Text, variants, glosses and translation

TEXT, VARIANTS AND GLOSSES
( the numbers in square brackets refer to the pages of A)
§1
Annsama hi tairgillib tairgille ar bechaibb.
Annsom A, Andsom C, [ ]ndsom D. a C, i D. taurgillib A,
tairgill- C, tairgille D. tairgill- C, tairgilli D. bech D.
a <.i. doilig II .i. anwsa em III) A. b .i. is dona geallaib torithneacha
is duilghi do neach icass e geall torithneac dabeir se d ar ceand na m[b]each
<.i. geall da screp«// III) A, .i. geall da screabha// o fir bunadh na mbeach do
lu cht na ceith re feran// as nesa do, etc. {full commentary given in Appendix 2) C.
§2
Alid-side tairgille n-airiba tar tir bes-da nesam each lethb ciapa
meit ciapa lagetc.
taurgille A. nesom A. laiget A.
a .i. fl/riltnigid seisidhe geall torithneach orro <gid an«sa III) .i. geall da
screball A. b .i. do lucht na fearand is neasu doib do gba ch leith <fria da
tasb ■] fria da naircean/z in tire III) A. c .i. gid beg gid mor he .i. in fenrand
no na beich A.
§3
Ar is a tairgillib bertir a mbrethaa i tairsceb i cinaid0 i lloged ar
chethardoit tire bes-da [20b] nesame.
targillib A, tairgill- B. berdair A, bertir B. a dtairsce A. a ccinaid
A. a lloige A, a lloge B. cethardoit A. nesom A.
a .i. u air is ar t'dbairt gill toirithnigh dara ceand berar breithemhnas orro A,
.i. am al bess aieesi ~i fochraibe na hingelta, is amlaid meit *] febwj na tairgille;
is a suidig (read -in) varum berair br eth for ni fofechat *i fora tairrsce .i. tir tarraill
(read taraill?) B. b .i. iman gleith A. c .i. iman caschad A. d .i.
imun saithe A, mad mor in tairgilli doberthar do neoch is suaithnid fogelar co
mor a thir, is log mb cc as coir ond fir sin arraithe (read ar saithe) dona bechaib
iaru/77 B. e .i. do lucht na ceathra fe<7rand is n[e]asu doib imun doid A.

TRANSLATION
§1
Most difficult among fore-pledges is a fore-pledge for bees*3.
a <i.e. hard, i.e. ‘ difficult indeed ’> A. b i.e. among the most difficult
of ‘ relieving pledges ’ for the person who pays it is a ‘ relieving pledge ’ which
he gives for the bees <i.e. a pledge of two scruples) A, a pledge of two scruples
from the original owner of the bees to the owners of the four nearest lands, C.
§2
It entails a fore-pledge for thema on behalf of the land which is
nearest to them on every sideb, however great or small0.
a i.e. that entails a ‘ relieving pledge ’ for them <though it be difficult) i.e. a
pledge of two scruples. b i.e. to the people of the lands which are nearest to
them on every side <on the two sides and the two headlands of the land).
c i.e. whether it be small or great i.e. the land or the bees.
§3
For it is according to fore-pledges that judgments upon them are
givena for trespass13, for injury0, for earnings (?)d with respect to the
four lands which are nearest to theme.
a i.e. for it is after a ‘ relieving pledge ’ is given for them that judgment is
passed on them A, i.e. in proportion to the nearness and contiguity of the grazing,
so is the size and worth of the fore-pledges; it is from that then that judgment
is passed on that which they graze and on their trespass i.e. land which it
visited (?) B. b i.e. about the grazing A. 0 i.e. about the blinding A.
d i.e. about the swarm A, if the fore-pledge which is given to somebody is great, it
is clear that his land is much grazed; it is proper for that man to pay a small
price for a swarm of the bees afterwards B. e i.e. to the owners of the four
lands nearest to them ‘ about the arm ’ (see DIL s.v. 1 doe) A.

52
TEXT
§4
Dlegait-sidi deolaith doib dea llogiba iar n-aimseraib soireb.
seide A. loigib A. suire A.
a .i. dleagaid side logh doib arin deolaidh no logh deolaidh doibh <cin log
acht fowelt III) A. b .i. iarsan re suthain i m[b]id beich i seeire A.
§5
Ar dlegait beich teora bliadnai soirea cip e lasa n-aithgenatarb:
bliadain a tuisten0, bliadain a seoild, bliadain a sile.
bliadan A. suire (-e added by third glossator ) A. lasnaidgenetar A.
bli- A. dtuisten A, tuisten B. bli- A. seol B. bli- A.
a .i. u air dleagaid beich beith re re t ri mblia dan i s a/re A. b .i. cibe
laisi ngeinend siad gu aith no gu eadha A. c .i. in bliadain i tuisnigend siad
.i. in cedblia dain sin A, .i. in primo anno B. d .i. bliadain i m[bji suaill dib,
in blia dain tanaise A, .i. is isan bliadain tanaisi is gnaithem seol -] aputh {read
apthu) for bech aib B. e .i. in blia dain a siland siad, isan treas bliadain A,
silad xero in tres bliadain doib B.
§6
Ni dlegat in chethardoit-sin ni doiba acht a ccain chuiscb no
allabrig n-aic no mian ngalaird co teora bliadnai a soiree cipf e
lasa n-aithgenatar.
dlegait A. cetardoit A. chain A, ccain B. cuisc AB.
na A. allabraig with last a subscript A, allabrig B. naiae with last a
subscript A, aie B. miann A. bliadaa A. suire A. naithgeniter
A.
a .i. nogo dleagaid luct na ceathra fearand sin bis imon doid ni eile doib A.
b .i. acht riagail na dighe cuisg .i. i«ni as tiugfa, i ni cindedh fil ure <«a gomad
leithescra i (= a) lestar lulaici II. Leithescra doib a lestar lulaice tuargaib fear
go glun, trian escra a leastar samaisce tuargaib fear go imlinw, ceathrama escra
a lestar colpthaige tuargaib fear go ara, cuicead eascra a leastar da/rte tuargaib
fear osa chin d III) A, .i. a ndliges cosc do taba/rt, mar dligid in cowaithech
diaraile cosc do mil do B. c .i. no iani daberar do/zti as oil brigh bis uman
ai <.i. daethain taisig na daiwe .i. no brug ara miad ~\ all ara doimne .i. int ollom
gaise II(?) .i. dia ti ollbrig ala nai .i. rig no epscop no rigsalnemead {read uasal-)
cena III) A, Allabrig .i. ala brig .i. brig aile frisa tuisech. Aie .i. is si ind ai a
timgaire .i. ala brig timgaire B. d .i. no in mian doberar do in tan bi[s] se
i ngalar A. e .i. co ceand t/i mblia dan bid beich i saeire .i. gen [n]i aile
eistib acht sin A. f <.i. cid II) A.

TRANSLATION
53
§4
The latter are entitled to a gratuity from them from their
earnings(?)a after [their] periods of immunity13.
a i.e. they are entitled to a payment from them for the gratuity, or the price
of the gratuity from them <with no payment but [freedom to] graze). 13 i.e.
after the 4 long period ’ in which bees are in immunity.
§5
For bees are entitled to three years of immunitya, whoever may
be the person in whose possession they are hived (lit. re-born) b: the
year of their origin0, the year of their scarcity4, the year of their
multiplying6.
a i.e. for bees are entitled to be in immunity for a period of three years A.
b i.e. whoever may be the person in whose possession they breed 4 quickly or
lawfully ’ A. c i.e. the year in which they procreate i.e. that is the first
year A, i.e. in the first year B. 4 i.e. the year in which there are few of them,
the second year A, i.e. it is in the second year that scarcity and death are most
likely to affect bees B. e i.e. the year in which they multiply, in the third
year A, they multiply indeed in the third year B.
§6
These four [lands] are not entitled to anything from thema except
from the due of reparation13 or allabrig n-aic or the desire of sickness4
until [the end of] the three years of their freedom e, whoever1 may be
the person in whose possession they are hived.
a i.e. the people of the four lands which are 4 about the arm ’ are not entitled
to anything else from them A. b i.e. except for the rule of the [thirst-]
quenching drink ( see Notes ) i.e. that which is left over, and there is no definite
amount prescribed for it <or it may be a half-cup from a vessel in which a milchcow can be cooked ( see Notes). A half-cup for them from a vessel in which a
milch-cow can be cooked, and which a man raises to his knee, a third of a cup
from a vessel in which a three-year-old heifer can be cooked, and which a man
raises to his navel, a quarter of a cup from a vessel in which a two-year-old
heifer can be cooked, and which a man raises to his temple, a fifth of a cup from
a vessel in which a year-old heifer can be cooked, and which a man raises above
his head III) A, i.e. that to which he is entitled as reparation, as the neighbour
of another is obliged [to give] reparation in honey to him B. c i.e. or that
which is given to him whose power is great [and] who is concerned with art(?)
<i.e. the sufficiency of the chief of the poets i.e. or brug (4 land ’) for its dignity
and all (‘ cliff ’) for its depth i.e. the master of wisdom II i.e. if the 4 great power ’
of one of them comes i.e. a king or a bishop or other noble dignitary III) A,
Allabrig i.e. 4 another meaning ’ i.e. another meaning to the first one. Aie i.e. the
ai is the demand i.e. 4 another meaning ’ of a demand B. 4 i.e. or the request
which is given to him when he is sick A. e i.e. bees are immune for three
years i.e. without anything else out of them except that A. f <i.e. whatever)
A.

54
TEXT
§7
Ar otha inna teora bhadnai solre-sina, is for ind n-oircneb
fo-ceirt inna smachtu-soe.
na teora bliadna A. suiri A. f or rind A, for ind B. oirggne
A, noircne B. focert A. na smachta A.
a .i. otha na tri bliadna sin bid beic[h] i saere A. b .i. is don iucht foro
roichid ind a noirgne A, .i. bid tairgille airriu co mice ni bes sirem oirgne B.
c .i. chuirtir in smacht i seo A.
§8
Noeh is ed ro-saig ind n-oircne: a rro-saig bo co etruda for ingilt
ro-saig in bechb oc tecmallad a thoraid.
is- A. rasoig A. ind oirngne A. anrosaig A. rosaig/z
( added in margin by third glossator ) A. tecclamad A.
a .i. ind aired roindsaiges seig A. b .i. roindsaigidh in comhad cetna A.
§9
Otha inna teora bliadnaia dlegait in chethardoit-sin tire bes-da
nessam deolaid doib.
ota na teora bliadna A. cethardoit A. nessom A.
a .i. otha na tri bliadna bid beieh i same A.
§10
Alith a saithib a cobdailib cricha, ar ni fulaing nech deolaid [21a]
dialailiu la Feniub; ar is si trisfintiu inso con-fodlaither fo chobdailib
crichc.
ailit A, alith B. nech deolaid [21a] deolaid A, nech na deolaith G.
diaraili G. la- A. isi A. trisfintiu A. confodlaiter A,
confodlitbter B. chobdaili A.
a .i. r/z'riltnigid luct na criche saithe do choibdelegudh doib A, Alith .i.
deolaithe doib asna saithib Cobdailib crich .i. am al bes oicse na crich fogelad
is amlaid ailith deolaid asna saithib B. b .i. u air nochon imuilngend neach
ni i ndeoladchtf/'re i naiscidh da cheile <.i. deolaid leis ar aba in cai/z cuisc i in
mian ngalair no ind allabhruigh nee II) A. c .i. uazr isi seo treas fineduthaigh casn-fodhailt^r fo choibdeilegudh na crich A, ccwfodlithter in deolat
as sin. B.

