The Battle of Epiphany was a naval battle fought on 5–6 January or 12 January 1156, between the Norse Godred Olafsson (Godred the Black), King of the Isles and the Norse-Gaelic Somhairle MacGillebride (Somerled), King of Cinn Tìre (Kintyre), Argyll and Lorne, off the coast of Islay, Scotland.
[2] After ascending to the throne, Godred ruled with a heavy hand, which upset some of his chiefs.
[1] Somerled who had married Raghnailt, the daughter of Olafr, was approached by a number of men headed by Thornfinn Ottarsson.
Somerled having recognised the importance of dominating the sea, with which the Norse had successfully conquered the Isles.
A stalemate occurred between the two fleets and Godred and Somerled initiated talks.