Cuchulainn: Hound of Ulster (Heroes and Warrior Series) - Softcover

Cuchulainn; Hound of Ulster

Trade paperback. Zustand: Very good. James Field (illustrator). Presumed First Edition, First printing. 48 pages. Illustrated front cover. Illustrations (some in color). Map. Character Names. Further Reading. Index. This is one of the Heroes and Warriors series. Relates the legendary exploits of one of Ireland's greatest heroes, revealing his magical attributes and his original feats of skill and strength. Heroes and Warriors is a collection of titles on legendary figures in Celtic and British history that juxtaposes archaeology, legend, and history in well-wrought attempts to place these heroes and heroines in context. The books offer detailed descriptions of methods of war of the times, strategies employed by these leaders, extracts from the legends, and further readings. Cú Chulainn is an Irish warrior hero and demigod in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore. He is believed to be an incarnation of the Irish god Lugh, who is also his father. He gained his name as a child, after killing Culann's fierce guard dog in self defense and offering to take its place until a replacement could be reared, hence he became the "Hound (cú) of Culann". He was trained in martial arts by Scáthach. It was prophesied that his great deeds would give him everlasting fame, but that his life would be short. At the age of seventeen he defends Ulster single-handedly against the armies of queen Medb of Connacht in the famous "Cattle Raid of Cooley". He fights from his chariot, driven by his loyal charioteer Láeg and drawn by his horses, Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend. Cú Chulainn himself is said to have died in battle, binding himself to a standing stone so he can die on his feet. Medb conspires with Lugaid, son of Cú Roí, Erc, son of Cairbre Nia Fer, and the sons of others Cú Chulainn had killed, to draw him out to his death. His fate is sealed by his breaking of the geasa (taboos) upon him. Cú Chulainn's geasa included a ban against eating dog meat, but in early Ireland there was a powerful general taboo against refusing hospitality, so when an old crone offers him a meal of dog meat, he has no choice but to break his geis. In this way he is spiritually weakened for the fight ahead of him. Lugaid has three magical spears made, and it is prophesied that a king will fall by each of them. With the first he kills Cú Chulainn's charioteer Láeg, king of chariot drivers. With the second he kills Cú Chulainn's horse, Liath Macha, king of horses. With the third he hits Cú Chulainn, mortally wounding him. Cú Chulainn ties himself to a standing stone to die on his feet, facing his enemies. This stone is traditionally identified as Clochafarmore, located near Dundalk. Due to his ferocity even when so near death, it is only when a raven lands on his shoulder that his enemies believe he is dead. Lugaid approaches and cuts off his head, but as he does so the "hero-light" burns around Cú Chulainn and his sword falls from his hand and cuts Lugaid's hand off. The light disappears only after his right hand, his sword arm, is cut from his body. According to the Annals, Cú Chulainn died in the year AD 1. Conall Cernach had sworn that if Cú Chulainn died before him he would avenge him before sunset, and when he hears Cú Chulainn is dead he pursues Lugaid. As Lugaid has lost a hand, Conall fights him with one hand tucked into his belt, but he only beats him after his horse takes a bite out of Lugaid's side. He also kills Erc, and takes his head back to Tara, where Erc's sister Achall dies of grief for her brother. Artikel-Nr. 88644

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