TRANSLATION
55
§7
For after those three years of freedoms it is on the limit of
trespass13 that one puts these fines0.
a i.e. after those three years in which bees are immune A. b i.e. it is
for those on whom (i.e. on whose land) they reach the limit of their trespass A,
i.e. there is a fore-pledge for them until they reach the limit of trespass B.
0 i.e. this fine is put A.
This is as far as the limit of trespass extends: as far as a cow
reaches on pasture until milking-timea, the bee reaches13 collecting
its crop.
a i.e. the distance that it reaches. 13 i.e. it reaches the same distance.
§9
After the three yearsa those four holdings which are nearest to
them are entitled to a gratuity from them.
a i.e. after the three years in which the bees are immune.
§10
It (the adjacent holding) is entitled [to a gratuity] from the swarms
according to the divisions of holdingsa, for no-one supports a
gratuity for another in Irish law13; for this is one of the three kindredlands which are divided according to the divisions of holdings0.
a i.e. the people of the holding are entitled to divide a swarm among them A,
Is entitled i.e. gratuities for them from the swarms. According to the divisions of
holdings i.e. in proportion to the nearness of the holdings on which they graze,
so is [each holding] entitled to a gratuity from the swarms B. 13 i.e. for
no-one supports anything as a gratuity or gift for another <i.e. he has the due of
reparation and the desire of sickness and the allabrig n-ai as a gratuity nonetheless) A. 0 i.e. for this is one of the three kindred-lands which is ‘ well
divided ’ according to the division of the holdings A, the gratuity is divided
according to that B.

56
TEXT
Cobdaili saithea *] bretha barr-bunaidb *] usci thairidnec tar
• •
crichad, air is i suidiu rosuidigede gelfine1 -j derbfines, iarfineh -j
indfine1 hi fintedaib griain la Feniuf
cobdaile A, cobdaili (in gloss on §25) B. bairr bunaid A. tuiridne
A, tairidni B. tur A. is om. A. suide A. la- A.
a .i. saithi do cobdeileghudh doib <isin cethrumadh bliadan II) A. b .i.
1 in breath ata iter f ear bona in craind ~j fear a bharr A. c .i. tuididne B.
d .i. i int uisce tairgither durna fearandaib A. e .i. u air is fo chosmailius
na aei eadha isin rosuidhigedh A. f .i. in tobor A, gelfine tuididne (omit as
dittography cf gloss c above) .i. ait asa ngaibt/zer cid topar cith sruth B. 8 .i.
<ind ire II> o thobur gu lind A, .i. tir tarsa reth B. h .i. in lind A, .i. oca
lin n ~\ is sruithe iarfine oldass gelfine [i] suidiu B. 1 .i. o lind sis A. •> .i.
i fine-duithchib in feura[i]nd da reir ind [fjenechais A.
§12
Ar is si breth barr-bunaid la Feniua: alid-side cro ime thoradb fo
bith snuaid tire inid-chuirethar a toradc, ar dilsigithir barr-bunad a
torad cacha cethramthae bliadnae do thir inid-chuirethar a toradd.
isi A. bairr bunaid A. la- A. ailid C. cro ima torad A, cro
ime thor- B (gloss), cro imma torud C. snuad A, snaid (but rossnuaidter
in gloss) B, snuadh O’Dav. in tire O’Dav. inidcuirethar A,
mdocuirith- O’Dav. a om. O’Dav. dilsigthir A. barr bunaid A.
attorad A. in cethramad bliadain A, cacha cethram- bl- B. tir A.
incuirither A. adtorad A.
a .i. u air isi seo breath ata iter fear bhona in craind i fear a bhairr do reir ind
fenechais A. b .i. mriltnigidh seisidheig cro da dhenamh ima thoradh A,
.i. is ed dlegar d fer bunadh na craibe cro do dhe/zam uma tor ad etc. C (full
commentary given in Appendix 2). c .i. fon fath seanaith in feura[i]nd
(no ecoisc in tiri III) inadacuirend se a thorud A, .i. arna rossnuaidtcr a tir oc
cuinchech (= cuinchid) in to mid, is airi fegar cro ime thor- B, snuadh .i. ecosc
no sainfeth, ut est fo bith snuadh in tire mdocuirithcr toradh O’Dav. d .i.
umr dilsigidh feur bhona in craind toradh a bhurr gach ceathramadh blia dam
dfir ind feuraind inadacuirit her e (in barr III) A, .i. a landmgbail isan cethram ad
bliad ain no a dilsiugz/r/ arrecc (read i rrec) ci« iarm ovacht netir o fer on fasa a
bunad B.

TRANSLATION
57
The divisions of swarmsa and judgments of branches-and-trunkb
and of conducted water0 over holdings'1, for it is here that the
gelfiiief and derbfine g, iarfineh and indfine 1 have been established6
among the kindred-shares of land according to Irish lawk
a i.e. to divide swarms among them <in the fourth year) A. b i.e. and
the judgment which is between the owner of the trunk of the tree and the owner
of the branches A. c i.e. of conducting B. d i.e. and the water which
is drawn over the lands A. e i.e. for it is by comparison with ‘ that law ’
that it has been established A. f i.e. the source A, gel/ine i.e. the place from
which it is brought, whether it be a well or a stream B. « i.e. <the land)
from source to pond A, i.e. the land across which it runs B. h i.e. the pond
A, i.e. at its pond, and the iarfine is more privileged than the gelfine here B.
1 i.e. from the pond down A. •> i.e. in the kindred-shares of the land
according to Irish law A.
§12
For this is a judgment of branches-and-trunk according to Irish
lawa: it requires an enclosure about its fruitb because of trespass(?)
on the holding into which it (the tree) deposits the fruit6, for the
branches-and-trunk forfeit the fruit every fourth year to the land
into which it deposits the fruitd.
a i.e. for this is the judgment between the owner of its branches according
to Irish law A. b i.e. it requires that an enclosure be made about its fruit
A, i.e. the owner of the trunk of the tree is required to make an enclosure about
its fruit, C. 6 i.e. on account of the ‘ particular appearance ’ of the holding
<or aspect of the land) into which it ‘ lawfully deposits ’ its fruit A, i.e. so that
the holding be not damaged(?) while seeking the fruit, it is for this reason that
an enclosure is woven about the fruit B, snuad i.e. aspect or ‘ particular
appearance ’ e.g. because of trespass (?) on the holding into which it deposits fruit
O’Dav. d i.e. for the owner of the trunk of the tree forfeits the fruit of its
branches every fourth year to the owner of the land into which it ‘ lawfully
deposits ’ it <the branches) A, i.e. its entire removal in the fourth year or its
absolute forfeiture without pursuit at all by the man from whom the stock
originates B.

58
TEXT
§13
Inna teora blladnai ailia con-fodlaither i nde etir tir inidchuiretharb i tir asa n-assac.
biiadna. aile A. confodlaiter A. eitir A.
a .i. ina tri eile A. b .i. is caein fodhailtir ar do it er in fearand anadacuirind se a thoradh [•)] a bunadh A. c .i. -j in fearand asa nasand se,
comhroind thoraidh in croind ar dho go ce/7d tri mbMcidan iter fear bona in
crawd 7 f ear a bharr 7 a thorad gac ceathramad b liadain dfir a barr A.
§14
Cip e da llino imid-chomba(?)a di-renar lethdire diarailiub a
besaib fidbrethc fo soiri each fedod amal [21b] rosuidiged la Feniue.
Gipe C. Hina A, lina C. inidicoimge A, indacomgne C
(1 emendation in accordance with gloss emh-cuimhges A). leithdire A. suire
{final e added by third glossator ) each feda A. am- A. la- A.
a .i. cibe don da imadh sin emh-cuimhges .i. a leadradh A, .i. ma rolcrair
nechtairde dhibh in craobh coit cenn fuil eturrw, etc. C {full commentary given in
Appendix 2). b .i. eirnid side leithdire and dia cheile A. c .i. a ba-[f]is
gnae no aibind breithemhnais na feadh A. d .i. fo uaislidetaidh gacha
feadha <.i. gid fiadhan gid cuwra III) A. e .i. dimail rosuidiged e do reir
ind [f]enechais A.
§15
Mad tairdbea, di-renar fo thairdbiu each fedo coceniuil dob, acht
ni soeras nemed dec.
tairbe A. tairdbe A. ca ch A. feda A. ni A, a B. soeres
A, soeras B.
a .i. madh Gr[d]timchell donet/7cr <*] ni leatartar uile III) A. b .i.
eirnit her fo aird-eibi gacha feada is comaith cenel ris A. c .i. acht i«ni
soeras de sin a bheith com.d fidh neimhidh e, u air nocon fo aignedh craind ita
in [dire] aind side acht fo aigned graid i//ti iga m[b]i/7d A, .i. is mo diri in craind
bis i ;?etarbib a thire oldas in crann bis i fidbaid, cid aonfidh B.

TRANSLATION
59
§13
During the other three yearsa it is divided in half between the
holding into which it deposits it (i.e. the fruit)b and the holding from
which it grows0.
a i.e. the other three. b i.e. it is 6 well that it is divided ’ in half between
the land into which it ‘ lawfully deposits ’ its fruit and its origin. c i.e. and
the land from which it grows, the division into two of the fruit of the tree for
three years between the owner of the trunk of the tree and the owner of its
branches and the produce every fourth year goes to the owner of its branches.
§14
Whichever of the two destroys ita, a half fine is paid to the other b
in accordance with the customs of tree-judgments0 depending on
the status of each treed as established in Irish lawe.
a i.e. whichever it may be of those two who ‘ quickly destroys ’ i.e. its cutting
A, i.e. if either of them cut the common branch which is between them, C.
b i.e. he pays a half-fine for it to the other A. 0 i.e. according to ‘ pleasant
or fair good knowledge ’ of the judgment of the trees A. d i.e. according
to the nobility of each tree <i.e. whether wild or sweet) A. e i.e. as it has
been established according to Irish law A.
§15
If it be loppinga, it is paid for according to the lopping of every
tree of equal rankb, except that which sacredness increases of it0.
a i.e. if it is ‘ high cutting-around ’ which is done <and it is not all cut) A.
b i.e. it is paid according to the k high lopping ’ of every tree which is of equally
good rank to it A. 0 i.e. but its being the tree of a sacred person is what
increases it, for the penalty ( for emendation see Notes ) there does not depend on
the nature of the tree, but on the nature of the rank of the person who owns it
A, i.e. the payment for the tree which is in the boundaries of his land is greater
than the tree which is in a wood, even a single tree B.

6o
TEXT
§16
Ata amser inid comdiri tairdbe each fedoa fria bunepe; ata ind
amser aile ni aili acht trian ndiri ina thairdbeb.
aimser B. as A, iaad B. coimdire A, comdiri B. tairddbe A,
tairtbe B. cacha A. feda A. bnnebe A. ni aile A. dire
A. tairdbe A.
a .i. ita aimser is comhdire a/r dtimcheall gacha feadha, i mis marbdatadh A,
.i. i naimszr samrid -] fo mair daig in toraid bis foraib ~\ daig na saithib ( read
saithi) do gaibail isna raithib sin B. b .i. ta aimser eile ~\ nocon a/riltnigend
se acht trian dire .i. da thrian na lantimceall i mis beoaptadh (rearf beodatad, cf.
Celtica ix 163) no trian [n]a lantimchell i mis mharbdatadh A.
§17
Mat beich ro-gabat anda, con-fodlat a torad etarru i nde co cenn
teora bliadnaeb acht is in tire assa n-asa bunad in toraid0.
mad A, madh C. rogabad C. eturru A. bliadan A. isitire
A. asa A, assa B. torad A, tor- B.
a .i. mad beich gabaid and A, .i. masa b eth ( read beich) rogabsad isia craibh
coitchenn uil eaturrw, etc. C (full commentary in Appendix 2). b .i. is cain
fodaile[t] a toradh <na saithedh III) atom ar do co ceann tri mb\mdan A.
0 .i. achtagim is re f ear ind fearaind asa /zfasand se a bunud a thoraidh ga ch
ceathramhadh blia dain : gomroind (read comroind) toraidh na mbeach ar do gu
cennd tri mblia dan iter fear bhona in craind 7 fear a barr a thoradh ga ch
ceatramhadh b liadain d[f]ir a bhona; amail beres fear in ban torad in craind
gaca ceatramad bli adna, is amlaid si« beres fear bona in craind toradh na mbeach
gac ceathramad bliad ain ; cona finta fear bimaid ina mbeach aind si n, no gomadh
ar cuid fir in craind da beth in cowraiad sia iar mbreith dfir bunaidh a chuid
eistib roime A, .i. in tir asa nasaid na bich is bunadh tor aid iss ed beres leth on
chrana gaibthe .i. ar ni hun/^a a imdibe (cf. §36 ni asu a beim in chrainn) B.
§18
Fintiu griaina i mbechbrethaibb is si-ede fo-choslea derbfine0 ar
is si derbfine i mbechbrethaibd tir bes-da nesam foda-loinge.
finntiu grian B. sisede A. deirbfine A. isi A. deirbfine
A. nesom A.
a .i. in domsod i mbid bich .i. aitt a mbid a lleastar B. b .i. ata dutheus
don [f]ine a dualgus ind fearaind isna beach <aib (crossed out : do rieir na mbreth)
II) do reir na mbreath A. 0 .i. isi sidhe foxlas le e fo chosmailius na
deirbine ar geiline A. d .i. u air isi cosmhailius na deirbine ar geiline i
mbreithemhnas na mbeach A. e .i. in fearand is nesu doib imuilnges iad
A.

