288:
in deep winter, the men of Ulster make pillars of snow, and the women compete to see who can urinate the deepest into the pillar and prove herself the most desirable to men. Derbforgaill's urine reaches the ground, and the other women, out of jealousy, attack and mutilate her. Lugaid notices that the snow on the roof of her house has not melted, and realises she is close to death. He and Cú Chulainn rush to the house, but
Derbforgaill dies shortly after they arrive, and Lugaid dies of grief. Cú Chulainn avenges them by demolishing the house with the women inside, killing 150 of them.
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see the swans, and Cú Chulainn shoots
Derbforgaill down with his sling. The slingstone penetrates her womb, and to save her life Cú Chulainn has to suck it from her side, but since he has tasted her blood he cannot marry her. Instead, he gives her to Lugaid, and they marry and have children. One day
221:
to keep him from the battle. However, because of Cú Chulainn's great strength, it only puts him to sleep for an hour, and he soon joins the fray. He fights Aífe in single combat, and the two are evenly matched, but Cú Chulainn distracts her by calling out that Aífe's horses and chariot, the things
225:
Leaving Aífe pregnant, Cú Chulainn returns from
Scotland fully trained, but Forgall still refuses to let him marry Emer. Cú Chulainn storms Forgall's fortress, killing twenty-four of Forgall's men, abducts Emer and steals Forgall's treasure. Forgall himself falls from the ramparts to his death.
185:
In his youth, Cú Chulainn is so beautiful that the
Ulstermen become worried that, without a wife of his own, he will steal their wives and ruin their daughters. They search all over Ireland for a suitable wife for him, but he will have none but
118:
The longer recension (LU, Stowe D iv 2, Harleian 5280, 23 N 10 and two fragments) was written in the Middle Irish period and represents a greatly expanded version of the earlier version of the narrative.
115:
to the tenth century. An Old Irish original, possibly dating back to the 8th century, but transcribed and slightly modernised in the Middle Irish period appears to lie behind this text.
238:" over all marriages of his subjects. He is afraid of Cú Chulainn's reaction if he exercises it in this case, but is equally afraid of losing his authority if he does not.
198:), hoping the ordeal will be too much for him and he will be killed. Cú Chulainn takes up the challenge. In the meantime, Forgall offers Emer to Lugaid mac Nóis, a king of
724:
222:
she values most in the world, have fallen off a cliff, and seizes her. He spares her life on the condition that she call off her enmity with Scáthach, and bear him a son.
283:, comes to Ireland with her handmaid, in the form of a pair of swans, to seek Cú Chulainn, with whom she has fallen in love. Cú Chulainn and his foster-son
190:, daughter of Forgall Monach. However, Forgall is opposed to the match. He suggests that Cú Chulainn should train in arms with the renowned warrior-woman
1461:
717:
476:. Mediaeval and Modern Irish Series 3. Dublin, 1933. 16–68. Based on Stowe D IV 2, with variants from LU, Harleian 5280 and Rawlinson B 512.
111:, where it lacks the first part, beginning instead with the last riddle exchanged between Cú Chulainn and Emer. The text has been dated by
108:
376:
For a full discussion of the relationship between the two recensions and the various manuscripts, see
Gregory Toner, "The Transmission of
262:, comes to Ireland at the age of seven to seek out his father. His extraordinary skills make him seem a threat, however, and because of a
217:, her rival and in some versions her twin sister. Scáthach, knowing Aífe's prowess, fears for Cú Chulainn's life and gives him a powerful
1326:
710:
401:
1446:
614:
Helden auf
Freiersfüßen. 'Tochmarc Emire' und 'Mal y kavas Kulhwch Olwen'. Studien zur Frühen Inselkeltischen Erzähltradition.
275:("The Death of Derbforgaill"), the Scandinavian princess Derbforgaill, whom Cú Chulainn rescues from being sacrificed to the
268:
placed on him by his father, he refuses to identify himself, and Cú Chulainn kills him in single combat, using the Gáe Bulg.
91:, voyages, feasts, births and deaths) is one of the 'genres' of early Irish literature recognised in the manuscript corpus.
1206:
1456:
71:
and one of the longest when it received its form in the second recension (below). It concerns the efforts of the hero
1382:
213:, who becomes Cú Chulainn's best friend and foster-brother. During his time there, Scáthach faces a battle against
209:, a terrible barbed spear, thrown with the foot, that has to be cut out of its victim. His fellow trainees include
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suggests a solution: Conchobar sleeps with Emer on the night of the wedding, but
Cathbad sleeps between them.
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79:, who appears as his wife in other stories of the cycle, and his training in arms under the warrior-woman
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851:
537:, ed. Eleanor Hull. Grimm Library 8. London, 1898. 57–84. Abridged version of Meyer's translation above.
