Blathnát
Encyclopedia
Bláthnat sometimes Bláthíne, is a character in early Irish literature
, a king's daughter, wife of the warrior Cú Roí
and the lover of his rival Cú Chulainn
.
), Iuchna or Midir
, the fairy king of Brí Léith (located in County Westmeath
).
Her father's kingdom was invaded by warriors of the Red Branch of Ulster, led by Cú Roí
and Cú Chulainn
. The raid led to her capture, along with several cattle
and a magic cauldron
. Despite her being in love with Cú Chulainn, she was chosen by Cú Roí as his personal spoil and marries her, leading to a dispute between the two warriors.
Later, she betrays her husband to his enemies, pouring milk into the River Finglas (Finnglas) as a signal that he was at home. subsequent to this treachery, Cú Roí is slain by Cú Chulainn.
She is later killed by Cú Roí's poet Ferchertne, who avenges his master by throwing both himself and Blathnát from a cliff.
Bláthnat's floral name and the story of her conspiracy have been compared to those of Blodeuwedd
in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, Math Uab Mathonwy.
Early Irish literature
-The earliest Irish authors:It is unclear when literacy first came to Ireland. The earliest Irish writings are inscriptions, mostly simple memorials, on stone in the ogham alphabet, the earliest of which date to the fourth century...
, a king's daughter, wife of the warrior Cú Roí
Cú Roí
Cú Roí mac Dáire is a king of Munster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He is usually portrayed as a warrior with superhuman abilities and a master of disguise possessed of magical powers. His name probably means "hound of the plain/field", or more specifically, "hound of the battlefield"...
and the lover of his rival Cú Chulainn
Cú Chulainn
Cú Chulainn or Cúchulainn , and sometimes known in English as Cuhullin , is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore...
.
Love triangle
Her father is either Mend of Inis Fer Falga (identified as the Isle of ManIsle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
), Iuchna or Midir
Midir
In the Mythological Cycle of early Irish literature, Midir or Midhir was a son of the Dagda of the Tuatha Dé Danann. After the Tuatha Dé were defeated by the Milesians, he lived in the sidh of Brí Léith...
, the fairy king of Brí Léith (located in County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
).
Her father's kingdom was invaded by warriors of the Red Branch of Ulster, led by Cú Roí
Cú Roí
Cú Roí mac Dáire is a king of Munster in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. He is usually portrayed as a warrior with superhuman abilities and a master of disguise possessed of magical powers. His name probably means "hound of the plain/field", or more specifically, "hound of the battlefield"...
and Cú Chulainn
Cú Chulainn
Cú Chulainn or Cúchulainn , and sometimes known in English as Cuhullin , is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore...
. The raid led to her capture, along with several cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
and a magic cauldron
Cauldron
A cauldron or caldron is a large metal pot for cooking and/or boiling over an open fire, with a large mouth and frequently with an arc-shaped hanger.- Etymology :...
. Despite her being in love with Cú Chulainn, she was chosen by Cú Roí as his personal spoil and marries her, leading to a dispute between the two warriors.
Later, she betrays her husband to his enemies, pouring milk into the River Finglas (Finnglas) as a signal that he was at home. subsequent to this treachery, Cú Roí is slain by Cú Chulainn.
She is later killed by Cú Roí's poet Ferchertne, who avenges his master by throwing both himself and Blathnát from a cliff.
Bláthnat's floral name and the story of her conspiracy have been compared to those of Blodeuwedd
Blodeuwedd
Blodeuwedd or Blodeuedd, , is the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes in Welsh mythology, made from the flowers of broom, meadowsweet and the oak by the magicians Math and Gwydion, and is a central figure in the fourth branch of the Mabinogi.-Role in Welsh tradition:The...
in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, Math Uab Mathonwy.