The subject of this study is early Irish texts about the theme 'monsters', or, to be precise, 'encounters with monsters'. The period under investigation is from c. 600 - c. 1200 AD, which is usually designated 'early Irish'. The aim of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the process of christianization in Ireland, to see how aspects of this process are reflected in the early Irish literary tradition, and to focus in particular on the development of the ideas about evil found in texts about encounters with monsters.
Author(s): Jacqueline Borsje
Series: Instrumenta Patristica, 29
Publisher: In Abbatia S. Petri
Year: 1996
Language: English
Pages: 442
City: Steenbrugis
Preface and acknowledgements vii
Introduction 3
1. Echtra Fergusa maic Leiti', 'The Adventure of Fergus mac Leite' 17
Introduction 17
1.1 Context and classification of the text 17
1.2 'Echtra Fergusa maic Leiti'. Summary 21
1.2.1 The prose version 21
l.2.2 The poetry version 26
1.3 The monster 27
l.3.1 The monster's appearance 27
l.3.2 Sources and variant versions 29
1.3.3 The monster's relation to evil 65
l.3.4 The way in which the monster is overcome 88
Summary and conclusions 90
2. 'Vita Sancti Columbae', 'The Life of Saint Columba', by Adomnán 93
Introduction 93
2.1 Context and classification of the text 93
2.2 'Vita Sancti Columbae'. Summary 97
2.3 The monsters 113
2.3.1 The monsters' appearance 113
2.3.2 Sources and variant versions 114
2.3.2.1 The enormous sea monster 114
2.3 The monstrous wild boar 130
2.3.2.3 The water beast 139
2.3.2.4 The vipers 145
2.3.2.5 The small ocean beasts 160
2.3.3 The monsters' relation to evil 164
2.3.4 The way in which the monsters are overcome 168
Summary and conclusions 172
3. 'Epistil Isu', 'The Letter of Jesus' 177
Introduction 177
3.1 Context and classification of the text 177
3.2 'Epistil Isu'. Summary 184
3.3 The monsters 188
3.3.1 The monsters' appearance 189
3.3.2 Sources and variant versions 190
3.3.2.1 The 'brucha' 190
3.3.2.2. The locusts 223
3.3.2.3 The fiery horse 233
3.3.2.4 The flying serpents 244
3.3.2.5 Five monsters from Hell 263
3.3.3 The monsters' relation to evil 306
3.3.4 The way in which the monsters are overcome 309
Summary and conclusions 311
Conclusions 317
Epilogue 331
Appendix I: The date of 'Epistil Isu' 335
Appendix II: Provisional list of early Irish texts about encounters with monsters 342
Indices 344
Titles of (collections of) texts 344
Names of monsters 351
Names of (groups of) persons 352
Names of places 358
Authors of sources 362
Authors of secondary Iiterature, editions and translations 363
Glossary 371
Abbreviations 378
Titles of texts 378
Latin Sunday Letters 380
Old English 'Sunday' sermons 381
Manuscripts 381
Libraries 381
Periodicals, series and books 381
Samenvatting 383
Bibliography 405
