batch.motif.celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg-l10277-l10425
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg-l10277-l10425
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
passage_locator:
label: Part I / LITERAL TRANSLATION / TAIN BO FRAICH / PART II; lines 10277-10425
start: '10277'
end: '10425'
translation: Heroic Romances of Ireland
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Fraech learns that his cattle, wife, and children have been stolen and
taken toward the Alps. Against his mother's warning, he sets out with men and
later gains Conall Cernach as companion. After a long overseas journey they reach
the Alps, meet women of Irish or Ulster connection who guide them, and learn that
the stolen cattle and captive lady are in a stronghold guarded by a dangerous
serpent at the gate. One woman plans to leave the castle portal open at night,
while warning that the serpent and a serpent host may obstruct them.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Fraech is told that his cattle have been stolen and that his wife and children
have been hidden in the southern Alps; three of his kine have been carried to
Alba by Picts.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Fraech's mother advises him to stay home rather than risk his life, offering
to replace the lost cattle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Fraech refuses to remain at home, citing an obligation connected with cattle
taken from Cualgne to Ailill and Maev.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Fraech selects three times nine men for the expedition and travels with a
hawk and a hound on a leash.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: At Ben Barchi, Fraech meets Conall Cernach, tells him of the plunder, asks
his aid, and Conall agrees to go with him.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Fraech, Conall, and their company pass over ocean from Ireland, travel through
North Saxony, sight the South Sea, pass south over Ichtian foam, and reach Lombardy
near the Alps.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: On the Alps they meet a woman herding sheep who says her mother was from Ireland
and who describes the land as grim, hostile, and associated with captured women
and cattle.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The sheep-herding woman identifies Fraech's stolen cattle, wife, and three
children as present in the region, and says she can guide but not fight.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Another woman near the herd tells the travelers that the cattle are theirs
and that the lady is kept in towers; she warns that the greatest danger is a serpent
guarding the Liss at the gate.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The woman near the herd recognizes Conall Cernach as an Ulster hero and says
prophecies foretold that Conall will bring ruin to the hold and sack it.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: The woman plans to leave the castle portal open at evening under the pretext
of keeping weak calves for milk, so the attackers may enter while the inhabitants
sleep.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: The woman warns that the serpent remains to be overcome and that a serpent
host may swarm from it.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Fraech
description: Man whose cattle, wife, and children have been stolen; he undertakes
the recovery expedition.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Fraech's mother
description: She meets Fraech, tells him where his losses have been taken, warns
him not to go, and offers to replace the cattle.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Conall Cernach
description: Ulster hero met at Ben Barchi who joins Fraech's quest and is later
recognized as the prophesied destroyer of the hold.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Fraech's expeditionary men
description: Three times nine men chosen to accompany Fraech on the foray.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Sheep-herding woman on the Alps
description: A woman herding sheep whose mother was from Ireland; she describes
the hostile land and provides guidance.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Woman near the herd / Ulster-born helper
description: A woman connected with Ulster who receives the travelers, confirms
their losses, warns of the serpent, and plans to leave the portal open.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Fraech's wife / lady in the towers
description: Fraech's wife is said to be kept in towers or in the king's dwelling;
the men of the hold obey her.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Fraech's three children
description: Fraech's children are among those taken and said to be in the foreign
land.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Stolen cattle / kine
description: Fraech's cattle are stolen, with some carried to Alba and others pasturing
near the foreign hold.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Serpent guarding the Liss
description: A serpent guards the Liss at the gate and is expected to be the hardest
obstacle; a serpent host may swarm from it.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Warriors and men of the hold
description: Warriors of the grim land raid for captives and cattle; the men of
the hold obey the captive lady.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
roles:
- id: role:1
label: Dispossessed questing hero
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Fraech's family and cattle are stolen, and he leads a journey to recover
them despite warnings.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: Warning mother and substitute-provider
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: She warns Fraech against the search and offers to replace the lost cattle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: Heroic companion and prophesied sacker
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Conall agrees to accompany Fraech and is later named in prophecies as the
one who will sack the hold.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:4
label: Armed expeditionary followers
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Three times nine men are chosen to march with Fraech.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: Kin-linked foreign guide
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: She identifies herself as kin through an Irish mother, describes the land,
and can guide the travelers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: Internal helper and gate-opener
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: She receives the travelers, gives tactical advice, and plans to leave the
castle portal open at night.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:7
label: Captive or resident lady in the hold
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Fraech's wife is said to dwell in the king's place or be kept in towers,
and the hold's men obey her.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: Stolen children
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Fraech's three children are named among the stolen people located in the
foreign land.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: Stolen wealth-herd
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The cattle are the stolen property whose location drives the expedition.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: Serpent guardian obstacle
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: The serpent guards the Liss at the gate and may foil the plan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: Hostile raiders and garrison
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The land's warriors are associated with taking captives and cattle, and the
hold contains men who obey the lady.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Serpent guardian
literal_form: Serpent guarding the Liss at the gate, with a possible serpent host
swarming from it.
associated_figures:
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: Alps / wild mountains
literal_form: Southern Alps, wild mountains, and high peaks of Alpa where the stolen
people and cattle are hidden.
