Banshenchas
Encyclopedia
An Banshenchas is a medieval text which collects brief descriptions of prominent women in Irish legend into a poetic narrative.
Unlike much of early Irish literature, An Banshenchas may be attributed to a specific author and date. The introduction of the poem states that Gilla Mo Dutu Úa Caiside
, of Ard Brecáin in Meath, composed it in 1147.
and other biblical
women, moves to the legendary women of Irish mythology
such as Étaín
and Emer
, then completes with later-day characters who are almost certainly historical, including a few woman of the Hiberno-Norse aristocracy
.
The references to each of the characters within are short; a few lines at most. For example, in regard to some early biblical figures:
Or regarding some of the legendary women of Ireland:
The stories of some of these women are known from other sources, ranging from the Book of Genesis, to the Wooing of Etain to other, less-well known sources. Some of the names within An Banshenchas are today just names that hint at stories that are long-lost but were known to Ó Caiside and his contemporaries.
, Leabhar Ua Maine
, and the Great Book of Lecan
. Like the dinsenchas ("place lore") poems, the banshenchas poems are accompanied by prose commentary probably of a slightly later date.
Unlike much of early Irish literature, An Banshenchas may be attributed to a specific author and date. The introduction of the poem states that Gilla Mo Dutu Úa Caiside
Gilla Mo Dutu Úa Caiside
Gilla Mo Dutu Úa Caiside, fl. 1147, Gaelic Irish poet.Closely associated with Tighearnán Ua Ruairc, King of Bréifne, he was attached to the monastery of Daminis, and possibly to the church of Ard Brecáin, apparently been a cleric....
, of Ard Brecáin in Meath, composed it in 1147.
Content
An Banshenchas is framed in a historical context and starts with EveEve (Bible)
Eve was, according to the creation of Abrahamic religions, the first woman created by God...
and other biblical
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
women, moves to the legendary women of Irish mythology
Irish mythology
The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branch and the Historical Cycle. There are...
such as Étaín
Étaín
Étaín is a figure of Irish mythology, best known as the heroine of Tochmarc Étaíne , one of the oldest and richest stories of the Mythological Cycle. She also figures in the Middle Irish Togail Bruidne Dá Derga . T. F...
and Emer
Emer
Emer , in modern Irish Éimhear, or, erroneously, Eimhear or Éimear, daughter of Forgall Monach, is the wife of the hero Cú Chulainn in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.-Tochmarc Emire "The Wooing of Emer":...
, then completes with later-day characters who are almost certainly historical, including a few woman of the Hiberno-Norse aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
.
The references to each of the characters within are short; a few lines at most. For example, in regard to some early biblical figures:
Adam, SethSethSeth , in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is the third listed son of Adam and Eve and brother of Cain and Abel, who are the only other of their children mentioned by name...
, pious SiliSiliSili is a village on the south side of Savai'i island in Samoa. Sili is situated inland, unlike most villages in Samoa which are settlements by the sea. The village lies within the electoral constituency of Palauli....
and Cain were the four first men who propagated multitudes. Eve, OllaOllaAn Olla is a ceramic jar, often unglazed, used for cooking stews or soups, for the storage of water or dry foods, or for other purposes. Ollas have a short wide neck and a wider belly, resembling beanpots or handis.-History:...
, PibPIBPIB, pib or PiB may refer for:In science:*Particle in a box , a model quantum mechanical system*Pebibyte , a unit of digital information storage*Pittsburgh compound B , chemical used in studying Alzheimer's Disease...
and Pithib (women of power in the eternal world) bore the beautiful race: prosperous before the Flood and miserable afterwards. Eve was the only wife of mighty Adam. Olla was spouse of blameless Seth. Pib was the name of the wife of guilty Cain. She did not avoid evil. Pithib was wife of Sili of the prophets. Whiter than foam was her body.
Or regarding some of the legendary women of Ireland:
Etain was wife of Eochu Aireman, Esa was her daughter, evil were her rites. Her name is given to a lofty spot, allied by her crimes to pollution. Mes Buachalla was Esa's daughter. By her methods mariners were coarsened.
The stories of some of these women are known from other sources, ranging from the Book of Genesis, to the Wooing of Etain to other, less-well known sources. Some of the names within An Banshenchas are today just names that hint at stories that are long-lost but were known to Ó Caiside and his contemporaries.
Manuscripts
Copies of An Banshenchas are found in the Book of LeinsterBook of Leinster
The Book of Leinster , is a medieval Irish manuscript compiled ca. 1160 and now kept in Trinity College, Dublin, under the shelfmark MS H 2.18...
, Leabhar Ua Maine
Leabhar Ua Maine
Leabhar Ua Maine is an Irish genealogical compilation, created c...
, and the Great Book of Lecan
Great Book of Lecan
The Book of Lecan is a medieval Irish manuscript written between 1397 and 1418. It is in the possession of the Royal Irish Academy....
. Like the dinsenchas ("place lore") poems, the banshenchas poems are accompanied by prose commentary probably of a slightly later date.