For there are residences in which a distress is not released

Title

Brehon Laws, here: Senchus Mór; The Law of Distress

Author

Ancient Irish judges (brehons)<ref> P. W. Joyce, Social History of Ancient Ireland, London 1903, p168. Read online [1]</ref>.

Language

Oldest Irish dialect, called Bérla Féini.<ref>P. W. Joyce, Social History of Ancient Ireland, London 1903, p175. Rread online [2]</ref> First translation by the Irish scholars John O’Donovan<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_O%27Donovan_%28scholar%29</ref> and Eugene O’Curry<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_O%27Curry</ref> in the 19th century.<ref> P. W. Joyce, Social History of Ancient Ireland, London 1903, p177. Read online [3]</ref>An image of the manuscript shows the complicated design of the text.<ref>https://archive.org/stream/socialhistoryofa01joycuoft#page/176/mode/2up</ref>.

Text in Dunnett

Queens’ Play 3.3 Distress Is Not Released

QP 3.3 For there are residences in which a distress is not released. If carried into concealment, if carried into a wilderness, if carried into a wood, if carried into a dark place; for these are the residences of thieves and outlaws. Until every distress is brought into light and manifestations, it is not released.

Context in Source

A lawful residence, now, for a distress, is the residence in which it is released.<ref>For a definition of distress click here</ref>
For there are residences in which a distress is not released. If carried into concealment; if carried into a cave; if carried into a wilderness; if carried into a wood, if carried into a dark place; for these are the residences of thieves and outlaws. Until every distress is brought into light and manifestation it is not released.<ref> Ancient laws of Ireland. Vol 2: Senchus Mor, Part II: Law of distress (completed). Laws of hostage-sureties, fosterage, saerstock tenure, daerstock tenure, and of social connexions. Published under direction of the commissioners for publishing the Ancient Laws and Institutes of Ireland. Dublin, 1869, p129. Read online [4]</ref>

Source

The chapter headings are taken from the Brehon Laws a compilation of ancient Irish law tracts, which contain among others the Senchus Mor, written as early as in the 5th century A.D. <ref>Queens’ Play, footnote on table of contents</ref>

Comments

In the Senchus Mor ‘distress’ means ‘distraint’. The chapter heading, however, can be read as playing with the more common connotation of misery to indicate the distress Lymond is suffering at the hands of all manner of dubious people, and in several hiding places. Nor is distress limited to his physical pain, but also indicates the stress the Dame de Doubtance creates for Lymond by conjuring up Francis Crawford, his grandfather, and Sybilla. One might also read this epigraph as indication of the slanderous accusations which prevent Lymond’s return to the several courts. Finally, it hints towards Richard’s pain searching in vain for his brother.

References

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