Feast of Bricriu: The Irish Version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Ulster Cycle, Lebor na hUidre, Book of the Dun Cow, 8th – 12th century

Abridged and summarized version translated by George Henderson, 1899

Cover art by William Holman Hunt

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“Wrist to wrist and palm to palm,
Tunic to tunic they stand,
Shield to shield and frame to frame,
A shoulder to shoulder band,
Wood to wood and car to car,
Thus they all, fond mother are,
As thunder on the roof when breaking,
With speed the chargers dash;
As heavy seas which storms are shaking,
The earth in turn they crash;
Anon it vibrates as they strike,
Their strength and weight are like and like.
High their name,
No ill fame!”

Queen Medb

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Bricriu of the Evil Tongue held a great feast for Conchobar mac Nessa and for all the Ultonians (Ulster heroes). The preparation of the feast took a year. For the entertainment of the guests a spacious house was built by him. He erected it in Dun Rudraige after the likeness of the Red Branch in Emain. Yet it surpassed the buildings of that period entirely for material and for artistic design, for beauty of architecture – its pillars and frontings splendid and costly, its carving and lintel-work famed for magnificence.

When Bricriu had finished building the hall and balcony, supplying it both with quilts and blankets, beds and pillows, providing meat and drink, so that nothing was lacking, neither furnishings nor food, he straightway went to Emain to meet Conchobar and the nobles of Ulster. It fell upon a day there was in Emain a gathering of the Ulster men. He was made welcome, and was seated by the shoulder of Conchobar. Bricriu addressed himself to him as well as to the body of the Ulster men. “Come with me, ” quoth Bricriu, “to partake of a banquet with me.” “Gladly,” rejoined Conchobar, “if that please the men of Ulster.”

The men of Ulster refused replying that they did not want their dead to outnumber their living. Bricriu insisted and threatened that he would continuously cause strife in their lands and among their people if they didn’t attend his feast. The nobles of Ulster at lengthy discussion decided they would agree to attend Bricriu’s feast but that they would keep hostages and surround him with eight swordsmen to protect themselves.

Bricriu, wanting to stir trouble amongst the Ulster men took the company of the warrior Loigaire the Triumphant and bragged about his Champion’s Portion and inquired into the warrior’s capability of earning it. Loigaire took the bait and agreed that he would have the champion’s portion by the end of the day. Next, Bricriu visited Connall the Victorious and again, incited him to battle for the Champion’s Portion. Finally, he visited the great Cú Chulainn to which the same pattern befell and all three men unwittingly agreed to quarrel over the Champion’s Portion…

“By the god of my tribe,” quoth Cú Chulainn, “his head shall he lose whoso comes to contest it with me.” Thereafter Bricriu severed himself from them and followed the host as if no contention had been made among the heroes. Whereupon they entered the palace, and each one occupied his couch therein, king, prince, noble, yeoman, and young brave. The half of the palace was set apart for Conchobar and his retinue of valiant Ulster heroes; the other half was reserved for the ladies of Ulster. While the feast was being spread for them, the musicians and players performed.

The moment Bricriu spread the feast with its savories, he was ordered by the hostages to leave the hall. They straightaway got up with drawn swords in their hands to expel him. Whereupon Bricriu and his followers went out to the balcony. When he arrived at the threshold of the dining hall, he called out, “That Champion’s Portion, such as it is, is not the portion of a fool’s house; do ye give it to the Ulster hero ye prefer for valour.” He thereupon left them.

At this, the three warriors began to argue for the Champion’s Portion and at once the feasting hall turned to chaos with the clashes of swords and shields. Conchobar was furious on seeing the injury of his men. There was no one among the Ultonians who dared separate them till Sencha (his druid) spake to Conchobar: “Part the men,” quoth he. For, at that period, among the Ultonians, Conchobar was a god upon earth. Thereupon Conchobar and Fergus intervened and the combatants immediately let drop their hands to their sides.

