Penitenziali Irlandesi > Ciclo di Adomnan
LEX INNOCENTIUM
Birr, 697 d.C.
Parte della dottrina più rilevante (VOGEL C., Les “Libri Paenitentiales”, Turnhout 1978, 64; MCNEILL J.T. - GAMER M.H., Medieval handbooks of penance: a translation of the principal “libri poenitentiales” and selections from related documents, New York 1928, 135), annovera tra i Penitenziali celtici anche la c.d. Legge di Adomnan, conosciuta anche come Lex Innocentium menzionata dagli Annali di Ulster (KELLY F., A guide to early Irish Law, Dublin 1995, 281).
Come i Canones Adamnani anche la Lex Innocentium non è un Penitenziale stricto sensu, ma una raccolta normativa fatta promulgare da Adomnan di Iona a seguito di quanto stabilito in seno ad un'assemblea tra rappresentanti del popolo irlandese, di Dal Ríatan e dei Pitti al Sinodo di Birr, una cittadina dell’Irlanda centrale sul fiume Shannon.
Si tratta di una serie di leggi, scritte in gaelico irlandese, ideate per garantire la salvaguardia e l'incolumità in tempo di guerra di tutto il personale non militare.
La penitenzialità emerge proprio nell’apparato condannatorio che introduce l’applicazione di sanzioni mutuate dai Penitenziali in caso di violazione delle relative condotte sottese a proteggere donne e bambini coinvolte, per ragioni di parentela dei combattenti, nelle battaglie.
CĀIN ADAMNĀIN
1. Cóic amsira ria ngein Crīst .i. ó Ādam co dīlinn, ō dīlinn co Abraam, ō Abraam co Dūīd, o Dūīd co broit i mBaibilōin, ō broit Babilōine co gein Crīst, Mnā rouhātar i ndōeriu 7 i ndochraiti frisin rēi sin, co tānec Adamnān mac Rōnāin meic Tinne meic Āedhu meic Coluim meic Lugdach meic Shētnu meic Fergusa meic Conuild meic Nēill. | 1. Five ages before the birth of Christ, to wit, from Adam to the Flood, from the Flood to Abraham, from Abraham to David, from David to the Captivity in Babylon, from the Babylonian Captivity to the birth of Christ. During that time women were in bondage and in slavery, until Adamnan, son of Ronan, son of Tinne, son of Aed, son of Colum, son of Lugaid, son of Setne, son of Fergus, son of Conall, son of Niall, came. | |
2. Cumalach ba hainm do mnaiph co tāineg Adamnān dīa sōerad 7 bá sí so in cumalach in ben dia claite derc hi cinn na cobla co ticeth dar a fēili. Cend ind inbir furri co roisceth bruith in lochta. Īar tīachtain dī asin pull talman sin, cainnel cethri ferglac do tummud di a mul imme nō gereth. In cainnel sin do uhith for a dernaind co roisceth roind 7 dāil 7 dergudh i tighib rígh 7 ærchinnech. Nī uīh cuit don m[n]āi sin i mbulg nach a criol nach a n-ōentig aithigh tighi, acht a bith i n-ūarboith fri less amuig, nā tīsad airbuid de muir nā tir dochum a airc[h]indich. | 2. Cumalach was a name for women till Adamnan come to free them. And this was the cumalach, a woman for whom a hole was dug at the end of the door so that it came over her nakedness. The end of the great spit was placed upon her till the cooking of the portion was ended. After she had come out of that earth-pit she had to dip a candle four man's hands in length in a plate of butter or lard; that candle to be on her palm until division of food and distribution of liquor and making of beds, in the houses of kings and cheiftains, had ended. That women had no share in bag or in basket, nor in the company of the house-master; but she dwelt in a hut outside the enclosure, lest bane from sea or land should come to her chief. | |
3. In ben ba dech de mnāiph, ba sí opair dogniid, techt ar cenn catha 7 cathrōi, dāil 7 dūnaid, fechta 7 slōgaid, gonæ 7 airligh. A tīagh looin for indara tāib dī, al-lenbān for in tōib n-ailiu. A fidcheis fria hais. Trīcha traigeth ina hairdi. Corrān īaroinn for indara cinn dī, conidh edh doberedh ar trilis na bandscāile aili assin cad n-araile. A fer inna díaidh; cūaille airbed inna lāim oc a sroigled ar cenn catha. Ar ba cenn mnaa nō da ciich noberthe i tasilbhath in tan sin. | 3. The work which the best women had to do, was to go to battle and battlefield, encounter and camping, fighting and hosting, wounding and slaying. On one side of her she would carry her bag of provisions, on the other her babe. Her wooden pole upon her back. Thirty feet long it was, and had on one end an iron hook, which she would thrust into the tress of some woman in the opposite battalion. Her husband behind her, carrying a fence-stake in his hand, and flogging her on to battle. For at that time it was the head of a woman, or her two breasts, which were taken as trophies. | |
4. Īar tīachtain do Adamnān hifecta ni gatar a forgall ar domun degmnā, mād i ngnimaib firaib forsither. Ar is [s]ruith māin māthair, maith māin māthair, māthair nōeb 7 epscop 7 fīriān, tuillem flatha nime, tustigud talman. | 4. Now after the coming of Adamnan no woman is deprived of her testimony, if it be bound in righteous deeds. For a mother is a venerable treasure, a mother is a goodly treasure, the mother of saints and bishops and righteous men, an increase in the Kingdom of Heaven, a propagation on earth. | |
5. Rochēs Adamnān mōr dec[h]roid dar uhar cend, a mnā, conidh lib leath for tighi 7 inadh for cathāiri isin leith ailiu, conidh sōer for cor 7 for comairchi ō ré Adamnāin, conid sí cētchāin lāither for nim 7 for talmain do mnāib Cāin Adamnāin. | 5. Adamnan suffered much hardship for your sake, O women, so that ever since Adomnan's time one half of your house is yours, and there is a place for your chair in the other half; so that your contract and your safeguard are free; and the first law made in Heaven and on earth for women is Adamnan's Law. | |
6. Ba sē tosuch in scēoil. Fechtus do Adamnān 7 dia māthair oc imticht a conairi oc Āth Drochait ind-Ūaithniu i nHōib Āedho Oduha i ndescert Breg. ‘Tair for ma muin, a māthair bóidh!’ or sē-seom. ‘Ní ragh’ or sī-sí. Cedh ōn? cē dāisiu? or sē-sim. ‘Ar nach tu-su in mac gor’ ar sī-se. ‘Cia is goriu indāu-su? Concbaim cris dar fochrus ocot imorchor as cech bailiu i n-alaile, ocat ergabāil fri fūal 7 fri ferad. Nī fetur goiri dogneth mac dune dia māthair nā dēnuim-si duit-si, acht madh certán dognét mnāi lebor bæl bachlaich oca. Húair nach drónaim in certán sin, dogēntar crot binn lim-sa deit hicut erfitiud 7 iris findruine eisti’. ‘Ced ed ōn’, or issi, ‘ba maith do gori-se, acht nocha n-í sein mu gori-sæ, acht mnāu do hsōerad dam ar dāl, ar dunuth, ar fegt, ar slōagath, ar guin, ar erlech, ar chumalacht choire’. | 6. This is the beginning of the story. Once Adamnan and his mother were wending their way by Ath Drochait in Uaithne in Ui Aido Odba in the south of Bregia. 'Come upon my back, dear mother!' saith he. 'I shall not go', saith she. 'What is this? what ails you?', saith he. 'Because you are not a dutiful son', saith she. 'Who is more dutiful than I am? since I put a girdle upon my breast, carring you about from place to place, keeping you from dirt and wet. I know of no duty whcih a son of a man could do to his mother that I do not do for you, except the humming tune which women preform... Because I cannot preform that tune, I will have a sweet-sounding harp made for you, to play to you, with a strap of bronze out of it'. 'Even so', she said. 'Your dutifulness were good; however, that is not the duty I desire, but that you should free women for me from encounter, from camping, from fighting, from hosting, from wounding, from slaying, from the bondage of the cauldron.' | |
