By: Aisling Bronach of House Shadow Drake
The following is a collection of information regarding the Irish Fionn mac
Cumhaill and the Fianna of Ireland. The Fianna were distinguished warriors and
guardians of Ireland. However, the term fianna itself was a generalized word that referred to a small hunting party.
Maxims of the Fianna
- If armed service be thy design, in a great man's household be quiet, be surly in the narrow pass.
- Without a fault of his beat not thy hound; until thou hast ascertain her
guilt, bring not a charge against thy wife.
- In battle meddle not with a buffoon, for he is but a fool.
- Censure not any if he be of grave repute; stand not up to take part in a
brawl; have naught to do with a madman or a wicked one.
- Two-thirds of thy gentleness be shown to women and to those who creep on the
floor (little children) and to poets, and be not violent to the common people.
- Utter not swaggering speech, nor say thou wilt not yield that which is right;
it is a shameful thing to speak too stiffly unless that it be feasible to carry out
thy words.
- So long as though shalt live, thy lord forsake not; neither for gold nor
reward in the world abandon one whom thou art pledged to protect.
- To a chief do not abuse his people, for that is no work for a man of gentle
blood.
- Be no tale-bearer, nor utterer of falsehoods; be not talkative nor rashly
censorious. Stir not up strife against thee, however good a man thou be.
- Be no frequenter of the drinking-house, nor given to carping at the old;
meddle not with a man of mean estate.
- Dispense thy meat freely; have no niggard for thy familiar.
- Force not thyself upon a chief, nor give him cause to speak ill of thee.
- Stick to thy gear; hold fast to thy arms till the stern fight with its
weapon-glitter be ended.
- Be more apt to give than to deny, and follow after gentleness.
Trials and Tests of the Fianna
There were many tests that a prospective member of the Fianna had to pass before
being admitted into the order. No one was permitted into the ranks of the Fianna
until he passed these trials which showed his worthiness.
- The applicant must be versed in the Twelve Books of Poetry, and must
be able to compose skillful verse in rhyme and meter such as were the masters of
Gaelic Poesy.
- The applicant must then be buried to their waist in the earth, and then armed
with a shield and a hazel stick, defend themselves against nine warriors who would
stand around them and cast spears. If the applicant were wounded then they failed and
would not be accepted.
- The applicant's hair was then braided, and the Fianna would then chase the
applicant through the forest. If at any time the applicant was overcome, or a
single braid on their head disturbed, or if a dry stick cracked beneath the
applicant's foot, then they failed and would not be accepted.
- The applicant must be able to leap over a lath level with their brow, to run
at full speed under one level with their knee, and also be able to draw out a
thorn from their foot and never slacken speed.
- If a man, he must not take a dowry with a wife.