“Execute my wish,” quoth Sencha. “Your will shall be obeyed,” they responded. “My wish, then,” quoth Sencha, “is tonight to divide the Champion’s Portion there among all the host, and after that to decide with reference to it according to the will of Ailill mac Magach, for it is accounted unlucky among the men of Ulster to close this assembly unless the matter be adjudged in Cruachan.” The feasting was then resumed; they made a circle round the fire and got ‘jovial’ and made merry.

Bricriu, however, and his queen were in their soller. From his couch the condition of the palace was observable to him, and how things were going. He exercised his mind as to how he should contrive the women to quarrel as he had likewise incited the men. Similarly as he spoke to the men, he then spoke to their wives, Fedelm, Lendabair and Emer. He incited them to race one another to the hall in that the first one that arrived would be the queen of the whole province. The competition caused great confusion as to what was happening in the hall and the warriors sprang to their feet prepared for battle.

Emer entered the hall first winning the race and the other two ladies entered after her. Amidst the chaos, Sencha struck the silver sceptre that was in his hand against the bronze pillar of the couch and everyone calmed and got seated. “Stay,” quoth Sencha, “tis’ not a warfare of arms that shall be held here; it will be a warfare of words.” Each woman stood under the protection of her spouse and then what followed was the Ulster women’s war of words.

Fedelm read out a triumphant speech declaring Loigaire’s good traits and deeds as well as her own. Next came Lendabair and Emer giving the same victorious poem and speech about Conall, Cú Chulainn as well as themselves. Emer’s speech…

” I am the standard of women, in figure, in grace and

in wisdom ; None mine equal in beauty, for I am a picture of

graces. Mien full noble and goodly, mine eye like a jewel that

flasheth ; Figure, or grace, or beauty, or wisdom, or bounty,

or chasteness, Joy of sense, or of loving, unto mine has never been

likened. Sighing for me is Ultonia, — a nut of the heart I am

clearly — (Now were I welcoming wanton, no husband were

yours to-morrow.) My spouse is the hound of Culann, and not a hound

that is feeble ; Blood from his spear is spurting, with life-blood his

sword is dripping ; Finely his body is fashioned, but his skin is gaping

with gashes, Wounds on his thigh there are many, but nobly his

eye looks westward ; Bright is the dome he supporteth and ever red are

his eyen, Red are the frames of his chariot, and red are also

the cushions ; Fighting from ears of horses and over the breaths of men-folk,

Springing in air like a salmon when he springeth the

spring of the heroes, Rarest of feats he performeth, the leap that is bird-

like he leapeth, Bounding o’er pools of water, he performeth the feat

cless nonbair ; * Battles of bloody battalions, the world’s proud armies

he heweth, Beating down kings in their fury, mowing the hosts

of the foemen. Others to crdnf I liken, shamming^ the travail of

women, Ulster’s precious heroes compared with my spouse

Cuchulainn. He unto blood may be likened, to blood that is clear

and noble, They to the scum and the garbage, as cron their value

I reckon ; Shackled and shaped like cattle, § as kine and oxen

and horses, Ulster’s precious women beside the wife of Cuchu-lainn.”

The three heroes decided to retire after this and enjoy the feast. The Feast of Bricriu lasted three days and three nights and a wonderful time was had by all. On the next meeting after this, Conchobar and the heroes discussed again of the settling of who would finally receive the Champion’s Portion. Conchobar instructed them to travel to Curoi mac Dairi or to Cruachan to Ailill and Medb for they were all fair in judgement.

The heroes decided to travel to Cruachan and were greeted warmly and with great feasts prepared for them. They feasted for another three days and three nights. Thereafter, Ailill inquired of Conchobar with his Ultonian following what was the purpose of his visit. Sencha narrated the matter on account of which they had come and the three hero’s rivalry as to the Champion’s Portion as well as the ladies rivalry… “They could not stand being judged anywhere else than here by thee.” Ailill needed time to consider and asked for another three days and three nights to think on it. Conchobar and Sencha left the king and his heroes to their devices.