7. Sōethe sī dono for muin a meic, conusrala isin ārmuch. Ba sé tiget in áir innosrala, co comrictis dā bond na mnā fri mēdhiu cinn a sētchi. Ci atconcatar in ārbach, nī acatar nī bad bāidiu nā bad trōighiu lēo inda cend na mnā for indara burt 7 colann for in burt n-ailiu 7 a lenbān for a ciich inna collai. Sruth lomma for in dara n-óil dō 7 sruth folæ forsinn ōil ailiu. | 7. Then she went on her son's back until they chanced to come upon a battlefield. Such was the thickness of the slaughter into which they came to that the soles of one woman would touch the neck of another. Through they beheld the battlefield, they saw nothing more touching and pitiful than the head of a woman in one place and the body in another, and her little babe upon the breasts of the corpse, a stream of milk upon one of its cheeks, and a stream of blood upon the other. | |
8. ‘Is bōedh 7 is trógh lim-sa suut’, ar Ron[n]at māthair Adamnāin, ‘aní atchīu fot cosu-su, a chlērc[h]ocan! Ced nachamlēci for lār, co tartur mo chiigh dō? Acht is cīan mór hūadh dac[h]ōdar mo chíghi-si i ndīsca. Nī foigfide nī indtib. Ced nach promæ dūn do c[h]lērchecht frisin corp trōach ucut, dūs in taithbēoighfedh in Coimdhiu erot? Is dē ata in senfocul: cáin cech culēn fó saidh. Soithis Adamnān fri brēitheir a māthar, co rocōruigh in cenn frisin mēdhiu, co tarut crois día baghaill dar ucht na banscāili, co n-érucht in banscál súos. | 8. 'That is a touching and pitiful sight', said Ronnat, the mother of Adamnan, 'what I see under thy feet, my good cleric!' Why dost thou not let me down upon the ground that I may give it my breast? However, it is long since my breasts have run dry! Nothing would be found in them. Why dost thou not prove thy clerkship for us upon yon wrenched body, to see whether the Lord will resuscitate it for thee?' (Hence is the ancient saw: 'Beautiful is every pup under its dam'.) At the word of his mother Adamnan turned aside, adjusted the head on the neck, and made the sign of the cross with his staff across the breast of the woman. And the woman rose up. | |
9. ‘Uch, a-mmo Comdiu mōr na ndūlai!’ or ī-si. ‘Ced dobeir uch duit-siu?’ ar Adhamnān. ‘Mo claidbeth i n-ārmaigh 7 mo chor hi pīanaib iffirn. Nī fetur nech síu nō tall dōneth bōidiu nō trōcuirie immum aght Adamnān 7 Mairei hūag-ingen ic a gresacht a hucht muintirei nime’. | 9.'Alas! O my great Lord of the elements!' said she. 'What makes you say alas?' said Adamnan, 'My being put to the sword on the battlefield and thrown into the torments of Hell. I know no one here or yonder who would do a kindness or show mercy to me save Adamnan, the Virgin Mary urging him thereto on behalf of the host of Heaven'. | |
10. Et iss í banscál rotathbēogedh andsin fri brēthir nAdamnāin, Smirgat ingen Ædha Finn, ingen ríg Brēfne Connacht, ben rígh Lūaighne Temrach .i. mnā Ūa nĀedha Odhuha 7 descirt Breg 7 Lūaighne Temrach, is īat condrāncatur immon āth, co nā deochaid anim i comatreb a colla diib, acht dorochratar bond fri bond. | 10. And the woman who was there resuscitated at the word of Adamnan was Smirgat daughter of Aed Finn king of the Bregni of Connaught, wife of the king of Luaigni of Tara. For the woman of Ui Aido Odba and of the south of Bregia and the Luaigni of Tara had met around the ford, so that not a soul of them had come away abiding in its body, but they had fallen sole to sole. | |
11. ‘Maithi tra, a Adomnāin’, or sí ‘hifechta is duit-siu doratath mnā īarthair domuin do hsōerath. Nī raga deog nā bīad it bēolu-su co rohsōertar mnā duit’. ‘Nī rubai in bēo cen bīath’ ar Adomnān. ‘Dia n-acet mo sūili-siu, rigfet mo lāmu ar a cent’. ‘Sec[h] nī aicfet do sūili-siu nī roisit do lāma’. | 11. 'Well now, Adamnan,' said she, 'to thee henceforth it is given to free the women of the western world. Neither drink or food shall go into thy mouth until women have been freed by thee'. 'No living creature can be without food,' said Adamnan. 'If my eyes see it, I shall stretch out may hands for it.' 'But thine eyes shall not see and thine hands shall not reach it.' | |
12. Sōithi sī dono īarsin Ronnat co Brugach mac Dedad, co tuc slabraid ūadh. Focheird fó brāgait a meic fo Drochuit Suilidhi hi Ceniul Chonuild, bale a ndernath in cottach etir a māthre 7 a athre .i. itir Cenēl nĒndai 7 Lugdach .i. cippē diib nobrised in cottach, a adnacul bēo hi talmain; commaid didiu fri Adomnān for nim dontí nodascomaillfed. Ocus fogeib cloich diarba Iān a ddorn frisa mbenta tene. Focherd il-leithōil a meic, conid búi sāsad dó etir bīad 7 digh. | 12. Then Ronnat turned aside to Brugach son of Deda and brought a chain from him, which she put around her sons neck at the Bridge of the Swilly in Tirconnell, where the covenant had been made between his mother's and his father's kindred, even between the race of Enda and that of Lugaid [7], to wit, that whoever of them would break the covenant should be buried alive in the earth, but he who would be fulfil it was to dwell with Adamnan in Heaven. And she takes a stone which filled her hand. It was used for striking fire. She puts it into one of her sons cheeks, so that in it he had his fill of both food and drink. | |
13. Īarsin tānec a mthair dia fis hi cind ocht mīs, co n-accai a mulluch. Mo ‘maccān-sa suut’ ar sī-sí ‘amail bīs ubull for tuind. Becc a greim hi talmain, nitā itge i nim, sec[h] rolosc sál, rocacsat foilinn na farce 'na chenn. Atchīu ni sōertha mnā bēos de’.'Form Coimdid as chōir a aithber, a māthair bóidh’ ar se-sōm. ‘Ar Chrīst frit, aithirigh pēin dam!’. | 13. Then, at the end of eight months, his mother came to visit him, and she beheld the crown of his head. 'My dear son yonder,' said she, 'is like an apple upon a wave. Little is his hold on the earth, he has no prayer in Heaven [8]. But salt water has scorched him, the gulls of the sea have dropped him' 'It is the Lord that ought to be blamed, dear mother!' said he. 'For Christ's sake, change my torture!' | |
14. Īs ī pīan roathirriged leissi dó, 7 nī sochaide do mnāib dogēnad fria mac, a adnacul hi comrair clocha hi Rāith-Both Th ī re Conaill, contótar cruma bun a tengadh, co roimidh salchur a chinn dar a chlūasaib immach. larsin rusfuc hi Carrie in Cuh'nn, co roattrib ocht m ī s aile and. | 14. This is the change of torture that she made for him, not many women would do so for their sons: she buried him in a stone chest at Raphoe in Tirconnell, so that worms devoured the root of his tongue, so that the slime of his head broke forth through his ears. Thereafter she took him to Carric in Chulinn, where he stayed for another eight months. | |