TRANSLATION
61
§16
There is a time in which the lopping of every tree has an equal
penaltya to the cutting of its trunk. There is another time which
entails only a third of the fine for its loppingb.
a i.e. there is a time in which the ‘ high cutting-around ’ of every tree has an
equal penalty: in a month of dormancy A, i.e. in the summer and autumn time
because of the fruit which is on them and because of the alighting of swarms in
those seasons B. b i.e. there is another time which entails only a third of
the fine i.e. two thirds for its full cutting-around in a month of growth or a third
for its full cutting-around in a month of dormancy A.
§17
If it is bees which have settled therea, they divide the produce in
half between them for three yearsb, but it is to [the owner of] the
land from which it (the tree) grows, that the source of the produce
belongsc (i.e. the bees).
a i.e. if it is bees which settle there A, i.e. if it is bees which have settled in the
common branch which is between them, C. b i.e. it is ‘ well that they
divide ’ their produce <of the swarms) in half between them for three years A.
c i.e. ‘ I stipulate ’ that it belongs to the owner of the land from which it grows —
from the source of its produce — every fourth year: division of the produce of
the bees in half for three years between the owner of the trunk of the tree and the
owner of its branches, and its produce every fourth year to the owner of its
trunk; as the owner of the branches takes the produce of the tree every fourth
year {referring back to §12), so the owner of the trunk of the tree takes the
produce of the bees every fourth year; [alternatively.] the original owner of the
bees may not be found there, or that division may be for the share of the owner of
the tree after the original owner has taken his share from them already A, i.e. the
land from which the bees grow is the source of [the] produce, it gets half from the
tree on which they (the bees) settle i.e. for it is not easy to cut it B.
§18
The kindred-share of landa in bee-judgments b is the one which the
derbfine takesc, for the derbfine in bee-judgments d is the holding
which is nearest to them [and] which supports theme.
a i.e. the abode in which bees are i.e. the place in which their hives are B.
b i.e. the kin has a right to the bees by virtue of the land according to the
judgments A. c i.e. that which takes it by analogy with the derbfine [used
here] for the gelfine A. d i.e. for that is the analogy of the derbfine for
gelfine in the bee-judgments A. e i.e. the holding nearest to them which
supports them A.

62
TEXT
§19
Iss ed on ailes cetsaithe ndeolaida dia teora mbliadnaeb.
deolaid. mbliadan A.
a .i. isi sideigh ariltnighes cedsaithe di i ndeoladhca/re i cind tri mbliaofoa
A. b .i. is e cuid in deolaid nuchun eige// di cranchur A.
§20
Inna teoir cricha aili: crich dib bes-da nesam bes tech torada is
si-’de beres tanaiseb.
na teora cricha aile A. crich added in margin probably by fourth glossator
A. nesom A. iside A. tanaisi B.
a .i. in crich dib is nesu 7 is fearr torudh A. b .i. isi side beres in saithe
tanase A, .i. tarbsaithi B.
§21
Mat comoicsi -) mad [22a] commaith a torada, fo-cerdar crann
etarru dus da de beres tanaiseb -j meraigec.
mad comcecsi A. main scribe's coma changed to commaith, probably by
fourth glossator A. eturru A.
a .i. mad comachraib (= comfochraib) iad 7 madh comaith a torodh A.
b .i. da [fjis cia beres in saithe tanaise A. c .i. cia beras in smeraighe A.
§22
Im-ana in chethramad clinch co mbeir cetsaithe dia bliadnaea.
cethramad crich A. conber A. bliadna. A.
a .i. eamnaidh ( read em-anaidh) in ceathramadh crich gu mberend si ce/saithe
i cind bliadm. ar tri bliadnaib, no i cind na bli adna sin fein A.
§23
Acht dlegair donaib crichaib seo na rre sorche fo-cerdat in beich
saithea ara mbe fer uaidib occa n-imchometb arna erlat a saithi c ; ar
dia n-erlatcl ni dlegat-som somoinie 7 fo-longat-som bechu co cenn
mbliadnae aithirruchh
dlegar A. soirche A. bech A. nimehomuet A. saithe
A. somuine A. foloingat A. beochu A. cend A. mbhadna A.
a .i. acht aigim gu ndleagar do lucht na fearand sa na ree solusta i cuirid
beich saithi uaithib A. b .i. go rab fear uaithib oga nimeoimed <fn margin :
Cid fodera conid don duine sea dlegair in saithe do coimet sund 7 conud d[f]ir
craind dlegair tis coimet in crair/d? Is e fath fodera: fer in craind geibeas d[f]ir
na mbech tis a beich do breith leis, 7 coir gemad he dochoimetad do; sund
imorra noco gaband in duine sea d[f]ir in saithe a saithe do breith leis acht co
rocuirt/zer he 7 coir gemad e fein docoimetad do II> A. c .i. arna roelad na
saithi A. d .i. u air dia nelad A. e .i. in saithi A. f .i. ar tri
bliadnaib atharach in saithi <m margin : Duine sein 7 beich aige 7 nocho tuillit
beich ic lucht na ferann is nesa do, etc. (full text in Appendix 1 fb)) II> A.

TRANSLATION
63
§19
It is this which is entitled to the first swarm gratis a after three
yearsb.
a i.e. it is entitled to the first swarm gratis from it after three years A. b i.e.
the meaning of gratis is that it is not necessary to cast lots A.
§20
The other three lands: the land which is nearest to them [and]
whose produce is besta, it is this one which gets the second [swarm] b.
a i.e. the land which is nearest of them and whose produce is best A. b i.e.
it is this one which gets the second swarm A, i.e. [the] bull-swarm B.
§21
If they are equally near and if their produce is equally gooda, a
lot is cast between them to discover which of the two takes the second
[swarm]b and [which takes] the meraige (foolish) one0.
a i.e. if they are equally near and if their produce is equally good. b i.e.
to discover which gets the second swarm. 0 i.e. which gets the smeraige one.
§22
The fourth land waits until it takes the first swarm after a yeara.
a i.e. the fourth land ‘ waits readily ’ until it gets the first swarm at the end
of the year after three years or at the end of that same year.
§23
But it is required of these lands at any period of brightness in
which the bees put out a swarma that there should be a man from
them to guard them (the bees)b so that their swarms cannot escape0;
for if they have escaped d they (the lands) are not entitled to profit e
and they support the bees until the end of a further yearh
a i.e. ‘ I stipulate ’ that it is required of the owners of these lands at the bright
periods in which the bees put out swarms. b i.e. that there should be a man
from them to guard them <why is it that this person is required to guard the
swarm here and that it is the owner of the tree who is required to guard the tree
below ? This is the reason : the owner of the tree gets [permission] from the owner
of the bees below to take the bees away with him and it is right that he should
guard [them] for him; in this case however, this person does not get [permission]
from the owner of the swarm to take the swarm away with him until it (the swarm)
is put out and it is right that he himself should guard it for him). 0 i.e. so
that the swarms cannot escape. d i.e. for if they escape. e i.e. the
swarm. f i.e. the swarm after three years further <That is [the case of] a
person who has bees and whose nearest neighbours do not have bees,).

64
TEXT
§24
Cach crich ro-ucca a techtaea m dlig-aide tairgille13 na smachtu0,
ar is ed uathath insin con-oirg fri sochaidi la Feniud.
roue D. techta A, techt- D. isseto B. huathadh B. insain
A. sochaid A. ]a- A.
a .i. in saithi A. b .i. geall da screaball A. c .i. na saithe A. d .i.
a censaithe seomh i naigid saithe imdha i/zd fir eile A, .i. a llestor do br eith hisin
deol aid do fer thiri, co/zgel son frisna lestra aile B.
§25
Mad inscuchuda, ni dlegar ni doibb acht cain chuiscc no mian
ngalair no allabruig n-ai, ar dlegair doib-somc iarnaib teoraib
bliadnaib soired; is iar sine soid fora techtaef [22b].
inscuchadB. miann A. ngalarA. dleagzzr B. seomA.
sium B. teorai A. saire A. sen A. suid A. techta A.
a .i. mad reic reactor iad <.i. urglan isan ceathramad bliadto/z III) A, .i. ni
bi tola tarb an n doib do gres acht a ninnscuchz/d ess dia bliad na no [word
missing ? CIH 924b] B. b .i. nocho dleaghzzr ni eile doib <dona crichaib
III) A. c .i. cobdaili saithe B. d .i. u air dleaghor doibsin uaithib
torna bliadhnaib i m[b]id i saeire A. e <.i. iarsan tres bWadain III) A.
f .i. (forin inscuchud no III) forin saithe A.
§26
Cip dune lasimb asu tairgille n-airiua oldate smachtab; is foma
do cach recht oca mbiatc.
duine O’Dav. lasambausu (first u added in margin, probably by third
glossator) A, lasmbiasa B, lasa nasa O’Dav. taurguille A, to/rgilli B,
tairgille O’Dav. naire O’Dav. olldate A, oldaiti O’Dav. srnac/zm
B, na smachta so O’Dav. fomamu (-mu crossed out by a glossator) A, fomu
(but foma in lemma) O’Dav. gach O’Dav. oca rnbet A, Iasi mbiat
(but oca mbit in gloss) O’Dav.
a .i. gib duine risnad usu geall toruithneach orro .i. geall da sgreball A, .i.
arnach risadh eitir B. b .i. na saithe A, .i. tordicta (= supradicta) dona .i.
saithi *] cain chuiscc i rl- B. c .i. is fo a mhaith <zzu is rogo III) no is foemhta
du gac rict duine iga m[b]id A, .i. is cuimgech .i. is fo a maith no is faomtha no
is roga no is cuiwcech do gach ri cht duine oca mbit beich O’Dav.