The first night, three cats from the Cave of Cruachan were let loose to attack the three men. Conall and Loigaire fled for the rafters of their shelter while Cú Chulainn stayed in place and struck one of the cats with a blow to the neck with his sword when it reached for his food. In the morning, the cats were gone. Ailill was satisfied that Cú Chulainn was the winner but Conall and Loigaire argued successfully that, “It is not against beasts we are striving, but against men.”

Medb and Ailill consulted with one another at length and Medb made the point that they were all great warriors and so unique that it was challenging for them to be compared and for only one to be chosen. She called each of them to her, gave them gifts and wished them well. Later that evening, she sent two daughters of repute (one being her own) plus 50 women to Conall and another 50 women to Loigaire’s bed sides. She, herself along with another 50 women stayed with Cú Chulainn for the night. There was more merry making.

Medb and Ailill indeed, came to the conclusion that they could not judge the men and so the next morning, Medb sent them to her foster father and step mother to be judged rather than herself. When they arrived, they battled and faced a few more challenges with still no clear answer that was determined. All three men returned home to Emain and were greeted with joy as it was rumored they had perished on their journeys. They each declared themselves the Champion and held up their cups given to them by Medb of bronze, white metal and red gold. Cú Chulainn argued that he was given the most valuable cup and therefore again, the true Champion who deserved the Champion’s Portion. Loigaire and Conall argued this time that Cú Chulainn was lying and they all drew their swords.

Sencha again intervened and said “Hold! Do as I bid!” and the men calmed and agreed. “Go forth to the ford of Yellow, son of Fair. He will adjudge ye,” said Sencha. Accordingly, the three heroes left straightaway. When they arrived and explained their predicament, Yellow instructed them to venture to Terror (Uath), Son of Great Fear, a powerful shapeshifter (also referenced as a druid in the Leabhar na h-uidhriat) a nearby Loch and that he would judge them. Off they went to visit Terror and they explained to him again of their need for judgement from him as to who was the greatest hero and deserved the Champion’s Portion.

He instructed that he had an axe, and the man into whose hands it shall be put was to cut off his head that day and he would cut off that man’s head tomorrow. (In some versions, Conall and Loigaire don’t agree to this arrangement and in another, they do but ultimately, still run away.) Cú Chulainn agrees in both versions… Cú Chulainn straight away cuts off the shapeshifter’s head. The shapeshifter arose and walked off from them across the loch, his axe in one hand and his head in the other.

The next day, the shapeshifter returned to the same location with his head intact. Cú Chulainn was waiting bravely for him with his head outstretched on a stone. Terror brought the axe with its edge reversed three times down on Cú Chulainn’s neck to which the hero did not flinch. “Get up,” quoth Terror; “The sovereignty of the heroes of Erin to Cú Chulainn and the Champion’s Portion without contest.” The three heroes then packed up and headed back to Emain with their verdict. However, the saga continued. After some time, a mysterious visitor arrived at Emain…

A gruesome guest appeared in the dining hall described as being “Horrible and ugly… a giant of a man. He wore an old hide with a dark mantle around him. He had ravenous yellow eyes protruding from his head. Each finger was as thick as a person’s wrist. The blade of his enormous axe was sharp enough to cut hair in the wind.”

The man quietly went and stood by the fire and was questioned about his intentions in the hall. He replied darkly… “What property soever may be mine, sooth ye will agree, no matter how big I am, that the household as a whole will be enlightened, while the hall will not be burnt. That, however, is not my sole function; I have others as well. But neither in Erin nor in Alba nor in Europe nor in Africa nor in Asia, including Greece, Scythia, the Isles of Gades, the Pillars of Hercules, and Bregon’s Tower have I found the quest on which I have come, nor a man to do me fairplay regarding it. Since ye Ultonians have excelled all the folks of these lands in strength, prowess, valour; in rank, magnanimity, dignity; in truth, generosity and worth, get ye one among you to give me the boon I crave.”

