him to have patience, and not to dispute, self-government without anger, affability without haughtiness, Duties of diligent attention to history, strict observance a king. of covenants and agreements, justice tempered by mercy, in execution of the laws. It is good for him to make the land fertile, to invite ships, to import jewels of price from across the sea, to purchase and distribute raiment, to keep vigorous swordsmen who may protect his territory, to make war beyond his territory, to attend to the sick, to maintain discipline among his soldiers. Let him enforce fear, let him perfect peace, let him give mead and wine, let him pronounce just judgments of light, let him speak all truth, for it is through the truth of a king that God gives favorable seasons." "O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," Cairbré again asked him, "what is good for the welfare of a country?" "Frequent assem "This is plain," answered Cormac. blies of wise and good men, to investigate its affairs, to abolish every evil and retain every wholesome Needs of a institution, to attend to the precepts of the country. seniors; let every assembly be convened according to the law, let the law be in the hands of the noblest, let the chieftains be upright and unwilling to oppress the poor." “O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," again asked Cairbré, "what are the duties of a prince in the banquetinghall?" "A prince, on the Day of Spirits, should light his lamps, and welcome his guests with clapping of hands, offering comfortable seats; the cup-bearers Duties of a should be active in distributing meat and drink. royal host. Let there be moderation of music, short stories, a welcoming countenance, a greeting for the learned, pleasant conversation. These are the duties of a prince in the banqueting-house." "O grandson of Conn, O Cormac, what is good for me?" "If thou attend to my command, thou wilt not scorn the old, though thou art young; nor the poor, though thou art well-clad ; nor the lame, though thou art swift; nor the Advice to a blind, though thou seest; nor the weak, though young man. thou art strong; nor the ignorant, though thou art wise. Be not slothful, be not passionate, be not greedy, be not idle, be not jealous; for he who is so is hateful to God and man." 37. Political development. The story of these first centuries illustrates the whole of early Irish history. There is a strong central family which holds the High Kingship for generation after generation. Its rule, however, is not uninterrupted. The High King is attacked again and again by other chiefs almost as powerful as himself, and is not always successful in defending himself. He is slain in battle, his followers are routed, and power passes to another family. The son, or perhaps the grandson, of the late High King reorganizes his forces in some remote fortress; the boys of his tribe grow up and become warriors, until with renewed strength he attacks his father's slayer and overthrows him. The family from which sprang Conn of the Hundred Battles in this way dominated the first three centuries in our era, though its rule was interrupted by two insurrections of serfs and by the reigns of several rival chieftains. Its influence was eclipsed by the military uprising which culminated at the battle of Gavra. 38. The battle of Gavra, A. D. 293. This battle was fought in the year 293 A. D. The power of the armed militia, which had been consolidated into something like a regular army by Find, and to which the name of Fians or Fenians was given, had gradually grown hostile toward the High King, and a final struggle to the death became inevitable. This was the battle of Gavra, fought close to the Hill of Skreen, near Tara. The conflict was long and fierce, and in it fell Cair- Cormac's bré, the High King, and also the chiefs of the family. Fenians, thus closing one of the brightest epochs of Irish history by the death of its most famous men. End of SPEAR HEAD found in the Shannon at Athlone 39. Rise of the family of Niall. Three chieftains of other tribes successively held the power after this battle, their rule covering several years. Then another great family began to come to the fore. Its first representative was Fiaca, who held the High Kingship for thirty years. He was succeeded after four years by his son, Muireadac, who reigned for a like period, and was followed not by his son, but by one of the Ulster chiefs. The latter had only a brief interval of power, being overthrown by Eocaid, the son of Muireadac, after a few months. 7 inches long, Eocaid retained the High Kingship for eight years, when a chieftain of another family seized the supreme power and held it for fourteen years. Then the High Kingship reverted once more to the family of Muireadac and Eocaid, in the person of the latter's son, the famous warrior known as Niall of the Nine Hostages, because he received hostages from Ulster, Leinster, Munster, Connaught, Pictland, Dalriada, Britain, Saxonland, and the Morini of Gaul. Niall held the High Kingship for twenty-seven years, and in one of his raids against the Roman colonies in North Britain he is believed to have taken captive the future apostle of Ireland. After Niall, the direct line was again Niall. broken, and his nephew, Dati, held the chief power for twenty-three years. He was succeeded by Laegaire, the son of Niall, High King during thirty years. Then Dati's family once more came into power in the person of his son, Oilioll. After twenty years, the family of Niall once more became dominant, Lugaid, the son of Laegaire, holding the High Kingship for a quarter of a century. These events cover the first five hundred years of our era. SUMMARY The social life of pre-Christian Ireland was rich and highly developed. Women were highly esteemed. Poetry and music were cultivated, Ossin, or Ossian, being the most famous of the ancient poets. The political ideals are illustrated by the dialogue between Cormac, the High King, and his son, Cairbré. The history of Ireland, at this time, and for centuries to come, is a struggle between various powerful families for the High Kingship of Ireland. GENEALOGICAL TABLE OF THE FAMILY OF NIALL Reigns of those who became High Kings are shown by dates CHAPTER VI INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY 432 40. Saint Patrick. At the end of the fourth century, Ireland was still a pagan land ruled by restless chiefs, whose people had reached a point where a strong humanizing influence was needed. Without this influence, the very perfection of the time would have been a danger, like the ripeness which comes before decay. The renovating power came in the lesson of loving-kindness and tender mercy that had been taught by the shores of Galilee. The messenger was Succat, son of Calpurn, surnamed the Patrician, or Patricius, a title given to Roman citizens of noble birth. This messenger is known to us as Saint Patrick. In all probability his birthplace was in Scotland, near the river Clyde, the northern limit of the Roman province of Britain. The territory north of the Clyde was held in part by the Caledonian Picts, and in part by the Scoti, colonists from Ireland, who brought with them their civilization and language. Birth. In one of the feuds among these rival tribes, a raid was made into the territory of the Roman province south of the Clyde, and the boy Succat was taken prisoner and carried away captive to Ireland. The language of the Roman province was Latin, and the Christian religion had been brought thither from Rome. In the church of the Roman colony both the father and grandfather of Succat had held official rank, but Training. |