15. Hi ciunn ceitheora blīadan is and tāncatar aingil Dē de nim dia acallaim. Go tūargbata (sic) Adomnān assa comrair clocha co Magh mBirra co coiccrich Ūa Nēill 7 Fer Muman. ‘Erigh sūas hifechta as t' [f]ochlach’, ar aingel fri hAdamnān. ‘Nocho n-ērus’ ar Adamnān ‘co rosōertar mnā dam’. Is de sin ispert in t-aingel: ‘Omnia quæ a Domino rogabis propter laborem tuum habebis’. | 15. At the end of four years God's angels came from Heaven to converse with him. And Adamnan was lifted out of his stone chest and taken to the plain of Birr at the confines of the Ui Neill and Munster. 'Arise now out of thy hiding-place,' said the angel to Adamnan. 'I will not arise,' said Adomnan, 'until women are freed for me'. It is then the angel said: 'Omnia quae a Domino rogabis propter laborem tuum habebis'. | |
16. ‘N ī ba frim rē-se mā dognether’ s' ar Loingsech Bregbān. A Fanait cen[i]uil Conaill dō-side. ‘Olc ré i ndīgēntar sūan fir for mnāib, mnā do bet[h]ugud, fir do o[j]rliuch. Geibid claideb don bodur amlabor dtbeir acht mnā do uhith i mbithdōire co bruinne brathā’. | 16. 'It shall not be in my time if it is done, ' said Loingsech Bregban, native of Fanait he was, of the race of Conall. 'An evil time when a man's sleep shall be murdered for a woman, that women should live, men should be slain. Put the deaf and dumb one to the sword, who asserts anything but that women shall be in everlasting bondage to the brink of Doom.' | |
17. Is ēat rīg atraachtatar annside fri brēithir Loingsich do chlaidhbed Adamnāin: Dōelguss mac Ōengusa meic Don[n]frāigh airdrī Muman, Ēlodach rī na nDēisi Cūcerca rī Osraighi, Cellach Derg rī Laigen, Irgalach ūa Conuing rī Breg, Brugach mac Dedad, Fingin Ēoganach, di neoch robātar and de rígaip[h] īarthair domain. Nī rue Adomnān claideb les dochum in chathai, acht clocc na fiferce Adomnāin .i. cluicīn mesi Adomnāin. Is annsin atrubart Adomnān na brēathra sa: | 17. These are the kings who then arose at the word of Loingsech to put Adamnan to the sword: Doelgus son of Oengus son of Dondfraech, high-king of Munster; Elodach, king of Deisi; Cucherca, king of Ossory; Cellach the Red, king of Leinster; Irglach grandson of Conaing, king of Bregia; Brugach son of Dega; Fingin Eoganach, -- these were all that were there of the kings of the western world. Adamnan took no sword with him to battle, but the Bell of Adamnan's Wrath, to wit, the little bell of Adamnan's alter-table. It is then Adamnan spoke these words: | |
18. ‘Benaim-si in cluiccīn sæ i taob Letreg ar ōenlus, co nā hesboi Dōelgus daith in laith forrabái Ōengus. Gēbut-sai ma psalmu aniū i n-ūaim clocha, nār esclū, co nā esbe Dælgus daith ind laith ebur co ndesctdu. Maldagt Dé for Ēlodach for flaith Feimin na nDési, nā rab rí nā rīgdamnai gabus ūadh dar a ēssi. Al gilldai umail ailgein, a mic armaig na rīagla, ben clucc ar Cellach Carmain co raib i talmain rīa ciunn blīadna. | 18. 'I strike this little bell by the site of Lettir on purpose that dapper Doelgus may not drink the ale that Oengus had been, I shall sing my psalms to-day in the stone cave, may it not be without fame! Lest dapper Doelgus drink the ale which is drunk with dregs. God's curse on Elodach, the chief of Femen of the Deissi, lest king or king's heir spring from him after him! My humble, gentle attendant, thou armed son of the rule [12], strike the bell against Cellach of Carman, that he may be in the earth before a year's end.' | |
19. ‘Cellach Derg rí Laigen, acht in mac fail hi mbroinn a mnā, nī fáicfe a sīl nach a sēimedh 7 cidh ēsidhe, bid meth ocus milled dia chloinn, mani bet dom rēir-si. Cēin bet ōcgbāil mo screplaigi frim-sa nī bia fortamlas nacha tūaithi aili foraib. Būaid n-ōcctigirinn (sic) ūaidib 7 būaid comruic 7 būaidh fogla. Gēbthair righi ūa Cellaig hūadib. | 19. 'Cellach the Red, king of Leinster, save the son that is in his wife's womb, shall leave no seed nor issue; and even he, there shall be decay and ruin to his offspring unless they be obedient to me. So long as they levy my groats for me, no other tribe shall prevail over them, and the palm of encounter and of spoil. The kingship of the Ui Chellaig shall descend from them.' | |
20. ‘A gilldai in gascid grāduich doroacht Mastin miathaich, ben in cluiccīn for Domnall, nā rup comlann a blīadain. ‘Domnall mac Murchada rī Ulath, acht in mac 7 in t-athair, nī fáicfe a sīl nach a séimeth 7 ced ēad sidi, cudach berus in dara n-āi, meth berus araili. Gataim ardrīghi nUlad erru. | 20. 'O lad of the church-armour, having come to renowned Maistiu [Mullaghmast], strike the little bell against Domnall, that his year may not be full.' 'Domnall, the son of Murchad, king of Ulster, save for the son and thy father, shall not leave seed or issue, and even so, a fall shall carry off one of them, decay shall carry off the other. I take the over-kingship of Ulster from them'. | |
21. ‘Ma cluicīn-siu, in firbredach, triasradībdad Īrgalach, atteoch in rī[g] firbrethach nī rap rī ó Īrgalach. Digal Dé for Īrgalach, nā rup for Breg fīrt[h] reabach nī raib clann nā cen[ē]lach, rub derechtach dībdathach. Clac Adomnāin fīrfertaich mór de rīghaib rofāsaig, cech ōen fris'fera catha ōen aratha rosfāsaich’. Sech rofāsaig lesu, rofāsaig rígu o[c] ' cosnam ban, oc a tabairt dochum creitme, conid sōer a cor 7 a comairchi ó ré Adamnāin costrasta, conid sí cētchāin lāithir for nimh 7 for talmain Cāin Adomnāin. | 21. 'My little bell of true judgements by which Irgalach is made childless. I beseech the King of true judgements that no king descend from Irgalach. God's vengeance upon Irgalach that he be not on Bregia of true dwellings, May there be neither offspring nor race, may he be forsaken childless! The bell of truly-miraculous Adamnan has made desolate many kings, each one to whom it gives battle one thing awaits -- it has made them desolate.' While it has made desolate strongholds, it has made kings desolate in defense of women, in bringing them to belief, so that their contract and their safeguard are free from the time of Adamnan until now, so that the Law of Adamnan is the first law made (for women) in Heaven and upon earth. | |