“Make thy quest known to us then,” quoth Fergus mac Roich. “It is right also to give fairplay,” quoth Sencha, “for it bessemeth not a great clannish folk to break a mutual covenant over any unknown individual. To us too it seemth likely, if at long last you find such a person, you will find here one worthy of you.” The mysterious man replied, “Conchobar I put aside for sake of his sovereignty, and Fergus mac Roich also on account of his like privilege. These two excepted, come whosoever of you that may venture, that I may cut off his head tonight, and he mine tomorrow night.” A man by the name of Fat-Neck came forward and said “Bend down, bachlach that I may cut your head off tonight, you to cut off mine tomorrow night.”

“Were that my quest, I could have got it anywhere,” quoth the bachlach but he agreed to Fat-Neck’s terms. With that, the bachlach put his neck across a block and gave Fat-Neck his axe. Fat-Neck dealt a blow after blow across his neck until he hit the block underneath. The house filled with blood but straightway the bachlach rose then with his head in one hand and his axe in the other. He exited the hall with blood streaming profusely from his neck as everyone in the dining hall looked on in shock and awe.

The next day he returned and Fat-Neck was nowhere to be found to complete his promise with the bachlach. This pattern repeated with the great Ulster warriors Loigaire and Conall who were nowhere to be found when it came time to keep their promise. Finally, on the fourth night the bachlach was furious and let it be known… “Ye men of Ultonia, your valour and your prowess are gone. Your warriors greatly covet the Champion’s Portion, yet are unable to contest it. Where is yon poor mad wight that is hight Cú Chulainn?”

Cú Chulainn replied from the back of the room… “No covenant do I desire with you and likely is that, you wretched fly, greatly thou dost fear to die.” He sprang forward quickly and chopped the bachlach’s head off in one blow. The bachlach rose up and left. The room went eerily silent. The next morning, Cú Chulainn was waiting proudly for the bachlach unlike the other men. He declared passionately to his Ulster kin, “I would rather have death with honour.” The bachlach approached as everyone waited on edge and thinking that Cú Chulainn was about to die. “Where is Cú Chulainn?,” he bellowed as he entered the hall.

“Here am I,” Cú Chulainn answeredboldly. The bachlach replied, “You’re dull in speech tonight, unhappy one; greatly you fear to die. Yet, though great your fear, death you have not shirked.” Cú Chulainn walked up to him and put his head on the block. “Stretch out your neck, you wretch,” the bachlach quoth. “You keep me in torment, ” quoth Cú Chulainn, “Despatch me quickly; last night by my troth, I tormented you not. Verily I swear if you torment me, I shall make myself as long as a crane above you.”

The bachlach rose his great axe high above his head and brought the blunt side down onto Cú Chulainn’s neck as everyone gasped… “O Cú Chulainn, arise!!!… Of the warriors of Ultonia and Erin, no matter their mettle, none is found to be compared with thee in valour, bravery and truthfulness. The sovereignty of the heroes of Erin to thee from this hour forth and the Champion’s Portion undisputed, and to thy lady the precedence always of the ladies of Ultonia in the Mead Hall. And whosoever shall lay wager against thee from now, as my folks swear I swear, while on life he will be in sore scathe.” Then the bachlach vanished. It was none other than Curoi mac Dairi who in that guise had come to fulfill the final act on deciding who deserved the Champion’s Portion.

And thus henceforth the Champion’s Portion of Emain

And the Ulster Women’s War of Words

And the Champion’s Wager in Emain

And the Hosting of the Ultonians

To Cruachan.

Finit.

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Symbolism

The symbolism is fairly clear and straight forward in this text as being first and foremost a tale about the path of the warrior and instilling the importance of having honor. What I really love is the sense of the competition in general in order to earn the champion’s portion of the feast which is was also quoted as being a part of Celtic language culture in Gaul as well. We also gain a sense into the mind games of the upper echelon of society and the ways in which they might have interacted, for better or worse. In this tale, the druids or shapeshifters are very much the ‘testers’ verses a sídhe women as is common in other tales. We can also clearly gain an insight into the importance of being a good host, feeding guests and providing entertainment.

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