TRANSLATION
65
§24
Every land which obtains its duea is not entitled to fore-pledgeb or
finesc, for that is a case of ‘ a few defeating many 9 according to
Irish lawd.
a i.e. [consisting] of the swarm A. b i.e. a pledge of two scruples A.
c i.e. the swarm A. d i.e. his one swarm against the many swarms of the
other man A, i.e. to give the hive as a gratuity to the owner of the land: it (the
hive) grazes with the other hives B.
§25
If there should be a movea, they owe onlyb the due of reparation
or the desire of [one in] sickness or allabrig n-ai for they owe [a
gratuity]0 after the three years of immunity d; it is after thate that it
changes to [being decided according to] their duesf.
a i.e. if they are sold <i.e. completely in the fourth year) A, i.e. there is not
an abundance of bulls (i.e. drones (?), see Notes ) for them continually without
their moving away after a year or [ ] B. b i.e. nothing else is due from
them <to the holdings) A. c i.e. divisions of swarms B. d i.e. for
it is due to them (the holdings) from them (the bees) after the years in which
they are immune A. e <i.e. after the third year) A. f i.e. <to the
move or) to the swarm A.
§26
Whoever should think a fore-pledge in respect of them more
convenient51 than fines13, the choice (?) belongs to the person on
whose land they arec.
a i.e. whoever should think a ‘ relieving pledge ’ in respect of them more
convenient i.e. a pledge of two scruples A, i.e. that it might not reach him at
all B. b i.e. the swarms A, i.e. the abovementioned accordingly i.e. swarms
and due of reparation, etc. B. c i.e. ‘ good is his good ’ <or it is a choice)
or ‘ it is accepted ’ by every class of person who possesses them A, i.e. it is able
i.e. ‘ good is his good ’ or it is accepted or it is a choice or it is in the capacity
of every class of person who possesses bees O’Dav.

66
T E X T
§27
Is di ruidilsib i mbechbrethaib la Feniu cip e forsa ruirset occa
colluda occa cumscuchud13 occa ngabaiF occa ndecsin dara sostud
ind amsir i tochumlate.
la- A. forsaruiret A. daro A. sostau A. in am A
( emendation in accordance with gloss .i. isan re suthain; see Notes). in
tochumlat A.
a .i. cneadh iga milledh </zo oca marbad III) A. b .i. as gach leastar do
leastar A. c .i. da barraib i do mhaignib A. cl .i. oga ndecsain dara
so-istud A. e .i. isan re suthain i com-imluaidid beich saithe do cur gu
toich no gu luath A.
§28
Etechtae doib dano cip e in-ruirset oc dul seccu larna chonaira
di neoch na deni olcc13 na annrecht friuc.
Etechta A. da- A. inruiret A. do neoch A. dene
A. na ch A. fruu A.
a .i. is indliged doib gibe faro roindsaiged ig dul seocu forin con air .i. in
torbach gu narm A. b .i. a marbhtha A. c .i. anndirgidetaidh gaidi
riu <.i. bualad na ces III) A.
§29
Ar is si-ede fuila ailes saith ind fir di milb for-gaibther andc la
fir otlia suidiud nad romarb in mbech rod-mbie; ar ma romarbtharside ar-tet a chinaid amal chachf
isesede {final e added by third glossator) A. ailes ailes (< dittography )
A. said A. ota A. bech A, mbech JB. sid A. cinaid
A. each A.
a <fo tuinn III) A. b .i. u air isi side fuil ailes saith fir do mhil inti A,
saith fir do mil isi« fuiliugad, etc. AL iii 432 = CIH 317.1. c .i. fora tabar
and in forgomh A. d <.i. a luige a oenur III) A. e .i. la firluighe on
asi feadha isin conar marbastar se in beach rogonastar e .i. fir fola no saraigthe
A, cia adbela so m imarra dia facbail a chailce, manis (= manip?) nec/z rodmarbzz
is cintach i (= a) llestar asa teit B. f <.i. am al in each is diles in uair a
fogla no a mal each rob cetcizztach -] ata dil izz cizzad and II) A.

TRANSLATION
6?
§27
Among the complete immunities in bee-judgments according to
Irish law is the man on whom they have rushed when robbing
thema, moving themb, seizing them0 [or] looking at them over their
hivesd at the time when they are swarming0.
a i.e. an injury when despoiling them <or killing them). b i.e. from any
one hive to another. c i.e. from branches of trees and from open spaces.
cl i.e. looking at them over their ‘ good abode ’. e i.e. in the ‘ long period ’
in which bees ‘ move together ’ to send out a swarm ‘ properly or quickly ’.
§28
It is wrong for them, however, should they attack anyone going
past them on his waya who is doing them no harm5 or illegality0.
a i.e. it is wrong for them should they attack anyone going past them on the
path, i.e. an armed man on lawful business. b i.e. of killing them. 0 i.e.
[the] impropriety of stealing from them <i.e. striking the hives).
§29
For this is an injurya which entails his sufficiency of honeyb for
the man who is stung there0, with an oath from himd that he did not
kill the bee which stung hime; for if it is killed, it compensates for
its offence as in every other caser.
a <under the skin) A. b i.e. for this is an injury which entails a man’s
sufficiency of honey for it A, the sufficiency of honey for the injury, etc. 0 i.e.
on whom the sting is inflicted there A. d <i.e. his oath alone) A. e i.e.
with a true oath from that ‘ lawful person ’ that he did not kill the bee which
stung him i.e. proof of wounding or outrage A, though it should die from leaving
behind its sting, unless it is a person that has killed it, the hive from which it
comes is liable B. f <i.e. like everything which is forfeit at the time of its
crime or like an animal of first offence which is equal in value to the offence) A.

68
TEXT
§30
Mad suil rochaeehaa iss i suidiu ailid cocrann [23a] forsin lestrai
n-uilib; cip lestar dia toth dibc ar-tet a fiach d.
Masa E, Ma F. rocaoch- E, rocaocha F. is EF. a EF.
suidiudh E, suidhe F. aile EF. cogrand F. forsan F. lestE, leastr- F. naile A, uile A (gloss), uil- E, nail- F. cidbe E. lestra
A, leastar A (gloss), \esta r E, leastr- F. thoth A, t [illeg.] E, toich F. arteit
E. fiach AEF, fiach A (gloss).
a .i. madh suil caechas siad A. b .i. isan aei eadha isin tfzriltnigidh se cur
craind forna. leastraib uile .i. forna cheascaib A. c .i. gibe leastor dib
thoites and A. d .i. tuithidh se na fiach <.i. ceis isin caechad sin II> A, ceis
isi/7 caechad, da cis isi/z marbad; -\ i/zdisid lebar in cis izza chaechad, -j ni hi/zdisenzz
da chis isizz marbad etc. AL iii 432 = CIH 316.37.
§31
Air is si cetnae breth inso ceta-rucad im chinta bech for Congail
Chaech caechsite beicha.
ar EF. isi AE, asi F. cetna AEF. insizz E, anzzsin F.
cetaraced A, cetarug- EF. im chinta bech om. EF. conaill (with i
erased) A, cozzgal E, conall F. caech A, caoch EF. caochsat EF.
bech A, beich EF.
a .i. u air isi seo cedbreath rugadh for cozzall docaechadur na beich A.
§32
Ba-ch ri Temroa conid-tubart assa flaithb.
rig F. temrach A, tezzzr- E, teazzzr- F. comidubart A, cuzzatab-t
E, cwzatabzzzrt F. asa [illeg. ]mnas E, asa flaz7/zeamhnz^ F.
a .i. seichim <no indsaigizzz conad a rige tulach naibind II) dobui se A.
b .i. gur cuiredh he asa [fjlaithemhnas A.

TRANSLATION
69
§30
If it be an eye which it has blindeda, it is then that it (the injury)
requires the casting of lots on all the hivesb; whichever of the hives
it falls upon0 is forfeit for its (the bee’s) offenced.
a i.e. if it be an eye which they blind. b i.e. in that ‘ lawful case ’ it
requires the casting of lots on all the hives i.e. on the hives. c i.e. whichever
hive of them it falls on. d i.e. it falls as penalty for it <i.e. a hive for that
blinding), a hive for blinding, two hives for killing; and the book tells of the
hive for his blinding and does not tell of the two hives for killing, etc.
§31
For this is the first judgment which was passed with regard to the
offences of bees on Congal the One-eyed, whom bees blinded in one
eyea.
a i.e. for this is the first judgment which was passed on Conall whom the bees
blinded.
§32
And he was king of Taraa until [this] put him from his kingshipb.
a i.e. ‘ I say ’ <or 4 1 advance ’ that it was in the kingship of the 4 beautiful
hills ’> that he was. b i.e. until he was put from his kingship.

7o
TEXT
§33
To-bert a chin forsin fer batar beicha noch is si bretli inso brethae
la Ultu i Feniu imbib.
dobert EF. a cin EF. forsan EF. batair A, bad ar E,
bator F. bech A, beich EF. noch isi A, noch asi EF. inwso E,
anwsin F. bretha AF, br- E. ulta E, hulltu F. finiu A, feiwe
EF. iwbe E, uiwe F.
a .i. tugadh a chin forsan feor aga rabator beich ina orrud A. b .i.
seichim cowad i seo breath rugadh ag ultaib [a gloss on -j finiu has been erased
though a final -b is still partly visible ] ime A.
§34
Air iss i suidiua ar-tet sochaideb cinaid n-oenfirc nad foruachtatar
uili la Feniud; amal mart fo-reccar la conae no mucca no chethraif
no fer gonar a ucht sluaig mairg nadid-lametliarh airthech1 na fortach
for nech sainredach dibh
ar is EF. do suidhiudh E, do suide F. a ci- E, a cin- F. naonf ir
E, an aonf ir F. i nad E, i na F. foruchatatar A, forfuac/tfadar
E, forfuac/ztador ( second f added above u) F (23 Q 6), foruachtadwr F (H.3.17).
uile A, uili E, nil- F. la- AEF. forreccar A, forag ar E, forregar F.
cowu E. mucc- E, muca F. cethrae A, cethr- E, cethra F. fer
AEF. gonair A, gowur E, gonor F. acht A, ucht E, hucht F. sluaig A,
sloigh E, tsl- F. mo [illeg.] E, moir F. nadhidlamiter A, [///e,g.]ca(?)
laiwt- E, woch ni laimithcr F. aurthuch A, urt ach E, urrthach F. na
forthuch A, om. E, na fortach F. saindredach A, sunroofach dibh E,
sundradoc/? dibh F.
a .i. u air isan ai eada isin <.i. dow br eitli -| don casch ad tet iwt sochaidhe .i.
in ches uili i ciwaid in aenfir .i. i waenbech V> A. b .i. in saithe <wo in ces
III) A. c .i. in beach doroni in caechadh A. d .i. *] nochor fuactnaigedor uili do reir ind feneachais A. e .i. am al mart eirgithir gona
conaib A, .i. is cocrann focer tor forsan lestor, am al forcerdtor cocranw forna
cowu no forna muca dws cia dib dotaot isiw cinaid mani aicit/zor occa .i. dolinat
selba fri seilb fortuit mat illselbu .i. brithemhnus for inderb annso, simliter in
lestor i ciwa[i]d in oenbeich B, cf. ma robatar gardhadha i/wda anw, no ma
robat ar beich imda is crandchur do chur ce iw garda o ndernad iw fog al\ i o
rafiwdfaitcr, acht ma robat ar selba iw?da isiw garda isin, is crandchur do chur orro
co fiwdtar int selb o ndernad iw fog al; i o rafiwdfaitcr acht ma robat ar cesacha iw?da
isint seilb sin is crandchur orro co findtor in cis airithi o ndernad in fog al AL
iii 438 = C/7/ 318.6. f .i. cowa ceathraib A. g .i. no in feor gontozr a
ucht sluaig moir <im cocrawd no cow?tabairt cia dib no cowid dileas a marborf iter
rop -j duine iar nelod cirt III) A. h .i. ~j nocho laimtenach A. 1 .i.
uasalteastughudh sena <nach uathaib doronad III) A. •> .i. imdenamha for
neach dib go sunradach A.