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: Castle portal and Liss gate
literal_form: A castle portal to be left open at evening and a Liss gate guarded
by the serpent.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:4
label: Stolen cattle / kine
literal_form: Cattle and kine taken from Fraech and pasturing near the foreign hold.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: Hawk and hound
literal_form: A hawk flying before the expedition and a hound tied with a hunting-leash.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:6
label: Sea crossing
literal_form: Ocean, sea billows, and Ichtian foam crossed on the way from Ireland
toward the Alps.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: The theft and maternal warning
summary: Fraech learns that his cattle, wife, and children have been stolen and
hidden far away; his mother urges him not to pursue them and offers to replace
the cattle.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Fraech departs and gains Conall
summary: Fraech refuses to stay, gathers men with hunting animals, meets Conall
Cernach at Ben Barchi, and obtains his aid.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Journey overseas to the Alps
summary: The expedition crosses seas and foreign lands from Ireland toward Lombardy,
where the high Alps mark the sought destination.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Alpine guides reveal the stolen people and herd
summary: A sheep-herding woman of Irish kin and a second woman connected with Ulster
identify the hostile land, the stolen cattle, and the lady in the towers.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: scene:5
label: Prophecy, open gate, and serpent obstacle
summary: The Ulster-born helper recognizes Conall as the prophesied destroyer of
the hold and sets a plan to leave the portal open, while warning that the serpent
guardian remains the chief obstacle.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:6
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Stolen wife, children, and cattle recovery quest
taxonomy_refs:
- stolen_beloved
basis: Fraech's wife, children, and cattle are taken to a distant land, and the
passage follows his departure to find them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage includes stolen cattle and children as well as the wife; the
available taxonomy label only partially covers the broader loss.
- id: motif:2
label: Hero departs despite warning
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Fraech's mother warns that the quest will cost him his life or fail, but
Fraech refuses to stay and gathers a company.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents a martial recovery expedition rather than a purely
initiatory departure.
- id: motif:3
label: Distant journey over sea to mountain land
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Fraech, Conall, and their men cross the ocean and foreign regions until the
Alps appear as the goal of the search.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The text frames the journey as practical pursuit of stolen goods and family;
any broader quest classification should be reviewed.
- id: motif:4
label: Foreign kin-helper guides the hero
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A woman whose mother was Irish and another woman linked to Ulster provide
local knowledge, identify the stolen people and cattle, and help the travelers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: No specific taxonomy reference is supplied for this helper pattern.
- id: motif:5
label: Gate opened from within for night entry
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: The internal helper plans to leave the castle portal open while the inhabitants
sleep, allowing the attackers to enter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference is approximate; the passage emphasizes tactical
assistance rather than an explicit trickster figure.
- id: motif:6
label: Serpent guardian of stronghold gate
taxonomy_refs:
- serpent
basis: A serpent guards the Liss at the gate, is expected to be the greatest danger,
and may be accompanied by a serpent host.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not yet narrate the serpent's defeat, only the warning
and anticipated obstacle.
- id: motif:7
label: Prophecy of the hero sacking the hold
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Ulster-born woman says prophets foretold that Conall Cernach would bring
ruin and sack the hold.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage reports the prophecy but does not in this excerpt show its
fulfillment.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 10277-10304
quote_or_summary: Fraech's mother says his cattle were stolen, his wife and children
hidden in the southern Alps, and three kine taken by Picts to Alba; she urges
him not to seek them and offers replacement cattle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 10305-10328
quote_or_summary: Fraech refuses to stay, gathers three times nine men with a hawk
and leashed hound, meets Conall Cernach at Ben Barchi, tells him of the spoil,
and receives his aid.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 10329-10352
quote_or_summary: Fraech, Conall, and their company pass over ocean from Ireland,
through North Saxony, across southern seas, and toward Lombardy until the high
Alps appear as the goal.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 10353-10372
quote_or_summary: On the Alps, a sheep-herding woman says her mother came from Ireland,
warns that ill luck awaits Irishmen there, and describes a grim land where warriors
take captives, women, and cattle.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 10373-10394
quote_or_summary: 'The woman says the latest spoil was taken from Fraech: his kine,
wife, and three children; she says his wife is with the king and his cattle are
visible, and she directs the men to another Irish-linked woman by the herd.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 10395-10407
quote_or_summary: The woman near the herd hears that the cattle and the lady in
the towers belong to the travelers, says the lady is obeyed by the men of the
hold, and warns of the serpent guarding the Liss at the gate.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 10408-10418
quote_or_summary: After learning that the men are from Ulster, the woman embraces
Conall Cernach and says prophets foretold that he would bring ruin and sack the
hold.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 10419-10425
quote_or_summary: The woman advises that she will leave the castle portal open at
evening under a pretext about weak calves and milk; the attackers may enter while
the inhabitants sleep, but the serpent and its possible serpent host remain to
be overcome.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The passage provides clear literal actions, figures, and serpent-gate imagery.
Motif assignments using the supplied taxonomy are partly approximate, especially
for helper and boundary-entry patterns. No passage-supported external comparison
claims were made.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used; comparison claims were left empty because the passage itself does not support a specific comparative claim beyond internal Irish/Ulster references.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg__l10277-l10425
passage_sha256=dd9da1a2f3ba17bfd9b5434368c59608ee0aca96d1e6a2ca7a29da8e6ccc849f