Prophecy of Berchán
Encyclopedia
The Prophecy of Berchán, is a relatively large historical poem written in the Middle Irish language
. The text is preserved in the Royal Irish Academy
, as MS 679 (23/G/4), with a few early modern copies. It was perhaps written in the 12th century or even later, but purports to be a prophecy made in the Early Middle Ages
.
The text consists of 205 debide stanzas, two of which are corrupt (128, 168). It is divided into two parts. The reputed author of part one (stanzas 1-96) is an Irish abbot named Berchán, from whom the poem's name originates. Part one consists of a history of Berchán's own monastery, a recount of Viking
attacks, and descriptions of the reigns of nineteen Irish kings.
Part two (stanzas 97-206) is presented as an anonymous prophecy given around the death of Saint Patrick
in the 5th century, prophesying the life of Columba
and King Áedán mac Gabráin
, and 24 Scottish kings, from Cináed mac Ailpín (d. 858) to Domnall Bán
(d. 1097). The poem is very indirect in its identification of Scottish kings, and uses a large number of obscure poetic images and similes. Unlike the Irish kings in part one, there are no accompanying glosses naming the kings. However, the Scottish kings spoken of can be identified, and the evidence made useful. The poem is one of the most important sources for Scottish history in the period it covers.
Middle Irish language
Middle Irish is the name given by historical philologists to the Goidelic language spoken in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man from the 10th to 12th centuries; it is therefore a contemporary of late Old English and early Middle English...
. The text is preserved in the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
, as MS 679 (23/G/4), with a few early modern copies. It was perhaps written in the 12th century or even later, but purports to be a prophecy made in the Early Middle Ages
Early Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages was the period of European history lasting from the 5th century to approximately 1000. The Early Middle Ages followed the decline of the Western Roman Empire and preceded the High Middle Ages...
.
The text consists of 205 debide stanzas, two of which are corrupt (128, 168). It is divided into two parts. The reputed author of part one (stanzas 1-96) is an Irish abbot named Berchán, from whom the poem's name originates. Part one consists of a history of Berchán's own monastery, a recount of Viking
Viking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
attacks, and descriptions of the reigns of nineteen Irish kings.
Part two (stanzas 97-206) is presented as an anonymous prophecy given around the death of Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
in the 5th century, prophesying the life of Columba
Columba
Saint Columba —also known as Colum Cille , Colm Cille , Calum Cille and Kolban or Kolbjørn —was a Gaelic Irish missionary monk who propagated Christianity among the Picts during the Early Medieval Period...
and King Áedán mac Gabráin
Áedán mac Gabráin
Áedán mac Gabráin was a king of Dál Riata from circa 574 until his death, perhaps on 17 April 609. The kingdom of Dál Riata was situated in modern Argyll and Bute, Scotland, and parts of County Antrim, Ireland...
, and 24 Scottish kings, from Cináed mac Ailpín (d. 858) to Domnall Bán
Donald III of Scotland
Domnall mac Donnchada , anglicised as Donald III, and nicknamed Domnall Bán, "Donald the Fair" , was King of Scots from 1093–1094 and 1094–1097...
(d. 1097). The poem is very indirect in its identification of Scottish kings, and uses a large number of obscure poetic images and similes. Unlike the Irish kings in part one, there are no accompanying glosses naming the kings. However, the Scottish kings spoken of can be identified, and the evidence made useful. The poem is one of the most important sources for Scottish history in the period it covers.