22. Nīrogaib Adomnān co tarta rātha 7 gremand fris im ṡō[i]re ban dó. It ēat ind so na rātha hī sein: grīan 7 ésca, dūle Dē arcenæ; Petar, Pōl, Andreas 7 reliqui apostoli; Grigoir, in dā Patraic, in dā Chīaran, in dā Chrōnān, na ceithri Fintāin, Mobíu, Mobí, Momáedóc, Munnu, Scothīne, Senán, Fēchīne, Dūilech, Cairnech, Cīanān, Cartach, Uictor, epscop Cuiritán, Mōeldub epscop, lonān mac Samāin, Foelán abb Imlecha Ibair, Cillīne abb Lothrai, Colmān mac Sechnusaig, Eochaid app Clūana Ūamai, dā Finnēn, mac Labartha Lāin. | 22. Adamnan did not rest satisfied until securities and bonds were given to him for the emancipation of women. These were the securities: sun and moon, and all other elements of God; Peter, Paul, Andrew, and the other apostles; Gregory, the two Patricks, the two Ciarans, the two Cronans[14], the four Fintans, Mobiu [Abbot of Cumscraig], Mobi [called Clarenech (flat face) Abbot of Glasnevin d. 545], Momædoc, Munnu [Bishop and Abbot of Cluain Eidmech in Largis (Lex)- also called Fintan], Scothine, Senan, Fechine, Duilech, Cairnech, Cianan, Cartach, Victor, bishop Curitan, bishop Maeldub, Ionan son of Saman, Foilan abbot of Imlech Ibair, Cilline abbot of Lorrha, Colman son of Sechnusach, Eochaid abbot of Cluain Uama, the two Finnens, and son of Labraid Lan. | |
23. Doratsat na rāthai sin tēora gāire mallacht for cech ferscāl nomuirbfeth mnái a deis nā clí ná lū nā tengaid, comad hē a comarbpa trom 7 nenaid 7 traghnæ. Daratsat na rāthæ cētna tēora gāire bendagtan for cech banscāil dogēnath ní ar muntir nAdamnān cīamad meinic tīstais a minda. Ech cech raithe dia mindaib don comarba corice in fothracud hi Rāid-Both, acht as ō righnaib sein namā, co cumunc cecha mnā chena. | 23. Those guarantors gave three shouts of malediction on every male who would kill a woman with his right hand or left, by a kick, or by his tongue, so that his heirs are elder and nettle, and the corncrake. The same guarantors gave three shouts of blessing on every female who would do something for the community of Adamnan, however often his reliquaries would come. A horse to be given quarter to his reliquaries, (to be sent) to the coarb to the bath at Raphoe; but that this is from queens only, with whatever every other woman is able to give. | |
24. Atrubratar mnā 7 dorairggerset co tibritis leth a treabthai do Adamnān ar a taphairt assin dōire 7 asin dochraiti hi raphatār. Nī rogaib Adomnān acht bee hūadib .i. inar find co cimais duib cecha caildigi aithrighi, screpald óir cecha bantōsigi, anart lēineth cech mnā ōcthigirn, secht bargena cecha mnā dō[i]re, molt cech trēitíne, cetūan noberthai istaigh cid duvb, cid find, do Dīa 7 do Adomnān. | 24. Woman have said and vowed that they would give one half of their household to Adamnan for having brought them out of the bondage and out of the slavery in which they had been. Adamnan accepted but a little from them, to wit, a white tunic with a black border from every penitent nun, a scruple of gold from every chieftain's wife, a linen cloth from every gentleman's wife, seven cakes from every unfree woman, a wether from every flock, the first lamb that was brought forth in a house, whether black or white, for God and for Adamnan. | |
25. Dī mnāi leis cech lūain dar cend na cāna bici 7 móire sein dochum nime. Tēora ban cech mairt, ceithri mnā cech cētāine, cóic mnā cech dardāin, secht mnā cech āine didine, dī mnāi déc cech sathairn, cōeca ban dīa domnaigh. Comainm a māthar fair anūas, cibē do mnāib in talman fora mbeith Ronnat 7 cach ben nothoghfadh a reilec, rocindeth a mbreith cen mesrugud dochum nime. | 25.In consideration of this small and large tribute, he to take two women to Heaven every Monday, three women every Tuesday, four women every Wednesday, five women every Thursday, seven women every Friday, twelve women every Saturday, fifty women on Sunday. In addition to this it was decided that every namesake of his mother's, whatever woman on earth would be called Ronnat, and every woman who would choose (for herself) his burial-place, should be taken to Heaven without jugdement. | |
26. Nī rogaib Adomnān co tartta rātha 7 gremann fria lāim im comallad na cāna bici 7 móre sin ris. Ar is dó gebther rāth ar drochfēichimain, dia híc don rāth, mani íca in fēchem: a macc ar aithech tighe, a ain[i]m ar anmcara, cech dūil doadas tadhas, cech sōerchland cinges talmain, cech cloc bentar do trádaib da aiterib 7 da rāthuib fri lāim Dé 7 Adomnān im comaldad na cāna sin ris. Is andsein aspert Adomnān na brīathra sa: | 26. Adamnan did not rest satisfied till sureties and pledges were given into his hand for his fulfillment to him of this small and large tribute (for the reason why a guarantee is taken from a bad debtor is, in order that the guarantor may pay the debt if the debtor do not pay): his son for a house-master, his soul for a confessor, every creature that moves about, every noble that walks the earth, every bell that is struck at the Hours are as hostages and pledges in the hand of God and Adamnan for the fulfillment of this Law. It is then that Adamnan spoke these words: | |
27. Mani dernaid maith frim muintir for mnáib in chentair, methfaidh in clann dogēnid nó atbēlait co cintaib. Līnfaid cessacht for cuile, flaith nime ní forbīa, nī thésid or cesacht nō gūa do Adamnān læ. 'Adomnān ó ‘I o doforfoirfi, a mnā tapraid do bfor flaith cech maith roborbē. Adomnān læ inmain cach rolēgh libru Gaīdel [n]gnáth. | 27. 'Unless ye women of this world do good to my community, the offspring ye will bear shall decay, or they shall die full of crimes. Scarecity shall fill your storehouses, the Kingdom of Heaven ye shall not obtain; ye shall not escape by niggardliness or falsehood from Adamnan of Hi [Iona]. 'Adamnan of Hi [Iona] will help you, O women! Give unto your prince all the good things that are you!' Adamnan of Hi [Iona], beloved of all, has read the books of the Gael. | |
28. Iss ead in so forus Cána Adomnān læ. Oe Birraib forurmed a forus sæ for feraib Hērenn 7 Alban im bithchāin co brāth a forngairi a maithi, clērech 7 læch, immo flaithi 7 a n-oldamnæ 7 a n-epscopu 7 a sūthiu 7 a n-anmcharde, Im Fland Febla sūi-epscop Aird Machæ, Diblaine, Elnai abb Imlechai Ibar, Cennfæled abb Bennchuir, Failbe Becc abb Clūana maic Nóis, Conodhar apb Lismóir, Cillīne mac Luibneāin apb Biruir, Colmān mac Sechnusaigh abb Lothrai, Echuidh apb Clūanæ Hūamæ Forandān Cille Dara, Sūadbar Insi Demle, Diblēne ap Tīre Dā Glas, Mochonnui Dairi, Oisīne mac Glais apb Clūanai Ferta Molūa, Maincīne Leith[glinne], Moacru, Mobeoc Aird, Murchu Balnai, Moling Lūachra, Mend Maiche apb Fernai, Colcu mac Mōenaig ap Luscan, Ceti epscop, Curetān epscop, Conamail mac Conāin epscop, Colman hōa Hoircc apb Clūana hīraird, Āedh Slēibte epscop, Colmān mac Findbair[r], Cardide Ruis Māir, Togialloic ūa Lūain an t-ecnaid, Ichtbricht epscop, Feradach hōa Artur, Fælchu mac Máile-Rubai, Fælān hō Clūain Ferta Brenaind, Dibc[h]ēine mac Fileth, Mosacra, Mælcoisnei mac Conaill, Murchu macūi Machthēine, Mældub epscop, loain ecna mac in Gobann, l[o]hain mac Samuél, Fælān ūa Silne, Loingsech mac Ōenghusa rī Ērenn, Congalach mac Ferghusa rí Ceneōil Conaild, Fland Find mac Māilituile rī Ceneōil Eogain, Conc[h]abur mac Máiliduin rī Ceneōil Coirpri, Eterscēl mac Māilehumæ rí Muman, Cúdīnaisc mac Cellaig rí Irmuman, Cúcercæ rī Oseirghi, Conghal mac Suibnei rī inna nDéissiu, Eoganān mac Crundmāil rí Ūa Fidginti, Andelaith rī in Deissi tūaiscirt, Elodach mac Dūnlaingi rí Desmuman, Ailill mac Concenmāthair rí Muigi Fēne, Fiachrai