batch.motif.celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg-l8827-l8989
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg-l8827-l8989
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy.md
passage_locator:
label: MORTALS / IMMORTALS / TAIN BO FRAICH / THE RAID FOR THE CATTLE OF FRAECH;
lines 8827-8989
start: '8827'
end: '8989'
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, hearing of a maiden's love for him, is advised to seek aid and
gifts from his fairy kin. He visits Boand, his mother's sister, and receives splendid
clothing, shields, mounts, hounds, performers, and other richly ornamented equipment.
Fraech and his retinue travel to Croghan, where a watchman marvels at their beauty,
fragrance, and skill. The youths hunt animals near Croghan and in the river Bree.
Fraech is identified to Ailill and Maev, welcomed into the fort, and given quarters
in a richly built palace.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: News of a maiden's love for Fraech reaches his home, and he seeks counsel
before going to speak with her.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Fraech's folk advise him to send to his fairy kin for aid and for wondrous
robes and gifts.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Fraech goes to Mag Breg to Boand, described as his mother's sister.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Boand gives Fraech dark mantles, pale tunics with golden loops, brooches,
rings, and fifty silver-rimmed shields.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Fraech's company travels with torches, jeweled spears, gold-hilted swords,
grey mares, silver and gold horse gear, and richly worked housings.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Seven chase-hounds accompany the company on silver leashes, with gold apples
on the fetters and bronze sheaths on their feet.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Seven trumpeters, three jesters, and three harp-players accompany the procession.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The watchman at Croghan reports an unusually splendid army approaching the
fort.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The watchman says a divine breath of perfume comes from the approaching company.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The watchman describes a fair youth who throws a spear a full shot's length,
with his silver-chained hounds catching it before it reaches the ground.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: The Connaught hosts rush out to see the display, and sixteen people inside
are crushed to death while gazing.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Fraech's youths release their hounds and hunt seven deer, seven foxes, seven
hares, seven boars, and seven otters near Croghan and in the Bree.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: A steward asks about Fraech's birth, learns he is Idath's son and named Fraech,
and reports this to Ailill and Maev.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:14
text: Ailill and Maev welcome Fraech as noble and give him and his youths a fourth
of the palace.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:15
text: The palace has seven chambers, a red fire, red yew planks, bronze rails and
plates, and seven brass bolts tying the vaulting to the roof-tree.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Fraech
description: Idath's son; a fair youth who leads a splendid company to Croghan after
seeking fairy gifts.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Unnamed maid
description: The maiden whose love for Fraech is reported at his home.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Fraech's folk
description: The people at Fraech's home who counsel him to seek aid from his fairy
kin.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Boand
description: Fraech's mother's sister at Mag Breg, who gives him splendid garments
and equipment.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Fifty heroes or youths of Fraech's company
description: A richly equipped mounted company accompanying Fraech to Croghan.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Seven chase-hounds
description: Hounds with silver leashes, gold apples on the fetters, and bronze
sheaths on their feet; they follow and catch Fraech's spear and are used in the
hunt.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Seven trumpeters
description: Musicians with bright cloaks who go before the company and blow silver
and gold trumpets.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Three jesters
description: Performers with silver crowns, shields with devices, and ornamented
staves.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Three harp-players
description: Harp-players beside the jesters, each described as a kingly man.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Watchman at Croghan
description: A lookout on the fort who reports the approaching army's splendor and
Fraech's skill.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Ailill
description: Ruler at Croghan who, with Maev, orders Fraech to be welcomed.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Maev
description: Queen at Croghan who, with Ailill, orders Fraech to be welcomed.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Steward of Croghan
description: Messenger who asks about Fraech's birth and reports his identity to
Ailill and Maev.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Connaught hosts
description: People at Croghan who rush out to see the arriving company.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
roles:
- id: role:1
label: wooing hero or suitor
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Fraech seeks speech with the maiden after hearing of her love.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: beloved maiden
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The passage introduces her through the report of her love for Fraech.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: counsellors
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: They advise Fraech to seek aid from his fairy kin.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: fairy-kin benefactor
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Boand, Fraech's mother's sister, gives him the splendid gifts requested from
fairy kin.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: reporting messenger or observer
assigned_to:
- fig:10
- fig:13
basis: The watchman reports the army's approach; the steward reports Fraech's identity
to Ailill and Maev.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: splendid armed retinue
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:5
basis: Fraech and his youths arrive with richly ornamented weapons, horses, garments,
shields, and attendants.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:7
label: hunting and display animals
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The hounds catch the thrown spear and later take part in the hunt.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: ceremonial performers
assigned_to:
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
basis: Trumpeters, jesters, and harp-players march in the procession.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: royal hosts
assigned_to:
- fig:11
- fig:12
basis: Ailill and Maev rule at Croghan and order Fraech to be welcomed into the
court.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: fairy gifts and regalia
literal_form: Mantles, tunics, brooches, shields, jeweled spears, gold-hilted swords,
horse gear, and ornaments given through fairy aid.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:2
label: torches and palace fire
literal_form: Torches carried by the heroes and a red fire glowing in the palace
hall.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:8
- id: sym:3
label: silver-chained hounds
literal_form: Seven chase-hounds on silver leashes with gold apples on the fetters
and bronze sheaths on their feet.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:4
label: Bree watercourse
literal_form: The flood or stream of Bree beside the lawns of Croghan, where seven
otters are caught.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: sevenfold counts
literal_form: Seven hounds, seven trumpeters, seven deer, seven foxes, seven hares,
seven boars, seven otters, seven palace chambers, and seven brass bolts.
