batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l15087-l15213
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l15087-l15213
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
passage_locator:
label: HERE NOW THE DEER-STALKING OF AMARGIN IN TALTIU / THE ADVENTURES OF CUROI
SON OF DARE FOLLOW NOW / THE REPEATED WARNING OF SUALTAIM / XXVII; lines 15087-15213
start: '15087'
end: '15213'
translation: The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Tain Bo Cualnge
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: The passage lists groups of three warriors from many places, then shows
Medb urging Fergus to fight hard. Fergus swears a violent oath about dismembering
Ulstermen if he had his sword. Ailill has Ferloga fetch the sword, gives it to
Fergus, and Fergus welcomes Calad Colg. Fergus and other leaders enter battle,
routing the Ulstermen until they are driven back. Conchobar asks his Red Branch
bodyguard to hold position while he investigates, and they swear not to retreat
except under cosmic catastrophes.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The passage begins with a catalogue of many named groups, most described as
three persons from a named place.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Medb tells Fergus it would be a boastworthy thing for him to use his battle-might
unstintingly, because he has been driven from his land and has received land,
domain, inheritance, and goodwill among them.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: Fergus utters an oath describing the breaking and scattering of enemies' body
parts and says he would do this to every limb of the Ulstermen if he had his sword.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: Ailill orders his charioteer Ferloga to fetch a quick sword and threatens
him if the sword is in worse condition than when entrusted to him.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Ferloga brings the sword in good keeping, described as fair and flaming like
a candle.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: Ailill places the sword in Fergus' hand, and Fergus welcomes it as Calad Colg,
Lete's sword.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:7
text: Medb tells Fergus to use the weapon on the surrounding men-of-war and to grant
no indulgence or quarter except to a close friend.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Fergus takes his arms, enters the battle, and clears a gap of a hundred in
the battle-ranks with his sword in both hands.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: Ailill, Medb, the Mane, and the macMagach take up arms and enter the battle,
and the Ulstermen are routed three times from the north.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The passage gives alternate or additional accounts of the Ulstermen being
driven back again by Cualgae and sword, or of Cuchulain driving the men of Erin
back into their former battle line.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Conchobar hears that the battle has gone against him three times from the
north and asks his bodyguard, the inner circle of the Red Branch, to hold their
place while he learns who caused it.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:12
text: Conchobar's household vows to hold their place and not move backward unless
the heavens fall, the ocean covers the earth, or the ground opens, until Conchobar
returns.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Medb
description: A leader who urges Fergus to fight and later takes up weapons and enters
the battle.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Fergus
description: An exiled warrior urged by Medb, speaker of a violent battle oath,
recipient and wielder of Calad Colg.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Ailill
description: A leader who orders Ferloga to fetch the sword, receives it, gives
it to Fergus, and later enters the battle.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Ferloga
description: Ailill's charioteer, ordered to fetch the sword and described as bringing
it back in good condition.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Conchobar
description: A commander who hears that the battle has turned against him and asks
his Red Branch bodyguard to hold position while he investigates.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Inner circle of the Red Branch / Conchobar's household
description: Conchobar's bodyguard, who promise to hold their place and not retreat.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Cuchulain
description: Named in an alternate account as the one who drives the men of Erin
back into their former line in battle.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: The Ulstermen
description: The opposing force whose limbs Fergus threatens and who are routed
three times from the north.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: The Mane
description: A group that seizes arms and comes to the battle.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: The macMagach
description: A group that seizes arms and comes to the battle.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Named groups of three warriors
description: A catalogue of many triadic groups from named locations at the beginning
of the passage.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
roles:
- id: role:1
label: battle inciter
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Medb urges Fergus to use his battle-might unstintingly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: armed battle leader
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:3
basis: Medb and Ailill both seize weapons and enter the battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: exiled champion
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Medb says Fergus has been driven out of his own land and inheritance and
has found land among them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: named-sword wielder
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Fergus receives Calad Colg and clears a gap in the ranks with the sword in
both hands.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:5
label: sword custodian and giver
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Ailill has the sword fetched, receives it, and places it in Fergus' hand.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: charioteer messenger
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Ferloga is called Ailill's charioteer and is ordered to fetch the sword.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: commander investigating battle reversal
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Conchobar goes to learn by whom the battle was forced against his side.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:8
label: steadfast bodyguard
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The bodyguard promises not to move backward from their place until Conchobar
returns, except under cosmic disasters.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:9
label: counterattacking hero
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Cuchulain is named as driving the men of Erin back into their former battle
line.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: routed opposing force
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The Ulstermen are threatened in Fergus' oath and routed three times from
the north.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: role:11
label: allied combatant group
assigned_to:
- fig:9
- fig:10
basis: The Mane and macMagach seize arms and come to the battle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:12
label: catalogued triadic warrior group
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: The passage lists numerous groups of three from named places.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Calad Colg / Hardblade
literal_form: Named sword, also called Lete's sword, described as fair flaming as
a candle.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:2
label: flaming sword
literal_form: The sword brought by Ferloga is described as fair flaming as a candle.