Cossalach rí Cruithne, Béec Boirchi rí Ulad, Nīel[l] mac Cernaigh rí Breghmuighi, Ceallach mac Gerthighi rí Diaballaigen, Condalach mac Conaic rí Corcu Duibhne, Corpri mac Concoluimb rí Ūa Ceindselaig, Congal Ūa Mrachaidi, Conall mac Doinennaig rí Ūa [Fidgente], Cellach mac Ragallaig rí Connacht, Dlúthach mac Fithchellaig rí Ūa Maine, Dūnchad rí Uá nAmalgaid 7 Ūa Fiachrach Murisg, Muirgios mac Māiledūin, Maicnīa rí Arda ūa nEchach, Murchad Midi, Colmān mac Rechtabrat rí Fernæ, Mælfothartaigh mac Maolduib, Dub-dīberg, Mane mac Nēill, Mælcāich mac Nōindenaig, Erthuile ūa Crundmāil, Æd Odbæ, Echuid mac Dūnchadha rí na nDēisi, Aodh mac Dlūthaig rí Cúl, Flaithnīa mac Ferghaile, Fīannamuild ūa Dūnchatai, Ferathach ūa Cíarāin, Fethlimith ūa Fergusæ, Fallomuin rí Ūa Tuirtri, Fergus Forchraidh Fócortach, Garbān rí Mide, Euchu Lemnæ rii Ūa Cremthain, Euchu ūa Domnaill rí, Conall Grant rii deiscirt Breg, Tūothal ūa Dūnchatha rí Ūa Conaill Gabræ, Toicthech mac Cinnfælad rī Lugne, Bodbhchath rí Luighne, Irgalach ūa Conaing rí Cīannachtæ, Bruide mac Derilei rl Cruithintūathi, et impidi fer nĒrenn uli etir laochu 7 clērchu. | 28. This is the enactment of the Law of Adamnan of Hi [Iona]. At Birr this enactment was enjoined by the men of Ireland and Britain as a perpetual law by order of their nobles, clerics and laymen, both their chiefs and ollaves and bishops and sages and confessors, including: Fland Febla, the sage-bishop of Armagh, Diblaine, Elnai abbot of Imlech Ibair, Cennfaelad, abbot of Bangor, Failbe Becc abbot of Clonmacnoise,Conodar abbot of Lismore,Cilline son of Luibnean abbot of Birr, Colman son of Sechmusach abbot of Lorrha, Eochuid abbot of Cloyne, Forandan of Kildare, Suadbar of Inis Demle, Diblene abbot of Tir-da-glas, Mochonnui of Derry, Oisine son of Glas, abbot of Clonfermulloe, Manchine of Leithglinn, Moacru, Mobeoc of Ard, Murchu of Balla, Moling of Lauchair, Mend Maiche abbot of Ferns, Colcu son of Moenach abbot of Lusk, Bishop Ceti, Bishop Curetan, Bishop Conamail son of Conan,Colman grandson of Orc abbot of Clonard, Aed Bishop of Setty, Colman son of Findbarr, Cardide of Ross Mor, Togialloc grandson of Luan the Wise, Bishop Ichtbrict, Feradach grandson of Arthur, Faelchu son of Maelrubai, Faelan of Clonfert-Brenainn, Dibchene son of Fili, Mosacra, Maelcoisni son of Conall, Murchu the descendant of Maehtheine, Bishop Maeldub, Ioain of the wisdom, son of the Smith, Iohain son of Samuel, Faelan grandson of Silne, Loingsech son of Oengus King of Ireland, Congalach son of Fergus, king of Tirconnell, Fland Find son of Maeltuile, king of Tyrone, Conchabur son of Maelduin, king of Kinel Coirpri, Eterscel son of Maelhuma king of Munster, Cudinaisc son of Cellach king of East Munster, Cucherca, king of Ossory, Congal son of Suibne king of Deissi, Eoganan son of Crundmal king of the Ui Fidgenti, Andelaith king of the northern Deissi, Elodach son of Dunlang king of Desmond, Ailill son fo Cu-cen-mathair king of Mag Fene, Fiachra Cosalach king of Picts, Becc Boirchi king of Ulster, Niall son of Cernach king of Breg-mag, Cellach son of Gerthide king of Diaballaigin, Condalach son of Conang king of Corco Dubne, Corpri son of Cu-choluimb, king of Ui Chennselaig, Congal grandson of Mrachaide, Conall son of Doinennch king of the Ui, Cellach son of Ragallach king of Connacht, Dluthach son of Fidchellach king of the Ui Maine, Dunchad king of the Ui Amalgaid and of the Ui Fiachrach Murisc, Muirges son of Maelduin, Macnia, king of Ard of the Ui Echach, Murchad of Meath, Colman son of Rechtabra king of Ferns, Maelgothartaig son of Maeldub, Dub-diberg, Mane son of Niall, Maelcaich son of Noindenach, Erthuile grandson of Crundmal, Aed of Odba, Echuid son of Dunchad king of Deisi, Aed son of Dluthach king of Fir Cul, Flaithnia son of Fergal, Fiannamail grandson of Dunchad, Feradach grandson of Ciaran, Fedlimid grandson of Fergus, Fallomain, king of the Ui Tuirtri, Fergus Forchraid Fogarach, Garban king of Meath, Eochu Lemna king of the Ui Cremthain, Eochu grandson of Domnall king of ..., Conall Grant, king of southern Bregia, Tuathal son of Dunchad king of the Ui Chonaill Gabra, Toiethech son of Cennfaelad king of Luigni, Bodbethath king of Luigni, Irgalach grandson of Conang king of Connacht, Bruide son of Derile king of the Pict-folk, and the intercession of all the men of Ireland, both laymen and clerics. | |
29. Tocuitchetar tra huli læchaib 7 clēirchibh ōgh cāna Adomnān do comalnad co brādh. Atropartatar lánéraic a mbanchró do Adomnān 7 do each comorbuo bīas ina suidiu co brādh 7 ní gata Adomnān fīachu ar flaith 7 eclais 7 fine dia mbī dír. | 29. All then, both laymen and clerics, have sworn to fulfill the whole Law of Adamnan till Doom. They have offered up the full eric of their female stock to Adamnan, and to every coarb who will be in his seat till Doom, nor does Adamnan take way fines from cheiftain and chruch and family to whom they are due. | |
30. Roggādhatar tra nōibecalsi Hērenn ule im Adomnān ōentaid inna dēachta athar 7 maic 7 spirto nōib 7 muntire nime 7 nōebu in talman, cach ōen comaldathar in cāin si etir saigid 7 timmarcāin 7 comalnath 7 ēraicc, arim sírsægul somma 7 arop airmitnech fēith la Dīa 7 dōine, arim inducbude in-nim 7 hi talmain. | 30. Now, all the holy churches of Ireland together with Adamnan have besought the unity of the Godhead of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and the heavenly hosts, and the saints of the earth, that whoever fulfills this Law, both as a claim and levy and fulfilment and eric, may have a long and prosperous life, and may be honored in the eyes of God and of men, may be exalted in Heaven and on earth. | |
31. Rogādatar dano nóibeccailsi Hērenn im Adhomnān Día co ngrādaiph nime 7 nóebhaib talman, nach óen loittfis Chāin nAdamnān itir læchu 7 clēirciu, nādasia 7 nādacomallnathar a neort 7 a cumung 7 nātimarr for cāch itir flaith 7 eclais, arimm garit a hsægul co n-imniuth 7 digrād, cen athgabāil nime nā talman úadhibh. | 31. The holy churches of Ireland, together with Adamnan, have also besought God with the orders of Heaven and the saints of the earth, that whoever shall break the Law of Adamnan, both laymen and clerics, whoever shall not claim it, and shall not fulfill it to the best of his power, and shall not levy it from every one, both cheiftain and church, -- his life may be short with suffering and dishonour, without any of their offspring attaining Heaven or earth. | |
