Medb
Medb (Old Irish spelling) – Middle Irish: Meḋḃ, Meaḋḃ; early modern Irish: Meadhbh; reformed modern Irish Méabh, Medbh; Anglicised as Maeve, (All pronounced May-v).
Who was Queen Medb?
Most notably she was the warrior queen of Connacht, the western province of Ireland. It is said that her father was king of Connacht before becoming High King of Ireland and she became ruler of Connacht after him. She had five recognised husbands, and ruled for over 60 years. She was also said to be the reason her husbands became kings, that to be the ruler of Connacht they had to be 'married to Medb' as in married to the land. The first mention of Medb is in the Cave of Cruachan, Oweynagat, in the form of an Ogham inscription on the lintel stone placed in the cave during the 4th or 5th century CE. She appears in much of the literature of early Ireland, and our most famous epic literary tale, the Táin Bó Cuilnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley) revolves around her, despite being known as the Ulster Cycle.
Historically, she would have lived sometime around the years 50 BCE - 50 CE, if she existed as a real flesh and blood queen. And that is the question - was she real?
An historical queen, or a sovereignty goddess? A harridan or a good queen? These are some of the riddles of Queen Medb.
Historically, she would have lived sometime around the years 50 BCE - 50 CE, if she existed as a real flesh and blood queen. And that is the question - was she real?
An historical queen, or a sovereignty goddess? A harridan or a good queen? These are some of the riddles of Queen Medb.