107:. The earliest and shortest version is extant only as a copy in a late manuscript, the 15th/16th-century
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297:("The Cattle Raid of Cooley"), two of the warriors Cú Chulainn faces in single combat, Fer Báeth and
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162:(formerly Betham 145): p 21-24 & 113–124 & 11–12 & 25–26 & 125–128 (Dublin,
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Findon, Joanne. "A Woman's Words: Emer versus Cu
Chulainn in Aided Oenfir Aife."
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652:Ó Concheanainn, T. "Textual and historical associations of Leabhar na hUidhre."
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The story was adapted as a dramatic musical programme, "Celtic Hero", for the
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Scáthach teaches Cú Chulainn all the arts of war, including the use of the
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172:(LL), f 20a46 ff (Trinity College Dublin). Variant of § 30 as found in
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Language and
Tradition in Ireland: Continuities and Displacements
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143:: f 117Ra-118Rb (Oxford, Bodleian Library). First part missing.
661:
Lectures on the
Manuscript Materials of ancient Irish History.
310:
301:, are his foster-brothers and fellow trainees under Scáthach.
425:(ed. & trans.), "The Deaths of Lugaid and Derbforgaill",
640:
A Woman's Words: Emer and Female Speech in the Ulster Cycle.
156:
Harley 5280: f 27R-35Rb (London, British Library). Complete.
553:
Guyonvarc'h, C.-J. (tr.). "La courtise d'Emer, Version A."
153:
Egerton 92: f 24Ra-25Vb (London, British Library). Fragment
666:
Oskamp, H.P.A. "Notes on the history of Lebor na hUidre."
635:
and Colin Ireland. Amherst & Boston, 2003. 47–61.
469:
11 (1890): 433–57. Text edited from Rawlinson B 512.
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684:Thurneysen, Rudolf, H. Hessen and G. O'Nolan. "Zu
482:(ed.). "Mitteilungen aus irischen Handschriften.
503:Anecdota from Irish Manuscripts 5. 1913: 28–30.
39:"Cuchulainn Rebuked by Emer", illustration by
718:
146:Book of Fermoy 23 E 29: p 207a-212b (Dublin,
8:
582:Toner, Gregory (1998). "The Transmission of
673:Sayers, William. "Concepts of Eloquence in
333:
331:
258:, the son Cú Chulainn fathers with Aífe in
725:
711:
703:
17:
670:65C (1966–67): 117–37, especially 126-7.
609:9 (1923): 98–108. Available from Scéla.
527:1 (1888): 68–75, 150–5, 231–5, 298–307.
327:
668:Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy
616:Amsterdam, Oxford, and New York, 1980.
535:The Cuchulinn Saga in Irish Literature
461:(ed. and tr.). "The Oldest Version of
87:("wooing" or "courtship") (along with
619:Findon, Joanne. "Gender and Power in
474:Compert Con Culainn and other Stories
7:
690:Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie
567:Agrati, A. and M. L. Magini (trs.).
512:Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie
488:Zeitschrift für celtische Philologie
109:Bodleian Library, MS Rawlinson B 512
560:d'Arbois de Jubainville, H. (tr.).
133:Stowe D IV 2: f 74Ra-78Vb (Dublin,
697:Die irische Helden- und Königssage
501:Verba Scáthaige fri Coin Chulaind.
254:("The Death of Aífe's Only Son"),
14:
656:29 (1996): 65–120, especially 94.
396:, Oxford University Press, 1969,
95:Recensions and manuscript sources
1423:
1409:
605:Baudiš, J. "On Tochmarc Emere."
569:La saga irlandese di Cu Chulainn
63:") is one of the stories in the
33:
539:Available from Internet Archive
1462:Narratives of the Ulster Cycle
350:Meyer, "The oldest version of
1:
1207:Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend
490:3 (1901): 226–63 (229–63). .
484:Tochmarc Emire la Coinculaind
438:Kinsella 1969, pp. 129, 168f.
562:L'épopée celtique en Irlande
363:Toner, "the Transmission of
337:Toner, "The transmission of
557:11 (1959): 413–23. (French)
506:Thurneysen, Rudolf (ed.). "
453:: editions and translations
126:(LU): p 121a-127b (Dublin,
1480:
681:26/27 (1991–1992): 125–54.
271:In another related story,
1392:
625:The Only Jealousy of Emer
523:(tr.), "Wooing of Emer",
32:
27:
492:Available online at CELT
413:Kinsella 1969, pp. 39–45
236:right of the first night
1383:Togail Bruidne Dá Derga
571:. Milan, 1982 (Italian)
564:. Paris, 1892. (French)
472:Hamel, A.G. van (ed.).
130:). Second part missing.
1447:Early Irish literature
699:. Halle, 1921. 377 ff.
663:New York, 1861. 278-2.
550:. Oxford, 1969. 25 ff.
995:Conganchnes mac Dedad
525:Archaeological Review
311:National Public Radio
194:in the land of Alba (
103:exists in two (main)
99:The early Irish tale
1395:part of a series on
1348:Serglige Con Culainn
1110:Supernatural figures
695:Thurneysen, Rudolf.
