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Interesting Facts About the Ancient Celts, Part II

Interesting Facts About the Ancient Celts, Part II

In this post, Christian author Mark Fisher continues his list of interesting Celtic facts about the ancient Celts with Part II. (Click here for Part I.)

In no particular order, they are as follows:

5 – The Celtic Fairs Were the Wonder of Ancient Ireland

Boar on a Spit

The Óenach was a grand event, a gathering of tuatha, or clans, from all over ancient Ireland. In a land where the largest settlement barely rose to the status of a “village”, when the Rí Cóicid, or regional king, called a Óenach, everyone wanted to attend. Sometimes the event was called to decide certain legal matters, but most often it was an occasion for celebration, trade, and merrymaking. People traveled for leagues to attend. They came dressed in their finest. And pity the poor lad who was chosen to stay behind and tend the flocks or herds. The heart of every Óenach was the horse races, both short and long distances. Other events might include rock throwing, wrestling, and swordplay.

See also: http://www.markfisherauthor.com/2016/11/grand-celtic-fair-oenach-part-ii/

6 – Some Celts Went Naked Into Battle

Celtic Raiders

Celtic Raiders, Mostly Clothed

Aye, ’twas so. In a previous post, I wrote:

“Although most Celts wore colorful clothing, often indicating their status in society, some bands of Celtic warriors fought naked. That’s right. They went into battle with only a sword, a shield, and the suit they were born with. They did it for religious reasons, believing it enhanced their spiritual connection with Mother Earth. If they died in battle, they hoped it would ensure rebirth in the Otherworld. We also have tales of the ancient Irish, some of whom not only fought naked, they died themselves blue and put lye in their hair to make it stand straight up, all the better to instill fear in their enemies. ”

See also: http://www.markfisherauthor.com/2017/06/interesting-celtic-facts-part-i/

7 – Pottage Was the Staple Meal of the Ancient Celts

In a previous post, I wrote:

“The typical ‘peasant’ breakfast, lunch, and possibly dinner in early Celtic Ireland might have been pottage. How do you make it? Throw some barley and water into the cauldron and let it simmer all day. Someone caught a rabbit? Skin it, cut it up, and throw that in too. Your lady harvested some onions, leeks, turnips, or carrots? Ah, those too make good additions. Your uncle killed a deer? Even better. Cut up some venison for the pot. Meanwhile, you’re eating from the cauldron at all times of the day. In fact, you can keep eating from and adding to it for days on end. A bit boring, maybe, but then the ingredients did keep changing.”

See also: http://www.markfisherauthor.com/2016/04/food-in-early-middle-ages/

8 – The Ancient World Didn’t Eat With Forks

In a previous post, I wrote:

“But what culinary equipment did the early medieval diner employ? Not much. Forks did not come into existence until after the 11th century, imported from the Byzantine empire. The first forks only had two tines and some viewed these strange devices with great suspicion. Surely there’s a diabolical similarity here to the Devil’s own pitchfork? And you want to stick that in your mouth?

But the basic tool for attacking your dinner was the knife, and you might have used two of them. Hard to stab a pea with, but useful for most foods. For soup only a spoon would do, and spoons have been around from the very beginning. The first spoons were probably seashells. And the early imagination, pondering such a useful natural instrument, would naturally add a handle. ”

See also: http://www.markfisherauthor.com/2016/04/food-in-the-early-middle-ages-celtic-ireland-part-ii/

Next time, we’ll continue our list of interesting Celtic facts with Part III.

Ancient Celtic Ireland is the setting for the Mark’s books of Christian historical fiction—one in publication, The Bonfires of Beltane, and The Amulet, now in search of readers before a final edit. The same setting is also the basis for the author’s fictional world in a novel of  Christian fantasy, The Scepter of Elyon, now seeking a publisher. Click on the link to learn more about The Bonfires of Beltane.

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Staigue Fort — for a Celtic World Under Attack

Staigue Fort — for a Celtic World Under Attack

In this post, Christian author Mark Fisher looks at Staigue Fort, the builders who built it, and the ancient Celtic world that required such massive defensive structures. We’ll also look at spectacular Dun Aengus fort on Inishmore.

They Needed How Many Forts?

What kind of world was it that possessed the ancient Irish to build some thirty to forty thousand ringforts across their land? What were they defending against? Who were their enemies? And what were the forts like?

A ringfort, for those unfamiliar with the landscape of ancient Ireland, was a fort constructed of overlapping stones, laid one on top of another, rising to heights of over 15 feet (5 meters). Some archaeologists have postulated they existed for ceremonial purposes. But clearly, most existed for defense.

Staigue Fort in County Kerry

Staigue Fort, County Kerry

Staigue Fort still stands today in County Kerry. (Had I not lost my camera somewhere on the Ring of Kerry, I could show you my picture of the place, taken after sacrificing my shoes crossing a field of sheep dip to get there. Alas, we must resort to a stock photo.) The fort was built around AD 300 – 400. It’s 90 feet in diameter, probably big enough to house a local king, his tuath (clan), and animals. A countryside replete with stones provided the builders with plenty of material. Large stones were laid one upon another, without mortar, until the defensive walls rose nearly 18 feet high (5.5 m) and 13 feet thick (4 m) at the bottom. A tapered doorway supported by timbers or stone admitted entrance. Inside, stone stairways led up to terraces on the high walls.

What kind of danger would possess a king to gather his tuath and animals into such a fort? Most likely an attack by a rival clan. Or news of cattle raiders in the area. Cattle, of course, was the basis on which the ancient Celtic economy was built. The clan must have stocked enough to feed the animals for days. Of beef for themselves, they would have had plenty among the sheltered herd.

