Bibliography

OʼDonnell, Thomas C., Fosterage in medieval Ireland: an emotional history, The Early Medieval North Atlantic, 9, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2020.

  • Book/Monograph
Citation details
Work
Fosterage in medieval Ireland: an emotional history
Place
Amsterdam
Publisher
Amsterdam University Press
Year
2020
Description
Abstract (cited)
Fosterage was a central feature of medieval Irish society, yet the widespread practice of sending children to another family to be cared for until they reached adulthood is a surprisingly neglected topic. Where it has been discussed, fosterage is usually conceptualised and treated as a purely legal institution. This work seeks to outline the emotional impact of growing up within another family. What emerges is a complex picture of deeply felt emotional ties binding the foster family together. These emotions are unique to the social practice of fosterage, and we see the language and feelings originating within the foster family being used to describe other relationships such as those in the monastery or between humans and animals. This book argues that the more we understand how people felt in fosterage, the more we understand medieval Ireland.
Subjects and topics
Headings
medieval Ireland early Irish literature Irish hagiography Ulster Cycle
History, society and culture
Agents
Ailbe of EmlyAilbe of Emly
(supp. fl. 5th/early 6th century)
Patron saint of Imlech Ibair (Emly, Co. South Tipperary), remembered as one of the pre-Patrician saints of Munster.
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Conall CernachConall Cernach
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
Warrior of the Ulaid in the Ulster Cycle; son of Amergin and Findchóem. In Irish genealogies, he is presented as an ancestor of the kings of the Dál nAraidi and the Uí Echach Coba.
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Conchobar mac NessaConchobar mac Nessa
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
king of the Ulaid in tales of the Ulster Cycle; son either of Cathbad or Fachtna Fáthach (father) and Ness (mother); husband of Mugain; father of Cormac Cond Longas, Cúscraid Mend Macha, Furbaide Fer Bend and Fedelm Noíchrothach; fosterfather of Cú Chulainn.
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Cormac mac AirtCormac mac Airt
(time-frame ass. with Cormac mac Airt)
Legendary high-king of Ireland; son of Art son of Conn Cétchathach; contemporary of Finn mac Cumaill.
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Cú ChulainnCú Chulainn
Young Ulster hero and chief character of Táin bó Cuailnge and other tales of the Ulster Cycle; son of Súaltam or Lug and Deichtire (sister to Conchobor); husband of Emer (ingen Forgaill)
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Fer DiadFer Diad
(time-frame ass. with Ulster Cycle)
warrior in tales of the Ulster Cycle
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FinncháemFinncháem
Entry reserved for but not yet available from the subject index.

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Other subjects
fosterage
Contributors
Dennis Groenewegen
Page created
June 2020, last updated: August 2021