621:Serglige Con Culainn
279:in some versions of
250:In a related story,
28:"The Wooing of Emer"
1457:Medieval literature
1313:Compert Con Culainn
1056:Éogan mac Durthacht
787:Cethern mac Fintain
752:Conchobar mac Nessa
516:Available from CELT
1306:Aided Óenfhir Aífe
1000:Lugaid mac Con Roí
898:Dubthach Dóeltenga
893:Cormac Cond Longas
692:8 (1912): 498–524.
273:Aided Derbforgaill
61:The Wooing of Emer
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1046:Dáire mac Fiachna
757:Amergin mac Eccit
576:Secondary sources
514:9 (1913): 487–8.
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252:Aided Óenfir Aífe
124:Leabhar na hUidre
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180:
175:
174:Echtra Machae
171:
168:
165:
161:
158:
155:
152:
149:
145:
142:
139:
136:
132:
129:
125:
122:
121:
120:
116:
114:
110:
106:
102:
94:
92:
90:
86:
82:
78:
74:
70:
66:
62:
58:
57:
46:
42:
36:
31:
26:
23:
19:
16:
1394:
1381:
1374:
1368:
1367:
1360:
1353:
1346:
1339:
1332:
1325:
1318:
1311:
1304:
1274:Dún Flidhais
1202:Finnbhennach
1177:The Morrígan
738:Ulster Cycle
696:
689:
685:
678:
674:
667:
660:
659:O'Curry, E.
653:
646:
639:
628:
624:
620:
613:
606:
591:
587:
583:
568:
561:
554:
547:
534:
524:
511:
507:
500:
487:
483:
473:
466:
462:
450:
434:
426:
418:
409:
393:
385:
377:
372:
364:
359:
351:
346:
338:
314:
308:
292:
290:
280:
272:
270:
263:
259:
251:
249:
231:
224:
204:
184:
173:
166:). Complete.
137:). Complete.
117:
100:
98:
89:cattle raids
84:
65:Ulster Cycle
60:
55:
54:
53:
44:
41:H. R. Millar
21:
15:
1031:Conaire Mór
924:Ailill Finn
847:Leabharcham
802:Cú Chulainn
767:Blaí Briugu
531:Meyer, Kuno
521:Meyer, Kuno
497:Meyer, Kuno
480:Meyer, Kuno
459:Meyer, Kuno
404:, pp. 25–39
341:, pp. 71–2.
316:Radio Tales
305:Adaptations
150:). Fragment
73:Cú Chulainn
1441:Categories
1334:Mesca Ulad
1284:Magh Meall
1071:Fir Fálgae
533:(tr.). In
445:References
113:Kuno Meyer
105:recensions
1247:Locations
1228:Fragarach
1223:Caladbolg
1191:Creatures
969:Mac Cécht
954:Findabair
944:Etarcomol
832:Findchóem
812:Deichtine
797:Cruinniuc
649:. 139-48.
612:Edel, D.
277:Fomorians
228:Conchobar
75:to marry
1289:Teamhair
1264:Cuailghe
1259:Cruachan
1233:Gáe Bulg
1096:Scáthach
1086:Mesgegra
1026:Bláthnat
912:Connacht
837:Furbaide
827:Fedlimid
807:Cúscraid
782:Celtchar
594:: 71–88.
548:The Táin
394:The Táin
367:, p. 87.
299:Fer Diad
230:has the
207:Gáe Bulg
196:Scotland
192:Scáthach
85:tochmarc
81:Scáthach
1216:Weapons
1147:Flidais
1101:Uathach
983:Munster
959:Flidais
949:Ferdiad
877:Súaltam
817:Deirdre
777:Cathbad
772:Bricriu
762:Athirne
631:, eds.
546:(tr.).
499:(ed.).
313:series
240:Cathbad
211:Ferdiad
200:Munster
181:Summary
160:23 N 10
47:. 1905.
1269:Dealga
1182:Nemain
1152:Lí Ban
1122:Bébinn
1117:Aengus
1066:Fedelm
1041:Connla
1016:Achall
1009:Others
990:Cú Roí
964:Fráech
934:Bélchú
872:Sencha
867:Naoise
857:Mugain
822:Fedelm
745:Ulster
736:: the
647:Ulidia
400:
256:Connla
83:. The
1298:Texts
1172:Midir
1162:Macha
1137:Étaín
1132:Dáire
1127:Boann
654:Éigse
323:Notes
1200:and
1142:Fand
1051:Emer
1021:Aífe
974:Nera
919:Medb
862:Neas
842:Láeg
623:and
607:Ériu
588:Ériu
555:Ogam
427:Ériu
398:ISBN
265:geis
234:or "
215:Aífe
188:Emer
77:Emer
1157:Lug
688:."
677:."
627:."
586:".
486:."
465:."
291:In
164:RIA
148:RIA
135:RIA
128:RIA
67:of
1443::
592:49
590:.
392:,
380:."
354:".
330:^
319:.
59:("
43:,
726:e
719:t
712:v
176:.
45:c
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