TRANSLATION
71
§33
He charged the man who owned the bees with its offencea and
this is the judgment which was passed by the Ulaid and the Feni
about itb.
a i.e. its offence was charged on the man who owned bees nearby. b i.e.
‘ I say ’ that this is the judgment which was passed by the Ulstermen about it.
§34
For it is in this casea in Irish law that a multitude is liable13 for
the offence of one0, [an offence] which they have not all committed11;
as when a carcase is found among dogse or pigs or cattlef, or a man
who is killed in the midst of a great crowds, and no one ventures11 a
vicarious oath1 or an oath fixing guilt on anyone of them in
particulars
a i.e. for it is in that ‘ lawful case ’ <i.e. for the judgment and for the blinding
the multitude — i.e. the whole hive — is forfeit for the offence of one i.e. for one
bee) A. b i.e. the swarm <or the hive) A. c i.e. the bee which did
the blinding A. d i.e. and they have not all committed an offence according
to Irish law A. e i.e. as a carcase which is found among the dogs A, i.e. it
is a lot which is cast on the hive, as a lot is cast on the dogs or on the pigs to find
out which of them goes forfeit for the offence, if no-one sees [them] at it i.e.
holdings abound alongside the holding on which it falls if there are many holdings
(see Notes) i.e. this is a judgment upon an uncertain thing, likewise the hive for
the offence of the one bee B, if there were many gardens there, or if there were
many bees, to cast a lot [to discover] from which garden the injury was done;
and when it has been discovered, but if there were many [separate] properties
in that garden, to cast a lot on them to discover the property from which the
injury was done; and when it has been discovered, if there were many hives
in that property, to cast a lot on them to discover the particular hive from which
the injury was done. f i.e. among the cattle A. § i.e. or the man who
is killed in the midst of a great crowd: <[it is] concerning the casting of lots, or
doubt which of them, or it is free to kill [the culprit] whether animal or human
after eluding justice) A. h i.e. and he does not venture A. 1 i.e. a
‘ noble testimony ’ of denial <that it was not done by them) A. •> i.e. of
proof against one of them in particular A.

72
TEXT
§35
Di-renar in fer uadaib uiliba no do-rochratar uili i ndilsib.
doren ar BF, doranar E.
EF. uile A, uil- BEF.
EF. uile AF, uil- BE.
EF.
in fer om. B. uadaib AB, uaithibh
dorochrathar A, dorochratar B, dorochradar
indilse (s inserted by third glossator) A, andilsi
a .i. icthar in f tar uaithib uile <on tsluag no ona ropaib III) A, .i. cin laime
ind oenfir do ericc etann each cuicir iwidrochreta B. b .i. in saithi A,
dorochratar uil- isin cinaich (= cinaith), similiterur (read similiter) canes 7 sues
B, .i. con ach (read conad cf. 34g) di\es a marbad iter dai ne 7 [illeg.] go tairge
dlig ed E, cona dilis a rnarb ad iter daoi ne 7 inwile no go tairg et dlig ed F.
§36
Ni asu for brithemnaib i mbechbrethaiba beich thetechtai gaibte
crann n-uasalnemidb, noch ni asu a beim in chrainn0 fo bith ind
nemidd na asu dano [23b] a tuaslucude.
asum A. bech tet/zechta A. huasalnemid A. nach ni
A. craind A. da- A.
a .i. nocon usu Hum i mbreithemnas na mbeach inni sea nas ani romaind
A. b .i. beich teactaid ait no aide i mbun craind uasalneimidh <fla/7za no
eelasa III) A. c .i. 7 nochon usu beim in craind <dia bun III) A, ,i. ar ni
hun/.va a imdibe B. cl .i. fo daigin in neimidh asa crand e A. e .i.
nochon usu a tuaslugud as na mbeach A.
§37
Dligid fer doda-eteta bes bunadach doibb trian a toraid co cenn
teora mbliadnae0 acht is ond nemud a n-imchometd 7 is deolaid a
trian tic fer mbunaide. A trian n-aill do nemud i suidigetarf, a trian
n-aill do thir do-melatg.
dtoraid A. cend A. mbliadna A. nimeomet A. suidigther A.
a .i. dligidh in fear bis ina coimhideacht <etas beth ina co/naitecht III)
A. b .i. do neoch is f ear bunaidh doib A. c .i. trian a toraidh co
ceand teora mblia dan d[f]ir na mbeach A. d .i. achtaigim is o neimhedh o
fir in craind a nimeoimed risin re sin A. e .i. is deoladcw/re in trian tic
d[f]ir bunaid, is e cuid in deolaidh nucun eigen do a coimed A. f .i. a trian
eile do neimhed i suidigthir no samaigtir iad .i. fear ind fearaind A. g .i. 1
ni he in fad is beich feasa i mbun craind uasalneimid <ce airmith er l'ri tir, ni si
beres acht is in nemead III) A.

TRANSLATION
73
§35
Compensation for the man is paid by them alla, or they have all
become forfeit15.
a i.e. compensation for the man is paid by them all <by the crowd or by the
animals) A, i.e. to pay compensation for the crime of the hand of one man
among any five persons in which . . . ( see Notes) B. b i.e. the swarm A,
they all became forfeit for the crime, likewise dogs and pigs B, i.e. it is free to
kill them whether humans or animals until they concede justice EF.
§36
It is no easier for judges in bee-judgmentsa when tracked bees
settle in the tree of a noble dignitary b: for it is not easier to cut the
tree0 on account of the dignitaryd, nor [is it] easier to release theme.
a i.e. I do not consider this easier in bee-judgments than what we have
mentioned before A. b i.e. bees which ‘ have a place or dwelling ’ in the
trunk of the tree of a noble dignitary <of a lord or of the church) A. 0 i.e. it
is not easier to cut the tree <at its base) A, for it is not easy to cut around it B.
d i.e. because of the dignitary whose tree it is A. e i.e. it is not easy to
release the bees from it A.
§37
The man who tracks thema and who is their original ownerb is
entitled to one third of their produce for three years0, but they are
looked after by the dignitary01, and the third which comes to the
original owner is a gratuity e. The second third comes to the dignitary
on whose land they settle1, the other third comes to the land where
they feedg.
a i.e. the man who accompanies them is entitled <who is able to accompany
them). b i.e. [a third] to whoever is their original owner. 0 i.e. a
third of their produce for three years to the owner of the bees. d i.e. ‘ I
stipulate ’ that they are guarded by the dignitary, by the owner of the tree,
during that period. e i.e. the third which comes to the original owner is a
gratuity; the meaning of gratuity is that he does not have to look after them.
f i.e. the other third comes to the dignitary in whose land they are settled or
established i.e. the owner of the land. g i.e. and it is not the length of time
that they are known bees in the trunk of the tree of a noble dignitary <though it
is counted as land, it is not it which gets [the third] but it is the dignitary).

74
TEXT
§38
Otha inna teora bliadnai ni dlig fer in bunaid cuit n-indiba acht
smachtu13 do, neoch ma fo-ruasat orgguin a thirec.
na teora biiadna A. bunait A. indib A. smachta A. ma
ruasasat A. tire A.
a .i. nocho dligend feor bunaidh cuid dib .i. f ear [ about five letters erased ]
na m[b]each A. b .i. na saithe </zo cain cuisc III) A. c .i. i/mi sin
madia roindsaigea siad d’orgoin a feoraind <ma[n]i beat be[i]ch acas om d’orgain
in tire ele III) A.
§39
Ni asu arailea: beich thetechtai'3 gaibte barr nemidc no maigincl
no brat scarthaee, ar cain dimet ind neniid ni doda-airretf acht .uii.
n-eludaig do-chuisin la Feniu na dim nemed De na duinig: beich
to-choisleth 7 taidchu foindil1 7 elodach fine3, fer airm deirgk, ben
as-lui a cain lanamno1 1 benm no fern as-lui goiri a mathar0 [24a] no
atharp inge mad nech na dama coir iar setaib taidea?
bech tectsechta A. nemed A. no maig- in nemid B. scartha
A. dodauret A. Acht {beginning of new paragraph) A. nelaidthi
H, nel- J. do-chuisin om. HJ. la f- A, la- HJ. na AH, nadh
J. dime H, dimh J. nemhe H. duine AHJ. bech A,
b eth O’Dav. (Eg. 88), beich HJO’Dav. (H.2.15B). docoislet AHJO’Dav.
7 om. HJ. taidcu A, taidgu H, taidhecz/ J. faendil H, fainoil J. 7
om. HJ. eolodaig A, elodach H, el- J. fear H. bean H. aslai
H. lanamna AH. 7 om. H. bean H. fear H. aslai
H. gairi A, gaire H. a om. H. mad ABK, ma H. na
ABH, nad K. dam- K. coir AEIK, coire B. seta A, setaib H.
a .i. noco/7 usu araile, gne eile, (no III) ni husa i//ni seo na i/mi romaind
A. b .i. beich teactaid ait no aide A. e .i. craind uasailneimidh
A. d .i. arm. muigib amuich <feoir III) A, .i. orgaib s om son/?ach no
lus B. e .i. no brat do sgailedh ora cind <*1 fair tairisit III) A. f .i.
aisneidh leat co nditne//d i/7 nemed i//ni tic cuige fora comorge A. g .i. na
.uii. neichi elaid and do chain ind [f]easa no indisi/z ind feinechais A, .i. atat a
.uii. elas da naisn eidenn in feinechus 7 //ocha ditneno neime de, na heclosa, iatt
na dui/ze, na tuaithe, gan ini dlcg-ait na daine o tiagait dib do thabo/rt doib
H. 11 .i. beich foxlaid amach <.i. toich aslaiet uad III) A, .i. na beich
foxlaithcr o neoch H, .i. do elodhsi O’Dav. 1 .i. in gadaighe .i. inti bis for
fa/zneludh am al coin as ga ch inad inadh {for i n-inadh by homoeoteleuton )
<gi// i/zdile III) A, .i. in gat aige no gu fagbu Ian na gaite .i. can in/zile H. •> .i.
inti elos a dlig ud chorusa fini < co ninniiQ III) A, .i. gu nin//ile H. k .i. 7
fear deorgas a claidemh isin cric iorsan morbad A, .i. ior marb ad th’athor no go
nici eiric in morbhta J, .i. iar marb ad no gu fagbo lan in marbtha H. 1 .i. in
bean elas a riagail in lanamnais <derge mbor[b]tuil[e] III) A, .i. gu fagbo lan in
imscair H. m <.i. i/zge/z III) A. n <.i. moc III) A. 0 .i. don
mnaei A. p .i. don [f]ir A, .i. in bean no in fer elos re gaire a mathar no
athar .i. noeba dlo^ar a nditten no gu fagbuit i/mi dleghur H. .i. in
math air isin no i/zt ath air B, .i. fer teit i nailithri 1 aslui hi clith K, .i. inge ar
acht , ata acht lium an//: mad nech na daimen// a gaire do reir choir acht iar
cowairib gaire {read gaite) .i. in senoir, uair //ochan indlig thech iat sum an/zside H.

