Journal Publications by Cherie Peters
This article focuses on the nineteenth and twentieth century translations of episodes of food sho... more This article focuses on the nineteenth and twentieth century translations of episodes of food shortages recorded in the early medieval Irish chronicles. The analysis of these editions shows that while modern editors use terms such as 'scarcity', 'shortage' and 'dearth' interchangeably in translating their source-text it is apparent that the early-medieval authors of such texts were rather more discriminating in choosing words appropriate to their message. By focusing on two main Irish terms for 'scarcity', ascalt and tercae, and how they appear in the chronicles, it is argued that the definitions of these terms can be significantly narrowed. Furthermore, the intentional language used throughout these texts documents an awareness of the contrasting effects shortages of different food sources had on social, political and economic life in early medieval Ireland.
Books by Cherie Peters
Papers by Cherie Peters
The chapter reflects on the process of creating a research website about the Battle of Clontarf f... more The chapter reflects on the process of creating a research website about the Battle of Clontarf from the perspective of humanities researcher.
Early medieval Ireland was a hierarchical society divided into a number of different social class... more Early medieval Ireland was a hierarchical society divided into a number of different social classes, including slaves, peasants, commoners and nobles. In a number of literary texts, such as Táin Bó Cúailgne, various signifiers were used to communicate a person’s social identity and thereby act as an index of this hierarchy, some of the most powerful signifiers being clothing and its decoration. Often ragged garments of subfusc colours were linked to peasants and commoners while nobles were described in illustrious, brightly-coloured clothes. Recently, modern scholars have tended to include trews (trousers) amongst the common apparel of lower-status individuals. This paper will explore the historical and visual sources for trews in early medieval Ireland and investigate the extent to which they were (or were not) worn by members of the lower classes.
Under the year 980 the Annals of Tigernach and the Chronicon Scotorum record that Máel Sechnaill ... more Under the year 980 the Annals of Tigernach and the Chronicon Scotorum record that Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill, king of Mide, routed the Vikings of Dublin at Tara and celebrated his victory by harrying Dublin for three days and nights. At the end of his time in Dublin Máel Sechnaill was said to have proclaimed that all of the Irish living in bondage and servitude to the Vikings should return home in peace and joy. This paper examines the reliability of this later insertion to the annalistic texts and proceeds to review the proclamation as an Irish form of an early medieval manumission.
According to the twelfth-century pseudo-history Lebor Gabála Érenn, an ancient king of Ireland, T... more According to the twelfth-century pseudo-history Lebor Gabála Érenn, an ancient king of Ireland, Tigernmas, is credited with introducing different colours to people's garments with the express purpose of being able to visually distinguish social classes. Slaves were only allowed to have one colour on their garments while kings and queens could display up to seven different colours. This paper explores the historical, archaeological and linguistic evidence for social distinction via these coloured garments in early medieval Ireland.
In its discussion of the díre appropriate for various grades of freemen in early medieval Ireland... more In its discussion of the díre appropriate for various grades of freemen in early medieval Ireland, the introduction to the great Old Irish legal compilation known as the Senchas Már notes that 'ar robui in bit hi cutruma conid tainic Senchas Mar', ‘the world was at an equality until the Senchus Mar was established’. But linguistic, archaeological and historical evidence indicates that Irish society was not egalitarian prior to the eighth century. Why then did Christian scribes and later commentators use the Senchas Már to justify the divisions of society? This paper will examine the dialogue of the origins of social hierarchy in the Senchas Már and discuss the tensions which derived from the conflict between Christian ideals of human equality and archaic custom in early medieval Ireland.
Digital Humanities Projects by Cherie Peters
http://dh.tcd.ie/clontarf/
Co-designer and content provider for the 1014 Battle of Clontarf Webs... more http://dh.tcd.ie/clontarf/
Co-designer and content provider for the 1014 Battle of Clontarf Website exploring the history, context and legacy of Ireland’s most famous medieval battle.
Conferences, Lectures, Events by Cherie Peters
Marking the 700th Anniversary of the Bruce Invasion of Ireland. By Seán Duffy, Peter Crooks, Cher... more Marking the 700th Anniversary of the Bruce Invasion of Ireland. By Seán Duffy, Peter Crooks, Cherie Peters, Caoimhe Whelan.
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Journal Publications by Cherie Peters
Books by Cherie Peters
Papers by Cherie Peters
Digital Humanities Projects by Cherie Peters
Co-designer and content provider for the 1014 Battle of Clontarf Website exploring the history, context and legacy of Ireland’s most famous medieval battle.
Conferences, Lectures, Events by Cherie Peters
Co-designer and content provider for the 1014 Battle of Clontarf Website exploring the history, context and legacy of Ireland’s most famous medieval battle.