the death of Conor O'Loughlin (May 1136); for in 1138, "with the Oirgialla," he took part in an invasion of Meath. His career was prosperous till 1152, when he assaulted the coarb of Patrick (Gelasius). In consequence he was attacked by the Cenél Eoghain, and expelled from Oriel. In 1155 he was imprisoned by Tighernan O'Rorke in Lough Sheelan, for six weeks; but he escaped and recovered his kingdom, and was present at the consecration of the Church of Mellifont Abbey in 1157. He was murdered in 1168. For his support of Malachy see Additional Note C, p. 170. [474] This is obviously not the king mentioned in §§ 22, 24, 25. The reference may be to Conor O'Loughlin, who was king of Oriel till he was murdered in May 1136 (p. 40, note 2), or his successor, Donough O'Carroll. [475] Ecclus. xxi. 7. [476] Gal. ii. 11. [477] Exod. xvi. 20 (vg., inexact quotation). [478] Acts vi. 10 (vg.). [479] Isa. ii. 22; cf. Job xxvii. 3; Wisd. ii. 2.--The words might be rendered "a spirit (_spiritus_) in her nostrils." The meaning is not clear. In the biblical passages in which the phrase occurs it indicates mortality. On the other hand, by the previous sentence St. Bernard suggests that, in contrast to Malachy, the woman spoke under the influence of an evil spirit. [480] Mark xiv. 61. [481] 2 Kings ii. 23.