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CONTENTS

I GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 The term echtrae 11.2 Medieval tale-lists 21.3 Modern scholarship on the nature and function of the echtrae 51.4 The echtrae the immram and the otherworld 61.5 Analysis of the echtrai 81.6 International heroic biography 91.7 Rites of passage and liminality 101.8 Clerical literary influences 111.9 Conclusion 12

n SOURCES USED AND THEIR PROVENANCE 13

n.l Lost echtrai 13

n.1.1 Echtrae Con Culainn

13 -II. l.2Echtrae ChrimthaindNiaNir

14-II.1.3Echtrae Fiamain 14 - II . 1.4 Echtrae Con Roi 15 - n.l.5 Echtrae Chonaill 15 -II . 1.6 Echtrae Chonchobair 15 - II. 1.7 Echtrae Machae ingine eda Ruaid 15 -II.l.8 Echtrae Nechtain maic Alfroinn 16 - II. 1.9 Echtrae Ailchindmaic Amalgaid16 - n.1.10 Echtrae Find i nDerc Ferna 16 - II.l .11 Echtrae edin maic Gabrin17 - n.l.12 Echtrae Mdel Uma maic Baitdin 17 - II.l.13 Echtrae Mongin maicFiachna 18 - H. 1.14 Echtrae Fergussa maic Lti 18 - II . 1.15 Echtrae engusaemaic Fergusa Finn 19 - II . 1.16 Echtrae Chuinn Chtchathaig 19 - II . 1.17 EchtraeMuirquertoig maic Erca 19 - II.l .18 Discussion 20

n.2 The six surviving echtrai and six tales related to the echtrae genre 20

II.2.1 Echtrae Nerai 20 -11.2.2 Echtrae Legairi 21 - H.2.3 Echtrae Chonnlai 22 -II.2.4 Echtrae Airt 23 - II.2.5 Echtrae Chormaic maic Airt 23 - n.2.6 Echtrae macnEchach Mugmedin 24 - II.2.7 Batte in Scil 25 - II.2.8 The Five Lugaids 27 -H.2.9 Tochmarc Emire 28 - n.2.10 Serglige Con Culainn 30 - II.2.11 Siaburchar-patCon CulaindH -H.2.12 Immram Brain 32

n.3 Conclusion 34

H I A BASIC TAXONOMY OF THE ECH TR I PROPER (1) 37

ULI The (a) spatial and (b) temporal context of the invitation 37ni.1.1 Echtrae Nerai 37 - m.1.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 38 - m.1.3 Echtrae Airt 38 -ni.1.4 Echtrae Chormaic 38 - ffl.1.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 38 -III.1.6 Batte in Scil 38 - ffl.1.7 The Five Lugaids 39 - Table ULI 39

m. 2 The identity of the person(s) invited 39

ni.2.1 Echtrae Nerai 39 - IH.2.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 40 - HI.2.3 Echtrae Airt 40 -III.2.4 Echtrae Chormaic 41 - HI.2.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 41 -III.2.6 Batte in Scil 41 - m.2.7 The Five Lugaids 42 - Table m.2 43

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in.3 The identity of the person/figure(s) issuing the invitation 43ni.3.1 Echtrae Nerai 43 - ffl.3.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 44 - IH.3.3 Echtrae Airt 44 -ni.3.4 Echtrae Chormaic 44 - ffl.3.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 44 -ni.3.6 Baile in Scil 45 - m.3.7 The Five Lugaids' 45 - Table ffl.3 45

m .4 The purpose of the invitation 46m.4.1 Echtrae Nerai 46 - m.4.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 46 - HI.4.3 Echtrae Airt 46 -ni.4.4 Echtrae Chormaic 46 - m.4.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 47 -m.4.6Baile inScilM - III.4.7 The Five Lugaids' 47 - Table m.4 47

in.5 The location oftheotherworld and thenatureofthejourney to it 48m.5.1 Echtrae Nerai 48 - ffl.5.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 48 - m.5.3 Echtrae Airt 48 -m.5.4 Echtrae Chormaic 48 - m . 5.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 49 -m.5.6 Baile in Scil 49 - HI.5.7 The Five Lugaids' 49 - Table m.5 49

m .6 Name and descriptions) oftheotherworld 49m.6.1 EchtraeNerai 49 - m.6.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 50 - m.6.3 Echtrae Airt 50 -III.6.4 Echtrae Chormaic 51 - m.6.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 51 -m.6.6BaileinSctt 51 - m.6.7The 'FiveLugaids' 51 - Tableffl.6 52

in.7 The nature and outcome of he hero s intervention in the otherworld 52DI.7.1 EchtraeNerai 52 - m.7.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 53 - m.7.3 Echtrae Airt 53 -ni.7.4 Echtrae Chormaic 54 - Ul 7 5EchtraemacnEchachMugmedin55 -m.7.6 Baile inScil 56 - HI.7.7 The Five Lugaids' 56 - Table m.7 56

m.8. The hero s relationship with key otherworld figures 57HI.8.1 Echtrae Nerai 57 - m .8.2 Echtrae Chonnlai57 - m.8.3 Echtrae Airt 58 -m.SA Echtrae Chormaic 58 - m.8.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 59 -m.8.7 BaifemSWB759-ffl.8.7The'FiveLugaids' -TableUI.8 59

in.9 Objects acquired from he otherworld 60HI.9.1 Echtrae Nerai 60 - m.9.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 61 - m.9.3 Echtrae Airt 61 -HI.9.4 Echtrae Chormaic 61 - IH.9.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 62 -ni.9.6 Baile in Scil 62 - III.9.7 The Five Lugaids' 62 - Table m.9 62