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: sym:6
label: fragrant splendor
literal_form: A breath described by the watchman as divine perfume from the approaching
company.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Counsel to seek fairy aid
summary: After news of the maiden's love reaches Fraech, his people advise him to
seek aid, robes, and gifts from his fairy kin.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Boand gives splendid gifts
summary: Fraech goes to Boand at Mag Breg and receives richly ornamented garments
and shields.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Procession to Croghan
summary: Fraech's company travels with shining weapons, horses, hounds, trumpeters,
jesters, and harp-players, all described as fairy-given gifts.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Watchman's report and public spectacle
summary: The watchman at Croghan announces the arrival of an unmatched splendid
army, notes its perfume, and describes Fraech's spear-play with the hounds; the
Connaught hosts rush to see it.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:10
- fig:14
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Hunt before Croghan
summary: Fraech's youths release the hounds and kill groups of seven animals, including
otters caught in the Bree.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Recognition and welcome into the palace
summary: The steward learns Fraech's identity and reports it to Ailill and Maev,
who welcome him and assign him and his youths part of the palace.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:5
- fig:11
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Otherworldly or fairy kin aid a hero's wooing expedition
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Fraech is advised to ask his fairy kin for aid and gifts before seeking the
maiden, and Boand supplies the requested splendor.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents fairy kin and gifts directly, but the subsequent
wooing outcome lies outside this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: Splendid supernatural retinue creates awe at a royal court
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The fairy-given company approaches Croghan with extraordinary ornaments,
music, hounds, fragrance, and skill, causing public amazement and a royal welcome.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The supernatural quality is attached to the source of the gifts and the
watchman's description, not to an explicit transformation scene.
- id: motif:3
label: Heroic departure toward courtship goal
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
basis: Fraech prepares for contact with the maiden by obtaining aid and then departing
with a retinue to Croghan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage shows preparation and travel, but does not yet include the
meeting with the maiden.
- id: motif:4
label: Ritualized sevenfold hunt at a boundary or gate
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Before the castle-gate setting, Fraech's youths hunt repeated groups of seven
animals and bring them to the hill near the gateway.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The text gives the repeated number and location, but does not state a
ritual purpose.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 8827-8840
quote_or_summary: News of a maiden's love for Fraech reaches his home; his people
advise him to send to his fairy kin for aid, wondrous robes, and gifts.
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 8841-8852
quote_or_summary: Fraech goes to Boand at Mag Breg, his mother's sister, and receives
black-blue mantles, rings, brooches, white tunics with golden loops, and fifty
silver-rimmed shields.
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 8856-8877
quote_or_summary: The company rides with torches, jeweled spears, gold-hilted swords,
grey mares, bells, purple housings, silver threads, and silver-gold horse gear.
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 8878-8904
quote_or_summary: Seven hounds, seven trumpeters, three jesters, and three harp-players
accompany the procession; these are identified as gifts from the fairy.
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 8908-8935
quote_or_summary: A watchman at Croghan reports an unmatched splendid army, a divine
perfume, and a fair youth whose hounds catch his thrown spear; spectators rush
out and sixteen inside are crushed.
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 8936-8946
quote_or_summary: At Croghan the youths release the hounds and hunt seven deer,
seven foxes, seven hares, seven boars, and seven otters from the Bree.
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 8947-8962
quote_or_summary: The steward asks Fraech's identity; he is named as Idath's son,
Fraech. Ailill and Maev order him welcomed and give him and his youths a fourth
of the palace.
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 8963-8989
quote_or_summary: The palace contains seven chambers, a red fire, red yew planks,
bronze rails and plates, and seven brass bolts tying the vaulting to the roof-tree.
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: Literal extraction is well supported by the provided passage. Motif labels
are candidate descriptions and require review; no 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: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Taxonomy references were limited to available entries directly supported by literal content.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-heroic-romances-of-ireland-leahy-gutenberg__l8827-l8989
passage_sha256=f91c3b596a5b51616bd847ef3911dacc61a1003ca74515e61125869a8e7d7d17