32. Rosuidigestar Adomnān ordd n-escoine dōaib dano .i. psalm each laithe co fiehit laa 7 apstal nō ūasalnōeb cach lái do attach leiss .i. ‘Quare’ 7 Petar, ‘Domine quidh multiplicati’ 7 lohain, ‘Uerba mea’ 7 Pilip, ‘Domine deus meus’ 7 Partalon, ‘Dixit insipiens’ 7 Tomas, ‘Deus, deus meus respice’ 7 Mathius , ‘ludica me Domine innocentium’ 7 lacob, ‘Dixit iniustus’ 7 Simon, ‘Domine ne qṁ (in furore B) 7 Tatheus, ‘Dixi custodiam’ 7 Madian, ‘Deus deorum’ 7 Marcus, ‘Quidh glor[i]aris’ 7 Lucas, ‘Dixit insipiens’ 7 Stefan, ‘Exurgat Deus’ 7 Ambrois, ‘Saluum me’ 7 Grigair Romæe, ‘Deus venerunt gentes’ 7 Martan, ‘Deus quis similis’ 7 Senpōl, ‘Deus laudem’ 7 Giurgius. ‘Audite cæli quæ loquar non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo’, 7 rl. | 32. Adamnan has also set down an order of malediction for them, to wit, a psalm for every day up to twenty days and an apostle or a noble saint for every day to be invoked with it, to wit, 'Quare' adn Peter, 'Domine quid multiplicati' and John, 'Verba mea' and Philip, 'Domine deus meus' and Bartholomew, 'Dixit insipieus' and Thomas, "Deus, deus maus respice' and Matthew 'Iudica me Îomine innocentium' and Jacob 'Dixit iniustus' and Simon 'Domine ne in furore' and Thaddeus, 'Dixi custodiam' and Mattias, 'Deus doerum' and Mark, 'Quid gloriaris' and Luke, ' Dixit insipiens' and Stephen, 'Exturgat deus' and Ambrose, 'Salvum me' and Gregory of Rome, 'Deus, uenerunt gentes' and Martin, 'Deus, quis similis' and old Paul, ' Deus laudem', and George, 'Audite caeli quae loquor', 'Non nobis, Dominem, non nobis, sed nomini tue,' &c. | |
33. Incipit sententia angeli Adomnāno: — Adomnanus post .xiiii. annos banc legem Deb rogauit 7 causa. Angelus sanctus Domini in nocte pentecosten ad eum 7 post annum in altero pentecosten 7 poculum arripuit 7 pereussit latus eius 7 dixit ei: Exi in Hiberniam 7 fac legem in ea ne mulieres ullo more ab homine occidentur iugulatione uel quacunque morte uel ueneno uel in aqua uel in igne uel a quoeunque peccode uel in fouea" uel eanibus nisi in lectulo legitimo. Te oportet perficere legem in Hibernia Britaniaque propter matrem uniuseuiusque, quod mater unumquemque portauerit 7 propter Mariam matrem lesu Christi per quam totus est. Maria filium suum apud Adomnānum circa banc legem rogauit. Quicumque enim occiderit mulierem duplici poena damnetur, id est manus eius dextera 7 pes sinister ante mortem abscidetur 7 postea moritur 7 red[d]unt fines eius septem ancellas plenas 7 septimam penitentiæ. Quod si fuerit pretium inpositum pro anima 7 pro circumcisione, .xiiii. anni penitentiæ 7 .xiiii. ancella[e] red[d]entur; quod si aggmen autem fecerit, quintus uir usque tricentos ista ultione damnetur; quod si pausi, diuidentur in tres partes. Prima pars ex illis sorte mortificatur 7 circumcidetur manu 7 pede, altera reddet .xiiii. anncellas plenas, tertia iactatur in peregrinationem trans mare sub regula regiminis duri, quod grande peccatum qui matrem 7 sororem matris Christi 7 matrem Christi occidit 7 collum unumquemque portantem 7 omnem hominem uestientem contriuit. Qui autem feminam ab ipso die mortificauerit penitentiam secundum legem non agens non solum Deo 7 Adomnano in æternum peribit [et] maledictus erit, sed maledicti erunt omnes qui audierint 7 non maledicent 7 non corripient eum secundum iudic[i]um huius legis. Ista est sententia angeli Adomnano. | 33. Here begins the speech of the angel to Adamnan: After fourteen years Adamnan obtained this Law of God, and this is the cause. On Pentecost eve a holy angel of the Lord came to him, and again at Pentecost after a year, and seized a staff, and struck his side and said to him; 'Go forth into Ireland, and make a law in it that women be not in any manner killed by men, through slaughter or any other death, either by poisen, or in water, or in fire, or by any other beast, or in a pit, or by dogs, but that they shall die in their lawful bed. Thou shalt establish a law in Ireland and Britain for the sake of the mother of each one, because a mother has borne each one, and for the sake of Mary mother of Jesus Christ, through whom all are. Mary besought her Son on behalf of Adamnan about this Law. For whoever slays a woman shall be condemned to a twofold punsihment, that is, his right hand and his left foot shall be cut off before death, and then he shall die, and his kindred shall pay seven full cumals, and one-seventh part of the penance. If, instead of life and amputation, a fine has been imposed, the penance is fourteen years, and fourteen cumals shall be paid. But if a host has done it, every fifth man up to three hundred shall be condemned to that punishment; if few, they shall be divided into three parts. The first part of them shall be put to death by lot, hand and foot having been first cut off; the second part shall pay fourteen full cumals; the thrid shall be cast into exile beyond the sea, under the rule of a hard regimen; for the sin is great when any slays the mother and sister of Christ's mother and the mother of Christ, and her who carries a spindle and who clothes every one. But he who from this day forward shall put a woman to death and does not do penance according to the Law, shall not only perish in eternity, and be cursed for God and Adamnan, but all shall be cursed that have heard it and do not curse him, and do not chastise him according to the judgement of this Law'. This is the speech of the angel to Adamnan. | |
34. Iss ead in so forus cāna Adomnān for Hērinn 7 Albain: sōire ecalsi Dé cona muintir 7 a fethlaib 7 a termnaib 7 a n-ule folud bēudu 7 marbdu 7 al-lāichib dligthechaib cona cētmunteraib tēchtaidib bīte fo réir Adomnāin 7 anamcharat tēchtaide ecnaid crāibthig. Fortā forus inna cāna sæ Adomnāin bithcāin for clērchu 7 banscāla 7 maccu encu co mbat ingnīma fri guin duine 7 co mbat inbuithi fri tūaith 7 confestar a n-immērgi. | 34.This is the enactment of Adamnan's Law in Ireland and Britain: exemption of the Church of God with her people and her emblems and her sanctuaries and all her properties, live and dead, and her law-abiding laymen with their lawful wives who are obedient to Adamnan and to a lawful, wise and pious confessor. The enactment of this Law of Adamnan is a perpetual law on behalf of clerics and women and innocent children until they are capable of slaying a man, and until they take their place in the tribe, and their (first) expedition is known. | |
35. Nech gonus 7 marbus macclērech nō mac endacc a téchtu cāna Adomnain, ocht cumala cacha láma, ocht mblīadna penda ind condice trí chēt chumal 7 blīadain penda ind cach óin ō tríb cétaib co mīle nō díarim 7 is cummæ fīach nech fofich 7 aridaccai 7 nachidanaig a neort. Mād étged nō anfes, lethfīach ind 7 arracuir asn-étged 7 asn-anfes. | 35. Whoever wounds or slays a young clerical student or an innocent child under the ordinance of Adamnan's Law, eight cumals for it for every hand (engaged), with eight years of penance, up to three hundred cumals; and one year of penance for it for each one from three hundred to three thousand or an indefinate number; and it is the same fine for him who commits the deed and for him who sees it and does not save to the best of his ability. If there is neglect or ignorance, half the fine for it, and (arracuir) that is neglect and that it is ignorance. | |
