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The mythology of Ireland has come down through the centuries to us today. Though a lot of it dates to the mediaeval period, linguists have identified forms of old irish that can be dated as far back as 900 CE. Yet though much can be learned from these stories, what can we learn about the people who told the tales? What is there to learn about being a bard in ancient Ireland�
We know from documents like the Law tracts and the annals of the four masters that Ireland existed in a rigid caste system within each tribe, or Tuath. Many folk were born, lived and died without seeing anything of the world outside their own tribal lands. Yet what is very interesting is that there were some few who were free to travel, protected from harm by their skills with words and in some cases demanding the same honour price, for harm done to them, as a tribal king himself. These were the bards.
Where do Bards come from and what do they do?
According to the information we have a number of varied origins for bards in ancient times. Some are said to have come from particular families who would inherit through their bloodline a mystical âvein of poetryâ in the back of their skull for that is the place the eyes cannot see. Some are gifted with bardic ability before they are even born.
Others are said to have been trained in the same schools as the brehon, who would interpret the laws, and druids with their knowledge of natural philosophy. Trained in what one might ask and the answer is that those aspiring to the bardic arts were trained in memory.
It was to them that all the tales were told, all the knowledge of the place names, lineages, and even the results of legal decisions so that precedent could be maintained as the rule of reciprocal justice be maintained.
We know from the information in the cycle of Kings that one of the first official acts at any gathering of tribes or leaders was for each rulerâs lineage to be recited in full so that they could be recognised and accepted for their right to participate. This act was performed by the chief bard of each ruler, one who was known as a File.
What power did they possess?
When we talk about bardic powers we are not just referring to their abilities to recall and recite information. We also need to explore some abilities that seem to verge on supernatural.
Some bards would be struck by âImbasâ. In this somewhat enhanced state the bard would fall into a form of recitation that could access the full extent of all knowledge. They had access to every tale ever told, every memory of place, and the inspiration to deliver it all in perfect verse.
Yet as wondrous as that ability might seem it would not be considered the true power of the ancient bards. That ability was one that even the richest, strongest, and most powerful in the land feared. An ability recognised by law to such a degree that even kings could be stripped of theory station within society should the legal use of this ability be set against them. This was the power of satire.
Satire was not just a series of sharp words, put downs or witty detractors. In ancient times satire existed as a tool of the bards to hold those in power accountable to the laws of the land, and their duties and obligations that came along with their wealth and status. Even the mythical Tuatha DĂ© Danann with all their powers were not above the power of satire as we see the failed king Bres removed from his kingship, not because of poor judgement, racial bias, or bad hospitality, but by the words of a bard whom he had wronged and had refused to make recompense to.
Yet not all bards used their abilities for justice and accountability. Others used their powers in conquest, or worse in the service of their own selfish wants. A satire was said to raise a triple blemish upon the face of one it was cast against so that all would know their shame. Even the threat of such a thing allowed the unscrupulous to profit from other people’s pain.
The Moral of the Story-tellers
The power of the bards existed down through the ages and even through the mediaeval period. When Ireland became a greater focus for its many colonising adversaries, it wasnât just the lords brehons and druids that were targeted. At one point it was made illegal for any landed person to host a bard in their home.
As we look back with the benefit of hindsight we can see this activity clearly for what it was. It was not just about undermining some privileged group in Irish society. It was about intentionally stripping a people of their stories. It was targeting those who held the memories of times without invasion or oppression. It was about removing a nationâs heroes from its recollection. Replacing talk of the strong and free, with demeaning terms like âsavagery’,â barbarismâ, and âstupidityâ.
For all of that effort, the tradition of storytellers could never fully be removed from Irish culture. When the times of the bards were taken from us, we found new ways to tell our tales, and gave new names to the storytellers. SeanchaĂ became the new word used and though that word brings to mind images of small gatherings about hearth fires, its roots stretch right back through time to the great halls of Ireland’s ancient kings.
If we are willing to look a little closer at the stories of our past, maybe we can get deeper insight into being a bard in ancient Ireland.
Jon also teaches a full class on ‘Being a Bard’
at the Irish Pagan School…
>>> Click Here to Learn More <<<
Ty, amazing read.
That was very informative and I’m grateful for the reading.
[…] that the Pagan traditions held very strong customs of poetry and word magic however – See Bardic Information Here – it is important to understand that some of these may have a much older heritage, and even […]