batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l6291-l6421
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg-l6291-l6421
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 6291-6421
start: '6291'
end: '6421'
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: Cuchulain kills an advance group and then confronts Buide son of Ban Blai
while the Brown Bull of Cualnge and heifers are being driven toward the host.
Buide is killed at a ford by Cuchulain's spear, while other men carry the bull
to the camp. The passage also explains place-names associated with Medb's movements,
describes Medb's destructive northern circuit and execution of captive women,
and ends with the host gathering at Fochard with the company bringing the bull.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Cuchulain came upon the Fir Crandce while they were pitching camp in advance
of the others, and they fell by his hand.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Buide son of Ban Blai, one of the followers of Ailill and Medb, met Cuchulain
with a force of warriors.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The Brown Bull of Cualnge was moving before Buide's group, with fifty heifers
accompanying him.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: Cuchulain questioned the men about the drove and its herdsmen, then spoke
with Buide at the ford.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: Cuchulain and Buide exchanged throws at the ford, and Cuchulain's short spear
struck Buide through shield, ribs, heart, and breast.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: Buide fell at the ford, which is given as the origin of the place-name Ath
Buidi.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:7
text: While Cuchulain and Buide were engaged, the Brown Bull of Cualnge was carried
quickly to the camp by eight great men.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: The opponents believed Cuchulain would be easier to deal with if his spear
were taken from him.
category: other
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:9
text: Fords, hills, tent-sites, and places where Medb rested her horselash are said
to receive names from Medb.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:10
text: Medb turned back from the north after laying waste and plundering several
lands.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Medb offered battle to Findmor at the gate of Dun Sobairche, slew Findmor,
and laid waste Dun Sobairche.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: Medb brought fifty women into Dalriada and had them hanged and crucified;
the hill-name Mas na Righna is explained from their hanging.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:13
text: The warriors of four of the five grand provinces of Erin came to camp at Fochard
with Medb, Ailill, and the company bringing the bull.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Cuchulain
description: Warrior who surprises and kills the Fir Crandce, confronts Buide, and
kills Buide at the ford with a short spear.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Fir Crandce / twenty men of Fochard
description: A named group including the two Artinne, the sons of Lecc, Durcride,
and Gabul, and others; described as ten cup-bearers and ten men-of-arms pitching
camp in advance.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Buide son of Ban Blai
description: Follower of Ailill and Medb from Sliab Culinn who meets Cuchulain,
answers him defiantly, and is killed at the ford.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Brown Bull of Cualnge
description: The bull moving before Buide's group with fifty heifers, later carried
away to the camp of the men of Erin.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Medb
description: Queen associated with the hosting, place-names, northern plundering,
the slaying of Findmor, and execution of captive women.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Ailill
description: Named with Medb as a ruler whose followers include Buide and as present
with the host at Fochard.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Findmor wife of Celtchar
description: Woman at the gate of Dun Sobairche to whom Medb offered battle and
whom Medb slew.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Fifty women taken from Dun Sobairche
description: Women brought into Dalriada after Medb took Dun Sobairche; they were
hanged and crucified.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Warriors of four provinces / host of Erin
description: The warriors of four of the five grand provinces who came to camp at
Fochard with Medb, Ailill, and the bull company.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Eight great men
description: Group said to carry the Brown Bull of Cualnge quickly to the camp while
Cuchulain and Buide are engaged.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
roles:
- id: role:1
label: solitary warrior attacker
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Cuchulain surprises an advance group, confronts Buide, and kills him with
a spear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:2
label: advance camp victims
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The Fir Crandce are pitching camp in advance and fall by Cuchulain's hand.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: ford opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Buide exchanges throws with Cuchulain at the ford and is killed there.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: contested prize animal
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The Brown Bull is driven before the group and then carried to the camp of
the men of Erin.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:5
label: queen and war leader
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: Medb's movements name places, and she plunders lands, fights Findmor, and
orders executions.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:6
label: allied ruler
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Ailill is named with Medb as connected to Buide's country and present with
the host.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: role:7
label: fortress defender or battle opponent
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Findmor is fought by Medb at the gate of Dun Sobairche and slain.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: executed captives
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The fifty women are brought into Dalriada and then hanged and crucified.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:9
label: assembled host
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The warriors of four provinces arrive to camp at Fochard with Medb, Ailill,
and the bull company.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:10
label: bull carriers
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Eight great men carry the Brown Bull quickly to the camp.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: ford of combat and naming
literal_form: ford / Ath Buidi
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: short spear
literal_form: short spear cast by Cuchulain
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: Brown Bull of Cualnge
literal_form: bull with fifty heifers
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: sym:4
label: Sliab Culinn
literal_form: mountain named as origin of the drove and Buide's country
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- mountain
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:5
label: Medb place-name marks
literal_form: Ath Medba, Dindgna Medba, Pupall Medba, Bili Medba
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:6
label: hill named from hanging
literal_form: Mas na Righna, the hill-name explained from the hanging of women
associated_figures:
- fig:5
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Cuchulain surprises the Fir Crandce
summary: Cuchulain comes upon the Fir Crandce while they pitch camp ahead of the
host and kills them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Meeting with Buide and the drove
summary: Buide and his warriors are moving with the Brown Bull and heifers; Cuchulain
questions them and challenges Buide at the ford.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Buide slain at the ford
summary: Cuchulain and Buide exchange throws at the ford; Cuchulain's spear kills
Buide, and the ford receives a name from Buide.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:4
label: Bull carried to the host
summary: While the spear exchange occupies Cuchulain and Buide, eight men carry
the Brown Bull to the camp, and the opponents consider taking Cuchulain's spear
from him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:5
label: Medb's place-naming circuit
summary: The passage explains multiple place-names from Medb's stops, tent-pitching,
and resting of her horselash.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:6
label: Medb's northern destruction and executions
summary: Medb plunders lands, defeats and kills Findmor at Dun Sobairche, takes
fifty women, and has them hanged and crucified, explaining another hill-name.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:7
label: Host gathers at Fochard
summary: The warriors of four provinces arrive at Fochard with Medb, Ailill, and
the company bringing the bull.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: lone warrior destroys an advance detachment
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Cuchulain alone surprises and kills the Fir Crandce, who are pitching camp
ahead of the others.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents the action as a battle episode, not as a broader
mythic archetype.
