Bodb Derg
In
.Name
The name Bodb could be a cognate of "bádhbh" as it has a similar pronunciation; Bodb Derg would then mean "Red Crow". Given the fluidity of
Old Irish scribal practice, the name of the female mythological character Badb was occasionally spelled Bodb as well.[4]
Mythology
Following the Tuatha Dé Danann's defeat in the battle of
sídhe. The principle justification given for Bodb's election is that he is the Dagda's eldest son. He subsequently fathered many deities. Bodb's election is recognised by all of his rivals, save only Lir, who refuses him homage. Bodb, however, counsels his followers to forbear from punishing Lir; later, Bodb will successively offer two of his own daughters in marriage to Lir to placate him. Both marriages, however, end unhappily.[2]
In variants of the story, Manannan is named the high king over the Tuatha Dé along with Bodb Derg when the Tuatha Dé Danann descend into the sidhe; Manannan is called “chief of the kings” and owner of every sidhe and divides the sidhe mounds amongst the Tuatha Dé.[6]
As king of the Munster síde with
Finnbennach, of which the former was the object of the great cattle-raid.[7]
In one
Battle of Ventry.[8]
References
- ^ Lebor Gabála Érenn, edited by R. A. Stewart Macalister. 1941. Irish Texts Society, Dublin. Part IV, § VII, ¶316 (p.131).
- ^ a b "The Children of Lir". P.W. Joyce (translator). 1879. Old Irish Romances. C. Kegan Paul & Co.
- ^ The Children of Lir Section 3
- ^ An example of this occurs in the Third Redaction of Lebor Gabála Érenn, op. cit., Part IV, § VII, ¶368 (p.188).
- the Corpus of Electronic Texts.
- ^ The Fosterage of the House of the Two Pails
- ISBN 0-19-281090-1.
- ^ Cath Finntrágha, the "Battle of Ventry". The Irish text is available at the Corpus of Electronic Texts.
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