 According to the American medievalist historian Benjamin Hudson , " matters went from bad to worse " for Sigtrygg after the death of Máel Sechnaill in 1022 . The great Irish princes began to compete for the High Kingship , and the political situation in Ireland became chaotic as there was no clear choice for supremacy . Accordingly , " Dublin became a prize for those who would rule Ireland and wanted the town 's wealth to finance their ambitions . " 
