Advice for kings: an investigation into a subdivision of early Irish wisdom literature

D111 Medieval History;PB1201 Irish Language

McQuaid, Andrew ; Clancy, Thomas

University:University of Glasgow

Department:School of Humanities

关键词: medieval literature, wisdom, advice, kingship, Old Irish, Middle Irish, Celtic Studies, Irish Studies, Medieval Studies.;   

Others  :  http://theses.gla.ac.uk/8519/1/2017McQuaidPhD.pdf

来源: University of Glasgow

【 摘 要 】

This thesis examines a corpus of vernacular wisdom literature from early Ireland that is often referred to as tecosca ríg ‘instructions for kings’, or specula principum ‘mirrors for princes’. It reappraises some of the major theories and perceptions relating to this corpus in an effort to bring scholarly understanding up to date. The thesis begins by examining how and why modern scholars have read this corpus as wisdom literature for kings. It then looks at the development of modern theories of early Irish kingship and kingship ideology in relation to changing perceptions of vernacular literature. Special attention is paid to the concept of sacred kingship, with which this corpus been associated. Finally, this thesis examines the evidence of the tecosca against some of the major themes and debates raised in relation to the perception that these texts constitute advice for kings.