Bibliography
Kristen
Mills
Contributions to journals
Mills, Kristen, “Fet, gol, and éigem”, Studia Celtica 52 (2018): 53–65.
abstract:
This study considers a set of terms, fet, gol, and éigem, for vocalizations that are associated with the figure known as Bríg or Brigit in several medieval Irish texts: Cath Maige Tuired, the prose dindshenchas on Loch Oirbsen, and Lebor Gabála Érenn. The terms occur in etiological myths for the invention of caíned 'keening' in Cath Maige Tuired and the prose dindshenchas; the instance in Lebor Gabála Érenn is ambiguous. There has been some question as to whether these texts present fet, defined by DIL as 'a whistling or hissing sound', as part of ritual lamentation, or have included it for another reason. The three terms also occur in Cath Findchorad, as names for a trio of demonic sisters who prophesy death and destruction before a battle. This article attempts to determine the meaning of fet in in these sources, and the relationship among the texts.
abstract:
This study considers a set of terms, fet, gol, and éigem, for vocalizations that are associated with the figure known as Bríg or Brigit in several medieval Irish texts: Cath Maige Tuired, the prose dindshenchas on Loch Oirbsen, and Lebor Gabála Érenn. The terms occur in etiological myths for the invention of caíned 'keening' in Cath Maige Tuired and the prose dindshenchas; the instance in Lebor Gabála Érenn is ambiguous. There has been some question as to whether these texts present fet, defined by DIL as 'a whistling or hissing sound', as part of ritual lamentation, or have included it for another reason. The three terms also occur in Cath Findchorad, as names for a trio of demonic sisters who prophesy death and destruction before a battle. This article attempts to determine the meaning of fet in in these sources, and the relationship among the texts.
Mills, Kristen, “Death, women, and power: theme and structure in Reicne Fothaid Canainne”, Ériu 68 (2018): 65–98.
abstract:
This study is a thematic analysis of two understudied Old Irish texts, a poem entitled Reicne Fothaid Canainne and a short prose narrative, describing the death of Fothad Canainne, a leader of a Connacht fían, who, after being killed in battle by Ailill mac Éogain, his rival in love and war, posthumously recites the Reicne from his grave-mound to Ailill's wife. These texts are the most important extant sources for the figure of Fothad Canainne, and give insight into the early Fenian tradition. A Middle Irish prose narrative that expands on the Old Irish prose text is also briefly considered.
abstract:
This study is a thematic analysis of two understudied Old Irish texts, a poem entitled Reicne Fothaid Canainne and a short prose narrative, describing the death of Fothad Canainne, a leader of a Connacht fían, who, after being killed in battle by Ailill mac Éogain, his rival in love and war, posthumously recites the Reicne from his grave-mound to Ailill's wife. These texts are the most important extant sources for the figure of Fothad Canainne, and give insight into the early Fenian tradition. A Middle Irish prose narrative that expands on the Old Irish prose text is also briefly considered.
Mills, Kristen, “Glossing the glosses: the right marginal notes on glaidomuin and gudomhuin in TCD MS 1337”, Studia Celtica Fennica 15 (2018): 65–82.
abstract:
This article examines marginal notes glossing two entries (glaidomuin and gudomhuin) in a legal glossary in TCD MS 1337. The entries in the glossary and the glosses in the upper margin connect these terms to a range of natural and supernatural beings (wolves, women of the síde, morrigna, infernal demons, demons of the air, scaldcrows, and foxes). This study considers the glosses in the right margin, which etymologize the lemmata as referring to the doubling of howls and voices. It is argued that this may refer to the phenomenon of the echo; furthermore, it is proposed that this interpretation may relate to a recurring image in prose literature, where supernatural beings screech in reply to a hero’s shouts or the sounds of battle. Finally, an association between echoes and the voices of demons in several late antique texts and the Vita Antonii is discussed.
Studia Celtica Fennica: <link>
abstract:
This article examines marginal notes glossing two entries (glaidomuin and gudomhuin) in a legal glossary in TCD MS 1337. The entries in the glossary and the glosses in the upper margin connect these terms to a range of natural and supernatural beings (wolves, women of the síde, morrigna, infernal demons, demons of the air, scaldcrows, and foxes). This study considers the glosses in the right margin, which etymologize the lemmata as referring to the doubling of howls and voices. It is argued that this may refer to the phenomenon of the echo; furthermore, it is proposed that this interpretation may relate to a recurring image in prose literature, where supernatural beings screech in reply to a hero’s shouts or the sounds of battle. Finally, an association between echoes and the voices of demons in several late antique texts and the Vita Antonii is discussed.
Hill, Thomas D., and Kristen Mills, “The (pregnant) mouse freed from the gallows: a ballad parallel for the conclusion of Manawydan fab Llŷr”, Folklore: The Journal of the Folklore Society 129:3 (September, 2018): 302–315.
abstract:
In the concluding episode of the Third Branch of the Mabinogi, the Welsh nobleman Manawydan takes the (pregnant) mouse that he has captured to the magically significant site Gorsedd Arberth and prepares to hang her for theft, according to the law. As he prepares the gallows, various figures attempt to intervene until finally a ‘bishop’ redeems his transformed wife by disenchanting the land, freeing Manawydan’s companions, and swearing not to take vengeance. We argue that this scene is strikingly similar to the famous ballad widely attested all over Europe, ‘The Maid Freed from the Gallows’, a parallel which not only illuminates this episode in the Mabinogi, but also suggests how the Welsh storyteller used traditional material in shaping these narratives.
abstract:
In the concluding episode of the Third Branch of the Mabinogi, the Welsh nobleman Manawydan takes the (pregnant) mouse that he has captured to the magically significant site Gorsedd Arberth and prepares to hang her for theft, according to the law. As he prepares the gallows, various figures attempt to intervene until finally a ‘bishop’ redeems his transformed wife by disenchanting the land, freeing Manawydan’s companions, and swearing not to take vengeance. We argue that this scene is strikingly similar to the famous ballad widely attested all over Europe, ‘The Maid Freed from the Gallows’, a parallel which not only illuminates this episode in the Mabinogi, but also suggests how the Welsh storyteller used traditional material in shaping these narratives.
Mills, Kristen, “An Irish motif in Guta saga”, Folklore: The Journal of the Folklore Society 126:2 (2015): 142–158.
abstract:
This article examines a folk motif occurring in a pivotal scene in Guta saga in light of Irish analogues and parallels. It considers the chronology of the Irish sources alongside the history of Scandinavian settlement in Ireland, in order to establish a possible context for borrowing between Ireland and Gotland.
abstract:
This article examines a folk motif occurring in a pivotal scene in Guta saga in light of Irish analogues and parallels. It considers the chronology of the Irish sources alongside the history of Scandinavian settlement in Ireland, in order to establish a possible context for borrowing between Ireland and Gotland.
