\_\_Cáin Lánamna\_\_: An Old Irish Tract on Marriage and Divorce Law

Cáin Lánamna "The Law of Couples", an Old Irish text dated to c. 700, is arguably the most important source of information concerning women and the household economy in early Ireland. The text describes all the recognized marriages and unions, both legal and illegal, and provides information regarding the allocation of property in the event of a divorce. The text was heavily glossed over a period of several centuries and provides insights into changes in the Irish legal system. This book provides, for the first time, an English translation of the entire text and all the accompanying glosses and commentary. It also includes an introduction to early Irish society, linguistic and legal notes, and a glossary to the tract. Acknowledgements Preface Abbreviations Grammatical Abbreviations Irish Law Tracts Cited in this Volume Introduction Legal Introduction The Structure of Early Irish Society The Law of Marriage in Medieval Wales and Anglo-Saxon England Manuscript Introduction Relationship of the Sources Date of the Text Editorial Method The Structure of 'Cáin Lánamna' 'Cáin Lánamna' (text and translation) Appendices Appendix 1. E, Oxford University, Bodleian Library, Rawlinson B.506, fols. 19b–19d Appendix 2. F, Oxford University, Bodleian Library, Rawlinson B.506, fol. 42d Appendix 3. G, Oxford University, Bodleian Library, Rawlinson B.506, fols. 55b–56d Appendix 4. K, Trinity College, Dublin, 1337 (H.3.18), p. 434a Appendix 5. T, Oxford University, Bodleian Library, Rawlinson B.506, fol. 22 a–b Appendix 6. Additional Commentary Glossary Bibliography Index Cáin Lánamna "The Law of Couples", an Old Irish text dated to c. 700, is arguably the most important source of information concerning women and the household economy in early Ireland. The text describes all the recognized marriages and unions, both legal and illegal, and provides information regarding the allocation of property in the event of a divorce. The text was heavily glossed over a period of several centuries and provides insights into changes in the Irish legal system. This book provides, for the first time, an English translation of the entire text and all the accompanying glosses and commentary. It also includes an introduction to early Irish society, linguistic and legal notes, and a glossary to the tract. -- Provided by publisher Cáin Lánamna “The LawofCouples” is the singlemost important source for marriage and divorce law in medieval Ireland. The text exists in only one complete copy, but fragments of the text are found scattered throughout several manuscripts. Similar to medieval canon and civil law texts, it is heavily glossed and accompanied by legal commentary. CL is mainly concerned with the division of a couple’s assets should they divorce, although reasons for divorce are not given in the text. However, the text does contain a wealth of information concerning the types of legally recognized couples and many details about day-to-day life and the domestic economy. This volume provides a complete English translation of Cáin Lánamna "The Law of Couples," an Old Irish legal text dated to c. 700 which is a major source of information about women, marriage, and divorce in early Ireland.