TRANSLATION
75
§38
After the three years the original owner is not entitled to a share
in thema except for the fines11 from him (the dignitary), if they should
have committed trespass on his land0.
a i.e. the original owner is not entitled to a share in them i.e. the owner of the
bees. b i.e. the swarms <or the due of punishment). c i.e. that is,
if they seek to commit trespass on his land <unless he has bees to commit trespass
on the other land).
§39
Another [case] is no easier a: tracked beesb which settle in the
branches of a dignitary0 or on open land11 or on a spread clothe, for
do not the dignitaries protect anything which comes to them1,
except for the seven absconders which exist in Irish law whom the
dignitary of neither God nor man protects8: bees which escape11 and
a wandering thieving dog1 and an absconder from the kindred1, a
man of a blood-stained weaponk, a woman who absconds from the
law of marriage1 and a woman m or man11 who avoids the duty of
looking after mother0 or father p, unless it be someone who does not
acknowledge right after paths of thefts?
a i.e. another is no easier, alternatively, <or> this is no easier than the
preceding [case] A. b i.e. bees which ‘ have a dwelling or a place ’ A. 0 i.e.
of the tree of a noble dignitary A. d i.e. out on the plains <of grass) A,
i.e. it settles on a fence or bush B. e i.e. or to spread a cloth for them
<and they settle on it) A. f i.e. declare that the dignitary protects whatever
comes to him for his protection A. g i.e. the seven things which abscond
‘ according to the law of knowledge or telling ’ of Irish law A, i.e. there are seven
absconders which are mentioned in Irish law and neither a dignitary of God (of
the church) nor of man (of the laity) protects them unless they give what is due
to the people from whom they abscond H. 11 i.e. bees which they take
away <i.e. it is ‘ soon that they escape ’ from him) A, i.e. the bees which are
taken away by somebody H, i.e. to escape O’Dav. 1 .i. the thief i.e. the
person who is ‘ weakly fleeing ’ like a dog from one place to another (without
property) A, i.e. the thief until you get the full amount of what has been stolen
i.e. without property H. 1 i.e. he who absconds from the law which
regulates the kindred (with property) A, i.e. with property H. k i.e. and the
man who reddens his sword in the territory after the killing A, i.e. after killing
your father until you get the fine for the killing J, i.e. after killing, or until you
get the full fine for the killing H. 1 i.e. the woman who absconds from the
rule of marriage (desertion of violent lust(?)> A, i.e. until you get the full payment
for the separation H. m (i.e. a daughter) A. 11 (i.e. a son) A. 0 i.e. for
the woman A. p i.e. for the man A, i.e. the woman or the man who evades
the duty of looking after mother or father i.e. it is not right to protect them until
[the parents] receive what is due H. 0 i.e. that is the mother or the father B,
i.e. a man who goes into exile and absconds secretly K, i.e. inge for acht (‘ but ’),
I make an exception here: if it is someone who does not acknowledge his duty
of looking after his parents according to right, except after paths of theft i.e. the
old man, for they are not then in breach of the law H.

76
TEXT
§40
Cid esidea, m dim nemed Deb na duinic i nneoch ma fo-accba
duine ara-fogna dia eisd frisimbi coir do tintuthe.
eiside BH. dime H. neimed H. duine AB. i nneoch
om. H. ma fofaccbat A, dia facba H. oirngne A, oirgne B, arafogna
H. dies A, dia neis (in gloss ) B, dia eis H. friimbi A, frisambi H. tindtu
H.
a .i. in f er asluat[h] in ng aire i/ma math ar -jrl B, .i. cid he inti elos re ngaire
H. b .i. na heclw/si H. c .i. na tuaithe H. cl .i. ma beth clan/7
leo teis do ecaib dochma i gorta dia neis B. e .i. dia fagbu dui/7e dhgtech
isin fine tar eis i neoch rice a leas a fogn am risi coir do impou do denum a gaire
.i. mad tha, //ocha dle^ar a diten so/77 andsidhe H.
§41
Beich thetechtai gaibte barr nemida no maigin no brat scarthae:
ailid nemed trian toraid co cenn mbliadnaeb, in da trian n-aili do
fiur doda-etetc bess bunadach doibd acht is 6 suidiu a n-imchomete ar
is deolaid a trian ticc a nnemedf.
tetechta A. scartha A. torad A.
(with second a erased) A, mbliadn- B. aile A.
A. nimeomet A.
cend AB.
fir A.
bliadana
bunaidach
a .i. gabait i mbarr craind uasalneimidh A. b .i. w/Viltnigid in neimed,
f ear in craind, trian a thoraidh go ceand mbMadm. <co cend teora mbl iadan each
torad imach i/7 tan is bu/7 gabait co ceand teora mbXiadan each torad amuich *1
is do bw/raib III) A, rannait i suidiu etarru, no nwbaid mad/7 ferr leo no bit
ettf/Tu dana beos B. c .i. in da trian eile do/?n fir bis ina coimhideacht
A. d .i. da neoch is fear bunaid doib A. e .i. wc/7/aigim on ai eadha
isin a nem-coimed risin re sin .i. o fir bunaidh A. f .i. uair is a n[d]eolada7/'re
in trian tic don inad (read nemed) .i. d[f]ir in craind ; is e cuid in deolaidh : nochon
eigen do a coimhed A.

TRANSLATION
77
§40
Even this persona, no dignitary of Godb or man0 protects [him],
if he leaves behind somebody whom he should serve(?)d and to
whom it is right for him to returne.
a i.e. the man who evaded the duty of looking after the mother etc. B, i.e.
even though he is the person who evades the duty of maintenance H. b i.e.
of the church H. c i.e. of the laity H. d i.e. if they have a family, it
may suffer a death of want and hunger in their absence B. e i.e. if he leaves
behind a lawful person of the kindred who needs to be served and to whom it
is proper to return to look after him i.e. if it is so, it is not right for him to be
protected in that case H.
§41
Tracked bees which settle in the branches of a dignitarya or on
open land or on a spread cloth: the dignitary is entitled to a third
of the produce for a yearb; the other two thirds [go] to the man who
tracks them0 and who is their original ownerd, but it is he who looks
after theme, for the third which goes to the dignitary is a gratuity f.
a i.e. they settle in the branches of the tree of a noble dignitary A. b the
dignitary — the owner of the tree — is entitled to a third of its produce for a year
<for three years every produce coming out when they settle in the trunk, for three
years every produce outside and from the branches) A, they divide between
them then, or they kill if they prefer, or they (the bees) still remain between them
(see Notes ) B. c i.e. the other two thirds go to the man who accompanies
them A. d i.e. to the man who is their original owner A. e i.e. ‘ I
except ’ that they are to be ‘ quickly guarded ’ by ‘ that lawful person ’ during
that period i.e. by their original owner A. r i.e. because the third which
comes to the dignitary is a gratuity i.e. to the owner of the tree; the meaning of
gratuity here is that he does not have to look after them A.

TEXT
§42
Bretha bairra 7 maigneb di neoch do-etegarc, acht arddnemedd:
ailid-son cethramthain a toraid co cenn mbhadnaee neoch mani-ro
foiscet crichf, air dligid each tir autsadg di neoch suidigther frish.
Bretha A, Breath- B, br-a O’Dav. barr B, O’Dav. maigni B,
maig- O’Dav. do O’Dav. doetegar AB, doetagear (in lemma),
dodaetagar (in quotation ) O’Dav. airddnemed A. ailed A. cend
A. mbiiadna A. mana B. rofoiscet (with f erased ) A, rofoisccet
B. airdjdligid A. autsat B. suidigthir A.
a .i. for barraib crand na nisei nemed <na ngrad lent III> A, .i. gaibt/zi (= O.
Ir. gaibte) beich B. b .i. for na muigibh imuig <.i. brer/zemnas so berar iter
barr in isiln Qmid 7 maigne in isilneim/d 7 f er bimaid na mbech IV> A, .i.
bitt [i] suidiu do ni gaibt/zer B. c .i. di neoch ateagear daigh dibh go aith
((right margin :) .i. do neoch dib dochu/zz a ni/zaitcithcr a tiachtain (left margin :)
.i. doi/zchuitchet IV) A, o bechaib B, Doetag ear A. tarrath- ut est br-a barr 7
maig- do neoch dodaetagar .i. do neoch roet ar do gabail .i. tartaighth- O’Dav.
d .i. acht in neimhedh ard, nocon eiseig adeirim, is e cuid ind achta and u air in
ceathraimte bias doib side <.i. int isil IV) (in margin :) <.i. ini doberar don
uasalncmid ar gabail a mbarr a craind is ed on doberar dona gradaib ata isli ar
gabail a mbu/z crain/z; is ed ois (read bis) do no do maig in and isil mad beich
cun/ztabartacha .i. da trian do/z fir amuigh daig is maig e/z isil isin ran n is
nesam teit IV> A. e <.i. inund seo 7 beich fesa i mbarr crain n isilneimidh
IV) A. f .i. i/mi isin mani roindsaige siad i crich eile (no docum a criche
budein II .i. mana elat asa tir sim gin a tarrachtain an//; dia nelat ni dlig sim ni
III acht a mb eth isin crand asin crand is an n ata sin IV) A, .i. foscugud B.
g .i. log autsada i mbi ar chin// caich B. h .i. u air dligid gach fearand dib
sin aidi soaidh do do neoch suidigther no samaigt/zer i Heath ris <.i. i/zan/z so 7
beich fesa a mbarr crain/z isilneimid IV) A.
§43
Fer in-etet saithe nadbi laisa co finnathar [24b] maigin i suidigetarb:
trian do thir frisa suidigetarc, trian do fiur doda-etetd, trian do
lestur oa n-elate bes bunadach doibf.
nabi A. in suidegetar A. di thir A. suidigethar A. dofir
(inserted above line by third glossator) A. oatelat A. bunudach A.
a .i. fear ineitces (no comaitches III) saithe nabi leis budhein A. b .i. gu
fi/znan se int inad i suidige/zd siad A. c .i. beich feasa i mbarr craind
uasalneimidh sin 7 trian do fir in craind 7 da trian do fir na mbeach 7 leath a
chodach o fir na mbeach ar thobach asin ceathramad crich nimderg gen gabail
mara 7 gid leath e is trian, 7 gid trian is leath A. d .i. trian don fir bis ina
coimideact 1 ni he in fath acht ara tobac <.i. leth cota fir bu/zaid do ara lenmain
IV) A. e .i. trian dona leastraib o nelan siad A. f .i. di neoch is
fear bunaid doib A.

TRANSLATION
79
§42
Judgments of branches*1 and of open landb concerning whatever
is tracked0, except for a high dignitary d: that (case) is entitled to a
quarter of their produce for a yeare, (unless they should have shifted
groundf), for every land is entitled to a ‘ storage-fee(?),g from whatever is deposited on ith.
a i.e. on the branches of the trees of the lower dignitaries <of the commoners)
A, i.e. upon which bees settle B. b i.e. on the fields outside <i.e. this is a
judgment which is given between the branches of the lower dignitary and the
open land of the lower dignitary and the original owner of the bees) A, i.e.
they are settled indeed; that which is settled upon (see Notes) B. c i.e. of
whichever of them ... is quickly tracked <i.e. of whichever of them towards
which their coming is tracked(?) i.e. they enter together (see Notes )> A, of bees
B, Is tracked i.e. is reached, e.g. judgments of branches and of open land concerning whatever is tracked i.e. whatever it is possible to get i.e. is reached O’Dav.
d i.e. except for the high dignitary, it is not he who I am speaking about, the force
of the acht there is because of the quarter which will be theirs <i.e. the lower
[dignitary]) <i.e. what is given to the noble dignitary for [the bees’] settling in
the branches of his tree, that is what is given to the lower grades for settling in
the trunk of a tree; this is what is [given] for the open land of the lower [dignitary]
if they are bees of doubtful origin i.e. two thirds to the other man because it is
the open land of a lower [dignitary], it goes to the next fraction) A. e <i.e. this
is the same as bees of known origin in the branches of the tree of a lower dignitary).
f i.e. that is, unless they go to another holding <or to their own holding II i.e.
unless they abscond from their own land without being caught there; if they
abscond he is not entitled to anything III unless they are in and out of the tree
(see Notes) it is then that that is (i.e. that that rule applies) IV) A, i.e. departing
B. g i.e. the payment for the ‘ store-house(?)’ when it is for all B. 11 i.e.
for each of those lands is entitled to a ‘ dwelling of plenty ’ from whatever is
placed or settled in front of it <this is the same as bees of known origin in the
branches of the tree of a lower dignitary) A.
§43
The man who follows a swarm which is not hisa and who finds the
place where they settle11: a third [goes] to the holding where they
settle0, a third to the man who tracks themd, a third to [the owner of]
the hive from which they escape*5 and which is their original homeh
a i.e. the man who follows <or accompanies) a swarm which is not his own.
b i.e. and he finds the place where they settle. 0 i.e. that is known bees in the
branches of the tree of a noble dignitary, and a third to the owner of the tree and
two thirds to the owner of the bees and a half of his share from the owner of the
bees for levying in the fourth hostile territory not beyond an arm of the sea (see
Notes), if it be half [to the owner] it is a third [of that half to the levyor], if it be
a third [to the owner] it is a half [of that third to the levyor]. d i.e. a third
to the man who accompanies them and this (the accompanying) is not the reason,
but for levying them <i.e. a half of the share of the original owner to him for
following them). e i.e. a third to the hives from which they escape. f i.e.
to whoever is their original owner.

