Early Irish kingship ideology and history
Early medieval Irish literature thoroughly discusses the ideology of kingship; the tales about kingship both acted as exemplum literature for early Irish kings and, for modern scholars, elaborate on early Irish society's values. Although there is no specific evidence which indicates that the tales were used as exemplum, it seems fairly clear. Certainly there was literature designed to educate king's about their responsibilities. Audacht Morainn, a letter from an advisor to a prince, was clearly designed for just that purpose. The extent of the concern which early medieval literature has for kingship and, specifically, the values of kingship, indicates that this literature was intended for the education of kings as well as for entertainment. Having good kings was certainly very important to the medieval Irish; a good king secured peace and prosperity for his land. The reasons for the likely existence of exemplum literature for kings does not, however, indicate that the ki!ngship literature must include that exemplum literature. What does indicate that kingship literature is, or at least includes, exemplum literature, is that the major themes in kingship literature deal with either how to be a good king or how not to be a b
It was important for the kings not to be partial, but a just judgment took into account the temperaments of those involved. "Honor and Status in Some Irish and Welsh Prose Tales," Ériu, 29, (1978), 123-141. The just king does not abuse the gifts of land; he neither kills all of the cattle for their meat, nor takes all of the fish from the river, nor eats all of the corn without leaving any for seed; thus, a just king ensures the land's prosperity and a poor king might be injudicious in his use of the land's resources and cause hardship. Although some Early Gaelic literature had been studied as literature rather than either linguistic and historical texts or my!thology, prior to the publication of McCone's argument the study of early medieval Irish literature as literature was relatively rare. However, the king had more connection to both functions than is immediately apparent. "Aspects of the theme of king and goddess in Irish literature," Études Celtiques 7&8. As justice is perhaps the single most important quality of a king, it is unsurprising that much of the kingship literature pertains to good and bad judgments. Literally, without giving gifts one could not have any clients. The flaith congbale co slogaib, or ruler through occupation with hosts, has a somewhat more questionable status.
Common topics in this essay:
Crith Gablach,
Audacht Morainn,
Elizabeth Gray,
Maige Mucrama,
Dumezil's Indo-European,
Gaelic Irish,
Thurneysen Strachan,
Fingal Ronain,
Congal Caech,
Mac Con,
medieval irish,
irish kingship,
cath maige,
Ó cathasaigh,
gaelic literature,
medieval irish kingship,
king client,
maige tuired,
irish literature,
kingship literature,
cath maige tuired,
Ó cathasaigh tomas,
cath maige mucrama,
maige mucrama,
medieval irish king,
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Acceptance Essays
