IRISH LEGEND STORY
Queen Maeve (Medb)
The legend of an Irish warrior queen
Hailing from Roscommon in the west of Ireland two thousand years
Or more ago, lived Queen Maeve, a woman not to be made an enemy of.
Legendary in her strong-willed ambitions, cunning and promiscuous Way’s,
Having the gall to take on and Eventually destroy through deception, the Mighty “Hound of Ulster,” Cu Chulainn, one of Ireland’s most powerful Warrior legends.
Daughter of Eochaid Feidleach, high king of Ireland, Maeve is described as
“A fair-haired Wolfe Queen” “Robbing men of two thirds their valour.”
Desired by ambitious men of power, seeking kingship in Connaught.
A position only attainable through the marriage of Queen Maeve.
“To be married to the land.”
Women of this time were treated as equals in early Irish law, “Brehon,” giving Maeve power to own land, pick her husbands and raise her armies.
Maeve expected equal qualities from her husbands, “Without avarice, without
Jealousy, without fear,” which she found in her fourth husband Ailill Mac Mata, unlike her first husband chosen by her father, The King of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa. This relationship ended badly after the birth of their Son, Glaisne.
Maeve’s father Eochaid gave Conchobar another daughter Eithne who Maeve Murdered While pregnant with son Firbaide, born of cesarian section, who Became a warrior, then later, the fate of Queen Maeve.
King Eochnaid deposed King Tinni mac Conri of Connaught, awarding his Daughter Maeve her seat of power. Later, former king Tinni became the now Queen Maev’s lover, losing his life to King Conchobar in a Challenge after Conchobar had raped Tinni’s lover, Queen Maeve.
Protector of the Connacht army Eochaid Dala was Queen Maeve’s next Husband and king of Connaught, who later discovers Mave’s affair
With Ailill mac Mata. Eochaid makes his challenge to Ailill, which he loses.
Ailill now Becomes The new king of Connaught, Husband of Queen Maeve.
Maeve and Ailill had seven sons, she renamed them all Maine after visiting a Druid who told her a son called Maine would see her revenge in the slaying of Her first husband King Conchobar. Indeed her son Maine Andoe killed
Conchobar, just not the Conchobar of Queen Maeve’s intent.
A bloody cattle raid of Cooley was mounted by Queen Maeve to see a balance Of riches Between her and Ailill. Just one bull more possessed by Alill, was to See Queen Maeve on her Boldest quest yet.
Raising an army to secure stud Bull Donn Cuialnge in a battle which raged for Months as they faced the Mighty seventeen-year-old Cu Cuhulainn, “The Hound of Ulster.”
After much bloodshed in what was “The Hounds” fiercest Battle rage yet, Queen Maeve finding herself defeated, Returned Back to Connaught where she made her plans with vengeful Partners to see a successful end to
“The Hound of Ulster.”
Some years later, on a night Cu Chulainn rode out to face his enemies, he Came across three One-eyed hags, accomplices of the vengeful Queen Maeve, Tricking him into breaking an oath.
“The Hound” ate some dog meat immediately weakening his battle prowess.
Queen Maev’s vengeful partners filled with hate for “The Hound,” Ambushed Cu Chulainn with three specially crafted spears. One for his charioteer, one For his Horse and one Himself. Cu Chulainn’s prophesied fate was Sealed.
“Everlasting fame comes with a short life span.”
Both Maeve and Ailill took other lovers, however, a jealous Ailill had
Fergus mac Roich, Maev’s most virile lover Killed, breaking on of
Queen Maeve’s requirements in a husband.
In turn, Maeve ordered Ailill to be killed for his infidelity, carried out by Connell Cernach, to avenge The killing of Fergus. Connell was then killed by Ailill’s men.
After giving up the throne to son Maine Athramai, Maeve would go to Bathe In Inchcleraun pool, an island on Logh Ree in the River Shannon.
Unbeknown to her, Furbaide son of Eithne, Maeve’s sister who she had Murdered, was practising with slingshot aimed for Mave’s head
Until perfected.
As legend tells it, on seeing Maeve as she was bathing, Furbaide picked up the First Thing to hand striking Maeve in the head and killing her with a piece of Hard Cheese, a detail to humiliate “The Great Queen.”
They say Maeve is buried in Moisgan Medhbh a 40ft stone monument on the Summit of Knocknarea Co. Sligo, standing upright facing towards her Enemies in Ulster.
Or more likely, she is at home in Rathcrogan Co. Roscommon under a long, Low, Slab named “Misgaun Medb”
Wherever Maeve lays, her legend lives on as the warrior Queen of Connaught.
Dedicated to kurt gasbarra who enjoys a good auld Irish tale. Also to
Sylvia Wohlfarth who enjoys good auld Irish craic! also too, our own
Queen Maeve Eli Snow.
Thank you Michael Stang for giving my words a platform here at Storymaker.
Thank you all for reading and your precious time. Always. J.