8o
TEXT
§44
Fer oa n-elat beich ro-ch-lamethar forgall in-otat in saithe hi tir
a chelia i n-inbuithib cuir saitheb: con-fodlat etarru i nde in saithesinc, each torad co cenn teora mbliadnaed; acht is in tire i suidigethar
is coir bunad a tuisten6.
bech A. rochlainethar ( punctum delens under ch) A. forgull
A. motat A. ti of hitir inserted above line by third glossator A. chele
A. cora A. eturru A. sen A. mbli- A, mbl- B.
insuidigther A. as A, is B.
a .i. seichim no indsaigim con adh laimhthinach leis foirgell imdenmha con adh
leis in saithi ra inaitcestar i fearand neich eile <.i. rolai/zzethar radh co /zdechatar
a beich ism tir -j ni laizaethar fargell arimtis na beich rochuad ar uadh sai/zr<?r/, is
aire is 1 eth in sin; i is a mbu/z isilnemid no [i]s a mb arr uasa/ne/zzid; 1 eth do daigh
isit beich chun/ztaba/'ta ; isi/z rainzz is nes am do dochuaidh la cundtaba/rt IV>
A. b .i. indbaidh docuires tar a bheich siumh in saithe, as and [fijrith in
saithe amuich A. c .i. [is cain] fodailet eaturu ar dho in saithi sin <i/z
nemead ~\ fer izz bunaid, uair is cumtabairt III) A. d .i. a thoradh gu ceand
t ri mbliadna A, .i. marbaid no ran/zait ~i {read no?) bit etarru beoss B. e .i.
acht aigim is do fir ind fearaind i suidhigt/zer no samaigt her iad is choir in tuisti
sin da beith a bunudh, fear in craind A, is an/z is coir domsud na zzzbech do buith
occ lus B.
§45
Mad airm i mbi imbed mbecha noch as-rulai saithe each lestairb
nach laimethar nech lugec bed lais, in-otat saithe do-eit hi tir
comaithich bes comoccus doib uilib d : con-fodlat etarru uili letorad
int saithi-sin co cenn teora mbliadnaee, a letorad n-aillf hi tir i
suidigethar8 inna laimther forgall11 na airthech1 bid neich int
sainreduclF [25a].
immedA. arrullaA. cac/zaA. luigu A, luga B. motat
A. thir A. uile A. eturru A. uile A. lethorud
A. intaithi A. sen A. mbliad- A. lethorad A. suidigther
A. forgull A. airthiuch A. nech A. intainrudach A.
a .i. i m[b]id beich imda A. b .i. seichim no indsaigim gur ela saithe
asa gach leastar dib {in margin :) .i. leastaz'r ilardha dabadaz- imuig andsizz roelo
saithe as ga ch leastar dib *) frith saithe dib i fea/ and in co/zzichig is comhachraib
doib i nocon [f]eas coich dib he; *j beich [fjeasa i mbun craind isilneimid iad *]
leath d[f]ir craind i a leath doib sium uilei comraindet e fo comarde A. c .i.
ar is ainbli tois nech ni nabi fia[d] suilib feigheib fzzrmithcr .i. ar ni fes cia saithi
dib sainruth foriacht an/z B. d .i. seichim no indsaigim gona laimteineac re
neach dib a luighi gonad leis in saiti ra inaitcestar a feaz^and in coimhitig is
comogos doib uile <na co/rzaithig III) A. e .i. is csein fodailid aturru uile
Oeth III (?)> toradh in saithe gu ceand tri mblia dan A. f .i. leathtoradh
eile A. g .i. is re fer ind fearaind i suidigt/zer no samaigt her he l.i. do barr
nez/zid uasail, uazr is cu/zdtaba/rt, i roi nn ar do a thoraid etaru co ce/z/z tri mbl iadan
1 a mbr eith d[f]ir crain/z otha sin arnach IV) A. h <.i. ona cozzzichib III)
A. 1 <.i. o fir barr III) A. j .i. nocho laimthinach leo fo/ gell imde/zmha
na uasalteastughudh sena ca/zidh re neach dib e gu suzzrudach A.

TRANSLATION
81
§44
The man from whom bees escape and who ventures testimony
that the swarm enters the land of his neighbour51 at swarming times'3:
they divide in half between them that swarmc [i.e.] all produce for
three yearsd; but the source of their procreation (i.e. the bees
themselves) belongs to the holding in which it (the swarm) settles6.
a i.e. ‘ I say or advance ’ that he ventures to make a testimony of proof that
the swarm which entered the land of somebody else belongs to him <i.e. he
ventures to say that his bees went into the land and he does not venture a
testimony that it was those bees in particular which escaped from him, for that
reason it is a half; and it is in the trunk of [the tree of] a lower dignitary or it is
in the branches of [the tree of] a noble dignitary; he gets a half because they are
doubtful bees, it goes to the next fraction because of the doubt) A. b i.e.
the time that his bees put out the swarm, it is then that the swarm was found
outside A. c i.e. [it is ‘ well that] they divide ’ that swarm between them
<the dignitary and the owner of the stock, because it is doubtful) A. d i.e.
its produce for three years A, i.e. they kill or divide or they (the bees) still remain
between them B. e i.e. ‘ I stipulate ’ that it is right that that procreation
should belong by virtue of origin to the owner of the land where they were
settled or established [i.e.] the owner of the tree A, in that case the proper abode
for the bees is beside a bush (see Notes) B.
§45
If it be a place where there are many beesa, and a swarm has
escaped from every hive13 and no-one ventures an oath6 that it
was his [and] the swarm which he may follow enters the land of a
neighbour near to them all d : they divide between them all half the
produce of that swarm for three years e, the other halff goes to the
land where it settles g when neither oath11 nor testimony1 is ventured
that it belongs to a particular persons
a i.e. where there are many bees A. b i.e. ‘ I say or advance ’ that a
swarm escaped from each of the hives i.e. there were many hives out there and a
swarm escaped from each hive and one of the swarms was found in the land of a
neighbour who is equally near to them and it is not known to whom it belongs;
and they are known bees in the trunk of a tree belonging to a lower dignitary and
a half goes to the owner of the tree and a half to them all, and they divide it
equally A. 6 i.e. for it is wrong that somebody should swear about something which does not take place before [his] sharp eyes i.e. for it is not known
which particular swarm of them reached there B. d i.e. 4 1 say or advance ’
that no-one of them ventures to swear that the swarm which entered the land of
the neighbour who is equally near to them all <the neighbours) was his A.
e i.e. it is 4 well that they divide ’ between them all <half> the produce of the
swarm for three years A. r i.e. the other half of the produce A. g i.e.
it belongs to the owner of the land in which it was settled or established <i.e. to
the branches [of the tree] of a noble dignitary, for it is doubtful, and its produce
is divided in two between them for three years, and they are taken by the owner
of the tree after that) A. b <i.e. by the neighbours) A. 1 <i.e. by the
owner of the branches) A. j i.e. they do not venture an oath of proof or
a 4 noble testimony * of denial that it belongs to a particular person of them A.

82
T E X T
§46
Fer fo-gaib frith mbech hi faithchi thechtai (is si ind faithche
thechtae la Feniu ni ro-saig guth cluicca>b no gairm cailig cerccc):
ailid cethramthain a thoraid co cenn mbliadnae do fiur fod-gaibd;
inna teoir cethramthain aili do faithchi hi fogbaithere.
fongaib A, fogaib D. bech D. i faithe D. techtai A,
tet [illeg.] D. faithc/zi A. techta A. la- A. mbliadna
A. fir A. na teora cetramtain aile A. faithc/zi A.
a .i. ind oired roindsaiges guth in cluig <do cdais III) A. b <.i. faiche
frite na mbech II> A. c <do briugaid 7 fill'd III) A. d .i. azriltnighid
se ceathraimthe a thoraid gu ceand mblizzr/zza don [f]ir dogeib he <.i. maizze mo
na trebaire bliad/za [f]uil acu, is cethrawzthe d[f]ir [fjrithi 7 masa mo is leth II)
A. e .i. do fir na faicti i faghabar he A.
§47
Fer fo-gaib crann mbech hi faithchi thechtaia: mad iarmotha
bliadnaib leth do fiur fod-gaib, leth n-aill do faithchi hi fogabarc.
fongaib A. techtai A. iarmota (-ta added by third glossator )
A. bli- A. do fir ( added above line probably by second glossator )
A. fodngaib A. faithchi A.
a .i. dar lind is bilida itad isan faicthi sea A. b .i. mad iaramh a aithli
na bliadna dagabar he A. c .i. a leath eile do fir na faichte i fagab ar e, d’athi
a indligid air ara beith blia dain ina [fjaithche gen fagbail do <no gin a cuazrt do
cur III) A.
§48
Fer fo-gaib frith mbech i nneoch mad sechtar faithchi0 co rricci
*
ruud marb no ecmachtc no dirainnd: trian do fiur fod-gaib e, da trian
do thir hi fogbaitherf
faithchi A. ruicce A. rud A. trian inserted by first
glossator A. fir A. fodngaib A. tir A. fogbaiter A.
a .i. in zzi sin mad seactar [fjaithche dogab ar e, it er faiche 1 diraind A.
b .i. na caillead <rofid II) A. c .i. in lacha A. d .i. in sleibe A. e .i.
trian do fir dogaib e <z>z margin : Trian d[f]ir [f]rithe and maizze mo na trebaire
bliad/ztf 1 da d[tlrian mad i ar mbliadzz/zz; no gona beith aeht trian and do gzes,
u air ni indiseanzz leabur a deithbzr gid re mbliadzzzzz gid i ar mb liadain II) A.
f .i. da tzian do [f]ir ind [fjeraind i fagzzr e A.

TRANSLATION
§3
§46
The man who finds a stray swarm of bees on a lawful green (the
extent of a lawful green in Irish law is as far as the sound of a bella’b
or the crowing of a cock0 reaches): it gives a claim to one quarter of
its produce for a year to the man who finds itd: the other three
quarters [go] to the [owner of] the green where it is founde.
a i.e. the distance that the sound of the bell reaches <from a church).
b <i.e. the green where the bees are found). 0 <from a hospitaller or a
poet). d i.e. it entails a quarter of its produce for a year to the man who
finds it <i.e. if they have not been living there for more than a year, a quarter
goes to the man who finds them, and if it is greater [than a year] it is a half. Cf.
§47). e i.e. to the owner of the green in which it is found.
§47
The man who finds a tree with bees in a lawful greena: if it be after
a yearb, one half [goes] to the man who finds it, the other half to
[the owner of] the green where it is found0.
a i.e. it seems to us that it is sacred trees which are in this green. b i.e. if
it is ‘ then after ’ the year that it is found. 0 i.e. its other half to the owner
of the green in which it is found, to penalise him for its being a year in his green
without his finding it <or without making a circuit of it).
§48
The man who finds a stray swarm if it be outside the greena up
to a great forestb or inaccessible country0 or unshared landd, one
third [goes] to the man who finds ite, two thirds to [the owner of]
the land where it is foundf.
a i.e. that, if it is found outside the green, between green and unshared
land. b i.e. of the wood (great forest). 0 i.e. of the lake. d i.e.
of the mountain. e i.e. a third to the man who finds it (A third to the man
who finds it there if it has not been living there for more than a year, and two
thirds if it has: or it may always be only a third, for the book does not say for
certain whether it is before a year or after a year). f i.e. two thirds to the
owner of the land in which it is found.

