This dissertation presents four texts: • Cath Leitreach Ruibhe, Dublin, RIA, MS. 1234 (C i 2), 19v-23r • Ferchuitred Medbe (ibid.), fols. 11r-13v • Oidheadh na Seacht Maine, prose text beg. Ri rogabustair airdrige for eirinn .i. eochaid feidliuch ... (ibid.), 27r-29r • Untitled metrical text beg. Cruacha Cathair Cloindi Cuind ..., Dublin, RIA, MS. 535 (23 P 2), 85a-86a All are unedited except the first listed. This study concluded they are Early-Modern Gaelic; the metrical text is dated by the scribe (1395), while language analyses places the others in the thirteenth-century. This study has five sections: 1. Introduction to tales' subject matter, manuscripts, previous research, and a suggested 'suite' of tales. I argue previous research is sparse, open to criticism, and academics disagree on composition purposes. External references and possible compilation sources are presented. I conclude the texts are 'products of their time' (Early-Modern Gaelic) – yet external evidence shows some of these tales existed in prose and metrical form in Middle- Gaelic. 2. Cath Leitreach Ruibhe and an English translation. Its language is analysed statistically and compared to the only other Early-Modern Gaelic text of it: Edinburgh, NLS, MS. 72. 1. 5. I argue both texts are post-1200 and closely linked. This tale was specifically mentioned in the 'Book of Lecan' (c.1395) by scribes. 3. Ferchuitred Medbe, and an English translation. Language analyis suggests thirteenth- 3. Ferchuitred Medbe, and an English translation. Language analyis suggests thirteenth-century. The same tale (Cath Bóindi) is in the 'Book of Lecan' (c.1395). 4. The untitled metrical text is presented with standardised Classical Gaelic and English versions. I argue this poem demonstrates skillful use of the deibhidhe metre. The poem is dated by the scribe (1395). 5. Oidheadh na Seacht Maine, and an English translation. Language analysis suggests thirteenth-century. I argue this tale is better dated by external sources used in composition, as it is clearly not as novel as the other two prose texts examined.
Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:680960 |
Date | January 2014 |
Creators | Pritchard, Justyn L. |
Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
Source Sets | Ethos UK |
Detected Language | English |
Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=229015 |
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