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- fire
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:3
label: cosmic conditions of non-retreat
literal_form: Heavens falling with stars, ocean breaking over the earth, and ground
yawning open.
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:4
label: triadic warrior catalogue
literal_form: Repeated groups of three named persons from many named places.
associated_figures:
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:5
label: Cualgae
literal_form: Wheeled towers identified in a note and named as part of what drives
the Ulstermen back again.
associated_figures: []
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Catalogue of triadic warrior groups
summary: The passage enumerates many groups of three warriors, each associated with
a named place.
figure_refs:
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Medb urges Fergus to fight
summary: Medb reminds Fergus of his exile and new inheritance among them and urges
him to use his battle-strength without stint.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Fergus' oath of dismemberment
summary: Fergus swears that he would break and scatter the bodies of Ulstermen if
only he had his sword.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:8
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Recovery and handover of Calad Colg
summary: Ailill orders Ferloga to bring the sword, receives it in good condition,
gives it to Fergus, and Fergus greets it by name.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Fergus and allies enter battle
summary: Fergus enters battle with the sword and cuts a gap in the ranks; Ailill,
Medb, the Mane, and the macMagach also arm themselves; the Ulstermen are routed
and then driven back.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Red Branch vow to hold the line
summary: Conchobar asks his bodyguard to hold position while he investigates the
battle reversal, and they vow not to retreat unless cosmic disasters occur.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: warrior incited by patron to repay hospitality in battle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Medb urges Fergus to fight without restraint because he has received land,
domain, inheritance, and goodwill among them after exile.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage presents the speech as immediate battle exhortation; it does
not explicitly frame a formal obligation system beyond Medb's argument.
- id: motif:2
label: named weapon restored to hero before battle
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ailill has Ferloga retrieve the sword, gives it to Fergus, and Fergus welcomes
the named sword Calad Colg before fighting with it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage identifies the sword and its battle use, but gives no origin
story here.
- id: motif:3
label: hyperbolic battle oath of bodily destruction
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Fergus' oath lists body parts to be broken or scattered and says he would
send every limb of the Ulstermen flying if he had his sword.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is based on speech formula and threat, not a completed action
in this passage.
- id: motif:4
label: hero cuts a gap through enemy ranks
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Fergus clears a gap of a hundred in the battle-ranks with his sword in both
hands.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The number is part of the epic battle description and should be treated
as a literal passage claim rather than independently verified count.
- id: motif:5
label: steadfast warrior band vows not to retreat except under cosmic catastrophe
taxonomy_refs:
- chaos
basis: The Red Branch bodyguard vows not to move backward unless heavens fall, ocean
overwhelms earth, or the ground opens.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy reference to chaos is supported only by the catastrophic
imagery in the oath, not by a full creation or chaos myth.
- id: motif:6
label: triadic catalogue of warrior groups
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The passage lists repeated groups of three warriors from named places.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage provides a catalogue form but does not explain the significance
of the repeated number three.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 15087-15116
quote_or_summary: Catalogue of many groups described as three named persons from
named places, including groups from Sliab Mis, Luachair, Loch Erne, Loch Ri, Ess
Ruaid, and others.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 15117-15127
quote_or_summary: Medb tells Fergus it would be boastworthy for him to use his battle-might
without stint, since he was driven from his land and received land and goodwill
among them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 15128-15153
quote_or_summary: Fergus swears that he would break and scatter men's body parts
and send every limb of the Ulstermen flying through the air if he had his sword.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 15154-15168
quote_or_summary: Ailill orders his charioteer Ferloga to fetch a quick sword and
threatens him if the sword is in worse condition than when Ailill entrusted it
to him.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 15169-15184
quote_or_summary: Ferloga brings the sword back in good keeping, fair and flaming
like a candle; Ailill gives it to Fergus, who welcomes Calad Colg, Lete's sword;
Medb directs him against the surrounding men-of-war.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 15185-15197
quote_or_summary: Fergus arms himself and clears a gap of a hundred in the battle-ranks
with the sword; Ailill, Medb, the Mane, and the macMagach join battle; the Ulstermen
are routed three times, and an alternate account names Cuchulain as driving the
men of Erin back.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 15198-15213
quote_or_summary: Conchobar asks the inner circle of the Red Branch to hold the
battle line while he investigates; they vow not to retreat unless the heavens
fall with stars, the ocean overwhelms the earth, or the ground opens, until he
returns.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif labels are descriptive
candidates and need human review, especially any taxonomy association.
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: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly support comparison to another tradition or corpus beyond the immediate Tain narrative context.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg__l15087-l15213
passage_sha256=e0ed61eede15db53052c2fd46a6abc45c79081b22ad4ece4d15c60cbe9bd1b35