HLlOThe aftermath ofthe visit 62ni.10.1 Echtrae Nerai 63 - m.10.2 Echtrae Chonnlai 63 - ffl.10.3 Echtrae Airt 63 -m.10.4 Echtrae Chormaic 63 - III. 10.5 Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 63 -m.10.6 Baile in Scil 64 - m.10.7 The Five Lugaids' 64 - Table 111.10 64

m.11 Summary 65HI.12 Summary Table 66m . 13 Conclusion 66

IV THE BASIC TAXONOMY OF SOME THEM ATICALLY SIMILAR TALES (GROUP 2) 69

rV.l The (a) spatial and (b) the temporal context ofthe invitation 69IV. 1.1 Echtrae Legairi 69 - IV. 1.2 Immram Brain 69 - IV. 1.3 Tochmarc Emire69 - IV.1.4 Serglige Con Culainn 70 - IV.1.5 SiaburcharpatCon Culaind70 -Table IV. 1 70

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rv .2 The identity of the perso n(s) invited 71IV.2.1 Echtrae Legairi 71 - IV.2.2 Immram Brain 71 - IV.2.3 Tochmarc Emire71 - IV.2.4 Serglige Con Culainn 72 - IV.2.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 73 -Table IV.2. 73

IV .3 The identity of the person/figure(s) issuing the invitation IV.3.1 Echtrae Legairi 74 - IV.3.2 Immram Brain 74 - IV.3.3 Tochmarc Emire74 - IV.3.4 Serglige Con Culainn 74 - IV.3.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 75 -Table IV.3 75

IV.4 The purpo se of the invitation 76IV.4.1 Echtrae Legairi 76 - IV.4.2 Immram Brain 76 - IV.4.3 Tochmarc Emire76 - IV.4.4 Serglige Con Culainn 76 - IV.4.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 77 -

Table IV.4. 77IV.5 The location of the otherworld and the nature of the journ ey to it

IV.5.1 Echtrae Legairi 77 - W.5.2Immram Brain 78 - IV.5.3 Tochmarc Emire78 - IV.5.4 Serglige Con Culainn 78 - IV.5.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 79 -Table IV.5 79

IV.6 Nam e and description(s) of the otherworld 8IV.6.1 Echtrae Legairi 80 - IV.6.2 Immram Brain 80 - IV.6.3 Tochmarc Emire81 - IV.6.4 Serglige Con Culainn 81 - IV.6.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 82 -Table IV.6 83

IV .7 The nature and outcom e of th e he ro's intervention in the otherworld IV.7.1 Echtrae Legairi 84 - IV.7.2 Immram Brain 84 - IV.7.3 Tochmarc Emire85 - IV.7.4 Serglige Co n Culainn 86 - IV.7.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 86 -Table IV.7 86

IV.8 The he ro 's relationship with key otherworld figures IV.8.1 Echtrae Legairi 87 - IV.8.2 Immram Brain 87 - IV.8.3 Tochmarc Emire87 - IV.8.4 Serglige Con Culainn 88 - IV.8.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 88 -Table IV.8 88

IV .9 Objects acquired from the otherw orld 89IV.9.1 Echtrae Legairi 89 - IV.9.2 Immram Brain 89 - IV.9.3 Tochmarc Emire90 - IV.9.4 Serglige Con Culainn 90 - IV.9.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 90 -Table IV.9 90

IV.1 0 The aftermath of th e visit 91IV.10.1 Echtrae Legairi 91 - IV.10.2 Immram Brain 91 - IV.10.3 TochmarcEmire 91 - IV.10.4 Serglige Con Culainn 92 - IV.10.5 Siaburcharpat Con Culaind93-TableIV.10 93

IV . l l Summary 94IV.12 Summ ary Table 95IV.13 Conclusion 96

V OV ER AL L EVIDENC E FO R TH E CENTRA LITY OF SOVEREIGNTY

V .I Royal personages 99V .I .I Nera 99 - V .1.2 Conn Ctchathach 99 - V .1.3 Connlae 100 - V .1.4 Art macCuinn 10 0- V .1 .5 Cormac mac Airt 100-V .1.6N iallNo igiallach 101 - V.1.7

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Lugaid Laigde 101 - V.I .8 Legaire mac Crimthainn 102 - V.I .9 Bran mac Febail102 -V.l.10 Summary 103 - V. l . 11 CChulainn 103- V.1.12 CrimthannniaNir 104 - V.1.13 Fiaman mac Forroi 104 - V.1.14 C Rof mac Dire 104 -