36. Fortā forus na cāna sa: ōghdīriu do cech eclais bís i cāinbéscnu; leithdīre dī ina termund sechtar faithchi; ōghdíri dī de cech grād etir guin 7 gait 7 forloscud; leithdíri da blāi-neimthib; leithdīre a foltmaissi clērech namā cen guin, cen gait. Is ōghdīri nach eclais fria sārughud a fethtaltæ, cip port i ndēntur. | 36. A further enactment of this Law: full due to every Church which is in good behaviour; half-due to her for her termon outside the green; full due to her for every degree, both for wounding and theft and burning; half-due for her sanctuaries; half-due for merely touching the hair (?) of clerics without wounding or theft. It is all due to every church for violating her emblems wherever it is done. | |
37. It é brithimain cānæ Adomnān i cach eclais 7 i cach thūaith .i. clērich dongoat munter Adomnān 7 dia n-aithnet forus a cānæ. | 37. These are the judges of Adamnan's Laws in every church and in every tribe, to wit, the clerics whom the community of Adamnan chooses and to whom they commit the enactment of the Law. | |
38. It é gella na cānu sæ: trīan gild di humui nō argit fo mes cacha crīchiu a tōthucht cacha cāinggne. Gell ar trisi, breth ar cōicthi, híc ar dechmaid di Cāingnib olchenæ. Gell a ochtaib, breth ar trisi, híc ar cōicthi isin cāingin se. | 38. These are the pledges of this Law: one-third of the pledge in bronze or silver, according to the estimation of every territory, out of the property of every case. The pledge (to be redeemed) on the third day, judgement on the fifth day, payment on the tenth in all other cases; in this case the pledge (is to be redeemed) at once (?), judgement on the third day and payment on the fifth. | |
39. Forthā forus na cāna as meise cacha saigte[c]he for aitiri æter grādu tūathi 7 grādu ecalse i crichaīb immedōn 7 i crīchaib dīanechtair di fīachaib beccaiph 7 mōraibh ar reir Adomnān nō a muintire. Apad 7 forais, 7 nī dībdai Cāin Adomnain nach a muntire. | 39. A further enactment of the Law, that in every suit a hostage is to be adjudged (?) both for the ranks of the laity and those of the church, within the territories inside and outside, for small and large dues, in obedience to Adamnan or his communities. There is a legal notice and impounding, and the Law of Adamnan or his communities shall not become extinct. | |
40. Forthā forus na cānæ: dīa ngontar maic annaic nō clēirich, is dia n-ūamaib adnacail tíaguit a fēich 7 a fēich erradais dia flaithib a finib. | 40. A further enactment of the Law: If innocent children or clerics are slain, it is to their tombs of burial their dues come, and their urradas-dues to their chiefs within their kindred. | |
41. Fortā a forus na cānæ asn-eirrithi lānfīachaib do Adomnān na banscāl romarbthar, acht ropbé cuit duine occa nō cethra nō con nō teined nō claidh nō cumtaigh, ar is eirrithi cach ndēnte hi Cāin itir claid 7 cuithe 7 drochat 7 tenlach 7 cēim 7 lindi 7 athi 7 cach ingreim olchena, acht atroilli banscál dé. Acht fācabar trīan fri herchomēt. Mād escond atbēla ann in dā trían aile. A trían intí asa dír. | 41. A further enactment of the Law, that payment in full fines is to be made to Adamnan for every woman that has been slain, whether a man has a share in it, or cattle or hound or fire or a ditch or a building, -- for everything that is made liable under the Law, both ditch and pit and bridge and fire-place and (door-)step and pools and kilns, and every other danger, except the woman deserves it. But one third is left to be kept. If it is a witless person, the other two thirds shall die. The one-third is his who has the right to it. | |
42. Cip aided admbéla banscāl, acht chuit Dé nō choiblighe díles thēchtaide, asrenar lānfiachaib do Adhomnán etir guin 7 bádudh 7 loscud 7 neim 7 chombach 7 chechrad 7 athcumba ō bīastaib cenntaib 7 mucaib 7 chethruiph. Mād cētchin dono a foluth nō dona muccaib nō dona conaiph, a mmarbath fócétōir 7 lethflach láma duine ind; mani cētchin, asrenar lānfīachaib. | 42. Whatever violent death a woman dies, except it be (by) the hand of God, or (in consequence of) rightful lawful cohabitation, it is paid in full fines to Adamnan, both slaying and drowning and burning and poison and breaking and perishing in a quagmire and death by tame beasts and pigs and cattle. If, however, it is a first crime a folath (foluth?) or on the part of pigs or hounds, they shall be killed at once, and half due to the human hand for it; if it is not a first crime, full due is paid. | |
43. Ní dleghar tra frithfola hi Cáin Adomnāin ná comard cinath, acht asren cach a chinta ar a Iáim. Na foachta fo[ḟ]echar i Cāin Adomnān, dligith munter Adomnāin forbach dé cenmothá banscāla, cit maicc ennaig, cit cléirig nō do neoch dian timnat .i. cumal forbaich do muntir læ airm i n-ícatar secht cumala 7 lethchumal di leth secht cumal. Sē seuit for trīchoit sét, trī seúit for cōic sétaib. | 43. There shall be no cross-case or balancing of guilt in Adamnan's Law, but each one pays for his crimes for his own hand. Every trespass which is committed in Adamnan's Law, the communities of Adamnan are to a forbach of it, apart from women, whether it be innocents, or clerics, or anyone to whom they commit it, viz. a cumal forbaich to the community of Hii where seven cumals are paid, and half a cumal from seven half-cumals. Six séts on thirty séts, three séts on five séts. | |
44. Ochtmath caich bice 7 gaich móir do muntir Adomnán di guin clērech 7 mac n-ennac. Māth bēoguin rogonæ neeh banscál nō clēirech nō mac n-ennac, leth secht cumal hūad, cóic seuit déac for fine nō anfine dia comlāithriu. Trī seúit caich bānbēime, cōic seúit cach teilcthi folæ, secht seúit cach inindrigh, cumal each inuithir 7 fīach legæ cenmothā sin. Is for leithfīachu gonæ duine dotēitt, mād mo sin. Mādh bēim co mbois nō de durn, unga argait ind. Māth glas nō derg nō att, sē scripuil for unga ind. Foltgabál ban, cōic muilt ind. Máth banaugra co sārtairbirt, trī muilt ind. | 44. One-eighth of everything small and great to the community of Adamnan from the slaying of clerics or innocent children. If it be a life-wound any one inflicts on a woman or a cleric or an innocent, seven half-cumals are due from him, fifteen séts upon the nearest and remoter kindred as being accomplices. Three séts for every white blow[24], five séts for every drawing of blood, seven séts for every wound requiring a tent, a cumal for every confinement to bed, and payment of the physician besides. If it be more than that, it goes upon half-dues for killing a person. If the blow with the palm of the hand or with the fist, one ounce of silver (is the fine) for it. If there be a green or red mark, or a swelling, an ounce and six scruples for it. For seizing women by the hair, five wethers. If there is a fight among women with outrage (?), three wethers. | |
