In the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries Clonmacnoise witnessed a Golden Age. It was a very prosperous stage in the development of this abbey and monastery. During this time Clonmacnoise grew wealthy and underwent one of the most important parts of its development. It was this particular period that saw some of the most wonderful literary and artistic achievements you can read about in the "Crafts" section of this website. At this time a number of surviving annals were written and compiled here such as the "Annals of Tigerneach". During this period Europe was under the attacks of the Barbarians who roamed throughout different countries destroying everything in their path. There are also traces of royal patronage in Clonmacnoise around 900, when High King Flann was associated with the carving of the Cross of the scriptures and the building of the Stone Church. There is an inscription on the cross which records the event. This Golden Age was soon brought to an end though. In 916, the people of Clonmacnoise witnessed the death of their last patron who was a powerful King, Flann Sinna. When he died so to did much of the Kings' patronage of the monastery.