84
TEXT
§49
Fer fo-gaib frith mbech hi ruuda no dirainnb no ecmachtc: is diles
do suidiud ar is oenruidles la Feniu6 acht cuit [25b] n-agi fine1 -j cuit
n-ecailse frisa mbi audachtg; noch is si a cuit-sideh: trian as each
triun1 arnacon derbarthar eclais na fine di neoch do-ruillet a
memburj.
fodgaib A, fogaib L. frithe bech L. rud A. dfirain/z A.
la- A. naige A. necl- A. gach B. derbathar A. eel- A.
a .i. a chaille A. b .i. in sleibe A. c .i. in lacha <.i. locha bel set
1V> A. d .i. is diles don sei feadha isin A. e .i. u air is oen dona
hearnalib is rodhiles sein do reir ind fenechais A. f .i. acht in cuid beres i/m
og-ai bis dond fine .i. flait geline a dualgus ccnnachta. A. i // daerraith A. g .i.
in cuid ata don eaglaA [f]ir-bis aind sin re ud acht A. h .i. seichim com. i
[a] cuid sidhe A. 1 .i. trian a hrentrian don chach sin, in nomhadh A, .i. do
fla/7//, a triun iia///a; trian do eclais, a trian eclasa; is laisom trian fine l'adheisin
B. J .i. arnara cain-diubarthar ind eglas no ind [f]ine do neoch a/riltnigid
o mballaib A.
§50
Beich bite i llugburta no i lliusb: cip e foda-rothlaec no roda-gattad
di-ren-side amal bid a treib rosn-uccade, ar rosuidigthea i comdiriu
la Feniuh
bech A. llugbart A. lius A. fodarothla A. se
( emendation to side in accordance with gloss seisideic) A. treb A. rosnaccad
A. rosuidigthi A. comdire A. la- A.
a .i. imuig A. b .i. tall A. c .i. im ni de <ni di criathraib III)
A. d .i. ime uile <na cesa III) A. e .i. eirnid seisideic e/zecla//// and
amail bid asi/z tig rogatad se iat <im la/zndire *] im la/zeneclaz/m IV) A. f .i.
uair rosuidiged cutramas enecl ainne do reir in [f]ei//echais isna bechaib bite isi/z
lis tall A.
§51
Beich bite i llius no i llugburta: it comdiri fri seotu trebeb.
bech A. no luburt A. comdire A.
a .i. no isi/z lubghort imuig A. b .i. it cutruma sin im eneclaz/z/z risna
sedaib bis aige ina thigh <am al cleithe na nechtrand i maigi/z cona gabail far
faesam is fis II) A.

TRANSLATION
85
§49
The man who finds a stray swarm in a foresta or unshared landb
or inaccessible country0: it is immune for himd, for it is one of the
complete immunities in Irish lawe except for the share of the chief
of the kindredf and the share of the church to which he makes a
bequests; and this is their share11: one third from every third1 lest
the church or the kindred be defrauded of anything which their
members may be entitled toh
a i.e. of his wood A. b of the mountain A. c i.e. of the lake
<i.e. of Loch Bel Set) A. d i.e. it is immune for that ‘ lawful one ’ A.
e i.e. for that is one of the occasions where there is complete immunity according
to Irish law A. f i.e. except for the share which the ‘ perfect one ’ of the
kindred gets i.e. the lord of the gelfine by right of his headship i.e. of the fief of
base clientship A. s i.e. the share which is for the church ‘ which is truly
there ’ for a bequest A. 11 i.e. ‘ I say ’ that this is its share A. 1 i.e. a
third from every third for that i.e. the ninth A, i.e. [a third] for the lord in virtue
of the lord’s third; a third for the church in virtue of the church’s third; he gets
the third of the kindred himself B. •> i.e. so that neither the church nor the
kindred be ‘ well defrauded ’ of what they are due from their members A.
§50
Bees which are in a gardena or in a courtyard11: whoever carries
them offc or whoever steals themd, he pays as if it were from a house
that he had taken theme, for they have been fixed at an equal penalty
in Irish lawk
a i.e. outside A. b i.e. inside A. c i.e. in the matter of some of
it <some of the combs) A. d i.e. in the matter of all of it <the hives) A.
e i.e. he pays honour-price for it as if it were from the house that he stole them
<for full penalty and for full honour-price) A. f i.e. for equality of honourprice has been fixed according to Irish law for the bees which are inside the
courtyard A.
§51
Bees which are in a courtyard or in a garden a incur equal penalty
with household goodsb.
a i.e. or outside in the garden A. b i.e. their honour-price is the same
as the goods which he has in his house <as valuables belonging to strangers in
a precinct kept with protection and knowledge) A.

86
TEXT
§52
Beich bite i faithchia: cip e foda-rothlaeb no foda-roxlac di-renar
landired. Rosuidiged-son la Feniu hi comdiriu fri huasalneimthiu
cethraee.
Bech A, Beich C. bid C. a C. faithche A, faiche C.
fodarothla A. fodroxla A. la- A. comdire A. fria A,
fri B. huasalnemeth B. cethra A, cethru B.
a <.i. dia mbc/ugad bearar arnach a claide no a muine III .i. i raaigm digo/za
.i. lez'/zeneclan/z in/zta la lazzdire IV) A, .i. laneneclan/z a cutrumus clethe dona
bechaib a lios no a lubgort 7 is maighin 7 manab a maighin robo 1 eth, etc. C (full
commentary given in Appendix 2). b .i. im ni de <criatraib III) A. c .i.
ime uile A. d .i. icaidh se lanenecl^zz/z <im cetharda II a ceatha/r i n&n 7
\ethenec\ann III .i. ceth-e (= cethardae? see Notes) a naen IV) A. e .i.
rosuidigedh iadside da reir ind [fjenechais i cutrumus eneclai/zde risna cheathraib
uaisle (no is luga IV) bis aga neimhed <uasal im \ethenec\ainn .i. Ian izztib a
maig in IV) A, .i. lulachacha (= lul(g)acha) 7 daim riata B.
§53
Beich bite sechtar faithchia: cip e foda-roxlab no roda-gatac
di-renar landired. Rosuidiged i comdiriu la Feniu fri lu-chethraie.
fait/?che A. comdire A. la- A. lu cethra A, lu cethrai B.
a <.i. re de/bcreas beos roc ured amach iat III) A. b .i. im ni de (no dia
criathraib III) A. c .i. imi uili A. d .i. ica[i]dh se lanenecla//d intu
<im cetharda II .i. cethr-e (= cethardae? see note to 52d) a neen IV) A. e .i.
rosuidigedh iad i cutrumus enzc\ainne da reir ind fenechais risin ceathra is lu a
maighin im leitheinecla//?/? intu <.i. cairig, a tri (or a 1 ethl see Notes ) indib i
sechtmad neneclainni TV) .i. lanenecl ann isna beachaib i lis*] i lubghorti i faigthi
*] leath i maigi/z -\ sec/z/madh seactr/r maigin A, .i. luain (= lu-uain) 7 luoirc 7
luluigh 7 mendain B (cf. CIH 1109.22 lulaig no luuan no luorc).

TRANSLATION
87
§52
Bees which are in a greena: whoever may steal themb or remove
them0, a full penalty is paidd. That has been established in Irish
law at an equal penalty to that for noble dignitaries of livestock6.
a <i.e. for feeding them, it (the hive) is brought out to a bank or thicket i.e.
in an inviolable precinct i.e. half honour-price for them with full fine) A, i.e.
full honour-price in equality with large [animals] for the bees in a courtyard or
in a garden and in a precinct, and if it is not in a precinct it is half, C. b i.e.
in the matter of some of it <of the combs) A. c i.e. in the matter of all
of it A. d i.e. he pays full honour-price <with four-fold [restitution] II
four for one and half honour-price III i.e. four(?) for one IV) A. e i.e.
they have been established according to Irish law with equality of honour-price
to the noble <or smaller) animals possessed by a <noble> dignitary <with half
honour-price i.e. whole [honour-price] for them in a precinct) A, i.e. milch
cows and trained oxen B.
§53
Bees which are outside a greena: whoever may remove b them or
steal them6, a full penalty is paidd. It has been established in Irish
law at an equal penalty to that for small livestock6.
a <i.e. doubtless they were put out for a good reason) A. b i.e. in the
matter of some of it <or of its combs) A. 6 i.e. in the matter of all of
it A. d i.e. he pays full honour-price for them <with fourfold [restitution]
II i.e. four(?) for one IV) A. e i.e. they have been established in equality
of honour-price according to Irish law with the small animals in a precinct, with
half honour-price for them <i.e. sheep, three for them and one seventh honourprice) i.e. full honour-price for the bees in a courtyard and in a garden and in
a green, and half in a precinct and one seventh outside a precinct A, i.e. little
lambs and little pigs and little calves and kids B.

88
TEXT
§54
Beich thetechtaia: fer foda-coislea di magin i suidigetarb fo
theolc -j taidi d roch-fintar [26a] faire, m imdich da beth cuit do
indibf. Di-ren-sede fo choibnie co tabarr techte do magin dia
foxlaiterA
Bech A. tetechta A. fodacoisle A. in suidigethar A. teol
A. taide A. choibne A. tabar A. di magin A. diandafoxlaiter A.
a .i. beich teachtait aid [e] no ait A. b .i. fer foxlas leis iad dan inadh i
suidigt/?er iad A. c .i. toiglea/zman a gaidi bunaidh A. d .i. dichelta
i ar tain A. e .i. -j dafintar air e A. f .i. nochon em-didnend gein
fiachu gaide uaidh ge beith cuid do intib cona nescaire <Ma rue amach iat gan
fis d[f]ir in feraind, gid les fen iat no co tuctha in romd bud coir orro II) A.
B .i. eirnid side fiach gaide and fo cobintius am al na (= no) beath cuid do intib
cona neasc aire, A. h .i. co tab air se a dlighedh d[f]ir ind [fjeraind o foxlait/zer
iad. Duini fuaraistir frithi beach and si« -j fiach gaidi ata intib u air na dearna a
nesg«/>i, -j da nesg«/Ved iad dabiad cuidig frithi do <ni nimdich ge bet cuit do
indib .i. in aithgin i landire leo uile a etrocar; mad troccar im orra, is dilsi a cota
fen do i doren landire la cuit in fir aile, no gin dire uad la cuit fe/z ; -] is landire uad
la cuit a celi III) A.
§55
Is for sund rosuidigthea bechbretha la Feniu.
rosuidigthi A.
la f-e A.

TRANSLATION
89
§54
Tracked bees'1: the man who removes them from the place where
they settle by surreptitious removal0 and secret theftd and who is
discovered0; he has no defence even though he has a share in them1.
He pays an appropriate penalty8 so that the due is given to [the owner
of] the open land from which they are removed11.
a i.e. bees which ‘ have a dwelling or a place b i.e. the man who takes
them away with him from the place where they have been settled. c i.e. the
profit from his original theft. d i.e. concealed afterwards. e i.e. and
it is discovered in his possession. f i.e. it does not ‘ quickly protect ’ him
from [paying] fines for theft though he has a share in them with proclamation
of them (i.e. public notice that he had found them) <If he took them out without
the knowledge of the owner of the land, though they are his own, until they be
properly divided). 8 i.e. he pays a fine for theft for it at the same rate as
if he had a share in them with proclamation of them. 11 i.e. so that he gives
his due to the owner of the land from which they are taken. A man who found a
stray swarm of bees there and there is a fine for theft for them because he did
not proclaim them, and if he had proclaimed them, he would get the share of an
estray <he has no defence even though he has a share in them i.e. the restitution
and full penalty for them all if he (the owner) is severe; if he is lenient, however,
his own share is not forfeit and he pays a full penalty together with the share of
the other man, or he pays no penalty, but pays his own share; and it is full
penalty together with the share of his co-owner).
§55
It is on this that bee-judgments have been established in Irish law.