The Combat of Fer Díad and Cúchulainn
The Combat of Fer Díad and Cúchulainn is a significant narrative within the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, centering on themes of friendship, honor, and the tragic consequences of conflict. The story unfolds as Queen Medb of Connacht seeks to steal the prized brown bull of Cúailnge, guarded by the young hero Cúchulainn from Ulster. To confront Cúchulainn, Medb sends his foster brother, Fer Díad, who is initially reluctant to fight but is ultimately pressured into battle through manipulation and intoxication.
The combat occurs over three days, highlighting both the camaraderie and the sorrow inherent in their conflict. Despite their shared history and training, the battle culminates in tragedy when Cúchulainn, compelled to defend his honor and the bull, defeats Fer Díad using the lethal gáe bulga, a formidable weapon associated with his legendary prowess. This poignant confrontation not only marks a climax in the tale known as The Cattle Raid of Cooley but also reflects broader themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the high cost of war in ancient Irish culture. Cúchulainn’s character, often depicted with superhuman strength and a complex moral code, serves as a cultural icon in Ireland, symbolizing both heroic ideals and the tragic nature of his fate.
The Combat of Fer Díad and Cúchulainn
Author: Traditional Celtic
Time Period: 999 BCE–1 BCE; 1 CE–500 CE
Country or Culture: Ireland
Genre: Legend
PLOT SUMMARY
The queen of Connacht, Medb, wants to steal the famed brown bull of Cúailnge (Cooley), which is being guarded by the warrior Cúchulainn (also spelled Cuchulain) of Ulster. She decides to send Cúchulainn’s friend and foster brother, Fer Díad (Ferdiad), to do battle with him. Cúchulainn has thus far slain every warrior sent to battle him in defense of the bull, but Fer Díad and Cúchulainn trained together and are seen as an equal match in combat. When Fer Díad refuses to fight Cúchulainn, Medb sends men to taunt Fer Díad and shame him into going into battle.
In order to defend his honor, Fer Díad goes to Medb’s camp, where he is given strong liquor until he is drunk. Medb promises him great rewards, including her own daughter to wed, if he defeats Cúchulainn. She lies to him and says that Cúchulainn has heard of Fer Díad’s challenge and welcomes the opportunity to slay him. Although he does not believe her, Fer Díad finally agrees to fight Cúchulainn. Fergus, the former king of Ulster, overhears and goes to warn Cúchulainn that Fer Díad will be coming the next day to offer battle. Cúchulainn is disheartened to hear that his comrade wishes to fight him, but he knows he has to continue defending the brown bull of Cúailnge, even if it means killing his dear friend.
That night, Fer Díad has a fitful sleep and awakes early to prepare for his travel to the ford where he will battle Cúchulainn. His charioteer, Id, readies the horses and weapons, and Cúchulainn’s charioteer, Láeg, does the same. When the men meet for battle at the ford, Fer Díad calls out to Cúchulainn, asking him what brought him out to fight. He reminds Cúchulainn that during their training, he was always the inferior warrior. Cúchulainn tries to talk Fer Díad out of the fight, saying that they were once brothers and Medb is only using him as a pawn. Still, Fer Díad insists that they fight.
The men fight for three days, taking breaks at night to rest and heal their wounds. On the first two nights, they share a fire and display much camaraderie. After the third day of fighting, in which they fight with heavy shields and swords, the men sleep in separate camps.
Fer Díad awakes the fourth day knowing it will be the decisive day of combat. He dresses himself in his heaviest armor, including an iron kilt with heavy shielding around the midsection. Fer Díad fears that today Cúchulainn will use the dreaded gáe bulga, a spear that is thrown using the foot and ejects numerous barbs after piercing a person’s body. This weapon was used by Cúchulainn to kill many of his enemies. Cúchulainn sees Fer Díad practicing for battle and tells Láeg to ready the gáe bulga.
During the battle, Fer Díad gains the upper hand several times. After he seriously wounds Cúchulainn, two invisible spirits named Indolb and Dolb come to Cúchulainn’s aid. Once Fer Díad realizes the spirits are there, he becomes furious and kills them both. Cúchulainn calls for Láeg to prepare the gáe bulga, which he sends downstream to him. Fer Díad tries to shield himself from the deadly spear, but Cúchulainn sends it with all of his might. The gáe bulga pierces the iron kilt, shatters Fer Díad’s shield, and enters his stomach, spreading the barbs throughout his body.
As he lies dying, Fer Díad accuses Cúchulainn of an unfair battle. Cúchulainn carries Fer Díad to the north side of the ford so that he will die advancing in combat, not retreating. There, Cúchulainn sings laments to his comrade and foster brother.
SIGNIFICANCE
It is important to examine the legend of the combat of Fer Díad and Cúchulainn in the context of the Ulster cycle of Irish mythology. The Ulster cycle is an epic series of legends, traditionally set in Northern Ireland around the time of Jesus Christ, that focus on the Ulaid tribe, headed by King Conchobar, and its conflict with the rival Connachta tribe, led by Queen Medb. One of the central stories of the Ulster cycle is the Táin Bó Cúailnge, widely known as The Cattle Raid of Cooley. Cattle were a main source of currency during this time, and in this story, Queen Medb is determined to steal Conchobar’s treasured bull. Cattle and bulls are also symbols of fertility in Celtic mythology, so by stealing Conchobar’s bull, Medb would also be taking away from his tribe’s vigor.
Much of the Ulster cycle was compiled during the time when pagan Ireland was transitioning to its Christian period, and the legends contain a considerable amount of mythological content, such as the invisible spirits that aid Cúchulainn and the great bull of Ulster. Because of a curse put upon the men of Ulster, where the Ulaid reside, the seventeen-year-old Cúchulainn is the only warrior able to resist the armies sent by Medb. The story of the combat of Fer Díad and Cúchulainn marks the climax of The Cattle Raid of Cooley.
Cúchulainn is one of the most important figures in Irish mythology and the central character of the Ulster cycle. He is the son of the god Lugh and possesses superhuman strength. In most legends, Cúchulainn is born with seven fingers on each hand, seven toes on each foot, and seven pupils in each eye. He is celebrated for his extraordinary deeds and battle prowess at a young age. One of the most well-known aspects of his legend is his berserker rage, during which his body takes on a monstrous appearance and his violent anger becomes uncontrollable. In The Cattle Raid of Cooley, the exiled former king Fergus recounts to Medb many of Cúchulainn’s heroic exploits.
In Irish culture, Cúchulainn is used as an archetype of good character and honorable traits. He appears frequently in works of art, music, and literature. During the height of the troubles in Ireland, both the Irish nationalists and Ulster unionists used him as a symbol of their movements. He was used frequently as a character by Irish author and poet William Butler Yeats. Critics believe that Yeats used the legends of Cúchulainn as a theme to reflect the plight of Irish people at the time and to inspire hope in them.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gantz, Jeffrey. Early Irish Myths and Sagas. New York: Penguin, 1982. Print.
Joe, Jimmy. “Ulaid Cycle.” Timeless Myths. Timeless Myths, 24 June 2006. Web. 7 May 2013.
Kinsella, Thomas, trans. The Táin: Translated from the Irish Epic Táin Bó Cuailnge. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2002. Print.
Mountain, Harry. The Celtic Encyclopedia. Vol. 3. Boca Raton: Universal, 1998. Print.