Cattle Lords and Clansmen : The Social Structure of Early Ireland

Second Edition. Previously published as 'Cattle Lords and Clansmen: Kinship and Rank in Early Ireland', 1991. Nerys T. Patterson provides an analysis of the social structure of medieval Ireland, focusing on the pre-Norman period. By combining difficult, often fragmentary primary sources with sociological and anthropological methods, Patterson produces a unique approach to the study of early Ireland one that challenges previous scholarship. Patterson begins by exploring the pastoral-agricultural base of Irish society to see how seasonal demands, especially of the cattle herds, shaped the social organization of the community. This approach provides insight into the daily life of the people and the annual cycles of their political and social relations. The book then examines kinship relations focusing on such aspects as marriage, sexual relations, and the care of children and other dependents and clientship, which was the power network built by wealthy cattle lords through the loan of cattle to supporters. Patterson illuminates the complex interweaving of legal status, economic worth, and social responsibility, which determined the individual's honor-price, set requirements of hospitality, and both empowered and constrained the political order. This new edition includes a chapter on seasonal rhythm, material derived from Patterson's post-1991 publications, and an updated bibliography.

Cattle Lords and Clansmen, Nerys T. Patterson provides an analysis of the social structure of medieval Ireland, focusing on the pre-Norman period. By combining difficult, often fragmentary primary sources with sociological and anthropological methods, Patterson produces a unique approach to the study of early Ireland—one that challenges previous scholarship.

Patterson begins by exploring the pastoral-agricultural base of Irish society to see how seasonal demands, especially of the cattle herds, shaped the social organization of the community. This approach provides insight into the daily life of the people and the annual cycles of their political and social relations. The book then examines kinship relations—focusing on such aspects as marriage, sexual relations, and the care of children and other dependents—and clientship, which was the power network built by wealthy cattle lords through the loan of cattle to supporters. Patterson illuminates the complex interweaving of legal status, economic worth, and social responsibility, which determined the individual’s “honor-price,” set requirements of hospitality, and both empowered and constrained the political order. This new edition includes a chapter on seasonal rhythm, material derived from Patterson’s post-1991 publications, and an updated bibliography.

List of Illustrations ix Preface to the second edition xi Abbreviations xv 1. Reconstructing Early Irish Society: Sources and Scholarship 3 2. The Development of Early Irish Law and Society 36 3. The Material Context of Social Relations 62 4. The Spatial Organization of Society 89 5. The Seasonal Rhythms of Social Life 118 6. The Political Economy: Clientship 150 7. Rank 181 8. Close Kin and Neighbors: 'Gelfhine' and 'Comaithches' 207 9. The Forms of Irish Kinship 239 10. The Corporate Fine: Control of Economic Action 259 11. Marriage, Sexual Relations, and the Affiliation of Children 288 12. Kinship and the Proto-State 328 Appendix 368 Glossary I: Terms for kinship relations 377 Glossary II: Irish terms 378 Bibliography 382 Index 412 Here, Nerys Patterson analyses the social structure of medieval Ireland, focusing on the pre-Norman period. By combining difficult, often fragmentary primary sources, with sociological and anthropological methods, she produces a unusual approach to the study of early Ireland.