We can only imagine the king (Rí Tuath) and his people standing on the balustrade, looking down at his enemies, mocking them, perhaps hurling a spear or two, followed by a shower of stones. Then walking down the stone staircase to grab a bowl of steaming pottage from a cauldron simmering over a fire in the inner yard.

The Ollamh Builders

The position of builder, itself, was an honored one. A “master builder” or Ollamh builder (ollamh is now the word for professor) oversaw his under-craftsmen while constructing the forts. For their services, kings, both big and small, paid such men a yearly fee equal to twenty-one cows. The Brehon Laws gave later honor to the position, classifying nineteen different tasks and specifying the payments for each. For instance, if the king wanted a new kitchen, the price paid to the Ollamh builder was equivalent to six milk cows.

Dun Aengus, a Ringfort by the Sea

Dun Aengus Fort, the author’s picture

Another impressive structure is Dun Aengus on Inishmore of the Aran Islands in County Galway on Ireland’s western coast. The first stones may have been laid as early as 1000 BC, with the current ruins dating to 200 AD. With walls 12 feet thick (4 meters) and rising to a reconstructed height of 18 feet (6 meters), and commanding a promontory overlooking the sea, it would have presented a formidable defensive posture. Its walls protected an inner area of 14 acres (6 hectares).

Mysteries Aplenty

What mystery such forts present us with. What kind of world required so many forts with such high walls and grand depths? Surely, the reason must have been constant danger of attack or theft. Did they always have time to usher everyone inside?—all their cattle, sheep, and goats? What happened when they didn’t? Was the tuath then in danger of starvation during the long winter ahead? Did their enemies presume to lay siege or to climb the battlements? How many died in the defense on both sides? Or did the attackers simply give up on the fort and ravage the countryside?

These are questions about whose answers we can only guess. Or perhaps a story will find your author, revealing what might have happened so long ago.

Keywords: Staigue Fort, ringforts, Celtic, ancient Ireland, Dun Aengus

Mark is the author of The Bonfires of Beltane, a novel of ancient Celtic Ireland set in the time of St. Patrick. To learn more about his book, click on the link above.

Sources for this post were Wikipedia and The Celts by Peter Beresford Ellis.

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Celtic Warfare, Part IV—Elite units, Tactics, and Honor

Celtic Warfare, Part IV—The Elite Units

In this post, Christian author Mark Fisher concludes his look at Celtic warfare with Part IV—the elite units, battle tactics, and honor. Click here for Part I or Part III.

Last time, we talked about how the Celts improved the chariot and used both war chariots and cavalry to sow confusion and panic among the enemy in battle. This time, we’ll look at the elite units of Celtic warriors and their battle tactics.

Naked Warriors?

Although most Celts wore colorful clothing, often indicating their status in society, some bands of Celtic warriors fought naked. That’s right. They went into battle with only a sword, a shield, and the suit they were born with. They did it for religious reasons, believing it enhanced their spiritual connection with Mother Earth, and possibly the goddess Danu. If they died in battle, they hoped it would ensure rebirth in the Otherworld. We also have tales of the ancient Irish, some of whom not only fought naked, they died themselves blue and put lye in their hair to make it stand straight up, all the better to instill fear in their enemies.

celtic-warriors-2

Celtic Warrior Leaders

Other Elites

Other elite groups include the Craobh Ruadh or Red Branch warriors of Ulster. Then there are the Degad, warriors exiled to Munster. The Nase Niadh formed an elite bodyguard for Munster’s kings. The Eóghanacht dynasty of Munster also had its Niadh Nask, the military order of the golden chain. This organization continued into modern times, bestowing an honorary title. The Ríglach was another warrior elite that served as a royal bodyguard for Leinster. They recruited from the young sons of kings.

Battle Tactics

We think of the vaunted Roman phalanx, where shields are locked together to form an impregnable wall, nearly impervious to sword and lance. But this, too, originated with the Celts. Before contact with the Celts, Roman shields were small and round. Only after they adopted the longer, body-length Celtic shields were they able to imitate the Celtic battle tactic of the tortoise and their interlocking shields. Here, it appears history gave the Romans credit for another Celtic invention.

Honor Over Strategy

Now we come full circle to the issue that began this series on Celtic warfare—Celtic honor. Imagine two warring Celtic tribes facing each other on the field of battle. Individual courage could decide who won the contest. Because of their individualistic natures, they were averse to central authority and discipline imposed from above. Thus, it was custom for one warrior to step from the front ranks, wave his sword, and brag of his deeds in front of their adversary. He would challenge the enemy to produce their own mighty warrior. In this way, an issue of honor between two clans could be decided by single combat between two individuals. The victor and the army behind him would walk away, having “won” the battle. The losing side accepted the outcome.

But in a fight with the Romans, things turned out differently. When a Celt lost such an individual combat, the Celtic army would relinquish the field. But when the Roman challenger lost, the Roman army simply attacked with increased fury. They had no respect for the custom. The treacherous Romans valued strategy over honor.

Ritual Suicide

Because of their devotion to honor, a war leader who led their army to great loss would often take his own life through ritual suicide. In this, the Celtic custom followed those of many other ancient peoples, from the Romans to the Gauls to the Britains.

Women in Battle

In our previous series on Celtic women, we also previously pointed out the Celtic tradition of women warrior leaders.

The main source for this post was The Celts, by Peter Berresford Ellis.

Mark is the author of The Bonfires of Beltane, a novel of Christian historical fiction set in ancient, Celtic Ireland at the time of St. Patrick. To learn more about his book, follow the link above.

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