45. It cobfīachaigh tra fir 7 mnā hi cacha fīachaib beccaib 7 móraib di sund co banugrai ingi etirbás. Ar is ed bás dlegair do banscāil dia marbad fir nō mnā, nō di thabairt neime dia n-abbalar, nō di loscad, nō di fochlaid ecalse .i. cor in-nói oin[ṡ]lūaisti for murchreth hi fairrge do techt le gæth di thīr. Long menathcha do breith lee. La Dīa brithimnacht furi īsin. | 45. Men and women are equally liable for large and small dues from this on to (any) fights of women, except outright death. For a woman deserves death for the killing of a man or woman, or for giving poison whereof death ensues, or for burning, or for digging under a church[25], that is to say, she is to be put in a boat of one paddle as a sea-waif (?) upon the ocean to go with the wind from the land. A vessel of meal and water to be given with her. Judgement on her as God deems it. | |
46. Māt epthai dīa n-apallar dabera nech do alailiu, fēich dunetāiti ind. Dubchrecha 7 chádimchrói foreccattar hi ceth[a]rdi, mani rucæ in ceth[a]rarta docom neich sainriud, datongat fo altbu anme nandfetatar for neoch 7 atrenat fadesin. Mā berait dōig dochom neich co tūarasndul, is ēside bus fīachach. Mād etir díis no lí bus lia beth in dōchus, scrībtar a n-anman i ndulne, dober[r] cach duilend inna ecrus im chrand 7 dobertar na crunna i cailech for altōir. Inti fora tuit cran[n]char, iss é is fiachach. | 46. If it be charms from which death ensues that any one give to another, the fines of murder followed by concealment of the corpse (are to be paid) for it. Secret plunderings and cnáim-chró which are traced (?) to (one of ) the four nearest lands, unless these four nearest lands can lay them on any one particularly, they swear by the altbu (?) of their soul that they do not to lay it upon any one and pay it themselves. If they suspect any one and prove it, it is he who shall be liable. If the probability lie between two or a greater number, let their names be written on leaves; each leaf arranged around a lot. and the lots are put into a chalice upon the altar. He on whom the lot falls is liable. | |
47. Mani eirre bidbaid sāraigetars cāin, asren fine al-lānflachu īar mēitt a chinad 7 doberr a ndīlsi 7 a n-indarbu īarsin co cend rechtghi. Leth secht cumal dia comlāithriu for each deirbfine 7 anpfine īarsin. Mād lesugud 7 dītiu 7 chomarlēcad, is bás tar[a] ēissi, acht aní etirbí fīachu etirbí comlaidre. | 47. If the offenders who violate the Law do not pay, their kindred pay full fines according to the greatness of the crime, and after that (the offender) becomes forfeited, and is banished until the end of the law. One-half of seven cumals for accompliceship upon every direct and indirect kindred afterwards. If there be assistance and shelter and connivance, it is death for it; but such as the fine (of the principals) was such shall be that of accomplices. | |
48. Fortā forus na cānæ: bīat rechtaire Cāna Adomnān lind bīs di sōerbfatíad a muintiri .i cōicfer do aitire 7 bīathad each óin tobó fīachu in[n]a cānæ fo maith cāich etir flaith 7 ' eclais 7 tūaith. Cumal fri toichniuth each æ intan dombongatar fēich 7 cintaigh bīathtæ 7 folongat comnaidm fīach mani bīathat side. Dī chumail dōaib do cintachaib. | 48. A further enactment of the Law: they shall feed the stewards of Adamnan's Law, whatever their number, with the good food of their people, viz. five men as guarantors, and the feeding of every one who shall levy the dues of the Law shall be according to the wealth of every one, both chieftan and church and people. A cumal for leaving any one of them fasting, while fines are being levied, and offenders with regard to feeding [27], and they sustain a joint contract of debts unless they feed them. Two cumals to them from offenders. | |
49. Iss i tra sōeri cach aitere dothēt friobach (sic) na cāna sæ .i. nī téit cin fine forru céine folōsat aideri 7 beta tuinidig 7 nādmbat ēlathaig, acht a cin fadeisin nō cin clainde 7 a compert 7 a n-amus. | 49. This is the exemption of every guarantor who come to levy this tribute, viz. the guilt of their family does not come upon them so long as they support guarantors and while they are in possession and do not escape; but their own guilt (comes upon them) or the guilt of their offspring and their children and of their retainers. | |
50. Mād forc[h]or ingine, leth secht ccumal inn. Mādh lāmh fria nō 'na crios, deich n-unga ind. Mād lām fo ētach dia meabluccudh, trī uinge for secht cumal[a] ind. Mā beith ainim a cinn nō a sūil nō i n-aghaid nō i cclūais nō i srōin nō i bfīacail nō i ttngaid 7 i ccois nō il-lāimh, it secht cumala ind. Mād ainimh i curp olcena, as leth secht cumal ind. Mād rīacad ētaic[h], secht n-unga for cumhail ind. | 50. If it be rape of a maiden, seven half-cumals (is the fine) for it. If a hand (is put) upon her or in her girdle, ten ounces for it. If a hand (is put) under her dress to defile her, three ounces and seven cumals for it. If there be a blemish or her head or her eyes or in the face or in the ear or nose or tooth or tongue or foot or hand, seven cumals are (to be paid) for it. If it be a blemish on any other part of her body, seven half-cumals are (to be paid) for it. If it be tearing of her dress, seven ounces and one cumal for it. | |
51. Mād imdherccad dagmnā im drūis nō im sēna a clainne, it secht cumhala ind conici airig desa anall. Let[h] secht cumal, mād ben airech desa. Ō sin anund go muirig it secht n-unga inn. | 51. If it be making a gentlewoman blush by imputing unchastity to her or by denying her offspring, there are seven cumals (to be paid) for it until it comes to (the wife of) an aire désa. For her onwards to a muiri, seven ounces. | |
52. Mad aivbert bansgāl i n-orgain nō cuire nō feachta, secht cumhal[a] cac[h]a lāma co mórseiser 7 cin ōinfir ō sin anon[n]. Mād rotoirrched bansgāl a ttāidhe cin cor, cin dīlsi, cen ellam, cin ursnaidm, lānfīach de. Nac[h] dilmi fil fon lāmt[h]orad: mēit loighet, fil fon roid 7 glaisīne 7 sep. Mād rūam in bruit, dirim bruit de. | 52. If women be employed in an assault or in a host or fight, seven cumals for every hand as far as seven, and beyond that it is to be accounted as the crime of one man. If a woman has been got with child by stealth, without contract, without full rights, without dowry, without betrothal, a full fine for it. Whatever . . . which is of hand-produce, great or small, whatever of dye-stuff, or woad or beans. If it be red dye of a cloak, ... of a cloak for it. | |
53. Teōra aitīre cac[h]a prīmegalsa fri Cāin Adomnāin .i. secnap 7 coic 7 fertiges 7 aitire cāna deirbḟine fo Ēirinn uile 7 dā eitiri cāna ardflat[h]a 7 gīalla gabhāla dia dīl, dia mbē tūarasndal bansgāl. | 53. Three guarantors for every chief church for the Law of Adamnan, viz. the prior and the cook and the steward; and a guarantor of the Law from (every) parent-family throughout all Ireland; and two guarantors of the Law from high chieftains, and hostages to be held for its payment, if there be the proof of a woman. |
