batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l5544-l5695
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l5544-l5695
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
passage_locator:
label: THE MARCH OF THE HOST / THE YOUTHFUL EXPLOITS OF CUCHULAIN / THE SLAYING
OF ORLAM / THE PROPOSALS; lines 5544-5695
start: '5544'
end: '5695'
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: Cuchulain pledges himself to the terms of fair single-handed combat, and
Fergus binds himself to the pact.
summary: Cuchulain sits by the pillar-stone at Crich Rois playing draughts with
Laeg, who observes approaching chariots. Laeg describes a splendid warrior whom
Cuchulain identifies as Fergus, noting that Fergus carries a wooden sword in the
sheath. A second young armored chariot-fighter approaches to look at Cuchulain.
Fergus arrives, is warmly welcomed, declines hospitality, and secures Cuchulain’s
pledge to a compact of fair single combat. Fergus then departs quickly to avoid
appearing to betray the men of Erin for his disciple.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Cuchulain is positioned between Fochain and the sea, with his back to the
pillar-stone at Crich Rois, playing draughts with Laeg.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Laeg faces outward and perceives living things entering the plain while continuing
to win alternating games of draughts from Cuchulain.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Laeg reports a lone warrior approaching in a large chariot and describes the
warrior’s rich clothing, shield, lance, and long sword.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Cuchulain identifies the approaching warrior as Fergus, calls him his master,
and says Fergus’ sword sheath contains a wooden sword.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: A second single chariot-fighter approaches; he is described as a young armored
attendant or gilla.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: Cuchulain says the young man has come to examine his appearance because Cuchulain
is renowned in the camp though not personally known there.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Fergus arrives, leaves his chariot, and is welcomed by Cuchulain.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Cuchulain offers Fergus lodging, food from birds and fish if available, watercress,
sea-grass, laver, a drink, protection in combat, a bed of rushes, and a guard
while he sleeps.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: Fergus says he has come not to claim hospitality but to secure the terms of
single combat that Cuchulain asked from the men of Erin.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: Cuchulain pledges himself to the compact if fair play and single-handed combat
are granted, and Fergus binds himself to it.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Fergus departs after the parley so that the men of Erin will not say he betrayed
or deserted them for his disciple.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Cuchulain
description: Warrior seated at Crich Rois, playing draughts with Laeg; he recognizes
Fergus, offers hospitality, and pledges himself to fair single combat.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Laeg
description: Cuchulain’s charioteer, facing the plain, watching approaching figures,
and describing the incoming warriors.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Fergus
description: Cuchulain’s master, a splendid chariot-warrior who arrives to bind
Cuchulain to the compact of single combat; he is also described as carrying a
wooden sword in his sword’s sheath.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: young armored gilla
description: A young, tender armored chariot-fighter who approaches after Fergus;
Cuchulain says he has come to inspect him.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: men of Erin
description: Collective group whose camp knows Cuchulain by reputation; Fergus acts
in relation to them and avoids appearing to desert them.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Ailill and Medb
description: Figures whom Cuchulain says were involved in the removal of Fergus’
sword and its replacement by a wooden sword in the sheath.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
roles:
- id: role:1
label: warrior at the ford or battlefield edge
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Cuchulain is stationed near the sea and later discusses fighting in another’s
stead and accepting single combat.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:2
label: host offering warrior hospitality
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Cuchulain offers Fergus lodging, food, drink, protection, bedding, and watchfulness.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:3
label: party bound by single-combat compact
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Cuchulain pledges himself if fair play and single-handed combat are granted.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:4
label: charioteer and lookout
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Laeg is named as Cuchulain’s charioteer, faces approaching figures, and reports
what he sees.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: master of Cuchulain
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Cuchulain calls Fergus his master and Fergus calls him fosterling.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: envoy or guarantor of compact
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Fergus says he came to make good the terms and binds himself to the pact.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: guest who declines hospitality mission
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Fergus accepts the truth of the welcome but says he has not come to claim
hospitality.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: observer of Cuchulain
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: Cuchulain says the young man has come to scan his appearance and form.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: army or collective negotiating party
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Fergus speaks of terms asked of the men of Erin, and he returns to avoid
suspicion from them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: agents in prior sword removal
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Cuchulain says Ailill got a chance at Fergus and Medb and that Fergus’ sword
was taken and replaced with wood.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: pillar-stone at Crich Rois
literal_form: pillar-stone