V.l.15 Fergus mac Lti 105 - V.l.16 Conall Cernach 105 - V.1.17 Conchoburmac Nessa 106 - V. 1.18 Machae ingen eda Raid 106 - V. 1.19 Nechtan macAlfroinn and Ailchind mac Amalgaid 106 - V. 1.20 engus mac Fergusa Finn 106-V .1.21 Mel Uma mac Bitin 106-V . 1.22 Finn mac Cumaill 106-V.1.23edan maic Gabrin 107 - V.1.24 Mongn mac Fiachna 107 - V.1.25Muirchertach mac Erca 107 - V .l.26 Summary 107

V.2 Royal sites 108V.3 Typical sovereignty motifs 10

V.3.1 Woman/goddess of sovereignty 110-V .3.2 Transmission of sovereignty - V.3.3 Behavioural aspects ofthe woman/goddess of sovereignty 112 - V.3.4Drink of sovereignty 113

V.4 Otherworld gifts associated with sovereignty V.5 Repercussions for the kingship of one or both worlds in the aftermath V.6 Conclusion 119

VI T H E ROLE OF SOVEREIGNTY AND OTH ER THEM ES IN INDIVIDUAL TALES

VI. 1 Attainment of kingship 12VI. 1.1 Textual analysis of Echtrae mac nEchach Mugmedin 122 - VI. 1.2 Textual

analysis ofthe 'Five Lugaids' 122 - VI.1.3 Concealment and transformation 123 -VI.1.4 The hunt and further tests 124-V I.1.5 Comparative elements 125-V IThe colour gold 126 - VI. 1.7 NialPs heroic biography 127 - VI.1.8 Exposure atbirth 129- VI. 1.9 Discussion 130

VI.2 Textual analysis of Echtrae Chonnlai 131VI.2.1 M agMell 131 - VI.2.2 Firflathemon sovereignty and sid 132 - VI.2.3Corann the druid 133 - VI.2.4 The everlasting apple 134 - VI.2.5 Discussion 1365

VI.3 Textual analysis of Immram Brain 136VI.3.1 Tir na m-Ban 136 - VI.3.2 The journey 137 - VI.3.3 Otherworld hospitality138 - VI.3.4 Discussion 139

VI.4 Textual analysis of Baile in Scil 139VI.4.1ConnandLugl41-VI.4.2 Conn and the woman 141 -VI.4.3 Discussion 142

VI.5 Textual analysis of Echtrae Chormaic 143VI.5.1 Test of truth 144 - VI.5.2 Tir Tairngiri 145 - VI.5.3 Cormac andconversion 146 - VI.5.4 Discussion 147

VI.6 Textual analysis of Echtrae Airt 147

VI.6.1 Conn and the kingship 148 - VI.6.2 Art and Bcuma 149 - VI.6.3 Tir nanlngnad 150 - VI.6.4 Discussion 151VI.7 Textual analysis of EchtraeNerai 151

VI.7.1 Samain activities 153 - VI.7.2 The dead man and the drink 153 -VI.7.3 The otherworld king and the destruction of Crachu 154 - VI.7.4The otherworld woman 154 - VI.7.5 Aingen 155 - VI.7.6 Discussion 156

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VI.8 Textual analysis of Echtrae Legairi 157VI.8.1 MagMell 158 - VI.8.2 Fiachnae's warning 159 - VI.8.3 Discussion 160

VI.9 Conclusion 160VII C CHU LAIN N'S OTHERW ORLD EXPEDITIONS 63

V n.l C Chulainn's conception and birth 163VII. 1.1 Textual analysis of Compert Con Culainn 164 - VII. 1.2 The macgnimrada'boyhood deeds' 165-VII . 1.3 Martial expedition 167-V II . 1.4 Discussion 167

Vn.2 Textual analysis of Forfess Fer Flgae 168VII.2.1 Textual analysis of Aided Con Roi II169 - VII.2.2 Discussion 170 -VII.2.3 Textual analysis of Aided Con Roi 1170 - VII.2.4 Discussion 171 -VII.2.5 Textual analysis of Siaburcharpat Con Culaind 173 - VII.2.6 Lochlann174 -VII.2.7 TirScith 175-VII.2.8 Discussion 175-VII.2.9 Textual analysisof Fled Bricrenn ocus Loinges mac nDuil Dermait 176-VII.2.10 Discussion 178

Vn.3 Textual analysis of Tochmarc Emire 178VII.3.1 Discussion 180-VII.3.2 Textual analysis of Serglige Con Culainn 180 -VII.3.3 Serglige wasting sickness182 - VII.3.4 C Chulainn and Fand 183 -VII.3.5 The Briatharthecosc episode 183

Vn.4 Conclusion 185V i n GENE RAL CONCLUSIONS 89

APPEND IX 1: MAN USCRIPTS AND ABBREVIATIONS 97

APPENDIX 2 : ABBREVIATIONS 98

BIBLIOGRAPHY 99

ABSTRACT 207