- id: motif:2
label: ford duel decided by a spear throw
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Cuchulain challenges Buide to the ford, they exchange throws, and Buide is
killed by Cuchulain's short spear.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: high
cautions: Only one combat exchange is summarized; no ritual duel rules beyond the
ford challenge are stated.
- id: motif:3
label: prized bull carried off while the defender is occupied
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Brown Bull is moved with heifers, and while Cuchulain is engaged with
Buide, eight men carry the bull quickly to the camp.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not describe the bull as sacred; taxonomy links to sacred
theft are therefore not assigned.
- id: motif:4
label: place-name origin from heroic or royal action
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Ath Buidi is explained from Buide's fall, several Medb place-names are explained
from her movements, and Mas na Righna is explained from the hanging of women.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: This is an etiological naming pattern within the passage, not a cross-textual
comparison claim.
- id: motif:5
label: war-leader queen lays waste and executes captives
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Medb lays waste and plunders lands, kills Findmor at Dun Sobairche, takes
fifty women, and has them hanged and crucified.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: medium
cautions: The episode is explicitly martial and punitive; no ritual sacrifice or
divine judgment is stated.
- id: motif:6
label: hero's weapon as strategic vulnerability
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The opponents think Cuchulain would not be hard to deal with if his spear
were taken from him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage reports an opinion about the spear but does not narrate an
actual disarming in this excerpt.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 6291-6421, Fir Crandce episode
quote_or_summary: Cuchulain finds the Fir Crandce pitching camp in advance; the
group is identified as twenty men of Fochard, ten cup-bearers and ten men-of-arms,
and they fall by his hand.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 6291-6421, Buide and ford episode
quote_or_summary: Buide son of Ban Blai, a follower of Ailill and Medb, meets Cuchulain
while the Brown Bull and fifty heifers move before the warriors; Cuchulain questions
the men, challenges Buide to the ford, casts a short spear, and Buide falls at
the ford, giving rise to Ath Buidi.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 6291-6421, bull carried to camp
quote_or_summary: While the spear exchange takes time, eight great men carry the
Brown Bull of Cualnge quickly to the camp of the men of Erin; they judge that
Cuchulain would be easier to handle if his spear were taken.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 6291-6421, Medb place-name passage
quote_or_summary: Fords, hills, tent-sites, and places where Medb rested her horselash
are named Ath Medba, Dindgna Medba, Pupall Medba, and Bili Medba.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 6291-6421, Medb northern circuit
quote_or_summary: Medb turns back after a fortnight of laying waste and plundering;
she battles Findmor at Dun Sobairche, kills her, lays waste the fort, takes fifty
women into Dalriada, and has them hanged and crucified, explaining Mas na Righna.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 6291-6421, Fochard camp notice
quote_or_summary: The warriors of four of the five grand provinces of Erin come
to camp at Fochard with Medb, Ailill, and the company bringing the bull.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-irish/project-gutenberg/tain-bo-cualnge-dunn.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized evidence.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: The main actions and figures are explicit in the supplied passage. Motif
labels are descriptive and mostly not mapped to the supplied taxonomy because
the passage does not support the more specific taxonomy terms such as sacred theft
or sacrifice.
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 cross-tradition comparison.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-irish-tain-bo-cualnge-dunn-gutenberg__l6291-l6421
passage_sha256=3938cd41dc9858c0ab9e2d7f4efa3c66f50c5061f2d0895de8a5d7b85a5a4522