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:2
label: draughts game
literal_form: board game of draughts
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:3
label: splendid chariot and warrior equipment
literal_form: large chariot, purple mantle, golden brooch, embroidered shirt, lance,
shield, and long sword
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:4
label: wooden sword in sword sheath
literal_form: sword of wood placed in Fergus’ sword sheath
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:5
label: hospitality foods and drink
literal_form: wild goose, salmon, watercress, sea-grass, laver, and a drink
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:6
label: single-combat compact
literal_form: pledged terms of fair play and single-handed combat
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Cuchulain and Laeg at Crich Rois
summary: Cuchulain sits with his back to the pillar-stone playing draughts while
Laeg watches the plain and notices everything entering it.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Laeg describes the approaching warrior
summary: Laeg sees a lone warrior in a splendid chariot and gives a detailed description
of his appearance and equipment.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Recognition of Fergus and wooden sword
summary: Cuchulain identifies the warrior as Fergus and explains that Fergus’ real
sword has been removed and replaced with a wooden one.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Second chariot-fighter approaches
summary: Laeg sees another single chariot-fighter, a young armored gilla; Cuchulain
says the youth has come to inspect him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Fergus welcomed with hospitality
summary: Fergus reaches Cuchulain, receives a warm welcome, and hears a detailed
offer of lodging, food, drink, protection, bedding, and guarding.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: Compact of single combat
summary: Fergus states that he came to secure the terms of single combat, Cuchulain
pledges himself if fair play is granted, and Fergus binds himself to the pact
before departing.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: hospitality offered to a visiting warrior
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Cuchulain offers Fergus lodging, food, drink, martial substitution, bedding,
and night-watch protection.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents this as social and martial hospitality; no supernatural
interpretation is required.
- id: motif:2
label: binding compact of fair single combat
taxonomy_refs:
- covenant
basis: Fergus comes to secure Cuchulain’s terms; Cuchulain pledges himself if fair
play and single-handed combat are granted, and Fergus binds himself to the pact.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The taxonomy label 'covenant' is broad; the passage concerns a martial
agreement rather than an explicitly religious covenant.
- id: motif:3
label: foster-master mediates between hero and opposing host
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Fergus is called Cuchulain’s master, calls him fosterling, acts on behalf
of the men of Erin, and avoids the appearance of deserting them for his disciple.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The passage supports a social relationship and mediation role, but not
a wider cross-cultural comparison by itself.
- id: motif:4
label: weapon substitution or disarmed warrior
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Cuchulain says Fergus’ sword has been taken and a wooden sword placed in
its sheath.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The removal occurred before this passage and is reported in Cuchulain’s
speech, not enacted here.
- id: motif:5
label: hero observed by an opposing camp’s representative
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: A young armored chariot-fighter approaches, and Cuchulain says he has come
to scan his appearance because he is renowned in the camp but unknown by sight.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: medium
cautions: The youth’s purpose is inferred within Cuchulain’s speech; the youth does
not speak in this passage.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 5544-5560
quote_or_summary: Cuchulain is between Fochain and the sea, with his back to the
pillar-stone at Crich Rois, playing draughts with Laeg; Laeg faces approaching
figures and sees anything entering the plain.
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: lines 5560-5602
quote_or_summary: Laeg reports a lone warrior in a very large chariot and describes
his golden hair, purple mantle, golden brooch, embroidered shirt, lance, decorated
shield, and long sword.
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: lines 5604-5613
quote_or_summary: Cuchulain welcomes the approaching guest as Fergus, calls him
his master, and says Fergus carries a wooden sword in the sheath because his real
sword was taken away.
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: lines 5615-5621
quote_or_summary: Laeg sees another single chariot-fighter, a young armored gilla;
Cuchulain says he is one of the youths of Erin and has come to examine Cuchulain’s
appearance.
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: lines 5623-5658
quote_or_summary: Fergus arrives and is welcomed; Cuchulain offers him lodging,
food and drink, protection in combat, a bed of rushes, and guarding while he sleeps;
Fergus blesses his fosterling.
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: lines 5658-5686
quote_or_summary: 'Fergus says he has come to fulfill the terms Cuchulain asked
of the men of Erin: single-handed combat with one man. Cuchulain pledges himself
if fair play is granted, and Fergus binds himself to the pact.'
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: lines 5686-5695
quote_or_summary: Fergus does not remain longer in conversation, lest the men of
Erin say he betrayed or deserted them for his disciple; he has his horses and
chariot prepared and 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: high
notes: Literal extraction is well supported by the provided passage. Motif labels
are descriptive and mostly not linked to external taxonomy, except the broad martial
compact under 'covenant'. No comparison claims were made because the passage itself
does not support cross-textual comparison.
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: |-
All figures, scenes, symbols, and candidate motifs are limited to the supplied passage and metadata.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg__l5544-l5695
passage_sha256=a85b2877ba51a4ff9cf349a119ba3a083eda68ab87e82a81515ec1332cd8408e