McLeod (Neil)

The distinction between the two kinds of fer midboth described in Críth Gablach: unnecessary to distinguish between ‘compurgation’ and ‘preserving statement’.

Cf. N. McLeod, Ronayne’s Seandlithe na nGael: a supplement, in IJ 18 (1983), pp. 360-363.

Argues that the sevenfold division of the grades of laity is an artificial imposition of the church grades on an older, native order, and seeks to establish this original model.

Continues in ZCP 42 (1987), pp. 41-115.

Reconstructs the honour-prices corresponding to the previously discussed grades and examines the units of currency used in payments.

Continued from ZCP 41 (1986), pp. 46-65.

Includes an edition of Di astud chor. Normalized text accompanied by manuscript readings; with English translation.

Rev. by
Alex Woolf, in Early medieval Europe 5/1 (Jan., 1996), pp. 105-106.

On the origin and significance of the numerical series 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30 (supplemented by 2, 20, 42) used to set periods of time and to calculate payments, and the anomalous reordering of grades found in certain texts.

ól Pátraic, ól Féine.

On the meaning of the legal terms tochus etarscarthach and tochus nemetarscarthach.

Includes edition of four legal passages: A = CIH vi 2076.21-2079.36 (with variant readings from other MSS); B = CIH vi 2029.31-34; C a composite text reconstructed on the basis of the commentaries to text A; D = CIH iii 1136.1-8 from Bretha nemed dédenach. Selected glosses and commentaries supplied in English translation in Appendix: CIH i 133.26-135.18; CIH vi 1934.31-38; CIH vi 2076.21-2084.2.

A public lecture by Prof. N. McL., Murdoch University, 20 October 1999.

[1.] Introduction; [2.] The gelḟine; [3.] The derbḟine; [4.] Additional kinship changes when ego’s grandsons come of age: the íarfine; [5.] Additional kinship changes when ego’s grandsons come of age: the indḟine; [6.] Reckoning kinship by hand; [7.] Summary of proposed model; [8.] Problems with MacNeill’s model; [9.] The problem of the sprightly great-grandfathers; [10.] The problem of the indeterminate gelḟine; [11.] Subsequent modifications to MacNeill’s model; [12.] Supporting evidence: incl. discussion of the relationship between íarmue ‘great-grandson’ and íarfine, and between indue ‘great-great-grandson’ and indḟine; [13.] Conclusion: the basis of the kinship system was the three-generation gelḟine. vs. E. MacNeill, Celtic Ireland, 1921 (Best² 2136); D. Binchy, in PBA 29 (1943), p. 223; T. Charles-Edwards, Early Irish and Welsh kinship (Oxford, 1993); N. Patterson, in BBCS 37 (1990), pp. 133–165.

[1.] Introduction; [2.] The dubious evidence for a bánbéim of three séts; [3.] The three-sét single-symptom blow (c. AD 650?); [4.] The demise of the three-sét single-symptom blow (from c. AD 675?); [5.] The rise of the two-and-a-half-sét single-symptom blow (c. AD 697?); [6.] The early commentaries (from c. AD 1000?); [7.] Subsequent commentaries (from c. AD 1100); [8.] Later developments; [9.] Crólige cumaile and the seven-sét bandage-wound; [10.] An edition of DEF [normalised with transl. based on the various texts in CIH]; [11.] The commentaries; [12.] Legal procedure in injury cases; [12.] Dating the commentaries; [13.] The MS traditions; [14.] The complilation of MS A; [15.] The relationship between the MSS; [16.] The common material; [17.] Other sources; [18.] An edition of the commentaries to DEF [normalised with transl.]. Incl. brief index to lexical notes.

Discusses in particular the problem posed by the fact that compensation payments made for the loss of a little finger appear to be lower than those for other forms of injury not involving amputation.

Review article of: A companion to the Corpus iuris Hibernici, by Liam Breatnach (Dublin: DIAS, 2005).

Includes a subject index to Chapter 2 of the Companion.

vs. D. A. Binchy’s interpretation (in Ériu 12 (1938), pp. 78-134; cf. Best² 2175) of Bretha crólige §2 (as ed. by D. A. Binchy 1938; cf. Best² 2174); argues that this legal term maintained the same meaning throughout its textual history.

Studies the saga of Fergus mac Léti, focusing on the version in the opening two sections of Cethairṡlicht athgabálae, and argues that §1 was composed in strict verse together with §2 with the purpose of illustrating the law of distraint. Includes the restored text and English translation of §1 of this version and of §2 of the Old Irish commentary version (which is also argued to be composed in verse), and supplies an additional section of the commentary version omitted in D. A. Binchy’s edition in Ériu 16 (1952), pp. 33-48 (discussion in Appendix).

Suggests that the airliciud is different from the ón in that the former involves proprietary rights (rather than merely possessory) and included the right to alienate the property to a third party.

Explains the title of this law tract as ‘bifurcated acquisition of status grades’.

Elucidates passages in Cath Maige Tuired and Lebor gabála (concerning Bres’s fitness for kingship and the threefold taking of Ireland by the sons of Míl respectively) with the aid of concepts from early Irish law. In Appendix: deogbaire ‘cupbearer’ [on the resemblance between cupbearers and magicians seen in CMT §§77-80].