Fled Bricrenn and Tales of Terror
Borsje, H.J.
(2005) Peritia, volume 19, pp. 173 - 192
(Article)
Abstract
The episode about Úath mac Imomain from Fled Bricrenn, ‘The feast of Bricriu’, occurs only
in Lebor na hUidre (s. xi/xii), on a leaf inserted by scribe H (also known as ‘the interpolator’). Edgar Slotkin concluded that H invented this episode himself and offers an impressive theory on why H may
have
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done so. This is a fresh study of the relevant texts and a refinement of Slotkin’s theory. H inserted
the episode, but drew on older traditions, possibly from manuscripts now lost. Moreover, Úath mac 10 Imomain is shown to be part of a larger literary context. The medieval Irish tale type called úatha (tales
of terror) and the form and function of supernatural beings called úatha ‘terrors’ are discussed.
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Keywords: Úath(a), Terror(s), timor nocturnus, medieval Irish tale types, sagas, Ulster cycle, Finn cycle, hagiography, poetry, medieval etymology, place names, Lebor na hUidre, Interpolator H, super-natural beings, airdrecha, urtrochta, fúatha, geniti glinne, sirite, Badb, Morrígain, Úath mac Imomain, tests, heroes, kings, status, transformation, distortion, shapeshifting, fír fer, Jewish demonology, Irish mythology, sovereignty, Táin bó Cúailnge, Fled Bricrenn, Táin bó Regamna, Finn and the phantoms, Genemain Moling 7 a bethu, Óebind a tarla ar m’aire, Temair Breg, baile na fian, Echtrae Fergusa maic Leiti, Reicne Fothaid Canainne.
