Discusses the textual relationship of the various versions of the story concerning the revolt by the aithechthuatha (or ‘vassal peoples’), and analyses the recension known as Bruiden Meic Da Réo (providing comparisons with the alternative recension Scél ar Chairbre Cinn Cait throughout), offering an interpretation of this narrative as a developed exemplum principis in which the conflicting elements of the kingship ideology are scrutinized.